What is a “blood moon” and why is it important? And what is happening in these days that has caused this to be such a topic of conversation?
A “blood moon” occurs when there is a total lunar eclipse – the moon is positioned between the sun and the earth, the sun is hidden from view and the sun’s rays shine from behind the moon turning it into a red hue. A total lunar eclipse can only occur with a full moon.
Why is the “blood moon” potentially important? Because Joel prophesied and Peter affirmed that “the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Joel 2:30-31 & Acts 2:20). And God said, Genesis 1:14, that He put the sun and moon in the sky “as signs to mark seasons and days and years” (1:14).
What is happening in our day that has caused such attention to be focused on this prediction? Later this year and next year there will be four blood moons, all of which will take place on significant biblical feast days.
On the 14th of Nisan this year (Passover, April 15) the first will occur, the second on the 15th of Tishri (Tabernacles, October 8). Next year will bring precisely the same occurrence. A blood moon will take place on Nisan 14 (Passover, April 4) and again on Tishri 15 (Tabernacles, September 28).
The last time four blood moons occurred on these feast days in two consecutive years was in 1967/1968 during the time of the Six Day War when Israel took possession of Jerusalem for the first time in many centuries.
The prior occurrence of four blood moons in consecutive years on these two feast days was in 1948/49 during the time of Israel’s War of Independence.
Before that time, we have to go back in history to 1493, the season of the Inquisition when the King and Queen of Spain were confiscating Jewish wealth, exiling or murdering Jewish people.
Another significant thing about this season is that in the midst of these four total lunar eclipses are two solar eclipses to take place on the first day of the biblical calendar, Nisan 1 (March 20, 2015) and the first day of the civic calendar, Tishri 1 (September 13, 2015).
- Nisan 14, April 15, 2014 – Passover – “blood moon” lunar eclipse
- Tishri 15, October 8, 2014 – Tabernacles – “blood moon” lunar eclipse
- Nisan 1 – March 20, 2015 – beginning of the year – solar eclipse
- Nisan 14, April 4, 2015 – Passover – “blood moon” lunar eclipse
- Tishri 1 – September 13, 2015 – Feast of Trumpets – solar eclipse
- Tishri 15 – September 28, 2015 – Tabernacles – “blood moon” lunar eclipse
What does all this mean? Is this God’s proclamation that something extraordinary is going to occur during or just prior to the multiplicity of eclipses? It would seem so, since that is what has happened in the past. Does this mean war in Israel and the Middle East? Will the outcome be good, as in the 1948 and 1967 conflicts? Or is greater hardship indicated as in 1493? We cannot know. Some suggest this could mean the rapture of the church prior to the great tribulation, but I find no biblical proof that we escape tribulation, and it seems the rise of the anti-Messiah will precede His return. Escape wrath? Yes, but not tribulation. We are continually warned to prepare for hard times, while at the same time assured that we will never experience God’s wrath. (See, for example, John 16:33 and Romans 5:9.
So what are we to do? Keep walking strong and pray for victory for all of God’s people, and for millions to come into the kingdom. Surrender to Jesus! Listen to and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit! Worship! Share the good news! Be prepared to stand strong whatever may come. We have the assurance that in the end all will be well.
Blessings,
Don Finto