by Rev. Joda Collins
I love the study of the New Testament from the original language which is Koine Greek. Koine just means "common" or "every day". The Greek language is very specific. Great pearls of truth can be learned from specific words that writers used because those specific words often have very narrow applications. The New Testament word translated "disease" in English has the concept of "ill at ease" (dis-ease) and can include blindness, crippled, deaf, as well and someone with a sickness that is not part of a larger contamination of the population. When a person has a disease (sickness) which is shared by a large percentage of the population as a result of infectious transfer, that disease is called in Greek (and written in English), "loimoi". Loimoi carries the connotation of a highly infectious disease that is out of control. We would call it a plague, pandemic or epidemic. Many Bible translations translate "loimoi" as "plagues". The King James translates "loimoi" as "pestilence" or "pestilent".
When "loimoi" is used in the New Testament there is always a concept of world wide or near world wide impact. For example, Acts 24:5 (KJV) reads, "For we have found this man a pestilent (loimoi) fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world...." These are words about the Apostle Paul's effect as an evangelist and preacher of the Gospel. Notice the reference to the whole world!
Jesus spoke to his disciples about the end of the world. They wanted to know when it was. Jesus did not tell them when it was but told them the condition of the world would be in when the end was coming (near). Part of that clarification is found in Luke 21:10-11 which reads: "...Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences (world-wide or near worldwide infectious diseases); and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven."
I have some bad news for you, some worst news and some really bad news. First, the bad news. Our current world-wide plague (pandemic) of COVID-19 is not a sign of the end of the world coming now. I have not heard of world-wide or near world-wide war, earthquakes, famines, or fearful sights from the heavens (sky and/or outer space). Absent of those things, Jesus is not coming back now. Oh well. Have patience Christians, Jesus will return in God's good timing. Now, for worst news. COVID-19 is child's play compared to how bad it is going to be just before the end of the world. COVID-19 is just a little taste; a minor practice run. Now for the really bad news. If you are not under the blood of Jesus as bad as it is going to get just before the end of the world, all who are not under the blood of Jesus (that is, not saved; not a Christian) when you, as a non-Christian, die, your eternal abode (Hell) will be much, much worse than the conditions on Earth at the end of the world. If you are a non-Christian, COVID-19 should scare you to the core of your being because it is just a very mild taste of the way it will be at the end of the world and the way it will be at the end of the world is just a very mild taste of the way it will be for you forever if you die as a non-Christian.
Do you think I am kidding? No you do not! You know I am right. It is time for you to do business with God or get ready to face the consequences. Is that a threat. You bet it is, right out of the Bible. You do not think that is fair? Hummm. You can complain about it all you want in Hell. No one will be listening to you there, either.
Rev. Joda Collins
jodacollins@aol.com
I make no claim that anyone else agrees with me.
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