Dr. Couch, what do you think about the Global Warming issue? And what could it have to do with future prophetic events?
In one sense, the issue is not important in my thinking. Let me explain.
That the earth is getting warmer seems certain, though right now it is
only a fraction of a degree moving up in temperature. Whether this is
because of human activity or not also does not affect my thinking. I
believe we are indeed moving into the end times and whether God uses
human means, natural means, or dramatic intervention means is irrelevant
to me. He is sovereign over His creation. In His providence He causes
all things to happen—even global warming!
But there are some prophetic passages that tell us the natural order
will be turned upside down in the tribulation—and that process could
even begin now before the full onslaught of that terrible seven year
period of wrath!
Christ spoke of the signs that would come in the sun, moon, and stars
“and upon the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring
of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of
things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens
will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26).
In Greek the passage best reads: “Dismay among the nations” (sunoche), or anguish among the “ethnic groups (ethnos).” “Preplexity” (aporia) or the “straits, narrows”
carries the idea that the world is left waiting, left in the lurch,
puzzled at the “roaring of the sea and the waves.” This may clearly
imply tsunamis, tidal waves, pyrotechnics, astral-storms. Because of
this men will be dying (expiring, apopsuchos), that is, the
breath is going from them, probably from heart attacks. All of this is
happening because of “the things which are coming upon the world.” The
forces of the heavens will be shaken. This takes place before the coming
of “the Son of Man,” Israel’s Messiah, who will come in His power and
glory in order to reign in Jerusalem! (v. 27).
The Lord Jesus could certainly be paraphrasing in Luke 21 what is
written in Isaiah 24. Isaiah writes, “The earth will be completely laid
waste” (v. 3), it will be “polluted by its inhabitants” (v. 5), and “a
curse will devour the earth. ... Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth
are burned, and few men are left” (v. 6). For more descriptions of the
terror coming, one can begin with Revelation 6 all the way through the
first part of chapter 19.
What part a continued global warming may play in all of this is not
known. I know for sure that what is now happening is not taking place by
accident. God is at work and this could be some kind of first stage
leading up to the beginning of the tribulation. All of this constitutes a
judgment from God upon a rejecting world, an immoral population, and a
cruelty of the human species never before witnessed on earth!
Society will not be changed or converted but the individual can find eternal life in Christ even now!
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
