INTRODUCTION
The great signal that the city is about to fall is the “abomination of desolation,” prophesied by Daniel (v. 15). When that occurs, the “great tribulation” has come (v. 21).
THE TEXT
“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains . . . .” (Matthew 24:15-31).
SPOKEN OF BY DANIEL
The phrase “abomination of desolation” means an abominable act that brings desolation. Every temple destruction in Israel ’s history was preceded by such an abomination. Eli’s sons do abominable things in the tabernacle, and Yahweh sends Philistines to destroy it (1 Samuel 2-6), and Israel fills the temple with abominable idols (Ezekiel 5:9, 11; 6:9, 11; 7:3-9; 8:6-17) and as a result Yahweh leaves the house to be desolated by the Babylonians. In both cases, “abomination” refers to liturgical sins committed by Israel and especially by the priests. Daniel 11:31 prophesies that a similar process will occur during the “intertestamental” period: The king of the South will encourage Jewish apostates (v. 30) and these Jewish forces will desecrate the sanctuary, end “regular” sacrifice, and set up the abomination of desolation (v. 31). Many Jews will remain faithful, but they will “fall by the sword and by flame” (v. 33). The abomination is not something done by Gentile oppressors; the abomination is that sin of Israel that provokes Yahweh to send the Gentile oppressors.
ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION
What event is Jesus talking about? We can get a hint of what Jesus is talking about by noting the connection with 23:38 : “Your house is being left to you desolate .” Jesus has been talking about the blood shed in the city ( 23:34 -35) and the fact that Jerusalem rejects prophets and stones those sent to her (v. 37). When the Jewish persecution of Christians becomes frenzied (vv. 9-10, 21), then the city is about to fall. Jews see the Romans coming, and want to purify the city so they can win the battle; Christians are a defilement in the camp, so the Jews act like Phinehas (Numbers 25) and slaughter the people who brought the plague. Like Jesus Himself, His disciples will become a scapegoat.
FLIGHT
When the Lord sent fire from heaven onto Sodom , Lot escaped (Genesis 19). Jerusalem is the new Sodom (Revelation 11:8), and Christians are to be like lot, fleeing from the city in a great new exodus to the mountains (Matthew 24:16). They are not to be like Lot ’s wife, who looked back to her old life (v. 17-18). Flight during winter would be difficult, and Christians leaving the city on the Sabbath would be conspicuous (v. 20). Persecution will be so intense that even the elect will be in danger, but the Lord will mercifully interrupt it (v. 22-24).
SON OF MAN
The destruction of Jerusalem that follows the abominable slaughter of God’s holy people is the manifestation of the Son of Man (v. 27). By destroying Jerusalem , Jesus will prove that He is the Lord, enthroned in heaven, ready to avenge His bride. He will leave the corpse of the city for the Roman “vultures” to finish off (v. 28).