“Although the problem at Chernobyl was relatively complex, it can basically be summarized as a mismanaged electrical engineering experiment which resulted in the reactor exploding. The explosion was chemical, driven by gases and steam generated by the core runaway, not by nuclear reactions. Flames, sparks, and chunks of burning material were flying into the air above the unit. These were red-hot pieces of nuclear fuel and graphite. About 50 tons of nuclear fuel evaporated and were released by the explosion into the atmosphere. In addition, about 70 tons were ejected sideways from the periphery of the core. Some 50 tons of nuclear fuel and 800 tons of reactor graphite remained in the reactor vault, where it formed a pit reminiscent of a volcanic crater as the graphite still in the reactor had turned up completely in a few days after the explosion.

The resulting radioactive release was equivalent to ten Hiroshimas. In fact, since the Hiroshima bomb was air-burst–no part of the fireball touched the ground–the Chernobyl release polluted the countryside much more than ten Hiroshimas would have done. Many people died from the explosion and even more from the effects of the radiation later. Still today, people are dying from the radiation caused by the Chernobyl accident. The estimated total number of deaths will be 16,000.

 The recent nuclear meltdowns in Japan have similarities and differences from Chernobyl, and scientists tell us that because it was near the sea, the radiation was dispersed, and because the people were well informed, they stayed indoors.  However, this catastrophe has brought us all up short. The Japanese assured the world (and so does the U.S.)  that their nuclear power plants could withstand extremely large earthquakes, beyond the reasonable expectations of a 7.0. If you read my previous post and saw the chart on the increasing sizes of recent earthquakes, however, you are aware that we are seeing more earthquakes in the 7.0 and 8.0 range, and the recent one in Japan was a 9.0.  Even the nuclear scientists admitted that it was beyond anything they could plan for.

If nuclear power plants, which are for good, can cause this much world impact, how much more can nuclear weapons forever change the earth and everything that lives upon it?

The Huffington Post recently published the following:

In Japan, the fear of radiation spreading is connected to the memory of the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki over 65 years ago. Over 100,000 people died from radiation exposure — nearly as many as from the blast. The genetic effects continue down through the generations.

The events at Fukushima remind us of the negligence of nuclear power companies in building nuclear power plants on earthquake fault lines or vulnerable coastlines. But they should also remind us of the even greater negligence of the nuclear weapon states in maintaining their arsenals of 20,000 nuclear weapons — most with yields over 100 times greater than the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, and many on hair trigger alert, ready to launch within minutes. Any accidental, unauthorized, inadvertent or intentional use today (or tomorrow) would have a catastrophic, widespread, unprecedented and unimaginable impact on humanity and the environment.

States including the US take the position that we should just trust them to take small steps towards nuclear disarmament sometime in an indefinite future. That’s like trusting the nuclear power industry to police itself and voluntarily phase itself out in deference to public safety. 

Does the Bible indicate that we will have some sort of worldwide nuclear crisis?  I believe it does, in several places, but the one that is most obvious is the 7^th seal, the first four trumpet blasts, referred to in Revelation 8:7-13.

“And the first sounded and there came hail and fire (rockets?) mixed with blood (death) and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.  And the second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire (atomic bomb?) was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood; and a third of the creatures, which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.  And the third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood (contamination); and a third of the waters became wormwood; and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.  And the fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were smitten, so that a third of them might be darkened and the day might not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.”

 So a third of the world will be totally devastated by the effects of “whatever” happened. What technology, what poison, or what catastrophe could do that?  In my mind, it could either be nuclear warfare or a combination of giant earthquakes and nuclear accidents such as we have seen in Japan. God has demonstrated recently what His mighty power can do, and how one wave of catastrophe can bring on another.

 I hope we never see that day, but after the events of the past two weeks in Japan, I think we will.  I am motivated more than ever to be sure that my children and grandchildren are prepared.  They need to know that God’s ultimate plan is to save His people. They need to be strong to endure what is ahead, fully convinced of the power and love of God to see them through, no matter what happens. Not all will survive physically, but all believers will survive eternally.  It will take guts and glory to endure.  It is my responsibility to help people understand what to expect, and to help equip them for what might be ahead.  Our world is changing so very quickly.  If I’ve seen such great change in my lifetime, what will they see in their lifetime?  Will we all be able to endure the hardships to come? 

We don’t know when the rapture will occur, whether it will be before or after some of these nuclear catastrophes will happen, but we know that they will happen because nothing on this earth will last forever, not even nuclear warheads or nuclear power plants.  Will we all be ready when Christ returns?  Scripture tells us that He will return to set up His kingdom just when things are the darkest.    Thank goodness, Murphy’s Law will not keep Christ’s return from happening, even though man has so messed up this world.  Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!”

