AI, Delusion, and the Lie

One arena of development in the swift movement toward the Tribulation era is the technology that’s exploding all around us. There is just no way to keep up with it. Most indicative of this is the matter of artificial intelligence (AI).

We are hearing more and more stories about how AI is affecting life. It’s in the process of taking over to the extent that even its developers worry that it might soon slip from becoming not a helper to humanity but rather a master ruling over it.

We see changes in daily internet use reflecting AI’s burgeoning influence. For example, when we launch a Google search, we now receive notice that AI was instrumental in the search.

This, of course, is considered a great boon to our need for instant knowledge and its application to every facet of life. And, admittedly, I want instant gratification when I’m researching something for an article, book, or whatever else I’m doing at the moment.

However, the absolute evil of AI becomes unbearably troubling when considering how the diabolists of the world are using it.

For example, just this past week I heard a report of a teenage girl who is a Christian in the truest sense. She is active in her church and has been raised in what is said to be a wonderful Christian family.

The report I heard—I believe on the Sean Hannity radio program—was that someone had used AI to place the girl’s likeness on the body of someone engaged in sex with the father of the boy who produced the wicked video.

The girl and her parents were, of course, devastated as the video went viral.

This vile action is no doubt almost tame by comparison to how this technology will be used to perpetrate Antichrist’s great lie, as foretold in the following.

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12).

The entire Antichrist regime, following the Rapture of all believers in Christ, will be based upon a gargantuan lie. This lie will no doubt begin by convincing most of humanity to take the mark of Antichrist (Revelation 13:16-18).

Can we have any doubt that some form of AI will be used in causing all people to accept the 666 designation as a matter of worshiping the beast—or else being cut out of the system of buying and selling?

The result will not be Heaven on earth but a horrendous system that probably even the fictional account in my novel Jacob’s Trouble 666, written several decades ago, couldn’t adequately capture. Please allow a brief look at a passage from that book:

Bright amber computer data flashed on the rectangular INterface screen when the old woman stepped beneath the Decodscanner.

“Look up!” commanded the stern woman across the counter, her black eyes leering from sockets surrounded by dark, sunken flesh.

The woman obeyed nervously, turning her puffy, age-creased face upward.

The screen displayed:

INterface Response Unity

U.S. SECTOR 781

PROCEED—INPUT

The checker herded a few canned grocery items onto the conveyor, then pressed a button located at waist level behind the counter.

Fumbling through her cracked vinyl purse, the older woman retrieved a tissue and applied it to her cold-infected nose.

“Look, lady! There are other citizens besides you in the PC,” the checker said icily. “Move along!”

Her eyes betraying fear, she gathered the sack into her arms, coughed into the tissue, and exited the Product Center under the suspicious glare of a black-uniformed controller.

An old man shuffled tentatively into the checkout lane, avoiding the gaze of the checker. His broad head was bowed as if he sought to hide beneath the upturned collar of the ragged gray coat he wore. “You got an IN, mister?” Her question cut the air in a tone of disgust.

“Yes… Yes… See here.” The man let his eyes meet hers fleetingly while he pulled back the sleeve on his right arm and moved his hand to a position beneath the countertop Decodscanner, activating an ultraviolet light which made visible a bar code tattooed on the back of his hand. At the same time, the number appeared on the INRU screen:

5DD197920-J

Looking at the screen, the checker pushed a button, and data was added to the display.

5D019792O-J IN5DR – O – CREDIT LINE – D

“You don’t have any drawing rights, Jew! Take these and put them back where they belong!”

The little man shrunk deeper into the oversized coat, although he made a meek protest. “Please… but madam… I…”

“Just get these things back on the shelves, Jew!” She shoved the items roughly at him, cursing beneath her breath. Her outburst drew the attention of others in the Product Center and caused the controller to stiffen to alertness from his position near the exit.

(This isn’t included here to urge the reader to get the novel but to show how AI will almost certainly be advanced to a point that will control Earth’s populations during the Tribulation. Amazon has the novel if you wish to get it.)

To get an idea of just how such a future awaits humankind when Antichrist is on the scene, we can look at the following news item that shows the developing technology that will one day be used to control:

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly intends on acquiring AI technology capable of scanning people’s eyes from several feet away.

According to 9NEWS, the agency issued a notice to purchase licenses for the iris recognition technology to aid in deportations and removals.

