Y2K CURRENT UPDATE
May 1999

By Betty Miller

Social Security Report

There are some good reports in regard to Y2K. The government announced the first of the year that the U.S.A. Social Security Administration (SSA) is now Y2K compliant. They have been working on this project since 1989. However, since other departments of the government are linked with the SSA, they too must be compliant so that the checks can be issued. We need to continue to pray for our government leaders as they continue to tackle this mammoth project with time running out.

"As far as our systems are concerned, our agency is at the lead of both private industries and government agencies," said Shawn Fordham, public affairs specialist at SSA headquarters in Baltimore. "Our systems are prepared to issue benefits and payments [through the mail and through electronic transfers] timely in the year 2000. We depend a great deal on other government agencies." Almost a decade ago, the agency assigned 2,800 employees, including 700 computer programmers, to work on making the agency's computers Y2K compliant. It is estimated SSA will pay $42 million for the Y2K project.

SSA's partners include the Federal Reserve Board, the U.S. Postal Service and financial institutions. After the Treasury prepares an SSA payment, either in the form of a direct deposit transaction or a check, the Fed must deliver the Social Security direct deposit transaction to the beneficiary's bank through the national automated clearinghouse system. Then, a bank must credit the deposit to the customer's account. A beneficiary who receives a check in the mail depends on the Postal Service to deliver it. SSA also depends on telecommunications and software providers, and like all businesses, the agency must rely on services such as power, water and transportation. If one of the links is faulty, the entire system is in jeopardy. "We're helping everyone get up to speed," Fordham said about SSA's partners, "because [Y2K compliance] is not like a race where you want to finish first. You want to finish together and have everything run smoothly."

Electric Utilities Report

Another area of concern, according to the report, is the Y2K readiness of the telecommunications sector. Electric systems depend heavily on uninterrupted voice and data communications. "Although the electric industry is confident there will not be widespread interruptions of data communications, the industry is preparing for this possibility as a very unlikely, but critical, contingency," the report said.

NERC, a nonprofit group that sets reliability standards for the power industry, is urging member companies to prepare for both "probable and worst-case scenarios." The group's report warns that "although one has taken all reasonable and necessary preventive steps, there can never be 100 percent assurance that major system failures cannot cause a catastrophic outcome."

Water Utilities Report

Information on Y2K compliance efforts by the nation's 70,000 water utilities continues to be scanty, according to report released April 27 by the U.S. Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem. The report, prepared by the government's General Accounting Office, found many state regulators are not aggressively seeking information about the Y2K status of water utilities. As a result, the report concludes, "there is insufficient information to assess and manage Year 2000 efforts in the water sector." Sen. Robert Bennett, chairman of the Senate Y2K committee, said the report shows the need for "states, cities, and towns [to] double their efforts to ensure that vital services. . . continue to function on January 1, 2000."

Note: The above information is based on the U.S. Department of Energy's Year 2000 Report.

Spiritual Report

We should pray for the best, while preparing for the worst. The Lord is warning His people to begin to make preparations not only forY2K, but also for the days following the year 2000. It is important to begin your preparations now -- spiritually as well as physically. One of the words that the Lord spoke me about Y2K and the days ahead was this: "It is going to be a time of the trying of men's souls." This is not an hour to "play" church. Rather we must have a strong relationship with the Lord to carry us through. We all need to be in a place spiritually that we can hear the voice of God and remain under the "shadow of the Almighty." We claim the entire chapter of Psalm 91 daily over us and our family and friends.

Psalm 91:1-2, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."

Prayer and repentance can avert many of the problems this event can cause. If you are not familiar with the problems that Y2K or the "Millennium Bug" can potentially cause, we did a very complete coverage of it in the article below. (This article is an in-depth research and Biblical commentary along with practical advice in regard to the Y2K problem facing the world. In addition, we have compiled a list of some of the most informative and helpful Y2K links on the Web.)

COUNTDOWN TO THE NEW MILLENNIUM
By Betty Miller

Special Y2K Alert
1/1/99

As news of the Y2K Millennium Bug is increasingly circulated, there are also many different opinions and changing statistics being spread to the public. The sources of information are varied and from many different sectors such as government, business, technological circles, the church and others. Some of the information is designed to spread fear and panic while other information downplays the threat of any problem. Some businesses are even capitalizing on the fear element to sell their products.What should the Bible approach be to this looming event? We are being asked many questions by Christians, such as: Is this a real threat to our way of life? Should we prepare for this crisis? If so, what specifically do we need to do? How should we pray? How should we, as Christians, respond to this potential crisis?

After diligently seeking the Lord about the Y2K problem over the past two years, He has impressed me with several things. I have included these insights along with other Christian and secular reports about the problem. I have condensed and added the data that we have compiled about Y2K to help those who haven't the time to do it personally. I have researched this subject and to the best of my knowledge have gleaned from the most reliable sources (prominent leaders, knowledgeable computer authorities, government agencies, leading news sources, etc.) and will present this information to you in a question and answer format to help you find the answers you are seeking more quickly. First, I will present the physical problems and then will share the spiritual solutions.

What is the Y2K Millennium Bug?

I believe that we are facing a real and serious threat to the modern, industrial way of life. As the 1900s change over to the 2000s at midnight on December 31, 1999, our country and the world could face the biggest technological malfunction in history. What could cause this to happen? A seemingly insignificant detail: the way computers read dates. Computer programmers of the past failed to use four digits to write out the number of the year and instead used only two digits.

Publications are calling this computer problem the "Y2K" Computer Crisis (Y=Year and 2=Two and K= The shorthand symbol for a thousand) or also known as "The Millennium Bug." What is the Y2K Bug? It originally started with the poor judgement of a tiny group of highly skilled technicians. These programmers, in order to maximize use of memory space and save money, shortened the year dates to two characters instead of four. This will lead to the computers incorrectly reading dates in the year 2000. Back in the 1960's when everything was being computerized, computer hard drive space was very costly. They were simply thinking of being frugal, not imagining that their fateful decision would create this future crisis. No one imagined the programs they were developing would still be in use today. Therefore we can't place total blame on the original computer programmers, as at the time it seemed wise to use this shortcut.

