A Closer look: the Abomination of Desolation
At one point abomination is translated transgression in Dan 8:13. The phrase is seen again in:
Dan 11:31 and 12:11. Abomination can also be translated as “Abominator” because it is an idol as well as a form of idolatry.
“…an host was given him (the little horn) against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced (succeeded) and prospered” Dan 8:12, & Dan 11:31 (similar message). “…Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end…(v.11) And from the time that the daily sacrifice shallbe taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up…” Dan 12:9-11.
This “little horn”, (representing the antichrist) will trample the truth, causing the daily sacrifice to be taken away, or perverted using the Hebrew word cuwr as explained three paragraphs back. The Abomination (or abominator) of Desolation is intimately linked to the degeneration or perversion of the daily sacrifice. In old covenant days, the daily sacrifice consisted of killing two yearling male lambs (one at morning, one at evening time) to expiate sins. This daily sacrifice was abolished and put to rest (Shabat) when the Lord's sealed a new covenant as per Dan 9:25-27.
Question: The future antichrist is said to take away (or to pervert) the “daily sacrifice.” What shall be
perverted if the daily sacrifice has already been abolished by Christ? The answer is two-fold.
1) Much of the world doesn't recognize that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah - they don't recognize that He has already abolished the law of sacrifice; therefore, Jews in Israel await their own Messiah in the hopes of building a third temple to resume animal sacrifices. Consider carefully: Christ's sacrifice ushered in the new covenant abolishing animal sacrifice. Were a world religious leader who claims to sit in the seat of God (like the pope) alongside observant Jews and other faiths turns around and brings in new sacrifices (red heifers, rams etc.) to honor “God”, then this would be considered a grave abomination (blasphemy) by “taking away” or perverting the true sacrifice (of Christ) and replacing it or worse, performing those sacrifices in Christ Jesus' name.
2) Christ Jesus' body became the eternal sacrifice, i.e. the "our daily bread" is eternal - there is no time element:
Luke 22:19-20 “...He took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me.” He called Himself the Bread of Life. According to scripture when we become Christians, we become part of the Body of Christ, many people incorporated one loaf. As Paul noted:
1 Cor 10:16-18 “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? v.17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” v.18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
Recall: The word for communion, more specifically its root koinonos in some contexts pertains to the altar in Jerusalem upon which sacrifices are offered. The ritual of communion is bread consumed by believers in fellowship with Elohim YHVH since we are incorporated into that loaf once we affirm our apostolic oath toward the covenant of Lord Jesus the Christ. THIS communion is the superior successor to the old covenant “daily sacrifice.” By whatever means he can, antichrist will seek to destroy our communion with the Living God and in turn have us unwittingly worship Satan. This he may well do if any of us engage in the ritual of communion with those of other faiths and especially if performing animal sacrifices alongside them.
Question: Will major churches allow this interfaith communion on a worldwide basis hailing it as the
“christian” thing to do? Think about it.
The Lord speaks: “When you see the Abomination of Desolation… stand in the Holy Place…”
Along the way, the Lord’s disciples got up the courage to ask what all of us want to know: “…Tell us, when will these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world?” Matt 24:3. So our Lord detailed it, not by dates or calendars, rather by the signs in the earth, sky and in people, mostly in the actions and words of people from around the world. Jesus also made a specific reference to Daniel’s words and elaborated on it at length.
Matt 24:14-15 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all
nations; and then shall the end come. (v.15) When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,
spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoever reads, let him understand)..."
This “holy place” is God’s throne in the temple, yet specifically, His place in us, vessels of His Holy Spirit. He's not speaking of Jerusalem of which He noted that “not one stone shall be standing atop one another.“ (Matt 24:1-2) and which did fall in 70 a.d. The Lord followed His initial remarks by directing unmistakable warnings to those caught in the apostasy spoken of before by Daniel. That’s pretty thorough commentary from our Creator, based on words from someone (Daniel) who supposedly didn’t “exist” according to some scholars. It should be obvious from the words here in Matt 24 from verse 1 to the end, that the antichrist will precede the true Christ’s second coming. Otherwise, the admonitions concerning the trampling down of the true covenant, and the entry of the false covenant would make no sense.
A nagging question in the minds of some is to how so many people could be caught unawares.
How could anyone possibly mistake antichrist for the true Christ?
Deception is strong, and it travels looking like the truth people want it to be. Many times from my youth on, I’ve heard people confidently announce that all religions lead to the same “god.” In a way, they are correct. All religions and philosophies do lead to the same person - he just happens to be the god of this world. And his name is Satan. Because of this fact, when the false god arrives, he will be readily embraced by all faiths, no matter how mismatched they might seem in each other’s eyes now. They will do this because they know him well having unwittingly worshiped him all along. All of this explains why interfaith communion will work out initially, no matter how impossible to envision, and why the world will race to feverishly honor their “father” with every fiber of their very lives all the while murdering those who don't bear their mark, just as the Lord predicted they would and will (John 16:2). Also...
Matt 24:42,44 "Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord arrives…(v.44) Therefore be ready: for in such an hour as you think not, the Son of man returns.”
Why would the Lord warn us to watch and why would His arrival be unexpected? Why is the day of the Lord's arrival described “as a thief in the night”? (2 Peter 3:10). Precisely because the deceived, polluted world will believe - that He’s already here.
The deceiver will be convincing, but not for those who discern. Therefore, beware of any oath, covenant or communion that usurps or masquerades as the covenant the Lord has already made with us, neither enter into any promise made by someone coming in “Christ’s” name, neither follow to the ends of the earth people who say they have “seen him.” The true Lord’s arrival will be evident to such a degree that all will know at the moment it happens. No one will need to tell you, nor show you where He is (paraphrased from Matt 24:23-27).
The Lord's covenant is already established with His people, not with those who don’t agree with it. Don’t take communion with those who snake by, saying, “we all worship the same god” after which, they smile sagely, professing universal brotherhood. It sounds appealing but it’s a trap. Remember, ”and marvel not, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” 2 Cor 11:14. Paul also weighed in on this subject by leveling a warning more meaningful to us now than to any generation that has lived before.
