There’s a video currently on the web, promoted by a well known prophecy website, that a whole bunch of you have either sent links to or asked about it or both. Here’s my response.
This video shows the result of tracking solar and lunar eclipses and comparing them with Levitical Feasts, and notes that the only time in this century when 4 consecutive full lunar eclipses, known as a tetrad, will coincide with either Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles is in the years 2014-2015. Lunar eclipses are also known as “blood moons” because the moon often takes on a red cast during an eclipse.
There will also be 2 solar eclipses during that time. In the spring of 2015 Israel’s religious year will begin with a total solar eclipse, followed two weeks later a total lunar eclipse on Passover. And then six months later the sequence will repeat itself with a second solar eclipse on Rosh Hashanna followed two weeks after that by another total lunar eclipse on the Feast of Tabernacles, all in 2015.
The last time anything like this happened was in 1967, when Jerusalem became an undivided Jewish city again, and before that there were several occurrences during the years of 1948-50, as Israel was becoming a nation. There were none at all in the 1800’s, 1700’s, or 1600’s, and none in the 1500’s that coincided with Feast Days.
What Does That Mean?
The conclusion being drawn from this by the video’s producer is that 2015 is the most likely year for the Lord’s 2nd coming in the entire 21st Century, and the fall is the best time in that year.
Prophecy buffs from across the spectrum are falling all over themselves to get on board this. But in the rush of emotion that rightfully accompanies thoughts of the Lord’s impending return most are ignoring a tool for evaluating where we are in the end times that I first introduced in my series entitled “Seven Things You Have To Know To Understand End Times Prophecy”. It’s a business management tool called back scheduling. (You can access the series from our home page.)
Sensational claims like the one made in this video can result in real confusion if you don’t know the sequence in which major End Times events will occur. Actually their order is very logical, and once you learn it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t see it before. The best way to figure it out is to perform what the business world sometimes calls a back scheduling exercise. It involves going to the very end of a process and identifying its final outcome. Then you list in reverse order all the things that have to happen to produce that outcome, backing into the present. It’s simpler than it sounds, and much simpler in prophecy than in business because there are many fewer events to organize. Here’s how it goes.
We all think of Eternity as the final outcome, and so starting at the end and working backwards means we begin there. But the last major event described in any detail in the Bible is the Kingdom Age or Millennium, the Lord’s 1000 year reign on Earth, which is distinguished from and precedes Eternity. Simply put, Eternity can’t begin until the Millennium ends.
The Millennium obviously can’t happen till the Second Coming, because that’s when the Lord returns to establish it. And the Second Coming can’t happen till the end of the Great Tribulation. And that can’t happen till the anti-Christ stands in the Temple in Israel declaring himself to be God. (2 Thes. 2:4) That’s the event Jesus warned Israel to look for as the Great Tribulation’s opening salvo. He called it “The Abomination of Desolation” in Matt. 24:15-21.
But that can’t happen till there’s a Temple. There hasn’t been a Temple in Israel since 70AD and there won’t be one until the Jews decide they need one. That won’t happen until God reinstates their Old Covenant relationship, signaling the start of Daniel’s 70th week. And that can’t happen till the Battle of Ezekiel 38-39 is won, because it’s Ezekiel’s battle that officially draws the Jews back to God. (Ezek. 39:22) And that can’t happen till the Church is gone, because the Church and Israel are mutually exclusive to Him. (Romans 11:25 & Acts 15:13-18) And that brings us to the present, because there is no preceding event for the Rapture of the Church. It could happen at any time.
Using this scheduling tool we can see how end times events are scheduled to take place, and the only one whose timing is at all speculative is the Rapture. Some argue that there’s doubt about the timing of the Battle of Ezekiel 38 but I think the Bible is pretty clear in saying that the battle of Ezekiel 38 is Israel’s wake up call to begin Daniel’s 70th week. It’s the event that brings Israel back into covenant with God, requiring that a Temple be built. Daniel’s 70th week by definition is seven years long. The last half is the Great Tribulation, after which the Lord will return.
What’s The Point?
That brings me to my point, and to make it, I’ll use the back scheduling tool again. In order for the Lord to return in the fall of 2015, Daniel’s 70th week will have to begin the fall of 2008, a few months from now. That means that over the summer, the Battle of Ezekiel 38 will have to take place, and God will have to re-introduce Himself to Israel, bringing them back into an Old Covenant relationship that results in Biblical Judaism becoming the official and national religion of Israel. And the anti-Christ will have to appear and gain enough power to help Israel negotiate a seven year treaty that includes provisions for a Temple. (Daniel 9:27) Then there’s the matter of the Rapture of the Church. While this schedule is of course possible for God, having all these events take place this summer would be a major departure from His normal approach to things. In truth, there are several interesting facts you should know about this summer that make it an attractive possibility if you disregard everything we’ve just covered. Israel will celebrate its 60th birthday and at the same time the world’s population is projected to reach 6,666,666,666. The 1976th birthday of the church will also occur. (Because of calendar differences much of the Western church will celebrate on May 11, but the correct date is June 8-9.)
