As I write this, it is just a few days before the 14th
anniversary of the day that changed the world and America in particular. It is a day
that, despite occurring almost a decade and a half ago, is as fresh in my mind
as anything in my entire adult life. That likely holds true for millions to this day. Of
course, this is the infamous terrorist attacks on the U.S.
that quickly killed thousands and awakened a seemingly secure nation to the reality
that they were anything but.
I just watched a brief video production called "Crystal
Morning". How appropriate that title is as most can recall looking into the
bluest of skies on that fateful morning. The film was just a few minutes long,
but that was all I needed to have the feelings of horror and shock flood back just as they did when it was happening live before the entire world.
I watched people in utter shock and fleeing for their lives. I heard recordings of the distress
calls from those who were caught in the upper floors of the buildings not knowing
they were but minutes from death and eternity. I watched again the black smoke and roaring flames
pour out from the once majestic structures. And I even caught a few glimpses of the
so-called "jumpers" – those who made the unthinkable decision to leap to their deaths
rather than be burned or suffocate to death. And again this was just a quick recap of
the total horror of those sickening and indescribable hours.
The events of 9/11 were a wake-up call for Americans on so
many levels. But what should have topped the list was the stunning realization that
evil is real and aggressive, and that life is fragile and eternity is certain. When those mighty towers
were struck and then fell, thousands of people perished including those in the
other two locations of the attacks. The victims were from numerous countries
and U.S. states. They came from every imaginable walk of life. They
included those in the burning buildings, those trying to rescue them, those on the
doomed planes and even the ones who hijacked them. And yet, when all of these
external factors are peeled away, there were ultimately only two distinct groups involved that truly mattered.
When the dust literally settled, the flames died down and the
rescue efforts stopped, there were only those who were ready to enter
eternity and face God and those who were tragically not. There were those whose
sins had been forgiven and fit for heaven and those who were not. There were those who, at some point,
had been saved from the eternal judgment through the prescribed biblical
mandate and those who were not.
One of the bleak stats from 9/11 was the number of survivors
rescued from Flight 93. That total was a sobering zero. Anyone who has seen images
of the mind-boggling crash would never doubt that. And likewise, the Bible confirms
that zero will escape final judgment unless God's only prescribed remedy for salvation is truly in
place.
Acts 4:12 declares it like this. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other
name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." That’s no other name, no other means, and no
other route. Salvation is exclusive and precise and cannot be attained by human
efforts. Ephesians2:8-9 states, “For by grace you have been saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest
anyone should boast.” Then also, we read the straightforward words in 1 John 5:11-12
that reveal the truth concerning spiritual
readiness for eternity. “And this is the testimony: that God has given us
eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who
does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
Some who lost their physical lives on 9/11 had properly
prepared themselves spiritually. They now reside in heaven and in the glorious
presence of their Lord and Creator forever. These were fully ready on that deadly "Crystal Morning" because they had heeded God’s warning and accepted His way of
redemption!
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day
may bring forth.” (Proverb 27:1)
Bill Breckenridge
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