14   But, when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not   to be

fulfillment   of Dan11.31 & 12.11 / nauseating stench / here: shrine to Caesar in   temple

(let   the reader understand),

writer's   narration: pay attention to these words and ponder them, to comprehend their   meaning

then   let those who are in Judea flee to the   mountains.

Local   event allows local escape. Who will escape the final judgment? Temporal doom   is avoidable -- if we heed warning & flee.

15   Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, not enter his house, to take   anything out.

Priorities   for rescue: life 1^st, property later. urgency of departing quickly.   siege in AD66...

16   and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.

if   you've left provision at home or at far end of the field, no time to go back,   RUN!

17   and alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in   those days!

babes   require a sheltered environment, difficult to provide for them on the run

18   Pray that it may not happen in winter.

Timing   not certain. Jesus encourages subjects to effect history. Anticipate &   Ask for help.

19   For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been

Tribulation   = to crowd, press -- like squeezing grapes / scarce food > women eat their   babies

from   the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.

figure   of speech: 'worst ever' / no slight but tremendous trouble: 1.1million slain

20   And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved.

by   faith accept that God limits the trouble (see 1Cor10.13) to save a remnant of   His people

But   for the sake of the elect, who He chose, He shortened the days.

particularly   interested in His own -- the chosen ones. Note: spoken as already done

21   And then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!'

Longing   for deliverance motivates pretenders to arise, announcing another gospel.

or   'Look, there He is!' do not believe it.

Warning:   Don't trust false messiahs. Guard your faith. responsible for what you   believe.

22   False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders,

These   pretenders & imposters can even work wonders. The devil has spiritual   power.

to   lead astray, if possible, the elect.

Strong   delusion! Its effect will reach right up to the edge of the camp of the   chosen.

23   But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

Reason   for 'signs:" forewarned is forearmed. To protect believers -- esp. their   faith.

24   But in those days, after that tribulation,

Then,   in the days right after this... very soon, right on the heels of that pressing   time. The END will come (the fall of Jerusalem)

the   sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,

Apocalyptic   language for a catastrophic event. (Ezek7 / 32.7 / Joel2.10 / Amos8.9). L8R   Peter applies Joel to Pentecost. Great world event.

25   and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will   be shaken.

symbolically,   the guiding lights of their world (esp. religious) will be removed / leaders   fall

26   And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power   and glory.

the   Jewish leaders repeatedly ask for a sign (Mt16.1). Now He would give it to   them: heaven's judgment on their unbelief.

27   And then He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four   winds,

messengers   of God work to harvest all His people / gospel spread further thru world

from   the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

extensive,   world-wide effect of this judgment: the Temple   system forever removed from earth