by Tom Wacaster
Since the death of Osama Bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, former heads of terrorist operations in Iraq and elsewhere, there have been a series of suicide bombings in other parts of the world. The most recent concern among those “in the know” is that Al Quieda may have been weakened in Iraq, but seems to be gaining power in Africa. Recent bombings in Libya would appear to support that conclusion. Such bombings around the world have killed dozens and left hundreds, if not thousands, wounded and suffering. We read of the insane acts of those who would strap explosives to their body, or hide them in their shoes, and walk into a crowded restaurant or climb onto a bus, and blow themselves up along with as many as might be within their immediate proximity. The repeated, almost daily barrage of suicide bombers in Israel, Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Libya, seem so far away. It is as if we are isolated from such insane acts. But the consensus among politicians and public leaders is that it is inevitable that we, too, will experience such violence in our country. Former FBI director Robert Mueller has gone on record (5-21-02) as stating that suicide bombers are inevitable. Here are his words: "It is inevitable that suicide bombers like those who have attacked Israeli restaurants and buses will strike the United States [and] we will not be able to stop it." Such language, to say the least, is a little unsettling. With the exception of the Civil War, American citizens, since the founding of this nation, have been exempt from war on our home soil. Unlike Europe, Africa, Japan, China, and other nations, we have not experienced an invasion of the enemy, occupation by another nation, or the threat of physical harm as a result of warfare on our homeland. Those sentiments are no longer true. Dan Rather, shortly after the attack on the World Trade Centers on September 11, 2001 observed that the words in the fourth stanza of "America, The Beautiful" read thus:
O Beautiful for patriot dream,
That sees beyond the years.
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.
America, America! God shed His grace on thee.
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.
The words “undimmed by human tears” were the focus of Rather’s comments. In tears he pointed out that now our cities have been dimmed by human tears. We have experienced first hand the invasion of an enemy. And we are afraid! That fear is heightened by the uncertainty of time and place. As former FBI Director Robert Mueller noted, "I believe it is going to come...Now, is it going to happen today, to morrow or two years? We're not certain." Meanwhile we have our own form of terrorism here in the United States. Unbalanced and unhinged (and I might add, unlawful) individuals seem to think that taking innocent lives in order to make some kind of “statement,” or gain some twisted form of notoriety, take it upon themselves to enter a movie house, or post office, or former place of work, and gun down innocent bystanders. Will it happen again? Probably! Will we get any warning? Probably not! This was precisely Muller’s point. Of course Mueller can only "guess" at what lies down the road. We need not become unsettled because of one man's opinion, nor should we live in fear that some mad man is going to walk into the local Walmart and "pull the string." Now to the point of this article. Why is it that folks can become so unsettled over something that may or may not ever happen, yet totally ignore the warnings of something that really is inevitable? Let me explain.
There is an event, the precise date unknown to men, to the angels in heaven, and even the Son of God Himself, that awaits the whole of mankind. Of course you know of what I speak. "Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28-29). "For we must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10). "It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). "But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only" (Matt. 24:36).
Why is it that our reaction to the announcement of an 'inevitable' threat to our physical well being has such a profound effect on our emotions, while we give so little thought to another 'inevitable' promise that faces all mankind, past present and future generations? Comparing the two events, consider the following:
First, there is the possibility factor. Even with all the input from some of the top government agencies at his disposal, Mr. Mueller can only make an educated guess. It may turn out that he is right, and that indeed suicide bombers ARE inevitable. But neither he, nor his constituents have the ability to look into the future. On the other hand, our God is omniscient. He has proven His power in this area by predictive prophecy that has come true 100% of the time. As to the possibility of the judgment, you can rest assured, that day will occur.
Second, there is the time factor. The FBI director admits, "We're not certain." All available information is brought to bear, and still, "We're not certain." Who knows the mind of a terrorist, what time frame that might constrain him, or events and circumstances that may bring about the opportunity for his intended actions. Who among men can predict that some madman will walk into his workplace and shoot innocent victims? As for the judgment, "no man knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son." Why is it, then, that men think they see the "signs" of the Lord's return in judgment? The precise moment of the judgment cannot be determined, and men manifest their arrogance and foolishness when they attempt to pre guess or circumvent God.
Third, there is the purpose factor. Why does the FBI, CIA and other intelligent agencies think it important to provide advance notice of an "inevitable" attack by terrorists? The answer is obvious. So that we can be alert, prepared and ready for such an event and thereby minimize the loss of life. God has warned us of the judgment. He has even told us that He is not willing that ANY should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Additionally, He has provided a "way of escape" (1 Cor. 10:13). He has promised to see us through if we will but trust and obey. How grateful we are that God has warned us of that 'inevitable' event.
I am puzzled, however, that so few give serious consideration to the Divine warnings concerning that coming day of Judgment. The only conclusion I can come to is that they must not really believe that the Judgment day is 'inevitable.'
