Two Chidren Shot at Feather River Seventh-day Adventist School

[Richard Myers]

Ever since Pastor Mark Finley taught the Three Angels' Message and The Great Controversy in our quarterly Sabbath School lessons, it has been my thought that persecution would come knocking on our doors very soon. Yes, I know there has been persecution in the lives of very many already. But, I am not talking about persecution because we are Christians, but because we are Seventh-day Adventists. We are told that when we proclaim the Sabbath  more fully, then we will stir up the same anger seen when Jesus came to this dark spot in the universe and not only taught the truth, but lived it.

Yesterday, was it the beginning of this persecution? Half way between Oroville and Gridley California is the Feather River Seventh-day Adventist School. There was an evil creature that thought to kill two little boys who are students at this school. Last night they were fighting for their lives. When learning of the shooting, I thought that it may be the man who took his own life after shooting the two little ones did so because he hated Seventh-day Adventists. I don't know if this is the case, it is too early to know. But, it was interesting to note that the Butte County Sheriff commented on this subject when he said "we have received some information that leads us to believe that the subject responsible for the shooting targeted this school because of its affiliation with the Seventh-day Adventist Church."

If he did shoot the little ones because they were Seventh-day Adventist students we do not know why he chose a Seventh-day  Adventist Church school. When professing Christians who are not of our faith learn that we are calling them out of their churches, we can expect to find many who are not pleased with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Jesus is coming very soon, and before He comes, we know that the Bible teaches that Seventh-day Adventists will go through a time of trouble such as never was. Look up, for our redemption draweth nigh.

Pray for the two boys aged five and six that they recover from their injuries. Pray also for the teachers and students who lived through this evil act.    source

[Dorine]

Thank you for sharing this tragic news Richard. Our prayers are with those families.

[JimB]

What a sad day for those boys, their parents, their school, and yes their church!

[JimB]

I watched the sheriff's press conference. Its so sad, especially if he used possible enrollment of child to gain access. 

I don't know about the beginning of persecutions as you suggest brother Richard but it could be. You're not only one to say that so others see it the way also. Time will tell.

[rahab]

Thank you for sharing this tragic news Richard. Our prayers are with those families.

  yes

[Richard Myers]

Yes, the target was the Seventh-day Adventist Church. But, there is nothing to indicate why he targeted the school. There is a reason why he was not in jail prior to the attempted murder of the children. California has many criminals who are not jailed. Glenn Litton attended the Paradise Seventh-day Adventist school. It could be something happened when attending the school that caused him to choose a Seventh-day Adventist school to attack. We may never know. What we do know, is that he was a very sick man.

In a press conference today, Honea identified the gunman as Glenn Litton, 56. He has a history of crimes that include identity theft, fraud and forgery.

He served time in California State Prison in the 1990s and early 2000s for theft related crimes. In 2015 he was sentenced to two years in prison for aggravated identity theft in Sacramento.

As recently as Nov. 12, he was on the radar of law enforcement, after being arrested in San Francisco for stealing a U-Haul truck in Chico.

Litton has lived across the state over the years, Honea said, with ties to several counties. He is believed by law enforcement to have been homeless for several months.

Litton also attended a religious school as a child. Officials said he attended Paradise Adventist and may have had a family member who attended Feather River Adventist, but it would have been decades ago, so they are unsure if this history was connected to his motivations.

Following the shooting, investigators found writings they believe Litton authored, the sheriff said. One stated, "Countermeasure involving child executions has now been imposed at the Seventh Day Adventist school in California, United States by the International Alliance. I, Lieutenant Glenn Litton of the Alliance carried out countermeasure in necessitated response to Americas involvement with Genocide and Oppression of Palestinians along with attacks toward Yemen."

Law enforcement has been looking into Litton's involvement with an extremist group, but has not found any evidence showing such a group exists, Honea said. source

[rahab]

Satan has taken over such minds in the form of demon possession.  SOP says that this would happen more and more in the end times.  Satan knows that he has a short time.

News media calls it mental health issues and denies the existence of Satan.

[Richard Myers]

Yes, this man was doing the work of Satan for sure. The two young boys are doing better, and may be released from the hospital soon.

[Dorine]

Wonderful news Richard. I had heard that one of the boys may not walk again. Is this true? Our prayers are still with them.

[Richard Myers]

I'm not sure. My understanding is that his spine was injured. It is very sad. It will be such a blessing to see this world made new. There is so much evil in the world now. We, even though the two boys were injured, have much to be thankful for. When the 911 call was received, the dispatcher sent the message to the sheriff, who then immediately forwarded the shooting to the Calif. Highway Patrol. They then notified patrolmen in the area. It just so happened that there was a car at the highway where the officer could see the kids and shooter from where he sat. He was using his radar to track cars which were speeding. He was at the school within minutes. But, more important, I am speculating, the shooter saw him coming and took his own life. I think this because his body was found in the playground where he could see the patrol car coming. Why did not more children get shot? It appears to me that seeing the CHP car coming, he stopped shooting the kids and shot himself. All of which reveals a God who says this far and no further. Yes, God allows such things to happen. We know that all things work together for the good of all who love Him and keep His commandments.  When by His grace we get to heaven we are told He will then reveal to us why He allowed bad things to happen to "good" people and innocent children. And we will understand. Meanwhile we trust in light we have been given and do not let our hearts be troubled by what see knowing the character of God.

As we prepare for Sabbath, let us give thanks for all our Savior has endured for our sake!