Although the average Christian wouldn’t know an "abomination of desolation" even if it came up and bit them in the rear, Jesus gave important end time survival instructions for "when you see the abomination." This cryptic phrase describes the key event that immediately precedes the Great Tribulation and is the last chance to flee to safety from the Antichrist. Nevertheless, people continue to disagree on what the abomination of desolation is or even whether it is past or future! Find out why it’s not the Dome of the Rock or any past event, and what exactly Revelation says it will be.
Abomination of Desolation?
Daniel's "abomination of desolation" is a very familiar term to most Christians thanks to Jesus' reference to it in the Gospels. At the same time, it is easily the least understood major prophetic term compared to say the great tribulation, the mark of the beast or even the 70th week. Most Christians have no clue what it is because the terms "abomination" and "desolation" do not have the same significance to a modern Western reader as they did to ancient Torah-savvy/Jewish audiences.
This opacity can leave the modern reader troubled when they read what it says about the abomination of desolation:
Matthew 24:15-16 (ESV) — 'So when you see the abomination of desolation ... then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.'
These urgent survival instructions Jesus gave for end time believers are of course difficult to follow when you have no concept of what you're supposed to be watching for!
Naturally, this ignorance makes it easy for Christians to entertain very diverse theories for what the abomination is; based in either the past or future. For example, one historical theory is that the abomination of desolation is the Dome of the Rock finished on the Temple Mount in 691 AD. Preterists believe the abomination happened when the Roman general Pompey conquered the city and entered the Holy of Holies (where only the Aaronic high priest was allowed) before they destroyed the temple in 70 AD. Others think Antiochus IV Epiphanes completely fulfilled the abomination after he violated the temple in 167 BC in the time of the Maccabees. Of course, there is also the "futurist" perspective that the abomination relates to the work of the end time Beast or "Antichrist."
Fortunately, there are several clues in Scripture about the abomination of desolation. When you look at them all together, it becomes possible to identify the one interpretation that they all fit. Here are seven clues from simple, plainly read Scripture that will help us do that.
Clue #1: Location
The first clue is about where the abomination happens:
Matthew 24:15-16 (ESV) — 'So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place,...then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.'
The usage of the term "holy place" in other New Testament passages corroborate that it refers to the temple in Jerusalem (Acts 6:13; 21:28). If it was not already obvious by the term "abomination" that, whatever it is, it does not belong in God's temple, Mark confirms this:
Mark 13:14 (ESV) — But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
As mentioned above, there are rules specified in Moses' Law about what is allowed in the temple. Unless something is a holy object (like the ark of the covenant) or a holy person (like a priest), it "ought not be" in the temple.
Theories Contradicts: This clue rules out any interpretation that does not take place at the standing temple in Jerusalem, such as the Dome of the Rock theory.
Clue #2: Visible, Standing Nature
The next clue found in the same above verses from the Gospels is that whatever the abomination is, it is something that is visible or something people will "see" and also something that can be said to be "standing." Since seeing it is a sign, the implication is that the abomination becomes visible suddenly.
This clue could fit the abomination being a person, a statue or perhaps even a building (except buildings do not suddenly become visible but are in a state of incompletion while being built).
Theories Contradicted: This clue rules out any interpretations that presents the abomination as something you cannot see or does not stand up, such as saying it is some heretical religion or the destruction of Jerusalem itself (as Joseph Smith interpreted the event).
Clue #3: Who Does It?
Daniel's "70 weeks" prophecy is the source of the abomination of desolation prophecy that Jesus quoted:
Daniel 9:26-27 (HCSB) — 26 ... The people of the coming prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed. 27 He [=the prince, Antichrist ] will make a firm covenant with many for one week [the 70th week], but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple, until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator."
The one behind the abomination is the "prince" who shall come from the people who destroyed the temple. Some people think that Christ was the one mentioned here about cutting off the sacrifices. If you check the next reference in Daniel to the abomination, you will find more details to test that theory against:
"Depart From Me, I Never Knew you!" - Jesus
Jesus predicted that he will tell many sincere believers to basically "get lost" instead of welcoming them into the Kingdom. So...who are they and what did they miss or do wrong? In this study, get those answers and the one requirement for salvation Jesus taught (that Christianity misses) so that you can make sure you don't hear these dreaded words yourself!
