The covenant of day and night stands as one of the most profound symbols of God’s faithfulness in Scripture—a covenant so unshakable that it is equated with the eternal promises made to David and Israel. Yet, prophetic passages reveal a startling truth: while this covenant reflects God’s enduring commitment, humanity’s rebellion and the abomination of desolation disrupt the divine order, bringing judgment and cosmic upheaval. The “unbreakable covenant,” though seemingly disrupted by abomination, ultimately reveals the depth of humanity’s rebellion and the unwavering faithfulness of God’s redemptive plan

The Unbreakable Covenant: A Testament to God’s Faithfulness

In Jeremiah 33:20-21, God declares:

“If you can break my covenant of the day and my covenant of the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time, then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken.”

This covenant of day and night symbolizes the constancy of God’s promises. Just as the sun rises and sets without fail, God’s commitment to Israel and to David’s lineage remains steadfast. These celestial ordinances not only illuminate the earth but also testify to God’s unchanging nature. As long as day follows night, His promises endure.

Yet, Scripture also reveals a time when these ordinances are disrupted. In Matthew 24:29, Jesus foretells:

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”

This interruption of day and night signifies a profound moment in God’s timeline—a divine intervention that signals judgment and the culmination of His redemptive plan.

The Abomination That Causes Desolation: Breaking the Covenant

The “abomination that causes desolation” is central to this disruption. Found in Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, and echoed in Ezekiel 9, it represents not just physical desecration but spiritual rebellion. In Ezekiel 9, God commands:

“Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry for all the abominations that are done within it.”

This act of marking the faithful contrasts sharply with the abomination that follows—a rebellion so severe that it invites desolation. The abomination likely involves a rejection of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice, as emphasized in Hebrews 10:1-18, and a return to the old sacrificial system. This rejection breaks the spiritual covenant, leading to judgment.

In Isaiah 65:12, God laments:

“Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but you did not hear. Instead, you did evil before my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.”

This choice to rebel against God’s provision in Christ mirrors the breaking of the covenant through the abomination, which disrupts both the spiritual and cosmic order.

Cosmic Upheaval: The Breaking of Day and Night

The abomination’s effects are not limited to spiritual desolation. As prophesied in Isaiah 13:9-10 and Joel 2, it triggers a cosmic upheaval:

“Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and their constellations shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in its going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.” (Isaiah 13:9-10)

These disruptions reflect the gravity of humanity’s rebellion. The heavens themselves, created to declare God’s glory (Psalm 19:1), are shaken as part of His judgment. This shaking, described in Hebrews 12:26-27, removes what is temporary to reveal what is eternal. It echoes Romans 8:19-23, where creation groans under the weight of sin, awaiting redemption alongside humanity.

The Remnant and the Trumpet Call

Amidst judgment, God’s mercy shines through. In Isaiah 65:8, He promises:

“As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it,’ so will I do for my servants’ sake, that I may not destroy them all.”

The faithful remnant, symbolized by the 144,000 in Revelation, reflects God’s commitment to preserving His people even in the face of widespread rebellion. The trumpet in Joel 2 serves as both a warning and a call to repentance:

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand.”

This call invites humanity to return to God, emphasizing that judgment is not the end but a step toward renewal.

The Hope of Restoration

Though the breaking of the covenant through abomination leads to judgment, it also paves the way for restoration. The darkened sun and moon give way to the light of God’s presence in the new creation. Isaiah 65:17-25 and Revelation 21:1-5 promise a new heavens and new earth, where God’s people will dwell with Him forever.

In this restored creation, the need for the sun and moon is replaced by the eternal light of God, as described in Revelation 22:5:

“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

Conclusion: The Paradox of an Unbreakable Covenant

The unbreakable covenant of day and night, disrupted by the abomination of desolation, illustrates the paradox of God’s faithfulness and humanity’s rebellion. While the abomination brings desolation and judgment, it also sets the stage for God’s ultimate victory and the renewal of all things.

This paradox calls us to faith and readiness. As we witness the signs in the heavens and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan, may we remain steadfast, aligning ourselves with His eternal covenant and looking forward to the hope of His restored creation, where His unbroken promises shine eternally.