The sun, moon and stars
were created for more than to simply give light to mankind. The miraculous
redemptive plan of God was placed in the heavens for all to see before there was
even a Bible. The stars and signs that HE Placed in the heavens so long ago are
preaching a message today - JESUS IS COMING! They are telling us to get ready
for a time of trouble unknown to man up to this point in history and one that
will never be anything like it in the future. The Lord Jesus said that in
the last days the powers of the heavens would be shaken and there would be signs
in the sun, moon and the stars alerting a world lost without God the times of
the Lord's coming are near. Neighbor, it’s getting late and we are seeing those
signs in the heavens at this present time. The total solar eclipse over Egypt on
March 29, 2006 coincided with
the days of the ninth plague during Israel's exodus from Pharaoh! One day prior
to this event on March 28, 2006, Israel held national elections electing a
government willing to concede land for peace. On March 29th, Hamas took over
full power of the Palestinian Authority that resides next door to Jerusalem. These signs are just another
sound of a distant thunder that something major is on the prophetic horizon. We
need to be sure that our calling and election is anchored IN CHRIST and Him
Crucified. He is the only anchor for our faith in these last days!
By Chris McDonald
TEXT: Luke
21:25-28
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon
the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
[26] Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things
which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. [27]
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great
glory. [28] And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift
up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
The sun, moon and stars were created
for more than to simply give light to mankind. Genesis records the Lord put
these celestial bodies in the sky for "signs and for seasons., days and years."
This is a Biblical principle.
Genesis
1:14-19
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the
day from the night; and let them be for
signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: [15] And let them be for
lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was
so. [16] And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and
the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. [17] And God set
them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, [18] And to
rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness:
and God saw that it was good. [19] And the evening and the morning were the
fourth day.
The miraculous redemptive plan of God
was placed in the heavens for all to see before there was even a Bible. The
stars and signs that HE Placed in the heavens so long ago are preaching a
message to us today - JESUS IS COMING! They are telling us to get ready for a
time of trouble unknown to man up to this point in history and one that will
never be anything like it in the future. Today, there is a growing awareness of
the impending return of Jesus, and His final judgement upon the Earth. Prophecy
and The Lord Jesus Himself records warnings of signs which will herald Jesus'
return, and God would not have set these forth if He didn't want us to be aware
of these plans.
Jesus said that in the last days the powers of the heavens would be shaken and
there would be signs in the sun, moon and the stars alerting a world lost
without God the times of the Lord's coming are near.
Luke 21:25-28
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon
the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
[26] Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things
which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. [27]
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great
glory. [28] And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift
up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Neighbor, it’s getting late and signs in the heavens are declaring the soon
return of Jesus - FOR THE CHURCH at the rapture - and HIS LITERAL SECOND COMING
- WITH THE CHURCH at the end of the Great Tribulation period.
Jesus prophesied changes in the sun, moon, and the stars. Scientists are
confirming today the Lord's words nearly 2,000 years ago. Many predict that days
will shorten in length, the earth's axis will alter, that the earth will undergo
famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and increased volcanic activity. The sun's
activity will greatly affect the earth's ionosphere, wind direction, rainfall
and even temperature. These are the signs we are living in the last days! We
will discuss this more in detail toward the end of this message but for now,
mark this date down - March 29, 2006. (NO NO NO NO - We are not
predicting the Lord is coming back on this date so read on) This will be the
date of a total solar eclipse over Egypt that coincides with the days of the
ninth plague during Israel's exodus from Pharaoh! One day prior to this event on
March 28, 2006, Israel will hold its national elections. This message is not
about setting dates, but it is to sound an alarm that these signs are just
another sound of a distant thunder that something major is on the prophetic
horizon. We need to be sure that our calling and election is anchored IN CHRIST
and Him Crucified. He is the only anchor for our faith in these last days!
Joel 2:1-3
Blow ye 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 cometh, for it is nigh at hand; [2]
A day of darkness and of
gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon
the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like,
neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. [3] A
fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the
garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and
nothing shall escape them.
