Y2K, the Millennium Bug, and Christian Preparation


Fellow	ship > Y2K, the Millennium Bug, and Christian Preparation

Y2K, the Millennium Bug, and Christian Preparation

by Tom Stewart
August 1, 1999

Recently, my attention was drawn to a recounting of a CNN June 5th 1997 news item: "A computer glitch at Smith Barney overnight briefly put $19 million into each of hundreds of thousands of customer accounts, the brokerage said Thursday morning... Smith Barney spokesman Gordon Andrew said customers were not affected in any way. At some point overnight, he said, roughly $19 million appeared in separate entries for each Smith Barney financial management account. The brokerage has 525,000 such accounts." "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD" (Proverbs 21:31).

The explanation for the monumental glitch, was that the computer programmers at Smith Barney were attempting to make Y2K repairs to their database. Since the Millennium Bug is merely older computer software interpreting the "00" in a date to mean the year 1900 instead of the year 2000, Y2K repairs would require the updated software to display dates in an expanded format, e.g., "1900" and "2000", to avoid inevitable software confusion. The dates in the Smith Barney database were formerly displayed in a six-digit form, where 970627 would represent June 27th 1997. By the addition of 19 million to each of the dates, the programmers would make their software Y2K compliant, i.e., 19,000,000 + 970,627 = 19,970,627; and thus, the resulting eight-digit form, i.e., 19970627, would squash the Millennium Bug. "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain" (Psalm 127:1).

After successfully testing their software off-line, the computer programmers decided upon a live test of their Y2K ready software. They only made one mistake. The computer program not only added 19 million to each date, but it added 19 million to each of 525,000 account balances. The result was an unintentional-- and momentary-- enriching of each of Smith Barney's clientele by an additional $19 million-- possibly as much as a $10 trillion Y2K generated mistake. Of course, the damage was quickly controlled; and, it made a good CNN story. But, what is worse, the untampered-but-faulty-code of computers worldwide or the unintentional errors from attempted Y2K fixes? The municipal government of Los Angeles, California [USA] recently reported that it would not be Y2K compliant-- with tested code (?)-- until December 31st 1999. How many Y2K noncompliant programs need to fail to be considered a calamity to this computer dependent world? And, why is it that the Millennium Bug has so little registered on the consciousness of the man in the streets? Too many issues of daily survival already, too much engaged with seeking pleasure, or just honestly unaware, the noise of the Y2K Train is barreling down the track. It is important for honest Christian people to assess the situation and make appropriate preparation. "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished" (Proverbs 22:3; 27:12).

Early computer programmers were constrained to conserve formerly expensive storage space. Manufacturers embedded code into a countless variety of computer chips to intelligently control most aspects of human existence. Military applications for GPS (satellite based global positioning) dependent navigation and weapons systems, may be destabilized by a failure of even a minor non-Y2K compliant component. Economics from the perspective of an ATM machine user, a grocery store inventory controller, a utility provider, a floor trader at a stock exchange, or an international banker, would all be affected like dominoes by non-Y2K ready programs. Small failures would be sufficient to spoil the networked system. "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes" (Song of Solomon 2:15).

Some in Christendom are opposed to any discussion of Y2K for fear of the great scorn that would be heaped upon the cause of Christ, if Y2K turns out to be a non-event. But, scorners have mocked Christians from the earliest times. "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate Knowledge?" (Proverbs 1:22). Regardless of the issue, the scorners will always mock the True Saints-- even if we are right about Y2K being a calamity. "3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the Last Days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the Promise of His Coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation" (2Peter 3:3-4). Even if we turned out to be honestly mistaken about Y2K, how does that affect our standing before God? "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men" (Colossians 3:23). Our responsibility is to the LORD, and then to those who have been entrusted to our care. "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the Faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1Timothy 5:8).

How can we prudently prepare for Y2K? In answer, we must do all that is consistent with faith in the LORD Jesus Christ. "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Hebrews 10:38). If faith dictates that we lay aside provisions for ourselves and our families, then it would be wrong to do otherwise. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17). Exactly, what is necessary for Y2K preparedness? Withdrawing cash from the ATMs well before December 31st? Storing bottled water? Canned goods? Staying home? Battery operated radio? Flashlights? "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" (John 5:17). You probably recall that sense of helplessness and inadequacy when the electricity went out for only a few hours. But, what about a longer or more indefinite period of time? "Have faith in God" (Mark 11:22).

The Promises of God must be the key to our preparation. "3 According as His Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness, through the Knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us Exceeding Great And Precious Promises: that by These ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2Peter 1:3-4). If we do not presently walk by faith-- "For we [ought to] walk by faith, not by sight" (2Corinthians 5:7)-- then we are walking in the flesh. "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Renewing our First Love (Revelation 2:4), we ought to begin afresh to lean in faith upon the character and Promises of the Living God. "O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come" (Psalm 65:2). Whatever is missing from our Y2K preparation, our God can supply. "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

And, if we can hear it-- "According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29)-- our God may even supply a Pre-Tribulational Rapture prior to any Y2K calamity. "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).

Maranatha!