God’s providential overrulings are many but here are a few of them:

1) Acts 5:18,19–an angel of the Lord let them out the prison–it shows that the preaching work will not be stopped and an angel will be used to spread the Gospel.

2) Acts 5:34-39 that the Lord used Gamaliel to prevent the Pharisees from stopping the spread of the Gospel

3) Stephen (Act 7:57-60) was not spared as the others as his faithfulness to death would be used to bring Paul into Christ.

3) There is a pattern of Christian growth of the church at the beginning and unhindered and then at Stephen’s death it brought persecution and further spread the gospel into Samaria and toward Gaza.  There would be peace after Paul left for Tarsus(Acts 9:31) 

4)  Jesus chose the right place and moment and circumstance to reveal himself to Paul that would change his life–it was perfectly timed. Damascus was away from Jerusalem and these activities were away from Jerusalem and the apostles.

5) The Lord prepared the heart of Ananias and prepared him for the news of Saul’s conversion and knew he would be obedient after his concerns were addressed about Paul. 

6) A thought from Br. Shallieu:  the Lord overruled that one of brethren lived near the wall in Damascus when he was lowered down from the wall (he gives the example of Rahab living near the wall to be let down and they would go to Rahab’s house for refuge.(Acts 9:25)

6) The Lord provided peace in Judea and throughout all Israel(Acts 9:31).so Peter could heal and resurrect and help in the conversion of the Cornelius.   Peter traveled throughout the country and went in the direction of Mediterranean Sea.  The Lord clearly overruled that he decision to go in that direction as the Lord overruled that he goes in this direction as he would demonstrate God’s power through the healing of Aeneas from his palsy, raising Dorcas from the dead.  Because he was at Lydda,  he was not far from Joppa to awaken Dorcas and he was not far (2 days journey) from Caesarea). He was not far so he could be there to open up the key to the Gentiles.

7) Acts 9:43—Simon the tanner—tanning was considered unclean so the Lord was preparing Peter by staying with a brother who was done unclean work.

8) Acts 10: 1-4 Cornelius was praying and giving alms so his contact with Jews must have caused him to compare the Roman gods to the God of Israel and he saw how they worshiped Him and tried to do the same. He probably knew about angels as he was recognized it was an angel immediately (Acts 10: 3,4)  Cornelius was realizing that God was rewarding him providentially, but prayer were to know the way  and the truth.

9) Acts 10:4-6 alms and prayers as a memorial is the same word as meal offering(Lev. 2.1,2)

10) Acts. 10:5—angel told him to send his servants and a devoted soldier to Joppa so he could tell his family and friends to come to his house when Peter arrives and will receive the Holy Spirit. He had great influence on his family

11) Acts. 10:6–double witness and confirmation—two Simons—Simon Peter and Simon the tanner

12) Acts 10:7,8—Cornelius sent his servant and a devout soldier—shows how strong his influences was on his family. He conveyed to them the importance of the mission explained it with conviction and zeal to Peter to come back and to come speedily , came to Peter with great zeal, knew he should be respected 

13) Acts 10:9—When they were approaching the city, Peter was on the housetop praying and it says he was hungry   and saw a vision of clean and unclean animals

14) Acts 10:15,16–Peter puzzled why God said Rise and eat.  The sheet of animals was repeated three times, three witnesses.  All creature are provided by God—all creatures are good (I Tim. 4.4) The sheet is called the vessel—Noah’s ark is called a vessel. Bothe contain clean and unclean animals. In both, animals represent human beings clean and unclean.

15)  Acts 10:17-18—Peter is in doubt about the vision, when the men arrived.

16)  Acts 10:19-20—spirit tells Peter to go down and go with the men as He had sent them

17) Acts. 10:21-22 Men lodged and they with 6 Jewish brethren (Acts 11:12) went with him to Caesarea—important to have Jewish witnesses.

18) Acts. 10:24—morning after (Day 4 of their journey) they entered Caesarea (40  miles one way) He gathered his family and friends and showed his faith.  He fasted.

19) Acts. 10:28-29—Peter showed his obedience and submission by going quickly and without verbal rebellion or questioning even though he was perplexed

20) Acts 10:30—wanted to know why Cornelius asked for him (repeated for a 2^nd or 3^rd witness (man in bright clothing—angel)).

