A Scriptural Perspective to the Corona Virus
Corona Virus (aka Covid 19) is an infectious disease of which we have encountered many in our generation. In biblical terms, Corona Virus would be identified as a plague or pestilence. The world is dealing with this recent plague according to its own knowledge and understanding. However, what the world does not understand nor acknowledge is the spiritual significance of plagues and pestilence. The Church does (or should) know the spiritual significance of plagues and/or pestilence.
A study of Scripture with regard to plagues will, therefore, give us God’s perspective on the matter, and reveal the response God expects of His people whenever a plague comes upon the land (i.e. nation, world).
A key is the understanding that God is always in control:
The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: (Isa. 14:24 KJV)
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things. (Isa. 45:6-7 KJV)
The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. (Ps. 103:19 NASB)
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Eph. 1:11 KJV)
Corona Virus did not take God by surprise; it was ordained by God, and came exactly when and how it has occurred, because God is Sovereign. In addition, this plague like all others has a purpose in God’s overall plan for mankind. As those who have a covenant relationship with God through Christ Jesus, it falls to us to discern God’s purpose that we may come into alignment with His will.
First, we need to understand the reasons plagues come upon mankind.
1) Plagues come that man (i.e. the entire world) will acknowledge God as Sovereign, to whom the earth belongs and all in it including man himself (Ps. 24:1; Ex. 9:14-16).
2) Plagues come as a result of sin (Lev. 26:21). Indeed, plagues are symbolic of sin, because a plague is a manifestation of uncleanness, and all uncleanness is sin (Lev. 13:11, 45; Isa. 64:6).
3) Plagues come as a result of disobedience and failing to honor God (Dt. 28:15, 20-22, 58-61).
4) Plagues come whenever God’s chosen people complain of adversity and His provision, and thus, become ungrateful and carnal (Num. 11:1, 18-20, 32-33).
5) Plagues come whenever God’s chosen people are faithless (Num. 14:36-38).
6) Plagues come when God’s chosen people grumble and oppose the leaders He anointed and appointed to lead them (Num. 16:41, 46-47).
7) Plagues come as a result of God’s chosen people giving into the idolatry of the world and fornication (i.e. sexual perverseness) (Num. 25:1-9).
Second, plagues and pestilence are signs of the end-times and subsequent coming of Christ as Judge of the whole earth. They are a wake up call to the world and the Church calling men to repent and prepare to meet their God. With respect to end-times, Covid 19 is not one of the plagues prophesied to occur during The Tribulation (i.e. 70th Week of Daniel) since the 70th Week of Daniel has yet to occur. Covid 19 and all the other plagues we have encountered thus far are precursors (Mt. 24:8).
And there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. (Lk. 21:11 NASB)
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Mt. 24:7-8 KJV)
And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. (Rev. 9:20-21 KJV)
Third, we need to understand how God expects His people to respond whenever He sends a plague.
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. (Eze. 22:30 KJV)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2Chr. 7:14 KJV)
Whenever adversity comes, it is God’s call for His people to seek His face and pray. This is the responsibility of those who have a covenant relationship with God through Christ. He looks to us to stand in the gap and make up the hedge like Abraham, Moses, and Daniel did (Gen. 18:23-33; Num. 16:47-50; Dan. 9:3-19). A prayer-less Church grieves the heart of God, because it is contrary to the very character of God, who sent His Son to die for us, and who sits at God’s right hand interceding for us. We are one with God through Christ and the indwelt Spirit (Jn. 17:20-21; Eph. 4:4; 1Jn. 1:3, 5-7). Jesus intercedes for us, and the Holy Spirit intercedes in us. And it is our responsibility to intercede for the world and each other, because we are the ones, who pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” And it is our prayers that God expects to hear, listens to, and answers favorably.
Father, we, Your children dwell in Your shelter under the shadow of Your wings for You are the Most High God, Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. And Lord Jesus, You are Lord of lords and King of kings before whom every knee bows and every tongue confesses that You are Lord to the glory of the Father. And Holy Spirit, You are God, who dwells in us and works in us to sanctify us and conform us to the image of Christ in whom we were created. We stand in the gap and make up the hedge about Your people and our nation America. Forgive us for our disobedience and rebellion. Forgive us for giving in to the idolatry and fornication of this world. Forgive us for the innocent blood we have shed. Forgive us for rejecting Your word and Your will. Forgive us for being all that You have called us to be as Your children, who walk in covenant relationship with You through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Forgive us for our lack of faith and trust in You. To us belongs shame of face, and we are overwhelmed by our failure and faithlessness. But You, Father, are a God who is quick to show mercy. And You, Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. And You, O God, are faithful to forgive us when we repent, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness that we may draw near and serve You with consciences cleansed of all guilt. And in the blessed state of renewed fellowship, we pray that Your anger be assuaged; we ask that You stay your hand; we ask that the plague that threatens to destroy Your people be stayed; and we ask that You heal us of this affliction. Restore the health and prosperity of Your people. Cause Your favor and blessing to turn our mourning to joy inexpressible and full of glory. Heal our backslidings, Lord, that we may return to the faith and faithfulness of our fathers, and become once again the nation that trusts in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Let Your glory shine through the darkness, and Your light illumine our hearts once more. In Your name and for Your glory. Amen.
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