As the day by prophets long foretold drew near, signs and miracles increased among the people. But the hardened in heart, who were ever on the watch to entrap those who believed in the prophet's words, began to circulate the idea that the time had passed and the prophecies had failed. Not content with mocking and reviling those who were anxiously looking for the promised two days and a night when there should be no darkness, they went as far as to appoint a day when all who believed in the coming of the Savior should be slain, except the sign be first given.