21) Acts 10:36—God is no respecter of persons, has 1) reverence for God, 2) worked righteousness—right heart condition.

22)  Acts 11: 22-26—when the Gentiles were coming in Antioch in the gospel, the Lord overruled that Barnabas be selected and he teamed up with Paul in the work.

23) Acts 11:27-30 Agabus prophesying was overruled so the disciples could help provide for the brethren in Jerusalem before the famine struck possibly wiping out the church in Jerusalem.

24) Acts 12: 7-11   Miraculous Escape from Prison by an Angel—Peter escaped and left the city Peter needed more experiences.

25) Acts 12:20-23 Herod’s Death and increasing and spreading the word

26) Act.13:2—while fasting and praying the Holy Spirit indicated that Barnabas and Saul be use for further service to the Gentiles and other lands.  

27) Acts 13: 6-12—the Jewish sorcerer tried to stop the work but Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit and causes him to be blind for a time which was a great witness to Sergius Paulus, the proconsul.  The Adversary was trying to stop the work but the Lord wanted it to go on.

28) Acts 13:15   Paul’s sermon was similar to Stephen’s sermon.

29)  Acts 13: 48 Gentiles received it and Barnabas and Paul left as they did not put the believers in more difficulty

30) Acts14:1,5—In Iconium  Jews and Gentiles believed and left when they were going to stone them and so again not cause difficulty for the new believers.  It also causes them to witness to the surrounding areas and Lystra and Derbe

31) Acts 14:6—10 In Lystra the lame man had faith to believe that he will be healed and this is a great witness to all and many believed.

1.  In the Old Testament, God killed the people for their sins, and God was cursing the people for their sins.  According to the book of Genesis, we were created by God in his image.  But these sins and curses have come from God.  Adam and Eve disobeyed God, so sin entered into this world.  But for God to kill the people, curse the human beings, and destroy all the animals and plants is this not a sin to Him?  Why is it not a sin to God?  Is sin only for human beings and not for God?

2.  Genesis Chapter 7 – The Great Flood.

In this great flood God destroyed all the human beings, animals, birds, and even the vegetation which were living on this earth, except for Noah’s ark and the animals and birds saved by Noah. God was thinking that this world had sinned, so he must destroy all those things.  However, God did not destroy the earth, sky, moon, sun, and stars.

God did not destroy Satan and his sinful activities in the floods.  Why?  Then again, along with Noah’s family, sin again entered into this world.  What was the use of this great flood?  

Answers:

Our perspective first is that we have total trust in the Father’s perfect character.  He is the standard of love, wisdom, justice and power. We should consider it not a thought to even attempt to ever judge his motives or character (Isa. 55:8-9, Eze.18:24-28, Isa. 11:2-4, Luke 6:37).  We are reminded in Genesis 18:23-25 that when God had informed Abraham of his decision to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham did not understand why. He respectfully pleaded with God to save them if he could even find as few as 10 righteous. God allowed this negotiation as a lesson for us. God’s wisdom, justice and love was reinforced by the fact that Abraham could not even find 10 persons.  Only Lot and his immediate family were rescued (and we would add, based upon Lot’s behavior, his character was even corrupted). We say God showed his love in that he destroyed the people to save them from reaching such a deterioration of character that their heart condition might never be redeemable or teachable.  

God knew that human death was not final. Understand that the death of disobedient human beings is not eternal.  It only becomes so by the end of the Millennial Kingdom. The scripture is clear that all (both good and bad) will be resurrected (John 5:28-29, 1 Cor. 15:22). Those that are faithful to God receive a better resurrection (spirit nature). To all others, they receive a resurrection (to a terrestrial nature) of teaching, development and testing – often called judgment (mistranslated damnation) in scripture – which ends with the great white throne of judgment (Rev. 20:11, Matt. 25:31-46). This is the whole purpose of Christ’s Kingdom (millenium). This is so that ALL will have the opportunity to everlasting life whether in heaven as spirit beings or those on earth in an Eden-like world free of sin.  Understanding this resurrection power and intent was the whole reason that God recognized, in Abraham, faith in God’s character and word, which was the driving force for Abraham to initiate the sacrifice of his son Isaac (Gen. 22:2). Because Abraham had ultimate faith in God, he was willing to sacrifice Isaac, knowing that there was a future resurrection (Gen. 22:11-12).  This promise was fully realized in time, by the actual sacrifice of the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God.  In recognizing Abraham’s faith, God made a promise that he would bless him and multiply his descendents (Gen. 22:16-17).  Prior to this, his name had been changed from Abram to Abraham and God made a covenant that he “shall be the father of a multitude of nations” (Gen 17:4-6).

Just as parents at times spank or punish their children for disobedience, we do so for their teaching, testing, and growth so they may be able to have the experience to make the appropriate or right decisions as they mature.  So too, God is allowing us as mankind to learn the lessons of sin and death.  Not just because he is the most powerful being that exists or that he is in control, but because he loves us! (Prov.13:24, Prov. 22:15, Prov.10:13) 

He wants what is best for us and wants us to fully understand good and evil before mankind is actually and finally on trial for his life.  Since we are unique, created in his image and must ultimately exercise our own free will, he wants to ensure we make our choices having understood all the effects and consequences of our decisions.  If mankind rejects his ways at the end of Christ’s Kingdom reign, man will have no excuses or defense.  Attached is a link to an article explaining the issues regarding God allowing evil at this time. https://chicagobible.org/permission-of-evil/

Regarding the great flood, we are told in scripture that the world had become most sinful and violent. (Gen. 6:11-13) Most of this is because the genetic make-up of mankind had become perverted and distorted by the hybridization of man with angelic beings who had left their spirit natures and materialized in the form of super humans. They began to have off-spring with human women (Gen. 6:2-3).  These super-human hybrids were called Nephilim.  By intermingling with the human species, there had become very few lines of pure human DNA that was in Adam. The result of the influence of these rebellious angels and their offspring was that they thought in their hearts about evil all the time (Gen. 6:5-6).  There is speculation that these may have also interfered with or experimented with God’s creation and perverted animal and or plant life as well.  We are told that only Noah was “perfect in his generations.”  We know that Noah was up-right and walked with God.  We think the scriptural implication is much deeper, however, that Noah’s family DNA or genetic make-up was purely human being, NOT corrupted by angelic DNA. 

God decided in his wisdom that he would destroy all the corrupted life on the earth.  He would provide an ark, a means to preserve the good during the judgment of the evil, in order preserve the life of the good and re-establish mankind on earth. These Nephilim, not being human, would be completely destroyed for eternity (as God had not created them nor intended them to be created).  God punished these rebellious angels by destroying their physical bodies as well as their off-spring and putting them in a state of restraint until a time of judgment (2 Pet. 2:4).

Sin was not completely destroyed in the flood, because it was not the right time for mankind to have learned all the necessary lessons of sin and death.  God also did not destroy free will in the flood. Since man, even in Noah and his family, was still under the influence of sin in a fallen world, sin was not destroyed.  But it will be in time. In Christ’s Kingdom, God’s principles will be taught purely (Zeph. 3:9, Psa. 22:29-31, Psa. 85:13, Psa. 98:9).  During that time, Jesus and his church will rule, teach, and develop the hearts of all mankind (Ezek. 11:19, Ezek. 36:23-27).  Sin and death will not be destroyed completely upon the earth until God’s plan is complete and everyone of free will has been justly judged for eternal life or death after the resurrection during the millennium. Then the curse of sin will be defeated and death destroyed along with it forever (Rev. 20:14-15). 

Is it okay for an Adventist pastor to baptize a member whose name is from a Hindu God? We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and are called by name by God. How would God look at someone with a Hindu name?   

Answer:

Although names can be full of powerful meanings and have generational or cultural significance, we believe a name given by ones parents has no literal bearing upon whether God would decide to call that person into divine relationship, whether that person would answer the call, or whether we as servants or pastors of God can determine if one should or should not consecrate themselves to God in baptism merely based upon their name. 

Let us be clear here, anyone who would perform a baptism in the name of God (representing him in this spiritual ceremony – Psa. 63:4) has a duty and responsibility to ensure the one being baptized fully understands the significance and the meaning of the vow they are about to make (Psa. 61:5) and somewhat interpret the heart of the one making the consecration unto God, so as to ensure it is not done out of irreverent fear but of love for God and by an earnest desire to have a spiritual relationship with him. It would not be appropriate for a pastor NOT to baptize one who exhibits the right heart condition and sincere desire to become a child of God merely because of some worldly or traditional reason as one’s given name (Rom. 8:38-39).

When one consecrates to Jehovah as evidenced in baptism, one becomes a new spiritual creation (2 Cor. 5:17).  His old ways, character, and personality begin to conform and change to the principles and character of God through his Holy Spirit, his written word and the example and teachings of Jesus Christ. The old things of that person are forgiven him (Gal. 6:15).  God sees him in a new and different way regardless of what the world sees.  In this Gospel age, we are given a new name by God, a spiritual name (Rev. 2:17) and that name is written in the Book of Life (Rev. 20:12).  From the point of baptism on, we make a new name for ourselves among mankind as well.  Not by changing one’s literal name, but by one’s character and growth in spirit and the reflection of the love of God toward those around us (Isa. 62:2).  God will use those consecrated ones as living stones to build his spiritual temple for the blessing of all mankind (Rev. 3:12).  All other concerns do not matter, for one baptized will make their own name known before man and God (Prov. 10:7). 

In scripture, names are used and have meaning to educate us to principles God wanted us to learn.  The literal therefore represented the spiritual lesson.  We see that Abram’s name was changed by God to Abraham (Gen. 17:5).  We see that Saul’s name was changed to Paul (Acts 13:9).  We see that Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter (John 1:42).  In these instances, a spiritual truth was shared with us.  It was not that their name changed or that we should change our names once baptized, their character, faith, or reverence toward God changed. None of those men changed physically, they were the same person as before. But they changed spiritually. That is what gives them a new name. Today, we do not need the example of changing a name or worrying about one that may have earthly meaning, we have the word of God. Our name becomes new because our mind becomes new. We take on the mind of Christ.

Pastors baptizing called ones with names of Hindu gods has no spiritual effect, as those gods are not the living God, Jehovah.  What is important is the new spiritual name those baptized are given and if their name is written in God’s memory.  Let all of us live up to that new name, and unto the one who called us (1 Cor. 7:17-19). 

See Joshua 7:10 – 26

Achan admitted that he sinned against God and told Joshua everything about his sin, but God did not excuse him. Why?

In the 24th and 25th verse, Achan was the only person who sinned against God. But all his family members, including his sons and daughters were punished or sentenced to death by stoning. Why did this happen?

Were Achan’s animals also stoned to death? If animals are innocent and they don’t have the knowledge of sin, then why did God punish Achan’s animals? 

In this world and at Joshua’s time, there are so many people who are not believing Jehovah. Why does he not take any action on other people who are not believers of Jehovah?

Why did God’s mighty power not spread all over the world?

Answer

We must begin by setting the context that the Jews and Achan were under the Law Covenant (of Moses) at the time. We will remind you that with Joshua, the newly appointed earthly leader of the Jews, they had just spent 40 years in the wilderness for the sins of only a portion of the people. Not all had revolted and worshipped idols while God was giving Moses the law on tablets. Not all grumbled when they had no meat (Num. 11:4-5), water (Exod. 17:2), or the comforts of Egypt. But the whole nation (all the Jewish people) was subject to the correction and judgment that God had imposed upon them, both obedient and disobedient. Another example was the serpents which God allowed to terrorize the people (Num. 21:5-6). He did however offer relief for those with faith to trust in God when they viewed the standard with the copper serpent affixed to it.

Achan had sinned against a specific prohibition God had directed.  The spoils from Jericho were devoted to God and his sin was against God and was most grievous (see 1 Sam 2:25). God wanted his people to be pure, separate from sin and to possess the land set aside purely for them (Exod. 19:5-6, Exod. 33:16, Deut. 14:2, Deut. 26:18).

God had structured each military engagement as a teaching tool and example for the people that he was the one giving them the victories and guiding their way. They were to follow the law and his instructions completely to every jot and tittle (Lev 18:23-30). Achan disobeyed and in fact did not come clean and tell the truth until it was obvious, even to his family who had seen the riches and material. They also did not say anything, nor rebuke or exhort Achan to give back the riches. Achan was the leader of his family along with his wife who was somewhat in collusion as she had to know of the ill-gotten loot as well. In Jewish culture, Achan would have been responsible for teaching obedience and the principles of God and the Law to his family. If the teachings from which all in the family receive their education in character is corrupted, will not those exposed to it be corrupted as well? (1 Kings 15:26, 22:52) God was trying to keep the people pure and had already given specific elements of the Law to the people. The sole purpose was to “cut off sin from among the people” (Num 15:31). The animals and material wealth of Achan had also been perverted by disobeying, taking what is God’s, and intermingling the animals and goods with his own. Thus was Achan
introducing “leaven” into what was meant to be an “unleavened” people, a peculiar people, a separated people. The loss to Ai damaged the faith of the people and caused the deaths of many Jewish soldiers. God always deals with sin. 

As far as the innocent animals or people (children), recall that in the great flood, all things that breathed upon the earth except those within Noah’s Ark perished. That included children, animals, etc. We must trust God’s wisdom, judgment, and love to determine when he thinks mercy will not help or would be detrimental. We see that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was actually a mercy because of their gross wickedness. One point that should also be raised is that human beings’ death is never in vain. The scripture is clear that all (both good and bad) will be resurrected (John 5:28-29, 1 Cor. 15:22). Those who were good will have a resurrection of life and those that are evil will have a resurrection of pure teaching, development and testing. This is the whole purpose of Christ’s Kingdom (millenium). This is so that ALL will have the opportunity to everlasting life whether in heaven as spirit beings or those on earth to everlasting life in an Eden like world free of sin. God created man in his image, not animals. God will always provide for life on earth and will ensure the earth endures forever (Eccl.1:4).

ACTS 10:34

1. God is no respecter of person (v. 34: Rom. 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; I Peter1:17)
2. Two conditions of acceptance 1) Fear God (v.35; Luke 12:5) 2) Work righteousness by obeying the gospel program (v. 35; James 1)
3. Christ sent of God to Israel (v. 36-37) John 1:11; John 3:16-20; Matt. 10:6; 15:24)
4. Christ is Lord of all (v. 36; 2:36)
5. Christ came preaching peace (v.36)  3:15; Luke 2:14; John 14:27)
6. The Gospel dispensation began with John the Baptist (v.37; Matt. 11;11;Luke 16;16; Acts 1:21,22; ; Gal. 3:19-29)
7. God gave Jesus Christ the fullness of the Spirit (v. 38; John 3:34)
8. The twofold program of the gospel, preaching and confirming it (v. 36, 38; Matt.4:23-25; Heb.2:3,4; John 14:11)
9. Power comes along with the Holy Spirit anointing (v.38; 1:8; Luke 10:19; 24:49; Mark  16:15-20; John 14:12)
10. Satan not God is the cause of sickness (v.38; Luke10:19; 13;16; John 10:20; Matt 4:23-24; 10:1-8)
11. Christ was approved of God by signs and wonders (v.38) 2:22; John 3:2; Matt. 4:23-24; John 14:11)
12. It is God’s will to heal (v.38; Matt. 8:17; I Peter  2:24; John 10:10; 14:12; Mark 16;15-20; Luke 10:19; I Cor. 12:4-11; James 5:14-16; 3 John 2)
13. It is God’s will to heal all if conditions are right(v. 38, Matt. 13:58; 7:7-11; 17:20; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; Luke 10:19 John 10:10; 14:12-15;15:7,16; 16; 23-26; James. 5:14)
14. Special witnesses were chosen of Christ’s life from John’s baptism on, so a true record could be made of all things (v.39-41)1:22; 3:15; 5:32) 
15. Crucifixion of Jesus(v. 39; 2:23; 3:15; 4:10; 5;30; I Peter 2:24)
16. Bodily resurrection of Jesus (v. 40; 2:24-26; Luke 24:39 ;I Cor. 15)
17. Christ’s bodily resurrection fully attended  (v. 40,41: 1:3; John 2:14 )
18. The great commission to preach and confirm the gospel (v.42; Matt. 28: 19-20; Mark. 16:15-20; Luke 24: 49-53; Acts 1: 4-8).
19. Christ is ordained by God to be the judge of all (v. 42) 17:31; John 5:22)
20. But the dead and the living will be judged (v. 42; Rev. 20: 11-14; Matt. 25; 31-46; Rom. 14:10; II Cor. 5:10; I Cor. 3: 11-15)
21. Christ was the subject of the prophets (v. 43; 3:21; Luke 24:44; John 5:39)
22. Faith in Christ necessary for salvation ( v.43; 2:38;4:12; Rom. 10:9-10)

This article is the result of some interesting questions that were brought to my attention a few years back.  I will begin by citing the scriptures, and then I will state the questions.

