Recently, people from around the world have been awe-struck by an unusual stellar phenomenon in the sky of the sun fully encircled by a rainbow.
On March 6, the citizens of Hulunbergenhe City in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China observed this optical display known as a Sun Halo or Solar Halo. Another circular rainbow around the sun was seen over Bretton Woods, New Hampshire in the United States on February 13, 2021.
The ominous appearance of these astrophysical apparitions in the heavens has many people wondering if we are observing an otherworldly religious sign or spiritual warning from God. Are there any indications in the Bible that a Sun Halo may be a sign from God? What is the biblical meaning behind the halo around the sun? What does the bible actually say about a sun halo or a sun ring? Let us see..
The Sun Halo and its Biblical Message:
Some religious and spiritual observers believe that these astronomical illusions of the sun enshrined in a halo are an omen or message from God warning us of an impending doom. The Bible does tell us to look to the heavens for astronomical signs that reveal God’s power and glory.
According to the Old Testament prophet Joel, the appearance of strange astrophysical anomalies with the sun and moon will announce “the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” In the Book of Joel, God is quoted as saying: “I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Joel 2:28-31)
In the New Testament we read, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.” (Luke 21:25). The Book of Revelation also tells of angelic and supernatural beings descending upon the earth in cosmic fashion to announce the day of God’s judgment upon mankind. Could the appearance of these Sun Halos be a precursor to the end of days?
Solar/Sun Halos are actually a relatively common scientific and meteorological weather phenomenon caused by the presence of ice crystals floating in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds located high in the upper troposphere. On a clear winter night, these halos can sometimes also be seen surrounding a full moon as well and are known as a Moon Ring or a Winter Halo. During the day, the rays of light are reflected and refracted by the prism-shaped ice to form a circular rainbow around the sun at a radius of approximately twenty-two degrees. Thus, Solar Halos are also properly known as 22° Halos.
However, we do find the appearance of a solar halo used to describe the visitation of an angelic divine messenger of wrath in the apocalyptic visions recorded in the Book of Revelation. Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow (halo) above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. (Revelation 10:1) Those ice filled cirrus clouds that form Sun Halos can look like the ribbons and folds of a white robe, and fiery light pillars can also be formed by the presence of these ice crystals when the sun is near the horizon. These vertical beams of light are actually called Light Pillars just as described in the Bible. So, it is not beyond imagination to realize that this vision in the Book of Revelation of a Solar Halo could be a real scientific possibility and its appearance is a sign from God.
When describing the events of the Last Days, Jesus also indicated that “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:25-28)
Through the centuries, people have looked to the heavens for spiritual answers and guidance. When there are appearances of strange or unusual sights like a Sun Halo people begin to question what or who may be orchestrating these stunning displays of light. For example, in South Asia, Hindus believe the appearance of a Solar Halo is the gathering of the gods of thunder and lightning and serves as a precursor to a storm. Meteorologists confirm that Sun Halos often precede a low-pressure system that produces storms. Many cultures have even worshipped the sun and moon, although the Bible strictly forbids this practice. And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. (Deuteronomy 4:19)
So, is a Sun Halo simply a natural, although somewhat rare, weather event or could it also serve as a sign from God? When Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ own disciples, considered this question he referred to Joel’s prophecy in the Old Testament in which God declared, “I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:19-21) It would appear then that a Sun Halo could be a celestial sign of an angelic messenger of doom, but there is also a message of hope – “all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” According to Peter, anyone who puts their faith and trust in Jesus will be spared from God’s great and dreadful day of judgment. In a letter that Peter wrote in the first century after Jesus’ resurrection, he encouraged everyone to be prepared for that day:
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. (2 Peter 3:10-14)
While many people are looking to the skies for a spiritual sign, like Peter, I would encourage you to look upward to Jesus who not only died on the cross but rose from the dead for us to be saved from God’s punishment upon the sins of humanity. Many people have done just that by praying a prayer of faith and confession asking Jesus to forgive them of their sins and expressing a desire to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
Therefore, when you see a halo around the sun, or any other celestial sign, like a rainbow, or a flash of lightning, or a shooting star, remember that there is a God of heaven and earth who created everything in the universe. Try to honor this Creator God by the way you live and put your faith and hope in Jesus.
Dr. Richard Sams is a top Biblical and Religious educator, who holds a Doctor of Ministry degree (Evangelism and Church Growth emphasis) from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. He has two masters’ degrees (Master of Divinity and Master of the Arts of Religion) from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg and also serves on the Pastoral Leadership Advisory Board of Liberty University. Moreover, Richard Sams has been serving as a pastor (Pastoral Ministry) at Calhoun Baptist Church in Calhoun, KY, from the past Nineteen years. He loves practically imparting biblical truths to the next generation, while occasionally conduct spiritual challenges on his facebook page facebook.com/MakeItCountChallenge