Many believe the “Abomination of Desolation” refers to the Antichrist making a treaty with Israel, but the biblical text suggests otherwise. A closer look at Daniel’s prophecy reveals that this event is directly linked to the removal of Christ’s atoning sacrifice and the resumption of animal sacrifices—an act that rejects His finished work.

Daniel 11:30-31 – Indignation Against the Holy Covenant

Daniel 11:30 states:

“For the ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant.”

This passage does not describe the Antichrist establishing a new covenant but attacking the existing one—the covenant Christ made through His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:12-14). The prophecy warns that forces will arise to turn people away from this covenant, leading them into apostasy.

Daniel 11:31 further confirms:

“Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.”

This verse describes an effort to remove the continual offering, which can be understood as Christ’s once-for-all atonement. The abomination of desolation is the reinstatement of the old sacrificial system—an action that denies the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Daniel 12:11 – The Timing of the Abomination of Desolation

Daniel 12:11 provides a crucial confirmation:

“And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.”

This verse explicitly states that the removal of the continual offering and the setting up of the abomination of desolation happen simultaneously. This event marks the beginning of the Great Tribulation, which Jesus warned about in Matthew 24:15-21:

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains… for then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.”

Jesus points directly to Daniel’s prophecy, confirming that this event triggers the Great Tribulation. This aligns with the idea that the true abomination is the return to animal sacrifices, a rejection of Christ’s perfect atonement.

The Real Danger: Rejecting Christ’s Sacrifice

Hebrews 10:26-29 warns about the consequences of turning away from Christ’s sacrifice:

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment… How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified?”

This passage reinforces that accepting another sacrificial system after knowing Christ’s atonement is a serious offense. Anyone who supports or participates in such a system forsakes Christ’s sacrifice and places themselves under judgment.

Conclusion

The Abomination of Desolation is not about a treaty, but about forsaking Christ’s covenant. Daniel 12:11 confirms that the Great Tribulation begins when the continual offering (Christ’s atonement) is rejected and animal sacrifices resume. This event is the ultimate rejection of Christ’s sacrifice, and those who accept it are turning away from the true salvation found in Him.

Believers must remain vigilant and hold fast to the new covenant, recognizing that Christ’s sacrifice is the only offering that removes sin. The return to animal sacrifices is not a restoration of divine worship, but a desolation—a denial of the finished work of Christ. (Please Watch the video below.)