ELOHIM SHOMRI, GOD IS MY PROTECTOR! Unlike Europe and Asia, America has little history of refuges and fortresses, except perhaps the western stockade where settlers might gather during times of unrest. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “HE IS my refuge and MY FORTRESS; My God, IN HIM I WILL TRUST.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall TAKE REFUGE; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall NOT BE AFRAID of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day…” (Psa. 91:1-5)
TERROR AGAINST CHRISTIANS.
Islam’s mission has always been to spread its doctrines around the world. Just as Christians are to spread the gospel message of hope and redemption in Christ, Islamic followers are to spread the message of their god Allah. September 12th has significance in the Islamic faith. On September 12, 1683, a battle took place that stopped the spread of Islam into the Roman Empire. From the capital of the Ottoman Empire (Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul), 300,000 Islamic soldiers moved westward to invade Vienna. Their intention was to capture Rome and turn St. Peter’s Basilica into a mosque. THEY WERE DEFEATED.
The defeat of the Ottoman Turks on September 12, 1683, stopped the spread of Islam. The Islamic soldiers had failed to honor their god and fulfill their mission. Islam declined and Christianity continued to spread across the world.
REVERSING THE DECLINE?
Is it possible that this great defeat was the reason Al-Qaeda chose 9/11 for the attacks on the United States? Perhaps choosing the day preceding the anniversary of their greatest defeat was a way to send a message that they intended to “reverse” the decline of Islam and the rise of Western Culture and Christianity.
On this day… 19 years ago 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning. 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift. NONE OF THEM SAW PAST 10:00 AM SEPT 11, 2001.
“…you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for ALL THESE THINGS MUST COME TO PASS, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS.” (Matt. 24:6-8)
You shall NOT BE AFRAID of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day…(Psa. 91:5)
-Bill Stockham