JULY 29, 2025 – THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

READ: Dan. 11:31-45 – … to refine them, purify them …

We must remember that chapter 11 reveals future events that occur after Daniel’s death. It teaches that God is sovereign over all history, and nothing happens apart from Him. Everything occurs at the divinely appointed time (v.29).

Also striking is the detailed account of the evil to come. God’s people are warned to trust in the LORD and rely on His help.

From Antiochus comes increasing disaster. On the Sabbath, he conquers Jerusalem, takes people captive, and desecrates the temple. The LORD’s altar is replaced with a pagan one for Zeus, where pigs are sacrificed: this is “the abomination of desolation.”

The entire worship of the LORD is desecrated (cf. the antichristian beast in Rev. 13). Something similar happens during the destruction of Jerusalem (Matt. 24:15) and will happen again in the end times (2 Thess. 2:4).

Antiochus also uses flattery to seduce apostate Jews to influence the people. Yet, a faithful remnant remains who hold fast to the LORD and His covenant (v.32b). They “know” their God. Many of them who guide others are persecuted, imprisoned, and killed (v.33). They suffer in a way consistent with the Gospel. Through this, God purifies and refines His people, separating the faithful from those who fall away.

The “little help” in verse 34 refers to the Maccabean revolt. Verses 36–40 show that even this despicable king meets his end. After victories, boasting, and destruction, God ends this satanic ruler’s reign through illness. God presses on toward the coming of His Son. Nothing can stop Him. He governs history.

Why does God allow such a heavy path for His people?

Sing: Ps. 74:4,5,13