Daniel 11:31-32 (HCSB) 31 His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action.
The ones behind the abomination are not holy, but described as corrupting people against God's covenant and pitted against people who know their God.
Theories Contradicted: Since the person doing the abomination (and cutting off the sacrifices—see below) is evil, theories about Jesus Christ doing or being the abomination (and as we'll see below, cutting off the sacrifices) do not work.
Clue #4: Sacrifices Stopped Concurrently
You may have noticed in the above two verses from Daniel that there is always something else tied to the abomination: the abolition of animal sacrifices. The daily oblation sacrifices were commanded in the Law of Moses to be done in the morning and evening as part of the temple worship. Several prophecies even talk about them returning in the future despite them ending long ago with the destruction of the temple in 70 AD (Eze 40-48).
Yet, it may not be fully evident from the above verses that the abolition of sacrifices is directly tied to the abomination being set up. In the third and final reference to the abomination in Daniel, this is made evident:
Daniel 12:11 (HCSB) — From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
We will see exactly what the 1,290 days refers to later, but for now it's clear that these two connected events happen on the very same day, 1,290 days from something else.
Theories Contradicted: Any explanation of the abomination that does not happen when sacrifices are ongoing and does not then end those sacrifices on the same day would be contradicted, such as the Dome of the Rock theory, and most others.
Clue #5: Events Before and After – Revelation Parallel
The abomination of desolation is not some isolated event but is preceded and followed by key events. Luke's Gospel and a parallel prophecy we will connect in Revelation make this plain. Luke has a slightly different take on the abomination from the other Gospels. While it tells us that the desolation is followed by people having to flee (like Matthew and Mark did above), it also tells us what precedes the abomination:
Luke 21:20-21, 24 (HCSB) — 20 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its desolation has come near. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains!...
Not surprisingly armies surround and take control of Jerusalem right before her desolation . Also not surprisingly, they do not move on but continue their desolation by "trampling" Jerusalem for a certain period of time called the "times of the Gentiles:"
Luke 21:23-24 (HCSB) — Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
That last part is key to find a parallel prophecy needed to break open the abomination mystery. Thankfully, Revelation also talks about a trampling of the place of the temple by the Gentiles. Note that some versions say nations there and some say Gentiles simply because Gentiles literally means "nations."
Revelation 11:1-2 (ESV) — 1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, "Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.
Thus, what plainly follows the abomination and end of altar sacrifices is a trampling of Jerusalem by armies for 42 months.
Theories Contradicted: It's difficult to imagine finding any historical theory for the abomination that includes exactly 42 months of trampling of Jerusalem by the armies that surround the city right before the abomination.
Clue #6: Great Tribulation Tie-in
Whose armies could these be? If that 42 months number above sounded familiar, it's because that is the same period of time that the Beast or Antichrist is to be ruling. It is no accident that this is also the length of the ministry of the Two Witnesses who speak against the Beast:
Revelation 13:4-5 (HCSB) — 4 ...And they worshiped the beast... 5 A mouth was given to him to speak boasts and blasphemies. He was also given authority to act, for 42 months.
Revelation 11:3 (HCSB) — I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth.
By the way, if you had ever wondered what Luke's "times of the Gentiles" referred to, now you can see it's talking about the ruling of Jerusalem by the Antichrist armies during the Great Tribulation. The times last 42 months.
There are other tie-ins to the Great Tribulation. We have already seen earlier that the abomination happens in the middle of the final or 70th week of Daniel. If you have already proven the Futurist perspective is correct, then you know that the second half of the 70th week is called the Great Tribulation. In six different verses that period is referred to as either 3½ years, 42 months or 1260 days (Dan 9:27; Dan 7:25; Rev 12:14; Rev 11:2; Rev 13:5; Rev 11:3). (The 1290 days end at the same point as the 1260 days/Great Tribulation but begin 30 days earlier.)
Theories Contradicted: Any theory that says the abomination was completely fulfilled in the past.
