“There will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning…and never will be.” Jesus, Matthew 24:21
The study of theology is “exploring a mystery, not solving a problem,” (Dr. Imad Shehadeh, Arab Christian theologian).
“There are many difficulties in deciding between these interpretations,” (ESV Study Bible, notes on Daniel 9).
As a citizen of your country, what is hallowed ground for you? Where is the one place that if you are there, your emotions are stirred? For Americans, it may be Ground Zero in New York City, a graveyard at Normandy, standing next to the original Declaration of Independence in Washington DC or a MLK’s room at the Lorraine hotel in Memphis.
For the citizens of Biblical Israel, it is likely that their most hallowed ground was the Holy of Holies, the inner-most room within the Jerusalem temple. This is the place entered ONLY once a year and ONLY by the High Priest who sprinkled blood and burned incense on the altar. This action cleansed the Jews of their sins for the year (see Leviticus 16). Here is where sinful man was reconciled with Holy God, even if only for the next year. This was very holy ground for Israel.
Now imagine as an American if a foreign army attacked Ground Zero again, or dug up the American graves in Normandy or destroyed the original Declaration of Independence or ransacked MLK’s room at the Lorraine hotel, what signal would that send to our country? What emotions would that stir in you as a citizen?
These are the emotions that Israel had to deal with when told a Gentile will enter the Holy of Holies. This is what Jesus is referring to when He speaks of the abomination of desolation (v. 15). The desecration of the Holy of Holies is the ultimate mocking of God’s holiness and the ultimate insulting of Israel as God’s son (see Exodus 4:22, Hosea 11:1).
Jesus is teaching His disciples what are the signs of His coming and “the close of the age” (Matthew 24:3). Mark’s version (Mark 13:14) also speaks of the abomination of desolation but Matthew adds detail that his Jewish readers, familiar with the Old Testament, would understand. Matthew includes Jesus’ reference to the prophet Daniel (v.15).
There are three primary opinions among Bible scholars today as to when the abomination of desolation is to take place; each opinion fits into the mainstream of Christian thought. One is that it happened in 168 BC as predicted in Daniel 11:31 and fulfilled by king Antiochus as detailed in 1 Maccabeus 1:54-61. The other opinion is that this was fulfilled with the destruction of the temple in AD 70. A third opinion says it has yet to happen and that Jesus is referencing the “seventy weeks” of Daniel 9:24-27. I believe this option because when the abomination happens, there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be (v. 21).
I believe it is likely that the abomination of desolation will happen with the rise and the world-wide worship of the anti-Christ (see Revelation 13:11-18). The other two possible fulfillments are types, or fore-shadowings; the ultimate fulfillment of the abomination of desolation has not yet happened. But when it does, tribulation such has never been seen and never will be seen will accompany it. Revelation 14, 16 and 19 chronicle an unprecedented tribulation.
And when this happens, Jesus says, flee to the mountains! Do not return to your house, or get your cloak, just go (vv. 16-18). Have pity on those women who are pregnant or nursing infants (v. 19) because the journey will be rough. Jesus adds, pray your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. If the Jewish elite condemned the Sabbath healing of a man (see John 5:10; Matthew 12:9-14), how much more will they protest a Sabbath flight? A Sabbath day’s journey, according to the Pharisees, was a little over 2 miles, not far enough to disappear into the mountains (see Acts 1:12).
We western Christians have had easy lives. This ease is not guaranteed for tomorrow and certainly not for the next generation. May we prepare our children and ourselves to abide in the vine, love Jesus with all our heart, soul and mind and to prepare to persevere for we do not know with certainty when the tribulation will be or what it will hold.
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