Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence has been around since rudimentary computers were invented during World War II to help break secret military codes. The cyber revolution has led to smartphones being thousands of times more powerful than the computers used to put a man on the moon, and AI continues to significantly advance.

AI generated image

In 1969, the IBM 360 computers used by NASA could hold approximately six megabytes of information. Today’s average smartphones have at least 16 gigabytes, or more than 2,500 times more storage than those NASA IBM computers. A decade ago the Economist magazine noted, “The McKinsey Global Institute, a think-tank, says AI is contributing to a transformation of society ‘happening ten times faster and 300 times the scale, or roughly 1,000 times the impact’ of the Industrial Revolution” (June 25, 2016, p. 3 of Special Report Section). Computers can now not only perform analysis faster than ever on data sets of unprecedented size, but they can weigh the value of the data and “learn” as they accumulate more successful results, simulating how neural pathways are strengthened in the brain during learning.

In 2014, tech billionaire Elon Musk, founder of the Tesla electric cars and of SpaceX, warned the rise of artificial intelligence was “potentially more dangerous than nukes [nuclear weapons]” (p. 13). He later added: ”Increasingly scientists think there should be some regulatory oversight maybe at the national and international level, just to make sure that we don’t do something very foolish.” (quoted by Matt McFarland, “Elon Musk: ‘With Artificial Intelligence We Are Summoning the Demon,’” The Washington Post, Oct. 24, 2014). Stephen Hawking, the famous astrophysicist, also expressed his concern, stating, “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race” (Rory Cellan-Jones, “Stephen Hawking Warns Artificial Intelligence Could End Mankind,” BBC News, Dec. 2, 2014).

We can interface on the computer with AI virtual assistants such as IBM’s Watson, Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, Microsoft’s Cortana and Google now, but there are serious privacy issues with the amount of information about people these services are collecting. There is also a growing trend to replace human soldiers with robotic forces in the military. Modern conflicts are increasingly like laboratories for refining and demonstrating future military technology.

The Ukraine war with Russia has allowed NATO countries to test their advanced weaponry in a real battle, increasing further knowledge. Forbes.com, in an article on April 22, 2025, titled, “How Ukraine Is Replacing Human Soldiers with A Robot Army,” reported, “Ukraine has scaled up drone production at pace, going from a few thousand in 2022 to 200,000 in 2024 to 2 million last year". James Barrat, an expert in the AI field, notes: “Fifty-six countries have or are developing battlefield robots. The race is on to make them autonomous and intelligent…” (Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era, 2016, p. 21). Revelation 9 describes the angel blowing the 5th trumpet, and what are called “locusts” ascending from the great abyss. Verses 7-12 seems to describe some kind of flying drone or craft.

Clearly, there is a worldwide race among top technological nations to build this first cyber Tower of Babel, unleashing a danger it probably could not control. God’s timely intervention put a temporary stop to the advancing technology that threatened mankind's welfare when ancient humanity united with the goal of developing more knowledge and technology: “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4). God’s response was: “...now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech” (Genesis 11:6-7).

Revelation 13:16-17 describes a future time of totalitarian state control, in a modern Babylon, regarding who is able to conduct commerce, which would seem to require significant monitoring of every person, but just as with the ancient Tower of Babel, God said He would intervene in the end time and not allow the human race to eventually extinguish itself. As Christ promised, “Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved [alive]; but for the elect’s sake [that is, the sake of His followers] those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:22).

As Jesus Christ reminded us to pray daily: “Come and set up your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey you, as you are obeyed in heaven” (Matthew 6:10, Contemporary English Version). This will be the ultimate solution to man’s dangerous delving into AI and other technological pursuits that can end in catastrophe.

• Source:

  Beyond Today magazine (May-Jun, 2017),

• https://www.ucg.org/learn/beyond-today-magazine/beyond-today-magazine-may-june-2017/artificial-intelligence-coming-threat

 

Not Only a Matter of Diet

Aug 20, 2013

United Church of God

 2 minutes read time

From cover to cover, from Genesis to Revelation, nowhere in the Bible do we find an example of a servant of God or follower of Jesus Christ eating the flesh of an unclean animal.

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If at any time the distinctions between clean and unclean meats had ceased to exist, shouldn’t that have been made clear in the Bible through the example of God’s servants?

On the contrary, well into the time of the early Church we find Christ’s followers scrupulously avoiding eating animal flesh that God had revealed as being unclean (Acts 10:14; 11:8). Prophecies of the time of the end make the same distinctions (Revelation 18:2; Isaiah 66:15-17).

But there’s more to the matter than diet. A thorough study of the Bible helps us understand other dimensions to the significance of the distinctions between clean and unclean meats.

God’s Word describes the flesh of unclean animals as an “abomination” (Leviticus 11:10-13, 20, 23, 41-42) and “detestable” (Deuteronomy 14:3)—and in that light we are warned against consuming such meat (Leviticus 11:43). Strong language, but the lesson is that we need to accept all aspects of the Bible, including the basic food laws in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.

In instituting the sacrificial system for ancient Israel, God commanded many specific sacrifices involving animals. Nowhere, however, does He command or allow the sacrifice of an unclean animal, nor is there a record of any of God’s servants ever sacrificing such an animal to Him.

Such a sacrifice would have joined the holy with that which God had designated unclean and defiled. It would have been simply unthinkable to a true servant of God because it would have been an affront to the Creator Himself.

Previous in this series

[Infographic]: A Biblical Guide to Clean Vs. Unclean Meats

 

Feast of Pentecost (Sunday, May 24, 2026)

Jesus Christ chose the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot in Hebrew) or Pentecost as the day on which God first granted His Spirit to the New Testament Church. Also, according to a respected Jewish tradition, God gave the ten commandments from Mount Sinai on the Day of Pentecost and covenanted with ancient Israel they would be His holy people.

It was on Pentecost that God first made His Spirit available to all who would repent. (Pexels)

The annual Holy Day of Pentecost is the anniversary of the beginning of Christianity under the New Covenant. It was on Pentecost that God first made His Spirit available to all who would repent—thus beginning the Church, which He commissioned Christ to build.

After Christ was resurrected He told His disciples “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In other words Christ gave the disciples and the members of the Church down through the ages the job of preaching the Gospel message to the world. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

Before Jesus was crucified He promised His disciples He and the Father would come and dwell in them (John 14:17, 20, 23). That promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost 31 A.D. Acts chapter 2 describes this magnificent event. "Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues [languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4).

The speaking in various languages occurred as a crowd of people from many nations gathered in Jerusalem, with each visitor hearing the speech of the disciples in his own native tongue (Acts 2:6-11), demonstrating the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Peter explained this was a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh" (Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28), telling his listeners how they could also receive this Spirit: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:38-39).

God used these miracles and Peter's preaching to add 3,000 people to His Church in one day. These converts were all baptized and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:40-41). From this pivotal point, God's Spirit has been available to all who truly repent and are properly baptized.

The Holy Day of Pentecost annually celebrates God’s gift of His Spirit which began the fulfillment of the prophecies in Jeremiah 31:31-33 and Ezekiel 36:26-27 and will be completely realised at Christ’s return. Our responsibility is to grow in grace and knowledge, aware that we are part of the spiritual temple God is building, as the annual Holy Day of Pentecost commemorates: “For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be my people’” (2 Corinthians 6:16).

• Source:

  Bible Study Course - Lesson 12

• https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-study-course/bible-study-course-lesson-12/pentecost

People believed in an immortal soul long before Christianity. What Are Wheat Straw Plastics?

People believed in an immortal soul long before Christianity

Most religions teach some form of life after death. The most common Christian belief regarding the afterlife is that people possess souls and at death their consciousness, in the form of that soul, departs from the body and heads for heaven or hell.

Belief in the immortality of the soul was also espoused by the Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.

This concept of an immortal soul was introduced into man's thinking at the beginning of human history. God told Adam and Eve if they sinned they would die (Genesis 2:17; 3:19). Satan then insinuated God was lying. He assured them they wouldn't die (Genesis 3:1-5), and thus introduced the unscriptural teaching of the immortality of the soul into human thought.

According to This Believing World, by Lewis Browne, the ancient Egyptians “...believed that on death the soul of a man set out at once to reach a Judgment Hall on high… and stood before the celestial throne of Osiris, the Judge. There it gave account of itself to Osiris and his forty-two associate gods" (p. 84). If the soul could satisfy the gods, "the soul was straightway gathered into the fold of Osiris. But if it could not…then it was cast into a hell, to be rent to shreds of the 'Devouress.'" (pp. 86-87).

Belief in the immortality of the soul was also espoused by the Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Plato (ca. 428-348 B.C.) "... reasoned that the soul, being eternal, must have had a pre-existence in the ideal world where it learned about the eternal Ideals" (William S. Sahakian, History of Philosophy, 1968, p. 56).

The doctrine of the immortal soul caused much controversy in the early Catholic Church. Origen (ca. 185-254), an admirer of Plato, believed the soul was immortal and would depart to everlasting reward or punishment at death (Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 4, 1995, p. 240). Augustine (354-430) also believed the conscious soul would continue to live on after death in either a blissful state with God or an agonizing state of separation from God (Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2, 1995, p. 245.)

Thomas Aquinas (ca. 1225-1274) in ‘The Summa Theologica’ taught the soul is conscious intellect and cannot be destroyed. A few centuries later the leaders of the Protestant Reformation generally accepted these views, entrenching them in traditional Protestant teaching.

The Hebrew Scriptures state plainly the soul can and does die. "The soul [nephesh] who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4, 20). The Bible confirms that "no one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven [Jesus Christ]" (John 3:13). Even righteous King David, a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), was described by Peter as being "dead and buried" (Acts 2:29), not alive in heaven or some other state or location (Acts 2:34).

The Bible plainly teaches the dead lie in the grave, knowing nothing and possessing no consciousness. The Old Testament describes death as an unconscious state, and in the New Testament the Apostle Paul describes it as ‘sleep’ (1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Although Scripture does not speak of the soul as being immortal, it has much to say about immortality. Paul told the congregation in Rome to ‘seek’ immortality (Romans 2:5-7) stating that eternal life is a ‘gift’ from God (Romans 6:23), and he taught Christians at Corinth they must be changed and ‘put on’ immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51-55).

Although mankind is subject to death God promises a resurrection to eternal life to those who repent, obey God and accept Jesus as the Messiah. The most powerful words on this subject come from Jesus Himself: "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40).

• Source:

  The Good News magazine (May-Jun 2003)

• https://www.ucg.org/good-news/good-news-magazine-may-june-2003/do-good-people-really-go-heaven-when-they-die

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What Are Wheat Straw Plastics?

As industry experts leading the way in the newest sustainable technology, we look deeper at how wheat straw plastic is changing everyday consumer products. Could this new eco-alternative to plastic be a game-changer?

Wheat straw plastic is a groundbreaking development in the realm of materials science, representing a shift towards more sustainable manufacturing practices. This innovative form of bioplastic is derived from the byproducts of wheat production, specifically the straw that is often discarded after the grain has been harvested. By converting this agricultural waste into a viable material for production, we not only reduce our reliance on fossil fuels but also promote a circular economy where waste is minimized and utilized effectively.

Plant-based plastics, also known as bio-plastics, are creative new materials that have qualities and benefits similar to traditional plastics.

These materials can be molded and shaped just like conventional plastics, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, from packaging and disposable utensils to more durable goods. The versatility of bioplastics allows manufacturers to innovate and create products that meet consumer demand while aligning with sustainability goals.

In this article, let’s learn everything about the new zero-waste, eco-alternative to plastic straws:

Table of contents

• What Are Wheat Straw Plastics?
• How Is Wheat Straw Plastic Made?
  • Is wheat straw plastic banned in Europe?
  • Wheat Straw Dishes vs Other Materials
• Eco-Alternatives to Plastic Straws
• So, Is Wheat Straw A Better Alternative For Plastics?

What Are Wheat Straw Plastics?

The newest eco-friendly material making waves in the sustainability sector is wheat straw plastic, a remarkable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic products.

