Signs in the Heavens

Throughout the ages of mankind's existence, the human has been fascinated by the heavenly bodies and their mysterious meaning. Ancient cultures, while fascinated, were also somewhat terrified of the enigmatic creations in the sky above. Occurrences such as comets and eclipses were seen as signs of impending disaster to our ancient ancestors. Even the falling star could spark fear into these ancient cultures.   

As mankind has progressed over the many centuries and knowledge has been increased to understanding, the modern inhabitants of Earth have mapped the heavens and even calculated the arrival of eclipses and orbiting comets and meteors.

Jesus, as well as the ancient prophets, predicted that during the "End Times" there will signs in the heavens before the great and terrible 'Day of the Lord'.

"Immediately after the distress of those days, "the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken." - Matthew 24:29

Since those words were spoken by Jesus, over 2000 years ago, mankind has looked to the heavenly skies, waiting for the signs the Christian messiah not only had mentioned, but promised would occur.

The prophets of these ancient civilizations also decreed similar announcements long before Jesus was born. Their warnings had an air of authority about them... the antediluvian man took notice of these prophecies and payed it forward into our modern world.

Joel proclaimed:

"I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." - Joel 2:30-31 

Haggai proclaimed:

"This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord Almighty.'" - Haggai 2:6-7

Zechariah proclaimed:

"On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. It will be a unique day--a day known only to the Lord--with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light." - Zechariah 14:6-7

Zephaniah proclaimed:

"That day will be a day of wrath--a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness--"  Zephaniah 1:15

Luke proclaimed:

"In the last days, God says, 'I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.'" - Acts 2:19-20

John of Patmos reiterated these claims in Revelation, reminding mankind that such celestial happenstances, predicted by Jesus and the prophets of antiquity, were bound to fall upon the planet.

"I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place." - Revelation 6:12-14

With so many scriptural passages, all pointing to the same prophetical warning about impending doom from the astronomical universe, many Christians, as well as the Jews and Muslims, agree some kind of cosmic disturbance will someday seriously affect our planet. Many scholars attest that these supernatural events will take place between the Great Tribulation and the "Day of the Lord". Jesus' description of a darkened sun, blood red moon, the falling stars and the heavens being shaken continues to fascinate and terrify mankind even unto our modern times. Yet, such events were described many times throughout the Old Testament/Tanakh in connection with the time referred to as the "Day of the Lord".

Even Isaiah's narrative talked about 'people hiding in the rocks from the terror of the Lord' (Isaiah 2:10) The ancient prophet also informed that during this traumatic time, people will finally see the impracticality of their cherished idols, which they will throw to the "moles and bats". (Isaiah 2:20) He also reiterated what would happen in the heavens during the "End Times".

"See, the day of the Lord is coming--a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger--to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. I will punish the the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. I will make people scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir. Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the Lord Almighty, in the day of his burning anger." Isaiah 13:9-13

For many centuries mankind has questioned the reasoning behind the Creator's wrath which will lead to the "Day of the Lord". The scholars of religion agree that it is likened unto the same concept during the time of Noah, which Jesus made comparisons to in Matthew 24:37-39. During the days of Noah mankind had descended into such depths of evil - that worsened from generation to generation - the Creator was regretful of creating humankind (Genesis 6:5-6). He was determined to destroy what he had created: mankind. Yet the Lord did relent his feelings when he chose to save Noah and his family from the Great Flood. 

Once again the Creator has chosen a similar path when threatening to destroy mankind during the "Day of the Lord". Yet, the difference this time is the human race has been warned for over 2,500 years (in comparison to Noah's 120 years of declaring the same warning) and has sent many prophets [over many generations] to recapitulate His ominous threat. And, "signs in the heavens" is definitely on the admonishing agenda.  

"Unless you people see signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." - John 4:48

For current astronomical information, please visit: The Top 101 Astronomical Events to Watch for in 2015