By CPR Admin
Pastor: Alvaro Matehuala Director of Intercession LOLI / Director of International House of Prayer
A Biblical Perspective in response to Coronavirus – March 2020
1. Recently, a Rabbi from Australia said that for as much impact of damage and mass chaos that the Coronavirus has already had on the world, it is such a small-measuring virus, measuring only at about 125 nanometers. (To further put this in perspective, one nanometer is the length of a billionth of a meter = .0000000001)
Without a doubt, we are in a state of emergency of unprecedented Biblical proportions. Personally, this catches my attention for a few reasons. For one, that this chaos is happening in a globalized manner during this month (March 2020). Here’s why:
Last week, (March 12) as I went to bed meditating on the consequences that COVID could have, it came to mind to recall on some of the decisions that have been made since the end of 2017 on a global scale, and, from my point of view, how that all coincides with the prophetic clock.
For example: let’s take a look at what happened on December 6, 2017 – “The President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, has declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.” This has been the reason why there are so many problems on an international scale.
Let’s take note that 5 months later, on May 14, 2018: “The United States of America has officially began working out of the embassy in Jerusalem.” If we take a look back at history, it was on May 14 of 1948 that Ben-Gurion declared Israel as a Jewish State, by the approval of the ONU. Coincidence?
One year later, on the 25th of June, 2019, Jared Kushner, son-in-law to President Trump, presented a plan of peace and prosperity in Abu Dabi, before important Arabic investors and other countries, proposing a $50,000,000 package deal for the re-structuring of the Palestinian State. It’s fit to mention that the US Government has given us access to that 181 page document.
Let’s look at September 12, 2019: The Pope announces his next convocation to be held at the Vatican, Rome, on May 14, 2020, inviting every world leader (politics, dignitaries, businessmen, iconic athletes, and other prominent leaders) to come together and sign a worldwide pact to re-educate the youth of today on how to care for the planet.
What all this culminates to is a public notice made on November 17, 2019, in which it’s announced that the first case of Coronavirus is found in Wuhan, China, a virus that is now altering the social reality worldwide.
It doesn’t end here. On January 28, 2020, it was officially announced from the White House that a treaty of peace, prosperity and safety (welcomed by Israel and other nations) had been made, but that a refusal was made on behalf of Palestinian parties.
Note: This plan includes dividing the land of Israel, [we observe that every time the USA insists on dividing the Israeli territory. There are consequences.]
Shortly after this announcement was made [On March of 2020] by declaration of WHO (World Health Organization), COVID-19 is declared as a pandemic, which activated the closing of national borders such as Italy, France, Germany, Israel, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Colombia, Paraguay, and Argentina….; additionally, all foreign visitors coming into the USA from Europe were vetted. Public closures were then announced: schools, churches, restaurants, bars, etc.. “We had never seen this happen on this scale.” At least not that I am aware of. We are aware that this could lead to a financial recession of high proportions.
Simultaneously, during this month of March, there is some tension between Russia and the Arab Emirates over petroleum due to the Coronavirus.
2. The pressing question is: “What are we to do in the midst of such a challenge?”
In order to respond to this, I need to be able to identify which group I’m a part of. And what I mean by that is, that the Bible makes reference to at least 3 groups known as, “the gentiles, the Hebrews, and the Church”. It emphasizes that each one of these groups depends upon a priestly ministry.
• The first: According to the Scriptures, Melchizedek, at the end of this first period of gentiles, appeared to Abraham, Let’s remember that Abraham came from a war that, incidentally, is the first war that is mentioned in the holy scriptures and Melchizedek was sent to bring two symbols of peace. Bread and wine in Genesis 14:18, it says: “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine (He was priest of God Most High).” Note: Melchizedek meaning is : “Kind of Righteousness.”
• The second: According to the Scriptures, through Aaron and his children – Leviticus 8 and Numbers 8 – they, the priests, would examine the plague. Note: and they gave instructions to the people how they should confront such plagues [example “leprosy]
• The third: According to Scriptures, through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 5:6, 6:20, 7:17, 7:21) “You are a priest forevermore, according to the order by Melchizedek” and 1 Peter 2:5 tells the church that we were made to be “holy priests – holy priesthood”. 1 Peter 2:9 says it this way, “a royal priesthood”, and Revelations 1:6 says, “kings and priests to God the Father”. [We the church must take seriously our assignment as a royal priesthood]
3. What do priests do amidst these challenges?….. They watch! They Pray!
God established the Aaronic ministry and gave them laws, ordinances and commandments. In the book of Leviticus we see that their role was to examine the plagues, and guide the people on how to keep working and simultaneously taking care not to get contaminated.
We the church: are called, according to the Scriptures in 1 Peter 2:5, “a holy priesthood”… in 1 Peter 2:9, “a royal priesthood”, and in Revelations 1:6, “kings and priests to God the Father.” Watch and pray, and educate the people on how we should act.
4. The priests in each category were established with specific assignments.
A. Melchizedek [King of Justice] offered bread and wine, which are symbols of peace.
B. Under the second group – the Jews – the priests held specific functions: they were called by God, dressed and anointed to prepare themselves before the Lord and present themselves on behalf of the people, and they were in charge of lighting the lamps [menorah] in the temple. Note: “It is impossible for the fire to be lit if we don’t provide it.”, I mean by this that we need light ‘divine revelation in all this’.
C. Under the third category – the church – Jesus Christ offered [bread and wine] and when he ascended to the heavens was established as the High Priest, and declared that the church, the body of Christ, to be called: “royal priesthood”, “holy nation”, “kings and priests to God the Father”. Given this divine assignment, we need to take what was given to us and assume our priestly functions.
D. The guidelines to becoming a part of the Aaronic priesthood were the following: Called by God, washed, dressed and anointed (Leviticus 8)
E. The functions: Offer up an offering, make intercession, and light the Menorah lamps among others…
F. We were called, washed by the blood of the Lamb and anointed by the Holy Spirit. We are considered light in this world.
5. What should we expect in the next few months?
A. International communities that enter into panic-mode will cause economic repercussions that will affect, primarily, the poor that have no opportunity to move forward even in the most basic of ways.
B. In the likelihood that there is shortage of goods in the marketplace, this will create stress and anguish, and in some countries, promote anarchy.
C. There will be a change in the culture of consumerism in that it may help some and affect others (Watching the real priorities).
D. In countries with that depend on high tourism, economy will suffer and will lead to massive layoffs, leaving many unemployed.
E. The cost of a new culture of hygiene will rise.
F. Many scientists predict that, because of this pandemic, there will be a decline in global warming, leading to temperatures not rising above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. By next winter, we will have the right vaccinations. Israel is believed to already have them. And then what?
G. More fulfillment of prophecy!
H. More people will grow in their faith and seek God.
I. Personally, I personally see all this as the first wave of many that will be hitting the world, other waves will come bigger and bigger, I am seeing a global reaction with real people, a real virus, will change internationally the life style.
6. What should we do?
A. Abide by and heed to the federal decisions made (in US, no more than 10 people in a gathering, for now). This pushes us to gather in smaller groups in the homes and then, by means of technology, continue to equip the Church. Encourage small groups to continue giving tithes and love offering as a symbol of trust to the Lord, what we’ve accomplished will not collapse. [as long as we have income].
B. Apply without reserve all methods of proper hygiene.
C. Spiritually, ask the Lord for forgiveness, because we have defied scripture, disobeyed sanitary laws and those that speak about what we are to eat and drink. (which are revealed in the book of Leviticus), [laws that are not only applicable to the nation of Israel, but also to the entire world].
D. Repent of our sins and turn our eyes to Him, and come into an encounter of His Holy and precious presence. Amos 4:12, “Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”.
E. Follow the example we are given to Noah in Genesis 6:9: “Noah, a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.”
F. Follow the example of Zachariah and Elizabeth in Luke 1:6 “And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statues of the Lord.”
G. Follow the example of Christ: Preach the powerful message of salvation to all creatures. Obey the Word and live a life in concordance to the guidance of, and fullness of, the Holy Spirit in these last days. And if necessary, go and pray for the ill, and take hold of the promise. Mark 16:17-18: “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
H. Colossians 3:1-4 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
The book of the prophet Isaiah says in chapter 44:24-25, “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: ‘I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, who frustrated the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish,”
Jeremiah 8:9, “The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?”
Matthew recorded the words of Jesus in response to the apostles in chapter 24: “When will these things take place and what sign will point to your return, and the end of time?” Jesus answered them in verse 7: “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”
Psalm. 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.”
What does the divine promise say?
Psalm 91:1, 10 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.”
Let us pray: “God of Abraham, God of Israel, God of Jacob and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we humbly ask you to guide all who are in authority in every nation, to make the best decisions in order to help their communities affected by this coronavirus. We pray that you give scientists around the globe the answers to effectively bring this pandemic under control. We pray that you protect the entire team of doctors and nurses at hospitals that are confronting this virus. We pray that all those who serve you will do so under the powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit, and we ask that You give direction to your people on how to overcome this time of trial with a posture of trust and hope in Your Name! We pray that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus: every family, every marriage, every child, every church, and every sphere of influence in society. We ask for Heavenly protection for those who are not in safe homes. We ask that You would bring your peace and righteousness on the earth, and may Your Name be made known amidst the unknowns of this pandemic. May we rejoice and be glad as we are filled with Your presence, and may you raise your children on the earth to become a greater light amidst the darkness, declaring the peace and righteousness of Christ, and declaring the joy of our Salvation.” Philippians 4:7
Finally, in response to the imminent return of Jesus Christ:
Luke 21:25-31 “25 And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”