There is a Biblical study of astronomy that reveals clues to Biblical signs in
the heavens as they pertain to the last days. The Bible warns against WORSHIP of
the stars, as many do through astrology, and speaks of the utter nonsense of
this ccult practice of believing the stars in heaven can influence and govern
people’s private lives. The sad fact is that millions, even so-called Christians
known more about their "horoscope" than they do the Word of God. There is no
other source of TRUTH about the future of Planet Earth and YOUR FUTURE than the
Word of God!!!!!!!! Satan is a liar and he offers LIES to millions through this
demonic and ungodly substitute.
Saddam Hussein found this out the
hard way both in 1991 and 2003. Both times, according to news reports and
various sources, he called in astrologers from Morocco to assist him in a
special astrology reading. Would he be defeated in the coming Gulf War or would
he be victorious? According to Middle East observers and those close to the
deposed dictator, the Arab stargazers determined that the ‘stars’ were on
Saddam’s side. Like the false prophets of 2 Chronicles 18 who gave King Ahab
ill-fated prophecies of victory, Saddam was told he would defeat America and
eventually defeat Israel. The stars were wrong and so were those interpreting
them. Isaiah warned men not to put their faith in astrologers, prognosticators
or stargazers, but to anchor their faith in the ONE TRUE GOD!
Isaiah 47:13
Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the
stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these
things that shall come upon thee.
And in the next verse, he continues
to loudly denounce such foolishness:
Isaiah 47:14
Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not
deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to
warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
The purpose God placed stars and
planets in the heavens was to reveal knowledge about His Son, Jesus Christ. When
Christ was here on earth, He Himself said that Biblical signs of the end times
would be seen in the sun, moon and stars as we neared His Second Coming.
Luke 21:25-28
And there shall be signs in the sun, and
in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations,
with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; [26] Men's hearts failing them
for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for
the powers of heaven shall be shaken. [27] And then shall they see the Son of
man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] And when these things
begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption
draweth nigh.
Several other things were noted along
with the signs in the heavens that would earmark the last days:
• Distress of nations, with perplexity (heard the news from Washington D.C.
lately?)
• Sea and the waves roaring (Beginning of Sorrows)
• Men’s hearts failing them for fear and looking after those things which are
coming on the Earth
• The powers of heaven shall be shaken
• AND THEN they shall see the Son of man COMING……………….
In the natural realm, the sun, moon
and stars were created for more than to simply give light to mankind. Prior to
calendars, the sun determined the cycle of the day and year; and the moon
determined the cycle of the month. Most primitive cultures used a SOLAR
calendar, but Jewish seasons were determined by a LUNAR calendar. In the circuit
of the heavens, there are 48 star bodies recognized as constellations.
Jewish rabbinical sources point out that for 2,500 years, men had no written
record of the words of God. According to Josephus, God gave to the first man,
Adam, the secrets of the universe. Adam then passed these heavenly mysteries on
to his son SETH - whose sons passed them on their children, including one of the
first prophets of the Bible, ENOCH. Josephus also wrote that God revealed to
Adam the earth would be destroyed twice: once by a volume of water, and again by
a judgment of fire:
They also were the inventors of that peculiar sort of wisdom which is
concerned with the heavenly bodies and their order. And that their inventions
might not be lost before they were sufficiently known, upon Adam’s prediction
that the world was to be destroyed at one time by the force of fire and another
time by the violence and quanityty o water, they made two pillars; the one of
brick, and the other of stone: they inscribed their discoveries on them both,
that in case the pillar of brick should be destroyed by the flood, the pillar of
stone might remain, and exhibit those discoveries to mankind; and also inform
them that there was another pillar of brick erected by them. Now this remains in
Siriad to this day (Josephus; Antiquities of the Jews, 11.3)
Adam’s prediction of a global flood
occurred in Noah’s time, around 1,658 years after the creation of Adam. Adam’s
second warning, forecasting the destruction of the earth by fire, is also
predicted by 2 Peter 3:7. This is the ‘renovation of the earth with fire.”
2 Peter 3:7
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in
store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly
men.
The original intent of God’s creation
was to stamp an eternal picture of redemption that would come to the world
through Christ and the Cross. ALL things, including the heavens, DECLARE the
glory and handiwork of God! When Job looked to the heavens, he cried, “I know
my Redeemer lives!”
