What The Bible Says About COVID-19: Preparation Not Panic

[I will be honest up front. The Bible says absolutely nothing about coronaviruses or viruses specifically. What it does say should give people pause. It should have them reflect on themselves. The image in the mirror should startle us.]

As of March 23, 2020, at 7:15PM EST, there have been a total of 349,211 worldwide confirmed cases of this novel coronavirus with 14.790 deaths worldwide. These totals are decimating Northern Italy and spreading like a field fire driven by wind across the globe. A divine hand brushing across and earthly chessboard knocking pieces to the ground.

The virus hit the world with force when the Chinese began reporting a mysterious virus causing pneumonia-like symptoms infecting many of its citizens in Wuhan in January 2020. We now know that the novel coronavirus of 2019–2020 (COVID-19) originated in bats and jumped the species barrier into the human population (probably in a seafood market located in the Wuhan province).

When I first heard people talking about this outbreak, I was confused by everyone calling it a coronavirus because that term is a broad term to describe an entire family of viruses. The coronavirus family is known to infect a wide range of animals and humans. It includes the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s and the MERS outbreak too. This family of viruses can cause many different symptoms affecting the lungs, liver, kidneys, GI tract, and nervous tissue. COVID-19 is a respiratory infection spread by aerosol droplets.

In history, outbreaks of pandemic diseases, such as the Black Plague, Ebola or the coronavirus, have prompted many to ask why God allows or even causes pandemic diseases and whether such illnesses are a sign of the end times. The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, describes numerous occasions when God brought plagues and diseases on His people and on His enemies.

Why? Why does he allow them? There are a few reasons.

“…to make you see my power” ~Exodus 9:14

God used plagues of Egypt to force Pharaoh to free the Israelites from bondage, while sparing His people from being affected by them…

“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt ~Exodus 12:13

“If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” ~ Exodus 15:26

What we unequivocally see in these passages is God’s sovereign control over diseases, afflictions, the world and man.

God also warned His people of the consequences of disobedience, including plagues.

‘If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve.” ~Leviticus 26:21

And I will bring the sword on you to avenge the breaking of the covenant. When you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be given into enemy hands. ~Leviticus 26:25

On two occasions, God destroyed 14,700 people and 24,000 people for various acts of disobedience.

“…but 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah.” ~Numbers 16:49

“…but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000” ~Numbers 25:9

Korah was leader of a rebellion against Moses, God’s chosen. It ended poorly obviously. Had not Moses and Aaron intervened the death toll would’ve been much higher. The plague that killed 24,000 was instigated by sexual immorality and idolatry. The idolatry with the Moabite women and mixing Baal and Yahweh was vastly more of an offense than the sexual sins but either could’ve resulted in their deaths. The Israelites were a covenant people and they had en masse turned their backs on God. After giving the Mosaic Law, God commanded the people to obey it or suffer many curses, including something that sounds strikingly like modern Ebola.

“The Lord will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation . . . which will plague you until you perish” Deuteronomy 28:22.

Although it is sometimes hard to imagine a loving and merciful God displaying such wrath toward His people...few look at themselves and take honest stock of their actions. What does God ask of men? Do we obey? What are the repercussions if we don't? The Bible is redundantly clear. The wages of sin is death. There is a recourse though. He came as an infant in a manger. He lived until 30 years old. He had a profound three-year ministry. Was wrongly accused. A victim of an unjust trial. Then He was summarily executed by being crucified. God’s punishments always have the goal of repentance and restoration in mind. The suffering and death serve to point us in a specific direction. To His Son.

In COVID-19 (and other diseases) we see God using the disease, viruses or disaster to draw His people to Him. He uses plagues to bring about repentance or at least the desire to come to Him for shelter as children to their Father. Whether it be willingly or in fear. We will all turn to something for an answer. God prefers it be Him but of course many will not and new plagues will befall those that turn their back on him. Some of those plagues will be eternal.

When we look to the New Testament we see Christ on grandiose display.

Jesus healed. Where the King is so too the Kingdom. Wherever the King or Kingdom was, there was restoration back to the way things were before the Fall of Man in Genesis 3. God wants the best for us and he sent the King to do just that.

Jesus came to heal every disease and every sickness. In Mark we see the faith of the people is what healed them. Jesus also gave authority to the Apostles to do the same.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. ~ Matthew 4:23

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. Matthew 9:35

For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. Mark 3:10

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Matthew 10:1

Just as God in the Old Testament used plagues and disease to show His power so too Jesus healed as an exhibition of the same power to verify that He was indeed the same God. They were One and the Same. Trinity. Jesus gave the same power to the Disciples via the Spirit that indwelled them to validate that their ministry was from Him, from God.

So, the Bible gives us our answer. Viruses or plagues are judgment. Viruses or plagues give God the vehicle to confirm his sovereignty. He allows the viruses/plagues to illustrate his power. Does he wish people to suffer? Does he wish people to die? No. Man’s actions create the need for the reaction. Violations require judgment of injustices (sins) by a just Judge. Who better than a perfect God?

God still allows sickness for His own purposes but sometimes disease, even worldwide pandemics like COVID-19 are simply the result of living in a fallen world. A series of past events or sins culminating in a divine hammer of justice. There is no way to determine whether or not COVID-19 has a specific spiritual cause but we do know that God has sovereign control over all things as the Apostle Paul told us and that all things work out for the good of those who will love and obey Him.

“…and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28

“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” ~Romans 11:36

The spread of sicknesses like COVID-19 is a signal of pandemics and things to come. Do I believe this is the End Times? No. But we’re closer than we’ve ever been. Jesus referred to those future plagues associated with the last days. Revelation 11 refers to those days too but is much more specific. Jesus said: 

"There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven."  ~Luke 21:11

John the Revelator wrote: 

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there. But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months. And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish. ~Revelation 11:1-6

Like I said, Revelation 11 is very specific. As in clinically exact. Revelation 16 alludes to similar events in the form of seven plagues which can be construed as viruses but it’s not clear. I’m not currently seeing either as being unquestionable evidence of the imminent end of the world. Not to say I won’t though. The appearance of pandemic diseases may or may not be tied to specific judgment of sin. Only God knows which plague for what sin. I could innumerate the sins, they are manifold for mankind not the least of which are abortion, genocide and the blatant idolatry of making empirical reason and science alone god.

I am not like my fervent and zealous brethren. I will not make exacting truth statements that COVID-19 is one of the seven plagues of the angels in Revelation 16 or that this is a definitive sign that the tribulation is upon us. Scripture is not clear on this. I must be sensible about not saying COVID-19, SARs and MERS are proof that we are living in the end times. What I will say is that all these things point to something more important. Not how we should be living if God comes back soon but rather…are we living in a manner that would allow us to go home with Him if he came NOW. Did we accept the atoning sacrifice as it was foretold in Scripture?

As COVID-19 has clearly shown to 5829 people as of this moment, life is tenuous and God can cut us down at any time He chooses. COVID-19 is just another reminder in a long list of reminders in history. Are you ready?

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

How should Christians respond to COVID-19? First, chill-out. God is in control. Second, be wise. Take reasonable steps to avoid exposure to the disease and to protect and provide for your family and others. This is especially true for the elderly as COVID-19 seems to target them disproportionately. Lastly, love people and talk about their eternity since we’re all going to be around forever from this point forward in one place or the other. If you truly love those you’re talking to, you’ll prefer that they be with you in Christ. As with food and supplies we need preparation...not panic. This includes spiritual preparation. Walk boldly with a humble heart and most of all...fear not. God is still on the throne and He's still in control.