We have all heard these theologically fraught conspiracy theories suggesting that there is a connection between the COVID-19 vaccines and the Mark of the Beast. As a Bible student, perhaps the most distressing thing for me is how quickly so many people – including sincere believers – accept these baseless theories as fact. People are terrified that by taking the vaccine, they could inadvertently be taking the Mark of the Beast – and of course, given the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rollout of the related vaccines, it’s understandable that people are afraid, and that many of them are searching for answers from a biblical perspective. That’s precisely why it’s so important that we pay attention to our information sources, because any source that links the COVID-19 vaccines with the Mark of the Beast is particularly problematic.
For starters, the Mark of the Beast is not something we take absentmindedly or accidentally. During the Tribulation, all followers of the antichrist will be required to take the Mark of the Beast to show their allegiance to him and their worship of him. So taking the Mark of the Beast is a conscious and deliberate choice of loyalty and devotion to the antichrist, signifying one’s intentional rejection of Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. According to Revelation 13, “only those who have the mark or the antichrist’s name or his number, identifying them as his followers, will be able to sell goods and services to support themselves and secure what they need. Anyone refusing to wear the mark will struggle to survive.” But the good news is that those who are saved will have already been raptured into Heaven by then.
Now, people will still come to faith in Christ during the Tribulation period, but it won’t be easy, because all those who are left behind after the Rapture will be required to take the Mark of the Beast – and refusing to do so will be very costly. Commenting on one’s decision to receive or reject the mark, trusted Bible teacher, Dr. David Jeremiah, says: “Taking the mark will be the only way to function in society. Those who refuse the mark will be shut out of society altogether. No one will buy their products or services. Barred from employment and from shopping in stores or online, they will face bankruptcy and starvation.” That’s why those, who put off making a decision for Christ today, are taking a big gamble.
Just think about it! You’ve heard the gospel a gazillion times – how that Christ died to save mankind from their sins and will give eternal life to all who believe in Him and accept Him as their personal Saviour – but for some reason or other, you won’t commit your life to Christ today. So if you won’t say yes to Jesus now that it’s relatively easy, where will you find the courage to choose Him during the Tribulation when the decision may very well cost you your life?! It’s true that we need not fear getting the Mark of the Beast by taking the vaccine, because the mark won’t even exist until after the antichrist comes into power during the Tribulation period, which does not begin until after the Rapture – but why not turn your fears over to God and take His free gift of salvation today? That’s the only sure way to avoid getting the Mark of the Beast altogether!
To contact Sharon,
write to P.O. Box 484,
Philipsburg, St. Maarten,
Dutch Caribbean.
Email: allbecauseofgrace@gmail.com
