How COVID-19 Foreshadows The Apocalypse

[GISMYS_7]

Times of almost unbelievable, unique calamity are on the horizon. Nothing in all of world history will compare to what is coming in the end of days. Jesus said it plainly. “For then will be great tribulation, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21). Jesus didn’t pull any punches. No one can accuse Him of sugarcoating what lies ahead. Deception, wars and natural disasters will increase exponentially in the end of days, telegraphing the return of Christ. Jesus called these the “beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24:8b, NIV). In other words, these are the initial signs that the end is near, the beginning of the end. Many people today believe the outbreak of the coronavirus is one of these beginning contractions Jesus predicted… How COVID-19 Foreshadows the Apocalypse

Are you ready to meet Jesus in the clouds??(Rapture)

 

[Randy Kluth]

Times of almost unbelievable, unique calamity are on the horizon. Nothing in all of world history will compare to what is coming in the end of days. Jesus said it plainly. “For then will be great tribulation, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21). Jesus didn’t pull any punches. No one can accuse Him of sugarcoating what lies ahead. Deception, wars and natural disasters will increase exponentially in the end of days, telegraphing the return of Christ. Jesus called these the “beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24:8b, NIV). In other words, these are the initial signs that the end is near, the beginning of the end. Many people today believe the outbreak of the coronavirus is one of these beginning contractions Jesus predicted… How COVID-19 Foreshadows the Apocalypse

Are you ready to meet Jesus in the clouds??(Rapture)

My view is that the Great Tribulation began with Jewish Judgment in 70 AD during the Roman Empire. Jesus said this Great Distress for the Jews would last until the end of the age, at which time he would return.

Therefore, things were very bad for Christian Jews back then, when their nation fell and also when they were persecuted both by their fellow Jews and by pagan Romans. So the Great Tribulation is nothing new. It comes and goes all through history. The Holocaust was horrible for the Jews in WW2. And Christians suffered horribly in ancient Rome, as well as in various pagan countries all through history.

That being said I agree that the final tribulations of the age will be as bad if not worse. I know you think the Church will be delivered out of this time period, but I respectfully disagree. The book of Revelation was written to the Church to encourage it to testify to the end, in good times and in bad times. It was written for those in the Roman Empire who would die for their faith or suffer persecution, and it was written for us at the end of the ages, who continue to testify in distressful times. Be encouraged to continue testifying to the truth, whatever your view on biblical eschatology.

 

[Joseph77]

My view is that the Great Tribulation began with Jewish Judgment in 70 AD during the Roman Empire. Jesus said this Great Distress for the Jews would last until the end of the age, at which time he would return.

Good point.
Corrie ten Boom tried long years and messages to congregations to alert them to this fact - that most believers on earth (80% from her observations of it happening)
are (already 50 years ago during her life) going through tribulation.
Also note, the Apostles also though Jesus would return in their lifetime - and they were not only taught by Jesus,
but also walked in union with Jesus and with the Father after Jesus ascended,
and Jesus and the Father never told them to think otherwise !
(so all that was prophesied was possibly fulfilled as Jesus said, before the end of the Apostles lifetimes ) i.e. the false myths and stories and fables that were on purpose developed hundreds of years after the Apostles deaths, concerning the so-called prophesies needing to be fulfilled and how they would be , and the end days, and raptures and so forth, have been deceiving billions of souls for many generations.

 

[dev553344]

If the corona virus is a sign of end of days, then what was the influenza outbreak of 1918?

 

[Joseph77]

If the corona virus is a sign of end of days, then what was the influenza outbreak of 1918?

? What did Jesus say about famines, disease and so forth ?

The outbreaks in the past, viral and bacterial, were not harmful to those who knew what to do.

Same today - so why is there such a huge cover-up !?

 

[amadeus]

Are you ready to meet Jesus in the clouds?

If we have already met Jesus and we are walking with Him being led always by the Holy Spirit now, is there a need for concern about after a while or tomorrow?

"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Rom 8:13-14

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matt 6:34

 

[Joseph77]

If we have already met Jesus and we are walking with Him being led always by the Holy Spirit now, is there a need for concern about after a while or tomorrow?

