Matthew 24 - Part 24 

In our examination of Matthew 24 we have arrived at verse 15 and the two terms spoken [rheo:C4483] and by [dia:C7223] referring to Daniel the prophet regarding the term, abomination [bdelugma:C946] of desolation [eremosis:C2050] which only appears in Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11. We will be comparing those two Hebrew words, abomination(s) [shiqquwts:H8257/TWOT*:2459b] and desolate [ shamem:H2409] with their Greek counterparts in another study. In light of that I would like for us to consider the two expressions, spoken [rheo:C4483] and by [dia:C7223] first. 

Spoken [rheo:G4483] & By [dia:G1223] 

These two words are found together 10 times, and all within the book of Matthew (which is very unusual) in the following citations (besides Matthew 24:15): 1:22; 2:15; 2:23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; and 27:9. In these passages the following Old Testament books are being quoted: Isaiah, Hosea, Zechariah, and Psalms. For the sake of time I will just quote Matthew 1:22-23 which is so appropriate as we think about the Savior's birth: Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, {23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 

Stand [histemi:G2476] In [en:G1722] The Holy [hagios:G40] Place [topos:G5117] 

The next four words, stand in the holy place, only surface together again in Acts 7:33, in which Stephen is quoting Exodus 3:5 and this episode in Moses' life when he encountered the angel of the LORD (Christ) at the burning bush: Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place [topos:C5777] where [en:C7722] thou standest [histemi:C2476] is holy [hagios:C40] ground. 

What Is The Holy [hagios:G40] Place [topos:G5117] ? 

What is the holy place? Let's now address this question. Besides Matthew 24:15 and Acts 7:33, these two expressions only crop up in four other references, and in each case the church (assembly) or Temple is in view: Acts 4:31; 6:13; 21:28; and 1 Corinthians 1:2. For the sake of brevity, I will only quote the last two verses: 

* Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

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Abomination [shiqquwts:H8251/TWOT:2459b*] & Desolate [shamem:H8074/TWOT:2049*]

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 [shiqquwts:H8251/TWOT:2459b] he shall make [it] desolate [shamem:H8074/TWOT:2049], even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate [shamem:H8074/TWOT:2049]... {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 [shiqquwts:H8251/TWOT:2459b] that maketh desolate [shamem:H8074/TWOT:2049]... {12:11} And from the time [that] the daily [sacrifice] shall be taken away, and the abomination [shiqquwts:H8251/TWOT:2459b]  that maketh desolate [shamem:H8074/TWOT:2049] set up, [there shall be] a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

What Is The Abomination Of Desolation?

There has been much confusion, speculation and misrepresentation regarding the abomination of desolation, as there has been surrounding the identity of the antichrist (who is none other than Satan as 1 John 4:3 underscores: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it [he] should come; and even now already is it [he] in the world. In order for antichrist to already be in the world at the time when this epistle was written and still appear in the future by the future tense, should come, cannot be speaking of a particular "man" but rather the Devil. Simply put the abomination of desolation stands in the holy place, (i.e., the churches or denominations) or the house of God, as 1 Peter 4:17 clarifies:  For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God? According to Mark 13:14, it is ...standing where it ought not... One discovers that the abomination of desolation that is set up in Daniel 12:11 is defined by what we read in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 and is a fulfillment of Isaiah 14:12-15 respectively; please note the usage of the first person singular ("I") in the Isaiah passage: 

Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away [apostasia:G646] first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; {4} Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth [to sit = to rule] in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

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! {13} 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 [i.e., "rule"] also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: {14} I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. {15} Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell [the grave], to the sides of the pit. [the grave]

Incidentally, and to be very clear, it is God Himself that allowed Satan to infilitrate the New Testament churches and denominations, as a judgment against them, as He warned them again and again in Revelation that He would remove their candlestick (Revelation 2:5) if they did not repent, which they failed to do over the course of the 1955 years of the era of the New Testament churches and denominations.

Flee Into The Mountains

Why don't we proceed to Matthew 24:16 which affirms: Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains. Those in Judaea is another reference to the members of the New Testament churches and denominations to flee that formerly divine institution, and head for the mountains. Which mountains? In the Bible mountains are indicative of kingdoms, and in this context, the Kingdom of God, or the Bible is in view, which we will investigate further in our next study.

Prayer And Praise

We thank God for each one of you and pray for God's continued spiritual blessings in your life for 2021. Thank you  for remembering our daughter Maria in your prayers.

*Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

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