DID WE LEARN ANYTHING FROM HIROSHIMA?
Every year on August 6, the vibrant city of Hiroshima pauses. Traffic halts, a bell tolls, and the community reflects on the harrowing events of 1945.
Back then, Japan was at war with the Allied nations. Over three and a half years earlier, Japanese forces had launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, drawing the U.S. into World War II and igniting years of brutal conflict.
On a clear morning on August 6, 1945, the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, flying nearly six miles high, released a 9,700-pound bomb named "Little Boy." It took just 43 seconds to fall to about 2,000 feet above the ground before detonating, marking the first use of an atomic bomb in warfare.
Hiroshima, a port city with military bases and many civilians, was devastated. Between 70,000 and 140,000 people were killed instantly. Three days later, another atomic bomb, "Fat Man," was dropped on Nagasaki, killing between 40,000 and 70,000 more. Just six days after that, Japan surrendered, bringing World War II to an end.
In 2018, during a commemorative ceremony, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui described the horrific scene from that day, urging everyone to imagine themselves and their loved ones there. He passionately called for a world free from nuclear weapons and warned of the dangers of nationalism and modernizing nuclear arsenals. He emphasized that forgetting history risks repeating it, underscoring the importance of remembering Hiroshima.
While his words were moving, they missed a crucial point. Whether death comes by atomic bomb, suicide bomber, or bullet, the grim reality remains. Humans have always found ways to kill, from ancient weapons to modern arsenals. The scale of destruction, however, has escalated dramatically. With nuclear weapons, the potential for total annihilation now exists, a possibility foreseen by Jesus in Matthew 24:22.
Many interpret Matthew 24 as referring to localized conflict in Jerusalem or regional war in Judea. However, when combined with Revelation 6, it’s clear that God predicted a global conflict that could end all human life without divine intervention.
Beyond atomic weapons, humanity has developed chemical and biological weapons, as well as countless conventional arms. The bleak future of humanity underscores the necessity of God's help. Mayor Matsui’s plea for the elimination of nuclear weapons is commendable, but the root issue remains humanity’s inherent tendency toward hatred and violence.
Isaiah depicted humanity's natural state: "Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known" (Isaiah 59:7-8). The prophet Ezekiel foretold God's solution: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you... I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes" (Ezekiel 36:26-27). The missing component is the Spirit of God, which transforms human hearts from selfishness to genuine care for others.
In August 1945, the world witnessed unprecedented destruction. More recently, on October 1, 2024, Israel faced a barrage of ballistic missiles. As the world braces for potential new conflicts, the core problem remains humanity’s self-will and rejection of God’s way.
Prophecy indicates that conditions will worsen before divine intervention. The return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth is humanity's only hope. Let us pray for that day to come soon.
© Emmanuel Obu
October 2, 2024
Emmanuel Obu is a clergy, social commentator and a brands and communications strategist based in Lagos. He is the Chief Design Officer at Design Turf Limited - an innovative and ideas agency with a design thinking outlook.
