A CURE FOR A VIRUS DEADLIER THAN CORONA VIRUS!!!
Not a nano second seems to pass in all forms of media nowadays without we being updated about the rising number of infections and casualities on account of deadly Corona Virus. Even as I began preparing this message, the News of a Celeb like Prince Charles having tested positive for this lethal virus trickled down. And to think in his social interaction, he had been as cautious as possible replacing handshakes with Indian style Namaste whilst greeting dignitaries of other Nations!!! By the time, I was concluding this message, the News of Boris Johnson, the British PM having been infected was “in the air”. From a pauper to a prince, from a person down in the dumps economically in some remote corner of this World to a distinguished National leader residing in the famous Downing Street, London this virus seems to be in no mood of sparing anyone!!! For a layman, a chill would run across his spine when the chilling truth sinks in that all people (irrespective of their Societal status) are becoming victims of the “predatory instincts” of this contagious disease!!!
At this time of universal crisis when many aspects of every earthling is being affected-be it social, physical, emotional or financial-apart from doing all that is socially correct like strictly adhering to Government-framed rules (aimed at curbing the spread of this disease), are there any spiritual lessons’ for us to be learned. Plenty, if you ask me…
In this Message with sub-headings beginning with “Cs’ ” (What else?), Yours Truly aims to focus on a virus which is far more deadly than Corona virus and that Ladies and Gentlemen is Sin (for all other disease-causing viruses originated from it)!!! Of course, we would also -most importantly at that- focus upon its cure too!!!
Another reason for stating that sin is far more lethal than Corona virus is that
a) Covid-19 (another name for this “Chinese” virus) can merely kill the body (one Bible dictionary defines Death due to natural causes like old age, illness etc as “First death” which connotes separation of the spirit from its dwelling place…i,e…the body- Gen 2:17) whereas sin in contrast kills not only body but also permanently separates a person’s spirit (his real self) from its Creator God leading to a far more excruciating “Second death” (read damnation into Hell- Rev 2:11).
b) Covid-19 virus is not transmitted from a mother to a child (recent studies have substantiated this point) whereas sin gets transmitted from parents to their offspring
Before zeroing in on the main cause of sin and the solution for it, firstly let us cast spotlight on a Scripture portion (Rom 8:19-23 TLB) which gives one a glimpse of the situation prevalent in the contemporary world and the glorious future. The scenario may appear apparently tragic but it is tailor-made (an offshoot of our Heavenly Father’s infinite wisdom) to fashion us into a Christ-like image after our one regeneration (Rom 5:3-4) besides making us pine for a better world known as Heaven.
For all creation is waiting patiently and hopefully for that future day when God will resurrect his children. For on that day thorns and thistles, sin, death, and decay—the things that overcame the world against its will at God’s command—will all disappear, and the world around us will share in the glorious freedom from sin which God’s children enjoy.
For we know that even the things of nature, like animals and plants, suffer in sickness and death as they await this great event. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us—bodies that will never be sick again and will never die- Romans 8:19-23
Now let’s draw comparisons between the deadly Corona virus and a far more lethal virus Sin besides exploring the available remedies for them.
Cause and Cue…
You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you-Ezekiel 28:14-15
There is no doubt as to where Corona virus originated. Even a First grader would tell us that it all emanated from Wuhan in China. The cause behind it all!? The jury is still out at the moment. Can we attribute this colossal tragedy to Chinese weird dietary habits in stark violation of the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 11) or any botched experiment with some diabolical Bio-weapon which went awry at some stage? Or was any Communist ideology-driven, horrific business strategy aimed at becoming Global economic power steeped in commercialism devoid of any humanity hatched by the Chinese Government (unthinkable as it is, some are leaning towards this hypothesis) the cause behind this Global tragedy? Time alone would give us the right answer. Now as regards Sin, what about its place of origin and the cause behind it all!!! No complexity here please!!!
After the Almighty God through His Eternal Son created the Heavens -with angels in a certain hierarchical system therein as His subjects-and the Earth (Col 1:16), for some time in the Cosmos there was perfect order. However one day (none of us exactly know “when”-Deu 29:29) as the above Scripture affirms and the following Scripture underscores…
You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God, I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north; will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High, But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit-Isa 14:12-15
…there was rebellion by an archangel who lusted for God’s throne (we see sins of lust of the eyes and pride of life in his rebellion) resulting in his fall from God’s Grace. No excuse whatsoever is there for this tragic, far-reaching rebellion of the Devil. The Creation which ultimately owes its very existence to the Creator needs to be subject to the Good Creator rather than being independent of Him!!!Oh, how much is our Heavenly Father’s joy linked to our act of being subject to Him!!! Ah…now we come to the crux of the matter. Sin unwrapped of all its fanciful trappings is the exact opposite of humble subjection to the Creator… in other words it is all about acting independent of the Creator God without being humbly subject to Him at once resulting in the loss of right relationship (read righteousness) with Him. This act of coming out of humble subjection is invariably intertwined with pursuance of an “apparent benefit” (not a benefit at all per se…greatest benefit lies in being humbly subject to the Creator’s will) which matters more to the Sinner (in Satan’s case it was about sitting in God’s throne) at that tragic moment than the right relationship with the Creator who rejoices in seeing His precious creation being subject to Him and grieves at the rejection of His authority. The invisible cue or the “prompter” behind this act of coming out of humble subjectivity causing grief to the Creator in other words is called Pride-the bane of the Devil.
If any one of us are reasoning that Sin originated in the Garden of Eden, it is time we revise our opinion. It began in the Heavenly realm before the Creation of the Garden of Eden with the culprit behind its origin being the Satan and his innate, invisible prompter behind it all being pride.
Contaminate and Consequences…
If Corona virus having originated from Wuhan in China spread in Wuhan first taking a heavy toll therein before spreading throughout the Globe, then Sin which began in the Heavenly realm initially started spreading there (1/3rd of the angels sadly joined the Satan’s rebellion-Rev 12:4) besides later spreading its wicked tentacles into the pristine Garden of Eden where now dwelt precious innocent children of God.
Even the first sin in the Garden of Eden was not committed by our First Parents but by the Devil Himself when he “hissed” the first lie therein …”Thou shalt not die (when you eat the forbidden fruit-Gen 3:4)”. No wonder, he is called the Father of all lies by our Saviour Himself (John 8:44).
What happened in the Garden of Eden when the first temptation came the way of our First Progenitors is now a sad, sad history albeit not without hope of redemption. It in fact replicated Devil’s original sin of the Heavenly realm in that our First parents cast aside the “blessed yoke” of humble subjection to God’s Will not caring a hoot for the right relationship with Him in the process. For them the “the apparent benefits” which would accrue out of stepping outside God’s domain of instructions mattered more than His joy of they remaining within them. Consequent to Satan projecting the “apparent benefits” to Eve, in her action of disobedience to the Divine instructions which was nothing but lawlessness (John 3:4) she proudly proclaimed her “independence of God” not so much with her lips as by her willful actions. The following mega sins’ (1 John 2:16/Gen 3:6) were all exemplified in her action of disobedience revolving around “a Tree of knowledge” located incidentally in the Centre of the then known World to her and her husband (read Garden of Eden-Gen 2:9/3:3), as it were
a) Lust of the flesh-Tree was good for food
b) Lust of the eyes-Tree was a delight to the eyes
c) Pride of life-Tree would make her equal to God in knowing right and wrong
While Corona virus does not get transmitted from a parent to an offspring (I reiterate that studies have underscored this point), the far more deadly virus-Sin-gets transmitted from parent to a child. Courtesy the disobedience of our First Parents signaling the advent of Sin into Mankind, the tragic consequence is…all of us are born as sinners (Rom 3:23, 5:12) with the inherent independent rebellious sinful spirit giving us no desire whatsoever to live lives of humble subjection to the Creator to whom we owe our very existence. That very thought of being humbly subject to the Creator’s will is totally alien to us from birth. Nobody (neither our parents nor our school teachers’ in kinder garden) teaches how to tell a lie but we pick-up this lawless trait “naturally” or for that matter trait of disobeying our parent’s simple instructions comes “naturally” to us much in the manner our First Progenitors’ disobeyed their Heavenly Father’s instructions. Want proof??? Ask any young and “innocent” Dennis the menace, as to why so very frequently, he finds himself (sic) in the rocking chair in a room’s corner!!! Hey, I am missing my Newspaper comic strips…for that matter my favourite “Morninger” itself in these days when even its distribution (its “harmless” pages can carry the “harmful” virus claim the virologists) seems to have been put in abeyance. Nothing quite like flipping through the pages of one’s favourite News carrier rather than poring over its digital version in a Smartphone (sob)!!!
