On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, located in Hawaii, USA. The attackers had several objectives in mind. Primarily, they aimed to cripple the US Navy’s key assets, thereby preventing American naval forces in the Pacific from disrupting their strategy to conquer various nations, including those in the Netherlands and across South and East Asia.
The number of American casualties that day was significant, with numerous ships destroyed during the assault. The attack unfolded over one hour and fifty minutes, totaling just 110 minutes—from 7:55 to 9:45. Initially named “Operation Hawaii,” the operation was later referred to as “Operation Z.” The Japanese chose to strike on a Sunday morning, believing that most Americans would be away enjoying their weekend. When Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, leading the attack, shouted, “Torah! Torah! Torah! Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!” while soaring over Pearl Harbor, it signified to all Japanese forces that their attack had achieved its objective. This element of surprise allowed them to inflict substantial damage.
In the words of the Prophet Joel, the “Day of the Lord” is likened to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He calls out, “Blow the trumpet in Zion sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand— a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Joel 2:1-2
What a wonderful day! However, for those who have dedicated their lives to Christ, that day won’t catch us off guard. We are children of the light, and the Day of the Lord will not take us by surprise.
“Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Matthew 24:42-44
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