Clue #7: "Abomination" Defined by the Bible
Although we still do not know what the abomination of desolation is, after all the clues above, it is pretty clear that it will be an unprecedented event. To help with that, let us find out what does "abomination" mean anyway? By leaving the Christian New Testament comfort zone and studying the Old Testament and especially the Torah, we can find out what it meant to the audiences of Daniel and Jesus who heard the term.
The word translated 'abomination' in Hebrew is shiqqus. It is heavily associated with idolatrous practices as the Theological Workbook of the Old Testament explains:
shiqqus. Detestable thing, idol. This noun is always used in connection with idolatrous practices, either referring to the idols themselves as being abhorrent and detestable in God's sight, or to something associated with the idolatrous ritual. Idols generally are referred to as an abomination (Jeremiah 16:18; Ezekiel 5:11; Ezekiel 7:20; 2 Chron. 15:8, etc). Not only are the idols an abomination, but they that worship them 'become detestable like that which they love' (Hosea 9:10), for they identify themselves with the idols.
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The 'abominable filth' of Nahum 3:6 is shiqqus. It seems likely that, since shiqqus is everywhere else clearly related to idolatrous worship, the same would be true here.It is important to recognize that by the use of such a strong word as shiqqus God wants his people to recognize the extreme seriousness and wickedness of this sin, however attractive and popular it might be. God's own people need to view sin from God's perspective (Deut. 7:26). — TWOT
Remember from all the passages above that the verbs associated with the abomination require it be something that can be 'set up' to 'stand.' In other words, an idol.
Theories Contradicted: People and buildings are not idols, but statues can be. If people worship an idol in a building like the Dome of the Rock there, then the idol would be the abomination, not the building.
The First Abomination Fulfillment
As covered above, Daniel contains three verses that talk about the abomination of desolation. One of them (Dan 9:27) refers to the 70th week which is yet unfulfilled. However, the second mention (Dan 11:31) is different from that. It does not fit the end times but rather past times:
Daniel 11:31-35 (HCSB) — 31 His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action. 33 Those who are wise among the people will give understanding to many, yet they will die by sword and flame, and be captured and plundered for a time. 34 When defeated, they will be helped by some, but many others will join them insincerely. 35 Some of the wise will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
Notice how the passage ends with an allusion to the fact that the defeat and purification of the wise will continue until the time of the end. This means that what is happening up until verse 33 is before the end times. As such, it is widely accepted that the passage above refers to Antichus IV Epiphanes' re-dedication of the Temple to Zeus in 167 BC and subsequent revolt by the Maccabeans as described in the book of First Maccabees. As the same passage from Theological Workbook of the Old Testament says explains:
Antiochus Epiphanes, as prophesied in Daniel 11:31, and who is typical of Antichrist, set up an altar to, and image of, Zeus in the temple. This is called the 'abomination that causes desolation,' a desecration of the altar which destroys its true purpose. Just so will Antichrist establish an abomination in the sanctuary, a demonic counterfeit worship (Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:11).— TWOT
This means that there are two separate abominations of desolation predicted in Daniel 9 and 11: one for the end times and one for a past time, respectively. (Daniel 12:11, like Daniel 9 speaks of the end times abomination near the Great Tribulation, or 30 days before to be exact since the Great Tribulation is 1260 days and the abomination does not happen 30 days into the Millennium!)
The Second and Next Abomination of Desolation
Everything above points to a second, final abomination of desolation fulfillment being "stood up" in the future by the Antichrist. If the first one, a statue of Zeus, was a idolatrous worship statue (fitting the Torah definition of abomination), then we would expect the next one done by the Antichrist to be the same. What will it be?
We do not have to speculate or wonder any longer. As it happens, there is an idol of worship featured prominently in Revelation in connection with the Antichrist. However, you may not have ever recognized it as such due to the slightly different terminology used:
Revelation 13:14-15 (HCSB) — 14 He [the "False Prophet"] deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that he is permitted to perform on behalf of the beast [the "Antichrist"], telling those who live on the earth to make an image of the beast who had the sword wound and yet lived.
