One of the most interesting and arresting prophesies in the Bible concerns the Abomination of Desolation. The element that makes this prophecy especially intriguing is that Jesus identifies it as a specific sign that the end is near.

It was in answer to the disciple's question of Matthew 24:3 that Jesus spoke of the abomination of desolation. "When shall these things be and what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world?" Turn in your bibles to Matthew 24 and I want to read to you verses 15, 16.

No doubt Christians recognize this text identifies definite peculiar sign concerning last days. But even though see as an important sign – cannot agree on exactly what it's all about.

It's a fact, most Bible preachers and teachers today are also thrown into a quagmire of confusion.  Yes, indeed, it seems to be a perfect example of the blind leading the blind.

Now some who believe they know the identity teach that this is fulfilled – Antiochus Epiphanes interrupted the temple sacrifices back in 168 B.C.  They say the pig Antiochus offered on the temple altar as the abomination.
Others believe this refers to a future time when an atheistic Anti-Christ overthrows the temple in Jerusalem – use as his throne.Just what exactly is the abomination of desolation?

The answer to these questions is vital.  Jesus implies that our very lives are at stake. Actually a candid and careful study of Daniel reveals the abomination of desolation can be divided into 3 parts.
1.  The abomination of desolation in Daniel's day involving the 1st temple.
2.  The abomination of desolation in Jesus' day – 2nd temple
3.  The abomination of desolation in the time of the end – whole Christian church.

Now the key that unlocks the mystery of this prophetic event is found in the 1st two verses of Daniel. Daniel 1:1, 2 In these two short verses Daniel provides a concise historical background to the remainder of the book.  Jerusalem destroyed – People captive

Now I want you to see why this terrible calamity came upon Jerusalem. Chronicles 36:5, 8This makes it very clear – verse 5 – "He did evil" in the sight of the Lord."  It may not have appeared wrong to man but to God they were "abominations" - "which he did."  – verse 8 It was specifically the abominations of Jehoiakim that led to Jerusalem's fall.  Unfortunately, his son did not do much better, verse 9.  So he was taken captive also and his brother, Zedakiah was made king, verses 9-11. 

The Bible goes on to say that not only did these brothers do evil, but the whole nation followed pagan practices in2 Chronicles 36:14   

God's political and religious leaders, as well as the people, adopted heathen, pagan ways as their own.  They adopted their worship practices and incorporated them into the worship of God and they paid the price.
Let's read the graphic description of the terrible desolations which resulted – verses 17-21 The results of God's people practicing religious abominations of the heathen was desolation of their land, city, and sanctuary.

Now, notice verse 21 – "To fulfill the word of the Lord by Jeremiah." Now the question we need to address – Just what were these abominations that resulted in such desolation?

Since all was done according to what Jeremiah had said, then he should be able to tell us what substitutions in worship had been made.  Jeremiah 17:19-27 Do you see it?  Sadly, the Jews chose to continue breaking God's Sabbath and thus inaugurated their own destruction and captivity.

The abomination that led to their destruction was breaking the Sabbath. Ezekial who lived during the same time tells us about the abominations God's people were practicing in the holy place. Ezekial 8:5, 6, 16 Here the prophet was brought by vision to the door of the inner-gate.  God showed His servant progressively greater outrages His people were committing.  Verses 5 and 6 speak of image that provoked Him.

In escalation of outrage, unclean beasts were brought in the house of God – verse 10 Women weeping for Tammuz - verses 13, 14 - Tammuz worship
Mary Worship Today – Jeremiah 44:19 Greatest abomination of all is found in: verse 16 
Here God's prophet speaks of 25 men stranding in God's holy place, "with their back toward the temple of the Lord worshipping the sun toward the East."

God had instructed Jews to erect temple in way to discourage imitation of heathen sun worship. The Ark of covenant where law was placed inside, was in the western end of sanctuary.  Israel faced the west – backs to sun when worship of true God - Entrance of paganism among His people led to this significant apostasy.
Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel tells of the heathen practices that had been incorporated into worship of God.
Because the Jews persisted in justifying own course, continued in heathen systems, God permitted desolation of city.

Daniel agrees it was sins committed by God's people caused their desolation. Daniel 9:16-18 Now dear friends, it's important to note – these abominations committed by the apostate people of God resulted in the forfeiture of God's protection and called down His judgments upon them – causing their desolation.

This scenario of the Abomination of Desolation in Daniel's day prefigures the two other Abomination of Desolation prophecies in Daniel. Now let's consider the second temple desolation. After Babylonian captivity – city and temple were rebuilt. 

Then the Jewish leaders erected a mountain of rules and regulations to protect from repeating sins that led to their bondage.

The 4th Commandment – 7th day Sabbath became a special object of amendment.  They reasoned that since it was the transgression of the Sabbath that led them to captivity they needed to define in minute detail how Sabbath should be kept.  They had over 500 rules – some very ridiculous – not leave egg in sun, might cook, cooking forbidden. 

Of course this resulted in a system of pure legalism.  People began to believe favor with God depended on how well obeyed traditions of men.  Ultimately, the people were led full circle to disobedience of God again. 

They were doing a bunch of religious things but not what God had commanded.Jesus comments in spite of apparent religiousness they still were breaking God's law as had during Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah's and Isaiah's day. Mark 7:6-13  Once again people found themselves immersed in vain and rebellious worship even though their apostasy expressed itself in legalism instead of laxness.

Still based on same principle upon which all pagan religions are based.  Man can save himself by his own works – substitutes what God requires in this book.Jesus like Jeremiah of old rebuked this religious system and called it an abomination.

Luke 16:15 Jesus expressed His displeasure for their abominations on many occasions. Most notable were the 2 times He cleansed the temple – where in a most powerful manner He expressed His anger at the desecration of His Holy Place.

Yes, the controversy between Jesus and Jews spewed over religion! But in spite of their resistance, Jesus sought to bring repentance and reformation.  Often He reproved their erroneous ways.  He pointed the way to true religion that is of great price of God.  Yet, they hardened their hearts and beat back the waves of God's mercy!

As Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time His prophetic eye saw the consequences of constant rebellion.
Luke 19:41-44  With a grief stricken heart and tears coming down His cheeks, he spoke these words. Then on another occasion He again spoke with anguish as He realized the ultimate result of their apostasy.
Matthew 23:37, 38

On both occasions Jesus placed the guilt upon the people by stating those sad words of Luke 19:44 and Matthew 23: 37 

"Because you have rejected the opportunity God offered you and because you were not willing – Your wouldn't let me – Your house is desolate."

As a result of not responding to God's call to turn from their Abominations – their temple was destroyed.Now we all know that this was fulfilled in 70 AD – Roman armies under Titus burned the temple to the ground. 
I believe we can see this 2nd desolation perfectly paralleled the first.

On both occasions it was caused by apostate people of God and the desolation was an act of judgment performed by a heathen army.

Actually, this desolation of Jerusalem was prophesied by Daniel to come as a result of the people rejecting the Messiah.A careful study of Daniel 9:25-27 shows us this.

In verse 25 – The Messiah is promised to Israel. The City's restoration is also predicted – But then all is prophesied for doom again.  Verse 26 speaks of Jesus being killed by own people and how this act would cause the city and sanctuary to be desolated again.

No doubt, when Daniel heard the angel Gabriel relay this prophecy it was like a replay of what he had seen happen to Jerusalem in his own day.Prophecy showed that History would repeat itself – and that's exactly what happened. Because Israel rejected the Messiah and clung to their own traditions their temple was destroyed and they were desolated as a people. In fact, they lost their special place as God's favored people.

Jesus predicted this would take place.Matthew 21:43 Israel forfeited franchise of gospel by their own obstinate sin.The question now is who would be the new nation to receive the kingdom of God to bring forth fruit for His glory?The Bible provides a clear and concise answer in Peter's letter to the Gentile converts.
I Peter 2:9, 10

In the new dispensation God bestows upon the converted Christians all the privileges and promises that had been made to literal Israel. See Galatians 3:26-29 

Galatians 3:7, 14 – blessings of Abraham bestowed on us through faith in Christ.

Now they assume role of Israel and Christian Church absorbs status of the temple or sanctuary of GodIn both the Old and New Testament the scriptures make this abundantly clear.Ephesians 2:11-13, 19-22 All right, let's look at the final desolation.It is the light of this New Testament principle of spiritual Israel that Daniel speaks of the abomination of desolation the 3rd and final time.Daniel 8:13

Another reference to this transgression of desolation is found in Daniel 11:31  Discerning students of prophetic history realize these verses predict the formation and ascension of power by the Papacy – verse 9 – little horn.

Verse 12 - "The Truth is cast to the ground"It is an indisputable fact of history that the Papacy brought into the Christian church the very same practices of paganism in which Ancient Jerusalem was destroyed for. 
Little study to see how image worship, Tammuz worship and sun worship were introduced into Christianity – Dark Ages – Mithraism.

Many abominations still with us – statues, candles for saints, rosary beads, Easter sunrise services and Sunday worship.By no means does the Medieval Papal apostasy exonerate Protestantism.Most Protestant churches continue practice many of these abominations which have their roots firmly fixed in ancient pagan religions – which the Dragon established to destroy God's truth. Both have fostered abominations in God's Holy Place, His Church.Christian church at large is mirroring Israel. 

And certainly it will reap same punishment unless it is willing to read handwriting on the wall and flee from Babylon.Jesus speaks very plainly to us today – Matthew 15:3, 6-9 Our worship is all done in vain when we substitute man's ways for the plain commands of God. People must not repeat the Abominations that brought God's retribution in times past. We must learn from History and the Prophetic word or we are destined to repeat it!  Abomination of Desolation is important subject in these last days.

Now, as we have studied we have found each of its 3 fulfillment's refers to national apostasy by God's people that end in tragic destruction.  We're living in the time of the Christian church's final apostasy –  makes of none effect the commandments of God.

The apostasy is the same – God relates and acts as He did in ancient times.  He sends His earnest warnings in the prophetic Word – pleading for those who truly love and trust Him to heed the message of truth.

In Revelation 17 – He pictures a Scarlet Woman riding the prophetic Beast of Revelation.  Revelation gives us a graphic picture in Revelation 17:1-5 This same is the same false system represented over and over again in both Daniel and Revelation.  Notice she has a golden cup filled with fornication.

Here the Lord tells us how He feels about her falsehoods that lead so many astray in the last days.
The Golden Cup in her hand represents the intoxication of false doctrine. People hold to it as an addition.  She is called Mystery Babylon the Great

This is the last day counterpart to ancient literal Babylon where all false religion and religious falsehood has its origin. The name Babylon originated with the Tower of Babel where the Lord confounded the languages of those who rebelled against Him.

The city of Babylon had its origin when God confused the languages at the tower of Babel. The term "Babylon" in Revelation represents religious confusion and spiritual chaos.Spiritual Mystery Babylon represents the religious confusion that combines truth and error as Apostate Spiritual Babylon in the last days.Babylon stands for a man made system of worship.The Foundation of the Babylonian System:
• The authority of man
• The word of man
• The works of man
• The law of man
• The traditions of manThe Foundation of the Divine System:
• The authority of God
• The Word of God
• The love of God
• The law of God
• The teachings of God

And so Jesus pleads for those who wish to follow Him fully to come out of her and be a part of the last day Remnant who believe and obey the truth of His Word. 

He has given us the great warning messages of Revelation 14 that are going to the entire world today.  Revelation 14:7, 8 After calling us to the true worship of the Creator – He warns of the fall of Spiritual Babylon.Revelation 18:4 gives the same warning only there it adds the admonition of Jesus to come out of this devastating spiritual harlotry.

We are to come out of the confusion of Babylon and into the faithful Remnant that obeys God's Commandments as Revelation 12:17 and 14:12 says...Sadly, so many neglect to read and follow His Word today.But Jesus says that His sheep hear His voice – They are heeding the truths of His Word and following in obedience.  John 10:27

Our only sure protection against abomination of desolation is to give our lives unreservedly to Jesus…. Following Him and Worshipping Him in the way that His Word teaches… Loving God with all our heart. Making a full commitment to do as He instructs us.

We must obey no matter what everyone else does.  If we have such love it will be natural for us to do all things to please and honor Him.  In return, He will see us safely through the desolation that will close this earth's history just before He comes again. Are you a part of the Prophetic Remnant that is obeying God's Truth? God wants us to know and obey all He has provided in His prophetic Word.In Revelation 17:4 He says she is…. "Full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornification."