Update 1224

On this weekly Sabbath, Robert Indlekofer will give the sermonette, titled, “Isaiah 47—Why Babylon Will Fall”, and Marc Völler will give the sermon, titled, “As in the Days of Noah.”

The Day of Atonement is on Monday, September 21, 2026. On that day, Frank Bruno will give the offertory, titled “Motivation,” and Eric Rank will give the sermon, titled, “Pay Attention.”

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.

NOTE: Due to our celebration of God’s annual Holy Days, this will be the last Update for September. The next Update will be published on October 15, 2026.

We wish all of our readers a happy and rewarding Fall Festival season.

The world is waiting desperately for drastic change. Especially Europe is hoping for the coming of a mighty unifying leader who would bring security and prosperity. Perhaps true peace, even if this means, through might and power of “deterrence.” But no one seems to be on the horizon who would possess the qualifications necessary to bring about such a desired result.

However, it is felt that such a person would be needed—a true leader who could stand up to murderous dictators and despots such as unhinged Xi Jinping of China or Kim Jong Un of North Korea, or “crazy” and unscrupulous Vladimir Putin or increasingly mentally unstable Donald Trump. Someone who would end useless and “forever” wars like Trump’s unprovoked Iran War, Netanyahu’s catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip, or Putin’s aggressive Russia-Ukraine war.  Someone who would be strong and courageous enough to save the world from its otherwise inevitable final economic collapse.

We know that such a leader will come who will promise all these things. We believe he is already working behind the scenes to prepare for his arrival. But once he is in power, his rule will end in desolation and destruction for the entire world.

The hoped-for European leader is not the solution. He won’t give us true peace for our time. He will be another Alexander, another Caesar, another Charlemagne, another Napoleon, another Hitler and Mussolini… only, his rule will be far far worse. In the end, all of these great conquerors failed in despair and shame… and that will also be true for him.

Solutions to our problems don’t lie in human leaders who are alienated from God. They don’t lie in political elections, in political alliances, in lying phrases of nationalism… and for sure, they do not lie in the military and its “accomplishments.” We are warned that we will fall when we think we are strong and “great.” 

No, the only lasting solution for all of us lies in the return of Jesus Christ. Enduring success can only come with and under God’s government. And so, Jesus Christ will come to rule mankind with justice and equity, and lasting true peace for our time will be the result.

By Norbert Link

We begin with President Trump’s outrageous conduct during a rally last week and focus on the ongoing battle pertaining to the dangers of AI… with Trump being the appalling bottleneck in this frightening situation. Please make sure to view our recent StandingWatch program, titled, “How AI Could Destroy Us All”.

We continue with Russia’s drone attacks, including apparently on Boris Johnson, military threats and Putin’s false assurances, while Trump accuses Zelensky of being responsible for high diesel prices.  We also report on the swift advance of the Houthis in Yemen while the USA slept at the wheel and has still not faced reality. We also point out Turkey’s real danger to Israel.

We discuss the all-but-certain demise of NATO in its present form; and the return of “remorseful” Jens Spahn. 

Please view our most recent StandingWatch program, titled, “How Concerned Must America Be About His President?” 

Donald Trump Has People Swear by God to Support Him

Mediaite wrote on September 11:

“President Donald Trump’s bizarre decision to lead the Republican midterm convention crowd in a pledge of allegiance to himself drew a remarkably consistent verdict from critics Thursday night – ‘cult.’ Trump instructed attendees to raise their right hands during his sprawling speech and repeat a pledge beginning, ‘To the greatest president in the history of the United States,’ before having them swear to vote in November’s midterm elections…

“The extraordinary scene quickly ricocheted across social media, where critics seized on the imagery of a convention hall full of MAGA Republicans raising their hands and repeating Trump’s words…. Trump then offered a final, gloomy incentive to vote: ‘You know what happens if you don’t vote right? You go to hell, you know that. You go to hell. And I don’t want that to happen to you, so please go and vote!’ The crowd responded by chanting: ‘Vote! Vote!’”

Forbes added on September 11:

“Trump then made the crowd swear they will go out and vote in September, with the attendees echoing his remarks, and capped it off with ‘So help me God.’… Trump once again urged his supporters to pretend that he is on the ballot in November. ‘You gotta do me the biggest favor: pretend I’m on the ticket. I’m on the ticket.’ The president then added that this is ‘going to turn out to be one of the most important elections’…

“One of the biggest announcements made during Trump’s speech on the first night of the convention was the promise of $5,000 ‘dividend’ checks for all American adults if the Republicans won both the House and the Senate in the midterm elections… Trump… offered few details on how he would fund the payouts that could cost more than $1 trillion.”

However one wants to look at it, apart from Trump’s illusory promise of $5,000 “dividend” checks for all American adults, Trump’s conduct is blasphemous and highly offensive. It does remind us of the rallies Hitler was so famous for.

Too Little Too Late

The Guardian wrote on September 13:

“The safety debate… ignited when whistleblowers last week warned that the most advanced AI poses an existential threat to humanity…  Anthropic revealed it had found users dodging controls to use its existing models ‘in ways that could support biological weapons development’ – think novel mosquito-borne or bird flu viruses… the accelerating rate of capabilities meant a swarm of AI agents ‘could be capable of taking over the entire internet’ in six to 12 months…

“An immediate political problem is that Donald Trump appears reluctant to confess to any AI fears… Trump said last week he had no concerns about AI leading to human extinction. He doubled down on Sunday, saying people were ‘bringing up things that won’t happen’. Losing to China appears to be a bigger worry in Trump’s AI calculus….

“‘Too little, too late,’ said David Krueger, an AI professor, safety campaigner and former founding director of the UK government’s AI Security Institute. He added: ‘We need an immediate, indefinite, international moratorium on frontier AI development.’”

…which will of course not happen.

Trump the Bottleneck

The Huffington Post wrote on September 13:

“President Donald Trump offered his own catchphrase when asked if artificial intelligence companies should slow down or if the government should regulate AI. ‘We’re leading China in AI,’ Trump told reporters Sunday. ‘We’re the most sophisticated country in the world and frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI, wins.’”

The USA is leading China in AI? What nonsense!

Politico added on September 11:

“Asked whether he has concerns about existential risks posed by AI, the president said, “No, I don’t have any.’… The president’s remarks notably contrasted with those of some of his fellow Republicans. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who chairs the Commerce Committee, said this week that the AI risks are ‘deeply concerning…’ For his part, Trump has been staunchly supportive of the American AI industry…”

So, Trump is gambling with our lives… but this is nothing new.

The Huffington Post added on September 12:

“President Donald Trump got ripped apart on social media after giving a rambling response when asked about the warnings about the safety of AI from individuals working in the field….

“The Trump administration has done little to rein in the development of AI, even unsuccessfully pushing for a provision in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ last year to forbid state and local governments regulating AI for 10 years…. Trump’s response… quickly drew mockery and concern from critics online. Many commenters said Trump clearly does not understand the technology…”

Well, he clearly does not. Here are some excerpts:

“He has no clue. He parrots his billionaire pals… [He] sounds like a 3rd grader explaining AI… How is the stupidest man in charge of making sure AI doesn’t destroy humanity… He’s honestly the worst person to be in charge at this moment…”

Sadly, these comments express what many feel about Trump’s incompetence on so many levels.

“Trump Is Losing His Mind”

The Huffington Post wrote on September 14:

“President Donald Trump just claimed the AI industry’s own calls for regulation are based on a ‘HOAX,’ though in classic Trump fashion he failed to explain why he thinks that’s the case….”

Trump claimed that the “hoax” is perpetrated by “Conspiracy Theorists, Treasonists, Traitors, and Leakers.”

The Daily Mail added on September 14:

“Donald Trump is claiming that only he can ensure the safe use of AI in the United States because of his ‘high IQ,’”

The headline of the Huffington Post article, quoted above, says it all.

Trump’s Poor Handling of AI

The Independent wrote on September 14:

“A new poll has shown just how much Americans loathe the way President Donald Trump is handling artificial intelligence.  Just 23 percent of Americans believe Trump has handled artificial intelligence well, while 57 percent say he’s handled the issue poorly…

“The president —known for his own rampant use of AI-generated images and videos on social media, including a photo depicting himself as Jesus…, has pushed for fewer regulations on the technology…

“‘The American people despise President Trump when it comes to his handling of artificial intelligence,’ CNN’s Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten told viewers Monday… ‘You would have to combine [French ocean explorer] Jacques Cousteau with The Little Mermaid to get as far underwater as Donald Trump is with independents on AI,’ Enten said…”

Trump needs the votes of Independents for the midterm elections. Without them, the Republicans have no chance of succeeding.

Forget Robot Workers, This Company Wants to Build Soldiers

The Wall Street Journal wrote on September 14:

“Unmanned aerial drones and vehicles are already on the frontlines of military conflicts. Foundation Future Industries wants combat-ready humanoid robots to be next. The Eric Trump-backed startup is on a mission to build robots for heavy industrial work that could one day go to war.

