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photo credit: Edison Chouest Offshore
On April 20 an explosion decimated the Deepwater Horizon BP oil well 50 miles off the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. It killed 11 and injured 17, four critically. The explosion that occurred released oil from the deepest part of the Gulf in a hot oil volcano, presenting unprecedented containment problems. Initially, the explosion attracted little attention but as the oil continued to gush, heads perked up and brows suitably wrinkled. A few days later, the magnitude of the problem became apparent:
April 22: Gulf oil rig run by BP explodes, sinks: massive spill threatens entire Gulf shore
April 29: Obama sends SWAT teams to Gulf Oil Rigs
April 30: Second Gulf oil rig tragedy: overturns near Morgan City LA
April 30: No relief in sight as oil spill reaches LA shoreline:
April 30: Leaked secret government report: Government fears Deepwater Horizon well could become unchecked gusher "A confidential government report on the unfolding spill disaster in the Gulf makes clear the Coast Guard now fears the well could become an unchecked gusher shooting millions of gallons of oil per day into the Gulf."
The issue now is a tragedy not only for the oil rig workers and families, not only for the Gulf Shore states, not only for the United States, but for the world. How can an oil rig explosion have worldwide implications? And further, how does it fit into the warnings about trouble in the end times?
ENVIRONMENT
Of course, the environmental damage is heartbeaking. Ten species are already at risk. "North Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: The Great Bluefin Tuna, prized for sushi and sashimi, is one of the species most in danger of slipping into extinction. Traveling down across the Atlantic seaboard, bluefin tuna spawn in the Gulf of Mexico between mid-April and mid-June." The predicament for the tuna is the same for many other species: the grasses along the Gulf shoreline provide nursery habitat for the eggs and spawning fish.When the oil coats the grass it will kill it.The timing of the spill is also part of the problem not only is it spawning season, but the migratory birds that travel from the north to south America rest along these shores also. Beach-nesting and migratory shorebirds are at risk. Those that build their nests on the ground and feed on invertebrates are susceptible to oil on the beaches. Some migratory shore birds fly nearly the length of the Western Hemisphere and use barrier islands in the Gulf for key resting and refueling spots on their journey as well as migratory songbirds — warblers, orioles, buntings, flycatchers, swallows and others. There are roughly up to 5,000 dolphins in the Gulf area between the Mississippi and Louisiana coasts and the oil rig, many giving birth right now.
FOOD/FISHING
The Gulf accounts for a fifth of U.S. commercial seafood production — including 75 percent of our shrimp. The crude that enters the coastal estuaries areas will cause "a dramatic drop in seafood recruitment, possibly for years to come," says George Crozier, executive director of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. This is already "the worst case scenario for shrimpers, oyster harvesters, crabbers — all the commercial fisherman," says fishing boat charterer Brent Roy. The Baltimore Sun is more blunt, they just said "ecological devastation": "The oil that began washing ashore Friday in Louisiana could devastate one of the richest coastal ecosystems in the country and cripple a major source of the nation's seafood, a top Maryland scientist warned Friday." So seafood will become scarce, and expensive. This, already in the face of US food inflation spiraling out of control. Fresh and dry vegetables prices are up 56.1% over last year, in one example.
SHIPPING
"The biggest grain-shipping port in the U.S. may be disrupted by the spread of the BP Plc oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, threatening to depress domestic prices by encouraging importers to buy from South America. More than half of the grain inspected for export from the U.S., the world’s largest grower of corn and soybeans, is shipped from the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the Port of New Orleans."
COMMERCE
In an already poor region, "As oil begins flowing ashore from the massive spill in the Gulf of Mexico, coastal communities from Louisiana to Florida are bracing for what could turn out to be an unprecedented and long-lasting economic disaster for the region." London Times reports, "The cost to Louisiana’s fishing industry could be $2.5 billion (£1.6 billion) while the impact on tourism along the Florida coast could be $3 billion, according to Neil McMahon, an analyst at the investment firm Bernstein." Like the current economic disaster isn't enough... more losses in an area ill-prepared to wait it out. Six states are in declared emergencies and the National Guard has been called out in LA to fight the spill.
