· Today there was a summit for youth to demonstrate their concerns about climate change. · It is part of a global strike with demonstrations all over the world from September 20-27.And I realize that this is a political issue. By that I mean it is a primary plank in the democratic platform, I think that there are principles that we can all agree on. We want the world to be a nice place for many years to come. · And Christians feel a sense of responsibility of management which is important. · And I think the heated debate and very genuinely held oppions are how to best and most responsibly take are of this globe for the next generations. · Atlas, in ancient mythology was cursed to carry the world as punishment for rebellion. · Perhaps we are feeling the weight of the world as many countries and nations enter this global strike. · In our video series on the end times, I want to fast forward to the end. · A sign of the end times is actually that. There will be fire. · As we think about the end, the Bible speaks about fire. · It appears though that the fire will be a purifying event. · Let me read the passage that so clearly points this out: · 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. · 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, · 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! · 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. · 14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, (2 Pet. 3:10-14 NAU) · There is in this passage a promise that the world will come to an end in fire. But there will be a new heaven and a new earth as well. · There is a warning that it will be sudden. · There is a call to patience for those who are being mistreated and unjustly taken advantage of… well, wait. God will deal with it all. · And there is an appeal for purity. · So, lets be responsible about how we take care of the planets resources that God has blessed us all with… and be careful not to waste bu tot plan to make things as pleasant as possible for as long as possible. · But let’s also be responsible… as a global community to be ready for the sudden, unrelenting, judgment of God upon all lawlessness… God will judge the world. · And as He judged the world in fire and we needed to be in the ark. · When He judges the world with fire we will need to be in Christ, the Son. · Trusting in Him as our escape and our eternal salvation. “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross, having nailed it to the cross. (Col. 2:13-14)