Climate Change is back in the News

     Various reports indicate that the Antarctic icepack is increasing in area; Himalayan glaciers are growing, polar bear populations are increasing, while parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa experienced record or near record cold temperatures in the past year.  Perhaps those reports explain why President Obama promised in his recent inaugural address that, “We will respond to the threat of climate change.”

     It is undisputed that there have been regional fluctuations in the climate around the world in recent decades. Regional climate fluctuations have been either hotter or drier than usual or colder and wetter than usual. The major question is what causes such fluctuations.  Many think that climate change can be attributed to man’s poor stewardship of the earth. 

     According to the Bible God used heat and drought to chastise Israel for indifference and disobedience.  Just prior to entering the Promised Land, God outlined the consequences for disobedience which included:

    “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes…your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron.  The LORD will change the rain of your land to powder and dust…”  Deuteronomy 28:1, 23-24

     Notice the drought would be a direct act of God. 

     Approximately a millennium later when the Israelites returned from their Babylonian captivity, their priorities centered on selfish pursuits instead of honoring God and again they were chastised with drought.

     “Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew…For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and…whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”  Haggai 1:10-11

     During the future tribulation period, however, the whole earth will be chastised with both excessive cold and excessive heat.

     “Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened.  A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.”  Revelation 8:12

       The level of cold can only be imagined when a third of the sun is struck so that it won’t shine.  It will only get worse after that.

     “…Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”  Revelation 8:13b

     Then the earth will experience extremes in the form of heat.

     “Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.  And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.”  Revelation 16:8-9

     Notice several significant facts from the above verses.  Firstly, it is reaffirmed that God has power over those plagues including the solar system and will cause heat or cold, drought or flood on the earth as He sees fit.  Secondly, men’s hearts will not change, i.e. they will continue to blaspheme the name of God and not give Him glory.

     If then the Bible is accepted as true, ‘climate change’ is in the hands of the almighty sovereign God and He will send heat or cold as He deems necessary in order for man to recognize Him as God and at the same time realize their own impotence relative to climate control.

     Therefore, it will be very interesting to see if President Obama in responding ‘to the threat of climate change’ will recognize reality or succumb to his own ‘wisdom’ along with the majority of mankind.

     “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders…hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’”  Revelation 6:15-17

Division is a Sign of the Times

     Many objective observers note that this nation is presently extremely polarized relative to political ideologies.  But does the division have a deeper meaning?  There are those who believe that political ideology should be kept separate from religion while others believe that the Bible can help explain contemporary political issues.

     And then there are those who believe that Jesus would be the answer to all division and would bring peace to the whole world when He was born. 

     “For unto us a Child is born…Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever…”  Isaiah 9:6-7

     The wording ‘from that time forward’ reveals that peace would follow judgment and will be fulfilled when Christ returns to earth and begins His rule during the millennial kingdom.  But the purpose of His birth and mission during His initial advent was substantially different.

     “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!  But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!  Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth?  I tell you, not at all, but rather division.”  Luke 12:49-51

     Inasmuch as history is presently between Christ’s first advent and His return, the earth should expect division which is proactively initiated and given by Christ Himself.  He speaks of His impending sacrificial death to redeem mankind which must first take place before He can bring peace on the earth.  He wishes that the time of His return to judge the earth was already here.

     The division He speaks of is the division between those who accept His deity and gift of redemption versus those who choose to go it on their own.  According to the Bible any other divisions among men are totally subsidiary to the ultimate division. 

     There are, however, correlations between differing political ideologies and the ultimate division among men.  There are many who believe that political factions should be willing to compromise in order to solve national problems.  Even some ‘church’ spokesmen believe there should be unity among factions.  Such tactics are not scripturally based and compromise is not a scriptural principle.

     God’s standard of justice and righteousness are absolute and not subject to compromise.  The common and popular premise that ‘we should all get along’ for the good of the nation is perhaps well intended but not backed by Scripture.

     Christians are admonished to take a stand for Biblical principles and not waiver.  Jesus also taught that taking a stand would cause division and hatred.

     “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake…”  Matthew 10:22a

     “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”  Matthew 24:9

     Jesus also gave a warning to those who would cave and deny Him.

     “…But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father…”  Matthew 10-32

     Just as there are those who will not compromise Christ’s teachings there are those who adamantly take a stand against Biblical teachings.  Consider the impasse presently between the administration and the House of Representatives.  The issues appear to be irreconcilable.  The issues can be clearly identified as to whether they are scripturally based or not.

          Therefore, division is present and should be recognized as well as expected.  It is a sign of the times.

     “Then He also said to the multitudes, whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is.  And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is.  Hypocrites!  You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?”  Luke 12:54-56

     Thus there will be those who miss the ‘big picture’ and focus on remedying political division while others will smile and say to themselves, ‘God’s plan is right on schedule’.

    

Who in the World Would Choose to Suffer

     The Greek base for ‘suffer’ has multiple implications, i.e. distress, hostility, affliction, torment, oppression, persecution, and/or repeated acts of enmity from without.  Recall Satan hates what God loves.  That simple truth sheds light on those who suffer and those who cause it. 

     Biblical accounts of suffering are plentiful beginning with examples from the Old Testament.

     “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing (temporary) pleasures of sin…”  Hebrews 11:24-25

     Suffering then is a reality for the ‘people of God’ or the present age ‘church’ and is the result of faith.  Both faith and the power to choose suffering are gifts of God.

     New Testament Apostles Paul and Peter both had much to say about present day suffering and its implications for the future.  Both of them convey that suffering is inherent for members of the Christian Brotherhood.

     “…and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”  2 Timothy 3:12

     This passage clearly states that ‘all’ Christians, i.e. those who understand Christ’s deity, accept His redemptive plan, and choose to follow His teachings will (not ‘may’) suffer persecution.  Inasmuch as Satan hates what God loves, all Christians can expect to suffer along with Christ and for His sake.

     “…what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently?  But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.  For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps…” 1 Peter 2:20-21

     Peter confirmed that suffering is commendable before God but only when such suffering is endured for the sake of Christ.  Christ is the ultimate example of suffering for the sake of others, i.e. us.

     Peter then expounds on the truth that suffering for the Christian is a cause for present rejoicing as well as future blessings.

     “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice so the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”  1 Peter 4:12-14

     Paul also made it clear that his personal suffering produced great joy.

     “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church…”  Colossians 1:25

     Paul was explaining that he had the honor of suffering for the sake of the church of which Christ is the ‘chief cornerstone.’  Persecution of Christ did not end after His initial time on earth.  Paul rejoiced that he had the honor of bearing continued persecution aimed at Christ and His people.

     And Paul summarized the glory of suffering for Christians in this present age in his letter to the church at Philippi.

     “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also so suffer for His sake…”  Philippians 1:29

    Therefore not only is faith to believe in Christ a gift of God, but an equal gift is the honor to suffer for Christ’s sake in this present age.

     So who in the world would choose to suffer?  Probably no one.  But which members of the Christian Brotherhood would choose to suffer for the sake of Christ?  Probably every single one of them. 

     “Where is the wise? ...Where is the disputer of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  1 Corinthians 1:20

     Consider hypothetically the titles of two prospective books by two different Christian authors.  One was to be entitled: ‘Health, wealth, and prosperity in this present age’ and the other entitled: ‘The joy of suffering in this present age’.  Which do you suppose would sell the most books?