“The mobile software from BI2 Technologies can identify individuals from 10 to 15 feet away using a smartphone app, according to the the Massachusetts-based company. It then connects with a second product that includes a database,” 9NEWS wrote.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly intends on acquiring AI technology capable of scanning people’s eyes from several feet away. (ICE Reportedly Plans to Obtain Eye-Scanning AI Technology to Aid Deportations, Danielle, Aug. 12, 2025, Rapture Ready News)

Everything we observe regarding Bible prophecy at the end of this Church Age seems to be already in place and/or developing quickly. Technology is the most rapidly advancing evidence of just how close we might be to Christ’s call to the Church.

AI must surely have been one of the things the angel was referring to when he told Daniel the prophet (Daniel 12) that knowledge will increase as the book is opened for those alive at the time to understand.

And, again, the Lord Jesus’ admonition must surely include the development of AI technology.

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

—Terry

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Rosh Hashanah Longings

I’m familiar with warnings of severe weather for my area of the country. A watch signifies that all the ingredients for a severe thunderstorm, tornado, or winter storm are present in the atmosphere. A storm warning alerts us to the fact that severe weather will soon impact our area.

I believe this applies rather well to our anticipation of Jesus’ soon appearing. Everything we see points to the arrival of all that John wrote about in Revelation 6. The earth is already in the throes of the birth pangs that Jesus warned about in Matthew 24 as wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, and volcano eruptions happen with increasing frequency.

In other words, all the ingredients for the upcoming storm, known as the Day of the Lord wrath, are already here. The Rapture will be the spark that turns them into the storm depicted by the seal judgments.

A Time for Watching

More than at any other time in the history of the church, now is the time of watching for Jesus’ appearing. Israel exists as a nation, and world conditions are precisely what the Bible says would exist at the end of the age.

How do we know Jesus will come for us before the seal judgments of Revelation 6? One reason is the presence of the twenty-four elders in Heaven (Revelation 4-5) before Jesus opens the seals. They represent the Church in Heaven after the Rapture. The redeemed of the ages will already be in glory with Jesus before He opens seals and releases the riders of the apocalypse, who will spread the Day of the Lord wrath across the earth.

We also have the Lord’s promise in 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 that He will deliver us from the “sudden destruction” of the Day of the Lord (5:1-3). The seal judgments signify God’s wrath; even many of those who will experience them will recognize them as such (see Revelation 6:15-17).

When Much Closer?

How much closer to the start of this time of God’s judgment can we get apart from the Rapture occurring? I don’t know the answer to that question, but long ago, the Lord, through the Psalmist Asaph, provided this insight into the matter:

“At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.
When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep steady its pillars” (Psalm 75:2-3).

Long before the church age began, the Lord proclaimed that His future outpouring of His wrath upon the world would happen at the time He had already set. Jesus confirmed His Father’s sovereignty in the timing in Matthew 247:36 and Acts 1:7. Isn’t it reassuring to know that despite the chaos, violence, and lawlessness of our world, God’s timing remains intact? He’s in control despite what we see.

Although I never thought we would get this close to the Tribulation before Jesus came for me, I trust His sovereign timing. What I see tells me the Rapture will happen very soon, but I can’t know its exact timing.

A Word of Caution

I’m aware that for several watchers, their hope that Jesus might come during next month’s Feast of Trumpets has morphed into saying He will appear during this time. A planned September vote at the UN on the dividing of Israel via a two-state solution during Rosh Hashanah has triggered much of this anticipation. Some assume this vote will mark the fulfillment of Daniel 9:27 when the antichrist makes a peace covenant with “the many,” including Israel.

Although the UN initiative shouts that we live in the last days and points to the start of Daniel’s seventieth week, it lacks several key elements for it to signify the antichrist’s upcoming deal with Israel. This coming man of lawlessness hasn’t yet appeared and garnered enough power to convince Israel he can protect the nation, which is something he can’t do until after our departure.

We also learn from Isaiah 28:14-18 that the Lord will hold Israel’s leaders accountable for agreeing to this deal. Its current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has already rejected the UN’s proposal, describing it as “suicidal”; he refuses give up land for the sake of peace. Much has to change in Israel before its leaders accept the antichrist’s peace accord.

As for the Rapture occurring on Rosh Hashanah next month, I understand why many believers look for Jesus to appear at this time. It will be a time of heightened watchfulness for me, but I’m not at the place of saying that the Rapture will happen during Rosh Hashanah either this year or in a future year.

The problem with date setting for the Rapture is that it provides yet another reason for scoffers to ridicule our hope and for pastors to remain silent about Jesus’ appearing. And if it doesn’t happen, some believers may conclude it’s a false hope.

