Can someone please explain how the abomination that causes desolation - the worst thing to ever happen - is about an IDOL in future Jerusalem? We've had nuclear bombs, mass genocide, and a church that is corrupted to the core yet God wants us to look to the future for some IDOL as the worst thing that could ever happen? If we find out that the abomination that causes desolation is NOT this IDOL and it has already occurred, then all those assumptions made about the great tribulation, 1,260 days, Matthew 24 and Mark 13 are in error. Could it be that the current approach to understanding the abomination that causes desolation is just theological stew meant to hide the identity of the beast?
Davy actually offered that paragraph regarding numbered events and I pretty much agree with. So he might also have something to say regarding you question.
My opinion is that when you watch the numbers such as time,time and half, 42 month, 1290 days 1335 they work best when having an acceptable start date. People researching same are seeing a start date at around march 2020. So the numbers tell a story beginning here.
I'm still putting the pieces together so go easy on me.
------Do the numbers suggest that the antichrist is actually active the first 3.5 years; yet working from behind the scenes? The word “reveal” gives us a clue.
2 Thessalonians 2
1. Now in regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ …
2. That day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed],
3. This word “reveal” in the “Strongs concordance #601” describes it this way;
"Reveal is “Persons, previously concealed, and now making their appearance in public”:
2 Thessalonians 2
4. And you know what restrains him now [from being revealed]; it is so that he will be revealed at his own [appointed] time.
5. Until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way.
6. Then the lawless one [the Antichrist] will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by the appearance of His coming.
7. The antichrist is destroyed mid-trib and AI beast takes over his image the last 3.5 years
8. Look at the numbers; what do they say about gods timing and is there a discrepancy in the timing?
Daniel 8:13-15 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the Lord’s people?” 14 He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”
Matthew 24:22
And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened.
Daniel 12
9. There will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; but at that time … everyone who is found written in the Book [of Life], will be rescued.
10. “How long
will it be until the end of these wonders?”
11. I heard the man dressed in linen … it would be for a time, times, and a half a time (three and a half years)
12. From the time that the regular sacrifice [that is, the daily burnt offering] is taken away and the abomination of desolation is set up [ruining the temple for worship of the true God],
there will be 1,290 days.
13. is he who waits expectantly [enduring without wavering for the period of tribulation] and comes to the 1,335 days!
If the time is cut short then the numbers such as 1290 a1335 can only be accomplished in the first 3.5 years Mid-Trib.
If the later 3.5 then its not 3.5 but only 2.8 years; so mid trib makes more sense.
14. Further More if the time is cut short its likely based on that 2300 evenings and mornings or 6.3 years beginning date is march 2020 plus 2300 is august 2026.
15. As for the two witness: If the time is cut short and they are given 1260 days to prophecie then by Back Tracking from there
The two watchmen began on January 5, 2023 if not sooner