The Maccabean Revolt and the Abomination of Desolation

[summerville]

I think its safe to say that the Judeans demonized the people of Israel.

The Maccabean Revolt
In 175 BC Antiochus Epiphanes came to power as the Seleucid Ruler with an agenda to expand the empire. He attacked and overthrew the Ptolmaic Empire in Egypt, thus Judea came under Seleucid control. Antiochus Epiphanes was also determined to push Hellenization. We learn from 1 Maccabees what the Jews faced and what they thought about being "Hellenized."

In those days lawless men came forth from Israel, and misled many, saying, "Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated from them many evils have come upon us." This proposal pleased them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant....

After subduing Egypt, Antiochus returned...He went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force. He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took...the silver and the gold, and the costly vessels; he took also the hidden treasures which he found. Taking them all, he departed to his own land. He committed deeds of murder, and spoke with great arrogance. - 1 Macc 1:11-15, 20-24

This marks the beginning of The Maccabean Revolt, a period of Jewish rebellion provoked by a Gentile ruler denying religious freedom and persecuting the Jewish nation. It was brutal on the part of the Seleucids, heroic on Israel's part, and the emotional/nationalistic effects of this conflict were felt into the time of Jesus and even the early Christians as they endured similar Roman persecution.

The details of the entire history are somewhat uncertain. Our best sources are Maccabees and Josephus Antiquities. Josephus used Maccabees extensively, but neither can be trusted completely - both had political/religious agendas. It is clear that some of the ruling families in Jerusalem welcomed Antiochus and the changes he wanted. This "liberal" Jewish ruling class forms an agreement with the Gentile king starting an internal conflict that would eventually lead to an independent Israel.

Hellenized Jews, War of Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanes, Seleucid Empire, Roman Empire, Palestinian Jews, the early christian church and conflict within the Jewish sects, early christianity war and conflict

 

[summerville]

Jewish Push Against "Hellenization"

The rule of John Hyrcanus in 134 BC begins a backlash against "Hellenization."

Israel sent troops against Samaria in 128 BC, destroying their Temple. In 107 BC the Samaritans are attacked again. This makes it far easier to understand the hatred of the Samaritans towards the Jews - for their part, the Law-abiding Jews of Judea hated the cultural assimilation of the Samaritans.

They claimed to have been part of the tribes of Israel, but had married with other races - the Jews no longer viewed them as part of Israel.

 

[Josheb]

I think its safe to say that the Judeans demonized the people of Israel....

I am inclined to understand the "abomination of desolation" (AoD) as the events occurring when the Zealots took over Jerusalem and performed sacrifices (animal and human) in the temple, with the leader appointing himself high priest. This was most certainly an abomination, and Jesus had already declared their house desolate in Matthew 23.

 

[HTacianas]

I think its safe to say that the Judeans demonized the people of Israel.

The Maccabean Revolt
In 175 BC Antiochus Epiphanes came to power as the Seleucid Ruler with an agenda to expand the empire. He attacked and overthrew the Ptolmaic Empire in Egypt, thus Judea came under Seleucid control. Antiochus Epiphanes was also determined to push Hellenization. We learn from 1 Maccabees what the Jews faced and what they thought about being "Hellenized."

In those days lawless men came forth from Israel, and misled many, saying, "Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated from them many evils have come upon us." This proposal pleased them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant....

After subduing Egypt, Antiochus returned...He went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force. He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took...the silver and the gold, and the costly vessels; he took also the hidden treasures which he found. Taking them all, he departed to his own land. He committed deeds of murder, and spoke with great arrogance. - 1 Macc 1:11-15, 20-24

This marks the beginning of The Maccabean Revolt, a period of Jewish rebellion provoked by a Gentile ruler denying religious freedom and persecuting the Jewish nation. It was brutal on the part of the Seleucids, heroic on Israel's part, and the emotional/nationalistic effects of this conflict were felt into the time of Jesus and even the early Christians as they endured similar Roman persecution.

The details of the entire history are somewhat uncertain. Our best sources are Maccabees and Josephus Antiquities. Josephus used Maccabees extensively, but neither can be trusted completely - both had political/religious agendas. It is clear that some of the ruling families in Jerusalem welcomed Antiochus and the changes he wanted. This "liberal" Jewish ruling class forms an agreement with the Gentile king starting an internal conflict that would eventually lead to an independent Israel.

Hellenized Jews, War of Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanes, Seleucid Empire, Roman Empire, Palestinian Jews, the early christian church and conflict within the Jewish sects, early christianity war and conflict

That's somewhat of the origins of the harlot who rides the beast of the Revelation.

The compact made by the Jews with Antiochus is a mirror of the "compact" made with Rome. The woman is at first riding the beast and has it under control but in time the beast turns on her and destroys her. The woman is Jerusalem, the famous harlot of the old testament. The beast is Rome who burned her with fire.

 

[summerville]

I am inclined to understand the "abomination of desolation" (AoD) as the events occurring when the Zealots took over Jerusalem and performed sacrifices (animal and human) in the temple, with the leader appointing himself high priest. This was most certainly an abomination, and Jesus had already declared their house desolate in Matthew 23.

And, in 167 BC when Antiochus IV defiled the temple.

Hanukkah | Definition, History, Customs, & Facts | Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hanukkah
According to I Maccabees, the celebration of Hanukkah was instituted by Judas Maccabeus in 165 bce to celebrate his victory over Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king who had invaded Judaea, tried to Hellenize the Jews, and desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

 

[Josheb]

And, in 167 BC when Antiochus IV defiled the temple.

Hanukkah | Definition, History, Customs, & Facts | Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hanukkah
According to I Maccabees, the celebration of Hanukkah was instituted by Judas Maccabeus in 165 bce to celebrate his victory over Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king who had invaded Judaea, tried to Hellenize the Jews, and desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Jesus' mention of the AoD was not past-tense. He specifically, explicitly stated to the disciples in attendance that when they saw the AoD those in Judea must flee.

Matthew 24:15-28
"15'Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. 18Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 19But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. 21For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25Behold, I have told you in advance. 26So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. 27For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."​

And a word study of "abomination" and "desolation," especially in the Hebrew will link the exegete all the way back to Genesis 1:2's "the earth was formless and wāḇōhū."

Jeremiah 4:21-26
"How long must I see the standard And hear the sound of the trumpet? "For My people are foolish, They know Me not; They are stupid children And have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, But to do good they do not know." I looked on the earth, and behold, it was formless and void (wāḇōhū); And to the heavens, and they had no light. I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking, And all the hills moved to and fro. I looked, and behold, there was no man, And all the birds of the heavens had fled. I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were pulled down Before the LORD, before His fierce anger."​

 

[summerville]

Jesus' mention of the AoD was not past-tense. He specifically, explicitly stated to the disciples in attendance that when they saw the AoD those in Judea must flee.

Matthew 24:15-28
"15'Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. 18Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 19But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. 21For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25Behold, I have told you in advance. 26So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. 27For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."​

And a word study of "abomination" and "desolation," especially in the Hebrew will link the exegete all the way back to Genesis 1:2's "the earth was formless and wāḇōhū."

Jeremiah 4:21-26
"How long must I see the standard And hear the sound of the trumpet? "For My people are foolish, They know Me not; They are stupid children And have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, But to do good they do not know." I looked on the earth, and behold, it was formless and void (wāḇōhū); And to the heavens, and they had no light. I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking, And all the hills moved to and fro. I looked, and behold, there was no man, And all the birds of the heavens had fled. I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were pulled down Before the LORD, before His fierce anger."​

Jesus said when you see the AoD (again) as mentioned in Daniel, flee to the mountains.

 

[Josheb]

Jesus said when you see the AoD (again) as mentioned in Daniel, flee to the mountains.

Yes, for his disciples sitting on the Mount of Olives that evening outside of Jerusalem it was a future event, not a past event as would be the case assigning the AoD to the Maccabean revolt.

 

[summerville]

Yes, for his disciples sitting on the Mount of Olives that evening outside of Jerusalem it was a future event, not a past event as would be the case assigning the AoD to the Maccabean revolt.

Daniel wrote about the AoD under Antiochus.. and Jesus said when you see it happening again flee to the mountains.

Did All of the Judean Christians Flee to Pella?

 

[Josheb]

Daniel wrote about the AoD under Antiochus.. and Jesus said when you see it happening again flee to the mountains.

