Undoubtedly, we are facing the greatest worldwide pandemic of our time. There have been other pestilences in previous centuries that have killed a greater number of people, caused more economic damage, and have even wiped out entire people groups. But because of the modern technological age we live in and how small the world has become, there is no disease that has spread so widely so rapidly. Just three months ago, a majority of nations were experiencing prosperity and peace. Now we are witnessing national economies spiraling downward, and half of the world’s population living under some form of mandated lockdown.

Not only is the COVID-19 virus causing economic disaster, but it is also emotionally devastating to many. Most developed nations have never experienced national calamity of this sort. There is a feeling that a twenty-first-century world should be beyond this. Hasn’t humanity grown out of global diseases? Can’t we just vaccinate ourselves out of this mess? The protective bubble that western nations, in particular, have been living in has burst, leaving many terrified, vulnerable, and psychologically ill-prepared.

Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence (we hope), people are looking for answers. Is this God’s punishment against mankind? Are we about to witness the end of the world? In a recent poll sponsored by The Joshua Fund, 29 percent of respondents believe that the COVID-19 virus and the resulting economic meltdown are clear evidence that the biblical last days are upon us. Admittedly, for many outside of the church, what they know of the Day of the Lord and his final judgment has been sourced from apocalyptic and postapocalyptic movies and cult stories on 60 Minutes. But for many inside the church, they are looking for clues to see whether the final days of Ezekiel 38-39 and the book of Revelation are being played out before our very eyes.

From the early days of the first-century church, pastors, priests, and prophets have been trying to read the signs of the times. Prediction after prediction of Christ’s return have come and gone. Each predictor was sure they were right; each predictor was proven to be wrong. Anyone who is telling you now that COVID-19 is sure evidence that the Lord’s coming is nigh is no different from any of these failed prophets. That doesn’t mean that what we are witnessing is not a beacon pointing to a soon-coming end. We just can’t know with certainty. Jesus said, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). For anyone to come along and essentially say, “Jesus, I know you couldn’t figure out the date, but with my understanding of celestial events and secret codes, I think I can help you out,” is as arrogant as he is delusional.

Certainly it would be nice to know if our cloud-based meeting with Jesus was coming soon, but God has placed that knowledge out of our purview. This kind of worldwide pandemic certainly fits with end times events. But rather than pursuing what we can’t know, we should spend this time pursuing what we can know—God and his Word. That same Joshua Fund poll also showed that 40 percent of Christians have been prompted by this unsettling period to develop a greater interest in God and spiritual matters. While it would be nice to see this number higher, it is still encouraging to hear of so many Christians deepening their faith. It is too early to predict future ramifications within the church. However, by all accounts it appears the Lord is working through this virus to hone his people into a sharper and stronger tool that he can use to reach the world with his gospel.

To see more of The Joshua Fund poll, go to: https://www.joshuafund.com/index.php/learn/news-article/coronavirus_pandemic_is_a_wake_up_call_exclusive_joshua_fund_poll