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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Watching the Moon Turn Red
Posted on August 30, 2007
Filed Under Personal, Worldview |
I didn’t sleep well Monday night. I kept waking up, checking the time, because I had an early appointment with the moon–a total lunar eclipse that would peak somewhere around 4:30 a.m. When I have to get up at a different time, I have a tendency to “watch the clock” all night. I didn’t want to sleep through this. Supposedly, Tuesday morning’s eclipse was going to be deep in the earth’s shadow and promised to be one of the more spectacular in recent years. The predictions were for a “blood-red” moon and I didn’t want to miss it.
Now you may wonder, “Why red?” Well, whether you wonder or not, I’m going to tell you.
Forgive my sophomoric lesson, but the earth doesn’t cast a stark shadow. In my less-than-professional drawing, you can see 
that the earth casts two levels of shadow: the penumbra and the umbra. The best way to understand this is to think of what you would see if you were on the moon. As your orbit moved you into penumbra, you would see a partial solar eclipse, so some of the sun’s light would still be hitting the moon’s surface. As the moon entered the umbra, you would witness a total solar eclipse. However, because of the earth’s atmosphere, the sunlight is scattered enough so that even in the full lunar eclipse (umbra) some of the sunlight “bends” around the earth and strikes the moon. That light is reflected back to us so we can actually see the surface of the moon, even though it is in the earth’s full shadow. Now, if you were still on the moon at that time, you would see brilliant sunsets/sunrises all around the earth’s rim. So, the light that bends around the earth and eventually hits the moon is a red or orange “sunset” kind of light. (We can talk about why sunsets and sunrises are red and the sky is blue another time if you like.) The deeper the moon is in the umbra, the more red the light is that strikes it. So that is why the moon turns blood-red during a lunar “umbra” eclipse.
And blood-red it was.
I finally got up somewhere around 4 a.m. and headed out to a clearing in the trees so nothing would obscure my view. The sky was clear and the stars were extremely bright. It was the kind of dark night you would expect when the moon was not out. However, this night (or early morning) the moon was out…it just wasn’t lit. Well not lit in the normal sense. And now we know why.
So there I was, standing in the clearing with my binoculars trained toward the western sky, totally in awe at this amazing sight. I have seen eclipses before, but this one seemed extra special, extra clear…extra red.
As I watched it, I thought of how Psalm 89:37 calls the moon the “faithful witness in the sky”; then of Psalm 19, that the heavens declare the glory of God; and then Psalm 8, that considering the moon makes us wonder why God is mindful of man.
And then I thought of the fact that God had not only placed the stars and the sun and the moon in the heavens for light and for seasons and days and years…but also for signs. And my mind raced through all of the times the moon is referenced as giving a sign. Peter quotes Joel in Acts 2:
I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
In Revelations 6, when the sixth seal is opened, we are told that the “whole moon turned blood red.”
And there I was, watching the whole moon turn blood red. And a chill came over me. Here, before me was the evidence of God’s Hand, not only in creative power, but in sovereign eternal decree. When He created all of this and put it in motion, He built into their predictable movements, the exact timing such that they would display their future “sign” at their proper time.
Oh, what a mighty God this is!
[No way can my camera take this picture. Credit: Rikubetsu Astronomy and Terrestrial Science Museum, 2/28/07]
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39 Responses to “Watching the Moon Turn Red”
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Thank you Dr. Tackett for teaching me about ants and moon color during eclipse as well as God and truth. I really enjoyed the Truth Project for its history and philosophy lessons, helping me understand science better and other teachings that broadened my understanding not only of God and His ways but of the ways of this world. Your childlike joy and enjoyment of His creation are contagious! Bless you.
thanks for the beautiful description! i was about to say what a picture when i saw your credits.
All kinds of interesting things happen in the sky and on the ground. How very creative God is!
When there is a lunar eclipse is it always red I wonder? When I heard it was to be red, I did think of that scripture in Acts 2. (My Acts professor in Bible College made us memorize that, thanks Dr B. :). Thank you for your insight here. Especially about the moon being the truth witness to the sky. God’s handwork is awesome.
Wanted to take a moment to thank you for the Truth Project series. Our small group just finished it last week here in Eagle, Idaho. My husband was very impressed with it’s content, your gift of expressing it and is currently in the process of preparing to present it to the men in our church. Please pray that their hearts would be receptive to the idea. The gift goes on and we are eternally grateful. Thank you, Dan and Jeri Dunne
Rick Larson is a researcher who has documented that this blood red moon also very likely appeared at sunset on the day Christ was crucified. This is an amazing story, in which Peter at Pentecost quoted the passage from Joel 2:28-30, then stated that all of his hearers in Jerusalem knew these things had happened. Jesus was “…a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” (Acts 2:22) Imagine the scene–the skies had been darkened on the afternoon of the crucifixion. There was an earthquake, graves bursting open, the temple curtain torn in two, and just after sunset, the skies revealed the moon, rising in full eclipse, blood red. It was the fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy, and a precursor to what will happen again at the sixth seal. God is amazing… See Rick Larson’s web site at http://www.bethlehemstar.net.
WOW, and to think I decided to sleep through this one. Thanks so much for sharing the experience with us. Praise God for His creation!
We so wanted to see this eclipse, but we weren’t able to. So we were absolutely delighted to see your article and museum photo! Thanks for sharing!!! Blessings to you and multiplied revelations from our precious Lord!
Thank you for getting up and sharing it! Once I heard what time the eclipse was expected I looked at my husband and said, ‘guess i’ll miss it.’ Guess not. The picture is wonderful.
Thank you for the clear scientific explanation of the wonder of God’s hand I saw in the sky that night. Your comments left me wondering…If the blood-red moon is a sign that the sixth seal has been opened, is it possible it was opened that night? If not, when do we expect the next red moon?
Even though we were not able to see the eclipse here, to see the picture and reflect on God’s wonder is beautiful. It made me think of God’s promise in the Bible.
Dr. Tackett,
Thanks for sharing with us your lunar experience. We also had an experience of our own. For us, the eclipse began at 1:50am our time. We were camping and we set the alarm to wake us. As we stirred our three children (two foster daughters and our birth son) they were tired and excited. We set up our lawn chairs, grab our blankets, and sat there together experiencing the wonder of God’s glorious display. We talked about how amazing God was, and how nature declared his glory. We sat, we watched. We were cold, and tired, and making lasting memories. It was a memorable night, and one of the best object lesson of the glory of God as revealed through His creation I could ever hope to help them experience. I hope, in every science class from here on out, when the technical explanation of an eclipse is given, my kids remember that evening and more importantly, that their mind will be marveling at the glory of our God.
Awesome…My wonderful father passed away this last year and had always kept me informed, as well as watched these magnificent astronomical occurances himself. I miss him and his keeping me abreast of God’s handiwork. You blessed me!
So, has the sixth seal now been opened? How often are there blood-red moon/lunar eclipses?
Our group is thoroughly enjoying “The Truth Project.” We are scheduled to view the “seventh tour” this Sunday evening. Thank you!
Dr. Tackett,
We just finished the Truth Project at our church, in Victorville, California.
Without a doubt in my mind, I know that God exists. It was just amazing to me about the inside of a cell.
I want all atheists to watch this and then tell me they still believe the same way.
Thank you so much
Question: You mentioned you did not take the photo. Is the photo actually from the 2007 lunar eclipse? If so, it is beautiful. Thank you for getting out to see what I would have loved to have viewed!
Hi Dr. T:
When I see the wonders of GOD’s creation, it almost brings me to tears to know the GOD that created all these wonders knows my name and every hair on my head. I have about the same amount as you Dr. so it doesn’t take Him as long for us. Is it any wonder that we should bow and worship HIM and HIM alone. Thanks. Gene
Thank you, thank you, thank you. We are always advised about what is going to happen in the skies but never is the credit given to Whom it belongs. God is awesome and His magnificent heavenly displays shows us just that.
Thank you so much for this article and picture–I do receive the emails. Like many others, I had planned to get up for this, but… Sure wish I had!
Thank you again for all your work with The Truth Project. I was able to send this article to some nonbelievers who know of God and creation, but…
I’m praying that your article will do some work in their lives.
Thank you for the incredible picture of the moon! Our God is so amazing and I’m thankful he prepares us through his word of the times and seasons set before us.
As it relates to this topic, I highly recommend that everyone watch a video titled, “The Privileged Planet”: http://www.privilegedplanet.com/
The video is based on the book, “The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed for Discovery” by Discovery Institute senior fellows Jay Richards and Guillermo Gonzalez, the video explores the many ways in which Earth is ideally suited, not only for complex life, but also for observing the universe around us.
It shows just how AWESOME God’s design is!
You can view a trailer of the video or purchase a copy (VHS or DVD), using the web site link above.
God Bless,
Wes
I get up early every day to get to work, & I tried to see the eclipse too, but we had some clouds roll in just about the time that the moon turn red so missed it, much to my disappointment so thanks for the great picture & the sophormoric lesson that explains it much better than the meterologist do. The scriptures are also great reminders that we are so small & God is so big & He still loves us!!!! Thanks, Nancy
My wife and I both saw the eclipse here in Parker CO. Though I was a bit sleepy, Ireveled in the amazing very occasional phenomenon that our God has provided for our enjoyment. What a great and awesome Creator we have!
Dr. Tackett,
Thank you so much for sharing this spectacular experience and lesson on lunar eclipse. I marvel at God’s awesomeness and His creation points back to Him and His Glory.I wish I had seen it too, which Monday did this happen and when is another moon, stars and sky creation is going to have another display? Is there a website I can check for all these happenings and share to my friends esp to use as a tool to reach out to unbelievers when something like this magnificent happen and point them to the Creator of the universe.
Dr. Tackett,
As I observe God’s creation around me, I too am frequently struck by the awesomeness of His power.