by Jim Schucker at jimschucker@gmail.com

1. The first question comes from Heb. 7:1-4 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him. To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace. Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life. but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually.   Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.”… “of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.”…  This should make one curious and want to know more about this person Melchizedek. So the question is: what more could the Apostle Paul have told us about Melchizedek if the Hebrews hadn’t been so dull of hearing?  Especially considering that in the old testament Melchizedek is only mentioned two times once in Gen 14:18 and the other in Psalm 110:4…“without father and mother without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” What, is he still living?
2. The second question comes from Gen.9:20-27 “And Noah began to be a husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.” And the question is: why does Noah curse Canaan for something that his father Ham did? This is the only place that I know of in the scriptures that the perpetrator of a crime seems to get off free, and someone else gets punished. Why would Noah do that? Does this seem like the kind of man the Lord would chose to save mankind from extinction with? Besides, is there really something wrong with seeing you father naked? Do we have a scripture that states that a man should not see his father naked?
3.    The third question comes from 1 Chronicle 5:1 & 2 “Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, for as much as he defiled is father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.  For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s“.  What does this mean?  What is this genealogy, and birthright?

Believe it or not these three questions are all related to each other in a wonderful way, and when you unravel it you begin to see that the bible tells a story of the most incredible family drama the world has ever seen.  I would like to begin by having you put yourself in Shem’s shoes, the third son of Noah. Imagine if you will; the world has just been destroyed by a great flood. Only you, your two brothers, your father Noah and a Zoo have managed to survive. Your family is the only family on earth… What plan of action will you institute amongst your children to divide the land fairly?

Would you want to know the answers?

Question: Dear Bible Students – praise the Lord… Our government arranged a lockdown from March 26, 2020.  The Bible verse in Isaiah 26:20 says, ”Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the wrath is past.  For behold, the LORD is coming forth … to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity…”  Is the above verse a prophecy telling about the corona virus, which causes the people to suffer a lot?

Answer:  Thank you for your question. We think while it is possible that Isaiah 26:20 relates to the current pandemic, it is unlikely. We believe the verse relates more toward the broader message of taking refuge in the Lord and trusting upon him and his promises toward his people for deliverance (see Psalms 91:1-16). This is not to say we are promised literally to be insulated from ever being affected by what is happening around us.  Our Lord Jesus in this present time is preparing for the establishment of his Kingdom on earth. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Isaiah 26:20 reminds us of the similar situation when the Jews were in Egypt in bondage and God’s plan to release them. The last of the plagues was the death of the first born of Egypt. The Jews were instructed to put the blood of the Passover lambs on their doorposts and lintels and to go inside and not come out until the angel of death had passed over the land.  As God’s people, we are admonished to abide by God’s word, trust in him that “all things work for good to those that love God and for those that are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28).  We know that come what may, he has a plan and that “all the nations of the earth will be blessed” by it eventually when fully implemented.  We are not to worry as we know the end will be wonderful and beautiful.

Jesus told us in Matthew 24 of things which must come to pass before the establishment of the Kingdom. Many understand that the last plagues referenced in Revelation are symbolic of judgments upon Christendom and the world in these last days of the Gospel age. They mirror the plagues described in Egypt. Many also see the plagues as possibly having a cumulative effect as well as a sequential effect and in essence compound with one another. We must keep in mind the true context. The COVID-19 is a new strain of flu virus that is likely to have been manipulated by man making it very infectious among humans and either accidently or purposefully released. Prior flu strains that have circulated among the population over the years have killed millions.  In 1918, a global flu pandemic killed hundreds of millions worldwide, and was of much greater magnitude than COVID-19. Being a new strain, there is no reasonable level of individual or comprehensive immunity developed within the population yet, so it seems very severe. Mankind is attempting to spread out the rate of infection over a longer time in order to avoid overwhelming our ability to treat those needing hospitalization. This is to avoid a 1918-like result.  As we develop vaccines and exposure becomes more widespread, COVID-19 will become part of our normal annual flu threat along with its normal mutations and adaptations. What we need is to reduce the number of people who need medical treatment for the disease and to keep the number manageable within our resources to treat them. What is important now is that we do our part to try to follow the guidance of those God has placed in positions of leadership, practice love for our fellow man and take the necessary precautions to protect one another. Most critical is to pray to God for his guidance and deliverance.