What is the abomination of desolation?

This phrase is used three places, Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, and Mark 13:14, and can have the meaning “the abomination that produces desolation.” The NIV uses the phrase “the abomination that causes desolation.”

The abomination part of the phrase takes place when the antichrist sets himself up in God’s temple displaying himself as God (or a god). That is an abomination, and it is this act that will initiate all the desolations that will take place during the second half of the tribulation. The definition of desolation is ruin, devastation, or complete destruction, and it is ruin, devastation, and destruction that will be brought about by the trumpets and bowls.

There are three other times when the specific word “desolation” is used. First is Luke 21:20, “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is near.” The immediate desolation the world will see after the antichrist sets himself up in God’s temple displaying himself as a god is the desolation of Jerusalem. Then desolation will extend throughout Israel and will become widespread as the trumpets, which are next chronologically, produce far-reaching desolations. The trumpets are then followed by the bowls, which will bring even further desolations to the world.

The second and third uses of desolation are in Revelation 17:16 and 18:19. These both specifically state that the woman, the prostitute, will be desolated.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *