A-4. THE FORTH ANGEL SOUNDS (Revelation 8:12). And the forth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise (Revelation 8:12). When the forth angel sounds his trumpet, further judgment will come upon the earth, the sun, the moon, and the stars. What takes place here is not fully revealed to us. Only two thirds of those celestial bodies will be seen by man. The other one third will be blacked out. Certainly such an event will be a “sign” to the Jews, who seek for a sign. Read First Corinthians 1:22. Then for one third of a day mankind will not be able to see the sun, moon, and stars. The sun, moon, and stars will not be seen for that period of time, as God pours out His wrath. One third of the day will be in total darkness and one third of the night will be in total darkness. This is also somewhat similar to the events that happened in Egypt (Exodus 10:21-23). Even a darkness which may be felt (Exodus 10:21). This is very strange in that one third of the day and one third of the night will go completely black. Will it happen, at the last one third of the day and at the first one third of the night, or will it be an off-on happening? Did it happen on one day only, or did it happen on different days? I do not have the answer for this but it seems that it only happens on one certain day and one night, primarily to get the attention of the people; showing them that God is in control of all things, even controlling the stars, the sun, and the moon. Looking ahead, this darkness is most likely associated with the opening of the pit that contained the locust, which we will soon read about and study. When that pit is opened smoke will come out along with the locust, which will darken the human view of space. Read Revelation 9:2. Personally, I believe that the locust will be the most horrible event, taking five months to endure, of the Great Tribulation. We will study it later. It very well may be that the smoke from that pit will blot out the sun, stars, and moon for one-third of that day. God is Almighty, Sovereign, and will do as He has promised. This event will affect the whole earth. The light of the sun, moon, and stars will not shine for one third of that day, or each day if it is for a period of time longer than one day. If this happens over a period of time it will certainly have further devastating effects on the crops, climatic conditions, and the living standards of the people. This event may be the fulfill ment of Joels prophecy (Joel 2:31), and there was also a similar event of the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12). These events certainly are the fulfillment of what Jesus spoke in in Luke 21:25,26. Such events in the heavens will definitely cause mens hearts to fear, and cause the Jews to listen up. “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; Mens hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken“ (Luke 21:25-26). The Orson Wells’ radio program War Of the Worlds on Halloween, October 30, 1938, caused fear in the USA, and men panicked. What will happen when the real thing comes? Yes, you can imagine the utter apprehension that takes hold of man! The people of earth will realize that all of the preaching they have heard regarding this event is true, after all. The Tribulation is a time that God brings his chosen Nation Israel back to Him. It is interesting to notice the events that are taking place in the heavens and to consider that the heavens are the guaranteed promise to Israel of Gods sovereign protection to them. In Jeremiah 31:35-37 God told Israel that the sun, moon, and stars are ordinances, and when these three things are departed, then Israel will cease from being a nation. However, the sun, moon, and stars do not depart completely. It will be impossible to see them, from the earth, because of the smoke. Israel will always exist and we will study more about her future in the following studies.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 12:05:46 +0000
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