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.
