We’ve been looking at several technologies that are on the brink of disrupting society at every level. Our intention with this Birth Pangs and Renaissance series isn’t to raise alarms or be overly dramatic , but rather to just acknowledge that some major change is down the pike. In the winter of 2019, none of us imagined that in a few short months the entire world would drastically shift. In the same way, there are waves of unexpected changes coming across the globe, some of which will be happen through the impact of certain innovations. This may not happen all at once, but it is coming, and our hope is that these spiritual reflections provide some hope as well as some preparation for what’s ahead. 

It’s All in Your Head

In this issue, we want to discuss the technology that probably freaks people out the most: neural implants. Or, as you may have heard them described: brain chips. These are incredibly small devices placed on the cerebral cortex of the brain (its outer layer). The main purpose for their development over the years has been to provide support to areas of the brain that are damaged or disabled. They function as transmitters that can either block or stimulate signals from neurons that are known to regulate whatever areas are in need of correction. Research and experiments have shown great progress in things like the restoration of vision (through stimulating the neurons involved in the visual cortex). They have also placed these implants into the brains of monkeys and have verifiably demonstrated that the monkey could control a keyboard telepathically (just by their thoughts). Elon Musk, the cofounder of one of the companies developing this technology, is now saying that human trials will begin by June 2023. That’s before we finish this series!

So here’s one way of looking at this… Technology has always been used to assist the human body, such as the case of manipulating glass and metal to augment the eyes by altering the natural lightwaves that come into your retinas (in other words: eyeglasses). These brain implants are simply another step in the technological ladder (though they are many rungs up from our everyday eyewear). These implants work with neurological activity in the same way a prosthetic connects to the body and works with muscular activity. Or you can think of it this way. Just as a wheelchair gets a disabled person from point A to point B by electronically carrying their limp body across a certain distance, these devices carry “limp” neurons to the proper locations so a person can do something they otherwise couldn’t (i.e.  the ability to type and communicate in the case of a paraplegic.)

But of course, this gets into stranger and currently unverified territory when you look at other potential uses of these chips.

Cyborgs, the antichrist, and beasts… Oh my!

There are many who believe this technology is the foundation for merging human beings with computers. The idea is that this same technology that interacts with neurons can transmit data to the brain which would give you access to computer systems right within your own head. For instance, data could be translated into the visual cortex in such a way that a little screen pops up on command in some small part of your vision. We already know how to interact with the audial parts of the brain, so it wouldn’t be hard to add sound into this (sounds only you would hear). It’s then only a stone’s throw away from accepting video calls in your mind. And with all of this comes the potential to pull up information from the internet or to interact with an AI digital assistant (as mentioned in the last article) for all your needs throughout the day.

Ok, well your anxiety levels might be a little elevated this point. I recognize this sounds quite insane, but let’s think about something else for a moment. Practically speaking, humans and computers are already interwoven together more than we realize. The merging began a long time ago. We live in a world where we can instantly pull up videos on command and ask Siri or Google all kinds of questions at any point of the day. All of this happens through a direct connection between you and your phone, albeit with an intermediary called the human hand. The hand and the eye work together to get the needed info from computers into your mind. The mind is already the main playing field, and it’s occupied way more than you realize. This neural technology we’re discussing simply has the potential to remove the intermediary of the hands!

Now before you think I’m rolling out the red carpet for this thing, let me acknowledge the obvious elephant in the room. The idea of a chip in the brain screams something very sinister in people’s minds. The following is the go-to verse that folks will dole out in response to this up and coming technology:

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, 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. (Revelation 13:16-17)

An evil beast gives everyone a mark on their body. From there, it says the number of this “mark” is 666. 

Now, it would make quite a lot of sense that a phone (small computer) in the brain would have your financial information attached to it. So it is quite incredible that we have never been so close to a literal fulfillment of this verse in history. But before we run to hills, stock up on guns, and deem Elon Musk the False Prophet, here’s some thoughts to challenge and stretch you a little bit….

The Other 666 in Scripture

There’s another place in the Bible where this number shows up. This cannot be a coincidence, as it is a very specific number, and the Bible is written ultimately by the same underlying Author. Surprisingly, this number shows up in a positive light in the book of 1 Kings when discussing the glories of Solomon’s pre-messianic kingdom. It says this:

Now the weight of gold which came in to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold. (1 Kings 10:14)

This passage explains that Solomon’s kingdom specifically took in 666 talents of gold every year. This gold would go into the treasury, helping to build the nation of Israel so that it could fulfill its calling to be a light to the world. In this scenario, the number is not bad. This is before Solomon’s fall, which was not because of gold but ladies. Solomon married foreign women who allured him into idol worship and unleashed the downfall of his kingdom, thus causing that ongoing 666 talents of income to run dry.

In this story, we’re reminded that money is not evil in and of itself. Solomon was using this money for godly purposes. It’s idolatry and the love of money that causes problems. In this instance, 666 — the number of man — is given in a positive light as it shows this number being subjected to a righteous king. (In the same way, Jesus is destined to have the gold of this world — people’s hearts — come into his kingdom.)

The main point here is that money is not evil in and of itself, even though it can be used for horrible things. It’s all about the heart of the one holding it. And the same could be said about technology, whether it’s in your hands, your hip, the brim of your nose, or your cortex! Like gold, technology is a tool that can be used for God’s glory or it can be corrupted for evil purposes.

Now there is certainly reason for caution with this technology because of the reality of government entities seizing control of our property, including digital technology. Connecting that technology to the brain does warrant additional concern. However, the idea of governments coming after you and your money is nothing new. As John writes, there are many “antichrists” who have gone into the world (1 John 2:18). Government entities operating against the spirit of freedom are always anti-Jesus and they will use whatever means necessary to gain control over people. 

So if you want to cut yourself off from certain digital technologies due to an evil international government as depicted in a literal interpretation of Revelation (which isn’t the only way to see it, but that’s a bigger conversation), you’ll eventually have to cut yourself off from everything else as well. And in that case, you can stock up on guns and bitcoin and self-taught gardening books, but those evil governments can still find plenty of ways to get you. In the end, your ultimate hope will not be some grand off-the-grid plan, but a solid faith in Christ. 

Final Reflection

So does this mean I’m giving a stamp of approval on neural implants? Not necessarily. Wisdom is rarely ever black and white. We will need the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we trust his voice in the days ahead. But guess what? I have to exercise this with my current phone TODAY.  If I sense the Lord telling me to take some time away from screens, then I want to be obedient now, not 20 years in the future when there is a bigger reason to put up certain boundaries. Today is the day to cultivate a sense of balance with technology, and to make sure Jesus is always at the forefront of our hearts. And therein lies the real crux of the matter. The issue is not whether the technology is evil, but whether the heart of the person using it has found their rest in Christ. 

Either way, the cat is out of the bag in regard to these implants. Very soon you will see loved ones being offered opportunities to stop debilitating diseases by embedding a tiny spark of electronics in the cortex of the brain. If they take it, please don’t assume they are taking the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast has to do with something much deeper. It’s really a matter of identity . . . but that’s for a whole other article.