Paris had barely left global headlines for its terrorist attack before taking centre stage again earlier this month. The global climate change summit – “COP21” – brought world leaders and policy-makers together. Outcomes have been widely hailed as significant.
Climate change is widely considered to be the defining global issue of our times. The policy response was stronger than expected, suggesting that the world is waking up to the reality of a looming climate crisis. Paris had reason to celebrate this time. Or did it?
The emission of heat trapping gases continues almost unabated. Atmospheric carbon dioxide has just passed 400 parts per million. Last year (2014) was the hottest on record, very likely soon to be broken by 2015. Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently and are taking an increasing toll.
In reality, though, anthropogenic global warming is just one of many global issues that make our times perilous. Reading the news is not too dissimilar to reading 2 Timothy 3 or Matthew 24.
Terrorism, armed conflict and refugee crises are other big global issues that carry more imminent risk for many.
From a biblical Christian point of view, climate change could well be one of the defining issues of the last days. Catastrophic climate change provides a good platform for the pursuit of world government control and removal of personal freedoms (see Revelation 13).
In addition, prophesied natural disasters and plagues (Matthew 24 and Revelation 16) are quite compatible with a warming world. While God does reserve the right to actively punish the wicked, more often than not we bring disaster upon ourselves. Anthropogenic global warming fits neatly here. Meanwhile our loving Saviour is “holding back the four winds” of strife (Revelation 7:1).
How should the Adventist Christian relate to a warming world? Broadly, “Lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).
Specifically, though, there are things that we can do to share the hope, faith and love that we find in biblical Christianity and the Person of Jesus:
Click here to read remainder of article.
This post was originally posted on RECORD.net.au.