Periodically, the sun emits an enormous wave of plasma known as a “coronal mass ejection” (CME). These ejections, a type of electromagnetic wave, interfere with shortwave radio and other communications. In 1859 there was a massive CME that caused telegraph wires to conduct electricity to the operators and shock them. That CME, known as the Carrington Event for the astronomer who noted its appearance on the sun, enabled people as far south as Central America to be able to read the newspaper at night by the light of the Aurora Borealis.
Such an event today would have far greater effects. The electromagnetic waves would destroy much, if not all, of our electrical infrastructure, most electrical devices and the ignition systems of many motor vehicles. No fuel, no food, no water, no medicines. The estimated death toll is enormous.
The Carrington Event of 1859 was not unique. There will be another massive CME at an unknown future date. And to add to your concerns, many nations have developed weapons that duplicate the effects of a CME. A side effect of a nuclear explosion is an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). These weapons would not destroy by radiation, but by disabling the infrastructure. In fact, we do live in a dangerous world.
The realization that an overwhelming CME would throw the world back into medieval times has caused me to look at Biblical prophecy a little differently. I interpret the Word of God literally, not spiritually. Here I must apologize to my readers and to the Lord. When I have read about End Times battles being fought with swords, bows and arrows and horse cavalry, I assumed the writer was describing the prophesied event in terms that he understood at the time. What a terrible word – assumed. I am ashamed to have set aside any thought of the literal nature of the Word.
In the Revelation we are shown the terrible, justified wrath of God. Incredible supernatural events that cannot be conceived of and yet are performed by the Most High God. In the fourth bowl of the wrath of God, the sun scorched men on earth (Revelation 16:8). It is possible that this is a description of an enormous CME that will effect the entire world. Or maybe the Lord will send a CME before the time of Tribulation.
With that consideration, we would now be back to wars with swords and spears. No airplanes, no trucks, no tanks. Only horses and “chariots” and literal foot-soldiers. This is exactly what the prophets described!
“and all thine army, horses and horsemen … all of them handling swords. – Ezekiel 38:4The passage that convinced me is Ezekiel 39:9-10. In these verses Israel is described as burning the weapons of fallen Gog and Magog for seven years! While I have glossed over the above passages speaking of bows, arrows, spears and horses, I always wondered about how tanks, trucks, cannons and the like could be used as fuel to heat and cook.
“all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army.” – Ezekiel 38:15
“the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen.” – Daniel 11:40
“And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand.” – Revelation 9:16
I could not get around the question of burning tanks, or whatever, for heat. And for good reason. It is not practical; it will not work. The Bible says the End Time wars will be fought with bows and arrows. And because I interpret the Bible literally, I must believe that is how the wars will be fought. It appears that the Lord will be the great equalizer. No nation can threaten others with a nuclear bomb, or any bomb for that matter, because there will be no airplanes.
The Prophet Zechariah describes the plague with which the Lord will strike those who came to fight against Jerusalem.
“And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” – Zechariah 14:12Some prophecy students have explained this “plague” as the results of a nuclear weapon. If the Bible is true literally, there will be no nuclear weapons. This will add to the superlative eminence of God. There will be no natural or human explanation for this action. God will receive all the honor and glory for defending Israel. And all the world will know that He is the Most High God! That is His stated purpose in Ezekiel 38:23, 39:6, 39:21, 39:27.
How I look forward to the day of recognition of our Almighty King! Praise the Lord now and forever!