Šta Biblija govori o pandemijskim bolestima?

Izbijanje različitih pandemijskih bolesti, poput ebole ili koronavirusa, navele su mnoge da se pitaju zašto Bog dozvoljava - ili čak uzrokuje pandemijske bolesti i da li su takve bolesti znak poslednjih vremena. Biblija, posebno Stari zavet, opisuje brojne prilike kada je Bog donosio pošasti i bolesti svom narodu i svojim neprijateljima „da na tebi pokažem svoju silu“ (2. Mojsijeva 9:14, 16). U Egiptu je koristio pošasti da bi primorao faraona da oslobodi Izraelce od ropstva, ali je istovremeno poštedeo Svoj narod od njihovih posledica (2. Mojsijeva 12:13; 15:26), pokazujući tako Svoju suverenu kontrolu nad bolestima i drugim nevoljama. Bog je takođe upozorio svoj narod na posledice neposlušnosti, uključujući pošasti ili kuge (3 Mojsijeva 26:21, 25). U dva navrata, Bog je uništio 14.700 i 24.000 ljudi zbog različitih dela neposlušnosti (4. Mojsijeva 16:49 i 25: 9). Nakon što je dao Mojsijev zakon, Bog je naredio ljudima da mu se pokore ili će pretrpeti mnoga zla, uključujući nešto što zvuči kao Ebola: „Gospod će te udariti sušicom, groznicom i upalom. . . koja će vas mučiti dok ne propadnete ”(5. Mojsijeva 28,22). Ovo su samo nekoliko primera mnogih kuga i bolesti koje je Bog izazvao. Ponekad je teško zamisliti našeg ljubljenog i milosrdnog Boga kako pokazuje takav gnev i to gnev prema svom narodu. Ali Božje kazne uvek imaju za cilj pokajanje i obnovljenje. U 2. Knizi Dnevnika 7: 13–14, Bog reče Solomonu: „Ako zatvorim nebesa i ne bude kiše, ako pošaljem skakavce da popasu zemlju, ako pošaljem bolest na moj narod, i ako se moj narod, koji se zove mojim imenom ponizi i pomoli, i potraži moje lice i okrene se od svojih zlih puteva, ja ću ih čuti sa nebesa, oprostiću im grehe i izlečiću im zemlju. " Ovde vidimo kako Bog koristi katastrofu da privuče svoj narod k sebi, da donese pokajanje i želju da dođu kod Njega kao deca svom Nebeskom Ocu. U Novom zavetu Isus je izlečio „svaku bolest i svaku nemoć“, kao i kuge u oblastima koje je posetio (Matej 9:35; 10: 1; Marko 3:10). Baš kao što je Bog izabrao da iskoristi kuge i bolesti kako bi pokazao svoju moć Izraelcima, Isus je isceljavao za da pokaže istu moć kao dokaz da je on zaista Sin Božji. Dao je istu isceljujuću moć učenicima za da potvrde svoje služenje (Luka 9: 1). Bog i dalje dozvoljava bolest iz Njemu poznatih razloga, ali ponekad su bolest, čak i svetska pandemija, jednostavno rezultat života u palom svetu. Nema načina da se utvrdi da li pandemija ima određeni duhovni uzrok ili ne, ali znamo da Bog ima suverenu kontrolu nad svim stvarima (Rimljanima 11:36) i da sve ide na dobro onima koji vole i poznaju Boga (Rimljanima 8:28). Širenje bolesti kao što su ebola i koronavirus je predznak pandemije koja će biti deo poslednjih vremena. Isus je ukazao na vezu između budućih pošasti i poslednjih vremena (Luka 21:11). Dva svedoka u Otkrivenju 11 moći će „udariti zemlju svakom vrstom pošasti kad god požele“ (Otkrivenje 11: 6). Sedam anđela izliće sedam pošasti u nizu konačnih, teških presuda opisanih u Otkrivenju 16. Pojava pandemijskih bolesti može ali ne mora biti povezana sa Božijom konkretnom osudom za greh. To bi takođe moglo jednostavno biti rezultat života u propalom svetu. Kako niko ne zna vreme Isusovog povratka, moramo biti oprezni da tvrdimo da je globalna pandemija dokaz da živimo u poslednjim vremenima. Za one koji Isusa Hrista ne poznaju kao Spasitelja, bolest bi trebalo da bude podsetnik da je život na ovoj zemlji krehak i da može da se izgubi u svakom trenutku. Koliko god loše izgledale pandemije, pakao će biti još gori. Hrišćanin, međutim, ima sigurnost spasenja i nadu u večnost zbog Hristove krvi prolivene na krstu za nas (Isaija 53: 5; 2. Korinćanima 5:21; Jevrejima 9:28). Kako hrišćani treba da reaguju na pandemijske bolesti? Prvo, nemojte paničiti. Bog je u kontroli. Biblija nam govori „ne bojte se“ preko 300 puta. Drugo, budite mudri. Preduzmite razumne korake da biste izbegli izlaganje bolesti i zaštitili i obezbedili svoju porodicu. Treće, tražite mogućnosti za službu. Često kada se ljudi plaše za svoj život, spremniji su za razgovor o večnosti. Budite odvažni i saosećajni u svom deljenju Evanđelja, uvek govoreći istinu u ljubavi (Efescima 4:15).

