Stay Alert! The Beast System Will Be Incremental & Innocuous! PART ONE

There are a proliferation of videos on YouTube that are titled something along the lines of "I Died and What Jesus Revealed About [fill in the blank] Will Stun You". I'm sure you'll not be surprised to know that these Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) ran the gamut of topics ... Fasting, Tithing, Christmas, Speaking in Tongues, Prayer, Christmas, Nuclear War, Masturbation, Israel & Trump, Elon Musk, and anything else you can imagine. There seemed to be a higher number of NDEs centered around the topic of the Mark of the Beast, though. That, too, should not be surprising, considering the direction the world seems to be headed.

We all have our own ideas of what the implementation of the Mark will look like, myself included. I scanned a few to get an idea of what others might be thinking. Technology was a common theme, and several of the videos were obviously created by AI, with voices being dubbed over a person supposedly sharing what Jesus revealed to them while they were clinically dead. It didn't take me long to discern that while most of these videos had no spiritual value for me, they helped me to evaluate and validate what I believe the Holy Spirit is showing me.

Mind you, I'm not here to proclaim that I've heard a distinctive and precise word from Heaven about exactly what this symbol will look like or how its administered. We know from the Bible [and Revelation 13] that it is associated with the End Times. And we know that the Mark will be necessary in order to Buy and Sell (and subsequently have the means to eat and survive in the world's economic system). But for those who cannot resist the temptation of accepting [or taking] the Mark, the consequences of their choice will sever their relationship with God, resulting in eternal torment and suffering for those who are deceived. 

So, I have decided to share where my discernment is leading me, as of this date in time. I fully understand [and expect] my opinions to change as the Holy Spirit and Jesus choose to reveal more of the Enemy's plan to implement what the Bible insinuates will become "the Beast System". To begin with, I believe that the rapid advancement of Technology in our society -- and our reliance upon it -- makes us vulnerable to the temptation of accepting some kind of "mark" (symbol, sign, impression, characteristic feature, implant, etc.) that Satan designs to make us dependent on his world system and agenda, rather than remaining faithful to God's kingdom on earth. 

When I think about the technology industry [from my decidedly non-technological brain], I can see that in just a little over 60 years, the electronics industry has moved from the first electronic circuits on a little computer chip, to billions of transistors squeezed on a chip the size of a fingernail. This economic factor and improvement to the chip has [in the words of the New York Times], "helped Silicon Valley bring startling advances to the world, from the personal computer to the smartphone to the vast network of interconnected computers that power the Internet". And that rapid acceleration has given Satan a great advantage in his plan to deceive mankind and bring in his Beast System to try to achieve his age-old dream of dominion of the earth.

And he does it all innocuously ... through ways that seem innocent enough; harmless, mild, unobjectionable, nonthreatening. Through technology, Satan offers us greater convenience, while we trade our human independence and autonomy for increasing dependence on chip-implanted devices. We punch a button on our car keys and it locks/unlocks the doors. We punch a button in the car, and it starts, without inserting a key and turning it on. A chip on our credit card gives the merchant all the information they need to charge us for anything we want to buy. Doctors and healthcare systems don't have to amass huge paper files for their medical records; our entire medical history is stored by microprocessors on a laptop computer. We are told these are all "helpful tools for modern living". And no one questions it as we march onward towards increasing dependency on technology while [simultaneously] sacrificing our self-determination and authority over our lives.

As a Christian, you might declare that you will never take your eyes off any seductive introduction to Satan's systems of deception. But how many of us have willingly adopted the technology "services" that allow us to sign into digital Bibles; transfer our tithes to the church coffers; or register for church events? Millions of people, in congregations across the world, have embraced technology unwittingly and accepted the "updates" and "upgrades" that have further integrated this "applied science" into our daily lives. It's monitoring our health through the watches we wear on our wrists. It has convinced us that we need it to help entertain our children so that we can continue to work the long hours to accumulate the "things" we want and need. 

So we place an iPad in front of our kids to occupy them from the moment they are just a few months old, affecting their brain patterns, and regulating their emotions, almost like a sedative does! Can't we see that technology is affecting their development? They aren't developing critical [or independent] thinking. They don't know how to express genuine emotion; they are learning how to mimic what's on the screen. And perhaps saddest of all, their spiritual sensitivity is stunted and replaced with mind hive thinking and the inability to connect with the unique essence of who they are, as created by God. I'm afraid a whole generation is being prepared for Satan's world system. Their whole identity is being determined by who technology tells them they are. They are guided to trust their devices above their own God-given instincts and their parents' wisdom. And ultimately, as this system begins to tighten its noose, they will trust it above God's Word.   

These are just a few of the ways that we have been anesthetized to the effects of Technology on our society and in our lives -- and yes, especially in our spiritual lives. As the influence of technology continues to integrate into our lives, like a serpent slowly coiling around its prey, it finds a way to control financial, political, and social systems in our lives. Banks will fail, power grids will crash, supply chains will break down, and society will erupt into lawlessness. The Bible calls that CHAOS, and defines it as representing disorder, confusion, and the absence of Divine Order. 

That's when men will cry out for solutions, and they will be deceived into thinking that changes to the existing systems will be the answer. But all the subtle methods by which technology has stealthily invaded our lives has set the stage for Satan to reveal his Beast System. It won't be introduced by violence [at first!], but will sound practical and based on common sense. Politicians will approve the new system, and religious leaders will say it's good because it doesn't demand the worship of another god, so it can't be the Mark of the Beast! 

But the wheels will be set in motion. Our current systems (health care, banking, education, etc) will offer incentives. There will be social pressure, backed by a fear of not wanting to be left behind. You will hear the same message everywhere -- This is progress ... this is necessary ... this is good! Can you see how the deception was incremental, like the proverbial frog in the pot of water who never noticed the increasing heat that caused the water to boil? Can you see how gradual and measured [yet consistent] the change might happen? That's how the Mark will come to pass. 

In Part Two of my thoughts on the Mark of the Beast, I will address what the Bible describes as physical evidence of the Mark (and I have some new thoughts on that that I've been discussing with the Holy Spirit). I will also deliver my thoughts and forewarnings on the spiritual consequences of not being alert to the subtle maneuvering of Satan to implement his system of world dominance. We must be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Those who can't see it creeping in innocuously will be susceptible to willingly accepting it, and their eternal fate will be sealed. It goes without saying that the deception is real and it is not to be taken lightly!  

Ephesians 5:15-17    Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.   

The Biblical Truth About Baptism vs Its Mockery During Pride Month

We have reached a place in our social and public discourse where I feel it is necessary to defend the Truth of our Christian faith. There is so much false theology, mockery, and ridicule of our faith, that it is hard to be heard above the cacophony of divisive voices. So, when an article came to my attention, entitled LGBTQIAAP2SN + Gay Sex Pride Cult Members undergo Sacrilegious 'De-Baptism' Ritual, I felt it was time to take a personal stand.

Let me start by saying that we all have been given free will by our Creator. And whatever one chooses regarding their sexual preference; or how (and if) they choose to worship or believe in God; and what their worldview is with respect to our responsibilities as human beings is all up to the individual. They have a choice. BUT, it is also my opinion that those decisions will have a profound effect on how we are rewarded in this life and the next.

The point of the article that I have alluded to is that those who gathered at a booth at the Lansing, Michigan LGBT Pride festival, engaged in a mock "de-baptism" ritual, designed to free them from what they felt was "forced" programming by the Church. A brief explanation of their grievances regarding Baptism is that many of the attendees were baptized as children without "informed spiritual consent", and they entwined that belief with their support for gender ideology under the banner of "Freedom of Expression". 

The ritual of de-baptism, or un-baptism, is conducted with an unplugged hairdryer (labeled "reason") pointed at the person's head, while someone declares, "I dry [the] water from your head [that] you never consented to. Let guilt evaporate, and shame fall away. You are one. You are whole. You belong".  One person described her de-baptism as "a moment of release and healing, writing, 'Dry, whole, and finally, by my own choice' ". 

But here's an additional piece of information you need to know ... the article also mentions that these ritual ceremonies of de-baptizing have also become common among satanist groups. And Satan loves nothing more than to mock God and the institution of religion. Sadly, there is enough conflict and incongruity among the world's different forms of religion to cause anyone seeking true faith to question the various rituals and traditions. That being said, I brought this article to your attention as an opportunity to share the importance of Baptism in the Christian faith; it's spiritual purpose; and to reveal Jesus's teachings about it.

Historically speaking, Baptism has always signified a cleansing. And its important that we recognize that it did not begin with Christians. For years before Christ, the Jews had used baptism in ritual [and physical] cleansing ceremonies of Gentile converts. John the Baptist took baptism a step further and applied it to the Jews themselves. John came, making way for the Messiah, so he called for a baptism of repentance -- demonstrating a recognition of one's sin, a desire for spiritual cleansing, and a commitment to follow God's law [in anticipation of the Messiah's arrival]. With John's baptism, a person repented of their sin[s] and was ready to place his faith in Jesus Christ, who would soon be revealed as the Messiah. No wonder Satan and his followers are promoting a ritual of de-baptism and mocking the cleansing attributes of repentance that comes with dying to your sins and rising in Christ!

That is what is so beautiful about the Biblical recounting of John baptizing Jesus. It's a pivotal moment that models righteousness for us as believers. It also expresses the importance of discipleship and obedience. Jesus didn't treat it as an option when it came to following Him. And I've come to see it as the symbol of a new life; my declaration to the dark forces in the spiritual realms that I have chosen a side in the cosmic war in the heavens. Furthermore, it highlights that baptism is not just a physical act, but a spiritual transformation that takes place through the Holy Spirit. 

Another reason that I see as Satan's efforts to mock Baptism is that Jesus emphasized how much it played an indispensable role in making disciples. It is a symbol of our new life in Christ when we declare our faith in Him, our allegiance to the Kingdom, and our obedience to His command to Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Satan doesn't want us making new disciples for Christ, nor teaching them His ways. 

I can imagine that Satan was none too pleased to hear Jesus point to John's baptism as a precuror to His own ministry, saying, John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Obedient followers of Christ, baptized with the Holy Spirit, [who would provide wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear/reverence of the Lord] would result in some formidable opponents in both the physical and spiritual realms that Satan hoped to own. 

At this point, I want to make a statement that is part of my own personal belief system, and I believe the Bible backs it up ... I do not believe that Baptism is a requirement for receiving the free gift of Salvation through your faith in Jesus Christ. Rather it is an expression of your deep abiding faith in Christ and what He has done for you on the Cross. Additionally, it is an act that symbolizes repentance and commitment to our faith. As we are immersed in the water of baptism, we publically identify with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection [as we come up out of the water]. Satan and his demonic followers have no question about who we belong to!!

One other point I'd like to make is in regards to who can baptize new believers. The modern Church often gets rigid in their denominational rules and rituals. Many declare that only an ordained pastor should be allowed to baptize. I disagree. As mentioned above, Jesus, Himself, tells His disciples to go and make more disciples, teaching them to baptize in His Name, and teaching them everything Jesus commanded. His disciples were ordinary common people and numbered far more than the twelve whose names we know. If baptism is for the purpose of spiritual rebirth, receiving the Holy Spirit, and declaring your commitment in faith to Jesus, it is God, the Lord and the Holy Spirit who will do the spiritual work in a person's life. They need someone on earth to be their hands to help new believers carry out this important part of their faith journey. Why limit the number of baptized people? Again, I'm sure Satan loves it when we, in the Church buildings, get in our own way.

And that brings me to my conclusion on this post ... it deeply saddens me to see the inroads that Satan has been able to make within the atheist, satanist, and rebellious [translated as denying Christ] LGBTQ+ communities. I pray that the Lord will be revealed to them so that they know Him personally and see the value in making a commitment to Him, whether they ever decide to be formally baptized or not. [However, I think that once they commit themselves to Chrsit, there will be a longing to identify with Him through baptism]. Jesus created them and He loves them, just as He loves me. But unless they come to repentance, they will never know the unfathomable depth of that Love. Satan only offers death and destruction. May they soon be confronted with that truth and turn towards the One who desires to wash away the pain and ugliness in their lives. The path He offers is easy and full of Light. Take that first step and He will meet you, I promise.

Romans 6:3-4.   Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 

 

"The LORD is a Man of War. Jehovah is His Name"

It is getting increasingly difficult to bury your head in the sand. The world is at war; whether officially declared or not. Russia, China, the United States, Israel, Ukraine, Iran ... the drumbeats of war are sounding. The reality of what we're looking at in the world is causing a good amount of fear and anxiety among all peoples. That includes Christians, even though we should all be familiar with this verse in Matthew 24:6: You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place... (Matthew 24:6). 

Throughout history, as portrayed in the Bible, it is clear that war is inevitable when the world is filled with sinful people. And we must not confuse killing with murder. We cannot apply God's command of Thou shalt not kill to the prospect of war. That holy commandment refers to the "intentional, premeditated killing of another person with malice; in other words, murder. We can agree that war is never preferable, but sometimes it is unavoidable in order to protect innocent people, or to uphold a righteous cause. Consider WWII, when Hitler and his evil plan of extermination of the Jews had to be stopped. Or think of our own Civil War, when the evil institution of slavery was only going to come to an end through war. 

If you study the history of those two wars, you will find that years of appeasing and compromise did not stop the evil happening against innocent people. It is calculated that 70-85 million people died in WWII, and a conservative estimate of 650-750,000 Americans died in the Civil War. There is no questioning that war is a terrible thing, and God grieves the loss of life, while He hates the sin that leads to war. But He often uses it to see His will done when men refuse to follow His ways. And obviously, some wars are more "just" than others, but we must acknowledge that war is always the result of sin.

King Solomon, who received God's wisdom [until he sinned by following after his pagan wives' religions], declared that God has created different times and seasons in mankind's existence: There's a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. As Christians we are not to desire war, and as citizens of both the world and the Kingdom of Heaven, we are to represent Jesus, showing His love, and offering Peace as an option to war. Paul reminds us, in Romans 12:18, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all". Sometimes, peace isn't possible. War is part of the reality of living in a fallen world, and evil people make war inescapable, and we must take a stand. 

Yes, Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but He is not a Pacifist and He and the Father were in agreement when King David was sent to war against the Philistines. David declares "Blessed be the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle...". In his youth, David's hands and fingers were trained for the shepherd's hook and the musician's harp. But when he answered the Lord's calling to lead His people, David understood the Lord had a different purpose for him, and was training him for wars in the natural world and battles in the spiritual realms. 

So, when it comes to the subject of War in the Bible, there are a couple of things that I think we must consider. While we know that God never changes, Jesus makes it clear that He and the Father are one (John 10:30), and that He could do nothing by Himself; only what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). So we can be assured that Jesus's teachings and actions perfectly align with God's unchanging character. And yes, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. But He's also the Lord of Hosts; the commander-in-chief of Heaven's armies. 

Pacifists like to point out that Jesus taught us to "turn the other cheek", and spoke that "Blessed are the Peacemakers" in the Beatitudes (Mark 5). They often cite the Biblical concept of Shalom as the guiding principle of the Lord's pacifism. But to understand Jesus's teachings on peace, it is important to understand that there is a deeper meaning to Shalom than just "peace".  The word comes from the Hebrew root shalem, signifying wholeness, harmony, and restoration -- its meaning extending far beyond the idea of peace as tranquility or the absence of conflict. Again, the restoration part of Shalom is in perfect alignment with God's plan of redemption and reconciliation with sinful mankind through Jesus's payment [on the Cross] for our sins. He broke the power of sin and offered us the way to our personal restoration with God. That is true Shalom! 

But let us not forget that Jesus is also the Lord of Hosts. He didn't promote Shalom by avoiding conflict, but by confronting [and defeating] evil. Take note of His statement, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34)..  This sword isn't to be used for physical violence, but rather division; causing men to make a choice between sin/evil and justice/righteousness. He backs that first statement up with another: "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division" (Luke 12:51). Remember, He used a whip to drive the money changers out of the Temple; He overturned their tables; and publicly rebuked them as a den of thieves. 

And as much as many modern-day Christians hope they will be raptured out of the world, and escape the coming wrath and judgment against Evil, we cannot ignore Revelation 19:11-16. Jesus will come as a Warrior-King, leading Heaven's armies in a final battle to destroy Evil and to manifest eternal Shalom ... "With justice He judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is the Word of God". 

So, war is part of the reality of living in a fallen world, and there are times it may be necessary to wage it in order to prevent more atrocities and deeper levels of Evil. We can see in the Old Testament that God would use warriors like Joshua, David, Gideon, and Deborah to act as His instruments to secure His justice and establish peace. He never changes, so we can rest in the knowledge that it may be necessary for Him to raise up warriors in our time to engage in conflict in order to ultimately secure justice and establish peace. That does not mean that every leader who wages war has been appointed by God to do so. The Bible is also full of examples of unrighteous warrior kings who acted for Satan. Jeroboam, Ahab, Manasseh, the King of Tyre come to mind.

In summary, as we face an uncertain future amidst the tensions that come with the beginnings of the prophesied birth pains (see Matthew 24:3-8), we need to come to terms with War in the world. It's inevitable and can be used for God's plan of redemption. It is also a tool of the Enemy, and when unrighteous, must be confronted with righteous force, while pursuing the mercy and peace that pours from God's victory.  As difficult as it is, when we see the wickedness and brutality of war, we need to model Jesus. We need to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), while standing firm against evil. That portrays the spirit of Jesus and the heart of the Father. May we receive the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to follow their example.

I leave you with these final thoughts: Only God knows when that time or season of His appointment to the Final War will take place. But I cannot dismiss that we may [or will] experience a cataclysmic war on the way to our ultimate Victory against Satan and Evil. I only know that however or whenever war comes, I must remain steadfast in my hope and trust in the Lord. I will proclaim His Greatness, Mercy, Love, Glory, Justice, and Righteousness in all the circumstances that may befall our nation. I am ready to receive His judgment as well as His compassion and to represent Him to foe and friend alike, to the best of my abilities. I will take captive all thoughts of fear and anxiety; any feelings of hate or revenge, and I will endeavor to stay focused on the Holy Spirit [in me] to guide me in the ways of my Deliverer. Lord, let me stand ready to fight, or to lay down my sword -- whatever You command me. Just let Your Goodness and Your Peace cover this world. We are growing weary of the Enemy and his dominance over men's hearts. We long to see You manifest in the earth once more. Come, Lord Jesus, Come! 

I invite you to click on the link to this article, which inspired me as I wrote this blog.

Joel 3:9-10.     Proclaim this among the nations: Consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, "I am a warrior." 
   

Satan, "No Kings" Protest, and the One True King, Jesus Christ! -- Part Two

As I alluded to in Part One of my commentary on the "No Kings" protests, it's important that we see the agenda behind this latest movement of social mutiny and anarchy. And lest you think I'm going too far in calling the participants anarchists, let's consider the definition of the word ... anarchy is defined as "a state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority, or other controlling systems". I think that pretty much sums up the mindset of most of the protesters.

But this is not a new response to government in this country. I'm old enough to remember 1968 and being confused by the reaction of kids in the streets. The Vietnam War was in full swing and young people were not shy about voicing their disapproval and beliefs that the "undeclared war" was not worth the mounting death toll of America's young men. There became a distinct "line in the sand", if you will, between the WW2 generation [who never questioned their government's actions] and their politically active children. The shootings of unarmed protesting students on the Kent State college campus by National Guardsmen [killing four and wounding nine] solidified the divide. 

America entered into a new paradigm of open criticism and activism by segments of  dissatisfied citizens. I can also remember sitting in a Freshman College course on US Government, and hearing the Teaching Assistant, [a graduate student, himself] declare that he could not bring himself to teach American political history representing the time-period of post-1948. He declared that our politics had become "dirty" and our government no longer represented democracy or freedom after that date. I was a naive student, at the time, and was shocked to hear him speak of my country in that manner. And being the daughter of a WW2 Navy airman, I had a hard time looking through the rose-colored glasses of my patriotism. It was then that I began to see the seeds of "revolution and discord" being sown on our college campuses. [NOTE: Now, many years later, I can see that his opinion was not unwarranted. Politics has definitely been sullied by corruption and greed.]

It was student teachers and professors who led the way, and I had to forge my own path through their radical ideas, as well as being willing to pull the veil back on our history and see the spiritual battle being fought over America and its promotion of individual freedom. That was a difficult time in our country, and the spirit of rebellion, instigated and encouraged by Satan and his cohorts, has only been urged and incited in the years since. At the root of this rebellion is the temptation of wealth and power, and the willingness of men to sacrifice the uneducated and angry members of society to do their bidding in order to gain their own rewards. Among those who believed he held the answer to "peaceful protests" was Saul Alinsky, a political [and social] activist and organizer. He began to make a name for himself as a prominent influence, involving himself in various actions, including strikes and protests. 

A self-proclaimed radical, Alinsky also thought of himself as a patriot and, no doubt, a social justice warrior, long before those terms were coined. Interestingly enough, in his first book, Reveille For Radicals (1946), he proposed the idea that with organization and leadership, citizens could best demonstrate democracy through legal protest and could exert their political power in positive ways. As the years passed, his tactics seem to have changed, and by the time he wrote his final book, Rules for Radicals (1971), he had become known (in a New York Times article written about him) for "goading, confusing, and infuriating the power structures" of American society with his "explosive mixture of rigid discipline, brilliant showmanship, and a street fighter's instinct for ruthlessly exploiting his enemy's weakness". 

Let's consider some of his 12 Rules and see if they are still in play in the current barrage of "mostly peaceful" protests we see on the nightly news ... 

RULE #1: "Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have".  Power is what both sides of the protest argument want, and there are two main sources for power -- money and people. When you have the wealthy elite (like George Soros) funding the money to hire the people to agitate and fuel the self-proclaimed "deprived" citizens, you have a recipe for violence .

RULE #3: "Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy". Alinsky advised organizers to "look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety, and uncertainty". The organizers in LA, and around the country, certainly have enough arguments to stir up the protestors into civil disobedience: the illegal immigration issue; the economy; impending WW3; the lies and corruption in Congress ... it's a bubbling cauldron of demonic deception and unrighteousness.

RULE #4: "Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules." If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, then send 30,000 letters. No one can possibly obey all of their own rules. (This is a serious rule. The besieged entity's very credibility and reputation are at stake, and if activists catch it lying or not living up to its commitments, they can continue to target it and chip away at the damage).

RULE #6: "A good tactic is one your people enjoy". They'll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions. They want to create anger and fear. 

RULE #8: "Keep the pressure on. Never let up". Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach [to quell the protests] hit them from the flank with something new. (Attack, attack, attack from all sides, never giving the reeling organization a chance to rest, regroup, recover, and re-strategize).

RULE #10: "If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive". Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog. It worked in the 60s when unions used this tactic when peaceful [yet loud] demonstrations incurred management's wrath, often in the form of violence, bringing sympathy to the marcher's cause. 

RULE #12: "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions. This is cruel but very effective.

These are not all the rules that Saul Alinsky promoted, and you can read all twelve of his "rules for radicals" here. And you can still see them at work in the streets of America today. Satan never abandons a good tactic that serves his purposes. These Rules for Radicals bear his fingerprints all over them. And Alinsky acknowledged Satan's influence in introducing "radical rebellion" in his book's dedication: Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom -- Lucifer.

The problem is that Satan has conveniently wiped the subtitle of Alinsky's book from our social conscience. The complete [and original] title of the book was Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals. According to his own "mostly peaceful" goals, Alinsky sought to create a guide for future community organizers to empower the people to gain social, political, and economic equality. The ultimate goal was to successfully unite people into an active organization with the power to affect change on a variety of issues. 

But, since the 1960s until this first quarter of the 21st Century, there's a big difference in the motives and the means to carry out social change. Satan has upped his game. Alinsky's rules have been successfully adapted and adjusted in the hope of creating permanent division and discord in our nation. We can see the original intents of gaining more power through money and people (Rule #1); the increase of insecurity, anxiety, and uncertainty (Rule #3); overwhelming the system with "fake news" through media compliance (Rule #4); encouraging looting and destruction, which the "bought instigators" use to incite the sinful passions of the mindless sheep (Rule #6); constantly applying the tactics that work by keeping up the pressure and trying to overpower the system (Rule #8); taking the gloves off when it comes to violence, hoping to create more violence and more sympathy for your cause (Rule #10); and finally, pick a target, preferably individuals [like a president or an elected official] and point out how they are the cause of all the chaos and discontent among the citizenry. 

We can see how Satan's escalation and expansion of these rules are having an effect on our society. The protests are becoming less peaceful, and the organizers are resorting to increased violence to promote their grievances, leading to violence by those trying to maintain control. Satan loves this! Violence plus violence begets chaos (disorder and confusion), which is the darkness that existed in Genesis 1:2. But God brought order to that chaos at the beginning of this world, and when He has reached His limit of man's rebellion against His rules, then His judgment will once again establish order, as it was in the days of Noah. 

You see, Satan loves to see men caught up in "the virtue of struggle".  That's where he can sow his lies of victimhood. But that only leads to disillusionment and discouragement. Jesus, the One True King, promoted His Father's own set of rules in Exodus 20; rules carved on tablets of stone nearly 3500 years ago. They don't require violence, money, or man's power. They are the solutions to all of society's woes. When men walk in morality and ethics, and adopt individual responsibility and accountability, we can manifest what God truly desires for us... plans to prosper us and not harm us; plans to give us hope and a future [Jeremiah 29:11]. Isn't that the true desire of all men's hearts?

Galations 5:10.    I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 

Satan, "No Kings" Protest, and The One True King, Jesus Christ! -- Part One

 

Each night this week, we've all watched the lawlessness that God's enemies are fomenting on the streets of Los Angeles. It seems to me that it's the same old playbook that has been used throughout history; especially in our country's recent history. All you have to do is Google "riots in the U.S. since 1990" and you will find accounts of the the 1992 LA riots [also known as the Rodney King riots]; plus the Seattle riots in 1999 [led by anti-globalization activists]; not to mention riots in Cincinnatti in 2001, and Minneapolis in 2020, plus many more. 

The reasons for these riots are plentiful ... among them racial division, anti-government ideology, pro-anarchy ideals, and pure exploitation of the masses by their globalist enemies, seeking to control the world and its economies for their personal benefit. I'm not talking about true peaceful protests over legitimate grievances. I'm talking about the devil's schemes to turn these [or any] protest into violent attacks using fire to destroy property, the throwing of lethal weapons to cause harm or death, and the unmerited and gratuitous looting that serves nothing but the selfish greed of the looters.

But before I proceed any further in my discussion of the current chaos that is threatening the future of our country, I want to quickly point out Satan's favorite tactics, and I invite you to see if you can discern his presence in all the societal problems we are experiencing. As Christians, it is important that we recognize these schemes, so that we can resist these attacks and ultimately model a life of faith and obedience to God, which is part of our collective responsibility in supporting a prosperous and peaceful society.

