Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
I went in search of toilet paper and found all the store shelves empty. I made several trips to different stores and came back empty-handed. The brilliant idea came to me to check Amazon.Com for toilet paper. Amazon.Com has everything, but they too were all out of toilet paper. Throughout my ventures, I found shelves empty of drinking water, disinfectants, hamburger meat, chicken, pork, eggs and other “essentials.” What I found were well-stocked shelves of snacks of all kinds, beer, wine, and soft drinks. In their panic, people are leaving all the non-essentials and hoarding the absolute necessities in preparation for Armageddon! But that’s not what scares me.
In my visit to my doctors’ offices, I am asked whether I am experiencing fever, aches, and pains, or any kind of flu-like symptoms. I received a message from one of my doctors (I expect to get more) telling me to stay away if I have any flu-like symptoms, have traveled to a Coronavirus[1]-infected country, or have knowingly come in contact with someone who has. But that’s not what scares me.
Everywhere draconian measures have been put in place limiting gatherings of 10 or more people. The government advises citizens to remain in their homes except for essential necessities or health emergencies. Nursing homes are preventing families from visiting residents for fear of spreading infection. But that’s not what scares me.
People everywhere are losing their source of income because their places of employment are closing down. People cannot go out to eat in restaurants anymore because of the aforementioned edicts against gathering in public places. We cannot go to the movies or to the mall. All movement has been restricted. That said, airlines are losing money because no one is traveling and also because most passenger airplanes hold more than ten people. All of this impacts the economy. When people cannot work, they cannot earn money. If they cannot earn money, they cannot buy the things they need, much less the things they want. One thing affects another. It all ties together, and we see the markets plummet. But that’s not what scares me.
I am a student of end-times prophecy. I am not an expert, but I follow many who are. I am attuned not only to the Covid-19-saturated news in our country that largely ignores the rest of the world. I like to pay attention to the happenings in the Middle East, Israel, and the end-time players mentioned in the end-times prophecies recorded in the Bible. The Gog-Magog invasion of Israel mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39 is being staged. The desolation of Damascus mentioned in Isaiah 17:1 is almost complete. The signs Jesus gave in Matthew 24 – wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation (ethnic group against ethnic group), pestilences (like the Wuhan virus), famines, earthquakes in diverse places (we just had one in Utah), etc., are beginning to take place. As He said, “All these are [just] the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8). “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” (Luke 21:26). Of course, Jesus’ prediction referred to the “Great Tribulation,”[2] but we see the precursors taking place right now. But that’s not what scares me.
I’m scared for my sons, my daughters-in-law, and my grandchildren who will not listen to my pleas that they turn to Jesus. When Jesus calls me home, they will experience the awful time of Tribulation. If the Tribulation does not change their minds and their hearts, then they face an eternity in hell. They do not like to hear that, and that scares me.
I know many people with whom I have shared the Gospel and they turned a deaf ear to my words. There are many who I do not know that reject the Gospel whether from a loving friend or a preacher on the radio. That scares me.
The end draws near. Jesus may call His church home at any moment. We see the previews of the coming Tribulation, so we know the time is close. I’m scared for all those I love and even those I don’t know who don’t know Christ. What they will face will be far worse than what we are experiencing now. I’m scared for them.
Reader, if you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you need to meet Him now, before you meet Him later. The Bible says that in the end every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,[3] but then it will be too late. Invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior right now. Learn how at “Securing Eternal Life.”
Notes:
[1] “Wuhan Bug” — https://erniecarrasco.com/2020/03/15/wuhan-bug/
Ernie's Musings 
Ernie, I’m scared too…for exactly the same reasons. But one thing occurred to me this morning as I worshiped at icampus.firstdallas.org … I’ve prayed fervently for God to humble the hearts of His people, so we would repent, and turn so He could heal our land… that revival would sweep America and multitudes would turn to Jesus. Maybe, just maybe, this isolation will be the very thing that brings repentance. I was so very sad as I clicked on the computer, thinking and wishing we could be gathering together as a congregation this morning…it wouldn’t be the same I reasoned…and it wasn’t…could God be isolating us to get our attention? I found myself singing, weeping, and praying as I worshiped with the choir, listening and taking notes, and as pastor talked and invited people to come to Jesus the screen indicated 142 people asked Jesus to be their Savior this morning! And I wept with joy again. Could it be you and I will finally live to see the wind and fire of the Spirit of our Holy God sweep across this nation and the world before Jesus takes us home…if so, perhaps many of those we are scared for will come to faith and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. You spoke truth. Amen!
I sure hope you’re right, DiAne. Thank you for that insight.
Great post Ernie.
I pray the Lord will send someone across your family’s path that will compel them to listen.. Many agnostics claim they rejected their family’s plea, yet
finally listened to a friend or co-worker..
You are so right to speak about Biblical prophecy coming to pass, but the enemy blinds so many and they look to man to solve the war, pestilence, and famine..
Great blog Ernie
We too fear for many many family members and friends.
This present discomfort is nothing compared to what’s coming.
Ej