The Abomination of Desolation

by Pastor Gary C. Price

This month we will look at a mysterious occurrence recorded in Daniel 9:20-27 known as the “abomination of desolation.”

"And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

Daniel’s prophecy focuses on the invasion of Jerusalem and the setting up of an idolatrous image in the temple of God which is located there. Historically, we know that this invasion happened once already around 70 A.D. when Antiochus Epiphanes invaded the temple and offered up a pig to his gods on the alter. Although the prophecy was fulfilled at that time, we also recognize that Scripture portrays this as a two-fold prophecy. Jesus also referred to a futuristic event of the “abomination of desolation” that relates to the sequences of the end-time.

Daniel’s prophecy speaks of a “covenant with many for one week” that will be signed and ratified between the Jews and some other party. As you may recall, the term “weeks” in Daniel refers to years. So we then understand that the covenant between the Jews and this other group will be confirmed for seven years. Then the Bible states in Daniel 9:27, “in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate (desolater)”. Daniel is now taking a look at the last seven years of history as the consummation of the ages is taking place and this present evil age is being brought to a close. The entire timeframe given by Daniel to end the age is 490 years. We have seen 483 years of Daniel’s prophecy already pass and the last seven years are yet to be fulfilled.

Right now we live in a “parenthetical” age of grace which separates the first 483 years from the last seven years. During this period, the Lord is gathering His elect Church out of the world and receiving it to Himself as His bride. This is why the turmoil and pressures of the world have increased significantly over the past few decades. The entire planet is being prepared to receive Jesus Christ as returning Lord and King. Jesus refers to these events in Matthew Chapter 24; Mark Chapter 13; and Luke Chapter 21 where He specifically refers to “the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the Prophet.”

If you read carefully, you will find that each time Jesus mentions this “abomination” His words are preceded by a warning not to be deceived. He warns of impending persecutions and the killing of righteous saints while the Gospel message is preached throughout the world as a final witness (Matthew 24:9-14; Mark 13:9-13; and Luke 21:12-19).

We must all understand friends that the pie in the sky messages of false prophets will prove to be meaningless as the close of this age draws near. Jesus states emphatically that we will suffer persecution and family members will cause some of us to be put to death as the great separation of wheat from tares and goats from sheep takes place. Over the years, we have seen a dramatic increase in the numbers of people that are willing to speak out against the church. Mind you, I am not referring to attacks against Roman Catholicism, Baptists, Methodists, etc. I am speaking about the true Church of Jesus Christ, which is not denominationalized nor institutionalized.

Jesus’ Church is made up of a called out and chosen people selected by God Himself to fulfill His purposes. While on earth, these elect, chosen individuals are often hated, rejected, and in most cases feared because they refuse to compromise the Word of God. They will preach a clear, precise, and bold message to the masses in order to bring those who will hear it to repentance and redemption in Jesus Christ.

As I stated in earlier articles, the handwriting is indeed on the wall and we are living in the last of the last days. The focus of the world is slowly shifting back to the Middle East and ancient civilizations spoken of throughout the Scripture. Right now, wars are being fought in Iraq (Babylon) with money sent to help the resistance in Iraq from Iran (Persia). Hundreds of American troops have been killed as of this writing on May 10, 2004 and God only knows how much suffering the future holds for us as a nation and as a people.

Egypt is just to the south of Israel and they have always been enemies of the Jews. Along with Syria and Jordan to the east, they are ready to see this small Jewish nation wiped off of the planet. Friends, we are living out Daniel’s prophecies and most of the church world is as blind as a proverbial bat. Why? Because the false shepherds are not warning them and preparing them for what is to come. I believe that we are about to see the United Nations play a major role in world events in order to bring peace to the Middle East and to centralize the governance of this world. I also believe that the “man of sin” - known as the Antichrist in the Bible - has been prepared to be seated as the next Secretary General of the Untied Nations. Has anyone seen Bill Clinton lately?

The national sovereignty of the United States is being undermined in order to absorb this nation into the United Nations. Once under the control of the UN, we will not be in a position to defend Israel. This war in Iraq is slowly eroding away the resolve of the American people to fight and we are hearing more of our citizens cry for peace at any cause.

Slowly, methodically the “abomination of desolation” is making its way to the most holy place. I believe a series of events must take place in order for this abomination to occur:

• The Jewish temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem for the last time
• A major occurrence must take place in this country leading American citizens to finally relinquish their civil rights and give authority to the global beast system
• Many existing communist regimes must be brought under control so as not to interfere with the globalist’s plans of world domination

Every item needed by the human race for survival will be brought under United Nations control including food, gas, shelter, clothing and the ability to buy and sell. Make no mistake about it. The end is nearer than you may think.

But even in knowing what the future holds, there is no need to be frightened because in the end Jesus Christ will return in glory and subdue all things. Who cares about this world when we have eternity with the Lord to look forward to? I say the sooner these things take place, the better!!

Right now is the time to prepare to be used by God in these final hours! Get ready to carry the Gospel message around the world. Bring in the harvest of souls as these end-time sequences lead people to repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This is a great and exciting time to be alive, so enjoy your salvation and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh! Satan is defeated. God is exalted and Jesus Christ is Lord, no matter how it looks to our carnal senses right now.

Let’s join together in prayer to see God’s kingdom come on earth and His will done. Remember how the passage in Daniel ends, “the final punishment will be poured out upon the desolater.” God will have the last laugh, and he that laughs last, laughs best. Support us financially and in your prayers, for we intend to be frontline fighters in this war against Satan - God willing.

Until next time, be blessed and stay encouraged.