Many of you probably heard that an aircraft carrier-sized asteroid passed by Earth yesterday. The asteroid attracted a lot of media attention as it reportedly was the largest asteroid to approach close to Earth since 1976. According to a Purdue University computer simulation, the asteroid would have triggered a magnitude 7.0 earthquake and a 4,000 megaton explosion if it impacted the earth or created a gigantic tsunami if it crashed into the ocean.
Reading about the giant asteroid and the amount of destruction it could have caused if it struck Earth led me to think of the speculation about a giant space object crashing into Earth and wiping out all life in the future. I concluded after thinking about the speculation that it would be a good idea to write an article about the topic because the topic is probably going to be something that is discussed a lot more by the media as we approach December 21, 2012.
- Therefore, today I share my thoughts on the possibility of an asteroid/comet/meteor destroying all life on Earth in the future.
I believe there is no need to worry about an asteroid/comet/meteor destroying all life on Earth in the future. The reason is that the Bible does not talk about a future event that wipes out all life on Earth. In fact, the Bible actually talks about conditions on Earth actually becoming more conducive to living longer during the Millennium (which comes after all the chaos during the End Times) in Isaiah 65:19-20:
- Isa 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
- Isa 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
I think the closest thing Earth may see to a major asteroid/comet/meteor collision in the future is the third trumpet judgment. The third trumpet judgment calls for a “great star” named “Wormwood” to impact Earth, particularly Earth’s water sources:
- Rev 8:10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
- Rev 8:11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
The poisoning of the water will kill many people, but mankind will not become extinct by this event. We know that life will not be completely wiped out because an angel says “Woe, woe, woe, to the inhibiters of the earth” after the sounding of the fourth trumpet (there would be no reason to mention the inhabitants of the earth if there no longer was anyone alive on Earth).
- Rev 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
- Rev 8:13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
Similarly, there will still be people alive to endure the rest of the trumpet judgments, the bowl judgments, etc. The worst of the Apocalypse won’t result in the end of life on Earth.
I am not saying that it is impossible for Earth to be hit by a significant object from space in the future. I am saying that it is virtually impossible for all life, including human life, to be completely eliminated by a significant object from space. The Bible suggests that there will still be life on Earth even after the planet endures God’s judgments during the End Times, including the judgment that features Wormwood. Therefore, people should not get caught up in any speculation/hype that all life will cease to exist if/when a major space object collides with Earth or comes close to colliding with Earth.
12 comments: (+add yours?)
What about the second trumpet? Rev. 8:8-9 "And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain
burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea
became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed." What is your opinion on what this is?
My article on the second trumpet: http://bit.ly/b8D2Q4
Considering the whole sweep of the Trumpets, Vials, quakes throughout the Revelation, the destruction of Babylon, and the opening of the Bottomless Pit, which may be the Lake of Fire.... When enough earth and water are taken out of this world to accomplish the first resurrection (mass resurrection), then the rivers will dry up, the remaining oceans turn bitter, and a gouge in the earth comparable to a supervolcano (cp. release of Abaddon and the locust) might occur. Just a possibility.
I think Revelation 8:9-10 suggests that the main contributor to the water becoming unhealthy to drink is the "great star". However, I think it may be possible that the events prior to the sounding of third trumpet could help to contribute to the water becoming unhealthy to drink on a small-scale. The "great star" would then be the catalyst that makes water really unhealthy to drink.
Easy for me to agree since the Trumpets seem to be the 1st third of the Vials.
I currently see the trumpets occurring before the vials, but my view on that is subject to change as my research continues.
The Trumpets do occur before the Vials. What's started in each of them is finished in the other almost in lock-step fashion. Not sure whether the entire Trumpets sequence ends before the Vials begin.
I may write an article on this topic once I'm done with the Ezekiel 38, Ezekiel 39, and other related Bible prophecy verses/chapters study.
I trust it all dovetails together. It was a blessing this last week to recognize a parallel (actually a contrast in kind) between Rev. 6-7 and Rev. 17-18. The capital city of the damned of course is great babylon (re: chps. 17-18). The interesting point is where New Jerusalem is being built now. Chp. 7 is a candidate, since we have the Great Multitude assembled about the Throne (contrast "great babylon").
That helps reinforce the "folded structure" of the Revelation, basically as:
01..............22
02-03.........21
04-05....19-20
06-07....17-18
08-09....15-16
....10___14....
....11.....13....
...12a....12b...
So 08-09 are Trumpets and 15-16 are Vials.
04-05 with 19-20 have major Throne scenes
(Mercy Seat vs. Judgment Seat)
02-03 shows the Lamb in the midst of His churches
21 shows the Lamb in the midst of New Jerusalem
As for Ezk. 38-39, no doubt you know calculus and understand limits. This must be after Rev. 13 since Israel dwells in peace. By the time we get to gog being fed to the birds Ezk. 39:04, that's Rev. 20:08.
So many calamities occur in Rev. 15-16 that it's not likely Israel is at peace as in Ezk. 38:11. Note how the lower limit has moved from Rev. 13 to past 15-16. Should also be after 18 since I can't see Israel at peace till great babylon is destroyed. That leaves 19-20.
Hope the spacing doesn't collapse in this comment.
It seems the spacing turned out fine. Thanks for taking the time to share that. It's the first time I've seen something like you've proposed
You're very welcome. Thank you for your own well considered contributions! All to Christ's pleasure and glory, I hope and pray.
Thank you :)
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