1 00:00:04,719 --> 00:00:10,240 Greetings. This is Pastor David Bass at New Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church with a 2 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:15,259 moment of truth where we challenge you to think through an important issue of life and faith. 3 00:00:15,339 --> 00:00:21,820 Today, I want to challenge you to think of the glory of God in nature as we anticipate the 4 00:00:21,820 --> 00:00:28,539 solar eclipse coming this Monday. Now, I have a real special treat for you here today because 5 00:00:28,539 --> 00:00:37,619 contemplating the glory of God in a solar eclipse. I have before me a sermon that was preached 6 00:00:37,619 --> 00:00:45,659 by Reverend Joseph Lathrop, who was pastor of First Church in West Springfield, Massachusetts 7 00:00:45,659 --> 00:00:53,200 in 1806. When there was a solar eclipse that came over the United States, much like it's coming over 8 00:00:53,200 --> 00:01:01,119 the United States of America on Monday. Well, there was one that passed over Massachusetts on June 16, 9 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:08,540 1806. And the following Sunday, Reverend Joseph Lathrop preached the sermon that I'm going to 10 00:01:08,540 --> 00:01:17,379 preach for you here today. It is so applicable not only to his day, but also to our day. So let me 11 00:01:17,379 --> 00:01:27,819 proceed with the sermon of Reverend Joseph Lathrop. He goes on to say, after reading his text, which was 12 00:01:27,819 --> 00:01:35,099 Amos 8, verse 9, which reads, it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cause the 13 00:01:35,099 --> 00:01:42,700 sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day. And Joseph Lathrop's sermon 14 00:01:42,700 --> 00:01:49,680 goes on, the use which the prophet makes of a solar eclipse will justify us in some moral and religious 15 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:55,939 reflections on the singular scene, which was exhibited in the past week. Referring, of course, to the solar 16 00:01:55,939 --> 00:02:01,599 eclipse of his day in 1806. He goes on to say, number one, he has five points he wants to make. 17 00:02:01,700 --> 00:02:07,700 Number one, we have reason to rejoice in the progress which has been made in the sciences, and particularly 18 00:02:07,700 --> 00:02:14,900 in the noble science of astronomy. And by this, we are freed from many superstitious terrors, which in 19 00:02:14,900 --> 00:02:20,520 the dark ages of the world tormented mankind. Eclipses have been observed from the remotest antiquity, 20 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:25,900 and of these which were most remarkable, accounts have been transmitted to us by some of the earliest 21 00:02:25,900 --> 00:02:31,259 historians who have also related the disastrous events which followed, and which the eclipses were 22 00:02:31,259 --> 00:02:36,740 supposed to portend. The cause of eclipses must have been known long before they could be the subjects 23 00:02:36,740 --> 00:02:42,719 of mathematical calculation. It was well understood many ages ago that an eclipse of the moon was 24 00:02:42,719 --> 00:02:47,340 caused by its passing through the shadow of the earth when the earth was between that and the sun, 25 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:51,879 and that an eclipse of the sun was caused by the moon's passing between us and the sun 26 00:02:51,879 --> 00:02:56,620 and intercepting its light. This knowledge, however, was not common to the vulgar, nor did the more 27 00:02:56,620 --> 00:03:02,939 learned view these causes as operating by regular and stated laws. There were predictions of some 28 00:03:02,939 --> 00:03:07,659 eclipses, which appeared several centuries before the birth of our Savior, but these predictions were 29 00:03:07,659 --> 00:03:13,780 probably like the present predictions of comets, conjectures grounded on a course of observations and 30 00:03:13,780 --> 00:03:20,460 not the result of exact calculations. The relations, distances, and motions of the heavenly bodies are now 31 00:03:20,460 --> 00:03:26,879 so well ascertained that accurate calculations can be made of all the eclipses, which shall be in ages to 32 00:03:26,879 --> 00:03:32,400 come, and of those which have been since our system was framed. These calculations are of great 33 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:39,960 utility to mankind in husbandry, navigation, geography, chronology, and history. The credit of some ancient 34 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:45,219 histories derives confirmation from this source. The historian relates some great events, which he 35 00:03:45,219 --> 00:03:51,659 supposes were portended by a certain eclipse, which he describes. The astronomer finds that there was in fact 36 00:03:51,659 --> 00:03:57,500 such an eclipse at such a time, and hence justly gives more full credit to the historian. These 37 00:03:57,500 --> 00:04:04,460 phenomena also have their moral uses. They enlarge our views of the works of God and of the grandeur and 38 00:04:04,460 --> 00:04:09,840 extent of his creation and providence. They display his wisdom, power, and goodness, and his continual 39 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:16,220 agency in the government of the world. They teach us his constant care for the creatures which he has made 40 00:04:16,220 --> 00:04:22,279 and call us to reverence and adore him, who thus manifests himself to us in the works of his hands. 41 00:04:22,540 --> 00:04:28,279 We see innumerable worlds rolling around us at vast but various distances with different but 42 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:34,420 inconceivable rapidity. These all perform their motions with regularity and observe their times 43 00:04:34,420 --> 00:04:40,160 with exactness. They obey their destination. They keep their order. They never interfere. Shall we not fear 44 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:48,459 the power, admire the wisdom, adore the goodness of that being who made and adjusted, who sustains and 45 00:04:48,459 --> 00:04:55,740 directs such a stupendous system, and render it subservient to our happiness? These rational 46 00:04:55,740 --> 00:05:00,819 sentiments are pleasant and delightful in themselves and are far more conducive to piety and virtue than 47 00:05:00,819 --> 00:05:05,699 the terrors of that superstitious ignorance which views every comet flaming in the sky, every 48 00:05:05,699 --> 00:05:11,259 abscuration of the sun at noonday, every failure of the full-orbed moon at night, every unusual noise 49 00:05:11,259 --> 00:05:16,319 bursting from the clouds, every strange appearance in the heavens and in the earth, as awfully portentous 50 00:05:16,319 --> 00:05:23,680 of some dire but unknown calamity. Superstitious terrors may operate as a temporary restraint from vice, 51 00:05:23,860 --> 00:05:29,000 but when the dreaded calamity is delayed, the restraint ceases and vice regains its dominion. 52 00:05:29,660 --> 00:05:35,500 A rational fear of God arising from a calm contemplation of his agency and 53 00:05:35,500 --> 00:05:41,620 government displayed in his works and taught in his word will have a steady and permanent influence. 54 00:05:42,339 --> 00:05:47,860 Fear ye not me, saith the Lord, will you not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the 55 00:05:47,860 --> 00:05:53,160 bound of the sea, who give the former and the latter rain, and reserve to you the appointed weeks 56 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:58,839 of harvest." Unquote. The more just are our thoughts of God's government and the more rational 57 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:04,920 our reverence of his majesty, the more uniform and cheerful will be our obedience to his well. 58 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:13,740 Secondly, an eclipse of the sun, though it is not an omen of any particular calamity, yet may properly 59 00:06:13,740 --> 00:06:22,300 lead us to contemplate the gloomy changes which await us in this guilty and mortal state. By a total 60 00:06:22,300 --> 00:06:29,019 obscuration of his glorious luminary, at noon, in a clear day, a gloom is suddenly spread over the face 61 00:06:29,019 --> 00:06:35,439 of nature. Not only the human mind, but the animal and material creation is deeply affected. Night seems 62 00:06:35,439 --> 00:06:39,720 to anticipate the time of its return. The stars hand out their lamps. The dews descend on the earth. 63 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:44,660 The grazing beasts forget their hunger. The fowls hasten to their resting places. The bird of night 64 00:06:44,660 --> 00:06:51,980 chants his evening ditty. Everything wears a sober and mournful aspect. Here is an emblem of declining 65 00:06:51,980 --> 00:06:57,800 age and approaching death. The time is coming, to some of us it is near, when the sun and the light 66 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:03,519 will be darkened. The eyes which look out at the windows will be bedimmed. Surrounding objects will 67 00:07:03,519 --> 00:07:08,480 be hidden. And we shall go to our long home, to the land of darkness and the shadow of death, 68 00:07:08,740 --> 00:07:15,120 without any order, and where the light is as darkness. While we have the light, let us walk in the light. 69 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:20,540 Lest darkness come upon us. Let us give glory to God before he causes darkness, and before our feet 70 00:07:20,540 --> 00:07:26,160 stumble on the dark mountains. Lest, while we look for light, it be turned into the shadow of death. 71 00:07:26,699 --> 00:07:32,079 Oh, from the book, then of Ecclesiastes. The eyes of our understanding still remain 72 00:07:32,079 --> 00:07:36,980 unextinguished, and the sun of righteousness shines upon us with salvation in its beams. 73 00:07:37,879 --> 00:07:44,019 Let us attend to the glorious discoveries which are made to us, and apply ourselves to the momentous 74 00:07:44,019 --> 00:07:50,620 work before us. Let us work while it is day. The time is short, night is at hand. What we find to 75 00:07:50,620 --> 00:07:56,420 do, let us do it with our might. There is no work in the grave. Some of you are in youth and full 76 00:07:56,420 --> 00:08:01,399 strength. My friends, your morning sun shines bright and pleasant. You think your day will be long, but 77 00:08:01,399 --> 00:08:07,220 oh, flatter not yourselves. Your sun may go down at noon, and your prospect be darkened in a clear day. 78 00:08:07,839 --> 00:08:13,120 Employ these morning hours in the work of your salvation. You know not what a day or an hour may bring 79 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:19,060 forth. The darkness of an eclipse the prophet improves, though not as an omen, yet as an emblem 80 00:08:19,060 --> 00:08:26,519 of national judgments. He warns his people that a metaphorical and political darkness may overspread 81 00:08:26,519 --> 00:08:32,899 their country in the same surprising manner as literal darkness and a solar eclipse falls on the 82 00:08:32,899 --> 00:08:39,679 unsuspecting earth. Thus saith the Lord unto me, an end is come upon my people. I will not pass by 83 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:44,620 them any more. Hear this, ye that swallow up the needy, and that say, when will the new moon be 84 00:08:44,620 --> 00:08:50,299 gone that we may sell corn, and the Sabbath that we may sell forth wheat? The Lord hath sworn by the 85 00:08:50,299 --> 00:08:55,519 excellency of Jacob, surely I will not forget any of their works. Shall not the land tremble for this, 86 00:08:55,559 --> 00:09:00,639 and everyone mourn that dwelleth therein? Thus saith the Lord, I will darken the earth in the clear day. 87 00:09:00,879 --> 00:09:07,360 I will turn their feast into mourning, and their songs into lamentation." Sudden darkness caused by 88 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:13,240 eclipses, clouds, vapor, and storms is, in the prophetic writings, a common figure for great 89 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:18,120 and unexpected plagues, such as war, discord, pestilence, and famine. The prophet Isaiah, 90 00:09:18,539 --> 00:09:23,539 describing the calamitous state of the Jews on the invasion of the Chaldeans, says, 91 00:09:23,980 --> 00:09:27,940 "...they shall look to the earth, and behold trouble and darkness, and dimness of anguish, 92 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:34,360 they shall be driven into darkness." In the same figurative language, Joel describes the devastation 93 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:39,639 and famine caused in the land by clouds of devouring locusts, and by the rage of subsequent 94 00:09:39,639 --> 00:09:44,720 fires. He says, "...let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord cometh, 95 00:09:44,759 --> 00:09:50,559 and is nigh at hand, a day of darkness and gloominess, of clouds and thick darkness. There 96 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:55,679 shall be wonders in the heavens, and in the earth. There shall be pillars of smoke, and the sun shall 97 00:09:55,679 --> 00:10:01,740 be turned into darkness." When we see the sun darkened in the heavens, and the earth covered with 98 00:10:01,740 --> 00:10:08,639 gloom, we are reminded how easy it is for Him, who in a moment extinguishes the sun, to cast a cloud 99 00:10:08,639 --> 00:10:14,659 over earthly prospects, to turn our joys into anguish, our confidence into terror, and our songs 100 00:10:14,659 --> 00:10:21,820 into lamentations, to subvert our national security, to let loose the infernal spirit of discord, to remove 101 00:10:21,820 --> 00:10:27,559 restraint from hostile nations, to send a blast on the labors of our hands, and to spread among us 102 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:37,250 pestilence, and death. On God we are dependent, not only for the daily visits of the sun, but also for 103 00:10:37,250 --> 00:10:43,009 His friendly beams when He returns. The moon, which chases away the gloom of night, now and then steps 104 00:10:43,009 --> 00:10:48,470 in and intercepts the light of day. If it should make a stand in that position, our day would become 105 00:10:48,470 --> 00:10:54,289 night, and the warmth of the summer would be changed into the frost of winter. But the moon obeys the divine 106 00:10:54,289 --> 00:11:01,230 command, moves the cheering beams which it had for a few moments withholden. The creatures, which are 107 00:11:01,230 --> 00:11:06,950 our ordinary comforts, may, by God's direction or permission, become the occasion of affliction and 108 00:11:06,950 --> 00:11:14,370 anguish. The sun, which enlivens the rational animal and vegetable world, may dart malignant fires and 109 00:11:14,370 --> 00:11:21,029 scatter pestilential diseases. The rains, which refresh and fructify our fields, may wash away the things 110 00:11:21,029 --> 00:11:26,889 which grow out of the earth and destroy the hope of man. The friends in whom we confide may become 111 00:11:26,889 --> 00:11:32,509 our tormentors, and a man's foes may be those of his own household. Government, which is our defense 112 00:11:32,509 --> 00:11:39,049 against injustice, fraud, and violence, falling into the hands of cruel and unprincipled men, may be made 113 00:11:39,049 --> 00:11:44,970 an instrument of oppression and misery. They who lead us may cause us to err and destroy the way of our 114 00:11:44,970 --> 00:11:52,529 paths. Where then is our security, O listener? It is in the protection of Him who created and upholds 115 00:11:52,529 --> 00:11:57,789 the frame of nature, who made and guides the seven stars and Orion, turns the shadow of death into 116 00:11:57,789 --> 00:12:02,909 mourning, or makes the day dark with night, who calleth to the waters and sends them on the earth 117 00:12:02,909 --> 00:12:08,289 and restrains the floods. Within the bounds prescribed, who rules the raging of the sea and stills the 118 00:12:08,289 --> 00:12:14,389 tumults of the people, who turns the hearts of men as the rivers of water are turned, who causes the wrath 119 00:12:14,389 --> 00:12:20,570 of men to praise Him, and the remainder of that wrath He restrains. How shall we enjoy His protection? 120 00:12:21,009 --> 00:12:28,149 He has told us, if ye will walk in my statutes, keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary, then I will 121 00:12:28,149 --> 00:12:34,350 give you rain in due season. Your fields shall yield their increase. I will give peace in your land, and you 122 00:12:34,350 --> 00:12:40,529 shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. But if you will walk contrary unto me, I will walk contrary 123 00:12:40,529 --> 00:12:48,529 unto you, and make your plagues wonderful, unquote, from the prophets. Learned astronomers can calculate 124 00:12:48,529 --> 00:12:53,690 with exactness the times, when, the places, where, and the quantities in which the luminaries of heaven 125 00:12:53,690 --> 00:13:01,070 will be eclipsed. But they cannot, with the same accuracy, predict the judgments of God. Nor do we 126 00:13:01,070 --> 00:13:07,149 here need their astronomical skill. There are other signs by which we may discern impending judgments. 127 00:13:07,149 --> 00:13:14,070 Our Savior has taught us a kind of moral astronomy to direct our prescience of such events. The 128 00:13:14,070 --> 00:13:20,250 prevalence of infidelity, immorality, and vice, as surely indicates approaching calamities, as clouds 129 00:13:20,250 --> 00:13:26,629 indicate a shower, winds forebode a storm, or the conjunction or opposition of the sun and moon in 130 00:13:26,629 --> 00:13:33,330 certain places in the heavenlies, pre-signify an eclipse. He said to the people, when ye see a cloud 131 00:13:33,330 --> 00:13:39,429 rise out of the west, ye say, there cometh a shower, and so it is. When ye perceive the south 132 00:13:39,429 --> 00:13:45,669 wind blow, ye say, there will be heat, and it cometh the path. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face 133 00:13:45,669 --> 00:13:51,649 of the sky and the earth, but how is it that ye cannot discern this time? Yea, and why, even of 134 00:13:51,649 --> 00:13:58,970 yourselves judge ye not what is right? Unquote. The words of our Lord. The blindness and stupidity of 135 00:13:58,970 --> 00:14:04,909 the ancient Jews to the impending judgments of God, the prophet abrades, by referring them to the 136 00:14:04,909 --> 00:14:10,230 sagacity and discernment apparent in the falls of heaven. The stork in the heavens knoweth her 137 00:14:10,230 --> 00:14:15,830 appointed time. The turtle, the crane, and the swallow observe the time of their coming, but my 138 00:14:15,830 --> 00:14:21,789 people knoweth not the judgments of God. Unquote. There are now, as there were in former times, 139 00:14:21,889 --> 00:14:26,429 many who ask, watchmen, what of the night? Watchmen, what of the night? And the watchman's 140 00:14:26,429 --> 00:14:33,470 answer then is seasonable now. If ye will inquire, inquire ye wisely. Return, come, return to God by 141 00:14:33,470 --> 00:14:39,769 repentance. Then come and inquire, and you may hope for a favorable answer. It is common for people 142 00:14:39,769 --> 00:14:46,389 to look forward and inquire. What will be our national state in future years? What will be the 143 00:14:46,389 --> 00:14:52,210 result of certain public measures? What should be done to obtain this favorable object and avert that 144 00:14:52,210 --> 00:14:58,090 threatening evil, and to make future times better than these? But they inquire not wisely concerning 145 00:14:58,090 --> 00:15:04,429 this matter. Let them inquire what iniquities abound and what share their own iniquities have in the 146 00:15:04,429 --> 00:15:09,570 common guilt. Let each one repent of his own wickedness and apply himself to his own duty. 147 00:15:09,769 --> 00:15:16,269 Let each one use his best influence to correct the errors and reform the manners of those with whom 148 00:15:16,269 --> 00:15:22,450 he is connected. Then things will go well. Righteousness will exalt a nation. Sin will be a 149 00:15:22,450 --> 00:15:29,750 reproach to any people. Well, thirdly then, the darkening of the earth in a clear day brings to 150 00:15:29,750 --> 00:15:35,710 mind the final judgment. The scripture assures us, God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the 151 00:15:35,710 --> 00:15:40,889 world in righteousness and render to every man according to his works. It teaches us that the 152 00:15:40,889 --> 00:15:46,049 judgment will come on a guilty world by surprise, that when men shall say peace and safety, then 153 00:15:46,049 --> 00:15:52,710 sudden destruction cometh. The manner of its coming is compared to the catastrophe of Sodom. As it was in 154 00:15:52,710 --> 00:15:58,330 the days of Lot, they ate, they drank, they bought, they foaled, they planted, they builded. But the same day 155 00:15:58,330 --> 00:16:03,009 that Lot went out of Sodom and rained fire and brimstone out of heaven and destroyed them all. 156 00:16:03,409 --> 00:16:10,070 Even though, even so, shall it be in that day when the Son of Man is revealed. Unquote. And to heighten 157 00:16:10,070 --> 00:16:15,210 the solemnity of the scene, the sacred writers tell us, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not 158 00:16:15,210 --> 00:16:20,149 give her light. The stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be shaken. The heaven 159 00:16:20,149 --> 00:16:25,909 shall depart as a scroll when it is rolled together and every mountain and island shall be removed out of 160 00:16:25,909 --> 00:16:32,830 their place. Unquote. Oh, what effect the expectation of such a day should have. St. Peter 161 00:16:32,830 --> 00:16:39,870 instructs us, seeing all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons are we to be in all 162 00:16:39,870 --> 00:16:45,610 holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the day of the Lord? Let us be diligent 163 00:16:45,610 --> 00:16:53,149 that we may be found of the Lord in peace, without spot, and blameless. You think that great day to be 164 00:16:53,149 --> 00:16:59,710 remote? Perhaps it is so. But whether it be near or remote, it will come. And when it shall come, 165 00:16:59,990 --> 00:17:06,269 it will be as real and important as if it were now present. Count the long-suffering of God's 166 00:17:06,269 --> 00:17:11,109 salvation. He is not willing that you should perish, but that you should come to repentance. Unquote. 167 00:17:12,390 --> 00:17:17,170 Were you sure that within 10 or 20 years the frame of nature, as well as the works of man, 168 00:17:17,549 --> 00:17:21,349 would be dissolved, the heavens with all their splendors would vanish, 169 00:17:21,349 --> 00:17:26,950 and the earth with all her furniture and inhabitants would pass away? How vain would all 170 00:17:26,950 --> 00:17:32,230 your property, all your designs and labors appear? What folly would be stamped on avarice, 171 00:17:32,369 --> 00:17:38,549 ambition, worldly grandeur and ostentation, political intrigues, party contests, and animosities? 172 00:17:39,450 --> 00:17:44,849 But my fellow mortals, where is the mighty difference to you and me, whether the world is 173 00:17:44,849 --> 00:17:49,509 to be dissolved within 20 years, or whether within that time we are to leave the world forever? 174 00:17:50,349 --> 00:17:56,210 The latter will certainly be the case with many of us in a shorter and with all of us in a longer 175 00:17:56,210 --> 00:18:02,869 time than this. Under an impressive sense of this solemn truth, let us banish all worldly passions 176 00:18:02,869 --> 00:18:10,950 and direct our cares to the grand interests of futurity. Well, fourthly then, total darkness at 177 00:18:10,950 --> 00:18:18,509 noonday reminds us of the solemn scene of the Savior's crucifixion. The evangelists tell us that when Jesus 178 00:18:18,509 --> 00:18:24,829 hung on the cross, there was darkness over all the land from the sixth to the ninth hour, or according 179 00:18:24,829 --> 00:18:30,289 to our calendar, from midday to the third hour. And the sun was darkened, the text says, that darkness 180 00:18:30,289 --> 00:18:36,809 continued for three hours. This, we know, could be no natural eclipse, for in the eclipse of the week 181 00:18:36,809 --> 00:18:43,269 past, which appeared to be central. The total obscuration continued but about four minutes. 182 00:18:45,289 --> 00:18:50,589 This darkness and the earthquake and the rending of the veil of the temple, which occurred at the 183 00:18:50,589 --> 00:18:55,670 same time, had a great effect on the spectators. The commanding officer who stood by the cross of 184 00:18:55,670 --> 00:19:00,950 Jesus struck with astonishment, said, surely this was the Son of God. And all the people who came 185 00:19:00,950 --> 00:19:07,809 together to that sight, beholding what was done, smote their breasts and returned. Unquote. These 186 00:19:07,809 --> 00:19:13,509 miraculous appearances in the earth and in the heavens at the time when Jesus was suffering on 187 00:19:13,509 --> 00:19:20,109 the cross were such divine attestations in his favor as reason could not resist. And there were 188 00:19:20,109 --> 00:19:25,569 also most awful indications of the wrath of God against the horrid and impious work which the 189 00:19:25,569 --> 00:19:32,089 infidel Jews were then transacting. But were these the only persons against whom the darkness denounced 190 00:19:32,089 --> 00:19:39,569 the anger of heaven? No. It is equally manifested and still is manifested the amazing guilt of all 191 00:19:39,569 --> 00:19:46,490 unbelievers under the gospel, of all who are enemies to the blessed Jesus, of all who despise and oppose 192 00:19:46,490 --> 00:19:55,049 his religion. Infidelity and impiety involve in them the same guilt as in former times. The gospel comes to 193 00:19:55,049 --> 00:20:00,869 us with equal evidence and authority as it came to the Jews. They who reject it crucify afresh its 194 00:20:00,869 --> 00:20:07,609 heavenly author and are bringing on themselves swift destruction. To such is reserved the blackness of 195 00:20:07,609 --> 00:20:13,509 darkness forever. As they walk in the darkness of unbelief and wickedness, they will fall into the 196 00:20:13,509 --> 00:20:18,990 darkness of misery and despair. When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, he will come in flaming 197 00:20:18,990 --> 00:20:24,970 fire and will take vengeance on them who know not God and on them who obey not the gospel. Unquote. 