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We haven't had a foray into the strange and fringe for a good while, so I pass this along for the UFO-logists in the group.
As you know, I love quantifiable data to use as a benchmark for comparing events to history. I think it helps us stay grounded and not get carried away too far with prophetic newspaper exegesis. In this UFO report from the National UFO Reporting Center, they say that fireball sightings have increased tremendously.
We know that Revelation is an orderly UN-creating of the universe as opposed to Genesis which is the account of Creation. In Revelation we read that the mountains will fall, rivers will dry up, houses will topple, stars will plummet, the sun will go out...
Just before that uncreation, the Lord will collect His bride in the rapture and take us to heaven. Even so, we were told to look for signs that will precede this time that will be so devastating no flesh would survive if Jesus had not cut short the days. Matthew 24:29 says that at the end of the Tribulation the stars will fall. Celestial things will happen and in my opinion it is no surprise that we see a foretaste now of what will happen in the Tribulation. In the context of His talk about the end of the age, Jesus said to be on guard! Why? "I have told you these things beforehand." (Mark 13:23).
So here is a bit of news that's 'out there' in more ways than one!
NUFORC INUNDATED WITH SIGHTING REPORTS DURING JUNE AND JULY 2012
"We apologize for the long delay in updating our website and database of reports. Our last posting was July 4th. The delay is explained by the fact that we have received an unusually large volume of reports, and we are working on a full-time basis to get them all proof-read, and posted to our site."
"Part of the explanation for the increase in sightings is the several radio programs that Peter Davenport, NUFORC Director, has made appearances on, in order to discuss the high volume of reports of “fireballs” that we have been receiving since June 2011. Whereas a typical number of reports submitted per month to NUFORC over the last 17 years has been 250-350, during June we received 974, and we have received 1,052 during July. The majority of the reports from the last two months appear to be about the “fireballs,” which we have discussed frequently over the past year. This type of sighting appears to have increased significantly, within the last month or two, and they now dominate the reports we are receiving."
Here is another piece of news. I often report on sinkholes. They frequently happen when a long-undiscovered or a recently catastrophic failure of a water pipe saturates the ground underneath and suddenly the top-pavement gives way. This is nothing unusual. Slightly more unusual, Florida in particular has endured a spate of sinkhole events over the last three years. So much so that a legislative session was called to re-regulate the insurance industry covering these swarms of claims coming in, and when that didn't work they simply stopped covering sinkholes in many cases.
Even more unusual are the sinkholes that happen in cities. The Guatemala City sinkhole in 2010 was a surprise and a shock to many, it looked exactly like a shaft of hell had opened up.
Well now one has opened up in Brooklyn NY of all places.
Giant sinkhole opens up in Brooklyn; nearly eats car [Updated]
The Earth went looking for a snack in Brooklyn on Wednesday when a twenty-foot deep, twenty-foot-wide sinkhole opened up between Fourth and Fifth Avenues in Bay Ridge at about 6 p.m., according to CBS. Several cars lined the collapsed portion of the street. Fortunately, the sinkhole didn't swallow any vehicles; however, it got at least a taste of one that leaned into the gaping hole. “We’re so blessed," said the Zen-like car owner. "If we were five minutes later or anything, we could have been in the hole." Another cavity formed earlier in the summer in the same neighborhood. The cause is unknown and we're not geologists, but our recollection of high school earth science tells us this is a pretty clear-cut case of an undernourished Earth."
Ah! the update later says that the cause was a sewer line break, so the case is perfectly normal.
What I always find interesting about these events, whether they are explainable as normal or not, is the language used to report on them, and the reaction to them. People are skittish these days. You see it in the reporting. Maybe because I live with words and both my professions have been working with words (teacher, editor) I am tuned to the nuances of how a general trend in reporting goes. I've mentioned often that lately the news reports from Mainstream Media have used apocalyptic references and language, even some bible verses. I do not think this is because all those reporters are Christians, I think it is that though they are likely not saved, they are responding to the verse in Romans 1:18-20:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
As for the response of people in reading these reports, they remind me of the verse in Luke 21:25b
"...distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,"
That is not to be taken literally. The sea and the waves are a metaphor for the peoples of the earth in clamor, as the waves of judgment come roaring one after the other, faster and faster. The metaphor is used in like manner in Isaiah 8:7-8, and explained in Isaiah 57:20.
Don't you feel that people are pretty skittish these days? Spooked? On edge? Look what happened in the days after Aurora shootings at theaters around the country. In one PA theater, they thought they saw a gun and there was a panic stampede out the door. It doesn't take much to get people to act crazy these days. And for good reason!
This essay by Grant Phillips called Chaos to Glory really sums things up:
"So many souls, Christians and non-Christians, live in fear and dread today. Thousands are without jobs, or barely making a living. Retirement funds have disappeared into the pockets of thieves. The elderly are wondering how they are going to make it. It’s always been tough for them, but it’s getting worse, much worse. And then there is Obamacare. Plans for college have been put on hold or forgotten. Those graduating from colleges, universities, trade schools, etc. are shocked to find nothing there for them."
"The cost of … well … everything, keeps going up, but the funds that come in the household have remained at the same level, shrunk or vanished. The only ones not feeling the effects are the wealthy and very wealthy. Nature has turned against man and taken his homes in floods, wildfires and other “natural” disasters. There is too much rain in some areas, and too much drought in others. Winter skipped Spring and went directly to Summer, and Summer is here with a blast. Extreme heat has broken over 4,500 records."
"Any crime you care to mention is out of control. Our police agencies are swamped, and our jails and prisons are bursting at the seams. We may soon be hearing about the largest bank scandal in history. It is alleged that twenty major banks have been fixing interest rates for years. If this is true, it will affect the global financial system, and major Banks could crumble."
"Diseases are rampant. New wars are anticipated. Earthquakes are breaking out around the globe. Volcanoes are waking up. Violent storms are moving over the oceans and headed toward land. And I’ve hardly scratched the surface. Is there anything that could possibly give us hope for a better day? All that is around us is nothing but utter chaos, and is worsening by the day. Suicides are up because people are losing hope. Can there possibly be sunshine at the end of this long tunnel?"
Yes! He goes on to cite the verses that give us hope. His essay is worth the read. I would make one editorial change to his piece, lol, if I may be permitted. Chaos is a good word to use for the lost. They see the world coming apart and it seems like chaos to them. But NOT to us. Jesus is in perfect control. Remember the verse above: why should be be in guard? Because, "I have told you these things beforehand." That should actually give us comfort. It was planned between Him, the Father and the Spirit, it is coming to pass and it will come to its conclusion, just like He said.
That also means His plan for us will come to pass. In his piece, Grant cite his hope verses, and I'll cite mine now:
"So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
"Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you." (Psalm 86:2)
His holiness shows us that He can and will do it. His resurrection shows us He can and will do it. Prophecy shows us He can and will do it. So do not be afraid, even if a sinkhole opens up under us or a fireball flies by our eyes, He saves his servants who trust in Him. You know what some of the definitions of the Hebrew word for 'saves' means? Delivers, endowed with salvation, gained the victory! Because He lives, we are in Him, endowed with the greatest treasure of all, salvation by our Savior and knowledge of our Lord.
Even if a sinkhole opens beneath me, I shall proclaim Him! Even if a fireball streaks in front of me, I shall point to Him! In the panic and tumult around me, I exalt Him, the Prince of Peace!
"...be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11b)
As you know, I love quantifiable data to use as a benchmark for comparing events to history. I think it helps us stay grounded and not get carried away too far with prophetic newspaper exegesis. In this UFO report from the National UFO Reporting Center, they say that fireball sightings have increased tremendously.
We know that Revelation is an orderly UN-creating of the universe as opposed to Genesis which is the account of Creation. In Revelation we read that the mountains will fall, rivers will dry up, houses will topple, stars will plummet, the sun will go out...
