Millions of Americans are waiting for the April 8 solar eclipse with anticipation or fear. Does it signal a warning message of judgment from God? Will mega natural disasters soon strike this nation, cities be destroyed, or war erupt in the home of the free and the land of the brave? The Bible is clear, and its warning messages are not complicated. Let me share three unmistakable warning messages from this solar eclipse that every Christian in America should recognize.
Warning Message Number 1: God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth
The Bible begins by stating, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The world—and our nation— have largely forgotten or ignored this most fundamental truth revealed in the Bible. On the fourth day of creation, God made the sun and the moon to divide the day from the night. “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night” (Genesis 1:16). The sun and the moon should remind us every day that God is Creator. There is a supreme King and Judge that sits on the throne of the universe, and He deserves our love, service, and worship.
God set the sun and the moon “to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness” (Genesis 1:18). In the Bible, light is often used as a symbol for truth, and darkness as a symbol for error and deception. The eclipse should remind us that error, deception, and rebellion can obscure even the brightest light of truth. The book of Revelation says, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7). The Creator will not be forever mocked by people—or nations—that claim to serve Him and yet live in rebellion against Him. A day of judgment is coming upon this world, and the retribution placed upon people and nations will be in accordance with the light of truth that they have received—and rejected.
Warning Message Number 2: God Has an Unchangeable Law
Psalm 19 begins by stating, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1). God’s power and glory are revealed in the visible things of creation. As any scientist will tell you, the universe operates according to fixed and predictable laws that govern everything from gravity to the combustion within stars like our sun. Without these laws, chaos would ensue, it would be impossible to study or learn anything about the world and the universe, and life simply could not exist. The exact time and course of a total solar eclipse is computable only because the sun, moon, and earth follow exactly their prescribed course by God. As the consistency of natural laws ensures the order and function of the physical world, so the unchangeable nature of God’s moral law maintains the peace and harmony in the spiritual realm.
Psalm 19 continues: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” The Bible describes God’s moral law—the Ten Commandments—as a “law of liberty” (James 2:12) that is intended to be a great blessing for humanity. Just like the physical laws of nature enable life to flourish, God’s moral law ensures spiritual and physical life for those that keep it. Romans 1:20 says, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that [we] are without excuse.” Humanity has no excuse to be willfully ignorant or carelessly forgetful of God’s divine law. He engraved it on stone, and has promised to write it on our hearts if we allow Him. As Jesus warned, our standing in the coming judgment will be based on our acceptance or rejection of that divine law. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
Warning Message Number 3: Darkness is About to Cover the Light
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves directly between the earth and the sun, resulting in a shadow cast upon the face of the earth. In the case of a solar eclipse, the shadow is limited in scope and very temporary—the full light of the sun returns within a short time and life returns to normal. Bible prophecy predicts, however, that great spiritual darkness is about to fall on this earth. And unlike a solar eclipse, this darkness will be global and, for those caught in its deception, eternally permanent. Spiritual darkness is about to cover the light of Bible truth—and this darkness has everything to do with God’s divine law and the worship He deserves as Creator.
You see, the book of Revelation warns that shortly before Jesus Christ returns, there will be a powerful worldwide moral deception involving the issue of worship. Chapter 13 says of this deceptive power, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). A few verses later the prophecy says, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Revelation 13:15). The verses that follow describe the mark of the beast and the final events leading up to Jesus Christ’s second coming. Friend, if you realized how near the mark of the beast could be, you probably wouldn’t be nearly so caught up in the excitement surrounding the solar eclipse. Great changes are about to sweep over this world, and many people will be caught in the spiritual darkness, unprepared to understand the real issues and make the correct choices.
Proverbs 6:23 says, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” The Bible predicts that the light of God’s law is about to be completely extinguished from this world through deception and, eventually, through force. When this happens, God will arise in judgment, as Psalm 119:126 says, “It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.” Now for some good news! The Bible promises that even during this time of spiritual darkness, there will be people that stand in the light of truth. Check out this verse in Revelation 14:12. “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” God has promised that you can, with His help, stand in the light of truth—and in the light of His law—even when all around you is darkness.
Have you made the decision today to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, accept His forgiveness of your sins, and by faith serve Him with love and obedience? The darkness is fast approaching, but after that is the promise of eternal day. What would keep you from living in that light?