Is Our Planet Dying or Already Dead?

More than 200 leaders from 71 American Indian nations in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada have met under the banner of "Indigenous People to Heal Our Mother Earth". The group came together in the Mexican jungle to try and find solutions to the pollution and ecological issues that they feel are a serious threat to the planet.

Raymond Sensmeier from Yakutat, Alaska, stated, "Our Mother Earth is being polluted at an alarming rate, and our elders say that she is dying. The way the weather is around the world ... a cleansing is needed." Juan Elvira Quesada, Mexico's environment secretary, added, "In this way, the indigenous communities can become the natural guides to restoring balance and harmony in the world."

It would be an major understatement to say that the environment is a political flash point and a great concern to many scientists and ordinary people. Others feel that the 'crisis' is not all that serious and is mostly hype. They maintain that the earth is capable of handling the current level of pressure by man and that any severe weather patterns are just part of the planet's normal cycle over time. Whether the physical earth is in grave danger, no danger, or somewhere in between, one thing is certain. The planet, although unique, amazing and mostly beautiful, is under a curse and has been since the first man and woman disobeyed God in Genesis chapter 3.

The Apostle Paul expanded on the subject and reaffirmed the earth's sad state in Romans 8:20-22. "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now."

This situation is bad, but will get worse before it gets better. 2 Peter 3 shows exactly what is in store for the afflicted creation beginning with verse 10. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." But that must occur in order to bring in something 'better' which is revealed later in verse 13. "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."

While the debate over the condition and direction of the physical world intensifies, God's main concern remains dealing with the effects of spiritual pollution. First, He reminds Christians that His postponing of the future remolding the material world is to allow them to share their faith with those who are physically alive but spiritually dead. Verse nine describes His loving logic. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

In addition to sharing their own faith with those who are perishing, the entry of the new creation should act as a catalyst as they ponder the sobering question in verse 11. "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness."

'Mother Earth' will some day be cleansed, but not the way desired by environmentalists like those who met in Mexico. But when that spectacular event does arrive, the issue will not be the condition of the old physical creation, but whether or not each of us have been made into a new creation having had the pollution of sin cleansed through saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Bill Breckenridge