Greetings ATSers. I hope this message finds you in peace. The times are critical, and every day we see fulfillment of Bible prophecy come to fruition
as these last days we are living in reach their climax. We will know when that climax has come when the "disgusting thing" referred to in the prophecy
given to Daniel and referenced by Jesus Christ, is standing in a holy place.
The idea came to me a couple of days ago to write a thread about the identity of the disgusting thing. In order to discern who it is it is good to
look at what it was in the initial fulfillment of the prophecy back in the first century.
The disgusting thing is referred to in the prophecy given to Daniel about the
Kings of the
"north and south" in Daniel chapters 11 and 12. And then Jesus referenced this prophecy when his disciples asked him what would be the sign of
his presence and the conclusion of the systems of things.
There was an initial fulfillment back in the first century when the Romans destroyed the system of things of the Jews. But we know there is a greater
fulfillment in our day, because Jesus referenced a "great tribulation" that coincides with the "time of distress in Daniel 12:1 in the prophecy about
the kings of the "north and south." that had never occurred before and will never occur again. That is yet future.
Please see the link above to see a little about the fulfillment of the prophecy of the kings of the north and south in this time of the end.
This video goes into their identity in the time of the end as
well.
Jesus told his followers:
“Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place
(let the reader use discernment), 16 then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains."-Matthew 24:15-16.
When did this have its initial fulfillment? It was when Roman General Cestius Gallus besieged Jerusalem in 66 C. E. Because of the Jewish rebellions,
and the religious sect known as the Zealots, Rome marched to crush the rebellion. In fact all Jerusalem would have been laid waste if God did not step
in and intervene during that time, as Jesus foretold:
"
In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short."-Matthew
24:22.
How would the Christians back in the first century know when the disgusting thing was standing in a holy place? Jesus said:
"
However, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. 21 Then let those in
Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains, let those in the midst of her leave, and let those in the countryside not enter into her, 22 because these
are days for meting out justice in order that all the things written may be fulfilled."-Luke 21:20-21.
So when the Christians saw Jerusalem surround by encamped armies, then they would know to flee to the mountains. But how would this be possible if it
was surrounded by encamped armies? When Roman General Cestius Gallus had besieged Jerusalem with his legions, they had come as far as to start to
undermine the walls to the very temple. They brought with them their Roman Pagan standards into the very courtyard of the temple to Jehovah God. These
Roman Pagan Standards were a "disgusting thing" that was standing on the holy ground of the courtyard. So the "disgusting thing" in its initial
fulfillment were these Roman Pagan standards that the Roman General Cestius Gallus brought right into the courtyard of Jehovah God. But why did he not
finish his job in 66. C. E. and conquer Jerusalem? History is silent on the matter. But Roman Jewish historian Josephus who was actually at the battle
as a spokesman for the Roman Emperor himself wrote about it in his history The Jewish War. I recommend all sincere students of the Bible and Bible
history to read his history if they have not done so already. The Loeb Classic Library has a wonderful translation I still have treasured in my
limited physical library I kept with me when moving from the States.
When Cestius Gallus undermined the walls of the temple and was in the act of invading the city after the prolonged siege he suddenly lifted his siege
and retreated with his legions. The Jewish Zealots taking this as a sign of victory from Jehovah God sallied out of the city gates and unleashed heavy
causalities on the rear of the retreating Roman armies.
The discerning Christian inside the city however saw this as the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. And they promptly fled Jerusalem to the mountain city
of Pella. Years passed, and perhaps it seemed foolhardy to listen to Jesus' warning. But then suddenly in 70 C. E. Roman General Titus, the son of
Cestius Gallus who was now Roman Emperor returned to Judea, and starting with all of the smaller cities outside Jerusalem started to decimate the
province. At that time they reached Jerusalem's walls the Passover was being celebrated and Jews from all over the diaspora were congregated in
Jerusalem. Its population had swelled. And then it was encamped by Roman Genral Titus, and this time one of the greatest known slaughters in human
history took place when General Titus destroyed Jerusalem, burned down its temple, and uprooted its walls, and killed 1.1 million Jews, and took what
was left of those into captivity, to be sold as slaves or killed in the Gladiatorial arenas as sport for the people.
The "holy thing" in this prophecy was not holy to God any longer. The earthly temple arrangement in Jerusalem in Jehovah's eyes ceased to exist when
the Jews put Jesus, the son of God to death. And God took his favor away from the natural nation of Israel and put it on the newly formed anointed
Christian congregation, with the outpouring of holy spirit at Pentecost of 33 C. E. The Jews, and their religious Zealots may have thought they still
had Jehovah God's favor, but they did not:
"
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent to her—how often I wanted to gather your children together the way a
hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you did not want it. Look! Your house is abandoned to you."-Matthew 23:37-38.
So too, today in the greater fulfillment the "disgusting thing" will stand in a holy place. In that people of the world consider her holy, but not
that God considers her holy. Who is the "disgusting thing" and what is the "holy place" it will stand in?
edit on 16-10-2023 by randomuser because: (no reason given)