My answer to these sorts of questions has been and will continue to be, “I don’t think so;” but it does set in perspective just how easy it will be for those events predicted in the Book of Revelation to come to fruition. Just consider that the world’s economy crumbled in a matter of weeks; businesses shuttered their doors; grocery store shelves emptied; people world-wide were confined to home; and oil traded in the negative! The interdependence of world markets, supply chains and data sharing is a topic of discussion in the daily press briefings.
For the first time, we are hearing terms like:
- “Immunity Passport” (certificate/card) to restrict travel and access, unless a person has been vaccinated or identified to have the antibodies.
- “Contact tracking,” which is being “sold” as a way to see if those infected with COVID-19 stay home or who they have contact with. Many smartphone apps, along with the new 5G network, already make this possible. Apple and Google are joining efforts to release a new COVID-19 tracking option built into the operating system for everyone with an iOS or Android phone. By the way, it was announced yesterday that the states of NY, CA & WA are building "armies of contact tracers" raising civil liberties & privacy concerns.
We are seeing individuals and businesses embracing “touchless” currency:
- Touchless payments such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, tap to pay, mobile payment apps, and mobile banking are now being embraced by those who shunned it only months ago.
- Distribution of Government funds is being done via direct deposit, by accessing people’s personal bank accounts.
- Conversations about improving cyber security and guarding against identity theft are including thoughts of microchip technology, retina scans, finger prints, etc.
Revelation 13:17 tells us that no one will be able to buy or sell goods, without the mark (of the beast). You can see it coming!
We are seeing an increase in data gathering:
- Saudi Arabia, India and even the USA are now using or planning to use drones to monitor people’s body temperatures, coughing and even to measure social distancing.
- A forehead scan is being used to measure body temperature as employees check-in to work, tourists enter our state and in many other capacities. It would be easy to implant a micro-chip under the skin or a tattooed barcode to retrieve personal data, medical records, travel records, employee information, etc. all in one quick scan.
- You discuss a product in the privacy of your home and the product shows up on your feed in Facebook or on the web, the next time you open your browser.
- Dr. Stephen Hahn, FDA Commissioner, told Maria Bartiromo. “Really good thing that is going to come out of this, that we are going to be able to expand our capacity to collect data and analyze it.” Collecting data is becoming a Government specialty!
We are hearing new Government rhetoric against religious entities:
- NYC Mayor, Bill DeBlasio, on March 27 ordered police to shut-down church services consisting of more than 10 people; he promised fines for violators, and threatened to shut down churches permanently.
- Gov. Cuomo’s statement about the number of COVID-19 cases decreasing, “God did not do that. Faith did not do that…It’s math.”
- Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne of the River Church in Tampa, FL was arrested for holding church services, in spite of witness testimony and pictures showing that they encouraged social distancing. Similar situations have taken place with other pastors and churches.
- KS Gov. Laura Kelly ordered that churches limit all worship gatherings to 10 or less.
- Liberty University is now pressing charges against journalists who allegedly printed inaccurate stories about LU reopening to students in spite of Coronavirus cases reported on the campus.
- The list of allegations, charges, challenges, and threats toward religious institutions is growing at an unprecedented rate; as "some" Government agencies are beginning to overreach into the Church. (I will pause here to thank the POTUS and Gov. DeSantis for their support for freedom of worship.)
So, whether you believe we are in the last days or not, we are definitely in different days that reveal just how easy it will be for the events of Revelation to come to fruition. Data collection, immunity certificates, tracking devices, touchless currency, media influence and Government reach into churches are just a few things that align us closer to the events described in Revelation.
As I close, let me be very clear; I write this article not to “scare” anyone, but rather to raise awareness to the events of our day. We live in a time where there should be an excitement about Christ’s return, not a fear of a virus! These events should raise an urgency in our soul to share the Gospel with others! Finally, these events should cause us to make sure that we are prepared for eternity and to echo the words of John in Revelation 22:20, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
