This corona virus has spread so rapidly that drastic measures have become necessary. As of last Monday, all non-critical staff of the EU Institutions have to work from home, and this also applies to all other employees in the country who can telework. We are only supposed to leave our homes for essential errands like shopping, doctor's appointments, etc. Thank God, outdoor exercising is still allowed. But all non-essential travels are not permitted. This is already the second Sabbath that we couldn't have a regular service in our church. As somebody who lives alone, I find this particularly hard. But thank God we have modern technology, so that we can still stay connected through media like Skype and What's App.
A few evenings ago, the neighbourhoods here in Brussels started a joint action inspired from what they have been doing in Italy: Every night at 8 PM sharp, people come to their windows and balconies and clap their hands, applauding the health care staff and all other people who have been working tirelessly in this critical time in order to serve the community. I really like it, as it gives a sense of solidarity and communal spirit.
But should Christians be surprised by such developments? Not at all. It's predicted in the Bible after all:
"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matthew 24:7-8, emphasis added)Ellen White also mentions pestilences in several of her writings. I found the following quote very interesting:
"In the last scenes of this earth’s history, war will rage. There will be pestilence, plague, and famine. The waters of the deep will overflow their boundaries. Property and life will be destroyed by fire and flood. We should be preparing for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for them that love Him. There is a rest from earth’s conflict." (Maranatha, p. 174.6)Indeed, all these things are happening around us. But we are to prepare for a better world - for the homes that Christ is preparing for us in Heaven!
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4)
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| Teleworking has definitely increased my productivity, like doing a spring cleaning in my kitchen.... |
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| ...or sewing fabric baskets :-) |
1 comment:
Hello Daniela. I am a Pastor from Mumbai India I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am also blessed and feel privileged and honoured to get connected with you as well as know you and about your interest in scriptures and following the Godly way. VEry thoughtful post on Corona Virus and what the Word of God says about it. It is also time for christians all over the world to turn to God and seek His face. Time and again when Isralites turn away from God and followed their wicked ways He appealed them to turn to Him. In 2nd Chronicles 7:14 The Lord God appeals to His people "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek His face and trun away from their wicked ways then will I hear them from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land. All European countirs and America were the countries who worshipped the Creator and Savior of the world but they have followed their own ways and hence what the whole world is experiencing is the result of men's rebelliousness agaist God. Well praying for European countries and America where Corona virus has taken over 200,000 peoples life and no one knows how many lives it will take until it is destroyed.
I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 40 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reaach out to the poorest of poor with the l ove of Christ. WE also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. we would love to have you come to Mumbai or encourage young people from your family, friends and church circle come to Mumbai to work with us during your vacation time. I am sure you will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you your family and friends also wishing you and your family a blessed and a Christ centered rest of the year 2020. My email id is : dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my nane is Diwakar Wankhede.
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