Parky60 Loc: People's Republic of Illinois

Precursor to the Beast PART ONE: China’s Totalitarian Surveillance Society
Eric Barger

“The human race, without God, is destined to enslavement.” Dr. Andy Woods

Most of the information shared in this article is to illustrate just a portion of the nefarious manner in which the Chinese government and subservient businesses it controls have operated. But how could this international story impact us in a personal sense here in America? The Chinese have had great success in marketing their wares to the world but with their gadgets and technology comes the threat of a modern day Trojan horse of epic proportions. To understand just some of the possible implications, let me circle back to my opening paragraphs about China and Third World influences.

The Chinese have a long history of saying one thing while their goal is actually something far different. An offer to build and finance infrastructure for poor nations may certainly seem appealing to the leaders of countries still living in the tech dark ages, but China’s move to become the technological savior of the Third World should be of great concern elsewhere. Once a nation accepts Beijing’s offer to wire them into the modern day, then, besides financial remuneration, China is rewarded with a prized key component every totalitarian dictatorship needs: access to information. Whether fully understood by the host countries or not, Beijing’s international campaign to provide infrastructure is driven by their ability to extract useful information from what appears to be innocuous raw data and their desire to further inoculate their population from the perils of free speech, human rights, democracy, and, especially, religion. They have the expertise and have become masters at weaponizing information to severely hamper or eliminate opposition. All they need is access to raw data.

Along with the installation of Chinese hardware comes the ability for its makers to sift through and organize every bit and byte coming into and going out of any nation taking their infrastructure bait. Through this unchecked, backdoor, algorithm-led surveillance, breathtaking amounts of information could be captured and processed, giving the Chinese an advantage in many areas. Since we know that crushing free speech and religious liberty are crucial priorities to China’s Communist dictatorship, it stands to reason that one of the most important uses of these new data streams would be to identify dissidents opposed to Beijing’s totalitarian agenda.

One group vehemently opposed to Communism, and whom Red leaders have constantly sought to suppress, are Bible-believing Christians. It is no wild leap to imagine that, as you and I here in the West seek to bring spiritual, emotional, and material support to believers living in countries where Chinese tech has been deployed, Chinese authorities, through their international data nabbing, may become interested in who we are, what we do, what we say, and who we say it to. Not long ago dictators would have to send human elements to foreign soil to do the dangerous work of surveillance. Now, the Chinese can openly deploy particular hardware and electronic infrastructure to accomplish far more than an old-fashioned spy ring ever could!

With data acquired through China’s far-reaching infrastructure projects, we can be sure that Chinese computer scientists and programmers are fast at work building databases and cross-referencing names, email addresses, and other information to pinpoint individuals in China that we Christians in the West may be in communication with. It is a fact that the totalitarian government there has developed the most sophisticated surveillance capability known to man and is avidly tracking the associations of EVERY Chinese citizen. (I report on this ominous reality in the documentary “Home Invasion: The Rise of Surveillance Society.” [1])

If Beijing is actively tracking the associations of their citizens in country, why then would they not also seek to document whoever their citizens are communicating with abroad? There is no unfiltered outside news or social media available in China and if one is fortunate enough to be able to communicate internationally through email, you can be sure it’s been scanned for anything the authorities there deem useful or unlawful. It might seem less significant or even far-fetched to us who are not constantly looking over our shoulder in fear, but it is clear that literally no privacy remains for the Chinese citizenry. Every area of life there is being surveilled and judged by their government. They are truly a “surveillance society.”

China is continually updating the Orwellian system of advanced control over their population such as no nation has ever deployed. The astounding electronic surveillance capability already in place across the world’s most populace country is nearly incomprehensible. To assure complete domination, the Chinese dictatorship has over 170 million CCTV cameras in operation watching any and every move made by its citizens. By 2020, however, they plan to deploy nearly 600 million such cameras in total. [2]

An intricate system of personal social credits to track the populace was announced in 2014 when a projected six-year roll out of the system began. A low social score can affect the interest rate an individual is charged or even the ability to get a loan, where they can live, the quality of their children’s education, and much more. Literally, everything you do, everywhere you go, and everyone you meet with is scrutinized and you are assessed social credit scores accordingly. Those who don’t follow the will of the government across the board are penalized. In 2017, over 11 million Chinese citizens with failing social credit scores were refused access to airlines, with 4 million others unable to use trains and public transportation. What grievous acts would ban someone from flying? Would you believe as little as carrying a cigarette lighter through airport security, smoking on a train, or jaywalking. [3]

As of spring of 2018, 7 million citizens deemed by the government to be “dishonest” were mired in the blacklist. Many named on the list are never informed of their precarious state until they attempt to register at a nice hotel, buy a house, or take a holiday. As one can imagine, if anyone questions or criticizes the government they may find their assets frozen and the names of relatives added arbitrarily to the “dishonest” list with little or no recourse. In Xiamen, should you happen to call someone on the dishonest list you will receive a voice message before the call connects saying, “The person you're calling is dishonest.” [4]

In mid-2018, the Chinese government began publishing the names and pictures of those who’ve left debts unpaid in order to bring public shame to offenders. But one could only hope that would be the extent of the punishment if you were unfortunate enough to being exposed as a Christian. Apparently, among the most dangerous of dissidents, they are often intimidated through investigation, arrest, and jail, with their families often threatened and detained as well.

A Sneak Peek at the Future Seven-Year Tribulation Period
Living in undue fear and paranoia is unhealthy and unhelpful but the world has truly entered a new, uncharted, and dark phase through the use of technologies. Realism is often uncomfortable but, with churches being demolished and Christians being arrested, it is obvious that the government is in full attack mode against all religions.

Besides unauthorized, Bible-believing-style Christians, other religious minorities are experiencing intense persecution. The Uighurs (pronounced we-gurs), a smaller Muslim sect numbering about 11 million in China's northwestern Xinjiang region, have been particularly singled out as a threat to Beijing’s atheist control. Not only are an estimated 1.1 million Uighurs now being held in repressive “re-education programs,” i.e., “concentration camps” but more than a million Chinese civilians have been dispatched to aid the military and police and have been deployed to actually live in the homes of Uighurs as uninvited but mandatory roommates to indoctrinate and surveil them. These agents of the Chinese government are ordered to literally follow the Uighurs everywhere they go 24/7 (including everywhere within their own homes), with one purpose in mind: to be certain the Uighurs cannot carry out any religious activity such as prayer or study of the Qu’ran. Imagine what that must be like and one begins to understand the radical ends the Chinese government is currently going to in its quest to silence any and all religious activity. [5]

Only government-authorized, pseudo-Christian churches offer an appearance of physical safety for now. The sterilized religion practiced in these churches is certainly no threat to the Communist regime. However, it is eternally lethal for those who place their trust in the teaching offered therein.

Working on a five-year plan to attempt to make Christianity compatible with socialism, the Chinese are currently editing a version of the Bible that aligns with the edicts of Communism and in state-sanctioned churches the singing of communist revolutionary songs must precede any hymns or worship. [6] In April 2018, China banned all online sales of Bibles. According to draft rules that were implemented last October, foreigners are now prohibited from providing “religious information” to mainland Chinese via the internet. Religious services cannot be streamed (live on the Internet) as well. [7] An estimated 1,700 to 6,000 crosses have been removed from church buildings in recent months [8] but as the destruction of the Golden Lampstand Church in Shanxi Province depicts, it could be far worse.

Inside state-authorized churches, crosses can still be displayed – providing that pictures of Mao Zedong and Xi Jinping adorn the wall to the left and right. [9]

Reminding many of life under the rule of Mao, pictures of China’s President Xi Jinping are replacing pictures depicting Jesus Christ in homes across the country! Beginning about 18 months ago, residents of more impoverished areas report being told to reject “superstitious religion” and to realize that the people who can really help them are the Communist Party and General Secretary Xi. Several reports say that some were told they would not be eligible for government assistance unless their pictures and posters of Jesus were removed. [10] At about the same time, widespread reports began to filter out that government officials have, to varying degrees, also banned children and teens from attending church services or being a part of religious meetings. [11]

Prophetic Implications
The surveillance technology the Chinese have developed and the way in which it is being used is significant in multiple ways. First, in the fact that they have and are continuing to perfect and deploy these intrusive systems, China’s Communist regime is acting as a forerunner giving us a peek into an important aspect of Antichrist’s future reign.

Next, in mirror ideological image to the coming biblical Man of Sin, China is systematically seeking to use this technology to surveil, control, isolate, and eradicate any individual or group who defies them. In particular, they are targeting the Church, threatening anyone who dares spread the real Gospel within China’s borders.

Third, as much as many past dictators would have wished to do so, China’s surveillance technology is showing us that without this critical element the Antichrist simply could not yet appear and fulfil what Scripture says of him.

The second part of Revelation 13:7 - arguably one of the most important passages in Bible prophecy - emphatically states “...and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” This is exactly what Hitler wanted. Likewise did Stalin, Nero, Napoleon and every other man who wanted to dominate the world – except none could actually accomplish it. Why? They didn’t have the means to control the mass of humanity because they lacked the intelligence gathering ability to coordinate and implement such a monumental undertaking. Bluntly put, Antichrist simply could not have come until now! Not until our day has the technology needed to wield power and control over ALL people worldwide been available. As Antichrist rises to fame and then power he will weave an incredible web of deceit and influence throughout the culture. The technologies and innovations that man has developed will be made ready at his behest. However, the intricate system of surveillance technology and the computing power now available to utilize it will be the key. Without them, Revelation 13:7 could not find fulfilment but now every piece is falling into place. This fact should signal to all Christians that our Messiah and King is ready and awaiting the signal from God the Father to come and get His Church very, very soon!

End of Part One

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

I don't know how old you are but you may be on the right track. I remember when the home computers started coming into their own several well-known preachers were mocked and scoffed at for trying to warn people of the dangers of the spread of personal information. It would seem they were also on the right track early on. The amount of information on almost everyone is mind-boggling. This in the hands of the wrong people could very well be the precursor of the antichrist. Good post.