“The world will no longer be the same as before.” A well-known politician made this statement after the September 11 terrorist attacks occurred. Looking at the development of current events, we can repeat these words, with even greater confidence, for the present day. Completely unprecedented and tragic events have shaken our world from the beginning of 2020.
Today the world is in total dismay and awe of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Entire countries and continents are immersed in fear and anticipation of impending disasters. Millions of people have lost their jobs and livelihoods. Stock markets have crashed, oil prices have fallen and entire sectors of the world economy have frozen. Countries are quarantined. Humanity has not experienced such panic and fear, not even during the World Wars. Many Christians wonder: Could this be the beginning of the end? Frankly, there is every reason for such a statement when we look in the Scriptures.
Today I would like to introduce you to the 13th chapter of the Book of Isaiah. In this chapter we find a vivid description of the problems our entire world is facing. Through the prophet, God describes in detail the place from where these problems will arise, the main symptoms as well as the state of the world during this disaster. From this we see that the crisis of today is no longer a rehearsal but instead the beginning of what the eternal Bible has been telling us for thousands of years through the lips of many prophets.
It’s no secret that the Coronavirus epidemic began in China. Many of you probably still remember from our history textbooks that the ancient name of China is “Celestial Empire” (Heavenly Place). (Wikipedia: The term “Celestial Empire” has been used in China since ancient times to refer to the territory to which the power of the Chinese emperor extended.)
The first four verses of Isaiah 13 is a narration concerning the Lord gathering an army. The fifth verse indicates where this army will come from:
“They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land” (Isaiah 13:5).
As we see, it is from there, from the Celestial Empire (end of heaven) that this epidemic, which will crush the whole earth, will begin its deadly procession. You can’t say it more precisely.
Today, this virus has already covered over 200 countries spreading at a rapid rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics: 67 days: Up to 100,000 infected with the virus; 11 days: 200,000 infected; 4 days: 300,000 infected, and so on. As we can see, the rate of infection is exponential and terrifying. Isaiah writes that the Day of the Lord’s wrath and rage (verse 9) will come to exterminate sinners from the earth.
Next, we find a detailed description of the attacks, which will be inflicted from the Celestial Army of the Lord Almighty:
“Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame” (Isaiah 13:8).
We read above that the world is in fear and confusion. We see very clearly here, that the defeat of people will not be by swords and spears, but clear signs that bespeak of a terrible disease of the internal organs of man (i.e. convulsions, pain, torment). Flaming faces are the heat inherent in this epidemic. When a sick person is admitted to a hospital, the first thing that must be done is to measure that person’s temperature. A high temperature is the very first sign of sickness. In many cities of the world, even thermal imagers are installed to measure the temperature of people at a distance.
In verse 14, we find another example.
“Like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd, they will all return to their own people, they will flee to their native land” (Isaiah 13:14).
Does this not remind you of anything? In the history of the earth, there has not been a time where such things can be said about the nations. For many years, we have seen the opposite. People fleeing to other countries in search of a better life. During wars, revolutions, economic problems, religious persecutions, etc. People ran to America, to Europe, to Canada, to England, to Australia and other places. People from countries with problems will make every effort to move to another country. But here everyone will run to their own land and to their people.
Today, this infection has caused countries to close their borders and send charter flights to bring back their own citizens—tourists and those who have worked abroad. America, Russia, England, and many other countries have brought back their citizens to try and save them from this epidemic. Several million citizens of Ukraine and the Baltic States have traveled back from Western Europe. There is no longer any work for them in Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, England, etc. All businesses are closed and tens of thousands of residents are hospitalized. The streets are empty, people do not leave their homes, fear and gloom all around. Every day, an increasing number of patients bring us new reports, which are more reminiscent of reports from the front lines of war.
“The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.” (Isaiah 13:10).
A clear indication that there will be a complete inability of leaders of the countries of the earth to influence this situation. It is what we are seeing everywhere. This chapter of Scripture testifies that the world has filled its measure of lawlessness (verse 11) and the time has come for reckoning for all the atrocities of the world.
“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness” (I Thessalonians 5:2-5).
The theme of the end of the world and the second coming of Christ has always been a special topic, in which the question was special:
“. . . What is the sign of your coming and the end of the century?” (Matthew 24:3).
The question of the end of the century (lit. Greek: “Consummation of the age”) concerns 21st Century residents, as well as the disciples of Christ. The current events have caused a serious shaking for the whole world. Trouble came from a place we weren’t expecting. In the minds of people was the expectation of another World War; missiles, bombs, nuclear explosions. However, the problem came from an unexpected place: A tiny virus has brought the entire world’s economy to its knees. It is time once again to carefully look at the words spoken by Jesus on the Mount of Olives. First, a reference point. Christ points a finger at that point:
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (Matthew 24:32-34).
The prophet Joel talks about the parallel of the fig tree and the nation of Israel. (Joel 1: 7). Thus, we must turn our eyes to Israel as the reference point, which many theologians call the “World Clock.” Israel (the Jewish People) has been scattered for two thousand years and, as a perfect demographic miracle, in 1948, the state of Israel appears (the fig tree turned green). Further, the words of Christ – this generation will not pass. Theologians explain, that from the foundation of Israel, (this is the starting point), a generation will not pass, and all these events mentioned will come to pass.
The time of the generation is interpreted very differently. We should take the definition of a generation exclusively from Scripture. The last place the Scriptures define the number of years of a generation is in Psalm 90: “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures…” (Psalms 90:10). If we add 70 years to 1948, we get 2018. In Psalm 90 we see ten years as a variant of a generation. By this standard, all the events leading up to the end of century, we should expect between 2018 and 2028. We will not know the precise day and hour, that is a fact. But we will see the approach of these days: “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:4).
What we see today gives us ground for serious thought. It is not a time for fear but a time to prepare and to be ready.
“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).
Vladimir Mysin – Executive Director – Mission “Word to Russia”
