Why Praise God When He's The One Who Brought Coronavirus To Us?

[Pilgrim Soldier]

I don't get it. I read a lot of COVID long haulers stories of ongoing suffering and misery on several forums (people whose symptoms mild and severe linger months possibly years after finally testing negative). Many to most ask for prayers to get over it and a few who praise God when they do--only to fall ill against weeks or months later in many cases.

What I don't get is the Bible says this:

I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Isaiah 45:7

Instead of praising God we should be holding Him responsible for all the misery and death Coronavirus is doing to us. He tells us in no uncertain words He's the one who created this monstrous evil we have labeled Coronavirus.

Now before you throw "Bad translation" at me you should know that this is the King James, widely regarded as the most perfect translation ever done. Many Christians regard it as the authoritative word of God straight from God's mouth.

So God brings something as evil as Coronavirus on us and people are praising Him for it. Sort of like when someone kicks you, you say, "I like that. Do it again."

I just don't get the logic--or illogic of it, that's a better word.

Covid is just one of many judgements God promised to punish the world with, there are many more far worse judgements to come upon the world.

God has punished homosexuals with AIDS and He destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in the past. He did warn us ahead of time so we shouldn't be surprised by these things, they were all foretold.

There's no need to add any fancy translations to what God clearly said in Isaiah 45:7 God does whatever He wants, including creating evil and nobody has the right to question anything He does.

He created all things including evil so He has full rights over every person. We are all at His mercy so it's not wise to go against Him

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Covid is just one of many judgements God promised to punish the world with, there are many more far worse judgements to come upon the world.

God has punished homosexuals with AIDS and He destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in the past. He did warn us ahead of time so we shouldn't be surprised by these things, they were all foretold.

There's no need to add any fancy translations to what God clearly said in Isaiah 45:7 God does whatever He wants, including creating evil and nobody has the right to question anything He does.

He created all things including evil so He has full rights over every person. We are all at His mercy so it's not wise to go against Him

So you think the pandemic is a good thing?

I suppose that's one way to reconcile the conflict here.

 

[SeekingAllTruth]

Covid is just one of many judgements God promised to punish the world with, there are many more far worse judgements to come upon the world.

God has punished homosexuals with AIDS and He destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in the past. He did warn us ahead of time so we shouldn't be surprised by these things, they were all foretold.

There's no need to add any fancy translations to what God clearly said in Isaiah 45:7 God does whatever He wants, including creating evil and nobody has the right to question anything He does.

He created all things including evil so He has full rights over every person. We are all at His mercy so it's not wise to go against Him

Nonsense. And the bold is pathetic. Anyone knows heterosexuals and children died right along with homosexuals. God's collateral damage?

 

[SeekingAllTruth]

I don't think that NDEs are proof of an afterlife because those people were nt fully dead so they never really crossed over to the spiritual world. Those people might have gotten a glimpse of it, a preview, but that is not the same as being there. NDEs do offer evidence that consciousness can exist outside the body after the brain is no longer functioning, NDEs offer some evidence of the soul that is responsible for consciousness continues to exist separate from the body, which is a Baha'i belief.

It makes logical sense that NDE experiences would differ between people because people are all different and led different lives. I believe we reap what we sow so people who led noble lives caring about others will have a very positive experience whereas people who were selfish or evil might have a hellish experience, and that is exactly what has been reported in the NDE literature.

This sort of thing has occurred when spirits communicated to mediums and you can read about it in the second book I listed below. As I recall it is in the Foreword to the book so you would have to buy the book in order to read how these communications from spirits were verified.

I think that there are accounts of such things happening in some of the NDE literature, but again NDEers were not fully dead, so that is only proof of consciousness outside of the body.

Below are links to the three books I have read that describe what happens when we die and what spirits (souls) experience in the spiritual world. I like the first book because it is short and easy to read online and what he communicates is very interesting because it touches upon what is the purpose of this life and what is not. His apt description of hell is not pretty at all but it is not a Christian hell. This book covers only one man's experience over a period of time as he settled into being in the spiritual world.

The second book covers the experiences of many different spirits and also goes into more detail about the death process. the author does not come from any religious perspective and he pokes fun of the Christian idea of heaven, it is so funny.

The third book was written by a Christian who broke away from orthodox Christianity and claimed to have experienced heaven and hell for many years. The book goes into much more detail than the other two books and I am not convinced it is totally accurate although I think it does a good job of explaining the difference between heaven and hell, and how and why we end up there. He does cite the Bible and he supports his beliefs with scriptures. The book can be purchased or read online.

1. Private Dowding
2. The Afterlife Revealed
3. Heaven and Hell

Oh, I see you've discovered Swedenborg. Yes, I read heaven and Hell and one other of his. There a YouTube channel called Off the Left Eye which concentrates strictly on Swedenborg's teachings if you're interested in his visions of heaven. Thanks for the links.I am checking out Revealed right now.

 

[samtonga43]

I’m astonished too because what God has done is something I never thought possible. When I was at my lowest I cried to God for help and He showed up, led me to people who shared the Gospel with me and God
has been faithful to His promises in the Bible. It’s common and if you go to baptisms and listen to the stories, they are amazing of what God has done in people’s lives.

Yes, it is common, ElishaElijah. And those of us who have been drawn to Christ have been truly blessed.

 

[samtonga43]

It takes courage and a strong faith to pray to God in the midst of suffering. I think too often people think back on an experience like you described with the misconception that it was all about personal fragility and dependence, so they overlook their part in the transformation. You have proven to yourself that you know where to focus, that you know how to pray, in order to navigate crisis.

Agreed. But there is also the prayer prayed when there is no crisis:
"If there is a God, show me." I did not even say "Please".

 

[Pilgrim Soldier]

So you think the pandemic is a good thing?

I suppose that's one way to reconcile the conflict here.

I believe everything God does is good, even if you think it's bad. We don't like medicine but it's good for us if we're sick

 

[Pilgrim Soldier]

Nonsense. And the bold is pathetic. Anyone knows heterosexuals and children died right along with homosexuals. God's collateral damage?

They weren't collateral damage at all, because those children were already perverted at a young age. We see that when the men and boys of Sodom surrounded Lot's house demanding to have anal sex with the angels in Lot's house.
Sorry to disappoint you but your view is not historically correct, everyone in those cities was corrupt to the core. God never displayed such hatred and wrath to any other kind of sin.

He forbade anal sex, it was always punishable by stoning to death and may cultures still enforce the death penalty for homosexuality. And God said He never changes so He is still the same God who destroyed those cities so we can expect to see more punishment coming their way.

 

[SeekingAllTruth]

They weren't collateral damage at all, because those children were already perverted at a young age. We see that when the men and boys of Sodom surrounded Lot's house demanding to have anal sex with the angels in Lot's house.
Sorry to disappoint you but your view is not historically correct, everyone in those cities was corrupt to the core. God never displayed such hatred and wrath to any other kind of sin.

He forbade anal sex, it was always punishable by stoning to death and may cultures still enforce the death penalty for homosexuality. And God said He never changes so He is still the same God who destroyed those cities so we can expect to see more punishment coming their way.

Unbelievable!!

 

[Trailblazer]

Pilgrim Soldier said: "And God said He never changes so He is still the same God who destroyed those cities so we can expect to see more punishment coming their way."

No, we cannot expect the same punishments because God no longer operates under Old Testament law, even if He ever did.
Thus the laws in the OT are now obsolete since God revealed new laws and punishments through Baha'u'llah.

 

[SeekingAllTruth]

They weren't collateral damage at all, because those children were already perverted at a young age. We see that when the men and boys of Sodom surrounded Lot's house demanding to have anal sex with the angels in Lot's house.
Sorry to disappoint you but your view is not historically correct, everyone in those cities was corrupt to the core. God never displayed such hatred and wrath to any other kind of sin.

He forbade anal sex, it was always punishable by stoning to death and may cultures still enforce the death penalty for homosexuality. And God said He never changes so He is still the same God who destroyed those cities so we can expect to see more punishment coming their way.

Pilgrim Soldier said: "And God said He never changes so He is still the same God who destroyed those cities so we can expect to see more punishment coming their way."

Pilgrim Soldier said: "And God said He never changes so He is still the same God who destroyed those cities so we can expect to see more punishment coming their way."

No, we cannot expect the same punishments because God no longer operates under Old Testament law, even if He ever did.
Thus the laws in the OT are now obsolete since God revealed new laws and punishments through Baha'u'llah.

I am so glad I am out of this religion.

