The water in a canal in Nootdorp, Holland turned blood red and it left some residents wondering about its symbolism. The Book of Revelation speaks of cataclysmic events that will mark the Second Coming of Christ. The Apostle John’s end times visions prophesied that oceans and rivers would turn blood red:

The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died. Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood. (Revelation 16:3-4 NASV)

An earlier verse in chapter 8 verse 8 says up to a third of the oceans will be affected. This implies not all the water will turn red, but obviously a significant amount and certainly enough to catch everyone’s attention.

In perhaps a precursor to this end time event, there are stories of water turning blood red in different parts of the world. The latest was in Nootdorp, Holland. 

The canal water — which apparently turned red over night — was videoed by American David Dilling. He described the water as  having a “blood-red, biblical colour.”

Local officials downplayed any apocalyptic overtones by suggesting bacteria played a role in the water turning red.

In the Book of Exodus, one of the judgments God sent against the Eqyptians was turning the Nile river — blood red (Exodus 7:14-24).  Psalm 78:43-49 — which lists the Exodus judgments — adds that God sent a “band of destroying angels” (v 49) into Egypt to cause these plagues. Similar to this, the Book of Revelation states angels will again be involved in waters turning red.

But blood red water is not isolated to just Holland.

Over the past couple of years, there have been a number of examples of this happening in different parts of the world. In each event, the red is attributed to natural phenomena ranging from salt to algae or bacteria. The Book of Revelation states angels will cause the red to happen, but It does not mention how they will do it. But the key will be the frequency and wide spread occurrence of the red water.

Texas lake turns red

In 2011, OC Fisher Reservoir in San Angelo State Park in Texas turned red. The area was experiencing a drought at the time and officials attributed it to natural phenomena.  But similar to the Biblical end times warning, all the fish in the water died and  officials warned people not to drink the water.

Paul Begley pastors Community Gospel Baptist Church in Knox, Ind. He made this interesting comment when he heard of the Texas lake turing red.

“I’m not saying that this Texas lake is these Scriptures in Revelation, but what I am saying is the Bible prophecies are slowly fulfilling themselves in the midst of an end time revelation – that we need to be right, we need to be saved, we need to be born again and ready to meet the coming King.”

Read: American lake turns blood-red, sparking end-time wonder: WND

Yangtze River, China turns red

In 2012, a part of the Yangtze River turned a bright red. It was described as a tomato red. Local officials have no idea what caused it. There is a natural phenomena called “Crimson Tide” where algae can turn stretches of ocean blood red. However, these algae are salt water based. Some have suggested it was caused by pollution.

Read: In bizarre turn, Yangtze River runs blood red

French lake turns red

A lake in Southern France turned blood red in August 2012. The Camargue is a marshy area in the Rhone deltas. It turned blood red while the lake waters on either side remained normal. Tourists were shocked by the colour. Officials blame high levels of salt in the water for the red.

Read: Extraordinary natural phenomena turned French beauty spot red: Daily Mail

Ohio lake turns red

In July of this year, waters in an Ohio lake turned red. Officials attributed it to Red Algae though tests so far have not revealed the cause. People were warned to stay away from the water. If it was caused by Red Algae, it produces a toxin similar to fire ants. The lake affected was located in Dillon State Park.

Commenting on the event, EPA spokesperson Diana Pierce said. “It’s a new issue. It’s literally something we hadn’t seen before.”

Read: Red algae latest danger to Ohio lakes: Columbus Dispatch

Canadian waterfall turns red

A waterfall in Canada turned blood red. The phenomena was caught by a professional photographer. In this case, officials suggest the red came from a storm up the mountain that produced a red run off.

Read: Canadian Rockies Waterfall Turns Blood Red: AOL Travel

Red tide Bondi beach, Australia

Ocean water turning does happen, but it is a rare event. Referred to as Crimson tide it is caused by algae. In November 2012, stunning images were taken of a red tide on Bondi beach in Australia. Biblical references to the oceans turning red may refer to this, but it will be on a massive and catastrophic scale.

Read: The crimson tide: Tourists in Australia flee as Bondi Beach turns into the ‘Red Sea’ because of rare algae bloom: Daily Mail

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• Dutch water turns blood red: WND