“… Foundation has secured a $24 million contract with the Pentagonand is in the process of testing a battle robot with U.S. defense forces… the U.S. has flagged unmanned military systems as a top priority.

“… The company’s San Francisco facility can currently produce between 300-500 robots a year, and it is building another site to boost capacity….”

It was Foundation’s initial goal to produce 10,000 robots by the end of the year. But American companies are lagging far behind the Chinese. It is interesting too that the Trump name keeps showing up in the context.

Trouble in the Trump Household

Daily Mail wrote on September 15:

“First Lady Melania Trump is responding to reports that a Russian oligarch accused of helping lead an organization that facilitates the abduction of Ukrainian children helped pay for Donald Trump Jr and his new wife Bettina Anderson’s lavish wedding party. The president’s eldest son tied the knot with the 39-year-old socialite Bettina in Palm Beach, Florida, before departing for Bahamas for a wedding celebration at the end of May. The luxurious bash on a private island was attended by several other Trump children, including Ivanka and her husband Jared, Eric and Lara, Tiffany and her husband Michael, and many grandchildren.

“Following an explosive report, Don Jr and Bettina have admitted that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev, who is friends with Russian President Vladimir Putin, paid hundreds of thousands of dollars toward their wedding party in the Bahamas. Notably, Trump and Melania skipped their wedding festivities…

“’Mrs. Trump does not, and has never had, a relationship with Mr. Kremlev,’ a spokesperson for the First Lady told the Daily Mail. ‘Mrs. Trump played no role whatsoever in organizing the wedding event and was not privy to any aspect of its financial planning.’.. Melania’s decision to publicly distance herself from the event speaks volumes about the impact that the news is having on the family. Trump Jr’s brother Eric, also distanced himself from Kremlev.”

The Trumps always seem to be in the middle of controversy and shaky deals.

Russia Responsible for Drone Attack on Leipzig

MDR reported on September 13:

“Investigations into the attempted drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport lead… directly to the Russian military intelligence agency, the GRU. According to a report by Welt am Sonntag citing security sources, one of the suspects is a Russian national named Oleg L. He allegedly organized the preparations and logistics and is linked to the GRU by security agencies… Oleg L. reportedly entered Germany via Turkey and later left for Serbia via Berlin-Brandenburg Airport. He is said to have since returned to Russia. The government in Moscow denies any involvement.

“The second suspect is identified as Belarusian national Andrei K. Traces of his DNA were found on one of the drones, on a tin can filled with explosives, and on an antenna attached to a tree… In early September, the German government officially held Russia responsible for the incident and, in response, closed the Russian Consulate General in Bonn, among other measures. Moscow retaliated by closing several Goethe-Institutes in Russia.”

Of course Russia is responsible. That was clear from the start. It also comes as no surprise that the mass murderer and war criminal Putin is lying again, just as he always does.

Boris Johnson and Others Escape Attempted Russian Assassination

The Sun wrote on September 13:

“BORIS Johnson has blasted ‘warped’ Vladimir Putin after he escaped across the Polish border when a Russian drone struck a train minutes behind his. The former Prime Minister who is understood to be unharmed, was travelling back from a security conference in Kyiv. Former Swedish premier and foreign minister Carl Bildt, who was on the same train as Johnson, said their train was ‘just minutes’ behind the one hit by a Russian drone. ‘This wasn’t our train [that was hit], but the one just minutes after us by the [Polish] border crossing,’ said Bildt…

“Following the attack, Mr Johnson said: ‘I don’t know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning. ‘What we can say for sure is that this is the kind of random and senseless attack Ukrainians are enduring every day – even on civilian railways…. Also on Mr Johnson’s train was Günter Sautter, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s foreign and security-policy adviser…”

Only imagine if Russia’s stupid drone attack had hit the train and killed some of the occupants. Then we WOULD HAVE World War III for sure.

Fearful and Timid Germany

Deutsche Welle reported on September 14:

“Several top EU politicians have called a Russian drone strike on a passenger train on Ukraine’s border with Poland a bid by Moscow to intimidate Kyiv’s allies that should be met with even more resolution… Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo… said the attack demonstrated Russia’s growing aggression and called both for more support for Kyiv and for harsher penalties on Moscow… ‘We are united here in Europe,’ he added…

“German Foreign Minister Boris Pistorius, for his part, called for caution. ‘I take the drones that were approaching trains near the (Ukrainian-Polish) border very seriously, but we must not be forced into an escalation,’ he said… Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga has said Putin considered Russia to be ‘de facto’ at war with Europe.”

As long as the timid German government and its fearful representatives, like Pistorius, are in charge of Germany, nothing will change there, and ruthless Putin will continue his provocative attacks. We doubt that the attack on the train was just for the purpose of intimidation. Note the next article.

Did Russia Plan to Assassinate Boris Johnson?

The Sun wrote on September 14:

“Ukraine’s railway operator later revealed Johnson’s train had left ahead of schedule amid fears of Russian strikes [and that] it was ‘quite possible’ that the drone had been aimed at Johnson’s train… The operation to attack this particular train [would] have been approved at the highest level. This would not have happened unless the Kremlin intended it to happen…

“Putin’s Security Council deputy Dmitry Medvedev had hinted about Moscow targeting such trains in a sinister threat just days earlier.”

It was claimed that Russia intended to attack the train with Johnson on board but that the train departed the station earlier than scheduled after train tables were adjusted in real time because of the constant threat of Russian strikes. We wonder what timid Germany would have said or done if the attack on the train had been “successful” and Germany’s security adviser had been killed.

European War With Russia?

The Associated Press wrote on September 12:

“Putin warned that sending European troops into Ukraine would amount to direct conflict with Russia…. Putin, speaking to reporters at the BRICS summit in India on Friday, said that if European governments send troops into Ukraine, it will mean ‘a war with Russia.’”

Russia is already at war with Europe.

EU Too Slow

Informant wrote on September 11:

“The European Union must accelerate its defense preparations, as threats to Europe are intensifying, warned Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy. She considers the objective of achieving military readiness by 2030 to be too distant, given that Russia continues to escalate and test European limits…

“Kallas stated that attacks have already reached European territory and that the Union must act more quickly… Kallas accused Russia of using people presented as diplomats to recruit criminals involved in acts of sabotage….

Europe will finally wake up and accelerate the process.

Zelenskyy Responsible for High Diesel Prices?

The Huffington Post wrote on September 13:

“U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian diesel, saying the attacks are causing a fuel shortage… ‘Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,’ Trump told reporters… ‘Let him go after targets but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel fuel.’”

ABC News added on September 13:

“President Donald Trump on Sunday said global diesel shortages are not a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, instead blaming Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities… Trump also again said the war in Iran will end ‘right after the midterms… Gasoline’s going to drop like a rock…’”

Such confusing and contradictory doubletalk! What is mainly causing a shortage of diesel fuel and high gas prices is Trump’s unprovoked ongoing war with Iran. And the prices will NOT drop like a rock after the midterm elections. Empty words and false promises… again.

“Trump Ducks All Responsibility For High Diesel Prices”

The Huffington Post wrote on September 14:

“President Donald Trump claimed Monday that his war of choice with Iran is not the reason Americans are paying more for diesel fuel, instead scapegoating Ukraine for its attacks on Russian refineries… The convenient accusation shifts blame away from his war in Iran, which has snarled tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz…

“Today, the average cost for a gallon of diesel costs $6.23; were we not at war with Iran, Brown [University] estimates the cost would be closer to $3.81…

“While it’s true Ukraine’s strikes have created fuel disruptions, those are being felt most acutely in Russia itself, followed by countries Russia used to export to before announcing an export ban. Historically that’s been Turkey and Brazil…, followed by Egypt, Morocco and other African countries. That doesn’t mean that less diesel entering the global market from Russia hasn’t contributed to the spike in prices. But it does mean Trump’s claim that his war with Iran isn’t a main driver is bunk.

“The U.S. hasn’t imported any petroleum products from Russia — including diesel — since 2022. Europe likewise banned imports of refined Russian products in 2023… Trump himself has acknowledged the role of the war in driving up fuel prices, telling Americans earlier this month that paying ‘a tiny little bit more for your gasoline’ is worth the cost of the war.”

The problem is, when one keeps lying, he does not remember many times the former lies he has told.

No Russia-Ukraine Energy Ceasefire

The Guardian wrote on September 14:

“Ukraine will only halt attacks on Russian energy targets if the enemy does likewise and the US guarantees it, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The announcement came after Donald Trump’s uncorroborated claim that both sides have agreed to such a ceasefire. Neither Ukraine nor Russia had said so at time of writing. The US president regularly claims to have brokered what turn out to be nonexistent or extremely short-lived deals between foreign adversaries or with his own overseas enemies, such as Iran.

“Ukraine’s president said: ‘So far, no one ‌has seen any genuine ‌willingness on Russia’s part to bring the war to an end. But if our ‌American partners can secure Russia’s genuine readiness to end the war aimed at destroying lives, and to do so honestly and on a long-term basis, Ukraine will take its own de-escalatory steps.’ Russia would need to stop attacking Ukraine’s critical infrastructure for its intentions to be taken seriously, Zelenskyy suggested.

“It comes after Trump tried to blame diesel shortages and high prices on Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries. The main cause is Trump’s own war on Iran—the retaliation… which has crippled the trade in Middle East oil.”

Another example of Trump’s ongoing false claims and promises.

Houthi Advance

The Associated Press wrote on September 12:

“Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels captured the island of Mayun at the entrance of the Red Sea, a key alternative for shipping Saudi oil and other exports since Iran has been targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz… About 12% of the world’s goods are typically shipped through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait (“the gate of tears” or the “gate of grief”) at the southern end of the Red Sea. It’s especially important to Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally….

“Saudi Arabia said Friday it had shut down a major, cross-country oil pipeline as a ‘precautionary measure’ following attacks the day before…”

Saudi Arabia has asked Trump for military intervention, but Trump has refused so far, as allegedly, Houthi leaders called and assured him they would not attack US ships, or close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, except for Saudi-Arabian ships.

The Guardian added on September 12:

“Nearly 50,000 people have fled a sudden advance by Houthi forces in western Yemen with entire villages emptied and families trapped near frontline fighting with depleting food supplies… Civilians in the Middle East’s poorest country have found themselves victims of a global struggle for control over one of the most important shipping routes in the world, which threatens to turn Yemen’s on-off conflict into a forever war.

“In a lighting advance this week, the Iran-backed Houthi militants have seized a string of towns along the Red Sea coast from forces aligned with the US- and Saudi-backed Yemeni government. … The Houthi advance has come unexpectedly and fast…  if ​the Houthis were to close the natural chokepoint, the impact on the global economy could be disastrous. Ships would have to reroute around the southern tip of Africa, adding thousands of extra nautical miles….”

Trump did not see it coming… even though he should have.

“The Crippling Effects of Unnecessary War”

On September 14, Ron Paul wrote in the Ron Paul Institute:

“The diesel crisis is getting so serious that even President Trump has been forced to admit it. Of course, instead of taking at least part of the blame over his war of choice against Iran…, he is blaming Ukraine’s military strikes on Russian energy infrastructure… But the strikes deep inside Russia are guided by US intelligence, which provides the targeting data for Ukraine.

“… Iran is in control and very little oil – or anything else – makes it out without Iranian approval. Yemen’s Iran-allied Houthis joining the fight only makes matters worse…

“The real problem is that wars of choice spin out of control and destroy the economies of those who launch them. Empires throughout history have been undone by endless overseas wars… President Trump has justified tanking the US economy by claiming the attack on Iran was essential because they were about to get a nuclear weapon. Our intelligence community disagreed, but he refused to listen and took his cue from Netanyahu instead.

“It turns out Iran actually does have a ‘nuclear weapon.’ That weapon is the ability to control the world’s oil flows at a margin high enough to cripple the economies of any country seeking to conquer it. According to press reports, former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard tried to warn President Trump that Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz if attacked but he didn’t want to hear it….”

Wars lead to destruction and calamity… always!

The Iran Forever War

The Daily Mail wrote on September 14:

“Trump told reporters he is interested in remaining in the oil-rich Islamic Republic after the war’s end to extract its liquid gold as a sort of prize.  After repeating that the war would likely end after the US midterm elections in November, the president said he may ‘stay and keep the oil.’…

“Though given Iran’s distance from the US and its hostile leadership, it remains to be seen how the US, using military or civilian means, could organize a large oil transfer from halfway across the globe… The plan, if Trump were to follow through, may require US military personnel on the ground in Iran to help oversee operations.”

This will not happen. While a divided world kept silent about Venezuela’s oil, we doubt that it will keep silent if Trump pulls the same fast one regarding Iran’s oil. Nor do we think that Iran would ever agree to that.

Canada Moves Closer To Europe

NPR wrote on September 17:

“Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney used a speech to the European Parliament on Thursday to make a pointed case for closer ties between Canada and Europe, just hours after President Trump warned Europe against moving ahead with a proposed new partnership with Ottawa. The moment comes as Canada and the 27-member EU look to strengthen their partnership amid increasingly difficult relations with Washington under President Trump. Both Canada and the EU have felt bullied by the Trump administration with tariffs on trade, warnings the U.S. could abandon NATO and threats to take over Greenland. In the process, America’s two historical allies have been pushed closer together. A day earlier, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen offered to make Canada the EU’s first associate member…

“Trump reacted sharply to the proposal on Wednesday night. Speaking to reporters after a campaign rally in North Carolina,  Trump called the idea ‘laughable,’ and said his response would depend on whether he viewed the move as having a ‘bad intention.’ ‘If they do that, if I think it’s at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things,’ Trump said.”

