Focus on the Light
With all the “bad stuff” that’s going on in this country and abroad, it’s not easy to be upbeat – except when we think of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. He is our bright Light of Hope at the end of a long dark tunnel, and we can rest in Him to see us through the inevitable rough spots of this world. In short, focus on the Light and don’t sweat the rough spots.
You’re probably thinking “easier said than done,” and we have to agree. There are so many things happening at once, including a war, that it’s hard for us broken beings to stay focused on the Light. We’re distracted (and dejected) by what this politician or that politician says or does; by the bizarre pronouncements, claims, and fantasies of the mentally ill and their immoral enablers; and by news media that sensationalize, slant, exaggerate, and tell outright lies. And quite possibly, as we’re being distracted by all these trees, we’re missing a big forest that’s in the process of growing. Let me explain.
In the two epistles by John the Apostle, he refers to the antichrist several times. Specifically, 1 John 2:18 (KJV) says: “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now there are many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” In 2:22, he goes on: “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” Again in 4:3: “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is the spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” Finally, in 2 John 7, he says: “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This a deceiver and an antichrist.”
In general, and as depicted in the “Left Behind” series, most Christians believe the antichrist will be a single bad actor, charming at first, deadly at last – a globalist who has not yet arrived on the scene. John, on the other hand, clearly indicates the existence, even back then, of many antichrists – false prophets, deceivers, and other pied pipers – already in the world denying “the Father and the Son,” albeit in different ways.
It is my thought that both views of the antichrist can be essentially true at the same time. How so? First off, consider the persecution of Christians abroad by people like Kim Jong Un of North Korea, Xi Jinping of China, and the late Ali Khamenei of Iran. Would John consider them antichrists? No doubt. Kim wants his people to believe he is god; Xi and his government teach that the state is god; and Khamenei commanded worship of Allah, an invisible god who is not the God of Israel. People in those countries who openly persist in following Jesus are dealt with unpleasantly, and often severely.
How about in our own country? For example, we may well have several versions and levels of antichrists now in government, in college classrooms, and in the media, all pitching allegiance to Xi’s favorite god (the state). We also have several billionaires who heavily finance anti-religious (read anti-Christian) groups and activities. I believe John would consider them antichrists as well.
ere’s the obvious question: Given history’s ongoing procession of antichrists, who will ultimately be the “antichrist-in-chief”? Who will be the unifier of all the “lesser antichrists” around the world? In my view, we should consider the possibility that the antichrist-in-chief is not only here already but has been developing in the world since Abel first counted his sheep. And it’s a “what,” not a who, starting as an abstract construct (basic arithmetic) that grew gradually over the centuries, gaining complexity and hence exclusivity, through gifted mathematicians like Pythagoras, Pascal, Cantor, and others.
The abstract was made manifest by several unheralded inventors of the Internet and then massaged into the digital era by smart people like Gates (Microsoft), Jobs (Apple) and Page/Brin (Google). From there, the marvel of “being online” evolved into narcissistic and addictive social media platforms like My Space, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and now X. And now we have the great rush, worldwide, to develop artificial; intelligence (AI).
Irrespective of whether some of the individuals behind these platforms might be considered lesser antichrists themselves, their companies seem to employ a host of people whose views and actions are anti-Christian, anti-life, anti-free speech, anti-individual freedom, and a few other biases. In any case, AI is the new kid on the block, an entity with the potential to ultimately self-develop after absorbing years of programming by lesser antichrist types – and become the "antichrist-in-chief." And after that would come the end times.
Think about it. Currently, there’s a great cyber culture war between free speech advocates and progressive censors, between truth and fiction, between love and hate, and basically, between good and evil. Right now, there seem to be many more progressives, secularists, and anti-Christians involved in Big Tech than believers and free-speech advocates – although there are still enough good people in a position to generate pushback and keep Big Tech in check.
But how long might that last? Until the next election? For example, various left- leaning people in government want to spend billions to bring broadband to every US household. Is it a well-intended benefit, or is it more sinister? Moreover, in a worst-case scenario, a future globalist group of faceless bureaucrats or maybe global AI could eventually gain worldwide control of all communication, with the result that all access to the Internet and other media would be controlled, as would be all its content. Big Tech or AI could then become a “big brother” indoctrination machine.
In the same scenario, it might be that only those who affirm “allegiance” to AI or Big Tech (as evidenced, say, by an electronic implant) would be allowed Internet access – and no one without access would be able to do business to any significant degree. And because cash would be eliminated, all transactions would be in digital currency and would be transparent to an army of bureaucrats who monitor everything and everyone. Also, as a “finishing touch” to this scenario of overweening statism, private property rights would likely be abolished, so that those who don’t accept the implant would be forced to forage and live secretly off the state’s land – the onset of the End Times Tribulation.
A grim picture? Yes, but because of Jesus none of it will matter. We know Who wins in the end. Therefore, focus on the Light. And be filled with Hope!
Norbert J. Kuk