The Abomination of Desolation

The Abomination of Desolation is the sum of those abominable practices that are present within the end-time false Christian churches and para-churches during the time period known as the Great Tribulation.  These actions glorify Satan and his demons rather than the true God.  The abominations primarily include serving the gods and idols of mankind’s wisdom, might and riches.  The practice of these activities are instigated by the Antichrist, who is also known in the Bible as the little horn, the prince that will come, the King of the North, the Beast, and the Man of Sin / Lawlessness.  These abominations result in the desolation in the end-time church (spiritually referred to as the Great Whore Babylon and the false prophet) since the church is to a large degree overrun by the Antichrist’s demonic ministers, who appear as angels of light.  There is division in the church as the daily Christian activities of Bible study, witnessing, discipleship and Christian service are removed and replaced by abominable practices. The Desolation of the church is caused by taking the following actions against the true Christians within the end-time Babylonian church:

• Captivity – the capture of God’s people within a church controlled by Satan’s ministers
• Scattering – Church divisions, splits, disunity, people leaving the church (driving God’s people out of the church and into the wilderness)
• Killing – Spiritually ‘killed’ (hated, persecuted, silenced in an environment of a sin-sick church controlled by Satan and his ministers that do not proclaim the truth of the Bible):
• Famine –bread of life, no Word of God
• Evil Beasts – Satan’s ministers desolating the church by either catching (devouring them) or scattering them
• Sword – spiritual warfare, the righteous being persecuted, divided, hated and silenced
• Pestilence – The church is a sin-sick environment

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Introduction

The New Testament Passages on the ‘Abomination of Desolation’

Meaning of ‘Abomination’

–        Old Testament

–        Old Testament Verses containing ‘Abomination’

–        New Testament

–        Worshiping Idols = Worshiping Demons (Satan’s messengers) – 1 Cor 10:14-21

–        Idolatry in the New Testament

–        Baal Worship

–        The Babylon ‘cup’ connection between Jeremiah 51:7 and Revelation 17:4

–        Summary of Abomination

Meaning of ‘Desolation’

–        New Testament

–        Old Testament

–        The Three Methods of Desolation: Captivity, Scattering and Killing (by Sword, Famine, Evil Beasts and Pestilence)

–        Captivity

–        Scattering

–        Killing by Famine, Evil Beasts, Sword and Pestilence

Abominations Cause Desolation

Abominations Cause Captivity

Abominations Cause Famine, Sword, Pestilence (Elements of desolation)

Meaning of ‘Holy’ Place

–        The Holy Places of the Old Testament

–        The Significance of Jerusalem

–        Spiritual Israel and Spiritual Judah

–        The New Testament Fulfillment of Israel and Judah

–        The Twain shall be made One

–        Jesus Christ is Israel

–        The Church is the True Circumcision

–        The New Covenant is Made with the House of Israel / Judah

–        Other Scriptures that Point to the Fulfillment of Israel / Judah in Christians

–        The Holy Place is Wherever God and His People are

–        Where is the Holy Place, Jerusalem Today?

–        Worshiping / Serving – the Altar of Baal (Satan) in the Church

–        Summary of Holy Place

Daniel 8 – The Little Horn that Desolates

–        Background to Daniel 8

–        The Time of the ‘Little Horn’

–        Description of the Little Horn

–        The Actions of the Little Horn

–        His heavenly target

–        His churchly target using the Transgression of Desolation

–        Daily taken away

Daniel 9 – The Abomination of Desolation in Gabriel’s 70-Week Prophecy

–        Background to Gabriel’s 70-Week Prophecy

–        Daniel 9:24-25

–        Daniel 9:26 – 9:27

–        Summary of the Abomination of Desolation in Gabriel’s Prophecy

Daniel 11 and 12 – The King of the North’s Abomination of Desolation

–        Background of Daniel 11 and 12

–        King of the North

–        The King of the North’s End Time Actions (Dan 11:29-45)

–        Action #1 – Returns due to Hatred of the Holy Covenant (Dan 11:29-30)

–        Action #2 – Takes Away the Daily and Places the Abomination that Makes Desolate (Dan 11:31)

–        Action #3 – Corruption by Flattery of Those who do Wickedness against the Covenant (Dan 11:32, 34)

–        Action #4 – Christians will Spread Gospel, but will be Persecuted (Dan 11:32-35)

–        Action #5 – The Pride of the King of the North (Dan 11:36-37)

–        Action #6 – Honoring and Worshiping Satan (Dan 11:38-39)

Conclusion and Summary – The Abomination of Desolation

–        Abomination – serving and/or worshiping other gods and idols

–        Desolation – divisions, heresies, dissembling and silencing of God’s people

–        Holy Place – wherever true Christians are (churches, congregations, Christian events)

–        The Abomination in Daniel – The ‘Daily’ sacrifice and oblation is removed

Introduction

In one of the most recognizable chapters on prophecy in the New Testament (Matthew 24), an apparently enigmatic reference exists concerning the ‘Abomination of Desolation’.  This reference in Mat 24:15 (see also Mk 13:14 and Lk 21:20) is important since the reference is a signpost for the ‘Great Tribulation’ (Mat 24:21):

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand), then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  (Mat 24:15-21)

The above passage indicates that when the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ is seen standing in the holy place (verse 15), then there will be ‘Great Tribulation (verse 21).  The same pattern is also set up in Mk 13:14 (abomination of desolation) and Mk 13:19 (affliction such as was not from the beginning).  Luke 21:20 also refers to ‘desolation’ and ‘great distress and wrath upon this people’ in Lk 21:23:

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.  Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter there into. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! Ffor there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.  And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luk 21:20-24)

Luke 21 is a parallel passage to Mat 24 and Mk 13, but provides the extra information (all of which are elements of the ‘Great Tribulation’) that:

• Jerusalem will be encompassed with armies
• The people shall fall by the edge of the sword and be led away captive into all nations
• Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles

The ‘Great Tribulation’ is also important since this period of time occurs just before the return of Jesus Christ and the gathering of His elect (see Mat 24:29-31, Mk 13:24-27).  Therefore, the existence of the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ is significant for the Christian to understand the nearness of the return of Christ.  It also informs the Christian as to the nature of the Great Tribulation in that it will be a time that the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ exists.

The New Testament Passages on the ‘Abomination of Desolation’

The ‘Abomination of Desolation’ has been a matter of interpretation and confusion.  Some believed that the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ simply existed at the time of the Roman destruction of Jerusalem (c. A.D. 70).  This interpretation is dubious at best since the structure of Matthew 24 and Mk 13 suggests that the existence of the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ occurs during the Great Tribulation, which occurs just before the return of Christ (Judgment Day). This interpretation tends to relegate the Biblical warnings of Matthew 24 to a mere historical lesson.  Others have correctly believed that the ‘Abomination of Desolation exists at the end of time, just before the return of Christ.  However, many people who correctly believe this, also believe that the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ will be an idol god that is built within a reconstructed Hebrew temple in Jerusalem (which is not correct).

The purpose of this study is to examine the Scriptures in an unbiased manner to determine what the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ refers to.  As suggested in Mat 24:15 and Mk 13:14, the Biblical method of Bible interpretation by comparing of Scripture with Scripture will be employed:

• When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand)… (Mat 24:15)
• But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that reads understand)… (Mar 13:14)

The proper method to interpret the Bible is to compare Scriptures to build upon truth:

• Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Cor 2:13)      
• Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: (Isa 28:9-10)

As 1 Cor 2:13 teaches us, we compare spiritual with spiritual (Jesus’ words are spiritual – see John 6:63).  Also, we learn by building line upon line, precept upon precept, a little here, a little there.  Unless the entire Bible is studied as a whole, we are prone to making interpreting errors.  It is only when the Bible is used as its own dictionary and its own commentary, can we know truth.  Mat 24:15 and Mk 13:14 emphasizes the need to refer to other Bible passages to come to truth.  In Mat 24:15 and Mk 13:14, God reminds us that we need to understand the references to the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ found in the book of Daniel.  But, before, we examine these passages, let us examine other Bible passages that refer to the following concepts:

• Abomination
• Desolation
• Stand in the Holy Place

Meaning of ‘Abomination’

It is important to examine what the Bible refers to as an abomination (which literally means a morally detestable thing).

–          Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the word for abomination is used about 160 times (Hebrew words – H8441, H8581, H8251), with about 50 of these occurrences being in the book of Ezekiel (which involved Judah’s captivity in Babylon).  The following are Old Testament abominations:

• Sexual sins – Lev 18:22-30, Deut 22:5
• Mysticism / occult – Deut 18:9-12, 2 Chr 33:6-7
• Child sacrifice to other gods / divination, etc. – Deut 18:10, 2 Ki 16:3, 2 Chr 28:3, 2 Chr 33:6
• Worshiping and sacrificing to other gods and idols – Deut 20:18, Deut 32:16-17, 2 Ki 23:13 (Ashtoreth, Chemosh, Milcom), Deut 17:4 (sun, moon and stars), 2 Ki 21;11-12, 2 Chr 33:1-7, Deut 27:15, 2 Chr 28:3, 2 Chr 33:8 (Baal), 2 Chr 33:3 (stars), Eze 6:9 (Cannanite gods), 1 Ki 14:23-24, 2 Chr 28:3 (Sodomites), Jer 7:9-11 (Baal, etc.), Pr 26:25, Eze 5:11, Ezekiel chapters 7 and 8, Eze 11: 18, 21, Eze 37:23, Ezekiel 16 (Israel’s harlotry), Zech 9:7, Nah 3:6, Hos 9:10, Jer 4:1, Jer 7:30, Jer 13:27, Jer 32:34, Jer 16:18, 1 Ki 11:5, 1 Ki 11:7, Dan 9:27, Dan 11:31, Dan 12:11), Eze 20:7-8, Eze 20:30 (Egypt), Is 66:3, Deut 29:17, 2 Ki 23:24, etc.

It should be evident from the Old Testament that the primary abomination is that of worshiping other gods and idols.  Child sacrifice and the occult were to worship and serve other gods.  Even the sexual sins discussed in the book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy could be considered as an idol put before the worship of the true God.

In Pr 26:25, the Bible notes those who speak graciously, but inside, their hearts are full of abominations.  In other words, one can appear to be holy, but whose heart can be full of idolatry.   A very important passage is also Jer 7:9-11 (which in part, is quoted in the New Testament when Christ cleansed the temple and said that the house of God has become a den of thieves / robbers – John 2:16, Lk 19:45-46, Mk 11:17, Mat 21:13):

Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, says the LORD.  (Jer 7:9-11)

In Jer 7:9-11, God defines that when His house (see Holy Place study below) is referred to as becoming a den of robbers, this refers to those who are part of the church that commit sin, including the sin of worshiping other gods (e.g., those in the church of God who practice the burning of incense unto Ball and walk after gods whom they know not.)

–          Old Testament Verses containing ‘Abomination’

• And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians. (Gen 43:32)
• That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. (Gen 46:34)
• And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? (Exo 8:26)
• And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity. (Lev 7:18)
• And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: (Lev 11:10)
• They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination. (Lev 11:11)
• Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you. (Lev 11:12)
• And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, (Lev 11:13)
• All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you. (Lev 11:20)
• But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you. (Lev 11:23)
• And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten. (Lev 11:41)
• Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination. (Lev 11:42)
• Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. (Lev 18:22)
• Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (Lev 18:26)
• (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) (Lev 18:27)
• For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. (Lev 18:29)
• If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (Lev 20:13)
• The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God. (Deu 7:25)
• Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing. (Deu 7:26)
• Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. (Deu 12:31)
• Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you; (Deu 13:14)
• Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God. (Deu 17:1)
• And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel: (Deu 17:4)
• When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. (Deu 18:9)
• For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. (Deu 18:12)
• That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God. (Deu 20:18)
• The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. (Deu 22:5)
• Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God. (Deu 23:18)
• Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. (Deu 24:4)
• For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God. (Deu 25:16)
• Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen. (Deu 27:15)
• And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:) (Deu 29:17)
• They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. (Deu 32:16)
• And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal. (1Sa 13:4)
• For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. (1Ki 11:5)
• Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. (1Ki 11:7)
• And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. (1Ki 14:24)
• But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. (2Ki 16:3)
• And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. (2Ki 21:2)
• Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols: (2Ki 21:11)
• And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile. (2Ki 23:13)
• Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. (2Ki 23:24)
• Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. (2Ch 28:3)
• But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. (2Ch 33:2)
• And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers. (2Ch 34:33)
• Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead. (2Ch 36:8)
• Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. (2Ch 36:14)
• Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. (Ezr 9:1)
• Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. (Ezr 9:11)
• Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? (Ezr 9:14)
• Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. (Psa 88:8)
• For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. (Pro 3:32)
• These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: (Pro 6:16)
• For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. (Pro 8:7)
• A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. (Pro 11:1)
• They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. (Pro 11:20)
• Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. (Pro 12:22)
• The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. (Pro 13:19)
• The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. (Pro 15:8)
• The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. (Pro 15:9)
• The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. (Pro 15:26)
• Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. (Pro 16:5)
• It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. (Pro 16:12)
• He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. (Pro 17:15)
• Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. (Pro 20:10)
• Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. (Pro 20:23)
• The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? (Pro 21:27)
• The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. (Pro 24:9)
• When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. (Pro 26:25)
• He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (Pro 28:9)
• An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked. (Pro 29:27)
• Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. (Isa 1:13)
• Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you. (Isa 41:24)
• And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? (Isa 44:19)
• He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. (Isa 66:3)
• They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD. (Isa 66:17)
• And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. (Jer 2:7)
• If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. (Jer 4:1)
• Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. (Jer 6:15)
• And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? (Jer 7:10)
• For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it. (Jer 7:30)
• Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. (Jer 8:12)
• I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be? (Jer 13:27)
• But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it. (Jer 32:34)
• And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. (Jer 32:35)
• So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day. (Jer 44:22)
• And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations. (Eze 5:9)
• Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity. (Eze 5:11)
• And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations. (Eze 6:9)
• Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence. (Eze 6:11)
• Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations. (Eze 7:3)
• And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. (Eze 7:4)
• Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations. (Eze 7:8)
• And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the LORD that smiteth. (Eze 7:9)
• As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them. (Eze 7:20)
• He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations. (Eze 8:6)
• And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. (Eze 8:9)
• He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. (Eze 8:13)
• Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. (Eze 8:15)
• Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. (Eze 8:17)
• And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (Eze 9:4)
• And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. (Eze 11:18)
• But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD. (Eze 11:21)
• But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD. (Eze 12:16)
• Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. (Eze 14:6)
• Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, (Eze 16:2)
• And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, and wast polluted in thy blood. (Eze 16:22)
• Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them; (Eze 16:36)
• Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations. (Eze 16:43)
• Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways. (Eze 16:47)
• And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good. (Eze 16:50)
• Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done. (Eze 16:51)
• Thou hast borne thy lewdness and thine abominations, saith the LORD. (Eze 16:58)
• Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination, (Eze 18:12)
• Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him. (Eze 18:13)
• But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. (Eze 18:24)
• Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers: (Eze 20:4)
• Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. (Eze 20:7)
• But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. (Eze 20:8)
• Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations? (Eze 20:30)
• Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations. (Eze 22:2)
• And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour’s wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father’s daughter. (Eze 22:11)
• The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations; (Eze 23:36)
• Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour’s wife: and shall ye possess the land? (Eze 33:26)
• Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed. (Eze 33:29)
• Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. (Eze 36:31)
• In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger. (Eze 43:8)
• And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, (Eze 44:6)
• In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. (Eze 44:7)
• And they shall not come near unto me, to do the office of a priest unto me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, in the most holy place: but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they have committed. (Eze 44:13)
• And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Dan 9:27)
• And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Dan 11:31)
• And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Dan 12:11)
• I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved. (Hos 9:10)
• And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. (Zec 9:7)
• Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. (Mal 2:11)

–          New Testament

In the New Testament, the word ‘abomination’ only occurs 9 times (Greek words G946, 947 and 948), but is used in a very interesting way.  First, it is used in Rev 17:4-5 as referring to what is in Babylon’s cup that the leaders and people of the world drink from.  We also find it used to refer to idolatry (Ro 2:22, Rev 21:8, 27), consistent with the Old Testament.  It is also used in Lk 16:14-15 in the parable of the unjust steward.  In this passage, the Pharisees are referred to as abominable (church rulers at the time of Jesus).  In the passage, it refers to these church leaders as being covetous and hypocritical, yet highly esteemed among men.  Notably, false teachers in the church are also referred to as being abominable (compare Titus 1:9-10 with Titus 1:16).

The New Testament provides the following examples of idolatry:

1. Greediness (Col 3:5)
2. Demons (works of the hands – gold, silver, brass, stone, wood, which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk) – Rev 9:20
3. Objects that are revered, but cannot speak – 1 Cor 12:2
4. Temple robber – Ro 2:22 (John 2:16, Lk 19:45-46, Mk 11:17, Mat 21:13, Jer 7:9-11 – those in the church of God who practice, in part the burning of incense unto Baal and walk after gods whom they know not)
5. Israel’s calf – Acts 7:41, 1 Cor 10:7 (with Ex 32:1-8, 17-20, Ps 106:19-21)
6. Worshiping demons (false gospels) – 1 Cor 10:19-20 (eating things offered to idols – 1 Cor 8:1, 4, 7, 10, 1 Cor 10:19, 28, Rev 2:14, Rev 2:20 as opposed to eating / drinking of the Lord’s table)

Relating the Old and New Testament together, we can find that abominations are the worship of other gods and idols, promoted by false leaders and teachers within the church.  These abominations culminate in the abomination of desolation which is set up in the church of God in the Great Tribulation just before the return of Christ. It should be noted that in Rev 17:4-5, Babylon’s golden cup is full of these abominations.  The worship of other gods and idols such as worldly wisdom, money, riches, materialism, sports, cars, boats, homes, philosophy, other gospels, mysticism / occult, etc., etc. is fully prevalent in the world’s corporate Babylon Christian religion.

–          Worshiping Idols = Worshiping Demons (Satan’s messengers) – 1 Cor 10:14-21

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is anything, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. (1Co 10:14-21)

In this passage, we find God’s command for His people to flee from idolatry (1 Cor 10:14).  As Christians, God’s people have fellowship (i.e., communion) with the blood and body of Christ.  The blood, since it is by the precious blood of Jesus Christ that we are saved (1 Pet 1:17‑19, Rev 5:9, Col 1:14, John 6:48‑58, Eph 1:7, Heb 9:22).  The bread, since Christians, as a body of true believers, are nourished by the bread of life, Jesus Christ, through His word, the Bible (Mat 4:4, John 6:63, etc.).  The warning in the 1 Cor 10:14-21 passage is that Christians have no business having communion (fellowship) with idols since this fellowship is equated with worshiping demons (1 Cor 10:20).

In 2 Cor 6:15, God warns us that there is no agreement with worshiping idols and being part of the temple of God (the collection of true believers).  The idol, in and of itself, is of no importance because it is just an object of this world that has no spiritual substance since there is only one true God (e.g., see 1 Cor 8:4-5, Rev 9:20, Col 3:5).  However, if a Christian eats of the things offered to an idol with a conscience that he or she is actually participating in a spiritual activity, then this is indeed fellowship with demons.  The person who eats of thigs offered to idols comes to spiritual harm as their conscience is defiled (see 1 Cor 8:7-13).  However, a Christian who knows that there is no true spiritual substance to the idol can partake without any spiritual harm (1 Cor 8:9-13).

The practical significance for Christians today is this.  First, based on 1 Cor 10:20, eating things offered to idols can be equated to participating in fellowship with idols.  Spiritually, eating things offered to idols is the spending of time in the worship of idols.  For example, one can be trapped in the idol of sports.  If this person becomes so involved that their time and substance is consumed being a sports fan to the detriment of one’s spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ, then this becomes eating of thigs offered to idols because they are actually worshiping idols with their time and energy.  Perhaps this person becomes so knowledgeable on his or her sports team that they know all the statistics and history of their team, but perhaps they are not knowledgeable about God’s ways in the Bible.  This is idolatry.  However, there could be another Christian that occasionally watches a sports game, but never to the extent of affecting his or her walk with Christ.  This latter person can eat of things offered to idols, but not be spiritually adversely affected since the sports team is not their idol.  However, the sports fanatic who serves this idol eats of the things sacrificed to idols (i.e., follows the team extensively) and therefore is having fellowship with idols (demons), while the other can eat of things offered to idols without making the sports team their idol.

1 Cor 10:20 equates the worshiping of idols to worshiping of demons.  This accords with several Old Testament passages that teach the same thing (such as Lev 17:7, Deut 32:16-17, 2Ch 11:15, Ps 106:37-39, see also, 2Cor 4:4, Rev 9:20).  These Old Testament passages also note that worshiping of idols is equivalent to worshiping demons.  The Bible also teaches that demons are the messengers (or angels) of Satan (Mat 25:41, Jude 6, Rev 12:7-9). Therefore, we should see worshiping idols is actually the worship of demons, which is the worship of Satan and his kingdom.  There are no other Gods than the true God of the Bible.  Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4) and his messengers are demons (fallen angels – Mat 25:41, Rev 12:7-9, 2 Cor 11:13-15), which are active in the church of Babylon (Rev 18:2).  There are only two kingdoms: the kingdom of God (in heaven) and the kingdom of Satan in the earth (1 Cor 3:10, 2 Cor 4:4, etc.).  If one worships and serves idols, they are serving Satan’s earthly kingdom:

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

(1Jn 2:15-17)

–          Idolatry in the New Testament

• And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. (Act 7:41)
• But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. (Act 15:20)
• That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. (Act 15:29)
• Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. (Act 17:16)
• As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. (Act 21:25)
• Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? (Rom 2:22)
• Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. (1Co 5:10)
• But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (1Co 5:11)
• Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind (1Co 6:9)
• Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. (1Co 8:1)
• As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. (1Co 8:4)
• Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (1Co 8:7)
• For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols (1Co 8:10)
• Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. (1Co 10:7)
• Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. (1Co 10:14)
• What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? (1Co 10:19)
• But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof (1Co 10:28)
• Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. (1Co 12:2)
• And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (2Co 6:16)
• Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies (Gal 5:20)
• For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Eph 5:5)
• Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry (Col 3:5)
• For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1Th 1:9)
• For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries (1Pe 4:3)
• Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1Jn 5:21)
• But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (Rev 2:14)
• Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. (Rev 2:20)
• And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: (Rev 9:20)
• But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Rev 21:8)
• For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Rev 22:15)

–          Baal Worship

Baal was an ancient false god primarily in the land of Canaan. Baal (Hebrew words H1166 through H1178) simply mean ‘master’. Baal worship was noted in the Old Testament to be an abomination (Jer 7:9-11, Jer 32:35, 2 Chr 33:2-3).  Baal is a title that was applied to false gods in Old Testament times (and as we will see below, is a type or reference to Satan).  The word is sometimes used to describe an owner (e.g., Ex 21:28-36, 22:11-15, Job 31:37, Pr 1:19, Ecc 5:1-13, Is 1:3, 62:4-5).  It was also used in Old Testament times to describe a husband (e.g., Ex 21:22, Deut 21:13, 22:22, Pr 31:11, 23, 28, Jer 3:20, Joel 1:8, Pr 12:4).  The feminine version of Baal (i.e., Baalah) was also used to refer to a woman in power (i.e., mistress – 1 Sam 28:7, 1 Ki 17:17, Nahum 3:4).

However, most of the time, Baal referred to the god of the Moabites (Num 21:28, 22:41, 25:3-5, 32:38, Deut 4:3, 1 Chr 5:8, Ps 106:28, Eze 25:9, Hos 9:10), Zidonians (1 Ki 16:31), Midianites (Judges 6:25-33, 8:33) and Ammonites (Jer 40:14).  It is the god of these Canaanites, who the Lord drove out of the land, that Israel and Judah served (see 2 Chr 33:3, 2 Ki 21:3, Jud 2:11-13, 3:7, 8:33, 10:6-10, 1 Sam 12:10, 1 Sam 7:4, 2Ki 17:16, 2 Ki 10:18, etc.).

There were some notable judges and kings in Israel that put away Baal worship.  For example, Gideon (a.k.a., Jerubaal) rescued Israel from Midian, who worshiped Baal.   Gideon is well known for throwing down the altar of Baal, where his father made sacrifice (see Jud 6:25-32, 7:1, 8:29-35, 9:1-2, 5, 16-28, etc). However, after the death of Gideon, Israel promptly returned to the worship of Baal (Jud 8:33).  Other kings of Israel that served Baal include Ahaziah (1 Ki 22:53), Manasseh (2 Chr 33:4) and notably King Ahab of Israel, who had married Jezebel, the daughter of the Zidonian king (1 Ki 16:31-32, 1 Ki 18:18-26, 40, 1 Ki 19:18).  Notably, Jezebel had 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherim.

Altars to worship Baal were also constructed.  There were altars to burn incense to Baal (Jer 7:9, 11:13-17, 32:29, Hos 11:2).  There were also altars constructed to burn sacrifices to Baal (Jud 6:25-32, 1 Ki 16:32, 18:26, 2 Ki 11:18, 21:3, 2 Chr 23:17, 33:3, 34:3, Jer 11:13).  These sacrifices included corn, oil, silver and gold (Hos 2:8).  Also, Jer 19:5, 32:35 records that there were high places for Baal worship, which included burning children as sacrifices to Baal.  Judah had forgotten the Lord’s name in deference to Baal (Jer 23:37).  They walked after Baal (Jer 19:14, 2:23, 7:8-9) and swore by Baal (Jer 12:16).

Beelzebub is the Key to Understand who Baal Represents:

In the Old Testament, we find that Baal is a god that was extensively worshipped by the nations of Canaan, Israel and Judah.  But, just who is Baal?  How may Baal be applicable to the church today?  Have altars to Baal been set up within the church today?  Thankfully, God provides more insight for who Baal is in the New Testament.   The key linkage to understand who Baal is and represents today is found in the New Testament passages concerning the accusation by the Pharisees and scribes that Jesus cast out demons by the prince of demons, who is Beelzebub: Mat 12:22-32, Lk 11:14-23, Mk 3:22-30.  We can use the passage in Matt 12:22-32 to understand who Baal represents:

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.   (Mat 12:22-32)

We find in this passage (Mat 12:24, 27) that Jesus was accused by the Pharisees of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of the demons.  The Greek word ‘Beelzebub’ (Greek word G954) is transliterated from the Hebrew word (Baal Zebub, H1176, literally ‘Lord of the flies – 2 Ki 1:2-3, 2 Ki 1:6, 2 Ki 1:16) as a parody and literally means ‘Master of the Dung’.   The parody involves the Hebrew title literally meaning ‘Lord of the Flies, while the Greek word used in Mat 12:24, 27 is ‘Lord of the Dung’.

