Read and Understand*

 

There is an adjective that describes the Body of Christ in this hour which is complacent. However, Jesus did not want His followers to be ignorant nor complacent. There were coming events which He described, that would catch His believers unaware and unprepared, unless they knew the scriptures, and understood them:

"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:)...For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there shall no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. ..when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors...Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come....Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh."   Mt. 24, 15-44 (excerpt)

As He said above, Jesus expected that His believers would read the Book of Daniel, and understand it, even though some of the prophecies in Daniel were sealed until the time of the end. These things are revealed to us now, because we are in those times. The Book of Revelation describes the removal of seals, and many of the prophecies of Daniel are revealed in detail there, which we will see. In His commands to "watch", and "be ye ready", Jesus is making it clear that our present condition of complacency is the opposite of what He expects from us.

Daniel spoke of specific timing involving "the abomination of desolation",  to which Jesus referred above. Some have interpreted the abomination of desolation as having already taken place when Antiochus IV (Epaphenes), king of Syria,  desecrated the temple in Jerusalem by sacrificing a pig to Zeus on the holy altar there, when he captured that city in 167 BC. However, this is incorrect. Jesus was discussing it as a yet to be fulfilled prophecy over a century after that historical event occurred. This abomination event that Jesus described is one indicator of the beginning of the great tribulation. That coming tribulation of which Jesus warned is so severe, that no flesh could live through it, unless the days are shortened.

Daniel read, and understood the 70 weeks of years referred to in the earlier prophecies of Jeremiah concerning the desolations of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:2). After much prayer, fasting, and repentance, the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel to reveal to him greater details regarding these disturbing things, "to give thee skill (insight, comprehension, to act wisely, to be prudent) and understanding (knowledge, understanding, wisdom, to discern, to perceive)." (Dan. 9:21-22). Here is the timing prophesied by Daniel regarding this event, and others:

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy." (v. 24)

As we can see from the above verse, the "70 weeks", have everything to do with the redemptive work of God through His Messiah. We can see this further as the angel continued his explanation:

"...know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times." (v. 25)

Sixty-nine of the seventy weeks of years are already past, as their fulfillment was marked by the death of the Messiah ("cut off, but not for himself"), and the destruction of the city and sanctuary (v. 26), which we know occurred in 70 AD. So we have one week of years left from that total of 70 weeks of years. We are living in that last week of prophetic time.

In this last 1 week of years, the angel placed that abomination of desolation:

"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." (v. 27).

The abomination is further described:"...they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate...And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper until the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done....and he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time, and times, and the dividing of time."  (Dan. 11:32, 36, 7:25). This phrase used here is considered to be 3 1/2 years, or that time described as "in the midst of the week" in Dan. 9:27. The same description of the time involved is also used in Dan. 12:7, during which"... he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished."

Again it is revealed to Daniel: "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days." (Dan 12:11). This period of time specified equals 3 1/2 years.

In the Book of Revelation, the abomination that makes desolate is also described:

"And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months."  Rev. 11:5

The forty and two months mentioned above also equal 3 1/2 years.  As in the Book of Daniel, this beast that makes the desolating abomination also has power to rule all nations, and to make war against the saints. All are made to worship an image of this beast.

The time when the Gentiles will tread on the outer court of the temple and the holy city is given as "forty and two months" (Rev. 11:2), or Daniel's 3 1/2 years. The time allotted to God's two witnesses clothed in sackcloth with power and prophecy is "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" (v. 3), or again, Daniel's 3 1/2 years.

For these things to take place, including the abomination which makes desolate, the temple in Jerusalem must be rebuilt. Special societies in Jerusalem have already prepared all that is needed to restore the priesthood, temple worship and sacrifices. They have tried to lay the cornerstone of a new temple, but up until now, they have been prevented. As we see events surrounding Jerusalem escalate, and the time of the Gentiles being fulfilled, there is no doubt that a third temple will be rebuilt, and these prophecies of Daniel and Revelation will be fulfilled. All of these things will be fulfilled, as Jesus promised (Mt. 24:34).

Daniel also revealed that during this prophetic time at the end of the age, the people of God are not to be complacent but wise, and shining in the light of wisdom, teaching others, knowing their God, and doing great exploits of faith.

Jesus wanted us to read and understand Daniel. He wanted us to watch and be prepared. Those who remain complacent as these times come upon us, will be unprepared for the days ahead.

 

*The above is based upon the 3/1/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

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Sean Stevenson