Is COVID-19 a God-sent Pandemic or is it Man-created? Does it signify the end of the world?

Based on a literal interpretation of prophecy (which has more credence) and based on direct evidence of the historical narratives in the Bible (which make the question even worthwhile), the following observations may be inferred:

1. COVID-19 pandemic is not a God-sent apocalyptic plague. All evidence shows that it is a man-made pandemic. It began at a wet market in Wuhan, now identified as 'ground-zero' of the virus' first impact. The Torah lists out some food restrictions for the Jewish community, which are today considered as being crucial for prevention of plague-inducing conditions for those times when scientific understanding was not highly advanced. If the Jewish community had violated the restrictions and contracted a disease that turned into an epidemic wiping off a large portion of its populace, that epidemic would be considered as a consequence of negligence and not a direct God-sent pestilence.

There were many human-created conditions that escalated the spread of the virus. The failure to understand the severity of the situation and attempts to quash information by Chinese authorities. Downplaying of the contagious and fatal nature of the virus by WHO. Countries that failed to take early preventive action and or to impose targeted lock-downs. Various groups that ignored preventive guidance to maintain distancing.... all these indicate human tactical failures that caused the pandemic.

2. The Bible does talk of God-sent judgement. One of the ways God judges nations is through pestilence (others being war and natural disasters, Jer.24:10). But, if God sends a judgement, humans can neither control it nor fight against it. Remember the Egyptian plagues, the Wilderness plagues, and the plague during David's census. In each of these cases, there was also a prophetic message strongly attached. We have the prophetic message now clearly revealed in Scripture. The book of Revelation tells us that when God's wrath really comes on the earth, "In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, but death will escape them." (Rev.9:6). They will try to flee and hide and will say to the mountains: "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Rev.6:16).

3. A literal interpretation of prophecy puts Israel in global focus before the coming of the Great Wrath.

4. It also predicts that the anti-Christ, his false prophet, and his false religion would attempt at a totalitarian world domination prior to the Great Wrath.

5. However, it is certainly the case that COVID-19 presents the world with a novel situation of a situation post-Babel where linguistic, cultural, and economic barriers are eased through the process of globalization and rapid communication. It does create an emergency situation very conducive for events foretold regarding the end days. It also has shaken the church to wake up from its slumbering position and to look up. The church will also not be the same again.

The Image of the Beast that Will Come to Life (Revelation 13)

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (Rev 13:15)

One advantage of prophecy is that it can be verified in history. While the Genesis account of creation is disputed by many in the scientific community (with some theologians attempting to demythologize it), prophecy resists such attempts. Thus, the strongest of evidences for the Messiahship of Jesus did not come from science [it could not] nor from the miracles He did, but from the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding Him. However, the sheer irony of all this is that while prophecy helps to unfold the meaning of events to the believer, the prophecy itself includes a clause regarding disbelief in the same (which also needs to be fulfilled). Thus, while many disciples were able to see the Messianic prophecies as fulfilled in Jesus, there were many others who could not see this, thus fulfilling the prophecy (though volitionally rejecting it) that they would despise and reject the Messiah.

A similar situation is predicted in the book of Revelation. When the anti-Messiah (the beast) will appear, prophecies will become historically verifiable, which would actually mean that this verification can serve as an apologetic tool for faith. However, the prophecy tells us that instead of believing in God, people would increasingly turn away from God. In other words, the prophecy includes a clause that makes disbelief in it the verification of it. When people would increasingly turn away from God, this would prove that the prophecy was true. But, if it is so, then the prophecy cannot function as an apologetic aid for those who will to turn away from God.

