Can the United States Defeat Terrorism?
By Raymond F. McNair
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Five years have passed since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that roused a complacent United States to lead a fight against terrorism. Will this war be won? The Bible offers a sobering answer, but also gives a message of ultimate hope.
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In spite of America's great wealth and military might, can it realistically hope to succeed in destroying international terrorism from the earth?
In just a little more than 200 years—between 1776 and 1996—13 struggling English colonies in America grew into the world’s richest, most powerful nation, eventually becoming the world’s only superpower. Never before had any nation possessed such wealth and greatness. Yet in less than an hour on September 11, 2001, the United States received a shocking and sobering reminder of its vulnerability, and the fragility of its status as the world’s economic and political leader.
The Mantle of World Leadership
Whether the U.S. has wanted it or not, the mantle of world leadership has again and again been thrust upon its shoulders—and now it leads the peace-loving nations of the world in the fight against international terrorism. The terrorist attacks five years ago on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were a clarion "wake-up call" to millions who had failed to take seriously the repeated threats against America’s way of life—and its continued existence as a nation.
Though the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center failed to alert most Americans to the peril of terrorism, the attacks of September 11, 2001 brought home the need for vigilance in defense of the nation’s many "soft targets"—its relatively undefended cities, food and water supplies, highways, tunnels, bridges, dams and nuclear power plants—in addition to its military installations!
Does God’s Word tell us whether or not America and its allies can succeed in this titanic struggle to rid the world of the specter of international terrorism? Can President Bush inspire the world’s leaders to persevere in destroying malevolent terrorism before it destroys our nations? Many experts believe that if the world is to succeed in the monumental task of "defeating global terrorism," nations cannot concentrate solely on protecting their own interests, but must assist one another in vigorously rooting out terrorist cells and camps in "rogue nations" that have funded and armed terrorists with ever-increasing lethal weapons of mass destruction.
Many Americans now believe that it is their destiny—as citizens of the world’s only superpower—to marshal sufficient resources and courage to crush this global malignancy. But will they become complacent and lax in their determination to rid the world of the scourge of international terrorism? If the world shrinks back in fear and timidity, then horrific disasters will surely strike when and where they are least expected! Even though America is building a coalition to confront this threat of international terrorism head-to-head, many believe that in the final analysis only American resolve, material resources and military might can be counted on as a bulwark against the complete destruction of Western civilization, and the sinister dawn of a new "Dark Age"!
President Bush’s Bold Anti-Terrorist Plan
Almighty God has given the U.S. a strong President, with the character and the determination to attack international terrorism head-on. He has exhibited both the fortitude and the will to set about his task without flinching or shrinking back! President Bush has a very weighty responsibility on his shoulders, and needs our prayers. God’s Word commands: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers… and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and for all who are in authority…. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God" (1 Timothy 2:1–3).
Since September 2001, President Bush has clearly spotlighted the grave terrorist threat now facing the U.S. and the entire civilized world. He has repeatedly explained what America and the world must do to successfully confront this sinister terrorist threat to civilization. In his State of the Union address on January 30, 2002, the President said: "Our discoveries in Afghanistan confirmed our worst fears and showed us the true scope of the task ahead. We have seen the depth of our enemies’ hatred in videos where they laugh about the loss of innocent life…. We have found diagrams of American nuclear plants and public water facilities, detailed instructions for making chemical weapons, surveillance maps of American cities and landmarks in America and throughout the world."
The World’s "Ticking Time Bombs"
According to the President, the "entire world" is our "battlefield." "What we have found in Afghanistan confirms that… our war against terror is only beginning…. Most of the 19 men who hijacked planes on September 11, 2001 were trained in Afghanistan’s camps, and so were tens of thousands of others. Thousands of dangerous killers, schooled in the methods of murder, often supported by outlaw regimes, are now spread throughout the world like ticking time bombs set to go off without warning…. These enemies view the entire world as the battlefield, and we must pursue them wherever they are.… First, we will shut down terrorist camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and bring terrorists to justice. And second, we must prevent the terrorists and regimes who seek chemical, biological or nuclear weapons from threatening the U.S. and the world."
Mr. Bush then added: "Our military has put the terror training camps of Afghanistan out of business, yet camps still exist in at least a dozen countries. A terrorist underworld—including groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and Jaish-I-Mohammed—operates in remote jungles and deserts and hides in the centers of large cities…. My hope is that all nations will heed our call and eliminate the terrorist parasites who threaten their countries and our own. Many nations are acting forcefully…. But some governments will be timid in the face of terror. And make no mistake about it: if they do not act, America will."
"An Axis of Evil!"
President Bush concluded his remarks with these words: "Our second goal is to prevent regimes that sponsor terror from threatening America or our friends and allies with weapons of mass destruction…. North Korea… Iran… [and] Iraq constitute an axis of evil arming to threaten the peace of the world"—with "anthrax and nerve gas and nuclear weapons." He continued: "By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the U.S. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic. We will work closely with our coalition to deny terrorists—and their state sponsors—the material, technology and expertise to make and deliver weapons of mass destruction. We will develop and deploy effective missile defenses to protect America and our allies from sudden attack. And all nations should know: America will do what is necessary to ensure our nation’s security…. America will not permit the world’s most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world’s most destructive weapons…. History has called America and our allies to action."
International Terrorism Will Grow Much Worse
Even though the goal of eradicating international terrorism is a noble undertaking, Bible prophecy clearly reveals that international terrorism will continue, and will become much worse! Regrettably for the United States—the third largest and third most populous nation on Earth—there are two reasons why mankind will not succeed in eliminating international terrorism:
First, although the U.S. is wealthy and powerful, it is not rich enough, powerful enough or wise enough to serve as international policeman to six billion people! How can a nation of only 285 million people spare the manpower and the material resources necessary to police the earth’s billions? Even if America secures the staunch support of such nations as Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Israel, it will not be able to muster enough manpower, money and military muscle to police all of the "rogue nations" and their terrorist allies around the world.
