A new lunar eclipse or “blood moon” is on the way, set to take place on May 26, 2021, and it will be at least partially visible from eastern Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and much of the Americas. A lunar eclipse is caused by the moon going through Earth’s shadow in space. This particular one is being called a Super Blood Moon, and it will be the first total eclipse since January 2019.
Space.com explains a Blood Moon occurs when the moon moves completely into the deepest part of Earth’s shadow, but the moon turns red instead of going black. The red color comes from some of the sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere where it gets bent and colors like blue or green are filtered out, leaving behind longer wavelengths like the color red.
Even though there are scientific explanations for these types of Blood Moons, many Christians also see prophetic implications behind them. That’s because they’re directly mentioned in scripture.
A Blood Moon is foretold by the Bible in the book of Joel 2:31 which states: “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.”
Also in Acts 2:20, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come.”
And, in the book of Revelations 6:12, a blood moon also is prophesied: “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.”
All of the scriptures refer to the moon turning blood red as a heavenly sign the End Times are fast approaching.
Numerous “Blood Moon” events have occurred throughout history since those passages were written, but Jesus told his followers that we should observe the signs of the times, including signs in the heavens. And some preachers claim the large number of Blood Moon eclipses in recent years are just one of many signs that the end of the world is drawing closer and could happen in the near future.
Students of biblical prophecy point to other historic events like the founding of the modern state of Israel in 1948, the return of millions of Jews to the Holy Land, and potential precursors to the biblical mark of the beast as further signs of the End Times.
Also this year, just two weeks after the Super Blood Moon, the world will experience a ‘Ring Of Fire’ solar eclipse on June 10, 2021. Forbes indicates most of the northeastern U.S. and Canada will see a huge partial solar eclipse before breakfast on June 10, and some areas will even see an impressive “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse lasting 3 minutes and 33 seconds.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to view. You don’t need special lenses or a box, just your own eyes.