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Luke 21:11 (AMP)
11 “…and there will be sights of terror and great signs from heaven.”

In the Olivet Discourse, Matthew and Mark record warnings about the destruction of the temple, but it is only Luke who adds the specific mention of “terrors” and “great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11). This highlights the significance of the sky and the heavens in conveying divine warnings, a concept familiar to the ancient world, which often viewed celestial phenomena as omens of political and social upheaval.

Luke’s unique recording serves as a timely warning to the disciples: these signs would appear in their generation, just before the fall of Jerusalem. These heavenly disturbances, although extraordinary, were signs meant to warn but also potentially mislead, causing fear and confusion among those who did not understand the true meaning behind them.

Theological Insight #

In Hebrew thought, the heavens often symbolise the authority and sovereignty of God. This connection is found in verses such as Genesis 1:14 where God sets the “lights in the heavens” to mark times and seasons, establishing the heavens as a place where divine action is made visible. The “terrors” and “signs” Jesus speaks of are not just natural occurrences, but significant divine announcements, pointing to the impending judgment of Jerusalem for rejecting the Messiah. However, they would also be a cause of fear and confusion for those who failed to understand the prophecy.

Halley’s Comet: A Heavenly Sign #

One of the most notable celestial phenomena during this period was the appearance of Halley’s Comet. In A.D. 60, this comet appeared during the reign of Nero and became a significant symbol in Roman political culture. As the comet passed through the heavens, many Romans saw it as a forerunner of the upcoming political change, especially regarding Nero’s rule.

Historian Tacitus mentions the comet concerning Nero’s reign, noting that it prompted discussions about the emperor’s future. Nigel Calder, in his book, “The Comet Is Coming,” notes that “as if Nero were already dethroned, men began to ask who might be his successor.” The comet’s appearance instilled fear among the population, prompting Nero to take extreme measures to secure his position, including banishing those associated with his potential rivals (Calder).

A few years later, Halley’s Comet reappeared in A.D. 66, just before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Isaac Asimov suggests that the comet was regarded as an omen of the city’s downfall. The connection between the comet and these pivotal historical events is striking. Asimov’s Guide to Halley’s Comet shows a seventeenth-century print depicting the comet over Jerusalem, with the caption stating: “Halley’s Comet of A.D. 66 shown over Jerusalem… The comet was regarded as an omen predicting the fall of the city to the Romans, which occurred four years later.”

A Heavenly Sword: Josephus’s Account #

The Jewish historian Josephus records other celestial phenomena, including a “star resembling a sword” and a comet that lasted for a whole year. These unusual sightings were interpreted as omens of divine judgment upon the city of Jerusalem. He writes in The Wars of the Jews:

“Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year.” (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 6.5.3)

For Josephus, these signs were warnings of the impending desolation of Jerusalem, but they went largely unheeded by the people. In his words, the people were “infatuated” and “did not regard the denunciations that God made to them.” They failed to see these signs as part of God’s judgment, much like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day had failed to recognise the signs of His first coming.

Additional Prophetic Signs: The Visions in the Sky #

Another notable celestial event occurred, recorded by Tacitus, who described a vision of armies in conflict and shining armour in the sky. Along with this vision, a lightning bolt illuminated the Temple in Jerusalem, and a voice declared that the gods were leaving it, followed by a tumultuous departure. This was a clear sign, both supernatural and terrifying, of God’s presence departing from the Temple before its destruction.

Tacitus records this occurrence in The Histories:

“In the sky appeared a vision of armies in conflict, of glittering armour. A sudden lightning flash from the clouds lit up the Temple. The doors of the holy place abruptly opened, a superhuman voice was heard to declare that the gods were leaving it, and in the same instant came the rushing tumult of their departure.” (Tacitus, The Histories)

This event, combined with the comets and other celestial signs, reinforced the message that divine judgment was near. The Jews of the time, however, did not interpret these signs correctly, leading to their eventual downfall.

Understanding the Signs #

These signs were not merely natural phenomena; they were divinely ordained messages, meant to warn, but also to judge. The heavens, in this context, acted as a mirror to the turmoil on earth, revealing the spiritual condition of Israel and the imminent destruction of the old covenant system. The people of Israel had rejected the Messiah, and the signs in the heavens were clear indicators of God’s displeasure and the beginning of the end for the city and temple.

These heavenly disturbances also fulfilled the prophecy Jesus gave to His disciples in Luke 21:11, which linked the visible signs in the heavens with the impending destruction. The disciples, living in that generation, were warned to be on guard against these signs.

The idea of “terrors” from heaven was not just physical fear, but also spiritual blindness. The people of that time were unable to see the spiritual reality behind these signs, which made them even more significant in the light of God’s final judgment.

Other Strange Phenomena #

Josephus, the Jewish historian, provides a detailed account of a number of strange phenomena that occurred around the time leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem. These events were interpreted as divine signs of impending judgment, though the general populace failed to understand their true significance.

A Great Light Shone Round the Altar  #

Josephus describes a strange phenomenon that occurred during the Feast of Unleavened Bread: a great light appeared around the altar, illuminating the temple as though it were daytime. This light lasted for about half an hour and was seen by many as a good omen. However, the temple’s sacred scribes interpreted it as a forewarning of the events that would soon unfold.

“A great light shone round the altar and the holy house, that it appeared to be bright daytime… This light seemed to be a good sign to the unskillful, but was so interpreted by the sacred scribes as to portend those events that followed immediately upon it.” (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 6.5.3)

A Heifer Brought Forth a Lamb  #

Another strange event occurred when a heifer, being led by the high priest to be sacrificed, gave birth to a lamb in the temple. This unusual birth was seen by some as a sign of divine intervention, though its full significance was not understood by most.

The Eastern Gate Opened of Its Own Accord #

A more ominous sign was the opening of the eastern gate of the temple. This massive gate, which required twenty men to close, opened on its own, despite its secure bolts. While some believed this to be a positive sign, others, particularly the learned men, saw it as a symbolic act, indicating the dissolution of the temple’s security and the coming judgment.

“The eastern gate… was seen to be opened of its own accord… This also appeared to the vulgar to be a very happy prodigy… but the men of learning understood it, that the security of their holy house was dissolved of its own accord.” (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 6.5.3)

Chariots and Soldiers Running in the Clouds #

Perhaps the most dramatic of the recorded phenomena was the appearance of chariots and soldiers in the clouds. These visions of battle were interpreted as divine signs of the coming conflict.

“Before sun-setting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armour were seen running about among the clouds…” (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 6.5.3)

The Quake and the Sound of a Great Multitude #

During the Feast of Pentecost, the priests reported feeling a tremor and hearing a great noise, followed by the sound of a multitude saying, “Let us remove hence.” This strange sound was interpreted by some as the voice of God departing from the temple, further foreshadowing its imminent destruction.

“They heard a sound as of a multitude, saying, ‘Let us remove hence.'” (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 6.5.3)

The Prophetic Cry of Jesus, the Son of Ananus #

Perhaps the most striking of these signs was the prophetic cry of Jesus, the son of Ananus, a man who wandered the streets of Jerusalem crying, “Woe, woe to Jerusalem!”

His message was clear: judgment was coming. Despite enduring severe beatings, he continued his lament for over seven years. His prophecy was fulfilled when, during the siege of Jerusalem, he was struck by a stone and killed just as he uttered his final words: “Woe, woe to the city again, and to the people, and to the holy house!”

“This cry of his was the loudest at the festivals… and just as he added at the last, ‘Woe, woe to myself also! There came a stone out of one of the engines, and smote him, and killed him immediately.'” (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 6.5.3)

Theological Wisdom on the Signs #

Jesus’ Teaching: A Warning to His Disciples #

Jesus was preparing His disciples for the upheaval that would soon occur. He warned them not to be misled by these signs in the heavens or by the disturbances around them.

Instead, He told them that these events were merely the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:8). These words remind us that not every celestial sign or disturbance is a direct message for us today, but rather, they were specific warnings given to the generation living during the time leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem.

While we may not witness the same signs in the heavens as the early disciples did, we can still apply Jesus’ words of caution. We must remain vigilant and discerning in our spiritual walk, not being led astray by signs and wonders that may be misleading.

As believers, we are called to trust in God’s sovereign plan, understanding that what may appear as calamities or crises can be part of God’s larger purposes. Just as Jesus warned His disciples not to be deceived, we too must be cautious of misinterpretations and focus on His ongoing work in us and the world around us.

In Christ,
Godwin.