Overpopulation is the most pressing environmental problem second to climate change to which overpopulation is a major contributor. We have been abusing and over-consuming the world's resources for nearly a century now and if something isn't done to correct it there will surely be severe consequences.
Due to overpopulation and over-consumption we are facing severe water shortages, animal and plant extinctions, air pollution and a failing economy. Currently, there are more than thirty million people in the United States on food stamps, sixteen million unemployed, and one and a half million are homeless.
Whether we want to admit it or not, the average person of today is lazy and greedy. We want what we want when we want it and when something new comes along we simply toss out the old. As for food, we throw away almost as much as we eat! Can you imagine what restaurants toss out?
Over-consumption is the real threat and it is out of control. Our lazy greed allows us to tolerate wars over oil and company practices that are flagrant, polluting, and unprincipled. We max out our credit cards to get whatever we want and lavish our children with the latest new gadgets while our government adds to the deficit.
Face it, if it wasn't for our advancement in technology, we'd still be living frugally like our recent ancestors and six billion people would be nothing for our planet to support. That's not to say that we should go back to horses and outhouses it's just that we are abusing the luxuries we have and are wasting our resources.
If we had to fetch water from a nearby water source we'd certainly use it sparingly but since it comes freely through pipes into our homes, we oftentimes let it run right down the drain. If we had to cut and gather wood to heat our homes we would certainly take measures to make sure our homes held in as much heat as possible.
Each of us takes for granted that we will always have clean running water, heat and air conditioning that comes on with a flip of a switch and fully functioning toilets. However, with our ever growing population and our wasteful habits this could all change a lot faster than most of us realize,
There are millions of good honest people worldwide who do not contribute to the damage that's being done to our planet. Unfortunately, they are in the minority. The world is filled with every kind of wrong imaginable and it's getting worse as our population expands.
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers... lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God... from such turn away." (2Tim.3)
Overpopulation has taxed our fresh water supply and is rapidly depleting all of our natural resources causing nations to threaten other nations. The ravaging of our planet is changing our climate, spawning severe weather and destroying crops, which has led to widespread hunger and disease.
The earth itself seems to be reacting to our increasing population and our immense cities. Earthquakes have increased in frequency and intensity. The number of deadly quakes averaged two to four every ten years or so up until about the middle of the century.
In the 1950s, there were nine earthquakes and in the 60s, there were thirteen. In the 70s, there were more than fifty and in the 80s, there were close to ninety. However, since 1990 there have been more than one hundred and fifty earthquakes!
Jesus said that our world would someday come to this.
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matt.24)
Anyone with any sense at all can plainly see that our wasteful lifestyle is destroying God's creation. Nevertheless, most people today don't seem interested enough to look beyond their own life circles.
If we are indeed living in the End Times, some truly incredible things are going to happen.
"And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!" (Luke 21)
Once we reach this period in time, overpopulation won't be a problem anymore.
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Rev. 1:7-8)