On July 5, 2025, Frank Bruno will present the first split sermon, titled ,“Follow Me,” and Dave Harris will present the second split sermon, titled, “How to Repent!”

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.

Here in the United States, the country will celebrate the 4th of July. This day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776—when the United States declared its intention to break away from Britain and become its own nation. 

One of the founding ideas by the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence was their conviction that everyone had individual rights, along with equality and the concept of democracy. Over the last couple of hundred years, this nation has enjoyed freedoms and rights which most other countries in the world have not experienced. God blessed the United States because of His promise to Abraham who had throughout his entire life displayed the righteousness, faith and confidence in God.

While we have freedoms today, these freedoms are slowly but surely being taken away. This is because the United States at large and the other English-speaking nations have all but rejected God. They are not following after God and His Commandments as their forefather Abraham did. They all make excuses and refuse to truly obey God because they have used this idea of Freedom wrongly and are reaping the consequences that God has laid forth in Scripture. 

As Christians who uphold the Truth and attempt to live by the Words of the Bible, we need to realize that we are NOT free to do whatever we please. Unlike the world at this time, we are being judged by the standard of keeping the Ten Commandments and, by extension, showing Godly agape love. 

What is fascinating to me is that the world is seeking freedom, and if they could truly understand and see, they would find that true freedom comes from obedience to God’s Ways which, when followed perfectly, produce true love, peace and freedom. 

Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” This whole chapter goes on to iterate true freedom and what its effects are. Essentially, it boils down to using God’s Spirit which provides the best way to obtain true freedom. 

One of the things that I admire about the Apostle Paul was his undying love for the people in the Church. He spent a lot of time and effort attempting to help these people. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, he talks about how his freedom was used—not for himself but for the good of everyone else: “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (New International Version).

That is the ultimate use of one’s freedom—to spend one’s self for the good of others. Christ Himself stated that this is the highest example of love that any of us can give (John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends”). Christ also did this in laying down His perfect life for us and took on our sins. While we may not lay down our lives in the way that Christ did, we have opportunities to lay down our lives in greater service for the good of those who are in the Church—a selfless approach that brings true freedom. 

As we live our lives and grow in the use and application of God’s Spirit, we should begin to see that these ways of thinking and acting are not even for ourselves or others, but for the opportunity to glorify God and honor and show love to Him. This is exactly what Christ was pointing to when He said that the greatest two commandments are to “…love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbor as yourself” (compare Matthew 22:37-40). One of the most important things we must realize is that our freedom is not to be used in self-serving. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit [which] is in you, [which] you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 

Our freedom is a beautiful thing. But we must realize that our freedom required a price—the death of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19). With this in mind, we can and should continue on in living this new life that we have been given so we can bring honor and glory to God as is fitting, because this is part of what we have been called to do (Ephesians 2:10). 

True freedom can and will ONLY be found through submitting our lives more and more fully to our Creator and Sustainer. 

by Norbert Link

We begin with the US Supreme Court’s highly controversial and disunifying decision related to birthright citizenship; continue with Israel’s and America’s attack on Iran and potential dangerous and alarming consequences; and speak on NATO’s embarrassing performance and modern warfare with drones.

We continue with further frictions between the USA and Canada and ICE’s misconduct, as well as further alarming intentions of the Trump administration regarding American citizens; and we address discussions for conscription in Germany and a push by Germany’s CDU leader Jens Spahn to become a nuclear power. 

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Is America Ruled by a King?”

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

Controversial US Supreme Court Decision on Birthright Citizenship 

The New York Times wrote on June 27: 

“The Supreme Court on Friday limited the ability of federal judges to temporarily pause President Trump’s executive orders, a major victory for the administration. But the justices made no ruling on the constitutionality of his move to end birthright citizenship, and they stopped his order from taking effect for 30 days. 

“The 6-3 decision, written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett and split along ideological lines, may dramatically reshape how citizenship is granted in the United States, even temporarily. The ruling means that the practice of giving citizenship automatically to the U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants and some temporary residents and visitors would end in the 28 states that have not challenged the order. 

“The Supreme Court on Friday allowed President Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship to take effect in some parts of the country for now, ruling that several district court judges had exceeded their authority in blocking the policy across the country. 

“The court stressed that its ruling did not address the constitutionality of Mr. Trump’s order itself, which bars government agencies from automatically treating babies as citizens if they were born on domestic soil to undocumented migrants or foreign visitors without green cards.” 

But this ruling, even though limited to the issue of whether federal judges can issue nationwide injunctions, still causes confusion and disharmony. And WHY should there be a decision along ideological lines—assuming the law is clear? Note the next article. 

A Chaotic Patchwork 

The Guardian wrote on June 27 and 28: 

“The ruling curtails nationwide injunctions against Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship – meaning that while lawsuits against the order proceed, the court has unleashed a chaotic patchwork of rights enforceability. The Trump administration’s ban on birthright citizenship will now be able to go into effect in jurisdictions where there is no ongoing lawsuit, or where judges have not issued regional stays. And so the supreme court creates, for the foreseeable future, a jurisprudence of citizenship in which babies born in some parts of the country will be presumptive citizens, while those born elsewhere will not. 

“More broadly the decision means that going forward, the enforceable rights and entitlements of Americans will now be dependent on the state they reside in and the status of ongoing litigation in that district at any given time… 

“In this decision, the court did not, technically, reach the merits of Trump’s absurd and insulting claim that the constitution somehow does not create a birthright entitlement to citizenship. But in the meantime, many children – the American-born infants of immigrant parents – will be denied the right that the 14th amendment plainly guarantees them…” 

Maybe not. Note the next article. 

Class Action Lawsuits as an Alternative? 

NPR wrote on June 27: 

“After the Supreme Court issued [its] ruling…, immigrant rights groups are trying a new tactic by filing a national class action lawsuit… The strategic shift required three court filings: one to add class allegations to the initial complaint; a second to move for class certification; and a third asking a district court in Maryland to issue… a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction asking for relief for that putative class… 

“In the amended complaint, filed two hours after the Supreme Court’s ruling, the immigrant rights attorneys said that Trump’s effort to ban birthright citizenship, if allowed to stand, ‘would throw into doubt the citizenship status of thousands of children across the country’… 

“The concept of birthright citizenship has deep roots, dating to the English common law notion of jus soli (‘right of the soil’)… Current legal standing for birthright citizenship in the U.S. extends back to the 1860s, when the 14th Amendment of the Constitution was ratified, stating, ‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.’” 

However, according to the New York Times, dated June 28, in concurring opinions, two key members of the conservative bloc, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr., warned lower-court judges “not to lower standards for using alternative means to issue sweeping orders in an effort to circumvent the ruling. Justice Alito wrote that ‘district courts should not view today’s decision as an invitation to certify nationwide classes without scrupulous adherence to the rigors’ of legal rules. Justice Thomas added that if judges do not ‘carefully heed this court’s guidance’ and act within limits, ‘this court will continue to be “duty bound” to intervene.’” 

Trump Emboldened 

The Washington Post wrote on June 28: 

“An emboldened Trump administration plans to aggressively challenge blocks on the president’s top priorities, from immigration to education, following a major Supreme Court ruling that limits the power of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions. 

“Government attorneys will press judges to pare back the dozens of sweeping rulings thwarting the president’s agenda ‘as soon as possible,’ said a White House official…” 

Strong Attacks by Elon Musk on “Big Beautiful” Bill 

The Daily Mail wrote on July 1: 

“Donald Trump has threatened to turn the Department of Government Efficiency on… Elon Musk. The president suggested he may use the department Musk once headed to strip away the billionaire’s government subsidies to decimate his business empire, as their feud hit galactic new heights. 

“Trump issued the threat in response to Musk’s public protest over the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill,’ in which he pledged to launch his own political party if the bill succeeds…. He then turned the screws on Musk, suggesting his time benefitting from the U.S. government could be over and that the South African native could be forced to return to his homeland… 

“The world’s richest man has argued that the legislation would greatly increase the national debt and erase the savings he says he has achieved through DOGE. His criticism of the bill has caused a rift with Trump, marking a dramatic shift after the tech billionaire spent nearly $300 million on the president’s re-election campaign… 

“After weeks of relative silence following a feud with Trump over the bill, Musk rejoined the debate on Saturday… calling it ‘utterly insane and destructive’ in a post on social media platform X.

On Monday, he ramped up his criticism, saying lawmakers who had campaigned on cutting spending but backed the bill, ‘should hang their heads in shame!’ ‘And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth,’ Musk said. 

“The Tesla and SpaceX CEO called again for a new political party, saying the bill’s massive spending indicated, ‘that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!’ ‘Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people,‘ he wrote.” 

Mediaite added on July 1: 

“Trump indicated Tuesday morning that he is open to deporting Elon Musk — amid his renewed battle with the Tesla boss. Speaking with reporters ahead of a flight to Florida on Tuesday, the president was asked about whether he would consider deporting the South African mogul. ‘We’ll have to take a look,’ Trump said.” 

Deporting Elon Musk? When will this silly nonsense ever end? Subsequently, the House adopted the bill. It will be interesting to see what Musk will do next.

Completely Obliterated or Not? 

The Daily Mail wrote on June 28: 

“New satellite photos have revealed that Iran is trying to piece together its nuclear site after the US sensationally bombed it last week. Heavy machinery was seen at the Fordow site as it appeared Iran has intensified its construction and excavation of the nuclear site after US B-2 bombers struck it last Saturday in Operation Midnight Hammer… 

“Construction equipment was also seen digging new access roads to the facility and repairing damage to the main one in order to restore access to the country’s main nuclear facility. US President Donald Trump said the strikes ‘completely obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear program and set it back years, but the new aerial images suggest the Middle Eastern country had taken preliminary effort to protect its facility. Iranian media said the sites had been evacuated prior to the strikes and the enriched uranium was transported to a ‘safe location.’  It is unclear how much uranium was left at the site during the bomb, but officials said there is no contamination after the strikes. Earthwork also showed signs tunnel entrances might have been sealed off before the attacks, Newsweek reported.  

“Similar construction activity was seen at the Fordow site prior to the strikes, where Iranians were seen shipping contents from the nuclear site to another location a half a mile away. Despite the extent of the damage being up to question, International Atomic Energy Agency – the UN’s nuclear watchdog – said Fordow’s centrifuges were ‘no longer operational’ and suffered ‘enormous damage.’… Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth… slammed the media for diminishing the strikes, which Trump compared to Hiroshima… Trump has threatened to sue The New York Times and CNN for reporting on the preliminary report [from the DIA suggesting ‘there was “low confidence” that that Middle Eastern country’s program had been set back.’]” 

Trump demanded an apology and retraction from the Times and CNN. Both responded by rejecting those demands. 

Only a Moderate Success 

The Tagesspiegel wrote on June 28: 

“He survived. Physically and politically. That was not a foregone conclusion. Ali Khamenei’s time and that of his regime could have ended. The twelve days of war against Israel and the USA posed an existential threat to Iran’s revolutionary leader… But shortly after the ceasefire was announced, the Ayatollah emerged from his bunker and, in his first public appearance in a long time, declared that the Islamic Republic had ‘crushed’ the ‘Zionists’ in battle. That is propaganda nonsense, no question. Which should also be clear to the cleric… 

“Against this background, the claim that the governments in Washington and Jerusalem have ‘achieved nothing’ initially seems like a blatant case of a loss of touch with reality. The only problem is: Khamenei’s assessment is at least partially correct. ‘Achieving less than the enemy secretly hoped’ would probably be a more appropriate formulation. Given its ambitious goals, the ‘Rising Lion’ offensive was not a resounding success for either the US or Israel. 

“These twelve days of missile and drone battles cost hundreds of lives and caused significant material damage. But that likely did too little to permanently halt Iran’s imperial ambitions in the Middle East and thus bring some peace to the Middle East. 

“… Khamenei and his followers may be weakened and humiliated for the time being, but they are by no means defeated. Even the assessment of the main reason for the war is sobering. Iran’s nuclear program has probably been set back by months, perhaps even years. However, it is doubtful that it has been completely neutralized… Rather, expert reports sound plausible, according to which the mullahs have had around 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium secured—along with centrifuges, an important prerequisite for building a nuclear weapon. 

“The bomb in particular. Those in power will now leave no stone unturned to acquire it. Perhaps they will enter into negotiations to buy time. But that will not change their ambitions. Because the attacks on the Islamic Republic have shown them starkly: Our enemies only dared to rise up against us because we did not yet possess the ultimate weapon. 

“Iran will try to follow North Korea’s example. As a nuclear power, the Asian country is considered unassailable. The temptation to use this approach to intimidate the enemy is simply too great. Fear is also a core component of the mullah regime. The ruling clique continues to wield all the means of power. It uses them to suppress any form of opposition with force.” 

