(Conclusion)
The nCoV spread has compelled the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a “health emergency of international concern.” The alarm has thus been sounded. How far will the danger spread? Is another pandemic about to emerge?
Still with the 1918 Spanish flu in mind, the journal Microbes and Infection stated: “There is no reason to suppose that another pandemic will not occur at one future date. That this will happen seems inevitable.” Awake! Magazine echoed a similar fear, saying, “Now, according to repeated warnings, the world appears long overdue for the emergence of a virulent form of influenza for which it is not prepared.” (Awake!, December 22, 2005)
What keeps fueling such fears?
The very nature of the influenza virus has puzzled scientists. At least seven strains have been identified, two of which are known to be deadly — SARS and MERS. But they say the flu virus has been mutating, making it quite a challenge for them to catch up with the right vaccine or drugs for each new strain.
Other factors are believed responsible for the emergence of deadlier and more virulent strains of the flu virus. One involves the worsening health and sanitary conditions, as populations flock to cities and live in crowded communities with inadequate living facilities. This all the more makes transmission and spread of infectious diseases faster.
Unhealthy lifestyles of more and more people, regardless of economic status, would also contribute greatly to disease. As commonly observed, it is those with a weak immune system that are prone to be infected. Poverty is therefore another factor to reckon with; those with the least resources for living, who could hardly afford adequate food, shelter and medical care are most likely to suffer when disease strikes.
The Biblical view
Even the permissiveness of modern society that promotes promiscuous sexual interaction has been blamed for other seemingly global epidemics like AIDS, for one. Many health authorities have expressed alarm over the prevalence of AIDS in many countries. It was found most common among homosexuals. Could this be the result of what Paul the apostle warned about nearly two millenniums ago?
“That is why God gave them over to uncontrolled sexual passion, for their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature, likewise also the males left the natural use of female and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working what is obscene and receiving in themselves the full penalty, which was due for their error.” (Romans 1:26, 27)
Changing the natural use of sex between males and females into “one contrary to nature” such as homosexual intercourse was foreseen as deserving “the full penalty for their error,” that is, the slew of sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, syphilis and AIDS. In strictly Moslem countries like Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, homosexual intercourse was made a crime called sodomy. The term originated from Sodom, an ancient city in Biblical times destroyed by God for gross wickedness, its inhabitants being notorious homosexuals.
On the other hand, those who conscientiously apply sound health advice, who observe proper hygiene and above all, who practice Bible-based morals because of their faith in God are known to live healthier lives and enjoy protection from most infectious diseases.
As Christians of the first century were admonished by the apostles, “If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!” (Acts 15:29) “The wise one is cautious and turns away from evil, but the stupid one is reckless and overconfident.” (Proverbs 14:16) “The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself. But the inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences.” (Proverbs 22:3)
An administration to eliminate epidemics forever
Much of the world’s health woes have been blamed on the ineptness, corruption and greed of governments and some political leaders. For this, there have been agitations for sweeping reforms in the administration of the different aspects of human needs — agriculture, healthcare, housing, security, environmental protection, among others.
In some lands, however, such agitations turn violent; proponents of change want nothing less than a complete change of government. They believe they could not trust their government anymore. They are bent on taking matters into their own hands.
Earnest Bible-believing faithful, however, point to a government which has the power to change everything on earth for the best ever. This is the Kingdom of God foretold long ago in the Holy Scriptures and which Jesus taught his followers to pray for, actually a world government which will ensure that God’s will shall “be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6: 9, 10)
“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever.” (Daniel 2:44)
“The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will rule as King forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)
“It is according to His (God’s) good pleasure that He himself purposed for an administration at the full limit of the appointed times, to gather all things in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth.” (Ephesians 1:10)
Aside from completely destroying the world political system ruled by fumbling humans, that Kingdom of Jehovah God and King Jesus Christ, the new “administration” they will put up over all the earth, will provide obedient mankind with all their needs in superabundance. (Psalm 72:16; Isaiah 65:21 – 23)
Enjoying earth’s bounty, people will certainly get all the nourishment they would need to stay strong and healthy as they “live forever” on a paradise earth. (Psalm 37:29) Thus, another amazing prophecy will have taken place, one that foresees the time when “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” (Isaiah 33:24)
(For comments, e-mail: mcsucquitjr@yahoo.com)