Wonders in the Heavens

Total solar eclipse from St. Louis, Aug. 21, 2017. (John Sonderman via Flickr) 
via the Washington Post

So, the total solar eclipse has come and gone...and it was a spectacular sight for those who were in the path and didn't have a cloudy day!  We weren't in the direct path in Florida, and we also had complete cloud coverage totally eclipsing the eclipse! But that didn't stop the sky from getting dark,  and the Sand Hill Cranes started their early morning squawking that they usually do when they are waking up in the morning, dogs started barking, and the crickets started chirping.  I saw some night swallows fly over and all of our little solar outdoor lights came on.  It all felt pretty surreal for a few minutes.

Here I am trying to watch the eclipse:

 And here is what I saw:

It even started to rain so I had to go inside a few times.

This is what I read in my Bible this morning prior to the eclipse:

30.  "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:

Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.

31.  The SUN shall be turned into darkness,

and the moon into blood,

Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

32.  And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Joel 2:30-32

The introductory title given in my "New Scofield Study Bible" says that this is describing "The Future Deliverance in the Coming Day of the Lord" and also "The signs preceding the day of the Lord".  

There had been some speculation that this total solar eclipse today could have some spiritual significance...and could even be a sign of the return of the Lord.  It is now several hours since the event took place, and I have not heard of any significant activities that would lead me to believe that this was that signal...however, if one is paying attention to all of the news from around the world in the recent weeks and months, a thoughtful believer might consider that the Lord's return could in fact be imminent.  The signs of the times are certainly becoming more and more apparent every day.  I know that no man knows that day and hour...Jesus said:

"But of that day and hour no one knows, 

not even the angels in heaven,

but My Father only."

Matthew 24:36

But He goes on to say in verses 42-44:

"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour 

your Lord is coming.

But know this, that if the master of the house 

had known what hour the thief would come,

he would have watched and not allowed 

his house to be broken into.

Therefore, you also be ready, 

for the Son of Man is

coming at an hour you do not expect."

So for me, all of this hype and hoopla over the eclipse was fun and phenomenal, but it also caused me to pause and consider that the Lord's return could be soon...and I want to be ready.  I pray that all of those of my household and friends and loved ones near and far will also be ready.  We fuss and fume over all the crazy stuff that is happening in our country...people on all sides of the spectrum have voiced their opinions out the wazoo...and we want to fight for our rights and for the rights of the downtrodden (or those who think they are downtrodden because they don't like certain things politically or economically) and families are taking up sides and drawing lines in the sand...

and when that day comes when the Lord returns for His chosen bride...what will all these things matter?  I'm not saying they aren't valid issues...but I am saying that there is one thing more important that needs to be settled first...

If the Lord were to suddenly appear in the sky to take us home to glory...would we all be ready to go?  Or would there be some like those Jesus spoke about in the days of Noah:

"But as the days of Noah were,

so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

for as in the days before the flood, 

they were eating and drinking,

marrying and giving in marriage, 

until the day that Noah entered the ark,

and did not know until the flood came and took them all away...

so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."

Matthew 24:37-39

My prayer today is that I am ready to meet my Savior face to face at any moment...and that all of my loved ones and friends are also ready.  There is nothing more important than being sure of our place in heaven...and there is only one way to get there! How do we know if we are ready? 

• By confessing that we are sinners with no hope of saving ourselves, 
• repenting of our sins and 
• accepting the free gift of salvation that is in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.  

Today could have been a sign that His return is very near.
Don't put it off until it is too late. 

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone.