One of the most common questions that people have concerning end times is what is the “Mark of the Beast” which is described in the New Testament Book of Revelation in chapter 13.
The vaccines mitigating COVID 19 were not the mark of the beast.
1. Neither the first beast nor the second beast as described in the book of Revelation have been manifested at this time.
2. As they exist and are administered, none of the COVID 19 vaccines match any of the details of the mark of the beast as described in the Revelation.
In order to demonstrate this, it is necessary to examine the context of this revelation out of which a logical and scriptural conclusion will be proposed.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Apocalypse) was given to Christ from God the Father to show his servants what must take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to Saint John around A.D. 90 while John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos for His faith in Jesus Christ. The purpose of this Revelation was stated in the first 3 verses.
“This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.”
The overarching purpose of the Revelation is to declare how the end of the age will occur according to the “Word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ” in order to prepare His Church for what is ahead by encouraging them to listen and obey what it says.
In verse 13 of Chapter One, John received his instructions regarding the timeline…
“Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen”
It is clear that he was to write down what he has seen in the Revelation, both current and future for the purpose stated in the first three verses. Notice that there is no mention of an exact timeline regarding the day and hour. In order to warn the Church, he is to document what is happening currently and what will happen so that they might understand that everything happens according to God’s plan and He will ultimately be victorious. The persecutions, as bad as they will be, are only temporary, and those who remain faithful through them will be receive their eternal reward in heaven. For the purpose of our study we will fast forward to Chapters 12 and 13 where we are introduced to the dragon and the two beasts.
Revelation Chapters 12-13, is a description of what some scholars have described as the unholy trinity, namely, the dragon, the beast from the sea and the beast from the earth. Typically, the basis of all evil is deception and, in this case, the deception is that the unholy trinity will resemble the Holy Trinity only enough to deceive the world into blindly following their destructive schemes. The agenda will ultimately fail and all three of the them will be cast by the true God into a place of eternal torment. We begin with the dragon.
The Dragon
“Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head.”
“Then I witnessed in heaven another significant event. I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads.”
John states that there are two significant events that he witnessed in a vision of heaven; A woman and a large red dragon. The woman is clothed with the sun, the moon is beneath her feet and she wears of crown of twelve stars on her head. As clothed with the light created by God and having stars representing the twelve tribes of Israel on her head, she is a description of the Virgin Mary from the tribe of Judah, out of whom God brings the Savior to the world. The second is a large red dragon which has seven heads with a crown on each and ten horns. Although there have been many interpretations as to what the seven crowned heads and the ten horns signify, it is clear in verse nine that the dragon is “the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world”. The vision continues by describing the birth and resurrection of the Son, Jesus Christ and explains why his absolute rule over all nations is still pending.
She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.
As the gospels describe, Jesus of Nazareth was born around 2021 years ago, conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary who was espoused to Joseph her betrothed husband, both of whom were descended from the Israel tribe of Judah. The purpose of Jesus was twofold; To be Savior and Lord. During His first Advent on earth, He became the Savior by dying for the sins of the world and being resurrected to life on the third day. Ironically, the Jewish leaders rejected Him because they misunderstood God’s plan which was clearly explained in the Old Testament Scriptures. The Messiah’s mission has an interval during which time those who are called into the kingdom have opportunity to become citizens through repentance from sin and faith in the risen Christ. This age in which we currently live is the age of grace, at the end of which time the events described in the Book of Revelation will occur culminating in Jesus Christ returning as sovereign Lord over all creation and its inhabitants in the new heaven and earth. Saint Paul declares:
Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2: 9-11)
Accordingly, after His resurrection, Jesus… “was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.” until the time that is being described in the Revelation which was unknown to Jesus according to his description of the end of the age in the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse 36:
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.”
Through His Angel, Jesus reveals more detailed information about when He will return with a warning to His church to remain faithful until the end. It is important to remember that Jesus is not revealing the exact day or hour when these things will happen. The admonition to remain faithful does not depend on knowing the exact day or hour, it is more important to know that the time is approaching when the church will be globally persecuted for a time before He returns and that the true believers will remain faithful even unto death.
The Dragon is Cast Out of Heaven
"Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels."
There can be no effective war with the omnipotent; this is the deception of the dragon. The dragon has never been and never will be omnipotent; He is a creation of Almighty God. His destructive deception against God and everything about Him and His Church, may convince the unbelieving world, but he will never be victorious. Ultimately he will fail while dragging those who believe his deception with him into a horrific place of eternal torment that was prepared for him. Although there are a plethora of fictional books and movies depicting a dramatic war between equals this is not what the Scriptures teach. The popularity of these fictional stories may play a part in the preparation for the future that is predicted.
"And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels."
Predictably, the dragon lost the battle and, as a result, he and his angels (demons) were forced out of heaven permanently. Identified as the ancient serpent, the devil or Satan who is deceiving the whole world was cast down to the earth with all his demons. This is the explanation for the demonic deception that captures the unbelieving world which will be described in the rest of Revelation. In fact, it is the only thing the dragon can do for he has no real power expect for that which we give him when we believe his lies. Jesus calls him the “Father of Lies” in the Gospel According to St. John, Chapter 8.
“For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
The Dragon is Cast Down to the Earth
"When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child."
But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle so she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness. There she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half a time."
The woman flees to a place in the wilderness prepared for her where she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times and a half time. If one assesses the value of one to “time”, then the length of time that Israel is in the wilderness protected from the dragon is 1+2+1/2 which equals 3 ½ times. “Time” could express days, months, or years, but the significance is that it is ½ of 7 which is outside the scope of this essay to discuss at length. Suffice it to say that this amount of time is important in the timeline of the final days of earth and the return of Jesus.
“Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from his mouth. But, the earth helped her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon”
The word, “then” indicates that this attempt to drown the woman is after the 3 ½ times of her protection. The vision doesn’t explain exactly how the dragon produced a flood of water that flowed from his mouth, but it is clear that his intent was to murder her. Interestingly, it is the earth that helps her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that comes pouring out of the dragon’s mouth, thus she was never in any real danger of being drowned which infuriates the dragon.
"And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus."
Consequently, because of his thwarted efforts to drown the woman, he is angry and declares war against the rest of her children, which are defined as “all who keep commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.” Clearly, these are Christians who have obeyed God by maintaining their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This war is based on lies and has only been effective for the last 2000 years to the degree that humans believe and cooperate with the malicious lies of the dragon toward those who faithfully believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Then the dragon took his stand on the shore beside the sea."
In many apocalyptic writings, the sea can represent the nations and, if so, it would indicate that after the dragon fails to drown the woman, he declares war on the Church by aligning himself with the nations of the world to deceive them for his evil purposes. We are next introduced to the Beast out of the Sea, the second person of the unholy trinity.
The Beast out of the Sea
"Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God. 2 This beast looked like a leopard, but it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion! And the dragon gave the beast his own power and throne and great authority."
After the vision of the dragon, John sees a “beast rising up out of the sea” Remember that the dragon takes his stand by the shore of the sea out of which the beast arises. Again, the most likely meaning of the sea is the nations of the world from which the beast will become manifest. The beast has seven heads and ten crowned horns, each head of which had names written that blasphemed God. A discussion of what the meaning of the leopard, bear and lion references is outside the scope of the essay, but what is of vital importance to note is that the dragon gave the beast his own power and throne and great authority. God the Father gave Jesus eternal power, an eternal throne and omnipotent authority. The dragon can only give what he has to the beast; temporal and great, but limited power. Most significantly, he can only receive and give power and authority as God permits for His own purposes. Again, there is no battle of equals in the vision of John because the dragon knows that his time is short and he knows his destiny which is recorded later in Revelation chapter 20, verses 9-10:
“And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them. Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever”.
In short, the devil is going to be defeated by fire from heaven and cast along with the two beasts into a lake of burning sulfur where they will be daily tormented forever. Hear this my dear believer…you have nothing to fear. You get heaven with the Holy Trinity; the unholy trinity gets eternal hell. Rejoice!
I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast. 4 They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast. “Who is as great as the beast?” they exclaimed. “Who is able to fight against him?”
This is blatantly and mockingly an imitation of the resurrection of Christ. This phony event and the worlds’ reactive worship of the beast and the dragon will mark the starting point of the beasts temporary but destructive reign on earth.
IMPORTANT: As of the time of this writing this event has yet to occur as predicted in the Scripture which means that the dragon and the beast have not yet been manifested to the world and consequently the mark of the beast spoken of later in this passage does not exist at this time. In other words, according to the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the time of the beast and his mark has not come to pass, so any claim that a vaccine or any other inoculation is the mark of the beast is unfounded and actually in contradiction to the vision of St. John.
"Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months. And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven. And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the creation of the world."
It is critical to notice that every evil action done by the beast is allowed by God, not the dragon. He is allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. He was temporarily given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months which is 3 ½ years (Time, times and a half time). He was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. He was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. All the people who belong to this world whose name is not written in the Book of Life.
"Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword.This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful."
Then the readers are warned to listen and understand an important truth. Those who destined for prison will be taken to prison, those destined to die will die. Therefore, during this time, God’s holy people MUST endure persecution patiently and remain faithful remembering the promise of Jesus:
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Gospel According to St. Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 11-12)
Indeed, during this time, the task of the believer is simple but profound; rejoice and remain faithful unto death and you will be greatly rewarded in heaven. This worldwide temporary takeover of the dragon and the beast could occur at most any time in the future, but it has not yet occurred as predicted above which is the point of this essay. The third person on the evil trinity is the Beast out of the Earth, which some scholars have named, the false prophet.
The Beast out of the Earth
"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. 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. He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching. 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. 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."
"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. 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."
The third person of the unholy trinity is the beast that comes out of the earth. Notice that the dragon is from heaven, the first beast is from the sea and the second beast is from the earth. The significance is that, unlike the eternal existence of the Holy Trinity, the unholy trinity have been created by God and choose to be evil and hate their creator.
The second beast has two horns like a lamb which means he appears to be a false Christ from God but his words sound like the dragon, the devil. He was given all the authority as the first beast which he uses to require all the earth and its people to worship the first beast who’s fatal would was falsely healed. With astounding miracles and fire flashing down to earth from sky while everyone is watching he convinces those who “belong to this world” to believe in and follow the beast. The true believers will not be fooled or coerced into believing in them. The final deception is the order for the people to make a statue of the first beast who was “wounded and came back to life” which is an imitation and mockery of the resurrection of the true Lamb, Jesus Christ. He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. And what does it say? It commands that everyone who refuses to worship it must die.
Finally, he requires everyone without exception to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. There have been many theories as to what the number 666 signifies, however it is clear that, just as everything else he does, the number resembles the perfect number 777 but it is the number of a man, not a God. It is evil and not holy. For the purpose of our study there are five details of the mark are vitally important to remember
1. It is a “mark’ of some kind, not an injection, a pill, or anything that is ingested or inserted into the body. It is a mark on the skin.
2. The mark can only be placed on the “right hand” or the “forehead”. This will be the location that is examined for compliance.
3. No one can buy or sell anything without that mark on their “right hand” or their “forehead”
4. The mark is either the name of the beast or a number representing his name.
5. The meaning of the mark of the beast is that it is the number of a man who number is 666.
Dear friend, none of the COVID 19 vaccines match any of the five details recorded in the Revelation and therefore cannot be the mark of the beast.
Conclusion
In summary, there is good reason, based upon the prophecies of the book of revelation to believe that the COVID 19 or any other Vaccines are not the mark of the beast as detailed in the Scripture
1. Neither the first beast nor the second beast as described in the Revelation have been manifested at this time.
2. As they exist and are administered, none of the COVID 19 vaccines match any of the details of the mark of the beast as described in the Revelation.
Ultimately, for believers, we are to remain faithful to the end, whether persecuted or martyred for our faith knowing that the unholy trinity can kill the body, but our soul will live eternally with the Holy Trinity in the glories of heaven. There will eventually come a time when all the prophesies described above will become manifest, however, according to the details of the prophecies themselves, that time is not yet at hand. The COVID 19 Vaccines are not the mark of the beast; You are not intentionally or unintentionally receiving the mark of the beast when you receive any of these vaccines. Even so, Lord Jesus, come.
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