Earlier today a meteor struck an area of Russia about 930 miles east of Moscow, creating a shockwave that blew out windows and damaged buildings for miles around. More than 950 people were injured, most suffering minor cuts and bruises from flying glass. However forty-six people remain hospitalized. The meteor was visible in the morning sky, with several people capturing the event on video. I’ve linked some of the video and stories below in case you’ve not seen it.
One headline on a sports blog I was reading said, “The universe is an untidy place. So is our solar system, unfortunately …”
No doubt about that. The universe is not perfect and natural disasters happen. The Bible explains why they occur. It is because of humanity’s sin.
One of the consequences of mankind’s sin is a fallen creation. The earth, including the universe, ceased to be perfect after man sinned. That is why things like floods, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, and meteor strikes happen. It is also why our bodies suffer, grow old, get cancer, and eventually die.
Natural science’s second law of thermodynamics teaches that the universe is subject entropy, meaning that the universe will eventually burn out, decay, de-evolve back into chaos.
God tells us in the eighth chapter of Romans that the universe’s destiny is different than the one described by natural science. He will restore the universe to a state of perfection when He redeems our bodies on the day of the resurrection and second coming. That is going to be a great day!
Rather than natural events like a meteor strike pointing to the ultimate death of the universe, it points to the universe’s present subjection to “futility” and it ultimate “freedom” (Romans 8:16-25).
So, yes, the sight of a meteor streaking through the sky is a startling reminder that this world, as well as our lives, truly is fragile. It is also a reminder of the importance of knowing, loving and trusting the Lord Jesus Christ so that we might be part of the “glory” He says the future holds for His children…and the universe He created.
Pastor Steve Hogg
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