A lot has been written and taught about the “Abomination of desolation”, but if one goes no further than the Bible itself, I am convinced that these things can be easily understood.

It is convenient that the first thee books of the New Testament contain parallel accounts of Jesus teaching on a series of end-times events. This study is best accomplished with the aid of three bookmarks: One in Matthew 24:15-22, one in Mark 13:14-20, and one in Luke 21:20-24. A quick read of these passages will verify that they cover the same period of extreme persecution, beginning with a signal to evacuate the cities of Judea.

All three of these accounts use the term “desolation”: in their beginning verses. This word comes from a term meaning “solitary.” Jerusalem is to have very few (if any) occupants for a period of time.

Mathew and Mark use the title “Abomination of Desolation, apparently expecting at least some of the listeners to understand the what this means. Matthew went so far as to comment that Jesus referred to the book of Daniel (more on that later).

“Abomination” refers to something that is detestable, and it is very significant that this abomination takes place before the desolation. The pattern of God's judgment falling upon Israel in response to their sin is repeated many times in the Old Testament, and it appears to be very much intact at the time of this event.

Parallel readings in Matthew 24:15 and mark 13:14 make it evident that this abomination will take place at the ancient temple site, or at the very least, within Jerusalem. It is my guess, and I want to emphasize “guess” that it will have something to do with blood sacrifice, and for this reason: Any blood sacrifice since the crucifixion of Jesus is a denial on the part of the participants that the blood of Jesus is powerful enough to atone for sin. In addition to this, it is expressing a belief that the blood of some animal is adequate. Can you imagine a greater insult to the grace an power of our almighty God?

Dan. 8:9-14 gives a very brief account of the rise and actions of the Antichrist. The following is a quote of verse 12 from the NASB: “And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrifice; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper.”

The word “host” means army, and when I looked up the word that is translated “regular sacrifice”, I found that it simply means continual, or continuity.

As near as I can tell, the term “sacrifice” is not related to the word other than that they too were performed on a regular basis. Personally, I don't see why the term “sacrifice “ belongs with this word any more the than the term “breathing” might. The other places to watch for this dubious inclusion are in verses 11 and 13, Dan.11:31, and 12:11. Obviously it is not to be ignored however, and must refer to some form of regular pattern.

In any case we see that it is because of sin that the army is given to this wicked ruler, and the continuity of some thing is interrupted (the nationhood of Israel at the very least). Verses 11 and 13 refer tho the place that is to be thrown down and trampled upon, and again, strongly implicates the temple. It is extremely important there to note the sequence: The destruction of the army and of the holy place are the result of transgression. This accurately parallels the above-mentioned New Testament accounts.

It is exciting that between verses 13 and 14, we are told the amount of time involved. We find that the suppression of Israel will be for a period of 2300 evenings and morning (either 6.3 or 3.15 years, depending upon how whether or not an evening and a morning means one day (as it did in six different verses of Genesis chapter 1.)

Now some confusion is available for those who diligently seek it, or who simply don't look far enough for clarity. In the desecration of the “sanctuary fortress”, and the setting up of the “abomination of desolation.” This same term is also used in Dan.12:11, only this time a period of about three and one half years is assigned to it. Will the real abomination of desolation please identify itself?

I will offer what I see, but leave the understanding up to you and God: The NASB for this case says “that makes desolate or causes horror.” The temple site would be the most obvious target of insult for people who passionately hated Israel, and I believe these verses describe one of the results of this site falling into their hands. Another clue is that since this desecration is performed by the enemies of Israel, it would be too late to evacuate once this one is set up. Again, the periods of the time assigned to them are different. Finally, the caveat “let the reader understand” is included with both of the New Testament references to the abomination of desolation. The opportunity for confusion was evident to those writers.