Page 113 - Eschatology - Masters revised

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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