As I write this, the world is in the midst of a pandemic. The corona virus Covid-19 has spread throughout the world and although the survival rate is more than 90%, the enormity of the situation has placed a strain on medical facilities and caused a shortage of personal protection equipment, disinfectant, ventilators and medical personnel. Since the virus is extremely contagious and can live for hours on surfaces, we have all been told to keep our distance from one another and to stay in our homes if possible. All these measures are recommended to help stop the spread of the virus while researches search for a vaccine to stop the virus.
Never in the history of the world has the entire world been stopped in its tracks like it is right now. Very few people are traveling, many have lost their jobs, small businesses have closed their doors, all sporting events have been cancelled and large gatherings of any type are not taking place.
As a Christian, I'm not fearful of getting Covid-19, but I am pondering what I should be doing at "such a time as this". With the technology we now have, the world is more connected than ever before. So many people are sharing their gifts and talents through the internet and on social media and it is amazing to behold.
As I have been praying and seeking direction from God, I can help but focus on the fact that I am living in the end of days which was prophecied in God's Word. What a blessing it is to be alive to witness the words of Jesus coming to fruition.
Mark 13:5-10 (Amplified version)
Jesus began to say to them, “Be careful and see to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name (misusing My name or claiming to be the Messiah), saying, ‘I am He!’ and will deceive and mislead many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed (frightened, troubled); these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These things are the beginning of the birth pangs (the intolerable anguish and suffering).
“But be on your guard; they will turn you over to courts, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand (as accused) before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. The gospel (that is, the good news regarding the way of salvation) must first be preached to all the (Gentile) nations.
Mark 13:29-37
Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, know (for certain) that He is near, right at the door. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation (the people living when these signs and events begin) will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth (as now known) will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that (exact) day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son (in His humanity), but the Father alone. “Be on guard and stay constantly alert (and pray); for you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man away on a journey, who when he left home put his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and also ordered the doorkeeper to be continually alert. Therefore, be continually on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— (stay alert,) in case he should come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep and unprepared. What I say to you I say to everyone, ‘Be on the alert (stay awake and be continually cautious)!’”
As Christians during this particular point in history, our work for God's kingdom continues as we have been told to preach the gospel to all nations and we just have to be faithful, obedient and watchful. We know that God has the entire universe under His control and He knows everything that is happening. None of this is a surprise to our great God. Therefore, we can just trust in Him to work out His plan for the world.
Never in the history of the world has the entire world been stopped in its tracks like it is right now. Very few people are traveling, many have lost their jobs, small businesses have closed their doors, all sporting events have been cancelled and large gatherings of any type are not taking place.
As a Christian, I'm not fearful of getting Covid-19, but I am pondering what I should be doing at "such a time as this". With the technology we now have, the world is more connected than ever before. So many people are sharing their gifts and talents through the internet and on social media and it is amazing to behold.
As I have been praying and seeking direction from God, I can help but focus on the fact that I am living in the end of days which was prophecied in God's Word. What a blessing it is to be alive to witness the words of Jesus coming to fruition.
Mark 13:5-10 (Amplified version)
Jesus began to say to them, “Be careful and see to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name (misusing My name or claiming to be the Messiah), saying, ‘I am He!’ and will deceive and mislead many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed (frightened, troubled); these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These things are the beginning of the birth pangs (the intolerable anguish and suffering).
“But be on your guard; they will turn you over to courts, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand (as accused) before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. The gospel (that is, the good news regarding the way of salvation) must first be preached to all the (Gentile) nations.
Mark 13:29-37
Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, know (for certain) that He is near, right at the door. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation (the people living when these signs and events begin) will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth (as now known) will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that (exact) day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son (in His humanity), but the Father alone. “Be on guard and stay constantly alert (and pray); for you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man away on a journey, who when he left home put his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and also ordered the doorkeeper to be continually alert. Therefore, be continually on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— (stay alert,) in case he should come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep and unprepared. What I say to you I say to everyone, ‘Be on the alert (stay awake and be continually cautious)!’”
As Christians during this particular point in history, our work for God's kingdom continues as we have been told to preach the gospel to all nations and we just have to be faithful, obedient and watchful. We know that God has the entire universe under His control and He knows everything that is happening. None of this is a surprise to our great God. Therefore, we can just trust in Him to work out His plan for the world.
