Show Us a Sign from Heaven
Consider Matthew 16:1-4
The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Notice that the request is for a sign from heaven.
What kind of sign were they expecting?
What would be a sign from heaven?�
Jesus immediately mentions signs in the heaven that they have already seen—red in the evening and red in the morning—and interprets them according to common lore. When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring.
This is commonly known as: Red at night; sailors delight.
Red in the morning; sailors take warning.
Jesus gives them credit for knowing this, but faults them for not understanding more.
O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
What should they know about signs in the sky?
For He asks: but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
This suggests the signs mentioned are signs of the times. Else why did He mention them? It would be hard to argue he meant some other signs in the heavens are signs of the times, if He only mentioned these.
Jesus also (indirectly) calls them a wicked and adulterous generation by saying, 4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign…,
Which suggests they are too wicked and adulterous to understand the signs they have been given. So the only sign for them will be:
there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.
The sign to be given:
The sign to be given was explained this sign back in Matthew 12:38-40,
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
This sign would not be fully evident to them until Jesus’ resurrection. Furthermore, it would not be a sign from heaven. But notice that it is a sign by typology.
So it seems appropriate to explore the possibility that the red in the sky at evenings and mornings are signs of the times in the heavens the Pharisees failed to discern.
Are red skies at sunset and sunrise signs of the times?
This will not be spelled out directly in the Scriptures, or else the Pharisees and Sadducees would have known it. And Jesus did not spell it out for them (or us), so we will need to do some study to know this.
Proverbs 25:2 says, It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
Revelation 1:5-6 tell us: Jesus Christ … washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father.
We are the ones to search out what God has placed throughout the Scriptures as “hid treasures.” Pr 2:4
We should be able to manage this: …we have the mind of Christ. 1Co 2:16
The sunrise symbolizes the (second) coming of the Messiah.
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 2But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 3And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. Mal 4:1-3
This passage is surely speaking of the coming of the Messiah. He comes in righteousness, with healing for many, and for judgment against the wicked. The symbolism is obvious; He comes as the sun rising.
A number of verses establish this symbolism. Here are several:
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Mt 24:27
This does not directly refer to a sunrise, but it speaks of light coming out of the east and shining all the way across the sky to the west. This indirectly indicates the coming of the Son of man will be like a sunrise.
I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay. Is 41:25
There are more references. We will come back to them.
What about the sunset?
If the sunrise symbolizes Christ’s second coming, the sunset must symbolize His first coming.
These are signs of the times. The two great times to be marked are the two advents of Jesus Christ.
Since it is the sun that rises in the sunrise, it is the sun that typifies Jesus. Jesus claimed: I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9: 4-5
The sun leaves at the sunset and then it is dark. Jesus left when He was crucified, except to appear to various believers.
The sunset symbolizes the crucifixion—a major purpose of the first advent.
Since the crucifixion required the shed blood of Jesus Christ, it is appropriate that a red sunset would symbolize this.
God specifically tells us that he paints the color of blood in the sky.
Peter referenced this in Acts 2:19-20: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
The scripture surely means the moon will be the color of blood, not literally turned to blood, for the moon will continue to exist as a moon after the Lord comes.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened. Ezek 46:1
A red sunset symbolizes the crucifixion.
The Passover lamb was slain in the evening.
For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: 1Co 5:7
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Jo 2:29
Your lamb shall be without blemish, …and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. Ex 12:5-7The Passover lamb typified Jesus Christ in His crucifixion. The Passover lamb as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world was sacrificed in the evening at sunset.
And they put the blood over the door. There was red over their heads like in a sunset.
Jesus Christ died in the evening and shed His blood for us.
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Lu 23:44-46
God paints over us the color of blood in the sky in evening sunsets.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1Pe 1:8-19
The red at sunrise symbolizes blood.
The blood at the second coming will be on Christ’s garments, but it will not be His blood.
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. Is 63:1-4
This is clearly the second coming of the Messiah with garments stained the color red--the color of the blood of the wicked that He will destroy.
This is political map of modern Israel that shows that Bozrah and Edom are east of Israel—actually south-east of most of Israel.
Jesus will come through Bozrah in Edom.
The beauty of the sunrise speaks of Jesus coming again. Red is for the blood of sinners.
So the red sunset and red sunrise are God’s signs in the heavens for the two greatest events on earth—the two advents of Jesus Christ.
So God’s meaning in these signs is for us:
Red at night sinner’s delight;
Your sins have been paid for!
Red in the morning sinners take warning.
The wrath of God will be poured out on sinners not covered by the sacrifice for sin in the first advent.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Jo 3:36
The sun was created first and foremost for signs in the heavens.
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.
Gen 1:14
The first purpose given for the lights in the firmament of heaven is for signs.
Note also that the first mention of signs in the Scripture concerns the lights in the heavens. The first light mentioned is the sun, which typifies Jesus Christ. 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. (v.16)
Note also that the Hebrew day, from creation week on, started in the evening.
And the evening and the morning were the first day. Ge 1:5b So as the sunset comes before the sunrise, so the first coming was before the second coming. And this is the order usually stated--red at night before red in the morning. This also is the order Jesus stated them.
Consider Psalm 19:1-3
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Every day there is a sunrise and a sunset.
It is surely no accident that a red sunset is a good omen. It will be fair weather…. Mt 16:2.
The red sunrise bodes ill for man. It will be foul weather to day… Mt 16:2.
…let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains:…. Joel 2:1-2
This will be a bad day for sinners.
Morning spread upon the mountains
A morning can be gloomy and red at the same time.
The heavens declare the glory of God… Psalm 19
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. Ps 19:4-5
Here the sun is as a bridegroom. Jesus likens Himself to the bridegroom: And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. Mt 9:15
In Revelation 19, Jesus will come to earth following the marriage of the Lamb in heaven—as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber. In v.7, …the marriage of the Lamb is come,…. In v.11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war…. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood….v.13.
… and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. Ps 19:5
Jesus is the strong man that overcomes Satan and takes his house. When Jesus was accused of casting out devils by the power of Satan, he answered:
If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub….When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. Lu 11:13-22
Jesus is the one stronger than Satan. He will have him bound for 1000 years. Re 20: 1-2 --
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.
The heavens declare Christ’s second coming.
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: Ps 19:6
The sun comes forth from the end of heaven as will Jesus Christ in His return.
They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Is 13:5
The symbolism is unmistakable.
The sun symbolizes Jesus Christ. His coming in glory and power is symbolized by the sunrise.
The sunrise and sunset are specifically referenced in Psalm 65:8
They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
People over the whole earth see God saying something great in the magnificence of the sunrise and sunset. This verse says God made these tokens (signs) from heaven to rejoice. Jesus coming to earth in both advents is a time of great rejoicing.
Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Ps 68:1-3
Both advents are connected with rejoicing.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zech 9:9
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Lu 2:10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Is 61:10
Notice the sunrise and sunset are referred to as tokens in Ps 65:8
God refers to the rainbow as a token in Genesis 9:12-13.
And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
The token is a sign God puts in the heavens (in this case with color) to show His dealings with man. The sunrise and sunset are signs God has placed in the heaven to show His relationship with humanity through Jesus Christ.
In Bible typology the Church is in the night.
After the first advent (sunset) and before the second advent (sunrise) is the darkness of night. The moon, the lesser light to rule the night, symbolises the Church, which follows Jesus Christ and reflects His light to a dark world.
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: Ge 1:16
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. Ro 13:12
In Bible typology the Church is in the night.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. 1Pe 1:19
The rapture of the Church will be before the sunrise:
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1Th 5:2
The morning and evening offerings
And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; Num 28:3-4
When the burnt offering was a lamb, …he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar. Lv 1:11
Early every morning and late every evening priests were sprinkling blood.
The morning and evening offerings
As we know by experience the sky is not red every morning or every evening, but whenever the sky was red mornings or evenings, the priest were sprinkling blood on the altar.
Might they not have noticed God was painting the sky the very color of the blood they were sprinkling at the very time they were sprinkling it?
Surely they should have looked for the significance of this and seen more in the heavenly signs than just indications of the weather.
Who put the signs in the heaven?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3
The Pharisees and Sadducees were “tempting” the very One who had placed the signs in the heaven thousands of years earlier that He show them a sign from heaven. Certainly Jesus was justified in being critical of their ignorance of the signs of the times.
When you see a glorious sunrise, you should think of the glory of Jesus Christ returning to earth.
When you see a glorious sunset, you should think of the glory of God, His mercy and grace, manifested toward us through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us in His first advent. Usually there are shades of red in a magnificent sunset.
Red in the sunrise is God’s message to us that the time is coming when it will too late to trust in the blood shed for us at the Christ’s first coming.
So how were the Pharisees to know this?
The Old Testament has many verses that say the Messiah will come as the sunrise. Jesus claiming to be the Messiah did not come as the sunrise.
The kingdom, which Jesus which was offering, was to be characterized by healing-- And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
Is 29:18
When John questioned if Jesus was the coming Messiah, Jesus answered:
The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Mt 11:5
So the Pharisees had signs, but not from heaven.
Maybe they were justified in looking for a sign from heaven. But as the sunrise was to symbolise the coming Messiah, they should have recognized a similarity wit the sunset and assigned meaning to it. Jesus said in Luke 24:44-46:
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.
So the Pharisees had those Scriptures.
Had they been serious in knowing what God was doing, God would have opened their understanding so they would have understood the Scriptures and “the sign of the times.”
They heard Jesus say, I am the light of the world. Jo 8:12
As it was they were too wicked to understand what Jesus indicates they should have understood.
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