An interesting phenomenon happened on February 20, this year (2008). There was an eclipse of the moon and it turned blood red. Now that is not unusual because during an eclipse of the moon (which can only happen during a full moon) the moon turns gradually from a partial to a full eclipse where the shading of the moon turns from a smoky to an orange color to a blood red. This is always visible to the naked eye except when there are clouds or when there is dust or volcanic ash and/or smoke interfering with it.
Now, to get down to the heart of this story, the Word of God says in the book of Acts, chapter 2, verse 20, “The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood (or blood red), before that great and notable day of the Lord comes”. The “interesting phenomenon” that I mentioned in my opening statement is that the blood red eclipse happened on 2/20/08 and the scripture referring to the moon turning blood red is found in Acts 2:20.
All this is a coincidence, you say. Maybe, however there are no coincidences with God. He never wastes words and is always speaking to us about what is dear to His heart which is our salvation. As evidence of this, Acts 2:21 says, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. If you are a “whosoever”, then God is speaking directly to you. If you are terrified by the calamities of today’s world, and they will get worse, just call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved.
Another thing, God always confirms His own word in the Bible. As proof, go to Revelations 6:12 - (Amplified Bible) “When He [the Lamb] broke open the sixth seal, I looked, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun grew black as sackcloth of hair, [the full disc of] the moon became like blood”. Then go to Joel 2:31 - “The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes”. Verse 32 - “And whoever (are you a whoever) will call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered and saved”.
But, you say, you already told me that the moon always turns a blood red color during an eclipse. So how is Rev. 6:12 any different than natural eclipses? Well, first of all, the Amplfied Bible says that the "full disc of" the moon became like blood. In a natural eclipse the "full disc" or total area of the moon does not turn red at the same time. It gradually turns from shades of orange to red so that only part of the moon is red at one time.
Rev. 6:12 also says that the Sun grew black as "sackcloth" which is a course cloth usually made from goat or camel hair and is worn as a sign of mourning. Only God can make the Sun that dark. Then Rev. 6:13 says that the stars of heaven fell onto the earth. Also notice that this all started by a "great" earthquake. Similar events ocurred at Jesus' crucification. (See Matthew 27:45 & 51)
If you need more proof of the calamities of the “end times”, which we are in, just read the book of Matthew chapter, 24 where Jesus talks about the sun refusing to shine and the moon being darkened. Well, that is a subject worthy of it’s own edition of Good News Worth Reporting.
This message is not written to cause fear but to bring the truth of God’s word to you for your edification and comfort. So be edified and comforted.
Glory to God,
Hal Mitchell
Halmitch@cox.net
