World News and Trends: What's behind senseless killings?
In the last few years a number of nations have been shocked by random, senseless killings. The recent Binghamton, New York, massacre of 14 happened apparently because an angry immigrant was laughed at while trying to learn English.
In the last few years a number of nations have been shocked by random, senseless killings. The recent Binghamton, New York, massacre of 14 happened apparently because an angry immigrant was laughed at while trying to learn English.
Hearing of such events, those familiar with Scripture must recall the prophetic words of the apostle Paul: "Know also this, that in the last days shall come dangerous times" (2 Timothy 3:1, Douay-Rheims Bible). We do live in a dangerous world, and now we have the media technology to instantly immortalize mass murderers and show the entire world the carnage.
But why such random violence? The fundamental common cause in all murders is that an unseen power is afoot on the earth—Satan the devil, a being who influences people to dangerous and destructive acts (John 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8). The Bible says that as his time draws short and the Messiah's time grows near, he will influence society to become more dangerous, hoping to cause mankind to self-destruct (Matthew 24:21-22; Revelation 12:10, 12). To learn more, read our free booklet Is There Really a Devil?
An Article from:
Good News Magazine: May - June 2009
Course Content
Jerold Aust
Jerold Aust has served in the ministry for 52 years, as a public speaker for 58 years, a published writer for 38 years, and is employed by UCG’s Media and Communications Services. He is a Senior Writer, interviewer, and editor for Beyond Today Magazine and has taught Speech Communication for UCG’s ministerial online program and the Book of Revelation for ABC.
Jerold holds a BA in theology from Ambassador College, Pasadena (1968), an MA in Communication from California State University, Fullerton (1995), a distance-learning Ph.D (2006), and a Famous Writers School diploma in non-fiction writing (1973). Additionally, he studied post-grad communication at University of Southern California (1995), radio, TV, voice-overs, and Public Relations at Fullerton College (1995-1996), and graduate communication at Wichita State University (1978). Jerold has taught communication at the University of South Alabama (7 years) and ABC (17 years). His published works include, Ronald Reagan’s Rhetoric: Metaphor as Persuasion and EZSpeakers: Public Speaking Made Easy in 7 Steps. Jerold's overarching goal is to share with humankind its incredible destiny!
John Ross Schroeder
John died on March 8, 2014, in Oxford, England, four days after suffering cardiac arrest while returning home from a press event in London. John was 77 and still going strong.
Some of John's work for The Good News appeared under his byline, but much didn't. He wrote more than a thousand articles over the years, but also wrote the Questions and Answers section of the magazine, compiled our Letters From Our Readers, and wrote many of the items in the Current Events and Trends section. He also contributed greatly to a number of our study guides and Bible Study Course lessons. His writing has touched the lives of literally millions of people over the years.
John traveled widely over the years as an accredited journalist, especially in Europe. His knowledge of European and Middle East history added a great deal to his articles on history and Bible prophecy.
In his later years he also pastored congregations in Northern Ireland and East Sussex, and that experience added another dimension to his writing. He and his wife Jan were an effective team in our British Isles office near their home.
John was a humble servant who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel—the good news—of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to all the world, and his work was known to readers in nearly every country of the world.
