Signs In The Sun (The Return of Christ & The Dawning of the Day)
By admin On July 17th, 2012.
Click on credit links below each pic, for licensing names/details/tags/etc.. Most pics cropped/reduced in size
.
.
.
Signs In The Sun: “The Return of Christ & The Dawning of the Day”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
We are now drawing close to the time when the following prophecy will be fulfilled… “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7.
.
Yes, that awesome and fearful Day is just over the horizon! And Christ will make His literal and visible appearance! At that time, “the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” 1st Thessalonians 4:16
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
THE DAWNING OF THE DAY
.
But just prior to that Day, the Apostle, Peter, reveals… “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day Star arise in your hearts:” 2nd Peter 1:19
.
So just what is this speaking of… “until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”?
.
Well, notice that Peter first speaks of, “a more sure word of prophecy”. And most everybody concludes that to be speaking of God’s Word, commonly called, The Bible. And so, Peter exhorts us to continue to cling to that, “sure Word”, until, “the day dawn, and the Day Star arise”, in our hearts.
.
Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.
.
.
.
.
.
COMPARING SPIRITUAL THINGS
.
So, just what is this, “dawning of the day”?
.
Well, this phrase, “Dawning of the Day”, is found in a number of places throughout the Bible. And by, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” 1st Corinthians 2:13, we can get a broader picture of what Peter is speaking of.
.
And so, let’s look at a few passages from elsewhere in the Bible, to try to discover what this, “Dawning of the Day” is all about …
.
Sunrise from Burrow Mump, Burrowbridge, Somerset – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License
.
.
.
.
.
OUR HOST: THE SUN
.
But before we begin, lets introduce our host for this discussion: the Sun…
.
Listen… “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; Men’s 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
.
Just prior to the Coming of the Son of Man, the Lord has foretold of, “signs in the Sun…Moon…and Stars”
.
This website is dedicated to revealing these signs in Heaven, of which the Sun is an important part.
.
Solar System – NASA – Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
THE SUN, A METAPHOR
.
Listen to Scripture… “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble…But unto you that fear My name shall THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” Malachi 4:1, 2
.
So this and many other similar Bible passages compares the Lord to the Sun. And this metaphor is the role that the Sun plays in the Signs Of Heaven. And of course, the Sun also represents the 1st Commandment, “Thou shall have no other gods before Me”!
.
So, with these things in mind, we are beginning to get a broader perspective on what the Day Star arising in our hearts is all about.
.
And the reader can go to other article on this website, such as… “Signs in the Sun”, or another article… ““Sun Shall Be Darkened…””
.
Transfiguration – Bloch – Wikimedia Commons – US Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
THE DAWNING OF THE DAY & THE FALL OF JERICHO
.
And so, this “dawning of the day” is spoken of in other places in Scripture.
.
For instance, listen to this Scripture… “And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the DAWNING OF THE DAY…So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city…with the edge of the sword.” Joshua 6:15, 20, 21.
.
So now it begins to be seen that this, “dawning of the day”, has to do with the victory over Jericho.
.
And of course, this story of Jericho is an allegorical story concerning our victory over the world, and over sin.
.
And just as the inhabitants of Jericho were slain by the edge of the sword, so too, God’s Glittering Sword of the Spirit will finally slay us too! Because God’s glittering sword is His Word, the Bible, which will finally slay us, causing us to finally die…to die to ‘self’, giving us victory over our flesh, and victory over the world (the world symbolized by Jericho.)
.
Tissot – The_Taking_of_Jericho – wikipedia US public domain
.
.
.
.
.
So the “dawning of the day” seems to be related to end-time events. But Scripture has more to say on this subject. So let’s explore another Old Testament story, and see how we might gain insight into what lies just before us.
.
Exclamation Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
THE DAWNING OF THE DAY & THE LEVITE AND HIS CONCUBINE
.
.