Many think so.....
Multitudes find out though (bcause they listened to the wrong Jesus, the wrong voice) >>
Matthew 25:44 And they too will reply, 'Lord, when did we ...
www.biblehub.com/matthew/25-44.htm
… 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' 44 And they too will reply, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' 45 Then the King will answer, 'Truly I tell you ...

 

[Randy Kluth]

If the corona virus is a sign of end of days, then what was the influenza outbreak of 1918?

It's a legitimate question, but there is an easy answer. God's judgment has never stopped--not since the Fall of Man. God judges every individual and nation in every generation. It is simply thought that God is not judging because wicked people get away with so much. And that's because in the present age of Grace, God shows great patience with men, giving them time to hear the truth, reason through it, and make a choice for or against His righteousness.

But judgment does catch up with everyone, sooner or later. I'm careful to say that not everything that happens is judgment for everybody. Many suffer innocently simply because they live in this fallen world where sinners abound and bring upon the whole world all kinds of judgments and ills from God The innocent are destined to suffer for awhile, just as Jesus had to suffer to come here and die for us, to give us the message of new life.

There is no debate in my mind that the coronavirus is a major judgment from God. Even so, it is also a warning to many, because God is not pouring out a complete judgment.

It's like an earthquake out in the desert or under the sea. Some activity is simply God stirring up forces within the earth that will come out as volcanoes, or earthquakes, etc. Sometimes they are intended to miss targets, because they are warnings to mankind of the fragility of life and of their dependence on God.

Sometimes God strikes directly at a target, whether Los Angeles, when an earthquake hit directly where a porn industry was located, or casinos, when Katrina hit and other storms hit New Jersey, or the present epidemic striking liberal cities like LA, Seattle, and New York. These things are no accident.

And as Christian society steadily backslides to ever greater depths of depravity, expect more "direct hits!"

 

[Randy Kluth]

Good point.
Corrie ten Boom tried long years and messages to congregations to alert them to this fact - that most believers on earth (80% from her observations of it happening)
are (already 50 years ago during her life) going through tribulation.
Also note, the Apostles also though Jesus would return in their lifetime - and they were not only taught by Jesus,
but also walked in union with Jesus and with the Father after Jesus ascended,
and Jesus and the Father never told them to think otherwise !
(so all that was prophesied was possibly fulfilled as Jesus said, before the end of the Apostles lifetimes ) i.e. the false myths and stories and fables that were on purpose developed hundreds of years after the Apostles deaths, concerning the so-called prophesies needing to be fulfilled and how they would be , and the end days, and raptures and so forth, have been deceiving billions of souls for many generations.

I'm not sure we're on the same page on all this? We definitely agree that Corrie ten Boom was a wonderful lady who was concerned to warn believers about the lie of Pretribulationism!

But then you think that the Apostles thought Jesus' return was imminent? They may or may not--I actually don't believe they did. Jesus said his Coming was soon, and the Apostles echoed that sentiment. But you have to understand what Jesus meant by that!

Jesus meant that the next great event in Roman Civilization would be the Kingdom of Christ. Roman Civilization put Jesus to death, and that same Civilization, even though it became Christian, would suffer judgment. It is on the horizon, just beyond, where Roman Civilization ends and the Millennium begins. Daniel described it as a "4th Kingdom," which would lead up to the Antichrist.

None of this meant that Jesus could come "at any time." None of this meant the Apostles expected Jesus would come in their generation, or before the revelation of Antichrist. Indeed, all evidence points to their belief that Christ would only come *to destroy Antichrist,* and not before his revelation!

In fact, Jesus said, in his Olivet Discourse, that the Jewish People would be carried off into all nations, in a long Dispersion, before he would come back to restore them. The Apostles could not have thought a great exile of the Jewish People could take place in a single generation! Previous dispersions, like the Babylonian Exile, took 70 years!

It is for this reason that we were given the book of Revelation, through the Apostle John, so we would be forewarned that tribulations and deceivers in this age would confront us *before* the coming of Christ's Kingdom. This is just what the Apostle Paul said in 2 Thes 2, that Christ would not come back for his Church unless the revelation of Antichrist takes place first.

So we need to be prepared to face trouble in every generation, and recognize the deceptions when they occur. We will have to face those lies, and also be prepared to help others out of those lies. Those who promise a "quick fix" in this age are liars. The Kingdom of Christ remains *future!*

What we can have, however, is salvation, and power to witness in this age. We need to show that righteousness can overcome our sin nature, so that all may be offered repentance. Offering eternal life to all men is our job today!

