Was the Coronavirus Prophesied About in Revelation?

Was the coronavirus prophesied in the book of Revelation is just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity will hi there Abdul Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

Our phone lines are open right now for the next 25 minutes and if you have a question. Would love to hear from you. Here's the number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 course you can also post your question on one of our social media sites Facebook, Instagram, or twitter, you can watch us on YouTube right now and you can email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Doug in Mesa, Arizona.

Doug, what's your question for Pastor Israel. I question about red team did little about so it is right after the death of Aaron's sons and the day of atonement and I and I realized that everything that happened is a correlation between the atoning for this and what Jesus everything from the Old Testament that it's like pointing to Christ. But I did have a question that I just didn't didn't quite get them.

I wanted to get clarification. It was about. After that, the two male goats for the sin offering one was obviously offered within the other was a scapegoat and it it said that the other was for basil and that it goes out into the wilderness and I had heard something I wasn't quite sure and I just wanted to to get your opinion on it but that also a picture of when Jesus went into the wilderness and when he had went to the temptation of death of the enemy is that another picture of of atonement or that completely separate Doug I love that question a while back I preached the book of Leviticus and I remember preaching on Leviticus 16 and molecular know this but this is actually that the high point of the Pentateuch. This is the very center point of the Pentateuch that may Leviticus is is you know that the center book of the first five books of the Old Testament, but Leviticus 16, the day of atonement was. This was this annual celebration that really focused on the removal of sin, in particular in the temple. Leviticus 16 verse 16 says thus he shall make atonement for the holy place because of the uncleanness is of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions and so is is if the sin of the people was being attached to the holy place and was piling up throughout the year and so during this this celebration of Yom Kippur of of the day of atonement. It was like this deep cleaning this deep cleansing of the temple you had these two goats that were sacrificed. One that was offered as a sin offering to the Lord and the other as you mention, which was sent into the wilderness to as a cell and there's a lot of debate about you know what that is there some people think it's a place as is out referring to this the sort of steep precipice of this cliff with with a goat would just be pushed out there and then and then cast over the side of the cliff there other people so just is referring to this idea of being dismissed and being sent out and there are even some say no this is a reference to some sort of demonic being may be worshiped by the pagans that surrounded Israel at that time and so there definitely are worth thinking about. Leviticus 16, the day of atonement sin offering. There definitely are correlations to Christ and his atoning work, so I'm glad that you see that I specially here you think about the centrality of Leviticus 16 for the Old Testament. In particular, for the first five books of the Old Testament, pointing us to our need for forgiveness and how Jesus fulfills that right. John the Baptist says that behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

But here, in particular where you have this one go mysteriously sent off to as a cell in the wilderness. Now the ancient world. The wilderness was oftentimes viewed is this place where were evil, hung out where where the demons roamed you think you mentioned Jesus's temptation in the wilderness, or even thinking back in the Old Testament of the trial in the wilderness that that the Hebrews experience the temptation there in the wilderness. It's aside idea of where this picture of being excommunicated, being cast out of the camp left to the evil in effect, Paul when he talks about excommunication in the New Testament writing to the Corinthians. He talks about an individual who was sitting in this grievous way in the church and he says deliver such a one over to Satan, which cast them out of the In one sense I think you do see here a sort of shadow of a type of what happened to Jesus as he was crucified and suffered, suffered, in particular, outside of the camp.

Think about what with the book of Hebrews says this is made really clear in the book of Hebrews in Hebrews chapter 13 really are a wonderful book that focuses on the atoning work of Jesus Christ and why it's better than the old covenant sacrifices. But in Hebrews chapter 13 in verse 12, the author, the Hebrews said this so Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood on the religious leaders that they cast Jesus out.

They excommunicated him, if you will, that's kind of the picture that's bits were being given here that the sins of the people being placed on this scapegoat and then the scapegoat being passed out sent out of the camp and and destroyed in one sense handed over to Satan pushed off the side of the cliff.

Every every we take that that phrase but certainly I would say Doug we have here a very clear type and shadow of what Jesus would do for us. All of our sins were placed on him. All of them and he was executed for those sins.

He was cast out, he suffered outside the gate as if he were excommunicated so that we might be forgiven. He was the sin offering that satisfied the justice of a holy God and ask you that's what the prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah chapter 53 verse 10 he made his soul an offering for guilt or an offering for sin, and so I think you're on the right track brother and and I appreciate you bringing this to Leviticus 16 great question that thanks Doug, I love it when our listeners dig in to the Scriptures and have great questions like this. We appreciate that this is core Christianity with pastor Averill Sanchez. By the way to Rome. We often talk about types and shadows on this program can come to define what that means yeah Bill, thanks for thanks for bring that up as he think of it type that sexual word that's used in the New Testament in various places, viciousness idea that you have these these pictures in the Old Testament that are meant to as Doug said to lead us to Jesus himself. They prefigure or foreshadow what he would do in his atoning work in his life and his death and his resurrection. It one of the things is so wonderful about this is when you when you really understand this, and you begin to look at the Old Testament you see the gospel everywhere through these cortical types and shadows. The sacrificial system, the temple, the people in the wilderness, things are pointing us forward to God would do for us in Jesus. This is core Christianity let's go to Paul in Johnston Rhode Island Paul what your question for pastor. Israel hello hey Paul I determine at that Helen that he believed the find a specific angel of Ghanaian angel who would keep us safe from the evil one.

That's a great question there. I think there is quite a bit of church tradition out there floating around about this. This concept of Guardian Angels, but we do we define passages of Scripture that seem to indicate that angels do protect and guard the people of God throughout the Bible. You see this, you see this in the book of Daniel. Also think of what the author the Hebrews said in Hebrews chapter 1 verse 14 he is writing about the role of angels in the world and he says are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation. Those angels are sent out to serve firm for who football for our benefit for the sake of those who are going to inherit salvation more specifically to your question Paul.

This idea of Guardian Angel sometimes is taken from the gospel of Matthew in Matthew chapter 18 verse 10 Jesus makes a very interesting statement.

He says see that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my father who is in heaven. I simply right there.

You know what with the words of Jesus to their angels as if as if these cortical little ones have an angel or angels assigned to them. And the point there is Jesus, and look, don't. Don't dismiss or despise the least of these. And so, so there is some indication that there there are these kinds of Guardian Angels that are out there that are sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation now II don't or that we can speculate. Beyond that, but one of it. One of the comforting things, at least for us is just knowing how God has our back that we might say, and how the Lord is is using all sorts of means for our good and for his glory and for protection in the world and so those are two techs that I would point you to Matthew 1810 and a Hebrews chapter 1 verse 14.

Thanks for your question Paul. Paul your listing the core Christianity and we would love to hear from you.

If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Here's the phone number is 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 can call us right now for the next 1015 minutes or so would love to hear from you. Let's go to Larry in Yukon, Oklahoma.

Larry what your question for pastor.

Israel marked all my son and a guy was talking about Scripture were Jesus says my people. I'm sorry my people know my name and they'll hear me and follow me. He says he is not sure that Jesus is the original text for Jesus name. And I said well I know somebody that can tell us, and I'm calling all down did not convince him but thank you pastor when I hang up and listen to a thanks for the call. Larry will you think of what we read in the Gospels, where we see in in the beginning, Matthew's gospel, Matthew chapter 1 verse 21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

And so Jesus was that the proper name if you will of the Christ of of the Messiah and it comes from the Hebrew Joshua. This is sort of have this sort of echo of Joshua in the Old Testament.

What did he do, he led the people into the promised land that was that will that's what he was doing so is this insert.

