The “abomination of desolation” is the Roman Armies when they surrounded Jerusalem in 70 AD
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The Titus Arch in Rome that celebrates the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD by Titus as Matthew 24 prophesied. |
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The signs of Matthew 24 prophecies the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD not the second coming and certainly not some “Rapture” theology that was invented in 1830 AD by John Darby. When Christians saw the signs, they fled the city and were saved.
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The Abomination of desolation is the Roman Armies that surrounded and destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Abomination of desolation = Jerusalem surrounded by armies |
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The bible is its own best commentator |
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Event |
Matthew |
Mark |
Luke |
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abomination of desolation |
24:15 |
13:14 |
not mentioned |
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surrounded by armies |
not mentioned |
not mentioned |
21:20 |
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Conclusion |
Abomination fulfilled when Jerusalem surrounded by armies |
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A. Explanation the force of the above table:
- Matthew & Mark mention the abomination. Luke, inserts, in the exact place of mentioning the abomination, "when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies". The conclusion is that Luke interpreted the abomination to be fulfilled when Jerusalem surrounded.
- Standing in the holy place where it should not:
- It might refer to the temple itself
- The temple was destroyed near the end of the siege, long after leaving was possible
- It is more likely the area outside the gates of the city of mount Zion: Ps 24:3
- The Roman armies were the abomination which causes abomination when they surrounded the city, Christians where given opportunity to leave.
- Jesus makes reference to the "abomination" prophecy of Daniel: Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:7-13
- Dan 12:9-11 indicates that the meaning of the prophecy was sealed
- Mt & Mk insert "(let reader understand)" indicating the meaning was revealed by Jesus
- Daniel was told the prophecy was sealed until "end time", which therefore was 70AD
B. Historical Fulfillment Possibilities of Daniel's prophecy (Dan 9:27)
- Antiochus Epiphanes 167 BC
- 1 Maccabees 1:20-22, "After Antiochus had defeated Egypt in the year one hundred and forty-three (167BC), he returned and went up to Israel and to Jerusalem with a strong force. He insolently invaded the sanctuary ... and stripped off everything. V54 the king erected the horrible abomination upon the altar."
- 2 Maccabees 6:1-5, "The Temple Desecrated: Not long after this, the king sent an Athenian senator to force the Jews to abandon the customs of their ancestors and live no longer by the laws of God; also to profane the temple in Jerusalem and dedicate it to Olympian Zeus, and that on Mount Gerizim to Zeus, the Hospitable, as the inhabitants of the place requested. The Gentiles filled the temple with debauchery and revelry; they amused themselves with prostitutes ... even in the sacred court. They also brought into the temple things that were forbidden, so that the altar was covered with abominable offerings prohibited by the laws."
- Some maintain that Daniel's prophecy was wholly fulfilled in 167 BC.
- But the words of Mt & Mk, "Let reader understand", indicate some connection between Daniel's prophecy and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Jesus clearly refers the disciples to Daniel's prophecy in regard to the time to flee the city of Jerusalem.
- Rome 70 AD
- Josephus, "Daniel also wrote concerning the Roman government, and that our country should be made desolate by them."
- Some suggest that Josephus was referring to Dan 2:40-44, where the existence of Rome itself was prophesied to come into existence.
- But the prophecy in Dan 2 says the "kingdom of iron" will shatter previous kingdoms not future. Therefore it is likely that Josephus had the abomination in mind.
- When the Romans conquered the city of Jerusalem, and entered it, their pagan soldiers entered the temple, (defiling it according to Jewish Law), tore down Jewish ornaments and temple accoutrements, and raised in stead the pagan symbols and Roman standards.
- Some suggest the abomination was fulfilled when Roman standards and pagan symbols were placed in the temple.
Conclusion:
1. There is absolutely no reason to view the abomination of desolation as some future event, when it was clearly fulfilled in 70 AD!
2. This may not make for exciting TV programming where we misapply current events to Bible prophecy, but it is the truth!
Steve Rudd
We Speak truth in LOVE
“you are
seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth” John 8:40
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