Y2 who? Oh come now! Surely, by now you have heard of the coming computer crisis predicted. For the turn of the century. OK

So you haven't heard. Y2K is an abbreviation for the year 2000. This abbreviation was chosen by the computer community to represent possible problems computers might experience when the date changes from 1999 to 2000. "Y" stands for years, "2" stands for two, and "K" is the Latin abbreviation for thousand. Thus, Y2K stands for the year two thousand.

The problem anticipated is a result of an oversight of computer programmers in earlier decades. Most never anticipated that their programming work would still be in service by the end of the century, so they used two digit date codes while programming to save precious space. For example, instead of using 1975, they would use just "75" with the "19" being understood. The problem is that much if this programming is still being used. Consequently, when the year 2000 tolls around, that affected computers will interpret the year as "00" following "99" as 1900, instead of 2000, possibly causing failure. OK. Now you know what "Y2K" is.

Various writers and speakers are speculating that there will be major problems at the turn of January 1, 2000, simply because the computers that control so many facets of our lives will not be able to process the new date and as a result, shut down. Projected failures include banking, hospitals, stock market, satellite communications, electrical power, anything controlled by computer, which in our day is almost everything, in other words, a major black out.

Many conferences are being held to discuss the coming ills of Y2K. During this past spring, a Y2K conference was held at a large church here in the Nashville area. One of the key note speakers was there peddling a so called Y2K "Survival Kit" for $89.00, which gave instructions on how to stock up on dried food, water, medical supplies, power generator, et cetera.

One of the speakers really surprised many in the audience by saying that he had a real problem with "Bible prophecy pessimists". Can you imagine the irony of a speaker at a Y2K conference, telling his audience of all the terrible coming woes of Y2K, but that he has a problem with Bible prophecy pessimists?!!? Go figure!!

Every writer's article I have read on Y2K states that they cannot be certain of the impact of Y2K. Common words in these articles are maybe, perhaps, possibly, you get the idea. I tired of the uncertainty a few weeks ago and decided to do some investigation into Y2K on my own.

Knowing the world conditions that Y2K could produce would be major electrical power failure, I called the agency that provides power to my home. I asked to speak to one of the engineers. When he answered, I asked him if he was aware of Y2K. "Oh yes" he replied, "very aware"! I asked him if power was going to be available on January 1, 2000. He said, "Yes sir, we have taken care of what little problem there might have been". I Thanked him and I hung up the telephone and called back, this time asking for a different engineer. "Yes sir, we are aware of Y2K, but it is not going to be a problem. You will have power on January 1, 2000". Hmmm?

Another of my Board members works for a company that provides long distance satellite communications. He checked with one of their engineers and was told that their satellite were all programmable from the ground and would continue to provide service in January 2000. Hmm?

I, being a Bible prophecy teacher, have tired to analyze Y2K from a Biblical perspective also. I have yet to answer or have anyone else answer the following questions:

Why is it that so many churches will not teach about or pay any attention to the Bible "signs" that indicate that we are on the verge of the beginning of the Tribulation, seven of the most catastrophic in years the world will ever know, yet will host a conference to warn of the "possible" coming ills of Y2K?

Does no mention of Y2K in the Bible make it suspect? After all, a great explosion of knowledge and travel is predicted by Daniel (Daniel 12) for the last days. How could there be a great increase and great failure at the same time?

How can Y2K be such a great time of ministry for the church, as some has suggested, unless the churches become food warehouse. And if they do, who will come and get the food? Gasoline pumps will not work if the power is off. If the gasoline pumps are not working, everyone will be walking. If everyone is walking, even the supply trucks will not be running. How long could any church provide this food without being re-supplied?

Most estimates I have read say that Y2K will last fir 6 months to one year before the fixes start coming on line. So, we are being advised to stock up fresh water (and food) for at least 6 months. The minimum called for in most articles I have read is one gallon of water per person per day. For an average family for six months would be 720 gallons of water (180 days x 4 =720). Where is the average family going to store that much drinking water?

 If Y2K happens at the beginning of the Tribulation, as some have speculated, how will the Antichrist's government manage the high tech demands of a world government if the computers are not up and running? Uncertain of Y2K's impact myself, I have decided that the best advice I can offer comes from a different angle. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and more are predicted to increase in the last days (Matthew 24 and Luke 21). We are seeing this in our news. Just this past spring, in Nashville, a tornado ripped through the city and left about 75,000 thousand people without electrical power for a couple of weeks. It would be very wise to stock your home with items necessary to weather such occasions should you become one of these disaster's victims. It would be wise to have bottled water, dried foods (rice, pastas, and beans), canned or dried meats, portable camp stove with fuel, medicines, et cetera in good supply! If you prepare for these disasters, you will find yourself prepared for Y2K, should it actually develop to be a problem.

One last thought: Make it a priority to stock your home with lots of good material (contact us for advice on this ) that will enhance your growth in the Lord. Knowing Jesus Christ in His fullness is the best way to weather any storm!