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The Abomination of Desolatio
by Samuel Oladepo The Lord Jesus in His revelation about the end time events mentioned in the books of Matthew 24 verse 15 and Mark 13 verse 14 the 'Abomination of Desolation' as spoken of by the prophet Daniel .The most shocking thing about this revelation is that the writers of these books did not explain what the 'Abomination of Desolation' means. They both said, "Let the reader understand". This has been one of the few verses of the scriptures that remained a puzzle to those that care to set their hearts to understand them. Many theologians have tried to unravel the mystery behind this event but, majorly through the use of Systematic Theology a means that is didactic and has logic as its nucleus. For us to have a logical platform of reasoning in this study, it is of necessity to consider some schools of thought on this topic. Some Eschatologists believed that Daniel's prophesy was initially fulfilled about 165 B.C. during the reign of a Greek ruler of Syria called Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 B.C). He was noted to be one of the cruelest rulers of all time. During his reign, his primary aim was to unify his empire by spreading Greek civilization and culture and this brought him into direct conflict with the Jews. Antiochus issued regulations against observing the Sabbaths, circumcision practice and keeping all food laws. The Jews could not adhere to this edict; they were even forced to participate in heathen festivities and were put to death if the Book of the Law was found in their possession. This prophesy of Daniel was assumed to be fulfilled when this man Antiochus IV Epiphanes sacrificed a pig on the holy altar of the temple in Jerusalem. This sacrificing of an unclean pig was the worst kind of abomination that could have ever taken place. Another school of thought says that a more precise fulfillment took place when the Romans sacked the Jewish Temple about A.D 70. While some others insist that the final abomination of desolation refers to the revealing of the 'man of sin' spoken of through Apostle Paul in the book of 2Thessalonians 2:3-4, who will take over God's place in the temple and make people bow down and worship him. Now, the first school of thought shows us an event of great abomination without desolation because the Temple was later cleansed after the Syrians were routed on the 25th Chislev, 165 B.C. This cleansing is now observed by the Jews as the Feast of Lights (Hanukkah), around December 25th. While Antiochus IV, after his defeat, withdrew to the East where he died a mad man. The second opinion was an event prophesied by Jesus in the book of Luke 21: 5-7, 20-24. "These things in which you see the day will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down." Verse 20: "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies know that its desolation is near." This was a precise prophesy concerning the desolation of Jerusalem. The third argument was believed to be a future event in which the 'man of sin' shall take over the Temple of God to be worshipped as God. This topic shall be viewed in the light of the third argument, but it will be done by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, "knowing this first that no prophesy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation." (2 Pet.1:20) It should therefore be noted here that this study does not compete for a stand nor does it nullify any previous study that has been made on this topic, rather, it should be viewed with a honest and humble heart seeing its application in our individual lives as we journey in our Faith walk with the Lord. Let us consider the meanings of 'abomination' and 'desolation' so as to have a vivid picture of what we are studying. Bible dictionary defines 'abomination' as anything that offends the spiritual, religious, or moral sense and causes extreme disgust. While Oxford Advanced Learners' dictionary describes 'desolation' as a ruined, deserted condition of a place offering no joy or hope to the people; or misery (great suffering or discomfort of mind or body) combined with a feeling of being lonely. These definitions will shed light on some things as we go on in the study. Many times when we approach prophesy in the scriptures, we tend to look forward to a physical happening or manifestation as their fulfillments. This has even been supported by various movies and books that try to portray future events as foretold in the scriptures. The harm this has done is immeasurable; it has closed our eyes to the deep spiritual meanings of so many prophesy in the scriptures as apply to our individual lives. Now, let us review the original prophesy as received by Daniel. "His armed forces shall rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation" ". With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him." (NIV) (Daniel 11: 31-32). When you examine the scripture above critically, two things must happen before the abomination of desolation is set up: 'forces shall be mustered (by him) and they shall defile the temple fortresses; 'they shall take away the daily sacrifices.' Firstly, we must establish this fact that all these events are to take place in the temple. A temple is a place of worship. And Jesus Christ in His conversion with the Samaritan woman in John 4:20 & 24 revealed to us where and how true worshippers will worship the Father. It will not be on any mountain; neither in edifice erected for such purpose nor at a particular location, but true worshippers will worship in spirit and truth. God, for a long time has ceased to live in tents or edifice made with hands. "However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands," as the prophet says' (Acts 7:48). Paul the Apostle made it clear in 1Corin. 