iPad App Now Available for Good News Magazine
May 31, 201
Attention iPad owners. You can now read the Good News magazine on your iPad! A digital version of the Good News can now be downloaded from the iPad App Store. This new app is available in the Newsstand category of the store.
The Newsstand store features magazines that you can subscribe to and read on the iPad. The Good News magazine app is one of only a few Christian magazines listed in search results within the Newsstand category, which greatly helps raise our profile.
The digital issues of The Good News contain the same articles that are available in the bi-monthly print edition (and on the Good News website). As you flip through a digital issue you will notice areas within the magazine where you can tap to access Bible study aids (booklets or articles at ucg.org) or watch Beyond Today videos. Additional digital pages have been added that feature content that can be accessed from the iPad, such as United Church of God booklets that are available within iBooks or Beyond Today podcasts that can be downloaded from iTunes.
Once you download the free Good News magazine app you can download each issue to your library (starting with the January/February 2012 issue) and subscribe to get new issues when they become available. The Good News app functionality allows you to view the table of contents for each issue (and navigate directly to an article), add bookmarks to favorite pages, e-mail a page from the digital issue to a friend and search for particular keywords inside the issue. New functionality might be added over time as we try to improve the experience of reading a digital magazine.
The Good News app became available in the App Store on May 15, 2012. Since the release date the app has been downloaded over 220 times from various countries around the world without any advertising on our part. Here are some of the App Store locations from where iPad owners have downloaded the app: United States, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, China, South Africa, India, United Kingdom, Germany, Colombia, Singapore, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Brazil, Belgium, Japan, Philippines, Denmark, Republic of Korea, United Arab Emirates, France, Costa Rica, Portugal, Argentina, Thailand, South Africa, Lithuania, Israel, Russia, Norway, Barbados and Saudi Arabia.
This brand new app is available around the globe and being downloaded in numerous places. Those locations (and downloads) will only increase over time as the iPad is becoming one of the most popular mobile devices used to access Web content, including for visiting the ucg.org website.
At this time we only offer the English digital edition of the Good News within the iPad app. But, we are planning to expand the app to feature our other Good News magazine language editions beginning with the first issue published in 2013. By way of reminder, this app is only available for the Apple iPad and is not available for the Apple iPhone or iPod Touch nor is a Good New app available for any Android supported devices at this time.
Here is how to download the Good News Magazine app (you may need to download the Newsstand app first):
- Go to the App Store on the iPad.
- Search for “Good News Magazine.“
- In the iPad Apps search result, locate The Good News Magazine app and tap on “INSTALL.”
- Enter in your necessary Apple ID Password.
- Once the app is installed you can the download any issue and/or request a free digital subscription.
- Enjoy your digital version of The Good News.
We would like to thank the app development company TapEdition (and their helpful staff) that has graciously built this app and provided us the means of saving thousands of dollars. We are excited that we can now provide The Good News magazine iPad app for those around the world who are seeking to understand God’s way of life. Thank you!
Aaron Booth
Internet Managing Editor
Ahmadinejad’s Aims for Iran
May 3, 2012
[Scott Ashley, managing editor of the Good News magazine, provides this eye-opening analysis for our readers and United Church of God online visitors.]
Read the May-June 2012 issue of the Good News magazine online now.
Iran’s former president Hashemi Rafsanjani, predecessor of current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was considered a moderate leader. But regarding nuclear weapons and Israel, he said: “If one day, the Islamic world is also equipped with weapons like those that Israel possesses now, . . . the use of even one nuclear bomb inside Israel will destroy everything. However, it will only harm the Islamic world. It is not irrational to contemplate such an eventuality.”
Rafsanjani was saying that if the Islamic world acquired nuclear weapons, leading to a nuclear confrontation, just one nuclear detonation inside Israel would destroy the nation. But it would be worth it, he noted, because an Israeli nuclear strike, although it might kill many millions of Muslims, would only “harm” the Islamic world and not destroy it. Israel, however, would no longer exist. Thus, in his mathematical equation, a nuclear war would be worth because while it would cost the lives of millions of Muslims, Israel would be exterminated. He concludes, “It is not irrational to contemplate such an eventuality.”
What about his successor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is stringing the entire world along as he pursues nuclear weapons? He’s made no secret of his hatred for Israel. Since assuming office in August 2005, Ahmadinejad has made repeated threats to eliminate the Jewish state. Notice a few:
- “Israel must be wiped off the map” (2005).
- “The basic problem in the Islamic world is the existence of the Zionist regime [Israel], and the Islamic world and the region must mobilize to remove this problem” (2006).
- “The United States and the Zionist regime of Israel will soon come to the end of their lives” (2007).
- “The world powers established this filthy bacteria, the Zionist regime, which is lashing out at the nations in the region like a wild beast” (2008).
- “This regime [Israel] will not last long . . . This regime has no future. Its life has come to an end” (2009).
- “Israel is the most hated regime in the world . . . With Allah’s grace, this regime will be annihilated, and Palestinians and other regional nations will be rid of its bad omen” (2010).
- “I am telling you that a new and greater Middle East will be established without the existence of the U.S. and the Zionist regime [Israel]” (2011).
Ahmadinejad regularly refers to Israel as the “little Satan,” and to the United States as the “great Satan.” To them, a “Satan” is two things. It is an adversary as well as an evil spiritual entity. Ahmadinejad views the United States in both ways. In his mind America is evil because its values and morals and support of Israel are absolutely corrupt. And it is an adversary because the United States is the major obstacle in the world that prevents Islam from achieving its true destiny as the religion that is supposed to rule over the entire world. Therefore the two “satans”—United States and Israel—must be eliminated.
Does Ahmadinejad really believe this? At a 2005 Iranian conference with the theme “The World Without Zionism,” he said: “Is it possible for us to witness a world without America and Zionism? You had best know that this slogan and this goal are attainable, and surely can be achieved.”
Poster from Iran’s “World Without Zionism” Conference (Tehran, 2005).
At that conference Ahmadinejad spoke onstage in front of a large banner showing an hourglass with grains of sand falling to the bottom, depicting time running out. Clearly visible in the hourglass was a large falling grain painted with a star of David, symbol of Israel, showing that its time is over.
At the bottom of the hourglass was a grain that had already fallen and been broken. It was painted with a U.S. flag. The unmistakable symbolism of the entire banner was that the United States has to be brought down before Israel can be brought down. The “great Satan” must fall first, then the “little satan” will be no problem. (You can do an Internet image search for “The World Without Zionism” and see the images for yourself.)
Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad explains World Without Zionism conference poster.
The concept of dawah is a little-known teaching of some branches of Islam. In practice, it means that a Muslim leader must invite his enemies to convert to Islam before waging jihad against them. In several speeches to the UN general assembly, Ahmadinejad has done exactly this—openly urged the gathered world leaders to convert to Islam. But because Western news reporters and government officials are oblivious to the concept of dawah, they had no idea what Ahmadinejad was doing and that he was carrying out an obligation for Muslims before they initiate warfare against enemies.
Here’s part of what he said in his 2009 speech to the UN general assembly: “We emphasize that the only path to remain safe is to return to monotheism [Islam] and justice, and this is the greatest hope and opportunity in all ages and generations. Without belief in Allah and commitment to the cause of justice and fight against injustice and discrimination [in other words, accepting Islam], the world structure cannot be put right.”
Lest you think that’s an aberration, he said essentially the same thing in his UN addresses in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 as well. So in his mind, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has fulfilled this obligation to invite enemies to convert to Islam before waging jihad against them. So if Iran does successfully develop nuclear weapons, he has already warned the entire world—through his UN addresses—by repeatedly inviting them to convert to Islam and submit to Allah.
We also need to realize that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad adheres to an unusual strain of Shiite Muslim theology that believes in the imminent appearance of an Islamic messiah, called al-Mahdi, who will lead Islam to its rightful place as the dominant religion in the world. Al-Mahdi’s followers believe that it’s their duty to bring chaos to the world, and out of this chaos will come a clash of civilizations between Islam and the West.
So how does this belief play out in the real world? It means that Ahmadinejad will never voluntarily enter into any meaningful agreement to restrict Iran’s nuclear program. It means that any agreements are only to be used to play for time, which is exactly what we’ve seen for a number of years now, until Iran becomes a full-blown nuclear power.
