The Journal: News of the Churches of God

Some victims of prophecy are heroes

The writer pastors the Church of God Big Sandy and is a regular columnist for The Journal.

By Dave Havir

BIG SANDY, Texas--Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, was a day I will never forget. I was in my home around 8 a.m., central time, when my sons told me they read on the Internet that an airplane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers.

I did not immediately go to the television because I did not initially realize the scope of the tragedy. When I turned on the TV a few minutes later, I watched some of the horrible events unfold before my eyes.

Eyes on God

Now as I sit at my computer, I wonder what words to write about this event.

Some religious writers will dogmatically promote their private interpretation of prophecy as fact and truth.

For the record, I am not opposed to people giving their private interpretations of prophecy--when the people acknowledge the scenarios are private interpretations of prophecy. However, I am opposed to people presenting their personal theories as fact.

Some religious writers will seek to rally allegiance to their religious groups by discussing physical protection.

Although dozens of groups may be zealous in seeking the allegiance of people to their groups, I energetically tell people to pledge their allegiance to God. It is shortsighted at best and dangerous at worst to direct the focus of people toward religious rulers.

The events of Sept. 11 and subsequent days should not focus attention on religious rulers and religious groups. Do not be swayed by those who dogmatically give you theories about prophecy and who zealously seek your allegiance to them.

Keep your focus on the great God. It is God who will help people escape all the things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).

For those who want to focus on people, consider focusing on the victims of tragedy. Thousands of people were the victims of prophecy. Yet this story is not only about those who were victims; it is about some victims who were heroes.

Sorrow and admiration

Here are a few reactions to the awful events of Sept. 11.

I feel deep sorrow for the families of the innocent people who died in the four hijacked planes, the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

We continually ask God to comfort the families of the victims of these vicious acts.

I feel a deep admiration for the policemen, the firemen and other rescue personnel who sacrificed their lives in their efforts to help other people.

People stayed in the damaged buildings to fight fires and direct people toward the safety of exits.

Some observers might say rescuers didn't know the building would collapse or else they would have gotten out of the building.

Probably so. But they had to know they might not come out of the building alive. I have a deep admiration for people who spend their lives around dangerous situations to help other people.

I also feel a deep admiration for the people on board the airplane in western Pennsylvania who apparently struggled with the hijackers rather than let the plane hit another site targeted by the terrorists.

As evidenced by conversations some of these people had with their families on cell phones, they knew they were going to die. Therefore they took an action to save people at another potential target.

God bless the families of the policemen, firemen, rescue personnel and other people who lost their lives while following godly laws and principles.

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