In recent years there has been talk of an “American Hiroshima” where many American cities would experience nuclear explosions either on one day or over succeeding days! U.S. officials know nuclear suitcase bombs were purchased from break-a-way rebels in the old Soviet Union. If major American cities were destroyed with millions dead, it would be the end of the greatest civilization in man’s history! Could that be the reason the Bible does not refer to America whereas minor nations are mentioned? I would think that a nation as impressive as America would be hinted at in Scripture, but not so.

You turn on your television set some morning to discover that our major cities are in flames with hundreds of thousands dead and millions dying a slow death from radiation. Would you have a job after that? Would you even care about a job? Your first and major thought would be survival. You would be delighted that you bought a big bag of beans and a bag of rice for your pantry.

It is possible that Muslim terrorists will detonate nuclear bombs in some of our major cities or they might set off a bomb in one city then blackmail us with other bombs: “Surrender to Muslim sharia law and live under an American caliphate or tomorrow bombs will go off in two other cities.” What do you think national politicians would do? Ladies, how do you think you would like wearing a burka? While a burka will not permit your belly button or breasts to be revealed, it will reveal your eyes—only your eyes!

The nuclear bombing of only one U.S. city would affect the world economy and make the Great Depression look like a bounced check. Insurance companies would go into bankruptcy or into the courts to refuse claim payments and banks would be closed. You might try to call the toll-free number to sell your mutual funds only to hear a constant busy signal. You might talk to your broker only to find that both of you are broke.

The U.S. Government would be bankrupt and renege on its financial obligations. Tax payments to the IRS would plummet as the cost of rescue and recovery soar into the stratosphere. Already billions of dollars in the hole, the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, an agency that guarantees pensions of major corporations, would go belly up. So would Social Security. Everyone would be on his own.

Some are fearful that the followers of that “peaceful” religion of Islam will go high tech and set off an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) device resulting in wiping out all U.S. electronic devices but keeping our superstructure intact. Former CIA chief James Woolsey testified before a Congressional committee as reported on May 2, 2005 that the EMP could have “devastating consequences.”

If all electronic devices and electronically powered equipment were terminated because of the effects of an EMP device, then the U.S. would quickly grind to a halt. It might be more devastating than a major nuclear bomb! Think what it would mean: no elevators to take people to the upper floors of apartment and office buildings; no air conditioning; no heat; no lights; no subways; no stop and go lights in any city; no telephones, no radio or television (Okay, might be an improvement); no computers, no cell phones, no air travel, and many other problems. America would be back in the 1800s again!

Furthermore, no EMP would have a return address! So against whom do we retaliate? In addition, if all our electronic systems are down, how do we mount an effective response without planes, guidance systems for missiles, etc.? Maybe you are reading this column in the dark, and that is where our military may be at that hour.

I hope you are not reading this column in a dark bomb shelter. It is not melodramatic to say that American streets could become dark, deserted, and dangerous places as anarchy reigns. To my critics who accuse me of crying wolf, I would remind them that the wolf did eventually appear and devoured the sheep!

I can almost hear the approaching hoof beats of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse in the distance. I am sure glad I know Christ in the forgiveness of my sins.

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While I am not a pessimist, I do believe you should prepare for very difficult days ahead. If you are planning on Social Security or even a corporate pension to support you, you may be standing on a bridge of mist.

I suggest that everyone develop a second profession or trade. A lawyer should learn carpet laying; a physician should learn to refinish furniture; a teacher should learn plumbing; a salesman should learn small engine repair. Moreover, everyone should plant a garden—and not only for health reasons.

Make plans now to get out of debt personally and corporately. Churches should start debt retirement projects. If I were a pastor of a church that owned multi-acres, I would seriously consider selling a few acres to pay off the debt.

Of course, churches cannot put every building program on hold and not make moves that circumstances require, but I would move slowly with any building program whether for a church or a business.

Therefore, what should prudent Americans do about a major catastrophe that is about to hit us right between the eyes? Get out of debt if possible. Sell your stock; after all, something is better than nothing. Take any temporary rise in prices as an opportunity to sell any stocks except possibly gold and silver shares. I also suggest that you get a part-time income if your job is insecure (and whose is not?), or better yet, start a sideline business.

In addition, don’t plan on retiring! Retirement is never found in the Scripture. Adam was to work to the day of his death. There is something carnal about waiting all your life until the day when you can lie around all the time, fishing, hunting, and generally playing. Of course, bad health can demand that you stop working. However, you cannot count on your pension plan being available or sufficient to replace your working income. Moreover, those under 50 are very foolish or naïve if they plan on Social Security to provide the necessary retirement income. Work is in your future, and a wise move on your part would be to plan for that now. If not, plan to be a stock “boy” at the local supermarket, greeter at Wal-Mart or item checker at Sam’s.

If (when) total financial collapse comes, the cities will be madhouses, so make plans to get your family to safety—that means at least 20-30 miles from a metropolitan area. Property values are still reasonable in small towns and a wise investment might be to buy a rental that you could move to when dangerous times arrive. On the other hand, you could buy a lot on a lake or a mountainside and put a mobile home on it. You could always rent it or retire there if the future turns rosy.

We will be going back to the days when 8 or 10 family members live in the same house because of difficulty in renting or buying a house. Older people will live with their married children and grandchildren—three generations in the same house. Dumpies—Destitute Unprepared Mature People will be everywhere. Few people will drive a new car and vacations will be short, or non-existent. People will once again learn to “make do” with what they have.

It would be prudent to purchase some freeze-dried food from some survival outfit and a few five-gallon cans of wheat and corn. The food you ate today traveled 1500 miles to get to your table. If the terrorists hit delivery trucks, bridges, and tunnels leading to major cities will food and fuel be transported? You should also have many gallons of water packed away for an emergency. Most people think such suggestions are extremist, but not so.

Our grandparents would not have considered having empty pantries. After all, disasters do happen, don’t they? A wise person plans for all contingencies as much as is possible. If the water is not used, pour it on your garden, and eat the stored food. After all, the price of food will not go down.

If there is a financial collapse, you can count on a breakdown of law and order. Surely, there is no question about that. In event of riots, it would be wise to have a couple of guns and ammo available! What, a Christian shooting someone? Yes, in my home it will happen if necessary. If a mob kicks down my door, be assured that they will be shot. Then I will expect a commendation from the governor for doing all people in Georgia a favor! It is very “Christian” to protect your family.

Rememer that one of Christ’s last commands to His Disciples was to buy a sword. Why did He say that? Because shotguns hadn’t been invented yet!

(Many more columns