So, here's a quick rundown of the tools Satan is using: Deception and Lies; Accusation; Temptation; Division and Discord; Persecution and Suffering; False Teachings and Heresies; Pride and Self-Sufficiency; Doubt and Unbelief; Distraction and Worldliness; and finally, Isolation. I see every one of these tactics in the riots happening since June 6 in Los Angeles over what began as a peaceful protest, condemning ICE operations (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in Southern California. 

And now, on the horizon, we face what is being called the "No Kings Day of Action", a protest scheduled to be carried out nationwide on Saturday, June 14th. Here is the "official" description of this event, auto-generated by AI for Rolling Stone magazine ... "The 'No Kings Protest' is a nationwide demonstration scheduled for June 14, 2025, aimed at opposing President Trump's military parade and rejecting authoritarianism. It is organized by various grassroots groups and emphasizes nonviolent resistance while encouraging participants to reclaim patriotism in the name of democracy". 

This protest, also called a "rally", on June 14th, will incidentally coincide with Flag Day, President Trumps' 79th birthday, the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, and serving as a "lead-in" to America's 250th Anniversary on July 4th, 2026. Unfortunately, in my opinion, I see so much of the aforementioned tactics that Satan uses to deceive the masses as he carries out his real purpose -- to cause chaos and sow division and discord among men. To begin, I've heard a lot of reporters and supporters of this event accusing the President of not only staging a show of military power with the planned parade, but that he is using the Army's 250th birthday as an excuse to publicly celebrate his own -- thereby openly displaying his political and authoritarian dominance over American citizens. The White House vehemently denies these accusations, saying the parade plans are "not for his birthday", but are for Flag Day and to celebrate and honor the military.

A simple research of why Flag Day is celebrated reveals that this is a holiday celebrated in our country on June 14 each year, commemorating the adoption of the national flag on June 14, 1777. Our flag honors the symbol of the United States and is consistently marked with patriotic events, including parades. In addition, Military parades in the nation's Capitol have had a rich history, often celebrating military victories and anniversaries of the various branches of military service. They display our nation's military might and national pride, while honoring those who defend the ideals of freedom. Here is a wonderful article that highlights the tradition of military parades throughout our national history. 

So, when I hear the angry voices rejecting the White House's planned celebrations for what are national displays of honor and patriotism, by opposing what they say is the President's "power grab" and his "authoritarianism", all I hear is Satan whispering deception and lies; division and discord; pride; distraction; and isolation -- claiming fascism, tax breaks for billionaires only, destruction of healthcare for families, unlawfully detaining permanent (?) residents, "not for criminal activity but for their political beliefs". They claim to be the "true patriots", staging trainings for their brand of protests, by building groups who plan to "wield power in ways that individuals can't". 

What concerns me is that they are funded and organized by Indivisible, a nonprofit coalition of progressive political action groups. This organization describes itself as a grassroots movement of thousands of local Indivisible groups with a mission to elect progressive leaders, rebuild democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda. According to their website, Indivisibles "organize -- which means building power and flexing at key moments. Indivisible Groups take action in their communities, build collective purpose, and create change". That agenda can be presented in a variety of political ideologies and actions. 

Here's my concern about groups like this ... when you use terminology like "fight back", "build power", "flexing at key moments", "collective purpose", and "Create change", it sounds an awful lot like the language of the 60s and 70s, and the generation that followed the teachings of Saul Alinsky, an American community organizer, activist, and political theorist. [Borth President Obama and Hillary Clinton were students of Alinsky). In his [still] popular book, Rules for Radicals", he prescribed both confrontation and compromise as keys in the struggle for changing the foundational ideas of freedom for every citizen to pursue their own goals [as long as it followed the Constitution] into a Socialist-minded mantra of "generating conflict to mobilize the dispossessed". Sound and look like what we're hearing and seeing in the LA riots and the new "No Kings" movement? 

Does this sound like the "No Kings" events that are being organized around the country are truly "emphasizing nonviolent resistance" as they say? And what are their tactics to "reclaim" democracy? Do they resemble what we've seen in the streets of LA? Now, I'm not saying I agree with everything our present legislators in D.C. are offering in their "Big, Beautiful Bill", nor do I applaud our President's every word and action. I actually agree with the dissenters in that our government budget has grown into a bloated machine that appears to serve itself more than the American tax-payer. I, too, want to see changes -- and my faith does teach me how we are to treat the foreign people living among us. We are to welcome them, helping the poor and needy, never oppressing them, and recognizing that God loves them, too. But, that does not mean that our form of "social justice" turn a blind eye to criminal activity and illegal manipulation of our laws and court systems that result in harm and often death to our own innocent citizens. 

As I wrap up part One of this conversation regarding the growing violence on our streets, and the emergence of well-funded groups that seem to incorporate the Saul Alinsky methods and model of disruption, I want to leave you with the dedication he wrote for his famous book of Rules ... "Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgement to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins -- or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom -- Lucifer."  

"No Kings", huh? As I will show in Part Two of this discussion, mankind has listened to the temptations of the devil to form and build their own kingdoms since the Garden of Eden. Is it possible that the promoters and funders of the "No Kings" movement are really just wanting to displace a political kingdom for a model of a Socialist, Marxist kingdom? We will see how they present themselves this weekend and in the days to come. Will they adhere to their "nonviolent resistance" profile? Or will we see that they are just another splinter group following Alinsky's Rules for Radicals? In Part Two, we will dissect those Rules and see how much we can identify in the "peaceful protests" on display. In the meantime, I hope we also see citizens honoring the American flag, our military that has sacrificed so much for our freedoms, and celebrating the upcoming 250th birthday of our nation. We are all citizens of this country, and there is room for disagreement and new ideas. But violence and destruction serve only to hurt us all. May God Bless America this weekend!

Psalm 2:10-12.     Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.  

 

 

  

 

  

  

 

What Is Happening in the Heavens? New Revelations Unveiled in the Cosmos!

Every once in awhile, my spirit is alerted to what is being revealed in the cosmos, including the possibility of multiple universes [known as the multiverse]. That stretches my imagination! For clarification, the multiverse is defined as "the hypothetical set of all universes. Together, these universes are presumed to comprise everything that exists: the entirety of space, time, matter, energy, information, and the physical laws and constants that describe them" [Wikipedia]. You might be familiar with the terms "parallel universes" or "alternate universes", which refers to the same premise.    

I will also admit that this is outside my usual scope, and it's definitely a challenge for me to come to terms with it, because I'm never sure if we are being manipulated by the science crowd. I do not have a scientific mind and, frankly, I'm somewhat skeptical of scientific hypotheses because they often conflict with my biblical worldview. That being said, I am fully aware of the theories and concepts that assert "extraterrestrial" interaction with mankind throughout the history of the world, [whether it be with angels, or "beings" beyond the earth, in outer space, and possessing great intelligence].

The one thing I do know [instinctively] is that God is the Creator of all things -- and that includes the entirety of space, time, matter, energy, information, and the physical laws and constants that describe the universe(s) -- no matter how many there are. AND, I know [again, instinctively], that while Satan is not capable of creating, he can take those things God has created and corrupt them to serve his purposes. Let me share my train of thought in regards to that statement... 

I am well aware of the scientific speculations regarding the Great Pyramids in Egypt; the megastructures that defy any explanation of how they were erected, and which suggest the use of advanced technology. Where did that advanced technology come from? Gary Wayne, author of Genesis 6 Conspiracy, writes that the knowledge of "the Seven Sacred Sciences [of God] were bestowed to Adam, and were of unimaginable worth, for they contained the secrets of the universe ... Adam was an active practitioner of these secrets/craft while in Eden and also after. Unfortunately, both Eve and Adam ate from the Tree of Knowledge of both Good and Evil, and were instantaneously corrupted by the knowledge of evil and consequently driven from Eden by God".  

From that moment, the sacred knowledge was available to Adam's generations; to be used by both his righteous and evil descendants. In his lifetime, Adam witnessed the incursion of the Fallen Angels of Genesis 6 [who mated with human women, who bore children by them, known as Nephilim, who were half-spirit and half-human giants]. These Fallen Angels and their unholy children provided the knowledge, plus the intellectual and physical ability to build architectural masterpieces that defy logic. This is just the beginning of how I can see that perhaps there are mysteries in this universe that are unexplained by human intelligence, and that the Enemy of God, who has access to the heavenly realms, is constantly trying to corrupt matter, and energy, and entities/beings to destroy those of us made in the Sovereign Creator God's image.

That's a very simplistic picture of how and why it's reasonable to consider what ancient civilizations have revealed about these mysteries, and then compare them to the recent events in our own atmosphere. Could the universe be unveiling [and sending us warnings] that the existence of supernatural beings in the cosmos are real, and we need to consider what it means for the future of mankind? There was a headline that grabbed my attention this week. It appeared on a YouTube video titled "NASA in Panic: James Webb Telescope JUST WARNED THE WORLD". In my lack of knowledge about astronomy, my first question was, "What is the James Webb Telescope"? It is the largest and most powerful space telescope ever built, designed to conduct infrared astronomy and observe the universe's earliest galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. It is equipped with high-resolution and high-sensitivity instruments, allowing it to view objects too old, distant, or faint for the Hubble Space Telescope (which was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990). 

What is so astounding about this video is that the Telescope captured something that not only defied physics as we humans understand it, but defied our very understanding of the universe (again, as we have understood it). Then without warning, the live feed went dark, and the footage disappeared. Days later, an object is spotted hovering over Earth's magnetic field that extends from Earth's interior out into space, where it interacts with the solar wind and charged particles emanating from the Sun. This magnetic field serves as our protective blanket and shields us from disruptive space weather ... and other destructive possibilities.

And the name of this object? Neo Oumuamua.  According to the blog, Science & Nature, in October 2017, astronomers received exciting news! A strange and unexplained object had been detected sailing through our solar system. Dubbed "Oumuamua", meaning scout or messenger in Hawaiian, this celestial body defied all known rules of astronomy and captivated the world with its unusual shape and enigmatic [mysterious] behavior. After much study and speculation, scientists concluded that it was a simple hydrogen comet, its cylindrical shape the result of erosion caused by the solar wind during its interstellar journey, while its polished, metallic surface could be a layer of dust and condensed organic material. Its ability to repel [or evade] the Sun's gravitational pull was explained as diverted frozen hydrogen that produced a jet of gas, allowing the comet to accelerate and avoid being incinerated by the Sun.

That was then ... this is now! Back to the aforementioned object that the  James Webb Telescope spotted hovering above Earth's magnetic equator. And this time, the object wasn't just passing through the solar system. It approached, slowed down, changed direction and then it stopped. NASA's live stream abruptly cut out. Within minutes the raw footage was pulled. The object was renamed Neo [New] Oumuamua and marked as a classified trajectory. But here is the important part ... Just before the blackout, the James Webb Telescope recorded a structured burst of prime number pulses aimed directly at Earth's magnetosphere. 

There is much more information in the video that addresses the actions of this interstellar object, but here is what I'd like you to understand and think about... In a recently declassified think tank paper authored by a coalition of astrophysicists and theoretical physicists, a radical new idea is proposed. Dubbed, "The Veil Hypothesis", the theory suggests that advanced civilizations might deploy passive surveillance objects -- not to observe life directly -- but to breach a higher layer of spatial awareness; an invisible boundary beyond which reality behaves differently. According to this theory, Neo Oumuamua isn't an explorer. It's a marker or instellar buoy placed in orbit to confirm that humanity has passed a technological threshold... perhaps quantum communication; perhaps gravitational manipulation; perhaps something we don't even understand yet.

But those who have much more information about the universe and its history are pointing to the chilling possibility that we have crossed the veil, and now the universe [or Satan's partners in the heavenly realms] are watching what we do. And here's an even more fantastical theory: Engineers who are part of a group of signal analysts believe that Neo Oumuamua may be part of a larger system we've never detected because we're inside of it. Their model proposes some sort of a massive mesh; a multi-dimensional lattice of listening nodes that wrap around planetary systems, like a soft shell. We never noticed it because we weren't loud enough. But now with our quantum experiments, space-based AI, and gravity wave emissions, we've finally made enough noise in the cosmos to activate the net.

According to this group's projections, what is hovering above us isn't a probe. It's a mirror; a perfectly silent device designed to reflect back exactly what we are and what we are doing. Here is what is potentially so terrifying: For centuries, modern man has seen himself as the explorer. And in our time, we have built telescopes. launched spacecraft, mapped galaxies; all with the hope that one day we would discover life [or something] "out there". But perhaps the truth is more startling ... we might never have simply been observers, but rather, the observed. And perhaps we need to consider that something in the universe; something ancient and silent has finally turned its attention towards us because we have attained a level of technological intelligence that threatens our future; or Heaven forbid, a level of chaos and destruction that threatens the universe, and we are now deemed dangerous and menacing.

And I cannot dismiss the nudge I'm receiving in my spirit of the warning that our Lord gave in Matthew 24:37-39 ... the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. People were living their lives as if there were no consequences of their actions, refusing to heed the caution that caused Noah to listen to God, telling him to build an ark. People did not know or understand what was coming until God's judgment came and swept them all away. In this passage, Jesus was comparing the conditions of the world before His return to the wickedness and indifference that was present in Noah's time. Then, God used the Flood to render His unexpected judgment. Today, people are living their ordinary, everyday lives, unaware of the impending significant events happening all around them. Jesus says, "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be at the Coming of the Son of Man"... There is a judgment coming; it will be unexpected. And as the Creator of the Universe(s), what will He use this time?  

In summary, I don't stay focused on these kinds of speculations about what is going on in space. But I do discern that our interest in AI, Quantum, and experiments in frequencies, etc. are leading us down roads that could quickly surpass our ability to protect ourselves from the strategies of Satan and his followers. Ancient civilizations left evidence of mysterious warnings they received from "other worldly" beings. When they went unheeded, these civilizations were no more. I am not a conspiracy theorist nor am I a science fiction lover. For now, I am just aware that our world is undergoing lots of natural phenomena -- volcanoes, threatening weather, strange objects in the sky, and increasing evil at levels we have not seen before. What does it portend? Where will it all end? From the Seven Sacred Sciences given to Adam, to Artificial Intelligence and Quantum experiments, man has opened the door for Satan to tempt us with the sin of Pride. God, save us from ourselves!  

Colossians 1:16-17     For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His activity] and for Him. And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe].  

 

I Warned Of This 10 Years Ago! Pagan Principles Taught In Schools!

This is what I wrote ten years ago, on November 18, 2015 ... As usual, in the busyness and chaos of my life, I manage to hear snippets of the world's conversations all around me, and sometimes the Holy Spirit will "zing" me with a "Pay attention to this" summons. Such was the case when I overheard a Fox News announcer commenting that the Department of Education is spending upwards of $2.5 million to bring "mindfulness intervention" to kindergartners in Chicago, promoting the idea that kids can go to "calm spots" in the corner to watch nature videos. 

What the 10-second sound bite did not tell the audience was that this government program is in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, which has spent over $100 million studying this New Age meditation technique called "mindfulness". What's more, the Education Department has introduced this "Calm Classroom" program into 3,000 schools through its Investing in Innovation Fund. What?!?! Exactly what are all these "government programs" that taxpayer dollars are funding, and what exactly is it that they are trying to accomplish?? 

At the time, the reasons given for promoting these programs was two-fold: 1) It was determined that during the early years of schooling, children needed to learn "self-regulation skills", which were commended to be as, [if not more], important to long-term academic competence than intelligence or specific knowledge curriculum. Hidden message: These kids needed to be molded into a specific model of compliance. 2) It was also pointed out that increasingly, younger children were suffering from high levels of trauma, anxiety, and stress. This resulted in tendencies to misbehave or act out in the classroom, rather than participate productively during lessons. Hidden message: This set of kids caused disruption in the classroom and needed to be controlled. In reality, in 2015, the teachers were no longer allowed to keep discipline in their classrooms, and a trip to the principal's office had clearly become a thing of the past.

So, here's what I interpreted all that jargon to mean: "increasing self-regulation" sounds like the goal was to limit original and critical thinkers; they didn't want kids who challenged the teacher with unconventional ideas or who could think "outside the box". Secondly, it was decided that the lack of discipline in schools could be overcome by teaching the kids the skill of "mindfulness", using meditation practices that were described in the Buddhist tradition. Teachers would be trained in the Five-Aggregate Model, an ancient model of the mind and body, as a helpful theoretical resource that would help them guide mindfulness interventions in their classrooms. All I could think was ... They are allowed to practice an element of Buddhist meditation, but a prayer to the One True God of the Universe is illegal? 

Fast forward to May 26, 2025, and an article in Harbinger's Daily, entitled Indoctrinating Children Into The Demonic: It's Past Time For A Total Rethink of 'Education'.  The article disclosed schools in Chicago [again] got caught forcing children to participate in Hindu rituals, resulting in payment of millions of taxpayer dollars to the victims. According to the article, "The scandal in question involved a partnership between the Chicago Board of Education and the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace. Working together, government schools and the New Age Foundation forced children to either participate in bizarre pagan rituals or remain silent as classmates chanted Hindu mantras". 

Furthermore, it seems the children were told not to tell anyone, especially if their parents were "religious", and seem to have even had children sign "nondisclosure agreements"! The 16-year-old student who filed suit against her school said she was ordered to participate in "Quiet Time", which included a "private one-on-one 'Puja' worship ceremony" in a dark room, religious chanting and paraphernalia, and even "secret mantras" that were actually the names of Hindu deities, of whom Biblical theology has always held to be demonic. 

From what I have been able to discern Puja is a worship ritual to offer devotions and prayer to one or more deities of the Hindu religion. Idols or images of the deity may be present, and it is believed that when the worshipper comes into "consciousness" by repeating the chants or mantras, the divine becomes visible in the image [or idol], and the divinity sees the worshipper, inviting interaction between human and deity. This is all part of the "Consciousness-Based Education" that the Chicago Board of Education was pushing on students!

So, what exactly is this new form of education? A very simple explanation can be found at consciousnessbasededucation.org ... "The basis of Consciousness-Based education is the systematic development of the student's creative potential through the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. This technology of consciousness is practiced twice daily by all students, as part of the curriculum". Their website also says that "Principles that have been guiding education in the past are being replaced with new principles based on a more complete understanding of the nature, range, and development of human consciousness". 

But replaced with what? Principles of demons and false gods!! And "secret" mantras speak blatantly of the occult, which is defined as "the knowledge of the hidden or supernatural, encompassing beliefs and practices that are secret or not easily understood, such as magic and mysticism. It can also describe phenomena involving hidden forces or agencies [think spirits], often outside the realm of organized religion and science". Let me unpack that a little more for you... the Chicago Board of Education decided it was a good idea to unleash foreign and pagan gods upon the children in their care. 

I hope you are able to see that Satan just replays his strategies over and over. After this demonic plan was exposed in 2015, he and his human partners just backed off for awhile, letting the concern subside, and now, 10 years later, here it comes again. And there's a whole new group of misguided people who are only willing to indoctrinate our kids with their paganism and anti-Christian religious "education", all across our country. Parents and Christians must become vigilant in rooting out anti-Christ religious teachings in our classrooms under the disguise of "meditation" techniques and "mindfulness" education curriculum. 

Our country has offended God in so many ways, but I think one of the most egregious insults was removing Him from our classrooms and educational system. Our children are our most important and cherished legacy, yet we let Satan's minions convince our government to exile our God [with His moral and sacred influence] from the presence of our children .... and then we replace Him with gods who negate His teachings. The indoctrination must stop! We must return to the Biblical model of being diligent in teaching our children the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Our nation has suffered from our negligence, and the Enemy has taken advantage of that, and unleashed his "spirits" upon an unsuspecting generation[s]. I pray we wake up and repent before we lose the Lord's  grace and mercy that He has so patiently and lovingly afforded us. May we return to prayer, biblical values, and truth in our schools ... and our lives! Amen!

Proverbs 22:6.      Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God's wisdom and will for his abilities and talents]; Even when he is old he will not depart from it. 

 

      

   

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.

 

AI, Humanity, and the Image of God: It's a Battle Between Rival Kingdoms!

It's no secret that I am becoming increasingly concerned about the growing influence of technology in our world, and specifically in our lives. Because I have the privilege of age, and have therefore experienced life through an amazing time of rapid growth, modification and change in our daily existence, I am able to discern the effects that technological engineering have made on humanity. 

