Although the coronavirus is not mentioned by name in the Bible, the Book of Revelation speaks of terrifying plagues descending on Earth in the end times. Of course, a person could respond by saying, Yes, but the text says the mark is placed on the right hand or the forehead. Does this not therefore necessarily imply a physical mark? The answer is no. There are still unknowns in the long-term research on vaccinations effects, but the benefits far surpass its known and potential problems. In Exodus 15:26 God promised that no disease (or plague) He sent upon Egypt would fall on the Israelites if they followed His commands. He will also protect His people during the seven last plagues as He protected Israel from the Egyptian plagues (see Rev. This practice, known as gematria, took a letter of the alphabet and assigned it an equivalent number. In order to understand the mark of the beast in Revelation 13:18, we need to see what is happening in the rest of the chapter. Revelation 18:23 For example, trade guilds often had feasts that centered around the worship of idols. "Given the urgency of this crisis, the lack of available alternative vaccines, and the fact that the connection between an abortion that occurred decades ago and receiving a vaccine produced today is remote, inoculation with the new COVID-19 vaccines in these circumstances can be morally justified, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops concluded in a statement in December. Church members respond to urging from the First Delta variant: It's more contagious for children. The mRNA vaccines BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) and the viral vector vaccine JNJ-78436735 (Janssen) have effectively prevented clinically recognized disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) since their rollout in the United States in late 2020 ( 1, 2 ). As of last week, 85% of IU's students, faculty and staff had received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the school. Theres actually good reason for doing so. All this will happen because your merchants were the nobility of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by In, on, among. He is the Spirit of Truth, after all. And so, for their sake, and for the sake of the truth, Ive written this follow-up article, as plainly and simply as I can. Smith has organized protests of her hospitals mandate in solidarity with others who oppose it but might not qualify for an exemption. Modern folks are used to this. WebRevelation 18:23 23 and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and ithe voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for jyour merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived kby your sorcery. Again, you cant simply jump to modern application without dealing with the historical context. Proverbs 4:18,19 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Web666 views, 15 likes, 1 loves, 3 comments, 15 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Indian Valley Assembly of God: Bodies in good health and physical condition are a glory to the Creator. Does this mean that, if you are a Christian, you must stop using any and all medications, no matter how beneficial they may be? What the students request now is a religious exemption from the religious exemption, wrote U.S. District Judge Damon Leichty, but Indiana University has no obligation to provide this., Anthony Fauci: Get vaccinated to stop risk of a deadlier COVID-19 variant, Pandemic evictions: Federal court allows Biden's new COVID-19 eviction moratorium to remain. Letters in antiquity are much like modern letterssituational, personal, and contextual. The vaccine is not the mark of the beast. Meanwhile, searches for sorcery or sorceries jumped 193%. Doreen Martin, a partner in the labor and employment group at Venable, said an employer should presume that a worker's request for a religious accommodation is based on a sincerely held belief. Vaccination: A Biblical and Theological Reflection. The 30-year-old said shes not worried about getting the coronavirus because shes worked in a hospital throughout the pandemic and has kept healthy through frequent hand-washing and boosting her immune system with Vitamin C and other supplements. Let me give an example. Right now, in my own country (and its been this way for a long time), a person might find it very tricky and difficult to operate within our local economies without a government-issued social security number. Such living integrates and restores our physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and social life by Gods grace, through His Word, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. May He graciously grant us discernment and power to act unselfishly according to His will so that we can be blessed by Him and be a blessing to others. It had 7 heads and 10 horns, with ten crowns on its horns. WASHINGTON After Denver announced this month that city employees and workers in hospitals and other high-risk settings must be vaccinated against COVID-19, Colorados Catholic bishops told parishioners how to seek a religious exemption. To this day,almost every English versionof the Bible translatespharmakiahere with sorcery or the like. Neither God nor we always need a thus says the Lord to know what to do or not to do, because He can show, and we can see, the benefits or disadvantages of many of our decisions and actions. So when I say that I have this religion, I expect them not to question me.. For only the second time in its history, the US Navy is beginning the slow, tricky process of taking apart a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, A Towering, Terrifying Demon Horse Isnt Even the Weirdest Part, Man who lost wife, son in Texas mass shooting tells story, Roman Polanski and the woman he pleaded guilty to raping pose together 45 years later, Hunter Biden appears in court for paternity case, Pour Salt Down Your Drain At Night, Here's Why, Essex County Exec. Lets read what the Bible says. The biggest objection I received from readers had to do with this very point: how could the mark be non-physical and invisible if having the mark was what allowed people to buy or sell things (Rev. If youre pro-truth, you need to abandon this interpretation. And so, for their sake, and for the sake of the truth, Ive written this follow-up article, as plainly and simply as I can. Several examples come to mind from the biblical material. Certainly not. This is probably the most debated verse in Revelation. Light, a source of light, radiance. An increase in exemptions was directly attributable to increased outbreaks of preventable diseases such as whooping cough and measles. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain (Ps. Is it an indictment on Big Pharma? Creativity and ingenuity are Gods gifts. Scholars often associate the number of the beast with Nero Caesar. Being healthy is not primarily about vaccination, but about establishing and developing a balanced lifestyle, resulting in being in good mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual condition to serve God and others in need in the most efficient way for as long as possible. But Rome was slightly different. He observes how the two marks in Ezekiel and the Psalms of Solomon are clearly symbolic . Yet, the moment you realize it isnotrelated to pharmaceuticals in the New Testament, then the whole connection disappears. Why die prematurely simply because we neglect remedies that are available to protect and prolong our lives, thus enabling us to be a blessing to others? How many people have been vaccinated in the US? But what do I mean by imperial cult? Again, given what we know about the historical context of these biblical texts, the mark of the beast must be tied back into worship if it is to be applied properly. First, the historical data does not permit us to think the mark of the beast is something you can accidentally take. That's just a statement, a term that you can pull out of Scripture, Haddad said. The students also oppose the schools rule that anyone unvaccinated must wear a mask and be regularly tested. 7. With these questions in mind, let me offer a few remarks about modern-day application. What if I get tricked into taking it? But a Samaritan while traveling came near him [a beaten man]; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 11). Employees offering as justification general beliefs about their body being a temple for the Holy Spirit wont get one. This seal actually has an Old Testament basis, namely, in Ezekiel 9, where a mark was said to have been placed on the foreheads of Gods people (Ez. White encouraged others to take a smallpox vaccination, and took it herself, according to eyewitness D. E. Robinson, one of her secretaries: Ellen White was vaccinated and urged her helpers, those connected with her, to be vaccinated. She was aware that it would protect her as well as others: She also recognized the danger of their exposing others if they failed to take this precaution. She wisely advised, Those who seek healing by prayer should not neglect to make use of the remedial agencies within their reach. Is the COVID Vaccine the Mark of It was neither necessary nor practical to enumerate all that was allowed: you may eat from the apple, orange, fig, pear, banana, and so on. Its what Revelation 18:23 says that got our attention, in context, regardless of what the Greek word means. To quote some posts directly, Jonathan wrote, I think you are completely wrong about revelations [sic] 18:23-24 and your antiquated look and view of the Bible is blinding you. 5. Keener also points to another Jewish text of the period (known as the Psalms of Solomon) that describes a mark placed on evil people. There is no sickness or disease that He cannot heal. Staver said his organization was flooded with calls after the Department of Veterans Affairs became the first federal agency to require certain employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. Bible Prophecy & The Scripted Covid-19 Tracking COVID-19 vaccinations: How many people have been vaccinated in the US? King James Version (KJV). JiMoskala is dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and professor of Old Testament Exegesis and Theology at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. In that regard, being vaccinated is an unselfish act aiding the well-being and protection of others. Thats why the related word pharmakos, found in Revelation 21:8 describing people who will be cast into the lake of fire, is translated sorcerer, not pharmacist. Obviously! God commands that we protect life and care for the health of our neighbors (Lev. In 2012, a federal court in Ohio said that veganism, in some circumstances, could plausibly be considered a religious belief, rather than merely a social philosophy or dietary preference. Big Pharma who killed Christians in the Muslim world in the 13th century? Ignorance may try to support skepticism by appealing to science; but instead of upholding skepticism, true science contributes fresh evidences of the wisdom and power of God. If there is some future mark imposed on people by some nefarious person, then to take that mark, youll know exactly what you are doingnamely, cursing Christ and pledging devotion to his enemy. What, then, can we conclude about that buy/sell passage? The official statement alleges vaccination is consistent with Adventisms strong emphasis on health and well-being. This position is said to rest upon biblical revelation, the inspired writing of Ellen G. White (co-founder of the Church), and on peer-reviewed scientific literature. A federal judge in Indianas northern district said that by offering religious exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines, Indiana University was to be applauded for going beyond what the Constitution requires. Revelation the Events of Revelation Taking Place Now Second, be careful and wise with how you apply these texts. Covid-19 vaccines and confusion over a Greek word led an unlikely word to jump in Bible searches this year. The cult itself presented clear challenges to early Christians. Furthermore, isnt there enough evidence that the vaccine is the number of the beast, including a bill currently before the House of Representatives (6666) and the very letters C-O-R-O-N-A themselves?1 These are good questions, and I think a response would be helpful. Hey, the text says you must flee from Big Pharma and not share in her sins! One can argue that it may be recommended or even required when health or life is to be preserved. They must apply if a persons beliefs are sincerely held.. Sadly, no. For thy merchants were the great men of the earth, and with the magic which thou didst practise all nations were led astray.- Weymouth BibleThe light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you. Humans also need to apply common sense to lifes problems. Then the next day Domitian had him crucified. An outbreak of measles in California in 2014 prompted the state to end personal belief exemptions for required vaccines for students, making it one of the few states that does not offer a pass for personal or religious views. Theoriginal versionof this commentary was posted by theHealth Ministries Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Its what Revelation 18:23 says that got our attention, in context, regardless of what the Greek word means.. Yet, the moment you realize it is not related to pharmaceuticals in the New Testament, then the whole connection disappears. . Evidence-based science is beneficial in this decision process, allowing us to choose the best available options in given life situations. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. The Ascension of Jesus: What It Is, Why Its Often Overlooked & More, How the Early Church Found the Trinity in the Old Testament, Pastor, Are You Burned Out? 1:4, 11). Prevention is always more important than actual healing. Hey, the text says you must flee from Big Pharma and not share in her sins! We could create a much longer list of such good practices not verbally addressed in the Holy Scriptures. Webthe light of a lamp will never shine in you again; and the voice of a groom and bride will never be heard in you again. Revelation Tseng told NBC 7 that he and other San Diego County physicians are being asked to sign off on religious exemptions as well. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will religious exemptions undercut COVID-19 vaccines mandates? 103:3; Luke 4:40; 6:18; 7:21). Big Pharma is using sorcery and witchcraft to deceive the whole world!. 127:1 ESV). . In short, there is no way under the sun that Big Pharma is Babylon the Great of Revelation, the one described in Revelation 17:5 as, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE DETESTABLE THINGS OF THE EARTH., The next verse says that this woman Babylon was drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses to Jesus.. Revelation 13:13-16 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, . That last part is key. 12501 OLD COLUMBIA PIKE, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904 USA. Vaccine Big Pharma? 3. Its one thing to dispute the meaning of a verse in the Bible. Looking back through history, over 1,700 years ago, when the Aramaic-speaking Christians translated pharamakia in Revelation 18:23 into their language (Syriac), they translated it with sorcery. And over 1,500 years ago, when Jerome translated this word into Latin, he translated with sorcery, magic.. He is the Source and Giver of life for His children; He gives abundant life (John 11:25; 14:6). From plane; to roam. 13:16). Taking the vaccine involves registering oneself and being given a number. The COVID virus is not a plague from the Book of Revelation. In short, among New Testament Greek scholars, there is no controversy here, which is quite telling, since they have devoted decades of their lives to studying the language. That includes the KJV (sorceries), the NASB (witchcraft), the ESV (sorcery), the NIV (magic spell) and others. Health economist W. David Bradford, one of the reports authors, said religious exemptions may be necessary to get people to go along with vaccination mandates. Revelation 18:23 New Century Version (NCV) He has a passion for teaching students how to read the Bible faithfully and with careful reflection.