Why the Covid Vaccine is Not the Mark of the Beast

 Greta and I have been surprised by the number of Christians asking whether the Covid vaccine is the mark of the beast.  A simple study of Revelation 13 shows why it is not.

In this chapter, a person called ‘The Beast’ arises from the sea (representing the sea of humanity) and is empowered by Satan to become a global ruler. Not only does the world accept his rule, but it worships him. “The whole world …gave allegiance to the beast… and they also worshiped the beast.” (Revelation 13:3-4 NLT)                       

Later, another global leader (‘another beast’, verse 11) arises and performs counterfeit miraculous signs that deceive the whole world. He enforces worship of the first beast by executing anyone who won’t do so, and by requiring everyone to take a mark on their forehead or hand.

“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. 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… his number is 666.” (Revelation 13:16-18 NLT)

The point is this: taking the mark of the beast clearly involves worship of him. Such a mark cannot be accidentally taken, and current world conditions, even with the Covid pandemic, do not yet match what the Bible describes.

Taking the Covid vaccine is not in any way taking the mark of the beast. The control that governments are exerting over their nations through the pandemic, does, however, show how easily nations will eventually allow the beast, also called the antichrist, to come to power and rule the world.

There is another mark being released at this time that we should be aware of.  The Book of Ezekiel reveals what it is: “He said to [the angel], “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city.” (Ezekiel 9:4 NLT)

Throughout history, God has marked those who grieve concerning the moral and spiritual state of their nation. They are the ones who pray for God’s kingdom to come to earth and for spiritual awakening in their nations and the world. They let their sigh become a groan of intercession for a world that Jesus loves. They let their tears of concern move them to practical mission to lost people.

They are the ones who realise that the greatest sign of the end of the world and Jesus’ return is not the rise of the antichrist and global government. Rather, it is the sign that Jesus emphasized: “The Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14 NLT)

If there’s any mark being released today, may we all be marked with this one.