Something’s Here that’s Worse than COVID-19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is what is in the center of attention all over the world now. It is a scary and very deadly disease, leaders around the world cannot wait to get rid of it in their countries. A lot of measures have been put in place to combat this disease, including medical, legislative, economic and even social measures. We all want to do everything we can to stop the spread and ultimately rid our world of this “invisible enemy”.

But there has been a worst enemy with us all the while. Something that carries a more severe consequence than the Coronavirus. The consequence of this is not just severe, it is also eternal. A problem that many people don’t think about or are unwilling to discuss. This is the problem of sin and enmity with God. Just like we are addressing COVID-19, this is a problem for which we ought to be speedily looking for solution. But many people don’t care because they don’t understand the severity of the consequence of their sins.

This is not to downplay the deadly effects of COVID-19. I understand how bad it is. I’m affected by it in many ways, and there are people that I know who are severely affected. It is truly bad. As at the time of this writing, there have been over 2.2 million confirmed cases and over 154,000 deaths worldwide. Many are still seriously ill. Many people have lost their jobs with no hope of getting another one soon. Leaders of the world are struggling to save lives and to keep their economy in order. And many more evil that can be connected to the deadly virus.

But all the above ptoblems put together are not even close to the consequences of being lost. Being lost simply means that you’re not saved, which makes you an enemy of God. That carries a more severe repercussion than the Coronavirus. The Bible says the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). It would have been good if the consequence of sin is just that a person will die. But it’s beyond an ordinary death. According to Jesus Christ, this death means that the person will perish.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

All have sinned and come short (Romans 3:23). Because of His love for us, God needed to send His Son to save us from the penalty of our sins. No one else could have done it since everyone has come short. On the cross, God poured his wrath upon His only Son, Jesus Christ. He suffered, shed his blood and died. He was sacrificed for our sins. That’s what it means that God “gave his only begotten Son”. The purpose of this is that anyone who admits that he/she’s a sinner and believes that Christ died and rose again to pay the penalty of his/her sins will be saved and not perish.

The question what does it mean to perish?

What It Means to Perish

To perish means that a person dies without Christ, which will make the individual to be separated from God for all eternity in the lake of fire. If you reject Jesus Christ while you’re still alive, you will end up in hell when you die. That’s exactly what it means to be condemned. There is just no better or nicer way of saying that.

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Many downplay the seriousness of hell, or they just don’t understand the concept. There is no party in hell. Hell is no fun at all!

Revelation 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

This is also the final destination of the devil himself – he ruling the world now but his days are numbered.

Revelation 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Hell or the lake of fire is all about loneliness, darkness, fire, torment, weeping and gnashing of teeth. What’s even worse about hell is that it is for all eternity. There is no end because eternity is outside of time. You cannot set a timer. You can never get out. (2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:10).

This is worse than what COVID-19 can do to you. Some people say God is too loving to put people in such a horrible torment. Don’t be deceived! If God can let His Son suffer and go through the wrath of sin, He can put anyone in hell that rejects Him. And if He does, He will be fully justified because the people made the choice.

But if you’re reading this article now, you have a better choice. Those who accept Jesus will not perish but will have everlasting life. That is the opposite of condemnation. So stop calling yourself a good person, no one is too good to need salvation. Rather, agree with the Bible that you’re a sinner who desperately needs Jesus. Believe in what He did for you, trust in His blood. And you will be saved.

You can be rest assured that no matter what happens to you in this life, even if you catch the virus and die, you’re guaranteed eternal life. That’s eternity without virus, no COVID-91, no pandemic, no sickness – it’s all joy in the presence of God for ever and ever.

Thank you for reading!