"Blood Red (Sack-Cloth) Moons"
Are these Signs of the End of the Age and Jesus Return?
*Updated 11 April 2014
Will Jesus return in 2015?, ... or will the Great Tribulation begin this coming Northern Hemisphere spring?
Can NASA's eclipse charts help us find out?
Some prominent International Christian Ministries (Pastors, Teachers, Prophets and Leaders) have speculated that the solar and blood moon eclipses over Jerusalem during the Jewish High Holy Days in 2014 and 2015 could indeed fulfil the end-time milestones of Bible prophecy. *However, it appears that these events in 2014-15 won't be visible in Jerusalem! The following excerpt is from the book "Blood Moons Rising" by Mark Hitchcock and published by Tyndale House Publishing Inc., USA:
"According to astronomers, two blood moons will appear in 2014: The night of April 14 and into the early hours of April 15 there will be a total lunar eclipse....Astronomers in North and South America will best be able to view this eclipse, which should last for 75-80 minutes....On October 8 the second total lunar eclipse of the year will occur, visible to the western half of North America, Hawaii, eastern Asia, Indonesia, New Zealand and the eastern half of Australia. Across central and eastern North America the moon will set while entirely covered by Earth's shadow. This eclipse is expected to last one hour. Likewise in 2015, two lunar eclipses will be visible. 'The eclipse on April 4, 2015, will be visible in Asia, Australia, Pacific and the Americas with a duration of 3h 29m. Of this time the eclipse will be total for 5m.' The blood moon on September 28, 2015, 'will be visible in Asia, Australia, Pacific and the Americas with a duration of 3h 20m. Of this time the eclipse will be total for 1h 12m.'
Four blood moons are certain. All agree on this point. The issue is, what prophetic significance, if any, does this phenomenon hold? Does it mark a sudden shift along the prophetic fault-line that will change everything?"
The internet has many 'prophetic voices' loudly proclaiming 'the end is nigh', then expounding on a particular interpretation of the subject, some are quite rational, others present quite exaggerated and fantastical claims then invite the reader/listener to follow their particular ministry to be sure of being on the right track!
However, there are also many other voices claiming to expose the theories that lie behind the appearance of Lunar Tetrads on the Jewish High Holy Days and the 'end of the age' [or world as we know it]. These voices claim that the calculations incorrectly cite 'more or less' dates, 'around about' this year, or these particular years!
Some of the online reports I have seen have based their calculations on the Gregorian calendar without reference to the Hebrew 'Lunar' calendar, therefore their calculations don't 'quite add up'. In light of this, lets have a look a what chapter 17 in the book of Acts advises us regarding such teachings:
Can NASA's eclipse charts help us find out?
Some prominent International Christian Ministries (Pastors, Teachers, Prophets and Leaders) have speculated that the solar and blood moon eclipses over Jerusalem during the Jewish High Holy Days in 2014 and 2015 could indeed fulfil the end-time milestones of Bible prophecy. *However, it appears that these events in 2014-15 won't be visible in Jerusalem! The following excerpt is from the book "Blood Moons Rising" by Mark Hitchcock and published by Tyndale House Publishing Inc., USA:
"According to astronomers, two blood moons will appear in 2014: The night of April 14 and into the early hours of April 15 there will be a total lunar eclipse....Astronomers in North and South America will best be able to view this eclipse, which should last for 75-80 minutes....On October 8 the second total lunar eclipse of the year will occur, visible to the western half of North America, Hawaii, eastern Asia, Indonesia, New Zealand and the eastern half of Australia. Across central and eastern North America the moon will set while entirely covered by Earth's shadow. This eclipse is expected to last one hour. Likewise in 2015, two lunar eclipses will be visible. 'The eclipse on April 4, 2015, will be visible in Asia, Australia, Pacific and the Americas with a duration of 3h 29m. Of this time the eclipse will be total for 5m.' The blood moon on September 28, 2015, 'will be visible in Asia, Australia, Pacific and the Americas with a duration of 3h 20m. Of this time the eclipse will be total for 1h 12m.'
