We All Have Questions

The Age of Technology – R. Nelson

We are living at a time when technology is exploding an unbelievable pace. Until 1973, most homes had rotary dial phones. The first use of a dial phone was in 1892 in La Porte, Indiana based on an 1891 patent by Almon Brown Strowger. In 1919 the American Bell Telephone Company began national service for user controlled rotary dial phones. That means we used rotary dial phones exclusively for 54 years and many people continued to use the dial up phone for quite a few years later. The world’s first mobile phone call was made on April 3, 1973, when Martin Cooper, a senior engineer at Motorola, called a rival telecommunications company and informed them he was speaking via a mobile phone. The phone Cooper used, if you could call it that, weighed a staggering 1.1kg and measured in at 228.6x127x44.4mm. With this prototype device, you got 30 minutes of talk-time and it took around 10 hours to charge. In 1983, Motorola released its first commercial mobile phone, known as the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X. The handset offered 30 minutes of talk-time, six hours standby, and could store 30 phone numbers. It also cost $3995. That would explain why not too many people owned a cell phone at that time. 1990 to 1995 represented an upward swerve in design and portability, with mobile devices gradually starting to appear in the hands of average consumers for the first time. By the late-1990s, mobile devices were fast becoming the normal. Now, you look at today and everybody seems to have a cell phone. This has all happened in the last 40 years. But when it comes to technology, 40-years is like going back to the days of Moses or the Roman Empire. Case in point: the mobile phone and, more recently, the rise of mobile internet communications, social networks, and super-fast internet have become a necessary component in each and every home.

Then comes the invention of computers and in regards to the computers as to when they were actually first invented, there is no easy answer to this question due to the many different classifications of computers. The first mechanical computer, created by Charles Babbage in 1822, doesn’t really resemble what most would consider a computer today. Without getting into all the history of the computer, I’m going to jump ahead to when the first desktop computer as we know it today was introduced. It was in 1964, the Programma 101, was unveiled to the public at the New York World’s Fair. It was invented by Pier Giorgio Perotto and manufactured by Olivetti. About 44,000 Programma 101 computers were sold, each with a price tag of $3,200. Once again, it is no wonder that not everybody had one. Through many various stages of the evolution of the computer, which brings us to 1975 when the first portable computer was released in September of that year. The computer weighed 55 pounds and it had a 5” screen. The first truly portable or laptop computer was not released until April 1981. It weighed 24.5 pounds and had a 5” screen. The cost of this computer was $1,795.00. With the evolution of the computer growing and growing with unbelievable data capabilities we finally come to the internet! ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) adopted TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol,) on January 1, 1983, and from there researchers began to assemble the “network of networks” that became the modern Internet. The online world then took on a more recognizable form in 1990, when computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web.

We need to touch a little bit on the television. Televisions can be found in billions of homes around the world today. But 100 years ago, nobody even knew what a television was. In fact, as late as 1947, only a few thousand Americans owned televisions. How did such a groundbreaking technology turn from a niche invention to a living room mainstay? A vast number of changes and improvements took place in the second half of the 20th century to make the television into what it is today. Between the 1950s and 2000s, television turned from a niche (something such as a sheltered or private space that resembles a recess in a wall) technology into a critical form of communication found in living rooms across the nation. We all remember the 10” black and white television that I think everybody owned at one time or another. And it was unusual for a family to have more than one TV in their household. Now days it seems that everybody has at least two, if not more televisions in their homes. Some even go as far as having one in each room of their home.

There is no doubt that technology is the driving force behind ever nation in the world that is being driven to a one world order. It seems that the countries that fall behind regarding technology will one day be gobbled up. With each mega power in our world, the USA, China, Russia, and few other power-driven nations, each one has a strong military presence filled with technology. I hear a lot of people complain about how much money that America invests in our military, but you need to understand, in this day and age if we do not have a strong military presence in the world we will be over taken by a stronger nation that does have a strong military. I heard a paradox (a self-contradictory statement that at first seems true) that made a lot of sense to me. It goes like this, “If you want peace, you need to prepare for war.” This is a true statement. Most superpowers want world domination and the only way to get it is through war. America is an exception to that because we are nation that believes in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Every war that America has been in (With the exception of the Civil War) was either a war of self-defense or a war protecting those who have the same government as we do. It called protecting democracy!

