So far in Revelation 6 we've looked at the four horses and the souls under the altar. Today we will look at the at the sun, moon and stars being darkened or cast from heaven to earth.
Revelation 6
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Let’s compare these verses to the creation story in Genesis 1
Genesis 1
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven…
15 And let them…give light upon the earth…
God created the sun, moon and stars to give light upon the earth.
In Revelation 6 we see the opposite to this, the sun and moon are darkened, the stars fall from heaven to earth.
Therefore what we see is a de-creation process that continues into chapters 8&9.
Would you agree that Revelation is a book of symbols?
If it were not, a literal beast would have to rise from the sea (Rev. 13), a literal dragon would need to be cast from heaven to earth (Rev. 12).
If we agree that Revelation is a book of symbols what does that tell us about the creation story in Genesis chapters 1&2?
Over the last few weeks my studies have led me to look at the creation story with fresh eyes.
Rather than it just being God’s log-book of what he created each day, I’ve begun to consider the symbolism it contains.
What are the sun, moon and stars symbolic of?
In Genesis 15:5,17:7, 22:17 & 26:4 God promised Abraham that his seed would be as “the stars of heaven” and that he would establish an “everlasting covenant” with them.
In Genesis 37:9&10 Jospeh has a dream in which the sun represented his father (Israel), the moon his mother, the stars his brothers…the 12 tribes of Israel.
The creation story is reflected in the design, fabric and furniture of the Tabernacle of Moses. Even the priestly garments.
God made the sea, land and sky. He planted a garden with the tree of life in the midst.
The Tabernacle of Moses was divided into three parts. The outer court, holy place and most holy place with the ark of the covenant in the midst.
Only the high priest could enter the most holy place once a year with the blood of an animal to make atonement for the sins of the children of Israel.
According to first century historian Josephus, his blue outer garment represented the sky, his breastplate the land, his girdle the sea.
Upon each shoulder sat a sardonyx stone with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel engraved into them. These stones represented the sun and moon. (Antiquities of the Jews 3.7.7)
The sun, moon and stars are symbolic of Israel, God’s chosen people, in Covenant with him.
Let’s go back to Genesis chapter 1.
Genesis 1
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night…
15 And let them…give light upon the earth…
Israel was meant to be a light in the world.
16…the greater light to rule the day, and -- the lesser light to rule the night…
Israel was meant to exercise spiritual authority.
14…and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years…
Israel was meant to understand the signs and seasons, the appointed times in which prophesy would be fulfilled.
In Revelation 6 we’re seeing the de-creation of Old Covenant Israel/Judah including the sacrificial system and Levitical priesthood.
We’re seeing a power-shift as the kingdom of God is “taken” from the Pharisees and “given” to a nation bringing forth fruit (Matthew 21:43&45).
The POWERS of the heavens were shaken. The religious “vipers” of Jesus’s day lost their authority.
Matthew 24
29-- Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
The book of Hebrews describes the transition from the Old to New Covenant and also mentions a great shaking.
Hebrew 12
26…Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
28…we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
The New Covenant kingdom can not be shaken or moved.
According to Daniel it is an everlasting kingdom.
Daniel 2
44…the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed…it shall stand forever.
Daniel 7
14…his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
27…the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom…
Towards the end of Revelation, we see this everlasting Kingdom in all its glory and and an invitation to be part of it.
Revelation 22
17…the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
This invitation is on-going. It is relevant for you today. Will you repent from sin? Put off your old man and enter the New Covenant kingdom of righteousness that can never be moved, shaken or destroyed?
God bless as you study to show yourself approved.
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