Counter and Cure…
As of now, an effective vaccine is yet to be found for neutralizing “the deadly venom” of the Corona virus (let’s hope and pray it is discovered at the earliest), but at the Tree of Calvary-the vaccine- which is the shed blood of our Saviour Christ was “found” for neutralizing the far more lethal venom of Sin as the following Scripture portion testifies…
…and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross-Col 1:20
In an amazing counter, 4000 years after Satan had contaminated the Earth using “Tree of knowledge” whilst making Eve disobey her Heavenly Father (and through her Adam also disobedient -1 Tim 2:14), our Heavenly Father turned the tables around on the original Sinner. Our Faithful Eternal benefactor (who would always steadfastly love His children in accordance with His Covenantal relationship with them) would use the very Seed of Eve (Gen 3:15, Gal 4:4) to crush the head of the great, ancient Serpent (Satan-Rev 12:9)… by virtue of that “Seed’s” total obedience revolving around “a Tree of Foolishness” (1 Cor 1:18) in contrast!!! Hey…this “Salvation bearing Tree” was “planted” in the Centre of Planet Earth (Mount Golgatha in Jerusalem is a part of the middle portion of the Planet Earth-Eze 5:5) just as the One of Knowledge was in the centre of the Garden of Eden. Ah… in contrast to the alluring Tree in the centre of Garden of Eden which was a delight to the eyes of Eve, this Tree (read the Cross) was anything but a delight to the eyes of the Seed of Eve. Also its “fruit” of immeasurable suffering did not appeal in any way to Him but still He partook of it in humble obedience to His Father’s will (John 6:38/Mark 14:35-36/John 14:30).
If sin brought death to mankind contaminating our very life source- the blood in us-then Jesus who is the Life (John 14:6/1 John 1:2) shed the blood which is His life to virtually transfuse that pure, cleansing blood into all those sin-infected ones’ who accept Him as the Saviour completely regenerating them in the process as this Scripture portion declares…
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!-2 Cor 5:17
The proof of the pudding is in the eating thereof!!! Like countless Christians before and after me would testify, I too would herald from roof-tops nay mountain tops that on 16th Oct, 1983 when I accepted Him as my personal Saviour, I tasted this transcendental experience myself!!! The following Scripture portion also symbolically substantiates this truth…
“for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the LORD. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life that makes purification possible.”-Lev 17:11
Following my “Born again” experience, I became a more responsible individual (much to the relief of my worried parents’), took my studies more seriously and was eventually blessed with a challenging job in the marketing sector of IBP Co. Ltd (a Public Sector reputed Petroleum Company under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas of the Government of India). After a 13 year stint therein, when the good Lord called me to full-time spiritual work (this too is a great blessing), special grace was given unto me to come out of my “comfort zone”. Anyone who has tasted Christ would not allow anything to come between him and his Saviour. Any hesitancy on my part in answering the Lord’s call for full-time spiritual Ministry would have meant that I am giving greater importance to the “gift” (a lucrative job guaranteeing good social status) rather than to the “Giver of the gift”. Why I brought this interlude Dear Friends, is to bring forth a truth. Anyone who reveres the Lord to the extent of being willing to do anything for Him would state the truth and nothing but the truth especially when he is called to be his Savior’s mouthpiece. So Dear Friends (especially those who are not regular Church goers’ and those outside of Christian faith), you can count on me to tell the truth even as I am representing Truth Himself (John 14:6).
Now coming back to the subject...in the context of Christ’s blood being the “vaccine” for the virus of sin, while Col 1:20 can be applied to any Christian’s life at the point of his regeneration ( “justification” in the Christian doctrinal parlance), the following Scripture portions allied to acts of repentance on “falling” whilst walking as a Christian applies to all God’s children in their “Pilgrims’ progress” (thanks John Bunyan) towards their eternal destination (Heaven)…for there are bound to be some slip-ups’ and subsequent revivals’ borne out of sincere repentance in any Christian’s life in that “ethereal journey” (“progressive sanctification” in the Christian doctrinal parlance)…
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin-1 John 1:7
My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous-1 John 2:1
Costly and Centerpiece…
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God-1 Peter 1:18-19
To what extent, a person infected and dying with Corona virus would go to get hold of the medicine which would cure him instantly? No prizes for guessing… he would be willing to pay any price for it.
Amazing thing when it comes to salvation from sin is, one need not pay any price for it. Oh, it is given free of cost (that is why amongst other reasons it is also called the “great” salvation-Heb 2:3) to anyone who comes to the Almighty with a sincere and a contrite heart (Psa 51:16-17) willing to personally appropriate Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross in his life (Acts 2:37-38/Rom 10:9-10).
Just as any dying Corona virus patient would immediately consume a curative medicine given to him to escape the imminent death, urgency in repentance of a sinner would be set in motion only when a sinner is able to see -figuratively speaking- what is staring at him….the eternal death!!! Without that God inspired conviction, no genuine repentance is possible. When I repented on Oct 16th, 1983 I virtually breathed into my nostrils some of the “smoke coming out of the hell-fire” (so close was I to the “gates of Hell”/ Condemnation)!!! Say Dear Reader, have you tasted the joy of your sins being forgiven, otherwise do not delay…utter this prayer sincerely without any delay whatsoever even as Lord’s Holy Spirit is convicting you…
Father in Heaven, I confess I am a sinner by birth…I believe that You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to die on my behalf on the Cross as per the Scriptures. I also believe that as per the Scriptures after His death on the Cross, Jesus rose from the dead. Forgive my sins, cleanse my heart with blood of Jesus, accept me as Your child and write my name in the Book of Life. Fill my heart with Your Heavenly joy and peace as a proof of the fact that You have given me a new life. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen
I urge you once again to say this prayer and experience for yourself a joyous, Christ-centred life from then on. From now on, you would have the inner power of His indwelling Spirit (1 John 4:4) to say “NO” to your erstwhile pleasure-seeking desires and say “Yes” to life of humble subjection to God’s Holy desires aimed at your eternal benefit. Attend a Local Church regularly to further strengthen your faith in Christ.
While salvation is given free to us, we should always remember with a grateful heart what it cost Christ to give salvation to us. Oh His indescribable suffering simply cannot be quantified nor can the value of His priceless blood ever be calculated!!! That is why while participating in the Lord’s Table (1 Cor 11:23-32), we need to every single time renew our love borne out of gratitude for Him.
Going by medicinal analogy, what makes Christ’s (also called the “good Doctor”-Matt 9:9-12) redemption work the centerpiece (absolutely unique) of human history is, no doctor has ever in the human medicinal history ever “infected” himself with a virus whilst discovering a vaccine for it. Whereas Christ “infected himself” with a virus called Sin in order in exchange we get His good health (the right relationship with our Creator-2 Cor 5:21). Yes, research scientists’ like Jonas Salk may have vaccinated themselves with the vaccine they discovered (in Salk’s case…the one for polio) to prove its efficacy to the World even whilst taking all the risks associated with such an action upon themselves. But even such noteworthy actions simply pale into insignificance in comparison when we consider the fact that our Divine Doctor Christ got himself voluntarily infected with the killer disease experiencing indescribable pain (John 14:30) in order his sick and dying patients get his good health in return.
Care and Compassion…
Metaphorically speaking, what would be the natural reaction of a dying Corona virus patient if he comes across a Doctor who is willing to take the killer disease upon himself in order the former gets the latter’s good health in return? With a heart overflowing with gratitude for such a selfless Doctor and with heart full of concern for other needy, sick Covid-19 patients, the miraculously cured patient would broadcast to every other sinking Corona virus patient, the Good News about his recovery courtesy the good Doctor besides urging those patients to rush to Him, in order they too are benefitted by His wondrous “treatment”!!! Now should I need to remind the Christian readers of the “Great Commission” (Matt 28:18-20) at this time??? Even in these days of limited social interaction and opportunities it is our bounden duty to tell with love and humility (I Peter 3:15) every one we come across (physically or in cyberspace, after establishing a rapport with them-1 Cor 9:19-23/Acts 8:25) as to what Christ has done for us (cured us of a far deadlier disease than Corona) even while lovingly inviting them to submit themselves to His Divine treatment in order they too are delivered from their lethal spiritual ailment.
With the “fear of death” hanging in the air, many hearts have been spiritually ploughed (read softened-up) now, as it were to receive better the “good seed of Good News” than at any other time in the recent history (quite likely this kind of fear of death may have been prevalent globally when WW II was raging about 80 years ago).
For those of us with a Blessed hope, may be the painful process of death may seem bothersome but not death itself (Heb 2:14-15). At any time, all Christians’ ought to join Apostle Paul in chorusing these immortal words borne out of wondrous hope…”To live is Christ, to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21), for the moment, we close our eyes on Planet Earth, we would open the same in a far better World free of any disease. More than anything else, this Blessed hope seen in every area of our lives, which make us fearless to death (read living differently) would draw those who have not yet tasted Christ’s redemptive power to His loving arms. I am not for a moment saying that Christians ought to be “care-free” at this time without adhering to Government rules aimed at overall public safety. No, not at all!!! For none of us “ought to put God to a foolish test” (Deu 6:16/Matt 4:7) by looking out for trouble!!! By the same token… in these days of social distancing whilst leaning towards “doing all that is possible from getting infected”, we need to distance ourselves from frantic fear of death borne out of faithlessness.
Caution and Chance…
Ideally none in the medical field would like to risk their lives whilst treating the Corona virus patients but hats off to them that they are responding to a “higher call”. They are trying their best to treat the sick and dying ones’ in the hospitals even while taking as much care (read by wearing “protective gear”) as possible to ward off the possible infections to themselves.
How very much in consonance with the higher Scriptural call to the Christians who normally would avoid all sin (2 Cor 6:17-18) but are exhorted to take “calculated risks of the spiritual kind” for a greater purpose…
Save some by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself. And as for others, help them to find the Lord by being kind to them, but be careful that you yourselves aren’t pulled along into their sins. Hate every trace of their sin while being merciful to them as sinners- Jude 1:23 (TLB)
Clues and Contemplation…
There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.-Luke 21:11
With the escalation of natural disasters and onset of this Global pandemic is not a clearer, bigger picture emerging? Are not all Christ’s Second Coming prophecies getting fulfilled right in front of our eyes? Are not all “clues” pointing to that Grand Event? Are not the natural calamities “warning shots” of the imminent terrible 7 year tribulation period (which would follow the Church rapture) so as to say “Hey, if you are so shaken up with Global lockdowns of a few weeks, how then would you expect yourselves to endure 7 long years of horrific tribulation when the Earth would come to resemble a mini-hell”? In the given circumstances, the wise would do everything in their power to avoid a repeat of a “Global pandemic”, right? Likewise, it would serve us well to set right our relationship with our Heavenly Father through Christ without any delay so as to be part of the Church Rapture with no fear of being left behind to face the horrific tribulation.
For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again- Matt 24:11
As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you. Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation-2 Cor 6:1-2
Did many scoffers’ (we ought to love them too selflessly and patiently hoping for their eventual transformation) of Biblical prophecies ever envisage in the past that one-day the whole wide World would be under a “lockdown” as it were because of a Global Pandemic? Lo and behold…such a day has come to pass (proof if any Biblical prophecies are true especially as regards the Lord’s Second Coming-Luke 21:11)!!!
Way back in Sept, 2012 in the predominantly eschatological message titled “Kreegah, Tarzan Bundalo” (please for a minute do not think, I have lost my senses) inspired by the good Lord I had written…(I am reproducing the same below verbatim)
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Says a WHO website
“Current epidemiological models project that a pandemic could result in two to 7.4 million deaths globally.
If an influenza pandemic were to occur today, we could expect the virus to spread rapidly due to the interconnected nature of the world and the high level of global travel.”
(Source : http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic/en/)
Wouldn’t it stun even a lay onlooker, when the above WHO statement is compared with a Biblical Prophecy which reads thus:
“But Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal it up so that it will not be understood until the end times, when travel and education shall be vastly increased”. – Daniel 12:4
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The entire message may kindly be accessed by clicking on the following Url…
http://www.jandsmministries.com/message_sep1_12.asp
When we consider the fact that all Christ’s First Coming related prophecies were fulfilled like
a) His miraculous conception (Isaiah 7:14/ Matt 1:18/ Luke 1:26-38)
b) Birth in Bethlehem (good 70 miles away from Nazareth) at a time his earthly parents were living in Nazareth (Micah 5:2/ Matt 2:1/ Luke 2:1-7)
c) Triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (celebrated as Palm Sunday in Christendom– Zechariah9:9/ Matt21:1-11/ Luke19:28-40)
d) Betrayal by an acquaintance (Psalm 41:9/ Zechariah 11:12/ Matt 26:14-16/47-49/ Luke22:1-5/47-48)
e) Sufferings on the cross (Psalm 22:15/ Matt 27:35/ Luke 23:33)
f) Resurrection (Psalm 16:10/49:15/ Matt 28:1-10/ Luke 24:1-8)
g) Ascension (Psalm 69:18/ Acts 1:9-11/ Ephesians 4:7)
should we not firmly believe that all His Second Coming related Prophecies would also be fulfilled? Now consider this too…
In the book, Science Speaks, Professor Peter Stoner used "the Law of Compound Probability" to assess some of the prophecies relating to Christ. Simply stated, this law is used to calculate the odds against a "chance" fulfillment of such predictions when compounded by a specific set of conditions, requirements, or qualifications. His findings were carefully evaluated by the American Scientific Affiliation, and were found to be sound and convincing. By this method, he was able to show evidence that would rule out coincidence, chance or human manipulation in the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.
