Don’t get me wrong on this. Social Media is amazing. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that my Kiwi Christian Rants would attract the interest of dozens of Christian Folks in the Philippines. Lets face it if it wasn’t for the Internet and the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so much of the communication we take for granted in 2021 simply wouldn’t take place.
I’m going to attempt a fair and unbiased assessment of some of the things that are by products of our largely unfettered access to the Net and also the impact of Smart Phones on the Internet users. As always this article is an opinion piece which represents my personal perspectives so please don’t get to upset if you disagree with what is written here.
Which brings us to my first point. Regardless of who you are and by this I mean male, female, Christian, Atheist, person of colour or not and basically whoever you are. Just because you have an opinion does that mean you have an obligation to share it? What I’m angling at is the bullying that happens with teenagers on social media. Just because you have a smart phone does that give you the prerogative to comment on someone else in a personal way or to abuse them just because you can?
A question that I would put out there is that “Given that misuse of social media can lead people to take their own lives and cause other serious consequences. Should it as deregulated as it is. Shouldn’t we have laws controlling it as we do driving on the roads or being a responsible member of society.” I know the freedom of speech folks are winding up as I write this. Laws against hate speech I hear you say.
I am a Christian and I wouldn’t usually enter into a rights based dialogue simply because it is secular but I know enough Christians who put controls on use of cell phones at meal times to know you understand what I’m getting at. As a teacher I have noticed that students behavior ten years ago was in decline. The children were getting more difficult by the year. I’m talking about teenagers here. But then came the advent of smart phones and we are no longer talking about decline. We are talking something altogether more revolutionary. A device which provides a virtual life to the owner. It was like opening Pandora’s box.
The problem is that teenagers can’t envisage what they are missing out on if they become so distracted by this surrogate life that their smart phone gives them that they give up on an education. They simply don’t have the life experience. Add to this the carnage that Crystal Meth is causing in the communities of these youngsters and you’ve got a generation heading in a completely different direction to any other generation in recent history.
This raises a question. “Who is in the process of stealing our children’s minds?” I’m talking about Fortnite and a raft of other games. I’m suggesting the rap dirges that mostly focus on the F word and sexual depravity or the denigration of women as sexual objects. Add to this Google and Wikipedia and you have unlimited access to information. Some of which is excellent but quite an amount of which is dubious at the very least. It all leads to the idea that whoever controls the Internet or the Smart Phones controls our children.
To the point, that even schools are battling to make inroads against the power that modern digital devices have over their students. I’ve seen a live video of a fight shared at school and had a group of students literally flee from a classroom to check on the well being of a friend that was injured. Surely that is a good thing right? The problem is that the fight only happened so that the perpetrators could get subscribers on their YouTube feed and the students that fled the classroom did so in sheer panic. A dangerous situation.
Can they steal us too? Well this is surely a reasonable question isn’t it. For instance I have a Covid Tracer app on my phone that tracks my every movement. I share my experiences and opinions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. My phone listens to me and is always suggesting good products that I might want to purchase. So it certainly has a fair degree of passive input into my life. The police can track my phone if they have a mind too. There is certainly plenty of information about me out in the Net for anyone who has the right type of software and expertise to gather should someone need to put together a profile and assess my likely next moves. Too Orwellian? Perhaps, but there is a movement toward less personal freedom for the perceived greater good. The question is who is deciding who benefits from less personal freedom and which freedoms to remove?
Another concern about Social Media and the Net is the Dark Web and the Conspiracy Theorists. The Dark Web is a shadowy but powerful conglomerate of antisocial individuals, corporations, paramilitary and possibly governments using the seamy side of the Internet to implement covert agendas. Big money and exotic software.
Loosely associated with the Dark Web are the Conspiracy Theorists touting everything from Ancient Aliens, UFO’s, Friendly Fire on the Twin Towers, Flat Earth Theology, Greek Mythology combined with the Marvel Universe, Interfaith and polytheism, Socialism and Fascism – Both sides against the middle. Basically, if you have a theory we have the information. Add to this Google and the Social Media heavy weights like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and you have control of what people think and say. There is so much information and misinformation you can literally find data to back up any contention that you can come up with. People are literally drowning in an ocean of thought.
Which brings us to who’s controlling the Net and what is their agenda. My thought is a secret and illusive organisation that is moving the world toward a global government. The apostle Paul mentioned such an organisation called it the Mystery of Iniquity.
II Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 3-7 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. KJV
Don Stanton outlined the structure of this organisation in his book Mystery 666 published by Maranatha Revival Crusade in 1977. They refer to themselves as insiders and have infiltrated all levels of society across the globe. Member organisations include the Illuminati, Club of Rome, Bilderbergers, Nights of Malta, Society of Jesus, the Trilateral Commission to name but a few. Their control of every government on the planet is now beyond dispute which makes them the prime suspect in regards to who is controls the Social Media, Internet and the Smart Phones.
What can we do about this? To start with be aware of the influence of the Internet, Social Media and Smart phones in your life and the lives of your family. There’s a movie called “I Am Number Four” which is a science fantasy about refuges of an interstellar war hiding on the Earth. The movies is interesting but that’s not my reason for mentioning it. The reason I mention it is that one of the co-stars is the daughter of a good old fashioned American Christian couple and it shows the loving relationship this daughter has with her family and the way they handle cell phones at dinner time. They all go into a basket until dinner is finished so that the family can be present and converse with one another. The Star of the show says how precious family is and how he wishes he had that type of family life himself. Great message but again not my main point.
Smart phones, the Internet and Social Media have revolutionised communication in the 21st Century. There are many wonderful advantages to this state of affairs but there are also some real dangers. Unfettered access to pornography for instance. The ability to live a virtual reality life. Access to videos, games and music of extremely dubious quality pouring evil into the hearts of our children. This resulting in the loss of connection with our children and loved ones. My advice is don’t mess around. Intervene in your children’s Internet, Social Media and Smart Phone use. Make rules and implement them fairly and consistently. Things like no phones at dinner time. It’s our time to talk about the day we’ve had. Stay on top of what’s on their devices and how much time the have on them. You might feel like an ogre but believe me you’re doing the right thing and you will reap the rewards. Sane offspring. Finally, apply the same rules to your Internet, Social Media and Smart Phone use. It can take you out too!
About the Next Reformation. The Church sure needs a Reformation in our time. Most denominations have accepted the overtures made to them by Rome. We live in a day when we are seeing a great falling away. Perhaps the falling away that Jesus Christ mentioned in Matthew chapter twenty four verse ten. “And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one...” Evolution and secular society are dominating the gospel in the hearts of our children. Churches are dying as their aging congregants pass away.
Yet we are not without hope. As Jesus said “These things must come to pass.” Matthew chapter twenty four verse six “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end…”KJV There will be a Reformation in this time. It may not come before the Tribulation that is near upon us but during that time the Israel will be carrying the gospel to the World. The Everlasting gospel will go out to every corner of the globe. Revelations chapter fourteen. “And I saw another angel flying in midheaven with an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people…” KJV This will lead to a great Revival as multitudes of people repent.
What should we do now as Christians? Do the basics. Read a paper bible, or a phone if that’s what you have. Spend time in prayer, and find a Church so you can fellowship with other Christians. Believe me you may have to make some compromises and overlook doctrinal differences but if do then you will reap a tremendous blessing. Worship Yahweh and ask the Lord for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon his Church. Remember that Yahweh is in Charge of everything and all things work together for good in Jesus Christ. Be prayerful and careful with the Internet, Social Media and your Smart Phone.
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