End Times-

putting the pieces in place

by Sonny Bowman

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Appendix D

Signs in the Sun, Moon, and Stars

Matthew 24:29 (NKJV) "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Certain signs in the sun, moon, and stars provide important information establishing the time relationship between the Great Tribulation, Rapture, and Wrath of God. These particular signs are described in several passages in the Bible. In each Scripture passage listed in the following table, the descriptions of these signs are virtually identical. Each passage refers to the same event during the End Times and thus serves as a type of signpost or interlocking puzzle piece for determining relative timing of one set of Scriptures to another. For example if event A follows the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and event B precedes the signs, then event B must precede event A. Since this particular set of signs is described in relationship to the Great Tribulation, Rapture, and Wrath of God, the relative sequence of these three events can be determined.

The second table provides a detailed comparison between two of the passages listed in the first chart (Mat. 24:29-31 and Rev. 6:12 to 11:19). These two passages are especially important and are compared in more detail to show that they describe the same event.

As shown in this second table, the passage in Matthew reveals that the Great Tribulation precedes the signs in the sun, moon, and stars. This passage also shows that the gathering of God’s people follows immediately after these signs. The passage in Revelation reveals that the Wrath of God follows the signs in the sun, moon, and stars. Therefore, these signs provide a key that reveals the time relationship between the Great Tribulation, Rapture, and Wrath of God.

The two passages listed in the next table describe the same future event when they detail the signs in the sun, moon, stars, etc. This means both passages are describing the same time period during the End Times. By lining up the descriptions at the points where they are the same (as in this table) an overall view of the relationship (sequence) of the Great Tribulation, Rapture, and Wrath of God can be seen. Following is a chronological list of these events as derived from these two Scripture passages.

1. The time of great tribulation. (Mat. 24:21,29)

2. Sixth seal is broken. (Rev. 6:12)

3. Signs in the sun, moon, stars, and sky—the signpost (Mat. 24:29; Rev. 6:12-14)

4. All people will see the sign of the Son of Man in the sky. (Mat. 24:30; Rev. 6:16)

5. The people of the world mourn because they realize that God is about to pour out His wrath in judgment against them. (Mat. 24:30; Rev. 6:15-16)

6. Jesus comes on the clouds. (Mat. 24:30)

7. Jesus sends His angels to gather His Church. (Mat. 24:31)

8. Wrath held off until 144,000 sealed (protected) (Rev. 7:1-8)

9. The people of God stand before the throne of God in Heaven (they have come out of the Great Tribulation). (Rev. 7:9-17)

10. God pours out His wrath in the form of seven plagues on the inhabitants of the earth. (Rev. 8:6 to 11:19)

In summary, the relationships of certain end-time events to other events can be determined from their relative relationships to the signs in the sun, moon, and stars. The Great Tribulation will be followed by the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, which will be followed by the Rapture which will then be followed by the Wrath of God. Each occurrence of the description of the signs in the sun, moon, and stars (as listed in the tables above) forms a helpful interlocking puzzle piece. This interlocking piece is a reference point showing how far down the road of prophecy a particular event is in relation to other events.

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End Times - putting the pieces in place

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

NKJV indicates quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

KJV indicates quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Numbers associated with Greek (italic) or Hebrew (upright) words refer to the corresponding words in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D.

Please make copies of this book to give to your friends. (A searchable and printable version in Adobe Acrobat format is available for download.) Your comments and suggestion are also welcome. Thank you for helping others to understand the Bible teachings on the End Times.

God bless you.

Sonny Bowman

If you have questions or comments, please contact Sonny Bowman.