Q: I have a question for you, and it is found at Luke 21:25-28. Could you please explain the meaning of this scripture and it's significance, this is one that I have always found hard to understand.

“Also, there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and [its] agitation, while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift YOUR heads up, because YOUR deliverance is getting near."

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A: The words of Jesus, which you quote, make up the final part of the signs he gave in connection with his return in kingdom power. (Matt. 24:33; 25:31-33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21:31) Whereas all the other signs combined identify "the conclusion of the system of things," or "the last days," in Luke 21:25-28 Jesus reveals the conditions that will exist on earth immediately prior to his sudden arrival and the judging of the nations. (see also Matthew 24:29,30; Mark 13:24-26; Dan. 12:4; 2 Tim. 3:1) His disciples will need to understand what the turmoil on earth portents for mankind, in order for their faith not to give out at this most significant and troubling time in history. For them it will signal their long awaited deliverance is near. (Luke 21:19; Matt. 24:13)

Jesus' words echo those of the prophet Joel, who likewise prophesied regarding the "day of the Lord," when the time arrives for the nations to be judged: "Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision ("Valley Where the Lord Judges" in 3:2 and 3:12; Footnote, New Century Version). There the day of the Lord will soon arrive. The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will no longer shine. The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people." (Joel 3:14-16, New Living Translation) And please note Isaiah's symbolic language regarding the Lord's day, when the mighty ones among mankind will be brought down to earth: "Proud people will stop being proud. They will bow down to the ground with shame, and only the Lord will still stand high. The Lord All-Powerful has a special day planned when he will punish the proud and boastful people. They will be brought down. They might be like the tall cedar trees from Lebanon or the great oak trees from Bashan, but they will be cut down. They might be like the tall mountains and high hills or like the tall towers and high walls, but they will be brought down. They might be like great ships from Tarshish, filled with such wonderful cargo, but they will be brought down. At that time those proud people will fall. They will bow low to the ground, and only the Lord will stand high." (Isaiah 2:11-17, ERV)

Should we look for a literal fulfillment in the heavens, in the sun, moon and stars? Those who are of that opinion study the physical heavens in expectation and take special note of anything unusual happing there, such as awesome solar activities; or newly detected comets that might pose a threat to the earth; or they may even point to weapons capable of raining down mass destruction from above. They may also identify the catastrophic earthquakes that have occurred in the last few years as causing "anguish" on the earth, and the resulting tsunamis as "the roaring of the sea and its agitation." And although the signs marking the "end of the age" (ESV) include physical events such as wars, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, and lawlessness, this is not the primary understanding in Luke 21:25-28. Jesus uses illustrations when he speaks of signs in sun, moon, and stars, the roaring of the sea and its agitation, and the powers of the heavens being shaken. We are told that "without an illustration he would not speak to them, but privately to his disciples he would explain all things." (Mark 4:34; Compare Haggai 2:21,22)

It is not any signs in the physical heavens being reported in the Daily News that cause men to become faint out of fear and expectation of what is coming upon the inhabited earth. Rather, the things of most concern to everyone are the many problems facing mankind at present, and the inability of world leaders to deal with them, not the least of which is the threat of a global economic meltdown. The politicians recently had to bail out the banking institutions in order to avoid a catastrophic global depression, which has left many governments weak and vulnerable, on the verge of bankruptcy. Consequently, the question has been asked: Who will bail out the governments if they fail? Millions of their citizens are openly protesting against their severe economic austerity measures, because of the hardship it is causing. Due to the sudden change in the financial situation, hundreds of thousands have lost their homes to bank foreclosures, and are now in despair about providing even the necessities for their families. (In some neighborhoods in the United States, it is claimed that as many as one in twenty homes sits empty, due to bank foreclosures. Many of these are being demolished in order to preserve the property value of the surrounding homes.) Even the wealthy are in fear of the immediate future, because their fortunes could disappear overnight. The future for mankind indeed looks bleak! The governmental authorities are no longer looked to for leadership in this time of crisis, because they are viewed as the very cause of the dire situation. That is the reason many are in open revolt against them. (Really, according to your own assessment, what is causing greater anxiety: signs in the literal heavens, or the signs facing mankind here on earth?) The whole world should by now have come to understand the truth of the Scripture that says: "I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." (Jer. 10:23) While the world becomes "faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth," Jesus encourages his disciples to "raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up because your deliverance is getting near." Yes, they have a very different outlook on their future, for Christ's long awaited presence is immediately ahead! They look to God's kingdom as the only hope for mankind! (Matt. 6:9,10)

