We often wonder if an astronomical phenomenon points to the End Times. After all, Revelation does tell us that the moon will turn blood red and the sun will darken. Some theories have recently floated around about the overall eclipse that can happen on April 8 of this yr, days away from when this text was written.
Some Christians imagine this eclipse forms the Hebrew letter aleph—the primary letter within the Hebrew alphabet—over America. They’ve been quick to indicate that the eclipse will undergo several towns named Nineveh, and a few have wondered if plagues or disasters will break out in America as a consequence of recent abortion laws.
Some have gone so far as to say that what’s going to occur in America is paying homage to what took place in Egypt after Pharaoh ordered the slaughter of the Hebrew male children—several theories flow into now on TikTok and other social media platforms.
So, will the eclipse on April 8 fulfill Scripture, or should we disregard this? Let’s look further.
What Are the Theories in regards to the April 8 Solar Eclipse?
We’ve mentioned several prevailing theories in regards to the solar eclipse. Let’s break it down below.
Signs and Wonders in Scripture
Many Christians imagine we should always listen to signs and wonders within the heavens. After all, we’ve got witnessed several times when God used those in Scripture (more on this in a moment). Revelation speaks about astronomical events keying us into Christ’s second return.
A Nation Divided
Many Christians have also been quick to indicate that the United States is anything but united. Most recently, it has been divided over the rights of the unborn. Many Christians who claim to have the gift of prophecy talk about how God will unleash a looking on those that take the lives of others—including infants. They point to several examples in Scripture where God laid waste to nations who often participated in child sacrifice.
Nineveh
Many Christians are also quick to indicate that the trail of the solar eclipse, the Hebrew letter of Aleph forming from the shadows of the sun and moon, will go through a minimum of two towns named Nineveh. Nineveh, in Scripture, was a pit of sin. They had engaged in every unsuitable possible. In the Book of Jonah, God threatens to wipe them out unless they repent.
To some, this sounds very plausible.
So, let’s look to Scripture to see what it says about how we should always view astronomical events.
What Does the Bible Say about Solar Eclipses?
Several intriguing solar events occur within the Bible.
In Joshua 10, God makes the sun stand still while a battle occurs. He does this until Israel has victory over its enemies.
As mentioned in Luke 23, the sun also went dark during Christ’s crucifixion. Some theologians have theorized whether a complete eclipse, just like the one that can happen on April 8, happened when Jesus died.
The Book of Revelation does make it clear that when the last days come, the moon will turn blood red (we’ve got had lunar eclipses that turn the moon red), and the sun will turn black like sackcloth.
“There you go!” Some Christians say. “That means this total eclipse signifies that Christ will come again.” Or, on the very least, they imagine move supernaturally—perhaps causing America to listen to how far it has strayed.
But when people say things like this, in addition they appear to forget other verses about end Times.
What Does the Bible Tell Us in regards to the End Times?
First, Jesus told us we’d see signs and wonders and listen to about many wars (and rumors of wars), but he told us to not listen to this stuff. “The end remains to be to come back,” Matthew 24 tells us.
This implies that we are able to’t base our hope on a singular astronomical sign indicating that Christ will return.
Second, Jesus says we is not going to know the hour of his return. We’ll be sorely upset if we eagerly anticipate an eclipse and hedge our bets on the second coming. Christ says he’ll return like a thief within the night. In other words, we won’t expect it to occur. We can eagerly await the bridegroom and watch out to not “go to sleep,” but we won’t know when the bridegroom will arrive.
Why Do Christians Want the Solar Eclipse to Signify the End Times?
If the Bible tells us to not hinge our faith on the wars and rumors of wars and plenty of “birthing pains” of the End Times, why accomplish that many believers yearn a lot for the Second Coming?
Yes, on this earth, we experience pain. We feel like strangers, and we eagerly await our heavenly home.
But we even have a job to do. Jesus doesn’t tell us to sit down around and get all giddy in regards to the second coming, forgetting to spread the Gospel. He tells us to enter every nation and each sub-group of individuals (if we take a look at the Greek word utilized in Matthew 28) and preach the Gospel.
As Christians, we’ve got not finished this mission. Not every people group has heard about Jesus, let alone had a likelihood to repent.
We can imagine Noah didn’t gloat on the Ark when the rain began falling. He probably felt sorrow for the individuals who could’ve made it on in the event that they had only listened to him.
In the identical way, Christians need to take a position in compassion and love for the lost, as Jesus did.
We haven’t finished our Great Commission. So, although we all know that signs and wonders within the heavens will point to a future where such signs will usher in Christ’s reign—we’d like to remain focused on what he has called us to do. Otherwise, he can be upset with us, just like the master within the parable of the abilities.
What Should I Do in regards to the Solar Eclipse as a Christian?
As Christians, how should we react to the upcoming solar eclipse, especially for the reason that End Times will include astronomical signs?
First, God just isn’t a God of confusion.
We must admit, it’s quite the stretch to say, “See! Two of the towns are called Nineveh. Therefore, God will destroy America like he did Nineveh.” It borders into the conspiracy theory territory.
God will make it clear when he arrives. Certain things need to occur before he returns, including the Gospel being preached to each people group. Although we don’t know the day or hour, we’ll know when Scripture has been fulfilled. Rather a lot must occur first, and it hasn’t come to pass yet.
Second, stop the fear-mongering.
Christians might imagine the “turn or burn” messages are effective, but really, they provide people a horrible view of God and his love for humanity. Yes, hell exists. Yes, not everyone will go to heaven.
But Jesus told us to spread the “excellent news” of his salvation—not the “I’m done being on earth, so I’m just going to taunt people by saying Jesus is coming back during an eclipse” news.
We want Jesus to call us good and faithful servants. How will we do this? By spreading his Gospel as an alternative of waiting for him to return.
Finally, benefit from the eclipse.
We can rejoice, knowing God has shown us the here and not-yet-here kingdom through the shadows of things to come back. Yes, eventually, the sun will turn to sackcloth when the events of Revelation unfold.
But we must stop viewing all the pieces as an End Times prophecy. God won’t leave us at nighttime (in the event you’ll forgive the joke) about his return. He will make it obvious when he calls his servants home.
For now, we’ve got a job to do. So get out those solar-safe glasses and revel in the eclipse with me as we admire God’s creation.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/Pitris
Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, book editor for hire, and the writer of virtually 30 books. More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications. Check out her books at hopebolinger.com for clean books in most genres, great for adults and children. Check out her editing profile at Reedsy.com to seek out out about hiring her in your next book project.
This article is an element of our Christian Terms catalog, exploring words and phrases of Christian theology and history. Here are a few of our hottest articles covering Christian terms to assist your journey of data and faith:
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