The word ‘prince’ (Greek G758, archon) of the devils literally means ‘chief’ of the ‘source’ or first power.  So, it should become apparent that the Pharisees (Mat 12:24) and scribes (see Mk 3:22) claimed that Jesus was under the control of Satan since Satan would obviously be the prince (or chief) of the demons.  Moreover, in the passage itself (see Mat 12:25-26), Jesus asserts that if ‘Satan cast out Satan’ (i.e., the casting out of demons by Beelzebub), Satan would be divided against himself and Satan’s kingdom could not stand.  Therefore, it should be clear from this passage (see also Mat 10:25) that ‘flies’ in the Old Testament represented demons and ‘Baal’ spiritually represents Satan.

The fact that Baal means ‘master’ accords with the Scriptural assertion that Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4) and this world is evil (Gal 1:4).  This world is a dark place that exists in a state of confusion since Satan is in control.  God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Cor 14:33).  However, when we see confusion throughout the world, in religion and in churches, we know very well that Satan is at work in Babylon (which literally means confusion).  The Christian is commanded to keep himself unspotted from this world (James 1:27) and not to be conformed to this world (Ro 12:1-2).

Because Satan is often understood as a hideous, ugly, dark character as portrayed in the common culture of movies, media and folklore, it is easy to be deceived as to where Satan really is focused.  We are accustomed to believe from common culture that Satan resides in haunted houses or in other dark and creepy places.  However, that is not what the Bible teaches at all:

• But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2Co 11:3-4)
• For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2Co 11:13-15)

The Bible that teaches that Satan is transformed into an angel (or messenger) of light.  He is the author of subtle deception (Gen 3:4-13).  His ministers (demons) are also angels of light and do Satan’s bidding.  In fact, Babylon (which represents apostate Christianity) is the habitation of devils and every foul spirit (Rev 18:2).  Additionally, we find in Rev 2:9 and Rev 3:9 that churches were infiltrated by Satan and these churches were called ‘synagogues of Satan’:

• I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. (Rev 2:9)
• Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Rev 3:9)

We find numerous New Testament warnings concerning those who creep into the churches and bring deception (2 Cor 2:17, 4:2, Mat 24:24, Acts 20:30-31, Gal 1:6-8, 2;4, 3:1, Eph 4:14, 6:24, Col 2:4, Col 2:8, Col 2:18, 2 Thess 2:3-11, 1 Tim 1:3, 4:1-4, 2 Tim 3:1-9, 3:13, 4:3-4, Tit 1:10, Heb 13:9, 1 Pet 4:17, 1 Pet 5:8, 2 Pet 2:1-14, 3:3, 3:17, 1 John 2:18, 1 John 4:1, 2 John 7-11, 3 John 9-11, Jude 3-4, Rev 12:9).  These warnings about false and perverted gospels and deception occur in almost every book of the New Testament.

–          The Babylon ‘cup’ connection between Jeremiah 51:7 and Revelation 17:4

It is important to note that Rev 17-18 has many quotes and allusions to Jeremiah 50-51.  Jer 50-51 was a prophecy concerning Babylon at the time of Judah’s captivity in the 6^th century B.C.  Babylon, at the time of the Fall of Jerusalem and Judah in the 6^th century B.C. was a portrait for the end-time condition of the corporate, worldly Christian church.  Judah had essentially been taken captive into the Babylonian state and the faithful were just a small remnant.  Jer 50-51 was a pronounced prophecy by God (though Jeremiah) that Babylon was to be destroyed by the Medes.  As we have discussed previously, the worship of false gods and idols was endemic within the kingdom of Babylon.  Rev 17:4 concerning the golden cup in the hand of Babylon is an allusion to Babylon being the golden cup in the Lord’s hand by which the nations have become drunken.  At the end of Jer 51:7, God provides us more detail in that Jeremiah recorded that “…therefore the nations are mad”.  The Hebrew word for ‘mad’ (Hebrew, H1984, halal) occurs more than 160 times in the Old Testament and is normally translated as ‘praise’ or ‘glory’.  It literally could mean ‘to shine’.  Just a few verses previously in Jer 50:38, Jeremiah declares that Babylon’s land is full of graven images and that they are ‘mad’ upon their idols.  In other words, Bablyon is Jer 50:38 was replete with false gods and idols and were made (or better, gloried) in their idols.  In Jer 51:7, the nations who were vassals to Babylon were also drunk with the cup of Babylon’s idols and were ‘mad’ (gloried).    But, this Hebrew word (H1984) is also significantly used (and very significantly emphasized) in Jer 9:23-23 as ‘glory’:

• Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. (Jer 9:23-24)

In Jer 9:23, it can be seen that man’s wisdom, might and riches can be a source of man’s glorying.  In other words, they can become his idols.  Relating Rev 17:4, Jer 9:23-24, 50:38 and 51:7, it can be seen that Babylon’s propagation of her wine cup of fornication in worshiping the false gods and idols of man’s wisdom, might and riches.  Here are some practical examples of this spiritual fornication that is in Babylon’s cup:

Man’s Wisdom:

• Philosophy, education, knowledge, experiences, new age philosophies, research, media / television, history, entertainment, science, religious doctrines, legalism, false doctrine, false gospels, psychology, non-Biblical counseling, superstition, animism, books, pundits, theologians, gurus, imams, teachers, etc.

Man’s Might:

• Politics, business, sports, guns, finance, beauty / fashion, military, social standing, cliques, social media, special skills, body-building, manipulation, family / clan, alliances, business partners, mysticism / occult / new age philosophies, authority, denominations, churches, organizational titles / positions, rank, sex, extortion, money, influence, debates, achievements, accomplishments, goals, awards, etc.

Man’s Riches:

• Gluttony, money, stock, bonds, precious metals, accounts, possessions, houses, cars, planes, boats, fields, collections, antiques, televisions, computers, electronics, idleness, recreation, vacations, pleasures, alcohol, drugs, etc.

Obviously, the above examples is not a complete list.  But, it is important that we do not try to simplify the worship of other gods and idols as limited to primitive idol worship and mythical gods.  Our god is whatever becomes the most important to us in our lives.  The examples above are not necessarily sinful, unless they become our god / idol.  Our gods and idols are what we worship with our time and energy.  For example, Col 3:5 teaches us that greed is really idolatry.  We find that we can depart from the faith by giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (1 Tim 4:1).  By definition, Babylon is confusing; to wit, the confusion and error of many prevalent Christian doctrines.  Many false prophets and teachers have arisen to temp u to worship the demonic Babylonian religion (see Mat 24:11-12, 1 Tim 4:1, 2 Pet 2, Jude 3-4 with Rev 18:2).

If we dwell on the examples in the above three categories, we can begin to see that most Christian churches often promote, enjoin, support or at least tolerate most if not all of these activities.  Of course, as human beings living in a physical world, we participate in life and therefore, need to engage in these type of activities in order to function in the world.  None of the items above are sin in and of themselves.  But, when they become more important in our energy and time than God, then these things become our god and / or idol.  We must do all to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).  We must examine ourselves to see if we are indeed in the faith of Christ (2 Cor 13:5).  If we find any of these things more important that our relationship with Jesus Christ, woe be unto us and my God immediately correct us.

–          Summary of Abomination

In the Old Testament, an abomination was the worship and service to a false god or idol.  We find in the New Testament the same meaning, but we also find that idols in the Bible can refer to more abstract ideas such as setting up idols in one’s heart (Eze 14:1-7) and greediness (Col 3:5).  However, the most basic meaning of worshiping another god or idol is that of worshiping Satan and his angels (demons).  We find an explicit statement in 1 Cor 10:19-20 that to worship an idol is the same as worshiping a demon.  Also, we find that in this world, there are only children of God or children of Satan (1 John 3:8-10).  Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4) and desires to be worshiped (Rev 13:4, 12).  Anything that is not done in the name of the one true God is done to serve Satan’s ends and by so doing, one is worshiping Satan.  Moreover, one of the temptations offered by Satan to Jesus Christ were all the kingdoms of this world since Satan is the god of this world and gives the kingdoms to whoever he wishes (Lk 4:5-7).  In exchange, for all the kingdom of this world, Satan wanted Jesus to worship him, which Jesus promptly rebuked him with Scripture that one I to worship on the Lord (Lk 4:7-8).

We also find examples during the Great Tribulation where the antichrist takes his seat in the temple of God (e.g., 2 Thess 2:1-4).  In other words, Satan and his ministers as angels of light (2 Cor 11:13-15) are present within the church seeking worship.  Similarly, we find the ‘little horn’ in Daniel 7 and Dan 8 and the king of the North in Dan 11 other presentations of the antichrist who seeks glorification of himself.

Meaning of ‘Desolation’

–          New Testament

In the New Testament, the Greek word for desolation (Gr: eremosis) essentially means a wilderness (lonesome place). This word occurs approximately 60 times in the New Testament.  In the New Testament, wilderness can be used in a positive sense and a negative sense:

Positive use of wilderness:

• Where John the Baptist preached and baptized (Mat 3:1, 11:7, Mk 1:3-4, Lk 1:80) – voice crying out in the wilderness (Mat 3:3, Mk 1:3-4, Is 40:3, Lk 3:4, John 1:23) – symbolizes where the Gospel can be heard
• Where the faithful were – Heb 11:38 looking for a better, heavenly land (Heb 11:16)
• Where Jesus resisted the temptation of the devil (Mat 4:1, Mk 1:12-13, Lk 4:1)
• Where Zacharias heard the Word of God (Lk 3:2)
• Where people search for Jesus (Lk 4:42)
• Jesus went to desert places (Mk 1;45)
• Where Jesus withdrew to pray (Lk 5:16, Mk 1:35)
• 99 sheep left in wilderness to find lost sheep – Lk 15:4 (salvation in the wilderness)
• Moses lifted up serpent in the wilderness – John 3:14 (Christ lifted up in the wilderness for salvation)
• Where people search for Christ – Feeding of 5000 (type of salvation by the Bread of Life (Lk 9:10-12, Mk 6:31-32, Mat 14:13-15)
• Fathers ate manna in the wilderness (John 6:31, 49)
• Jesus went into wilderness after completion of preaching to national Israel – John 11:54 (type of salvation for the Gentiles)
• Angel appeared to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai for ministry to the church in the wilderness which wandered for 40 years awaiting entry into the promised land, tabernacle was a witness of need for salvation / Christ (Acts 7:30, 36, 38, 41, 44)
• Where Philip preached Christ (Acts 8:26)
• The woman (church) fed in the wilderness for ‘1260’ days (Rev 12:6)
• The woman (church) given wings of an eagle, nourished for 3 ½ times (Rev 12:14)
• The desolate woman (Sarah) has more children, which represents heavenly Jerusalem (Gal 4:26-27)

Negative use of wilderness:

• Demon-possessed man driven into wilderness (Lk 8:29)
• God was not pleased with national Israel and they were overthrown for lack of faith (1 Cor 10:5, Heb 3:8, Heb 3:17)
• Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation (Mat 12:25, Lk 11:17)
• Babylon on the beast in the wilderness (Rev 17:3) – represents apostate religion
• 10 horns of beast hate the whore (Babylon) and make her great riches are made desolate in ‘1 hour’ (Rev 17:16, 18:17, 18:19)
• Judas Iscariot’s house made desolate – no man to dwell there (Acts 1:20) – represents removal from the 12 disciples of Christ (false church)
• Jesus said that the house of Jerusalem would be desolate (Mat 23:38, Lk 13:35)
• Deceivers teach that the second coming of Christ will be in the desert, but every eye will see him (Mat 24:46, see Abomination in Mat 24:15)
• Abomination of Desolation in the Holy Place (Mat 24:15, Mk 13:14)
• Jerusalem encompassed by armies, desolation is nigh (Lk 21:20)

In summary, the New Testament usage of the word for ‘desolation’ can be used in the positive sense as indicating the earthly location that the Gospel is preached, prayer is made, Christians are nourished and are taught discipleship through trials.  The Christian’s true home is heavenly and they, like pilgrims and strangers (Heb 11:13), lived on earth awaiting their entrance into the heavenly city Jerusalem.  In a negative sense, ‘desolation’ is used as describing the place of division (heresy) and loss of genuine Christian community (fellowship around teaching and preaching Jesus Christ, prayer, breaking bread and fellowship – Acts 2:42, 5:42).

–          Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the words for desolation (H8047, H8074, H8075, H8076, H8077, H8078) occur about 190 times.  The Hebrew words (relevant to our study) translated as ‘desolate’ actually mean to be ‘stunned’ or ‘astonished’.  These are the words that are used in the three key passages in Daniel which will be examined in greater details further below:

• Dan 8:13, 27 (Little horn of one of the 4 horns of Greece)
• Dan 9:17-18, 26-27 (70 weeks prophecy)
• Dan 11:31, Dan 12:11 (King of the North versus King of the South passage)

The vast majority of the references to desolation refers to what happens to the land and cities (including Jerusalem) of Israel / Judah as a judgment for sins.  The most prominent of these judgments was the Babylonian captivity of Judah resulting in the desolation of Jerusalem / Judah for 70 years.  Other prophecies in the Old Testament involve God’s judgment on other nations outside of Israel / Judah:

• Ammon – Eze 25:3, Jer 49:2, Eze 6:14, 12:20, Zeph 2:9
• Moab – Zeph 2:9
• Edom – Jer 49:17, 20, Eze 35:3-15, Mal 1:3, Joel 3:19, Eze 35:7-9
• Babylon – Jer 50:3, 13, 45, Jer 51:26, 37, 41, 62, Joel 2:20, Jer 25:12, Is 13:9
• Egypt – Eze 29:3-12, Eze 30:7, 14, Eze 32:10-15, Joel 3:19
• Tyre – Eze 26:15-16, 27:35, 28:19
• Phillistines – Zeph 2:4
• Assyria / Nineveh – Zeph 2:13
• Ai – Josh 8:28
• Hazor – Jer 49:33
• Israel (Omni / Ahab) – Micah 6:16

From a positive standpoint, the term desolation is also used in the context of being the place where God’s people must be saved from (e.g., see Is 61:1-4, Is 54:1, Eze 36:34-36, Jer 33;10, Is 62:1-5).  Examples are provided below:

• The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. (Isa 61:1-4, quoted in Mat 3L17, Lk 4:18-19)
• Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, says the LORD. (Isa 54:1, quoted in Gal 4:17)
• And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it. (Eze 36:34-36)

 

In addition, the Hebrew word ‘desolate’ (translated as astonished or wondered – see underlined words below) is used to describe the passion of Christ in the Old Testament:

• As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: (Isa 52:14)
• And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. (Isa 59:16)
• And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. (Isa 63:5)

 

The Lord’s Response to Solomon’s Prayer – Desolation due to Forsaking the LORD and following other gods

In 1 Ki 9:1-9 and 2 Chr 7:12-22, the Bible records the LORD’s response to Solomon’s prayer of dedication (2 Chr 6, 1 Ki 8:22-61) after the completion of the temple in Jerusalem.  In 1 Ki 9:6-9 and 2 Chr 7:21, we find these words of the LORD:

 

But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to everyone that passes by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house? And it shall be answered: Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.

(2Ch 7:19-22, see also 1 Ki 9:6-9)

In this passage the above underlined word ‘astonishment’ is the identical Hebrew word usually translated as desolation. We see in this important passage that if God’s people forsake the LORD God and take other gods to worship and serve, they will become a desolation (or astonishment).  This is similar to what we have seen in Deut 28 and Jer 25.  We find extensive discussion in the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel regarding how Judah did indeed forsake the Lord and became a desolation (more on this below).

 

Penalties and Curses in the Law of God for Disobedience

 

In Lev 26:14-43 and Deut 28:15-68, the Mosaic Law informs us regarding the consequences of disobedience of the people of Israel.

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee…The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone. And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.   (Deu 28:15, 36-37)

In the above passage, we find that Israel would become an astonishment (i.e., desolation) because they did not observe all the commandments of the Lord culminating in serving other gods.   We find similar information in Lev 26:

 

I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.  (Lev 26:22)

 

And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors. And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lies desolate, and ye be in your enemies’ land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. As long as it lies desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it…The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lies desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.  (Lev 26:31-35, 43)

It is important to note that desolation was coming to the land because Israel despised the judgments and statutes of the Lord.  Also, it is important to note that Israel was to be ‘scattered’ due to ‘wild beasts’ and the ‘sword’.  It was by these tools that the land, cities and sanctuary (holy place) were made desolate and the land would enjoy her sabbaths.

The Land to be Desolate and Will Enjoy Her Sabbaths

As we saw above in Lev 26:34-35, 43, the land of Israel was to become desolate and enjoy her Sabbaths (days of rest).  This prophecy in Lev 26:34-35, 43 was fulfilled when Jerusalem was destroyed and the removal of the people to be captives to Babylon was initiated in 606 B.C. and completed in 586 B.C.  The 70 years of desolation was completed in 536 B.C., where Cyrus, King of Persia made a proclamation that Judah could return to Jerusalem.

And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

(2Ch 36:18-21, see also 2 Chr 36:22-23 and Ezra 1:1)

The prophecy of Jeremiah is found in Jer 25.  The cause of the 70 year desolation is found in these verses:

From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened. And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear. They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever: And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt. Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt. Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words, Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.  (Jer 25:3-11)

It should be noticed in Jer 25:5-6 (see underlined section above) that Judah went after other gods and served and worship them.  This was foretold in Deut 28 as we saw above.  We should be able to see that the cause of desolation is serving and worshiping other gods (e.g., idolatry).

A further important verse in order to understand the nature of ‘desolation’ is found in Dan 9:2:

In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.  (Dan 9:2)

 

We find in Dan 9:2 (see also 2 Chr 36:21 and Jer 29:10) that the desolation of Jerusalem were to last 70 years.  This 70 years is measured from 606 B.C. (4^th year of the reign of Jehoiakim (see Jer 25:1-3) to the proclamation of Persian King Cyrus in 536 B.C. that allowed Judah to return to Jerusalem (2 Chr 36:22-23).  This is important since the physical desolation (destruction) of Jerusalem did not occur until 586 B.C. (i.e., 20 years after the beginning of the 70 year desolation of Jerusalem).  However, in 606 B.C., captives were already being taken to Babylon (Dan 1:1-4, 2 Kings 24:12).  It was at this time that Israel began serving the King of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar), who is a symbol for Satan (Is 14:3-14).  Later in this study, we will find that the captivity of some of the people of Judah was a part of the desolation of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah and Ezekiel Weigh in on the Desolation of Jerusalem and the Land of Judah

Jeremiah and Ezekiel were two major prophets of the Old Testament who prophesied at the time of the ‘desolation’ of Jerusalem and the Land of Judah.  As we saw above in Dan 9:2, the desolation lasted for 70 years from 606 B.C. (1^st year of King Nebuchadnezzar, 4^th year of King Jehoiakim – see Jer 25:1-3, 11, Jer 29:10, Jer 46:2, 2 Ki 24:12) to the fall of Babylon in 536 B.C., when King Cyrus of Persia made a decree that the people of Judah could return to their land (2 Chr 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-4).  Jeremiah lived in Jerusalem and was there prior t and at the time of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Ezekiel, on the other hand was a captive (Eze 1:1-3) at the river Chebar in the land of the Chaldeans (ruled by Babylon).  Both of these prophets foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and had much to say about the desolation of the Jerusalem and the land of Judah:

Jeremiah:

• Because of foolishness and no knowledge, land to be desolate and people will flee from the horsemen – Jer 4:22-29
• Jerusalem and the land to become desolate – Jer 6:8
• The Lord will make Jerusalem and the cities of Judah desolate – Jer 9:11
• Since the pastors are dull-hearted, the flocks shall be scattered by the desolation that comes from the north – Jer 10:21-22
• Enemies of Jacob to make his habitation desolate – Jer 10:25
• The pastors have destroyed God’s vineyard, the land has become desolate, sword of the Lord has devoured the land – Jer 12:10-12
• People forsook the Lord, land to be desolate, Judah to be scattered before their enemies – Jer 18:15-17
• Judah to fall by the sword and have plagues resulting in desolation of Jerusalem – Jer 19:7-8
• Land to be desolate (given into the hands of the Chaldeans) with no man or beast due to the evil of Judah – Jer 32:43
• Babylon’s army to make cities of Jerusalem desolate – Jer 34:21-22
• Due to worshiping other gods, cities of Judah and streets of Jerusalem are desolate – Jer 44:5-6
• Lamentations of Jeremiah for the desolation of the people, the land and mountain of Zion – Lam 1:4-8, 1:13, 1:16-17, 2:10-15, 3:11, 4:5,4:12, 5:18

Ezekiel:

• Famine to cause desolation (astonishment) – Eze 4:16-17
• Altars to be desolate due to idolatry – Eze 6:4
• Idolatry and child sacrifice is a cause of desolation and scattering – Eze 20:23-26
• Due to whoredoms of idolatry, Jerusalem to become desolate (Eze 23:33, Eze 23:4, 14-20, etc.)
• Desolation of the land and mountains by sword and beasts due to idolatry, fornication and abominations – Eze 33:25-29

A careful examination of the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel indicate that the abominations of the people were their whoredoms of idolatry and pursuing other gods.   It is important to look at Eze 33:25-29:

Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land? Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour’s wife: and shall ye possess the land? Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence. For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.  (Eze 33:25-29)

This passage is important since Eze 33:29 clearly links Judah’s abominations (idols / other gods) with the land becoming desolate.  We know that Babylon was used as an instrument in God’s hand to bring about desolation of Judah by captivity, scattering and killing with the sword, wild beasts, famine and and pestilence.

Desolation of Israel / Judah Discussed in the Minor Prophets

The following are additional passages that discuss the desolation of Israel and Judah:

• Israel’s vines and fig trees to be made desolate – Hos 2:12
• Locusts have made land desolate – Joel 1:17, 2:3
• High places of Isaac to be desolate – Amos 7:9
• Israel to be brought out of captivity, desolate cities to be rebuilt – Amos 9:14
• The idols of Israel have caused Samaria and Jerusalem to be desolate – Micah 1:5-9
• Israel to be desolate and sick due to their sins / abominations – Micah 6:10-16
• The land shall be desolate due to the fruit of their doings – Micah 7:13
• Due to idolatry and worshiping other gods, the houses of Judah will become desolate – Zeph 1:4-6, 13
• The Lord scattered the people so their pleasant land was desolate – Zech 7:14

 

–          The Three Methods of Desolation: Captivity, Scattering and Killing (by Sword, Famine, Evil Beasts and Pestilence)

We find three methods in Bible of achieving desolation of a city or a land: captivity, scattering and killing.

–          Captivity

The primary example of captivity in the Old Testament is that of Babylon taking many of the people of Judah and Jerusalem captive.  In fact, we find five discrete captivities of Judah during the 70 year desolation of Jerusalem / Judah:

1. Daniel and selected youth of Israel – Dan 1:1-5 (606 B.C.)
2. King Jehoiakim and 3023 captives – Jer 52:28, 2 Chr 36:6, 2 Ki 24:1-3 (599 B.C. – 598 B.C.)
3. King Jehoiachin (including Ezekiel, all princes, mighty men (7000), craftsmen and smiths (1000), Jehoiachin and family) – 2 Chr 36:10, 2 Ki 24;12-16, Jer 29:2, 52:1-3, Eze 1:1-3 (597 B.C.)
4. Fall of Jerusalem – King Zedekiah (18th year of Nebuchadnezzar, carried away captive 832 persons (Jer 52:29), poor remnant in city, those who fell away (Jer 1:3, 39:7-9, 52:15, 2 Ki 25;7 2 Chr 36:6) – (586 B.C.).
5. 23rd year of Nebuchadnezzar, 745 Jews carried away captive – Jer 52:30 (582 B.C.)

When the Old Testament discusses the carrying away of people captive, the phrase ‘carry away’ is the Hebrew word galah (H1540 and H1541) which literally means to strip a person of clothes (see Lev 18:6-19, Lev 20:18-19, Ruth 3:4 for several uses of this word that clearly show that the word literally means to strip a person naked (presumably this is what happened to captives).  This word occurs approximately 195 times in the Old Testament.  The Hebrew word for captive (H7617, H7622 and H7628) literally means captive.  This word is used about 120 times in the Old Testament.

We know that captivity is one of the methods that was used to make a land desolate from the following passage:

And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.  (Amos 9:14)

The word in this passage translated as ‘waste’ is the same word used for desolation.  So, we can see that when the captivity is returned, the land is no longer desolate.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.  (Isa 61:1-4, quoted in Mat 3:17, Lk 4:18-19)

In this passage, we find that proclaiming liberty to the captives is tied to raising up the former desolations.

Led Away Captives…to Babylon

 

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  (Luk 21:24)

 

We find that just as Judah was led away captive into Babylon, we find a similar situation during the Great Tribulation.  In Jeremiah 24, we find the parable of the two baskets of fruit.  One basket had very good figs and the other basket had evil figs that could not be eaten (Jer 24:2-3).   In Jer 24:5-7, we find that the good figs represented those who were carried away captive to Babylon.  The people carried away to Babylon were to be those that represented God’s people that would be chastened, but later saved (see also Eph 4:8, Ps 68:18, Ps 126:1‑4, Ps 14:7, 53:6, 85:1, Jer 12:15, 23:3, 29:10, 31:23, 32:37, 32:44, 33:7, 33:11, Lam 2:14, Ez 16:53, Zeph 2:7, Eze 11:15-17, 36:24, etc.):

Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.  (Jer 24:5-7)

However, the evil figs represented those who would be killed by the sword, famine and pestilence (i.e., unsaved):

And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus says the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt: And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them. And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.  (Jer 24:8-10)

It is important to note that Rev 17-18 provides a very detailed of Babylon, which will exist during the Great Tribulation.  The great whore, Babylon represents the apostate church which is full of whoredoms, represents the pursuit of other gods and idols (Rev 17:4-5, 18:1-3).  God’s people are commanded to come out of her and do not partake of her sins.