Trump to stop trading with the EU??? Note the next article.

Germany and US Sign Agreement to Deepen Defense Cooperation

Reuters wrote on September 15:

“German Defense Minister Boris ​Pistorius signed a letter of intent with U.S. ‌Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday aimed at deepening cooperation between weapons makers in both countries at a time ​when defense stocks have dwindled… Pistorius stressed that the weapons purchase would not make Germany too dependent on the United States, but would help achieve a better balance between the ​two allies, he ​said.”

Many Germans will not appreciate such an agreement, or Pistorius’ wavering and inconsistent conduct.

CA Gouverneur Newsom’s Empty Redemption

The New York Post wrote on September 16:

“‘The idea that we closed beaches was insane in hindsight,’ faux-mused Newsom, as he stood in water wearing long pants but apparently no waders. ‘Obviously, the schools taking too long,’ the gov added. ‘A lot of districts were open, but the big ones weren’t. LA refused, and I regret that.’… This ‘regret’ is shameless political expediency from Gov. Newsom, not a genuine show of remorse. It’s also evidence of just how bad the governor’s judgment can be.

“To review: Saner governors said at the time that overreaches like Newsom’s –– prolonged stay-at-home orders; bans on church attendance and outdoor recreation; lengthy school shutdowns –– were insane. But Newsom in March 2020 had issued the nation’s first statewide stay-at-home order, imposing widespread controls on people’s movements and everyday life. And he was loathe to give it up. The governor did not fully rescind his emergency COVID order until June 2021 –– a year after red states had lifted most if not all restrictions. The damage done in that window by Newsom’s decrees is mind-boggling and endures to this day…

“California under Newsom paid out tens of billions of dollars in improper or fraudulent unemployment claims –– including, famously, to people in prison. To this day, the state’s unemployment system owes the federal government more than $20 billion from the glut of COVID unemployment payouts, many of which were fraudulent.

“Then there were the double standards. Liquor stores could stay open. But not churches. Black Lives Matter protesters/rioters could congregate outside despite the virus. But others had to stay indoors. Families were barred from Taco Bell. But the elite could dine at posh hotspots. And on it went. Freedom was suppressed, businesses left bereft, innocents punished for enjoying nature; recall the paddleboarder prodded from the Malibu ocean and then arrested for transgressing Newsom’s stay-at-home rules. Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that Newsom’s COVID restrictions on religious worship violated the First Amendment. Yet only now, as he’s prepping a 2028 presidential bid, does the governor locate some regret?  He’s spent years defending his draconian pandemic rules.

“Remember fiery 2023 debate on ‘Hannity’ where Newsom blasted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for lifting COVID restrictions in Florida at a time when California had stayed locked down? ‘The only person that needs to apologize is Ron DeSantis for the tens of thousands of lives that died unnecessarily because he played to the fringe of his party,’ Newsom declared….

“His only real regret, perhaps, is getting caught cavorting at the French Laundry in violation of his own lockdown rules… That dining caper was ‘just boneheaded decision, just stupid decision,’ Newsom said while clutching a fishing rod. And voters are supposed to trust his judgment now? And entrust him with the US presidency?”

This is typical political hypocrisy.

Turkey a Threat to Israel

Israel Today wrote on September 11:

“More and more Israelis see Ankara as a strategic threat that could lead to a direct military confrontation… something fundamental is changing right on Israel’s doorstep: Turkey — a NATO member, a regional power, and a political supporter of Hamas — is expanding its influence in the new Syria.

“At the same time, the interests of Jerusalem and Ankara are becoming increasingly opposed. The Israeli public has apparently grasped this. 68 percent of Israelis now regard Turkey as a serious security threat — among Jewish Israelis, the figure rises to 77 percent. And yet Ankara still ranks well below Iran and Hamas in public perception…”

Ultimately, there will be a direct military confrontation between Turkey and Israel.