As I have watched the video images flash before me over and over these last few days, my heart has been breaking for all the people of Japan and all those around the world who love them and love that place.  How can such heartache be carried except that we help carry it for each other?  I pray, “Oh, Lord, what I can do from so far away? How do you want me to help? I feel as powerless to help as those who were powerless to save themselves.”  I can give money, yes, but everything in me wants to go over there and start helping physically.  Unfortunately, I don’t have a way to do that.  So I will try to help in other ways.  One of those ways is to share what God is trying to tell us through this event and so many like it.

Of course, I asked myself, “does this fit into a trend of increasing earthquakes?”   I couldn’t resist finding out.  As I suspected, the quakes are getting stronger in intensity, and most years they are increasing in number, especially since the year 2000.  Marked increases actually began around 1986, then took another jump in 1994, and have taken another big jump since 2006.

Birth Pangs = Increasing Trends

The process of giving birth usually starts slowly, almost imperceptibly, then gradually increases in frequency AND intensity.  If we are truly in that process, the numbers should prove it.  Here are a few pieces of information that I have gleaned, thanks to a couple of blogs and the USGS website.  See the links section to go to the original data if you want more information.

Between 1986 and 1996 (incl), a period of 11 years, there were “just” 15 earthquakes listed by USGS of magnitude 7.0 or greater. This is not markedly different (albeit a slight decrease) from previous (similar periods) of 20^th century, where an average of about 18 might be expected.

But between 1997 and 2007 (incl), also a period of 11 years, there were 99 earthquakes with magnitude 7.0 or greater : This is more than a six-fold increase on the previous similar period – and is a stark increase on any earlier decades in 20th century too.

Between 2008 and 2010, only a short 2-year period, there were 51 earthquakes with magnitude 7.0 or greater. What do you think that number will look like over an 11-year period in comparison with the above?  If the trend stays consistent, it would be in the neighborhood of 250!  Of course, nature is not that systematic, and numbers will rise and fall somewhat, but the following USGS chart shows that the numbers are definitely on the rise. For instance, notice that we jumped from 16 in 2009 to 21 in 2010.  What do you think 2011 might look like?  We’re already had 7 so far, and it’s only mid-March.

Just to refresh our memories, here are the major earthquakes 6.9 and above, just from last year.2010 01 03 – Solomon Islands – M 7.1

2010 01 10 – Offshore Northern California – M 6.5

2010 01 12 – Haiti region – M 7.0 Fatalities 222,570

2010 02 27 – Offshore Bio-Bio, Chile – M 8.8 Fatalities 577

2010 03 08 – Eastern Turkey – M 6.1 Fatalities 51

2010 04 04 – Baja California, Mexico – M 7.2 Fatalities 2

2010 04 13 – Southern Qinghai, China – M 6.9 Fatalities 2,968

2010 05 09 – Northern Sumatra, Indonesia – M 7.2

2010 07 23 – Moro Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines – M 7.3

2010 07 23 – Moro Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines – M 7.4

2010 07 23 – Moro Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines – M 7.6

2010 09 03 – South Island of New Zealand – M 7.0

Caviat

Past performance cannot necessarily be taken as a clear indication of future trends so we must be careful how past events are interpreted. However, it is clear we are currently living in a time when earthquake frequency has increased, it will be interesting to see if the immediate future maintains this trend.

End Times…

The trends as recorded support the wider realization of prophesy about the “End Times”, namely that an increase in earthquake activity is a pre-requisite for the “second coming of Jesus Christ” foretold in the Bible. It does not indicate how close we are to this event, but suggests it is not too far away.

End Times Technology

Aren’t we glad that research has the use of the technology used to record the above measurements and report them to us?  God has helped us with the tools of awareness through the good things that technology can do for us, in helping us notice the trends and be ready, on the alert, as He directed us.

One news story showed a woman here in the U.S. who was looking for her daughter in Japan and hadn’t heard from her until today.  She said, “I had my Bible, my cell phone, and my computer.”  Many news stories have recorded family members showing how “facebook helped me find my loved ones.” Who would have ever dreamed that a “silly little social sharing network like facebook would someday have such an important role in finding the lost?

Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted, and to seek those who are lost, in such a more profound way.  May we use the tools at hand to help in this endeavor, so that souls may not be lost forever, simply because we didn’t communicate with each other as we should.  I urge you to use the tools at hand as He directs.  Share the good news, and share this blog as a tool if you wish.

