Knowing The Word in Matthew 24:15-28

The Abomination of Desolation

15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation [see Daniel 11:31 and 12:11; in the OT an abomination means idolatrous worship] spoken of by the prophet Daniel [who refers to the statue of Antiochus Epiphanes set up in the temple in 167 BC], standing in the holy place (let the reader understand [meaning apply this to your own situation]), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [when the Romans come to ravage the farm lands]. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. [This will be a crisis calling for an urgent response.] 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. [A refugee’s plight is difficult, but the roads out of Jerusalem would be muddy in the Winter and on a Sabbath others could not give you provisions.] 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short [this tribulation is not allowed to run its course], no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then 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 arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness [popular expectation was that the Messiah would appear in the wilderness],’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms [a “hidden” Messiah],’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [Jesus’ coming will be as visible and sudden as lightening, not obscured.] 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. [There will be no need to search for the Son of Man. It will be obvious.]