Spiritual Meaning of Captivity

In the Great Tribulation, we find an explicit statement that Christians will be taken captive:

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh…And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  (Luk 21:20, 24)

We find in the parallel passage to Mat 24 concerning the Abomination of Desolation that Christians will be led away (spiritually) captive into all nations and Jerusalem (the spiritual Holy Place, where Christians physically gather together – i.e., the church) shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled (i.e., Judgment Day, see Rev 11).  But, we need to look further into the New Testament regarding the nature of the captivity.

In the New Testament, the Babylonian captivity was referred to in Acts 17:43 and Mat 1:11, 12, 17.  In these passages the Greek word used for ‘carry away’ is metoikesia which literally means to go to ‘another house’.  In other words, the New Testament refers to the Babylonian captivity as being carried away to another house.  Christians are referred to as being sons of God and therefore, part of God’s household, which is discussed extensively in the New Testament (see Eph 2:19, 3:15, Mat 10:25, Gal 6:10, 1 John 3:1, etc.).  Therefore, when Israel / Judah was taken into captivity, there was a symbolic meaning that they are no longer physically being shepherded by a church being run by true Christians, but by the church of Babylon (which is false Christianity).  This apostate church in the Great Tribulation is ruled by the Great Whore Babylon and is inhabited by demons and all foul spirits (Re 18:1-4).  We also recall that the King of Babylon is used as a metaphor for Satan, called Lucifer (Is 14:3-14).  Therefore, as true Christians are led away captives into all nations and the Gentiles trod down Jerusalem, this will be a period of time that Christians are taken captive by Satan as they are ‘captured’ in churches controlled by Satan and his demons.

Other words used for being taken captive in the New Testament (G161-G164, G2221, G4812) note the following:

• Those that are not Christians:
  • Taken captive by Satan – 2 Tim 2:26
• Those that are Christians:
  • Sharing the Gospel and converting people is as ‘catching’ fish – Lk 5:10
  • Christ ascended on high and led captivity, captive – Eph 4:8 (quoted from Ps 68:18, Jud 5:12)
  • Bring every thought into captivity to the obedience to Christ – 2 Cor 10:5
  • In the flesh, still in captivity to the law of sin – Ro 7:25
  • Led away captives into the nations as Jerusalem is trodden down of the Gentiles – Lk 21:24
• False teaching:
  • Lead into captivity those laden with sins and lusts – 2 Tim 3:6 (see also 2 Pet 2:19)
  • Led away by philosophy of men – Col 2:8
  • He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity – Rev 13:10

–          Scattering

The second method of desolating Jerusalem and the land was to scatter the people and make them flee.  There are several examples notable examples of God scattering His people:

• Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden – Gen 3:22
• The People from the land of Shinar – Tower of Babel (a.k.a., Babylon) – Gen 11:1-9
• Exile of the Northern 10 tribes of Israel to Assyria – 2 Ki 17

However, by far, the most discussed scattering of God’s people from their land was the fall of the southern tribe of Judah / Benjamin from Jerusalem / Judah.  This is the subject of major prophetic books such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Micah and Zephaniah.

Scattering as a Punishment for Disobedience:

In the lengthy discourse in Leviticus 26, regarding the punishment of Israel / Judah for disobedience to the lord God, we find this passage:

And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.

(Lev 26:32-33)

We find in this passage clear linkage between the scattering (dispersal) of the people and the land being made desolate in order to allow the land to enjoy her sabbaths.  This prophecy was fulfilled in the scattering of the people of Jerusalem and the land of Judah by the king of Babylon (Satan).  As we read in Pr 20:26, a wise King scatters the wicked.  As we see in the story of the Tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9), God caused the people to be scattered due to their pride and self-salvation plan of building the tower into heaven.

In the Deuteronomy passages listing the curses for disobedience (Deut 28:16-68), we find in Deut 28:64-66:

And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it. And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:  (Deu 28:63-66)

In this passage we find that the people will be taken off of the land (made desolate) and they will be scattered.  In the land that they are scattered, they will serve other gods and idols.  In this passage, the people who will be scattered, will find no rest (i.e., no salvation).

It is interesting to note in both the Leviticus and Deuteronomy passages that the location that the people were scattered to: the heathen (see also Eze 20:23, 22:15, Zech 7:14, Neh 1:8).  Also, a sword would be drawn out after them.  In Lam 1:3, it says that the people will not find rest amongst the heathen.  In other words, the people were driven away from God, who is the source of their salvation.  In Eze 12:14-16, we find that God would only leave a few from the sword (see also Deut 4:27).  In other words, there will only be a small remnant left from those who are scattered into the nations (see Eze 6:8).

In Ezekiel 5, we find the parable of Ezekiel’s beard.  In this parable, we find in Eze 5:2 and 5:12 that 1/3 of the people would be consumed by pestilence and famine within Jerusalem, 1/3 would fall by the sword and 1/3 would be scattered to the wind and the sword would be after them.  In other words, the 1/3 scattered to the wind (Eze 5:10) would also fall by the sword in the nations where they fled, but only a few would be spared.  Those who would were symbolized by a few that were to be bound into Ezekiel’s skirts (Eze 5:3) recognize the few that were left in the land, but even them would be cast into the midst of the fire (Eze 5:4).  We also find in Eze 5:5-9, 11 that the people were being punished due to their wickedness and abominations (serving other gods, idols).

Ezekiel chapter 6 is another example (see also Eze 36:19, Jer 31:10, Eze 30:23, Eze 5:10-12, 12:14, 22:15, Ps 44:11):

And your altars shall be desolate, and your images shall be broken: and I will cast down your slain men before your idols. And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars. In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished. And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Yet will I leave a remnant that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries. And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall loath themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.  (Eze 6:4-9)

 

We find similar information that the people would be scattered due to their worship of other gods and idols.  Similar to the previous passages, the people would be scattered and there will be some who would escape the sword in the nations to where they were scattered.  We find important information in the above passage.  We also find that those scattered abroad would be a witness of the judgment of the Lord because of the people’s sin and abominable practices.  The remnant that goes forward, in essence is sent to preach the Gospel.  This has strong correlation to the dispersal of the Christians from Jerusalem that caused the Gospel to spread (see Acts 8:1).  More on this below in the discussion on ‘regathering’.

Israel / Judah become Scattered Sheep:

An important metaphor for the scattering of Israel / Judah is that of scattered sheep.  For example:

Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.

(Jer 50:17)

The northern 10 tribes of Israel was scattered in 709 B.C. by Assyria (see 2 Ki 17) and the southern kingdom of Judah was scattered by Babylon in 586 B.C.  Interestingly, the underlying cause of the scattering was as a result of the shepherds, which were not properly concerning salvation (i.e., resting place’ and sin:

My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place. All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.

(Jer 50:6-7)

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.  (Jer 23:1-2)

We find later in Jer 23, the following behaviors of the pastors of Israel / Judah:

Jer 23:11 – prophet and priest and both profane, wicked

Jer 23:13 – folly in the prophets of Samaria, prophesied in Baal and caused Israel to err

Jer 23:14 – prophets in Jerusalem commit adultery, walk in lies, strengthen hands of evil-doers, they are like the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah

Jer 23:15 – profaneness gone forth into all the land from prophets of Jerusalem

Jer 23:16 – word of prophets are vain and speak a vision from their own heart, not from the Lord

Jer 23:17 – prophets say peace to those who despise the Lord, no evil will occur for those who walk after the imagination of their own hearts

Jer 23:21 – prophets not of the Lord, yet they prophesy

Jer 23:22 – had the prophets caused people to hear, they could have turned them from their evil way

Jer 23:25-26 – prophesy lies, saying that they dreamed, prophets of lies and deceit

Jer 23:27 – cause people to forget the Lord’s name by dreams as their fathers have forgotten Lord’s name for Baal

Jer 23:30 – prophets steal words from his neighbor

Jer 23:31 – prophets use their tongues and false say that their words are from God

Jer 23:32 – false dreams, cause people to err by their lies

Jer 23:33-36 – perverted the words of God

Based on the above Scriptures, we find that Israel / Judah were scattered for their sins, but their shepherds (priests / prophets) are the underlying cause since they taught the people rebellious ways.

The Fulfillment of Regathering of the Scattered People:

There is hope.  Concerning the regathering of the scattered sheep, we find the promise of salvation (fulfilled in Jesus Christ) that Jesus Christ would be the True Shepherd who would regather the flock of God: Zech 13:6-7, Micah 2:11-12, Mat 26:31, Eze 34:5-6, 12, Jer 31:10-11, Mat 9:36-38, Lk 15:4-6, John 10:10-12, 1 Pet 2:25, Jer 23:1-6, Is 40:11, etc.

Also, a regathering of the remnant is promised.  In Eze 11:16-17, those that were scattered would still have a little sanctuary and God would once again gather them.  The re-gathering of Israel is the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ for the entire elect spiritual Israel (which includes Gentile and Jew): Ps 106:47, Is 11:12, Is 43:5, 43:9, 56;7-8, 60:4, 66:18, Jer 29:14, 31:8, 32:37, Eze 11:17, 16:37, 20:34, 41, 28:25, 34:13, 36:34, 37:21, 38:8, 39:27, Hos 1:11 (with Ro 11:25-26), 8:10, Micah 4:6, Zeph 3:19-20, Zech 10:8-10.

Spiritual Meaning of Scattering in the Great Tribulation:

In the Olivet discourse, we find the following:

 

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  (Mat 24:15-21, see also Mark 13:14-19, Lk 21:20-24)

 

At the time of the Great Tribulation, there will be a time of disunity and scattering.  We also find in Rev 18:4, that true Christians are to depart from Babylon so as not to partake of her sins:

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.  (Rev 18:3-6)

 

We also find in the New Testament that the following truth is recorded:

He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. (Luk 11:23)

In this passage, we find that when there is disunity in the church, there will be scattering.  As we saw from the above Old Testament passages, scattering occurs due to false shepherds over the sheep (e.g., Jer 23, especially Jer 23:1-2, see also Jer 10:21-22, 12:10-12) as well as God scattered Judah at the hand of the King of Babylon due to the grievous abominations of Judah.  In addition, in the New Testament, we find that scattering (G1287, G1289, G1290, G4650) is the result of persecution and false teachers / ministers within the church:

• Persecution of the early church – Acts 8:1, Acts 8:4, Acts 11:19
• Those scattered who were addressed by James and Peter – James 1:1, 1 Peter 1:1
• He who does not gather with Christ, scatters – Mat 12:30, Lk 11:23 (false gospels)
• Disciples scattered when Jesus Christ arrested – John 16:32
• Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered – Mat 26:312, Mk 14:27
• Israel / Judah scattered – John 11:51-52 (represents church during Great Tribulation)
• Scattering by wolves in the flock – John 10:12 (wolves are symbolic of a beast that devours from within the flock resulting in scattering of the flock – Acts 20:29, Lk 10:3, Mat 10:15-16)

In the Olivet Discourse of Jesus Christ (Mat 24, Mk 13, Lk 21) which discusses the Great Tribulation, we find that false teaching and the Abomination lead to scattering:

• Many false prophets / deceivers – Mat 24:11
• Abomination of Desolation – Mat 24:15, Mk 13:14
• Those in Judea (those on housetops, those in field, those are with suck), flee to the mountains – Mat 24:16-20, Mk 13:15-18, Lk 17:31, Lk 21:21-23

In summary, we find that in the Great Tribulation there will be a scattering of God’s people.  God’s people will be inflicted with false gospels and persecution resulting in some needing to depart from the congregations.

–          Killing by Famine, Evil Beasts, Sword and Pestilence

In the Bible, we find that killing a person not only can happen physically (martyrdom), but also in a spiritual sense when Christians are persecuted, hated and silenced within the church:

• Christians die daily – Mat 24:9, 2 Cor 1:9, 4:10-12, 6:9,7:3, Ro 8:35-39, James 5:6, 1 John 3:15, 1 Cor 4:9, 15:31, Mat 5:21-22, Hab 1:2-4, James 2:9-11, Ps 94:1-7, 44:22, Rev 6:9, Mk 8:35
• Christians Have Been Crucified with Christ – Gal 2:20, 5:24, 6:14, Ro 6:6
• We are dead to sin and the law – Ro 6:6,11, Ro 8:10, 2 Tim 2:11, Ro 7:2-6, Gal 2:19, Col 2:10, 3:3 w/ 3:1-11, Ro 6:2-8, Eph 4:22
• Killing by Words – Mat 5:21-22, Ro 3:13-15, Pr 11:9
• Christians are living sacrifices – Rev 6:9-11, Ro 12:1-2, 6:13, 6:16, 6:19, Heb 10:22, 1 Pet 2:5, Phil 4:18, Ro 15:16, 2 Tim 4:6, Phil 2:17, John 16:2
• Spiritual battle, not physical – Rev 6:3-4, Eph 6:11-12, 2 Tim 2;4, Col 1:13, 1 Pet 2:11, James 4:1
• Sword between members of one’s own family – Mat 10:34-36, Lk 12:51-53
• Afflicted, killed, and hated ‑ Mat 24:9, Mk 13:9, Lk 21:12
• Slain for Word of God and testimony – Rev 6:9-11, 7:9-17, 11:7-10
• Beast has war with saints – Rev 13:8, 6:3-4
• Offended, betrayed, and hated ‑ Mat 24:10, Mk 13:12‑13, Lk 21:16‑19

As we see in many places in the Bible, Christians are put to death when they suffer for the sake of Christ.  In essence, they die to the fleshly desires of life as they serve Christ.  In this sense the flesh has been crucified with Christ, so Christians can live in the spirit.  We also find in 1 John 3:15 that whoever hates Christians is spiritually speaking a murderer.  They essentially silence Christians by not accepting them or considering what they have to say.  In the Great Tribulation Olivet Discourse passage, we find the following ‘killing’:

• Delivered up to tribulation and killed (hated of all nations for Jesus’ sake), betrayed and hate one another – Mat 24:9-10, Mk 13:9-13, Lk 21:12-19
• Nation against nations, kingdom against kingdom – Lk 21:9-10, Mat 24:6-7, Mk 13:7-8
• Famines and pestilences – Lk 21:11

In Ezekiel 14, we find a prophecy regarding the desolation of the land of Judah.  This prophecy warns that even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in the land, God would still cut-off man and beast from the land due to the wickedness of the people (Eze 14:14, 16, 18, 20).  The four sore judgments on the land are:

• Famine (Eze 14:13, see also Eze 4:16 (desolation), Eze 5:16-17, Lev 26:26, Is 3:1, Jer 15:2-3, Lam 4:9-10, Mat 24:7, Lk 21:11, etc.)
  • Spiritually represents the famine of not hearing the Word of God – e.g., Amos 8:11, Mat 4:4, Deut 8:3, Is 30:20, Is 55:2-3, Is 55:10-11
• Evil Beasts (Eze 14:15, see also Eze 5:16-17, Lev 26:22, 1 Ki 20:36 (lion), 2 Ki 17:25, Jer 15:3, Eze 34:5, Hos 2:12, Ez 29:5, 33:26‑29, Jer 7:33, )
  • Spiritually represents the ministers of Satan – e.g., Rev 13:1-10, 17:6, Titus 1:12, Acts 28:4, John 10:12 (wolf among sheep either catches them or scatters them – John 10:12), 1 Pet 5:8 (lion), Is 35:9, Eze 34:5 (no shepherd, beast present – see Jer 23:1-2), Rev 13:14-15, 20:4 (image of the beast), Rev 13:16-18, 20:4 (mark of the beast), Satan as the serpent (Gen 3:1), etc.
• Sword (Eze 14:17, see also Jer 15:2-3, Eze 5:12, 5:17, Eze 221:3-4, 9-15, Eze 29:8, Lev 26:25, Jer 25:9, etc.)
  • Represents spiritual warfare (e.g., Rev 13:7, 13:15, Eph 6:17, 2 Cor 10:3-5)
  • Satan uses the Bible – Mat 4:6
  • Bible is sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17) but God only reveals spiritual truth to His people (1 Cor 2:10, Mat 13:10-17) through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16)
  • Killing by words / tongue ‑ 1 John 3:15, Mat 5:21‑22, Pr 11:9, Ro 3:13‑15, Jer 9:3, 18:18, Ps 140:3, Ro 3:13, James 3:8, Pr 18:21, Ps 52:4, 57:4, 59:7, 64:3, 120:2

• • Christians die daily – Mat 24:9, 2 Cor 1:9, 4:10-12, 6:9,7:3, Ro 8:35-39, James 5:6, 1 John 3:15, 1 Cor 4:9, 15:31, Mat 5:21-22, Hab 1:2-4, James 2:9-11,  Ps 94:1-7, 44:22, Rev 6:9, Mk 8:35
  • Christians are living sacrifices – Rev 6:9-11, Ro 12:1-2, 6:13, 6:16, 6:19, Heb 10:22, 1 Pet 2:5, Phil 4:18, Ro 15:16, 2 Tim 4:6, Phil 2:17, John 16:2
  • Spiritual battle, not physical – Rev 6:3-4, Eph 6:11-12, 2 Tim 2:4, Col 1:13, 1 Pet 2:11, James 4:1
  • Sword between members of one’s own family – Mat 10:34-36, Lk 12:51-53
  • Afflicted, killed, and hated ‑ Mat 24:9, Mk 13:9, Lk 21:12
  • Slain for Word of God and testimony – Rev 6:9-11, 7:9-17, 11:7-10
  • Beast has war with saints – Rev 13:8, 6:3-4

• Offended, betrayed, and hated ‑ Mat 24:10, Mk 13:12‑13, Lk 21:16‑19

• Pestilence (Eze 14:19, see also Lev 26:14-16, Eze 5:12, Deut 28:21-22, Deut 28:59-61, Ps 91:3, 91:6, Jer 14:12, Jer 24:10, Mat 24:7, Lk 21:11)
  • Spiritually represents spiritual sickness of sin – Mat 8:17, Eze 34:4, Ps 102:4, Pr 13:12, Ps 38:2-3, Is 1:4-6, Jer 8:22, Jer 30:12, Is 53:4-5, 1 Tim 1:10, 2 Tim 1:13, 4:3, Titus 1:9,13, 2:1-2, 1 Cor 11:26-30, Jer 31:8, Ps 41:4, 103:1-4, 1 Pet 2:24, John 9:39, 12:40, Is 35:5-6, Acts 28:7, Mal 4:2)
  • Healing is Salvation ‑ Jer 31:8, John 9:39, 12:40, Is 35:5‑6, 53:3‑5, Acts 28:27, Mal 4:2, Ps 107:20, 19:22, Jer 8:22, Ps 30:2, 33:6, Job 5:18, Ex 23:25
  • Healing of the nations ‑ Ps 147:3, Is 6:10, 57:18‑19, Jer 17:14, Mal 4:2, Hos 14:4, Ez 47:8‑11, Rev 22:2
  • Healed from sickness of iniquity ‑ Is 57:19
  • Heals bruise / wound of sin ‑ Is 30:6, Jer 30:14‑17, Micah 1:9, Nah 3:19, Deut 32:39, Is 53:5
  • Heal unfaithfulness ‑ Jer 3:22
  • Heal soul from sin ‑ Ps 41:4
  • Heal iniquity, Heal diseases ‑ Ps 103:1‑4
  • Healed from transgression ‑ Is 53:5, 1 Pet 2:24
  • Heal from disease ‑ Ex 15:26
  • Heal brokenhearted ‑ Ps 147:3

Although the above four sore judgments physically occurred to Israel, they can also be summarized spiritually as follows as activities that occur during the Great Tribulation:

• Famine – no bread of life, no Word of God, lack of Bible teaching (replaced with other false doctrines / teaching – idol of wisdom)
• Evil Beasts – Satan’s ministers desolating the land (wolves in the midst of the sheep – John 10:12) – results in catching sheep and devouring them or scattering them
• Sword – spiritual warfare, the righteous being persecuted, divided, hated and/or silenced
• Pestilence – Pestilence – The church is a sin-sick environment

Abominations Cause Desolation

• So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day. (Jer 44:22)
• Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed. (Eze 33:29)

Abominations Cause Captivity

And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations. (Eze 6:9)

Abominations Cause Famine, Sword, Pestilence (Elements of desolation)

• Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence. (Eze 6:11)
• But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD. (Eze 12:16)

Meaning of ‘Holy’ Place

So far, in our study, we have seen that an abomination has to do with serving other gods and idols, which in effect is the worship of Satan’s kingdom.  The desolation involves the people going into spiritual captivity, being spiritually scattered and being spiritually killed.  It is now important to clearly understand what the ‘Holy Place’ refers to in Mat 24:15, where the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ stands.

First, in the parallel passage in Mk 13:14, we find that the Scripture says that the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ is standing where it ‘ought not’ be.  Therefore, we find that this Abomination should not be standing in the Holy Place.  Or in other words, it is not clean, nor sanctified (which means holy or set apart).  When we compare Mat 24:15-16, Mk 13:14 and Lk 21:20-21, we can find more clarity as to what the Holy Place is:

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains (Mat 24:15-16)

 

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: (Mar 13:14)

 

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.  (Luk 21:20-21)

 

By examining the reason for letting ‘them which are in Judea flee to the mountains’ is all 3 passages, we can find that:

Holy Place (Mat 24:15) = Where it ought not (Mk 13:14) = Within the bounds of Jerusalem (Lk 21:20)

In other words, the Holy Place that is to become desolate is within the holy city, Jerusalem.  We also find in the following parallel passages, that this time of desolation of the Holy Place, Jerusalem is the ‘Great Tribulation’; a time of distress:

 

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  (Mat 24:21)

 

For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.  (Mar 13:19)

 

But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luk 21:23-24, see also Rev 11:2)

–          The Holy Places of the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, we find that the tabernacle in the wilderness had a two-part temple: the holy place and the holy of holies (Lev 26:33-34, Heb 9:2-3).  The description of the tabernacle is found in details in Exodus chapters 25-31 and 35-40.  Hebrews 9 summarizes the holy place and the holy of holies:

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.  (Heb 9:1-10)

We also find that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament holy place (i.e., sanctuary) tabernacle:

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.  (Heb 8:1-2)

We find that the earthly holy place (sanctuary) and tabernacle were pitched by man.  But, these were just but a shadow of the true heavenly things in heaven:

Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. (Heb 8:5-6)

Later, King Solomon constructed a house (temple) of God in Jerusalem.  The Bible equates the ‘house’ of God with the ‘temple’ of God in 1 Ki 7:50:

And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, to wit, of the temple.  (1Ki 7:50, see also 2 Chr 4:22, Ps 65:4)

The details of this construction can be found in 1 Kings 5-6 and 2 Chr 2-3.  The declaration of this temple being holy is found in, for example, 2 Chr 3:8-10, 4:22, 5:7, etc.  The Bible also notes that the ‘temple’ of God is holy in Ps 5:7, Ps 11:4, Ps 65:4, Ps 79:1, Ps 138:2, Jonah 2:4, 2:7, Hab 2:20, Acts 21:28, 1 Cor 3:17, Eph 2:21.

Importantly, in the New Testament the collection of true Christians is called the ‘house’ of God, as well as the ‘temple’ of God.   Christians are typified as the ‘house of God’ in John 14:2, 2 John 10, 1 Cor 16:15‑19, 2 Tim 2:20, Eph 2:19, Heb 3:6, 1 Pet 2:5, 1 Pet 4:17, Ro 16:5 and the ‘temple of God’ is found in Lk 11:51, 2 Thess 2:4, 1 Cor 3:16‑17, 2 Cor 6:16, Eph 2:21.  We find in 1 Cor 3:17 and Eph 2:21 that all true Christians make up the temple which is holy:

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.  (1Co 3:17)

 

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.  (Eph 2:19-22)

The temple (house) of God was built in the holy city, Jerusalem, which we shall now examine.

–          The Significance of Jerusalem

On the surface, the Abomination of Desolation being placed in the Holy Place, Jerusalem has been taken by many (mostly pre-millennialists and preterists) to simply mean that there will be a literal abomination of desolation (e.g., idol) that will be placed in a future rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.  Unfortunately, this belief gives many people a false assurance that the ‘Great Tribulation’ and the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ is not yet in place.  This belief provides normalcy to today’s culture and assurance that the culture today is not as bad as what will happen in the future Great Tribulation.

However, to understand the symbolic language in the Olivet Discourse (Mat 24, Mk 13, Lk 21), we have to compare Scripture with Scripture (1 Cor 2:13) in order to find the spiritual meaning of the passages.  For example, in Lk 21:23-24, the language that people will fall by the ‘sword’ is obviously not literal since the implements of war and battle today most definitely do not involve swords to any significant degree.  Also, most prophetic language whether it be in the book of Revelation or the Old Testament prophets is highly symbolic.

It is also important to understand that the earthly ‘Jerusalem’ holds a special significance since it is the chosen location, a location where God’s name will exist forever:

• And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: (2Ch 33:7)
• But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. (2Ch 6:6)
• And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: (1Ki 8:48)
• And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there forever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. (1Ki 9:3)

In addition, Jerusalem is called the holy city throughout the Bible: Neh 11:1, 11:18, Is 48:2, 52:1, Is 60:14, Mat 27:53, Mat 4:5.

–          Spiritual Israel and Spiritual Judah

–          The New Testament Fulfillment of Israel and Judah

It is also important to recognize that true Christians are referred to in the Bible as being the true fulfillment of spiritual Israel and Judah.  In order to understand who spiritual Israel is, we must understand that God originally made an everlasting covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (later name changed to Israel).  We find that the God of Israel has made an everlasting covenant with Israel (2 Sam 23:5, 2 Sam 7:14-16, Je 32:40, 33:25-26, Eze 37:26, Heb 13:20, etc.).  Also, in the Old Testament, we find repeated mention that God called Israel ‘My People’ (e.g., 1 Ki 16:2, 1 Chr 17:6, Ps 50:7, 81:8, Jer 12;14, etc.).

In the book of Hosea, we find an important parable concerning God and Israel.  Hosea was commanded by the Lord to take a wife of whoredoms, which he did (Hos 1:1-3).  She had three children, which all served as examples that God would put away Israel (pictured by the wife of whoredoms) (see Hos 1:4-11).  For example, we find this of the third child Loammi:

Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.  (Hos 1:9-11)

The example of Loammi was that God was casting away Israel, such that they would not be His people.  This was the nation of Israel, who committed harlotry by serving other gods and idols.  But, in the passage above, the everlasting covenant with Abraham is remembered since the number of Israel shall ultimately still be as the ‘sand of the sea’ (Gen 13:16, 32:12, etc.).  We also see similar promises in Hos 2:14-23, where we see the promise of God that He will have mercy upon people who previous were not God’s people and they will become His people.

