Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the world…Monkeypox.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Monkeypox is a viral infection that is emerging on the worldwide media headlines. It is a virus that belongs to the same family as smallpox and cowpox. Ironically, in spite of its name, the animal reservoir is unknown but thought to be African rodents. It was named monkeypox when it was discovered in a group of research monkeys in 1958. Human infections are rare and have been limited to African countries. Thus, it was with some alarm that the CDC recently reported a new case in the United States and tracking several new cases in Europe.
Will Monkeypox become a worldwide epidemic like COVID? Although unlikely, since the virus is not as transmissible or as lethal as COVID, the outbreaks are unusual and some scientists are wondering if this Monkeypox has a new mutation, making it more virulent. Of course, the similarities with the beginning of the COVID virus are obvious and the conspiracy theories already abound on social media. This is a virus engineered by Bill Gates and his African scientists is a popular one and this is only the beginning of the theories.
Are any of these true? I don’t know. Social media pundits and conspiracy theories will always emerge. The issue is the credibility of the source. Is there any source that we can absolutely trust?
Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Matthew 24:4-8 (NLT)
Jesus Christ was asked by His disciples what would be the signs that will accompany the end times. He plainly told them in the verses cited above. I am not attempting to stoke the conspiracy fears. However, the signs that will accompany the end times are eerily applicable to our current times. The war in the Ukraine and the threats of war between China and Taiwan. Famine in North Korea and parts of Africa. Earthquakes and natural disasters like hurricanes occurring with greater frequency. All coincidences? Perhaps. However, this is not some social media pundit predicting these events. This is God Himself, Jesus Christ, prophesying these events nearly two thousand years ago. There is no more authoritative or reliable source to prophesy about the end times than Jesus Christ and the Bible. Why?Jesus Christ predicted His own death and resurrection. He is the only person to have ever done this. He is God incarnate. His word is Truth and He promises to never leave nor forsake us.
Monkeypox is just one of many signs of the end times. When that will happen, only God knows. Take comfort in the fact that God has warned you ahead of time of these coming events. He is giving you an opportunity to confess and repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Don’t miss this opportunity.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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