Here is the Y2K definition from the General Accounting Office's "Year 2000 Computing Crisis" report, which was published in April of 1998:

"Over the past two years, the term 'Year 2000 Problem' has become increasingly familiar. This problem is rooted in the way in which automated information systems have, for the past several decades, typically represented the year -- using two digits rather than four -- in order to conserve electronic data storage space and reduce operating costs. Thus 1998 would be represented as simply 98. In this format, however, 2000 is indistinguishable from 1900 because both are represented only as 00. As a result, if not modified, computer systems or applications that use dates or perform date or time-sensitive calculations may generate incorrect results beyond 1999, reading 00 as 1900 rather than 2000."

The looming "year 2000" software conversion issue brings a chill to those who realize its seriousness and its complications. Computer crashes related to the date changeover could create communications disruptions, record keeping chaos, bank closings, a major disabling of the IRS and Social Security Services and even power failures. These computers may assume that "00" means 1900 and start generating spurious data. Some computers may reject any new data, believing it to be old. Others may simply shut down. Some systems will even begin failing in the year 1999 and will continue to fail even into 2001 (due to this faulty programming). There is a three year period of anticipated failures spread out over this time which means we will be dealing with these problems for an extended period.

What Problems Will "Y2K" Create in the Nation and the World?

Computer crashes related to the date changeover could create communications disruptions, record keeping chaos, bank closings, a major disabling of the IRS and other government services and even power failures. Just think of the many areas of life that our computers touch: jobs, transportation, food distribution, banking and finance, utilities, home computers, health care, government, telephone and communications. On a smaller scale, yet in practical use are elevators, traffic lights, security systems and many home appliances. All of these areas can be affected if the computers and the programs are not Y2K compliant before the deadline.

This problem has been referred to as a time bomb that is ticking and will blow up on December 31, 1999 at midnight. (As I mentioned previously, some of the problems may begin to surface earlier in 1999 with certain computer software programs that are date related). Anywhere a computer is used to control operations there exists the possibility of a failure. These "crashes" could take extended periods of time to locate and fix. Although some of the greatest problems exist in the main frame computers, small business and personal computers can have the problem because of embedded BIOS (basic input output system) chips that contain the wrong dates. Also, computerized control systems that operate in airplanes, ships, oil rigs, missiles and various other systems have embedded BIOS chips. Since the world at large and the U.S.A. are very computer dependant, we are facing a possible crisis of enormous proportions for the entire globe. Actually the size of the problem is the problem.

Anyone who has ever worked with computers knows that it takes only one small programming error to shut down the whole operation of a computer. It can takes hours or even days to fix. When we think about the literally billions of lines of code that have been programmed wrong plus the millions of faulty BIOS chips that now exist, perhaps we can realize the enormity of the emergency that faces us. There are around 30 billion embedded systems in the world. Many of these are in process controllers used by manufacturers, refineries and factories. Unless these are tested and corrected or replaced they will fail. Furthermore, because we are so interdependent on each other's systems they must all be corrected if we are to continue to function in the manner that we currently are doing. A failure in one sector can and will cause problems for others sectors of our society. Compliant computers could be re-infected by non-compliant computer data. All technical work must be done with others in mind as it will take all of us working together to correct this problem. The estimated cost of fixing this problem is between $300 billion and $600 billion. To put this in perspective the total cost of the Vietnam war was $500 billion.

Can the Problem Be Fixed?

When most people hear this the first time, they usually ask the question, "Surely they can fix it?" The answer is yes and no. It can be fixed, but not all of it will be done before the new millennium begins. At least, that is the consensus of the leading computer programmers. Why is this so? Most of the world's business is run by large mainframe computers. These older computers have extremely complex programs, highly specialized to particular industries. They cannot be replaced with new programs in the brief time remaining. Existing programs sometimes have 10 to 20 million lines of code, or in the case of the U.S. Defense Department, 358 million! These lines of code must be corrected line by line and then tested. There is currently no other existing way that these errors can be corrected. (Some software has been developed to expedite corrections in certain computer models; however there is no solution that will take care of all the main frame computer repairs across the board).

Quoting from the Merrill Lynch Forum in June of 1998:

"....Much work remains to be completed by January 1, 2000, and the scarcity of skilled technicians long ago reached the critical stage. Further, a number of new trends have surfaced over the past year which, while not directly linked to the primary work of systems renovation, further complicate the environment in which this work is being done.

(1) The escalating legal and regulatory issues surrounding the Year 2000 problem has introduced stringent regulatory reporting requirements for many industries as well as the need to prepare financially for potential Y2K litigation.
(2) The simultaneous transition in Europe to the Euro currency and Japan's 'Big Bang' have created conflicts in deadlines for testing and implementation of renovated systems.
(3) Corporate mergers and acquisitions have introduced deeper levels of complexity to the existing Year 2000 issues.

Call it what you will: a bug, a quirk, a challenge or a crisis. But don't call it trivial. The Year 2000 computer problem is now one of the most important issues facing businesses, governments and other institutions worldwide."

The bottom line is that this is a crisis. Although it can be fixed, all of it will not be fixed in time and not without affecting the world adversely.

What Is Being Done to Avert the Y2K Problems?

Many solutions to fixing the Y2K problems have entered the workplace. Some companies have even reached the Y2K compliant stage. Others claim to be 80 to 90% complete with their projects. However, there are many companies that have not even begun. Companies must first analyze the problems, then begin repairs and then test those repairs. This testing process takes more time than the initial repairs in most cases. Most of the corporate business world is diligently working to become compliant. Lagging behind are the U.S. government agencies. So far, only one has been able to accomplish compliance.

At the writing of this article, the government has just announced that the Social Security Administration is now compliant. Many are breathing a sigh of relief about this. How did Social Security accomplish this? They discovered and began working on the problem in 1989. They had over 30 million lines of code that were date sensitive. In addition many forms were printed with dates.¹ It took them almost ten years to correct their problems. This is an example of the magnitude of the problem.

Although much will be done to correct the problems and many companies and institutions will become Y2K compliant, the percentage who do not comply will still be enough to cause potentially enormous problems. The reason for this is that many computer systems are linked together and therefore those that don't make it will affect those that do.

For instance, even if all the power companies were compliant, they cannot run without coal. The coal must be shipped to the companies by trains. If the trains are not compliant they won't be able to get the coal to the power plants. If the trains were compliant, yet the switching station's computers are not, the trains could not get through. If the stations were compliant yet the plants that produce the coal were shut down because of non-compliance it would be of no help. If the workers who run the plants could not get to their jobs because of transportation shut downs, we would still have the problem. (All of these things may function and this may not even be a problem. I am only using this as an example so you can understand the complexity of the computer problems).

Many companies realize they will not have the time to do all their repairs so they are putting in place contingency plans. Some are devising back up plans by reverting back to manual operations. Others, who are compliant themselves, yet are dependent on suppliers for parts and supplies, are planning to stockpile supplies and parts so they can remain in operation.

One of the concerns surrounding Y2K is the current practice of what is known as "just in time" inventory. Many companies are able to save enormous amounts of money by limiting their inventories to just enough on hand to keep from investing in huge stockpiles of inventories. They do this by keeping track of the demand (orders) and supply (inventory) on a short term basis so they can ship or use the parts "just in time." Without computers functioning properly this could severely cripple many companies. Not only by the shipping delays that could arise because of transportation disruptions, but also because of being forced to carry increased inventories. Some companies are now including in their contingency plans a stockpiling of their needed supplies. This is a costly decision but many feel that they have no choice.

Most of the business sector of our society is currently working diligently so they will be able to stay in business. The concern for many is that the government sector is not engaged as earnestly as they should be. We should focus our prayers for our government leaders to wake up and do the things necessary to eliminate the "bug" from the government agencies. Some systems could malfunction in the U.S. Defense Department in regard to the weapons systems, ships, airplanes, etc. The good news is that the Pentagon has now stated that they have now undertaken the testing and Y2K prevention with a warlike fervor. The Federal Aviation Administration will be at risk too. They are planning to fall back on a manual contingency plan if needed. The Internal Revenue Service could be the biggest challenge for the government. Many government agencies at the national and local levels will be in jeopardy.

No ones knows what the effect of all this will be on the stock market, the banks and the Federal Reserve. Some are concerned that their money will not be safe in the banks, although the large banks are now assuring people that they will be compliant. The federal government may spend as much as $50 billion on Year 2000 fixes. Citibank, the nation's second-largest bank is expecting to spend $600 million.

However, no matter how much we would like to avert this storm it cannot be stopped (short of a special miracle from God which can only come if our nation corporately repents and seeks God). It is like having a hurricane warning out to an area. The weather bureau has been tracking the storm and knows where it will make landfall. They just don't know what level of storm it will be. Some think only the "tropical storm variety;" others believe it will be a "category 5." No one will really know for sure until it hits - but then it will be too late to prepare. Those who mockingly have hurricane parties are in danger of being swept away. Others are evacuating as they think it will be serious, while others are laying in the supplies to ride out the storm. As Christians, we must remember who is able to protect and keep or deliver us from this storm. He is faithful!

Isaiah 25:4: "For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall"

End Notes

¹ Social Security Administration Internal Revenue Service Reporter (Spring 1997)

What Are Leaders Saying About Y2K?

Quotes From Government Leaders:

• President Bill Clinton, United States President ---- "We will launch a comprehensive plan to detect, deter and defend against attacks on our critical infrastructures. Just 15 years ago, these infrastructures -- some within government, some in the private sector -- were separate and distinct. Now they are linked together over vast computer electronic networks, greatly increasing our productivity but also making us much more vulnerable to disruption."
• Senator Bill Bennett, U.S. Senator ---- "The Two Thousand problem lies at the heart of our economy. Today our economy runs on the energy of information. To cripple the technological flow throughout the world is to bring it to a virtual standstill......I had anticipated that I would be able to provide a positive report on the Year 2000 status of these public utilities, instead, ... I am genuinely concerned about the very real prospects of power shortages as a consequence of the millennial date change."
• Senator Christopher Dodd, U.S. Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 ---- "We are no longer at the point of asking whether or not there will be any power disruptions, but we are now forced to ask how severe the disruptions are going to be."
• Charles Rossotti, IRS Commissioner ---- "There's no point in sugar-coating the problem. If we don't fix the problem, we will have a situation scarier than the average disaster movie you see on a Sunday night....95% of the revenue stream of the United States could be jeopardized."
• Arthur Gross, Chief Information Officer, IRS ---- "Failure to achieve compliance with the year 2000 will jeopardize our way of life on this planet for some time to come."
• Alan Greenspan, Chairman, U.S. Federal Reserve ---- "We...cannot realistically make an evaluation of what the economic impact is as a consequence of the (computer) breakdowns that may occur.....And we do not know how rapidly we can resolve the problem....We do not know what the impact will be...even if the vast majority of problems are eliminated. Systems are very unforgiving. Software programs do not allow for a single mistake. You cannot be approximately correct. You're either right or you're wrong."
• John Hamre, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense ---- "This is going to have implications in the world and in American society we can't even comprehend."
• Sherry Burns, Central Intelligence Agency ---- "There is very little realization that there will be a disruption.....I think most people are again assuming that things are going to operate the way they always have. That is not going to be the case."
• William E. Kennard, Federal Communications Commission Chairman ---- "This could have a huge impact on international trade, foreign investment, the global economy and even national security."
• United Kingdom Minister of Science and Technology ---- "Failure to deal with the problem could lead to commercial collapse. I put it bluntly, because I want to get the message across. It will not respect national frontiers. Unless we act now, there will be international chaos."
  

Quotes from Computer Technology Leaders:

• Bill Gates, Owner of Microsoft ---- "Don't expect me to fix the world's Y2K problem. It's too big for my company to solve."
• Gartner Group, World's Largest Information Technology (IT) Research and Advisory Firm ---- "Approximately 50% of the companies may not become Year 2000 compliant in time and will have all or part of their computer systems shut down or start producing incorrect data on or after January 1, 2000....It will cost between $300 billion to $600 billion to correct the Year 2000 problem worldwide The cost of converting systems could ultimately sink a number of already financially unstable companies."
• Peter DeJager, Leading Expert and Consultant on the Y2K Problem ---- "No matter how much code you have, no matter how much budget you have available for this task, now matter how skilled you are at conversion, you have the same deadline."
• Professor Leon Kappelman, Society for Information Management ---- "Time is of the essence so I will be brief. I humbly ask you to please declare a national and global state of emergency because of the year 2000 problem. I base this request not on some precognition about the future but on empirical evidence of both the enormous risks posed by this problem and on the minuscule probability that we will be able to effectively mitigate all of these risks in the time remaining."
• Edward Yourdon & Jennifer Yourdon, Authors of Time Bomb 2000 ---- "...We can't help wondering how many parallels there may be between the Great Depression of the 1930s and the potential crisis caused by Year-2000-induced banking failures....With Y2000, we can anticipate when the problem will begin occurring, but we don't know whether it will be the equivalent of a Force-5 hurricane or a mild spring breeze...Regarding duration , we have found it useful to identify four distinct time periods: 2-3 days, a month, a year and a decade. The majority of Year-2000 problems are likely to be the kind that will last 2-3 days. A significant percentage of the Year 2000-problems will be serious enough to last for a month. A minority of the Year-2000 problems will have year long consequences. Finally, there is the possibility of a few Year-2000 induced disasters that could take a decade to resolve.
• Lawrence Cleenewerck, Computer Expert in Internet Security & Database Systems ----"Meltdown 2000 is not a myth; nor is it a "perfect scam" designed to sell books, programs, and services. Unfortunately, it is a serious threat to our society that may impact and devastate thousands of lives."

Quotes from Christian Leaders:

• Larry Burkett, Christian Financial Concepts ---- "The serious nature of this Year 2000 problem (Y2K for short) is illustrated by the huge sums of money being spent to try to avoid it.....As we look ahead to the full impact of the year 2000, panic and fear should not be our response. Instead, we should--as instructed in Proverbs---take prudent action."
• Dennis Peacocke, Strategic Christian Services ---- "As I have pondered this issue for months, several things are very clear; the potential perils and opportunities are very great; fear and faith will collide....America may not be a very pleasant place to live for a while. Judgement is due. The "bug" may only be a major inconvenience, or it may be something well beyond that."
• Rev. David Wilkerson, World Challenge ---- "I believe it (Y2K) could be that which dramatically helps precipitate the depression I have been warning about. It may not happen in January 2000---but I believe in the following months of that year, ominous things will develop as the seriousness of the problem dawns on the world community."
• Intercessors For America Newsletter ---- "Pray that churches awaken and encourage members to meet the special needs of the elderly, infirm, poor, unemployed and single parents facing the possible Y2K impact upon utilities, heat, water, food, transportation and health care."
• Rick Joyner, Morning Star Ministries ---- "I was told that the reason why the Lord had given so little revelation about Y2K is because of His people’s devotion to materialism. We must not continue to give ourselves to the things that are passing away, but to live for those things that will last forever. He told me to observe the problems that Y2K will cause in the natural as a reflection of the problems we have in the body of Christ. Y2K will expose many weaknesses in every system, and many of the solutions to Y2K parallel solutions to weaknesses and problems we now have in the church."
• Chris Mitchell, Senior News Director of the 700 Club ---- " We've built a worldwide computer network, and soon many of these computers won't understand one another. It represents a grim reality for the world but a potentially great opportunity for the church.....Despite the technological storm on the horizon, our future is as bright as the unchanging promises of God."
• Pat Robertson, The 700 Club ---- We've also got the year 2000 computer problem which could bring a financial collapse of major proportions. Just look to the Far East today. The Asian crisis is as bad as 1929, the collapse of their stock markets -- Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, etc. -- and that can happen here. So now we've got potential financial collapse, plus the potential meltdown of our computer system. Now, what are we going to do? That's why we're praying.....We're talking about serious matters here. So if there was ever a time to pray for our nation, this is it."
• The Cutting Edge Magazine ---- "We were delighted to see a local church taking initiative to address the Y2K situation with their congregation and to give some community direction....Personal preparation is not enough. Unless one's neighbors and community are prepared, security is seriously compromised. Hence the importance and strength of a community-oriented approach to preparedness, and the local church and your personal neighborhood are two obvious places to focus attention."

Biblical Approach to Y2K

The weight of this information tells us that we are facing a time of tribulation and crisis, however as Christians we are told in the Bible in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." God's people are to be overcomers. However, the promises of God are only for those who are committed to do His will. Half-hearted Christians will not be able to stand in the days ahead. Only those who are able to hear God will walk in a place of peace, provision and safety.

After diligently seeking the Lord about the Y2K problem over the past two years He has impressed me with several things. As Christians we should not ignore this problem but prepare for it. Proverbs 22:3 says, "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." The most important preparation is to make spiritual preparation. What kind of spiritual preparation? Here is a list of suggestions:

Spiritual Preparation

• Pray: Spend time daily in prayer seeking God as to what you are to do personally in the way of preparation. If you have no money to make preparation ask the Lord in faith to supply for you. He will make a way when there is no way! Pray daily with your family and attend the prayer meetings at your church. (If your church does not have prayer meetings you should consider seeking another church or talking to your pastor about establishing one). Jesus said in Luke 19:46: "Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves."
• Study the Bible: Turn off the T.V. and spend time studying the Word of God. Christ Unlimited has Bible studies available to help you grow in God. A systematic study of the Word will equip you with the knowledge you need so that you can overcome the destruction facing us in the days ahead and to be able to hear the voice of God. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." The Lord will reveal many things that you need to know about how to overcome. You can gain direction for your life, principles to live by, and most of all, you will strengthen your faith in God. We will all need faith to be able to prevail and help others in the future. Romans 10:17, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
• Assemble with like Believers: As believers we need each other. There is strength and protection as we stand together in unity. Strong relationships will be important in the days ahead as we will need to help each other. The Bible also tells us we should be submitted to church leadership as God equips His five fold ministry to lead the church. Hebrews 10:25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
• Reach out with the Gospel: As Christians we have been commissioned to take the good news of the gospel to the whole world. We must reach out to our family, friends, neighbors and others that have not heard and or need to be reminded of our Lord's message to the lost and backslidden. Y2K is an excellent time to share the gospel with those who will be seeking answers. Mark 16:15: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
• Readjust Your Priorities: Seek God first and His righteousness. Place the importance on the above things, plus work on establishing good relationships with your family, friends, work mates and neighbors. Cut out worldly entertainment. It will take both spiritual and physical readjustments if we are to be ready for the events created by Y2K and other judgements that the whole world faces at this time.

What About Physical Preparation?

There are many accounts in the Bible of God instructing His people for physical preparation. Noah would be a classic example. The scripture records how God moved on Noah to prepare an ark because of the coming judgement of the flood upon the earth. Today our spiritual ark is Jesus and if we are in the right relationship with Him, He will direct us in regard as to how we are to prepare to survive the flood of destruction that is coming upon our world.

Hebrews 11:7: "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

Notice two things here: It was both by faith and fear that Noah prepared the ark. In the natural, we may be fearful in regard to the future when we think about what is coming. This is a healthy fear when it moves us to respond to and obey God. The Bible says in Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." This kind of fear is a respect for what God says. It is not the tormenting kind of fear that the devil uses to attack us with. We must have faith in the Lord that He will preserve us even as He did Noah and his family in the ark.

Preparing for emergencies is not a lack of faith when it is done out of wisdom. The Lord gave an example of the habit of the ant in Proverbs to illustrate this principle. Proverb 6:6 says, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." We are facing a winter when Y2K will hit us and we should make some provision for this time. Most of us drive automobiles with spare tires in the trunk. We don't leave our homes expecting to have a flat but if we are wise we will have a spare in case that should happen. I believe the Lord is speaking to us to make some physical arrangements in case we should face the breakdown of utilities that could disrupt our food, water and heat sources.

Begin your preparations now. Do not wait until the last minute because panic may cause shortages, sky-rocketing prices, long waits, etc.

What Kind of Practical Preparations Should We Make?

I am including this section in response to people who have asked us about specific physical preparations. In the light of what might happen as a result of Y2K problems how should we physically prepare? What I want to share here is a list of things that you would not only need in this crisis, but in any crisis or emergency. Over the past number of years, many people in our nation have experienced the need for these items as they have suffered the aftermath of tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, floods. In many of these cases, the utilities were down for weeks at a time in the devastated areas. Those who had some emergency supplies were able to endure and get through these hardships until things were restored to normal. Those that made no plans usually ended up in public shelters. The most important need in any crisis is the need for three basic things: water, food and shelter. Since utilities could be down for a time and since this event will be happening in the winter, everyone should have a contingency plan (in this case, an alternate source for water, food and heat and light).

I will share two kinds of lists. One will be for short term survival, the other will be for a prolonged period of time. I believe there will probably be some power disruptions. However, the power companies will certainly be working to restore any outages as soon as possible, especially in the cities were the greatest density of the population exists. The cities will certainly be restored before rural areas will be. Therefore, if you live in a rural area you should consider owning a generator. It wouldn't hurt to own one in the city either if you have the funds to purchase one. Wholesale warehouses have good prices on the smaller, but adequate sizes for emergencies. Remember however, it also takes gas or diesel fuel to run a generator--and storage of these items can be dangerous. If you cannot afford a generator to keep your electricity, refrigerator and freezer running, you should make other provisions. There are inexpensive light and cooking equipment that will suffice. However, any food in your refrigerator or freezer can spoil if the crisis is prolonged. Make a point to invest in canned or dried food instead.

People in rural areas will need to store in larger quantities in case they are not able to get to the cities where food distribution would take place. If there is a prolonged recovery it certainly would be nicer not to have to stand in a rationing line awaiting your parcels of food. Should there be a transportation breakdown, the average grocery store has only enough food on its shelves for four to five days. People who have been in disasters know how quickly the store shelves are cleaned out.

Sanitation may also be a problem if the water is cut off, making it impossible to flush commodes. It takes about 5 gallons of water to flush a commode so you would not want to use your stored drinking water for this purpose. You must have extra water or deodorizing chemicals that people use in their RV toilets to prolong the flushing process. Porta-potties are also available at camping stores. For those living in southern climates their swimming pools could be a source of stored water that could be used for bathing and commode flushing. It can even be drinkable if it was purified with a good water purifier. (This is a good purchase for your emergency kit)!

A fully stocked RV is a good emergency vehicle as it is entirely self-sufficient for at least a short period of time. Remember to keep your automobile with a full tank of gas as service stations could have problems not being able to pump gas.

What About Financial Preparation for Y2K ?

