We are in the midst of a global pandemic in which millions of people are being infected by the COVID-19 virus, and tens of thousands are dying. Some preachers have proclaimed God’s judgement. On Easter Sunday, Christians across the world celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Also, on Easter Sunday a massive storm system moved through the south east United States spawning many tornados. Hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed, and several lives were lost. In the midst of it all, we struggle to understand the ways of God.
Is the world under the judgement of God? Yes. Since, the very first human family chose to disobey God, the world has suffered the wrath of God. God’s judgement is demonstrated in the “thorns and thistles” of the earth, that is, those elements of nature that are antagonistic towards human flourishing. God’s judgement is demonstrated in the sorrow and pain of childbirth. God’s judgement is demonstrated in “sweat of your face”, that is, the difficulties humans encounter as they strive against the elements to earn a living. Ultimately, God’s judgement is demonstrated in the death of all living creatures – “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:16-19 NKJV).
The Apostle Paul declared, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…” (Romans 1:18 NKJV). God’s primary grievance against humanity is that we insist on suppressing the truth. All other sinfulness – murder, sexual immorality, idolatry – have their beginnings in the human tendency to resist the grace of God. “Professing to be wise, they became fools… for this reason God gave them up to vile passions” (Romans 1:22-23, 26 NKJV). In other words, God has judged humanity by allowing human communities to self-destruct due to the consequences of sinful behavior. God has judged humanity by allowing the proliferation of human violence towards each other, and nature itself. “Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:15–18 NKJV).
So, are COVID-19 and tornados, the judgement of God? Yes, in that both are indicative of the chaos of a world under judgement. All of humanity – righteous and sinful – suffer God’s judgement. We are all mortal, we shall all die. Death may come in the form of a virus, a tornado, or a failing heart, but death will certainly come to all of us.
That’s why Easter is so important. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the first-fruit of New Creation. Easter is God’s pledge that the chaos, destruction, and death of this present age will itself be judged, and transformed. The resurrection of Jesus does not mean the end of suffering in this present age, but that this present age will die, this present physical world will end. But that’s not the end! The resurrection of Jesus means in the death of the present cosmos, the seeds of New Creation will spring forth (1 Corinthians 15:36). Paul proclaimed, “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). The groans and labors of this present age are the birth pangs of New Creation (Romans 8:22; cf. Mark 13:5-8).
We celebrate Easter in the midst of a pandemic, in the midst or storms, even in the midst of death. For those who believe in the resurrection of Jesus, Easter is the end of God’s judgement of suffering and death upon this present age. Easter makes eternal life, abundant life, possible. When the stone was rolled away from the tomb of Jesus, the entrance to the tomb became the door to New Creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).
