The climate disaster is here. Earth is already becoming unlivable.”—The Guardian.
Mankind faces a crisis of its own making. Most scientists agree that human activity is responsible for global warming. This rise in temperature has already changed the climate and brought disastrous consequences. These include the following:
More frequent and intense weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, and storms, which in turn cause more floods and wildfires.
Melting glaciers and Arctic ice.
Rising sea levels.
The climate crisis has affected every corner of the earth. After documenting conditions in 193 countries, a New York Times report stated: “The planet is sending an SOS.” Because of the death and suffering climate change has caused, the World Health Organization has called it the “single biggest health threat facing humanity.”
However, we have reason to look to the future with hope. The Bible foretold the events that we see happening today, as well as why we can expect God to act and what he will do to protect our future.
Does climate change fulfill Bible prophecy?
Yes. The climate crisis caused by global warming fits events the Bible foretold for our time.
Prophecy: God will “destroy those who are destroying the earth.”—Revelation 11:18, footnote.
The Bible foretold a time when human actions would bring the earth to the brink of ruin. As a result of global warming, people today are ruining the planet on an unprecedented scale.
This prophecy indicates one reason why we cannot expect humans to save the earth. Note that God will step in while people “are destroying the earth.” Whatever progress well-intentioned people make in the fight against climate change, it will not be enough to keep mankind from ruining the earth.
Prophecy: “There will be fearful sights.”—Luke 21:11.
The Bible foretold that “fearful sights,” or terrifying events, would occur in our day. Climate change has generated terrifying weather events around the globe. Today, some people suffer from eco-anxiety—a chronic fear of environmental doom.
Prophecy: “In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, . . . disloyal, . . . not open to any agreement, . . . betrayers, headstrong.”—2 Timothy 3:1-4.
The Bible foretold the traits and behavior that have created the climate crises. Governments and businesses put economic interests first and betray the interests of future generations. Even when they attempt to work together, they cannot agree on the steps needed to stop global warming.
This prophecy indicates that we should not expect that people in general will change their actions and protect the earth. Rather, the Bible states that people displaying selfish qualities would “advance from bad to worse.”—2 Timothy 3:13.
Why we can be certain that God will act:
The Bible reveals that Jehovah a God, our Creator, is committed to our planet and those who inhabit it. Consider just three Bible verses that indicate that God will act.
1.God “did not create [the earth] simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited.”—Isaiah 45:18.
God will accomplish his purpose for the earth. (Isaiah 55:11) He will not let it be destroyed or become uninhabitable.
2.“The meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.”—Psalm 37:11, 29.
God promises that humans will live on the earth forever under peaceful conditions.
3.“As for the wicked, they will be cut off from the earth.”—Proverbs 2:22.
God promises to remove those who persist in wickedness, including those who ruin the earth.
What God will do for our future:
How will God fulfill his promises for the earth? He will do so by means of a worldwide government known as God’s Kingdom. (Matthew 6:10) That Kingdom will rule from heaven. It will not have to negotiate with human governments on issues involving the earth and its environment. Rather, God’s Kingdom will replace human governments.—Daniel 2:44.
God’s Kingdom is good news for all mankind and for the natural world. (Psalm 96:10-13) Consider what Jehovah God will do by means of his Kingdom.
Restore the environment:
What the Bible says: “The wilderness and the parched land will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron.”—Isaiah 35:1.
What it means for our future: Jehovah will heal the planet, even places that have been severely damaged by humans.
Control extreme weather:
What the Bible says: “Jehovah calms the windstorm; the waves of the sea grow quiet.”—Psalm 107:29.
What it means for our future: Jehovah has the power to control the elements. People will no longer suffer from extreme weather.
Teach good stewardship of the earth:
What the Bible says: “I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go.”—Psalm 32:8.
What it means for our future: Jehovah gave humans the responsibility to care for the earth. (Genesis 1:28; 2:15) He will teach us how best to fulfill this role as good stewards of his creation, living in harmony with nature.
@KnightsChoice HI. Well in theory it could be fixed to at least some level that might stop or slow the damage. But.... with mans greed and not really having the knowledge to stop what has been started, I think the evidence is proof where the planet is sadly going.
But as the bible explains only Jehovah has the wisdom and power to correct it all.
@galveston75 saidIf man manages to turn things around and save the planet without divine intervention, will you be disappointed?
@KnightsChoice HI. Well in theory it could be fixed to at least some level that might stop or slow the damage. But.... with mans greed and not really having the knowledge to stop what has been started, I think the evidence is proof where the planet is sadly going.
But as the bible explains only Jehovah has the wisdom and power to correct it all.