Also, some military experts say that June will effectively be the last time this year that Israel will have an opportunity to take out Iran’s nuclear capabilities, an act that will obviously cause major repercussions in the Middle East. Iran’s rainy season begins in July making visibility an uncertain thing, and by September the US Presidential election will be ramped up for its all out run to our November election. Many observers believe that the current administration won’t agree to let such a distraction interfere with America’s focus on the election this fall. Adding these things into the mix has tempted a number of prophecy buffs to throw off all constraints and proclaim that the Day of the Lord is at hand.
Hold On Just A Minute!
But before we join them, let’s take a closer look. Have the conditions for Ezekiel 38 been met? Most of the players are lined up, the exception still being Turkey. But Syria, not mentioned in Ezekiel 38, is right in the thick of things, teamed up with Iran and North Korea in a new axis of evil focused against Israel. Can Isaiah 17 also happen this summer?
And then there’s the requirement that Israel be living in such a state of supposed peace as to be taken by surprise in a battle to the death. (Ezek. 38:11) If Israel goes after Iran’s nukes next month, they’ll be the ones pulling off the sneak attack. Could Iran’s certain retaliation in any way be called an unexpected surprise that catches Israel off guard? I don’t think so.
No, I think it’s much more likely that any war this summer between Israel and the Moslems would result in Syria’s demise and end in a false peace that puts into place the conditions necessary for Ezekiel 38 to happen some time later. And despite my earlier speculation about the 2012 magnetic polar reversal fulfilling the 6th seal of Rev. 6, I have to admit that the most likely coming event that fits the sequence and is worthy of announcement by signs in the heavens in 2015 would be the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week.
If these earlier Blood Moons did in fact announce the re-birth of the nation and the reunification of Jerusalem as it appears, then the next major step in Israels’ journey toward the Kingdom is their national reunion with their Creator. This is the way Ezekiel saw it happening, and in my view is important enough to God to merit such a celestial announcement. After all He’s been waiting to take them back for 2000 years.
“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” (Hosea 6:1-2)
Thankfully, it won’t be long until we know for sure who’s right and who’s wrong. And it won’t take any rocket science to tell. Because if the 70th week is set to begin in September then the next few months will astonish the world in a breath taking series of prophetic fulfillments unparalleled since the Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection. You can almost hear the footsteps of the Messiah. 05-03-08
True Discernment 
Everything was going along so well in your line of End Times events, until you started talking about the Rapture. I’m sorry, but this is not a biblical event. Rapture theology is nowhere near biblical. You obviously take scripture at its word when it comes to other end times events, but in order to develop a rapture theology, you really have to start messing and playing with wording.
I hope that when the Great Tribulation comes, you are not a a part of the great falling away that will happen, due to an unbiblical belief in the rapture. Belief in the rapture will harden peoples hearts towards God in the last day, because they will realize that they “hope” they’ve been holding onto really isn’t God, it’s escape.
Ryan,
I did not write this article and I dont just post articles that I agree 100% with. This article was posted because it refutes an hyseria created by someone predicting a timing for an event that they had no Biblical basis for doing.
There have been countless people making such erroneous predictions and have made themselves look very silly when it did not happen on their predicted date.
But do I believe in the rapture? I would have to say I do have some doubts about Rapture Theology. But I dont throw it completely out the door of possibilities. Will Satan play on such an ideology to deceive people in the end times? Most certainly.
In the end we are to hold to our testimony even unto death. I do not look forward to a Rapture as a way of escaping any persecution. I know that persecutions will come and I may have to lay down my life to stay true to the Lord irregardless to whether there is a future rapture and that is what I intend to do.
Boy, do I feel silly. I didn’t realize that it was somebody else’s article. Maybe I should read a little closer. I apologize! Your response is full of kindness and wisdom, so I thank you for that. Your last two paragraphs are very heartening. Sorry, and thanks!
If you understand Jewish tradition it speaks to the Rapture. You only receive one side of our faith if you just study the bible. We need to dig to our roots. I have found this out recently, once I started to research Jewish traditions, festivals and language. The Jews have God’s calendar and commandments concerning His seasons (festivals).
Example: The first of Av is a celebration of the Feast of the Trumpets. This was also considered the celebration that “no one knew the time or the day of it’s arrival” because it began when the full moon was visible. They extended it to two days, because of this, otherwise people would miss the celebration and not be able to participate as God commanded them. (reference the Lord’s coming “with a blast of a trumpet and a shout”)
Jesus said “no one knows the hour or the day”, but also said that His people would not be caught by surprise. (parable of the Virgins with the oil lamps and the Master who went away leaving the servant in charge.) God is so logical and mathematical and repetitive.
