‘SIGNS IN THE SUN, MOON AND STARS’

John the Revelator was given profound prophecies by Jesus Christ concerning the time of His return for the church, the seven-year tribulation period and the end of the age, preceding His thousand-year reign upon the earth (Revelation 20:1-6).

In Revelation 12, John described his vision of what can now clearly be seen as a stellar setting in heaven that will appear over Jerusalem on Saturday, September 23, 2017:

“There appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars” Revelation 12:1.

On Saturday, over God’s beloved city Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:36), the sun will be in the constellation Virgo (notably the Virgin), having passed through it during the month of September, thus the reference of being “clothed with the sun,” and the moon will be at her feet. The planets Venus, Mars and Mercury will align themselves next to the constellation Leo, which already includes nine stars, thereby totaling 12 stars above the head of the Virgin, giving her a “crown of 12 stars.”

Opponents say the constellation has appeared in this form at other times in heaven, so it cannot exclusively point us to the approximate time of Christ’s return.

Really? Are “earthquakes” rare? No? Jesus said they are one of the signs of His return (Matthew 24:7). Are the “sea and waves roaring” rare events? No? Jesus said these too would be among the signs of His return (Luke 21:25).

Therefore, I will point out the obvious fact that the constellations appearing over Jerusalem on September 23, 2017, directly following the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah), do not have to be rare or exclusive events in order to be among the signs pointing us to the time of Christ’s return. The Lord’s point being made is that when all of these signs appear simultaneously, or close together, we can know that His return is near.

Deniers also point out accurately that the scripture says no man knows “the day or the hour” of Christ’s return. This is correct. Jesus said this Himself (Mark 13:32).

I would like to point out, however, that Jesus also gave us signs, such as the constellations spoken of in Revelation 12:1, and He pointed out many signs of His return in Matthew 24 and Luke 21.

Jesus wanted us to know when His return was imminent, because He also said,

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree, When his branch is yet tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near; so likewise when you shall see all these things, know that it (His return) is near, even at the doors” Matthew 24:32-33 (emphasis added).

Jesus also said concerning the time of his return,

“There shall be signs in the sun, in the moon and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring” Luke 21:25.

Jesus said,

“Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when He comes, shall find watching. Verily I say unto you that He shall gird Himself and make them to sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them” Luke 12:37 (emphasis added).

Regardless of when the Lord returns, we need to always be watching.

Hundreds of Bible prophecies have been fulfilled and those remaining shall surely come to pass. Are you prepared to stand before God and give an account of the life you have lived on this earth? If not, salvation is only a prayer away. Please visit the How Can I Be Saved page - your eternal destiny depends on it. God bless you.