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English
Mark
  
4. The Signs of the End of the Universe
(Mark 13:14-18)
14“So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.15Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house.16And let him who is in the field not go back to get his garment.17But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!18And pray that your flight may not be in winter.”


When Jesus had warned his disciples against temptations through deceivers, and commanded them to preach the world in spite of persecutions, he gave them clear evidence: he revealed to them the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
The abomination of desolation that is the sign which Jesus gave to his church, was mentioned three times in Daniel’s prophecy, and it has several meanings out of which:
In 168 B.C., the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes erected an altar to the Roman god Zeus in the midst of the temple of Jerusalem, and he prohibited the daily sacrifices and offerings to Jehovah in order to please the Romans. At that, the abomination appeared for the first time, and was soon followed by desolation (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11).
In 40 A.D., the emperor Caligula gave orders to set up his statue in the temple of Jerusalem that he might be worshiped as god in the holy place. However, he died before building the image. The church members at that time must have stood astonished about these developments.
In 70 A.D. when the Roman armies began to besiege the walls of Jerusalem, the zealots in the city and the temple struggled to obtain the authority of common defense. In this bloody wrestling, the blood of the killed priests mingled with the blood of sacrifices at the temple court.
Then the Christian church of Jewish origin understood what Christ meant by his saying: “Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains”, and they fled across the Jordan where they found a refuge at the court of Baalis. The Lord did not want to enter his church into the judgment poured on Israel. Yet, he saved his followers from the suffocating siege.
The Romans’ siege became fearful, for then hundreds of thousands of pilgrims were visiting the holy land at the Passover, and there was not enough food to satisfy the great multitudes in the city because of the long-lasting siege. Starvation became terrible that a mother went out of her mind and cooked her child. Many surrendered themselves to the Romans who crucified them. Hundreds of crosses were raised around the walls of Jerusalem, which had already hanged the righteous Son of God on the infamous tree forty years before.
The zealots in the city got excited and they encouraged the hungry and the hopeless saying: “Don’t be afraid. God will save us, for his temple is a guarantee of his presence with us. We must triumph, even though through miracles.” They instigated the weak to defend themselves newly.
When Titus, the Roman commander captured the besieged city, he sold the remaining multitudes of men, women, boys, and girls as slaves throughout the world, and the temple of God burnt as a torch of God’s wrath over the dead, ruined city.
The abomination of desolation also refers to the end of our earth. Nobody has a preconceived idea of its exact meaning, but the gospel helps us with several evidences. The abomination of desolation signifies any attempt by religious men to change the original text of the words of revelation, or to interpret it as they please for the sake of combination or reconciliation of the world religions.
It also signifies building a new temple for all the peoples on the courtyard of the old temple in Jerusalem, for the church of Jesus alone is the temple of God’s Spirit in the world today.
It also signifies any animal sacrifices in Jerusalem with the prayer of repentance and the songs of praise, for the crucified Jesus was the last, complete sacrifice of God.
It also signifies the coming of a new christ, his sitting in this new temple, and his seeking worship to himself as god because he could establish common peace for the suffering, destroyed world. Then all church leaders and the nations will worship to him for he will appear to them as the only savior, and the only trusted person (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 13:1-9).
Then we must watch out, discern spiritually, ask guidance through God’s clear voice, and obey this voice to wherever the Lord wishes, even if this meant the flight of many, leaving their properties, organizations, and society. Do not forget, the abomination comes first, and then the desolation.
Jesus asked the Christians of Jewish origin to pray that their flight might not be in winter that the cold might not be hard for the old, the young, the women who are pregnant, and the mothers with little babies, that hardships might not put them to death. Now, observe Jesus’ endless mercy upon the weak and the children, even in judgment. He is the faithful keeper of his followers. He keeps his church as the apple of his eye, plans her war beforehand, and embraces her in the midst of afflictions.

Prayer
O holy God, your judgment is just, and we all deserve torture and death. We thank you because you sent to us the only Savior Jesus of Nazareth, for his blood cleanses us from all sin. Please awaken us that we may nop in the disturbance of the last judgment, but know the signs and evidences given to us. Let us hear your voice, and grant us the power to carry out your will with implicit, ready obedience. Amen.
Question
What is the meaning of the “abomination of desolation”?