The End Is Not Yet (ATP)
Revelation 13:16-17 talks about a “mark” of the beast in the end of days. Could it be possible that the vaccine is the mark?
Revelation 13:16-18 (NKJV)
He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
These kind of questions regarding the end times are very common and actually have been since Jesus talked about them. People have tried for millennia to “discern” the end times, however there is a common mistake people make which we will get back to. The most simple answer to this question is no. However, answers to questions of this kind are rarely simple!
First, let’s deal with some context. When you go back to the beginning of chapter 13, you see a lot of activity that precedes this mark. Symbolism aside, it is evident that there are some very specific things going on here. What is not debated is that this is all happening during the rise of the antichrist government taking over the entire world, the one world government. Without getting into all of that (probably a year’s worth of faith fixes), the basics are these: there is the rise of a one world government, one single currency, and an utter ban on all religion except for that which worships the beast. Note in verse 16 it says “he causes ALL” to receive this mark, there is no choice if you are to do anything. Later on we are shown that one must receive the mark, but part of doing so is with an open denial of God. In other words, to live you must choose to deny God and worship the beast.
That said, there is a concept we know in scripture called type and shadow. What this is, is that before big events happen, they reveal themselves in lesser more obscure ways. The Bible equates it often to birth pangs, the onset is slow but they increase as the birth gets closer. 1 John 4:3 says, “and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” The spirit of the antichrist is indeed here and it is for a sign for believers.
Certainly, in all that’s going on you can see how the platform for what is to come is being made. I remember in studies even 20 years ago people couldn’t really fathom how such a mark could be possible. With today’s technology it’s eerie just how possible it is and to be honest, with all that’s happened on the earth in 2020 it has made me more sober about the fact that the end is closer than ever. The stage is being set for all that the Word of God said will happen.
The mistake I talked about earlier that people make is getting too focused on trying to “figure it out.” The Bible gives us incite into these things but purposely does so opaquely. God didn’t give us parts of truth leaving us to our own devices to figure them out. What is most important is clear, and the other stuff will be obvious in the right time. Remember, John 16:13, the Holy Spirit was given in part to tell us things to come. He will make things clear as we get closer to whatever we must know or do. A person will not be able to accidentally receive the devil’s mark, they will have to openly choose, knowingly rejecting God.
The best thing we can do is focus on something Jesus said when talking about the end. In Matthew 24:6 He said, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” See that you are not troubled, the end isn’t yet, but recognize what is going on. People have sometimes thought I’ve been “political” because I’ve talked about certain political policies. Some have even left our church over things I’ve said of this nature. If I’ve said something it’s purpose was to point out the right and wrong, the lines of which our current society and governments are trying to blur. If people think wrong, they cannot receive the truth. By and large, people think wrong and this is only increasing.
There is no way to look at Truth and yet not point to the lack of it in your current existence. People need to know the truth, and be pointed toward truth, because the devil is surrounding them with lies. These lies are ultimately what causes people to be led astray. We must ensure truth is prevalent.
As far as the vaccine goes, I will say what I would say about any medicine or medical procedure. They should only be used if you have peace in doing so, but should be used if you can have peace. Peace keeps us safe if we are living right. Too many Christians refuse things that are actually a blessing to them because of some skewed construct in their minds. Some believers have even died, not because God didn’t answer but because they didn’t do what they should have. Seek God with an open heart and you will not go astray. No marks, no devils, no deception, just peace from the Holy Spirit.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff
