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