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Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, and tags, etc.. Most Images cropped & reduced in size.

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 “THE MOON SHALL NOT GIVE HER LIGHT”

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“Immediately after the tribulation of those days

shall the sun be darkened,

and the moon shall not give her light,

and the stars shall fall from heaven,

and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:

and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,

and they shall see the Son of man coming

in the clouds of heaven

with power and great glory.” 

Matthew 24:29

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Pictured right is of the drawing of the eclipse of 1888. This is a drawing of a winter-time total lunar eclipse, first published in Bilder- (Picture Atlas of the Stemenwelt) in 1888 wikipedia public domain

Meteors – Falling Stars – cropped and altered image – asteroids – Leonids-browse nasa Abe & Hajime Yano

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“A HEAVENLY OBJECT LESSON”

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When God created the Moon and the stars, He ordained them to rule the night. The Moon, especially when it is full, gives a fair amount of light. Oh nothing like the light from the Sun. But the light from the full Moon can at least, light your pathway at night, as it reflects the light of the Sun. And even when half-full, you can see your shadow as you walk up that pathway.

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THE MOON & THE CHRISTIAN

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So too, the Christian is to be a light to the world; to this sin-darkened world. But that Christain must reflect the light of Jesus, in order to be that light!

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Listen… “Ye are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:14-16

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Dutch Painting: Um_moinho_dominando_a_baía_à_luz_lunar – wikimedia – US public domain

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LITERAL ECLIPSE

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Now it’s true that the Moon must reflect the light of the Sun, in order to be a light to the night-time world. However, during an eclipse, the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, preventing that sunlight from shining on the Moon’s face.

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SPIRITUAL ECLIPSE?…

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Of course, the obvious lesson gleaned from this, is that of when a Christian allows this world to eclipse his or her relationship with God. By allowing the cares and the pleasures of the world (and even many church duties), to overshadow one’s constant contemplation of Scripture, or squelching of the prayer life… well…just listen to this following verse… 

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“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34 -36.

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This warning from the above passage of Luke 21:34-36, is very well-known in the Christian community, and yet not very well-heeded: no, not nearly enough! You see, the Devil has been very busy, making sure that Christians are preoccupied, at a time when we should be looking up, and lifting up our heads (see Luke 21:28).

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So maybe this concept of the Moon reflecting the light of the Sun, can be the backdrop for a relatively brief discussion on this idea of reflecting the light of Jesus to the world.

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Moon – Lunar Eclipse by Jiyang Chen – Wikipedia – share-alike-license

Picture: above right of young lady reading a Christian Bible Devotion- wikipedia US public domain.

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A MESSAGE FOR THIS HOUR!

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But also, this little discussion should include just some of the ways that the people of God are allowing the things of the world, and even religious things, to eclipse the light which should be shining from the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus.

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And after all, Signs Of Heaven is a message of hope, and even a message of victory. So in spite of any negativity regarding the present condition of things, please don’t get discouraged! This article will offer a positive and hopeful remedy for this our miasma, known as “lukewarm-ness”. And God will bring His Elect back to health and lead them onward and upward to victory!

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Listen… “Of them which Thou gavest Me have I lost none.” John 18:9. Yes, Jesus has lost none! This is a very comforting promise by Jesus, wouldn’t you agree?

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So please read and perhaps discover some ways that may help in becoming a greater light to others: to those others who are in darkness, in desperate need of light!

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And maybe, just maybe, this next verse might apply to, not only Jesus, but to us too… “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great Light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the Light shined.” Isaiah 9:2.

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Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

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“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12 

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Perhaps the best way to begin a discussion of the Moon, is to make mention of its superior counterpart, the Sun. Both were created on the fourth day, and both are very important members of God’s incredible time-clock: that precision time-piece, called the Solar-System.

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But God not only created this great light for the necessary purpose of keeping time, and giving brightness to the world, but also as a teaching object: a heavenly object-lesson.

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So what is the lesson that can be learned from this heavenly object? Well, many times in Scripture does God compare Himself to the Sun.

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Listen… “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12.

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So this, as well as many other Bible passages compare God, even Jesus Christ to the Sun. 

