I was reminded of a rather disturbing statistic the other day that the majority of people when they graduate from high school never read another book for the rest of their lives.  Newspaper and magazine articles, yes.  Instructions on a medicine bottle --- hopefully!  But to sit down and read through a book, the majority will never have the pleasure of getting lost in a good read and feeling that sense of accomplishment upon completion of that book. 

As a result, we find ourselves missing on an important ingredient in the life of a Christian:  the discipline of study!  In 2 Timothy 2:15, the King James Version says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  To study means to examine, to consider, to scrutinize, to research and investigate carefully!  But we entertain things that do not tax or stretch or strengthen our minds.  For many, if it is hard to understand at the beginning, we break off from our study and go to something a little less taxing.  That’s why TV and Internet in our day are so popular --- you can throw your mind into neutral.  There is a scene change on TV every 7 seconds.  If a web page doesn’t download in 10 seconds, we move on.  It’s a sad commentary that we are so impatient that we fail to sit and investigate an issue --- especially one of great importance.

As we look at Mark 13:14-23, notice a little parenthetical statement in verse 14 which says, “Let the reader understand.”  Jesus Christ had in mind not only the disciples, but He showed that He had the readers in mind in upcoming generations.  He had us in mind to understand what was coming!

As we look at Mark 13:14-23, we see this attitude on full display --- and what a terrorizing, horrifying display it is to see!  Let’s look and see what happens when this attitude runs rampant and unchecked in a person.

Mark 13:14-23

"But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.  [15] Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out,  [16] and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.  [17] And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!  [18] Pray that it may not happen in winter.  [19] For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.  [20] And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.  [21] And then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it.  [22] False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.  [23] But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

In Mark 13:14, you see Jesus’ words:  “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”  This morning, we need to look at who is the one causing this abomination and this desecration.  As we look at passages from the Scriptures, we begin to piece together and being to ‘understand’ (as Jesus directs us) who this person is and begin to warn others about his wickedness!

When the disciples heard this, they knew exactly what the “abomination of desolation” or more accurately “the abomination that causes desolation.”  The first time we see this term is in the book of the prophet Daniel.  After the prophet spends some time discussing the timing leading up to this, he says,

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

This abomination deals with how the Gentiles defamed and pollute the Temple of God with idols --- and to the Jewish people, all idolatry is an abomination (Deuteronomy 29:17; 2 Kings 16:3) and desecrates the holiness and the righteousness of the Temple and the worship of Almighty God.

Who is the one who comes and does this?  For a concise description, we turn to 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,  [4] who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.  [5] Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?  [6] And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.  [7] For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.  [8] And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.  [9] The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,  [10] and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 

Don’t you love how the Scriptures are up-front with everything!?  God wants us to be aware of what’s going on.  Here we see a man called “the son of destruction” (KJV: perdition), “the man of lawlessness” and in Daniel known as “the little horn” (Daniel 7:8), and the “king who does as he wills” (Daniel 11:36).  Revelation calls him “the beast” (Revelation 11:7).

This is none other than the Antichrist!  And what are his traits? 

(1)    He will be revealed and made known (2:3):  This is pretty self-explanatory.  He won’t be a secret.

(2)    He exalts himself over the will and rule of God (2:4):  This fulfills what Daniel 11:33-36 says about him:

And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.  [34] When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery,  [35] and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time. [36] "And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. 

He will be given the authority to be God and will rule over all the nations.  In Rev. 13:16, we see what is called “The Mark of the Beast” which is a mark sealing all of those under his power to remain there for good:  “Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead” (Revelation 13:16).      

(3)    He desires worship and even claims to be God--- and sits on the throne in God’s Temple (2:4);

The unmitigated arrogance of this man knows no bounds.  But we notice something quite interesting.  In Isaiah 14:12-15, we see a prophecy dealing with a heavenly being.

    "How you are fallen from heaven,

        O Day Star, son of Dawn!

    How you are cut down to the ground,

        you who laid the nations low!

    [13] You said in your heart,

        'I will ascend to heaven;

    above the stars of God

        I will set my throne on high;

    I will sit on the mount of assembly

        in the far reaches of the north;

    [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

        I will make myself like the Most High.'

    [15] But you are brought down to Sheol,

        to the far reaches of the pit.

This is a telling of how Lucifer (now Satan) lived as a beautiful angel with great rank and status.  But he reveled in his own beauty and gifts and rank --- all gifts that God had given him.  But that wasn’t enough --- he had to be not only with God but above God!  But God brought him low because of his pride!  As we shall see, the Antichrist is backed by none other than Satan Himself!  We see that with the pride and arrogance this Antichrist has!

(4)    God has ordained a time for him to be revealed, but is now restraining him (2:6);

We see again that as powerful and as formidable as the Antichrist is --- being able to garner enough support and power and influence to be believed to be even as God himself --- the Antichrist cannot do one thing outside of the permissive and sovereign will of God.  In fact, we see that even the Antichrist is part of God’s sovereign redemptive will.  Notice the language in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 that he will be “revealed in his time.”  God has ordained a time for him to be revealed, but is restraining him. 

Again, the Antichrist will be formidable and will have enough power to desecrate the holiness of the Temple --- but he cannot move one single solitary inch outside of the will of God! 

(5)    He is backed by none other than Satan himself (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,  [10] and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 

There is an expression:  “Not all that glitters is gold.”  And not all that do “signs and wonders” are sent from heaven.  Satan has power as well --- not Almighty power, but mighty power --- and will use it to deceive “those who are perishing.”  You see, in Mark 13:20-22, we read:

And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.  And then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it.  False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 

A brief word about what we will discuss tonight from this passage:  you notice that Jesus tells His people, “When you see this abomination happen, go!  Run!  Hide!  Take refuge!  And do not be deceived… for those who are truly His people (those who endure to the end and are given that persevering faith) will be on the receiving end of signs and wonders and deception to coax you His elect, His chosen, out of hiding! 

Satan’s ways are appealing… just go back to the Garden of Eden.  Satan deceives --- He is a smooth talker.  He tempts us with sin and makes it look so good, so desirable, looks as if it is something we cannot live without… but in the end, He destroys!  All that glitters is not gold!

(6)    When he is revealed, his time will be short --- for Christ will defeat him (2 Thes. 2:8).

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.  Look at Rev. 19:11-21 and just read the account of the Apostle John about the ultimate victory over the Antichrist:

    Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.  [12] His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.  [13] He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.  [14] And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.  [15] From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.  [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

    [17] Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God,  [18] to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great."  [19] And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.  [20] And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.  [21] And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

Conclusion

One verse we must see as we close is 2 Thessalonians 2:6:  “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.”  The spirit of antichrist is already moving even now!  This is explained in 1 John 2:18-23:

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.  [19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.  [20] But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.  [21] I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.  [22] Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.  [23] No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 

Allow me to put this in a nutshell:  if you have received Christ as your true and only Savior and Lord, you are in the camp of “Christ.”  If you have rejected and rebelled and turned away from Christ as Savior and Lord, you are in the camp of “Antichrist.”  Considering the demise that will meet the Antichrist, won’t you come and turn to Christ even now? 

Time is short.  The end is coming!  Turn to Jesus even now!