Farewell, Ecosystem?

by Michael G. Mickey

(10-24-06)

Ecology is defined as "the science of the relationships between organisms and their environments."

Ecosystem is defined as "an ecological community together with its environment, functioning as a unit."

Pausing for a moment to reflect on the two definitions above, what should the headline "Global ecosystems 'face collapse'" convey to us? I believe it should convey to us that the return of Jesus Christ may be very near!

Once we proceed past the BBC headline above, the content of the article it is attached to is the stuff of nightmares. Consider the following factoids which can be found in the body of the article:

1. The World Wildlife Federation is reporting the natural world is being degraded "at a rate unprecedented in human history".
2. Terrestrial species had declined by 31% between 1970-2003.
3. If demand continues at the current rate, two planets will be needed to meet humanity's global demands by 2050!

While the article goes on to discuss how, hypothetically, mankind could turn things around, beginning "to propel this and future generations towards sustainable one planet living", is that what is going to take place? I don't think so. Why? Because mankind is too sinful - way too sinful - to turn things around!

What, exactly, can be done to save our planet at this point?

The Bible gives us, in 2nd Chronicles 7:14, a recipe through which our world's troubled lands can be healed, but here is what is going to be required for that to occur:

1. Mankind is going to have to humble itself before God - Anyone see that taking place anytime soon? If the World Wildlife Federation is correct, we have until 2050 to achieve that - or we could always find a second earth for some of us to move to!
2. Mankind is going to have to pray to God - While we know the prayers of a righteous man availeth much, as seen in James 5:16, there are fewer and fewer righteous men (and women) to do so in a world that is increasingly forgetting its God. With each passing generation, mankind is becoming less and less fearful of God, the end result of which is the moral decay we presently see on every side of us. The only time most Christians today sense a revival of prayer is forthcoming is when a Hurricane Katrina, a September 11th scenario, or a tsunami hits. Even then, the dust barely settles before mankind is right back to its secular business, thumbing its nose at God as a whole.
3. Mankind is going to have to seek God's face - The recipe for mankind seeking God's face is found in Lamentations 3:40-41: "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens." What do we see taking place in the world around us today that indicates that's even remotely a possibility? Not too much! Mankind stretching forth its hands toward God, its soul thirsting for Him, as we see David did in Psalm 143:6? Not a chance!
4. Mankind is going to have to turn from its wicked ways - In Ezekiel 18:28, we see that if mankind would consider its transgressions against God and turn away from them, it could get back on course! That's the only way to prevent iniquity from leading to the ruin that appears headed our way - and much sooner than most seem to be able to comprehend!

Our world is shaking like a leaf clinging to a tree in a hurricane and, honestly, is it any wonder? Just look at what's going on around us by visiting the site's news page on any given day! Pick a day - any day - and just look at the absolute mess our world is in!

If Jesus Christ doesn't come soon, we're going to need another planet's resources to help us hold this one together! We're about as likely to find one within the next few decades as mankind is going to follow the recipe of 2nd Chronicles 7:14 to prevent us from needing a second planet! In other words, not real likely!

Those of us who have Jesus Christ in our lives need to find those who don't! All signs seem to indicate that time is NOT on our side at this point!