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Sunrise from Burrow Mump, Burrowbridge, Somerset – cropped image – wikimedia share-alike license

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THE MOON

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“And God made two great lights; the greater light (the Sun) to rule the day, and the lesser light (the Moon) to rule the night…and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.” Genesis 1:16, 18, 19

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Now isn’t it interesting that God used such strange language here in saying the Sun and Moon were to “rule” the day and night? After all, how can a giant ball rule over anything? Well the answer to this puzzle is actually very simple. The Bible is a spiritual book, and as such, it speaks of many physical objects in nature, which teach spiritual lessons: object-lessons. So the Bible student may often find the wording a little different in Scripture. That’s probably because there’s a much bigger concept to be learned than merely the obvious one.

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“ASK NOW THE BEASTS”

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And so, this passage from Genesis, was also written to not only tell the literal Creation account, but also to teach spiritual truth. Because, God has designed all of nature to teach spiritual lessons.

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Listen… “But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?” Job 12:7-9 .

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Now obviously, the birds or earth or fish are not going to be literally answering any questions. So what did God mean, when He commands us to “ask” these things questions?

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Robert Salmon – Moonlight Coastal Scene – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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SOLOMON’S WISDOM

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Well, just look at this next passage regarding the wisest mortal to ever have lived… “And Solomon’s wisdom excelled…For he was wiser than all men…And he spake three thousand proverbs…And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.” 1st Kings 4:30-34 (condensed for brevity). So this passage explains how the Bible was written…in parables. Jesus Himself spoke many, many, parables, using the various things from nature to teach spiritual lessons.

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SCHEDR LunNoch wikimedia US public domain

Worker ant carrying leaf wikimedia public domain

Spider_vdg wikipedia Share-alike license

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“MOON DARKENED” IS SPIRITUAL

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The lunar eclipse is a fitting object lesson of how far too many Christians allow the cares and pleasures of the world to dim their reflection of Christ’s heavenly light, that should have been shining out from them, upon this sin-darkened world…

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“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” Luke 24:29 …

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So this above verse says that the Sun will be darkened and the Moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven.

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Could this verse be speaking of a spiritual eclipse, and not necessarily a literal eclipse? Could it be that this is actually an assessment by God, spoken in spiritual, metaphorical language? Could this be speaking of the Sun being Jesus, and the Moon being the Church, and stars being individual Christians?

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In other words, could this be speaking of an entire Church apostasy, in which the Sun (Jesus) is darkened, causing the Moon (the Church) to not give her light? And could this be saying that the stars (individual Believers) will fall from grace to this sinful Earth during this time, that they may be tried?

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Listen… “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament…as the stars for ever and ever…Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried;” Daniel  12:3, 10

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Pictured right is of the drawing of the eclipse of 1888. This is a drawing of a winter-time total lunar eclipse, first published in Bilder- (Picture Atlas of the Stemenwelt) in 1888 wikipedia public domain

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NOBLE BEREANS

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Well before dismissing this idea, it might be well to explore just what the Bible has to say about all these things. And after all, there are a lot of conservative Christians who strongly believe that a great apostasy is rapidly growing in the Christian world today. This would correspond to the Sun and Moon being darkened, as well as stars falling from Heaven. 

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So an open mind and a willingness to be like those noble Bereans, who “searched the Scriptures daily, to see if these things were so”, just might be the more noble way to approach these seemingly new concepts. So all are invited to read this short treatise on this extremely important idea. (above quote from Acts 17:11). After all, you’re almost half way through this article already!

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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DAY OF THE LORD IS SPIRITUAL DARKNESS

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Listen to this next verse… “Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.  SHALL NOT THE DAY OF THE LORD BE DARKNESS, AND NOT LIGHT, AND NO BRIGHTNESS IN IT.” Amos 5: 18, 19.

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So this passage begins to shine light on this concept that, perhaps the Day of the Lord will not be a day of literal darkness, but of spiritual darkness! 