Just before that uncreation, the Lord will collect His bride in the rapture and take us to heaven. Even so, we were told to look for signs that will precede this time that will be so devastating no flesh would survive if Jesus had not cut short the days. Matthew 24:29 says that at the end of the Tribulation the stars will fall. Celestial things will happen and in my opinion it is no surprise that we see a foretaste now of what will happen in the Tribulation. In the context of His talk about the end of the age, Jesus said to be on guard! Why? "I have told you these things beforehand." (Mark 13:23).
So here is a bit of news that's 'out there' in more ways than one!
NUFORC INUNDATED WITH SIGHTING REPORTS DURING JUNE AND JULY 2012
"We apologize for the long delay in updating our website and database of reports. Our last posting was July 4th. The delay is explained by the fact that we have received an unusually large volume of reports, and we are working on a full-time basis to get them all proof-read, and posted to our site."
"Part of the explanation for the increase in sightings is the several radio programs that Peter Davenport, NUFORC Director, has made appearances on, in order to discuss the high volume of reports of “fireballs” that we have been receiving since June 2011. Whereas a typical number of reports submitted per month to NUFORC over the last 17 years has been 250-350, during June we received 974, and we have received 1,052 during July. The majority of the reports from the last two months appear to be about the “fireballs,” which we have discussed frequently over the past year. This type of sighting appears to have increased significantly, within the last month or two, and they now dominate the reports we are receiving."
Here is another piece of news. I often report on sinkholes. They frequently happen when a long-undiscovered or a recently catastrophic failure of a water pipe saturates the ground underneath and suddenly the top-pavement gives way. This is nothing unusual. Slightly more unusual, Florida in particular has endured a spate of sinkhole events over the last three years. So much so that a legislative session was called to re-regulate the insurance industry covering these swarms of claims coming in, and when that didn't work they simply stopped covering sinkholes in many cases.
Even more unusual are the sinkholes that happen in cities. The Guatemala City sinkhole in 2010 was a surprise and a shock to many, it looked exactly like a shaft of hell had opened up.
Well now one has opened up in Brooklyn NY of all places.
Giant sinkhole opens up in Brooklyn; nearly eats car [Updated]
The Earth went looking for a snack in Brooklyn on Wednesday when a twenty-foot deep, twenty-foot-wide sinkhole opened up between Fourth and Fifth Avenues in Bay Ridge at about 6 p.m., according to CBS. Several cars lined the collapsed portion of the street. Fortunately, the sinkhole didn't swallow any vehicles; however, it got at least a taste of one that leaned into the gaping hole. “We’re so blessed," said the Zen-like car owner. "If we were five minutes later or anything, we could have been in the hole." Another cavity formed earlier in the summer in the same neighborhood. The cause is unknown and we're not geologists, but our recollection of high school earth science tells us this is a pretty clear-cut case of an undernourished Earth."
Ah! the update later says that the cause was a sewer line break, so the case is perfectly normal.
What I always find interesting about these events, whether they are explainable as normal or not, is the language used to report on them, and the reaction to them. People are skittish these days. You see it in the reporting. Maybe because I live with words and both my professions have been working with words (teacher, editor) I am tuned to the nuances of how a general trend in reporting goes. I've mentioned often that lately the news reports from Mainstream Media have used apocalyptic references and language, even some bible verses. I do not think this is because all those reporters are Christians, I think it is that though they are likely not saved, they are responding to the verse in Romans 1:18-20:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
As for the response of people in reading these reports, they remind me of the verse in Luke 21:25b
"...distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,"
That is not to be taken literally. The sea and the waves are a metaphor for the peoples of the earth in clamor, as the waves of judgment come roaring one after the other, faster and faster. The metaphor is used in like manner in Isaiah 8:7-8, and explained in Isaiah 57:20.
Don't you feel that people are pretty skittish these days? Spooked? On edge? Look what happened in the days after Aurora shootings at theaters around the country. In one PA theater, they thought they saw a gun and there was a panic stampede out the door. It doesn't take much to get people to act crazy these days. And for good reason!
