Are You Wondering About the Eclipse?
You might be wondering what to make of the upcoming eclipse. If you're like me you've seen the Facebook posts and YouTube videos. Some seem well-meaning, others seem to be "clickbait." The eclipse is going to pass towns called Nineveh! So what? It has been 7 years since the last eclipse. 7 has significance in the Bible. Again, so what? The path of the last couple of eclipses form the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Well, not the normal Hebrew script; something known as paleo-Hebrew. That sounds more exotic so it must be correct. Maybe we're making this a little too complicated!
Astrological phenomena do have eschatological significance but that doesn't mean we look to the stars to find the answers. God has given us a Book! That's where He has revealed himself. Christians are not astrologers. Interpreting the moon and the stars is a great way to sell books but it isn't of any practical value in giving direction to our lives. My goal today is to share biblical truth that will help you make better sense of all these things.
The Bible does speak about eclipses or eclipse-like events. That's part of the reason people are so interested in this event. For example, Joel 2:31 says: "The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes." Jesus explained that His second coming would be preceded by these signs: "The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Matthew 24:29).
I believe every word of these Scriptures. Without question eclipses and other unique and amazing astrological events will accompany Christ's return. At the same time events like this have happened with regularity throughout history. Every 18 months a total solar eclipse happens somewhere in the world. While I believe the return of Christ is immanent, I don't think this eclipse is it.
Jesus himself said: "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." (Matthew 24:44) History has proven this verse time and time again. Catastrophies, wars, famine and pestilence all tend to spur eschatological speculations. Instead of seeing these events as signs of the end, Jesus taught us to see them as signs that the end is coming. In Mark 13:8, Jesus said, "These things are merely the beginning of the birth pangs." Every war, every earthquake, every eclipse reminds us that this world is passing away and Jesus is our only hope to be delivered.
So don't worry. Don't freak out. But don't ignore what is happening all around you. If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, come to Christ by faith. Give your life to Christ. Trust that Jesus' death and resurrection are sufficient to save you. If you are a Christian, let all these events remind you to take this mindset: "Therefore, prepare you minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13).