MacArthur: Earth "not a permanent planet"
John MacArthur: Christians and the Environment
Comment: Worthwhile read!
Excerpt:
We are charged to treat responsibly all the wonderful resources God has given us. But that, in fact, has very little to do with the environmental movement. The environmental movement is consumed with trying to preserve the planet forever. But we know that isn’t in God’s plan.
The earth we inhabit is not a permanent planet. It is, frankly, a disposable planet—it is going to have a very short life. It’s been around six thousand years or so—that’s all—and it may last a few thousand more. And then the Lord is going to destroy it.
I’ve told environmentalists that if they think humanity is wrecking the planet, wait until they see what Jesus does to it. Peter says God is going to literally turn it in on itself in an atomic implosion so that the whole universe goes out of existence (2 Peter 3:7-13).
This earth was never ever intended to be a permanent planet—it is not eternal. We do not have to worry about it being around tens of thousands, or millions, of years from now because God is going to create a new heaven and a new earth. Understanding those things is important to holding in balance our freedom to use, and responsibility to maintain, the earth.
Just a footnote. Though this earth is our temporary home, do take time to enjoy God’s beauty. Take care of your yard. Stop to smell the flowers. Enjoy the forests. God placed those rich resources on this planet for our comfort and His enjoyment. Let us be thankful to Him for that.
Comment: Worthwhile read!
Excerpt:
We are charged to treat responsibly all the wonderful resources God has given us. But that, in fact, has very little to do with the environmental movement. The environmental movement is consumed with trying to preserve the planet forever. But we know that isn’t in God’s plan.
The earth we inhabit is not a permanent planet. It is, frankly, a disposable planet—it is going to have a very short life. It’s been around six thousand years or so—that’s all—and it may last a few thousand more. And then the Lord is going to destroy it.
I’ve told environmentalists that if they think humanity is wrecking the planet, wait until they see what Jesus does to it. Peter says God is going to literally turn it in on itself in an atomic implosion so that the whole universe goes out of existence (2 Peter 3:7-13).
This earth was never ever intended to be a permanent planet—it is not eternal. We do not have to worry about it being around tens of thousands, or millions, of years from now because God is going to create a new heaven and a new earth. Understanding those things is important to holding in balance our freedom to use, and responsibility to maintain, the earth.
Just a footnote. Though this earth is our temporary home, do take time to enjoy God’s beauty. Take care of your yard. Stop to smell the flowers. Enjoy the forests. God placed those rich resources on this planet for our comfort and His enjoyment. Let us be thankful to Him for that.
Comment: Image from spacetoday.org. Note that John MacArthur is a "young earth" creationist (as am I!).
That is pretty good! Although I do not care for it when people start saying that we will not be around for tens of thousands. I did not realize John McArthur knew when Christ will come. For all we know it can be in 5 minutes or in 5 trillion years.
ReplyDeleteGreat article and great point.
ReplyDeleteThe inhabitants of the earth today are deceived. JP, are you going to the premier of The Moses Code? http://themosescode.com/
The world today is sadly filled with deception and error, and that included the environmental movement, which is creeping into evangelicalism. Of course, no one in their right mind supports being a purposeful polluter or ravaging the earth, but I think we all know that the environmental movement is basically a whole religious lifestyle that entails much more than just "don't litter." It includes New Age religious beliefs such as The Moses Code.
About the only thing I'd question is the fact that the earth wasn't supposed to be permanent. Is that really true? Wasn't the original plan to be permanent and then man messed it up with sin?
ReplyDeleteOther verses:
ReplyDelete2 Peter 3:11-13, "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."