Let me be clear from the outset: I am not writing to promote the COVID vaccine, to try to convince you of its effectiveness, or to justify the many draconian measures that have been instituted in order to coerce individuals to take the vaccine. Each one of us must seek the face of God for wisdom concerning whether or not to take the vaccine, which vaccine to take, and when.
The point that must be considered is whether or not the COVID vaccine is the “Mark of the Beast.” This accusation has been raised ever since the announcement of the vaccine’s release. It is sad to watch as Christians become “rabid” in these erroneous claims, even cutting off those who fail to agree with them on every point of their claims. The extremes of this position are heard in statements such as “No Christian would ever get the vaccine.” Over the years, many different things have been identified as the Mark of the Beast. Some of these same people who now trumpet about the vaccine being the Mark of the Beast also trumpeted that Social Security (Social Insurance) Numbers, bar codes, tattoos, National ID cards, microchips, etc. were the Mark of the Beast. Rather than recognize that they are in error, they leap to the next popular wave concerning the Mark of the Beast. Making a claim about the Mark of the Beast, regardless of the particulars of that claim, ignores a number of important Biblical truths that we want to identify. When we gain an understanding of these truths, we will gain assurance that COVID vaccines are not the Mark of the Beast. Ignoring the Context The Mark of the Beast is not a central theme of the Bible or even of Bible Prophecy. We do not read about it until we reach Revelation 13. When we recognize this fact, there are some things that immediately fall into place. The Mark of the Beast will not be put into place until after the Beast (Antichrist) is revealed. The Scripture tells us that the Beast will not be revealed until the One who prevents his working is taken out of the way (2Th 2:6-8). Careful study of the text shows that “He Who now letteth” is the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit, then, must be removed from the earth before the Beast can be revealed. That removal cannot occur until all New Testament believers are raptured from the earth, because the Holy Spirit indwells every believer. Setting out the events of Revelation 13, the first mention of the Mark of the Beast, also shows us that the image of the Beast will be revealed before the Mark of the Beast is forced on the nations. The image of the Beast will be brought to life through the demonic power of the False Prophet (Rev 13:14-15). This sort of “miracle” would make worldwide news, and we have heard nothing of the sort in the news. When we put together the prophetic timeline in which the Mark of the Beast is introduced, we realize that this Mark will not be introduced until at or near the middle of the Tribulation Period. The Scripture is very clear that New Testament believers will not go through any part of the Tribulation (1Th 5:9). The Bible teaches a pre-Tribulation Rapture of the saints . That means that New Testament believers will have been gone from the earth for as long as three and a half years before the Mark of the Beast is introduced. As we consider these aspects of the Scriptural context of the Mark of the Beast, it is blatantly obvious that the COVID vaccine is not the Mark of the Beast. Ignoring the Mark Revelation 13:16 says, “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:” Unlike the COVID vaccine, the Mark of the Beast is a mark received in the right hand or forehead. The Word of God is not speaking metaphorically, simply meaning that the mark is injected or inserted into the body in some way. When it says the right hand or the forehead, it means exactly that. Ignoring the Promotion Revelation 13 also states that the False Prophet will be the main influence behind the Mark of the Beast. It is not the one-world government that will push for the Mark of the Beast, but the one-world church. Today we have neither a one-world government nor a one-world church. Nor do we see all religions pushing for everyone to get the COVID vaccine. I cannot claim that vaccine mandates and vaccine passports have nothing to do with laying the groundwork for the coming of the Mark of the Beast. I can confidently state, however, that the COVID vaccine is not the Mark of the Beast. To make this claim is to ignore too many things that are clearly stated in the Scripture. As I stated at the beginning of this article, I am not encouraging anyone to get the vaccine. You must seek the Lord’s direction about that. I am encouraging and warning everyone not to fall prey to the false teaching that the COVID vaccine is the Mark of the Beast. Stay away from those who would encourage you to ignore what the Bible says plainly so that you can become their disciples (Rom 16:17-18). The most important thing for every Christian today is to stick with the Book! Also, if you choose to get the COVID vaccine, do not criticize those who have not. If you choose not to get the COVID vaccine, do not criticize those who have. Show Christian love to your brothers and sisters in Christ (Rom 14:1-23).
1 Comment
Cindy Pawley
12/31/2021 06:29:23 am
Thank you for this article.
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About Jerry JacksonJerry has been writing for many years now. He has written tracts for several churches, as well as his ministries in Papua New Guinea and in Canada. He has had the opportunity to have many of his articles published in several Independent Baptist periodicals over the years. His main goals are to teach truth and lift up the Saviour. Archives
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