The "Abomination that Causes Desolation" Spoken of Through the Prophet Daniel - Part 3: Means the Temple Must be Rebuilt

The golden dome of the Dome of the Rock is prominent
on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem today.
The Dome of the Rock - Wikipedia

In the previous post we talked about the desecration of the Temple in Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes. Because the actions of Antiochus Epiphanes purposely desecrating the Jewish Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar of Zeus in 168 B.C. was not the complete fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy, there is a more complete fulfillment yet to come.

This fulfillment was in the future when Jesus spoke about it around 30 A.D.

It is clear that the "abomination which causes desolation" occurs at or in the Jewish Temple. The thing is, the Temple was completely destroyed in 70 A.D. when the Romans burned the Temple to the ground. (Tweet that!)

That was only 40 years after Jesus spoke these words. Ever since, the Jewish Temple has not stood on the Temple Mount. 

This Temple can only be located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. (It's not like it can be built in another location. God instructed that it be located on Mount Moriah, which is also known as the Temple Mount. See Genesis 2:22 and 2 Chronicles 3:1.)

Therefore, in order for this prophecy to be fulfilled, the Jewish Temple must once again stand on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. (Tweet that!)

The rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is a subject of great animosity. Currently the Islamic shrine known as the Dome of the Rock, sits on the Temple Mount. I'm sure you've seen it. It's that large golden dome glistening in the sun whenever we see pictured the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Some people think the Jewish Temple can be built in another area so the Dome of the Rock and the Temple can both coexist on the Temple Mount. Others believe the Jewish Temple belongs in the location of the Islamic shrine, because "the rock" which the Dome covers is the foundation stone of the Temple. Either way, something significant would have to happen for the Jewish Temple to be rebuilt.

Because of the perceived clash it might cause between Muslims, Jews, and Christians, some people think rebuilding the Temple could ignite World War III. I don't think so because I believe there will be a "false peace" negotiated by the Antichrist. (But that's yet another discussion, prophecy, and blog post.)

Obviously this prophecy has not yet been fulfilled. But it is something to watch for, because it would definitely signal when we are in the End Times.

I believe the rebuilding of the Temple could happen extremely quickly. It's possible that, when the go-ahead to build is given, the Temple could be erected very quickly - possibly in a day, if it's possible to erect and use the tent-Temple, like Moses built, instead of the building-Temple, like Solomon and Herod built. (Tweet that!)

Nevertheless, next to the most significant fulfillment of prophecy in our day, which was the fact that Israel is once again a nation, in my opinion this is the next most significant sign of the End Times. (Tweet that!) I believe that because it is something concrete and visual. Unlike the "birth pains" that can leave us wondering "are we there yet?," there will be no mistaking the rebuilding of the Temple when it happens. (Tweet that!)

However by the time the Antichrist sets up the "abomination that causes desolation," so many people may be following him instead of Jesus that they may not recognize this abomination for what it is. (Tweet that!)