These important passages in Hosea 1-2 are quoted in the New Testament (1 Pet 2:10, Ro 9:25-26) as referring to the New Testament church that contains Jew and Gentile alike:

 

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  (1 Pe 2:9-10, see quote from Hos 2:23)

 

In addition, the passage in Ro 9 even provides much more insight into who spiritual Israel is:

Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he says also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.  (Rom 9:24-26)

The above passage (see verse 24) clearly involves the inclusion of the Gentiles into the promises of God.  The fulfillment of Hosea chapters 1 and 2 is found in the New Testament that both Jew and Gentile alike may become part of the household of God.  Therefore, the promises to Israel in the book Hosea are fulfilled not only in those of the tribes of Israel physically, but also people from all ends of the world.  Earlier in Romans chapter 9, Paul reports that he has heaviness of heart (Ro 9:2) for Israel since they are not following Christ.  But Paul in Romans 9:6-8 concludes this:

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.  (Rom 9:6-8, see also Gal 3:7, 16, 28‑29, Heb 2:16, Ro 4:13-16, etc. concerning the seed)

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit concludes that it is the children of promise who are the children of God, not those of the flesh.  In verse 6, Paul says that ‘they are not all Israel, which are of Israel’.  In other words, there is a physical Israel and there is a spiritual Israel.  Just because one may be physically descended from Jacob (Israel) does not mean that they are spiritual Israel.  Later in Romans 9:9-23, the principle of God’s election and the fact that He can save and gather into the kingdom of His people is not dependent upon the flesh, but is dependent upon God’s will since he is the potter and we are merely the clay (Ro 9:21-23).

Similarly, in Romans 2:28-29, God provides us another clear definition of who is a true (spiritual) Jew (i.e., one from Judah, son if Israel):

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.  (Rom 2:28-29)

This is another very clear Scripture that says that if one is really a Jew, it is because they have circumcised hearts (i.e., all true Christians, see Gal 6:15, Col 2:11-12).  Therefore, a true spiritual Jew is the person who has been born again, having their hearts circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, but by Christ.

Continuing on in Ro 9:27-28, we find another citation in Romans 9 that refers to Christians (true spiritual Israel) which extracted from the book of Isaiah, which referred to Israel:

Isaiah also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.  (Rom 9:27-28, see Isaiah 10:22-23)

 

This Scripture refers to Israel of the Old Testament, but finds its fulfillment in the church of the New Testament that contains Jew and gentile alike.  Finally Romans 9 has one addition citation from the Old Testament that referred to Judah, but had its fulfillment in the church of the New Testament:

 

And as Isaiah said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  (Rom 9:29-33)

 

The final verse in this passage regarding the stone of stumbling and rock of offence has its roots in Old Testament verses (Ps 118:22, Is 8:14-15, Is 28:16) which clearly have Israel / Judah in focus.

–          The Twain shall be made One

In addition to many, many verses in the New Testament that are allusions, quotes and references to Old Testament verses that refer to Israel / Judah, the New Testament provides other clear evidence that, in Jesus Christ, there is no distinction between Jew or Gentile.  Combined in Christ, they are spiritual Israel:

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grow unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph 2:11-22)

The following Scripture refers to spiritual Israel, who have received the peace and mercy of God.

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

(Gal 6:16)

The following Scripture would need to refer to Israel ‘after the flesh’ if there was not another spiritual Israel:

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?  (1Co 10:18)

Returning to the book of Romans, chapter 11 provides similar insight into the fact that the entirety of Israel is Jew and Gentile alike:

I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree  (Rom 11:11-17)

 

The above passage informs us that not all of Israel is lost.  Although by and large, a substantial portion of physical Israel / Judah have no interest in following Christ, there is always a remnant.  Both Israel and Gentile can be combined into the same olive tree:

Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.  (Rom 11:18-32)

 

Both Israel and Gentile were in unbelief, but God can have mercy on all the elect, whether of Israel or Gentile.

One final example is worthwhile examining.  In Acts 13:47, Paul and Barnabas, in response to opposition from Jews, preached this in Antioch:

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.  (Act 13:47)

These statements are referenced from various Old Testament verses / prophecies that Israel would include the Gentiles from all over the world: Is 42:6, 49:6, 45:22-25, Is 52:9-10, Amos 9:11-15, Zeph 3:9-13, etc.).

–           Jesus Christ is Israel

In Mat 2:15 (w/ Ex 4:22, Num 24:8, Hos 11:1), we find an important truth that Jesus Christ is actually the fulfillment of Israel.  The name Israel literally means ‘Prince of God’.  We know that Jesus is the ‘Prince of life’ (Acts 3:15), the exalted Prince (Acts 5:31), the Prince of princes (Dan 8:25) and the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6).

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.  (Mat 2:15)

 

And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.  (Exo 4:22-23)

 

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.  (Hos 11:1)

–          The Church is the True Circumcision

These following verses indicate that the circumcision of the Old Testament (Gen 17:5-11) had a spiritual meaning involving the need to being circumcised in the heart:

• For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Php 3:3)
• Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. (Deu 10:16)
• And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. (Deu 30:6)
• If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. (Jer 4:1)
• Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart. (Jer 9:26)
• Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Rom 4:9-13)
• And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Col 2:10-13)

–          The New Covenant is Made with the House of Israel / Judah

A comparison of Heb 8:10, 10:16‑17, Jer 31:34 clearly indicates that although the promise was addressed to Israel / Judah in the Jer 31:34, the fulfillment was in all true Christians, whether Jew or Gentile:

• Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jer 31:31-34)
• For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: (Heb 8:10)
• Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Heb 10:15-17)

–          Other Scriptures that Point to the Fulfillment of Israel / Judah in Christians

Rev 2:9, Rev 3:9,12, 21:2,10 1 Pet 2:5‑6, 2:10 (w/ Hos 1:10, 2:23), Heb 3:7‑4:11, Mat 19:27‑28, Gal 2:15FF,  4:26, 6:16, 1 Cor 10:1,18,  Eph 2:11‑22, Heb 12:22, 2 Pet 3:2 (w/1:19‑21), Acts 5:31, 7:52, Heb 2:12, Ps 22:22‑23 (w/ Heb 2:12), Jude 5, John 11:52, Rev 21:12‑15, James 1:1, Lk 6:26, Mat 15:24, Lk 1:33,54, Col 3:11, Gen 22:17, 2 Cor 6:16 (w/ Ez 37:15‑28), Mat 10:6, Ez 34:11ff, Ps 78:52 (w/ John 10), Is 44:1‑5, Amos 5:1, 8:2, Mat 21:18‑22, Mk 11:12‑14

–          The Holy Place is Wherever God and His People are

In Dan 9:24, we find this important Scripture:

 

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

(Dan 9:24)

In the context of Dan 9:24-27, we find that the 70 weeks of prophecy occur all the way to the end of time, which is Judgment day (…even until the consummation, and that determined, is poured out on the desolate, Dan 9:27).  Notably in Dan 9:24, we find that the holy city (i.e., Jerusalem) is referred to.  This holy city represents the location of God’s people throughout time.   Preceding the Dan 9:24-27, 70 weeks prophecy, Daniel’s prayer to the Lord God was that his anger would be turned away from His city Jerusalem, His holy mount (Zion – see Ps 2:6, Is 4:3, 12:6, 52:1, 60:14, Joel 2:1, 3:17, Zech 8:3).  This holy mount refers to Mount Zion referred to in Scripture as being located in Jerusalem and represented God’s dwelling place with His people (see Mat 21:5, John 12:15, Ro 9:33, Ro 11:26, Heb 12:22, 1 Pet 2:6, Rev 14:1).

In Is 48:1-2, the Holy city Jerusalem is referred to as where Israel resides (see discussion below on who spiritual Israel is).  Also, Is 62:12 refers to God’s holy people (i.e., saints) who are the redeemed of the Lord and they shall be called ‘a city not forsaken).  In other words, the true people of God make up His holy city Jerusalem.

In Is 60:14, we find that Jerusalem will be called the ‘city of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel’.  Similarly, Is 52:1 declares:

Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.  (Isa 52:1)

We find in this passage that Zion (i.e., the mountain of God) is connected to Jerusalem, the holy city and will ultimately become the holy habitation of only those who are the true people of God.  It is this city that will be like a glorious river, the streams which shall make glad the city of God, the holy tabernacles of the most High.

Ultimately in Rev 21:10, 22:19, we find a reference to the holy city Jerusalem as the heavenly city where are those that are part of God’s kingdom dwell.  This is the bride (true Christians) that comes down prepared for her Husband, Christ (Rev 21:2).   However, prior to this glorious day, we find that Jerusalem is pictured as the place during the Great Tribulation, which will be tread under foot of the Gentiles for 42 months (Rev 11:2).

–          Where is the Holy Place, Jerusalem Today?

The question that could be asked is whether the temple of the Old Testament and physical Jerusalem is still the Holy Place of God today.   We know that the tabernacle of the wilderness, as well as Solomon’s temple (and later Herod’s temple) no longer exist today.  Therefore, those locations are not the Holy Place today.  Jerusalem still exists, but we find in Scripture that Jerusalem in the Bible is where God and His people dwell.  Therefore, Jerusalem should not be limited to a particular city, but rather Jerusalem is wherever God’s people are together in the name of Jesus Christ.  Similarly the temple (house) of God today is the body of true Christians.

We know from the Olivet Discourse that the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ will be set up in the Holy Place (Jerusalem, where the temple / house of God was).  We have also established the true spiritual Israel and spiritual Jew is anyone who is a true child of God (whether male or female, whether Jew or Greek).  We are all Abraham’s seed and heir to the promises of God (Gal 3:26-29).  Christians are also typified as the ‘house of God’ (John 14:2, 2 John 10, 1 Cor 16:15‑19, 2 Tim 2:20, Eph 2:19, Heb 3:6, 1 Pet 2:5, 1 Pet 4:17, Ro 16:5) and the ‘temple of God’ (Lk 11:51, 2 Thess 2:4, 1 Cor 3:16‑17, 2 Cor 6:16, Eph 2:21).  Both the house of God and the temple of God were located in Jerusalem.  We find the following facts concerning Jerusalem in the New Testament:

Earthly Jerusalem

Where the 1^st Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ Originates From:

• It is where Simeon (just and devout) awaited the consolation of Israel – Lk 2:25
• It is where Anna awaited the redemption – Lk 2:38
• Where Daughters of Jerusalem were – Lk 23:38
• Jesus commanded disciples to wait there for the Holy Spirit – Lk 24:44, Acts 1:4
• Repentance preached beginning at Jerusalem – Lk 24:47
• Christians are to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth – Acts 1:8
• Gospel preached in Judea and Jerusalem – Acts 2:14
• The church began in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (3000 baptized – Acts 2:41) – Acts 2
• 5000 believed – Acts 4:4
• 120 waiting for day of Pentecost – Acts 1:15
• Early church active in Jerusalem – Acts 4:6, 5:16
• Filled with apostles doctrine – Acts 5:29
• Disciples multiplied greatly – Acts 6:7
• Peter came from there – Acts 11:2, 11:22
• Prophets originated from Jerusalem to Antioch – Acts 11:27
• Saul joins disciples at Jerusalem – Acts 9:26-28, Gal 1:17-18, 2:1
• Paul and Barnabas returned to Jerusalem after 1^st missionary journey – Acts 12:25
• First church council – Acts 15
• Ordination of elders and apostles – Acts 16:4
• Paul fully preached Gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum – Ro 15:19

Where religious activity occurs:

• It was referred to as a Holy City – Mat 4:5, Mat 27:53
• Jesus presented to the Lord by parents – Lk 2:22
• Swear not by since it is the city of the great king – Mat 5:34-35
• Where the unsaved Pharisees, priests and scribes were – Lk 22:2, 23:10, Acts 4:5, 6:2, 23:9
• Jerusalem is a type of being under the bondage of the law (Hagar, Mt. Sinai) – Gal 4:25-26
• Where the Old Testament feasts and Sabbaths were held – John 7:1-14, John 2:23, 6:4, 12:1, 13:1, 18:28, 1 Cor 5:7, etc.

Where persecution of Jesus Christ and Christians Occur:

• Where the early church was persecuted – Acts 3-4
• No prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem – Lk 13:33-34, Mat 23:37-38
• Jesus to die at Jerusalem – Lk 9:31
• Jesus condemned / suffered at Jerusalem (priests and scribes) – Mat 20:17-18, Mat 16:21
• Where all things that were written would be accomplished – Lk 18:31
• Paul persecuted followers of the Way and brought them to Jerusalem – Acts 9:2
• Pau did evil to saints – Acts 9:13, 21
• Great persecution at Jerusalem – spread disciples abroad, except apostles – Acts 8:1, 14
• Paul returns bound in spirit – Acts 20:21-22, 21:4, 22:5
• Paul should leave since he will not be received – Acts 22:17-18
• Paul sent there to be killed – Acts 25:3
• Paul received judgment in Jerusalem – Acts 25:1, 7, 9, 15, 20, 24 (priests and scribes)
• Contribution for poor saints at Jerusalem – Ro 15:25-26, 31, 1 Cor 16:3

Represents the church trodden down by the Gentiles during Great Tribulation – Lk 21:24, Rev 11:2

Summary of Earthly Jerusalem:

We find that Jerusalem was the original headquarters for the Christian church.  The Holy Spirit was given in Jerusalem and the Gospel and missionaries were dispatched from Jerusalem.  However, it was also a center of Christian persecution by the religious establishment that was there.

Heavenly Jerusalem:

It is very important to understand that the true spiritual Jerusalem is the dwelling place of God:

• But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Gal 4:26)
• But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels (Heb 12:22)
• Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Rev 3:12)
• And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband…And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God (Rev 21:2, 21:10, see also Rev 22:19, Is 65:17-25)

All the above verses from the New Testament clearly identify for us that the true spiritual Jerusalem is the heavenly Jerusalem. This heavenly Jerusalem is the dwelling place of God and His people in the new heavens and the new earth (Rev 21:1) since the first earth and first heavens will be destroyed (2 Pet 3:7-14). The entire chapter of Revelation describes the true, new Jerusalem, which is the city of God.  We find that New Jerusalem is the true church (i.e., all of God’s saved people from all times).  Therefore, it is likened as a bride prepared for her Husband, who is Jesus Christ (Eph 5:22-23, 32).  Additionally, in Rev 21:3, we find that this new Jerusalem is the tabernacle (i.e., tent) of God where God will dwell with His people.  Therefore, we find that the true heavenly Jerusalem is the eternal dwelling place of God and His people, which was typified by earthly Jerusalem and the earthly tabernacle of Israel in the wilderness.  Also, we find in Hebrews 9:24 that the Holy of Holies (i.e., the inner holy place) of the temple of God also symbolized heaven itself.

In the Old Testament, we also find that Jerusalem is the location where God would place his name forever (see also, 2 Chr 33:4, 2 Chr 6:6, 2 Chr 7:16, 1 Ki 8:29, 1 Ki 9:3, Deut 26:2, etc.):

Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

(Deu 12:11)

 

However, we find that when Jesus was speaking with the Samaritan woman that the worship of God occurs not only in a physical place, but all those who worship God worship Him in spirit and in truth:

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (Joh 4:20-23)

Jesus emphasizes that earthly Jerusalem is not the focus of where we are to worship.  It is God who is our focus, who dwells in heavenly Jerusalem, the city of God (Gal 4:26, Heb 12:22).

Moreover, we find ample evidence in the Old Testament that God dwells in heavenly Jerusalem:

• Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. (Psa 135:21)
• For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. (Psa 132:13-17)

Other passages that testify to spiritual heavenly Jerusalem include:

• Is 52:1-12, Is 45:11‑25, Is 65:17-25, Is 60:14-15, Is 40:1-9, Is 62:1-12, Ps 102:12-28, Ps 116:13-19, Ps 122, Ps 125, Ps 128, Ps 135:21, Ps 137, Ps 147

Symbolic References to Church (all holy):

• Jerusalem – Gal 4:26, Heb 12:22, Ps 135:21
• Where 2 or 3 are gathered together in Jesus’ name – Mat 18:15-20
  • Christians are saints – Acts 9:13, Ro 1:7, 16;:, 1 Cor 1:2, etc.
• The house of God – 1 Tim 3:14-15, 2 Tim 2:20, Eph 2:19, Heb 3:6
• The temple of God – 2 Thess 2:4, 1 Cor 3:16‑17, 2 Cor 6:16, Eph 2:21
• Jesus is the cornerstone – Ps 118:22, Mat 21:42, Acts 4:11, Eph 2:20, 1 Pet 2:6

But the earthly church contains both saved and unsaved – 1 Cor 11:18-19, Mat 7:21-23, Lk 13:23-30, Acts 8:12-20, etc.

–          Worshiping / Serving – the Altar of Baal (Satan) in the Church

It is important to understand that the church in the Old Testament was Israel (later separated into the northern 10 tribes of Israel and the southern two tribes of Judah and Benjamin).  In Acts 7:37-38, the Bible informs us that Moses was in the church in the wilderness (which was Israel).   This church ultimately became apostate resulting in the northern tribes (Israel) being taken into captivity by Assyria and the southern tribes (Judah) being taken into captivity by Babylon.  The reason for captivity, in part, was that Israel / Judah turned from the worship of Jehovah God to the worship of Baal.  It is interesting that Jesus Christ called the Pharisees children of the devil and that they were like their father Satan (John 8:38, 41, 44) who was a liar and a murderer.  At this time the Israel, the ‘church’ was under the control and influence of Satan.

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be forever.

(2Ch 33:1-4, see also 2 Ki 21:1-4)

As we find in the above verses, King Manasseh built altars in the house of the Lord to serve Baal.  This in in direct violation of the 2^nd commandment (Ex 20:4-6) to not worship idols.  Contrary to that commandment, Israel / Judah worshiped and served Baal (1 Ki 19:18, Ro 11:4, 1 Ki 16:31, 22:53, 2 Ki 10:19-23).  In the original design for the House of the Lord, it was commanded by God that there were two altars.  The first was the altar of burnt offerings (where certain animals were sacrificed, see Ex 27:1-8, 38:1-7). However this altar was established in the court of the house of the Lord and not in the holy place itself (Ex 40:6, 29-30, 33).  The second was the altar of incense, where sweet incense was burned as a fragrance to the Lord (Ex 30:1-10, 37:25-29.  This altar was in the holy place (Ex 40:26, Heb 9:4).  The sacrifices of animals were intended to be symbols for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (e.g., Heb 9:11-27, 10:1-18), while the burning of incense on the incense altar represent the continual prayers that God’s people offer up as a sweet smelling aroma (Rev 5:8, 8:3-4, Ps 141:2, Lk 1:10).  In addition to these symbols, we find that Israel / Judah built altars for Baal where apparently sacrifices (including human) and incense were burned:

Sacrifices:

• Jud 6:25-32, I Ki 16:32, 18:26, 2 Ki 11:18, 21:3, 2 Chr 23:17, 33:3, 34:3, Jer 11:13, 19:15

Incense:

• Jer 7:9, 11:13, 11:17, 32:29, Hos 11:2

It is important to note that the altars were placed in the house of the Lord.  Sacrifices were not to be made in the house of the Lord.  The sacrifices were performed in the court (representing that Jesus was crucified outside of the Holy Place – Heb 13:8-13).

We previous saw that Baal is a symbol or type of Satan himself (see Mat 12:22-29).  Also, we know from 2 Chr 33:2-4, 2 Ki 21:2-4, Jer 7:9-11, Jer 32:35 that the worship of Baal (literally, ‘lord’ or ‘master’) is an abomination.

–          Summary of Holy Place

Based on the above, we find that the ultimate fulfillment of the ‘Holy Place’ is heavenly Jerusalem where God dwells.  Heavenly Jerusalem is the bride of Christ, which is the total sum of the entire true church of God, God’s people from all ages.  It is where God dwells in one with His church, the body of Christ.  Earthly Jerusalem houses the temple (house) of God, which are all true Christians (a place where He has put His name).  Currently this name is ‘Christian’.  But, God’s church is dispersed physically and is mixed with unsaved people that are not the elect of God, even though they may ‘believe’ in Jesus.  God’s people, like wheat amongst tares (Mat 13:24-30, 36-43) are intermingled with unsaved people.  Earthly Jerusalem is in bondage and attempts to reach God through a works-based salvation plan (Gal 4:25-26) and represents all works-based religion.  Nonetheless, the Holy Place is where God’s people dwell.  Where two or three Christians are gathered in His name, so Christ is there (Mat 18:20).  The holy city Jerusalem represents the location of God’s people, which is the house (temple) of God.  The ultimate fulfillment is the heavenly city above that comes down to the new heavens and new earth (Rev 21, Heb 12:22, etc.) for the eternity after Judgment Day.  Because God’s people that are living are on the earth, the Holy City on earth exists wherever God’s people are gathered together in the name of Jesus Christ.  The Holy City, Jerusalem, was the original location of the church that was begun on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

Daniel 8 – The Little Horn that Desolates

–          Background to Daniel 8

Daniel 8 describes a vision seen by Daniel the prophet (Dan 8:1-2).  The vision was of two beasts: a ram and a he goat (Dan 8:3-5).  The ram had two horns, one higher than the other (Dan 8:3) and the he goat had a ‘notable horn’ (Dan 8:5). We are told in the interpretation of then vision (Dan 8:15-21) that the ram represents the Media-Persian kingdom (Dan 8:20) and the he goat represented the kingdom of Greece (Dan 8:21).  The two horns of the ram would be the two kingdoms of Media and Persia, with Persia being the larger horn.  The he goat attacked the ram and broke his two horns and cast him to the ground and stomped on him (Dan 8:6-7).  The interpretation tells us that that the great horns between the he goats eyes are the first king (Dan 8:21), which would be Alexander the Great (one of the most famous kings of all time).  The he goat became very strong, but the great horn was broken and four other horns came up towards the four winds of Heaven (Dan 8:8, 8:22).  History tells us that these four kingdoms were the kingdoms of Alexander’s four generals.  Out of one of the four horns came a ‘little horn’, which became exceedingly great (Dan 8:9).

–          The Time of the ‘Little Horn’

The interpretation tells us that the little horn (Dan 8:9) appears is in the latter time of their kingdom when the transgressors come to the full (Dan 8:23).  We also find that this little horn will ultimately stand against the Prince of princes, at which time he shall magnify himself to the Prince of the host and be broken without a hand (Dan 8:25).  We also find a key linkage in Dan 8:13 to the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ discussed in Mat 24:15 and Mk 13:14, where this abomination is referred to as the ‘transgression of desolation’.  Consider the following verses:

• Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. (Dan 8:11)
• Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? (Dan 8:13)
• And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. (Dan 8:23)
• And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Dan 8:25)

Because we have already seen that the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ of ‘transgression of desolation’ occurs at the time of the Great Tribulation just before the return of Christ (see Mat 24:15 with Mat 24:21), we see that the ‘little horn’ is a final king that rises out of the remnant of the Grecian kingdom in the last days before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  This is also corroborated by Dan 8:25 since we find that the ‘little horn’ will stand up to the Prince of princes and be broken without hand.  The phrase Prince of princes would most rationally be Jesus Christ since we find that the Second Coming of Christ is judgment day when He comes with His holy angels to bring judgment on those who did not obey the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Th 1:6-10).  Also, we find that Jesus is referred to as the Prince (same Hebrew word as that used in Dan 8:25) of peace (Is 9:6, Gen 49:10).  In the Old Testament, the word ‘prince’ (H8269) simply means a head or lead person.  At judgment day, when judgment will come where people will be broken by the Word of God (and not by a hand):

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.  (Rev 19:11-16, 19-21)

We see in this passage that judgment day is led by Jesus Christ, as the Word of God.  Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword to smite the nations (i.e., he smites them by the written Word, not by literal sword).  In fact, in Rev 19:21, we find that the judgment is by the sword that proceeded out of His mouth.

We also find that the ‘little horn’ will exist when the transgressors have come to the full (Dan 8:23).  This is a parallel passage to 2 Th 2:1-4:

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2Th 2:1-4)

In fact, the 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 passage regarding the ‘man of sin’ (2 Thess 2:1-12) since we find many of the same characteristics between the ‘little horn’ of Daniel 8 and the ‘man of sin’.  In 2 Thess 2:3, we find that there will be a great ‘falling away’ (apostasy) prior to the revealing of the man of sin.  Similarly, in Dan 8:23, there is a time when the ‘transgressors’ have reached their full.  The Hebrew word for ‘transgression’ (H6586) literally means one that revolts or rebels (e.g., see Is 1:2, 1 Ki 12:19, 2 Ki 8:20, etc.).  The Greek word for ‘fall away’ in 2 Thess 2:3 carries a similar meaning of standing away from or commits apostasy (rebels) from the faith.

Based on the above, it should be clear that the ‘little horn’ exists at the latter time, just before the Second Coming of Christ, which is the Great Tribulation period of time.

–          Description of the Little Horn

Little horn came out of one of the four horns (Dan 8:9, 21-22) – Historically, the four horns of Greece were the four generals of the Alexander the Great.  However, Greece later fell to the Roman Empire, but the Roman empire incorporated a lot of the Greek culture and knowledge, such that the present western civilization is basically a derivation of the Greaco-Roman culture.  Much of today’s society and languages are built upon the laws, culture and languages of the Greeks and Romans.  Although at the time of the writing of the New Testament in the first century After Christ, the Romans were clearly the world power, the language of the Greeks was used in the writing of the New Testament and also Greeks are referred to many times in the New Testament (e.g., Ro 1:16, Ro 10:12, 1 Cor 1:22-24, Gal 3:28, etc.), notably with regard to their wisdom (1 Cor 1:22-24, Ro 1:24).  Notably, in Ro 1:24, the Greek is contrasted to the Barbarian as the Greek being ‘wise’ (worldy wisdom, while the Barbarian is unwise in worldly matters.  Therefore, we can understand that this end-time ‘little horn’ is closely related to the Greek culture which is highlighted by its worldly wisdom.

