Did The Bible Predict Coronavirus? The Scripture Verse That Has People Convinced We're In End Times
This will take you on a wild conspiracy ride.
Getty Images Given that scientists don't fully understand the way COVID-19 works and spreads, it makes sense that people are trying to fill in the blanks with all kinds of theories.
Some people are convinced the Bible actually predicted coronavirus long ago, and that this may be a sign that the end times are on their way.
But is there any truth to this theory? Did the Bible actually predict coronavirus? Let's take a deep dive into this theory and see what it's all about.
1. Some think the coronavirus is one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Many people on Twitter have been saying that they believe the virus is a sign that the apocalypse is coming, claiming that they're beginning to see the four horsemen as referenced in the New Testament of the Bible — including war, disease, pestilence, and famine — that represent what will happen before the end times arrive. Based on this alone, some believers think that the apocalypse is now upon us in 2020. The definition of pestilence means 'a fatal epidemic disease.'
2. Others are connecting it to a Bible verse.
Another Biblical theory that comes straight from a Bible verse has been spread around social media, including in this Instagram post from rapper Young Thug. "Whenever I hold back the rain or send locusts to eat up the crops or send an epidemic on my people, if they pray to me and repent and turn away from the evil they have been doing, then I will hear them in heaven, forgive their sins, and make their land prosperous again." Obviously, the epidemic would refer to the coronavirus in this case, and that's enough to have many concerned.
3. One user on TikTok is spreading the theory even further.
On TikTok, one user took a dive into the Biblical theory, explaining that combining events like the wildfires in Australia, coronavirus, and locusts in East Africa that have all happened recently prove the Bible verse above is describing what's happening in our world today. Hmm...
4. There has been an outbreak of locusts, but it's doubtful it's connected.
In February, it was reported that a swarm of around 200 billion locusts was in Kenya, which ended up being one of the worst infestations the area has seen in more than 10 years. Yes, this is happening at the same time as the coronavirus is spreading but this is also something that happens in this region from time to time — these swarms have been reported for hundreds of years — and are particularly likely to show up when the climate is favorable for it. These swarms can be devastating to crops in the area, and there were six plagues of locusts that happened in the 1900s alone, which can last for years at a time.
5. There have been a lot of conspiracy theories going around about the virus.
Even for those who don't subscribe to the Bible prediction theory, there are many other conspiracies going around about COVID-19. Some are all about how it could have been predicted by TV shows like The Simpsons, while others claim that it could be engineered to control human population. Regardless of these theories, it's important to listen to what the CDC is reporting above all else; it can be fun to get lost in conspiracies, but most of the time, they end up contradicting what science is already saying.
6. But did the Bible predict the coronavirus?
From what we know about the way the coronavirus actually began, it originated in Wuhan, China, likely coming from a bat in a live animal market. Since we can trace the virus back this way, it takes a lot of the mystery out of how this appeared. Those who choose to believe in the coronavirus can certainly make this fit their narrative, but for those feeling anxious about the apocalypse being upon us? Don't be. Just hang out at home, keep hands washed, and help stop the spread in your community however you can.
Nicole Pomarico is an entertainment and lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in Cosmo, Us Weekly, Refinery29, and more.