Bro. David Ward has written, regarding “Global Warming, Commercialism, and Armageddon” (Jan., pp. 23-27) (my interspersed comments are in italics: GB): To take the current controversy about “global warming” as a fact is very misleading. It is not supported by all, even among scientists. It has happened before, and no one is certain whether the current “change” is permanent or just another cycle. To take the alarmist stance is not helpful…
George replies (in italics): First of all, as to “global warming” being a “fact”, Bro. Owen did acknowledge in the article that “Some feel the scientific data is flawed, or at least incomplete at this time.”
Yours is an interesting implication, however: that we ought to wait until some idea or proposal is “supported by all” — whether scientists or politicians (or Bible students, for that matter) — before we can feel safe in considering it. However, I will say — at the very least — that the “theory” of global warming has received a considerable boost very recently, from the joining of leading U.S. corporations with environmental groups, together calling upon the federal government for improved emissions standards and controls. The corporations in the coalition include giants in mining, manufacturing, energy, and utilities.
This was followed, in short order, by President George W. Bush, long known as a friend to the oil industry, asking — in his State of the Union address — for a cut in gasoline use by 20 percent over the next decade, as well as tighter vehicle fuel efficiency standards.
Looking at this, it begins very much to look as though what might have been considered “alarmist” two years ago has now moved well into the mainstream, no matter the political party or the area of economic interest.
If there is a change it could be that it is God who is doing it. He has always used the weather as a means of controlling man (e.g., Deut. 28:12,23; Lev. 26:4,19)…
True enough. There are many Bible examples of mankind abusing or misusing God’s blessings in ways that bring down God’s judgments upon themselves: (a) those who neglected God’s rules about cleanliness and diet (even under the Law of Moses) suffered ill health; (b) those who flouted God’s standards of celibacy and monogamy often “received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion” (Rom. 1:27); and (c) those who, because of greed, would not let their fields lie fallow one year out of seven (Lev. 25:2-5) suffered poor crops and depleted soil.
Moreover, there are Bible precedents, as well, of man disregarding God’s laws and principles in such ways that — eventually — even climatic consequences resulted. Such consequences were seen, after the fact, as God’s punishments. One example — commonly cited by Christadelphians and other Bible students — is that the Roman legions, in their war against the Jews, decimated the countryside of Palestine in the first century, actually deforesting whole regions (in the process disobeying Deut. 20:19). This led to grievous erosion of the soil, and was followed by actual climatic change in the region. As a result, the land of Israel became a desolation — as God had warned through His prophets that it would.
There has to come a time when men’s hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming. This may be it. But let us not get into a tizzy about driving cars and having electric power…
It seems to me that Bro. Owen is not particularly interested in persuading all of us to join environmental activist groups. Rather, he points out: “The global warming crisis is another sign of the times that presages the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fortunately, we know that Jesus will return before the earth is destroyed, and he will resolve the problem. He will restore this beautiful planet, in which God has placed His glory, to its former pristine condition.”
Regarding the references to spoiling the planet by extracting minerals and such: when God gave Canaan to Israel, one of the advantages He pointed out to them was that they could dig brass out of the hills, and the stones were iron (Deut. 8:9)…
Yes, God commanded mankind to be fruitful and multiply, and to subdue the earth and rule over it (Gen. 1:28). But He surely intended that, in doing so, man would take reasonable precautions not to destroy the earth and its natural resources, but rather to preserve, protect, and develop them. This is at least implicit in all the Bible passages about “stewardship”. Surely everyone will agree (just to pick one area) that some methods of mining and utilizing natural resources are healthier, safer, and generally better than others.
These signs may well be a warning from God to the people of the world that He has had enough, and that those who recognise it may be willing to turn to Him. Such things do happen in times of great trouble.
I couldn’t agree more — no matter what we think about “global warming” per se.
It is surely not our place to reiterate so-called scientific theories, but to see the signs of the times and try to interpret them in the light of our Bible knowledge. We may get them wrong (we have in the past), but it keeps our attention on the remedy instead of on the disaster.
I agree: we may find, in the next few years, that the threat of “global warming” has been overstated by some. (For that matter, we may find that it has been understated by others!) Either way, we may see, in these matters, reason as well as opportunity to remind ourselves —and others — that our hope is not in man’s proposed remedies, but that the only true remedy for the world’s woes is the return of Christ.
