Signs in the Heavens

Updated for clarity- 5/25/2020

I’ve been pondering and doing some research regarding the recent US solar eclipse, the date of September 23, the 12th chapter of Revelation, and the many claims, theories, and warnings of supposed biblical signs from the Lord regarding future disasters. 

We need to be careful and clarify what exactly constitutes biblical signs and what does not. I don’t come to the same biblical conclusions surrounding these theories even though they have become quite popular and taught by people I once respected. 

The Solar Eclipse 

Many people believe the solar eclipse last month on August 21, 2017, was a warning from the Lord regarding an impending period of judgment while claim it was a warning for repentance given before the onset of His divine judgment. I have searched the scriptures and have yet to find even one passage that clearly states the Lord will send a solar eclipse as a warning for either. 

On that day, in some geographical areas, the US experienced a total eclipse of the sun, while other areas only a partial eclipse, and still others were not affected by the eclipse at all. I must ask if the eclipse was a sign from God, then why wasn’t a total eclipse seen in all parts of the world? Or if it had been a warning for the US only, then why wasn’t the eclipse seen throughout the entire country? But even then, why is the US being singled out, when societies all over the world live in sin and rebellion to the Lord? We should all ask these questions! In any of these scenarios, wouldn’t it be God’s will that all people see His sign and repent and be warned of impending His judgment? Didn’t Christ die for all? Yes, as a matter of fact, He did. See 2 Corinthians 5:15.

God’s Judgment

Revelation 6:12-14 clearly explains the signs which will immediately precede God’s judgment on humanity.

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand.

 The eclipse that day, even in totality, did not fit the description of these verses. Yes, as I previously pointed out, the sun went dark in some areas and lost only some of its light in others. The moon did not turn red or as blood. The events detailed in these verses of scripture will be much more dramatic than the solar eclipse.

True, biblical signs which prove as the onset of God’s judgment and are to occur just before the actual rapture (the removal of believers from the earth) described in Matthew 24:29-31.

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

I have emphasized the first four words of this scripture because they are most important to our understanding of the proper biblical context. They point us to a time that has not yet taken place, after the tribulation, a time which has not yet begun! Please see also Joel 2:30-31.

These events will be witnessed by everyone worldwide and will not be limited to specific areas. When this day finally comes there will be no mistaking the severity. It will be serious, and sudden, and not one person on earth will be throwing parties or taking “selfies” as they did the day of the recent eclipse. The people of the earth will be horrified and will attempt to hide away in the effort to escape the wrath that is to come. 

September 23 -The Great Sign, and Revelation 12

A group of men and women who call themselves “theologians” believe specific signs in the sky will occur on September 23 of this year (2017), based on Revelation 12. They have named this event The Great Sign, which connects two different constellations, Virgo (The Virgin) and Leo (The Lion), symbols also associated with the Zodiac. Admitting the Zodiac as an occult practice, the theologians deny their connection to it and an astrology practice. They believe the Great Sign theory is based on God’s creation of the stars (astronomy), used for the telling of future biblical events. I’m afraid I have to disagree that a difference exists, as both methods utilize the formation of stars to predict the future. 

Also during this event all of the planets will align. (I can’t help but say this reminds me of a song in the 1960’s – when Jupiter aligns with Mars – The Age of Aquarius. Popular yes, a valid biblical sign – nope!) Will the planets align? Probably so, but this should not be considered biblical, either. 

Please see Deuteronomy 18:9-14, which includes warnings against divination and omens’ interpretation. The Lord does not speak to us through the stars or planets. He speaks to us through His word.

It seems each year we receive similar warnings for the fall months, and each prove a tiresome failure! I don’t believe these theologians take much importance to the Lord’s warnings since their conclusions support their practice of that which is forbidden! Either they do not understand the scripture, don’t bother to read and rightly divide the word of God, or believe that somehow the warnings do not apply to them. Regardless, they are without excuse and are deceivers with a number of followers! 

Revelation chapter 12 is a fascinating symbolic and  historical account of the nation of Israel, the birth of Christ, and events in preparation for the upcoming destruction of Satan. It is a glorious picture, and I have found the entire book of Revelation a fascinating, one that I spend much time in study.

Many things are happening on the earth as we speak and they will continue. We may be witnessing the wondrous beginnings of the end-time events. With that in mind, we know our blessedness because with it comes the day of His appearing. But let’s also be wise and pray for understanding and discernment. The word of God supplies with all the answers we need, and as we pray, study, and allow ourselves to be led by truth, we will learn and gain understanding through the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit – and each other!

Let us also consider that we carry the precious name of Christ and that the future of many lost souls depends on our knowledge and our words. The last thing we want to create is a “the sky is falling” effect and lose the ears of the lost. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”