August solar eclipse: End of the world, sign from God, or natural phenomena?
NASA map of area most affected by total eclipse August 21, 2017
A massive solar eclipse is expected on August 21, 2017.
Many in the State of Oregon hope to profit from it as does the US Post Office:
July 10, 2017
Is this solar eclipse the ‘end of the world,’ an important ‘sign from God,’ or just a natural phenomena?
Notice the following claims:
WND EXCLUSIVE
Solar eclipse across U.S. called ‘a sign from God’
‘Blood Moons’ discoverer Mark Biltz says route determines ‘warning to a specific nation’ …
A total solar eclipse will cross the continental United States this summer, an event that hasn’t happened in roughly a century.
Everyone will experience on Aug. 21 at least 60 percent of the sun being covered, and the resulting semidarkness. Those within about a 60-mile wide diagonal line from the Pacific Northwest through South Carolina will see the sky go dark and the accompanying temperature drop.
Pastor Mark Biltz, the man who discovered the “Blood Moons” phenomenon and a Christian who urges careful attention to heavenly signs, suggests it may be something that needs more attention.
Such as a direct warning to the United States.
“From a biblical point of view, a solar eclipse is meant as a sign from God,” Biltz told WND. “In Genesis 1:14, God declared this to be so. It is a sign that is beyond man’s control, something he can’t manipulate. Solar eclipses become biblically and prophetically significant and relevant when man understands their timing according to the biblical calendar and where they happen. Then we look for the patterns.
“As the sun is larger than the moon, the sun represents the nations of the world and the moon represents the nation of Israel, as their calendar months are based on the cycle of the moon while the nations of the world follow the sun for their calendar. When there is a total solar eclipse, it is a warning to a specific nation or nations depending on its path.” 04/10/17 http://www.wnd.com/2017/04/solar-eclipse-across-u-s-called-a-sign-from-god/#XlJFjO4DeOcdwBQK.99
But the Bible does not call the world the sun nor Israel the moon. Nor are solar eclipses referred to in Genesis 1:14–Jeremiah 10:2 warns against interpreting all astronomical events as coming from God.
Mark Bilts continued and stated:
“Now, this Aug 21, 2017, we have a total solar eclipse going over the United States,” he noted. “This is again at the beginning the month of repentance on the first of Elul! Could God be giving us a warning that we need to repent or judgment will be coming to the United States? The timing couldn’t be clearer!
“We also find seven years later there will be another total solar eclipse running from south to the northeast across the United States on April 8, 2024, with St. Louis in the crosshairs between the two eclipses. April 8 is significant because it is the anniversary of the dedication of Moses tabernacle, when God reasserted Himself into the affairs of men with His glory coming to earth. It just so happens it was also the day Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu died.” 04/10/17 http://www.wnd.com/2017/04/solar-eclipse-across-u-s-called-a-sign-from-god/#XlJFjO4DeOcdwBQK.99
Elul is the 6th month in the Hebrew calendar, it usually begins in August, but never in April.
WND has frequently tried to promote Mark Biltz, but Mark Biltz has repeatedly been wrong. He misled many about the “blood moons” a couple of years ago (see also WND continues to promote Mark Biltz’ blood moon nonsense) and this particular solar eclipse should not be considered a sign from God.
But what about some eclipse issue? Is it coming?
Yes, NASA reports that a total solar eclipse is coming:
Scientists are gearing up for a total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017. The August 2017 total eclipse will be visible from an approximately 100-mile-wide path that cuts diagonally across the United States. Those in North America who are not along this narrow path—called the path of totality—will see a partial solar eclipse that day. The August 2017 eclipse will be the first total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States since Feb. 26, 1979. …
During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely blocks the sun’s incredibly bright face. This is possible because, though the sun’s diameter is about 400 times the moon’s diameter, the sun is also about 400 times farther away from us than the moon is, making them appear to be approximately the same size from Earth. With the face obscured, the sun’s atmosphere—the corona, which is about a million times dimmer than the face—becomes visible to eclipse-watchers. It was only because of total solar eclipses that early scientists could observe the sun’s wispy atmosphere, providing some of the earliest insight into our dynamic sun. Most modern solar observations of the corona are taken with an instrument called a coronagraph, which uses a disk to block the sun in a camera’s field of view, but coronagraphs obscure part of the inner corona as well—which doesn’t happen during a total eclipse.
“During a total solar eclipse, the moon is a near-perfect fit for the sun’s disk, so almost all of the corona is visible,” said Jack Ireland, a solar physicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
This means that a total eclipse can provide fantastic views of the sun’s inner corona, showing the large loops of solar material that dance through it. These eclipse events provide Earth-based scientists and photographers the chance to take more detailed images of the corona than space-based satellite missions can.
The solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 is simply a natural phenomena.
Yet, some are seriously concerned about it:
Apocalypse ‘coming in 2017’ after total solar eclipse hits US and UK
A TOTAL solar eclipse will plunge Britain and America into darkness – and bring on the end of the world …
Or so it’s claimed by one group of hardcore Christians, who believe they will soon be raptured into heaven.
And in their bid to prove it, they’ve rallied a series of bizarre calculations to their cause. …They’re pointing to verses in the apocalyptic Bible book, Revelations, describing a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon at her feet. According to Scripture, this pregnant woman will be hunted by a Satanic seven-headed dragon eager to eat her unborn child. But the child will be born and taken unto god, the verses foretell, before the dragon is defeated by an angel army. More is made of Israel’s birth as a state, a process which began when the UK announced its withdrawal from Palestine in 1947.{2017} will mark 70 years since that announcement; a Biblical generation. http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/543062/Total-solar-eclipse-2017-apocalypse-end-times-world-US-America-UK-Europe-Bible-revelations
While a total solar eclipse is to take place on Monday, August 21, 2017, this will not possibly result in the end of the world. A solar eclipse is NOT a sign that the ‘great tribulation’ (Matthew 24:21) will begin. And since the great tribulation has not started, the world is not possibly going to end then.
As far as Israel and 1947/1948 goes, check out the video Israel, 1948, and Prophecy.
Mark Biltz also tries to tie this eclipse in with Revelation 12:
“Another very significant sign in the heavens is happening right after this year’s total solar eclipse on the first of Elul, beginning the month of repentance,” he noted. “A month later, we find during the Days of Awe from Rosh Hashanah on Tishri 1 and Yom Kippur on Tishri 10, there will be a confirmation of celestial events as described in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 12: 1-2 reads: ‘A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth.’
“The woman clothed with the sun is the constellation Virgo and represents the nation of Israel. The 12 stars represent the 12 tribes of Israel. Interestingly, the constellation Leo, the Lion, which is above Virgo, is made up of nine stars. The Lion represents specifically the tribe of Judah. It just so happens this year during the Days of Awe, three planets will join the constellation Leo making up 12 stars. Virgo will be clothed with the sun, and the moon will be under her feet, fulfilling this sign to precise detail!”
Biltz believes these are signs God is reinserting Himself into human history as prophecy becomes fulfilled as never before. http://www.wnd.com/2017/04/solar-eclipse-across-u-s-called-a-sign-from-god/#BfXqXwly341WHZml.99
Two constellations that astrologers refer to appearing close is supposed to be a fulfillment of Revelation 12:1-2?
Preposterous!
As far as Revelation goes, chapter 12, which discusses the woman and fleeing does NOT refer to a solar eclipse. Here is the entire chapter:
1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:1-17)
It should be noted that Revelation 12:1-2 discusses the woman giving birth to Jesus. Later we see the ‘woman’ fleeing to the wilderness–this is not a reference to a rapture in heaven. Nor does the Bible say that the woman is the constellation Virgo.
As far as the ‘end’ goes, meaning for sake of argument the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21), it cannot start in 2017–for details watch the short video: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?
Getting back to Mark Biltz, notice also the following:
Biltz said: “Just look at the biblical pattern. Many know the story of Jonah and Nineveh from the Bible, but not the historical background events as to what had already transpired, and why they repented. In 765 B.C., a plague broke out in Nineveh where even the king was not able to go out to war, as was custom. This was followed by a civil war and then another plague!
“An archaeological find of cuneiform tablets was found in the 19th century describing events in Nineveh. A famous eclipse mentioned in the tablets was known as the Bur-Sagale eclipse, which is verified by NASA as occurring on June 15, 763 BC. The path of totality was right over Nineveh. God had declared the sun and the moon were for signs, and now the Ninevites saw the wrath of God coming even before Jonah arrived a couple months later. When Jonah arrived, they were ripe for repentance.”
Biltz argued signs of this kind also occurred during the modern era just before cataclysmic events.
“Now fast-forward to another solar eclipse on August 21, but this time in 1914,” he said. “This is the first day of the month of Elul, which begins the month of repentance in ‘God’s Day Timer.’ The first of Elul is when Jonah began prophesying for 40 days. Just before the eclipse, we see on June 28th, 1914, through the month of August, the events of World War 1 begin! The path of totality of the eclipse was over Eastern Europe and the Ottoman Empire or Middle East, including Nineveh again. This was foretelling the destruction of the Ottoman Empire in World War I.”
Biltz suggests such cataclysms may be in store for the United States, especially given the timing of this event. …
Biltz says such celestial signs should always be viewed as part of a larger pattern. He has identified another astronomical pattern that will emerge just after the solar eclipse this year. http://www.wnd.com/2017/04/solar-eclipse-across-u-s-called-a-sign-from-god/#XlJFjO4DeOcdwBQK.99
Mark Biltz made similar types of arguments when he pushed his blood moon nonsense, and many Protestants thought he may have been right. We in the CCOG denounced the blood moon argument (see also Blood Moons and Prophecy) and we, not Mark Biltz, were proven right.
The Bible teaches:
2 The LORD says, “Do not start following pagan religious practices. Do not be in awe of signs that occur in the sky even though the nations hold them in awe. 3 For the religion of these people is worthless. They cut down a tree in the forest, and a craftsman makes it into an idol with his tools. 4 He decorates it with overlays of silver and gold. He uses hammer and nails to fasten it together so that it will not fall over. (Jeremiah 10:2-4, NET Bible)
Sadly, Mark Biltz is once again trying to tell people to be in awe of something that does not have prophetic significance. Do not be like the pagans and read things into astronomical phenomena that people like Mark Biltz are pushing. How he twists scriptures (cf. 2 Peter 3:16) and connects things while overlooking what the Bible teaches reminds me a lot of the late Harold Camping who detailed calculations and predictions were later proven wrong (see Harold Camping’s Teachings About the End of the World Do Not Agree with the Bible).
The great tribulation will come and Jesus will return, but following the signs that JESUS GAVE IN THE BIBLE (see When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?):
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:3-21)
The disciples asked about the end and Jesus gave them signs to look for. Real Christians are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7), but many who claim to be Christian seem to often prefer to walk by sight and look to signs other than those Jesus said to look towards.
While the end is coming, the solar eclipse of 2017, like the ‘blood moons’ of 2014 and 2015, is NOT a sign that Jesus gave in Matthew 24 nor as shown in the Book of Revelation. Mark Biltz once again is pointing to his interpretations and attempting to say they mean some particular message from God. Although the USA does need national repentance, God is not sending a total eclipse as a means to do that. God has allowed many eclipses and they of themselves are NOT listed in the BIBLE as being of prophetic importance.
A solar eclipse is not a sign of the beginning of the great tribulation (see the 6th chapter of Revelation). A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. Casting a shadow does not end the world.
So why bother to post about the ‘solar eclipse’ or darkness prediction? Well, there are prophecies about the sun becoming dark:
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:29-30)
12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. (Revelation 6:12-13)
So, the Book of Revelation, also called the Book of the Apocalypse, does refer to a time when the sun will be darkened. But this happens after the great tribulation according to Jesus, which begins with the opening of the fifth seal (and this cannot start before 2021, see When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? ), hence this eclipse in 2017 is NOT be a sign from God. Do not expect the fulfillment of Matthew 24:29 and Revelation 6:12 before 2023 at the earliest.
