“For ask now of days past, which were before, since the day that God created Adam upon the earth.” – Deuteronomy 4:32

There have been 7,500 solar eclipses seen from Earth in the past 2,500 years.

Epistemophobia.

If you play Scrabble, remember that word because it has 7 vowels and 14 letters.

It’s an English word that means “the fear of knowledge.”

However, if you read Facebook solar eclipse posts, remember it for a different reason:

People enjoy memes more than knowledge of the Bible, history, and science.

The Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024

I love dates!

I’m a strange duck.

Some people count sheep to go to sleep.

I count dates. My passionate hobby is biblical chronology.

However, everybody wants to know the dates of SOLAR ECLIPSES.

There are TWO MAJOR MISTAKES Christians make about SOLAR ECLIPSES:

1. Christians who PREDICT “the end of the world” with an eclipse. 
2. Christians who IGNORE “the biblical significance” of an eclipse.

I want to help you avoid falling into either pit.

It’s Not the End of the World!

Contrary to what some say on Facebook posts, a solar eclipse doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the world or the United States.

Symbolism, memes, and cute drawings might look believable, but drawing some accurate conclusions about eclipses takes a little work and research.

The Battle of the Thales Eclipse, May 28, 585 B.C., was between the Medes and the Lydians.

There have been an estimated 7500 solar eclipses somewhere on Earth during the past 2500 years (an average of 2 to 5 per year). You can track them all at NASA.COM.

In 585 B.C., a man named THALES (wow, what a name!) from Miletus (modern-day western Turkey) was the first man to “predict” an eclipse.

Scientists still have no idea how THALES predicted the eclipse. Regardless, on May 28, 585 B.C., the first accurately predicted solar eclipse occurred as the army of the MEDES battled the army of the LYDIANS. Both armies were so shaken by the Sun darkening that they paused fighting, called a TRUCE, and had a marriage ceremony between a MEDE and a LYDIAN to appease the gods.

Don’t you wish Russia and Ukraine had as much sense as the Medes and the Lydians?

But back to my story…

Solar eclipses have been a part of human history for centuries. Don’t make the mistake of thinking a solar eclipse represents the end of the world.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking a solar eclipse represents the end of the world.

However, eclipses do carry a message from God.

A Solar Eclipse IS a Sign from the Creator

Charles Spurgeon, the ‘Prince of Preachers,’ proclaimed the meaning of a Solar Eclipse in London, England, in 1858.

On March 14, 1858, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, called “The Prince of Preachers,” delivered a message in London, England, on the occasion of a significant solar eclipse.

Spurgeon made three significant points in his message:

1. ECLIPSES ARE A PART OF GOD’S PLAN. Spurgeon pointed out that “eclipse” means “to disappear or become obscure.” The Sun symbolizes nations, governments, kings, and people. All have time to shine, but all will be eclipsed. Only God and those He favors shine forever.
2. EVERYTHING THAT GOD DOES HAS A DESIGN. For the believer, there is no need to fear the eclipse of anything. All eclipses are designed in the sovereign plans of the Creator. Happy is the man who understands this—who knows that all things work together for good to those who love God and who believes that even an eclipse of God’s countenance hath its end and design in making him perfectly conformed to the image of Christ Jesus.

THE SUN IS HIDDEN BUT FOR A SEASON AND WILL SHINE AGAIN. For those who trust in God, the eclipse is a momentary pause in seeing God’s goodness, a brightness covered by an object that hides the brilliant light of God’s faithfulness to His people. Never despair. The Sun will shine again.

“For the LORD God is our Sun and our Shield” – Psalm 84:11

 

I will speak at New Zion Baptist Church for their Sunday services on April 7, 2024, and then at a special luncheon on Solar Eclipse Day, Monday, April 8, 2024.

The luncheon on Monday is at noon and is open to the public.

I will speak on the biblical, historical, and personal significance of solar eclipses on Monday (after lunch), and we will dismiss everyone at 1:30 pm to go outside of the New Zion building, which is in the eclipse’s direct path, to observe the solar eclipse.

I hope that followers of Jesus will recognize that signs in the heavens are but reminders of the Creator and His Providence over nations, peoples, and persons.

 “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.  O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. – Psalm 84:11-12

We are here in darkness, but if God be our God, He will be to us a Sun, to enlighten and enliven us, to guide and direct us. We are here in danger, but He will be to us a Shield, to secure us from the fiery darts that fly thick about us. Though He has not promised to give riches and dignities, He has promised to give grace and glory to all that seek them in His appointed way. And what is grace, but heaven begun below, in the knowledge, love, and service of God? What is glory, but the completion of this happiness, in being made like to Him, and in fully enjoying Him forever? Let us care to walk uprightly, and then let us trust God to give us everything that is good for us. If we cannot go to the house of the Lord, we may go by faith to the Lord of the house; in Him, we shall be happy and may be easy. That man is really happy, whatever his outward circumstances may be, who trusts in the LORD of hosts, Jesus Christ.

Matthew Henry, Commentary on Psalm 84:11-12.

 

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