Shock.
Horror.
Disbelief.
In the moments after learning the news, these emotions swept over many Americans.
Then came the questions. Why did this happen? Who is behind it? Are there other targets? How do we move forward? What will America be like tomorrow?
Twenty-four years and one day separate the despicable murders that brought similar emotions and questions for many Americans.
September 11, 2001, is a date forever etched upon the minds and hearts of Americans old enough to remember the devastating attacks by terrorists who hijacked planes and used them as weapons of mass destruction. Evil people plotted to destroy America. The terrorists wanted to instill fear and panic to make America stop in its tracks and cower in the corner.
On that day, a 7-year-old boy, growing up in the Chicago suburbs, saw how evil could bring a nation to its knees. But he also saw the resolve of a nation that stood up to bullies and proudly protected its freedoms.
That boy grew into a man who loved Jesus, his family and his country. He displayed a tenacious boldness to confront evil. A gifted communicator and keen debater, Charlie Kirk was a star that shone brightly as he championed biblical values in the political arena. This freedom-loving American took on ideological bullies and proudly defended the truth.
September 10, 2025, will live on in its own form of infamy. Twenty-four years minus one day after September 11, 2001, a Christian citizen like you and me, Kirk, became the target of an evil person – or movement, perhaps – who plotted to destroy him and what he stood for. The assassin wanted to silence this bold conservative voice and many like-minded Americans. The goal was widespread panic, intimidation and destruction.
In a moment, with one fatal shot, the gunman killed 31-year-old Kirk, striking terror into the hearts of many. But just as on September 11, 2001, this terrorist didn’t defeat what Kirk represented.
I believe what this murderer intended for evil will be turned into good, as a chorus of Christians with a biblical worldview are now emboldened to live out their faith in the public square.
The Demonic Roots of this Rage
What is the root of these murderous actions? Jesus reveals the answer in the Gospel of John.
Locked in a furious debate over His Messianic claims, Jesus spoke hard truths to the crowd surrounding Him. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not” (John 8:44-45).
When a society walks away from the truth, it opens the door for unbridled lawlessness, lust and yes, even murder. Jesus boldly warned His hearers that this attitude is demonically inspired. Satan twisted God’s truth to convince Adam and Eve to follow their hearts and write their own truth. He baited the devilish hook and caught them when they took the bait. He enjoyed watching their destruction. What a demonic attitude!
This demonic agenda is very much at work in the world today. We saw it on September 11, 2001. We saw it on September 10, 2025. This sinful world spirals downward toward its doom.
Jesus warned His fellow truth-tellers to expect rejection and hatred: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18).
Because he spoke the truth, Kirk was hated by some Americans. But he never led an army or a militia. He never took up arms in his fight. His weapons were words as he fought against ideas destroying countless souls and the fabric of America’s foundation. And he fought valiantly.
Jesus also said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The September 11 hijackers and Charlie Kirk’s killer followed their father, the devil, in stealing, killing and destroying innocent lives.
That is the great contrast in John 10:10. Jesus came to give His abundant life! Satan will never win. Jesus promised the devil’s defeat. One day, evil will be defeated once and for all.
God will judge evil. He always has and always will. He came in judgment when Adam and Eve sinned. He brought the flood of judgment upon Noah’s day. He will not stand idly by while evil destroys His creation. The Tribulation judgment could be right around the corner, friends.
“What is God waiting for?” someone, no doubt, is asking. If God is going to judge evil, why doesn’t He do it already? The beautiful biblical truth is that in His wrath toward sin, God is merciful to sinners. Every breath that enters our lungs and every beat of our hearts is a gift of God’s mercy and grace. He is giving humanity something it does not deserve: the gift of everlasting life through Jesus alone.
Second Peter 3:9 teaches that God is not delaying His judgment. He isn’t lazy or indecisive; rather, He is patient with people because He doesn’t want anyone to go to hell. He wants everyone to repent from their sin and be saved by Jesus. That is why His final judgment on Earth hasn’t fallen yet. But, mark it down, one day it will.
Where Do We Go From Here?
While the death of Charlie Kirk is truly tragic, it is not the end of the story for him, for his family, and for the church of Jesus Christ.
Based on his testimony of faith in Jesus, we know the young patriot is with the Lord right now. However, he leaves behind a precious widow and two young children who will grow up without their father. We, as the church, must continue to lift them up in prayer. We pray that the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord (Phil. 4:6). We pray that the Lord will make His presence keenly felt to the Kirk family during the days, weeks, and years ahead.
God has His church on Earth for such a time as this. He wants us to minister effectively in this dark world, right here, right now. This generation needs God’s truth. I believe we will see some remarkable things happen in these days for God’s glory.
Until the rapture trumpet sounds, the church must not cower in the corner. The forces of darkness want the truth-tellers to shut up and run away from the public arena. We must stand boldly upon God’s Truth as the Bible declares. We must live out our faith through our actions, yes, but also through our words.
We must not allow evil to destroy our families, our churches, and our nation. We must continue boldly declaring God’s truth, just as Noah did in his generation.
The church must heed the words of Jesus: “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:27-28).
Since our souls are secure in Jesus, why should Christians be afraid of anything or anyone, including death? Stand fearlessly, fellow Christians, for victory was won at Calvary!