Why would Jesus want to resort to figurative language, thereby hiding from people in general the meaning of his words at Luke 21:25-28 (and others)? That in effect is the question his disciples asked him on one occasion, when they undoubtedly became somewhat frustrated in his doing so. Jesus explained it this way: “This is why I speak to them this way. They see, but they’re blind. They hear, but they don’t listen. They don’t even try to understand. So they make Isaiah’s prophecy come true: ‘You will hear clearly but never understand. You will see clearly but never comprehend. These people have become close-minded and hard of hearing. They have shut their eyes so that their eyes never see. Their ears never hear. Their minds never understand. And they never return to me for healing!’ (Matt. 13:10-15, God's Word Translation; Luke 10:21; John 12:38-40; Rom. 11:8)

The Jews in Jesus’ day, indeed, throughout their history, refused to listen to God. (See Jeremiah 44:16 as one obvious example.) That of course is also true of the world in general, of which Satan is the god. (2 Cor. 4:3,4; Luke 4:5-8) The figurative language employed by Jesus enables him to hide God’s word and purpose from all who refuse to listen to God, lacking appreciation for spiritual things, as Jesus explained (figurative “dogs,” as Jesus refers to them, Matt. 7:6; 2 Peter 2:21,22). Although becoming faint out of fear because of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, the vast majority refuse to listen to God, and continue to shut their eyes and ears to what he says. Therefore, God allows them to grope in darkness. It is just as Paul said: “A physical man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually.” (1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 4:17,18) That explains not only why there are so many differing religions, but also such a divergence of interpretation of this and many other prophecies. In order for us to understand Jesus' words at Luke 21:25-28 we first need to know how the terms used by him are also used in other places of the Scriptures.

When Jehovah first caused the physical sun, moon, and stars to shine upon the earth he said: “‘Let luminaries come to be in the expanse of the heavens to make a division between the day and the night; and they must serve as signs and for seasons and for days and years. And they must serve as luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to shine upon the earth.’ And it came to be so. And God proceeded to make the two great luminaries, the greater luminary for dominating the day and the lesser luminary for dominating the night, and also the stars. Thus God put them in the expanse of the heavens to shine upon the earth, and to dominate by day and by night and to make a division between the light and the darkness.” (Gen. 1:14-18) The sun and the moon were to provide light for man, and to serve as signs such as marking the seasons; while the stars would act as guides for men on their journeys.

In a figurative sense, Jehovah refers to himself as our sun and moon because he illuminates the way in which we should walk, by day and by night, guiding us to benefit ourselves. (Psalms 36:9; 119:105; Isaiah 48:17, 18; 60:19; Rev. 21:23,24) The first man Adam rebelled against God and rejected his guidance; and the vast majority of his offspring followed in his footsteps. (Eph. 2:1-3) Instead of looking to God, they began to look to the physical heavens—the sun, moon, and stars with their constellations—for guidance. But in reality, they have stumbled around in darkness. (Isaiah 47:13; 50:10; Rom. 2:19,20; Eph. 4:18; 5:8,9) As such, Jehovah uses the sun, moon, and stars, and the heavens itself, to symbolize prominent men on earth who act as luminaries and guides; including those among his own people. (Isaiah 13:9-13; 14:13,14; 24:21-23; Dan. 8:10; Matt. 24:29-31; Rev. 8:10-12) In the case of Joseph’s inspired dream, Jehovah referred to his father, his mother, and his eleven brothers, as symbolic sun, moon, and stars, respectively. (Genesis 37:9-11; 44:14) Jehovah wants us to always look to him for guidance, if we want to make our lives successful: “O men of the house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of Jehovah.” (Isaiah 2:5; Psalms 27:1; 85:11; 146:3,5; Jer. 10:23; 1 John 1:7)

