One week ago the United States of America suffered the most serious attack it has ever experienced on its own soil. In a short period of time two hijacked airliners crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, with another hijacked plane crashing into the Pentagon, and then another crashing south of Pittsburgh. At the time of this writing, it is estimated that over 5,000 people have lost their lives as a result. Although terrorist Usama Bin Laden is the prime suspect, we still have many questions about the events of September 11, 2001 and we may never have complete answers.

The tragedy that America has faced should never be forgotten and we should heed the warnings that are involved with it. For many years many Believers have been warning this country to repent of its sins before God—lest He bring judgment upon it. It is fairly obvious that what has happened recently is a result of that judgment and many of us should take our faith very seriously and reevaluate where we stand with the Almighty, lest we get on an aircraft not knowing what our final destination is.

But with the severity of the situation, comes our encountering of many who have taken this tragedy and have sensationalized the events.

As was expected, since last Tuesday TNN Online has received all manner of e-mails and correspondence ranging from those of genuine concern, to people wanting realistic analysis, to others who now claim that Revelation chapter 18 has been fulfilled. Unfortunately, most of what we have encountered comes from the last category. Many people are being lead by the fear of what might happen to them, are not examining the facts of September 11 systematically, and hence are not examining Revelation 18 systematically. And above all there is a resonant tone that these people are not being led by the Holy Spirit.

Another attitude which we have encountered—which concerns us greatly—is the “Burn baby burn!” mentality. In other words, there are people who, whether they admit it or not, are actually glad New York and Washington were attacked. These people are those who have been looking for a terrorist bombing or some other “event” to occur for some time to (at least partially) vindicate themselves because of prior discreditations which may have come about as saying that the Great Tribulation was to begin in the Year 2000, that Y2k would herald the arrival of the antichrist, or any number of false prognostications. Such people have been known to hold the United States government in utter disdain and are actually happy that thousands have had to die to prove themselves “right.”

Individuals such as these, however, have not been “proven right.” Today, there are those who are espousing false claims about what is going to occur. They are saying that the start of the Tribulation period is “imminently forthcoming” and are misapplying Scriptures to prove what they say is correct.

A glaring example of such misapplication comes from Revelation 18:9-10: “And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’”

The claim among adherents right now is that when the World Trade Center was destroyed those in ships, and even those in space, could see the smoke of the twin towers bellowing up. This we cannot deny. We all were glued to television sets and our computer screens as we saw the intense destruction. But Revelation 18 was not fulfilled. When finishing the chapter, we gain a fuller perspective of the prophecy given to the Apostle John by our Lord Yeshua:

“[S]aying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls; for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?’ And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’ Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her’” (Revelation 18:16-20).

This is not to say that prophetically the events of last Tuesday were not important, for what we probably witnessed was but a foretaste of what will happen in the future. Many would have not considered the World Trade Center a major terrorist target after its being bombed in 1993, but today the twin towers stand in ruin in something that would be more commonly found on the moon. Let us not forget that when the antimessiah/antichrist goes to Jerusalem to commit the Abomination of Desolation that this abomination will be the final of a series of abominations that have been occurring since Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig in the Temple during the Maccabean Era. Certainly, there have been many abominations since then, the constant one today being the existence Dome of the Rock, but these abominations are not the specific “Abomination of Desolation.” Let us view the destruction of the World Trade Center the same way.

We should not be happy for what has happened in our country. Certainly, God has allowed these terrible things to take place so many of us would call out to Him for guidance, and certainly many Americans have been calling upon the Savior for salvation during the past week. But above all, those of us who are familiar with the signs of the times, and know that the return of the Messiah is something to look forward to, should be very sober and very serious when contemplating this tragedy. We should not be shouting “This was coming and Babylon is fallen—Amen! I hate what America stands for!” as some in the prophetic world are doing right now. We must be praying for the families of those affected by this and we should want to bring to justice those who are guilty. Those that “hate America” because our land is sinful are just as guilty as the terrorists. As our Lord told us, “Let he who is without sin….”

We advise that these people who really hate America and want this land to truly “burn” move to the countries where these terrorists live and decide whether or not they like them.

We must never forget the events of September 11, 2001 and we must pray that our Heavenly Father would bring many to Himself during this time of distress in our country. But we cannot be shouting “Burn baby burn!” as are so many people who want the judgment to come upon America so they can prove their so-called “superior sanctity.” The Prophet Amos tells these people,

“Alas, you who are longing for the day of the Lord, for what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you? It will be darkness and not light; as when a man flees from a lion and a bear meets him, or goes home, leans his hand against the wall and a snake bites him. Will not the day of the Lord be darkness instead of light, even gloom with no brightness in it?” (Amos 5:18-20).

For what purpose are some desiring judgment to come? Do they want judgment to come so that they can be proven right? Or, do they want the Kingdom to be restored to Israel as the Disciples asked Yeshua in Acts 1:6? Certainly, with this restoration comes the side effect of God finally defeating His enemies—but that is not His primary purpose!

Many non-Believers will be asking us for insight in the coming weeks and months as the aftermath of September 11 is determined. Let us not self-righteously be proclaiming “Yeah, America got what America deserved” or “See, I told you so.” Attitudes such as these will not be advancing God’s Kingdom or the return of Yeshua the Messiah. Let us, rather, ponder the words of the Apostle Peter: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah” (1 Peter 1:13). Let us show these people the love and grace of our Redeemer, yet in the seriousness of the reality of God’s judgment.