Our Wondrous Earth
OUR WONDROUS EARTH Earth The Right Size The earth is 8,000 miles in diameter, the exact size it has to be for habitation. If it were 9,500 miles in diameter instead, it would double the weight of the air, the amount of the water would be greatly increased, so much so that the entire surface of the planet would be covered with an ocean.
False Claim, The Earth Broke Off From The Sun
Many scientists have claimed our earth broke off from the sun, whirled in space, and cooled. Then, it became the earth. However, there is a big problem with this theory! This is impossible as all the precious metals we have on earth would have vaporized before leaving the sun.
What Supports The Earth? The Hindus held that the earth was supported by four elephants standing on a tortoise's back swimming in a cosmic sea of tranquility. We have only to look into Job 26:7, "He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing."
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; " Hebrews 1:3 Our Atmosphere - Right Formula.
It is a miracle! and made of largely 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. This is what is required to sustain animal and human life, yet this is the only place in the universe where this ratio exists. Evidence that oxygen is in the air in exactly the right amount is seen in the tragic experiences of many hospitals a few years ago. In giving premature babies extra oxygen, they gave too much; and hundreds of babies were blinded. For several months the doctors did not know the cause. Eventually, it was discovered that the blindness was caused by the babies receiving too much oxygen. In addition, our atmosphere contains an essential amount of argon, carbon dioxide and water vapor, besides traces of these gases; neon, helium, methane, krypton, xenon, hydrogen, ozone and a few others. Now, here is a miracle! "The signal fact is," says Helmut E. Landsberg, writing in the August, 1953, Scientific American, "that the rare gases are present in our atmosphere in only small amounts, MUCH SMALLER THAN THOSE KNOWN ELSEWHERE IN THE UNIVERSE. At the same time, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor are present on earth IN MUCH GREATER ABUNDANCE than elsewhere." Mr. Landsberg reminds us of the sources of his information. "The relative distribution of the elements in the universe has been determined by spectroscopic analysis of solar and stellar matter and by chemical analysis of solar and stellar matter and by chemical analysis of meteorites."
If the ingredients of our atmosphere followed the proportions prevalent in the universe, LIFE ON EARTH WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. It is clear that Divine Intelligence designed our atmosphere and Divine Power executed the plan.
Earth's Tilt - Exactly Right Degree. The earth is tilted 23 and one-half degrees. This is exactly right to give us our four seasons. Therefore, twice as much of the land area of the earth can be cultivated and inhabited. Think what would happen if the earth were tilted any other way than it is. If the earth had been tilted as much as 45 degrees instead of what it is, temperate zones would have torrid zone heat in the summer and frigid zone cold in the winter. On the other hand, if the axis of the earth were vertical to the plane of its orbit, January and July would have the same climate and ice would accumulate until much of the continents would be ice-covered six months and flooded the other six months. If the axis of the earth were horizontal to the plane of its orbit, there would result "a crazy jumble of fierce heat and deadly cold." This, with the prolonged nights on half the earth and prolonged days on the other.
Earth's Rotation - Correct Speed. The earth ROTATES at just the right speed, making a complete revolution every twenty-four hours in its trip around the sun. The result is, the earth's crust is evenly heated like a chicken on a turning spit. Were our day a year long, as it is on Mercury, there would be scorching heat on one side and bitter cold on the other.
If our day of 24 hours were longer or shorter, all present balance adjustments would be upset, and life on earth would become intolerable, if not utterly impossible. Was this perfect design by accident? Not a chance in a billion!
Earth's Weight
If the earth were much lighter than it is, its gravitational pull would be less and it would not be able to hold as much air as we have now. The lighter gases would escape first and the heavier gases, like carbon dioxide, would remain. The combination of gases in the air would be affected and life would no longer be possible on the earth. Why is its weight exactly right? The answer is given in the Word of God, for it is the Lord...
"Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance." (Isaiah 40:12).
Moon to Control Tides If the moon were larger or closer, our tides would be so great they would wipe mankind off the face of the globe.
Ozone Filter
Forty miles above the earth there is a layer of ozone which varies in thickness according to season and location; but, which surrounds the earth and filters out the death-dealing rays of the sun. Without it, no life could exist. Why is it just the right distance into the atmosphere? How did it get there? Did it just happen...you can believe that if you want to, but I choose not to.
Tides If there were no tides, the oceans would not receive enough oxygen and nothing could live in the oceans.