George
Lake Victoria
I like the bit about Lake Victoria [“Global Warming”, Jan., p. 27]. I have been there four times while on CBM work in Uganda. From a natural — and engineering — point of view, I found it fascinating. It was a moving time standing at the “source” of the Nile (i.e., where it leaves the lake) and going back in time to Israel in Egypt. I got some amazing photos too. Man is going to suffer a lot more for his greed; collectively as well as individually! The window of opportunity to preach, and to offer salvation, is closing.
Malcolm Cross (East Cottingwith, York, UK)
The 40-year generation?
In his article “The Parable of the Fig Tree” (Feb., p. 85), Bro. Jim Robinson explores the generally accepted idea that a generation is represented by a timeframe of 40 years, based on (1) the time the Jews wandered in the desert and (2) Jesus’ prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem. He then says, “Other than these, there are no other numbers associated with the use of the term ‘generation’ in the Bible.”
I did come across a numerical reference associated with the term “generation” in Genesis 15:13-16. In verse 13, the Lord tells Abraham that his descendants will be enslaved in Egypt for a period of four hundred years. In verse 16, the Lord restates that they will return to the land in the fourth generation. I wonder if this should cause us to question the length of a generation.
Looking back at Numbers 14, I notice that God’s punishment — dying in the desert during the 40-year period — was restricted to those over 20 years old who had been unwilling to enter the Promised Land. Wouldn’t that mean that the generation of those who died in the wilderness was closer to 60 years (at least 20 years, plus the further period, up to 40 years, allowed to each individual). Also, since this is a punishment, wouldn’t it be likely to mean that their life spans were being cut short, and thus their “generations” artificially shortened?
In the Matthew account, Jesus seems to be telling the people that Jerusalem will be destroyed within their lifetimes, rather than defining a specific year. I wonder then if it is possible that a generation really refers to something like the collective lifetime of a people, which could stretch closer to a hundred years or so, rather than a specific number of 40?
Sis. Jodee Webb (Toronto West, ON)
At the very end of his article Bro. Jim quoted Matthew 24:36: “But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” In doing so, he left us with a very important point: any scheme of prophetic interpretation that relies primarily on adding numbers and counting years to “predict” the future is flawed.
Our Saviour also said, in Acts 1:7, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”
It may well be that, in certain instances, adding years to come to a possible termination point has some merit — but only in the most general sense. Such a method, at best, can only confirm other, more meaningful “signs”. It can only suggest a period — but not a particular year — during which momentous events may occur.
And therein is our true exhortation: whether the “generation” of which Jesus spoke is of 40 years duration, or 60, or 100… and whether it commenced in 1948 or 1967 or some other relevant date… it does us absolutely no good to circle a date on the calendar. For surely, when we do so, we will find ourselves looking for an eraser! Or a new calendar!
Analyzing possible time periods may help us to realize that we are living near the time of the end. That is enough, and assuming anything more than that is presumption. Fixing dates on a calendar can be a snare: it can so easily imply that we are free to live our lives more or less as we please — and then scramble about and get ourselves “ready” at the last possible moment — as the clock approaches midnight!
But: (a) how can we know that the divine timetable might not be “sped up” (that’s exactly the point of “those days will be shortened” in Matt. 24:22), and catch us by surprise us just before we begin our final preparations? “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matt. 25:13).
And (b) how can any of us think we are guaranteed a life that extends to our planned “start-getting-ready” date, much less to the “date circled on the calendar”? “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you” (Luke 12:20)!
George
A dignified farewell
Dear Brother George, Your readers might be interested in this correspondence involving my paternal grandfather, William Jones, shortly before his death. For forty years, he had served the Cardiff Ecclesia in South Wales in key roles. With grace, dignity, conviction and restraint, he brought that service to a close.
(Bro. S. G. Davies was the Chairman of the Arranging Board. Bro. Alf Smith was the Assistant Recording Brother.)
Philip Jones
*****
September 8, 1939
My dear Brother Davies:
Am not a little grateful for the assistance you and others have given to my fellow helper Brother A. Smith during the period of my incapacity.
As it has not been our Father’s good pleasure to bring to fruition the hope nursed three months ago for my recovery, I feel after much prayerful reflection that I must ask you to place before the brethren my resignation of the various offices I hold.
You will appreciate that it is with a sorrowful heart and sincere regret that I take this course. My doctor’s continued serious view of my condition leaves me with no alternative.
It may please our Father that I may yet be of some little service, though manifestly it is too much to expect that in this state it shall be anything calling for a measure of mental or physical vigour. So with gentle resignation I submit to His all-wise arrangement and say, “Thy will be done.”
With earnest prayer that the work in Cardiff shall continue to prosper in the hands of His servants, I remain your companion in joyful anticipation of participating in the glories of the “morning without clouds.”
Jones
*****
September 12, 1939 My dear Brother Jones:
I received your letter with the greatest sorrow, which was shared by all the brethren, not only because of your indisposition, but also the sad prospect of losing your co-operation, for the time being, in those activities you love so much. Good men are scarce today and pillars of Truth rarer.
We felt last night we could not receive your resignation in the usual formal way, and [hope] that you will be willing to let it rest on the table for the time being, as an indication that you will not wish your name to go forward at the tri-annual ballot in respect of the offices you have filled so acceptably for so many years.
In this matter we are not unmindful of your dear sister-wife who we all know has been such a source of blessing to you and yours. What more can I say than to use your own familiar phrase that the Father will bless you both with “the love that He to His does bear.”
In these times more than ever I join in your joyful anticipation of the glories that are in store for all those who have loved and served the Master well.
With brotherly love, S. G. Davies
*****
September 19, 1939
My dear Brother Davies:
Thanks for yours of the 12th instant. Sister Jones and Self are deeply touched by its sweet message of love and goodwill and also by the thoughtful, considerate attitude adopted towards my resignation. These precious tokens of brotherly love and true fellowship will ever remain with us a treasured possession.
With every good wish, Your fellow labourer, W. Jones Dear Bro. Philip, Thank you for sharing that. The exchange of letters reminds me of an old song: “Doesn’t anybody stay together any more?” Forty years of service to the same ecclesia, in various capacities, is a testimonial all by itself. Then the resolution to continue with that service so long as there is ability, and health — along with the regret that there is not more that one might do — is an exhortation to us all.
The “morning without clouds” will surely reveal many such stories, but it is well for us all to think of them now.
“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them’ ” (Rev. 14:13).
George
Flash flood in a “wadi”
In Israel, as you might know, they have what is called a “wadi”. That’s a dry riverbed, and once in a while, when there is a lot of rain “upstream”, these dry riverbeds become the scene of flash floods. I think here in Texas it’s called an “arroyo” — I’m not sure there’s a specific name for it in Australia.
[Editor: In the Texas hill country, where I come from, nobody calls it an “arroyo” — it’s quite simply “a dry creek bed” (or, with proper Texas pronunciation, “a drah crick bad”).]
This phenomenon of the flash flood in the wadi is referenced in the Bible in places like the following verses:
“The torrents of destruction overwhelmed me” (Psa. 18:4).
“If the LORD had not been on our side… when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away” (Psa. 124:1-5).
“The Name of the LORD comes from afar… His breath is like a rushing torrent, rising up to the neck” (Isa. 30:27,28).
Another similar reference may be Judges 5:21, where the Kishon River is the scene of a flash flood.
The question is: although the Bible speaks of this, have you ever seen it actually happening? Now you can. Check out this link on the internet: http://tinyurl.com/22j3f7
The link should take you to a video of a flash flood on the Nahal Zin, about 35 miles south of Beersheba in the Negev. The video was recorded on a camera phone, so the quality is rather poor.
Michael McAllister (Austin South, TX)
For those who can’t get access to the video, it is really impressive. In the space of one minute, an essentially dry creek bed becomes a thundering, rushing, full-flowing torrent — while onlookers scream and scramble for higher ground.
The word for “torrent” in the passages above is “nachal” — the same word as used in the name for the modern wadi, “Nahal Zin”.
I have not seen such a flood come surging down a dry creek bed — usually because it has been raining “cats and dogs” where I was at the same time, and like any sensible person, I was staying indoors. But I have seen the results of that phenomenon shortly thereafter. Once, at a crossing of the Pedernales River near the old Christadelphian campground in Texas, I observed such a torrent. A river — really a stream — that was usually 10 to 20 feet wide… and could be crossed dry-footed by stepping across on small rocks… had become a raging flood more than 100 feet wide, sweeping along uprooted trees, brush, debris, and drowned livestock. After a few minutes, Barbara and I were urged by park rangers to retreat, because the road we had come in on was about to be swallowed up by the onrushing river.
Also, notice that Job 6:15-20 describes the wadi the other way around: Job compares his “friends” to such a “wadi”, but from the point of view of expecting water there, and then — during the dry season — finding none. In other words, Job looked for comfort and encouragement from his “friends”, but disappointingly… there was nothing.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One