Is Social Media a Preview of Judgement Day?

After a short delay, the State of the Union address will take place in Washington, D.C. tonight. I will comment on President Trump’s view of the nation in future articles as well as the Democratic response by Stacey Abrams.

Ms. Abrams is the failed gubernatorial candidate from Georgia. Her and Trump’s views of America are polar opposites–a replica of the worldview battle taking place in the Western world between radical secularism and mainstream biblical values.

Social media and the twittersphere will probably explode after both speeches. Which brings me to an interesting question.

Is social media a slight preview of judgement day?

Social Media

First, some caveats regarding my view and current use of the social media world.

For years I’ve hesitated to take a deep dive into SM for a variety of reasons. I still prefer email and texting, even sending occasional cards and notes. I guess that dates me.

Yet, I know the social media phenomenon has become the medium of choice for 21st century communication. That’s fine and I understand why.  But I have some nagging doubts about it.

Don’t misunderstand me. I see social media’s positives including sharing more of your life with friends, family members, and speaking out on the issues of the day. Knowledge is power (Proverbs 24:5) and connections with people are generally good.

Facebook seems to be the current “biggie” for all ages. I don’t use FB much other than to make resources available. I have avoided Snap-chat and Instragram because I’m an older guy who looks “washed out” in photos. (Those apps must be for the young.)

I took out a Twitter account a few years ago because I was told I should do it.  I never use it.  People with prophetic bents like me generally don’t like to limit their messages to 140-280 characters. That’s pithy, but not extremely helpful for changing a person’s life.

Slowly, over time, I’ve warmed up to the positives of sharing my life and work through social media.  But understanding its dark side still troubles me.

What do I mean by dark SM? How about sexting, foul and demeaning language, hatred and vitriol, racism and anti-Semitism, stalking, and a variety of other evils–which have exploded exponentially into our world via the Internet?

It’s like a plague of electronic locusts spewing venom to the heavens.

For thousands of years, most of these verbal or visual sins were committed face to face. Real life encounters often produced restraints on our words or actions (like the threat of retaliation). In the past, you hesitated to say or do bad things because you couldn’t hide behind a computer screen or a smart phone in total or partial anonymity.

Most of our evil thoughts and intentions were left unseen and unheard in our own minds.

Except to God.

Now, for the first time in history, through social media, our inner being can be exposed to millions of people simultaneously–recorded not “forever” as some say–but at least for human history.

Let’s put this in perspective.

Many things here now serve as a “prelude” of the real deal in eternity. For example:

• Human laws and society are an image of the eternal order and security of the Kingdom of God.
• Criminal justice foreshadows consequences for wrong behavior in the after-life.
• Prisons, especially solitary confinement, is a “type” of hell where rebellious human beings will be isolated forever.
• Worship, in the Temple in the Old Testament and churches in the New Covenant, foreshadows complete adoration in God’s presence one day.

Life on earth is filled with many “types” of what will take place in eternity.

This brings us to this haunting question. Is social media an earthly “type” of the agonizing reality of Judgment Day?

Here’s what I mean.

The Bible is very clear that, on the other side of eternity, when all human beings are judged, each us will give an account of what we have thought, said, and done.

• Ecclesiastes 12:14 – “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
• Matthew 12:36,37 – “You must give an account on judgment day for ever idle word you speak. The words you say now reflect your fate then. Either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.”
• 1 Corinthians 4:5 – “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:10 – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
• Hebrews 9:7 – “People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”

At the end of biblical history, Revelation 20:11-15 describes the Great White Throne judgment (justice) for all human beings who must give an account for “what they have done” (verse 12).

Yikes.

Each idle word, swear word, or foul expression is remembered. Every bitter, angry, or lustful thought exposed. All selfish and harmful actions will be seen for what they were.

EVERYTHING we have thought, said, or done is either recorded somewhere in a heavenly cache of intel or simply present in the heart and mind of the omniscient God. Either way, it will be revealed, somehow, giving true justice (judgment) to every person.

The only way to “pass” this test is to be reconciled to God by His grace through the atoning death of Jesus Christ. Forgiveness of our thought-word-and-deed sins takes place when we change our selfish heart (repentance) and put our trust in His love (faith).

Those who refuse to reconcile are left with the record of their guilt deciding their just fate.

The sinful use of social media appears to be a prelude of judgment day. SM allows some nasty thoughts, words and actions to be broadcast as never before in history. Before God one day, they will be ALL be judged in their entirety.

Unless they are covered by the blood of Jesus.

No wonder God’s Word encourages us, through Christ, to strive for
inner purity and personal holiness. Jesus said, “Blessed are the
pure in heart; they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

In Scripture, this attitude is also referred to as the fear of the Lord. It is a mind-set of holy respect and love for God, and a deep desire to be purified in the inner person from the motives and effects of sin.

Joy Dawson states,

“We are only as pure as our thought lives are pure. All our
ministries are only as powerful as our thought lives are
clean. Where we have men, women, young people, and children
who have chosen to have the fear of the Lord upon them, who
are asking God for it frequently and who are receiving it by
faith, we have purity of minds and a basis for the Holy
Spirit to release His power in the Church” (Joy Dawson, Intimate
Friendship With God).

Joy goes on to point out that there are 39 promises in the Bible related to the fear of God.

Yet, recently a new Democratic house committee wanted to remove “so help you God” from the oath until public opinion derailed it.

We need more fear of God in our culture, not less.

So what should we do?

Live your life knowing that, one day, you must give an account for all you’ve thought, said, and done. Renew your mind daily. Be slow to speak and quick to hear. Confess your sins. Respect your Creator in all your actions.

Most importantly, love your Savior for redeeming you from the ugliness of your sin.

And use social media with respect for Him who is holy and worthy of our supreme communication (worship).