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NOTE: This article or series has not been updated recently. As such, it may possibly contain some outdated information, and/or ideas and beliefs which I no longer embrace, or which have changed to some degree.

Universal Laws of Physics Unravel

So to reiterate, when the Lord says that "the powers of the heavens shall be shaken" just prior to His Return, it sounds like something very major to me. My impression is that the very physical laws of the Universe are going to unravel; and that whereas before everything was kept in its proper place, chaos is going to break out. This would certainly explain how the stars will fall from heaven. Let us not forget that Jesus said that people's hearts will be failing them for fear, as a result of the things which are coming upon the Earth, as a result of God's Wrath being meted out against them. So in my opinion, the Lord must be indicating certain events which will totally shock and scare the world.

In my view, it just does not make sense that in this modern age of science and technology, where most people understand at least the basic mechanics of the phases of the Moon, as well as the nature of lunar and solar eclipses, anyone is going to become alarmed by a solar or a lunar eclipse, or a new moon. So again, the powers of the heavens being shaken must imply more, much more. Let me remind you yet again that the Bible describes great global destruction coming upon the Earth in the years ahead, which, as we have seen, will be a result of God's Wrath being poured out upon the rebellious inhabitants of the same.

Life Expectancy and Phases of the Sun

In part one we discussed the Sun, and the dangers which are posed by Solar Flares. At this point in our discussion, we are going to delve deeper into the actual mechanics of the Sun, and examine possible future scenarios, as they pertain to the aging of a star, and the potential fate of the Earth.

According to astronomers, the life expectancy of the Sun as a main sequence star is about ten billion years. They believe that at this current time, it still contains enough hydrogen to fuel its nuclear fusion process for another five billion years or so. At that time, some five billion years from now, hydrogen fusion will be replaced by helium fusion, and our Sun will convert into a Red Giant, whereas now it is referred to as a Yellow Dwarf. One by-product of this ongoing stellar process is that the Sun's radius will expand about two hundred and fifty times beyond its current radius. Obviously, this is bad news for the Earth. However, at the same time, computer models indicate that these same solar processes will result in the Sun losing about thirty per cent of its present mass, which in effect will cause the orbit of the planets to move outward.

Astrophysicists Say Planet Earth is Doomed

Despite the fact that according to computer simulations, the Sun will eventually lose about thirty per cent of its current mass during its Red Giant phase, this still does not take our planet out of harm's way. The truth of the matter is that if we accept what astrophysicists are now telling us, as well as what computer models are revealing to us, it seems that we are doomed no matter how we choose to look at it; or to be more accurate, far-future generations of humans are doomed. On the "Sun" page, under the "Life Cycle" subtopic, the Wikipedia website has this to say:

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"If it were only for this, Earth would probably be spared, but new research suggests that Earth will be swallowed by the Sun owing to tidal interactions. Even if Earth would escape incineration in the Sun, still, all its water will be boiled away, and most of its atmosphere would escape into space. Even during its current life in the main sequence, the Sun is gradually becoming more luminous (about 10% every 1 billion years), and its surface temperature is slowly rising . . . The increase in solar temperatures is such, that in about another billion years the surface of the Earth will likely become too hot for liquid water to exist, ending all terrestrial life."

"Following the red giant phase, intense thermal pulsations will cause the Sun to throw off its outer layers, forming a planetary nebula. The only object that will remain after the outer layers are ejected is the extremely hot stellar core, which will slowly cool and fade as a white dwarf over many billions of years."

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In short, the Bible is not the only source that predicts the destruction of the Earth. Even modern science does as well. Of course, the difference is that modern astrophysics and astronomy attribute the destruction of our planet to natural forces working in the Universe, whereas the Bible plainly tells us that in reality, it is a result of the Wrath of God.

Arrogance of Modern Science

It is important that you understand that what I just shared with you is based upon questionable computer models, and the current perspective of the scientific community. It is not based upon God's Word, or upon God's Perspective. While my words will no doubt be offensive to some people who embrace the scientific point of view, I believe that it is ludicrous, as well as arrogant, for man to even begin to think that he possesses an understanding of how God's Universe operates. Furthermore, I think it is foolish to even attempt to assign time frames to events which may be millions or billions of years into the future, assuming that they will ever happen at all. Not only that, but God alone is the One who determines when things begin, as well as when they will end. Once again I am reminded of the following verses:

"I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past."


"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:"

Our Desire to Know and to Understand

Don't misunderstand me. It is by no means my goal to downplay scientific research and discovery. Most of us are intrigued by the mysteries of the Universe. We want to know what is out there, and we desire to understand how it works. Of course, I am no different. I remain totally awed by the vastness of the Universe, and I truly marvel when I view images of what man's telescopes, probes and other exploratory space vehicles have already discovered out there.

However, when we attempt to apply our limited thinking and understanding to what God has already done, or to what He may do at some point in the far future, and then make such definitive statements as if we really know, is it possible that we are stepping a bit beyond our bounds? Only God knows exactly how long He has ordained a particular star to shine, and to give light and life to a planet, because only He has been there since the very beginning, and only He set things in motion. Again, the Prophet Isaiah writes:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."


My point in sharing all of this with you is simply this: As I noted in part two, in spite of his scientific knowledge, and the things which man has learned regarding our immediate neighborhood in Outer Space, when the earth-shaking events of the Endtime begin to occur, particularly those things which will transpire right before the Return of Jesus Christ, the people of this Earth will for the most part be caught totally off-guard. All of their science will not have predicted or anticipated what is going to occur. As a result, they will be terribly frightened, and no government-sponsored initiatives will be able to change that.

Will the Sun Contract into a Black Hole?

Please consider the following: Astronomers claim that our Sun still has billions of years of life remaining, but what if their computer models are wrong? What if by God's Design and Foreknowledge, the nuclear fuel of our Sun -- hydrogen -- is suddenly and unexpectedly depleted; and rather than progress to its next phase of existence as a Red Giant which is fueled by helium, something totally unexpected occurs? What if the internal equilibrium is breached, and rather than a temporary contraction of the core, gravitational collapse ensues, and our Sun is in fact converted into a powerful black hole?

No doubt some astronomers and astrophysicists will scoff at such a notion, and will claim that our Sun does not possess the mass which is required for this to occur. To those of you who think this way, how do you know? Are you God? Did you create the Sun? Do you know the future that He has planned for it, as well as for us? Are you so arrogant as to think that your science and computer models trump God's Will? Do you think that He must bend to your questionable theories and speculations regarding the Universe which He created?

While we all must recognize that formulating theories is an essential step to new discoveries, we must also be careful that, as a result of our pride and arrogance, we don't make the mistake of erroneously presenting such theories as solid scientific fact, before they truly merit such an honorable classification. It seems evident to me that at this current time, this is precisely what is happening. There is so much scientific information available nowadays which people have been led to accept as proven fact, when in reality, it still belongs in the realm of theory and personal speculation.

I believe that this may be particularly true when we discuss long-term events, such as those which are related to sciences such as astronomy and astrophysics. Again, we must not allow our pride and arrogance to make assertions for which there is no clear, indisputable evidence. No one truly knows how old the Earth is. No one truly knows how old the Sun is. No one truly knows how old the Milky Way Galaxy is. No one knows how old the Universe is. Except God Himself. So let's stop trying to dictate how God's Universe must operate, based upon the limitations of our own finite and imperfect minds.

Kingdom of the Beast Full of Darkness

As many of you will already know, the gravity field of a black hole is believed to be so great, that nothing escapes its grasp, not even light. That is precisely the point that I wish to make. As we have already seen, the Bible clearly informs us that at the time of Christ's Return, the Sun will be darkened, and the Moon will no longer give her light. We are also told that the kingdom of the Beast will be full of darkness, and that people will gnaw their tongues for pain. It is clear then that it is going to become extremely dark. Exactly for how long I honestly do not know; but if it is for an extended period of time, what that also means is that it will also become extremely cold. If this were to occur in the middle of dead winter, the situation would be even worse for those people affected by it.

So rather than a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse occurring, is it possible that Jesus was implying something else; that is, something more permanent, such as the Sun turning into a black hole, which absorbs rather than emits light? Of course, I honestly don't know the answer to this question, but I do view it as one interesting possibility. If the Lord was able to "turn on" the Sun and the Moon at the dawn of Creation, He is most certainly capable of turning them off as well if it suits His Divine Purposes, such as when it is time to cast the kingdom of the Beast into total darkness.

Total Electronic Blackout

While I have presented the previous theoretical scenario to explain how the Sun and the Moon may possibly be darkened, and why the kingdom of the Beast will be full of darkness, there are a few other possible explanations to consider.

If we stop to consider the modern age in which we live, and in particular, how we all depend so much on electricity and a plethora of electronic devices, the fact that the kingdom of the Beast will be full of darkness could be implying that there will be a total electronic blackout. Imagine yourself without your precious iPhone -- oh dread! -- or your spiffy computer, or telephone services, or water flowing into your home, or gasoline for your car because pumps aren't working. Now imagine millions or billions of other people in the very same situation. Worse yet, imagine that this occurs for an extended period of time with no apparent relief in sight.

What can we expect? National or global freak out! But don't worry; because by the time that we reach this point in God's Divine Timeline, the aforementioned great global earthquake will have already occurred, and most -- if not all -- of the aforementioned services will have already been wiped out. It is important that you are on the Right Side when that occurs.

Coronal Mass Ejections

How might this happen? One possibility which has occurred to me is a Coronal Mass Ejection of unprecedented proportions which, similar to an electromagnetic pulse weapon -- such as an atomic bomb being exploded in the atmosphere above the Earth -- would knock out all electronic equipment, leaving a large part of the world in absolute total darkness. If movie producers can create such effects in their cinematographic productions, how much more can the great God of the Universe create them in real life if He so pleases, such as when it comes time to judge the violent kingdom of the Beast?

For those of you who may not be familiar with them, a Coronal Mass Ejection -- or CME -- is a massive burst of plasma and electromagnetic radiation from the Sun. When these powerful bursts reach the Earth, and interact with the magnetosphere, in addition to causing Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis, they can also disrupt radio transmissions, as well as cause extensive damage to satellites and electrical transmission systems, resulting in potentially massive and long-lasting power outages.

As you will no doubt notice, the effects of a Coronal Mass Ejection are very similar to those which result from a Solar Flare. To be honest, I am not certain what the difference is between these two solar-related phenomena. While the online sources I examined state that they are related in some way, they don't seem to specify how they are related; or perhaps the science is simply too profound for my limited personal understanding. I am even wondering if Coronal Mass Ejection and Solar Flare are simply two different terms which describe the very same solar event.

If you are reading this series online, below you can see an animation of a Coronal Mass Ejection which occurred September 30 to October 1, 2001. In this animation, our solar disc -- the Sun -- is concealed behind the coronagraph's mask in the center of the animation. Masking becomes necessary in order to acquire images of the outer layers of the Sun, such as the corona. In similar fashion, if one uses the right kind of equipment when a total solar eclipse occurs, he can observe the corona during the brief period of darkness. Notice the burst in the lower right corner of the animation.

Ancient Egypt and Gross Darkness

While I have offered a few scientific possibilities in order to explain how this Endtime darkness might occur, there is one other explanation worthy of our consideration, and that is this: If we consider that God is the Creator of the entire Universe, and that all things were made by Him, and are thus subject to His Will and Laws -- both spiritual and physical -- then it becomes obvious that He can simply make it happen, simply by speaking the word.

For example, similar to what we read about the kingdom of the Endtime Beast being full of darkness, in the Old Testament we also learn that one of the plagues of Egypt was that the Lord sent three days of darkness by the hand of His servant Moses. In fact, the darkness was so thick -- or gross -- that we are told that the Egyptians had to grope around in order to find their way. In the following verses where we see the phrase "even darkness which may be felt", the word "felt" finds its origin in the Hebrew word "mashash" which means to feel or to grope:

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings."


What I also find interesting is the fact that this was a very selective kind of darkness. It was obviously not a natural darkness. How could it be, if the Egyptians were affected by it, while the Israelites were not? Is it possible that the darkness which will fill the kingdom of the Beast will be a similar kind of gross darkness? Speaking of gross darkness, consider these verses which just now came to me:

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee."


In the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah we also find this verse:

"Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness."

Sun Moon and Stars Are Darkened

That God can somehow create selective darkness is likewise revealed in the following verse that is found in the Book of Revelation, which we discussed earlier:

"And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise."


We can easily attribute a third part of the Sun being smitten to a partial solar eclipse. In similar fashion, we can also attribute a third part of the Moon being darkened to a partial lunar eclipse as well. However, what explanation can we offer for a third part of the stars being darkened, or for a third part of the day and the night being darkened as well? Please note that, as with today, in the Bible a full twenty-four day is divided into two twelve-hour periods. This becomes clear when we read what Jesus had to say in the Gospel of John:

"Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world."


Taking this point into consideration, this seems to indicate that the Book of Revelation is telling us that four hours of natural daylight will somehow be lost, and that the Moon will likewise not shine for four hours during the night as well. If these are two successive occurrences, could the previous verse possibly be signifying an eight-hour-long event?

Satan and Fallen Angels Cast to the Earth

Regardless of how we choose to look at this issue, there is no logical, scientific way to explain this mystery. There is simply no natural, astronomical way for a third of the stars to just suddenly blink out of existence. Therefore, I must conclude that this will be a supernatural occurrence which only God Himself will be able to perform, or at least allow to occur.

As I discussed in part one, what I find interesting is the fact that just as we are told in the previous verse that a third of the stars will be darkened, Satan will also cast a third part of the stars to the Earth as well; meaning, I believe, the Fallen Angels who side with him in his battle against Michael the Archangel. Allow me to share those key verses with you again:

"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth . . . And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."


As I mentioned earlier in this series, the problem that I see with assuming that the stars which fall from heaven in Matthew 24:29 are the same stars -- or Fallen Angels -- who accompany Satan in the previous verses from Revelation, is that in His same remarks, Jesus also mentions both the Sun and the Moon being darkened as well. This seems to imply, at least in my view, that He is referring to real, physical stars. However, upon further contemplation, I have realized that there is one possible way to bring a certain degree of harmony to these various verses. First, let's consider the verses again altogether:

"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:"


"And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise."


"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth . . . And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

Genesis 6 and the Book of Enoch

The idea I am about to share with you is a rather esoteric personal theory. I will leave it up to you to determine its merit. As I first asked in my 1997 article entitled "Hell and the Lake of Fire", is it possible that up until a time in our recent history -- and maybe even now -- the majority of the evil spirits and Fallen Angels who follow Satan have been kept at bay in the darkness of Outer Space, beyond the Earth's atmosphere, perhaps even as far away as the outer fringes of our Solar System? Before you outright dismiss this possibility, please consider the following verses:

"And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day . . . Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever."


As you may know, I have sometimes used the first verse when discussing the rebellious Sons of God -- or Fallen Angels -- who sinned in Genesis chapter six, and who I believe are now imprisoned deep in the bowels of the Earth, waiting for their time of judgment by the Lord. You will notice that the first verse specifically states "under darkness". However, please also notice that the second verse refers to "wandering stars" and the "blackness of darkness". In other words, it seems to be implying Outer Space, as opposed to under the Earth. As I mention in the article "The Book of Enoch: Truth or Heresy", as well as in the series "Nephilim: The Giants of Genesis", according to the Book of Enoch, about two hundred Fallen Angels took part in the rebellion which occurred in Genesis chapter six. These are the evil entities who I believe are now abiding their time -- in prison -- inside the Earth.

Considering then that a full third of the Angels are cast out of Heaven with Satan in the twelfth chapter of the Book of Revelation, is it possible that the Bible and the Book of Enoch are actually discussing two different groups of Angels; that is, one small group of two hundred which currently finds itself imprisoned in the Earth by the Lord's command; and a second group -- still in the heavens -- who will be cast to the Earth -- along with Satan -- at some unspecified future date?

Father of Lights, Sun, Buckler and Shield

If we are willing to consider this possibility, is it also possible that the physical mechanism which God has chosen to use to keep this larger group of Fallen Angels at bay -- at least for now -- is the very powerhouse of light that we call the Sun? "What?!" you say, "Surely you must be joking! That is the most outlandish thing I have ever heard!" Perhaps so, but please consider the following: As you may know, within the Christian religion -- as well as in many other religions -- the Sun is used as a symbol to represent God. Even in the Bible, King David made a metaphorical reference to this fact in the Book of Psalms, as we see here:

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."


The idea of King David referring to God as the physical Sun should really come as no surprise to us. As I have mentioned before, in the New Testament, the Apostle James makes a very similar statement with the following:

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."


Doesn't the phrase "Father of Lights" remind you of the Sun? I discuss this topic more at length in such articles as "The Children of Light: Are You One of Us" and "This Little Light, Glory of the Lord and Our Bright Future". I think you will find them quite inspiring to read.

But please take note of the other descriptive word that King David uses to describe God in the previous verse from the Book of Psalms: shield. This word "shield" is derived from the Hebrew "magen", which signifies a shield or buckler, and a means of defence. King David uses this same terminology in his eighteenth Psalm where he writes the following:

"As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him . . . Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great."


In the previous two verses, the words "buckler" and "shield" are derived from the very same Hebrew word "magen". In fact, for those of you who may not be aware of it, in the Hebrew language, the six-pointed Star of David -- which is also referred to as the Shield of David -- is called the "Magen David". So as you can see, for many centuries the Jews have used a six-pointed star to symbolize God, and James refers to God as the "Father of Lights" in His Epistle as well. But there is more.

Please go to part four for the continuation of this series.

⇒ Go To The Next Part . . .

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