The saying used to be, “Don’t talk about politics and religion at the dinner table.” I believe the saying should be modified to include Coronavirus and the vaccine. There are so many strong opinions on this topic. And I must add that when I hear people say, “Believe the scientist!” I have to then ask, “Which one?” The people making these statements seem to imply that all scientist are in agreement on what to do, when in fact, that’s not the case. So, here we are! What an interesting and unexpected time that we live in.

The Vaccine is the Mark of the Beast

I received a text message from a loved one back in March 2020 saying, “Don’t take the vaccine! It’s the Mark of the Beast!” I was so stunned by the statement that I didn’t reply. Thoughts that went through my mind were, “What vaccine?” “Mark of the Beast? That doesn’t line up with scripture.” “Why is this even being mentioned as a possibility?” At that time there was no vaccine in sight, but I did start to come across more statements like this being posted on social media. My immediate thoughts were, “How immature to imply such a thing.” I’m sorry, but I’m being honest here. The truth is I won’t be the first one in line to receive a vaccine just because I’d need to know more about it and what’s in it. However, I never thought it was the Mark of the Beast. Why?

What Does the Bible Say?

Scripture is very direct about some things concerning the Mark of the Beast. Let’s look at what Revelation says.

Revelation 13:11-18 NLT

¹¹ Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the voice of a dragon. ¹² He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and its people to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. ¹³ He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching. ¹⁴ And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. ¹⁵ He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.

¹⁶ He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. ¹⁷ And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. ¹⁸ Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.

Questions that everyone must ask themselves is:

1. Where is the beast that we’re forced to worship? (v. 12)
2. Where are the miracles and fire? (v. 13)
3. Where is the statue that we are to worship and who was fatally wounded and came back to life? (v. 14)
4. Where is the talking statue? (v. 15)

All of these events led up to the event which “could” tie into the vaccine. Verse 16 says, ¹⁶ He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. However, it’s important to note that the vaccine is not administered in right hand or forehead. This is very important to remember.

My other point that I want to make is this. I don’t believe that we’re going to be “tricked” into taking the Mark of the Beast. John is very detailed in Revelation and it’s impossible to imply that a believer or an unbeliever for that matter will not be aware that the mark is also for the worship of the beast.

I like how Dr. David K. Bernard, the Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International put it. “Many developments could facilitate such a system, including computers, video, the internet, bar codes, chips, tattoos, scanners, and cell phones, but we shouldn’t be afraid that a new technology will surreptitiously impart the mark of the beast.”

Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling but Don’t Live in Fear of the World

Philippians 2:12 NLT Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

I’m concerned that too many Christians are living in fear of losing their salvation, so at the mention of anything orderly, they go into fear and trembling believing every conspiracy theory that they hear. I used to go down this road many years ago myself, but after consistently being wrong I reassessed. I remember when H1N1 (swine flu) was a “hoax” that lead to the Mark of the Beast, until, I got sick with H1N1. I also began to read about how social security cards, bar codes, and cell phones were the Mark of the Beast. That too was wrong. When we take a deeper look at Paul’s writings in Philippians we see that “fear and trembling” is to be defined as reverence and great care. In other words, don’t fumble your salvation around carelessly. Live the life of a Christian sold out for Christ.

Regarding this world Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. While Jesus himself said in Luke 12:25-26 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? And in John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

My last concern is that careless Christians are hindering the truth. I mean this with so much sincerity and I’m concerned that no matter my true intentions it could be taken wrong. Another way to put it is this way, “We’re crying wolf too much” and at some point when the wolf actually comes around no one will hear us because we’ve cried wolf and been wrong too often. The fact is, the wolf is coming, but he’s not here yet! The mark is coming, but according to our manual (the Bible), it’s not here yet.

Remember that historically vaccines have always been the answer to major viruses. This time is no different.

-Hank