An image is a likeness or representation of something. When it comes to false gods like Zeus or the Antichrist, it typically refers to a statue. But this is more than a statue. The "image" of the Antichrist made by the False Prophet for all to worship has a "spirit" with or in it that enables it to speak!:
Revelation 13:15 (HCSB) — He was permitted to give a spirit to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
This speaking is no parlor trick of smoke and mirrors, voice projection or holograms. This is a demon or fallen angel inhabiting the Antichrist image to animate it in big ways. Apparently part of its speaking is tattling on those who do not worship because it directly causes people to be killed for this violation. You may have noticed that this level of supernatural power is not "permitted" today, or all the skeptics offering big dollar bounties for proof of the supernatural would be broke. The Book of Job shows a rare instance where God removed the standard restraints on angels and let Satan wreck havoc on a man's family, possessions and health. God will again loosen these restraints in the end times for the "strong delusion" that the Antichrist is God and worthy of worship (2Th 2:11, 4). The setting up of the Antichrist image in the temple will desolate the temple mount by commanding the statue to be set up for worship at the same time that he halts another form of worship to the real God: the daily oblation sacrifices (Daniel 12:11).
Why the Abomination Cannot Happen Yet
The idea of an Antichrist and a False Prophet coming with signs, and wonders to delude practically the entire world into worship of a man as God is scary. Thankfully, we are a long ways away from that as long as the following conditions in the world continue:
As already explained by the clues above, a few things are missing before the abomination of desolation can happen.
1. No Temple — Since the abomination is "stood" up in the temple of God (Mt 24:15) and the Antichrist must be able to "sit" in the temple of God in Jerusalem (2Th 2:4= Dan 11:45) and there is no temple today, obviously a temple must be built first.
2. No Sacrifices — Similarly, just as sacrifices must be abolished at the same time as the abomination is set up and there are no daily sacrifices in Jerusalem going today, obviously sacrifices must be started first.
3. Muslims Control the Temple Mount — There is no sign of the above two events being ready to happen and for good reason. The Temple Mount is in control of the Islamic Wakf. (The Waqf are the Islamic guardians of Muslim holy sites. They watch and make sure they are being properly managed.) Because of this foreign force in control, the Israeli government maintains a peace-keeping ban on Jewish worship on the Temple Mount (even prayer!). Until the Psalm 83 war happens, this situation is likely to stay the same.
But even after those three obstacles are removed, there will be no cause for panic. Other prophecies indicate that by that time God will have sent a prophet to warn us and instruct us on the coming abomination and the mark of the beast that comes soon in its wake.
Conclusion
There are two separate abominations of desolation predicted by Daniel. The first abomination, the statue of Zeus that Antiochus IV Epiphanes erected in the temple, holds the key to the second. Just as with the previous abomination, the final abomination of desolation will be an image of a false God "stood" up in the coming Third Temple for all to "see" (and worship). This supernatural "image of the beast/Antichrist" desolating the temple will help convince (and enforce) the world to worship the Antichrist.
Although Jesus said that you need to flee if you are still around to see the abomination when it is set up, it need not be dreaded or looked for under every rock today. The temple and sacrifices must come first. But even after they do, the wise who listen to the end time prophet of God will be walking by faith not sight. They will hear the warnings that must be given for the whole biblically illiterate world and they will leave without needing to see the abomination of desolation (for details read this article about the 144,000 and the Woman).
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Tim McHyde
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41comments
The one thing notably missing in Clue # 3 and others, is that it is NOT the Anti Christ that sets up the Abomination, but instead it is the False Prophet( second beast) that does it
Now it is a Staure and it is made in the likeness of the Anti Christ( First Beast), but the AC himself does not do that.
The author incorrectly associates other actions of the AC( like stopping the daily sacrafices) with putting up the image. They are linked by both the timing and with the overall plan to destroy the proper worship of God, but that is the only link.
Rev 13:14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
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Hi Tim – I found my way to this article from some other mentions
I am glad you take into account Luke’s Gospels paralell passage to Matthew and Mark. Undoubtedly Luke is referring to the exact same event with Jesus
But Luke is far less cryptic and defined it as armies surrounding Jerusalem ready to destroy
First century Christian’s that were paying attention watched for that and fled avoiding death. Jerusalem was sacked, temple desecrated and obligations ceased
Jesus refers to Daniel with a double fulfillment. Antichous epiphanies being the first and 70ad being the second
Is trying to harmonize revelation with the synaptics and Daniel the only reason to assume it is more complicated?
