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Coronavirus (COVID-19) and End-Time Lessons

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and End-Time Lessons

Over the past several weeks, as the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the world, I have received multiple inquiries regarding how this crisis relates to the end-time events of Revelation.

The Bible says that the “gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14 NIV84). Many have wondered how everyone will hear the gospel. Could this pandemic be a catalyst that helps spread the gospel to the world? How will everyone be brought to the point of choosing between God and Satan, between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of this world?

Have you heard end-time scenarios that describe human armies battling each other in the Middle East, or religious groups controlling governments to pass laws enforcing certain doctrines or religious practices? In these scenarios, it is suggested that the world is brought to the point of having to choose which army to back, or which doctrine to believe, or which religious practice to embrace.

But I want to suggest that the final presentation of the gospel and the final test that every person will face will be much more basic and simple. It will be a test, not over correct doctrine, but of character: Do we love others or do we love self more – this will be the test. Do we choose godly, self-sacrificial service, or do we choose to protect self, even when it hurts others?

Two weeks ago, I posted a blog about viruses and described how viruses were not part of God’s creation, but are manifestations of selfishness. Viruses seek only to replicate themselves – me, me, me, and more of me, without regard to anything but their own replication, ultimately killing the host and itself. Viruses are the physical manifestation of the law of sin and death, of selfishness, of the principles and methods of Satan’s kingdom. It is the opposite of God’s kingdom of love, which is the principle of giving, of service, of self-sacrifice. Jesus said:

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:12, 13 NIV84).

John wrote:

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers (1 John 3:16 NIV84).

God’s kingdom is the kingdom of love – a kingdom not driven by fear, not focused on self, not exploitive of others, but a kingdom that serves, that gives, that heals and restores. Revelation describes the end-time people of God, who are ready to meet Christ when He returns: “They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Revelation 12:11 NIV84). These people are not driven by fear. They don’t seek to protect self. They refuse to run from doing what is right, in order to save their own lives. This is the opposite of this world of selfishness, opposite of the survival drive – and it is possible only for those who have God’s law of love written on their hearts (Hebrews 8:10).

As the world moves ever-closer to the second coming of Christ, the Bible describes that the people of earth will be caught up in the business of life: putting food on the table, building houses, getting married, and entertainment, such that they don’t realize that the world is nearing its end (Matthew 24:36–39; Luke 17:26–30).

God wants all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9), so to wake people up, He mercifully allows the four angels, who hold back the winds of strife, to loosen their grip – to give people the opportunity to think and to act, to test their character, and to choose which kingdom will be theirs (Revelation 7:1–3).

  • Will they love others, or will they harden their hearts in selfishness?
  • Will fear take control of their hearts, or will love cast out fear?
  • Will people choose God’s kingdom of love or Satan’s kingdom of fear-based survival of the fittest?

When a pandemic occurs, will people choose to wait until they have a need to procure a limited resource, or will they stockpile what they don’t need and, thereby, deprive others, who do have a need, of lifesaving resources?

Will people seek to price gouge and take advantage, or will they seek to give what they have to those in need? This week, one of my patients gave me two N95 masks that he had at home; he was concerned for me and thought I would have more use for them than he did. This was godly love in action!

Godly love does more than share; it puts self in harm’s way to help others: Doctors, nurses, first responders, and many others care for those in need, despite risks to themselves.

Godly love shines more brightly still; it leads to a willingness to sacrifice self for others. Amid the rampant fear caused by the corona pandemic, Don Giuseppe Berardelli, a 72 year-old Italian priest who contracted coronavirus, chose love and rejected the fear-driven survival drive. He did not love his life so much as to shrink from death (Revelation 12:11) and gave up his ventilator, so a younger patient could have one. And yes, sadly, this kindly priest died. He chose God’s kingdom of love over the ways of the world. His test was not about denominational affiliation, creeds, or religious rituals, but about character. And oh, how brightly his life of love shines!

How will every person in the world be brought to a decision point for God’s kingdom? By events just like this pandemic: Each person will be placed in situations in which they have to decide whether they will give into fear or will act to love others. Will they socially isolate or party on a beach? Will they hoard masks, disinfectant, toilet paper, medications, water, and food, or use only what they need and allow the supplies to go to those with the greatest need? Will they sacrifice self for others, or will they sacrifice others for self?

Most books written on end-time events argue that the final test people will face will be over the right doctrine or religious practice. But I believe that the final test will be over character – do we love God and others, are we willing to sacrifice self for them, or will we allow fear to harden our hearts and solidify our characters in selfishness, such that we refuse to help others in order to protect self?

In the future, regardless of whatever particular crisis, disaster, disease, or plague hits, the question will be who do you love, who do you trust, and whose character do you possess – Christ’s or Satan’s?

Jesus, speaking to the church, says:

I am returning soon. … Everyone who prevails by completing the treatment and lives in harmony with my methods of love until the end, I will make a pillar, a living stone, in the heavenly temple of my God – a community of holy beings. Their connection with God will never be severed and I will write in their beings the character of my God, and they will be marked by me as citizens of the New Jerusalem which is coming down out of heaven from my God. I will also write my name upon their hearts and minds (Revelation 3:11, 12 The Remedy).


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Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA