As we all mourn the horrendous terrorist attacks of September 11, some Americans have asked, "Why did God let this happen?" God's people know it is not because God is lacking in love and mercy toward mankind, but let's speculate about the answer to that question.

Let's first ask and partially answer, "What did God not allow to happen?" While pointing out some positives, this is not meant to downplay the tragedy. We continue to grieve over the great loss of life, the injuries and pain, the great physical and financial devastation and the emotional trauma. There will be intense suffering, individually and collectively, for a long time to come. Out of compassion we should weep with those who weep.

Before we speculate about why God allowed this, let's be aware that the tragedy could have been much worse. At the time of the attacks, many who worked in the World Trade Center had not arrived at their jobs. While about 22,000 employees worked in each tower, it is estimated that less than 10,000 were in each tower at the time of impact.

Had the jetliners crashed into the lower portion of the twin towers, the buildings would have fallen sooner and many more persons in the buildings and on the ground would have been trapped and killed. The buildings may have toppled like falling trees, destroying many other important buildings. (As it was, several other buildings were severely damaged.) A domino effect of falling buildings could have resulted in the loss of life of hundreds of thousands.

The hijackers of the other two planes may have intended to fly those planes into the U.S. Capitol and the White House. Both houses of Congress were in session, and surprise attacks could have wiped out much of the executive and legislative leadership of the United States.

We don't know the hijacker's original plan for American Airlines (AA) flight 77, but the tragedy at the Pentagon could have been much worse. Had the plane's trajectory been a little higher, it could have hit the inside rings on the opposite side of the Pentagon where the offices of the secretary of defense, joint chiefs of staff and many other high-ranking military officials are located. With one blow, the world's most powerful military could have lost its top leaders. As it was, the plane smashed into a recently remodeled and reinforced section that was not yet fully occupied, saving untold lives.

The fourth plane, United Airlines (UA) flight 93, was delayed 41 minutes in its departure from Logan Airport in Boston. That delay allowed the passengers time to hear about the attacks in New York and to realize the probable reason for their hijacking. As a result, some passengers heroically fought the hijackers, which brought the plane down before it could be used as a bomb to kill more people on the ground.

Thankfully, the number of passengers on the four planes was far less than capacity. AA flight 11 had only 92 people on board, and UA 175 was carrying only 65 people, but those two Boeing 767s each had a capacity of 351. AA 77 had only 64 people on board, and UA 93 was carrying only 45, but those two Boeing 757s each had a capacity of 289. The deaths of 266 people on those planes is tragic, but the number could have been as high as 1,280! And the quick decision by President Bush to order the immediate grounding of all U.S. passenger and cargo planes may very well have prevented more hijackings on the same day.

Obviously terrorist activity hasn't ended. Soon after September 11, the United States was traumatized by the sending of anthrax spores by mail. Our faith and courage will be increasingly tested as to whether we can "walk through the valley of the shadow of death" and "fear no evil" (Psalm 23:4).

Terrorists had their big opportunity for surprise attacks when the United States was lax in security and preparedness. In hindsight, we can imagine many scenarios with much greater destruction and loss of life. We can be thankful not only that they didn't hit the Capitol or White House, but also that they didn't detonate nuclear bombs, blow up nuclear plants, spread massive biological infection or cripple our communications capabilities. The terrorists may have been so determined to humiliate America by attacking symbols that they failed to do more strategic harm.

Similarly, the Japanese failed to accomplish their primary objective when they bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. They wanted to destroy the aircraft carriers, but they were all at sea away from the port at the time. Those carriers were critically important in the ensuing war against Japan. Quite likely, God allowed the Pearl Harbor bombing to awaken America to join the war against Japan and Germany, and at the same time protected the aircraft carriers.

A Wake-Up Call

Though this heart-breaking attack resulted in the greatest one-day loss of life in the history of the United States, the death and suffering was on a small scale compared to what the Bible prophesies will happen during the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. There is no doubt that the world was in need of a shocking taste of what can and will happen if people don't repent of their sins and turn to the one true God. So it makes sense that God was giving the world, and especially the descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim, a warning shot as a wake-up call.

Past terrorist attacks against the United States did little to disturb its citizens, bring about greater security measures or provoke war on terrorism. God knew it would take this very dramatic attack on the homeland of the United States with great loss of life and destruction of valuable and cherished landmarks to bring about strong reactions. These events have had a monumental visual impact on almost every human being because we live in the age of television that has made virtually everyone a witness of the incredible and shocking sights. The terrorists no doubt wanted that, and it seems logical that God intended that as well.

If there's one good thing about having an enemy, it's the effect of making people pull together. It's inspiring to see how the leaders and citizens of America have been uniting, and how our allies are rallying around us in a common cause. Wouldn't it be wonderful if something would draw God's chosen people together in one great team effort? What is it going to take to bring that about?

We see how suffering is exposing the underlying character of people, and further refining that character. As often happens, hardship has produced heroism. We've witnessed the strong character and continuing growth of our nation's president and other leaders. And it's refreshing to see people turning from trivia to significance, from self-indulgence to sacrifice and from materialism to spirituality, though some of it undoubtedly will be short-lived.

As a result of the attacks, we can think of practical improvements being made in many areas of life. Overall, people are more patriotic and respectful toward religion. Americans are more interested in international news, and there is a dramatic increase in coverage of international news. The entertainment media is saying there will be less glorification of violence. Even though there is more fear because of greater awareness of danger, the massive efforts to beef up homeland security and to root out terrorists is making travel and everyday life significantly safer.

And since the oversight of preaching the gospel to the world continues to be based in the United States, this may mean that God intends for this country to have the freedoms, security and prosperity necessary to effectively do God's work for a while to come. We must make the most of whatever time God gives us.

The job of a prophet was not merely to predict the future. It was to give multiple warnings to the people of the punishment that God was going to inflict if they didn't repent of their sins and to convey God's promises of great blessings if they obeyed God (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Today God has the same fairness, mercy and patience in giving ample warnings of things to come. Now the awesome job of being God's watchmen is on the shoulders of God's Church.

Get Into High Gear With Godly Fear

We in God's Church have great hopes that this tragedy will turn out for much good, in that many people will be more receptive to the preaching of Christ's gospel of the Kingdom of God. And we should pray that all the members of the Church who have become apathetic and spiritually lax will awaken and repent. In fact, all of us should be sobered and mightily stirred up to renewed zeal and dedication. As "Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear" (Hebrews 11:7), we too should get into high gear with godly fear.

Though we look at the war on terrorism as a relatively "just war," we know it will not bring true world peace. Israel's Foreign Minister Shimon Peres recently said, "Peace will not come by good guns, only by good relationships." Peace will break out only after Jesus Christ returns and there is a change in the human heart. The free world wants to stamp out terrorism. God wants to stamp out all sin.

We don't know everything, but we have the peace of mind knowing God is always in control. The terrorists didn't slip by God unnoticed, resulting in God trying to make the best of the situation and bring about some good from it. God is sovereign. He allows Satan to be the secondary cause and instigate destruction when it serves God's purposes, as He did in the case of Job. But God "works all things according to the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:11). Jesus said, "not one [sparrow] falls to the ground apart from your Father's will" (Matthew 10:29). "If there is calamity in a city, will not the LORD have done it?" (Amos 3:6).

God caused the United States and Britain to become prosperous and powerful, and to win many wars. The Bible also prophesies their ultimate downfall, and the downfall of all the kingdoms of the world, because of their collective sins. So we look upon the agony of the recent terrorist attacks as a small foretaste and a merciful warning of what is to come. Now God is depending on His Church to point mankind to the Word of God, the right interpretation of world events and our need to submit to our Maker.

We know God has perfect reasons and timing for what He does, whether or not we fully understand them. God is neither too harsh nor too lenient; neither too slow nor too quick.

Why did God allow the terrorist attacks to happen? It was not because He lacks mercy and compassion. It is because of His mercy, compassion and desire to save mankind that He shows us how vulnerable and sinful we are and gives us warnings before coming calamities. UN