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4. The Signs of the End of the Universe (Mark 13:14-18)
MARK 13:14-18
14 But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, 15 and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house. 16 Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak. 17 But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days! 18 Pray that your flight won’t be in the winter.
When Jesus warned his disciples against temptations through deceivers, and commanded them to preach the word in spite of persecutions, he gave them clear indication: he revealed to them the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
The abomination of desolation that is the sign which Jesus gave to his church, was mentioned three times in Daniel’s prophecy, and it has several meanings out of which:
In 168 B.C., the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes erected an altar to the Roman god Zeus in the midst of the temple of Jerusalem, and prohibited the daily sacrifices and offerings to Jehovah, in order to please the Romans. At that, the abomination appeared for the first time, and was soon followed by desolation (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11).
In 40 A.D., the emperor Caligula gave orders to set up his statue in the temple of Jerusalem that he might be worshiped as a god in the holy place. However, he died before the image was made. The church members at that time must have been astonished at these developments.
In 70 A.D. when the Roman armies began to besiege Jerusalem, the zealots in the city and the temple struggled to defend the city. In this fierce fighting, the blood of the priests mingled with the blood of sacrifices at the temple court.
Then the Christian church of Jewish origin understood what Christ meant by his saying: “Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains”, and they fled across the Jordan where they found a refuge at the court of Baalis. The Lord did not want his church to endure the judgment poured out on Israel. Yet he saved his followers from the siege.
The Roman siege became terrible, for at that time hundreds of thousands of pilgrims were visiting the holy land at the Passover, and there was not enough food for the great multitudes in the city, because of the long-lasting siege. Starvation became terrible an insane mother devoured her child. Many surrendered themselves to the Romans, who crucified them. Hundreds of crosses were raised around the walls of Jerusalem, which had already hanged the righteous Son of God on the infamous tree forty years before.
The zealots in the city incited the hungry and the hopeless saying: “Don’t be afraid. God will save us, for his temple is a guarantee of his presence with us. We must triumph, even though through miracles.” They roused the weak to continue defending themselves.
When Titus the Roman commander captured the besieged city, he sold the survivors, men, women, boys, and girls as slaves around the Empire, and the temple of God burned as a torch of God’s wrath over the dead, ruined city.
The abomination of desolation also refers to the end of our world. Nobody has a preconceived idea of its exact meaning, but the gospel helps us with several possibilities. The abomination of desolation signifies any attempt by religious men to change the original text of the words of revelation, or to interpret it as they please for the sake of unification or reconciliation of the worlds religions.
It also signifies building a new temple for all people on the courtyard of the old temple in Jerusalem but the church of Jesus alone is the temple of God’s Spirit in the world today.
It also signifies any animal sacrifices in Jerusalem, with the prayer of repentance and songs of praise, but the crucified Jesus was the last, complete sacrifice of God.
It also signifies the coming of a new christ, sitting in this new temple, and seeking the worship of himself as god, because he could establish peace for the suffering destroyed world. Then all church leaders and nations will worship him, for he will appear to them as the only savior, and the only trust-worthy person (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 13:1-9).
Therefore we must watch, discern spiritually, ask guidance through God’s clear voice, and obey this voice to go wherever the Lord wishes, even if this means the flight of many, leaving their properties and society. Do not forget, the abomination comes first, and then the desolation.
Jesus asked the Christians of Jewish origin to pray that their flight might not be in winter, that the cold might not be hard for the old, the young, the women who are pregnant, and the mothers with little babies, that hardships might not bring about their death. Now, observe Jesus’ endless mercy toward the weak and the children, even in judgment. He is the faithful keeper of his followers. He keeps his church as the apple of his eye, plans her war beforehand, and embraces her in the midst of afflictions.
PRAYER: O holy God, your judgment is just, and we deserve torture and death. We thank you because you sent us the only Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, for his blood cleanses us from all sin. Awaken us, that we may not sleep in the disturbance of the last judgment, but know the signs and evidences given to us. Let us hear your voice, and grant us the power to carry out your will with implicit, ready obedience. Amen.
QUESTION:
- What is the meaning of the “abomination of desolation”?