Pastors Bible Class Thomas Road Baptist Church
The Four Blood Moons
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Four blood moons are a tetrad of four consecutive total lunar eclipses that will occur over 18 months in 2014-15 (no partial eclipse between).
2. The first blood moon appeared on April 22, 2014, and many say it is a sign of the end times.
3. “And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the LORD arrives” (Joel 2:30-31, NLT).
4. “And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below—blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives” (Acts 2:19-20, NLT).
5. “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:25-28, NLT).
6. What makes these eclipses so special is they occur on a Jewish holiday (Jewish calendar of 360 days).
2014 April 14-15 Passover
October 7-8 Feast of Tabernacles
2015 April 4 Passover
September 28 Feast of Tabernacles
7. A blood moon appears coppery red when the light from the earth’s sunrise/sunset falls on the moon, making it red.
8. A harvest moon rises shortly after sunset for several days in the fall. This moon is low in the sky and appears red to the viewer.
B. WHAT SOME ARE SAYING ABOUT BLOOD MOONS
1. God is using this “sign” to warn us of world-changing events.
a. God predicted signs in the heavens, “Let there be light . . . to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and for years” (Gen. 1:14, KJV).
b. God predicts “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood” (Joel 2:31, KJV).
2. The heavenly signs will have serious influences on the Jewish people.
3. The first tetrads 1493-94, Jews were banished from Spain by Queen Isabella in the Edict of Expulsion.
4. The second tetrad 1949-50, Prime Minister David Ben Gurion declared Israel a nation, May 14, 1948. Immediately six Arab nations attacked. The Israeli government was established in 1949, the first time in almost 2000 years.
5. The third tetrad 1967, in the Six Day War the enemy was decimated and the Jews re-gained old Jerusalem.
6. Without interruption, the four blood moons are against “statistics” says the secular scientist.
7. There hasn’t been a tetrad in 300 years before this century.
8. What could happen?
a. An atomic bomb is dropped on Israel.
b. Israel “takes out” Iran’s nuclear bomb (with a nuclear bomb).
c. The Bible predicts Israel will return to the land (Ezekiel 37:1-22), but will be persecuted there. “Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child” (Rev. 12:13).
d. No matter what happens, the flag of David will still fly over Israel.
C. WHY SOME DOUBT THESE PROPHECIES
1. The truth of four moons in sequence is not mentioned in scriptures.
2. The four blood moons should be visible to Israel if applied to Israel, but only the last will be seen from the Holy Land.
3. The past blood moons actually happened after the events they are supposed to predict.
4. The reference to a “blood moon” is tied to Christ’s glorious appearing after the seven year tribulation (Matt. 24:21). Today’s teachers tie it to the “secret” rapture. “Immediately after the tribulation.”
5. Everyone looking for a sign will validate their own ideas about Jesus’ return and project their view on scripture.
D. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE FOUR BLOOD MOONS?
1. They drive us to examine our readiness for His return.
2. We should study carefully the nature of His return.
3. We must not allow emotions to sway biblical interpretation.
4. There are many who will confess Jesus, but will be wrong. “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matt. 24:4).
5. Don’t get so caught up in signs that you miss looking for the Son.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet www.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-elmer-towns.
Dr. Towns’ email: eltowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address: www.elmertowns.com
