Luke 21:29-36
He told them a parable. “See the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near. Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
“So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly. For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth. Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
In this passage Jesus speaks symbolically about a fig tree. Many believe that this is an image of the Nation of Israel. I don’t believe that these future things that Jesus is talking about have really started to grow yet. I think that they could happen at any moment, however. It would seem that they could take place instantly because the situation seems right for people to deny God and to trust only in their own power.
I believe that Jesus is giving a strict warning to believers to stop sinning in these days we live in now. He says to “be careful” so that we live in a way that is consistent with faith. Notice that He doesn’t say for people to “work hard that you may be counted worthy”, but to be “praying that you may be counted worthy.” I know from other parts of the Bible that Jesus isn’t saying that a certain amount of prayer will save a person from future wrath, but praying is an acknowledgment of dependence on God. Praying is a sign of a good relationship with God because you cannot be heard by God when you are living in sin. When we pray we are acknowledging that we aren’t worthy on our own and need to ask. One of the problems that many Christians have today is that they believe in Jesus for salvation but fail to trust Him for the power to live a good life. Instead of trusting and praying, they try to be good for God using their own strength. This will not work. We need to continue in an ongoing trust relationship with Him.
Jesus is indicating that there is a way to escape what happens to “all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth.” If you are to escape this, it is logical that you would have to not be “on the surface of all the earth” at the time. Also, notice that when you escape you will “stand before the Son of Man.” Jesus says in John that He went away to prepare a place for us at His Father’s house so that we could be with Him. I believe that this is where those who escape the future horrors of earth will be standing. Now is the time to get into a good relationship with Jesus and stop sinning before it is too late.
Movies: If you want to watch this “climate change” happen in a movie, I recommend watching “Left Behind.” This movie was taken from a book series that gives a fictional account of the things that are to take place in the future on earth according to the Bible.