Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017, but is being found by readers in advance of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse, such that it has made it into our Most Popular articles on CrosswalkHeadlines.
On August 21, a total solar eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Hundreds of viewing parties for this amazing and rare astronomical phenomenon have been scheduled from coast to coast, but many Christian leaders believe this event is more than an incredible scientific occurrence. Many believe it is a prophetic sign that we are living in the end times and that Christ’s return is imminent. Many of these leaders point to Scripture passages, particularly in Revelation, which talk about the end of the age and the signs to look out for. Here is what 10 Christian leaders had to say about this total solar eclipse. What do you think? Is this event truly a sign of the end times? Are you planning on viewing it?
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1. Mark Blitz
“From a biblical point of view, a solar eclipse is meant as a sign from God. When there is a total solar eclipse, it is a warning to a specific nation or nations depending on its path. … Could God be giving us a warning that we need to repent or judgment will be coming to the United States? The timing couldn’t be clearer!”
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2. Paul Begley
“I believe it is a prophetic sign.”
Begley also referenced a passage from the book of Joel which says, ‘the sun shall be turned to darkness’ before the ‘Day of the Lord come.’ Somebody sound the trumpet because the eclipse may mean, ‘we are living in the last days.'”
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3. Scott Clarke
“You’ve got this epic solar eclipse over America and it’s happening right at Regulus, in Leo the Lion—the constellation. There are twelve constellations. It could happen anywhere, but it’s happening in the constellation of the king, meaning the return of the king!”
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4. Anne Graham Lotz
“The warning is triggered by the total solar eclipse of Aug. 21, nicknamed America’s Eclipse. For the first time in almost 100 years, a total solar eclipse will be seen from coast to coast in our nation. People are preparing to mark this significant event with viewing parties at exclusive prime sites. The celebratory nature regarding the eclipse brings to my mind the Babylonian King Belshazzar who threw a drunken feast the night the Medes and Persians crept under the city gate.
Therefore, my perspective on the upcoming phenomenon is not celebratory. While no one can know for sure if judgment is coming on America, it does seem that God is signaling us about something. Time will tell what that something is.”
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5. Hugh Ross
“It’s going to be a spectacular event. And we’ve got a group of about 140 people going with us to the desert of Oregon to view that eclipse. And one of our other astronomers is going to join me.
We’re going to give lectures on the astrophysics of the sun and why we’re in such a blessed time in the history of our solar system, that we can learn a lot of things that actually help us understand why God’s behind it all.”
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6. Bob O’Dell
Commenting on the fact that the eclipse will be total across the North Pole:
“The North Pole can’t really be called the territory of any particular nation or people. This is likely a message from God to the entire world.”
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7. Gary Ray
“The Bible says a number of times that there’s going to be signs in the heavens before Jesus Christ returns to Earth. We see this as possibly one of those.
“My number one encouragement to people would be to just trust God. More importantly, to trust the right God. If people want to be ready, the one thing you can do is accept what He has offered, which is the gift of grace and forgiveness. That’s all we have to do to be ready.”
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