(Blog 0021 AndrewHadden.com)
Introduction
Events are coming for which leaders in government need to be prepared to respond appropriately. There is going to be panic, as never before, and the need to defend the nation, as never before. Our enemies are already among us, and prepared to strike us with terrorist “mayhem,” as God has repeatedly warned.
Contain the Panic
People are going to panic based on events about to occur, including the end times beginning with convincing displays of the supernatural, and judgment. They have been conditioned by novels and movies about the end times that make them assume there is no hope, or little hope, if the end times have clearly begun, and they are still here – and have not been taken to heaven in the “rapture,” before anything bad happens. Those movies have long modeled hopelessness and panic when the end times are recognized as having begun. People have been conditioned to believe that only judgments and dire conditions are ahead after the end times begin. But end times events are not going to be fulfilled as self-proclaimed “experts” have assumed for hundreds of years. They are going to be fulfilled in a much better way than people have assumed – and people need to be told that. Christ is putting his one-thousand-year reign, the millennium, before the time of trouble, the seven years of tribulation. Here is how the panic can be contained:
Reassure the public. There is hope. This is not the tribulation, the time of great trouble, beginning, but Christ’s millennial reign of eventual peace and order and protection being established, through some “birth pangs,” as Christ put it. Most trouble will be caused by people not listening on this. Christ will put a stop to wars, and judge evil governments, and evil leaders, to stop their evil deeds and plans. And there is still time to repent and be forgiven and become one of God’s people – and be spared eternal punishment in hell. Christ will be protecting his people, Christians and Christian Jews, and establishing them in a protected place, in the future.
Use emergency powers. The emergency powers already given the president, and governors, under existing law, can be used to do much to protect the public in this time.
Prevent hoarding. Limit purchases of essential supplies, like basic food, baby formula, toilet paper, diapers, and feminine supplies. Seeing hoarding panics others into hoarding and violence, and denies others supplies actually being used at the same rate as always. Prevent hoarding as retail stores long have with special sales, saying “Limit one per customer,” and as the nation did in World War Two with rationing. Allow exceptions on purchase limits for those with proof of large families or households (such as tax return dependents lists, or past receipts showing a consistent buying pattern of greater volume).
Defend second amendment rights for all families. Limit purchases of protective equipment, like guns and ammunition, tasers, and protective batons, to allow each household to have the chance to be protected. (Perhaps use the firearms background check system to spread purchases out, such as denying approval for subsequent purchases by the same individual the same day.) Putting price controls in effect to prevent price gouging may be in order. The federal government has used them before.
Encourage people to protect themselves, their own household, and the vulnerable. Christ, properly understood, did not teach against defending oneself, and others, against serious bodily harm (including rape). He was teaching to endure social insult expressed with a slap. He even told his disciples to buy swords, and did it on the night of the last supper. There is an appropriate use of protective items, including guns. People should be careful to know and follow state laws regarding storing, carrying, and using guns. Some states require you to withdraw, if possible, rather than use your gun in public; others allow you to stand your ground. Others say you can only fire in defense against breaking and entering if they actually enter the house. People should get training and practice when they can. (See my AndrewHadden.org blog on “Defense” for scriptural guidance on protecting oneself, one’s family, and the vulnerable.)
Defend the Nation
Defend the nation – national level. Our borders must be protected, and closed to all but legal entry. But many who have entered illegally, intent on extreme terrorism and other violence, are already here – countless numbers of them. Rounding them up and forcing them out could save many lives. People need to understand that the nation has been led by those intent on our destruction, and open borders were part of that plan. They have also colluded with our enemies who are intent on starting World War Three, begun by a radicalized Islamic horde, with terrorist “mayhem” on our soil, and the soil of other nations. They have been calling Israel the “Little Satan,” and America the “Great Satan,” for a reason. They have chanted, “Death to America” for decades, and intend to fulfill it. Trump’s actions against Iran are not provocation, but deterrent, and an interruption to the supply line, and reward system, funding terrorism in the U.S., especially, and all over the world. Our defensive forces must be mobilized to protect the public, and key infrastructure, all over the nation.
Defend the nation – state level. States must also mobilize to protect the public and key infrastructure. The National Guard may be mobilized federally and sent to other states. States need to use the provisions in the law that allow a state Guard, under state control, as some states have, but many don’t have. Volunteers, and older, proficient and trained citizens, may sign up to defend their own state, but not be willing to be sent far away from home to defend other states. Local police are going to be attacked early in the terrorists’ strategies. Other forces will be needed.
Defend the nation – county/parish level. God has said that sheriffs’ militias, that used to exist under the law, will be needed. Again, older volunteers, and family men, are more likely to volunteer to defend their own counties, cities, and neighborhoods – and they will be needed. America, in the past, saw the benefit of skilled deer hunters who already knew how to shoot at great distances. They can be used for overwatch to stop terrorists before they can open fire with an AK-47 in a town square. Let’s facilitate people doing what they can still do and be good at, in defending their own homes and that of their friends and neighbors. Trainers with military experience will be needed. Laws need to accommodate what must be done to defend the nation. Laws for police or deputy sheriff qualifications set qualifications too high to be met in time with adequate forces for what is coming.
Protecting Infrastructure, Communications,
Utilities, etc., from Cyberattacks
Our enemies have been researching and testing out our weaknesses a long time. God is warning of full-blown attacks coming against critical systems connected to the internet, to bring it all down at once. God says we need to disconnect key systems to withstand what is coming. I have been involved with computer technology long enough to know that we once operated without the internet, and its inherent risks. Yes, there are costs in disconnecting, like personnel having to travel to sites to monitor them or do maintenance, or dialing in through a modem, or paying for private lines and networks, or point to point microwave communications across town. However, the cost of our enemies taking down or damaging electrical, water, natural gas supply, gas and petroleum pipelines, refineries, chemical plants, traffic control systems, and more could be catastrophic. Yes, there is convenience in getting all kinds of things to where they can be managed remotely by people in offices far away, but that also introduces great risks of which we have yet to see the full measure. We have learned the hard way that Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, can be hacked and the losses daunting. Organized state actors could change the game forever, especially if they time their cyberattacks with the terrorism they organize and support through proxies.