It was a very close call, and was all the more onimous considering that the asteroid flew by on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, if you are into that sort of thing.
The Daily Mail reports that an asteroid, the size of a large bus (16 feet to 33 feet), missed earth by just 240 miles (386 km) last Friday. This is the closest an asteroid has come to hitting earth since astronomers started tracking what they describe as near earth objects.
What is perhaps equally concerning is that astronomers who track asteroids had no idea this happened until Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System located on Mauna Loa, Hawaii saw it flying away the next day.
However, even if it had hit earth, it is suspected the asteroid named 2020 VT4 would have burned up in the earth’s atmosphere. In order for an asteroid to reach earth and potentially cause damage, it’s needs to be at least 25 meters (82 feet) in size and for it to have a global impact the asteroid would need to be at least 1 to 2 miles in size (.6 to 1.2 KMs)
But there are other concerns, this year has seen the record for asteroid near misses broken twice. The record was first set in August when an asteroid slightly smaller than 2020 VT4 missed earth by 1,830 miles and then that record was broken again last week.
But according to the Bible, asteroids will play a major role in the end times leading up to Christ’s second coming. When Jesus was discussing the birth pangs leading to His return in Luke, the Lord spoke of terrors from the heaven:
11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. (Luke 21:11 ESV)
Notice how Jesus referred to them as “terrors,” suggesting something was going to happen that would cause a global panic, but then He added that these would serve as warning signs to people living on earth.
As we move into the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John’s vision of the end times, he writes that asteroids will play a role in end times events and provides more specific detail.
His description of an asteroid hit in Revelation 8 is probably the most concerning, because he specifically addressed the statement by astronomers, that an asteroid has to be massive, at least 1 to 2 miles in size (.6 to 1.2 KMs), to have a global impact.
In his vision, John described seeing an asteroid the size of a flaming mountain slamming into an ocean.
8 The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was hurled into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, 9 and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed. (Revelation 8:8-9 NASV)
An asteroid this size would undoubtedly cause several massive tsunamis which would explain the destruction of a third of the ships. Coincidentally, astronomers suggested that if 2020 VT4 hit earth, it would have probably exploded over the Pacific Ocean.
So 2020 is gaining yet more notoriety.
As if two record setting asteroid near misses wasn’t enough, Jesus also warned of plagues (pestilences) as another sign of His imminent return (Luke 21:11).
Some might suggest that God sent 2020 as a way to catch our attention.
OpentheWord.org 