are some of the key words we hear today as we listen to the radio or watch TV. We are told of rising sea levels in the future that will flood coastal areas, polar caps melting and the polar bears having no where to live, drought and much much more. So as Bible believing Christians what are we to do? I think we should look at -
Man Made Climate Change
Versus
God and His Word
There is much talk today by certain scientists, journalists, politions, the general public, and even TV series made about how the world is in such terrible trouble because of the amount of carbon that humans and bovine animals release into the atmosphere which is supposed to be causing climate change. The human side of the blame for the CO2 is said to come mostly from industry, cars, etc. As Christians we need to find out if climate has changed very much in the past, or if God has ordained certain things to happen at a given time.
The Lord has admonished us to search the Scriptures and prove all things.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
The Bereans were said to be more noble than some others because they would check things out to see if they were so.
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11.
With the current debates going on world wide in regard to CO2, Global Warming, Climate Change, etc., one could think that this issue could be a battle between science and religion, or rich and poor nations. However, I believe that the real battle is not science versus religion, or rich versus the poor nations, or any other excuse, but between truth versus error.
With the battle lines drawn and all the different parties presenting their views, just what does Scripture have to say on this seemingly all consuming subject.
To start with we need to ask some important questions and find out how God's word answers them.
- What was the climate like when God created this world?
- Did the climate change?
- How much did the climate change?
- Is God in control?
- What does God say about human knowledge?
- What did God predict for the climate in the last days?
- What changes in nature and climate will God's wrath cause?
Let us take these questions one at a time and search God's Holy Word for the answers.
1. What was the climate like when God created this world?
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. . . . And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:" Genesis 1:1, 14.
"And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed." Genesis 2:25.
Genesis 1:1 and 14 tells us that God made this heaven and earth, and that the lights in the firmament, the sun, moon, and stars, were for signs, seasons, days, and years. Then with the creation of Adam and Eve we notice they are both naked. To be naked the climate would most likely need to be warm to hot. This fact is also well established in the archaeological world although they put a different time frame to it. Archeologists have discovered that at one time the whole of the planet from one pole to equator and to the other pole, was like a lush tropical forest.
In lush tropical forests of today, the humidity is usually quite high, with a lot of mist. This is similar to what we read in Scripture about this earth's beginning.
"And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and [there was] not a man to till the ground. But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground." Genesis 2:5, 6.
From all of these Scriptures we see that the sun, moon, and stars were created for seasons, days, and years, that the climate would have been warm, and that until the time of Noah's flood there was no rain. God used a mist to rise from the earth to water the whole ground, and that the climate was tropical.
2. Did the climate change?
As we know from the Word of God and from history, it was not very long before sin enters upon the scene.
"And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Genesis 3:17-19.
Reading from Gen 1 to Genesis 6 we find no mention of a change in the climate from Adam to Noah. However, dark clouds are soon to arise, the result will be seen in the earth and the story handed down from generation to generation.
"And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. . . . In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights." Genesis 6:17; 7:11, 12.
"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Hebrews 11:7.
Here we see that (because of sin) God was going to destroy every living thing upon the earth with a flood caused by rain which was something that had never happened or been seen before, and the fountains of the deep opening up. This flood would not only have destroyed every living thing on the earth, but would have changed the climate as well.
The fossil record and geology of the earth today show that a flood of giant size covered the whole earth. We also understand that the people before the flood found it hard to believe that it would rain, because it had not rained for the last 1600 hundred years so they reasoned that nature would not change to such an extent that water would fall from the sky. Their unbelief resulted in their destruction.
3. How much did the climate change?
From the time of Noah's flood right through to the end of Revelation we find that the climate varied from good rains causing good harvests to drought causing famines, from hot to freezing cold, hail, and snow, and everything in-between.
Here are a few references to consider.
"And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land." Genesis 12:10.
"Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;" Genesis 41:29, 30.
"That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD." Jeremiah 11:5.
Note:- A land flowing with milk and honey would be fertile and well watered.
"And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria." 1 Kings 18:2.
"And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;" Genesis 18:1.
"Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned." Job 24:19.
"And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:" 2 Samuel 23:20.
"He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?" Psalm 147:16, 17.
"I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD." Haggai 2:17.
Note:- Mildew only grows in hot humid tropical weather.
"My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:" Job 6:15, 16.
Note:- Black ice is caused by warm weather causing algae to grow, and suddenly getting very cold and freezing trapping the algae in the ice.
So far from Scripture we see that the period of time from Creation to Noah's flood had very little climate change. However, after the flood the weather patterns were changed drastically.
4. Is God in control?
Paul when writing to the Colossians said, "For by him (Jesus Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" Colossians 1:16. But just because He created everything does not mean that He controls everything. So let us see if there is anything in Scripture that shows us if He is in control of everything, including the weather.
"And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." Genesis 8:21, 22.
"Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. . . . He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down." Psalm 104:1, 19.
"Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. . . . Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:" Psalm 148:1, 8.
"Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:" Daniel 2:20, 21.
"If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:13, 14.
These texts clearly state that God controls the seasons, cold and heat, summer and winter and that they will remain while this earth remains. They also show us that God uses different aspects of the climate or weather to punish or bless people/countries depending on their loyalty and obedience to Him.
We also know that when Jesus walked on this earth as a man the wind and the seas obeyed Him. (Matt. 8:27; Mark 4:41.) Hebrews 13:8 tells us, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." So if Jesus could control the weather in the past, then He can control the weather today and the future.
5. What does God say about human knowledge?
Many Scientists today think they have the science or knowledge about certain subjects and like to be quoted as all knowing on these subjects. Scientists may have some knowledge, but unless their science in based on the infallible Word of God their scientific theories will change as knowledge increases over time. However, if the scientific theories are based on God's infallible Word, then we can know that they are sure and fast because God is all knowing, and has been around before this world was created and He knows what happened.
When Job was going through all his trouble God asked him some very pointed questions about what he knew. Let us read what God said.
"Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?" Job 38:1-27.
God was basically saying to Job that by seeking out the secret counsel of God by man's reason, it only makes it more obscure and shows his own folly. So when Scientists try to explain the things that God made, controls and does, by man's reasoning, then their words are pure folly like Job's were.
6. What did God predict for the climate in the last days?
While Jesus walked on this earth as a man He made some predictions as to what the climate - natural, political and spiritual - will be like in the last days. Some of these are:-
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows." Matthew 24:4-8.
"And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
And it shall turn to you for a testimony." Luke 21:8-13.
"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:37-39.
"And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:26-30.
Jesus foretold that there would be famines, earthquakes, and pestilences. He also said that things in the last days would be similar to those in the days of Noe or Noah just before the flood, and Sodom before it was destroyed. It should be noted that both of these quotes say that there will be eating and drinking, showing that not all the would will be in famine. There will be some places of plenty while other places will be suffering famines.
This is exactly what we see in the world to day. Let God's people watch and listen carefully because the time is at hand when the Lord is permitting all these things to happen. This can mean only one thing and that is the end of all things is at hand and the Lord Jesus is coming very soon as Lord of Lords.
7. What changes in nature and climate will God's wrath cause?
In the very last book of the Bible, Revelation, we read that just before Jesus return God will pour out His wrath upon those who do not serve or obey Him. (Rev. 16:2.)
"And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea.
And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory." Revelation 16:3-9.
If these plagues were global no human life would survive. However, as there are people alive at the end of all the plagues it is evident that only certain parts of the earth or sea are effected by each of these plagues.
Keeping this in mind let us look at the things of nature and climate that will be affected. The sea will be turned black as the blood of a dead man; rivers and fountains will become blood; and the sun will become hotter to such an extent that it will burn people. These plagues are not only very dramatic to think about, but will be very devastating to those who suffer them.
Conclusion
Looking at Global warming, Climate Change, CO2 etc. with the Bible as our guide we can see that mankind is responsible for the changes to weather. The word of God is very clear on this but it's from sin or the breaking of God's laws that have brought the floods, famine and pestilence. Not the effect of CO2 or other gases that we put into the atmosphere. These can have a small effect but the Christian knows and understands that all things have God's hand over them.
When the history of this world is traced down from creation till the flood there was very little difference in weather patterns. From the flood down to 18th century we find many variation in the climate. These periods ranged from wet, dry, cold, hot, with even the mini ice ages. But all these really are classed as normal in the one sense. Because of God's controlling and His will being done. We also know that at times of evil or sin by nations God will bring adverse climate upon them if He sees fit to do so.
From the 18th century the Christian knows that the prophetic periods that pointed to the end time were all coming to fulfillment. This means several things but the main ones are the with drawing of the Holy Spirit as He is rejected by mankind and also the second coming of Christ. Like the days of Noah so shall it be in the last days men will be eating and drinking and be totally unaware of the moment. The people of Noah's day would not believe in a flood because it had never rained. The scientists of Noah's day said it was impossible to have rain from the sky.
Does this then mean that we can willfully waste water, destroy forests without replanting them, use toxic chemicals or fertilizers without a care? To answer this question we will look at just two texts.
"And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." Genesis 2:15.
"And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." Revelation 11:18.
God told Adam to dress and keep his garden home. Not only this but Scripture tells us that when Jesus Christ returns He will destroy those who destroy the earth. So not wasting water, replanting forests and trees, avoiding toxic chemicals or fertilizers, and generally caring for the environment without putting it before the lives of human beings is what God's Word commands us as Christian to do.
With the rejection of the true God of heaven the people will look to science for answers just like the days of Noah. But we do have God's word.
"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." Genesis 8:22.
If we find a change let us look to the word of God for the answers and not the men of science that tend to make to many mistakes.
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica,
in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,
and searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so."
Acts 17:11.
© July, 2008 by D & S Goeldner.