I cannot not advise people as to what to do with their money or investments, as each one should seek the guidance of the Lord. However, I can share a few practical guidelines. Get out of debt as quickly as possible.Spend some of your money on hard goods that will be of use in the event that this crisis is long-standing. You might need to sell and dispose of those goods, luxury items, and properties that would be a burden for you to maintain. Keep hard copy records of all your business transactions. Request hard copies of your banking records, investment records, social security history records, bank mortgage records, insurance records, medical history, birth certificates, etc. ( This is just good business anyway). Check the stability of the bank you are using and inquire if they are Y2K compliant. You should also have some cash in small denominations on hand, in case the banks incur temporary shutdowns or grocery and service station computer check-out stands are not working. If the Lord has been speaking to you about a move, do it as quickly as possible; should things shut down you may be stuck where you are.

Above all, do not withhold your tithes and offerings from God. Ultimately God alone will take care of us! Giving to His works reveals to God our trust in Him. Give first, prepare next. Do what you can and trust God to take care of what you can't do. Faith in God can produce mighty miracles. If you do not have money to prepare anything and your trust and faith is in the Lord He will take care of you. That is His promise to His own. Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Some Christian leaders are receiving advise from the Lord to get out of the stock market and mutual funds and place their savings and other investment and/or retirement funds in more safe investments such as five year U. S. Treasury bills. God's prophets are warning of an economic collapse in this nation and no one knows if Y2K will be the thing that triggers that collapse. Each of God's people need to seek the Lord diligently as to what He would have them to do in the area of their investments.

Practical Suggestions for Storage Items Needed

This is another area in which you should be led of the Lord. Ask the Lord as to which of the storage plans you are to implement, if any. I have included a short term storage plan and a long term one. These are simply suggestions. You should seek the Lord as to what He would recommend in your situation.

1.) WATER: Short Term Provision: It is advisable to store one gallon of water per person per day as a minimum. It is impractical to store a whole year's water supply; but you should store a 2-4 week supply for short term emergencies. You can purchase 55 gallon poly-drums with a hand pump or siphon on top, and/or 1 gallon plastic or glass containers. (Make sure the plastic is food-safe quality. Plastic cola bottles make good storage bottles). Since bacteria and algae will grow in stored water, the water must be treated before storage. Water purifier tablets can be used (purchased from sporting goods stores). Or you may add four drops of chorine bleach per quart of water (or two scant teaspoons per 10 gallons) to treat it for storage.¹ Another storage treatment is to simply boil the water for 10 minutes and put it in a sterile container. (This also works for sterilizing water, period). However, even with such treatment water will not keep indefinitely. Your stored water should be changed every year. Hand water purifiers can also be used to treat stored water and make it drinkable also. Of course, bottled water purchased from grocery stores will keep for long periods of time. Water from swimming pools can be used for bathing and for flushing commodes. If it is used for drinking it must be filtered and purified.
Long Term Provision: Drill a well with a solar powered or hand pump to get it out of the ground. Having access to a spring could furnish you with a water source also.

2.) FOOD:
Short -Term Provision: You should have at least 2 weeks to a month's supply of food for the family. (Some groups are recommending 2 months. Be led of God, as some areas will be in crisis longer than others). Start by buying extra quantities of the foods you are used to eating. To save money, you can dry your own fruits and vegetables if you purchase a dehydrator. Don't forget to purchase a hand can opener in case the electricity is off and a supply of matches. Foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking are best. Remember to have a stock of paper plates, disposable cups, utensils and napkins, paper towels as you might not have water to wash any dishes. Foil and zip-lock bags are good items to have on hand too. Don't forget to keep plenty of garbage sacks as garbage pickups might be delayed too.

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits and vegetables
Canned juices, non-carbonated fruit drinks, canned milk, soup
Staples--salt, sugar, flour, cornmeal, baking powder, yeast, vegetable oils
Ready-to-eat whole grain cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in sealed containers)
Dry, crisp crackers (in sealed containers)
Potatoes, carrots, onions (fresh or dried flakes)
Foods for babies, elderly persons or persons on special diets plus pet food
Comfort/stress foods-- cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops
Instant coffee, tea bags, cocoa, chocolate bars, canned nuts
High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
Dried spices (pepper, garlic, onion, oregano, chili powder, bay leaves, etc.)
Beans, rice, pasta, other dried foods
Bouillon products, dried soup mixes, powdered milk
Vitamins, Vitamin C, Tang

Avoid highly salted foods as they make one thirsty and you must conserve your water supply.

Long-Term Provision: If the Lord speaks to you, you may also want to store large amounts of staples along with a variety of canned and dried foods mentioned above. Bulk quantities of wheat, corn, beans and salt are inexpensive and have nearly unlimited shelf life. If necessary, you could survive for a long time on small daily amounts of these staples. Store sugar, wheat, corn and beans in sealed cans or plastic 5 gallon buckets (Make sure these are clean, dry and food quality containers). Buy powdered milk in nitrogen-packed cans. Leave salt and vitamin C in their original packages. Other items I recommend that are relatively cheap and that have multiple uses are vinegar and baking soda. Get several gallons of vinegar. It can be used for canning as well as many cleaning jobs. Vinegar, salt and sugar help preserve foods, if you have a garden. You can brush your teeth in soda and there are numerous other uses for it too. Stock the following amounts per person, per month:

Wheat (or other grain) --20 pounds
Powdered Milk (for babies and infants) -- 20 pounds (Purchase in nitrogen-packed cans)
Corn (Kernels) --20 pounds
Iodized Salt --1 pound plus an extra 20 pounds for preserving food
Baking Powder & Yeast -- 2 oz.each
Sugar or fructose -- 10 to 40 pounds for preserving foods
Dry Beans (Pinto, Soy, Navy, etc.) --10 pounds
Cooking Oil -- 1 Quart
Dry Pasta -- 5 pounds
Vitamin C --15 grams (Good for two years so rotate this item)
Garden Seeds
Grain Mill for grinding wheat and corn (This can be purchased from your local health food store)
A good basic cookbook, "back to basics" book, and gardening book plus any other good "how to" books.

3.) Personal Items Needed: Prescription medications, personal items such as feminine napkins, disposable diapers, baby wipes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, Kleenex, toilet paper, detergent, several gallons Clorox (chorine bleach). You will need a good First Aid Kit furnished with gauze, tape, Band-Aids, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, aspirin, Tylenol, Neosporin, etc. Be sure and have on hand extra-warm clothes, winter boots, gloves, hats and extra blankets. Purchase a good first aid and emergency medical book.

4.) Equipment Needed: You will need batteries (all sizes), flashlights, butane or kerosene lanterns (army surplus stores carry these for under $25.00) and candles. Solar Malibu yard lights could be taken inside at night and then taken back outside during the day to be recharged. This requires no fuel source other than a sunny day. Camping stoves for cooking or propane, gas or charcoal grills (use only outdoors), supply of charcoal, butane or propane in small tanks or a large tank on your property for extended use. Several dozen Sterno cans could be useful for cooking if you didn't have anything else. You would need a wood stove with a supply of cut wood or a propane stove for alternate heat if the electricity is off (gas furnaces will not work as their thermostats are run by electricity.) Even a kerosene indoor heater will work. Just follow the manufacturer's instructions for burning indoors as these kinds of heaters can put off carbon monoxide which can be deadly. Be sure that you have a fire extinguisher on hand as well. A chain saw is also a good investment, as you could cut your own wood if you are in an area where it is available. Many have found that after storms they were able to cut trees that were blocking the roads for emergency help to get through. A good battery-powered radio may also be useful if other communications are out. Remember to include garden tools in case this crisis is extended. Purchase a good garden instruction book if you don't know how to raise food.

For additional information on food storage you can write to the government Federal Emergency Management Agency for their information booklets on Storing Emergency Food and Water Supplies and Emergency Preparedness Checklist. Contact: Consumer Information Center - 6A, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, Colorado 81002

Pray about how you are to prepare, and make your preparations as the Lord leads you.

End Notes

¹ Federal Emergency Management Agency

Is Y2K the End of the World?

No, I don't believe Y2K is the end of the world, however it could usher in the end of America's world as she has known it. Entering a new century, and a new millennium, tends to create apocalyptic fears and fantasies. There are always "doomsdayers" who twist the scriptures to fit the latest news events. Y2K as such, is not mentioned in the Bible. However, there are events mentioned in the Bible that could come from problems created not only by Y2K but other events as well. We live in what the Bible terms as "perilous times."

2 Timothy 3:1-4 says, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God..."

The time is getting close for Jesus to return to this earth as we see the signs that He told us about in the Bible all around us.

Matthew 24:3-8: "And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows."

I do believe we are in the time of sorrows. The Lord plans to use His people in this time to do a mighty work in the earth to bring in a harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God before the end of this age comes. This will be the greatest hour for the church. The end of this age comes after the gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the world. This entails more than just preaching the gospel of salvation. The kingdom of God will be demonstrated by the saints of God to all the world, then the end shall come as Jesus shall return to this earth. We are nearing that time and it could happen in a short period of time as the entire body of Christ obeys the Lord. No one really knows when Jesus will return, but we do know we are in that season and we need to be ready.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

The trials ahead will thrust God's people into a place that they will have to make the commitments necessary to be brought into a new place in God with His power and anointing upon them. This will be an hour where God will demonstrate His power and miracle provision to His people. What we are unable to do at the physical level, He will anoint us to do supernaturally.

Some people are refusing to make any physical preparations because they say that God will take care of them supernaturally. Many of these same people are not walking in faith as their current needs are not even being met. How do they think their faith will be sufficient to multiply food? I do believe that the Lord will multiply food in the days ahead, when needed, as this miracle has been performed in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. However, this does not excuse us from making preparations. We must have food to multiply it. We could be called upon to share our food with others in need. This means there could come a day when we would need to pray over our food and multiply it so others could eat. We must not limit God! He is unlimited!! Western Christians have not faced the trials of famine and persecution to the extent that many of our brothers and sisters in other countries have faced and are facing at this time. However, this does not exempt us. If we do not repent and turn back to the Lord as a nation, we too, can face these same trials. We must stay close to God and remain in faith if we are to overcome the troubles facing our nation.

Is There a Place of Safety During This Time?

Many of the computer people that are warning about the Y2K problem are buying places in the country and stocking up on food and supplies. They are concerned about riots and food and utility shortages that will ensue from the fallout of Y2K and plan on fleeing the cities. Should Christians consider this option? The answer to that question depends on what the Lord has spoken to you to do. There is no safety in the country if you are out of the will of God. The only safe place for anyone is to be in the center of God's will for your life and standing in the authority of the Word of God. If that is ministering in the city ghettos, you will find your safety there. If that is serving in a war-torn country--you will be safe there. If the will of God is to serve Him in a remote area living in a mud hut--you will be safe there if you are standing in faith and trusting in God's promises of protection. There is no safety in a location unless you have been led of God to be in that location.

Definitely, there are times that God will lead you from one location to another as He knows what is going to happen and He wants to protect His people. During World War II, many of the Christians in Germany were warned of the evil that was coming through Hitler's reign and were told in prophecy and by the Holy Spirit to flee. Some obeyed and were spared the grief and destruction that would have come to their lives. Others would not leave as they couldn't part with their homes, bank accounts and material possessions. Some people in the cities at this time should be in the place that God wants them. However, some are unwilling to give up their high paying jobs, homes and other advantages in the city. Their families are suffering because many men and women have become work-alcoholics just so they can maintain a certain materialistic life style.

Others think that if they head for the country or small towns they will automatically be safe. This attitude can reflect a "bunker mentality" that thinks only of self-preservation. It is not wrong to seek safety or preservation, but if we truly have the spirit of the Lord we will not just be concerned with our own safety, but others as well. Sometimes the Lord will plant us in a place that may be dangerous. If this is that case, He will equip us with His grace and anointing to not only survive, but take territory for the Kingdom of God! We should never face our circumstances with fear, but rather with faith in what God can do. As Christians, our selection of a job, home and geographic location should be guided by the Holy Spirit. The bottom line, whether we are in the city or the country, is that only our faith and obedience to God will sustain us. Sometimes the Lord told people to flee and others times He told them to stand and see the salvation of the Lord. The key is hearing and obeying what the Lord tells us to do.

Sometimes we are kept in the midst of trouble even as Psalm 91 declares that others may fall but "...it shall not come nigh thee." We should all memorize this Psalm as it is one of the greatest promises in the whole Bible of God's protection, long life and salvation for those who abide under the shadow of the Most High. Being in God's shadow means we are close to Him. The time is coming when chaos and hardship will be everywhere. Man-made systems and institutions will topple around us. There will be no place of safety outside of the Lord. Everyone will be looking for a place of shelter, a place to hide. For us, as God's people, that shelter is the very presence of the Most High God!

Is Y2K A Judgement on the World?

We need to understand what Biblical judgement is before we address this question. Judgement is twofold:

(1) The wicked are punished for their deeds as the penalty for sin is executed upon them.
Ezekiel 11:21, "But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God."

(2) The righteous are rewarded for their faithfulness.
Galatians 6:7-9, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Simply put, God judges evil by allowing its evil fruit to destroy itself. God never desires judgement on sinners but rather desires that they repent and come to Jesus to be pardoned for their wicked deeds and cleansed from its ravages. If you are a sinner and need this pardon and cleansing go to this link for help.

God judges evil. Keeping this in mind, yes, Y2K is a judgement. The judgement is coming on what man has done with the knowledge that he has discovered. One of the gods of this nation is worshipping at the feet of the god of technology. Many people in the world believe that man's own ingenuity and knowledge are the answer to mankind's problems. The advancements that have been made in the world because of the discovery of computers has been amazing. I will not elaborate on those here. There is no invention that exists that God did not allow man to discover. In the mind of God, these modern inventions were revealed to men for the good of mankind. Because we have an enemy named Satan, he always takes the things that God means to be a blessing to mankind and perverts them and tries to use them to destroy mankind. We see this in many avenues. Computers can be used for great good even as this ministry and other Christian ministries are using them to get the gospel out. On the other hand, the use of computer pornography is being used as an instrument of destruction. There is no sin in things. Computers can't sin. Sin is in the heart of man. It is what man does with things that make them sinful.

Everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God must come down. The god of technology is now coming down. Man must see his need for a savior instead of thinking that his own knowledge will save him. Other false gods are also coming down in our nation as well: the god of government, the god of materialism, the god of sex, etc. This nation as well as the rest of the world must see that the God of the whole earth is the only answer to their life's cries.

My definition of what a god is:

The word "god" has many meanings. Anything which a man considers to be most important in his life, whose power he thinks is the greatest, and whose favor he would do anything or give anything to win, is properly called his "god." A man may have many gods. When a man worships anything other than the God of the Bible, we say he is worshiping an "idol" or a false god.

An idol may be attractive or ugly. An idol may be a concrete thing, a mythical character, or a mental ideal. But, it is always something a person serves with all he is or has. Those that have looked to technology for their answers are now facing the failure of this god.

God's Mercy in Judgement

Y2K is only one of many judgements in the world. The Lord must deal with and destroy evil and wickedness in the world or it would eventually take over and destroy the good. This was the reason for the judgment of the flood waters in Noah's day. The Bible says wickedness was so great that God had to deal with it. Today we are again facing the same situation that existed in Noah's day and God must take action to see that evil does not destroy the righteous. Every wrathful judgment of God in the history of the world has been an act of holy preservation. God's wrath is His utter intolerance of whatever degrades and destroys. Before any judgement, God warns people to repent so that the destruction might be avoided. Y2K and other judgements can be avoided or lessened through men's corporate repentance. Let us repent and plead for God's mercy and trust Him in this time of trouble.

Nahum 1:7: "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."

Y2K's Silver Lining

Here are some things that I believe that will work for the church's good through this time of trouble:

• Giving people time to prepare for Y2K is actually a merciful act from God, instead of a surprise judgement that we would be unprepared for. Should Y2K be not as serious as some think, we would still be prepared for perhaps other judgements such as the world-wide financial collapse that is being prophesied by many of God's prophets.There is of course, always the threat of natural disasters as well. Since there are many other problems we may be facing as a nation this will give us time to be prepared physically as well as spiritually.
• It will cause the church to be more unified as we will need one another's help when times are difficult.
• It will cause God's people to seek Him more diligently as the things they have relied on begin to fail them.
• It will be one of the greatest opportunities to witness to and help a confused world that needs Christ as their world crumbles around them. This can be the church's finest hour as we labor to gather in the harvest of souls for the kingdom of God before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth.
• It will be the perfect environment for God to show Himself as the true and living God as He intervenes with the supernatural manifestations and miracles to save His people. For example: God protecting us through divine guidance, healing our bodies, multiplying food to feed us, multiplying gasoline in our auto tanks, even causing lights to burn without being hooked up to electricity. The church will be led to take the limits off of God and He will display Himself mightily!
• Getting our priorities right as to what is really important --- people or things?

God will always work to bring good out of anything that we face as Christians as that is His promise to us.

Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

John 16:33: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Note: Please feel free to copy and distribute this article.

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Other Links With Information About the Y2K Problems (the Millennium Bug):

http://christunlimited.com/answers/ay2k.html (The Bible Approach to Y2K)

http://www.mcalvany.com/index.htm (Documentation of the Y2K problem and solutions from The McAlvany Intelligence Advisor)