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.

1. Cocaine seizures hit record high. Rampant drug use is one of the last signs before Christ returns.

There are four verses in particular that speak of drugs in Revelation. Most English versions of the book use the words sorcery, sorceries, and sorcerer, but these are not accurate translations. Let’s look at the four verses briefly, using the New King James translation and a Greek dictionary.

Revelation 9:21: And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries.

Revelation 18:23: For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.

In both of the above verses, the Greek word rendered as sorcery/sorceries is pharmakeia, and means “medication store.” This is where we get our English word “pharmacy” from.  A pharmacy is a place where you go to get drugs.

Revelation 21:8: But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.

The word sorcerers in this verse is the Greek word pharmakeus, and it literally means “druggists.” This where we get our English word “pharmacists” from.  A pharmacist is a person who sells drugs.

Revelation 22:15: But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

In this verse, sorcerers is actually the Greek word pharmakos, and it is essentially an earlier form of the pharmakeus of Revelation 21:8. It means someone who is addicted to drugs, and gives us the English word “pharmacology,” or the practice of looking to drugs for an answer.

As an interesting side note, this pharmakos actually became a term for a pagan religion where a human scapegoat would be expelled from the city in time of crisis, in an effort to bring relief upon the land. Today, many people look to mind and emotion altering drugs to escape from the pressures of life.

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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)!