This link from my friend Olli-Pekka. In ancient times comets were once thought to be the harbingers of doom, signalling an end to the reign of kings and bringing with them the promise of plagues and pestilence. Much of the superstition surrounding comets may have disappeared with the increase in scientific knowledge, but the heavens are still capturing the minds of many in our world today. A comet in the constellation of Perseus is causing quite a fuss. Comet Holmes remained virtually undetectable until October 24th, when it increased in brightness by a million times within the space of a few hours. The comet can now be seen by the naked eye, and its dust cloud continues to expand to where it is now half the diameter of the moon. 

 Quote: "The comet, which follows an unusual orbit between Mars and Jupiter, is a million times brighter than normal, according to Sky and Telescope Magazine. Comet Holmes has undergone a dramatic, and unexplained, increase in size. It is now visible easily to the naked eye as a brilliant ball in the north east night sky. Its sudden activity -- the comet began its outburst Oct. 24 -- has captured the imagination of amateur astronomers around the world, including Ottawa's Shane Finnigan. On every clear night for the past week, sometimes past midnight, Mr. Finnigan has been in his backyard, watching the comet through his 120-millimetre telescope. "It just keeps getting bigger and bigger," said Mr. Finnigan, 43, a member of the Ottawa Valley Astronomy and Observers Group. "This is the talk of everybody in astronomy right now because it's quite an unusual comet."

The book of Genesis tells us that the heavens were created to mark signs, seasons, days and years (Genesis 1:14). We have a few signs already mentioned in the Scriptures, for example the Magi saw "His star" in the east, announcing the birth of the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2). The Lord also states that the days prior to His Second Coming would be characterized by signs in the heavens. 

Luke 21:25-26
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

The thought just occurred to me... Just as the Lord's birth was marked by a dramatic event in the heavens - the appearance of a new star or perhaps supernova as some have thought, perhaps the Lord's Second Coming to earth will also be marked by a similar event in the heavens. Following the time of Jacob's trouble, the Lord states in Matthew 24:30 that there shall appear the "sign of the Son of Man" in heaven. And when those dwelling on earth witness this sign, they will realize that the coming of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is at hand. Whatever that sign is, it seems it will be clearly distinguishable to those on earth as being "His sign". And then shall all the tribes of earth mourn. Why? Because He is coming back to judge the world in righteousness, and they have left it too late. Present day events reveal to us how close we are to Christ's Second Coming to the earth. But I believe their remains no prophecy to be fulfilled before Christ's coming to the air for His Church. Are you part of the Bride of Christ? Have your sins been forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ? Don't leave it too late. 

Matthew 25:10-12
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Source Canada, Space Weather

Astronomers involved in a new online project to create a digital map of the heavens have discovered that most galaxies rotate anti-clockwise from the viewpoint of an observer on earth. A robotic telescope based in New Mexico has been taking images of the million brightest galaxies for the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The images are then made available online at the Galaxy Zoo website, where people from all over the world can categorize them as either spiral or elliptical shaped galaxies. The website has received millions of hits within a few days, enabling them to carry out the work in a short space of time. The astronomers were surprised to note that most spiral galaxies rotate in the same direction, in a clockwise fashion around the earth.

Quote: "The survey has revealed that the collections of millions of stars, dust, gas and planets in galaxies prefer to rotate anticlockwise from the viewpoint of an observer on Earth. Traditionally astronomers have believed that galaxies would spin either clockwise or anti-clockwise in equal proportion. But these observations would seem to suggest that either a mysterious force is acting on them or that the universe is in some way lopsided.

There is a third explanation, that the Milky Way is somewhere near the centre of the universe. The traditional evolutionary view is that the earth is an insignificant planet, in an insignificant solar system, located in an insignificant galaxy which formed a few billion years after the "big bang". It is interesting that Doppler red-shift, light that is stretched due to stars moving away from us, is also apparently observable in every direction. I'm not a scientist and I haven't studied astronomy, but I believe according to Scriptures that the earth is right at the centre of God's creation. I love to think about the galaxies, and the hundreds of billions of stars and planets there may be out there. We are not told in Scripture that there is life on any of them. The Bible states that the earth was created first, and the heavens were created on the fourth day. So the earth occupies a special place in God's creation, and in His heart. But there is something of more value than all of these things to God... you and me. God left heaven and came to earth for us. He took upon Himself the form of a man and died upon a cross, so that worthless people like us could have a relationship with Him - the King of the universe. How can we have a relationship with God? Through His Son Jesus Christ. Just come to him as a sinner in need of a Saviour, and put your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today. He has promised that all who come to Him, He will in no wise cast out (John 6:37).

I believe God may have also created the heavens so we could enjoy them forever. I think that the Lord has put a desire in man's heart to explore His creation. That was the commandment given to Adam and Eve in the beginning, to fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). Perhaps after the Lord returns, we will be able to witness God's wonderful universe first-hand.

