This artist's rendering shows Zacarias Moussaoui looking away from Judge Leona Brinkema Wednesday as the jury's verdict is read. Dana Verkouteren / AP
'YOU WILL DIE WITH A WHIMPER,' JUDGE TELLS 9/11 CONSPIRATOR
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - U.S. Judge Leonie Brinkema sent Zacarias Moussaoui to prison for life Thursday, to “die with a whimper,” for his role in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The convicted terrorist declared: “God save Osama bin Laden — you will never get him.”
Brinkema and the unrepentant Moussaoui capped the two-month trial with an intense exchange that will mark the defendant’s last public words before his incarceration in a maximum security prison in Colorado.
A day earlier, a jury rejected the government’s case to have Moussaoui executed, deciding instead to sent him to prison for life without a chance of parole.
Brinkema firmly refused to be interrupted by the 37-year-old defendant as she disputed his claim that his life sentence meant America had lost and he had won.
“Mr. Moussaoui, when this proceeding is over, everyone else in this room will leave to see the sun ... hear the birds ... and they can associate with whomever they want,” she said.
She went on: “You will spend the rest of your life in a supermax prison. It’s absolutely clear who won.”
Lisa Dolan, who lost her husband Bob in the attack on the Pentagon, was one of three family members of victims allowed to speak at the brief sentencing hearing.
She turned to Moussaoui and said, “There is still one final judgment day.”
picture & story courtesy msnbc.msn.com, 05/03/06
15All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him.God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world.
WHAT DOES TODAY'S SCRIPTURE MEAN BY "THE DAY OF JUDGMENT"?
Here's the answer from the notes in Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE:
4:17 The day of judgment is that time when all people will appear before Christ and be held accountable for their actions. With God living in us through Christ, we have no reason to fear this day because we have been saved from punishment. Instead, we can look forward to the day of judgment because it will mean the end of sin and the beginning of a face-to-face relationship with Jesus Christ.
No matter how anyone feels about the sentence given to the defiant, unrepentant, Moussaoui, the truth is that some day he will face Christ's judgment.
The truth is... so will we.
Are you ready? Are you spreading the Good News so that others will be ready?
If you know Christ as your Savior, thank God that you don't have to fear the day of judgment. Praise Him for your salvation in Christ, who took your judgment for sin when He died on the cross for you.
If you do not know Christ as your Savior, repent of your sin and receive God's forgiveness at this very moment by trusting Jesus Christ to forgive you and take over your life. Thank Him for giving you a relationship with God that will carry you through the day of judgment into an eternal home in Heaven!
- If you prayed to receive Christ as your Savior, email us at YFC, so that we can send you some materials to help you grow in your faith in Jesus.
- Whenever you see ongoing reports about Moussaoui going to prison, let God remind you to pray for one person you know who needs to be freed from their prison of sin. Look for the opportunity to share God's Story with him or her.
- Use today's Devo as a conversation starter with someone who is interested in future events or life after death. Trust Jesus to help you communicate His love as you share your story of faith.
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.