King of fierce countenance stands up (Dan 8:23) – The Hebrew word for fierce (‘az’, H5794) essentially means strong or harsh.  The word ‘countenance’ is typically the word used for ‘before’ or ‘face’ (paniym, H6440) and is used more than 2000 times in the Old Testament.  There is only one other Old Testament occurrence where ‘az’ and ‘paniym’ are used together (Deut 28:50).  As we have already seen, the context of Deuteronomy 28 is the judgment on God’s people (including desolation) for their disobedience (see Deut 28:15-68).  The immediate context of Deut 28:50 is this:

Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee. And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave: So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates. The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter, And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates.  (Deu 28:47-57)

The above prophecy in Deuteronomy had its fulfillment in the siege of Jerusalem by the king of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar.  Many of the descriptions are allusions to events discussed later in 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah, Lamentations and Ezekiel.   It is important to note that the king of Babylon is an allusion to Satan himself (see Is 14:3-23).  Also, we find confirmation that the fierceness of countenance is the king of Babylon in Isaiah 19:4.  The context of Isaiah 19 is a prophecy against Egypt where they are being given over to a ‘fierce’ king (which was the king of Babylon – see Jer 46:26, Eze 29:19).

Therefore, we find a strong correlation between the little horn and the king of Babylon.   This is similar to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, which discusses the man of sin, which is the son of perdition.  We see that the man of sin, son or perdition is inspired by the working of Satan.  The king of Babylon is likened until Satan (Lucifer) in Is 14:12-13 and is also called a man in Is 14:16.  The reference in 2 Thessalonians to the son of perdition is tied to Judas Iscariot (John 17:2), who was indwelled by Satan (Luke 22:3).

In summary, the little horn of Daniel 8 can be likened to the king of Babylon, who is a type of Satan.  Also, the 2 Thessalonians ‘son of perdition’ is the end time entity that, as the son of perdition, is indwelt by Satan.  The little horn is likely the same entity as the man of sin / son of perdition found in 2 Thessalonians 2.

King that can understand dark sentences (Dan 8:23) – The king, the little horn will have an understanding of ‘dark sentences’.  The Hebrew word for ‘dark sentences’ is chiydah (H2420) and occurs 17 times in the Old Testament.  In almost all cases, it has to do with an understanding of the mysteries / parables of the Word of God.  For example, in Ps 49:4, David (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) says that he will incline his ear to a parable, he will open his ‘dark saying’ on his harp.  In Ps 78:2, Asaph says ‘I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old’.  This Psalm ultimately referred to Jesus Christ in Mat 13:11-13, 34-35 where the Bible says in Mat 13:34-35 concerning Jesus Christ:

All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. (Mat 13:34-35)

In other words, to the multitudes, Jesus spoke in parables.  In Mat 13:10-17, Jesus explained that he spoke in parables so that those who had would have deeper understanding, while those who did not have an understanding would be further blinded (disinterested).

Other passages where the Old Testament word translated as ‘dark sayings’ is used in reference to the Word of God is Jud 14:12-19Eze 17:2, Num 12:8, Pr 1:6, 1 Ki 10:1, 2 Chr 9:1, Hab 2:6.  The context of all these Scriptures refers to the Word of God.

Therefore, we see that the little horn is a king who can understand the Word of God.  This entity has knowledge of the ways of God.  This is similar to Satan who quoted Scripture when tempting Jesus (e.g., Mat 4:6, Ps 91:11-12).  But, Satan perverted Ps 91:11-12, which Jesus promptly corrected (Mat 4:7).  We also see that in the Garden of Eden, Satan perverted what God had told Adam and Eve concerning taking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 3:1-5).  We also know that Satan and his demonic ministers appear to be angels of light (2 Cor 11:3-4, 13-15).  There are many examples throughout the New Testament of false teachers that ‘distort’ the Word of God.  So, it is no wonder that this little horn, who magnifies himself to the Prince of princes would also appear as a Bible-believing person, but in reality comes to distort the truth as we shall investigate further below.

–          The Actions of the Little Horn

–          His heavenly target

Waxed great to the host of heaven, cast down of the host and the stars to the ground and stomped on them (His power is mighty, but not by his own power) – Dan 8:10, 24:

We find that the little horn became great, even to the host of heaven.  The phrase ‘host of heaven’ is used at least 20 times in the Bible (mostly the Old Testament).  The word ‘host’ is used extensively in the Old Testament (~475 occurrences) and also in the New Testament (2 occurrences – Lk 2:13, Acts 7:42).  The word ‘host’ literally means a very large group of people (i.e., army).  In the Old Testament, the word ‘hosts’ is used close to 300 times as referring to the ‘LORD of hosts’ (i.e., Jehovah God and His armies of angels – e.g., Is 6:3, Is 28:5, Ps 46:7, Ps 84:3, etc., etc.).  The other 175 or so occurrences either refer to physical armies of people of the host of heaven, referring to angels.

When we examine the phrase ‘host of heaven’ we find two specific meanings: physical stars and angels of heaven.  Regarding the angels of Heaven, we find the following examples.

1. Micaiah saw Lord sitting on throne with the host of heaven (angels) on His right and left – 1 Ki 22:19, 2 Chr 18:18-22
2. Host of heaven worship the LORD – Neh 9:6
3. Heavenly host worshiping at Jesus birth – Lk 2:13-15
4. Multitude of host worshiping God in heaven – Rev 5:11
5. Little horn became great to the host of heaven, cast down some of the host to the ground – Dan 8:10, Dan 8:24, see also Rev 12:4 where Satan cast down 1/3 of the stars of heaven)

Similarly, we find that the word ‘star’ is often used not only to refer to the physical stars, but also to the angels of heaven. In addition to the phrase ‘host of heaven’ we find additional evidence in the Bible that physical stars are used as a type of angels:

Old Testament:

 

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for ‘star’ (H35567, kokab) occurs more than 35 times.  In the ln Testament, we find that stars are used to represent the following entities:

• The offspring that will come from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (represents Christians in Gal 3:16, 29, Ro 4:13-16, etc) – Gen 15:5, 22:17, 26:4, Ex 32:13, Deut 1:10, 10:22, 28:62, 1 Chr 27:23, Neh 9:23
• The 12 sons of Israel (represents the church of God) – Gen 37:9
• Jesus Christ as the Star of Jacob in Balaam’s parable – Num 24:15-17
• Those who fought against Sisera in the Song of Deborah and Barak – Jud 5:20
• The sons of God (morning stars, i.e., angels) singing – Job 38:7
• Entities that God calls by name – Ps 147:4
• Those who are to praise God – Ps 148:3
• Those who Satan will be exalted over (i.e., bad angels) – Is 14:13 (see Is 14:12 – Lucifer, which literally means ‘brightness’ is the son of the morning)
• Those who the ‘little horn’ cast to the ground and stomped on (angels)  – Dan 8:10-12
• Believers (i.e., those wise people who turn people to righteousness) – Dan 12:1-3
• An idol – Amos 5:26
• Where a proud person (Edom) exalts himself above – Ob 1:4 (similar to Is 14:13)
• Merchants of Nineveh – Nah 3:16

As can be seen from the above list, most of the occurrences of ‘star’ in the Old Testament actually refer to people or angels. The only other occurrences of star in the Old Testament either refer to creation (Gen 1:16, Job 9:7, Ps 8:3, 136:9, Jer 31:35), worshiping the stars (Deut 4:19), the onset of nighttime (Neh 4:21), the falling or loss of stars on judgment day (Job 3:9, Ecc 12:2, Is 13:10, Ez 32:7, Joel 2:10, 3:15 ), the elevated nature of God being over the stars (Job 22:12, 25:5) and those who serve the occult (Is 47:13).

New Testament:

In the New Testament, the Greek word for ‘star’ (G792, aster) occurs 24 times (with 14 of these occurrences in Revelation).  Similar to the Old Testament, we find the use of ‘star’ in relation to the following entities:

• Jesus Christ – His star – Mat 2:2 ( see also Mat 2:7, 9-10 and Gal 4:14)
• The resurrected bodies of believers – 1 Cor 15:41 (2 occurrences)
• The false teachers crept into the church – Jude 13
• The angels of the 7 churches (Rev 1:16, 1:20, 3:1) (4 occurrences)
• The angel with the power to open the bottomless pit (Rev 9:1, see also Rev 20:1)
• Woman with crown of 12 stars (represents the church of God) – Rev 12:1
• Dragon cast 1/3 of stars of heaven to the earth (represents fallen angels) – Rev 12:4
• Jesus, the bright and morning Star (Rev 22:16, Rev 2:28, see also Num 24:17, Mat 2:2, Lk 1:78, 2 Pet 1:19)

The only other occurrences of star in the New Testament refer to the falling of stars on judgment day (Rev Mat 24:29, Mk 13:25, Rev 6:13) the star Wormwood (Rev 8:10-12), which both hold symbolic meanings.

In summary, we have seen that most of the occurrences of ‘star’ in the Bible actually symbolize actual entities such as Jesus Christ, Satan, angels, fallen angels (i.e., demons) or actual Christians.

The fact that the little horn cast down the host and the stars to earth and stomped on them is a direct correlation to the work of Satan in Rev 12:4 and Is 14:12-13.  But, we find that Dan 8:24 that the little horn’s power is mighty, but it is not by his own power.  This is very similar to the statement made in Rev 13 when referring to the dragon (Satan) giving the beast his power and authority:

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Rev 13:4-5)

Similar to Judas Iscariot (John 17:2, Lk 22:3), the ‘man of sin / son of perdition’ of 2 Thess 2 and the little horn of Dan 8, the ‘beast’ of Rev 13 was given power from Satan.  In Dan 8:10, when we see that the little horn stomped on the host and the stars, this should be understood as having authority over demons and false ministers.  Having someone under one’s feet represents having one in subjection – see Gen 3:15, Heb 1:13, 2:8‑15,10:13, Acts 2:34f, Mk 16:19, Mat 11:27, 22:44 ,26:64, 28:18,  Ps 8:6, 110:1, Eph 1:22, 1 Cor 15:24‑27, Rev 13:3, 12‑14, 19:10, Is 60:14.

Finally, it is important to note that the fallen host of demons is quite active in the false Christians church (known in Rev 17-18 as Babylon.  We find this important statement:

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.  (Rev 18:2-3)

We find that Babylon houses demons and therefore, it can be concluded that this worldly, apostate, organized Christian church is influenced by demons.  We find in 1 Tim 4:1 that in the latter times, people will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (i.e., demons).  James 3:14-16 notes that bitter envying and strife in the heart is contrary to truth and this type of ‘wisdom’ is demonic. James 3:16 states that this results in confusion (i.e., Babylon).  Other verses mention that it is possible to worship demons by our actions: 1Cor 10:20, Deut 32:17, Ps 106:37, Gal 4:8, Ex 22:20, 32:8, 34:15, 2 Chr 11:15, Lev 17:7).  These verses teach us that whatever we sacrifice our time and resources to, that is what we worship.  Worshiping of devils and giving heed to their seductions and doctrines is considered as idolatry as well (see 1 Tim 4:1, 1 Cor 10:20-21, Deut 32:17, Ps 106:37).

In summary, the little horn, by the power of Satan, has authority over demons and false ministers.

Magnified himself even to the prince of the host (Dan 8:11), stand against the Prince of princes (Dan 8:25) – Not only does the little horn have great authority over demons and false ministers, but in his pride he magnifies himself to Jesus Christ.  We find that in addition to Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus Christ (Mat 26:14-16, John 18:1-5, Acts 1:25), the 2 Thess 2 man of sin, the Revelation 13 beast and the Isaiah 14 king of Babylon also highly exalted themselves to the place of God:

• Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2Th 2:3-4)
• How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isa 14:12-14)
• And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Rev 13:4-6)

 

In summary, the goal of the Satan-powered little horn is to exalt himself in pride to the stature of God.

–          His churchly target using the Transgression of Desolation

Which waxed exceedingly great, toward the south and toward the east and toward the pleasant land (Dan 8:9) – The little horn also grew exceedingly great toward the south and toward the east and toward the pleasant land.  The statement south and east, would imply that the little horn was from the northwest direction of the pleasant land.  In the context of Daniel chapters 8 and 11, this sould suggest a Grecian origin (western culture) in the literal historical sense.  The pleasant land is single Hebrew word tsebiy (H6643), which literally means to grow in splendor.  This word is often is used for a deer (or gazelle), which was a clean animal (Deut 12:15, 22, Deut 14:5, 15:22) and noted to be very fast (1 Chr 12:8, Is 13:14, Pr 6:5) and could escape danger.  This word is used to represent something that is glorious (e.g., Is 13:19, 23:9, 24:16).  But, when it refers to land, it is used to symbolize the land of God’s people (e.g., Eze 20:5-6, IS 28:1, 2 Sam 1:19, Jer 3:19, Is 4:2, Eze 7:20, Dan 11:16, 41, 45).  We shall see later in the study of Dan Chapter 11 that the ‘pleasant land’ represents the location of God’s people.

Based on the above, we see that the little horn has, as his target, the place of God as his targeted location.  This accords with the fact that he magnifies himself to the prince of hosts, the Prince of princes (Dan 8:10-11) and the mighty people (Dan 8:24).

Daily taken away, place of sanctuary cast down, destroy wonderfully, destroy the mighty and holy people (Dan 8:11-14, 24, see also Dan 11:31, Dan 12:11)

–          Daily taken away

The Hebrew word for ‘daily’ is tamiyd which occurs about 100 times in the Old Testament and literally means ‘continuance’.  It is important to note that the word ‘sacrifice’ is added by the translators in Daniel 8:11-14, Dan 11:31 and Dan 12:11 and does not appear in the original text. However, in Dan 9:27, term sacrifice and offering is used in place of daily (see further discussion below on Daniel Chapter 9).

The Hebrew word for ‘daily’ appears throughout the Old Testament.  In Psalm 25:13, the Scripture says that ‘my eyes are ever toward the Lord’ and Ps 51:3 says that ‘my sin is ever before me’.  In Ps 105:4, we are instructed to seek the Lord’s face evermore.  In Pr 28:14 we are told that happy is the man that fears the Lord always.  In Ps 16:8, the Lord is always before me.  Other actions that were performed ‘continually’:

• Kindness and truth – Ps 40:11
• Love Salvation – Ps 40:16, 70:4
• Praise the lord – Ps 34:1, 35:27, Ps 71:6
• God’s love and truth to be continually preserved – Ps 40:11
• Continually resort to God – Ps 71:3
• Fear God always – Pr 28:14
• Set Lord before me always – Ps 105:4, Ps 16:8, Ps 25:15
• Magnify the Lord – Ps 35:27
• Prayer – Ps 72:14-15
• Servant who hear wisdom of Solomon – 1 Ki 10:8, 2 Chr 9:7
• Lord’s eyes always upon the land – Deut 11:12
• Soul in God’s hand – Ps 119:107
• Keeping commandments, God’s law, statutes – Pr 6:21, Ps 119:44, Ps 119:117, Ps 119:109
• Mephibosheth – eat at king’s table (type of salvation) – 2 Sam 9:7-13
• People who stand continually before Solomon for wisdom – 1 Ki 10:8, 2 Chr 9:7
• Stand upon the watchtower – Is 21:8
• Gates open continually for salvation – Is 60:11
• Pray without ceasing – Ps 88:1, Lk 2:37, Lk 18:7

These verses are significant, but let us look at the ceremonial law regarding sacrifices and offerings.  We find that there were various ceremonial activities that were performed in the tabernacle on a daily (continual) basis:

• Showbread – Ex 25:30, 2 Chr 2:4, Num 4:7
• The box always on Aaron’s head (high priest) – represents Word of God – Ex 28:38
• Aaron goes into Holy Place – Ex 28:29-30
• Lamps burning with oil – Ex 27:20, Lev 24:1-8
• Burnt offerings – Num 29:6, Neh 10:33, Ezra 3.5, Num 28:3-31, Num 29:11-38, Ex 29:38, 29:42, 1 Chr 16:40, Ps 50:8, 2 Chr 2:4, Lev 6:13 (fire on altar), (Ex 29:38, Num 28:3 (two lambs))
• Food (meat) offering – Num 4:16, Neh 10:33, Lev 6:20, Num 28:4-6 (with the two lambs), Eze 46:14-15
• Incense altar burning – Ex 30:8
• Could by day, pillar of fire by night continually – Num 9:16
• Aaron’s breastplate – Ex 28:29-30
• Zacahrias fulfilling the priest’s course – Lk 1:5, Lk 1:8
• Priests stood daily ministering offerings – Heb 7:27, 10:11

From the above, we can see that there were two primary usages of the Hebrew word for ‘daily’:

1. Daily actions that involve worship and fellowship with the Lord, and
2. Various actions associated with the ceremonial law (including sacrifices and offerings)

It should be apparent that all the actions of the ceremonial law pointed to the work of Christ.  Also, the ceremonial law had many symbols that represented the Holy Spirit (oil, light), the church (lampstand), Christians (light), the Word of God (bread, food, light, etc.) and prayer (incense).  Since the activities of the little horn occur in the latter days prior to the return of Christ, we should see that although the ceremonial law had daily physical activities that needed to be performed, we find in the New Testament that these activities were completed in Christ and typified greater truths about Him:

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.  (Col 2:14-17, see also Heb 8:5, 9:9, 10:1, 13:9, Gal 4:10-11, etc.)

Turning to the New Testament, we find the fulfillment of daily activities in the following verses:

• Give us this day our daily bread – Mat 6:11, Lk 11:3 (note: Jesus is the bread of life, Mat 4:4, John 6:51, 58, etc.)
• Exhort one another daily – Heb 3:13
• Paul’s daily care for the churches – 2 Cor 11:28
• Jesus taught daily – Lk 19:47
• Jesus daily in the temple – Mk 14:49, Lk 22:53, Mat 26:55
• Take up one’s cross daily – Lk 9:23
• Christians die daily in service to Christ – 1 Cor 15:31
• Paul disputing daily for Christ – Acts 19:9, 17:17
• Bereans searched Scriptures daily to verify truth – Acts 17:11
• Number of Christians increased daily – Acts 2:47, 3:2, 16:5
• Daily ministration to the saints – Acts 6:1
• Teaching and preaching daily – Acts 5:42
• Disciples met daily, broke bread and of one accord daily – Acts 2:46
• Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing – 1 Thess 5:16-17, 1 Thess 2:9, 2 Tim 1:3
• Present oneself as a living sacrifice – Ro 12:1-2
• Christians always delivered to death for Jesus’ sale – 2 Cor 4:11
• Paul offered upon the sacrifice of service– Phil 2:17, 2 Tim 4:6
• Offer the sacrifice of praise – Heb 13:15
• Christians are a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices – 1 Pet 2:5
• Helping Christians in need is a sacrifice (sweet savor) – Phil 4:18, Heb 13:16

It is reasonable to conclude that the ‘daily’ that was taken away was the Biblical expectation that Christians die daily by following Christ through Bible study, worship, witness, discipleship and service.  With these sacrifices and offerings God is well pleased.

Place of sanctuary cast down, destroy wonderfully, destroy the mighty and holy people:

We find the result of removing the normal daily Biblically-expected activities of Christians.  That is, we find destruction of the sanctuary (holy place).  In Dan 8:11, the Scripture tells us that the daily was taken away and the place of the sanctuary was cast down.  The Hebrew word for ‘place’ (H4349, H4350) points to a firm foundation, usually a godly place (Ex 15:17, Ps 97:2, Ps 89:14, Ps 104:5, 1 Ki 8:13, Ps 33:14, etc.).  In almost all cases, it refers to a holy place whether heavenly or earthly.  This is also confirmed by the usage of ‘sanctuary’ in Dan 8:11.  The word used for ‘sanctuary’ is based on the word for ‘holy’ and literally means a ‘holy place’.  As we studied earlier, the holy place is where God and His people are located.  It is also interesting to note that Dan 8:14 teaches us that after the ‘2300’ days of tribulation, the sanctuary will again be cleansed (literally made righteous).  During the tribulation period, the transgression of desolation will exist in the holy place.

We find in Dan 8:24 that as a result of the removal of the ‘daily’, God’s mighty and holy people are destroyed wonderfully.  The Hebrew word for ‘destroy’ is shachath (H7843) which literally means the decay or corrupt and is used about 150 times in the Old Testament.   As we shall see below in Dan 9:26, the prince that shall come (equates to the little horn) shall destroy the ‘city and the sanctuary’ referring to Jerusalem and the temple.  Also, we find that the same word used for destroy is used to describe the desolation of Jerusalem and the land of Judah by the king of Babylon:

And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?  (Jer 36:29)

We find the following verses which all are used to describe that Jerusalem, the land and the temple would be destroyed: 2 Chr 36:19, Is 14:20, Eze 5:16, Jer 5:10, 6:5, 13:9-14, 15:3, 15:6, Lam 2:5-8, Eze 9:8, Eze 22:30,

Of interest, we find in Jer 12:10 that the pastors of Judah were involved with the destruction of God’s vineyard by making it desolate:

 

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. (Jer 12:10)

 

Finally, in Ez 16:47, we find that Judah was more corrupted (destroyed) than Samaria in their abominations that they did:

Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways. (Eze 16:47)

Based on the above, it can be seen that because the daily was taken away, the holy people in the sanctuary (temple of God) were destroyed (i.e., made desolate).  This was due to their abominations.

Host was given him against daily by reason of transgression of desolation, cast down truth to the ground, practiced and prospered, through his policy causes craft (deceit) to prosper in his hand, he shall magnify himself and by peace shall destroy many (Dan 8:12-13, 8:25) –

We find that a host (i.e., army) was given unto the little horn against the ‘daily’.  Again, the word ‘sacrifice’ does not appear in the original Hebrew text but was added by the translators.  As we saw in Rev 18:4, Babylon is inhabited by all demons, foul spirits and hateful birds.  Similarly, the sanctuary of where God’s people are is overrun by many foul spirits (whether demonic or human).  The daily bread of following the Bible and serving God has been replaced by ‘reason of transgression’:

And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? (Dan 8:12-13)

Instead of using the phrase ‘Abomination of Desolation’ which is used in Mat 24:15, Mk 13:14, Dan 9:27, 11:31, Dan 12:11, the term ‘transgression of desolation’ is used here.  It is by this transgression that the daily was taken away.  The word ‘transgression is the Hebrew word pasha (H6588), which literally means revolt or rebellion (e.g., see Is 1:2, 1 Ki 12:19, 2 Ki 8:20, etc.) and occurs about 90 times in the Old testament.  The Greek word for ‘fall away’ in 2 Thess 2:3 has a similar meaning of standing away from or commits apostasy (rebels) from the faith. We find here that the removal of the ‘daily’ is an act of rebellion from God, including the holy truths about God found in the Scriptures.   We find plain language in the Dan 8, that the little horn will do this by ‘craft’ which literally means ‘deceit’.  We find in the Old Testament many references to the transgressions of Judah that resulted in her desolation: Lam 1:5, 14, 22, Eze 14:11, 18:22, 18:30-31, 21:24, Is 50:1, etc.).

Daniel 9 – The Abomination of Desolation in Gabriel’s 70-Week Prophecy

–          Background to Gabriel’s 70-Week Prophecy

In Dan 9:26-27, we find that in the middle of the 70^th week of Gabriel’s 70 week prophecy that sacrifice and oblation (i.e., offering) shall cease and by the overspreading of abominations, the holy city and sanctuary will become desolate.

The overall context of Daniel Chapter 9 is that in the first year of Darius the Mede (c. 536 B.C.), Daniel recognized that the 70 years of desolation spoken of by Jeremiah the prophet were accomplished (Dan 9:1-2).  Daniel then prays (Dan 9:4-19) to the Lord God that restoration would come to God’s people even though they have sinned terribly against God.  Notably in Dan 9:11-13, Daniel recognizes that the evil that has come upon God’s people is a fulfillment of the curses (for disobedience) that are written in the law of Moses (Lev 6:14-46, Deut 28:15-68). In Dan 9:18-19, Daniel prays for God’s mercy to relieve the holy city (Jerusalem) and God’s people that are called by His name of the desolations which has fallen on the city.

As a result of Daniel’s prayer, the angel Gabriel (appearing as a man) appeared to Daniel (Dan 9:21).  Gabriel is an angel that appears four times in the Bible.  First, Gabriel appears as a man to Daniel to provide the interpretation of the Daniel 8 prophecy concerning the ram and the he-goat (Dan 8:15-19).  In addition to the two appearances in Daniel 8 and Daniel 9, Gabriel also appears to John the Baptists father named Zacharias (Lk 1:19) and finally to Mary to announce the advent of Jesus Christ (Lk 1:26).

In Lk 1:11-20, we find Gabriel is indeed an angel of the Lord (Lk 1:11).  He announces to Zacharias that Elizabeth will have a son (john the Baptist) and that John will be great in the sight of the Lord (Lk 1:15) and he shall turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God (Lk 1:16).  John will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah (Lk 1:17).  In Lk 1:26-38, Gabriel at a later time appears to Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Gabriel tells Mary that she has found favor with God and that she shall conceive and bring forth a son, who will be named Jesus (Lk 1:30-31).  Jesus will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David (Lk 1:32).

It should be evident that it is very notable that the only occurrences of Gabriel in the Scriptures are to Zacharias (father of John the Baptist), Mary (mother of Jesus) and twice to Daniel. Therefore, we should be alert to the need to consider the 70-week prophecy of Gabriel to be in the larger context of the advent of Jesus Christ.

–          Daniel 9:24-25

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. (Dan 9:24-25)

Seventy weeks are determined:

The Hebrew word for ‘week’ is shabua (H7620), which literally means ‘sevened’.  It occurs 19 times and normally refers to a literal week of days (i.e., 7 days).  For example, It is used to describe the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) in Ex 34:22,  Deut 16:9-10, 16, Num 28:26, 2 Chr 8:13.  It is also used in a literal way in Lev 12:15 when discussing the laws concerning childbirth and in Dan 10:2-3 regarding Daniel being in mourning for 3 weeks.  Besides the 7 occurrences in Dan 9:24-26, in only one place in Scripture is the word used with regard to ‘years’ instead of days.  This occurs in the passage concerning Jacob serving Laban for 7 additional years (Gen 29:20) which is called a ‘week’ of years in Gen 29:27-28.  Based on this, it is reasonable to understand the 70 weeks as 70 ‘sevens’ of years or a total of 490 years.

The word ‘determined’ is also used on Dan 9:26, Dan 9:27 and Dan 11:36.  The Hebrew word is charats (H2782) which means to ‘decide’.  In Job 14:5, the word is used in the context of the fact that God has ‘determined’ man’s days that he will live.  Also, in both Isa 10:23 and Is 28:22, the word is used in the context that Judgment day is an established fact and is in God’s timetable:

Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth. (Isa 28:22)

Also, in the context of Dan 9:26-27, we find that the 70-weeks prophecy is a prophecy that will terminate at the end of time (Judgment day).

Upon thy people and upon thy holy city:

Gabriel’s 70-week prophecy is directed to two entities: God’s people and God’s holy city (Jerusalem).  In the study above on ‘The Holy Place’, we found that God’s people are spiritually called Israel which joins together all true Christians (Jew and gentile alike) into one people (Hos 1:9-11, 2:23, with Ro 9:6-8, Ro 9:24-26, Ro 9:27-28 with Is 10:22-23, Ro 2:29, Gal 6:16, etc.).  In the study above on ‘The Holy Place’, we found that the holy city Jerusalem represents the location of God’s people.  The ultimate fulfillment is the heavenly city above that comes down to the new heavens and new earth (Rev 21, Heb 12:22, etc.) for the eternity after Judgment Day.  Because God’s people that are living are on the earth, the Holy City on earth exists wherever God’s people are gathered together in the name of Jesus Christ.  The Holy City, Jerusalem, was the original location of the church that was begun on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

It is very important to understand at this point in the prophecy that the prophecy is directed to God’s people (currently called true Christians) and the Holy City is any location where Christians are gathered together in the name of Jesus Christ.

To finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity:

This phrase is an elegant three-fold description of the problem that has entered into the human race, necessitating salvation.  The whole purpose of the time that currently exists is to terminate sin and bring in everlasting salvation.

Transgression (H6588, H6586) occurs about 134 times in the Old Testament and literally means ‘to rebel or revolt’.  Job 34:37 says that man adds ‘rebellion’ to his sins.  In other words not only does he ‘miss the mark’ of perfection, he also rebels and intentionally defies God.  Additionally, another practical example is that Edom ‘revolted’ from under the hand of Judah in 2 Ki 8:20-22.  Therefore, ‘transgression’ as used in the Old Testament refers to man’s conscious rebellion rom God.  The word finish in the Hebrew (H3607) literally means to ‘restrain, stop of shut’.  Therefore, the completion of the 70-weeks will result in stopping transgression.

Sin (H2403) occurs about 290 times in the Old Testament and means to ‘miss the mark’ as in shooting at a target.  This word implies that the mark may be missed unintentionally or intentionally.  Sin is still sin.  The Hebrew word ‘end’ (H2856) is the word used for ‘seal’ which occurs 27 times in the Old Testament.  It is used in Dan 12:4 and Dan 12:9 with reference to sealing up the book of Daniel until the end times. In other places in the Old Testament, it is used to seal up a treasure or a document so that it would not be opened until the person who it was intended for receives it (e.g., Deut 32:34, 1 Ki 21:8, Est 3:12, 8:8-10, etc.).  In Job 14:17, the Job speaking of what happens when one has died, says that his transgression is sealed up in a bag.  In other words, at the end time (Judgment Day) all sin will be ended (sealed up) and we have the assurance of the seal that it will never return.

Finally, the word for ‘iniquity’ (H5771) in the Old Testament literally means ‘perverseness’.  This word has the meaning to change the truth into falsehood.  In Mal 2:6, we find that when the law of truth is in one’s mouth, iniquity is not found.  Iniquity not performing the truth of God by changing the truth of God into falsehood, whether intentionally or unintentionally.  We also find in Hos 5:5 is tied to pride.  Just as Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, a perversion of God’s command was followed due to the pride of Adam and Even (desire to be wise, knowing good and evil).  The Hebrew word for reconciliation (H3722) is kaphar and literally means atonement, which is the usual translation of the word.  This word occurs about 100 times in the Old Testament and often occurs with regard to the Day of Atonement (Lev 16).  The word literally means to cover something up.  In other words, as a result of the atonement of Jesus Christ, all iniquities will be covered. They will no longer visible.  God indeed will wipe away every tear and the former things will no longer come to mind (Is 65:17-25, Rev 21:4).

To bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy:

The removal of transgression, sin and iniquity result in everlasting righteousness.  Eternity will be perfect and holy.  The heavens declare the righteousness of God and all people will see His glory (Ps 97:6).  The Lord comes to judge the earth.  With righteousness shall he judge the world and the people with equity (Ps 98:9). Judgment shall return unto righteousness and all the upright in heart shall follow it (Ps 94:15).

All vision and prophecy will be sealed up.  As we saw above, the act of ‘sealing’ means that the visions and prophecy of this era will be closed up and no longer needed since all the promises of visions and prophecies will be completed at the end of the 70 weeks.  Visions (H2377) often referred to a vision that a prophet had (Dan 8:1-2, 13-15, 26, Dan 9:21-24, Dan 11:14, Ob 1:1, Hab 2:1-3, Is 1:1, Jer 23:16, etc.).  The word ‘prophecy’ (H5030) in the Old Testament, means to speak by inspiration.   Therefore, at the end of time, all visions and prophecies will be fulfilled. The word of God stand forever.  It is truth (John 17:17).

And to anoint the most Holy:

When we read ‘most holy’, the literal rendition of this in the original Hebrew language is ‘holy of holies’.  This occurs in about 40 places in the Bible and can be summarized as follows:

• Inner sanctuary of the tabernacle / temple where the ark of the covenant was – Heb 9:3, Ex 26:33-34, 1 Ki 6:16, 1 Ki 7:50, 1 Ki 8:20, 2 Chr 3:8-10, 2 Chr 4:22, 2 Chr 5:7, Eze 41:4, Eze 44:13, Eze 45:13
• Door of tabernacle of the congregation – Lev 6:25
• Altar of burnt offering – Ex 29:37, Ex 40:10
• Anointing oil placed before ark of testimony – Ex 30:36
• Meat (grain) offerings – Lev 2:3, Lev 2:10, Lev 6:17, Lev 10:12, Num 18:9-10
• Sin offerings – Lev 10:17, Lev 6:17, Num 18:9-10
• Trespass offering – Lev 14:13, Lev 6:17, Num 18:9-10
• Bread offering – Lev 21:22
• Showbread – Lev 24:9
• Devoted things – Lev 27:28
• Top of mountain, round about God’ house (eternal state) – Eze 43:12

Also, we find in Ex 30:22-38 that the various articles of the tabernacle including the tabernacle itself, the ark of the testimony, the table, the candlestick, the altars of incense and burnt offering were to anointed and made ‘most holy’.  We also know that all the sacrifices and offerings of the Old Testament pointed to antitype Jesus Christ (read Hebrews 8-10).

In addition to the most holy places and things being anointed, we find that Aaron and his sons were to be anointed.  Aaron as high priest (type of Christ – Heb 5:1-6) and his sons (type of believers – 2 Cor 1:21, 1 John 2:20, 27). Also, in Is 61:1, Ps 45:7, Ps 89:20, Acts 10:38) that Jesus Christ was anointed.

The Most Holy that is to be anointed in the context of Dan 9:24 should be taken as the anointing of the temple of God, which is Christ’s complete body, which includes all those who are to be saved.  The complete anointing of the ‘Most Holy’ in Dan 9:24 can be understood in the first place as Jesus Christ (since the word Christ simply means the Anointed One).  But, the body of Christ will include the entirety of all Christians who are indwelled by the Holy Spirit (i.e., anointing). Therefore, the 70 weeks of Gabriel’s prophecy includes the anointing of the entire body of Christ, which does not occur until Judgment Day.  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise but is long-suffering.  He will not allow any of His people perish, but that all His people will come to repentance (and then the end can come) – see 2 Pet 3:8-9.  The long suffering of our Lord is salvation (2 Pet 3:15).  The end cannot occur until all of His people are saved.

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem:

To know (Hebrew word yada) and understand (Hebrew word sakal) emphasize the importance of carefully studying the following verses by having knowledge (i.e., fully understand the background of the passage in context, see Mat 24:15) and wisdom (by carefully comparing Scripture with Scripture (1 Cor 2:13).  Dan 9:25 is a subject of much debate and often involves the attempt by many to set Biblical timelines.  Because the purpose of this study is to understand primary what is meant by the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel, the analysis of the passage will be limited.

The word ‘commandment’ used in the text is simply the Hebrew word (dabar), which literally simply means ‘word’.  This word occurs over 1400 times in the Old Testament.  Therefore, we will look for the ‘words’ in the Bible where there was direction to ‘restore and build’.  The word ‘restore’ is also a very common word in Hebrew which occurs more than 1000 times, but is usually translated as ‘bring’, ‘bring back’ or ‘return’.  We find many relevant verses involving the restoration (literally ‘bringing back’) of Jerusalem, which will be shared below.  The word for build literally means to build and occurs more than 375 times.  Therefore, it is important to find Bible passages that discuss the brining back and building of Jerusalem.

The Spiritual Significance of Bringing Back and Building Jerusalem:

We find several passages in the Bible that teach us that the spiritual meaning of bringing back and building Jerusalem has its fulfillment in salvation of spiritual Israel (includes Christians):

• Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. (Psa 147:1-3)
• And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it. Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast, The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. (Jer 33:7-11)
• In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God. (Amo 9:11-15)
• The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. (Isa 61:1-4)

There are many other passages that discuss the spiritual rebuilding of Jerusalem and bringing back her captivity: Jer 27:22, Jer 29:10-14, Jer 30:3, Jer 30:10, Jer 30:18, Jer 31:4, Jer 31:23,  Jer 31:38, Jer 32:37, Jer 32;44, Jer 33:26, Is 58:12, Eze 36:10, 33, Deut 30:3, Ps 53:6, Eze 39:25-26, Joel 3;1, Ob 1:19-20, Zeph 3:20, Ps 85:1, Ps 126:1-4, Job 42:10, Hos 6:11.

It should be seen in all these passages that the ultimate fulfillment of the bringing back of captives (restoring) and rebuilding Jerusalem has its fulfillment in the salvation of all of God’s people throughout the ages, culminating in the establishment of the New Jerusalem, which is the bride of Christ (Rev 21).  In the Isaiah 61 passage, we find that this passage is referenced in Lk 4:18-21 as Jesus stating that He was the fulfillment of this passage.

King Cyrus’ Decree:

We also find that there exists prophecy in Is 44:26-28, 45:13 regarding the fact that there would be a king that would return and build up Israel.  This decree was fulfilled in circa 536 B.C by the King of Persia, Cyrus:

• That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers: That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (Isa 44:26-28)
• I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts. (Isa 45:13)

 

In these passages in Isaiah, we should be able to see that King Cyrus of Persia was actually a type of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the true Shepherd of which Cyrus was the type.  Notwithstanding, the reference to King Cyrus also had a historical fulfillment:

• Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. (Ezr 1:1-6, see Ezra 5:13-17, Ezra 6:3-5, Ezra 7:12-13, Ezra 7:23, Ezra 9:8-9)
• Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up. (2Ch 36:22-23)

This was a fulfilment of the prophecies of Jeremiah found in Jer 25:11-14 and Jer 29:10.  Therefore, we see a historical fulfillment in that the city of Jerusalem was re-populated and rebuilt as allowed by King Cyrus, but the much more complete fulfillment has to do with Jesus Christ, as the true Shepherd.  The temple foundation was laid in circa 535 B.C. (Ezra 3:8-10) and the temple was completed in circa 516 B.C. (Ezra 6:15) after the prophetic preaching of Haggai and Zechariah in circa 520 B.C. (Hag 1:1-2, Zech 1:1, Ezra 5:1-2).  King Darius of Persia reiterated the decree of Cyrus in circa 519 B.C. (Ezra 6:7-12).  We also recall that rom a spiritual standpoint Jesus is our Temple and He is the foundation (the chief cornerstone – 1 Pet 2:6, Eph 2:20, etc.).

The Decree of Artaxerxes to Ezra (458 B.C.):

It should be observed that in circa 458 B.C., Artaxerxes also commissioned Ezra to bring back the people and the vessels to the temple in Jerusalem and reestablished the sacrificial system (Ezra 7:11-26):

Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel. Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee. Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem: That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God. The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem. And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king’s treasure house. And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily, Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them. And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not. And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.   (Ezr 7:11-26)

Similarly, this decree involved the returning of the captives to Jerusalem (including Ezra).

The Decree of Artaxerxes to Nehemiah (445 B.C.):

Thirteen years after the decree to Ezra (Ezra 7:7 with Neh 1;1, 2:1), Artaxerxes made another decree to Nehemiah to actually build the wall and gates of the city. This decree is found in these passages in Nehemiah:

• That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. (Neh 1:2-3)
• Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. (Neh 1:6-10)
• And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it. And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. (Neh 2:5-6)

It should be noted that in these passages, there was concern about the captives that were brought back to Jerusalem and the desire of Nehemiah to rebuild the walls and gates of the city.  This passage more directly discusses that it is Jerusalem that was to be rebuilt.  We find that the walls and gates of Jerusalem represent God’s salvation in that the walls protect and the gates allow entry into the city of God:

• In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isa 26:1-3)
• Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. (Isa 60:18)

Therefore, this decree or allowance for Nehemiah to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem has spiritual significance.

Unto Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times:

In this portion of Dan 9:25, we find information that between the decree to bring back of the captivity (restoration) and rebuilding of Jerusalem unto Messiah the Prince there will be a total of 69 weeks (which would equal 483 years).  During this time the ‘street’ shall be built again and the wall, even in troublous times.

Messiah the Prince:

This is a readily apparent reference to Jesus Christ.  The word Christ in the Greek (Gr. Christos) and Hebrew (Heb: mashach) literally means to be ‘rubbed with oil’ or ‘anointed’.  Therefore, Jesus is the anointed one.  The word for anointed in the Hebrew is often transliterated as the ‘Messiah’.  Therefore, Jesus is the Messiah (i.e., Christ or anointed one).  In the Old Testament, the words for Messiah occur approximately 125 times.   In the New Testament, the Greek words for Christ (Gr. Christos) / Christian (Gr: Christianos) / anointed (Gr: chrio) / anointing (Gr: chrisma) all have the similar meaning of being anointed.  These words (Christ, Christians, anointed) are used approximately 570 times in the New Testament. The New Testament contains approximately 8000 total verses.  Therefore, the words relating to Christ, Christians, anointed are used once in every 14 verses, or so.  The vast majority of the usages are the term ‘Christ’.  References in the Old Testament to the coming Messiah can be seen in the following verses:  Dan 9:24, 25, 26, Hab 3:13, Ps 2:2, 20:6, 84:9, 89:38, 51, 84:9, 1 Sam 2:35.

The word ‘Prince’ literally means chief or leader and is used in many contexts.  It is used often in the Bible to refer to Jesus:  Is 9:6, Acts 3:15, Acts 5:31, Rev 1:5.  It is also used to refer to Satan: Mat 9:34, Mat 12:24, Mk 3:22, John 12:31, John 14:30, Eph 2:2, etc.

Street:

The Hebrew word translated as ‘street’ occurs about 43 times in the Old Testament (H7339, rechob) and literally means a ‘broad place’.  It is used to reflect a larger than area than a normal street.  For example in Song 3:2, the Bible says that the bride goes about the city in the streets (different Hebrew word) and in the ‘broad ways’, she will seek the one whom she loves.  The same distinction is made in Jer 5:1).  Therefore, the word ‘street’ used in Dan 9:25 should be recognized as a broad way or area within the city.

As used in the Bible, we find this word street (or broad way) generally used in a negative connotation:

• Where judgment occurs – Nah 2:4
• Where the spoil of a wicked city is burned – Deut 13:16
• Where wickedness, deceit and guile are – Ps 55:11
• Where wisdom cries out – Pr 1:20
• Where mourning occurs – Is 15:3
• Where the desolate children swoon (suffer / die) in Jerusalem – Lam 2:11-12
• Where wailing occurs (judgment) – Amos 5:16
• Where truth is fallen – Is 59:14
• Where high places exist in Jerusalem – Eze 16:24, 31
• Where Jerusalem men are cut off – Jer 9:21
• Where the lamentation of Moab occurs – Jer 48:38
• Where the young men of Damascus fall – Jer 49:26

The thrust of the usage of this word ‘broad place’ in the Old Testament is negative and it generally refers to where sin and judgment occur.  This similar to what we find in Mat 7:13:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (Mat 7:13)

We should not be surprised to find this meaning of the ‘broad way’ since as Dan 9:25 informs us, these are troublous times.  We find that the broad way in Dan 9:25 is built again.  In other words, the behaviors and salvation plan of the people of Jerusalem would return to the broad way of judgment and sin.  We find that when Jesus Christ walked the earth, that indeed he found Jerusalem to be in rebellion:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!  (Mat 23:37)

Troublous times:

The word ‘troublous’ (H6693, H6995) occurs 15 times in the Old Testament.  It literally means to be in distress or anguish.  It is used in a very negative connotation (see Pr 1:27, Is 8:22, Is 30:6).  We find that Delilah distressed Samson (Jud 16:16).   It is used to describe an oppressor who is ready to destroy with fury (i.e., Satan – Is 51:13).  Ariel (another name for Jerusalem) would also be distressed by God (Is 29:2, 9).  The siege of Jerusalem would be a time of distress (Jer 19:9).  Returning to Deuteronomy 28 which describes the consequences (curses) for disobedience, we find this description concerning distress:

And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave: So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates. The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter, And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates. (Deu 28:53-57)

In summary, for the time period of 69 weeks prior to the advent of Jesus Christ, we find that there was a restoration and rebuilding of the Holy City Jerusalem, but it was in troublous (stressful) times.

–          Daniel 9:26 – 9:27

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Dan 9:26-27)

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:

The time between the word to go and rebuild Jerusalem, there was a troubled time until the advent of Jesus Christ.  We find in this passage that the Messiah (Christ) would be ‘cut off’.  The word ‘cut off’ is the Hebrew word karath (H3772) which occurs more than 280 times in the Old Testament.  Most often, this word refers to judgment or damnation on a person that would be cut off from God or from the land of the living: Ps 37:22, Ps 37:9, Ps 37:28, Ps 37:34, Ps 101:8, Gen 9:11, Num 19:13, Ps 12:3, Is 11:13, etc. etc.  Notably, in Jer 11:19, we find Jeremiah referring to himself as like unto a tree with fruit of which will be cut off from the land of the living.

However, the word karath is also used about 80 times when making a covenant (i.e., cut a covenant).  For example, the word ‘make’ in the following passages is the same word for ‘cut’:

• For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. (Isa 61:8)
• Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jer 31:31-33)
• And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. (Eze 37:25-26)

We also find in the New Testament, that Christ was cut off (i.e., taken away) as the bridegroom from His bride:

• And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. (Mat 9:15, see also Mk 2:20, Lk 5;35)

 

Jesus Christ was ‘cut off’ in the sense that He who knew no sin, became sin for us (2 Cor 5:21).  Even though He knew no violence and deceit was not in His mouth, His grave was made with the wicked (Is 53:9):

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1Pe 2:21-24)

It is by God’s covenant that Christ would be offered as a sinless sacrifice in order to provide salvation (read Hebrews 8 and Hebrews 10).  Therefore, when Dan 9:26 states that the Messiah would be ‘cut off’, we have a clear reference to Christ in the ‘making (i.e., cutting) of a covenant’ where Jesus would be cut off from the land of the living for the sake of salvation for all of God’s people.   He was not cut off for Himself, but rather He was cut off to save His people.

The people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary:

As mentioned above, a ‘prince’ is used in many contexts and often refers to Satan Himself (Eze 28:2, Mat 9:34, Mat 12:24, Mk 3:22, John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11, 2 Cor 4:4, Eph 2:2, Eph 6:12, etc.).

Interestingly, in John 14:30, we find an interesting passage:

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

(Joh 14:30)

The prince of this world in the first place, would refer to Satan.  But, at the time Jesus had said this, Satan had already put into Judas Iscariot’s heart to betray Jesus (John 13:2).  Also, Satan had already entered (indwelt Judas) as we find in Lk 22:3 when Judas went to the chief priests to betray Jesus (Lk 22:4-5).  So the prince of this world took the form of one of Jesus’ disciples, Judas Iscariot.  Judas betrayed Jesus and led the band of officers from the chief priests and Pharisees (John 18:4) to arrest Jesus.  Although, we are not told explicitly in Dan 9:26, who the prince is, we can conclude that the prince referred to in Dan 9:26 would equate to the little horn of Dan 8 and the man of sin of 2 Thess 2.  We will see later that this entity would also correspond to the ‘kin g of the north’ discussed in Dan 11.

We find in Dan 9:26 that the prince shall come to destroy the city (Jerusalem) and the sanctuary (i.e., temple).  We have already seen earlier that Jerusalem represents the location of God’s people although the group of people are mixed with saved and unsaved people.  Jerusalem effectively represents the Christian churches.  We find in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 that the 7 churches of revelation were a mixture of saved and unsaved people.  Some churches were more holy and some were less.  Additionally, the sanctuary (temple) in Dan 9:26, literally just means ‘holy’.

We find in the New Testament that the temple is the house of God where Christians reside.  The temple of God equates to the house of God (Lk 11:51).  Ideally, the true tabernacle is only for true Christians (Heb 8:2, 9:11, 24) which is the kingdom of God, in heaven.  God does not actually dwell in physical temples (Acts 7:48, 17:24).  We also find ideally, that the true temple is Christ’s body (Mat 27:40, Mk 14:58, 15:29, John 2:19‑21), which is comprised of true Christians.  However, the physical location of the body of Christ is wherever two or three are gathered in His name (Mat 18:20) and would be the true church (Col 1:18,24, 2:17‑19, 3:15, Eph 1:23, 2:16, 4:12‑16, Eph 5:23,30, 1 Cor 12:12‑27) which is also referred to as a house (John 14:2, 2 John 10, 1 Cor 16:15‑19, 2 Tim 2:20, Eph 2:19, Heb 3:6, 1 Pet 2:5, 4:17, Ro 16:5).  But, this gathering may easily be infiltrated with those who are not truly saved.  For example, we find in 2 Thess 2:4, that the man of sin takes his seat in the temple of God. The true temple of God is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Eph 2:20-22,) and are built up for a holy habitation of God through the Spirit (1 Cor 3:16-17, 2 Cor 6:16).   But, we find that often this house of God is built not only with gold, silver and precious stones (which are types for true Christians), but also with wood, hay and stubble, which represent the unsaved within the churches (1 Cor 3:12, see also 2 Tim 2:14-26, especially verses 20-21).

We find that the prince ‘destroys’ Jerusalem and the sanctuary, which are representations for the physical location of true Christians (i.e., the church).  The word destroy (H7843) occurs more than 140 times in the Old Testament and means to ruin, decay, corrupt, destroy.  We find in Ps 53;1, that people are corrupted due to abominable iniquity. Also, in Pr 6:32, we find that a man destroys his soul by committing adultery with a woman (can also be used symbolically to represent the whoredoms of idolatry).

There are several occurrences of this word (destroy) in the prophets that describe the ruin of Judah due to sin:

• Jer 13;7-9, 14 in context of Jeremiah 13 is due to worshiping and serving other gods
• Eze 9:8 in context of Eze 9 is due to iniquity and perverseness
• Eze 16:47, Eze 20:44, Eze 23:11 in context of Eze 16, 20, 23 is for whoredoms and abominations

We also find that people are to be destroyed due to idolatry (Deut 4:16, 25).  The people before the Great Flood were destroyed because they were corrupt and filled with violence (Gen 6:11-12).

The end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war, desolations are determined:

We find in this phrase that there will be wars and desolations and at the end there will be a flood.  We have already studied ‘desolations’ earlier, which means the scattering of the church due to abominable sin.  The desolation occurs due to captivity, scattering and killing by sword (spiritual battle), famine (lack of the word of God) and evil beasts (false teaching). Dan 9:26 tells us that there will be a war until the end of time on this earth:

• Battle of the kingdoms ‑ spiritual battle, not physical (Mat 10:34‑36, Lk 12:51‑53)
• Killing by words / tongue ‑ 1 John 3:15, Mat 5:21‑22, Pr 11:9, Ro 3:13‑15, Jer 9:3, 18:18, Ps 140:3, Ro 3:13, James 3:8, Pr 18:21, Ps 52:4, 57:4, 59:7, 64:3, 120:2
• Weapons are not of the flesh, but spiritual (not a political battle) ‑ Eph 6:11‑12, Phil 3:20, Mat 24:7, Is 42:6‑7, Eph 2:6, 1 Pet 2:5‑11,20ff, Mat :15‑19, Lk 2:14, Hos 1:7, 2 Tim 2:4, 2 Cor 10:3f, Eph 2:19, Mk 8:31‑33, 1 Pet 1:1, Rev 1:6, Heb 13:14, Col 1:13, John 18:36‑37, Col 3:1‑4, Lk 12:14, Mat 10:34, 2 Tim 2:16, Mk 12:17, Ps 73:25, Zech 9:9, Lk 22:36, Ro 12:1‑2, Lk 12:13ff, Mat 5:38f, 1 Cor 6:1‑8, Hos 8:9, 7:11, Ro 13
• war by faith and a good conscience – 1 Tim 1:18-19
• Fight the good fight of faith – 1 Tim 6:12
• Fleshly lusts wage war ‑ 1 Pet 2:11, James 4:11, Ro 7:23

War, in the Bible, as we see above represents the grand spiritual battle between good and evil, the kingdom of God versus the kingdom of Satan.  The ultimate fulfillment of the war between these kingdoms will be on Judgment Day (a.k.a., battle of Armageddon – see Rev 16:12-16):

Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (Zec 14:1-4)

Right at the end time, there will be a flood.  We know that this is not a physical flood, since God has promised to not destroy the world’s population with a flood again (Gen 9:11).  When we look at the Hebrew word used in Dan 9:6 for flood (H7858, H7857, sheteph / shataph), we find that it occurs 31 times and it literally means a gushing of water or a deluge.  Most of the occurrences of this word in the Old Testament have to do with God’s judgment (Ps 69:2, 15, Is 28:2, Is 28:15, Is 28:18, Ps 124:4).  However, we find that armies running to war are likened unto a ‘flood’ (Dan 11:10, Dan 11:22, Dan 11:40, Jer 8:6).  Once again, the final flood of Dan 9:6 is most likely pointing to that final battle of Judgment Day (Battle of Armageddon) where Christ is seen riding on His white horse (Rev 19:11).  The armies which are in heaven followed Him for the final battle (Rev 19:14).  Out of His mouth will go a sharp sword, where He will smite the nations at the final battle of Judgment Day (Rev 19:15).

