Reports that we may all soon be forced to take the Covid vaccine – or be denied entry to bars and restaurants, sports venues or even aeroplanes – are alarming to the say the least.
For it conjures up a picture of the Great Tribulation depicted in Revelation, the somewhat mysterious last book of the Bible, in which you will not be able to buy or sell without taking what is referred to as the ‘Mark of the Beast’ (Rev 13:16f).
I am going for my flu jab tomorrow (somewhat reluctantly, as I seem to recall a bad reaction in the recent past). But as for the proposed Covid vaccination, I will need a very clear personal word from the Lord.
Freedom to refuse…?
We have received many assurances about having the freedom to refuse – until now, with Nadhim Zahawi, the new minister for the mass vaccine roll-out, suggesting otherwise, indicating that although an injection would be voluntary, some venues might insist on proof.1
And while some experts have raised concerns over data privacy and human rights, airlines have apparently been examining the idea of asking for ‘immunity passports’ as a condition of flying.
So, appropriately as we begin the season of Advent, which is meant to focus more on the Second Coming of our Lord than the first, we are presented with a scenario not at all unlike the picture the Bible paints of the imminent return of Jesus.
What is the Beast?
The ‘Mark of the Beast’ (and I'm not suggesting for a moment that this vaccine is that) is assumed by certain modern commentators to be some sort of microchip implanted in the body, the like of which has apparently already been tested and used on humans.2
The Beast referred to is a monstrous personality probably manifesting as a political conglomerate, which seeks to divert worship away from the true God of creation to whom Christians owe allegiance.
Its key characteristic is deception (Rev 13:14), and the Revelation narrative, specifically revealed to the ageing Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos by the risen Jesus himself, suggests that much of the earth’s inhabitants will fall for it hook, line and sinker.
Mind you, that’s not too surprising because all who refuse to worship this image will be killed (v15). So, not much option then – unless you are faithfully committed to serving the one and only true God and Saviour of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah who, in the not-too-distant future, will return to earth as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5). He will place his feet on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, just as the angels told the first disciples when Christ ascended from that very spot 40 days after his resurrection (Acts 1:11, Zech 14:4).
An appearance of goodness
Being referred to by the non-personal pronoun ‘it’ suggests the Beast is unlikely to be an individual personality, but quite possibly a gang of tyrants who oppose God with a vicious hatred and are bent on wreaking merciless vengeance on all who follow his commands.
Monstrous as it sounds, it wouldn’t necessarily look ugly, which is one reason why it will deceive so effectively. For it is described as having “two horns like a lamb” but speaking “like a dragon” (v11). It would give the appearance of being religious – perhaps even claiming Christian allegiance – but its message would be as one who devours its prey with a voracious appetite and brooks no dissent. 
A cashless society
“It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark…” (v16f)
This obviously depicts some kind of cashless society, the like of which many struggled to imagine – until the Covid pandemic struck, with many shops now refusing to accept coins or notes, or at least discouraging their use.
It is no longer unusual for customers to be unable to buy goods without an acceptable plastic card. And it doesn’t stretch the imagination too far to conceive of a time when the essential card will morph into some kind of high-tech mark or microchip necessary for transactions. Scary stuff!
Time to trust in God
Best to make your mind up now that you are going to trust God no matter what to steer you through the storms ahead. You may well have to pay with your life on this earth, but you will surely live forever.
To the Church in Smyrna (modern-day Izmir in Turkey), Jesus said: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” (Rev 2:10)
Endnotes
1 UK's Covid vaccine minister suggests bars, cinemas and football stadiums could BAN Brits who haven't had jab as he admits No10 is looking at 'immunity passports.' Luke Andrews 30, Daily Mail, November 2020
2 The rise of microchipping: are we ready for technology to get under the skin? Oscar Schwartz, The Guardian, 8 November 2019.
