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Coronavirus And The
End Times
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This image shows a scanning electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2
(round blue objects) emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab, SARS-CoV-2, also known as 2019-nCoV, is the virus that causes COVID-19. |
Coronavirus: Is it
mentioned in Bible prophecy?
Just as a woman’s contractions or labor pains get
more frequent and severe as a baby is nearing birth, so these events or signs
will also become more frequent and severe as the world nears the second coming
of Jesus
bibleinfo.com
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not
as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid.” - John 14:27
Bible
prophecy, in fact, does mention deadly viruses or pestilences.
However,
does the Bible specifically mention the coronavirus, known as COVID-19? Let’s
look at what the Bible says.
Jesus
speaks of the future
In
Luke chapter 21, Jesus speaks prophetically about the signs that would precede
the end of the world.
In Luke 21:11, Jesus says that one of those signs
would be pestilences, “And there will be great earthquakes in various
places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great
signs from heaven.”
(The
meaning of a pestilence, according to the Hebrew and Greek definitions, is a plague
or disease.)
Additionally, in Matthew 24:7-8 (NASB) Jesus says, “For
nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various
places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely
the beginning of birth pangs.”
In
several versions of the Bible the word “pestilences” appears between
famines and earthquakes.
Frequency
and severity
In
the prophetic Bible verses above, Jesus was referring to a baby’s birth.
He
was explaining that just as a woman’s contractions or labor pains get more
frequent and severe as a baby is nearing birth, so these events or signs will
also become more frequent and severe as the world nears the second coming of
Jesus.
Is
the coronavirus a sign of the end?
Since
Jesus mentioned pestilences, does this mean that the coronavirus is the sign
that the world will end and Jesus will come back tomorrow? Probably not.
Throughout
history many plagues and diseases have caused fear and death. For example,
consider the following outbreaks:
· The Black Plague
· Ebola
· SARS
· MERS
· Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Jesus
didn’t come back in the past because of these plagues.
However,
as epidemics including the coronavirus occur more often and become more deadly,
we should pay attention as these are warning signs that Jesus is coming back
soon.
The
main point of what Jesus is saying in Luke 21 and Matthew 24 is to watch for
the prophetic signs to increase in frequency.
This
increase will signal the imminent coming of Jesus.
Finding
hope in Jesus
As we think about the momentous times we live in,
remember that Jesus is always by our side. He will walk with us no matter what.
Jesus says “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Before
Jesus was crucified, He gave this promise to the disciples and by extension to
us.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may
have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I
have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
We
can have peace in Jesus our Savior who is with us.
In
John 14:27, Jesus again tells us to not be troubled or afraid, because he is
with us no matter the situation or circumstances.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not
as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid.”
God
repeats Himself in several verses because He knows that as humans, we need
constant assurance of His care for us.
So,
in these trying times, pray and ask God to remove your fear and anxiety; to
surround you with His Presence; then take a deep breath and relax, knowing that
your life is in the hands of God who created you.
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