The Pharaohs of Egypt were viewed as gods, and a light to the people. In the days of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Jehovah was going to humble Pharaoh—turn his light into darkness, so to speak—by delivering him into the hands of the Babylonians. Therefore, God made this pronouncement regarding the king of Egypt by means of his prophet Ezekiel: “Son of man, sing a song of sorrow for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say to him, ‘You compared yourself to a young lion among the nations, yet you are like the big dragon in the seas. You go through your rivers, troubling the water with your feet and making the rivers muddy.’” 3 The Lord God says, “Now I will throw My net over you with an army of many nations. They will lift you up in My net. 4 And I will leave you on the land. I will throw you on the open field. I will have all the birds of the air live on you. And I will feed you to the wild animals of the earth. 5 I will lay your flesh on the mountains, and fill the valleys with what is left of you. 6 I will make the land drink your flowing blood as far as the mountains, and the deep valleys will be full of you. 7 When I destroy you, I will cover the heavens and make the stars dark. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light. 8 I will make all the shining lights in the heavens dark over you, and bring darkness upon your land,” says the Lord God. 9 “I will trouble the hearts of many people when I destroy you among the nations, among lands you have not known. 10 I will fill many nations with fear and wonder because of you. Their kings will shake in fear for you when I wave My sword in front of them. Every man will keep shaking in fear for his own life, on the day you are destroyed.” (Ezekiel 32:210, NLV) Note the figurative language God uses, similar to Jesus' words in Luke 21:25-28.

When Jesus was on earth the Jews professed to worship Jehovah; but in reality they viewed their religious leaders—the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin (their governing body)—as their light to guide them. These ones represented the “heaven above,” their sun, moon, and stars. (Matt. 23:1-5, 10; Mark 15:1; John 11:46,47; 2 Peter 1:19) But rather than proving to be a light for the people, they instead became a stumbling block which caused them to reject the promised Messiah. (Matt. 16:11,12; John 8:44,45; Luke 3:15) It was in these religious leaders that Joel's prophecy was fulfilled when he foretold "portents in heaven above," and the sun turned to darkness and the moon into blood, as the apostle Peter explained at Pentecost. (Acts 2:14-21; Joel 2:10-11, 30-32) During Jesus' ministry their light became darkened, when Jesus exposed their hypocrisy before all the people. (Matt. 23:13-36; 19:41-44) This served as a sign, a portent of their approaching fall from their lofty position, when at Pentecost God inaugurated the new covenant, and established his temple in which we now render sacred service; their physical temple subsequently being destroyed in 70 C.E. (Eph. 2:19-22) It fulfilled the prophecies in connection with all that had been foretold for that particular time. (1 Peter 1:10,11)

What about our day, to which Jesus’ prophecy at Luke 21:25-28 evidently points? Today, the heavens—with the sun, moon, and stars—again represents humans to whom people look for their light and guidance, but where we can expect troubling developments. Whereas previously the symbolic heavens provided people with relative stability, both socially and economically, with an optimistic outlook for the future; their optimism has now turned to dread. Global problems have turned the light of human luminaries to darkness. The countless professional experts (stars), whose advice many have sought in the past in their day to day journey through life (such as concerning health; diet; investments; marriage and relationships; etc., you name it...), have lost their glitter as it has become clear that their "wisdom" has been unable to protect anyone against the present troubles, but rather, in many cases has actually contributed to it; thus resulting in loss of faith in them also. (1 Cor. 1:25-28) No one expected this change in circumstances! It is truly stunning how quickly this has come about, as "the powers in the heavens [are] shaken." The earth is being thrown into turmoil as "men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth." (Isaiah 8:21,22; Zeph. 1:15)

