Abomination Of Desolation
The term abomination of desolation found in the Bible has perplexed many biblical scholars, and students of God's Word, in the context of the end-times prophesies. In this article, well take a brief look at the theological positions on the mysterious event spoken of by the prophet Daniel in the Old Testament and Jesus Christ in the New. Daniel was the first to speak of specific events that pertained to the last days of history. In the Scriptures we read, "And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined." (Daniel 9:26) The prophet goes on to write about the coming of shameful things: "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured out upon the desolate." (Daniel 9:27)
Before investigating the different positions on these passages, a look at the word "abominations" might be helpful. To understand the message God is communicating, we must understand that these mystifying words not only point readers to the last of days, but direct students of the Bible to serious application. To grasp what the Lord speaks of when His prophet writes of the abomination of desolation, it is important to do a word study. In the English language, the word abomination signifies something that is hateful, vile, or extremely loathsome. In rabbinical Hebrew, the word used often relates to an idol, that which competes for the hearts of God's people, or better said, that which created being worship instead of their Creator. We can get a close look at the heart of God when we read Proverb 6:16-19. In this character-revealing passage, we discover that the Lord has seven things that are abominations to him. These dishonorable acts include pride, lying, murder of innocent victims, wicked schemes, and those who promote conflict. Considering that abomination is often referred to as idolatry, it is interesting that the Lord uses this as a way to explain his feelings about these particular sins. The passage implies that to partake in pride or dissension, or any of the other sins listed, is to devote oneself to an idol of sorts.
Jesus spoke to His disciples about Daniel's prophecy. "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whosever readeth, let him understand:)" (Matthew 24:15) Some commentators believe this Scripture to refer to the image of the beast spoken of in the book of Revelation. The beast is an idol the Anti-Christ and the false prophet set up to be worshipped by the global community, the most despicable of abominations. The image is believed to have out-stretching arms, a false image of the original cherubim found on the mercy seat in the temple. These commentators believe that when this idol is put into the reconstructed temple, this will signal to the world that the last prophesies are fulfilled.
There have been events in Jewish history that led students of eschatology to believe that the prophecy was, in fact, fulfilled. The most infamous is when Antiochus Epiphanes, the Seleucid King, had an altar to Zeus, the Greek God, constructed inside the God's temple. He even had a swine sacrificed on the altar. This would certainly look to those living at the time as the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel and by Christ because Jews considered pigs unclean animals. However, Paul the Apostle clarifies that the Anti-Christ will claim himself to be God, the ultimate of abominations or idolatry. To date, this has not happened.
Perhaps one of the life-lessons that we can glean from these hard-to-understand prophecies is that God has the end-time events completely under His control. Prophecies have multi-faceted purposes and one of these is to offer security, not fear, to those who belong to Him. Also, Scriptures tell us that we are to be watchful, looking for fulfillment of prophecy. This is in part to keep us prepared for opportunity. We are to be working for the kingdom of Heaven now, but as we see lawlessness increase and signs multiply, we can begin work with a greater sense of urgency, knowing the time of Christ's return is near. When God's children look forward to the coming of His kingdom, their peace will demonstrate His sovereignty to a world in crisis.
Bible teachers and students believe that most biblical prophecies have come to completion. The abomination of desolation is one that most consider yet to be fulfilled. Because there are varying teachings and interpretations of the rapture of the church, it is difficult to say at what point in the end times this awful act will occur. To begin to understand how events will unfold, a full study of all passages from the Old and New Testaments pertaining to the last days would be in order. The Apostle Paul addresses confusion about these matters in his letters to the churches of the day, and these need to be taken into consideration when taking a deep look at prophecy.
Before investigating the different positions on these passages, a look at the word "abominations" might be helpful. To understand the message God is communicating, we must understand that these mystifying words not only point readers to the last of days, but direct students of the Bible to serious application. To grasp what the Lord speaks of when His prophet writes of the abomination of desolation, it is important to do a word study. In the English language, the word abomination signifies something that is hateful, vile, or extremely loathsome. In rabbinical Hebrew, the word used often relates to an idol, that which competes for the hearts of God's people, or better said, that which created being worship instead of their Creator. We can get a close look at the heart of God when we read Proverb 6:16-19. In this character-revealing passage, we discover that the Lord has seven things that are abominations to him. These dishonorable acts include pride, lying, murder of innocent victims, wicked schemes, and those who promote conflict. Considering that abomination is often referred to as idolatry, it is interesting that the Lord uses this as a way to explain his feelings about these particular sins. The passage implies that to partake in pride or dissension, or any of the other sins listed, is to devote oneself to an idol of sorts.
Jesus spoke to His disciples about Daniel's prophecy. "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whosever readeth, let him understand:)" (Matthew 24:15) Some commentators believe this Scripture to refer to the image of the beast spoken of in the book of Revelation. The beast is an idol the Anti-Christ and the false prophet set up to be worshipped by the global community, the most despicable of abominations. The image is believed to have out-stretching arms, a false image of the original cherubim found on the mercy seat in the temple. These commentators believe that when this idol is put into the reconstructed temple, this will signal to the world that the last prophesies are fulfilled.
There have been events in Jewish history that led students of eschatology to believe that the prophecy was, in fact, fulfilled. The most infamous is when Antiochus Epiphanes, the Seleucid King, had an altar to Zeus, the Greek God, constructed inside the God's temple. He even had a swine sacrificed on the altar. This would certainly look to those living at the time as the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel and by Christ because Jews considered pigs unclean animals. However, Paul the Apostle clarifies that the Anti-Christ will claim himself to be God, the ultimate of abominations or idolatry. To date, this has not happened.
Perhaps one of the life-lessons that we can glean from these hard-to-understand prophecies is that God has the end-time events completely under His control. Prophecies have multi-faceted purposes and one of these is to offer security, not fear, to those who belong to Him. Also, Scriptures tell us that we are to be watchful, looking for fulfillment of prophecy. This is in part to keep us prepared for opportunity. We are to be working for the kingdom of Heaven now, but as we see lawlessness increase and signs multiply, we can begin work with a greater sense of urgency, knowing the time of Christ's return is near. When God's children look forward to the coming of His kingdom, their peace will demonstrate His sovereignty to a world in crisis.
Bible teachers and students believe that most biblical prophecies have come to completion. The abomination of desolation is one that most consider yet to be fulfilled. Because there are varying teachings and interpretations of the rapture of the church, it is difficult to say at what point in the end times this awful act will occur. To begin to understand how events will unfold, a full study of all passages from the Old and New Testaments pertaining to the last days would be in order. The Apostle Paul addresses confusion about these matters in his letters to the churches of the day, and these need to be taken into consideration when taking a deep look at prophecy.
Abomination Of Desolation
![]()
Reviewed by Anonymous
on
3:13 PM
Rating:
