When we think of signs we often think about things like the increase in lawlessness and the love of many growing cold. We may think about the great apostasy of those who claim to be Christians and the signs of … the coming Antichrist. Some even consider the rebirth of the nation of Israel in Palestine as a sign or the intense discussion of how the RFID chip may be used by the Antichrist. Then of course there are the increasing number of natural disasters, wars and rumors of war where all agree that these are the signs of the time. Yet there is one more we want to consider. To consider this sign we need to look up and beyond those things we would hope to control. It is in our power to work for love instead of hate. It’s in our power to cast a vote for the one who appears more righteous than the other guy. It’s in our power to resist the beast and his mark. It’s in our power to choose not to send our men and women to war. And it is even in our power to some limited degree to escape the many natural disasters descending upon the planet. However, the sign we are about to consider is beyond our control. We will be absolutely helpless to do anything about it.

So incredible are these signs that, “Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken” (Luke 21:26).  “On the world?” That has global significance. It seems as though no one is left out but all will participate in the final sign to fall upon the world. Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea” (Luke 21:25). Some have tried to explain this verse away by saying its just apocalyptic language that demonstrates the great stress of the time, but I beg to differ, we as a people are beginning to see real signs in the sky that could have a profound effect upon our planet. In some respects science is catching up with the Bible, attempting to explain what effect the sun and moon have on the earth. It’s common knowledge that the moon’s gravitational pull affects the world’s oceans and its tide. Scientists also believe that the sun has an effect upon the earth’s weather and specifically hurricanes which are formed in the world’s oceans. Without getting into a discussion about global warming it is an accepted fact that the melting of the polar ice shelves is raising the sea level. There is a delegate balance between all the heavenly bodies and their effect upon our planet and specifically upon our oceans is indisputable.

Therefore, I surmise if the heavenly bodies are shaken, which Jesus clearly indicated that they would be, then they would have a horrendous effect upon our planet. That is, if they are moved out of their place by coming closer to the earth or if other heavenly bodies such as an asteroid or other planets would come close to earth then it would have a profound effect upon the world’s oceans as proved by the moons gravitational pull. Now to put this all into context, Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea “(Luke 21:25b). Clearly Jesus connected the heavenly bodies with having an effect upon the world’s oceans. The anguish and perplexity of the nations at the roaring and tossing sea is quite understandable when you factor in that over half the world’s population lives within 60km of the sea, and that percentage is increasing. How large is this effect?  Jesus continues, “Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken” (Luke 21:26).

When you look at the previous damage caused by hurricanes the greater damage was caused by the surge of water and massive flooding. With melting of the ice caps, the warming of the sea and the possibility of a heavenly body coming within proximity of our planet one can only imagine what the sea surge would do to our cities near the coast and beyond. Jesus indicated that man would know what was coming upon the world and faint from terror knowing that there is nothing he can do to stop it. This apprehension would cause absolute pandemonium. Let’s be clear this all happens just prior to the coming of Jesus Christ. He said, “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in the cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27). Although most of the world’s population will be in complete panic crying out to the “mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:16-17)  But to the Christian Jesus says, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). What a beautiful picture of the Christian standing firmly on the rock of his salvation with his face toward the wind, with all assurance in his heart that nothing can separate him from the love of God, and at the end of all these things he knows that he will be in glory . Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

Copyright © 2012 Rev. Daniel W. Blair – All content (blog articles) have been published in my new book: “Revelation Truth” available in our bookstore or at a bookstore near you.