Christians see blood moon events as a sign Jesus will return

IT’S been trending on Twitter and not just because it's a rare astronomical event that has left star gazers excited. Some claim it’s a sign from above.

IT’S been trending on Twitter and not just because it’s a rare astronomical event that has left star gazers excited.

Last night’s blood moon, where a full lunar eclipse occurred, also got Christians talking, some of whom were convinced it’s a sign that Jesus is set to return.

The moon moved into Earth’s shadow causing it to appear a reddish hue. These eclipses usually happen twice a year, although some only partially.

But astronomers, some Christians and even NASA are excited because four full eclipses will take place in 18 months.

Heavens: Some Christians believe the lunar eclipse is a sign from God.

This month’s total eclipse is the first of four consecutive eclipses dubbed blood moons occurring at about six-month intervals — a phenomenon called a tetrad.

The next eclipse is on October 8 this year, and there will be two more totalities in 2015, on April 4 and September 28.

Some Christians claim the phenomenon represents the End of Days and the second coming of Christ, which is predicted in the King James Bible: “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD comes.” (Joel 2:31)

The moon appeared red-orange because of the sunsets and sunrises shimmering from Earth, earning it the name blood moon

Others say a passage in the New Testament - “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord” (Acts 2:20) - is further proof Jesus is coming.

Some Christians say the tetrads herald major historical and biblical events, the first of which occurred in 1493 which saw the Jews expelled from Europe, and the second coinciding with the establishment of Israel in 1949.

This eight picture combo shows a total lunar eclipse over Panama City, Panama.

The third tetrad happened less than 20 years later - precisely at the time of the Six-Day Arab–Israeli War - in 1967.

Whether it’s a coincidence or just a rare event, some on Twitter are convinced it has more heavenly meaning and is a sure sign Jesus will return.

@Jake_Smith59 this past one fell on Palm Sunday. The blood moon is referenced in the bible in Acts 2:20 and states a promise that Jesus is

— Brittany (@bgibbs_8) April 15, 2014

Look at the Jesus Moon tonight and feel His very Spirit of Truth already within you!http://t.co/nqQxqZgsiV... http://t.co/OWyjbus03E

— Jesusanity (@Jesusonians) April 15, 2014

April 15 Blood moon. the enemy hiding endtime sign. Jesus is coming!

— Teresa Carr (@AMWarrior4JC) April 15, 2014

As believers we should stay focused on Jesus, stay in God’s Word & stay in prayer. Last night was the first red blood moon out of 4!

— Sally Hightower (@SallyHightower) April 15, 2014

Lastnight's #BloodMoon #Passover #Acts220 Keep looking up.. Jesus is Coming!! http://t.co/3RSx6fOnF5

— Rich Wilkerson (@RichWilkerson) April 15, 2014

and there was a blood moon last night...Jesus is coming soon! pic.twitter.com/o9uPieTgLi

— alex faircloth☀️ (@AlwaysAlex_) April 15, 2014

A Blood Moon during Passover? Coincidental or another sign of the times? Even so come Lord Jesus! #passover #redmoon pic.twitter.com/MghNnC94Nu

— James McMenis (@james_mcmenis) April 15, 2014

Others had little faith that it had anything to do with Jesus or any Biblical event.

Y'all know the blood moon happens frequently???? I mean Jesus may be coming back but not bc of the blood moon calm down

— NVTE. (@Nateezyy) April 15, 2014

If every blood moon is the coming of Jesus, there are lots of Jesus' walking around.

— Cuhkarot. #MGHC (@GeauxJeauxDee) April 15, 2014

Wait, the blood moon means Jesus is coming soon? I'm confused.

— Brittany Keller (@bitskeezy) April 15, 2014

But according to NASA the astronomical event isn’t as exciting as some might think.

According to the space agency, tetrads aren’t actually that rare.

It said it was unique only because this tetrad was visible from all parts of the United States.