The changing seasons are proof of the promise. "I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done. While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease." (Genesis 8.21-22)
It's all a matter of speculation, but it seems that the pre-flood earth generally had a uniform climate. Genesis 7.11 indicates the "floodgates of the sky were opened"; possibly referring to a water belt that surrounded the earth, creating an ideal greenhouse effect. Following the great flood, however, great climate change established the seasons that exist even today. The freezing cold of winter, and the sweltering heat of summer - along with day and night, spring planting and fall harvest - all bear witness to a God Who will never again destroy planet earth with a cataclysmic flood.
But, there is one caveat: a future judgement is coming in another form. "the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3.6-7) Tragically, the days of Noah are a shadow of similar days in the future, at the time of Christ's return (Matthew 24.37-39).
The reminder of the seasons should be reassuring to those who lives are prepared, and should prompt us to take preparation seriously. The fact of past and future judgment prompts this important question: "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness" (2 Peter 3.11). The key is "holy conduct and godliness" - lifestyle matters.
"Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night". The seasons remind us of God's promises, but also point toward a final cataclysm before the coming kingdom of God. May we live grateful and prepared lives as we live today with an eye on the future.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
It's all a matter of speculation, but it seems that the pre-flood earth generally had a uniform climate. Genesis 7.11 indicates the "floodgates of the sky were opened"; possibly referring to a water belt that surrounded the earth, creating an ideal greenhouse effect. Following the great flood, however, great climate change established the seasons that exist even today. The freezing cold of winter, and the sweltering heat of summer - along with day and night, spring planting and fall harvest - all bear witness to a God Who will never again destroy planet earth with a cataclysmic flood.
But, there is one caveat: a future judgement is coming in another form. "the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3.6-7) Tragically, the days of Noah are a shadow of similar days in the future, at the time of Christ's return (Matthew 24.37-39).
The reminder of the seasons should be reassuring to those who lives are prepared, and should prompt us to take preparation seriously. The fact of past and future judgment prompts this important question: "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness" (2 Peter 3.11). The key is "holy conduct and godliness" - lifestyle matters.
"Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night". The seasons remind us of God's promises, but also point toward a final cataclysm before the coming kingdom of God. May we live grateful and prepared lives as we live today with an eye on the future.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
posted by steve @ 8:40 AM
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