©Kris Gerbrandt
Chapter 12:11-13 (ESV) - “And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”
Question to consider: When did this abomination that makes desolate occur?
Today’s passage contains the third reference to the “abomination that makes desolate.” I have argued that the one mentioned in chapter eleven was a reference to the actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes during the time of the Maccabean revolt. I have also argued that the one mentioned in Gabriel’s promise in chapter nine was Christ’s fulfillment of the sacrificial system rendering the temple unnecessary and therefore desolate.
This third reference appears to occur before the final siege of the fourth beast (Rome). In Jesus’ discourse with the disciples on Mount Olivet in Mark 13, He stated, “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (Mark 13:14) I believe this statement referred to this final portion of Daniel as a warning for the early church to flee when they saw the gathering armies.
People want to attribute the “abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be” to some act by the Roman army to desecrate the temple, but the same discourse in the gospel of Luke sheds more light on this statement by Jesus, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.” (Luke 21:20-22)
The coming siege itself would put an end to sacrifice and offering, so when the fourth beast pitched “ his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain,” (Daniel 11:45) the LORD warned Daniel that the end would come within 1,290 days, and Jesus more specifically told His disciples that they should take this as a sign to immediately flee Jerusalem. The survival of the church at that time is a testimony to the fact that they heeded this warning of Christ.
These events would occur long after Daniel’s death (rest), but the promise that he would “stand in his allotted place” at the end of these days referred to his resurrection from the dead to reign with Christ.
It’s unfortunate that there has been such an attack on the notion of a literal fulfillment of the promises given to Daniel, for when considered in light of ancient history and the prophetic words of Jesus, the fall of Jerusalem should have been the event that provided beyond a shadow of doubt that Christ now reigns from the heavenly Mount Zion. This does not negate the blessed hope of His return, but gives us a warning that His return will be to judge the living and the dead and not to set up some alternative salvation plan for the Jews. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:27-29)
Dear heavenly Father, please let these words to Daniel be an assurance to us that Christ is currently reigning from heaven. For those who are still keeping a seat open for Elijah at Passover, we ask that they understand that our faith and hope are not in a rebuilt temple but in the righteousness of Christ freely given to us by faith. Amen.