Are The World's Oceans Really Dying?

The planet’s oceans are in a worse state than previously suspected, according to an expert panel of scientists comprised of coral reef ecologists, toxicologists, and fisheries scientists.

The new report reveals that ocean life is "at high risk of entering a phase of extinction of marine species unprecedented in human history,” caused by issues such as over-fishing, pollution and climate change that are acting together in ways that have not previously been recognized. The report also notes that previous mass extinction events have been associated with trends being observed now such as disturbances of the carbon cycle, and acidification and hypoxia (depletion of oxygen) of seawater.

The major impacts are already affecting humanity, according to Alex Rogers, IPSO's scientific director and professor of conservation biology at Oxford University. "As we considered the cumulative effect of what humankind does to the oceans, the implications became far worse than we had individually realized. The challenges are vast; but unlike previous generations, we know what now needs to happen.”

Anyone with any form of modern communications can see that the earth has been going through some rather rough collective changes, especially with the major natural disasters, that are happening faster than the average person can even keep track of.

Earthquakes are occurring at a record-setting pace both on land and under the sea. The devastation is sometimes like the magnitude of events in Haiti, or tsunamis like the recent one in Japan and the one that killed over a quarter of a million lives several years back. Tornadoes and floods are also occurring at record rates and doing record-setting damage in the U.S. Sometimes these storms are take place in unexpected areas, thought to be safe, such as the storm a few weeks back that killed four in Massachusetts – not exactly a part of so-called “Tornado Ally”. Rising temperatures in many places are causing drought and eventual additional starvation. Even the level of the oceans themselves are beginning to alter. And no one knows if the hurricane season has another Katrina in store, as these storms seem to be intensifying in number and scope. So the fact that the oceans and the life in them seem to be also struggling at the same time should comes as no shock, especially to those who are students of biblical prophecy.

The Scriptures indicate strongly that, before the return of Christ, certain signs in nature would be evident and often terrifying. When talking of His own return, Jesus said in Luke 21:25-28, "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." In other words, get ready, stay ready and make the very most of the precious time God has given you to serve Him.

The Lord added in Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.”

The growing possibility of being caught in, or even just the ability to view, the great and growing global disasters should serve as a reminder of the words offered up in Proverbs 27:1. The writer wisely declares, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” And this same warning applies to small personal events where there is always the real possibility having some unexpected life-ending accident at any given moment.

Those who are not yet ready to ‘meet their maker’, because they have not put personal faith in His Son, should seriously consider dealing with that all-important issue - today! (Acts 2:21) There is no guarantee that anyone will survive the remainder of even this today – a simple reality in a sinful and fallen world. But Scripture does guarantee that there is but one way to be fully prepared to face God and escape the unimaginable and eternal terror that the Bible teaches will follow this life for those who remain outside of Christ.

The Apostle John put it this way. “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2) As far as there being some other means of escape, the Bible also assures that there is no other route to spiritual safety and eternal security. Nothing can be substituted for a new life in Christ. Paul spells it out in 1Timothy 2:5-7 as simply as possible. “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

The signs of the end times and the demise of the current creation seem to be coming fast and furious. And someday all will vanish as the Bible reveals that everything will burn up with fervent heat, even down to the very elements themselves. (2 Peter 3:12) But anyone can be firmly and fully prepared, by recognizing their need of the Savior and accepting the free redemptive offer of the One who created the universe and holds it together even now. (Colossians 1:16-17) He alone can miraculously create a new and clean heart – something that allows those who possess it to view the even most difficult signs of the times with a sense of supernatural peace and joy from being firmly rooted in His glorious person, infinite power and unfailing promises!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Bill Breckenridge