As we watch the events of the world unfolding before our eyes, some of us are tempted to ask questions such as those that Yahshua’s (Jesus’) disciples asked Him:

Many of His answers to their questions look like the headlines of the events we are watching today. He began with a stern warning to beware of the deceivers:

He said that there will be times of great problems. These will include wars, rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes in "diverse places:"

These things are just the beginning of sorrows. There will be hatred and afflictions against those who trust in His name, which will be offensive to the world:

There will be false prophets that claim to hear from God and speak on His behalf. Unfortunately, many people will believe them and will be deceived away from the truth of the Word of God. Once they reject God’s word, they will no longer feel bound to keep His laws and commandments. Their love for Yahweh, and even for each other, will grow cold:

While these things are happening all around us, some will look for ways of escape. However, Yahshua tells us that we must endure to the end to be saved:

The end, He says, will not come until the entire world has an opportunity to hear the "Gospel of the Kingdom:"

Daniel wrote many prophecies. However, he could not understand what many of them meant. Yahweh told him that those prophecies would be sealed up, closed to understanding, until the "time of the end." That would be a time such as this, when both travel and knowledge is increased:

One of Daniel’s prophecies tells about a coming ruler that will "place the abomination that makes desolate:"

This prophecy of Daniel’s still had not been fulfilled as Yahshua spoke to His disciples on the Mount of Olives:

The word that is translated in Daniel as "abomination" means a "detestable thing or idol, abominable thing, abomination, idol, detested thing." An idol is something that is bowed down to or that is worshipped. The meaning of the word that is translated as "desolate" also means to be appalled, stunned, stupefied, deflowered, deserted, or awestruck (see Strong’s Concordance). Therefore, it appears that Daniel’s prophesy was not just about physical desolation, but that it was also about spiritual desolation, which begins in our hearts.

This is what happened with King Solomon. Once he opened his heart up to abominations, the idols of gods and goddesses that were worshipped, he did evil before Yahweh:

The spiritual desolation that began in Solomon’s heart as he turned to the worship of abominations, the idol gods and goddesses, eventually manifested itself in the physical destruction and desolation of the united kingdom of Israel. First it was divided into Israel and Judah. Then both kingdoms were eventually made desolate because they continued to worship idols.

Yahshua warns us that, when we see the "abomination of desolation" stand in the "holy place," it is time for His people to "flee into the mountains:"

In the "last days" we must run to Yahweh, to His "house," for refuge. His kingdom (mountain) shall be established on the top of all other kingdoms (mountains) of this world (see Revelation 17:9):

When we see the "abomination that makes desolate" established for all of the world to bow before, we will know that it is time for "great tribulation:"

Such an abomination may be that which is called the "image of the beast," that all of the world will be required to worship under the threat of death:

During this time of tribulation, war will be waged upon Yahweh’s people. Everyone on the earth, except the very elect of Yahweh, will worship the beast, represented by the "image of the beast." This image will be the final "abomination that makes desolate" (see Revelation 14:9-11):

Thankfully, because of the presence of Yahweh’s elect, those days of tribulation will be shortened:

There will be those that will try to deceive Yahweh’s elect by telling them that the Messiah has already come. Their claim will be that He came secretly, perhaps already taking His elect with Him. Yahshua says, "believe it not," because He will return, not secretly, but with great glory:

Yahweh will ultimately triumph over the kingdoms of this world and those that worship the beast. After His victory, the "fowls" of heaven will gather together for the "supper of the great God" (see Revelation 19:17-18):

Then, "immediately after the tribulation," we shall see Yahshua, "the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory," to receive His elect, those that endured with Him to the end:

When we see these things, it is wise to remember the words of Yahshua, "Behold, I have told you before."