Prophecy tells us to watch for signs in the sky (Jeremiah 10:2; Daniel 6:27; Joel
2:10; Luke 21:11; Acts 2:19), and a special sign is now
on the horizon! A comet that could be hailed as “Comet of the Century” flew
around the sun on Thanksgiving Day, was given up for dead, but emerged and now may
be best seen in all its glory on Christmas Day!
Signs in the sky will herald the second coming of our
King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Mark
13:24-26; Luke 21:25-27). He will appear in the heavens like
lightning (Matthew 24:27,30) in
His triumphant return to defeat the enemies of Israel at the battle of
Armageddon (Revelation 16:16),
and ultimately conquering Satan, sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). All those who have placed their
trust in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6) will accompany Him in the
armies of saints (Revelation 19:14).
Jesus said to look up when we see the signs of times (Luke 21:28), for our Redemption
is near! At any moment, but at least seven years before the glorious second
coming described
above, the trump could sound, heard only by believers. We shall be changed in
an instant (1 Corinthians 15:52),
caught up to meet Christ in the air, to spend eternity with Him in our
glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:49,54)
that will never age or feel pain or sorrow.
To date, the most radiant and long-awaited sign in the
sky was the Star of Bethlehem, illuminating the birth of Jesus, the Word
Himself made flesh (John 1:14),
and guiding the wise men who sought the promised Messiah (Matthew 2:2-9).
When will His second coming be? No man knows the day or
the hour (Matthew 24:36), but
only God the Father Himself. Yet we are told to be vigilant and aware of the
signs of the times (Matthew 24),
which encourage us and strengthen our resolve to keep our hearts in Him (Matthew 6:21; John 15:5) and
our lamps burning with the flame of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 26:1-13).
That is why I’m excited
about recent news of a comet that made a hairpin loop around the sun on
Thanksgiving Day, passing so close that some astronomers wondered if it would
survive the encounter. I began writing this blog post the day before
Thanksgiving, and I must admit that my heart sank when reports on Thanksgiving
night proclaimed that the comet was destroyed, as it was no longer visible.
But on Black Friday morning,
the headlines read: Hold the obituary! The comet has emerged from behind the
sun and has begun to brighten. According to the initial predictions, it would
reach its peak brilliance in December, even though its brightness to the
observer already increased 25 times between November 13- 21! It may be ranked as one of the brightest comets
of the past 50 years, and at its peak, it may even be visible in broad
daylight!
For best night-time viewing,
astronomers advise seeking rural areas, free from the light pollution of
cities. The comet is most radiant against a backdrop of total darkness, seen without
distraction from manmade lights. However, they strongly warned that only
experienced observers should attempt to view the comet as it whipped around the
sun. Although there is no danger in observing the comet itself, staring
directly at the sun can result in blindness as infrared rays painlessly burn
the retina of the eye.
As the comet approached
the sun, the scorching heat and gravitational force of the sun presumably gave rise to a
long, brilliant train, although this was not visible from the Solar Dynamics Observatory where NASA was focusing. According to initial predictions, the comet should climb noticeably higher in the north-northwest sky from December
21-31, and by Christmas Day, should no longer rise or set, but should remain above the
horizon all night long.
By now you’ve no doubt guessed
why I am so amazed by this comet, for it reminds me of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ! Its flight so close to the sun is like the proximity of
Jesus Christ, Son of God yet God Himself, to God the Father. Even in His earthly
ministry, Jesus and the Father were one (John
10:30), and now He sits at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19; Luke 22:69; Romans
8:34).
Even though Jesus told
His apostles that He would rise from the dead (Matthew 20:19; Luke 24:7), they lost all hope after
His burial and crucifixion (John 20:19).
But just as He said He would, Christ rose again on the third day, that all who
place their faith in Him would live with Him forever! (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)
How appropriate that the
comet’s approach to the sun occurred on Thanksgiving Day! What better reasons
do we have to be thankful than for the Word becoming flesh to pay for all our
sins (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2;4:10),
to give eternal life to those who trust Him (John 3:16), and now to intercede for us with the Father? (Hebrews 4 :14-16)
Yet not all are
thankful, for many are lured away by the world and have not yet seen Him as
their Lord and Savior. Even those who are saved can see Him more clearly away
from the distracting glare of worldly light pollution (Romans 12:2). He is the Light of the world (John 1:9; 8 :12 ;9 :5 ;11:9)
Who shines brightest against the darkness of our sin (Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:6).
The astronomers warned
us not to look directly at the comet as it approached the scorching light of
the sun, but to safely enjoy the view of the comet at night, When Jesus walked among us, bringing light to
a world darkened by sin, looking at His face was no doubt the best blessing
imaginable (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Yet man cannot look directly at God the Father because of
His supreme glory and holiness (1
Kings 19:13; Exodus 3 :6; 19 :21).
The astronomers initially
predicted that this comet’s appearance to earth would culminate with an amazing
display on Christmas Day, when it would neither set nor rise, but remain above
the horizon all night long. Thanks to Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23), as celebrated on
Christmas Day, those who trust Him are no longer in darkness (Isaiah 9:2). We have seen the
bright light of the Morning Star! (Revelation 22:16) He alone will
light the New Jerusalem in continual radiance and there will be no night, nor
any need for the sun (Revelation 22:5).
Oh, and did I mention
the name of the new comet? It is Comet ISON! The name is an acronym for the International
Scientific Optical Network, which discovered the comet last year. But to my mind, this is a
contraction of I AM THAT I AM, the self-existent Name of God (Exodus 3:14), and GOD THE SON,
Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:13; 1 John 4:15,
etc.), the Word from the beginning (John
1:1) and eternally our Lord (Hebrews
13:8).
Not that we need any
sign (Matthew 12:39) to have faith in Him, for the facts of His death and resurrection are
sufficient! (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
Regardless of whether ISON lives up to expectations or disappears from view, we
have faith – the evidence of things unseen (Hebrews
11:1) – that Christ reigns forever. Look up, and remember the Word made
flesh, Our Redeemer, and His promise to return!
© 2013 Laurie Collett
