The Prophetic Significance of 9/11

A thread was circling around on social media this week. It reminded us that on Monday night, September 10, 2001:

• 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flight
• 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning
• 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their next shift
• 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for the morning patrol
• 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift
• 1 K-9 went to bed a good boy

None of them saw past 10:00 am the next day.

It’s Been 23 Years, Almost a Generation

I am also a university professor, and now, each year, when 9/11 comes around, many of my current students were not even born when the attacks of September 11, 2001 happened. That’s wild to me! However, this time every year, I still often get asked if I think the attack against America on September 11, 2001, was God sending a warning sign.

First of all, let me say that I do not believe the date of September 11 was an accident. I believe it was a date chosen on purpose. WHAT? WHY? The answer leads to the question of whether Islam plays a role in the end times. If so, WHAT role?

The Battle of Vienna

One must understand that September 11 is a significant date in Islamic history. We have to go back 318 years to September 11, 1683, and the Battle of Vienna. The Ottoman Empire, which was Muslim, was slowly becoming a world power. They were winning battles and taking land. Some believe they were on their way to world dominance. But then, on September 11, at the Battle of Vienna, the Ottoman Empire was defeated, and the advancement of Islam was stopped.

The Ottoman Empire

In 1683, the Ottomans, with over 150,000 troops, were headquartered in modern-day Turkey. The battle marked the beginning of the decline of the Ottoman Empire’s influence in Europe. John III Sobieski, the King of Poland, emerged as a hero and was hailed as the savior of Vienna and Christendom. The battle is often seen as a turning point in European history. Had Vienna fallen and the Ottoman Empire continued its dominance, the cultural and political landscape of Europe would have been drastically changed, probably forever.

European and 17th Century Christianity

The Battle of Vienna is considered a turning point in European history. In the 17th century, Christianity was the dominant religion in Europe. Most people regularly attended church services, and the sacraments of baptism and communion were a standard part of community life. Churches were often the most impressive buildings in a town, and many schools were run by the church. The Bible was the primary text. Had Vienna fallen, all of that would have changed.

The Ankeruhr Clock

In 1914, The Anchor Insurance Company built what is known as the Ankeruhr Clock atop its headquarters in downtown Vienna. On this clock, twelve figures rotate, one per hour, and each figure highlights the history of Vienna. Two of those heroes are the Mayor of Vienna in 1683 and a military general who fought against the Ottoman Empire.

Because of their defeat in the battle of Vienna, many said the Ottoman Empire was stopped at the time, but we can now say it wasn’t stopped, only paused. On September 11, 2001, 318 years later, Islam’s advancement started again!

When it comes to the attack of 9/11/2001, many say it was the day God removed His hand of protection from America. Others say that can’t be true because part of God’s character is that He would never bring any judgment without first bringing a warning. So, did God send America a warning BEFORE the attack of September 11, 2001?

The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival

Many people do not know this, but God did send a message of warning 14 months before 9/11 in July 2000. In July 2000, at a film festival in Madison Square Garden, right in the heart of Manhattan, NY, The Book of Revelation was turned into a film and played at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. In fact, the film won an award.

“The Book of Revelation”

Fourteen months before the attack of 9/11, in July of 2000, the production of “The Book of Revelation”—a word-for-word translation of the last book of the Bible—was shown in the heart of New York City. In fact, one of the people on the production team dressed as an Old Testament prophet. As guests arrived for the screening, he proclaimed to them, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near.” Someone was dressed in biblical clothes, proclaiming a biblical message, before a biblical-themed film at a film festival.

It was seen as cute… for a brief time. Then people became irritated and vehemently complained, saying, “Tell him to stop saying that!” The message God was sending that night was missed.

Daily Life Returns to September 10th Lifestyle

Yes, God’s character is to warn before He allows any judgment to come. What warning is God sending to us today? Are we listening better now than we have in the past?

After the terror attacks of 9/11, churches were open almost around the clock. People began to pray publicly. There seemed to be a new perspective on the importance of spiritual issues. However, surveys show that after about six weeks, around late October, life seemed to return back to what it was on September 10 and before. The increase in church attendance went back to pre-9/11 numbers. Churches resumed regular hours, and prayer was not as comforting as it had been for the previous six weeks.

Daniel 12

In Daniel 12:4, God told Daniel to “seal up the book until the end of time” because in the end times, “many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” God gave Daniel a glimpse into the end times but told him it would not make sense to Daniel or anyone in his day. People would not understand until we were closer to that time. Now that we are in the end times, people seek to know that the desire for Bible prophecy has increased for the last several decades, just as God said it would.

So why are there others who do not want to understand or talk about Bible prophecy? The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12 to remind us, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

We are in a spiritual war, and the stakes are high. I trust you want to understand. I pray God will continue to allow us to focus on what He wants us to focus on and to continue to be faithful to Him until He returns. We shall never forget 9/11, but let’s also not get complacent as we look forward to His soon return.

Maranatha, Lord Jesus!