The reason for all this history is to bring you up to date as to where we are today! Today, as you all know, we are facing a situation that has never before reached the magnitude of what is going on now. It is because of the technology we have today which allows us to reach the world with news concerning the pandemics that have plagued our world in the last couple decades. There is a lot of good that is associated with the internet, television, and social media, but there is also a lot of evil. The good is that we can warn people daily of what is taking place and how we should deal with it. We have the world at our fingertips. Anything we want to know we can find out within a matter of seconds. The sad news is what I believe is happening today. We do not know what truth is and what is propaganda. Think about this, if we had this technology when the swine flu hit, there may have been a shutdown in certain areas of the world, however, I doubt it very much. Everybody needs to investigate the real statistics of what is happening and then come to your own wisdom and understanding of what is taking place. I will share a few verses with you from the Bible that you can study and when you understand the scriptures, you will understand what is truly going on. First we read in Daniel 12:4; “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” The evolution of technology is the reason that knowledge has increased to the level that it is at today! When it says that knowledge will increase, you must understand that there are two kinds of knowledge and I believe that they are both being spoken of here. There is world knowledge which consists of things that you can see, hear, smell and touch. There is unmistakable evidence of this kind of knowledge. This kind of knowledge comes from books and life’s experiences as we travel throughout time on earth. This is the knowledge that is responsible for the technology as we know it today. I was told about twenty years ago that knowledge doubles every ten years, but I must believe that it is every five years or less today. The other kind of knowledge is spiritual knowledge which can only come from the Holy Spirit to those that are born-again into the Holy Spirit. This is not knowledge that you can learn for a book. Yes, you can read about these things in the Bible, but understanding can only come through the Holy Spirit! This is obvious to me because I understand what is happening and there are thousands of other messengers from God proclaiming the Gospel and the prophecies that are about to come to fruition. But just as in the days of Noah, we are being mocked and laughed at just as Noah was. Another verse is found in Luke 21:11; “And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.”  Yet, another one is found in Matthew 24:7; “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. The natural response from unbelievers is this,“These things have been happening since the beginning of time” My response to those who think this way is this, Yes, they have, but do your own research and see for yourself the magnitude and intensity (the magnitude of a quantity (such as force or energy) per unit (as of area, charge, mass, or time) of these events as they are increasing in magnitude and frequency. These are the birth pains that the Bible speaks of that are leading to the return of Jesus Christ.

Technology plays a crucial role in the end time scenario. We see a lot of these inventions unfolding right before our eyes that are going to be pivotal in the last seven years of existence as we know it today! “We read in Revelation 13:16-18; “Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. Does this sound familiar with what we are hearing today? I would have to say with absolute honesty, YES! The technology is in place to make this happen. I needed to mention this because I want everybody who will listen to be aware of what to look out for. What we all need to do is investigate a reliable source that you know you can trust. I will tell you right upfront, if you are getting all your information from the mainstream news media, all that you are hearing about is bad news, which in many cases is exaggerated to bring more fear than what is necessary. 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12 gives us a lesson on what is happening today’ “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” There are so many warnings from God about what to watch for just before the return of Jesus Christ because He does not want anybody to be deceived into believing all the lies that are perpetrated as truth during the end times. 2 Timothy 3:13 tells us this, “While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”  This is not to bring fear into any bodies heart, it is to bring you comfort knowing that you can have the wisdom and knowledge to know the truth and escape all that is going eventually to take place. We read in Luke 21:36; “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Jesus is telling us to watch and pray so we can escape all the things that are coming to the world. You have a choice!

I mention all this because the technology that is in today’s world can also be used for so much good. You can research Bible scriptures and learn a lot about the Bible from men who have studied the scripture for forty, fifty even sixty years. They know what they are teaching is true because the Holy Spirit have called them, so there is no excuse to why anybody should remain ignorant of God’s Word unless you choose too! God s Word is true and faithful and those that turn to Him will be saved from eternal damnation! The world may be full of bad news, but the Word of God is so full of good news that when you understand it, you will be less taken in by all about unwelcome news. I will suggest one very good website to log into, www.hischannel.com. In my opinion, they are the best Bible teachers in the world. You will be enlightened by what you hear, and you will become a Bible scholar just by listening! It is an enjoyable way to learn the Bible and the rewards are incredible.

One more thing that I feel is necessary to bring up in regards to the technology of today, back when the Apostle John was writing the book of Revelation, he was prophesying about things that are clearly happening today, but because the technology of today didn’t exist back in his time, he had to use the phrase, “it was like” because he had no idea what it was.Nuclear bombs were not around then so he described it as something that he could relate to. For example, Revelation 8:8; “Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.” Another example of what I’m saying is found in Revelation 9:7; we read, “The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men.” He knew all about locusts in his time, so that is what he likened it too. Whatever it was that he saw, he was describing something that was well into the future which I believe lines up with the advanced technology that is prevalent in today’s world. Also another interesting verse when you really look at it is in Revelation 11:9; “Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.” Back in Johns time there was no way possible for people to see what is going on around the world. But today with all the technology that is available to us, everybody in the world can see a single event at the same time. Most of the end time prophecies that are spoken of in the Bible could not have been fulfilled until all the technology that we see today was in place. All the technology of today is setting the stage for the climactic return of Jesus Christ!

