Details have been published of a close encounter that occurred between a Greek airliner and a UFO after leaks prompted the government to disclose a report on the incident which had been kept secret for over a year. On the 11th of November 2007, Olympic Airways flight 266 was on route to London whenever the pilot noticed a large bright object of unusual shape moving West of Athens. The object was reported to be star-like in appearance, but much larger and of constantly changing shape. The sighting was confirmed by the pilots of two other airliners within the vicinity, as well as the Control Tower and another Greek Air Force base. Two F-16 aircraft were scrambled to intercept the object, which subsequently shot off vertically at incredible speeds.
Quote: "An Olympic Airlines spokeswoman said: "I can confirm the incident. It is the first of its kind involving our pilots." Greek officials say that the object, which was not detected on any radar, was probably a mistaken sighting of the planet Venus in the Autumn night sky. This is not the first time that a passenger jet has had a close encounter with a UFO. Documents released by the Ministry of Defence last year disclosed that an Alitalia flight had a near miss while landing at Heathrow in 1991, with the pilot describing an object "similar to a missile – light brown or fawn – about three metres in length but without any exhaust flame".
There have been several other recent occasions in which unidentified flying objects have been witnessed by both pilots and airport staff. In 2006 a metallic-looking object was spotted hovering over O'Hare International Airport by several pilots and at least a dozen baggage handlers and maintenance crew. The object hung over the United Airlines terminal for several minutes before suddenly accelerating vertically at great speed. A similar incident occurred in the east of England on the 9th of April 1984, when a brightly lit object observed by air traffic control was seen to actually touch down on a runway before taking off again in a near vertical climb at terrific speed. There have been many similar incidents reported over the past 60 years, yet despite all of this, what these objects actually are still remains much of a mystery. UFO sightings go as far back as Christopher Columbus, who witnessed a "glimmering light" in the sky that followed his ship has he journeyed toward the new world in 1492. And in 329 BC, Alexander the Great saw great "silver shields" that emitted fire around their rims and repeatedly dived at his army, frightening the war elephants and preventing him from making a river crossing in India until the next day. Some UFO experts now discount the idea that these objects are extra-terrestrial in origin, and instead believe they could come from another dimension within the locality of Earth. Even if interstellar travel was physically possible, and there is little evidence to suggest it is, why would highly intelligent beings bother to travel billions of light years across the galaxy to some remote planet, only to perform ridiculous manoeuvres such as buzzing aircraft and frightening people before mysteriously disappearing into thin air?
Looking at the phenomenon from a Biblical point of view, it becomes clear as to what these UFOs actually are and why they are here. Following Lucifer's sin, the devil and his angels were cast out of God's presence (Luke 10:18). The Bible states that these fallen beings presently reside in the first and second heavens, also known as the atmosphere and outer space (Ephesians 2:2). The interaction of angels with the human race is recorded for us throughout the Scriptures, yet it seems to be limited to three main roles. Conveying messages (Daniel 9:22, Luke 1:19, Acts 10:22), executing judgements (Genesis 19, 2nd Chronicles 32:21, 2nd Samuel 24:16) and preserving believers (Daniel 6:22, Acts 12:7, Hebrews 1:14). There is no tangible interaction between the angelic host and any governmental authority or body. Even demonic interaction with the human race seems to be Divinely restricted to a certain extent. Some of these 'extra-terrestrials' are able to convey messages to certain individuals (compare 1st Kings 22:21-23). These messages usually take the form of New Age teaching, that mankind must 'evolve to the next level of enlightenment' in order to escape a coming time of trouble, and that only when we become one will they be able to intervene on our behalf. And even then they only seem to appear to people who have previously opened themselves up to occult experiences or other related phenomenon. That seems to be all they are permitted to do at this point in time. This may be why despite thousands of years of UFO sightings, no official government contact has ever been made with an extra-terrestrial civilization. But the Bible indicates that a time will come when official contact will be made. During the tribulation period, a war in heaven will erupt between God's angels and those that follow Satan (Revelation 12:7-12). The demonic host will be defeated, thrown out of the atmosphere and outer space, and cast down to Earth in anticipation of the last battle. A voice in heaven pronounces the jubilant news for those that dwell in heaven (angels and believers), and a solemn warning for those that remain on Earth.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Following the war in space, a one world government is set up which will be headed by the Antichrist and empowered by Satan himself (Revelation 13). What kind of deception is staged to bring all this about is not specified, but judging by the messages now being propagated by these 'extra-terrestrials', it is entirely possible that some form of mass UFO apparition may occur. The sudden appearance of thousands of UFOs in our skies could be given as an explanation for the apparent disappearance of millions of Christians in the rapture (2nd Thessalonians 2:11-12). It would also have a tremendous unifying effect on the governments of Earth, as world leaders search for a representative who can speak of behalf of everyone. Is this coming end time deception part of the reason for the recent disclosure by several Western governments of information relating to the UFO phenomenon? Is this coming end time deception part of the reason for the recent acknowledgement by the Vatican and Lutheran Church of the possibility of extra-terrestrial life existing in our universe? Only time will tell. I think there is no doubt interest will continue to rise in the UFO phenomenon and sightings like this will continue to increase until the tribulation period begins. The Bible warns us that the time of Christ's coming cannot be predicted in advance. That's why it is important to be ready for His coming now. Jesus Christ is coming back, first to take all those who have trusted in Him for salvation to be with Him in the Father's House (John 14:3), and then to bring judgement upon this rebellious planet. Only those who have had their sins forgiven will escape the judgement to come (Luke 21:36). Heed the warning. "Flee from the wrath to come", Matthew 3:7. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).