I recently won a charity raffle at work and got to choose the charity the money went to. I opted for no2id, which prompted discussion in the office.
I am dead against Id cards, I feel that they're related to the "number of the beast" spoken about in the Bible. Id cards in themselves are not that bad, it's the RFID technology that could follow that I worry about. This technology could be used for purchases in shops et cetera.
The Bible says anyone without this "mark" would not be able to buy and sell: "And he shall make all, both little and great, rich and poor, freemen and bondmen, to have a character in their right hand or on their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, but he that hath the character, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (Revalation Chapter 13: 16-17)
This makes me think of an economy in which people trade using RFID or similar implants accessing their credit card information. As a Christian, I would never be able to take this chip. My theology here is sketchy, but seem to remember that accepting this mark would be a very bad thing to do in eternal terms ('once the sequence of “end of the world” events starts, they continue, a person who follows the Beast, participates in the payment system, and receives the Mark, will risk eternal judgment by God' - source).
This situation, and my resulting fear of the future, really affects me day to day. I worry myself sick about it, and I don't really know what I should do. I wish that I wasn't living in these times; because of what I suspect about the near future, I don't know if I can have children - I don't know if it's fair for them to live through these times. I don't know whether Jesus will come back before the times of trial, and to be honest, I'm not even sure if I'm "ready" for Him to take me when He comes. Much of the time, I doubt my "salvation" - it is very hard for me to accept and many verses in the Bible niggle at me. I do know one thing though - He saved my life and I won't give up on Him.
Probably this sounds stupid to a lot of people, I can understand that.
I feel that there are very hard times ahead, so it is more important than ever to do what good we can, whilst we can.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
That's quite something that you have on your mind there.
Just out of interest, can someone have the chip (or whatever it is) and still be a Christian (believing in Jesus dieing etc)?
Also, what does RFID stand for (sorry for being noobish)?
We do live in troubled times, I don't think we always realise this. However, there is hope. As you mentioned, Jesus saved you...and this is the good news that people need to hear, God really does love them.
I don't feel the same about it. I do accept that the system has a lot of flaws, security risks etc, but the theological link doesn't really convince me... everyone since Christ has thought that they're living in the end times. I sometimes wonder if maybe it happened and we're the aftermath. I don't know.
Thing is, if ID cards were introduced, I don't know whether I'd get one or not.
Hi John,
RFID stands for Radio Frequency IDentification, it's the kind of thing that's embedded in a biometric passport. It is a tiny chip that can be embedded into something, allowing it to be tracked.
There are videos on youtube of people embedding these things, such as:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vsk6dJr4wps
As for your question about Christians, the Bible talks of a widespread apostasy (turning away from the faith) in the last days. My theology is incredibly sketchy on this (it's very open to interpretation) but it seems that accepting this chip is following the beast. The Bible also talks about God putting his mark on people. I don't want to go to far into it, but my understanding is that by taking the beast mark you put yourself in serious jeopardy. The Bible says those that "endure to the end will be saved".
Scary stuff
You're spot on though, whatever the future, it doesn't really change how we should live day-to-day - a lifestyle of love, preaching the Gospel in how we are, (using words when necessary!).
Gav old boy, I always thought ginger hair was the mark of the Beast.
And surely if there is to be some kind of judgement, the Lord will need to see some kind of ID. I see him as a kind of big bouncer, except friendlier, and maybe wearing a hat.
Of course, I jest, and no disrespect is intended. Personally as you know I'm not a believer, but I do agree that ID cards are wrong. I don't see how carrying an ID card stops terrorism, or in fact does any more for national security than a passport.
Also my dear boy, I have "tagged" you with a "meme". At least, I think I have, I'm not sure how the whole process works. It's possible there may have to be an exchange of bodily fluids, although I don't think so. Check out my blog and all will hopefully become clear.
Hey Gav,
Thankyou for that, makes a little more sense now.
It is quite an interesting topic. I guess that if you wear the mark you won't be doing yourself any good.
Anna, your idea intrigues me - we might be the aftermath. What brought you to that, out of interest?
Hmmm as you know I'm not a believer and sometimes it upsets me that being a believer as you are leads you into such dark places.
To spend your days worrying about this is no way to live your life. As Anna states quite rightly I think, everyone since Christ thinks they are living in the end times. If everyone decided to not have children because they were too scared of the world they might bring them into then it really would be the end of the world. Perhaps having children is your opportunity to do something right, to raise good people with lots to offer.
Who is the beast? Are we talking the devil? You also mention God putting his mark on you? So how do you know the difference between God's mark and the Beast's mark? I'm curious.
I respect religious beliefs that people have but I do think that the bible is so open to interpretation, sometimes I think you could get the bible to support any ideas you wanted if you looked hard enough. Anyway, I hope I haven't offended you, I'm sure I could have expressed my ideas more eloquently but anyway, it's just my opinion.
@Juniper: the Beast is the antichrist, or a false prophet who appears to solve the world's problems but really enslaves them. There are many warning about false prophets throughout the Bible.
The mark of the beast is a sign that you've been taken in by what looks on the surface ok but is really wickedness.
God's mark occurs at the end of time as I understand it, i.e. judgement day.
Until then, I am seriously preparing myself for some John Connor/skynet shit. Word.
"a sign that you've been taken in by what looks on the surface ok but is really wickedness." -Gav
Too late. Sex on TV, abortion, virtual theft and piracy (my main problem), etc. All of these things are immoral in their own ways, and yet I have come to accept them as... acceptable, because of the society that surrounds me. Of course, this does not excuse it, but merely offers some insight into why I am not outraged by my surroundings.
"It is said that if a frog is placed in boiling water, it will jump out, but if it is placed in cold water that is slowly heated, it will never jump out."
Have you ever noticed how it is the elder generations that tell us we are immoral? We have phrases like "it was never this bad in my day" and "I can't believe they're being allowed to get away with that". As the younger generations, we hear these words and scoff, offended by the threat to our freedom. But think on this: will we be uttering the same phrases when we grow old? And if so, how bad will the world have become? Yet the young generations will take as much notice of us as we took of our elders.
People accept slight change, thinking "well it's closer to immorality, but we're aware of that, so it's ok". But then, a generation later, people are NOT aware that it is a step closer to immorality. So when another step is taken, the same thought runs through their head: "That's slightly worse, but not so much that I'll object. We'll just keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't go any further". I'm sure you remember the kids game where you had to step forward only when the other kid's back was turned. Don't let him see you step! Wait for his back to be turned! Another generation, another step. Who is playing this game with our world?
Now, on to the original subject of your blog post. I have, for a long time, believed that computer chips under our skin with identity and bank details on them will be the mark of the beast. I have even looked at world leaders who claim to be doing what is best for everyone, leaders who are loved, and wondered... are they the one? Are they the one to keep an eye on, the one to watch carefully, the one I shouldn't believe without careful consideration? If my memory serves me as well as it should a man my age, the AntiChrist will be loved by many. He will convince people that he is making the world a better place. He is not going to be some Mr Burns, stealing from children and running slave camps. He (or she) will be a smiling, cheerful, socially engaging, charming person.
I do fear the end of this world. It's not going to be pleasant. However... until I came here and read this post, I had never considered my possibly children, and what I may be bringing them into. What if Jesus returns at the point when they rebel against me and what I have tried to teach them? What if they throw of the protective cloak of God just when the AntiChrist puts his plans into motion?
I think I will have to deal with this problem how I deal with everything else I am too unqualified and uninformed to deal with. I shall keep talking to God. I shall do what feels right at the time. I shall trust that even if I make the wrong choice, I won't be able to screw up what God has planned.
I agree with everything you said there Mike.
Maybe it's time to learn some serious Ray Mears type skills!
Seriously, though, we're none of us alone, whatever happens.
Post a Comment