Artificial intelligence. Global surveillance. Digital IDs. “Peace and security.” Exploding anti-Semitism. A silent church.
Jan Markell, Founder of Olive Tree Ministries and Pastor Billy Crone warned that the infrastructure for the biblical end times is no longer a subject to be ignored.
It is being built in real time.
During a recent episode of “Understanding the Times,” Markell and Crone warned that the convergence of artificial intelligence, global governance systems, escalating hatred of Israel and the collapse of biblical teaching inside churches are pushing the world toward a prophetic breaking point.
One issue dominated the conversation: artificial intelligence.
Crone called AI one of the most prophetically significant developments in modern history, comparing it to Israel becoming a nation again in 1948.
“I believe it’s just as big of a prophetic watershed moment as Israel becoming a nation again,” Crone said.
Revelation 13 describes a future global system capable of monitoring commerce, enforcing obedience and controlling populations worldwide. Previous generations lacked the technological infrastructure to accomplish that. AI changes everything.
The discussion highlighted several developments they said are helping build the technological framework for a future global control system:
- AI-driven surveillance systems are rapidly replacing human oversight and creating the ability to monitor transactions, conversations and behavior in real time on a global scale. Crone argued this level of constant worldwide monitoring was impossible until the arrival of AI-powered systems capable of processing enormous amounts of data instantly.
- Digital IDs and biometric technologies are becoming normalized across governments, banking systems and travel infrastructure. The discussion pointed to real ID systems, facial recognition and biometric checkpoints as major steps toward centralized control systems tied to personal identity.
- Cashless payment systems and implantable chip technology are advancing at extraordinary speed. The interview referenced payment chips placed under the skin and financial systems increasingly tied to digital verification methods instead of physical currency.
- AI is beginning to replace large portions of the workforce, especially routine office jobs, accounting, legal work, graphic design, data processing and administrative tasks. The discussion warned that massive economic disruption could create social instability that global systems would attempt to solve through centralized control.
- Major technology leaders are openly discussing the arrival of “digital superintelligence” and AI systems capable of functioning like a “digital god.” Crone warned that humanity is moving toward dependence on machines for guidance, decision-making and governance.
“We haven’t had the infrastructure,” Crone said. “There’s AI. So, I’m convinced with the birth of AI, finally, you can pull off everything.”
The conversation then shifted toward another major prophetic concern: the emergence of global governance systems under promises of peace and security.
Markell focused heavily on President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” describing it as a multinational coalition operating outside the framework of the United Nations while pursuing many of the same global objectives.
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Both Markell and Crone connected the initiative to Daniel 9:27 and 1 Thessalonians 5:3, passages warning about end-times peace agreements and sudden destruction.
“This is a global group that really is circumventing the UN,” Crone said. “And would like to be a UN.”
The discussion repeatedly returned to the biblical warning that the final world system will emerge under promises of peace.
Their concerns included:
- International coalitions are forming that increasingly operate above traditional national structures and borders. The “Board of Peace” was presented as an example of a global body attempting to manage world conflict outside the existing UN framework.
- Israel, Muslim nations and major world powers are now being discussed together inside emerging peace structures. The conversation specifically referenced countries like Qatar and Turkey participating in the same discussions involving Israel.
- Revelation describes “ten kings” sharing authority before surrendering power to a central figure. Crone argued that growing regional governance systems and multinational alliances increasingly resemble the kind of shared authority structure described in biblical prophecy.
- The Bible warns that the tribulation period begins with a peace agreement involving Israel. Crone repeatedly returned to Daniel 9:27, emphasizing that a future peace broker will eventually emerge on the world stage.
“And then you go back to Daniel 9:27,” Crone said. “What is the thing that starts the 7-year tribulation? Somebody is going to broker a peace deal.”
The emotional center of the interview came when the conversation turned to Israel, the October 7 Hamas massacre and the explosion of anti-Semitism around the world.
Markell described the attack as one of the most spiritually revealing moments in recent history. What stunned her most was not only the brutality of the massacre itself, but the silence inside many churches afterward.
“How do you ignore the second most stunning event to the Jewish people since the Holocaust?” Markell asked.
The discussion warned that October 7 exposed deep spiritual problems inside Western churches and culture:
- Anti-Semitism exploded globally after the Hamas attack, spreading across college campuses, protests, media narratives and political movements. Crone said the speed and intensity of the hatred revealed how quickly the world is turning against Israel.
- Many churches refused to address the massacre or openly support Israel after the attacks. Markell said countless Christians contacted her shocked that their churches ignored one of the most devastating attacks on Jewish people since World War II.
- Replacement theology has weakened biblical understanding of Israel’s prophetic role. Crone argued that decades of ignoring Bible prophecy left many Christians spiritually vulnerable to anti-Israel ideology.
- The coming tribulation period involves unprecedented persecution against Israel. Crone said the growing hatred toward Jewish people reflects the spiritual conditioning necessary for the future rise of the Antichrist system.
“If we’re getting close to the 7-year tribulation, we should expect this anti-Semitism,” Crone said. “It is getting worse.”
The discussion also delivered a direct rebuke to churches that abandoned Bible prophecy teaching altogether.
Crone said churches spent decades replacing biblical teaching with self-help messages, entertainment and emotional comfort while avoiding difficult truths about judgment, deception, spiritual warfare and the return of Christ.
“We’ve had 30 years in the church. They’re not teaching the whole counsel of God. They’re certainly not teaching Bible prophecy,” he said.
The interview ended with a warning that the signs Jesus described are no longer distant possibilities.
Technology is accelerating. Global systems are consolidating. Hatred toward Israel is intensifying. Churches are growing quieter about prophecy while the world races toward the conditions described in Revelation.
“Newsflash,” Crone said. “You do realize that prophecy did not stop just because Trump got into office again. It accelerated.”
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
