AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
POSITION PAPER
COVID -19
Saturday – September 12, 2020, Elul 23, 5780
Greetings to all of the dear friends and partners of this Ministry, Eastern Gate Ministries International, Inc. From time to time we will issue a position paper so that there is no misunderstanding as to where we stand with regard to a particular issue. Today I am talking about COVID-19, more specifically the response of the body of Christ, the Church, to this disease and the public health measures imposed by the government.
What is the problem? Late in 2019 a novel (new) virus arrived on our shores which was not only very infectious but, in many cases, rapidly fatal. Corona viruses have been around a long time and generally cause mild symptoms, but this one is far different. COVID-19 stands for Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019. Another designation you may have seen is SARS-CoV-2 which stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2. As I write this the death toll in the United States is over 180,000 persons. This family of virus has been around for many years but this strain is novel and for a period of time the mode of transmission and how to treat it was shrouded in a lack of information and outright fear.
We now know that the main route of transmission is respiratory. With regard to treatments, the symptomatic treatments are becoming more refined as a massive effort is underway for a vaccine and other therapies. So, in a nutshell we have a deadly virus which is transmitted primarily by the respiratory route.
By mid-March the Federal, State, and Local governments had ordered all but the most essential of businesses closed. The order to close and/or limit group size included Churches. In addition, Churches were considered as nonessential entities which infuriated and offended many in the Church community. This was accompanied by the order to wear masks where social distancing (six feet) was not possible or unlikely to be maintained (like at the grocery store). Here in Maine at first the gathering size was not to exceed ten persons and now for several months fifty persons with masks and social distancing.
There has been an irrational resistance by saint and sinner alike to wear masks in the public spaces (stores, Churches, etc.) where social distancing cannot or is not likely to be maintained. This is a deadly respiratory virus spread primarily by respiratory droplets! The order to wear masks have been issued by duly instituted governments and those of authority in the various businesses and Churches. Likewise, the orders for social distancing and crowd size have come from duly instituted authorities. The authority to issue enforceable executive orders is derived from the Civil Emergencies Act. Many Churches and Ministry leaders have submitted to the governing authority (which is submission to God) to their great credit while others have not to their great discredit. We expect a rebellious nature in the unsaved for their father is the original rebel, Lucifer. However, we don’t expect this in the Church who have a Father who is love. This failure to submit to authority signals a serious failure to subdue the carnal man. It is a failure to be spiritually minded which is life and peace, but instead to be carnally minded which is death (Romans 8:6).
I am going to shift just a tad and talk briefly, not exhaustively, about our defenses to this virus as Christians. As you may have heard me say many times everything has its origins in the spirit realm. All manifestations in the spirit realm, good or bad, originate there, and all manifestations in the physical realm whether they be good of bad originate in the spirit realm. In the Spiritual realm we have faith, powered by love, led of the Holy Spirit in the Word of God. Two of many texts are Psalm 91:1-16 and Deuteronomy 28:1-15. In the physical realm, wear the mask where asked and according to the published guidelines given by those in authority. See the graphic. Social distance where possible. Avoid groups that violate size limits (greater than 50 persons).
It is common to hear the cry that “they” are taking away our rights including our right to Worship. Not true! What has happened is a response to a health crisis. We have a stewardship responsibility for our government before God and in this country that is carried out primarily by voting or making our values known to those in office. Our principle warfare however goes on in the heavenlies, not against flesh and blood.
Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
And what is our spiritual position of authority relative to these demonic powers?
Ephesians 1:21-23 (KJV)
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Now, for the most part here in Maine, and I believe in Texas, the Governors’ has acted in the best interest of the people. Where there is injustice we appeal to the Lord of all justice and exercise our spiritual (decrees led of the Spirit) and physical authority (vote). We have not been told not to worship, to strip out the name of Jesus, or certain Scriptures, or any other infringements on our beliefs or religious customs. By the way, worship (submission to the thoughts, words, and ways of God) is way more than a few songs on Sunday morning. Part of our worship is submission to authority. This includes wearing the mask, keeping crowd sizes at Church to 50 or less (here in Maine), and exercise social distancing. Whatever the guidelines are where you live do them! A violation of any or all of these is a transgression of the law, rebellion against those in authority and against God the source of all authority. Any way you cut it; it is sin. Let us decide to love our neighbor.
Romans 13:10 (KJV)
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Let us make every effort not to offend anyone in regard to the COVID-19 mandates or in any other way if possible. Wear the mask, social distance, keep the crowd within the prescribed limits. Just love (agape) God and love people.
Matthew 18:6 (KJV)
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Let us submit to authority.
Romans 13:1-2 (KJV)
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
1 Peter 2:13-15 (KJV)
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
Are we among those who are putting to silence the ignorance of foolish men or are we one of the foolish men? Finally, let’s address this not forsaking the assembling together argument. For starters we have not been asked not to assemble but for own protection and that of the community we have been asked to temporarily modify how we assemble. Let’s carefully read the following Scripture.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Remember the love (agape – verse 24) means in part to be obedient to Scripture. The admonition to not forsake the assembling together is on the individual not from a governmental mandate due to a health crisis in the community. That is to say that each of us must decide to continue assembling together and not forsake that practice. The government has not prevented that but we have had to limit the crowd and get out of our comfort box.
Will God ever lead anyone to violate man’s laws if that law does not violate the moral laws of God?
I pray this Position Paper has been of help to those who love the Lord and had some questions.
2 Chronicles 20:20b (KJV)
20 … Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus name! Quit asking God to bless you, you are already blessed, you have the Blessing, give Him something to do by the words of your mouth. Once you know the will of God, decree the thing (Job 22:28, Isaiah 45:11, Mark 11:23). (The Blessing is the Holy Spirit) We have left God way to long with nothing to do in our lives.
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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