Written by Paul J Bucknell on September, 20, 2023

AI and the Future of the Christian Church - Part 4

Dangerous ways Satan might utilize artificial intelligence against Christians and ministry.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

The first three articles traced the seductive, maybe not so slow, transition to reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI bots rather than on God. The desire for knowledge and its associated power still lures the faithful away from God (Gen 3:5)—but to where? Into the devil’s control!

In Part 4, we delve into the possibility of Satan utilizing artificial Intelligence and people’s reliance on it to deceive the world and gain control. Our findings are rooted in clear Scriptural teachings that suggest the end times may resemble how Jesus’ death on the cross unexpectedly fulfilled numerous prophetic messages. Though details and timing can be subjective, numerous end-time Bible passages direct us to warn ourselves and others, despite our feeble grasp of these significant events.

Satan’s pursuit of world worship becomes the backdrop for his deceptive tactics to rule the world, bringing much pain and death to mankind (Mat 24:32-33). 

At this point, we cannot verify that our days are the very end of the age, but they could be. If so, we will see further destruction of the world. Either way, we must vigilantly live for Jesus Christ, shining forth His love and light. God, in complete control, will never abandon His people during this time. Satan’s manifestation of dark power entirely depends on God’s permissive timing and purpose (Hab 3:13). God can and will, in the end, “cut in two the cords of the wicked” (Psalm 129:4).

Evil’s  Downward Progression

The Book of Revelation offers an interpretation of the spiritual problems we now face and will in the future, revealing Satan’s nefarious influence. He, the “prince of the power of the air,” stands behind the actions of evil people. “The course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience” (Eph 2:2). Christians need their Lord’s assistance to resist the enemy's influence.

Before going into more detail, it’s critical to understand how Satan allures humans with power and riches, first deluding them before making them his pawns. This is undoubtedly why we especially pray for those in power (1 Tim 2:1-2); they are more vulnerable to the evil one’s attacks. Like an idolatrous glutton, Satan seeks all to worship him, including the Antichrist and the second beast. 

Satan’s Involvement in Today’s World

The Bible first introduces Satan and his diabolical ways in Genesis 3, where he seduces mankind with the knowledge of good and evil. In Revelation 12:7-9, we see Satan as the serpent and the deceiver of the whole world. Sadly, humanity’s arrogance often leads to disobedience and compliance with Satan’s temptations.

⁷ And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war,⁸ and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. ⁹ And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Rev 12:7-9)

Satan has fallen angels (i.e., demons) under his control. They, like Satan, were originally good but later fell with the devil from defeat and judgment. They were banned to earth (Jude 6). 

Let me give you a probable scenario that will give us an overall model to understand the interplay of Satan’s involvement in the world at the end of this age. In today’s news, various government agencies are clamoring to gain power over AI before it becomes self-conscious and destroys mankind. At least for the West, the United Nations will grab hold of AI’s control, visibly or behind the scenes. 

AI cannot become self-conscious because it is merely a knowledge detector and acquirer. It has the appearance of this ability by other programs utilizing AI’s grasp of handling knowledge. Evolutionists use their bias to project that  spontaneous life and self-consciousness will arise from artificial intelligence, much as they believe earth’s life to be spontaneous. However, learning modules and information processing lack the outside mind to direct it…unless it is supplied. Imagine a machine that produces parts, directed and enabled by a human mind.

People will direct AI’s direction, but then, because they anticipate a self-conscious power to arise, they will, at some point, sense a greater power wanting to run it and foolishly hand over this power—perhaps animating itself through a person (the Beast). This power will not be AI’s birth of life (i.e., self-consciousness), but Satan ruling mankind through the Antichrist, AI, and his demons. (Some suggest extraterrestrial aliens will also play a part in this plot.) As the devil aggrandizes power to himself and deceives the world, he will maliciously rule over the world. The final judgments of the world associated with the Great Tribulation will begin, probably orchestrated through the devil himself, though assuredly, God uses them to judge this duped world.

The Timing of Satan’s Release

Unfortunately, things will only worsen when Satan is released from his imprisonment, as described in Revelation 20:3.

“He threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time” (Rev 20:3).

Satan’s release is timed with the escalation of evil in the final age. Though the evil one is constrained before this release, his angels (demons) still do his bidding. His release, however, at the very end of time, allows him to follow through with his horrific fleeting world empire—“so that he would not deceive the nations any longer’ (Rev 20:3). 

This release seems identified with Satan’s final appearance mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2. Satan destroys as much of God’s good works, in creation and mankind, as possible. We can see the denial of God and hate for marriage and life itself as expressions of this, along with wars, plagues, famine, and death. 

Some are already so convinced of societal evolution that they see the need to merge AI (perhaps through implanted computer chips or programmable bio-chemical DNA) with humans. The evil one can easily advance his agenda with neural implants, making it difficult for people to distinguish his voice from their own thoughts. To be sure, Satan works behind the scenes to depopulate the earth, attempting to destroy any vestiges of humanity that reflect God’s image. Assimilating robots and AI into humans similarly disfigures God’s glorious creation of mankind, and hopes to exchange God’s image in people.

While we now see the escalation of war, famine, plagues, and drought, it remains far from the scale depicted in Revelation. However, a replay of the pandemic or world catastrophe can speedily shift things in that direction. 

Let me now return to Satan’s last play on this earth’s stage and his interaction with the Antichrist.

Satan’s Evil Dance with the Antichrist

Satan, the dragon, will step into the visible process later on to display himself more visibly at the very end. The Antichrist, controlling many nations, will use his position to manifest Satan’s power, ultimately demanding people’s worship (Rev 18:23; 19:20; 20:10).

“And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority” (Rev 13:2). 

“And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?’” (Rev 13:3-4)

We anticipate that the Antichrist will briefly look like a hero or savior, gaining the people’s applause and worship by resolving some frightful situation. However, nobody will be able to contend with his authority. Meanwhile, the devil deceives the world and even himself. God’s judgment seat will eventually demonstrate the devil’s complete loss of authority (Revelation 20:10).

The Beast uses seductive bait to lure us—promises of food, money, ease, power, security, and knowledge. At each stage of deception, people’s dependency grows. This pattern somewhat follows the Serpent’s original offer, when he tempted Adam and Eve with further knowledge and power apart from God—alias AI. Satan flatly denied the dire consequences, “The serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely will not die!’” (Gen 3:4). But even there in Genesis 3:15, Jesus, the seed of the woman, is prophesied to “bruise you (the serpent) on the head.” Jesus has already suffered and triumphed over the evil one but allows for this final travail, but it will soon cease altogether.

The tsunami of tragedy-sized events is starting to shake the globe, creating a great series of troubles that awakens the world to the need for a new “savior.” They might not use this term, but worrisome and fearsome times are already beginning to shake them, stripping stability and peace, causing people to give up their freedoms and allegiance to gain some sense of sanity and security.

“⁸ When that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; ⁹ that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, ¹⁰ and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. ¹¹ For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, ¹² in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness” (2 Th 2:8-12).

The Antichrist, the “lawless one,” will be revealed (2:8); Satan is “coming” (2:9) and, like storm clouds, brings an inordinate amount of delusion and suffering.

Revelation 12 describes how God throws Satan down to earth. Revelation 13 shows us what is associated with Satan’s coming and appearance. At some point, the Antichrist, the Beast, will appear as a world ruler, one of the marks that Satan has been released. “And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast” (Rev 13:3-4).

Being completely deluded, they listen to this world ruler and worship the dragon. Some propose that he will present himself as a wise alien, perhaps the master of humans.

Christians need not fear all this evil or even Satan (Mat 10:28). God stated that “he has only a short time,” then comes his final judgment, and is cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:10). God didn’t ultimately judge him earlier because He first needed to exercise His marvelous salvation plan through sacrificing the Lamb of God (Jesus) to save a people for Himself. These are the “rest of her children” mentioned in verse 17.

Satan and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

“After these things he must be released for a short time” (Rev 20:3). The boastful antichrist will be used by Satan for a limited time, for Satan only has a short time! This is the time evil and pain escalate.

While some individuals aim to assist others through technology, others are motivated by selfish goals, causing trouble through technology, even as simple as spam. Others will use AI to carry out their evil intentions, leading to technology-driven propaganda, plans, and wars. 

With an increasing dependence on AI bots, who will need the Lord? The AI bot will become the solution-giver, financial advisor, virtual companion, and fighter like a modern Messiah. Though AI still works behind the scenes, it can be used to contest God’s position and works. It undoubtedly aids governments in plotting and carrying out war programs. The evil one will cloak his deceptive work behind the mask of AI promises and a false religion (the second beast from the earth), which will cause its worshippers to give glory to the first beast. 

¹¹ Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. ¹² He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. (Rev 13:11-12)

The newly introduced world religion at the UN26 meeting in Egypt (2022) is a false Gospel. The new sin is our carbon footprint; the new tithe pays off the wounded environment. A new covenant was also initiated, supposedly replacing Christ’s new covenant. They are extending this new religion’s influence by uniting religious leaders around it. Be careful, our allegiance to the real Savior, Jesus Christ, will be tested by the evil one seeking your worship.

With growing confidence in humanity’s capabilities associated with AI and their proposed evolutionary society, they might even change the global dating system from A.D. to something that reflects this short-lived era.

“He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time”(Daniel 7:25).

God’s authority remains unchallenged despite Satan’s rebellion, as declared in Daniel 2:21. “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings.” This assurance of God’s sovereign control brings peace to His people. When we seek His help, He grants us grace and peace. The current evil in the world only highlights the wicked nature of the enemy in contrast to the amazing grace that God has shown us through Christ. Without God’s love, we would face Satan’s judgment with his worshippers (Rev 20:15).

Let’s look more closely at this process in its various stages.

AI and the End of the World

AI will soon have capabilities to monitor us; perhaps they already have such powers, but it’s not openly stated or having full control—but it’s coming! Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is the U.N. secretary-general’s special advocate for inclusive finance for development.  She wrote, “In just six years, it has achieved a remarkable 80 percent financial inclusion rate—a feat that would have taken nearly five decades without a DPI approach.” Inclusive means they want everyone to participate in the system. Financial control will play a main role in this process. A free implanted chip will bypass the obstacles, including those without bank accounts.

A big Daddy AI bot is probably producing and controlling the baby AIs we now use, like ChatGP4. It might even have been used to program the fine-tuned scheming of recent events, including war strategies.

As of now, we haven't witnessed the severe global persecution of Christians mentioned in Revelation 13:10 or the widespread destruction of humanity and the world described in Revelation 16. However, the end of the world and Satan's plot are intertwined. However, they seem to be right around the corner with the increase of lawlessness that is destroying major cities and companies along with the heightened East-West conflict.

God gives this brief post-pandemic intermission for God’s people to gain alertness, prepare their souls, and solidify their commitment to God. We don’t know how much time we have, but the escalation of Artificial Intelligence’s powers, climate disasters, the collapse of the global economy, and its heavy debt all foster the needed circumstances for a new world leader (aka Antichrist).

We must guard against AI’s slow control of our trust, subtly influencing our lives and decisions. Delusion comes through such reliance and confidence or from a leader’s promises instead of relying on our Lord Jesus Christ.

For example, the prophecies foretell that all inhabitants need a mark to buy or sell. This assumes robust economic controls. The newly introduced iris-scanning ‘orb’ openly stated that it couldn’t be done without AI. People only need to stare into the football-sized orb, instantly confirming and forming your account with your eye image—no wallet needed. What else does it do while peering into it?

“¹⁶ 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, ¹⁷ 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. (Rev 13:16-17).

This level of control is still not present but dangerously close—still only seen in parts of China. CBDC (central bank digital currency) is being presented here and there. However, it still falls short of a worldwide system that utilizes controlling apps to monitor the rich and poor, rewarding the compliant and punishing the non-compliant. 5G already tracks all phone users’ locations.

AI’s surveillance gives added controlling ability. Recent worldwide controlling events (e.g., W-H-O) and self-proclaimed oligarchs revealed their plans to reset the world. Their plans might align with the beasts, monitoring transactions, purchases, and limits, making them dependent on signing up to worship the beast to get their free government stipend.

Summary

Within the next few years, there will be a significant effort to make people reliant on the government’s digital cash incentives. If this succeeds, we will become further indebted and subject to the government’s control—comply or starve. Initially, it will appear like a rescue, with the government or some individual/group helping humanity survive the severe depression they planned.

Everything might look benign initially, just like online banking has made it more convenient than getting in line at the bank. But trouble is brewing because we live in an evil world with satanic influence. However, the Antichrist, to whom Satan has given authority, will eventually reveal his true identity and demand worship, enslaving those who worship him. One can surmise Satan has already been loosened, but we don’t know if this period of hardship will be put off again, maybe by a revival.  We can only be sure that when Satan is released, plagues, trials, persecution, etc., will drastically increase. Due to God’s grace, we can escape the final judgment through faith in Christ Jesus, the King of Kings. 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”(John 10:10).

Believe in the Lord Jesus and be saved! Jesus died that we could find forgiveness from our sins and death. He is the true King and Savior. Christ, the true king, frees His people to live in the truth, knowing and serving Jesus Christ. “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS’” (Rev 19:6). Believers need not fear, though testing times come; God bravely leads His people.

Questions on Satan, Antichrist, and AI

1. Why do some say Satan is now restrained and not already showing his authority to control the world?
2. Who will free him? How do we know?
3. List at least five signs that we should we expect to see upon his release?
4. What do the scriptures warn regarding the beast’s ability to control wealth through a mark?
5. Why might people succumb to this mark or some great leader?
6. What are three characteristics of the Antichrist (i.e., the first beast)?
7. How might Satan work through AI to connive control over people?
8. What are some teachings of the new UN-produced world religion?
9. What happens to Satan in the end? How do we know?
10. How does Jesus care for His people through this time?

Other References on AI, Satan, and Antichrist by Paul J. Bucknell

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