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. Its a mark of loyalty and worship, which requires full cognitive and heart-felt awareness of what you are doing (otherwise its not worship). The Greek word for sorcery is pharmakeia, she noted. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Fetal cells were used in the early testing, though not in the production, of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. 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. So its a conundrum for society.. Whatever the current issue may be (vaccines, SSN, chip implants, SIM cards, etc), we need to be careful about confusing our personal and/or political convictions with the meaning of a biblical text. Since we have a pretty good idea about the identity of the beast, is there any other historical data we could look to that would link the worship of the beasts image with the worship of Caesars image? A primary verb; to hear. Its another thing to say that an ancient word means something it does not mean. The kings of the earth, with the merchants and mariners, lament over her. Thats the case with the subject of the Greek wordpharamakiain Revelation 18:23. He will also protect His people during the seven last plagues as He protected Israel from the Egyptian plagues (see Rev. The Greek word 'Pharamakia' does not refer PO Box 5546Concord, NC 28027(704) 782-3760. Does it tie in with the COVID vaccines? I am, exist. But only the Lord of heaven can be guaranteed to preserve and restore health when He so chooses. Chakravarty said there are many big issues around vaccine hesitancy. Employers can ask employees to discuss their beliefs and how theyre followed and to provide written materials about the tenets of their faith and statements from others who have observed the employee discussing or practicing the beliefs, according to the law firm's guidance. In fact, this was also true of the other four cities to which John directed his letter.7. Is the COVID Vaccine the Mark of We need to work diligently under Gods guidance and blessing: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. The evidence of science is transparently clear: vaccines save lives. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s). The COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. were found to be safe and effective in clinical trials and real-world conditions. Years ago, I remember hearing how some had taken President Reagan to be the end times beast. The reasoning went like this. 7:3-4. Jesus could have healed a blind man by His word, but He used mud mixed with His saliva for this purpose, and had the man also go and wash his eyes in order to receive his sight (John 9:1, 6, 7). Assn., 1871), 2:377. Thats despite the fact the Catholic Church does not oppose the vaccines and Pope Francis said he believes that, ethically, everyone should get one. A bridegroom. In the same way, the Spirit would not tell you that a Greek word means something very different than what it actually means. Vaccination: A Biblical and Theological Reflection 2. 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. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular. (325 ml) Mug diameter is 3.2" (8.2 cm), not including handle Dishwasher-safe ceramic Wraparound design printed for you when you order Revelation 18-23 By Thy Sorceries Pharmakeia End Times Coffee Mug Designed and sold by BubbleMench $17.99 $15.29 when you buy 2+ $14.39 when you buy 4+ Style Add to cart Returns are free and Web11 Then iI saw another beast rising out of the earth. Multiple states have some form of prohibition on vaccination requirements and mask mandates. Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural. For in thi witchecraftis alle folkis erriden.- Wycliffe Bibleand light of a lamp may not shine at all in thee any more; and voice of bridegroom and of bride may not be heard at all in thee any more; because thy merchants were the great ones of the earth, because in thy sorcery were all the nations led astray,- Youngs Literal Bible. God could have miraculously and instantaneously healed the dying King Hezekiah by His power, but instead He chose to heal him through the remedy of a fig poultice (2 Kings 20:5-7; Isa. Let me give an example. Thus, becoming vaccinated is an act of kindness, because vaccinations are helping to protect others from serious sickness, hospitalization, and death. It bids us to gaze upon the slain Lambto worship him with loyalty, devotion, and commitment. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him [a beaten man]; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. Its time to give it up, whether you are pro-vax or anti-vax or whatever. At this point, someone will doubtless say, Youre missing the whole point. 13). It doesnt legally matter, he said, whether a persons view on vaccines aligns with what their church says. 4. We need some historical data from the letters time period in order to gain clarity into its meaning. If you were part of the guild, then your participation in these feasts would have been compulsorythat is, only if you wanted to be able to buy and sell.13. If youre a Christian hospital administrator, you must instruct all your nurses and surgeons and anesthesiologists to cease and desist from using any product manufactured by Big Pharma? 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. But without all the background information, people are being tossed to and fro by endless speculations and fears. 7. Smith pointed to Revelation 18:23, a passage that declares all nations were deceived by sorcery. vaccine As often happens on radio, I unintentionally stir up a hornets nest by giving a straightforward, factual answer to a question that, to my knowledge, is not controversial at all. To this day, almost every English version of the Bible translates pharmakia here with sorcery or the like. If the gene is shut off, there you go. Though he thinks the VA should have immediately told health workers they could seek a religious exemption, Staver said the departments process to opt out is probably one of the easiest ones out there.. 21And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain (Ps. We just really trust God to be our healer, she said. Therefore honor God with your bodies (1 Cor. Big Pharma who is killing Christians today in Nigeria and North Korea and Sudan? This may be shocking for many people. Their side effects are mostly minor and short-term. 2,700 Treacherous Evangelicals Warn Against "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. From plane; to roam. Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular. That includes the KJV (sorceries), the NASB (witchcraft), the ESV (sorcery), the NIV (magic spell), and others. CP VOICES do not necessarily reflect the views of The Christian Post. Not only is the world decieved [sic] into taking test drugs (for which the 'vaxpass' permissions resemble the mark restrictions and are being instituted by martial law in Austria, Greece, Australia and New Zealand), but it was brought about ALSO by pharmakaiea, being a lab creation funded by Fauci. Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural. We need divine wisdom to know how to be best informed and make mature decisions. Its been more than a century since the Supreme Court ruled that states can require residents to be vaccinated against smallpox. To apply this to Big Pharma is not only bad exegesis. 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. 10:31 NIV). A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. From en and the base of poreuomai; a tradesman. 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. Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Some public policy ideas are good; some are terrible. If youre a Christian doctor, you must never write another drug prescription, even if it will save your patients life? Job 21:17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! For starters, Roman emperors were often deified after they died, becoming gods for Roman citizens to worship. Re Apocalypse). Though low rates of exemptions can be absorbed, she said, "there's at least a decent chance that it'll be at a rate that puts people at risk.. . He is the Spirit of Truth, after all. By: JiMoskala, for General Conference Health Ministries Department. That if youre a Christian hospital administrator, you must instruct all your nurses and surgeons and anesthesiologists to cease and desist from using any product manufactured by Big Pharma? Our spiritual health is closely connected to our physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. For those who claim that the Spirit is opening their eyes to the real understanding of the word, would the Spirit tell you that up means down or black means white or truth means lies? From an obsolete phao; luminousness. WebVaccination is a provision from God that will prevent disease not only for ourselves but for the most vulnerable among us (Matthew 25:31-36). Now for the truth VaccinesKill Shot are a putrid amalgam of neurotoxins, animal DNA, disease, baby tissue stolen from murdered infants at birth.. How Godly is this? From the writings of Pliny, for example, we learn how professing Christians faith were put to the test by having them worship the image of Caesar (Pliny, Letters, 10:96-97).11, The emperors image was everywhere, especially on coins. Vaccination should then be applied according to our best knowledge and health conditions. Connect with him onFacebook,Twitter, orYouTube. Most of the students had been granted a religious exemption to the requirement that they be vaccinated before coming to campus. Revelation In order to interpret it rightly, we need to know its context. PROPHETIC INSIGHT/WORD of WARNING ABOUT 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, . Allowed are activities that are congruent with Gods revelation, though not directly mentioned in the Bible. Plural from megistos; grandees. In the first challenge to a coronavirus vaccine mandate to reach Washington, the Supreme Court rejected an emergency relief request from eight Indiana University students last week. 12:4). He found plenty of examples of religions calling on people to stay healthy to prevent infection. Prayers for healing and vitality do not annul the use of different remedies, surgeries, medicines, or vaccinations. The problem is, she said, that makes policing (religious exemptions) very hard.. 12501 OLD COLUMBIA PIKE, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904 USA. Please click here to learn how. As long as it's a sincerely held religious belief, it is personal and not denominational or organizational.. The students also oppose the schools rule that anyone unvaccinated must wear a mask and be regularly tested. magic. It certainly is the verse that has produced the most fruitless debate. I believe that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that I am called to honor God in how I care for my body, the form states. Web666 views, 15 likes, 1 loves, 3 comments, 15 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Indian Valley Assembly of God: But if you have some objective, reasonable basis for questioning the sincerity, then you can ask for additional information, she said. An ordained minister, Matthews calling is to equip Christians with the tools they need to be gracious, well-reasoned, and convincing witnesses for Christ. (v. 18). According to Revelation 18:2: She has become a home for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, and a haunt for every unclean and despicable beast. Because of that, Gods people are called to flee from Babylon, so that you will not share in her sins or receive any of her plagues (18:4). A study published in 2015 by researchers at the University of Georgia found exemption rates for childhood vaccinations had increased, largely because of people opting out for religious and philosophical reasons rather than medical issues, such as an allergic reaction. Is it an indictment on Big Pharma? A merchant, trader; one on a journey. Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, has an easier solution: Dont allow religious exemptions. Considering that Ellen White chose to be vaccinated both for herself and for the benefit of the community, it seems we have been given a good course to follow ourselves. When it comes to the beast, his mark, and the worship of the beasts image, the historical data seems to be pointing us in one direction: Its simply a reference to how the imperial cult impacted ones participation in the local economy. Being vaccinated will give glory to God by helping us and others to have a safer life. Introducing the All-NEW APP >> DOWNLOAD TODAY. 1 Cor. Scholars often associate the number of the beast with Nero Caesar. "There is no basis for a priest to issue a religious exemption to the vaccine," stated a July 30 memo to the archdiocese priests that was reported by Catholic News Service. Experts dismantle claims Covid vaccine Paul plainly states, Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 11). Revelation 18 The COVID virus is not a plague from the Book of Revelation. For example, trade guilds often had feasts that centered around the worship of idols. Soon enough, I learn that, in fact, I have slaughtered a sacred cow without even knowing it. So you dont need to fear getting the beasts mark by taking a vaccineunless, of course, you plan to treat the vaccine as a sort of symbolic expression or unholy sacrament (sorry for the oxymoron!) Will religious exemptions undercut COVID-19 vaccines mandates? As mandates for vaccines and masks become more common amid the widespread circulation of the highly transmissible delta variant, also increasing are efforts to use religion to sidestep the requirements. REVELATION 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. At this point, someone will doubtless say, Youre missing the whole point. I am one of the people that respect the tenets of religion, Fauci, , rather than merely a social philosophy or dietary preference, "There is no basis for a priest to issue a religious exemption to the vaccine," stated a July 30 memo to the archdiocese priests that was, , including the apocalyptic book, the Book of Revelation, A religious exemption for the religious exemption, Catholic Church does not oppose the vaccines, Expect 'a flood' of COVID-19 vaccine mandates after full FDA approval, according to legal scholar Dorit Rubinstein Reiss, study published in 2015 by researchers at the University of Georgia, Delta variant has college professors 'freaking out' about fall 2021 semester. Repost by Request: You-Gotta-Be Kidding-Me Mailbag: After all, Nero was infamous for murdering his own mother, as well as killing innocent Christians by turning them into tar-covered human candles to light up the night. To take all of these things into account allows a much-needed moratorium on all the pointless anxiety and fear-mongering. Is my purpose defined by what I do or who I am? Revelation 5:10). WebVerse 23. Biblical teaching can help to counter mis- and dis-information on health issues, even though it is not a medical textbook on health. Be sure to read Dr. Halsteds earlier article, Covid-19 and the Mark of the Beast. Indeed, the importance of vaccinations from the biblical-theological perspective can be demonstrated from multiple angles. The Greek word pharmakeia is the origin of the English words Pharmacy, Pharmacist & Pharmaceutical. Again, this would have been a particular problem for Christians in Asia Minor. Smith said her observance of her faith, Hebrew Roots, is known at work and she declined another vaccine. Prayerfully consider the following principles: 1. 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. You would like the policies to be driven strictly by public health considerations, but that's not the real world that we live in, said Bradford, who teaches in a university system where vaccines are not required and he cannot insist students in his classroom mask up. Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based group that defends religious freedom cases, said it fields thousands of requests for assistance to avoid vaccinations including many from federal employees. In the first half of chapter 13, were introduced to a beast from the sea. In the Bible there are no Mothers Against Drunk Driving groups, anti-smoking campaigns, instructions on gym classes or breathing fresh air, drinking 68 glasses of water every day, washing your hands before each meal, brushing your teeth, and so on. Big Pharma? Smith has organized protests of her hospitals mandate in solidarity with others who oppose it but might not qualify for an exemption. Bodies in good health and physical condition are a glory to the Creator. Revelation 13:17 (no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name, ESV) is one such text. https://pixabay.com/en/medicine-pills-blood-pressure-2994788/, RFK Jr. says he opposes allowing men to compete in women's sports, Kirk Cameron cries tears of 'gratitude and hope' at story hour event, Charles Stanley's grandson apologizes for auctioning off late pastor's items on eBay: 'My family was pretty upset', Courage is fear that has said its prayers, The End Times battle calls for Spirit-led living, 5 reasons why prayer must accompany evangelism, What people use WhatsApp, Telegram for in Iran, Afghanistan might surprise you, Myth 18: Divorce is the unpardonable sin and 'God hates divorce', Evangelical woman: New immigration bill will increase human trafficking risk, Revival Or We Die: A Great Awakening Is Our Only Hope, Twitter suspends 'genderfluid anti-Christ' user for image of pedophile pride flag, After Tucker Carlson exit, Glenn Beck claims Fox CEO Rupert Murdoch told him not to talk about God on-air. With these questions in mind, let me offer a few remarks about modern-day application. Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1923), 142. Yet, the moment you realize it isnotrelated to pharmaceuticals in the New Testament, then the whole connection disappears. Understanding Images and Symbols in the Book of 18:23 One can argue that it may be recommended or even required when health or life is to be preserved. Vaccine That's just a statement, a term that you can pull out of Scripture, Haddad said. 5. So, for example, in the case of Greek, the first letter alpha would be given the number one.