Coronavirus: A Worldwide Pandemic

During the End Times the Bible teaches that many pestilences (diseases) will occur. While there has been many diseases over the centuries that has killed many people, those occurred few and far between, ie: Black Plague, Bubonic Plague. The Spanish Flu, that struck over a hundred years ago [in 1918], killed between 20-50 million people within a couple of years. In comparison, the AIDS epidemic, which has spanned almost four decades has claimed over 36 million since 1981. While cancer has steadily decreased since the 1990s, other epidemics continue to linger or reappear, such as Measles, Chickenpox and Mumps. The Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, started around August of 2019 and has become a rapidly evolving situation around the world that is bringing countries to a standstill. Over 156,000 people have been infected and over 6,000 deaths have been reported worldwide in just seven months and the numbers continue to climb in 2020. As of today, the following countries with more than 100 people infected are:

Country	Total Cases	Deaths	Country	Total Cases	Deaths
China	80,824	3,189	Greece	228	3
Italy	21,157	1,441	Finland	225
Iran	12,729	611	Bahrain	212
South Korea	8,086	72	Singapore	212
Spain	6,391	195	Israel	193
Germany	4,599	9	Czechia	189
France	4,469	91	Slovenia	181	1
United States	2,836	57	Portugal	169
Switzerland	1,375	13	Iceland	161
United Kingdom	1,140	21	Brazil	151
Norway	1,108	3	Hong Kong	142	4
Netherlands	961	2	Ireland	129	2
Denmark	827	1	Romania	123
Japan	804	22	Estonia	115
Diamond Princess Cruise Line	696	7	Philippines	111	8
Belgium	689	4	Iraq	110	10
Austria	655	1	Egypt	109	2
Qatar	337		Kuwait	104
Australia	248	3	Poland	103	3
Canada	247	1	Saudi Arabia	103
Malaysia	238		San Marino	101	5

While the numbers do not seem too overwhelming yet, the disease is in its early stages and many more will become infected as time goes on if a cure or treatment is not found soon. There are at least 119 countries and territories that have less than 100 cases invading their nations as of March, 2020, as well. This disease has definitely been classified as a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization and other global entities. 

Some other significant developments concerning COVID-19 as of March 15, 2020: 

• A surge in Coronavirus patients is threatening to swamp U.S. hospitals, as Virginia, Louisiana and New York all reported their first coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday.
• Ten U.S. service members have tested positive for the novel Coronavirus, along with one Defense Department civilian and two contractors, military officials said.
• Coronavirus cases in Italy rose by roughly 20 percent Saturday, as the already hard-hit country saw its biggest daily increase yet.
• Israel significantly tightened restrictions on social activity in the country Saturday, barring gatherings of more than 10 people.
• President Trump said his administration was considering domestic travel restrictions for some hot spots.
• The United States’ new travel rules for Britain and the U.K. bring the total number of U.S. travel-restricted countries in Europe to 28. 
• England reported 10 new deaths.
• Spain announces nationwide lockdown as Coronavirus cases surge.
• United Arab Emirates suspends much of its hospitality and tourism industry due to the Coronavirus.
• France announces closure of all nonessential businesses amid Coronavirus outbreak.
• New York Archdiocese halts Mass as houses of worship across the country suspend services.
• Restrictions increased in the Middle East to curb Coronavirus spread - Saudi Arabia suspended all international flights; Yemen has closed its airport; Syria has closed schools and universities, as well as suspended flights to and from their county; Iraqis protest incoming flights from Iran; Baghdad considers curfew; and, Lebanon has not only suspended flights, but have closed down restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

People are naturally scared, but the chaos that is ensuing is almost surreal … stocking up and fighting over bottled water, toilet paper, hand sanitizer and soap is unprecedented! The world is quickly spiraling out of control as the disease continues its rampage. The best way to combat the Coronavirus is to be vigilant with sanitizing and disinfecting, not only your homes and businesses, but handwashing often will help alleviate the problem.

This is only the beginning of what is to come during the End Times. Prepare accordingly.

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be." ~ Matthew 24:21-22

Update: As of March 22, 2020, the number of Coronavirus cases has more than doubled around the world. Today, the numbers have exceeded 300,000. 

Miracles Recorded in the New Testament

A miracle is defined as follows: An effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause; an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God (Dictionary.com). There are many miracles scattered throughout the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. While scientists can explain many miraculous occurrences with methodical measures, there are other phenomenon they cannot disavow in analytical terms.

