The Bible is always relevant. Regardless of the time period, people have found biblical teaching applicable. The observation is true in our day. There are many points of contact between the COVID-19 pandemic and biblical teaching. Here are three. Suffering is real. Jesus says, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). COVID-19 has resulted in worldwide financial distress, sickness, death, anxiety, fear, worry, loneliness, suicide, depression, etc., etc., etc. Some religions teach that suffering is an illusion (e.g., Buddhism, Christian Science). These false beliefs have no relevance. The Bible, on the other hand, does. Human existence can drastically and instantaneously change. A common belief among secularists is, “All things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation” (2 Pet 3:4). That is, the world operates according to gradual and progressive natural forces. Nothing changes. Life is always the same. The Bible teaches contrary. Think of the Flood, the Tower of Babel, Jesus’ death and resurrection, and Pentecost. All these events happened suddenly and brought drastic changes upon the world. That’s what we see with COVID-19. Life will not always be the same. It can and does change in a second. There will be an apocalypse. I do not believe that we are experiencing the events of Revelation. I do, however, believe that we are experiencing foretastes of the end. The Bible teaches that there will be an end to earthly existence (Rev 21). COVID-19 has resulted in increased apocalypticism in the world. Men and women everywhere are considering the end of time. We were made to contemplate the end. As Eccl 3:11 says, God has “put eternity into man’s heart.” These observations demonstrate the truthfulness of God’s word. What the Bible describes is what will continue to play out until Jesus returns. The Word of God is “living and active” (Heb 4:12). That will always be true. Pastor Chance