And there's this as-yet little discussed impact:
The news reports say that it may take weeks to months to cap the well that is 210,000 gallons of oil into the Gulf each day. Hurricane season starts June 1. "The strong winds in hurricanes, sweeping across the surging waves they have created, such up a considerable amount of surface water and blow it inland. This time, however, those winds could also end up picking up a considerable amount of the oil slick floating on the sea's surface, which would be deposited as rain well inland, damaging croplands and forests, too." Think about it- What happens when you mix oil with salty water? It results in a mayonnaise like light foam, an emulsion. A lot of foam can be created from a small amount of oil. The emulsion could become easily airborne under high winds. As the hurricane makes landfall, the oil foam would be plastered on everything for hundreds of miles . When trees, grasses, plants, animals, ect get pounded with the foamy winds they will get a thin layer of oil. That thin layer of oil mixed with sea water will kill any vegetation. Normally Texas receives its first tropical storm on average around June 6.
"The following is not public," reads the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Emergency Response document dated April 28. "Two additional release points were found today in the tangled riser. If the riser pipe deteriorates further, the flow could become unchecked resulting in a release volume an order of magnitude higher than previously thought. Asked Friday to comment on the document, NOAA spokesman Scott Smullen said that the additional leaks described were reported to the public late Wednesday night. Regarding the possibility of the spill becoming an order of magnitude larger, Smullen said, "I'm letting the document you have speak for itself. In scientific circles, an order of magnitude means something is 10 times larger. In this case, an order of magnitude higher would mean the volume of oil coming from the well could be 10 times higher than the 5,000 barrels a day coming out now. That would mean 50,000 barrels a day, or 2.1 million gallons a day.
God gave Adam and Eve dominion over the earth and the authority to rule over the animals. "God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
Man, have we ever messed up creation. And have we ever messed up spiritually. There are two truisms, and they are absolute: God always judges nations' sins, and God does have a point at which there is no return, when judgment is sure and imminent. I've written about national sin and judgment twice recently. Just a few weeks ago, I posed the question, "Has America's point of no return been reached?" In that article, I explored the biblical concept of national sin and judgment; and under what condition that judgment occurs. America was the blessed nation, the city upon a hill, and in the article I wrote in September, I explored the background to America's original commission and its peril in going away from it.
It is impossible to understand all the ramifications of this unfolding tragedy. It is clear that there are many. It is not for me to say whether this disaster is a judgment or not. However, knowing that America was founded on a golden commission, that we have abandoned it for sin, destruction, perversion, idolatry, profanity, immorality, and violence on a national scale, and knowing that God always judges these things when the point of return has been reached, it is logical to assume that our troubles from this disaster have only begun!
We as Christians can be Light and Salt in a fallen world. Pray for the leaders who are dealing with this disaster, that they themselves would pray, not for success in cleaning up the oil or that businesses don't suffer, but for repentance! And pray that if repentance does sweep over the states and the nation, that it is not too late.
Comments
If this is a Bowl Judgment, I wonder why it's not in numerical order? I think 1/3 of the living creatures in the seas being destroyed is No. 4. Prior to that we are supposed to have hail mingled with fire that destroys all green grass. At any rate, I'm praying with tears that God will intervene and not let the Gulf be destroyed. This is so incredibly heartbreaking as well as fills me with rage at the greed, spiritual destitution and stupidity of mankind as a whole.
ReplyDeleteIt is not a bowl judgment. I agree with you on that one, that the events in Revelation are chronological, though. The rapture takes place first, as we see the church is present in heaven in Rev 4 & 5. Rev 6 begins the seal & trumpet judgments. The bowl judgments are part of the Great Tribulation and begin in Rev 13. Since the church is not appointed to wrath (1 Thess 5:9) and Rev 6:16 begins God's wrath, the church is gone and will not see the bowl judgments.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sad about it too. All the animals...God gave us dominion over the animals and stewardship over His creation, and boy, have we mucked it up.
This has to do with Rev. 8:8
ReplyDeleteAnd the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
Well...as I mentioned above, the Revelation judgments have not started yet. Rev. is chronological, and its judgments occur after the church is raptured into heaven. If you believe that the oil rig is a fulfillment of Rev 8:8 you're going to have to show that the rapture occurs after the wrath starts,and that this particular judgment is taken out of order from all the rest.
