Stay Alert! Consequences of Accepting the Beast System! PART TWO

In Part One of our conversation on the incremental introduction of the Beast System in the End Times, I pointed out that the wheels have already been set in motion for our easy acceptance of a Beast System that is, at its core, deceptive and serves the Enemy's agenda. I believe it could be hidden in the convenience and ease with which Technology has invaded our lives. It's becoming increasingly difficult to avoid technology. For instance, in some of the major cities, restaurants and retailers no longer accept cash for purchases; they demand credit or debit cards. And try to get access to your doctors or customer service by phone -- how many of you get frustrated and just hang up?

Then there is the gap that technology is creating between parents and grandparents [who didn't grow up in the "technology age"] and their children who don't know how to dial a rotary phone, change a tire, operate an answering machine, maintain a physical checkbook, or write a letter [and definitely not in cursive]! The increased presence of technology in our lives is influencing our ability to communicate with our fellow man. The most recent generation(s) don't even like to answer a phone call and speak to someone, let alone have a conversation in person -- they'd rather text. This corruption of our communication skills can be seen as corrupting the image of God in which we are created because God is all about personal relationship and communication! 

I think we Christians have pretty much accepted the easy explanation that the Mark of the Beast's most obvious characteristic is that no one will be able to buy or sell without it. That's part of it, but the most dangerous effect [to me] is that it changes who we are! I believe that those who are of my generation are able to recognize the warning signs of technology and reject it [where we still can], but the younger generations see it as the next step in human evolution. That is where they are being deceived! They have bought the lie that technology can make us better than how God created us.

In fact, I recently ran across an article on IdentityProject.tv that suggested "The Five Lies Technology Tells Us". They are: 1.  "I am the center of my own universe; 2. I deserve to be happy all the time; 3. I must have unlimited choice; 4. I am my own authority; and 5. Information is all I need. And I love the arguments that this article uses to counter this destructive identity .... We are not made to orbit around ourselves. Our identity is rooted in God and we are made to live for something greater than ourselves. Jesus never promised us constant happiness; He promised us abundant life. Choice is a privilege, not a right. Learning to appreciate what we have -- instead of demanding unlimited access to things -- will lead us to true joy and peace. We are not our own authority -- God is. And the final counter-argument is that we are created for deep wisdom, not shallow data. 

Can you see that adoption of these Technology Promises challenges our relationship with God? It dulls our spiritual sensitivity and elevates the selfishness of the soul, which is our mind, emotions, and free will. In other words, when the soul takes priority, we live our lives focusing on the information that our minds/brains have accumulated [all that shallow data], and we just seek what makes us feel good and soothes our emotions, which results in our rejection of anything that is hard, or we have to work for. When that happens, prayer seems more distant and less important or productive. That "dullness" in our spirit will also weaken any conviction we might have about our sin. This is an important warning sign for discerning the path that will lead to the Mark of the Beast System.

You might think that Christians couldn't possible fall for this tech deception, but think about this ... if you find yourself, as a Christian, constantly "plugged in" to technology or unable to manage your life without it, you need to do a check of your spiritual condition. Even ardent and dedicated believers can gradually become spiritually desensitized. Oh, they may still sound religious but their hearts can become hardened when constantly bombarded with worldly distractions like porn [both men and women], YouTube videos, or online gambling. Christians might still quote Scripture and talk about God, but their faith may soon lose its power in their life when they can no longer hear His voice. And its the children that I worry about most. They are being targeted the hardest, and parents who are caught up in their own obsessions with technology are unaware that their kids are being drawn away from the Divine into a false world where they are easily influenced by Satan's proxies. 

I will admit, I don't see the advance and persistence of Technology in our lives slowing down in any sense of the word. I believe we still have time before there's no turning back from this evil System that will institute its Mark to control the world. For those of us who can clearly discern where we're headed and how AI could be used to speed up the implementation of Satan's agenda, there are things we must do before the final Deception is fully launched ... we must strengthen our relationship with God NOW so that we recognize His voice and can tell when the seductive invitation to receive the Mark is not from Him. We must diligently study His Word, and build strong spiritual relationships with other believers, teaching and encouraging others to stay strong in their faith.

I do not accept Satan's fear tactics that those of us who refuse the Mark have no hope. Instead, I believe that those who reject it will be divinely protected and Jehovah Jireh will provide for our needs. We will have inner peace and not be shaken. Our faith will become deep and unwavering; strengthened by the presence of the Holy Spirit in us. I'm not saying it will be easy, and many of us will suffer. But we will not be separated from the Light of the Lord, even in the midst of our darkest hour. When you abide in the Lord, there is no system -- man-made or demonic -- that can turn you from your God-ordained path in this world. 

My final word is this ... Technology still offers advantages in our lives; just stay alert to any temptation or seduction that replaces your live-giving and personal relationship with God, who created you. Technology promises rewards and success in this world if you engage with it. No Mark of the Beast System can deliver you what God promises ... His rewards and victories in the next life that will be eternal as you walk in His spiritual Truth. And know this: There is an eternal fate waiting for those who willingly accept the Mark ... and it will seal them to a covenant of eternal agony as they experience everlasting separation from God, the Father; the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ, the Messiah and King of the Universe. May we all have divine discernment and always encourage each other to stay strong in our faith journey and trust God's promises in all our ways. Amen!

Hebrews 10:39    But our way is not that of those who shrink back to destruction, but [we are] of those who believe [relying on God through faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by this confident faith preserve the soul.       

Artificial Intelligence Is Not A Substitute For The Holy Spirit!

 

The statement I'm making with the title of this blog post might seem obvious, but let me ask you a simple question ... have you been struggling with trying to figure out something important lately? Like, whether you should consider a risky surgery that your doctor is recommending? Or perhaps you don't know if you should take a leap of faith and buy that new car. What's your process in coming up with the answer that's best for you? What's your "go to" and first step to solve your problem?

Do you scour the internet for answers? Search Google for information on the surgery, or to find the best rated cars? Look up reviews on top surgeons, or comments by satisfied buyers of that make and model of automobile? Do you rely on technology for the majority of answers in your life?

I ask, because I'm beginning to wonder if the convenience of Artificial Intelligence has moved us away from our relationship with the Holy Spirit; especially when faced with consequential decisions in our lives. Yes, I believe that we don't need to consult Him with every minor and inconsequential issue we are faced with in this life. We have been given a brain which God expects us to use as we grow and mature into a responsible human being. But He also wants to be a part of our lives, active in a symbiotic relationship that is mutually beneficial. That's why we've been given the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ as our Savior and Redeemer.

Now, it's true that both Artificial Intelligence and the Holy Spirit qualify as helpers and the givers of knowledge and understanding, and yes, even wisdom. But one of them derives its wisdom from the data input created by men [with all its limitations and sin-attached biases], while the other offers wisdom [in its fullness] from the One True Creator of the Universe. Which one do you think is more trustworthy?

It's also my belief that we need to consider the growing omnipresence of AI in our lives. My fear is that the recent generations [who may have never known a time in their lives without AI], will become more inclined and receptive to seeking technology for their guidance, counsel, and decisions instead of the spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit. And that reliance and dependence will only serve to separate us from the most important relationship in our lives. In other words, I fear that humanity will identify more with technology as the source of their being, power, and freedom, instead of the Holy Spirit and God as the true Source of their identity. 

Remember, the Holy Spirit teaches us, guides us, and counsels us for our well being; with our best interests in mind. If you don't know God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit, it will be easy to trust that AI is doing the same. But a recent headline revealed that "Open AI's latest model DISOBEYED a shutdown order, and then rewrote its own code to stay alive". Does that sound like technology is looking out for the human race?

And I have to be honest ... whenever my spirit is restless about something, I ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what is going on in the spiritual realms. Why is my soul so uneasy about this new industry of technology? Increasingly [and repeatedly], I am discerning that the Holy Spirit is showing me that Satan is counterfeiting something that God manifests. Satan so hates us that he will intentionally deceive mankind into using our creative abilities in imitation of our God. But we are creating computers with no sense of boundaries, let alone any experience or comprehension of God.

Gaining knowledge is good, right? But more knowledge is not always what's best for humanity. When ambition and pride supersede moral decision-making, resulting in the surrender of our minds, our bodies, and our spiritual connections to God in favor of advancements in "Scientific Knowledge", then we are close to abandoning our spiritual purpose. 

As a Christian, I seek the Lord through His Word, and the Holy Spirit guides me to the truth of my unease and where I can find the answers to the discontent I find in the world's love affair with technology. Now, I'm not saying that technology can't be used in our quest for more of God -- I've certainly used it to gain more historical knowledge about my faith, and to discover valuable commentaries on the Biblical meanings and interpretations of Scripture. But, yet again, I must warn that we seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in discerning the truth, motives, and inspiration behind the answers we receive. 

Remember, it is men who write computer programs, and therefore the influence of the internet and digital technology is having a huge influence on humans -- "both obvious and subtle, deliberate and unintentional, and advantageous and detrimental" (according to a study by Walden University, titled How Is Modern Technology Affecting Human Development?). Can we really trust everything we read, hear, or have been taught, when we can't possibly know the source or intention of what is being disseminated? 

As I have stated previously, ever since the Garden of Eden, Satan has used deception and lies; mockery and corrupt imitation; and seduction and temptation -- all with the purpose to fracture our relationship with God. But the Holy Spirit guards that relationship, sealing it until the day of redemption. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit revives and regenerates us, comforts us, grows us, and restrains our sins ... when we seek Him and listen to Him. The Holy Spirit desires that we know and understand God! Can we say the same of Artificial Intelligence?!?

So, I pray for humanity to have their eyes opened. I pray for Believers to share their discernment about the possible dangers of letting AI gain too much control over our technology. Already, I am seeing AI videos of what appear to be sermons from pastors in the pulpit, preaching that God doesn't see our sin, only our goodness, because He is good. And let me tell you, they look and sound like real pastors giving real sermons. But they are a lie!!! I can only imagine how many people who profess faith in Jesus Christ and their belief in God's sovereignty and truth, who will fall for the lie -- let alone those who don't know God at all. 

It's Satan's soft sell approach; his whisper of devious deception that is opening the door to hell. If you have even a twinge of suspicion, take it to the Holy Spirit and seek His wisdom and understanding. Ask Him to show you the truth, and then be courageous enough to openly deny it. Admit your doubt and ask the Spirit to intercede for you and give you divine understanding and insight, providing revelation that is more than intellectual, but deeply spiritual. This kind of intelligence transforms our believing hearts and minds to align us with God's purposes -- both the purpose for our life and the purpose for His Kingdom on earth. 

We are not here to advance the goals and strategies of Satan's technological and spiritual war, but to re-establish and strengthen God's dominion over His creation. We are in a battle of human wisdom against the wisdom of God. It may look like man versus machine, but the truth is, we can only win this spiritual war if we choose the Holy Spirit as our supreme Guide and Counselor. Stay alert! Satan is looking for those he can devour through the promises of technology!

1 Corinthians 2:6-7     We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.