Four blood moons are certain. All agree on this point. The issue is, what prophetic significance, if any, does this phenomenon hold? Does it mark a sudden shift along the prophetic fault-line that will change everything?"
The internet has many 'prophetic voices' loudly proclaiming 'the end is nigh', then expounding on a particular interpretation of the subject, some are quite rational, others present quite exaggerated and fantastical claims then invite the reader/listener to follow their particular ministry to be sure of being on the right track!
However, there are also many other voices claiming to expose the theories that lie behind the appearance of Lunar Tetrads on the Jewish High Holy Days and the 'end of the age' [or world as we know it]. These voices claim that the calculations incorrectly cite 'more or less' dates, 'around about' this year, or these particular years!
Some of the online reports I have seen have based their calculations on the Gregorian calendar without reference to the Hebrew 'Lunar' calendar, therefore their calculations don't 'quite add up'. In light of this, lets have a look a what chapter 17 in the book of Acts advises us regarding such teachings:
As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
(Acts 17:10-12 NIV)
Therefore...
Acts 17:11 is advising us to "Receive the Word with all eagerness and readiness of mind, but search the Scriptures daily to prove whether those things be so."
Acts 17:11 is advising us to "Receive the Word with all eagerness and readiness of mind, but search the Scriptures daily to prove whether those things be so."
This is one of the charts circulating on 'Google Images' and 'Youtube' at present. The photos used are originally from NASA. I have made an amendment to the Solar Eclipse on 20 March 2015 which originally claimed to be the "Jewish New Year" but which in fact is the 'Biblical New Year' - see Exodus 12:2.
The Jewish New Year falls on Rosh Hashanah (the Head of the Year) on 25 September 2014, there will be a Solar Eclipse on Rosh Hashanah in 2015 which will fall on 13 September 2015 - it is also called Yom Teruah or Feast of Trumpets.
In 2014 and 2015 a rare sequence of four 'Blood Moon' lunar eclipses called "tetrads", will occur on the Jewish High Holy Days of Passover which begins on 15 April, and the Feast of Tabernacles which begins on 8 October in 2014. In 2015 Passover falls on 4 April and the Feast of Tabernacles falls on 28 September. In addition to the tetrad occurrence, two solar eclipses will complement the four lunar eclipses and these will fall on the Biblical New Year of Nisan 1 (20 March 2015) and on the Feast of Trumpets or Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) on 13 September 2015. The 2014 tetrads would be preceded by a comet and possible meteor shower which was said to be a sign heralding the imminent arrival of the tetrads!
* A quote from the book "Blood Moons Rising" follows:
"God uses the heavens at critical junctures to signal the coming of great events. He will use them in the end times to portend the second advent of Christ. But the four blood moons of 2014-2015 fail as a discernible sign of the times for the simple reason that they will not be visible to most of the world, and most specifically, not to Israel, which is supposed to be the focal point of the blood moons prophecy."
The Jewish New Year falls on Rosh Hashanah (the Head of the Year) on 25 September 2014, there will be a Solar Eclipse on Rosh Hashanah in 2015 which will fall on 13 September 2015 - it is also called Yom Teruah or Feast of Trumpets.
In 2014 and 2015 a rare sequence of four 'Blood Moon' lunar eclipses called "tetrads", will occur on the Jewish High Holy Days of Passover which begins on 15 April, and the Feast of Tabernacles which begins on 8 October in 2014. In 2015 Passover falls on 4 April and the Feast of Tabernacles falls on 28 September. In addition to the tetrad occurrence, two solar eclipses will complement the four lunar eclipses and these will fall on the Biblical New Year of Nisan 1 (20 March 2015) and on the Feast of Trumpets or Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) on 13 September 2015. The 2014 tetrads would be preceded by a comet and possible meteor shower which was said to be a sign heralding the imminent arrival of the tetrads!
* A quote from the book "Blood Moons Rising" follows:
"God uses the heavens at critical junctures to signal the coming of great events. He will use them in the end times to portend the second advent of Christ. But the four blood moons of 2014-2015 fail as a discernible sign of the times for the simple reason that they will not be visible to most of the world, and most specifically, not to Israel, which is supposed to be the focal point of the blood moons prophecy."
Comet ISON Perihelion
A comet and meteor shower was to pass by earth on the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah 27/28 November 2013, a few months before the Jewish Eclipse sequence began. This comet was named Comet ISON Perihelion, (perihelion means 'point in orbit nearest to the sun') and this was to be visible in the Northern Hemisphere at this time.
The 'Mail Online' headline read "Comet brighter than the moon will fly-by the Earth in 2013"
Comet ISON was visiting the inner solar system and was set to put on spectacular views for the Northern Hemisphere across November and December 2013 as it headed towards the sun. There was speculation that it may prove to be brighter than any other comet of the last century - and this may end up being its one and only trip to the solar system, as its trajectory may see it plunge into the sun in a fiery death. Another headline read: New Comet Discovered - May become "one of the brightest in history".
Astronomers said that the ball of ice and rocks might become visible to the naked eye for a few months in late 2013 and early 2014 - perhaps outshining the moon even! Well, the date of its appearance came and went without any of the promised drama of outshining the moon or being visible to the naked eye (not to us in the Southern Hemisphere in any case). However the following two significant events involving the sun did take place at the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014:
A comet and meteor shower was to pass by earth on the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah 27/28 November 2013, a few months before the Jewish Eclipse sequence began. This comet was named Comet ISON Perihelion, (perihelion means 'point in orbit nearest to the sun') and this was to be visible in the Northern Hemisphere at this time.
The 'Mail Online' headline read "Comet brighter than the moon will fly-by the Earth in 2013"
Comet ISON was visiting the inner solar system and was set to put on spectacular views for the Northern Hemisphere across November and December 2013 as it headed towards the sun. There was speculation that it may prove to be brighter than any other comet of the last century - and this may end up being its one and only trip to the solar system, as its trajectory may see it plunge into the sun in a fiery death. Another headline read: New Comet Discovered - May become "one of the brightest in history".
Astronomers said that the ball of ice and rocks might become visible to the naked eye for a few months in late 2013 and early 2014 - perhaps outshining the moon even! Well, the date of its appearance came and went without any of the promised drama of outshining the moon or being visible to the naked eye (not to us in the Southern Hemisphere in any case). However the following two significant events involving the sun did take place at the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014:
According to Wikipedia:
On 2 December 2013, the CIOC (NASA's Comet ISON Observing Campaign) announced that Comet ISON had fully disintegrated, though NASA continues to investigate the possibility that an inactive fragment could have survived. The Hubble Space Telescope failed to detect fragments of ISON on 18 December 2013.
According to the NZ Herald on 11 December 2013, Comet ISON, once optimistically called the comet of the century is dead, the victim of a brush with the sun that was way too close. It was barely a year old. The comet which excited astronomers and the media as it zipped within 1,174,821 kilometres of the sun, has been pronounced dead at a scientific conference this week. Astronomers who had followed the ice ball mourned the loss of the sky show that once promised to light up during December.
So why do we study the sky? In Genesis 1:14 we read the following:
On 2 December 2013, the CIOC (NASA's Comet ISON Observing Campaign) announced that Comet ISON had fully disintegrated, though NASA continues to investigate the possibility that an inactive fragment could have survived. The Hubble Space Telescope failed to detect fragments of ISON on 18 December 2013.