In this light, let’s take a fresh look at Jesus’ last earthly instruction, “Go therefore [even electronically] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matt 28:19-20

God’s Word has a lot to say about time, and that we need not fear the End Times.  King David said, in Psalm 31:14-15, “But as for me, I trust in Thee, O Lord.  I say, ‘Thou art my God.’ My times are in Thy hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. God confirms to us that He is in control.  Psalm 9:9 says, “The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”

As we discuss the mysteries of the End Times, we must always remember that Jesus told his disciples that “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.” (Acts 1:7) and that even the angels do not know at what time these things will come about.   What He did say, however, was that His time was at hand, for Him to give Himself for us, that we might one day experience the benefits of time with Him at the end of the age, when He returns.  We must use the time we have now with utmost care. Paul reminds us that God says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of Salvation I helped you; behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the Day of Salvation.” (II Cor 6:2) We must be sure that we are one of His own before it is too late.

I had been thinking lately about how God may have used technology in the past, to bring about His plan.  There are lots of types of technology. Then this morning I noticed a new facebook page for Corrie Ten Boom, and it hit me.  Her father was a clock-maker, and he smuggled Jews safely out of and into his house in the empty cases of his grandfather clocks. He used the language of clock orders to communicate about the movement of God’s chosen people around the city.  God protected His chosen people in scary times, using the casings for technology.  God can use anything to accomplish His purpose, and He will protect His people.  We must not live in fear, and we must see technology as a tool in the hands of God, not just in the hands of the enemy.  We must be open to the possibilities.

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (Rev. 1:3)

The RFID or VeriChip

Rev. 13:16-17 – He also forced everyone small and great rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

 I tend to be a moderate in most things, so I’m trying not to jump to conclusions right now. I always tell people that God doesn’t do things the way we expect Him to. However, you can’t ignore what is happening in the microchip business.Watch this video if you don’t believe me, but come back for my reaction.

I’ve been doing my research, and I don’t like what I see, even if it comes down to just invasion of privacy.   If you don’t want the details, you can skip to the last paragraph for my “take” on this issue – for now. If you haven’t heard about this or want to know more, please read on.

My dog, Mr. Sparks, has a computer chip embedded between his shoulders, so that if he is ever lost he can be returned to us. The use of chips in pets seems fairly harmless, and they don’t care about their privacy, but suggestions that it be extended to their owners is greeted with less enthusiasm.  Many Christians are thinking that the tiny new computer chips could possibly be the Mark of the Beast when implanted in humans. Such implants are no longer fiction.  Watch the following video.  It’s a combination of several news stories on national television recently.

RFID Chip – End of the Illuminati

Many companies are becoming interested in the chips for various benevolent reasons. Hospitals and medical companies are already experimenting with embedding a chip in the upper arm that will contain all of a person’s medical records, thus providing immediate and complete access for any patient who arrives at any doctor’s office. Could insurance companies be far behind? What if these chips were to monitor the level of exercise one gets, and the insurance company refuses to cover you for lack of exercise, or because you have a proven autoimmune disease? Hmmm… And what about the benefits of tracking a person with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dimentia? That wouldn’t be bad, would it?

One US-based company, Applied Digital Solutions, developed a microchip several years ago — dubbed Digital Angel – considered using their animal chips in humans, until the tide of Christians (salt and light of the earth) began loud objections to what they considered the mark of the beast. There are many articles that will back me on this. (Check out some of the other links on this blog)

Our credit cards already have digital codes, now of great concern for privacy reasons, that simply have to be brought near to a vendor’s register in order to pick up the financial information necessary to pay the bill. Criminals already have card readers for these credit cards, and some cards are being issued with reader blocking mats for storing the cards. As with so much in the globalised, corporate world, it is big business that remains the real threat to a technology that has the potential to improve our lives in ways we cannot yet even dream of.”Wouldn’t it be simpler and safer,” say many, for the information to just be kept on (or in) your body?” How about on the right hand or on the forehead?

Hmm… Now THAT is beginning to sound like the Mark of the Beast. All they have to do is make it easier, like putting computer information into ink used on a stamp… on the hand or the forehead.

Head of Privacy International Simon Davies says, “The pattern for these things is they start as medical uses, then become used in the military or in prisons. Then become voluntary, then compulsory,” he says. For the time being though, Davies is more concerned by the likelihood that devices like mobile phones and PDAs could be used to monitor our activities. In the future, he argues, nanotechnology, where atom-sized robots are used, could pose a very real threat to privacy.

