I do not believe the coronavirus pandemic is a sign the we are nearing the end of time. Of course, I don’t know that for a fact; nobody does. The events caused by this virus do, however, give us some things to think about. Such as :
1. How easy it would be to convince people to have, in their possession or on their body, an identification that cannot be counterfeited, that must be presented in order to buy things like toilet paper, or even – food.
“It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.” (Revelation 13:16-17 NIV)
2. How quickly one pandemic, or dare I say plague, can turn a robust economy into an economic depression.
“Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (Revelation 6:6 NIV)
3. How easy it would be for a pandemic plague to cause millions to lose their jobs, possibly permanently.
“Poor countries are never healthy countries. If you want great health and welfare, you’ve got to pay for it and you have to have money to do so.” In other words, people need paying jobs.
4. How easily one pandemic would allow the government of a free people to convince those citizens that all venues where people congregate, such as church services, must be avoided, or even outlawed.
It may be important to follow the prescribed guidelines to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but as this epidemic subsides we must not forget that we are called to “. . . spur one another on toward love and good deeds, [and] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV)
5. How easy it would be to impose martial law because of a plague.
“California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom warned Wednesday he has the “ability” to “do martial” law to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. . . . Imposing martial would mean replacing the usual laws with military authority and possibly suspending civil liberties such as freedom of association and movement.”
“I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:8 NIV)
6. Young people do not have the maturity to make decisions that effect the health and welfare of this country.
Case in point: All the college students that went on spring break on the beaches in spite of the warnings that their behavior would have a negative effect on the health of others.
7. National borders actually are necessary.
Nations around the globe are closing their borders in an attempt to slow the spread of the corona virus.
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NIV)
8. When there is no work, no school, and no church services you tend to forget what day of the week it is. Just an observation!
9. This type of pandemic leads many to genuinely facing their own mortality.
“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. . . .And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Acts 2:17, 21 NIV)
10. We are reminded that God used plagues to free His people and lead them to the Promise Land.
Read about these plagues in Exodus, chapters 7-11.
This is a reminder to us that because of Jesus Christ we can know “that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21 NIV)
11. Through all of the panic and confusion we can rest in the promises of God.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26 NIV).
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV)
12. Even with churches being unable to hold services indefinitely, the Church will prevail, overcome, and step up.
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18 NIV).
“Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you.” (Proverbs 3:28 NIV)
13. Our Faith will overcome all difficulties, disappointments and distress.
“because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:3 NIV).
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15 NIV).
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NIV).
“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:5 NIV). And we believe by faith.
14. Prayer can never be quarantined.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
“When you hear the reports from hospitals or doctors and nurses or people who’ve gotten the virus then still encounter people who say it’s no big deal, a conspiracy, or isn’t really happening, you realize how so many could witness the resurrected Christ and still not believe.” —Erick Erickson