3:16, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God?" Those who have the Spirit of God in them are the temples of God (2Corin 6:16, 1Corin.6:19). This exposition automatically takes our eyes off an event due to take place in an edifice called the temple of God but something that will come to pass in believers, the elects and redeemed of God. The temple Fortress shall be defiled. What is a Fortress? A fortress is a place strengthened or well protected against attack. Now as a temple of God, where is your fortress? Our fortress is our heart. It is the place we tend to protect most against the attack of the evil one. The scriptures even admonished us; "Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life" (Prov 4:23). The prophesy says, "forces will be mustered by him to defile the temple fortress". Look around you, and see how the devil has mustered his forces to defile hearts of believers daily. His attack against the "temple fortress" is ever increasing and we are not aware of it. We think that this incident will take place in an edifice? No! Don't be deceived, it's taking place already, search your heart, and see it. I Paul the apostle in 2 Thess. 2:7 could identify that, "the mystery of lawlessness is already at work" in his day. What shall we say of our days? Well, your guess is as good as mine is. We are surrounded by various satanic weapons of defilement; X-rated pictures round about us, even in the media, music, fashion etc. They are targeted majorly at believers. The unbelievers have no problem with all these because their minds are perverted already. We cannot pretend to be too religious, closing our eyes to the reality of these things. What Satan is expecting from believers is just a glance, a few notes of the lyrics, a little flair; these are enough to wreck the havoc intended by him. These things are backed up with high compelling power that is almost impossible to resist. At this juncture, cast your mind back on the thoughts that always flood your heart when you are alone. Majority are thoughts you never intended having on your mind, in fact, you may find yourself singing some worldly songs you have not consciously listened to. Even in the place of prayer, you find various unhealthy thoughts springing forth in your heart. What do you think is responsible for all these? Our resistance against the devil's attack is ever reducing. The shield of Faith "to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Eph 6:16) has been substituted for shield of Fate and Facts decorated with Positive Mental Attitude. Entertaining impure thoughts, allowing our desires to be stimulated by these impurities and treating them with a casual attitude will automatically affect our Faith walk and sever our relationship with Christ. Therefore we must be concerned about what we read, what we listen to, what we look at even in the media, and the influences we allow in our lives. They go a long way to either edify or defile our hearts 'the temple fortress.' Daily sacrifice shall be removed The most important thing that is done in the temple is sacrifice and the "reasonable service" of believers as revealed through Paul the apostle is to present ourselves as living sacrifice. Sacrifice in the temple requires death. As living sacrifice, we are expected to be living but dead to flesh and sin. Paul the apostle said, he dies daily (1Corin 15:31). The daily sacrifice is the crucifixion of the flesh at the Holy Spirit's altar day by day. But when the "temple fortress" has been defiled, the daily death of the flesh at the spirit's altar will be completely removed. This is evident in the life of a believer who constantly commits known sins; though he may feel remorseful sometimes, the ability to sacrifice flesh daily has been removed through the defilement of his heart. The accumulation of non-sacrificial life will lead to the next stage which is the final. You may ask, "What about Grace?" The book of Romans 6: 1&2 answers this question. When we continually yield to the flesh's dictates, we are held in bondage as slaves of sin Romans 6: 16. The Abomination of Desolation shall be placed there The prophesy says that the daily sacrifice shall be replaced with the abomination that causes desolation. From the definitions of 'abomination' and 'desolation', we can re-write abomination of desolation as; Things that offends the spiritual, religious, or moral sense and causes extreme disgust that leads to misery (great suffering or discomfort of mind or body) combined with a feeling of being lonely. A believer that enters this stage can never retain God in his knowledge again and as a result of this, he will be given 'over to a debased mind to do those things which are not fitting'- Romans 1:28 -31. The Holy Spirit with all His fruits will desert such a temple and this automatically causes an absolute desolation. Once the Holy Spirit is out, the 'man of sin' takes over the temple and he is worshipped as God. Though, the prophesy says in Daniel 11:32, that "with flattery he will (the enemy) will corrupt those who have violated the covenant (i.e. the same people he had shown favour to because they forsook the holy covenant in verse 29), but those who know their God will firmly resist him" (NIV) (Emphasis mine) Jesus said, "And this is eternal life, that they may KNOW You the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3). Paul the apostle also said, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. (Ph 3:10). Is this your heart cry daily? The truth is that many Temples have been rendered desolate at this end time. It is only those who know their God that can be spared from the Abomination of Desolation. Do you know your God? This 'knowing is not an inference nor is it ideal, rather it is an intimate acquaintance with the very personality of the Father to the extent where the Chief Shepherd can testify of you that, "I know him and he knows me too. (John 10:14) Samuel Oladepo was a Biomedical Scientist but now a full time missionary, called of God into the apostolic ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is a teacher of the Word, married and blessed with children. [email protected] Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |