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JESUS’ SECOND COMING (II)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Matthew 24:15-39

2 Thessalonians 2

 

“…they shall see the Son of man
coming in the clouds of heaven

with power and great glory.”

 

JESUS’ SECOND COMING (II)
 
Jesus also mentioned Daniel’s “the abomination of desolation” (Dan 9:27; 12:11) in Matthew 24:15. This refers to the desecration of the Jewish temple by the Antichrist at the mid-point of the Great Tribulation week (Dan 9:27). After “forty and two months” (Rev 11:2; 13:5) or “a thousand two hundred and threescore days” (Rev 12:6), or “time, and times, and half a time” (Dan 7:25; 12:7; Rev 12:14) into the Seven-year Tribulation Week, the Antichrist will demand worship for himself from the whole world (Rev 13:5-8; 2 Thess 2:1-4). God regards this as a thing most hateful.
 
Will the temple be rebuilt in Jerusalem for the Antichrist to desecrate? Rev Dr Timothy Tow comments, “Bible students generally conclude that since there would be the OT sacrifices revived, the Temple by this time would be rebuilt. …In my opinion the temple would not be rebuilt because there is no mandate to do so, as in the previous building of both Moses’ Tabernacle and Solomon’s Temple, yea, even in the rebuilding of the Temple by decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1,2). Not even David could build the Temple because of his bloody hands through war (1 Chronicles 28:3). Nor can any ascend the holy hill of God except his hands are cleansed and his heart purified (Psalm 24:4). The rebuilt Temple is rather the Millennial Temple in Ezekiel 40-48.”
 
How then can this be reconciled with Paul’s prediction in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4? Dr Tow answers that it can be “his intrusion into the Jerusalem Great Synagogue in West Jerusalem. This is the Jews’ holiest place, a half-way house to the Temple to come.”
 
Will you escape the Great Tribulation? Only believers will escape the wrath of God to come (1 Thess 5:9). Believe on Him today! “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom 10:9). Be therefore ready now! Be like the faithful and fruitful servant (Matt 24:44‑51; 25:14‑30), and the wise and watchful virgins (Matt 25:1‑13).
 
THOUGHT: Study Rev Dr Timothy Tow’s commentaries on Daniel and Revelation.

PRAYER: Father, let me serve Thee with my whole life in these last days.

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