Anytime something major happens—and I’m talking global, huge, earth-shatteringly major—people always start to ask, “Is this the end, Pastor Rob? Is this the end of the world as we know it?” My short answer to this question is, No, I don’t think so. It could very well be the beginning of birth pangs like Jesus talks about in Matthew 24, but God’s Word talks about several other things that we need to look for in the last days. (And, you want to live like the Lord’s return could be eminent and happen any day. You know why? Because it could.) What I think is actually happening here is an opportunity for a third Great Awakening. The first two Great Awakenings were the two biggest revivals that ever happened in America to turn people back to God.
Now, as the coronavirus sweeps across our country to find us spending yet another month at home, other people have asked me if we are maybe on the verge of the opposite of the end times, like a spiritual awakening, and they’re very hopeful. And I would agree that there are hopeful signs of this, and I’m not the only pastor who thinks so.
Pastors all over the country are seeing this tragedy drive people toward God far more than it’s driving people away. It maybe was doing that at first, but now people are realizing something. One of my favorite pastors/evangelists, Greg Laurie, actually used these exact words, saying, “I think it’s a third Great Awakening.” Personally, I hope he’s right.
In many ways, we are now doing the things that pastors encourage people to do all along. For instance, we’re spending more time with God and with our families. We’re sharing meals, and we’re talking to our neighbors instead of running and hiding from them. We’re helping one another, and taking long walks outside (six feet apart, of course).
There are other hopeful trends as well. For example, I read the other day that some distilleries in this country are producing hand sanitizer instead of booze. It reminds me of that verse in Isaiah 2:4, where it says they will beat their swords into plowshares as there was no more need for war.
I’ve also heard good news on several other fronts. Fewer abortions are being performed, crime rates are going down in some areas, and flat-out plummeting in others as we stay at home, and these things are all really good.
But then there is the unthinkable tragedy, and you face it every day as you see the data: people are dying from COVID-19. And it’s this very thing, this fear, that makes us acknowledge the fragility of life.
I believe the pandemic has forced people to think about the afterlife and standing before God one day, and that’s making them think again about all of these other “functional saviors” or false gods and think, “You know what? They just don’t work.”
For example, people who “worship” live sporting events are out of luck because games are being played without fans in the stands. Those who idolize musicians are also out of luck because the civic centers are closed, and the concerts aren’t happening. For all of the movie buffs out there who just can’t wait for the next movie to come out, well, you’ll have to wait. They’re not even filming right now. Still more, I think of those who bow down to the “almighty dollar.” Well, the stock market is always a bit risky, and if you put your faith in that, remember how quickly it could come crashing down.
If you do venture out, you can see the fear and stress and worry in people’s eyes (you can’t see it on their faces, it’s covered with a mask), but people need help. They’re searching for light at the end of the tunnel, and their usual heroes cannot help them. Hollywood can’t save you. They may have created these superheroes, but they can’t do anything. It’s not a job for Superman or a time to call The Avengers, because they aren’t real. And we need answers that are real.
None of these false gods we’ve set up in our lives work. They can’t save you; only God can do that. Again, Pastor Greg Laurie pointed out that there really isn’t a stone that’s being left unturned when it comes to the functional saviors that we cling to, instead of the one, true savior. People are testing them all, and they’re all failing, one by one.
Here are a few more for you. Technology can’t save us. Our smartphones and our computers, honestly, are far from saving us. They’re stressing us out every day. They just keep feeding us more bad news and making our anxiety levels go up. Scripture says, “Be anxious for nothing,” so I might have to get rid of my phone! (Just kidding.) Our lawmakers in Washington, they can’t save us from COVID-19. They will hopefully start to work together, but honestly, they have no more control than any of us do.
I think we’re finally beginning to realize that what we need God. And I think we’re finally starting to wake up, and not in a small way, but in every way, in a great big way, like a third Great Awakening way.
So what does this mean? Well, I’ll share my thoughts on this with you in Part 2 of “Is This the End of the World” blog. Until then, check out my new YouTube channel for engaging videos, and consider joining us at The Summit on Sundays at 9am & 11am Mountain time. If you’re local or in town visiting, reserve your spot for one of our in-person worship experiences, or meet us online from the rest of the world.
Until next time, remember that God loves you!
~Pastor Rob