The biggest problem of evolutionism is the issue of how life can originate from a mere collocation of atoms, even if those atoms were (by chance) placed in the right sequence. The either-DNA-or-protein-first problem continues to haunt evolutionists though there are hypotheses that this is resolved by the RNA world hypothesis. Yet, that hypothesis is also not problem-free. It seems that a phenomenon of some kind of genius giving "life unto the image" can be a staggering event for humanity. To the intellectuals, it could suggest a very advanced level of scientific achievement that an image (a rightly sequenced pattern) could not only come to life but also be able to communicate and make intelligent decisions. Probably, this would not be at a level of the much theorized battery powered AI robots (breath of life is not the same as battery-run).

Yet, this would only lead more to the worship of the beast, rather than worship of the living God. No wonder, elevation of the beast, as having originated from the beast, is characteristic of idolatrous worship.

Rom 1:23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 

The idea of "beast" being used for humans is a reduction that signifies a corruption of the divine image. Without God in the picture, man is not much different from the beasts

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? (Ecc 3:18-21, emphatics mine)

The modern rebel that Chesterton referred to, at least, had some moral sense of not being a beast though scientifically affiliating with beasthood: "The man of this school goes first to a political meeting, where he complains that savages are treated as if they were beasts; then he takes his hat and umbrella and goes on to a scientific meeting, where he proves that they practically are beasts."

But, the forthcoming beast-worshiper will be morally dissolute as well.

Rom 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Rev 16:9  And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
Rev 16:10  And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
Rev 16:11  And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
Rev 16:12  And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
Rev 16:13  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Rev 16:14  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 

He Looked Like Jasper and Sardius (Rev.4:3): Firstness and Lastness of Christ

NOTES:

And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance (Rev 4:3 NKJ)

Precious stones are mentioned many times in the Bible. But, with respect to the presence of God, an exclusive instance are the instructions to embed precious stones in the breastplate of the High Priest (Ex. 28:17-20). In the instruction in Exodus, there were to be four lines of embedded gems, each line having three gems; thus, the total twelve gems would each represent a tribe of Israel.

Comparing the appearance of God, who is a Spirit, with these stones does certainly convey some message. William Barclay noted:

The jasper is nowadays a dull opaque stone, but in the ancient world it seems to have been a translucent rock crystal, through which the light would come with an almost unbearable scintillation. Some think that here it means a diamond, and this is not impossible. The sardian, so called because it was said to be found mainly near Sardis, was blood-red; it was a gem which was frequently used to have engravings incised on it and may correspond to the modern carnelian. The emerald is most likely the green emerald which we know.

The picture of the presence of God which John saw was like the blinding flash of a diamond in the sun, with the dazzling blood-red of the sardian; and there flashed through both the more restful green of the emerald, for in that way alone could the eye bear to look upon the sight.

It may well be that the jasper stands for the unbearable brightness of the purity of God; that the blood-red sardian stands for his avenging wrath; and that the gentle green of the emerald stands for his mercy by which alone we can meet his purity and his justice.

Interestingly, jasper and sardius appear to be the last and the first stone on the breastplate of the High Priest. John Gill notes:

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper,.... For the brightness, glory, and majesty of his countenance, and for his being light itself, clothed with it, and dwelling in it; see Re 21:11; and for the various perfections of his nature, as eternity, infinity, immutability, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, wisdom, power, goodness, truth, love, grace, and mercy; for the jasper, at least one sort of them, is of various colours, and spotted with divers spots; that which is most valued is the green, spotted with red or purple {h}: hence this stone, which is the twelfth in the high priest's breastplate, and on which the name of "Benjamin" was written, is called, by the Chaldee paraphrase of Onkelos on Ex 28:20, "Pantere", and of ben Uzziel, on the same place, "Apanturin", and on So 5:14, "Apantor", because some are variegated and spotted like panthers.

