What is the blood moon of Acts 2:20 and Revelation 6:12?

Consider the context of “the moon became as blood.” Revelation 6:12 (NIV), “I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red.” Removing the sixth seal symbolizes the opening and comprehending of hidden biblical truths.

"THE SUN" represents the light of the Gospel. At the cross, Jesus gave Himself as the ransom to free mankind from Adam’s death sentence. 1 Timothy 2:6, “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” The testimony and release from sin and death for the majority of mankind has obviously not yet happened. Presently, Jesus and His sacrifice are offensive to most people. “And he (Jesus) shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense…” Isaiah 8:14. Scriptural truths have been overshadowed by various human pseudoscience to reduce the value of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus as was depicted in the Cross.

“The moon became as blood.” If the truth of the Gospel of God represented by the sun was obscured, then the moon(moonlight is only a reflection of the sun’s light) represents the teachings of the Mosaic Law. The Law was a “shadow of good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1). The sacrifices of the Day of Atonement (Deuteronomy 16) depict the work of redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Some claim that the bloody sacrifices of the Jews (recorded in Exodus through Deuteronomy) were a barbaric act. Hence the moon (the Law sacrifices) seem bloody. But the Apostle Paul teaches these sacrifices were types of Jesus’ and His church’s sacrifices. They were the image of “better sacrifices,” Hebrews 9:23.

However, Acts 2:20 is referring to a literal eclipse of the moon. When Jesus was crucified on April 3, 33A.D., the sun was darkened (Matthew 27:45). Additionally, astronomical data reveals that there was a partial lunar eclipse. When the moon is eclipsed, it looks like it is a dark, blood red. Hence, the moon becoming as blood as both a literal and a symbolic fulfillment.

I do not understand what or who the bride of Christ is. Can you please explain?

The symbol of a marriage is applied to the union between Christ and the body of overcoming believers. The Bible refers to these overcoming saints as the “bride, the "Church of the living God", the "Little Flock", " the First-fruits", "the Firstborn", " a Royal Priesthood", "the Elect", "the Called, Chosen and Faithful”, the "Saints", "the Anointed", "Living Stones", and "the Lamb's wife", among other titles.

The purpose of preparing a bride for marriage to Christ is to bless mankind in the Kingdom of God. “And I John saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband …  and God (through Christ and His bride) shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away.” This bride is a "help-mate" to assist Jesus in this great work of bringing all mankind back into harmony with God during the resurrection.

In the Old Testament, the opportunity of betrothal was offered to the nation of Israel – "I will betroth you to me forever… in righteousness and justice… in loving kindness and mercy…in faithfulness and you shall know the LORD" (Hosea 2:19-20). All they had to do was to be faithful and obey.

John 3: 29 announced the arrival of the bridegroom, Jesus. Our Lord promised his betrothed that "In My Father's house are many dwelling places… I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2, 3).  

When Israel did not recognize the bridegroom Messiah, the opportunity to become the bride of Christ was opened to the gentiles. 2 Corinthians 11:2 and Ephesians 5:24-27 described Paul's hopes for the church-bride "… for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ".  He understood the requirements as a member of that bride reminding the early church "…Love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish".

During this present life, the betrothed church is encouraged to develop all of the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. (Galatians 5:22, 23) They are to bear each other in love in Ephesians 4. When the marriage takes place, the bride, the overcoming saints, is rewarded with the divine nature, “…ye might be partakers of the divine nature…” 2 Peter 1:4. Then there will be a time of great rejoicing in heaven, “…the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Revelation 19:6,7   

When should a church participate in the Lords communion?

1 Corinthians 11:26 tells us, "For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."

Some have taken this text and believe that it does not matter when or how often they partake of the bread and cup. They believe the more they do this, the better it is.

We think there is a deeper significance to these words. 1 Corinthians 5:7,8 say, "…Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast…" Jesus is our Passover or Pascal lamb. This partaking of the cup and the bread, called the Lord's Supper by the Apostle, is a replacement of the Jewish Passover. How often did God have the Jews celebrate the Passover? Luke 2:41 tells us, “…went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover."

The Passover was always eaten on the 14th of the Jewish month Nisan. We are so told in Leviticus 23:5 "In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover."

We know that some partake more often or at a different time than we believe the scriptures above show. While we may not agree with them on this point, we note the context of the whole book of Corinthians. (1 Corinthians 11:20-22 "Now when you come together at the same place, you are not really eating the Lord’s Supper. For when it is time to eat, everyone proceeds with his own supper. One is hungry and another becomes drunk. … Or are you trying to show contempt for the Church of God by shaming those who have nothing? … I do not praise you for this!”). The Apostle is not emphasizing the details and the correct time. His emphasis is on the heart attitude of reverence for our heavenly Father and love and appreciation for our Lord Jesus, and the family of God that we are privileged to share this with. This should also be our emphasis. Yes, we want to do things exactly as our Father has designed, but we mostly need to be humble and love all, even our enemies, especially our brethren.