How did Jesus teach His disciples how to prepare for Hissecond coming, He quoted a prophecy from the book of Daniel:
When therefore you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads this will understand):
Matthew 24:15
In Mark's version of the narrative he does not say that we are to remain in the holy place. He says that the heartbreak itself is in the wrong place. And in Luke's version, the reference to Daniel is omitted, replaced by the image of Jerusalem under siege, leading to desolation:
Marcos 13:14 | Lucas 21:20 |
---|---|
But when you see that the abomination of desolation, predicted by the prophet Daniel, is where it should not be, (whoever reads, understand)... | And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by troops, know that its desolation is near. |
Joseph Smith's revision of the Matthew passage combines these accounts by equating the abomination of desolation with the destruction of Jerusalem:
Therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation, foretold by the prophet Daniel, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, then you will be in the holy place. that whoever reads understands.
Joseph Smith—Mateus 1:12
Thus, from these accounts of the Saviour's words, we learn the following:
- Before the Second Coming of the Savior, the abomination of desolation prophesied by Daniel will occur.
- This event is connected with the destruction of Jerusalem.
- When that happens, we must respond by standing in holy places.
The first half of the book of Daniel contains stories about the miracles Daniel and his friends experienced while serving the kings of Babylon and Persia. The second half of the book (chapters 7-12) describes a series of apocalyptic visions Daniel had while in captivity.
In the first year of King Darius' reign, Daniel prayed for his people. Remembering the prophesied promises, he implored God to remember scattered Israel and gather his people back to Jerusalem. The city, he noted, was empty, the temple "desolate" because of the transgressions of the people. But Daniel implored: “O God, give ear and hear. open your eyes andhere are our desertsand the city that bears your name; because we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousnesses, but for your great mercies" (Daniel 9:18, italics added).
In answer to his prayer, the angel Gabriel appeared and promised that Jerusalem would soon be rebuilt. But he also told Daniel that this prosperity would not last. The people would again fall into iniquity, and "for the propagation of the abomination shall make them desolate" (Daniel 9:27).
Daniel also prophesied of a future nation that would conquer Jerusalem and "defile the sanctuary of power, and take away the daily sacrifice, and placethe abomination that desolates.” But Daniel continued: "The people who know their God will be strong" (Daniel 11:31-32, italics added. See tooDaniel 12:11).
So desolation comes in response to abominable practices, but God does not abandon us even when we are desolate. Deliverance from him is available when we turn to Him.
The Hebrew word translated "abomination" in these passages isshiqquts(שִׁקּוּץ), meaning an abominable thing, something that God hates. Throughout the Old Testament, this word is associated with idolatry.
The word translated "desolation" isshame(שָׁמֵם). Represents a surprising gap or disaster. The English word "desert" comes from two Latin roots meaning "completely alone". (I see "desolation»,Online Etymological Dictionary.)
Stephen E. Robinson offered the following interpretation of the combination of these terms: "In the book of Daniel, the abomination of desolation is one that is so hateful to God that its presence in the temple causes the divine presence to withdraw, leaving the sanctuary deserted." ("Early Christianity and 1 Nephi 13–14,"emFirst Nephi, The Doctrinal Foundation, 1988, 177-91).
After the destruction that coincided with the death of Jesus Christ on the American continent, survivors heard the voice of the Savior lamenting the destruction. One city at a time, he mentioned the natural disaster that had befallen the city—earthquakes, floods, and fires—and then explained why the city had been destroyed: “to hide your wickedness andshenanigansfrom before me, so that the blood of prophets and saints may no longer come to me against them" (Nephi 3 9:5, 7, 8, 11, italics added).
Several hours later, He pleaded with the survivors to return to Him, using the same language He had used to lament the wickedness of Jerusalem during His mortal ministry:
O house of Israel, whom I have spared, how often will I gather you together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, if you repent and return to me with all the intent of your heart.
But if not, house of Israel, their dwelling places shall bedesertuntil the time of the fulfillment of the covenant with their fathers.
Nephi 3 10:6-7, italics added. See tooMatthew 23:37-38,Lucas 23:34-35(Video) What is the abomination of desolation?
But as he personally ministered to the people, he assured them that the deserts could be restored and thrive again. Quoting the prophet Isaiah, he said:
Sing, Obaren, that you could not bear. He started singing and screaming loudly, you who weren't suffering like a child. for more are the children of the unborn than the children of married women, says the Lord….
For you will be scattered to the right and to the left, and your seed will inherit the Gentiles, and you will cause the desert cities to inhabit.
