The Second Coming, Part 2 The Abomination of Desolation Matthew 24:15-28 January 27th, 2019 Intro History of the temple First temple Solomon’s Temple, built during the time of Solomon who reigned from 971 to 931 BC, stood for more than 300 years before it was destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians. Second Temple Rebuilt under Zerubbabel around 516 BC on the same site, modest by comparison, as some very old returning exiles saw the foundation and compared it to the first temple, they wept at the modest size. It was completely refurbished and expanded upon by Herod beginning in 20 BC so that by the time Jesus and His disciples walked in the temple complex, it was magnificent and massive. Destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. For Christians a physical temple is no longer needed. The sacrificial system has been fulfilled in the once for all sacrifice of Jesus and now His people are the temple (1 Cor. 6:19ff, 2 Cor. 6:16ff) But for many of the Jewish people there remains a longing for the temple. It’s difficult to see how it could be rebuilt at this point. The site is currently occupied by two ancient buildings that are sacred to Islam – the Dome of the Rock that was built in AD 691 and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Third temple A still future temple is described in Revelation 11:1-2 Revelation 11:1-2 Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, "Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. 2 "Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months. Revelation was written in the last decade of the first century, between AD 94 and 96, more than 20 years after the destruction of the temple in AD 70 so it can’t be talking about that temple. But of this temple it is said that the people of the nations will tread it under foot for 42 months – 3 ½ years. That length of time will show up over and over again in the series of passages we see today so take note of it. It’s this future temple that will be violated as described in the passage we will study today in Matthew 24 that will kick off the final period of great destruction known as the great tribulation. Among the Orthodox Jews in Israel today preparation is already underway for this temple. The articles for the temple have been made, priests have been trained, they only await an opportunity to build. It’s hard to see how that opportunity could come. The site has become a sacred location for Islam and so the nation of Israel knows they would be inviting all out war to raze the site and allow the temple to be rebuilt. Some archeologists believe the location of the original temple might be slightly different than the dome of the rock, allowing it to be rebuilt without destroying the Dome of the Rock. It may be rebuilt prior to the beginning of the 7 year period of great tribulation, or it could be rebuilt during the peaceful first half of the 7 year period. 1. The abomination of desolation will mark the beginning of the final 3 ½ years of the great tribulation .(24:15-21) This is something that well intentioned believers who agree on the essentials of the faith end up disagreeing over. Is this referring to the destruction in AD 70 or a future destruction? Does this apply to Israel or to the church? How literally do we take the passages that are linked to this one? I’ve got a position that I’ll articulate that I think best handles the verses. But others disagree, even in this room. I think they are wrong but I don’t think this is a gospel issue. Key to understanding this section is understanding this phrase – “the abomination of desolation.” Would it stand out to us as much if it didn’t roll off of the tongue so wonderfully? Jesus views it as a significant and definable event. When this occurs, the reader should know to flee. It’s an interesting phrase – let the reader understand. Implying that not just His original audience of disciples but those who read this message at the applicable time can know to be warned. Jesus tells us this is from the book of Daniel, so I want to spend significant time in Daniel to see what He is referencing. There are 3 passages that reference the abomination and a fourth that we will look at because it ties in. The book of Daniel describes this event. (v. 15) a. The abomination will occur in the middle of a seven year period. (Daniel 9:24-27) i. The angel Gabriel is speaking to Daniel (v. 21) in response to his confession of the sins of the people and lament about the destruction of Jerusalem. ii. 70 weeks – 70 sevens – 70 periods of 7 years iii. Focused on the Jewish people – your people, your holy city, sacrificial language iv. Jesus will accomplish all that is listed in v 24 in either His first or second coming – He will finish transgression, make an end of sin, and bring in everlasting righteousness in his second coming and already made atonement for sin in His first coming. v. The timing begins with a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. 1. 7 plus 62 “weeks” – or 483 year from this event to the Messiah. 2. Persian king Artaxerces’ issued a decree to rebuild Jerusalem in 444 B.C. (almost 100 years after this prophecy). So if we adjust for a slightly different way of measuring a year that they used, that places Jesus as entering Jerusalem in A.D. 30 – exactly according to prophecy. 3. Jerusalem is rebuilt during that time, even during distress. vi. But then the Messiah is “cut off” – He is killed, crucified. vii. Jerusalem will be destroyed along with the temple by the people of the prince who is to come. Not by this “prince” but by the same people group he would come from. 1. The Romans destroyed the city and the temple in 70 AD. viii. But there is still one more week remaining. Verse 27 brings up this 70th week. It doesn’t tell us when it will be – is it right after this 69th week? Is it later? Because it is listed separately, it appears to be later. 1. This prince arises from a reformed Roman empire and makes a covenant with Israel for one week – 7 years. He makes a peace treaty that should last for 7 years. There’s a period of peace for the first 3 ½ years. 2. In the middle of that 7 years – 3 ½ year point – he puts an end to sacrifices and the abomination of desolation occurs. 