The phrase “abomination of desolation” comes from the book of Daniel and refers to an important prophetic event. It is mentioned several times in the Bible, specifically in Daniel 9:27, Daniel 11:31, Daniel 12:11, and Matthew 24:15. But what exactly does it mean and what is this prophesied event all about? Let’s take a deeper look.
The Abomination of Desolation in Daniel
The concept first appears in the book of Daniel, in a prophecy given to Daniel by the angel Gabriel. In Daniel 9:27, Gabriel tells Daniel:
“And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
So there is a mention here of an unspecified “abomination” that will cause desolation or ruin. A similar prophecy is given in Daniel 11:31:
“Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.”
Here the abomination is associated with the profaning of the temple, the taking away of offerings, and the subsequent desolation. Yet another mention comes in Daniel 12:11:
“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.”
This verse gives us a specific timeframe – 1,290 days – for when the abomination that causes desolation will be set up. So in the book of Daniel, we have multiple prophecies about a coming abomination of desolation that is associated with the temple, the taking away of offerings, and a resulting state of ruin or desolation. But Daniel does not give specifics about what this abomination is.
The Abomination of Desolation in Matthew
The term appears again in the New Testament, when Jesus refers back to the prophecies in Daniel. In Matthew 24:15, Jesus says:
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
Here Jesus confirms that the abomination of desolation Daniel spoke about will one day stand in the holy place, which is presumed to refer to the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus even appeals to the reader to understand the meaning behind this prophecy. And he goes on to describe further destruction and tribulation that will accompany the abomination of desolation.
So the Gospels add weight and urgency to Daniel’s prophecy and make it clear the abomination of desolation is still a future event. Some key points we can gather:
– It entails a horrifying or sacrilegious object standing in the temple sanctuary.
– It results in the cessation of temple sacrifices and offerings.
– It ushers in a period of devastation and tribulation.
But neither Daniel nor Jesus reveal explicitly what the abomination of desolation is. So Bible scholars have speculated about the possibilities.
Theories on the Abomination of Desolation
Throughout history, Bible scholars have proposed various explanations for what the abomination of desolation might involve. Here are some of the main theories:
1. The desecration of the temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 168 BC. The Syrian king outlawed Jewish rituals and offered pigs (unclean animals) as a sacrifice in the temple. This literally made the temple an “abomination” and its rituals were made desolate. Many scholars see this as a partial but not completely fulfilled prophecy.
2. The destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 AD. The Romans razed the Jewish temple completely, leaving not one stone standing on another. This ended the sacrificial system and brought devastation on Judea. Again, some see this as a partial fulfillment.
3. A symbolic reference to apostasy and corruption within the temple. Some see it as a figure of speech for spiritual rather than literal desecration.
4. The setting up of an idol of the Antichrist in the end times temple. Many futurists believe the Antichrist will enter a newly built Jewish temple, stop offerings, and set up an idol or image of himself to be worshiped. 2 Thessalonians 2 may support this view. This fits with the speculation about a Third Temple yet to be constructed.
5. The Antichrist himself sitting in the temple. Rather than a statue, some think the abomination refers to the Antichrist entering the temple in person to receive worship. Jesus said “standing” in the holy place, which may imply a person rather than an object.
6. The Islamic Dome of the Rock on the temple mount. From a premillennial perspective, the Dome of the Rock is a foreign object that has “desolated” the temple mount for centuries. It may be a precursor or even the fulfillment of the abomination prophecy.
As we can see, there are several possibilities that have been put forth, some more speculative than others. There are good arguments on various sides for the options above. Probably the two most agreed upon views historically are that it referred to either Antiochus IV Epiphanes or a future Antichrist figure. But Christians still debate this today.
Significance of the Abomination of Desolation
While we can’t be certain of the exact identity of the abomination of desolation, here are some key points about why it matters:
– It is considered an important end time prophetic milestone. Many believe it will take place in the final seven year period before Christ’s return.
– It will definitively defile the holy place and temple, putting a stop to sacrifices. This is a climactic affront to God.
– It appears to be intentionally set up as a sign of the Antichrist’s authority and opposition to God’s laws.
– It precedes the period of greatest hardship and persecution for believers during the tribulation.
– Its occurrence should serve as a signal for Jews to urgently escape from Judea for safety, per Jesus’ warning.
– It will provoke the judgment and wrath of God to eventually consume the Antichrist.
So the abomination is significant as a prophetic turning point and wake up call with terrible ramifications. Believers are called to be alert and aware concerning end time prophecies like this. While we cannot know exactly what the abomination will turn out to be, Scripture gives us the overall context and sequence of events to watch for. It will be a clear sign for believers living in those days.
Conclusion
The abomination of desolation is a mysterious but important prophetic event foretold in both Old and New Testaments. While the exact details are not spelled out, it will involve a horrendous and sacrilegious affront to God taking place in a rebuilt Jewish temple, stopping temple sacrifices. This could be in the person of the Antichrist or an image of himself being set up to be worshiped. It marks a critical point in end time events and the rise of evil. But it also ushers in God’s program of judgment and sets the stage for Christ’s return. While the meaning is partially veiled, Scripture gives enough clues for us to wisely discern the season of the times. Believers are called to be alert, looking for Christ’s coming, even as the shadow of the abomination looms over the final days.
