The phrase “abomination of desolation” has come up several times since July and so I thought I would write about it today. I am sure I may get some flack for this, but I know God is trying to say something here…
What does it mean to be desolate? When I looked it up in the dictionary, the initial definition of desolate is to be without inhabitants or visitors. The first thing I thought of (from this first definition of desolate) is that if America ever becomes a nation of desolation, our very existence as a place that welcomes the ‘huddled masses yearning to break free’ would cease. No visitors would want to come here! Our own freedoms as inhabitants would be in jeopardy.
Then I discovered (through alternate definitions) that desolation means joyless, sorrowful- as if separated from a loved one or showing the effects of abandonment and neglect. Other terms used to describe desolate are: barren, devoid of warmth, comfort or hope, to forsake, to make wretched, grief, and loneliness.
How would you describe a nation without God?
Joyless
Sorrowful- separated from God
Showing the effects of our abandonment and neglect of God (increase crime, lawlessness abounding, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, hateful, envious, etc)
Forsake Him and His blessings
Barren of the fruits of the Spirit
Devoid of warmth that radiates through His love
Having no comfort or hope
A wretched people filled with grief and loneliness.
We would quickly become the very definition of desolation.
What is an abomination? Something worthy of causing extreme disgust or hatred; detestable; intense loathing
Does our nation find God abominable or worthy of adoration?
From the time I was a child and studied/heard Bible prophecy, I remember being taught about the abomination of desolation from Matthew and Daniel.
When Jesus spoke about the end times (see Matthew 24), He spoke of things that were to come in response to the disciples asking what would be a sign for the end of the world. He told of wars, false prophets, etc. that are the beginnings of “birth pangs”. If you’ve been a reader of mine for awhile, you know that this is a subject not foreign to my pen (or in this case keyboard). If someone is (physically) pregnant- false contractions are a sure sign that you are getting closer and closer to your due date. My friends, there is a due date that no one knows except the Father, but it is quickly coming. I am speaking of the sure return of Jesus and the catching away of the saints. We wait in expectancy for Him and we are feeling the pains that indicate His coming is soon! We fully attest in the church today that the wave of revelation concerning the birth pangs hit an all time high around 2001. The message became loud and clear. So, what sign is mentioned by Christ following the birth pangs? The abomination of desolation!
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 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) Matthew 24:14-15
What does the book of Daniel say about the abomination of desolation? Of course, this is talking about the anti-Christ and setting up a kingdom by him and for him, but let’s look a just a few verses from Daniel chapter 11. Reading Daniel, it sure looks like a blurb from today’s headlines:
20"His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. In a few years, however, he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or in battle.
21"He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue. 22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed. 23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power. 24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time.
31"His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.
Look at the similarities:
-a person rising to power who has no rhyme or reason for being there
-taking over the people in a time when they felt 'secure'
-winning them over with intrigue (to fascinate; interest, desire, or curiosity)
-a large army is swept away before him
-after coming to agreement (electing him and swearing him in), he acts deceitfully and with only a few choice people- rises to power
-makes the rich even richer (think of companies)- he will encroach upon them and take them over, accomplishing what no one else has ever done
-he'll take what he's 'stolen' and distribute it to his followers
-he will eventually go global and set himself up as god of the world
HMMMM. Pretty scary. From my point of view, we may not be able to point out definitively who the anti-Christ is, but we can certainly ascertain that there is a SPIRIT of anti-Christ that is evident in the world today.
Taking all of this in, now think about this: I am fascinated with names/words and how telling some things can really be- even if they were not intended to (but I say with God- He is multifaceted and knew that some would take a hold of meanings). Take “
So I ask you now to do the same with the word: abomination. Abomi- nation. What do YOU hear?
Pray, pray, pray for these elections. We do not want to become a nation of desolation.
