On 21 August, United States residents will see its first total solar eclipse since 1972. During the event, dubbed the Great American Total Solar Eclipse, the moon will completely obstruct the sun along a 70-mile path of totality, stretching all the way from Oregon to South Carolina.
While astronomy enthusiasts are excited about the rare lunar event, some conspiracy theorists believe the black moon is a sign of the end of the world.
Pastor Paul Begley, co-host of the Coming Apocalypse radio show, believes it fulfills of a prophecy predicting the end of the world. He said: "I believe it is a prophetic sign."
He also quoted a verse in the Bible's book of Joel saying: "The sun shall be turned to darkness' before the 'Day of the Lord come.' Somebody sound the trumpet because the eclipse may mean, 'we are living in the last days.'"
Meanwhile, Gary Ray, a writer for Unsealed, an evangelical Christian news site, told The Washington Post the eclipse could be a sign about the second coming of Jesus Christ. He said: "The Bible says a number of times that there's going to be signs in the heavens before Jesus Christ returns to Earth. We see this as possibly one of those."
However, Hugh Ross, a pastor and astronomer, does not believe that the rare astrological event is indicating that it is the end of the world. He said: "I don't think it's an accident that God put us human beings here on Earth where we can actually see total solar eclipses. I think God wants us to make these discoveries. I would argue that God on purpose made the universe beautiful, and one of the beauties is a solar eclipse."
What do you think? Do you believe that the world will end? Post your views in the comments section below.
