If you enjoy sci-fi, you have to admit that the imaginations of the writers are very impressive as they look without knowing into the future. Even cartoons “predicted” future inventions without knowing how close they were to those ideas becoming reality.
Do you remember The Jetsons? The cartoon began in 1962 but only lasted one season. It was revived in the 1980s. During the first season, several items pointed out something futuristic in the 60s but available in this new millennium, 63-years later.
Video Calls. The Jetson family had monitors or television screens where video phone calls could be made or received. The technology existing in the 60s was a desktop phone with an exceptionally long cord. But did the creators of the cartoon have some insider information? In 1964 at the World’s Fair, an exhibit was available demonstrating a futuristic device called the Mod 1 Picturephone. On June 30, 1970, the first conference video call was made and the next day, the service officially launched. Today, we just take it for granted that we can video chat, Skype, Zoom, or use a number of other video platforms. The Jetsons already had this in their homes.
Flat-Screen TVs. Some of today’s readers are too young to remember big, clunky pieces of furniture that served as televisions. Massive picture tubes, rabbit ears, VHF/UHF dials, and horizontal hold were standard features. The Jetsons had big flat-screen TVs – something that showed up in a university lab in 1964 but didn’t come to our homes until the 1990s. “In 1997, Sharp and Sony introduced the first large flat screen TV. It was created using the PALC technology and measured 42 inches, a record size at the time. This first model sold for more than $15,000, making it well out of reach for most Americans.”1 Today, large flat screen televisions are available at reasonable prices. In fact, you can’t buy anything except a flat screen.
Robots and Robotic Vacuum Cleaners. Everyone remembers Rosie! The Jetsons also had a robotic vacuum cleaner similar to what we have today in the Roomba. And personal robots are next on the horizon with beta versions available now and robotic
humanoids expected to be available for homes by 2026. Like all new technology, the price will keep most of us from ever having one.
Capsule Endoscopy. “In “Test Pilot,” episode 15 of season 1, George Jetson is sent for a physical exam checkup. His doctor, Dr. Radius, makes George swallow a tiny robotic pill called the Peekaboo Prober, which enters his body to scan his internal systems. This scene was well ahead of its time. It’s only in recent years that technology such as capsule endoscopy — for example, the ingestible PillCam — has become available. Capsule endoscopy uses tiny wireless cameras to take pictures of the organs in the body, as opposed to the more traditional and widely used endoscope, which is not wireless and therefore more invasive.”2
I enjoy technology. I am intrigued by the ever-changing kaleidoscope of changes and advancements. However, let’s admit it – it’s hard to keep up! You certainly cannot afford all the new gadgetry that becomes available. As soon as you purchase something, it’s out of date. And without owning and using the new technology, it’s hard to comprehend it.
Does the Bible address the advancement of technology? As a kid, I remember hearing prophecy teachers talk about how people would just get smarter and smarter at a rapid pace as we draw closer to the end times events. Daniel 12:4 was cited as the proof of this idea. “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” However, I don’t believe the context is talking about technology, science, transportation, or anything like that.
John Gill gives what I believe is a more Biblical explanation. “Towards the end of the time appointed, many persons will be stirred up to inquire into these things delivered in this book, and will spare no pains or cost to get knowledge of them.”
Albert Barnes writes, “The angel seems to mean that in this way there would be an advance in knowledge on all the subjects of religion, and particularly on the points to which he had referred.”
Referring to the phrase “many shall run to and fro,” Jamiesen, Fausset, and Brown write, “[This is] not referring to the modern rapidity of locomotion, as some think, nor to Christian missionaries going about to preach the Gospel to the world at large, which the context scarcely admits; but, whereas now but few care for this prophecy of God, “at the time of the end,” that is, near its fulfillment, “many shall run to and fro,” that is, scrutinize it, running through every page.”3
While it is true that technology can be used for evil purposes, let us remember that technology is inanimate and unable to assert itself – so far. It is the USER of the technology that determines how it is to be used. Therefore, we ought not to fear it but rather embrace it, viewing it as another means available to propagate the message of God’s Word.
Paul wrote good encouragement to this end in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. Let’s take it to heart. “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. (20) And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; (21) To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. (22) To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (23) And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”
1https://www.techwalla.com/articles/the-history-of-flat-screen-tvs#google_vignette
2https://historyfacts.com/arts-culture/article/the-jetsons-future-technology/?lctg=0124851e-d797-40d6-bcc8-5fe6cdcc0cda
3Quotes taken from book modules available on e-Sword.net
Images are taken from https://pixabay.com/, https://www.pexels.com/, or https://unsplash.com/images or created in Windows Copilot. According to the websites, they are Royalty Free and free to be used for our purposes.
