Biblical warning
Star of Jacob prophecy: Reason why Biblical sign is going viral on TikTok
Some Christian influencers have called out the trend
A 'prophesy' about the Star of Jacob has gone viral on TikTok after a user linked it to the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Teenage TikToker Jacob Rutkowski has gained attention after claiming an asteroid known as 2024 PT5 that appeared in Earth's orbit on September 29 was the 'star of Jacob'.
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The original video also claimed the star of Jacob was the very same that led the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus.
However, people have quickly pointed out the inaccuracies in the original video.
The Bible says the Three Wise Men followed the star of David, also referred to as the star of Bethlehem to find the infant Jesus.
The second confusion the video sparked was around the star of Jacob itself, which in fact isn't a star in the Bible.
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Instead stars were seen as a symbol of victory, especially in battle, or against enemies.
Some on TikTok have argued that since the Star of Jacob is not a literal star it actually represents the coming of the Messiah, dividing those online.
Why is the Star of Jacob trending?
An asteroid named 2024 PT5 entered Earth's orbit on October 5, 2024, and now many people on TikTok have claimed that this could be the Star of Jacob.
People have been sharing videos of the celestial body with Bible verse accompanying them.
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The star's link to a savior - and therefore Jesus - has made some influencers speculate that Jesus' return was marked by the latest asteroid.
However, it's based on a lot of misunderstanding around the Bible verses.
Is the Star of Jacob a literal star?
A TikToker named @the.bible.teacher replied to the viral video breaking down where the actual Bible verse comes from - and the Star of Jacob is not a literal star.
Quoting from the Bible he said: “Numbers 24:17: I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.
"A star is emerging from Jacob; a scepter is rising from Israel, and it smashes the brow of Moab and the foundation of all the sons of Seth.”
The Bible Teacher goes on to say the text means a "true and righteous king" will appear, not a star itself, adding: "You just read the passage, and you pick that up."
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He dismisses the original video and viral trend and tells TikTokers joining in to "chilaxify", a combination of "chill" and "relax".
What is the story of the Star of Jacob?
The story of the Star of Jacob is centered on Balak, the King of Moab, who calls upon Balaam, the son of a soothsayer named Beor.
Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Hebrews that were crossing the Plains of Moab (modern day-Jordan).
However, Balaam saw that Yahweh, the God of Israel, was travelling with the tribe and decided to bless them instead.
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A non-Hebrew prophet was then asked by Yahweh to give the tribe a prophecy surrounding the Messiah's birth.
It was said that the star would emerge in Israel and would have royal qualities, as suggested by "scepter" in the prophecy.
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