VIEWPOINT

One of the most thought provoking articles I’ve seen in a while comes from the pen of G. Wyatt Shaw in The Christian Citadel.  It’s under the title “Is It Man Who Is in Control?” 

“Those who are forecasting disaster unless their expensive agenda is followed are predicting global warming will seriously affect this planet unless immediate steps are taken to forestall this impending disaster.  And it is quite possible they are correct.  But the obvious inaccuracy of meteorologists in predicting the weather even thirty days in advance makes their doom and gloom forecasts questionable.

“It may shock the noble, the brilliant, the wise, the knowledgeable to consider that MAN may not be in control of the climate of this planet.  Bible students are aware that in 1 Corinthians 10:26 Paul wrote, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.”  There exists more than a reasonable doubt that no matter what man may do, its effect on the climate will be minimal.  Some years ago an article appeared by an author now unremembered who said:

“‘If men knew that in exactly 2,000 years the sun would cease to give light or heart, and die, and if the countries of the world mobilized everyone of the more than six billion citizens to stockpile every source of energy known, which would include coal, gas, petroleum, peat, nuclear fuel, etc., the total accumulation would keep the earth liveable for almost three days.’

“This does not propose that the laws of nature be disregarded. Surely God assigned man with some intelligence for its productive use.  You may remember that predictions were made when the oil fields of a Mid-East country were set afire some years ago that this would adversely affect the earth’s climate for years.  In less than six months evidence of the fire had disappeared.  No one contends that the global warming that ended the Ice Age was from man’s use of fossil fuels. 

“It is possible that no matter what man may or may not do, God is in control and when He wants it either hotter or colder, the puny efforts of man will have but minimal effect.  If we consider the Bible the inspired word of God, which it is, then when God’s long suffering is exhausted He will destroy the earth.  This ominous expectation appears in 2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

“You may see signs that announce, ‘Jesus is coming soon.’  This is entirely possible.  But no man on earth knows that it will be sooner, or later or when.  It is more accurate to say, ‘Jesus may be coming soon.’  For centuries men have presumed to predict that day Jesus would come again.  While in the flesh Jesus didn’t know.  Nor does any man know today nor will he ever know until it happens. 

“Instead of worrying about the end of the world we need to be ready for the second coming of Jesus no matter when it happens.  For Jesus warned, ‘Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh. . . . Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.’”

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I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a smile, a Bible and a positive word!                                                               RA