
Originally Posted by
randyk
You apparently did not consider post #9, where I described the many applications of *a holy place,* or *a holy territory?* When it comes to use of the definite article "the," there is no means by this of determining a particular application of "holy place" apart from the particular context.
For example, among the references I gave you a holy place in Scriptures is identified as God's dwelling place in heaven. So we may say it is *the* holy place of God in the heavens. In this case "the" holy place does not signify an exclusive use of the term "holy place!" As such, the definite article "the" is not completely relevant.
What makes it difficult to identify what "the holy place" is in the NT context depends on whether the NT Scriptures are referring back to an OT application, or to a NT application. Clearly, the most used OT application of holy place is a proper noun, the Holy Place of the temple. However, what is the most *normal* application of "holy place" in the NT setting?
I would argue that the "holy place" refers not to the temple, which Jesus consigned to destruction. Rather, the "holy place" for him was the location where Messiah was to work his true and final work of sin's expiation. It was the city of Jerusalem, where Messiah was prophesied to fulfil his mission.
This appears to be the context of Dan 9, which was written while the Law was still in effect, and when the "holy place" most often referred to the temple. But here in Dan 9 the explicit mission of Messiah in the 70 Weeks appears to be making an atonement for sin, and an anointing of a "holy place."
And as we read further, towards the end of the 70 Weeks, the Messiah is cut off, animal sacrifices are removed, and the temple is desolated. This "anointing of a holy place" appears to be the appearance of Messiah in Jerusalem. It cannot be the temple, since it is not "anointed," but rather, "desolated.
By contrast, the committing of sacrilege against the holy place would be the abominable Romans who make siege against the city to destroy it, along with the temple. This is the "abomination of desolation," which "stands in the holy place." The Romans, as a pagan Army, were trampling the city of Jerusalem, where Christ made his sacrifice for all sin!
I'm not trying to push this on anybody. This is just my opinion, respectfully.
Bookmarks