Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands.

In another vision, the Apostle John saw those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God. The reason why they were killed was that they had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. The Apostle then says that they reigned with Christ. It is also written that over such the second death, that is hell, has no power. Before this vision, the Apostle gives the following description: “And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

We have lately seen amazing achievements in science and technology. Scientists have even been working on so-called artificial intelligence which is supposed to replace a human being, or even be more perfect than a human being. Many are dazzled by these achievements of science and technology, but they forget the fundamental question: Won’t all these achievements of science and technology be the most effective tool for self-destruction of humanity? We know very well that if evil people or intelligent criminals have tools in their hands to enslave others, or even to destroy people en masse, the result is destruction not only of humanity but of human nature as such. We must therefore realize that with these achievements of science and technology we are digging a mass grave!

Let us ask ourselves a question: What is the meaning of life? The reality of death and eternity is considered to be unreality, and unreality is imposed on us as the greatest reality. So here we see the fruits of the devil’s policy, who is a liar and a murderer. What will a person need at the hour of death, after which eternity awaits him, whether happy or unhappy? The wisdom of man consists in being mindful of the end, in being seriously mindful of death. The intoxication of science and technology, artificial intelligence, etc., takes us away from the greatest reality, which is death, God’s judgment, eternal hell, that is, the lake of fire, or, on the other hand, eternal happiness in heaven.

God became man to give us the word of truth that we have in His Gospel, to give us clear guidelines as to what we should do to obtain eternal life. We boycott all this. However, the greatest reality that no one can doubt is both your and my death, about which Jesus said: “You must be ready, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Am I ready to stand before God’s judgment seat today?

Download: Reflection on Rev 20:4b