Is the Current Pandemic a Sign of the Times? (Part One)

This is a loaded question - potentially loaded with ERROR if one does not rightly divide the Word of God. I see various Christians randomly quoting Scriptures (mainly from the Old Testament) as proof texts that the current COVID-19 pandemic is "a sign of the times". But is that true? In response I could give a one word answer, but I want to take advantage of this question to work through a biblical answer so that you will know the "WHY" behind my response.

To start with what "times" are we talking about? When someone makes a statement about "the signs of the times" from a Christian standpoint they often are talking generally about the "last days" referenced in the Scriptures. But here's the rub! The Bible speaks in reference to the "last days" in regard to the Church Age, but in distinction it also speaks about the "last days" in relationship to Israel. They are NOT the same thing! If a person doesn't make the proper distinctions between what applies to the CHURCH and what applies to ISRAEL, they will never make the proper prophetic distinctions regarding " the signs of the times".

One of the most important theological distinctions is the distinction between the Church and Israel in the Scriptures. It is so basic and yet so many miss it! The system of biblical interpretation that sees a distinction between God's program for Israel and His program for the Church is called DISPENSATIONALISM. At core basic dispensationalism interprets the WHOLE of Scripture normally (literally) and sees a clear distinction between Israel and the Church (cf. 1 Cor. 10:32; Rom. 9-11). This system of theology says that when God has completed His Church, He will then complete His program with Israel and in this ALL the promises made to Israel will literally be fulfilled. Just as sure as the "curses" have literally been fulfilled in Israel, just as sure will the "blessing" promises yet be fulfilled in Israel.

John MacArthur rightly says: "You get your eschatology right when you get Israel right. You get Israel right when you get the Old Testament covenant and promises with Israel right. You get the Old Testament covenants and promises right when you get the interpretation of Scripture right. You get the interpretation of Scripture right when you're faithful to valid rules of interpretation."

Israel is given very SPECIFIC signs in relation to the end times identified as "the 70th Week of Daniel" which is commonly referred to as the 7-year Tribulation Period (cf. Dan. 9:24-27). The Church on the other hand is NOT given such SPECIFIC signs. Thus, the "end times" in reference to the Church is not synonymous with the "end times" in reference to Israel. These are two different things.

Prophecy scholar Thomas Ice explains: "The Bible clearly speaks of a last days or end time, but it does not always refer to the same period of time. The contextual referent enables the reader to know whether the Bible is speaking of the last days relating to Israel or the end times in reference to the church. Many believe that there are specific signs that relate to the end of the church age. However, I believe that it would be too strong to say that there are signs of the end of the church age. Instead, the Bible indicates what the condition of the church will be like- the general course of the age- and then warns about some general trends toward the later part of the church age."

Ice is correct in this observation. The NT does give PRECISE SPECIFIC signs regarding the Church Age! In fact, it was Jesus who told the apostles, who gave us NT revelation, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority." (Acts 1:7)

Note that Jesus in Acts 1:7 did not rebuke the apostles for having the wrong idea about the kingdom. Jesus Himself had at length been teaching about this coming kingdom as promised in the Old Testament. They were right to anticipate it’s coming, but Jesus now educated them to the fact that the TIMING OF ITS COMING is a Divine secret and in accordance with the Father’s prerogative. The timing is God the Father’s business and could not be known by them (cf. Deut. 29:29). The words "times" and "seasons" are used in both Acts 1:7 and 1 Thess. 5:1.

The word “times” is the Greek word “chronos” [khron’os] from which we get the English word “chronology”. It refers to chronological periods of time which are to elapse prior to the Day of the Lord that ushers in the Second Coming and the Kingdom of Christ. This word describes the duration of times or the idea of how long it will be before the consummation of last days events surrounding the Second Coming. The word “seasons” is “kairos” [kahee-ros] and essentially means the kinds of times. It refers to specific turning points in redemptive history. So in view is the duration of time periods and the specific turning points that will usher in the last days events in which Israel is the central player. Jesus said in reference to "times" and "seasons" that it "is not for you to know" and Paul said concerning "the times and seasons" that "the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” (1 Thess. 5:1-2).

So really what Christ was telling the apostles is that they would have no idea how long the church age would be before the events transpire that will usher in the kingdom. We can leave it there with Jesus! It is NOT for us to know the "times or the seasons". SPECIFIC signs in this regard are NOT given to the Church. This of course would include the present world-wide pandemic! It is NOT a SPECIFIC sign by which we can discern God's prophetic "times or seasons".

In contrast to what Jesus said about not knowing in reference to the Church is what He said about knowing in reference to Israel in Matthew 24:4-35. This whole CONTEXT relates essentially to Israel within the context of the 70th week of Daniel (the 7 year tribulation period). In verse 15 Jesus very SPECIFICALLY references the "abomination of desolation" spoken of by Daniel as seen in Daniel 9:27. That is a very SPECIFIC contextual referent! In reference to this Tribulation Period Jesus went on to say in Matthew 24:33, "when you SEE all these things, KNOW that it is near - at the doors!" (emphasis mine) The times and seasons are NOT for us to know in the Church Age, but in the CONTEXT of the Tribulation they WILL be able to SEE and KNOW with great precision God's timetable related to end time events.

There have been MANY pandemics in the history of the Church Age. None of them have been "a sign of the times". There are general trends that could be labeled end time "signs" related to the Church Age, but ALL the SPECIFIC "signs" relate to Israel's "end times" experience AFTER the Church is gone. Rightly dividing the Word involves making the proper distinctions regarding Israel and the Church. The Church has not been given SPECIFIC end time signs but we are told to ever be WATCHING and WAITING for Christ's imminent return. Perhaps Today!

Live Ready!

Acts 1:7–8 (NKJV)
7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”