The Abomination that Causes Desolation. Mark 13:14-18.
“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. “Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, “and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. “And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! “Pray that it may not happen in winter.”
Dear Household of Faith,
In this passage, Mark introduces an interesting feature of biblical prophecy. Things that are past, others present or in the near future, and those in the distant future are often addressed in the same passage, without distinguishing between them. It is also true that many prophecies are fulfilled multiple times.
Desecration (v. 14). This prophecy was first given through Daniel (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) and was considered to have been fulfilled in the second century BC Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who had forced people to sacrifice a pig in the temple. The next time it was fulfilled was AD 70 when the Romans invaded Jerusalem after a siege and destroyed the temple. Some of Jesus’ instructions are specific to this event. But a time is coming when the Antichrist will desecrate the temple yet again. In what exact, way, we do not know.
Desperation (v. 15-16). Jesus’ instructions concerning the coming destruction of Jerusalem were that when the signs of trouble became evident, the people were to urgently flee to the mountains and not hesitate, even to get something from the house. As we know now, those who were not able to flee in time were ruthlessly massacred and the survivors deported as slaves.
Danger (v. 17-18). The greatest peril would be to pregnant women and nursing mothers, obviously because they would be unable to flee as quickly as those who did not have such a burden. Jesus urged them to pray that the occurrence would not be in winter because travel would be more difficult and hiding in the mountains would be more perilous. The time proved to be terrible indeed. The result was the end of the nation of Israel as people knew it then and for two millennia, until 1948, there was no nation of Israel. Just as Jesus’ prediction about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple came true, so will his other predictions. It is a wise person who pays keen attention to such matters. Are you?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.