Happened, Happening, and Will Happen

 DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

HAPPENED HAPPENING AND WILL HAPPEN 

Matt 24:15-25

15 "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel — let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now — and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect — if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

NIV

This is a rather perplexing statement of Jesus. It is said all this has already taken place when the Roman army invaded Jerusalem in an act of war and ultimately destroyed the temple in AD 70. This would conclude any sacrifices at all in the temple. The Romans, as Gentiles would be an abomination standing in the temple. It is said they first set up their emblems of war at the temple gates declaring their victory and dominance over the Jews God. All the warnings of Jesus about escaping were intended so many Jewish believers would be able to get out of Jerusalem ahead of the time of the siege and invasion. Jesus is quoting or referring to the prophecy of Daniel. What makes this a little baffling is Luke’s account of these words of Jesus including Jesus saying that as a culmination of these events they will see signs in the sun, moon, and stars. Jesus says that on the earth nations will be in anguish and perplexity because of the roaring and tossing of the sea. Luke also says that Jesus makes the point that men will faint in terror and be extremely apprehensive because of what is coming in the world. This does not sound like an invasion of the Romans into Jerusalem.  In Luke’s account, Jesus also says the heavenly bodies will be shaken. That could be the signs in the sun, moon, and stars. Jesus says that when these things take place, stand up, and lift your heads because your redemption is drawing near. This does not sound like it has already taken place with the desolation of the temple by the Romans. So, what are we to think? Maybe it is beyond our understanding. Maybe all we need to know is that at some time the world is going to come to an end, and it is going to be more in account with what John said in the revelation of Jesus given to him. Maybe these words of Jesus could have this double meaning of a first warning about the Roman army, and an invasion by the army of Satan upon the world. There could already be evidence of Satan standing as an abomination in the temple. If we considered ourselves, as God does, the temple of the Holy Spirit, then when we allow the influences of the world upon our hearts and minds, taking on certain patterns of thinking, or behavers, is the temple in desolation, in some sense? Is it an abomination for us to take on some of the ways of the world, investing in their schemes for the benefit of gold? Is it an abomination for us to take on some of their schemes for success? It would seem some of those false prophets have built marvelous temples, say like a great Crystal Cathedral or other edifices filled with gold and riches. Some have been great halls to house thousands of people to lift themselves up in high esteem and fleece the flock, so they are able to live in abundance. Jesus warns even believers will be deceived.  Is this not all an abomination? Therefore, these words are perplexing to us. We cannot see them finished as some scholars would. We see them as happened, and happening and going to happen until the end comes.