IS COVID A SIGN OF THE END TIMES?
COVID-19, THE BOOK OF REVELATION, AND THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST
Key Facts
The current mortality rate of this disease in the United States and its territories is around 5.8% of 1,031,659 cases.[1] (This only records the estimated 1-2% of Americans tested and includes those who have died of natural causes that resemble Covid-19 symptoms).[2]
The disease causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing.[3]
Coronavirus has affected almost every country around the world.[4]
Key Scriptures
Matthew 24:14 "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Luke 21:11-12 "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you."
Revelation 6:8 "And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth."
Luke 12:40 "You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Application
Amidst the current pandemic of Coronavirus, many have questioned the possibility that this worldwide concern is linked to the end times. The Bible gives clear indications that point to the nearing of the end times. Christians are called to consistently evaluate the current times (Matthew 24:32-33). Three main passages can help Christians answer the questions about the coming of the end times and if Covid-19 could be an indicator.
Matthew 24 is one section of Scripture in which Jesus explains the coming of the end times. In verse 14, Jesus explains that the end will come following the gospel being preached to all nations. This is obviously difficult passage to evaluate in modern times. However, with the introduction of the internet, the gospel has spread to many countries that it never had the opportunity to go to before. While it is difficult to know if all nations (especially those without technology) have heard the gospel, it is certainly possible to achieve through the work of faithful missionaries and preachers in isolated countries.
Revelation 16 describes a series of plagues that God uses to bring about His wrath on unbelievers. This could potentially be understood as a widespread sickness. However, the Bible clearly says that these plagues only affect those who have the mark of the beast. Coronavirus appears to be infecting people indiscriminately, believers and non-believers alike. It also results from an earthly cause whereas the biblical plagues come directly from God. This appears to rule Coronavirus out as a possible plague of wrath described in Revelation 16.
However, could Coronavirus still be a sign of the end times? Luke 21 may bring more clarity to the events leading up to the end times. "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you." (Luke 21:11-12). There is clear indication that many terrible things will be coming in the end times. Luke describes these horrid events, then he says, “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you.” The widespread persecution of the Christian church will be one of the first signs of the end times. It is important to note that Christianity has been persecuted from its inception 2000 years ago, and remains widely persecuted around the world today. The question of how much persecution will occur before the end is difficult to judge. However, Luke goes into detail about just how awful and widespread this persecution will be. Even though there is significant persecution around the world, in many developed countries, especially those in the west, it is far less significant. Luke’s narrative seems to suggest that most, if not all, of the larger, developed areas will be met with significant persecution as the end nears.
Conclusion
The biblical descriptions appear to show that, while deadly disease is a sign of end times, Coronavirus is not directly related to the diseases described in the Bible as a sign of the end times.
Christians have indicators to the end times, but must remain humble and acknowledge that "concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only" (Matthew 24:36). However, this does not mean that Christians should take a sigh of relief and neglect the end times. The Bible is clear that Christians ought to be prepared for the second coming of Christ. The role of a Christian in waiting for the imminent return of Christ is to “take heed, watch and pray” (Mark 13:33). Since Christians have this certain hope in the return of Christ, we should always be evaluating our times, keeping ourselves ready, and living lives of holiness and godliness (2 Peter 3:11).