The abomination of desolation is the decisive midpoint sign in Matthew 24 that triggers Israel's flight and begins the final three and a half years of tribulation.
Matthew 24:15 points back to Daniel's prophecy of the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place. Jesus tells those in Judea to flee immediately, and Les Feldick teaches this happens when the Antichrist defiles the rebuilt temple at the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation. The last three and a half years follow.
Matthew 24:15 — Jesus directly names the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel as the sign that will stand in the holy place.
Daniel 9:27 — It reveals the covenant, the mid-week cessation of sacrifices, and the desolation that Jesus references in Matthew 24.
In Matthew 24, Jesus answers the disciples' question about the sign of His coming. At verse 15 He says, "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)." The passage then instructs, "Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains" (Matthew 24:16). Daniel 9:27 declares: "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." This verse ties the abomination to the middle of a seven-year period and to the temple.
Les Feldick stresses that Matthew 24 is Jesus speaking to the twelve and therefore to the nation of Israel, not to the Church. He places the abomination of desolation exactly at the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation, the end of the first three and a half years. Citing Daniel 9:27, Les says the Antichrist will move into Jerusalem, enter the rebuilt temple, defile it, and set himself up to be worshipped as God. This is the signal for the Jewish remnant to flee to the mountains. Les also notes that Jesus referred to Daniel as a prophet, confirming the legitimacy of Daniel's prophecy. He teaches that the final three and a half years, the great tribulation, begin at this midpoint, and he even speculates that the defilement could involve an unclean animal sacrifice on the temple altar.
In Matthew 24, Jesus is alone with the twelve, who have asked what signs they should look for at the appearance of their Messiah. At verse 15, Jesus says, "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)." This is a direct reference to Daniel's prophecy.
Les teaches that it happens in the middle of the seven-year tribulation, at the end of three and a half years. Daniel 9:27 places the cessation of sacrifice and oblation in the middle of the week. At that time the Antichrist moves into Jerusalem, enters the rebuilt temple, defiles it, and sets himself up as God to be worshipped.
Matthew 24:16 says, "Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains." Les emphasizes this is the signal for the Jewish remnant to flee without gathering belongings. The failure to flee immediately would be catastrophic because the midpoint begins the final three and a half years when the Antichrist turns on the Jew and the great tribulation begins.
Les identifies the one who performs the abomination of desolation as the Antichrist. Daniel says he will turn on Israel and set himself up as God in the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus confirms Daniel's prophecy by referring to Daniel as a prophet. Les even suggests the Antichrist may defile the temple by sacrificing an unclean animal, such as a hog, on the rebuilt altar.
All Israel Shall Be Saved — What Romans 11:26 Really Means
time. "...I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah," verse 32, "...not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand, to bring them out of the land of Egypt." In other words, this covenant is not the Law, this is a different one. "...
Jesus Speaks to Israel About Daniel's Prophecy
Les shows that Matthew 24 is Jesus speaking to the twelve and the nation of Israel, and that verse 15 quotes Daniel about the abomination standing in the holy place.
Midpoint at Three and a Half Years
Les explains that Daniel 9:27 places the defilement of the temple in the middle of the tribulation, at the end of the first three and a half years.
Antichrist Sets Himself Up as God
Les teaches that in the middle of the seven-year treaty, the Antichrist enters the rebuilt temple and sets himself up to be worshipped as God, fulfilling Daniel's prophecy.
Flight Command and Proof Daniel Is a Prophet
Les highlights Jesus' command for those in Judea to flee immediately and notes that Jesus called Daniel a prophet, proving Daniel's prophecy is legitimate.
All of Matthew 24 Is Tribulation Ground
Les says all of chapter 24, including the introductory verses, concerns the seven-year tribulation and centers on the Antichrist moving into the temple at the midpoint.
Temple Defilement With an Unclean Sacrifice
Les explains that the Antichrist will perform the abomination by defiling the rebuilt temple altar, possibly by sacrificing an unclean animal such as a hog, just before the final three and a half years.
Final Three and a Half Years Begin at Midpoint
Les teaches that at the midpoint the Antichrist turns on the Jew, and the last three and a half years are the horrible period Daniel foretold.
Matthew 24:15: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
The key verse Jesus quoted to identify the sign of the end of the age.
Matthew 24:16: Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
The immediate instruction to Israel when the abomination appears.
Daniel 9:27: And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
The Old Testament prophecy Jesus references in Matthew 24:15.
It happens at the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation, at the end of the first three and a half years. Daniel 9:27 places it in the middle of the week when the sacrifice and oblation cease. Les teaches the Antichrist enters the rebuilt temple and defiles it at that time.
Les identifies the man of sin, the Antichrist, as the one who will stand in the holy place. He says the Antichrist comes into Jerusalem and sets himself up to be worshipped as God in the temple.
No. Les says Jesus is speaking to the twelve and to the nation of Israel. He sees no Gentile language in Matthew 24; it is all tribulation ground.
Jesus commands those in Judea to flee into the mountains immediately and not to stop for belongings. It is the decisive warning that the last three and a half years have begun.
Watch the Teaching: All Israel Shall Be Saved — What Romans 11:26 Really Means