Franklin Graham has shared his thoughts on the Covid-19 vaccine passports on a microchip that are becoming increasingly popular around the world. 

Earlier this month, Swedish start-up Dsruptive Subdermals announced they had created a microchip that can be implanted into the skin and that when scanned, can display the coronavirus Covid passport. 

Reacting to the news, the US evangelist took to Facebook to say he personally does not think "this particular chip" is the mark the Bible talks about but "it does make you think how close we may be".

Although Graham is not opposed to vaccinations and has previously said that "Jesus would promote vaccine take -up", he does think that "political leaders are using the pandemic as an excuse to exert more and more control". 

He added that he believes many world leaders are still using Covid as "an excuse to lock down their countries and it has a huge economic and social impact."

But Graham encouraged Christians and said that "we should not live in fear. God told us what was coming in His Word". 

"Christians around the world are wondering if Covid-19 is being used as a way to condition the world population to accept a mark like this, whatever form it may take. If a scannable chip under the skin can contain vaccine information, adding other personal information and financial data could be a short step away. 

"This may sound frightening; but people who have put their faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, don't need to be afraid. "

He concluded: " Make sure that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life by repenting of your sins and putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ". 

It is understood more than 6,000 people in Sweden have so far inserted the chip in their hands.