Mark of the beast?

It had been over a year that we are in a battle with the Covid-19. We only have two weapons at our disposal against this unseen enemy.
First is to observe the basic protocols of wearing a facemask, constant hand washing, and social distancing.
Second is to have ourselves vaccinated. We need to vaccinate a certain percentage of our population so that we can obtain “herd” immunity. Thus, it becomes incumbent upon us to be inoculated. However, this is not the case.
Even as we know the danger that the Covid-19 brings, a significant number of our people adamantly refuse to have themselves vaccina-ted. They may be categorized into three. Those who refuse because of health issues. This is excusable. Those who refuse because of ignorance. This is unpardonable. Those who refuse because of religious convictions. This is prejudiced.
Those who do not want to be inoculated due to religion insist that the anti-viral vaccine is the mark of the beast. They cite Chapter 13, Verses 16, 17, and 18 of the Book of Revelation to substantiate their refusal, to wit: “And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive the mark on their right hand or on their forehead. And no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”
More than the constitutional issue involved regarding compulsory injection, it leaves me pondering whether it is true that the anti-Covid-19 vaccine is the dreaded mark of the beast. Those who say “yes” allege that the reason is apparent. Because the government is inclined to make it mandatory for everyone to be vaccinated first before they are allowed to transact commercially, it is the fulfillment of what Revelation warns. Really?
I do not profess any capability to interpret prophecies nor do I claim to have the enlightenment to speak about religious convictions. I leave that to the priests, pastors, and preachers. However, there are obvious clues given in the above-cited verses that tend to disprove the “mark of the beast” theory. For one, the prophecy specifically instructs us to have “understanding” before making rash conclusions. And, based on my understanding, there are uncomplicated words incorporated therein which make it unlikely that the anti-Covid-19 vaccine is the mark of the beast.
The mark of the beast is supposed to be made on the forehead or the right hand. The administration of the jab on the right or left forearm does not conform to this. Neither is the vaccine a mark. A mark is something visible and something that is more or less permanent. The vaccine does not have this characteristic. It is a fluid that is integrated inside the body. Its visibility is dissolved a few seconds after its administration without leaving a mark.
On a deeper analysis, the Bible reveals that the mark of the beast is to be administered by someone who “performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on Earth in the sight of them.” This is the event that would precede the “markings of men.” None of this is happening. I have not seen a man or a beast who has performed a great sign, much more make fire come down from heaven.
True, there are self-proclaimed messiahs, prophets, sages and seers, but, even they had themselves inoculated so that they can continue their ministry. Shouldn’t we do the same?
According to religious experts who blogged their interpretation of the Revelation on the Internet, the so-called “beast” and “anti-Christ” named in the Bible shall be real individuals. Both shall be human beings with extraordinary powers. Their initial agenda is to create world peace so that they can deceive people to obtain the mark of the beast. It connotes voluntariness. There is no “beast” or “anti-Christ” among our midst. What we have is a pandemic that is wreaking havoc in our lives.
The prevailing situation calling for the mandatory vaccination of all individuals is anti-thesis to the words revealed in the Bible regarding the mark of the beast. For how can the beast obtain the confidence of the people when they are dying? How can we adore a “beast” that has neither the power nor the means to eliminate suffering?
Finally, the mark of the beast will only be affixed during the end times. Yes, we do not know when the “end times” will be, but, all signs indicate that it is not now or in the near future.