(10-29-03)

Wildfires rage in California, spurred on by fierce Santa Ana winds as high as seventy miles per hour. Solar flares erupt from the Sun, with an X3 and X5 coronal mass ejection last week followed by yesterdays massive X17.2 ejection, the third largest ever witnessed, which was aimed squarely at the Earth. Are these things just random occurrences, or does God reign over all of His creation, giving both signs on the earth and in the heavens above?

Following is an excerpt from NASA’s website that gives details of Tuesday’s Sunburst.

"The third most-powerful solar flare ever observed in X-ray wavelengths erupted from Sunspot 486 early October 28, 2003, at approximately 6 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. A coronal mass ejection (CME) directed almost straight at Earth preceded the flare, sending electrically charged gas toward our planet, say NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) scientists."

When reading this, I was struck by the fact that the scientists has identified the very Sunspot from which this giant flare had erupted. It was Sunspot 486. I looked to see if the number 486 occurs anywhere in Scripture, and when I did not find it, I thought to check references. The second one I checked was Psalms.

Psalms 48:6
Panic seized them there,
Anguish, as of a woman in childbirth.

It was only two months ago when the big story in the news was that the planet Mars was making it’s closest approach to earth in recorded history. It was determined by astronomers that Mars had not been so close in nearly 60,000 years, and from the time of Adam’s creation in the Garden of Eden Mars had never been as close. In a writing at that time I noted the following:

"The planet Mars was named after the Roman god of the same name. Mars was the god of death and war. It was the practice of the Roman soldiers to meet at the temple of Mars Gradivus ("god of war") before they went off to battle. Mars was figured as being accompanied by Fuga and Timor who were the personifications of flight and fear. The planet Mars has two moons, Phobos (Fear) and Deimos (Panic), and it has long been associated as a harbinger of death and war."

On August 27^th a sign in the heavens was given of Mars (war) making it’s closest approach to Earth since man was formed, and in attendance with Mars came the twin moons Phobos and Deimos (fear and panic). Now we have the third largest observed Sunburst which came from Sunspot 486, which corresponds to Psalms 48:6 "Panic seized them there, Anguish as of a woman in child birth." There are other Scriptures that speak of the last days before the return of Christ as being similar to a woman experiencing birth pangs.

Matthew 24:3-13

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" And Yahshua answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved."

I Thessalonians 5:1-5

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day.

At this time the world is crying out for peace and safety. America is at war against terrorism in order to maintain her own peace and safety. Yet even as Israel and Jerusalem have not known peace and safety, but have been beset by many terrors, fear and panic, so shall the earth experience the same. Though the people cry "Peace, peace" there shall be no peace, save in the hearts of those who have found a refuge in Christ, the Rock that cannot be shaken.

And what of the fires raging in California? Are they not also pregnant with symbolism? Right on the heels of the world being focused upon the recall of California’s governor and the election of a new governor, the news turns to fires that have sprung up all over the state. The citizens of California have elected a man to the highest state office who has had a large number of women come forth stating that he groped and fondled them against their will. He has not denied these allegations, yet even so he won overwhelming election because he was a former body builder and Mr. Olympia, and as an actor he has portrayed physically powerful characters. In casting their votes for him millions of Californians have chosen to focus upon an outward appearance of strength while ignoring the inward moral weakness of the man.

It is typical of a fallen world to reject those things that God esteems and to embrace that which God despises. Even so the world rejected the most moral and righteous of men when they crucified the Son of God, but they often receive those whose lives have been given over to immorality and unrighteous behavior. Will not God judge the Earth for such wickedness?

As California is burning and her skies are filled with smoke and ashes, and as the Sun has at the same time produced this spectacular Sunburst, I am reminded of the following Scripture:

Malachi 4:1-3

"For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze," says Yahweh of hosts, "so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear My name, the Sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing," says Yahweh of hosts.

In this verse the Son of God is called "the Sun of righteousness". He alone is the Light of the World, but that which brings life can also bring the fire of judgment.

Luke 12:49

"I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!"

These are days to be sober and vigilant. Though calamity, fear and panic, should come upon an unprepared world and those who are asleep in the church, it should not catch those unaware who are watching and waiting. It is a time to put off all the deeds of darkness, to flee from wickedness and immorality. It is a time to clothe oneself with righteousness and to press in to know the mind of Christ.

Are you allowing the wicked influence of perverted television shows and commercials into your home? Are you viewing things that are profane at the movies, on TV, or on the Internet? Are you attracted to violence and wickedness? Are you unconcerned about the needs of those suffering and in want around you? Are you living for sensual pleasure and ease?

Now is the time to allow Christ to cleanse you from all defilement and to seek righteousness and to walk humbly before God.

Zephaniah 2:3
Seek Yahweh,
All you humble of the earth
Who have carried out His ordinances;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of Yahweh's anger.
The hour is late!