The Final Countdown

I do not believe there is anything special about today’s solar eclipse in Asia, in and of itself. However, it is just one in a line of rapid eclipses that will take place over the next few years and that has many prophecy students buzzing, so I think the topic should be briefly touched upon.

Jesus spoke of “signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars” (Luke 21:25), and while there will be heavenly signs pointing to His return (these strings of eclipses could be one), most of the dramatic signs involving the sun will happen during and immediately after the Tribulation. Consider these verses:

(Jesus speaking) But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken (Mark 13:24-25)

And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD (Joel 2:30-31; Acts 2:19-20)

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair (Revelation 6:12)

In other space news, an object roughly 50-100 miles in diameter slammed in Jupiter yesterday, leaving a mark that is larger than Earth. The exponential destructive capabilities of flying space objects, such as comets,  is worth keeping in mind as many prophetic descriptions, such as those found in Revelation 8, could describe the effects of such strikes on the earth.

A supermassive black hole has been discovered to have a mass 6.4 billion times greater than the sun. When I think of black holes, I always think of hell. Black holes are places of complete darkness, yet are hotter than anywhere else in the universe, and there is absolutely no escape, not even for light.

In related news, a giant nearby star appears to be on the verge of exploding.

Jesus spoke of signs in the sun, moon, and stars (Luke 21:11, 25; Mark 13:24-25). That said, I do not necessarily believe that the discovery of these items relates to prophecy, though black holes could play a part in eternal judgment.

***The Turkish-Iranian Business Forum, currently taking place in Ankara, has yielded a new trade agreement between the two countries. Ties will continue to strengthen between Iran (Ezekiel 38:5), Turkey (Ezekiel 38:6), and other nations as they form a confederation with Russia (Psalm 83:4-5) that eventually attacks Israel (Ezekiel 38:15; Luke 21:20).

***The swine flu has gone global, with the World Health Organization raising the pandemic alert to level 5. Diseases from animals, such as the avian flu and AIDS, may play a significant role during the Tribulation (Revelation 6:8).

***Even the Japanese are seeing a surge in communist and socialist philosophies among the citizenry. This is another example of how the free-world is opening its arms to collectivism, a philosophy used by the Antichrist to gain influence over the globe (Daniel 11:24).

***Albania applied for EU membership today. The EU continues to expand and will be the catalyst for a global government (Daniel 7:23).

***The United States has become a nation of no core beliefs whose citizens define their values based on opinion polls, according to Joseph Farah. This backs up a New York times story detailing the shift in the Republican stance on gay marriage, for no reason other than to get votes. As US Representative and proud Christian John Fleming says, the country is marching towards socialism and secularism. The constant degradation of American society (Isaiah 18:2, 7), and the attempt to remove God from all walks of life (Jeremiah 50:29) will lead to America’s judgment (Jeremiah 50:28).

The United Kingdom has already made sex-education mandatory for five year-olds, and now they have announced that homosexuality must be taught (including sexual aspects of it) beginning with eleven year-olds. America’s mother is truly ashamed and confounded (Jeremiah 50:12).

***Astronomers have taken a picture of an object in space 13 billion light years away. That is 76,254,048,000,000,000,000,000 miles from your computer screen. Incredible. (Luke 21:11, 25; Mark 13:24-25.)

The sun has hit a 100-year low in sunspot activity, with 50+ year lows in solar wind pressure and radio emissions. According to the linked article, when the sun has a “quiet” phase, it is followed up by a very active phase.

With that in mind, it is intriguing that the sun is becoming increasingly silent. This could mean that it is about to erupt in fury. In Revelation 16:8-9, the fourth angel pours out his bowl on the sun, causing the inhabitants of earth to be “scorched with great heat.” Soon the sun will be reign down fire on this planet. Thank God we Christians will be kept “out of” the great wrath that is coming upon the earth (Revelation 3:10; Luke 21:36)!

Not much time this morning, but I wanted to post an excerpt as well as a link to a story from newscientist.com, called Space storm alert: 90 seconds from catastrophe.

Listen to this:

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