While articles and features released by governments and health offices of countries to inform the public about Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) flood the internet these days, one’s curiosity often leads to those that deal with an interesting side of this pandemic, that of its being a fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
Foreword
Before presentation of some of those biblical concepts, great emphasis is given that this article is:
Intended to give Biblical information; not to scare or offend anyone
The Bible is full of different kinds of information, knowledge, predictions, and prophecies, among others.Some are promising, wonderful, inspiring, and uplifting. Yet, there are also negative, scary, dreary and intimidating ones.
The Philippine Constitution, in Article III, Section 5, allows the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference.
It is in exercise of this right that this article was made, respectfully directed to inform or remind those who believe and wish to believe the contents of the best seller book ever written and distributed.
Recognizing freedom on what to believe
The contents of this article are never intended to be shoved into one’s throat. If you find them scary, intimidating or offensive, please feel free to take them with a grain of salt and regard them like a badly written movie script.
Biblically based
This series is based on a trending story, among the sources of which is the Gospel of Matthew, Luke and Mark:
“The coming of the Son of Man”, a predicted event in the Bible
It is pointed out that there are events foretold by different authors of the books of the Bible to happen before the supposed Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
These “predictions”, “warnings”, “forecasts” or other similar ideas floated around in relation to this topic are referenced to the Bible.
Again, this topic’s level of truthfulness solely depends on one’s beliefs, acceptance is on a personal preference.
These events could mean something, like a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, or nothing at all, like events that eventually just become part of history.
Focus is on what we can do: Be Ready
This is the main thought of this series.
The Bible is clear: no one knows the day and hour when Jesus comes back and we must be READY because it will come when we don’t expect it, just like in the days of Noah.
Regardless if you believe there is a correlation between COVID-19 and biblical prophecy or not, the bible also teaches one to perform desirable acts.
It may not be harmful at all if one follows these advices.
COVID-19 is supposed to be a plague/pestilence, a famine and a difficulty
In summary, many connected COVID-19 to the “pestilence and famine” prophecies from the Gospel of Matthew, Luke and Mark.
It is also referred to as the plaque which is to be brought by the “Pale Horseman” in the Armageddon prophecy of John in the Book of Revelation.
The other connection made was that of being a part of the “difficulty” mentioned in 2nd Timothy.
Many are skeptical of these claims on arguments that the supposed Second Coming of Christ did not happen despite the occurrences of other diseases of equal or higher dire consequences.
True enough. Some pandemics like the smallpox which killed an estimated over 300 million individuals in its existence of still arguable beginnings before being eradicated in 1979; the Black Death which killed around 200 million individuals between 1347-1351; and the Spanish Flu which killed some 50 million individuals during a one-year span from 1918-1919, have come and gone.
Also mentioned was World War 1 and 2 which claimed around a combined 50-90 million lives. Again, it has been quite a while since the conflicts that sparked the war had been resolved and the actual battles have ended.
Another interesting citation is the HIV/AIDS pandemic which claimed some 20-40 million lives since its first discovery in 1981. While this disease still continues to affect a lot of individuals, it has been basically under control at the moment.
There are also some outrageously weak anti-prophecy arguments like the word “COVID-19” is not found in the bible.
Of course, it is impossible to see the words “COVID-19” in the bible because these words were yet to be invented when the apostles wrote their manuscripts.
It would still be difficult to ignore that COVID-19 is a disease that is occurring and is causing famine in various places.
What can we do: Be ready every time because no one knows the day nor the hour
Well, Jesus says “No one knows that day and hour and we must be ready because it will come when we don’t expect it:
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24: 36-44, English Standard Version.
Bible prophecies being associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 is part of famines in various places
The COVID-19 pandemic is being related to the “famine” presented in Matthew 24:3-32. It details The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times.
Here is the highlighted portion that may relate to COVID-19:
“As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.
For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” Matthew 24:3-8, English Standard Version.
The “there will be famines in various places” part is pointed out as the key relationship where there is general hunger and difficulty to get basic food and water services by the public caused by the quarantines and physical distancing as required by many governments due to COVID-19.
Famine, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, would refer to an extreme scarcity of food.
It is in fact the COVID-19 caused some shortage of food, experienced in different levels, occurring in the smallest places in the East, like the sitios of Benguet, to the largest places of the West, like New York City.
Luke’s Version of the famine
Luke’s version also details The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times.
“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. 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. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.“ (Luke 21: 5-11, New International Version)
Unlike Matthew, the word pestilence was in Luke’s version. The “there will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places” is the part referenced to COVID-19.
Mark’s version of the second coming
Here is the version according to the Gospel of Mark:
”Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.“ (New International Version)
While the “pestilence” or “plaque” word is not found in Mark’s Gospel, many point out that his version practically conformes with that of Matthew’s and Luke’s as they are illustrating practically the same thing when it comes to events taking place leading to the “Last Days”.
