Scott Huckaby

www.BibleTract.org

The Importance of…

Every good and perfect gift is from

above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights

(James 1:17, NIV)

Today’s Discussion:

Technology is a blessing from God

Technology is a significant sign of the times

What brings order out of chaos?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty …God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.

(Genesis 1, NIV)

God showed that creating new things from the stuff of the earth is inherently good.

How do we know God wants us to be creative?God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

(Genesis 1:27, NIV)

The Creator’s creative nature never ceased…

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8, NIV)

God is a maker; He made us, His image-bearers to also be makers.

How else do we know God wants us to make things?Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.

(Genesis 1:28, NIV)

We know we are fulfilling our purpose when we derive satisfaction from exercising our creativity to make things.

Making things is part of ruling over creation.

How has God showed us His interest in what we build?This is what the Lord says about the palace of the king of Judah: "Though you are like Gilead to me, like the summit of Lebanon, I will surely make you like a desert…

(Jeremiah 22:6, NIV)

God sees our creations as an extension of His own creation.

God gave detailed instructions for building Noah’s ark, the tabernacle and temple.

How else has God showed us His interest in what we build?I have chosen Bezalel …and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts

(Exodus 31:1-3, NIV)

God gives us skills to be proficient in building things…

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them (Romans 12:6, NKJV)

What makes science & faith in Christ compatible?

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

(Isaiah 1:18, NIV)

God does not call us to blind faith… He gave us a capacity to use logic for discerning the truth.

How does learning about creation glorify God?

Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made

(Romans 1:20, NIV)

It helps us know Him better; thus making scientific discoveries is what we should do.

How is it that science became a self- sustaining enterprise only in the Christian West?

A study of nature helps us learn about God.

to search out a matter is the glory of kings

(Proverbs 25:2, NIV)

How did we come to study nature?

What does it mean to have universal laws?

How is it that science became a self- sustaining enterprise only in the Christian West?

A study of nature helps us learn about God.

A world with universal laws facilitates learning.

All the universe is part of God’s creation thus, for example, the motion of the moon can be explained by a study of gravitation on earth.

What does it mean to share in God’s rationality?

How is it that science became a self- sustaining enterprise only in the Christian West?

A study of nature helps us learn about God.

A world with universal laws facilitates learning.

Being in the image of God gives people the capacity to share in His rationality.

Thus the more we use our thinking skills to know Him better, the more like Him we will be.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.

(Matthew 22:37-38, NIV)

How is it that science became a self- sustaining enterprise only in the Christian West?

A study of nature helps us learn about God.

A world with universal laws facilitates learning.

Being in the image of God gives people the capacity to share in His rationality.

A clear delineation between the Creator and the created gave rise to the experimental method.

Since we can not dictate to nature what it ought to be, we can learn about what it is through repeatable processes.

How is it that science became a self- sustaining enterprise only in the Christian West?

A study of nature helps us learn about God.

A world with universal laws facilitates learning.

Being in the image of God gives people the capacity to share in His rationality.

A clear delineation between the Creator and the created gave rise to the experimental method.

Knowing the beginning and end to the world motivates efforts to improve things.

… whereas an infinite universe with endless historical cycles results in hopelessness or complacency.

How can technology be a problem?“Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

(Genesis 11:3-4, NIV)

Using it to diminish God’s glory or to resist His will

What made the timing right for Jesus to come?

When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son

(Galatians 4:4, NKJV)

1. The Greek language was established as the language of commerce

2. Roman roads had been build to facilitate command and control

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Why else is technology important?

Technology is a sign of the times…As we see technologies that God may use to fulfill prophecies, we know that the return of Christ is near.

When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. (Matthew 16:2-3, NKJV)

How is technology a sign of the times?I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?" He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.

(Daniel 12:8-9, NIV)

Many prophecies previously assumed to be fulfilled by supernatural means may now be fulfilled naturally.

What is one of the things people will worship prior to Christ’s return?He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. "But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.

(Dan 11:37-38, NKJ)

God of fortresses = technology

What sign is represented here?

Seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase

(Daniel 12:4, NKJV)

In the end-times, there will be a lot of people traveling and there will be an expansion of knowledge (in general & about Bible prophecy).

What sign is represented here?

For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.

(Revelation 11:9, NIV)

Television and satellite communications;God generally uses natural means to fulfill prophecies so that only the spiritually discerning will recognize the miracle…

For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7, NKJV)

What sign is represented here?I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth– to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people– saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come…”

(Revelation 14:6-7, NKJV)

“Angel” literally means “messenger”

Could this be a communications satellite?

What sign is represented here?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…

(Rev 13:16-17, NIV)

Computer technology facilitating financial transactions; RFID chips under the skin in use today

Cars at night…Cars have brought more carnage than chariots

The chariots come with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the spears are brandished. The chariots rage in the streets, they jostle one another in the broad roads; they seem like torches, they run like lightning.

(Nahum 2:3-4 , NKJV)

What sign is represented here?

What sign is represented here?“Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

(Obadiah 4, NIV)

Only since the space program have we been able to comprehend biblical prophecies relating to mankind’s efforts in the heavens.

The time-frame is in verse 15:

For the day of the Lord is near...

What sign is represented here?

If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

(Matthew 24:22, NIV)

Only since the 1946 has it been possible to comprehend weapons that could annihilate all life on earth.

How may this be literally fulfilled?

Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. "See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up, and a gale will blow them away. (Isaiah 41:14-16, NIV)

Israel has nuclear weapons and it is just a matter of time until they’re used, particularly in light of what is going on in Iran.