An Eclipse and Signs

This past Monday a total solar eclipse occurred.  Partial eclipses occur with more frequency; total eclipses are more rare.  There was a narrow band across the United States where the best viewing of this eclipse could be seen.  People spent hundreds of dollars and, in some case thousands of dollars, to travel to see this eclipse.  Unfortunately, many of us in Minnesota were greeted with clouds and rain, thus making the total eclipse a non-event for us.  Reports from those who saw the eclipse indicated an excitement.  I read of comments on the beauty of the sun's corona which was the only portion of the sun to be visible. 


There are two things I want us to consider about the eclipse.  First, astronomers knew the exact moment when it would occur.  They had it calculated down to the very minute when it would be at its peak.  In fact, we know that the next total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024.  How can astronomers be so precise?  The answer lies in the person of the Creator.  The universe moves with a certain precision.  We know when comets appear.  We know when a meteor shower will occur.  It is because the universe operates within the parameters of laws established by God.  Things do not happen within the universe by chance; they happen with regularity because God has ordained it that way.  One of the many questions God asked of Job in His examination of Job was this: "Do you know the laws of the heavens?" (Job 38:33).  The eclipse of Monday pointed strongly to the presence of an awesome God.  I am drawn to those powerful words from the pen of David: "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:3-4).  What a mighty God we serve! 


But, as I thought of all the media hype being given to Monday's eclipse, I remembered those words of Jesus to the Pharisees and Sadducees who desired that Jesus show them some signs.  This was His reply, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.'  You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times." (Matthew 16:2-3).


Now the Pharisees were religious leaders, many of whom had devoted their entire lives to the study of the Scriptures.  Yet they were so blinded to what was happening in the world around them.  They were unaware of how God was preparing for the fulfillment of that ultimate moment described in the Old Testament, namely the death of Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for all sin.  We read the story of Jesus in the Gospel and we cry out against them because of their apathy and ignorance.  How could they be so blind? we ask.  How could they not have put "two and two together and arrived at the answer of four?"


But, as we not doing the same today?  We are blinded to what is happening around us.  We fail to hear God's voice amidst the turmoil of our times.  In Matthew 24, Jesus lists several signs that His disciples should recognize that would prelude His coming.  First, Jesus said there would be wars and rumors of war with nation rising up against nation (verse 6).  I know some of you are thinking, "Max, this happens all the time, so why should I get excited about it now?"  Let me answer you this way, "With the rise of militant Islam, there is hardly an area of the world that is not experiencing its impact through wars or military might.  Indonesia, the Philippines, the Middle East, Europe - which, almost weekly, sees some violent attack by radical Islam against what they call the infidels.  Even our own nation is not immune to such attacks.  Then there is North Korea with its saber rattling and the potential nuclear arming of Iran.  Are we paying any attention to the signs?


Then Jesus talked about famines and earthquakes in various places (verse 7).  It seems that there is an increase in both famines and earthquakes these days.  I have read recently of the devastating famine plaguing South Sudan and portions of the Horn of Africa.  Earthquakes in Oklahoma seem to be an almost weekly occurrence.  Those living in California wonder every time the ground shakes even a little if this is the big one forecast.  Are we paying any attention to the signs?


Then Jesus described how wickedness would increase and thus the love of most would grow cold (verse 12).  Violence in Charlottesville.  Violence in Ferguson.  Clashes between Black Lives Matter and Neo-Nazis.  Blood spilled on the streets of Chicago at a rate that staggers the mind.  Our newspapers and media airwaves are saturated with words that seek to destroy rather than to build up.  We have lost our ability to sit down and have a civil conversation any longer without anger being aroused and hatred expressed. 


We have become confused in our thinking.  Those who strongly voice a violent hatred toward the Neo-Nazis (and let me be clear, I abhor everything the Nazis stand for, there is absolutely nothing commendable in their belief system, including their systematic destruction of the weak, aged, and infirmed) are readily accepting of abortion on demand and granting the termination of life.  Let's see: you hate Neo-Nazis and white supremacists, yet you accept one of the tenants of their belief system.  That is confused thinking. If Black Lives Matter, where is the outcry in Chicago over the dozens of black people who are murdered every week primarily by other black people.  Don't all black lives matter?  Another example of confused thinking.


Friends, the world stands on the brink of its own self-annihilation.  The horizons are scanned for that one person who will step forward and bring some semblance of order.  I believe we are not too far away from that man, we know him as the Antichrist, being revealed.  But I believe the Bible teaches that before that event occurs, the Church of Jesus Christ will be taken to glory (see 2 Thessalonians 2).  I am looking forward to that day happening, but realize that until it occurs there is a lot of work yet to be done within the harvest fields.


Friends, are you paying attention to the signs?  Just as the solar eclipse draws us into the presence of a God of order and purpose, so the signs around us are reminding us that God is still on the throne and His Story is not yet completed.  But I do believe we are in the final pages of the final chapter.