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What in the World is Happening
- June 2007
A series of articles by Brian Papworth,
our PWMI Representative in New Zealand.
I was talking to someone the other day about the things
that are expected to come during the final days, and the question arose;
is there anything in the Bible prophecy concerning the "Last
Days" in connection with global warming. The answer is to all intents
and purposes no! There is a Scripture which says "The earth will
become desolate because of its inhabitants, as a result of their
deeds" [Mic 7: 13], which very well sums it up. We are also told
that "the earth will wear out like a garment" [Isa 51: 6]. It
is clear also at the end of the Tribulation period the structure of the
world environment will breakdown, such as excessive heat [Rev 16:6],
although the latter is part of this worlds judgement. However in detail,
to the extent that other information is detailed in the prophetic word of
Scripture, the answer is still no! The rejoinder then was made; if not why
not?
If we examine the matter in more detail, other questions
and suggestions arise. It is apparent according to scientists that the ice
caps are melting and that the sea level will rise and flood some low lying
coastal districts. Given the expected rise in sea levels by today's data
then in about 50 years the sea level will have risen about 80mm or about 3
inches. This can happen today if certain storms combined with wind
direction occur and cause flooding in a few isolated areas. However
serious flooding will not occur within the next 50 to 100 years. God made
a promise after the last world flood [Gen 9: 11], not to destroy the earth
again by flooding, God keeps His word. Another aspect of global warming is
that as God knew what would happen with the actions of man, then He would
have allowed for it when the world was created. There is evidence that the
world has experienced extremes of temperature and climate variation over
the centuries, and many think this is just one of those variations that is
occurring in our time.
There is another explanation as to why the Bible does not
speak of it; It is that the terrible happenings as written in Revelation,
and the return of our Lord and the 1000 year reign of Christ will occur
before global warming becomes a real problem. The Bible speaks of a time
of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until
then. The events of the last days are apparently increasing to happen;
During the Tribulation; the Bible says that the earth will be laid waste [Isa
24: 1-3]. For example there will be a terrible earthquake, destroying the
cities of the world [Rev 6: 12-13] [Rev 16: 18-21]. It speaks of people
travelling here and there to increase knowledge, all of which is happening
only within the last 50 years. [Dan 12:1, 4,]. It speaks of the Jewish
people having their own land again in the Palestine peninsula [Isa 66: 8]
[Ezek 34: 11-13] [Ezek 36: 24]. The Arab nations are posturing against the
existence of Israel and wanting it eliminated, and promising a possibility
of a war against Israel [Ezek 38], with many of the nations listed in
Ezekiel chapter 38 being the ancient names of their modern day enemies.
The more we hear, the more it appears that the history of the world, as we
know it, is coming to a conclusion, and the Lord will return to reign over
the world from Jerusalem [Zech 14: 8-11].
There is no doubt that the world will need a lot of
cleansing and clearing during Christ's millennial reign. The terrible
destruction of the last seals [Rev 6], the trumpets [Rev 9], and the bowls
[Rev 16], plus the terrible destruction and loss of life during the rule
of Antichrist and ensuing war will destroy the infrastructure of the
civilised world [Isa 24: 17-23]. It has been estimated there will only be
about 2 billion people left alive in the world at the time of Christ's
return [Isa 24: 6]. This will result in the need for much reconstruction
and cleaning up when Jesus returns. During the time of Christ's 1000 year
reign, the world will be returned to what it should have been. We are told
the deserts will blossom as the rose, and the land will be fertile and
flourish. [Isa 35: 1-2] [Isa 51: 3][Isa 55: 13]. Animals and mankind will
live together in peace, men and women will live in peace and safety [Isa
11: 6-9].
Armageddon will be a terrible battle with the armies of
the whole world directed against the armies of our Lord. Nuclear weapons
will be used, as mankind throws everything it has against the invading
Messiah. The Devil will have his final struggle against the forces of
Heaven. The terrible results will turn upon mankind, and in Zechariah
Chapter 14 and verses 12 and 13 we see not only the earthly armies
fighting each other but the results of nuclear fallout will through
radiation, cause a similar disease to that experienced after the atom bomb
dropped on Japan in 1945. The world will need not only conversion from
following the Antichrist [Zech 13: 1-2], but also cleansing from the
resultant happenings of the Tribulation period, the destruction and
fallout of nuclear war at Armageddon and with the burying of bodies both
animal and human, [Ezek 39: 14-20].
The Holy Land will see tremendous geological changes. As
the Lord returns to the Mount of Olives the Mountain will split, half
towards the North and half towards the South. There will be a day when
there will be no light, no cold, and no frost. It will be a unique day,
without daytime or night time - known only to the Lord. Living water will
flow out from the city of Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to
the western sea. The whole land from north of Jerusalem to a little south
will be raised up, and the remainder of the land will be level and flat.
Jerusalem will be the centre of the world and nations will year by year
journey to Jerusalem to worship the Messiah.
The Lord knows what He is doing, He has a plan for both
you and I. Never fear, His love that took Him to Calvary still holds us in
its saving power. "It is coming! It will surely take place,"
declares the Sovereign Lord. [Zech 39: 8].
Yours in His Service
Brian D Papworth
Secretary for Prophetic Witness Movement International for New Zealand,
Australia and South Pacific.
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