What is the Abomination of Desolation?

A. The Abomination of Desolation is a series of evil or abominable events that will occur in the final 3½ years before Jesus returns. They will be an abomination to God and will result in great worldwide desolation (destruction). Thus, it will be an abomination that leads to great desolation.

15 When you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 Let him who is in the field not go back…21For there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time… (Mt. 24:15-21)

B. The abomination will center around an image (statue) of the Antichrist standing in the holy place in the Jerusalem Temple (to be rebuilt). It will be the primary sign that the Great Tribulation has begun. Jesus prophesied that believers would “see” it and would understand its significance. Those in Judea must flee to the mountains because the next 3½ years will be very difficult.

C. Paul described the abomination of desolation as requiring a rebuilt Temple with a sacrifice system re-established (2 Thes. 2:3-4). The Antichrist will enter the Temple to stop the sacrifices.

3 For that Day (Rapture) will not come unless…the man of sin (Antichrist) is revealed…4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called (associated with) God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thes. 2:3-4)