Please let me add one more element to your description of an eclipse. Not only is sunlight diffracted through our atmosphere, but the Earth’s gravity bends the light as it passes next to the planet. Red wavelengths are longer and slower then the rest, so the red shift is even more pronounced.
Science isn’t at odds with God. It is one of the vehicles by which His will is accomplished.
JP.
Thanks Dr. T. Thank you so very much. I’ve observed such astronomical phenomena in mid-ocean where there are no lights to obscure the magnificance of the stars and the moon. What an awesome Lord we have, from the macro-cosm to the micro-cosm. Thanks too for Truth Project, and its significant impact on our nation. Chaplain Ken of the USN
Dr. Tackett, thank you for providing this photo with your contact with the photographing agency, Rikubetsu Astronomy and Terrestrial Science Museum, 2/28/07, and also thanks for giving God the credit — HE DOES RULE in heaven and in earth, and holds all things together. PS: The book is called “Revelation,” but many call it “Revelations,” if you will try to remember, as it was one “revelation of John” — my pet, I’m sorry! Just had to notice that, didn’t I?
Yours, and thank you, AL
Dr. Tackett:
We just completed our fianl tour of the Truth Project on Wednesday evening and our group thoroughly enjoyed the life giving experiences. We are looking forward to the next step in presenting the Truth Project to another group of believers here in our church plant. My wife joins me in expressing our thanks for all of the materials you and Focus have made available to us. God Bless YOU!
Dale
Thank you, Dr. Tackett for your brief, simple, yet clear explanation of the complex process in the moon turning red. As we begin our Truth Project study tomorrow, I pray the Holy Spirit will likewise reveal to all of us a clear understanding of “transformation” in our lives found in knowing the Truth. God’s blessing and protection for you.
Today, October 28th, 2007, I went outside like every night, and as I looked up into the night sky I was startled to see a piercing reddish, orange moon. I know the moon turned red on August 28th, 2007, but now it has turned red, really red! I was so startled I looked on the internet, and google shot the moon. It was even more red than on August! As a Christian, I know this sign precedes the war in Ezekiel, and the End of Days! Truly, we are witnessing the signs of the end. I was shocked! Did anyone else see the moon turn red once again!?
I’m not sure about the existence of God but I’m pretty sure that everything on this earth happens for a reason and the reason of the blood red moon is to show all the lost souls. Well thats what most people think. I think and believe in the beautifull moon maiden who rules the moon and I believe that every year she sorrows the Blood Red Moon appears. Email me sometime I have things to discuss with you!
About twenty years ago,I was driving with my aunt in the country at night.I looked at the moon.It looked liked someone put a hyperdermic needle in it with blood.Blood was shooting into the moon.I told my aunt to look, but she could not see;what was happening. I will never forget that night.
my aunt called me,she told me that she saw the red moon…i was amazed when i see the full moon turning into red…
Yes I saw the the moon red as blood June 9th 2008 at 12h45 at night. I woke up my husband because I knew this is a sign of God. Since I’m a baby I’ve been one of God’s chosen one to be a prophet.
God has shown me many things and has spoken to me many times about things that will happen in the future. I try to talk about these things but how can you explain to non believers. I’m trying to understand all these visions. I’ve been told not to keep them for myself. Thank you for listening to me.
with love in Christ, Karen
Last night, which was June 13, 2008 I saw a red moon. I got chills because just 5 minutes before my friends and I had been discussing the signs of the times and such.
Jesus is surely returning soon!
I was woken up in the early hours of this morning (January 7th 2009) and felt compelled to get up out of bed. As I walked in the darkness into the lounge I saw through the window, in the night sky, a red clear moon just about to set on the horizon of the dark sky in the West. I new God had got me up to witness this incredible vision. I took it as a sign of the troubles in Israel. Thank you for reading
Saw a red moon tonight, truly beautiful, it caused me to ponder its religious connotations. The conclusion I came to, after reading about the different meanings different cultures have for this event, is that a red moon is what you make it. For me it was a great sight to behold. Thanks for the scientific explanation. -Brian
Tonight i went grocery shoping which is june,7,2009.we were about to leave and my grandaughter and grandson were looking at the moon and they said look its red!!!!!!!!!!!!and my grandaugter had remembered it was a book i had in my house.and i said yes i remember and i said it has to be a sighn of god.and this earth coming to an end.it was such a beautiful sight!!!!!!!!!!!it was unbelievable sight.its a great sign for the glory of god.
god bless you=)
patsy
Thank you, so much for explaining this. i said to my husband , I have never seen a red moon other than when we were in Gomera when there was an eclipse. There you are explaining it was a luner eclpse. Did not hear anything on the news or anything talked about this all week. What a fabulous sight. Very unusal and friends of mine in their eighties never saw it. I shall let them see your page.
LOve and Light
Gayle ( from England)
saw a half moon tonight that was dark orange alomst red in some spots. I was wondering what this means to the human race should we be preparing to expect christ in return soon.