“And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.” Same verse, latter part.
Note.—This refers to the dark day and night of May 19, 1780, when the darkness and gloom were such as to give the general impression that the day of judgment was at hand. See readings on pages [311], [319].
13. What other event is mentioned under this seal?
“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.” Verse 13.
Notes.—This was fulfilled in the wonderful meteoric shower of Nov. 13, 1833. Describing the scene in the vicinity of Niagara Falls, one writer says: “No spectacle so terribly grand and sublime was ever before beheld by man as that of the firmament descending in fiery torrents over the dark and roaring cataract.”—“Our First Century,” page 330; also The American Cyclopedia, edition 1881, article “Meteor.” See readings just referred to.
A contributor, writing for the Journal of Commerce of Nov. 14, 1833, in regard to the falling stars of Nov. 13, 1833, said: “Were I to hunt through nature for a simile, I could not find one so apt to illustrate the appearance of the heavens as that which St. John uses in the prophecy. The falling stars did not come as if from several trees shaken, but as from one; those which appeared in the east, fell toward the east; those which appeared in the west, fell toward the west; and those which appeared in the south, fell toward the south. And they fell not as the ripe fruit falls,—far from it,—but they flew, they were cast, like the unripe fruit which at first refuses to leave the branch; and when, under a violent pressure, it does break its hold, it flies swiftly, straight off, descending; and in the multitude falling, some cross the track of others, as they are thrown with more or less force; but each one falls on its own side of the tree.” See page [321].
14. What is the next event mentioned in the prophecy?
“And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; [pg 288] and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” Verse 14.
Note.—This event is still future, and will take place in connection with Christ's second coming. We are now standing between the two events,—the last of the signs in the heavens, and the parting of the heavens and removal of earthly things out of their places. The great signs here mentioned which mark the approach of Christ's second coming and the dissolution of all earthly things, are all in the past, and the world awaits the sound of the last trump as the closing scene in earth's drama.
15. How will this great event affect the world?