Therefore when you see the abomination of  desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader   understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must  flee to the mountains. Matthew 24:15-16

 Jesus, in the Olivet Discourse, warned of a future event that Daniel had also prophesied. The prophet wrote his book around 540 B.C., over 500 years before Christ. Jesus’ warning refers to the moment when the last half of the tribulation period will begin. John MacArthur writes the following about this event;

“In his parallel passage, Luke adds that Jesus     said, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded    by armies, then recognize that her desolation is at hand” (21:20). In other words, it is while  Jerusalem is encompassed by enemy nations who threaten to destroy her that this sign will occur. For several decades, the modern nation      of Israel has increasingly become a major focal point of world events, events that involve not only the Middle East but also the great powers     of the United States, Russia, China, and many    nations of Europe. Naval fleets from the United States and Russia continue to grow in strength and readiness in the Mediterranean Sea, the     Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the other     great bodies of water in that part of the world. During the end times, the Antichrist will head a confederacy of ten European nations that will generally correspond to the territory of the       ancient Roman empire (see Dan. 7:24; cf. 2:40–43), and he will at first pretend to be Israel’s       deliverer from her enemies, and she will make     an alliance with him (9:27). But after he is              victorious over the nations from the south, north, and east who have come against Israel, he will reveal his true evil character and his hatred for Israel and for God (Dan. 11:40–45). It is while      occupying Israel under the guise of being her protector that the Antichrist will commit the abomination of desolation.”

What is this abomination? Paul writes about it in  2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who      opposes and exalts himself above every so-called God or     object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the sanctuary      of God, exhibiting himself as being God. The abomination of desolation will occur in the middle of the Tribulation. After breaking the treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27), He will make war on God’s chosen people,  And it was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and            authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 And all who dwell on the earth will        worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain (Rev.13:7-8). At this time an image of the Beast is set up in the temple, and all are commanded   to worship the Antichrist. The false prophet will perform great signs and wonders to promote the worship of the Antichrist and even enable an image of the Beast to talk and cause the deaths of those who refuse to worship (Rev13: 11–15).

When Jesus says, “let the reader understand”, He is warning not the Apostles but future believers of what was to occur during the beginning of the Great Tribulation. If you are a Christian, a follower of Christ, rejoice in knowing that the   Lord will come again to reclaim the title of earth. However,     if you are not a follower of Jesus, be afraid, be very afraid. Now is the time of mercy and grace. Now is the day to receive Christ as Savior.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark