Verse 15

Matt 24:15
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
(KJV)

In verses 3-14, Jesus gave the disciples a series of events that must occur before His coming. But, these events are not definite signs of His coming. Jesus simply said these must come first. What is the difference between these events and "signs?" The events in the previous verses, wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and the Gospel being spread to all nations, have been going on for many years. Each of these are simply increasing in intensity as the coming of the Lord approaches. We have no way of determining just where we are in God's timetable, since all of these things are relative, [except perhaps the completion of the Great Commission]. Even that does not necessarily signal the immediate return of Christ, and, it is not likely that we can know when it has been completed in God's sight. Jesus clearly said, "the end is not yet," when referring to the wars, famines, earthquakes, and pestilences.

However, the disciples' question about what signs they could look for, so they would know when Jesus' coming was near, was directly answered by Jesus. In the above verse, Jesus gave them the first definite sign which linked the coming of Christ to the 70th week of Daniel, and established a timetable.

The "abominantion of desolation" that was spoken of by Daniel, is a key element in Daniel's scenario of the last days. In Daniel, it is clear that this event will occur at precisely the middle of the 7 year "week" we call the tribulation.

Dan 9:27
27 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.
(KJV)

In the middle of the 70th week, the Antichrist will commit an abomination that will make the Temple in Jerusalem "desolate." Daniel gives us further information in chapter 11.

Dan 11:31
31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (KJV)

Notice the "abomination" includes "placing" something. Mark's account of Jesus' prophecy also shows that an object will be placed in the Temple.

Mark 13:14
14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
(KJV)

According to Matthew, the abomination of desolation will stand in the "holy place." Apparently, this is an object, most likely the "image of the Beast" referred to in Rev. 13. Paul also indicates that the Antichrist will take his seat in the Temple, and proclaim He is God.

II Thess 2:4
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
(KJV)

In the same passage, Paul indicates that this is how the Antichrist will be "revealed." The implication is that prior to this event, while he may be in a position of prominence, we may not know for certain who the Antichrist is. Only when he commits the "abomination of desolation," in the Temple, can we know for sure who he is. And, according to Jesus, this is the very first definite sign which identifies exactly where we are on the prophetic calendar.

Many Christians today are looking for confirmation of an agreement with Israel that will make it possible for the Jews to resume sacrifices. This agreement, prophesied in Dan. 9:27, will likely have to do with the possession of the Temple Mount, and the rebuilding of the Temple. But, Jesus did not even mention this agreement, let alone imply that it was a "sign" of His coming. After all, the disciples asked for the signs. This indicates to me that the confirming of this covenant may not be generally known to the public. Yes, it is the trigger that launches the beginning of the 70th week. But, if we cannot know for certain if and when such a confirmation has taken place, we may not know we are in the 70th week until much later. The way I read Jesus' answer to the disciples, the "abomination" at the mid-point of the week is our first definite marker. From that point on, we know the Lord's coming is 3 1/2 years away. Sure, we might suspect that we have entered the 70th week, if we see the Temple being rebuilt, and sacrifices resume. But, there is nothing in Bible prophecy, as far as I can determine, that forbids this from occurring long before the tribulation begins. The beginning of the 70th week is just a confirmation of a covenant that was already in existence. So, to conclude that the 70th week has begun if and when we see a covenant that allows for the rebuilding of the Temple, is not a reliable sign. We should stick to what Jesus told the disciples, lest we sound the alarm prematurely.

In Matt. 24:15, there is a curious statement, which is enclosed in "( )" parentheses.

Matt 24:15
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
(KJV)

Many people mistakenly believe that the statement, "whoso readeth, let him understand," was a comment inserted by Matthew, and it referred to whoever reads his Gospel. But, the same statement is found in Mark's account of this discourse. It is highly unlikely that both Matthew and Mark would place exactly the same comment in exactly the same place in the discourse. Consequently, it is most likely that this comment was actually spoken by Jesus, and both Matthew and Mark recorded it. But, since Jesus was not writing anything, but was simply speaking to the disciples, what could He mean by "whoso readeth?" I believe Jesus was referring to the book of Daniel. He was saying, that whoever reads Daniel's prophecy of the 70 weeks, now that Jesus has given His prophecy of the last days, could understand the 70 week prophecy. We now understand that there is a gap between the 69th week, when Messiah was "cut off," and the beginning of the 70th week, at the end of which Jesus will return. All of the events Jesus had previously described, the wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences, and the gospel being spread to all nations, must occur between the 69th week and the 70th week. Prior to Jesus' prophecy in the Olivet Discourse, there was no indication that there was a real gap of time between the 69th week, and the 70th week. It appeared from this prophecy, as well as several others, that the Millennial Kingdom would be set up at Christ's first coming. Jesus' prophecy clearly places the 70th week at the end of the age.

Go to: Matt. 24:16-22
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