3. It doesn’t say exactly what this abomination of desolation is – but as we compare passages we see that this figure, this prince, exalts himself to be worshipped as God. b. Forces will arise and do away with regular sacrifices. (Daniel 11:31) i. Daniel 11:31 "Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation. ii. Also describes the abomination of desolation as ending these regular sacrifices in the temple. It goes on to describe this king as doing “as he pleases,” and exalting and magnifying himself above every god. c. This will mark a time of great distress before the people are rescued. (Daniel 12:1, 11) i. Daniel 12:1 "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. ii. Daniel 12:11 "From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. iii. Notice in v. 1 the language similar to Matthew 24 – there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time and your people will be rescued. 1. If that is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, it’s hard to see how it end in rescue. iv. 11 brings up the abomination of desolation as well as sacrifice is abolished for 1,290 days – 3 ½ years. v. Another evidence that there is a temple at this time and the antichrist will violate it for 3 ½ years. d. This ruler will speak against God and wear down His people. (Daniel 7:25) i. This figure is described in Daniel 7:25 as a ruler who will arise and speak against God and “wear down” or persecute the saints for a time, times, and half a time – 3 ½ years. ii. But then he will be judged and destroyed and the kingdom of God will be established as an everlasting kingdom. e. When this occurs the people should flee because this will mark the beginning of the final 3 ½ years of great tribulation. (Matthew 24:16-21) i. When the future reader of this passage in Matthew sees this occurring, they know it’s time to flee because things are about to get much worse globally, but with the focal point in Jerusalem. ii. Flee to the mountains where there will be some relative safety. (v. 16) iii. Flee quickly – (vv. 17-18) 1. Don’t event go down from the living area on the roof (that was a feature of most houses in Israel) to get supplies – just flee directly. 2. Don’t grab your cloak from the other side of the field, just flee. iv. For those who are pregnant or nursing, it will be even more difficult to flee (v. 19) v. If it occurs in the winter it will be more difficult to flee. Likewise the Sabbath will make it more difficult as they will be vi. Great Tribulation (v. 21) 1. Another reason I take this as referring not to the nearer event to his disciples of the destruction in AD 70 but of a still future destruction is because there have been other significant historical atrocities since AD 70 both to the Jewish people in the holocaust and to other people groups around the world. But none will compare to the future great tribulation period with massive death and destruction. 2. Those that understand this as referring to AD 70 argue that there have been greater numbers of deaths – six million in the Nazi death camps, mostly Jews, and an estimated 20 million under Stalin – but never so high a percentage of a great city’s population so thoroughly and painfully exterminated and enslaved as during the fall of Jerusalem. (adapted from Carson) 3. That seems hard to support historically but I think it’s even harder to support if the destruction described is the same as that in Daniel. a. It’s also easier to reconcile a future violation of the temple and period of destruction with the book of Revelation is literal and if Zechariah 14 describes the same time period. 4. Revelation 6 uses the language of a series of 7 seals that are broken and unleash disaster upon disaster. a. V. 2 – a white horse that represents peace likely represents the period of peace prior to the abomination of desolation in the middle of the 7 years. b. V. 3ff describe a red horse that took peace and men would slay one another, then a black horse representing famine, then an ashen horse representing death and ¼ of the earth will die, then later earthquake and greater destruction. i. Very similar elements as described in Matthew 24:4-14 that we saw last week as increasing birth pains before the Messiah returns – war, earthquake, and famine. 5. Zechariah 14 a. Vv. 1-2 Behold, a day is coming for the LORD when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. i. That sounds like it could be AD 70 – nations gather around, city captured, houses plundered, half the city exiled. ii. But watch how it continues b. V. 3 Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. c. V. 5 - … Then the LORD, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him! d. vv. 9-11 - And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one. 10 All the land will be changed into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; but Jerusalem will rise and remain on its site from Benjamin's Gate as far as the place of the First Gate to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's wine presses. 11 People will live in it, and there will no longer be a curse, for Jerusalem will dwell in security. e. It describes a battle against the city, destruction, but eventually the Lord’s return and establishment of His kingdom. 2. Then the return of Jesus will be obvious. (24:22-28) a. If this time would be allowed to continue beyond the 3 ½ years, no one could survive it. But the Lord limits it for the sake of the elect – could be referring to the Jewish people or it could be referring to those who have come to Christ during this period. Probably referring to those who have come to Christ because it is repeated in v. 24 and indicates that there will be an attempt to mislead the elect but it won’t succeed. b. Once again there is a description of the false Messiahs and false prophets that will attempt to mislead people. It’s always been a danger, as we discussed last week, but it will intensify as the end approaches. (vv. 23-26) c. But His return will be as obvious as lightning that flashes across the sky on a dark night. i. Picture an intense lightning storm – you can’t miss it. ii. Unlike the false messiah’s that seek to fool people, He says His second coming will be obvious and clear. d. That’s probably the same point as the vultures and the corpse – it’s visible from a long ways away likewise Christ’s return will be visible and evident. 3. Conclusion a. Don’t be mislead. (v. 4) b. Be ready. (v. 44) i. The Great Tribulation will be a time of God’s wrath but also of His grace. He is giving people day after day, for 7 years a chance to repent and come to their senses. Any many will. They will see the destruction unfolding around them and will see that it matches what was predicted and will humble themselves before God. ii. What will it take for you to humble yourself before God? iii. Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 1/27/2019

Revelation 11:1‐2 Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, "Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. 2 "Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty‐ two months.

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1. The abomination of desolation will Daniel 9:24‐27 mark the beginning of the final 3 ½ years of 24 "Seventy weeks have been decreed the great tribulation. (24:15‐21) for your people and your holy city, a. The abomination will occur in the to finish the transgression, to make middle of a seven year period. an end of sin, to make atonement (Daniel 9:24‐27) for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place.

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Daniel 9:24‐27 Daniel 9:24‐27 25 "So you are to know and discern 26 "Then after the sixty‐two weeks the that from the issuing of a decree to Messiah will be cut off and have restore and rebuild Jerusalem until nothing, and the people of the Messiah the Prince there will be prince who is to come will destroy seven weeks and sixty‐two weeks; it the city and the sanctuary. And its will be built again, with plaza and end will come with a flood; even to moat, even in times of distress. the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

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Daniel 9:24‐27 1. The abomination of desolation will mark the beginning of the final 3 ½ years of 27 "And he will make a firm covenant the great tribulation. (24:15‐21) with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a a. The abomination will occur in the stop to sacrifice and grain offering; middle of a seven year period. and on the wing of abominations (Daniel 9:24‐27) will come one who makes desolate, b.Forces will arise and do away with even until a complete destruction, regular sacrifices. (Daniel 11:31) one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."

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1. The abomination of desolation will mark the beginning of the final 3 ½ years of the great tribulation. (24:15‐21) Daniel 11:31 "Forces from him will a. The abomination will occur in the arise, desecrate the sanctuary middle of a seven year period. fortress, and do away with the (Daniel 9:24‐27) regular sacrifice. And they will set up b. Forces will arise and do away with the abomination of desolation. regular sacrifices. (Daniel 11:31) c. This will mark a time of great distress before the people are rescued. (Daniel 12:1, 11)

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Daniel 12:1 "Now at that time Michael, 1. The abomination of desolation will the great prince who stands guard over mark the beginning of the final 3 ½ years of the sons of your people, will arise. And the great tribulation. (24:15‐21) there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a d. This ruler will speak against God and nation until that time; and at that time wear down His people. (Daniel 7:25) your people, everyone who is found Daniel 7:25 'He will speak out against the written in the book, will be rescued. Most High and wear down the saints of Daniel 12:11 "From the time that the the Highest One, and he will intend to regular sacrifice is abolished and the make alterations in times and in law; and abomination of desolation is set up, they will be given into his hand for a time, there will be 1,290 days. times, and half a time.

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1. The abomination of desolation will Zechariah 14 mark the beginning of the final 3 ½ years of 1‐2 Behold, a day is coming for the LORD the great tribulation .(24:15‐21) when the spoil taken from you will be e. When this occurs the people should divided among you. 2 For I will gather flee because this will mark the all the nations against Jerusalem to beginning of the final 3 ½ years of battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women great tribulation. (Matthew 24:16‐21) ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city.

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