Author and financial planner Ethan Pope is hardly a sensationalist. He impressed me so much on air this past weekend reviewing his book, "Cashing it in: Getting Ready for a World Without Money" that I am, frankly, doing a short book review and encouraging you to purchase it at a Christian bookstore. If they don't have it, they will order it from Moody Publishers. The weekend program will be posted to my "radio archives" today, Monday, here http://www.olivetreeviews.org/radio/mp3/
Pope believes the coming one world global currency, all electronic, will be here in a few short years. Not a prophet, obviously he will not put a date on this. But we see shades of it even now with debit cards, credit cards, electronic banking, and more. The effort is global, not just the Western world. Pope frankly says, "change or be left behind."
Since at some point all of this will require technology, all will need to be familiar with a computer or have a family member or friend deal with the issue. It is likely that someday the Antichrist will also communicate en mass via the computer. The world is pressing forward with this; it is just a matter of time. Already some consumers are ready to sacrifice some privacy due to the threat of more terrorist attacks. But how much will we be willing to compromise? Maybe a lot when the "benefits" are realized, but remember, for each benefit, there is a down side. [*]There would be a decrease in crime and as a result a savings to Americans alone of about $1 billion a year. [*]Expect a decrease in all violent crime related to money. [*]The elimination of counterfeit money. [*]The elimination of money laundering and a decrease in drug trafficking. [*]No check writing, stolen checks, or lost checks. [*]Global transactions will be easy. You can buy anything simply all over the world. [*]Since everything will have an RFID chip (hear our radio show on this on February 25, 2006, on "radio archives"), nothing will ever be lost. However, there is huge potential for abuse here.
And what about the negatives? [*]Hackers and other criminals can get your information through identity theft. They may not be able to steal your wallet with $25 in it, but they can steal ALL of your money electronically. [*]Someone will view every transaction you make. [*]This will require a national identification system and every transaction you make will be recorded.
Some segments of society are already 80% cashless. The IRS wants forms filed electronically though it is not yet mandatory.
E-cash is on the way. Will this just play out in the Tribulation with the one world system when cash is worthless anyway and a "mark" necessary? The author speculates that this is a run-up to that and I would second that. However, there is nothing intrinsically bad about a cashless society UNLESS evil people control it and monitor it. But the further we move into the last days, the more evil will intensify.
If you have eyes to see, things are coming to pass as predicted. For the believer, we look up. For the unbeliever, is it any wonder the Bible says that men's hearts would fail them for fear? Only "God is the stability of our times," (Is. 33:6).
To learn more about issues related to current events and Bible prophecy, check out our "Prophecy Watch" link at our Web site http://www.olivetreeviews.org/topics/prophecy.shtml There are many stories there to substantiate this issue and dozens more.
Olive Tree Ministries will carry Ethan Pope's book in our print newsletter and Web site hopefully within two weeks.
Awaiting His return,
Jan Markell
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"Blessed is He who Comes in The Name of The Lord"
People have been predicting (falsely, I might add) the end of time for how long now? Even the apostles thought Christ would return in their lifetime. For those who care to listen to what the Bible has to say on the matter, I Thessalonians 5:2 tells us the day of the Lord shall come like a thief in the night. A thief gives no sign or warning.
If I were a gambling man, I'd bet my shoes that all these folks that are making these predictions have prepared for the future--which makes no sense at all, because according to them there is no future.
I think it was Denny(?) that said something like we should be worried about what might happen or when--we should be ready to go at any time, regardless. None of us are guaranteed another sunrise. All these doomsday predictions shouldn't affect a Christian life--they should be trying to bring others to Christ, and have their own lives in order, regardless.
Even if we were to convert to a cashless society, what does that prove? In my opinion, there's way too much focus put on what might happen and what the Bible does not say, rather than taking what we have and following it.
One more comment I'll borrow from someone else (can't remember who) on a different thread--make enough predictions, chances areyou'll eventually get one right.
Chad
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"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
I Thessalonians 5:2 tells us the day of the Lord shall come like a thief in the night. A thief gives no sign or warning.
All these doomsday predictions shouldn't affect a Christian life--they should be trying to bring others to Christ, and have their own lives in order, regardless. Chad
Amen brother!
Most of us are asked three times a week to an invitational from our pastorsat churches, when was the last timethat any of my brothers have accepted and gone forward? Don't ever think you don't need to.
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
Seems to me it's pretty much here right now. If you think about it, of the money you have right now, how much of it is ever in the form of cash? My entire income comes to me electronically or in the form of a check which is promtly deposited. My financial assets are entrirely electronic. Virtually all my purchases are either via credit/debit card or check unless they are under say $10. The only use of cash Ido much of isthings likepaying a toll, parkingor tipping someone. I can't remember the last time I bought gasoline and paid with cash.I almost never carry more than $50 in my wallet even if I'm traveling. Before I retired, I used to do a lot of traveling on business. Not only in the U.S. but England, France, Russia, ***an, and Australia. I have never had a bit of trouble paying for anything with a credit card. So what's all the fuss? A cashless system is virtually here now and as far as I'm concerned, its agreatthing. I don't see any negatives to it. But of course, I have a simple faith in Godand I don't worry about the end of the world.
The difference is , is a chip Alex was talking about. I think about this often and I am glad Alex posted. My wife {Bless her soul} is all caught up in worrying about protecting our jobs, money etc. nearly to tears. I tell her over and over again do not put your faith and stock in this world's security system.There wil be no U Haul trucks following our hurst.
Chuck7
Ya know, the Last Day will happen when God says so. No one knows when, except the Father. Why worry about it? If you have Jesus, you're gonna be fine. Of course, if you don't have Jesus...feel free to worry.
I do feel like Alex and if I wasn't at school I give ya more dialog. But I do beleie we don't know th eday or hour but we can know te signs approaching. The wise men searched th escriptures and wer eready when teh Christ Child was born. We are not in the dark the scriptures says.We are chhildren of the day.
Chuck7
More later
The difference is , is a chip Alex was talking about.
I was talking about a cashless society and thatas far asI'm concerned it's already here and to our benefit. So again what's the fuss? Alex likes to try to scare people with the doomsday scenarious. I think it's a waste of time and I feel sorry for people like your wife (God bless her) who is apparently succeptable to this sort of fear mongering.
Quote:
I tell her over and over again do not put your faith and stock in this world's security system. There wil be no U Haul trucks following our hurst.
Good advice! Trust in God and have faith that His will will be done for her and all that believe.In the end it matters not how we pay for our goods and services. It matters only whether or not we are saved. Don't you think?
Ya know, the Last Day will happen when God says so. No one knows when, except the Father. Why worry about it? If you have Jesus, you're gonna be fine. Of course, if you don't have Jesus...feel free to worry.
A CASHLESS SOCIETY COMING SOON ?
