“Look to Me, and Be Saved…” – Isaiah 45:22
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If you’re alive, then you are being affected by the Coronavirus pandemic some way or the other. Almost 1.3 million people and counting have the virus, and 80,000 have died as a result. People are experiencing an array of emotions, with most experiencing fear and uncertainty. I think it is really normal to have these feelings, given the death toll and rapid amount of people contracting the virus.
However, Christians are called to be abnormal so if a Christian is experiencing fear and uncertainty, it tells me they don’t have enough faith in God. And this lack of faith is a result of not hearing the Word of God. It is my desire that at the end of today’s post, the faith of Christians will be increased, and that unsaved souls will come to the knowledge of truth of Jesus Christ. When you receive the knowledge and truth of Christ Jesus, you will not fear on the day(s) of adversity. Should fear come to torment you, you will be equipped with the weapon against it- The Word of God.
What is happening in the world today?
A dangerous pandemic has crippled the world as we know it. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus that originated in Wuhan, China and then quickly spread all over the world. At the moment, most people have self quarantined, and many governments have a Stay Home order in place. Businesses are closed. The stock market has crashed, and people are literally dying from fear alone. A few days ago, a man killed his partner and committed suicide because they feared they had COVID-19. An autopsy report later revealed they didn’t have the virus. So people are literally killing themselves because the fear alone is too much for them to endure.
What does the Bible say about what is happening in the world today?
For believers, and those who have studied the Scriptures, pandemics such as COVID-19 are indications of the End of Times. In Matthew 24, the disciples of Jesus asked Him to show them the sign of His coming and end of the age.
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. – Matthew 24: 3-8 (NIV)
The same is written in the account of Luke 21:
Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. – Luke 21: 7-11
Jesus told His disciples what would happen to indicate the end of the world was coming. He mentioned many earthquakes, famines and pestilences ( meaning deadly/overwhelming diseases). But He also commanded that we should not be alarmed or afraid, since He was warning us in advance and since these events must happen.
Who is behind this deadly disease called COVID-19?
It appears no one is exempt from the negative affects of the Coronavirus. All people, regardless of race, religion, or creed, or location have been tormented by COVID-19. It leads many people to ask who is responsible for it. Is this a man made virus? According to The Washington Post, “U.S. intelligence officials don’t think the pandemic was caused by deliberate wrongdoing. The outbreak that has now swept the world instead began with a simpler story, albeit one with tragic consequences: The prime suspect is “natural” transmission from bats to humans, perhaps through unsanitary markets. But scientists don’t rule out that an accident at a research laboratory in Wuhan might have spread a deadly bat virus that had been collected for scientific study.”
Some people believe the virus is a result of human efforts. Others believe the virus is caused by God. I once heard my pastor say anytime you see the children of God and the children of wrath (unbelievers) suffering alike, you know God is behind it. He mentioned that the devil does not persecute his children (unbelievers), he only persecutes the Church. And since everyone is affected by this virus, it is an indication that God caused this. I personally agree with my pastor, and not because he is my pastor, but because these statements align with what the scriptures say.
Jesus said in Luke 21: 11 that earthquakes, famines, pestilences and fearful events (all events that affect EVERYONE) are “great signs from heaven.”
Others say the virus is an attack from the devil. I’ve heard people say God is too loving to cause such a pandemic, and He is no longer a God of the Old Testament – a God who used to punish the children of Israel with pestilences, famines, and other fearful events. Because of the New Covenant of Grace under Jesus Christ, we no longer have to experience God’s wrath in such ways. I think it’s obvious I don’t personally agree with this train of thought.
What greater purpose does COVID-19 serve?
However, I think to argue about the source of this disease is to completely miss the point of it. Whether it be man-made, God-made, or devil -made, it serves a purpose and a greater “good.” I believe that purpose is, but not limited to, getting back to what is important- communion with God. Before any government mandated quarantine, most of us were consumed with the cares of this world- how to make more money, what to eat, what to wear, what happens in pop culture, how to acquire a new property, how to get promoted, wedding venues, social media, cars, houses, church ministry responsibilities, sin, etc. But now that we’re stuck at home, and not allowed to be consumed with these things, it’s being revealed that we have really forsaken God, which is a true call to repentance.
What is repentance?
Repentance is sorrow and regret for living a life that God would not have you to live, and then choosing to live that life no more. Repentance is confessing your sins to God and turning away from them. It requires you to make a complete change of direction from the way you thought, lived and acted- and towards the direction of God. For some of you, you haven’t even desired to know of the God who both made you and saved you. AS a result, He has not been able to come into your life and bless you spiritually with blessings that should already belong to you. For others, you do know Who God is, but you live your life as if you don’t. You don’t spend time to hear His voice and/or talk to Him. You’ve been living your life as though you were not bought with a precious price. And you have completed abused and mistaken your freedom to mean you can live your life according to your own terms. For all these reasons, we must to repent.
How to Be Saved from COVID-19 and death in general?
I think it’s important to note that every person will die and be judged. If you are to be certain about one thing in this world, you can be certain that you will surely die. As to when you will die, I cannot tell you. Only God knows that date. But the Bible does say in Hebrews 9:27 “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Judgment is also certain. But the truth is not everyone will be judgment the same. Christians will be judged in one way (Judgment Seat of Christ) and unbelievers in another way (Great White Throne). The Judgment Seat of Christ is to reward Christians for the works done on earth. The Great White Throne Judgment is to deal with those who rebelled against God’s righteousness. (refer to 1 Corinthians 3, 2 Corinthians 5, Romans 13, Revelation 20 for more information)
I think it’s important to remind you that there is a life after death so that you can decide what kind you want to be in. If you want to enjoy eternal life with God in glory, you must look to Him. The Lord says in Isaiah 45:22 “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” God can save you from everything you need saving from, including fear and death. When you look to Him, He saves you by depositing His own Spirit within you as confirmation that you are indeed saved. And with His Spirt, you will be bold, fearless, powerful and free from death (eternal death). His Spirit will confirm you and give you peace during pandemic and scary times, and tell the world that you are His. His Spirit comforts you and emboldens you to walk with your head held high. His Spirit gives you wisdom and understanding, and gives you the grace to do the things your flesh cannot do.
How to receive the Holy Spirit.
You must be born again. Please read this Billy Graham article to learn how to be born again. At salvation, the LORD will give you His Spirit and His Spirit will confirm in you that you are one of His children. As a child of God, you will not fear the terror at night nor the arrows that fly by day, nor the pestilences in the darkness. The Lord will surely deliver you from them all and no evil will overtake you!
