The Abomination of desolation were
the Roman Armies that surrounded and destroyed Jerusalem in 70
AD.
Abomination of desolation = Jerusalem surrounded by armies
The bible is its own best commentator
Event
Matthew
Mark
Luke
abomination of desolation
24:15
13:14
not mentioned
surrounded by armies
not mentioned
not mentioned
21:20
Conclusion
Abomination fulfilled when Jerusalem surrounded by armies
A. Explanation the force of the
above table:
Matthew & Mark mention the abomination. Luke, inserts,
in the exact place of mentioning the abomination, "when you
see Jerusalem surrounded by armies". The conclusion is that
Luke interpreted the abomination to be fulfilled when Jerusalem
surrounded.
Standing in the holy place where it should not:
It might refer to the temple itself
The temple was destroyed near the end of the siege, long after
leaving was possible
It is more likely the area outside the
gates of the city of mount Zion: Ps 24:3
The Roman armies were the abomination which causes abomination
when they surrounded the city, Christians where given opportunity
to leave.
Jesus makes reference to the "abomination" prophecy
of Daniel: Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:7-13
Dan 12:9-11 indicates that the meaning
of the prophecy was sealed
Mt & Mk insert "(let reader understand)" indicating
the meaning was revealed by Jesus
Daniel was told the prophecy was sealed until "end time",
which therefore was 70AD
B. Historical Fulfillment Possibilities
of Daniel's prophecy (Dan 9:27)
Antiochus Epiphanes 167 BC
1 Maccabees 1:20-22, "After Antiochus
had defeated Egypt in the year one hundred and forty-three (167BC),
he returned and went up to Israel and to Jerusalem with a strong
force. He insolently invaded the sanctuary ... and stripped off
everything. V54 the king erected the horrible abomination upon
the altar."
2 Maccabees 6:1-5, "The Temple Desecrated: Not long after
this, the king sent an Athenian senator to force the Jews to abandon
the customs of their ancestors and live no longer by the laws
of God; also to profane the temple in Jerusalem and dedicate it
to Olympian Zeus, and that on Mount Gerizim to Zeus, the Hospitable,
as the inhabitants of the place requested. The Gentiles filled
the temple with debauchery and revelry; they amused themselves
with prostitutes ... even in the sacred court. They also brought
into the temple things that were forbidden, so that the altar
was covered with abominable offerings prohibited by the laws."
Some maintain that Daniel's prophecy was wholly fulfilled
in 167 BC.
But the words of Mt & Mk, "Let reader understand",
indicate some connection between Daniel's prophecy and the destruction
of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Jesus clearly refers the disciples to Daniel's
prophecy in regard to the time to flee the city of Jerusalem.
Rome 70 AD
Josephus, "Daniel also wrote concerning
the Roman government, and that our country should be made desolate
by them."
Some suggest that Josephus was referring to Dan 2:40-44, where
the existence of Rome itself was prophesied to come into existence.
But the prophecy in Dan 2 says the "kingdom of iron"
will shatter previous kingdoms not future. Therefore it is likely
that Josephus had the abomination in mind.
When the Romans conquered the city of Jerusalem, and entered
it, their pagan soldiers entered the temple, (defiling it according
to Jewish Law), tore down Jewish ornaments and temple accoutrements,
and raised in stead the pagan symbols and Roman standards.
Some suggest the abomination was fulfilled when Roman standards
and pagan symbols were placed in the temple.
C. There is absolutely no reason
to view the abomination of desolation as some future event, when
it was clearly fulfilled in 70 AD!
D. This may not make for exciting
TV programming where we misapply current events like the Gulf
War, to Bible prophecy, but it is the truth!
