Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been much debate about the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Did it start in a lab, or did it pass from animals to humans? Even years later, the question remains disputed, but it’s made me wonder about the end times. No, I don’t believe we’re there yet (sigh of relief). I’m merely wondering about the source of the plagues described in Revelation. Could they be man-made?
We can all agree that we’ve been reckless, even criminal, in how we’ve treated our planet. If we could quantify the pollution and toxic waste we’ve been pumping into our atmosphere and waterways, we’d be horrified. What’s more, some scientists have shown a willingness to conduct dangerous experiments with reckless disregard for their consequences, such as a Chinese scientist who worked on gene-edited babies. (1) More recently, the news is full of debate over AI—will it destroy the human race?
We rush full steam ahead in our pursuit of profit or science, paying only lip service to avoiding the consequences. As a result, I increasingly wonder whether some—if not all—of the apocalyptic events of the end times will be the direct consequences of human actions.
When the time comes for God to bring the world to account, he may not need to raise a single finger to bring about the plagues described in the Bible. All he’ll need to do is withdraw his protection and let us fully experience the consequences of our actions. Consider some of the future events: the seas and rivers will “turn to blood,” killing all creatures within; a third of the earth, trees, and all the grass will be burned up; sores will torment countless people. Yes, the Bible presents these cataclysms as acts of God’s judgment. But is it unreasonable to imagine him using some project gone wrong to accomplish his purpose? I find the possibility intriguing.
So what does this have to do with each of us? I wish we could simply go out and change the world! But since we can’t, the least we can do is take stock of our own actions. On a human level, this means caring for our planet, starting with the simple act of putting wrappers or cigarette butts in the trash, not on the ground. I’m heartbroken by how much discarded trash I see littering the streets.
Most importantly, we can listen to what our Creator is trying to tell us in the Bible. The pandemic gave us a glimpse of how suddenly a cataclysm can upend our lives. It also showed us how vulnerable we are and how little control we have. God wants our attention. His motivation is love. He knows what’s best for us and how to avoid the myriad dangers that surround us. Whether our relationship with him is strong, weak, or nonexistent, we can all benefit from seeking his will. God’s heart is full of compassion, but he can save us from ourselves only while there’s still time. The day will come when it’s too late.
(1) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-019-0396-4