GiftofGod

I read an intersting article today about China's use of a "social credit system", which provides a score based on an individual's behavior and beliefs. The system brought to mind the famous verse of Revelation 13:17, "so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark". It's isn't hard to see this score eventually being used to prevent employment or even the opening a bank account. Quote from the article: "The ultimate goal is to 'allow the trustworthy to roam everywhere under heaven while making it hard for the discredited to take a single step,' according to the Chinese government. In place since 2014, the social credit system is a work in progress that could evolve by next year into a single, nationwide point system for all Chinese citizens, akin to a financial credit score. It aims to punish for transgressions that can include membership in or support for the Falun Gong or Tibetan Buddhism, failure to pay debts, excessive video gaming, criticizing the government, late payments, failing to sweep the sidewalk in front of your store or house, smoking or playing loud music on trains, jaywalking, and other actions deemed illegal or unacceptable by the Chinese government." Complete article: https://www.fastcompany.com/90394048/uh-oh-silicon-valley-is-building-a-chinese-style-social-credit-system

Thank you, JTC, S.C.1, Hazard, and Warrior12 for the comments and encouragement. Regarding this topic, I don't want to lead someone the wrong way. We are called to persevere to the end and to complete the race, likewise, we are warned against apostasy. On the other hand, scripture does say that Christ is able to keep those who are His. Perhaps this is another one of those concepts which are challenging for mankind to grasp due to our temporal finite nature (such as one God, three distinct persons).

The deepest anxiety I have is that I won't enter the eternal kingdom of God (new Jerusalem) and God will reject me after death due to my continual sinful nature. I've repented and was baptized, yet darkness still nags at my mind and I still sin... I'm assuming deliberately as we are all responsible for our actions. If I can lose my salvation, how will I know before it is too late?

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 (bold mine)

Thank you: GandalfTheWise, Yown, Gary Lee, and Neighbor. I have read all of your responses several times over the last couple of days. I thank you for the effort you took to write them. All of you touched on a different perspective or angel and, combined, there is a lot of value here. I'm going to copy these responses into a document for future reference and use. I'm immediately grateful to you, Neighbor, because I had to go review the scripture again. You are correct that evangelism isn't listed as a gift of the Spirit. I'm not sure how I became under the impression it was. Perhaps the roles in the body (teacher, apostle). I see now that perhaps apostle could be our missionaries? Regardless, roles and gifts of the Spirit are two different things. I thank you for being the iron that sharpens another.

I don't believe I've been blessed with the gift of evangelism. In fact, I'm not sure what my spiritual gift is. I'm also cowardly, which is something I need to repent of. However, I've recently come to the conclusion that maybe there are people I can reach now that another cannot. To paraphrase David Platt, "how much do you have to hate someone to NOT share the gospel with them?". Are there any book recommendations, things I can buy and have on hand, to pass out to people? Mere Christianity? Case for Christ? The Bible? What methods have you found effective in sharing the gospel with unbelievers?

Thank you for this insight. Maybe there will be a time to repent of this idolatry. I'm unaware of a reference to it within scripture. I was also told that the MoB was final, but I admit that I've been taught many things which contradict scripture (which is why I must continue to study the word instead of different teacher's interpretation of the word). " And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” Rev 14:11 While this certainly reads to be final and eternal, Rev 22 speaks of a whole group of people who will not see the kingdom of God (thieves, idolators, sorcerers, men who practice homosexuality, the greedy). All of those "sins" or behaviors can be covered by the blood of the lamb if the repentance is true.

Please allow me to present a couple of ideas in conversation. I do not claim them to be the ultimate truth or divine guidance. Some of this will read as science fiction. But I assure you that many in power within this world believe this is our future and are either warning against it or racing towards it (Schmidt, Musk, Gates, etc) . https://futurism.com/kurzweil-claims-that-the-singularity-will-happen-by-2045/ I have felt that the new rush towards AI + the Singularity resembles much of what I've read in scripture concerning the Beast/False Prophet/MoB. Essentially, from what I can read and ascertain, this is a technological Gnosticism where they believe man can become like god by merging with a super-intelligent machine. With this new intelligence, humans could create things never before possible (which is why it is so attractive). The machine intelligence would be "god" and will declare ultimate morality and truth to its followers, causing many to worship it. With new advancements in robotics/genetics, I could see a being "who had life breathed into it" (created, as God breathed life into man), an artificial life merged with artificial intelligence. This being, if connected to all the devices in the world, including satellite weapons, could absolutely call fire from the heavens. An AI intelligence a billion times more intelligent than humans will absolutely perform 'great miracles'. It could blame religion for all world problems, outlaw it (beast turns on the harlot), and make itself the world ruler and religion. Other thoughts on the MoB... your forehead and right hand represent your thoughts and your actions. Are they doing The Lord's will or are they doing Satan/Lucifer's will? A man cannot serve two masters. According to Jesus the Messiah, risen Lord and Savior, there is one unforgivable sin: blasphemy of the spirit. If receiving the mark is unforgivable, it must be an example of blaspheming the spirit.

Mexicans, as a nationality, do still make up the majority of undocumented immigrants. The article is grouping immigrants from all other nations into one collective.

I'm blessed to be surrounded by amazing pizza. My favorite companies are Aurelios, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinders, Lou Malnatis. Pizzas: Spinach (alone), Giardiniera Peppers (alone), or Pesto Sauce/Sun Dried Tomatoes. Thin crust.

I love coffee too. I do confess that I'm addicted to it.

Perhaps it will be artificial intelligence (singularity). A system which is so intelligent that's it's solutions do appear as miracles. A system which sees that false religion and religious strife needs to be purged and eliminated. A statue of silicon being given life. It's not science fiction if you see the directions Google/Kurzweil and Elon Musk are taking (essentially their agenda appears to be that man can be made ultra-intelligent and eternal through bio-integration with technology, techno-gnosticism).

In that day, in light of my sins and His glory, holliness, righteousness, I think I could not point to any works of service I've done as justification. The only thing I could say is "thank you!", because He provides my justification through His work of obedience alone. I pray I remember when I see Him.

You have some good insights, especially given your perspective of looking from the outside into the United States. There are additional factors... 1. I do believe in the power of prayer and I know many prayed over this election, the future direction of the Supreme Court, and support for Israel. Evangelicals prayed and voted. 2. When the pendulum swings too far into debauchery and hedonism, many times a nation will turn to an authoritarian leader (see 1930s Germany). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2847643/Berlin-liberal-hotbed-homosexuality-mecca-cross-dressers-transsexuals-male-female-surgery-performed-Nazis-came-power-new-book-reveals.html Whether or not God placed our president elect as a blessing (1) or a judgement (2) remains to be seen, but in either situation, it will ultimately be to God's glory.

I confess that I get caught up in the political rumors and gloating but it is not of The Lord and I must repent. I want to reflect Christ in my witness. We could pray for her, as she still is The Lord's creation and He is not willing that any should perish. The Lord can use defeat to humble the powerful and bring them closer to him. I heard she carries a bible with her and she quoted Galatians 6:9 in her concession speech.

So you do believe in a soul beyond the body. That implies a spiritual realm beyond the physical. Here is what I find beautiful about learning God's word and the truth of the bible: There is a creator, an amazing artist and hyper-intelligent being who, with his will and word, spoke the universe into existence. This creator is the ultimate personification of truth and love, completely perfect in all ways, beyond measure. And He wants to have a relationship with you. In fact, He loves you so much that He humbled Himself and came into this creation of His as a baby and lived as a human. He then died as a payment for the wrong doing of any of His creation that rebelled against Him, as long as they turn away from this wrong doing and turn to Him in love. He calls them (and you) to Himself. This is a very simplified version but you can read more about this in The Bible. It's great to start with The Gospel of John to read more.

Hello Penelope83. You are truly blessed that The Lord is calling to you. I recommend reading The Gospel of John. Here is a link to the Gospel online in translation that I personally find easy to read: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV