By Stan Florez

We’ve been hearing the warnings for years, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other “leading experts.” Now they are saying it again. This is the year we could see a major “pandemic.” First the West Nile virus, then the bird flu and today it is the swine flu. All are very serious threats. Yet nothing substantial has really broken out – at least not on the scale of a worldwide pandemic.

So, are the leading experts wrong? Did they miss the boat, again? Are they so out of touch from reality, so single minded, that they have become useless? Are they just causing more problems by spreading unnecessary fear and panic? Are they really just a bunch of wackos, fear mongers and fanatics?

Some would say, “No, it just hasn’t happened yet, but it probably will!” Others might say, “They are nothing but em-ployees of the pharmaceutical companies and they are trying to capitalize by spreading pandemic propaganda.” Those in the emergency preparedness field would say, “We better listen to them, it is coming – it’s just a matter of when!” I would personally say that by God’s grace, we have yet to be hit with such devastation. All the elements of these diseases are in place but God is holding it back. This gives us the time to take the necessary measures of preparation, prevention and, if necessary, containment.

Let’s look at another warning that has been circling for years, but has yet come to pass. Theologians and experts of Biblical prophecy keep warning us the “End Times” are near and we need to be prepared. Yet you hear similar statements – “I have heard this rhetoric since I was a kid, yet we are still here!” “Those religious nuts are just spreading fear for their own purposes,” etc, etc, etc.

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come. They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning.’ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:3-9).

So are they also wrong? Well, maybe on the timing, but if you base the reliability of this warning on the previous prophesies that have been fulfilled, you can bet your life on it.

See you in churuch or in the air.