Jesus also rebuke the Pharisees because they did not see the sign of His coming. “you can look to the sky and discern the day, but you do not know the time of His coming” (loosely translated)
Please do not discount this until you completely investigate all that is being said. I have gain so much from expanding my vision to His people. We greatly depend on the Word of God, but can not forget the people He gave it to… the Jew then the Gentile.
RICH.
May I put my 2 cents in. The blood moon article is interesting I didn’t know about the eclipses in 2014 but it fits in very well with what I think will happen. First let me say that Tabatha is on the right track with festivals and traditions.very good.
the day and hr. that no one knows, is missed by many people. high probability thats. the day JESUS will return. The feast of trumpets. I don’t know the year but 2014 or 2015 sound good.
I think the point that Syria comes first is right on. the bible said that Damascus will be a ruinous hep. I don’t remember the ch& yr. but Damascus has never been destroyed yet. I think Israel will take care of that this year. Israel has said that if Syria attacks Israel with wmd’s, a few min. latter Damascus will be a smoking hole in the ground. Syria is known to have wmd’s.
My main point of this response to the article is this.
I think the seven year tribulation may be five months long.
Point #1 Matthew 24 / 22. and except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elects sake those days shall be shortened.
Point #2 second witness. Mark 13/20. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved:
but for the elects sake, whom he hath chosen. he hath shortened the days.
Point #3 Revelation 9. I will take parts of it to make my point, you can read the whole chapter. I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. [ Jesus said that I saw Satan fall as a star.] and there came out of the smoke locust upon the earth. [the season of the locust is five months. may to sept.]
rev. 9/5 but that they should be tormented five months.
rev. 9/10. and there power was to hurt men five months.
The feast day in may is Passover, the feast day in sept. is trumpets. the day that no one knows the day or hr.
Satan is in charge of the locust army. the locust army has five months to do there work, thats probably all the time he has also.
that’s my thoughts. I would be interested in your thoughts
on my opinion.
Research this: Turkey is behind the talks that are going on with Syria and Israel.
I remember reading Jesus saying that He will raise up this temple in 3 days, and they were astounded by that. Their understanding of the temple was natural understanding and not supernatural. Paul again said that YE are the temple of the Holy Ghost, not the physical temple in Jerusalem. Jesus said men will no longer say this place or that place, but men will worship Him in Spirit and in truth, not at a physical location. So how can and why would anyone be looking for a physical temple when God has always desired a temple not made of human hands, but one fashioned by Himself? God has ALWAYS been after a HEART, devoted to Him, not a PLACE. We can be so trapped by natural, unspiritual thinking that we interpret things in such a wrong-headed manner, and propagate an untrue gospel, whcih does not reflect His will and purpose, even if it is sincerely meant. It is obvious to me that there is such ignorance being propagated in the area of eschatalogical theology, and by very well-meaning people, christians, mind you, not unsaved people, by what I would call sincerely ignorant people. This area REQUIRES GREAT DISCERNMENT and PATIENCE, otherwise you may be deceived by it and even make foolish ignorant choices in life, because of being seduced by these teachings. Cults are started this way!
SO many of us are SO SURE OF OUR THEOLOGY, WE WOULD NEVER! NEVER! THINK OR ENTERTAIN THE NOTION THAT WE COULD BE MISTAKEN. i AM NOT SURE I WOULD BE DOGMATIC ABOUT MY ESCHATOLOGY.
WHEN I was younger I remember everyone talking about the planets lining up in 1981 and people began to store food and build shelters and be ready for survivalism, when the beast took over! lolol. This is an example of christians looking like fools and becoming so heavenly-minded that we are truly no earthly good!!!!!!!!!! I know that many of us would defend our behavior and find a verse like in 1 Cor. chapter 2 to say we suffer persecution be cuz we become Fool’S for christ’s sake. We really need to be sure of what we are doing is what He has intended. and even be careful of what we teach others!
It occurs to me that believers can be deceived so easily!!!!!!!!!!
In 2006 I had a premonition that something major will happen to the earth in mid 2016. At that time I had never read the bible, but began reciting parts of the bible and had many premonitions about future biblical events. It’s interesting that the upcoming solar and blood moon eclipses in 2014 and 2015 are the closest predictions to fulfill the revelations prophecy and would fit with my premonition as well. I feel too much enphasis is put on the prophecies in revelations, when more focus should be put on Jesus’ response to questions asked by the deciples. In particular that people will be going to and fro, most biblical scholars will tell you now more than ever that people are going to and fro. However, I believe that what was meant by to and fro is not how fast people will be moving or by what transport, but more likely that people will be going to and fro across continents in mass to escape from natural catastrophies, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes etc.
