Nature in Commotion

According to Dr. Jeff Masters’ WunderBlog, the United States has experienced seven billion-dollar weather disasters so far this year. The most billion-dollar weather disasters to occur in one year was in 2008, when there were nine. But so far this year, billions of dollars of damage has been caused, not to mention hundreds of lives lost, by the Groundhog Day blizzard, several tornado outbreaks, the Mississippi River flood, and the drought in Texas. And this isn’t the only place where nature seems to be in upheaval. There has been significant flooding in Brazil, Angola, and Australia, and an epic dust storm in Kuwait; Japan alone has experienced close to 1000 earthquakes since March 11. Is the recent increase in significant weather events merely a product of climate change, or is something else going on here?

After reading about several of these events, my thoughts were directed to the 7^th chapter of Revelation. In this passage, there are four angels who have apparently been given the authority to harm the earth and the sea. Before they can do their thing, though, another angel comes onto the scene and holds them off: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God.” He then proceeds to seal 144,000 people – 12,000 from each of the tribes of Israel – for some undisclosed purpose or reason.

But maybe their purpose is hinted at in the following verses. Immediately after these things, John sees “a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb,” worshipping God and giving Him glory. Some have speculated that there exists a connection between the sealed 144,000 bond-servants and the countless multitude. Indeed, perhaps it is these 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel that go into all the world and bring to fruition the Great Commission to make disciples of every ethnos.

How fitting it would be for the people group into which the Redeemer of mankind was born, and was the first to reject Him, became those primarily effective in pushing the Good News to the ends of the earth. Of course, before they can do this, they must, as the prophet Zechariah foretells, mourn, in the spirit of grace and supplication, for Him whom they pierced, and find cleansing in the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness (Zechariah 12:10,13:1). May this happen in our day.

The Bible has further advice for those facing the uncertainty of climatological distress. “When these things begin to happen,” Luke writes, “straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Let us not be like those who are in dismay, perplexed at the roaring of the sea and waves, or those who are fainting from fear because of their expectations of what might be coming upon the world (Luke 21:25-26,28). Instead let us live in faith for the fulfillment of every step needed to produce that countless multitude, and in glad anticipation of the revelation of Him for whom we have waited.