Terrorism: Why?

September 11, 2001 forever changed how the world sees the United States—and how the U.S. sees itself. For when terrorists crashed their hijacked airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, they caused unprecedented disaster—thousands upon thousands of deaths and injuries and billions of dollars in damage. U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) expressed the feelings of many when he commented: "This is the second Pearl Harbor."

Many have been shocked and horrified, but few truly understand why terrorism is increasing within the U.S. We in this Work of the living God have been telling you, for decades, that God will severely chastise us if we do not come to genuine repentance and begin to obey His spiritual laws! We certainly empathize with those who suffer because of terrorist acts. But we also know that these tragedies are prophesied, and that God is using them for His own purposes, as shown in Scripture.

As we have explained in previous issues of this magazine, the British-descended and American peoples are descendants of the so-called "Lost Ten Tribes" of Israel. Many do not understand this, but as each year unfolds this understanding will become more and more important. The American and British peoples have been given awesome physical blessings of national wealth and prosperity, because of the promise God gave to Abraham. To learn more about this key topic of Bible prophecy, please write for your free copy of our informative booklet, What's Ahead for America and Britain?

We need to understand a dual prophecy (Jeremiah 30:4–15), which had meaning in times past but which is primarily for our time today. God describes a coming captivity, or slavery, for the House of Israel—not just the House of Judah (the Jewish people)—and He is referring to a future event, since we know that Jeremiah was written more than 100 years after the ten-tribed House of Israel was taken into Assyrian captivity.

Notice that God calls this period "the time of Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7). Jacob's name was changed to Israel; this passage is describing Israel's trouble at the end of the age. The prophecy continues: "I will break his yoke [the yoke of slavery on Israel] from your neck, and will burst your bonds; foreigners shall no more enslave them" (v. 8). Do you see that? "Foreigners" will enslave the modern descendants of Israel's ten tribes before Christ returns! Yet God promises deliverance. "But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up for them" (v. 9). After Christ's return, King David will be resurrected and will rule over all Israel and Judah. "Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,' says the Lord, 'Nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity'" (v. 10).

Yes, God will save modern-day Israel—and Judah—but first He will give them a time of corrective punishment, to shake them up and prod them to repent of their sins. "For I am with you,' says the Lord, 'to save you; though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you" (v. 11).

Terrorism is just one of many instruments that God will allow to be used for our correction. We are horrified and shaken by terrorist acts, but our nations need correction. For we have turned away from God and from His law. We have aborted millions of innocent babies. We are seeing ever-more-perverted sex in our "entertainment" and our personal lives. Drug abuse and drunkenness are commonplace. In every way, we are a degenerate people. More and more, the U.S. is turning away from God, and bringing shame on His name. Yet still on its currency are the words: "In God We Trust." Shame on us! God says: "'But I will correct you in justice, and will not let you go altogether unpunished'" (v. 11).

God will have to correct us! Terrorist activities will be among the many events leading to a final attack upon—and the eventual captivity of—the American and British-descended peoples, who will be cast into literal slavery. Only then will they return to their God, weeping in repentance.

What will happen as conditions worsen in the U.S.? Scripture tells the modern-day Israelites that "all your lovers have forgotten you" (v. 14). The word used here for "lovers" is often translated as "allies." The U.S. will be forsaken by its allies, and will be wounded "with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one" (v. 14).

Over the next few years, the U.S. can expect to see not just terrorism, but famine, natural disasters and disease epidemics (Matthew 24:7). Where will Americans turn for healing? Will they look only to doctors, whose treatments grow more ineffective with each new disease and each new strain of drug-resistant virus? Or will they look to God? As the reality of America's suffering "hits home" for many for the first time, we need to ask ourselves: "Does God Heal TODAY?" Please study this "feature article" beginning on page 4 of this issue—and be prepared to look to God for healing, while mankind's best attempts at healing become ever more futile as we approach the end of this age.

Why has God allowed terrorism to strike the U.S.? "Because of the multitude of your iniquities, because your sins have increased, I have done these things to you" (v. 15). "These things" are not merely the work of any one group of terrorists. For God will use many different people, nations and circumstances to get His people's attention. To fully understand the meaning of the traumatic times we are now entering, you need to be in touch with the Work that Jesus Christ has raised up in these latter days. This Work may be your only source of real understanding. So keep watching world events and reading your Bible. "Watch and pray," Jesus said (Mark 13:33). Ask God for understanding. And ask God for courage—real courage—and the faith to act on the Truth.