The Antichrist, 666, and Mark of the Beast: is it AI or Neuralink?

For the first time in human history, a computer chip was placed in the brain of a human being. In January 2024, Noland Arbaugh, a 30-year-old man who is disabled or paralysed in both legs and arms, from his shoulder down (paraplegic), became the first human to have his brain implanted with a chip. Noland became paralysed after a spinal cord injury.

The chip is like the size of a coin with 64 electrical threads. During the process, a robot surgically implanted the chip into his skull and hair-thin sensor tentacles attached to the chip were inserted into his brain. That is, the chip on the skill is connected to the brain by those threads. The threads have over 1000 electrodes that can monitor and detect neuron activity in the brain. The chip is placed at the region of the brain that controls the intention to move. This allows Noland or any other patient with the chip implant to control a computer or smartphone with their mind.

Noland Arbaugh, a man in his thirties with a disability, became the first person to receive a brain chip implant. He can now control a computer and phone using his mind.

According to Noland Arnaud, thanks to the chip, he is able to now control a computer or phone with his thoughts. He can type, play a game, make calls and more with just his thoughts. In effect, his brain is connected to a computer now and can control the computer or any computer-like electronic device such as a smart phone. According to Neuralink, the company that is behind this technology, the ultimate aim is to

Give sight to people who cannot see,
Restore memory to people with dementia (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s),
Restore movement ability to paralysed people who cannot use their limbs (hands and legs)
Enable brain-to-brain and brain-to-computer communication and
Integrate AI with human brains

The image depicts a surgical robot implanting a chip into a patient’s brain. This chip enables the patient to control electronic devices using his thoughts and improves his memory and movement by compensating for the dysfunctional areas of his brain or spinal cord.

They aim to accomplish the first three aims above by bypassing non-functional or damaged parts of the brain. The concept is to enable the brain to communicate with paralysed limbs or impaired memory circuits. By creating direct connections, it could potentially allow the brain to reroute signals around damaged areas, potentially restoring movement or cognitive function.

However, the chip can also be hacked by dangerous people, who can then be able to manipulate people with the implant, monitor their thoughts, steal their data and secrets, and manipulate them against their will. This is a dangerous possibility that makes me shiver! That someone can be able to manipulate another person’s thoughts and movements through a chip implant is a dangerous possibility that raises many ethical concerns. Imagine someone having access to your thoughts and actions (movements)!

A man with a brain chip implant is able to control a computer using his thoughts, facilitating communication between the chip and the computer.

This possibility has given people the reason to believe that this chip is the Mark of the Beast spoken of in Revelation 13-18, where the Bible prophecies of a power that shall force the whole world to accept a mark on their foreheads and right hand as a symbol of allegiance to the power. This power, also called the antichrist, shall

“cause all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

As a result of this text and the ability of these chips to allow brain-to-brain communication, brain-to-computer communication, and brain-to-AI networking, many are inclined to believe that the use of chips will constitute the receival of the Mark of the Beast. Furthermore, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), which is spreading globally, is also feared to be a fulfillment of this prophecy. People who believe in this claim that this chip and AI will allow the antichrist to force or manipulate people to accept the Mark of the Beast.

One of the main aims of brain-computer chips is to allow brain-to-brain and brain-to-computer communications through the implanted chips. Through such means, people can communicate with each other through their thoughts without speaking. It can help the deaf and blind to communicate easily. In some cases, it can be used to even heal the blind and deaf.

Indeed, it was just reported on July 2, 2024, that China has developed robots with laboratory-grown human brains and computer chips to act like humans with the ability to communicate with computers and phones as well as perform complex tasks. These humanoid robots’ brains were made from human stem cells, which were grown in the laboratory to become human brains. The chip is then inserted into this growing brain. In Japan, a team of researchers led by University of Tokyo Professor Shoji Takeuchi, has been able to develop human skin that can be used to cover these robots so that they can easily move and feel things. Will these robots with human brains and skin become the Antichrist or soldiers of the future for the antichrist?

The customer is using a chip implanted in their hand to make a payment at a supermarket or grocery store. Could this be considered the mark of the beast?

This idea is further strengthened by the insertion of chips into the hands of people. This chip will bear the financial details of the person and allow the person to pay for services by just scanning their arms at an ATM or on a card reader. So, does the insertion of a chip into the hands and into the brain constitute the acceptance of the mark of the Beast? Or is it foreshadowing how the mark of the beast will work? These are all plausible questions in the light of current advancements in science and technology.

The image depicts a man with a brain chip driving a car and operating his phone telepathically. It illustrates the seamless integration of advanced technology into daily life while he maneuvers through the urban streets.

However, the Bible’s prophecy in Revelation and Daniel are full of symbolisms: they are not literal. For instance, in Daniel 7:23-24, the Bible states: “…The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.” In Revelation 17:9-18, the Bible explains these symbols: “…And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space…And he saith unto me, the waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

The Antichrist, as depicted in Revelation 13:1-10 and Daniel 7:19-25, is portrayed as a dominant world power that will govern all nations. It is said to claim authority over religious practices and demand worship in place of God. This entity is also associated with a mark of authority, which is received through worship and adherence to its laws, in opposition to God’s Law and commandments.

There are such many symbolisms in the Bible that space cannot allow me to detail here. Nevertheless, the conclusion is clear: the Bible’s prophecy cannot be taken literally but must be explained with the Bible itself. Therefore, literally taking the Mark of the Beast and the image of the Beast to mean a chip can be misleading as they are not thus explained in the Bible. With the Beast (antichrist) being a kingdom with power from Satan (dragon) and the second beast from the earth (kingdom or nation) ordering the world to worship the antichrist through miracles (fire from heaven), deceptions, and forced legislation (Revelation 13:11-18), it is evident that the mark of the beast is more about worship than just a chip.

Hence, while we should be concerned about the ethical issues surrounding the use of these advanced technology, we should not be rushed into thinking they are a fulfillment of the prophecies in Revelation and Daniel.