And a sardine stone; the same with the "Sardius": and so read here the Alexandrian copy, the Syriac and Arabic versions, as in Re 21:20, and in Ex 28:17 on which Reuben's name was written; this is of a red, or blood colour as its name אדם, in Hebrew, shows, and the same that is called a cornelian; and is expressive of the fiery indignation of God whose fury is poured out like fire, and who nakedly and absolutely considered, is a consuming fire to the wicked, his enemies, and the enemies of his church and people. Some jaspers being white and sky coloured and the white colour being most agreeable to deity, as Cicero says, and the sardine being red, and a gem of the ruby kind make up the description of the church's beloved; So 5:10; and may denote in general his purity, glory, and excellency, and in particular good will to his people, and wrath to his enemies. And to the comfort of the former it is added,

and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne; which signifies the covenant of grace; see Ge 9:12.

The mention of specifically these two gems, jasper and sardius, if seen in apposition to the gems on the High Priest's breastplate, should at least indicate to us the following Truths about God in Christ:

Jesus is:

1. The First and the Last (Rev.1:11,17; 2:8)

He is the Beginner and Consummator of History. The title is used of God in the Old Testament too (Isa.44:6).. Of course, there were many who tried to change history; Nimrod, Nebuchadnezzar, and Alexander to mention few. There were also attempts to change calendars and times (Dan.7:25; also see French Republican Calendar). However, no matter what humans do, the fact that God is the First and the Last of History remains unchangeable. He is the Cosmological and Teleological Answer of History.

He is the One who holds both ends together. For humans with limited vision, things that don't make immediate sense seem to look absurd and nonsensical. But, He knows all things, things that are and things that are to come (Rev.2:9,10). And, He holds both the ends together. History is in His hands. He is the Existential Answer of life and is the One who defines Meaningfulness.

He is the One who is in Control. He not only provides purpose and meaning, but He can do that because He is in control of all things. Daniel, in the midst of all evidence of Babylonian powers, knew that God was in control (Dan.4:17).

2. The First As the Last

The First and the Last stones not only tell us that He is the First and the Last, but also that as First He became the Last.

Sardius, signifying Reuben, is mentioned second to Jasper, signifying Benjamin.

This speaks of the Firstness of Christ and also of His Lastness through the Incarnation.

Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Phi 2:5-8 NKJ)

Christ's oneness with God was:
- Oneness in Essence (Phil.2:5; Heb.1:3)
- Oneness in Community (Jn.1:1; 10:30; 17:11)
- Oneness in Glory (Jn.17:5)

But, His self-emptying speaks of His
- Incarnation as Humiliation (Phil.2:7)
- Incarnation as Identification (Heb.2:14)
- Incarnation as Embracement (Heb.2:11)
- Incarnation as Sin-Bearing (the Lamb that... By His stripes, Jn.1:29; Mark 8:16,17)

Reuben means "See a Son!" (Isa.9:6); but, Benjamin had two names; his mother Rachel called him Ben-Oni ("the son of my sorrow", Gen.35:18). Ben-Oni speaks of Christ as the Suffering Messiah.
But, Jacob chose to call him Benjamin ("the son of my right hand"). The name signifies Christ as the Son of God's Right Hand.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name... (Phi 2:8-9 NKJ)

3. The Last As the First

Finally, in Christ the declaration, "The first will be last and the last will be first" is also figuratively fulfilled. Because, He was certainly the "Stone that the builders rejected", but whom God made the "Cornerstone." (Lk.20:17).

This speaks of the Exaltation of Christ.
- Exaltation as Second Man (1Cor.15:47)
- Exaltation as Lord (Phil.2:9,10)
- Exaltation as the Sign of Salvation (Jn.3:14,15)

The 7 Letters of Revelation: #7 LAODICEA- The Complacent Are Never Continuant (Rev.3:14-22) - PASSION

Rev.3:14-22
Laodicea was a Lukewarm Church

The Complacent are Never Continuant
She was self-satisfied.
Like the Pharisee who said, "I...." do this and that
Like the Rich Young Man who said, "I..." from childhood have observed all commandments..

But, Jesus knew what they lacked..
Unless we see what we lack, we can't move forward....