Psalm 19:1 - To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the
glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork
Job 19:25
For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day
upon the earth:
Numerous times in Scripture, the sun,
moon and stars became a visible picture of future prophetic promises - including
those of the Second Coming of Christ at the rapture, and His physical return
after the Great Tribulation period.
• Abraham was told his seed would be as “the stars of heaven.” (Gen. 22:17)
• Joshua was given the heavenly sign of the sun staying in one spot (Joshua
10:13)
• Hezekiah was given the sign of the sundial going backwards (Isaiah 38:8)
• The Magi saw a star in the east as the sign the Messiah was born (Matthew 2:2)
Twelve Tribes of Israel, Twelve Major Constellations In The Heavens
Genesis 35:22
And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay
with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob
were twelve:
It is very possible, if not probable,
that Adam, Seth and Enoch recognized the redemptive story of the coming Redeemer
in the stars! These were placed there as a visible reminder of God’s plan that
had been announced in the Garden of Eden after Adam’s fall and rebellion.
Genesis 3:14-15
And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art
cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly
shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: [15] And I will
put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it
shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
According to tradition and historical
records, ancient nations 4,000 years ago such as China, Chaldea, Egypt and
others all used the same names and meanings of the stars in the heavens.
Eventually through idol worship, the Babylonian and Greek myths brought
corruption in both the names and meanings. These star pictures, created
originally by God, are symbolisms that represent things to come in the not too
distant future! Think of that. Messages written in the stars 4,000 years ago may
become reality in THIS generation! That should give us reason to pause AND to
shout!
Out of 48 constellations, there are
TWELVE major ones that the sun passes through during a solar year. Jacob, the
father of modern Israel, had TWELVE sons who were the titular heads of the 12
tribes of Israel. These tribes eventually formed the nation of Israel. In
chapter 37, Jacob’s youngest son, Joseph, experienced a prophetic dream in which
he saw the SUN, MOON, and STARS of the heavens bowing before him. Jacob
interpreted his son’s dream to mean that he (Jacob), Joseph's mother and the
other 11 brothers would bow before Joseph.
Genesis 37:9-10
And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I
have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven
stars made obeisance to me. [10] And he told it to his father, and to his
brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that
thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow
down ourselves to thee to the earth?
Genesis 35:22
And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay
with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob
were twelve:
The 11 stars were symbols of the 11
constellations in heaven, with Joseph representing the TWELTH. Some Jewish
scholars believe that the 12 tribes were given an emblem connecting each tribe
with one of the 12 major constellations.
One such symbol is tied to the tribe
of JUDAH. Genesis 49 reveals that Judah’s tribal emblem is a LION. In the
heavens, one of the 12 major constellations is a LION named Leo. The sun begins
its yearly circuit in constellation of the VIRGIN (VIRGO) and the year ends in
the constellation LEO, the LION. That is a beautiful picture of the Messiah, who
sprang from Judah. He began in the womb of a virgin named Mary and will END as
the reigning LION of the TRIBE OF JUDAH, bringing Israel salvation and
destroying Antichrist with 10,000’s of His saints!
Rev. 5:1-5
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within
and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. [2] And I saw a strong angel
proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the
seals thereof? [3] And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth,
was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. [4] And I wept much, because
no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
[5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe
of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the
seven seals thereof.
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Rev. 19:11-15
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was
called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. [12]
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a
name written, that no man knew, but he himself. [13] And he was clothed with a
vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. [14] And the
armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine
linen, white and clean. [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with
it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and
he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
He was born of a virgin, and He will
become the LION of the tribe of Judah. This was prophesied by Jacob to his son
Judah:
Genesis 49:9-10
Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped
down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? [10] The
sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until
Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
The scepter shall NOT depart from
Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come! Neighbor, SHILOH
is coming! I want to say it again - SHILOH is coming and He is coming soon.
Preachers, I plead with you today to stop acting like dead preachers preaching
dead sermons to dead congregations and preach the SOON COMING OF JESUS, SHILOH,
and THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH! He is coming and UNTO HIM shall the
gathering of the people be. That “gathering” in Genesis 49 is a prophetic
picture of the coming “GATHERING” together in the clouds one day soon when the
TRUMP OF GOD SOUNDS and the DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST and we which are
alive and remain shall be “GATHERED TOGETHER” unto HIM!
