Scientists to expect the Earth to be hit by an asteroid in the future. Clark Chapman, from the Planetary Institute in Tucson, Az, and Dr. David Morrison, NASA's chief for Deep Space Research, stated in a co-authored article that they calculated a one in 10,000 chance of a 2 kilometer wide comet or asteroid hitting the Earth in the next century (Nature, January 6, 1994). In an interview on National Public Radio after this article was published, Dr. Morrison said that it now appears that Earth could have a major asteroid impact with the next 10 years. Recent discoveries have led scientists to believe that an asteroid impact off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. (NASA Spacelink, Comet Impact '94) This information has prompted scientists to study what the consequences might be form a major asteroid impact on Earth. The results are startling. If a one-mile wide asteroid impacts a landmass, everything with a 200-mile radius would be eliminated or decimated. A series of firestorms would follow. Trees and vegetation would be destroyed for hundreds of miles by fires and windstorms. The impact would shift the tectonic plates and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions would send ejecta, ash and soot into the atmosphere that would darken the sky for months. (Astronomy, September 1991) What's Happening? Earth's citizens have survived hurricanes, blizzards, fires, floods and earthquakes. The disasters are frightening and life changing for the people who are directly affected by them. However, the Bible predicts a series of events that make these disasters seem of little consequence and further, the Bible states that every person on planet earth will be affected. "Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken." (Luke 21:26) The last book in the Bible begins with these words: "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place...because the time is near." (Revelation 1:1-3) It seems hard to believe, but the events John saw in vision and then recorded in Revelation nearly 1900 years ago, scientists are now warning could happen soon. As you read the following passage of Scripture, imagine what a huge asteroid might look like coming towards planet Earth. Keep in mind that a small asteroid is approximately one mile in diameter, which is over 5,000 feet high -- about the size of a mountain! Asteroid Impact! Revelation 8:8 reads: "...something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turns into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. According to scientists at the University of California, an asteroid entering Earth's atmosphere would be so hot that when it hit an ocean, a large part of the ocean would become anoxic (oxygen deficient) by simple boiling the oxygen out of the water. An impact of this magnitude would also bring the deeper water of the ocean (which contains a smaller concentration of oxygen) to the surface. The temperature of the water would rise dramatically; killing whatever marine life was left. This warm, anoxic water would provide a perfect environment for the growth of red algae or the red tide. John said, "the sea turned into blood" which appropriately describes the appearance of red algae! It also states that "one third of the ships were destroyed," probably resulting from giant tsunamis created by the impact. There are approximately 5,000 oil tankers navigating the ocean -- imagine one thousand tankers breaking apart at the same time and spilling their contents into the ocean! The effect on islands and coastal communities caused by these oil spills and giant waves would be beyond description.Verses 10 describe a second impact on a landmass: "and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky." Scientists predict that if an asteroid or comet hit a landmass, earthquakes would occur for many days. Ground waves would shear water wells and sewer lines for hundreds of miles in all directions, mixing waste and pollution with water supplies causing many people to die. Revelation 8 portrays a series of earth-shattering events beginning with a global earthquake that is accompanied by peals of thunder, rumblings and flashes of lightening. A meteoric shower that will burn up 1/3 of the trees and all the green grass, followed by two asteroid impacts, follows these.These events are life ending and life changing for the entire world. Consider the most recent earthquake around the world and how disruptive life became for the people affected. Now, think of what effects caused by a global earthquake, which is followed by three events that are more horrific. "Disaster will come upon you, and you will not know how to conjure it away.

• published: 28 Jan 2014
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