Return of the King - Signs in the Sky

They will be killed by the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21:24

“Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars…” Luke 21:25

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2

Jupiter: “The King Planet”
Regulus: “The King Star”
Leo: “The King Constellation”

“Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars…” Luke 21:25

“…the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
Matthew 24:29

Four cosmic events that foreshadow the end of days.
1) “The sun will be darkened.”
= solar eclipse.
2) “The moon will not shed its
light.” = lunar eclipse.
3) “Stars will fall from the sky.”
= meteor shower/comets
4) “the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” = angels and demons

ECLIPSES
solar eclipses —> Gentile nation
lunar eclipses —>Jewish nation

Signs in the Skies
(Matthew 24:29-31)
1.There will be solar eclipses – v. 29a.

August 21, 2017
June 8, 1918
November 30, 1776

next solar eclipse-April 8, 2024

2017 eclipse : west to east
2024 eclipse : east to west

2.There will be lunar eclipses – v. 29b.

I will display wonders in the heavens and on the earth:
blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. Joel 2:30-31

4 times - 500 years
4 blood moons lining up = “tetrad”

1) 1492 and 1493
2) 1949 and 1950
3) 1967 and 1968
4) 2014 and 2015

3.There will be meteors or comets – v. 29c.

4.The powers of the heavens will be shaken – v. 29d.

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of the earth will mourn; and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. Matthew 24:30-31

5. The Son of Man will come on clouds of heaven – v. 30.
6. There will be angelic trumpeting – v. 31a.
7. He will gather the elect – v. 31b.


“Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize that he is near—at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

“Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son —except the Father alone. As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. This is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be.

Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding grain with a hand mill; one will be taken and one left.Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. Matthew 24:32-47

Warnings from the Fig Tree

1.Those who are looking will see the signs – v. 32a.
2.Jesus will return within that generation – v. 34.
3.He will come on a day no one knows – v. 36.
4.Those who are not looking will not be ready – v. 39.
5.We should be constantly watching for Him – v. 42.
6.He told us to be ready – v. 44.

How do you make sure you’re ready for Jesus’ return?

Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. Matthew 24:46-47

7.Those doing their job when He returns will reap a great reward – vs. 46-47.

This is God’s word for you today. Do you receive it?

PRAYER
If so, pray this prayer out loud after me:

We are looking for You Lord Jesus.
Our eyes are on the skies!
Use me until You come.
Use me to build Your community, the church.
Find me faithful to Your cause today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Benediction
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11