We live in a time where things are happening, that maybe a month ago would have been unthinkable.
For instance: no church gatherings, no sports events, restaurants closed and the government's trampling upon all our rights and most of the people having no problem with that. The 91st Psalm (verse 5 and 6) is very timely “Thou shalt not be afraid for …..the pestilence that walketh in the darkness.“
To have a right perspective of why things are so, I think we have to get to the root of the problem, which is the terror that is seized upon us because of this virus.
So I intend to look at the beginning of our modern way of treating disease; all our approaches are based upon the germ theory that Pasteur formulated in the 19th century, and now is accepted by most of the scientists. That's why we have a healthcare crisis: we spend way too much money for it and we don't get people healed. If you look the way we treat disease we see that we don't have results because most of the doctors are poisoning, radiating or cutting, attacking the symptoms and neglecting the cause. We Adventists should know better because we have heavenly counsel about disease and health.
So let's try to compare the 2 theories that were formulated in the 19th century by two french scientists: the germ theory by Louis Pasteur and the terrain theory by Antoine Bechamp.
Germ Theory
The germ theory of disease is the currently accepted scientific theory for many diseases. It states that microorganisms known as pathogens or "germs" can lead to disease. These small organisms, too small to see without magnification, invade humans, other animals, and other living hosts. Their growth and reproduction within their hosts can cause disease. "Germ" may refer to not just a bacterium but to any type of microorganism or even non-living pathogen that can cause disease, such as protists, fungi, viruses, prions, or viroids.
The existence of germs is troubling for some people that question God’s existence, but we know that all the weeds, poisonous plants and animals, germs and viruses which are harmful is the work of the enemy [based on Christ’s parable of wheat and tares]. I think God allowed Satan to alter His creation—to a certain limit—but He was not surprised by what has happened. He equipped us with an immune system that can fight and not be defeated by all the amalgamations that Satan can do. There is not the slightest doubt that Satan cannot outsmart God.
Terrain Theory
The terrain theory states that viruses will cause sickness if they are in a medium [or terrain] that promotes growth or is favorable for germs to live in.
From history we know that the scientific world has accepted the germ theory [politicians and people in power have their part in the controversy] and discarded the terrain theory. We now just reap the results of accepting a faulty theory because is partly true: the germs are making us sick, but only if our body is in a state that encourage germs to live in.
Let's look at what we Seventh-day Adventists should know about disease,
“The only hope of better things is in the education of the people in the right principles. Let physicians teach the people that restorative power is not in drugs, but in nature. Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to re-establish right conditions in the system” {MH 127.1}.
The right conditions in the system (I think) is to bring your body in a condition that will not welcome germs to live in. Your immune system should be in good shape to be able to fight all the germs that surround us. We cannot really keep them out from coming in but we can make them not be welcomed in our system.
Using some good sense let's look at the two theories. Some facts undisputable: we cannot destroy all the germs that are around us. We cannot be 100% sure we will not get them in our system, even by the most draconian measures like the governments are now trying to do—like ordering us to stay in our houses and not get out only for serious needs, and after we fill out some forms [sad but this is not a joke]. For a sad joke: we are all prisoners and we have to build our own cells. One of the saddest things is the economic impact that will be upon the people. But most of the people believe the crisis that we are in is required [some suggest we are in a war against the virus]. We can only win this war on the virus if we destroy many living things on this earth—like it or not.
Now looking at the terrain theory we can do a lot to make sure our system will not entertain the germs that come in. Jettison the donuts and all the foods rich in refined sugar. Eat more food the way God created it especially fruits [that's the best original fuel for you body]. I know some people have a different opinion about fruits but here is some good counsel: ”Fruit we would especially recommend as a health-giving agency” (Manuscript 43, 1908).
“The Lord desires those living in countries where fresh fruit can be obtained during a large part of the year, to awake to the blessing they have in this fruit. The more we depend upon the fresh fruit just as it is plucked from the tree, the greater will be the blessing” (Testimonies for the Church 7:126, 1902).
The economic implication of this crisis I think will be more devastating than the damage that the virus will do. Not long ago on the political front, we heard some socialist measures that the conservatives were criticizing, like universal basic income. Some very generous politicians suggested the government to gave each individual $1000 every month just like that no strings attached. Now it is a reality, the so called conservative government has just voted to give $1200 to every citizen and $500 to children. So much for ”America will never be socialist.“ Some will say “But Nick you are so cruel. People have lost their source of income and need help to get out of this crisis.”
Yes, but economic principles cannot be neutered—so to say. Does the government have this money, or will just print it out of thin air? They will print it. This is so called “helicopter money” in the economic circle.
A lesson from history that we forgot very fast was the crisis in April 2008 when the President (a so called conservative) had sent $400 or 600 to every family. I remember receiving it. But the crisis still came. Believe it or not we are not yet out from it, I think we will get worse in it. “But we have a good economy”, they were saying for the last 2-3 years. Speculation or what?
Let's throw out some numbers: we had a yearly growth of 2-3 % a year that means in 10 years 20-30 % growth believing the government numbers. The stock market had a growth of about 100% or more in the last 10 years. If that is not speculation I don't know what will be.
They said that recently Tesla’s stock market value has just surpassed the first place that was held by Volkswagen. I don't think Tesla even makes 0.5 million cars a year, when Volkswagen makes around 10 millions or so in a year. Speculation or what?
To draw some conclusion: the world is ready for our undiluted health message! Sadly, only a small number of health ministries—mostly independent—are still promoting it. The world also needs our prophetic message about the last crisis.
Things To Watch For
We will hear, I believe soon, about the need to return to God—from politicians and apostate church clergy, and the apostate ‘church’ and state will unite to enforce the mark of the beast.
May the Lord help us to live by faith, because all our earthly support will be cut off.
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Nick Hojda is a bricklayer and an Adventist from Ohio.