LTRP Note: The following commentary is posted for informational and research purposes. We have also posted an insightful video interview below the commentary from an unrelated source as well as other articles we have recent posted on COVID-19.
By David Cloud
(Way of Life Literature)
As the Covid-19 crisis continues and economic problems mount, there is good news. For the redeemed of the Lord, there is always good news in Holy Scripture.
We have never made light of the coronavirus epidemic. It is a major problem, and serious steps must be taken to minimize its spread and devastation. But there has to be a proper perspective, which is not found in the panic-driven media. To put this business in right perspective, while thousands have died of Covid-19, MILLIONS have died of other things. About 3 million people die of all causes in America every year, and 56 million worldwide. That’s MILLION. Worldwide, that’s 153,000 deaths per day, 6,400 PER HOUR, every hour, hour after hour after hour. The leading causes of death in America are, in the following order, heart disease, cancer, accidents, lower respiratory diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and influenza. The reason that the predominant approach to Covid-19 is small-minded is that we DO live with death. We are dying people in a world of death. This is the reality of life on Earth. We live with death in a thousand forms, and we must learn how to live with coronavirus.
Many have mocked the comparison of Covid-19 with the flu, but there is a comparison. Covid-19 is still a small thing compared to influenza, though it is yet to be seen how they will compare in the end. In 2018, there were 80,000 flu deaths in America, which was about 450 deaths per day. Worldwide, about 1 billion people contract the flu, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, and about 500,000 die annually during the flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That is about 2740 flu deaths per day or 114 per hour. It appears that influenza is not as easily spread as coronavirus, but that influenza is very contagious is obvious by the massive numbers of infections annually. A billion!
If influenza infections and fatalities were to be tracked on a chart and updated in real time and broadcast continually from every news site on Earth and flashed across the length and breadth of social media as per Covid-19, there would be unending panic every year. The six-foot rule would be a permanent reality.
Again, this is not to make light of the coronavirus. It is a major problem and requires serious attention and the application of much wisdom. We aren’t saying that radical steps shouldn’t be taken, such as social distancing, limiting large gatherings, etc. But there has to be a proper perspective. We do live with death. It is reality, and we must learn how to deal with the coronavirus epidemic without pulling down the very fabric of a modern society.
LATEST
According to The Lancelot Infectious Diseases medical journal, the current estimates on the Covid-19 fatality rate is 1.38% of confirmed cases, .66% overall, and 7.8% for those over 80 (“The Lancet Infectious Diseases: comprehensive Covid-19 hospitalization and death rate estimates,” EurekAlert, Mar. 30, 2020).
This is less than half of the rate that was reported earlier. It means that more than 99% of those who are contracting Covid-19 are recovering and 92% of those over 80 are recovering.
We wonder what percentage of those over 80 who contract influenza recover? We could only find statistics for 65 and over, and 65-80 is a significantly different group than 80 and over. We do know that 12,000 people over 65 died of influenza in America the 2017-18 season (“Flu Deaths Rising for Americans over 65,” AARP. Oct. 2, 2018).
The sad reality is that when you are over 80, you are likely to die of anything, anytime! I don’t think anyone over 80 would argue with me about that. The interesting thing is that three thousand years ago, God’s Word spoke specifically about the ages 70 and 80.
For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psalm 90:9-12).
This is very good counsel. Our earthly lives are like like a passing shadow at best, and we need to apply our hearts to wisdom.
Just an observation here: With all my news watching for the last three weeks regarding the coronavirus or Covid-19 (can’t seem to find reporting on anything else but), I don’t ever recall any of the “experts” or interviewers ever considering the One True God. I have heard from the politicians of all sorts and sizes ad nauseum, the scientists up one arm and down the other-at least the ones in agreement with the story being put forth, and, of course, the ever-present sociologists and psychologists weighing in and putting forth their own particular brand of pseudoscience.
This very fact alone demonstrates that while “God” remains in the national vocabulary, “he” has been marginalized so we might find answers from our true saviors—the politicians, scientists, and the ever-present pseudo-scientists. I guess God isn’t yet convenient or deemed necessary or fit the accepted story line. Actions DO speak much louder than words! Read the actions. While they are seeking for wisdom and answers from all the wrong people, here is what the True God has to say as He reveals Himself and the way in which He deals with men—Listen closely:
The unrecognized and unfaced reality of God’s relationship with men—there are limits—the appeal to men: Proverbs 1:20-31—
Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
(The source of this commentary is Way of Life Literature; permission granted to reprint from WOL website)
Related Information:
The following YouTube video is an interview done in Canada. We are posting it for its insights that are relevant to the United States as well as Canada (see other related material below).