Nephi 3 22:1, 3; See tooIsaiah 54:1, 3
In September 1832, as many missionaries returned home to Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph Smith received a revelation on the subject of the priesthood. At the end of the revelation, the Lord emphasized to His missionaries the urgent need to share the gospel:
Truly I say to you, the remnant of my servants, go as your circumstances permit, to your many callings, to the great and notable cities and towns, justly reproving the world for all its unjust and impious acts, clearly establishing and understanding theheartbreak desolationthe last days.
For with you, says the Lord Almighty, I will give up their kingdoms. I will not only shake the earth, but the starry skies will also shake.
Doctrine and Covenants 84:117-118, italics added(Video) What is the abomination of desolation?
Three months later, the Lord emphasized this warning again in another revelation, telling church members to prepare for the troubled times to come: “That your souls may escape the wrath of God,heartbreak desolationthat awaits the wicked, both in this world and in the world to come" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:84-85, italics added)
The use of this terminology in these revelations, including the reversal of the words, reinforces this principle: evil leads to emptiness. He promises, but cannot deliver.
As the Savior instructed His disciples, when we see the abomination of desolation, we must be careful to stand in holy places. In April 2021, President Russell M. Nelson provided the following guidance as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic:
Often, when the Lord warns us of the perils of the last days, He counsels thus: "Stand in holy places, and be not moved." These "holy places" certainly include the Lord's temples and meetinghouses. But as our ability to gather in these places has been limited to varying degrees, we've learned that one of the most sacred places on Earth is home—yes, evenyourLar….
Have you ever wondered why the Lord wants us to make our homes the center of gospel learning and living? It's not just to prepare us and help us deal with a pandemic. The current merger restrictions will eventually expire. However, your commitment to making your home yourprimaryshrine of faith shallNeverend. As faith and holiness diminish in this fallen world, its need for holy places will increase. I urge you to continue to make your home a truly holy place 'andnot be moved“of this essential objective.
"What we learned and will never forget”, General Conference, April 2021
Today, I will follow the Savior's admonition to stand in holy places. I will remember that God always remembers his children. Abominations do lead to desolation, but God can restore desolate places and desolate people who turn to Him and seek to be close to Him again.
FAQs
What does the abomination mean in the Bible? ›
It is mainly used to denote idolatry; and in many other cases it refers to inherently evil things such as illicit sex, lying, murder, deceit, etc.; and for unclean foods.
What does the word desolation mean in the Bible? ›: the action of desolating. : sadness resulting from grief or loneliness.
Who are the elect according to the Bible? ›The Old Testament applies the term "elect" (Gk: ἐκλεκτος, Hebrew: בָּחִיר) to the Israelites in as far as they are called to be the chosen people, or people of God, or are faithful to their divine call. The idea of such an election is common in Deuteronomy and in Isaiah 40-66.
When was Daniel written? ›We know quite a lot about how the Book of Daniel came to be written. It was written about 164 B.C., probably by several authors. And its background was what was known as the Antiochan persecution of the Jews.
What are the seven abominations in the Bible? ›There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
What are the three unforgivable sins? ›I believe that God can forgive all sins provided the sinner is truly contrite and has repented for his or her offenses. Here's my list of unforgivable sins: ÇMurder, torture and abuse of any human being, but particularly the murder, torture and abuse of children and animals.
What is the abomination of desolation in Daniel KJV? ›"Abomination of desolation" is a phrase from the Book of Daniel describing the pagan sacrifices with which the 2nd century BCE Greek king Antiochus IV Epiphanes replaced the twice-daily offering in the Jewish temple, or alternatively the altar on which such offerings were made.
What is an example of desolation? ›/ˌdesəˈleɪʃn/ [uncountable] (formal) the feeling of being very lonely and unhappy. Her death left him with a terrible sense of desolation. She was racked by a feeling of utter desolation.
What is the purpose of desolation? ›Desolation is a great opportunity to receive the more difficult graces that can come only through a bit of suffering. God allows desolation for 3 difficult graces: repentance, fortitude, humility. Remember that God transformed the worst evil into the greatest means of salvation.
Who will stand against God's elect? ›Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Who is the chosen by God? ›
God chooses Israel and ultimately Jesus, and this results in the exact opposite of God favoring one group to the exclusion of all others. Instead, God works out his plan to extend his love to all the world through one group or individual.
Who are God's chosen one? ›Verse 22 defines what it means to call Jesus “Messiah” or “the Christ” or “Chosen One.” In answering the question “Who is Jesus?” the first thing we learn is that Jesus is the Messiah, which means God chose him to die for sin and rise for eternal life to rescue men from the coming judgment of God against sin.
How old was Daniel when he died? ›Though there is no indication of his age at the time of his captivity, Daniel 1:21 shows that he lived to at least the age of eighty.
How old was Daniel at the end of the Book of Daniel? ›According to the received accounts he was about seventeen years of age, possibly younger, at the time of the captivity.
What does the Book of Daniel teach us? ›Daniel is a story of a person being faithful to God. More importantly, the life of Daniel recorded in the Old Testament gives evidence of God's faithfulness. God knew Daniel – He knew Daniel's needs and what Daniel was struggling with – and it's clear that God cared for Daniel.
What do haughty eyes look like? ›The word haughty comes from an old Anglo-French word, haut, which means “high,” and which comes from the Latin word altus, from which we get our word altitude. Putting all that together, we find that haughty eyes are the kind of eyes that look down at other people, as if the one looking down is “higher up” than others.
What are the seven sinful things? ›- 2.1 Lust.
- 2.2 Gluttony.
- 2.3 Greed.
- 2.4 Sloth.
- 2.5 Wrath.
- 2.6 Envy.
- 2.7 Pride.
All Sin is not the Same
In fact, the Book of Proverbs (6:16-19) identifies seven things that God hates although there is not any punishment proscribed for those. Scripture clearly indicates that God does view sin differently and that He proscribed a different punishment for sin depending upon its severity.
Graham: Only one sin that can't be forgiven is on God's list — and that is the sin of rejecting Him and refusing His offer of forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ. This alone is the unforgivable sin, because it means we are saying that the Holy Spirit's witness about Jesus is a lie (see Luke 12:10).
What two sins Cannot be forgiven? ›Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."
What is the highest form of blasphemy? ›
In Leviticus 24:16 the punishment for blasphemy is death. In Jewish law the only form of blasphemy which is punishable by death is blaspheming the name of the Lord. The Seven Laws of Noah, which Judaism sees as applicable to all people, prohibit blasphemy.
What is Matthew 24 and 25 about? ›Share your testimony that Jesus Christ will come again to the earth. Though wickedness will be widespread in the last days, following the teachings in Matthew 24–25 will help us live with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and have the peace and joy that comes from righteous living.
What is Matthew 24 14? ›Matthew 24:14 in Other Translations
14 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. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
- PRAY: Often in desolation, we experience a sense of helplessness. ...
- MEDITATE: Meditate on the truths of faith, God's promises, those words of Scripture, those memories of His personal touch--anything, that brings to mind God's faithful love.
"desolation, devastation, hopelessness, despair" and directly from Church Latin desolationem (nominative desolatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of desolare "leave alone, desert," from de- "completely" (see de-) + solare "make lonely," from solus "alone" (see sole (adj.)).
What does a state of desolation mean? ›1. : extreme sadness caused by loss or loneliness. She sank into a state of desolation and despair.
Where in the Bible does it say I will make the land desolate? ›28 I will make the land a desolate waste, and her proud strength will come to an end, and the mountains of Israel will become desolate so that no one will cross them. 29 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have made the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable things they have done.
How is understanding of spiritual consolation and desolation important in our spiritual discernment? ›Thus, spiritual consolation refreshes our hidden hope, our great ideals and interior visions of life. It shows us where God is active in our lives and where He is leading us. Spiritual desolation, on the other hand, turns us in on ourselves and tends to be egocentric and negative.
Why is spiritual consolation and desolation important? ›Consolations enable us to be hopeful and to look forward. They don't remove the pain but they do bring us energy and comfort. When confronted with the desolations of death or grief we can be helped by the consolations of gratefulness, hope and community.
Who did God justify in the Bible? ›It is God who calls the sinner righteous. In human law courts, only the innocent person is justified, but in the tribunal of God, before whom all are sinners, it is precisely the unjust who are declared just by God's merciful verdict.
Does God have the power to help or overthrow? ›
Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow." Amaziah asked the man of God, "But what about the hundred talents I paid for these Israelite troops?" The man of God replied, "The LORD can give you much more than that."
Will God not give justice to his elect? ›Luke 18:7-8 New International Version (NIV)
And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
In the Bible days, God Almighty made a choice among all the people He created and set them apart to execute the important purposes of His providence. That they were chosen to this high destiny was not on account of their extraordinary merits, but because God wanted to illustrate His glory to all mankind through them.
Who was chosen by God before he was born? ›What does it mean that Abraham was “chosen before [he was] born”? (See Abraham 3:23. He was foreordained to be a prophet.)
What does it mean to be predestined by God? ›predestination, in Christianity, the doctrine that God has eternally chosen those whom he intends to save.
