Lessons from 9/11

Luke 13:1-5
(1) There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
(2) And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
(3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
(4) Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
(5) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
 

The “ye” in v.3 and v.5 is unbelieving Israel. In His earthly ministry, Christ was a minister to the circumcision (Rom. 15:8) and was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 15:24). He and His disciples were preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Their message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). At this point in His ministry, it was clear that the leaders were rejecting Him (Lk. 12:49-57). Because Israel did not repent as a nation, Jerusalem was destroyed and that generation did perish (Lk. 13:6-10, 34-35).

 

People have a tendency to think that human tragedies are the result of divine judgment. That's what the people were thinking in regard to the two incidents referred to in this passage. They thought that those who died in those incidents must have been great sinners, but Christ corrected them and said that they were not anymore worthy of death than they all were (Rom. 5:12).

 

Today marks the 16^th anniversary of a horrific terrorist attack on America that killed nearly 3,000 people and injured about 6,000 others. I remember where I was, and what I was thinking as it unfolded. At that time I didn't know much about right division (2 Tim. 2:15) even though I had graduated from bible college. I had heard much preaching on prophecy and the signs of the times, but nothing about the mystery. I was taught to keep up with current events and the Middle East. I remember trying to convince my co-workers that the tribulation period was about to begin. Well, here we are 16 years later!

 

One of the mottos associated with 9/11 is “Never Forget!” Another one is “Remember.” Yet, just seven years later our country elected Barack Hussain Obama as president! He is probably a muslim, but if not he still favors Islam over Bible Christianity. I think there are some important lessons we should remember and never forget about 9/11. I am not going to share all of my thoughts on 9/11, but just a few main points.

 

·         We live in a dangerous world, another major attack could happen at any time

9/11 proved that America is not exempt from such things happening on our own soil. There are many ways that terrorists could wreak havoc in our country today. The fact that a major attack hasn't happened here in 16 years does not mean it can't or won’t happen again. There have been a number of attacks, just not on the same scale as 9/11. The terrorists are patient. Who knows how many sleeper cells are in our country right now! I am not saying that we should worry about it every day, but we should be aware. The world has been a violent and dangerous place since the fall of man, but things are getting worse as it heads toward the tribulation. Thank God, the Body of Christ will be raptured to heaven BEFORE the 70^th week of Daniel begins.

 

I remember hearing well-known preachers like Jerry Falwell say that 911 was the judgment of God on America. Many preachers think they are prophets and that America is Israel. We who rightly divide the word of truth understand that we are living in the dispensation of the grace of God and that God is not at war with the world (2 Cor. 5:18-6:2). America is destroying herself. America is not God’s chosen nation. He did not make a covenant with us. Promises like 2 Chron. 7:14 were not given to America!

 

When people die lost, they face the wrath of God (Eph. 5:5-6). But the prophesied "wrath to come" will not come until after this present age of grace ends with the rapture (Rev. 6:17).

 

·         Islam is a real threat that must be taken seriously

Islam is a false religion that has been around since the seventh century. It was founded by a lunatic named Muhammed. He was the seed of Ishmael, not Isaac (Gen. 16:12). He had eleven official wives (not counting captive women who were abused), including a girl who was 9 years old when he married her at the age of 54. He was a bloodthirsty warmonger and a perverted whoremonger. He used his religion as a front to satisfy his lusts for power and pleasure. Satan inspired him to write the Koran. Islam is a religion of war, not of peace as our politically correct politicians claim (Bush said it was just 6 days after 9/11). To say that Islam is a religion of peace is to be willingly ignorant of history, current events, and the plain teachings of the Koran. Failure to identify and take an enemy seriously gives them a great advantage. Back in 2010 there was an estimated 1.6 BILLION Muslims in the world. If just 10% of them took the Koran seriously, that would mean there are 160 million Muslims in the world that believe in jihad!

 

·         America will not turn to the God of the Bible

Oh yes, the song “God Bless America” became popular again for awhile after 9/11 and church attendance increased for a month or two, but our leaders and most of our citizens did not really turn to the God of the Bible. I watched Billy Graham's message at the national prayer service that was held a few days after 9/11, and he was very careful not to offend the other religions (including Islam) represented in that service. He did not give the gospel. He just talked about how God loves everybody. He said America needed a spiritual renewal, but he did not boldly declare the truth of God’s word.

 

At this point, America isn’t going to return to what she was in her beginning. It is not that God cannot save America, but that America does not want to be saved. We live in a nation where the majority of our leaders and citizens have willfully rejected the word of God. They call good evil and evil good. We should not expect our nation, or any other nation for that matter, to turn to God and become a Christian nation. God is not dealing with nations in this present age. As the gospel goes forth some believe, but most do not. Those that trust Christ become members of the spiritual Body of Christ and have a heavenly hope. We are not called to change the world, but to shine as lights in the midst of it (Phil. 2:12-16). God is saving sinners out of the world (Gal. 1:4), but this present evil world is headed for destruction.

 

·         It requires sacrifice to save others

Think of all the firefighters, first responders, and citizens (such as on board UA flight 93 that overcame the terrorists and caused the plane to crash in PA) that sacrificed in order to save the lives others. By the way, we should respect and appreciate the law enforcement in this country. Are they all perfect? No, but they do far more good than evil. Why doesn't the "Black Lives Matter" crowd protest the drug dealers and gangsters in the hood (because blacks kill more blacks than anybody)? I wonder how many blacks have been saved by the police. Many on 9/11 sacrificed for the good of their fellow countrymen. How much greater was the sacrifice of Christ for His enemies (Rom. 5:6-10)! Christians should be willing to sacrifice for the cause of Christ. We must give ourselves, our time, and our resources to the furtherance of the gospel and the work of the ministry.

 

·         We never know what a day may bring forth

Tragedies can strike suddenly and unexpectedly (Prov. 27:1). 9/11 is a great illustration of that truth. None of the people who died on 9/11 had any idea that was going to take place. We must be prepared for eternity, and take advantage of each day we have to serve the Lord (Eph. 5:15-17).

 

One thing men learn from history is that men don't learn from history. May God help us to take these important lessons to heart.