Before I proceed with the purpose of this post, I want to briefly define what I mean by the foundational terms of my hypothesis: Artificial intelligence, Humanity, and the Image of God. I am trying to listen intently and clearly to where the Holy Spirit is leading me. So, I am beginning to gather my scattered [yet inspired] thoughts into a spiritually informed and cogent argument for why we need to be very careful with how we proceed with the next generation of technological advancement. Of course, I am beginning with Artificial Intelligence (AI), the "new science" that has captured the imaginations [and machinations] of men with what I think are questionable motives. 

I was actually astounded to discover that the existence of artificial intelligence is not a new idea. There are confirmed mythical, fictional, and medieval legends of artificial beings -- ranging from a creature made of bronze, by the name of Talos, in Greek mythology, charged with acting as a guardian for the island of Crete; to the Swiss alchemist Paracelsus, who claimed he could fabricate an "artificial man" by placing the sperm of a man in horse dung and feeding it the "secret or mystery" (Arcanum) of man's blood, which after 40 days, would result in a living infant. 

According to Wikipedia, the earliest written account regarding animation of a Golem (the assignment of human traits, emotions, and in relation to this post, intelligence, to non-human entities such as clay figures - or a computer) is found in the writings of Eleazar ben Judah of Worms in the early 13th century. It was believed that the animation of a Golem could be achieved by insertion of a piece of paper with any of God's names on it into the mouth of the clay figure to receive information. Alchemy (chemistry, magic, sorcery, witchcraft, enchantment) was a huge part of these endeavors. 

Again, Wikipedia says that modern artificial intelligence was born in the 1940s when the study of logic and formal reasoning led to the invention of the programmable digital computer, a machine based on abstract mathematical reasoning. This invention inspired scientists to begin discussing the possibility of building an electronic brain. Fast forward to the early 2000s when "machine learning" was applied to a wide range of problems in academia and industry. With the advent and availability of powerful computer hardware, the collection of immense data sets, and the application of solid mathematical methods, "deep learning" became a reality, and we now have a breakthrough that has led to the rapid scaling and public releases of "large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT".  That is a short (and simple) synopsis of the idea of artificial intelligence. 

Moving on to the term Humanity, I consider it to be the condition, quality, and state of being human, which includes compassion, empathy, kindness, and understanding towards others. It is the consideration of humans as a group; the human race. That's a rather detached definition of the qualities of humankind, devoid of what I consider is the most important attribute of our state ... we are created in the Image of God, an immaterial spirit, capable of communing with our Maker. As GotQuestions.org elucidates, we are an "Image-Bearer" of God's likeness mentally, morally, and socially. We can reason and choose, which is a reflection of God's intellect and freedom. We were created in righteousness and perfect innocence, a reflection of God's holiness and image. We are created for fellowship, which reflects His triune nature and His love for us; and whenever we marry, make a friend, hug a child, or gather together in the Name of Jesus, we reflect the likeness and image of God. 

The problem, as I see it, and the reason for my concern, is the very clear intentions of some members of our humanity to use AI to separate us from our understanding of what it means to be a human and created in the image of God. Our identity as a created being [in His image] is a fact and a truth that sets us apart from any other form of creation -- including [and especially] computers. We alone are a reflection of His values and purpose as Creator. A computer cannot reflect God's spiritual attributes; it can't show holiness, love, or fellowship. 

We must realize and see that modern proponents of Artificial Intelligence are attempting to apply human [and therefore God-like] qualities to machines, describing their ability to "think", "learn", and "understand". This serves to confuse [and conflate] the nature of man and machine. No matter how close these machines and computers can come to mimicking human intelligence, they are not made in the image of God! They don't have spirits, or a soul, and they are incapable of inviting Jesus to sit on the throne of their heart ... because they don't have a heart, let alone any ability to "engage in moral or spiritual reflection", as Cheri Givens writes in her astute article on Medium.com.  

I think the thing that disturbs me the most is the attempt to minimize the miraculous and divine design of God's creation of man by insinuating that we are merely "advanced biological machines", which leads to drawing a dangerous parallel and connection between man and technological devices. As the advances continue in the abilities of AI to take over [and eventually surpass] man's human abilities to solve the challenges we face [to preserve human life], I fear that we will increasingly undervalue God as the answer to our problems. 

And when we attempt to minimize God's blueprint, so to speak, in our bodies by encouraging the merger of man and machine, then we are advocating Transhumanism, the philosophical and intellectual movement that says we can enhance our human condition [and overcome its limitations] by integrating machines into our physical environment. In other words, there is a very real effort to separate humanity from our divine link to our Creator.

And that's a battle that has been waging since the Garden of Eden! Ever since the Fall of Man, Satan has tried to convince us that we don't need God. In fact, he's tried to convince us that we can become our own god and be in control of our own destiny. It's all part of Satan's plan to usurp the government of God's Kingdom on earth in order to establish his own kingdom, based on deception and convincing us that we don't carry a spiritual significance in our relationship with God. But we're not just physical cells, muscles, tissues, and blood. We are made in His image, and we are spirits, as well. 

If Satan can keep the culture focused on the intellectual value that AI can bring to humanity, we will neglect [and eventually lose] the spiritual connection to God in favor of greater physical advancements. And it won't take long until we are augmented with computer parts that promise a transformation that unfortunately no longer aligns with God's creation of our bodies or His will for us. We are created to set our minds on spiritual matters, and focus on heavenly things that will lead to lives devoted to God; worshiping and glorifying Him alone. AI and Transhumanism are focused on annulling our covenant and divine relationship with our Creator, and enslaving us to the kingdom of Satan. . 

The bottom line is that Satan wants dominion of the earth for himself, establishing his own kingdom populated with beings who invalidate their divine connection to the God of the Universe, in favor of worshiping the deceptions offered by science. He whispers that humanity can "save their lives" by advancing, enhancing, revolutionizing, improving, streamlining, and enriching themselves in the areas of healthcare, environmental conservation, social welfare, education, etc. All we need to do is abdicate our spiritual relationship with the One who created us, and join forces [and our brains] with the machines that will give us all the wisdom and knowledge we need without the need to spend eternity with God.

I know this probably sounds like I've gone over the cliff, but every ounce of my spiritual being is crying out warnings! I fear for our younger generations who have only known the modern age of computers. It has been easy for them to be enticed by Satan's lying whisper ... I can offer you more. The advancements in AI are coming rapidly and deceptively; disguised as progress and growth in the advancement of human potentiality. I'm not denying that we could benefit from some of the developments. But there's danger in the undercurrents of wicked forces who are promoting an anti-God agenda in the mix. Please pray for discernment for our leaders. Pray for Godly men to keep this powerful tool in check. And ask the Holy Spirit to give us the fullness of His work in our lives, so that we might correctly navigate this critical time in the age of Humanity: Give us the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Wisdom, the Spirit of Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel, the Spirit of Might/Power, the Spirit of Knowledge, and the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord. Amen!

2 Corinthians 7:1     Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life -- a life set apart for God's purpose] in the fear of God.