Tag: celestial

Nuremberg Celestial Event

Dale Pollard

Hans Glaser records an event that took place around dawn on April 14th, 1561 AD. He states that, “many men and women saw an aerial battle out of the sun.” This strange celestial phenomena was followed by the appearance of a large black triangular object which resembled the tip of a spear. There were spheres that fell to earth and cylindrical objects that moved erratically in the sky above. The woodcut illustration that these events were engraved on show objects of various shapes and sizes, including crosses and two large crescents. 

What had Hans  and all the others seen that day? It’s still up for debate. Was it a meteor shower? Was it a Sun Dog? It’s not clear. However, it provides us with an interesting mystery that also serves as a spiritual reminder. 

Hans Glaser certainly felt that this was a sign from God and that the community of old Nuremberg needed to turn from their sinful ways— but was it? 

Scripture records some celestial phenomena that we can confidentially say were supernatural in their planning (Josh. 10.11-14, Lk. 23.44) but outside of that we must be careful not to attribute what we don’t understand to an purposeful act of heaven. After all, it could be a rare but natural occurrence. It could be a misidentification or misinterpretation and we shouldn’t forget how human we all are. If God directly tells us through His word, we can trust it. If it’s not inspired, but claims things with great spiritual consequences— careful. 

It’s far too easy for us to wrongly interpret even the scriptures we have to try and make sense of the world around us. While there are relevant passages that shed light on the modern age, the faithful should take to heart the command to Timothy (2 Tim. 2.15) and handle God’s book with great respect humility. There’s so much we don’t know, but we can be confident in that we serve a God who knows all. 

God’s Solutions For Our Problems

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

blond man with goatee smiling at camera with blazer on
Dale Pollard

It’s been said that the there are more stars in the known universe than all of the sand on earth combined. That being said, in just one grain of sand there are more atoms than all of the stars. That’s pretty amazing. Our planet is but a speck in the grandeur of space. Countless stars, planets, galaxies, lightyears and somehow God is well aware of the happenings of people. Have you stood on the mountain tops? Have you observed the power of the oceans as the waves crash on the shore? Has your heart almost stopped after the vibrating sensation of a thunder clap resonates in your chest? The might of the Creator is everywhere in the world around us and at times it just demands to be noticed. 
A section of scripture that is mysterious and fascinating is found in 1 Kings 19:11-13. The Lord of hosts is about to show Himself to a depressed and exhausted Elijah, but in a way that he would never forget. “The Lord said, ‘go out on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out to stand at the mouth of the cave. Then the voice said, ‘what are you doing here Elijah?’” In the solitude of Horeb, Elijah seeks to avoid the troubles of his world. 
The acoustics of the mountainous area along with the time spent in silence must have made the shattering rocks, raging fire, splitting hills, and rumbling earth all but deafening and definitely a terrifying display of divine power. Then in sharp contrast, a still whisper comes. This gentleness, no doubt, is the reason Elijah decides to cautiously emerge from his hiding place. God is teaching His worn-out servant a lesson that holds true for us today. The fact is, there is no more God, His wisdom, power, and presence in an earthquake than there is in the sweet breath of a blooming flower. The quiet ticking of a wrist watch reveals just as much intelligence and purpose as does the striking of a clock tower’s bell. 
One may walk out into an open field at night and stare up into the vast sky, lit up with numerous twinkling stars and declare, “I’ve found God!” But God is no more in the sky than He is in the blades of grass flattened beneath your feet. The question came to Elijah from that still voice, “What are you doing here?” To the prophet, his problems were too great and too large and his solution was to run and hide. God, in a magnificent way, is trying to remind Elijah of his place.
 Our place in life is not to take matters into our own hands or solve life’s many difficulties on our own. The answer is not to run away, but to walk humbly with our awesome God. He is strong enough to lift our burdens, wise enough to counsel us, patient enough to allow us to learn, and loving enough to constantly forgive.