The Boston Marathon bombing brings back chilling memories of other terrorist attacks. When will these terrible incidents come to an end?
People here in Massachusetts and around the world were stunned by the two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. This is being called a terrorist act, and it caused the death of at least three people and injuries to more than a hundred.
The dead include an 8-year-old, and the injured include a 2-year-old! This shocking event has caused so much grief to so many.
Is this the beginning of more rounds of terrorism?
Shades of Belfast and Brighton
Belfast, Northern Ireland, and London, England, experienced this type of hostility for years while the IRA (Irish Republican Army) waged their war against the British authorities.
In 1984 a bomb exploded at the hotel being used by the Conservative Party in Brighton, England. It took the lives of five people and was a very close call for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and many other members of the government.
Destruction and carnage have seemed to rule the day in so many areas of the world. Is the United States in store for more?
Is terrorism taking over?
The latest bombings took place on Patriots’ Day in Boston, a special celebration day to mark the bravery and valor of the original patriots who stood against tyranny, as they perceived it.
The Boston Marathon has become a major event of that celebration. So it seems to be especially disgusting to create chaos at the conclusion of this family and international event.
Cowardice in the extreme
Why inflict such sadness on innocent families? This kind of violence arouses the emotions. Anger mounts and revenge is demanded; justice must be seen to be done.
This is man’s natural way when he is attacked. Payback and righting the wrongs of others is a driving force for many people.
The U.S. has many enemies around the globe who probably pray daily for its utter destruction. Revenge won’t make it right—but humanity knows no other way. President Obama has promised the “full weight of justice.” This promise won’t stop the desire of many for revenge—to destroy and put things right.
A change is coming!
As remote as this may seem in the middle of such horror and senseless destruction, a change will come for mankind. Bible prophecies promise a time when man will learn a new way of thinking. He will learn forgiveness and will have an attitude of turning “swords into plowshares” (Isaiah 2:4). He will not learn war anymore!
This is not possible while the god of this world continues to deceive the nations and influence the thinking of all peoples (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9). When the true God of all the nations sends His Son, Jesus the Christ, to restore all things and a genuinely concerned government rules the world in true love and outgoing concern—then peace will spread for the benefit of all.
God hasten that day!
Read more about that future time of peace in our section on the “Kingdom of God.”
Date Posted: April 16, 2013
About the Author
Paul Suckling
Paul Suckling is a pastor for the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. He was born in England and now lives in New England. He is happily married to his wife of over 50 years, Jane. They have two children and two grandchildren.
by Paul Suckling
