Counsel #5 — Who Is Responsible?

Picture: Counsel #5 — Who Is Responsible?CSI 87.1

Who is responsible for climate change? God? Satan? You? Although God allows events to occur and you and I should be careful not to exploit the earth’s resources, nevertheless, it is Satan who is responsible for catastrophes and natural disasters.^{[125]Job 1:1-12}CSI 87.2

The suffering we experience in natural disasters is a consequence of sin, which entered the world through the rebellion of Lucifer.^{[126]Lucifer was Satan’s name in heaven before he was cast out.} This ongoing conflict between good and evil, between Christ and Satan, plays out on Earth. While Satan may hold temporary dominion, his power will ultimately be crushed by Jesus at His second coming. This future world will be free from pain, loss, and natural disasters.^{[127]https://dialogue.adventist.org/1301/natural-disasters-acts-of-god-or-acts-of-satan (Available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese)}CSI 87.3

“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Revelation 12:12 NKJVCSI 87.4

“Satan works through the elements also to garner his harvest of unprepared souls. He has studied the secrets of the laboratories of nature, and he uses all his power to control the elements as far as God allows.” Ellen White in The Great Controversy, p.589CSI 87.5

Reflect: If natural disasters are part of a spiritual battle, how can you respond to these events with prayer, faith, and choice?CSI 87.6