 

[Trailblazer]

I am so glad I am out of this religion.

And I thank God daily that I was never part of it.

#103 Trailblazer, 13 minutes ago

 

[WhoIsBeast 750]

Pilgrim Soldier said: "And God said He never changes so He is still the same God who destroyed those cities so we can expect to see more punishment coming their way."

No, we cannot expect the same punishments because God no longer operates under Old Testament law, even if He ever did.
Thus the laws in the OT are now obsolete since God revealed new laws and punishments through Baha'u'llah.

when you prove something other than a book then it will be a new religion god will not write anything about it unlike islam baptism and talmud and still a couple of religions but yours is not there what your claims are based on? on a twisted pism? unless it is twisted which prophecies of those we know have made your prophecies? that they were visiting a city? I'm going to run into a collision and I'm Jesus? or will I do something I write here and there and be the one whom God sent? the greatest punishments await just as you are full of deceptive beliefs without belonging to the first writings, as everything was corrupt and your religion is really not better at it Mormons shouldn't even come back and if you really want to understand religion, try to unlock the books and then you will see the disgrace on the last day as it gets according to the writings of the saints not on my conviction and if your false tongue sends an arrow so you better not revive yourself anyway there are all the religions corrupt verses thrown up true story hidden and you will not like it on the last day until everything is confirmed and the bull**** about Satan or the giants? naive fools Satan is a disobedience (people) and giants are rich people who absorb property and people's money if it is not even worth it to examine the symbolism, so religion is in your hands is only a thing for which you will kill even if you do not know the fact not only are there signs that Jesus did not die and what is even more documented in the sealed book that it could have been someone else, but who it was find it yourself and then the whores' lies will come to light and the world will be so horrified that they would rather not say anything about her mouth lying

 

[WhoIsBeast 750]

I am so glad I am out of this religion.

naivety only god sent the prophets, and as people behaved, so did their reward

 

[SeekingAllTruth]

when you prove something other than a book then it will be a new religion god will not write anything about it unlike islam baptism and talmud and still a couple of religions but yours is not there what your claims are based on? on a twisted pism? unless it is twisted which prophecies of those we know have made your prophecies? that they were visiting a city? I'm going to run into a collision and I'm Jesus? or will I do something I write here and there and be the one whom God sent? the greatest punishments await just as you are full of deceptive beliefs without belonging to the first writings, as everything was corrupt and your religion is really not better at it Mormons shouldn't even come back and if you really want to understand religion, try to unlock the books and then you will see the disgrace on the last day as it gets according to the writings of the saints not on my conviction and if your false tongue sends an arrow so you better not revive yourself anyway there are all the religions corrupt verses thrown up true story hidden and you will not like it on the last day until everything is confirmed and the bull**** about Satan or the giants? naive fools Satan is a disobedience (people) and giants are rich people who absorb property and people's money if it is not even worth it to examine the symbolism, so religion is in your hands is only a thing for which you will kill even if you do not know the fact not only are there signs that Jesus did not die and what is even more documented in the sealed book that it could have been someone else, but who it was find it yourself and then the whores' lies will come to light and the world will be so horrified that they would rather not say anything about her mouth lying

 

[Pilgrim Soldier]

Pilgrim Soldier said: "And God said He never changes so He is still the same God who destroyed those cities so we can expect to see more punishment coming their way."

No, we cannot expect the same punishments because God no longer operates under Old Testament law, even if He ever did.
Thus the laws in the OT are now obsolete since God revealed new laws and punishments through Baha'u'llah.

I'm not sure which god your talking about, but the God of the Bible never changes. He loves and hates the same as He always has. He said, "I am the same today, yesterday and forevermore, I change not" Now I need to make a choice to either believe you or God, I'll have to give it some thought before I decide

 

[Pilgrim Soldier]

I am so glad I am out of this religion.

I can't think of anything worse than being judged by an enemy who just happens to be the God who judges everyone. I wouldn't exchange positions with you for the whole world and all the riches of the universe

 

[samtonga43]

And I thank God daily that I was never part of it.

#103 Trailblazer, 13 minutes ago

Oh, me too! (But the adherent to this religion must be a God-send to you)

 

[whosetosay...]

