On April 8, a total solar eclipse will capture the sky unlike anyone has ever seen in this lifetime. When the moon glides over the horizon resting between our planet and the sun, its shadow will cover the globe like the Second Coming. (At least, that’s what some people think.)
Of the many eclipses we have seen (224 in this century), 68 are considered a “total solar eclipse.” We have up to 70 and 80 minutes to behold the glorious and natural phenomena. The problem is many people are already dusting off their religious conspiracy theories on what this means to Christians.
Several myths, facts, and even truths help us proclaim what we want to know. But what about those who have no clue what to think?
Let’s examine the most popular 10 ways to witness to others during the solar eclipse.
“Immediately after the distress of those days “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
10. Origin
“Eclipse” stems from the Latin eclipsis, which originates from the Greek word ekleipsis, meaning “an abandonment” or “forsaking.” While the solar eclipse doesn’t mean the moon is abandoning us, what comes to mind when you see the word “forsaking?”
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a great voice, and said [saying], ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani,’ that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46 WYC)
There couldn’t be a more suitable time to discuss the Lord’s redemptive work on the Cross than on April 8.
9. Uniqueness
Christian theorists and other conspiracy enthusiasts believe a Solar Eclipse is God warning us of something. There are thoughts that Earth is alone in experiencing this interstellar occasion. Only not so much.
This image is from Jupiter, which is one of its 92 moons. While NASA has shown us Mercury and Venus don’t have moons, other planets do. Yet, the moons have to be large enough to block the sun. Mars’ two planets can’t do that. But Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Earth do.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. (Psalm 19:1 NKJV)
God is real. The thought that He uses an eclipse as the Batphone for Earth exclusively is not.
8. Death
Different cultures throughout time have equated a solar eclipse to mean death. When the moon’s shadow precedes the sun, there is a thought of incoming plague or death. For Christians, that death represents Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity on the Cross.
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. (Luke 23:44-46 ESV)
The sun‘s light failed, but the light of the s-o-n reigns forever. An eclipse doesn’t mean death. It’s about our life moving forward.
7. War
Hollywood has routinely depicted an eclipse as the beginning of war. It is as if God is rolling up His sleeves and thinking, “Now, I mean business.” That’s not the case.
However, in 585 BCE, the Battle of Halys occurred between the Medes and Lydians in modern-day Turkey. In the sixth year of the war when everything stopped as”day was turning into night.” Known as the “Battle of the Eclipse,” the ominous feeling left by the eclipse stunned soldiers in their tracks. They stopped fighting, and the war ended. Maybe they thought something greater was coming.
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. (Joel 2:31 AMP)
Great for us. It will be terrible for them. We have work to do, Church.
6. Transformation
Certain cultures sometimes believed the solar eclipse marked a time of transformation. These moments in time don’t come along often, much like the next solar eclipse won’t arrive in North America until 2044. For astrologers, the eclipse occurs on a celestial cycle emblematic of change and renewal. For Christians, a time of this magnitude symbolizes one thing.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
Religion, dogma, faith–they all have the power to restore someone. However, the power of God alone can make that change everlasting. A new creation has come. You have been changed forever in Christ. The old? Gone for good. The new? Here to stay.
5. Balance
Everyone needs a sense of balance in their lives. Life happens. We can run through open doors and then get smacked by a brick wall. Likewise, we can reach our hands upward to touch the heavens or plummet like a meteorite to the deepest valley, landing with a massive thud. It’s a chance to change perspective and find what evens us out.
A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. (Proverbs 11:1 ESV)
“Abomination” comes from an Old French word meaning horror or disgust. If you are acting as if life is hunky-dory and not allowing God to embrace you, that would disgust Him. Why? You’re hurting and not asking the one who can save you for peace. That’s balance–being okay with not being okay at times and allowing God to do the rest.
4. Light
When the moon nudges between the Earth and the sun, we are reminded of the majestic light that the ball of fire possesses. When we are caught amid darkness, we need to remember the light of God shines in all of us.
“Because [it is] God who said, ‘Out of darkness, light [is] to shine, who did shine in our hearts, for the enlightening of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6 YLT)
There is a light within each of us. The closer we get to God, the brighter it shines. And like bugs to a zapper, people are drawn to that light inside of you–the glory of God, the face of Christ, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Never doubt that you can make a difference.
3. Signs
“It’s a sign” is easily one of the most uttered lines in the Church. Everyone wants to believe sights, sounds, and natural situations are everywhere. And, if you are keen on the Holy Spirit, that’s accurate.
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring (Luke 21:25 KJV)
God speaks to everyone. Are we all listening? Regardless of the culture, the solar eclipse was always a sign of life and death, rebuilding and destruction. So, what is this telling us today? God is still on the throne, and our King reigns!
2. Power
Look at the eclipse (but only through pinpoint glasses, or you’ll blast your cornea) and imagine the undeniable force of God. Could anyone create that wonder without throwing the universe into chaos?
Turn your eyes to the heavens! See who created these? (Isaiah 40:26 CJB)
Isaiah asks a rhetorical question here. Everyone listening to him knew he was referring to Almighty God. When you consider the universe was put together by divine architecture and sovereign love, that’s power–and it’s all for us.
1. Prophecy
The “cereal people” are out there, looming. You know? The “nuts and flakes” of the world. Since Issac Newton complained that the moon’s motion gave him migraines, people have connected doomsday prophecies with solar and lunar eclipses.
Ancient Chinese philosophers claimed more than 900 solar eclipses have been apocalyptic. The historic metropolis of the Aztecs, Tenochtitlan, is said to have been created because of a total solar eclipse. That city is now called Mexico City.
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9 HCSB)
This poetic verse of Scripture should make doomsday preppers think–nothing new. There are over 1,817 prophecies in the Bible (1,239 in the Old Testament, 578 in the New Testament). Jesus fulfilled 351 of them on His own.
It’s been said by eschatologists and theologians that Jesus fulfilled only eight prophecies, written hundreds of years before He walked with man on Earth; the likelihood is 1 in 1017. That’s 1 in 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000. And He brought 351 to life.
Oh, and it took 1,500 years to write the Bible. Why does all that matter?
God will do what he said he would do. (Romans 9:5a WE)
Not for nothing, but at the time of the total solar eclipse on April 8, the planet will be tilted 23.5 degrees to the south. That means the Earth–and everything on it–will be entirely under the sun.
It may be new to us, but not to God. We can trust that He will do what He said He would do. Whatever prophecy someone is hearing or adhering to during the total solar eclipse, rest assured that God Almighty is not blessing the extraterrestrial event but every living soul watching it.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In