Pestilence in the 20th Century

The Black Death of 14th century Europe did not lead to the end of the world, as many were predicting. But what about our time? Do the epidemics and diseases of our day suggest that we are living in what the Bible calls "the last days"? - 2 TIMOTHY 3:1.

'Surely not', you may think. Medical and scientific advancements have done more to help us understand  and fight disease now than at any time in human history. Medical scientists have developed  a wide range of antibiotics and vaccines that cause them.  Improvements in hospital care as well as in water treatment, sanitation, and food preparation have also helped in the battle against infectious diseases.

A few decades ago, many thought that the struggle was nearly over. Smallpox had been eradicated, and other diseases were targeted for eradication. Drugs effectively subdued countless maladies. Health professionals surveyed the future with optimism. Infectious disease would be defeated, conquest would follow conquest. Medical science would prevail.

But it did not prevail. Today infectious diseases remains the world's leading cause of death, killing over 50 million people in 1996 alone.  The optimism of the past is replaced by a growing concern for the future.  The World Health Report  1996, produced by the World Health Organization  (WHO), warns: "Much of the progress achieved in recent decades towards improving human health is now at risk.  We stand on the brink of a global crisis in infectious diseases. No country is safe.

Note: It says in the Bible that will be no cures for any diseases.  They may think they may have, but in all honesty, the only cure we have is Jehovah God when he comes and straightens up and cleans off the wicked garbage and resurrects the good people. 

Next time: Pestilences of the 20th Century - Old Diseases Become More Deadly

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