A Sign of the Last Days?

Over the past year or so, I’ve been asked quite often whether I think COVID-19 is a sign of the last days.

I would say yes. Now, the word pandemic isn’t in the Bible because it’s a modern word. But we do find the words pestilence and plague mentioned many times in the pages of Scripture.

The Bible does tell us that in the end times, there will be horrible diseases that will come upon the planet. There will be earthquakes. There also will be wars and rumors of wars (see Matthew 24:4–7).

But all these events are part of what the Bible calls the Great Tribulation, which will last for seven years. This time period begins with the emergence of the antichrist, a coming world leader, and it ends with the return of Jesus Christ.

We’re not in the Great Tribulation period yet, but Jesus compared the days leading up to His return to a woman having labor pains. The closer to the day of delivery, the closer together the labor pains come.

So as we see more of these big events—earthquakes, pandemics, pestilence, conflicts, terrorism, and so forth—they are signs of the times. And Jesus said, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28 NKJV).

Maybe today you’re scared. Maybe you’re afraid of the afterlife. Or maybe you’re not sure whether your life is right with God.

If you want God to forgive you of your sin, if you want to know that you’ll go to Heaven when you die, if you want to be certain that when Christ returns you’ll be ready to meet Him, then you need Jesus in your life. Either get right with God or get left behind.