Page 113 - Eschatology - Masters revised
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been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23
                  At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24
                  For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive
                  even the elect—if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 “So if anyone tells
                  you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not
                  believe it.

               According to the prophecy of Christ, there will be a clear-cut event referred to as the “abomination of
               desolation”. Obviously, there needs to be a temple and on-going sacrifices at that time.

               Daniel 9:27 uses “On the wing of abominations”. The Hebrew is rendered “abomination of desolation” in
               Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14 and is supported by the most ancient translations including the Septuagint,
               Theodotion, and the Latin Vulgate.

                  Matthew 24:15 (NIV84)15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that
                  causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—
                  Mark 13:14 (NIV84)14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it
                  does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the
                  mountains.

               Along with these see also Dan. 11:31 and 12:11 which make the meaning clear.

                  Daniel 11:31 (NIV84)31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will
                  abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.
                  Daniel 12:11 (NIV84)11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination
                  that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

               In Dan. 12:11 it is crystal clear that he is referring to a point in time 3.5 years before the Second Coming
               of Christ.

               According to Rev. 13 this future world ruler will not only take to himself absolute political power but will
               demand the worship of the entire world (2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 13:8),

                  2 Thessalonians 2:4 (NIV84)4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called
                  God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
                  Revelation 13:8 (NIV84)8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names
                  have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of
                  the world.

               He will blaspheme the true God and persecute the saints (Rev. 13:4-7).

                  Revelation 13:4–7 (NIV84)4 Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the
                  beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war
                  against him?” 5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to
                  exercise his authority for forty-two months. 6 He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to
                  slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 He was given power to
                  make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe,
                  people, language and nation.

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