ReplyDeleteA third of the seas in the eighth chapter of Revelation will become as blood, but that is ALL the seas of the world after Wormwood falls into it.
God says, "My glory has departed."
ReplyDeleteTanks Anonymous. What bible verse are you referring to and what is the context. I'm afraid I don't quite follow...
ReplyDeleteEzek 10:18 "Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims." Jere. 12:7 "I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies." America is a reflection of the body of Christ. What a cesspool!!! With God's glory departed, we are open for all and anything. This with the oil mess and widespread flooding, it's only the beginning of judgment. Many laugh and mock. But only the remnant will come thru.
ReplyDeleteAh! Thanks for the verse Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteGod gives me the titles to the messages He is having me prepare. It has been quite an experience. "A day of trouble' "Pimping in the Lord's House' "The destroyer is coming" that's just a few.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I am not so sure about the Shekinah glory leaving America, because I am under the interpretive impression that it left in Old Testament times(1 Samuel 4:22 KJV) and will return to inhabit the Third temple in the Millennium (Ezekiel 43:4-7), but now in New Testament times as Colossians 2:9 tells us that “in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,”. The Glory of the Lord dwelling with us (and that is what the extra-biblical word shekinah means, dwell) is in actuality the Holy Spirit...dwelling in us. That's my take on it...
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you that the hedge of protection is being lifted from America, though. Clearly.
In light of what is now allowed in the body of Christ, God's glory cannot dwell. His glory now rests upon the remnant. The remnant being those who say no to sin at any cost. It is very sad to say, but the body of Christ is a cesspool. May God have mercy on us.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am of the firm stance that the glory of God abounds daily and everywhere. His Holy Spirit is present in every believer (1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9) and also is present on the earth, drawing the lost to Himself (John 6:44). I agree that the world is a cesspool, God said it would be so: (Mt 24:37 then Gen 6:5). We are all sinners, that is why the world is like it is. God even gave the earth to satan to rule (2 Corinthians 4:4). The remnant is pictured in many places in the Old Testament (Gen 45:7, Micah 2:12-13) and the New (Rev 12:17), and it is always about God saving His people, the Jews. The remnant is not people on earth who say no to sin at any cost. There are none. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Rom 3:23)
ReplyDeleteGod does have mercy on us, "Eph 2:3-5 (NIV) ...Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved."
To go alittle deeper, every one that calls themself a believer, is not a believer. Many start out with Jesus, but don't end up with Him. Didn't He say that many will say to Him, "Lord Lord didn't we cast out devils, prophesied in thy name, and done many wonderful works?" But He then says, "Depart from me, I never knew you. Ye that work iniquity." And yes, we all have sinned. I was the worst. But there comes a time in the believer's life, that they should not practice sin. If there is a sin problem, get to the root and get it out. But I do not believe that God's glory is in every 'believer'. Most 'believers' don't have a clue what is really going on in the spirit world. I know this sounds harsh. But it isn't to be taken that way. But I know what's coming to the body of Christ and it isn't good.
ReplyDeleteI see God's glory every single morning that I hear and see the birds on my patio. It does me good to just sit and hear them. I see His glory in me. He took me from the cesspool I was in many yrs. ago and started a cleaning process on me. He can only work on us as we let Him. I see many things differently today than I did even a yr. ago. I don't take life for granted. We are here for a reason. I am not talking about the remnant during the tribulation. I am talking about the ones now who don't steal your dollar so that they can have more. The ones who don't sleep around and excuse their sin. etc.........
ReplyDeleteInteresting read. I do hope we are getting ready to be raptured but Jesus was very clear that we would NOT know the time he is returning, so I don't put too much into things concerning end times. If we're not supposed to know... Anyway, I hate this. Our greed has produced some horrible results!
ReplyDeleteHi Mel, thanks for the compliment! I agree this greed has produced horrors for many. It sure is interesting times.