Since the death of Osama Bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, former heads of terrorist operations in Iraq and elsewhere, there have been a series of suicide bombings in other parts of the world. The most recent concern among those “in the know” is that Al Quieda may have been weakened in Iraq, but seems to be gaining power in Africa. Recent bombings in Libya would appear to support that conclusion. Such bombings around the world have killed dozens and left hundreds, if not thousands, wounded and suffering. We read of the insane acts of those who would strap explosives to their body, or hide them in their shoes, and walk into a crowded restaurant or climb onto a bus, and blow themselves up along with as many as might be within their immediate proximity. The repeated, almost daily barrage of suicide bombers in Israel, Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Libya, seem so far away. It is as if we are isolated from such insane acts. But the consensus among politicians and public leaders is that it is inevitable that we, too, will experience such violence in our country. Former FBI director Robert Mueller has gone on record (5-21-02) as stating that suicide bombers are inevitable. Here are his words: "It is inevitable that suicide bombers like those who have attacked Israeli restaurants and buses will strike the United States [and] we will not be able to stop it." Such language, to say the least, is a little unsettling. With the exception of the Civil War, American citizens, since the founding of this nation, have been exempt from war on our home soil. Unlike Europe, Africa, Japan, China, and other nations, we have not experienced an invasion of the enemy, occupation by another nation, or the threat of physical harm as a result of warfare on our homeland. Those sentiments are no longer true. Dan Rather, shortly after the attack on the World Trade Centers on September 11, 2001 observed that the words in the fourth stanza of "America, The Beautiful" read thus:
O Beautiful for patriot dream,
That sees beyond the years.
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.
America, America! God shed His grace on thee.
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.
The words “undimmed by human tears” were the focus of Rather’s comments. In tears he pointed out that now our cities have been dimmed by human tears. We have experienced first hand the invasion of an enemy. And we are afraid! That fear is heightened by the uncertainty of time and place. As former FBI Director Robert Mueller noted, "I believe it is going to come...Now, is it going to happen today, to morrow or two years? We're not certain." Meanwhile we have our own form of terrorism here in the United States. Unbalanced and unhinged (and I might add, unlawful) individuals seem to think that taking innocent lives in order to make some kind of “statement,” or gain some twisted form of notoriety, take it upon themselves to enter a movie house, or post office, or former place of work, and gun down innocent bystanders. Will it happen again? Probably! Will we get any warning? Probably not! This was precisely Muller’s point. Of course Mueller can only "guess" at what lies down the road. We need not become unsettled because of one man's opinion, nor should we live in fear that some mad man is going to walk into the local Walmart and "pull the string." Now to the point of this article. Why is it that folks can become so unsettled over something that may or may not ever happen, yet totally ignore the warnings of something that really is inevitable? Let me explain.
There is an event, the precise date unknown to men, to the angels in heaven, and even the Son of God Himself, that awaits the whole of mankind. Of course you know of what I speak. "Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28-29). "For we must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10). "It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). "But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only" (Matt. 24:36).
Why is it that our reaction to the announcement of an 'inevitable' threat to our physical well being has such a profound effect on our emotions, while we give so little thought to another 'inevitable' promise that faces all mankind, past present and future generations? Comparing the two events, consider the following:
First, there is the possibility factor. Even with all the input from some of the top government agencies at his disposal, Mr. Mueller can only make an educated guess. It may turn out that he is right, and that indeed suicide bombers ARE inevitable. But neither he, nor his constituents have the ability to look into the future. On the other hand, our God is omniscient. He has proven His power in this area by predictive prophecy that has come true 100% of the time. As to the possibility of the judgment, you can rest assured, that day will occur.
Second, there is the time factor. The FBI director admits, "We're not certain." All available information is brought to bear, and still, "We're not certain." Who knows the mind of a terrorist, what time frame that might constrain him, or events and circumstances that may bring about the opportunity for his intended actions. Who among men can predict that some madman will walk into his workplace and shoot innocent victims? As for the judgment, "no man knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son." Why is it, then, that men think they see the "signs" of the Lord's return in judgment? The precise moment of the judgment cannot be determined, and men manifest their arrogance and foolishness when they attempt to pre guess or circumvent God.
Third, there is the purpose factor. Why does the FBI, CIA and other intelligent agencies think it important to provide advance notice of an "inevitable" attack by terrorists? The answer is obvious. So that we can be alert, prepared and ready for such an event and thereby minimize the loss of life. God has warned us of the judgment. He has even told us that He is not willing that ANY should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Additionally, He has provided a "way of escape" (1 Cor. 10:13). He has promised to see us through if we will but trust and obey. How grateful we are that God has warned us of that 'inevitable' event.
I am puzzled, however, that so few give serious consideration to the Divine warnings concerning that coming day of Judgment. The only conclusion I can come to is that they must not really believe that the Judgment day is 'inevitable.'