While many enjoyed increased aurora borealis activity thanks to a massive solar flare that hit the Earth on Monday, one scientist noted that precisely such a cosmic event was prophesied to usher in the final days.

Solar flare

On Saturday, a huge solar flare generated by a sunspot on the surface of the sun sent out a coronal mass ejection (CME) toward Earth  The solar storm was expected to complete its 93 million mile journey and hit the earth on Monday but it held a few surprises and was “slower” than expected, arriving inexplicably late.

Something definitely side swiped us here, but Im not convinced it is our halo #solarstorm. The speed of the #solar wind here is too slow for an eruption launched on October 9 to arrive now. Likely our #solarstorm is slower than anticipated and plans to be fashionably late. https://t.co/bSO8N9YLsy

— Dr. Tamitha Skov (@TamithaSkov) October 11, 2021

Coming during a period of increased solar activity, the solar flare observed on Saturday was an M-class event, the second-strongest category. This CME is considered a “medium” solar flare, it is rated a “G2,” which is the second level of NOAA’s five-level storm scale. G1 storms are minor, while G5s are considered extreme. The solar event may cause power grid fluctuations and orientation irregularities for satellites.

Another more positive effect of the solar flare will be the appearance of the aurora borealis, usually relegated to the northern latitudes, in the US as far south as  New England and Washington State. An  aurora borealis is generated when energized particles from the sun strike the planet’s upper atmosphere at astronomical speeds of up to 45 million mph, according to Space.com.

“As Earth’s magnetic field redirects the particles toward the North Pole, the dramatic process transforms into a cinematic atmospheric phenomenon that dazzles and fascinates scientists and skywatchers alike,” the site explains.

Severe solar storms occur about once every hundred years. Experts at SIGCOMM 2021, the annual conference of the ACM Special Interest Group on Data Communication, warned that such storms could cause catastrophic internet outages covering the entire Earth and lasting several months. Though long-distance optical fiber lines and submarine cables which are a vital part of the global internet infrastructure are protected from solar storms, they rely on electrically powered repeaters at 100 km intervals that are susceptible to damage. The internet infrastructure in higher latitudes, above the equator, faces a higher risk, and the US has a high risk of being disconnected from Europe, while Asia is more likely to retain connectivity. 

According to NASA reports July 23, 2012, a massive solar storm that would have crippled electronic systems globally crossed the path of the Earth, missing the planet by just three days.

The last big solar storms happened in 1859, known as the Carrington Event, and 1921. Scientists believe we are currently beginning a period of increased solar activity which scientists claim has the potential to be one of the strongest on record.

Solar flares in prophecy

Saul Kullook, a scientist with many patents to his name, believes that this period of time was described by the prophet Malachi as a harbinger of the final redemption.

“There is prophesy in the Hebrew Bible, on that a similar cosmic event will take place,” Kullook told Israel365 News, citing the precise verse.

For lo! That day is at hand, burning like an oven. All the arrogant and all the doers of evil shall be straw, and the day that is coming—said the lord of Hosts—shall burn them to ashes and leave of them neither stock nor boughs. Malachi 3:19

Kullook cited the medieval French Biblical commentator, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known by the acronym Rashi, who explained the verse in Malachi.

Lo, I will send the Navi Eliyahu to you before the coming of the awesome, fearful day of Hashem. Malachi 3:23

“This ‘Day of God’ is the result of God’s taking out the Sun from its sheath,” Rashi wrote.

“The prophet was describing the removal of an existing cover protecting us from the light of the Sun,” Kullook said. “Rashi was foreseeing an existing cover around the Earth, which is the magnetic field found by scientific research many centuries later.”

“Studies show that these events take place mainly around a certain Earth axis inclination, like in 42,000 years ago,” Kullook said. “The end of days is now very close to this inclination. Hence it is expected to take place in a short time from now.”