What is the “disgusting thing or abomination standing in the holy place” spoken of in Matt 24:15?

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),”

Of this, Dan 11:31 and 12:11 says,
"And forces shall stand on his part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, the fortress, and shall take away the continual [sacrifice], and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate." (Darby)

"And from the time that the continual [sacrifice] is taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, [there shall be] a thousand, two hundred, and ninety days."

The words in comparison are “holy place”, “sanctuary”, “fortress”, where the “continual sacrifice” has been removed or made desolate. This holy place is God’s Temple, his Chosen ones –

“Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” 1 Cor 3:16

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Pet 2:9

Dan 11:31 states “forces” are standing in the sanctuary, causing a trampling of the Temple. God’s Chosen ones cannot offer their own continual sacrifices under the trampling of these “forces”.

How does this appear within the Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses? Under an appointed elder rule or “force”, whom all must obey, God’s anointed ones are in submission to this army and unable to off the fruit of the lips that Holy Spirit has poured into one’s heart through the anointing.

“For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts." Mal 2:7

These anointed ones are the messengers or shepherds that serve all God’s people; yet, through the organizational arrangement, this “offering” of “continual sacrifice” has been taken away. God’s holy arrangement is profaned by a “Gentile” army, muscling their way into God’s Temple. This army – the elder body – is also the “son of destruction” revealed in 2 Thess 2:3,4:

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? “

Notice, the army here “takes his seat in the temple of God”. Has this army exalted himself against God’s anointed ones? We have proof through the Watchtower's own words:

"So anointed ones do not think that they are better than others. They know that Jehovah does not necessarily give anointed ones more holy spirit than he gives his other servants. And they do not feel that they can understand Bible truths more deeply than anyone else."

"In no way, then, would they use their anointing as a “calling card” to introduce themselves to others. For the most part, they would not even mention this personal experience to others, so as to avoid drawing attention to themselves; neither would they want to boast about their future reward." W 16/1

No one is superior to another, but if God has designed his Temple and calls it "holy", why would an elder body be viewed as superior to God's own appointment? How would man gauge the outpouring of holy spirit on God's Chosen ones as "not necessarily more than he gives his other servants"? What is described as holy to God should also be holy to us. His "royal priesthood" is HIS administration and not an organization built on lies. Compare the Watchtower's lying words in reference to elders:

"Christian elders have been put in place by Jehovah through our King, Jesus, to carry out a weighty task. What is it? To lead God’s sheep through the most critical time in human history." kr chap. 12 pp. 118-131 

A “Body of Elders”, Satan’s counterfeit ploy to deceive, has subtly and successfully replaced the Body of Christ in the organization. When we can perceive this, we are told to flee! Matt 24:16

by Pear Doxsey

When Jesus was asked for the "signs/pangs of distress/labor pains" (Matthew 24:8), that would lead up to (Mark 13:7,8) the end of Satan's world (1 Peter 4:7), the fulfillment of the New Covenant (Galatians 4:24,26; 3:29;Revelation 12:11; 6:11; Revelation 7:4), the manifestation of Christ's presence (2 Thessalonians 2:8), and the imminent arrival of the Kingdom (Revelation 12:10;10:6; Ezekiel 12:25,28); Jesus included a description of a development that would signal the need to flee for one's life. It is found at Matthew 24:15:

 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand) “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."
At Luke 21:21,22; there are more details given about this same account:
"Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled."
Verse 24 adds: 
"And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."

So we see that a "disgusting thing" will be "standing" in a "holy place", (Matthew 24:15; Dan.11:31,32,36; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Ecclesiastes 10:5,6,7)  and also... 
"Gentiles" will trample "Jerusalem". [Luke 21:24; Rev.11:2; Matt.5:13; 
           (Num.18:19; 2Kings2:21; 2Chron.13:5; Mark9:49,50; 
            Matt.3:11; Mal.3:2; 1Cor.3:13; Jer.23:29); 
Ezekiel 34:12; Deuteronomy 32:36]

Is this the same thing being described by the two different writers?
Is the "disgusting thing" the Gentiles?
Is the "holy place", Jerusalem?
Within the Bible, we will get a full answer describing and defining these warnings. This clarity is crucial, in order to obey Christ.