To the 7 Churches
1. Remember, Repent, Do (Ephesus)
2. Do not fear, Be faithful unto death (Smyrna)
3. Repent (Pergamos)
4. Hold fast what you have till I come (Thyatira)
5. Remember, Hold fast, Repent (Sardis)
6. Hold fast what you have (Philadelphia)
7. Be zealous and repent (Laodicea)

The 7 Letters of Revelation: #6 PHILADELPHIA- HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT (Rev.3:7-13) - FAITH

Rev.3:7-13
Philadelphia was a Faithful Church
Rev.3:8: She had LITTLE STRENGTH but Kept the Word
It doesn't matter if the strength is small; His Grace is Sufficient

His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses

Mustard seed faith can remove mountains
Persistent blows can crack great rocks

Gideon considered himself the least (Jdg.6:11), but with 300 men, by the help of God, he won a great battle (Jdg.7:7)

Rev.3:12
- Will be kept from trial
- Will be a Pillar in God's Temple
- Will receive Name of the City

The 7 Letters of Revelation: #5 SARDIS- Negligence Destroys Intelligence (Rev.3:1-6) - WATCHFULNESS

Rev.3:1-6
Sardis was a Careless Church
Negligence Destroys Intelligence

1. They had a name "Alive", but were dead
2. They had works, but the works were not perfect
3. Jesus said that if this continued, when He comes, they will not know....

A. A Negligent Christian is a Fool
5 Foolish Virgins - negligent about the oil, negligent about the time of the groom (1Thess 5:2,4)

B. A Negligent Christian is Not Diligent
The Diligent
- Constant in effort to accomplish something
- Attentive and persistent in doing anything
- Someone who works in a careful and thorough way
(Prov.10:4; 22:29; 2Pet.3:14)

C. A Negligent Christian is Indisciplined
1Cor.9:27; 2Tim.2:1-5

The 7 Letters of Revelation: #4 THYATIRA- Lack of Authority Destroys Integrity (Rev.2:18-27) - AUTHORITY & SUBMISSION

Rev.2:18-27
Thyatira - The Corrupt Church. The city was famous for dyeing.

Lack of Authority Destroys Integrity
Rev.2:19. Jesus always began with a positive note. He got something to praise about, but He introduces Himself as the Judge (Rev.2:18)

Rev.2:23,24: Division: Judgment on Jezebel. No burden on others.
But they were responsible because they allowed (Rev.2:20)

Jezebel in the Church - Rebel
1. She was a Stranger to God ("that woman")
2. She was a self-made, self-declared prophetess
3. She was a teacher-seducer of God's servants (deception)
4. She was unrepentent (Rev.2:21). She crossed the deadline of repentance.
5. Her doom was pronounced.

Submission to authority is important.
(Num.16:1; 1Sam.15:22-23)

The 7 Letters of Revelation: #3 PERGAMOS- One Dead Fish Pollutes the Pond (Rev.2:12-17) - PURITY

Rev. 2:12-17
Pergamos was a Compromising Church. The city was a head quarter of Satan.
One Dead Fish Pollutes the Pond
Balaam's Error: Tolerated

Beware of 3 Polluting Elements
1. The Old Leaven. The leaven of malice and wickedness. The leaven of tolerated sin (1Cor.5:7)
2. The Root of Bitterness. The bitter root of unbelief (Selling Birthright) (Heb.12:15)
3. The Garment Spotted by Flesh. The garment covering of carnality (Jude 1:23)

Smyrna: Satan's Synagogue
Pergamos: Satan's Dwelling Place, Throne

Warning: Rev.2:16; 1Cor.3:16
Promise: Hidden Manna, Hidden Name on White Stone (Not parchment, which Pergamos was known for).

The 7 Letters of Revelation: #2 SMYRNA- The Bold Get the Crown (Rev.2:8-11) - COURAGE

Rev.2:8-11
Smyrna was a Persecuted Church. It was where Polycarp was leader and was martyred in 155 AD

The Letter exhorts Smyrna Church to be Courageous

The Bold Get the Crown
The Kingdom of God is Taken by the Aggressive

Courage is the Virtue of the Warrior. He Never Turns Back.

