By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

The Sun Shall be Turned to Darkness

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“The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.”
Acts 2:20 English Standard Version

Recently smoke covered the Willamette Valley of Oregon, hanging over the valley and turning the sun to darkness.  This eerie sight reminds me of the prophet Joel’s words, “the sun shall be turned to darkness…. before the day of the Lord comes…”

What is this day of the Lord?  The day of the Lord is the day, unknown to anyone but the Lord, when Jesus shall return in power and glory and might.  Jesus spoke of Himself to His enemies, “…you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64b)  This is the day when our Lord Jesus, who died upon the cross and rose victorious three days later, shall return to gather His people to Himself.

Should we be afraid of this day of the Lord?  Believers in our Lord Jesus are not afraid of this day, for they know that this is their homecoming, the day when all the dead shall be raised and all those whose names are written in the book of life will be with the Lord forever.  Yes, for those who do not trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation from sin, they will be afraid and terrified, for they have rejected the Lord who loves them and gave Himself for them.

But for you and me, for those who are baptized into the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, for those who trust in Him as Savior and King, this will be the day for which we have been waiting, a day of rejoicing and the day for which we have yearned.  The signs of this day can be a little foreboding, but God’s people walk by faith, and not by sight, trusting in God’s Word and His promises.  Amen!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado