On January 3, 2015, Kalon Mitchell will give the sermon, titled, “Better Off Now?”

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.

Many are celebrating this new year with hope that it will be more fruitful. While people promise to make a change for their own betterment, real and lasting transformation often doesn’t occur. The reason? We have become a society that focuses on symptoms instead of fixing the root cause of our problems.

According to one poll, the top resolutions people often make are: get a better job, quit smoking, save money, eat better and drink less. It’s easy to develop unhealthy habits and difficult to remove them from our lives. Do we vow that “This will be the year I make a change!”, but soon fall back into the same comfortable ruts? Jesus warned against this mindset of reliance on our own authority. “But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:34-37).

While changing one’s life isn’t bad, we must ask ourselves “For what purpose am I doing this?” For a Christian, change is essential and must occur in our lives daily—not just once a year.

The willingness to make true change is the basis for living a Christian life. God’s angels rejoice when they see us repent, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).

But true repentance requires God’s Spirit working in our lives. Without the Holy Spirit, we are blind. Jesus warns: “…And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Matthew 15:14). Those of us who were properly baptized made a commitment to God the Father with a promise of true change. Let’s be sure we are always found doing just that.

We report on the deteriorating relationship between Russia and Europe, which might help to bring about a strong unification of the European continent against Russia; speak on Russia’s ambitions to collaborate with “friends” in the Northeast; and address most recent developments pertaining to Greece; the Palestinians; Turkey’s hostile activities against Israel; and Iran’s “suicide” drones.

We bring you articles on the bad history of “Santa Claus” and the refusal of the Protestant Reformation to keep Christmas; report on “Christmas Kitsch” in China; speak on the (unfounded) opposition of Islamic countries to two of Hollywood’s failed “Bible” movies; and quote from two articles on controversial Pope Francis and his religious and political fight with the Vatican and conservative Catholics.

We conclude with pointing out illegal activities of the NSA against American citizens.

Russia Sees NATO as the Biggest Threat

The Associated Press reported on December 26:

“President Vladimir Putin has signed a new military doctrine that describes NATO’s military buildup near the Russian borders as the top military threat amid Russia-West tensions over Ukraine.

“The document released by the Kremlin on Friday maintains the provisions of the previous, 2010 edition of the military doctrine regarding the use of nuclear weapons. It says Russia could use nuclear weapons in retaliation to the use of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies, and also in case of aggression involving conventional weapons that ‘threatens the very existence’ of the Russian state.

“For the first time, the new doctrine says that Russia could use precision weapons ‘as part of strategic deterrent measures.’ The document doesn’t spell out conditions for their use.”

According to Die Welt, dated December 27, 2014, the document also states that Russia has enough bunkers to resist and survive a nuclear war.

NATO “Fires” Back…

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 27:

“Within hours of Russian President Vladimir Putin approving a new security doctrine, NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu flatly denied that the Western military bloc was a threat to any nation. ‘Any steps taken by NATO to ensure the security of its members are clearly defensive in nature, proportionate and in compliance with international law,’ Lungescu said. ‘In fact, it is Russia’s actions, including currently in Ukraine, which are breaking international law and undermining European security,’ she added in comments posted on her Twitter account…

“The new Russian military doctrine, posted on the Kremlin’s website on Friday, lists 14 security risks to the country, beginning with NATO’s military potential and eastward expansion… However, a statement released by the Russian Security Council said that the doctrine remained defensive in nature, despite the changes.

“Relations between the Kremlin and the West have experienced a major chill since Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula back in March. Ukraine and the West have also accused Moscow of stoking the fires of conflict in eastern Ukraine by supporting pro-Russia separatists with weapons and troops. Russia has denied this.”

We hear more and more of rumors from the Northeast (compare Daniel 11:44) which are making Europe very nervous.

“2014: A difficult Year for the EU”… but a Crisis Unites…

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 27, 2014

“For the European Union… the ongoing confrontation with Russia could once again bring unity.

“It was a foreseeable political disaster: discontent had long been seething, and in May it showed its force in the elections for the European Parliament. Almost everywhere, euroskeptic parties, right-wing and even parties openly hostile toward the European Union celebrated strong showings. In France, Britain and Denmark, they even won the election. Their platform: Less Europe, more nation states…

“In 2014, migration was an issue that split the EU more than ever before… The euro crisis was a ‘central factor, at least a catalyst for the feeling that the EU is either too far away or gets too involved’…

“Nowhere in the EU was the discontent as palpable as in Britain, where Prime Minister David Cameron is being pushed around by UKIP… In fact, a British exit has now become conceivable – even though the United Kingdom itself only narrowly escaped its own breakup just a few months ago when 55 percent of Scottish voters rejected independence…

“The economic crisis, with its high unemployment rates in many countries, has not only buoyed fringe parties. How to fight the crisis is still a question that continues to divide Europe…

“The crisis that overshadowed everything else in Europe this year, however, was the confrontation with Russia. In March, Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and began destabilizing Eastern Ukraine, a campaign that continues to this day. Several EU states that once belonged to the Soviet Union, including the Baltic countries and Poland, now fear that they, too, may fall victim to Russian aggression.

“Over the course of the year, the EU imposed increasingly harsh sanctions on Russia – but the conflict is anything but solved. As 2014 comes to a close, a return to the former partnership with Russia seems to be more distant than ever. The peaceful European order that has lasted since the end of the Cold War has cracked, and no one knows what’s next.

“At least this bitter experience has taught the Europeans the importance of solidarity. In the dispute with Russia, the EU has presented a unified front like it rarely has before, proof that the 28 EU member states, with their varying positions and relationships with Moscow, were and continue to be able to agree on a common position… The crisis has restored the idea that Europe is ‘stronger united than alone’… That truism seemed long-forgotten in the EU – but 2014 has brought it back to life.”

It might require a crisis of great proportions which will force Europe to unite.

Putin Looks for Friends in the East

The Editorial Board of the New York Times wrote on December 26:

“There was a time when President Vladimir Putin was welcomed, even courted, by governments in the West. Now, as tensions between them grow over the issue of Ukraine, and as Russia’s economy is under stress, Mr. Putin is pursuing new friends, including one of the world’s most noxious leaders, Kim Jong-un of North Korea…

“During the Cold War, the Soviet Union often helped prop up North Korea’s brutal totalitarian regime. This year, after Russia’s invasion of Crimea led to a crisis and the imposition of sanctions by the United States and Europe, Mr. Putin has moved to strengthen those ties as part of a ‘Look East’ policy designed to compensate for the loss of economic and political interaction with the West.

“Russia is interested in North Korea’s mineral resources and needs its help in building a gas pipeline through North Korea to reach the wealthier South Korea. Meanwhile, North Korea sees Russia as a way to reduce dependency on China, its main source of food and fuel…

“Mr. Putin’s courtship of North Korea has not distracted him from his continuing efforts to build closer relationships with China and India. China’s president, Xi Jinping, made Russia his first foreign trip after taking office, and he attended the Sochi Olympics while President Obama and European leaders boycotted them. In May, as the West imposed sanctions on Russia, Mr. Putin completed a $400 billion, 30-year deal providing natural gas to China…

“For decades, people speculated about some kind of China-Russia alliance, but one never really materialized. The gas deal is viewed in Washington as much more favorable to Beijing than to Moscow, and over the long term, China’s economic and political strengths seem certain to ensure that Russia will always be the junior partner — a position that is unlikely to please Mr. Putin.

“As for India, Mr. Putin was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a visit there this month and given assurances that Russia would remain India’s top weapons supplier. The two sides also signed billions of dollars in nuclear power, oil and defense deals. The outcome was a reminder that expectations in America of more trade and political cooperation with India have fallen short since the two countries signed a nuclear deal in 2008…”

In light of the remarks that Russia will always be China’s junior partner, it is interesting to note that the attack of the Asiatic hordes against Israel at the beginning of the Millennium will be led by Gog, a CHINESE leader over China, Russia and other Far Eastern countries (compare Ezekiel 38:2-3).

Putin Still in Denial

Business Insider wrote on December 27:

“As the year draws to a close, the Kremlin continues to insist that not a single Russian soldier has entered Ukraine to join pro-Moscow separatist militia who have been fighting government forces there since April. During his annual press conference earlier this month, Vladimir Putin, the president, said that all Russian combatants in Ukraine’s Donbas region were volunteers answering ‘a call of the heart’…

“Rights activists have recorded cases of at least 40 serving soldiers suspected of dying in the conflict – many believe the figure is in the hundreds – but prosecutors refuse to open criminal investigations into their deaths, a requirement by law…”

Greece in the News… Again…

The Local wrote on December 31:

“Fears of a potential Greek exit from the eurozone have rattled markets since a political crisis in Athens led to early elections, called for late January, in which a leftist anti-austerity party has good prospects of winning, threatening to unwind painful reforms.

“Michael Fuchs, deputy parliamentary leader of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, suggested the idea of Greece breaching its commitments to creditors and eventually leaving the single currency bloc was no longer a doomsday scenario. ‘The situation is entirely different than three years ago,’ Fuchs told the Rheinische Post daily. ‘The times when we had to rescue Greece are over. There is no potential for blackmail any more. Greece is no longer of systemic relevance for the euro.’…

“Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras warned Tuesday that the financially-stricken nation may be forced out of the eurozone if the election is won by Syriza… German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble was more direct, saying Greeks ‘have no alternative’ to the reform path.”

The Bible indicates a cooperation between Greece and core Europe (ten European nations or groups of nations). It does not say whether or not Greece will be part of core Europe.

U.N. Security Council Resolution Against Israel FAILS

JTA wrote on December 30:

“A Palestinian-backed U.N. Security Council resolution setting a deadline for a peace deal with Israel failed to garner sufficient votes for passage. The resolution, which was voted on Tuesday, was aimed at achieving a full Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank by late 2017.

“Eight nations on the 15-member council votes yes, two voted no and five abstained. Nine votes were required for passage. The no votes came from the United States and Australia. Had nine votes been obtained, the United States, which voted against the resolution, was expected to exercise its Security Council veto. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, called the draft resolution ‘deeply imbalanced’ and slammed the council for the unusual move of putting the resolution to a vote without any debate… The deadlines in the resolution, Power noted, ‘take no account of Israel’s legitimate security concerns.’”

Abbas Signs Treaty Against Israel

JTA wrote on December 31:

“Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signed an international treaty that will allow the investigation of Israel for war crimes at the International Criminal Court. On Wednesday, a day after the defeat of a Palestinian statehood resolution in the United Nations Security Council, Abbas reportedly signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, or ICC, as well as more than 20 other international treaties.

“Abbas signed the treaties at an emergency meeting of the P.A. leadership in Ramallah that was called in the wake of the Security Council vote held on Tuesday… If the ICC accepts the Palestinian Authority’s request to join the Rome Statute, which brings the Palestinians one step closer to being full members of the court, then the ICC would have jurisdiction for crimes committed on Palestinian territory. The acceptance would allow the Palestinian Authority to petition the ICC to investigate Israel for possible war crimes.

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the move. ‘It is the Palestinian Authority – which is in a unity government with Hamas, an avowed terrorist organization that, like ISIS, perpetrates war crimes – that needs to be concerned about the International Criminal Court in the Hague,’ he said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office…

“Among the other international organizations and conventions that the Palestinians are seeking to join are the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.

“Also on Wednesday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry summoned France’s ambassador to Israel, Patrick Maisonnave, for ‘clarifications’ over his country’s vote in favor of the Palestinian statehood resolution in the Security Council…”

As the New York Times explained in an article on December 31, the ROME Statute is the Hague-based court’s founding treaty: “Created in 2002 to prosecute perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, the court currently has 122 member countries, and has mainly dealt with horrors in Africa.” Also, the role of France becomes more and more dubious.

Hamas and Turkey vs. Israel

The Times of Israel wrote on December 27:

“On a surprise visit to Turkey Saturday, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal hailed the country’s leaders and said he hoped to ‘liberate Palestine and Jerusalem’ with them. During a speech to officials and supporters of the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, Mashaal congratulated the people of Turkey ‘for having [Prime Minister Ahmet] Davutoğlu and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ as heads of state, adding that ‘a strong Turkey means a strong Palestine … Inshallah, God is with us and with you on the road to victory.’…

“The Hamas leader was introduced to the crowd gathered in the conservative Konya Province in central Anatolia for the annual event by Davutoglu himself. His speech was frequently interrupted by supporters shouting ‘down with Israel!’ and ‘God is great!’… ‘God is witness … we will make this red flag a symbol of the innocent. This red flag will fly side by side with the flags of Palestine, free Syria and all other innocents’ flags anywhere in the world,’ he told the congress.

“Turkey and Hamas have seen a rapid rapprochement as Israel’s ties with Ankara continued to deteriorate. The AK Party has had close ties with Hamas since its rise in 2001, led by Davutoglu and Erdogan. The two have been known for their frequent outbursts against Israel over the years…

“Jerusalem has also accused Turkey of allowing Hamas to operate on its soil, a charge Ankara strongly denies… Israel has alleged on several recent occasions that Hamas cells operating in the West Bank and planning major terror attacks were doing so under the guidance and leadership of Hamas’s Saleh al-Arouri, who was deported from the West Bank to Turkey in 2010, while Ankara turns a blind eye to his actions.

“Last month, the Shin Bet security service said members of a Hamas terror ring in the West Bank, run from the organization’s headquarters in Turkey, sought to carry out an array of major attacks, including on Jerusalem’s main soccer stadium and its light rail line. Arouri, they said, built up and funded the network, and has effectively established a Hamas command post in Turkey which is leading terror efforts in the West Bank…

“In October, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said Hamas had two command centers: one in the Gaza Strip, which has been ruled by the Islamist group since 2007, and one in Turkey.

“Israel’s ties with Turkey became strained after Israel’s Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in 2008-2009, but nosedived in May 2010 when the Mavi Marmara ferry was boarded by Israeli commandos as it attempted to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. In the ensuing melee, after the Israeli soldiers were attacked with iron bars and wooden bats, troops opened fire and nine Turkish activists were killed; 10 Israeli soldiers were injured.”

Modern Turkey is identified in the Bible as “Edom” or “Esau.” Its future hostile conduct against Israel is vividly described in the book of Obadiah and strongly condemned by God.

Iran’s Suicide Drones

Gizmodo wrote on December 27:

“Today Iranian military forces tested various unmanned aircraft that some are calling ‘suicide drones.’ Because ‘suicide drone’ sounded more intimidating than ‘model airplane that we could fly into things nearby.’

“Iran has been conducting military exercises for the past week at the Strait of Hormuz near the Persian Gulf. The show of force has involved air, land, and sea maneuvers over 850,000 square miles…

“This week’s exercises are codenamed Mohammad Rasoulallah, meaning Mohammad the Messenger of God… Iran has also been using drones for target practice during this week’s drills… Unconfirmed reports have said that Iran’s Shahed-129 drone can stay in the air as long as 24 hours and has a range of just over 1,000 miles.”

Santa Claus—a Bad Guy

CNN wrote on December 25:

“It’s the early 1800s, and America’s Christian leaders — most of whom were Protestant Reformation-types — had banned religious celebrations of Christmas as unscriptural and paganish. But people still wanted to party… So, on December 25, working-class stiffs got fall-down drunk and stumbled around cities looking for stuff to loot…

“When the Dutch came to the New World in the 1600s, they brought a fellow from folklore named Sinterklaas with them… Sinterklaas, who wore a red bishop’s miter and a snowy white beard, was based on St. Nicholas, a 3rd century Greek who lived in modern-day Turkey… this Nick was a bit of a bad boy… According to one medieval legend, Nicholas punched a heretic in the nose at the Council of Nicea — the meeting in 325 that formed the first consensus on Christian doctrine…

“St. Nick’s feast day, December 6, (the day he supposedly died) was celebrated across Europe for hundreds of years, often by giving gifts to children… But, beginning in the 1500s, the Protestant Reformation swept away the cult of Christian saints, denouncing them as unbiblical and idolatrous. Christmas, too, went pretty much by the wayside for much of Protestant Europe during this time. Some countries, though, such as the Netherlands, kept alive traditions associated with Sinterklaas. And it was these customs that 19th century New Yorkers wanted to revive.

“As they sought to make Christmas more family friendly, the Saint Nicholas Society found the perfect front man in their namesake, who, after all, was known for being nice to children. It was a genius move. The real goal was getting drunks off the street… Now they could do that by turning Christmas into a family event when children — who had it pretty rough back then — would receive gifts for good behavior…”

The first question is: Why do Protestants keep Christmas today, when the Protestant Reformers—their “fathers” in the faith–rejected it as pagan, idolatrous and unscriptural? How has it now suddenly become scriptural and less pagan and idolatrous? And then, even though this “account” of the origin of “Santa Claus” describes him as a pretty bad fellow, it is still not describing the awful truth. In fact, the history of the real “Santa Claus” is even much worse than depicted in the article. To learn more about it, please read our free booklet, “Don’t Keep Christmas.” 

Christmas Kitsch in China

Reuters reported on December 25:

“A university in northwestern China has banned Christmas, calling it a ‘kitsch’ foreign celebration unbefitting of the country’s own traditions…

“An official microblog belonging to one of the university’s Communist Party’s committees posted comments calling for students not to ‘fawn on foreigners’ and pay more attention to China’s holidays, like Spring Festival. ‘In recent years, more and more Chinese have started to attach importance to Western festivals,’ it wrote…

“Christmas is not a traditional festival in officially atheist China but is growing in popularity, especially in more metropolitan areas where young people go out to celebrate, give gifts and decorate their homes…

“Wenzhou, a city in the wealthy eastern province of Zhejiang, has banned all Christmas activities in schools and kindergartens, the official Xinhua news agency reported…”

Even though China’s motives are self-serving and inappropriate, and the Chinese religious holidays are by no means an improvement, the classification of many of the Christmas symbols and celebrations as “kitsch” is very accurate.

“Exodus” Banned in Egypt

Reuters reported on December 26:

“Egypt has banned Hollywood’s big screen biblical epic ‘Exodus: Gods and Kings,’ a 20th Century Fox spokesman said on Friday. The studio owned by Twenty-First Century Fox Inc declined to give a reason for the ban, but films that depict biblical figures have been prohibited before in the Muslim country.

“Paramount Pictures’ Bible tale ‘Noah’ was banned in several countries in the Middle East this year for its depiction of a prophet, which is forbidden in Islam… ‘Exodus’… has come under criticism for casting mostly white actors in the lead roles and some historical anachronisms. Morocco has also reportedly banned the film…”

Variety added on December 26:

“A report from the Egyptian site Mobtada said censors issued the ban due to [the] movie’s ‘historical inaccuracies.’ Those included the film’s depiction of Jews as having built the Pyramids… Egyptian cultural minister Gaber Asfour said the depiction of Jewish slaves as being the builders of the Great Sphinx and Pyramids is inaccurate because the monuments are accepted to have been built around 2540 B.C. — 500 years before Abraham… ‘This totally contradicts proven historical facts,’ Asfour said.”

Many who have seen the movie “Exodus” declared their utter disappointment and disgust with the film, which, among many other problems, portrayed God in the scene with the burning bush as a child. The movie “Noah” was likewise declared to have been a great disappointment, as it included numerous unbiblical scenes which were totally opposed to the Word of God.

This is not to say that Egypt and Morocco, as well as other Islamic countries, banned the movies because of proper reasons. For instance, the Islamic prohibition of the portrayal of a prophet is not biblical. And it is also not correct that the Pyramids were built 500 years before Abraham. There is strong biblical and archeological evidence that the historical Cheops was none other than the biblical Job, and that it was Job who built the Great Cheops Pyramid at Gizeh, apparently with the help of biblical Joseph.

In his article, “Who Built the Great Pyramid?” (The Plain Truth, May 1964), Dr. Herman Hoeh pointed out:

“Cheops lived in Joseph’s time. SO DID JOB! Job lived in the generation after Esau, for one of his friends was Eliphaz the Temanite (Job 2:11). Eliphaz was the father of the Temanites (Gen. 36:11) and the son of Esau, Jacob’s brother (verse 10). Eliphaz and Joseph were first cousins.

“Job lived before the Mosaic law which permitted only Levites to sacrifice. Notice that Job sacrificed to God for his family as was customarily done in patriarchal times (Job 1:5; 42:8). None of the conversation in the book of Job refers to the exodus under Moses. But the flood is still uppermost in the minds of the people (Job 22:17-18).

“Cheops or Job came to the throne in 1726 B.C…. Surprisingly that is the year in which Jacob entered Egypt with his family. A coincidence? Consider this! Coming into Egypt with Jacob in 1726 was a grandson — named Job! ‘And these are the names of the children of Israel who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons … And the sons of Issachar: Tola, and Phuvah and JOB, and Shimron’ (Genesis 46:13).”

Pope Francis—the Superman Pope?

The Guardian wrote on December 27:

“He has been called the ‘superman pope’… In 2015, the pope will issue a lengthy message on the subject [of climate change] to the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, give an address to the UN general assembly and call a summit of the world’s main religions. The reason for such frenetic activity, says Bishop Marcelo Sorondo, chancellor of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences, is the pope’s wish to directly influence next year’s crucial UN climate meeting in Paris, when countries will try to conclude 20 years of fraught negotiations with a universal commitment to reduce emissions… the pope will publish a rare encyclical on climate change and human ecology. Urging all Catholics to take action on moral and scientific grounds, the document will be sent to the world’s 5,000 Catholic bishops and 400,000 priests, who will distribute it to parishioners.

“According to Vatican insiders, Francis will meet other faith leaders and lobby politicians at the general assembly in New York in September, when countries will sign up to new anti-poverty and environmental goals…

“However, Francis’s environmental radicalism is likely to attract resistance from Vatican conservatives and in rightwing church circles, particularly in the US – where Catholic climate sceptics also include John Boehner, Republican leader of the House of Representatives and Rick Santorum, the former Republican presidential candidate.

“Cardinal George Pell, a former archbishop of Sydney who has been placed in charge of the Vatican’s budget, is a climate change sceptic… Francis will also be opposed by the powerful US evangelical movement, said Calvin Beisner, spokesman for the conservative Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, which has declared the US environmental movement to be ‘un-biblical’ and a false religion. ‘The pope should back off,’ he said. ‘The Catholic church is correct on the ethical principles but has been misled on the science. It follows that the policies the Vatican is promoting are incorrect. Our position reflects the views of millions of evangelical Christians in the US.’”

Pope Flexes Political Muscles; Drives Wedge Between Conservatives and Catholic Church

The Hill wrote on December 31:

“Pope Francis is increasingly driving a wedge between conservatives and the Catholic Church.
The magnetic pope has sparked new enthusiasm around the world for the church and has flexed his political muscles internationally… But Francis’s agenda… is putting him at odds with Republicans, including GOP Catholics in the United States.

“Hours after President Obama announced moves to ease trade and travel restrictions to Cuba, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a practicing Catholic and potential 2016 presidential candidate, criticized the deal and Francis’s role in it… Fellow Catholic Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) said he wished Francis would stand up for the Cuban people ‘rather than their oppressors.’…

“‘He’s modeling the church as a place for open disagreement,’ said Vincent J. Miller, who chairs the University of Dayton’s Catholic theology program. ‘In that sense, one of the most important changes he’s making is that conservative politicians are now openly disagreeing with him,’ Miller said… Miller said Republicans are no longer able to use issues like abortion and gay marriage as the defining issues for American Catholics.

“But Mauricio Claver-Carone, director of the conservative U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC, said that by injecting his beliefs, Francis has alienated Cuban-Americans who are deeply opposed to the communist Castro regime in Cuba…”

Please view our recent StandingWatch program, “Pope Francis’ Fight with the Vatican.” 

How American Citizens Are Illegally Being Spied On

The Huffington Post wrote on December 26:

“…the National Security Agency released hundreds of pages of heavily redacted documents detailing instances of improper surveillance on U.S. citizens in the last 12 years. The batch of documents, stretching from the fourth quarter of 2001 to the second quarter of 2013, was released in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. While some of the information was already publicly known, the reports shed more light on instances in which NSA employees either intentionally or unintentionally violated the law and collected the private data of American citizens…

“The reports include instances in which analysts conducted unauthorized surveillance on U.S. organizations with the mistaken belief they were authorized to do so; instances in which analysts willfully ignored restrictions on surveillance; and even instances in which analysts intentionally abused the system to gather data on spouses or love interests…

“The USA Freedom Act, which would have ended the NSA’s controversial domestic call tracking program, died in the Senate earlier this year despite support from an unlikely alliance that included Facebook, the ACLU and the National Rifle Association.”

And so, illegal spying on American citizens might go on…

Growing Number of Germans Against “Islamization”

Reuters reported on January 1, 2015:

“One German in eight would join an anti-Muslim march if a rapidly-growing protest movement organized one in their home towns, according to an opinion poll published on Thursday. The survey highlighted growing support in Germany, as in other European Union countries including Britain and Sweden, for parties and movements tapping into voter fears that mainstream politicians are too soft on immigration.

“Some members of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc worry that they risk losing support to the euro-sceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has shifted its focus to immigration and includes many who also back the PEGIDA protest movement — Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West. PEGIDA is holding weekly rallies in the eastern city of Dresden, and attracted more than 17,000 people to a Dec. 22 rally…

“In her New Year address, Merkel urged Germans to turn their backs on PEGIDA’s leaders, calling them racists full of hatred, and said Europe’s biggest economy must welcome people fleeing conflict and war… AfD leader Bernd Lucke criticized Merkel’s New Year address in comments due to appear in Friday’s edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) paper, accusing her of disrespecting citizens. A New Year address should unite rather than divide people, he said, accusing Merkel of branding all those who joined PEGIDA marches as anti-immigrant without listening to their views…”

Lithuania Adopts the Euro

The EUObserver wrote on December 31, 2015:

“Lithuania on Thursday (1 January) will adopt the euro with a majority now supporting the currency change amid heightened tensions with their former Russian masters… The former Soviet republic, which joined the European Union and Nato in 2004, is a strategic base for the alliance’s Baltic air policing patrols…

“All EU member states, with the exception of the UK and Denmark, are required to join the euro. Lithuania will become the 19th member of the eurozone.”

Netanyahu Wins Party Nomination

The Associated Press reported on January 1:

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won the backing of his hard-line Likud party in its primary and will lead it into general elections this March… Israeli media said Netanyahu had won the support of about 75 percent of electors, giving him an unassailable lead over challenger Danny Danon, a former deputy defense minister…

“Early opinion polls ahead of the March 17 general elections show Netanyahu’s Likud party in a neck-and-neck race with a joint list headed by Labor Party leader Isaac Herzog and former Justice Minister Tzipi Livni of the Hatnuah party.”

Some have advanced the idea that Christians should not wear wedding rings, as this custom is allegedly pagan, and some have even gone so far as to claim that it was adopted from occult practices. We understand that the Bible prohibits us to worship the true God with pagan symbolism or activities which were adopted from the way in which pagans worshipped their gods. But we must be careful that we do not carry this injunction too far and prohibit everything, whether it is used in worship services or otherwise, only because pagans might have engaged in it.

We addressed this issue in a recent Q&A, which answered the question as to whether Christians should use symbols which are used by pagans. Among other symbols, we discussed the symbol of the heart, certain symbols which are being used in sign language, the Star of David and the symbols of stars in general. We also pointed out that the mere fact that pagans and occultists attach a particular meaning and human interpretation to certain symbols should not compel a Christian to refrain from using these symbols.

This same principle applies to wedding rings. Some claim that wedding rings were “invented” by pagans and occultists with certain supernatural applications in mind. At the same time, everything else pertaining to weddings and wedding customs could be—and has been—labeled as pagan and forbidden, including honeymoons, bridesmaids, wedding cakes, kissing the bride, the bride wearing white or carrying flowers, and even a bride wearing a veil, which is allegedly linked to sorcery (compare, Reader’s Digest, “Why in the World?”). It can be clearly seen that such extreme views are not sound and must be rejected.

The website of gotquestions.org published the following article about wedding rings:

“The signet ring is the earliest type of ring mentioned in the Bible… Jeremiah informs us that the Israelites wore the signet ring on the right hand (Jeremiah 22:24)… Pharaoh gave his signet ring to Joseph as a symbol of authority (Genesis 41:42)… Upon his return, the prodigal son received a ring from his father as a symbol of dignity and restored position (Luke 15:22)…

“The custom of wearing the wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is based upon a romantic, although unscientific, Greek fable that the artery from that finger flows directly to the heart. However and whenever the custom of the wedding band developed, it is seen today as a symbol of an unending commitment to the marriage relationship. As such, it certainly has a biblical basis in that marriage is to be a lifetime commitment (Romans 7:2). This is not to say that wearing a wedding ring is a requirement for married Christians…”

There is really no evidence that the custom of wearing wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand is BASED on a Greek fable. As we will see, the wearing of a signet ring (which is the ancient equivalent to the modern wedding ring) was NOT based on such a fable at all.

The website of biblicalperspectives.com published an article on the matter, which is strictly written from a Seventh-Day Adventist perspective and addresses the transformation from the view point of the Methodist Church (which rejected wearing of jewelry in all of its forms, including rings) to the understanding of the Seventh-Day Adventist position which basically allows the wearing of wedding rings. Although we would not agree with much which is written in the article, especially when addressing all kinds of unverified “superstitions” about the history of the wedding ring, here are some noteworthy comments:

“The story of the finger ring is in a way like the ring itself, without beginning and without end. No one can tell for certain how far back the ring goes. Finger rings appear to have originated with the ancient Egyptians, evolving from the seal or signet… The reason Christians did not oppose the adoption of the betrothal ring [similar to our modern “engagement rings”] is because they perceived it to be not an ornament but a symbol of marital commitment… The ‘sealing’ function of the ring suggests that it was a signet ring that apparently functioned also as a marital ring.”

The Jews used “betrothal rings” and also wedding rings, as Reader’s Digest, “Why in the World?,” points out, “to seal the bond between husbands and wives.”

We need to note that the Bible does NOT say that the wearing of finger rings ORIGINATED in ancient Egypt. But signet rings are mentioned approvingly in the Bible. Scripture does not tell us on what finger the signet ring was worn; Jeremiah 22:24 associates in that particular passage a signet ring with the “right” hand, but it does not say that this is to be understood exclusively, nor, on which finger the ring was worn. It appears that the signet ring could be worn on any finger, including the fourth finger. At least, the Bible nowhere states that it could not have been worn in that way. As a matter of interest, the engagement ring is worn on the left hand in some European countries, and the wedding ring is worn on the right hand (in the USA, the UK and some other countries around the world, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand).

The Worldwide Church of God, under its late human leader, Herbert W. Armstrong who died in 1986, carefully evaluated the question as to whether Christians can wear wedding rings, and it has concluded the following, as stated in a letter from the Letter Answering Department:

“Exodus 35 records that rings were included with the offering the Israelites gave for the building of the Tabernacle. There is not the slightest indication that God was displeased with their wearing rings.

“The Bible records that God was with Joseph when he was sold into slavery in Egypt. Joseph served God, and God caused him to find favor in the eyes of the Pharaoh. In Genesis 41:41-42, we find that Joseph accepted a ring from the Pharaoh. It is plain from the context that the ring was a symbol of the very high office which had been bestowed upon him. God was not displeased with this, and the next few chapters show that God continued to bless and guide Joseph.

“In principle, the ring given to Joseph served much the same purpose as that of a wedding ring. A wedding ring is merely a symbol of the marriage vows that have been made.

“One further example is the famous story of the prodigal son. Jesus used this parable to illustrate God the Father’s love toward a repentant sinner. The father, who pictured God, ordered a ring to be put on the son’s hand (Luke 15:22).

“All of the evidence is positive. The Bible nowhere criticizes the wearing of rings in general or wedding rings in particular.”

In addition, the hands of a bridegroom or husband are compared with gold rings set with beryl (Song 5:14, Authorized Version). We might also mention Esther 8:2, stating that “the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai; and Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman.”

Another meaningful and conclusive passage, which should settle the question once and for all, can be found in Haggai 2:23: “‘In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you as a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

This passage clearly compares the signet ring with a wedding ring, as Zerubbabel had received the Holy Spirit and was already spiritually betrothed to Christ before he died, and when he is resurrected at the return of Christ, he will be spiritually married to Him—the time setting in the above-quoted passage is “in that day”—the time leading to and including Christ’s Second Coming (For the parallel between physical and spiritual betrothal and marriage, please read our free booklet, “And Lawlessness Will Abound…”).

Inasmuch as the Bible has to be our guide on whatever questions might arise, it is immaterial as to what superstitious meanings pagans and occultists may give to their use of wedding rings. Since the Bible clearly allows the wearing of wedding rings, pagan and occult interpretations are meaningless for us—as long as we do not wear wedding rings with a superstitious understanding of occult practices. Some quote 1 Corinthians 10:19-22 for their refusal to wear wedding rings, claiming that in doing so, we would come in contact with demons. This objection is ill founded. Apart from the fact that there is no credible evidence proving that wedding rings are the invention of occultists, the quoted passage speaks, in context, of worship services and warns against partaking in religious activities which might resemble Passover activities, but which are in fact derived from and directed towards honoring and worshipping demons. But Paul also makes very clear that for us, “an idol is nothing,” and that we can even eat clean meat which was sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 8:4), as long as we don’t eat it IN HONOR OF idols (1 Corinthians 8:7).

Some have raised the issue that the wearing of rings or wedding rings—especially by women—allegedly violates biblical injunctions such as 1 Peter 3:3-6 and 1 Timothy 2:9-10. This assumption is wrong. First of all, let us note in general that James 2:2-4 speaks about a “man with gold rings, in fine apparel,” coming into our assembly or church services. James is not saying that the man should stop wearing gold rings or fine clothes; rather, his point is that the brethren should not show favoritism towards him and look down on those in the church who do not possess such fine things. In addition, we have seen that God approves of signet rings. You might also look at Ezekiel 28:13 to see how God adorned Lucifer when He created him.

In regard to women, the Bible does not prohibit them to wear jewelry or wedding rings. In Ezekiel 16:9-13, God describes figuratively how He adorned His Old Testament bride, Israel, by clothing her “in embroidered cloth” and “with fine linen” and “silk”; with “ornaments,” “bracelets on [her] wrists, and a chain on [her] neck”; with “a jewel in [her] nose, earrings in [her] ears, and a beautiful crown on [her] head”; and thus He “adorned [her] with gold and silver…” The passage in Isaiah 3:16-23 does not contradict this. It merely points out that in the end time God will take away all these fine things from Israel, including her bracelets, headdresses, rings and nose jewels, due to her sinful and haughty conduct.

The above-mentioned passages in 1 Peter 3:3-6 and 1 Timothy 2:9-10 do not prohibit women to wear jewelry or fine clothes or rings per se (otherwise, this would be in opposition to the passages mentioned herein), but as we also read in Isaiah 3:16-23, they warn against the overemphasis and misuse of the same for wrong purposes, in order to draw undue attention to themselves and their riches. Notice how the Amplified Bible translates 1 Peter 3:3-4: “Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart…”

Likewise, the Living Bible renders 1 Peter 3:3 as follows, by accurately conveying the intended meaning: “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on jewelry, or beautiful clothes, or hair arrangement. Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit which is so precious to God.”

At the same time, these passages do not say that women should dress inappropriately or sloppy, without adorning themselves in some way, when attending Sabbath services. The Sabbath is a holy feast day, and we are appearing in front of God on that day, who is our King. We would not appear before a worldly king with dirty clothes or in a sloppy and casual attire. When God appeared to Israel to give them the Ten Commandments, He insisted that the people were to “wash their clothes” (Exodus 19:10).

We stated the following in our Q&A on proper attendance in Sabbath services:

“We must understand that we are appearing before GOD. God is a great King. God is the Creator of everything that is good and costly and priceless. He is the Creator of beauty. He most certainly is the Creator of quality. He owns all the gold and silver, and it is He who made it all. If we were to be invited by an earthly king, how would we appear in front of him? Would you want to appear in unwashed, dirty clothing, wearing washed-out jeans, a T-shirt, and sneakers?

“How much more should we appear before GOD, the KING over His creation, in proper clothes! The famous parable in Matthew 22:10-13 about the king’s wedding feast for his son contains a spiritual lesson, but it also describes a physical principle–that we dress appropriately for the occasion. It DID matter to the king—God the Father—how the guests were dressed for the wedding of His Son, Jesus Christ…

“When God gave instructions for the creation of ‘holy garments’ for the priests of Israel, He specifically wanted them made ‘for GLORY and for BEAUTY’ (Exodus 28:2). Regarding how both men and women dress when attending Church services, we find a meaningful example in the time when the children of Israel were commanded to wash their clothes in advance of appearing before God (Compare Exodus 19:10,14).”

In comparison, we must be aware of our awesome responsibility which we have today, when we appear before God and His heavenly throne and majestic surroundings in Sabbath services, compare Hebrews 12:18-24.

Continuing with quoting from our above-mentioned Q&A:

“Likewise, the priests were to wash themselves when appearing before God (Compare Exodus 30:19-20); and, they were to wear special clothing (Compare Exodus 28).”

Note that we are today a “holy” and a “royal priesthood,” as 1 Peter 2:5, 9 points out, also showing our duty to appear before God during Sabbath services with washed and special clothing.

We make the following observations in our Q&A:

“It has been the practice of the Church of God to recognize that we are appearing before God when we assemble for Sabbath services along with other special commanded assemblies as given by God [such as commanded worship services throughout the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, even though only the first day is a Holy Day]. As such, we do recommend that each person present himself or herself in the best apparel they have available. The foremost idea is to specially prepare to appear before God to honor HIM!”

To conclude, the wearing of wedding rings is most certainly not contrary to biblical injunctions. To believe otherwise would not be in accordance with the Word of God and the binding decision of the Church of God (compare Matthew 16:18-19; 18:18).

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

Final agreement with the Hilton Garden Inn has been reached for observing the Feast of Tabernacles in Pismo Beach, California, for 2015! We will announce steps for making reservations, shortly–this will also be posted on our website. In addition, for both our US and Templin, Germany, locations, only very modest price changes have been added since last year.

A new AufPostenStehen clip has been produced by Johanna Link. This is presented in German by Mike Link.

“New Year’s Celebrations in Honor of Pagan Gods?,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

Pagans observed New Year’s on January 1 to honor their god Janus and the deified Julius Caesar. Christianity adopted the pagan celebrations in honor of Christ and “Saint Sylvester.” Many pagan rites and superstitions are clearly present in today’s observances. And January 1 has been reserved historically for persecutions of Jews and Sabbath-keeping Christians. So, should we keep New Year’s Day?

“666—Die Zahl des Tieres in der Offenbarung,” is the title of this week’s German sermon. In English, the title is: “666—The Number of the Beast in Revelation.”

A new SW Talking Points program based on our booklet, “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God,” has been presented by Pastor Rene Messier. Here is a summary:

God wants His church to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God in all the world as a witness. But what is the Kingdom of God? Why is it so important that we understand the truth in this matter? What is the Gospel? When you hear the word Gospel, what comes to mind? Do you think of the gospel of grace? Do you think about the four gospel writers—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? Do you think of the gospel about the person of Jesus Christ?

“The Joy of Sin,” the sermon given last Sabbath by Robb Harris, is now posted. Here is a summary:

“We are inundated with the concept that Christmas is the most joyful of all seasons. While many grasp to find some sort of joy, it is at most just a passing feeling. Real and lasting joy can only be understood and experienced while God is involved in our lives.”

by Aurora Agbayani

In one of our connecting flights on our way to the Feast of Tabernacles, my husband and I were assigned seats by the EXIT doors of the plane. Realizing this, I requested for him to be transferred to a more convenient one and I remained at my assigned seat. As the flight attendant finished with her pre-flight emergency announcements, she approached every passenger seated by the Exit doors and asked if they were willing to help in a time of emergency. Being one of them, I said yes without hesitation, even though I didn’t have a clue of how ready and willing I would be if the situation were to arise. She gave us a brief demonstration of what to do and how to give instructions and guide the rest of the passengers to safety. I just thought to myself, as long as I followed instructions, I’ll be fine.

This reminded me of what we as firstfruits will be doing when Christ establishes His Kingdom here on earth. Under His authority, we will help rebuild the earth as God has initially planned it to be. We will be instructing and guiding the people in following God’s Way of life. We will be ready and will be well equipped for the task.

Tracing back my journey from different churches, this made me realize how much I didn’t know about God’s Word before coming into the true Church of God; what will become of me in the future or even what God’s plan is for me. All I learned before was based on man’s teaching and understanding. I see all of that now as meaningless and just empty words. I can clearly understand now the difference of my way of life and how God really wants me to live. My wayward lifestyle is now being corrected and is following a path laid out by my Creator. I thank God for patiently leading and guiding me and opening my understanding to learn His Word and the true gospel of the Kingdom of God.

I know I still have a lot to learn and I should be careful to not be complacent or even take things for granted. It’s very encouraging whenever I am with the brethren as I continue to learn from them and see how much more I need to change in my life.

My task today is to get ready – I am being trained, taught and prepared for my future role. I am so thankful for having been called out of this world and to be a part of God’s Master plan. I am more inspired to not only be a hearer but most especially – a doer. I can accomplish this by using the tools I have today: prayer, Bible study, meditation and occasional fasting. God knows my heart and my desire to continue to learn with zeal and not to become weary whenever I fall/fail, for He is always there to help me get up and strive to be sure of my calling.

I know that when Christ returns, there will be no exit doors in the Kingdom, as people will be living peacefully, dwelling safely without walls or gates – a time I look forward to and be a part of, knowing that God wants to see me make it into His Kingdom.

On December 27, 2014, Robb Harris will give the sermon, titled, “The Joy of Sin.”

The live services are available, over video and audio, at http://www.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.

Over the years in the church we get to see various types of individuals who start attending Church services with us. One in particular is what I call a “Flash in the Pan.” People who have cooked have at times experienced this and that is when oil in a pan, unattended for whatever reason, reaches its flash or ignition temperature and catches fire. These are usually small fires, easy to extinguish.

There are some individuals who are this way. When we first meet them, they are bubbling over with enthusiasm and are all fired up about the new truth they are learning. Later their enthusiasm wanes, usually when facing a trial in regard to obeying God or perhaps some persecution from family members, so they begin to waffle a bit.

Christ warned us about some of the problems we would encounter. They are outlined in Matthew 13:3-8:

“Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

The flash in the pan is described in verses 20 -21:

“But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.”

Notice, they endure for a little while, and like a jet when it flames out, crashes and burns, they are suddenly gone. We have to have a certain degree of toughness and ability to endure in order to stay true to the course. When we have to make those tough decisions in regard to obeying God, we must do the right thing, and God will support us.

I remember so well how happy I was when I came to the knowledge of the Sabbath. What did not dawn on me at first was that I could not work or earn a living on that day.

What was I to do? I had a government job that required me to work on the Sabbath on a rotating basis, and there was no practical way around it. I had two children and one on the way, and a mortgage to pay. I was working in a prison hospital at the time on the second floor, by myself, pacing back and forth, realizing I could not work on the Sabbath coming up in a few days.

I decided then and there that I was not going to work that Saturday, regardless of the consequences. In less than ten seconds my boss came up the stairs and told me that a fellow worker who was scheduled to work that afternoon phoned in sick and that I could work a double shift that day to cover for him. I immediately said I would if I could have Saturday off, which he agreed to give me.

I later had to resign my job and I worked for several months at several jobs before I eventually got a good job–a month after I was baptized. I worked at that company for more than 38 years, until my retirement in 2007.

I reflect on this incident at times and it reminds me of what Christ said about never forsaking us. If we step up to the plate with faith, not wavering, we can hit a home run. When we are called, we are called for the duration and Christ never said it would be a slide downhill into the Kingdom. If we endure to the end, we will be saved and receive the reward.

The one thing we don’t want to be is a “Flash in the Pan.”

We begin with reports on Russia’s current financial crisis and the willingness of China and other Far Eastern nations to come to Russia’s rescue; and we point out Russia’s attempts to reach out to North Korea, while the relationship between America and North Korea has reached an absolute historical low point.

We continue with reports on Cuba’s victory celebrations over a weak USA; the astronomical costs spent by the USA on their fight against ISIS; and the ongoing turmoil in New York City.

Turning to Germany, we report on growing anti-Islamization demonstrations especially in the city of Dresden, which coincide with outrageous comments by Turkey’s President Erdogan; and continue with several articles on Pope Francis and the Catholic Church. The power struggle between the Pope and numerous cardinals and bishops within the Vatican is continuing, and Catholic news agencies feel that a “direct confrontation” is probably inevitable, while English-speaking spokesman of the Vatican referred to Pope Francis as a “prophet.”

We conclude with reports on Christmas, quoting the Pope’s ill-conceived “Christmas message,” and showing that many non-Christians and people without any religious beliefs delight in Christmas celebrations and activities. We also speak of “Man’s Ten Commandments” and other humanly devised “standards of righteousness.”

China and India Come to Russia’s Rescue

On December 22, the EUObserver published an article with the following headline: “China ignores EU, offers to help Russia.”

The article continued:

“China has joined India in helping the Russian economy… Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said in China Daily, a state mouthpiece, on Monday (22 December): ‘Russia has the capability and the wisdom to overcome the existing hardship in the economic situation. If the Russian side needs [help], we will provide necessary assistance within our capacity’. China Daily noted that Russia has ‘hundreds of billions of [US] dollars’ in its foreign reserve fund and is far from collapse. It added that China is ready to offer loans and investments in infrastructure projects, with a new Russia-China gas pipeline, a deep-water port in Crimea, and railway schemes in Russia’s Far East under discussion. The Chinese statement comes after India, earlier this month, bought 12 nuclear reactors from Russian firm Rosatom and launched joint production of military helicopters…

“Going further back, China and India, as well as Brazil and South Africa, showed solidarity by abstaining in a UN vote on the non-recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. The actions of the non-aligned powers are a diplomatic defeat for the EU and US, which imposed economic sanctions on Russia over its war on Ukraine…

“The main cause of Russia’s financial problems is the slump in oil prices. But EU sanctions on banks and energy firms are making matters worse by blocking blacklisted companies from buying debt on international markets. For his part, former Russian finance minister Alexei Kudrin told press in Moscow also on Monday: ‘Today, I can say that we have entered or are entering a real, full-fledged economic crisis’. He spoke after Russia announced the National Bank Trust, one of its largest lenders, needs a half-a-billion-dollar bailout.

“Russia also imposed curbs on wheat exports, which have surged due to the record-low value of the rouble, prompting hikes in Russian bread prices. The financial crisis is having a strategic impact in Europe. The rouble crash prompted Russia to cancel the South Stream gas pipeline project…

“EU institutions have all-but packed up for the Christmas break. But the European Commission on Monday noted that the EU, which has extensive trade with Russia despite the Ukraine rift, could, like Belarus, suffer knock-on effects from the rouble problem…

“Diplomats say it’s too early to predict if the rouble crisis will serve doves, who say a Russian economic collapse would it make it more dangerous, or hawks, who say long-term economic pain will stop Russian aggression. Some states – such as Austria, Hungary, France, and Italy – are saying they want to rebuild Russia ties. But Germany at last week’s EU summit said sanctions can be rolled back only if Russia gives up conquered territories in Ukraine…”

While Europe—and especially Germany—is moving further and further away from Russia, Far Eastern nations such as China and India are moving closer together.

And Now—Russia in Collaboration with North Korea

The Guardian wrote on December 19:

“The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has invited the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, to Moscow next year to mark the 70th anniversary of the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany in the second world war, the Kremlin’s spokesman said on Friday. It would be Kim’s first foreign visit since taking the helm of the reclusive east Asian state in 2011. His personal envoy travelled to Moscow last month as part of efforts by the two Cold War-era allies to improve relations…

“Moscow needs North Korean cooperation to boost its natural gas exports to South Korea as Gazprom would like to build a gas pipeline through North Korea to reach its southern neighbour. Pyongyang is also seeking support from Russia, a permanent veto-wielding member of the UN security council, against international criticism relating to accusations of human rights abuses and its nuclear programme.”

Collaboration between powerful nations in the Far East are prophesied. China, Russia, India and Japan will apparently belong to this collaboration which will be hostile to the West. Will even North Korea be part of it?

North Korea Threatens USA

CNN reported on December 21:

“North Korea is accusing the U.S. government of being behind the making of the movie ‘The Interview.’ And, in a dispatch on state media, the totalitarian regime warns the United States that U.S. ‘citadels’ will be attacked, dwarfing the hacking attack on Sony that led to the cancellation of the film’s release.

“While steadfastly denying involvement in the hack, North Korea accused U.S. President Barack Obama of calling for ‘symmetric counteraction.’… ‘Our toughest counteraction will be boldly taken against the White House, the Pentagon and the whole U.S. mainland, the cesspool of terrorism,’ the report said, adding that ‘fighters for justice’ including the ‘Guardians of Peace’ — a group that claimed responsibility for the Sony attack – ‘are sharpening bayonets not only in the U.S. mainland but in all other parts of the world.’

“The FBI on Friday pinned blame on North Korea for a hack into Sony’s computer systems… In a CNN interview on Friday, Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton said the studio had not ‘given in’ to pressure from hackers and was still considering ways to distribute the movie…”

Newsmax added on December 23:

“Less than a week after Sony pulled ‘The Interview’ from theaters, the studio has reversed itself and set a limited theatrical release in the United States on Christmas Day. ‘The Interview,’ directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, will now open in more than 200 independent cinemas rather than in the major chains, sources confirm.”

American Retaliation Against North Korea?

The Huffington Post wrote on December 22:

“North Korea’s Internet service went down in a suspected cyberattack Monday, just days after the U.S. government blamed the country for hacking Sony Pictures Entertainment and the White House said it was considering a ‘proportional response’ to the crime…

“During a Monday briefing, Marie Harf, a spokeswoman for the State Department, called on the North Korean government to ‘admit the culpability and compensate Sony’ for the financial damage the hacks have caused. But Harf also offered an interesting choice of words when discussing the administration’s possible response to the responsible parties. ‘As the president said, we are considering a range of options in response,’ she said. ‘We aren’t going to discuss, publicly, operational details about the possible response options — or comment on those types of reports in any way — except to say that as we implement those responses, some will be seen, some may not be seen.’”

Communism and Human Rights Violations to Stay in Cuba

The Associated Press reported on December 20:

“Cuban President Raul Castro sent a blunt message to Washington Saturday as the White House works to reverse a half-century of hostility between the U.S. and Cuba: Don’t expect detente to do away with the communist system. Castro’s speech to Cuba’s National Assembly was a sharp counterpoint to the message U.S. President Barack Obama gave in his year-end news conference the day before. Obama reiterated that by engaging directly with the Cuban people, Americans are more likely to encourage reform in Cuba’s one-party system and centrally planned economy.”

Breitbart added on December 22:

“Cuban dictator Raúl Castro… visited the Cuban National Assembly to declare that, against the United States, ‘now we’ve really won the war.’… He once again reiterated his desire for President Obama to act unilaterally, without the support of Congress, on as many issues in the White House’s Cuba proposal as possible…

“He added that he does not expect any changes in the Cuban regime: ‘just as we have never proposed to the United States a change in their political system, so too do we demand respect for ours.’”

It appears that the new “détente” between the USA and Cuba has really accomplished nothing. While Cuba celebrates its victory, America is looked upon as a gullible loser.

America’s “Price Tag for ISIS Fight Passes 1 Billion Dollars”

Newsmax reported on December 22:

“The U.S. military has spent more than $1 billion fighting the Islamic State (ISIS), the Pentagon says. The campaign against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria began Aug. 8 via airstrikes, and Pentagon spokesman William Urban said Monday that the cost of the military offensive continues to climb. ‘As of Dec. 11, 2014, the total cost of operations related to [ISIS] since kinetic operations started on Aug. 8, 2014, is $1.02 billion, and the average daily cost is $8.1 million,’ Urban said, The Hill reports. That figure does not include an earlier campaign against ISIS that began in June, The Hill says.

“Over the weekend, it was reported that U.S. ground troops were fighting ISIS forces in western Iraq, despite the Obama administration’s stance that the campaign would consist only of airstrikes. About 1,700 U.S. troops are in Iraq, a number that will increase over the coming weeks after it was announced that another 1,500 will be deployed.”

In light of these nonsensical developments, we are reminded as to why we are to pray to God the Father: “Your Kingdom Come!”

New York City in Turmoil

Politico wrote on December 22:

“New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton said Monday that tensions in the city are echoing those in the 1970s — a fear he expressed only days prior to the ambush killings of two police officers. ‘Who would’ve ever thought déjà vu all over again, that we would be back where we were 40-some-odd years ago,’ Bratton said in an interview on NBC’s ‘Today.’

“When asked whether he had seen such tensions or divide before, Bratton replied, ‘1970, when I first came into policing — my first 10 years were around this type of tension.’

Bratton’s assessment comes as two NYPD officers were shot and killed Saturday afternoon. The suspect in the killings invoked the police-involved deaths of Missouri teen Michael Brown and New Yorker Eric Garner in an Instagram post before shooting officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu in their patrol car.

“Bratton identified protests that followed the decisions by separate grand juries to not indict police officers in Brown and Garner’s deaths as a factor in the subsequent killings of Ramos and Liu. ‘It’s quite apparent, quite obvious, that the targeting of these two police officers was a direct spinoff of this issue of these demonstrations,’ the police chief said. Lawmakers and police unions have accused New York Mayor Bill de Blasio of inciting anti-police rhetoric — or at least failing to do enough to cool tensions. Over the weekend, a video circulated online showing police officers turning their backs to the mayor as he entered the hospital where the two slain officers were taken…

“On ‘Today,’ Bratton acknowledged the internal rift between City Hall and the police… Only the day before the shooting of the two officers, Bratton had expressed concern that tensions and issues of ‘poverty, of race, of unemployment, of inequality in housing, educational systems’ were escalating. Similarly, in an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll… released last week, a majority of 57 percent of Americans said race relations are ‘bad,’ including 23 percent said they’re ‘very bad.’…”

While fears are being expressed that the tensions in New York City will spread across the nation, the blame game continues, trying to find culpability with the media and President Obama, as well as with the protestors. The truth is that this country has turned its back on God, and curses in every shape or form are the consequence. See the next article.

Not Again!

The Wall Street Journal wrote on December 22:

“A white police officer killed a black teenager who was allegedly armed in a St. Louis suburb late Tuesday… The death of Antonio Martin, 18 years old, comes as tensions run high in U.S. cities over the use of deadly force by police. The shooting happened in Berkeley, Mo., just miles from the town of Ferguson, where the death of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer in August sparked months of demonstrations that turned violent at times.

“Berkeley officials moved quickly to keep the public from drawing a connection to Ferguson. Berkeley’s population is more than 80% black, and Mayor Theodore Hoskins pointed to its large number of black police officers and he and other elected officials who are African-American. In Ferguson, the city’s population is two-thirds African-American, while its city council and police force are largely white. The mayor also said, unlike Ferguson, the shooting was captured on a surveillance camera and a weapon was recovered on the scene.”

Longing for the “Good Old Days”?

Der Spiegel Online wrote on December 21:

“Disenchanted German citizens and right-wing extremists are joining forces to form a protest movement to fight what they see as the Islamization of the West. Is this the end of the long-praised tolerance of postwar Germany?…

“What is going on in Germany, the world’s second most popular destination for immigrants? Has the open-mindedness for which Germans had long been praised now ended?…

“… many Germans share the protestors’ views… Some 34 percent of citizens agreed with the PEGIDA protestors that Germany is becoming increasingly Islamicized…

“[An American journalist stated] that she had been under the impression that many were mourning the ‘good old days.’

“The only question is: Which good old days? Those after 1933, when Dresden, displaying the Nazi swastika, drove out its Jewish residents? Or those after 1945, when the East German Communist Party transformed an entire region into one that was virtually cut off from the Western world…”

Another question is whether many Germans are mourning the good old days when a strong leader ruled the nation. Sadly, Germany’s history is such that their strong rulers usually turned out to be disastrous leaders. Another strong ruler—worse than anyone before him—is still to arise. But finally, and very soon, Germans and all the world will experience—for the very first time—a strong truthful ruler who will establish a righteous government on this earth and who will bring peace and prosperity—Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Germans Concerned About Islamization

AFP wrote on December 22:

“A record [17,500] anti-Islamic protesters rallied for their tenth demonstration in as many weeks Monday in eastern Germany, celebrating the rise of their far-right populist movement by singing Christmas carols. Germany has for weeks grappled with the emergence of the ‘Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the Occident’ or PEGIDA, whose ranks in the city of Dresden have swelled rapidly from just a few hundred in October.

“About 4,500 counter-demonstrators marched through the city under the slogan ‘Dresden Nazi-free’, warning that there was no space for racism and xenophobia in the country that perpetrated the Holocaust. Most PEGIDA followers insist they are not Nazis but patriots who worry about the ‘watering down’ of their Christian-rooted culture and traditions. They often accuse mainstream political parties of betraying them and the media of lying…

“The Protestant bishop of Saxony state, Jochen Bohl, said the PEGIDA followers, by singing Christmas carols, were seeking ‘to exploit a Christian symbol and a Christian tradition’ for political purposes…

“Smaller clone groups rallied Monday in the western cities of Bonn, Kassel and Wuerzburg, but they only drew up to 200 followers each and were all vastly outnumbered by counter-demonstrations that drew 20,000 nationwide… The biggest anti-PEGIDA march was held in the southern city of Munich, where at least 12,000 rallied under the banner ‘Make space — Refugees are welcome’…

“Politicians from all major parties have been stunned by the emergence of the right-wing nationalists who vent their anger against what they consider a broken immigration and asylum system. The movement has emerged at a time when Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, has become the continent’s top destination for asylum seekers, and the world’s number two destination for migrants after the United States. The influx of refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and several African and Balkan countries has strained local governments, which have scrambled to house the newcomers in old schools, office blocks and army barracks…”

Deutsche Welle added on December 22:

“Chancellor Angela Merkel has cautioned Germans against falling prey to any form of xenophobic ‘rabble-rousing,’ but several conservative politicians have argued the government must ‘listen’ to the people’s concerns about immigration. Only the fledgling anti-euro AfD party has openly sympathized with PEGIDA, saying its message has struck a chord in German society.”

Breitbart wrote on December 23:

“Despite the essentially ordinary character of many of the people taking to the streets for the peaceful strolls, and the admission by senior government and police figures that a great many of those joining in are families bringing their children, the organisation has come in for stiff criticism and rejection by the heights of the German elite.

“Chancellor Merkel has suggested the leadership of PEGIDA have an ulterior motive, despite their focus on non-violent protest and apolitical principles. She even went as far to warn people thinking of going on the weekly stroll to ‘watch out that they are not instrumentalised by the organisers’. The SPD, Germany’s Labour-party equivalent have gone as far as calling PEGIDA ‘Nazis in pinstripes’. This is despite a report by the German police that there are significantly more known troublemakers in the counter-protest movements, than in PEGIDA itself.”

These developments remind us of events in Germany leading to the rise of Adolf Hitler, when groups of different persuasions –notably Socialists, Communists and National Socialists – demonstrated against each other, while the “established” parties had become helpless bystanders. At the same time, German concerns ARE understandable—at least to an extent—also in light of the following article.

Turkish President Condemns Birth Control as Treason

NDTV reported on December 22:

“Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described efforts to promote birth control as ‘treason’, saying contraception risked causing a whole generation to ‘dry up’, [and constitute] a betrayal of Turkey’s ambition to make itself a flourishing nation with an expanding young population. ‘One or two (children) is not enough. To make our nation stronger, we need a more dynamic and younger population. We need this to take Turkey above the level of modern civilisations,’ Erdogan said.

“Erdogan’s government has long been accused by critics of seeking to impose strict Islamic values on Turks and curtailing the civil liberties of women… [He] has angered feminist groups for declaring that every woman should have three children and saying that women are not equal to men…

“Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu, a doctor with two children, had at the weekend also caused controversy by declaring pregnant women did not have the right to decide how they would deliver their child. ‘It is the duty of the midwives and the doctors to prepare them for the birth. The patients cannot say “I want a Caesarean”. They don’t have such a right,’ he said. ‘The doctors’ job is to fulfil their medical responsibilities not to follow the patients’ demands. Doctors must give the medical treatment that the patients have a right to. The C-section is not one of those rights.’”

All of this is so reminiscent of laws which were enacted in Nazi Germany. Sadly, the Catholic Church also prohibits birth control—in direct violation of biblical principles.

The Fight Between the Pope and the Vatican Continues…

The Washington Post wrote on December 22:

“Every year around this time, Pope Francis and the senior governing cardinals, bishops and priests of the Vatican — referred to as the Curia — meet for an exchange of Christmas greetings. This year, Pope Francis brought a little something extra for the Curia: a 15-point ‘catalog’ of spiritual diseases he’s seen among leadership there…

“The list of diseases included ‘spiritual Alzheimer’s,’ ‘spiritual petrification,’ a feeling of being ‘immortal,’ and ‘funereal face,’… The pope also blasted gossiping among officials as a form of ‘satanic assassination.’…

“Some of his harshest words were reserved to sins related to gossiping, which, as shown above, the pope likened to the actions of Satan. Gossip, he said, will grip a person and transform him into one of the ‘sowers of discord.’ Which is a pretty direct reference to what Satan does. Francis called gossips ‘cold-blooded murderers’ of reputations. ‘It is the disease of cowards, who do not have the courage to speak upfront and so talk behind one’s back. … Watch out against the terrorism of gossip!’ he said.

“… the pope   may have made an oblique reference to the sex abuse scandal while discussing a ‘disease of a closeness,’ which he said was a ‘cancer which threatens the harmony of the body and causes a lot of evil and scandal, especially towards our small brothers and sisters.’ …

“The Vatican’s English-speaking spokesman Fr. Thomas Rosica addressed the Pope’s remarks in a Monday statement: ‘… Now and then in our religious history, prophets arise to call us back to our origins, our roots and also our intended mission. That is what Pope Francis is doing. His words apply not only to the Roman Curia at the Vatican but to the entire Church throughout the world. His words are also valid for many institutions in the world today that lose sight of their original mission’…

“Before becoming pope, Francis was an outsider to the bureaucratic body of the Curia, which has a reputation for ineffectiveness and corruption. As pope, Francis has pledged to reform it.”

The description of Pope Francis as a “prophet” is quite interesting.

Deutsche Welle added on December 23:

“‘This is a speech without historic precedent,’ church historian Alberto Melloni, a contributor to Italian daily ‘Corriere della Sera,’ told the Associated Press… Marco Politi, a Vatican expert who writes for the ‘Il Fatto Quotidiano’ daily, told dpa news agency that Monday’s address was ‘a frontal attack’ against his enemies inside the Curia, and could be seen as ‘one last warning’ before a direct confrontation.”

The Pope’s Christmas Reflection

Zenit reported on December 21:

“Pope Francis today assured that Christ is coming into our lives this Christmas and is asking for a response like Mary’s, but warned that we might be too busy to pay attention… Jesus is coming this Christmas in the ‘today of the liturgy,’ the Pope explained. ‘The Word, who dwelled in the virginal womb of Mary, in the celebration of Christmas, comes to call anew the heart of each Christian…

“Jesus, he said, ‘comes to bring to the world the gift of peace. […] The precious gift of Christmas is peace and Christ is our true peace…”

Christmas has absolutely nothing to do with Christ’s dwelling in our hearts, or with a precious godly gift of true peace.

Non-Christians Celebrate Christmas

The Associated Press wrote on December 22:

“Christmastime is here and a new poll reveals the cards and gifts that are part of celebrating the holiday are ubiquitous, even among those who don’t share the Christian beliefs behind the story of the Magi who gave the first Christmas gifts…

“77 percent of Americans plan to exchange gifts this holiday season and 48 percent will send greeting cards. The gift-giving set includes about 8 in 10 Christians and 73 percent of those who say they have no religious beliefs. Greeting cards also cross denominational lines, with 53 percent of Protestants, 55 percent of Catholics and 40 percent of those without religious beliefs saying they will send cards this year.”

This is mind-boggling and so twisted, but then, it is reflective of a much deeper truth: That Christmas is anything but Christian.

Man’s Ten Commandments

CNN wrote on December 20:

“What if, instead of climbing Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments from God, Moses had turned to the Israelites and asked: Hey, what do you guys think we should do? Considering the Hebrews’ bad behavior in the Bible, what with the coveting of neighbors’ wives and murdering their own brothers, that might have been a disastrous idea. But in our own more enlightened age, we’re perfectly capable of crowdsourcing our own commandments — or, at least, that’s what a new project would have us believe…”

To better understand the following, Lex Bayer and John Figdor, authors of the book “Atheist Mind, Human Heart,” recently organized a crowdsource contest to determine the 10 best atheist commandments and to modernize Old Testament ideals. The public submitted their ideas in recent weeks for alternative secular commandments, with a panel of 13 prominent atheists and secularists weighing in to pick their favorites (compare “The Blaze,” December 19). The above-quoted article by CNN continues:

“The contest drew more than 2,800 submissions from 18 countries and 27 U.S. states, according to Bayer and Figdor… A team of 13 judges selected 10 of the more sober and serious submissions, and announced the winners Friday. There’s nary a ‘thou shalt’ among them — nothing specifically about murder, stealing or adultery, although there is a version of the Golden Rule, which presumably would cover those crimes…

“Here are the ‘Ten Non-Commandments’ chosen as the winners:

“1. Be open-minded and be willing to alter your beliefs with new evidence.

“2. Strive to understand what is most likely to be true, not to believe what you wish to be true.

“3. The scientific method is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.

“4. Every person has the right to control of their body.

“5. God is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life.

“6. Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them.

“7. Treat others as you would want them to treat you, and can reasonably expect them to want to be treated. Think about their perspective.

“8. We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.

“9. There is no one right way to live.

“10. Leave the world a better place than you found it.”

Especially Nos. 4, 5 and 9 are the most sickening. Other commandments are problematic too, such as No. 3 and specifically No. 10. We can be glad that God does not leave it to man to decide what is good and bad.

43 Countries Have Outlawed Spanking

On December 11, 2014, Time magazine wrote the following:

“Every time a new controversy erupts about parents who use spanking to discipline their kids… there’s a whole new round of discussion about the most appropriate way to discipline kids… So far 43 countries have outlawed spanking, and two more are about to.”

According to the article, countries banning corporal punishment include Germany, Austria, Switzerland, New Zealand, Poland, Italy and Israel.

The definition of the words “foolish” or “folly” can be “a lack of good sense; foolishness: a foolish act, idea, or practice.” In other words, it is just not a good idea!

For almost 2,000 years, there have been many predictions about the return of Christ. Damian Thompson wrote a book called “The End of Time”. In his book of 393 pages, he lists hundreds of failed predictions over the last nearly 2,000 years. This book covers not only the return of Jesus Christ but the beliefs of many other religions and movements over two millennia.

The book was written in 1999 when there was the fear of what Y2K might produce which Mr Thompson describes as “three little digits signifying a crisis of spectacular proportions caused by just two digits. A few years ago, only those initiated into the mysteries of the software code knew or cared what this meant. By 1998, however, most people in the West knew about the problem and were beginning – just beginning – to feel seriously worried by it” (page 334).

As we know, nothing major happened at the turn of the century in terms of computer systems shutting down and all the dire consequences and inter-related problems that that would have produced.

A total solar eclipse occurred on 11 August 1999 and this caused many to predict that it would be the end of the world. One person wrote to us at our office in Derby in the UK saying that Jesus Christ would return to earth on August 11th 1999 at 12:50pm. One website stated that there were 45 failed predictions for the end of the world in 1999.

According to Wikipedia, four different people predicted the year 2000, and one more specifically on April 6th 2000. One minister claimed that “the rapture” (a concept which is not taught in Scripture) would be on May 21, 2011, followed by the end of the world on October 21 of the same year.

Another minister predicted that Jesus would return on September 29, 2011 and when his prediction failed to come true, he moved the date of Jesus’ return to May 27, 2012. That prediction failed too and he changed the date to May 18, 2013. As we know, that date has come and gone.

Others have predicted various other dates, including 2012 and 2017, and one senior minister said recently that a number of other ministers, some years ago, came to realize during their study of biblical chronology that we could “easily” be 20 or 30 years off in either direction and that therefore, it should be easy to realize that Christ may not come until about 2030AD! However, that minister added that he personally did not believe that it would take that long. (In fact, that same senior minister had predicted earlier that Christ would come back in 2017, give or take a year or two).

We must not forget that even though God established a 7,000-year plan (with man ruling on earth for about 6,000 years, followed by Christ’s millennial rule of 1,000 years), it does not have to be exactly 6,000 years from man’s creation, as we can hinder or delay Christ’s return (compare Matthew 24:21-22; 24:48; 2 Peter 3:9, 12). For a more detailed explanation on this, please read chapter 4 entitled “The Day of Christ’s Return – Fixed?” in our new booklet “When and How Will Christ Return”.

Other dates, and those proposing them, are listed in Wikipedia showing that Christ will allegedly return on September 28th 2015, or in 2020, 2021, 2025, 2028 and 2057.

Of course, history shows that date setting has been a problem down through the centuries and hundreds, probably thousands of predictions have all failed. We must be honest enough to admit that some within the Church of God in times past have not been immune from date setting—and some don’t seem to be immune from it today.

Why is it that for those who, from a Christian perspective, supposedly take Scripture seriously, continue to think that they know better than God?  If they all took the time to read, review and accept Scripture, they would realise that NO ONE but the Father “knows” the date of Christ’s Second Coming – not even the angels or Christ Himself—and that the date may not be set in stone as far as the Father is concerned! He “knows” the date because it is HE—and HE ALONE—who will decide when it has arrived.

Demonic activity will increase towards the end of the age and it seems likely that many, if not all who predict a date (and sometimes even the hour) are deceived by the great deceiver, Satan and his demons, or that they have personal delusions of grandeur, erroneously thinking that they know something that no one else knows. Unfortunately, groups or churches can be formed around such a person only for everyone to be disappointed when the prophesied event does not occur.

Of course, many may be entirely convinced of their prognostication(s) and may be entirely sincere, but they have all been (even sincerely) wrong.

We know that some of the early apostles thought that Jesus might return in their lifetime but no dates were set, just a general view that it could happen in their lifetime.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Paul stated:  “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

In 1 Corinthians 7:29, Paul stated:  “But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none…”

In 1 Corinthians 15:52, Paul stated, referring to the time of Christ’s Coming: “…For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

In Acts 2:16-21, Luke quoted Peter as applying an end-time prophecy to his day and age: “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’” The process had started but has yet to be completely fulfilled.

In Hebrews 1:2, Paul stated: “(God) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds…”

In James 5:3, James stated: “Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire.  You have heaped up treasure in the last days.”

In 1 Peter 1:20, Peter stated: “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you…”

In 1 John 2:18, John stated: “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.”

As we pointed out in a recent Q&A on the “last days,” all these passages, and many more, give testimony to the fact that Scriptures, using prophetic terms such as “last days,” “end time” etc., must be read in context, and that they might refer to events of the past leading to an end-time fulfillment. At the same time, we also need to realise that those who wrote certain passages were apparently under the misimpression that the last days had already arrived in their time. In every case, they later realised that Christ would not return during their life time, but God had inspired their writings and included them in His Word, as they DO refer to the ultimate fulfillment of prophetic predictions at the time of Christ’s Second coming—and beyond.

We have to fully appreciate that God’s sense of timing and our sense of timing are very often entirely different. Peter points this out when he writes, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9).

The belief that Christ would return during a Christian’s lifetime has been the hope of all Church members down through the ages.

One commentator wrote: “The doctrine of imminence is meant to keep Christians from being lazy and lax.  If we live each day in the expectant hope that Christ can return at any moment, how does that affect how we live our lives?  The answer to that question is the whole point of the parables that Jesus tells at the end of the Olivet Discourse (The Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, and the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30).  These parables teach that Christians should live in constant expectation of the imminent return of Christ.  What does that look like?  The Parable of the Ten Virgins essentially teaches that Christians should be prepared for Christ’s return by being vigilant because we don’t know the hour of his return.”

This observation is of course unbiblical, as stated, because Christ cannot come back at just about any moment—prophetic events such as the Great Tribulation must first be fulfilled. But the point of the author is well-taken, when applied to our personal situation. We should live with a constant expectation of the imminent return of Jesus Christ FOR US; that is, we do not know when we will die, and we must be READY at the time of our death and therefore at all times, because within the next second of our consciousness, we will be resurrected to face Jesus Christ who will judge all of us.

There are those who understand that Christ did not know the date of His return when He was here on earth nearly 2,000 years ago, but they believe that He does now know! Where does the Bible say anything to this effect? It’s just not there!

Let us briefly review some Scriptures that should stop the folly of trying to out-guess the great God.

Matthew 24:23-27 is very clear: “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Matthew 24:36 adds: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

Mark 13:6, 21-22 states: “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many… Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

Luke 17:23 says: “And they will say to you ‘Look here!’ Do not go after them or follow them.”

Christ tells us that no one is to follow those in respect to such false predictions.

That still applies today, so why should anyone feel that they have “the inside track” on this information?   There has always been deception but this is prophesied to increase right at the end of this age.

2 Peter 3:9 warns us: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Because of all those wrong predictions (everyone to date has been wrong), this gives the gainsayers ammunition to attack and deride the Christian message. However, this was expected as Peter addresses this question in 2 Peter 3:3-4: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

People can get concerned, worried, flummoxed or even suicidal about “the end of the world” but we shouldn’t. Nor should we be concerned about those who sneer saying that Christ will not return or even that He does not even exist. Whatever anyone says or does will not affect God’s timetable. The Father will send Christ at precisely the right time; not at some time predicted by yet another misled individual.

These predictions have not yet finished and so we should be prepared for even more predictions from those who have had “special revelation” they will claim, maybe even from God Himself! But remember, such predictions to date have had a 100% failure rate!

God WILL reveal His Will to His people at precisely the right time and we should completely rely on our great God to do this. To try and speculate and predict the time of Christ’s return, as so many have done over the last 2,000 years, is a waste of time, an exercise in futility and a folly. To anyone who disagrees with this approach and comes up with yet another date, they should be given a wide berth!

In our Update 658 dated September 26th 2014, the Q&A on the age of man and the 6,000-year plan, concluded with these words:

“However, we are not to set dates, even though we are to watch to determine the signs of the time (Matthew 24:32-35).  But Christ warned us very specifically: ‘Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming… Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect’ (Matthew 24:42, 44).”

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

On December 21, 2014, the NEWLY DESIGNED WEBSITE for the Church of the Eternal God and its affiliates became operational! This represents a major effort on the part of our volunteer technical team–led by Eric Rank. Please take the time to view and become familiar with our new format. We will continue to refine and build this site as we seek to effectively fulfill the commission given to us by Jesus Christ (http://www.eternalgod.org/).

On Friday evening, December 19, 2014, longtime member, Gilbert DeVaux (77), died. Gilbert lived in Jefferson, Oregon, and attended with brethren in Woodburn, Oregon. His faithful commitment to God’s calling remains an inspiring example to all of us.

“Pope Francis’ Fight with the Vatican,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link, here is a summary:

It has been almost a recent routine by the Vatican to ignore, dispute or “clarify” something that Pope Francis has (allegedly) said. This includes statements about communism, homosexuality, divorce and remarriage, and whether animals go to heaven when they die. Pope Francis is also involving himself more and more in political affairs, such as the relationship between the USA and Cuba. His popularity is enormous, especially in Europe, due to his charming appearance. His most recent strong attack against the Curia has been described as “without historic precedent” and “one last warning before a direct confrontation.” A spokesman for the Vatican has also referred to him as a “prophet.” What can we expect to occur in the future? We offer two free booklets, “Do We Have an Immortal Soul?” and “Man’s Holidays or God’s Holy Days?”

“Leben wir in der Endzeit?,” is the title of this week’s German sermon. It is basically covering what we wrote in our Q&A on the terms “end time,” “last days,” etc., with special emphasis on the concept of a king of the south. Title in English: “Are We Living in the End Time?”

“Papst Franziskus im Kampf mit dem Vatikan,”  is the German version of the SW program described above, and it is also available on www.aufpostenstehen.de.

A new StandingWatch Talking Points program has been posted. In this presentation, Pastor Rene Messier reviews highlights from our booklet, “Old Testament Laws–Still Valid Today?”

“The Inner Man,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Christians are undergoing a profound change! It involves the renewing of how we think and behave, and it will lead to a transformation from mortal, fleshly existence into that of immortal, spirit life in the Family of God!

by Manuela Mitchell

Every December I encounter a bit of anxiety as the days lead up to Christmas. I just find it almost impossible to get the most simple tasks accomplished, such as shopping. There seems to be an over abundance of people hurrying and scurrying to get their last errands done, and I never seem to plan accordingly when I need to run to the store, or even get gas. This year, however, has been a bit more stressful because my son Sam (4) now understands a bit about this strange holiday. He understands it is wrong to keep, but he also understands that he is the only child in his school that does not keep it. He understands that while all the children are singing their morning Christmas songs, he sits with them and keeps his mouth closed. He understands that while they are painting Christmas trees with decorations, he is painting his realistic looking pine tree and correcting the teacher who referred to it as a Christmas tree. He seems so strong and bold to have to stand up for himself and I am so proud of him for that.

But, I’ve recently learned that he hates going to school, when he used to love it. He has recently fought me as I’ve tried to bring him there, begging and crying that I don’t leave him. He told me that they will always keep Christmas. I understand that my 4 year old son feels like an outcast due to the rebellious ways of our generation, and that makes me very sad. My young son feels like the rest of us do every single day. The difference is that I have more knowledge, understanding and comfort knowing that I am trying to live a Godly way and will be protected. Sam is still learning that, and for now only believes what I can tell and show him, and therefore have to be the best example, by staying positive.

Sam is currently on winter break and I reminded him that Christmas will be over and done with when he starts school again, and things will get better. Knowing of course that things will only get better temporarily until another disgraceful holiday comes up. While I feel sad that he has to go through this at such a young age, I feel blessed that he is doing such a good job of being an example to all, even if they don’t know it yet; someday, they will understand. I often explain to Sam that these stresses and anxieties will indeed pass, leaving us stronger and more encouraged to do the right things that God so clearly shows us. Until then, we need to stay strong, and stand up for what we believe, no matter how old we are or how small we may seem. It will get better!