The recent deadly outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has spread from the city of Wuhan, China, to more than 188 countries worldwide. The disease has spread fear, and caused human suffering and death to many people around the world. On March 11, 2020, The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. Every day more and more people are testing positive for COVID-19. As followers of Christ, what should we be doing at this time? This is what I will be writing about.
For myself, I can say that I am very grateful to God that I am alive, but why? You also are alive, because you are reading this. How blessed we are. We can thank God for His mercy. Many articles and news reports have been circulating about COVID-19. Ask yourself, what is your current attitude and understanding about it today?
Man Surprised, But Not God
Many events surprise human beings when they occur. However God does not get surprised by any information or event. Regarding the reaction of worldly people, we read: “The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place—that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 537
UNDERSTANDING COVID-19
How well do you understand this pandemic? Why has this happened?
Many people have different views and interpretations of the current situation. It is not, however, the end of Earth’s history. But how can we understand this unexplainable pandemic? Different religious bodies and people have numerous views about the reasons for man’s suffering. Many have been asking, “Why, God, why?” when disaster strikes. And for centuries, religion has been trying to answer the question of how a loving or just God could allow humans to endure such suffering.
According to Wikipedia, we read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths)
Buddhism: According to the first two Noble Truths of Buddhism, all of life is suffering, and suffering is caused by attachments to worldly things. These attachments, which can take the form of greed, hatred, and ignorance in this life and past lives, can, unless mitigated, return as more suffering (karma).
Hindus: Many Hindus view suffering as punishment for misdeeds committed in this lifetime or past lives. They view suffering as a consequence of a person’s actions, committed in either this life or a past one.
Judaism believes that God’s sense of justice, and therefore the reasons for human suffering, are unknowable. To some Jews, knowing why God allows suffering is not as important as knowing that God will punish the perpetrators. Jewish tradition holds that suffering results from one’s own actions. www.islamonline.net
Muslims: for many Muslims, suffering and adversity strengthen one’s faith, as pain often leads to repentance and prayer and good deeds. They view suffering as both a punishment for sin and a test of faith.
Confucianists attribute most suffering to “human failure and error” according to A Dictionary of Comparative Religion. Confucian doctrine recognizes that while suffering can be reduced through virtuous living, much of it is caused by “spiritual agencies beyond man’s control. In such cases, man must stoically accept the decrees of Fate.”
Buddhists believe that suffering is experienced over many lifetimes, a cycle of rebirths that continue until a person’s negative actions, emotions, and cravings cease.
While these religious bodies state their beliefs to support today’s happening, overall let us understand that God’s words cannot be refuted and clearly points to the whole truth of the Bible, for example, with regards to the state of the dead, there is no teaching that one continues to “come back” until he has reached a state of purity. Says the word of God: “It is appointed unto men once to die but after that the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 But what is truth out of all these ideas? The Bible has the answer. In it is found the ultimate truth. Says the Psalmist “Thy law is truth.” Psalm 119:142
President Woodrow Wilson said, “I am sorry for men who do not read the Bible every day…” If we did read the Bible we would know that the end of the world is very near. We read in Matthew 24:7 that pestilences will increase as we near the end of time. “The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, and the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.” Isaiah 24:4–5 (see also Isaiah 26:20–21)
Repeatedly, God’s messenger wrote: “I have been shown that the Spirit of the Lord is being withdrawn from the earth. God’s keeping power will soon be refused to all who continue to disregard His commandments. The reports of fraudulent transactions, murders, and crimes of every kind are coming to us daily. Iniquity is becoming so common a thing that it no longer shocks the senses as it once did. ” –Last Day Events, p. 23
Christians should not be deceived about the source of afflictions. Sin is the cause of all suffering in the world today. God is often blamed for doing the devil’s work. Not one cancer has ever been caused by God.
From the Spirit of Prophecy, we just read that the Holy Spirit is withdrawing from the earth and, with Him, the divine protection and blessing will also be withdrawn. This means that this crisis will not be the only one but other crises in the health, social, and religious sphere are sure to follow. We do not believe that this pandemic is the end of the world. According to Matthew 24:6–8, it is only the beginning of sorrows. “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” The Lord has enlightened His church with a correct understanding of prophecy, of historical events, and given light related to the signs of the times. We expect a few more prophecies to be fulfilled before the final end shall come. Our Saviour clearly advised His church not to be confused by false alarms, time setting, false prophets and teachers. However this international health crisis is not part of the seven last plagues written about in Revelation 16.
