The Greatest Problem Plaguing Our Planet
Everyone recognizes that the earth has changed considerably over the ages. The paradise inhabited by our earliest ancestors is worlds apart from the planet we inhabit today. Man’s influence has certainly taken its toll. Who or what bears responsibility for this travesty? Our quest for discovery must begin by considering the character of the original paradise.
The Original Paradise
Overpopulation, pollution, and water and soil contamination were nonexistent when our earliest ancestors called the earth their home. A mist went up from the earth’s surface to water the whole face of the ground making rain unnecessary (Genesis 2:6). Beautiful trees in abundance offered mankind a bountiful food supply (Genesis 2:9). The land possessed bountiful resources undisturbed by man (Genesis 2:11-12), and the animal kingdom flourished without concern for survival of the fittest (Genesis 1:30). Vegetation grew unhampered by thorns and thistles. This was truly a wonderful paradise in which to live!
Paradise Lost
How did such a beautiful place devolve into what we see and know today? Is it merely the result of gradual change, or was there a major upheaval that sent the earth into its downward spiral? How did the earth and its inhabitants shift from perfect harmony to the pain it presently experiences (Romans 8:22)? Is it, as claimed by some, the result of climate change, deforestation, ozone layer depletion, and overpopulation; or will our search for truth discover a much simpler answer?
Before discovering any problem’s solution, we must first discover the root cause. We cannot blame the animal kingdom since they are the unwilling subjects of the circumstances at hand (Romans 8:20). Additionally, we cannot justify placing blame on industrialization, since apart from man’s actions there would be no industrialization. In fact, apart from man, overpopulation, pollution, and ozone layer depletion would never be discussed as potential grounds. Man’s existence on earth serves as the only clear culprit, but perhaps there exists a deeper problem.
None of the problems commonly pointed out today were present until mankind (specifically the first man and woman) directly and consciously rebelled against the Creator of the universe. Their sin caused the earth to inherit an enduring curse (Genesis 3:17) and death passed upon all men (Romans 5:12). This act of rebellion against the Creator propelled the creation onto a collision course with its Maker.
The earth now waxes old like a garment in need of changing (Hebrews 1:10-12). This change could be identified as a “Big-Bang.” However, this “Big-Bang” is not a historical event, but a future one yet on the horizon. Nor will this cataclysmic event produce structure, but only destruction. The real “Big-Bang” will take place when God destroys this earth with fire (2 Peter 3:10-12). Man’s future is even more precarious than the world’s future unless each person consciously and individually puts his faith in the payment for sins provided through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. In fact, those who refuse to trust Christ as Saviour will dwell eternally in a lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Sin pitted man against God and God against man. Fortunately, God the Son gave Himself as the perfect, sinless sacrifice to reconcile this severed relationship (Romans 5:10). Although man’s willful disobedience caused the present conditions and will ultimately bring about the future judgment, God never intended for man to inhabit a cursed earth. Instead, God intends to one day restore the paradise lost through sin.
Paradise Regained
Just as paradise was lost in a garden, the restored paradise was secured in another garden (John 19:41). That which our earliest ancestors lost, Christ restored through the offering of Himself. He was not the problem, but He is the only solution.
Do not be misled, Christ did not die on the cross to preserve the earth. He died because we each needed a means of reconciliation with our Creator. Nonetheless, an added benefit of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is the privilege for men, women, boys, and girls to live forever in an incorruptible paradise (Revelation 2:7). Much like man’s first dwelling place, this paradise will be a place of indescribable beauty. In fact, this paradise will have no need of the harmful rays of sunlight, for Christ gives it light (Revelation 21:23). The waters cannot be contaminated (Revelation 22:1), the fruit of the trees never experience any type of disease (Revelation 22:2), and the curse plaguing the earth will be forever eliminated (Revelation 22:3). In addition, the destroyer of the first paradise (sin) will be banished from this future paradise (Revelation 21:27).
Although this paradise remains free to all, its availability came at a great cost. The innocent Son of God died to pay for your wrongdoings. Though the initial sin occurred with our earliest ancestors, we too have personally rebelled against the Creator (Romans 3:23). The penalty for our rebellion is death, but Jesus Christ died to offer us life (Romans 6:23). If you want to live in that future paradise void of sin and all the resulting troubles, you must trust Jesus Christ and His payment for your sins. Won’t you bow your head right now and confess your personal guilt and responsibility for sin? Won’t you call upon the name of the Lord and ask Him to save you (Romans 10:13)?
I, who ere while the happy garden sung,
By one man’s disobedience lost, now sing
Recovered Paradise to all mankind,
By one man’s firm obedience fully tried
Through all temptation, and the tempter foiled
In all his wiles, defeated and repulsed,
And Eden raised in the waste wilderness.
Poem taken from Milton’s Paradise Regained