I believe this prophecy is being fulfilled in TWO stages. The first part was fulfilled in April/May 2002, when Palestinian armed forces rose up and desecrated the temple "fortress" and abolished the daily sacrifice (daily communion took place in the Church of the Nativity until the Palestinians took over the building - so what was taking place "daily" was stopped on that day). Now, 11 years later, the abomination that causes desolation is about to take place. We know that this is the HOLY PLACE that Jesus was talking about, because it is a temple fortress that was desecrated and is referred to as the HOLY PLACE.
Here are some quotes from different articles on the internet:
In Christian tradition, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem marks the place where Mary gave birth to Jesus. It is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. First-time visitors are sometimes startled, even disappointed, by its fortress-like appearance which results from a 12th century AD Crusader reconstruction to make it more defensible. Defying its status as one of Christendom's holiest shrines, it seems dilapidated and battered, not at all beautiful. Still, for a building that has survived destruction by the Persians (614), a mad caliph (1009), earthquake (1834) fire (1869) and a Israeli army siege (2002) against suspected Palestinian militants who had taken refuge there, its dignity remains intact.
The forbidding, fortress-like church in the center of the modern city of Bethlehem, facing Manger Square, is one of the oldest churches in the world.
Entering the church that marks the site of Christ’s birthplace means having to stoop low. The only doorway in the fortress-like front wall is just 1.2 metres high.
Needless to say, the seizure of the 1,677-year-old church by 250 guerrillas affiliated with Islamist terror factions has hardly roused the armies of Christendom. Crusades, Christian-soldiering and all that went out in the last millennium.
Still, it's a shock to
realize that this desecration of the ancient church built
over what's believed to be the birthplace of Jesus
Christ has brought down neither
Christian wrath nor international pressure on the desecrators
to lay down their arms and leave.
Palestinians celebrate Church of Nativity win, Israel notes they desecrated the site.
UNESCO Turns The Same Church Over To Palestinians That PLO Desecrated During Intifada
While Muslims have responded with deadly outrage to the now-retracted report by Newsweek of alleged Quran desecration by U.S. interrogators, there was little outcry three years ago when Islamic terrorists holed up in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity reportedly used the Bible as toilet paper.The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said at the time, “The world needs to remember that the Church of the Nativity, which is sacred to Christianity, has been desecrated in the past by Palestinian terrorists.”
The Church of the Nativity in the heart of Bethlehem marks one of Christianity's most sacred sites - the birthplace of Christ.
Situated on Manger Square 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Jerusalem, the church is built over a grotto where the Virgin Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus. The church's large fortress-like exterior stands as a testament to its turbulent history. For centuries, it was one of the most fought over holy places. It was seized and defended by a succession of armies - including Muslim and Crusader forces.
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is a major Christian holy site, as it marks the traditional place of Christ's birth. It is also one of the oldest surviving Christian churches.The holy site, known as the Grotto, that the Church of the Nativity sits atop, is today associated with the cave in which the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth occurred.
No wonder Mr. Sharon told the Israeli Parliament he would "expect the international community to demand that they the terrorists lay down their arms and leave the holy place."
One of Christianity's most holy places, the site's focal point is the Grotto of the Nativity, a rectangular cavern beneath the church that has been considered the site of Christ's birth since at least the 2nd century. A 14-pointed silver star set into the marble floor marks the precise spot where Jesus is said to have been born.
"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand-- Matthew 24:15
"When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." Mark 13:14
During his trip to Israel this month, U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to pay a visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, members of his delegation told Israeli government ministry representatives on Monday.
The visit to the Church of the Nativity will take place toward the end of Obama’s visit.
http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/national_world/article_6086d886-8b4f-11e2-bd2a-001a4bcf887a.html
http://www.jns.org/news-briefs/2013/3/12/obama-to-visit-church-of-nativity
