The world has survived countless false end times predictions over the years, but the latest is particularly outlandish. A group of conspiracy theorists claim that the apocalypse will arrive promptly on April 23 with the alignment of Jupiter in the constellation Virgo, ushering in the start of the biblical Rapture. They have insisted that such an astronomical event will herald the arrival of a “death planet” called Nibiru.
Is This Sweeping Cultural Practice a Sign That the Biblical End Times Are Upon Us?
Despite the enthusiasm of the group, led by biblical conspiracy theorist David Meade, NASA has continued to insist that such a planet does not exist, labeling the idea nothing more than an “internet hoax.”
“The planet doesn’t exist,” NASA stated, as reported by the Daily Mail. “So there will be no collision.”
Meade’s claims are centered around Revelation 2:1–2, which reads:
“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and crying out in the pain and agony of giving birth.”
Meade argues that the woman in the passage symbolizes the astrological sign Virgo, and that the fictitious “death planet” will pass the Earth in October, causing the start of the Rapture with huge volcanoes and volcanic eruptions due to its massive gravitational force.
“During this time frame, on April 23, 2018 the moon appears under the feet of the Constellation Virgo,” he explained. “The Sun appears to precisely clothe Virgo… Jupiter is birthed on April 08, 2018. The 12 stars at that date include the nine stars of Leo, and the three planetary alignments of Mercury, Venus and Mars – which combine to make a count of 12 stars on the head of Virgo.”
“Thus the constellations Virgo, Leo and Serpens-Ophiuchus represent a unique once-in-a-century sign exactly as depicted in the 12th chapter of Revelation. This is our time marker.”
Meade also predicts the commencement of World War III over the next few months.
“By early April of 2018, the disappearance of the Church (all true Christians worldwide also known as the Rapture) will occur,” Meade wrote earlier this year, according to the Daily Express. “This will be followed quickly by the rise of the Antichrist, the appearance of Planet X and World War III.”
“Seven years of Tribulation will ensure,” he added. “This is beyond any shadow of a doubt.”
Meade has been off the mark with his predictions in the past. He previously predicted that the apocalypse would ensue in September 2017. When that didn’t come to fruition, he revised it to October of the same year. Clearly, neither predictions had any merit.
“There is nothing to suggest that April 23 is a momentous date for biblical prophecy, and Christians need to be careful about being drawn into such sensationalist claims,” young earth creationist Jonathan Sarfati told the Express. “As usual with any astrology (or biblical adaptations of it), one cherry-picks the stars that fit the desired conclusion.”
“We won’t know the day or the hour,” he added, citing another passage of scripture, Matthew 24:36. “so we should be prepared at all times!”
(H/T: The Daily Express)