Week #2: The Abomination and the Alert – Israel’s Future Crisis
Blog Series Intention Recap
The Signs of the Times series explores Jesus’s teaching about the end of the age from a dispensational, pre-tribulational, premillennial perspective. Each week unpacks key events of the future Tribulation period, beginning with the initial birth pains and culminating in Christ’s Second Coming. While these events are not for the Church to endure, they reveal God’s sovereign plan for Israel and the nations. The Church will be raptured before the Tribulation, but believers are called to live in readiness, understanding the times and proclaiming the gospel urgently. This series equips Christians to interpret prophetic Scripture rightly, stand firm in truth, and keep watch for the blessed hope—Christ’s imminent return.
This page is a post in the series “Signs of the Times.” Click here to see the rest of the posts.
Let’s jump into Week #2:
The Warning Sign the World Will Miss (But You Shouldn’t)… Jesus warned of a specific future event: the abomination of desolation. This will take place in the rebuilt temple at the midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation. While the Church will be raptured before this, understanding what lies ahead helps us live wisely, witness boldly, and trust God's sovereign timeline. Don’t fear the future—understand it. Study prophecy to worship God more deeply and warn others more clearly.
Why it Matters:
The “abomination of desolation” refers to a future desecration of the Jewish temple (Matt. 24:15; Dan. 9:27).
The Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel halfway through the Tribulation.
This event triggers intense persecution of the Jewish people.
Though the Church won’t see this, we are called to understand it and respond with gospel urgency.
Go Deeper:
The Most Important Warning Sign of the Tribulation
In Matthew 24:15, Jesus says:
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place… then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
This moment is the midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation, and it marks a shift from general judgment to great tribulation (Matt. 24:21). Jesus is speaking directly to Israel—specifically those in Judea. His words are rooted in the prophecies of Daniel and expand upon the future rebellion led by the Antichrist.
For those who take Scripture literally, this moment is not behind us—it is still to come.
1. What Is the Abomination of Desolation?
The phrase appears three times in Daniel’s writings (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). The most important for our study is Daniel 9:27:
“And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering…”
This “week” refers to a seven-year period—Daniel’s 70th week. The one making the covenant is a future world leader: the Antichrist. He will allow temple worship to resume in Jerusalem, only to break his covenant halfway through and desecrate the temple by exalting himself as God (2 Thess. 2:3–4).
This act—the abomination—is a direct challenge to God’s holiness and a central turning point in God’s prophetic calendar. It is not symbolic. It is literal, future, and horrific.
2. Why This Matters: Israel’s Coming Crisis
After this abomination, Jesus says “there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now” (Matt. 24:21). The second half of the Tribulation is marked by unprecedented wrath, Satanic persecution, and divine judgment.
Zechariah 13:8–9 prophesies that two-thirds of Israel will perish, but one-third will be refined and saved.
Revelation 12 depicts Israel fleeing into the wilderness, protected by God.
Jesus urges those in Judea to flee, not to fight. There will be no time for delay. This is not about the Church—it is about national Israel during Daniel’s 70th week.
As the Antichrist demands global worship and unleashes demonic wrath, God preserves a remnant of believing Jews who will cry out for their Messiah (see Romans 11:26; Zech. 12:10).
3. Where Is the Church? Gone Before It Begins
Dispensational theology holds that the Church is raptured before the Tribulation begins (1 Thess. 4:16–17; Rev. 3:10). We will not see the abomination of desolation—not because it’s unimportant, but because it doesn’t apply to us.
Still, we are called to understand it. Why?
It confirms the truthfulness of Scripture. The precision of prophecy builds our confidence.
It reminds us that God is not done with Israel. His promises to Abraham still stand (Gen. 12:1–3; Rom. 11:29).
It stirs in us a heart for the lost. Those left behind will face deception and destruction unless they turn to Christ.
4. What We See Today: The Stage Being Set
While the abomination has not happened, we can see the infrastructure forming:
Temple interest is rising: There are groups in Israel preparing for a third temple and reinstituting ceremonial worship.
Globalism is increasing: A centralized global government, economy, and religious tolerance are no longer fringe ideas.
Deception is deepening: False messiahs and spiritual lies are everywhere. The world is primed for a leader who promises peace without truth.
All of these trends echo what the Bible describes in the last days.
How does this help me understand, “Signs of the Times?”
God Is Still on the Throne
The abomination of desolation is real, horrific, and part of God’s sovereign plan to bring the age to a close. The Antichrist will rise—but he will fall. Israel will suffer—but she will be saved. And Christ will return in power and glory.
Until then, we live in anticipation—not of wrath, but of rescue.
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:9
Don’t fear the signs—understand them. Don’t wait for the end—live for Christ now.
How Should We Respond Now?
Study prophecy faithfully.
Don’t ignore “difficult” or “controversial” texts. Jesus expected His followers to understand Daniel (Matt. 24:15).Be discerning.
The world is ripe for deception. Stay grounded in truth, not headlines or emotional speculation.Pray for Israel.
God has a future plan for national Israel. We should pray for Jewish people to turn to their Messiah, Yeshua.Share the gospel now.
We won’t be here during the Tribulation—but others will. Let your urgency drive you to speak the truth in love.
Once again, don’t fear the future—understand it. Study prophecy to worship God more deeply and warn others more clearly.