 

[Joseph77]

I'm not sure we're on the same page on all this?

Perhaps some reminders of what is written may help ?
Compliments of Mr. Hopper who compiled these in one place >>>>
(subject of course to context/ verifying/ testing )
>>>
JOHN WROTE THAT JESUS IS COMING SOON

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly (en tachos – lit.: in speed, usages: quickly, shortly, soon, speedily) come to pass.” – Rev. 1:1

“Blessed is he that reads . . . hears . . . and keeps the things written (in this prophecy), for the time is at hand.” (eggus – near, of place or position). – Rev. 1:3

“The world is passing away . . . it is the last hour (eschatos ) . . . Even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.” – 1 Jn. 2:17-18

THE ANGEL WHO SPOKE TO JOHN SHOWED HIM WHAT WOULD HAPPEN SOON

“The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” (en tachos – quickly) – Rev. 22:6

PAUL EXORTED THEM TO GODLY LIVING BECAUSE THEIR TIME WAS SHORT

“The time is short (sustello – to draw together, hence, to wrap up), from now on it would be wise for those who have wives to be as if they had them not.” – 1 Cor. 7:29

“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” – Rom. 13:11-12

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” – Rom. 16:20

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” – 1 Cor. 10:11

THE WRITER OF HEBREWS ENCOURAGED PERSEVERANCE BECAUSE JESUS WOULD NOT DELAY HIS COMING

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching. . . . You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.”” – Heb. 10:25,36-37

JAMES WROTE THE SECOND COMING WAS IMMINENT

“The coming of the Lord is at hand . . . the Judge is standing right at the door” – 5:8,9

PETER WROTE THAT THEY WERE IN THE LAST DAYS AND IT WAS TIME FOR JUDGMENT TO BEGIN

“Christ was manifest in these last times.” (eschatos – extreme, last in time, place, or space) – 1 Pet. 1:20

“The end of all things is at hand.” (eggizo – to come or bring near, to join one thing to another, to approach) – 1 Pet. 4:7

“It is time for judgment to begin.” – 1 Pet. 4:17

 

[historyb]

If the corona virus is a sign of end of days, then what was the influenza outbreak of 1918?

Exactly or even more the Black death which wiped out over half of Europe. Sure we see everything that happens to us now as the end but in reality there are things that went on before we existed that was far, far worse. I am probably one of the strange ones that don't believe this is any judgement nor the end.

 

[justbyfaith]

If we have already met Jesus and we are walking with Him being led always by the Holy Spirit now, is there a need for concern about after a while or tomorrow?

"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Rom 8:13-14

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matt 6:34

If you have already met Jesus and are walking with Him, you are ready to meet Him in the clouds; and there is no need for concern.

The concept of concern over such a thing wouldn't even cross your mind...you would be looking forward to the event with joy and anticipation.

 

[justbyfaith]

I do believe that Revelation 3:10 is clear on a pre-tribulation rapture for those in Philadelphia who keep the word of His patience.

Others may in fact be left behind.

 

[Randy Kluth]

Perhaps some reminders of what is written may help ?
Compliments of Mr. Hopper who compiled these in one place >>>>
(subject of course to context/ verifying/ testing )
>>>
JOHN WROTE THAT JESUS IS COMING SOON

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly (en tachos – lit.: in speed, usages: quickly, shortly, soon, speedily) come to pass.” – Rev. 1:1

“Blessed is he that reads . . . hears . . . and keeps the things written (in this prophecy), for the time is at hand.” (eggus – near, of place or position). – Rev. 1:3

“The world is passing away . . . it is the last hour (eschatos ) . . . Even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.” – 1 Jn. 2:17-18

THE ANGEL WHO SPOKE TO JOHN SHOWED HIM WHAT WOULD HAPPEN SOON

“The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” (en tachos – quickly) – Rev. 22:6

PAUL EXORTED THEM TO GODLY LIVING BECAUSE THEIR TIME WAS SHORT

“The time is short (sustello – to draw together, hence, to wrap up), from now on it would be wise for those who have wives to be as if they had them not.” – 1 Cor. 7:29

