World News and Trends: Russian and Chinese troops in new military exercises
A London Times correspondent reporting from Moscow stated that "thousands of soldiers and 500 combat vehicles will take part in ‘Peace Mission 2007,' organised by the Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) in the Chelyabinsk region of Russia . . ."
A London Times correspondent reporting from Moscow stated that "thousands of soldiers and 500 combat vehicles will take part in ‘Peace Mission 2007,' organised by the Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) in the Chelyabinsk region of Russia . . . Scores of Russian and Chinese aircraft begin joint exercises tomorrow before a week of military manoeuvres . . . At least 6,500 troops are involved in what is described as an anti-terror exercise" (Aug. 6, 2007).
Some observers see these Russo-Chinese military activities as a potential rival to NATO. From the biblical point of view, perhaps it is even a forerunner of what will become a vast end-time army that is prophesied to descend on the Middle East. Not long before the second coming of Christ, the "kings from the east" will play a major prophetic role in the world (Revelation 16:12).
In any event, the Times article concludes with the disturbing thought that "a newly assertive Russia, flush with oil and gas revenues, is moving rapidly to increase its military capability amid tensions with the West over missile defence and NATO expansion. Almost £100 billion [$200 billion] has been set aside for rearmament over the next eight years." (Source: The Times [London].)
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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.
