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Matthew 7:12: Referenced in the context of having concern for your neighbor (“doing unto others as you’d have them do unto you”) when discussing inclusive environments.
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Philippians 4:6-7: Quoted directly as the central verse for overcoming anxiety: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
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Revelation 13:16-17: Referenced as the core prophecy about the mark of the beast system: “It causes all… to be marked on their right hand or on their forehead so that no one can buy or sell who does not have the mark.”
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Revelation 14:6-12: Referenced as the framework of the Three Angels’ Messages.
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First Angel’s Message: A revelation of God as Creator and Redeemer.
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Second Angel’s Message: An expose on Satan as a deceiver.
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Third Angel’s Message: The call to choose whom to worship and the warning against receiving the mark of the beast.
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Revelation (Chapters 12-13): Referenced to show the repeated theme of worship (using the Greek verb proskuneó), contrasting the worship of the dragon/Satan, the coerced worship of the beast’s image, and the commanded worship of the true God.
KEY QUOTES AND CONCEPTS FROM THE SERMON:
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On Smart Cities: “Smart is synonymous with the word surveillance.”
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On Data Collection (from a Smart Meter Executive): “We can track your activity through the day just through your electricity usage… We know when you go to church. We know when you go to the gym. We know when you go on vacation.”
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On the Dangers of 24/7 Surveillance: “When you know that you are under 24/7 digital surveillance, it profoundly affects your behavior. It affects your mental health. It affects how you treat other people.”
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On Comfort: “The pursuit of comfort is detrimental to your health… Comfort isn’t such a good thing for us as human beings.”
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On Spiritual Foundation: “You know what got me through the pandemic was my morning devotions. It was the assurance that God is on his throne.”
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On Digital Addiction: “We’re almost addicted to these things and the dopamine hits that come with them… Practice digital detox… to become a human being once again and not a human doing.”
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On Trust and Community: “In a surveillance era, you have to know who you can trust and who you can’t trust… The best way to do that is to be in a Bible study group or a prayer group.”
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On the Core Issue: “The ultimate issue is who you worship… The choice before us is… true or false worship, the Sabbath or the papal Sunday, God’s commandments or man’s mandates.”
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On Providence: “AFM was my employer, but God is my provider.“
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On Preparation & Motivation: “We’re not making changes based on fear. We’re making changes because we want to be in the fight for souls as long as possible… Configure your life in such a way that… you are best placed to shine for Jesus Christ.”
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On the Final Analysis: “Eternal life is worth it.“
REFERENCES TO OTHER SOURCES:
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Ellen G. White: Reference to her counsel about moving to the country “when no buy no sell comes.”
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George Orwell’s “1984”: Mentioned as a parallel to life in a smart surveillance city.
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Historical Reference: The flight of Christians from Jerusalem before its destruction in AD 70 (based on the historian Eusebius), as an example of heeding prophetic warning.
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Modern Example: Reference to a “brother Scott Rzzma” sharing a quote from Ellen White’s Manuscript Releases about a coming civil war in America.