In our recent sermon on Matthew 24, all about Jesus’ return, there are many twists and turns that we weren’t able to cover. One particular term that Jesus uses is the “abomination of desolation” starting in verse 15:
“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…”
This term “abomination of desolation”…what does it mean? It sounds like a heavy metal band. What’s the point of it?
It refers to a distinctively awful desecration of the temple, the symbol of God’s presence and holiness.
As we talked about in the sermon, there are words for the audience Jesus is speaking to, and words for us as Jesus is able to speak to both at the same time. Like two mountain tops that appear to be one when far off, as we get closer we see not just one, but many. Here’s a brief thought:
First off, the reference “spoken of through the prophet Daniel" is a reference to a prophecy in the Old Testament book of Daniel (let the read understand is a way of saying: do your cross referencing!). This was a prophecy in Daniel of a king coming in, destroying the first temple, and carrying off the gold and expensive things for themselves.
But Daniel’s prophecy already occurred, right? In 167 BC, the first temple was destroyed. Antiochus IV set up an altar to Zeus on God’s altar, and then sacrificed a pig. 2 Thessalonians 2 also talks about this reference, talking about someone who puts themself in the temple, proclaiming to be God. So even though there was a historical aspect to Jesus’ words, there is something in the future that is yet to occur.
What reason does Jesus give to watch out for this? The reason is for the people there, listening to Jesus’ original words, would know when to leave the city. When to “flee to the mountains”. This seems, most likely, to be something that Jesus is speaking to these people then, so they can flee and protect themselves. So Jesus is using something in the past to help the people in His present.
And not long from these words will this come true. In 70 AD, the first Jewish revolt led to the siege of Jerusalem: Romans coming in, slowly starving the city, then taking it by force. It would have been a horrible experience. And, in the end, the temple is destroyed in the way that Jesus describes. He wants these people here, in front of Him, to avoid dying. They need to continue on the mission! That’s what He says in verse 14: the gospel needs to be sent out! So Jesus wants them to pay attention in order to survive and continue on the mission of God’s kingdom.
Of course, be it Daniel’s or Matthew’s audience, for us both of these events are in the past. This is common in this biblical genre: for there to be a layering of fulfillments. David L. Turner in his commentary on Matthew has a helpful list of the abominations of desolation:
Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest in 605 BCE (Dan. 1:1–2; 5:1–4, 22–23)
Antiochus IV Epiphanes’ sacrilege, which led to the Hasmonean revolt in 167 BCE
The Roman conquest of the Hasmonean kingdom in 63 BCE
The unfulfilled plan to set up a bust of Caligula in the temple (40–41CE)
The Zealots’ misuse of the temple grounds before the Roman destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman destruction in 70 CE
The further desolation of Jerusalem by the Romans in 135 CE in response to the second Jewish revolt led by Bar Kokhba
The ultimate sacrilege of the antichrist (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:3–4;1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7; Rev. 13:8)
There are multiple abominations of desolation, all with a ratcheting effect, leading up to the ultimate abomination being the antichrist in Matthew. (There are also multiple antichrists, but that’s a separate topic!). Numbers 1-7 are in the past, number 8 is in front of us. The abomination of desolation that Jesus is talking to His original audience? The destruction of the temple in AD 70. The one that He’s talking to us about is yet to come.
So if that’s a bit about what that term is supposed to reference, what’s the point? At least one takeaway for God’s people today: abominations of desolation have come and gone but Jesus’ words “will never pass away” (verse 35). Nations rise and fall, heaven and earth will pass away: but God and His Word remains. And if He remains, all that He cares for as well. If we are in Christ, we can be confident that even when the worst comes, He will guard us, care for us, and save us. If that’s true, then we should pay attention to the One with the true power, who is not only real, but gives us all we need, regardless of the circumstances of our lives.