What the Bible says about the End of the Age, and the End of the World
NO! THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE NOT RIGHT IN SAYING THAT MAN CAN DESTROY THE EARTH. Environmentalism is not only wrong, illogical, and out of touch with reality, it is anti-Christian, anti-God, and anti-Bible. You cannot be an environmentalist and still believe the Bible. Why? Because the Bible clearly teaches that mankind will NOT destroy the earth, but it also teaches that he couldn't destroy it even if he desired to.
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ not only created all that exists, but He also sustains all that He created. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus Christ ".....sustains all things by the word of His power....." Currently, this earth is controlled by an angel the Bible calls Satan. Ephesians 2:2 calls Satan, "....the prince and power of the atmosphere........" In II Corinthians 4:4, "....he is called the god of this age........" But the Lord only allows Satan to do just so much. In other words, God is allowing Satan a certain amount of time to try to prove his point to God and to the rest of the angels. But in attempting to prove his point, he is deceiving mankind in the process. Satan is the one who is behind the radical environmental movement of today. He is also the one behind the resurgence of the "nature religions." Even the phrase "mother earth" is taken from Satanic religions. But in spite of all this, God is still on His throne, and He will only allow Satan to go so far before He intervenes.
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ is returning to this earth, not only to judge the nations, but to set up His Millennial Kingdom. Since that is a point of factual Biblical doctrine, then it is impossible for mankind to destroy this earth in any way shape or form. The Bible teaches that when Jesus Christ returns to this earth it will be populated with billions of people. So much for environmentalism's "THEORY" that man will destroy this planet.
The Bible does teach that this world is going to go through a very terrible time. It is called the Tribulation Period, when a world ruler will take over and form a one world government. This ruler will be called "Satan's" man. The Bible calls him the "....man of sin...." in II Thess 2:3. He is called "...the wicked one....." in II Thess 2:8. The Bible also says that He comes to power "through the power of Satan, performing miracles and lying wonders." (II Thes 2:9). But he is only allowed to continue for about seven years. After the seven year period Jesus Christ will actually return to earth, destroy the "wicked world ruler," and set up His perfect kingdom of righteousness. When the disciples were watching Jesus ascend up into heaven, two angels appeared to them and told them in Acts 1:11, "You men of Galilee.......Why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, WILL COME BACK IN THE SAME WAY YOU HAVE SEEN HIM GO INTO HEAVEN." He went away bodily, He will return bodily. He went up from the Mount of Olives, He will return to the Mount of Olives. Angels announced His departure, angels will anounce His return.
Yes, God will intervene in the affairs of mankind. He will not allow man to arrogantly assume that he can do anything he so desires. He will show mankind that they are not the rulers of their own destiny, God is. And one day soon He will prove it.
It is very important to note that people lack knowledge concerning God and His plan because they choose to do so. II Peter 3:5-7, "For this they are WILLINGLLY ignorant, Willingly ignorant means that they choose not to know. What did they willingly choose not to know? "that by the word of God the heavens came into existence and the earth was created." The first thing that mankind chose not to accept was the fact of creation. And even today, in a country where the Word of God can be freely proclaimed, the creation story is forbidden in schools. (6) "Whereby the world that then was (this refers to time of Noah) was deluged with water and destroyed." The second thing men chose to reject and remain ignorant of to this very day is the universal flood of Noah's day that destroyed all people in the world, except Noah and his family. (7) "By the same word the present heavens and earth are RESERVED for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and the destruction of ungodly men." The third thing mankind is willingly ignorant of is God's protective hand over HIS creation. He will not allow man to destroy HIS creation. Therefore, man cannot in any way destroy this earth. He can make things pretty bad, but he can never destroy it. This verse clearly teaches that this earth and the existing heavens are being kept (guarded, protected by God) for the day of judgment and the destruction of ungodly men. So when Peter talks about people who do not know God, He is talking about people who do not want to know God. They have chosen their own path, and in their arrogance, by choosing their own path, they have rejected God's path. God's path and man's path do not run together. In fact, they aren't even parallel, they actually go in opposite directions. Yes! God will intervene in the affairs of mankind. But He will do it in His own time and in His own way, and there is absolutely nothing mankind can do about it.
There are those Christians who actually believe that the Church is going to set up the kingdom on the earth before Christ returns to the earth. That is not only false doctrine, but it is blasphemy and heresy. These Christians, some are called "Dominion Theologians," and some are called "Reconstruction Theologians," and they actually share the point of view the liberals hold today. Political and religious liberalism is an evil that has destroyed nations down through the centuries. When liberalism is in power they place laws into effect to attempt to make the world a better place. But the laws they place into effect are laws that remove precious freedoms, and attack the law abiding citizen. According to the Bible the government is to protect its people, not run their lives. But liberalism, along with some Christian activists, is actually trying to bring a perfect environment before Jesus Christ returns. AND THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE. Why? Because the Lord will not allow them to do it, because the Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to create, not only a perfect environment when He returns, but He will also create a perfect world government. That is His job. It is not the job of anyone on this earth. Isaiah 9:6-7; "For to us a child is born, (this refers to the first Christmas. The virgin born son of God, Jesus Christ. God becoming man, with emphasis on His humanity) to us a son is given, (this refers to Jesus Christ with emphasis on His deity. The phrase 'a child is born, a son is given,' refers to the first advent of Jesus Christ) and the government will be on his shoulders. (this refers to the second advent of Jesus Christ when He comes to set up His kingdom and to rule the world) And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. THE ZEAL OF THE LORD ALMIGHTY WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS." I want you to notice that last phrase. It tells us who will establish the perfect kingdom on the earth. The Lord Jesus Christ and no one else. Therefore, liberalism is NOT correct in assuming it can create a better world. Liberalism has failed, and it will continue to fail, until either the nation is destroyed or Jesus Christ returns and accomplishes in one day what liberalism has failed to do in the entire history of mankind.
Revelation 19:11-16; "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, (at the time this was written, the white horse referred to one who was the conqueror. The victor.) whose rider is called Faithful and True. (the rider on this white horse is Jesus Christ) With justice he judges and makes war. (He is making war against the evil world dictator called the antichrist, and against all those who sided with him) His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one but he himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is THE WORD OF GOD. (this is the name that John called Jesus in John 1:1-3) The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. HE WILL RULE THEM WITH AN IRON SCEPTOR. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." This is a short reference to the actual return of our Lord Jesus Christ to this earth to set up His kingdom and to rule the nations. As Paul told the Thessalonian believers in I Thess 4:18, so I say to you in closing, "Therefore comfort and encourage each other with these words."
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Copyright 1999 by Robert H. Kreger. All rights reserved. Anyone is allowed to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's written consent.
