The following report is from USA Today – (be sure to see author commentary at the end):
The COVID-19 vaccine has been scientifically proven to save lives. But for a select group of people in the religious realm, a more important matter is at stake – eternal salvation.
As the delta variant continues to spread, the rationale of many Americans resisting the COVID-19 vaccine has taken center spotlight. While the reasoning differs – with some citing uncertainty of long-term side effects or lack of trust in the medical field – one theory that has galvanized some vaccine resisters is the idea that the shot is the “mark of the beast.”
The “mark of the beast” in the New Testament’s Book of Revelation signals an allegiance to Satan or those who reject God’s memorial of creatorship.
Studies show that any conflict between religion and science are not about facts, they are more about values and morals.
John Evans, a professor of sociology and religious studies at the University of California-San Diego.
What Does The ‘Mark Of The Beast’ Scripture In Revelation Say?
The apocalyptic biblical term comes form Revelation 13:16-18. Per the New International Version Bible, the apostle John speaks of an apocalyptic pair of beasts who will rule the earth with cruelty. Their evil reach – which can be interpreted as hidden manipulation – will require all people who require the transaction of commerce to wear the mark of the beast. The apostle John did not identify what the mark looks like, although some theologians translate scripture to reference the number “666” to be associated with it.
Pastor Darin Wood of First Baptist Church in the oil town of Midland, Texas, wrote an August op-ed for the Midland Reporter-Telegram that said:
One of my church family posed an honest question: ‘Pastor, is the COVID vaccine the mark of the beast? I’ve been told it is.’ Their question was an honest and heartfelt one, and clearly, they were anguished about it. In kindness, I answered, ‘no’ and thought little more about it. Until the question came again. And again. And again.
There’s no indication that the vaccine matches the mark described by the Apostle John. I’ve been sent numerous articles and videos … that (suggest) the vaccine represents a conspiracy of governmental control or that the vaccine contains some sort of marking agent to indelibly identify those foolish enough to receive the vaccine. It’s just not reasonable or logical to presume such a wide conspiracy is even possible. The question then arises as to why this wide mistrust in medical treatment has come.
Why Are People Calling The COVID Vaccine The ‘Mark Of The Beast?’
Evans said that lack of trust in the government and 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 the disbelief of experts. There is a small group of people who believe in ‘the mark of the beast’ and I think what’s driving that thought process is starting with various concerns about receiving the coronavirus vaccine that are not specifically religious.
John Evans
Evans said he suspects that the “mark of the beast” popularity stems from an adherence to a social or political identity.
Peter Feaman, a top Republican National Committee official in Florida, said last month that vaccines are “the mark of the beast” and comparable to a “false god.” Back in May, Feaman said of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer encouraging vaccines in the state of Michigan: “Diabolical Michigan Governor Whiter wants her citizens to get the Mark of the Beast to participate in society.”
Evans said from his studies, a majority of the “mark of the beast” believers appear to be both conservative-leaning politically and of protestant Christian faith backgrounds.
People with spiritual beliefs that all things are influenced by religion are more likely to believe ‘mark of the beast,’ which is in every Christian’s bible, but people will focus on particular passages in the Bible to support their belief system.
John Evans
What Are Religious Leaders Saying?
Harvest Christian Fellowship Pastor Greg Laurie said COVID-19 vaccines are not “the mark of the beast,” but many Christians may believe it is due to believing the world is in the time the Bible calls “the last days.”
The Bible speaks of someone identified as the ‘Antichrist’ and he will require people have a ‘mark’ that people will receive to buy and sell.
The COVID-19 vaccine — or any vaccines — have nothing to do with any of this.
Laurie told USA Today via email
Laurie, who has been vaccinated, said the mark will be a pledge of loyalty to the Antichrist and no one will take the mark unknowingly.
In Revelation 14, we learn that those who take the mark are doomed. God will not doom people for taking something unwittingly.
Greg Laurie
Misinterpretations of Revelation 13:16-18 can stem from social media where people can spread unreliable information, according to Laurie.
People read erroneous comments and believe they are true.
Sometimes these statements are packaged to look like Bible Prophecy, but they are false and misapplied because many people do not understand what the Bible actually says about these things.
What Are Health Care Workers Saying? Are People Actually Citing This As A Reason To Avoid The Shot?
Nicole Williams, a traveling intensive care unit nurse, said she has heard the “mark of the beast” as a reason not to get vaccinated many times.
I get being hesitant because it is 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 has worked in hospitals in Texas, New York, California and Hawaii in her three years as a nurse.
She said the latest surge of COVID-19 cases has been “hell”, with a lot of younger people dying. She said the vaccine is not a magical shot that cures all, but is one of the many tools to fight the virus.
I understand that people want to get back to how things were but calling something you don’t understand the ‘mark of the beast’ is extreme and harmful.
I’m exhausted and tired of seeing so many people die, but I will do my damnedest to try and keep my patients alive.
On the contrary, ER physician Stephen Smith at Hennepin Healthcare told USA TODAY that he hasn’t heard the ‘mark of the beast’ as a reason to not get vaccinated, but a few other outlandish reasons.
Smith said one woman had brought her child in for a fever and cough, and he explained that the toddler might have COVID-19. When he asked the mother if she had been vaccinated, Smith said her response was, “Oh no that turns you into a zombie.”
Other reasons Smith has heard for not getting vaccinated include: not wanting to get microchipped, outside of their world view, the vaccine was developed too fast, haven’t gotten sick yet, not high-risk, they don’t trust the government and reading that people have died from the vaccine.
Social media plays a 100% role in the misconceptions about the vaccine. They get all their information off Facebook and get all this garbage.
Anyone who is telling you not to get the vaccine is either lying to you or an idiot, or a combination of the two.
Stephen Smith
What We Know About The COVID-19 Vaccines?
Peer-reviewed data has deemed the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccines safe and they demonstrated 94% to 95% effectiveness against the virus, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The same journal published that the Johnson & Johnson single dose shot provided protection against the virus and was effective against hospitalization and death.
On Sept. 20, Pfizer BioNTech released data that their vaccine was safe for children aged 5 to 11. The company received its full stamp of approval from the Food and Drug Administration late last month.
Moderna has begun the process of applying to get a full license and Johnson & Johnson plans to apply sometime this year.
The 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 U.S. are projected to be fully vaccinated and 59% by January 1, 2022, according to data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
Oh boy, where do I start with this one? Whenever mainstream media tries to “educate” the masses” on the Bible, it’s always full of misconceptions and lies; so, I am only going to address a few key points, as I think regular readers of The WinePress can see through this, and those that actually read and believe their King James Bible.
Firstly – as I have said so many times over, but will unequivocally state again – the Covid vaccines are NOT, I repeat, are NOT the mark of the beast. The people who perpetuate that claim has been lied to or are the liars themselves.
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2 Timothy 3:13
That being said, I will continue to speak out and warn against these death shots. They ARE deadly, they ARE causing disease, they ARE killing people, they HAVE toxic ingredients, they DO affect fertility; and on, and on, and on. So I will never take one of these jabs, and you can not either.
DEATH SHOT: Videos Reveal Pfizer Vaccine Contains Self-Assembling Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles
But with that out of the way, let’s look at a quote that USA Today said about what the mark is, and how they completely lie about it.
The apocalyptic biblical term comes form Revelation 13:16-18. Per the New International Version Bible, the apostle John speaks of an apocalyptic pair of beasts who will rule the earth with cruelty. Their evil reach – which can be interpreted as hidden manipulation – will require all people who require the transaction of commerce to wear the mark of the beast. The apostle John did not identify what the mark looks like, although some theologians translate scripture to reference the number “666” to be associated with it.
I find it rather dubious that they refer to the NIV (as this is “only” translation where that “interpretation” can be found, or something); but then posts a picture of the KJB right after it. Perhaps they are trying to imply that the King James Bible is “archaic?” Or maybe this is the Lord ‘taking the wise in their own craftiness’ and allowing the truth to be manifested in people’s eyes?
But, what I also believe is going on is since all the new versions remove the direct reference to the mark of the beast being IN the forehead and right hand, the only “translation” that says that the mark will be IN people is the KJB. The underlying meaning here is that those who are pontificating this lie will now be attributed to the King James, and all those that use one. You understand what’s going on now?
Post your thoughts in the comments.
But putting that aside, secondly: no, the beasts can NOT be interpreted as “hidden manipulation.” I have actually heard that philosophy before – I think it was on the History Channel – but whatever the case, that is so stupid all you can do is facepalm! Just read the context, it’s plain that the beasts are actual people that are controlled and possessed of Satan.
But the biggest lie they told was that people WEAR the mark of the beast, which implies clothing or a tattoo at the most. However, the new versions across the board (not just the NIV) manipulate the wording in Revelation 13:16-18 that clearly indicates the mark will be IN the right hand, or on and IN the forehead!
[16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: [17] 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. [18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Revelation 13:16-18, 20:4
But as I quoted earlier, this is “deceiving and being deceived.” Now the Jesus-hating mainstream media are using these perverted Bibles inspired by Satan to deceive the masses. But again, the King James text was posted right under it, so I wonder if this is the Lord forcing the truth to be there in plain sight as well; but as I said a second ago, I think this is the media subtly implying that the source of this “misinformation” is from the KJB.
With all that being said, what is really going on here? Why is the media doing an article like this?
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:3
Very simple: because their false definition of the MOTB, and since the Covid death shots are INjections, therefore: ‘How can you say this is the mark of the beast?’ -Talk about a psychological operation at work, with the subtilty of Satan! Now that the media has clearly lied and has debunked that argumentation of refusing the “vaccine” because it’s clearly not the mark of the beast, and mediawhores and false teachers like Greg Laurie are used as an “authority;” then the true word of the God – the King James Bible – is being blasphemed and attacked once again; and further strengthens the resolve of those who believe these “vaccines” to be the MOTB. This is similar to how Qanon operates – who many of which are the ones who believe that the death shots are the MOTB.
Operation “Trust:” The 100-Year-Old Psy-op Repackaged As Qanon
Furthermore, it was not long ago The WP reported that a popular street preacher said Christians need to take this “vaccine” if your job is on the line, especially since it is not the MOTB.
Popular Street Preacher Advocates Christians Get Vaccinated So You Can Provide For Your Family
[27] An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. [28] A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. [29] A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. [30] He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.[1] Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. [2] Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.Proverbs 16:27-30 & Jeremiah 23:1-2
There is more I can debunk, but I think you can fill in the blanks.
[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.1 Peter 5:8-9
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[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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You know whenever I see any post that tries to convince Christians to take the death shot, it always cracks me up when I read “what are religious leaders saying?” in the article. I see that ALL THE TIME.
Yeah, like I care about what “religious leaders” have to say. These lost mediawhores think that we hold “religious leaders” as the final authority or something, LOL!
Of course, that is the case with these modern church “Christians”, but still, it just goes to show you that these people in the media haven’t got a clue and they really think that they can deceive us… I don’t think so!
1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Agreed. Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Why trust man made chemicals / pharmaceutical’s injected into your body or taken in pill form, when you can just trust GOD, doctors and pharmaceutical companies are partners as legal drug pushers, JUST TRUST GOD !!!
Amen Mario! You said it. I wouldn’t be caught dead in a doctors office and hospitals, in your dreams!
Greg Laurie is a devil. He has all sorts of videos where he is interviewing celebrities that are supposedly “saved”, and yet still working in Helli-wood. The guy is an absolute joke! I am glad to hear that he is “fully vaccinated” though. 🙂
Just another useful idiot.
Sadly, most Christians have been taught God does not promise health so why wouldn’t they trust in the arm of the flesh as they have been all along?
Proverbs 4:20-23
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
I don’t know… but they alter the DNA
Well done Jacob; this mainstream article had MANY subtle (& not so subtle) deceptive layers to it…