These verses show that the sun and the moon were created to give light to the earth, to divide the light from the darkness, and to provide signs, seasons and measurements for time. From the sun and the moon, we get signs for planting, surgery, weather, fishing, hunting, etc., and we get our seasons (Ps. 104: 19; Ecc. 3: 1,2). The sun and the moon mark days and years, from which we get our calendar. The sun and the moon bring forth fruit and vegetation (Deut. 33: 14).

But the sun and the moon have far greater significance when you study their types. The sun is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Jesus is called the “Sun of Righteousness” in Mal. 4: 2.

2. The sun is like a “bridegroom” in Ps. 19: 4,5. Compare Jn. 3: 29.

3. Jesus Christ’s countenance looks like the sun shining, Rev. 1: 16.

4. Jesus Christ is the light of the world, Jn. 9: 5.

5. The sun sets red, picturing Calvary, where Christ shed his blood.

6. The sun rises red, picturing the blood that soaks the Lord’s garments at the Second Advent, Rev. 19: 13; Is. 63: 2,3; Rev. 14: 20.

7. The Second Advent is called “day” (Mal. 4: 1). The sun rules the day, like Christ will rule in the “day” when he returns (Rev. 19: 15,16). [The church age is “night” in the Bible (1 Thes. 5: 2) so the Lord’s return is like sunrise]

The moon is a type of the church.

1. The moon is like a bride (Song 6: 4,10), typifying the church, the bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11: 1-4; Rev. 21: 2; 22: 17).

2. The moon reflects the light of the sun (Matt. 5: 14) and is incapable of producing its own light (Job 25:5; Jn. 15: 5).

3. The moon rules the night (1 Thes. 5: 1-5).

4. The moon follows the path of the sun (Jn. 21: 22).

5. The moon was defiled by the world when a man stepped on it in 1969 (pictures the Laodicean church of today, Rev. 3: 17).

The sun and the moon divide light from darkness, and travel contrary to the world (1 Jn. 2: 15; Jas. 4: 4).
A preacher once said that a Christian who is not separated from darkness and who isn’t shedding light on it is not a Christian by the Bible definition (Eph. 5: 7-13; Col. 1: 13; 1 Pet. 2:9).