Understanding the End of the World - Part 2
Here, we expand on that concept of bible prophecy. The sun, moon and stars refer to rulers of the nations in Bible prophecy.
Rulers of the Nations
Lucifer means morning-star, translated from the Hebrew heylel (hay lale). Lucifer figuratively describes the ancient king of Babylon. Isaiah chapter 14 depicts him as the king who oppressed Israel in Babylonian captivity and his subsequent fall from power. The metaphor is striking in that it depicts this great ruler as the day-star or sun falling from the sky or the heaven.
Isaiah prophesied that when Israel was given rest from the bondage of their 70 year Babylonian captivity, they would take up a proverb of the king of Babylon. (Isaiah 14:3ff). "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! (v. 12)
Chapter 13 gave the picture of the fall of the Babylon. Chapter 14 followed with the fall of the king. It is in this context that "Lucifer," the "morning star" falls from heaven, meaning he falls from his throne of power. It is another example where the sun or stars are used to speak of rulers or those in authority.
The Sun of Righteousness
Malachi also speaks figuratively using the sun as a metaphor for a ruler. "But to you who fear my name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings." (Malachi 4:2). The "Sun of Righteousness" refers to the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. He it is who would be the Ruler of Israel, Micah 5:2. It is by his stripes (suffering and death) that we are "healed" from sin and iniquity. (Isaiah 53:5). Thus Malachi, taking his cue from Moses' in Genesis 1:14, uses the "sun" as a sign, or symbolically to represent the great ruler of heaven and earth.
The apostle Peter alludes to Christ as the morning star which would arise in the hearts of his readers. Peter drew from the language of the prophets in the Old Testament. Balaam had spoken of Christ as the "Star" who would arise out of Jacob (the nation of Israel, Numbers 24:17).
Jesus declares that he is the "Bright and Morning Star." "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." (Revelation 22:16).
Elsewhere in the book, we are told that New Jerusalem, (the holy city which came down from heaven, Revelation 21:2), and equates with the church on earth, (Hebrews 12:22, 23), has no need of the sun or the moon. "The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb (Christ) is its light. (Revelation 21:23). God and Christ are the rulers (22:3) and luminaries of the kingdom of God. "There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever." (Revelation 22:4)
Other Prophecies Using The Stars
Daniel saw the righteous shining as stars in the kingdom of God. "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3). This is Daniel's prophetic view of the kingdom of God.
Jesus quoting directly from Daniel's prophecy spoke of the righteous who would shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, (Matthew 13:43). The righteous, also called luminaries share in the reign of the Messiah, sitting with him on his throne with and likewise exercising power and authority over the nations. (Revelation 2:26-28)
In part three we expand the use of sun, moon and stars by viewing prophecies of the destruction of nations.
Copyright (c) 2006 William Bell, Jr. All rights reserved.
Related Tags: rapture, antichrist, armageddon, judgment, second coming, endtime, kingdom of god, end of the world
William Bell, Jr. is a speaker on Covenant Eschatology and the author of the "Re-Examination," and other studies of Christ's return at the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Visit his websites: http://www.allthingsfulfilled.com and http://rapture-rap.com
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