Asteroid Apocalypse: What Does the Bible Say?

Some fear that a giant asteroid will someday destroy all life on the planet. Are those fears warranted? I discuss what the Bible says about the possibility for an asteroid or another space object to destroy all life on Earth in this article.

I believe there is no need to worry about an asteroid/comet/meteor destroying all life on Earth in the future. The reason is that the Bible does not talk about a future event that wipes out all life on Earth. In fact, the Bible actually talks about conditions on Earth actually becoming more conducive to living longer during the Millennium (which comes after all the chaos during the end times) in Isaiah 65:19-20:

“(19) And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. (20) There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.” (Isaiah 65:19-20)

I believe the closest thing Earth may see to a major asteroid/comet/meteor collision in the future is the third trumpet judgment. The third trumpet judgment calls for a “great star” named “Wormwood” to impact Earth, particularly Earth’s water sources:

(10) 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; (11) 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.” (Revelation 8:10-11)

The poisoning of the water will kill many people, but mankind will not become extinct by this event. We know that life will not be completely wiped out because an angel says “Woe, woe, woe, to the inhibiters of the earth” after the sounding of the fourth trumpet (there would be no reason to mention the inhabitants of the earth if there no longer was anyone alive).

“(12) And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. (13) And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” (Revelation 8:12-13)

Similarly, there will still be people alive to endure the rest of the trumpet judgments, the vial judgments, etc. The worst of the Apocalypse won’t result in the end of life on Earth.

I am not saying that it is impossible for Earth to be hit by a significant object from space in the future. I am saying that it is virtually impossible for all life, including human life, to be completely eliminated by a significant object from space. The Bible suggests that there will still be life on Earth even after the planet endures God’s judgments during the end times, including the judgment that features Wormwood. Therefore, people should not get caught up in any speculation/hype that all life will cease to exist if/when a major space object collides with Earth or comes close to colliding with Earth.

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Wayne Croley
Wayne Croley

Hi! I’ve studied and written about Bible prophecy since I was a teenager. My goal is to make Bible prophecy easy for you to understand while avoiding the sensationalism seen elsewhere. I am the author of several end time books, including Prophecy Proof Insights on the End Times, a comprehensive book about the end times. I hold an M.B.A. and degrees in Managerial Economics and Political Science.

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  1. It seems the spacing turned out fine. Thanks for taking the time to share that. It’s the first time I’ve seen something like you’ve proposed

  2. I trust it all dovetails together. It was a blessing this last week to recognize a parallel (actually a contrast in kind) between Rev. 6-7 and Rev. 17-18. The capital city of the damned of course is great babylon (re: chps. 17-18). The interesting point is where New Jerusalem is being built now. Chp. 7 is a candidate, since we have the Great Multitude assembled about the Throne (contrast “great babylon”).

    That helps reinforce the “folded structure” of the Revelation, basically as:

    01…………..22   
    02-03………21
    04-05….19-20
    06-07….17-18
    08-09….15-16
    ….10___14….
    ….11…..13….
    …12a….12b…

    So 08-09 are Trumpets and 15-16 are Vials.

    04-05 with 19-20 have major Throne scenes
    (Mercy Seat vs. Judgment Seat)

    02-03 shows the Lamb in the midst of His churches
    21 shows the Lamb in the midst of New Jerusalem

    As for Ezk. 38-39, no doubt you know calculus and understand limits. This must be after Rev. 13 since Israel dwells in peace. By the time we get to gog being fed to the birds Ezk. 39:04, that’s Rev. 20:08.

    So many calamities occur in Rev. 15-16 that it’s not likely Israel is at peace as in Ezk. 38:11. Note how the lower limit has moved from Rev. 13 to past 15-16. Should also be after 18 since I can’t see Israel at peace till great babylon is destroyed. That leaves 19-20.

    Hope the spacing doesn’t collapse in this comment. 

  3. The Trumpets do occur before the Vials. What’s started in each of them is finished in the other almost in lock-step fashion. Not sure whether the entire Trumpets sequence ends before the Vials begin.

  4. I think Revelation 8:9-10 suggests that the main contributor to the water becoming unhealthy to drink is the “great star”. However, I think it may be possible that the events prior to the sounding of third trumpet could help to contribute to the water becoming unhealthy to drink on a small-scale.  The “great star” would then be the catalyst that makes water really unhealthy to drink.

  5. Considering the whole sweep of the Trumpets, Vials, quakes throughout the Revelation, the destruction of Babylon, and the opening of the Bottomless Pit, which may be the Lake of Fire…. When enough earth and water are taken out of this world to accomplish the first resurrection (mass resurrection), then the rivers will dry up, the remaining oceans turn bitter, and a gouge in the earth comparable to a supervolcano (cp. release of Abaddon and the locust) might occur. Just a possibility.

  6. What about the second trumpet? Rev. 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.”  What is your opinion on what this is?