Let the Reader Understand

By Denise Trio

“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. Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”—Matthew 24:15–22 (NIV)

Abomination. Tribulation. Desolation. These words sound like they’re describing a horror movie. I can’t watch scary movies because they’ll stay with me—the images and sounds showing up in my dreams and infiltrating my thoughts. It’s tempting to read these verses and want to avoid them, too. But since the Bible is one big story about God, we need to take a closer look.

In this passage, Jesus reveals signs of His second return and the end of the age. As predicted thousands of years before Him by Daniel the prophet, the “abomination that causes desolation” will happen, and He warns His followers about what they should do: flee right away.

What is the “abomination that causes desolation”? There are many different interpretations of this peculiar phrase. Some claim the abomination happened with the desolation of Jerusalem and Judea in A.D. 70. Others explain it is yet to come. One biblical scholar, David Guzik, says it this way, “Essentially, the abomination of desolation speaks of the ultimate desecration of a Jewish temple, the establishment of an idolatrous image in the holy place itself, which will inevitably result in the judgment of God. . . . In the vocabulary of Judaism at that time, an abomination was an especially offensive form of idolatry. Jesus described a gross form of idolatry, standing in the holy place, that brings with it great destruction. . . . The abomination of desolation must be some kind of image of the Antichrist set in an actual temple and is the decisive sign of the end. This means that for the most part, Jesus’ predictions in Matthew 24 have not been fulfilled.”

How do we, the reader, understand? What do we learn about God, and what do we learn about ourselves?

First, it tells us that God is sovereign. He has every single day planned from the beginning of time until the end. He is not surprised by anything! He knows all and is in control of all. And His plans and purposes are for His glory and our good!

Next, it tells us that God is merciful and gracious. In another translation, the last verse here says, “In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones” (Matthew 24:22 NLT, emphasis added). This is an act of mercy and a gift of God’s grace. We deserve punishment and death for our sins, but Jesus paid that price for us through His death. God’s judgment was placed on Jesus instead of us, and we are made righteous in God’s sight.

Our response should not be to try to figure out the day or the hour that the tribulation or abomination will happen. We do not have to fear. Instead, let us look to Jesus, who holds all wisdom and knowledge, is good, and cares for us!

Pause: What is your view of the end times? What is your view of God? Which view will you focus on today?

Practice: There are many differing interpretations of these passages and others that talk about what will happen when Jesus returns. At Calvary, we believe in the “Blessed Hope,” the personal imminent, pre-tribulation and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones, and in His subsequent bodily return to earth with His saints to establish His millennial kingdom (Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 1 John 2:28; Jude 1:14; Revelation 19:11–16). Take time to read through each of these verses today, and if you have questions, please reach out to us!

Pray: Jesus, I thank You that every word You say is true. Even when I don’t understand fully, I know that I can trust You. Give me Your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. I pray that I might be a testimony of Your goodness, mercy, and grace to those who don’t yet know You. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.