Daniel 9:27 is the first prophecy of the abomination of desolation. Jesus referred to Daniel's prophecy in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:15). Paul described the abomination of desolation in 2 Thessalonians 2:4, and John in Revelation 13:14. Putting all these passages together helps us answer the question: What is the abomination of desolation?
Table of contentsDaniel's Description of the Abomination of DesolationThe Jews' Temple Worship Will EndThe Jews Will Realize They Embraced the Antichrist Instead of the ChristJesus's Description of the Abomination of DesolationPaul's Description of the Abomination of DesolationWhy the Antichrist Let the Jews Rebuild Their TempleJohn's Description of the Abomination of DesolationIs the False Prophet's Image Alive?Old Testament Idols Foreshadowed the False Prophet's ImageThe False Prophet's Image Can KillSo, What Is the Abomination of Desolation?
Daniel's Description of the Abomination of Desolation
At the midpoint of Daniel's 70th Week (the Tribulation), the Antichrist commits the abomination of desolation:
Daniel 9:27 Then [the Antichrist] shall confirm a covenant with [the Jews] for one week (refferring to Daniel's 70th 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, Is poured out on the desolate.
The phrase "shall be one who makes desolate” refers to the Antichrist ushering in terrible desolation. Desolate means barren, laid waste, or devastated. The Hebrew word for desolation is šāmēm. This is the same word used at the end of Daniel 9:26 to describe the Romans' destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD:
Daniel 9:26b And the people (Romans) of the prince (the Antichrist) who is to come shall destroy the city (Jerusalem) and the sanctuary (temple). The end of it shall be with a flood (of soldiers, not water), And till the end of the war desolations (šāmēm). This are determined.
The desolation the Romans brought in 70AD prefigures or foreshadows (dual fulfillment) the desolation the Antichrist will bring when this abomination occurs.
The Jews' Temple Worship Will End
Revelation 11:1-2 describes the rebuilt temple. Daniel 9:27 says the abomination of desolation "shall bring an end to the sacrifices and offerings" that had been reinstituted when the temple was rebuilt. This will be Satan’s way of ending the Jews' religion to have people worship him alone.
The Jews Will Realize They Embraced the Antichrist Instead of the Christ
The abomination of desolation is when the Antichrist’s true colors are revealed. He’ll turn on the Jews and attack them:
Revelation 12:4 His (the devil’s) tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon (the devil) stood before the woman (Israel) who was about to give birth (Jesus), so that when she bore her child he might devour it.
This played out on Earth when Herod tried to destroy all the male babies.
Revelation12:5 She (Israel) gave birth to a male child (Jesus), one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne (Jesus’s ascension), 6 and the woman (Israel) fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.
The 1,260 days are the last 3.5 years of Daniel's 70th Week: the Great Tribulation. It has been Satan’s desire throughout history to destroy the Jews and this will be his greatest attempt.
Jesus's Description of the Abomination of Desolation
Jesus explained abomination of desolation like this in the Olivet Discourse:
Matthew 24:15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel (referring to Daniel 9:27), standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains (because of how terrible it w...