Tonight's Blood Moon-Lunar Eclipse: the Second in the 2014-2015 "Tetrad" of Four
"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; 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. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." –Luke 25-28
In the early morning hours before sunrise on October 8th, there will be another lunar eclipse in the northern hemisphere; turning the full moon to "blood"-red in color as it passes through the shadow of Earth. (Photo credit: Fred Espenak)
The total eclipse will last about an hour, with a partial eclipse going in and coming out—each taking about an hour—so the entire process of the lunar eclipse will last about 3 1/3 hours.
Who will see it?
That all depends on where you are! According to an EarthSky.org report:
North and South America, the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand, Australia and eastern Asia are in a good position worldwide to watch the total eclipse of the moon on October 8. If you live in the Americas or Hawaii, the total eclipse happens before sunrise October 8. In the world's eastern hemisphere, the total eclipse happens after sunset October 8.
Eclipse times in Universal Time:
Partial umbral eclipse begins: 9:15 Universal Time (UT)
Total eclipse begins: 10:25 UT
Greatest eclipse: 10:55 UT
Total eclipse ends: 11:24 UT
Partial umbral eclipse ends: 12:34 UT
Oct. 8th Eclipse times for North American time zones:
Total eclipse begins: 6:25 a.m. EDT
Total eclipse begins: 5:25 a.m. CDT
Total eclipse begins: 4:25 a.m. MDT
Total eclipse begins: 3:25 a.m. PDT
Total eclipse begins: 2:25 a.m. ADT
Total eclipse begins: 12:25 a.m. HAST
For those who enjoy exploring the various folklore names of the various moons, October 8th's full moon is also called a "Hunter's Moon," as it occurs after the Harvest Moon.
This eclipse of the Hunter's Moon, which produces a Blood Moon, is the second in the "Blood Moon Tetrad"—four blood moons (lunar eclipses) occurring exactly 6 months apart.
What does it mean? Certainly the Bible talks about signs in the heavens and on Earth, and no doubt many have thought over thousands of years that "surely Jesus' return must be soon!" following various events in the sky and on the ground.
And it very well may be soon… or not quite as soon as we might think. But either way the Bible clearly calls every Believer to BE READY.
To "be dressed in readiness and keep your lamps lit." (Luke 12:35 NASB)