What is the prophecy of the chosen ones? ›The prophecy of the Chosen One is one of the oldest prophecies of Mortis held in the ancient Holocrons. In the time of great despair, a child shall be born who will destroy the Sith and bring balance to the force.
What killed Daniel in the Bible? ›Death and tomb of Daniel
Rabbinic sources suppose that he was still alive during the reign of the Persian king Ahasuerus (better known as Artaxerxes – Babylonian Talmud, Megillah 15a, based on the Book of Esther 4, 5), but he was killed by Haman, the wicked prime minister of Ahasuerus (Targum Sheini on Esther, 4, 11).
West Virginia man, charged with beating sister who woke up from 2-year coma, dies. Daniel Palmer, 55, was “uncooperative” while in custody and was taken to a hospital Wednesday, and died the following day, Homeland Security officials said.
Who is the wife of Daniel in the Bible? ›Susanna (Book of Daniel)
Who wrote Book of Daniel? ›Who wrote this book? The prophet Daniel is the author of this book (see Daniel 8:1; 9:2, 20; 10:2). Daniel's name means “a judge (is) God” (Bible Dictionary, “Daniel”). “Nothing is known of his parentage, though he appears to have been of royal descent (Dan.
How long did Daniel in Bible live? ›
25:11; 29:10.) According to Dan. 1:21, he lived to be at least 80. As a captive much of his life, Daniel saw the development and extensive power of the Babylonian state under Nebuchadnezzar, and he also saw the decline of Babylon.
How old was Daniel when he was thrown into the lion's den? ›Although Daniel is sometimes depicted as a young man in illustrations of the incident, James Montgomery Boice points out that he would have been over eighty years old at the time.
What is the most important lesson in the Bible? ›When asked which commandment was the most important, Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39).
What is the main point of Daniel? ›The overall theme of the Book of Daniel is God's sovereignty over history, and the theme of the tales in chapters 1–6 is that God is sovereign over all earthly kings. Daniel 1 introduces the fundamental question that runs through the entire book, how God may continue to work his plans when all seems lost.
Why is the story of Daniel so important? ›Most importantly, the story of Daniel is a story of God's glory and God's providence for His people. God constantly demonstrated His glory through Daniel, making His name known among the people of Babylon. He exalted Himself above the rulers of Babylon, revealing the limits of their power.
What is an abomination in the eye of God? ›That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. “He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight,” (Lk16: 15).
What is an example of an abomination? ›The noun abomination means a thing or action that is vile, vicious or terrible. For example, if you see a neighbor kick an old blind dog that's done nothing wrong, you might remark, "That kind of cruelty is an abomination!"
What is the abomination in Genesis? ›Egyptians raised small numbers of cattle for milk and wool. The shepherds on the other hand raised large herds of cattle for meat. Because the shepherds raised cattle for meat they were abhorred by the Egyptians. The core of the abomination was the assumed distaste between vegetarians and carnivores.
Where in the Bible does it say lying is an abomination? ›Proverbs 12:22-28 NKJV
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Is divorce an abomination in the Bible? ›
In the first, Matthew quotes Jesus as saying: “It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of porneia (sexual immorality), makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:31-32).
What is the meaning of the word abomination? ›: something regarded with disgust or hatred : something abominable. considered war an abomination. : extreme disgust and hatred : loathing. a crime regarded with abomination.
What animal is an abomination in the Bible? ›[6] And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. [7] And the swine, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.
What is the abomination of desolation in Mark 13? ›"Abomination of desolation" is a phrase from the Book of Daniel describing the pagan sacrifices with which the 2nd century BCE Greek king Antiochus IV Epiphanes replaced the twice-daily offering in the Jewish temple, or alternatively the altar on which such offerings were made.
What are the evil insects in the Bible? ›As many as five of the ten plagues in the Bible are directly or indirectly attributed to insects such as flies (Fig. 1), lice, murrain, locusts, boils, and possibly darkness (Berenbaum 1995).
What are the two unforgivable sins? ›Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."
What is Proverbs 11 13? ›Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. New International Version (NIV) | Download The Bible App Now.
What is the meaning of Proverbs 22 12? ›This wise saying is all about God. We're supposed to learn something here about how He works in our lives. It says two things about the LORD. He “keeps watch over knowledge” and “He frustrates the words of the unfaithful.” The Bible is actually clear that God keeps watch over everything.
What is the verse 11 in Leviticus 19? ›11* You shall not steal. You shall not deceive or speak falsely to one another. 12You shall not swear falsely by my name, thus profaning the name of your God. I am the LORD.