Wonder Why the Earth Is Under Attack? It's Waiting For Us To Be Holy!

 I can't begin to explain what is being revealed to my spirit, or what my soul is experiencing. My mind is reeling as I see a clearer picture of the state of the world, and my emotions are reflecting the truth I'm seeing. The devastation from Hurricane Helene seems beyond comprehension, and the toll of human suffering seems unlimited. And I know we aren't even seeing the whole picture, nor the truth of what is contributing to the misery and trauma.

All we're seeing is what the enemies of God wish us to see; the images and the words and the reasons that will keep us in ignorance and in bondage to the corrupted systems of willful disobedience to the Creator. And before you stop reading and dismiss my post as the rant of a religious fanatic, please allow me to pull back the veil and show you how simple it is to understand what is really going on.

First of all, if you decide to trust the scientists, you believe that the destruction in the mountains of North Carolina is a result of global warming, or "Climate change", as they are now choosing to call it. They want us to believe that Helene's rapid intensification and massive destructive force are all human-caused. What's funny is that they are correct, in a spiritual manner of speaking. But, it is not as they would have us believe, the result of humans who love their gas-driven cars or farmers who raise farting cows. There's a much more ancient and damaging spiritual dynamic going on.

If we, as Christians, could only understand that what happens in the natural [and visible] realm is the fruit of what happens in the spiritual realm, we might be able to see how we [mankind] have contributed to the deterioration of the earth, and grasp our part in the resulting destruction. The prophets of old shared [first with Israel], and then with all men who came to faith in YHWH, what the Lord told them to reveal, in order that we could avoid such devastation and chaos. 

They spoke it, as He instructed them, and then it was written down so that it might educate those of us destined to be on the earth in the future. It's all right there in our Bible! Written for our edification and enlightenment; instruction from our God on how to live in harmony with Him and the earth over which we've been given dominion! But do we read it and take heed? The condition of the physical planet would seem to tell us the answer is No! So, let me share the clear warnings that God Almighty has given us:

Hosea 4:1-3 ... Hear the Word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the LORD has a [legal] case with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness [no steadfast love, no dependability] or loyalty or kindness or knowledge of God [from personal experience with Him] in the land. 

There is [false] swearing of oaths, deception [broken faith], murder, stealing and adultery; they employ violence, so that one [act of] bloodshed follows closely on another.

Therefore the land [continually] mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes [in tragic suffering], together with the animals of the open country and the birds of the heavens; even the fish of the sea disappear.  

Isaiah 24:3-6 ... The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the Lord has spoken this word. The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and withers; the highest people of the earth languish. The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched, and few men are left.

We need to see the big picture! The earth and all that we need to sustain us was created by the Lord, and God saw that it was good! Then God followed through with His pre-ordained plan to create man in His image and establish us as guardians or regents of His domain called Earth. We were designed specifically to administer His government over this planet in His stead. Unfortunately, man was tempted by God's Enemy to willfully abdicate his authority and he handed over the government of Earth to Satan and his rebellious followers. Man not only surrendered his own blessings from the Lord, but subjected the created earth to the bondage of wickedness and evil.

We need to understand that our authority on Earth is authorized by the King of Heaven. All authority in heaven and on the earth was given to Jesus, and He transferred it to those who believe in Him in order to protect and righteously rule this domain we've been given charge over. We have authority over all the power of the enemy in this realm. But does the earth look like we've taken our responsibility seriously? Does the earth reflect its original properties and the glory of the Master's hand?

What's been declared to my spirit is that God's original mandate for earth -- that we have dominion over it -- has not changed. The devil has no ordained authority in this realm except what we give to him or we perceive by the actions of evil men! The devil has no worldly power on the earth; but he can tempt those who do have the power to become his willing partners. That betrayal and treasonous decision by evil men also affects other men and the nature of the creation. 

That's why Paul's message in Romans 8:19-21 is so important for us to understand: For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.   

It was not only mankind that God subjected to His righteous judgment when Adam and Eve gave up the blessing of our authority and dominion of the earth. Everything created on the earth has felt the pain and loss of our forefather's sin against God. And it is time that we recognize that the reality of mankind's current existence, the environment and elements of the earth, and the atmosphere, itself, around this planet -- everything -- is the result of evil men who used their free will choices to willingly walk in rebellion and disobedience to God. They chose to follow Satan for the prizes offered: power and wealth. And they are willing to sacrifice all of God's creation for their own selfish purposes and worldly enrichment.

