January 1st, 2000, could be the worst day in modern history. The year 200 bug, or Y2K, affects computer systems that control everything from heart monitors to air traffic control. The problem stems from the use in computers of two digits to represent the year in dates. While this does not sound like a very big problem, when the calendar reaches the year 2000, many computers will not know what day it is, and systems that control the flow of electricity in power grids, the interest on your loans, or the service schedule for industrial equipment may grind to a halt.
Are you afraid of Y2K? A lot of experts who have been studying the problem for many years now, while not advocating panic, are recommending a healthy dose of caution, because this is a problem that has the potential to have devastating effects in nearly every area of our lives.
Why did this happen and what is being done about it? Many years ago computer resources were much more limited than they are today, and every effort was made to conserve those resources; using two digits for the year was one of those efforts. Many programmers knew there would be a problem in the year 2000, but they did not think their programs would still be in use today. As a result, businesses and governments are now spending billions of dollars and devoting countless hours in an effort to find and fix all instances of the problem. This is certainly not an easy job, as there are billions of lines of computer code that must be checked and corrected, much of it manually compounding the problem is the fact that many computer chips, such as those found in telecommunications satellites, security systems, home computers, and machinery of all kinds will not be able to recognize the turn of the century. The search is on to find and fix these chips.
One of the greatest fears regarding Y2K is that public utilities, including water, gas, telephone, and electricity suppliers may suffer disruptions or total collapses of their service. Power outages are possible, but the size and scope of these blackouts is impossible to predict, because of the complexity of the power production network and the difficulties involved with finding and fixing all of the affected chips and programs.
The banking and securities industries are also affected, since computers deal with everything from deposit and withdrawal dates to interest calculations. While most banks expect to have their own problems fixed in time, many services relying on the transfer of accurate information from one bank to another, including ATM transactions, the clearing of checks, and so on, may be affected as corrupted data invades the systems. The global economy, which has proven itself to be delicate and volatile, could also feel the impact of Y2K.
While the world begins to realize and deal with the problem of Y2K, an even larger problem looms. It is a problem that will not go away, threatens more than the loss of power and heat, and will bring loss greater than the loss of all the wealth in the world. It is the problem of sin and the judgment of sin by a holy and righteous God. Just as programmers didn’t think their actions would affect the future, do you mistakenly believe that when your life is over that that’s the end? You have a never-dying soul. God’s Word says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Are you afraid of losing power and heat in the middle of winter? You should be more afraid of spending eternity in the “blackness of darkness for ever” (Jude 1:13), in the “fire that never shall be quenched” (Mark 9:43). Jesus said, “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” (Matthew 10:28).
Are you afraid that your money might be misplaced or lost, or that a global depression might affect your life? You should be more afraid of losing your soul. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). Even if you lost the wealth of the entire world, this would not compare to losing your soul.
Are you waiting for someone to step forward with a solution to Y2K? Those who understand the enormous scope of the problem know that this is impossible. But with the problem of sin—a much larger problem already affecting everyone in the world—Someone has already provided the solution. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, stepped forward “to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26). When Jesus was crucified, He “bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). The problem has been identified and the answer has been provided. “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life, and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). Have you received Jesus Christ as your lord and Savior? Do you believe that His blood is able to wash away all of your sins? (1 John 1:7). Have you trusted Him, and Him alone, for the safety and salvation of your immortal soul?
Then, no matter what the year 2000 brings, you will have peace within knowing that you are prepared for eternity and that your future is secure in Christ.
NOTE: Much has been written about the Y2K problem, often describing apocalyptic scenarios. We have included this article, not as a commentary on what may or may not happen as a result of Y2K, but as a sober means of reminding one another of a far more important problem facing modern man—the problem of sin and judgment.
This article comes from a tract published by a missionary in Dominica, West Indies (Daniel Shanks). We are not sure if Daniel is the author or not, but we certainly appreciate the timeliness of the message.
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