A Note from the Pastor…
The coming solar eclipse reminds us of the Greatness, Power, and Precision of creation. The Word of God gracefully states, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,” (Psalm 8:3). The Lord created a sun approximately 400 times larger than the moon, and the sun and moon are placed approximately 400 times in distance apart. As the sun, earth, and moon align – we experience a solar eclipse – meaning that the sun and moon appear to be same size! What a magnificent creation and what a magnificent Creator. In today’s world, some are asking, “What does all this mean?” – “Is this a sign of something greater?”
Often, prophetic language can be highly symbolic and can be fulfilled in a way not immediately expected to the hearer. For example, in the Old Testament book of Joel, the writer shares a wonderful prophecy concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit, (Joel 2:28-32). Among other things, this passage talks about prophesying, fire, smoke, and “The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood.” Surely a frightening, and seemingly very specific description. However, we find its surprising fulfillment in the New Testament book of Acts – “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance,” (Acts 2:1-4).
How do we know that it is the same prophecy? Because Peter, an apostle of Jesus, stands up before a gathered crowd and proclaims that all that is happening is the fulfillment of the prophecy in the book of Joel, (he then goes on to quote the scripture). Acts 2:16-21 which states in part, “But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood.”
I simply want to remind all of us that we do not need to watch for signs and wonders in search for clues to the Lord’s sure return. We are not to look for an eclipse, some kind of antichrist, nor are we to try and figure out when the Lord will return. We are simply called to “watch”, be “ready,” and to “be about our Father’s business.”
Pastor Chris.
Rev. Christopher Murphy – 785-202-1119 christopherjmurphy1@gmail.com
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