In recent years there
has been a constant stream of stories in the news regarding climate change.
There are some who contend that earth dwellers face an “existential threat” in
the next 12 years. I am not adequately informed to make definitive statements
regarding climate change, though as a self-avowed ‘weather nerd’, I have
noticed how meteorologists often have difficulty predicting what the weather is
going do three days into the future.
One additional thought
before I move to the point of today’s blog. If those of us who call earth home
are facing catastrophic change by 2030, then one would think that there would
more significant changes happening in the climate right now. Living in the
mid-Willamette Valley of Oregon, I am surrounded by farms. As far as I can
tell, farming is going well. There has been an explosion of new hazelnut orchards
all around us. These farmers are counting on the climate continuing to provide
ideal growing conditions for the immediate future.
When Jesus walked the earth,
he told us what to expect in the ‘last days,’ or as things would be moving
towards a conclusion of life on earth, as we know it. Matthew 23 records His
words. Jesus specifically mentions several things that will transpire: Verse 6:
“And you will hear of wars and threats of wars”; Verse 7: “Nation
will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” It is what He
said next that I was reminded of this morning, Verse 7: “There will be
famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.” Famine is
directly climate-related, as an extended drought grips a region of the world. Famine
could also be caused by an infestation of insects (i.e. locusts), which could
be weather-related, or due to political unrest, which would not be weather-related.
In Luke 21 Jesus spoke of the last days, uttering these words: “25 And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” Many of these signs are directly related to climate and conditions on earth. The whole chapter refers to different signs of the end. I encourage you to read it.
There are many
other passages that speak prophetically about the end. If we begin to see
increasing climate-related changes in the next few years, God-fearing people
will have to discern whether the source is natural (of nature) or supernatural (of
God). The stage has definitely been set, so if God does choose to make these the
“last days,” with all of the associated climate-related signs prophesied in the
Bible, there will be a strong movement to attribute the changes to climate. With
the amount of attention climate-change receives today, I think it is in the
realm of possibility that these changes could trigger massive changes in world
governments (stronger centralized control, greater restrictions on corporations
and individuals), including major economic impacts.
I close
out today’s blog with these words from Jesus (Luke 21 New Living Translation): 34 “Watch
out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the
worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like
a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep
alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these
coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
