Sermon on

Signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars

By Brian Pepper

Christ walked on this earth 2,000 years ago. He visited men and walked and talked with them. But before he departed, he gave a promise that he would return a second time. In his great prophecy found in Luke 21 and Matthew 24, he told us that the sun, moon and stars would play a very important part in announcing to this world the approximate time of his return.  In Luke 21:25 we read: "And there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring." So we can definitely look to the heavens to warn us of the nearness of Christ's Return.  In Matthew 24:3 we read, "And as he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying. Tell us when shall these signs be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world?" The disciples had heard Jesus talking of the end of the world and His second coming, so they asked Jesus privately to tell them about it. First of all Jesus spoke about… The Destruction of Jerusalem Luke 19:43 says: "For the day shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side." In A.D. 70 the Roman armies surrounded the city of Jerusalem. The Jews gathered in large numbers in the temple for safety. Titus the Roman leader invited them to come out. This they refused to do. So the warfare was carried into the temple. It was set on fire. Soon there were fires everywhere and Jerusalem was taken with terrible slaughter.  Next there was to follow a… Great Period of Tribulation Matthew 24:21,22 says: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." A great Tribulation came upon the Christian Church. The Caesars of Rome had the Christians thrown to the lions, they were burned as flaming torches to light the arena at night. After the Caesars had passed from the scene, the church itself became a persecutor and during the Dark Ages, millions were put to death.   Signs in the Sun Mark 13:24 says: "But in these days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened." Just as Jesus indicated, a wonderful prophecy is fulfilled.  Jesus said, "In those days of Tribulation after the persecution, the sun would be darkened." Matthew 24:29 says: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." And sure enough the Dark Day came on time exactly as indicated by the prophecy. The Days of Tribulation reached to 1798 A.D.  The persecution ended in 1776.  So somewhere between 1776 and 1798 the sun was darkened.  And sure enough the Dark Day came on time.  On May 19, 1780 the sun began to grow dark as if night were coming. Historian William Little says, "The dark day of New England … came May 19, 1780. … Near eleven o'clock it began to grow dark … Men ceased their work, the lowing cattle came to their barns, the bleating sheep huddled by the fences … the fowls went to their roosts … A person could not see his hand when held up."  (History of Weare, N.H. pg. 276) It began to grow dark about eleven o'clock and the darkness continued throughout the day. Herschel the great astronomer wrote, "The Dark Day in the Northern America was one of those wonderful phenomena of nature which will always be read with interest but which philosophy is at a loss to explain."  (Gages "History of Rowley, Mass") Noah Webster says, "The dark day, May 19, 1780 -so called on account of a remarkable darkness on that day extending over all New England … The true cause of this phenomenon is not known."  ("Dictionary" 1869 edition) Signs in the Moon Revelation 6:12 says: "And the moon became as blood." Milo Bostwick says: "The moon which was at its full, had the appearance of blood. The alarm that it caused and the frequent talk about it impressed it deeply on my mind."  (Stones "History of Beverly, Mass") Signs in the Stars The next remarkable sign given by Jesus was the falling stars.  Matthew 24:49 says: "And the stars shall fall from the heaven." This was fulfilled in November 13, 1833.  People were startled by the glare of light through their windows and rushing outside they were amazed by the extraordinary spectacle of thousands of stars hurtling toward the earth. Elijah Burritt says: "The most sublime phenomenon of shooting stars (Nov 13, 1833) … covered no in considerable portion of the earth's surface … covering the entire vault of heaven with myriads of fire balls resembling skyrockets.  ("Geography of the Heavens" p.157) Revelation 6:13 says: "And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind." The fact that it was mainly observed in North America has quite significance. For God chose to give it particularly to the nation that was destined to play an important part in the last days of this worlds history.   The U.S.A. The Pilgrim Fathers established a place where they could worship in peace.  J.A.Bingham says: "The object of those who first sought this shore was found, what the world had not seen for ages: viz a church without a pope, and a state without a king." It was in America that the Bible could be studied and read without fear of persecution and imprisonment.    Fearful Sights Luke 21:11 says: "… And fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." Certainly we are living in a time when these words are being fulfilled.  Just exactly what Jesus meant by fearful sights we are not sure.  Could it be the Atomic bomb or the Cobalt bomb or any of these terrible weapons?  And what about the U.F.O's, those mysterious objects that are baffling men.  Luke 21:25,26 says: "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity … Mens hearts failing them for fear." Leland Stowe says: "Hiroshima was 'atomised' on Aug 6 1945, with that single act the nature of the entire world was changed … What we have yearned for as a prelude to peace was suddenly transformed into the preface to superwar; a door opened to global annihilation." With the dropping of that atomic bomb suddenly we were ushered into a new and terrible age, the atomic age. Leland Stowe continues: "We have so very little time … Even in June, 1945, we had very little time. Then came the atomic bomb, the all-powered alarm clock that rings for all humanity and against the deadline of doomsday." ('While Time Remains' p.38.) Signs in the physical world Another thing Jesus mentioned in his prophecy was signs in the physical world. Matthew 24:6,7 says: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars … but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom …" Wars and rumours of wars Wars and rumours of wars, they will be with us to the end of time. As a matter of fact, this world's history will close with a war.  