Good News and Praise

Is the Ground Zero mosque a sign of
judgment to come?

On September 11, 2001, two planes struck the World Trade Center and brought both towers down in a cloud of dust and smoke. Mixed in with the rubble of the Twin Towers – and seemingly lost from public awareness – were the ruins of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

For the past eight years, the congregation of the small four-story church has tirelessly tried to work out a deal with the local government to rebuild their church. Within the past year, talks all but broke down.

But now the headlines are teaming with news of the construction of a very different religious center near Ground Zero: an Islamic Cultural Center, which includes a mosque. The church, which has been there for nearly a century, faces rejection…while an Islamic mosque receives approval to build.

Further igniting the frustration and controversy is the proposed name of the mosque: Córdoba. The original mosque at Córdoba was built as a symbol of victory in the conquest of Spain. Calling this new mosque by such a name strongly suggests a clear message of Islamic victory over America and all this nation stands for. So blatant is the symbolism that even some Muslims oppose its construction. Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, president and founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, said, “This is not a humble Islamic statement. A mosque such as this is actually a political structure that casts a shadow over a cemetery.”

As the heated debate over the mosque at Ground Zero plays out, believers in Christ in America must also consider this hard question: Is it possible that the mosque controversy is merely a symptom of a greater godlessness permeating this nation – a godlessness that has been allowed, at least in part, by the apathy of American Christians?

Years ago, a man called out to the Lord. He pleaded with God on behalf of his nation. Sin was running unchecked, corruption prevailed in the courts, and there was no respect for the law. The people of the country hemmed in the godly while stirring up conflict. The man begged the Lord for one simple thing – justice. God’s response to Habakkuk shook him to his core: “I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (Habakkuk 1:5)

God’s answer to Habakkuk’s plea was to allow a ruthless and impetuous nation to become the tool for judgment. The Lord would use the ungodliness of Babylon to purge the wickedness of Israel. The coming of Babylon was nothing more than a consequence of the sin so rampant within the nation of Israel.

How many hours have you spent praying for this nation? How many times have you, like Habakkuk, pleaded with God, asking Him to intervene? How often have you shared your heartache over the godlessness you see? The Lord may be answering those prayers…but are you prepared for what it may mean – and for what it may cost?

The mosque at Ground Zero is nothing more than one of many symptoms the United States faces as a result of rampant ungodliness. Trying to stop the construction of the mosque is much like giving cough syrup to a smoker with lung cancer. It may alleviate one symptom for a time, but the cancer still rages within.

As Christians in America, we are to be involved – by interceding for the state of our nation, then going to the polls and voting for the right men and women to be placed into public office. But our work cannot stop there. The greatest battle before us as the Body of Christ is for the souls of men…and before that fight can start, we must look within. Sadly, churches in America are filled with casualties of casual Christianity. Men and women take the name of Christ, but bear no resemblance to His person. Holiness is all but forgotten. Christians have become careless, quick to judge the world but unwilling to address the cancer consuming their own body of believers.

Without Christ, the cancer of sin in our hearts is inoperable. Only through the transforming power of Jesus’ death on the cross can we be restored. Thankfully, God is active and will purify the Bride of Christ by “cleansing her by the washing with water through the word… to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:26-27)

* Pray that the will of God be done in America and that His name will be glorified above all others.
* Pray for the churches in America, that there will be a transformation into godliness, revealing the holy and pure light of Christ to the Muslim world.
* Pray for the Muslims in America, that God will open doors of opportunity for Christ to be revealed to them through the witness of American Christians.

Editors note: The above article was written by Travis Koop who was born to missionary parents and raised in a ministry-minded home. He currently attends Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where he is in the final stages of completing his B.A. in Communications. Outside of the classroom, Travis is active in a local church plant that is reaching out to the community to care and pray for people in need.