Autonomous vehicles are an up and coming technology that companies and governments across the globe are taking very seriously. This technology has expanded because it is being sold to the people as something that is good for them, something they can trust in. This deception completely takes the need to trust in God out of the equation and encourages people to place their trust in technology instead.

This past year, President Obama proposed spending $4 billion over the span of a decade to encourage acceptance of driverless cars in the U.S. by financing research projects and infrastructure improvements tied to this technology. Since 2014, laws regarding driverless cars have been passed in California, Louisiana, Michigan, Florida, Nevada, North Dakota, Alabama, Tennessee, Utah, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Testing is currently being done in about half of these states.

This past summer, Tesla experienced its first fatal crash after 130 million miles of autopilot use in Florida. Mobileye, a company that makes the hi-tech chips needed to create a driverless car, has since ended its relationship with Tesla after a “war of words” over the fatal accident.

A lot of big companies have announced that they plan on producing driverless cars within the next 5 years. Google is working with Lexus and Toyota to have a finished product by 2020. Apple, who works with companies such as Tesla, Volkswagen, and Nvidia, plans to release ‘Titan” in 2019. Uber picked up its first customer in a driverless car in Pittsburg in September of last year. For now, Uber continues to have a licensed driver in the driver’s seat while another Uber employee sits in the passenger seat to watch the monitor.

Ford has announced that they will be skipping levels of automation (the levels of automation run from 0-5, 0 meaning there is no assistance and the driver is in complete control, up to level five which means the car is totally in control without human assistance and the car can be driven anywhere). They plan to go straight to level 4, which means the car will run on its own without human interference in defined areas. The cars will not have a steering wheel or a brake pedal. They plan to put cars on the road as a taxi type service, and they will not be sold to the general public. The reason Ford decided to skip levels of autonomy is because they feel it is unsafe that a driver may have to take over sometimes and not all the time. They say it would be nerve-wracking for the driver because they would still need to pay attention at all times, and gave the image of a tense driver hovering over the steering wheel with their foot just above the brake the entire ride.

With all of these companies getting driverless cars out on the market, there also comes much scepticism from consumers. There are those who insist that computers will become better drivers than humans, and this technology will eventually improve the safety of our roads and highways for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians- our children and loved ones will be safer. But just because the technology is “safe” doesn’t mean you should trust those who use it and have access to it.

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Ps. 118:8

Just like any tool, this new technology can be used for evil in the wrong hands. Because driverless cars rely upon external systems to control them, there is a huge concern about hacking. Not only could an individual with nefarious intent take over one or many cars with potentially devastating effects, but who says the government won’t be able to control every single thing about these cars- including who can ride in one and where they can go. And since this technology is available, there is no stopping the Antichrist from using such a tool to his advantage. We must be careful where we are placing our trust. Man can do anything they put their mind to. That does not mean that man should do anything they put their mind to or that anything man can do is righteous.

The technology is ramping up and it’s no longer crazy to imagine everyone in a driverless car within a couple decades. It sounds like something that we would have seen on The Jetson’s TV show in the 60’s and 80’s. Dan 12:4 says, “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.” In studying God’s word we know that we are living in the end days. Travel and knowledge have rapidly increased over the past generation, resulting in a kind of slavery to technology. Just look at how technology has fundamentally changed our interactions with the world around us.  I am in my 20’s, but I remember when it used to cost $.40 to take the subway into Boston. My parents would give me four dimes to put into the machine and then the gate would open for me to go through and jump on the train. Now you have to have a card to swipe through that gate in order to ride the train.

More and more, society demands that people rely on technology for their safety and basic needs, but in truth, it robs us of the great peace and joy of relying on God to protect and provide for us. There is no card accepted to get you through the gate to heaven. Technology can’t buy your way in. Jesus already paid that price for us- all we have to do is come to Him, cling to His every word, and DO what He says.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat;
  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt. 7:13-14

It is very likely that the Antichrist will use technology such as the internet, cell phones, driverless cars, etc. to increase government control and advance his plan to crown himself as god on earth. Rev 12:9 states, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” So be vigilant, be alert, because Satan will use whatever tools he has to make sure that you don’t get in the way of his plans. Do not be deceived. Place your faith in Jesus Christ and let Him show you what is truth and what is not. He can lead you on that strait and narrow path if you let him. Let Jesus be the driver of your car.