September 11 2001; Anniversary Reflections

by PRASHER, G. | Category: Focus | Aug 2002

The sensational attack on America's World Trade Centre last September has been indelibly etched on the minds of millions throughout the world. 'September 11' has become 'shorthand' for the ultimate in terrorism. As we reach the first anniversary of that horrific event and reflect on world events during the intervening months, what stands out as of consequence in the light of God's Word?

There has been the United States initiative to enlist world-wide support for the war against terrorism, a conflict that found its most open expression in Afghanistan. Military intervention led to the overthrow of the Taliban regime, with subsequent attempts to set up a democratic type of government, with international cooperation and massive financial injections towards relief measures, and reconstruction.

More widely a 'secret' war on terrorism was being vigorously pursued in the Americas, Europe and many other countries. The notorious al Qaeda terrorist network came under intense investigation, revealing its intricacy and far-reaching tentacles. Important arrests resulted in the United States, Britain, Germany and elsewhere. Yet terrorist incidents have continued. Last December the so-called 'shoe bomber', Richard Reid, was foiled in his attempt to blow up an American passenger jet (Paris to Miami flight) over the Atlantic. In June this year a car bomb exploded outside the American consulate in Karachi, killing eleven people and injuring forty-five others. That same month three Saudi suspects were arrested in Casablanca for allegedly plotting to attack a British or American warship in the Strait of Gibraltar. Western leaders have repeatedly warned of the need for unrelenting vigilance against terrorist activities.

For the world generally, therefore, September 11 has proved to be the source of a deepening sense of insecurity. How much this is in character with scriptural prediction about world conditions during the approaching time of the end, as reflected in Isaiah 24:17,18:

'Fear and the pit and the snare are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth.

And it shall be that he who flees from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit,

And he who comes up from the midst of the pit shall be caught in the snare; ...'

In the Middle East the basic link between al Qaeda terrorism and the Israeli-Arab conflict has become more pronounced. American support for Israel is declared to be a major reason for attacks on targets in the United States, or on American planes, ships and embassy buildings elsewhere. There have been further diplomatic efforts to bring about some settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The American Secretary of State, Colin Powell, toured the Region in an attempt to mediate, but without success. Saudi Arabia put forward a plan which proposed full recognition of Israel by her Arab neighbours, provided Israel withdrew within the boundaries which obtained before the Six-Days War in 1967, a concept now totally unacceptable to Israel.

Throughout the past year the Palestinian intifadeh conflict with Israel has intensified, with growing numbers of casualties, increased economic loss and deepening hatreds. Palestinian suicide bombers have successfully penetrated into Israeli territory, causing an increased toll of civilian deaths and injuries. Israel claims that its policy of countering this threat by periodic military occupation of certain Palestinian areas has effectively reduced the number of suicide bombings; but it has also given rise to criticism, particularly from the European Union, that excessive force was being used, causing unnecessary civilian casualties among the Palestinian population.

For the time being bitter conflict remains the order of the day, with all its sad consequences for both Palestinians and Israelis. The immediate outlook is far from reassuring. Yet a longer-term hope abides, assured by divine promises such as we find in Isaiah 4:4-6:

'When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, then the LORD will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night ... And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.'

Blessed contrast to the present tension and violence! A glorious transformation only to be brought about by the personal advent of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

PRASHER, G. | Aug 2002
Focus