Signs in the Sky


Tomorrow afternoon, portions of the United States will get to view a total solar eclipse. When the last one occurred seven years ago, my hometown newspaper (the Fargo Forum) published an article about two Messianic believers claiming the eclipse represented “a seven-year judgment on America.” I agreed with their exhortation of our country’s need for repentance. However, they also stated that unless America repents, “another one [eclipse] is coming in seven years.” Eclipses happen regardless of what man does on earth.

Nevertheless, God uses signs in the sky to get our attention such as the wise men being led by a star to Bethlehem in Matthew chapter 2. The rainbow in Genesis 9 was a sign that God will not flood the whole earth again. Acts 2 mentions signs of the end times prophesied by Joel…


19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.


It’s interesting to point out the 2017 eclipse crossed over seven U. S. cities named Salem (which means “peace”). Tomorrow’s eclipse will pass over several American cities (plus one in Canada) named Nineveh. Some pundits believe this is a divine warning. Scholars have determined an eclipse occurred around the time Jonah preached repentance in Nineveh. Jesus said in Matthew 12:39, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”


The paths of the two latest American eclipses intersect on the New Madrid fault line in southeastern Missouri. A total solar eclipse had occurred in that area on October 29, 1811. Less than two months later, massive earthquakes struck there causing church bells to ring as far as New England. That part of the country had few settlers then but if a major earthquake happens again, significant damage to buildings, transportation, and infrastructure would result in a large loss of life and disruption of the U. S economy.


Ministers such as Perry Stone, John Kilpatrick, and Mac Hammond have prophesied of difficult times coming upon America in the next few months, but God will provide for those who trust in Him. We should be more discerning in the days ahead and not easily give in to fear-mongering. A few days ago, I watched a Mario Murillo sermon on YouTube. The person who posted the video falsely claimed Mario instructed people to stay indoors on April 8. Mario didn’t say anything about the eclipse. Unfortunately, some Christians resort to posting deceptive titles (a/k/a clickbait) to get people to watch other preachers’ videos.


Instead of being afraid of what might happen in the future, let’s focus on fulfilling the Great Commission. We have a message of hope that the world needs to hear before the Lord returns. 


“Thus says the Lord: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them.’” - Jeremiah 10:2


UPDATE: Since the April 8th eclipse, many people have posted the above image. It turns out it had been flipped from its original position to make it look like an upright cross. Some Facebook friends included a claim that Rick Joyner took this photo from his plane. Additional research would reveal that’s not true. Let's give credit to whom credit is due.

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