In Jesus' warning, what does the word 'then' refer to?
The word 'then' points to the moment the Antichrist enters and defiles the temple, triggering the signal to flee. It follows the sudden announcement of that defilement, when he immediately turns on the Jews, so those in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Les explains that Jesus is clearly defining this event as what Daniel was talking about. In verse 16, the word 'then' is tied to the moment the word suddenly goes out that the Antichrist has come into the temple and defiled it. Because the Jews will be back into animal sacrifices and the altar will be operating, Les suggests the Antichrist may offer a hog, which is anathema to a Jew, and spill its blood on the altar. But whatever happens, he will defile the temple and then immediately turn on the Jew. At that point Jesus says, '...then. ...Let them who be in Judea flee to the mountains.'