Dear Editor:
A recent letter opined that the Greek goddess Gaia is responsible for the disaster that struck Joplin on May 22, because of her anger about human activity that causes Global Warming. The writer suggests that Gaia is the "Big Picture" that ties recent natural disasters together.
Actually, the "Big Picture" the writer seeks is provided in the Holy Bible, not in Greek mythology or the worship of the Earth as a goddess. The "Big Picture" is also much larger than global climate change. It includes worldwide economic turmoil and political unrest, particularly focusing on Israel and the Mid-east.
The Bible warns of great catastrophes in the period leading up to the second coming of Christ. While many churches have forsaken the teaching of Biblical prophecy in the interest of a "feel-good" or "prosperity" gospel, a reading of Scripture in its entirety reveals that the "end times" will include famines, wars and natural disasters. Romans 8:22 says, "For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now." We are feeling the labor pains not of Gaia, but of the Earth created by the one, true God, which has labored under the influence of Satan because of the sin of humankind and will continue to until Jesus Christ returns.
The teaching of false prophets such as Harold Camping causes non-believers to scoff at Biblical prophecy and discourages them from seeking the truth of Scripture. The Bible warns: "Many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many." (Matthew 24:11; see also verse 24.) All one needed to know to dismiss Mr. Camping was Matthew 24:36: "But of that day and hour no one knows ...." If someone tells you Christ is returning Saturday at 6:00, you can know he is a false prophet! However, that doesn't mean we won't be able to discern the season or the signs that Christ's return is drawing closer.
The recent letter referred to the "former late, great Earth." Readers should go to the website, or watch the weekly TV program, of Hal Lindsey, who once wrote a book called "The Late, Great Planet Earth" and continues to study Biblical prophecy in the context of current events. He is a wonderful resource and has a sound understanding of what is going on in the world today, which has nothing to do with a Greek goddess named Gaia.