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This was my comment to an article in the National Catholic Register regarding the coronavirus handling by the church:
I know we, as Catholics, don’t dote on Scripture, and feel attending mass on Sundays suffices. But the book of Daniel, 12:11, lays out in stark phrasing, our current world predicament.
“From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.” Wikipedia explains “abomination of desolation as an abomination that desolates, or depopulates. 1,290 days is reciprocal to 3 and a half years,- of the present pandemic?
Ditto, we are in the midst of the “Daily Sacrifice of the Mass,” (Church doctrine identifies it as such,) being suspended worldwide.
I had requested in my local church a Mass to be said for the conversion of China, on April 8, but apparently Satan beat me to it.
I just read this today: “Tourists that visit the Colosseum in Rome these days are getting quite a shock. A gigantic statue of a pagan Canaanite deity known as “Molech” has been erected right at the entrance.
In ancient times, those that served Molech would literally sacrifice their children to him, and apparently this involved burning them to death.
And now a massive statue of this pagan idol is the centerpiece of a new “archaeological exhibition” at the world famous Roman Colosseum.
Yes, the exact same Colosseum where countless numbers of Christians were martyred for their faith is now the home for one of the most monstrous pagan deities that the world has ever seen.”
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Cheryl, lots of pagan idols all over the world, but the scriptural abomination must be where the temple of Yehovah is, in Jerusalem. But it does not come until the Antichrist does, so it’s not here yet anyway.
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I believe the people are going to worship something that looks MORE LIKE A BEAST.DANIEL and REVELATION BOTH give him that name which is very odd.I dont think this world would readily fall down and worship A MAN.I think he will come down LIKE CHRIST AND LOOK LIKE A GIANT BEAST AND PEOPLE WILL THINK HES GOD OR SOMETHING.
Reply Stephanie, the “Beast” is not a name but a reference based on how the final kingdom is presented, but all the nations under Satan’s rule are beasts including the pope, for good reason while God’s kingdom is presented as a cornerstone that fills the earth. Yet Paul calls him the “man of sin” (2Th 2:3) and Revelation also calls him a “man” (Rev 13:18). Jesus says these angel-human hybrids (which the Antichrist is) are so much like human that we cannot tell the difference only the angels.
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A “beast” in scripture usually refers to a kingdom.
The “Beast with 7 heads and ten horns” in The Book of Revelation, refers to the League of 7 Arab States, formed in 1945 and is the Beast which “stands by to devour the child” of the woman with “12 stars around her head”
The child is, of course, the New Jewish State of Israel, (not Jesus), being born in 1948 and the Mother, the one giving birth, is the United Nations.
The UN, is a worldwide union of many nations, which is why she is described as “having the sun in her face and the moon at her feet” – there is always a part of her which has either the sun or the moon is shining on her!
I hope this helps!
Sorry Tim, but there’s not a preacher or prophecy teacher ANYWHERE on this planet today who can prove that the terms “the temple of God”, and “the holy place” in the end-time scriptures, are references to a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
IF IN FACT that were the case, then Daniel, and CERTAINLY Jesus would have stated in Matthew 24:15, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation standing in the Temple in Jerusalem.”
Yet Jesus went out of his way NOT to say that! Instead he said the abomination would stand in “the holy place”, meaning, in the CHURCH! Interpreted correctly, Jesus was saying to Christians everywhere in the last days, “When you therefore shall see that abomination spoken of by Daniel the prophet, being indorsed by the CHURCH/CHURCHES.”
Christians will never know what that “abomination” is, until they learn to interpret “the holy place” and “the temple of God” correctly. AND until they recognize that the end-time scriptures are NOT ABOUT Israel and the Jews, but rather about modern-day AMERICA/BABYLON THE GREAT.
I would challenge ANY preacher, or ANY prophecy teacher, regardless how famous and how well known, to try to prove me wrong.
Reply Faye, that’s right, no one can “prove” just about anything from the Bible since it requires interpretation. Nevertheless, many are convinced that the Bible teaches a Third Temple that the Antichrist inhabits before Jesus returns. YMMV, Blessings. =)
Reply Jesus did not say the Abomination of Desolation was “standing in the Holy Place” Matthew did! – In Mark 13-14 it says it is “standing where it ought not”
Matthew does here what he often does (and what many other “interpreters” do) he or some translator tries to embellish the subject with his own explanation!
