Many climate-change prophets say that life on Earth will end in the next ten to twenty years unless drastic measures are taken.
In January of 2019, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that “the world will end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change” (see here).
In January of 2020, at the World Economic Forum, Greta Thunberg told a group of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful people: “With today’s emissions levels, the remaining [carbon] budget is gone in less than eight years. These aren’t anyone’s views. This is the science” (see here).
A 2019 article by Marc Botha cited a study by MIT researchers that stated: “We will see the end of our civilization in 2040” (see here).
Climate-change activists mean well, but they are opposing God’s Word. God gave the rainbow as a sign that He would not destroy the world again by water (Gen 9:11-17). In Gen 9:11 He promises: “never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” In the NT, Peter tells us that only after the millennial reign of Christ will God destroy the current heavens and earth (2 Pet 3:10-12). God guarantees that man cannot and will not destroy the earth. He Himself will eventually destroy the earth. But He will not do so until the completion of the 1,000-year reign of Christ on Earth, which must be preceded by the seven-year Tribulation. We are at least 1,007 years away from the destruction of the current Earth, contrary to climate-change prophecies.i
Another way in which climate-change ideology contradicts Biblical Christianity is by leaving God out of the discussion. Climate-change activists rarely mention God in an environmental context. In a 2016 article titled “Global Warming, God and the End Times,” Roser-Renouf, Maibach, Leiserowitz, and Rosenthal, indicate that upwards of 85% of Americans do not believe that God controls the climate (see here).ii Only 7% of Americans say that God definitely controls it. The reason why Americans think this way is because they are being taught this by teachers in the public schools, professors in colleges and universities, politicians, and mainstream media.
The Bible teaches that God controls and protects the environment: “And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist [or, hold together]” (Col 1:17). Geisler wrote, “Christ is not only the One through whom all things came to be, but also the One by whom they continue to exist” (“Colossians” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 673). Melick commented:
Since for the ancients priority in time often meant priority of person, this argument not only stresses Jesus’ role in creating but also gives him a prominent position with respect to creation. The second statement is, “In him all things hold together.” The work of creation included the continual sustaining of what was created. Looking to the present, ongoing routine of creation, therefore, Paul stated that Jesus keeps things in order. The Creator has not forgotten the creation. He daily maintains a balance in the universe (Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, p. 220).
One final area of incompatibility concerns whether one’s heart is set on treasure in this life or in the life to come. Jesus said that we are to set our hearts on heavenly treasure, not earthly treasure (Matt 6:19-21). The climate-change movement focuses primarily, if not exclusively, on this world and this life.
If the Bible is the Word of God—and it is—then science and the Bible do not contradict one another. However, there is a difference between what is proven science and what are unproven scientific theories.
Free Grace Theology has as its foundation the inerrancy of God’s Word, creation, the guaranteed coming kingdom of righteousness and peace on this earth, the free gift of everlasting life to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for it, and the promise of eternal rewards for all believers who serve Christ faithfully. A concern for the environment is not incompatible with Free Grace Theology. But many aspects of the climate-change movement are incompatible with God’s Word.
It is important that we teach our children the truth about the free gift of everlasting life, the guaranteed coming kingdom, the certain future of mankind, and the precedence of the life to come over this life. If we don’t, the climate- change movement can be detrimental to their walks with the Lord.
i Climate change advocates do not believe that planet Earth itself will ever be destroyed by God. They say that the planet will continue to exist for another 4-8 billion years. But they predict that life on earth is in jeopardy of extinction in the next twenty years unless drastic changes are made now.
ii The statistics break down as follows: 33% say that God definitely does not control the climate, 16% says He probably does not, 15% say that they are not sure, and 20% say that God’s possible control of climate “does not apply to my beliefs.” 9% say God probably controls the climate and 7% says He definitely controls it.