The Abomination of Desolation and False Christs - Mark 13:14-23

The first thing to happen is the fall of the temple. 

v5-13... Getting a running start. "See that no one leads you astray..." Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, birth pains. Gospel proclaimed to all nations. Hated for His name's sake.

v14... "Abomination of desolation". To be brutally honest: this is a theological, eschatological, and historical minefield! Must understand: multiple timelines in view here! 1) Destruction of the temple, 2) Return of Jesus, 3) End of all things.

Primary context is the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Jesus told the disciples they will see and hear these things. This generation will not pass away! First stop: the destruction of the temple.

Where does "Abomination of desolation" come from? Three references in Daniel (9:27, 11:31, 12:11). The "abomination that causes desolation" is a scandal that will defile and profane the temple in Israel. When it happens, it's time to get out! Fast!

According to 1 Maccabees (a non-canonical historical book), 167 BC, Syrian general Antiochus IV erected an altar to Zeus and offered sacrifice in the temple. Sparked Maccabean Revolt!

Flee to the mountains! Reminiscent of Lot fleeing Sodom. Imminent destruction, don't look back! Greek/Aramaic meaning = something sacrilegious, an abomination to God that brings destruction.

What was the 1st Century abomination the disciples would see? Pastor Josh's vote: Jesus crucified on Mt. Moriah! The very place God provided substitute for Isaac (threshing floor of 2 Chronicles). What greater sacrilege/abomination than killing the Son of God on the holy mountain?! This brought the desolation of 70 AD.

Foreshadows a future abomination! 2 Thess 2:3-4 (Man of lawlessness taking his seat in the temple).

Rev 13:11-15: False prophet makes the earth worship the beast, gives breath to the image of the beast. Final fulfillment! Like Nebuchadnezzar's statue in Daniel 3. If you don't bow to 666, you are slain. Run!

V15-18... Whenever the abomination is standing, run far away, fast. 

God's people listened! There's no historical record of any Christians in Jerusalem when the temple fell. Listen to God! It'll save your life.

V19-20... He shortened this time to allow the elect to survive. 

V21... False shepherds are coming!

V22... Without the Holy Spirit to preserve us, even the elect would not make it. Being led astray in this verse is a shepherding term. 

V23... Be on guard! Vigilant. Watch for liars seeking to be shepherds.

That's today's text. 

Warning: be on guard! What and who are our influences? Whom do we let influence us? Are we being subtly led astray? 

Be careful and on guard regarding...

- The "Prophecy Watch" mentality. It's ok to look forward to the return of the Lord! But there's a trend... Anytime anything happens in the Middle East, "Gog and Magog are on the move!" The battle of Armageddon is lining up... Be careful of this stuff. Sloppy scholarship, speculative, manipulative. Jesus said nobody knows the day or the hour! 

- Faith healers... How to pray with the full power of God... Prosperity teachers... God wants to open heaven for you, but there's a blockage, give God money!

Be like the Bereans! Check teachers against Scripture!

Legalism: ignore. You'll never be good enough for Heaven! Jesus died and rose again, and that's the only basis on which we can enter Heaven! 

Watch for the dilution of the Gospel. Watering down God's Word as not to cause offense, etc. God must have... changed over time? No.

Be on guard! Don't get led astray by false shepherds. Know The Book so well we won't fall for it. And even still, be on guard! 

Jesus tells us to prepare for the future by looking back at what he's told us, and done for us! Study the Word, and hold it as infallible and sacred! To spot the false shepherds... know the Good Shepherd!

We read the Word to know God! 

Study to know what God has prepared for us beforehand. We need to know God! And know His Word.