Nero was one such emperor; Domitian was another.8 Suetonius, the well-known ancient historian, says Domitian demanded to be addressed as both Lord and God (Suetonius, Dom. Either way, if you were a Christian, you very well might have been plagued with angst, fear, and uncertainty. Is it an indictment on Big Pharma? In fact, this was also true of the other four cities to which John directed his letter.7. You can discuss this post and others in the Faithlife Today group. Still, for those who are genuinely confused (and sadly, there appear to be many), lets take another minute to set the record straight. It is perhaps understandable, then, why other ancient texts came to refer to Nero and Domitian as a beast. This is documented in places like Plinys Panegyricus, the Sybilline Oracles, and Vita Apollonii.9 Id say the shoe fits. 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. But what do I mean by imperial cult? magic. Business student Seth Crowder doesn't like how far up into the nasal cavity testing swabs go. 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. 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!) 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. What other word would they use to try to communicate future scenarios, than the words they had at the present time? He notes how the mark of the beast in Rev. God created humans in His image (Gen. 1:27) as intelligent beings, to use their minds to reason and acquire knowledge and discern what is right, good, and profitable. It bids us to gaze upon the slain Lambto worship him with loyalty, devotion, and commitment. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain (Ps. It kind of makes sense when the scripture says that the lamp went out and all nations were deceived because of a pharmaceutical and they could no longer hear the voice of the bride and the bridegroom. Such permission slips are not welcomed at the hundreds of hospitals and health facilities of the Catholic Health Association, the largest group of nonprofit health care providers in the nation. 14). View more Revelation 18:23 meaning, interpretation, and commentary "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." The reality is that no one would be equating Revelation 18, which speaks of the destruction of Babylon the Great, with Big Pharma if not for the wordpharmakia. It is a gross misuse of Scripture to claim that taking a vaccination against COVID-19 is receiving the book of Revelations mark of the beast, and that it will change your DNA. 18 Here is wisdom. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in you; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in you: for your merchants were the great men of the earth; for by your sorceries were all nations deceived. Did you know that they also believe that they can use their gene therapy technology to turn off that gene? Craig Keener offers helpful thoughts on this point. Other evidence includes tutorials given by anti-vaccine advocates that help people find ways to mask their general concerns with religious pronouncements, she said. 34. How is it that people who cannot read a word of Greek know better? It kind of makes sense when the scripture says that the lamp went out and all nations were deceived because of a pharmaceutical and they could no longer hearthe voice of the bride and the bride groom. All rights reserved. His research interests include philosophical hermeneutics, Pauls writings, and apocalyptic literature. 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.. Keep in mind that most scholars believe Revelation was written during the reign of one of these two tyrants. Ellen G. White, Selected Messages (Washington, D.C.: Review & Herald, 1958), 2:346. 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. Several examples come to mind from the biblical material. Revelation 18:23 New Century Version (NCV) Ezekiel 27:24,25,33,34 These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise, Revelation 18:3,9 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 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. Such misinformation is connected to confusion about the mRNA basis of vaccinations against the coronavirus and SARS. We have found nothing biblical that would stop people from being vaccinated. Before the pandemic, health concerns about vaccines often centered on the discredited idea that vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella cause autism. The saints rejoice for the judgments of God upon her. A bridegroom. But without all the background information, people are being tossed to and fro by endless speculations and fears. To quote somepostsdirectly, 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. The Greek word for sorcery is pharmakia (strongs G5331). 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. Applying this thinking to vaccination, we can see that this product, a result of capacities God has given to humans to think and be creative, is a life-saving product. 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. Hey, the text says you must flee from Big Pharma and not share in her sins! 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. Hannah Colby grew up avoiding vaccines and decided against getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Diligent study is also necessary. Its time to give it up, whether you are pro-vax or anti-vax or whatever. An exception was Christian Scientists, who believe in the healing power of prayer rather than modern medicine. Experts worry religious exemptions could undercut mandates, similar to how theyve contributed to outbreaks in preventable childhood diseases, even though most major religions dont object to vaccines. Modern folks are used to this. We need divine wisdom to know how to be best informed and make mature decisions. 7. Trying to base prophecy off of what a word originally meant is foolish. He found plenty of examples of religions calling on people to stay healthy to prevent infection. 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. 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. This practice, known as gematria, took a letter of the alphabet and assigned it an equivalent number. We are rational beings, and our Creator gives us the ability to think and know what works best for our health. WebBabylon Deceives All Nations by her sorcery / pharmakeia. Revelation 18:23 and all nations were deceived by your sorcery. Vaccination has nothing to do with the mark of the beast or with false Babylonian teaching. For example, trade guilds often had feasts that centered around the worship of idols. Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, has an easier solution: Dont allow religious exemptions. 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. The problem is, she said, that makes policing (religious exemptions) very hard.. 4. With these questions in mind, let me offer a few remarks about modern-day application. - 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; of a lamp (cf. So, for example, in the case of Greek, the first letter alpha would be given the number one. Prayers for knowledge are not enough to bring success. Rightly understood, science and the written word agree, and each sheds light on the other. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence,3 and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, jwhose mortal wound was healed. Is it an indictment on Big Pharma? The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more at all in you; for your merchants were the princes of the earth; for with your sorcery all the nations were deceived.- World English Bibleand the liyt of lanterne schal no more schyne to thee, and the vois of the hosebonde and of the wijf schal no more yit be herd in thee; for thi marchauntis weren princis of the erthe. Every one of the major religions has a major emphasis on preserving life, whether that's Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc. he said. 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 by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. Together they lead us to God by teaching us something of the wise and beneficent laws through which He works.. 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. The general rule is plain: what is in harmony with biblical health principles and does not contradict them is permissible. The same sound rule must be applied to vaccinations: what is not prohibited is acceptable when it is in harmony with Gods revealed health principles. Thats why the related wordpharmakos, found in Revelation 21:8 describing people who will be cast into the lake of fire, is translated sorcerer, not pharmacist. Obviously! The COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. were found to be safe and effective in clinical trials and real-world conditions. Our Lord wants us to take care of our bodies and live responsible lives because we are accountable to Him. 7. He has a passion for teaching students how to read the Bible faithfully and with careful reflection. (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 The mark of the beast is about the distortion of Gods character of love by accepting the non-biblical teachings of Sunday sacredness and the immortality of the soul, including eternal torture in hell. Is it a computer chip? Again, this would have been a particular problem for Christians in Asia Minor. In the same way, it would be presumptuous and arrogant on our part to ask God to give us good health while we neglect health principles, and remain unwilling to study and apply the results of modern medicine that He has enabled us to discover for helping suffering humanity. The Greek word 'Pharamakia' does not refer to big pharma, Studies show taking excessive amounts of selenium could actually increase risk of high-grade prostate cancer in men. I think you are completely wrong about revelations [sic] 18:23-24 and your antiquated look and view of the Bible is blinding you. It is immoral. Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language. We should employ every facility for the restoration of health, taking every advantage possible, working in harmony with natural laws. 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. At this point, someone will doubtless say, Youre missing the whole point. But some will. Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. The courts were right to keep government out of the practice of judging peoples souls, said Reiss, a professor at the University of California Hastings College of Law. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. Its called vaccine hesitancy, she said. Looking back through history, over 1,700 years ago, when the Aramaic-speaking Christians translatedpharamakiain 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.. It's OK to get Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine if it's the only one available, These questions (and answers) could help you make a decision, That's understandable but unproductive, health experts say, Enforce mask mandate, get your salaries withheld, Get vaccinated to stop risk of a deadlier COVID-19 variant, Federal court allows Biden's new COVID-19 eviction moratorium to remain. We need to work diligently under Gods guidance and blessing: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Big Pharma? Its huge, Liberty Counsel chairman Mathew Staver said. 3. 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.. On Sept. 20, Pfizer BioNTech released data that its vaccine was safe for children ages 5 to 11. I know it seems far-fetched, but all the research data is there and available on their website.. 7:15; 28:60; Ps. She said public health experts have a legitimate concern that people will claim religious views they dont have to get out of being vaccinated, but she doesnt see that as reason for tougher scrutiny. 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. Why? Its one thing to dispute the meaning of a verse in the Bible. If the gene is shut off, there you go. It's more contagious for children. The vaccinated are angry: That's understandable but unproductive, health experts say. 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? Thats the kind of personal religious objection voiced by most of the people who reach out to Liberty Counsel for help. What if I get tricked into taking it? One clue is that when people are surveyed about why they do not vaccinate, they typically raise safety concerns rather than religious views. Prayers for healing and vitality do not annul the use of different remedies, surgeries, medicines, or vaccinations. Employees self-certify that a deeply held religious belief prevents them from receiving a vaccine. 19:18; Ezek. Or, as expressed by Scott, 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. Hey, the text says you must flee from Big Pharma and not share in her sins! The VA doesnt have figures for how many workers have claimed an exemption because the deadline to request one hasnt passed, according to a spokesperson. You don't want to go on a fishing expedition.. We are not to expect that God will work for us when we overlook basic principles of life and are negligent, biased, or lazy about implementing them. Reiss said theres no hard data to show how many people falsely claim religious beliefs to avoid vaccinations. I reckon that most people in my evangelical tradition havent either. 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. Employers are used to dealing with accommodation requests for disabilities and handling that documentation. Reiss expects to see many more requests for religious exemptions for COVID-19 mandates than have been granted for past vaccines. 7. Does this mean that, if you are a Christian, you must stop using any and all medications, no matter how beneficial they may be? A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Does this mean that, if you are a Christian, you must stop using any and all medications, no matter how beneficial they may be? 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 ). Plural from megistos; grandees. From a primary but obsolete verb nupto; a young married woman, including a betrothed girl; by implication, a son's wife. 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. That includes the KJV (sorceries), the NASB (witchcraft), the ESV (sorcery), the NIV (magic spell), and others. 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. 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. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. Taking the vaccine involves registering oneself and being given a number. Its a mark of loyalty and worship, which requires full cognitive and heart-felt awareness of what you are doing (otherwise its not worship). But a Samaritan while traveling came near him [a beaten man]; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. To avoid being sick is a biblical mandate (John 10:10; 1 Cor 6:20; 3 John 2). That list would include the command, Be vaccinated or Dont be vaccinated, so we need godly thinking to guide us as to whether to be vaccinated or not. From numphe; a bride-groom. Joseph DiVincenzo at Turtle Back Zoo, Flying Above Tornado-Damaged Virginia Beach, UK's diverse communities ambivalent about king's coronation. WebAlmost every disaster that has ever struck the world is seen as being a sign of the end times. Sadly, no. To understand a letter between two people (or groups of people), you really need to know a thing or two about what necessitated the sending of the letter in the first place. 5. In my country, images of former national leaders are on our money. 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. Isaiah 23:8 Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth? 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. How many people have been vaccinated in the US? It is not a denial of faith to use such remedies as God has provided to alleviate pain and to aid nature in her work of restoration. God has put it in our power to obtain a knowledge of the laws of life. 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. Was the New Testament Written in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek? Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still. 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. Lets make Christ our focus, not endless speculations that, at the end of the day, have very little to do with the message of Revelation. Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Big Pharma who is killing Christians today in Nigeria and N. Korea and Sudan? All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Prophecy: Revelation 18:23 The light of a lamp will shine (Rev. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular. It was Big Pharma who killed Christians in Neros day? And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee: and the voice of the bridegrome and of the bride shalbe heard no more at all in thee: for thy Merchants were the great men of the earth: for by thy sorceries were all nations deceiued.- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scanand the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.- New American Standard Version (1995)and the light of a lamp 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 princes of the earth; for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived.- American Standard Version (1901)And never again will the shining of lights be seen in you; and the voice of the newly-married man and the bride will never again be sounding in you: for your traders were the lords of the earth, and by your evil powers were all the nations turned out of the right way.- Basic English Bibleand light of lamp shall shine no more at all in thee, and voice of bridegroom and bride shall be heard no more at all in thee; for thy merchants were the great ones of the earth; for by thy sorcery have all the nations been deceived.- Darby BibleAnd the light of a candle shall shine no more in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. In the same way, the Spirit would not tell you that a Greek word means something very different than what it actually means. Multiple states have some form of prohibition on vaccination requirements and mask mandates. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. I am, exist. First, the historical data does not permit us to think the mark of the beast is something you can accidentally take. The, the definite article. He will also protect His people during the seven last plagues as He protected Israel from the Egyptian plagues (see Rev. Ellen G. White, Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1913), 426. 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! But Rome was slightly different. They must apply if a persons beliefs are sincerely held.. WebThe revelation then states that one like unto the Son of man (another image of the Lord) will harvest earth, that is, the grain fieldsa symbolic representation of the gathering of the righteous (compare D&C 86:16). 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. Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular. What, then, can we conclude about that buy/sell passage? 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. Magic, sorcery, enchantment. Various conspiracy theories terribly misapply biblical texts to create fear and dependency on false teachers. Biblical prophets do not speak against vaccinations. Years ago, I remember hearing how some had taken President Reagan to be the end times beast. The reasoning went like this. 38:21). God promised to heal him, yet the very prophet who brought the good news directed that the bandage of figs be applied to his wound. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. That's just a statement, a term that you can pull out of Scripture, Haddad said. If there was any connection to drugs, it would only be in the sense of producing drug-induced magical spells, not in the sense of pharmaceutical use. Big Pharma? Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular.
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