The Update

On this Sabbath, Paul Niehoff will give the sermonette, titled, “The Love of the Truth,” and Kalon Mitchell will give the sermon, titled, “Darkness Dressed as Light.”

The live services are available, over video and audio, at http://eternalgod.org/live-services/ (12:30 pm Pacific Time; 1:30 pm Mountain Time; 2:30 pm Central Time; 3:30 pm Eastern Time; 8:30 pm Greenwich Mean Time; 9:30 pm Central European Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

God provides miracles in situations humanly impossible to solve. Throughout Scripture, He called people to fulfill His purposes, even when they felt afraid, inadequate, or unwilling. Though they offered excuses or tried to run away, God remained patient and continued working with them.

Moses questioned how he could confront Pharaoh, but God promised to guide him and provide what was needed. When the Israelites stood trapped at the Red Sea, Moses called on God, and God delivered them. Noah obeyed God’s command to build the ark and later responded with thanksgiving. David, despite his mistakes, continually sought God’s mercy and help. Daniel’s three friends trusted God completely when threatened with death, choosing faith over fear. Daniel trusted God that He would deliver him from the den of lions. 

Jacob, who had often run from his problems, finally faced his past and turned to God. Though flawed, he surrendered to God and was blessed. Likewise, the woman in Mark 5, who had suffered for twelve years and exhausted every human remedy and spent all her money on doctors, reached out to Christ in faith and received healing, believing He alone could heal her. 

Even Jesus Christ relied on prayer, seeking strength and comfort from His Father while submitting to God’s Will. He trusted Him completely and prayed that His Will be done, knowing, of course, that His Will was for Him to suffer and die for us, so we could have forgiveness of sin and healing of our sicknesses.

We also face uncertainty, trials, and situations beyond human control. During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions and disruption reminded us that answers often come according to God’s timing, not ours.  We prayed without knowing when God would intervene. Yet waiting does not mean God is absent. His answers come according to His plan, His timing, and His Will. Like those who eagerly await Christ’s return without knowing the exact time, we must continue praying and refuse to lose faith.

The Bible also makes clear that not everyone has been called to understand God’s Truth in the same way (Matthew 13:10-13; 7:21-23; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Those whom God has called have been given a special opportunity to develop a relationship with Him (John 6:44; 10:25-29). That calling carries responsibility. We must remain faithful, seek God continually, and reflect His character in our lives.

As the Church of God, we are also expected to lift our voices like a trumpet, warning the world about what is coming (Isaiah 58:1; 2 Timothy 4:2-5).  This requires courage, obedience, and separation from the world’s values. If we remain faithful, God promises to sustain us through trials and provide a way to escape and endure them (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Therefore, whatever trial, fear, doubt, or uncertainty we face, we are not alone. We can place our burdens before God in prayer, trust His promises, and wait for His answer. God may not respond according to our schedule, but He never abandons His purpose. Place our fears and concerns before God, trust His Will, and wait for Him to provide.

By Norbert Link

Out-of-control Trump in full gear; Netanyahu not far behind. America is cursed because of its endless appalling wars. Mass demonstrations in France might reach Germany, which is already in turmoil because of other issues. Election results in Brazil and Israel (not good news for Trump). These are just a few topics addressed in this current edition. 

Please view our new message, “France Has Failed.”

Please view also our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Wrong Patriotism and Halloween.”

Trump Attacks Norway and Is Definitely Losing It!

Daily Mail wrote on October 26:

“Donald Trump on Sunday escalated his invective against Norway, calling it a ‘sh*thouse country’ [using a term that he has also previously applied to Haiti, Libya, Somalia and Yemen] after he was not awarded a Nobel Peace Prize… adding that immigrants from Norway were not welcome in the US. The US President also said that ‘Norway sucks’…

“Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide told national broadcaster NRK on Monday: ‘He knows very well that the Nobel Committee is independent. We have reminded them of that, if anyone is wondering, and that is still the case.’“ 

Trump’s hurt pride is appalling and totally unworthy of a leader in a high office.

Trump: I Could Still Run in 2028

The Huffington Post wrote on October 23:

“President Donald Trump on Thursday said he has the ‘right’ to run for a third term if he wants to despite the fact that the U.S. Constitution expressly forbids it…

“Trump hasn’t stopped from selling Trump 2028 merch, posting Trump 2028 images and memes, and musing about the possibility publicly…

“Trump said he ‘studied’ the phrasing of the Constitution, calling it ‘quite concise’ and with ‘not a lot of wiggle room.’ ‘It says something to the effect that under no circumstances and for any reason will you even consider thinking about running for president,’ Trump said, then created his own wiggle room. ‘Well, the one thing is different: They cheated us on the second one because we won it three times.’…

‘‘So I think I have the right to run again,’ he said. ‘I think I have the right to run again cuz they cheated. They cheated. They rigged the election.’ The crowd cheered.”

Why a “rigged” election in 2020 entitles him to run for a third time is a mystery. But his layman’s study of the Constitution was lacking too, as there are possibilities of interpretations which would allow him to run for a third term. Not understanding the law, his ignorance may be excusable. But his lawyer/advisors should know better.

