With every technological advancement society states the obvious: this is the end of the world as we know it And they're right. But all of these advancements are getting people ready for the ultimate technological advancement revealed in Revelation 13. The beast, the image of the beast and the false prophet will not alarm people. Some will be awed, some fearful. But the world as we know it then will change drastically and dramatically. I don't want to be her then. I don't want anyone to be here. Especially people I know and love. So I pray.
The beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth will work together to deceive even more people. The beast out of the sea will be wounded and die. The beast out of the earth will revive the beast out of the sea and have an image (statue, representation) of the first beast created and set up. And this image, this statue, will speak. So I pray.
This world has built many tall statues intended to draw attention to both the statue and the cultural significance of the statue. Can you imagine if the Statue of Liberty began to speak? It is 151 feet in height and stands on a pedestal that is 165 feet tall. The voice would surely terrify people. I know I'd be shocked. Or the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil began to move? That statue is 125 feet tall with a base of 98 feet. There are other statues which are larger and would most certainly have an impact on people should they begin to move and speak (Spring Temple Buddha in China at 502 feet and the Statue of Unity in India at 597 feet).
And, yet, it won't be the size of the statue that impresses people at that time: it will be his ability to talk. The worst form of artificial intelligence ever will have people worshiping it or dying. For whoever does not worship the image of the beast will be killed. And as horrific as that is, keep in mind that everyone who worships the image, the statue, of the beast will receive a mark which allows them freedom in purchasing power. Without this mark no one will be able to buy or sell anything. So I pray.
I pray Ephesians 3 over my family, my friends, my strangers and my enemies. Surely God will or has given you Scriptures through the years to pray over certain people or situations. This is no different. While I can't list each and every one of you by name, they are mentioned by subgroup.
My family is comprised of not only my husband and our children but our parents, our siblings, our nieces and nephews, our aunts and uncles and any other extended family we may not know, including people who call me Auntie or Mom even if we're not related.
My friends are people I know and am acquainted with, including friends of our children, friends we hang out with and contemporaries. Friends can be colleagues or coworkers, too; including missionaries and other church leaders and church staff. Those friendships may not always be strong friendships, but they are friends nonetheless.
My strangers are people I interact with throughout the day that I don't know and may never know: the cashier at the grocers, the attendant at the gas station, the ticket seller at the movies, my beautician, to give a few examples. Strangers are comprised of my government leaders, my doctors and staff, and others who are involved in my little piece of the world, including friends of friends.
My enemies are people who seek to destroy me by their words and their actions against me. Some of my enemies could fall under other subgroups. It doesn't matter, you all get prayed for. Why would we pray for our enemies? Because the Word of God tells us to. " But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Matthew 5:44
By being faithful in prayer I hope that none of my subgroups are present when the beast and the image of the beast rule the earth. That is an artificial intelligence I hope never to interact with.
I pray Romans 10:11-13. They are the whosoevers.
I pray John 3:16, 17. They are the world to me.
I pray Ephesians 6:1-20 over God's people: they are my brethren, my brothers and sisters in Christ.
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