Is Covid-19 Vaccine the Mark of the Beast?

Part 1 of this article dealt with scientific discussions about Covid-19 and highlighted the fact that Covid-19 is real, contagious, and could be self-limiting. Principles behind the Covid-19 vaccines’ productions were also discussed.

Right from the onset of Covid-19 infections, many complications and conflicting information had risen. It was very challenging to know who to trust and what to believe. Many see the Covid-19 vaccine as the Mark of the beast, 666, documented in the Bible. Some people also believe that the vaccine is the object of mass destruction. Some say the vaccines are meant to manipulate the reasoning faculty so that Christians will not be able to keep their faith in Christ but rather become dumpsters that take in everything from the government. Quick questions would be, how do we get our information, and how do we validate them?

Since what makes a Christian a Christian are biblical instructions, we might as well do some ‘fact checks’ using the Bible. 

The Bible in both the Old Testament and New Testament documents events of the last days and their characteristics. Daniel in the Old Testament and John the Apostle in the New Testament were the chosen vessels to receive the extraordinary revelations. While Daniel was known to be a man of consistent prayer and unflinching belief in God, who lived around 536 B.C (before Christ), John the Apostle was one of Christ’s disciples who was left to die in the Island of Patmos around A.D 95 (in the year of the Lord) because of his solid faith in Christ and because he did not die inside the boiling oil meant to get rid of him. Isolated from the noise and distractions of the world, these men could focus on God. No wonder they received unique and significant revelations.

Revelations 13: 16-18 as seen by John the Apostle:

“And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man, and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (666).

Featuring in this revelation was a dragon and beasts. The beast being referred to here is an Antichrist under the influence of the dragon (Satan). He will perform miracles upon miracles that will deceive people and lure people into worshiping the image of the beast, or otherwise, they are dead: Revelation 13:15, “And he (the second beast) had the power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed”.

If this is the case, in line with the Scripture, how is the Covid-19 vaccine related to the Mark of the beast? 

We should try and consider some questions that might guide us into the truth:

1. In our present world of the Covid19 pandemic, where is the beast, the first wounded beast which the Bible was referring to?

2. Where is the dragon that gave power to the beast?

3. Where are the people worshiping the dragon and how many are dying in defiance?

4. Where is the second beast that “doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had the power to do in the sight of the beast;” (Reveleation13: 13, 14a)?

5. Where is the image of the beast speaking blasphemies against God?

· Before the administration of the Mark of the beast there must be a declaration of the Mark and the owner of the Mark the beast. 

· According to the recorded revelation on the Mark of the beast, the mark 666 would be administered on the forehead or the right hand, but the covid-19 vaccine is being administered intramuscularly the way the previous vaccines have always been administered. 

· The Mark of the beast is mandatory, if you don’t have it you can’t buy or sell. Generally, this is not happening with the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine. There may be some restrictions in some organizations as in some departments of health institutions where some staff would have to work directly with vulnerable patients. Even then, those uncomfortable with the vaccination still have choices. 

The beast had once been associated with Rome as the Roman empire immensely persecuted the believers and killed many of them. There have been different speculations about the beast in the past and this Covid-19 vaccination seems to be another speculation. 

The Life Application Bible Commentary on Revelation 13 stated: “Because the beast, the antichrist, is a false Messiah, he will be a counterfeit of Christ… People will follow and worship him because they are awed by his power and miracle (Rev 13:7,8)…” I don’t think this is happening yet.

How about the vaccine genetically changing our God-given body and recreating our body cells?

The true believers in Christ must not forget that Christianity is a walk of faith and its acts are spiritually discerned, not physically nor scientifically. Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Ephesus that “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places: Ephesians 6:12. So, Christian battles are not against the flesh, blood, science, or medicine but against principalities and power. Christians live by faith and not by sight, not by mechanically routing the way of our escape. A way of escape has already been established, and that Way is Jesus Christ. It is a misconception to believe that the vaccine will change the sense of our reasoning as believers. More so, Christians are not being vaccinated in isolation, everyone gets what is being supplied to their community. 

If the Blood of Christ has not lost its value and God is still powerful to rule and reign in the affairs of men, then no chemical can take over humanity and begin to operate it like a robot.