COVID-19 is part of The four horsemen of apocalypse
Revelation 6:7 and 8 is another biblical reference often used to relate the COVID-19 outbreak as a sign of the “Last Days”
“When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.” Revelation 6:7-8, English Standard Version.
The highlight is on the fourth horseman who is to kill with, among others, famine and pestilence.
Chapter 6 of Revelation is often cited because of fourth horseman the four horsemen of the apocalypse, which is supposed to represent pestilence or plague.
Merriam Webster’s dictionary refers pestilence to a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating while plague to an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality.
Also pointed out is the eerily fit of the new corona virus to a “wild beast of the earth”.
COVID-19 is part of “Times of difficulty”
Another interesting citation is Chapter 3 of 2nd Timothy. Verses 1-9 describes how the “Last Days” would look like.
1“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
9For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. ” (2 Timothy 3:1,9, English Standard Version.)
COVID-19 surely fits the bill of “times of difficulty”.
John 3:16
One of the good things the COVID-19 pandemic brought as considered by some is the increase awareness of one’s mortality.
In some parts of the Philippines, the grim reaper character or a casket were used or presented in the streets and Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) check points to remind the citizens of the possible outcomes if one is hit by COVID-19 while disobeying the “stay at home” rules of the ECQ.
As a by-product of this fear, it also increased awareness of looking up to a “Higher Being” for help as the fear finding a cure for those who are infected with the COVID-19 virus is nowhere in sight.
Cordillerans need not look far for a sample of this cry for divine help as some residents and tribes of Mountain Province performed traditional rituals to pray to “Kabunian” and the Almighty Creator to spare the province from the dreaded disease and sustain its status as COVID-free.
If the bible is your source of faith, John 3:16 is where you should begin to take solace on.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, King James Version)
John 3:16 is probably the most abused verse in the bible when it comes to being quoted or used as citation and it might as well be.
It is still worth repeating because (1) it is what most Christians believed to be the foundation of their faith and salvation, (2) its promise is an excellent starter for those who haven’t heard of Christian faith yet interested to seek its rewards and (3) it is a very good reminder to those who have forgotten its essence.
The COVID-19 is a worldwide phenomenon that is not just to be ignored. It may look like it is part of the signs of the End Times. Nobody is sure if it is as pandemics that also affected the entire world happened in the past and yet, the Second Coming has yet to happen.
Regardless of what stance you have, the bible is always there to give you the information you need to help get through the circumstances.
Just a reminder, it also says Jesus literally healed incurable diseases and handicaps during His stay on earth. If you believe this, it is not impossible He also heals ailments like COVID-19 if he wills even today.
Purpose of the bible
The bible made clear what kind of book is it. It is intended for those who want eternal life. It is not a medical, science, logic or history book. Many tend to forget this.
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. John 5:39-40, New King James Version
It also made its theme clear. While there are many tales narrated by the bible, one thing remains clear from start to finish: Humans caught in a crossfire between powerful adversaries and one of them, a loving God, is offering redemption/salvation.
The bible says the devil rebelled and continues to rebel against God and dragged humans along to be involved in this godly battle he started.
7And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. Revelation 12:7-8, NKJV
…she [Eve] took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband [Adam] with her, and he ate… And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent…I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed…. Genesis 3: 6, 14-15, NKJV
12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Luke 8:12, NIV
God’s love and the danger posed prompted Jesus to come to earth and provided everyone a way to get out of the mess.
16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16, NKJV
8He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8, NKJV
These verses encapsulates what the new testament is for. If you are encourage by these verses, you are invited to search the bible deeper and find out more about Jesus and his teachings.
Conservative approach
The presence of spirits and unexplainable events and multiple scientific, medical, and logical reasons that supports the bible and its authors’ credibility project a possibility that God do exists. If you are still unconvinced of the existence of God despite these proofs, being conservative might be the best alternative here.
Accountants describe conservatism as selecting the option that would show the worst possible financial standing of a business entity when two or more unproven alternatives are available. This is to remove the user of the account’s output be exposed to a bigger risk in case the worst possible scenario happens.
As it stands, the risk of not believing in and obeying God far outweighs the benefits of doubting his existence. It might be best to act conservatively, believe what the bible says, until you have absolutely proven that there is indeed no God nor hell.
By: Armando M. Bolislis
If you are inspired and want to give Jesus a try, continue a deeper search of the bible, especially the New Testament. This will show you how to become his disciple. Always ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in your search.
If you feel the want or need to belong to a Christian church or organization, find one that preaches the Word of God and will help you improve your relationship with Christ and lead you to his eternal promises.
The theologies and doctrines about faith contained in this article are solely from God through the bible. The author is just an instrument used to spread the word for the glory of God. The personal opinions and suggestions on issues outside of biblical coverage from the author doesn’t necessarily reflect the stance of Baguio Herald Express management and staff.