Eventually you have this sort of indication that this one is going to lead his people into the land of promise into the true rest by the author. The Hebrews actually picks up on this in the book of Hebrews chapter 4, where he talks about Jesus leading us into rest into that the true rest that God holds out to his people. It's a letterhead there's there's nothing wrong with us worshiping Jesus calling on the name of Jesus you think of other passages attribute obvious you have that the prophecy in Isaiah. He will be called Emmanuelle, which means God with us there. There different ways we can think about this and I think sometimes people get so caught up in the proper pronunciation is it. Yes, you or Jesus or Joshua that kind of thing, but that that's were supposed to focus on the focuses on what he's going to do, as indicated by his name if you will. He's gonna be the one who leads his people into rest into righteousness into the promised land.

If you will. He's good to be the one who came to forgive his people of their sins. And that's precisely what Jesus does and we get so caught up in. You know my am I pronouncing the name of the Jehovah's Witnesses. I think do this with with the divine name found throughout the Bible, especially the Old Testament, Jehovah, is it what you gotta use that name and I think a lot of times we sort of miss the forest for the trees is nothing wrong with as I said, confessing Jesus, praising Jesus worshiping Jesus because that's the name is given to us in the New Testament God bless you.

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Let's go to Jerry in Fort Wayne, Indiana jury what your question for pastor.

Israel hello hey Jerry hey I was wondering if you could explain 1251 for me. You think I can start to learn case but to the ear. Now I come to divide people just each other yet is the words of our Lord Jesus also recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, start in verse 49 Jesus that I came to cast fire on the earth and would that were already kindled. I have a baptism to be baptized with and how great is my distress until it is accomplished. Now that he's referring to the crucifixion. Baptism is this sign this picture of judgment. Just think of the flood in the Old Testament Genesis chapter 6 this judgment that God brings will. Baptism is a picture of judgment and Jesus referring there to the cross. In verse 50. Then he says in verse 51. Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth. No I tell you, but rather division for from now on. In one house. There will be five divided three against two and two against three. They will be divided father against son and son against father and mother against daughter and daughter against mother mother in law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law and so what is Jesus referring to their well he's talking about the fact that the gospel in our allegiance to Jesus Christ oftentimes does lead to division.

Now, now, in one sense we could say this was what was heralded by the angels. When Jesus was born Jerry that that Christ coming brings peace to all men, primarily piece with a holy God through the forgiveness of our sins, but in another sense that you know you think of our horizontal relationships with others with family members with coworkers with with just society in general. Following God can be a lonely place. There are people who will reject you who will persecute you, who will think you're crazy for believing in Jesus in need of salvation by grace through faith for not embracing the broader cultures sexual ethic, or ideas about money or whatever it is, and so there are these divisions that are brought about by Christ you know that sometimes people think will following Jesus just means everything in my life is and to be good and easy and then they quickly realize that, but that's not the case and sometimes what they do suggest biggest jump ship that they basically send I'm not into this is what I signed up for.

But Jesus made it absolutely clear of following him sometimes is very difficult fact. It's like taking up your cross and and following him and that's what he's getting at here it again. He is focusing on the fact that the gospel when we follow the Lord there be people who stand against is there to be divisions as a result of that and so that's what's been highlighted in this passage and and maybe you've experienced that in your own life. I'm sure you listening right now. If you've sought to follow Jesus and to walk with him and to be faithful to him there. There are times are people stand against you. Just for that very thing. And that's what Jesus was talking about Matt and in Luke chapter 12 you're listening to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez and had an interesting a voicemail come in dealing with the coronavirus in the book of Revelation. My question on form Revelation on the white horse wearing and caring about it that crown in Latin means Corona and Bell in Greek means tocsin and just curious if this could be coronavirus to bite me and caring below and conquering to conquer and that the writer can take coming to deliver the mark of the beast under the Corona by talking with a needle and a sharp point though. I just wondered what your thoughts were on hey thanks for that question sister Revelation 6 verse one I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, and I looked, and behold a white horse and its writer had a bow and a crown was given to him and he came out conquering and to conquer. First, the seals that are being referred to in Revelation chapter 6 are the same seals that Jesus himself is is opening he's a lamb opening the seals back in chapter 5. There was this great sort of tumbled in heaven, where you had this this scroll with seven seals and the question was asked who can open these, who is worthy to open them and there is no one in all creation worthy to open the seals and then and then we see Jesus there in Revelation chapter 5 he's the worthy one, the one who conquered the one who opens the seals and the first and report it to recognize with with all the fields you have these cataclysmic events happening persecution for the church judgment on evil people but Christ is in control whose opening the seals.

