In the pages of prophetic Scripture, many signs point to the end of the age. Now, we must first understand that ever since Jesus ascended to heaven—we, the church, have been living in the end times. So, a pandemic like a coronavirus isn’t necessarily leading or ushering us into the end of the age. Instead, pandemics are merely escalating things until (at some point) Christ returns for His church. And at some point thereafter—the Antichrist (or the son of perdition) signs a peace treaty with Israel and launches into the seven years of tribulation (Dan. 9:26-27).
The sad but honest truth is the world will continue to see an uptick of pandemics like the Coronavirus, like Ebola, like SARS, and the Spanish Flu, which the world suffered greatly when over 100 million people throughout Europe and the United States died terrible deaths. Think back to the Black Plague in the 14th century that killed off anywhere from 40-60 percent of the population in Europe.
So, the plague known as Covid-19 is no doubt a birth pang mentioned by Jesus in the opening of the Olivet Discourse, found in Matt. 24:4-8: “Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 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. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
And then in Matthew 24:9-14, Jesus gives further descriptions of even greater turmoil that will occur in the first half of the Tribulation period mentioned in greater detail in Revelation 6-9.
Taking a closer look at Matthew 24:4-14, you see that Jesus lays out nine distinctive features that will continue to progress until His sudden return: (1) the growing deception of false teachers and teachings, (2) wars and conflict between rival nations, (3) the increase of famines, (4) plagues, (5) earthquakes, (6) persecution and martyrs, (7) false prophets, (8) increase in wickedness, and (9) the worldwide advancement of the gospel. These are all signs or indicators that things are coming to an end, not signs that we are at the end.
Which makes you wonder? What good can come from something like the Coronavirus? I mean, when so many people are infected, dying, and millions of people are out of work, how can I find good amid all this craziness and sadness?
Well, 1 Corinthians 15:21, we are reminded that from Adam came death, but through the death of Jesus Christ, we have life because He rose from the dead. So, even amid pain and suffering, God can work things out for His good pleasure because He is absolutely Good.
The fact is God is omnibenevolent and will one day put an end to sin, evil, and suffering from the world.
God and God alone knows the finality of evil and has His reasons for allowing it to run its course, but (in the process) will make use of the infectious diseases like Coronavirus to bring about the greater good. Take, for instance, when Joseph told His brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
Take notice of some of the good things that are coming out of this pandemic.
- People are turning to God and repenting of their sins.
2. People are turning from idols and sexual immorality.
3. People are forgiving one another and giving generously to those in need.
I hope that gives you some biblical perspective on what we are seeing in the world right now, and as you live your life in faith to God—be sure to stand strong and look up, for your salvation draws near.
Recommended resources related to the topic:
If God, Why Evil? (DVD Set), (MP3 Set), and (mp4 Download Set) by Frank Turek
If God Why Evil. Why Natural Disasters (PowerPoint download) by Frank Turek
Why Doesn’t God Intervene More? (DVD Set), (MP3 Set), and (mp4 Download Set) by Frank Turek
Why does God allow Bad Things to Happen to Good People? (DVD) and (mp4 Download) by Frank Turek
Jason Jimenez is the founder of STAND STRONG Ministries and faculty member at Summit Ministries. He is a pastor, apologist, and national speaker who has ministered to families for over twenty years. In his extensive ministry career, Jason has been a Children’s, Student, and College Pastor, and he has authored close to 10 books on topics related to apologetics, theology, and parenting.
Original Blog Source: https://bit.ly/36hIYVO
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