08/04/2024
On the April 8th Total Solar Eclipse
The Sun’s Uniqueness:
The Sun is at the center of our solar system. It is the nearest star to our planet, 93.075 million miles. It is a flaming body of gas, radiation, and energy. Without it, there would be no life on Earth. It's light, heat, and energy make life on Earth possible. If the Earth were any closer life on Earth would literally burn, die from the Sun's heat.
God's Holiness:
The Sun is analogous to God. In the same way the Sun is big, life giving, and dangerous, God is Holy. Just like the Sun's characteristics make it different from the rest of the celestial bodies in our solar system God is other to all of his creation. That is what Holy means. God is set apart, he is other. God is also the source of life like the Sun, without God there could be no life on Earth. The Bible says God sustains life and the creation. Also, like the Sun, God can be dangerous. God is Holy; therefore sin cannot enter into the realm (space) of God. Humanity is sinful and if we would go into God's space (realm) it would be dangerous, we would be annihilated. God did something really amazing to remedy this problem and the fact that he would want to even provide a remedy is amazing in itself. I’ll tell you more about that after I tell you a little about the Total Solar Eclipse. But first, look at how Scripture identifies God as the creator and the reason he created the celestial bodies.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...
Genesis 1:14–16..And 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, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
The purpose of the celestial bodies:
You see that? God created the celestial bodies, "for signs and for seasons, and for days and years",(Gen.1:14).
Is there a sign near in our horizon?
Have you heard about the eclipse that will be seen in many parts of the United States tomorrow, Monday, April 8th, 2024?
What kinds of things have you heard concerning its meaning? People are saying many things, there is a lot of hype, some good but much craziness too.
Total Solar Eclipse Data:
Let me give some stats about the total solar eclipse:
• The Sun is 400 times bigger than the moon.
• The moon is 400 times closer to Earth than the Sun.
• Total solar eclipses happen every 18 months somewhere on the Earth.
• The next total solar eclipse visible to our part of the world will be in approximately 20years, 2044.
(Leo told us that, I fact checked him and he was correct)
• Ancient civilizations put big significance on lunar and solar eclipses.
• Ancients feared solar eclipses because they thought that it meant either their Sun god was angry with them or that another god was attacking and conquering their Sun god.
• Even today in some countries (in the continent of Asia) they have rituals that are dedicated to these events.
What's the difference in the eclipse tomorrow and the eclipse of 2017?
• 2017 vs 2024
- the solar eclipse of 2024 is going across a more populated path than 2017.
-the amount of time of the actual eclipse will be longer (Up to 4mins. vs only 2mins. at some locations).
-the sun's corona will be more active than 2017.
• There will be a (NASA) jet following the path of eclipse totality.
Is the Total Solar Eclipse a sign?
I’m not saying that the Total Solar Eclipse isn’t a sign but if it is, that is besides my point.
- We don't need a solar eclipse to tell us that our country is fallen into great sin and neglected God.
- We know that the whole world is fallen in love with all kinds of gods, idols, and such and have rejected God.
If you don't know this, you are having an eclipse of sorts yourself.
What is the Sign, if any?
Listen to what Jesus said when his people (Israel) asked him for a sign...
Luke 11:29–32:
29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
We don't need a sign because the best, greatest, most excellent sign has already been given to humanity.
God veiled himself so that we could come near to him. This veiling of God is called Jesus. God came to Earth veiled in human flesh (the Incarnation) so that we may respond to him to draw near to him.
Hebrews 1:1–4 (ESV):
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son (Jesus), whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Jesus is God in the flesh. 100% God, 100% man. He came into this celestial ball and was rejected by his own people and his own creation. He was born of a woman, the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life yet, he was crucified as a sinner, as a criminal, and as a rebel. He died for our sins, yours and mine.
He went to proclaim the good news of life eternal to the captives. Three days later, because he was without sin, death could not keep him. He resurrected from death to life again. He presented himself alive to over 500 of his disciples over a period of 40 days. He promised to send back his spirit, the Holy Spirit, to those faithfully follow him. At which time in front of the multitude of his disciples he ascended to heaven being enthroned with all authority in the Heavens and Earth.
This is the sign God has given, this is the sign of Jonah. God’s Word, the Bible, is clear in its purpose of unfolding God’s plan in Salvation-History. This is the “Good News” of the Gospel and what the ancient creeds proclaim. Will you be counted amongst the evil generation or follow Jesus as LORD and Savior?
