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ROKU AppTen Years After 9/11
Written by Mike Bennett
Ten years after the terror attacks on the United States, what have we learned? What will it take to prevent something so terrible from ever happening again?
Each news flash on that tragic September morning 10 years ago brought a mixture of shock, fear and disbelief.
8:46 a.m. American Flight 11 crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York.
9:03 a.m. United Flight 175 hits the south tower.
9:40 a.m. American Flight 77 smashes into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
10:05 a.m. The south tower of the World Trade Center collapses.
10:28 a.m. The north tower collapses.
10:37 a.m. United Flight 93 crashes into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania (see Scholastic’s detailed timeline of September 11, 2001).
In all, the 19 al-Qaeda suicide hijackers took with them nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children in the most horrific terrorist attack the United States has ever faced. Many more would have died but for the heroic actions of first responders, passengers on Flight 93 and other heroes, known and unknown.
What have we learned?
Many have pondered the lessons of 9/11. One year after, Good Housekeeping published celebrities’ reflections about 9/11, such as:
- “9/11 was a reminder that the bonds of family can be severed in an instant. They are essential, crucial, valuable, fragile”—Peter Jennings, the late anchor of ABC’s World News Tonight.
- “I have a greater sense of the presence of God now. Tragedy can do that for you”—Peggy Noonan, author and columnist.
Tragic deaths can lead us to focus on the shortness of life and the value of our family and spiritual relationships. But as time has gone on, have Americans truly remained focused on rebuilding our families and growing closer to God? Or have we quickly forgotten those lessons?
If 9/11 was a wake-up call and reminder of our need to be closer to God and to never take His blessings and protection for granted, how are we doing? We may be a bit more alert to physical threats in airports, but are we more vigilant in our spiritual lives to guard again Satan, the archterrorist (1 Peter 5:8)?
Looking at the moral trends in the United States, it is clear we have fallen for the devil’s deceptions and embraced his selfish philosophy and way of sin. The last 10 years have not been years of seeking to please God and obey His Ten Commandments, but of seeking our own ways, which is surely pleasing to our greatest enemy.
More than ever, America needs God’s protection; but are Americans truly seeking to please our Protector and follow His way of life?
Will it happen again?
Our world is growing more dangerous by the day. Humanity has learned well the way of terror and war, but is clueless about the way of peace. National, ethnic and religious tensions in general seem to be getting more heated and more hard-line. The well-meaning diplomats and mediators who are shuttling around the globe are finding Gordian knots of intractable problems as never before.
Jesus Christ warned of increasing wars and rumors of wars. (There are about a dozen conflicts that have claimed more than 1,000 lives in the last year, and dozens more smaller conflicts are racking all parts of the globe.) Christ said, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6-7).
He also said these and other troubles would only be the beginning of sorrows, “like the first pains of childbirth” (verse 8, Good News Translation), leading to a time of trouble worse than any the world has ever seen (verse 21). Sadly, the memory of 9/11 will pale in comparison. Human hatred and terrible disasters will bring humanity to the brink of extinction (verse 22).
But there is a reason Christ compared this to the intensifying and excruciating pains of childbirth. Out of all this destruction will come the birth of a new world, as Jesus Christ returns to save humanity from itself and set up the wonderful Kingdom of God to rule on this earth.
Finally a humbled and teachable humanity will be willing to listen to our Creator and to learn the way of peace. People trained and steeped in the way of hatred, revenge and terror will be shown and taught God’s way (Isaiah 30:21). Weapons will be turned into useful tools, and no war colleges or terrorist training camps will exist (Micah 4:3).
Then people will live safely and peacefully, and “no one shall make them afraid” (Micah 4:4). Another of my favorite passages describing this wonderful world Christ will establish is Isaiah 54:13-14: “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you” (italics added).
We can learn that way of peace now. It is God’s way of love magnified through the Ten Commandments. Study and meditate on how to apply them in your everyday life starting with “The Ten Commandments for Today.”
Don’t forget the lessons of 9/11.
Mike Bennett was working at his desk in Ohio when someone in the office turned on the TV news that September morning, 10 years ago. Although he could hear the terrifying news reports, he couldn’t bear to go watch the video, but stayed in his office fervently praying.
Where were you on 9/11? Share your memories, reflections and lessons learned on our Facebook page.
Additional News and Prophecy posts by Mike Bennett:
