Does Revelation 6:2 predict the coronavirus and masks?

I have to admit that this modern prophetic interpretation caught me by surprise. I quickly found several online discussion threads, which said exactly what I was asked in the same manner.

“Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, ‘Come!’ And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.” [Revelation 6:1-2 ESV]

Generally, these are the claims.

1 – Corona is Latin for “crown,” therefore, coronavirus = “crown” virus.

2 – A bow, toxon in Greek (τόξον), is the root of toxic in English = a toxic “fake” virus.

3 – The base of bow from tikto (τίκτω) indicates fabric, like a mask. If you want to bypass the linguistic nerd stuff, skip ahead to the *.

First, corona is Latin for “crown.” The interpretation here requires the Greek, stephanos (στέφανος), to be translated in Latin, but only Latin, and only that word. Our understanding of corona as a Latin root term is broad in application. Coronas can be the outer atmosphere of a star, a radiating architectural feature, or even just a Mexican beer. Corona is also the name of the circle of clergy singing in the ancient mass around the altar, which is the root of choir. It is also the name of a class of viruses with radiating external structures. None of those uses predict or exclude another.

Second, toxon (τόξον) is Greek for “bow.” It is not the origin of toxic. Toxicon (τοξικόν) is the poison for an arrow, bellos (βέλος), to poison a target. Toxicon passes into Latin as toxicum (poison), which gives us toxic in English. Toxon is a New Testament hapax, a word used only once. But, we find the same word used throughout the Septuagint, the 3rd century BC Old Testament Greek translation. Rarely are toxon and bellos used together. One seems to be understood by way of the other.

Third, the base of bow from tikto (τίκτω) indicates fabric like a mask. Tikto (τίκτω) is a verb meaning: to beget, give birth to, bear, produce, or generate. The root, tik (τίκ-), seems to indicate production or fabrication leading to nouns like: builder, craft, or bow. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance was the only reference source I could find using the phrase, “’From the base of tikto; a bow (apparently as the simplest fabric) — bow.” This is mostly likely a typo or intended to be understood as formation, production, or fabrication.

This boils down to the way we look at the scriptures. In the Lutheran church, we look at the scriptures through exegesis (ex-e-JE-sus). We examine the text itself, its context in chapter, book, and the whole bible. We may also look at the historical context, if it’s useful. Most importantly, we let scripture interpret scripture.

This coronavirus application of Revelation 6:2 is process called eisegesis (ice-e-JE-sus). The method brings an idea into the scriptures, looking for a proof of it. It examines the text in isolation. And, it tends to make interpretive leaps from limited or incomplete information.

The four riders in Revelation are the first of the sets of seven expressions of tribulation indicating the triumphant return of the Lamb. It may help to think of the description in the apocalyptic literature of the Revelation of St. John like a four year-old trying to explain a trip to Disney World. With great speed, an ever-increasing intensity, the description circles back upon itself. Each telling adds to the detail of what’s already been explained. And, we get ever more confused about where we started and where we’re ending.

John starts in the divine service on Sunday morning. He tells us a fantastic description of the day to come. And he closes us out in the resurrection itself with the lamb in his Kingdom.

We gain context from the whole of what St. John is relating to us. “Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “‘Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’” [Revelation 7:13-14 ESV] This is happening right now! All who have died in the faith for the 2000 years since Jesus’ ascension are coming out of the great tribulation. Today is no different. Tomorrow will likely be the same.

Today is the day of salvation, and the resurrection is soon!

Rev. Jason M. Kaspar
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & Preschool
La Grange, TX