Can we manage the risks of blindly walking into the Mark of the Beast 666 system? Technology already seems to be taking on some characteristics of the Beast system as described in the Book of Revelation. Personally, I am trying to resist using the new AI versions of tablets, computers, and smartphones.
In my opinion, surveillance will gradually develop into something dystopian as the rise of the Beast empire and its Antichrist ruler draws nearer. I assume the Mark of the Beast will operate as a global technological system, coupled with the "speaking image" of the Beast, which might resemble [an awry] global AI system. Surveillance, I believe, will underpin this system.
Am I protected from surveillance merely by avoiding technology? Even without using the latest devices, I might still be very vulnerable because I communicate with people who do use these devices. Simply walking into a bank, government office, or shop might expose me, as my details could be entered—perhaps invisibly—into devices with advanced technology, such as RFID chips that track us as we leave a store.
Furthermore, emerging concepts like “companion” and “client-side scanning” suggest that privacy may soon be virtually nonexistent, even if you are not connected to the Internet.
I expect that, in the near future, almost all new devices will have AI built in, gathering comprehensive information about you even when you are offline. Phone providers may eventually offer only such devices, making it impossible to use a phone without them. Additionally, if companies develop their websites so that bill payments, debt settlements, and purchases only work on AI-enabled smartphones, computers, and tablets, we may all be forced into adopting these data-collecting devices.
At present, this is not yet the dystopia I anticipate. However, I believe developing technology will evolve far beyond what it is today. Smart cities, smart devices, and smart meters will likely converge with AI to form a "smart empire," where everything is AI-driven and government and corporate services incorporate client-side scanning.
From there, the introduction of political policies could label anyone outside this system as a liability or a danger to the globalized smart empire. Finally, a boastful and proud blasphemer [will] rise to preside over it all.
Perhaps years from now, the situation will be something unimaginable today. However, Revelation gives us glimpses of what it might look like just before Christ comes to override it all.
Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, for sheep must navigate a world of wolves.
