Christ Teaches About the End-Times, Part 2.

Matthew 24:15-28

• “Abomination of desolation” originally referred to the desecration of the temple by Greek tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes (175 B.C.), who set up a shrine to Zeus in the Holy Place and sacrificed a pig there. Daniel 11.

 

• A second “abomination” will happen at the end of this age (Daniel 12).
  • Israel will undergo unprecedented trouble (Daniel 12:1a),
  • But its suffering will end with a great divine deliverance (12:1b),
  • There will be resurrections (Daniel 12:2).
  • The number of days following will be 1,290 days (Daniel 12:11), which includes the 1,260 days of Revelation, plus 30. No idea why the 30 extra, we can only speculate.

 

• Matthew 24:15 probably is not referring to Rome’s attack in 70 A.D. because:

 

•  In 70 A.D., the Christians left before the Romans entered. In contrast, Christ says that the disciples would see the abomination standing in the holy place, and then flee.
• Daniel said Jerusalem’s destruction by Rome would precede the desolating abomination (Daniel 9:26, 27).

 

• Suffering believers vulnerable to deception.

 

• Christ tells them to ignore all claims that He has returned. (23-26)
• His return will be public, visible, universal, unmistakable (27-28).
• You want to know where Christ is? Look for vultures. Matt. 24:28, Rev. 19:17-21.