There is no armor for the back.

Matt.11:12; Dan.11:32; Prov.28:1; 2Tim.1:7

7 Reasons Why We Must Be Courageous
1. He is the First and the Last: A & Z
Your beginning and your end are in Him. The battle belongs to the Lord. He is in control
2. He Conquered Death and Came to Life
Death shall not have dominion: Where is your sting, power, O Death?
3. He Keeps a Record of Your Suffering ("I Know....")
(Ps. 56:8; Job 23:8)
4. He Keeps a Record of What You're Going to Suffer (Rev.2:10)
(Acts 9:16)
5. He Wants Us to Pass the Tests (TESTED)
Don't give up midway (Heb.10:32-39)
6. He Wants to Give Us the Crown of Life 
Second Death Can't Hurt.
7. It's His Command
(Eph.6:10)

The 7 Letters of Revelation: #1 EPHESUS: Your Affections Affect Your Destiny (Rev.2:1-7) - LOVE

You are responsible for your affections (2Cor.6:12)

7 Incredible Facts Revealed by Jesus (Rev.2:2,3)
1. You can be an active Christian and yet be a failure. (works)
2. You can be a laborious Christian and yet be a failure. (labor)
3. You can be a patient Christian and yet be a failure. (patience)
4. You can be a righteous Christian and yet be a failure. (cannot bear those who are evil)
5. You can be a wise and discerning Christian and yet be a failure. (tested those who say they are apostles...)
6. You can be a perseverant Christian and yet be a failure. (have persevered)
7. You can be a tireless Christian and yet be a failure. (have not become weary)

3 Facts About Love
1. Love is the key that opens the heart of God (Jn.14:23; 2Cor.6:12)

When God measures a man, He puts the tape around his heart - not around his head. - Guideposts

2. Love is the wall that keeps the enemy out (Song 4:12)
3. Love is the stronghold of victory already got.

Love God and do whatever you like - St. Augustine

Why Love is A Place of Victory
1. Love never fails (1Cor.13:8)
2. Love fulfills all law and prophets (Rom.13:8,10; 1Tim.1:5)
3. Love is the strongest witness of Christ (Jn.13:35)
4. Love is as strong as death (Song 8:6)
5. Love win people (even enemies) (Prov.18:19; Rom.12:20-21)
6. Love covers a multitude of sins (Prov.10:12;17:9)
7. Love activates faith (Gal.5:6)
8. Love casts away all fears (1Jn.4:18)
9. Love does no harm to neighbor (Rom.13:10)
10. Love edifies (1Cor.8:1)
11. Love is the pulse beat (sign) of eternal life (1Jn.3:15-16)
12. Love compels action (2Cor.5:14)
13. Love begets love (1Jn.4:19)
14. Love brings meaning to life (1Cor.13:1-2)

Symptoms of Love Failure
1. Love run dry - Indifference (hardened)
2. Love grown cold - Insensitivity (numbed)

8 Enemies of Love
1. Lawlessness (Matt.24:12)
2. Looking backward (Josh 23:11,12)
3. Wrong alliances (1Kg.11:2)
4. Critical attitude (Prov.15:12)
5. Annoying Acts (Prov.17:9; 25:17(
6. Desire for human honor (Jn.5:42)
7. Disobedience (Jn.14:24; 15:10)
8. Hypocrisy (Rom.12:9)

Instruction
1. Remember. Memory is important. Meditation. Prayer. Worship. (Col.3:2)
2. Repent. Walk in repentance. Humility. Brokenness. Change
3. Do. Actions Affect Affections

Sow a thought, reap an action
Sow an action, reap an habit,
Sow an habit, reap character,
Sow character, reap a destiny. - Samuel Smiles