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Jerusalem Surrounded by Armies-- Some Christian commentators believe that the event Jesus refers to as the 'abomination of desolation' has already occurred. That is, they believe Jesus is alluding to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in AD 70 83 The most compelling reason to accept this view is largely based on Luke 21:20. In what appears to be a slightly different account of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, Luke does not mention Daniel or use the terminology 'abomination of desolation'. Instead, Luke records the following:@ (66:2) But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. (Luke 21:20) (66:3) Because Luke mentions that Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies, it is assumed to be a clear prophecy of the Jewish Wars in AD 70 and AD 135, in which Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem. In some respects, this understanding is plausible because what Jesus prophesied did occur, at least in part, during the Jewish Wars. But a strict literal interpretation is problematic since records indicate that, unlike Antiochus IV, the Romans did not attempt to force the Jews to accept the Roman religion or worship an idol. They simply destroyed the Temple. Some Christians have also argued that such an interpretation is difficult to fit into the full context of Jesus' entire discourse.
(66:4)
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