The powers of heaven are the sun, the moon, and the stars.
“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: He made the stars also.” Genesis 1:14, 16.
“The powers of heaven are the sun, moon, and stars. They rule in the heavens. The powers of earth are those that rule on the earth. The powers of heaven will be shaken at the voice of God. Then the sun, moon, and stars will be moved out of their places. They will not pass away, but be shaken by the voice of God.” –Early Writings, p. 41
The powers of heaven as read in Genesis 1:14 above were created: (i) To Separate the day from the night; (ii) To regulate Times and Seasons. “He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.” Psalms 104:19. “And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.” Genesis 1:19; (iii) To be for Signs: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.” Luke 21:25
These powers have been employed in a number of passages to portray certain significant messages to us. In the book of Revelation, John saw these powers applied in what was a great wonder [sign] that appeared in the sky. “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” Revelation 12:1 ESV
It is common knowledge that a woman represents the church (2 Corinthians 11:2), the pure woman—God’s church on earth. She [the church] has existed from Eden to the birth of Christ, (The Old Testament) and after Christ, will exist to the close of time (The New Testament)—the gospel age. Thus, in the verse above is represented the church in the Mosaic, typical service as symbolized by the moon, and the gospel era as symbolized by the sun.
The Mosaic era borrowed its light from the gospel era, as the events during that time were only a type of what was to happen in the gospel era. It was only but a reflection of real things to come! A fitting illustration is here used. The sun gives its light to the moon for it to shine at night. The stars which are part of the powers of heaven, here used in the verse, fitly apply to the twelve apostles, who became the first leaders in the gospel age. They too acted from the light which had then been fully revealed—Jesus Christ—the light of the world (John 8:12).
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief corner stone.” Ephesians 2:20
“But there is One who stands higher than they. We can trace the line of the world’s teachers as far back as human records extend; but the Light was before them. As the moon and the stars of our solar system shine by the reflected light of the sun, so, as far as their teaching is true, do the world’s great thinkers reflect the rays of the Sun of Righteousness. Every gleam of thought, every flash of the intellect, is from the Light of the world.” –Education, p. 13
Through the first advent of Christ, His life ministry, sacrifice and resurrection, the gospel age was concretely established, and the Mosaic era and its typical services perfectly ratified.
“And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:27–28 (Hebrews 10:1–12)
The beautiful symbol of a pure woman (Revelation 12:1) is a representation of what the church of God should be today. The apostle Paul shows Christ’s objective for the church:
“That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but it should be holy without blemish.” Ephesians 5:26–27. After being redeemed from the earth, John in vision saw their state. “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:13–14
While on earth, they had followed Jesus wherever He led them, they learned of Him, and they have been presented “faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24) and they are to follow Him forever in eternity (Revelation 14:4).
Our Grave Danger
“Then began He to upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which had been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. ” Matthew 11:20–24
We who are living this side of this earth’s history (the closing part of the gospel era) are privileged to have great light from both the Old and New Testaments. As reformers, upon us shines the light of all ages. The in-depth truth constantly expounded before us, and the great manifestations of God’s love, the miracles in our lives, all attest to the fact. But, like the people of Chorazin, and Bethsaida, many have been indolent and have gotten used to the word. Others have been seized with unspeakable spiritual lethargy. Spiritual growth is on a standstill; there is no change, no repentance towards God and faith in the redeeming love of Christ. It is in view of this that it must be remembered: the greater the light and privilege(s) given, the greater the expectation from us and our responsibility to God.
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:48
The Jews, the Pharisees, the rabbis, and the teachers of the law knew the will of God but did not do it. Like unto them, the Bible admonishes us:
“In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?” Romans 2:16–23 NKJV
If we neglect character purification, which comes with practice of all the lines of truth that we know, our condemnation and punishment will be far greater than those with less or no light.
“And that servant which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.” Luke 12:47, 48 first part
Christ knows the nature of the judgment to be given to every man. For judgment has been committed unto Him by the Father. “For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.” John 5:26–27
In vision Sister White saw the execution of the sentence. She saw that the wicked suffered punishment varying in
duration and intensity.
“Satan rushes into the midst of his followers and tries to stir up the multitude to action. But fire from God out of heaven is rained upon them, and the great men, and mighty men, the noble, the poor and miserable, are all consumed together. I saw that some were quickly destroyed, while others suffered longer. They were punished according to the deeds done in the body. Some were many days consuming, and just as long as there was a portion of them unconsumed, all the sense of suffering remained. Said the angel, ‘The worm of life shall not die; their fire shall not be quenched as long as there is the least particle for it to prey upon.’” –Early Writings, p. 294
The Children of Darkness and the Children of the Day
The powers of heaven separate the day from the night. Night is a symbol of wickedness. The day stands for right living. The children of darkness revel in riotousness, and careless living, debased morals, indulgence of appetite and all such things. We, also, were sometime back in the same conversation, but now are called to purity and a chaste life in Christ Jesus.
“And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Ephesians 2:1–5; 5:1–8; 4:22–23
“What say the testimonies concerning these things? Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel. The prevalence of a sinful desire shows the delusion of the soul. Every indulgence of that desire strengthens the soul’s aversion to God. The pains of duty and the pleasures of sin are the cords with which Satan binds men in his snares. Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found faithful.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 53
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, And Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:11–16
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:11–14
We must train our mind and thoughts to constantly dwell upon heavenly things which are of eternal nature. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20
Jesus’ Final Call
“But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him.” “Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide Himself from them.” John 12:37, 35–36. Amen.
Joel Msiska,
Malawi