In 1947 a group of atomic scientists, realising the dangers threatening continued human existence on this planet after the invention and use of atomic weapons, devised a warning system called The Doomsday Clock. It currently displays 100 seconds to midnight, and the supporting headline for this shortening of the time is a link to information on the coronavirus.
Eugene Rabinowitch, one of the founders of The Bulletin of The Atomic Scientists, which features the Clock, explained...
The Bulletin's Clock is not a gauge to register the ups and downs of the international power struggle; it is intended to reflect basic changes in the level of continuous danger in which mankind lives in the nuclear age.
Now it seems that uncontrolled spread of disease is a contributing factor in the determination of how close humankind is to catastrophe.
The history of the Clock can be seen at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Clock, with the caveat that this source may contain errors as yet uncorrected.
The 2019 Doomsday Clock setting is shown in both video and text formats on the Bulletin website at https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/ and https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/current-time/ . The statement, and discussion of it, are quite lengthy but readily comprehensible.
Significant factors include nuclear threats, ecological disaster, climate change, cyber-warfare, the blurring of fact and fiction, and the withdrawal of the United States of America from leading the quest for world stability and security. The situation is described as 'the new abnormal', justifying the retaining of the time at two minutes to midnight.
Criticism is levelled at politicians who ignore facts, distort news, and pursue their own agendas with little or no regard for the effects, even though the situation is perceived as being as dangerous as it has ever been since 1947.
Doomsday is seen as the time when the earth becomes uninhabitable for humanity because of man's actions. As explained above, the clock does not indicate real time, but the risk level.
Should we be worried? Yes and no.
Yes, because the dangers could increase further as man creates additional hazards; abuses the earth, the seas and the atmosphere; and continues hostility within and amongst nations. Life could become very uncomfortable and dangerous.
No, because God has a purpose with the earth, stated and expanded in His Word.
But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. Numbers 14:21
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14
That this is not the state of the world now is very obvious. Other prophecies in God's Word have been fulfilled very precisely, giving us assurance that these will be also. This requires that the earth continues to exist in a habitable state to be restored to its early perfection.
One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. Ecclesiastes 1:4
For those who continue to abuse the planet, there is a clear warning.
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Revelation 11:18
This could also be translated as 'destroy them which corrupt/ruin the earth'. The context is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to raise the dead, subdue the nations and establish God's Kingdom on earth. The damage caused by man will be reversed, and the whole earth become once more a place to be enjoyed without fear or danger. Isaiah 35 gives us a glimpse of that state and time - read it and compare it with the current world.
The quotation above from Revelation refers to a reward to be given at that time, but selectively. To be amongst the recipients we need to prepare now, taking heed to God's Word, the Bible. Only then may we be amongst those who enjoy the benefits from God offered to those who fear His Name with godly reverence and seek to obey His Word.