Why report about this? Because there are many false and heretical leaders that lead people astray on prophecy (2 Peter 2:1-2). Scoffers will not believe, but properly understood biblical prophecy will come to pass (2 Peter 3:1-12).
Sometimes false teachers mention the Bible to try to act like God sanctions their nonsense. And it is not just the secular fringe people, but also those who claim to be Christian or even claim to be in the Church of God.
Yet, those of us in the Continuing Church of God “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV).
Why?
Because we believe the Bible over signs that many point to.
You should too.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Solar Eclipse and the Apocalypse According to NASA scientists, a massive solar eclipse is to occur on August 21, 2017. Some claim that it is apocalyptic and they will be raptured then. Mark Biltz, of ‘blood moon’ fame, citing Genesis 1:14, says this is a sign of God for national repentance. Is it? Could Jeremiah 10:2 apply here? Mark Biltz and others tie this August 2017 solar eclipse in with Revelation 12–is that possible? Is there any solar eclipse associated with the Apocalypse? If so, when is the soonest that prophecy can be fulfilled? Going through biblical passages, including the words of Jesus, Dr. Thiel provides answer to those questions. This is a video.
Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017? There are various theories, signs, and opinions of ones who believe that the Great Tribulation will start in 2017. Some point to Nostradamus, some point to Fatima, some point to a solar eclipse for 21 August 2017, some point to Donald Trump, some point to Jubilee cycles, some point to the rebirth of the nation of Israel, some point to a possible Shemitah year, some point to a Jewish sage, others point to the Bible, and some claim a combination of reasons why the Bible supports their view that the tribulation will begin in 2017. Is it at all possible for the Great Tribulation to begin in 2017? Dr. Thiel goes over various theories and shows what the Bible actually teaches. This is a video.
Wormwood and Planet Nibiru Will the Earth be devastated by Planet X or Comet Encke? What about Planet Nine? Here is a link to a related YouTube video Could Comet ISON be Wormwood of Bible Prophecy?
Planet Nibiru to Destroy Earth by 2017? Some say NASA has identified Plant X, also called Planet Nine or Nibiru or even Planet 7X. One prophecy watcher has stated that this planet will destroy Planet Earth by January 1, 2017. Is this possible? While the Bible tells of a destructive power called ‘Wormwood’ will come from outer space to destroy much of the Earth in Revelation 8, can Wormwood hit by 2017? Dr. Thiel explains from the Bible why Wormwood could be a comet and why the Bible and not those who misinterpret it should be trusted. This is a video.
Blood Moons, Eclipses, and Prophecy There were four ‘blood moons’ expected in 2014 and 2015. Some claimed that they signaled the Day of the Lord or the return of Jesus Christ. I denounced that view in advance. Now some point to a solar eclipse in 2017–is that a ‘sign from God’? A YouTube video is also available: Blood Moons, Prophecy, 2014, and 2015.
Harold Camping’s Teachings About the End of the World Do Not Agree with the Bible Harold Camping taught that the rapture will be on May 21, 2011 and the world would end on October 21, 2011. What does the Bible show?
The Dangerous Rise of Preterists Has the Great Tribulation finished? What was the view of early Christians? Why is the preterist view dangerous?
Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy Is it safe to be ‘independent’ or in a non-Philadelphin Church of God? What did God inspire Zephaniah to write?
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Does the Church flee or is it taken up just prior to the great tribulation? Who really is left behind? There is also a YouTube video with information Did Jesus Teach a Pre-tribulation Rapture?
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent.
Laodicean Warning for God’s People Is there really a place of safety? Do God’s people need to be warned? Warned for what?
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.
The Elijah Heresies Does the Bible teach that there will be a future Elijah? Must it be Herbert W. Armstrong?
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2017, 2018, or 2019? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020?
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