The “10 Days of Darkness” in the Bible refers to a period of time mentioned in the book of Exodus. During this event, the land of Egypt experienced an intense darkness that lasted for ten consecutive days. This phenomenon was one of the plagues that God sent upon Egypt to convince Pharaoh to release the Hebrew slaves.
According to the biblical narrative, Moses, acting as the messenger of God, warned Pharaoh about the upcoming darkness if he refused to free the enslaved Hebrews. However, Pharaoh remained obstinate and disregarded the warning. As a result, the entire land of Egypt was plunged into a thick darkness that devoured
Matthew 12:40 “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
A few hours after His death, and before nightfall, Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb
Matthew 27:57 -60 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
10 Days Of Darkness In The Bible Verse
The concept of 10 days of darkness in the Bible verse has intrigued many scholars and theologians over the years. This period of darkness is mentioned in various scriptures, symbolizing different things in different contexts. Here are 10 Bible verses that shed light on the significance of the 10 days of darkness:
1. Exodus 10:21-23 (NIV)
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt–darkness that can be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or move about for three days.
2. Matthew 27:45 (NIV)
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.
3. Amos 8:9 (NIV)
“In that day,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.”
4. Joel 2:31 (NIV)
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
5. Revelation 9:2 (NIV)
When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss.
6. Zechariah 14:6-7 (NIV)
On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. It will be a unique day–a day known only to the Lord–with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light.
7. Isaiah 60:2 (NIV)
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
8. Job 3:5 (NIV)
May darkness and deep shadow claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm it.
9. Revelation 16:10 (NIV)
The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony.
10. Luke 23:44-45 (NIV)
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining.
These verses illustrate the various instances of darkness in the Bible and the significance they hold. It is a reminder of the power and sovereignty of God, who controls even the elements of nature.
10 Days Of Darkness In The Bible
-In the book of Exodus, the story of the 10 plagues of Egypt includes a period of darkness that lasted for three days. This darkness was so intense that it could be felt, emphasizing the power and judgment of God over the Egyptian people.
– The prophet Joel speaks of a time when the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and awesome day of the Lord. This imagery symbolizes a period of judgment and the imminent return of Christ.
– In the New Testament, Matthew describes a time of tribulation when the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven. This cosmic event signifies the end times and the coming of Christ’s kingdom.
– The book of Revelation also references a period of darkness that accompanies the opening of the bottomless pit, with smoke darkening the sun and air. This darkening of the sky symbolizes the spiritual darkness and chaos unleashed upon the earth.
By examining these Bible verses and stories, we can see that the concept of 10 days of darkness is a powerful symbol of judgment, tribulation, and the end times in the Bible. It serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and the need for repentance and faith in Him.
But the coming of the Lord into the air to remove all His saints will be a most terrible and solemn time for the world, for the unbeliever, for there will then break upon the world a period of great distress, suffering and warfare. This fearful and dark time is called the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22, 29-30; Mark 13:24; Revelation 7:14); “the day of the Lord” (Isaiah 13:9; Joel 2:1; Amos 5:18,20; Zephaniah 1:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; Revelation 6:12-17).
It will be the darkest period of the world’s history, in comparison with which the cruelties of the Assyrians, the fearful sieges of Jerusalem, the tortures of the Inquisition, the campaigns of Napoleon, the bloodshed of two World Wars, and the atrocities perpetrated under the Nazi regime will fade into insignificance. It will be the darkest night before the dawning of the day of millennial glory, for when ”the day of the Lord! culminates in the fearful battle of Armageddon and the Great Tribulation has run its course, the Lord will return to set up His glorious kingdom, and this will begin earth’s golden age!
Paul refers to this time of sorrow and judgment in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Notice three truths:-
10 days of Darkness KJV
1. Exodus 10:21-23 – “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.’ So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.”
2. Exodus 10:29 – “Moses said, ‘As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will stretch out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know the earth is the LORD’s.'”
3. Joel 2:31 – “The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.”
4. Matthew 24:29 – “Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
5. Revelation 9:2 – “He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft.”
Details 10 Days Of Darkness In The Bible
1. The coming of the Lord FOR His Saints
This is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (as we saw in our last study), but in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Paul has more to say.
- (1) What will it mean to the unsaved?
- It will be a time of surprise and alarm; in verse 2 we are told that the Lord is coming ”like a thief in the night” - suddenly and unannounced. See also what verse 3 tells us! We hear much talk today of “peace and safety”, but it is at such a time as this that there will be great sorrow for the unsaved.
- There will be absolutely no escape (verse 3) - every Christian will have been removed from the earth; just as in Noah’s day those who were outside the ark remained outside (God had shut the door), so when the Lord comes, those who do not belong to Him will be left behind (Genesis 7:16).
- (2) What will the coming of Christ FOR His Saints mean to the Saved?
- He may come at any moment (verses 2,4,5). If He comes as a thief, unannounced, it means that we cannot fix the date (Matthew 24:36); but we are prepared when He does come, as verses 4, 5 and 8 remind us.
- The believer has an escape (verses 9-10). As we think of the dark days ahead for this world and for the unsaved, we may thank God that a way of escape has been made (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
2. The coming of the Lord WITH His Saints.
In 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12 we read of the time when Christ will return with His people in judgment to set up His earthly kingdom and millennial reign.
- (1) What will it mean for the unsaved?
- The Lord will come in mighty power (verses 7-8). At His first coming He came in weakness, was cast out, mocked and crucified; how different it will be when He comes in glory (Matthew 25:31).
- He will come in judgment (verse 8). Remember that this is God’s revealed truth of what is going to happen at some not very distant future time.
- He will come to punish and banish those who do not belong to Him (verse 9). Think about these solemn words prayerfully and compare Matthew 25:46.
- (2) What will it mean for the saved?
- The adjustment of all injustices (verse 6). The wicked seem to prosper and get away with it, but look up Psalm 73:12 and 17.
- The Lord will be glorified in His saints (verse 10). When we return with the Lord we shall be a spectacle to the whole world of what the grace of God has brought about in us!
- Those who have won souls to Christ will rejoice (verse 10). This is surely indicated here - look up and compare 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.
3. Happenings on the earth between the comings of the Lord.
Two most dreadful things will happen after the Church has gone and before the Lord returns in power (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12):-
- (1) The Holy Spirit will be removed from the earth (verse 7). He is at present resident within the Church and lives in all believers, and is here in the world to restrain sin and evil.
- (2) The Antichrist will be revealed and will reign on the earth. He cannot be revealed until the Holy Spirit is taken away, but once He has been removed this fearful, powerful and sinister figure - a great statesman and a religious leader, but a deceiver - will be energised by Satan, and will be the Devil’s counterfeit of Christ (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5, 8-12). These will be dark days indeed!
Finally, what should be our attitude as we await these events?
What the Bible says about Day of Darkness
(From Forerunner Commentary)