Of course it means the same thing – doesn’t it? Certainly if the Abomination is the dreaded statue of Zeus!
But what if the “Abomination” is standing not in a place where it “should not stand” but STANDING where is should not be standing at all? Standing where, by all the evidence of what has happened, it should have FALLEN DOWN!
The warnings should be obvious:
Let those on the ROOFTOP not go back into the building to recover belongings nor those in the fields go in to it to collect anything. A quite normal warning today against entering a burning building – especial a multi storey one!
Now is the identity of the Abomination obvious?? Have you now got a date?
Alan Peters:
Please further explain your post on the abomination of desolation. I am unsure whether you are stating that this time has already happened or is a future event, and I would really like to know. Thank you.
Reply Faye, you are so right. The Bible is not all about Israel and those who attempt to interpret its prophecies should have a notice to that effect taped to their screens as they write!
There were 12 tribes of Israel and 10 have been scattered across the globe, including to the USA, the UK, and throughout Europe.
The problem with most “interpreters” is that they say things like: “the ceasing of the daily sacrifice and the oblation” cannot happen until the temple is rebuilt and the sacrifice starts again. Only then can the sacrifices cease, because they aren’t currently happening! Once we stop making unwarranted assumptions we may be better able to understand the prophecies.
The Holy Place is definitely not in the temple in Jerusalem because there isn’t one at the moment and the previous one is unlikely to be rebuilt. The Holy Place is not necessarily even in Jerusalem.
Please stop making assumptions!!
Reply It is very easy to prove you wrong. Levitical law requires the temple for sacrafices to take place and the AC can not ” stop the daily sacrafices if they have no Temple to be held at.
Another thing is that, Jesus after his return, will reign for a thousand years. Zach 14 makes several reference to Temple worship during this time.
For instance Zach 14: 16 “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.”
To hold the Feast of Tabernacles requires a Holy Temple as it requires a great number of animals to be sacraficed on the altar as well as other events requiring a Temple and altar..
A good study of the Biblical customs and Feasts would help you understand this subject better.
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The abomination is indeed the Dome of the Rock and its power to speak is the daily muslim calls to prayer which are blasted multiple times daily from the minaret (which by the way mirrors the shape of the idol which the king of Babylon set up for worship during Daniel’s time). Just like you were required to kneel and worship at the sound of the Babylonian image, so too are muslims required to bow down and worship at the sound of the minaret. In both cases, failure to do so meant death. This should tell you who mystery babylon is and from where the antichrist and false prophet (muhammad) will come. It should also enlighten you as to who Allah is. Shalom
Reply Gustavo, the Dome of the Rock has been there for centuries. Jesus warned about something new that “when you see standing where it ought not, flee.” Sorry, it doesn’t fit, so we must acquit.
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Excellent article. Regarding the image of the beast that is given life, have you seen China’s lifelike AI news anchors? China, which bears the symbol of a dragon, is big on surveillence and AI; has their new Social Credit system that restricts buying and selling unless you have a good number; and wishes to dominate the world. Perhaps they sit out of WW3 and then walk all over the decimated nations, then try to rule with AI which is made by man but smarter than any man…
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21 Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
If the temple is rebuilt, it will be thanks to Satan. The nuns who do not know the Bible truth will make it happen that the God of the Israelites stand for them, that they are Godlike. The present Israel has nothing to do with true worship and you know it well
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We are the 3rd Temple of God, the first two being the Zodiac and Pyramid or Building (like the church) respectively. Although this particular event is a big plan that includes the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem following wars and rumour of wars, the the olive tree forerunners and other signs to watch out for, we have read accountd about people who experienced this curse in their personal life were they are forced through gang stalking to serve a human being by through powerful organizations. An example of this happened during the Inquisition and others throughout Europe initiated by the Roman Catholic Church that resulted to the rebellion of the Protestants headed by Martin Luther. A period the historians termed as the dark ages. The pagan Rome was now a papal Rome where the Pope was sitted in his holy temple and claiming to be God incarnate. Millions of people were murdered for refusing to organize. This is still a subtle persecution we are facing in today’s life and we need the mercy of God to escape it.
Reply Stephen, the prophecies of a Third Temple describes a literal building that people worship at and the Antichrist sits in after taking it over as his headquarters (2Th 2:4). The church is only a metaphorical temple in one of Paul’s figurative teachings.
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Tim
Excellent article and analysis. I have been teaching Bible Study for about 20+ years and have come to the conclusion that the last temple yet to be built is not ordained by God. Let me explain and get your reaction as it pertains to the end time sacrifices and the Beast in the temple.
There have been two temples built that were ordained by God and we know they were ordained due to God’s presence being in them. We know that He withdrew His ordination or approval for lack of a better term when He departed from the last temple.
“Ezekiel 10:18Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. 19And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD’S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.” KJV
This was the second temple that was rebuilt in Jerusalem. The first temple built by Solomon we know was ordained due to God’s presence there as well and his giving directions on how it was to be built.
The quandary is that I cannot find anywhere in the Bible where God directs anyone to build another temple even though the Israelis will build another one as you have aptly pointed out. So if God does not ordain it how then can an act or event in something that is not God’s be used for sacrifices? And, if that is true, can it be violated if it is outside of God’s direction, Will and is not His anyway?
I agree with your assessment completely about the two different times for the “Abomination that makes desolate”. It strikes me that it is not the location of the Beast in this faux temple that is yet to be built that is an abomination but the Beast itself is the “Abomination” and his presence on earth is that which he Satan intends to makes the earth desolate”
Matthew 24: 15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: KJV
In this verse Christ seems to indicate that the “abomination of desolation” – “stand in the holy place” is the beast which is some kind of hybrid artificial intelligence with an evil spirit indwelling it. So as you point out it is the “thing” that is the abomination.
As you point our very clearly the beast will speak and have great power and will be set up to be worshiped.
It has no effect on God or those who follow Him, but God will have an effect on the three fakes the anti-Christ, the false profit and the beast.
Sorry for the lengthy comment but would love to have your assessment.
Bill
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
Please can you explain this verse?
Thanks you
Reply Tosin for the restrainer see my article on debunking the pretrib rapture.
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Food for thought…If Islam is the army that invades Jerusalem and they move the Rock in the Kaaba to the Rebuilt Temple …In Islamic eschatology that rock is supposed to talk or breath during the end times…as I said..food for thought
Reply Charles, the Antichrist’s armies take over Jerusalem and he’s not going to be of any religion today like Islam. He’s going to be a god to himself demanding worship (2Th 2:4) which he will get with the help of the False Prophet and Mark of the Beast.
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Whatever the abomination of desolation is, exactly, I do think it’s cool that there are 1260 years between the year 688 when the Dome of the Rock began to be built and the year 1948 when the state of Israel was born; that’s sorta like 1260 years of being trampled underfoot by Gentiles, in my eyes. I realize that Gentiles still had ahold of Jerusalem in 1948; I’m not trying to be picky or dogmatic about this; I just think it’s kinda cool.
Reply Nanette, cool? I guess until start asking fair questions, like where does Scripture tie the AoD to the start of the construction of anything (it says it’s the day sacrifices are stopped). And where does it say it’s tied to the return of anyone? (It says it’s the completed/erection of an image, not a building, not anything that happened or started in 688.)
Reply The way I look at it is this: The time difference between the Muslims beginning to build the Dome of the Rock and the birth of Israel as a nation is the number 1260 – a number of which we have a heightened awareness, because of its prophetic significance.
I don’t think that this particular time span must be fulfillment of prophecy. But maybe it’s partial fulfillment, maybe it’s a foreshadowing of the real fulfillment, maybe it’s a reminder that our Father can work anything out the way He wants it. Or, maybe it’s a reminder that if we look for signs in the wrong places, we can be led astray.
Yes, I think it’s cool. All of history, and everything in it, is subject to our Heavenly Father. This bit of trivia gives me a reason to glorify Him. I’m happy to see the timespan 1260. I like numbers. And so I like that my Heavenly Father uses numbers.