First, let's briefly unravel and define the "disgusting thing" causing desolation.
In history...
Deuteronomy 29:17,18; 1 Kings 11:4,5,6; Ezekiel 8:10; Jeremiah 44:4; 7:30,34;2:4,7,11,12; 6:15; 4:1,4; 8:12
                       (In the original language, these verses contain "disgusting thing", 
                        although not in all versions of translation...sometimes rendered,
                        "other gods", "detestable images", "abominations".)

Ezekiel chapter 8 merits a closer scriptural look, so that we can get a fuller meaning...
Ezekiel 8:5 shows that there is an "image of jealousy" North of the altar gate...blocking entrance to the altar of sacrifice (perfect symbolism).Ezekiel 8:6,9 describes...not a tangible image, but rather, activities being done in God's Temple. So the Image and the activities are two separate abominations.
Now for verse 11...

"And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel,..Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up."
What is the problem here?
The answer is within the account at Numbers, chapter 16.
Do you remember what was going on there? It is worth reading the whole chapter to get the point of what Ezekiel was being shown.
To highlight the point...
Numbers 16:3,4,5,6,7,10,11,18,20,21,35,40.

Can you see that those who perform the tasks which God designates for priests only, are not to be performed by "the elders of Israel"? Even the king of Israel had to obey this law, which was punishable by death 
(1 Samuel 13:9,10,11,13,14; 2 Chronicles 23:6,7; Numbers 18:7).

The abomination Ezekiel describes, is the elders of Israel performing priestly duties within the Temple (offering incense)...the same offense as the rebellion against Aaron, who was chosen by God as priest. To have counterfeit priests in God's Temple is a gross offense against Him. It is an abomination for Gentiles not sanctified, to offer incense for the forgiveness of the people's sins (Numbers 16:47).

How is this occurring today?

Galatians 6:1 reads:
"Brethren, if a man commits a sin, you who have spiritual qualifications should try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness".
"have spiritual qualifications"...
How does the Organization apply this phrase? It is to the not anointed/not priest Elders!
This is due to 1Timothy 3:1-13. Should these two scriptures really be linked as referring to the same group?
Let's take a closer look at these modern day "incense" burners and this scriptural interpretation.

If you look at what Galatians 6:1 actually reads (it helps to examine the original Greek),

 it tells us... "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who walk/ live by spirit/ who are spirit ones... should restore him gently."

This "walking/living by/being spirit", is not one of the "qualifications" for elders.
It is not in the list of qualifications for elders, at 1 Timothy, chapter 3.
That is because Galatians 6:1 is not referring to elders.
It is referring to those who "walk/live by/are, spirit". THESE are the ones given authority to do the "readjusting".

The Bible defines who it is, that "walks/lives by spirit"...
Galatians 5:25,24 reads:
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Those whobelong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires."

Compare this to Galatians 3:29:
"If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

See Romans 8:14,16,17...
"because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

Clearly, it is the chosen priests who are to "re-adjust" sinners in a spirit of gentleness. This is their job as symbolic incense burners within God's Temple of anointed (1 Corinthians 3:16).

So we see that the symbolic prophecies in Ezekiel regarding the "elders of Israel" burning incense within the temple, is certainly considered by God as an abomination, as well as the rebellion of the governing priests who dare to place them there (Ezekiel 44:6,7,8,9; 2 Chronicles 13:9).

