Rust on the Moon? Science meets Scripture.
A beautiful thing, science. So many study it. So many strive to tame it…
There was a site, once, that I would often visit for stories about things like this…built by Christian scientists. It still exists, but unfortunately the site has become very commercialized…and I can’t find much of the articles I used to read and study. And, so, I look to my own research. Now, I want to say from the start…this is not a post trying to tell you that end times are here, or coming soon, or even remotely suggesting that I, or any other person, can predict such things. I am simply, from my own curiosity and fascination with God’s world, seeking to make a connection between science and scripture.
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 24:36
Recently, I read a blog post about ‘rust’ on the moon. Here’s a quote from the post:
Rust must have oxygen and water to exist or spread. Earth’s magnetic field streams outward into space. For about six days a month, the moon crosses the magnetic field’s tail. Some oxygen lies within that tail, bringing bits of oxygen to the surface of the moon which faces the earth. In recent years an Indian space orbiter confirmed that some water molecules have been discovered on the moon’s surface, mainly the north and south poles. Thus, the right conditions for rust to develop where iron deposits in moon rocks are found.
Alan, fuelfortherace
Alan gives us a wonderful ‘blue-jean science’ translation of the moon, and what it means for there to be rust there, and hence, water molecules.
Not possible you say? Well, have you met my God?
Here’s the thing, friends…in whatever perplexing wonders we may find in science, there is a purpose under heaven.
We are told in the Bible of many signs and wonders that will be seen before the second coming. We are not always given specific written details about how such events will come to pass, but we have so many vivid visions and prophesies. It starts in Genesis and goes all the way through the book of Revelation.
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years,
Genesis 1:14
Last week, we spent some time on the beach. On one of the days of our trip, we went on an excursion to a private beach where we could enjoy inflatables, a banana boat, swimming, paddle boards, etc. It was a lovely location…but we noticed a rusty brownish red tinge to the water that was unexpected…and a bit off putting. Now, this was no fault of the excursion company. Nearby, there were places where dredging was taking place, and huge pipes had been pulled up from the ocean floor. Quite a site to behold…and, I imagine, these goings on were the cause of the not so pretty waters. Basic science, right?
In several scriptures, we see mention of a blood red moon. If you study them, please be sure to read the surrounding scripture. They are always relevant. This is the one that gives me most hope:
Let’s take a closer look at that scripture from the book of Joel.
The second chapter of Joel gives us a very visual description of the coming judgement, of God’s love and compassion for us, and what we will be seen in days to come. The moon to blood here is not the same thing as the ‘blood moon’ we are able to witness, which occurs when the moon is in a total lunar eclipse. The next blood moon is slotted to be visible in May of 2021. Though the blood moon has been often used in history to evoke fear, perhaps we can see it is a reminder of the prophecies and things to come.
And, of course, we must uncover the sciency stuff:
My favorite quote form a Nasa Article quoting scientist Shaui Li of the University of Hawaii:
“It’s very puzzling,” Li said. “The Moon is a terrible environment for hematite to form in.”
The Moon is Rusting, and Researches Want to Know Why, Nasa Article
I love when scientists are puzzled. I love when they must look beyond what they understand and believe to be true. It is the very thing that propels us to know and understand more.
‘While the experts are spinning in their current wow-factors, those who have studied scripture understand it’s not “OUR” moon at all. It belongs to the One Who placed it there and commanded its orbit.’
Alan, Fuel for the Race
There is some wonderful information and detail and about the discover of hematite (rust) in the Nasa articles cited below. Basically, it shouldn’t be…and yet it is. There are so many contradictory conditions, and yet the data is there. Researchers are working to learn more about why it is where it appears to be on the moon, both on the poles of the moon and on the far side of the moon. It’s fascinating, really, the data that can be extracted and the places we, as mere humans, can travel.
As a mother of three, and aunt to many, I have always been in awe of the miracle of human life. All of the things that work together to make it happen. All of the things that sometimes don’t work right and often break our hearts. All the life processes…from conception, to life in the womb, to the wonder ofthe female body that responds so precisely to the life growing inside of it, and then to the cries of the infant for food and comfort. And, eventually, either naturally or through choices or circumstances…it all just…stops…and the child now is able to carry on without the mother…the mother’s body, of course, is never to be quite the same, and yet often prepared and able to repeat the same miracle. The occasion of human birth has always given me pause, and I wonder…how can one not see the hand of the Divine Creator in this miraculous string of events?
And so it is with all science… I leave you with this, dear friend:
In Scripture, we are given much imagery, many prophecies and signs of the coming judgement. Knowing we what we know of God, of science, of humanity…can it not be that all of this ‘sciency stuff’ can only be explained as a part of the Master Planof the Creator of the Universe? Is this rust what we, or our descendants, will see as the moon turning to blood as it potentially spreads across the surface of the moon? I may be way off base…it may never spread. Could it be something else entirely? Could it simply be a little bit of rust on the Moon? We may never know. And that is enough for me.
Much Love,
Cindi
Sources:
F. (2018, August 17). Ice Confirmed at the Moon’s Poles (988385487 764442712 A. Tabor, Ed.). Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.nasa.gov/feature/ames/ice-confirmed-at-the-moon-s-poles
Good, A., Johnson, A., & Hautaluoma, G. (2020, September 02). The Moon Is Rusting, and Researchers Want to Know Why (988390195 764445667 T. Greicius, Ed.). Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/the-moon-is-rusting-and-researchers-want-to-know-why
Nalewicki, J. (2020, September 09). Why Is the Moon Covered in Rust? Even Scientists Are Stumped by This Metal Mystery. Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-moon-covered-rust-even-scientists-are-stumped-metal-mystery-180975736/
Howell, E. (2019, January 22). What Is a Blood Moon? Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.space.com/39471-what-is-a-blood-moon.html
Other Resources for you:
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/full-moons/en/ (educational)
https://nasaeclips.arc.nasa.gov/video/ourworld/our-world-the-moons-impact-on-earth (educational — this video mentions frozen water on north and south poles)
https://moon.nasa.gov/moon-observation/viewing-guide/
2018 Podcast – the value of the moon