1 Thes. 4:15-18
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16]
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of
the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise
first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with
the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Jacob by inspiration of the HOLY
GHOST declares that Judah is the LION! In the 12 constellations of the heavens,
there is one sign for the lion and that is Leo. Here in Genesis 49, Leo the lion
and Judah are IDENTIFIED WITH EACH OTHER - they are the same person! There can
be NO OTHER than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself! The prophetic words, “the
scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the lawgiver from between his feet,”
have deeper meaning when understanding the major stars in this constellation.
In astronomical terms, this statement
is very significant because of the star REGULUS, which is the dominant,
brightest star named REGULUS, which is the dominant, brightest star in the
constellation of Leo. The Arabic word “regel” means FOOT and is identical to the
Aramaic word "REGA" and the Hebrew word "REGEL".
Thus the brightest star in the constellation of Leo has the Biblical connotation
of the FOOT, TYING in with “FROM BETWEEN HIS FEET.”
The Lion of Judah, Leo, was seen by
Jacob as intertwined with a LAWGIVER coming from between HIS FEET, represented
by the king star REGULUS. ALL ancient civilizations recognized Regulus
as the KING star. The word "regulus" means “kingly” in the Latin.
This single star was considered the ONLY KING star in the heavenly
constellations.
The Seven Churches of Asia Minor and Taurus
Another example showing the
connection of Biblical symbol to the signs in the heaven is Revelation 1:16.
John saw Christ in heaven holding seven stars in His right hand. These seven
stars represent the pastors of the seven churches listed in Revelation 2 and 3
(Rev. 1:20). There were certainly more than seven leading churches at the time
John wrote this. Why did Christ choose these particular seven churches to
receive His prophetic message?
History reveals that the seven
churches mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3 were all located in Asia Minor, or what
is today modern TURKEY. All were located at the base of the Taurus Mountains.
The parallel is this: in the heavenlies, there is a constellation called TAURUS,
the bull; in the ancient Jewish Temple, a BULL OFFERING was designated for the
High Priest.
Leviticus 3:6-14
And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the Lord be of the
flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish. [7] If he offer a lamb
for his offering, then shall he offer it before the Lord. [8] And he shall lay
his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of the
congregation: and Aaron's sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof round about upon
the altar. [9] And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an
offering made by fire unto the Lord; the fat thereof, and the whole rump, it
shall he take off hard by the backbone; and the fat that covereth the inwards,
and all the fat that is upon the inwards, [10] And the two kidneys, and the fat
that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with
the kidneys, it shall he take away. [11] And the priest shall burn it upon the
altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the Lord. [12] And
if his offering be a goat, then he shall offer it before the Lord. [13] And he
shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the
congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the
altar round about. [14] And he shall offer thereof his offering, even an
offering made by fire unto the Lord; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all
the fat that is upon the inwards,
Rev. 1:16
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two
edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shines in his strength.
Rev. 1:20
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven
golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and
the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Within the constellation of Taurus is
a star cluster called the Pleiades. It consists of a main star SURROUNDED
BY SEVEN OTHER STARS. The word Pleiades means “congregation of the ruler.” The
Arabic name is Al-Cyclone, meaning “CENTER” because ancient Jews and Arabs
considered the Pleiades the center of the universe.
How significant is this one star
surrounded by seven others in Taurus as it relates to end time events? Well, the
seven churches chose by the Lord to receive His final message were seven
churches located at the base of the TAURUS MOUNTAINS. The Pleiades is mentioned
in the Bible in Job 9:9 and Job 38:31.
Job 38:31
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
Job 9:9
Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
Rev. 1:20
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven
golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and
the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
The prophetic symbolism found in the
book of Revelation can correspond to certain heavenly constellations. The woman
with Child (Rev. 12:1,2) is a picture of VIRGO the virgin. The great dragon
(Rev. 12:3) could allude to Draco, the dragon. The ram (lamb) with two horns
(Rev. 12: 11-16) and identified with the false prophet could be parallel to the
star formation called Aries, the ram. Christ is called the LION OF JUDAH (Rev.
5:5); the constellation called Leo is identified as a LION. It appears that some
of the veiled symbols John saw in the revelation of Jesus Christ were heavenly
symbols the people of his day were familiar with.
Rev. 12:1-2
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and
the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: [2] And she
being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Rev. 12:3
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon,
having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev. 12:11-16
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their
testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. [12] Therefore
rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the
earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,
because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. [13] And when the dragon saw
that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the
man child. [14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she
might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a
time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. [15] And the
serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might
cause her to be carried away of the flood. [16] And the earth helped the woman,
and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast
out of his mouth.
Rev. 5:5
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of
Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven
seals thereof.
Seven Types of Cosmic Signs - Signs Of The Sun
There are seven types of cosmic signs
mentioned in prophecies throughout the Bible. These are tied into events
foretold that would happen in the last days prior to the Lord’s return:
• A sackcloth sun (Rev. 6:12)
• A bloody Moon (rev. 6:12)
• Great signs in the heavens (Luke 21:25)
• Fearful signs in the heavens (Luke 21:11)
• Stars falling from heavens (Matthew 24:20)
• A Darkening of the constellations (Isaiah 13:10)
• The powers of heaven are shaken (Luke 21:26)
Rev. 6:12
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great
earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became
as blood;
Luke 21:25
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon
the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Rev. 6:12 - And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a
great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon
became as blood;
Luke 21:11
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences;
and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Isaiah 13:10
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their
light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not
cause her light to shine.
Luke 21:26
Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are
coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun 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:
Luke quoted CHRIST as warning of
great and fearful signs in the heavens (Luke 21:11). These signs would involve
the sun, moon and stars. Neighbor, the Lord declared, “AND THERE SHALL BE
SIGNS!, especially, signs in the sun. According to Biblical prophecy, during the
seven-year Tribulation, the SUN will be darkened!
Rev. 6:12
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great
earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became
as blood;
Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun 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:
Joel 3:15
The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their
shining.
More than 2,500 years ago Joel
predicted that the sun would be turned to darkness.
Joel 2:31
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great
and the terrible day of the Lord come.
Joel 3:15
The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their
shining.
Some Bible scholars debate whether
what Joel saw was the result of chemicals being released into the air by fires
from a nuclear explosion that would cause the moon to look red and the sun to
look black. In 1991 when America fought the Gulf War, black smoke from hundreds
of oil well fires poured into the blue skies over Kuwait, causing the sun to be
“veiled” in blackness. Some have maintained that scenario of billowing smoke, a
veiling of the sun, and a red moon is actually very close to what Joel alluded
in his prophecies. That is really still up for further debate. We’ll never be
100% sure. The interesting point here is this however. Another application to
this prophetic word could be that a complete solar eclipse would cause the son
to be darkened! That is the view of many Jewish rabbis who believe an eclipse of
that magnitude would give the sun a “sackcloth” look!
Rabbinical tradition teaches us that
a solar eclipse is a bad omen for the world. A Rabbi Meir said in a recent
commentary: “When the luminaries are in eclipse, it is a bad omen for Israel.” A
solar eclipse is a bad sign of trouble for the world and a lunar eclipse is a
sign of trouble for Israel. No more than seven eclipses can occur in any one
year.
Twice in the 20th Century there were
seven total eclipses. In the years, 1917 and 1973 were filled with
prophetic implications. During the seven eclipses that occurred in 1917:
• The Russian Revolution occurred, introducing communism, and World War I was
coming to an end
• Occurring in December, the seventh eclipse coincided with General Allenby
liberating Jerusalem from 400 years of Turkish rule.
• The Balfour Declaration was signed, giving the Jews access back to Palestine.
During the seven total solar eclipses
in 1973:
• The Yom Kippur War occurred, which could have destroyed Israel
• The Arab oil embargo impacted America and the West
• Twenty-eight nations suffered from drought
• History’s largest explosion occurred on the surface of the sun
• America’s U.S. Supreme Court passed the most damnable law of all Roe. V. Wade,
opening the door to the innocent slaughter of BILLIONS of unborn babies.
Since Israel is on a lunar calendar -
based on the cycles of the MOON - any eclipse on the moon is considered a cosmic
sign for Israel. The moon has a 29 ˝ day cycle. In slightly less than 30 days,
the moon enters a four-phase cycle as it moves from darkness to light, and back
to darkness. According to Avi Ben Mordechai, in his book “Signs in the Heavens,”
with each cycle of nearly 30 days the ancient rabbis understood that the moon
was being “reborn,” or “born again.”
