Confronting Coronavirus as Christians in the Last Days

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. –II Timothy 1:7.

Some years ago, I worked with a guy who bought a four wheel drive pickup truck. Among the advantages he anticipated, he thought he would have safe & sure travel on snow covered roads. His truck handled very well, but he was embarrassed one day to call in late for work-he couldn’t get around the other drivers that were struggling in the bad weather!

When we first started hearing about the Coronavirus, it really didn’t affect us much, if at all. But now it is being called a global pandemic, and we cannot ignore its effects on the world which surrounds us, because this is affecting us, as well. As believers in Christ, washed in the atoning blood of the Lamb of God, we look at this circumstance differently than most. I think it is important how we Christians address this issue, for it can be a great witness to a fearful, unsaved world.

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. –I Corinthians 4:20.

There are several ways this Coronavirus dilemma has touched our own lives. Thankfully, neither Jamie and I, or anyone close to us has actually gotten the virus. First, with people talking about this problem, there have been good opportunities to witness for Christ. Let’s face it-people think a lot more about God in a crisis! Second, Jamie’s work is being threatened, because she is greatly involved in the food buffet of our store’s restaurant; that buffet has closed, at least temporarily. Jamie & I work for the same company, but I am in the grocery store, and work is plentiful on that end. Third, getting needed supplies could be a challenge, due largely to some “panic” buying that is going on. But even this has provided, for us, a praise to our faithful God; He had prepared us in advance by His wisdom, and we have no urgent necessities. Fourth, any and all future plans, especially with travelling involved, are in doubt. But still we know, that when sight ceases, it is the perfect time for faith to work.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. –Hebrews 11:1.

What exactly is this Coronavirus, and how does it play into the overall scheme of things? There is no doubt in my mind that this virus was deliberately developed and released. Such a biological attack has long been planned in the run up to World War III. But who did it? The source I had seen from a number of years ago indicated that it would be western nations unleashing it on China. But of course now we are infected also, so what does it mean? I think the responsibility for this lies with the global elite, who are working on an international level to bring about world government. This would involve the Illuminati and the Freemasons.

There are several possible ways that this Coronavirus could be used toward the goal of a New World Order. 1) It is a diversion; when people are concerned about their health and personal finances, little attention will be directed to other things (such as economic collapse, or the brewing Middle East war). 2) It gives our government even greater control of our lives-all supposedly for our good. 3) One of the strategies in combating this virus is isolation from others. This is a “divide and conquer” tactic. The most effective resistance a population could have (to evil government plans) is when they are united. We will end up trading any valuable freedoms we have for health and safety. 4) This is a provocation toward war. One of the tactics we use in waging war, and justifying it, is to provoke our enemy into attacking us first; this happens over and over again. If the goal was to inflict mass casualties on a population, the Coronavirus wouldn’t even be considered. There are other known biological agents that are truly deadly. Today as I watched IsraeliNewsLive on YouTube.com, I learned that Coronavirus has been around, in various forms, since 2002. For example, if Iran thought we had attacked them with the Coronavirus, which would be hard to prove, they might respond militarily-by which we could justify an open war with them, blaming them.

But how should we, as Christians, respond to this crisis? I couldn’t begin to give a blanket recommendation to the entire body of Christ. If you are a truly born again Christian, then God has given you His Holy Spirit for power and guidance. You must PRAY, and search God’s Word for direction; don’t assume that God is behind any decision that you come up with. But please be aware that there is a plan for a third world war (see Albert Pike and the Three World Wars), and Bible prophecy to back it up (Revelation 9:13-19). Satan has enlisted very evil men to carry out his plans, and their goal is to establish this New World Order before the most deadly encounters with Nibiru (planet X); so it has to happen quickly.

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. –Proverbs 28:1.

If there’s anyone that should be strong in the face of Coronavirus, it is the true Church of Christ. We have a great commission to fulfill here, and time is running out. I was deeply disappointed in our friends at TruNews.com, in the way that they suggested Christians should deal with this virus. Rick Wiles knows about the intrigues designed to bring about world government, but he basically parroted the fear mongering being done by the mainstream media; he was advising believers to isolate from the world.  He quoted Isaiah  26:20 as a scripture to employ; why didn’t he pick verses 4 & 5 of the same chapter?

Please don’t take me the wrong way, brethren. If God is leading you to remain more isolated during this time, so be it. But let’s make sure that we are following the Lord, and not our own hearts (Jeremiah 17:9). I say that we must be about our Father’s business without fear; while we still have time.

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. –John 9:4.

We are living in the LAST DAYS, my brethren, and will soon be with our beloved Savior! I fear that to regard such advice toward isolation only reflects a love for this world, which God will in no way accept. How will we overcome the devil, and the plans of his children? We must lay down our lives.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. –Revelation 12:11.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. –Revelation 14:13.

John chapter 11 is when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and is probably my favorite chapter in the whole Bible; I find it to be powerful, and deep. Do you realize that for Jesus to go where Lazarus was at, Jesus was putting His life on the line?

Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judæa again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? –John 11:7 & 8.

Jesus is giving us examples to follow, brethren. For Jesus to go to Lazarus, and for His disciples to follow Him, seriously meant that they would be risking their lives;

Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. –John 11:14-16.

Please do not hesitate to be about the business God has called you to, brothers and sisters. Satan has meant the Coronavirus for evil, but God can use it for good (Romans 8:28). This is not a time to be slack in our service for Christ. Jesus healed everyone that came to Him for it, and even some that didn’t; even though He healed each one in different ways. And besides that, God has given us many promises of healing, hasn’t He? Psalm 103:3; Isaiah 53:5; James 5:14 & 15; I Peter 2:24 are just a few. But even if the Lord doesn’t heal you here, wouldn’t you be better off? Where are your affections, with Christ, or with your earthly life?

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. –John 12:25.

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.  He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. –Isaiah:57:1 & 2.

In conclusion, the Coronavirus is something to take precautions with, but nothing to fear. We need to fear God (Matthew 10:28), and to be about our Father’s business. People need to find salvation while they still can, and I think this virus is just a small part of darker days that lie just ahead. This is a great opportunity to witness for the hope, faith, and power that God gives to His people.

 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? –Luke 9:23-25.

Fulfilling the First and Great Commandment

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment. –Matthew 22:37&38.

Many of you are familiar with the account of Ananias and Sapphira, found in Acts 5:1-11. Leading up to this account we find that the early believers in Christ were living together in one accord; even to the point of selling their possessions; the proceeds of which were then distributed amongst the brethren, as each had need. Ananias and Sapphira were among these believers.

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,  And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. –Acts 4:34 & 35.

Ananias and his wife sold their property, giving only a portion of it to the apostles-although they claimed that it was the full price they had received! Each of them then fell dead at the apostles’ feet. This story has several applications, but I now focus on only one; that Ananias and Sapphira falsely claimed to have given all to God, when they were really holding out on Him. They conspired to do this deliberately. I think that we today, especially in America, also commit this sin; but we do it by rationalizing away the need for obedience to this First and Great Commandment.

Most of the time that this great commandment is addressed among believers, it is taken together with the second great commandment, as we find here;

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.–Mark 12:29-31.

What I have been observing in the organized church is an emphasis to fulfill the 2^nd great commandment as if it were the first. Churches here often work to satisfy the material needs in the world surrounding them, but neglect the need of their salvation. How can we fulfill the 2^nd command, without having done the 1^st? We would only be operating in our own wisdom, not God’s. There is a perverse reasoning at work here. The churches have learned that they will be well received for giving away food, clothing, and services. Frankly, this amounts to a bribe. Esau sold his birthright for food, and God despised him for it. In John 6, the people wanted Jesus to be their king, NOT because He was God incarnate, but because He had fed them food! Please read the account for yourself, there are 71 verses. If Jesus Christ directly showed us that He wouldn’t accept this type of reasoning, why do we do it today? God warns us about the taking of gifts;

And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. –Exodus 23:8.

every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. –Proverbs 19:6b.

We need to keep the 1^st great commandment prioritized over the 2^nd. I believe that the reason Jesus puts these two together is a reminder not to merely spiritualize our love for God; we must show it also in a tangible way, as other scriptures point out.

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. –James 2:15-17.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.  –I John 4:20 & 21.

What I’d like to point out now is some of the bad spiritual fruit (Matthew 7:16-20) that often accompanies a professing Christian life where the First and Great Commandment isn’t being fulfilled.

Understanding Salvation. Many who profess Christ today have never even been saved. To receive salvation, we must first see ourselves as God sees us-hopeless sinners who are incapable of achieving the righteousness of God. We must first repent of our sins; which means to ask forgiveness, and then turn away from wicked works. But then we must receive Jesus Christ for our salvation, for it was His blood that atoned for our sins. Acts 3:18 & 19; Romans 3:10-12, 5:8; Titus 3:5-7.

Counting the Cost. There really is a cost in becoming a genuine Christian, even though our works can never save us (Ephesians 2:8 & 9). We will not be popular. Our approach to life is one of self denial, and the daily crucifying of the flesh. This one passage says it all;

 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. and whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. or which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish…  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. –Luke 14:26-30 & 33.

Prayer and Devotions.   It is incredible to me that so many who profess Christ spend almost no time seeking Him alone. And just as bad are those who take time for Him only at the end of their day! How can Jesus be your Lord, when you aren’t even attempting to put Him first? Just look at this example from Jesus directly, and understand how crucial prayer is for the start of your day;

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. –Mark 1:35.

Dependency on God Alone. This goes hand-in-hand with the above mentioned need for prayer. To go out and take on the obligations of your day without seeking God is like claiming that you can live a pleasing life for Him without His power. We need to recognize that all of our enablement for God’s service actually comes from Him. That’s why God gave us the Holy Spirit.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. –John 15:4 & 5.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. –Luke 24:49.

Worthless Religious Works. Those forsaking the great commandment often begin to place their confidence in religious good works. Hey, it’s a lot easier to devote a portion of your physical energy than it is to bring your heart, mind, and soul into submission, right? And so their devotion focuses on church attendance, holiday services, and putting a check in the offering plate. All that they do is coming from learned and accepted religious practices; they are content in their ways, and go unchallenged!

Real Christian service comes from seeking God’s will, and following that which He reveals to you; this will have grounding in God’s Word. Remember that “to obey is better than sacrifice” according to the scripture (I Samuel 15:22).

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. –I Corinthians 3:10 & 11.

 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. –Galatians 4:9-11.

Studying God’s Word. There is probably a decided lack of Bible study in one that isn’t fulfilling the great commandment. If there is any study at all, it is often corrupted by being incomplete, or in just by taking the study and determination of a “learned” Christian leader. In other words, they will not look at the Bible objectively and thoroughly for themselves; they simply won’t take the time for it. Maybe they think it is the pastor’s job, because he’s being paid for it!

It is our duty as believers to study God’s Word, and to know that the truth is being preached. This is for our benefit, and we can’t get out of it. If our souls have been regenerated in Christ, we should then have a longing to know more about the God who saved us!

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. –Acts 17:10 & 11.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. –Matthew 7:24 & 25.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. –Romans 10:17.

Worldly Affections. Today’s church in America is worldly. They love the world, long for its pleasures, and don’t want to leave it. I was at a fellowship meal gathering in a home after the church service. All of the conversation was about sports, video games, and other temporal distractions. No one seemed to care about real Christian living in this evil world. Sometimes there is a close acquaintance that is facing a terminal disease, and how do we take it? By hoping that they can be cured by doctors, after long, expensive, dubious treatments- only to spend a couple more months or years in this miserable world! It seems that these would rather have the torments of the flesh than the blessed home Jesus has promised for His own! In cases such as these, we really ought to wonder whether such a person is in right relationship with God at all. I’m tired of seeing this! I read about converted brethren in places like China, Iran, and Israel, who really choose suffering when they choose Jesus. These do rejoice for the peace God has given, in spite of any momentary cost. Eternity is better than earth! Brethren, we need to separate ourselves from the world, and worldly affections.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?  –Luke 9:23-25.

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. –John 15:18 & 19.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. –II Corinthians 4:16-18.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. –James 4:4.

We understand that as long as we are in the flesh, that we will never achieve the full perfection God wants us to have (Matthew 5:48). Yet we ought to be pursuing that perfection, crucifying the flesh, and putting away bad fruit. Keeping the First and Great Commandment in view is a good place to start. Have you really given your all to God? That is what He requires; and if we love Him, we shall.

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 3:12-14.