Have you ever looked up at a blood moon or watched news coverage of devastating hurricanes and wondered if these might be the very signs Jesus spoke about? In Luke 21, Jesus paints a vivid picture of cosmic disturbances and natural calamities that would precede His return. These words have captivated believers for centuries, especially in times when unusual celestial events or increasingly severe weather patterns make headlines. Whether you’ve found yourself scanning the skies in anticipation or feeling a sense of foreboding at natural disasters, Jesus’ prophetic words about “signs in the sun, moon, and stars” and “the sea and the waves roaring” deserve our careful attention—not just for their apocalyptic imagery, but for the profound hope they offer to those who understand their true meaning.
Biblical Insight
In Luke 21:25-28, Jesus says, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
To understand these prophetic words properly, we need to recognize that Jesus was speaking within a rich tradition of apocalyptic imagery familiar to His Jewish audience. This passage echoes prophetic language from the Old Testament, particularly Isaiah 13:10: “The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.” Similar language appears in Joel 2:30-31: “I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of יהוה.” This apocalyptic language was a way of describing cosmic-level disruption that would accompany divine judgment and the establishment of God’s kingdom.
The immediate context of Luke 21 is crucial. Jesus had just predicted the destruction of the Jerusalem temple (which occurred in 70 AD), and His disciples asked when this would happen and what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age. Jesus’ answer spans both near-term events (the destruction of Jerusalem) and end-time events (His glorious return). The celestial signs and raging seas represent both literal physical disturbances in creation and symbolic language indicating the upheaval of earthly powers and nations. In apocalyptic literature, seas often represented the chaotic forces of the world and nations in tumult (see Daniel 7:2-3), while celestial bodies represented earthly authorities and powers. When Jesus speaks of people being “perplexed at the roaring and tossing of the sea,” He’s describing both literal natural disasters and the overwhelming confusion and fear that comes when the world’s systems and powers are shaken to their core.
Practical Wisdom
How should we as believers respond to these words of Jesus today? First, we should maintain a watchful awareness without falling into obsessive speculation. Jesus prefaced these signs by warning about false messiahs and those who would say, “The time is near” (Luke 21:8). Throughout history, Christians have sometimes misinterpreted natural disasters or unusual celestial events as definitive signs of Christ’s imminent return, only to be disappointed. Rather than fixating on specific signs, Jesus calls us to “stand up and lift up your heads” when these things happen—a posture of confidence and expectant hope, not fear.
This passage reminds us that history is moving toward a definite conclusion—the glorious return of our Messiah. While the world may interpret increasing natural disasters or political upheaval as reasons for despair, believers can find hope knowing that God remains sovereign over all creation. These events don’t signal that things are spinning out of control, but rather that God’s plan is unfolding exactly as Jesus foretold. This should inspire us to live with greater urgency and purpose, sharing the gospel and living holy lives in anticipation of His return as Peter urges in 2 Peter 3:11-12: “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”
The practical wisdom here isn’t to become doomsday preppers or to withdraw from society, but to engage more deeply as ambassadors of Christ’s kingdom. When others are “fainting from terror,” we have an opportunity to demonstrate supernatural peace and hope because we know the end of the story. Our confidence isn’t in stable weather patterns or political systems, but in the unchanging promises of our Lord who said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Luke 21:33).
Clearing up misunderstandings
One common misunderstanding is interpreting these signs in an overly literal and immediate sense. Throughout church history, believers have pointed to specific blood moons, solar eclipses, or natural disasters as definitive evidence that the end is imminent. While Jesus did speak of literal signs, the apocalyptic genre often uses cosmic imagery to communicate theological truths rather than merely describing physical phenomena. Just as the prophets used similar language to describe historical judgments (like the fall of Babylon or Egypt), Jesus’ words may have multiple layers of fulfillment—both in historical events like the destruction of Jerusalem and in the ultimate cosmic upheaval preceding His return.
Another misconception is treating these signs as a source of fear rather than hope. Notice Jesus’ conclusion: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” The signs aren’t meant to terrify believers but to encourage us—they confirm that God’s word is trustworthy and that our ultimate deliverance is approaching. Too often, teaching about end-time signs becomes sensationalized or fear-driven, missing Jesus’ central point that these signs should strengthen our faith and inspire hope.
It’s also important to clarify that while Jesus tells us to be watchful, He explicitly stated that “about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32). This should make us very cautious about any teaching that claims to have calculated the exact timing of Christ’s return based on celestial events or world affairs. The proper response to these signs is not calendar-setting but constant readiness through faithful living.
Conclusion
Jesus’ words about signs in the skies and seas aren’t meant to create fear or endless speculation but to nurture hope and vigilance. While we may indeed witness increasingly severe natural phenomena or unusual celestial events in our lifetime, their primary significance isn’t as a cosmic countdown clock but as reminders that this world is temporary and that Christ’s kingdom is eternal. When we see the nations in distress and people overwhelmed with fear about the future, we’re called not to join in their panic but to “stand up and lift up our heads”—living as people of hope who know that history is heading toward the glorious revelation of our Savior.
As we navigate these turbulent times, let’s remember that the same Jesus who predicted these signs also promised, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Rather than being distracted by trying to decode every headline as a potential sign, let’s focus on the clear commands Jesus gave us: to love God and others, to make disciples, and to live as citizens of His kingdom while we await His return. In that faithful preparation, we’ll find ourselves ready whenever He appears in glory.
Did you know?
The Greek word used for “perplexity” in Luke 21:25 is “aporia” (ἀπορία), which literally means “no way out” or “without resources.” It describes a state of complete bewilderment and helplessness when facing overwhelming circumstances. This powerful word appears only once in the entire New Testament, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the distress Jesus was describing. While the world will see no way forward during these times of upheaval, believers are given a completely different perspective—to look up because our redemption draws near!
