STORY
Blood Moons 2025âHe was an old pirate, a weathered man of the sea, sailing solo on a sloop that creaked with the memories of a thousand storms. Swells rolled beneath his vessel in rhythmic intervals, their direction pointing at far-off storms or approaching gales. The man trusted no compass nor sextant to guide him, but only the heavens above and the waves beneath his feet. By day, the color of clouds hinted at rain or days of calm. By night, he plotted his course by the constellations, each star a guide overlaid on imaginary lines drawn from memory.
But now, something had appeared in the sky: a lightâtoo brilliant for a star and out of place for any planet heâd ever mapped. It had first appeared in the northern sky weeks earlier. At first, heâd wondered how heâd missed such a light and asked himself if it might be a shooting star stuck in its orbit. To find a new object above on a ball so small left him unnerved. Stars and planets appeared and moved with formal regularity. If you could not count on the sky to keep its elements fixed in place, how was he to know which way to steer?
With his latitude and longitude noted, the time during the watch added, he considered the other omens heâd seen. Blood moons, their crimson hue staining the night. He recalled how, as a child, when he had seen his first blood moon, terror had filled his heart. Now, only idle curiosity remained. The natives of Isla Luminara spoke of a time when the heavens roiled in chaos and would do so again. They whispered of a sun so blackened and the world swallowed in darkness.
The old pirate found himself adriftânot on the sea. The waves and winds he could prepare for. But this new and distant light left him concerned. Land or sea, in port or under sailâthis was his dilemma. What choice should he make? What course to take?
âPerhaps,â he thought aloud, âI should pull out the book and see if there are hints of whatâs coming.â But it had been so long since heâd opened the ancient text, he wondered if he could even locate it among the clutter of his belongings stored in the lockers. He resolved to wait one more night to see if the light remained as brilliant. If so, then heâd hunt for his Bible.
BACKSTORYâBlood Moons 2025
Crew, the heavens are giving us signs, and the Word of God makes it clear that we are to understand and interpret their meaning. Weâve seen blood moons before, and weâve watched the sun grow dark. These events may be forecast regularly, but Scripture teaches us they are far more than natural occurrences. They are divine warnings of the approaching Day of the Lord.
Throughout Scripture, God has used the heavens to speak to His people, to warn them of whatâs coming, and to remind them of His power and presence. The sun, moon, and stars have never been just ornaments in the skyâthey have been His messengers.
From the very beginning, God set the heavens in place for a purpose. In Genesis, weâre told that He created the lights in the sky not only to separate day from night but to serve as signs, to mark sacred times, days, and years. The heavens are part of Godâs design to communicate with His creation.
When God brought darkness over Egypt, it served as a warning to Pharaoh that Godâs will would prevail.
âStretch out your hand toward the sky,â the Lord said to Moses, âso that darkness spreads over Egyptâa darkness that can be feltââ (Exodus 10:21).
During the time of Jesusâ birth, a star guided wise men from the East to Jerusalem. That star wasnât simply a celestial event; it was the heavens declaring the arrival of our King.
âWe saw his star when it rose,â they said, âand have come to worship himâ (Matthew 2:2).
When Jesus was crucified, the heavens testified to the dark depravity of mankind. Darkness fell over the land, a sign that the light of men was being snuffed out.
âFrom noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over all the landâ (Matthew 27:45).
OUR CONFLICT
Though Jesus calls us to watch and be ready, we are also warned against speculating or predicting the exact day or hour of His return. He said plainly, âBut about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Fatherâ (Matthew 24:36). Scripture warns of false prophets who claim special knowledge of His return. By declaring that we know beyond a doubt of the time of His return we appear as fools.
On the other hand, we donât want to be wicked and lazy like the scoffers in 2 Peter 3:4, who mockingly ask, âWhere is this âcomingâ he promised? Ever since Jesus came and went, people have lived and died and everything goes onâ (2 Peter 3:4). How do we remain vigilant and expectant without falling into deception or total disregard of Bible prophecies?
Jesus Himself, quoting the prophet Joel, said: âJerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilledâ (Luke 21:24) and âImmediately after the distress of those days…âThe sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its lightâ (Matthew 24:29).
Jesusâ comment pointed to a timeâperhaps during Blood Moons 2025sâwhen Godâs plan for the Gentiles would be completed and His people returned to their promised land. At that time, Jerusalem would once again be under the rule of the Jewish people.
On July 30, 1980, the Israeli Knesset passed the âJerusalem Law.â This legislation formally declared the city of Jerusalem as the eternal and undivided capital of the State of Israel. By this, the Jewish people reaffirmed Jerusalem as theirs and the center of their nation.
These things will happen, âBefore the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord,â says the prophet Joel (Joel 2:30-31).
In 2025, we will see a total lunar eclipseâa Blood Moons 2025âon March 14. This event will be visible across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. On September 7, a total “blood moon” lunar eclipse will be visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and parts of North America. Partial solar eclipses will occur on March 29 and September 21.
Isaiah prophesied, âThe rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its lightâ (Isaiah 13:10). In the Revelation of Jesus, the apostle John described what he saw when the Slain LambâJesusâopened the sixth seal:
âThere was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong windâ (Revelation 6:12-14). Jesus says to us in Luke that during the time of these celestial events, âThe nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shakenâ (Luke 21:25-26). From Creation, God ordained the heavens as a means of communication: âLet them serve as signsâ (Genesis 1:14).
With this in mind, we are to live with expectation, always prepared for His return. Jesus commands us to: âKeep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come (Matthew 24:42). Be careful, or that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:34-36). So be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him (Matthew 24:42-44).”
If the signs in the heavens and these Blood Moons 2025s suggest the Lordâs return is near, how should we prepare for His coming?
Study Scripture Diligently
The Bible is Godâs Word, revealing His plan for the end times and providing wisdom for how we should live. Jesus Himself said, âHeaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass awayâ (Matthew 24:35). Daily time in God’s word equips us to discern truth, recognize the signs of the times, and deepen our relationship with God. Paul instructed Timothy to, âStudy to show yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truthâ (2 Timothy 2:15). Knowing Scripture guards us against deceptionâand against false prophets who claim they know when Jesus will returnâand prepares us for when He does come as King.
Be Watchful Through the Holy Spirit
Jesus warned us to stay alert, saying, âWatch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is comingâ (Matthew 24:42). Being watchful means trusting in Godâs goodness and His desire that no one should perish. Jesus Himself said: âThe Spirit of truth will guide you into all the truth and tell you what is yet to comeâ (John 16:13). Standing watch with vigilance means we rely on the Holy Spirit for discernmentâbased on the truth of Godâs Wordâand empowers us to pray, remain alert, and interpret the times.
Share the Gospel
Time is short, and some of our family and friends may not yet know Jesus. Sharing the Gospel with urgency. Jesus commissioned us, saying, âGo therefore and make disciples of all nationsâ (Matthew 28:19). Paul reminds us that Godâs plan includes reaching the full number of those who will believe. âIsrael has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come inâ (Romans 11:25). Every person with which we share the Gospel brings us closer to the fulfillment of Christ’s reign on earth. Let us act with urgency, knowing that our witness could change someoneâs eternal destiny.
Focus On The Blessings Found In Christ, Not On The Fear Of Whatâs Ahead
Jesus offers us peace and hope, so look for His coming with expectation. When others ask why you have such hope, be prepared to answer with a comforting word from Jesus. âLet not your hearts be troubled or afraidâ (John 14:27). When others witness your love, compassion, generosity, mercy, and graceâa grace that gives generously without judgment or condemnationâthey may be drawn to the peace and hope you display. Be ready to share that hope and answer everyone for the reason you are hopeful of the future (1 Peter 3:15).
Encourage One Another to Persevere
As the day of Jesus’ return draws near, we need one anotherâs support. Scripture reminds us, âLet us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one anotherâand all the more as you see the Day approachingâ (Hebrews 10:24-25). Our encouragement strengthens the Body of Christ and reminds us that they are not alone.
Remain Eager to Serve Others At All Times
Jesus says, âServe others. If you have love for one another, all people will know that you are My disciplesâ (John 13:35). Acts of service point to Jesus and, to those in need, brings a measure of the abundant life Jesus promised.
Live Holy Lives, Not Fulfilling the Desires of the Flesh
In anticipation of Christâs return, we are called to live as Jesus lived: without sin. Peter commands us, âBe holy in all you doâ (1 Peter 1:15). Live in obedience to Godâs Word. Turn away from sin. Be like Christ in all we do. Cast off the works of darkness, âand put on the armor of lightâ (Romans 13:12). By living holy lives, we glorify God and prepare our hearts for His coming.
Conclusion
When we live as Jesus lived, the Light of Man living in us shines into the darkness. Look at the lights in the heavens, yes, but more importantly BE the light to others (John 1:4-5, 1 John 2:6, Matthew 5:14-16).
The old man steadied himself on the deck as the small, brilliant light he had watched for weeks began to expand, piercing the heavens with unimaginable radiance. As the light outshone every star, the constellations he had trusted for years faded into obscurity. Only blinding brilliance remained.
The sea stilled beneath him, its surface shimmering like glass. Suddenly, the heavens split with a resounding trumpet blast, and the light revealed its sourceâa figure clothed in white, His face shining with the brilliance of the sun and His eyes blazing like fire.
Blinded, the old man fell to his knees, never to be found aboard his vessel again.
Blood Moons 2025
March 14, 2025: A total lunar eclipse coincides with Purim, which begins at sundown on March 13 and continues through March 14. Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Hamanâs attempt total destruction.
March 29, 2025: A partial solar eclipse coincides with the anniversary of the launch of Israelâs Operation Defensive Shield, a military response to the Second Intifada, a Palestinian uprising that began in 2000.
September 7, 2025: A total lunar eclipse marks the anniversary of Jesusâs rejection in Nazareth, when he came to His own people and declared himself to be the Messiah.
September 18, 2025: A partial solar eclipse is predicted to occur at the end of the Jewish agricultural and spiritual harvest season. The trumpet (shofar) blast symbolizes a divine awakening (perhaps the Rapture), initiating the harvest spoken of by Jesus when the angels gather those in Christ (Matthew 24:31).
New format. I like the sailor story.
1 Peter 3:15 reminds us that we should be ready to give an answer. But that doesn’t mean we should wait until someone asks us about Jesus. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is pretty clear – as we are going [about our daily lives], we are to be telling people about Jesus and making disciples. It wasn’t a simple request by Jesus. It was a very specific directive to all Christians. Go. Tell.
Yes! Let’s not ignore the obvious.