A lunar eclipse that graced the night skies across parts of the globe early Wednesday "dazzled" viewers, according to media reports on the rare occurrence.
USA Today reported it was a "gorgeous 'blood moon'" and said in Australia "whoops of joy went up at the Sydney Observatory."
"Very spectacular," astronomer Geoff Wyatt told USA Today. "The cloud certainly got in the way, but we've seen it during totality and, of course, that's always the highlight – to see that lovely, reddish-brown color."
A headline published in Detroit said the event "dazzles sky-gazers" and explained the "blood moon" derives its coppery red color from the moon's surface reflecting all of the sunsets and sunrises on Earth.
TRENDING: St. Patrick's role on the 'external hard drive'
CBN said the event "enthralls" millions.
"Some biblical observers have noted a link between the appearance of blood moons throughout history and important events in the Middle East – specifically Israel," CNN said.
The report only hints at the significance of the "blood moon" eclipse, which not only occurred on the Feast of Tabernacles but was the second in a tetrad. A tetrad is a rare series of four lunar eclipses that are occurring on Jewish holidays this year and in 2015.
The first was on Passover, and in 2015 the eclipses also will be on Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles.
Pastor Mark Biltz, whose "Blood Moons: Decoding the Imminent Heavenly Signs" links the heavenly events to much more than nature, believes they are "vital to understanding the importance of God’s timetable and calendar."
"This blood moon seen at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles is God's sign in the heavens according to Genesis 1:14," Biltz told WND.
"According to Zechariah 14, it is at the Feast of Tabernacles where all the nations have to come up to Jerusalem and recognize it as the capital of Israel. Representatives from every nation have to recognize the king of Israel and follow his instruction or they will receive no rain in their country and there will be a plague. This blood moon is a precursor warning that this time is drawing near!"
NASA says tetrads have occurred previously, but they are rare and even more so when they occur on the biblical holidays of Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. When such tetrads have happened in the past, they have coincided with momentous events in the history of the Jewish people. The 1967 Six-Day War and the 1948 resurrection of the nation of Israel are two examples.
Biltz, who discovered the ties between the blood moons phenomenon and the religious days, has said it may indicate something historic.
"All these signs, coming together at one time, are potentially the culminating signals that God is closing this chapter of human history," Biltz said. "This could be the final curtain call before the Great Tribulation mentioned in the Bible. God has always wanted to warn His people, and the rest of the world, before He intervenes. What better way to communicate to us than through the universal language of heavenly signs that speak to every tribe, tongue, and nation?"
Media interested in interviewing Pastor Mark Biltz should email [email protected].