No, the coronavirus is not from God.
The current events in the world remind us of our Lord’s prophecy in Luke 21:26, “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”
The Bible tells us that before the kingdom of God will be fully instituted, the entire world will go through a great time of trouble. Matthew 24:21, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
God’s purpose is to ultimately save all people and bring them in harmony with him. 1 Timothy 2:4, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (This verse does not teach all will receive everlasting life. Those opposed to righteousness will die the second death described in Revelation 28:8; they will cease to exist.) Note the order – salvation from death in Adam comes first, and then knowledge, meaning “full discernment” in the original Greek.
In His wisdom, God knew that in order to have people willingly and joyfully rely on Him, they would need to experience the consequences of sin and evil. Since Jesus’ first advent, mankind has experienced many evils. “…the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” Matthew 24:6-8.
The end of this present, corrupt society will culminate in worldwide anarchy. While the kings of the earth are asked to “kiss the son” (Psalm 2:10-12), meaning to receive instruction from Jesus, they will not do so. Christ is presently ordering the events that will culminate in the full establishment of God’s kingdom. Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as is it done in heaven.” But when the time comes for the kingdoms to recognize Christ, “the nations were angry,” Revelation 11:19.
Presently, mankind is suffering as the inevitable consequence of sin reigning in the world. This is not because there is no good in the world, but because evil predominates. God’s law is “a person will reap what he sows” Galatians 6:7 (NET). Trouble will intensify because sinfulness intensifies. “In the last days, grievous times will come. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Mankind’s greed and selfishness ultimately cause anarchy.
All of these troubles are described by Apostle Paul as “travail upon a woman with child” 1 Thessalonians 5:3. The travail will result in the “birth” of God’s kingdom on earth.
The current afflictions affect the Lord’s people as well as the world. Everyone is experiencing suffering and hardships. But if we are seeking to learn and to obey God’s will, we are always in His care, Psalms 91:1-6,10 (NKJV), “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust…He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”
When we stay close to God, He will not let us suffer more than we are able. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NET), “No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.”
Today, the temptation is to seek comfort in worldly pleasures, to be a “lukewarm” Christian, to attend a service once a week and then become caught up again with work and pleasure. Our reliance is on God, not in how much we own or know. God wants all of our hearts’ devotions, not part-time observances.
Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
There is hope beyond the horizon: Zephaniah 2:3 (NKJV), “Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD’s anger.”
Psalms 46:1,2, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea”.
We all look forward to the day when Revelation 21:4 becomes a reality: Revelation 21:4, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
For those who have sincerely given their lives to the Lord to serve Him, Jesus told us: Luke 21:28, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Additional Resources:
Video: For This Cause, The Purpose of Jesus’ Death on the Cross
Video: Where Was God? Why Does God Permit Evil?
PDF Booklet: “What is This World Coming To?”
Free Newsletter Registration: End Times Newsletter
PDF: Past Newsletters
