June 9, 2003 (6)HEAVENLY SIGNS AND WITNESSES. The sun, moon and stars were created for light, for signs, for seasons, for days and for years, In other words for the establishment and measurement of time. Gen. 1:14 Prophetically we have noted that they will be very prominent in announcing and warning concerning the end of the age. It may be well to insert here another event which is momentous in relation to the light bearing bodies and their signaling of catastrophes to come.
THE WORK OF THE DRAGON (SATAN). There is seen, standing before the woman of Revelation twelve an enormous beast, called a dragon, which is one of the names applied to the devil. He has purposed to destroy the offspring of the woman at its birth, but the Lord will deliver the child. What we want to see here is the effect that the dragon has on the stars of heaven. He will sweep one-third of them from their position and cast them to the earth, and in this manner destroy them. These stars represent Christians who become enamored with the antichrist. People who follow the cult of man, following signs and wonders, and worship man rather than the Lord. Rev. 12:4 This is the beginning of the tribulation. The other bad omen which will signal the beginning of the tribulation is the partial darkness that will strike the universe at this same time. Along with one-third of the stars being effected, one-third of the sun and one-third of the moon will be darkened. Also one-third of the day and one-third of the night will be in total darkness. This darkness will be like that of Egypt, awe striking and fearful. Rev. 8:12 These are signs of impending catastrophes that beggar description, though they are recorded here in the book of Revelation. The tribulation period will not be the casual time which some make it out to be. It will be a time of extreme judgments and sorrows, described as a time of trouble such as never has been nor ever will be.
THE LESSER LIGHT WAS TO RULE THE NIGHT. The moon to reflect the light of the greater light and lighten the earth. The sun never ceases to shine on the moon, only the shining side is not always visible to us. Gen. 1:19 Jesus is that light which shines in the darkness, illuminating all who will receive His light. John 1:5 Jesus came acknowledging the Father and declaring the Father to be greater than He. The lesser light, confessing the greater light. John 14:28 Light dispels darkness, the two cannot occupy the same area at one and the same time. Light always wins. Jesus came, as light in order to dispel darkness. Men refuse light because they love darkness and light exposes their evil deeds. John 3:19 Jesus is indeed the light of the world. He is the light of life. All natural life is sustained by light. Nothing can live where there is no light. How much the natural every day things teach us spiritual lessons, would we but open our eyes and see the witness and testimony with which the Lord has so abundantly surrounded us.