A simple natural phenomenon has sparked wild claims that God’s biblical plagues have returned as ‘flowing red blood’ surges in the Persian Gulf.
Viral videos from Iran’s Hormuz Island on Tuesday captured the moment when pouring rain along the coast hit the sandy grounds and turned into a deep reddish colour.
The rain flowed over cliffs, flooding into the ocean and transforming the sea water into something out of an apocalypse film.
Many sightseers walked along the shore as the blood red tired washed over their feet and others stood with their umbrellas.
It came after around 100mm of rainfall, five times the amount of Iran’s monthly average, hit the region overnight.
The scenes eerily paralleled similar depictions of ‘blood rain’ or red water in the Bible, which have historically been interpreted as signs of the End Time.
In the Book of Exodus, the Nile River turning into blood was the first of the ten plagues God sent upon Egypt when Pharaoh refused to free the Israelites.
Also, apocalyptic prophecies were described in the Book of Revelation with the seas turning to blood, signifying the intense divine judgement and corruption of life’s sources.
Although this natural phenomenon resembles the End Time prophecies, the red rain in Iran has simply been attributed to the island’s abundant iron-oxide-rich red soil.
Hormuz Island, nicknamed ‘Rainbow Island’ is geologically famous for its colourful mineral soils.
The island’s unique chemical makeup was formed over millions of years, containing layers of shale, clay, volcanic rocks and more than 70 minerals.
Was Hormuz Island ever referenced in the Bible?
The island was not directly mentioned in the Bible, however, the broader region of ancient Persia, now modern Iran, frequently appeared in Scripture.
In Revelation 16:12, the region was referenced when the sixth bowl of wrath was poured on the Euphrates River, which sits on the opposite side of the Persian Gulf.
This caused the river’s water to dry up to prepare a path for armies from the East.
The dominant deep red colouring comes from the iron oxide, also known as hematite.
During heavy rainstorms, the effect of ‘flowing red blood’ regularly occurs as the rain interacts with the iron-oxide rich red soil, turning any nearby water into a crimson colour.
Hormuz Island is not the only place in the Middle East which has recently seen water turn red.
In August, the biblical Sea of Galilee in Israel turned a vivid blood red, leaving locals concerned about a possible ‘bad omen.’
At the time, Israel’s environmental ministry confirmed the transformation was caused by a bloom of green algae in the freshwater lake.
This turned red when the natural pigment built up under intense sunlight.
Officials stressed the pigment was harmless, and that the water was safe for swimming, despite the blood red colour.
What other natural phenomena have been misinterpreted as biblical signs?
Eclipses, both solar and lunar, were often seen as bad omens and signs of God’s displeasure or looming judgement.
However, they are natural occurrences which happen due to the alignment of the Earth, Moon and Sun.
Comets, which are natural astronomical bodies in regular orbits, used to be seen as ‘heralds of Heaven’s wrath’.
Before the science of electricity was understood, lightning was considered an ‘act of God’ or divine fire from heaven.
When lightning struck, church bells were rung to ward off storms and spirits.
Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and major floods were frequently interpreted as signs of divine judgment.
Some plagues and illnesses were sometimes attributed to demonic possession or curses, rather than a health issue.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
