Brace yourself. I anticipated this last year when our beloved Heidi was picked up by the pound (she is our Jack Russell terrier not my daughter). When I paid the fine, the “dog catcher’s assistant” informed me that they had inserted a microchip into her body for future tracking. I think what they meant was they did it so they would know who to come after if she got out again. Anyway, I began thinking about how this technology is not far from moving from dogs to humans. I imagined how the concept would be sold to the public. Consider how easy shopping would be if every time you put something in your buggy, it was put into your “cart” for checkout. You wouldn’t even have to pay at the cashier because once you walk out the door of the grocery store, the money is transferred from your bank account to the grocery store’s account. Sounds helpful doesn’t it?

A new Swedish innovation has been unveiled that some people are touting as the next technological move that will sweep the globe. The innovation is not really new because Fido may already have one (or in my case, Heidi). People are actually having microchips inserted into their hands to do things such as unlock the doors to their home or office or to store passwords to certain accounts.  The author of the article I read said, “Swedish entrepreneur Hannes Sjoblad, who started the “biohacking” industry in his homeland, thinks it’s only a matter of time before people use chips to ride public transportation, pay for groceries and track fitness.” I try not to be an alarmist when it comes to last days kinds of issues, but can you see where this is going? The book of Revelation tells of a mark the Antichrist will require people to have during the Tribulation Period: And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:16-17). I remember when I first learned of this when I was a teenager, I couldn’t imagine anyone being willing to have this done. Now, I can see how it will be slipped into our culture as a great, technological advance that will make our lives better. If you think about it, that’s how debit cards became in vogue. One author wrote about this new microchip: “We foresee a future in which everyone will have an implanted chip that will benefit our personal lives as well.”

Jesus said, “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come” (Mark 13:33). I’m sharing this article not because I believe the Tribulation Period will start next week, but because Jesus told us to “keep on the alert.” As the return of Christ gets closer every day (though we don’t know exactly when He is coming), we must be diligent in sharing the gospel and be prepared for increased spiritual conflict. I offer a guide on how to prepare to stand firm during this time in my newest book, Immovable: Standing Firm in the Last Days.” Jesus is coming again, and the signs are all pointing to it. Don’t let anyone convince you that he knows the date, but just know that Christ is coming again. Will you be ready?