The Abomination of Desolation

The Abomination of Desolation

by
William Arnold III
WmArnold@gmail.com

(original article: Daniel's Seventy Weeks (Dan. 9:24-27))

Question:

Recently came across your site and the above mentioned article. At page 1, bottom of page, you state that after the 3 1/2 years the antichrist will take away the right to sacrifice and declare himself to be god, and you call this time the abomination of desolation.

I have understood that in Dan.12:11 it says that from the time the sacrifice is taken away there are 1290 days before the abomination that makes desolate is set up.

Would you please let me know what you think about this, as I have never heard anyone preach on this subject. I would like to hear from you. Thank you very much.

Response:

Daniel 12:11 reads, "From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days." This seems to indicate that the taking away of the sadrifice and setting up of the abomination of desolation will take place at the same time and that after this there will be 1,290 days (i.e. 3 1/2 years). These two events are therefore taken to mark the mid-point of Daniel's seventieth week.

Jesus described the first half as the "beginning of birth pangs" ("sorrows," KJV, Matt. 24:8) and said that after the abominaiton of desolation is set up, the "Great Tribulation" would begin (Matt. 24:9-26, esp. v. 9, 15 and 21). This entire 7 year period is commonly (mistakenly) called "The Great Tribulation" or simply "The Tribulation" or even the "Tribulation Period." Jesus, however, seemed to identify the two periods separately.

The books of Daniel and Revelation also separate this time into two 3 1/2 year periods, and place more emphasis on the second half (Dan. 7:25-26; 9:27; 12:7, 11; Rev. 11:2; 12:14; 13:5). Notice that the antichrist is only allowed to persecute the saints for 3 1/2 years (Dan. 7:25-26; 12:7; Rev. 13:5-7).

Concerning the identity of the "abomination of desolation," I believe it both to be the antichrist taking "his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God" (2 Thess. 2:4) and more properly, the idol he creates of himself and sets in the temple--what the book of Revelation calls "the image of the beast" (Rev. 13:14-15; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). Especially since Daniel speaks of it being "set up" (Dan 11:31; 12:11) and Jesus talks of it "standing" in the holy place (Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14).