9-11 Commentary
What seemed so surreal yesterday now seems all too real for most Americans. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, I understand that there are far more questions than answers that are being offered up at this point and I certainly don?t comment today as one who claims to have all the answers. However, I have drawn some conclusions that, if accurate, may be significant and noteworthy.
Let me make clear in the beginning, lest the contents herein be misunderstood, that I believe in America and what she stands for as a free nation. I believe that this is the greatest country on the face of the planet. I am proud be an American as I have watched American citizens in New York and Washington, as well as the rest of the country, come to the aid of their fellow countrymen. I hurt for the victims and their families, as we all do, and my prayers join those of millions of people around the world who are praying for everyone involved in the rescue, recovery, and retaliation efforts in the aftermath of this heinous attack. I believe that with all our differences in this country, this tragedy will continue to galvanize the American people as we stand together through this grievous experience as one nation. Great good can result in spite of great evil.
That being said, I will draw some poignant conclusions about the greater meaning of these events in these times in which we now find ourselves.
Much has been said about the symbolism of the Pentagon and the World Trade Center as targets for our nation?s enemies. The Pentagon symbolized our government and military forces under direct attack. They are those which are sworn to uphold and protect our freedom as Americans. Yesterday, that freedom directly antagonized. The World Trade Center was the center of that which it?s name states plainly, and symbolized our free market economy for which many have fought and died to establish and protect, and in which we now prosper materially as a nation.
These structures were obviously deliberately chosen by our enemies due to the message that their destruction would send based on their symbolic authority. Our understanding of all this only has served to heighten our anger as a nation, and justifiably so. This was an attack on our private citizens and our way of life and should be abhorred.
However, there is a greater symbolism here that must not be overlooked.
Allow me to explain. It is not an obscure nor debatable fact that for years as a nation we have largely drifted away from the God of our forefathers on Whose principles our nation was founded. This trend has been clear for decades. The truths of Romans chapter one, verses eighteen and following, are all too applicable and relevant to our current culture here in the United States, a now post-Christian nation. I encourage you, dear reader, to make note of its contents if you haven?t already. This being the case, it is highly likely that we are currently under judgment as a nation.
Without going through a list of proofs of our sins which would only prove to be wordy, redundant and unnecessary, I will assume you agree with me up to this point, at least for the most part. As I said, our moral drift is not debatable. But I will expound why I believe that our most notorious sins as a nation, and their direct judgment, could be symbolized in those structures which were attacked.
First, but in no necessary order of importance, the Pentagon. This Washington, D. C. target (even if the original target was the White House as many are now speculating), is the symbol of our political power as a nation. It also symbolized an area of our guilt as a nation. We may often criticize our government but at the same time we have silently trusted in its ability to provide and protect our nation over and above the ability God upon whom we are dependent on for our ever breath. The sense of dependence we ought to have for God has been subtly transferred to government.
Many symptoms of this are clear. For instance, in this age of litigation we spend millions of dollars and man-hours in national, state and local courtrooms seeking defense and justice though America?s laws, while we have shunned the laws of God nearly altogether. As another instance, while one judge is told to take down his display of the Ten Commandments and considered a religious bigot for regarding Scriptural mandates as applicable to our justice system, another is applauded for approving same-sex marriages and considered honorable for upholding ?tolerance.? Government, namely the power it represents, has been a god of this nation. Even when we disdain it, we find ourselves cowering at its feet. Perhaps even bowing there, for all practical purposes.
Secondly, the World Trade Center. This may be even more significant. At the turn of the millennium with the potential Y2K crisis pending, much of the religious community claimed that the potential meltdown would be the judgment of God because we as a society worshipped technology. I disagreed then and I disagree now. We never have worshipped technology, by and large at least. Rather we have worshipped the wealth that improved technology has brought with it. Technology took the stock market and our overall economy to unforeseen heights. But it has seemed that the more that had people had money, the more that money has had them. Money and wealth, now more than ever, drives people, wealthy or not, to work obscene numbers of hours per week, live lifestyles that they cannot afford, and neglect all that is spiritual. Some even leave their families and children for the promise of a ?better? career or lifestyle based on material wealth. Nothing wrong with money. But the love of it, we know, is ?a root of all kinds of evil.?
But the World Trade Center is a symbol, I believe, of much more than just that which is monetary. The World Trade Towers were completed the same year that Roe v. Wade passed into law by decision of the United States Supreme Court, 1973. Ever since the World Trade towers were built, we have been killing babies in the wombs of their mothers in this country. Murder of the innocent that?s been sanctioned by the government, which represents the people. We have worshipped the god of self and all her offspring: convenience, choice at any cost, and the kind of personal freedom that neglects responsibility. Since 1973 we have sanctioned, by law, through liberal Supreme Court justices, the invasion of what was once the safest place in America, the womb of a mother. And this without a significant outcry from the general public. Also, since 1973 the twin towers have stood. Yesterday, we watched in shock as they were smitten, into a fiery heap of rubble.
Understand me, please. I am not saying that God directly caused these bombings. Satan is ?the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient? (Ephesians 2:2). He is the one who comes to ?steal, kill and destroy? (John 10:10). I blame the terrorists for the actions that brought the deaths of thousands and I blame the Enemy, Satan, for being the method to their madness, the mastermind of all that is evil.
However, Satan is always restrained only by the hand of God at any given time or place. Were he not, havoc like yesterday?s bombing in NYC and DC would be commonplace both here and all over the world.
But when God judges a nation, his restraining hand is removed. Not totally perhaps, but significantly. I believe that as of late we have seen the restraining hand of God beginning to be pulled back as a sign of judgment on our nation?s sins. Torrential weather of the last few years, unexplainable shark attacks on our coasts, several earthquakes in California last week and now the horror of terrorism have become realities in our day.
?Scott, you?re reaching. Especially with the symbolism. That?s way too much speculation.? Perhaps. Perhaps I am wrong in my conclusions. But Scripture is clear on principle and Scripture is never wrong. The Bible says in Psalm 33:12, ?Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.? Arguably, the greatest blessing a nation can enjoy is safety and the peaceful freedom that comes with it. When God is no longer the Lord of our nation, and the gods of power and money have taken His place (not to mention the added atrocity of the devaluing of human life), then the blessing is no longer ours. I believe that our drift away from God has taken us away from the blessing of Divine protection toward fierce Divine judgment. If yesterday?s tragedy is part of that judgment at all, then the spiritual symbolism of the targets must be noted.
We thought ourselves to be impenetrable as a nation. We thought we were immune from an act of war of the magnitude of yesterday?s tragedies. We are not. Our towers of Babel have fallen. Our suicidal attackers meant it for one thing. God has allowed it for another. My prayer is that this will not only be a time of great patriotism, justice, and neighborly love, but also one of repentance and change, lest God be forced by our own rebellion and stubborn national sins to give Satan more slack in his leash. We need our God?s hand of mercy now more than ever. I pray we send Him that message loud and clear.
