The well-known and conservative website Daily Express, has apparently been researching the coronavirus and its potential relationship to the Book of Revelation. They published an article today that borrows heavily from Amazing Facts’ subsidiary website sabbathtruth.com.
CORONAVIRUS is preventing churches in China from honouring the Christian Sabbath, something the Book of Revelation predicted before the end of the world, according to a religious publication.
It is not clear if they understand the Sabbath day as the Seventh day or Sunday in their nomenclature ‘Christian Sabbath.’ It seems likely that they are investing Sunday with the identity of the Christian Sabbath. We reached out to the author to get his input. They also mention the biblical counsel of clean and unclean foods in the article—insights also gleaned from the Amazing Facts website. Here’s the rest of their article,
“More than 80,000 people have been affected by the deadly virus now, with more than 2,600 fatalities recorded worldwide. The Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, announced a policy of eased restrictions yesterday, allowing residents to leave in small groups. But, just three hours later, the decision was reversed, placing its nine million residents back under strict quarantine.
Churches in the city, including those honouring the Christian Sabbath, have been banned from providing service to prevent the virus’ spread, which may now be fulfilling a chilling end of days prophecy from the Book of Revelation.
Publication Sabbath Truth reports: “The Bible talks about a time when disease epidemics, (Matthew 24:7), will run rampant and masses of people will be affected.
“If the effects of this new coronavirus are any indication, assembling for worship will likely become more and more difficult during this time.
“Scriptures foretell that, due to religious oppression, such a day will indeed come (Revelation 13:15).”
Revelation 13:15 predicts a “beast” will prevent Christians from carrying out worship.
The publication claims these restrictions may be evidence that Earth is now in the final days before the Second Coming. [This is referring to Adventist eschatology, gleaned from the sabbathtruth.com website.]
But it may not be the only sign.
It adds: “This current outbreak should give Sabbath-keepers pause to consider these questions and how we address new challenges in these last days.
“Some claim that the human consumption of unclean animals, such as bats, may have been the source of the new coronavirus.
“Those who follow the Bible’s dietary guidelines in Leviticus 11, however, already know to refrain from eating any unclean animal.
“The Sabbath gives us ‘time for time,’ as someone once said—the space in which we can stop our daily toil to worship God, to spend time thinking on His merciful love for us; to encourage one another in our Christian walk.
“These are all good things that help us live better lives, yes, but the Sabbath is so much more than that, It is a central issue in these last days.”
This article was also published in the nytimespost.com.
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