Did All of the Judean Christians Flee to Pella?

Is that the point of the op? Are you attempting to leverage the "near/far" or "already/not-yet" view of prophesy (and OT fulfillment relevant in the OT and a future fulfillment relevant sometime later)?

If so, that's not clear in the op. Especially since this is the Eschatology/End Times board. Past events are not, by definition, future events. If you're looking for comparisons in terms of parallels in the way things unfold then I think greater/better explanation is warranted, especially in light of what I've posted about Jesus' mention of the AoD.

As to the "all," I think it unnecessary, hyperbolic, and immaterial. Jesus didn't say no convert would die. Why should that be an eschatological concern? Maarschalk's view of the best is interesting but I think it can be pinned down to the Zealot leader (his name currently escapes me). He was a bloodthirsty self-glorifying troll from the pit of hell who meted out egregious judgment upon Jewish leadership long before Rome and its multi-national conscripts flattened the temple, the city, and the country, covering it in dust, ash, blood, and pestilence.


Btw, the link in the op is good. Appreciated. Bookmarked for future reading.

 

[summerville]

Is that the point of the op? Are you attempting to leverage the "near/far" or "already/not-yet" view of prophesy (and OT fulfillment relevant in the OT and a future fulfillment relevant sometime later)?

If so, that's not clear in the op. Especially since this is the Eschatology/End Times board. Past events are not, by definition, future events. If you're looking for comparisons in terms of parallels in the way things unfold then I think greater/better explanation is warranted, especially in light of what I've posted about Jesus' mention of the AoD.

As to the "all," I think it unnecessary, hyperbolic, and immaterial. Jesus didn't say no convert would die. Why should that be an eschatological concern? Maarschalk's view of the best is interesting but I think it can be pinned down to the Zealot leader (his name currently escapes me). He was a bloodthirsty self-glorifying troll from the pit of hell who meted out egregious judgment upon Jewish leadership long before Rome and its multi-national conscripts flattened the temple, the city, and the country, covering it in dust, ash, blood, and pestilence.


Btw, the link in the op is good. Appreciated. Bookmarked for future reading.

I had to go back and reread the scripture.. and let it sink in my thick skull who the Gentiles who trampled Jerusalem actually were. I had assumed they were Roman soldiers.

My first realization was piqued when I read about Queen Beatrice being the mistress of Titus. Do what???

 

[Josheb]

I had to go back and reread the scripture.. and let it sink in my thick skull who the Gentiles who trampled Jerusalem actually were. I had assumed they were Roman soldiers.

My first realization was piqued when I read about Queen Beatrice being the mistress of Titus. Do what???

Berenice

And in scriptural terms the Gentiles were from many nations (as a consequence of Rome's practice of conscription). All marching under the Roman eagle.

 

[summerville]

Berenice

And in scriptural terms the Gentiles were from many nations (as a consequence of Rome's practice of conscription). All marching under the Roman eagle.

They weren't conscripted.. They could become Roman citizens if they fought.

Berniece is correct.. I really should do better at proof reading.

 

[summerville]

Eusebius (263 – 339 AD)

[1] “But the people of the church in Jerusalem had been commanded by a revelation, vouchsafed to approved men there before the war, to leave the city and to dwell in a certain town of Perea called Pella. And when those that believed in Christ had come there from Jerusalem, then, as if the royal city of the Jews and the whole land of Judea were entirely destitute of holy men, the judgment of God at length overtook those who had committed such outrages against Christ and his apostles, and totally destroyed that generation of impious men” (Ecclesiastical History 3.5.3, 290’s AD).

2] “After all those who believed in Christ had generally come to live in Perea, in a city called Pella of the Decapolis of which it is written in the Gospel and which is situated in the neighborhood of the region of Batanaea and Basanitis, Ebion’s preaching originated here after they had moved to this place and had lived there” (Panarion 30:2).

[3] “For when the city was about to be captured and sacked by the Romans, all the disciples were warned beforehand by an angel to remove from the city, doomed as it was to utter destruction.

On migrating from it they settled at Pella, the town already indicated, across the Jordan. It is said to belong to Decapolis” (de Mens. et Pond., 15).
Did All of the Judean Christians Flee to Pella?