Miracles Recorded in the New Testament

Jesus' miracles -

1 - Turns the water into wine at the wedding in Cana. (John 2:1-11)

2 - Heals an official's son at Capernaum in Galilee. (John 4:43-54)

3 - Drives out an evil spirit from a man in Capernaum. (Mark 1:21-27; Luke 4:31-36)

4 - Heals Peter's mother-in-law from a fever. (Mt. 8:14-15; Mk. 1:29-31; Lk. 4:38-39)

5 - Heals many sick and oppressed at evening. (Mt. 8:16-17; Mk. 1:32-34; Lk. 4:40-41)

6 - First miraculous catch of fish on Lake of Gennesaret. (Luke 5:1-11)

7 - Cleanses a man with leprosy. (Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-14)

8 - Heals a centurion's paralyzed servant in Capernaum. (Mt. 8:5-13; Lk.7:1-10)

9 - Heals a paralytic who was let down from the roof. (Mt. 9:1-8; Mk. 2:1-12; Lk. 5:17-26)

10 - Heals a man's withered hand on the Sabbath. (Mt. 12:9-14; Mk. 3:1-6; Lk. 6:6-11)

11 - Raises a widow's son from the dead in Nain. (Luke 7:11-17)

12 - Calms a storm on the sea. (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41, 8:22-25)

13 - Casts demons into a herd of pigs.  (Matthew 8:28-33; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)

14 - Heals a woman in the crowd with an issue of blood. (Mt. 9:20; Mk. 5:25; Lk. 8:43)

15 - Raises Jarius' daughter back to life. (Matthew 9:18; Mark 5:21-24, 8:40-42)

16 - Heals two blind men. (Matthew 9:27-31)

17 - Heals a man who was unable to speak. (Matthew 9:32-34)

18 - Heals an invalid at Bethesda. (John 5:1-15)

19 - Feeds 5,000, including women and children. (Mt. 14:13-21; Mk. 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-150

20 - Jesus walks on water. (Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21)

21 - Heals many sick in Gennesaret. (Matthew 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56)

22 - Heals a Gentile woman's demon-possessed daughter. (Mt. 15:21-28; Mk. 7:24-30)

23 - Heals a deaf and dumb man. (Mark 7:31-37)

24 - Feeds 4,000, including women and children. (Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-13)

25 - Heals a blind man at Bethsaida. (Mark 8:22-26)

26 - Heals a man born blind by spitting in his eyes. (John 9:1-12)

27 - Heals a boy with an unclean spirit. (Mt. 17:14-20; Mk. 9:14-29; Lk. 9:37-43)

28 - Miraculous temple tax in a fish's mouth. (Matthew 17:24-27)

29 - Heals a blind, mute demoniac. (Matthew 12:22-23; Luke 11:14-23)

30 - Heals a woman who had been crippled for 18 years. (Luke 13:10-17)

31 - Heals a man with dropsy on the Sabbath. (Luke 14:1-6)

32 - Cleanses ten lepers on the way to Jerusalem. (Luke 17:11-19)

33 - Raises Lazarus from the dead in Bethany. (John 11:1-45)

34 - Restores sight to Bartimaeus in Jericho. (Mt. 20:29-34; Mk.10:46-52; Lk. 18:35-43)

35 - Withers the fig tree on the road from Bethany. (Mt. 21:18-22; Mk. 11:12-14)

36 - Heals a servant's severed ear while he is being arrested. (Luke 22:50-51)

37 - Second miraculous catch of fish at the Sea of Tiberias. (John 21:4-11)

38 - Jesus' resurrection. (Luke 24:6; John 10:18)

39 - Appearing to his disciples after [Jesus] death. (Matthew 14:14, 15:29-31)

40 - Ascension to Heaven. (Mark 16:19)

Peter's miracles -

1 - A lame beggar cured. (Acts 3:7)

2 - Ananias and Sapphira killed by the Holy Spirit for their deception. (Acts 5:5, 5:10)

3 - Aeneas paralytic body healed. (Acts 9:34)

4 - Dorcas (Tabitha) raised from the dead. (Acts 9:40)

Paul's miracles -

1 - Elymas being blinded. (Acts 13:11)

2 - A lame man cured. (Acts 14:10)

3 - Damsel with the spirit of divination healed. (Acts 16:18, 19:11)

4 - Eutychus restored to life. (Acts 20:10)

5 - Survived the viper's bite. (Acts 28:5)

6 - Father of Publius healed. (Acts 28:8)

Other miracles -

1 - The spirit of the Lord was with the seventy-two men who Jesus sent ahead of him as he traveled. (Luke 10-17)

2 - Stephen sent out men to spread the word of God and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased miraculously. (Acts 6:8)

3 - Philip cleansed many of impure spirits and healed the paralyzed and lame. (Acts 8:6-13)

References: Mills, M. S. (1999). The Life of Christ: A Study Guide to the Gospel Record. Dallas, TX: 3E Ministries; Roberts, R. D. (2016). Miracle. The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press; Story, D. (1997). Defending your faith (p. 155). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.