You hear an awful lot these days on the topic of global warming. Is our planet’s climate getting hotter? Some think so. Some don’t. I’m not writing this article to persuade you one way or another. I do, however, want to make you aware of the fact that there is a “global warming” that you need to be aware of and take very seriously; and it has nothing at all to do with Al Gore.
Notice what we read in 2 Peter 3:10-13:
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
Personally, I couldn’t care less about whether or not the climate of our planet is increasing or decreasing. Why? Because I trust what God has told us in His Word. Have you considered Genesis 8:22?
“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.”
The only “global warming” that you need to be concerned about is that which will occur on the earth’s final day. Really, you only need to be “concerned” if you are living in an unsaved condition. We’re told that in addition to the heavens and earth being burned up on the Day of Judgment, so also, those who have failed to obey the gospel will be “punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3-10)
The eternal fires of hell are not prepared for you. Jesus said that they are “prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41) God so loved you that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for your sins so that you could inherit the “kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 25:34)
How can you accept the grace that God has shown? Jesus said that “he who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16) Do you believe? Do you believe the gospel message which is the good news of how Christ died, was buried, and then rose again, overcoming death.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) If so, then “why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)
You may have noticed in 2 Peter 3:10 that the end of time is going to come “as a thief in the night.” In other words, it is something that is going to be unexpected. How many times have we seen men claim to know when the end of time is going to be only to be proven wrong? Jesus said that only God knows when that Day will be. (Matthew 24:36)
So how are you feeling? Maybe an appropriate question is: do you feel lucky? Perhaps, like Felix (Acts 24:24-25), you’re thinking, “I know I need to give my life to Christ, but I’ll do it later. Now isn’t a good time.” If that’s the case, let me ask you this: when will be a good time? What if you don’t live to see tomorrow? (James 4:13-14) What then?
Would you accept the loving invitation of Christ that we find in Matthew 11:28-30?
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
That Day has not yet come, we’re told, because God’s will is for all to be saved. (2 Peter 3:9) He loves you. Christ loves you. Don’t go on living in fear. Realize the love of God while it is yet called “today.” Let His perfect love cast out your fear! (1 John 4:18)