According to the NZ Herald on 11 December 2013, Comet ISON, once optimistically called the comet of the century is dead, the victim of a brush with the sun that was way too close. It was barely a year old. The comet which excited astronomers and the media as it zipped within 1,174,821 kilometres of the sun, has been pronounced dead at a scientific conference this week. Astronomers who had followed the ice ball mourned the loss of the sky show that once promised to light up during December.
So why do we study the sky? In Genesis 1:14 we read the following:
Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;
(Genesis 1:14 NIV)
When we read that verse, we can see that God uses the heavenly lights as signs, and for seasons and days and years! The prophet Joel foretold that a blood moon would mark the day of the Lord in Joel 2:30-31. Therefore we can surely deduce that there will be some pretty dramatic events happening when a blood moon is rising over Jerusalem. The ancient Rabbis called such eclipses over Jerusalem "sackcloth moons". In recorded history over the past 2,000 years there have been seven such occurrences of lunar tetrads over Jerusalem during the High Holy Days. After 2015 it is reported that there won't be another lunar tetrad for some 600 years according to NASA. In Judaism the lunar tetrads represent portents or warnings of extreme danger to the Nation, and the solar eclipses are warnings to the rest of the world. According to Rabbinic sources:
At the time when the sun is eclipsed, it is an unfavourable period for the world. A parable: "This can be compared to a human king who made a feast for his subjects, and placed a lantern before them. When he grew angry with them, he told his servant, "Take away the lantern from before them, and place them in darkness!" (Talmud Bavli, Succah 29a).
The interpretation is this: The king is God, the King of Kings; the people at the table are ourselves; the lantern is the sun. The moon obscuring the sun is the king's servant (possibly represents the Holy Spirit) who takes away the lantern. Although eclipses can be described in entirely natural terms and occur at set intervals, they nevertheless indicate that the period of darkness is one of Divine retribution for various sins.
These various sins are also listed in the Babylonian Talmud, I have taken the following three from that list:
1. the practice of homosexuality
2. the rape of a betrothed girl
3. the murder of 2 brothers at the same time.
So, it seems that the Jewish sages saw these sins, no doubt as well as others, as catalysts that would cause the world to be thrust into darkness.
During the Solar Eclipse, the sun still shines, however its light is hidden from us, yet the shafts of light appearing as the eclipse moves away are promises that God's light hasn't been extinguished, the shafts of light are "rays of hope", and they remind us that even during the dark periods of life, we are to look for those small signs that tell us that God is still with us.
The interpretation is this: The king is God, the King of Kings; the people at the table are ourselves; the lantern is the sun. The moon obscuring the sun is the king's servant (possibly represents the Holy Spirit) who takes away the lantern. Although eclipses can be described in entirely natural terms and occur at set intervals, they nevertheless indicate that the period of darkness is one of Divine retribution for various sins.
These various sins are also listed in the Babylonian Talmud, I have taken the following three from that list:
1. the practice of homosexuality
2. the rape of a betrothed girl
3. the murder of 2 brothers at the same time.
So, it seems that the Jewish sages saw these sins, no doubt as well as others, as catalysts that would cause the world to be thrust into darkness.
During the Solar Eclipse, the sun still shines, however its light is hidden from us, yet the shafts of light appearing as the eclipse moves away are promises that God's light hasn't been extinguished, the shafts of light are "rays of hope", and they remind us that even during the dark periods of life, we are to look for those small signs that tell us that God is still with us.
Blood or 'Sackcloth' Moon
The "blood moon" is created by a partial lunar eclipse. When the earth's shadow covers the moon completely, we get a total eclipse. A partial eclipse happens when the earth's shadow covers the moon only partially. The earth's atmosphere bends light around its edge, and scatters out shorter wave-length light coloured from green to violet and leaving the longer wave-length light which is red, orange and yellow, in the earth's shadow. This is also why sunrises and sunsets generally appear red.
The tetrad phenomenon (a string of four moons partially or completely eclipsed) has occurred twice in the last century, both times on the night of the Passover Seder: in the Hebrew year 5710 (1949-50) and in 5728 (1967-68). (The Hebrew year begins in September unlike the Gregorian calendar which has 1 January as the beginning of the year, hence the difference). The year 5710 came one year after the establishment of modern Israel. The year 5728 came after the liberation of Jerusalem in 1967 when Israel was attacked by seven Arab armies and successfully won the war and took control of Jerusalem from Jordan.
The next string of four blood moons is coming Passover Seder night 5775 (2014-15). The last time this event had taken place before the 20th Century was in 5654. That was 1493-94 one year after the order to expel the Jews from Spain came on 30 July 1492 during the Spanish Inquisition. (200,000 Jews were expelled, countless others were tortured, forced to convert to Catholicism and/or killed during the inquisition). Four days later Christopher Columbus set off from Spain to discover the New World! Subsequently discovering America which ultimately became a 'safe haven' for Jewish refugees.
In the book of Joel we read the following description of the solar and lunar eclipses as a precursor of the "Day of the Lord".
The "blood moon" is created by a partial lunar eclipse. When the earth's shadow covers the moon completely, we get a total eclipse. A partial eclipse happens when the earth's shadow covers the moon only partially. The earth's atmosphere bends light around its edge, and scatters out shorter wave-length light coloured from green to violet and leaving the longer wave-length light which is red, orange and yellow, in the earth's shadow. This is also why sunrises and sunsets generally appear red.
The tetrad phenomenon (a string of four moons partially or completely eclipsed) has occurred twice in the last century, both times on the night of the Passover Seder: in the Hebrew year 5710 (1949-50) and in 5728 (1967-68). (The Hebrew year begins in September unlike the Gregorian calendar which has 1 January as the beginning of the year, hence the difference). The year 5710 came one year after the establishment of modern Israel. The year 5728 came after the liberation of Jerusalem in 1967 when Israel was attacked by seven Arab armies and successfully won the war and took control of Jerusalem from Jordan.
The next string of four blood moons is coming Passover Seder night 5775 (2014-15). The last time this event had taken place before the 20th Century was in 5654. That was 1493-94 one year after the order to expel the Jews from Spain came on 30 July 1492 during the Spanish Inquisition. (200,000 Jews were expelled, countless others were tortured, forced to convert to Catholicism and/or killed during the inquisition). Four days later Christopher Columbus set off from Spain to discover the New World! Subsequently discovering America which ultimately became a 'safe haven' for Jewish refugees.
In the book of Joel we read the following description of the solar and lunar eclipses as a precursor of the "Day of the Lord".
And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth-blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the LORD arrives. (Joel 2:30-31 NLT)
In 1 Chronicles 12:32, we read about the sons of Issachar. The text says these were "men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do." At this critical period of time with the world-wide rise of anti-Semitism (it is reported that Hitler's Mein Kampf was the most popularly downloaded e-book on the internet in 2013). Israel is facing threats from enemies both ancient and modern including the radical Islamic nations along with terrorist groups such as Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas,
al-Qaeda, Islamic State and the Palestinian leadership who call for the complete annihilation of Israel. This list also includes her neighbours, the majority of the United Nations membership and the European Union and various worldwide media organisations, to mention but a few. We need to see more men and women who truly understand the times geopolitically, economically and biblically. People who will proclaim the truth and will commit to praying for Israel, who know what Israel needs to do to stand firm against pressure from other nations. People who will remind the church of its Jewish Roots and the need for the church to 'Bless Israel'. God has called us to be 'watchmen' on the walls of Jerusalem, to intercede on behalf of Jerusalem. The prophet Joel tells us that if we cry out to God to spare His people, He will hear and take pity on them and deliver them and bless them.
al-Qaeda, Islamic State and the Palestinian leadership who call for the complete annihilation of Israel. This list also includes her neighbours, the majority of the United Nations membership and the European Union and various worldwide media organisations, to mention but a few. We need to see more men and women who truly understand the times geopolitically, economically and biblically. People who will proclaim the truth and will commit to praying for Israel, who know what Israel needs to do to stand firm against pressure from other nations. People who will remind the church of its Jewish Roots and the need for the church to 'Bless Israel'. God has called us to be 'watchmen' on the walls of Jerusalem, to intercede on behalf of Jerusalem. The prophet Joel tells us that if we cry out to God to spare His people, He will hear and take pity on them and deliver them and bless them.
I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
(Isaiah 62:5-7 NIV)
During the week of 28 July and 02 August 2013, it officially became public knowledge that "peace talks" to divide Israel and create a "Palestinian" state began. This was instigated by USA Secretary of State Senator John Kerry. Interestingly the planned timeline for these talks to conclude would be "nine months" hence. Why nine? Why not twelve, or six?? This brings to mind many Scriptures that talk about "labour pains or birth pains." These include: Jeremiah 30:6; Hosea 13:13; Matthew 24:8 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 which follows:
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 NIV).
This nine month plan was actually placed on the table at least a couple of weeks before the official announcement, we will see this timeline coming to an end roughly around the time of the first blood moon of the tetrad, which occurs on Passover, 15 April 2014. Meanwhile the Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will be making an official visit to Jerusalem one month later, commencing 24 May 2014. President Shimon Peres of Israel has been in dialogue with the Pope regarding the 'Holy Sites' in Jerusalem and the Vatican's claim to them. One commentator referred to these meetings as "King Ahab making an alliance with Jezebel!" Apparently the Oslo Accords which were signed in 1993 awarded the Vatican custodianship of the 'Holy' places in Jerusalem. Reportedly the Vatican desires to take over the Cenacle (Upper Room where the Holy Spirit fell on Jesus' disciples at Pentecost) on Mount Zion and make it an official 'Catholic' pilgrimage site. Underneath the 'upper room' is sited the Tomb of King David a place of Jewish pilgrimage. Shimon Peres agreed at the time although this has never been ratified by Israel's parliament (the Knesset). None of this was widely reported at the time and appears to have slipped into history by and large unnoticed. However it is also reported that the Vatican has desired for some 1200 years for a return of the "Holy Roman Empire" to be governed not from Rome, but from Jerusalem! Not only do they have the 1993 Oslo Accords which call for the 'Internationalising' of Jerusalem under UN leadership, but they also signed a 'covenant' with the then PLO leader Yasser Arafat, to turn the Old City of Jerusalem over to the Vatican for governance! From this it certainly appears that the battle for Jerusalem really has begun. The senior Rabbis of Israel are now proclaiming to Jews in the Diaspora loudly and clearly "Return to the land of Israel" and "The soul of the Messiah is now on earth, he will be revealed to the Jewish people within the next one to three years!" The longing for a time of peace and for the Messianic era could not be more acute and profound. The desire again for a Temple is swelling within the land. Other senior Rabbis in the land fully believe that the battle of Gog and Magog is about to commence!
There have also been 'secret' negotiations taking place between the USA and Iran to lift the nuclear sanctions and release funding. One of the reasons being put forward is the right to 'nuclear power stations' which to my mind is disingenuous considering their vast oil reserves which can provide them with all the power generation they will ever need! However it appears funding in the billions has been released for 'research and development'. Of what? The Iranian regime constantly calls for Israel to be wiped off the map and refers to Jews in the most derogatory terms!
With the demise of Syria, Egypt and the so-called Arab Spring being a front for Islamic Jihad and subsequently 'world domination' under an Islamic Caliphate, the Shi'ite prophets of Islam have announced the imminent arrival of the 12th Imam or Mahdi which has given them the signal to rise up against the infidel and release chaos and terror. Their writings proclaim he will come to bring peace when the world is in chaos and the Jews and Christians have been executed! The Rabbis are expecting the Messiah to arrive in Jerusalem very soon and some even believe that the Messiah will prove to be Yeshua ben Josef (Jesus son of Joseph)! Lets now take a look at the first few verses of Psalm 83:
There have also been 'secret' negotiations taking place between the USA and Iran to lift the nuclear sanctions and release funding. One of the reasons being put forward is the right to 'nuclear power stations' which to my mind is disingenuous considering their vast oil reserves which can provide them with all the power generation they will ever need! However it appears funding in the billions has been released for 'research and development'. Of what? The Iranian regime constantly calls for Israel to be wiped off the map and refers to Jews in the most derogatory terms!
With the demise of Syria, Egypt and the so-called Arab Spring being a front for Islamic Jihad and subsequently 'world domination' under an Islamic Caliphate, the Shi'ite prophets of Islam have announced the imminent arrival of the 12th Imam or Mahdi which has given them the signal to rise up against the infidel and release chaos and terror. Their writings proclaim he will come to bring peace when the world is in chaos and the Jews and Christians have been executed! The Rabbis are expecting the Messiah to arrive in Jerusalem very soon and some even believe that the Messiah will prove to be Yeshua ben Josef (Jesus son of Joseph)! Lets now take a look at the first few verses of Psalm 83:
O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.
"Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel's name is remembered no more."
With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you-the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, Byblos, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them to reinforce Lot's descendants.
Psalm 83:1-8 NIV
So here we have the Vatican, Islam represented by both Sunni and Shi'ite sects, and the nations of the world represented by the UN and EU all wanting to stake a claim on the ancient Jewish Capital of Israel. All placing immense political pressure on the only fully democratic multicultural country in the Middle East! Plotting to divide up the land and desecrate the one place on earth where God said He would place His throne.
Daniel rightly saw Biblical prophecy as a guide to future events when he came across the prophecy in Jeremiah and realised it was about to happen. The prophet Amos wrote:
Daniel rightly saw Biblical prophecy as a guide to future events when he came across the prophecy in Jeremiah and realised it was about to happen. The prophet Amos wrote:
Surely the sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7 NIV)
Daniel was willing to engage with the word of God and believed that it was true - past, present and future. He recorded the following verses:
"I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes." (Daniel 9:2-3).
The Bible records many end-time signs and prophecies in the books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Daniel, the Psalms and Revelation, concerning Israel, the Middle East and indeed the whole world. Some have already been fulfilled and some are still to be fulfilled. Jesus also warns us in the Gospels of events that will come to pass before His return and He tells us not to fear or be dismayed:
"Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:36 NIV)
The Apostle John recorded in the book of Revelation the visions he received when he was incarcerated on the Island of Patmos. When we look at some of these Scriptures, it would be easier for us to pretend that what they refer to is still very far off in the future. However God has given us this information on purpose-He wants us to know so we can be prepared and not caught unaware or deceived about these times. He calls us to be watching and waiting all the time praying and sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Christ. We are to be preparing for His return. We are in effect, a type of 'Noah's ark' - a place of safety and calm in the presence of chaos. A people called to be like Jonah and warn of the wrath to come to give the world a chance to repent before its too late. God has told us of His plans - will we be like Daniel and intercede for the people of Israel? Will we seek to understand what the information we have in our hands means?
In Genesis chapter 18 we find the Lord saying "shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" then saying that the "outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin so grievous...."Abraham pleaded with the Lord for Sodom where his nephew Lot lived, saying "will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of 50, then 45, 40, 30, 20, 10 righteous people? "Will not the judge of the earth do right?"
Jesus declared that the Sun, Moon and the stars would give signs before His return in the book of Luke:
In Genesis chapter 18 we find the Lord saying "shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" then saying that the "outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin so grievous...."Abraham pleaded with the Lord for Sodom where his nephew Lot lived, saying "will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of 50, then 45, 40, 30, 20, 10 righteous people? "Will not the judge of the earth do right?"
