When Astronauts Start Ducking For Cover...

by Michael G. Mickey

(12-13-06)

A mere three days ago, in light of Luke 21:25's assertion that "there shall be signs in the sun" in the days leading up to Christ's return, I commented on what scientists were likening to a "solar tsunami" which had occurred recently, during a period of time when the sun is supposed to be relatively quiet in terms of solar storm activity.

Three short days later, as we see in a local 6.com article, the crews of space shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station were forced to take shelter after a "violent solar explosion sent a dangerous wave of radiation through space late Tuesday." The event occurred at approximately 9:40 p.m., "unleashing enough radiation to disrupt radio communications on Earth and in orbit while endangering astronauts circling 220 miles above the planet."

Fox News is reporting the same incident, its headline reading: Solar Flare Forces Shuttle Astronauts to Seek Shelter From Radiation. Consider the following excerpt from the Fox News story in relation to its significance (emphasis added mine):

Space.com categorized it as an X-3 flare, in the most dangerous category. Such storms are fairly common when the Sun is at its most active, but they are rare during the current low point in the 11-year cycle of solar activity.

Spaceweather.com is reporting that an X-3 class explosion has occurred which is, according to the following, impacting NASA's ability to tell us how fast the "winds" of space are presently blowing (emphasis added mine):

NOTE: An ongoing radiation storm has overwhelmed solar wind sensors onboard NASA's ACE spacecraft. Solar wind readings reported above are temporarily unreliable.

No, this was no ordinary event, which bring us back to the words of Christ as recorded in Luke 21:36: "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;"

When astronauts are forced to start ducking for cover because of the sun's fury, especially during periods of time that are not prone to massive storm activity like that described in this commentary, I have to believe it's a sign to those of us watching for the return of Jesus Christ!

It's a sign that reads: KEEP LOOKING UP!