As I said before I do not believe that Satan is a real entity that exists, I believe Satan is an allegorical figure that represents the lower selfish nature of man. I should also tell you that I am not very familiar with the Bible because I was never a Christian, but I believe that much of the Old Testament is people who wrote about what God said and did, not necessarily what God actually said or did. I guess what I am trying to say is that I believe these are stories about God, rather than a revelation direct from God that was written by an actual Messenger of God. And it is a known fact that the New Testament came to us by way of oral tradition, so it is not the exact words of Jesus or even the disciples, because it was written by unnamed authors.

It is a lot like saying: " We shall ignore the truths God has revealed about himself and proceed down our own path recreating a new god one who adjusts to our way of thinking." The truth that cannot be denied about the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob is that he revealed himself to them, The sacrifice of Issac we see it had to be met not with Issac but with a sacrifice God provided, The OT makes it clear that God is not a liar all belief must start with what God has revealed about himself and mankind.Satan according to the statement above has already moved you from truth according to the OT. He has you believing that he is not a real person and that the OT about God which according to the bible was given to man by the Holy Spirit is somehow irrelevant. For those born of Spirit and Truth is has been fulfilled about the Messiah. Then Acts seven tells how Stephen full of the Holy Spirit spoke the word to those present and it cost him his life. But revelation to the disciples show that he looked up and saw heaven open and Christ sat at the right hand of God, Were the disciples liars?

I do not believe that anyone is 'thrown on hell.' I do not even believe that hell is a place but rather it is a state of the soul that is far from God, just as heaven is a state of the soul that is near to God; and since I believe in free will, I believe we determine if we will end up in heaven or hell by own own beliefs and actions, not by God's doing.

The belief above us not unique to yourself. However it is not biblical but God is honest and Christ was clear that King James Bible
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
7Where can I go to escape Your Spirit?

Where can I flee from Your presence? 8If I ascend to the heavens, You are there;

if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.

God is in all places he is omnipresent and has told the end from the beginning according to the bible.. A persons days numbered before they began. If everyone is going to be saved and hell doesn't exist what was the point of Christ being the sacrifice? To take your stance would make a mockery of your beliefs. It would show there is no foundation in the truth about God himself and what he has taught. Your take on belief would give belief in a manmade god. Which is interesting but has no basis in truth of any religion outside the Abrahamic God.

I agree that love of truth and being in the Spirit leads a person to come nearer to God.and I believe that gaining eternal life is by being close to God. Since Jesus was the way to draw near to God then Jesus was the way to gain eternal life. That is why Jesus said:

John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

Is really no different from what Baha'u'llah wrote....

“O My servants! Whoso hath tasted of this Fountain hath attained unto everlasting Life, and whoso hath refused to drink therefrom is even as the dead.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p.169

“No man can obtain everlasting life, unless he embraceth the truth of this inestimable, this wondrous, and sublime Revelation.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 183

I believe in Jesus and that He was sent by God as that is a requirement of my religion, but I also believe that in this new age eternal life comes to those who listen to Baha'u'llah, who was the Messenger of God for this age.

John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Is really no different from what Baha'u'llah wrote....

“Thou hast gained admittance into the Paradise of God’s Remembrance, through thy recognition of Him Who is the Embodiment of that Remembrance amongst men.” Gleanings p. 303

Only the times have changes and since the times have changed the needs of humanity have changed so God sent Baha'u'llah. I believe that 'the way' God wants us to come to God in this new age is Baha'u'llah, which in no way precludes knowing and loving God through Jesus, as both brought the Holy Spirit to the world.

Jesus Christ, alive and seated at the right hand of God, Where is Baha'u'llah did he rise from the dead?
Joseph Smith received the Gold bars he translated from an angel. One thing which is constant through the OT and the NT is that God spoke to men through the Spirit, The religious beliefs of Baha'u'llah are his chosen beliefs. Anything not built on Spirit and Truth in Abrahamic faith is not from God which they believe in. OT tells us that God has covenants with his vhosen people in Spirit and Truth. The one last Covenant Christ fulfilled was foretold. Every Covenant has it's place in truth of God given to man so there is no excuse for belief in any other. The books have a great deal to do with the judgement according to the bible.

 

[SeekingAllTruth]

I can't think of anything worse than being judged by an enemy who just happens to be the God who judges everyone. I wouldn't exchange positions with you for the whole world and all the riches of the universe

Your Christian pagan god and my idea of what Higher Intelligence possibly made everything are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

“The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”