The Great Total Solar Eclipse of 2009

A few months ago I wrote an article called “Has Judgment Begun on Gentile Nations?” detailing a series of three total solar eclipses occurring during the years 2008, 2009, and 2010. The stats have been off the charts on this article making it my most read post since then. Since the second eclipse in the series is coming up on Wednesday, July 22, I thought I would write a follow-up article with my current thoughts on this matter. Frankly, the only reason I have a pressing interest in solar and lunar cycles at all is that they may be proclaiming to the world something of a much greater consequence, the soon return of our Lord Jesus.

Hailed as the great eclipse of the twenty-first century, the moon will hide the face of the sun once again on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.  Though it will not be seen in the America’s, the eclipse will be seen by perhaps more people than any other total eclipse in history. Fred Espenak and Jay Anderson of Sky & Telescope said,

“A total eclipse of the sun will cross China next summer. Unlike the eclipse last August, the one on July 22, 2009, will darken major cities, densely populated countryside, and a vast expanse of tropical ocean.”

Last year’s total solar eclipse fell on August 1, 2008, and next year’s total solar eclipse will fall on July 11, 2010. What’s so remarkable is how all three eclipses line up on the Jewish calendar, all of them falling on the 1st of the month of Av in each year.

There are various scriptures that predict signs in the sun and the moon preceding the Lord’s return, but I would like to draw your attention to one in particular. Jesus said,

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

(Luke 21:25-28)

Notice in verse 25 that the signs in the sun and moon are accompanied by great “distress of nations.” What makes the signs in this verse so unusual, setting them apart, is the timing of how they will be accompanied by great distress around the world. But Jesus didn’t stop there. Not only did He say there would be great distress (Rotherham’s translation says “anguish of nations”) but it would be accompanied with “perplexity.” The nations of the world will have spun completely out of control by the time the Son of man comes “in a cloud with power and great glory.”

Now, with that in mind, the first round of the three eclipses was followed by a world-wide economic crisis which is still ongoing. In America and around the world, millions have lost their jobs and homes while the blue suits are still grappling for some semblance of global economic stability. If the current eclipse trio is the prelude to the Lord’s return, then what will be in the wake of eclipse number two? And then, if this progression is accurate, round three next year would precipitate the total “distress of nations, with perplexity” that Jesus predicted would usher in His return.

Of course this is only conjecture when it comes to timing. We don’t need the sun and moon to tell us that Jesus is about to return, those signs are for the world (and those who have fallen asleep.)

(Click here for some really good pictures of the eclipse)

This post is the 2nd in a series. Here are the other articles:

1 – Has Judgment Begun on Gentile Nations?

3 – The Great Total Solar Eclipse of 2010

related post

• Religious Bondage vs Freedom in Christ
• podcasts
• Luke 10.18 - More Correction Of A Backwards Theology
• A Change of Pace
• Antichrist Global Government Paranoia