In Matthew 24 Jesus makes a very unique mention to those listening. He said something that those who were there would be very familiar with. He said (remember Daniel) in reference to Abomination Desolation.
The Abomination of Desolation foretold in Daniel had not yet occurred when Jesus was alive.
What's interesting about the reference to Daniel is the timing of when Daniel wrote this. It was not long after when a PIG was offered on the Temple altar by Seleucid king of Syria to force Hellenization in order to dedicate the sanctuary to Zeus.
Remember, there is nothing in Scripture that specifically mentions a pig being sacrificed to Zeus by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. One needs to be careful about that. However, we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water. Daniel 11:14 appears to allude to that very event:
| Daniel 11:14 - And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. |
Notes: Commentators are generally in agreement up to this verse. SDA introduces Rome, while other denominations keep going with Antiochus III the Great. It is apparent that neither side has it correct.
And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south…:
The timeline now jumps ahead to somewhere between 170 BC and 160 BC. Many have tried to stand up against the King of the South. A significant amount of time has passed since the previous verse. Antiochus III the Great is long dead. Antiochus IV Epiphanes becomes the new King of the North.
…also the robbers of thy people…:
The is the beginning of the many heresies committed by Antiochus IV Epiphanes leading up to the Maccabean Revolt. 'Robbers of thy people' can easily be linked in all kinds of ways to that particular time period of betrayal, blasphemy, civil war, liberation and so on.
…shall exalt themselves to establish the vision…:
This is very strong language. The vision is referring Daniel's prophecies, specifically the return of the Messiah. There are factions trying to force it all to come to fruition before the appointed time. Again, this is Maccabean Revolt language being used.
…but they shall fall…:
Since God makes things happen in His time, the forcing of prophecy, which included the infamous 'swine event', was a failure.