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And just listen to this next text, which describes such spiritual darkness… “He takes away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way. THEY GROPE IN THE DARK WITHOUT LIGHT, and he makes them to stagger like a drunken man.” Job 12:24, 25

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JESUS, THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS HIDES HIMSELF

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Now, just listen to this next passage… “Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.” John 12:35, 36

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Notice it says here that Jesus, “did hide himself from them”. They were now experiencing a spiritual eclipse. Jesus, the ‘Sun of Righteousness’ and the ‘light of the world’ was hiding Himself from these people, just after warning them about losing the Light. Here was an eclipse. The world had come between God’s people and Jesus, the “Sun of Righteousness”. A spiritual lunar eclipse had just occurred, by Jesus hiding Himself. And God seems to have orchestrated this story for that very purpose: to show this spiritual eclipse, found in the Gospel of John 12:35.

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Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Jews_Took_Up_Rocks_to_Stone_Jesus_James_Tissot wikipedia Us public domain

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SPIRITUAL ECLIPSE

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Many know what it’s like to go through a spiritual eclipse: to not be able to find Jesus. “Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive Him: On the left hand, where He doth work, but I cannot behold Him: He hides Himself on the right hand, that I cannot see Him.”  Job 23:8,9.

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Job here was going through his own spiritual eclipse. And many can totally relate to Job’s statement here in their own personal experience. They just cannot understand why the Lord seems impossible to find.

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Job Wikipedia public domain

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COUNTLESS DISTRACTIONS

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There is perhaps, nothing easier (in this world) than to take one’s eyes off of Jesus. The “god of this world”, Satan, has invented countless diversions in this high-tech society, with the purpose of causing Christians to take their eyes off the “Sun of Righteousness”.

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In the business of everyday life, it is very easy to lose sight of Jesus, only to spend the rest of the day without the nurturing fellowship and sweet communion with the Lord’s Spirit. It is so easy to allow the cares and pleasures of life to grieve away, this eclipsing the Spirit of Holiness.

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Photo: Shoppers_on_Dundas_near_Yonge-by-Ian-Muttoo-for-Wikipedia-cropped image – share-alike-license

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WILL THERE BE A CHURCH-WIDE ECLIPSE?

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Will there come a day when the entire Church-world will become darkened?   The Apostle, Paul, wrote to Timothy to warn Timothy of what to expect from the Church-world…

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“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.”  2 Timothy 4:3, 4. This verse presents a frightful condition of the Church, in these last days! A condition of Church-wide apostasy. There is coming a time when the professed people of God will no longer accept sound doctrine.

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Paul the Apostle-Artist-Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier- circa 1500s

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PROPHETS IN DARKNESS

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“Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that puts not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. THEREFORE NIGHT SHALL BE UNTO YOU, that ye shall not have a vision; and IT SHALL BE DARK UNTO YOU, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and THE DAY SHALL BE DARK OVER THEM.”  Micah 3:5-7. This verse makes clear that God is speaking spiritually and not literally. The Sun is to go down over the prophets. Not over everybody. This obviously is speaking of a spiritual darkness, and not a literal darkness.

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Now this concept is repeated in Scripture lest anyone doubt… “As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.” Isaiah 3;12.

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The verse from Isaiah, presents an alarming concept. It reveals that the leaders of God’s people are those which cause His people to err, and are destroying the way of our paths. 

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Martin, John Satan_presiding at the Infernal Council_- 1824 wikipedia public domain

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NO SUBSTITUTE FOR PERSONAL STUDY

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The Christian has to be constantly on guard against allowing others to do his or her Bible studies. There are many teachers out there today. And with radio and television, it is often much easier to simply turn on some ministry, and let others tell us what to believe. And as a result, many are neglecting their own personal daily Bible study. They allow the radio or television to replace their own personal studies.

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There is nothing in this world which is so important, that one should let his or her daily Bible study slip away. There are many books about the Bible. And many Christians would rather read someone else’s words than to read God’s Word.

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Holy bible – cropped image – wikimedia – creative commons lic..

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UNPROFITABLE RELIGIOUS DUTIES

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The life of Christ was a life of many duties. Christ no doubt spent much of His time helping His father earn their daily bread. And so too, the Christian must provide for his wife and children, which might require a long day of work.

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But in this very affluent and work-a-day-world, it is the Devil’s main strategy to get Christians sidetracked from the truly great duty of the Christian life: the daily task of purifying one’s own heart and soul.

