As the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot begins the second of a tetrad of blood moons (lunar eclipse) to fall on biblical appointed times will capture the imagination of millions of believers worldwide.
This is a rare occurrence has happened only four times in the past five hundred years, a tetrad of total solar eclipses corresponded to the Jewish Feasts, which historically has signaled the beginning of dramatic events that change the course of world history.
The last three tetrads that fell on Jewish feast days occurred at times when significant events were happening among the Jewish people:
1493-1494 — This tetrad followed the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.
1949-1950 — This tetrad followed the re-establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.
1967-1968 — The beginning of this tetrad occurred right before the beginning of the Six Day war in 1967.
The 1967 tetrad was predictive rather than responsive as in the previous tetrads. That certainly seems to be what we are seeing during this tetrad in 2014.
As 2014 began the world saw an increase in the number of earthquakes leading up to the April 15th blood moon. Many people made the mistake of assuming large one time event would occur immediately following the first blood moon, that was not the case. That also was not the pattern given by scripture.
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea . . . When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” —Luke 21: 25, 28 niv
Consider what we have seen since the first blood moon.
The rise of the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL if you prefer) and the return of the Islamic caliphate. The return of the caliphate is of particular interest as it may fulfill the requirements of Revelation 13:3.
One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.
Abdülmecid II was the last recognized Caliph of Islam from the Ottoman dynasty. On March 3, 1924, the first President of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, as part of his reforms, constitutionally abolished the institution of the Caliphate. It appeared to the world that Islam was on the decline to become a shadow of its former glory.
What once seamed to be a mortal head wound has marveled the whole earth.
I have wondered for some time now if rise of the Islamic State might coincide with the first horseman, but I’m probably wrong.
We have seen an increase in the attacks on Israel which of course there are many scriptures to cite. Then there is the rise of disease including ebola, and peace seemingly fleeting away.
One last thought. I believe a case can be made for the birth of Jesus happening on Sukkot. It is feast of the Lord that is observed for seven days, but there is a Sabbath that occurs on the eighth day. Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day.
Would it not be interesting if the blood moons occur on the anniversary of the birth of Jesus and the death of Jesus. Just wondering.
In New Mexico the blood moon can be seen from 4:30-5:30 mountain time.