Abomination of Desolation

The Abomination of desolation

Daniel 12:11, 12:

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.

            What is the Abomination of Desolation? And what time is the thousand two hundred and ninety days?

Let’s turn to Matthew 24, now, to see what Jesus says about it.

Matthew 24:15-22

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.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day:

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.

            Still, we have no explanation yet of what the abomination of desolation is, neither do we have a clarification of the time prophecy given. The Desire of ages chapter 69, titled on the mount of Olives, gives some clarification for Matthew 24.

Desire of Ages pages 628 and 636:

            Christ's words had been spoken in the hearing of a large number of people; but when He was alone, Peter, John, James, and Andrew came to Him as He sat upon the Mount of Olives. “Tell us,” they said, “when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus did not answer His disciples by taking up separately the destruction of Jerusalem and the great day of His coming. He mingled the description of these two events. Had He opened to His disciples’ future events as He beheld them, they would have been unable to endure the sight. In mercy to them He blended the description of the two great crises, leaving the disciples to study out the meaning for themselves. When He referred to the destruction of Jerusalem, His prophetic words reached beyond that event to the final conflagration in that day when the Lord shall rise out of His place to punish the world for their iniquity, when the earth shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. This entire discourse was given, not for the disciples only, but for those who should live in the last scenes of this earth's history. {DA 628.1}

            Here we see that the abomination of desolation is a conflict between good and evil both in the early Christian’s days and in the days near the end of this world. Perhaps we are getting close to understanding what the time prophecy is referencing.

Let’s turn to Luke chapter 21 to establish what was mentioned in the quote from DA:

Luke 21:20-22, see also 25, 26

This is a continuation of what Christ was saying to the disciples on the mount of Olives when they proposed the questions about the end.

 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

            With these verses we can be certain that Jesus was talking about two crisis’s that were to come to pass: one near the earlier part of the Christian church and one in the times of the end. Notice verse 25 that says that there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars, and distress among the nations. As Christ showed the disciples in verse 20 what signs would indicate what time was upon them, so also Christ gave an explanation of the sign of the times for the Christians in the last days.  Some of these thing have come to pass.
            May 19, 1780, is known as the dark day. On this date the sun was covered by what seemed to have been thick darkness. It had never been so dark during the day ever in recorded history. Candles were required for light in the midday, and it stayed dark all the way to midnight. Then, when the moon would have come out and showed its brightness, it also did not seem to shed as much light. The moon had turned red as blood and cast an eerie glow on everything.
 Again, in Nov 13, 1833, there was an even that took place in the heavens that had never happened before or been seen since. It is known as the night the sky fell. A massive meteor shower that cannot even be explained took place for hours on end throughout the night. Many were convinced it was the end of the world. But, we remember that all of these things are just fulfillments of prophecy. These things go to shew that we are nearing the final conflict that has been waging before the world began.

The Fourth Beast of Daniel 7

If you would read with me in Daniel chapter 7, we might find some background to who is openly responsible for the setting up of the Abomination of Desolation. In Daniel 7, Daniel describes the vision he was given about the four beasts that came up out of the earth. We will focus on the fourth beast -- the most diverse beast from the rest.

Dan 7:7 and 8 (the fourth beast):

7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Dan 7:19-26 (The interpretation given to Daniel by an angel)

 19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. (The Lord reigns victorious)

               So, here we have portrayed in Dan 7 is a frightening beast that is strong, great and powerful. This beast commits great abomination against the Lord of lords and King of kings, and creates desolation upon the earth and the people of God. Therefore, this beast appears to set up the abomination of desolation. In verse 25 is given another time prophecy. Now we have two time prophecies that we have to define. Let’s turn to Daniel 12 and compare.

               Dan 12:7 -

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?

 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.

At this point, Daniel was confused about what the end of these things were, and eager to understand he inquired from the angel, but he was told to go his way for the things were sealed unto the end and not for his time.
Notice verse 7 that another time prophecy is given; two and a half times. What does that mean? A time represents a year, or 365 prophetic days. So, the time, times, and a half are 3 ½ years, or 1260 Prophetic days. Amen? Remember this number.

 Alright, is there another beast that comes to mind while reading of the one mentioned above? Revelation 13?
Let’s turn to Revelation now and compare the first Beast in Chapter 13 with the one we just read about.

The first beast of Revelation 13

The beast in Revelation 13:1-10

 1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

            Note: Notice the similarities between this beast and the one in Dan 7? They both are fierce and powerful; they both have ten horns; they both waged war against the saints and against God. Both beasts committed the abomination against God, and brought desolation to the earth and the people of God. At this point I am sure we can be sure that the fourth Beast in Dan 7, and the first beast in Rev 13 are representing the same power. Are you following me? From what we know, we already know who these beasts represent. They represent Rome, and the Papal Pagan Rome. Also note in verse 5 that it was given its power to continue forty two months. How many days is that? Let’s do the Math: there are about 30 days in a month, so multiply 30 by 42 and we have 30x42=1260 days. Remember this from the time, times and a half from Daniel 12? The time, times and half, or 3 ½ years, and the 42 months are the same time period. Now we are getting somewhere. Amen?
           