Please know we are close to the time when we will meet Him in the air. The convergence of a myriad of signs signifies that it will happen soon, very soon. How much longer can it be before the Lord responds to the worldwide toll of one billion abortions in the past fifty years and the great misery caused by the rampant sex trafficking of our day?

However, if October arrives, or even 2026 or 2027, and we remain earthbound, please don’t let that dismay or discourage you. It’s only a temporary delay from our perspective. Jesus will come for us at the time set by His Father and not one second beyond it. And the time between now and our departure will pass quickly. Count on it.

Maranatha!

-Jonathan

God’s Chain Restraining End-times Tyrants

Mike Hile, my great friend of many years who has kept this old, blind purveyor of Bible prophecy between the ditches in our many travels, sent an interesting report and a suggestion I believe has tremendous relevance at this late hour of our fleeting age.

We hear from all the news reports and punditry almost hourly that World War III might break out at any moment. And, looking at the many hostilities around the globe, we could easily conclude that, indeed, all-out nuclear conflict is on the brink.

The Russian-Ukrainian war still rages. Israel is still dealing with the war-making of Hamas and the terrorist evil that comes against the Jewish state and people. Other smaller wars and rumors of war occur and threaten because of the likes of the North Korean dictator and other minor tyrants.

And of the major tyrants, recent news isn’t good. While China still threatens to invade Taiwan and wreak havoc in other regions, it seems for the moment to be more focused on keeping its communist dictatorship from imploding due to economic pressures–many of these being brought to bear by one Donald John Trump.

Russia, also under terrific economic pressures, threatening the dictatorship of Vladimir Putin with internal degradation, rather than backing down at Trump’s sanction actions, warns of the nuclear option.

My friend Mike weighed in on all this, reminding me of why he and I, and anyone who studies Bible prophecy from, particularly, the pre-Trib viewpoint, can look at this development with calm assurance. There will not be all-out nuclear World War III as long as we remain in this Age of Grace, also called the Church Age.

These two major tyrannical entities, we believe—China and Russia—are prophetically scheduled (that is, we are told through God’s foreknowledge, His omniscience) to fulfill their dastardly destructiveness at a time yet future—a time after all believers in Jesus Christ have been taken (paralambano) into the gathering we call the Rapture of the Church.

Russia, we believe through much intensive study by ourselves and others, will be the lead national force that takes the coalition of Israel-hating hordes toward Jerusalem in the Gog-Magog assault described by Ezekiel the prophet.

China, we are convinced, will be the king (or lead nation) of the massive force called the “kings of the east” that will destroy a third of the world’s population at the time of crossing the dried-up Euphrates River. This war-making venture is found in Revelation chapters 9 and 16.

So, with this as a prophetic backdrop, I insert part of my friend Mike Hile’s email to me that precipitated this commentary:

It is interesting how the Lord (Holy Spirit—The Restrainer) keeps China on a leash with weather problems (also Russia with war in Ukraine) so that they do not accelerate the prophetic process (think an evil thought) beyond what the Lord’s plan is and what He allows them to do. Look at the list of weather events at the end of this article that China has been dealing with.

At least 30 people died and more than 80,000 were evacuated in Beijing, China, after record rainfall from July 26-28, 2025, caused severe flooding and landslides.

Record-breaking rainfall from July 26-28, caused severe flooding across Beijing, leaving at least 30 people dead and forcing more than 80,000 to evacuate, Beijing Municipal Government officials confirmed on July 29. (By Reet Kaur Tuesday, July 29, 2025, https://watchers.news/2025/07/29/30-dead-80-000-evacuated-extreme-rainfall-beijing-china/)

Mike’s information went much more in-depth, making his point that China is being diverted in its wicked ambitions to control the world through its rapidly building military might.

The Trump administration is greatly inhibiting this evil regime from being able to complete its long-game plans to rule the world, through President Trump’s economic savoir faire. And this president is doing the same to stymie Vladimir Putin’s apparent desire to reconstruct the old Soviet Union—despite Russian saber-rattling recently in threatening nuclear war if America intervenes in their bloody war-making against Ukraine.

However, it is the God of Heaven who has the chains of restraint around the necks of the tyrants of Russia and of China–and around the necks of the other dictators of this violent world. We can be assured that the chains of restraint will stay firmly in place, so far as preventing all-out nuclear war, until God’s people, the Body of Christ—are removed to the shelter, Jesus, in the clouds of Glory.

