Revelation 6:12-13: . . . and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

Some scholars believe the heavenly signs in Revelation 6:12-13 are symbols of past political events,¹ including the fall of earthly rulers and pagan gods.² However, the signs associated with the sun, moon, and stars will be literal.³ The sun and moon will become physically dark⁴ when the great earthquake occurs at the end of the sixth seal.⁵ Complete darkness will also exist when the two larger earthquakes occur during the seventh seal just before and at Christ's Second Coming.⁶ The literal fulfillment of these prophecies cannot be doubted⁷ because the scriptures repeatedly say that the sun, moon, and stars will become black during the last days.⁸

At the end of the sixth seal, the earth will become completely dark when the sun turns black as sackcloth of hair.⁹ Sackcloth is a coarse black cloth that symbolizes distress and mourning.¹⁰ God has power to make the earth black as sackcloth¹¹ by merely withdrawing the light of Christ,¹² which is the power that governs physical light.¹³ The physical light will be withdrawn¹⁴ at the end of the sixth seal as wicked people ripen in iniquity.¹⁵

The blackening of the sun is a matter of historical precedent.¹⁶ Darkness covered the land of Egypt (except Goshen) in the days of Moses,¹⁷ again at the time Christ's crucifixion for three hours in Jerusalem,¹⁸ and for three days on the American Continent.¹⁹ Fortunately, darkness can and will be dispersed by the prayers, faith, and diligence of the righteous.²⁰

When the sun becomes black as sackcloth, the moon will also refuse to give its light²¹ from the same cause.²² The moon will become red as²³ blood.²⁴ Dust from the great earthquake and/or smoke from wars at the end of the sixth seal may give the moon a blood-red appearance.²⁵

John also saw the stars of heaven fall to the earth.²⁶ The stars may appear to fall and cease to give their light during a meteor shower.²⁷ An event of this kind actually occurred in 1833.²⁸ The stars may also have the appearance of falling as the earth shakes back and forth during the great earthquake of the sixth seal.²⁹ In either case, the falling stars are described as an untimely fig, which is an unripe fig³⁰ cast off before its time.³¹ Some scholars incorrectly interpret the falling stars as a symbol of princes and rulers that are cast down from their earthly thrones.³²