Is the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic an end times event?
Today’s question about whether the current mishap is a sign of the end times is not exactly new. Two thousand years ago, an ancient church thought they were living in end times scenario too because their everyday lives were disrupted by… in their case… all out persecution against them. They too shut down their livelihoods and went into social separation.
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching… asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. [2 Thessalonians 2:1-4]
Now, this is a reflection of what Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 24. He too told them, “Watch out that no one deceives you” (vs 4). Then he explained what they and every Christian should expect as we walk this world during this age of grace.
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. Matthew 24:6-7
By the way, though there was no direct mention of diseases in the passage above, there are rumors today of a nation causing this pandemic. What’s important to note is that our world had endured numerous wars (great and small), droughts, earthquakes, natural disasters, including plagues and pandemics. All these things had caused unsettlement, alarm and dismay, but that is nothing compared to what God had intended for the world to experience on the Day of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:2) also known as the Great Tribulation.
“For then there will be great tribulation, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now–and never to be equaled again.” Matthew 24:21
So, what is happening today? Interestingly enough, all the things that had been happening, Jesus called it as the beginning of birth pains (Matthew 24:8). What comes after birth pains? New life! What do I mean?
Just before the time of the Great Tribulation, Jesus will take all Christians (both that had passed and are alive) home.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. [1 Thessalonians 4:16-18]
…in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. [1 Corinthians 15:52]
Is this not reason to be joyful? I know I look forward to that day. But for now, Christians, don’t be deceived and dismayed. We still have work to do. And that is bring as many people to the Lord.
To Him all the glory.
Johann Quisumbing 