Owing partially to innumerable cold temperature records in 2013 and the record growth of Antarctic Sea Ice, the term ‘global warming’ has evolved into ‘climate change’. However, such phenomena are still being attributed to human activity. Variable weather patterns need to be differentiated from actual climate changes.
Rain, drought, and temperature fluctuations can be classified as weather patterns while prolonged periods of increased or decreased temperatures, which cause catastrophic damage, can be categorized as actual changes in the climate.
As would be expected, the Bible addresses both weather patterns and climate change along with their causes.
“But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments…the LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do…the LORD will change the rain of your land to powder and dust…” Deuteronomy 28:15, 20, 24
Inasmuch as God created the rain, He also controls it at His will and may withhold it as a disciplinary action for disobedience. The above instructions were given to the Israelites just prior to entering the Promised Land of Canaan.
Approximately 450 years later the sovereignty of God relative to giving or withholding rain was recognized by King Solomon in his prayer for the Israelites as he began his reign.
“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.” 2 Chronicles 6:26-27
Once again, God controls the rain or drought as He wills to teach His people obedience.
But how about real climate change? That subject is addressed in the final book of the Bible.
After the 7 seals are opened, and the trumpet judgments begin:
“Then the fourth angel sounded: and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.”
Revelation 8:12
It is difficult to imagine the result of the severe temperature reduction on earth when a third of the sun is darkened. But it gets even worse.
After the trumpet judgments the even more severe activities with the pouring out of the vial (bowl) judgments follow.
“Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues (from the Greek plege, i.e. calamities); and they did not repent and give Him glory.” Revelation 16:8-9
Therefore, the climate will change from extreme cold to extreme hot within the 7 year tribulation period.
Note that God also has power over the extreme climate changes just as He has power over weather pattern changes.
The president acknowledges the seriousness of climate change and he addressed the issue in his recent State of the Union Address.
“But the debate is settled. Climate change is a fact. And when our children’s children look us in the eye and ask if we did all we could to leave them a safer, more stable world…I want us to be able to say yes, we did.”
“But we have to act with more urgency…that’s why I directed my administration to…set new standards on the amount of carbon pollution…”
The greatest difference between God’s control of the rain and drought in the Old Testament is that He initially gave Israel a choice to repent and obey which would result in life giving rain.
The catastrophic climate changes described in the Book of Revelation can be classified as pre-written history. There is no opportunity for man to repent now or in the future that could prevent those judgments.