Matthew 24:15 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Abomination of Desolation

¹⁵ “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

Do we understand what was written in Daniel?

Daniel 12:10-12 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁰ Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. ¹¹ And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. ¹² Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.

If we add 1,290 and 1,335 we get 2,625 which is roughly 7 years. Are we being cleaver here trying to support a long time teaching that the tribulation period is going to be 7 years long? If we begin with a premise and look to support that premise, are we seeking truth?

What if 45 days where added to 1,290 to attain the 1,335 days? That would change the premise and we would need scripture to support that assertion.

Matthew 24:21-22 English Standard Version (ESV)

²¹ For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. ²² And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Consider the continuation of context and perhaps those 45 days in Daniel are the days cut short. This however does not support our desire to avoid the great tribulation. Our flesh says no thank you to those times. What we do to preserve the desire to avoid that time is to arrange scripture to suit our own understanding.

Is that wisdom?

2 Timothy 3:1 English Standard Version (ESV) But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

2 Peter 3:3 English Standard Version (ESV) knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

Acts 2:17 English Standard Version (ESV)  “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

Do you have an idea what “last days” means? There is a hope in us, looking forward to God’s promises that have not yet been actualized. We understand that His final promise comes on judgement day but there are things we look forward to before that final promise.

Some of those hopes we have are tied to prophetic words about the last days. The last days of what? What is coming to an end here? Do we all have the same understanding? Do we agree upon what is ending? Do others have a different opinion or are we just assuming that we all agree?

Matthew 24:12-14 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹² And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

His disciples were asking about the end of an age, not days, not time, not earth, all which will end but is this the answer to the end of the church age? If our hope is to last until the end of the church age then the term “last days” takes on a whole different meaning.

Matthew 24:15 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Abomination of Desolation

¹⁵ “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

Jesus continue to speak about days after He answers the question that may be related to the church age. The object of discussion is the land of Judea and its inhabitants. It is not the end of days.