Scriptural
Studies
What is The Abomination of Desolation?
Not What They Teach in the Church!
By Nab B, August 1, 2022
“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)
This is a big subject in Christian circles. Volumes have been written on the subject. You will get mental fatigue just reading some of these interpretations. But the scriptures and their true meaning should never be fatiguing to our minds!
Here, at Clear Bible Truth, I will show you, simply and clearly, in a couple of pages, what many volumes have missed. I hope to impart some spiritual understanding which will help a believer stay away from Babylonian church confusion.
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Let the spirit of God and the scriptures give us the proper understanding. I will analyze the meaning of Daniel's passage verse by verse.
Keep in mind, that this was part of Daniel’s seventy-week prophecy which you can read it here. It predicted Christ's year of arrival and death. The 70-week (or 490 years) prophecy cannot be broken up or spaced out as many interpreters do!
Let's define each part of Daniel 9:27 which Jesus quoted above:
“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, Is poured out on the desolate.” (NKJV)
“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week.”
Jesus appeared at the beginning of the last seven years [of Daniel’s prophecy] to confirm the New Covenant for those who will believe.
“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 (He ministered for 3 1/2 years). His death was a sin offering to God which ended all temple sacrifices and offerings permanently. It fulfilled all the requirements of the law.
“On the wing [pinnacle] of abominations shall be one who makes desolate.”
This meant that an extreme and abominable act would be done by one (an institution) that causes desolation (destruction or killing).
“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 deciphered the meaning of the prophecy; let's see what it really means.
What is The Holy Place?
Many assume that Daniel's prophecy speaks about the temple in Jerusalem. I think not! When on earth, Jesus' body was the temple of God. God resided and acted through him. How do I know this? Here is scriptural proof (there's more).
“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)
This proves that "Jesus' body" was the "Holy Place" and the "Temple of God". Establishing this is crucial since the desolator will try to destroy the "temple of his body" (not the stone temple).
What is The Abomination of Desolation?
Many believe the Roman armies were the “abomination of desolation”. It may appear that way, But it is not. Here's why:
I believe Jerusalem’s ecclesiastical powers and their supporters were the 'abomination of desolation'. They desecrated God’s perfect temple, Jesus Christ by killing him.
Jesus rejected and condemned the apostate religious system in Jerusalem. He knew they would kill Him. His last denunciations were directed against their system in Israel, not the Roman powers.
Jesus' fiery 'woes' recorded in Matthew 23:27-38 were the decrees spoken of in Daniel 9:27. Israel's old system of worship, sacrifices, and apostasy was coming to an end. A new spiritual Israel, a new Church [ecclesia], and a new Jerusalem was born.
If you don’t believe it, read the "Murdered Son" parable in Matthew 12:1-12. It was when the workers killed the Son, that the owner of the vineyard (God) came and killed (rejected) His tenants (fleshly Israel and its entire old system) and gave the vineyard to others (the nations or Gentiles or the New Church). And that was the end of it!
Therefore, any Jew or Gentile who wants to worship God must believe and put faith in the name of Jesus Christ for salvation.
Matthew 23:37-38, Jesus sounded his final words against the entire desolated 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 [system and temple] is being left to you DESOLATE!”
Jesus even used the exact same word ‘desolate’ as in Daniel 9:27. It proves that Israel's religious leaders, their system, and their supporters are the DESOLATOR who will be left desolate as decreed by God!
How does this Help me spiritually?
One gains a clearer picture of Daniel's prophecy as it applies only to Jesus Christ and no other.
One learns that most Bible prophecies and their fulfillment are centred on Jesus Christ. Incorrect interpretations shift our focus away from Him.
One can appreciate God's spiritual and clear truth which is contrary to man's confusing theories that darken God's counsel.