Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Blood Moons and Easter Sunrises!

At 2:00 a.m. last night, Colleen and I stood in our bathrobes peering out a second story window at the total lunar eclipse being referred to by some as a “blood moon.”  Sure enough, as the earth temporarily blocked the sun from hitting any part of the moon’s surface, a reddish-orange glow appeared.  This phenomenon will now occur four consecutive times at 6-month intervals which any astronomer will tell you is highly unusual.

Others see this “lunar tetrad” as representing the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.  In Joel 2:31-32a it says, “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.  And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Pastor John Hagee has written a New York Times best seller entitled, “Four Blood Moons – Something Is About to Change.”  Hagee finds special significance in these particular lunar eclipses because they coincide with the Jewish festivals of Passover and Tabernacles.

When asked about the end times, Jesus said, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” (Mk 13:5)  He went on to describe great testing and persecution for those who proclaim faith in God, along with calamities like wars, earthquakes and famines.  Then Jesus said, “So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.  ‘But in those days, following that distress, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’  At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.” (Mk 13:23-27)

As we enter this Holy Week, 2014, of this we can be sure.  The second coming of Christ has never been closer than it is today!  The world is shaking.  Nations are at war.  Natural disasters abound.  That’s why we are so passionate about sharing the “Good News of the Gospel” and inviting everyone to be saved.  You see, the eyes of Jesus’ followers are not focused on a “blood moon” but on a blood-stained cross and an empty tomb!  These are the “signs” that give us hope in the face of these uncertain days.

How can you be prepared to meet Jesus face-to-face?  By receiving him as your Savior and trusting in his every promise!  “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (Jn 1:12)  Jesus’ followers place their confidence in a heavenly Father and choose to live every day as his children until he comes again.  For those whose hope is in the Lord, the second coming is not a “dreadful day” but one of great joy.

Who do you know who needs to hear this Good News?  Please invite them to join you on Holy Thursday at 7:00 p.m. as we remember the Last Supper, on Good Friday at 7:00 p.m. as we gather near the cross, or on Easter Sunday as we celebrate the victory of the resurrection at 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 a.m., with an Easter breakfast and plenty of fellowship included. 

I believe that this Holy Week represents a “tipping point” for Christ Church.  Blood moons may be fascinating but God’s Word declares, “They triumphed over him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Rev. 12:11 – emphasis added) 

Bring your family!  Bring your relatives!  Bring a neighbor, co-worker or friend!  Easter is coming and we are going to party because the blood of Jesus has given us life!

Blessings,
Pastor Greg Pagh

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