FROM JOSHUA & CALEB COLSON,
THE BEARDED BIBLE BROTHERS^®

The Internet is a powerful tool, but it has the potential to destroy people’s lives. While some social media influencers have become distraught after their followers turned against them, of greater concern is the fact that children have committed suicide due to online bullying. Often, this platform is used to spread gossip and lies, expose hidden sins, and even topple governments. Whoever controls the algorithm apparently controls the spread of information, wealth, and power.

Believers in Yeshua are not immune to the confusion and deception caused by online personalities who seek fame or news outlets that conceal the truth. One example is the recent “Rapture-palooza” hype. Many well-meaning Christians, perhaps desperate to escape the hardships of this fallen world, believed South African Internet “prophet” Pastor Joshua Mhlakela. He proclaimed that the harpazo (“catching up,” 1 Thess. 4:17) of the Bride would happen on September 23–24, 2025. Some people even foolishly sold their houses or quit their jobs while awaiting the event.

After the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10, one church created an artificial intelligence (AI) “deepfake” of the young activist discussing his own death. Though powerful and well-intentioned, the video was not real. Likewise, AI-generated videos of Benjamin Netanyahu, Joel Rosenberg, and others discussing their love for Yeshua have recently appeared online. These deceptive clips garnered over a million views on YouTube within 48 hours, undoubtedly enriching those who created and posted the videos.

Hollywood has long portrayed the capabilities and dangers of AI in films such as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1984 movie, The Terminator. One would assume that Satan’s self-proclamation of his own agenda is a grand diversion. Although science hasn’t yet delivered “Terminator” level technology, we believe that a computer operating system or an android (humanoid robot) could easily become controlled by a demon.

Some people have reported demons attaching themselves to totems, charms, and amulets — even indwelling lifeless idols made of wood, gold, and silver. Evangelist Lester Sumrall (1913–1996) recorded many encounters with demon-possessed people and idols during his missionary work in Asia.

Recently, AI chatbots Grok and Tay experienced a 24-hour conversion to extreme anti-Semitism. According to research published by the Anti-Defamation League, principal AI platforms Gemini, ChatGPT, Llama, and Claude — which use large language models (LLMs) — often give false information about Israel and the Jews.

In Matthew 24:24, Yeshua declared: “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” This warning has become a reality, as even God’s people are being deceived by false information. Whether in print, on television, or online, fake news has now become the news. In many churches, counterfeit or apostate movements also deceive thousands of Believers into following unbiblical doctrines.

Bank tellers primarily learn to distinguish genuine from counterfeit by studying and handling authentic currency every day. Likewise, if we who believe in Yeshua study and meditate on God’s Word daily, we are less likely to be duped by antiChrists when they appear. Knowing our Messiah personally is the only way to discern the truth.

Currently, AI is merely an algorithm that copies or mimics existing material. Just as with money, firearms, and the Internet, these objects are tools that can be used for good or evil. They’re not evil in and of themselves. But as you continue reading this Personal Letter, Sarah Liberman addresses the advancement of artificial general intelligence, which could become much more nefarious.

AI can create imagery to tell complex stories that would otherwise require thousands of dollars of advanced technology. Through AI, many Bible stories are available online that portray historical, Scriptural events. Long ago, God inspired us to use technology and the arts to spread the Gospel. Even so, we don’t rely on AI for theology, teaching resources, or content preparation — it’s not a consistently reliable source of truth. Unfortunately, recent studies such as “The 2025 State of AI in the Church” show that 64% of pastors polled use AI as part of their sermon preparation.

Still, through the Internet, we can reach nearly every culture, tribe, and tongue. In a sense, the World Wide Web is the mission field. This explains our recent Bearded Bible Brothers efforts on social media — a field ripe for the harvest.

As our ministry learns to work around the algorithms that limit conservative Christian content, we ask that you continue to financially support our efforts to minister to the spirtually needy, unreached population. As the BBB, we are entering new territory, posting on new platforms, and using new technology. However, these endeavors require significant resources. Please prayerfully consider giving to this ministry as we pursue new horizons to share the Gospel of Yeshua.