Nanette, I can appreciate your fascination with numbers and such impressive “coincidences.” The reports of such findings and claims of their significance lost its luster for me over the years as I saw the conclusions based on them always come to naught and once I learned about confirmation bias and other biases that led to these numbers being found and believed in. But I see how these things can work good to keep people’s mind on God’s Word, so blessings to all who are talking about God’s Word and his numbers.
Reply LOL I can just imagine how jaded you would be about such Bible-themed “urban legends,” because you see so much vain speculation about prophecy. I am thankful you have invested all the time you have, coming to the point of understanding so much and sharing it with us. I go over and over what you teach, realizing again and again that what I was taught about prophecy was almost entirely biased speculation and mostly worthless. Bible prophecy is a marvelous adventure of exploration and I am so grateful to God that I found your book Know the Future, so many years ago now.
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Read an article not too long ago, no idea on what-think the talk of starting up the 3rd temple, but was mentioned when the temple is started, one Jewish group wanted to make sure they were able to do an animal sacrifice. It’s my understanding with no temple, there’s not supposed to be any sacrifices made. But, there are some Jewish groups that do still perform animal sacrifices on certain holidays. So, rebuild the temple, some groups will resume with animal sacrifices.
Also, maybe relevant, maybe not, US will be moving their embassy to Jerusalem in mid May 2018 looks like, temporarily until they get a permanent building built. I personally think this is some how going to be related to the construction of the temple.
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Doesn’t Christ setup the new Temple of His Spirit? Cannot the “standing” of the Antichrist in the temple, be the declaring himself to be god (with the help of the False Prophet, aka Pope of Catholic church) – and those who fall for that deception be part of the great Falling Away?
Can you check out this summary of that line of thought, Tim… why is this not a possible fulfillment of that prophecy?
https://youtu.be/rDgdwCh7VMU
John, Christ can do anything, but we’re told already there will be a literal Third Temple that the Antichrist literally stands in and declares himself God (2Th 2:4). People will continue to allegorize the third temple prophecies and ignore they make perfect sense literally.
Reply This is very true. Lore talks about breaking a mirror that brings seven years of bad luck. This lore is a resemblance of the seventy week in the book of Daniel and the Mark of the Beast in the book of revelation. People are expected to worship the beast (instead of Jesus) directly or through it’s images. It can be very tempting and terrible as they would apply a stick and carrot approach which could kill the believer.
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Thanks for writing.
I was prompted to seek truth after a “prophetic year numbers” youtube claimed obama nobel peace prize was “abomination” etc..
With City of David Temple site actually just beside wall and roman fort at dome level and nearer the annointing spring and altar prep findings and “no stone standing,” AND with Ron Wyat findings, I will pray for strength and service for God’s Kingdom at hand, as God Wills.
Thank you.
Well you have a temple on temple mount that is dedicated to a foreign God.
That has inscriptions in it that say That Jesus is not Gods Son and God is not the father of any sons. The very definition of the spirit of the anti Christ is:
1 John 2:22-23King James Version (KJV)
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Is Desolation is caused by denying the son and the father?
Reply Daniel, an abomination that causes desolation in the OT is much more than denying God or belief in foreign gods. That waters down the term “abomination” to something very common and basically in the work and hearts of most humans in history, denial of God or his goodness. But an “abomination that causes desolation” is putting a pagan god idol up where it desecrates/desolates a holy place. It’s very rare and specific.
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I believe the temple is not an actual building, but the believers who will be raptured. We are the third temple. So no need to ‘build’ another temple before other events can happen.
Reply Rene, many Christians deny a third temple because of 1Cor 3:16, but Paul was only explaining what the Holy Temple pictures using a metaphor. He was not by that statement denying several prophecies (Rev 11:1-2; Dan 9:27; Dan 12:11-12) including his own (2Th 2:4) saying there will be a literal end time Jewish Temple that the Antichrist takes over and sits in. See more here in my article on the Third Temple Prophecy. Or denying Ezekiel 40-46 that talks about the (4th) millennial temple.
Reply Of course we are, as Christ stated: structures fall apart — so can people, but I agree: We are God’s Church.
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This article makes a lot of sense and so does Rick. I think Rick’s insights could help inform how a future, more literal abomination could take place. Thanks for the thoughtful analysis, both of you.
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