Most of us know that a solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and earth, casting a shadow on earth that either fully or partially blocks the sun’s light. What I did not know was that this only happens occasionally, because the moon does not orbit in the exact same plane as the sun and the earth do.
The totality of the today’s eclipse can best be seen near Torren, Mexico. It will last 4 minutes and 28 seconds. The totality of this eclipse is less than 5 minutes! It will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044.
It is no wonder that NASA jumped at the chance to check out today’s eclipse. NASA announced its Apep mission to fire three sounding rockets loaded with instruments at this total solar eclipse. But why? Their explanation is to study how the sudden drop in sunlight affects the earth’s upper atmosphere or the thermosphere which is extremely thin and is between 53 miles and 400 miles above the earth, and how would that affect the earth?
At the proper time, God gave astronomers wisdom to study the universe and intelligence to aerospace engineers to build the needed instruments.
So, what makes 2024’s total eclipse so different than the one in 2017? It is not so much the total eclipse that makes it rare – it is the path it takes. This eclipse will enable 31.6 million people to witness it compared to 12 million in 2017.
Many prophecy believers have a keen interest in this eclipse as well, but for a different reason. They believe this is a sign in the heavens that signals the beginning of end times. Then there are the curiosity seekers who will flock to various places for a hoped-for exceptional view.
Not only did God plan the timing of all the orbiting planets and the sun to be in sync – He planned this before He created even one planet or star!
God also created supernatural darkness to come upon the earth for His specific purpose. For instance – the darkness that is reminiscent of the 9th plague in Egypt prior to the exodus of the Jews (Exodus 10:21, 22). This was a thick darkness that could be felt and lasted for three days. His reason: “The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.”
God caused darkness when Jesus was crucified. “Now from the sixth hour (noon) to the ninth hour (3:00pm) there was darkness over all the land.” (Matthew 27:45) Scholars do not believe these events of supernatural darkness were caused by an eclipse of the sun. So, is the 2024 eclipse a sign in the heavens signaling end times or just a very unusual eclipse that is getting everyone’s attention? Time will tell.
Joel 2:10, 31; Isaiah 13:10; Amos 8:9; Zephaniah 1:14-15; and Revelation 8:12 all speak of a supernatural darkness that covers the earth in a future and final outpouring of God’s wrath which is called the Day of the Lord. And none of these Scriptures ascribe the darkness to the eclipse of the sun.
Then there is spiritual darkness.That is when people whose heart and lifestyle are at enmity with, and separated from, God because of their unrepentant sin. Those who die in spiritual darkness face God’s wrath and judgment. World-wide spiritual darkness is getting more intense as we near end times, but God’s light is getting increasingly brighter than ever before.
Whatever the meaning for this solar eclipse, whether signs in the heavens or a natural phenomenon, please know that there is no darkness so dark that Christ’s light cannot penetrate it, because Jesus is the Light of the world. The eclipse that will occur today in outer space is no match for the miraculous birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that occurred on earth 2000 years ago. The totality of the eclipse for all to see will go away in less than five minutes; Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection means life eternal for all who believe.
Some can discern the signs in the sky like “Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning; red sky at night is a sailor’s delight” but cannot discern the sign of the times as Jesus spells them out for us in Matthew 16.
God created the eclipse and supernatural darkness, and He will dispel spiritual darkness. Forever. To God be the glory for great things He has done!
Our God is an awesome God – He reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love, our God is an awesome God!