Technology And Prophecy

The Gulf War highlighted some of the marvels of modern technology; many of these we take for granted in everyday life, but they seemed to acquire a new significance during the action-packed days of war.

Information technology played a vital part in handling the logistics of the vast operation to transport armies and equipment from America and Europe to the Middle East: also in maintaining supplies to the theatre of war. Computerization provides rapid calculations and the storage of limitless detailed data which can be recalled at the touch of a button.

Technology also provides instant world-wide communication links. Television viewers could see live pictures from battle zones, with news correspondents giving their reports direct from the scene of action. Discussion programmes were featured to include people as far apart as Washington, London, Moscow and Riyadh, each responding to the presenter's promptings. Equally remarkable was the coordination of the conduct of the war made possible by communication technology: the Pentagon in direct contact with military commanders in the Guff area; the White House maintaining close dialogue with leaders of the Coalition governments and others. Military spy satellites provided a regular stream of vital information. The whole global exercise was streamlined by the immediacy of communications.

Then there was the advance of technology in weapons, many of them used in battle for the first time. Patriot missiles successfully neutralized many of the "scud" attacks. Guided missiles and bombs made possible bombing with remarkable accuracy. In such respects the war was regarded by military experts as a triumph of technology.

Information, communication and weaponry! three aspects of technological development which, we suggest' have probable relevance to the prophetic Word. For prophecy regarding the time of the end would seem to predict world-wide control by the coming superman, the Antichrist. He is portrayed in the imagery of "the beast" in Rev. 13, and verse seven states that "there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation". This would seem to imply world-wide control, an implication supported by Rev. 7:9 which indicates that martyrs from the Antichrist's persecution will include people "out of every nation, and of all tribes and peoples and tongues".

If this is so, how relevant the modern advances in information technology and in communications would seem to be. Immediate world-wide communication to control affairs from one centre. Immediately available detailed data about all nations if economic control is to be exercised to the degree that none will be "able to buy or sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name" (Rev. 13:17).

As to weaponry, the question is asked in Rev. 13:4, "Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him?" Could this indicate that the Antichrist may achieve a technical advantage through weapons against which there will be no available protection?

It is also clear, of course, that the Antichrist's coming will be "according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders". He will be supernaturally empowered by Satan, and his false prophet (the "beast" of Rev. 13:11) will deceive the world by his signs, giving breath to the image of the Antichrist (13:15). However, if modern technology has already made feasible the control of all nations from one centre, how much more will the Antichrist be able to achieve this control when he will also be aided by supernatural Satanic power?

Turning from the background of war, we find an equally vital role for information and communication technology in the business world, linked with emphasis on global commercial strategy. The President of a leading organization in the field of information technology has recently written:

"What is happening elsewhere in the world affects the decisions we make locally, because elsewhere is here. We are becoming part of a borderless world, in which the dominating trend is towards interdependence. Everywhere barriers that divide nations, people, economies and even companies are coming down

this trend is summed up by the words 'One World'".

Significant thoughts! illustrating world developments so much in harmony with the revelation of Scripture regarding the time of the end.

Let all the earth fear the LORD:

Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

(Ps. 33:8).

unknown | Jul 1991
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