What does the Bible say about pandemic diseases? Is this a sign of the Second Coming of Christ?
Jesus was asked by the Pharisees and Sadducees to show them a sign. He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away”. (Matthew 16:2-4)
The Old Testament gives an account on several occasions when God brought certain diseases or plagues on His people and on His enemies “to show in you my power” (Exodus 9:14, 16). God used plagues to deliver the enslaved Jews from their Egyptian overlords. Pharaoh was forced to free the Israelites from slavery by the plagues God struck on the Egyptians, to show them that He is a sovereign God.
Even God’s people are brought to experience God’s punishments of natural disasters, droughts, famine, calamities, pestilences or plagues—to draw His people to Himself.
God called King David “the man after God’s own heart.” But the consequences of David’s sins didn’t only impact his family. David proudly counted his army, defying God’s strict warning to humbly trust Him. So, David had three punishments from which to choose to pay for his pride: three years of famine, three months of defeat from enemies, or three days of plague. (2 Samuel 24:13).
Or He might just remove His hand of protection and allow the enemy to bring certain diseases upon people. God permitted Satan to inflict disease upon Job so that He could reveal His majesty and power Himself to His faithful servant (Job 42).
All these have the purpose of drawing the attention of God’s children to repentance and restoration.
However, Jesus Jesus describes End Time events in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Here’s what Jesus said will be part of the signs of the times in (Luke 21:11) “There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven”. The word translated “pestilence” is often translated as “plague” or “disaster” in new versions of the English Bible.
Therefore diseases and certain pandemics such as coronavirus is expected in our world during the last days (as in Rev. 18:4-8). God will also pour out plagues during the Tribulation to bring God-rejecters to faith in Christ.
God calls us to pray. “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.
God even spared the people of Ninevah when they repented, fasted, and prayed in the days of Jonah.
Do you believe God is warning us?
