After enduring the lead up to the eclipse of the sun in North America where many “Christians” once again used a natural occurring event to predict extra-Biblical, emotional and self-indulgent theories, and at the risk of offending some folks, I have to write today that we are still here. Your day is going on. No one was raptured. There were no “out of the norm” mega-disasters. The end of the world did not happen. Fact is, if people read their scriptures in context, they would have a good idea of what to expect regarding the prophetic future. Unfortunately, there are many, many false teachers who take verses out of context to support their theories. Also unfortunate is that many are well-respected for their falsehoods.
These same false teachers will come up with some excuse about why what they predicted didn’t happen. People will believe them and all will go on until the next time. And the cycle will start all over again. After yesterday’s Jot, I heard about this person or that who had said this or that, and that I should consider what they said. Now think about those kind of statements. I quoted scripture in its context about what would happen in the Day of the Lord regarding the sun, moon and sky–Scripture in its context, the myriad of verses in the Bible describing what the Lord gave about the same event. These were from real prophets documented in Holy Scriptures, not false teachers conjecturing about their theories.
Yes, celestial events are of God. Scriptures discuss the heavens, and ancient Jewish sages interpreted eclipses as omens providing insight to God’s will. Overall, eclipses are a time to pray, and to do God’s will, that you may have nothing to fear. Jeremiah 10:2 says, “Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.” This is far different than those ministries that conjure up fear and intrigue to hold influence over folks and to keep them contributing. What does the Bible say about itching ears? 2 Timothy 4:3 says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Ephesians 4:14 exhorts, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” We don’t want to be that person who is just seeking the latest craze in Christianity. We want to be grounded in the Word of God and have understanding that we may edify others and provide truth in love. As Solomon said that there is nothing new under the sun, let’s not fall for the extra-Biblical seducers. Let us seek the Lord with all of our heart having understanding of his Word and Holy Spirit discernment that we might not be led astray, and that we may provide proof of our testimony to others.
