This Monday-- August 21, 2017-- America will see a total solar eclipse from coast to coast and I believe it is a critical message for American Christians.
What is the message of the eclipse? I believe the eclipse is a call to repentance. I believe God is calling His people to repentance. God is warning His people in America of impending disaster and destruction. This is what I felt God was saying to me. So I began to research and as I did my due diligence, I found some astounding facts.
First, God created the cosmos in part to communicate to us through signs. "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" (Genesis 1:14). The prophet warned, "...the sun will be turned to darkness…before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Joel 2:31). Jesus told us to watch for signs "in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars" (Luke 21:25). The book of Revelation also appears to have many celestial events. So understand there is biblical basis for keeping tabs on the heavens. Additionally, understand that this is not astrology, but astronomy with biblical understanding. Stay away from astrology and horoscopes-- they are demonic counterfeits of God's planetary signs. Be careful. Practice simple biblical
astronomy.
Secondly, the Israelites considered eclipses to be warnings and calls to repent. Because Gentiles go by the sun for their calendar, a solar eclipse represents judgment coming upon a non-Jewish nation, whereas a lunar eclipse represents judgment coming upon Israel, because Jews use a lunar calendar.
Third, on the biblical calendar, the day of the eclipse falls on Elul 1. This day and month has signified repentance for God’s people. It was on Elul 1 that Jonah left for 40 days to tell Nineveh to repent. It was on Elul 1 that Moses went up Mt. Sinai after the sin of the Golden Calf, trying to make atonement while Israel was repenting. It was on Elul 1 Jesus went out into the wilderness for 40 days, coming out on Yom Kippur. Elul 1 starts the month of repentance and to have the solar eclipse fall on this day and month is of the utmost significance.
Fourth, history shows significant events follow the unrepentant after eclipses. After a total solar eclipse over Eastern Europe, we had WWI and the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Same with a Roman civil war and the fall of Rome.
Today, people are preparing to celebrate this event with parties. Viewing the phenomenon aside, I'm not so sure it's something to celebrate. The celebratory attitude regarding the eclipse brings to mind the ignorance of Babylonian King Belshazzar who threw a drunken party the night the Medes and Persians crept under the city gate. Belshazzar was dead the next day and the Babylonian empire fell.
Fifth, there was a total solar eclipse over Nineveh a month before Jonah showed up. It was called the Bur-Sagle eclipse. It's part of why Nineveh repented when Jonah arrived.
Sixth, this year, Elul 1 starts 40 days ending in Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement ending the month of repentance. The number
40 appears to mean a full or complete trial or season; often with something decisive to follow.
Seventh, another eclipse comes in 2024, 7 years after the Aug. 21, 2017 eclipse. The path of the two eclipses mark either a T or an X shape over the United States-- either in the shape of a cross or an X-mark. Whether the two eclipses mark a cross or an X-mark appears symbolic of whether we respond during this time with repentance or continue our ways. Which do you want?
Let's not be ignorant of God's ways. When the Israelites ignored or scoffed at God's ways, they usually missed what God was doing and saying at the time. God said, "My people perish for lack of knowledge" (Hos 4:6). When the Israelites paid attention to God's ways-- like the shepherds and wise men during the birth of Jesus-- they were able to be a part of what God was doing. Thus, recognize that it seems God is signaling to America about something-- firstly to the church, for "...judgment always begins with the House of God” (1Pet 4:17). Eclipses seem to forewarn of impending division and destruction, but God seems to always provide a window of opportunity for repenting and staving off the just consequences. God is always good and is the One who knows what's best for us and who wants us to repent and prosper. I believe it is time to embrace God in sincere, heartfelt repentance before we reap the just consequences of what we've long sown.
It is time for God’s people to get right with Him. We must repent of each our own sins. Gluttony, gossip, laziness, adultery, fornication, cohabitation, homosexuality, transgendering, divorce, lying, dishonesty, selfishness, witchcraft, pornography, abortion, drunkenness, abuse, arrogance, pride, jealousy, anger, religiousity, unbelief, double-mindedness, lukewarmness, and so on. There are so many to name! We must obey Jesus. We must be and live holy as He is holy (1Ptr 1:15-16). We must heal the sick, cast out demons, and share the Gospel with our neighbors (Matt 10:8; Mk 3:15). We must make disciples of all men (Matt 28:18-20). We must pray fervently and constantly (Acts 1:14). We must climb the mountains on our knees-- like Jonathan (1Sam 14:1-14)-- in heart wrenching prayer and battle back the enemy. Evil prevails when good men do nothing. How can you expect the world around you to change when you won't even put down the phone or turn off the TV to pray, repent, and intercede for that change? Be the change you want to see. Christian, we must take our rightful place and define our culture from on our knees! “Who knows? He may return and have pity and leave behind a blessing” (Joel 2:13-14).
May God remember His mercy (Habakkuk 3:2)!
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