At
approximately 10:30 pm EST January 20 (Sunday night)–1:00 am EST
January 21, 2019 (Monday morning) most of us who live in either North or South
America will be able to view a total lunar eclipse, as long as the sky is clear
of cloud coverage. Millions and millions of people may “ooh and aww” over the
sight, but how many will truly “see” it and understand its spiritual message? The
heavens declare the Word of God and are to be read in our day and time just as
they were in ancient ages long ago. From what we know, there were only a few
Magi who were aware of Jesus’ birth, and there seem to be even fewer today. So,
I consider myself blessed to be able to share with you the true Christological
meaning of this eclipse.
This is what I believe is the prophetic message
of this total lunar eclipse: Hold onto
your hope!
Lunar
eclipses are predictable celestial events that recur in a cycle that
astronomers call a “saros,” which basically means a repeating cycle. They occur
when the moon is overshadowed by the earth. Because the moon is directly behind
the earth and hidden by its shadow, a lunar eclipse always happens when the
moon is full and in direct alignment with the Sun and Earth. It can be thought
of as a conjunction of three celestial spheres, which is significant in
celestial interpretation. The cause of the cycle is that the Moon’s rotation
around the earth is not exactly linear to Earth’s axis, which means that the orbital
plane kind of floats back and forth. As a result, there is a short cycle of 19+
years and a longer one of 1260 years.
The
occurrence of either a solar or lunar eclipse has been historically regarded as
an omen of bad news; and there are enough records of tragic events that have
coincided with eclipses that this has generally become their universal
interpretation. However, even though this particular eclipse’s message can be quite
damning if denied, it is one of encouragement to those who have embraced Yeshua
as Messiah.
There
are several steps to properly interpreting an eclipse: (1) identify the
constellation where it is occurring; (2) identify what is visible during the
time when it is darkest; and (3) identify the location(s) on Earth where the
shadow passes over.
The
lunar eclipse that will happen this Sunday night through early Monday morning
(January 20–21, 2019) requires a rather unique understanding and application,
due mainly to its heavenly location. Most people who view it will not even
notice which constellation it is occurring within, because it is one of the most
non-descript of the 12 major constellations. This particular eclipse will be visible in the rear portion of Cancer.
Cancer
is the smallest of the 12 major constellations and this alone is significant.
However, when that is coupled with the fact that it is also the most difficult one
to see and identify, it prophetically points out that we should keep a very
close scrutiny on any small and overlooked aspect of our life that could easily
get out of our sight and mind. I believe
the main message of this eclipse is that we should focus on the hope we have in
Christ and not let it get out of our minds.
Eclipse location
January 20 – 21, 2019
In
the circular line of the Sun’s path (the ecliptic) during Earth’s one-year
revolution around it, the Sun intersects 12 constellations. Cancer is the least
defined of these 12, because of its diminutive size and its small number of
visible stars. However, it was divinely arranged to carry the message of our
hope: to remind us to look hard for it and to not lose hold of it. Cancer is all about the hope of our
inheritance.
Cancer’s
prophetic message comes from its position on the ecliptic path and the names of
its stars within its constellational boundaries.
The overall message of the Sun’s path is
divided into three parts:
· Virgo–Sagittarius shows the first coming of Messiah;
· Capricorn–Aries reveals the blessings that Messiah
brought to believers; and
· Taurus–Leo boldly proclaims Messiah’s second coming.
Cancer
is within the last group which shows the Lord’s second coming. Taurus (the
bull) shows the Lord coming as Judge; Gemini (the twins) shows the Lord coming
for His bride; Cancer (the sheepfold) reveals the hope of the inheritance on
Earth with Jesus; and Leo (the lion) prophesies of the King of kings during the
millennial reign.
Cancer is about your hope, because those
within His sheepfold are the ones who will eternally be in His Kingdom.
During
the lunar eclipse this Sunday night and early Monday morning, the moon will be located in the rear
portion of Cancer. Those who are aware of this are few and far between, and
those who understand its prophetic message are even fewer.
This
eclipse is all about reminding us of our hope in Jesus: His promises, His
faithfulness, His love and commitment to us, and the hope that is laid up in
Him. Of course, the scriptures that verify this are many, but the deeper
significance is the timing of this
reminder.
This is a vital time for us to recognize
the truth of 1 Peter 1:4.
Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant
mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that
does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of
God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ~1 Peter
1:3–5
The
lunar eclipse is located in the constellation of Cancer, which is our hope. This
is a word to all who will listen and pay attention. The accurate meaning of the
constellation Cancer comes from a star in its rear portion that the Greeks
named Tegmine which means “holding.” However,
its Hebrew and Arabic name is Acubene,
which means “the hiding place.” Most of Cancer’s other star names are either
animal-related or refer to mass holding places. In ancient Hebrew lore it was
the place where the spirits in Paradise would be kept until the millennial
reign, and it reminded them to be faithful to obtain the promise of the
inheritance.
In
the time before the coming of Jesus of Nazareth (their Promised One), they
believed that the Messiah would rule over a kingdom, and eventually the whole
world, and that those who embraced Him and lived accordingly would live and rule
with Him in His coming kingdom. That promise is still alive to all who follow
Him after His first coming. He is coming
again and the heavens are proclaiming it.
