29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 KJV)
The Coming of the Son of Man
Some believe the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars refers to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation, symbolizing the collapse of their state and the confusion that followed. Similar imagery in the Old Testament describes great slaughter and devastation (Isaiah 13:10; Ezekiel 32:7; Joel 2:31). The sign of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:30) represents his power and justice in avenging his own blood, while the gathering of the elect (Matthew 24:31) signifies the deliverance of a remnant from destruction.
However, this more clearly refers to Christ’s second coming. The destruction of specific enemies of the church foreshadowed the final conquest of all enemies. Since Christ was answering a question about his return at the end of the world, it is unnecessary to force alternate interpretations.
Though it says “immediately after the tribulation of those days,” this is in the prophetic style, where great and certain events are spoken of as near. Enoch spoke of Christ’s coming as imminent (Jude 14), and to God, “a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8). The tribulation of those days includes not only Jerusalem’s destruction but all the church’s trials. When the church’s suffering is over, then the end will come.
At Christ’s second coming, a great and amazing change will take place in creation. The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. The stars will fall, and the powers of heaven will be shaken (Matthew 24:29). This indicates a transformation leading to the renewal of all things (Psalm 102:26; 2 Peter 3:10-13). It will be visible to all and will shake the entire world. The authority and power of all rulers will be overturned so that the kingdom may be delivered up to God (1 Corinthians 15:24, 28). The sun darkened at Christ’s death signified judgment, foreshadowing the final judgment (John 12:31).
Christ’s glorious appearance will overshadow all other lights. The sun and moon will no longer be needed, for sinners will be left in eternal darkness while the saints will dwell in the light of God (Isaiah 60:19; Revelation 22:5).
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven (Matthew 24:30), as he comes in the clouds with power and great glory. This may be preceded by celestial signs, heralding his arrival, as when God’s power was displayed on Mount Sinai (Psalm 50:3). It is unlikely that this sign refers to a visible cross, as some have suggested, but rather an unmistakable manifestation of Christ’s presence. Infidels will be confounded and mourn at his coming (Revelation 1:7). Those who once scoffed, saying, “Where is the promise of his coming?” will see him in glory and be filled with fear.
The tribes of the earth will mourn (Matthew 24:30), as some will grieve with godly sorrow while others mourn in despair. Though sinners may scoff now, all will one day weep—either in repentance or in horror and regret.
The Son of Man will come in the clouds with power and great glory. The judgment is committed to him (John 5:22, 27). He will be seen by all (Numbers 24:17), just as the rich man in torment saw Abraham afar off (Luke 16:23). Many will lament, realizing too late that the one they rejected is now their Judge.
He will send his angels with a great trumpet blast (Matthew 24:31). The angels, his ministers, will be his attendants, gathering the elect from the four winds. This trumpet, spoken of in 1 Corinthians 15:52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16, will call the assembly for judgment. The giving of the law at Sinai was marked by a terrible trumpet blast (Exodus 19:16), and the last day will be announced in like manner.
Only the elect will be gathered, those chosen by God. The angels will bring them together, as commanded in Psalm 50:5, “Gather my saints together to me.”