What do you think? Does the Bible Mention the Corona Virus?

During such a crisis, many so-called end-times experts are weighing in with their opinions on the meaning of the Corona Virus and how it relates to the end times, or the last days (the Apocalypse).

So I set out to find out, does the Bible mention the Corona Virus?

The short answer is, no. There is nothing in Scripture, either hidden, backwards, forwards, in code or in plain sight that mentions the Corona Virus, or any other specific virus for that matter.

What the Bible does talk about is pestilences or plagues.

In Matthew 24:3, Jesus' disciples asked Him...

“Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming; and the end of the age?” (NKJV)

To which Jesus responded,

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7, NKJV).

So what is a pestilence? The word for “pestilence” in the original Greek, which was the language of the New Testament is: limos. Limos is most often translated along with the Greek word for plague, which is plaga. The word “pestilence” is a synonym for the word “plague.” For example, we know that locusts are currently a big problem in Africa and some middle eastern countries. Locusts are destroying millions of acres of crops. As a result of this problem, there will undoubtedly be plagues and pestilences (or famine and hunger).

This family of words is NOT usually used to describe the cause. Some writers for example have said that pestilence is equal to sicknesses or perhaps even the Corona Virus.

It might be, but that is not certain.

What we do know for certain is that one of the signs of the end of the age is that “there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”

The problem is, there have been numerous famines, plagues and pestilences in many times and in many places throughout history. So how do we know if THIS plague is a sign to which Jesus was pointing?

The truth is, we can't know for sure. But we can make an educated guess.

The fact that Jesus said that these signs would occur "in various places" is consistent with other promises that indicate that the whole world will stand in fear of what is coming upon the earth.

The Corona Virus may be a good example of this.

So, are we approaching the end of the age? Yes we are!

People who doubt what they hear in the news about climate change, or even people who question if climate change is “man-made” are often called “climate deniers.”

But the Bible says that there are other deniers that are much more deluded. In 2 Peter 3:3-7, Peter calls out Second Coming Deniers!

3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (ESV emphasis mine).

In other words, just because Jesus hasn't come yet does not mean that He is not coming. God promised Adam, Eve and Lucifer in Genesis 3:15 that the Messiah would come and that He would crush the head of the serpent. Thousands of years passed by before that promise was kept. But it was kept! Jesus has come and Jesus will come again!

So, here are a few things we SHOULD NOT DO and things we SHOULD do in light of the Corona Virus, or any other plague, pestilence, earthquake, war or rumor of war.

Dont's

1) Don't try to figure out the date and timing of the return of the Lord. When He returns, you will see Him in the clouds of heaven.

2) Don't mock God and say, “Where is the promise of His coming?”

3) Don't be afraid of the Corona Virus or any other plague! Rather fear the One who is able to cast both body and soul into hell. If you are in the hands of God, there is NOTHING that can harm you.

Do's

1) Repent of your sins. God made you in His image. He loves you and He WANTS you to come back to Him. Put your hope and your trust in the cross of Christ and commit your life to following Him all of your days.

2) Hope for and long for the day of His coming. When Jesus returns, things might get bad on earth for a while, but that is O.K. Jesus promised that He is going to purge the earth of evil and make all things new! He is going to make a New Heaven and a New Earth in which righteousness dwells. In that day, there will be no more sorrow, crying, pain or death.