And, yes, the consequences are evident in the physical earth. But they have also resulted because of the spiritual war over this earth and its inhabitants. It has become so abundantly clear to me that we Christians don't really know who we are. We aren't trained up to know our power and authority or how to destroy the works of the enemy of God. Too many of us know and use the Name of Jesus as a magical mantra, praying and hoping Jesus will do the hard lifting in this battle because we are either afraid or don't truly believe the Word about our dominion. Talking and singing and praying about Jesus isn't enough! We must actively stand in the confident knowledge that we are truly a new creation! 

That's what it means when the Word says "creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God". The earth is waiting for us to step into our identity as a new creation who walks in the power and authority of our holiness and righteousness; a new creation that truly knows the Lord and His will and follows His commands. The land knows our purpose and knows that when we step into that identity, that they will be restored and our spiritual renewal will result in a renewal of the earth! That's why it is groaning and mourning! 

It is time for the true sons of God to stop participating and compromising with the sinful world and come out of hiding inside the Church walls! The earth groans and mourns, waiting for us to rescue it from the darkness that has been manifested by the evil deeds of men -- the darkness and bondage that comes in the form of violent hurricanes, floods, mudslides, fires, drought, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other devastating attacks upon the land. 

God has shown us that man's evil ways bring His judgment upon the land. But He has also given us His promises of renewal, restoration and reconciliation. It breaks my heart that the good people of North Carolina are the latest victims of man's failure to maintain the goodness of God's blessings that were ours in the Garden of Eden. Lord, give us the wisdom, and the courage, and the hunger to make things right again. Give us a chance to repent and renew the land as we meet the expectations of the creation. And let us stand up to Evil and all its accomplices as we free Your creation from its bondage and bring the earth into its rightful place in Your Kingdom. Amen!  

Hebrews 6:7-8    For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

The AI Conflict: Is Anything Genuine and Real Anymore?

I will admit that this subject is a personal affront to me and presents an interesting dilemma. At the moment, AI is a given in our world. The technological world has exploded with possibilities now that Artificial Intelligence has come upon the scene. Computer systems are now capable of doing things that once only humans could perform. While, for many this represents advancement for the human race, it sincerely comes into conflict with my human understanding of authenticity -- as well as the convictions of my faith. Let me try to explain how those two concepts converge in my life.

Authenticity coincides with several things to me: being original; being your true self; being genuine and honest. My faith informs what my true self is: a human being created in the image of God; designed by Him to be original with all the gifts and talents that are unique only to me. Therefore my "true self" cannot exist apart from my God. But that reality comes with a moral obligation ... to represent Him with honesty and integrity. In other words, to live our lives according to His moral principles and values. And for me, that comes into stark contrast when considering the choices and options that AI presents for humans.  

Take for instance, in the world of art. I think it is undisputed that art can touch the human soul and spirit. Have you ever looked upon a beautiful piece of art and been brought to tears? Or have it take your breath away? I have personally experienced it myself, and witnessed this phenomenon in other people, as we have looked upon art and marveled at the talent God has given the artist. When that moment occurs, I believe that we are ultimately connecting to God. We are moved by what the artist creates from the gift he has been given by the Great Creator. And that connection between art and God is made clear in Ephesians 2:10 ... "For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above -- spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works which God prepared [for us] beforehand, so that we would walk in them."

This is just one example at the heart of my conflict with AI. Which is why my spirit is offended when I see countless people on Social Media exclaiming over the astounding beauty of a painting or photo that is obviously generated by Artificial Intelligence. It's "Artificial"! It's not real; it's not original; and it's not honest. I'm even seeing Facebook posts extolling the brilliance of a Claude Monet work of art, with its heightened values of color -- and it's not even a Monet painting! And I'm even more highly offended when I see an artist present his work as an "original" painting, when I know that parts of it have been generated by AI to present what the artist has decided is "authentic". I have witnessed what graphic artists can do by reducing an image to its core form or impression, and then substituting backgrounds and adding additional elements to come up with a final image that is manufactured. We see it all the time in the advertising campaigns that deluge our TV and computer screens.

And now I'm seeing legitimate artists doing the same thing. They might paint a subject sitting in a chair, and then take that image to the computer and ask AI to add a background of a garden setting, enhancing all the colors of the flowers, and then paint the rest of their painting to match that fabricated depiction. And the world exclaims over his talent and what a masterful painter he is. Yes, it is beautiful ... but it is manufactured, not created! It's not genuine, nor was it created from his innate, inborn, God-given talent. For me, to present a piece of art as your own, when it is produced with the help of a computer system lacks integrity and character. 