@Ghost-of-a-Duke No disappointments at all because I love this planet and all life on it. But that is not a question that has any merit. Anyone who has any ability to understand what's happening to our earth knows man will never accomplish what needs to be done.
I hate what man is doing to our planet.....but I'm not worried. The creator knows exactly what to do, in his own time.
So now will you be disappointed if Jehovah does what man cannot do and acknowledge him then for who he is?
@galveston75 saidWhy do you care … every several years or so the Watchtower prophesies the end of the earth and gets it wrong.
The climate disaster is here. Earth is already becoming unlivable.”—The Guardian.
Mankind faces a crisis of its own making. Most scientists agree that human activity is responsible for global warming. This rise in temperature has already changed the climate and brought disastrous consequences. These include the following:
More frequent and intense weather events, ...[text shortened]... ch us how best to fulfill this role as good stewards of his creation, living in harmony with nature.
@divegeester
Yep here you are with your regular negativity. Did you actually read the post and do you even have a bible to see what the scriptures say? But you don't care at all so here we go again.... Yawn!!!!
@galveston75 saidI recall being very concerned about all this as a young man back in the late 70's, when we had the additional worry about the cold war, when global destruction was far more likely than today.
The climate disaster is here. Earth is already becoming unlivable.”—The Guardian.
Mankind faces a crisis of its own making. Most scientists agree that human activity is responsible for global warming. This rise in temperature has already changed the climate and brought disastrous consequences. These include the following:
More frequent and intense weather events, ...[text shortened]... ch us how best to fulfill this role as good stewards of his creation, living in harmony with nature.
Your concerns are valid, but please remember that no matter how chaotic and crazy things look to us, God is in control of everything on this planet and will bring all the prophesized events to perfect fruition in his own good and proper time.
🙂
@galveston75 saidI think you underestimate man and overestimate God.
@Ghost-of-a-Duke No disappointments at all because I love this planet and all life on it. But that is not a question that has any merit. Anyone who has any ability to understand what's happening to our earth knows man will never accomplish what needs to be done.
I hate what man is doing to our planet.....but I'm not worried. The creator knows exactly what to do, in ...[text shortened]... will you be disappointed if Jehovah does what man cannot do and acknowledge him then for who he is?
@mchill
Hi and yes you are correct. I grew up on the Texas coast, Galveston, and I too worried about our planet even back in the 70's as a young beach bum. And the trash even then that would wash up, even before plastic bottles ruled our oceans, was horrible and I knew that this was not going to cut it. And the globs of thick oil that washed up was so bad that all the hotels supplied rags and some type of thinner so you could clean the oil off your feet.
As a result of the oil drilling that was off shore, now so much of the shells that you could catch alive then...are now gone.
And Jehovah is watching of course and he knew from centuries ago how man would eventually start to ruin our home. Yes he created our first parents as perfect humans physically. But he did not create robots. Unfortunately they made some really bad decisions and that ability to make bad decisions has grown to what we see today with the way most humans have treated this planet.
@galveston75 said1) Negativity about your horrible cult, including calling its false prophesies about the end of the earth is part of the duty of every sane minded person and/or Christian. The Watchtower organisation has falsely prophesied the end of the earth on several occasions and has proven to be wrong. Therefore the Watchtower leaders who made those prophesies are by definition “false prophets”.
@divegeester
Yep here you are with your regular negativity. Did you actually read the post and do you even have a bible to see what the scriptures say? But you don't care at all so here we go again.... Yawn!!!!
2) One of your claimed biblical quotes in your OP isn’t even from the Bible, it’s a footnote from the Watchtower adapted version, so asking me if I have a Bible as if it will contain that particular footnote is just silliness.
3) Does your OP represent the views of the Watchtower and if so can you provide a link to such a statement by it?
@KnightsChoice
Yep we need all the trees we can get, Jehovah promises this:
https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-no4-2017-july/paradise-on-earth/
Let me know what you think......
@galveston75
What the Watchtower explicitly says:
”No, planet Earth will never be destroyed, burned in fire, or replaced.”
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/earth-destroyed/
What the Bible explicitly says:
”But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in 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.”
2 Peter 3:10
https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/2%20Peter%203%3A10
Polar opposites.
@divegeester saidThe Bible version also coincides with the scientific understanding of Earth's fate (when the Sun runs out of juice in about 5 billion years).
@galveston75
What the Watchtower explicitly says:
”No, planet Earth will never be destroyed, burned in fire, or replaced.”
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/earth-destroyed/
What the Bible explicitly says:
[i]”But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and th ...[text shortened]... i]
2 Peter 3:10
https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/2%20Peter%203%3A10
Polar opposites.
Apparently JW's believe the Earth will continue to prosper, even when there isn't a Sun.