As a child, our parents disciplined us from time to time as we needed correction. It often was not well taken by us, but over time we began to understand why we were. Sometimes the discipline was more severe than before. If we did not learn our lesson, it got more and more harsh. Soon we learned to listen unto our parents because they meant well in guiding our paths for life.
God has disciplined mankind likewise. And, He still does. God uses all manner of devices to discipline and punish evils from the hearts of good people to guide them in the paths of righteousness. A righteous man who allows God to guide him acknowledges God’s guidance; a foolish man does not.
Solomon says, 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5-6
It is sad to see so many who do not trust in the Lord. They proclaim faith but deny Him and His power over all things around us. The ungodly or godless infidels do not acknowledge God nor believe Almighty God created all things and has power and control over all the things He has made.
GEN. 1:1. 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. When God created the heaven and the earth, is it not therefore believed He created the climate of earth and has control over it? Does it not therefore stand that He is in control over pestilence as well as temperature, drought and flood?
Man creates objects from other objects to perform certain functions. When it is perfected, they apply for a patient. The new creation fully functions because of the creator and his idea. It should stand to reason, when God created the heaven and the earth, He created all things pertaining unto them with their functions. He placed them to their own guidance and they performed as designed of their own ability. These creations continue their respective function to this day. Such is a man’s design of his object he has patented. Man has no problem with that understanding, but when it comes to nature they refuse to acknowledge God and His patent over the universe.
If a man who designed the object wants to change it, he reassigns part of the functionality and it does differently; even if the change is for a short operation. God can control the weather by doing the same. He can control how much or how little pests populate to perform the discipline He desires for a location of people.
By faith, it is determined God made all things including the climate of the earth. He, therefore, controls it. The things it does is subject to His will. It operates under His design.
Many, today, do not acknowledge God nor any god. The term for them is infidel. An infidel does not believe in a god nor acknowledge the existence of any god. With their non-faith stance, they have to point fingers at something else to take the view away from their disbelief. It is easier to blame someone or something for the wrath given unto them from God Almighty.
Sadly, some who proclaim to be believers fall into the deception of who is in charge of the climate. They are faltering in faith, their faith in the power of God. Apostle Paul told Timothy, in the last days perilous times shall come. Men will despise things that are good, will become high minded, having a form of godliness but denying the power of God. (paraphrase of 2 Tim. 3:1-5)
As we take a few moments this morning to investigate the climate and peoples fears over rising temperatures, (climate change) we shall look at a few passages concerning who is controlling the earth’s climate. Our answer will not be mankind.
Let us take a look at examples of weather events and who was in charge. There are many but we will only look at a few.
JESUS CALMS THE STORM
MARK 4:35-41. 35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Jesus was given control over calming the storm before the disciples. How astonished they were to realize Jesus had power over the weather.
THE GREAT TEMPEST
JONAH 1:1-5. 1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. 4 But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
God caused the storm to bring Jonah into obedience. God used the storm and the great fish to correct and punish Jonah to get his attention. He does the same over all the generations and will continue to do so for the future.
WE KNOW OF THE GREAT FLOOD
Genesis 6. The flood that covered the entire earth and saved Noah and his family in the ark.
God continued rain until all mankind, except Noah and his family, were saved from the weather disaster.
THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA
Exodus 14. God held up the water on both ends of the sea to allow the children of Israel to pass over to the other side. Then He caused it to return to its normal state to kill Pharaoh and all his army.
God also uses climate and weather to punish the wicked. When man does not trust in God, His wrath kindles against iniquity and He attempts to cause a change of heart among men, to turn them from their evil ways and repent of their unfaithfulness or lack of faith. He brings calamity upon the unbelieving; whether they be faithless or be the infidel.
Let us turn to Amos chapter 4 for an example of God’s own words of one of the ways He disciplines mankind. There is no indication of God no longer doing the same to mankind today. Let us read.
AMOS 4:1-8. 4 Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink. 2 The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks. 3 And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the Lord. 4 Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years: 5 And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord God. 6 And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord. 7 And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. 8 So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
What does Amos verify concerning the wrath of God upon unrighteous man?
This passage infers an ungodly female. This group lived in luxury and refused to be bound by husband or any other rule. Like a kind of cow, who is headstrong, they would not stay in their own pasture. They broke out of their pens and wondered about of their own guidance. Their luxuries, the summer houses in the hill country of Samaria, afforded them reason to oppress the poor and take advantage, even over their own husbands. They desired the poor to wait upon their every want; many immoral and filthy desires.
God said He will drive them like a fish removed by hook out of water; their luxurious palaces. They may go where they desired but God would drag them about where they do not desire to go.
These ‘kine’ had people go to different places to offer sacrifices unto idols. They imply these things would be easier to do instead of obeying God. They persuaded Israel to sin and turn from God.
So, what did God do to Israel? He gave them no bread to eat; I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places:
God caused the weather to either give rain or hold back rain. I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. (vss. 6-7)
Drought or flood; one or the other to punish evil men. The great increase did not come. There was a diminished harvest causing greater hardships on mankind.
Did man repent? NO! They felt they could make it on their own. What did they do? ‘… two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied:’ They did not seek God and they did not return to God.
We see God uses the weather to attempt to cause mankind to repent and return to trust and obey Him. What does this have to do with climate change?
God is in control over the climate. He will, or is, using it to attempt to change the heart of man. However, God knows it will not avail much.
One of the last bowls of wrath of God (Rev. 15:1) upon man is intense heat, scorching man from the sun. Yet God knows mankind will not repent and give God the glory. They will not trust in God to control His universe.
REV. 16:1. 16 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. This is the fulfillment of these ‘last’ bowls of wrath spoken beginning in chapter 15:1. Now we see the fourth bowl poured out upon man. VSS. 8-9. 8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
These ‘last’ bowls of wrath from God upon mankind are His last attempt to change man’s disobedience to try to force man to repent. However, God knows they will not; at least not all men shall repent.
God will never have a true accusation made against Him that He did not warn, nor give ample opportunity for man to repent. God wants all men to repent and come to a knowledge of Truth. (1 Tim. 2:4) however, God knows not all men will. (2 Tim. 3:7)
Do you fear God or man’s propaganda? Trust and obey God. for it is He that can save you. He will keep you from his wrath if you trust and obey.
Today, God is fulfilling one of His last bowls of wrath upon man. God is causing the sun to increase the temperature on the earth and scorching man; but man will not recognize God nor understand God is causing climate change. Many many years ago ice covered much of the polar ends of earth. We have seen the reduction of glaciers in our lifetime. God is in control trying one more attempt to cause man to repent.
Do not be alarmed over activists proclaiming man and his doings are causing an increase in temperature averages; God is doing it. Has God gotten your attention with His discipline?
