Abomination and Lawlessness
Matthew 24:1
“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—
Daniel said these words a long time before Jesus quoted them! We find them in Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:1, where the prophet said: (9:27 is shown below, but you'll have to look up the others)
He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”
*Seven refers to the final week or group of seven years within a prophecy of seventy weeks (490 years) decreed for the Jewish people and Jerusalem. Meaning? Daniel is speaking eschatologically or about the end-times!
Daniel tells about a future ruler who will disrupt temple worship, set up an idolatrous sacrilege ("abomination"), and trigger a time of unprecedented tribulation! Historically, this was partially fulfilled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, King of the Seleucid Empire (Greece) from 175BC until he died in 164BC (Epiphanes means ‘the illustrious one’ or ‘god made manifest’, and by this title he claimed to be none other than ‘Zeus incarnate’)
In 168BC, Antiochus invaded Jerusalem, capturing the City. He then marched into the Temple, erected a statue of the Greek god Zeus, and sacrificed a pig on the altar of incense. Total abomination, which in turn provoked a mass revolt led by Judas Maccabee and identified Antiochus as an ‘abomination that causes desolation’
Daniel’s prophecies (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11) lay the foundation for key end-time (eschatological) themes that are later expanded upon in Matthew 24 and 2nd Thessalonians 2, that emphasise a pattern of rebellion, sacrilege, deception, and ultimately divine intervention.
What’s the connection?
In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus directly references Daniel’s prophecy of the ‘abomination’ in Matthew 24:15,
“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—
redefining it as a future sign preceding the end of the age. In doing this He points to a ‘typological’ fulfilment. Ok what’s that I hear you ask?
*Biblical Typology is a method of interpretation where events, persons, or objects in the Old Testament (the ‘type’) are seen as foreshadowing corresponding realities in the New Testament (the ‘antitype’)
Antiochus foreshadowed or indicated a final "abomination" that’s linked to the Antichrist figure, which Jesus typologically associates in Matthew 24: with the Great Tribulation, Deception, Tribulation, and the Son of Man:
Jesus’ Olivet Discourse mirrors Daniel’s language of cosmic upheaval, where the sun will be darkened (Matt 24:29). He warns of false messiahs, wars, and the "abomination" as precursors to His return.
What about AD 70 and the destruction of the Temple by the Romans?
Good question: Well, the Romans under Titus razed the Temple, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction in Matt 24:2 that ‘not one stone will be left upon another’.
The Roman legions carrying idolatrous standards ransacked the city and desecrated the Temple grounds, mirroring Daniel's 'abomination'!
However, as Jesus' second coming didn’t take place, the “desolation” in Matthew 24 has to refer to a future eschatological event, involving a counterfeit worship system connected to the Antichrist’s rise—mirroring Daniel’s framework.
Eusebius in his ‘Church History’ tells of Christians fleeing to Pella before the siege of Jerusalem begins, matching Matthew 24: 16-20)
In addition, Josephus in his book; Jewish Wars 6.5.2-3, tells of false prophets and others who claimed to be the Messiah!
Considering these factors, the AD 70 war typologically serves as a prototype for the end-times tribulation that’s described in Matthew 24.
In addition to Matthew, we have Paul writing in 2 Thessalonians about;
‘The Man of Lawlessness"
Here Paul draws on Daniel’s imagery to describe a final Antichrist figure—the "man of lawlessness" (2nd Thess 2:3–4)—who exalts himself in God’s temple (echoing Daniel 11:36).
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 NIV
Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
This figure’s revelation is preceded by a widespread apostasy (spiritual rebellion), aligning with Daniel’s vision of a time when “many will forsake the holy covenant” (Dan 11:30).
Paul’s emphasis on a restraining force (2 Thess 2:6–7)
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7
And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
delaying the Antichrist’s rise may parallel Daniel’s theme of divine sovereignty over earthly powers (Dan 4:32; 7:26–27).
Daniel, Matthew and 2nd Thessalonians contain interconnected themes:
Temple Sacrilege: All three texts centre on the corruption of sacred space (literal or symbolic) as a pivotal end-time sign.
Deception vs. Truth: Daniel’s “wise” who endure (Dan 12:3) resonate with Jesus’ call for discernment (Matt 24:4–5) and Paul’s appeal to hold to the truth (2 Thess 2:15).
Divine Judgment and Victory: Daniel’s promise of resurrection (Dan 12:2–3) culminates in Christ’s return (Matt 24:30–31) and the destruction of the Antichrist (2 Thess 2:8).
In short, Daniel’s visions of cosmic conflict provide the prophetic frame for New Testament eschatology. Matthew and 2nd Thessalonians reinterpret these symbols through the lens of Christ’s first coming and the anticipation of His return, urging believers to recognise the trajectory of history toward rebellion, judgment, and redemption.
But wait, what about the Book of Revelation? Is it linked?
Without doubt, Revelation amalgamates and amplifies the eschatological threads from Daniel, Matthew 24, and 2 Thessalonians 2, weaving them into a vivid apocalyptic tapestry. They interconnect in many ways
1. The Antichrist Figure:
Daniel’s "Little Horn" (Dan. 7:8, 20–25) and "King of the North" (Dan. 11:36–39) prefigure Revelation’s Beast from the Sea (Rev. 13:1–10), a political-military ruler who blasphemes God, wages war on the saints, and demands worship.
Paul’s "man of lawlessness" (2 Thess. 2:3–4) and Jesus’ warning of false messiahs (Matt. 24:24) align with the Beast’s role as a counterfeit Christ (Rev. 13:4–8).
2. Abomination of Desolation:
Daniel 9:27 and Matthew 24:15 find symbolic fulfillment in Revelation’s "image of the Beast" (Rev. 13:14–15), which forces global idolatry.
The "great prostitute" (Rev. 17:1–6), representing corrupt religious-political systems, echoes Daniel’s defilement of the temple and Jesus’ warning of deception.
3. Tribulation and Persecution:
Daniel’s "time of distress" (Dan. 12:1) and Jesus’ "great tribulation" (Matt. 24:21) are mirrored in Revelation’s cosmic disasters (seals, trumpets, bowls) and the martyrdom of saints (Rev. 6:9–11; 13:7).
The 42 months (Rev. 11:2–3; 13:5) of persecution directly recall Daniel’s "time, times, and half a time" (Dan. 12:7) and the Antichrist’s limited reign in 2 Thessalonians 2.
4. Restraint and Divine Sovereignty:
A couple of possibilities here, the restraining force delaying the Antichrist’s rise (2 Thess. 2:6–7) may parallel Revelation’s angels holding back judgments (Rev. 7:1–3) or Michael’s war in heaven (Rev. 12:7–9), ensuring that God’s timeline prevails!
5. Temple Imagery:
While the literal temple is absent in Revelation, maybe because we are Living Temples!) the heavenly temple (Rev. 11:19; 15:5–8) and measuring of the temple (Rev. 11:1–2) symbolically affirm God’s presence amid desecration, recalling Daniel’s focus on sacred space.
6. Final Victory:
Daniel’s stone crushing the statue (Dan. 2:44–45) and Son of Man receiving dominion (Dan. 7:13–14) culminate in Christ returning as King of Kings (Rev. 19:11–16) to destroy the Beast (Rev. 19:19–20) and establish His eternal reign (Rev. 21–22).
7. Deception vs. Truth:
Beware and be on your guard! the "false prophet" (Rev. 16:13; 19:20) embodies the spirit of Antichrist (cf. 1 John 2:18–22), spreading lies as foretold by Paul (2 Thess. 2:9–12) and Jesus (Matt. 24:24).
To close,
Without a shadow of doubt, Revelation unites these prophetic threads into a cosmic narrative of rebellion, judgment, and redemption. John’s visions affirm that the patterns of evil seen in Daniel’s day (Antiochus) and anticipated by Jesus and Paul that will climax in a final confrontation, yet we as God’s people are called to "hold fast" (Rev. 3:11)
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
As we wait in hope of the New Creation.(Revelation 21:1-5)
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Have a great week, and God bless,
Trev.