THOUGHTS ON SUN, MOON STARS, ETC...
Ok, so I'm a little late...
Chris, as you’ve pointed out, there is a need for consistency in the symbol, but sometimes I think we tend to make these things too hard by looking for something too specific.
To me, it seems this is the same type of problem I had in trying to come to a consistent, succinct definition of ‘lake of fire’ – my mind wanted something very specific. Maybe ‘specific’ isn’t the correct word, ‘narrow’ might be better. My mind tends to want to define these symbols in a very narrow kind of way and it’s sometimes difficult to ‘think outside of the box’, so to speak.
When we look at all the passages dealing with the smiting or the falling of the sun, moon stars, etc, how are we to understand them? Surely not in a literal manner. To take these literally is reduce the Bible to an absurdity. If even ONE star literally fell to the earth the planet would be destroyed completely even before it arrived.
I think what we need to look for in these passages is ‘common denominator’. What do all of these have in common? As you pointed out Chris, I think we need to go for a broader meaning. It seems to me that what these all have in common is calamity or catastrophe on a grand scale WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS GOD’S PEOPLE. Beyond that it also in some way seems to be indicative of a change in ‘dispensation’
It is commonly believed that Matthew 24 has a dual application – first to the Jewish nation, and then ultimately to the end of the current age. The smiting of the sun, moon and stars marked the passing on the Jewish economy with great catastrophe, and it will mark the end of this age, also with great catastrophe.
The essential banishment of truth from the Roman Empire also marked a great catastrophe for God’s people and brought down the judgment of God upon the Roman Empire.
So yes Chris, I would agree – I would define these in a broader sense, and if I had to place on the symbol a short definition it would be this - calamity or catastrophe on a grand scale which directly affects God’s people.
--David
Ok, so I'm a little late...
Chris, as you’ve pointed out, there is a need for consistency in the symbol, but sometimes I think we tend to make these things too hard by looking for something too specific.
To me, it seems this is the same type of problem I had in trying to come to a consistent, succinct definition of ‘lake of fire’ – my mind wanted something very specific. Maybe ‘specific’ isn’t the correct word, ‘narrow’ might be better. My mind tends to want to define these symbols in a very narrow kind of way and it’s sometimes difficult to ‘think outside of the box’, so to speak.
When we look at all the passages dealing with the smiting or the falling of the sun, moon stars, etc, how are we to understand them? Surely not in a literal manner. To take these literally is reduce the Bible to an absurdity. If even ONE star literally fell to the earth the planet would be destroyed completely even before it arrived.
I think what we need to look for in these passages is ‘common denominator’. What do all of these have in common? As you pointed out Chris, I think we need to go for a broader meaning. It seems to me that what these all have in common is calamity or catastrophe on a grand scale WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS GOD’S PEOPLE. Beyond that it also in some way seems to be indicative of a change in ‘dispensation’
It is commonly believed that Matthew 24 has a dual application – first to the Jewish nation, and then ultimately to the end of the current age. The smiting of the sun, moon and stars marked the passing on the Jewish economy with great catastrophe, and it will mark the end of this age, also with great catastrophe.
The essential banishment of truth from the Roman Empire also marked a great catastrophe for God’s people and brought down the judgment of God upon the Roman Empire.
So yes Chris, I would agree – I would define these in a broader sense, and if I had to place on the symbol a short definition it would be this - calamity or catastrophe on a grand scale which directly affects God’s people.
--David
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