Does Ahmadinejad really believe this? Let me quote from his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2011, just a matter of months ago. These were his opening words:
“In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful, all praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, and peace and blessing be upon our Master and Prophet, Mohammad, and his pure household, and his noble companions and on all divine messengers. Oh, Allah, hasten the arrival of Imam Al-Mahdi and grant him good health and victory and make us his followers and those who attest to his rightfulness.”
He said this to the United Nations general assembly, including a prayer for the quick arrival of al-Mahdi and his “victory.” What victory? Victory in leading Islam to be the dominant religion over the world.
Sadly, our government officials and world news agencies are blind to what he was really saying, so you haven’t heard this reported in the news. But that’s exactly what he meant. You can be sure that all the representatives of the Muslim nations sitting there, who understand Islamic theology, knew exactly what he was saying.
He closed his UN speech with these words:
“Through international cooperation, diligence and efforts by committed world leaders and governments and through insisting on the realization of justice and the support of all other nations, we can expedite the building of a common bright future.
“This movement is certainly on its rightful path of creation, ensuring a promising future for humanity. A future that will be built when humanity initiates to trend the path of the divine prophets and the righteous under the leadership of Imam al-Mahdi, the Ultimate Savior of mankind and the inheritor to all divine messengers and leaders and to the pure generation of our great Prophet [Muhammad].
“The creation of a supreme and ideal society with the arrival of a perfect human being who is a true and sincere lover of all human beings, is the guaranteed promise of Allah. He will come . . . to lead the freedom and justice lovers to eradicate tyranny and discrimination, and promote knowledge, peace, justice freedom and love across the world . . .
“Today nations have been awakened. With the increase in public awareness, they no longer succumb to oppressions and discriminations. The world is now witnessing more than ever, the widespread awakening in Islamic lands, in Asia, Europe, and America. These movements are ever expanding their spirit everyday and influence the pursuit of the realization of justice, freedom and the creation of a better tomorrow.
“Our great nation stands ready to join hands with other nations to march on this beautiful path in harmony and in line with the shared aspirations of mankind. Let us salute love, freedom, justice, wisdom, and the bright future that awaits humankind.”
Ahmadinejad is here stating exactly what he believes: That al-Mahdi will appear soon, that he is the ultimate savior of mankind, that he is the successor and descendent of Muhammad, and that he will establish peace on earth through Islam becoming the supreme religion on earth. He also notes that Iran stands ready to lead the march on this path toward a very different world united under Islamic rule.
He lays out his beliefs for the world to see. But without an understanding of the background of Islam and his beliefs, non-Muslims have no idea what he’s really saying.
So what will happen if or when Iran finally successfully develops nuclear weapons? He’s told us. He’s given the world the invitation to convert to Islam. He’s told us his intentions, which are to pave the way for al-Mahdi to come and lead Islam to victory over the entire world.
These are Ahmadinejad’s aims for Iran. You need to read The Good News to understand the forces that are transforming our world around us and understand the wonderful and magnificent age that Jesus Christ says really lies ahead for the whole world. Learn much more in the May-June issue of The Good News, now available online and arriving in your mailbox soon!
Scott Ashley—Managing editor, The Good News
Mario Seiglie published in German Science Book
April 30, 2012
Gerhard Josten
About six months ago, German chess historian Gerhard Josten, author of several books on the history of chess and chess strategies, asked for permission to reprint the German translation of Mario Seiglie’s Good News article “Our Amazing Spaceship Earth” (“Unser erstaunliches Raumschiff Erde”).
The article was published as the lead article in the March-April 2007 issue of the Gute Nachrichten magazine and was to be included in a new science book with other contributions of well-known scientists to refute the Big Bang theory. While working on his book, Mr. Josten had found Mario Seiglie’s article on the gutenachrichten.org website and expressed his deepest respect for the thorough research and the quality of publication.
The permission for the reprint was granted by the United Church of God, provided the author would put a link to the source of our article and also publish it in its entirety.
Today the German office received two signed, advance copies of Gerhard Josten’s book “Ein All ohne Knall” (“A Universe without a Bang”). The soft cover book contains 269 pages and features Mr. Seiglie as a co-author. It was published on April 20 and is already listed on Amazon.de.
It is very encouraging to see that the quality of the Good News publication and the work of the Gute Nachrichten magazine is noticed and appreciated by the international academic world.
Congratulations to Mario Seiglie for his great authorship!
Jesmina Allaoua—German office
Jesmina Allaoua
The Silent Scientific Revolution
March 6, 2012
A revolution is taking place in several scientific fields right now. But it’s a silent revolution, and you won’t hear or read much about it unless you search diligently for it. It’s silent because a lot of people don’t want you to know about it!
What’s this revolution all about?
It’s really pretty simple. When astrophysicists look into the farthest reaches of the vast universe around us, and into the mysteries of our Milky Way galaxy and the intricacies of our solar system, everywhere they look they see laws that have fine-tuned our planet for life.
So many things had to be just right, or none of us would be here! And the odds of this arising by random chance are so infinitesimally small as to be mathematically impossible!
On the other end of the size scale, going from solar systems to cells, microbiologists are finding things that just shouldn’t be (at least if one accepts the evolutionary viewpoint). They’re finding that cells, rather than being simple structures as long assumed, are actually incredibly sophisticated microscopic machines with multiple intricate parts carrying out complex and complicated tasks.
And DNA discoveries are even more amazing. Scientists are now coming to understand that DNA is an extraordinarily complex code of instructions for how to assemble every protein and molecule in every living thing. How did such sophisticated information evolve from nonliving matter—or before that, from nothing? Science offers no answers.
These astounding discoveries about DNA not long ago led one of the world’s most noted atheists, Oxford University professor Antony Flew, to state: “What I think the DNA material has done is that it has shown, by the almost unbelievable complexity of the arrangements which are needed to produce (life), that intelligence must have been involved in getting these extraordinarily diverse elements to work together.”
He went on to conclude: “The laws of nature . . . and the existence of the universe—can only be explained in the light of an Intelligence that explains both its own existence and that of the world. Such a discovery of the divine does not come through experiments and equations” (There Is a God, 2008, p. 75, 155).
What did he see that made him change his mind and conclude that the only logical, rational answer behind these discoveries is a divine intelligence far greater than ours?
We give you a taste in the March-April issue of The Good News, which should be arriving in your mailbox any day now (if you haven’t already received it). You need to see some of the evidence yourself. You need to see what some outstanding scientific minds are admitting, that the only answer is that a Creator God is behind the astounding perfection they see!
And there’s lots more to this issue as well—more food for thought to help you better understand your Bible and what’s going on in the world around you. We’re privileged to share this wonderful Good News with you!
Scott Ashley—Managing editor, The Good News
“Gute Nachrichten” Magazine Sent to 7,847 Subscribers
March 5, 2012
The March-April 2012 issue of Gute Nachrichten, the German edition of the Good News magazine produced by the United Church of God, was sent out to 7,847 subscribers today—a 4.2% increase over the March-April 2011 issue.
The editor of Gute Nachrichten, Paul Kieffer, created the cover title to feature his lead article “Deutschland: Weltmacht wider Willen?” (also available in English: “Germany: The Reluctant World Power?”). The articles in this edition also include: “Putting Romance Back Into Your Marriage,” “Archaeology and Genesis: What Does the Record Show?,” “Why Is Israel the Focus on Muslim Hostility?” and “An Invitation to Eternity.”
The March-April issue contains 24 pages, including a letter to the readers by Mr. Kieffer and a one-page ad for the Kingdom of God Bible Seminars in Winterthur, Switzerland, and Dormagen and Hamburg, Germany.
This year the German office is using a new printing establishment that also processes the mailing of Gute Nachrichten to subscribers in Germany. Changing the printing company will save UCG-Germany approximately 10 000 EUR annually. The new printing partner submitted an unsolicited offer for printing and mailing about a year ago, resulting in an unexpected blessing in terms of cost savings.
This year’s circulation goal is to reach 8,000 subscribers by December. UCG-Germany renews its subscriber list on a regular basis to maintain a healthy list of interested readers.