Second, Bible prophecy clearly reveals that global terrorism will increase, eventually culminating in World War III! Jesus Himself said that serious armed global conflicts will continue until the end of this present evil age (Matthew 24:3, 6–7)! But why? Because, this world is under the evil influence of Satan, the invisible "god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4; cf. Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 12:9). Christ acknowledged that the devil exercises great sway over the rulers of this world (Luke 4:5–6), and He also said "the devil… was a murderer from the beginning [and] a liar" (John 8:44). Paul also speaks of the devil’s powerful influence over world leaders: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts [demon spirits] in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).
The Nations Feverishly "Prepare for War"
Many prophecies predict greatly increased violence, terrorism and horrific wars scattered over the earth. The prophet Joel said: "Proclaim this among the nations: ‘Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak [person or nation] say, "I am strong." Assemble and come, all you nations’" (Joel 3:9–11). The spread of international terrorism is in fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Countless millions of militant Muslims, and other enemies, are being stirred up and prepared for this battle—to occur in "the Valley of Jehoshaphat" (v. 12), also called the "valley of decision" (v. 14).
Jesus predicted great violence at the close of this age: "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars…. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom [i.e. world wars]…. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been… nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved" (Matthew 24:6–7, 21–22).
The Apostle John also prophesied that an enormous army of "200,000,000" will kill "a third of mankind"—that is, about two billion of the world’s six billion people (Revelation 9:13–18). God says He will bring together the armies of the blood-thirsty nations—before destroying them in His "great winepress" (Revelation 14:17–19). "And the winepress was trampled outside the city [of Jerusalem], and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles…" (v. 20). That final battle at Jerusalem, by a coalition of hostile armies, is more popularly called "the battle of Armageddon." It is graphically described in Revelation 19:11–21 and Joel 3:13–16.
"Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl [the sixth plague] on the great river Euphrates [in Iraq], and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean [demon] spirits… performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty…. And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon [in northern Israel]" (Revelation 16:12–14, 16).
There are, worldwide, about 1.2 billion Muslims—many of whom are right now being stirred up by militant Muslim fundamentalists to hate and slaughter the Jews—and their ally, the U.S. What is their long-range plan? Their oft-stated goal is to seize control of Jerusalem and all of Palestine, and destroy the State of Israel! Their deadly venom of hate has already infected hundreds of millions of Muslim fanatics across North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Indonesia. This hatred, eventually shared by "all the nations" surrounding Israel (Zechariah 14:2), will play a key role in setting the stage for the final battle at Jerusalem.
John describes this final battle: "And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him [Christ] who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet…. [were destroyed in] the lake of fire…. And the rest were killed with the sword… of Him [Christ]…" (Revelation 19:11–21).
The prophet Zechariah describes a confederation of mighty armies gathering to fight against Jerusalem: "Behold the day of the Lord is coming… for I [the Lord] will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem…. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations…. And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, and their eyes shall dissolve… and their tongues shall dissolve…. [Then] a great panic from the Lord will be among them. Everyone will… raise his hand against his neighbor’s hand; Judah also will fight at Jerusalem" (Zechariah 14:1–3, 12–14). At that climactic battle, the control of Jerusalem and of the whole earth will be decided, when the Lord himself destroys the hate-filled armies that surround Jerusalem as they attempt to make war against Christ.
At Last: Peace With Security
Will the nations see a dramatic increase in violence, international terrorism and war? We now live in "perilous times"—when many lack "self-control" and exhibit "brutal" behavior toward others (2 Timothy 3:1–3). Christ said that, as in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37–39), so will it be when He returns to end international terrorism and global wars. Just before Noah’s Flood: "The earth also was corrupt [and] was filled with violence…" (Genesis 6:11–12). Jesus Himself predicted that if God did not intervene in this world’s affairs, all life would be erased from this planet (Matthew 24:21–22)! Paul says: "Though… Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short…" (Romans 9:27–28).
Will there be a decrease in violence and international terrorism in the years ahead? No! God’s Word says that violence—which will include international terrorism—will increase until it culminates in a horrendous World War III, in which nuclear, chemical and biological doomsday weapons will be used! Hundreds of millions will be slaughtered by wars, famines and pestilences (Revelation 9:13–18, cf. 6:1–11)! Mankind will be unable to save itself (Matthew 24:21–22). Almighty God will finally step in and put a screeching halt to man’s hellish inhumanity against his fellow man. Only He will be able to rescue a doomed humanity from self-imposed annihilation!
But here is good news! Humanity will not be wiped off the face of the earth, as some claim! God’s Word assures us that, although billions will die, our Creator will not allow mankind to perish in self-genocide! "Behold, the Lord makes the earth empty and makes it waste… and scatters abroad its inhabitants…. and few men are left" (Isaiah 24:1–6; cf. Revelation 16:8–9)! Then, at last, the "Prince of Peace" will bring real peace and security to the people of Israel, and to all nations (Isaiah 2:1–5; 9:6–7; 11:1–9). "And the Lord shall be King over all the earth" (Zechariah 14:9). The Messiah will then teach all nations to obey God and live in peace, love and harmony (cf. Zechariah 8:3–15; 20–23)!
Thank God for His promised intervention to prevent man’s annihilation, and establish a beautiful, idyllic Kingdom of God (Micah 4:1–4; Isaiah 35), as Christ rules "all nations with a rod of iron" (Revelation 12:5), assisted by His immortalized saints (2:26–27; 5:10)! The Prince of Peace will end violence, terrorism and warfare among the nations of this earth. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain." (Isaiah 11:9)!
