The Russian Orthodox Patriarch and His Statement about the Antichrist

Yesterday the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, issued a statement that grabbed my attention.  His remarks were picked up by various news sources around the world.  Patriarch Kirill made his statement on Russian TV on Monday.  He said that "The Antichrist is the person who will be at the head of the worldwide web."  He went on to say, "Every time you use your gadget, whether you like it or not, whether you turn on your location or not, somebody can find out exactly where you are, exactly what your interests are and exactly what you are scared of.  If not today then tomorrow methods and technology could appear that will not just provide access to all information but will also allow the use of this information.  Do you imagine what power will be concentrated in the hands of those who gain knowledge about what is going on in the world?  Control from such a single point is a harbinger of the coming of the Antichrist."  Patriarch Kirill then said that the Russian Orthodox Church was not opposed to the internet or to uses of modern technology, but just wanted to issue a warning about "the development of a system that is aimed at controlling a person's identity."


This statement by the Russian Orthodox Church leader got me to thinking about the Antichrist.  What does the Bible tell us about the Antichrist?  We know from Revelation 13:7 that he will have control over the world: "He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them.  And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation."  How can anyone capture such control?  Well, I believe he will do it through two means.  First, he will control the powers of commerce, the powers of buying and selling.  We read in Revelation 13:16-17 these words: "He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name."  Friends, that is a strong control.  One person has the power to influence what I buy or what I sell, or whether I can even buy or sell. 


We also know from the Scriptures that the Antichrist will seek to control people's mind through the power of deception.  The Apostle Paul writes these words: "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).  Notice that Paul proclaims that the Antichrist will be able to do some incredibly awesome miracles.  I believe he will be enabled to do many of the miracles that Jesus did while on earth: calming stormy seas, healing various diseases, multiplying loaves and fishes, etc.  But, unlike Jesus who refused to submit to the accolades of the throngs to become king (John 6:15 - "Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself"), the Antichrist will not only entertain such thoughts, but gladly accept them. And when he accepts their invitation, he will become the master-controller of their lives.  He will influence how they think.  He will influence their every decision.  He will influence what they do.  Quite literally, people will sell their souls to the Antichrist. 


Now, how does all this relate to what the Russian Orthodox leader said.  Look at how we are so strongly influenced today by the social media.  People almost live on what they see and hear on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.  We hear the sad stories of young people who take their own lives because of what they read on those social media pages.  Somehow we have allowed our lives to be "controlled" by what is said on those pages.  I believe the Russian Orthodox leader was simply saying how dangerous it will be when just one person has access to all of the social media accounts of people around the globe. 


Technology can be a tool used to enhance our lives and to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ.  But it can also be a tool the Enemy can use to accomplish his purposes.  You control what is on your iphone; don't let what is on your iphone control you.


And keep looking up because our Redemption will soon be here.