What is the abomination of desolation?
Lowe's Commentary on Zechariah 14
New
Jesus and the
Mount of Olives [33 page pdf file]
There are some remarkable parallels between the prophecy Jesus gave his disciples on the Mount of Olives, recorded in Matthew 24, and the prophecies included in Zechariah 12-14. Corresponding passages are compared in this article.
Matthew 24:3 |
Zechariah 14:4 |
When Jesus stood upon the Mount of Olives, he partly fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 14:4.
The church's struggle against error is compared to warfare, and we are taught by Paul to "put on the whole armour of God." [Ephesians 6:11, 13]
Matthew 24:4-5 Matthew 24:11 |
Zechariah 14:2 |
Zechariah refers to women being ravished, as may occur in military invasions. However, his prophecy may be applied to the spiritual seduction of Christians. The city of Jerusalem represents the church, as shown in the New Testament. And, there is immorality amongst those who profess to be Christians.
Jesus said that few enter the "strait gate," but many follow the broad road that leads to destruction.
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter ye in
at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto
life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 24:12 |
Zechariah 14:2 |
Many Christians are taken captive by sin. Zechariah said the sheep
would be scattered; two thirds of them would be "cut off."
Zechariah 13:8-9
And it shall
come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein
shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I
will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them
as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall
call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and
they shall say, The LORD is my God.
Matthew 24:13 |
Zechariah 14:5 |
Recognizing the fulfillment of prophecy, is a source of comfort to
the believer. Jesus said, "And when these things begin to come to pass,
then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth
nigh." [Luke 21:28]
Matthew 24:15 |
Zechariah 14:3 |
Recognizing the "abomination of desolation" probably involves understanding what prophecy reveals about the state of the church. Daniel refers to it in Daniel 9:27, "and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate." (ASV) The "the wing of abominations" indicates flawed interpretations of prophecy. Daniel 11:45 says, referring to the antichrist, "And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." The "holy mountain" refers to the kingdom of God, the church. John shows this refers to a spirit, and he refers to "that spirit of antichrist." [1 John 4:3]
Matthew 24:30 |
Zechariah 12:8 |
In Acts 15:16 the church is identified with the house of David.
Zechariah 12:2-4
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round
about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against
Jerusalem.
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people:
all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all
the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment,
and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of
Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.
Horses represent people with no understanding. "Be ye not as the
horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding:
whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near
unto thee." [Psalm 32:9]
Matthew 24:16 |
Zechariah 14:5 |
The mountains are symbolic of the promises of God, and the covenants, and prophecies of scripture. The valley of the mountains is symbolic of the true interpretation of the Olivet discourse, which applies it to the present, not to 70 AD, as preterists say, or to a future seven year tribulation, as dispensationalists say. The saints abandon error, when Christ reveals the truth. (That is what not going back to fetch our clothes refers to.)
Matthew 24:29 |
Zechariah 14:6-7 |
This light is spiritual understanding. People are in spiritual darkness, even though today we are flooded with information. The sun becoming dark represents symbolic of the gospel being obscured, for example by the ET doctrine.
Matthew 24:30 |
Zechariah 12:10 |
There is a striking contrast between "all the tribes of the earth" on the one hand, and the "house of David" and the inhabitants of Jerusalem on the other. However, Zechariah refers to the church, which consists of people of every nation, who are included in the house of David, and the heavenly Jerusalem, by faith in Christ.
Matthew 24:14 |
Zechariah 14:8 |
The gospel shows how men may obtain the "living water," which Jesus promised to those who believe in him. [John 7:38] The gospel is to be preached in all the world.
Matthew 24:30 |
Zechariah 14:9 |
Christ reigns in his church, and his power is evident among the saints of all ages, who are called elsewhere a "cloud of witnesses." He also rules over the earth.
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