Preparing for the Future

The terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11 were just the first of many. This country is retaliating – with overwhelming military force, and it should. But that will not stop the attacks. These Islamic terrorist organizations, motivated by a radical religious fervor, will attack again and again. The Palestinians have proven that. Despite Israel’s retaliations, the attacks keep coming.

The United States, because of our religion, and our support for the nation of Israel, is a prime target for Moslem radicals. They have demonstrated their willingness to die to inflict damage on America, which they call “the great Satan,” or “the great infidel.”

The September 11 attacks struck the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. military – an obvious target. Nobody is sure the precise objective of the hijacked plane that crashed in western Pennsylvania. But two planes were directed by an evil mind in to the towers of the World Trade Center in New York.

Why the World Trade Center? It was targeted in an attempt to cripple the economy of the United States. Lower Manhattan is the financial center of the U.S., and the free world. More financial transactions occur there every day than on any other spot on the globe. Not just the New York Stock Exchange, and the NASDAQ, but banking, and world trade are managed from that area.

The terrorists expected to do even more damage than they did. No doubt they were distressed to see the US stock markets reopen after being closed only four trading days, and they had hoped that the Dow would fall much further. They hoped to kill financial managers, and those with leadership ability to handle the financial affairs of the world’s largest economy.

But the American economy has amazing resilience. It has absorbed the blow and kept on running. But will that stop the terrorists? No, there will be further attacks. Some will hit military targets, some will be just for shock value, but our economic ability remains a prime target for terrorists.

Revelation 16:19 tells us that Babylon is divided into three parts. Those are religious, civil and commercial Babylon.

We can remain free of religious Babylon – not deceived by false religion. We can be in the Body of Christ, as far as our religious convictions go. And we can avoid entanglement in civil Babylon – not running for political office, not lobbying for legislation, etc. But are we caught up in commercial Babylon?

The 18th chapter of Revelation prophesies the fall of commercial Babylon. Judgment on commerce is coming. See Isaiah 2:7-21.

Are we prepared for the collapse or partial collapse of America’s economic system? The recent attacks did not do it; but someday, somehow, our economy will be shaken. And we have yet to feel the full effects of the events of September 11. Airlines, insurance companies, and everything remotely related to the tourist industry are in trouble. Airlines are significant. This country’s ten largest airlines account for 10% of the gross domestic product – that is 10% of all goods and services produced in this country.

What if these attacks continue? Recently, bio-terrorism has been unleashed against America. What will the implications of continued attacks be? What if the banks shut down for several weeks, like the stock exchanges did after the initial attacks? What if inflation ignites and interest rates start going up instead of down? The shutdown of air traffic in September caused several companies to be unable to deliver payroll checks for several days. Could you go without a paycheck?

The decrease in confidence in air travel will permanently reduce the number of passengers. The government may bail out the airlines, but they have staggering losses, and will have to increase fares. This will cause people to travel more by car – increasing oil consumption and dependence on Moslem nations for oil imports. What effect will that have on our economy?

Bio-terrorism or chemical weapons attacks could cripple our economy. Truck-delivered bombs or biological or chemical agents could shut down the trucking industry for days or weeks – just as the airline industry was shut down, and just as the bus lines shut down in an unrelated incident a few weeks after the terrorist attacks. A trucking stoppage would empty the grocery stores in a matter of days or even hours. Do you have some food on hand?

Consider the implications of economic trouble. It is time for God’s people to get their economic house in order. Biblical principles should be applied to our financial activity, as well as every other aspect of life.

1. Pay off your debts. Romans 13:8 says to owe for nothing. What is your debt load? Why is it so high? Start paying off debt. Get out of debt, except for a house, and maybe a car.

2. Store some provisions. II Corinthians 12:14 speaks of laying up in store. What have you laid up in store? Some groceries can be stored for months or longer. Whould you be able to eat if the stores were empty? A few canned goods and some staples are a good thing to have on hand. A six month supply, properly rotated, requires only a little outlay, and you are eating the supplies anyway – they are not wasted. Current purchases can be put in store, while you eat from the stored supplies. Proverbs 20:4 gives us the principle of planting now, so you won’t have to beg in harvest.

3. Build a savings account. Money is a defense. Ecclesiastes 7:12. Are you defended? How large is your savings account? Could you go six months without a paycheck? A prudent man foresees the evil, and makes preparation. Proverbs 27:12. But perhaps it is wise to not keep all your money in the bank. It is unlikely that banks will close for the long term, but even a few days without access to some cash could be problematic. Should you keep some cash in a fireproof box at home?

Proverbs 6:6-8 says to go to the ant thou sluggard. Ants are very diligent and industrious, and they save up in store for the day when they cannot obtain fresh supplies. We should be as wise, and as prepared.

4. Trust God. In the ultimate, we all need God for our protection and defense. A horse is a vain thing for safety, Psalms 33:17, because safety is of the Lord, Proverbs 21:31. This is the time for each of us to draw close to God.