Mark 13:14-23, The Abomination of Desolation

¹⁴ “But when you see the abomination of desolation [the idol that profanes; see Daniel 11:31 and 12:11 and the altar to Zeus that Antiochus Epiphanes put in the temple] standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand [meaning apply this to your own situation]), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [when the Romans come to ravage the farm lands]. 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. [This will be a crisis calling for an urgent and immediate response. Do not hesitate.] 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. [A refugee’s plight is difficult, but the roads out of Jerusalem would be muddy in the 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. [The flight of Christians from Jerusalem in AD 67 to Pella in the Decapolis on the east of the Jordan River anticipated a greater universal tribulation.] 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 For 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. [God is protecting his own.]