Since the turn of the century, we have seen a dramatic increase in Muslim inspired terrorism throughout the world, highlighted (or should I say low lighted) by the attacks of September 11th, 2001. One of terrorist's primary tactic is the suicide bombing, where again September 11th was perhaps the most spectacular example. However, we have seen this insidious act hundreds of times in places such as the Palestinian attacks on Israel, the Al Qaeda attacks throughout the Iraq war, the subway bombings in London, the hotel bombings in Bali, Indonesia, the theater attacks in Russia and the hotel bombings in Jordan.The insanity of the notion (evidently taught by radical Muslim philosophy), that one will enhance their standing before God by killing themselves and others in the process, is the kind of lie and deception that comes only from the master deceiver himself: Satan. The Bible calls Satan out in this way: …He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44 NIV)
Unfortunately, I expect the trend of Muslim ispired suicide bombings will continue (and eventually here in the United States). It is very difficult to stop. And what glee the devil must have as these deluded individuals march right into his trap completely unaware of the realty that awaits them immediately upon detonation. He promises them the things that allure most men…probably most notably, the 70 virgins. Instead, upon their suicide, these deluded people are confronted with the same reality that confronted the similarly deceived rich man in Jesus’ Bible parable: "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day…The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, `Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' (Luke 16:19, 22-24 NIV) For God did not spare even the angels when they sinned; he threw them into hell, in gloomy caves and darkness until the judgment day. And God did not spare the ancient world--except for Noah and his family of seven. Noah warned the world of God's righteous judgment. Then God destroyed the whole world of ungodly people with a vast flood. Later, he turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into heaps of ashes and swept them off the face of the earth. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. (2 Peter 2:4-6 NLT)
As you think about these jaded lunatics and their incredibly horrible end and transition into a permanent state of torment, please stop and think about this fact also. The thousands of people that are killed in their suicide bombings and beheadings face exactly the same fate as their killers unless they have been born again in Jesus Christ. The Bible puts it this way: …In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again". (John 3:33 NIV) What this means is that on the day those airplanes were flown into the World Trade Center, the incredible irony is that those sick and deceived suicide pilots ended up in the same place as the majority of their ill-fated law abiding passengers. Unfortunately, it is not only the fanatical Muslims who are deceived; it is also the majority of us here in the civilized Western world. The Bible clearly states the following: God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son (Jesus Christ) merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. "This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is." (John 3:17-21 (parenthesis mine) The Message Bible)