But maybe that's just me. Maybe the world has lost touch with what it means to be authentic and real. And maybe we've lost touch with our moral values. When the lines become blurred between what is truly "created" and what is formulated or constructed, then how do we know what is "real"? Which brings up another profound concern for me... at the rate that AI is progressing, how easy will it be to create and edit a video of a false Jesus coming on the clouds that can be distributed and screened worldwide? Will the human race be able to tell the difference between what's real and what is counterfeit?

That's the problem as we careen towards a future where we are giving computer generated programs the ability to start taking over the human thought and creative process. Are we going to start handing over our identity as image-bearers of Christ to a machine? Because we know they don't have that "God spark" of original creativity in them ... right? When we start abdicating our role as the true creator of ideas, art, products, and social conscience and become just the manager of what AI creates, then we are dangerously close to becoming insignificant in God's plan for mankind.

If we continue to rely more and more on AI's integration into our lives and society, then are we removing our reliance on our connection to God and the Holy Spirit to guide our morals, ethics, and standards of behavior? Will we begin to lose the nucleus of our identity? Do we really want human and machine creativity to merge and become one? Seems to me that will interfere with hearing and seeing what the Father is instructing us to do, which formed the foundation of Jesus's ministry, and should do the same for us. 

Which brings me to an interesting article I read by Igor Tarasenko, titled Rethinking Authenticity in the AI Revolution, in which he said, "It's about the essence of creation -- is it the origin, the journey, or the impact that matters?" And can we keep those separate? Can we glorify God while keeping a check on what's really important in this life -- that the number of hits on our social media content pales in comparison to the journey we are on towards Christ-likeness? All of which brings me back to the importance of our honesty, integrity, ethical and moral compass, and our true self. How important will that be to our future generations who are being raised in this quagmire between machine and man? Are the boundaries being erased? Will they even care about being genuine and authentic; or recognize why they were created and by Whom? 

The Bible talks about the importance of authenticity to God, you know. Check out Benjamin Reinke's blog on 50 Bible Verses about Authenticity.  As he says in the first one he cites, Psalm 51:6 "reflects the profound value placed on inner truth and authenticity in the sight of God: Behold, You desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place."  Does AI desire the same of us, or teach us wisdom? Another aspect that he points to is the courage to be authentic. Can we be loyal to our Creator and brave enough to stand for His "program" in the world? Lord, I pray that there are enough of us who will be true to who You've created us to be so that we show the world, who is enamored with the tech gods, that Your Sovereignty still reigns in the hearts of men, called according to Your will.  

Proverbs 11:3    The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them. 

The Earth Is Mourning Because of Our Sin ... Are You Listening?

I have long been fascinated with the verses of Scripture that speak of the earth as if it was alive -- because I believe it is, and it is warning us of what God has spoken about our connection to the land. Sadly, I think Christians have forgotten [if they ever knew] about the sacred duty and connection between man and the land. 

We read in Genesis 1 that God created the earth and everything in it -- vegetation and plants [yielding seed and bearing fruit]; waters swarming with living creatures, and the birds of the air; livestock, creeping things, and beasts of the earth -- and God saw that it was all good. Next, He created man in His image and gave him dominion over all the earth. And then God planted man in the Garden of Eden "to work it and tend it". So, from the beginning, there has been a connection and a relationship between man and the earth. 

And we find out in Genesis 4 that this relationship has profound consequences for both man and the land. Adam and Eve, through their disobedience to God's commandment [over how they were to tend the Garden and the sacred trees], cause the land to be cursed, and the earth manifested the judgment of God due to their sin. We must recognize that there is a very real cause-and-effect when man sins, and because of the earth's sensitivity to that sin, the earth rebels against man, and becomes an instrument of God's judgment.

NOTE: This post is not about all the "green movements" or the "climate change agenda" that have risen along political lines. Those philosophies are predicated on men who see themselves in a God-like role of protecting the earth from mankind's mishandling. The truth is they do not know the Creator God, nor do they acknowledge that it is mankind's sin that is the source of the land's defilement. Their cause is based on human greed and power. 

What I want us to realize is that we need to take notice of what the land is trying to tell us. And yes, I do mean to suggest that the earth is not only sentient, but intelligent. And I base this position -- not in agreement with the aforementioned secular earth worshippers -- but on the Word of God. Let me give you just a few examples: 

Job 12:7-8 ...  But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.