This offense is alive and well today, as the governing body of the Watchtower has arranged for not - anointed elders to usurp God's chosen priests, perform their exclusive duties, and throw out any of them that protest this abominable disrespect toward God and His Holy Temple. (Hebrews 12:22,23,24,25,21,28,29;1Corinthians 3:17)


The "disgusting thing" in prophecy...
Revelation 13:15,8; 2 Thessalonians 2:4


From these previous scriptures, we see that the Bible's disgusting things are associated with...
-a leaving from יהוה
-a serving of other gods
-idol worship
-trespassing into God's Temple by the unsanctified  
{*Take special note of this...Ezekiel 44:5  It was lawful only for the priests,the Levites,  to be in the "Temple" of God (Ezekiel 44:16; Numbers 3:10)...not the un-circumsized. (Ezekiel 44:6, 7, 8, 9)}  

-"Wormwood" and a root bearing "poisonous fruit" to come forth among God's people, inciting them to disobey (Deuteronomy 29:18) 
        (see Jeremiah 2:21,4,7,12,13,19,20,22,28,29,30,32,34,35,36,37; 9:15;23:15;
         Deuteronomy 32:32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39; Lamentations 3:15,19; Amos 5:7;6:12;
         Isaiah.5:7; Revelation 14:19; 19:15; Deuteronomy 32:33,32; 29:18)
This last symptom of the presence of the "disgusting thing" causing "bitter poison (Deuteronomy 29:18) --(Literally = "Wormwood") (the abomination of desolation) should peak our interest, because Christ indicated that "Wormwood" would also be a feature of "the Lord's Day" (Revelation 1:10; 8:10,11).


Since Jesus has told us that 
--a "disgusting thing"/"abomination", "causing desolation" would be "set up" in the "Temple fortress" (Matthew 24:15; Ezekiel 33:29; Daniel 11:31), 
--the presence of an idolatrous "image" "conquers" the "Holy Ones"(Rev.13:8,14,7), 
--the Temple is "trampled" and "given to the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24;Revelation 11:2)
--and "Wormwood" (Revelation 8:11) will all be present in the time of the end; 
we should realize that ancient references to these past occurrences, have application in our day (Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19). We should also expect that YWHW's reaction to these would be the same today. 

YHWH, His righteous standards, and His feelings, do not change (Malachi 3:6). Since we are faced with these same elements, just as God's nation in the past was; we need to know YHWH's judgment upon our circumstances, decisions, and deeds. 
Only when we have clarity, can we choose wisely and in harmony with YHWH's approval. We are personally helped to do this, when we take a closer look at the threats Jesus conveyed in the book of Revelation.

First,...where does this end-time Idol come from?
The prophecy at Revelation 13:11,14,15,18 tells us. The designer and "breath"- giver of this "Image" that "all the earth" worships, is described as a Beast that had "two horns like a Lamb" 
The Beast of Revelation 13:11 seemed "like a lamb"...Christ-like. (Revelation 14:1; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)
But it is confided to us that this imposter "spoke like a dragon".
How does this dragon, Satan (Revelation 20:2), speak? 
See John 8:44.

Remember....this lying identity, is the source of the "disgusting thing"...the "Image" of the Wild beast idol, that dominates the Holy ones/temple priesthood (Revelation 13:7), and is worshiped by "all the earth" (Revelation 13:8,15;2 Corinthians 11:14,15; Colossians 2:8; Revelation 13:10).

 From these scriptures,
(Revelation 17:12; 5:6; 1:5; 11:3; John 8:17; 1:29; Revelation 14:1)....
 can you see that horns are kings?...That the Beast has a symbolic 10 kings and that Jesus has a symbolic seven?...that "two" appears true?...That Jesus is a "lamb" with "two" faithful witnesses?
The two-horned second beast of Revelation 13:11 is the false prophet ofRevelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10 who is life/spirit/breath-giver of the seeming divinity ("god-breathed"/spirit-directed) of the first Wild Beast (Revelation 13:15;9:1,2,3; 11:7) who has Satan as it's "father" (Revelation 13:2,4; John 8:44;2 Thessalonians 2:3,4,9).


Now we need to look at the final details about this Beast and it's Image...
Revelation 13:18 --
"Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666."
                (to learn about 666, see pearl-666.blogspot.com )

God's Word here tells us (Romans 3:4; Genesis 40:8), that the "number" of the beast, is the same as the "number" of "a man" (Revelation 13:18).

Where in the Bible, is this "man"? 

See 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4,9 --
 "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."

Do you discern that this empowered, deceiving "man" is presented as an Idol...a god to be worshiped?  

(Worship may seem like a strong word, but if you obey this man then you make yourself his slave...Romans 6:16) 
When we are obedient slaves of a Master, that Master enslaves and directs our actions and thinking. We receive a symbolic/"sign" (brand mark) of that honored Master upon us (Exodus 13:9; Deuteronomy 11:18; 6:8; Revelation 14:1; 3:12;17:5; 22:4). Under the dominion of the "Wild Beast", the servitude, honor, and worship due God and His Truth, is taken from God and His Chosen Temple priesthood, and given to the Wild Beast (Revelation 13:10; Colossians 2:8;Revelation 13:7,16,8; Daniel 8:12,13; Revelation 11:2) (Exodus 13:9;Revelation 13:4,8,16) and it's idolatrous "Image" (Exodus 20:4;Revelation 13:14,15).

God's "Temple" is no longer for God, but for the "Gentile"/"Man of lawlessness" reigning above it (Revelation 11:2), 
for the Wild Beast, 
and for it's Image.
..."disgusting thing in a holy place".

This machination of Satan (Revelation 12:17,7; 13:2,4; 2 Thessalonians 2:9) succeeds in gaining control and subjection of God's Temple...the anointed (Revelation 13:8,16,17,7; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Daniel 12:11; 11:31; Mark13:14;Daniel 8:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Daniel 8:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:4), causing their sacrifice of praise to God, to fall silent (Amos 8:3,4; Revelation 8:1) for "half an hour". 
This "half hour" is the first "half" of the "hour of test" (The midpoint is marked by the repentance and living sacrifice of the faithful at the hands of the Harlot and Beast (Revelation 17:6; 13:15; 11:7) when the sanctuary is reconsecrated (Daniel 8:14; 12:11).
The half hour to follow that midpoint and "sealing", is their faithful witness to the truth that they are fed by Christ at the "marriage feast" (Matthew 25:10;Revelation 2:7,17,28; 3:20). This corresponds to events during the "7 times", divided in half as two 3 1/2 "times") 
(Luke 12:12,39,40; 21:15; Matthew 25:13,36; Revelation 17:12; 3:3,10; 14:7;11:13; 18:10) (Ezekiel 7:2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9; Revelation 9:15; 14:10)
At that midpoint and attainment of God's seal/brand mark, (God is once again, their Master, and they are "kept" from failing the hour of test -Revelation 3:10) these go on to complete their course, in imitation of Christ (John 12:27;1 John 2:18).

 Can you see that "he" (the "man of lawlessness") is "over" everyone(2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:6), including "God's Temple", the anointed? (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:7,6; 1 Corinthians 3:16) He dominates, even the "gods"/"objects of worship" of God's Temple, forcefully marking them as slaves to him, rather than to God (Romans 1:25; 2 Corinthians 11:3,4,19,20,2;1 Corinthians 6:15,16; Revelation 17:1,2; 13:16,17; Daniel 11:36;8:10,11,12,13,14; 12:7). 
pearl-forehead.blogspot.com

The penalty for refusal, is "death" (Revelation 13:15; 11:7; 17:6; John 16:2).

Let's see why this "man" of "apostasy" is compared to the "wild beast" ofRevelation 13:1 (Revelation 13:18).
                    (note: Jesus used many, many illustrations to describe the same 
                             "Kingdom of the heavens". Each descriptive parable added 
                             more detail to the whole picture. Please know that he also
                             used many illustrations to describe the reign of the 
                             apostasy. We should not therefore, think that these 
                             illustrations of the Wild Beast, and Man, are unrelated.
                             Scripture itself, links them -Revelation 13:18)
pearl-666.blogspot.com

We get that comparison of 2Thessalonians 2:3,4; at Revelation 13:15,16,17,1. (2 Peter 2:12; Jude 1:10)

Both the "man" and the "beast" are raised above all, and are worshiped as a god/idol.