In the Old Testament period, an
entire Jewish festival was proclaimed at the beginning of each month, called the
B’rit Chadasha, or the New Moon Festival. During the 1,000-year reign of Christ,
the New Moon Festival will be reinstituted.
Isaiah 66:23
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one
sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.
The Moon Of Blood
The inspired Biblical prophets
predicted the moon would become blood.
Acts 2:20
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that
great and notable day of the Lord come:
For centuries, scholars have
attempted to ascertain the meaning of this prophecy. Jewish tradition and
beliefs may help us explain this passage. In 1996, Israel celebrated the 3,000th
year anniversary of Jerusalem - from King David’s conquest in 1004 B.C. to A.D.
1996
On Passover, April 3, 1996, a full
lunar eclipse appeared over Jerusalem. A photograph of this eclipse appeared in
the Jerusalem Post with the caption, “The Moon of Blood.” When a full lunar
eclipse appears, the moon takes on a reddish, almost bloody appearance. On
September 26 of the same year, a second lunar eclipse created a blood-like image
and was visible in Jerusalem on the eve of the Feast of Tabernacles. A third
lunar eclipse (90%) happened six months later during PURIM, the celebration to
remember how the famed Jewish Queen Esther defeated the wicked plans of Haman.
Thus, THREE lunar eclipses occurring
within one year on or near three Jewish celebration days is almost unheard of.
These three “blood moons,” caused tremendous excitement and anxiety among rabbis
in Israel, according to the same article. A blood moon, which appeared twice the
same year and fell on the first and last feast of Israel, indicated to them this
was a cosmic sign from God of impending trouble in Israel. The ancient belief
was that a blood moon (lunar eclipse) could symbolize BLOODSHED and WAR.
Since 1996, thousands of Israelis
have died in their own land from the suicide attacks of Islamic radicals. Just
four years after these events in 2000 the Palestinian Authority launched its
most recent infitiada or “uprising” against Israel at the hands of the now
deceased Yasser Arafat. From a Hebraic understanding, the signs of a sackcloth
sun and blood moon can refer to a full solar and lunar eclipse. According to
Scriptures, this will be one form of cosmic activity prior to the coming Day of
the Lord and the future Tribulation.
Acts 2:20
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that
great and notable day of the Lord come:
Egypt, Israel, The Man of Sin and the Sun and Moon
Daniel 11:43
But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all
the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his
steps.
Ezekiel 32:7-8
And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars
thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her
light. [8] All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set
darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord God.
Israel and Egypt are always
scripturally connected in Bible history AND prophecy. The “HE” in Daniel 11 is
none other than the Antichrist. Ezekiel records unusual cosmic activity during
this same time. This prophetic passage may have two possible interpretations.
First, the “clouds” spoken of may form through massive explosions of weapons and
bombs, who aftermath fills the skies with dark suffocating pillars of smoke and
gas. This would create a dark cloud covering over both the sun and the moon. The
second possibility is that this darkness will be caused by a COMPLETE SOLAR
ECLIPSE. Solar eclipses over Egypt are actually very rare. Yet, one occurred
just a few months back on October 3, 2005 at 12:50 p.m. Cairo time, and another
is scheduled for March 29, 2006 at 11:52 a.m. Cairo time. The NINTH plague to
hit Egypt in the time of Moses happened in the first of Nisan. March 29, 2006 is
the FIRST OF NISAN ON THE JEWISH CALENDAR! In essence, this upcoming solar
eclipse over Egypt will happen on the same date in Jewish history when Egypt was
put in darkness during the times of MOSES.
A scripture found in Ezekiel predicts a time when the king of Babylon, a type of
antichrist, will come, as Nebuchadnezzar did centuries ago, and conquer EGYPT
Ezekiel 30:4-6 says that Ethiopia and Libya will fall into the conflict. These
three nations, Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia, will be conquered and controlled by
the future Antichrist.
Both Egypt and Israel will suffer greatly at the hands of Antichrist during the
Tribulation. To know that a solar eclipse is taking place over Egypt, Israel's
neighbor to the south, on the same day one took place in the same region during
the days of Israel’s Exodus from Egypt- I don’t think it takes a rocket
scientist to know this is one of many signs in the heavens taking place at the
present warning us something huge is on the horizon and at the very LEAST -
we’re living in the last of the last days. These are significant prophetic
events during significant prophetic times! These passages below from Ezekiel
are yet future and will be fulfilled during the Great Tribulation at the hands
of Antichrist.
Ezekiel 30:4-6
And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when
the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her
foundations shall be broken down. [5] Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all
the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall
fall with them by the sword. [6] Thus saith the Lord; They also that uphold
Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of
Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord God.
Ezekiel 30:18
At Tehaphnehes (EGYPT) also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there
the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her,
a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.
According to Ezekiel, there
will be a 114-mile path of total darkness in the very area that will be affected
by the upcoming eclipse in March. The March eclipse over Egypt could be a
prophetic foreshadowing of what is coming in the near future during the days of
the Antichrist when he is revealed. There will certainly be future solar
eclipses in the future over the Middle East. The one in March is just the most
recent on the solar calendar. Either way, to see this happen in our generation
is stunning at the very least and deserving of our attention. We're living in
times spoken about by prophets nearly 2,800 years ago!
Another interesting aspect of
this event is the date itself - March 29, 2006 (3-29-06) (And don’t worry
this writer is not remotely about to walk down a path of date-setting or
predictions- I’ll leave that to the TBN crowd and these modern prophets wanting
an audience) There are two reasons that this date is very prophetic. The numbers
3 - 2 - 9 are actually connected mathematically - 3 to (2nd) power is
nine! E.W. Bullinger states in his book "Numbers in Scripture" that God uses
numbers many times to illustrate His plan or truths. The second aspect, which is
more important to this writer, is what will take on March 28, 2006 - one day
before the total solar eclipse in Egypt - Israel will be holding her national
elections.
As stated,
Jewish rabbinical tradition believes solar eclipses signify pending trouble for the world,
while lunar eclipses signify trouble for Israel. The next lunar eclipse over
Israel and the Middle East is scheduled for March 14, 2006 and will affect parts
of the Middle East, Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. That is exactly FOURTEEN
days before Israel's national elections. Fourteen is a multiple of SEVEN and we
know from studying scripture that whenever we see SEVEN - we're usually seeing a
divine pattern or event! (There will also be a lunar eclipse on September 7,
2006 this year - right around the time of the Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah
in Israel.)
The timing of these eclipses in the
heavenlies are without a doubt prophetic signs I believe to sound an alarm to a apostate Church
and a world lost without God to REPENT! For the church, it's an alarm for us to
pray for the peace of Jerusalem like we've never prayed before. With the current
tense and dangerous situation in Iran, the rise of Hamas over the Palestinian
Authority, Russia’s sudden involvement in the Middle East, China and Iran’s new
oil union, and the ongoing war against terror in Iraq, any elections in the
Middle East are always HUGE - especially those in ISRAEL! As I write this, a
Muslim Mosque has been destroyed in Iraq and now the country sits on the brink
of civil war. We're living in prophetic times neighbor.
Getting back to Israel, let me say
this about these elections in March. This election more so than any other in the
past may have eternal and lasting repercussions on the plan of God for the
Middle East considering the other things we just mentioned
and the recent stroke of current Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Ehud Omert is
serving in Mr. Sharon’s place and looks to maintain that post according to
recent polls. But a LOT can happen in 30 days in Israeli politics (just as
American politics). Whoever is elected will be a pivotal player in the new
face of the Middle East leadership in 2006, and ultimately will be a player in
end time Bible prophecy! As I just stated and feel like I need to state it
again - this should send us ALL to our knees to pray for the peace of Jerusalem
during these next 30 days unlike we’ve ever done.
That’s really the message of this
journal - to show the reader that even the heavens are declaring and sounding a
trumpet that it’s getting late! The glory of God is evidenced in the
handiwork of the stars. We don’t remotely embrace one jot or tittle the idea
that the stars can influence one’s life as the demonic practice of astrology
suggests. We’re talking about this from the Biblical perspective - and there IS
a Biblical perspective. It’s a message to a world lost and dying in sin without
God to repent and come to the foot of the World’s Redeemer.