Besides this, there is another cause for becoming "faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth." Jesus further mentions the roaring of the sea and its agitation that adds to the terror on the earth. What does that refer to? The Bible says that “the wicked are like the sea that is being tossed, when it is unable to calm down, the waters of which keep tossing up seaweed and mire.” (Isaiah 57:20) We see its fulfillment in the terrible loss of life due to the lawless elements existing in all parts of the earth, even reaching into our own neighborhoods. Murders and violence no longer has the shock factor it once had, being a common part of the daily news. Global terrorism threatens innocent people. No place seems to be safe, for how can someone protect himself against perpetrators who are willing to sacrifice their own lives in order to kill as many as possible, without any clearly stated motive. The fear of terrorism is evident throughout the earth, especially since 2001, and it has had a huge impact on our travels, even on how we live our lives. Not to be overlooked is the great percentage of people suffering in countries where armed revolutionaries are operating, including even children who carry and use weapons, terrorizing and slaughtering their own citizens. Others have fallen victim as innocent bystanders in battles between drug cartels and other criminal gangs, making it too dangerous to visit many formerly thriving tourist places. This earth has become a most inhospitable place. (Gen. 6:11,12) Thousands are dying for protesting against rulers who are now deemed to be oppressive. These are no longer looked upon as the bright sun they once were considered to be! One Television News commentator recently spoke of the “disintegration of civilization” as he reviewed the strange "signs" that we have witnessed in just the past couple of years. We cannot ignore the signs in the sun, moon, and stars that Jesus foretold! (Joel 3:14-16)

At this critical point in human history we should rightly expect earth's inhabitants to turn to God for direction. After all, his kingdom has been preached as the hope for mankind for two thousand years, having been started by Jesus himself. (Matt. 6:9-10; 10:7-8) God's kingdom will accomplish everything that people desire and are demonstrating about, even being willing to fight and die for: Peace, not only among all men but also with the animals; plenty of nutritious and uncontaminated food that they themselves have grown on their own land; homes that will always belong to them, mortgage and tax free; good health; freedom from crime; and above all else—everlasting life. All mankind will then be united and live in harmony under God's benevolent rule and his only acceptable true worship. These promises are trustworthy for they come from God himself, who cannot lie. (Rom. 3:4) 

But the reality is that the great majority of people are not interested in the one true God and what he has to offer. They do not want to subject themselves to him, no matter how bad things will get. Therefore, Jesus' words regarding the Jews of his day, as already mentioned above, is also applicable to such people today: "They see, but they’re blind. They hear, but they don’t listen. They don’t even try to understand." Although at present the world's population is in fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, they are not seeing the real reason behind it. If they are hoping that their luminaries will somehow again rise and shine in their heavens to guide them, they are in for disappointment, because their expectations will be dashed at the time when they see Jesus, as "the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory," for according to Matthew's account, at that time "all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation (mourn, ESV)." (Matt. 24:29,30; 25:31; Dan. 7:13,14)

Jesus is coming on a cloud, (clouds, according to Matthew) which signifies that his arrival will not be visible to human eyes, just as on the occasion when he was lifted up before his onlooking disciples and "a cloud caught him up from their vision." The two angels who were then present noted that Jesus "will come thus in the same manner as you have beheld him going into the sky." (Acts 1:9-11) In the Bible, clouds symbolize concealment, they hide from view. (Job 22:14; Lam. 3:44; Ezek. 32:7) This is easily understood when we watch an airplane take off and then disappear out of sight into the clouds. That is why Jesus said on one occasion, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed.” (Luke 17:20, ESV)

How, then, are we to understand that they will "see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory?" By now you may already have come to understand what Jesus means by this, as revealed in his earlier words regarding unbelievers, who he said can see clearly and yet are blind, never comprehending. The converse is also true, although they won't be able to see him with their physical eyes when he comes on a "cloud," yet they will be forced to see—comprehend—that what is happening is not some natural phenomenon, or manmade event. There will be such an amazing display of power and glory that it will be impossible for the nations not to realize what this means. (compare Ezek. 36:23) This is how the apostle Paul explains it: "Certainly, it is right for God to give suffering to those who cause you to suffer. It is also right for God to give all of us relief from our suffering. He will do this when the Lord Jesus is revealed, coming from heaven with his mighty angels in a blazing fire. He will take revenge on those who refuse to acknowledge God and on those who refuse to respond to the Good News about our Lord Jesus. They will pay the penalty by being destroyed forever, by being separated from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious power. This will happen on that day when he comes to be honored among all his holy people and admired by all who have believed in him. This includes you because you believed the testimony we gave you." (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; GOD’S WORD Translation) It will be at this time, when the Lord Jesus is "revealed," that the nations will see him with their eyes of understanding. (Eph. 1:18) Then, no longer will it be possible for anyone to be close-minded to the reality of their situation, as God's war of Armageddon breaks forth.

The apostle Paul explains in his letter to the Thessalonian congregation above, that the Lord's return in glory and with power will mean deliverance for God's people; but everlasting destruction for all who refused to listen to God. This is not simply a warning to the people in the world who have refused to obey God, but applies equally to all within God's house who have not paid attention, having missed the purpose of God's patience. (Rom. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9)

The signs in sun and moon and stars find its fulfillment also among God's own people, as was the case in Jesus' day. Paul continues to explain this in his letter to the Thessalonians. (2 Thess. 2:1-12.) He says that "the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ...will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction." Apostasy can only appear within God's house, for according to Jehovah apostasy is a turning away from him. (Jer. 17:13; 23:14,15) Paul says that the foretold man of lawlessness "is set in opposition and lifts himself up over everyone who is called 'god' or an object of reverence ("glorious ones," Jude 8), so that he sits down in the temple of The God, publicly showing himself to be a god." (2 Peter 2:10; 3 John 9) The temple of God is God's people, as Paul explains in his other letters, and this is where the "lawless one"—as he is also called—has elevated himself as leader; in effect wanting to share in the light that belongs only to God and Jesus. (Matt. 23:10; 1 Cor. 3:16,17; Eph. 2:19-22) He is set in opposition to true worship, as Paul says, for rather than reflecting God's light, his presence is "according to the operation of Satan," as were the religious leaders of Jesus' day who were in darkness. (John 3:19; 8:44; 12:35,36; Matt. 23:27,28; Luke 11:35,36)

A few decades ago signs began to appear in this heaven within God's temple, which has revealed the presence of the man of lawlessness, and provides a fore glimpse of the fall that will soon follow. Their light began to dim noticeably when their promises in connection with their interpretation of prophecies failed to come true, disappointing and hurting especially those who had trusted them the most for guidance, thus causing many within God's house to become agitated and confused. Their darkness has increased over the past few years as the sun (the governing body), the moon (representatives of the Society), and the stars (the elders in the many congregations), are no longer viewed by many as the light that they once were considered to be. (Rev. 1:16, 20; 3:17,18) They have fallen from their lofty position, foreboding the judgment that will suddenly come upon them at Jesus' presence; for that is what Paul says will happen: "Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence." (compare Luke 10:18; Ezekiel 34:2-10)

The signs in this sun, moon, and stars has resulted in many of God's former zealous servants returning to the darkness of this world, while others, though equally affected, fail to take notice of the significance of it all. (Matt. 8:12; John 6:66; Phil. 3:18; Heb. 6:4-6; 2 Peter 2:20-22) Those who continue to look to the man of lawlessness for guidance in spite of the clear signs, will at the time of Jesus' presence discover that they too failed to listen to God; for Paul says that they will perish, "as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thess. 2:10-12) Although the symbolic heavens has grown dark around us, Jehovah continues to be a Sun to his "true worshipers." (Isaiah 30:26) They are not in darkness! In fact, Jesus said that "at that time the righteous ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Of course, they don't shine literally as the physical sun. They comprehend the significance of Jesus' words at Luke 21:25-28, and thereby receive encouragement at this most critical time in human history. (Matt. 13:43; 6:23; Dan. 12:3; Mal. 3:15, 18)


The powers of the heavens are presently being shaken, resulting in the fearful signs that cause people on earth to become "faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth." Just as dark clouds gather to warn of an approaching storm, so too these fearful signs signal the coming end of the present heavens and earth; to be replaced with the long awaited "new heavens and a new earth," that the apostle Peter spoke of: "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace." (2 Peter 3:9-14; ESV)

What do you think? Are we now seeing Jesus' prophecy in the process of being fulfilled? Rather than be terrified by present developments on the world scene, or even within our own congregations, we who have put our trust in Jehovah have reason to "raise ourselves erect and lift our heads up, because our deliverance is getting near."

"Before there comes upon you people the burning anger of Jehovah, before there comes upon you the day of Jehovah's anger, seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger." (Zeph. 1:14-2:3)
 

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