Read this short introduction to a true account in Old Testament Israel, in the days of the judges… “And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehem Judah. And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Bethlehem Judah, and was there four whole months.” Judges 19:1, 2
.
This concept of the dawning of the day also has a very unnerving application to God’s people today. And it has to do with the Church…us…not being prepared for Christ’s return. (But don’t despair! God will get His people ready! Read on to find out how.)
.
The above passage from Judges 19, is the story of the Levite and His Concubine. And this story from Judges illustrates how we will be prepared at last…at the “dawning of the Day”. Do you remember the cryptic story in Judges 19, of the Levite and his concubine? How she played the harlot and the Levite had to go get her at her father’s house? And do you remember how the girl’s father kept pressing the Levite to stay just another night to eat drink and cheer and comfort thine heart?
.
This eating and drinking went on until the 5th day. But finally the Levite refused the father’s pleadings to stay just another night.
.
And so the Levite and his concubine left for home, but later had to spend that night in the region of the Benjaminites.
.
But what transpired that night paralleled what happened to Lot on his last night in that infamous wicked city. Just like the citizens of that infamous wicked city on the last night before its destruction from Heaven, the Benjaminites too, wanted to commit unnatural relations with the Levite.
.
And so, these lewd Benjamites came to the home where the Levite and his concubine were guests, demanding to violate that Levite.
.
By G. Dore 084 The Levite & his Concubine – wikipedia – US public domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
Now, this story has certainly turned out really ugly, as we read of these horrible actions of the Levite.
.
As a matter of fact, this story only begins to make real sense when we decipher the underlying spiritual meaning behind this historical account.
.
So please read on and see how this story actually paints a wonderful spiritual picture of how Christ purifies with His Church.
.
By G. Dore – The Levite & his Concubine – wikipedia – US public domain
.
.
.
.
.
CHURCH HAS PLAYED THE HARLOT
.
And so it seems that this is a picture of the Church in the last days. Like this concubine, so too, the Church has played the harlot, by going after the things of the world.
.
Listen to God’s assessment of the Church in the last days… “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2nd Timothy 4:3, 4.
.
A pretty bleak assessment by God, wouldn’t you agree? We have itching ears which demand the kinds of preaching which titillate our world-loving ears: things which do not bruise our deadening consciences; things which make us laugh and joke and keep us entertained!
.
.
.
.
.
A “GOOD WORKS” GOSPEL
.
And so, God has allowed the Church to be ravaged by the world. World-loving evangelists pushing a do-it-yourself gospel, in which a person supposedly becomes saved by saying the “sinner’s prayer”, or responding to an altar call, in which the evangelist pronounces us “saved”.
.
This “do-it-yourself” gospel has brought in many false brethren into the Church, and has resulted in spiritual harlotry within the Church, via this “good works” gospel.
.
And just as this concubine in Judges 19 was ravaged all night long by those lewd fellows, so has the Church been ravaged by making all sorts of worldly compromises to satisfy the many itching ears, now brought into the Church.
.
Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
SEEKING THE APOSTATE CHURCH
.
And just like that Levite, Christ and His true-worshippers have come seeking after His apostate harlot churches, trying to bring them back. But the apostate portion of the Church has continued tarrying at the broken cisterns of this world, symbolized by the father of the concubine pleading with the Levite to tarry and eat and make merry. But finally the Levite knows that the hour is late, and insists on returning to his own country.
.
Listen as Christ speaks to the last of the 7 churches in Revelation, Chapter 3… “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth…Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:16, 20
.
So the Laodicean church is under the judgment of God for our world-loving ways. We are the divided church: the double-minded church, trying to serve both God and the world! This is spiritual harlotry on our part…
.
Listen… “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4
.
Here God is speaking through James, telling us that stark reality of our undone condition in these last days!
.
.
.
.
.
CHURCH ABUSED BY WORLD
.
And so, this frightening story ends with the Levite giving his concubine to the Benjaminites to abuse all night long.
.
So also, the Church of God, in these last days, has been abused by her own worldliness. Satan, with his Antichrist deceivers, has infiltrated the Church. And the Church has become, to a great extent, mingled with worldliness, heresies and even gross immorality.
.
But here’s the good news; the part that seems to explain what happens to God’s Church just prior to the end…
.
Listen… “Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light. And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, AND HER HANDS WERE UPON THE THRESHOLD.” Judges 19:26, 27.
.
“Concubine Reaches Home” by Gustave Dore Wikipedia Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
THRESHOLD = FOOT OF CROSS…
.
And so, at the dawning of the day, the concubine returns to the house where her Lord was, just taking hold of the threshold before she dies.
.
So if the concubine typifies the Lukewarm Church, and the Levite represents Christ and His faithful ones.
.
Remember what Judges 19 says about the dawning and this woman?…. “Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light…and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.” Judges 19:26, 27.
.
And so, this story is a picture of God’s people as we finally repent of our world-loving ways, and return to the foot of the Cross, in deep contrition and repentance, finally dying-to-self with our hands upon the threshold of the Kingdom of God.
.
Yes, just like the concubine just barely made it to the threshold of her lord’s house, so also, we just barely make it to the threshold of our Lord’s house, the Kingdom of God! But we did finally make it!
.
“Concubine Reaches Home” by Gustave Dore Wikipedia Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
Now, there is another story which culminates at the dawning of the day. This is the story of Jacob, as he wrestled with a stranger until the dawn…
.
Exclamation Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE
Jeremiah 30:7
.
.
.
.
“Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:6, 7
.
What in the world could this above verse be speaking of? And how does this verse apply to me as an individual Christian?
.
OK. So by examining that story of Jacob wrestling with the angel of the Lord, there can be seen a great picture of just what we must endure in the coming trial before us.
.
Listen… “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day…And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Genesis 32:24, 26-28
.
Jacob Wrestling with the Angel – wikipedia – public domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
JACOB REPRESENTS ALL TRUE-WORSHIPPERS
.
Jacob represents all Christians. Esau represents the man of flesh. And just as Jacob and Esau were born as twins, so too, the Christian has a dual personality, so to speak. There still exists in every Christian a struggle between the spirit and the flesh. The Christian constantly battles against the flesh.
.
Listen to Scripture… “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17.
.
So it now is evident that there exists a struggle in the life of each and every Christian.
.
But as for Jacob and Esau representing the “Man of Spirit”, and the “Man of Flesh”, just listen to this next verse… “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:” Colossians 3:9,10
.
James Tissot – Jacob & Esau – The Mess of Pottage – Wikipedia – US Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
LET US FLEE THE “OLD MAN”
.
And just as Jacob was trying to escape Esau, so the Christian is trying to flee from his or her own fleshy desires. Oh, the Christian wants very much to have a consistent walk in the Spirit. But it seems that many of us sincere Christians are too often falling into our fleshly lusts: pride, anger, judging, phariseeism, lusting, gluttony, worldliness, and a host of other similar sins are constantly rising up within, making us to doubt our Salvation.
.
We need to escape from our “Esau” within. The “Old Man” still wants to “run the show” so to speak. What we need is to wrestle with God, just as surely as Jacob wrestled with the angel.
.
James Tissot – Jacob & Esau – The Mess of Pottage – Wikipedia – US Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
“THE DAWNING OF THE DAY”
.
This is why Jeremiah says concerning the Day of the Lord, “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble” Jeremiah 30:7.
.
The coming conflict will be a time in which each Christian will wrestle for the victory. And though like Jacob, the Christian will think he or she is wrestling with the enemy.
.
But when the “dawning of the day” arrives, it will be discovered that our struggle was really with the Lord. And at that time, we will, like Jacob, lose our old name, “Jacob, the Deceiver”. And we will be forever pronounced with our new name, Israel. Just like Jacob, we will have prevailed with God.
.
And like Jacob, we will be able to say, “for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Gen. 32:30.
.
At that time we will have completely overcome the “Old Man with his deeds” Colossians 3:9
.
If you wish to read more on this subject of Jacob’s time of trouble, just click here… “The Cross of Orion, Part 2: What Is “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?”
.
Jacob_Wrestling_with_the_Angel – wikipedia – public domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
“THE DAWNING OF THE DAY”
Joshua 6:15
.
“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” Malachi 4:1, 2
.
Now, after this little study, it ought to become more clear, just what this above passage is speaking of, when it speaks of “the Sun of Righteousness” arising. And as already stated, Christ will literally return for His people. And the Bible makes it clear that, “every eye shall see him”.
.
But this article has attempted to show that prior to Christ’s literal return, He will come spiritually… into the hearts of every True-Worshipper.
.
.
.
.
.
DAY DAWNS IN OUR HEART
.
Just listen again to Peter… “We have also a more sure word of prophecy (The Bible); whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, UNTIL THE DAY DAWN, AND THE DAY STAR ARISE IN YOUR HEARTS” 2nd Peter 1:19.
.
Peter here tells us to cling to the Bible as that sure Word of prophecy. But he also says we must cling to the Bible till the “dawning of the Day”. And so it speaks here of a dawning of a certain day. And then on that special Day, the “dawning of the Day”, there will be that “Day Star” which will arise in our hearts. So it should now begin to be seen that there is more to Christ’s Second Coming than was originally thought.
.
.
.
.
.
.
KINGDOM WITHIN YOU
.
Now, with the information presented, this next passage should begin to make sense… “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20, 21.
.
This above passage shows that the kingdom of God is within the heart of each and every Believer, as this drawing tries to conceptualize. And on that morning, the dark storm clouds will at last roll away! Then, will the Day-Star arise in our hearts. Then will be fulfilled the next passage… “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Matthew 13:43
.
.
.
.
.
.
“THE DAWNING OF THE DAY”
.
“But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings” (at the dawning of the Day–Ed.);
.
.
Photo courtesy Ischlueter & Wikipedia. Click here for share-alike license.
.
.
.
.
.
.
THE END
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
ETERNITY NOT A PUFFY LITTLE CLOUD
.
In the beginning, God placed our first parents in a beautiful garden. But as a result of sin, this world lost much of its beauty. The curse has marred, to a great extent, the pristine condition of nature.
.
There are perhaps many, who are under the impression, that God’s redeemed will spend all eternity sitting on a puffy little cloud, strumming a harp. Nothing could be further from the truth! “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:” Revelation 21:1. So from this verse it becomes evident that God will not only make a New Heaven, but also a New Earth. So there will be the celestial AND the terrestrial in store for God’s people.
.
Do we really imagine that the same God who created that incredible garden for our first parents, would then put us through all these sorrows and hardships, only to now stick us in some boring situation, for eternity? Such do not know God nearly well enough.
.
The beauty and innocent joys of this present world, are just a faint reflection of what awaits all those who persevere on the upward pathway to that Celestial City of God.
.
LET’S CATCH A VISION OF THAT PROMISED LAND
.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18
.
So Signs Of Heaven encourages the reader to begin to get a vision of the New Heaven and New Earth, and begin to get excited about it. When we hear the cry of a new born baby, or the innocent laughter of little children. When we see a little forest creature having fun, or we enjoy a walk along the sand at the ocean, and hear the majestic roar of the crashing waves. These, and the many other joys of life were created by the One who has also gone to prepare an even more beautiful place for us to live. He knows our needs, and will re-create a far more wonderful home than this sin-cursed Earth.
.
And when we finally cross that river, and we stand together on the shores of that world to come, we will look in amazement at what He has in store for us there. And then we will know for certain, that, “His mercy endures forever”, because, “God is love”!
.