“God has not restrained the powers of darkness from carrying forward their deadly work of vitiating the air, one of the sources of life and nutrition, with a deadly miasma. Not only is vegetable life affected but man suffers from pestilence…. These things are the result of drops from the vials of God’s wrath being sprinkled on the earth, and are but faint representations of what will be in the near future.” –Last Day Events, p. 27
“The terrible reports we hear. . . tell the story that the end of all things is at hand. Now, just now, we need to be preparing for the Lord’s second coming.” –Ibid., p. 23
“We shall see troubles on all sides. . . confusion, collision, and death without a moment’s warning will occur on the great lines of travel. The end is near, probation is closing. Oh, let us seek God while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near!” –Maranatha, p. 37
God’s Purpose in Calamities
“God has a purpose in permitting these calamities to occur. They are one of His means of calling men and women to their senses. By unusual workings through nature God will express to doubting human agencies that which He clearly reveals in His Word.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, p. 79
“They are among the agencies by which He seeks to
arouse men and women to a sense of their danger.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 277
“The Lord will not interfere to protect the property of those who transgress His law, break His covenant, and trample upon His Sabbath, accepting in its place a spurious rest day. The plagues of God are already falling upon the earth, sweeping away the most costly structures as if by a breath of fire from heaven. Will not these judgments bring professing Christians to their senses? God permits them to come that the world may take heed, that sinners may be afraid and tremble before Him.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 3 p. 311
Your health and your salvation are BOTH involved
The situation concerning this global pandemic is changing daily. Things seem to be getting worse in some countries as they struggle to contain this new, deadly virus. Many people will be adversely affected psychologically, socially, economically, health-wise, and spiritually.
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2. Therefore, get informed about COVID-19.
What are the symptoms? How can you protect yourself from becoming infected, or from spreading the disease? These questions are well answered in many ways in the media. Many documents are available on the internet and broadcasts have been made on the radio and on TV. I now want to mention a few of the recommendations to protect yourself.
Practice the laws of Health: Trust in God, eat a healthy diet, get adequate rest/sleep, and add exercise, and physical activity.
Follow the recommendations of reputable medical experts, not what you find on social media.
Do not be presumptuous. Practice good hand hygiene as a habit!
Do not panic, but be vigilant. Become informed, and stay informed.
If you can afford it, you should purchase and store additional essential food and other supplies in the event that you and your family will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Is there any hope for the dead?
As of now many souls have died because of the pandemic disease. Thousands were laid down to rest in different countries every day. There is panic all around the world. Many fear death as an enemy and take utmost care to preserve their lives. But you need not fear pain or torment after you die, for the Bible compares death to sleep. The first death is not the permanent end of our existence. We read of a resurrection in the Bible. God will bring back to life people who have died. (John 5:28–29). God promises a time when “death will be no more” (see Revelation 21:4).
Even the faithful Job believed that after his death God would again restore him to life. Job asked: “If a man die, shall he live again?” Then he confidently answered: “all the days of my appointed time [time in the grave] will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer Thee.” Job 14:14–15
The resurrection was not a new concept to Lazarus’ sister, Martha. After Lazarus died, Jesus said to her: “Your brother shall rise again.” Martha believed in resurrections and said: “I know that he shall rise in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus then said to her: “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:23–25. He will come to life.
Will the suffering ever end?
Humans have been trying to solve their political, religious, and social problems by themselves for thousands of years, but all their attempts have failed. A young girl whose homeland had been set afire by terrorist violence wrote: “Every day I hope that none of my family or my friends die . . . Perhaps we need a miracle.” Her words echo the thoughts of many people today. The solution to man’s problems lies beyond the human realm. Only man’s Creator can bring the correct solution to earth’s present difficulties, including this current pandemic.
Despite advances in medicine, heart disease remains the largest cause of death; cancer kills millions each year. “The world continues to be confronted by longstanding, emerging, and reemerging infectious disease threats,” said Dr. David Bloom.
Despite material prosperity in some lands, each year, millions of children die, billions of people live without access to adequate sanitation or shelter, hundreds of millions have no access to safe water, etc.
Despite increased awareness of human rights many are still being oppressed and atrocities, such as human trafficking, are still being carried on.
These are clear indications that the solution to man’s problems lies beyond the human realm. Only God is a sure safeguard and our only hope.
Suffering will not continue indefinitely. God will address the cause of human suffering. The Bible says that God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more. There will be no more pain any more nor any mourning or crying (see revelation 21:3–4). The Lord, God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. This kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It alone will stand forever (see Daniel 2:44). We can take comfort from the promise:, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Here are 10 things you should consider during this current pandemic.
Spend more time than ever before in prayer. Enlarge your list of prayer requests. Carefully consider those who need prayer and add them to your prayer list. Be grateful. The current quarantine measures have likely affected your daily personal and family routine. Do not forget to be thankful for your health and for what you have and not to complain about what is lacking.
Continue to meet with other believers as is permitted in your country, state, or city. Every difficulty is filled with lessons that God wants to teach us. Do not neglect religious services if it is still possible to gather, if not in your church building then meet with a few believers to worship and pray together in someone’s home. You may have to attend services online, however, you should not neglect to take time for worship; to meet, praise and study the Word of God with other believers. Do not assume that because “there is no church,” you have more time for your own personal activities. Services are available every Sabbath in many countries, on YouTube, Skype or other apps for you to get in touch with a small group of believers to worship and have a moment of devotion together. See the www.biblewell.org and others.
Use social media to encourage others. Through social networks you can be a blessing to many others. Social media can be used as an evangelism tool to encourage other believers, and also to reach unbelievers. I encourage you to try the HEBRON CHALLENGE, developed by the Education Department of the International Missionary Society. See www.imseducation.org
Lift up your heads and place trust in God. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28. Let us not forget that, the Lord divided the Red Sea, raised the dead, healed the sick, restored sight to the blind and gave speech to the dumb, walked on the waters of the sea; controlled the storm. . . and much more. Do not be overwhelmed by what you hear and see; if we do our best we can rest in God. He is a sure foundation that will never fail us.
Study and memorize the Scriptures. Take time to be more familiar with the Word of God. Also, take time each day singing alone or with your family. Read and study the prophecies to understand them better. Be more familiar with books such as, “Last Day Events,” “The Great Controversy”, etc. Read them with hope, not with fear.
Improve family conversations. We have been blessed by the wonderful studies by the Family Department of the International Missionary Society under the title “Seven Keys to the United Family” and also “The importance of Family Moments” which were studied during the month of May (see www.sda1844.org). You can continue to read them again and again. There are many topics you can discuss with your spouse, your parents, your children, your neighbours, etc.
Take care of your health and progress in Health Reform. Make at least one specific positive change in your health. Health reform is progressive, yes, but make a decisive step. For example: get an extra hour of sleep., or increase your exercise time. If you cannot go out (or
are advised not to do so according to the COVID-19 restrictive rules), exercise at home.
Reassess your priorities and what is important in life. At this time, the current global crisis can help you slow down and consider what objects, people, and values are important in your life. What are some things you could not do without in the past, but are managing just fine without now? What have you paid too much attention to, even if it is not worth it? What place does your relationship with God have in this scenario?
Ask God to give you peace of mind and balance. We live in an age where thousands of people have turned to social media to post large amounts of information. Claim the promise of God that He “ensures peace” to those who continue to trust Him (Isaiah 26:3). Look behind and learn from the past. Look forward beyond the events of your every day life.
Renew your commitment to Jesus and His church. Use this time of social distancing when you are required to remain at home as much as possible to renew your commitment to be faithful to God, even unto death (Revelation 2:10). If you have not already done so, make a decision to be a positive influence in your neighbourhood and in your local church. Do not hide your light under a bushel, but be proactive in your religion. If you have fallen spiritually asleep, use this crisis (which will probably not be the last) to wake up and commit to working for Jesus “while it is day” (John 9:4).
Many are caught in Satan’s web today. The world is in a more decided state of unbelief than ever before in regards to the soon coming of Christ. “You will not be able to say that He will come in one, two, or five years, neither are you to put off His coming by stating that it may not be for ten or twenty years.” –The Review and Herald, March 22, 1892.
“We are nearing the great day of God. The signs are fulfilling. And yet we have no message to tell us of the day and hour of Christ’s appearing..” –Last Day Events, p. 33
Our position must be one of waiting and watching. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Romans 13:11
May God be with you all, Amen
Victor Shumbusho, DR Congo