A pastor who blamed Covid-19 on premarital sex has died from the virus. Irvin Baxter, 75, was hospitalised last week and died on Tuesday.
In March he told televangelist Jim Bakker that the 15 million unmarried people living together in the US ‘cannot just ignore their sinful lifestyle’.
He claimed ‘5% percent of new brides in America now are virgins’ and said ‘God may be using this [coronavirus] as a wake-up call’.
He said he had done some research ‘on the term fornication’ and claimed the number of unmarried couples had increased by 138% in the last 10 years.
He added: ‘Now, in addition to that — I hope this research is not correct, but I got it straight from the encyclopedia — it says that 5% of new brides in America now are virgins. That means 95% have already committed fornication.’ He cited passages from the bible, adding: ‘If we think we can just ignore God and live a sinful lifestyle, well, we cannot do it.
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You know, I believe in what you’re saying, that God may be using this as a wake-up call. This coronavirus may be a privilege, because I’ll tell you right now, there’s a much bigger judgement coming. It’s in the Bible.’
Baxter, a United Pentecostal Church minister, founded Endtime Ministries in 1991.
He published several books and is best known for his radio and television programme End of the Age, which teaches about bible prophecies.
He supported Donald Trump and had previously said: ‘Those who hate the cross, they hate Trump. There is a spirit of anti-Christ in the world right now.’
He leaves behind wife of 55 years, Judith Ann Baxter, three adult children, eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Confirming his death, Endtime Ministries said: ‘It is with deep grief that we announce the passing of Irvin Baxter.
Though, we find comfort in knowing that he has without a doubt entered his great reward. He was 75.’
