When the Chips are Down.

If there is one single thing that almost everyone on the face of the earth seems to know concerning bible prophesy, it's the number of the mark of the beast. Some are fearful and some make a mockery, however, the vast majority simply "know about it". The concept that it could come to fruition is just something that they don't have time to consider. After all, there are more important things to worry about like "who are the contestants on the next season of American Idolatry?" and "how much longer can I hide my extra-marital affair?" It falls under the label of complacency. Things have gone on in the same fashion for so long that the small incremental steps to global one-world government go unnoticed. In the last few years, this transition has accelerated dramatically without so much as a raised eye brow. The arguments in favor of the technology that will bring this about make sense to the vast majority of an uninformed population. Curently, RFID chips are used to track products under the premise of streamlined shipping. The Agricultural department is forging ahead with plans to implant chips in all livestock to track all livestock and "control the spread of disease." As things progress, food will become a weapon to control people. This is a tactic as old as warfare itself, but will take place on a global scale. As you can imagine the next logical step is people. It makes sense of course. If a child is kidnapped, they can be found right away. You won't have to worry about losing your keys or your ID. In fact "identity theft" will be a thing of the past. I don't like to make a stretch concerning conspiracy theories, but have you noticed the number of stories concerning banking firms losing records on millions of citizens? Have you noticed the number of news reports on missing persons? Not to mention voting irregularities, immigration problems; just an array of conditions that would make a chip implant seem like a "brilliant solution." Revelation 13:16-18 states "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and .poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six." Ponder something for a minute. Suppose that tomorrow morning you are suddenly required to receive this mark. All of a sudden, you can't hold your job. You can,t buy anything. You can't sell anything. You are suddenly cut off from the entire economic system. You can't feed your household, or have access to medical care. The only way is to receive this mark but if you do that, there is no remedy and your eternal doom is sealed. This, again, is one of those things that the preacher at the United Form of Godliness church will never talk about and if it comes up, he'll simply tell you "Oh, don't worry, we're not going to be here." Do you see why the pre-tribulation rapture teaching is so dangerous. It is at this very moment causing millions to not prepare themselves for the days ahead. Walking in the Spirit is an absolute MUST! (I wasn't planning to get into the rapture doctrine but it came up and, well, there it is. Truth can be relentingly brutal at times, but a lie can kill you.) The bible is full of warnings concerning this place on the prophetic time line so that we'll be prepared and not perplexed. The time to get right with the Lord Jesus is now. This thing is coming to an end quicker than most imagine. In May of 2008, the REAL ID act takes affect. This bill, passed by congress and signed by the president to aid in the "war on Terror" will require everyone to have a national ID card. Well you can lose a card, so it's a very small step from a card to a chip. If you're born again this is by no means a time to be fearful. (fear causes people to make very bad choices.) Daniel 11:32-35 has been stuck in my head for weeks. It states "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of undersatanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed." One more thing of note. The fiery trial of the saints has a purpose: to burn out all of the impurities; the carnal nature that we wrestle with every day. That's another thing that isn't talked about very often. We need to examine ourselves all the time. I have wondered in times past if I would be ready when these times arrive. The fact is you simply have to be. The Lord is doing a quick work and we must keep our hearts pure and remain as close to him as possible. I know that we hear these things over and over again but the fact is they are a matter of life and death. Plus I have a short memory and need to hear them over and over. To keep our affections on things above. JESUS IS COMING! Are you ready? This question we need to ask ourselves consistantly.