Cancer’s
accurate depiction of a cattle fold or a sheep pen (shown below) shows us that
we are set apart for His coming kingdom and that He is the Shepherd protecting
the door. John 10:7 was Jesus’ proclamation of the prophetic fulfillment of
Cancer’s message.
Then
Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the
sheep.” ~John 10:7
When
He opened His statement with “Most assuredly,” He was getting their attention
and letting them know that what He was about to say was important. He is the
true shepherd and protector, in this case, of our inheritance. Since the
upcoming lunar eclipse is in Cancer, it will prophetically declare that our hope
is held fast in the Messiah, so now we
must hold fast to the promise.
This is the Christological message of Sunday
night/Monday morning’s lunar eclipse: Hold
onto your hope.
After
observing and studying eclipses, retrogrades, and celestial phenomena from a
Christological perspective over the past 25 years, I personally believe that the
Lord is saying the following through this eclipse:
The end times are upon you. Hard times may
come to you. Be strong in your hope. Be strong in Me and notice that I hold you,
but you are to hold onto Me. You may have tribulation, but be of good cheer—I
have overcome the world. Lift up your head for your redemption draws nigh. Paradise
is real and so is the millennial reign.
When
it comes to other keys of interpretation and what else can be seen in the
heavens during this eclipse, I believe the answer is basically nothing during
the actual event. However, there is an additional celestial “dazzle” to this
heavenly picture that will already have slipped beneath the horizon and out of
view during the eclipse. That is the constellation Ophiuchus, the warrior.
Venus (Hebrew Nogah) will be in
proximity of Jupiter (Tsedeq) within
Ophiuchus, a constellation that foretells violence upon Earth. Venus, the
passionate one, is depicted as fighting for the kingdom, confirming the truth
of Matthew 11:12—that the violent will take it by force. Even though it will
not be visible during the eclipse, it is still significant because it will be
in the heavens shortly before the event. I believe that the Lord is saying
through this that we are to prepare for a coming conflict and get ready for a
fight. The devil knows that his time is short and he will spare no effort in
persecuting the saints. So get ready for
a fight.
It
is also significant that almost half the globe will be able to observe this
eclipse, weather permitting. It is not a
secret. It is important to note that the other “half” of the globe,
including eastern Europe, eastern Africa, and most of Asia, saw a very similar
lunar eclipse almost a year ago on January 31, 2018. I was in India at the time
and had a clear view of it. Just like the one coming up this Sunday, that one
was also in Cancer, directly in the sheepfold
door. The same message was given to them last year and it is about to be
given to the rest of the world in a couple of days, almost a year later.
There are several more important points
that makes this eclipse stand out from others.
· It will occur on the
15th of Shevat, according to the Jewish calendar, which corresponds
to the one that occurred last year on the other side of the world. In other
words, according to the Jewish calendar, both lunar eclipses are occurring on
the same date, exactly one year apart and in the same constellation. This
portends to be two witnesses of the same truth broadcast to the entire world.
Therefore, whatever the message is, God wants the whole world to see it.
· Also, this eclipse
takes place on the eve of Donald Trump’s third year of his presidency.
President Trump has been touted as being a type of Cyrus—a friend and supporter
of Israel and an enemy of Babylon. Some have suggested that this is a good sign
for him, yet others are saying that it is a bad omen for him. However, since
this eclipse covers all of North and South America, and last year’s carried the
same message to the other portion of the world, its Christological interpretation
seems to be for the whole world rather than just for the USA.
· This eclipse will
in all likelihood be a blood moon eclipse, which is when the moon appears red due
to the penumbral shadow of Earth. Some Rabbis through the years have indicated
that this may foretell of wars in Israel, since the Jewish calendar is primarily
based upon the Moon rather than the Sun. Blood moon eclipses have prophesied
war for Israel in the past, but they can also show victory for Israel as they
follow the prophecies of the coming kingdom of Christ on the earth. But again,
these two lunar eclipses seem to be broadcasting a much broader message than
just to Israel or to the USA.
· One more item of
interest, this eclipse will occur when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth
of the year. This will cause it to appear about 14% larger and almost 30%
brighter than normal, providing an exceptional viewing for those who are able
to see it.
The clear
message to the world’s population is that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One who holds
and protects our inheritance. He is strongly exhorting us to believe this truth
and to stand firm in the end times.
This
is great news for those who love and follow Yeshua, but it is a foreboding one for
those who do not. There is an inheritance in Christ that is literally out of
this world and beyond to the next one to come. It is an eternal inheritance and
kingdom, so hold fast to it. It is our hope and anchor in times of trouble. If
you do not have an inheritance in Christ, sell everything you have
(figuratively) and buy the only true gain in this life—hope in Him and eternal
life.
So,
when we see the lunar eclipse between 10:30 pm
EST on January 20 and 1:00 am EST on
January 21, remember that millions may be observing it but not truly “see” what
we do—a powerful reminder of our hope in Christ. The heavens do indeed declare
His glory (Psalm 19:1). It is as if the Lord Himself is sending us a note that
night and early morning, reminding us to have hope in Him and only Him. The
rest of the world may be enamored by the light show, but we know the Creator of
it and our hope is in Him alone.
Look
up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. ~Luke 21:28b
NKJV
