While the coronavirus has ravaged much of the planet, causing widespread death and disease and crippling economic shutdowns, some have asked the question, “Is the virus a plague of the Tribulation?” Some have even tried to tie it to the 3rd and 4th horseman of the apocalypse.  While the pandemic certainly has had horrific effects, it is not unique to this generation.

 The world has survived numerous plagues including the Plague of Justinian of 541-542 (killing 30-50 million people); the Black Death of 1347-1351 (killing as many as 200 million people); the New World smallpox outbreak of 1520 (killing 56 million); the Third Plague of 1885 through the 1950s (killing 12-15 million); the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1920 (killing 40-50 million); and the emergence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the late 1970s (killing 25-35 million).  

 While it is common to reference plagues as proof of prophetic fulfillment in present times, the truth is, pandemics have been occurring throughout the course of human history. None can deny the devastation of the plagues and pandemics throughout history; however, they pale in comparison to those of the Tribulation period. No plague throughout history has any comparison to the type of magnitude of devastation that will occur in the future. The Tribulation plagues will be somewhat similar to the plagues that God rained down on Egypt during the Exodus event, but with a much stronger impact and a global emphasis instead of a limited national focus.

 Nevertheless, some might wonder if the Mark of the Beast will arise from a coronavirus vaccine. Several reasons can be given as to why a coronavirus vaccine is not the Mark of the Beast. First, the Antichrist is not on the scene. The Mark of the Beast is a demonstration of allegiance to the Antichrist. However, the Antichrist will not be revealed until after the Rapture of the church (2 Thess. 2). Thus, the vaccine cannot be a mark of allegiance to a figure who has yet to be revealed and church age believers do not have to worry about taking the Mark of the Beast. 

 Second, receiving the Mark of the Beast during the Tribulation period will be the deliberate rejection of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and cannot be received accidentally (Rev. 13:12). It is a seal that ultimately aligns the person with the worship of the Antichrist and Satan himself. God would not allow someone to align themselves with Satan in some type of accidentally occurrence. Instead, receiving the Mark of the Beast will be clearly seen as aligning one’s self with satanic forces. Receiving the coronavirus vaccine is not choosing to identify with or worship the beast, but is intended to save lives. Finally, many people, especially in the Western World, have already received other vaccines in their lifetime. For example, the smallpox vaccine, the polio vaccine, the chickenpox vaccine or even the common flu shot are commonly distributed. In a study published by AIMS Public Health, researchers estimate that more than 450,000 lives have been saved by virus vaccines, and 200 million people have been prevented from contracting possibly deadly diseases.  

 The coronavirus, while significant in our time, is but a glimpse of the type of world devastation that will occur in the Tribulation period. While we as Christians can take comfort in knowing that we will not have to endure this type of devastation, it should also motivate us to witness to others so that they too can avoid this time of Tribulation if Christ chooses to return soon.

 PRAY: Now is the time for salvation! Pray for the Gospel to be spread far and wide and for unbelievers to have ears to hear and receive God’s saving grace.