Dr Harold C. Urey (Nobel prize winner) says: "As a scientist I tell you there must never be another war." ('While Time Remains' p.334.) It is frightening to think just what another war would be like with and advanced technology of today. The apostle Paul gave a very solemn warning to those living in the last days.  1 Thessalonians 5:3 says: "For when they shall say peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them." Paul tells us that those peace treaties are not worth the paper they are written on. Signs in the Economic World Now we look at the signs in the economic world. James writes of these in James 5:1,3,4: "Go to now ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you … Ye have heaped treasures together for the last days. Behold the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud." Bible prophecy indicates that in the last days men would pile up fortunes very quickly. There will be accumulation of great wealth. There are hundreds of people in our day that have made, or are making a million dollars in one year. It has been said that there has been more millionaires in this century then all other centuries put together. Bible prophecy clearly indicates that in the last days men would pile up fortunes very quickly. Notice the prophecy once again.  James 5:1,3,4: "Go to now ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you … Ye have heaped treasures together for the last days. Behold the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud." There is also a very clear indication that there would be a battle between capital and labour. In recent years we have seen the most extensive and intensive labour troubles of all past history. Also the most rapid accumulation of wealth the world has ever known.  Plus spiralling inflation that is crippling the economy of most nations today. Travel will Speed Up And now we will touch on something that is nothing short of amazing.  Daniel 12:4 says: "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased." Did you notice that at the time of the end knowledge shall be increased and travel shall speed up. For centuries men depended upon the horse and the cart in order to move from place to place. With the introduction of the stagecoach one could hardly say there was any great improvement. Then all of a sudden a change came. Man began to find ways of travelling fast.  And during the last 50 years we have left the steam train behind changing over to the powerful and fast diesel engine.  Suddenly the jet age was born enabling airplanes to travel at speeds greater than sound.  D.R Davies says: "If the nineteenth century may properly be described as 'the wonderful century', then the twentieth century can only be thought of as ''The Incredible Century.'" And how true it is!  Bible prophecy indicates that in the last days man would travel very swiftly.  Daniel 12:4 says: "… Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Knowledge shall be Increased For centuries men had to depend on the old oil lamp when it began to grow dark. Some brilliant person thought up the kerosene lamp, which could be classified as an improvement. Thanks to Thomas Edison, the world was given the most wonderful lighting system of all, electricity. No more groping in semi darkness. Cities lit up by thousands of bright lights. Colour TV a most remarkable invention plus video tape recorders. It is safe to say that a person who is 60 years old has seen a greater increase of knowledge than all the people of the past generations put together. Notice the prophecy in Nahum 2:3,4: "… the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and fir trees shall be terribly shaken. The chariots shall rage in the streets they shall justle one against another in the broad ways, they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the  lightning." Did you notice flaming torches and run like lightnings. Now isn't that descriptive of the motor car? Now we will touch on another prophecy and that is … Signs in the Social World 2 Timothy 3:1,2 says: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy." These are characteristics of people who are living in the last days. There is quite a long list, notice a further list in 2 Timothy 3:3,4: "Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despises of those that are good, traitors, heady high minded, lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God." We certainly see these characteristics demonstrated in modern society. Signs on the Earth Matthew 24:7 says: "And there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places." These are some of the signs on the earth. The text says there will be disasters, such as earthquakes. Talking about destructive earthquakes in the … 1st century A.D. 15 16th century A.D. 253 18th century A.D. 640 19th century A.D. 2,119 20th century A.D. ? It has been estimated that there has been over 1,000,000 earthquakes in the twentieth century. Perilous Times, Moral Degeneracy and Decline of Religion 2 Timothy 3:1 says: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." Matthew 24:12 says: "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."   Perilous Times People are not safe anywhere these days whether it is in the city or in the country. A recent report from the F.B.I stated that we are losing the battle against crime, juvenile crime is skyrocketing. Law enforcement officers are gravely concerned with the disregard shown by the American people for the laws of the land. What is causing the people of our time to be so lawless? Look magazine analysed the situation correctly when an article stated that there is no longer a moral standard to guide the modern generation. Take away the 10 Commandments and the result is chaos.