All Summer in a Day

All Summer in a Day is a science fiction by Ray Bradbury. The story is set in a classroom on Venus, where it always rains except for one hour every seven years when the sun shines. Margot moved from Earth to Venus five years earlier. Only she remembers sunshine, seeing it every day on earth. Her classmates don’t believe her and lock her in a closet. Just then, the sun shines. The teacher takes the children to play in the sun, and they do this while forgetting Margot is locked in the closet. Margot and the children must wait another seven years to see the sunshine for an hour.

For those in Judea, the sun shone every day except during the occasional rain. The destruction of the temple, however, accompanied something unexpected.

“In those days, after those afflictions, the sun will darken, and the moon will not give its luster, the stars will fall from the heavens, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Mark 13:24–25)

Hearing that the sun wouldn’t shine, or the moon wouldn’t light the night sky provoked imagery the Hebrews were familiar with – war. Isaiah spoke about it (5:30). Because chariots and soldiers stirred up the dust, causing dust storms, the sun and moon would be temporarily blocked. When Rome marched in with chariots and soldiers, sending billows of dust and blocking the light, they knew the temple’s destruction was near. Like Margot, they would have to wait years to see sunshine and peace.

Amid this frightening time, God’s people had hope.

“They will see the son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Then he will send his angels and gather the elect people from the four winds – from the corners of the earth until the heights of the heavens.” (Mark 13:26–27)

Daniel, in exile (imagery for God’s punishment and abandonment), saw a vision.

“Behold, from the clouds of the heaven, one like the son of man came and stood before the ancient of days. He gave him authority and glory. All the nations of the earth, each race, served him. His authority was eternal, which will not pass away. His kingdom/rule will never be destroyed.” (Dan 7:13–14)

While Rome conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, killed the people, and sent billows of dust clouds to block the sun and the mood, God’s people saw the son of man coming victoriously in the clouds, with all authorities, sending his angels, and gathering his people to himself. Rome’s rule and destruction couldn’t prevent the son of man’s rule and protection.

Stephen, one of the deacons, saw the very same scene described here. As the people took stones to stone him,

“Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into the heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus – standing at the right hand of God – and he said: Behold, I see the heavens opening and the son of man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55–56)

Whether Jesus predicted the temple destruction of A.D. 70 (as the preterites claim) or something future (as the futurists claim), his people see beyond any present disaster to see the son of man standing at the right hand of God, intending to save them. We are never alone amidst our struggles; the son of man stands with us. That hope assures us to endure trials and sufferings, even to the point of death.