As Jesus sat with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, Matthew records the most detailed, comprehensive prophecy provided for the final generation of earth. This prophecy is so important that it is recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. The disciples ask the most vital question, what shall be the sign of the end of the world?
Jesus provides clues we now see at play across the globe. As was foretold, many claim to have the truth as it is in Jesus but is it fully consistent with His Word? Wars and rumors of wars abound. Famine is on the horizon and the whole world experienced a “pestilence” known as COVID-19 recently. These terrible events are but a herald to a major sign; that of religious persecution on a global scale unlike any experienced in history. Matthew records, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” (24:9-10).
It is in this context that Jesus warns us, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” Matthew 24:15. Warning of desolation, Jesus directs us to the Book of Daniel. Here, there are only four texts that qualify using this terminology, Daniel 8:13, 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11:
Dan 12:11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.”
Clearly, an “abomination” coming on the world will result in global desolation, both physically and spiritually. Each of these four verses provide consistent clues. Daniel 12:11 indicates “the daily” will be replaced by “the abomination.” The context here means “the daily,” defined as “continual” and “perpetual” points to the unchangeable word of God, more specifically, His law. And the one law that exhorts us to “remember” prefaces the fourth commandment.
God’s command regarding worship is really an invitation to “rest” with and in Him. We are provided explicit guidance to “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14:7). We are guided to reverence our Creator. The creation account in Genesis stipulates a specific day that is blessed and sanctified; literally made holy.
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Genesis 2:1-3.
The Old Testament makes clear that this law, the fourth commandment of Exodus 20:8-11, was a “perpetual covenant” applying to all God’s people throughout time and eternity.
“Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” Exodus 31:16-17.
“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 66:22-23.
Likewise, the New Testament affirms the consistent, unchanging nature of God’s word.
“For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.” Hebrews 4:4-5.
Now, we have a Biblical foundation to be able to predict the strategy of the enemy of souls, who has always coveted worship. Of Lucifer, the Bible says, “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Isaiah 14:13-14.
How will Satan bring about false worship: adoration of a false god? How better than by establishing human law that supersedes God’s fourth command, honoring Him as the Creator of all things? Sunday was established as a day of Christian rest by Rome during the fourth century as ‘the venerable day of the Sun’ and was incorporated into Christian worship practices shortly thereafter.1
Even now there is a rising crescendo to establish “Sunday” as a day of world-wide “rest.” This concept has been accepted by many countries worldwide and is gaining popularity in America. This is significant because America has traditionally been the bastion of Religious Liberty.
Recently, the highly influential political think tank, Heritage Foundation, declared that Sunday closing laws are not “religious” in nature, resurrecting the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on May 29, 1961, in McGown v. Maryland. America needs Rome's favor, and Rome needs America’s power.2
On May 4, 2026, President Trump stated, “Jewish Americans are encouraged to observe a national Sabbath. From sundown on May 15 to nightfall on May 16, friends, families, and communities of all backgrounds may come together in gratitude for our great Nation. This day will recognize the sacred Jewish tradition of setting aside time for rest, reflection, and gratitude to the Almighty.”3
Is the Biblical Sabbath a “Jewish tradition”? The Bible clearly defines one Sabbath for all mankind occurring on the seventh day of each week (Mark 2:27). Might it come about that the United States would mandate the first day of the week, Sunday, a “Sabbath rest” day according to Roman tradition? Could the Land of the Free adopt “common good” ideology thereby doing away with the exercise of individual conscience? If so, Jesus warns imminent desolation will certainly follow.
M. LaRose
1 Law Reform Committee of South Australia, Ninety-Second Report: Inherited Imperial Sunday Observance or Lord’s Day Acts (Adelaide: Government Printer, 1987), accessed December 12, page 2, 2025, https://law.adelaide.edu.au/system/files/2019-02/92-Inherited-Imperial-Sunday-Observance-or-Lords-Day-Acts.pdf">https://law.adelaide.edu.au/system/files/2019-02/92-Inherited-Imperial-Sunday-Observance-or-Lords-Day-Acts.pdf
3 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/05/jewish-american-heritage-month-2026/
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