So when you see standing in the holy place "the abomination that causes desolation," spoken of through the prophet Daniel — let the reader understand — then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Matthew 24:15-16, NIV

Sometimes warnings can sound frightening.  But when they come from someone who loves you, they’re really signs of protection.  A parent who says, “Don’t touch, it’s hot!” may come off sounding harsh.  But that warning isn’t meant to strike fear in their child; it’s meant to spare them from pain and steer them to safety.

In Matthew 24, Jesus gets descriptive about future troubles, and to some this can sound unnecessarily graphic or even traumatic. But Jesus isn’t in the business of filling His followers with fear.

No, His prophetic word helps us trust Him when the world seems uncertain (cf. Jn. 14:29).

Jesus’ warning about “the abomination that causes desolation” (Mt. 24:15-16) was a clear reference to the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple prophesied by the prophet Daniel (Dan. 9:27). It was a strong warning to be sure, but one that had a redemptive purpose in mind.  Years afterward, when it became apparent that Rome’s armies would invade the temple grounds and destroy Jerusalem just like Jesus anticipated (Lk. 21:20), His followers remembered Jesus’ warning as a word of salvation and preservation.

That word of salvation physically preserved those who saw the force of arms in God’s sanctuary in the 1st century. And it’s still a word of salvation that spiritually guards against the reliance upon human power in place of God’s presence in the 21st century. 

Do you hear the heart of every divine warning? God doesn’t speak to frighten; He speaks to prepare. He wants His people to stay awake, stay faithful, and remained filled with His Spirit.

So when we read prophecy or take notice of the “signs of the times” all around us, we don’t have to live in fear. We can live in faith, remembering that every warning comes from a heart that loves us and longs for us to endure to the end and be saved (Mt. 24:13).

💭 Reflection Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus includes warnings in His teaching?
2. How can we listen to prophecy with faith instead of fear?
3. What can we do to ensure our heart temple isn’t made desolate of God’s presence?
4. How can your family practice abiding—staying close to Jesus—even in uncertain times?

🙏 Prayer

“Lord, thank You for loving us enough to warn us, guide us, and prepare us. When the world feels unstable, keep our hearts steady in You and filled with Your Spirit. Help us live each day in faith, hope, and love until You come again. Amen.”

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