ReplyDeleteWhen Jesus said we would not know the day nor the time He was speaking of His second return to earth, not the rapture. (explanation with verses here- http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/clarifying-the-timing-of-the-2nd-coming/) The timing of the rapture is not a date nor a time but a number (Romans 11:25, explanation here http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/the-day-and-hour-of-the-rapture/) Though it is true that only God knows that number
We ARE supposed to know the season, however, Jesus, Paul, John the Revelator, Peter, James, and other places in the bible tell us that, advise us that we earn crowns for being watchful for His appearing and also alternatively warn of consequences if we do not watch. In Matthew 24 the Lord sat down with the disciples and talked at length of the conditions at the time of the end (Mt 24:1-9 are the end times, the rest is Israel, Tribulation). The fact that He took time to explain meant for one thing that He wanted us to know...and right off the bat, He told us not to be deceived. Jesus also rebuked the Pharisees for NOT knowing the signs of the times (Mt 16:2-3). Jesus said also “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28. Jesus commanded us to watch in Mark 13:37. Paul warned us to be watchful in 1 Thess 5:6. Paul said that we will not be surprised at the rapture, having seen the signs coming (1 Thess 5:4). There are other examples that tell us what the signs are, what to look for, how to act in the end time, and to be watchful…So therefore though we will not know exactly when, we will not be surprised! I hope these verses encourage you to take another look and to put on your rapture radar...so that we can fulfill the other commandment for the end time: encourage one another with these words. (1 Thess 4:18) :)
Who in the world said we have an oil shortage???????
ReplyDeleteRevelation chapter 8 speaks of the oil spill and of a great star that would fall from heaven
ReplyDeleteThe rapture is not something specifically defined in the New Testament but is derived from what I've seen described as "cherry picking" verses. Jesus himself never spoke of a Rapture, at least not that is including in any of the canonical texts refering to His teachings. Revelation deviates significantly from what Jesus actually taught, that on the day of the Lord there would be judgement, and that everything would happen at once, not drawn out or happening in sequences. The day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night, not in any chain of events that will lead us to expect Him at any given moment. That's my two cents.
ReplyDeleteSo you dispense with rapture teaching in 1 Thes 4:15-17 & 5:9, ignore it again in Isaiah 26:19-21, refute what the Old Testament picture of Enoch's taking, and the waiting until Lot was gone from Sodom shows us, discount the ENTIRE book of Revelation, and dispense with ALL books in which "Jesus didn't say it" (even though Jesus and the Father are the same, and God authored the entire bible.) So what does that leave you with? No rapture, certainly, and no bible at all. And with no Word, you have no hope.
ReplyDeleteYour kind of cherry picking of accepting some books and verses, and not accepting others, isn't for me.
There IS clear teaching of the rapture in the New Testament, and it ends with Paul urging us to encourage each other with these words. I hope that once you read what Paul wrote in 1 Thess and then ask the Spirit to open your eyes to the rest of the supportive details of this soon event, that it will help clear the mystery up for you
It is my personal belief that God did not author the entire bible, although I do believe He did inspire all of it. The bible was clearly and historically proven to be written by human men, who, despite any best intentions or inspiration from grace, are still fallible. Even Paul himself described his own sufferings and insecurities in his letters. But Paul was not Jesus, and he did teach some things that strayed from Christ's teachings...and he himself points these out where applicable.
ReplyDeleteI do not mean to say that I do not accept some books of the bible, but I do strongly believe in putting the majority of my focus on the teachings of Christ. It is not Paulism, it is Christianity. And I think that some parts of the bible are often taken literally that ought not to be. I do believe in the coming of the Lord, but I do not believe that all current believers alive will escape the day of His wrath by being ferried away safe and sound. We are all to come under His judgement and will be subject to His threshing floor.
I do not think that the recorded teachings of Jesus as we have them should be dismissed just because Paul said something else that we might interpret differently but must assume is more relevant than the Son himself if only because it is believed the bible is written by God in its entirety. God is the same yesterday and today and tomorrow, so I do not believe that He would say one thing and then in Paul, who was not Messiah, switch things around on us all of a sudden.
As for the oil spill, I believe that it is a catastrpohe that is indeed a sign of the birth pains. Yes we here more in the news than we used to, but I also believe things are becoming more frequent and more devastating. Whether this is part of prophecy or not, I believe that we should hang on to the scripture where Jesus says, "In this world you will have trials and tribulations (trouble), but fear not for I have overcome the world."
