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Tonight Jupiter and Venus will almost overlap in the western sky. My understanding is that the last time this took place was 2 B.C. Some say this new “star” was the very same sign given more than 2,000 years ago preceding Jesus’ birth. John Pratt and others more intelligent than myself offer greater insight and detail.
Is this astrological re-occurrence significant? Is this one of the signs that Jesus is coming again, soon? Will we be found looking for the signs in the heavens like those of times past who awaited Him and who were prepared to receive Him? Or will we dismiss the signs, the dates, and the events that are taking place right before our very eyes? From all that I’m reading, I’m inclined to believe that this is a very important event.
Just this year we will have also witnessed four blood moons all landing on Jewish Holy Days separated by a Solar Eclipse. Any year this has happened in recorded history, something very significant has taken place.
We are also witnessing increased social unrest in the world. Good is called evil and evil called good (2 Nephi 15:20). Iniquity abounds and the love of men waxes cold (JST Matthew 1:30).
This month is also Ramadan. A time in which faithful Muslims fast during the daylight hours for 30 consecutive days. Sadly during this holy time, a growing number of radical Islamists are escalating the cry for the destruction of Israel, Christianity, the West, and basically any person or group who disagrees with them. They have no value for life, not even their own. These terrorists also seem to be fulfilling latter day prophecy:
Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver and gold, nor shall they delight in it. Their bows shall also dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children. (2 Nephi 23:17–18)
I am humbled by both the signs of heaven as well as by the increasing signs of wickedness. I’m reminded that every one of us is a child of God. Each soul is precious and our time to prepare is short. There is no mortal and there is no institution to which we can look to be saved.
The only sure way to be saved is to come unto Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, to be literally changed by Him (Psalms 51:17, Psalms 34:18, D&C 59:8, 3 Nephi 9:20, 2 Nephi 2:7, Moroni 6:2, etc.). We are all broken. We all need His healing. May we look heavenward and be found ready to receive the God of Heaven and Earth who comes again.
It’s ironic that when the heavens finally begin showing us the signs we’ve been promised, we have decided to only look downward (into our phones) for our signs and knowledge.
About two years ago, my then 3 year old son became very interested in astronomy and has not lost that interest now that he is almost six. Were it not for him, I would be among those ‘looking downward’ for signs and knowledge. From the mouths of babes…
Great comment Ben. I was able to witness this last night. There was cloud cover where i was at but just as my wife and i went outside with the Ipad to see if we could find the constelation Leo minor, or the Lion that ive been told represents the Lord the clouds cleared out so we could see Jupitor and Venos joined as one representing the union of A man and A women. Just as we were able to find the lion a bolt of lightning shot straight out of where his mouth would have been and came at almost a straight line down to the earth. Seconds later we heard the thunder and it sounded just like the roaring of a lion. It was absolutely fascinating to see and experience this. Isaiah 11:4 came to mind where it says that the Lord will smite the earth with the rod of his mouth.
I beleive that the Lord was declaring that marriage is between a man and a women and that because we as a people have allowed the disintegration of the family and of marriage and have allowed the abomination of desolation to become accepted under our laws that we will now reap what will soon follow. It will be far better if we turn to the Lord while he is still the lamb than when he comes in judgment as the lion.
This ruling of the supreme court is a final turning point of our nation. If we are not able to see through this whole issue very clearly, well i suggest we get right with the Lord or go purchase a good crash helmet cause were gonna need it.
And Joseph Smith taught that in a year that we see a rainbow, the Lord will not come in that year. I’ve seen 2 rainbows this year and I’m pretty sure those who live in Hawaii have seen more than a few. 🙂