The Edifier

West Allen Church of Christ

The Edifier Index

Unprepared

 Author

In spite of the many words that have been written about the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001, numerous questions remain in our minds. We wonder how could someone think that the senseless murder of over 4,000 innocent people could possibly make others sympathetic to their cause? We want to know what the cause is that they wanted us to recognize? Some attempts by the media and government officials to answer our questions have served only to confuse us more. We have been told that the attacks in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania were not unexpected that our law enforcement and intelligence agencies were aware that some heinous offenses were being planned against our country. Believing this, we want to know: Why, if they had such information, were these things allowed to happen? Why were stricter security measures not put into place in our airports before these events instead of after? In short, we just want to know, Why weren’t we prepared?

There is another monumental happening which will occur in the future. We have all been given ample counsel about its reality. Many sincerely believe that it will come about. Well they should because this warning is sounded in the pages of the Bible. Yet most do not take heed to the grave admonition of 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9: when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. The seriousness of this that is forthcoming is emphasized in 2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. And we are told that an eternity in a devil’s hell awaits the unprepared at this greatest of all gatherings.

None has to go to this horrendous place, yet only the prepared can avoid it and stand victorious at the judgment. The warnings before September 11 may have been vague. Those in the Bible are abundantly clear. God gives us time and opportunity to prepare. He is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9).

Careless soul, oh heed the warning for your life will soon be gone. Oh how sad to face the judgment unprepared to meet your God