What is the Abomination Which Causes Desolation? Matthew 24:15-25

Matthew 25:15-25 Sign of the End Times 

15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. 22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

Most of the questions on this passage revolve around what is the "abomination that causes desolation" that sets off the events of the tribulation spoken of in Daniel 9.  Many have tried to assign this to the Roman siege and sacking of Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70.  But this can't be because the end didn't come then.  2,000 years later we are still waiting for Jesus to return. Note there is a good deal of argument about this across a broad theological spectrum.  There are good arguments on both sides.  

But if you argue it is about the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70, how do you explain verse 21.  It says there that the distress at that time will never be equalled again.  If it already happened in A.D. 70, then the tribulation at the end times will not be as bad as this event 2,000 years.

So what then is the abomination that causes desolation in the holy place?  Since Matthew is writing to Jewish people, the holy place must be the temple.  The temple had been destroyed in the 6th century, though it was rebuilt in 70 years later by King Darius of Persia.  Most likely the abomination had to do with "idolatry".  If this is describing an end time event, it is hard to know what this will mean, since the new temple is the body of Christ.  It can only mean that within the church.  

The abomination as it is revealed in Daniel 9 is during the tribulation period, which is further described in the book of Revelation.  It is a period which happens half way through the seven year tribulation period.  Most commentators think this refers to the Antichrist who sets himself up in the temple and demands worship of his followers, and tries to deceive Christians into worshipping him.  

Knowing there will be an end time should cause us to realize our time on this earth is limited.  While we don't know when the end will come, we are told by Jesus to be ready.  How can we be ready?  By doing the things Jesus told us to do.  I.e. Being a disciple and making disciples.