SHOULD BELIEVERS FEAR 666?

The fear of the anti-Christ and the coming to life of triple six (666) as mentioned in the book of Revelation has been on the rise over the years. There are those who seem to see satanic agenda and manifestation in every corner they turn to. Not to say Satan is not at work in opposing the things of God, he definitely has been and still is fighting the mission of God. Like Apostle Peter puts it, we ought to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He then helps us know how to overcome the trickery of the enemy. In his word of wisdom, it is only by standing, knowing and being in the Word that we have the victory we need in Christ. He said, “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:9).

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The trickery of the enemy is far from over. As mentioned above, there are individuals who have become so scared of the number 666 that they will rather not stand in a queue if it means they are the six hundred sixty sixth person in line; they will rather spend additional coins if what they are purchasing comes up to a total of six hundred sixty six cents. There are individuals I know about who have had to transfer their children from one school to another because their child was 666th place in the school register. There are dozens of Ugandans who also refused to either take photos for national identity card or receive them when it came out because of a false information that the national identity card was one way the government was signing people up for the mark of the beast, 666.

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In the last month or so there has been an increase of false information across the media platform about the new Covid-19. Some of those claims are that the current pandemic is a sign of the end time and the ushering in of the anti-Christ. Quite a number of people think the Covid-19 vaccine that is soon hitting the market is what will be used to give people the mark of the anti-Christ, the famous triple six (666).

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Eric Lockhart, a personal friend, co-worker in the Gospel ministry and our guest author today gives some real, practical, and clear words of encouragement from scripture about these things. May God use these words to encourage your hearts and steer you in the right path, the path of righteousness.

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Eric Lockhart writes, “I'm not a doctor nor a scientist, so I won't pretend to know the pros and cons of this virus or to give advice on what you should do.

But, like everyone else, I am a theologian - and I try to be a good theologian. I read and study my Bible, and have spent some years teaching it. Therefore, let me try to offer a little bit of encouragement to my fellow Christians who are fearing that this vaccine is somehow the "mark of the beast": you are not going to be duped into losing your salvation.

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The first time we learn about this mark is in Reveleation 13. When you read Revelation 13, you will find the word "worship" used a few times. People are worshipping the dragon and worshipping the beast (vs 4, 8, 12 and 15) and then the mark of the beast is mentioned in verse 18. The mark is also mentioned in verses 9 and 11 of chapter 14, and, once again, it is associated with those who worship the beast and its image. Once more we read in Revelation 16:2 that those who bore the mark worshipped its image, and the same is found in Revelation 19:20, when the beast, the false prophet, and those who received the mark, and worshipped its image, are thrown into the lake of fire. The mark is associated with worship. Those who worship the beast have the mark. That's also made clear by contrast. In Revelation 15:2 and Revelation 20:4, the ones who did not receive the mark are seen to be worshipping God. And back in Revelation 13:8, it is mentioned that the ones who worship it are the ones who name has not been written in the Lamb's book of life. Let me reiterate, Scripturally speaking, the mark of the beast is associated with those who are worshipping the beast; those who have made a decision to worship him and not God. It's not about trickery. It's about worship.

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Dear Christian, do not fear! If you have confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). And the God who saved you by His grace (Ephesians 2:1-10), will keep you by His grace (John 10:27-30). You can have peace that you are not going to be lost, you are going to be with him and he will return to get you (John 14:27). Your salvation is secured by trusting in Jesus' death, burial and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin, and no one and nothing can take that away....not even a vaccine.

Please keep that in my mind. Find comfort and peace in that! And remember, you're not going to be fooled into taking a mark or losing your salvation.

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Professor Eric Lockart is the Deputy Principal of Academic Affairs and Director of Preaching at Uganda Baptist Seminary. He is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Professor Eric teaches Hermeneutics, Preaching, and Theology.