NASA Science tells us on Monday, "April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The total solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean. Weather permitting, the first location in continental North America that will experience it, in totality is Mexico's Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT." The Bible does not explicitly mention solar eclipses by the exact term we use today. However, there are several passages in the Bible where the sun is described as darkening or the day turning to night, which some interpret as references to solar eclipses or similar astronomical events. Let's take a look at those passages of scripture.
Amos 8:9 - "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:" This verse has been interpreted by some to describe a phenomenon similar to a solar eclipse, where the sun appears to darken during the day. Matthew 27:45 - "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." This passage describes darkness falling over the land during the crucifixion of Jesus, which some have speculated could be a reference to a solar eclipse. Joel 2:31 - The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. Acts 2:20 - "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord." Luke 21:25 - "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea." Lastly, the book of Revelation 6:12 tell us - "I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red," This is often referred too as a "Blood Moon" The next blood moon will occur on March 13 or 14, 2025. A "blood moon" happens when Earth's moon is in a total lunar eclipse. While it has no special astronomical significance, the view in the sky is striking as the usually whitish moon becomes red or ruddy brown. In the gospel of Luke, chapter 21, "it tells us And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." and "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Your redeemer is near)" Amen!
