Greetings,
There would be general agreement that the weather patterns around the world are changing. The debate seems to center around the cause – is it man-made or is it a natural cyclical change taking place? It may be neither. Some fulfilled Bible prophecies might help us understand the incredible global weather patterns we currently observe. It is an important perspective for us to realize that God controls the weather. He made that fact abundantly clear in His discussions with Job.
Weather has a tremendous effect upon the success or failure of agriculture. And as we know, agriculture is a major aspect of all national economies. The success of agriculture depends upon the weather. Case in point – California. Drought is deeply affecting the economy of the state of California and a large percentage of the produce in the United States is grown there.
The elements of water, wind and fire are powerful forces. So when we talk about weather, we are talking about the power to bless great productivity or the power to destroy. The power is in the hand of Almighty God.
In the general area of the Middle East, there are a number of countries that in the main are barren, desolate deserts. For example, Iraq, Jordan and Egypt. We note these countries because they have not always been desert type environments. The Mesopotamian Valley – the area “between the rivers” – was at one time one of the world’s richest agricultural areas. During the time of the prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah this area was occupied by Babylon and Assyria. Both of these prophets were used by God to issue a prophecy against these empires. In part, the prophecies addressed the source of their rich agricultural abundance – the weather. “A drought is against her waters and they will be dried up. For it is the land of carved images and they are insane with their idols” (Jeremiah 50:38). A similar prophecy is found in Isaiah 13:19-22.
By the time of the Roman conquest the area had deteriorated to the point that emperor Hadrian abandoned the region. By the time of the Islamic conquest the area had become desert as God predicted it would. It remains in that condition today.
We can see a similar series of events for Moab and Egypt (Jordan and Egypt). To Moab God said through Jeremiah, “For I have sworn by Myself says the Lord, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste and a curse. And all its cities shall be perpetual wastes” (Jeremiah 49:13). Similarly God said to Egypt through the prophet Ezekiel, “And the land of Egypt shall become desolate and waste; then they will know that I am the Lord, because he said, The River is mine and I have made it. Indeed, therefore, I am against you and against your rivers and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Ethiopia” (Ezekiel 29:9-10). The Nile valley was apparently once known as the breadbasket of the Roman Empire. However God’s prophecies stood firm and today much of that area is a wasteland.
So when we look at weather conditions around the world, the question we must ask is not about global warming or natural cycles, but who is in charge of the weather? All these areas have become as they are because of their wrong attitudes and behavior in God’s sight. As the prophet Malachi states, “And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans and against those who turn away an alien – because they do not fear Me says the Lord of hosts. For I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:5-6). This description of evil and sinful conduct describes many aspects of behavior in this world today. God will use the weather as a tool in His hand to bring the nations of this earth to a realization that all that they have was not produced by their greatness, but is the result of a gracious God. This is particularly true for the modern day descendants of Israel.
Israel was warned what would happen if they forsook the terms and conditions of the covenant they made with Him. “Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. …The Lord will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching and with mildew; they shall pursue you until you perish. And the heavens which are over your head shall be bronze and the earth which is under you shall be iron. The Lord will change the rain of your land to powder and dust; from the heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed” (Deuteronomy 28:18, 22-24).
The widespread destruction being caused by the powerful elements of the weather are not happenchance acts. Almighty God is preparing to deliver on His promises for those who reject Him and turn away from Him in rebellion and disobedience. God controls the weather.
Update from Cliff Veal:
Wanted to let everyone know that I am getting better. My illness has lasted more than five weeks, but now I feel that I am coming out of it. It has left me weak, but I am steadily regaining my strength. (Whereas for the last five weeks I was at about 0% work capacity, I now feel that I am at about 25%!) I really do appreciate everyone’s expressions of concern and prayers.
Sabbath services will originate from the Bay Area with the sermon patched in from Ohio.
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
