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?

I recently had the privilege of speaking at Wall Highway Baptist Church in Madison, Alabama about preparing to stand firm in the days leading up to the return of Christ. A number of questions were sent to me in response to the message. I answered a few in my last blog post, here’s a few more.

Someone asked whether or not the United States was mentioned in the Bible in regard to the last days. There really is no definite reference to the US in Scripture, or specifically Bible prophecy. Ezekiel 38:13 has a subtle mention of what appears to be the colonies of Great Britain, which obviously could be a small reference to the US: “Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?” The word “villages” literally means lion cubs. With a little imagination, you could say that Tarshish refers to Great Britain and the lion cubs are all of the British colonies. I think this is a bit of a stretch. Others have tried to use various passages to refer to the US, but the bottom line is that the United States does not seem to find a place in Bible prophecy. I believe that is because the United States will be of little consequence in the world by the time the Tribulation Period starts. It pains me to say that, but there really is not another explanation. It could happen through economic failure or terrorist attack. It could happen through a merging of nations (there has been talk of merging the countries of North America into one nation). Regardless of the reason, the Bible does not specifically mention the US in prophecy.

Someone else asked, “If all these things (deception, falling away, etc) are supposed to happen, how then should we pray?” In my book. Immovable: Standing Firm in the Last Days, I describe the various pieces of spiritual armor and their connection to things that will be happening in the last days. Prayer is a vital part of putting each piece of armor in place. I encourage people to take each principle represented by the armor (truth, righteousness, salvation, peace, faith, hearing the Word of God) and pray over that principle. For example, you could say, “Lord, thank you for your truth that is sharper than a two-edged sword. As I go through my day today, please allow your truth to open up my heart and my mind so I can see myself as you see me. Penetrate even to the dividing soul and spirit as you help me discern my motives and actions today. Help me to act on the truth and apply the truth. As I am confronted with the lies of the evil one today, help me to stand firm on the truth of your word. Please protect me from deception, and help me to proclaim your truth today through my actions and my words.”

I think we should also pray for the church today because the church is under great attack. The spiritual battle will affect churches, pastors, and missionaries. Pray for God’s protection and strength. Also pray for our children. Satan wants our children, and we must fight for their souls and their hearts. Pray that God will prepare us for difficult days that will include economic struggle, persecution, and heartache. Ask God to help us be prepared for the unparalleled opportunities we will face as His return draws near. We must be sharing our faith and proclaiming the good news.

Someone else asked, “How would it change your approach if rapture involved evil leaving and us ruling on earth?” The Bible does say that we will reign with Jesus during the Millennial reign of Christ, but it also says that God’s wrath will be poured out on the earth before that time. I do not believe this will happen just because God is angry. I believe it is in part because God is offering one final opportunity for salvation for those who are unbelievers. Some people believe that things will continue to get better and better, and we will be ushered into the Millennial Reign, but I do not believe the Bible teaches that, and our experience certainly discounts that. I do not believe we can watch hundreds of Christians being murdered by ISIS and think that things are getting better. I could sit and imagine how my approach would be different, but I believe the Bible does not indicate that evil will be raptured. 1 Thess 4:16-18 is very clear that Christians will be raptured.

Someone asked if I think the Antichrist is alive today. I believe the rapture could happen in my lifetime, and if it does, then the Antichrist would be alive today. He may be a little boy being raised in some Arabic community, or he might be a young man serving in some minor political office. It is only conjecture because we do not know when Christ will return. If you believe in an imminent return of Jesus, then you would have to believe the Antichrist is alive. I think the rapture could be any day. I think things are going to have to get worse before the Tribulation Period begins, but this could happen quickly. I do believe the Antichrist could be alive today.