Each week we like to focus for a few minutes on Bible prophecy. For one thing, as Christians we are encouraged to understand the times in which we live, and act accordingly.
The apostle Paul encourages us that, “Another reason for right living is that you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11 (NLT)
The subject of prophecy takes-up about 30% of the Bible. Scholars estimate there are somewhere around 500 unfulfilled last-days prophecies. Since we know they will be fulfilled, we should be able to look around us, in the news, and see trends in the direction the prophecies predict.
By far the most well-known of the last days prophecies is what is commonly called “the mark of the beast.”
“Beast’ is one of many names for the world leader most commonly called the antichrist.
His “mark” refers to a time in the future Great Tribulation when he will demand everyone swear allegiance to him or be persecuted.
He will be able to carry-out his threat because everyone will be conducting business by something on or in their hand or forehead. Everyone will be identified, and transact all their business, by this system.
It sounds a great deal like what we call biometrics today:
“On their right hand” could be fingerprint or palm print biometrics.
“On their foreheads” could be facial recognition or iris biometrics.
Biometric technology is growing exponentially. Soon it will be everywhere. I ran across an article titled, Gentex and Fingerprint to cooperate on in-vehicle iris authentication.
Excerpts:
Gentex and Swedish biometric firm Fingerprint have announced an exclusive partnership agreement to bring iris-scanning technology to the automotive industry.
Automakers are keen to integrate biometric-based driver authentication into vehicles in order to improve vehicle security, cabin personalization, and securely authorize in-vehicle payments, home automation control, and additional cloud-based services.
Locating the iris authentication system in or around the mirror would allow auto manufacturers to offer the solution in varying vehicle trim packages, without requiring substantial redesign of the vehicle’s interior.
A new Visa survey of 1000 Canadians exploring awareness and perceptions of biometric authentication confirms that consumers continue to have a strong interest in new biometric technologies.
According to the study, 85% of Canadian consumers are interested in using biometrics to verify identity or to make payments, and 6 out of 10 consumers are already familiar with biometrics.
Biometrics is the future of personal identity and business. It’s what you’d expect from reading the Bible from a literal, futurist position.
We are not looking for any particular sign, or prophecy to be fulfilled. Jesus promised He’d return to rapture His church – which entails the resurrection of the dead in Christ of the Church Age, then the translation from earth to Heaven of all living believers.
It is presented in the Bible as an imminent event.
Are you ready for the rapture? If not, get ready, stay ready, and keep looking up. Ready or not, Jesus is coming!