What is the Abomination of Desolation? 

By Nab B 

August 1, 2022

updated Oct 11, 25 

“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” (Matthew 24:15)

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Since Jesus spoke of the "abomination of desolation," many confusing interpretations emerged. Some say it was "Antiochus IV Epiphanes," others say "the Roman armies," but most apply it to an "Antichrist" figure who will appear at the very end of time!

So, who is right and who is wrong? The only way to know the facts is by the context of the passage and other relevant passages.

And this is what I intend to do.

Since Jesus, in Matthew 24:15, alluded to Daniel's prophecy, we will briefly analyze it. The verse was part of the seventy-week prophecy in Daniel. Read about it here ❯ The Seventy Weeks of Daniel Ended in AD 34

Briefly, the 70-week prophecy (or 490 years) predicted Christ's year of appearance, his death, and his new covenant. The prophecy's timeline should not be extended or gapped beyond the first century!

Jesus was quoting from Daniel 9:27, as follows:

“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week, He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined (or decreed), is poured out on the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27 NKJV)

Now, I will explain each part of this verse, in context, to identify the "abomination of desolation."

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“He shall confirm a covenant with many for one week.”

Jesus' appearance, death, resurrection, and establishing a new covenant with Gentiles lasted seven years (one prophetic week).

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“In the middle of the week, He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” 

Jesus was sacrificed exactly in the middle of the seven years (after 3½ years of his ministry, not his birth). 

His death as "a sin offering" ended lawfully all sacrifices and offerings according to the law.

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“On the wing [pinnacle] of abominations shall be one who makes desolate.” 

This meant that an extreme and abominable act shall be done by one institution (not one person) that causes desolation, destruction, or killing.

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“Even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.” 

The abominations will be permitted until the determined END is poured out on the desolator (the destroyer).

Now that we have defined Daniel 9:27, let's see what Jesus had in mind when he quoted from Daniel. But, first, a bit on the identity of "the holy place" and "the abomination of desolation" 

What is The Holy Place?

Many assume that the "Holy Place" in Daniel's prophecy is the Temple in Jerusalem. There is no denying that Roman armies destroyed the temple and the city in 70 AD.  However, there's another, and more important, temple to consider. It is the "Body of Jesus." It served as "God's Temple," residing and acting through him. How do I know this? Because he said so,

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.” (John 2:19-21) 

If anything, it proves "Jesus' body" was the greater "Holy Place", the perfect"Temple of God". Knowing this is crucial since "The desolator" will attempt to destroy the "Temple of his body", Christ's body, not a stone temple. 

I hope this is clear so far for my readers.

What is The Abomination of Desolation?

First, we can easily dismiss that the "abomination of desolation" refers to Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Why? Because that king lived between c. 215 to 164 BCE—well before Jesus spoke of another "abomination" to come!

Secondly, although the Roman general Titus and his army destroyed Jerusalem and its temple, they were NOT likely the "abomination of desolation". They came as a result of God abandoning Israel's system years later. 

Thirdly, many believe the "abomination" is yet a future "Antichrist" figure who will desecrate a future temple in Israel! There's nothing in the scriptures to support this unreasonable claim based on a false interpretation of the 70 weeks of Daniel, which I debunk here: The seventy weeks of Daniel ended in AD 34.

The proper interpretation hinges on which "temple" we are referring to. Is it the "stone temple" or "Christ's body," the true temple of God?

If the "Holy Place" (or temple) referred to the "body of Christ", then the "abomination of desolation" had to be Jerusalem’s religious system and its supporters. They were the ones who desecrated God’s temple, Jesus Christ, by rejecting and killing Him. This, to me at least, is the intended meaning. There's no use pointing out other figures, be it Antiochus IV Epiphanes, General Titus, or a future antichrist, if Jesus Christ is not the focal point of history (from God's view).

Jesus, knowing they would reject and kill him, directed his last condemnations against Jerusalem's religious system, not the Roman powers.

Jesus' seven "WOES", in Matthew 23:27-38, were the "determinations" or the "decrees" spoken in Daniel 9:27. It predicted that Israel's old system of worship was coming to an end; a new spiritual Israel, a new Church (ecclesia), was being born, from all nations, including Jews and Gentiles.

A cursory reading of the parable of the "Murdered Son" in Mark 12:1-12 proves this point. It was when the vineyard workers killed the Son (Christ) that the owner (God) killed or rejected the tenants (Israel and its old system). He then handed the vineyard to others (Gentiles). This parable was against Israel's religious system, and they knew it, "For they (Pharisees) knew that he had spoken the parable against them." (Mark 12:12)

Note Jesus' final words against Israel's religious system:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house (religious system) is being left to you DESOLATE!” (Matthew 23:37-38)

When Jesus said, "Your house is being left to you desolate," he was referring to Israel's entire religious system (temple, covenant, leaders, and supporters). He even used the word "desolate" found in Daniel 9:27, indirectly indicating that Israel was the "desolator," this "abomination of desolation," which will be left "desolate" for their final act of abomination—rejecting God's Messiah.

How does this Help Me Spiritually?

If anything, it helps us see that we need to leave scriptural carnal thinking behind if we are to be "led by the Spirit." 

If interpretations focus on non-spiritual aspects, they would be, most likely, of no benefit. Jesus cautioned, "The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63 BLB)

The prophecy spoken by Jesus and in Daniel concerning the "abomination of desolation," focuses on Jesus Christ and no one else! In studying, pay attention to this:

1. Most Bible prophecies and their fulfillment centred on mankind's Saviour, Jesus Christ.

2. Correct interpretations focus on Christ rather than other entities.

3. God's truth as revealed in scripture is often contrary to man's interpretations. 

We don't need to be swayed by complex and confusing theories aimed to deceive the unsuspecting. The knowledge of God, though profound and deep, is equally plain and simple! Any doctrine that deviates from the "simplicity" of God's teachings needs to be re-examined.

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