The Orlando Tragedy, Part 1: Who and What is Responsible?

You are here

The Orlando Tragedy, Part 1

Who and What is Responsible?

Login or Create an Account

With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later!

Sign In | Sign Up

×
Downloads
MP4 Video - 1080p (240.02 MB)
MP4 Video - 720p (84.38 MB)
MP3 Audio (2.41 MB)

Downloads

The Orlando Tragedy, Part 1: Who and What is Responsible?

MP4 Video - 1080p (240.02 MB)
MP4 Video - 720p (84.38 MB)
MP3 Audio (2.41 MB)
×

Many blame terrorism, homophobia, or even the victims; but who and what are really responsible for this horrid act?

Transcript

[Darris McNeely] Radical Islam has again inspired an attack in America in Orlando, Florida, in what is being called one of the biggest mass attacks by a lone gunman in American history. Forty-nine people have been killed and dozens have been left wounded in Orlando, Florida over this past weekend in a violent and horrific act of terror.

As people are sorting this out, as we’re trying to find out exactly what has happened, we are getting bits and pieces of news and no one knows all the reasons here, but we look at who and what has caused this. There are some things that we need to sift through and sort through to look at this.

The attack took place in Orlando upon a gay nightclub. The killer went in and began shooting. He actually stopped and called 911 and pledged allegiance to ISIS, the radical Islamic terrorist group operating out of Iraq and Syria, and then proceeded to load and reload and create the mass carnage that he did.

Radical Islam targets all people of all faith, all types of people from every walk of life, no matter the sexual orientation, no matter the race, no matter the ethnicity. This is something we need to understand as we sort through this and look at this. This should not be left undiscussed as we go forward. I’ve heard a lot commentary regarding this. America has seen mass shootings in recent months in black churches in South Carolina. We have seen people shot up in workplaces and parties, such as in San Bernardino last year where they were gathered for an end-of-the-year office party. We have seen a lone gunman walk into movie theaters in suburban America and kill people, as well. And so, when these acts of evil take place, whether they are motivated by radical Islam or some other ideology or just plain evil, everyone is targeted, regardless of who they are or where they might happen to be at that time. That is something that we do need to understand.

What is important about this horrific act here is that radical Islam is not the sole cause. Homophobia is not the sole cause of this particular action, even though the shooter here in Orlando not only expressed a hatred toward gays but also a hatred toward women and, it seems like from early reports, anyone who is different from him, in whatever way that might have been.

Hatred and evil – these are the root causes of so many of these horrific acts by one individual, by several individuals, as in Paris last year, or one nation upon another. What we should understand as we sort through the wreckage out of this most recent crime, this terrorist attack, is that evil and hatred and a spiritual warfare is taking place at a high level in this world today among nations, by individuals against others, and in small groups, at such a level that perhaps it is reaching a point that we have not seen before. Certainly with the mass communication, we find out more details and more information than we would about anything in the past.

As we seek to seek not only who, but understand what and why all of this has happened, let’s keep our eyes upon the larger spiritual battle that we are fighting. Here on Beyond Today, we go directly to the Bible and to the story of prophecy and the great battle between good and evil that we see waged throughout Bible prophecy. And we also see, as we have covered in some of our most recent programs – entitled “Kingdoms at War”, for instance – we have seen that there is a great spiritual battle that is taking place. And at the heart of it is a powerful spirit being named Satan the Devil, who hates not only God, but hates mankind, and pits nation against nation, people against people. That key understanding is what is most important for us to understand, beyond all the other details of what has happened in Orlando, or what is yet to happen in the future. We are in a spiritual battle and therefore for you and I, there is a need to not only understand, but to recognize that this is a critical moment. This is a time for us all to examine ourselves, our relationship with God, even, yes, some of our own beliefs about what is right and wrong, what is true and what is reality. Reality came into a nightclub for a lot of people and for America once again over this past weekend. And that reality should draw us to God and to ask some serious and some hard questions about what God is doing, what is happening in this world, and what you and I can do about it to get right with God.

That’s BT Daily. Join us next time.

