Christian Message Boards: Nearing Midnight

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Posted by WildB (Member # 2917) on :

Sep 9, 2019
Published on: September 8, 2019 by RRadmin7

The Mark of the Beast Goes Mainstream

One of the most helpful tools I use in the analysis of Bible prophecy is a comparison of how people perceived events years ago, and how they view these same events today. In the 1960’s the government believed that people with homosexual tendencies were mentally ill.

Here in the 21st century, gay is the way. You’ve probably heard about state officials who try to compel florists or bakers to violate their religious beliefs and participate in same-sex weddings. In Minnesota the state claims the authority to do the same to filmmakers. A Christian film company was told to add gay couples to its film to show the normalcy of same-sex marriage.

Another huge change in perception has been how people view technology that could compromise their privacy. I still remember when any news story about software or machines that could track your movements was viewed in a negative light. Today, people are blind to technology that can observe and track everything you do.

Employees at the Three Square Market in River Falls, WI, actually celebrated by wearing “I Got Chipped” T-shirts after they were implanted with microchips by their bosses. The firm’s Operating Officer Patrick McMullan dismisses any concerns that microchipping his employees is akin to Big Brother. He told detractors to “take your cell phone and throw it away” to defend this invasive practice.

Three Square Market is looking to drastically expand the technology and make it standardized, showing how it can already be used to open doors, buy food items, and turn on computer portals. The company’s CEO Todd Westby demonstrated how the microchips can effectively store biometric information as well. “I scanned my hand and here’s my driver’s license information,” Westby said, holding up his phone.

One of my neighbors has their house wired with Amazon’s Alexa device. You can ask Alexa to turn on the lights or play music. You can ask Alexa a silly question like: “Do you have a boyfriend?” or “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” If you ask “Where can I hide a body?” or “What would be the best location to explode an improvised nuclear bomb?” there is a possibility that the FBI might pay you a visit.

The internet provides the government with vast powers in controlling the population. One example of this danger is the number of times authorities shut down the internet to control or stifle. Typically used during times of civil unrest or political instability, a shutdown allows officials to stifle the flow of information about government wrongdoing or to stop communication among activists, usually by ordering service providers to cut or slow their customers’ internet access.

When Zimbabwe turned off the internet during a recent crackdown, Obert Masaraure, a prominent government critic, had no way of knowing when it was safe to emerge from hiding. The Indian government employs the practice more frequently than any other. In 2018, there were at least 196 shutdowns in 25 countries, up from 75 in 24 countries in 2016, according to research by Access Now, an independent watchdog group that campaigns for internet rights. In the first half of this year alone, there were 114 shutdowns in 23 countries.

The horrifying vision of the future described by George Orwell in “1984” has been neutralized by the convenience that technology provides us. You can use your cell phone to watch the house, track the weather, and monitor the stock market. The apps on your phone also allow a dozen different companies to track your physical movement.

China has started ranking citizens with a sinister ‘social credit’ system. It gives a credit score for every citizen based on big data analysis. This surveillance system rewards and punishes people based on their behavior.

The global community should be outraged that China has become an Orwellian state. Many governments are viewing the social credit system as something to emulate. Last week there was a news story on the Drudge Report that discussed using the China model to control people’s access to guns.

When I was a kid, I remember reading a Christian publication that described the mark of the beast as the product of a world gone mad. The world has collectively lost its mind, and it is clear that the introduction of a 666 device would be welcomed by the vast majority of people. During the tribulation we may have individuals wearing “I Got Marked” T-shirts. We have had the ability to create the mark for at least two decades. The lack of any meaningful opposition to this type of technology tells us that the tribulation hour is very near.

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:16-17).

–Todd

Posted by WildB (Member # 2917) on :

Is The Glory Of God Departing America?

The Bible proves time and again the truth of the great hymn: “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; prone to leave the God I love.” Sadly, that truth does not just relate to individuals, it relates to peoples and nations as well. Kingdoms, city-states, and nations rise and fall. There is yet to be a nation under heaven that has not wandered away from the very God who has poured out blessing upon it. How much of America’s decline has occurred because Christians have silently tolerated too much?

Spiritual Corruption

The text tells about the worthless sons of Eli -- Hophni and Phinehas. Although serving as priests of the Lord, they did not know Him. Their disdain for God and self-serving interaction with the people was well-known. Eli recognized their evil ways -- from helping themselves to the sacrifices dedicated to the Lord to sexually cavorting with women at the very doorway of the tent of meeting. And yet, he did not take action to hold his own sons accountable and ensure reverence before God.

In 1 Samuel 4, the people found themselves drawn up in battle against their ongoing foe, the Philistines. After straying from God under the errant spiritual leadership of men like Hophni and Phinehas, Israel found itself defeated. The Israelites expressed complete surprise, exclaiming, "Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines?" (v. 3).

Their solution was to trot out the Ark of the Covenant, presuming upon the Lord's protection. In other words, although their hearts were clearly far from Him, the Israelites looked to their god-in-a-box as the ultimate weapon or the surest talisman.

Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=3453#rqTqmj2lB9rEZRBY.99