Finally, the word ‘determined’ also points to the fact that the desolation will occur right up until the last day.  The Hebrew word for ‘determined’ (H2782) literally means to point sharply / wound.  It is used in Dan 11:36, where it also points to the ‘determined’ end day (Judgment Day).  Judgment Day is also in view in the following verses where the same Hebrew word is used: Is 28:22, Is 10:23, Job 14:5.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:

In this statement, we find that the end time prince (a.k.a., the little horn, the man of sin, Antichrist, Beast) will confirm the covenant for 1 week.  Because this week occurs after the Messiah is ‘cut off’, we can easily understand this week as a representation of the ‘church age’ since we know from the text of Dan 9:26-27 that the end of the week results in Judgment Day (end of the world).

The covenant of God is God’s salvation program where Jesus Christ became the substitution / sacrifice for His people’s sins.  The word ‘covenant’ occurs about 280 times in the Old Testament and the about 40 times in the New Testament.  The following is a passage that explains the New Covenant that was put in place:

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. (Heb 8:6-13, see also Jer 31:31-40)

 

The following are other passages that discuss the covenant (salvation program): Gal 3:15-17, Mat 26:28, Heb 9:4, Heb 10:16, Heb 10:29, etc.

But, in this statement from Dan 9:27, we find that the covenant is confirmed for the week.  To understand why the covenant is apparently confirmed by the kingdom of darkness is that in the ‘church age’, Satan’s primary battlefield is the ‘church’ itself.  God’s salvation plan as documented in the Word of God (Bible) is everlasting.  However, just as Satan perverted truth in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:1-6), so he perverts the truth of the Word of God in the ‘church age’.

In Rev 18:2, we find that Babylon houses demons and therefore, it can be concluded that this worldly, apostate, organized Christian church called babylon is influenced by demons.  We find in 1 Tim 4:1 that in the latter times, people will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (i.e., demons).  James 3:14-16 notes that bitter envying and strife in the heart is contrary to truth and this type of ‘wisdom’ is demonic. James 3:16 states that this results in confusion (i.e., Babylon).  Even in the early church discussed in the New Testament, almost every book of the New Testament warns against deception: (e.g., Mat 24:4,5,11,24m Mk 13:5-6, 1 John 1:8, 3:7, Rev 20:3,8, Lk 21:8, 1 Cor 6:9, 15:33, Gal 6:7, 2 Tim 3:13, Titus 3:3, John 7:12, 1 Pet 2:25, 2 Pet 2:15, 2 Tim 3:13, Ro 1:27, James 5:20, 2 Pet 2:18, 1 John 4:6, Jude 11, 1 Thess 2:3,11, Eph 4:14, 2 Thess, 2 John 1:7, 2 Cor 6:8, 1 Tim 4:1, etc.).

Notably, we find in 2 Cor 11:3-4, 13-15 that just as Satan beguiled Eve in the Garden of Eden, so is he and his ministers (demons) active in the church to deceive people.  Satan and his demons appears as angels of light in the church today.   So, the covenant (salvation program) of God is confirmed for the entire church age, but we find that the final battleground is Satan and his demons working within the church.

In the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease:

‘In the midst of the week’ literally means in the ‘middle’ of the week.  Therefore, there will be 3 ½ ‘days in each half of the week.  Assuming a day represents a year, than there would be 1260 ‘spiritual’ days in each half of the week, since months were 30 days and there were 12 months in the typical year.  Also, 3 ½ years would represent 42 months.  Here are the relevant occurrences of 3 ½ years and 1260 days in the Bible:

• Rev 11:2 – Gentiles tread down court and holy city – 42 months – (typifies first half of week where the Gentiles are prominent in the Christian church, months likely represent the law of God and salvation by works)
• Rev 11:3-6 – Two witnesses (represent true Christians) prophecy – 1260 days
• Rev 11:7-10 – Two witnesses killed by the Beast and bodies lie in Holy City – 3 ½ days (represents the second half of the 70^th week, where the little horn / Beast / man of sin are in control of the church)
• Rev 12:6-17 – Woman fled into wilderness after her Child caught up to heaven – 1260 days (3 ½ times) – represents 1^st half of 70^th week where the true church is nourished in the wilderness and the Satan made war with the remnant of her Seed.
• Rev 13:5 – Beast with mouth speaking great things had power to continue – 42 months (represents second half of 70^th week, , months likely represent the law of God and salvation by works)
• Dan 7:25 – Little Horn – speak great words against most high, wear out the saints, change times and law – 3 ½ times (represents second half of 70^th week).
• Dan 12:7 – King of the North scatters power of the holy people – 3 ½ times until it will be finished (second half o the 70^th week)

Based on the above Rev 11:7-10 (the Beast), Rev 13:5 (the Beast), Dan 7:25 (the little horn) and Dan 12:7 (king of the North) are all the same entity that, under the power of Satan, makes the physical church a desolation.

When we read that the ‘sacrifice’ and oblation will cease, we should understand that this is what will happen in the middle of the 70^th week, which is the time of the Abomination of Desolation, which is called the ‘Great Tribulation’ in Mat 24 and Mk 13.  The Great Tribulation occurs immediately after the first 3 ½ days of the 70^th week of Daniel 9:27.

The fulfillment of the sacrificial system of the Old Testament is Jesus Christ.  He is the sacrifice for our sins.  The New Testament time brought to a close that ritual sacrifices that were performed under the Mosaic Law (Col 2:13-17).  The following scriptures attest to the fact that the sacrificial system of the Mosaic Law was fulfilled in the sacrifice of Christ (Heb 7:27, 9:23-26, 10:1-3).

The word oblation in the Old Testament means ‘offering’ and would translate to the Greek word prophero (G4374, G4376) in the New Testament.  We find once again, that it is the sacrifices (fulfilled in Christ) that were offered (Heb 5:1, Heb 8:3-4, Heb 9:7, Heb 9:14, Heb 9:25, Heb 10:1-2, Heb 10:8, Heb 10:12, Heb 11:4, Heb 11:17).

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. (Eph 5:2)

In addition to Jesus Christ, we find that His people (Christians) are command to present themselves as a living sacrifice:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:1-2)

It is also of interest in the above passage that Christians are to present their bodies as a living sacrifice.  In other words, our life should be considered as a sacrifice.  We consider ourselves crucified to Christ (Gal 2:16, 20) and we die daily (1 Cor 15:31).  We present ourselves as an offering:

• Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. (Php 2:16-17)
• By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Heb 13:15)
• Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1Pe 2:5)
• But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. (Php 4:18)

We find in the above passages that it is Jesus Christ (and His body of true Christians) that is the offering of sacrifice.  But, it is not yet clear as to what it means that the sacrifice and offering will ‘cease’.  The word ‘cease’ in the Old Testament (shabath – H7673) I literally ‘to rest’.  In Gen 2:2-3, we find that God rested after His creation.  However, in 2 Chr 36:21, Lev 26:34-35, we find that when the desolation of Judah / Jerusalem occurred, the land ‘kept sabbath’ (H7673).  This did not mean that God’s people were still not active in preaching God’s word (e.g., Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zephaniah, etc.).  What the cessation of sacrifices and oblations meant was that the organized system of religion was hampered and therefore, ceased.  In Lam 5:14-15, when the desolation occurred, we find this:

• The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick. The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning. (Lam 5:14-15)

When the sacrifice and offering has ceased, there is Great Tribulation on the church, since it is now controlled by the antichrist (a.k.a., little horn, man of sin, Beast, etc.).  The ability to perform service for God is limited or prevented because the candlestick is corrupted (which is supposed to project the light (a portrait of the church upholding true Christians who bring the Gospel – see Rev 1:13, Rev 1:20).

For the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate:

In this phrase, we find the cause of the cessation of the sacrifice and offering: the overspreading of abominations.  The word ‘overspreading’ (Hebrew: kanaph, H3671) literally means the spreading of wings.  It occurs a little more than 100 times in the Old Testament and is often used in conjunction with birds spreading their wings.  From a positive viewpoint, we find that the spreading of wings can represent the salvation that God provides us (Ps 17:8, Ps 36:7, Ps 57:1, Ps 61;4, Ps 63;7, Ps 91:4, Is 8:8, Ex 19:4, Ruth 2:11-12, Eze 5;3, Eze 16:8, Hag 2:12, Zech 8:23, Mal 4:2) an that God rides on the wings of the spirit (Ps 18:10, Ps 104:3, Hos 4:19).  The seraphims in the representation of God had wings (Is 6:2).  The four living creatures in Ezekiel had wings (Eze 1:6-11, 23-25, Eze 3:13, Eze 10:5-2, 16-19, etc.).  The cherubims that were above the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies had overspreading wings (1 Ki 6:24-27, 2 Chr 3:11-13, Ex 25:20, etc.).  Below is an example Scripture reference that underscores the ‘overspreading’ of wings being a portrait of God’s salvation:

• But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Mal 4:2)

However, we also find that overspreading wings of a bird was also used as an idol (Deut 4:17).   It is also used in a negative manner regarding Judah seeking refuge in the great wings of Egypt (Eze 17:3-7).

In the context of Dan 9:27, we find that trusting in abominations rather than the overspreading wings of God, shall make Jerusalem desolate.  As we previously examine in this study, abominations in the Bible typically represent worship and service to false gods and idols.  This results in captivity, scattering and death, as we have previously studied.

Even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate:

The abomination of worshiping and serving other gods and idols instead of the true God will continue until the consummation (literally, the end).  The word consummation (H3617) literally means the utter end (see Nah 1:8-9, Zeph 1:18).  The word determined is the same word studied in Dan 9:26 which points to Judgment Day (see Is 28:22, Is 10:23).   The word ‘poured’ (H5413) is the Hebrew word nathak, which literally means to ‘flow forth’.  This is typically a picture of God’s judgment (e.g., Dan 9:11, Eze 22:20-22, Eze 24:10, Jer 44;6, Jer 42:18, Jer 7;20.  We find in 2 Chr 34:21-25 that God’s wrath was poured out on Judah due to idolatry (se also 2 Chr 12:7). We also find the same word again ‘determined’ used in Dan 9:26, which refers to Judgment day.

It is interesting that the wrath of God will be poured out on the desolate, which would refer to the holy city, Jerusalem.  As we have previously studied the holy city Jerusalem is where God’s people reside physically.  It is that locality where God’s people meet together.  But, just as what occurred with Jerusalem in the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, we find the same events to transpire again.  That is, even though there were godly people living in Jerusalem / Judea (e.g., Jeremiah, Baruch, Ebed-Melech, Ezekiel, etc.), we find that in the church today there are godly people.  But, in Jerusalem, the control of the city was in the hands of ungodly leaders and the majority of the people were not godly.  So it will be in the last days.  The visible church will become desolate because of abominable sins of worshiping other gods and idols.

We find in Revelation chapters 17 and 18 that Babylon is a representation of the false end-times church and parachurches.  We find in Rev 18:5 that God has remembered her iniquities and has rewarded her with the cup of God’s wrath (Rev 18:6).  We find in Rev 18:19 that in 1 hour, she is made desolate.

–          Summary of the Abomination of Desolation in Gabriel’s Prophecy

We find in Dan 9:26-27 that the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ is the tool that is used to destroy the city and sanctuary (the visible church).  As used in the Bible, we find that abominations have altogether to do with worshiping and serving other gods and idols.  It is this abomination that overspreads the church and ultimately is what those unsaved persons in the church are trusting in.  Because of these abominations, there is desolation. Desolation is caused by being taken captivity (to sin), being scattered (divisions in the church) and being put to death spiritually by famine (lack of Word of God), evil beasts (false teachers) and sword (spiritual battle by those in the church).  This occurs in the second half of the 70^th week of Gabriel’s prophecy, which is the period of Great Tribulation.  Finally, as Babylon was judged for her evil behavior, so too will the visible church that is over run by Satan, his demons and unsaved people.

Daniel 11 and 12 – The King of the North’s Abomination of Desolation

–          Background of Daniel 11 and 12

Similar to other visions in the Book of Daniel, Daniel 11-12 contain a prophecy that describes future events.  Daniel 2 (concerning the great image) depicts events that would occur historically just after the fall of the kingdom of Babylon (i.e., kingdoms of the Medes / Persians, Greece and Rome), but have their final fulfillment at the end of time (Dan 2:33-35, 44).  In Daniel 7, we find the four beasts, which similarly symbolize the kingdoms of the Medes / Persians, Greece and Rome, but the final fulfillment is at the end of time (Dan 7:8-14, 26-27) when Jesus Christ returns in judgment.  Daniel 8 also clearly had historical events in mind and even directly names the kingdoms subsequent to Babylon as the Medes and Persians and Greece (Dan 8:20-21).  However, the Daniel 8 prophecy then jumps to the end of time and discusses the little horn that shall arise (Dan 8:9-14, 23-25), which is the same little horn as discussed in Daniel 7.

Similar to those proceeding prophecies, Dan 11-12 discusses the events that would immediately follow the fall of Babylon.  We find that the Dan 11-12 prophecy was written in the first year of Darius the Mede (Dan 11:1), which would have been just after the fall of Babylon (Dan 5:30-31).   The prophecy of Dan 11-12 discusses the following subsequent historical events:

• Dan 11:2 – Three subsequent kings of Persia shall arise
• Dan 11:2-4 – The rise of Alexander the great and the dividing of his kingdom to his four generals
• Dan 11:5-45 – Intrigue and battles between the King of the North (historically the Selucidae in Syria) and the King of the South (historically the Ptolemies of Egypt).

However, we find strong evidence that Daniel 11:29-45 indeed does depict true historical events that occurred prior to the advent of Christ including the King of the North being Antioch Epiphanes, who placed an idol in the Jerusalem temple.  However, we find that there is a dual fulfillment in this passage since the King of the North was also a type of the final evil King of the North that would place the Abomination of Desolation in the Holy Place, Jerusalem (Mat 24:15).  We know that this passage (Dan 11:29-45) has a final fulfillment in the final days for the following reasons:

1. Jesus referred to the Abomination of Desolation (spoken of by the prophet Daniel) as still not fulfilled in His day because the placement of the Abomination of Desolation marked the Great Tribulation that would occur just before the second coming of Jesus Christ (Mat 24:15, Mat 24:21, Mat 24:29-31).
2. Dan 11:27, Dan 11:29 and Dan 11:35 discuss that the following events would occur at the ‘appointed time’. Dan 11:27 states that the ‘appointed time’ is at the end, which is the same word used in Dan 12:4, 12:6, 12:9, 12:13 which indicates the end of time and the return of Christ.  Also, the word for ‘appointed time’ is actually the same word that is used for ‘congregation’ and is this root word is used over 200 times in the Old Testament (mostly translated as congregation).  This would suggest that the ‘appointed time’ or congregation is the last day when all the saved are gathered together (e.g., Mat 24:21, 2 Thess 2:1 etc.) and the gathering of all other people for Judgment Day (Rev 16:14, Rev 17:14, Rev 19:9, Rev 20:8, etc.).
3. Importantly, we find that just after the events of Dan 11:29-45, we find a clear portrait of Judgment Day in Dan 12:1-3, which would connects to the events of Dan 11:29-45 (see especially Dan 11:40-45 which discuss the preparations for the final Judgment day battle) to the time just before Judgment Day (similar to how it is described in Matthew 24 and Mark 13):

• And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Dan 12:1-3)

–          King of the North

Before we move forward into our study of Dan 11-12, it is important to identify the spiritual meaning of the King of the North.  The Hebrew word for ‘north’ is the word taphon and occurs about 150 times in the Old Testament.  The word literally means ‘hidden’ or ‘dark’.

We find that the most significant reference to the ‘King of the North’ relates to King Nebuchadnezzar, who was the glorious king of Babylon (se Jer 1:15, Jer 25:8-9, Jer 25:26, Eze 26:7).  As we have already studied previously, the king of Babylon is also a type of Satan (Is 14:3-14), who was allowed by God to inflict judgment on Jerusalem and the land of Judah.  Therefore, it is not surprising that the King of the North in Dan 11-12 is that evil end time king who will remove the ‘daily’ and set up the Abomination of Desolation.  He will also persecute true Christians as we shall see below.

We also find many more references of judgment that comes upon Jerusalem and Judah from the north.  This evil that will befall the land is said to come out of the north (Jer 1:12-13, 4:6).  We find that a great commotion will come out of the north to make the cities of Judah desolate (Jer 10:22).  A great army comes from the north to invade the land (Joel 2:20, Eze 38:15).  From a positive perspective, we find that God will once again restore Judah from her captivity from the north country (Jer 31:8. Jer 3:12, Jer 3:18, Jer 23:8).

Finally, we also find that Babylon will also receive her ultimate fate on Judgment Day from the north (Jer 50:9, 50:41, 51:48).  This would indicate the God uses the metaphor of the north (i.e., a hidden / dark place) to represent Judgment Day.  We find several places in the Bible where Judgment Day is referred to as a dark and gloomy day (e.g., Joel 2:2, Zeph 1:15).  We find that on Judgment Day the sun will be darkened and the moon turned into blood (Mat 24:29, Mk 13:24, Lk 21:25, Acts 2:19-21, Rev 6:12, Zech 14:6).

In summary, we find that the King of the North represents the leader who brings terror into the land of Jerusalem and Judah.  It is the work of Satan that is within the ‘King of the North’ to persecute true Christians.  From a historical perspective in Daniel 11, we find that the King of the North was of the Selucidaes, but rom a spiritual perspective, the King of the North is none other than the little horn of Daniel 7 and Daniel 8, the man of sin of 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 and the beast of Revelation 13, who all were given authority from Satan to carry out his wily schemes.

–          The King of the North’s End Time Actions (Dan 11:29-45)

–          Action #1 – Returns due to Hatred of the Holy Covenant (Dan 11:29-30)

…his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.  At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.  (Dan 11:28-30)

We find in Dan 11:28 (prior to the ‘appointed time’) that the King of the North’s heart is against the Holy Covenant.  The Holy Covenant, as we have already studied is the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Hebrews chapter 8 and 10, etc.).  At the ‘appointed time’ (end time / Great Tribulation), we find that the Satan-inspired King of the North will once again ‘return’ (which literally means to come back) towards the south.  The ‘south’ (Hebrew negeb, H5045), literally means parched.  We find that the ‘south’ was where Abraham journeyed to into the promised land (Gen 12:9).  It is also where Abraham went when he left Egypt (Gen 13:1-3. 20:1).  It is also where God’s people ask God to return them from their captivity, as the streams in the south (Ps 126:4). It was recognized that the land of Judah was in the south, where they were carried away captive from (Jer 13:19, Jer 1:26, Jer 17:26, Jer 32:44, Jer 33:13).  Although the south is recognized as a place of salvation, it also has whirlwinds (Is 21:1), troubles with wild beasts (Is 30:6) which likely represent various troubles and persecutions of the Christian life.  Finally, we see that the Queen of the South (Sheba), who came to Solomon seeking wisdom was a beautiful portrait of those who are seeking salvation (Mat 12:42, Lk 11:31, 1 Ki 10:1-9).  Therefore, we find that the end-time evil King of the North will have hatred towards God’s Holy Covenant and come to attack the location of God’s people (Jerusalem / land of Judah).

Regarding the ships of Chittim, we find that this is likely a spiritual portrait of the objection of the Christian church to the plans to harm the Holy Covenant.  Chittim was originally of Japheth (son of Noah) and therefore, likely represents Gentiles in general since they were not of Shem or Ham (Gen 10:4, 1 Chr 1:7).  Israel were from Shem and the Canaanites were from Ham.  We find that there is no rest (salvation) in Chittim (Is 23:1, 12).  It is a place that will also receive judgment (Num 24:24).  It is a place of merchant ships that is intimately connected to Tyre (Ez 27:6, Is 23:1, 12).  It is where ships manufacturing took place (Ez 27:6).  In the Bible, we also find that ships also represent the location of God’s people (church). In Acts 27, we find a voyage of Paul in a ship, which can be allegorically seen to be a journey in a ship.  Also, it is where people fish from (i.e., fishers of men Mat 4:19, Mk 1:17, Lk 5:2, John 21:3-6, Mat 14:13‑33, John 6:17‑21, Mk 8:10‑14, Mk 6:32‑54, Rev 8:9, Pr 31:4, etc).  It is the vehicle which brings sons from afar (Is 60:9).  In the context of Isaiah 60, this refers to salvation.  A ship is also the place which protects a group of people from the sea and allows for a journey (Jonah 1:6, Ps 107:23, Is 43:14‑16, etc.). They can also symbolize the Christian journey over the raging waves of the sea of doubt (Jude 13, Mat 14:24, James 1:6, etc.).   Therefore, it is possible that the ships of Chittim relate to the initial objections of the church to the King of the North’s evil plan against the Holy Covenant (Gospel).

The King of the North’s plans will initially be frustrated, however, the King of the North comes up with another plan to attack the Holy Covenant.  He returns again and has ‘intelligence’ (literally understand) with those that forsake the Holy Covenant (Gospel).  In other words, he find those who are already in rebellion to the truth of the Gospel and find an ally to proceed with harming the Holy Covenant.  The word ‘forsake’ in Dan 11:30 is a fine translation.  We find similar information in 2 Thess 2:3 where the Bible teaches us:

• Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2Th 2:3-4)

This is a parallel passage with Dan 11 since we find in Dan 11:36 that the King of the North also exalts and magnifies himself against every god.  So, the ‘falling away’ of 2 Thess 2:3 can viewed as parallel to the King of the North’s alliance with those who ‘forsake’ the Hold Covenant.  Therefore, we can find a great warning for the time of the placement of the Abomination is that there will a time of falling away or apostasy.  The Greek word for ‘falling away’ is apostasia which literally means to ‘stand apart’.  It is also used for the word ‘divorce’ in the New Testament.  It is interesting to note that ‘divorce in the Old Testament is used as a portrait of God divorcing Israel / Judah due to their harlotry and abominations (Is 50:1, Jer 3:1-8).   As we have previously studied, the church is full of people that claim the name of the Lord, but in actions are far from him (Mat 7:21-23).

–          Action #2 – Takes Away the Daily and Places the Abomination that Makes Desolate (Dan 11:31)

And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.  (Dan 11:31)

Arms shall stand on his part and pollute the sanctuary of strength:

As we saw in Dan 11:30, the King of the North will make an alliance with them that forsake the Holy Covenant. In other words, to forsake the Holy Covenant, means that one would have been originally following the Holy Covenant (Gospel). This represents all those people in the church that have made a profession at some point and have become part of the visible church, but were never really Christian.  They do not follow the true Gospel (which is found in the Bible).  As we saw in Mat 7:21-23, there are many in the church that are not true Christians.  Also, broad is the way that leads to destruction and narrow is the way that leads to life, and there are few that find this narrow way (Mat 7:13-14).

It is in that sense that they pollute the sanctuary (i.e., holy place / house / temple) of strength.  The Hebrew word for ‘pollute’ (H2490) occurs about 140 times and literally means to ‘wear down’ or ‘dissolve’.  Interestingly, this word is used in many places in the Old Testament as ‘polluting’ the name of God (e.g., Is 48:11, Jer 34:16, Eze 20:9, Eze 20:22, Eze 20:39).  When there is division and non-unity in the gathering of God’s people due to the existence of people who have forsaken the Holy Covenant, we find that God’s name can be polluted by the resultant sin and confusion.  Also, we find several occurrences of the pollution of God’s Sabbaths (i.e., feasts, rest days that all symbolize salvation – see Eze 20:13-14, Eze 20:16, Eze 20:24).  This also would accord with the falling away from the Holy Covenant.  This would involve not respecting the truth of God’s elective salvation plan and that no work could be done for one’s salvation.  Finally, we find the following important parallel passage:

Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.  (Zep 3:4, see also Jer 23:32, Eze 22:28)

We find in this passage that it is those prophets who have spoken lies that pollute the sanctuary.  They have done violence to the law.  That is they are false teachers, false prophets.  The word of God is not withheld.  The Holy Covenant found in the Word of God is not respected or correctly taught and proclaimed.

The sanctuary of strength:

The Hebrew word for ‘strength’ (H4581) is often used in the Old Testament regarding a place that is fortified.  We find that the Lord is our ‘fortress’ and strength (Jer 16:19).  He is our ‘strong’ rock (Ps 31;2).  But, the ‘strong’ cities of Judah will also become a forsaken branch and made desolate (Is 17:9).  It is due to the people forgetting the God of their salvation and has not been mindful of the rock of their ‘strength’ (Is 17:10).  In other words, due to not performing daily activities such as being in the Word of God, prayer and service, the ‘strong’ cities are not strong anymore.  They have become vulnerable to the attacks of the kingdom of Satan, led by the King of the North.

Take away the daily sacrifice:

As we saw in our studies of Daniel 8 and 9, the daily (sacrifices and offerings) were primary symbols that were types that pointed forward to Jesus Christ, His Body (true Christians) and many other symbols of the Christian life.  We saw that all the sacrifices and offerings were fulfilled in the offering of Jesus Christ for the sins of His people.

In the New Testament, Christ’s body of believers also live out the sacrifice and offering of themselves.  We saw that the following verses are important in the ‘daily’ actions of true Christians:

• Give us this day our daily bread – Mat 6:11, Lk 11:3 (note: Jesus is the bread of life, Mat 4:4, John 6:51, 58, etc.)
• Exhort one another daily – Heb 3:13
• Paul’s daily care for the churches – 2 Cor 11:28
• Jesus taught daily – Lk 19:47
• Jesus daily in the temple – Mk 14:49, Lk 22:53, Mat 26:55
• Take up one’s cross daily – Lk 9:23
• Christians die daily in service to Christ – 1 Cor 15:31
• Paul disputing daily for Christ – Acts 19:9, 17;17
• Bereans searched Scriptures daily to verify truth – Acts 17:11
• Number of Christians increased daily – Acts 2:47, 3:2, 16:5
• Daily ministration to the saints – Acts 6:1
• Teaching and preaching daily – Acts 5:42
• Disciples met daily, broke bread and of one accord daily – Acts 2:46
• Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing – 1 Thess 5:16-17

We found that it is reasonable to conclude that the ‘daily’ that was taken away was the Biblical expectation that Christians to die daily by following Christ through Bible study, worship, witness, discipleship and service.  With these sacrifices and offerings God is well pleased.

• And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. (Eph 5:2)
• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:1-2)

It is also of interest in the above passage that Christians are to present their bodies as a living sacrifice.  In other words, our life should be considered as a sacrifice.  We consider ourselves crucified to Christ (Gal 2:16, 20) and we die daily (1 Cor 15:31).  We present ourselves as an offering:

• Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. (Php 2:16-17)
• By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Heb 13:15)
• Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1Pe 2:5)
• But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. (Php 4:18)

We find in the above passages that it is Jesus Christ (and His body of true Christians) that is the offering of sacrifice.  But, it is not yet clear as to what it means that the sacrifice and offering will ‘cease’.  The word ‘cease’ in the Old Testament (shabath – H7673) I literally ‘to rest’.  In Gen 2:2-3, we find that God rested after His creation.  However, in 2 Chr 36:21, Lev 26:34-35, we find that when the desolation of Judah / Jerusalem occurred, the land ‘kept sabbath’ (H7673).  This did not mean that God’s people were still not active in preaching God’s word (e.g., Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zephaniah, etc.).  What the cessation of sacrifices and oblations meant was that the organized system of religion was hampered and therefore, ceased.  In Lam 5:14-15, when the desolation occurred, we find this:

• The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick. The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning. (Lam 5:14-15)

However, we find in Dan 11:31, these daily sacrifices are to be taken away by the King of the North and those who have forsaken the Holy Covenant.  In other words, there will be a great trial on the true believers since there core purpose in life will be ‘taken away’ due to persecution.  We find in other end time prophecies that true Christians will be substantially persecuted and ‘spiritually silenced by not being able to proclaim the true Gospel within the church congregation:

• Afflicted, killed, and hated ‑ Mat 24:9, Mk 13:9, Lk 21:12
• Slain for Word of God and testimony – Rev 6:9-11, 7:9-17, 11:7-10
• Beast has war with saints – see 13:8 notes
• Offended, betrayed, and hated ‑ Mat 24:10, Mk 13:12‑13, Lk 21:16‑19
• Christians die daily – Mat 24:9, 2 Cor 1:9,4:10-12, 6:9,7:3, Ro 8:35-39, James 5:6, 1 John 3:15, 1 Cor 4:9, 15:31, Mat 5:21-22, Hab 1:2-4, James 2:9-11, Ps 94:1-7, 44:22, Rev 6:9, Mk 8:35
• Christians Have Been Crucified w/ Christ – Gal 2:20, 5:24, 6:14, Ro 6:6
• We are dead to sin and the law – Ro 6:6,11, Ro 8:10, 2 Tim 2:11, Ro 7:2-6, Gal 2:19, Col 2:10, 3:3 w/ 3:1-11, Ro 6:2-8, Eph 4:22
• Killing by Words – Mat 5:21-22, Ro 3:13-15, Pr 11:9
• Christians are living sacrifices – see Rev 6:9-11
• Spiritual battle, not physical – see Rev 6:3-4

The abomination that makes desolate:

We have already seen in Daniel 8 and 9 that the abomination that makes desolate is the tool that is used to destroy the city and sanctuary (the visible church).  As used in the Bible, we find that abominations have altogether to do with worshiping and serving other gods and idols.  It is this abomination that overspreads the church and ultimately is what those unsaved persons in the church are trusting in.  Notably, in Dan 11:30-31, we find that those who forsake the Holy Covenant (the Gospel) are the allies that the king of the North uses.  The ability to remove the daily sacrifice is instigated by an apostasy from the truth of God.  It is a forsaking of the Holy Covenant. It is losing focus on the fact that mankind is utterly powerless to save themselves and must rely completely on the word of Jesus Christ for salvation and sanctification.  Instead, they have turned the people to worshiping other modern gods and modern idols. Because of these abominations, there is desolation. Desolation is caused by being taken captivity (to sin), being scattered (divisions in the church) and being put to death spiritually by famine (lack of Word of God), evil beasts (false teachers) and sword (spiritual battle by those in the church).

–          Action #3 – Corruption by Flattery of Those who do Wickedness against the Covenant (Dan 11:32, 34)

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries…but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. (Dan 11:32, 34)

We find that flatteries are an important part of the King of the North’s strategy.   First, he uses flattery to gain an alliance with those who forsake the covenant (i.e., those who commit apostasy away from the Gospel, 2 Thess 2:3).  The Hebrew word (H2515, see also H2513, H2512, H2506 and H2505) for flattery is challaqqah, which literally means ‘smooth’.  It is the word used in 1 Sam 7:40 to describe the five smooth stones David collected and by one of them, he killed Goliath.  In Ps 55:20-21, David says of those who persecute him:

He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. (Psa 55:20-21)

 

The words of his enemies were smooth and soft, yet war was in their hearts.  Similarly, the King of the North and his allies will have smooth and flattering talk to deceive and enlarge their alliance.  However, we also find that this word ‘flatter’ is used to describe the behavior of a harlot and how she seeks to entrap people into her whoredoms (Pr 5:3, 6:24, Pr 7:21, Ps 50:18).  We know that in the Bible that a harlot is a portrait of a church that has gone astray after other gods and idols (Eze 6:9, 43:9, Jer 3:1-9, 5:7, 2 Ki 9:22, 2 Chr 21:11-15, Ex 34:15-16, Deut 31:16, Judges 2:16-17, Micah 1:7, Pr 7:10, Ps 73:27, Ps 106:39, Lev 17:7, Is 1:21, etc.).  Similarly, those who have fallen away from the true Gospel are also easily ensnared into the tangled web of deception of the King of the North (Antichrist, man of sin, etc.).

Additionally, the King of the North uses flattery to corrupt those in his alliance.  The word ‘corrupt’ in the Old Testament simply means to soil.  This word appears 24 times and is often translated as pollute, defile or as a hypocrite.  In Jer 23:11, when speaking of the prophets and priests of Judah, we find that they are considered as defiled since their wickedness occurs in the God’s house.  This would correspond to the King of the North’s corrupting flattery since he uses flattery on those who have forsaken the covenant (apostates from the true Gospel in the church).   Additionally, Jer 3:1-2, says that the land (where God’s people dwell) is polluted due to the whoredoms of Judah (see also Is 24:4-5, Jer 3:9, Micah 4:11, Ps 106:38).

In many places the word corrupt is translated as a hypocrite in the Old Testament (e.g., Pr 11:9, Is 9:17, Is 33:13-14, Is 10:6, Ps 35:16, etc.).  A hypocrite is one who has ‘low criticism’ of himself.  In other words, the King of the North makes hypocrites out of those whom he adds to his alliance.  He promises them peace under his leadership, yet they become hypocrites since they are rebellion to the Prince of Peace.  They are flattered to believe that they are the ones who are right and those who keep the holy covenant are wrong.  It is apostasy (2 Thess 2:3).

–          Action #4 – Christians will Spread Gospel, but will be Persecuted (Dan 11:32-35)

…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.  (Dan 11:32-35)

It is important to understand that even under the worst persecution and tribulation, the Gospel will continue to go forth.  In Mat 24:14, we find that the Gospel of the kingdom of God shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations and then the end will come.  God has a plan of salvation and the Gospel will reach every person who he intends to save prior to the end of the world.  Once the last person whom God intends on saving is saved, the end shall come.  Also, in 2 Pet 3:9, we find that God is longsuffering and not willing for any (of the elect) to perish, but that all (the elect) will come to repentance.

Dan 11:32 states that the people who know their God (i.e., true Christians) will be strong.  We find in 1 John 2:14 that saved people are strong because of the abiding Word of God and that they overcome the wicked one.  We find in Heb 11:34, that those of faith become strong out of weakness. When we are weak (i.e., understand that we are nothing without God’s power), then we are strong (2 Cor 12:10).  Finally, we are commanded to be strong by taking up the whole armor of God, which includes the sword of the word of God (Eph 6:10).  This strength includes ‘instructing many’.  As Christians are strong and the Gospel goes forth, disciples are made (John 8:30-31).  The great commission of Christians are to go and make disciples (Mat 28:19-20).

However, during the Great Tribulation, there will be great distress and persecution.  We find in Dan 11:33, that the people of God will fall by sword, by flame, by captivity and by spoil and when they fall in these four manners, they will only receive very little help (Dan 11:34).  Although they may be in the midst of a very large church, they will find that they will get very little support from the lampstand.  The King of the North and his allies will be in control of the church Babylon (Rev 17-18).  In fact:

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  (Mat 24:24)

Only a vain unity with those in the church will exist and those will cleave to them by flattery.  They will desire the opportunity for fellowship on the terms of the Harlot, Babylon.  But, they are persecuted by sword, flame, captivity and spoil:

• Sword: represents spiritual battle over the truth of the Word of God (e.g., Eph 6:10-20). The weapons of a Christians warfare are not carnal weapons, but spiritual ( 2 Cor 10:3-5).
• Flame: Trial by fire – Christians are made clean and holy by the trials of persecution – see Ps 66:10, The believer’s faith will be tested by fire and it will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:7). Christians will be refined by the furnace of affliction (Is 48:10, Mal 3:1-18, etc.)
• Captivity – Just as some of those taken captivity by Babylon were saved individuals (e.g., Ezekiel, Jeremiah, etc.). Also, Lk 21:24, states that Christians shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Being led away captive has the spiritual meaning of being taken to a place (e.g., church), where one is not free to do as they wish.  If the church is by and large controlled or heavily influenced by unsaved people, saved people will have been spiritually led away captive.
• Spoil – To spoil is to one’ possessions as a result of being captured. We find that a Christian can be spoiled by being taken advantage of through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men and after the rudiments of the world (Col 2:8).  When a church teaches man’s philosophies and other worldly matters instead of focusing entirely on the Word of God, true Christians are bring spoiled.  There ‘possessions’ of having the Word of God are being taken away from them when they are gathered together in the church.

–          Action #5 – The Pride of the King of the North (Dan 11:36-37)

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.  (Dan 11:36-37)

When we study the Bible, we find that there are 5 prominent passages that provide a description of the end-time Antichrist (which is empowered by Satan, the King of Babylon):

• Dan 7 Little Horn
• Dan 8 Little Horn
• Dan 9 – Prince that will come
• Dan 11 – King of the North
• 2 Thess 2 – Man of Sin (lawless one)
• 1 John 2:18 – Antichrist
• Rev 9, Rev 13 – Beast from the Bottomless Pit

We find the Dan 11:36-37 actions of the King of the North essentially repeated in the above passages.  The king of the North will have the following characteristics:

• Do according to his will – selfish / authoritative
• Exalt himself – pride / narcissism
• Magnify himself over every god – He and his ‘politics’ are more important than any religion, god or devotion (similar to Satan in Is 14:3-14)
• Speak marvelous things against the God of gods – denies / discounts Bible truth
• Prosper – will appear successful, especially with regard to the persecution of the saints

It is very interesting that Dan 11:37 (see also Dan 11:38) says that he will not regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women.  First, the ‘God of his fathers’ refers to the fact that there is a Christian background of the King of the North.  Satan himself actually knows that God exists very well.  Similarly, the King of the North knows, but will not regard God.  Even in the Garden of Eden, the physical father of us all (Adam) clearly knew God (e.g., Gen 3).

The desire (literally, delight) of women is for their husband (see Gen 3:16). Spiritually, the women represents the church and the husband represents Christ (Eph 5:22-33).  Normally, a church will desire Jesus Christ (i.e., the Bread of Life, Word of God).  However, when the King of the North comes on the scene, he will not regard the desire of women (i.e., Jesus Christ and His threefold ministry of being a Prophet, Priest and King).  Rather the King of the North is the antichrist (1 John 2:18).

–          Action #6 – Honoring and Worshiping Satan (Dan 11:38-39)

But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strongholds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.  (Dan 11:38-39)

In his estate, shall he honor the god of forces:

The word ‘estate’ in the Hebrew means a stand or a base.  For example the laver of cleansing in the Old Testament ceremonial laws had a base to the laver (Ex 30:18, 28, 31:9, 16, Ex 38:8, Ex 39:39, Lev 8:11).  Applying this word to the King of the North, we find that in his platform (or support), he honors (glorifies) the god of forces.

The Hebrew word for ‘forces’ (H4581) literally means strength and is also translated as a stronghold or a fortress.  Often this word, when translated as strength refers to the Lord God (Joel 3:16, Jer 16:19, Ps 31:4, 39, 43:2, Pr 10:29, Is 17:10, 2 Sam 22;33, Neh 8:10, Ps 27:1, Ps 28:8).  Also, in Nah 1:7, we find that the Lord is referred to as a stronghold.  In a negative connotation, and relevant to Dan 11:38, we find that in Dan 11:7 and Dan 11:19, the word ‘forces’ refers to the ‘fortress’ of the King of the North.  In Dan 11:10, the word is used in referring to the great forces (armies) that overflow in battle.  It is also used of the Egyptian Pharaoh in a similar way in Eze 30:2-3, 15 and of Tyre in Is 23:11-14.  The full negative connotation of the god of forces that the King of the North honors would be Satan himself. We know that Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4).  We also find in 2 Cor 10:4 that the Christians warfare is not carnal, but still mighty in God to the pulling down of ‘strongholds’ which, as 2 Cor 10:5 points out, are the false teachings of Satan’s ministers that are against the knowledge of the true God.

Honor with gold, silver and with precious stones and pleasant things:

Then King of the North will honor the god of forces (Satan) with four objects: gold, silver, precious stones and pleasant things.  All four of these objects spiritually refer to God’s people.  Gold and silver are often referred to a type of true Christians as they are built into the House of God (1 Cor 3:12, 2 Tim 2:20, Rev 21:19).  Similarly, precious stones likely refer to true believing Christians (Rev 18:4 with Rev 18:12, 16 and 1 Cor 3:12, James 5:7, 1 Pet 1:7, 2 Pet 1:4, 2 Tim 2:20).  Finally, we find that the pleasant things is based on the Hebrew word (H2530) that is translated delight or beloved.  Notably, Daniel is refer to in this way in Dan 9:23, 10:11, 10:19.

Satan’s desire is to pervert the Gospel of Christ and cause genuine believers to follow Satan.  Mat 24:23-24 notes this:

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

(Mat 24:23-24)

Satan, as a roaring lion goes about seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8).  Christians are in a grand battle against the darkness and battle against the wiles of the devil resulting in the need to put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-18, see also 2 Cor 10:3-5).  In the Great Tribulation, the forces of evil are against true Christians as we find in Dan 8, Dan 11, 2 Thess, Rev 13 and many other passages.  By deceiving the very elect, the King of the North honors Satan and carries out his evil plans against us.  We find in Rev 13:7 that the Beast (a.k.a., King of the North) makes war with the saints to overcome them (see also Dan 7:21, Rev 11:7, 11:18).

Most strongholds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory:

The word ‘most’ literally means strong.  In other words, even the strongest strongholds will not be immune to the vicious attacks of the King of the North.  As we saw above, the ‘daily’ was removed, which was a symbol for all the daily things a Christian does (i.e., Bible study, worship, prayer, service, etc.) come under attack.  The strongholds of the Christian are under attack.  Normally, the Christian church would be a haven for Christians, but in the Great Tribulation, it will be the battleground.

The strange god as we have seen in Dan 11:37-38 is none other than Satan himself, the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4).  Satan is acknowledge.  The word ‘acknowledge’ in the Hebrew literally means to scrutinize or discern.  We find in Rev 2:24, the church at Thyatira had those there who knew the depths of Satan.  We find in 1 Tim 4:1 that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith and give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (1 Tim 4:1).  In Rev 17-18, we find Babylon, which is a type of the end time Christian church.  We note in Rev 18:2 that she is the habitation of devils, of every foul spirit and cage for every unclean and hateful bird.  We see a threefold description in Rev 18:2 of Satan’s ministers that are active in the church.  We find in 2 Cor 11:3-4, 13-15 that Satan and his ministers transform themselves into angels (messengers) of light.  We find the strange god (Satan) being glorified through his ministers that do battle within the churches.  The end time is a time of great deception and an overflowing of false teaching, which serves to glorify Satan.

He shall cause them to rule over many and shall divide the land for gain:

In the Great Tribulation, Satan has been loosed from his prison (Rev 20:3) and resumes his deceptive motives.  He is accompanied by the Beast and the False Prophet to form the Satanic Trinity (Rev 16:13, 19:20, etc.).   The Beast (a.k.a., King of the North) and the False Prophet gather together as rules for the final Battle against the Lamb and His armies (Rev 19:19).  Therefore, at the end time the King of the North will be the agent of Satan, which is the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4) for the final Battle of Armageddon (Rev 16:16).

Prior to the final battle, the king of the North shall ‘divide’ the land for gain.  The Hebrew word ‘divide’ (H2505) is the literal word ‘smooth’ that is often translated as ‘divide’ or ‘flatter’.  As we saw in Dan 11:32, the word was used in relation to those who the king of the North flattered to gain an alliance (i.e., those who forsook the holy covenant, which is the Gospel).  We see that the land is ‘divided’ or ‘flattered’ for material gain.  Spiritually speaking, we find that deceit brings division so that those who follow the truth will be divided from those who deceive (Ro 16:17, 1 Cor 1:10, 1 Cor 3:3, 1 Cor 11:18).  We also know that much false teaching has its roots in ‘gain’ or making profit from religion (Phil 3:17-19, 1 Tim 6:3-5, Balaam (Num 22-25 with 2 Pet 2;15, Jude 11, Rev 2;14), 2 Cor 2:17, Ro 16:17-18, Mat 23:14, Titus 1:10-16, 2 Chr 24:5-7, 1 Chr 6:28, etc.).

Conclusion and Summary – The Abomination of Desolation

–          Abomination – serving and/or worshiping other gods and idols

It is important to note that in the passage in Rev 17-18 concerning the end-time false Christian church, Babylon, there are many quotes and allusions to Jeremiah 50-51.  Jer 50-51 was a prophecy concerning Babylon at the time of Judah’s captivity in the 6^th century B.C.  Babylon, at the time of the Fall of Jerusalem and Judah in the 6^th century B.C. was a portrait for the end-time condition of the corporate, worldly Christian church.  Judah had essentially been taken captive into the Babylonian state and the faithful were just a small remnant.  Jer 50-51 was a pronounced prophecy by God (though Jeremiah) that Babylon was to be destroyed by the Medes.  Connecting Rev 17:4 back to Jer 51:7 and Jer 9:23-24, we found that Babylon’s abominable practices could be summarized as man’s wisdom, might and riches that he worships and serves:

Man’s Wisdom:

• Philosophy, education, knowledge, experiences, new age philosophies, research, media / television, history, entertainment, science, religious doctrines, legalism, false doctrine, false gospels, psychology, non-Biblical counseling, superstition, animism, books, pundits, theologians, gurus, imams, teachers, etc.

Man’s Might:

• Politics, business, sports, guns, finance, beauty / fashion, military, social standing, cliques, social media, special skills, body-building, manipulation, family / clan, alliances, business partners, mysticism / occult / new age philosophies, authority, denominations, churches, organizational titles / positions, rank, sex, extortion, money, influence, debates, achievements, accomplishments, goals, awards, etc.

Man’s Riches:

• Gluttony, money, stock, bonds, precious metals, accounts, possessions, houses, cars, planes, boats, fields, collections, antiques, televisions, computers, electronics, idleness, recreation, vacations, pleasures, alcohol, drugs, etc.

Obviously, the above examples is not a complete list.  But, it is important that we do not try to simplify the worship of other gods and idols as limited to primitive idol worship and mythical gods.  Our god is whatever becomes the most important to us in our lives.  The examples above are not necessarily sinful, unless they become our god / idol.  Our gods and idols are what we worship with our time and energy.  For example, Col 3:5 teaches us that greed is really idolatry.  We find that we can depart from the faith by giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (1 Tim 4:1).  By definition, Babylon is confusing; to wit, the confusion and error of many prevalent Christian doctrines.  Many false prophets and teachers have arisen to temp u to worship the demonic Babylonian religion (see Mat 24:11-12, 1 Tim 4:1, 2 Pet 2, Jude 3-4 with Rev 18:2).

If we dwell on the examples in the above three categories, we can begin to see that Christian churches often promote, enjoin, support or at least tolerate most of these activities.  Of course, as human beings living in a physical world, we participate in life and therefore, need to engage in these type of activities in order to function in the world.  None of the items above are necessarily sin in and of themselves.  But, when they become more important in our energy and time than God, then these things become our god and / or idol.  We must do all to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).  We must examine ourselves to see if we are indeed in the faith of Christ (2 Cor 13:5).  If we find any of these things more important that our relationship with Jesus Christ, woe be unto us and my God immediately correct us.

In the Old Testament, an abomination was the worship and service to a false god or idol.  We find in the New Testament the same meaning, but we also find that idols in the Bible can refer to more abstract ideas such as setting up idols in one’s heart (Eze 14:1-7) and greediness (Col 3:5).  However, the most basic meaning of worshiping another god or idol is that of worshiping Satan and his angels (demons).  We find an explicit statement in 1 Cor 10:19-20 that to worship an idol is the same as worshiping a demon.  Also, we find that in this world, there are only children of God or children of Satan (1 John 3:8-10).  Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4) and desires to be worshiped (Rev 13:4, 12).  Anything that is not done in the name of the one true God is done to serve Satan’s ends and by so doing, one is worshiping Satan.  Moreover, one of the temptations offered by Satan to Jesus Christ were all the kingdoms of this world since Satan is the god of this world and gives the kingdoms to whoever he wishes (Lk 4:5-7).  In exchange, for all the kingdom of this world, Satan wanted Jesus to worship him, which Jesus promptly rebuked him with Scripture that one I to worship on the Lord (Lk 4:7-8).

We also find examples during the Great Tribulation where the antichrist takes his seat in the temple of God (e.g., 2 Thess 2:1-4).  In other words, Satan and his ministers as angels of light (2 Cor 11:13-15) are present within the church seeking worship.  Similarly, we find the ‘little horn’ in Daniel 7 and Dan 8 and the king of the North in Dan 11 other presentations of the antichrist who seeks glorification of himself.

–          Desolation – divisions, heresies, dissembling and silencing of God’s people

Because abomination is brought into the church, turmoil results.  There are three basic causes of desolation that are revealed for us in the Bible: captivity, scattering and killing.

The church can become desolate by being taken into captivity into a domain controlled by Satan and his ministers.  In effect, the church becomes controlled by Satan because the ‘daily’ sacrifice and oblation is removed and the void is filled by abominable practices.

The church can be scattered in that Satan’s confusing and false doctrine will tend to divide people within the church resulting in schisms and many people changing churches or just leaving the church entirely.

Finally, there will be spiritual killing in the church (which spiritually means that Christians are hated, persecuted and silenced) by sword, famine, evil beasts and pestilence.  When there is spiritual warfare (sword), there result in divisions and hatred in the church.  There is famine since in many cases, the word of God (Bible) is abandoned for other teaching in the church.  The true Christians in the congregation are left spiritually hungry because of the lack of spiritual food, while the unsaved in the church may enjoy the fun, fellowship and worldly teaching in the church.  Evil beasts (e.g., wolves in sheep’s clothing) are rampant in the church teaching things that are contrary to the Bible and allow for sin, idolatry and worship of other gods.  In  worldly churches (especially larger or megachurches), there is no accountability for sin, minimal direct shepherding of the sheep, greediness and the allowance for sinful behavior of all types.  This leads to spiritual sickness.  The congregation is left spiritually sick by abominable practices and sin that have crept into the church.

Simple summary:

• Captivity – the capture of God’s people within a church controlled by Satan’s ministers

• Scattering – Church divisions, splits, disunity, people leaving the church (driving God’s people out of the church and into the wilderness)

• Killing:
• Famine – not bread of life, no Word of God
• Evil Beasts – Satan’s ministers desolating the church
• Sword – spiritual warfare, the righteous being persecuted, hated and silenced
• Pestilence – spiritually unhealthy with sin and false doctrine

–          Holy Place – wherever true Christians are (churches, congregations, Christian events)

The Holy Place is where God’s people dwell.  Where two or three Christians are gathered in His name, so Christ is there (Mat 18:20).  The holy city Jerusalem contains the location of God’s people.  Earthly Jerusalem houses the temple (house) of God, which are all true Christians (a place where He has put His name).  Currently this name is ‘Christian’.  But, God’s church is dispersed physically and is mixed with unsaved people that are not the elect of God, even though they may ‘believe’ in Jesus.  God’s people, like wheat amongst tares (Mat 13:24-30, 36-43) are intermingled with unsaved people.  Earthly Jerusalem is in bondage and attempts to reach God through a works-based salvation plan (Gal 4:25-26) and represents all works-based religion.  Nonetheless, the Holy Place is where God’s people dwell.  Where two or three Christians are gathered in His name, so Christ is there (Mat 18:20).  The holy city Jerusalem represents the location of God’s people, which is the house (temple) of God.  The ultimate fulfillment is the heavenly city above that comes down to the new heavens and new earth (Rev 21, Heb 12:22, etc.) for the eternity after Judgment Day.  Because God’s people that are living are on the earth, the Holy City on earth exists wherever God’s people are gathered together in the name of Jesus Christ.  The Holy City, Jerusalem, was the original location of the church that was begun on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).   We find that the end-time Christian church during the great Tribulation is called Babylon and is full of spiritual whoredoms.

–          The Abomination in Daniel – The ‘Daily’ sacrifice and oblation is removed

We find that the ‘daily’ being removed is integral to the placement of the Abomination of Desolation.  We saw that the ‘Daily’ sacrifice and oblation refers to the Biblical expectation that Christians die daily by following Christ through Bible study, worship, witness, discipleship and service.  With these sacrifices and offerings God is well pleased.  When these sacrifices are removed from the normal course of being a Christian, abominable practices (worship of worldly gods and idols) fill the void.

Also, a study of Daniel 8, 9 and 11 revealed that the prime instigator behind the removal of the ‘daily’ and setting up of the ‘abomination of desolation’ is the antichrist (i.e., little horn, prince that will come and the King of the North in Daniel 8, 9 and 11 respectively).