Lets compare these two identities further...
"Man" deceives (2 Thessalonians 2:10,11)
"Beast" deceives (Revelation 13:14)
"Man" is Satan's tool (2 Thessalonians 2:9)
"Beast" is Satan's tool (Revelation 13:1,2)
"Man" is an idol (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
"Beast" is an idol (Revelation 13:8)
"Man" subverts the anointed (2 Thessalonians 2:6,8,4)
"Beast" subverts the anointed (Revelation 13:7)
.....and they both appear during the Lord's Day 
(2 Thessalonians 2:1,3,8; Revelation 1:10; 13:1)
But there is a third identity present during the Lord's Day...the "Gentiles".

Are these three entities the same identity?
We will know this better if we examine what each identity does, where it is, and what it consists of. Do these things also match?

What the "man", "beast", and "Gentiles" do:
Suppress and subjugate the Holy Ones, while ruling: 
(2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:7; 11:1,2; Ezekiel 28:2)


Where are the "man","beast", and "Gentiles"? 
These three are said to be over/trampling, the "Temple" of God, the "saints"/"Holy ones", or the "Holy City". Are these three places the same? Yes...all these refer to the faithful anointed.
(1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:21,22; 1 Peter 2:5,9,10; Revelation 20:4,6; 21:2) 

As we can see by comparison, these identities which dominate the anointed remnant during the Lord's Day, are also the same identity, described in various illustration. 

To YHWH, this wicked identity that His own people worship, is a "disgusting thing" "causing" spiritual "desolation" to His temple priesthood. 
It consists of the "Beast" (Rev.13), the "Man of lawlessness, son of destruction" (2 Thessalonians 2), and the "Gentiles"/"uncircumcised" (Revelation 11:1,2;Ezekiel 44:7,8,9). 
These are appointed as counterfeit priests in the Temple, by the false prophet/Wormwood"/"fallen star"/two-horned beast/Harlot/anointed wicked steward.
[Revelation 13:11,14; 8:10,11; 9:1,2,3,7,10; 17:3,4,15; (sits on "waters" = rule as queen -Revelation 18:7; Isaiah 47:7,8; Obadiah 1:3; Zephaniah 2:15);Luke 17:1,2; 12:42,45,46,49,51]

Only YHWH's chosen, anointed priests, are considered circumcised in heart (Romans 2:29).
That circumcision is not physical, which physical circumcision is now meaningless (Galatians 5:6; 6:15; Romans 2:28)
These spirit circumcised ones, are the only slaves permitted to serve within YHWH's Temple and priesthood. (Ezekiel 44:15,16; Luke 1:8,9; Numbers 3:10)
http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-is-jew-what-is-gentile-answers-to.html

These uncircumcised "Gentiles" have not only entered to serve in place of the anointed priests (2 Chronicles 13:9; 23:6,7); they have also been set up to be worshiped instead of YHWH (Revelation 13:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:4). This "Image"/Idol, is a "disgusting thing", standing in a "holy place" (Revelation 11:2;2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:7; Daniel 8:13).

Jesus told his followers to "use discernment" in order to "catch sight" of this "disgusting thing" (Matthew 24:15) standing/ruling, where it does not belong (Mark 13:14). When we do "catch sight" of it, what did Jesus say to do? (Matthew 24:3,15,16)
See Luke 21:7,21; 21:20,21,22
When we see (in the time of the end) the anointed priests being ruled and trampled by spiritual "Gentiles" (Luke 21:20,21,22,24); what should we do? (Matthew 24:16)
Luke 17:22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37
Review Luke 17:22,23 -- What deception is being promoted? Who are the people
                                    promoting this lie?
            Luke 17:26,27,28,29,30 -- Will the arrival be known ahead of time?
            Luke 17:31,32,33 -- What happened to lot's wife?
   In Luke 17:22,23 -- Are people being fooled about when Jesus arrives?
                                    (kingdom arrived, Jesus returned, 1914)
                                   Are the wild beasts fooling people? (Revelation 13:4,11)