Page 10 - February 2025 - Truth & Tidings
P. 10

n our last article we began our study   this, the Lord discouraged His disciples
            of the Olivet Discourse. We saw that   from overreacting to events which are
        Ithe Lord was asked some questions    characteristics of the age (vv5-13). But here
        by His disciples (13:3-4), to which He gave   He encourages them to react quickly to a
        an extended answer (vv5-37). The Olivet   very specific sign.
        Discourse is recorded in Matthew 24,    “But when ye shall see the abomina-
        Mark 13 and Luke 21, and the similarities   tion of desolation, spoken of by Daniel
        and distinctions in each account require   the prophet, standing where it ought not,
        careful consideration. This article will   (let him that readeth understand,) then let
        only focus on Mark and present a com-  them that be in Judaea flee to the moun-
        monly held interpretation of the events   tains: And let him that is on the housetop
        portrayed. The reader is encouraged to   not go down into the house, neither enter
        give careful consideration in the light of   therein, to take any thing out of his house:
        other prophetic Scripture.            And let him that is in the field not turn
          Having considered the Prelude to the   back again for to take up his garment”
        Answer (vv1-4) and the Perils of the Age   (vv14-16).
        (vv5-13), we now turn to:               The sign is the setting up of “the abomi-

        The Period of Affliction (vv14-       nation of desolation, spoken of by Daniel
                                              the prophet,” in the holy place (see Mat
        23)                                   24:15). Daniel refers to the abomination
          This is marked by a Special Sign, Severe   on a number of occasions (Dan 9:27; 11:31;
        Suffering and Satanic Seduction.      12:11). It is a loathsome, detestable object
        The Special Sign (vv14-16)            which desecrates the temple.
          The disciples had asked, “When shall   But what is specifically in view? Ac-
        these things be? And what shall be the sign   cording to 2 Thessalonians 2, it is “that
                                              man of sin … who opposeth and exalteth
        when all these things shall be fulfilled?”
        (v4).  Here the Lord gives a sign. “But   himself above all that is called God, or that
            1
        when ye shall see … then …” (v14). Before   is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in
                                              the temple of God, showing himself that
        1  Bible quotations in this article are from the   he is God” (vv3-4). But this man cannot
        KJV.                                  always be in the temple, so Revelation

        42   TRUTH kTidings   February 2025
   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15