| Arguments are raging around the world as to the | | | | The answer: God. It was prophesied that this would |
| reality or otherwise of climate change. Is it really | | | | occur in the last days, along with other signs of the |
| happening and more significantly, is man causing it? | | | | times. Signs such as nation rising against nation, |
| Now I'm no scientist and so cannot weigh in to the | | | | kingdom against kingdom, wars, tumults and rumours |
| debate from that angle. But I can provide a view | | | | of war, all of which point to the end times. These |
| from the Bible as one who reads and believes what it | | | | climatic changes were prophesied to herald the last |
| says. Climate change is real. There is no doubt about | | | | days in preparation for the return of Christ. |
| it and regardless of the sceptics; this is not just a | | | | Now if these things are signs from God, is there any |
| natural cycle of events. | | | | likelihood that man can prevent these things |
| The world is baffled at the events taking place in the | | | | occurring? Not a chance! If the hand of God is indeed |
| weather, and yet it was foretold two thousand | | | | behind these events, then man would have more |
| years ago that this would happen. | | | | chance of holding back the tide than trying to |
| Jesus said, "...there will be great earthquakes and in | | | | prevent these things from happening. |
| various places famines and pestilences..." (Luke 21:11) | | | | So should we be concerned about this? In short, no |
| In the recent past there have been plagues of | | | | we should not. These are prophesied as events that |
| locusts and mice across sections of Australia. | | | | must happen. Christians can actually take heart |
| Earthquakes are being reported with alarming | | | | because these signs are telling us that the time of |
| regularity in the news. The United States Geological | | | | the Lord's return is soon. We can take comfort in the |
| Survey recorded 16,590 earthquakes in 1990 and this | | | | knowledge that as these things get worse, and they |
| has risen to 31,777 in 2008. | | | | will, we know that the Lord is not far away. |
| The Bible also says, "... upon the earth distress of | | | | But how bad will it get? Well I can't answer that but |
| nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and | | | | it will get worse than it is today. What we are seeing |
| waves..." (Luke 21:25-26) | | | | is just a beginning. However the Bible also tells us |
| The frequency and magnitude of tsunamis are clear | | | | that when the Lord returns it will be like when God |
| evidence of the roaring of the sea and waves. The | | | | flooded the earth or when he destroyed Sodom and |
| Boxing Day tsunami in South-East Asia (2004) and | | | | Gomorrah. He says that the people will eat and drink, |
| the recent tsunamis in Fiji and Samoa were | | | | marry and be given in marriage right up until the day |
| unparalleled disasters. Tsunamis have caused such | | | | the Lord returns (Luke 17:26-30). So this tells us that |
| anxiety amongst island and coastal dwellers that | | | | mankind will be doing all of the normal things they do |
| unprecedented efforts have gone into development | | | | right up until the end. |
| of early warning systems. | | | | So is climate change a thing to fear? No. It is a |
| In all of these matters the nations are perplexed as | | | | necessary part of the process that God set in train |
| to what is causing these chaotic and dramatic shifts | | | | thousands of years ago and from which he will save |
| in weather. Governments are discussing climate | | | | his people. He has told us two further things in the |
| change to an extent previously unheard of across a | | | | scriptures from which we can be encouraged. He |
| background of conflicting scientific experts on both | | | | says, "When these things begin to take place, look |
| sides. Arguments are raging about carbon footprints, | | | | up and raise your heads because your redemption is |
| emissions trading schemes and the like in attempts to | | | | drawing near." (Luke 21:28), and, "...when you see all |
| try to do something about these events. | | | | these things, you know that he is near, at the very |
| Which brings us to the question: what is causing | | | | gates." (Matthew 24:33), so take heart and be |
| these dramatic climatic events? | | | | prepared. |