“The US President’s Perpetual Lies”

On October 22, ntv wrote:

“For years, US President Donald Trump has railed against what he claims is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s lack of a desire for peace. This was the case again last week, when Trump asserted: ‘Zelenskyy says he wants a deal, but he doesn’t.’ Yet, as is so often the case, the US President is wrong. This became clear—ironically, in an interview on Fox News, Trump’s preferred network—shortly after his associate, diplomat Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow. When asked by host Brian Kilmeade whether he would accept the current front line, the Ukrainian leader replied with a clear: ‘Yes.’ Zelenskyy stated that the front line should be frozen now—reiterating a position he has held for years. Trump is well aware of this.

“The reason the fighting does not stop immediately lies solely with Russia. Moscow remains fixated on seizing all of Ukraine’s eastern regions—most notably the heavily fortified Donbas. To move closer to a ceasefire or even a peace agreement, Trump would need to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to abandon his objectives. But that is not happening… Moscow is further than it has been in a long time from achieving its goal of capturing the entire Donbas region…

“Putin aims to secure at the negotiating table what he has failed to achieve on the battlefield. This is why he refuses to agree to the immediate ceasefire proposed by Zelenskyy. After all, without the Donbas—a region Putin has been attacking since 2014—the Kremlin leader would emerge as the ultimate loser. There are many reasons why Ukraine will not vacate the region; for instance, Ukrainian law precludes the permanent ceding of territory… There is no majority—neither among the population nor in politics—for ceding territory. Many soldiers also speak out against it…

“And even if Ukraine were to agree to relinquish the Donbas, the danger would not be averted. Moscow has broken every ceasefire—partial or otherwise—in recent years. Deception, lying, and manipulation are all part of the Kremlin’s daily routine. Abandoning the well-fortified Donbas in the hope of a ceasefire could prove to be one of the greatest mistakes in Ukraine’s history, should Russian forces subsequently continue their offensive and push deep into the west. There is ample reason to believe that Moscow would, in fact, break any such ceasefire—because the Kremlin’s ambitions in Ukraine extend far beyond the mere capture of the Donbas…

“In the past, Kremlin representatives have repeatedly hinted that their goal is the entirety of Ukraine. For them, this entails not only the conquest of territory but also the removal of the Zelenskyy government. Furthermore, they have frequently demanded the extensive demilitarization of Ukraine…

“Security expert Frank Umbach told ntv: ‘Putin sees that Trump has switched sides. He is more firmly on the Russian side than ever. I would point to the diesel deal, the lifting of sanctions, the restrictions placed on Starshield and Starlink, the failure to provide early warnings, and—as reported in U.S. media—the blocking of Patriot missile shipments.’ According to Umbach, this confirms Putin’s own worldview. ‘Since 2022, he has consistently maintained that one only needs to outlast the conflict, as European democracies are inherently weak. Why, then, would he make any compromises now?’ Some assessments go even further, suggesting that the U.S. President is entirely under Moscow’s control.”

In spite of his double talk and his lies, Trump was always on Putin’s side.

The Despicable American War Machine

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on October 26:

“At a campaign rally over the weekend, President Trump dismissed Americans’ concerns over high oil and gas prices, claiming that it’s a small price to pay for the hundreds of billions of dollars ‘we’ are making from these higher prices. ‘We’re making a fortune,’ he said. ‘Hundreds of billions of dollars. Trillions of dollars.’ People are paying a little bit more for gas, he explained, but it doesn’t matter because ‘we’ are making so much money. The question is, ‘Who is “we”?’ We know it is not the American people. They are seeing wage stagnation, inflation, and more pain at the pump…

“But we understand what the President meant by ‘we.’ He meant that part of the ‘private’ sector directly or indirectly in bed with the government war machine. From oil companies to weapons manufacturers and everything in between, war and conflict drive up profits in well-connected corporations at the expense of the rest of us. That is why we are in a constant state of war. Twenty years in Afghanistan and a similar length in Iraq. Endless bombing in places like Somalia. A twelve-year (and counting) proxy war with Russia in Ukraine. Military bases and covert operations across the globe.

“And if we find that the largest military budget in the world does not deliver enough actual weapons to win a war? Well, that’s all good too: just double military spending and accuse anyone who objects of not being patriotic! ‘Private’ companies with enormous political power – many of them revolving doors between government and business – ‘make so much money’ on war, as Trump would say. Whether these wars produce US wins, loses, or stalemates, these corporations in bed with government always win. The money-printing machine makes sure the money cycles into government-favored companies, while campaign contributions are made to the politicians who support the wars.”

America is cursed because of its many wars. And so are those advocating those wars. They are the ones who are not patriotic… not the ones who object to this insanity.

Pentagon Fortress Plan

The Washington Times wrote on October 27:

“The Department of Defense wants every major military base able to operate for 90 days without outside help if a war cuts off power and supply chains. The bases would need their own power source, water, fuel and ways to communicate. The Pentagon’s Fortress America initiative aims to ensure U.S. forces can continue fighting even if the civilian systems they rely on are disrupted.

“The plans include having a small nuclear reactor at the bases, which would allow them to break away from the public grid during a power outage. Fortress America anticipates major disruptions to the global supply chains.”

Does not sound too good. What insanity has gripped the USA! Note the next article.

Staggering Costs of Iran War

Daily Mail wrote on October 28:

“Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon has now spent more than $47 billion waging the war in Iran, handing Donald Trump a damaging new spending figure just days before the midterms.  The number, drawn from Pentagon data obtained by Reuters, is more than 25 percent higher than the $37.5 billion estimate Hegseth gave lawmakers over the summer. ..

“The figures do not clearly account for what is expected to be a massive bill to repair US bases hit by Iranian missiles and drones….

“The Trump administration has warned Gulf allies to brace for a short, ferocious military campaign against Iran as soon as the midterm elections are over… American forces in the region are already gearing up, restocking munitions and readying bombers and fighter jets for strikes.”

Pope: War Is Ungodly

The Associated Press wrote on October 27:

“Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday denounced any religious justification for wars raging around the world, saying ‘there is no such thing as a holy war.’…

“… the American pope denounced the ‘troubling revival of war as an instrument of international politics’ and its religious justifications by leaders. ‘Precisely in these times marked by a culture of power, there is a need to cultivate the spirit of Assisi… War can never be waged in the name of God,’ he said…

“Russia’s Orthodox Church has justified Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a ‘holy war’ against a Western world it considers has fallen into evil. Leaders on all sides of the Iran war have used religion to justify their actions. U.S. officials, especially… Hegseth have invoked their Christian faith to cast the war as a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes with military might. Leo has consistently rejected such justifications as a perversion of religion itself… he said fighting in the name of religion ‘means attacking religion itself.’”

The same mad justification was given when the USA fought against the Nazis and bombed and destroyed entire cities indiscriminately, including Dresden. When it was pointed out that not every German citizen was a Nazi or fought against the USA and was even a conscientious objector, the retort was, These were necessary casualties. What ungodly damnable Satanic philosophy!

Spineless Audi

The Guardian wrote on October 26:

“The head of the luxury carmaker Audi is under fire in Germany for appearing at a rally with Donald Trump just days before the US midterm elections, to announce billions of dollars of investment in battleground state Georgia. Gernot Döllner joined Trump on stage after the US president gave a speech criticised by the head of an elected body of employees at Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen, as being full of ‘racism, sexism, transphobia [and] contempt for democracy’.

“Daniela Cavallo, the head of the VW works council, added that anyone who heard Trump’s speech and then saw that Döllner had become an active participant in the event must ‘sink into the ground with shame’… She said the investment deal and Döllner’s appearance showed VW’s management had allowed itself to be ‘turned into a puppet in the propaganda show of a highly dubious political figure’.

“Isabel Cademartori, the transport spokesperson for Germany’s Social Democrats – part of the country’s ruling coalition – called Döllner’s actions a ‘disgrace’. She added this was particularly so ‘in view of the history of the Volkswagen Group’, in an apparent reference to VW’s founding as a showcase company under the Nazis…  

“The head of the powerful German trade union IG Metall, Christiane Benner, called Döllner’s US appearance ‘extremely embarrassing, politically unacceptable and unworthy of the company, but above all of Audi’s employees’… She accused Döllner of being in ‘flagrant breach’ of the company’s code of conduct, ‘which expressly requires political neutrality in the run-up to elections’. She warned that any major investment like the Macon plant would have to go before VW’s supervisory board. Benner is the board’s deputy chair.”

Döllner claimed that Audi will provide 4,000 jobs for the plant in the USA, while having fired and firing tens of thousands of workers in Germany, blaming Friedrich Merz’s government for the situation. Döllner has allowed himself to become a puppet in Trump’s hands. Some have compared Döllner’s conduct with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino’s shameful delivery of a phony peace prize to Trump.

Netanyahu the Fearmonger

On October 25, Bild Online wrote:

“An apocalyptic warning just before the polls open! In the midst of his election campaign, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resorted to a dramatic stunt on social media. With only two days left until the parliamentary election, he is warning of the devastating consequences of voting for the opposition. He claims that anyone who elects a politician incapable of seeing the campaign against Iran through to the end is putting themselves and their families in danger—even risking a ‘second Holocaust.’ … Accompanying this is an AI-generated image of a massive mushroom cloud looming over a major city like Tel Aviv…”

“The Times of Israel noted that, for months, Netanyahu had claimed to have neutralized Iran’s nuclear program—a assertion that stands in stark contradiction to the fear he is now stoking. … For weeks, he has been promising that he will topple the mullah regime before U.S. President Donald Trump’s (80) term in office comes to an end. His opponents, meanwhile, focus primarily on the fact that he bears responsibility for the events of October 7, 2023…”

“The fact is: Israel is more divided than ever, its society left traumatized since October 7, 2023. On Friday evening, final polls confirmed the projections that have persisted throughout the campaign: only a few seats are expected to separate Netanyahu (Likud) from Eisenkot (Yashar)… This likely explains this last-minute fearmongering—driven by his own dread of losing power.”

In this regard, the next article is even more ludicrous.

God’s Purpose For Trump and Netanyahu?

On October 21, The Jerusalem Post wrote an opinion piece by Dr. Mike Evans claiming that God has brought Trump and Netanyahu to power (with which we agree, but not for the reasons Evans claims). Evans has written 120 books and is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and Nobel Peace Prize nominee. He is the founder of the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem, the Ten Boom Museum in Holland, and Churches United with Israel, one of the largest Christian Zionist networks in America.

