News and Prophecy Staff

The God of the universe is brilliant in so many ways. His ability to remember and anticipate mankind’s mistakes is humbling. His creation constantly illustrates “His invisible attributes” (Romans 1:20) and His involvement with mankind. About 150 years ago, plastic was invented. This amazing substance has transformed the world in many positive ways, but as we now understand, it is also causing serious health and environmental problems. Plastic brings up the age-old question related to science and technology: “Just because we can do it, should we?”

U.S. News and World Report recently published this year’s list ranking nations according to their citizens’ quality of life (CNBC, September 26, 2024).

A reporter recently observed, “The European Union brought peace and prosperity to a troubled region in the decades following World War Two. But it may lack energy and become impotent in the decades ahead” (Reuters, September 16, 2024).

Cuba, like North Korea, is one of a few nations with a centrally planned economy, rationing out to their people items of basic sustenance. After the Cuban Revolution that ended in 1959, the ration book became a cornerstone of Fidel Castro’s government. It gave Cubans access to government-subsidized bread, milk, meat, fish, and cleaning supplies. In recent years, however, items have been removed from the ration book and prices have risen—creating a real crisis in a nation where the average citizen makes only $15 per month.

Today, people are not the only creatures traveling northward and crossing borders—dangerous mosquitos are also coming! Mosquitos carrying diseases formerly seen only in tropical regions are now moving into Europe and the United States (The Telegraph, September 24, 2024). The mild form of dengue fever causes high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash.