What is Daniel's abomination of desolation?

The concept of Daniel's abomination of desolation has been a topic of much debate and discussion among religious scholars and historians alike. It is a phrase that appears twice in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament, and is also referenced in the New Testament by Jesus Christ himself.

The first mention of the abomination of desolation in the book of Daniel comes in chapter 9, where the prophet speaks of a time when the city of Jerusalem and the temple will be destroyed and the people will be taken into captivity. He then goes on to prophesize that there will be another time when a ruler will set up an abomination that causes desolation in the temple, and that this will mark the beginning of the end times.

The second mention of the abomination of desolation comes in chapter 11 of the book of Daniel, where the prophet speaks of a time when a king of the north will invade the land of Israel and set up the abomination of desolation in the temple.

Many scholars believe that the abomination of desolation refers to the desecration of the temple in Jerusalem by the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 BC. Antiochus erected a statue of Zeus in the temple and sacrificed a pig on the altar, which was a clear violation of Jewish law and custom.

Others believe that the abomination of desolation refers to a future event that is yet to come, possibly involving the Antichrist or a similar figure who will set up a false religion in the temple and demand worship.