The Green Devil

(4 Minute Read 27Mar2024)

Halley’s Comet
March 1986 NASA Photo from Easter Island

Have you ever heard of a green devil?

Years ago it was common for mascots of high school and college sports teams to be Red Devils or Blue Devils. And some video games feature Yellow Devils.

However, I have never seen or heard of a Green Devil.

But from now through the third week of April, those in the northern hemisphere have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a Green Devil.

Green Devil Comet

The Green Devil is the nickname of a naked-eye-visible comet whose official designation is 12P/Pons-Brooks. It is one of the brightest known periodic comets and will be visible over the next few weeks in familiar constellations. To see it, look west-north-westward shortly after sunset near the Great Square of Pegasus. It will be moving toward and into Aries the Ram. It will be well to the right of Orion’s Belt near Jupiter.

The Green Devil is a large comet with a nucleus about 18-20 miles in diameter — roughly three times the size of Mt. Everest. This is even bigger than Halley’s Comet whose maximum diameter is nine miles.

The comet 12P/Pons-Brooks glows green and red and has a long blue tail. Outbursts from the comet occasionally increase its brightness by 100-fold and give it a horseshoe shape making it look as if it has two horns like a devil.

The sporadic bursts of extreme brightness are believed to be due to volcanic activity in the comet nucleus that releases gases and ice. As the comet nears the sun, pressure builds within its nucleus due to the sun’s heat. Eventually nitrogen and carbon monoxide gas explosively expel icy debris in a volcanic eruption. The debris is highly reflective of sunlight and greatly increases the comet’s brightness temporarily. For part of last year, the comet was erupting every 15 days.

The comet is racing toward the sun at a speed of 40,000 mph. It will reach its closest approach to the sun (perihelion) on April 21 at 72.5 million miles, closer than Earth ever gets to the sun (93 million miles). The closest approach of the comet to Earth will occur on June 2 at 144 million miles. This is about 1.5 times the distance between Earth and the sun.

The comet was first discovered by French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons (1761-1831) in July 1812. Pons holds the record for the most visual discoveries of comets with 37.

In September 1883, the comet was rediscovered by American astronomer William R. Brooks (1844-1921). Brooks is in second place with 27 visual discoveries of comets. Only after orbital calculations were completed was it realized that Brooks’ comet was the same as the one Pons discovered.

A naked-eye-visible comet mentioned by the Chinese in November 1385 was probably the Green Devil, as was also one seen by an Italian astronomer in January 1457. A bright comet dating back to 245 A.D. might also have been the Green Devil. Its previous appearance was in May 1954, and it will next return in 2095.

The Green Devil’s orbital period is about 71 years. Since it was the twelfth comet to have its orbital period calculated, its official name is 12P/Pons-Brooks. Similarly, Halley’s Comet is officially designated 1P/Halley since its orbit was calculated first.

The Green Devil’s orbit is highly elliptical, similar to that of Halley. But it orbits in the opposite direction of Halley’s retrograde orbit. (Halley orbits in the opposite direction of the planets.) The Green Devil’s orbit takes it out beyond the orbit of Neptune.

Jesus heals the demon-possessed man
in the synagogue at Capernaum
(Mark 1:21-27; Luke 4:31-36)

Devils in the Bible

Adam and Eve may have seen a Green Devil when Satan tempted them in the form of a serpent in the Garden of Eden. If the tempting snake was green (as is often the case in artistic representations), then they saw a Green Devil — and even talked to him!

Jesus encountered many devils during His earthly sojourn because demon possession was rampant in Israel.
And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district. (Luke 4:31-37; cf. Mark 1:21-28)

For 20 more reports of Jesus casting out demons that were extremely violent or causing insanity, muteness, blindness, and deafness, see Matthew 4:24; 8:16; 8:28-33; 9:32-33; 12:22-23; 15:22-28; 17:14-18; Mark 1:21-28; 1:32-34; 1:39; 5:1-20; 7:24-30; 9:17-27; 16:9; Luke 4:41; 8:2; 8:26-39; 9:37-42; 11:14; 13:32.

Eleven of the reports mention Jesus casting out multiple demons, sometimes many demons. The incident of the legion of demons cast out of the Gerasene demoniac and sent into a herd of 2,000 swine may indicate that number of demons (Mark 5:1-20). So it is conceivable that Jesus cast out literally thousands of demons from people during His years of ministry.

Who but God alone has the power to order demons out of people?
“He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” (Mark 1:27)

Demon possession was widespread in Jesus’ day causing mental illness, social disturbance, sickness, and violence as well as muteness, blindness, and deafness. Why would it not do the same in our world? I believe demon interference is just as much a problem today as when Jesus dealt with it, but we don’t recognize it. In fact, the Apostle Paul alludes to this:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

The Old Testament prophet Daniel gave us a glimpse of the spiritual struggle and warfare going on behind the scenes. An angel sent to Daniel with a message was delayed by an opposing spirit till assisted by the archangel Michael. (Daniel 10:1-21)

The Great Creator made the Green Devil Comet and the devils that Jesus ordered out of people. His absolute power and authority extend throughout all of creation, both material and immaterial.

Questions to Ponder

1. What do you think is most intriguing about the Great Creator‘s Green Devil Comet?
2. Martin Luther said, “When the devil comes to plague you, take hold of the Word of God and rely on it.” What Scripture do you plan to hang on to?

Share your thoughts on these questions in the comments below. It could encourage or help another reader.

For Christ and His Kingdom.
Alere Flammam Veritatis.
Soli Deo Gloria.

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©William T. Pelletier, Ph.D.
“contending earnestly for the faith”
“destroying speculations against the knowledge of God”
“for the defense of the gospel”
(Jude 1:3; 2 Cor 10:5; Phil 1:16)
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 A.D.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)

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