An Eclipse of Biblical Proportion

An Eclipse of Biblical Proportion

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

On August 21, 2017, we will witness a total eclipse of the sun across much of our nation. Thousands will be coming to areas within the eclipse path.  I am blessed to live in one of the “hot” spots where the eclipse will be total. However, the eclipse is not only a natural event, but also a supernatural phenomenon.  God placed the lights in the sky for signs and for seasons.  God has a message for us.

Smith’s Bible Dictionary gives us some historical context: “No historical notice of an eclipse occurs in the Bible, but there are passages in the prophets which contain manifest allusion to this phenomenon. (Joel 2:10,31; 3:15; Amos 8:9; Micah 3:6; Zechariah 14:6) Some of these notices probably refer to eclipses that occurred about the time of the respective compositions: thus the date of Amos coincides with a total eclipse which occurred Feb. 9, B.C. 784, and was visible at Jerusalem shortly after noon; that of Micah with the eclipse of June 5, B.C. 716. A passing notice in (Jeremiah 15:9) coincides in date with the eclipse of Sept. 30, B.C. 610, so well known from Herodotus' account (i. 74, 103). The darkness that overspread the world at the crucifixion cannot with reason be attributed to an eclipse, as the moon was at the full at the time of the Passover.”

The prophets spoke about the sins of Israel and the coming judgment as the result of that sin.  We know that our world today wallows in sin that could rightly result in the judgment of God coming upon the scene.

However, the message if the prophets was not limited to impending judgment.   The prophets also spoke of deliverance and salvation for the believing remnant. 

Amos: 9:11-15: "On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old; that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,'' says the Lord who does this thing.

"Behold, the days are coming,'' says the Lord, "When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them,'' says the Lord your God.”

Just as God used judgment to call straying Israel back to Himself, He will use judgment to purify the Church, the Bride of Christ.  Our Christ is returning for a Bride without spot or blemish (Ephesians 5:27). 

Remember, in the beginning, darkness covered the face of the deep.  God spoke into that darkness and commanded, “Light be” and light is. 

If this is to be an eclipse of Biblical proportion, allow God to speak into the darkness of your spirit so that light can pervade your being.  Then the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings and the light of His love will eclipse the darkness (Malachi 4:2).