Written by: Jackie de Lange (JOY! Travel)
Article source: JOY! Magazine
From natural disasters to plagues and pandemics, 2020 will be remembered as one of the most terrible years for mankind. And at this early stage, 2021 does not look much better either – with the world effectively still on pause until a vaccine (which is being touted as the silver bullet for us to return to normal) is administered on a global scale. Though the mainstream media and politicians alike hail the benefits of mass vaccination against COVID-19, detractors (and Christians) look on with bated breath, reticent to swallow the advice of liberal organisations like the W.H.O. and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Conspiracy theories abound, and YouTube is flooded with videos from scientists and arm-chair experts contradicting each other on a daily basis. So what are we to do as believers? Seek wisdom from God, evaluate all we are told in light of scripture, and proceed with decisions prayerfully and patiently. God is not taken by surprise, and COVID is not mightier than the Blood of Jesus. We must remember this when the voices around us resonate louder and louder with undertones of fear, control, manipulation, and despair.
What will travel look like in 2021?
Unfortunately, the world of travel is subject to international agreements, government regulations, and political pressure. Rules are in flux, and regulations are constantly being updated. This has meant that we, as JOY! Travel, have had to adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach for most of 2020 and for this year too. Ordinarily we run 22 tours a year to Israel (1st and 2nd Timer tours), Turkey (7 Churches of Revelation), and Europe (Christian cruises and vacations).
An ordinary touring year would commence in March and run through to December, but for 2021 we are cautiously optimistic that tours can resume by July; only time will tell in the months to follow.
Is this vaccine the Mark of the Beast that we read of in Revelation?
A critical analysis of scripture and the timeline for the last days shows us that this is not (yet) the Mark of the Beast mentioned in Revelation 13:16-18: “[The beast] also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.”
Depending on their eschatology, some Christians believe we will be raptured before the Antichrist and Mark of the Beast takes place, others believe we will be here to endure part (or all) of the Tribulation. This is a contentious topic and we urge Christians to undertake a Word-based Bible Study on the matter, so that you will not be confused or fearful.
Will I need a vaccine to visit Israel and/or other nations?
At this stage, most governments are quiet about their border control plans, though countries like Australia have been vocal about their pro-vaccination stance. The Israeli Tourism Department recently stated that they do not think the country will impose a vaccine for entry, however without a vaccine individuals will be limited in where they go and what they can do in Israel (which means, in essence, we expect that tourists will need to show proof of a vaccine).
Again, it is a ‘wait and see’ situation, because even if Israel does mandate proof of a vaccine for incoming tourists, we expect that there will be resistance from the Christian and American markets, which may cause them to reconsider. Also, it will take a very long time for the vaccine to reach every person in every country, which may mean that tourism officials will need to be flexible in their compliance requirements as it could be another year before vaccine adoption reaches 75% market saturation (this is the threshold that experts say is needed to “eradicate” or “suppress” COVID to acceptable levels).
World leaders are pro-vaccination and will push this at every turn, so in all likelihood as they fast-track the rollout, we may see rules change quickly as far as tourism is concerned.
Will I need a vaccine if I have had COVID-19?
Studies are still needed to show how long antibodies (immunity) to the virus remains present in humans. However, if one has to speculate, common sense would dictate that if you have COVID antibodies in your system, you would be exempt from taking the vaccine and would only need to produce a negative PCR COVID test to travel. Many people have had COVID unknowingly as they were asymptomatic, so we encourage all our travellers to take an antibody test either at a laboratory or at Clicks (costs R199). Knowing if you have immunity will be worthwhile in future decision-making.
There are religious bodies in America fighting the case for faith-exemptions to be allowed to those who do not wish to be vaccinated. Whether these legal battles will be won remains to be seen, but in the interim the possibility must be considered that should you not take a vaccine, you will not be allowed to travel internationally indefinitely. This consideration would also apply to enrolment at schools and attending large events (like concerts etc).
The Word tells us in the last days there will be difficulties of many kinds. But in all this, we have hope in Christ who is our Saviour, our Lord, and our Redeemer. In a world full of political ambition, nefarious agendas, and wicked plans, we are to move forward in faith, continue to make plans for the future, and embrace this scripture: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” – Philippians 4:6. The world may change, COVID regulations may change, but God does not change.
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Date published: 13/02/2021
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