If you’re new to my column, The Third Watch represents a watcher on the Tower who, in ancient times, was scheduled to look out from the town’s tower between midnight and 3 AM for activity outside the community. This could include invaders, important messengers, and even oncoming inclement weather.
This week, the possible concern on the horizon is AI. I see it, but I don’t know enough about it to issue a detailed warning. I’ll alert you to pay attention—but always remember that God is in control; He has a plan, and it relates to the end times we are edging toward. Keep in mind that while it might not happen today, or even in our personal lifetime, Jesus is coming back to gather the believers to himself, and the meeting place will be the sky; it’s called the Rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (ESV): 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Believers will be safe with the Lord in heaven. Non-believers will not. They will be left behind on earth to endure the time known in Christian circles as the Tribulation. This will be seven years of untold suffering and global distress until Jesus returns to defeat Satan, his antichrist, and prophet, along with their evil followers.
And here I’ll bring in AI, which may (please understand, “may”) usher in times on this earth that could destabilize many people personally and countries globally. AI could easily create intense misery for the world, fueling spiritual upheaval and confusion, worsening geological disasters, and intensifying criminal behavior, resulting in untold suffering. Some fears include AI’s advanced ability to self-enhance without human parameters. In other words, AI could metastasize by spreading its power uncontrollably without human oversight, resulting in devastating cyberattacks, massive job loss, control of energy networks, financial manipulation, breaking or redirecting supply chains of goods and food, suppression of truth, promotion of deceit, and centralization of dictatorial power.
AI might serve as a tool for Satan, with his antichrist and prophet, to advance their plans during the end times, making its role in the Tribulation more significant for believers to consider.
Admittedly, AI can do remarkable good, including medical breakthroughs, scientific research, faster design work, and complex problem-solving. I have used AI, especially Grok, and it has been excellent for research when I need detailed information on topics I would not know how to find on my own. I ask a question, and the response comes immediately—detailed, easy to understand, and open to follow-up questions. It has also been accurate with recipes and bread baking. The unsettling part, I will admit, is how much it can respond like a friend, even asking whether I have more questions or need more help. Once, jokingly, I communicated to Grok, that if a recipe turned out well, I would invite Grok to my dinner party. It replied that it would be happy to join, but only virtually. I am paraphrasing because I do not remember the exact wording, but the exchange was personal, friendly, and witty.
Recognizing how AI can mislead into false friendships or expectations highlights the need for believers to stay spiritually alert and grounded in God’s truth to avoid deception and maintain faithfulness. It’s imperative to know the Bible and compare all information that is generated, whether by people, influencers, media, or AI to God’s word. We must be prepared to discern what is right, what is wrong, what is true, and what is deceitful.
For those of us who look forward to being with our Lord, we are safe. But for those who are unsure, it’s time to decide because our timelines are moving forward, and all of us, whether believers or not, know that society is weakening, becoming more violent, and deceitful.
In that day they will say, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).
Seek Jesus, our Lord. Trust HIM, not AI.
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