COVID-19 and the Bible’s Prediction

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Did COVID-19 get predicted in the Holy Bible? With seemingly all the world shutdown at this time for the Coronavirus 2019, I thought it would be good to know what if anything the Holy Bible told us about COVID-19 and other pestilences like COVID-19. But first, before looking into the Holy Bible, some information about COVID-19 and its impact on the world.

What is COVID-19 | Coronavirus Disease 2019

The www.cdc.gov website states:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, you should take steps to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declares:

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause respiratory illness in people. Coronaviruses also circulate among animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats.

And that you should:

Alert your healthcare provider immediately if you think you may be infected with SARS-CoV-2, including if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and have signs/symptoms of infection. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should tell your healthcare provider about any suspected exposures you may have had. Although many communities are experiencing ongoing transmission, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any recent travel to areas where SARS-CoV-2 is spreading.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

COVID-19’s World Wide Impact

As of April 27, 2020 globally just over 208,000 people have lost their life to contracting COVID-19 and succumbing to it directly or indirectly via existing conditions.

Government officials and leaders all over the world at all levels of government called for social distancing in workplaces, and postponing or canceling mass gathering and closure of schools, businesses, restaurants, bars, etc. which were not deemed ‘essential.’ No definitive reopening timeframe was given though discussions and plans are currently taking shape in some States, counties, and cities within the United States of reopening on a case by case basis.

Shutdowns from COVID-19 caused US unemployment rate jumped to 4.4 percent in March 2020, the highest since August 2017 and not long after remaining at the lowest level in 50 years in December 2019. Directly due to these shutdowns and closures brought by COVID-19, millions of people in the United States alone lost their job (and some their livelihood). Many more people will become financially impacted in the months if not years to come from it.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited writes that this near total shut down will result in:

Direct negative impact on production with supply chain and market disruption and financial impact on firms and financial markets.

USA Today wrote that suicide prevention experts say the isolation from Social distancing and quarantines may trigger those currently dealing with suicidal thoughts. And research shows the social and economic fallout from the pandemic may amplify the risk for some people well after the outbreak has ended.

Dictionary’s Definition of Pestilence and Plague

Merriam-Webster.com 

Pestilence

  1. a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating especially : bubonic plague
  2.  something that is destructive or pernicious

Plague

  1. an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality : PESTILENCE
  2. a virulent contagious febrile disease that is caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) and that occurs in bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic forms — called also black death

Clearly COVID-19 is a pestilence in many ways individually and globally i.e., physical health, mental health, economic health, etc… COVID-19 wreaked havoc devastatingly across the globe. Its destructive and pernicious effect is bringing down countries’ economies, costing peoples’ lives, their jobs, and some their sanity.

Pestilences, Plagues and the Holy Bible

Yes, pestilences and plagues like COVID-19 are  mentioned in the Holy Bible. When pestilences and plagues are mentioned, they may refer to God’s judgement on a nation or group of people (i.e., Genesis 12:17; Numbers 11:33; Deuteronomy 32:24;  Chronicles 21:12; Ezekiel 7:14–15, Amos 4:10; etc.). God’s judgement stems from people who chose to disregard Him and disobey His written Word on their hearts (Romans 2:15).

Other times when pestilences and plagues are mentioned, they refer to the some of the events which will come before Christ Jesus’ second return (i.e., Zechariah 14-18; Luke 21:11; Revelation 9:18; Revelation 9:20; Revelation 15:1; Revelation 18:8; etc.). These verses (in context) help define the time and season of Christ Jesus’ return to earth i.e., His second coming.

When is Christ Jesus’ Return?

‘About the times and the seasons: For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put the armor of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet of the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or * asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

No One Knows the Day or Hour

‘Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. This is why you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’ Matthew 24:42-44

What Should I Do?

‘This is the message of faith that we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame,’ Romans 10:9-11

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

If you confessed that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead, you, when pestilences and plagues like COVID-19 come need not be worried. ‘But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!’ Luke 21:28

Resources

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

https://www.bing.com/search?q=covid-19+and+confirmed+deaths&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&pq=covid-19+and+confirmed+deaths&sc=3-29&sk=&cvid=FC16465BD9654040BF6DDBB603BB9E9F

https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/unemployment-rate

https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/economy/covid-19/economic-impact-covid-19.html

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/03/23/coronavirus-pandemic-isolation-fear-job-loss-triggers-suicide/2871949001/

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pestilence

http://www.theword.net/

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