The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. - Psalm 19:1 Five years ago we watched Rick Larson’s The Star of Bethlehem and I found myself overwhelmed by the discoveries revealed in the heavens that lined up directly with detailed descriptions in the Bible. Like many others, I had heard about and read the story of the wise men making a long journey from the east to visit Jesus as a young child, but I never really considered how they knew to be looking for such an event in the sky. Even more outstanding is that they were looking for a child who would be The King of all kings. After reading the entire Bible over seven times now, I find that God reveals more and more of Himself to those who seek Him. I will from time to time recommend other books but The Holy Bible is the book to read and study above all others. I found watching Rick Larson explain what he learned during his research extremely useful in understanding more of what the scriptures are revealing. There is a reason it is called the Living Word. Jump ahead to today where there is talk of the Tetrad (four) Blood Moons and the total solar eclipse and how they fall on significant dates according to Jewish calendar. The picture below is a snapshot of the BBC video from BBC One and posted on facebook March 20, 2015, the day the world witnessed this total solar eclipse on the Jewish New Year. They refer to this moment of the eclipse as the diamond ring, which to me looks like the most beautiful engagement ring for a soon to be bride. I am writing this post today, which marks the one year passing of my grandmother, Helen, who loved discussing the things of God. She passed away last year on Palm Sunday, her body was prepared while Passover and a blood moon occurred on 04/14/14 and her body was laid to rest on April 16th, the one year anniversary of my cancer surgery. As an amazing prayer warrior, who had been praying for my full recovery and healing, and who loved studying the Jewish roots of Christianity, she would have loved the significance of those special dates surrounding her death. After falling on a Friday, she told her children that she was going home to be with Jesus. It was a shock to all of her family because it seemed she would continue to live, this time in assisting living, rather than independent. A close friend of ours, Mike, had just written two books with his research findings of what to look for in the skies through 2021. I was going to send her these books for Easter last year but something told me to mail them to her sooner. They got sent to the wrong address, because I had mistakenly written down the wrong zip code, but that was a blessing because we had extra phone conversations in trying to locate the books. I cherish those added minutes I got to spend with her over the phone. On our last conversation, she had called to tell me that she loved his first book, Isaiah - In Effect and was just starting on the second. As we cleaned out her apartment, I found Mike’s book, The Sign of The Son (pictured below) with a bookmark placed halfway through the book. Ironically, it has a picture (on page 58) of the Passover Blood Moon right after Palm Sunday of 2014, the year she passed. Pastor Mark Blitz has done extensive research on the Four Blood Moons and our friend, Mike Spidle has done further research on what to look for in the sky, from 2014 – 2021. Beyond just fascination and interest, these findings cause one to deeply ponder what God is communicating to mankind about His soon return. To investigate further, you can check out www.SignoftheSon.com This past Holy Week of 2015 was very significant and meaningful for our family. Upon returning home from a praise and worship gathering we saw the soon to be, blood moon over the cross (given to us by my grandmother) in our front yard as Passover had begun that evening at sunset. As I marveled at the majestic moon hanging over the cross, I attempted to take some pictures and was in complete awe of what looked like a crown around the moon, as Christians all over the world were giving thanks to God for Good Friday, when Christ died for the sins of the world while wearing a crown of thorns. I went out early the next morning to see if I could spot the blood moon but was unable to get a glimpse because of the clouds. Was happy to find this beautiful picture from Japan, courtesy of Time.com. Love how the moon reflects the light off of the sun and gives us a comforting "nightlight" during bedtime. According to Merriam Webster's online dictionary, one of the meanings of reflection is something that shows the effect, existence, or character of something else. Just like a mirror reflects back our own image and shows us what adjustments to make, I see where God's word reflects back the nature of my own heart and shows me the places where I need to repent. When I look at the reflections of the moon, I see a Creator who is communicating to us all, if we are willing to receive it. The following night my husband’s ministry www.shofaroutreach.org was invited by The Hub Atlanta to come down to the CNN Center Atrium for a prayer meeting and to sound the shofar. This event was planned before hearing the news of the massacre of Christian students in Kenya and also happened to fall on the same day there was an agreement on an outline for a nuclear deal with Iran. An outline that Israel was not happy with, on Passover and on the third Blood Moon of this year. "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:25-28 (The red letters indicate the words spoken by Jesus, the one whom the wise men came to see.)
So what does all this mean for you and me? Just as the wise men were looking for the first coming of The King, we should be wise ourselves. Jesus said that we would not know the day or the hour, but we would know the times. The parable He gives of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 is one to pay close and careful attention to. "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." According to Psalm 119:105, the Lamp would be God's Word. What my husband noticed after he was baptized was that the words of the Bible started to come alive as he opened up his Bible and started reading. We both have experience burn out when we have tried doing things in our own strength instead of relying on the Holy Spirit, which is what I believe Jesus is warning us about in keeping our lamps full of oil. Enjoy this short interview of Dr. Mark Rutland discussing what it's like having the Word without the Spirit while he was a pastor. With love, Christina Stay humble & BOLD! And keep those lamps full! "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105 To check out my testimony click here To like my facebook page click here Find me on twitter @humble_bold On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina
6 Comments
9/28/2015 12:29:48 pm
Interesting information you've shared. It's so important to be ready--because we never know how long our time on earth will last--and we want to have a wonderful, meaningful relationship with Jesus now!
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9/28/2015 02:31:28 pm
Wondering if you were able to view the 4th blood moon last night?
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About ChristinaChristina is an ![]() There are some links on my humble & BOLD site that are affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation if you purchase the product or service. The compensation will in no way influence the content, posts or topics made on this blog. I only link to products that are highly rated and that I feel would be of benefit to my readers.
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