Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
In Mark 13:14, Jesus warns of the future appearance of the Antichrist: “’But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing where it ought not,’ (let him that readeth understand,) ‘then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains.’” Some have erroneously suggested that this prophecy was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A. D. 70. However, Jesus specifically references Daniel 9:27: “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [literally, “one seven” – that is one seven-year period]: and in the midst of the week [seven years] he shall cause the sacrifice to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” Clearly, these details were not fulfilled then and have not yet been fulfilled. II Thessalonians 2:3 calls this future Antichrist “that man of sin,” and II Thessalonians 2:8 labels him “that Wicked” – the lawless one. Revelation 13 is a lengthy exposition of the Antichrist’s reign, in which he will be “worshipped.” Nothing like that happened in A. D. 70 (or at any time since). However, during the predicted Tribulation, the Antichrist will break his covenant with the Jewish people and desecrate the temple which will exist then. He will enter that future temple and demand to be worshiped: [He] opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (II Thessalonians 2:4). Jesus’ specific warning in Mark 13:14 is further confirmation that we need to “take heed” (verse 5) regarding all of God’s Word, including prophecy.