Jesus declared that the Sun, Moon and the stars would give signs before His return in the book of Luke:
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-28 NIV)
The prophet Zechariah wrote the following passage around 520 years BC...
"I [the Lord] will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem." (Zechariah 12:2) and "For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem" (Zechariah 14:2).
"I [the Lord] will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem." (Zechariah 12:2) and "For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem" (Zechariah 14:2).
"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near." (Luke 21:20 NIV)
It appears that God is drawing the nations to a rendezvous in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is known as the "centre of the earth," the "rock of creation," the "destiny of the nations." Jesus is returning to Jerusalem to set up His throne as King of Kings for His millennial reign. The end-time battle is a battle over this ancient city and I believe that the battle may have already begun.
2,000 years ago Jesus spoke to us from the Mount of Olives, telling us what would take place before His return. Let's see what he said as recorded in Matthew's Gospel:
2,000 years ago Jesus spoke to us from the Mount of Olives, telling us what would take place before His return. Let's see what he said as recorded in Matthew's Gospel:
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
(Matthew 24:4-8 NIV)
Are these lunar tetrads signs of the end of the age and Jesus' soon return? Time will tell. I have deliberately omitted referring to the 'rapture' or 'catching away' as that can happen in the twinkling of an eye and could indeed take place any minute! However, these next few years promise to be very interesting and eventful if they follow the pattern of previous tetrads occurring during the Jewish High Holy Days. We are warned to be ready for Jesus return and even though we can deduce there are still some unfulfilled prophecies concerning Israel and her neighbours, these can be fulfilled very quickly. Hang on to your hats because I do believe we are in for some interesting and turbulent times before Jesus returns. Make sure you are ready because our Bridegroom is on His way!
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their speech is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4 NIV).
"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36 NIV).
Let's not get caught unprepared!
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J D Farag, Pastor of Calvary Chapel in Kaneohe Hawaii giving an update on 26 January 2014. J D was born in Lebanon and is fluent in Arabic, his insights into Middle East politics and Biblical prophecies are very interesting and well worth the time to watch. He updates his congregation most weeks and these are uploaded onto YouTube. Here is his update from February 9, 2014 |
*Mark Hitchcock's book: "Blood Moons Rising - Bible Prophecy, Israel, and The Four Blood Moons"
Published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., USA. 2014.
Available from Amazon and/or
The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Blood-Moons-Rising-Mark-Hitchcock/9781414397085
*Also check out the following website: http://davidstent.com/blood-moons-and-prophetic-confusion/
John Hagee's book: "Four Blood Moons - something is about to change"
Published by Worthy Publishing, Tennesee, USA. 2013.
Available from the Book Depository:
http://www.bookdepository.com/Four-Blood-Moons-John-Hagee/9781617952142
*The Blood Moon and Jewish Destiny
Author: Rabbi Ari Enkin, United with Israel
Date: Apr. 13, 2014
http://unitedwithisrael.org/the-blood-moon-and-jewish-destiny/
Published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., USA. 2014.
Available from Amazon and/or
The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Blood-Moons-Rising-Mark-Hitchcock/9781414397085
*Also check out the following website: http://davidstent.com/blood-moons-and-prophetic-confusion/
John Hagee's book: "Four Blood Moons - something is about to change"
Published by Worthy Publishing, Tennesee, USA. 2013.
Available from the Book Depository:
http://www.bookdepository.com/Four-Blood-Moons-John-Hagee/9781617952142
*The Blood Moon and Jewish Destiny
Author: Rabbi Ari Enkin, United with Israel
Date: Apr. 13, 2014
http://unitedwithisrael.org/the-blood-moon-and-jewish-destiny/
BLOOD MOONS 2015: What You Missed | Perry Stone 29 March 2015: https://youtu.be/h9mDdg289Z8