198 00:20:25,049 --> 00:20:32,589 From the Apostle Paul. Number five then. Fifthly, the temporary darkness of an eclipse is followed with 199 00:20:32,589 --> 00:20:41,089 cheerful light which shines more and more unto the perfect day. There is a natural emblem of that 200 00:20:41,089 --> 00:20:46,470 moral change in which a soul is brought out of the darkness of sin and guilt into the marvelous light of 201 00:20:46,470 --> 00:20:53,730 purity, pardon, and peace. How sad and gloomy is the condition of a guilty mortal who, convinced of his 202 00:20:53,730 --> 00:20:58,869 numerous transgressions, feels himself condemned to eternal death? The divine law which was delivered 203 00:20:58,869 --> 00:21:04,609 from Sinai in smoke and darkness and clouds and tempest, thunders, terror, and destruction in his ears. 204 00:21:05,329 --> 00:21:11,130 But how happily is his state reversed when light, beaming from Mount Zion in the discoveries and 205 00:21:11,130 --> 00:21:17,269 promises of the gospel, breaks in on his soul, exhibits to him a dying Savior, a forgiving God, 206 00:21:17,269 --> 00:21:24,950 a sanctifying spirit. What joy springs up when he finds the power of sin subdued, his enemy, enmity to 207 00:21:24,950 --> 00:21:31,069 God slain, excuse me, his enmity to God slain, his opposition to the gospel conquered, and every thought 208 00:21:31,069 --> 00:21:36,750 captivated to the obedience of Christ. The light is seeding to previous darkness, so the hopes and 209 00:21:36,750 --> 00:21:43,250 comforts of religion in the soul are exalted by their contrast to preceding anxieties and fears. 210 00:21:43,250 --> 00:21:49,289 Ye awakened, desponding souls, look up to the sun of righteousness. He shines from heaven with 211 00:21:49,289 --> 00:21:55,710 salvation in his beams. However guilty, unworthy, and impotent you feel, there is grace sufficient for 212 00:21:55,710 --> 00:22:01,990 you. There is righteousness to justify you, promises to support you, the Spirit to help you. Light arises 213 00:22:01,990 --> 00:22:07,549 in darkness. Turn your eyes from the cloud and direct them to the sun. Christ came, a light unto the 214 00:22:07,549 --> 00:22:13,230 world, and that whosoever believeth in him should not walk in darkness. Look to him and be 215 00:22:13,230 --> 00:22:19,849 ye saved. Finally then, the obscuration of the sun in the sky bids us contemplate the uninterrupted 216 00:22:19,849 --> 00:22:24,990 brightness of the heavenly state. Could we rise above the moon? The sun which is eclipsed to the 217 00:22:24,990 --> 00:22:29,450 inhabitants of the earth would shine to us in all its splendor. When the Christian has the moon under 218 00:22:29,450 --> 00:22:34,730 his feet, he will be clothed with the sun and crowned with the stars. There is no darkness, no night in 219 00:22:34,730 --> 00:22:40,470 heaven. All is light, all is glory there. In heaven there is the light of purity and love. The pure in 220 00:22:40,470 --> 00:22:44,549 heart shall see God. He is light. In him is no darkness. Nothing enters into his presence that 221 00:22:44,549 --> 00:22:50,349 defiles. There is the light of knowledge, glorious discoveries of God, of the Savior, of the works of 222 00:22:50,349 --> 00:22:55,789 providence and grace, of the wonders of creation and redemption. Here we see through a glass darkly. 223 00:22:56,069 --> 00:23:01,269 There we shall see face to face. Here we know in part. There we shall know as we are known. The light 224 00:23:01,269 --> 00:23:07,230 of heaven is constant. It is never eclipsed nor clouded. The holy city needs not the sun to shine 225 00:23:07,230 --> 00:23:12,809 in it, for the glory of God doth lighten it, and Jesus is the light thereof. The nations of them 226 00:23:12,809 --> 00:23:18,369 who are saved shall walk in the light of it, and there shall be no more night there. How different 227 00:23:18,369 --> 00:23:24,670 will be the state of good men in heaven from that which they experience on earth? Here they have some 228 00:23:24,670 --> 00:23:29,750 light, but it is often interrupted and always dim. How little do they know of God and his works? How 229 00:23:29,750 --> 00:23:34,210 much error is mixed with their faith? How much doubt with their hope? How much fear with their courage? 230 00:23:34,210 --> 00:23:40,309 How much carnality with their devotion? In heaven it will be otherwise. Knowledge there will be full 231 00:23:40,309 --> 00:23:46,049 without error, certain without perplexity, and clear without confusion. Holiness will be perfect 232 00:23:46,049 --> 00:23:51,529 without sin, and refined without dross and corruption. And they will serve God continually 233 00:23:51,529 --> 00:23:57,869 without reluctance or weariness. Let us begin the life and accustom ourselves to the works of heaven 234 00:23:57,869 --> 00:24:03,369 while we dwell on earth, that we may be prepared for admission into heaven when we depart hence. 235 00:24:03,910 --> 00:24:08,289 Here God shuts down some beams of heavenly light to invite our thoughts and affections upward. 236 00:24:08,930 --> 00:24:13,410 The light is mingled with shades and interrupted with clouds, because this is a state of trial, 237 00:24:13,730 --> 00:24:19,250 and our faith and patience must be exercised. We must walk by faith. We cannot walk by sight. 238 00:24:19,750 --> 00:24:25,009 It is by faith and patience that we inherit the promises. We are saved by hope, but what hope that is 239 00:24:25,009 --> 00:24:30,029 seen is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? And if we hope for that which we see 240 00:24:30,029 --> 00:24:35,289 not, then do we with patience wait for it. And the Spirit helps our infirmities and makes intercession 241 00:24:35,289 --> 00:24:41,829 for us according to the will of God." Unquote from the Apostle Paul. It is but little that we can at 242 00:24:41,829 --> 00:24:47,289 present know of heaven, but then we shall know. If we follow on to know the Lord, let our souls follow 243 00:24:47,289 --> 00:24:53,029 hard after him. For what is there which we can desire in comparison with him? It doth not yet appear 244 00:24:53,029 --> 00:24:57,930 what we shall be. But when our Lord shall come, we trust that we shall be like him and see him as he 245 00:24:57,930 --> 00:25:06,750 is. And having this hope, let us purify ourselves as he is pure. Amen. This indeed is the sermon of 246 00:25:06,750 --> 00:25:15,750 the Reverend Joseph Lathrop, who is pastor of the First Church in West Springfield, Massachusetts, 247 00:25:15,750 --> 00:25:25,130 who preached this sermon the Sunday following the eclipse of June 16, 1806, and preached for you now 248 00:25:25,130 --> 00:25:33,230 before the eclipse of August 21st, 2017. And it has as much application today as it did then. Does it 249 00:25:33,230 --> 00:25:39,089 not, brother and sister? This has been Pastor David Bass at New Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church. 250 00:25:39,250 --> 00:25:43,869 We will be re-preaching the whole of the sermon. I have had to edit parts of it, 251 00:25:43,869 --> 00:25:50,549 but we will be re-preaching the whole of the sermon on Sunday, August 20th, the day before 252 00:25:50,549 --> 00:25:57,349 the eclipse. And you will have here very much application to your life and to the lives of 253 00:25:57,349 --> 00:26:05,210 others, to the lives of the whole creation. You will have application preceding, anticipating the 254 00:26:05,210 --> 00:26:11,690 full solar eclipse, the total solar eclipse that will fall upon us on that day. And we meet for holy 255 00:26:11,690 --> 00:26:17,670 worship, New Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church does, meets for holy worship on Sunday at 10 a.m. 256 00:26:17,769 --> 00:26:25,369 at 101 4th Street on the corner of 4th and Boulevard. Join us for our solar eclipse celebration, our solar 257 00:26:25,369 --> 00:26:35,769 eclipse sermon that will be on August 20th, 2017 at 10 a.m. at New Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church 258 00:26:35,769 --> 00:26:41,529 located at 101 4th Street on the corner of 4th and Boulevard. And you can call us for more information 259 00:26:41,529 --> 00:26:49,569 at 523-0196. That's 523-0196.