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September 14th, 2018
In Matthew 24:12, Jesus prophesied that in the time leading up to His return, "Lawlessness will abound." (NKJV)
Humanity is sick with sin. Sin makes law necessary. Law provides the stability needed for man to build civilization.
The Apostle Paul explained the purpose of law to Timothy in his first letter to him. In I Timothy 1:8-9, Paul writes, "We know that Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane." (NASB)
The letter to the Romans describes the lawlessness of a civilization on its last legs. It says, "Although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." (Romans 1:32 NASB)
Where does it all lead? To the Antichrist.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 calls the Antichrist, "the lawless one." (NKJV)
Now, lawlessness can refer to breaking the laws of God. It can also refer to breaking the laws of man. It can even mean holding the law itself in low regard.
That's what I thought about when I read recently about the Democrat Party's nominee for District Attorney in Boston and Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
In her campaign, Ms. Rachael Rollins proposed a list of several crimes that, if elected, she will "decline to prosecute." She told Tucker Carlson of Fox News that "we are spending too much time on petty crimes that are clogging up our system and costing us more money."
They include shoplifting, trespassing, larceny under $250, disorderly conduct, receiving stolen property, wanton or malicious destruction of property, breaking and entering vacant properties, threats (except domestic violence), drug possession, and drug possession with intent to distribute. And the list continues.
I dare say these crimes are only "petty" if they happen to someone else, not to you.
To me, this sounds like the recipe for an explosion of "petty crime."
Oh, I overlooked a critical charge she will "decline to prosecute": resisting arrest. That will make it "open season" on cops.
This is not a fringe candidate. This is the Democrat Party nominee in very liberal Boston. Chances are good that she will be the next Boston DA.
So Ms. Rollins is proposing a pathway to an explosion of crime, yet she is not going to prosecute criminals who resist being arrested for those crimes.
I don't think I would want to be a law enforcement officer in Suffolk County, Massachusetts after the November elections.
There's another word for what I'm describing: chaos.
When law and order break down, people grow fearful. Lawlessness leads to fear.
Fear leads to an urgent desire for security. An urgent desire for security will eventually lead to the fascist government of the Antichrist.
A couple of weeks ago, I told you about the young, idealistic American couple who were bicycling their way around the world. Before they started their journey, the young man, Jay Austin had written online that, "Evil is a make-believe concept."
Sadly, he and his girlfriend discovered that it isn't so. Evil is real. They were brutally murdered in Tajikistan by a group of young men who were inspired by ISIS.
Many reject Christ because they don't believe evil is real. If there is no evil, there is no such thing as "sin." If there's no "sin," there is no eternal punishment for that sin. If there is no eternal punishment for sin, then who needs God's grace to escape that punishment?
Satan's goal is to convince the world that there is no Creator, therefore, there is no absolute right and wrong. Once the world believes that, lawlessness will rule the day. And the "man of lawlessness" will rule the day, too.
Little by little, we are drawing closer and closer to that day.
You've heard me say before that I think the "mark of the beast" described in Revelation 13 may well be a microchip implanted in the hand or the forehead.
The chip could easily contain a numeric prefix issued by the Antichrist's government to all who comply. The presence of that number would confirm the chip bearer's acceptable status with the government.
In describing this mark, Revelation 13:17 mentions that only those who have the government's approved "mark" would be able to buy or sell.
Sweden is taking a giant step in that direction. Business Insider reports, "Thousands of Swedes are having microchips implanted into their bodies so that they don't need to carry key cards, IDs, and even train tickets." In fact, Sweden's national railway line can now scan passengers' hands to collect their fares.
Last year, I reported on a company in Wisconsin where several dozen employees accepted implanted chips in order to buy snacks, log on to computers, and run the photocopier.
That's just for the convenience of it. But the arguments for accepting the microchip implant can be far more persuasive than mere convenience.
In the future, implanted microchips could replace your car keys, your house keys, and your office key card. They will carry your driver's license, Social Security card, and passport.
Because they will be tied to your bank account, you will be able to walk into a store, pick up the things you want, and walk out. The scanners will identify your purchases and deduct the cost from your account. Checkout lines may soon be a thing of the past.
But there are still more compelling arguments for an implanted RFID chip.
If an accident leaves you unconscious, first responders will have instant access to your entire medical history simply by scanning your chip. They will know immediately what medications you are allergic to. They will be able to monitor what's happening inside your body, like blood oxygen levels, heart rate, glucose levels, and temperature. Chips will be able to communicate critical information with life-saving speed.
We already have the technology to put those sensors on a chip.
Embedded chips could also make things much easier for law enforcement. Requiring a chip to board public transportation will help police track and catch fugitives and potential threats. It may help prevent terrorist attacks on subways and airlines.
RFID chips may also help prevent drunken driving deaths. If the chip in the drunk driver's hand tells the computer in his car that he's had too much to drink, the car's computer will not allow the car to start.
Hannes Sjoblad is a member of the Digital Biology faculty of Singularity University Nordics. He says, "We are updating our bodies with technology on a large scale already with wearables. But all of the wearables we wear today will be implantable in five to 10 years. Who wants to carry a clumsy smartphone or smartwatch when you can have it in your fingernail? I think that is direction where it is heading."
The point is, by the time the "mark of the beast" is imposed on the public, people will be accustomed to such things. We are already willing to trade our privacy for convenience.
It will all seem so logical and responsible. "Mark of the beast" technology will offer the promise of convenience, security, and health. Just as the Bible warns.
What will be people be willing to trade for that? Their souls.
Also on this week's program, I'll discuss the recent birth of a "red heifer" in Israel.
Ancient Jewish tradition says there have been nine red heifers in all of history that have been sacrificed in the purification ceremonies of the Temple. Breaking Israel News says, "According the Jewish tradition, there will only be ten red heifers in human history with the tenth heifer ushering in the Messianic era."
London's Mirror newspaper reported on the latest red heifer born just two weeks ago, "A Bible prophecy has been realised as the first 'red heifer in 2000 years' was born in Israel."
In the New Testament, God does not require the slaughter of animals. But religious Jews who have not accepted Jesus as the Messiah still believe they need a red heifer as an integral part of the Temple system. That's why they believe that when a red heifer is needed, one will appear.
And that is why so many of them are so excited today.
Folks, if you haven't noticed before, we live in amazing times! What a privilege it is to be alive in these days and see the ancient prophesies being fulfilled almost daily.
That means the return of Jesus Christ to snatch away His church is close! It could happen at any time.
Get ready!
Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Please check your local listings.
God Bless,
Hal Lindsey
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