In what sense, and at what time, do you think that the stars shall withdraw their shining, as expressed in Joel 3:15? D. W. C. M.
We do not know how this will be manifest. It seems clearly evident, however, that it is literal, that it comes at a time right in connection with the ushering in of the day of God. Clearly it seems to us that it does not refer to the dark day of May 19, 1780, foretold in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, or referred to in Joel 2:31. They are signs of His coming, but the darkening of the third chapter seems to have reference to the great cumulating events which usher in the day of God, which come right in connection with the close of probation. This seems taught in Isa. 13:9, 10: "Behold, the day of Jehovah cometh, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger. . . . For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in its going forth, and the moon shall not cause its light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil," etc. The events predicted we understand are literal, the time right in connection with the ushering in of the day of God; but just how it will be brought about, or the manner of the manifestation, we do not know.
