The deadly march of the coronavirus has sparked panic in
many countries across the world, with some believers saying it is a sign of the
End Times.
Covid-19 is a pandemic that is unlike anything else seen before and has forced
entire nations to go into complete lockdown in a bid to curb its deadly
assault.
Already, the virus has infected more than 200,000 and killed a massive 16,610
within the four months since it first appeared in China.
The drastic measures taken by nations and the alarming death rate has led
numerous Christians to question whether we are living in the End Times, and
point to passages in the Bible as proof.
One of the more popular beliefs among some Christians is that the coronavirus
is evidence the first Horseman of the Apocalypse has started to ride.
In the Bible, John the Apostle wrote in Revelation 6: “They (the Four Horsemen)
were given authority over a quarter of the Earth, to kill with the sword, and
with famine, and with death, and by means of Earth’s wild animals.”
In numerous interpretations of the Bible, the first horseman is known as
Pestilence – and is associated with disease and plague.
But, the Bible is actually very specific about what will happen before the End
Times are triggered, namely that the great temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt
– something that has not happened yet.
Despite this, many Christians took to social media and chat groups, believing
that the coronavirus crisis is a one of the natural disasters that, according
to them, signify the end of days.
One Christian said on social media: “It’s mad how two of the Four Horsemen of
the Apocalypse can already be seen this year.
“War: America’s feud with Iran and Pestilence: Coronavirus outbreak.”
Another believer posted: “Global food shortages coming to an all-time high
famine. Coronavirus – Pestilence. US- Iran air strikes and standoff – War. Kobe
and also tons of other people – Death.
“We really do be living in the rapture.”
But, many other Christians and pastors are not buying into the hype of some of
their fellow believers – with Bible experts claiming they have not understood
the sacred text.
Jeff Kinley, who has written books on Biblical prophecy, told MSN News: “If a
person were just completely ignorant about what the Bible says about the End
Times, they may think this right now. This is it.”
He then pointed to Jesus’s own words in Luke 21:11, which said: “There will be
great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful
events and great signs from heaven.”
Mr Kinley said of this passage: “I think he’s referring to a future time. I
don’t think this is an actual fulfilment of that.”
Of course, scientists take a starkly different view and have pointed to the
origins of the virus as coming from a Chinese wet market where live animals are
slaughtered and sold on site – something that can easily cause disease spread.
And, as the virus continues to rapidly spread, scientists are racing to develop
a vaccine to finally put an end to the epidemic.
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