-
The Sign Of Jonah Was The Resurrection Of Christ, Not A Solar Eclipse.
Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 6, 2024 (message contributor)
As far as the claim that the solar eclipse happened at the exact same time Jonah was in Nineveh, astronomers do confirm that it’s possible that within a ten-year window at approximately the same time period Jonah was in Nineveh there was an eclipse.
However, that’s not precisely the exact same time, it’s a ten-year window. But whether or not there was an eclipse isn’t really relevant, because in the book of Jonah it wasn’t the eclipse that got everyone’s attention, it was the fact that he survived 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of a whale or great fish, that happened to spit him up on the shore.
The Ninevites worshipped the goddess Inanna sometimes called Nina who was depicted as a fish within a house. So, when the great fish spit Jonah out and he actually survived he instantly captured everyone’s attention.
The fact that Jesus was alive after 3 days and 3 nights was the miraculous sign that caused all of Nineveh to repent not an astronomical sign in the heavens. Furthermore, Jesus in Matthew 12:39-40 was interpreting what the “sign of Jonah” actually is.
It is NOT a star formation in the heavens.
Jesus made it clear that the sign of Jonah was a sign of His death, burial and ultimately His resurrection, when He would rise from the dead after 3 days. Do not be confused or misled.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Joke: You Can't Believe A Word He Says PRO
Contributed by John Raulerson on Oct 6, 2005
Joke: You Can’t Believe a Word He Says A guy sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a black mutt just sitting there. "You talk?" he asks. "Yep," the mutt replies. ...read more
-
Out Of My Office Window I Looked Up And Saw A ...
Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Nov 4, 2004
Out of my office window I looked up and saw a squirrel jump from one high tree to another. On the ground several dogs were milling around. He appeared to be aiming for a limb so far out of reach that the leap looked like suicide. He missed--but landed, safe and unconcerned, on a branch several ...read more
-
One Of Our Pastors (Larry Booker) Tells Of Going ... PRO
Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 27, 2004
One of our pastors (Larry Booker) tells of going to General Conference a number of years ago where a special session for ministers was held. A certain pastor had been asked to speak to the ministers about his personal experiences concerning the importance of upholding holiness in the local ...read more
-
Grace Is For Beggars PRO
Contributed by Stan Coleman on Jan 17, 2007
Listen to this from R.C. Sproul: “Perhaps the most difficult task for us to perform is to rely on God’s grace and God’s grace alone for our salvation. It is difficult for our pride to rest on grace. Grace is for other people—for beggars. We don’t want to live by a heavenly welfare system. We ...read more
-
Charles Colson Told The Following Story In An ... PRO
Contributed by Paul Wallace on Oct 12, 2005
Charles Colson told the following story in an address at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi: I love the illustration about a man named Jack Eckerd. A few years ago I was on the Bill Buckley television program, talking about restitution (one of my favorite subjects) and ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Our God Of Restoration Series
Contributed by Jerry Owen on Oct 1, 2016
Yahweh is the God who delights in restoration.
-
What Jesus Touches, He Changes. Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 24, 2016
His name had been Saul, but that - along with his entire life - was changed when he met Jesus. What changed him and what can we learn from his experience?
-
Three Characteristics Of Jonah Series
Contributed by Tom Shepard on Jan 22, 2015
This sermon looks a three characteristics of Jonah: 1. Jonah is STUBBORN 2. Jonah is REBELLIOUS 3. Jonah is a BELIEVER
-
The Death Of Fear Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 5, 2015
When I was 5 my grandfather died. As I stood by the graveside at the cemetery, my mother said I looked down into the grave and then turned to her and asked "How's Grandpa ever going to get out of there?"
-
Who Shall Roll Away The Stone
Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Mar 28, 2018
Easter gives us an opportunity each year to revisit the empty tomb and be reminded of the power of God, who is able to do more than we can ask or imagine.