Wuhan seemed distant. On the other side of the world. A crisis there didn’t seem like much of a threat here in the good ole’ USA.
Downplaying the inevitable reality seemed to give the impression that the US would be immune to such a disaster. “We’ve got this under control.” Don’t worry, everything is fine.
It didn’t take long before this plague began to invade our “protected” borders. In a heartbeat, toilet paper began to equal the same value as gold. Panic and mass hysteria exacerbated by media drove us to clear supermarket shelves.
As world numbers skyrocketed in relation to the Coronavirus, reality superseded “downplay.” It became increasingly evident that cautionary tones would need to change. Spreading of the virus took hold and changed not only a biological outlook, but an escalated mental and political one.
The stock market is making landmark plummets. Devastation is in the air. Instant layoffs in nearly every workforce industry make the idea of bread and soup lines seem imminent. Lines to purchase guns and ammunition bring about the realization that crime rates are likely going to peak as well.
For a Christian, and particularly Adventists who have read of end-time prophecies for years, the writing on the wall speaks boldly. Yet, to many, it’s rationalized away as just another hiccup in society that will soon vanish and our self-consumed ways will eventually return to its normal rate of intended deception by the enemy of life itself.
Look Around You
Take a moment and reflect over just the last couple of years. Massive, devastating floods, fires, mass shootings, earthquakes and now an unthinkable amount of locusts in Africa. Not to mention the continuance of moral decline. Wars and rumors of wars. Need a wake-up call? Is it working? What else do we need?
Luke 22:11. “… And there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”
Psalm 91:6. “ Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.”
Rapidly disappearing from denominational publications and offshoots are the topics of “Women’s Ordination,” “LGBT+ indoctrination,” “Trinity arguments,” “Climate change,” etc. The preservation of life and sustenance take center stage.
Some fear the seven deadly plagues have begun. However, I believe God is incredibly patient, gracious and fair. We should be praising God that He his providing us with a “fire drill” if you will. No pun intended.
As we’ve been bickering, complaining and relying upon human opinion, earth sciences and the arrogance of self, He is providing us the opportunity to refocus our minds on His sovereignty. This world is not our home, we’re temporary residents.
With lockdowns, school closures, employment layoffs and social distancing, many have taken to the airwaves and pacifying the mind with mindless entertainment.
How many of us have taken to our knees? How many of us have taken inventory of our vital connection with God? What’s our condition? Is it dire? Or are we complacently comfortable?
I ask myself these questions. Sometimes we want to pretend something isn’t happening in order to escape the conviction it brings to our conscience.
What would it be like if we were to stare into a mirror for a few minutes, looking to see if Jesus is residing in our eyes? How long could we stand to look deep inside before crumbling at the foot of the cross recognizing the need to surrender all. All! The nasty self-nurtured deceptions of sin.
Jesus has informed us of His Remnant,
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).
As Adventists, God provided us with a luxurious gift many have abandoned, thrown away, discredited, misused and abused. We were given an advantage of “special light.” However, such light has the ability to discipline. A discipline that most worldly minded “Christians” don’t want to encounter. We can’t remain friends with the world, seeking to accommodate, tolerate and accept, while adhering to God’s “love in truth” message. You won’t survive with a foot in both camps.
God’s messenger was provided to help us through these “end time” events. Heaven isn’t a five star amusement park to indulge the senses. Heaven is the accomplishment of rescuing God’s servants and having them present with Him for eternity. It will be the epitome of honor and obedience to our King. No evil will prevail. No temptation will ever be present to detour us from our Savior. A desire for something more that glorifies and indulges self would eventually replicate the acts of Lucifer.
We have been blessed with the gifts and methods proposed for Heaven’s eternal residents.
“The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end” (Desire of Ages, Pg.324).
It's not all about me. Not all about us. It’s all about Jesus. Is He desirable to me… to you? Are we seeking His ways? His Word? I believe that if we truly were, we would not have experienced such division over the last several years. Satan has plotted to make us self-absorbed. And He’s been quite successful. Our focus has been switched to issues, instead of to Jesus.
Like Sodom, we cling to privilege, pleasure, personal rights and sensual indulgence. Have we fallen short of His remnant plan? In our current state, and considering God’s rapidly approaching coming, could we stand among the 144,000? Have we examined self in the heart scorching light of God’s almighty Word?
“The Spirit illumines our darkness, informs our ignorance, and helps us in our manifold necessities. But the mind must be constantly going out after God. If worldliness is allowed to come in, if we have not desire to pray, no desire to commune with Him who is the source of all strength and wisdom, the Spirit will not abide in us” (Our High Calling Pg. 154).
God invites us to humble ourselves before Him. To take inventory in a meek and lowly manner. Not one of self-exaltation, but self-denial and self-surrender. There world keeps telling us to just “be yourself.” “Do what’s right for you.” It proclaims security from within, not from above.
What’s been on your heart and mind over the last couple of weeks? Has it been about making sure that you have enough toilet paper and life sustain staples? Guns and ammunition to protect yourself against any human threat?
Has your reflection been upon self, or upon Jesus? Whose authority is crucial in such challenging times as these? The enemy doesn’t care how he snags you, as long as you respond. Where is your safety if it is not in Jesus?
Tell me about your relationship with Jesus? What are you doing for Him? Consider the stab wound and blood drained, extinguishing His life for your purchase. He says you are worth it. Is He “everything” to you?
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“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20).