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It was the year AD 66. Jerusalem was a captive of her own people. Simon, the Jewish zealot, and his rebel armies had taken possession of Jerusalem after being chased out of various other cities in Judea by the Roman armies. He and his men tightened their grip on the people, taking possession of all they could grasp, many times taking the last morsel of bread from the poor, aged, and young. Was it because they were hungry? No, they merely wanted to make sure that they had plenty. No one could come or go through the gates. They were locked and guarded at all times. The people had become captives of their own rebel army. Even the sanctity of the Temple did not prevent the zealots from entering its holy precincts. Simon decided that the Temple would make a good headquarters for him and his men. He desecrated the Altar, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place, as well as harassing and molesting the worshippers that came there. No one felt safe. He and his men were extremely wicked.<\/p>\n
Suddenly the watchman on the wall shouted, \u201cThe Romans are coming.\u201d Cestius and his vast armies were quickly approaching. Since no one had been allowed to leave during Simon’s reign of terror, no one could escape before the Romans arrived either. But God in His mercy gave the Christians a chance to escape. Jesus had warned them.<\/p>\n
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.<\/em> Luke 21:20<\/p>\n This is phrased somewhat differently in the book of Matthew.<\/p>\n When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, . . . then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains, let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. \u00a0<\/em>Matthew 24:15-18.<\/p>\n The Christians were ready. They recognized the sign. The Roman armies had come. But suddenly they withdrew for no apparent reason when success appeared imminent. Their departure was unexplainable, but it was an opportunity given by God so that His people could flee unmolested as He had commanded them. Simon and his army of rebels pursued the Romans which left the city unguarded by either army. This was the opportunity the Christians needed. They had only a very short time to get out of Jerusalem before the zealots returned and again took the city hostage. They fled to the wilderness east of the Jordan River. We are told that not one Christian remained in the city.<\/p>\n Is there another abomination of desolation that we need to be watching for?<\/p>\n By the decree of enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near. \u00a0<\/em> Testimonies for the Church<\/u>, Vol. 5, p. 451.<\/p>\n The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains. \u00a0<\/em> Testimonies for the Church<\/u>, Vol. 5, pp. 464, 465.<\/p>\n We can see how the prophecy of Christ applies to us in our day. Sunday laws are a part of the abomination of desolation. But is there more to this picture?<\/p>\n The light we have received upon the third angel’s message is the true light. The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood, nor will it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll; but a most solemn work is to be accomplished in our world. The Lord’s command to His servants is: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1.<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Testimonies for the Church<\/u>, Vol. 6, p. 17<\/p>\n Sunday laws are a part of this abomination \/ mark of the beast issue but we are told there is more to it that we will understand as prophecy is fulfilled. And there is a \u201csolemn work\u201d concerning the transgression of God’s people. What is that referring to?<\/p>\n There is some important typology in the story of the destruction of Jerusalem (which actually happened 3 1\/2 years later, in AD 70, when Titus returned with the Roman army).<\/p>\n There was an abomination of desolation on the inside of Jerusalem’s walls before the abomination came from the outside.<\/p>\n Simon and his zealots desecrated the Temple with unholy priests, unholy sacrifices, and their unholy presence before the Romans ever arrived! It was this that led to the destruction of Jerusalem and it’s Temple. Without the resistance of the zealots, the Jewish people would have surrendered without a fight and the city and Temple would have continued to stand.<\/p>\n Friends, this typology of the destruction of Jerusalem is being fulfilled remarkably before our eyes, in our own lives.<\/p>\n What is this internal abomination that will cause desolation? Let’s take a look at some possibilities.<\/p>\n Vine’s Expository Dictionary gives this definition for \u201cabomination.\u201d<\/p>\n ABOMINATION \u201cabomination; loathsome, detestable thing.