It has been a long time since I wrote on this blog. Spending time away from the “normal” has given me time to be quiet, and think, and pray and hear from the Lord. There have been a lot of questions running through my mind during this time as I’m sure there has been for you. I thought I would write some of them down so we don’t forget them in a few months when the pandemic is past.
First, what if this is a precursor of the beginning of the end? There are a number of prophecy oriented people that are suggesting it is. We know that wars and rumors of wars seem to be happening all the time any more. But there seems to be an increase in seismic activity with earthquakes and now Covid 19. Jesus said these things must take place but the end is not yet. If this were the beginning of the end, would we welcome it and embrace it?
Second, how prepared are Christians for times like these? Empowered by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead; confident in the promises of God; foretold by the Lord Himself that times like this would come; we should be the most hope-filled, bold people around. We should relish the fact we can spend time before the Lord, reading and absorbing His word. We should cherish that we can lead our children in considering the goodness of God and His sovereign love. We can celebrate the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel in the darkness. If we were isolated like this and all our electronics went down that we could not stay connected with others through social media, chats, Zoom, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook Live, email, FaceTime, etc, would we be able to survive in a healthy way? Would the average Christian be able to study the Bible for themselves and be able to share the Gospel with others who were looking for hope?
Third, are we prepared to take the cross and the Word of God seriously? I believe it is significant that Easter is being celebrated during this time. “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” This is what Jesus said right before He went to the cross and died. “They will arrest you and put you to death for my sake.” He meant it. “Shut up the prophecy Daniel until the end.....Wise men will understand them.” “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he is the one who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him.” Self help tips couched in fun jokes will not cut it in these times or the days ahead. Knowing God’s Word and seriously giving ourselves to it is the only thing that will sustain and guide us. It is eternal. “My word will never pass away” said Jesus. So dying to ourselves and taking up our cross combined with being serious about knowing and living out the Word of God are the only two things that will prepare us to face the days ahead.
I believe my questions are not “downers” during a trying time but expressions of the tensions felt in the souls of many. Their answers are saturated in hope and power. This is challenging but Jesus said that the days ahead are going to be so bad that if they weren’t cut short for the sake of the elect no one would survive. (Matt. 24:22). Many will walk away from the faith in those days and turn on loved ones.
I am not saying for sure that Covid 19 is a precursor of the end. But what if it was? If I were a watchman on a wall and saw trouble coming and did not shout out a warning, I would be neglecting my duty. And since we do not know the day or the hour when these things will take place but we are aware of the season, we must always be ready. I see potential winds blowing that could be the forecasters of the coming storm. So please consider my questions (and yours). And more importantly, consider the answers and pursue them.
