Cyber War Prophecy Chat by Sharon L. Clemens

     The prophet Daniel was given far-reaching prophecies. He was told they would not be fulfilled in his time, but in "the time of the end" or what we call the end times. This is also what is known in prophecy as the 70th week of Daniel, the 7-year Tribulation. This last seven years is all that remains to be fulfilled of Daniel's prophecy in chapter 9.

ALL SIGNS POINT TO THE SOON FULFILLMENT OF DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK.

     Our Lord warned in Matthew 24 that "the beginning of sorrows" that would precede the Tribulation would be filled with other signs such as false teachers claiming to be Christ or to be "Christian," and an increase in wars and natural disasters. It cannot be denied that such increasing signs are upon us. The last chapter of Daniel--our topic for this chat--adds more signs of the time of the end:

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."

     That "many shall run to and fro" has been interpreted in different ways. Could it mean that travel would increase? Or that interest in prophecy would increase, as when Jews read the Torah, their fingers quickly follow the written words back and forth from right-to-left on the page? Does it then mean that the Jews would become more interested in God's Old Testament prophecies?

     The reason for this chat, however, has to do with the sign of INCREASING KNOWLEDGE. Statistically, it has been documented that more technology and knowledge of the physical world has been recorded in the last one hundred years than any other time in history. Yes, we are living in the days of unprecedented human knowledge. But I must give you yet another interpretation of the above passage. Is it to be taken together as ONE sign--that the running to and fro on the pages of scripture results in increased knowledge about scripture--and the fulfillment of the end times prophecies?

     We cannot be dogmatic about the specifics of fulfillment until God fulfills prophecy, but in studying fulfilled prophecy, the Lord has a way of fulfilling His word from several different angles at the same time. It may well be that ALL OF THE ABOVE speculation could prove to be true. As man increases his human understanding of God's creation, God is bringing man closer to His return to judge and to reclaim and restore that creation. In a sense, it is a judgment against human knowledge because man tends to make human wisdom his god.

THE COMING CYBER WAR

     As citizens of planet earth, we benefit from technological advances, but they will not save us in the day of judgment. Technology can be a blessing and a curse; many feel that way about computer technology. It can be used to spread the Gospel, and it can be used to pollute the mind of man. What is inescapable is that mankind is now dependent on cyber-technology to exist, and this makes us vulnerable.

     A recent Reuters report, "Cyberspies Penetrate Electrical Grid: Report," reveals that cyberspies from China, Russia, and other countries, have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid. Software, left behind to be activated at a future time, was discovered that could be used to disrupt the entire system, leaving the U.S. extremely vulnerable to attack. This penetration appeared pervasive across the United States, the report states, and does not target any particular company or region. A former Department of Homeland Security also stated, "There are intrusions, and they are growing."

     In addition to electrical grids, water, sewage and other infrastructure systems are also at risk. Areas of basic service that are improved by new technology make us susceptible to attack because of that same technology.

Has power grid been hacked? U.S. won't say

LOOK UP!

     This report reminds us that there is no system a good cyber hacker cannot crack. Humanity is becoming too smart for our own good, if we trust in our own wisdom, instead of God. And yet, the majority of mankind will trust in themselves, instead of the Lord. As the systems of man fail, those with spiritual wisdom will be looking up, waiting in anticipation for our redemption--Christ Jesus--to return. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW PROPHECY IS FULFILLED IN BOTH A NATURAL WAY AND SPIRITUAL WAY. Our faith should be in God, completely, rather than man. Our Lord, in His mercy, is making that point. In the verses to follow, the Lord warns which "knowledge" we are to follow: man's or God's:

Daniel 12:9-10 -- "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly;
and none of the wicked shall understand,
but the wise shall understand."

     According to God's word, the only viable "wisdom" is spiritual wisdom available to believers. Human knowledge will leave unbelievers "clueless" in the end times; only wisdom which begins with a fear of the Lord will bring understanding.

In Him We Wait, Work, and Watch,
Sharon

[Prophecy Chat is a weekly commentary of current events in light of Bible prophecy. Sharon L. Clemens is an evangelical, premillennial, dispensational teacher of eschatology. She can be reached for comment or questions by e-mail at farmgrove@verizon.net]