RAMPANT FEAR - CORONA VIRUS

RAMPANT FEAR - CORONA VIRUS

The Bible foretells a rise of disease epidemics and other calamities, but it also foretells mass panic. Put your trust where you should and don't give in to fear.

Fear is a common reaction in the face of a pandemic outbreak - fear of the unknown, fear of where this could lead. People wonder if we'll ever see "normal" again and regain control of events.

The pandemic spread of the recent novel Corona virus strain Covid-19 (Corona virus disease 2019) has, following an explosion of cases into a worldwide pandemic in 2020, given us another real-time example of how quickly world conditions can change and give rise to fear and panic.

It's made even worse by the sensationalism of the news media. Fear sells and so we have more of it. Bad news draws attention to cable network shows and drives traffic to Internet sites.

In a Geopolitical Futures column earlier this year, international strategist George Friedman wrote about the reaction to the virus. He commented: "The threat of the virus is not only that we may die, but that the fear of death will cause the world to heave up out of control.

Where priests used to comfort us, now leaders do, and now we hold the leader responsible not for causing the virus, but for not acting quickly enough to protect us."

People will start to look to the leader, the party, the system, the government to provide for our needs and protect us from enemies - whether a foreign power or a tiny, invisible virus. The Bible shows that in the years ahead, world conditions will get so bad that people will cede sovereignty to a totalitarian system called the Beast, a supranational political, economic and spiritual power promising order and security.

"They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast." (Revelation 17:13)

"One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast."(Revelation 13:3)

People will follow and worship the beast because they will be awed by his power and miracles. He will unite the world under his leadership and he will control the world economy. People are impressed by this power and will follow him.

It is a present fact that the state gradually has over the years effectively become the secular religion, and not just in communist or other despotic nations. The size of government has grown massively while religion has declined. In the Western world, God, the Bible and organized religion no longer hold the position in people's minds they once did.

Friedman concludes: "But we have come to expect to be protected, and when we are not our imaginations turn to the apocalypse. The successes of science and the claims of politicians have led us to believe in human invincibility so that the arrival of the virus is a violation of the social contract between the state, science and us. There are limits to power, and that, above all else, frightens us."

Stock markets are being destabilized, with whole nations diverting resources and attention to containment and cities and regions quarantining citizens. It's been like a storm that rises quickly on the horizon and, before anyone can discern what's happening and take shelter or other precautions, slams into society and upends normal life.

This virus is serious for several reasons and there is no vaccine. But perhaps more serious is the reaction to this virus because of our interconnected world. As I write, the number of confirmed cases is growing nationwide. Schools, bars and restaurants have been closed. Many are worried and scared - very scared.

Fear is a common reaction in the face of a pandemic outbreak - fear of the unknown, fear of where this could lead. Will it kill a few thousand or hundreds of thousands? What will happen to the economy? What will the impact be on travel? On national elections? On international relations? People wonder if we'll ever see 'normal' again and regain control of events

Fear is a major aspect of coming dire events prophesied in the Bible. The end of the age is marked by not only increasing war, famine and disease pandemics but by increasing fear of these things and worsening calamity. Even if the Corona virus itself does not turn out to be as catastrophic as some have predicted, people's response to it, in either dismissal or panic, can have devastating effect, giving us lessons in what to expect going forward.

The Corona virus should be a wake-up call for all of us.

Government cannot guarantee your safety or immunity from catastrophe. Much in nature is beyond the control of human beings. Far better for us to learn this now so as to be prepared when much bigger calamities erupt on the world. We can all start right now by not reacting with paralyzing fear.

Today, because of our modern inter-connectedness, we hear it all instantly and see it in real time! News from China, Italy, Africa, Europe or other parts of the country we live in seems to be next door even when it's not. And that drives an increase of fear everywhere - of mass panic.

Covid-19 and the fallout that has accompanied it has come up like a sudden storm on the world horizon. We don't yet know how severe it or its economic impact will ultimately be.

Do not give in to fear. Do not panic and despair. This is a time to lift up your head and heart to God and seek Him while He may still be found. He hears those who seek Him and who humble their hearts before Him!

Notice what Jesus said in His Olivet prophecy about events as the end-time approaches:

Luke 21:10-11 says,

“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven”

Jesus continues in verses 25-26 of the same chapter,

"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken."

Notice Jesus warned of not only terrible events to come, but of a terrifying expectation of worsening events and resultant widespread fear.

A disciple who is in a watchful, ready state of mind will not be caught off guard when such events occur. That is why Jesus spoke about them. He wants His followers to "lift up your heads" And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near. American King James Version×when these awful, age-ending events occur.