Jesus foretells of a very troubling future time for the Nation of Israel at the mid-point of the seven year tribulation period called “The Abomination of Desolation” as related to Daniel’s the Prophets prophetic vision. We covered the first reference of this event in Daniel 9:27 in our last blog; now we will transition to Daniel 11:30-45 which was a precursor event (a foreshadowing) of the “Abomination of Desolation” that happened in 167 BC by the ruthless Greek King Antiochus IV Epiphanes during the Jewish Maccabean period.
King Antiochus IV is a “Type” of the Antichrist and Deceiver and stops the regular burnt offerings (verse 31) as the Antichrist will do at the mid-point of the tribulation. King Antiochus IV deceives the Jewish leadership that he is coming in peace and they were not prepared for his true intentions. Antiochus sends his chief tax collector Apollonius with his army and instead of peace he begins to plunder the city of Jerusalem and murder many people.
Antiochus IV arrives and stops the regular burnt offering, defiles the Temple by setting up an altar to Zeus and he slaughters a pig on it; this wicked act enraged the faithful Jewish people…this was the Abomination of Desolation! This would trigger the Maccabean revolt lead by the godly Priest Mattathias and his five sons and it would last over 3 years until they finally overcame this ruthless tyrant and reclaimed the Temple in 164 BC.
Interestingly, again we see the similar parallel of the future Antichrist...verse 36…”And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.” Compare with 2 Thes. 2:3-4. Antiochus IV did prosper for a short season as a war monger and egomaniac, but he had a violent end just as the future Antichrist will!
In Daniel 12:11 the final reference of the Abomination of Desolation…Daniel affirms the exact timeline the Antichrist has for his arrogance against God, attack on believers and defilement of the Holy Temple…1290 days…approximately 3.5 years.
Let us return to Jesus last day’s discourse to get a broader picture of this period and a very tumultuous period for Israel triggered by the Abomination of Desolation. Matthew 24:16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” and Luke adds “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that the desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains and let those are in the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are the days of vengeance to fulfill all that is written”. Luke 21:20-22. This is GET OUT OF DODGE TIME…JUST LEAVE…no time to pack your suite cases or backpacks!
Matt. 24:17-22…we are now in FULL BLOWN TRIBULATION…the SEAL and TRUMPET JUDGEMENT'S ARE being unleashed upon the Antichrist kingdom and rebellious humanity for their wickedness and the Antichrist is bent on murdering Jews and Believers (Rev 6-14). The Apostle John in Revelations 12:6, 13-14 is shown that the Jewish Believers who put their TRUST in JESUS and OBEY and flee into the wilderness/mountains are supernaturally protected and provided by God for the 3.5 years…just as Israel was in the wilderness in the days of Moses!
This is a wake up call to both Jews and non-Jews and I pray many will find Jesus as their Lord and Savior who read this blog. Jesus describe this second half of the tribulation “For in those days there will be such tribulation as not been from the beginning of creation that God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.” Mark 13:19-20
Most of us have no real reference or experience to the horrific destruction of WWII, except the elderly who were children at the time or young adults…both my Mom and Uncle served in the Canadian military who have both since passed away…they seldom ever talked about it…it was far too painful. Hitler’s reign of terror sweep Europe and became a global conflict as countries took sides. Over 60 million people perished and this was the most devastating war in all of human history…this period Jesus is referring too could be 20 or 50 times worse in its destruction as the four horsemen begin to unleash their wrath on mankind at the beginning of this period...it only get worse as the 21 Judgement's unfold starting with the seven Seal Judgement's(Rev 6:1-17 & 8:1-5).
Even in judgement God extends mercy as he “shortens the days” to slow down the destructive nature of the Antichrist…this may refer to Rev. 8:12 “The fourth angle blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light would be darkened, and a third of a day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.”
Luke 21: 23 b-24 warns us that much of the Antichrists demonic hatred will be extended towards the Jewish people…much like Hitler’s was (a type of Antichrist)! “For there will be great distress upon the earth and upon this people. They will fall by the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled”. This will not be the end of the story for our Jewish brethren as the Apostle Paul reminds us in Roman’s 11: 25 c-27 “Until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, Paul quotes Isaiah 27:9 “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob” and concludes with “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Praise God many Jewish people will repent and embrace Jesus as their Messiah during this horrific period.
Jesus concludes this section of His prophetic words to His disciples and us, once again with the warning of many FALSE CHRIST’S & FALSE PROPHETS who will perform sign and wonders, to lead astray, if possible the elect. “Be on Guard; I have told you all these things beforehand” Mark 13: 21-23.
This is the THIRD TIME in Jesus discourse extolling us to be on guard against FALSE CHRIST’S, PROPHETS and TEACHERS. Unless you are a serious student of God’s Word, study the whole Bible diligently, take it literally and even in metaphors, allegories or hyperbole allow Scripture to interpret Scripture…God did not give us His Word to trip us up and yes there are some more difficult passages…this is often when we need to dig a little harder and seek Godly counsel through books and solid Bible teachers. If you do not know your Bible…you will be led astray easily!
I will close with a personal story that happened to me many years ago in Regina. I heard a knock at my door, so I went to see who it was…he was a stranger. In short order the person told me why he was here, he said, The Messiah is now in Britain and in hiding, but will soon make himself know to all the world”. The Holy Spirit rose up in me and I said, I command that false and lying spirit in you to be bound in Jesus name, for what you are saying is a lie!” I have never seen a person move so quickly from our front porch and run down the street! Because I know the Scriptures and my authority in Christ I was NOT DECEIVED!
Know your Bible, study it daily least you be led astray by some smooth talking personality on TV or the Internet or some new hot book exclaiming they has some new hidden revelation! Jesus warned us beforehand, neither you nor I have any excuses!
We will continue next week Lord willing in Jesus foretelling what is to come before His Glorious return when He will Judge the wicked, reward the righteous and set up His Kingdom on the earth from Jerusalem for 1000 years.
From a friend, Bill W…if you have found these studies insightful and encouraging pass them on to a friend!