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What does the Bible say about pandemic diseases?

Various outbreaks of pandemic diseases, such as Ebola or the coronavirus, have prompted many to ask why God allows—or even causes—pandemic diseases and whether such illnesses are a sign of the end times. The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, describes numerous occasions when God brought plagues and diseases on His people and on His enemies “to make you see my power” (Exodus 9:14, 16). He used plagues on Egypt to force Pharaoh to free the Israelites from bondage, while sparing His people from being affected by them (Exodus 12:13; 15:26), thus indicating His sovereign control over diseases and other afflictions.

God also warned His people of the consequences of disobedience, including plagues (Leviticus 26:21, 25). On two occasions, God destroyed 14,700 people and 24,000 people for various acts of disobedience (Numbers 16:49 and 25:9). After giving the Mosaic Law, God commanded the people to obey it or suffer many evils, including something that sounds like Ebola: “The Lord will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation . . . which will plague you until you perish” (Deuteronomy 28:22). These are just a few examples of many plagues and diseases God caused. It’s sometimes hard to imagine our loving and merciful God displaying such wrath and anger toward His people. But God’s punishments always have the goal of repentance and restoration. In 2 Chronicles 7:13–14, God said to Solomon, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Here we see God using disaster to draw His people to Himself, to bring about repentance and the desire to come to Him as children to their heavenly Father. In the New Testament, Jesus healed “every disease and every sickness,” as well as plagues in the areas He visited (Matthew 9:35; 10:1; Mark 3:10). Just as God chose to use plagues and disease to show His power to the Israelites, Jesus healed as an exhibition of the same power to verify that He was truly the Son of God. He gave the same healing power to the disciples to verify their ministry (Luke 9:1). God still allows sickness for His own purposes, but sometimes disease, even worldwide pandemics, are simply the result of living in a fallen world. There is no way to determine whether or not a pandemic has a specific spiritual cause, but we do know that God has sovereign control over all things (Romans 11:36) and will work all things together for the good of those who know and love Him (Romans 8:28). The spread of sicknesses such as Ebola and the coronavirus is a foretaste of pandemics that will be part of the end times. Jesus referred to future plagues associated with the last days (Luke 21:11). The two witnesses of Revelation 11 will have power “to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want” (Revelation 11:6). Seven angels will wield seven plagues in a series of final, severe judgments described in Revelation 16. The appearance of pandemic diseases may or may not be tied to God’s specific judgment of sin. It could also simply be the result of living in a fallen world. Since no one knows the time of Jesus’ return, we must be careful about saying global pandemics are proof that we are living in the end times. For those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior, disease should be a reminder that life on this earth is tenuous and can be lost at any moment. As bad as pandemics are, hell will be worse. The Christian, however, has the assurance of salvation and the hope of eternity because of the blood of Christ shed on the cross for us (Isaiah 53:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:28). How should Christians respond to pandemic diseases? First, do not panic. God is in control. The Bible says the equivalent of "do not fear" over 300 times. Second, be wise. Take reasonable steps to avoid exposure to the disease and to protect and provide for your family. Third, look for opportunities for ministry. Often when people are fearful for their lives, they are more willing to have conversations about eternity. Be bold and compassionate in your sharing of the Gospel, always speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).