Rabbi predicts Jesus Christ to return in 2022, astronomy used as basis

(Reuters/ICRAR)Two stars will collide in 2022 and the event will be visible to the naked eye.

A rabbi in Israel predicted a possible return of Jesus Christ in 2022, linking it to the findings of astronomers that two stars will collide five years from now and will create a massive blast, creating a blaze of light that would be seen by people on earth.

In an interview with Breaking Israel News last week, Rabbi Yosef Berger of King David's Tomb in Mount Zion, Jerusalem, said that he anchored his predictions on statements coming from Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, also called "Rambam," a 12th century authority in Torah. Rambam linked the astronomic event called "red nova" that will happen in the star system KIC 9832227 with the return of Christ.

"The Rambam brings this verse about a star appearing as proof that the Messiah will come one day. But he says it will come from Jacob, and not from Esau. More specifically, from the tribe of Judah," Berger explained. Moreover, he mentioned the Zohar, a collection of Jewish Torah commentaries, which states that the coming of the Messiah "will be accompanied by several stars appearing."

Apart from the Torah, Berger also mentioned biblical passages, specifically Numbers 24:17, which reads: "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh; there shall step forth a star out of Yakov, and a scepter shall rise out of Yisrael, and shall smite through the corners of Moab, and break down all the sons of Seth."

The Washington Post earlier reported that a binary star will explode into a red super nova in 2022, and that it will create a bright, brick-red beacon that will be marveled at by sky gazers and observers, according to Larry Molnar, a professor at Calvin College, during a meeting of the American Astronomical Society held earlier this month.

Christian leaders have been vocal regarding end-time predictions, with evangelist Ray Comfort reminding believers in his Facebook post that "a wonderful and glorious hope is promised to the Christian." Renowned evangelist Billy Graham, on the other hand, expressed caution in his website, saying that no person can ever determine the exact date and time of Jesus Christ's return.

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