2nd Peter 3:11-14
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Isaiah 65:17-18
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

Source Telegraph

Not much has been happening lately. At least not counting Iranian President Ahmadinejad's speech in the Columbia University yesterday. But I have no desire to comment on that. I think it was extremely foolish to allow Ahmadinejad a platform from which to broadcast his views, even if they are vigorously opposed by members of the university. There's something just not right about honouring a man such as this. The Bible states that all government is ordained of God (Romans 13), but Mordecai the Jew did not bow before wicked Haman, and neither should we reverence a man who is plotting the downfall of the Jewish state. On the one hand Ahmadinejad says the Jews are our friends, and on the other hand Iranian scientists are helping Syria arm their missiles with chemical warheads.

Scientists are still puzzled over the meteor strike which occurred in Peru last week. Witnesses have described the incident as a fiery ball falling from the sky, and smashing into the Andean plane. The impact left an elliptical crater around 6 metres deep and 30 metres wide. The meteor was followed by many smaller objects around the size of stones. The water within the crater boiled for around 10 minutes after the impact, and around two hundred people who came near the site experienced dizziness and vomiting after inhaling sulphurous fumes. Doctors have found no cause of illness associated with the meteor itself. Scientists have said that it is unlikely that a meteor would bring up much gas from the earth, and no source of radiation has yet been discovered. Scientists could not explain the boiling of the water, stating that meteors should be cold after hitting the ground. But they believe that the object is definitely a meteor, and could have been around 10 feet in diameter before breaking up in the atmosphere.

Quote: "Justina Limache, 74, told the Lima daily El Comercio that when she heard the thunderous roar from the sky, she abandoned her flock of alpacas and ran home with her 8-year-old granddaughter. She said that after the meteorite struck, small rocks rained down on the roof of her house for several minutes and she feared the house was going to collapse. Modesto Montoya, a member of the medical team, told El Comercio that fear may have provoked psychosomatic ailments. "When a meteorite falls, it produces horrid sounds when it makes contact with the atmosphere," he said. "It is as if a giant rock is being sanded. Those sounds could have frightened them."

I can't help wondering, if that is what a 10 foot meteor does to the earth, what must the impact of a mile wide asteroid be like? The Bible states in the book of Revelation that during the tribulation period, a "mountain burning with fire" will be cast into the sea. John records that he saw a third of life that was in the sea perished, and a third part of the ships were destroyed. With the Asian Tsunami in December 2004, we have already seen what can happen in the sea following a major earthquake. You can imagine the loss of life, not only when a third part of the ships - and all their occupants, are destroyed. World governments have constructed a tsunami warning system which will alert people of the probability of a tsunami following a major earthquake. But it is most unlikely that such a system will be any use in the event of an asteroid impact. On several occasions the earth has experienced a near miss with a massive asteroid, with little or no advanced warning. It may only be a matter of time before Shoemaker Levi 9 is happening on earth.

Revelation 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.

Source Arutz 7, Fox News

This fascinating link from my friend Olli-Pekka. A meteorite that landed in Peru has caused around a dozen people to experience what seems to be radiation sickness. The meteorite landed in the province of Chicuito, resulting in a crater 6 metres deep and 30 metres wide. Citizens of Chicuito reported seeing a glowing rock, and experienced dizziness, migraines and vomiting spells after coming into contact with the object. The Puno Regional Health Directorate have sent a specialist team to the area to take earth and water samples from the crater and surrounding area.

Quote: "In addition, Tejada stated that a health brigade, consisting of doctors and nurses would be sent to the landing site to aid people that had reported health problems after having gotten close to the supposed meteorite. "Between 10 and 12 people have reported dizziness, migraines and in some cases vomiting. They assure that after having had close contact with the object the symptoms began," stated Tejada. Furthermore, Tejada stated that check ups would be performed and that it had not been discarded that the symptoms could be related to the glowing object which fell from the sky. "They are healthy people, it could be (due to) radiation, we don't know, we are assuming, it's worth investigating. Things will be clearer tomorrow," stated Tejada.

As my friend Olli-Pekka said, the timing of this event is quite intriguing considering yesterday's article on the star Wormwood. For if it turns out that the Chernobyl nuclear disaster isn't directly related to the prophecy in the book of Revelation, it is possible for a meteorite to cause radiation sickness and to contaminate a third part of the earth's water supplies. As we saw in the Chernobyl disaster, the cloud of deadly radiation spread throughout Europe. It's effects were witnessed even in my own country which is thousands of miles away from the Ukraine, even though only a small part of the reactor's nuclear fuel was released. Today we are seeing a foreshadowing of the judgements mentioned in the book of Revelation, tomorrow it will be happening for real. Turn to Christ for salvation while it is still today, for "today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts", Hebrews 3:15.

Revelation 8:10-11
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; 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.

Source Living In Peru