ACTION POINT: 

God has given man the knowledge to bring about all the technology that is in the world today. He knew how it would be used for good and for bad, but He gave us the free will to use it as we see fit. All that is happening in our world has all been prophesied from the days of old by prophets of God. It took thousands of years to get here, but I believe the time is here. We hear about a lot of interesting ideas that are circulating in the news media today, some sound incredibly good, but I would suggest that you investigate what the Bible says before you dive into anything. The Bible speaks a lot about being deceived in the end times. Colossians 2; 8; tells us, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”  It is because of the technology of today, that we can share with the world the Word of God. One last verse from the Bible that I share often and have to share again, and that verse is in Romans 8:28; “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” If you are a born-again Christian, then this verse applies to you, which means that all that is taking place in our world, is working out for your good and for the good to those that have truly received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. If you have not been saved, there is still time to get right with God and when you do, you can read the verse above and know that it applies to you! There are so many comforting messages hidden away in the scriptures to those who diligently seeks the truth. If this message makes you uncomfortable, I am sorry, but these things need to be spoken of especially considering the days in which we live. You can take it to heart, or you can take them with a grain of salt, it is your choice! Please make the right choice! Like Jesus said in 2 Peter 3:9; “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Commentary from our Chaplin R. Fritz

The Age of Technology

Technology has definitely made our lives easier. If you look back to cell phones, computers, tablets and television and the evolution of all these ways of communicating, they are great tools. Software is what really changed, and it is still changing these devices into amazing ways to communicate. What is interesting is that you can virtually look up anything that you would like with the apps associated with these devises that give us everything at arm’s length. I use my tablet all the time to look up verses in the Bible, which provides verses on different scriptures quickly. People that are filled with the Holy Spirit, have the opportunity to get deep into the word of God when you allow the Holy Spirit to do the teaching. Only through the Holy Spirit, can you understand spiritual things. 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 says “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard; neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, and the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” What this is saying is that eyes have not seen, and ears have not heard nor has anything entered the heart of man, even the things which God prepared for them that love him. The Holy Spirit will reveal to them, even the deep things of God. We can either keep the spirit of man or receive the Spirit of God. And only then will you know the things that have freely been given unto us by God. God has given us spiritual eyes and spiritual ears. I am talking about looking through your “Spiritual” eyes. to look at the things going on around us, discerning through the Holy Spirit, which are the Holy Spirits eyes and ears. Therefore we, who are filled with the Holy Spirit can see and hear the things of the Holy Spirit that the people of the world cannot see or hear. This is again, spiritually deep. It is given freely, but you need to ask God to give you the skills. I ask the Lord to hone (sharpen) my spiritual skills often. I see spiritual things and can deal with spirits, so I need my skills updated by the Holy Spirit.

John 3:30-31 says “He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.” We are to be more spiritual; I speak these words to myself saying, I need to be filled with more of the Holy Spirit and less of me (the flesh). When you do, you will feel a difference. You have the opportunity to get more of the Holy Spirit, but you must get less of you (the old you). You need to get rid of man’s ways of thinking and you need to ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with more wisdom and knowledge from the Holy Spirit. That is your choice. We are in the world; we are not of the world. Ephesians 6:12 says “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” When we understand that we are fighting things of the spirit, not people, we treat people differently and through the Holy Spirit we can deal with the spiritual issues or illness that people have. This is how we can help people. The Holy Spirit is the only way for you to reach people, you will not be able to see the real problems people have because they are hidden with the Holy Spirit and only can the Holy Spirit reveal them. God will show you the spiritual issues and the words to say or pray for. The words we speak or pray can break a spiritual stronghold that’s been there for quite a few years. The Holy Spirit and God’s word can remove what has been holding people back from seeing and hearing God’s word.

People wonder why their friends and love ones do not see the things of God. Their eyes have not been opened to the things of God and as a result, they do not actually hear what you say, nor can they understand what they read. Remember the mind is the battlefield for Satin. The Holy Spirit gives me the words to speak against spiritual evil at the moment I need it and the words to say for prayers to break their stronghold. You now know that you hold the breakthrough that people are looking for. I ask you now to use your God given gifts to help the people around you. It is just asking the Holy Spirit to show you how to use your spiritual gifts. You need to have a relationship with Jesus Christ to be able to do spiritual things. Spend time in God’s word.

In Conclusion – R. Nelson

With all the technology that we have at our fingertips, nothing can compare to the wisdom and knowledge that the Word of God provides. Ephesians 5:6 tells us, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.” Romans 16:18; tells us this, “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people.” We are living in a world of deceit. It has gotten to the point where we really cannot believe anybody, not even pastors and priests. You may gasp in horror at what I just said, but know this, 2 Timothy 4:3; “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;” We are living in the times that this verse is warning us about! For me to make it simple, I’ll tell you this, you can continue to be believe all the lies that the world is tossing around as truth, or you can turn to the Word of God and hear the only truth there is in today’s world. I can tell you based on scripture, I do know what media sources are honest and which ones are evil. But even then, I am not sure. The only absolute truth that I believe is written in the Word of God, The Holy Bible! I personally find that reading the Bible brings me a lot more comfort than listening to any media source available. If you are running in fear of all the bad news that you are hearing about, get into the Word of God and read the good news. The Gospel of Jesus Christ! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Make the move today and say this prayer in the comfort of your own home, “Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. … I turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior.” If you say this prayer and mean in from the bottom of your heart, let me be the first to welcome you to the family of God! The best gift available to man,” the gift of salvation through grace!” “This is truly written to the glory of God and Inspired by the Holy Spirit!” Amen!