The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and remarkable Day of the Lord comes.
– Acts 2:20 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
They came from around the world, transfixed by the spectacle.
They filled motels, jammed the highways, and staked their claim on a piece of history as a rare total solar eclipse turned millions of people heavenward in the United States.
For a few brief hours on Monday, America looked to the skies. August 21, 2017, made headlines as the date of the first total eclipse since 1918 to cross the United States from sea to sea. Its path of totality fell within the United States alone for the first time since the year of America’s independence in 1776. It brought together scientists, school children, families, new-agers, religious folks, atheists, and conspiracy theorists on the nation’s lawns as we donned our solar glasses and enjoyed the show.
One small act from God.
One giant message for mankind.
Events like this remind the thinking man of his fragile existence in a vast universe.
Humanity sits on a planet delicately balanced between a blazing star and the deep cold void. If we were any closer to the sun, we would burn up. Any farther away, and we would freeze. We sit in the perfect spot for an earth full of people to live and grow and flourish, largely indifferent to our dependence upon Him as we take His providence for granted.
It is only by the mercy of the Creator that “we live and move and exist.” (Acts 17:28) The Bible tells us that Jesus, as the Word of God, “existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” -Colossians 1:17 (New Living Translation) Hebrews 1:3 reminds us that Jesus Christ is “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.”
God speaks, and life springs up where there was only emptiness. He speaks, and our world is shaken. God warns us a day of judgment is coming, a day so terrible men will be “fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” -Luke 21:26.
In that day, we won’t be eating watermelon and relaxing with our solar glasses in the grass. Those who have not gone to be with God in heaven will face unimaginable suffering as God purifies the world of evil and calls out a remnant for Him.
Because our suffering causes God pain, He waits for any who still might come to Him before the great and remarkable day of the Lord.
If you were impressed with the show in the sky this week, get to know the Creator behind this amazing display of beauty and power. Take that step forward toward deliverance from destruction and everlasting life.
One small step for man.
One giant leap for eternity.
