The Oarfish Given a Name

# The Oarfish is Given a Name

The oarfish has a long, slender body with a dorsal fin that resembles a ribbon, and it can grow up to 30 feet long. Because of its elongated, snake-like body, people also call the oarfish a "sea serpent." Unlike most fish, the oarfish's body has no scales. This fish is rarely seen while alive, as it tends to leave its natural habitat only when in distress. When dead or disoriented, it rises to the surface and occasionally drifts onto beaches within its range (all tropical to warm temperate ocean regions). It is considered an extremely rare sea creature, with fewer than 25 sightings in Southern California's waters over the past century!

On November 6, 2024, Dr. Alison Laferriere, a fish expert at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California, discovered an oarfish about 10 feet long on a beach in Encinitas, approximately 25 miles north of San Diego. Though this was only one of three unusual sightings in California over the past few months, according to Japanese legend, this rare occurrence is a symbol of an impending apocalypse. Though the exact cause of the oarfish's death has not been determined, experts indicate that this incident "may be related to changes in ocean conditions and an increase in oarfish populations off our coast." Many researchers have hypothesized about why deep-sea fish beach themselves. This stranding coincided with recent tidal changes and Santa Ana winds, but many variables could lead to these strandings.

Unfortunately, the oarfish has been given a terrible name: the "doomsday fish," because it is associated with natural disasters in Japan's historical catastrophe culture. The sight of a "doomsday fish" in shallow waters was considered an omen of an impending earthquake, beginning in the 17th century in Japan. According to Japanese legend, this fish belongs to the servants of the sea god Ryūjin. Therefore, this fish is also called "ryugu no tsukai," meaning "messenger from the palace of the sea god." From this arose the belief that if an oarfish appears in any waters, a major disaster will soon strike—such as an earthquake, flood, or typhoon. Poor oarfish has been given the terrible name "doomsday fish" by people, because it appeared before earthquakes in Japan! Yet research shows there is no connection between this fish and natural disasters, and yet people still give it this name!

Similarly, just as the oarfish is given a name, in the Bible we know there are people who have also been given names. For example, Joseph was called "the dreamer" by his brothers, because the Lord showed him visions in his dreams (Genesis 37:19). Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees "hypocrites" and "generation of vipers" in Matthew to expose their sins: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!... O generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" (Matthew 23:29-33). Truly, only God has the authority to name, designate, and call upon all creatures; for He knows all things, all works, and all people!

As for us Christians, we sometimes are also given names by others, such as being called those who "pray to heaven while eating earthly rice" or "religious hypocrites." But do we give names to others? Giving names to others—calling them or "labeling" them based on our own judgments and prejudices toward them through their actions—is not good and does not please God. We must abandon this practice, for it shows a lack of respect for others. Being imperfect people, we truly do not understand others' reasons for their actions; we should not be biased or display negative attitudes by assigning a name to them. Whether unintentionally or even in jest, assigning someone a label can negatively affect their lives. They will develop a complex and want to distance themselves from us!

Instead, we should be careful about what we say, and always use gentle, kind words when speaking about others, in a way that encourages them to live according to God's Word, as the apostle Paul reminds us: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth: but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29); "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Colossians 4:6). Let us speak words that glorify God's name, benefit those who hear, and demonstrate a life lived according to God's teachings. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will teach us to treat others with compassion, forgiveness, and encouragement as we grow together in Christ. Let Him instruct us to live according to His Word, knowing how to speak words that benefit those who hear, helping them know God clearly, so that they may praise God and accept Him as the Savior of their souls! "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). Amen!

*Thanks for Your grace that always surrounds,* *Exalt God's name everywhere around,* *Works and words always encouraging,* *Help those who hear come to heaven's ground!*

*May Your Holy Spirit always teach and guide,* *Every thought and reflection, by Your Word beside,* *Spirits pure and clean, pleasing in Your sight,* *Spread the Gospel truth to every height!*

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