Signs in the Sun and Moon

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Luke 21:11

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.

Luke 21:26

As the apostles were marveling  at the splendor of the second temple one day, Jesus astounded them with a prophecy that the temple would be destroyed completely.  His detail was amazing.  Jesus explained, "the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down (Luke 21:6)." This statement caused His amazed and most likely fearful followers to question Jesus about this event and the End of Days.  

Approximately 37 years later the words of Jesus about the temple's destruction were fulfilled with stunning accuracy.  In 70 AD the future Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Caesar Vespasianus Augustus laid siege to Jerusalem with three legions.  Once the city walls were breached the fight inside the city eventually neared the temple complex.  Though the accounts by Josephus and Tacitus as to whether or not the temple was to be destroyed by order or not differ, a soldier threw a torch that ignited the structure.  The precious metals on the walls melted and were deposited in the mortar between the bricks.  The entire temple was then demolished brick by brick just as Jesus had said in order to get to the gold in the mortar. Titus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia  Siege of Jerusalem (70) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Later Jesus went on to mention the predictions most associated with the nearing of the Tribulation.  Among these are rampant deception, increased earthquake activity, famines, pestilences (disease outbreaks),  Christian (and Jewish persecution) persecution, and fearful signs in the heavens.  It is the signs in the heavens that are of note today.

Jesus mentioned problems in space twice.  Verse 11 seems to indicate some sort of signs as the Tribulation nears, while verse 26 occurs near the end of the Tribulation just before Messiah's physical return.  There are many verses that mention a day when the sun will darken and the moon will as well.  Here are several to research: Isaiah 13:10, 13, 14, 24:23, Jeremiah 4:23, Ezekiel 32:7-8, Joel 2:30-31, Amos 8:9-10, Matthew 24:29, Acts 2:19, and Revelation 6:12-14.

So what does this word "sign" mean? The word used is transliterated from Greek as sēmeion.  It denotes the idea of something unusual especially something that is a shadow or portent of terrible things to follow.  It also means "an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature."  Blue Letter Bible - Lexicon

Between false religion, rampant rebellion, and atheism spread almost daily via many mediums, we do know that false religion and deception are proliferating like never before.  There has also been a dramatic rise in the frequency of large earthquakes as well as other natural disasters. 2011 already costliest year for natural disasters - TODAY News - TODAY.com   Billion-dollar disasters on the rise - WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-  With devastating crop destruction worldwide this year, we are on the verge of a terrible famine that will sweep worldwide adding to the millions globally who are already starving.  Will 2012 Be The Year That We See Mass Starvation In Africa? 12 Signs That The World Is Running Out Of Food  

So are there any unusual occurrences in space that should catch our attention?  The picture above is one.  On June 7th, the sun had a very UNUSUAL coronal mass ejection.  All agree that it was the largest ever observed.  Many scientists have made statements about this event as it is one of a kind.  Here are a few. "We're seeing things we've never seen before," said Phillip Chamberlin, an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Spaceflight Center."  "We're still trying to figure that one out." "Half of the sun appeared to be blowing itself to bits," Goddard Space Flight Centre's Alex Young said.  I think these statements fit the definition, "an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature."  Here are several links showing the quotes just mentioned.

Satellite video captures sun explosion

Huge sun explosion rocks astronomers' world - Technology & science - Space - Space.com - msnbc.com

‪HUGE explosion on the Sun on June 7, 2011‬‏ - YouTube

Gargantuan Sun Explosion Rocks Astronomers | Solar Flare of June 7 | Solar Weather & Coronal Mass Ejections | Space.com

One of many picture taken of the Moon worldwide in November 2010.

This Picture is from Kentucky.

Also, there are some interesting things happening with the moon as well, yet it seems this has been under reported for some reason.  People worldwide began posting videos simultaneously about the unusual rotation of the moon in comparison with moon charts.  There are scores of videos showing something amiss. This took a lot of time and research to find actual scientific data to support, but it appears that the moon is not orbiting correctly. Here is an apparent paper trying to explain why the orbit of the moon seems to be a bit off.    Following are the first two sentences of this study found in the reports from Cornell university.  The paper bears the name of gravitational physicist Lorenzo Iorio.  Concerned folks have asked about this report on Yahoo answers.  
  "A recent analysis of a Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) data record spanning 38.7 yr revealed an anomalous increase of the eccentricity of the lunar orbit amounting to de/dt_meas = (9 +/- 3) 10^-12 yr^-1. The present-day models of the dissipative phenomena occurring in the interiors of both the Earth and the Moon are not able to explain it." 

[1102.0212] On the anomalous secular increase of the eccentricity of the orbit of the Moon

‪Something Wrong With The Sun Moon & Earth‬‏ - YouTube

‪The moon is crazy lately - Part II - 11-29-2010‬‏ - YouTube

‪~ MOON TILT 90 DEGREES IN 8 HOURS-? ~‬‏ - YouTube
Moon Orbit Wrong Cornell University Video
‪Strange Moon February 6, 2011‬‏ - YouTube


**Updated section.  Apparently, there was a large magnetic pole shift around the end of last year and the first of this year.  I am not sure that this would account for the moon's peculiar appearance.  
Magnetic North Pole Shifts, Forces Runway Closures at Florida Airport - FoxNews.com
Cosmic Log - Pole shift forces airport makeover


Whether the above videos can all be verified, the attached pdf file is on file at Cornell and seems to be a response to the unusual patterns found in the moon's orbit as related to the sun.  Are these the "signs" in the heavens?  It is possible.  If we see more unusual activity, keep your ears perked for the sound of a trumpet.  One thing is for sure, people worldwide seem to sense that something is awry.  


Again, if these are the signs Jesus spoke of, don't put off accepting Him in the full pardon of your sins.

  


While this post is highly speculative, there is no doubt that the greatest signs of all are not in the sun and moon.  The greatest sign we are nearing the Tribulation is the continual return of the disbanded and scattered Jewish people being brought back to Israel.  This is a sign that cannot be disputed!  Look up!  Jesus is Soon 2 Come!
 Hundreds of new immigrants arrive in Isr... JPost - National News  "The new immigrants are arriving from North America, Brazil, France, Belgium, Italy, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the countries of the former Soviet Union." 
WATCH LIVE: Nefesh B'Nefesh brings new immigrants to Israel - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
New Israelis greeted in ceremony | JTA - Jewish & Israel News
7,300 Bnei Menashe to make aliyah - Israel Jewish Scene, Ynetnews

And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 29:14

Always Keep Hope!

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 4:18

Warning: Graphic Picture content below.

A few events over the last few weeks have reminded me of how much I deeply love Jesus Christ and just how far down He had to reach to pick me up and save me.  Just a couple of weeks back after the godless vote against traditional marriage in New York, I read several comments on a few blogs and websites that expressed a great deal of hatred towards the homosexual community.  There were even some that suggested that a Christian should never witness to someone caught in this lifestyle.  First, I concur with scripture and must tell the truth.  This is a grave sin and a sure sign that the nation has been given over to judgment already.  Furthermore, it shows that a deepening rebellion against the Holy One is growing and that sincere repentance is needed immediately or great tragedy will befall this nation as a whole. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.  (Proverbs 14:34)  Yet, Christ died for those who have been blinded and deluded by sin, even the sin of homosexuality.  He died to set people free from transgression; furthermore, He forbids His followers from judging a person to the place that they believe a person should never be witnessed to.  The blood of Jesus Christ and the grace of God expressed through the atonement is able to wash away the blackest stains of sin!  There is no greater power in the universe than the blood of Jesus Christ.

God is in the business of taking a broken man or woman and making him/her into a child of God through whom He reaches other sin broken people.  He used a liar and deceiver named Jacob to father the twelve tribes of Israel from which the Messiah and Savior of humanity would be born.  God took a murderer named Moses and made him a deliverer.  He took a prostitute named Rahab, cleaned her up, and made her to be the great grandmother of a king.    God forgave a backslidden, adulterous, murderer named King David, great grandson of Rahab, and promised him an heir who will reign from his lineage forever.  Imagine! Jesus Christ is a direct descendant of Rahab in his humanity.  He forgave an old big mouthed, rough fisherman named Peter, filled him with His Holy Spirit and used him to win thousands.  God also took a church persecuting zealot named Saul of Tarsus who we call Paul and used him to turn the world upside down for Jesus Christ.  Is there any sin too strong for the precious blood of Christ?

Yet sometimes we fail to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ because we feel God may have written someone off.  They are just too deep in sin to reach, we conclude.  They have gotten beyond God's grasp, we assume.  (Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?) Rather than witness, we ignore them while consigning them to hell.  Is that the love of Jesus Christ in action?  What would you have thought of me 31 years ago had you seen me wearing a t-shirt with this logo?  The album cover for this concert tour showed angels smoking marijuana--blasphemous!

I used to wear this to Christian's homes just to tick them off!

Oh!  The depth of God's mercy!

Would you have written me off had you seen me as a drug addicted, heavy metal listening, drunk who cared more about self than anyone else?  Would you have been so appalled at such blatant blasphemy that you would not help me to know the Messiah who could deliver?  Would you have withheld the gospel?  Would you have ceased intercessory prayer?  Would you have concluded that nothing productive could come from such a wasted mess?  Would you have shared the thought that God hated me?  What would you do?  If you would have invited me to church and I showed up in this shirt (true story), what would you do?

Let me tell you what a few folks in Germany did.  They saw a messed up young soldier in desperate need of a Savior.  They took the time to love a young man who did not even love himself.  They shared a message that saved a life.  They introduced me to a savior that saved a marriage.  They did not judge me in such a way as to see me beyond hope for they knew the power of the One whose blood cleanses even the vilest of sinners.  They helped save a marriage.  They saved three children from a life of torment.  They introduced me to Jesus and made me aware that He had loved me from eternity just as he loves any of us. They were patient for they knew, "...the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."  1 Corinthians 1:18 

I have been saved so long that most people do not remember nor would have guessed that I was such a wretch.  By grace I later graduated in the top 25 of 780 students in Ohio University's College of Education and have taught nearly 2,000 students.  God gave me the call to share the message of hope in Jesus Christ in the mid-eighties.  He allowed my wife and I to see our children grow to serve Him.  He kept His promise to me from Psalm 128 when I began to pray it daily when we were nearly divorced--twice!  He has picked us up at the death of a child and gave us hope that we will meet him soon one day.  He is ever present even when I blow it.  Oh!  How I love Jesus!  Because He first loved me.

Don't ever believe that anyone is too far gone.  Don't believe the lie that says a person's sin is just too much for Christ.  Share Jesus.  Sow the seeds of His word.  Bathe that seed in patient prayer.  Always keep hope.  Jesus still saves!   

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  Romans 5:8-10

 PS:  If you want to hate somebody, hate the prince of the power of the air that blinds the minds of those that do not believe. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."  2 Corinthians 4;4 

Soon Fulfilled Prophecy: Israel and the Last Days Control of Sarepta

And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.

Obadiah 1:20

Like earlier studies of Zephaniah in which we spent much time a few months back (A series entitled, "Get Your Thoughts In Order), Obadiah also relates to events that occur as the prophetic Day of the Lord approaches.  Consider verses from both books: "The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly."  (Zephaniah 1:14)  "For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head."  Obadiah 1:15

If you read the last post, it highlighted news articles that dealt with natural gas and oil discoveries that have been made in the territorial region assigned to Asher.  Also, there were disconcerting news articles about a dispute and threats of war over the maritime borders of Lebanon and Israel brought about by these discoveries. The region referred to as Asher in the blessings of Moses and Jacob is in the heart of the dispute and today covers a strip that includes the northern Israeli coastline.  Furthermore, it extends along into southern Lebanon.  This same region is mentioned in scripture as being controlled completely by Israel after a battle outlined in Obadiah, Zephaniah, Isaiah, Psalm 83, and other books.This last days battle seems to occur very near to the beginning of the Day of the Lord also referred to as the the Great Tribulation and the following Millennial Reign of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).


Notice the verse above, Obadiah 1:20.  Zarephath is mentioned as part of the spoil of this war as well as the cities that will be gained in the south (Negev Desert).  So where is Zarephath today?  It is the archaeological treasure city known as Sarafand, Lebanon. This city is also known as Sarepta. It is about 30 miles north of the current border of Lebanon and Israel.    Interestingly enough, the name of this city roughly translates as "refinery" since it was a center for metal smelting and refining long ago.  http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H6886&t=KJV  
Today, aren't refineries also involved in oil and gas production? That makes it interesting indeed! This is also the city where Elijah increased the bread and oil perpetually of the widow in 1 Kings 17:16.  As I write this point, I am reminded of the blessing of Israel and Moses on Asher.  "Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties."  Bread and fat(a variant of the word used as oil) were the blessing!  (See Deuteronomy 33:24 for the blessing of Moses.)  I am sure that all of the money made from the oil here would yield many "royal dainties".  


If Israel controls from this city, Sarepta, south, there is no more concern as to where the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel is.  Are we nearing this being fulfilled?  Common sense says yes!  

What else is interesting about Sarepta or Zarephath?  Author and prophecy teacher, John McTernan, has often pointed out that the region from Sarepta to the southern border of Lebanon with Israel is also the region controlled by Hezbollah.  http://johnmcternansinsights.blogspot.com/2011/01/special-attention-lebanon.html  
Were Israel to control this region where Hezbollah currently has a stockpile of 50,000 rockets as well as other weapons, there would be much stability for the Jewish people.  Cables show Hezbollah has 50,000 rockets: WikiLeaks - Economic Times  God, thousands of years ago, outlined all of the regions He will give over to Israel.  These same lands are all hotspots in our news today!  Pay attention--YOU are about to see much prophecy fulfilled.


This begs the question, are you ready for the return of Jesus Christ?  Have you accepted the free gift of pardon found in the work of Jesus? If not, simply confess your sins and accept that He took your penalty for those sins by the atoning work at the cross.   "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21   And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  Acts 2:21  Follow Him friend!  He is surely near, even at the door.


**John has done extensive study on Obadiah, and I highly recommend his blog. http://johnmcternan.name/ 

Hezbollah Control of Southern Lebanon

Whether the trigger is oil, rockets, borders, terrorism, or the dispute over control Jerusalem which the prophets place so much emphasis on, it is certain that we are nearing the Day of the Lord!  Keep looking and watching and praying.  Jesus Christ is Soon 2 Come!

Prophetic Headlines

Syrian crowds attack US embassy, ambassado... JPost - Middle East

Lebanon says it will protect its borders a... JPost - Middle East

Resolution to Bring Bnei Menashe Home - Jewish World - Israel News - Israel National News***

Must See Interview with Mordechai Kedar on al-Jazeera about Jerusalem | Israel Video Network***

In Texas, young Hindus want to Americanize ancient faith – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

In U.S., 3 in 10 Say They Take the Bible Literally

My Take: Bible condemns a lot, so why focus on homosexuality? – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

US Congress Opposes PA Statehood Bid - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

Black Gold--Oil and the End of Days

And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.

Deuteronomy 33:24

One of the prophecies of scripture that I have heard mentioned often since childhood was that of the land grant of Asher and the mention of there someday being a discovery of oil where this land grant exists.  There even seems to be a reference of this in the blessing of Jacob (Israel) over Asher in Genesis 49:20, "Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties."   Here the word fat (shamen) and the word rendered (No pun intended--well maybe a little) oil (shemen) are both related and from the same root word.  Many are so sure of this oil strike that some Christians have even invested in Israeli oil exploration.  

Some see this discovery of oil as being a catalyst for end time war scenarios.  If the rest of the world is starving for oil and a small country like Israel suddenly makes significant oil discoveries.....well you can see where that is going.  It is possible that Ezekiel, Zechariah and other prophetic books play this idea out.  However, it is more striking that we are actually seeing this concept play out before our very eyes.

Towards the end of last year there were reports that Israel had found massive natural gas reserves.  Usually these finds are not too far in front the discovery of massive oil fields.

Israel strikes gold with gas find | The Australian 

Israel Confirms Major Natural Gas Discovery - NYTimes.com 

Some oil has indeed been found, but there are many who believe this is but the tip of the iceberg.

Noble Finds Oil in Israel - Zacks.com

Central Israel Oil Discovery: 1.5 Billion Barrels - Good News - Israel News - Israel National News

Also, Israel applied for license to explore in new areas as well.

Oil and Gas News: Zion O&G Applies for Israel Exploration Permit

What is amazing is where these recent discoveries have been made.  As you look at the map above you can see the location of the Leviathan find.  Compare it to the territorial map above and you will notice that the finds are off the coast of Asher's territorial grant.  Even if we look at the future territorial grant of Messiah, it is still off the coast of Asher's land.  Prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes.

Today, the news is rife with the second concept, that these discoveries could cause end time war scenarios.  The point--keep looking up, we are closer than you think! Sadly, however, the US immediately came out against Israel in the border dispute.  These type of statements have always triggered judgment.  Keep focused saints, the Lord is coming.

U.S. backs Lebanon on maritime border dispute with Israel - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Vice Premier: Iran, Hezbollah behind Lebanon protest over Israel sea border - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Lebanon says it will protect its borders a... JPost - Middle East

Energy War? Lebanon Warns Israel ‘Playing with Fire’ Offshore - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News