Update 1181

On November 8, 2025, Frank Bruno will present the sermonette, titled, “That’s Encouraging!” and Eric Rank will present the sermon, titled, “Is God Fair?”

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.

Google Maps is a web-based mapping service that is available to most of the world’s population. Through satellite imagery, “It includes real-time traffic conditions, route planning, and 360-degree panoramic street views (Street View). With over a billion monthly users, it is a popular tool for finding locations, getting directions, and exploring the world,” according to AI Overview.

Using Google Maps allows one to find the best route to follow to reach a destination. It even shows where travel may be difficult or impossible and how to avoid the problem.

When it comes to planning our life journey, the Bible establishes the ultimate destination for us and directions for taking the best route. In His preaching, Jesus said this, “‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’” (Matthew 6:33).

As the previous verses reveal, Jesus is teaching us not to worry about what we may face in our day-to-day living, but, through faith, to rely on God.

Jesus revealed the best route to follow, which is to, “‘Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it’” (Matthew 7:13-14).

The “narrow gate” is Jesus Christ and true Christianity, as taught by Him (John 14:6). The gate leading to destruction is the way of this deceived evil age ruled by Satan (1 John 5:19).

There is a feature on Google Maps which allows the user to “recenter” during travel. That is something we can all do regarding our following the Way of God. That can be done through prayer about the very thing that has thrown us off course. We can take time to fast if we don’t feel connected to God. We can stop neglecting God’s guidance by opening our Bible and filling our minds with His words.

Most importantly, don’t quit the journey—God will always provide the best route for us if we stay close to Him.

by Norbert Link

We begin with interesting developments in Israel referring to the Third Temple; speak on demons and aliens; and address numerous issues pertaining to the Trump Administration.

We address Tucker Carlson’s interview with antisemite Nick Fuentes; the victory of antisemite Zohran Mamdani in New York City; and the death of highly controversial former Vice President Dick Cheney.

We also speak on Putin’s new terrifying weapons; drones over Belgium; the election in the Netherlands; further troublesome news from Germany; and outrageous comments about the Bible.

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Antisemitism on the Left and the Right.”

Throughout this section, we have underlined pertinent statements in the quoted articles, for the convenience and quick overview of the reader.   

IDF Soldiers’ Third Temple Flags

Israel 365 News wrote on November 2: 

“The Israel Defense Forces announced it is investigating after troops in the 36th Division mounted flags calling for the construction of the Third Temple on heavy machinery operating in Gaza. The flags, which appeared on bulldozers and other engineering vehicles, were distributed by a reservist in violation of army protocol—yet they represent just the latest chapter in a broader story about religious expression within Israel’s military during wartime… 

“… in March, an image circulated showing a soldier alongside a Gazan child who had approached an IDF post before being safely returned. The soldier’s uniform prominently displayed both a ‘Moshiach’ patch and another depicting the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple)… 

“The symbolism points to the conflict’s essential focus. Hamas chose the Dome of the Rock with crossed swords as its emblem, naming one of its key militant factions the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. The Islamic claim to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount sits at the ideological core of their war against Israel. When Israeli soldiers display Third Temple imagery, they are answering that claim with an equally uncompromising declaration: this land, and this mountain, belong to the Jewish people by divine right. 

“The IDF insists… that personal symbols have no place on official gear. Yet the repeated appearance of these emblems—despite official disapproval and direct intervention from top commanders—suggests something the IDF cannot regulate: the conviction among many Israeli soldiers that they are fighting a war with prophetic significance.” 

Netanyahu and the Israeli government—including the IDF—can resist the move towards building the third temple for only so long. 

UFOs and Demons 

The Guardian wrote on November 2: 

“Republican US house member Marjorie Taylor Greene has said she believes in demons, surmising that they might be aliens who fell from heaven… She made those bizarre remarks as a guest on Friday on HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher… 

“Maher on Friday asked another of his on-air guests, film-maker Dan Farah, to discuss his new documentary, The Age of Disclosure, and how it explores the way some senior US military officials apparently theorize earnestly that ‘demons’ may be responsible for what some colloquially refer to as unidentified flying objects, or UFOs. 

“The Real Time host… subsequently asked those on the show: ‘Do you think demons and the devil are real?’ Greene… answered: ‘Absolutely. I’m a Bible-believing Christian. And I believe those could be fallen angels.’ As Maher replied: ‘Fallen angels? The aliens are fallen angels?’ Greene continued: ‘That’s possible – I think that’s what they could be. That’s what makes sense in my worldview.’” 

Greene is absolutely right. 

Trump’s Tariffs… Legal Or Not?

The Associated Press wrote on November 2: 

“President Donald Trump sees tariffs — or the threat of them — as a powerful tool to bend nations to his will. He has used them in an unprecedented way… He has wielded the import taxes as a threat to secure ceasefires from countries at war. He has used them to browbeat nations into promising to do more to stop people and drugs from flowing across their borders. He has used them, in Brazil’s case, as political pressure because its judicial system prosecuted a former leader who was a Trump ally, and in a recent blowup with Canada, as punishment for a television ad.

“This week, the Supreme Court hears arguments on whether the Republican president has overstepped federal law with many of his tariffs. A ruling against him could limit or even take away that swift and blunt leverage that much of his foreign policy has relied on. 

“Trump increasingly has expressed agitation and anxiety about the looming decision in a case he says is one of the most important in U.S. history. He has said it would be a ‘disaster’ for the United States if the justices fail to overturn lower court rulings that found he went too far in using an emergency powers law to put his tariffs in place… The courts left the tariffs in place while the Supreme Court considers the issue. Meanwhile, Trump has continued to wield them as he has tried to pressure or punish other countries on matters related — and unrelated — to trade… 

“For example, earlier this year Trump had threatened a 30% tariff on European imports, a major increase from 1.2% before he took office. Seeking to secure Trump’s support for the NATO military alliance and for security guarantees for Ukraine in its war with Russia, the European Union struck a deal to settle for 15% tariffs. The EU Commission faced criticism from businesses and member states for giving away too much… 

“Trump’s tariff strong-arming has rattled relationships with America’s friends and foes. Some have responded by becoming more protectionist or looking to foster relations with China… Some businesses have passed on some of the costs to consumers by raising prices…” 

Will the Supreme Court have the nerve to decide against Trump, since his tariffs policy seems to be clearly unconstitutional? 

Ronald Reagan Was Strongly Opposed to Tariffs 

National Post wrote on October 31: 

“There is arguably one problem with Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s TV ads using the words of Republican icon Ronald Reagan against Donald Trump: It didn’t quote [Reagan] enough. Reagan offered enough quotes about the dangers of tariffs and protectionism to fill an hour or more on Fox News. Some of them are even more devastating to Trump’s cause than those chosen by Ford…

“Welcoming Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to the White House, April 27, 1988: ‘We shall show by deed and dedication…that the lowering of tariffs and trade barriers is the way to a more prosperous world. Protectionism is out, and trade expansion is in’…

“Signing the Canada U.S. Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, The White House, Sept. 28, 1988: 

“‘This agreement brings down the tariff walls between our two nations and, in so doing, creates the world’s largest free-trade area. Businesses and consumers in both our countries will have unprecedented freedom to choose among a staggering array of goods and services. It’ll mean lower prices for consumers, jobs galore for workers, and new markets for producers… It means a stronger and freer marketplace for the United States and Canada. There’ll be a rich flow of agriculture and energy resources from one country to the other in a way that will profit both. We also deal with the service sectors of our economies, providing for the first time an explicit assurance that in such areas as accounting, tourism, insurance, and engineering our peoples will be free to choose their suppliers.’” 

To even suggest that Reagan was for tariffs is ridiculous.

Being Anti-Trump Is Illegal??? 

Daily Mail wrote on November 2: 

“Donald Trump tore into Late Night’s Seth Meyers on Saturday, calling him a ‘deranged lunatic’ and suggested his criticism of the administration was ‘illegal’… 

Trump blasted the host for his comments in a post on Saturday… ‘Why does NBC waste its time and money on a guy like this???’ he asked, claiming Meyers has ‘NO TALENT, NO RATINGS’ and is ‘100 [percent] ANTI-TRUMP, WHICH IS PROBABLY ILLEGAL.’ 

“Meyers [accused] the Trump administration of ‘pursuing a crackdown on free speech,’ following Kimmel’s suspension in the face of threats from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr.” 

These are dangerous words from Donald Trump. 

Pentagon’s Media Censorship 

Fox News reported on November 1: 

“The Pentagon… announced a new policy in which news outlets must agree to new press restrictions or lose their media credentials and Pentagon workspaces. 

“The policy requires journalists to pledge to the new rules, including that they could be deemed security risks and have their Pentagon press badges revoked if they ask employees to disclose information that has not been released by the department, even if the information is unclassified. 

“At least 30 news outlets, including Fox News, refused to agree to the Pentagon media restrictions, asserting that the policy represents a threat to press freedom and hinders their ability to conduct independent newsgathering. 

“Additionally, the Trump administration earlier this year removed Reuters, The Associated Press and Bloomberg News from the permanent ‘pool’ of reporters covering the president, although those outlets may still be included on a sporadic basis.” 

Censorship in America! Law professor Jonathan Turley commented in a Fox News interview that these policies are “a bridge too far.” 

ICE Arrests in Court Houses Illegal? 

Breitbart wrote on November 1: 

“Joining at least two other Democrat-run states, Illinois lawmakers passed a bill on Friday prohibiting federal immigration agents from arresting illegal aliens near and around state courthouses. The Illinois bill, sent to… Gov. JB Pritzker for signing, not only seeks to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations inside courthouses but establishes a 1,000-foot ‘buffer zone’ outside of buildings… 

“Earlier this month, a Cook County judge blocked immigration arrests at county courthouses, which include Chicago. The order prohibits immigration authorities from arresting any ‘party, witness, or potential witness’ during court appearances… California has restricted immigration enforcement action in courthouses since 2017. In Connecticut, a chief judge for the state’s supreme court issued a policy ruling earlier this fall banning warrantless arrests inside state courts… ICE officers have arrested immigrants in or around courthouses in at least seven different states…” 

How could these state decisions be enforced against ICE? 

ICE Not Going Far Enough???? 

The Independent wrote on November 3: 

“President Donald Trump said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids ‘haven’t gone far enough’ when confronted with questions about the agency’s aggressive tactics on CBS News program 60 Minutes. During the interview…, the president was confronted by anchor Norah O’Donnel  about ICE agents’ tactics, which over the past 10 months have included ramming cars in pursuit of suspects, sledgehammering windows, raiding churches, and getting heavy-handed with protesters. 

“‘Americans have been watching videos of ICE tackling a young mother, tear gas being used in a Chicago residential neighborhood, and the smashing of car windows,’ O’Donnell said. ‘Have some of these raids gone too far?’ ‘No, I think they haven’t gone far enough,’ Trump replied. 

“O’Donnell referenced an incident where an ICE agent tackled a crying woman to the ground inside the halls of an immigration courthouse in downtown Manhattan in front of her two young children in September. The agent was relieved of his duties. O’Donnell asked the president whether he was ‘okay with those tactics.’ ‘Yeah, because you have to get the people out,’ Trump said. ‘Many of them are murderers.’ 

“The president was pressed further by O’Donnell about how the administration has largely deported ‘landscapers, nannies, construction workers…’ ‘Landscapers who are criminals,’ Trump interrupted. 

“Trump went on to blame ‘liberal judges’ appointed by his Democratic predecessors, former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden… According to a recent review by Politico, more than 100 federal judges have ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to detain and deport immigrants. The judges ruled at least 200 times that the administration’s actions violated people’s rights or were ‘just flatly illegal,’ according to the outlet.” 

Does Trump really know what he is talking about? In the interview, he also claimed that he did not know a man (Changpeng Zhao) whom he had just pardoned two weeks ago.

Pope’s Reflection on Trump’s Immigration Policy

Reuters wrote on November 4:

“Pope Leo called on Tuesday for ‘deep reflection’ about the way migrants are being treated in the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration and said the spiritual needs of those in detention needed to be respected… Leo… cited Matthew’s gospel, chapter 25.

“‘Jesus says very clearly at the end of the world, we’re going to be asked, you know, how did you receive the foreigner? Did you receive him and welcome him or not? And I think that there’s a deep reflection that needs to be made in terms of what’s happening,’ the pontiff said. ‘Many people who’ve lived for years and years and years, never causing problems, have been deeply affected by what’s going on right now,’ he added.”

Pope Leo is absolutely right on this.

Stephen Miller’s Dubious Role

The Independent wrote on October 31: 

“White House homeland security adviser… Stephen Miller holds secret calls with diplomats every day in order to push the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration agenda across the globe… [He pressures ] officials on visa and immigration issues, as well as pushing for negotiations with third countries to accept deportees from the U.S. who cannot be returned to their country of origin. 

“Miller has also lobbied for the revocation of individual visas for critics of Israel or MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk…  Miller… has been reported to have pushed ICE officials to conduct up to 3,000 immigration arrests per day.” 

A dangerous man… and clearly not just an “adviser.” 

Dreamers Face Uncertain Future 

The Guardian wrote on November 1: 

“A federal judge could soon decide whether tens of thousands of so-called ‘Dreamers’ in Texas could lose their ability to work in the US legally under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) immigration program – prompting fears of upheaval and heartbreak… 

“Created in 2012, Daca currently provides deportation protections and work permits to more than 500,000 immigrants who, as children, entered the US without permission or overstayed their visas. To qualify, they all had to have arrived before 2007, attend an American high school or enlist in the military, and pass background checks. The average age of those enrolled in Daca is now 31. After California, Texas is the home to the second largest Daca population in the country, with 86,000 recipients living there. 

“But what has remained a lifeline for an entire generation of young adults – in the absence of Congress being willing to pass legislation to embed the protections in law – many of whom are now raising families and building professional careers, continues to be in legal peril, especially in Texas… 

“The Daca program has survived years of uncertainty. During Donald Trump’s first term, his administration tried to terminate Daca, declaring it an illegal program. But its effort was blocked, ultimately by the US supreme court, which in 2020 halted the termination on technical grounds… 

“At the national level, as employers and employees, Daca recipients have contributed nearly $2.1bn each year to social security and Medicare, programs that benefit all Americans… Since the turn of the century, lawmakers have introduced at least 20 versions of the ‘Dream Act’, which would place Dreamers on a path to US citizenship. Despite garnering bipartisan support, the proposals have all died in Congress.” 

This is so shameful for America. 

Partial Assistance of SNAP Recipients 

The New York Post wrote on November 3: 

“The federal food stamp program will pay out partial benefits to millions of Americans despite running out of regular funding at the start of this month due to the ongoing government shutdown, the Trump administration confirmed in court documents Monday. 

“The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive about 50% of its normal benefit level throughout November, using a contingency fund set aside for natural disasters and other emergencies… SNAP has about $4.65 billion in its contingency fund — a little more than half of the $8 billion the feds spend on SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million Americans each month. Normally, beneficiaries receive about $190 per month in assistance.” 

Confusion Galore 

Yahoo!News wrote on November 4: 

“The White House on Tuesday said Americans will receive SNAP benefits, ‘fully complying’ with a recent court order, after President Trump earlier said his administration would withhold benefits until the government shutdown ended, sparking confusion… 

“Earlier on Tuesday, Trump wrote in a social media post that SNAP benefits would not be sent out as long as the government remains shut down. The president wrote in part that the food aid benefits ‘will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!’ 

“Trump’s post contradicts a court filing made by his administration on Monday, saying that it would partially fund SNAP benefits for November but did not specify how much individual food stamp recipients will receive or when they might be able to access them… Benefits for more than 40 million Americans who are enrolled in SNAP, also known as food stamps, did not go out as scheduled on Saturday because of the government shutdown… 

“The administration considered pulling money from other programs to fully fund November SNAP benefits, specifically a program that provides free and reduced-cost lunches for schoolchildren, but ultimately determined that would pose an ‘unacceptable risk’ to food security across the country… Uncertainty over SNAP won’t end for good until the government reopens…” 

Also, in America’s longest shutdown ever, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers are supposed to report for work without being paid. Many work overtime, while others call in sick, causing incredible delays. Trump has warned that if the Republicans don’t get rid of the filibuster [to end the appalling shutdown], they will lose the midterm election next year. Given Trump’s high disapproval rating, they might lose it anyway.   

Not Much Confidence in the Future 

Politico wrote on November 2: 

“In a bitterly divided country, pessimism and cynicism reign supreme: Two-thirds of Americans say it is at least probably true that the government often deliberately lies to the people. That distrust cuts across partisan lines… 

“Nearly half of Americans, 49 percent, say that the best times of the country are behind them… underscoring a pervasive sense of unease about both individuals’ own futures and the national direction… 

“Overall, almost half — 46 percent — of Americans said that the American Dream no longer exists. That was by far the most common answer, far greater than the 26 percent who disagreed.” 

The magazine also pointed out that “Most Americans [55 percent] expect political violence to keep growing in the United States… [and] a significant minority of the population — 24 percent — believes that there are some instances where violence is justified.” 

Tucker Carlson’s Interview With Nick Fuentes 

Wired wrote on November 4: 

“Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist known for his deeply antisemitic, racist, and misogynist [hatred, dislike or prejudice against women] worldview, just might be tearing the Republican party apart. The schism was triggered last Tuesday when former Fox News host Tucker Carlson released an in-depth interview with Fuentes, the leader of the so-called America First movement who has denied the Holocaust [and] praised Hitler…

“During the interview, Fuentes waxed antisemitic about the threat apparently posed by ‘organized Jewry’ in America, while Carlson slammed figures like Senator Ted Cruz and former president George W. Bush as being ‘Christian Zionists’ who have been ‘seized by this brain virus.’ Carlson was criticized by, among others, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee for giving Fuentes a platform, and the argument kicked into overdrive after Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, a high-profile conservative think tank, condemned those attacking Carlson as a ‘venomous coalition.’…

“Roberts’ comments… triggered a massive split on the right, with everyone from prominent podcasters and influencers to senators and other lawmakers weighing in to attack or defend Roberts and Carlson. The debate continued to rage over the weekend as many claimed the situation was a reflection of a broader concern about a perceived rise in antisemitism within the MAGA movement… 

“On Monday, prominent right-wing podcaster Ben Shapiro [who is Jewish] dedicated his entire show to the ‘fragmentation of the political right,’ claiming it is ‘being caused purposefully by a splinter faction of people led by a young man named Nick Fuentes.’…  Fuentes replied by writing: ‘No to Ben Shapiro … No to Benjamin Netanyahu … No to genocide and ethnic cleansing. No to the Christ-hating Talmud. No to Greater Israel. No to our Jewish oligarchy.’… 

“In recent months, Fuentes’ follower numbers on platforms like X and the alternative video sharing platform Rumble have skyrocketed…” 

Incredibly Popular

The Wrap wrote on November 3: 

“Tucker Carlson’s decision… to interview 27-year-old white nationalist Nick Fuentes for over two hours last week sent shockwaves through conservative media circles, with everyone from the Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro to Bari Weiss’ the Free Press to the editorial board of Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal eviscerating the former Fox News host for platforming a far-right figure who’s made his hatred of Jews a facet of his appeal….

“But Carlson’s failure to seriously challenge Fuentes doesn’t seem to have hurt his popularity. His podcast still ranked at No. 2 on Spotify’s podcast charts on Monday, and the YouTube post of the interview has 5.1 million views. His X post with the two-hour conversation? 17.3 million.” 

Fuentes Kirk’s Successor? 

The New York Times wrote on November 3: 

“Charlie Kirk, the conservative influencer who was assassinated in September, and Nick Fuentes, the young Hitler-loving white nationalist at the center of a growing schism on the right, were bitter enemies. Fuentes despised Kirk for his support of Israel… 

“After Kirk was murdered, Fuentes… continued his attacks on Turning Point… powerful conservatives were engaged in a nationwide campaign to canonize Kirk and destroy progressives who maligned him… In such an atmosphere, one might think that Fuentes’s stock on the right would have fallen. Instead, it’s risen higher than ever, revealing a seemingly unstoppable ratchet of radicalization on the right… 

“‘Jews are running society, women need to shut up,’ he said [in March]… ‘Blacks need to be imprisoned for the most part.’ His sneering, proudly transgressive attitude has made him a hero to legions of mostly young men who resent all forms of political gatekeeping… [All of this] leads inexorably to Groyperism [followers of Fuentes, a variant on the alt-right Pepe the Frog meme], and the elevation of Fuentes, Kirk’s foe, into his successor.” 

Anti-Semitism on the left is well-known [note next articles]. But now comes Fuentes on the right. 

Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani New Mayor of New York City 

Newsmax wrote on November 4: 

“Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has been elected mayor of New York City… The earthshaking result makes Mamdani the first Muslim mayor in the city’s history. His victory cements the left’s grip on the city’s Democrat base and signals a national shift in urban politics. But critics warn his expansive spending plans could drive out businesses and accelerate New York’s fiscal decline. 

“Mamdani… ran on an unabashedly socialist platform promising fare-free buses, universal childcare, a city-run grocery store in each borough, a $30 minimum wage by 2030, and new taxes on corporations and high earners. He has been branded a socialist and communist by many critics, including President Donald Trump, who labeled Mamdani a ‘100% Communist lunatic’ in a June 25 post on Truth Social. 

“Trump also said Monday on Truth Social that it was ‘highly unlikely’ he would contribute federal funds ‘other than the very minimum as required’ to New York City should Mamdani be elected mayor… 

“Almost 800,000 New Yorkers said they would flee the city if Mamdani won… 9% of New Yorkers would ‘definitely’ leave the city, which has a population of roughly 8.5 million.

“It also raises a big question regarding the city’s Jewish community, the largest in the world outside of Israel. Anti-Israel politics have been a driving force in Mamdani’s life… 

“He has repeated his contention that he would use NYPD resources to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following the International Criminal Court’s warrant over alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip. 

“Political analysts said Mamdani’s victory could deepen the ideological divide within the Democratic Party and test whether New York can sustain a socialist experiment amid rising debt and public-safety fears.” 

