Air Raid, Pearl Harbor. This is not a drill!”
–Radio Message, 0758, Dec 7, 1941
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
–1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NKJV)
————————————-
“December 7, 1941 — a day that will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked.” –Franklin D. Roosevelt
This was a day that would change the course of American history. From that day forward the next several years blood would be shed to rid the world of fascism. Our family was fortunate, for all of the fathers, uncles, and cousins that served during that horrible war, only one (that we can tell) died in the war on the beaches of Normandy during the invasion of D-Day.
The “Greatest Generation” is mostly gone from us now. Few remain. This was the generation who had a tremendous work ethic and a dedication to their country. Service was how the military was referred to for it was indeed service. The world has turned over many times since that day. The face of America has changed, and in some ways not for the better. People have definitely become more self-centered, concerned more with their own wants, desires, and concerns.
As mentioned I had one distant cousin killed on the shores of Normandy, but that is only one form of casualty. A casualty is not only death, but also wounded, and that can include psychological as well as physical, MIA, and POW. Each person handles the horrors of war differently, each copes or not, in their own way. Once the Boomers are gone there will be few that remember the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Greatest Generation experienced it, the Boomers were told of it by their parents or from the many movies that were made. But now–those that follow, do they care?
1942 was a year of fear and anxiety. Would the Japanese invade Hawaii or perhaps make it to California? Would the forces of the Third Reich finally conquer Great Britain? Would freedom be lost and tyranny the victors? NO! There was a determination that has not been seen in this day and age. The country united against the menace of fascism in whatever form it took.
But now, when we see that the youth of this country tend to favor terrorists like Hamas over Israel. When there is a care of protesting for personal rights rather than the good of the country. When media and politics are crooked and evil and there is confusion in many areas of government throughout the country with their own agendas rather than those of the good of the country.
Should we be surprised? Leaders of the Postmodern movement said forty years ago that they would not deal with those of my generation for we would soon die out. Think of the future. They are smiling. Where are those who shed blood for the country? The number is growing smaller and smaller. Those who take a firm stand for our republic are fewer and fewer and the loud voice of anarchy is rising.
It is becoming the same in the church. One day, those who want the undiluted truth to be preached will be gone. Those who want the truth of the hymns and the doctrines they teach will be gone. Then the progressives, the “emergent church” will have control. Paul warns that because of unrighteousness, when the lawless one is revealed, that “for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, NKJV).
Listen to me! Stand firm in the faith. Guard the truth! As the call went forth the day after Pearl Harbor, so the call is continually going forth to hearken to the Word of the Lord. Do not be deceived by shyster politicians, slanderous media, and slick preachers. Do not be one of those who will fall away. Listen, for soon the trumpet will sound…