“Corona, Rodney Howard Browne’s Arrest, and the Prophet Jeremiah” by Bill Randles
“Emergent Calvinist SBC President, J.D. Greear, Will Remain 1 More Year Due to Coronavirus”
“Teach Me to Number My Days” by Mike Oppenheimer
“Trusting God Through It All” by Warren B. Smith
(photo from bigstockphoto.com; used with permission; designing by Lighthouse Trails)
Yes, I am in full agreement with your assessment.
John and Heidi…..you apparently did not read the comments by Mr. Cloud. He is quite right; I have been tracking the same numbers for three weeks. I’m not a date setter/prophet, but clearly, this appears to be a United Nations (WHO) ‘practice run’ for the future global anti-Christ campaign. There may be several more as the rapture draws near.
(Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:8;
2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Hydroxychloroquin and Azithromycin are healing and saving Corona virus patients around the world. They have been approved by the FDA, praise the Lord. I pray that patients will be allowed to have access to these healing drugs. President Trump approves of their use. Many patients have been cured in 5 days and some countries are using them to protect doctors and health care workers. I hope I spelled those drug names correctly!
I feel the coronavirus could be a wake up call to all the lost in this dark and dying world. Only God knows, but this is my thoughts and this ” could be ” God’s last warning for people to wake up and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. We see everything happening as God’s Word told us that would happen in the last days . God is on His throne orchestrating everything . I feel the rapture is very iminent , very iminent. Coved 19 , everything is falling into place to set the stage after the rapture , for the Tribulation to begin. We have to keep praying and Keep Looking Up . Come quickly Lord Jesus
With all respect to you, the normal flu season is also a direct threat and kills thousands a day in the same cities. There is no reason not to compare it to the current so called pandemic.
Indeed the WHO held off on calling this a pandemic until a certain Mr Gates made a rather large donation to them.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/2/bill-gates-and-his-coronavirus-conflicts-of-intere/
Your last paragraph is the most important thing. Also being light in the world is multi faceted and must include shining the light on darkness Eph 5:10,11
well said John. this is one of the best comments you have made.
One more brief comment: I just heard Mike Lindell (I think that’s the spelling?), head of the My Pillow company, urging people to get (back) into God’s Word and pray. That was good to hear! What a blessing it is to hear these things on secular television.
I’ve seen three people declare on TV our dependence on God for help during this time. VP Mike Pence quoted the promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 — “If my people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways, pray, and seek My face, I will hear from Heaven and will heal their land.”
Just a few minutes ago, I heard the head of NY hospitals mention the Lord a least twice, saying we need His help, asking people to pray. This was a refreshing surprise. 🙂
Not long after he said that, Franklin Graham shared scripture about everyone’s need to be saved, to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
I’m very thankful they said those things on secular TV, because in the last week our local news made a comment that many people are expressing a new awareness of need to pray. That’s exciting to me.
We know that “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” He is Good! 🙂
This was meant to be a reply to John J.
“…there’s nothing more important in this life to ensure (100% assurance) and have the peace that our eternal destiny has been taken care of.”
Amen! This is the bottom line. For those who’ve received the salvation bought and paid for by Christ Jesus, our lives and times are in His hand.
As the apostle Paul said, whether we are here or whether we are with Him, we are of all people most blessed. (paraphrase)
Times like this give us even more reason to be in daily intercession for those who don’t know Him, and to be ready to be a witness of His love, His truth, and His power anytime we have the opportunity to do so.
I pray this pandemic and economic crisis will drive people to the Lord Jesus Christ as their only refuge and salvation. So China knew in November about this dangerous virus and exposed millions of people to it and punished the whistleblowers, at least one who is dead now. I see that Spain is now second to the U.S. in cases. I lived there for 5 yrs. and still have 5 grandchildren, one son and one son-in-law there on lockdown. I cried today about all this. Will I ever be able to see my family again? Part of my heart is still in Spain. Lord give our leaders wisdom to do your will in all things. Sometimes experts are wrong, as we have seen.
As much as people try to (in good faith, I’m sure), there can be no balanced comparison to influenza (numbers for influenza are higher, sure), but Coronavirus is a direct threat, it’s not killing one here and then a week later another. It’s killing thousands a day, some even in one city, something influenza does not do, and that’s alarming people and rightly so. That’s the difference.
Coronavirus is like a tsunami; it is here now, and steps need to have been taken already, and if not yet: then today. God has given us commonsense and intelligence; let’s use it. During this pandemic, let us, the born-again believers, be the light and calm the world is crying out for. I agree with David Cloud: pseudoscience is worth nothing.
Of course, we’re all going to die in the end, but there’s no need to die in the middle, to spread false news, or to act as though this is normal.
As born-again believers, this is yet another opportunity to point unbelievers to God’s gift of salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ. If you think about it, there’s nothing more important in this life to ensure (100% assurance) and have the peace that our eternal destiny has been taken care of.