Is the Covid vaccine the mark of the beast?

 

Is the Covid vaccine the mark of the beast?

 


Basic Biblical Teaching

The passage in the bible that deals with the beast, the mark of the beast and 666 is Revelation 13. From Revelation 13, 17 and 21 there are some facts about the beast that every Christian can and will agree upon. When we determine the character of the mark of the beast, it has to be in accordance with these basic teachings.

1.    All the unbelievers living will take the mark of the beast.

Revelation 13:8: “and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.”

Revelation 13:16-18: “Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.”

Those who take the mark of the beast

= everyone whose name has not been written in the book of Life

= every unbeliever living
 

2.    True believers will not worship the beast nor take its mark. Unbelievers and only unbelievers will take the mark of the beast. (Rev. 13:8, 16-18, 17:8)

It is written that those people whose names are not written in the book of Life will marvel at the beast and worship it. This implies that all those whose names are written in the book of Life will not worship the beast nor take its mark.

Revelation 17:8:  “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.”

3.     All those who took the mark of the beast will not enter the New Heaven and New Earth. Rather, they will spend their eternity in the lake of fire. (Compare Rev. 13:8, 16-18; 17:8; 21:27).

Revelation 21:27: “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.”

Name not in the book of Life = will take the mark = will not enter New Earth

Name in the book of Life = will not worship the beast = will enter New Earth


Theological Considerations

1.    Non-enforceable nature of mark of the beast

The mark of the beast (in Rev. 13) cannot be physically enforced on an individual against his/her will. The mark has to be taken voluntarily. No one can enforce that mark (with physical force) on an individual. It is because the mark of the beast is connected with the worship of the beast (Rev. 13:8, 16-18 and 17:8). That is why unbelievers (and only unbelievers) choose to receive the mark of the beast because they voluntary worship the beast. This does not allow biblical students to see the mark of the beast as some physical materials (such as micro-chips and vaccine) because these materials are enforceable on a person by physical force against their voluntary choice.

2.    The Book of Life and the mark of the beast

 It has been repeatedly stated (in Rev. 13:8 & Rev. 17:8) that only those “whose names are not written in the book of Life” will worship the beast (and therefore take its mark). This implies that all those whose names are written in the book of Life will not worship the beast nor take its mark.

 3.    Sovereignty of God in the salvation of sinners

From comparing Revelation 13:8 and 17:8, it can be ascertained that the names of people are written in the book of Life from the foundation of the world. This is in accordance with the rest of the Scriptures:

·       “he chose us in him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4)

The question we have to ask is this: Are the forces of evil strong enough to place its mark on someone whose names are sovereignly chosen before the foundation of the world? Can the beast erase the names that are written in the book of Life of the Lamb? Who is sovereign: beast or the Lamb? So, the view that sees the mark of the beast as something that can be physically enforced (such as vaccine) against the voluntary choice of a person does not do justice to the biblical view of salvation and sovereignty of God.

 

This Issue Matters

For many of you, it is evident from the above discussion itself that this is an important topic. Our stand on this issue is more or less influenced by our view of God himself and His sovereignty. It also depends on our understanding of Soteriology (study of salvation). But its consequences will not end there.

Let us take a person who believes that “the vaccine is the mark of the beast”. If he/she consistently applies this belief into their life, it can lead to some serious issues:

1.     They cannot count those who take the vaccine as their brothers and sisters in Christ. Because, by being consistent, they are acknowledging that the names of all who takes vaccine are not written in the Book of Life. This is an act of trying to divide the universal church of God.

2.     It can also lead to an extreme exclusive nature (a characteristic of all cults) since majority of Christians take vaccines.

3.     It is a personal choice to take (or not take) vaccine just like it is a personal choice to consume (or abstain from) certain food and medicines etc. But if it comes as an act of imposition on another brethren, by which it is even determined whether he is a believer or not, that is out rightly false and heretical. This principle can be seen from 1 Timothy 4:1-5.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.”

Still there are others who are not sure whether “the vaccine is the mark of the beast” or not. That also has consequences. They will also be unsure whether their vaccinated Christian friend is a believer or not. That will affect the fellowship and unity between them.

Whatever be our view on this issue, it matters and has consequences.

 

Summary

Even though everyone may not agree with each other on what really is the mark of the beast, everyone can certainly agree that Covid vaccine (or any such physically enforceable things) is (are) not the mark of the beast.

It is not my intention to delve deep into the interpretation of the Book of Revelation and to ascertain what the mark of the beast is. That will divert us into areas that are beyond the scope of this article. Here, I can only recommend to the readers some resources that helps you to find out some perplexing questions from the book of Revelation (see Recommended Readings below).

From the above arguments itself, I am biblically convinced that covid vaccine is NOT THE MARK OF THE BEAST and “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And I certainly hope and pray that all my dear brothers and sisters in Christ will agree with me on this.

Recommended Readings

 

1.     Kim Riddlebarger, The Man of Sin: Uncovering the Truth about the Antichrist

2.     Dennis E. Johnson, Triumph of the Lamb, A Commentary on Revelation

3.     G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation, New International Greek Testament Commentary

4.     Sam Storms, Kingdom Come

5.     Sam Storms:  

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/perplexing-passages-what-is-the-mark-of-the-beast/

6.     John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-reason-to-be-vaccinated-freedom

7.     John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-should-we-respond-to-christian-conspiracy-theories


Back Cover


To some Christians, “Is the Covid vaccine the mark of the beast?” is a perplexing question. Rather than finding the answer from basic biblical teachings on the salvation and sovereignty of God, many are wandering through their own speculations and newspaper to find the solution.

The author believes that the solution to this question can be ascertained from the basic biblical teachings about the beast, salvation and more importantly the character of one and true God we worship.

Let us not forget the Basic Doctrines of the Christian Faith

There is a mind-set among some Christians that “Theology is less important.” But this pandemic has shown that our beliefs matter. And it will influence our decisions. Therefore, we have to take our study of the Bible seriously. Everything matters. Theology matters, doctrines matters, study of the church matters and eschatology matters. Everything has its own importance in a Christian life and will play its role in a particular situation.

Theology matters. Doctrine matters

It is not the author’s intention to evaluate the medical technicalities of vaccines. Author is more interested in reasons behind the decisions of some Christians to “not take the vaccine.”

Taking vaccine is a matter of personal freedom.


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Biblical view on the Thousand Year Reign of Christ (a systematic study on the subject): 


https://letusstudyeschatology.blogspot.com/p/1000-year-reign.html


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