The Sun Will Be Darkened and the Moon Will Not Give Its Light

Morguefile.com

I've always found it interesting that Jesus next says "Immediately after…" Obviously End Times events are happening in a specific order and are progressing on a specific timeline. (Tweet that!)

Here's what Jesus says next in Matthew 24:

"Immediately after the anguish of those days, 

     'the sun will be darkened,

     the moon will give no light, 

     the stars will fall from the sky, 

    and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.'" (Matthew 24:29, NLT)

In case you didn't know it, this is a quotation from or reference to Old Testament prophets Isaiah and Joel:

"The heavens will be black above them;

    the stars will give no light.

The sun will be dark when it rises,

    and the moon will provide no light." (Isaiah 13:10, NLT)

(See also Isaiah 34:4.) 

The earth quakes as they advance,

    and the heavens tremble.

The sun and moon grow dark,

    and the stars no longer shine. (Joel 2:10, NLT)

We've talked about the sun being darkened and the moon not giving its light before on this blog when we talked about the series of lunar and solar eclipses that we are currently experiencing and are living in the middle of. (Tweet that!)

The first of four lunar eclipses (called a tetrad)*) occurred last April 15^th. Leading up to that I wrote a series of posts about lunar eclipses and why this current series is so interesting and important--especially to the spiritually minded. (Tweet that!) If you haven't read those posts, I'd recommend you catch up on that information. At the bottom of the post on April 15, 2014, there is a list of all the posts in that series on the lunar eclipses. Find that post here:

• "The First Lunar Eclipse on Passover 2014" ( posted April 15, 2014)

Within this tetrad* (which means these four total lunar eclipses), a solar eclipse will also occur on March 20^th, 2015. We'll talk more about solar eclipses as that one approaches, but we touched on them back in June in a three-part series. You can find links to all three posts here:

• "About Solar Eclipses Part 3 – The Spiritual and Prophetic Significance of the Coming Solar Eclipse" (posted June 21, 2014)

The next lunar eclipse, which is the second of the four, will occur in barely over a month on October 8, 2014, which is the first day of the Jewish holy day called the Feast of Tabernacles (also called Sukkot). (Tweet that!) This is:

• the third of the three fall Feasts as well as 
• the last, or 7th, of the seven annual Feasts.

In anticipation of that lunar eclipse, we are going to spend some time in coming posts talking about the three fall Feasts of the LORD. (Tweet that!)

We talked about the three spring Feasts last spring. Those three spring feasts are (click on their links to learn more):

• Passover 
• Unleavened Bread 
• and First Fruits

Jesus also fulfilled the fourth of the seven Feasts, which is Pentecost [link]:

• Pentecost

That means of the seven annual Biblical Feasts, there are three left for us to explore, to learn how Jesus will fulfill them in his second coming, and to celebrate before the year ends. (Tweet that!) These final three annual Feasts of the LORD are: 

• the Feast of Trumpets
• the Day of Atonement
• and the Feast of Tabernacles

This means that, as we've moved into September, the next annual Biblical Feast to occur on the calendar is the Feast of Trumpets, and the trumpet call is actually referred to in the next few verses in Matthew 24. We'll talk about that in the next post. (Tweet that!)

*tetrad: "A sequence of four total lunar eclipses including no partial eclipses [in between them]..." ("'Blood Moons' Explained" on Space.com.)

Related Articles:

• The Moon as a Sign and the Prophesied Blood Red Moons
• How the Jewish Calendar Works
• The Prophetic Significance of the Feasts of the LORD
• What Causes the Moon to Turn Red Like Blood?
• "Tetrad" of Four Lunar Eclipses on Jewish Feast Days in the Past
• The First Lunar Eclipse on Passover 2014

What the Coming of Jesus will Look Like

Morguefile.com

We've talked about false Christs and false prophets before on this blog (see Related Articles below). We've talked about how these false Christian teachers will appear and that we need to not only be aware of this but on our guard watching for them. In his speech, Jesus again circles around to repeat this topic (so it must be important!).

Here is what Jesus said in Matthew 24:23-28 (ESV):

23 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

Jesus concludes his thought with two images:

• lightning flashing in the sky and
• vultures circling in the sky.

Both of these images reveal something that can be seen by people from great distances. In other words, when Jesus comes, you and everyone else will be able to see him. It seems clear this means everyone in the world will be able to see him, no matter where you are.

He won't be hiding in the desert. He won't be concealed by a privileged few in some inner room in a remote location. When you hear of such things, remember that Jesus himself said there would be lies like this being promoted, so you can confidently dismiss them. (Tweet that!)

When Jesus comes, he'll come in a way where everyone in the world can see him. There will be no mistaking what's happening! (Tweet that!)

Denial? Yeah maybe. Especially since the false Christs and false prophets will have already come and performed great signs and miracles. Be careful what you believe based on what you see. (Tweet that!)

Think of what we see on TV and in movies that is not real but looks real because of special effects. Jesus said those who do these things will do this for the very purpose of deceiving people. And they will be very good at it, because Jesus said they will be able "to deceive even the elect—if that were possible." (Which kind of implies it's not possible, don't you think?)

(Also, there's a lot of discussion of who the "elect" are. I think it's fair to say they are the true followers of Jesus.)

But for those who are willing to look and see the truth, the coming of Jesus will be unmistakable. (Tweet that!)

Related Articles:

• Jesus' First Warning: Don't be Deceived by False Christs
• Jesus Gives Further Warnings about False Christs
• Many False Prophets Will Appear and Deceive Many People

Those Days Will Be Shortened

iStock (c) MACIEJ NOSKOWSKI

In the next section as Jesus describes what events will precede his return, he talks about something that has always intrigued me. I can't say I understand it. It's a mystery to me. Let's see what you think.

Right after Jesus talks about "the Abomination that causes desolation," he says this:

...then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house.  Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. 

If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:16-22)

Focus on two verses here:

• verse 20: "Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath."
• and verse 22: "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."

This has always sounded to me as if the time in which all the End Times prophecies will occur can shift in time. (Tweet that!)

I mean, if we can pray and affect the fact that our flight will not take place on the Sabbath, doesn't that mean the time for this to happen is not a set date in time? (Tweet that!)

And if the days can be shortened, or will be shortened, does this indicate some flexibility in the dates these things will take place? (Tweet that!)

If that's possible (and I'm not saying that it is), what is it that affects the changes that might occur in the date things will happen? It seems what can make that difference is our prayers. (Tweet that!)

And yet, End Times events also seem to have a "set time." (Tweet that!)

For example, Daniel said:

The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time. (Daniel 11:27)

So it seems as though End Times events do indeed have a set time. (Tweet that!)

I know. That's a contradiction. That's why it's a mystery to me. What do you think?

If you would like to read more about all of this, I suggest you read the account of "the King Who Exalts Himself" (that would be the Antichrist) in Daniel 11:36 – 12:13.

The "Abomination that Causes Desolation" Spoken of Through the Prophet Daniel - Part 4: What is it?

Morguefile.com 

I'm not sure we know exactly what the "abomination that causes desolation" is or what it will look like, but it seems to be when the Antichrist comes on the scene and then sets himself up in the Jewish Temple of God and claims that he himself is God. (Tweet that!)

That is the “abomination that causes desolation.”

It is an abomination because there is no god but the one true God! (Tweet that!)

This is what the Lord says - Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and the last; apart from me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6, NIV)

I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me... (Isaiah 45:5, NIV)

This causes desolation because the whole earth, meaning every nation, every people group, everyone, is gravely affected by what happens next. (Tweet that!)

This abomination begins at the time Daniel 11:31-32 tells us: 

His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

Verse 31 tells us "his" (that’s the Antichrist) armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress. (Tweet that!)

Secondly, he will "abolish the daily sacrifice" of sheep at the Temple. Again, this tells us the Temple must be standing on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, because that is the only place where the daily sacrifices of lambs by the Jewish people can take place.  (Tweet that!) (Can you imagine how many people will be against these sacrifices taking place, from the animal-rights people to other religions who find this repulsive?)

