Dear Friend,

Reuters News Service posted the following story on Friday, May 19, 2000. Though it was five years ago, I believe we can learn some important lessons from it.

"At least three people were killed on Thursday night when a pier on the Delaware river in Philadelphia collapsed, plunging scores of nightclub patrons into the water. Officials said a loud rumble shook the pier and the barroom and dance floor collapsed into the river. The open-air nightclub, perched at the end of pier 34, was one of the newest along Philadelphia's neon-lit riverfront. People said they had almost no time to react when pier 34 began falling away under their feet. Witnesses said that about 75 people, some attending a birthday party, had been dancing at 'Club Heat' when the floor suddenly collapsed, tipping the nightclub goers into the water below."

This tragic, terrifying event took place without warning. One moment, people were enjoying each other's company—the next they were struggling for their lives amid chaos, darkness and destruction.

Bible prophecy reveals that a time is coming when shocking, traumatic, life-threatening events will occur suddenly and without warning on a global scale. Just as happened at the Philadelphia nightclub, people will be caught completely by surprise. In His famous Olivet prophecy, Jesus Christ said: "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:37-39, NIV).

During Noah's time, in spite of his warnings, people continued in their normal routines until disaster struck and they were drowned in a worldwide flood. Jesus explained that just before His return at the end of this age, conditions will be strikingly similar to the state of the world of Noah's time. Sad to say, even though they live in the midst of growing moral evils and lawlessness, men and women everywhere will be unaware that anything is really wrong and will be caught totally off guard.

The United Church of God, an International Association, sponsor of The Good News magazine, is doing all it can to preach and publish information about the events to unfold in the future. We are striving to carefully explain the profound, yet simple truths of God's Word, the Bible. In fact, during the first seven months of this fiscal year, Good News print advertising produced significant results. Throughout that time, direct mail was the foundation of our promotional efforts. We employed the services of five commercial publishers that mailed over 5.2 million cards to individual households throughout the United States. As a result, almost 42,000 new subscriptions were generated.

During that period, seven newly designed inserts were tested. These cards advertised various booklets and a subscription to The Good News. Response was highest to our booklet offers of "Jesus Christ: The Real Story," "Why Does God Allow Suffering?" and "Heaven and Hell: What Does the Bible Teach?" (If you would like a copy of these or any of our other enlightening free booklets, you are welcome to order or download them at our Web site www.gnmagazine.org/booklets/).

Later in the fiscal year, an additional 3.7 million inserts and "take-one" cards were mailed or distributed. Responses to these efforts are currently being tabulated. When our print advertising campaign for this fiscal year concludes on June 30, we expect to have added close to 70,000 new Good News subscribers. These are all in addition to the thousands of new subscribers added directly from our Web sites each and every week!

Finally, as the end of this age looms, God asks of us a serious question: "What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?" (2 Peter 3:11). The Eternal Creator is seeking those who will stand out from the crowd and resist evil. He encourages us to diligently get our spiritual houses in order so we are prepared for difficult days ahead. "Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life and that day [of Christ's return] come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth" (Luke 21:34-35, NASB).

Let none of us be caught short, but rather, let us diligently prepare and serve, so when Christ returns He can gladly say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

Sincerely,

Roy Holladay
President
United Church of God, an International Association