The Abomination of Desolation - St. Marys Coptic Orthodox Church

122 GREAT TRIBULATION
in the holy place,” He added these words, “whoso readeth, let him
understand.” (Matt 24:15) To study and understand properly the
prophetic and apocalyptic scripture is very important. Daniel 11 speaks
about the elect during the Tribulation, “but the people that do know
their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand
among the people shall instruct many.” (Dan 11:32-33) Here Daniel is
telling us that those who understand these things (as a gift from God,)
have the obligation to “instruct many”. This understanding of the
scriptures will be denied to the wicked, whose names are not written in
the Book of Life, as we are later told that, “none of the wicked shall
understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Dan 12:10) Those who
understand and instruct others will be rewarded greatly as we are also
told, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the
firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for
ever and ever.” (Dan 12:3)
Instruction of the catechumens about the coming of Antichrist was
a major component of the Catechism given to new converts. The
Church believed that knowing these things is essential for salvation:
Look therefore to thyself, O man, and make safe thy soul. The Church
now charges thee before the Living God; she declares to thee the things
concerning Antichrist before they arrive. Whether they will happen in
thy time we know not, or whether they will happen after thee we know
not; but it is well that, knowing these things, thou shouldest make
thyself secure beforehand. 1
The catechumen was instructed to impart the knowledge he gained to
others especially his or her children both in the flesh or the spirit:
Guard thyself then, O man; thou hast the signs of Antichrist; and
remember them not only thyself, but impart them also freely to all. If
thou hast a child according to the flesh, admonish him of this now; if
thou hast begotten one through catechizing, put him also on his guard,
lest he receive the false one as the True. 2
1 St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures
2 St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures