In 2015, there was a rare occurrence known as a “blood moon tetrad” – four consecutive total lunar eclipses, each spaced about six months apart. Some Christians believed this tetrad signaled the imminent return of Jesus Christ based on certain biblical prophecies.
However, Jesus did not return in 2015 despite the blood moons. This has led many to question what the Bible really says about the end times and Christ’s second coming. In this article, we will examine:
- What is a blood moon tetrad?
- The biblical basis for connecting lunar eclipses to end times prophecy
- Various interpretations of the relevance of blood moon tetrads
- Why Jesus did not return in 2015 as some expected
- What the Bible says about date setting and predicting Christ’s return
- How Christians should think about blood moons and end times prophecy
What is a Blood Moon Tetrad?
A blood moon tetradis when there are four consecutive total lunar eclipses, each spaced about six months apart. This is a relatively rare astronomical event. The moon takes on a reddish, blood-like color during the eclipse because sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere is refracted upon the moon’s surface. The refracted light makes the moon appear red.
The four blood moons in the 2014-2015 tetrad took place on:
- April 15, 2014
- October 8, 2014
- April 4, 2015
- September 28, 2015
This was the last blood moon tetrad of the 21st century. The next one will occur in 2032-2033.
Biblical Basis for Connecting Blood Moons to Prophecy
The main biblical passage used to link blood moon tetrads to end times prophecy is Joel 2:31:
“The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” (ESV)
The mention of the moon turning to blood is seen by some as a reference to a lunar eclipse. When combined with the prophet Joel’s words about the coming “day of the Lord,” some see blood moon tetrads as a significant omen regarding Christ’s second coming and the end of the age.
Two other passages that mention the moon turning to blood in an end times context are:
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Matthew 24:29, ESV)
“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood…” (Revelation 6:12, ESV)
So the biblical reasoning is that just as Jesus’ first coming was accompanied by astronomical signs, so too will be his second coming. The blood moons are considered a harbinger of coming judgment and the climax of redemptive history.
Interpretations of Blood Moon Tetrads
There are several views among Bible scholars and commentators regarding the significance of blood moon tetrads:
- Prophetic Sign: They signify upcoming events regarding Israel and the end times. This was the main view behind predictions about Christ’s return in 2015.
- Communicator of God’s Anger: They are divine “billboards” meant to signal God’s displeasure with sinful nations after important historical events related to Israel.
- Natural Occurrence: While visually striking, they hold no particular spiritual significance. Lunar eclipses are natural astronomical phenomena.
- Divine Marker: They mark important historical events, like Israel’s formation in 1948 and recapturing Jerusalem in 1967. But they do not necessarily forecast future events.
There is no consensus view on blood moon tetrads within Christian scholarship. The diversity of interpretations stems from broader disagreements about how to read biblical prophecy – issues like whether Old Testament prophecies have already been fulfilled, when the prophetic texts were written, and different eschatological perspectives.
Why Jesus Did Not Return in 2015
Despite the hype and predictions surrounding the 2014-2015 blood moon tetrad, Jesus did not return that year. There are several reasons why:
- No one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return per Matthew 24:36: “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Setting dates is unwise and unbiblical.
- Correlating astronomical events with biblical prophecy is complex and speculative. Blood moons are not explicitly mentioned in end times prophecies.
- Prophetic passages containing moon imagery may have already been fulfilled symbolically or literally in the distant past.
- God operates according to His perfect timing, not man’s. He will return when He chooses at a time no one expects.
- Just because solar and lunar signs will precede Christ’s return does not mean every solar or lunar event has prophetic meaning. Some are simply natural occurrences.
- No one fully understands how and when biblical prophecies will unfold. We lack insight into how God links celestial events to human history and prophecy.
In summary, the blood moon tetrad of 2014-2015 did not trigger Jesus’ return because date setting goes against Scripture. While intriguing, blood moons ultimately have unknown prophetic significance. Biblical prophecies and celestial signs will align perfectly in God’s providence when the Day of the Lord finally arrives.
What the Bible Says About Date Setting
The Bible clearly warns against date setting concerning Christ’s return. Here are some relevant verses:
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36, ESV)
“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42, ESV)
“You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40, ESV)
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, ESV)
The consistent message is that Christ will return unexpectedly “like a thief in the night”. Even Jesus said no one knows the day or hour, only the Father. So we must be ready at all times through faith, watchfulness, and obedience – not obsess over trying to predict a specific date.
How Christians Should Think About Blood Moons
When confronted with an astronomical event like a blood moon tetrad, here are some guiding principles for Christians:
- Remember that only the Father knows the timing. Don’t get caught up in date setting or fear-based predictions.
- View such events with wonder as reminders of God’s majesty and sovereignty over creation.
- Let occurrences spark deeper study and reflection on biblical prophecies.
- Allow prophecy to fill you with hopeful anticipation rather than dread of tribulation.
- Don’t make definitive claims that go beyond Scripture.
- Focus more on your relationship with Christ than cosmological speculation.
- Trust that God is in control no matter what happens or when.
Blood moons should not incite panic about “apocalypse soon”. Rather, appreciate their beauty while relying on God’s Word alone for truth about the end times. Nature’s signs point to Jesus’ return, but the specifics remain locked in the Father’s timing.
While intriguing, the 2014-2015 blood moon tetrad did not signal Jesus’ imminent return. Date setting goes against Scripture. Christians must be ready for Christ’s return at all times while avoiding dogmatism about cosmological signs. Prophetic passages contain many interpretive complexities beyond blood moons. No one fully understands how God links celestial events to prophecy. We must humbly trust God’s perfect timing and wisdom regarding the Day of the Lord.