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Jesus spoke of a coming “abomination of desolation” in the Olivet Discourse as He referenced a future event mentioned in Daniel 9:27. In Matthew 24:15–16, Jesus says, “So when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place . . . then those in Judea must flee to the mountains” (CSB).
An abomination is “something that causes disgust or hatred”; and desolation is “a state of complete emptiness or destruction.” Jesus warned that something (or someone) that people detested would stand in the temple someday. When that horror occurred, residents of Judea should seek cover without delay. Other translations speak of “the abomination that causes desolation” (NIV), “the sacrilegious object that causes desecration” (NLT), and “that ‘Horrible Thing’” (CEV). The Amplified Bible adds the note that the abomination of desolation is “the appalling sacrilege that astonishes and makes desolate.”
Jesus referenced Daniel in His words in the Olivet Discourse. The prophet Daniel mentioned the abomination of desolation in three places:
“He will make a firm covenant with many for one 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” (Daniel 9:27, CSB).
“Forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation” (Daniel 11:31, NKJV).
“From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days” (Daniel 12:11, NASB).
The wording in the above translations indicates that the abomination of desolation is an object; in some other translations, the abomination appears to be a person: “On the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate” (Daniel 9:27, ESV).
Regardless of whether the abomination of desolation is a person or a thing, Daniel predicted the following:
1. A future ruler will make a treaty with the people of Israel.
2. The terms of this treaty will be for a “week”—which we take to be a period of seven years.
3. Midway through this time, the ruler will gather his troops and put an end to the sacrifices and offerings in the temple.
4. At that time the ruler will desecrate the temple, setting up some type of sacrilegious object.
5. The desecration of the temple will continue until the judgment of God is finally meted out on the ruler and his followers, 1,290 days (3½ years and 1 month) later.
Daniel’s prophecies about the abomination of desolation seemed to have at least a partial fulfillment in 167 BC when a Greek ruler by the name of Antiochus IV desecrated the temple in Jerusalem. Antiochus called himself “Epiphanies” (“illustrious one” or “god manifest”). He set up an altar to Zeus over the altar of burnt offering, and he sacrificed a pig on the altar. Antiochus went even further in his atrocities, slaughtering a great number of the Jews and selling others into slavery. And he issued decrees forbidding circumcision and requiring Jews to sacrifice to pagan gods and eat pig meat.
What Antiochus did certainly qualifies as an abomination, but it was not a complete fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy. Antiochus Epiphanies did not enter a covenant with Israel for seven years, for example. And in Matthew 24 Jesus, speaking some 200 years after Antiochus’s evil actions, spoke of Daniel’s prophecy as having a still future fulfillment.
The question then becomes, when, after Jesus’ day, was the abomination of desolation prophecy fulfilled? Or are we still waiting for a fulfillment? The preterist view is that Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:15 concerned events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. In this view, the abomination of desolation probably occurred during the Roman occupation of Jerusalem when the Roman army brought their heathen images and standards into the temple courts.
We take the futurist view, which sees the abomination of desolation prophecy as still future. In our view, Jesus was referring to the Antichrist who, in the end times, will establish a covenant with Israel for seven years and then break it by doing something similar to what Antiochus Epiphanies did in the temple. The sacrilegious object Jesus called “the abomination of desolation” could be the “image of the beast” that the Antichrist’s right-hand man, the false prophet, will order to be set up and worshiped (Revelation 13:14). Of course, for Matthew 24:15 to be yet future, the temple in Jerusalem will have to be rebuilt before the tribulation begins.
Those who are alive during the tribulation should be watchful and recognize that the breaking of the covenant with Israel and the abomination of desolation will herald the beginning of the worst 3½ years in history (see Matthew 24:21). “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).
For Further Study
Basic Bible Prophecy: Essential Facts Every Christian Should Know by Ron Rhodes
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As a seasoned scholar in biblical prophecy and eschatology, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge on the intriguing topic of the "abomination of desolation." My expertise spans the intricate details of the biblical texts, historical contexts, and the diverse interpretations that have emerged over time. Allow me to delve into the evidence and insights that establish my authority on this matter.
The article in question discusses a crucial aspect of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, particularly his reference to the "abomination of desolation" as prophesied by Daniel in the Old Testament. The depth of my understanding becomes evident as we explore the key concepts mentioned in the article.
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Abomination and Desolation Defined: The article rightly defines "abomination" as something causing disgust or hatred, while "desolation" refers to a state of complete emptiness or destruction. This sets the stage for understanding the gravity of the prophesied event.
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Daniel's Prophecies: The article references Daniel's prophecies in Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11, each contributing essential elements to the understanding of the abomination of desolation. Daniel predicts a future ruler making a covenant with Israel, a midweek cessation of sacrifices, and the setting up of a sacrilegious object leading to desolation.
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Partial Fulfillment in History: The article acknowledges a historical event in 167 BC involving Antiochus IV, a Greek ruler who desecrated the temple in Jerusalem. However, it emphasizes that this was a partial fulfillment, as it did not meet all the criteria outlined in Daniel's prophecies, such as the seven-year covenant.
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Views on Fulfillment: The article presents two major views on the fulfillment of the abomination of desolation prophecy: the preterist view, associating it with events leading to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, and the futurist view, anticipating a future fulfillment related to the end times and the rise of the Antichrist.
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Futurist Perspective: Taking the futurist stance, the article posits that the abomination of desolation is yet to occur. It connects this future event with the Antichrist, who will establish a covenant with Israel for seven years and desecrate the temple, possibly involving an "image of the beast."
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Significance for the End Times: The article concludes with a call to vigilance, emphasizing that the breaking of the covenant and the abomination of desolation will mark the beginning of a dire 3½-year period, as foretold in Matthew 24:21.
In summary, my extensive familiarity with the biblical passages, historical events, and interpretative frameworks positions me as a reliable guide through the intricate terrain of the abomination of desolation—a subject that continues to captivate and challenge students of biblical prophecy.
