This Passover will be marked by a very rare heavenly event: a lunar eclipse. Some have coined this a blood moon.  In fact it is the first of four blood moons that will occur on the Feasts of Passover and Sukkot (Tabernacles) in 2014 and 2015. Four lunar eclipses are called a tetrad and there have only been seven recorded since 1 AD.  In the last century the tetrads occurred twice.  The first was associated with Israel becoming a nation in 1948 and the second was in 1967 right after the Six Day War occurred.  That's remarkable don't you think?

Jesus told us about the conditions that would exist before He returns in Matthew 24-25 and  Luke 21.  He says that there will be signs in the sun, the moon and the stars and admonishes us not to allow ourselves to allow our hearts to become weighed down with drunkenness, carousing, or the cares of this life but to rather "watch and pray."  My friends, we are living in amazing times and God still has plans for the nation of Israel.  Israel finds herself in very challenging times once again as peace talks have stalled and are set to expire on April 29th.  Historically tetrads have always marked a time of tragedy followed by triumph for Israel.  

The lunar eclipse (blood moon) is scheduled to begin at 10:58pm PDT as the moon moves into the earth shadow. The full lunar eclipse begins at 12:07am and lasts until 1:25am PDT. 

If there was ever a sign in the heavens that said "watch and pray" these blood moons occurring on Passover and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) in 2014 and 2015 sure do. It is a time to pray first for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122) and then for the salvation of Israel (Romans 10:1).  Then we will pray whatever our Lord shows us to pray for His Church, our community, state and our nation.

We would like to invite you to join us in a "Night Prayer Watch on Passover, April 14th." We'll begin our watch at sunset on April 14th. We are going to invite our Church to join us in our local area and we encourage you to invite your church family to gather together in homes or as a local congregation to watch and pray with us.  Actually, we are going to watch not only in prayer but also with a telescope!  

Here are some of the scriptures we'll be meditating upon and praying too. 

Genesis 1:14 says that God set the lights in the heavens for signs and seasons. Last night (April 8th) Mars, Earth and the Sun aligned one week before the start of the first of 4 blood moons.  It's almost like the planets were aligning to point to the beginning of this unusual heavenly event.  The rarity of this event is off the charts (click here for APOCALYPSE NOW: Why a rare astrological event LAST NIGHT could herald the 'End of Days').

How Should We Respond?

Jesus said in Luke 21:25-36 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;  26 men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.... So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.... 34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.  35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." NKJV

Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 "Prepare the way of the Lord.... a highway for our God."  John the Baptist "prepared the way" before Jesus came the first time (Matt. 3:3) and the Lord has a people who are preparing the way of the Lord for His second coming as well.  They are spoken of in Isaiah 62.  They are the watchmen who pray in Zion who cry out who never  hold their peace (Isa. 62:1-12).  They are "pre-praying" the way of the Lord and preparing a bride (Church) to meet her heavenly bridegroom. 

Pentecost is one of three feasts of the Lord where all of Israel were to celebrate.  It is also known as the Feast of Weeks and occurs 50 days after Passover. and part of its celebration included worshiping the Lord with freewill offerings and the first harvest of the sheaves.  It marked the end of the grain harvest.  It was also an occasion for covenant renewal.  For about 1500 years this festival served as a prophetic act proclaiming what was to come which was recorded in Acts 2 with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  It was part of the fulfillment of:

Acts 2:16-21 -  But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:   'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,  That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;  Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.   And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.  I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:  Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.   The sun shall be turned into darkness,  And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.   And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.' 

What precipitated this outpouring?