Just something to think about.
I believe the killing of the son of God was the abomination that brought desolation.
The Roman soldiers are the tool that was used for the desolation but what could be any more of an abomination than murdering Gods only begotten son.
So, when you read Revelation, the first 7 chapters deal with the persecution of the apostles and believers.>>>>>>>
I would say the first 8 verses of Rev 7 was fulfilled at that time or before, but then we read again in chapter 12 things that were happening at that time.
Rev 12
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
We know this happened when Jesus was resurrected, and since he was the firstfruits of many I have no doubt that the 144000 went with him.
Rev 14
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
1Cor 15
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
So yes I would agree all of this happened, even before John was told to write to the Churches.
Thanks for the input.
“I believe the killing of the son of God was the abomination that brought desolation.”
Remember, though, that Matthew is referring to the prophet Daniel when he records Jesus as having said this.
Daniel’s reference to the “abomination of desolation” is very specific, and relates to another army that had sacked Jerusalem, pillaged its temple, and caused great destruction and loss of life (though not on the scale of either the Babylonian or Roman conquests).
Daniel refers to the Seleucid armies of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, which was made up of Greek and Syrian troops.
Interestingly, many of the eastern legions of Rome were also composed of Syrian troops. But that’s another bit of evidence to support the 68 AD writing of Revelation (the 10 kings who give their support to the beast: it’s a thinly veiled reference to the Decapolis. But I digress.)
Luke explains plainly what Matthew assumes his reader will understand, which is why - when trying to understand Revelation - it’s important to take all three accounts of the Olivet Discourse together. They all bring clarity to John’s full prophetic voice.
I only mention this because it’s these little details that - if not closely heeded - can divert your course from getting to the correct understanding of apostolic eschatology.
On a closing note, it’s impossible to decipher a book like Revelation, which is so heavily imbued with Jewish symbolism, without constantly referring back to the OT. Case in point:
BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. Revelation 1:7
Many, many people assume this verse refers to a global audience, yet this verse is quoted almost word-for-word from Zechariah 12, which provides the context for it:
“I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. “In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. “The land will mourn, every family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself and their wives by themselves; all the families that remain, every family by itself and their wives by themselves. Zechariah 12:10-14
Clearly, Revelation 1:7, and its parallel passage in Matthew 24:30, is a reference to the land of Israel generally, and Jerusalem specifically. And this is completely consistent with Christ’s prophetic words in Matthew 23, 24, and 25.
This is why those who try to interpret the book of Revelation by today’s headlines rather than using traditional exegetical methods will never understand it.
Headlines change. The Word of God doesn’t. ;)
Thanks for the discussion.