Stoner started by calculating the probability of one individual who could precisely fulfill only eight prophecies relating to Christ. He computed the odds at 1 in 10 (17th power), the same as 1 followed by 17 zeros. This is the equivalent of covering the entire state of Texas 2 feet deep in silver dollars, specially marking one of them, and instructing a blindfolded man to pick the right silver dollar on the first try!
Dr. Stoner then computed the odds of one individual that could fulfill just 48 prophecies relating to Christ. He calculated the odds at 1 X 10 (to the 157th power) — or 1 followed by 157 zeros. This figure is astronomical and beyond human comprehension, but Christ fulfilled over 300 distinct prophecies, written by different men of different professions (from a shepherd to a King) living at different times, over a time period of 1400 years, in three different languages from 2 continents! Oh Boy, the harmony of the Scriptures when it comes to pointing to the COMING SAVIOR and its eventual fulfillment (I Coming) is jaw-dropping!
Remember the Word (another name for Christ-John 1:1) always keeps His Word (Matt 24:35), so you can always take the Word at His Word when He says…
“…Surely I am coming soon….” (Rev 22:20)
At this poignant moment in human history, all of us need to pose a contemplative, introspective question “Am I alert to face my Lord, if He were to come today and am I alerting others”!!!
Those who are figuring in the category of being “alert and alerting others”, the Good News with a capital G for them is that they would be raptured and “quarantined” in the mid-sky (in the manner Noah was “quarantined” in an Ark for about a year as the Floods raged) even as the Earth is purged of all the “mire” as this Scripture so clearly heralds…
Go home, my people, and lock the doors! Hide for a little while until the Lord’s wrath against your enemies has passed. Look! The Lord is coming from the heavens to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will no longer hide the murderers. The guilty will be found- Isa 26:20-21 TLB
A fore-taste of the tribulation period is already being experienced first-hand the World over.
While on the subject of “Quarantine”, while the good Lord ensured that Noah and his family lacked nothing inside the Ark, what about those Christians’ especially on the “provisions” front in these days of “Quarantine” and subsequent Economic upheaval? Take heart…like the good Lord provided for Prophet Elijah in his “quarantine” period, He would for you and me too in this time of Global crisis (I Kings 17:1-9)!!!
Charity and Conciliation…
At a time Corona virus is on a rampage, even as we keep a constant vigil for the Second Coming, let us also be consistent in both our Charity and also Intercessory Prayers for our neighborhood, towns, cities and Countries.
This Pandemic provides us with a golden opportunity to demonstrate the fact that Christian love goes beyond mere mouthing of concern over the financial woes/needs of many (James 2:14-17). Is it not a fact that some daily wage earners’ are unable to go for work nowadays? Are not the Underprivileged Pastors’ in rural areas’ finding it tough to make ends meet? Also remember that Government needs to manufacture medicines and protective gear for “medical front liners” on a mass scale- a contingency for which it may not have budgeted previously. This indeed is the time to dig deep into our pockets’ and render help in cash and kind to those in need or those agencies which are supporting them in the manner of a “Good Samaritan” going the extra mile. The “Good Samaritan” one would remember had no qualms in investing his “time, talent and treasures” on a needy person who in all probability would not help in return (Pro 19:27, Matt 25:40, Luke 9:25-37).
Also this is the time to hold fast to the Biblical promises and intercede for Divine deliverance cum protection over our villages/towns/cities and Nations’…
“I would not destroy a City for the sake of ten righteous people” –Gen 18:32
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 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 Chro 7:13-14
Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.-Hosea 6:1
Readers remembering that the Lord yearns to see intercessory prayer warriors (Ezekiel 22:30) be inspired now to join me in this conciliatory prayer (in fact it was articulated by one of the respected Christians’ of India)…
Almighty God, We come to You with broken hearts over what’s happening all over the world by the spread of Corona virus. Even though it is a shock to us, it is no surprise to You because, as God Omniscient, You know everything from beginning to end, and the end from the beginning. We fall prostrate before You confessing our utter helplessness and misery.
We worship You as the God of Love.
We worship You as the God of Mercy.
We worship You as the God of Grace.
We pray for Your intervention at this critical hour.
Forgive us for worshiping science and technology instead of You our Creator.
Forgive us our idols of greed and lust. Forgive us our self-centred life.
Forgive us our evil thoughts, unkind words and corrupt deeds.
Forgive us our ungodly systems which allow the rich become richer but let the poor become poorer.
Forgive us our neglect of charity and our stinginess in giving to the havenots.
Forgive us our lack of brotherly love towards our fellowmen.
Forgive us our pride, haughtiness and rebellious attitude.
Forgive us for electing many corrupt men and women to rule over us.
Forgive us for allowing cultural differences to divide us.
Forgive us our better-than-thou attitude.
Have mercy on us, O God.
We know that You are generous in forgiveness.
Father God, in spite of numerous preventive measures and sophisticated treatment facilities, the national leaders worldwide have come to their wit’s end. We pray for those affected with the virus. We remember how Jesus healed all those who came to Him with their sicknesses and infirmities. We believe that He is an unchanging Healer.
Be with the medical personnel who treat these patients. Send Your healing virtue to flow as a stream into our communities. Have mercy on the innocent children and the weak elderly who are vulnerable to such diseases.
Dear Lord, we pray for the bereaved families and friends of thousands who became victims to this virus. Their loss is unbearable and their sorrow inextinguishable.
You are the God of All Comfort. We remember how Jesus wept when His friend Lazarus died, even though He had known that He would resurrect him.
Dear Father, speak peace to the hearts and homes of these dear families.
Only Your presence can fill the vacuum in their lives, O God.
Father God, we read in the Bible how You stopped plagues when people cried to You with tears of repentance. Help all of us, Indians and non-Indians, to turn to You the only true and living God at this hour. Let our cities and towns get rid of liquor shops, brothels, gambling centres and the like. Forgive us who underpay the labourers and exploit their helplessness. May be their cries have reached Your ears! You are the God of the Poor. As a nation we are sinning against You. As a world we are disobeying Your commandments. Our cup of iniquity is overflowing. We have mistaken Your patience. Please, Lord, do not punish us according to our sins. We beg You to turn away Your anger from us.
Forgive us, Christians, who have failed to be the light in the society.
Forgive us and heal our Land, O God!
Forgive our children and youngsters who disobey the parents and rebel against the elders. We pray that You soften their hearts towards submission lest they come under Your curse.
Dear Father, we remember the prophetic words Jesus spoke over two thousand years ago to His disciples that famines, plagues and earthquakes in various places would be on the increase as a sign of endtimes. These days are already on us.The Bible, Your Word, says that these are prelude to the Second Coming of Your Son, Jesus. Strengthen us with Your grace, O God, to withstand these difficult times and stay prepared for His Return by believing on Him for salvation and eternal life. Thank You, O God, for hearing this prayer, as inadequate as it is. Do not delay the answer. We once again fall at Your feet worshiping You as God Omnipresent, God Omnipotent and God Omniscient. In the Name of Jesus, we offer this prayer. Let it be so!
Having started in Wuhan, China probably from mid-December as of today (March 28th, 2020), the death toll approximately due to Corona virus outbreak is 27,300 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_coronavirus_pandemic), over a period of approximately 105 days. Take heart deadly plagues of far bigger intensity which could kill 14,700 people or 70,000 people in a matter of only a few hours or 3 days respectively were stopped by the gracious, merciful , unchanging omnipotent Heavenly Father when His sincere, penitent Servants interceded for the people fervently and passionately (Numbers 16:41-50, 2 Sam 24:15-25, Psa 102:27, Heb 13:8). So what chance this relatively petite Corona virus stands in the face of fervent, passionate prayers of His sincere prayer warriors. So intercessors, keep at it in faith (Isa 62:6-7).
Prayer: Father, what chance this petite virus has against thy healing powers. Even as this crisis has completed its work of bringing the World to its knees in humble repentance, please abolish it from our Land and equip this contrite generation to walk faithfully and humbly pleasing Thee at all times. In Jesus Name.
Suresh Manoharan
Hyderabad-India
www.jandsmministries.com
