Anniversary of 9/11 Word on the Week 11th September 2021.
Church bells are sounding in various parts of the world but nowhere more poignantly than New York. On this the 20th anniversary of the most dreadful attack on America many accounts are being shared not only of the loss of life but the terrible mental and respiratory problems suffered by the survivors.
The facts scarcely need repeating. Four large passenger planes were involved. Two were hi-jacked shortly after take-off from Logan International Airport in Boston – destined for Los Angeles with a full complement of passengers and enough fuel to cross the US, were flown by Jihadists into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York causing their collapse.
The third plane took off from Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia and was bound for Los Angeles. The hi-jackers redirected it into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., killing all 64 aboard (including six crew and themselves) and another 125 in the building.
The fourth and final plane took off from Newark International Airport in New Jersey bound for San Francisco International Airport. It was hijacked and headed towards Washington DC, but brave passengers managed to overcome the attackers and crash land in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Among the explanations for 9/11 Osama bin Laden gave the US in a letter addressed to them in November 2002 were “The expansion of Israel is one of the greatest crimes, and you are the leaders of its criminals. And of course there is no need to explain and prove the degree of American support for Israel. The creation of Israel is a crime which must be erased. Each and every person whose hands have become polluted in the contribution towards this crime must pay its price, and pay for it heavily.”
“The second thing we call you to, is to stop your oppression, lies, immorality and debauchery that has spread among you. We call you to be a people of manners, principles, honour, and purity; to reject the immoral acts of fornication, homosexuality, intoxicants, gambling, and trading with interest.”
On his second point we might have a large measure of agreement!
But it is the hatred of Israel that is the consuming passion behind it all (Psalm 2). St Paul’s prayer for Israel’s conversion to Christ is as yet unanswered (Romans Chapter 10 verses 1 to 4). The Apostle goes on to say that they will rely on the works of the law until, by God’s grace, the veil will be taken away and Jesus recognised as Messiah (2 Corinthians Chapter 3 verses 14 to 16).
Both Israel and Arab, in fact the redeemed from every nation are included in that great multitude before the throne in heaven (Revelation Chapter 7 verses 9 and 10).