WHO WILL WEAR THE CROWN?

THE CORONAVIRUS OR THE KING OF KINGS

As of writing, according to Wikipedia reports, more than 89,000 cases of the Coronavirus infection have been confirmed, of which 8,000 were classed as serious. More than 65 territories have been affected with the largest number of cases in mainland China, South Korea, Italy and Iran. Officially, more than 2,900 people in China have died with around 130 having died in other countries. More than 44,000 people have recovered. [We are, I believe to assume that the tens of thousands of people not recorded as having recovered are most likely in the process of doing so].

There is no doubt that this infection is posing a threat to public health around the world, with the greatest threat being the pneumonia type symptoms which may develop further complicating the initial viral infection.

The coronavirus is named as a derivation of the Latin corona, meaning "crown" or "halo", which refers to the characteristic appearance of the virus particles (virions): they have a fringe reminiscent of a crown or of a solar corona (Pictured above).

Authorities tell us that the coronavirus now circulating is related to other coronaviruses that have been around for decades, such as the various strains of the SARS virus which also produced a number of deaths in the early 2000's - but which was relatively short-lived in its distribution.

As well may be expected, secular media outlets have been beating up this story and, while providing factual information regarding this infection, have also been blowing it out of all proportion in some instances. About a week ago, I read a headline on the Internet Microsoft Edge news page which said words to the effect: "Every Australian Will Get Coronavirus". That kind of headline obviously is intended to instill fear and panic in the hearts and minds of the readers, as well as greatly increasing their readership. I do not believe this headline is a truth fact. There has probably not been any infection or disease epidemic or pandemic which has affected every person in a nation, although certainly there have been widespread pandemics such as the Black Death of the 14th century and the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918, which purportedly killed more people than all the casualties of war in World War One.

In the last two decades, there have been a number of viral infections which have caused alarm worldwide - such as the SARS virus, the H1N1 bird flu around 2009, and the Ebola scare which, I think from memory most affected several nations in West Africa. 

As a committed Christian, a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, what should my - and your response be to this threat from the Coronavirus now circulating through increasing numbers of nations?

Interestingly, a number of prophetic voices have arisen, addressing the present Coronavirus pandemic threat. 
The Bible says in Amos 3:7,8 Surely the Lord God does nothing
                                           without revealing His purpose
                                            to His servants the prophets.

                                           The lion has roared;
                                             who will not fear?
                                           The Lord God has spoken;
                                             who can but prophesy?

In the New Testament Book of Ephesians, in chapter 4, verse 11, the apostle Paul lists what are known as the Ascension Gift Ministries of Christ to the church. These are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These leaders have been given to the church to equip the saints for the work of ministering effectively in the world and in the church.
There are people in the church today - both men and women who have been called and commissioned into the office of modern day prophets. 

That being said, there have been a number of prophetic words published in recent days relating to the coronavirus threat. I do not intend to reproduce all these words verbatim in this blog, but will provide some highlights of several of these words to provide some sense of encouragement, especially to those who have their trust in the Lord God fully.

I will publish the next part of this blog, but to whet your appetite for more to come (Hopefully), the title for one of these words is: "The Coronavirus: The Pandemic Is To Be Faith - Not Fear".