You want to be part of that removal to the shelter when God’s judgment and wrath begin to fall on this rebellious world. Here is how to go to Christ when He calls the Church:

“That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

—Terry

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Unbelief, Scripture, and the Rapture

During the time I pastored a small church in eastern Iowa, now just over forty years ago, the pastor of the Methodist church called and asked me to come to his office. When I arrived, I saw he had been studying More Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell. I remember that he asked me a few questions about the book before telling me that he was a pastor for twenty years before he became a born-again believer.

Last week, the Lord reminded me of his startling confession, and I began wondering what made the difference between knowing God’s Word and the arrival of saving faith. Surely he had often read the Bible and preached from it many times. The answer came as I remembered the book he was reading at the time, one that defended the veracity of Scripture. He now trusted its life-giving message, which led him to believing in Jesus.

Why is it that so many professing Christians refuse to believe the words of Scripture? Jesus said this in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Despite the unmistakable clarity of His message, many insist that He isn’t the only path to eternal life. A well-known “evangelical” pastor teaches that God saves Muslims apart from their belief in the Savior. Why would he make such a statement that not only contradicts Jesus’ words but the entire New Testament?

Many Bible scholars, who are far more intelligent than I, read the same promises that the Lord made to Israel and teach that somehow they no longer apply to the descendants of Jacob. Despite their wealth of knowledge regarding Scripture and its original languages, they don’t believe what the Lord clearly says about the future restoration of Israel. Why is that?

Even fellow believers, who read the same New Testament that I do, ridicule the whole idea of a Rapture. I have heard several pastors, even those who had a solid grasp of the basics of the Gospel, deny that there is such a thing as the Rapture and preach that all believers will die before the Lord returns. They don’t believe what Paul wrote early in his ministry when he expressed his hope that he might be among the saints who would be alive at the time of Jesus’ appearing (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Why do even pastors who claim that the Bible is inerrant go off on tangents that contradict the words of Scripture? I believe there are two key reasons for their unbelief.

A Refusal to Submit to the Words of Scripture

It remains a mystery to me why so many teachers of God’s Word submit to what it reveals about the saving message of the cross, yet refuse to do so when it comes to future things.

Instead of relying solely on what the Bible says about prophecy, many pastors and Christians adopt variant beliefs after reading books that contradict what the Bible says about the future of Israel. One pastor told me he adhered to the belief in a pre-Tribulation Rapture until he read two such books. Now he believes there’s no such thing. For him, human wisdom trumps all that the New Testament says about our future as believers.

During the past several years, I have crossed paths with many pastors and Christians who retrofit the words of Scripture to fit their own wisdom-based beliefs about future things. They say that the book of Revelation is either allegory, past history, or previously fulfilled prophecy up to the point of the White Throne judgment in 20:11. Reliance on their own insight blinds them to the most thrilling truths in all of God’s Word pertaining to our future as the redeemed. They refuse to accept the plain sense of Scripture.

Is it not this same form of unbelief that keeps many pastors from talking about what lies ahead for the saints and the world? They don’t believe that the Lord will honor a willingness to preach all of Scripture, especially such things as the Rapture or Millennium. Gifted preachers attract large numbers of people to their churches, resulting in multiple services and church plants. Their exclusive emphasis on this life, however, leaves their congregations in the dark regarding what lies ahead for the world.

Pride

Another primary reason that keeps many from submitting to the words of Scripture is something we all deal with on a daily basis: pride. It’s something that keeps many people from believing what theologian Jonathan Edwards said long ago, “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.” Pride keeps them bound in their unbelief.

I have often witnessed the bond between pride and a refusal to believe what the Bible says about the Lord’s restoration of Israel and the Rapture. One pastor roared with laughter as I showed him the biblical basis for Israel’s future restoration as a nation. Is it not this same proud spirit that lies behind much of the mocking we endure because of our belief in Jesus’ imminent appearing?

Please know that I struggle with pride on almost a daily basis. I often need to remind myself that it’s only because of the Lord’s grace and great mercy toward me that I have a ministry of writing about our exciting and glorious future as New Testament saints.

In the months following my visit with the Methodist pastor, opposition surfaced in his church because he believed and preached the Gospel. Those opposing forces later succeeded in having him removed as their pastor. Many in his congregation proudly refused to submit to the words of Scripture and persisted in their unbelief regarding the saving message of the cross.

I know most of you experience rejection and ridicule because of your adherence to what Scripture teaches about the Rapture and the fast-approaching Tribulation period. But take heart; Jesus sees and will surely reward your perseverance and longing for His appearing (1 Peter 1:6-9; 2 Timothy 4:8). Perhaps soon, we will all be with the Savior in Heaven with glorified bodies.

Maranatha!

-Jonathan