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Listen… “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1st John 3:3. This verse leaves little doubt that the first duty of each and every Christian, is to be busy hiding God’s Word in the heart, and praying throughout the day for strength and guidance.

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But the Devil would be happy to fill up the Christian’s day with so many cares and diversions, that the Christian is too busy or too exhausted to spend time communing with Jesus.

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SECULAR OR RELIGIOUS DUTIES: BOTH WORK

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And quite often, if Satan cannot fill the Christian’s day with secular duties, he will fill that Christian’s life with religious duties: committees, humanitarian-projects, prophecy schools, health clubs, or creation seminars or ministries. These are just a few of the many ways in which Satan gets the Christian to substitute “other things” for the first and uttermost duty: the daily task of the purification of one’s very own heart and soul.

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Of course, there’s nothing wrong with going to a seminar on health, or on prophecy, or on Creation. The problem comes in, when one thing, or many things together begin to eclipse the Christian’s daily devotion, and hourly meditation and constant communion with God..

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“IT’S ME, IT’S ME’, IT’S ME O LORD…”

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On Judgment Day, there will be many who will be shocked to find the following passage applies to them… “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23.

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There are a large number of Christians who really believe they are on the Highway to Heaven, because their lives are so filled up with religious duties. But on that Day, many will sadly discover that while they were so very busy, trying to save others, they didn’t bother to save that one lost soul, which was nearest them: and for many years, they neglected and ignored the most important soul of all: their very own soul!

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SPIRITUAL EGYPT IN SPIRITUAL DARKNESS

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“Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt…when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I WILL COVER THE SUN WITH A CLOUD, and the moon shall not give her light. All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord GOD. I will also vex the hearts of many people, when I shall bring thy destruction among the nations, into the countries … when I shall brandish My sword before them…” Ezekiel 32:2, 7-10 (condensed).

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Now this above passage doesn’t make sense regarding Egypt until the following verse is offered… “And their (the two prophets) dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called S-d-m and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” Revelation 11:8. So where was our Lord crucified? In Jerusalem? So S-d-m and Egypt can actually be talking about God’s people, in a spiritual sense. That “great city, which spiritually is called S-d-m and Egypt”.  

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ABOVE PICTURE: The armor of God – theheavensdeclare.net -use by permission only

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5th PLAGUE OF DARKNESS

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“And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain” Revelation 16:10 

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The above verse speaks of the Revelation 13 Beast, and the time when his kingdom will be full of darkness…spiritual darkness.

So is there some Old Testament story that can be applied to the Book of Revelation regarding these last days that points to God’s people not being in darkness?

“And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: BUT ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAD LIGHT IN THEIR DWELLINGS.” Exodus 10:22, 23.

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This plague over all Egypt brought gross darkness over all the land. But the Children of Israel had “light in their dwellings”. This is an “object lesson” pointing forward to our day. God’s people will have the “Light of Life” to light our pathway. But those who are of “Spiritual S-d-m & Egypt, where our Lord was crucified” will be left in total “Spiritual Darkness”, as God is now to pour out His plagues.

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Engraving by Gustave Dore’ “The Plague Of Darkness” www.creationism.org Public Domain

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VALLEY OF DECISION

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QUESTION: “So will there be time for people to repent when this happens?”

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ANSWER: “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. THE SUN AND THE MOON SHALL BE DARKENED, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: Joel 3:14-16.

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This verse speaks of a “Valley of Decision”. Notice it says that the “the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision”.

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And God is just now revealing this amazing constellation group made up of some of the brightest stars in the sky! The Valley of Decision Constellation Group, which sits atop the Dragon of Revelation Constellation. If God’s people really would begin to comprehend these constellations, there would be a fearfulness which would take us by surprise!

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VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATIONS: Appear in spring in the eastern skies in pre-dawn hours. These are made of Cassiopeia (mount on left), and various stars from Andromeda (valley) Pegasus (Mount of Cursing (middle mount) & Destroying Mount (right)), and Pisces (Broad Way to Hell)   

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WILL GOD’S ‘FAITHFUL’ SHINE BRIGHTLY AS JESUS ?

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When the Moon is full it gives much light. So also, when a Christian fully reflects the light from the ‘Sun of Righteousness’, he or she will shine with love and glory and holiness of Jesus.

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CUTTING EDGE PROPHECY… There is a verse in Isaiah, that seems to indicate there is coming a day in which God’s true worshippers will shine as brightly as the ‘Sun of Righteousness’ (Malachi chapter 4) …

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“And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and heals the stroke of their wound. Behold, the name of the LORD comes from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire.” Isaiah 25-27

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Shipping in a bay by Moonlight by Ivan-Konstantinovich-Aivazovsky-wikigallery public domain

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IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

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It seems to many that the towers have already fallen.

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Could it be that just right now, the Lord is getting ready to do a marvelous work in our lives (even in this miserable wretch)? A work that none of us ever imagined. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…” Ephesians 3:20 (These words from Ephesians seem like a mountain too high to climb. We get tired just reading them, don’t we? But by the grace of God, He will fulfill them in us.)

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September 11 – Photo Montage by UpsateNYer – cropped image – Wikipedia share-alike lic.

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SHINING AS THE SUN

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“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3 

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The above verse speaks boldly on behalf of the spiritual light which will shine forth from God’s people in these last days. And it also speaks fearfully of the gross darkness which shall cover those who choose the world over Jesus.

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The following verse seems to speak of this same time period… “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matt.13:41-43.

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It is assumed that this passage is speaking about the time after all world events have ended. But this is not necessarily so. This may indeed be speaking of the time just before us, when the Church will finally lift up the Cross for all the world to see. 

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Transfiguration – Bloch – wikimedia commons – US public domain

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PATH OF THE JUST & WAY OF THE WICKED

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“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” Proverbs 4:18, 19

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The above passage from Proverbs speaks of the two classes of people living upon the Earth: Those who walk in the light, and those who walk in darkness. This is perhaps one of the greatest metaphors of Scripture: that Jesus is that Light. But Jesus can only truly be revealed through a humble, prayerful searching of the Scriptures.

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But sadly, those who choose rather, to direct their time and energies toward the pleasures and adventures and the cares and aspirations of this present world, may be left to walk through this life in darkness. But those who walk toward the Light of Life will find it. All such will joyfully discover that… “…the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18

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Pilgrim in a Rocky Valley by Carl Gustav Carus wikimedia US public domain

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CONCLUSION:

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God’s faithful Word enjoins both you and me to, “seek ye the Lord”… “While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain.” Isaiah 55:6 & Ecclesiastes 12:2. God’s people must seek Him early. There is no time to be going after the cares and pleasures of this world. 

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So it seems that the time just before us will reveal two classes of “Christians”. It will reveal what one Bible teacher referred to as the Believers and the “Make-believers”. In other words, there is soon coming that time in which one portion of God’s people will shine as the Sun. But the apostate portion of God’s professed people will then be left in total darkness…the Sun, Moon, and Stars will be darkened over this group of Church-Goers; a spiritual eclipse. This testing time is referred to as Armageddon; as the “Valley of Decision”; the “Day of the Lord” ; “Judgment Day”…

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Fall Constellations – Heavenly Mount Zion Constellation (Cassiopeia Constellation) – signsofheaven – Not for commercial profit use!

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THE END

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A HEAVENLY HOBBY

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“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these things; that brings out their host by number: He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.” Isaiah 40:26

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ABOVE PICTURE – Starry Night at La Silla – cropped  and altered image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

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The above verse is a plea from God to look up at the Heavens and behold Who has created these things.

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In this busy work-a-day world, there are many very interesting things which can occupy one’s time and energy: hobbies, and careers, and entertainments and worries, and habits, to name just a few.

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But as the child of God devotes his or her life to God, there should be a jealous guarding of one’s own heart… “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23.

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The Christian wants nothing to get in the way of running that Christian Race.

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New York Times Square – terabass – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

Shoppers in Toronto – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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“AND WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS…

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LOOK UP, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD”

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But having said this, there is one hobby which every ‘Noble Berean’ may take up, which only compliments the pursuit of the heavenly Prize.

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Yes, Signs Of Heaven becomes a wonderfully rewarding hobby which, unlike many less meaningful hobbies, pays off with rich, heavenly rewards. Everlasting rewards!

