The Abomination of Desolation
A review of Matthew 24 and Daniel's prophecies.
The structural backbone of most popular prophetic interpretations, the visions of Daniel, finds its theological origins in Matthew 24. It records Jesus discussing the looming destruction of Jerusalem with his disciples. The disciples ask him two questions: When will the temple be destroyed, and what will be the signs of Jesus' return.
Jesus answers the two questions, but in answering he quotes from Daniel and speaks of the abomination of desolation. Theologians have jumped on this and have interpreted his statement as a prophecy in our future. They further conclude that since the abomination of desolations must yet be in the future, many other portions of Daniel's intertwined visions must also be in the future.
Many bible commentaries show specific evidence of Daniel's prophecies being totally fulfilled during ancient times. Josephus specifically records the abomination as being the sacrifice by Antiochus Epiphenes of a pig on the sacred altar to Jupiter. The desolations was the war of rebellion by the Maccabees in retaliation for the desecration of the temple.
The theologians recognize the past fulfillment, but didn't know how to accept this when Jesus apparently plainly stated it was yet in the future. In response to this apparent paradox, theologians have invented a "dual fulfillment" theory in which it was not only fulfilled in ancient times, but also that it must occur again in the future. Only in this way can they resolve this problem.
Some of the things found in Daniel which are currently taught as future events find the theological roots in Matthew 24. They are the building of a temple on the site of the Mosque in Jerusalem, the tribulation lasting 7 years, the Antichrist establishing a false peace treaty with the Jews, and the many characteristics and activities of the Antichrist.
However, if we look to Jesus' statement in Matthew 24, we will see that Jesus, the master of parables, was not prophesying as the theologians propose, but rather simply giving yet another illustration.
Jesus used 6 parables in describing the destruction of the temple and the signs of his return.
- Matthew 24:27 - an illustration drawn from practical life experiences.
For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west,
- Matthew 24:28 - an illustration drawn from practical life experiences.
Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather
- Matthew 24:32 - an illustration drawn from practical life experiences.
Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and put forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.
- Matthew 24:38 - an illustration drawn from known historical events.
For as in those days which were before the flood were eating and drinking, they were marrying and given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark.
- Matthew 24:43 - an illustration drawn from practical life experiences.
But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
Most of these are comparable to the following modern illustrations:
- When rats leave the ship, the ship is sinking.
- When you see the birds fly south, you know that winter is coming.
- April showers bring May flowers.
The use of the term "abomination of desolations" by Jesus in this setting was no different. It was one of many parables.
To give an example, if a leader of a modern day militia organization was discussing the possibility of an imminent raid by the FBI and BATF, he might give the following commands to his scouts as they are receiving their assigned duties:
"Now when you get out to the perimeter, keep your guard up. If those Red Coats come down the trail by the creek, you get word back right quick. We'll evacuate the camp and take the escape route back to town."
The use of the term "Red Coats" is a term referring to the British soldiers under King George III during our American Revolution over 200 years ago. Everyone in the conversation understands that. It is a phrase of comparison. The militia leader is using it to refer to what he viewed as the enemy. No one expects a British soldier or an American federal agent to come dressed in red tunics, white leather belts and straps, bear skin hats, and carrying Brown Bess muskets.
This is the same as what Jesus meant by what he said. He was using an extremely familiar event in Jewish history as one of six illustrations to drive home the point that we would see some obvious clues to the timing of his eventual return. The disciples all understood what he meant. They recognized the reference to Antiochus' activities was an illustration, not a prophecy of their future that there would be a second abomination of desolations.
The Jews of Jesus' day knew their history. The Maccabean rebellion was as significant to them as our Revolutionary War and Civil War are to us. The Maccabean rebellion occurred only about 160 years prior to their own day, so they would have known much about it.
The writers of the Gospels wanted the reader to understand that the use of this expression was not meant to be taken literally. They made a very deliberate point of placing the qualifying statement "let the reader understand" after the use of the term "Abomination of Desolation" so that we would not.
Unfortunately, most learned theologians have missed this most important point. From this decisive error, the prophecies of Daniel have been interpreted as somehow having to have a dual fulfillment when it was not intended to be taken that way at all.
With this understood, the meaning of this passage as related by the three gospels takes on a new meaning. Jesus first described the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. After a brief pause, he gave them some signs that would give indications when his return would be imminent. He then gave some clues about the timing of the destruction of the temple. Finally, he provided some wonderful advice on what to do until he comes back.
Nothing in this conversation with Jesus refers to anything in the book of Daniel which has yet to be fulfilled. Nowhere else in the Bible is there mention of the Abomination of Desolation. Daniel's visions do not apply to the future. Certainly, theologians have "found" ways to throw Daniel's visions into the future. But the true fulfillment of these prophecies is in days long past. Even the 70 weeks of Daniel, so popular with dispensationalist writers, finds total fulfillment in the ancient days.
So any further discussion of Daniel's visions, and in particular the Abomination of Desolation, in reference to future end times events is incorrect and taken out of context.