SIGNS FOR 2010 – Pt. 2 – “Mother Nature or Father God?”

Matt. 16:1-3 (MES) “Some Pharisees and Sadducees were on him again, pressing him to prove himself to them. He told them, “You have a saying that goes, ‘Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning.’ You find it easy enough to forecast the weather—why can’t you read the signs of the times?”

In Part 1 of this current series, we looked at the general scenario of what many believe the End Times or Last Days will look like. We focused in on the signs Jesus said to watch for as His return draws near:

1. Deception
2. World Conflicts
3. Natural Catastrophes
4. Persecution of Believers
5. Israel Reborn
6. World-wide Spiritual Revival

In Ezekiel 33, God calls His people to be “Watchmen” on the wall of history an dprophecy.  A “Watchman” sees, hears and warns of what it coming.

In this message, I want to speak on a prophetic subject that preachers rarely deal with, “Signs in Nature,” particularly the environment.  Let’s go to the Word of God, Luke 21:7-11: “They questioned Him, saying, ‘Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?’ And He said, ‘See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.’ Then He continued by saying to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. (25) There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (MES) “It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.”

Could it be that we will see on the news what we have seen on the big screen over the past few years. Movies like “The Day After Tomorrow” and “Deep Impact” gave a glimpse on what “could” happen as nature explodes before us. I think the big question is this, “Who’s in control around here… Mother Nature or Father God?”  We have to know the answer to the questions people ask about Katrina, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis.  Are these natural catastrophes or “Acts of God” that play out as we near the Lord’s return?

USGS reports, “There’s a 100 percent chance of an earthquake today. Though millions of persons may never experience an earthquake, they are very common occurrences on this planet. So today — somewhere — an earthquake will occur.”  In checking a list of the history of earthquakes, it just takes a glance to see the increase of earthquake activity in the past 40 years.  Tsunamis are the result of earthquake activity under the sea or ocean, and could result from an Asteroid falling from space.

A recent news article out of Russia suggests that the Russians are ready to spend millions of dollars to find a way to prevent an Asteroid from hitting the Earth in the next 20 years.

Can we doubt that we are seeing another plague with the AIDS epidemic spreading across the Globe? Like most plagues, we usually know the cause. The root cause of AIDS is sexual immorality, starting with homosexuality, not beyond that practice.

Famine is devastating entire nations and peoples no matter how much we seem to be spending to feed millions on the brink of starvation.

But perhaps the most controversial sign in nature is the ecology. The great debate raging today in our world relates to the question, “Is there truly global warming, and if so, what is causing it? Is it Mother Nature, Father God, or man?”

I want to look at this today, and teach you how to answer the question.  Remember the fairy tale, “Chicken Little,” who ran around the barnyard shouting, “The sky is falling, the sky is falling.” An article in “Imprimis” by Dr. Fred Singer debunks the claims that there is truth to the claim that there is unusual climate warming today any more than in past centuries, or that man is causing it.

President Obama says, “Few challenges facing America and the world are more urgent than combating climate change. The science is beyond dispute and the facts are clear” (11-19-08).

However, a statement signed by more than 100 of the world’s top scientists and researchers challenges the President’s statement in an open letter to him in the NY Times, Wash. Post, and LA Times on March 30, 2009:  “With all due respect, Mr. President, that is not true. We, the undersigned scientists, maintain that the case for alarm regarding climate change is grossly overstated. Surface temperature changes over the past century have been episodic and modest and there has been no net global warming for over a decade now. After controlling for population’s growth and property values, there has been no increase in damages from severe weather-related events.  The computer models forecasting rapid temperature change abjectly fail to explain recent climate behavior. Mr. President, your characterization of the scientific facts regarding climate change and the degree of uncertainty informing the scientific debate is simply incorrect.”

Most Americans don’t realize where the “cap and trade” legislation could lead us. In an article entitled “Cap and Trade for Babies” a feature writer for the NY Times actually suggested that we might end up punishing families with more than two children with extra financial responsibility for sending more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. WOW! Wake up, America, and speak out now about such foolishness.

I think it is tremendously important to state here the position of our National Association of Evangelicals on this subject in our recent publication. Contact me for a copy of “For The Health of the Nation.”

The Biblical Mandate is clear for Christ-followers:

1. Christians care about climate control, but want the facts.  We support any effort to protect God’s creation, considering the benefits clean air, water, and agriculture will be to the even the poorest among us.  Our mandate is Matt. 22:36-40 (MES): “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?” Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: “Love others as well as you love yourself.” These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.

2. Christians believe that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, and has mandated US to care for it.  Gen. 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Gen. 2:7, 15: “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”  Psa. 24:1, 2:  “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.”   Col. 1:16, 17: “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Just remember, like the old hymn says so well, “This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.  This is my Father’s world, the battle is not done; Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and EARTH and HEAVEN be one.”  In the end of this age, Jesus will reign. The question is, “Will you reign with Him?

II Peter 3:14 (NLT): “And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.  And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.”

Again, I say it clearly, I believe the only reason Jesus has not returned is because there are still lost souls to be saved. “The Lord’s patience gives people time to be SAVED!” Well, I’m saved, and I’m glad that I am! Are you?