We are publishing excerpts of his lengthy article to demonstrate the absolute deception and absurdity of his claims which are not only ridiculous, but also extremely dangerous. But they show how easily the blind masses will follow the beast in Europe when he manifests himself on the world scene. Only God’s true disciples will have the wisdom and discretion to look through the worldwide propaganda instigated by Satan the Devil.

“Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have remarkable similarities. Both have deep connections to American culture, and both understand the power of television and media in shaping public opinion. Politically, both emphasize national sovereignty, security, strong borders, and the defense of their nations’ interests. Both have challenged established political elites, criticized media institutions, and portrayed themselves as outsiders fighting entrenched systems.

“Both have also experienced extraordinary political comebacks. Trump returned to the presidency in 2025 after losing the 2020 election. Netanyahu returned to power after losing the premiership in 2021. Both understand what it means to be counted out and then return to the center of political power.

“But I believe their greatest similarity is personal. Neither man has a desperate need to be liked… Trump and Netanyahu have demonstrated a willingness to endure criticism rather than retreat from decisions they believe are necessary. I believe that principle explains his endorsement of Netanyahu better than any political calculation…”

Trump has no need to be liked? This must be the biggest joke of the century.

No Majority in Israel’s Election

The Times of Israel wrote on October 28:

“The Central Election Committee (CEC) said Wednesday afternoon that with 89.8 percent of ballots counted, the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was poised to win 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, and the bloc led by Yashar party chair Gadi Eisenkot would win 48 seats, leaving both blocs far from a 61-seat majority… In its update just after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, the CEC said 89.8% of total votes had been counted, representing the results from nearly all regular ballot boxes.

“While the results were not final, they weren’t expected to change dramatically… The bloc has 68 seats in the current Knesset, marking a significant drop. Eisenkot’s bloc… meanwhile, had a collective 48 seats — 13 short of a majority.”

Election Stolen?

The Times of Israel added on October 28:

“Claiming yesterday’s election was ‘stolen’ by Arab parties, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party demands an investigation by police and the Shin Bet into allegations of widespread voter fraud and intimidation… The Arab-led political parties… received a record number of votes yesterday, and are projected to win a historic high of 19 seats. That number means that both Netanyahu’s bloc and the Jewish-led parties opposing him will be far from achieving a Knesset majority.

“Throughout the campaign, Netanyahu’s party said cooperation with Arab parties was illegitimate. In its statement today, Likud says it is giving the police, the Shin Bet, and the Central Elections Committee ‘hundreds of testimonies’ and other evidence, including ‘thousands of envelopes with cash and Ra’am slips, threats and violence towards ballot committee members, multiple voters behind the voting screen, double voting, discrepancies between the number of envelopes and the number of voters, use of illegal voter mobilization software, and more.’”

Gadi Eisenkot’s position is less clear. At one time, he did not object to a Two-State Solution, and he also did not clearly rule out a coalition with the Arab parties. He is not interested in building a Third Temple. We can expect weeks of negotiations before a new government is established.  

Focus on Falkland Islands

BVN wrote on October 24:

“France and Germany’s top defence firms are offering Argentina a fearsome new submarine fleet… Downing Street has been warned a lethal upgrade to President Javier Milei’s navy could be a ‘game changer’ for Britain’s ability to protect the Falkland Islands from future Argentinian aggression…

“Argentina continues an aggressive posture toward the Falklands, with Mr Milei warning the United Nations General Assembly in New York his nation could be forced to ‘take matters into our own hands’…  

“While discussing the proposed submarine acquisition, Admiral Dalle Nogare [Chief of the Joint Staff of Argentina’s Armed Forces], made an ominous prediction about the Falkland Islands, according to Argentinian publication El Cronista. ‘I’ve always said that I believe the Falklands will eventually be recovered on the day it is no longer economically feasible for the United Kingdom to maintain them,’ he claimed… Mr…Bolton said spiralling costs to defend the Falklands would ‘erode the political will to resist Argentina diplomatically.’”

The Jerusalem Post wrote on October 24:

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered diplomats to change Israel’s official position on sovereignty over the Falklands and join Argentina in calling for direct talks between Buenos Aires and London for the islands’ future, The Telegraph reported on Saturday. The change does not go so far as to formally back Argentina’s claim over the Falklands, but it raises fears that Israel could do so if the United Kingdom imposes further sanctions on West Bank settlements, according to the report….

“While the language did not include formal support for Argentina’s claim over the Falklands, government sources told The Telegraph that it marked a significant shift in Israel’s position and raises fears that Israel could go further later, especially if Netanyahu wins the upcoming election.”

Left-Wing Lula Remains President of Brazil

NPR wrote on October 25:

“In a stunning political comeback, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been elected president of Brazil… The victory also adds another chapter to Lula’s long political career, securing him a fourth, nonconsecutive presidential term… Lula’s victory bucks a broader rightward shift across Latin America in recent years. In a pointed message to Trump, Lula declared that Brazil would not accept being ‘anyone’s backyard.’..