In Revelation 11:8–10, the Earth’s inhabitants view and celebrate the death of the Two Witnesses. Today, we see how technology enables such global viewership. While our new online outreaches present promising advances for a ministry, they are still far behind the capabilities of secular organizations. With your help, we can expand on the airwaves and data streams with the truth of God’s Word before our Savior returns!

May the Lord bless you and your families during this month of reflection and Thanksgiving.

Love, Joshua and Caleb

P.S. Join us in taking Daniel 11:32 to heart: “…the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”

FROM SARAH, OUR SABRA
ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL

Dear Friend,

Shalom from Israel. My son, like many young men in their twenties, has been considering his future academic and vocational path. While traditional wisdom has long promoted the benefits of a career in computer science, he is questioning that advice in light of advancements in AI.

The AI Race

Today’s AI (known as Narrow AI) already writes emails, drafts computer code, translates languages, and skillfully designs molecules and modules. Here in Israel, there are very few companies that don’t use AI now or plan to use it in the future. My brother, who works for one of Israel’s largest technology companies, recently received extensive training on advanced AI tools that will improve his team’s work.

However, the new frontier — artificial general intelligence (AGI) — would create systems capable of human-level versatility across multiple areas. Some people speculate that eventually such systems could become smart enough to surpass human intelligence.

Some people have likened the impact of AGI to the Industrial Revolution and other major societal shifts throughout history. A world with AGI could cause significant economic problems, including the loss of white-collar jobs, potentially leading to widespread unemployment.

AGI could become capable of creating “deepfakes” that facilitate information warfare and deception. Such “synthetic” media (which we’ve already experienced to an extent) destroys trust, makes conflicts worse, and weakens democracy in Western societies. As a result, whoever controls AGI will likely possess tremendous power and unprecedented leverage through surveillance, persuasion, and automated enforcement.

Transhumanism, an extension of AGI, involves humans being enhanced with machine upgrades such as increased intelligence, physical strength, and sensory perception.

Currently, we’re seeing a dangerous, uncontrolled “arms race,” mostly between organizations in the U.S. and China. They are competing to create the first AGI. Most experts believe that a basic form of AGI could emerge in the late 2020s, with an enhanced AGI in the 2030s.

Credible Warnings

Several prominent AI pioneers have expressed skepticism about this uncontrolled AGI competition. One skeptic, Geoffrey Hinton — often called the “godfather of AI” — left Google in 2023 so that he could speak freely about AGI’s risks. Hinton cautions that these systems could become impossible for humans to control and asserts that current safeguards don’t protect humanity.

Experts are concerned about “loss of alignment,” in which AGI systems optimize to the wrong (morally negative) objective. Systems with poor morals and ethics would likely bring disastrous results.

The Spiritual Component

Many people who are involved in AGI development are atheists. They claim that a machine can and should take over world governance since it would make better decisions than humans can, which would lead to a utopian society. Yet these people ignore the spiritual considerations about their goal — especially the fallen, sinful nature of man.

Ultimately, AGI represents man’s efforts to become a god. They seek to make machines in man’s flawed image, rather than surrendering to our perfect Creator God. Doing this will create a depraved system that brings disastrous consequences.

God created man in His image and entrusted him with stewardship over creation (Gen. 1:26–27). In God’s creation, human life is sacred, people are not expendable, and tools must serve humane ends.

In Revelation chapter 13, John views a lifeless image of the beast that is enabled to speak. This ungodly image enforces worship and restricts buying and selling to those who bear a “mark” of the beast. This coercive system merges propaganda, surveillance, and economic control.

As we Believers read Revelation through today’s lens, we can see how AGI technology could be used by idolatrous power. This convergence of technology and prophecy leads some Believers to conclude that we are only a few years away from Messiah’s return.

C.S. Lewis (1898–1963) wrote long before the advent of today’s technology. He saw the spiritual danger posed by technocratic elites who would engineer people according to their preferences. In The Abolition of Man, Lewis warned that science severed from objective value would result in the abolition of the human person, by making humans into objects that can be controlled.