The Jerusalem Post wrote on November 4, prior to Mamdani’s confirmed victory: 

“Mamdani has been called a ‘raging antisemite, a terrorist sympathizer, an ardent socialist, and a polarizing figure’ – language that reflects why the campaign has become a global story. 

“Mamdani’s own words have amplified concerns. In 2021…, he said anti-Israel BDS activism [was] the ‘crux of the reason’ he joined the Democratic Socialists of America… And in October, he wrote that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ‘launched a genocidal war,’ framing Israel’s actions in the most extreme moral terms… 

“If he wins, this is a clear message for the Democratic Party: Antisemites can lead; they are no longer in the margins. This means that being a supporter of a boycott of Israel – not just West Bank goods but also sovereign Israel – is normal. This means that globalizing the intifada, as he calls it, is a relevant call for destroying the only Jewish state in the world, while dozens of Arab and Muslim states already exist… If Mamdani wins, this is a very bad situation for Jews, for Israel, and for America.” 

Still, many Jews voted for him. Trump called them “stupid.” 

Dick Cheney’s Controversial Legacy 

The Daily Mail wrote on November 4: 

“Some Republicans joined liberals in expressing little sorrow over the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney, one of the most polarizing political figures in modern US history, died on Monday night at the age of 84 due to complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. 

“The former vice president was the architect of the Iraq war following the 9/11 terrorist attacks under the George Bush administration. Liberals criticized Cheney throughout his vice presidential terms, gifting him the infamous nickname ‘Darth Vader.’ In recent years, however, Cheney found new enemies on the MAGA right after endorsing Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in the 2024 election…  

“Near the end of his vice presidential career, Cheney often faced allegations of being a ‘war criminal’ for his role in pushing the Iraq war… ‘Dick Cheney just died. The man who killed over a million innocent civilians to see his Halliburton stock go up,’ said popular right-wing X account Kim Dotcom. Popular conservative X account Tony Sergua added, ‘He lied about weapons of mass destruction. He is the reason so many American soldiers died or where maimed.’.. 

“Trump… has had a very contentious relationship with the Cheney family… Cheney’s eldest daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney led the impeachment effort and subsequent January 6th investigation committee, following the 2021 Capitol riot. Trump reacted by pushing for Cheney’s ouster from House GOP leadership and defeating her in a primary election by backing Cheney’s opponent.” 

Cheney was probably the most unpopular and hated US politician in Europe. 

UN Accuses USA of Breaking the Law 

ABC News wrote on October 31: 

“The United Nations said Friday that U.S. airstrikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean violate international human rights law and must stop… U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said that the attacks breach international law and called for an investigation into the strikes… 

“‘Under international human rights law, the intentional use of lethal force is only permissible as a last resort against individuals who pose an imminent threat to life,’ he added. ‘Based on the very sparse information provided publicly by the U.S. authorities, none of the individuals on the targeted boats appeared to pose an imminent threat to the lives of others or otherwise justified the use of lethal armed force against them under international law.’…

“Since September, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have executed over a dozen military strikes against boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, arguing they are anti-drug and counter-terrorism measures. Over 60 people have allegedly been killed in the strikes, according to U.S. officials.”

In this case, the UN is correct.  

US Tomahawks for Ukraine? 

CNN wrote on October 31 

“The Pentagon has given the White House the green light to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles after assessing that it would not negatively impact US stockpiles, leaving the final political decision in President Donald Trump’s hands… 

“The assessment buoyed the US’ European allies, who believe that the US now has fewer excuses not to provide the missiles.. 

“While the Pentagon doesn’t have concerns about stockpiles, US defense officials are still grappling with how Ukraine would train on and deploy the missiles. There are still several operational issues that would need to be resolved for Ukraine to be able to use the missiles effectively… One outstanding question is how Ukraine would fire the missiles if the US provided them. Tomahawks are most commonly launched from surface ships or submarines, but Ukraine’s Navy is severely depleted, so the missiles would likely need to be launched on land.” 

No Tomahawk Missiles? 

Thomson/Reuters wrote on November 2: 

“President Donald Trump said on Sunday that, for now, he is not considering a deal that would allow Ukraine to obtain long-range Tomahawk missiles for use against Russia… He added, however, that he could change his mind. 

“Tomahawk missiles have a range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles), long enough to strike deep inside Russia, including Moscow…” 

It does not appear that the war between Russia and Ukraine will end anytime soon. 

Putin’s New Terrifying Nuclear Submarine 

Daily Mail wrote on November 3: 

“Vladimir Putin has unveiled his new terrifying nuclear submarine, built to carry a doomsday weapon capable of unleashing a radioactive tidal wave. The hulking Khabarovsk, which ramps up the tyrant’s threats of World War Three, is equipped to fire Russia’s notorious Poseidon nuclear drone at Western coastlines… The Poseidon… is capable of travelling up to 6,200 miles with a speed of 115miles per hour deep underwater… 

“Jeffrey Lewis, a scholar at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, wrote in Foreign Policy: ‘It’s downright terrifying. We’re talking about a massive, megaton-sized thermonuclear weapon designed to produce significant, long-lasting radiation effects.’ Other officials have also warned that the weapon could be fired from unexpected directions.   

“It was reported that this prompted US president Donald Trump to order his country’s military to restart nuclear tests for the first time in 33 years.  

He wrote: ‘Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.’”

Trump also claimed that Russia and China are carrying out secret underground doomsday nuclear weapons testing. We are getting closer to outright nuclear war which could destroy all life on earth.

No Non-Aggression Pact? 

NachDenkSeiten wrote on October 31: 

“Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared this week in Minsk that Moscow is prepared to provide EU and NATO countries with legally binding security guarantees that it will not attack them… He stated verbatim: ‘We have repeatedly stated that we do not intend, and never have, to attack any of the current NATO or EU members. We are prepared to enshrine this position in future security guarantees for this part of Eurasia.’

“The German government’s response [on October 29] to the corresponding question from NachDenkSeiten at the Federal Press Conference reads as follows… 

“Question: ‘Do I understand you correctly that you do not intend to accept this proposal from the Russian side for a de facto non-aggression pact with EU and NATO states for the time being?’ 

“Answer: ‘You understand me perfectly well that the Russian side must end its war, which it has been waging for some time now without any cause or justification against a sovereign neighboring country. The German government is striving for a ceasefire, an end to these hostilities.’” 

Mysterious Drones Over Belgium 

EU News wrote on November 3: 

“Unidentified drone overflights continue in the heart of Europe. Belgium now appears to be the latest victim, following the incidents of a few weeks ago. Sightings were repeated during the night between Friday (October 31) and Saturday, and again between Saturday and Sunday. This time, the aircraft flew over the Kleine Brogel military base, 100 kilometers from Brussels, and another approached Antwerp airport…. Who is behind the operations is still unclear…

“The episode is concerning because it is not an isolated case. Earlier this month, several drones flew over the Elsenborn military camp, and a similar incident occurred in the skies above Marche-en-Famenne, where the Ardennes Light Infantry is stationed. This weekend’s event raises the bar by targeting Belgium’s most extensive military base at Kleine Brogel. Here, according to some NATO sources, US nuclear warheads are present, and the most technologically advanced elements of the Belgian army are deployed… 

“According to initial reconstructions, the overflight occurred at a high altitude. The Belgian armed forces attempted to interfere by jamming (releasing electromagnetic waves) techniques to shoot down the aircraft, but the attempt was unsuccessful. In addition, to disrupt the overflight, a Belgian Air Force helicopter took off in pursuit of the drone, but it managed to escape. The failure testifies to the fact that the European armed forces are only partly prepared to counter threats from the sky.” 

Quite embarrassing for Belgium’s “defense” capabilities… 

Reuters added on November 4: 

“Brussels Airport is closed after the reported sighting of a drone, said the Belgian air traffic control service and a spokeswoman for the airport. ‘There are no flights currently landing or taking off,’ said the spokeswoman, adding she could not estimate for how long the airport would remain closed. 

“The smaller Liege Airport also said it was currently closed after drones had been seen… In September, Copenhagen Airport and Oslo Airport had to be closed briefly as a result of drone sightings.” 

Elections in the Netherlands 

BBC wrote on October 31: 

“Centrist liberal leader Rob Jetten has claimed victory in Wednesday’s nail-biting Dutch election, after vote analysis indicated his party could not be beaten by anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders… No Dutch election race has ever been so close… He will need the support of at least three other parties to gather the 76 seats needed to form a coalition… 

“Wilders won the last election in November 2023, and a government was only formed in July 2024. Eleven months later, he brought his own government down, in a row with his coalition partners over asylum and migration policy.” 

Pride wrote on October 31: 

“Gays on the internet have turned into rabid fans of gay politician Rob Jetten, who just won the election to become the Netherlands’ youngest prime minister… he is also dating [a] male athlete who is nine years his junior, and he is the first openly gay prime minister in the country’s history… Nicolás ‘Nico’ Keenan is a 28-year-old bisexual field hockey player who is now set to become the first gentleman of the Netherlands… 

“Jetten and Keenan publicly hard launched their relationship in 2023 and then announced their engagement the following year with a photo taken in Paris during the Olympics, captioned, ‘Soon we will be Mr & Mr.’ [They] plan to get married next year.” 

The Netherlands belongs to the House of Israel—called modern “Sodom” in the Bible. 

Proceedings Against Reichelt Dropped 

Die Welt wrote on October 30: 

“The Berlin public prosecutor’s office has dropped its investigation into ‘Nius’ editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt on suspicion of incitement to hatred. ‘The initial suspicion was not substantiated,’ a spokesperson for the authority told the German Press Agency (dpa)… 

“Regarding the discontinuation of the proceedings, [Attorney] Steinhöfel commented: ‘When an investigation is opened and then discontinued almost minutes later… after it has become public, the question of the professional competence of those involved arises with great urgency.’”… 

And, of course, the question of political motivation. 

Further Measures Against Opposition 

Nius wrote on November 1: 

“The Freiburg public prosecutor’s office has filed charges of defamation against an 18-year-old student… 

“The trigger: In February 2025, the officer gave a lecture to a class at the Angell Gymnasium entitled ‘Defending Democracy – But How?’ The student, who had previously co-founded a student newspaper that called for protests against the Bundeswehr visit, subsequently posted a meme on Instagram. It showed the officer in front of the class with the punchline: ‘So, children, who among you would like to die on the Eastern Front?’ Supporters of the accused see this as an ‘ironic exaggeration of the Bundeswehr’s recruitment strategy in schools’… 

“Student protests against appearances by the German Armed Forces at schools are not isolated incidents nationwide. In Leipzig, for example, young people mobilized before a military presentation at the school; a 16-year-old was threatened with expulsion.”

The accusations are absurd, but they demonstrate the lengths to which some are willing to go to suppress dissent. The fact that the German Armed Forces are allowed to conduct their war propaganda in schools and that students are obligated to listen to it is outrageous. 

Reciting “Hateful” Bible Verses Illegal? 

Life Site News wrote on November 1: 

“A leading member of Canada’s Parliament said that certain passages of the Bible are ‘hateful’ because of their stance towards homosexuality, and further suggested that publicly reciting those passages should be prosecuted. 

“During a Thursday, October 30 discussion in Ottawa about hate propaganda laws, Marc Miller, a current member of Canada’s House of Commons and the Chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, pushed the idea that ‘good faith’ defenses were unacceptable when it comes to Christians referring to passages of the Bible that he personally finds ‘hateful.’ 

“In Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Romans — there’s other passages — there’s clear hatred towards, for example, homosexuals,’ insisted Miller. ‘I don’t understand how the concept of good faith can be invoked if someone were literally invoking a passage from, in this case, the Bible… there should perhaps be discretion for prosecutors to press charges,’ averred Miller…’” 

It is true: God HATES sinful conduct.

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 contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

In part one of this series, we started to look at what it means to be a Christian pilgrim.   First of all, we saw that we must clearly see the vision that is ahead of us and to seek those things which will last for eternity in the Kingdom of God.

Let us now continue with our study of this subject.

(2)              A PILGRIM’S roots must not be entrenched in this world.

We alluded to this already in part 1 of this series. To elaborate, there was a classic case of someone being entrenched in the ways of this world that ended in the loss of her life.   In Genesis, chapters 18 and 19, we find a story we know well – discussing the depravity of Sodom and Gomorrah.   And our current society, with all of its sexual sins, homosexuality and deviant behavior, is just like that.   

It was not the place to be.   God destroyed the place because of all sorts of sins, including that of homosexuality.   We read that in Ezekiel 16:49-50,  there was also a broad base of sinful behavior, including iniquity, abomination, pride and loveless conduct.   In Genesis 19:13-14, we read what the two angels who appeared as men said to Lot and his family:

“‘For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.’ So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, ‘Get up, get out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city!’ But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.”

We should be able to imagine this. It was just like today with many youngsters thinking that this vile society is fine when it is, generally, alien to the ways of God.   Also, like today, they had lived in that society so long that evil seemed good.   They became unable to differentiate. Continuing with verse 15:

^“When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “’Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.’” 

They had to forsake the city emotionally as well as physically.   They were to loathe it as God loathed it.

In verses 24-26, we find  a salutary lesson for those who disregard what God instructs us to do:

“Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”

“Looked back” is a translation of the Hebrew word “nabat,” which means, looking back attentively or longingly.   Lot’s wife seemed to be the type who looked back to times or situations with some affection.

It seemed a small thing, but it really was a great sin.   She disobeyed an express command, and unbelief must have been at the bottom of it.  Possibly, she hankered after her home and goods in Sodom, and was loath to leave them.  In Luke 17:31-32, Christ intimates this to be her sin when He speaks about the time of the end, the flight to the place of safety, and the coming Kingdom of God:

“In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.”

The punishment of Lot’s wife for this sin was that she was struck dead in the place.   Jesus did say in Luke 9:62: 

“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Since it is such a dangerous thing to look back, let us always press forward.   

In 1 John 2:15-17, we find a clear admonition about not loving or being entrenched in the world:

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ^For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ^And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

This is very clear-cut.   And there are quite a number of other passages with a similar warning, but this example should be sufficient for this Q&A.   We should all hope that this present evil society will end soon, and the sooner it passes away and the Kingdom of God is ushered in, the better!

(3)              A PILGRIM knows that the physical joys of this life are only a type of something better.

In this life there are many physical joys to be had; for example:

The joy of getting married; of having a family to be proud of.   

The joy of scholastic achievements.   

The joy that we can make things with our hands where we display the talents that God has given us.   

The joy of listening to beautiful music.

The joy of seeing a gorgeous sunset.

The joy of seeing nature and a beautiful landscape.

The joy of having a beautifully prepared meal.

But these physical joys in this life are only a type of something better.  As mentioned before, God has limited us in our knowledge and understanding, as we would probably be incapable of taking all of it in during our current physical existence.  But we must never forget that there are the spiritual joys of knowing God’s wonderful Truth.

In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul writes:

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

Mathew Henry’s Commentary states the following on this verse:

“Now we can only discern things at a great distance, as through a telescope, and that involved in clouds and obscurity; but hereafter the things to be known will be near and obvious, open to our eyes; and our knowledge will be free from all obscurity and error. God is to be seen face to face; and we are to know him as we are known by him… We are known to him by mere inspection; he turns his eye towards us, and sees and searches us throughout. We shall then fix our eye on him, and see him as he is.”

The Bible gives us much information about the future, but again, we are limited by our own faculties in fully understanding what will be.   God has given us a glimpse of the future, but our anticipation will be exceeded many times over by the reality.   We can have joys now, but in the future, it will be joy unconfined forever in the Kingdom of God.

Let us review Matthew 2:7-10.   This is about the wise men and the young Christ Child:

“Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.’ When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”

They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy because they were being led to the Savior of mankind, who by then was apparently several months old. We will see the Savior of mankind at His return in all His marvelous glory, and our joy will be running over, and it will continue for eternity.   The joys of this physical life are only a type – or a forerunner – of the joy that we will experience forever – but we have to be steadfast and loyal to the very end in order to inherit these marvelous promises and this fantastic future.

(4)              A PILGRIM keeps physical life and health in proper perspective.

This life is just a temporary physicochemical existence. Real life is that which we will enjoy as a Spirit being for eternity.   Atheists, those who don’t believe that there is a supernatural being who sustains the universe and has promised us such a marvelous future, just live for today.   If there is no future after this life, then this life becomes the be-all and end-all of their existence, as it is all that matters to them.   There have been those who, after death, have been put in blocks of ice (cryonics) so that if a remedy for eternal life is found, they can be brought back to life!!!

According to the Smithsonian magazine: “In Scottsdale, Arizona, as of 2022, 199 people have had their heads and bodies cryopreserved at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation facility in hopes of being revived later. By preserving bodies at below-freezing temperatures, Alcor’s goal is ‘restoring good health with medical technology in the future.’”

It is truly amazing to see what lengths some people will go to!

But those of us who have been called into the knowledge of the Truth don’t have to go to such lengths.   We keep physical life and health in proper perspective.   Let us review 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit [which] is in you, [which] you have from God, and you are not your own? ^For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

We can’t preserve this flesh forever.   Of course, we should do everything possible to look after our body by eating the right foods and abstaining from those things which can cause us severe problems, like taking illicit drugs and smoking; that is something that God expects of us, but in spite of everything we do (and it is in our own interests to look after ourselves in order to avoid aches and pains, and ill-health), nevertheless, the body will still wear out eventually.   It has a built-in life span that will, eventually, give way!   Like so much of what is manufactured today which has built-in obsolescence, we are much the same!

Food gives us the energy to serve God.   Health foods are fine but it really does depend on our motivation.   Of course, we should do everything we can to only eat the right foods and glorify God in our bodies, but we do have to keep life and health in proper perspective.   It shouldn’t become an end in itself – and a distraction from the bigger picture.   We are only temporary in this life and we must never forget that.

In 1 Chronicles 29:15, we read that David was giving praise to God:

^“For we are aliens and pilgrims before You,   As were all our fathers;  Our days on earth are as a shadow,   And without hope.”

That is, “without hope” if we don’t have God on our side. 

Israel was dependent upon the care and protection of God, just as an alien is dependent upon the goodwill of the ruler of the land in which he finds himself.   And our days are as a shadow.   Our days are our proving ground and limited in their length – and when we pass the test – as we indeed must – eternity is before us.   This brief span of life will have proved to have been but the blink of an eye!

Let us keep a Godly perspective on this matter – and balance.   Balance is so important in every aspect of a Christian’s life.

(5)               A PILGRIM understands what physical life and death are all about.

We know that this is a training ground for something much more important, which is an  understanding that eludes most of mankind – and most of mainstream Christianity, for that matter.   We are but a few breaths away from death.   No air for a few minutes would also ensure our complete demise.   James 4:13-14 reads as follows:

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; ^whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

Our human life viewed against the backdrop of eternity is only a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.   We’ve probably all smiled at the story of the rich man, increased with goods, who said that if he couldn’t take it with him, he wasn’t going!   But that sort of attitude that can prevail is symptomatic of those who think that this is all there is; there is no afterlife, no future, no eternity for mankind.   As true Christians, we have to eliminate any self-sufficiency in this area, fully realizing that we just can’t live independently from God.   True wisdom and true humility keep God continually in view.   

Psalm 39:4-5 also has something to say on this matter:

“LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days,  That I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths,  And my age is as nothing before You;  Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.”

Man’s life is so brief and tenuous as to be utterly vain.   Our life in its comparative brevity is something that has been revealed to us, and so when anything happens to a loved one, we grieve, but not as others, because we understand the plan that God has for all of mankind.   Putting too much store on this life is a worldly attribute, and those who do so don’t understand God’s intentions for humanity, but we have been privileged to have been given that invaluable knowledge.

Paul clearly understood our future as we read in 2 Timothy 4:6-8:

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Paul’s life’s work was done.   He had been true to his calling and he knew what reward was awaiting him.   He was a pilgrim nearly 2,000 years ago and knew that death was only the beginning, not the end.   

This was not only stated by Paul but also by Peter, as we read in 2 Peter 1:13-14:

“Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, ^knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.”

The word “tent,” or “tabernacle” in the Authorized Version, is used for “body” and is a reminder of the frailty and temporary nature of the earthly body.   The comparison of the body with a tent suits the general conception of life as a pilgrimage.

We all want to enjoy life and have all the good things that can come our way, but Christian pilgrims understand what physical life and death are, and that they should not be overly concerned about this brief part of their existence.   As the song goes – the best is yet to come!

(To be continued.)

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

compiled by Dave Harris

“Antisemitism on the Left and the Right,” a new StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Antisemitic Socialist Zohran Mamdani the next mayor of New York. Message for the Democratic Party: “Antisemites can lead; they are no longer in the margins” (The Jerusalem Post). Antisemitic Nick Fuentes’ popularity is sky-rocketing. Message for the Republican Party: “A seemingly unstoppable ratchet of radicalization on the right” (The New York Times). What does the Bible say about antisemitism and its frightening rise?

“Antisemitismus auf der Linken und der Rechten,” a new AufPostenStehen program presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

A NEW booklet on “God’s Work” has been written and is now in the first review process.

Our regular Tech Team Meeting took place on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Hosted by Eric Rank, much of the time was spent in coordination of ad campaigns for English and German booklets.

“Ein reines Herz gewinnen,” last Sabbath’s sermonette in Germany presented by Andreas Rätz, is now posted. Title in English: “To Win a Pure Heart.”

“From Darkness…” last Sabbath’s first split sermon presented by Kalon Mitchell, is now posted. Here is the summary:

The Bible often uses darkness as the opposite of God’s light—a symbol of sin, blindness, and deception. From worldly celebrations like Halloween to the spiritual dimming of our culture, Satan disguises evil as harmless fun to draw people further from God.

“Into the Light,” last Sabbath’s second split sermon presented by Michael Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

In a world ruled by Satan, how are we to remove ourselves from the darkness that surrounds us and into the light, following the example of Jesus Christ?