Jesmina Allaoua—German office
“Good News” Brochure Distribution Program to Expand
February 22, 2012
Successful U.S. Member Participation Program to Begin 14th Distribution Year
We are pleased to announce that four new tri-fold brochures and an updated earlier one are now available for distribution by brethren and congregations in the United States. The brochures offer potential readers a free, one-year subscription to The Good News magazine and one of our foundational booklets. The brochure titles include:
- Heaven and Hell – What Does the Bible Really Teach?
- Holidays or Holy Days – Does it Matter Which Days We Observe?
- Managing Your Finances
- The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy
- What Happens After Death? (updated)
For the last 13 years the Good News brochure distribution program has been an important part of the efforts of the United Church of God to publish the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Since 1999 our dedicated church members have distributed over half a million brochures. These brochures have generated 10,046 subscriber responses equaling an overall excellent 1.95 percent response at a very fine $1.56 cost per response. Below are brochure distribution totals for each year:
- 1999 21,497
- 2000 43,500
- 2001 40,200
- 2002 51,250
- 2003 21,840
- 2004 13,835
- 2005 108,535
- 2006 71,665
- 2007 58,408
- 2008 31,555
- 2009 18,485
- 2010 27,080
- 2011 6,620
Total 514,470
Over the previous 13 years brethren have placed brochures in restaurants, supermarkets, motels, hospital and clinic lobbies, auto-repair shops, hairdressers, senior centers, libraries, convenience stores and many other locations.
Whether brochures are placed in a display or a few are left on a table for pick-up in such locations, many distribution opportunities exist to reach potential readers. Additionally, members have used brochures as an opportunity to introduce the Church’s literature to interested relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers.
As we begin our 14th distribution year, we invite all brethren and congregations in the United States to participate in this newly expanded program. This program is one in which every member can be involved.
Please contact John LaBissoniere at john_labissoniere@ucg.org or call 423-562-9400 or toll-free 888-369-9940 for your supply of brochures and displays.
Also for information, you are welcome to visit the Brochure Program Web page at http://www.ucg.org/volunteer-opportunity/you-can-help-good-news-brochure-distribution-program/.
John LaBissoniere—Print Advertising Manager, Media and Communications Services
New Dutch Booklets Published
February 13, 2012
Voluntary teamwork in the Netherlands serves the Dutch speaking nations around the world
Last week UCG-Netherlands printed it’s eighth translated booklet “Is er leven na de dood?” (“What happens after death?”). The ninth booklet, “Schepping of Evolutie: Maakt het uit wat u gelooft?” (“Creation or Evolution”) will follow within the next couple of weeks.
In addition to the booklets, UCG-Netherlands has also posted all 12 lessons of the Bible Study Course in the Dutch language online. The first print version of the lessons will be available later this year. Furthermore, our Dutch brethren have produced Dutch supplements for the last 10 years that have been distributed with the English Good News magazine to subscribers in the Netherlands, Belgium and Dutch speaking areas in the Caribbean. GN circulation for the Dutch speaking area is around 1,500 copies.
From the beginning the editorial work has been a highly motivated voluntary teamwork effort by the small flock in the Netherlands. UCG-Netherlands on average has a church attendance of about 30 to 40 people. Dutch members work on various publications as a team of translators, typesetters and proofreaders. The volunteers work on their projects as they are able to and their daily schedules permit. Jamie de Moei does the initial typesetting and enters the editorial changes, and Paul Kieffer, pastor of the Dutch and German speaking region, assists with the final typesetting.
The Dutch booklets are also available online: www.ucg-holland.nl.
For the year 2012, UCG-Netherlands plans to have Kingdom of God Bible Seminars in Reeuwijk, Maarn and Antwerpen. The speakers will be the resident elder Marcos Rosales, Martin Arendsen and Wim Dekker, both members of the national board.
The team effort to preach the gospel in the Dutch language has strengthened and unified the flock in the Netherlands, providing satisfaction and joy to church members.
Jesmina Allaoua—German Office
Good News: The Economy and Bible Prophecy
November 1, 2011
You should be receiving the November-December Good News if you haven’t already. In this issue we examine two major themes dominating the news headlines and how they tie in with biblical prophecy.
One theme is what’s happening with the U.S. economy and why. America’s economy is on increasingly dangerous ground due to profligate government spending—living beyond our means on borrowed money. What does this mean for the future of the country? What’s at the root of the problem? How can the nation get itself out of the mess it’s in?
Another theme that’s dominated the news for months is the economic crisis in the European Union that threatens to break up the eurozone and redefine the European Union. Students of Bible prophecy understand that the biblical books of Daniel and Revelation foretell a major new global power that will arise, centered in Europe, comprised of 10 leaders of nations or groups of nations forming a powerful coalition. Further, it has long appeared that a resurgent Germany would lead this end-time coalition.
Could what we are seeing now in Europe be setting the stage for the emergence of a new coalition of nations that will fulfill these prophecies? It appears increasingly clear that the current eurozone will not continue in its current configuration, and the European Union’s current 27 member states could shrink to the group of 10 leaders described in Bible prophecy.
Ironically, though smaller in size, the final union will be more powerful and influential on the world scene because it will be more unified—likely with weaker member states jettisoned somewhere along the way. We may be seeing that process begin any day now as economically distressed member states such as Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland drop or are forced from the next incarnation of a European Union—perhaps a true “United States of Europe” that some European leaders and decision-makers are openly talking about.
What does all this mean? Simply this—a nation’s economics are ultimately a measure of its power. For the United States, its troubled economy portends major problems ahead. There’s no easy way out—just bad choices and worse ones. And across the Atlantic, Germany—which plunged the world into two world wars in the last century—is flexing its economic muscle as it asserts leadership over Europe and its future direction.
The Good News has talked about both of these trends for years—we have talked about them because both are integral to Bible prophecy. And we want you to understand, too. We’re here to help you make sense of what’s going on in the world and to help you see where it’s headed.
We indeed live in serious times, and we need to be digging into God’s Word, seeking understanding that comes only from Him. We hope this issue helps you grow in that understanding.
Scott Ashley—Managing editor, The Good News
2012: Will the World End?
September 1, 2011
May-June Good News: Will the World End in 2012?
The September-October Good News has been printed and should be in your mailbox shortly. The cover theme addresses a topic that has received a lot of attention in the last year—which is self-styled prophets proclaiming the end of the world in the year 2012.
Several months ago Harold Camping drew a lot of attention with his billboards and full-page newspaper ads proclaiming the end of the world on May 21. He left behind thousands of disillusioned followers when his prophecies failed to come to pass.
In recent years we’ve seen a wave of books proposing that the Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world in December 2012. A huge big-budget movie released last year, 2012, also built on this theme.
Obviously mankind should be concerned about where the world is headed, particularly in light of recent and ongoing news events of danger and turmoil in so many places. But how can we sort it all out? Is there a way to really understand the future?
We are blessed to know the answers, to know that God reveals what the future holds for us and all of mankind. He reveals that future in two ways—in broad outline through His Holy Days, and in more specific detail through the prophecies recorded in His Word, the Bible.
This next issue of The Good News shows, through the meaning and fulfillment of several of God’s Holy Days, that the world faces a near-term future of great concern, but beyond that lies a world of great hope! This, of course, ties in directly with the Holy Days we will soon be celebrating in congregations and at Feast sites all over the world, giving great hope to all who understand and keep them.
These Holy Days remind us of our dedication to the good news of the coming Kingdom of God and our determination to make it possible to share these truths with as many as we can reach with our message of hope. We hope you’ll join us in praying that many others will have their eyes opened and to see both the seriousness of the times in which we find ourselves and the great hope that lies beyond them.
Scott Ashley—Managing editor, The Good News
NEW: Portuguese Good News Magazine
August 31, 2011
We are grateful to our loving Father for the laborers He has provided to do His Work in the Portuguese language, and for the Church’s support with additional funds to increase the printing of the Good News supplement in Portuguese, A Boa Nova, to a full-color cover, 16-page magazine.
The September/October issue will run articles in concurrence with the English version. It will be available online on September 1.
In this issue we are running the latest GN articles about the year 2012, the article that earth will survive and the article about the Great White Throne Judgment.
We currently have a subscription list of approximately 1,500 people and the print run is of 1,850 to accommodate extra requests that occur during the two subsequent months and gift subscriptions.
Please continue to pray for God to continue blessing His Work around the world in the languages that we are able to serve Him.
Jorge de Campos—Portuguese Language Coordinator
