Some Thoughts About the Eclipse
If Google is correct, I’ve only lived long enough to have witnessed one other “total solar eclipse” in my lifetime. Somehow, I remember studying about them in school, and I’m certain we used “special glasses” to gaze at the sun for at least a partial eclipse. In another Google article, it said there are an average of three solar eclipses, but not all are “total solar eclipses,” each year; so maybe I have seen one to two.
Regardless of how many eclipses we’ve seen or how many of the celestial wonders we’ve gazed upon, these phenomenal sights are God made! A careful Bible student will recognize the mention of God’s creation of constellations like Orian, the great empty space to the north, and the vastness of the skies. To have seen the “dancing lights” of the Aurora Borealis is one of the most fascinating sites I’ve beheld! “Shooting stars,” meteor showers, and even the clouds of the sky are all marvels created by our God and remain unmatched by the best of man’s designs. Yet, while intriguing, and certainly proof of God’s omnipotence, these natural events are not indications of “end times” as many have postulated regarding the event scheduled for April 8.
During recent weeks, an abundance of “warnings” has been published by religious zealots purporting the eclipse as “a definite sign of the Lord’s return.” One such article proclaimed tomorrow’s event is, “the final leg of the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end,” further indicating this is God’s “sign” of the Lord’s return. Still, other articles foster their fearmongering by submitting that “atmospheric conditions will create a shut-down of the electric grids across the United States, thus closing all commerce and stifling all communication systems for up to two weeks post event.” (The latter might be truer than the former for the sheer fact that fear is a great motivator!)
Having no knowledge of the “grid” or such things, I’ll limit my thoughts to the Scriptures. Jesus said, “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew 12: 38 – 42) The resurrection of our Lord from the dead is the “sign” of His return (Acts 17: 30 – 31). That rules out the eclipse as a sign!
Additionally, Jesus said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) So, regardless of all the investigation the best of scientists might offer, combined they could not determine the day nor the hour of the Lord’s return! So much for the eclipse having something to do with the ending of Earth’s existence.
What truly astounds me is the sheer lack of faith souls exhibit in God’s Word! Oh, they say they walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), but their acceptance of man’s intentional fearmongering, and certainly their acceptance of false doctrines, shows a minimal faith at best! Such conduct directly contradicts the Hebrew writer’s statement, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13: 5- 6) There is a tremendous difference between walking by faith and walking with a fear of things over which we have no control: and as a Christian, I must not fear man, but God. Jesus said, “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” (Luke 12: 4-5).
Perhaps the eclipse will do something few other events have done. It might remind a few believing souls that God is still in charge! Specifically, I recall a day when the earth was covered in darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour (from noon to three in the afternoon.) (Matthew 27:45) From what I can read, the eclipse will last but a few minutes. While still an act of the Almighty, the brevity will not compare with the magnitude of His power on the day His Son, our Savior Jesus died! On that day, the earth quaked, rocks were torn, and the veil of the temple was ripped from top to bottom. Might that happen tomorrow? Maybe, but if it does, it will be God’s doing and not the predictions of man’s interpretation of celestial alignments. Even the reactions of animals, the increase and decrease of the tides, and other such natural phenomena are God’s doing and not man’s!
Estimates of tourists in this area alone surpass a million! People from across the United States are expected to make the journey to this area to experience the “greatest vantage point to this once-in-a-lifetime event.” And all for a few minutes of a fleeting memory! How much better it would be should they all assemble with the saints study the unerring counsel of God! The information souls will see and hear in a faithful assembling of bible study and worship would do more to prepare them for the Lord’s return than all the hype of the eclipse combined!. Every eye shall see Him, every knee shall bow to Him, and every tongue shall confess that He is Jesus, the Son of God (Philippians 2: 5 – 11). That dear reader, will be a sight much greater than the greatest of the eclipses … and with a lot longer lasting result for every soul!