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 (Revelation 13:17 KJV)
COVID-19 has not only claimed lives but has sown seeds of deep-seated division—and confusion — in the political, medical, and Christian communities in the United States. Time alone will not heal this situation. As a physician and minister, I am appalled at some opinions about COVID-19, especially amongst Christians.
I had a conversation with a beloved Christian brother about COVID that opened my eyes to the depth of the ocean of misinformation and strange beliefs about COVID. After telling him I am a doctor, I care for COVID-19 patients, I have seen patients die with me as the doctor, and I have watched the devastation of this disease on families as we watch COVID-19 snatched their loved ones, this brother had the audacity to tell me COVID-19 does not kill people. Based on his own research, he concluded people die from their medical comorbidities and not from COVID-19 and that all this thing about COVID-19 and the vaccine is a political agenda. He then made the most shocking comment I ever heard since the pandemic began— that we, the doctors, are deceived. In fact, he sent online videos to educate me just in case he could help me escape the deception and “find the truth.” He spends hours online reading and watching videos from other “experts,” including some doctors who prove that COVID-19 is a sham. I still lack words to describe this attitude in a way that shows love and respect.
I have not yet recovered from this beloved brother’s comment. I understand his points and agree that some things about this virus and the treatments may be odd or not fully understood. For example, he does not wear a mask, is not vaccinated, and has not had COVID-19! I pray he doesn’t and that he stays healthy with his family. But that is not the way medical science and public health work.
This brother is not alone. Some strange beliefs and opinions about COVID-19 continue in the Christian circle. My advice to Christians is this: Give to Caesar what is Caesar and to God what is God. We must be careful not to mix up the things of God with straightforward medical or scientific questions. Sometimes faith and science coincide head-on, but not in this case. One misapplication of biblical truth is the rejection of the COVID-19 vaccine based on teachings that it is the mark of the beast.
No, the COVID-19 vaccine is not the mark of the beast or 666. The Mark of the beast is not something you will take by mistake. Someone will not sneak behind you and put a chip on your head or hand without your consent and complete agreement. This mark or 666 is a willing devotion or loyalty to serve the devil, just as you had the mark of God on your forehead when you accepted Christ and devoted your life to Him(Revelations 14:1). God’s people, said to have God’s mark on their foreheads in Revelations 14:1, do not have some scar, implant, or chip on their foreheads! No one forced Christ on you when you received Him into your heart. You knew what you were doing and chose to do so. The mark of the beast will similarly be a willing surrendering of people’s lives to the devil. The mark is primarily symbolic, indicating this loyalty to Satan. However, it will most likely involve some physical proof of allegiance to the antichrist. Whatever the case, the COVID-19 vaccine is not a subtle way to stamp 666 on you without your consent!
Yes, when the antichrist comes, he will use the everyday systems we are already using! If you think about how the world functions today, it becomes obvious how easy to have something physical to prove that you belong to a group to have special privileges. Think of cards, badges, or even facial recognition today! That the antichrist will use a computer when he comes does not mean computers are evil, does it? So that you know, the antichrist will also use cars or airplanes to move around. We probably do not think about these, and we will not even accept to stop using cars just because the antichrist will someday use them. The world is doubtless ready for the antichrist, but we need the wisdom to know how to live today.
COVID-19 vaccine is not the mark of the beast. There are questions about the novelty of the technology and long-term safety. Although the technology is safe based on available data so far, it can be manipulated by people with evil intentions. None of us reading this text will stop using the internet because scammers, pedophiles, occultists, or terrorists use it for their evil plans. Again, wisdom is profitable to guide and to see differences in the affairs of life.
Whatever the case, and whatever your belief, COVID-19 should cause no division amongst God’s people. When our opinions trump brotherly love, we can easily be divisive and argumentative, thereby hurting relationships amongst us Christians. We know we have moved out of God’s will and are running our course if this occurs.
We all have the right to believe whatever medical information we want. It is intriguing to see some Christians distrust medical science or doctors but turn to the same medical system when things go downhill. As I taught in one of our live Bible studies, God is not against medical science. There is value in education and professional training. There is a reason for organizations such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or National Institutes of Health( NIH), with experts spending hours reviewing the available information. History has taught us that experts can be wrong or sometimes respond inappropriately based on strange undisclosed agendas. Still, we should know where we stand before saying the CDC, the FDA, or related medical organizations are wrong about COVID-19. Internet browsing and reading do not make a medical professional fit to judge medical information the way these experts do, who ha spent their lifetime in the medical profession’s art, craft, and science. The internet or freely available information is not a replacement for professional education.
Also, as Christians, it is worth reminding ourselves that we should leave our opinions about medical issues or politics outside before we enter God’s House, that is, any community of believers. We should not take God’s name into medical debates.
Read more
Give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is God’s.
An endtime lesson from COVID-19: the world is set up for the Antichrist.
Read more devotionals on the endtimes.
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I just want to add on. On Revelation chapter 13:11-19 we have two beasts onefrom the sea which was like a leopard had a mouth like the lion and had ten horns and upon his horns were ten crowns and the dragon gave him power,his seat and authority. And upon his heads were names of blasphemy..interpretation. the First beast is representing the PAPACY why because the papacy historically grew out of the ruins of the Old Roman Empire. In A.D. 538 the Roman Emperor justinan gave his seat of power to the bishop of Rome by transfer of power from Rome to Constantinopole. Thus was born PAPAL ROME a UNION of Church and State. The papacy ruled over christiandom for a long period known as a time,times and dividing of time. Or 1260years. Which ended in 1798 when there emerged the protestant reformation opposed the false teachings of the Mother church Roman Catholicism in what was known as the Dark ages. The religious Zealots through the bishop of Rome or through the papacy they sought to obsecure the truth by exalting traditions of men over the truth of God,s word. They persecuted those who stood for the word of God and they called them as heretics. Among the famous reformers who were burnt at the stake are: Jerome,John Huss and john knox. In 1798 as persecution of christians was ceasing in Europe there was also an interesting change. There emerged the french Revolution here it was led by volter a philiospher it through him that the napolean idealogy emerged. Something here helped in christian history Napolean for the first time he marched the french army into Rome or Constantinopole and took Pope Pius (xi) captive and exiled him to france. Where he died. For a time the papacy lost power. Secondly the protestant reformation added also to the wounding of the PAPACY power in 1798 when exposed the false teaching of the church of Rome at thetime. By translating the bible in diferent languages Rome had sought to lock the bible and blind men fro searching the truth for themselves by interpreting the scriptures on behalf of the people by so doing they were adulterating the truth with errors.
Second beast is called the Lamblike beast or two horned beast. It had no crowns upon its horns as composed to the leopard beast which had crowns upon its horns. Crowns represent rulership or kingship. In the context of Revelation chapter 13 the first beast is representing the union of church and state. The two horned beast gives power to the first beast that was wounded by the sword,and it commands all who dwell on the earth to make an image of the beast and it performs signs and wonders on behalf of the first beast. The two horned beast is representing a nation founded on religious liberty! Thus this no other than America protestantism Historically as the persecution were increasing God prepared a place of refuge for his people. Revelation chapter 12 talks of a woman who was given wings to fly into the wilderness were God had place for her to taken care of for a time,times and dividing of time. Or 42months. in prophecy a woman represents God’s pure church she is clothed with the Sun which represents Christ’s imputed Righteousness. Upon her head were diadem of twelve stars. Here we have God’s church through the ages identified during the new testament error. Persecution of christian started after jesus ascension to heaven with the first Marytur being stephen in A.D. 34 these continue until when we come to the time of christians compromise which we call the dark ages when the church sought secular power thus was born the PAPACY. Or man of sin. 2 thessalonians 2:3-4. This nation America founded on principles of religious liberty will begin to speak like the dragon and it will give power to the papacy. By establishing laws that conflict and violate the precepts of God. The image of the beast is Apostate protestantism which was once pure but now is fallen. Its stretching its hand across the gulf to embrace the Roman power Catholicism in which they will exalt her dogmas by substituting the law of God especially the fourth commandment which identifies the character of God as the creator. And also substituting the Seventh day Sabbath for Sunday which God didnt bless. Conclusion
The mark of the beast is false worship. Thus it will be the observance of Sunday. The church of Rome has time and again declared openly that they changed the Seventh day Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday and that protestant who observe Sunday rather than the Seventh day Sabbath as do the jews and other protestant churches like Seventh day Adventist who observe saturday. They are following the bible as the true guide. But those who observe Sunday are rather paying homage to the church of Rome because from genesis to Revelation there is no biblical command for the observance of Sunday.
Hello Peter,
I am impressed with your knowledge of this subject and your obvious interest. And thanks for taking the time to share with me what you think about this fascinating topic.
You have raised up many important topics, but for time sake, I will begin with the major ones.
There are many views and interpretations that have been suggested to make sense of the events and symbols of Revelations 13. I agree that the Roman Catholic Church has played a profound role in the history of the Church and possibly in the future of the Church, and it is not surprising that it could hold a place in these prophecies.
Interpreting these prophecies is difficult because the Bible does not clearly indicate what many of those elements are BEFORE the time. If you study the history of interpretations, you see how many scholars have suggested many explanations and interpretations.
However, every interpretation should align with sound principles of Bible interpretation.
When I read your interpretations, I see the conclusions you make and then I look for the facts or reasons that support the conclusions you have made to see if what you are saying is acceptable or not.
In some cases, some things are not clear and I will ask you questions to ensure I understand you properly.
And I do not value opinions in such cases. I want you to use Scriptures that are correctly interpreted or references to sound theological materials to. back up your points.
I noted you sent me an email and I will combine the answer to your emails here. And I will focus on the main points, starting with the major issues you have raised.
A. Here is a very strong conclusion in your comments and email “The mark of the beast is false worship in this case SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.”
1. How did you come up with this conclusion?
What Scriptures or theological positions support the statement that the mark of the beast is Sunday worship?
2. In your email, you note “From Genesis to Revelation there is no scripture support that recognizes the sanctity of Sunday the first day of the week.”
Is there any commandment from God for the believers in the New Testament Church to keep the Sabbath?
The weekly Sabbath was one of 7 feasts God commanded Israel to keep(including Passover, Unleaven bread,Weeks, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Tabernacles).
Is the Church to keep these 7 feasts or just some of them?
On Passover, Jesus instituted the Communion and commanded His Church to observe the Communion(John 13)
Did the Apostles and the early Church keep the Passover or the Communion?
3. Did the Apostles and the early Church gather on Sabbath to Worship or on Sunday?
You wrote above. “The church of Rome has time and again declared openly that they changed the Seventh day Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday and that protestant who observe Sunday rather than the Seventh day Sabbath as do the jews and other protestant churches like Seventh day Adventist who observe saturday.”
The practice of Christians gathering to worship on Sunday did not start with the Roman Catholic Church, which was formally established as a political/religious entity with Emperor Constantine with the Edict of Milan AD 313.
The scriptures show clearly that the early Church in the Bible days gathered on Sundays in observance of the resurrection of Christ,
Acts 20:7 – “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” This verse indicates that the early Christians gathered on the first day of the week to break bread and receive teaching.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” Paul instructs the Corinthians to set aside a collection on the first day of the week, which implies that this was a regular meeting time for the church.
Revelation 1:10 – “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” Here, “the Lord’s Day” is generally understood to refer to Sunday, the day traditionally recognized as the day of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Church gathered on Sunday in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus which is the most important event in the work of Christ while theJess under the Old Covenant continued to gather on Saturday(the Jewish Sabbath).
The Church and old Testament Israel are closely related but VERY DIFFERENT ENTITIES.
Do you have any evidence that the early Church in the Bible days gathered to worship on the Sabbath?
4. Mark of the beast is Sunday worship
If your argument is correct, then the Mark of the Beast has been existing since Christians began to gather on Sunday to worship, which began in the days of the Apostles as the scriptures above noted.
In your email, you wrote “The mark of the beast is false worship in this case SUNDAY OBSERVANCE. The beast whom the people will worship is the PAPACY POWER. The two horned beast which appears like a lamb. Represents Apostate Protestantism.”
Protestantism started in the 16th century, and per your argument that the Roman Catholic Church enforced Sunday worship more than 1000 years before Protestantism. The Mark of the beast, 666 and the beasts are all presented in Scripture as occurring together.
Based on what we know from the scriptures, the Mark of the Beast is not something reversible. There is no indication in the Scriptures that people received the mark and then opted to take it away.
The argument is that Christians who worship on Sunday have received the Mark of the beast.
So the only ones saved will be the few Christians who gather on Saturday to worship.
This should immediately tell anyone something is seriously wrong with this conclusion.
The Mark of the beast is associated with worship of the antiChrist and clear rejection of Jesus.
How do Christians who worship on Sunday reject Jesus and worship the antiChrist, who is “PAPACY POWER” as you write?
There are millions of Christians who gather on Sunday to worship and have nothing to do with the Catholic Church, who love Jesus, surrender to Him and follow Him.
In what way do these Christians pledge allegiance to the papacy or worship the Pope?
5. The woman in Revelations 12
You have brilliantly discussed some important issues about Revelations 12 and 13, and made some arguments for the case of America .
And for time sake, I will choose just one of these.
You stated “in prophecy a woman represents God’s pure church she is clothed with the Sun which represents Christ’s imputed Righteousness.”
There is debate about the identity of the woman and even the son.
In Revelations 12, the Woman gives birth to the Son, who is clearly Jesus who is the King to rule the nations.
“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” (Revelation 12:5, KJV)
You state that the Woman is God’s “pure Church”.
Did the Church(the woman) give birth to Christ?
Nevertheless, you make an important argument” apostate protestanism”. I agree with this. Anyone who sees wha tis happening within the protestant circles will see a major falling away from within the Church.
Blessings there,