Daniels Vision Explained
The prophet Daniel received a vision from an angel, giving us
another perspective about Jerusalems future. When he asked about
the meaning of the vision, the angel told him: "Go your way,
Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the
end" (Daniel 12:9). More than 2,500 years later, we can now
understand these propheciesthis is the time of the end! Then: "And
from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the
abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand
two hundred and ninety days" (v. 11). God reveals that at the time
of the end, shortly before the return of Christ, the daily
sacrifice will be stopped, or "taken away." This obviously implies
that the sacrifices must be started, before they can be stopped!
There are indeed Orthodox Jews who are already planning to
reinstate animal sacrifices when it becomes possible to do so. At
the moment, however, Jews are not allowed to publicly worship on
the Temple Mount, so it remains to be seen where and when the Jews
will begin sacrificing. It will likely take a national crisis to
precipitate that event.
Notice the other key item Daniel mentions, "the abomination of
desolation." What is it? Historically, the Greek ruler Antiochus
Epiphanes issued a decree in 167bc that prohibited sacrifices in
the Jerusalem Temple. The Jewish historian Josephus described
Antiochuss actions: "He [Antiochus] also spoiled the temple, and
put a stop to the constant practice of offering a daily sacrifice
of expiation for three years and six months." Josephus also
explains how Antiochus profaned the altar. "Now Antiochus was not
satisfied either with his unexpected taking the city, or with its
pillage, or with the great slaughter he had made there
he
compelled the Jews to dissolve the laws of their country, and to
keep their infants uncircumcised, and to sacrifice swines flesh
upon the altar" (Wars of the Jews, Book I, Chapter 1, Sections
12).
Antiochus further profaned the temple. He erected a statue of
Jupiter Olympus in the temple and directed everyone to worship it.
This abomination, referred to in chapters 8 and 11 of Daniels
prophecy, was a foreshadowing of an end-time event. This is what
Jesus said: "Therefore when you see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy
place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are
in Judea flee to the mountains" (Matthew 24:1516).
Jesus warns us to be alert to an end-time abomination of
desolation. Just as Antiochus Epiphanes profaned the Temple in
167bc and prohibited the sacrifices, so a future profane authority
will prohibit sacrifices. What or who will be this end-time
Abomination of Desolation? Notice: "Let no one deceive you by any
means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes
first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who
opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is
worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing
himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:34).
Yes, a great false prophet will sit in the temple of God. You need
to be alert. You need to understand the future. Do not let yourself
be deceived.
This false prophet will perform amazing signs. Notice this
description: "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth,
and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he
exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and
causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first
beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so
that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the
sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those
signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling
those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was
wounded by the sword and lived" (Revelation 13:1114).
While the Beast power controls Jerusalem, Gods two witnesses will
prophesy and prepare the way for the Messiah, the King of kings, to
take over Jerusalem, and the whole world. The book of Revelation
describes the work of two end-time prophets. "And I will give power
to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two
hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth" (Revelation
11:3).
The book of Revelation goes on to explain that at the end of their
witness, the Beast power will overcome and kill these two prophets,
but God will resurrect them after three days, to the astonishment
of their enemies. God will then begin His judgment by causing a
great earthquake in the city. Seven thousand will die. Then the
seventh trumpet will sound the good news of the Messiahs return to
earth. "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices
in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world have become the
kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever
and ever!" (v. 15).