It is a thing I must remember, that men must always remember, that civilization is a flimsy cloak, and just outside are hunger, thirst, and cold…waiting.”
–Louis L’Amour (Bendigo Shafter)
“For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”
–Matthew 24:44 (NASB)
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Apocalypse/Post-Apocalypse! What comes to mind? Most likely a movie as it has been a major theme of many film producers. Perhaps you thought of the virus that is upon us. The term is now being used again.
Now, I don’t proclaim to be a Bible scholar, nor an eschatological expert (why, I can hardly spell it, much less say it), but I would like to give a few thoughts to the idea of Apocalypse. The word, I found in studying, is actually a Greek word meaning “revelation” or “an unveiling or unfolding of things not previously known and could not be known apart from the unveiling.” It speaks of the unknown future and has taken on the concept signifying the end of the world as we know it.
First of all, Post-Apocalypse is not destruction, but restoration. However, before looking at that I do want to say that there will be an Apocalyptic time. This time is the Great Tribulation and will culminate with the Battle of Armageddon, or the Day of the Lord. It will surely be a time of troubles that the world has not seen since the time of Noah, and it will actually be worse with all the wrath that is upon the earth.
“The harvest of the earth is ripe… Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe. So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into a great wine press of the wrath of God… He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.”
–Revelation 14:15,18-19;19:15 (NASB)
This coronavirus will be mild in comparison to what will take place during the Great Tribulation–Apocalypse. There will be pandemics the likes of which mankind has never seen, plus a myriad of other calamities–Apocalypse.
But after Armageddon–post-Apocalypse–the earth will begin a process of restoration. The “curse” will have been removed. Jesus will rule from Jerusalem. It will be a time of prosperity, safety, and plenty. Satan will be bound, the Tempter will be in chains and in the “bottomless pit.” Makes me want to sing the words of J.M. Kirk’s song, “Satan will be bound a thousand years, we’ll have no tempter then…” Imagine this wonderful Millennial Reign of Christ.
When we read the signs of Christ’s return found in Matthew 24, there is a very important verse. Jesus has been speaking of what it will be like before He returns. He speaks of various kinds of disasters and troubles, but notice verse 8: “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.” (24:8, NASB)
The Lord is preparing to return! The COVID 19 is only part of the beginnings of birth pangs. Don’t fret, don’t worry, don’t be anxious, but set your eyes upon Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith”.(Hebrews12:2, NKJV)