Plant-based plastics, commonly referred to as bio-plastics, are innovative materials that offer benefits and characteristics similar to conventional plastics. Unlike traditional plastic, which is derived from petroleum, bioplastics are produced from plant sources. Examples of sustainable alternatives include wheat straw, bamboo fiber, rice husks, sugar cane, and corn starch.

Wheat straw, much like traditional plastics, is both lightweight and durable, making it a promising and eco-friendly alternative. Unlike conventional plastics, wheat straw is not derived from fossil fuels. It is a byproduct of edible grain that is utilized globally for producing food items such as flour, bread, and wheat-based products like pasta. Typically, wheat straw is burned after the harvest of wheat grain; however, repurposing this waste for sustainable materials transforms it into an excellent zero-waste solution.

Wheat straw fiber plastic is certified food safe, free from BPA, and approved by the FDA, making it appropriate for various applications. Interestingly, wheat straw is gluten-free! This is a common question that often surprises people. Indeed, wheat straw does not contain gluten naturally, allowing those on a gluten-free diet to use wheat straw fiber products safely.

This innovative material is crafted from the highest quality food-grade components and has received verification from the FDA, ensuring its safety and suitability for various applications.

Wheat straw plastic stands out as a fantastic substitute for conventional plastic due to its significantly lower environmental impact. The production process utilizes a by-product of wheat farming—specifically, wheat straw, which is often discarded after the grain is harvested. By repurposing this agricultural waste, wheat straw plastic not only reduces waste but also conserves resources.

More at:   https://tangieco.com/blog/wheat-straw-plastic-explained/

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War

With the observance of Anzac Day on April 25 and the wars currently being fought around the world we should reflect not only on the courage and sacrifice of those involved in and affected by these conflicts, but also the spiritual battles we face as Christians.

In Australia and New Zealand the war dead are remembered on Anzac Day, April 25. ANZAC was the name given to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps that landed on the morning of that date on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in 1915 during the First World War. Anzac Day calls to mind more than just the events in WWI, it is a time to remember all who have sacrificed their lives in war. The number of those who have died on the field of battle throughout man's history is staggering. In World War II alone, the worldwide death toll numbered nearly 54 million.

War did not originate with human beings. It began with the thought of a heavenly being. Ezekiel 28:12-15 describes this creature. The king of Tyre in this chapter is a created cherub with access to God's throne. In time, pride, arrogance and selfishness caused this cherub, now known as Satan, and one third of the entire angelic host to mount a war against their Creator (Isaiah 14:12-15). Satan came to the conclusion that he deserved to sit upon God's throne, and he sought to overthrow Him in a violent coup.

Revelation 12:7-9 gives us more insight into this heavenly conflict. "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

When he was cast down to earth Satan introduced war to humanity on every level, beginning with Cain murdering his brother in a fit of jealousy (Genesis 4:1-8). The violent path chosen by Cain is the path humanity has followed ever since. Throughout the world, we find regional and ethnic groups, competing religions and power blocs all willing to battle for their cause. Ultimately, humanity finds war an easy choice. It is not the way God originally designed things, but it is the way the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).

When we, as Christians, commit our lives to God, we are doing our part in defence of a spiritual nation, God’s future Kingdom (John 18:36). With Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection at Passover, and the gift of God’s Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost in 31 A.D., God began to work with a new nation, that was no longer physical, but spiritual. As we battle the pain and difficulties we encounter in our temporary, physical lives, we should not forget the spiritual warfare we are involved in has eternal consequences, and that we are battling an enemy that never gets tired and never gives up.

Revelation 12:17 describes the dragon (Satan) waging war against those who "keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the testimony of Jesus". The Apostle Paul warned the Christians in Ephesus: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12 KJV).

When Jesus Christ returns to this earth He will usher in a time of peace. "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end…." (Isaiah 9:6-7).

As we contemplate those who have fought and lost their lives in war, we should remember even though we fight in different theatres of war, ours being spiritual, we can still admire the courage, self-discipline, strength, and sacrifice it took to go into battle to defend our country. It should stir in us the diligence to prepare ourselves for the spiritual battles we have to face in this life as we strive to stay faithful to God.

• Source:

  The Good News magazine (Jan-Feb 2008)

• https://www.ucg.org/world-news-and-prophecy/when-will-there-be-war-no-more