“Bolsonaro, 45, had campaigned on closer ties with President Trump and pledged to pardon his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest for plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 election defeat to Lula…

“On foreign policy, Lula has worked to boost the political influence of countries in the Global South as a founding member of the BRICS group, a grouping of major emerging economies that includes Brazil, China, Russia, India and South Africa. He has argued that Brazil should maintain friendly relations with all major world powers, though his ties with China and Russia have sometimes led him to clash with Washington… Lula’s approval rating rose after he stood up to Trump…”

Many world leaders, including Putin, Merz, Macron and especially Pedro Sanchez (Spain), congratulated Lula. Bolsonaro announced that he wants to fight the result. Instead he and his family fled Brazil and arrived in Florida. According to the Associated Press, dated October 28, “Flávio Bolsonaro is under investigation by Brazil’s Supreme Court, accused of corruption, money laundering and tax evasion. The court ordered him to hand over his regular and diplomatic passports by noon Tuesday. It remained unclear whether he complied, but allies said late Tuesday he also has an Italian passport.”

Gates, Pfizer, NATO Chief and Others On Trial

LifeSiteNews wrote on October 23:

“Bill Gates, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, NATO chief Mark Rutte, and 14 others are defendants in a Dutch civil suit that seeks to hold them liable for the coordinated deception over COVID-19 shot safety. The significance of this courtroom drama cannot be overestimated: In the U.S., vaccine manufacturers enjoy blanket immunity from being sued over vaccine injuries and death. In the Netherlands, Big Pharma and COVID promoters such as Gates who stand accused of violating Dutch law and the Nuremberg Code in what amounts to genocide enjoy no such protection. 

“‘COVID-19 injections are lethal, or at least highly harmful to human health and fertility,’ lead attorney Peter Stassen told the panel of three judges during the more than three-hour hearing. ‘These injections are a biological weapon… Global deployment of this biological weapon can only take place through the unlawful deception of the public on a global scale… The defendants are implementers of the ‘COVID-19: The Great Reset’ project and are GUILTY of this deception; they are therefore being sued individually in these proceedings…’

“‘COVID-19 was not a disease; It was a project,’; Stassen told a cheering crowd outside the Leeuwarden, Netherlands, courthouse following today’s hearing. ‘They know we have crucial evidence which shows that this project, this whole COVID-19 narrative is fake.’” 

Will they really be held accountable for their deception and the damage they have caused?

Moving Away from Musk

Nordisch.Info reported on October 24:

“The Finnish space company Iceye and the network giant Nokia have agreed on an extensive partnership with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence to develop an independent satellite communications system. The goal of this partnership is to reduce the war-torn nation’s reliance on the U.S.-based provider Starlink, which is controlled by Elon Musk.

“A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed on Thursday during Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s visit to Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that this agreement is of critical importance to his country’s defensive capabilities and resilience…

“As reported by the Finnish outlet Yle News, Iceye’s expertise in synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery is also considered a strategic asset for all of Europe. Professor Jaan Praks of Aalto University pointed out that the continent urgently requires its own sovereign satellite system to remain geopolitically capable. Founded in Espoo in 2014, Iceye now employs more than 1,500 people and operates approximately 80 satellites… In 2025, the company generated revenue exceeding 250 million euros and already supplies the armed forces of the Netherlands, Poland, and Finland.”

Is Germany’s Spahn Preparing His Comeback?

Turi2 wrote on October 23:

“Former Health Minister Jens Spahn is apparently planning to enter the start-up scene, reports ‘Manager Magazin.’ Having lost his positions within the CDU, he is now—according to insiders—‘eagerly’ consulting with prominent figures in the sector to broaden his knowledge.

“However, the man behind the infamous, much-discussed mask deal from the COVID-19 era has already mastered one core competency: burning through other people’s money.”

On October 23, Manager Magazin followed up:

“Former CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn has been making inquiries within the start-up scene with striking intensity. Is he looking to emulate his friend, former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz—who successfully made the leap into the sector with the help of controversial tech billionaire Peter Thiel?”

Let’s see what Spahn has to say next. Take a look at the following article.

Austria’s Sebastian Kurz Weighs In

MSN reported on October 23:

“The unrest in France is also causing concern in Austria. Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz warns of a dangerous mix of left-wing extremism, migrants prone to violence, and political Islam. In an interview with the Austrian newspaper Heute, he also takes aim at former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Kurz views this as a root cause of what he considers a problematic trend regarding migration in Europe… In the interview, the former leader of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) sharply criticizes the violence seen during the protests.

“‘We are witnessing a toxic cocktail forming—a combination of radical leftists, migrants prone to violence, and the ideas of political Islam,’ Kurz stated… ‘Kurz expresses particular indignation that the protests have, in some instances, been characterized as ‘student protests.’ He points to destroyed businesses, attacks on Jewish life and institutions, a town hall set on fire, and police officers who sustained injuries… Furthermore, Kurz cites data indicating that more than 70 percent of those arrested are adults. In his view, this further demonstrates that labeling them as ‘student protests’ is inadequate.

“Kurz also claimed that the demonstrations were predominantly driven by individuals with a migrant background. ‘The former chancellor also sees cause for concern for Austria… He pointed to the situation in certain schools and in public spaces as examples.’”

As we clarified in a recent episode of StandingWatch, “France Has Failed”, the demonstrations DID begin as student protests, but were subsequently hijacked by criminal elements—a fact that Kurz either fails to recognize or chooses to ignore. Framing mass migration as the primary cause is misguided. The highly political—and often contradictory—statements, which are to a large extent factually incorrect, raise the question of whether Kurz intends to return to the propagandistic political stage.

Youth Protests Spread Across Europe as Germany Braces for Halloween Rallies

Chosun Biz wrote on October 22:

“Street protests that ignited in France have spread past Italy, Belgium, Spain and Portugal to Germany, Europe’s biggest economy. Major German cities are set to host mass rallies starting on Oct. 31, Halloween. Facing structural problems that threaten their future — including high inflation, housing insecurity and moves to introduce conscription — Europe’s young people are linking up across borders through social media. On the 21st (local time), according to a roundup of reports by major European outlets such as German public broadcaster ARD and the Tagespiegel, the youth group “Gen Z stands up (Gen Z steht auf)” said it will hold simultaneous protests on Oct. 31 in 21 major German cities including Berlin and Cologne…

“The German daily the Tagespiegel said on the 21st that videos urging protests are spreading on TikTok and Instagram. Some clips surpassed 1 million views within days and are spreading fast. One video with particularly high views cited conscription, high fuel prices, the reality of young people unable to find housing and jobs, and pension issues, saying, ‘The French showed us first, so we’ll follow.’ The Tagespiegel added that while most posts stress peaceful gatherings, there are also some inciting violence that use images made by artificial intelligence (AI) and express a wish for France-style unrest to break out in Germany.

“As grievances concentrated across Europe ride social media into Germany, German law enforcement is on high alert over the risk that the Oct. 31 Halloween rally could turn into France-style violence. Akram Zello, leader of Gen Z stands up and organizer of the youth protests, told German media, ‘We clearly distance ourselves from violence in any form,’ signaling a peaceful gathering. However, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution see a high risk that far-left groups and thugs will infiltrate legal student protests and spark riots.”

More demonstrations, some of them violent, took place in France on October 24. The French interior ministry said it estimates 410,000 people to have taken part in protests throughout France today. Deutsche Welle reported that protesters at the ‘Yellow Vest’ demonstration in Lyon decried the French government… The protest in Orleans against the National Rally is against ‘racism, fascism and imperialism’… Protesters carried signs expressing solidarity with the leftist Antifa movement and the Palestinians… Protests in Orleans also invoked Nazi occupation and the Vichy regime, with a sign reading: ‘France will never be owned by the nostalgics of Vichy and the Reich’.”

Söder: “We Are in the Middle of a Hurricane!”

Die Welt wrote on October 23:

“CSU leader Markus Söder has announced tough political confrontations with the AfD and the Left Party. ‘What is at stake now is the very existence of the mainstream parties,’ Söder said on Friday at the start of the CSU party conference in Munich. His party, he declared, would not stand idly by while radicals gain strength… ‘We are not prepared to hand Germany and Bavaria over to the radicals. The “blue wave” is rolling in, the “red front” is advancing. The elections in the East were a disaster,’ the Bavarian Minister-President emphasized. ‘To be honest, we are in the middle of a hurricane.’

“Söder warned the federal government against trying to win over voters by taking on new debt… Debt, he argued, is ‘poison,’ and the world is facing the threat of another major debt crisis [Trump should listen]… Söder called it a scandal that the federal-level SPD and the Greens have not ruled out coalition talks in Berlin. He described the Berlin branch of the Left Party—which seeks to govern alongside the Greens and the SPD—as ‘a malicious, radical Left that is deeply antisemitic. Where, exactly, is the “firewall” against the Left?’ he asked.”

He’s not wrong!

This Crazy and Incompetent World—With Its Unreliable Delivery System

Fox News wrote on October 18:

“[Actor and Performer] Kevin Bacon told his followers: ‘I wanted to pack light, so I decided to ship some old clothes over here to Ireland [where he is making a movie.. I don’t buy a lot of clothes. I’ve had these clothes probably since the ’90s.’…

“‘So I used a shipping service that I don’t want to say the name, but it rhymes with BreadX,’ he said before explaining that he shipped a box of clothing on Sept. 26 from upstate New York to his filming location. ‘It went straight to Memphis, and then from Memphis it went to France, and by Sept. 28, it arrived in Germany, and by Sept. 29, they shipped it straight to Israel, not Ireland – Israel’… the package traveled from Israel back to France on Oct. 3, only to be sent back to Israel the following day. It traveled to Germany on Oct. 5 before being routed back to Israel on Oct. 6. ‘On Oct. 10, that box of old clothes made its way all the way to France, and on Oct. 11 it arrived in the U.K., in England,’ he said. ‘Pretty close. Guess what? On Oct. 11, it left the U.K. and came straight to Ireland, where it has been sitting for five days, and they say they’re unable to deliver it.’… ‘I can’t get a person the phone. I have not been able to talk to anybody…’’

Other delivery services, such as UPS, are not any better. Bacon’s case is by no means an exception. Incompetence seems to be the norm these days. 

Humanoid Robots

On October 23 Nicolas Hulscher, MD, wrote on X:

“Mad scientists grew HUMAN BRAIN ORGANOIDS from embryonic stem cells and connected them to a humanoid robot, allowing living neurons to process information and guide its movements.

“The human brain cells helped the robot CHASE LASERS, GRASP OBJECTS, and LEARN from repeated tasks.”

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to the contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing to worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

The second part in this series looked at government in the family where we reviewed much information that the Bible speaks about on this subject.   Let us now continue with government in the Church of God.

Government in the Church of God

Hopefully, by this time, the point about the different roles of men and women has been made because this impacts on women and the ministry which we will now address.  

A woman is never to set herself up as a teacher in the Church – teach at Church services – as that would mean that men are then subject to her and that would reverse the order that God has set in place.   A woman should not be in such a ministerial capacity.   Of course, with the mind of men – and women – wriggling around this clear instruction has become an art form.   Paul’s writings do not lend any support whatsoever to the aspirations of the modern feminist movement in their pursuit of invading the territory that God has given to men.

We are given further proof of this in 1 Corinthians 14:33-37:

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?  If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.”

The things that I write to you are THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD, said the apostle Paul.  Not his own opinion, not repeating the thoughts and ideas of another human being – but the commandments of the Lord. 

What Paul was addressing here was the concept of women preachers, teaching and preaching to the Church congregation. This would also apply to today’s women preachers teaching the Word of God on television or the Internet, or writing religious articles with quoting Scriptures. He would not prohibit, on the other hand, women teaching young children godly principles in Church or telling them Bible stories in a Bible class.

We say in our free booklet, “The Keys of Happy Marriages and Families“ :

“Wives are not to speak, teach or preach in church, but they are to ask their husbands at home. This requires, of course, that the husband can be asked—that he is approachable and not too busy to talk to his wife, and that he is knowledgeable enough to give his wife the answers that she needs. If he does not have the answers, he should ask those who know…

“Some quote Acts 18:24–26 as authority to permit women to preach in church. In that passage, Aquilla and Priscilla took Apollos aside, whom they had heard preaching in the synagogue, and ‘they explained to him the way of God more accurately’ (verse 26). It is not clear from that passage, to what extent Priscilla did the teaching, or whether she was just agreeing with her husband. In any event, it is noteworthy that they took Apollos aside. Priscilla, especially, did not teach Apollos in front of others.

“In today’s world of mass communication, churches often use radio, television, the printing press or even the Internet to publish spiritual material. Women should not deliver sermons on radio or television, either, nor should they write biblical, prophetic, ecclesiastical or spiritual articles. They could write articles in addressing topics such as child rearing, homemaking, cooking, or other matters relating more to our physical lives, thereby avoiding a possible conflict in writing about spiritual matters.”

Again, women are to keep silent in Church – not to be getting up and giving opening or closing prayers, sermons or sermonettes – but to be silent.   How much more can Paul say without just repeating it over and over again?   If he did, those whose minds are set on defying any such instruction would still not be changed.   They are self-willed and God cannot possibly bless such behaviour.

Let us read on because we see where this instruction comes from.  Paul’s instruction is based upon events at the dawn of civilisation.   Adam was created first and Eve was the first to be deceived.   Both of these events are pivotal.   Adam was the leader and as soon as Eve chose to assume a position that was not hers by making a decision about the forbidden fruit, then things started to go badly wrong.   Paul’s instruction is not a complete ban on women teaching but as we saw in Titus 2, he encouraged the older women to teach the younger ones.   And, of course, women as mothers teach their children. A wife can give good counsel to her husband, and he should listen to her. It has been rightly said: There is a wise wife behind her successful husband.

In our weekly Update number 120 for the week ending December 5th, 2003, we discussed the subject in our Q&A, “Sermons by Women?”, and showed that the ordination of women to the office of minister and bishop is not allowed by Scripture. Is it sexism or favouritism that the true Church of God takes an entirely different view than, for instance, the Church of England?  In the final paragraph of this Q&A, it stated: “The message of Scripture is unambiguous: Christian women are not to teach Biblical or spiritual matters in church or in a public forum.”

It is interesting to note that the Church of England appointed a woman to its most senior office after the previous incumbent, Justin Welby, resigned over a safeguarding scandal.   BBC News reported in October 2025: “Dame Sarah Mullally has been named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury designate – the first woman to be chosen for the role.  A former NHS chief nurse, the 63-year-old became a priest in 2006 and was appointed as the first female Bishop of London in 2018 – the third most senior member of clergy in the Church of England.”   However, it shouldn’t come as any real surprise as they have already ignored clear biblical teaching allowing homosexual priests and, historically, have not kept the Commandments of God.

This is because women want to usurp man’s authority!   The rise of aggressive feminism insists that women should not be excluded from any job or employment opportunity, including in a religious setting.  However, the Bible says otherwise.

In 1 Timothy 2:11-14 we read: “… in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.  Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.  For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.”

Again, Paul is addressing the behaviour of women in Church.

Baptist minister Thomas Schreiner observes: “Later this year (2023) Crossway is publishing the third edition of the book Köstenberger and I co-edited… [His] third edition of his essay shows that his work has stood the test of time. Note that Paul doesn’t just prohibit women from inhabiting the office of elder or overseer. He also speaks functionally; women aren’t to teach men. It is a mistake to limit what Paul says here to office and then to permit the function.”

