Is it Time to Leave the Cities?

'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:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains...'{Matthew 24:15, 16}

In Matthew 24:15 (which is not just Jesus' sermon about the destruction of Jerusalem, but also the end of the world), Jesus points out a book in the Bible, that He wanted the Jews and His people at the end of the world the world, to get their understanding from about the Abomination of Desolation. This book, is the book of Daniel. He's basically telling us, that if we want to have a correct interpretation of this subject found in Matthew 24:15, then we need to go to this book.

The pioneers of Adventism, when studying the books of Daniel and Revelation, understood that the Abomination Of Desolation, was Papal Rome. We too are in agreement with this. Well let's read what Sister White had to say on this verse in the Great Controversy:

'When the idolatrous standards of the Romans should be set up in the holy ground, which extended some furlongs outside the city walls, then the followers of Christ were to find safety in flight.'{GC 25.4}

In Matthew 24:15, Jesus is but speaking in agreement with the prominent theme in the books of Daniel and Revelation: The Two Aspects of Rome- Pagan and Papal Rome. Daniel and John, often used one symbol to represent theses two aspects:

1. Daniel 7:19: The Fourth Beast, is described as being 'diverse'. Daniel 7:24: The Little Horn, is also decsribed as being 'diverse'.

2. Daniel 8:9: The Little Horn is Pagan Rome and Papal Rome.

3. Revelation 12:3: The Dragon (Pagan Rome), is described as having 'seven heads and ten horns'. Revelation 13:1: The Beast (Papal Rome), is described as having 'seven heads and ten horns'.

So, in Matthew 24:15, Jesus uses the term 'Abomination of Desolation', to point out BOTH ASPECTS OF ROME, because PAGAN AND PAPAL ROME WOULD FULFIL THIS PROPHECY.

PAGAN ROME: Matthew 24:14, 15- The Characteristics

1. When the idolatrous standards, which was the MARK OF ROME'S AUTHORITY, was placed IN THE SACRED PRECINTS, then that was the SIGN for the Christians to FLEE.

2. AFTER THE SIGN was placed, they MYSTERIOUSLY WITHDREW.

3. To NOT OBEY THE SIGN, was CERTAIN DEATH.

PAPAL ROME (538-1798): Matthew 24:15/ Mark 13:14: '...standing where it ought not.'- The Characteristics

'...that MAN OF SIN [ PAPAL ROME] be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God SITTETH IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD [IN THE SACRED PRECINCTS, WHERE IT OUGHT NOT], showing himself that he is God.'{2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4}

What was the 'holy city', the 'sacred precincts', that the Papacy decided to place the mark of her authority in?

'... and the HOLY CITY shall they TREAD UNDER FOOT FORTY [and] TWO MONTHS. And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy A THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED[and] THREESCORE DAYS, clothed in sackcloth.' {Revelation 11:2, 3}

During the 1260 years of Papal supremacy, the HOLY CITY that she persecuted and desolated, was GOD'S PEOPLE. The MARK OF HER AUTHORITY(SUNDAY, WORSHIP OF THE SUN), entered into the Christian Church.

1. When the MARK OF ROME'S AUTHORITY was placed IN THE SACRED PRECINCTS at the beginning of the 1260 time period, then that was the SIGN for the Christians to FLEE. That is exactly what they did. We know them to be 'The Waldenses': 'The Church in the Wilderness':

' In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly established. Its seat of power was fixed in the imperial city, and the bishop of Rome was declared to be the head over the entire church. Paganism had given place to the papacy... For hundreds of years the CHURCH OF CHRIST FOUND REFUGE IN SECLUSION AND OBSCURITY. Thus says the prophet: "The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three-score days." Revelation 12:6.'{GC 54.2}

2. To NOT OBEY THE SIGN, was to invite CERTAIN DEATH: MARTYRDOM, OR SPIRITUAL DEATH, THROUGH THE CORRUPT ATMOSPHERE GOING ON AROUND THEM.

JESUS' SERMON IN MATTHEW 24:15 IS ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD! HE SPOKE MORE FOR OUR TIME THAN THE TIME IN WHICH HE WAS IN!

The Abomination of Desolation, is a Triple Application Of Prophecy. Simply put: 1+2=3:

When you take the characteristics of the FIRST time an event in Bible prophecy takes place, then combine it with the SECOND time that event comes to pass, you have DEFINED THE THIRD FULFILMENT. I have discussed this principle in previous note(s), and also my daughter has done a video, called 'The Winds of Revelation 7', which deals with it too. So you can check these sources, to understand this principle better, with examples. Let's combine the characteristics of the Abomination of Desolations in the past, and see its fulfilemnt at THE END OF THE WORLD:

The ENTRANCE of Rome, and it MYSTERIOUSLY WITHDRAWING, was the SIGN for the Chrstians to GET OUT OF THE CITY. To NOT OBEY WAS TO INVITE CERTAIN DEATH.

