Researchers have found evidence to prove the story of God’s wrath on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to be true in the Bible. “Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens” (Genesis 19:24).
The only explanation for this discovery is that burning debris fell on the buildings from the air. But how could such a thing happen?
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is the story of God’s judgment on a sinful city, “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before Me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen” (Ezekiel 16:49-50).
Hundreds of researchers who were excavating an ancient Middle Eastern city now called Tall el-Hammam were behind this discovery. Interest in the city’s history started about 15 years ago when it was covered in about five feet of charcoal, ash and melted material.
According to the researchers, the “destruction layer,” wasn’t caused by a volcano, earthquake or war, because none of these events could melt metal or pottery, which were found in the layer. They used the Online Impact Calculator, which accurately estimates details of a cosmic impact event, based on known impact events and nuclear detonations.
The conclusion was made that a small asteroid could have been behind the destruction, but it didn’t reach the ground as researchers believe it exploded into a fireball about 2.5 miles above the city. In the event of such a blast taking place, clothing and wood immediately burst into flames, and pottery and weapons made of metal started melting as temperatures soared over 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Isn’t that what God’s word says in Genesis 19:24-25, “Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.”
Researchers also found considerable physical evidence that pointed to their claims. At Tall el-Hammam, sand grains known as shock quartz were discovered, that only form at 725,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. They also found microscopic diamonoids, that were smaller than a flu virus.
The scientists wrote that the wood and plants in the area were instantly transformed into diamond-like material by the high pressure and temperature. They backed their claims up by conducting experiments using laboratory furnaces, that proved that pottery and mudbricks found in Tall el-Hammam had melted at over 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
Researchers found small traces of melted metals on pottery as well including iridium, which has a melting point of 4,435 degrees Fahrenheit. They concluded by saying that temperatures in the city rose higher than those of volcanoes, warfare, and city fires, and the only logical explanation could be a cosmic impact.
The location of Tall el-Hamman near the Dead Sea is very similar to the description of Sodom in Genesis. Researchers felt that the story of the city’s destruction may have been handed down for generations till it found a place in the Bible.
It’s not a coincidence that events recorded in the bible are being proved to be true by scientists and researchers. The God of the Bible is showing Himself to be true and giving each of us a chance to reconcile ourselves back to Him.
