What is the Abomination of Desolation? 

By Nab B 

August 1, 2022

updated Oct 11, 25 

“When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, whoso readeth, let him understand”

(Matt 24:15)

The "Abomination of Desolation" is a hot topic in the churches with many interpretations. Some say it was Antiochus IV Epiphanes, others say it was the Romans, but more think it applies to an antichrist figure that appears at the end of time.

Who is right and who's wrong? We can only know if the above passage and other relevant passages are seen in context. And this is what I will do.

Since Jesus, in Matthew 24:15, alluded to Daniel's prophecy, we will briefly analyze Daniel's prophecy. This verse is part of the seventy-week prophecy of Daniel. I have a detailed article on it here ❯ The Seventy Weeks of Daniel Ended in AD 34

Briefly, the 70-week prophecy (or 490 years) predicted Christ's year of appearance, death, and the new covenant. The timeline of this prophecy should not be extended and gapped as many do!

Jesus was quoting from Daniel 9:27, which says,

“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week, He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined (or decreed), is poured out on the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27 NKJV)

Now, I will define each part of this verse, in context, to identify what or who was the "abomination of desolation."

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“He shall confirm a covenant with many for one week.”

Jesus' ministry ushered in the last seven years of Daniel’s prophecy to confirm the "New Covenant" with "many" or "all" humans, any who will believe.

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“In the middle of the week, He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” 

Jesus was sacrificed exactly in the middle of the last seven years (after 3½ years of his ministry, not his birth). 

His death was "a sin offering" to God, ending all temple sacrifices and offerings by fulfilling all the requirements of the law. 

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“On the wing [pinnacle] of abominations shall be one who makes desolate.” 

This meant that an extreme and abominable act shall be done by one institution (not one person) that causes desolation, destruction, or killing.

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“Even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.” 

The abominations will be permitted until the determined END is poured out on the desolator (the destroyer).

Now that we have defined Daniel 9:27, let's see what Jesus had in mind when he quoted from Daniel. But, first, a bit on the identity of "the holy place" and "the abomination of desolation" 

What is The Holy Place?

Many assume that the "Holy Place" in Daniel's prophecy is the Temple in Jerusalem. I don't deny that Roman armies destroyed the temple and the city in 70 AD.  However, there's another, and more important, temple here. Jesus' body served as the temple of God where He resided and acted through Christ. "How do I know this?" you will ask. Well, because he said so,

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.” (John 2:19-21) 

If anything, it proves "Jesus' body" was the greater "Holy Place" or the "Temple of God". Knowing this is crucial since "The desolator" will attempt to destroy the "Temple of his body", which is Christ's body, not the stone temple. I hope this is clear thus far.

What is The Abomination of Desolation?

Many believe the Roman armies were the “abomination of desolation”. On the surface, it looks that way, but it is not—at least for me. Here's why: 

If the "Holy Place" (or Temple) was the "body of Christ", then Jerusalem’s religious system, and its supporters, were the "abomination of desolation" who desecrated God’s perfect temple, Jesus Christ, by rejecting and killing Him.

Because Jesus knew they would reject and kill him, Jesus directed his last condemnations against Jerusalem's religious system, not the Roman powers.

Jesus' seven "woes", in Matthew 23:27-38, amounted to what is called "determined" or "decreed" as spoken of in Daniel 9:27. Israel's system of worship was coming to an end; a new spiritual Israel, a new Church (ecclesia), was being born, from all nations (Jews and Gentiles).

A cursory reading of the "Murdered Son" parable in Mark 12:1-12 will drive the point home. It was when the vineyard workers killed the Son that the owner (God) killed (rejected) the tenants (Israel and its old system). He then handed the vineyard to others. This parable was against Israel's religious system, "For they (Pharisees) knew that he had spoken the parable against them." (Mark 12:12)

Note Jesus' final words against Israel's religious system:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house (religious system) is being left to you DESOLATE!” (Matthew 23:37-38)

You may have noticed Jesus used the word ‘desolate’ found in Daniel 9:27. It proves that Israel's religious leaders, their system, and supporters were likely the DESOLATOR who will themselves be left desolate as decreed by God! 

How does this Help Me Spiritually?

• We gain a clearer picture of Daniel's prophecy as it applies only to Jesus Christ and no other.

• We learn that most Bible prophecies and their fulfillment are centred on Jesus Christ. Correct interpretations help us focus our eyes on Him.

• We see God's spiritual, clear truth is contrary to man's confusing interpretations that darken His word.

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