On Sunday March 22, 2020, Rev. Cory Griess, pastor of First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI, preached a special sermon for his congregation, even though they could not gather as usual. Expounding the Scriptures in Revelation 4 and 5, and explaining the glory and blessing of the ascended Lord Christ in Lord's Day 18 of the Heidelberg Catechism (Q&As 46-49), he brought God's Word to His people under the theme "Coronavirus and the King."
You may listen to the sermon on this webpage. It is timely and it is comforting.
Below is an excerpt from an edited version of it, which will soon be published in the April 15, 2020 issue of the Standard Bearer.
In verse 7 the Lion/Lamb takes the book. That moment is the crowning of the King. It is when the ascended Lord appeared in heaven, was enthroned with God, and was given the power to rule over all things unto the carrying out of the purposes of God.
Your Christ, who has taken the nails for you and your hell along with them, is right now unfolding what is in that book. Right now, in March of 2020 He is doing this. In great things, little things, hairs that fall from heads, heads of state that fall from thrones. In microscopic viruses and their movements across the world.
Did you know that in that scroll was written, “Winter/spring of 2020, spread of coronavirus,” and every last detail about how it would accomplish the building up the kingdom of Jesus Christ?
...We ought to go through this time with worship in our hearts and on our lips. “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb…9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy….” (verses 8-9).
Coronavirus has been made to serve us. One day, when it and all other pains and sorrows are not needed as servants anymore, it will be taken away like so much scaffolding from the building. And with a freedom and fullness unknown to us even now, all creation, angels, and just men made perfect, will join with one voice crying, “Worthy is the Lamb, our King!”