This essay by Grant Phillips called Chaos to Glory really sums things up:
"So many souls, Christians and non-Christians, live in fear and dread today. Thousands are without jobs, or barely making a living. Retirement funds have disappeared into the pockets of thieves. The elderly are wondering how they are going to make it. It’s always been tough for them, but it’s getting worse, much worse. And then there is Obamacare. Plans for college have been put on hold or forgotten. Those graduating from colleges, universities, trade schools, etc. are shocked to find nothing there for them."
"The cost of … well … everything, keeps going up, but the funds that come in the household have remained at the same level, shrunk or vanished. The only ones not feeling the effects are the wealthy and very wealthy. Nature has turned against man and taken his homes in floods, wildfires and other “natural” disasters. There is too much rain in some areas, and too much drought in others. Winter skipped Spring and went directly to Summer, and Summer is here with a blast. Extreme heat has broken over 4,500 records."
"Any crime you care to mention is out of control. Our police agencies are swamped, and our jails and prisons are bursting at the seams. We may soon be hearing about the largest bank scandal in history. It is alleged that twenty major banks have been fixing interest rates for years. If this is true, it will affect the global financial system, and major Banks could crumble."
"Diseases are rampant. New wars are anticipated. Earthquakes are breaking out around the globe. Volcanoes are waking up. Violent storms are moving over the oceans and headed toward land. And I’ve hardly scratched the surface. Is there anything that could possibly give us hope for a better day? All that is around us is nothing but utter chaos, and is worsening by the day. Suicides are up because people are losing hope. Can there possibly be sunshine at the end of this long tunnel?"
Yes! He goes on to cite the verses that give us hope. His essay is worth the read. I would make one editorial change to his piece, lol, if I may be permitted. Chaos is a good word to use for the lost. They see the world coming apart and it seems like chaos to them. But NOT to us. Jesus is in perfect control. Remember the verse above: why should be be in guard? Because, "I have told you these things beforehand." That should actually give us comfort. It was planned between Him, the Father and the Spirit, it is coming to pass and it will come to its conclusion, just like He said.
That also means His plan for us will come to pass. In his piece, Grant cite his hope verses, and I'll cite mine now:
"So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
"Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you." (Psalm 86:2)
His holiness shows us that He can and will do it. His resurrection shows us He can and will do it. Prophecy shows us He can and will do it. So do not be afraid, even if a sinkhole opens up under us or a fireball flies by our eyes, He saves his servants who trust in Him. You know what some of the definitions of the Hebrew word for 'saves' means? Delivers, endowed with salvation, gained the victory! Because He lives, we are in Him, endowed with the greatest treasure of all, salvation by our Savior and knowledge of our Lord.
Even if a sinkhole opens beneath me, I shall proclaim Him! Even if a fireball streaks in front of me, I shall point to Him! In the panic and tumult around me, I exalt Him, the Prince of Peace!
"...be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11b)
Comments
It's important to remember that more people may be reporting the same fireballs. People ARE skittish, people are looking up more and watching the sky, therefore more people see the same event and report it. More people have access to the internet than before as well, and are more likely to report what they see that way.
ReplyDeleteAlso, just so people are aware, RIGHT NOW we are entering the Perseid Meteor Shower and there are naturally more meteors and fireballs than at other times of the year.
"EARLY PERSEID METEORS: Earth is entering a broad stream of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, source of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Meteoroids in the outskirts of the stream are now hitting Earth's atmosphere, producing as many as 10-15 meteors per hour according to worldwide counts from the International Meteor Organization. NASA's network of all-sky meteor cameras captured 17 Perseid fireballs on the nights of July 28th through 30th. Here are their orbits: (see http://www.spaceweather.com/) The position of Earth is denoted by the red starburst; all of the meteoroid orbits intersect at that point. The purple line traces the orbit of the parent Comet Swift-Tuttle. Fortunately, the comet itself does not intersect Earth.
In the days ahead, Earth will plunge deeper into the meteoroid stream, and meteor rates will increase accordingly. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on August 12-13 with as many as 100+ meteors per hour visible from dark-sky sites. Monitor the realtime meteor gallery for sightings."
Thank you very much for the good information. Good to know!!
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