Letter Regarding Terrorist Fears
Dear Children,
It has been a
month since the terrorist attack upon our land. Clean up and recovery of bodies
(where there are bodies left to recover) continues. We are at war half way
around the world in
Should we be surprised? Jesus said in Matthew 24:6-8: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
Many are of the
opinion that man is getting better and better. They hold out the hope that wars
and bloodshed will one day cease in this world, whether that be by governmental
cooperation, the United Nations, a world government, etc. But look at history!
Ever since Cain and Abel, there have been murders, killing, and wars. Thousands
upon thousands have died at the hands of their fellow man. Approximately 620
thousand soldiers died in our Civil War in the nineteenth century. In the twentieth
century, the number of soldiers who died (not counting the millions of
civilians) is staggering: 8,500,000 in WWI; 20,000,000 in WWII; 1,200,000 in
the Korean War; 1,200,000 in the Chinese Civil War; 1,200,000 in the Vietnam
War; 850,000 in the Iran-Iraq War; etc., etc., etc. It is estimated that 35 to
40 million soldiers died in wars of the twentieth century. Add to that all the
civilians killed in wars and the figure is even more astronomical. We are in
the first year of a new century (the second for some), and the number of wars
and conflicts involving military force is shocking. You hear of
Why do I tell you all this? Well, all this, including our present realization of the dangers that are around us because of terrorist attacks, should make it clear that we live in a fallen and sin-filled world where life is uncertain. This is exactly what the Bible has been telling us all along, though we often need to be jolted into reality before we believe it. Though God created all things good (Genesis 1-2), this world is now an evil and sin-filled place because of sinful man--us included (Genesis 3:1fffff.). This world being what it is, and our lives here being uncertain, should we place our hopes here in this life? Or, should we place our hope in Jesus Christ and the forgiveness and life eternal He has won for us by His innocent sufferings and death upon the cross? I think the answer is obvious! The Bible even says of Christ Jesus, that He "gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world...." (Galatians 1:4). How thankful we can be that God has a far better place prepared for us who trust in His Son!
I also want to remind you that, though we live in evil and perilous times, God is still in control and is working all for the good of those who trust in Him (cf. Psalm 91; Psalm 121; Romans 8:28ff.). We can still say, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4; cf. Psalm 27). Even if God should permit one of us to die unexpectedly, we need not fear and sorrow as the rest of the world; for in Jesus we have forgiveness for our sins, and in Him we have eternal life in the heavenlies. Hold fast to Jesus! Trust in Him to save your soul from sin! And trust in Him to watch over and keep you each day as you live your life here in this world for Him!
Finally, amidst all your studies and preparations for your lives here in this world, don’t neglect to read and study the Bible; for it will prepare you not only for the life to come, but for each day here along the way. Encourage and strengthen each other with its words, and share its message with those who are lost and don’t know where to turn!
I love you all and am praying for you daily that God would graciously draw you closer to Him, give you a love for His life-giving Word, and, above all, that none of you be lost forever to His heavenly kingdom!
Love,
Dad
The Still Small Voice