TROUBLE THAT LEADS TO HOPE

5. RUINING OF THE EARTH - "[God will] bring to those ruining the earth." -Revelation 11:18.

Mr  Pirri works a a palm-wine tapper in Kpor,Nigeria.  His trade has been devastated by a massive oil spill in the Niger Delta.  "It kills our fish, destroys our skin, spoils our streams," he says.  "I have no livelihood left."

WHAT DO THE FACTS SHOW?  According to some experts,  6.5 million tons of litter enter the world's ocean each year.  An estimated 50 percent of that litter is plastic that will drift for hundreds of years before  it degrades.  Besides polluting the earth, humans are depleting its natural resources at an alarming rate.  Studies show that the earth needs one year and five months to regenerate what humans consume in a  year.  "If population and consumption trends continue, we will need the equivalent of two Earths by 2035," reports the Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald.

WHAT IS A COMMON OBJECTION?  Humans are resourceful. We can reverse these problems and save the earth.

IS THAT OBJECTION VALID?  Many hardworking individuals  and groups have raised awareness of environmental issues.  Yet, the earth continues to be polluted on a grand scale.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Is there a need for God to intervene and save our planet from being ruined-just as he has promised to do?

In addition to the five prophecies just considered, the Bible also foretold positive developments for the last  days.  Consider one example in the sixth prophecy.

Next time: A GLOBAL PREACHING WORK - "This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth." -Matthew 24:14.

Watchtower, 2011