Is the COVID vaccine the mark of the beast? What the book of Revelation says

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The COVID-19 vaccine has been scientifically proven to save lives. But for a select group of people in the religious realm, a bigger question is at stake – eternal salvation.

As the the delta variant continues to spread, the reason many Americans resist the COVID-19 vaccine has taken center stage. While the reasoning differs – with some citing uncertainty of long-term side effects or lack of confidence in the medical field – one theory that has galvanized some vaccine-resistant is the idea that the shot is the “mark of the beast.” “.

The “mark of the beast” in the New Testament book of Revelation signals allegiance to Satan or to those who reject God’s memorial of creation.

“Studies show that any conflict between religion and science is not about facts, but rather values ​​and morals,” said John Evans, professor of sociology and religious studies at the University of California-San Diego .

What does the writing of the “mark of the beast” say in Revelation?

The biblical term apocalyptic comes from Revelation 13: 16-18. Speak New International Version Bible, the apostle John speaks of an apocalyptic couple of beasts who will rule the earth with cruelty. Their evil reach – which can be interpreted as hidden manipulation – will force anyone who requires the business transaction to wear the Mark of the Beast. The apostle John did not identify what the mark looks like, although some theologians translate the scriptures to refer to the number “666” associated with it.

Pastor Darin Wood of First Baptist Church in the oil town of Midland, Texas, wrote an August editorial for the Midland Reporter-Telegram who said, “A member of my church family asked an honest question: ‘Pastor, is the COVID vaccine the mark of the beast? I was told yes. ‘ Their question was honest and sincere, and clearly, they were anxious about it. In kindness, I answered “no” and thought about it a little more. Until the question comes back. And even. And even.

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“There is no indication that the vaccine matches the brand described by the apostle John. I have been sent numerous articles and videos… to indelibly identify those who are crazy enough to receive the vaccine. It is simply not reasonable or logical to assume that such a large conspiracy is even possible. The question then arises as to why this great distrust of medical treatment has arisen. “

Why do people call the COVID vaccine the “mark of the beast?”

Evans said the lack of trust in government and the medical field is a driving force behind the “mark of the beast” belief.

“(Former President) Donald Trump tapped into American populism and with that comes expert disbelief,” Evans told USA TODAY. “There is a small group of people who believe in ‘the mark of the beast’ and I think what is driving this thought process begins with various concerns about receiving the coronavirus vaccine that are not specifically religious.”

Evans said he suspected the popularity of the “mark of the beast” stemmed from adherence to a social or political identity.

Peter Feaman, a senior official with the Florida Republican National Committee, said last month that vaccines are “the mark of the beast” and comparable to a “false god.” In May, Feaman said of Governor Gretchen Whitmer promoting vaccines in the state of Michigan: “The evil Michigan Governor Whiter wants his citizens to get the mark of the beast for participating in society.”

Evans has stated from his studies that a majority of “mark of the beast” believers appear to be both politically conservative and of Protestant Christian descent.

“People with spiritual beliefs that all things are influenced by religion are more likely to believe” the mark of the beast, “which is found in every Christian’s bible, but people will focus on particular passages from the Bible to support their belief system, ”Evans said. .

What do religious leaders say?

Harvest Christian Fellowship pastor Greg Laurie said COVID-19 vaccines are not “the mark of the beast,” but many Christians may believe this is because the world is at the time which the Bible calls “the last days”.

“The Bible talks about someone identified as ‘the Antichrist’ and he will require people to have a ‘mark’ that people will be given to buy and sell,” Laurie told USA TODAY in an email.

“The COVID-19 vaccine – or any vaccine – has nothing to do with any of this. “

Laurie, who has been vaccinated, said the mark will be a token of loyalty to the Antichrist and that no one will take the mark without knowing it.

“In Revelation 14 we learn that those who take the mark are doomed,” he said. “God will not condemn people for taking something unintentionally.”

According to Laurie, the misinterpretations of Revelation 13: 16-18 can come from social media where people can spread unreliable information.

“People read the wrong comments and believe they are true,” he said.

“Sometimes these statements are wrapped to sound like Bible prophecy, but they are wrong and misapplied because a lot of people don’t understand what the Bible actually says about these things.”

What do health workers say? Are people actually citing this as a reason to avoid the shot?

Nicole Williams, a traveling intensive care unit nurse, said she heard the “mark of the beast” as a reason for not getting the vaccine multiple times.

“I’m hesitant because it’s new and we don’t know the long term effects, but calling it the ‘mark of the beast’ is crazy,” Williams told USA TODAY.

Williams worked in hospitals in Texas, New York, California, and Hawaii during her three years as a nurse.

She said the latest wave of COVID-19 cases has been “hell”, with scores of young people dying. She said the vaccine is not a magic vaccine that cures everything, but is one of the many tools to fight the virus.

“I understand people wanting to go back to where it was, but calling something you don’t understand ‘mark of the beast’ is extreme and harmful,” she said.

“I am exhausted and tired of seeing so many people die, but I will do my best to try to keep my patients alive.”

On the contrary, emergency doctor Stephen Smith of Hennepin Healthcare told USA TODAY that he had not heard the “mark of the beast” as a reason for not getting the vaccine, but a few other strange reasons.

Smith said a woman brought her child with a fever and cough, and he explained the toddler could have COVID-19. When he asked the mother if she had been vaccinated, Smith replied, “Oh no, that makes you a zombie.”

Other reasons Smith heard for not getting the vaccine included: not wanting to get a chip, outside of their worldview the vaccine was developed too quickly, haven’t gotten sick yet, not high risk, they don’t trust the government and read that people have died from the vaccine.

“Social media plays a 100% role in vaccine misconceptions,” Smith said. “They get all their info on Facebook and get all this garbage. “

“Anyone who tells you not to get the vaccine is lying to you or is an idiot, or a combination of the two.”

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What do we know about COVID-19 vaccines?

Peer-reviewed data has found the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccines safe and they have shown 94% to 95% effectiveness against the virus, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The same newspaper published as the Johnson & Johnson The single dose injection provided protection against the virus and was effective against hospitalization and death.

September 20, Pfizer BioNTech released data that their vaccine was safe for children between the ages of 5 and 11. The company received its full approval from the Food and Drug Administration late last month.

Moderna has started the application process for a full license and Johnson & Johnson plans to apply this year.

Centers for Disease Prevention and Control reports that 54.7% of Americans are vaccinated and 63.9% have received at least one dose.

By the end of September, 56% of people in the United States are expected to be fully immunized and 59% by January 1, 2022, according to data from the Institute for Health Measurement and Evaluation.

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