We WATCH world events, as Christ commanded in Matthew 24:42. But what exactly are we watching for? The machinations of politics cause power to ebb and flow. Earthquakes, diseases, famines and wars come and go. Economies teeter on the brink of collapse until massive interventions (usually debt based) send markets rallying to new heights, preserving the illusion of business as usual. Allies and enemies combine and recombine behind sanctions and protectionist trade policies to preserve their own industries and hinder their competition. We see how things could fall apart, yet the real question is “will they?” When is the time of Jacob’s trouble, tribulation unparalleled, “so that none is like it”? (Jeremiah 30:7.)
It is important to remember that there are certain aspects of the end time that are not going to pass by unnoticed. While many believe they might be “raptured at any moment,” or “Christ could return tomorrow,” such views are not consistent with scripture. Nor is it necessary to plumb the depths of Isaiah or Ezekiel to see the truth of this conclusion. Even a cursory reading of the book of Revelation will leave little doubt. It says every mountain and island will be moved, that all men will seek to hide themselves (Revelation 6:14-15). The wind will not blow (Revelation 7:1). A third of many things will be destroyed, trees, sea life, the lights of both day and night (Revelation 8:6-13). You will not need to read about these events in the news. No man’s secret knowledge or special insight will be necessary to perceive them.
All of this happens before Christ’s return, even before the dreaded “Mark of the Beast” of Revelation 13:11-18. Hopefully this is a comfort to some who have feared they might take the mark accidentally. You will not miss the events that lead up to this time! Take comfort in that. Take comfort in God’s promises, “When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto His voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which He sware unto them” (Deuteronomy 4:30-31). Those who follow the example of Jesus Christ can rely on these words.
What are we watching for, then? What is the purpose of these thousands of years of vigilance if the main features of the tribulation are virtually unmissable? Consider the work of the watchman in Ezekiel 33:1-9. To watch and to warn is to call to repentance. It is to implore the wicked to change their evil way before it is too late. God is patient and merciful but He will not withhold His wrath forever. This is the message Jesus preached, “Repent: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). God does not desire death and destruction but He will not allow the injustice in this world to continue forever. “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11).
The plagues from God are themselves warnings, as were the ones that fell on Egypt anciently. If we feel our own efforts fall on deaf ears know that God understands and feels the same way, “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands…” (Revelation 9:20). The goal is always repentance. Personal or even national course corrections are possible. We have the example of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 20) whose prayers resulted in his own life being extended and the fate of his nation delayed. We beseech God and we call as many as will listen to righteousness in the hope that He will extend the same mercies to us, drawing more to repentance according to His will.
Our vigil is not in vain. There is still time to “seek the Lord while He may be found” (Isaiah 55:6). Meanwhile, evidence of the direction things are trending is all around us. Society openly revels in sin to a degree that is downright shocking. Technological advancement is making possible a scenario where “no man might buy or sell” without pledging allegiance to a global system (Revelation 13:17). Even the potential for a type of ungodly utopia is out there, offering physical benefits hard to resist in times of distress and destruction. “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:3-6).
How will world governments offer peace and safety? More oversight (or less privacy if you prefer) is one way. Technologically we are already at the point where virtually every human being carries a device capable of real time transmitting or recording of video and audio. Not to mention surveillance cameras and smart devices galore. These innovations were not imposed but embraced. Nor are they sinister in and of themselves. The potential to communicate and access information can enrich our lives in ways hitherto unimagined, but it would be foolish to ignore the opportunities for abuse.
The U.S. government has recently reauthorized and expanded FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveilance Act). The expansion concerns stored data in addition to electronic communications. The intent is to intercept communications and prevent foreign espionage or attacks on American soil. As it neared expiration, the director of the FBI pleaded with congress that the agency would be blind without it. However, there are enough catalogued abuses to prove the program can be put to ill use. One foreigner becomes a dragnet for their contacts’ contacts’ contacts, justifying the surveillance of otherwise guiltless citizens without a warrant. Germany faces similar debates. At some point, empowering law enforcement equals the abolition of privacy.
The elephant in the room is that these capabilities already exist. At what point does society willingly accept total oversight? We can see the downsides, but think of the compelling arguments that could be made in favor. Criminals would have no refuge, fraud could be a thing of the past. A tool to be used for justice or safety, as is already argued, and the average citizen may think, “Why not? I have nothing to hide.” Maybe so, but Israel came to rue the day they cried, “Give us a king!” (1 Samuel 8). It is easier to give the power away than it is to take it back.
Up until this point, the sheer amount of data that would need to be processed has been a problem. Artificial Intelligence may be able to help with that some day. Despite some notable flubs, the technology is still in its infancy and has enormous potential. Microsoft’s advantage in the field, through its partnership with early leader Open AI, has led it to surpass Apple as the world’s most valuable company. Most major technology companies are investing heavily in development. Much of the consumer emphasis is placed on business tools like accurate notes from your meetings or image and text generation. Consider the applications when it comes to digesting mountains of data and identifying trends and threats either real or perceived. We have the past example of Facebook leveraging user data to create DeepFace, facial recognition technology, in partnership with the government. While these are merely tools, once they are created and deployed it is easy to imagine scenarios in which they could be abused.
Quantum computing plays a role in the race for ever quicker processing. The technology utilizes charged subatomic particles to perform calculations at speeds unattainable by traditional computers. The particles are subject to all sorts of electromagnetic interference making storage difficult and jeopardizing the transfer of data over any kind of network. Universities in England and Germany have recently achieved a breakthrough in data transfer using wavelengths compatible with existing fiber optic infrastructure. While perhaps some years distant, quantum applications have the potential to make current data encryption methods obsolete. It would also exponentially increase the speed at which data processing and other AI related tasks could be accomplished. Like the race for nuclear technology in WW2, the first nation to perfect and deploy it would gain a tremendous advantage. AI already has many battlefield applications.
Gathering, processing and transmitting data is of major concern to dominant world powers. The U.S. has just passed a bill compelling TikTok’s foreign owners to divest the company within a year or be banned in the United States. China is floating reciprocal bans of American based social media applications. Starlink’s satellite internet service provided by SpaceX and the ever-controversial Elon Musk roiled world powers by providing internet to Ukraine’s armed forces in their fight against Russia. While the application is military, Russia has not yet dared to strike against otherwise commercial infrastructure in space. Reuters has also reported on the existence of a program called Starshield, a deal between the National Reconnaissance Office and SpaceX. The low-orbiting network of spy satellites aims to provide precise real-time imaging anywhere in the world at anytime. A source is quoted as saying, “No one can hide.” Ominous. These advances enable us to envision the type of power that will eventually rise up and cause the world to say, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4).
On the monetary side we face the prospect of Central Bank Digital Currencies, which some 90% of nations are working on deploying. The existing international currency transfer system, SWIFT, is rolling out plans to facilitate exchanges. There are other innovations, such as PIX in Brazil, a payment system created by the Central Bank. Wielding the power of the federal government, regular banks and retailers have been required to facilitate payments through the new PIX system. The buyer scans a QR code and the transaction is reflected on their account. The new system has made a significant dent in cash payments and wire transfers. Credit cards and debit cards have also suffered as PIX has extended credit options. Some analysts believe they will be entirely replaced as PIX processing fees are a fraction of those on traditional card purchases. In many ways it is turning the industry upside down as it threatens services traditionally provided by banks. Whatever advantages it may offer, it does tie the finances of every person directly to the central government.
We are at a place where the individual has become the commodity. The most powerful entities in the world compete to own or access everything about you: what you say, what you read, what you watch, what you buy. Worldcoin is a digital currency backed by Sam Altman of OpenAI fame. Worldcoin offers a free digital payment to anyone who will allow their “orb” to perform an iris scan. Why? Because eventually this “biometric data,” like the fingerprints and blood samples already collected by our governments, will be an integral part of establishing our identities for any transaction. To some extent it already exists. Modern phones unlock with a face scan or a thumbprint. Google encourages users to allow them to verify purchases in this manner. As it becomes technologically practical the move may become irresistible. From credit cards to voter fraud, there will be compelling arguments in favor.
Other important developments include the race to develop nuclear fusion as a source of energy. This reaction mimics that of the sun. Several breakthroughs have been made. These include short net-gains in energy, releasing more from the reaction than it took to create it. Reactions hotter than the sun have also been successfully contained and theoretical density limits have been surpassed. While there is an essence of science fiction about the promise of cheap limitless power, investment has been pouring in and congress is already taking steps to regulate the nascent industry.
How will these competitions for innovation play out? Will calamity overtake the world, leading the masses to seek a deliverer? Will an unimagined breakthrough propel a new power into world leadership? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, we can see reaction to inconsistent and weak U.S. leadership. We can see the potential for a backlash in Europe amongst those who fear their prosperity and culture hang in the balance. There is even a push for a work-free Sunday, a mandatory day of rest if you will, headed by the European Sunday Alliance. It has the support and backing of the Vatican as well as some Members of European Parliament from Germany, Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic. The logic behind a unified day of rest is irrefutable, indeed it was God’s idea in the first place. The substitution of Sunday for God’s Sabbath was and is an affront, however. It obscures the true Sabbath, which God called “a sign between Me and you throughout your generations” (Exodus 31:13). The push to impose Sunday observance on all society may illustrate a growing religious backlash with serious ramifications for the future of Europe.
When will the end come? Jesus said, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is” (Mark 13:32-33). Do we presumptuously claim to know more than our Lord? No, we obey Him. We watch, we wait patiently, and we trust His promise that we will recognize the time when it arrives. “And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand” (Luke 21:29-31).
Remember these words when wars and rumors of wars have you wondering if the time has finally arrived. Remember them when keeping up with the geopolitical situation is enough to make your head spin. He has not called us to a life of fear and panic. Solomon wrote, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25). God will fulfill all of His promises in His own time. Until then we wait and continue to watch for as long or short as the time may be. “Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing” (Matthew 24:46).
