Christian artist Danny Gokey has expressed his thoughts on vaccine mandates, noting his concerns about its potential relationship to the Mark of the Beast.

Gokey, who appeared during the eighth season of American Idol and now sings as a country star, has made a notable career. In a Twitter thread posted in late August, Gokey expressed a mix of thoughts on the vaccine. Gokey says that while he does not identify as anti-vaccine, he is "anti-mandate". Gokey argued that medical officials and government leaders are using "mass coercion and manipulation" methods to "vilify and divide the vaccinated from the unvaccinated".

Gokey claims that "I know many people who don't want it now saying they're going to get it so they won't lose their job" - a method he describes as coercion. For Gokey, the eventual installation of a mandate will lead to what he describes as an "even greater, more diabolical plan." 

"I don't want to have to stop doing concerts because popular opinion grips our society and convinces people that they are only safe if we all get the vaccine and deem me a super spreader by doing a show," Gokey argued. The singer goes as far as to say that the vaccines are ineffective due to it being "specifically designed in that way," referring to notions that COVID-19 was an artificial virus. The 41-year-old singer also questions the efficacy of the vaccine. While the vaccines have had a limited effect, recent research affirms that the COVID-19 vaccines offer solid protection against hospitalization and severe illness due to the effects of the Delta variant.

Gokey then goes on to speak of how restrictive such a mandate would be. "When I was younger, I always wondered how when Bible mentions in [the book of Revelation] that in the last days, people will not be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast. But now I see that it will be accomplished through a crisis that will make people think they are unsafe unless they get it. And many will think that those who don't have the mark are very dangerous to society. Sound familiar?" 

Gokey goes on to claim that the vaccine mandates will be the "birthing point of the Mark of the Beast" and that "people are threatening my livelihood saying they won't buy my music and won't stream it. Some want to cancel me for asking questions and are even calling out my Christianity because I post these questions." 

Vaccine mandates have been fairly controversial on a local and federal level. President Biden himself expressed support for private employers to invoke such mandates. Several states and counties have passed their own mandates, while others have attempted to resist such efforts. 

Gokey has been a consistently vocal advocate for Republican politics. In 2012, he was invited to sing at the Republican National Convention alongside other American Idol singers.