'THE TIME IS NOT FAR DISTANT, when, LIKE THE EARLY DISCIPLES, WE SHALL BE FORCED TO SEEK A REFUGE IN DESOLATE AND SOLITARY PLACES. AS THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM BY THE ROMAN ARMIES was the signal for flight to the JUDEAN CHRISTIANS, so the assumption of power on the part of OUR NATION in the DECREE ENFORCING THE PAPAL SABBATH will be a WARNING to us. It will THEN be time to LEAVE THE LARGE CITIES, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the MOUNTAINS.' {5T 464}

Here, Sister White is combining the history when 'THE EARLY DISCIPLES' were forced to leave the city, with the history when God's people had to find 'REFUGE IN DESOLATED AND SOLITARY PLACES'. Where did we see that language before? When she was speaking about the Christians during the 1260 years of Papal oppression. She's taking these TWO histories, and saying that 'THE TIME IS NOT FAR DISTANT', when WE WILL HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING.

What will be our sign? 'THE DECREE ENFORCING THE PAPAL SABBATH...' Now, some may read this and say, there you go, it's at the Sunday Law when God's people will have to leave the cities. What Sunday Law is she speaking about? Remember, that it was when Pagan Rome entered the holy ground, THEN MYSTERIOUSLY WITHDREW, that THAT WAS THE SIGN FOR THE JEWS TO FLEE. Friends, there was a time in history, when Papal Rome, entered the holy ground, and then MYSTERIOUSLY WITHDREW: PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE DATES THAT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS WERE WRITTEN BY SISTER WHITE:

1885-

'THE TIME IS NOT FAR DISTANT, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains.' {5T 464.3}

In 1885, Sister White said, that there will soon come a time when our signal to leave the cities will come. So IF the SIGN came in her time, then we should expect to hear her crying out for us to leave the cities as fast as possible, correct?

1903- 'THE TIME HAS COME, when, as God opens the way, families should move out of the cities. The children should be taken into the country. The parents should get as suitable a place as their means will allow. Though the dwelling may be small, yet there should be land in connection with it, that may be cultivated.'{CL 24.2}

In 1903, Sister White raised the cry that THE SIGNAL HAS COME! So some time IN BETWEEN the years 1885 and 1903, OUR SIGNAL TO FLEE THE CITIES ARRIVED. That signal, being the SUNDAY LAW DECREE BEING SET UP IN THE USA.

Did this happen between the years of 1885 and 1903? YES!!!!

It's n historical fact that in the year of 1888, Senator H.W. Blair, introduced Sunday Legislation in the USA. However, due to the tireless efforts of such people as A.T. Jones, who spoke to the members of the Congress, the law did not pass. In other words, ROME MYSTERIOUSLY WITHDREW. It was ready to happen:

'The Sunday law issue, now becoming prominent because of the Blair Sunday bill, [FOR MANY YEARS SUNDAY LEGISLATION HAD BEEN ON THE STATUTE BOOKS OF SEVERAL STATES. EARLY IN 1888, SENATOR H. W. BLAIR, OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, INTRODUCED INTO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS A BILL THAT, IF PASSED, WOULD HAVE ENFORCED IN ALL FEDERAL TERRITORIES THE OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY AS A DAY OF WORSHIP. AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION TO THAT EFFECT HAD ALSO BEEN PROPOSED. FOR SEVERAL YEARS NATIONAL SUNDAY LEGISLATION THREATENED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE UNITED STATES.] was discussed. Plans were laid for a mass move in securing signatures opposing such legislation by the Congress of the United States.'{3 BIO 376}

REMEMBER THAT THE PAPAL SABBATH WILL BE A REPEAT OF WHEN ROME BESIEGED JERUSALEM! Just as their withdrawal was the SIGN for the Christians to GET OUT OF THE CITY, so when Rome withdrew in 1888, THAT WAS OUR SIGN TO FLEE THE CITY:

1897-

'The Protestant world HAVE set up an IDOL SABBATH in the place where God's Sabbath should be, and they are treading in the footsteps of the Papacy. FOR THIS REASON I SEE THE NECESSITY OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD MOVING OUT OF THE CITIES into retired country [places,] where they may cultivate the land and raise their own produce. Thus they may bring their children up with simple, healthful habits. I see the necessity of MAKING HASTE TO GET ALL THINGS READY FOR THE CRISIS.'{CL 21.1}

What is this saying? In 1888, the papal sabbath was set up, and FOR THIS REASON, GOD'S PEOPLE SHOULD FLEE THE CITY.

THIS IS HOW WE ARE TO GET READY FOR THE CRISIS! SO IT'S NOT AT THE CRISIS THAT WE ARE TO LEAVE. LET NO ONE FOOL YOU WITH THIS ERRONEOUS TEACHING.

'BEFORE THE OVERFLOWING SCOURGE shall come upon the dwellers of the earth, the Lord calls upon all who are Israelites indeed to prepare for that event. To parents He sends the warning cry: Gather your children into your own houses; gather them away from those who are disregarding the commandments of God, who are teaching and practicing evil. Get out of the large cities as fast as possible.' {6T 195}