The answer is: The mountains

Mark 13:14

Jesus’ warning in Mark 13:14 about the abomination of desolation takes us into a vivid and dramatic segment of prophecy. When he referred to fleeing to the mountains, he was actually indicating a crucial period of crisis that would come upon Jerusalem. This imagery reinforces a deeply rootely Jewish theme found throughout the scriptures. For instance, think back to when Israel fled from Egypt—Mount Sinai became a symbol of transformation and receiving divine guidance, while the mountains also symbolize refuge and safety.

Moreover, “abomination of desolation” itself echoes the horrifying moments in Israel's history where something genuinely contemptible was placed in sacred spaces; one poignant example is connected to Antiochus Epiphanes, who desecrated the temple around 164 BCE. Jewish history, rich as it is in tumultuous chapters, shows us layers of meaning conveyed in Jesus' words, amplifying their impact.

These mountains he referenced could also evoke biblical imagery of God's providence, where, time and again, mountains served as places where people encountered the Divine—like Moses and the burning bush or the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus unveiled his teachings to eager listeners. So when Jesus spoke about fleeing to the mountains, he was guiding his followers to seek refuge not just for safety, but also redirecting them to a space imbued with the promise of protection and hope amid impending chaos. It’s a captivating reminder of faith intersecting with history—an echo that resonates beyond mere survival, thriving in survival's deeper meaning.