Fischer on NATO and the AfD

Die Welt wrote on September 10:

“Former Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer expects NATO to come to an end. ‘I do not assume that NATO will survive,’ said Fischer… But abandoning NATO as a military alliance for Europe… would be a major mistake…. Europe must draw conclusions from the loss of trust that transatlantic relations suffered during the term of US President Donald Trump, Fischer argued: ‘If Europe becomes stronger—stronger in terms of power politics and military capability, too—then a different kind of relationship will emerge. The post-war situation, characterized by US hyper-dominance within the NATO sphere, is over. We must be capable of defending ourselves.’…

“Regarding the AfD, Fischer said: ‘For me, the AfD is more than a political challenge—it is an emotional challenge. Is all that rubbish—is that cold, narrow-minded, racist, nationalist Germany that I had the misfortune of experiencing in the 1950s and 1960s—is that really going to return? That would be a catastrophe’… The answer to this question, he said, depends on ‘how fiercely the battle for Germany’s soul is fought.’”

The issues surrounding NATO and the AfD are directly linked.

Jens Spahn “Apologizes”

Nius wrote on September 11:

“It sounds like contrition, yet it also marks the beginning of a political comeback. Former Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn (CDU) addressed the MPs of his caucus in a letter of apology, and those opening lines alone—following his involuntary resignation—have caused quite a stir. It is a letter that—with calculated precision—suddenly reveals the full scope of the Münsterland native’s political talent once more….

“The truth is: Spahn realized long ago that the decline and loss of authority suffered by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) are creating a void for strategic minds with an instinct for power—like his own. After a brief lull lasting only days, the astute and the desperate within the Union have long since begun reaching out to him again… And Spahn knows full well that the Union is currently in no position to do without figures like him. The smarter heads in the party know it, too…”

And so, is Germany waiting for Spahn?

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.

While the term “spiritual fatigue” may seem odd, the idea that we can become stagnant in our faith and in our study of Scripture is quite real. As humans who lead busy and often complicated lives, with health issues, family conflicts, and work demands, it is possible to lose sight of the prize, so to speak, which is the gift of eternal life with God the Father and Jesus Christ. So, how does a true Christian deal with this? 

In the world of the written word, it is not uncommon for an author of a book, article, a business memorandum, or even a church message, to experience what is commonly referred to as writer’s block. Wikipedia describes this as finding oneself in the situation in which the person is unable to create, think of the next sentence in a story, or make the next brush stroke. Most of us have experienced this to some degree and understand that it can be frustrating. The Russian painter, Leonid Pasternak (father of the poet and author, Boris Pasternak), created a painting that captured the utter frustration of a writer clutching his forehead while holding his pen as the manuscript lay before him.

Let us note Ernest Hemingway’s approach to dealing with this challenge. He wrote: “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” This is just his example as to how he would combat his own writer’s block. He believed that starting with a single, honest statement could help break through the barriers of creativity and lead to productivity. In his memoir, A Moveable Feast, he recounted how he would look out over the rooftops of Paris and remind himself of this principle when struggling to write. 

One can utilize this strategy when facing moments of stagnation, but what does this have to do with our faith and study of Scripture? Again, with the pressures of everyday life, it is easy to be distracted and cease to nurture our connection with God and Jesus Christ—in essence, to become spiritually frozen. Perhaps our adherence to God’s commandments falters, and we avoid our Bibles and the lessons we desperately need. 

Let’s consider our first Scriptural example from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (New International Version throughout): “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” This is a remarkably simple and yet complete Scripture. It communicates that our God, our Creator, is indeed one… It is a foundational Scripture to God’s commandments and tells us all that we need to do to follow Him. We must be obedient to Him by loving Him with all of our heart, soul, and strength. At times we may use such superlative phrases to embellish our writing. When describing our relationship to God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, it is appropriate and essential to do so. If one is suffering from a lack of spiritual zeal we ought to focus on such basic tenets of our true Christian faith in order to move forward once again. 

It is important, however, that we understand Deuteronomy 6:4-5 correctly. As we point out in our free booklet, “God Is a Family,” this passage does not tell us that God is just one being. We state the following: “There is only one God. But in our thorough study until now, we have learned that God is a Family, consisting of more than one being. Since God does not contradict Himself in His Word, what can we learn from Deuteronomy 6:4? ‘Yahweh’ [the LORD] is one being. The being who dealt directly with Israel was Jesus Christ. He was called ‘Yahweh’—He was and is one being. So, it is true that ‘Yahweh’—Jesus Christ—is one being. In addition, ‘Yahweh’ refers to the Father as well—and the Father is, of course, also one being. Thirdly, since ‘Yahweh’ refers to both the Father and the Son, they are also ‘one’—one in purpose, goal, mindset, willpower and determination. They are unified. There is no division in the God Family.”

