Last updated on September 5, 2025
The Lord Jesus Christ issued a clear and sobering warning concerning a future event known as the “abomination of desolation.” This prophetic sign is one that believers are instructed to watch for with great urgency and spiritual discernment. According to the Lord Jesus, this event will signal the beginning of a devastating time on the earth—the great tribulation, a period of unmatched distress and turmoil. As recorded in the Gospel of Matthew:
Matthew 24:15-22
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),
Clearly, Jesus intended for us not only to hear this prophecy but also to understand its meaning deeply. But what exactly is this “abomination of desolation” He speaks of? And how are we to interpret it today?
Was Antiochus Epiphanes IV the Fulfillment?
Some Bible scholars suggest that the “abomination of desolation” was fulfilled in the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the king of Syria who invaded Jerusalem in 167 BC. During his reign, he committed sacrilege by desecrating the Jewish Temple—most notably by sacrificing a pig on an altar to Zeus. While this event was undoubtedly horrific and deeply offensive to the Jewish faith, this interpretation falls short upon closer examination.
First and foremost, this incident occurred well before the birth of Jesus Christ. Since Christ’s warning was given after this event and pointed toward a future fulfillment, it is clear that the prophecy was not referring to Antiochus IV. Therefore, we must seek a deeper, more spiritually aligned understanding of what the Lord Jesus meant.
What Is an “Abomination” to the LORD?
To better understand the “abomination of desolation,” it is helpful to examine what the God considers an abomination in the first place. The Scriptures list various acts that are detestable in the sight of God, but there is one particular kind of offense that is repeatedly emphasized—namely, defiling the house of the Lord with idolatry.
For example, the prophet Jeremiah declared:
Jeremiah 7:30 “For the people of Judah have done evil in My sight, declares the LORD. They have set up their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it.”
This verse highlights that the abomination in question is not merely any sinful act, but a direct defilement of God’s dwelling place. Thus, the “abomination of desolation” is an act that introduces something unholy into the holy place—God’s Temple.
The Spiritual Temple of God: Mount Zion
As we seek to interpret this prophecy spiritually, we must remember that God’s true Temple is no longer a physical building in Jerusalem, but a spiritual reality. The Scriptures affirm that Mount Zion—the heavenly Jerusalem—is the true dwelling of God among His people.
Hebrews 12:22 “Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.”
Therefore, the “holy place” mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24 must also be understood in this spiritual sense. The Temple of God is now His people, His Church, and the Body of Christ.
Understanding the Prophecy Spiritually
Returning to the Lord Jesus’ prophecy, we read once again:
Matthew 24:15-22 “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 light of this, we must interpret the “abomination” as something spiritually offensive that is set up within God’s spiritual temple. As believers, we are to understand that this event pertains to a spiritual defilement that will take place within the very heart of God’s people.
Abominations in the Temple: A Call for Spiritual Discernment
Dear friends, it is my prayer that the Lord opens your eyes to perceive this truth. The abomination of desolation is not merely a historical event or a political takeover. It is a spiritual act of defilement that will profoundly impact the Church in these last days. Therefore, we must prepare ourselves spiritually and remain vigilant.
This act will take place in the spiritual realm, not merely in the physical. It involves the desecration of God’s holy people—Mount Zion—by a false religious system often symbolized in Scripture as the “little horn.”
The Temple Within Us
To further clarify, Scripture also teaches that we are God’s temple:
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
Thus, any defilement introduced into the body of Christ—whether through false doctrine, idolatry, or spiritual deception—can rightly be seen as an abomination before God.
How Will the “Little Horn” Defile the Temple?
The “little horn” power, as foretold in the Book of Daniel, will establish this abomination by placing an image in God’s spiritual temple. This image, when properly discerned, is a spiritual counterfeit of the kingdom of God. It will demand allegiance, worship, and conformity—not to Christ, but to the false, beast system.
Therefore, believers must be watchful. We must be alert to the rise of this “image” and its intrusion into the place where only Christ should reign—God’s spiritual Mount Zion.
The Image of the Beast
Furthermore, the “abomination of desolation” mentioned by Daniel is clearly connected to the “image of the beast” described in Revelation. This image is not merely symbolic—it represents a real spiritual deception that will infiltrate the Church and demand worship.
Revelation 13:11-15 “Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. And this beast exercised all the authority of the first beast and caused the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed.
And the second beast performed great signs to cause even fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people. Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived.
The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.”
As this passage reveals, the image will be a central element in the beast system’s agenda. Its purpose is not only to deceive, but to replace the true worship of God with a counterfeit system of allegiance.
(I wrote a separate blog about the “image of the beast.” You can read it by clicking here.)
Summary and Final Thoughts
In summary, the abomination of desolation is not merely a historical reference—it is a future, spiritual event. It represents a blasphemous attempt to replace the Kingdom of God with the ideology of the beast system. It is a false worship system set up in God’s spiritual Temple, Mount Zion, where only Christ should be exalted.
Simply put, instead of worshiping God in His heavenly kingdom, the “little horn” religion will compel people to worship the image of the beast. This, my friends, is the act that God considers an abomination, and it will take place in the realm of the spirit.
That’s it for now. Thank you for reading. I truly hope this helped you gain clarity and understanding. May the Lord bless you, guide you, and keep your heart steadfast in these last days.
Be First to Comment