Trump’s Dilemma 

Focus wrote on June 29: 

“Trump is staging the US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities as a major victory – and reacting angrily to any form of doubt. But why is it so crucial for Trump that the world believes him?… 

“As CNN analyzes, Trump’s entire presidency is built on the image of a strong, courageous, virtually infallible leader. Doubts about the effectiveness of the attack would contradict this self-image. Any dissenting assessment – no matter how well-founded – would come across as an embarrassment and undermine Trump’s personal credibility… 

“The second reason, according to CNN, is strategic: If Iran indeed continues to be able to quickly restart its nuclear program, the US would theoretically have to intervene militarily again. This would present Trump with a dangerous dilemma – because such a ‘quasi-war’ with Iran for years contradicts his stated goal of not conducting any new foreign operations.” 

Trump Would Strike Again 

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 27: 

“US President Donald Trump said he would ‘absolutely’ order a strike on Iran if intelligence indicated that Tehran was still capable of enriching uranium to nuclear weapons-grade… 

“Regarding future inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites, the US president said he supports inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or another respected source being able to inspect nuclear sites in Iran following the bombings by Israel and the US. 

‘Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran may reject any request by the IAEA, the UN’s nuclear watchdog, to visit the country’s nuclear sites, calling the insistence by IAEA head Rafael Grossi to visit nuclear sites in Iran ‘meaningless, even malign in intent.’ This comes after the Iranian parliament voted to suspend any cooperation with the IAEA over its failure to condemn the strikes carried out on various nuclear sites in Iran by Israel and the US.” 

So, is another never-ending war on the horizon? 

Has Trump Really Won? 

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on July 1: 

“Sunday’s attack on the three nuclear sites indeed was loudly proclaimed by Trump and Hegseth as such – having ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme, they claimed. ‘Destroyed it completely,’ they insist.  Only … it didn’t: The strike caused superficial surface damage, perhaps. And seemingly was co-ordinated in advance with Iran via intermediaries to be a ‘once and done’ affair. This is a habitual Trump pattern (advance coordination). It was the mode in Syria, Yemen and even with Trump’s assassination of Qasem Soleimani – all intended to give Trump a quick media ‘victory.’.. 

“Iran likely has enough centrifuges and 450 kg of highly enriched uranium – and nobody (except Iran) now knows where the stash is hidden. Iran will resume processing…. ‘Iranian unconditional surrender’ is, of course, now off the cards… Put plainly: the US long war likely will be resumed in a new format… 

“Moving to the wider geo-political cost-benefit level, Israel’s standing (at the regional level) of being unassailable when fused to American power, has taken a blow…” 

Trump Angry With Iran’s Leader 

Newsmax wrote on June 27: 

“President Donald Trump on Friday said he immediately stopped pursuing sanctions relief for Iran following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s statement of ‘anger, hatred, and disgust.’ A day earlier, Khamenei said his country had delivered a ‘slap to America’s face’ by striking a U.S. air base in Qatar and warned against further attacks in his first public comments since a ceasefire agreement with Israel… ‘Why would the so-called “Supreme Leader,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, of the war torn Country of Iran, say so blatantly and foolishly that he won the War with Israel, when he knows his statement is a lie, it is not so,’ Trump posted Friday afternoon on Truth Social. ‘As a man of great faith, he is not supposed to lie.’ 

“Trump wrote that not only was Iran ‘decimated’ by the Israeli and U.S. attacks, he prevented Israel from killing Khamenei. ‘I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel… terminate his life,’ Trump wrote…” 

First Trump was angry with Israel. Now he is angry with Iran. 

Sleeper Cells in Waiting 

NewsNation wrote on June 27: 

“… the threat of [Iranian] sleeper cells has ‘has never been higher,’ according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection… Commissioner Rodney Scott said, ‘Thousands of Iranian nationals have been documented entering the United States illegally and countless more were likely in the known and unknown got-a-ways 

“Sleeper cells are spies or terrorists who operate in rival countries and remain inactive until they are essentially ordered to act… A recent Homeland Security threat assessment confirms that Iran remains a primary state sponsor of terrorism and continues efforts to target both current and former U.S. officials. That assessment echoes similar warnings issued by the Biden administration in 2024… Recruitment is typically done through networks, religious institutions or online platforms like social media. Recruiters typically appeal to emotions, such as alienation, injustice or religious duty… 

“Identifying sleeper cells is extremely difficult… some individuals may be homegrown or enter the U.S. undetected. [They lead] seemingly normal lives… and don’t draw any attention to themselves until it’s too late.” 

Preparing For the Third Temple 

Israel 365 News wrote on June 30: 

“In a remarkable development that highlights the complex relationship between religious belief and political ideology within Orthodox Judaism, the Toldos Aharon chassidic movement has established a specialized study program for Jewish priests (kohanim) to prepare for Temple service, despite the group’s well-known anti-Zionist stance… This ideological position makes their recent initiative all the more striking… [Toldos Aharon declared that] ‘We clearly see that we’re at the time of Ikvesa d’Meshicha (the final stage of redemption) and the third Beis Hamikdash (Temple) will be built soon in our days…’ 

“This initiative presents a fascinating paradox within Orthodox Jewish thought. While Toldos Aharon categorically rejects Zionism and the current State of Israel, they are actively preparing for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem—the very city that serves as Israel’s capital… 

“Modern science has provided remarkable validation for the preservation of the priestly lineage. Over 98% of Jewish men who identify as kohanim share a specific genetic marker,  providing scientific evidence for the integrity of the patrilineal priestly heritage that has been maintained over nearly 2,000 years since the destruction of the Second Temple. This genetic continuity, combined with the careful preservation of priestly genealogies within Jewish communities, has led to speculation that modern kohanim could indeed serve in a rebuilt Temple, despite the nearly two-millennium gap in practical Temple service.” 

NATO’s Embarrassing Performance 

The Guardian wrote on June 27: 

“Diplomats may remember it as the week in which the art of obsequiousness reached new highs and the sycophants plunged [to] new lows… The tone of [Nato’s secretary general Mark] Rutte’s public bootlicking had been muted compared with the text messages he had sent to ‘dear Donald’ before the summit – ‘Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran, it was truly extraordinary … you will achieve something NO president in decades could get done’… 

“What is more cringeworthy, after all – the clips of Trump’s cabinet members taking turns to parrot praise of his leadership and vision, or the fact that his fragile ego demands lavish compliments before he can get down to work? No doubt all the president’s yes-men believe that lavishing him with praise can lead to lavish rewards. 

“Take the former South Dakota governor Kristi Noem, who in 2020 presented him with a ‘bookshelf-sized’ bronze model of Mount Rushmore, portraying Trump’s face next to those of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt. Noem is now the secretary of homeland security.  Stephen Miller, who called Trump the ‘most stylish president in our lifetime’, is the White House deputy chief of staff for policy…” 

But Trump might not be oblivious to the motives of his advisors. He recently said that he has no friends and does not trust anyone. 

The Drones Are Coming… 

Sky News reported on June 26: 

“In order to defend themselves, Andrius Kubilius [EU’s defense commissioner] says Europeans will require millions of drones and need to start preparing now. ‘Russia can have around five million drones, so we need to have capacities bigger than those in order to prevail,’ he told Sky News… 

“Facing one of the world’s strongest militaries, the Ukrainians used the cheap, adaptable technology to their advantage. It estimates its drone units are now responsible for 80% of Russian frontline losses. This year, Ukraine’s expected to produce more than four million drones… ‘If Ukrainians need four million for 1,200km, we need something like three million drones for one year if the war is starting, if “Day X” is coming,’ [Kubilius] said. 

“A spokesperson from the German Defence Ministry said… ‘Drones are now part of everyday life for soldiers, they are omnipresent and are used extensively in service operations and training,’ they added. 

“The alliance’s leadership has repeatedly said producing, procuring, and protecting against drones is a priority. 

“Defence Secretary John Healey said… ‘Drones now kill more people than traditional artillery in the war in Ukraine and whoever gets new technology into the hands of their armed forces the quickest will win…’ 

“The German Ministry of Defence said it couldn’t reveal stock levels due to security, but a spokesperson confirmed the country is investing in a range of different units, including signing two contracts for attack drones. ‘We are procuring not just a few but quite large quantities and testing them directly with the troops,’ the spokesperson added. However, they agreed with the EU defence commissioner that rather than stockpiling tech which would go out of date, it was better to have a system in place to allow for large quantities to be made quickly in the event of war….” 

All Trade Discussions With Canada Ended 

Politico wrote on June 27: 

“President Donald Trump said Friday he is ‘terminating’ all trade discussions with Canada, effective immediately, because of its Digital Services Tax, and that he would announce new tariffs on the country within the next seven days. 

‘“We have just been informed that Canada, a very difficult Country to TRADE with … has just announced that they are putting a Digital Services Tax on our American Technology Companies, which is a direct and blatant attack on our Country,’ Trump said in a Truth Social post. He accused the country of copying the European Union, “‘which has done the same thing, and is currently under discussion with us.’” 

The New York Post wrote on June 30: 

“Canada abruptly scrapped its plan to enforce a new digital service tax on American tech firms… PM Mark Carney caved just hours before the new levy was slated to go into effect on Monday… The tax would have been applied retroactively, leaving the companies with a US $2 billion (CAN $2.72 billion) bill due at the end of the month… Carney’s office has since revealed the PM spoke with Trump on Sunday night and agreed to halt the tax in a bid to resume talks.” 

Ridiculous Gas Prices in California 

Breitbart wrote on June 27: 

“Assemblyman Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) warned Thursday that gas prices in California could hit $10 per gallon this summer — not just because of taxes and higher fuel standards, but also pipeline problems… 

“California gas prices are forecasted to rise by 65 cents per gallon after July 1, thanks not only to higher gas taxes but also to new, tougher fuel standards taking effect.” 

There is no possible justification for such outrageous mismanagement. 

ICE’s Misconduct

The Los Angeles Times Newsletter wrote on June 29:

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s immigration raids throughout Los Angeles and surrounding counties have been splashed all over television and social media feeds for nearly a month.

“There were the two women nabbed outside the Airport Courthouse on La Cienega Boulevard on Tuesday after a hearing in a local criminal case. There was the raid at a Hollywood Home Depot on June 19 in which crews of armed, mostly masked agents converged on a parking lot, blocking gates and surrounding the laborers and vendors.

“A Times analysis found that 69% of those arrested during that period had no criminal conviction and 58% had never been charged with a crime. The median age of someone arrested was 38, and that person was likely to be a man. Nearly 48% were Mexican, 16% were from Guatemala and 8% from El Salvador…”

The LA Times also reported about ICE’s arrest of a 6-year-old with cancer outside an L.A. court while his mom is fighting for his release. ICE has been “justifying” its conduct with inevitable “collateral damage.” 58% to 69% is quite a high figure for “collateral damage.”

The Wrap wrote on June 29: 

“The nannies in this town [Santa Monica] are mostly Hispanic and like so many other Latinos doing important jobs in our community, they’re now living in a state of terror. Because ICE agents will pick up anyone with brown skin, regardless of whether they are legal or not, and sometimes even if they are American. It doesn’t seem to matter. … With their faces obscured, no warrants and no identification, ICE is showing up at the Home Depot. They’re showing up at parks. Car washes. Restaurants. Schools… [in] medical office(s) looking for patients and staff… 

“This is the kind of insanity and terror that’s being spread in our city [Los Angeles]. According to the Department of Homeland Security, over 1,600 immigrants have been detained in Southern California over a period of more than two weeks as of June 25th. This equates to roughly 101 arrests per day… ICE is operating aggressively all over… 

“You might see men pull up in one SUV, or several, armed to the hilt and dressed in combat gear surround a young woman no more than 100 lbs or so. That was in Ladera Heights…” 

What impression is the US giving to the world when pictures of military-gear-clad masked ICE agents are launching aggressive raids—pictures which are normally only known in autocratic dictatorships? 

And Now: Stripping Americans of Their Citizenship 

The Guardian wrote on June 30: 

“The Trump administration has codified its efforts to strip some Americans of their US citizenship in a recently published justice department memo that directs attorneys to prioritize denaturalization for naturalized citizens who commit certain crimes. 

“The memo, published on 11 June, calls on attorneys in the department to institute civil proceedings to revoke a person’s United States citizenship if an individual either ‘illegally procured’ naturalization or procured naturalization by ‘concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation’. According to the memo, those subjected to civil proceedings are not entitled to an attorney like they are in criminal cases. And the government has a lighter burden of proof in civil cases than they do in criminal ones…. 

“The directive gives justice department attorneys wider discretion on when to pursue denaturalization, including in instances of lying on immigration forms, cases where there is financial fraud or medical fraud against the US or against private individuals…” 

The HuffPost clarified further on July 1: 

“… The administration intends to widen the pool of eligible individuals, including, for example, those who’ve fraudulently used government programs like the pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program, and those who’ve committed fraud against people and corporations. And the Trump administration says it won’t be stopping there. ‘These categories do not limit the Civil Division from pursuing any particular case, nor are they listed in a particular order of importance,’ the memo adds. 

“That’s highly concerning, immigration experts warn, and could lead to the administration targeting a wide swath of U.S. citizens, given how amorphous its requirements are… 

“About 25 million people in the U.S. are naturalized citizens, or immigrants who have completed the legal steps to become U.S. citizens… Previously, denaturalization had been used at a larger scale between 1907 and 1967 when an estimated 22,000 people saw their citizenship revoked, including for political reasons that emerged during the McCarthy era and its persecution of suspected communists…. 

