Asteroid Impact

Scientific Lunacy or
Bible Prophecy?
(Page 5)

 

• Bible Predictions

Since Martin Luther’s separation from the Church of Rome in the 16th century, Bible prophecy has had many powerful expositors. In fact, many prophetic views are expressed daily on radio and TV. Notwithstanding this diversity that confuses so many of us, it might surprise you to learn that one of the first individuals to predict a future, literal fulfillment of Revelation 8:7-12 (where meteoric showers and asteroid impacts are described) was Dr. Josiah Litch, an 19th century Methodist minister from the northeastern United States. Even though he eventually left the Methodist Church, he remained a devout student of the Bible. Years later, in 1873, he published a book titled, A complete Harmony of Daniel and the Apocalypse." (Published by Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfinger, Philadelphia)

Consider these texts from Revelation and his insightful comments that follow: "The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up." (Revelation 8:7) Dr. Litch wrote: "The result following the sounding of this trumpet was hail and fire mingled with blood. This was in part – the fire and the hail – one of the plagues of Egypt, sent as judgments upon a perverse and willful king. That blood should be mingled with it is nothing strange, for bloody showers have fallen at divers times both in this and other lands, authentic accounts of which are still in existence. The effect of this judgment will be the burning up of one third part of the trees and all green grass. It may be objected, perhaps, that such things are exceedingly improbable, and can never literally transpire; but whoever can have faith in the literality of the plagues of Egypt can have no difficulty in believing in the literality of this prediction." (Page 156)

Consider this verse and his comments: "The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed." (Revelation 8:8,9) "That such [the turning of the water to blood] was the result of this meteoric fiery mass the Scriptures plainly assert: let those doubt them who may; we cleave to God’s word; what it so unequivocally asserts we believe." (Page 157)

Last, consider this text and his comments: "The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water -- the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter." (Revelation 8:10,11) "The falling of meteors of various sizes is so common an event, and the evidence of the existence of such bodies in space so abundant, that there need be nothing incredible in the fall of one so bitter as to embitter the waters of rivers and fountains so as to poison them and cause the death of those who drink them. The statement is a literal one, "there fell a great star from heaven." [He quotes from the KJV.] (page 158)

• Better Data

Nearly 125 years have passed since Dr. Litch penned these words on Revelation 8. Is his interpretation right? More and more Bible students from many denominations think so. Today, the scientific data supports his conclusion for a literal interpretation of Revelation 8. A number of studies have produced results that are amazingly consistent with the Bible. Even though we have photographs from the Hubble Space Telescope showing the impacts on Jupiter and there are numerous craters on Earth lined with iridium – proof positive of previous asteroid impacts – many people still disbelieve the plainest words of Scripture. Back in 1873, Dr. Litch’s comments were received by religious leaders much like the comments of Dr. Alvarez were received in 1978 by his colleagues. But nevertheless, the truth stands clear: asteroids have impacted Earth and wrought much destruction. Since 1978 science has dramatically changed its mind. Indeed, there is evidence of the clearest magnitude confirming that asteroid impacts have happened, and scientists are predicting they are going to occur again.

However, a serious problem still exists! The Bible believing community has not caught on yet. Scientists are broadcasting the very things that preachers should be proclaiming from their pulpits. But, many preachers and teachers have not considered that the prophecies actually concern the majority of people on Earth. In fact among Christians, there seems to be a serious omission of prophetic study altogether. Shouldn’t Bible-believing people be as willing to update their views as scientists have been? Ten years ago, the notion that Earth had experienced asteroid impacts was scientific lunacy. Today, the evidence is overwhelming. Dr. Litch predicted, 125 years ago, the future fulfillment of Revelation 8 – meteoric showers and asteroid impacts as heralds of Christ’s Second Coming, but alas, those who should be anticipating the fulfillment of Scripture don’t seem to grasp the idea that God has a comprehensive plan for everyone on this planet. What is wrong with this picture? Answer: Religious traditions.

 

   

 

© Wake Up America Seminars, Inc., 1999