Let’s read what Mrs. White says about these numbers:

The Great controversy: (based on Rev 13:1-10)

In chapter 13 [Verses 1-10.] is described another beast, “like unto a leopard,” to which the dragon gave “his power, and his seat, and great authority.” This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once possessed by the ancient Roman Empire. Of the leopard-like beast it is declared: “There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies.... And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them; and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy. {GC88 439.1}

“Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Rev 13:5)” And, says the prophet, “I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death.” And again, “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity; he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.” The forty and two months are the same as the “time and times and the dividing of time,” three years and a half, or 1260 days, of Daniel 7,—the time during which the papal power was to oppress God's people. This period, as stated in preceding chapters, began with the establishment of the papacy, A. D. 538, and terminated in 1798. At that time, when the papacy was abolished and the pope made captive by the French army, the papal power received its deadly wound, and the prediction was fulfilled, “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity.” {GC88 439.2}

Now, does that makes sense? We established that the beast in Rev 13 represents the papacy, and it was given its power for 1260 years, but when one of its head was wounded, was that the end of the beast? The end of the conflict? It didn’t appear to be. Verse 3 says that it’s deadly wound was healed. Again the beast received its power, from the dragon, and again it went to make war with the saints. At least we know what the 1260 days, or years, stand for now. Amen? The dates between 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. were troublous times for God’s people, were they not? They endured through these dark times. But how did they endure? Well let’s find out.

“The line of prophecy in which these symbols are found, begins with Revelation 12, with the dragon that sought to destroy Christ at his birth. The dragon is said to be Satan; [Revelation 12:9.] he it was that moved upon Herod to put the Saviour to death. But the chief agent of Satan in making war upon Christ and his people during the first centuries of the Christian era, was the Roman Empire, in which paganism was the prevailing religion. Thus while the dragon, primarily, represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome. {GC88 438.2}”

Now, let’s look at the woman in Revelation 12. Bear with me, we are coming to the conclusion of this:

The woman of Revelation 12

Revelation 12:1-6, 13-17:

1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

            Note: Remember that the Dragon here has a dual application of representing Lucifer and the Roman church.

5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Again we see the relationship of the 1260 Prophetic days with that of the time, times and half a time. We know from before that this time was set between 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. In this time was the affliction of the saints, but God Nourished them through this time, did He not? He certainly did, Praise the Lord.

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17. This chapter of the Revelation presents a series of events, some of which were history in John’s day, and others were prophecy. In the first part of the chapter there appears a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown with twelve stars on her head. She represents the true church. Then we see a great red dragon who attempts to destroy the Man-child born of the woman. The dragon is identified as the same enemy that warred against Michael and His angels and was banished from heaven. He is called the accuser of the brethren. It is made clear that through the blood of the Lamb and the word of the testimony of the saints, many have overcome him. Because of the shortening of the time, the efforts of the dragon increased and his persecution drove the woman into a place of refuge for “a time, and times, and half a time,” the 1260-year period from A.D. 538 to 1798. The woman was nourished during this time and received help that kept her from being destroyed completely. Many, but not all, who comprised the seed—the children of the woman—were put to death, forced into renunciation of their faith, or led astray through false doctrines and deceptive practices. A few, only a remnant, remained to launch once more God’s program of sending to all the world a message of His love and redeeming power. {APAY 143.3}

            Note: Now, the dragon which gave the Beast of Dan 7 and Rev 13 its power, went to make war with the woman, who is God’s church, and the remnant of her seed, which are the remaining people of God’s church. Remember how all of these tie in together.

Conclusion

So, what is the abomination that maketh desolation?

Well, so far we have established that the beasts in Dan 7 and Rev 13 set up the abomination of Desolation. They committed abomination unto God by blaspheming His name, and by making war with the saints, or the ones faithful to the lamb. Their abominations made desolate the people of God by persecution and sore afflictions. These beast represent the pagan religious power on the earth who received their power from the dragon, who sought to change times and laws, and to make war with the Saints. They have made and shall make desolate the earth by breaking it into pieces and stamping out the remnant of it. This power may have been wounded as if to death in 1798 when the pope was taken into captivity, but its deadly wound was healed. That Power is again rising up to challenge the authority of God. They commit great abominations on the earth, and seek to make desolate the remnant of God’s people. We are soon to enter into a great time of trouble, a time of sore affliction like there has never been before. Soon, that great Beast and its harlot mount will become drunken upon the blood of the saints – upon the blood those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. But we have a blessed hope through these things. First, these things must come to pass before the coming of the Son of God can be, and second, as God nourished his people for 1260 years in the dark ages, so He will nourish all those who remain faithful and in all things even unto the end.

After these things, the Lamb which was slain for the abominations of the wicked shall come to bring his remnant faithful people with Him; he shall pour out His Righteous judgement. The Lamb of God shall put a finish to all the things of wickedness, abomination and destruction. He shall pour out the ultimate desolation upon the abominations of the Wicked. His wrath shall be poured out without mixture, and it shall not be quenched.

                                  

"Everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea and by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every grade. Who can read the future? Where is security? There is assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. Rapidly men are ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen. Restlessly are they waiting and watching the movements of their leaders. There are those who are waiting and watching and working for our Lord's appearing. Another class are falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. Few believe with heart and soul that we have a hell to shun and a heaven to win. {DA 636.1}

            Be always prayerful and watchful -- The crisis is stealing gradually upon us. The sun shines in the heavens, passing over its usual round, and the heavens still declare the glory of God. Men are still eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying, and giving in marriage. Merchants are still buying and selling. Men are jostling one against another, contending for the highest place. Pleasure lovers are still crowding to theaters, horse races, gambling hells. The highest excitement prevails, yet probation's hour is fast closing, and every case is about to be eternally decided. Satan sees that his time is short. He has set all his agencies at work that men may be deceived, deluded, occupied and entranced, until the day of probation shall be ended, and the door of mercy be forever shut. {DA 636.2}

Solemnly there come to us down through the centuries the warning words of our Lord from the Mount of Olives: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” {DA 636.3} (DA Chap 69)"

My prayer for each of us is that we would give ourselves completely unto God, to take up the banner of Christ to march forward with courage and unwavering faith. I pray that we would keep the Commandments of God, and not of man; that we would keep the faith of Jesus, and take up the cross and follow Him.

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36).