“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” – Rom. 13:11-12

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” – Rom. 16:20

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” – 1 Cor. 10:11

THE WRITER OF HEBREWS ENCOURAGED PERSEVERANCE BECAUSE JESUS WOULD NOT DELAY HIS COMING

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching. . . . You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.”” – Heb. 10:25,36-37

JAMES WROTE THE SECOND COMING WAS IMMINENT

“The coming of the Lord is at hand . . . the Judge is standing right at the door” – 5:8,9

PETER WROTE THAT THEY WERE IN THE LAST DAYS AND IT WAS TIME FOR JUDGMENT TO BEGIN

“Christ was manifest in these last times.” (eschatos – extreme, last in time, place, or space) – 1 Pet. 1:20

“The end of all things is at hand.” (eggizo – to come or bring near, to join one thing to another, to approach) – 1 Pet. 4:7

“It is time for judgment to begin.” – 1 Pet. 4:17

As I said, it depends on what your definition of "imminency" is. Pretribulationists use it to prove the Early Church believed Christ could come "at any moment." This means that Christ can come *before* the Antichrist arrives. This means that no future prophecy has to be fulfilled before Christ can return.

This is false, and I'm not sure if that's the kind of "imminency" you're talking about? Christ is coming back soon to *judge the world*--not to secretly appear only to believers, to rapture them to heaven, to leave others in the terrors of a great tribulation and facing an evil Antichrist.

 

[GISMYS_7]

My view is that the Great Tribulation began with Jewish Judgment in 70 AD during the Roman Empire. Jesus said this Great Distress for the Jews would last until the end of the age, at which time he would return.

Therefore, things were very bad for Christian Jews back then, when their nation fell and also when they were persecuted both by their fellow Jews and by pagan Romans. So the Great Tribulation is nothing new. It comes and goes all through history. The Holocaust was horrible for the Jews in WW2. And Christians suffered horribly in ancient Rome, as well as in various pagan countries all through history.

That being said I agree that the final tribulations of the age will be as bad if not worse. I know you think the Church will be delivered out of this time period, but I respectfully disagree. The book of Revelation was written to the Church to encourage it to testify to the end, in good times and in bad times. It was written for those in the Roman Empire who would die for their faith or suffer persecution, and it was written for us at the end of the ages, who continue to testify in distressful times. Be encouraged to continue testifying to the truth, whatever your view on biblical eschatology.

Read all about the last days great tribulation judgments in the book of Revelation===70AD =no comparison!!

 

[GISMYS_7]

As I said, it depends on what your definition of "imminency" is. Pretribulationists use it to prove the Early Church believed Christ could come "at any moment." This means that Christ can come *before* the Antichrist arrives. This means that no future prophecy has to be fulfilled before Christ can return.

This is false, and I'm not sure if that's the kind of "imminency" you're talking about? Christ is coming back soon to *judge the world*--not to secretly appear only to believers, to rapture them to heaven, to leave others in the terrors of a great tribulation and facing an evil Antichrist.

The catching up (rapture) is NOT the same event as the return of Jesus to earth to set up His kingdom!

 

[historyb]

So you think "things which shortly come to pass" means 2000 plus years later?

 

[Randy Kluth]

The catching up (rapture) is NOT the same event as the return of Jesus to earth to set up His kingdom!

Yea, I do understand your position. The main thought is that God has not determined to bring His wrath upon the Church, right?

 

[Randy Kluth]

Read all about the last days great tribulation judgments in the book of Revelation===70AD =no comparison!!

Well, I actually believe Jesus described the Great Tribulation of the Jews as being the worst in history because it is the *longest* punishment the Jews have ever experience, dwarfing the 70 year Babylonian Captivity. Throughout the 2000 years of Jewish abandonment by God they have experienced untold evils from wicked men. Nothing happening at the end of the age will dwarf that, in my view. But I understand--judgments coming upon mankind for a final apostasy will be bad.

 

[GISMYS_7]

Well, I actually believe Jesus described the Great Tribulation of the Jews as being the worst in history because it is the *longest* punishment the Jews have ever experience, dwarfing the 70 year Babylonian Captivity. Throughout the 2000 years of Jewish abandonment by God they have experienced untold evils from wicked men. Nothing happening at the end of the age will dwarf that, in my view. But I understand--judgments coming upon mankind for a final apostasy will be bad.

1000 times as bad!!!