“While the process historically focused on people who had lied about their background to obtain U.S. citizenship, the new memo has much broader criteria… Steve Lubet, professor emeritus at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law [said:] ‘Many of the categories are so vague as to be meaningless. It isn’t even clear that they relate to fraudulent procurement, as opposed to post-naturalization conduct…’”

This is deeply alarming indeed. Far from focusing merely on illegal aliens who have been convicted of capital crimes, as it had been originally promised, Trump goes after aliens without papers, legal tourists and other aliens who are here legally, green card holders, birthright citizens, and now even naturalized American citizens. Where will it stop? When is America going to wake up? 

Conscription—Yes or No? 

t-online wrote on June 28: 

“Christoph Heusgen, former head of the Munich Security Conference, supports… [Defense Minister Boris] Pistorius’s plans. If not enough soldiers can be recruited voluntarily, ‘we will have to resort to conscription if necessary,’ Heusgen demands… 

“At the same time, he warns against underestimating Putin: ‘Many people don’t believe Putin is serious.’ The expert knows the Russian president from his time as Angela Merkel’s foreign policy advisor and warns against naivety…” 

ZDF Heute wrote on June 28: 

“Conscription – yes or no? A majority in Germany is in favor… Young people are significantly more skeptical than older people about the question of whether there should be conscription. According to the ZDF Politikbarometer, more than half of 18- to 34-year-olds reject it. 

ZDF Heute also wrote the following in an article from April 19: “Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Kretschmann sees no reasonable alternative on rearmament plans in Germany and Europe. Pacifism now means being prepared for defense.” 

As we reported last week, Bavaria’s Minister President Söder has also spoken out in favor of conscription.

Pistorius Is Spared Defeat

Der Tagesspiegel wrote on June 28: 

“The SPD has averted a looming serious [internal] dispute over the option of mandatory military service according to the plans of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). After hours of crisis talks,… an initiative proposal by the Jusos [SPD’s Young Socialists], was amended who had initially rejected the inclusion of compulsory military service in the planned bill.

“The wording up for vote at the party conference on Saturday evening was: ‘We do not want any legally enforceable option for conscription before all measures for voluntary increases have been exhausted. We want to enable measures for the conscription, registration, and military monitoring of young men liable for military service.‘ The motion was… adopted with a few votes against and abstentions…”

Nuclear Bombs for Germany! 

Bild Online wrote on June 28:

“Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn is sounding the alarm. In view of the growing threat from Russia, the CDU politician is demanding: Germany should have direct access to nuclear weapons!… 

“Although American nuclear bombs are stored in Germany, that’s not enough for Spahn. The CDU politician is demanding a share in the nuclear weapons of France and Great Britain. Or even a separate European nuclear umbrella. That will cost a lot of money. ‘But if you want protection, you have to finance it,’ said Spahn. Germany as a nuclear power? Spahn says: Yes!” 

Der Tagesspiegel added on June 28:

“[Spahn:] ‘We should have a debate about an independent European nuclear umbrella.’ That will only work with German leadership, Spahn continued: ‘France will almost certainly not let us touch its red button, to stay with the metaphor.'”

Reactions to Spahn’s Proposal

BR24 wrote on June 29:

“Critical voices [of Spahn’s proposal] came not only from the opposition, but also from the ranks of the coalition partner, the SPD. SPD foreign policy expert Rolf Mützenich accused Spahn of playing with fire ‘when he calls for European, possibly even German, nuclear weapons’…

“Spahn’s idea of a European nuclear umbrella under German leadership ‘border[s] on the well-known megalomania in German history,’ explained Left Party parliamentary group leader Sören Pellmann. ‘The then Defense Minister Franz Josef Strauss was already defeated by such unfortunate demands.’…

“The AfD parliamentary group’s defense policy spokesman, Rüdiger Lucassen, was more supportive… ‘A German nuclear weapons program is… the logical consequence,’ he said…”

Jens Spahn’s Faith

The Protestant “Sonntagsblatt” wrote on June 30:

“Jens Spahn is a politician with a noticeably strong religious foundation. The CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag clearly professes his Catholic faith, but is quite willing to openly name grievances within the church. In the public debate, he positions himself as a devout Catholic, as a gay man with political responsibility, and as someone who does not see religion as a private matter.

“Spahn’s religious upbringing is consistently Catholic: He attended a Catholic kindergarten and elementary school and went to a Catholic high school. He served as an altar boy and was involved in youth work. This influence continues to this day. Faith is his ‘compass and foundation,’ Spahn wrote in a 2018 guest article for the ‘Welt’ newspaper. It gives him support, security, and serenity.

“At the same time, he urges the church to focus more on core tasks. He defines these as pastoral care, religious education, and charitable work. He cites the inviolability of human life, the dignity of the sick or dying, and organ donation as examples. 

“This stance reveals, on the one hand, a conservative understanding of the separation of church and state, but on the other hand, a clear interest in the public relevance of religion – as long as it focuses on the spiritual and social. At the same time, he openly opposes certain church teachings, particularly in dealing with homosexuality. He pointedly commented on the refusal to bless his marriage in Bild am Sonntag: ‘The Catholic Church blesses motorcycles and hamsters – but not us.’

“Spahn’s relationship with non-Christian religious communities, especially Islam, is less nuanced… While he emphasizes that Muslim life belongs to Germany… he does not shy away from sweeping disparagements and insinuations. For example, at an event at the Evangelical Academy in Berlin in 2024, Spahn claimed that ‘Muslim culture’ is permeated with anti-Semitism, misogyny [hatred of women], and homophobia.

“Spahn rarely or never comments on other world religions. Judaism appears to him almost exclusively in the context of the State of Israel or in connection with anti-Semitism. Buddhism and Hinduism, on the other hand, do not seem to be an issue for him.”

 Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

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

Does the Bible talk about guardian angels? Does every child and even every adult have a guardian angel? If guardian angels exist, when does God assign those to particular individuals? Does the blessing of little children have anything to do with God’s assignments of guardian angels to them? What about those who were never blessed as little children, but come to the faith later in life—do they not have guardian angels?

We say the following about guardian angels in our free booklet, “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World”: 

“Many have speculated over the years whether or not the Bible teaches the existence of ‘guardian angels,’ that is to say, a specific angel that God has assigned to a particular person. The Bible leaves no room for doubt that guardian angels do exist. [In] Genesis 48:15–16…, Jacob acknowledged the presence of his guardian angel throughout his life. We read in the Revised English Bible, ‘The God in whose presence my forefathers lived, my forefathers Abraham and Isaac, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who rescued me from all misfortune, may he bless these boys.’ Jacob was convinced that God had been with him all of his life, and He was specifically present through a particular angel whom He had assigned to watch over Jacob.