Comments

  • tpicarella
    I'm just curious why we always blame negative issues or evil issues on Satan. I truly believe in our lord and the good he gives us, but have issues with the thought that God can do nothing against Satan with issues as we are talking about today. We have so much evil in this world that "Satan" is doing, yet God does not interfere with it in anyway. I believe it is what God has granted us in free will and agency to make decisions for ourselves. If we choose to be bad then we choose that and deal with consequences. If we choose good then we are blessed. I just never understood why we blame all evil events on such a powerful individual as Satan and God never bothers to interfere and stop it from happening. Please explain why Satan is always put on the level of superiority as our heavenly father is to us. He has no ultimate power and the more we believe that Satan can do all this the more powerful you make him out to be. God Bless
  • Skip Miller
    Hello tpicarella, Linda gave a great answer but I'll give one in addition: the reason some of us mention Satan so often is because, quite frankly, most humans do not believe he is the god of this world or that he even exists. He has been given authority until Jesus Christ returns and puts him (& the other demons) away for a 1000 years. Since he has this position of authority (and since most humans don't even think that he exists) he can get away with murder (literally!) So your question, "Why does God not just stop him?" This requires a little thought but is quite simple really: Contending with Satan's temptations helps develop good character. God, both Father & Jesus Christ (Son) are raising a very large family but "each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterwards those who are Christ's at His coming." 1 Cor 15: 23 Jesus was the first firstfruit but God's saints are secondary firstfruits. James 1 : 18 We are "tested & tried' every day to show our Father in Heaven & Jesus Christ that we are worthy of that honor. Satan, self, & society all tempt us but Satan affects all three. Satan cannot best God but if he can corrupt one first fruit, he has accomplished much. Skip
  • Linda Merrick
    Tpicarella, we do have free will. We have the choice to be good or to be bad. We have human nature, which is enmity against God, Romans 8:7. We often choose the wrong way. Satan can also influence us (he is the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2) and we still have to choose to follow him or not. In Matthew 4, Satan came to Christ when he was fasting and tried to entice him. Christ always stood his ground with Satan and chose to follow God. It is not easy for us; we haven’t been perfected in Christ yet. James 1:13-15 tells us God doesn’t tempt us. But Satan does. Also when Satan rebelled he was cast to the earth and given power over the earth at this time, Revelation 12 and Job 1:12. God does have the power to stop him, but won’t at this time. When Christ returns is when Satan will be stopped and chained for 1,000 years, Revelation 20. Christ hasn’t returned yet, so we have to choose to do good whether the influence is human nature or Satan. If we do choose the wrong way, we must repent. When we follow Christ we can have self-control over our thoughts. I know I can’t just blame Satan for my own faults and sins. These are our choices, but Satan still tries to influence us.
  • lewis
    Hi tpicarella, God created Satan (Lucifer) as a very powerful being and give him important work to do. He rebelled and tried to overthrow God. Obviously Satan is no where near as powerful as God and will never take God's thrown. God does, however, allow Satan to influence the world we live in and try to deceive as many as he can. Revelation 12:9 says Satan "deceives the whole world." Satan is called "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4). He has blinded the minds of many in this world. Paul was told that he was called by God and would be sent "to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me" (Acts 26:18). God can open the eyes of people to know His truth. He then gives them a choice. You are correct, we have free will. We can choose to follow the influence of Satan or the truth of God. Satan can influence our choices, but the choice is ours. Deuteronomy 30:19 says, "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life."
  • michael9776
    Hello Mr. McNeely, As someone who has struggled for many years with homosexuality, I was relieved to listen your BT Daily discussion about the terrorist attack in Orlando. Thank you for caring and showing respect for the victims of the attack and pointing out the true source of the evil mindset that inspired it: Hatred from Satan the Devil toward God and all mankind. It is so good to know that our Creator has a wonderful plan for mankind - even though most don't yet understand - but will in God's own time. Although man will endure much suffering from now until Jesus Christ comes back to save us alive - it is so good to know that Satan won't prevail much longer. Michael
  • Join the conversation!

    Log in or register to post comments