Present control pictures the Antichrist’s
By Merrill Olson
One of the definitions of “controlling” is the “inclination to control others’ behavior.” Yet, in recent months we have seen this happening big time! It started with wearing the masks to the present push to get the vaccine. Concerned people first wondered where the science is in wearing the masks when there were conflicting viewpoints medically outside of the mainstream media. But now there is the administrative agenda to get everyone vaccinated including young children. This means even segregating people who refuse to give up their liberty and choice in not participating for very legitimate and worthwhile reasons. However, in a controlled society, these motives mean nothing to those in charge.
Therefore, this outlandish idea for control is the talk, just mentioned, of separating the vaccinated from the non-vaccinated. On the other hand, why the scare factor if people who are vaccinated are not going to get covid from those not vaccinated? Are they not immune? Otherwise, why get vaccinated?
Nevertheless, this control factor continues with the talk of separating people in stadiums, the suggestion of wearing bracelets if your vaccinated to let people know you are safe to be around, no cruises for non-vaccinated, certain stores requiring masks if not vaccinated. Even colleges requiring students to be vaccinated. The list goes on and on. Now we know the virus is real. Yet, the fear mongering continues as it suffocates our liberties. The godless media, controlled by the progressive left, along with godless government leaders enhance the fear factor. These officials enjoy control even if people suffer (Prov. 29:2). One major way to control is through fear! We have experienced this for months and it is still very much alive!
Now, the bright side is that there are GOP governors who have banned vaccine passports. They refuse to make it a political issue as they understand the freedom and liberty that America is built upon. But there are others who are making it a political issue and control by saying, “Get the shot! Otherwise, suffer the consequences.”
But it is not too hard to comprehend that this fear agenda is a foretaste of what is ahead with a new world order under the control of the Antichrist. Whether Satan is preparing him now and he is very much alive or at a later time, God knows. Still, he will come! Scripture is very clear on his appearance and control. As the world more and more turns its back on God, including America, he may very well be studying the present circumstances awaiting his revealing. Yet, I say again. “God knows.”
We see this control in the false prophet for “he causes all both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead” (Rev. 13:16). As part of his plan to reinforce the worship of the Antichrist (v. 12), he will require all categories of people to take the mark. Besides the constant threat of death, the refusal of the mark will have dire consequences of not being able to buy or sell. Kind of like the vaccine whereby unless you take the shot, you cannot do this, etc. But we who know Jesus, we live each day with our eyes upon Him (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Merrill Olson served as a senior pastor for thirty-four years. He received a B.S. from Minnesota State University-Mankato, an M. Div. from Bethel Theological Seminary, and a D. Min. from Columbia Evangelical Seminary. He is currently involved as an interim pastor along with a teaching and writing ministry. His emphasis is on apologetics and training believers to defend their faith in Christ from God’s Word. He is well versed in Bible prophecy as it pertains to end times. He is a gifted speaker with the conviction that only by the Word of God can people experience inward transformation by the Holy Spirit. He and his wife, Jan, reside in Minnesota and have two daughters and four delightful grandchildren.