COVID-19 has presented a unique challenge for the world. 2020 was a trying year for many people around the world, believer and non-believer alike. But God always has a plan, and his plan is “to prosper you and not to harm you.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
For many believers around the world, COVID has tested their faith and their resolve. We encourage you all to continue growing your relationship with God and draw nearer to him during this time.
Our congregation has spent hundreds of hours in prayer and fasting, asking for direction as we confront this newest trial that we find ourselves faced with: the vaccine. Several members of the church have approached us, asking “Is the vaccine the mark of the beast?” In a word, no. We don’t believe that it is. It doesn’t follow scriptural references such as being on the right hand or on the forehead, as depicted in Revelations 13:16. However, we are spiritually troubled by the implementation of the vaccine and the scorn that has been given to those who don’t want the vaccine. It closely resembles the language of Revelations in regards to the mark.
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine was also derived from Fetal Cell Lines from aborted fetus tissue. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were tested for viability using similar Fetal Cell Lines from aborted fetus tissue. This fact alone is reason not to get the vaccine, as abortion is murder in the eyes of God and we are not to benefit from the fruits of murder.
Words from Revelations
This language is undeniably what we are seeing take place across the planet.
We never anticipated that we would see these things unfolding within our lifetimes, yet here we are.
Although we do not view the vaccine as being the actual mark of the beast, it does appear to be the staging ground for it. The increased calls for “vaccine passports” in order to go out in public are eerily approaching the language from Revelations. Soon, those who are unvaccinated may in fact find it impossible to buy or sell the things they need in order to survive and feed their families. We are unsure of what the mark of the beast will look like. The language of Revelations 13:18 is cryptic: “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding calculate the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”
At the time of writing Revelations, the numeric system was largely Roman Numerals, and it hasn’t escaped our attention that the letters C-V-I-D are all Roman Numerals necessary to add up to 666. We believe the actual mark will be something that signifies you are vaccinated. Not the vaccination itself. With that said, we feel called by the Lord to encourage our congregation to abstain from receiving the vaccine, as it may invariably place people in the position of getting the mark of the beast later on down the road. When faced with starvation, people who have been vaccinated may find it easier to simply get the mark proving their status as vaccinated. Whereas getting the vaccine later may prove difficult.
We know this is a terrifying possibility. It’s scary for us all, but Christ didn’t command us to do the Lord’s will only when it was easy and convenient. We are in trying times. We may all be tested sooner rather than later.
May the grace of God guide us through this trying time. The Bible tells us in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”