On Aug. 21, 2017, a sign from God is going to appear in the heavens at midday and streak across America. The sign, a solar eclipse, will appear on the first day of the forty-day Jewish season of Teshuvah, a season of repentance and return to God leading up to the Day of Atonement.
Solar eclipses occur when the moon comes between the sun and Earth, and the shadow of the moon moves across Earth’s surface. Unlike the lunar eclipse, which can normally be seen from half of Earth, a total solar eclipse can only be seen in a strip of land about 60 miles wide. The total solar eclipse will travel thousands of miles but will only be visible for about two minutes in any location. The Aug. 21 eclipse, called the great American eclipse, will travel from Oregon, beginning at 10:15 a.m. PST, to South Carolina, leaving at 2:49 p.m. EST.
The early stages of a solar eclipse are barely noticeable. As the moon covers the sun, there is not a visible decrease in the sun’s brightness. The outline of the moon can be only seen through thick lenses, like welder’s glass (looking directly into the sun will blind a person), or in the shadows under a leafy tree. Then, as totality approaches, the atmosphere changes. A chill breeze blown in from the path of totality arrives. This can be startling and even frightening to the uninitiated. It is a reminder of the darkness of the Day of the Lord (Amos 5:20) and the judgment of God. On the Hebrew feast calendar, the only one that occurs on the first day of the lunar month when solar eclipses can occur is the Feast of Trumpets, which celebrates the second coming of Jesus on the Day of the Lord. Thus, the solar eclipse is a warning of judgment to come.
Once the shock of the arrival of totality passes, a great, glorious picture appears in the sky. The sun and moon come together, symbolizing the unity of the believers, who are represented by the moon (Ps. 89:37), and the sun, which represents Christ (Ps. 19:4–5). Surrounding the united sun and moon is the corona, or crown, of the sun, which is only visible during an eclipse. There is no better sign of the unity of Christ and His church, symbolizing the prayer of Christ in John 17.
Teshuvah, the 40-day Jewish season of repentance, literally means to return to the presence of God, and is a time of introspection and a reminder of judgment. It begins on the first day of the sixth month known an Elul, and the solar eclipses that occur on Teshuvah add to the meaning of Teshuvah. The Teshuvah eclipses are signs of coming judgment, like the Trumpets eclipses, but they are also signs of unity in the presence of God. Thus, the Teshuvah eclipses are both an invitation to return to God and a warning of judgment.
During the totality of the eclipse, the sky will become dark and the stars will become visible. Right next to the eclipse, only 1.5 degrees away, the brightest star in the judgment constellation Leo (the lion), Regulus (treading under foot) reminds us that Christ, the lion of Judah, will put His enemies under His feet (1 Cor. 15:25). Southeast of the eclipse, the planet Mercury, the morning star laid low symbolic of Satan, will appear under the feet of Leo, adding to the warning of judgment.
Just to the west of the eclipse will be the red planet Mars, symbolic of the blood of Jesus. Further west, the planet Venus, the Bright Morning Star, represents Christ, the seed of woman, who will suffer but triumph over Satan. It is by the blood of the lamb that we can make our Teshuvah journey to return to the presence of God and share in the victory of Christ.
Many intercessors across America will be praying during the eclipse and through the 40 days of Teshuvah. For more information, visit our website or receive a free download of our book Teshuvah Eclipses.
Don’t miss the eclipse and the chance to return to the presence of God during Teshuvah. {eoa}
Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries, spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God; the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage; and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.
See an error in this article?
To contact us or to submit an article
