The prophetic Old Testament book of Daniel has the unique privilege of being the only book in all of scripture that Jesus directs us to read. While He quotes passages from many other books in the Old Testament, Jesus encourages His hearers to go and read Daniel for themselves in order to verify His teaching about the “abomination of desolation” as recorded both in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark.
“So, when you see the ‘abomination of desolation’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (Mark 13:14).
“Therefore, when you see the ‘abomination of desolation’, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (Matthew 24: 15-16)
In both gospels quoted above, the parenthetical clauses about the “reader” are not referring to who may be reading the gospels, but the reader of Daniel. These words should all be shown as red in your bibles, the words of Jesus. It would be improbable that both Mark and Matthew would add a parenthetical reference to the readers of their own gospel narrative at the exact same juncture.
Given the significance of this directive by Jesus, it behooves us as students of eschatological scripture to explore the book of Daniel in detail so that we are aware of these end-time prophecies as they develop. In our home bible studies, The Los Amigos Bible Study – YouTube , we worked our way through the entire book of Daniel. These videos, hopefully, may help you comprehend the eschatological importance of Daniel’s book. As a specific example, I might refer you to the study of Daniel chapter 8. The Book of Daniel Chapter 8 – YouTube
Good Studying, Maranatha, Jim