MATTHEW 24.15-28
Quoted from American Standard Version. biblegateway.com
15 When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand),
16 then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains:
17 let him that is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house:
18 and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak.
19 But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!
20 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a sabbath:
21 for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
25 Behold, I have told you beforehand.
26 If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man.
28 Wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
In verse 16 Jesus said, " then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains." Notice, who were to flee to the mountains? The people of New York City? The people of Atlanta, Georgia? The people of San Francisco? Maybe the people of Japan? Or maybe the people of Joplin, Missouri? What about Baghdad, Iraq? No, none of those places. It was the people of Judea. GET THAT! JUDEA! Not America, or any other place in the world today. When were they suppose to flee to the mountains. Jesus said in verse 15, "When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place."
Who did Jesus say would see the "abomination of desolation"? The disciples. Right? How can this fit any view of Bible prophecy today that claims these events are worldwide, and in the time today or in the future? The answer is, it can't. There is no more Judea, and the disciples/apostles are gone. They can't see anything. This Scripture plainly shows when and where these events would take place. In the lifetime of the disciples/apostles, in Judea. Anyone who teaches otherwise are lying.
In verse 20, that they should pray that their flight not be in winter, or on a SABBATH. Why would he say, "on a Sabbath"? What people at the time of Christ kept the Sabbath? In fact it was there law. So, what people to God give the Sabbath Law to? This shows the people Jesus was directing his comments to and about. The Jews in Judea at the time of the disciples/apostles.
Why did Jesus give them this warning? In verse 21 he said, "for then shall be great tribulation." These words are only found three places in the entire Bible. Here in verse 21, Revelation 2.22, and 7.14. Obviously the same events. And that means the prophecies of John in Revelation are linked to what Jesus told the disciples/apostles in Matthew 24. And that then establishes the timing of Revelation.
It's really not that complicated if you want to accept the truth.