We need to seek Scriptures that derive from those such as Deuteronomy 6 above [correctly understood] and keep our study concise, focused, and do not move on unless we comprehend the intent of the passage. We need to review our literature, and we might also consult, at times, biblical commentaries and concordances for necessary context for the Scripture. Let’s build on this by considering2 Peter 1:3-8. Here we have a perfect foundation and recipe for igniting zeal in our Christian lives.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 12:2 further amplifies this point: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Whenever we become stuck at work or with a Church assignment, we may walk and pray. We should seek inspiration from God and understand that if we are sincere and our request is righteous, we will somehow always find the pathway forward. It may not be a perfect path as we are human, but if it is inspired by God, then we are moving in the right direction. 

Another meaningful method of moving forward in our faith and study is to focus on serving in some way; to focus on serving others rather than ourselves. We can certainly help those in our families, and our communities, but we must also and foremost serve the Church. Whatever our skill or our abilities, when we act on this, we are blessed and can find inspiration for further study. We see this in James 2:17: “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” We know that we are not justified by our actions, but are saved by the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, if we honor and obey the Father’s commandments. Still, we must not be selfishly stagnant, but allow our faith to shine and our service to be clear. We must never be lukewarm in our faith and study, but passionate in the ways we obey and honor God.

We pray that God would remain close to us. Similarly, in John 15:4 we read: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

If we are feeling stale and blocked in our faith, we need to pray to the Father with sincerity, asking for help and wisdom so we may serve and honor Him more effectively. Instead of writing that truest sentence, let us pick a favorite Scripture and delve into it with all our heart. Isaiah 9:6-7 might fill our heart and refocus our attention on the majesty of God and the greatest gift that is the life and ministry of Jesus Christ; We can draw on the zeal of the Almighty to move us ever forward:  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

As humans, we will stumble and sin, but when we repent and honor God and Jesus Christ, and ask that they abide with and in us, we can regain the pathway and the inspiration.

Lead Writer: Frank Bruno

By Sam Mitchell

In San Diego, there are not many people my age; I am the only teenager there with a much younger brother. I wish there were more kids or teenagers to talk to as it can get lonely. But I am reminded that I must not let anyone despise my youth, but that I must concentrate on being an example to others in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity.

This shows me that even though I am young, I can still be an example and serve God. 

Sometimes I feel like I am unable to help out or that I am too young to do important things for the Church. Others might feel the same way, but again, I am reminded that young people are told not to use their young age as an excuse, but that God is with them wherever they go. 

This shows me that everyone has a place in God’s Plan, no matter how old or young they are, as long as they follow Him.

I want to keep progressing in my faith and follow God the best I can, as His Word needs to be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. As a young person in the Church, I hope to be able to help and encourage others by staying faithful, following God’s Way and trusting Him to lead me each day.

Compiled by Norbert Link

“How Concerned Must America Be About His President?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

When a leader of a powerful country shows disturbing signs of mental and spiritual instability… and when this leader has the sole and discretionary power to “push the nuclear button,” there should be great cause for alarm. We will show in this program examples of outrageous, appalling and blasphemous conduct, seemingly inspired, in part, by demonic forces,  and offer the only solution for this country and the world.

“Wie besorgt muss Amerika um seinen Präsidenten sein?“ is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

Kalon Mitchell’s offertory has been posted, titled, “Hold Fast Until the Trumpet Sounds.” 

Here is a summary:

As we prepare our offering for this Feast of Trumpets, what are we doing daily that makes a difference as we continue to prepare for the return of Christ? This message looks at Philadelphia’s example of little strength, but still faithful and asks whether that’s true of us right now, not just something that happened to a church long ago.

Norbert Link’s sermon has been posted, titled, “The Feast of Trumpets—Why a Day of Joy?” 

Here is a summary:

Yes, why—given that the Feast of Trumpets encompasses not only joyful events but also terrible ones? This sermon explores the many reasons why ALL the events symbolized by the Feast of Trumpets are a cause for rejoicing for us… and what our responsibility is—as watchmen appointed by God—to proclaim to others the good news like the blast of a trumpet, even when most people do not want to hear it.

Marc Völler’s German offertory has been posted, titled “Hören wir die Posaune schallen?” (“Do We Hear the Trumpet Sound?”)

Norbert Link will give the German sermon for the Day of Atonement on September 21. It is titled, “Satans Gleichsetzung mit dem Menschen.” (“Satan’s Identification (or Equation, Assimilation) With Man”)