False Alarm

In January 2018, an emergency alert was issued in Hawaii, warning of an impending missile attack. The message read, “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL,” and was broadcast on radio, television, and via cell phone.

People were warned to stay inside or immediately seek shelter if they were outdoors. In the midst of escalating tensions between the United States and North Korea, it was believed North Korea had targeted Hawaii.

Surely devastation and loss of life would follow.

But an employee at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HEMA) had sent the report in error. The man was apparently confused by an unscheduled drill that had been conducted within the agency and believed the training exercise to be an actual threat to the United States. News agencies later reported that in the ensuing panic, drivers ran red lights and drove at high speeds to reunite with family members, while many made phone calls convinced it was their final opportunity to hear the voices of loved ones. Messages refuting the emergency alert were not sent out until thirteen minutes after the alarm was first raised, with HEMA officials finally announcing their mistake a full thirty-eight minutes after the original error occurred.* But what if the reports had been true, and missiles had rained down on Hawaii? Residents would have been facing the end of their life on earth. Were that true, how would they have responded? Would people have been able to say, “I will die in the hope of the first resurrection”? How many people would have been without hope? “If only I had taken my faith seriously.” “If only I had truly valued relationships.” “If only I had given my heart to Jesus.” One day the alert will be real. If not missiles, then a heart attack, an auto accident, or simply the ravages of time will ensure that, like David, every person alive will “go the way of all the earth” (1 Kings 2:2). One day it will not be a false alarm. Our time on earth will be over.

What then?