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“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars.” Luke 21:25a

Total Solar Eclipse – American Astronomical Society Photo

This coming Monday, April 8, 2024, we will experience the second solar eclipse referenced below; there is considerable speculation on what, if anything, will happen in addition to the eclipse!

Solar Eclipse Number One

It seems inevitable excitement will continue to grow about the upcoming solar eclipse. The title, America’s Solar Eclipse, is rather provocative, don’t you think? Why is it just America’s solar eclipse; the answer is very simple, only the United States will fully experience this particular celestial event; the first one in 38 years to impact the United States.

On August 21st the earth’s required alignment with the sun and the moon will begin over the Pacific Ocean, cross diagonally over the United States, reach a maximum near Hopkinsville, Kentucky (which is about 149 miles by car from New Madrid, MO), and then move out of alignment over the Atlantic Ocean. The United States is the only nation that will experience this event.

Track of 2017 Solar Eclipse, Courtesy of NASA

Courtesy of NASA

The celestial mechanics that surround the eclipse are well understood; in 1855 a book by Asa Smith, “Smith’s Illustrated Astronomy” showed diagrams of this phenomenon. Although solar eclipses can and do occur all over the world this particular one is exclusive to the United States.

Solar Eclipse Number Two

The United States will share in a North American solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 which will pass over Mexico, enter the United States over Texas and exit over a small portion of Canada.  This solar eclipse will also originate over the Pacific Ocean and terminate over the Atlantic Ocean.

 Track of 2024 Solar Eclipse, Courtesy of Google and NASA

The two total eclipse tracks intersect in the vicinity of the New Madrid Seismic Zone; the largest recorded major earthquake in that zone was in 1811-1812 when a series of earthquakes of varying magnitude followed a major quake of 7.5–7.9 on December 16, 1811.

The New Madrid Seismic Zone

“The NMSZ appears to be about 30 years overdue for a magnitude 6.3 quake because the last quake of this size occurred 100 hundred years ago at Charleston, Missouri, on Oct. 31, 1895 (it was a magnitude 6.7). A magnitude 6.3 quake near Lepanto, Arkansas, on Jan. 5, 1843, was the next prior earthquake of this magnitude. About 75 percent of the estimated recurrence time for a magnitude 7.6 earthquake has elapsed since the last quake of this size occurred in 1812.” Missouri Department of Natural Resources” Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Recorded history tells us of another earthquake of unknown magnitude in that area on December 25, 1699. More information can be found on Wikipedia here: New Madrid Seismic Zone History

On May 1, 2016 there was a minor M 3.5 earthquake near the town of La Center, Kentucky; the largest of 11 earthquakes that have taken place recently in the vicinity of the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Because of the nature of the rock structure in this vicinity the zone is considered to be far more dangerous. The devastation that could be caused would be much more widespread than earthquakes in California.

“Due to the harder, colder, drier and less fractured nature of the rocks in the earth’s crust in the central United States, earthquakes in this region shake and damage an area approximately 20 times larger than earthquakes in California and most other active seismic areas.” Missouri Department of Natural Resources. For more information I refer you to the New Madrid Seismic Zone

New Madrid Seismic Zone, Courtesy of Wikipedia

While the science is well understood is there any other aspect of this event worthy of consideration? There are many who see prophetic implications in the timing and location of this eclipse and the one coming just under 7 years later in 2024. It has been pointed out by some that the sun and moon have been considered as signs from God and there is a Biblical basis for that thought. In Genesis 1:14 it is written:

^“14 Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years.”

In the Hebrew, the words for signs and seasons definitely have a theological significance which is different from the traditional four seasons of the year. It is reasonable from the testimony of the Bible to believe there could be more involved here than celestial mechanics. I’m mindful of Romans 1:18-20 where it is written:

^“18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. ¹⁹ They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. ²⁰ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

The question comes to mind; does this event have anything to do with the end times and end time prophecy? Compelling arguments can be made that it does; time will tell and we don’t have long to wait.

This essay was originally published the week before the Solar Eclipse of 2021; almost seven years have now passed as we approach the time of the second solar eclipse. I have my solar glasses and hope the sky is clear enough for me to see the partial eclipse that will pass over my area.

There has been a phenomenal amount of interest in this event as many of us wonder if the Lord will use this sign in any special way; at this point, we truly don’t have long to wait!

I urge you to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. Since his resurrection, there is now only one obstacle between you and God; your decision to receive salvation by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior! Say yes to Jesus Christ and join the family of God!

 “⁹ And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” ¹⁰ Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.” Luke 21:9-11

First published on August 14, 2017, revised and updated.