Women and Children First. Another Story from the same boat.

On April 10, 1912, a gathering of the world’s wealthiest men took place, featuring notable figures like John Jacob Astor, the great-grandson of the Astor who amassed a fortune in the fur trade. Astor owned a spacious mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, complete with 18-cars in the garage. Benjamin Gaffenheim, a leading member of a family controlling a substantial share of the mining and smelting industry, was also in attendance. Isador Straus, co-founder of Macy’s department stores in New York, and a member of Congress advising President Cleveland were among the distinguished guests. Others included Harry Widener, the son of Philadelphia’s wealthiest man, Henry Sleeper Harper, owner of ‘Harpers Weekly’ magazine, and Washington Roebly, who had recently supervised the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.

This assembly was part of the passenger list of 2,200 individuals who boarded the Titanic, a symbol of man’s triumph over the sea. Departing from Southampton, England, on its maiden voyage to New York, the ship was hailed as unsinkable. A confident deckhand proclaimed, “God Himself could not sink this ship.”

Equipped with 16 watertight compartments surrounding its superstructure, the Titanic could remain afloat even with four outer compartments flooded. In the event of a mishap, the captain could instantly seal off a breach from the rest of the ship by moving an electric switch.

Beyond its unsinkable status, the Titanic was a floating palace, featuring ankle-deep carpets, electric speed lifts, and opulent sleeping quarters. Describing one of the millionaire suites, an observer noted, “Instead of ports, there are windows – windows that look out onto the blue sea as might a castle on a cliff.” The ship boasted various amenities, including restaurants, hairdressers, tailor shops, a squash court, swimming pool, gymnasium, and café, earning it the status of a monstrous floating Babylon, as described by W.T. Stead, a leading journalist.

The tragedy unfolded on the night of April 15, 1912, when the Titanic, traveling at a full speed of 24 knots, struck an iceberg in the icy -5°C North Atlantic waters. Despite the ship’s advanced features, the highly developed talents and accumulated treasures of the passengers couldn’t avert disaster. As human mortals, they watched in dismay as the water level rose, lifeboats filled with women and children, and the ship’s orchestra played ragtime music on deck to uplift spirits during the Titanic’s final descent into the ocean, never to return.

Among the passengers, Benjamin Gagganheim wore evening attire, and John Jacob Astor stood on deck with $4500 in his pocket (equivalent to about $150,000 today), but their wealth proved futile. The only hope for the passengers lay in the small, undersized wooden lifeboats. The impact of the ship hitting an iceberg ripped a 100-meter gash in its side, completely flooding the first five compartments.

The sinking of the Titanic marked the end of an era, shattering the illusion of limitless human ingenuity and progress, ushering in an age of insecurity. The scarcity of lifeboats and the loss of the majority draws analogies with the current state of the world.

The last living generation on Earth will face a crisis similar to that of the Titanic’s passengers. Biblical parallels highlight the sudden shock faced by the complacent, emphasizing the need to be ready for Christ’s return, as described in Isaiah 24:20 and 2 Peter 3:10.

As in Matthew 24:37-39, there was feasting and dancing aboard the floating Babylon, signifying humanity’s intent on pleasure-seeking until Christ’s return. Despite warnings of impending danger, scoffers were also present on board (c.f. 2 Peter 3:3-4).

The tragedy could have been avoided, evidenced by the warnings of ice received that afternoon. Yet, the passengers sailed on in deluded security. The lifeboats were too few because they were considered unnecessary.

Passengers in the lifeboats gazed awestruck as their unsinkable world reached a near-vertical position, standing motionless for perhaps four minutes. Then, slowly, the Titanic slipped into the sea. There was no suction, no giant wave—just a quiet gulp as the ocean closed over the spot where the mightiest, most luxurious ship ever built had been.

Following the sinking, a great cry, akin to the description of the unsaved in various biblical verses, echoed from the sea’s surface for about 40 minutes until silenced by the cold waters of the Atlantic. The story, however, ends with rescue for those in the lifeboats.

Jesus promised his return on multiple occasions, with the final assurance in Acts 1:10-11, where attending angels conveyed that he would return just as they saw him ascend into the clouds. The assembled crowd hurried away bearing the glad news. They scribbled the words ‘Maranatha’ everywhere, and they laid down their lives to tell others about it.

This marked the beginning of the death march of the martyrs. This great cloud of witnesses walked to death down through the centuries, without fear, anticipating Jesus’ return and having the assurance of their own resurrections due to the power of His.

Thus endeth my stories for now, as we make way forthe new series on Daniel. Read about it and Register here: danielunlocked.org