A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 24:29

"But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:" — Matthew 24:29 (ASV)

Immediately (ευθεως). This word, common in Mark's Gospel as ευθυς, gives trouble if one stresses the time element. The problem is how much time intervenes between "the tribulation of those days" and the vivid symbolism of verse 29. The use of εν ταχε in Re 1:1 should make one pause before he decides. Here we have a prophetic panorama like that with foreshortened perspective. The apocalyptic pictures in verse 29 also call for sobriety of judgment. One may compare Joel's prophecy as interpreted by Peter in Ac 21:16-22. Literalism is not appropriate in this apocalyptic eschatology.