Born Again Christian Rapture Movie Barcode Tattoo
Watching the news a few days agone, I saw photos and videos of those protesting the COVID-nineteen quarantine on full display. I'k growing weary of how certain biblical texts are attached to certain political movements and demonstrations—texts that are, quite frankly, misused and misunderstood. Sadly, Christianity ends upward getting misrepresented in the process.
At the prodding of my wife (who thinks I should be a flake more than vocal about these sorts of things), allow me offer a few thoughts that might be helpful to go on in heed when you come across pictures like this float around the news and social media.
See also Dr. Halsted'south follow-upward article, The Covid Vaccine has 666 Written All Over It…and Why that Doesn't Matter According to Revelation.
The Mark of the Beast
I know of no reputable biblical scholar or theologian who would endorse that the COVID-19 quarantine or a vaccine is related to the "marking of the beast". For starters, in Revelation, the "mark of the creature" is by no means a medical procedure. About likely, it's not even a physical or visible mark at all. Contrary to some of the more fear-inducing theories that have in the past gained steam in some evangelical circles, the "mark" is non at all something that could be accidentally taken either.
Why? Considering the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:16-xviii) is a marker that is closely tied to the worship of the beast (13:12, xv; cf. 19:20; 20:iv). Thus, the mark of the beast is a mark of loyalty and devotion to the fauna.
Moreover, when yous compare those passages where the marking of the beast is discussed with passages like Rev. 7 and 14, information technology is plausible to think that the mark of the animal is about likely a sign that identifies you lot as something you already are—namely wicked and evil, a person of the dragon. I say this because when you lot read Rev. vii:1-eight and 14:one (where the mark of the Lamb is discussed), you'll discover it is a mark given to God's people, God's servants, in order to identify them as such and, of class, to protect them. They get the mark of the Lamb because they are already united with the Lamb.
It seems pretty axiomatic that all of this is the case because these two marks—the mark of the beast and the marking of the Lamb—are meant to be seen as 2 polar realities, two contrary signs, marker out every bit information technology were two dissimilar types of people, namely, the wicked on the one paw and the righteous on the other.
What all this means is that the "marker of the fauna" is well-nigh probable a spiritual, non-visible mark; information technology'south a mark of loyalty and worship and is not, therefore, something you could accidentally accept.
So you don't demand to fear getting the beast'southward marking by taking a vaccine—unless, of grade, you plan to treat the vaccine every bit a sort of symbolic expression or "unholy sacrament" (sad for the oxymoron!) of your wilful and public rejection of the Christian faith that you despise. If that'due south y'all and if that's your plan, then it's not the vaccine that's the problem.
About that Beast….
Whatsoever interpretation of Revelation that results in "the creature" condign the central focus (and dreaded fright) of your eschatology almost definitely suggests that you've completely misunderstood the book entirely. The Neronic phantom would love the attention you're giving him, but quite frankly, he doesn't deserve information technology.
Proof that nosotros give too much attention to him is perhaps clear when nosotros make the following ascertainment: well-nigh Christians are just familiar with those texts that talk about the "mark of the beast" (due east.g., Rev thirteen:16-xviii) and not most those texts that talk about the "mark of the Lamb" (e.k., Rev. 14:ane).
That's interesting to me. I mean, information technology's all understandable, I suppose. In popular culture, after all, the "mark of the fauna" has received way more attending, becoming quite the obsession for many. (Beasts are loud and attention-grabbing; lambs could go more unnoticed and ignored.) I think, though, that it might be ameliorate to become one's theology from places other than pop culture's sensationalized films and best-selling fictional books. A mere suggestion.
Speaking of sensationalism, information technology is interesting how things bike in and out the mode they do. Even in our own lifetimes, for example, the "mark" was outset attached to social security numbers, then to credit cards. Now, apparently, certain interpretations of the COVID-xix quarantine are making their ain contributions to evangelical lore.
Much of this sensationalism not just reveals ignorance about the biblical text, non to the lowest degree with respect to its historical context, but as a pastor I should likewise add that what specially angers me is how such ignorance serves to spread needless fearfulness amongst God'due south people—a skillful reminder that theology has consequences.
Whose Revelation Is It?
Popular interpretations of "Revelation" are often forgetful (negligent?) of the fact that this book is "The revelation of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 1:1). Many people (not least on social media) care for information technology as if it were the revelation of the dragon and his wrath. The sillier teachers of eschatology focus and then much of their attending on endless speculations concerning the Antichrist, the "mark of the creature," etc., that I truly wonder if they call up Revelation is primarily about revealing the satanic.
2 things to say almost this: (1) Such assumptions virtually Revelation care for Satan as the star of end-times speculations, convenance, once again, unnecessary fright in practiced folks. And (2), such views are simply incorrect: Neither the dragon nor the animal are the stars of the show; thus, they shouldn't be the focus of our obsessions.
To the opposite, the point of Revelation is to reveal and uncover the victory of the Lamb and the victory the Lamb shares with his people. Jesus is the focus. This, quite frankly, is rather old news. In fact, it'south 2,000-year-old news. It'due south basic theology. And nonetheless, it's ignored.
I suspect, though, that much of the misguided eschatological hype has very niggling to practise with theology per se and much more to do with sure political ambitions that could be obtained past weaponizing cardinal biblical texts (e.thou., Rev thirteen) for their ain ends—a sort of neronic/beastly thing to do, really. Such is the politics of our fourth dimension, though.
Let'due south Play the Game
Let's pretend that the beast and his marking were, in fact, associated with the COVID-19 quarantine or with some related vaccine, as this sign insinuates. (PSA: it'south not, but just pretend with me for a minute.) Nonetheless, if it were the case, it makes very fiddling biblical sense to fight against the beast with things like the American flag and the 2nd Amendment (you lot may exist interested to know that I saw one protester with a gun; what's the point in protesting with a gun?).
At whatever rate, protesting "the brute" and his "mark" with threats of this world's weapons is to fight the enemy with ways of the enemy. Only you can't advance God'due south agenda with violence or with threats of violence. If you live by the sword, well, you know…
In many ways, then, when a person tries to advance the Kingdom of God by means of violence, ironically, they prove themselves to have more in common with the beast and the dragon than with the Lamb. We are taught that, to the contrary, as Christians we overcome the enemy "past the claret of the Lamb and by the word of [our] testimony" (Rev. 12:11).
In other words, we overcome by the ways of Christ, non by the means of Caesar. So, if and/or when y'all see airheaded signs like these, don't let them induce fear or panic in your heart or mind. I'd honestly not requite them any more credence than a quick roll of the heart.
The Theologian's Burden
If y'all are a Christian biblical scholar or theologian, now is the fourth dimension to help others navigate the slew of information out there. Perchance you could seek ways to provide biblically-based guidance and theologically-coherent direction to those who are either uninformed or misinformed when it comes to eschatology—not least equally information technology is existence understood in low-cal of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are a pastor or local church leader, I encourage you to take reward of reputable resources on eschatology to pass onto your congregation. There are highly-respectable scholars writing on the subject—scholars who are committed to conscientious research, meticulous reflection, and timely awarding. Digging into these resources will exist time well-spent.
Dr. Halsted has published a follow-up article, The Covid Vaccine has 666 Written All Over Information technology…and Why that Doesn't Matter Co-ordinate to Revelation.
Looking for resource to assist translate the book of Revelation? Start with a few of these great offerings from Logos:
Mobile Ed: AR271 The Vii Cities of Revelation – form taught by David deSilva, a noted proficient in NT backgrounds
Revelation: A Video Study – taught by world-renowned scholar Craig Keener
Revelation: 4 Views, past Steve Gregg
Revelation, International Theological Commentary, by Peter Leithart
thomasforeadfat67.blogspot.com
Source: https://academic.logos.com/covid-19-and-the-mark-of-the-beast/
Belum ada Komentar untuk "Born Again Christian Rapture Movie Barcode Tattoo"
Posting Komentar