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
I beg to differ with you. You stated," Many start out with Jesus, but don't end up with Him".
That's not true. If anyone is in Christ, He is a new creature, old things are passed away. Not that we see that in everything we do because we still screw up every day and will until the day we die, but that Jesus sees us that way because of His atonement for all our sin. Also the Bible says, that He will never leave us or forsake us. Forsake means to shun or put away from. The Bible also says that Jesus will in no way lose even one that the Father has given Him. And the Bible says that no one can pluck you out of the Father's hand. No one means no one, which includes yourself. If you could pluck yourself out of God's hand that would make the scripture a lie, and God is not a man that He should lie. Once you've accepted salvation, it means that Jesus payed the penalty for all of your past, present, and future sin. We can NEVER be perfect and without sin until we die and cast off the sin body. That's what makes Jesus' sacrifice and God's mercy and grace so amazing! If we had to be as perfect as you suggest in order for God not to turn us away, then the Cross was for nothing.
Then you state, "Didn't He say that many will say to Him, "Lord Lord didn't we cast out devils, prophesied in thy name, and done many wonderful works?" But He then says, "Depart from me, I never knew you. Ye that work iniquity."
Yes there are many that will say that. But they are ones who didn't admit they needed Jesus and accept His salvation. These are people who never accepted Christ in the first place, but who put on an act to make people think they did. They only see the Kingdom as an opportunity, whether it's to make money, to become famous or important, etc. That's why the scripture you quoted talks about works. They are relying on works to make them look good, (outward appearance: ie: religious botox) instead of relying on Jesus for an inner change after admission of sin nature (true inner heart change). To make a long story short, they aren't believers at all in any sense of the word because they don't really want what Jesus has to give.
The LORD's Judgment on the Earth
ReplyDelete1 Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.
2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.
3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word.
4 ¶ The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.
7 The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merry-hearted do sigh.
8 The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.
9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.
10 The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in.
11 There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.
12 In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.
13 When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.
14 ¶ They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.
15 Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
16 From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
17 ¶ Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 ¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
Note: The above verses are from Isaiah 24
ReplyDeleteGood site. Keep up the hard work.
ReplyDeleteAs we enter one of the most aggressive hurricane seasons on record, I cannot even imagine what a hurricane would do with oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Dealing with oil on the beach is one thing, but what if we had to deal with it in our streets, in our businesses, in our homes? What if we had to rescue humans covered in oil? What if this is no longer isolated to just the Gulf Coast but found its way up the great rivers to our inner cities? Now imagine if you will, the dispersants mixed with oil which could possibly cause untold diseases and catastrophic health hazards of a biblical proportion. It staggers the imagination, or is it prophetic? What if we are dealing with the wrath of God? See my web site at http://www.revelation-truth.org. Author of the book Final Warning
ReplyDeleteTolerance has paved the way for these events. I'm from Canada, but I've been to the states enough times that I can surely say that North Americans have a high level of tolerance toward such things as greed, disregard for the environment, selfish behavior, etc... We believe it is every man and womans right to consume in excess, and own a giant house and a gas guzzling SUV, but clearly this has come to bite us in the ass. Our careless lifestyle is now being put to the test, and it doesn't seem to be holding together that well. Whether or not this is the end times I feel like Americans must learn from this. Each person must search their hearts and realize that it is not Obama's or Harpers responsibility to make the changes. It is the masses that must abolish greed. It is the masses that must use their voice against huge corporations who are destroying the world. We must turn to God in prayer and repent for the way in which we have acted, accepting grace and truth in our hearts. It is time.
ReplyDeleteSo, what exactly caused the oil platform explosion? I remember this happening, but I was still fairly young. Growing up in Alaska I was well aware from a young age the impact oil spills can have. But I never really understood the how. Now that I'm older, I'm hoping to broaden my comprehension of issues like this.
ReplyDeleteKeelytm
ReplyDeleteThe wellhead blowout preventer failed. If you google- Macondo well, BP oil spill, Deepwater horizon, wellhead and BOP you will find results that explain the chain of events that caused the worst petroleum spill in history. It happened in 2010...not that long ago. Good luck with your research :)