In order for this prophecy to be fulfilled -- that of the Antichrist putting a stop to the sacrifices -- the Temple must be standing and the Jewish sacrifices must be going on. Therefore, when the Temple is rebuilt on the Temple Mount, this is an extremely significant sign of the End Times which has not yet occurred in our day. (Tweet that!)

The "Abomination that Causes Desolation" Spoken of Through the Prophet Daniel - Part 3: Means the Temple Must be Rebuilt

The golden dome of the Dome of the Rock is prominent
on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem today.
The Dome of the Rock - Wikipedia

In the previous post we talked about the desecration of the Temple in Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes. Because the actions of Antiochus Epiphanes purposely desecrating the Jewish Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar of Zeus in 168 B.C. was not the complete fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy, there is a more complete fulfillment yet to come.

This fulfillment was in the future when Jesus spoke about it around 30 A.D.

It is clear that the "abomination which causes desolation" occurs at or in the Jewish Temple. The thing is, the Temple was completely destroyed in 70 A.D. when the Romans burned the Temple to the ground. (Tweet that!)

That was only 40 years after Jesus spoke these words. Ever since, the Jewish Temple has not stood on the Temple Mount. 

This Temple can only be located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. (It's not like it can be built in another location. God instructed that it be located on Mount Moriah, which is also known as the Temple Mount. See Genesis 2:22 and 2 Chronicles 3:1.)

Therefore, in order for this prophecy to be fulfilled, the Jewish Temple must once again stand on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. (Tweet that!)

The rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is a subject of great animosity. Currently the Islamic shrine known as the Dome of the Rock, sits on the Temple Mount. I'm sure you've seen it. It's that large golden dome glistening in the sun whenever we see pictured the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Some people think the Jewish Temple can be built in another area so the Dome of the Rock and the Temple can both coexist on the Temple Mount. Others believe the Jewish Temple belongs in the location of the Islamic shrine, because "the rock" which the Dome covers is the foundation stone of the Temple. Either way, something significant would have to happen for the Jewish Temple to be rebuilt.

Because of the perceived clash it might cause between Muslims, Jews, and Christians, some people think rebuilding the Temple could ignite World War III. I don't think so because I believe there will be a "false peace" negotiated by the Antichrist. (But that's yet another discussion, prophecy, and blog post.)

Obviously this prophecy has not yet been fulfilled. But it is something to watch for, because it would definitely signal when we are in the End Times.

I believe the rebuilding of the Temple could happen extremely quickly. It's possible that, when the go-ahead to build is given, the Temple could be erected very quickly - possibly in a day, if it's possible to erect and use the tent-Temple, like Moses built, instead of the building-Temple, like Solomon and Herod built. (Tweet that!)

Nevertheless, next to the most significant fulfillment of prophecy in our day, which was the fact that Israel is once again a nation, in my opinion this is the next most significant sign of the End Times. (Tweet that!) I believe that because it is something concrete and visual. Unlike the "birth pains" that can leave us wondering "are we there yet?," there will be no mistaking the rebuilding of the Temple when it happens. (Tweet that!)

However by the time the Antichrist sets up the "abomination that causes desolation," so many people may be following him instead of Jesus that they may not recognize this abomination for what it is. (Tweet that!)

The "Abomination that Causes Desolation" Spoken of Through the Prophet Daniel - Part 2: Antiochus Epiphanes

Another photo I took of a model at of first century
Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple at
The Holy Land Experience, Orlando, Florida, USA

We could spend a lot of time working through the End Times prophecies and vision given to Daniel, but since we're currently working our way through Matthew 24, let's try to keep our look at Daniel's vision of the "abomination that causes desolation" simple. Maybe we can revisit Daniel's End Times prophecies another time.

In the previous post we looked at Daniel and his story and history.

In Daniel's vision of the End Times, he refers three times to "the 'abomination which causes desolation.' " This is what Jesus mentions in Matthew 24:15. Here are the three times where Daniel mentions this event: 

• Daniel 9:27:  He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

• Daniel 11:31-32:  His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

• Daniel 12:11-12:  From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

(For more on these numbers you might be interested in reading "How the Jewish Calendar Works.") (Tweet that!)

What is the "abomination that causes desolation"?  (Tweet that!)

Some people point to when Antiochus Epiphanes set up an altar within the Jewish holy Temple to the pagan god Zeus and sacrificed a pig on it, and unclean animal to the Jews, with the very purpose of desecrating the Temple. This occurred in 168 B.C.

But that was (approx.) 168 years before Jesus was born. Jesus talks about this "abomination" occurring in the future from when he spoke these words, and he was speaking approximately 200 years after Antiochus Epiphanes' desecration of the Temple, in about 30 A.D. So there must be another, a different, or a more complete fulfillment to come. (Tweet that!)

This is Daniel 11:35:

Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

This verse mentions "the time of the end" (which hasn't come yet because, well, we're still here). It is clear Daniel is writing about a more distant future time from the then-future time (now past) of Antiochus Epiphanes. From Daniel 11:35 on, Daniel is writing about a time that has not yet come, a time still future to us. (Tweet that!)

We'll talk more about it in the next post.

The "Abomination that Causes Desolation" Spoken of Through the Prophet Daniel - Part 1: Who is Daniel?

Photo I took of a model  of first-century Jerusalem
with the Temple at The Holy Land Experience
Orlando, Florida, USA

Let's look at the next section of Matthew 24:

So when you see standing in the holy place "the abomination that causes desolation," spoken of through the prophet Daniel -- let the reader understand -- then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now -- and never to be equaled again. 

If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:15-22, NIV)

Remember that Jesus is speaking. He is responding to the question his disciples asked in Matthew 24:3:

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

After Jesus lists the events we've been discussing since June 24 (The Prophecy Buff's Favorite Chapter: Matthew 24), he now begins to talk about " 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel." 

What is the "abomination that causes desolation?" There so much information there, let's take several posts to talk about it. (Tweet that!)

First, please notice that Jesus himself validates the prophecy of Daniel. (Tweet that!)

Who was Daniel? Daniel was a young man living in Jerusalem when the Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, invaded and took the people of Israel into exile in Babylonia (modern-day Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, and Iran). 

There were actually three deportations of people from Israel to Babylonia: 

• Daniel was taken with the first group in 605 B.C. 
• The second deportation came eight years later in 597 B.C. The prophet Ezekiel was taken with this group. 
• The third and final deportation took place in 586 B.C., which is when the invading Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple.

If, as a child back in Sunday school or somewhere along the way, you heard the story of "Daniel in the lion's den," that's not a fairy tale. That's a true story and this is the same Daniel.

From what I can gather, I think Daniel was probably a teenager when he was deported to Babylonia and I don't believe he ever saw the land of Israel again. But much later he did discover, according to the prophet Jeremiah, this exile in Babylonia was prophesied to last 70 years.

This is what the Lord says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:10-11).

Because Jeremiah was writing from Jerusalem to those in exile in Babylonia, "bring you back to this place" refers to bringing the exiles back to Jerusalem. 

Many people are familiar with that beautiful promise of Jeremiah 29:11. But not many are aware of its context -- that it was written to the Israelites when they were in exile in Babylonia! I included verse 11 so you can see the context of that promise. (Tweet that!)

Even as a young man Daniel showed extraordinary bravery and leadership. You can read how his time in exile began here. (I'm not posting it all because of its length, although it will only take you a few minutes to read it):

Read Daniel 1:3-21 here.

That passages ends with a mention of the first year of King Cyrus, king of the Medes, which was 539 B.C. That means by this time Daniel had spent 66 years in Babylonia.

Note that in verse 17 we are told "Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds." Daniel not only interpreted dreams of Nebuchadnezzar (see Daniel 2), Daniel was given visions of the End Times by God. It was in these visions that he "saw" the "abomination that causes desolation." (Tweet that!)

We will look at the actual verses where Daniel told about this "abomination that causes desolation" in the next post.