The verse speaks directly to the day in which we live. It assumes many things that couldn’t possibly be true unless Israel was once again a nation, yet still in unbelief. The words Jesus spoke on this occasion also provide us with insight into what we will see happen in the Middle East in the coming year.
The setting was the Mount of Olives where the Lord answered the disciples’ inquiry regarding the “end of the age” and “the sign of your [Jesus’] coming” (Matthew 24:3). A proper examination of Christ’s response would fill a large book, but for my purposes here, I want to focus on Matthew 24:15.
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand).”
In this verse, Jesus refers to the prophecy recorded in Daniel 9:27 depicting what will happen at the midpoint of the seventieth week of years, which God designated to fulfill His purposes for the Jewish people and Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24-27). There the Lord told His prophet of a coming prince who would establish a covenant with “the many,” but negate the agreement by defiling a future Jewish temple, which He described as the “abomination of desolation.”
The Assumptions
To better understand this prophecy fits with our day, we will look at all the events Jesus assumed would happen in order for this future world leader, whom we identify as antichrist, to desecrate the temple.
First, He assumed that Israel would once again become a sovereign nation. Until 1948, there has never been a time since Jesus spoke these words when it could’ve entered into such an agreement with a world leader. Rome occupied and dominated Israel at the time and in AD 70, a Roman general destroyed Jerusalem as well as the Second Temple.
The second assumption inherent in Jesus’ words is that another temple would exist halfway into the seven-year agreement. As we look at Israel today, is it possible that Israel will build a temple in the next few years complete with animal sacrifices? More than that, it seems certain to happen at some point. Advanced reparations for its construction and animal sacrifices are already in place and once Israel has access to the Temple Mount, these things will quickly become a reality.
Third, Jesus assumed the future nation of Israel would exist in unbelief such that its leaders would enter into what Isaiah termed “a covenant with death” (Isaiah 28:14-18) rather than trust the Lord for their security. Today, we readily understand how they might opt for a period of sustained peace following the ongoing years of warfare and nonstop threats against the nation’s existence.
Lastly, Jesus anticipated that the Jewish people alive at the time of antichrist would be aware of His warnings in Matthew 24:15ff and that many of them would flee just as He told them to do. Why else would He provide the Jewish people with such instructions if those living at the time would not be aware of them? Today, there’s a strong Gospel presence in Israel along with a widespread awareness of Bible prophecy. Many of the Jews will remember Jesus’ words when they see antichrist in the Holy Place.
But There’s More
Today, we understand how television and satellite technology will enable the entire world to look at the dead bodies of the two witnesses and thus enable people all over the world to watch their resurrection and ascent into Heaven (Revelation 11:1-12). With news networks broadcasting 24/7, it’s not difficult to imagine the constant attention they will receive after antichrist kills them.
But there’s also something quite remarkable in Jesus’ warnings to the Jewish people in the aftermath of antichrist’s defilement of the temple. He implies they will have instantaneous access to it as it occurs.
The Lord earlier said that in the last days people would “hear of wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). When it comes to the “abomination of desolation,” however, He says, “When you see” (24:15). These are not just people sitting in front of their televisions, but they could be “on the housetop” and “in the field” (24:16-18). Yet somehow those scattered about Judea at the time will “see” antichrist in the temple and thus recognize their need to run for their lives without stopping to even grab their coats or return to their main living quarters.
Is it any wonder that Jesus added, “whoever reads, let him understand?” His words were meant for a much different time than the first century AD; one the disciples couldn’t possibly have understood. How could they comprehend a camera recording live events inside the Temple for all to see in real time regardless of their location?
Jesus’ exhortation for the Jewish people living at this time to flee suggests they will immediately know what antichrist has done because they will “see” it happen. Could it be that Jesus foresaw the smartphones of today that would provide them with this instant access to events on the Temple Mount? Perhaps they will be watching a planned event only to recoil in horror at what they see happen in the Holy Place.
We readily understand how modern technology will make possible many events recorded in the book of Revelation. But here in the Olivet Discourse, Jesus alludes to a time when the Jewish people, regardless of their location, will witness events as they unfold in the Temple.
A little bit later in the discourse, Jesus again used the phrase “when you see” in a way that applies to all believers watching Israel blossom in these last days:
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” (Matthew 24:32-34)
The fig tree is a symbol of Israel and what we see happening in the Middle East tells us we most certainly live in the last moments before Jesus appears to whisk us away to Heaven. Will this happen in 2026? I don’t know, but I pray that it does. We do recognize that we live in the season of Jesus’ return for us and based upon all that we see happening with Israel, it’s possible we will not see 2027 before He comes for us.
My latest book, Invitation to a Lavish Feast – Wisdom’s Path to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, is available on Amazon or on SkyWatchTV. In it, I demonstrate how the words of Scripture not only verify our beliefs in not only the restoration of Israel, but also our hope in Jesus’ soon appearing to take us home to glory. In each section, I show how our beliefs regarding Bible prophecy intersect with our lives on a daily basis.
Some of the reviews on Amazon say it’s one of the best defenses of the pre-Tribulation Rapture.