The Shaking Has Begun
“See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
The shaking has begun, but not just now. It began sometime ago. However, like birth pains, the shaking is getting more intense, and it is expected to become more frequent.
In the words of Paul, “the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth.” The reference is to the return of Christ when we will experience “the redemption of our bodies” and “adoption as sons.” This is our hope (Romans 8:22-24). Every believer, dead or alive, look forward to this day of rapture. The dead in Christ will rise first, followed by those who are alive. We will suddenly be caught up together with Christ and taken to heaven where He has prepared rooms for us in His Father’s house (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; John 14:1-2).
However, before this blessed hope occurred, there will be shakings. At Sinai, God shook the mountain. In the Last Days, He will “shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land” (Haggai 2:6).God will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place,at the wrath of the Lord of hostsin the day of his fierce anger (Isaiah 13:13).
Therefore, expect more shakings as we draw nearer and nearer to the return of Christ. Expect the shakings to become more intense and more frequent. The coronavirus epidemic is one of the signs of the shakings that the prophets, Isaiah and Haggai, and the author of Hebrews were talking about. It is not the first and it will not be the last. Expect worse plagues and pestilences to come. Expect other crises to grip the earth.
Signs of Christ’s Coming
Jesus warned in the Olivet Discourse to watch out for the signs of His return (Matthew 24; Luke 21:20-28; Mark).
Earthquakes and natural disasters had happened throughout history, but in recent years and decades, they have become much more frequent and intense.
Persecution against Christians has become rife in many places like the Middle East, Africa and Muslim countries. Surprisingly, Western nations that were once predominantly Christian are also beginning to experience persecution. Christian values are rejected. Their media and culture, in general, are openly hostile toward Christians and the Christian faith. Most of their universities are bastions of atheism and openly anti-Christian.
There are more wars fought in the last one and a half centuries than throughout the history of mankind. More people have been killed. With the weapons of mass destruction in the stockpiles, worse carnage lies ahead.
Then, Jesus also talked about the signs in the sky. In recent years, we have witnessed the phenomena of blood moons and solar eclipses happening on biblical feast dates. It is well documented that highly significant events had often happened on these Jewish feast dates, including Jesus’ death, resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Again, it is not just the occurrence of these signs. It is the increase in intensity and frequency of these phenomena and having them happened in the same season of time. We are seeing this convergence.
The most important thing to bear in mind is that this convergence is taking place at the back of one of the greatest eschatological prophecies ever fulfilled – the return of the Jewish people to the Promised Land. In 1948, Israel once again became a sovereign nation. It had been a long wait since 586 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian monarch, conquered Jerusalem and exiled the Jews to Babylon. This prophecy takes more than 2,500 years to fulfil, but finally, it came to pass. How amazing is God’s Word! You can trust the Word of God. Hallelujah!
The Impact of Covid-19
Pestilences are also one of the signs that Jesus mentioned. The coronavirus epidemic fits into this category of signs. In recent months, we witness the incredible crisis brought about by this strain of virus. It does not just create an outsized concern in the health of people, it also causes a major disruption in social interaction and human movement within each country and across borders. Governments after governments are announcing a lockdown of their countries. In some places, the streets are like war zones except that the destruction is not visible. There are no damaged roads and buildings.
This microbe disrupts supply chains, grounds commercial jetliners and brings businesses to almost a halt. It cripples the national and global economies. The U.S. Senate just passed a whopping $2-trillion stimulus relief bill. Singapore economy shrinks 2.2% in the first quarter or 2020, and the full-year growth forecast has been slashed to -4% to -1%.As I am writing this reflection, I get the news that our government will be pumping an additional $48.4 on top of the $6.4 billion announced just a month ago to cushion the fallout from the Covid-19 epidemic. All the countries affected by the coronavirus are hit very badly.
If the current situation persists, which I hope not, there will be worse collateral damages. Many businesses will collapse, and unemployment rates will soar. The knock-on effects on families and life in general will be shockingly serious.
A Frightening Prospect
The coronavirus pandemic has turned into a pandemic of fear. A tiny microbe has the potential to wreak such havoc worldwide. When heaven sneezes, the world catches a bad cold. This is undeniably worse than a bad cold. Imagine what will happen when another great financial crisis, the likes of 2008, and wars and the other catastrophic signs hit concurrently.
Two Appropriate Responses
How do we respond?
Firstly, Jesus said, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).
The author of Hebrews told us to be grateful that we are receiving a kingdom – the Kingdom of God – that cannot be shaken. That is ultimately the goal of all the shakings. All transient and man-made things will be shaken and removed until only that which cannot be shaken will remain. That is, only things of eternal value will remain.
Given this precious truth, let us live in the fear of God by offering to God “acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29). This ought to be our response.
Secondly, put our trust in God alone.
Despite the quantum leaps made in medicine, science and technology in recent years, and the collective wisdom of human history, mankind cannot even handle a microscopic germ. It runs amok and in a matter of weeks brings the world to its knees. it is unimaginable, but it happens!
Herein lies a precious lesson. Don’t put our trust in ourselves or anyone or anything in this world. The coronavirus crisis has exposed the futility of human prowess and our helplessness. So, don’t look to the right or the left. Look upwards to the One who sits sovereign over all things.
In his time, King David was a warrior who understood how to win battles. Wise counsels and astute military strategies were indispensably important. Yet, in one of his psalms, he recognised the need to trust in God. He said these profoundly important words – “Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).
David is right. Put your trust in God. You cannot find faith without first trusting God. When you trust God, you will not fear but remain calm even when nations rage and kingdoms totter, and when the earth gives way and waters roar and foam. You can be still during crises and know that God is in perfect control (Psalm 46).
Pastors Leslie & Adeline Chua