Zion angels landing view – wikimedia – share-alike license
.
.
.
.
.
.
A HEAVENLY HOBBY
.
.
.
.
.
.
“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these things; that brings out their host by number: He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.” Isaiah 40:26
.
.
.
.
.
.
The above verse is a plea from God to look up at the Heavens and behold Who has created these things.
.
In this busy work-a-day world, there are many very interesting things which can occupy one’s time and energy: hobbies, and careers, and entertainments and worries, and habits, to name just a few.
.
But as the child of God devotes his or her life to God, there should be a jealous guarding of one’s own heart… “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23.
.
The Christian wants nothing to get in the way of running that Christian Race.
.
New York Times Square – terabass – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike License
Shoppers in Toronto – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license
.
.
.
.
.
.
“AND WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS…
.
LOOK UP, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD”
.
But having said this, there is one hobby which every ‘Noble Berean’ may take up, which only compliments the pursuit of the heavenly Prize.
.
Yes, Signs Of Heaven becomes a wonderfully rewarding hobby which, unlike many less meaningful hobbies, pays off with rich, heavenly rewards. Everlasting rewards!
.
And unlike the person in this photo with equipment, all you need is fairly good vision, and a dark, starry night.
.
And once a person really gets to know these heavenly messengers, it will become very apparent that the message connected with these signs is truly a message to be heeded.
.
Thus will the Christian be able to share this message with others. And there are perhaps many nuances and hidden biblical truths to these signs which have yet to be discovered.
.
Astronomy Amateur – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike license
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
“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;” Luke 21:25
.
ABOVE CHART: Summer Constellations with Doves (Sagittarius) & Woman (Ursa Major)
.
.
.
.
.
.
FIRST FIND ORION & 7 STARS
The very first step in finding these many constellations, should be to find the two main constellations: Orion, and the 7 Stars (aka, The Big Dipper).
.
These two constellations represent Christ (Orion), and His Church (7 Stars).
.
And just as these are the easiest constellations to find, so too, the first place to begin studying the Bible is the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
.
These four books present Christ and His Church, when He walked the earth, just as Orion and the 7 Stars represent Christ and His Church, as seen up in the heavens.
.
Then, once you are comfortable finding these two constellations, you can begin to locate the next closest constellations, and so on.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
ANOTHER HEAVENLY HOBBY: PRAYER-WALKS
.
Now if you’re fortunate enough to be able to go on nightly walks, and you live in an area where you can safely view the stars, here is another Heavenly Hobby which Signs Of Heaven endorses…
.
Why not combine star-watching with prayer, as you walk? What a great way to draw closer to God!
.
It cannot be over-stressed, just how wonderful it is to walk under the dark canopy of Heaven, while lifting up one’s heart to our Heavenly Father! There is a closeness to God that cannot be described with words!
.
(And even if you cannot safely do this, you can always do such prayer-walks in the daytime, in a safe place, such as a mall, which is every bit as effective, prayer-wise.
.
And for those who are in confinement, one can view these starry signs on the Internet, or simply listen to Scripture on audio.
.
Either way, all such may enjoy God’s richest blessings at this very time in which God is pouring out all Heaven’s treasures upon anyone willing to forsake all, and follow Jesus!)
.
Starry Night at La Silla – cropped and latered image – Wikipedia – share-alike license
.
.
.
.
.
.
THRICE-DAILY PRAYERS
.
Now of course, the Bible commands us to, “pray without ceasing“. The Christian is to constantly talk with our Heavenly Father throughout the day.
.
But the Bible also holds up the godly life of Daniel, who, when captive in Babylon, still set aside three times daily, in which he knelt for special prayer.
.
And furthermore the Bible also says… “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17.
.
Even those who are bed-fast or in a prison cell can begin to imitate Daniel in this way. And if one is fortunate to be able to walk, then this thrice-daily prayer regimen can be combined with three walks daily and even nightly.
.
Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – public domain