What are the options to getting these chips embedded if we resist? For a while, we will most likely be able to “wear” the chips externally. Digital Angel says, “There is nothing you can do with embedded chips that you can’t do with wearable ones, and I can’t imagine there will be queues of people lining up to get chips embedded.”

Is it all conjecture?  Absolutely not!  In 1998, Professor Kevin Warwick, head of cybernetics at Reading University, perhaps one of the UK’s best-known cyberenthusiasts, had the first chip implant that allowed him to open doors, operate his PC remotely, and follow him around his building.  

Now, for the ultimate question: Do I believe that the chip is the mark of the beast, or more importantly, do YOU believe it? I can’t say that I do, because the chip has a long way to go before it can do all that the prophecies tell us. I do believe that it has the potential, but I believe we’re in the earliest stages of development. Much more importantly, does your LIFE have the mark of the beast? Heaven forbid!  I pray that my life has the mark of Jesus Christ and HIM ONLY! I hope yours does too, and that no one will ever see the enemy’s name or number when they see you.

See other Scriptures about the Mark of the Beast.

Mubareck may have been out of touch, but he knew enough about the power of facebook to try to imprison those who were using it, even as early as April 2008, when the first uprising was staged through facebook.  This latest – and ultimately successful – revolt was begun in June of 2010.  Thousands of people knew within hours that a new push would be make.  The government forces tried to shut down the internet because they knew this was the real force with which to contend, but they couldn’t hold back the tide of electronic methods of communication.   This is just a small picture of how warfare will be waged in the future.  See this link, including the embedded video, from CNN to get an idea of what a key role facebook played in the freedom of Egypt.  Our ideas about Armageddon will have to be changed to imagine the technical warfare that will be at work.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/11/egypt-facebook-revolution-wael-ghonim_n_822078.html

Welcome to End Times Technology, a blog about how technology is playing into what the Bible tells us about our world and how we’re right on track with what the prophets predicted. Don’t worry, I’m not an alarmist, and I haven’t lost my marbles; at least not all of them. Technology is undoubtedly accelerating the coming of the end times and ultimately the triumphant return of Christ. It is also having an impact on spreading the gospel according to the Great Commission, to the uttermost ends of the earth.

By career, I am a software trainer, and love techie things, but as a Bible teacher and Event Speaker I began to study and teach about Heaven, Armageddon, the Tribulation, New Heaven and New Earth and the many prophecies about such. I suddenly realized that my understanding of technology could shed new light on how all of this might take place, and what our Christian responsibility is in light of the rapid acceleration of data, learning, and marching toward worldwide peace or worldwide war.  How technology can be used to help or hurt mankind is a huge topic that very few have yet addressed on the web.  So here I am, ready to explore with you.  Just like technology, this blog is going to morph a lot. I will be posting articles of my own as well as articles and links from others who are experts in this field. We will explore several angles of this topic in coming months/years, from what Scripture says to what the scientists say, to what the media says, and what the end users say.

Yes, people get a little crazy about this! You, the reader, will have an important part in this exploration, so get your “time travel” clothing on, and let’s set out for great adventures together! 

You can start by reading my About page. If you would like to know more about who this “crazy” person is, who wants to talk about such things, and what my qualifications are to do so, please see my regular website at www.judycolejansen.com.

Looking to Jesus,
Judy

When most people think of the end times, they immediately think we’re going to focus only on Revelation and Daniel.  There is so much more in the Bible about the end times, though.  Right now I’m teaching a class on Zecharaiah, chapters 9 through 14.  These can be difficult chapters if you don’t know your history, but we are enjoying using the resources of John McArthur and other scholars and historians who are making these passages come to life and getting us very excited about the second coming of Christ!

One thing that we always have to keep in mind when reading prophecy is that God often spoke in multiples when he revealed the future.  He would give the prophet a vision of something that would usually be fulfilled in at least two ways.  The first fulfillment would be something in the closer future, and the second would be the ultimate return of the Messiah or beyond.  Prophets often wrote the vision as if it all happened at the same time.  What they didn’t see was the current Church Age between these “highlights.”  The first fulfillment, such as the conquering of Alexander the Great, who fulfilled Zechariah 9, was an encouragement to people that God would keep his promises to Israel, and if he could keep those promises, He was certainly going to keep the ultimate promises of Christ’s Kingdom at the end of this age.

We have to remember to take the bad with the good, too.  These prophecies include great judgment upon the nations before the purity of Christ’s kingdom can ultimately be set up.  We read of Armageddon in Zechariah, as well as worldwide peace.  If we believe one part, we must believe it all.

Refer to the Scripture pages of this blog to look up these scriptures and see what I mean.