We really shouldn’t be surprised by coronavirus because the Scriptures have many Bible prophecies about such times. For example, the book of JOEL, which is now super relevant. We often ignore some parts of the Old Testament today because we are taught that we are living in New Covenant times and God doesn’t judge like in the Old Testament because Jesus took every curse upon himself. So the book of Joel becomes historical, rather than having relevance for today.

However, in the current coronavirus, Joel’s prophecy has so much in common with this situation, and isn’t the word of God always relevant for us? So what’s similar?

Similarities of Joel’s prophecy to coronavirus

1. It’s about a plague of locusts, that are devastating the land and therefore the economy (1:16-18), as Israel was an agriculturally based society. The plague is obviously different but it’s having the same effects! It’s not coronavirus but something similar.
2. Everyone is affected, farmers (1:11), vine growers (1:11), government (1:2), the religious leaders (1:13), even drunkards (1:5)!
3. The Temple (church of the day) cannot operate anymore because it needs grain and oil to function and to make offerings (1:13). This is disastrous because without this, the presence of God in their midst is at risk. Most churches aren’t meeting anymore in the current crisis!
4. It’s a disaster that no-one has ever seen in their lifetime! (1:2)

So now we have established the similarities, what does Joel’s prophecy have to teach us for today?

1.How should we react?

“Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.” (Joel 1:14)

Summon first the leaders (to lead by example) and then the rest of the people to humble themselves and fast corporately and cry out to the Lord for mercy! This is repeated twice because of the urgency (1:14, 2:15).The time is urgent. We need to awake! We need to pray urgently! All night because the situation is so dire (1:13)

2.Why has it happened?

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” (Joel 2:12)

Because the people of God have neglected the presence of God and substituted His presence for other things. Idols. Even good things, like food and drink! God is using the plague to call back His people to intimacy with Him, to return to Him (2:12). We need to return to Him with all of our hearts (2:12) and not just outwardly (2:13). It’s a call for the people of God to repent.

I was reading the book of Judges recently and the pattern is very clear: the people faced many difficulties and oppression because of their idolatry. Why is there a lack of the presence of God in churches and a heart for overseas mission to the most needy and lost today? One of the key reasons is idolatry in the Church. This is the reason Paul preached powerfully in his letters against idolatry! We need to return to this preaching, to release the churches into God’s End Times’ plans.

3.God uses the plague to point out sins

For example, Joel condemns the misuse of wine (1:5). People got drunk and even did this at religious festivals (Hos 2:5, Am 2:8 talking about the same period). So the plague removes the very source of these sins, the vines (1:12).

So we need to ask God about what sins in the Church is He pointing out that are not good for us. He is doing this for our own good, to make us whole and complete again (meaning of the Hebrew for “repay” in 2:25)

4.It’s a Warning for us

“For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty” (Joel 1:15)

This “Day of the Lord” plague is in fact a type of mercy. God is warning His people about a far worse “Day of the Lord” to come (1:15). He wants to get us ready for this, so sends a lesser disaster to help us prepare for a greater “Day of the Lord” disaster to come. In fact in 3:1-16 Joel talks about a time when all the nations will wage war against Israel.

This hasn’t happened yet but will happen just before Jesus returns. So coronavirus is a warning to the people of God that Jesus will return soon and to get ready! For those that don’t know Him or those who aren’t prepared, it will be a great disaster!

5.God’s response to this humbling, repentance and prayer

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten….And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people” (Joel 2:25,28)

It’s remarkable. Firstly, He removes the plague 2:20). Secondly, He restores the land and the economy as before, as if it never happened (2:23-25). Thirdly, He sends a wonderful revival, by pouring out His Spirit on all peoples (2:28-32) to prepare us for the greater “Day of the Lord” to come.

Fourthly, He makes us a prophetic people. I don’t understand this as all believers will prophesy, but that we will share the Word of God in a prophetic way, that is relevant for our generation (2:28). Also that prepares the rest of the world for the return of Jesus.

So shouldn’t Joel’s prophecy stir us even more to humble ourselves, fast, seek God and repent!

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David Wilkerson’s prophecy

David Wilkerson’s prophecy is highly relevant because it is a Joel model prophecy and has exactly the same themes. This shouldn’t surprise us because all prophecies should fit in with Scripture:

“In that meeting in 1986, Dr. Wilkerson said something else to me: “I see a plague coming on the world and the bars and church and government will shut down. The plague will hit New York City and shake it like it has never been shaken. The plague is going to force prayerless believers into radical prayer and into their Bibles and repentance will be the cry from the man of God in the pulpit. And out of it will come a third Great Awakening that will sweep America and the world.”

What Next?

For more stories on REVIVALS and Bible passages that will help get you ready for a THIRD GREAT AWAKENING, do read my book GRACE OUTPOURINGS: 21 DAYS REVIVAL DEVOTIONAL for a great devotional experience.

For more on how to get ready see also 5 WAYS TO GET READY FOR A DIVINE VISITATION.