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One of the breaking news in our country today is the detection of the first case of COVID-19 Lambda variant. The patient is a 35-year-old pregnant woman from Western Visayas according to the Department of Health.

We are indeed alarmed by this news but upon reading the Bible, we should not be surprised that things such as these are happening in our midst. One day, Jesus was asked when the end of times will come. The people more than 2,000 years ago asked about the signs.

Jesus answered the following signs in Luke 21ff:

First, there will be people who will be claiming to be the Messiah.

Jesus said, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.

Second, there will be wars.

Jesus said, “When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

Third, there will be natural and man-made disasters.

Jesus said, “There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.”

Jesus added more signs in the Gospels. In the past 2,000 years, many people have interpreted these passages in many ways. At the height of the world wars and the pandemics of the past, they said that Jesus would already come. Some would interpret it that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as a sign that Jesus would come soon.

A word of caution in our interpretation would be the words of Jesus — no one knows the day or the hour.

If we do not know, what then should we do?

Have faith. Be ready. Be watchful. Be prayerful.

May God bless us all!