Psalm 119:1-2 ...  The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands. Day after day pours forth speech, And night after night reveals knowledge. 

Psalm 55:12 [when Israel was set free from Egyptian captivity] ...  For you will go out [from exile] with joy and be led forth [by the Lord Himself] with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 

Having been created by the living God, all His creation possesses life, too. And because of that connection and sentient intelligence between man and the land [both created for that relationship], the land also mourns when man sins, because there is a direct connection between the two -- i.e., there is an effect upon the land because of man and his sin. Read what the Word of God says:

Hosea 4:1-3 ...  Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it languish, and also the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens, and even the fish of the sea are taken away.

Jeremiah 12:4 ... How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field wither? For the evil of those who dwell in it the beasts and the birds are swept away, because they said, “He will not see our latter end.”

Deuteronomy 11:12 tells us that God cares for the land He created ... "The eyes of the Lord your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year". And the land declares evidence of the continuation of man's sins in the earth. In fact, Jesus, tells us in Matthew 24:7 that the increase of sin and lawlessness will initiate "signs" or manifestations of how much God grieves the level of sin that will amass in the world before His Son's return... "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places". 

The rebellion of men [wars] will rise to a level that affects the whole earth, and it will result in consequences for the land [famine and earthquakes]. Just in the month of September 2023, earthquakes were experienced in Afghanistan, Nepal, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Slovakia, Argentia, Australia, Iran, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Chili. Currently, Iceland is awaiting a massive volcanic eruption, and CBS News reported that on November 15, 2023, the country experienced 800 earthquakes overnight, with the residents calling it "apocalyptic". And let us not forget that the volcanic activity in Yellowstone Park is overdue for an apocalypse of its own, while the New Madrid Fault line in the Midwest is also overdue for a massive earthquake.

But there are Biblical warnings that perhaps we are less aware of, but portend some serious consequences if we do not repent of our sins and seek God, asking for His merciful forgiveness. Consider God's judgment for the severing of the connection/relationship that sin brings between man and the land...

Leviticus 18:27-28 ...  (for the people of the land, who were before you, did all of these abominations, so that the land became unclean), lest the land vomit you out when you make it unclean, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.  

Leviticus 18:25 ... and the land became unclean, so that I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.

Leviticus 10:22 ... You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my rules and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out.

You may think this applies only to the Old Testament Israelites, but read the following:

Romans 8:22 ... For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

Revelation 3:16 ... So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

NOTE: The act of being "vomited out" means to be "rejected from", "displaced", "thrown out"; in other words, to be dispossessed. The Bible makes it clear in Leviticus that God judged those who caused the land to become unclean because of their sins -- whether it be idolatry, immorality, the shedding of innocent blood, or broken covenants. And the judgment He brought against them was the loss of their land; they were removed and another nation occupied the land. 

Don't think that this won't happen to us! God is the same God who holds to the same statues and commandments as He did then! Our greed and idolatry, sexual perversion, shedding of the innocent blood of our babies, and our own broken covenants will result in the earth "groaning" -- and God hears it! And because we have not been zealous to follow the ways of the Lord, we have produced generations of sin, transgressions, and iniquity that have defiled the land to the point that Jesus is ready to vomit us out of His mouth! You can see the nations circling us, waiting to inhabit our land should Jesus decide the cup of our sin is full. 

But there is good news! The land can be healed, cleansed and made whole again! But time is running out... The land is waiting for us to rise up in our true identities as the righteous sons and daughters of God. The earth longs to be set free from the corruption of the land caused by our generations who have chosen to be in agreement with the Deceiver, rather than with the Holy God who created us and all He gave us to tend. The warnings have been there all along, written in His Word for all to see and obey. We have no more excuses to ignore them; the decay in our nation and the world is obvious and increasing. The effects on the earth are plainly discerned, and we are on the verge of being "vomited out". But we can be set free from our own bondage and also set the creation free from its corruption and defilement. We can do this! It starts in my life, and I bow down before my God and humble myself, declaring my sins and disobedience, and my shame in all the ways I have defiled my life, which in turn has defiled the land. Lord God, I seek Your Face and Your Forgiveness! Restore me and all Your Creation. Bring us back to life! I ask this in the Holy Name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!

#GodsCreation; #ManandSin; #DefilementoftheEarth #theearthcriesout #Godsjudgment #GodsSovereignty #theearthgroans #    

Romans 8:19-22.      For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.