Oxford mathematician and Christian apologist John Lennox, writing in the book 2084, warned that our greatest near-term danger isn’t superhuman machines rebelling against us. Instead, it’s fallen humans using powerful tech to control others. We see this in Revelation chapter 13, though fallen supernatural beings initiate it rather than humans.

Sadly, many in the Messianic community here in Israel (and probably throughout the world) don’t consider AI’s potential or its concerns. Bible teachers and preachers seem to be ignoring this technology, leaving Believers to form opinions without guidance from God’s Word.

Should We Be Concerned?

History shows many human attempts to become like God. The Tower of Babel is an early example: “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves…’” (Gen. 11:4).

God stopped their plan by confusing their language. Then, He scattered humanity to prevent such future efforts (Gen. 11:5–8). I think that God’s response to AGI may be similar, as Scripture asserts: “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? … The One enthroned in Heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath…” (Ps. 2:1–5).

I do not believe we are as close to the end as some people think. My Middle Eastern perspective keeps me from buying into the fearmongering of many self-proclaimed “prophets.” Because I pay close attention to God’s Word, I know that significant events in Israel’s timeline — which require a considerable passage of time to unfold — haven’t occurred yet.

The scattering after the Tower of Babel was God’s response to human aspirations; this dispersion led to a monumental shift in ancient society. I believe that we should be prepared for a significant change in our time due to the push toward AGI. We should also know, without a doubt, that God will not allow humans to manipulate His plan for the redemption of the world.

Im tirdefu lada-at oto —“Press on to know HIM!” (Hosea 6:3 NLT)

Many blessings from Israel,

Sarah Liberman

 

P.S. Allow me to repeat Joshua and Caleb’s request that you financially support our ministry to hungry souls everywhere.

“I wish that I had done this years ago.” Have you felt the same after experiencing a long-anticipated event or a place? Many Zola Tour pilgrims have echoed this sentiment following their first visit to the Holy Land. What about you — have you ever wanted to see the Land of Israel?

For details or to make reservations, please contact Sandra, our tour manager, at 214-696-9760, travel@levitt.com, or via levitt.com/tours.

Spring Tour 2026 options

Deluxe — Israel Mar. 16-Mar. 26 $5,488
Grand Petra — Israel & Petra Mar. 16-Mar. 29 $6,888
Prices include tips, taxes, and airline surcharges (subject to change).

Bearded Bible Brothers® TV programs in November

This month, we begin Conquest of Canaan, which reviews the Israelites’ battles to secure the Promised Land. The BBB contrast the Hebrews’ victories in Canaan with Satan’s attempts through the ages to overtake Israel’s territory.

The dangers of filming at certain places in Judea and Samaria led our production crew to embed with troops from the IDF. This precaution enabled them to reach the sites of wellknown Biblical battles in the territory currently known as the “West Bank.”

Who has a right to the land? (Please see Whose Land Is It? at the bottom of this page) Who are the pretenders? In Conquest of Canaan, we answer these questions as we reveal surprising Biblical and historical truths.

Conquest of Canaan

The Battle of Jahaz and Edrei — From Jordan, Joshua and Caleb discuss Israel’s first major conflict before entering the Promised Land. They cover the battle between two powerful Nephilim kings and the Hebrews — as well as the infamous “giant” wars of the Canaanites.

The Battle of Jericho — In volatile Jordanian territory, the brothers follow Israel’s path into Canaan. Evangelist Israel Hanna joins them to discuss Joshua’s famous battle at Jericho. At Beit Shean, the brothers analyze the Egyptians’ past occupation of the Land.

The Battle of Ai and Bethel — IDF Sgt. Maj. Chaim Malespin helps the group unlock the mystery of ancient Ai and reflect on the Israelites’ most significant defeat. The brothers visit Ammunition Hill, where a recent discovery affirms supernatural intervention.

The Battle of Gibeon — Joshua and Caleb retrace the original Joshua’s conquest through ancient Gibeon. At Samuel’s tomb, the brothers consider God’s supernatural intervention in defeating five Amorite kings. The BBB also discuss Satan’s plan of conquest through the Babylonian Empire.

For an expanded description of each BBB TV program, please visit levitt.com/schedule.