Feeding the Beast

Feeding the Beast

The Awakening

Matthew Silas had always been a quiet man, a devout believer in the King James Version of the Bible. His days were simple—working as a carpenter, reading Scripture at night, and occasionally uploading sermons on YouTube, hoping to spread the truth to those who would listen.

Initially, his online ministry seemed like a calling. People from around the world would comment on his videos, many thanking him for teaching doctrines they couldn't find in mainstream churches. It felt like he was doing God’s work, but something about it never sat right with him.

The platform controlled everything: who saw his videos, what topics he could talk about without being flagged, and how much revenue he could earn. Each time a video was demonetized or hidden in the algorithm, Matthew prayed for guidance. Was this God testing him, or was he being shown something more sinister?

Signs of the Beast

One night, after finishing a long study of Revelation 13, he felt a deep unrest. The verses about the Beast, the system of control, and the deception of nations seemed more than prophetic—they felt personal.

"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." (Revelation 13:16, KJV)

Matthew pondered what this mark could truly be. Was it a literal mark, or was it more symbolic—a sign of submission to a technological empire that enslaves minds and souls alike? As he scrolled through YouTube that night, it hit him. The platform wasn’t just a tool; it was part of a much larger system—a system that wanted to mold people into obedient consumers.

He closed his laptop and looked around his small study. The shelves were filled with old theology books, worn Bibles, and notebooks filled with his handwritten thoughts. Everything in this room felt real, but the digital world felt increasingly false. Was he feeding the Beast without realizing it?

A Decision to Leave

The next morning, Matthew went to the local diner to meet an old friend, James, who had recently abandoned social media and digital platforms altogether.

"Why’d you really leave it all?" Matthew asked, sipping his coffee.

James leaned back in his chair and gave a small chuckle. "It’s simple. I realized I wasn’t using it—it was using me. You think you’re preaching the Word, but they’re just mining your data and feeding people ads. Even when you’re trying to warn others about the Beast, you’re helping it grow."

Matthew nodded, the weight of James’s words sinking in. "But how do we reach people if we leave? This is where everyone is."

"We reach them face-to-face, like Christ did. The apostles didn’t need algorithms or monetization. They relied on the Spirit of God. The more we rely on their platforms, the more they control the message."

Breaking Free

That night, Matthew made a decision. He deleted his YouTube channel, erased his social media profiles, and disconnected from the online world that had quietly enslaved him. He wasn’t angry—he was relieved. For the first time in years, he felt free.

He began preaching in his small town, organizing Bible studies, and speaking directly to those who sought truth. The groups were small, but they were real. No algorithms filtered their conversations, and no corporate giant decided who could listen.

The Great Tribulation

But the world was changing quickly. News reports spoke of new global regulations requiring digital identification for everything—from buying groceries to accessing healthcare. Those who refused were branded as extremists, cut off from society.

Matthew and his small group of believers prepared as best they could. They stored food, shared resources, and encouraged each other through Scripture. One night, while they gathered in a dimly lit basement, a young woman named Sarah asked the question they all feared.

"How long can we hold out?"

Matthew opened his Bible to Matthew 24:21.

"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."

"We hold out as long as God wills it," he replied. "But we were warned this time would come. They will push us to take their mark, to become part of their system, but we must not yield. This is our trial of faith."

The days grew darker. Power outages, food shortages, and civil unrest plagued the nation. Matthew witnessed neighbors betray neighbors, families torn apart over the decision to comply with the global system or resist. Many who had once stood strong began to falter, but Matthew clung to the Word of God, knowing that his reward was not in this life.

The Final Night

It was a cold night when they came for him. Government agents, armed and efficient, broke down the door of the safehouse where he and a few believers had gathered. Matthew did not resist. He knew this was foretold.

As they dragged him into the back of a black van, he whispered to Sarah, who was weeping beside him. "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul." (Matthew 10:28, KJV)

The van sped away into the night. He didn’t know where they were taking him, but it didn’t matter. His fate was sealed. The Great Tribulation had reached its peak, and humanity was entering its darkest hour.

As the world plunged deeper into chaos, Matthew’s faith never wavered. He had seen the Beast for what it was and had refused to feed it any longer. Though the path led him to suffering, he believed that beyond the pain, God’s justice awaited.