Signs of the Approaching End by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 19, 1915

Signs of the Approaching End

By W. A. S.

Part 5. The Falling Stars of 1833

(Concluded)

Other Displays Emphasized the Sign of 1833

We have mentioned the fact that Humboldt had observed an extraordinary fall of meteorites in South America, thirty-three years before, in 1799. And he reported at the time that the oldest inhabitants there had a recollection of a similar display in 1766.

From these reports, scientists deduced the theory that these showers were to be expected every thirty-three years. Hence in 1866 they were watching for a repetition of the 1833 display.

That there was a measure of truth in the deduction was made evident by an unusual fall of meteorites Nov. 14, 1866. This time Europe was the scene of the display. But the event was not to be compared with that of 1833. This appears plainly from the account of observations made by Sir Robert Ball and Lord Rosse, the British astronomers.

Sir Robert Ball says that when the meteors began to fall, he and Lord Rosse went out upon the wall of the observatory housing Lord Rosse’s great reflecting telescope:—

There for the next two or three hours we witnessed a spectacle which can never fade from my memory. The shooting stars gradually increased in number until sometimes several were seen at once.—“Story of the Heavens,” page 379.

Grand as the spectacle was, it was but a reminder, apparently, of the star shower of 1833, when not “several” meteorites fell at a time, nor many, merely, but, as it appeared, “the stars of heaven fell unto the earth.”

However, the spectacle of 1866, which was observed over a great part of the Old World, served to direct renewed attention to the incomparable event of 1833, as well as to the prophetic descriptions of the “wonders in the heavens” (Joel 2:30) which were to appear as the end drew near.

Textbooks and astronomical works thereupon began to count it as fully established that every thirty-three years the displays would be repeated. It was confidently predicted that 1899 would witness a repetition, possibly on the scale of 1833.

Professor Langley’s “New Astronomy” (published in 1888) said: “The great November shower, which is coming once more in this century, and which every reader may hope to see toward 1899, is of particular interest to us as the first whose movements were subject to analysis.” Chamber’s Astronomy (published in 1889) said, “The meteors of November 13 may be expected to reappear with great brilliancy in 1899.”—Vol. I, page 635.

But the November date passed in 1899, and the years have passed; and the wondrous scene of 1833 has not been repeated. Clerke’s “History of Astronomy in the Nineteenth Century” says:—

We can no longer count upon the Leonids [as the meteorites of 1833 were called, because they seemed to fall from a point in the constellation of Leo]. Their glory, for scenic purposes, is departed.—Page 338.

The Lord’s Signal to Watch

Thus the wisest astronomical predictions made shortly before 1899, based upon apparent recurrent regularity of the phenomenon, failed; but the predictions of the sure word of prophecy, set down on the sacred record eighteen centuries before, were fulfilled to the letter. At the close of the days of the predicted tribulation of the church, the signs began to appear—the sun was darkened, the moon withheld its light, and the stars of heaven fell.

The signs came in the order given in Christ’s prophecy, and the series began at the time specified. The record of history bears witness that the Saviour’s prophecy was fulfilled.

It may be that on yet more awful and universal scale these signs will be repeated in that last shaking of the powers of heaven which is to attend the rolling back of the heavens as a scroll, the immediate prelude to Christ’s glorious appearing. But Christ’s prophecy, at this point, was not giving descriptions of scenes of the very end, but signs by which it might be known when the end was drawing near.

As the signs should be recognized, the Saviour understood that those who “love his appearing” would be quickened with hope, and inspired to hasten to the world with the gospel message preparing the way of the Lord. The Lord’s word for his children was,— “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28.

Long ago these signs began to come to pass. Now may the Lord’s believing children well look up and rejoice, knowing that the day of eternal redemption is indeed nigh at hand. W. A. S.