\u201d . . . defines something or someone as essentially unique in the sense of being \u201cdangerous,\u201d \u201csinister,\u201d and \u201crepulsive\u201d to another individual. . . . When used with reference to God, this nuance of the word describes people, things, acts, relationships, and characteristics that are \u201cdetestable\u201d to Him because they are contrary to His nature. Things related to death and idolatry are loathsome to God: \u201cThou shalt not eat any abominable thing\u201d (Deut. 14:3). People with habits loathsome to God are themselves detestable to Him: \u201cThe woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman\u2019s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God\u201d (Deut. 22:5). . . . used in some contexts to describe pagan practices and objects: \u201cThe graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire; thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God. Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house . . . \u201d (Deut. 7:25-26). . . . \u201cThese six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto him: . . . a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, . . . and he that soweth discord among brethren\u201d (Prov. 6:16-19). . . . \u201cto abhor, treat as abhorrent, cause to be an abomination, act abominably. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, William White, Jr.<\/p>\n An abomination can be what we eat or wear, how we worship, how we relate to others, etc. Does God’s perspective on abominations change over time?<\/p>\n \u201cI am the LORD, I change not!\u201d <\/em>Malachi 3:6<\/p>\n Do we have abominations in our church sanctuaries or in our personal lives that will cause us to fall to the Romans in the future? Are there sins in the house of Jacob, or the church of today? Is there idolatry in your life? What are some possible idols?<\/p>\n Many who profess godliness do not inquire into the reason of Christ’s long period of fasting and suffering in the wilderness. His anguish was not so much from the pangs of hunger as from His sense of the fearful result of the indulgence of appetite and passion upon the race. He knew that appetite would be man’s idol and would lead him to forget God and would stand directly in the way of his salvation.<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Review and Herald, September 1, 1874<\/p>\n Appetite can be your idol even though you aren’t overweight. Someone with a weight problem may have more control over his appetite that you because he realizes that he has a slow metabolism and has to fight the eating battle daily while you may not have to be concerned about your weight. But do you eat for strength only what is good for you or do you eat whatever you want when you want it? What about your clothing? Is your clothing in compliance with the laws of heaven or do you wear worldly clothes? Maybe your boat or tractor has more of your affection than the Savior. What is it in your life? We must look deeply at ourselves, asking the Lord for His perspective of our lives.<\/p>\n The Lord is willing to show us our faults as fast as we are willing to put them away and overcome them.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Review and Herald, May 11, 1876<\/p>\n Appetite is more than just what our stomach craves.<\/p>\n Bible teaching will make but a feeble impression upon those whose faculties are benumbed by indulgence of appetite. Thousands will sacrifice not only health and life, but their hope of Heaven, before they will wage war against their own perverted appetites. One lady who for many years claimed to be sanctified, made the statement that if she must give up her pipe or Heaven she would say, “Farewell, Heaven, I cannot overcome my love for my pipe.” This idol had been enshrined in the soul, leaving to Jesus a subordinate place. Yet this woman claimed to be wholly the Lord’s!<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Review and Herald, January 25, 1881<\/p>\n Appetite includes anything your body or mind might request or demand. Indulgence is when you give in to those whims regardless of the consequences. You may not have a tobacco addiction, but there are many other addictions such as shopping, workaholism, pornography, control over others, etc. Any of these things can be an abomination that can lead you to accept the final abomination\u2014the Sunday laws! Is there a rebel in your heart’s gate?<\/p>\n But there are some persons who make high professions, whose hearts are so encased in self-love and selfishness that they cannot appreciate these things. They have all their lives thought and lived only for self. To make a worthy sacrifice to do others good, to disadvantage themselves for the purpose of benefiting others, is out of the question with them. They have not the least idea that God requires this of them. Self is their dear idol. \u00a0\u00a0<\/em>Review and Herald, August 16, 1881<\/p>\n You can choose life and salvation if you will, or you can choose to worship self and devote your precious hours of probation to making your person attractive to please the eye of the worldling and the sensualist, to receive flattery from lying lips, and at last reap that harvest which you have been sowing–corruption. The poor mortal body which has been your idol, your god, will be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb. \u00a0\u00a0<\/em>Daughters of God<\/u>, p. 121<\/p>\n Self or personal appearance can be an idol. You may not be decorating your body, but maybe it’s your house or your car. Anything that purposely draws attention to self, anything that is more important than God is an idol. Are you so busy and occupied with \u201cimportant things\u201d that you have no time for God, for morning and evening devotional time with Him? If that is the case, then you have an idol lurking in your life. Do you love the world and follow what it dictates? If you do, you will fall to the Romans. Are you a captive of your own rebellious heart? Ask for heavenly eye salve to look into your heart and know what is in its depths.<\/p>\n What about our behavior? Here is a list to consider:<\/p>\n These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.\u00a0<\/em> Proverbs 6:16-19<\/p>\n What is a proud look? It is actions or attitudes that say, \u201cI am better or more important than you.\u201d Rudeness, lack of consideration for other’s needs or feelings, criticism or humiliating remarks about others are all part of this picture. If anger borders on murder and lust is equal to adultery (Matthew 5:21-30), then an inflated ego, even if it is not expressed openly, is equivalent to pride.<\/p>\n What might be included in \u201ca lying tongue?\u201d In Scripture it is called \u201cfalse witness\u201d.<\/p>\n If we have in any manner defrauded or injured our brother, we should make restitution. If we have unwittingly borne false witness, if we have misstated his words, if we have injured his influence in any way, we should go to the ones with whom we have conversed about him, and take back all our injurious misstatements.<\/em><\/p>\n If matters of difficulty between brethren were not laid open before others, but frankly spoken of between themselves in the spirit of Christian love, how much evil might be prevented! How many roots of bitterness whereby many are defiled would be destroyed, and how closely and tenderly might the followers of Christ be united in His love!<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing<\/u>, p. 59<\/p>\n What might be happening in \u201ca heart that deviseth wicked imaginations?\u201d<\/p>\n And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.<\/em> Genesis 6:5<\/p>\n What kind of mental activity might be included here? surmising that someone has evil motives when you really don’t know what their motives are? lust? rehearsing other’s faults with an unforgiving attitude? Is an evil imagination encouraged by reading corrupt material like sensual novels or magazines? or by watching TV or surfing the internet? or going to the mall? Your imagination is an incredibly powerful tool and needs to be carefully guarded.<\/p>\n Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.<\/em> Proverbs 4:23<\/p>\n Through Christ you may and should be happy and should acquire habits of self-control. Even your thoughts must be brought into subjection to the will of God and your feelings under the control of reason and religion. Your imagination was not given you to be allowed to run riot and have its own way without any effort at restraint or discipline. If the thoughts are wrong the feelings will be wrong, and the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character. When you decide that as Christians you are not required to restrain your thoughts and feelings you are brought under the influence of evil angels and invite their presence and their control.<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Testimonies for the Church<\/u>, Vol. 5, p. 310<\/p>\n Abominations can show up in many places. Any of us can fall in these areas. How closely we must watch what we think about, what we do, and who or what we worship! Don’t let a rebel Simon (or Jim or Sue) into your heart’s gate. Don’t let self rule your soul.<\/p>\n Jesus is asking, \u201cWill you put me first? I put you first. I left heaven for you.\u201d Won’t you let Him rule your heart so that your soul temple may be purified and holy and you will not fall in the days ahead? Then you will be able to stand when Rome does bear down on you in the very near future. Don’t let an abomination that makes desolate rule your life. Make a choice for Jesus now, today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was the year AD 66. Jerusalem was a captive of her own people. Simon, the Jewish zealot, and his rebel armies had taken possession of Jerusalem after being chased out of various other cities in Judea by the Roman armies. He and his men tightened their grip on the people, taking possession of all … <\/p>\n