And the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers that are in heaven will be shaken.
This saying continues the picture of a cosmic upheaval. The falling of the stars and the shaking of the heavenly powers show the trembling of the foundations of the created order that seem unshakable. A person often places his confidence in the stability of the world, but in the light of the final judgment it becomes clear that only the kingdom of God is immovable. These images also recall the prophetic language by which God would announce great judgments upon nations and kingdoms. In their ultimate sense they show that the coming of Christ will lay bare all creation and will reveal His supreme authority.