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The latest pandemic disease Coronavirus is making headlines all over the globe. According to CNN,“Scientists have identified two possible root causes of Coronavirus: the consumption of wildlife such as bats in Wuhan and the potential leak of the virus at a well-protected center. Both Hong Kong and China have declared a state of emergency over the Coronavirus outbreak as confirmed cases of the virus officially reached 2,800 as of Jan 27.”
For the Christians, this should not come as a new thing (Jesus said, “See, I have told you ahead of time” (Matthew 24:25)). We are not to be surprised when we hear of such news. We are already forewarned in the Bible of all that is about to come on earth before the Son of God comes in his power and glory, “There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences (contagion, infections) in various places,” (Luke 21:11). In fact, if we believe the Bible, the situation will get bleaker with time. The question, then, is to know what our response should be in such a situation.
These are the three things Christians should do when epidemic diseases and terror strikes:
1. Look forward to the coming King
Luke 21:9, Do not be frightened.. the end will not come right away
Do not worry or be frightened. Why? God is in control. He is orchestrating every detail of theseoccurrences under his Sovereign will and power (Read the book of Revelation). God is on his throne. He reigns and He will reign forever (Revelation 4, 5, 7, 11, 15, 16, 19, 21, 22). Remember Isaiah 45:7, “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.” Our well-being and our disaster is in God’s hand. The caveat here is that we do not foolishly become irresponsible with our God-given freedom: A man reaps what he sows (Galatian 6:7).
Luke 21:28; When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because yourredemption is drawing near.”
Is Jesus coming back for the Second time? Yes, He will. He promised He will and Christians should look forward to His coming (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20). In one sense, we are to rejoice that the Day of the Lord is at hand (“Lift up their heads” a symbol of rejoicing, Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 257). We are to rejoice because the redemption of our souls will bring about the total redemption of our bodies.
Matthew 24:42; “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come….So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
The act of watchfulness and readiness is paralleled with prayer. These distressing occurrences are to awaken the believers to be sober and pray more fervently. Christians are not to freak out but to be aware of the times we are living in. We are to pray for the affected patients to be healed and realize the power of God in their lives. We are also called to pray for them to call upon the name of Christ so that they may be saved (Romans 10:13). We are to pray for the doctors (to be protected) and the scientists find out the cure to the pandemic viruses. We are also to pray for the protection of believers from these dreadful diseases that has come upon the earth (Luke 21:36; Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man”). Keep the fire of prayer burning, Christians!
3. Stay away from sin
Luke 21:34, 35;Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing (to eat, party and drink liquor excessively), drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.
Jesus warns the believers from activities that can weigh them down spiritually. Although the act of eating, drinking and partying is not condemned as sinful (excessively indulging in those acts are deemed sinful). Now we have to keep in mind that the message here is primarily for the believers. Believers are commanded to be careful of their hearts. In other words, Christians are not to rely on themselves to solve the issues of this life. Otherwise, the natural heart will automatically turn to natural solutions to find temporary relief like the rest of the worldly people. Once we give in to the worries, the desire for wealth and the pleasures of this world, the power of darkness will blind our eyes and hearts from the dangers that awaits us (Mark 4:19). Therefore, we need to keep Jesus’ warning at bay: Be careful (Luke 21:34).
Notice the phrase in verse 35, “it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth,” nobody can escape these troubled times. The time of drowsiness is coming and will come upon all Christians (as is also depicted in the Parable of the 10 Virgins, Matthew 25:5). Therefore, Christians should be prepared to face the impending slothfulness that is slowly creeping in to our Churches. The preparation for this onslaught then, is to stand on God’s Word, ask for the Holy Spirit’s illumination and empowerment to overcome sin, the habit of our time of prayer with God and communion of saints should be constantly abided in the lives of God’s people (Hebrews 10:24, 25). Victory belongs to us in Christ Jesus! (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Prayer: May Godrescueand deliver us from all evil and bring us safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
VebuKhamo
Seoul Christian University