The Abomination That Makes Desolate
The book of Daniel speaks to a time when Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies. Luke informs us that when this happens, Jerusalem’s desolation is near. The armies are the forerunner of major end-time events.
This destruction is also referenced in Daniel chapter 11, verse 31. At some point in the future, the Jews will reinstate daily sacrifices. We see no need for a 3rd temple to be physically built in order for that to happen. Orthodox Judaism has the physical requirements already prepared and just need to decide where to set it up. Their desired place is the Temple Mount. But this is a contested location and any attempt to begin sacrifices there may in fact precipitate armies to move against Jerusalem.
According to Daniel, the daily sacrifices, once initiated, will be stopped by the armies (“forces”) when they surround Jerusalem. It will be these armies that are referred to as the abomination that makes Jerusalem desolate (Luke 21:20; Matthew 24:15).
Today Israel is encompassed by armies that could easily surround Jerusalem. Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Egypt to the south, Iran to the east and Turkey to the north. A European army is not discounted, but doesn’t exist yet. However, recent events such as the failure of the German government and the pressure from outside of Europe for them to take a stronger defense role is worth watching.
At this point we are not waiting for a temple to be built. We are waiting for the daily sacrifices to begin.
Daniel also states that the time from the sacrifices to be stopped until the time Christ returns is 1290 days (Daniel 12:11).
A blessing is pronounced upon those who wait and come to the 1335 days. We cannot know exactly when the 1335 day period begins or what it signifies, but it is clearly before the sacrifices are stopped. However, we are told by Luke, “By your patience possess your souls” (Luke 21:19). Whenever these events will take place, they will occur unexpectedly.
It is time for us to be topping up our lamps with oil and to be patiently “doing” in preparation for the events shortly ahead of us. “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:42-44).
Brian Orchard