Of course, what the Baptist minister ignores or fails to mention is that Paul is addressing teaching a man in a Church setting. He did not address a woman teaching a man in different settings, such as lecturing at a university on non-religious matters.  

Instructions to the ministry

Let us briefly review instructions to and about the ministry and have a very quick look at a few of the instructions about the ministry to see how contradictory they would be if a woman was put into such a position of a minister.

In 1 Timothy 5:17, we read about Elders – that is ministers in New Testament times – who labour in the word and doctrine.

^“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

The elders who rule well – but they do rule – or have a leadership role in the Church – ones who have authority.   The Bible says that a wife is to be in submission to her husband and yet if she were an elder she would be ruling – or in a leadership role – which would be a contradiction in terms.   It really is very simple.  

In Hebrews 13:7, this same theme is reiterated:

“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.”

You simply cannot get away from the consistency that God has put in His Word.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary states the following: “Here is the dignity to which they were advanced—to be rulers and leaders of the people, not according to their own will, but the will and word of God; and this character they filled up with suitable duty: they did not rule at a distance, and rule by others, but they ruled by personal presence and instruction, according to the word of God.”  And in verse 24, the same theme is repeated: “Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.”

So again, if a man is to be the leader in his own household as the Word of God clearly teaches – and if ministers are also to be men, how come some women think that they can usurp that authority of becoming Church ministers?    For example, if a wife was a minister, she would have authority over her husband in the Church, but at home he would have the leadership role.  That would be complete nonsense!

Culture of the time argument

Then, we have the culture of the time argument.  Here is a quote by someone who said that “the Bible has to be interpreted in the light of contemporary society – not in an arcane way (that is a primitive or outdated way).”

In other words, as society becomes more and more liberal and permissive and controlled by the media and those with vested interests, God’s Word has to be altered and manipulated to fit in with the world’s ways.  That would, in reality, be moulding and shaping God into the form that we wanted or suited us – and that is preposterous.   It would mean that those who are “influencers,” to use a modern word, could come up with all sorts of ideas and then God’s Way would have to be interpreted in the light of their human musings and pronouncements!! 

We have arrived at a time where moral relativism is deeply embedded in society. This idea that there is no universal or absolute set of moral principles; that is, to each his or her own; in other words, as the Bible clearly states in the book of Judges 17:6 and 21:25: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”  How prophetic it was in the time of the Judges, and today!   The fact that this concerned royalty does not deflect from the principle.   For king, substitute leader – and the fact that there is no clear, unambiguous and moral leadership seems to be given in most mainstream Christian churches today.

Whatever God instructs us is for our own good, not for a constraint or regulation for one period of time only, to be changed around some different way for other people in a different time period.

What we find different today from previous eras, is that we have developed an anti-God culture where propounding and supporting traditional values accepted by previous generations, may now be considered by many as “hate speech”.  What is required is societal conformity; otherwise, people can be labelled as “persona non grata,” that is one who is not acceptable or not in favour.   Or to put it in modern parlance, “the cancel culture”.

That’s simply not good enough when dealing with the Word of God.   For those with eyes to see, we’ve seen from God’s Word that the “culture of the time” argument holds no water at all!

On the Christian Today website, we read a typical repudiation of the order that God has set in the Church.   Here is a brief extract:

“Another context we need to take into consideration was the cultural background of the time and proximity. The church of Corinth is not a congregation that was born two weeks ago. It was a church built by people of a different time and a different culture altogether. What may mean something to us will mean something completely different to the people of that time. What was ancient Corinth like? It existed in a day and age and in a culture where it was more beneficial and secure for women to refuse certain cultural and societal roles — and leadership was one of them. But today, that’s no longer the case. It’s now safe and beneficial for women to lead. That gives all women just as much right to spiritually and strategically lead as men.”

What a flimsy argument that is, to be able to negate clear Scriptural instruction in order for women to do what they want to – and this article was written by a man!

So, to repeat 1 Corinthians 14:37, where the apostle Paul wrote: 

“The things that I write to you are THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD!!”

Not his own opinion, not repeating the thoughts and ideas of another human being – but the commandments of the LORD. 

In short, today, many can use the argument that as culture changes, God will go along with the flow and bend according to the particular dictates of man at any given time. They don’t phrase it that way of course, but that is how they view it.

If that were the case, we could justify ANYTHING – anything at all.  

Please see our Q&A – “How do you regard the culture of the time argument when it comes to biblical matters? – Parts 1 and 2.”

(To be continued)

Lead Writers: Brian Gale and Norbert Link

Compiled by Norbert Link

“Wrong Patriotism and Halloween” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

In what way are these two concepts connected? Is Satan the author of a perverted form of patriotism and of the damnable Feast of Halloween? What about the despicable war machine and Pope Leo’s warnings of the idea of a “holy war” as a perversion of religion?  Who are the TRUE patriots and worshippers of God? 

“Falscher Patriotismus und Halloween” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

“Moses – The Encounter with Pharaoh” is the latest video in our Bible Story Series on YouTube. 

All English and German messages from last Sabbath have been posted.