The advent of the Lion of the Tribe
of Judah is on the horizon! He is coming back a second time without sin unto
salvation. He came the first time to redeem humanity, be spit upon and hang on a
cross. That won’t happen the SECOND TIME. Neighbor, the clock is ticking towards
this advent RAPIDLY. We’re not setting dates, but we’re sounding an alarm.
We’re not trying to say what may or may not happen in March but we’re sounding
an alarm to the Body of Christ that we need to be “LOOKING UP” for our
redemption is drawing NIGH. It’s time we stop making the Purpose Driven Life our
source of truth in our churches or the 40 days of purpose our guide for
Christian maturity. The BIBLE is the blueprint we need to be looking to as the
source of bringing men into right relationship with God.
It’s time we replaced all the latest fads and movements that are engulfing the
church world and get back to the basic fundamental tenets of prayer, worship and
preaching the gospel. WOW, what a concept. Preach the word, pray and worship.
What would happen if we came back to those things? One word - REVIVAL! Instead,
the modern church world has bought into the lie that numbers are more important
than character and the preaching of the Gospel. But we do these things to the
eternal damnation of those who listen and adhere to this false gospel that has
taken the cross of Christ out of the picture. Millions are in hell right now and
are going there in the future because they have placed their faith in a false
Christ, a pope, a priest, a preacher, a church or a denomination. Sounds rough
don't it? Well, we're living in times that require some rough talk. Jesus is
coming! Jesus is coming!
We need to get ready for the
rapture. Jesus said “THERE SHALL BE SIGNS” in the heavens.
As I close, let me ask you a question
today. No matter what happens - the rapture - or death - are you ready to meet
Jesus? Eternity is a long time friend to not be sure of one’s standing with God.
Most people who visit Spirit Journals are more than likely saved but some who
visit are not. If you are one that is not saved today I pray this journal has
shaken you a bit into making a decision for Christ. That is the real purpose of
understanding signs in the heavens - to point us to the ONE these
pointed to thousands of years ago- JESUS CHRIST. The miraculous redemptive plan
of God was placed in the heavens for all to see before there was even a Bible.
The stars and signs that HE Placed in the heavens so long ago are preaching a
message today - JESUS IS COMING! They are telling us to get ready for a time of
trouble unknown to man up to this point in history and one that will never be
anything like it in the future.
For the child of God, that scenario
holds nothing that makes us fear. We’re anchored in the One whom WE have
BELIEVED in and are PERSUADED that HE IS ABLE to keep that which we commit to
Him against that day! I pray you know this same Christ today and that the
message and signs in the heavens becomes a message of grace, love and hope
inside your heart today. He came to deliver man from both the power and the
penalty of sin! And friend, He has come to set the captive free, including me,
including you, including ALL of mankind who are bound by sin and darkness but
want to be free and brought into the kingdom of His LIGHT. Look to the heavens,
and SEE this Risen CHRIST today with outstretched arms pleading with you to make
Him Your Lord today. It’s getting late. The heavens declare it. I pray all who
are reading this are ready. This writer can tell you today by the grace of God
and only by the grace of God that he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt he is ready today. Praise God.
If you've been
blessed by this journal or would like to leave a comment, please post it below
on our guestbook.
Jewish tradition says that lunar
eclipses over Israel mean bad news for Jerusalem. The same tradition teaches
that a total solar eclipse over the Middle East is a bad omen for the world.
Israel had a lunar eclipse on March 14th, 2006 - 14 days before her national
elections. On March 28th, Ehud Ohlmert came to power, a man dedicated and
promising to divide Jerusalem and give up land won prior to 1967 to the
Palestinians in exchange for promises of peace The Total
Solar Eclipse Over Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Middle East - 3/29/06; First one in
29 years This eclipse took place on the same day on the
Hebrew calendar of the solar eclipse recorded in Exodus during the Egyptian
bondage of the Children of Israel took place during the days of Moses!; This
picture of the eclipse looks very similar to the Islamic crescent moon on the
same day Hamas takes over and launches its government in the West Bank next door
to Israel. There can be no worse omen for the Middle East than that! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
...............For when they
shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as
travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren,
are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all
the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor
of darkness.
Paul to the Thessalonians - 1
These. 5:3-5
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