Articles
My Biggest Fear
If someone were to ask me “What is one of your biggest fears concerning the Coronavirus?”, I would have to say it would be those religious teachers using this virus to make all sorts of false claims. Of course, this is nothing new. Every time some major calamity hits there are religious people who think it is some sort of fulfilled prophecy and other sorts of outrageous claims.
Within the past couple of weeks, I have seen false teachers make false claims that they have a healing oil that can get rid of the virus. Another was teaching that this virus feeds on fear and it’s the church that decides if this virus will continue or not. The ideas go on and on. So, if I know that such people are false teachers, why would this be one of my greatest fears? It’s because some people are being influenced.
It is true that people will only be deceived, when it comes to Biblical truths, if they want to be. The apostle Paul spoke of such people in II Thessalonians 2:11, where individuals would allow themselves to be deceived. The same thing happened during 9/11. The same thing happened when we had a major power outage back in 2003. So the question remains, how do we explain what is happening with this worldwide pandemic? Consider the facts.
The danger of illness has always been around
After Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden, they no longer had access to the tree of life, thus they grew older and died (Gen. 2:22-24). Some would die of old age while others would face all sorts of illnesses. For instance, man is responsible for what he consumes. If one sees a decaying piece of fruit covered with bugs on the ground, it would be unhealthy to pick it up and consume it. The human body is mortal and will die (Heb. 9:27).
People can become ill and infect others which is why, in Biblical times, they kept those with leprosy separate from other people (Lev. 13:46). There are many things that can harm the body and small issues can become larger issues when not attended. A simple cut can become infected when not taken care of. The Bible speaks of boils (Ex. 9:8-12); having a blood issue (Lk. 8:43) and scores of other kinds of sickness. The point is, people dying of an illness is nothing new.
The danger of illness is more dangerous today, but…
What I am referring to is the way we travel today compared to Biblical times. People can travel by plane, train, taxi, subway, and bus, etc. The spreading of any disease can travel much faster around the globe than in ancient times. Having said that, there have been many advances in the medical field that have saved many from certain death. There is also the way news is spread rapidly today via social media to warn and inform.
Even so, knowing all of this, Solomon had it right when he stated, “There is nothing new under the sun.” (Eccl. 1:9). Even though this is a worldwide pandemic, we don’t need to attach some special meaning to it. Yes, people are dying from this virus, and I don’t want to make light of it. It may be more dangerous now for all of us, but we will all one day die.
The danger of spiritual illness
I would say my second biggest fear with this pandemic is people focusing more on the physical than the spiritual. Yes, Hebrews 9:27, says we will all die. Yet, the text went on to say, “then the judgment.” Before this Coronavirus, there was already a worldwide pandemic. The majority of this world is sin-sick and needs the lifesaving blood of Christ (Rev. 1:5). May we all turn and follow the great physician – Jesus.
