Over the course of the past few years, there have been all kinds of banter about global warming.
From politicians to pundits, scientists to schoolteachers, grandmas and grandpas to grandchildren, speculations and assertions abound as to what it going on with terra firma.
The earth is heating up, at least it is alleged, the polar bears are without a home, the oceans are on the rise, and summers and winters are more severe than ever!
It appears as if our demise is just around the corner. What can we as a human race do?
Most suggestions as solutions to global warming are typically filled with ulterior motives designed to lord it over the people, rather than actually address whatever perceived problems are out there.
Examples of this are seen all across the heartland of the country, where huge monstrosity windmills have been erected to generate electricity, as they destroy grassland for animals on the ground and kill the birds that just happen to be flying in the wrong air space.
What is obvious in that respect is the fact that a whole lot of hot air was blowing either to convince anyone that that was a solution to our energy needs or to cool the earth.
That said, most people seem to sense something is going on with the earth’s climate, but they are not quite sure what that might be, yet.
Things Have Changed, Kind of
When I was a child growing upon on the eastern plains of Colorado, a person could almost rely on winter arriving sometime toward the end of October and lasting sometimes into May.
That was usually preceded by blustery springs, warm summers, and crisp falls, all with slight variations, none of which caused the panic we sometimes see among those who believe that planet earth is a person in need of human intervention and salvation.
One Halloween, a blizzard blew into town, and by the time the storm had moved on, we had three feet of snow on the ground, drifts much higher surrounding buildings, and all of which turned out to be a prelude of many more feet to come in months ahead.
Today, though, all of that seems to have changed. Although I no longer live in Colorado, it is clear that the winters are not as long, cold, or snowy.
Winter arrives later, stays shorter, and causes less excitement—if shoveling snow stacked up to your posterior is exciting—than it used to.
On the other hand, summers arrive earlier, stay longer, and cause more problems due to heat stress, insect infestation, and drought than it ever did before.
The “experts” tell us that all of the global warming going on is due to human activity; that too many carbon emissions is causing a green house effect upon the earth, which if allowed to continue, will result in the extinction of life on earth—at least the human variety.
Whether or not the experts are correct or not, one thing is certain: we are headed toward a period of global warming unknown since the creation of man and what we are seeing today may be a foretaste of things to come.
The Bible & Global Warming
The Bible actually predicts a day when the earth, and everything that inhabits it, will experience a period of devastating global warming; so much so that billions of humans will die, almost instantaneously, and the heavens and the earth will be destroyed with them.
Jesus’ Prediction
Jesus alluded to such a period as the “great tribulation” (Mt. 24:21) and then gave us a glimpse into environmental and atmosphere conditions during that catastrophic time.
And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the seas and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Lk. 21:25-26).
He does not explain what the “signs” or miracles would be, but later one of his disciples, John, would repeatedly discuss the role the sun would play in tormenting rebellious mankind during those days of God’s final judgment.
What is interesting in Jesus’ discourse is the mental and emotional conditions of those on the earth experiencing all the mayhem.
They are said to be “in perplexity” or suffering serious anxiety and fainting from fear and expectation because of the things they see unfolding all around them.
At times, listening to the panic-stricken today talk or write about global warming is reminiscent of what Jesus predicted two millennia ago.
Peter’s Prediction
Jesus’ comments on “global warming,” though, are mild compared to those of the Apostle Peter. He wrote,
But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men (2 Pet. 3:7).
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! (2 Pet. 3:10-12).
Peter’s prophecy begins to unfold apparently during a time when all things seem to be relatively stable and peaceful.
It is also why there will be “mockers”—or those acting like spoiled children making fun of someone or something they assume can be bullied into submission—mocking the idea of any return by Jesus (2 Pet. 3:3-4).
Their conceit and shortsightedness eventuates in them being caught off-guard.
While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” sudden destruction comes upon them like the contractions a woman in labor feels just before delivery (1 Th. 5:3).
John’s Prediction
Of course, the Book of Revelation, written by John, gives the ultimate account of the days leading up to Jesus’ return, and it is not pretty.
In terms of what the earth’s climate will be like, as it pertains to global warming, the first reference is found in Revelation 7:16, which reads, “They shall hunger to more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun beat down on them, nor any heat.”
Although many Christians, today, are of the impression that the church will be “raptured” out of all the disorder, death, and destruction, this particular verse, along with verse 14, places Christians in the midst of it all.
Part of the suffering, during that awful time, will be atmospheric, as the sun will “beat down,” or literally “fall upon,” the earth’s inhabitants.
Those tribulation saints who have escaped by beheading (Rev. 20:4) will no longer have to experience the torment of “heat,” which is reflective of what Peter wrote about previously.
It is not just heat, but “intense heat;” heat that not only burns everything, but melts everything, as well.
John’s next global warming reference is found in Revelation 16:8-9, which reads,
And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues; and they did not repent, so as to give Him glory.
The intensity of the sun’s rays will be increased dramatically to the point where human beings will be scorched, assuming they are anywhere but inside a rock or concrete structure.
“Fierce” heat or “mega” heat extends the intensity to the extreme where it is not going to make a difference where anyone tries to find relief, other than maybe a deep cave, because there will be none.
Final Thoughts
Whether we are all experiencing what the “experts” want us to believe is “Global Warming” seems to be based more on conjecture and pseudo-science than actual facts.
Granted, the days of yesteryear seem different, climatologically speaking, than the ones we currently experience, but so many of our memories and experiences are frequently conditioned by what others wish us to believe and think than, once again, actual facts.
At one time, not too long ago, the “experts” were telling everyone that the earth was on the cusp of another ice age.
Obviously, that did not materialize, even though according to their calculations at the time, derived from the best “science” has to offer, they wanted us to believe what they were telling us.
Regardless, however, what the politicians, scientists, or maybe even Farmer’s Almanac are saying about global warming, the Bible makes it perfectly clear that it is inevitable.
There is coming a day when God’s final judgment will be poured out on the earth, and one manifestation of that judgment will be by “intense heat,” part of which will come from the sun.
The earth, in other words, is not going to be a nice place to live. Everything will be either on fire or on the verge of a “great” conflagration.
No one will be immune, with innumerable people already torched, attempting to hide in the rocks and crevices, or mercilessly dying at the hands of dictators wanting to play God, but for all the wrong reasons.
What we are seeing in the apparent changing of the earth’s climate may just be a pretext leading up to judgment.
On the other hand, the earth may be simply going another of its many climatic cycles that have been going on for thousands of years before the first meteorologist starting making observations.
Whatever the case, perhaps the best advice anyone could give during these times of climatological uncertainty is
Be on guard, that your hearts many not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day [the coming of the Lord] come upon you like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man (Lk. 21:34-36).
