Newspapers and newsmagazines, like Time and Newsweek, are making radical adjustments to the changing ways people access information about today's world events. Both of these venerable newsweeklies have cut back on staff, shifted their focus and struggle to survive with declining subscriptions to their printed magazine.

Editors from both publications recently commented they are focused on analysis of what is happening more than trying to report events that are up to a week old. Having read these magazines since my childhood, I am struck by these changes. There was a time when you looked at the reporting of these weekly magazines to give you a deeper knowledge of the week's events.

Now that has all changed. We have the Internet and cable news programs giving us news "as it happens" even if those reporting do not understand the "what" and the "why" behind the events. I carry with me a smart phone that alerts me to breaking news wherever I might be. Sometimes I do ask myself whether I really need to be that connected and informed!

It is interesting that these newsmagazines are now focusing on analysis of world events. That is precisely what World News and Prophecy has been doing for more than 10 years. We have always understood it is not just about breaking news, it is about understanding why things happen as they do and what it means for the future.

Our articles are written from the viewpoint of God's Word, the Bible. We understand the Bible speaks louder than today's headlines. The message God sent through the prophets continues to speak to the moral, political and religious issues that swirl around our lives today. We know the answers to today's challenges can be found in God's revealed Word. This is what forms the background of our articles.

Most importantly we gain from the Bible the vital key of understanding how prophecy and the unfolding future events should influence us to change our lives for the better. In the final analysis what we read and understand should motivate us to righteous, godly conduct. When we understand this world's events are rushing toward the climax of the age of man and the appearance of the Kingdom of God, we should ask, "How should I live my life?"

God challenges us through Peter's words. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness…?" (2 Peter 3:10-11).

I once read a piece of wisdom that said anything we write should, in the end, motivate a person to change for the better. That is our goal when we write for World News and Prophecy. Our analysis of today's world in the light of Bible prophecy and teaching should motivate us to prepare for the world to come.

A Word About Books

Occasionally I have sent you a list of recommended books I have been reading. Many of you have commented how helpful this is for your own reading. I have set a goal to begin reading a book a week and will be posting my brief reviews of each book on our Longitude blog at wnponline.org. Keep checking this out for my latest posting, and from time to time I will compile a list of the best and send them along in this newsletter.

To that end, keep reading and keep watching.

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