It's Jesus himself. This would've been a great comfort to the first century church that was suffering persecution because it's as if John is saying is as if Jesus is saying look I am in control. The suffering that you are experiencing. I'm sovereign over it.

I'm the one who is opened, the seals you can trust in me now. Revelation 62 is not a prophecy about the coronavirus or sometimes people who will do the sort of patchwork things will stay will the Latin word here means Corona crown. The Greek word there is talk son and that's true of of the word bow, but is not referring to a pestilence or a toxin in the sense we think this is the is the Greek word for bow you think of an archer bow and arrow. If John wanted to use the word for pestilence. He could have.

In fact, he uses it.

Throughout the book of Revelation. Later in Revelation chapter 18, he uses that word but he doesn't use it.

Here is we have to be really careful that were not doing the sort of patchwork Bible interpretation were taking the Latin word here in a Greek word there in assertive English transliteration of the word over here to try and fit it with our current situation that's that's not what's happening here, here were seeing a picture of the suffering that the people of God experience throughout history as much with the flip the first four seals of Revelation chapter 6 in the comfort of knowing that Christ is in control. Thank you for your question. Interesting question asked is this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Janet is calling from St. Louis, Missouri Janet, what's your question for Israel about offerings to the church and so forth. I don't have any problem doing but I see that money that could be used to spread the gospel. In other words boots on the ground. I have friends who are missionaries in dangerous parts of the world they come out of the citadels and all of these these charges and so forth.

And there are actually boots on the ground voice of the motto moderate Bible league, is it wrong for me to want to take my offerings and use those for people who are actually out putting their lives on the line. The spread the gospel as compared to choirs and lights for entertainment and auto try and so for what is wrong for me to opt to give that to the place where it can be used in the unchurched, unreachable areas of the war of the world of missionaries is that role to meet up to do that I am. I just love your heart sister Jesus said where your treasure is, that's where your heart will be also.

And I can tell that you want your quote unquote treasure the resources that the Lord is given to you to go to the advancement of the gospel in the world, and in some of these difficult places I like you mentioned that organization voice of the martyrs wonderful organization supporting that the persecuted church throughout the world first in all in terms of giving.

Paul says in second printing chapter 8 and nine in particular some Corinthian's nine that each person has to give as they decide in their own heart cheerfully and and no it's not wrong for you to devote resources to some of these organizations are friends of yours that are on the front lines in the mission field in the hope would be that the local church that you're a part of is also focused on missions may be right were we know local churches here have you know a foreign missions committee that kind of thing but were also focused on the advancement of the gospel in our own neighborhoods now.

The sad reality is, sometimes we can we can lose sight of that and we can get lost in discussions about the color of the carpet in your we can have the best lights and reinvest all this money in this or that and it's hard to see a direct correlation between where the money is going, and mission. And that's a conversation you might want to have with your with your pastor with with your local church and I think is really important for for churches to be able to point to gears other resources that God has entrusted us with our being used for the advancement of his kingdom and so so that's an important conversation had met would have a conversation with your pastor, but but know that the Lord is gonna bless you as as you seek to be generous to the advancement of the gospel in whatever way that you're doing and whether it's giving to the local church and I always encourage that were given to missionaries abroad. The Lord loves a cheerful giver. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and the menu or call us at 1-833-843-2673.

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