Could an asteroid soon bring about the end of the world?

Amid news of asteroid Bennu's possible collision with Earth, various articles have tried to illustrate its immediate and long-term impact on our planet.

This includes a research article from Science Advances that mentions drastic changes in the planet's climate and ecosystems.

Reading such articles, I can't help but recall the various disasters foretold in the Apocalypse. It's as though the writer of this book has known all along how all of these calamities can take place one by one.

I can't help but be amazed at how an ancient prophecy can match our modern scientific predictions. After all, the one who saw it had none of our telescopes nor technological equipment to foresee even slightly how such events could take place scientifically.

What are these disasters and how do they closely resemble the potential impact of an asteroid hitting the earth?

"Then I watched while he broke open the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake..." - Revelation 6:12 (NABRE)

An asteroid hitting the earth would generate earthquakes or tsunamis that can quickly claim millions of lives.

"When the fourth angel blew his trumpet, a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them became dark. The day lost its light for a third of the time, as did the night. Then I looked again and heard an eagle flying high overhead cry out in a loud voice, 'Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth from the rest of the trumpet blasts that the three angels are about to blow!'" - Revelation 8:12-13 (NABRE)

The impact of a large asteroid colliding with Earth could send dust and other debris into the atmosphere and alter our climate. Such particles in the air could prevent sunlight from fully reaching the earth.

"When he broke open the third seal, I heard the third living creature cry out, 'Come forward.' I looked, and there was a black horse, and its rider held a scale in his hand. I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures. It said, 'A ration of wheat costs a day's pay, and three rations of barley cost a day's pay.'" - Revelation 6:5-6 (NABRE)

Changes in the earth's climate could result in lower precipitation or rainfall as well as lower temperatures. Together with reduced sunlight and other consequences of the collision, the earth could experience a shortage in food supply for the succeeding years.

"When the second angel blew his trumpet, something like a large burning mountain was hurled into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were wrecked. When the third angel blew his trumpet, a large star burning like a torch fell from the sky. It fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The star was called 'Wormwood,' and a third of all the water turned to wormwood. Many people died from this water, because it was made bitter." - Revelation 8:8-11 (NABRE)

One mineral that may be found in an asteroid is iron. This and the iron in the earth's crust that may be dispersed due to the asteroid's collision, could eventually find its way to the earth's waters and cause algae blooms, turning the water as red as blood.

"The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun. It was given the power to burn people with fire. People were burned by the scorching heat and blasphemed the name of God who had power over these plagues, but they did not repent or give him glory." - Revelation 16:8-9 (NABRE)

One possible impact of the asteroid hitting the earth is the eventual depletion of the ozone layer by as much as 32 percent. When the ozone gets damaged, UV levels also go up. The harmful effects on our health due to sun exposure can multiply as well.

"Large hailstones like huge weights came down from the sky on people, and they blasphemed God for the plague of hail because this plague was so severe." - Revelation 16:21 (NABRE)

I have yet to see this one in the articles written about the potential impact of asteroid Bennu on Earth. However, considering the drastic changes in the earth's atmosphere and the impact winter caused by the various debris and particles that block the sun brought about by an asteroid's collision, I think that the formation of large hailstones would be a possibility.

The devastation caused by a single large asteroid colliding with Earth can bring about unprecedented changes of apocalyptic proportions.

In the Bible, the end has often been foretold through drastic signs in the heavens, including the sun, the moon and the stars.

But what if these stars also meant to refer to asteroids that could hit the earth one after another?

Some people may say that the disasters written in the Book of Revelation could just be coincidences to the actual damage that can be inflicted by a crashing asteroid. But what if we have already been warned long ago? What if the time for some of these prophecies to take place is very near?

The smaller asteroid 2024 YR4 can hit our planet on December 22, 2032, or just 7 years from now. Meanwhile, the possible impact of the larger one called Bennu may be felt in 2182 or in about 157 years. And this doesn't include those asteroids that our present technology may fail to see in time.

This doesn't mean that we should panic. Anxiety wouldn't get us anywhere good. What we can do, however, is to reflect deeper into the way we live our lives.

If an unforeseen asteroid suddenly comes, how prepared would we be spiritually? Have we lived each day fully by loving God and neighbor? Have we found those things that would last for eternity?

Luxurious bunkers and underground facilities can only provide limited assurance in the face of such calamities. How long can the mountains hide us from the face of Him who comes in glory?

When Jesus Christ finally comes, would He indeed still find faith on Earth?

"Then I watched while he broke open the sixth seal...The stars in the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs shaken loose from the tree in a strong wind. Then the sky was divided like a torn scroll curling up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. The kings of the earth, the nobles,the military officers, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid themselves in caves and among mountain crags. They cried out to the mountains and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come and who can withstand it?'" - Revelation 6:12-17 (NABRE)

You may also want to read "Can Underground Bunkers Survive The Apocalypse?" and "Where Is God When Disasters Happen?"