1. What coming calamity did Jesus warn His disciples about?

15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains.

Matthew 24:15-16

Jesus explained that the abomination of desolation would involve something “standing where it ought not” (Mark 13:14) in the “holy place” of the sanctuary. In a parallel passage, He warned that when Jerusalem was “compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh” (Luke 21:20).

Christ’s warnings about the abomination of desolation received a literal fulfillment when the Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem and finally destroyed it and the temple in AD 70. In the siege, Rome placed standards containing images of their pagan gods on the ground surrounding the temple in an attempt to demonstrate that their gods were more powerful than the God of heaven.

My Response

For what reasons do you think God provides warnings such as this of future events? What response from us might God be looking for?

Review

What coming calamity did Jesus warn His disciples about? (Select the best answer.)

2. What made the temple and Jerusalem “desolate” even before destruction by the Romans?

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

Matthew 23:37-38

Jesus declared that rejection of God and His Word, and persecution of His prophets, led to the spiritual and physical desolation of the temple. The same thing happened centuries earlier when God allowed Babylon to conquer Jerusalem because of its rejection of truth, including God’s command to keep the Sabbath holy. After Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, “as long as [the land of Israel] lay desolate she kept sabbath” (2 Chronicles 36:21). 

The physical destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon and Rome was preceded in both instances by a “spiritual destruction” brought about by a rejection of truth and compromise with the world.

My Response

What does Jerusalem’s destruction suggest about the importance of the Sabbath? What do you think God hoped to accomplish for the Jews through their captivity? Do we need to learn these same lessons today?

Review

According to Matthew 23:37-38, what made the temple and Jerusalem “desolate” even before destruction by the Romans? (Select all answers that apply.)

3. What was the greatest abomination that God’s people committed in their worship?

15 Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. 16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD’S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.

Ezekiel 8:15-16

The greatest abomination occurred when 25 of Israel’s leaders, presumably priests, worshipped the sun instead of the Creator. In the remainder of the vision (Ezekiel 9:1-7), great destruction falls upon Jerusalem as a result of this false worship.

Someone standing on the temple porch in Jerusalem would face west when looking toward the Most Holy Place, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Ten Commandments in the ark. To face east and worship the sun, one would have to deliberately turn away from the temple and from God’s law.

My Response

For what reasons do you think Israel’s priests started worshipping the sun? Are we in danger of making the same mistake today?

Review

According to Ezekiel 8:16, what was the greatest abomination that God’s people committed in their worship? (Fill in the blanks.)

4. What warning does the Bible give us about turning away from God’s law?

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Proverbs 28:9

If we knowingly turn away from God’s law and choose not to keep it, even our prayers will become an abomination.

My Response

Why is our willingness to respect and obey God’s law be connected with God’s willingness to hear our prayers? What spiritual dangers could result if God answered the prayers of those who do not choose to serve Him?

Review

What warning does God give us about turning away from God’s law? (Select the best answer.)

5. What does the Bible warn that the little horn power will attempt to do?

And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Daniel 7:25

It will attempt to “change times and laws.” Human laws frequently change, so this can only point to an attempt to change God’s law. Like the Roman armies surrounding Jerusalem, the little horn attempted to place the “standards” of Sunday sacredness on the holy ground of the seventh-day Sabbath. It openly admits to doing this, and even claims Sunday to be the mark of its authority:

Sunday is our mark of authority. The Church is above the bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.

The Catholic Record, September 1, 1923

Review

According to Daniel 7:25, what will the little horn power attempt to do? (Fill in the blanks.)

6. What will be the result for all who accept the mark of human authority in place of the seal of God?

9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Revelation 14:9-11

At the end of time, the mark of the beast will bring a final attack against God’s law and the seventh-day Sabbath. This final abomination of enforced Sunday observance will bring desolation to the world and all who receive the mark of the beast.

My Response

2 Peter 3:9 says that God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” In what sense will God’s destruction of sin be an act of mercy?

Review

What will be the result for all who accept the mark of human authority in place of the seal of God? (Select all answers that apply.)

7. What does Jesus promise to everyone who comes to Him?

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus promises that you can experience God’s peace and rest in your life! He can give you His victory over your sins, weaknesses, and temptations. The seventh-day Sabbath is the sign of His power to work these miracles in your life. 

My Response

How valuable is the spiritual rest that Jesus promises? Will you accept this amazing gift today and enter into God’s Sabbath rest?

Review

According to Matthew 11:28, what does Jesus promise to give to everyone who comes to Him? (Fill in the blank.)