There is a lot of discussion concerning the meaning of the words the abomination of desolation. Whatever it might have been isn’t important for our understanding 2000 plus years later. However, Luke recorded in Luke 21:20 the following words of Jesus concerning the desolation And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. The Jews of that day would have known the meaning, but since the message does not apply to us in this day and age, speculation as to the meaning is all that is left. It is important to remember to whom the message applied due to what Jesus said in the verses that follow.

Verse 16 begins the instruction for the statement in verse 15. Verse 16, 17, 18 tell the people what watch for, what to do and not do. The lesson in verses 17 and 18 is that life is more important than material possessions. (Confer with Matthew 19:20-26, the rich young ruler with many possessions.) In verse 19 Jesus told those expecting a child and those with nursing babies that their flight would be difficult. Verse 20 tells the people to pray that flight won’t be in the winter because winter in and around Jerusalem could be and often was very brutal. And due to the strict rules that the Pharisees made people observe, flight on that day would be most perilous. Jesus wasn’t interested in observing the Sabbath day; instead he was concerned for the people so they could escape the turmoil and chaos that was going to arrive. 

Next comes verse 21 that is pulled from its context to support a doctrine that is foreign to the scriptures, thus it is false. The tribulation of the verse is the trouble that people were told to flee in order to save themselves. If the tribulation in verse 21 applies to this day and age, then fleeing from Judea to the mountains; not taking anything with them, verses 17 and 18, has to be so in our period of time. The truth is simple for those who will accept it. The tribulation of verse 21 does not refer to a period of time, but it was the horrible treatment dished out by the Roman army which suddenly withdrew only to return in AD 70. The tribulation would be the worst since the beginning of time and never would anything like it occur again. The four year interval between the trouble and A.D. 70 gave the believers time to flee though persecution, famine and other hardships continued. Paul instructed the church at Corinth to gather goods for the saints in Jerusalem (I Corinthians 16:2) just as he had instructed the church at Galatia to do. (See Acts 11:28-30.)

Then Jesus spoke of false Christ’s, false prophets, who would show signs and wonders to the point that they would try to deceive the elect, verse 24.Theudas boasted he was somebody, Acts 5:36; Judas of Galilee, verse 37; Simon in Acts 8:9-11; Bar-je-sus, sorcerer and false prophet, Acts 13:6 and El-y-mas another sorcerer, verse 8 who attempted to turn Segius Paulus from the faith.

After Jesus ascended, he said that they (the false prophets) would say he was in the desert; he told the believers not to go there and since he wouldn’t be in the desert he wouldn’t be in a secret chamber someplace either, verse 26. Jesus makes it plain that there won’t be any need for guessing when he returns. He compares his presence (coming) to that of lightening which is easily seen by everyone, verse 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. John wrote in Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

In order to understand verses 28 through 31, it is necessary to not try to put those verses in chronological order as is normally understood since Jesus and the various writers didn’t always declare the full message in a 1, 2, 3 etc. type order. Often they would give an overview or synopsis of the subject and then provide details of the given event. However, after giving a synopsis of a subject, another part of the subject would be introduced. Then they would give details of the first synopsis. That makes verses 28 through 31 understandable.

Synopsis and then the details can be seen in verses 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many and then he identifies the deceivers, 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  More details are given in verse 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Now compare 13 and 22: 13, But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Verses 23 and 26 follow the same pattern, 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. Then verse 26 gives the detail of 23 prefaced by verse 25. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  He concludes with reason for verse 26 in verse 27 quoted above.

Part VII will examine the Greek words translated by come, cometh/comes, coming/and shall be. Shall be--ginomai--pronounced: ghin'-om-ahee (G1096) is used one time in the chapter, verse 21. The verse ending could be translated not ever to happen again.   

© 09-18-2012 DEC