If anyone is still worried about the genetic modification of our body, I would think it is too late to be worried. If we have ever taken pills, radiation, MRI, Xray, contraceptive, blood transfusion, some medical treatments, heart, liver, kidney transplant, some cells of our body systems have already been modified. But the good news is that even though some of our body systems could have been modified in a way, the soul of men can never be genetically modified. 

If the moon still shows up in the night, rain in its time, sun in its place, if the earth is still standing and day and night are still as scheduled, then it is evident that God the Creator of heaven and earth is still in charge of His creations. 

Should Christians be depressed and worried about the prevailing circumstances?

The believers have no reason to be afraid for “the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits” Daniel 11:32b. Job said in Job 19:25 “For I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:”. Jesus Christ said in John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”. If we still believe in the Bible, we must then believe in the words of Christ, knowing certainly He will come back for His own. If we stand where God stands, we should not be bothered about the mark of the beast in the first instance.

Is it likely that the Covid-19 is the object of mass destruction? 

If our government wants to make all of us sick or kill us all, who will they rule over? Although every civilian might not agree with their policy, I would like to believe that the priority, responsibility of any government is to keep their people safe. Their way of achieving this will not always make sense to everyone, that is why there will always be an opposition. While Christians continue to stand firm on the words of God and “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”, we must never forget the principles of the Bible nor leave behind the Captain of our souls.

The Reality of End Time Events

In these last days, The Bible warns about false prophets, false teaching, and doctrinal errors. We can see a lot of these flapping around already in this era of social media influx. There is no doubt that we are witnessing some of the signs of the end time. That should instead make us trim our lamp and be ready. Apostle Paul said in 1Thessalonians 4:16-18: “For the Lord, himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words”. 

Rather than panicking about the events of the last days, we should be investing in our personal spiritual life and sharing the love of Christ with others. Christians cannot afford to be distracted. We should also not forget that a thousand years may be like a day before God. So, the ‘end’ may not come on our watch. The Spirit warned: “that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 1Timothy 4:1,2. Christians should be more concerned about these possible marks of the last day, which is capable of predisposing any believer to the eventual Mark of the beast. Jesus said, “Occupy till I come”, the Bible advises to watch and pray. If there is any time Christians should stay alert and watch in prayers, it is now. Christ would come anytime and take those who are ready. Those who are distracted from the path of righteousness and soil their garment will be left behind to face the real world of the beast and dragon. At that time, the tribulation saints will have to pay for their salvation with their blood.

Instead of worrying about the possibility of a vaccine being the mark of the beast or a forerunner of the mark of the beast, believers should watch in prayer, wisdom, diligence, bringing in the sheaves.

Pastor WF Kumuyi said in one of his messages that God has an agenda and plans for the end-time events and no amount of prayers can change that agenda. No strategy, rioting, contesting, debating, calculating, fighting will change the prophetic pronouncements of the last day’s events. We just need to know what the Will of God is before picking our fight.

What will be, will be. No one is leaving the earth alive anyway (except for during the rapture). Something will change one day about each one of us. Our prayer should be that when that change comes, it will be a good one.

Heroes of Faith

One of the characteristics of Christianity is faith, faith in what God can do. There have been accounts of heroes of faith who did great wonderments through their faith. Today, God still works miracles and performs wonders. We must not forget, however, that the level of our faith differs from one another. While some believers have faith that can move mountains and raise the dead, some would rest on the faith of their pastor for even headache to go away. God gives wisdom to people, whether Christian or not, to use for the benefit of humanity and He works in different ways. No matter how passionate we are about God we are still limited in our knowledge about the absolute acts of God. Walking with God requires humility. If we walk with Him with human reasonings, we might be working against His plans.

As I said in the first article, there is no guarantee that the vaccine will work well with everybody. Some people will react differently. I will advise that anyone comfortable with taking the vaccine should do so but whoever has an underlying health condition, bad allergy, or previous reaction to a vaccine, should consult their doctor before getting the vaccine. Some are already reporting adverse reactions to the vaccine. This is not new. But we should compare the success rate to the failed ones.

But for believers, we have a covenant of peace and health with Christ. “Though {we} walk through the valley of the shadow of death, {we} will fear no evil: for thou (Oh Lord) art with {us};… Psalm 23:4a.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

Romans 8:37

“So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”

Hebrews 13:6

“Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a STONE, a TRIED STONE, a PRECIOUS CORNER STONE, a SURE FOUNDATION: he that believeth shall not make haste.” Isaiah 28:16