The Temple
In Matthew 24, the disciples asked Jesus about the sign of His coming, and the end of the age. Jesus gave them a list of events that must occur before His coming in glory after the tribulation. If you read this chapter carefully, you will see that all of the events before verse 15, while occurring before Christ's coming, are not necessarily "signs" of His coming. In other words, they must occur first, but even when they do occur, we still have no idea how long before Christ returns. These things are already occurring, and will continue until Christ returns.
Matt 24:6
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
(KJV)
However, when we get to verse 15, Jesus finally gives the sign that lets us know His coming is at hand. And that sign is something well established in Scripture.
Matt 24:15-18
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:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
(KJV)
Notice that the "abomination of desolation" will occur in Judea. This is the area surrounding the Temple Mount. And, those living in Jerusalem and the surrounding area are instructed to flee to the mountains for safety. Why? Verses 21 and 22 provide the answer.
Matt 24:21-22
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
(KJV)
Notice also that the "abomination of desolation" will occur in the "holy place." This term was immediately recognized by Jews to refer to the Temple, specifically the part that housed the altar of incense, the menorah, and the table of showbread. The enclosure which housed the ark of the covenant was called the "most holy place."
Exodus 26:33-34
33 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.
34 And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
(KJV)
If you follow this phrase through the Scriptures, you will find that in nearly every place it occurs, it refers to the Temple. It is used in the books of Moses more that 40 times.
Jesus said that this event will fulfill the prophecies of Daniel.
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 sequence of events here. First, the "sanctuary" will be polluted. How? It will be defiled by the presence of Antichrist. The forces of the Antichrist will enter the Temple. Next, the "daily sacrifice" will be stopped. This is the morning and evening sacrifice mentioned in Numbers 28:1-10. Finally, an object will be erected in the Temple. We know this is an object, because Mark 13:14 refers to it as a thing.
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)
Notice that this object will be "standing." This is a rather unusual term to be used of an object. However, we find in Revelation 13:14,15, that an image of the Beast will be erected, which is given the power to speak. And, all are commanded to worship it or die. I think we can be fairly certain that what Mark refers to as "standing" in the holy place, and what Daniel mentions as being "placed" in the sanctuary, is this image of the Beast. This is what causes the "abomination."
The Apostle Paul elaborates further on this event in the following passage. He also sees this as a sign that must occur before Christ returns, and we are gathered together unto Him.
II Thess 2:1-4
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
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)
One of the reasons this event is the sign of Jesus' coming is found in Daniel 9. The prophecy of the 70 weeks indicates exactly how much time will elapse between this "abomination of desolation," and Christ's return. The 70th week is divided into two parts, with the "abomination" occurring in the "midst of the week." [The "week" here is 7 years].
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)
We have further confirmation that the coming of Christ will occur 3.5 years later from the following passage.
Dan 12:1-6
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
(KJV)
Here the conclusion of the matter is revealed to Daniel. He had previously seen the coming of Christ to defeat the Antichrist in Dan. 2:44, 7:13,14, & 8:25. Now, he is told that the resurrection of the righteous will occur then, and they will rule with Christ in glory. Throughout this book, whenever Daniel is given a vision, he seems to be mostly concerned about the timing of when Christ's kingdom will come. This passage is no exception. Daniel takes special note, in verse 6, concerning when all the things he has seen in his visions will be accomplished.
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
(KJV)
This is one of the most fascinating passages in the Bible. Yet, it has been one of the most perplexing. It clearly gives the exact numbers of days counting from the "abomination of desolation." The question is, why the two different numbers, [1290 & 1335], and why does this seem to differ from the 3.5 years in verse 7, and the periods in Revelation, [1260 days]? Well, that's a topic for another article. The main point I want you to see, is that the "abomination of desolation" is the sign of Christ's return. It begins the countdown to His coming in power and great glory.
One final passage we should consider, clearly shows that the Temple will be standing and be in use when the events of Revelation unfold.
Rev 11:1-3
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
(KJV)
Those who claim that the Temple need not be rebuilt in order for the "daily sacrifice" to commence should consider this passage. This is clearly speaking of the Temple in Jerusalem. And, it refers to the fact that gentiles will occupy the court. How is this possible? If the Temple Mount is shared with the Dome of the Rock, [the Temple being built to the north of the Dome], the Dome would literally occupy where the court of the Temple should be. The two witnesses will prophecy while the Temple is standing. Apparently, the Antichrist will defile the Temple, placing his image there for all to worship, while the two witnesses will continually harass him, calling down plagues from heaven, just like Moses and Aaron did before Pharaoh.
I believe the evidence is overwhelming that a literal Temple must be rebuilt on the Temple Mount in order for these prophecies to be fulfilled. Since the "abomination of desolation" will occur in the Temple, 3.5 years before Christ returns, it must be constructed either before, or during the first half of the 70th week. I believe all of the dates that are being set by post-tribbers, and the claim that we are already in the last half of the 70th week, must be seen as impossible in light of these Scriptures. Unless the prophecy of the "abomination of desolation" given by Jesus in Matt. 24:15 is seen literally, it loses all of it's significance as "the sign" of His coming. Jesus did not instruct us to watch for a 7 year treaty to be signed so we would know when His coming was near. He told us to watch for this event. All of the dates given so far will turn out to be a disappointment.
Many of the Jewish rabbis believe that the Temple will only be rebuilt on the authority of the Messiah when He comes. Since we know that the Antichrist will impersonate the Messiah, his ordering the Temple to be rebuilt, as a part of his "covenant with death," will give the Jews every reason to accept him as Messiah. Without this occurring, it is not likely that they would accept him. Of course, a remnant of Israel will not accept him as Messiah, and will be preserved by God, [Rev. 12], to be saved at the second coming of Christ, [Zech. 12:8-10].