Perspective

   By L. Jim Tuck

   July 20, 2023

One Second After an EMP

            Most people are not aware of the high vulnerability of our electric grid system, nor are they aware of the meaning of EMP. EMP is an acronym for electromagnetic pulse. An EMP can occur either through natural or artificial means.  It has the power to disrupt communications and damage electronic equipment. In modern warfare nuclear weapons exploded in the upper atmosphere above populated areas can take out communications equipment and the computers needed to operate modern warplanes, or even put the entire electrical network of a target country out of commission. The danger is real, and in the future, if it were to happen, could put humanity in a condition worse than cavemen. 

 

Perspective                                                                        

            One Second After is a 2009 novel by American writer, William R. Forstchen. Wikipedia explains the plot of the book: “The novel deals with an unexpected electromagnetic pulse attack on the United States as it affects the people living in and around the small American town of Black Mountain, North Carolina. At 4:50 p.m. (16:50) Eastern Daylight Time on the second Tuesday of May, the first day described in the book's narration, the phone lines in the town suddenly go dead, along with all the electrical appliances. Within hours it becomes clear that this is no ordinary blackout. Every modern electrical device is disabled, destroyed by what Matherson is beginning to suspect was an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack on the United States.

            “The United States has effectively been returned to the 19th century, with few 21st-century people able to deal with such conditions. Matherson later remarks that survivors have had to rely on the technology of the early 16th century. His immediate concern is his twelve-year-old daughter, who has Type 1 diabetes. Without a constant supply of insulin, which requires refrigeration, she will die.

            “The book explores how the whole community responds, as many others face similar crises. Matherson's experience and character help him with the town's residents. Hundreds of motorists are stranded when their vehicles stop. They get into town, making the residents feel threatened by the numbers of people needing help. An immediate concern is food. No refrigerators or freezers are running, nor are grocery stores receiving supplies.

            “Residents of the nursing home in town, where Matherson's elderly cancer-stricken father-in-law is being cared for, are at risk. The elderly and frail need refrigerated medicines, and many require constant nursing care. The EMP has disabled the nursing home's generator. There are no AM/FM radio broadcasts, no television, no Internet, and thus, no communication with anyone outside the town is possible…”

            Forstchen is not exaggerating; such a scenario is entirely possible in war time. Modern-day people who have grown accustomed to the conveniences of the twenty-first century could not cope with the disruption of current food supply lines, no electricity, no transportation, and the utter chaos which would occur. Multiple millions would not survive.

            The Bible warns of the coming punishment of modern Israel when horrendous events will befall the descendants of Jacob. Ezekiel was told by the Eternal God to prophesy against the mountains or governments of Israel (Ezekiel 6:1-4). Ezekiel 6:5-6 says, “And I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones all around your altars. In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, your idols may be broken and made to cease, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.”

            God specifically uses the word “desolate” to describe what He would do; it means to be “deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness.”

            Ezekiel 5:11-14 paints a bleak picture about what is to happen: “‘Therefore, as I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘surely, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you; My eye will not spare, nor will I have any pity. One-third of you shall die of the pestilence, and be consumed with famine in your midst; and one-third shall fall by the sword all around you; and I will scatter another third to all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them. Thus, shall My anger be spent, and I will cause My fury to rest upon them, and I will be avenged; and they shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it in My zeal, when I have spent My fury upon them. Moreover, I will make you a waste and a reproach among the nations that are all around you, in the sight of all who pass by.’”

            What Ezekiel wrote down has not yet been fulfilled, but it will come to pass. Cities which once teemed with hundreds of thousands of people will be desolated, but how? Because of the advent of nuclear weapons in World War II, what the prophet Ezekiel describes is now possible. Jesus said in Matthew 24:21-22, prophesying the end of this age, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

            A nuclear attack on U.S. soil would likely target the larger cities of the country.  Businessinsider.com on June 8, 2023, published an article titled, “A nuclear attack would most likely target one of these 6 US cities — but an expert says none of them are prepared.”

            The article goes on to say, “A nuclear attack on the US would most likely target one of 6 cities. Simulated images show how a Hiroshima-like explosion would affect each’, ‘the six most likely targets — New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, DC — would be ill-prepared for a nuclear impact. Those cities, he said, would be particularly at risk, because they're some of the largest and densest in the country. They're also home to critical infrastructures like energy plants, financial hubs, government facilities, and wireless transmission systems.’”

            The article also reported that a 15-kiloton nuclear bomb dropped on New York City could kill around 264,000 people. A 15-kiloton explosion could cause 120,000 deaths in Washington, DC. In Chicago, a 15kt nuclear bomb could kill 151,000 people — almost as many as Houston's and San Francisco's death counts combined. Such devastation would be mirrored at perhaps more than six major cities. Both the United States and Russia alone are in possession of thousands of nuclear weapons much more powerful.

 

            On top of the immediate deaths and those who would later die of radiation exposure, the power grid would be destroyed due to EMP, and it would take many months to restore. Water systems would be down and clean unaffected water would be a real problem for most.

            God would much rather answer the sincere prayers of a people who recognize their sin and repent.  The Lord asked Judah, who didn’t believe God would send them into captivity to Babylon, “Why will you die, you and your people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the Lord has spoken against the nation…?” (Jeremiah 27:13)

            There were false prophets of ancient Judah who told the Jews they would not serve the king of Babylon, and God said “They speak lies to you.” God meant what He said. Just as the Almighty God desired repentance of them, He desires we turn from our sins and make a whole-hearted commitment to Him.

            Just as God said to ancient Israel, He says to our nation, “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword;’ for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:18-20)

            For those called out of this world who have God’s Divine favor and protection, it is encouraging to remember: “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, Though the earth be removed.” (Psalm 46:1-2)

            Have a nice Sabbath and weekend.