After 9 1/2 years in Scotland, Henry and I are facing a difficult, unexpected decision.
We have recently learned that our "Indefinite Leave to Remain/Settled Status" in the U.K. is no longer indefinite or settled. If we remain, the U.K government will automatically create a Digital ID for each of us, effective January 1, 2025. Britain has determined to lead the way amidst a GLOBAL push for 'Universal Digital ID'. As immigrants, we will be among the first who will be subjected to this regulation. According to News Wales, "Once finalized, the government plans to bring the framework into law" for everyone in the U.K.
This doesn't sound too bad. After all, we have social security numbers and passport numbers!
What is so different about this Digital ID?
In the not-too-distant future Digital ID will be required for participation in almost every aspect of society.
Without it there will be:
This ID will consist of a synthesized barcode/QR code, which integrates your biometrics (face-scan, fingerprint and DNA), your personal health records AND your 'vaccine status.' Ultimately it will also serve as a "Digital Wallet."
This doesn't sound too bad. After all, we have social security numbers and passport numbers!
What is so different about this Digital ID?
In the not-too-distant future Digital ID will be required for participation in almost every aspect of society.
Without it there will be:
- No employment
- No housing
- No banking
- No shopping (in store or online)
- No travel, domestic or international
- No healthcare or medication
- No communication (access to phone or internet services)
This ID will consist of a synthesized barcode/QR code, which integrates your biometrics (face-scan, fingerprint and DNA), your personal health records AND your 'vaccine status.' Ultimately it will also serve as a "Digital Wallet."
Our tendency has been to avoid...to live in a state of denial. We have been blessed to live in a virtual paradise! The thought of another move at our age is not appealing.
It would be EASY to continue ignoring the warning signs, but the Words of Jesus in Luke 21 are deeply troubling for us:
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation,
drunkenness and the anxieties of life,
and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a TRAP.
For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.
Be always on the watch and pray
that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen..."
(Luke 21:34-36)
drunkenness and the anxieties of life,
and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a TRAP.
For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.
Be always on the watch and pray
that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen..."
(Luke 21:34-36)
Henry and I are not given to dissipation or drunkenness, but the anxieties of life are REAL!!! Sadly, the evidences of the impending 'TRAP' are now too numerous to ignore. We in the U.K. are enjoying a sneak preview of what is about to "come on all those who live on the face of the earth." Those living outside of Europe and the U.K., though faced with their own, unique challenges, will perhaps have a little more time to prepare.
Sometime before Christmas we noticed that the grocery stores here had installed scanners/detectors at each entrance, as well as electronic gates just inside. Initially the gates were open, but more recently the gates remain closed, opening only upon approach.
Brand new (foreign) security guards have taken their posts near the entrances. They seem to make a point of cultivating intimidation. Even the store employees have expressed surprise at the measures being taken. Crime has rarely been a problem in the Highlands.
Last Sunday night before church we stopped briefly at one of these stores. I was in search of flowers for the table, as we were expecting a dinner guest on Monday evening. Instead of the usual assortment of flowers we were greeted by a different kind of display:
"Scan as you Shop!"
Your Digital ID will double as a Digital Wallet.
No need for cash! Just scan the items you wish to purchase!
NO, THANK YOU!
Of course, the impulse to assign people numbers is nothing new, as evidenced by the tattoo on the arm of this Holocaust survivor...
After a series of victories, even King David, a man after God's own heart, was 'provoked by Satan' to number Israel (1 Chronicles 21). God was furious, and 70,000 Israelites lost their lives as a result.
British evangelist and Bible commentator, George Campbell Morgan, wrote:
After a series of victories, even King David, a man after God's own heart, was 'provoked by Satan' to number Israel (1 Chronicles 21). God was furious, and 70,000 Israelites lost their lives as a result.
British evangelist and Bible commentator, George Campbell Morgan, wrote:
"When we are moved to number the people,
we may rest assured
that the impulse is Divine or satanic,
and we may determine which by the motive."
A man has the right to count only what belongs to him!
we may rest assured
that the impulse is Divine or satanic,
and we may determine which by the motive."
A man has the right to count only what belongs to him!
Throughout the Bible we see the great value God places on names. He chooses to reveal Himself by sharing His Names with His people. His names are so holy that He is often simply referred to as HaShem, 'The Name.' Philippians 2:9 reminds us that "His Name is above every name."
Below are just a few of the more than one hundred revealed names of God found in Scripture:
Below are just a few of the more than one hundred revealed names of God found in Scripture:
Elohim - The Creator God, Father, Son and Spirit
Yahweh - I AM, the Self-Existent One
El Roi - The God who sees me
El Shaddai - The All-Sufficient One
El Olam - Everlasting God
Yahweh Yireh - The Lord our Provider
Yahweh - I AM, the Self-Existent One
El Roi - The God who sees me
El Shaddai - The All-Sufficient One
El Olam - Everlasting God
Yahweh Yireh - The Lord our Provider
- Adonai - Lord and Master
In Genesis chapter 2, Adam is given the privilege of naming all the animals. God brings each one to him, and whatever Adam calls each living creature, that becomes its NAME! He calls the dromedary "gamal," and we are still using the name 'camel' thousands of years later!
The Jewish culture has retained the importance of naming. According to rabbinical teaching, the names of our children are the result of a partnership between our efforts and God's response. They believe that one's name is the key to his or her soul!
1 Samuel 25:25 reads - "As his name, so is he."
At times God even redefines His people by giving them a new name! When the Lord appears to Abraham in Genesis 17, God tells him: "As for Sarai ('contentious') your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah ('Princess'). I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her." Jacob is renamed "Israel" after 'wrestling with God and prevailing.'
Digital ID is nothing less than the enemy's attempt to steal our God-given identity, replace it with a number, and in so doing, rob God of His glory. While I do not believe that Digital ID is 'the mark,' in its final form, I have no doubt it is the final step before mandating a physical application. The technology is ready and waiting.
Sooner or later each of us will be faced with a very difficult choice. The consequences of the choice we make will be eternal:
"There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast...
or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints
who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus."
(Revelation 14:11-12)
It is time to awake, put on our spiritual armor and prepare to stand!
I find great encouragement in Revelation 2. Jesus is speaking to the church at Pergamos, where Satan has his throne. He commends the people for remaining true to His Name in the midst of tribulation, giving them this promise for those who OVERCOME:
"To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone and in the stone is written a FRESH NEW NAME, which no man knows but he who receives it."
The Jewish culture has retained the importance of naming. According to rabbinical teaching, the names of our children are the result of a partnership between our efforts and God's response. They believe that one's name is the key to his or her soul!
1 Samuel 25:25 reads - "As his name, so is he."
At times God even redefines His people by giving them a new name! When the Lord appears to Abraham in Genesis 17, God tells him: "As for Sarai ('contentious') your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah ('Princess'). I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her." Jacob is renamed "Israel" after 'wrestling with God and prevailing.'
Digital ID is nothing less than the enemy's attempt to steal our God-given identity, replace it with a number, and in so doing, rob God of His glory. While I do not believe that Digital ID is 'the mark,' in its final form, I have no doubt it is the final step before mandating a physical application. The technology is ready and waiting.
Sooner or later each of us will be faced with a very difficult choice. The consequences of the choice we make will be eternal:
"There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast...
or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints
who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus."
(Revelation 14:11-12)
It is time to awake, put on our spiritual armor and prepare to stand!
I find great encouragement in Revelation 2. Jesus is speaking to the church at Pergamos, where Satan has his throne. He commends the people for remaining true to His Name in the midst of tribulation, giving them this promise for those who OVERCOME:
"To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone and in the stone is written a FRESH NEW NAME, which no man knows but he who receives it."
During the time this was written, white stones carried great significance. They were used for various purposes:
1) As ballots in voting
2) As tokens of acquittal (not guilty)
3) As tickets of admission to a feast
1) As ballots in voting
2) As tokens of acquittal (not guilty)
3) As tickets of admission to a feast
He has chosen you!
He has forgiven you!
He is inviting you to the Greatest Feast in all of History!
Stay the course!
He has forgiven you!
He is inviting you to the Greatest Feast in all of History!
Stay the course!
"This light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient,
but the things that are unseen are eternal."
(2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Encourage one another as you see the day approaching!
Soli Deo Gloria
but the things that are unseen are eternal."
(2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Encourage one another as you see the day approaching!
Soli Deo Gloria
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