"And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory." (Revelation 16:9)

There is much being discussed these days, in both the scientific literature and the popular press, on the issue of global warming. An increasing number of scientists and other intellectuals are insisting that the growing emission of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels is producing a significant warming of the whole planet, causing melting of the polar glaciers and probably an alarming increase in catastrophic events such as hurricanes and perhaps even earthquakes and tsunamis.

On the other hand, many more conservative scientists keep insisting that this is a cyclic phenomenon, reminding us that it was not long ago that we were being warned of an imminent ice age. Who can say for sure?

We do know, however, that a terrible time of global warming is indeed coming, but it will be mainly caused by increased solar activity, not carbon dioxide from automobiles and coal plants. "The light of the sun shall be sevenfold" (Isaiah 30:26). "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven" (Malachi 4:1).

In that day, the glaciers indeed will all melt and the resulting increase in seawater will certainly destroy the world’s great coastal cities. "And the Lord God of hosts is he. . . . that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth" (Amos 9:5-6).

The context of all such passages is the judgment period of the last days. But could the current warming phase, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc., be a precursive sign that the real thing is coming soon? In any case, our present response should surely not be what it will be in that day when "they repented not to give him glory." HMM