As From the Beginning

Operation Grapple first British thermonuclear test¹

"Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" (cf. 2 Peter 3:4).

However, the sense "that all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" was preempted by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test this morning.

"The most recent test lofted the North Korean missile on a very high trajectory, bringing it down in the Sea of Japan. Preliminary data from the launch reveals that half, if not most, of the continental U.S. would be in range of the missile tested Friday" (Michael Sheetz | Jeff Daniels, CNBC, 7/28/2017).

Even more arresting was the ICBM's very high trajectory into outer space giving it the capability to return to earth at hypersonic velocity, i.e., terminal phase speeds of Mach 25.0 or greater, making it essentially "impossible" to intercept. The much publicized Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is a "short" to "intermediate" ballistic missile interceptor (Mach 8.24), "obviously" incapable of intercepting "terminal phase" ICBMs for which it was not designed, contrary to recent testing "contrived" to prove otherwise!

In retrospect this "Cuban Missile Crisis" with major nuclear powers providing covert technical assistance to North Korea and Iran put both "technologically" on the door step of an America with no "strategic defense" capability.

When President Reagan's nascent Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system proposing development of advanced defense technologies, such as "in-orbit ABM missile platforms" and "space based nuclear powered ABM lasers" was going on line, the "Washington Post" affirmed "Chappaquiddick" Ted's maligning of the initiative as "reckless Star Wars schemes." That March 24, 1983 "Washington Post" publication premeditatively relegated SDI to the realm of "pseudo science" by replacing the acronym with "Star Wars," a term now indelibly embed in America's psychic and vernacular. Today, 34 years later, America has no provision for defense against ICBMs — NOTHING, not even a space shuttle to implement it if she had!

How is America responding to this perilous shadow of death? Oblivious "as from the beginning." Paul writes of those enamored with the darkness of this world:

"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" Romans (1:28 -32).

How are churches responding to this perilous shadow of death? Much the same as those enamored with the darkness of this world, "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." Paul again writes "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come."

"For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2Timothy 3:1-7). 

"For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matthew 24:38-39).

Nigh to ruin?

How to be saved?

¹By Royal Air Force - http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/line1950-59.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3351711