Dear Readers,

As I write this July update, two of our media staff members have just returned from a two-week trip to Europe where they shot many hours of video footage for our use in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. His promised return is the greatest prophecy of all, but that glorious occasion will be preceded by many other events, outlined in the pages of your Bible, that will dramatically affect the entire world! On this trip they visited many of the historic, current and future sites of prophetic importance in France, Germany and Italy. Their material will be of great use to us in future Good News and World News and Prophecy articles, Beyond Today television programs and sermons for the United Church of God congregations.

Few people really grasp the unique perspective on life that you gain when you begin to understand Christ's gospel message. For example, a few years back my wife and I had a most interesting opportunity at a dinner party to visit at length with a family that had immigrated from Iran some 20 years previously. Our discussion of Middle East politics today, particularly the simmering situation in their homeland, eventually drifted into our ideas about the long-term prospects for peace around the world. I was quite surprised by the father's hopeful optimism for the future, but even more taken aback by his rationale.

He was confident, he explained, that the world will find peace, and quite soon, because humanity (and especially the younger generation, like our children) is rapidly grasping the futility of fighting and will develop a loving tolerance for all people. His theory was that just as we have evolved and improved physically, we are also evolving and improving spiritually and mentally, and thus we will find our way to peace.

I told him while I share his optimism for the future, it is for vastly different reasons—world peace will come in spite of human nature, not because of it! As a Christian, I said, I believe God must directly intervene in world affairs to bring peace, and it will be through sending Jesus Christ before humans destroy themselves. When I asked whether he, as a Muslim, believes Allah will intervene to save humanity, he said yes, except not through personally coming to the earth, but by helping people become better.

Now I'm not sufficiently familiar with Islamic theology to conclude that his view is representative of common Islamic belief. Regardless, though, for people to have any hope, they must attach themselves to some sort of belief structure that offers a basis for hope. The critical question is, how valid is the belief, and upon what is it based?

Based upon the Bible's explanation of human nature, which has been tested and confirmed by the record of human experience, it's simply hard for most of us to have much faith that humanity is evolving a greater capacity for love and tolerance that will lead us to peace! At the same time, however, the Bible does give us something much greater to which we attach our belief—the gospel of the Kingdom of God. If you haven't already read it, please request your own free copy of our booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom, or read it online today.

The gospel includes the understanding that Jesus Christ will return, not only to save the world from self-destruction, but also to begin on a massive scale the process of spiritually changing the human hearts that have alienated us from Him and one another.

We can envision this happening for the world because true Christians have seen it happen already in their own lives. As Paul told the Colossians, "We give thanks . . . because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth" (Colossians 1:3-6).

Jesus Christ will change the lives of those who hear, listen and respond to "the truth of the gospel." The sad reality is that most people seem to just stumble over it, pick themselves up, dust themselves off and continue on their old way of life! Not so for His true disciples! They are distinguished by their dedication and deep personal attachment to the way of God. Not only do they set their hope on that gospel, they are dedicated to the commission God gave His Church to spread His message as a witness for the world to hear. Whether tens of thousands, or only 10, respond right now to that preaching, the true disciples do not veer from that mission, for they know it is the truth, and the only true source of hope for humanity.

This is what Paul meant when he urged them to not be "moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard" (Colossians 1:23). The gospel gives us vision, the hope gives us dedication, and the dedication gives us commitment.

That's why we continually examine our efforts, and analyze the world to which we speak, to see how we can preach the gospel most effectively. It's a huge world, and we're a "little flock" with a giant task, but with God's guidance and power to open doors, "this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).

Thank you one and all for your continual encouragement, help and steadfast support. We deeply appreciate your sharing our sense of urgency and concern for the world in which we live. If we can be of further help to you, please don't hesitate to let us know. We have dedicated ministers around the world who are here to serve you and help further your understanding of the gospel and God's way of life.

Until next month, may God be with you, and may we all strive to walk with Him!

Clyde Kilough
President
United Church of God

PS—For more information on Europe, the Middle East and the coming clash between Islam and Christianity, make sure you read our full-color booklet, The Middle East In Prophecy. You can order your own free copy, or read it online immediately.