In all of my writings whether in periodic blogs or my three published
books my purpose and desire is to project the truths of the Scriptures and
relate these truths to the lives of people in a manner that brings
understanding. So as with this topic I
recently heard a well-known and very good Christian pastor speak about this
subject projecting a very inaccurate interpretation of its meaning so I have
thought there is a need to clarify and explain.
I have previously done so in two of my three books, but many will never
access that source so I have been constrained to summarize those accounts here.
Jesus
introduces us to the truth and timing of the abomination of desolation at
Matthew 24:15 when he says, ‘’When ye therefore shall see the abomination
of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet stand in the holy place, whoso
reaadeth let him understand.” Jesus is speaking as a prophet concerning an
event or occurrence which is yet future. As he has referred to Daniel as a
prophet we then need to return to Daniel’s revealed writings to gather more
information. Daniel instructs us concerning the matter in two places. At Daniel
12:11 we read asfollows: “And
from the time the daily sacrifice shall be taken away and the abomination that
maketh desolate shall be set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and
ninety days.” When placed in context with the timing and duration of the
tribulation period covered in more detail in the earlier part of chapter twelve
this tells us the precise occurrence of the abomination of desolation placing
it exactly thirty days before the beginning of the three and one-half year
tribulation period. We state unequivocally that the tribulation is to last
three and one-half years and not seven as proclaimed by those who embrace
dispensational theology as is testified by Daniel at verse seven where the
Scripture says: “….it shall be for a
time, times and a half (3 ½ years)
and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people,
all these things shall be finished.” Having established the timing we must seek
further in the Scriptures to bring clarity to the details of its manning.
To do
so we must go to Daniel chapter 11
beginning with verse 30 where we read: “For the ships of Chittim shall come against him therefore he shall be
grieved (speaking of the Antichrist, the son of perdition) and return and have
indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return,
and have intelligence with those that forsake the covenant, And arms (force
or power) shall stand on his part, and
they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily
sacrifice, and they shall place the
abomination that maketh desolate. And such as do wickedly against the
covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God
shall be strong and do exploits. (verses 30-32). Understanding that this is a difficult passage we will
provide an interpretation and then finish this treatment by moving to the New
Testament and examining the second chapter of II Thessalonians but before we do
so is necessary to demonstrate the utterly false interpretation held by those
of dispensational persuasion.
Although
there is not one single verse of Scripture to verify any portion of their
teaching they would provide a completely contrived interpretation as will
follow. This passage, by the way receives extensive coverage in the Scofield
Reference Bible notes (pages 916 &
917 - 1967 revision) and is the source of this longstanding corruption of this
portion of Scripture which must be
understood in light of the many heresies projected not only in the Scofield
Reference Bible but the fruit of those teachings inherent in dispensational
theology.
Their
interpretation and evaluation of Daniel 11:31 and following verses would
identify the subject person acting as Antiochus Epiphines the alleged king of
the North drawn from previous verses in the chapter which do not specifically
identify either the “king of the north or the king of the south” as to a specific
person. Supposedly by the added Scofield notes they have arrived at the
conclusion that he sacrificed a sow on the altar of the temple in Jerusalem and
they surmise this constitutes the abomination that makes desolate. Further they
would assert that Antiochus Epiphines is the architype of the coming
Antichrist. This is all conjecture without one verse of Scripture to verify any
portion of it. Jesus clearly asserts that the occurrence of the abomination of
desolation is yet future at the time of his prophecy. This interpretation then
can only be labeled as a “Jewish fable” which is spoken of by the apostle Paul
in his epistle to Titus.
In
truth the passage beginning with Daniel 11:30 and running to the end of the
chapter
is recounting the activities of and responses to the
actual Antichrist during the period of the tribulation. This is progressive and
moving forward to the end of the age. Additional information as well as the
length the tribulation is provided by Daniel in chapter twelve.
Now
we must move to II Thessalonians 2:1-11. We will place emphasis on portions of
this passage to bring further understanding to the words of Jesus and the
prophesies of Daniel. (1) First we would see that the return of the Lord is
after the manifestation of the evil one spoken of in the passage
(vss.1-3). (2) That which restrains his
(Antichrist) being revealed (verse 7). (3) The revelation of the wicked one
occurs as the outworking of ‘the mystery
of iniquity’ at the end of a falling away and the working of Satan and a
great apostasy (verses 7-9). (4) It will be manifest by ‘lying wonders’ and the ‘deceivableness of all unrighteousness’
(verses 9-10). (5)He will oppose and
exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so he as God
sittith in the temple of God showing himself that he is God (verse 4). This
is the abomination of desolation. (6) This spiritual activity empowered by
Satan is allowed by God who ‘for this
cause shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie that they
all might be damned who believe not the truth….’ (verses 11-12).If you
really desire to have an understanding you will need to get your Bible out and
work your way slowly through the entire passage.
So in
conclusion and by examining all the passages related to the abomination of
desolation it will be seen that the wicked one -the son of perdition takes up
residence in the temple of God. Under the tenets of the new covenant in Christ
we see that that temple is the spirits of men for God intended to live and rein
in the hearts (spirits) of men. This is his temple.(See I Cor. 6:19) ‘What
know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you
which ye have of God…’ The word in the Greek is Naos meaning ‘a shrine or
sanctuary’ (Vines Expository of New Testament Words). The word at I Cor. 6:19
and II Thes.2:4 are this word. Jesus uses the same word at John 2:19-21 in
reference to his own body.
In
conclusion it must be stated that this writer does not believe the temple
mentioned at II Thes. 2:4 is a rebuilt Jewish edifice or building where they
may carry on worship. (See Acts 7:48-49).
This does not mean that it won’t happen but this is not the meaning of
the abomination of desolation. It cannot
be for God has already judged and caused to be destroyed that outward
expression of the old covenant and his dealings with ethnic or national Jewry
is finished. (See my blog Seventy Weeks Are Determined). Thus it can only mean
that the abomination of desolation is a time when the enemies of God—Satan and his
demonic army headed up by the Antichrist take captive and thus take up
residence and possession of men’s souls and spirits through a miraculous act of
deception. (Compare Dan 11:32&cont. and II Timothy 2:26). The enemy is capable of taking captive our
inner man when we give consent. This spiritual reality will have extreme
consequences when the manifestation of the abomination of desolation spoken of
in II Thes. 2 occurs.
These
truths will be strongly rejected by all who have been deeply nurtured in Scofieldism
and dispensational theology.
David Lance
Dean
visit my website: authordavidlancedean.com
with a link all of my posted
blogs
