Wonders in the Heavens-Increase Mather’s Testimony-J. B. Felt’s Testimony-Testimony of Willard’s History-Aurora in 1789-Aurora of Jan. 25, 1837-Aurora in London, 1839-Aurora of Nov. 14, 1837-Aurora of March, 1852-Aurora in Australia in 1900 and 1909

IN the prophecy of Joel there are presented events which, in their fulfilment, betoken the near approach of the great day of the Lord. “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” ^{1Joel 2:1.}LDT 15.1

Among the events to transpire, as the great day approaches, the prophet speaks of that which he compares to the unrestrained march of a devastating army. This army the Lord designates as the locust, canker-worm, caterpillar, and the palmer-worm. ^{2Joel 2:2-11, 25.} Before these destructive agencies come upon the land, He says, it “is as the Garden of Eden,” but “behind them a desolate wilderness.” ^{3Joel 2:3.} This is undoubtedly in the time mentioned by the prophet Isaiah when he says, “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth.” ^{4Isaiah 24:5, 6.}LDT 15.2

These visitations of the curse, as we approach the end, are the visible evidences that the earth and atmospheric heavens are waxing old as does a garment, and that they are soon to be folded up and changed. ^{5Hebrews 1:11.}LDT 15.3

While the curse is thus resting more heavily upon the earth, the prophet shows that earthquakes will increase, and the signs appear which our Saviour said would show that His coming was even “at the door.” He says: “The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: and the Lord shall utter His voice before His army: for His camp is very great: for He is strong that executeth His word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” ^{6Joel 2:10, 11.}LDT 16.1

In comparing the above with the language respecting the sixth seal, there is seen a striking similarity both as to the events introduced and as to the question raised. Here are the signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and then as the voice of God shakes the heavens and the earth, and rocks are flying in every direction, men call to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” ^{7Revelation 6:16, 17.}LDT 16.2

This “voice of God” before His army, which rends mountains, is in that time when the seventh and last plague is poured out, and Christ comes to a warned yet unprepared world as a thief in the night. ^{8Revelation 16:15-21.}LDT 16.3

The prophet Joel proceeds to show the necessity of an earnest, humble seeking of God, a rending of the heart before Him, and that to such He will give the “latter rain” of His Spirit-the same that the apostle James declares the Lord is waiting to bestow upon His people when “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” ^{9James 5:7, 8.} Having carried us past this “latter rain,” the prophet presents the final consummation in these words: “My people shall never be ashamed.” ^{10Joel 2:27.}LDT 16.4

The prophet then refers back to that prediction which the apostle Peter said began its fulfilment on the day of Pentecost, ^{11Acts 2:16.} and carries us down to the “great day of the Lord” again: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit. And I will showLDT 17.1

COMING AS A THIEF

WONDERS IN THE HEAVENS