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And unlike the person in this photo with equipment, all you need is fairly good vision, and a dark, starry night.

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And once a person really gets to know these heavenly messengers, it will become very apparent that the message connected with these signs is truly a message to be heeded.

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Thus will the Christian be able to share this message with others. And there are perhaps many nuances and hidden biblical truths to these signs which have yet to be discovered.

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Astronomy Amateur – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;” Luke 21:25

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ABOVE CHART: Summer Constellations with Doves (Sagittarius) & Woman (Ursa Major)

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FIRST FIND ORION & 7 STARS

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The very first step in finding these many constellations, should be to find the two main constellations: Orion, and the 7 Stars (aka, The Big Dipper).

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These two constellations represent Christ (Orion), and His Church (7 Stars).

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And just as these are the easiest constellations to find, so too, the first place to begin studying the Bible is the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).

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These four books present Christ and His Church, when He walked the earth, just as Orion and the 7 Stars represent Christ and His Church, as seen up in the heavens.

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Then, once you are comfortable finding these two constellations, you can begin to locate the next closest constellations, and so on.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Orion the Soldier and the Revelation 12 Dragon (Hyades & Pleiades, etc.) – winter constellations – www.signsofheaven.org – not for commercial use

ABOVE PICTURE – 7 Stars Constellation as the Cross (aka Big Dipper) – winter – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

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ANOTHER HEAVENLY HOBBY: PRAYER-WALKS

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Now if you’re fortunate enough to be able to go on nightly walks, and you live in an area where you can safely view the stars, here is another Heavenly Hobby which Signs Of Heaven endorses…

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Why not combine star-watching with prayer, as you walk? What a great way to draw closer to God!

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It cannot be over-stressed, just how wonderful it is to walk under the dark canopy of Heaven, while lifting up one’s heart to our Heavenly Father! There is a closeness to God that cannot be described with words!

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(And even if you cannot safely do this, you can always do such prayer-walks in the daytime, in a safe place, such as a mall, which is every bit as effective, prayer-wise.

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And for those who are in confinement, one can view these starry signs on the Internet, or simply listen to Scripture on audio.

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Either way, all such may enjoy God’s richest blessings at this very time in which God is pouring out all Heaven’s treasures upon anyone willing to forsake all, and follow Jesus!)

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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped and latered image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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THRICE-DAILY PRAYERS

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Now of course, the Bible commands us to, “pray without ceasing“. The Christian is to constantly talk with our Heavenly Father throughout the day.

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But the Bible also holds up the godly life of Daniel, who, when captive in Babylon, still set aside three times daily, in which he knelt for special prayer.

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And furthermore the Bible also says… “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17.

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Even those who are bed-fast or in a prison cell can begin to imitate Daniel in this way. And if one is fortunate to be able to walk, then this thrice-daily prayer regimen can be combined with three walks daily and even nightly.

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Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – public domain

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TO THE READER:

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THIS SITE HAS APPARENTLY BEEN TARGETED BY THE MAJOR SEARCH ENGINE, POSSIBLY FOR OCCASIONALLY TEACHING BIBLE TRUTHS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY DEEMED TO BE “POLITICALLY INCORRECT”. 

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THIS OF COURSE, MAKES IT HARDER FOR THE PUBLIC TO FIND MANY CHRISTIAN SITES VIA TODAY’S INTERNET GIANTS, WHICH SEEM TO BE SECRETLY SHADOW-BANNING THEM.

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TRUTH-SEEKERS CAN MORE EASILY ACCESS FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN WEBSITES, BY USING LESS INTRUSIVE/OBSTRUCTIVE SEARCH ENGINES, SUCH AS www.bing.com, OR www.duckduckgo.com

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AND, BY ALL MEANS, LET’S PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TODAY’S CLANDESTINE CENSORSHIP, THAT THEIR HEARTS MIGHT BE SOFTENED, AND THEIR EYES OPENED TO THE TRUTH THAT WILL SET THEM FREE.

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To read more on this subject, click here…Today’s Devotional, Year 4 – May 20 (Mark Now Given, Part 7: “Masters of the Universe or Just Useful Pawns of Satan?”)

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Censored rubber stamp.svg – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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