I find this site and many like it very interesting. I want to share my testimony of the end times,
I had a dream, and it repeated itself 3 times each time going alittle further. It is very detailed and takes up 5-6 pages in my journal so I will sum it up. there was a group here in america hiding in the mountains and hills waiting and preparing, recruiting members based on their “bible” I saw pages of their bible it was a standard bible with words blacked out to make it read that the righeteous would die. and at the right time with a signal they came out and slaughtered and destroyed screaming the abomination of desolation is at hand. this was about a year ago.
I now watch the world and americas and see Obama and Biden. without being a political person so please dont take this as an attack on Obama, but I feel like HE is the anti-crist he is the begining of the Obamanation of Desolation, with his one world nation views, I can see him standing in Jerusalem claiming to be God.
Even if he does though, and as interesting as the lunar cycles in 2015 are the bible says there will be 3 days of darkness, where the strong men would hide in the rocks for fear, 5 months of illness to make men repent. there will be 2 prophets that will be killed in Jerusalm and be raised from the dead.
We will have PLENTY of signs if we watch without the possibility of the standard cycles of earth be taking part of it. When Christ came the first time the “wisemen” knew it. and when he died, it was undeniable to those who knew the signs. we will not know the exact time or day but the whole world can feel the time is coming closer and we are preparing, the time of tribulations has already begun, look at the world earthquakes, seas not staying in its bounds, disasters, famines, water being polluted and so much more, and those who are prepared are not fearing. like the virgins that are prepared, they know it is soon just not exaclty when. the others may not believe it is so soon and are surprised by the coming because they do not watch. 2012, 2015 are all a long time from now and believing that it cannot happen until then gives leave to not be prepared now.
Just keep watching…. Pray for understanding… the Holy Spirit WILL guide you and show you great understanding if you seek it and accept it.
Maryanne I want to say how fortunate I felt upon reading your comments. I have never been to this site before, but still felt compelled to share my thoughts. I’ve not had any dreams. However, I have had a premonition pertaining to Obama (president now) being the Anti-Christ. It seems extremely obvious to me now. But earlier it troubled me. It was like a splinter in my mind whenever I tried to dismiss my thoughts and feelings on the matter; in the favor of others. It seemed (according to others) as though I was foolish and ignorant to make such a statement. I’m not a bibilical scholar, or anything even close to one. I’m simply stating the truth about something… That until now, I had felt all alone.
Hello John~
As a non-traditional student, (grandmother to nine), I came across your site while searching for a well founded Christian approach to the lunar eclipses occuring in 2014-15. My Astronomy Professor has allowed the class the liberty to bring in data regarding upcoming astronomical events that each is interested in researching.
Having been a student for two years now, I know many of the deceptions perpetrated in colleges, and in my witness for Jesus, am seeking to use this as an avenue to introduce two young people I have met in the class to some “light” shall we say?
If you have good-solid sources that you think a Professor would be attracted to for academic purposes, I would be interested in offering them to this man. Most often, the Professors do not link me with any kind of radical type fundamentalist, so I usually have their ear and some grace from God. If he is interested enough, he may include the info on this event in future classes… who knows how our Lord may use that? As all Professors do, he is looking for ways to be relative to the current culture. (no surprise)
I am praising God for the truths you share by the power of the Holy Spirit, and I will pray for your continued ministry to your family, and to the family of Christ.
BTW~ I am a Calvary Chapel-ite… for 14 years now. If you are interested in researching the background of our little corner in the body of Jesus check out the links following. 😉
calvarychapelcostamesa.com (Costa Mesa was the first calvary chapel church… though each is independent, all calvary chapel affiliates share basic doctrinal tenants) joncouson.org backtobasicsradio.com etcetera…
Most of us agree that the original conclusion drawn by pastor Mark Biltz that these blood moons mark the 2nd coming of Jesus are not probable. However, I do think that the blood moons have appeared on these feast days when something large has happened to the state of Israel. I think we can all agree that Daniel 9 makes Israel the epicenter of all prophecy, and Jerusalem the epicenter of Israel. When I look at what he has found concerning the tetrad I don’t see the 2nd coming per se, but I do see that possibility that something large is coming for Israel in the period between 2013 to 2016. What? Not sure. Could it be the desolation of Syria? Could it be Ezekiel 38-39? Could it be false peace?
I believe we are watching the birth pangs and are seeing prophecy being fulfilled and developing, which is very exciting and truly gives us the awareness of just how awesome is our God!
Blessed is the man whom the Lord finds doing His work when He comes! May you walk in His love by the power of His Spirit (Rom. 5:5, Gal 5:6).
In His Unfailing Love,
Patrick