The COVID vaccine is not the mark of the beast; Winger would take it, and dismisses mark-of-the-beast vaccine claims as theological irrationality.

Winger separates his personal opinion from his pastoral role. Personally: if asked to join a vaccine trial he would say yes; if a mass-produced vaccine appears effective he would take it to benefit others. He has zero fear it is the mark of the beast. He traces the history of false mark-of-the-beast fears: barcodes (the 666 barcode conspiracy in the 1980s), cash, credit cards. He insists the biblical mark of the beast involves knowingly worshiping the Beast and his image — it cannot be accidentally received by a sincere Christian. Even if the vaccine were harmful, it would still not be the mark of the beast.