“Acts 12:15 shows that the disciples thought that Peter’s angel had appeared, as they believed Peter to be in prison. They specifically said, ‘It is his angel.’ In other words, they thought it was the particular angel whom God had assigned to watch over Peter.

“Notice, too, the following remarkable statement of Jesus Christ in Matthew 18:10, in talking about little children that believe in Him, as well as true Christians who must become ‘as’ little children: ‘Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.’

“In addition, Paul makes an interesting comment in 1 Corinthians 11:10. The context is the wearing of long hair for women. We read, ‘For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority [i.e., long hair, compare verse 15] on her head, because of the angels.’ Paul’s point is this: A woman is to submit to the authority of her husband (compare verse 3), and her wearing long hair is an outward symbol of such willingness. Paul went on to say that a woman should do so ‘because of the angels,’ implying that in such case, the woman can be assured of angelic protection. Here, angels are referred to in the plural, showing that God may sometimes assign several guardian angels to one person. Notice also Psalm 91:11 where it says God ‘shall give His angels charge over you.’

“We read that a star appeared to the wise men from the East, leading them to the place where Jesus Christ dwelt, after He had been born. We read in Matthew 2:1–2, 9–11: ‘Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”… When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.’

“This star appeared to them in the East and led them to Jerusalem and from there to the place where Christ lived. This was not an ordinary star, but a bright, shining angel. The Bible identifies and compares stars with angels on numerous occasions (compare Revelation 1:20; 9:1–2; 12:4). Note that the wise men from the East refer to this star as ‘HIS star’—that is, the star, or angel, of the Christ Child. They understood that Christ was the newborn King and they came from the East to worship Him.

“If they understood that the star was an angel, then they also knew that this angel was assigned to the Christ Child. This is not to say, of course, that only one angel watched over Christ. On one occasion, He mentioned to Peter that He could ask His Father for ‘more than twelve legions of angels’ (Matthew 26:53)—more than 72,000 angels. Remember also that ‘angels’ ministered to Christ after His lengthy fast (Matthew 4:11). Notice, too, Christ’s statement in John 1:51: ‘…hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’

“Christ knew that He was surrounded by angels. Angels were very real to Him. He did not doubt their existence—after all, it was He who created all of them. We also saw that God may assign one angel to guard or protect numerous people, or an entire nation. For instance, the archangel Michael is described to Daniel as ‘The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people’ (Daniel 12:1).”

The Church of the Eternal God and its international affiliates continue the practice shown by Jesus Christ to bless little children (Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17). In blessing the child and laying their hands on it, they ask God to set it apart for His holy purpose of protection, guidance and a special relationship with Him. We normally conduct the blessing of the little children ceremony by setting aside a time during the annual Feast of Tabernacles. When the minister blesses the child, while laying his hands on their head , he may ask the Father in prayer to assign a special guardian angel to the child for protection. 

Does this mean then, that the child did not have God’s protection, including through His angels, prior to its blessing? Does a person not have a guardian angel if he is not blessed as a child?

When does God assign a special angel to children and adults? Do all people around the world have guardian angels?

We can clearly see in the Bible that not every person enjoys God’s protection. This world is cut off from God, and unless God calls someone to salvation in this day and age prior to Christ’s return, he or she is subject to “time and chance” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). However, an important exception is made for children who have at least one converted parent, or for an unbelieving spouse who is married to a believer. We read in 1 Corinthians 7:14:

“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.”

The unbelieving spouse is sanctified by the believing spouse; that is, he or she is set aside for a holy purpose and can therefore also enjoy God’s specific protection, as long as he or she does not depart from the believer. The same is true for a child of a believing parent, as long as the child does not forsake God’s Way. That child is “holy”—that is, “sanctified” or set aside for a holy purpose. As we have seen, when focusing on the blessing of a child, to be sanctified has a direct relationship to God’s protection and, by extension, to having a guardian angel. We are told that angels are ministering spirits sent to serve and minister for those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:13)—in other words, who are sanctified for that very purpose of ultimately inheriting salvation and eternal life in the Kingdom of God. The connection between prayers of the “saints” (those who are “sanctified” or “holy”, including “holy” children) and the role and function of (their?) angels can be seen in passages such as Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4.

We read in Mark 10:13-16:

“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.”

With His blessing of little children coming to Him comes God’s protection, and God protects many times through His angels. But this does not mean, of course, that only those who are particularly blessed in the ceremony of the blessing of little children will receive a guardian angel. For instance, the Bible does not say that Peter or Jacob, when they were children, were blessed by Christ [or by one of His New Testament ministers or Old Testament priests] in a particular blessing ceremony so that God assigned a guardian angel to them. Still, as we have read, they had guardian angels rescuing and protecting them.

In addition, we don’t read that the Christ Child was especially blessed in a specific ceremony to become sanctified and be given a guardian angel. But clearly, He had guardian angels assigned to Him, and that from the very moment of His conception.

When considering adults in general who were never blessed as children and who did not grow up in the Church, but who came to the Truth later in their adult life, it is not to be assumed that they were only given special guardian angels when they answered God’s call for salvation. We can safely say that they had God’s protection, through His angels, much earlier than that as they had been preordained to be called in their lives prior to their birth (Please read our free booklet, “Are You Predestined to Be Saved?”). As they were predestined, God had to see to it that they would be protected and not die “prematurely,” so that they could be called in their due and allotted time.

One might ask why there should be then a specific blessing ceremony if a guardian angel had already been assigned to the child prior to the blessing ceremony? First of all, the blessing ceremony by believing parents, through the ministry, constitutes a plea to God for the protection of their child. In addition, God would have known that the child would be blessed, and God would have inspired the blessing ceremony as an outward sign—as proof and assurance—that the child would be protected continually.

We might think of the following analogy in this regard: When a person is ordained, God had already decided that he or she would be ordained, and He inspired the ministry to carry out His decision as an acknowledgement and outward manifestation of God’s Will. A person to be ordained as a minister has shown prior to his ordination that he was qualified by God to become ordained by the ministry. In that way, the blessing of a child in a special ceremony gives proof and assurance that that child meets the conditions and is “qualified” to be blessed.

Asking God to assign a guardian angel to the child in that particular blessing ceremony does not exclude the fact that a guardian angel had not already been assigned to the child before the ceremony. It is a plea for the continuation of such protection with the further plea to look after the child so that it will grow up in the Truth and stay in the Truth, without falling away. It is no guarantee that the child will become converted, and it is ultimately up to God whether He will call such a person to salvation (if that person was preordained to be called, then of course it will happen), but we do not necessarily know God’s Will and preordained purpose in that regard.

As long as the child is willing to be subject to the converted parent, his or her sanctification and protection through God’s angels is guaranteed. (And in passing, as long as the unconverted spouse is willing to live with the converted husband, his or her sanctification and protection will continue with the potential of having a special relationship with God.)

If parents have an opportunity to have their children blessed, with a plea for special guidance and protection, and the realization that their angels will always see the face of the Father in heaven (compare again Matthew 18:10), they should most certainly take advantage of that special privilege.  

In conclusion, we should also mention the right and the wrong approach towards angels, including and especially regarding our guardian angels. We should never try to make contact with our guardian angels, lest we make contact with the wrong kind of angel.

We say in our booklet, “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World”:

“The more we study the Scriptures about the world of angels, the more we will be struck by the awesome truth that unfolds in front of our eyes. We will learn about unknown and unheard of powers and abilities that angels possess. Their tremendous strength and might could perhaps motivate us to worship angels in our thoughts. The study of the angelic world might also tempt us to seek to get in contact with angels, and to literally worship them. These actions would be a terrible mistake. The Bible warns us explicitly NOT to do so… In addition, the Bible warns us not to make contact with angels… Colossians 2:18 states: ‘Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.’ Most commentaries and translators point out that the Greek conveys here the meaning of someone who tries to initiate contact with the spirit world…”

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“Is America Ruled by a King?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

America is celebrating the 4^th of July, which is supposed to stand for independence from a monarch and which should remind us of liberty, freedom, equality and justice for all. But is this the America of today, especially when considering its immigration policies? This program discusses in detail alarming developments which have consequences for each and every one of us.

“Wird Amerika von einem König regiert?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.  

“Jacob and Esau (Part 1) – Isaac and the Philistines” is the latest video in our Bible Story Series on YouTube.

“Bist Du zu schwach, ist er zu stark,” last Sabbath’s German split sermon by Johann Schell, is now posted. Title in English: “If You Are Too Weak, Then He Is Too Strong.”

“Do You Experience Joy?” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Joy is a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit dwelling within us (Galatians 5:22). It then follows that we are to be living in such a way as to have joy in our lives.

“Our Relationships,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is the summary:

The relationships that we build and maintain throughout our lives are a critical aspect of our Christian journey. In fact, having love for one another is a characteristic that identifies us as Christians. What does God expect of us? How can we develop the kinds of relationships that will enrich our lives?

On June 28, 2025, Dave Harris will present the sermonette, titled “Do You Experience Joy?” and Eric Rank will present the sermon, titled, “Our Relationships.”

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.

Due to differences in upbringing, experiences and backgrounds, each of us has developed a different level of resilience. Likewise, everyone has their own learned strategies for dealing with problems, losses, or setbacks in life.

Every person has their own unique, acquired values, hopes, and resources in life. Jesus called them “your treasure,” where your heart will be, and also “the light.” In Matthew 6:21-22, it says: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.”

These are the things we focus on and rely on to give our lives meaning, a sense of belonging, a sense of self-worth, and security.

That is why it is important to be aware of what your true treasures, your hopes, and your values are! These can be false values, desires, or feelings that Satan has planted in our minds or that we have adopted from our society, which is cut off from God and His ways.

People who are separated from God have different, mostly false values, ideals, and hopes, and they have different physical, emotional and spiritual resources to achieve their desired goals.

Consequently, they have different breaking points when their hopes or resources fail. People may or may not be aware of their limitations. They are relegated to the subconscious or they are denied. For many, these limitations on their resources have never been put to the test.

The experience of failure that triggers fear, hopelessness, or depression can be different for one person than for another.

The triggers can be very different: for example, one person may not be able to achieve or maintain the desired financial status. For another person, it may be the loss or inability to have a best friend or an ideal spouse.

Another trigger may be not getting the desired job or not maintaining a great position in life. Other causes include the loss of health or the prospect of death.

Other causes of negative feelings include the loss of physical attractiveness or beauty, the loss of certain material possessions, or the loss of children, as well as something bad happening to them.

It is not wrong to want to be loved. It is not wrong to enjoy a respected status or have possessions, or to achieve a certain security for ourselves and our children.

All of these things are legitimate and good when they are obtained in accordance with God’s laws, when we can afford them, and when we use them properly.

In the Bible, Jesus teaches: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25).

Jesus taught that there is a purpose to our lives that goes beyond physical life. All the gifts or opportunities we may have in this physical existence, whether they be human, physical, or other benefits, are temporary and transitory.

They are only tools that serve to achieve something higher and eternal, which is to understand the true meaning of our own existence and to develop a godly character.

This purpose in life is so great and important that Jesus taught us not to fear what people might do to us if we follow His ways. The worst they can do is threaten or end our physical life, but they do not have the power to prevent us from gaining eternal life.

Physical possessions or opportunities should be valued and cared for as long as they exist. But they are not forever. They are not the real meaning of life. Yet all of us who have erred in times past have turned them into that!

Current developments show that more and more people are placing their hearts, devotion, and sense of self-worth entirely on people, physical possessions, or sensual pleasures.

At the same time, the consequences of Satan’s influence in the lives of individuals and nations are clearly evident: war, disease, economic instability, family breakdown, crime, and violence. We have never experienced a time before when all the transitory things and hopes have been so endangered even though people have placed their trust and hope in them!]

It is time to ask ourselves what the most important values in our lives are.

All of this can be found in the Bible. It reveals the answers we have been searching for.

Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger

by Norbert Link

We begin with reporting on America’s attack on three Iranian nuclear sites. We also discuss Trump’s subsequent ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel and the question as to what exactly was destroyed and what Iran might do next. We also discuss Iranians’ demands and wishes for regime change. Please view in this regard our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Iran no longer a threat?”

We continue with the ongoing and extremely controversial raids and immigration policy by the Trump Administration and fears that America is coming to an end. We also speak on NATO; Putin’s claims towards Ukraine and Germany’s suppression of free speech and other developments in that country.

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

Strategic Deception?

The New York Post wrote on June 21:

“President Trump caught the world off-guard Saturday by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites [Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan]  — after his apparently strategic deception indicating that such strikes weren’t imminent… Trump said Thursday he would make a decision in the ‘next two weeks’ to allow more time for negotiations, giving the sense of reprieve amid fevered speculation he might join Israel’s airstrikes…

“A source close to the White House said Trump decided Friday — just one day after unveiling his two-week timeframe — to strike Iran with ‘overwhelming force’…”

The Daily Mail wrote on June 22 that “Officials admitted that the [B-2 strikes] on the Fordow site, a deep underground nuclear enrichment facility, may not have been entirely destroyed in the operation.”

Attacks on US Bases in the Middle East?

Breitbart wrote on June 21:

“An Iranian state TV news anchor showed a map of U.S. bases in the Middle East, which says are all ‘within fire range of Iran.’ The anchor goes on to say ‘Mr. Trump, you started it, and we will end it.’ The broadcast, posted widely on social media… follows a U.S. Air Force strike on Iranian nuclear facilities ordered by President Donald Trump on Saturday [the Sabbath]…

“… before the attack, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned this month, ‘all U.S. bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them.’ These include bases in Egypt, Saudia Arabia, Iraq, United Arib Emerits, Kuwait, Qatar, and Syria…. There are thousands of U.S. troops assigned to these bases…

“Iran tried to downplay the impact of the strikes by the U.S. on the nuclear sites… ‘The site had been evacuated a long time ago and the damages are not irreversible,’ Mohammad Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s Parliament, wrote…”

Russia has declared that it could give Iran nukes. Meetings between Russia and Iran are taking place. China has condemned America’s attack. The fear is that the “new axis of evil” – China, Russia, Iran and North Korea – will combine forces in one way or another against America and Israel. Iran subsequently “attacked” an American base in Qatar, but little damage was done and no American was injured or killed in this “very weak” and “expected” attack (BBC, dated June 24). About 8,000 US citizens live in Qatar.

Terrorist Attacks Inside the USA?

Daily Mail wrote on June 22:

“Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene – one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress and a conservative firebrand who has openly opposed war with Iran – took to X soon after the bombs dropped. She prayed that Americans would not be targeted by terrorists ‘on our homeland’ in retaliation for Trump’s operative strike… Greene wrote: ‘Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another foreign war…’

“The Georgia Congresswoman added that getting involved in a Middle Eastern war will ‘put America last, kill innocent people, are making us broke, and will ultimately lead to our destruction.’”

The New York Post added on June 21:

“Trump ran for president three times on a platform of opposing military entanglements in the Middle East — slamming George W. Bush for invading Iraq in 2003 and Barack Obama for intervening in Libya and Syria — and he insisted Friday that any attack on Iran would be limited.”

Still, the Independent speculated on June 22 that Trump might have gambled his presidency; that Muslim and many American voters won’t support him any longer; and that he had embroiled himself in another never-ending war. Trump declared that if Iran retaliated against America in any way, targets in Iran would be attacked and destroyed. (But Trump did not follow up with that threat, note the previous article.)

Daily Mail’s Peter Hitchens wrote on June 22: “Don’t celebrate this ultra-violence. Trump’s broken all the rules and plunged us into a forever war.”

This does not appear that way for the moment, but note articles below.

ABC News wrote on June 22:

“In the wake of President Donald Trump’s ‘massive precision strikes’ on Iran, concerns have been raised both for Americans in the region and at home. A principal area of worry is cyberattacks by Iranian state actors, including targeting the banking system or energy grid…. Such attacks have already infiltrated U.S. water and wastewater systems…”

Closing the Strait of Hormuz?

The New York Post wrote on June 22:

“Iran’s parliament has voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping channel through which around 20% of the world’s daily oil flows. The move, which could block $1 billion in oil shipments per day, is likely to send oil prices soaring. It will come into effect pending a final decision by Iran’s Supreme Council…

“The strait connecting the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints — just 20 miles wide at its narrowest point. Shipping lanes in the strait  — the area that is deep enough for ships to pass — are even narrower at less than two miles wide in each direction, making them much more vulnerable to attacks and threats of closure…. The channel is shallow, making it a particular target for underwater mining, while the narrowness of the strait makes passing vessels vulnerable to attack from shore-based missiles or interception by patrol boats or helicopters…”

Nothing further has been said on this, and Iran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz for now, following the ceasefire with Israel, but the threat is still looming.

International Reactions

The Guardian wrote on June 22:

“Gulf states, which historically have been regional rivals with nearby Iran and critical of its nuclear ambitions, expressed serious concern at the US strikes, amid the risk of retaliation against US military bases hosted in their countries. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman, which had been mediating Iran-US nuclear talks, criticised the US attack and urged de-escalation…

“Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, was on a high security alert after the US strikes, expressing ‘great concern’… The UN secretary general, António Guterres, said he was ‘gravely alarmed’… Iraq’s government spokesperson, Basim Alawadi, said: ‘This military escalation constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East…’ Pakistan, the only nuclear-armed Muslim country and a longtime Washington ally, said the US attacks ‘violate all norms of international law’ [Pakistan, which has strong ties to Iran, had just nominated Trump for the Nobel peace prize.]…

“Russia ‘strongly condemned’ the US strikes, calling them ‘irresponsible’, a ‘gross violation of international law’ and a ‘dangerous escalation’…

“The French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, expressed ‘concern’ at the US strikes and said France ‘did not take part in these strikes or the planning of them’…

“Venezuela’s foreign minister, Yván Gil, said his country ‘condemned US military aggression against Iran’… Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, strongly condemned the US bombing…

“Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, congratulated Trump in a video posted on social media… Ukraine said the US and Israeli strikes on Iran were justified…”

The article also pointed out that “EU figures [as well as Great Britain] sought to maintain their focus on diplomacy,” rather than taking a strong position on America’s attack on Iran. However, voices from the German government’s SPD party strongly condemned America’s action (coined “Midnight Hammer”).

Destroyed Or Not Destroyed?

Daily Mail reported on June 24:

“A leaked intelligence assessment claiming Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran did not destroy Tehran’s nuclear program is ‘flat-out wrong’, the White House has claimed. The [allegedly classified] report, conducted by the Defense Intelligence Agency and leaked by CNN, claims Saturday’s airstrike on three Iranian nuclear sites only set the country’s program back by months instead of completely destroying it. Trump claimed the strikes ‘completely and totally obliterated’ [the nuclear sites]…

“The president brokered a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel that appeared to hold Tuesday after initially faltering, causing Trump to launch a foul-mouthed tirade that saw him drop an F-bomb on live TV… Prime Minister… Netanyahu, whom Trump demanded turn the planes around [which did NOT occur, but the planned strike was significantly scaled down and became a “symbolic” hit on a radar station], refrained from launching further strikes on Iran today following his phone call with his American counterpart…“Meanwhile, Trump and other top Republicans have issued warnings against Iranian sleeper cells that infiltrated the US…”

CNN added on June 24:

“Two of the people familiar with the assessment said Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium was not destroyed. One of the people said the centrifuges are largely ‘intact.’ Another source said that the intelligence assessed enriched uranium was moved out of the sites prior to the US strikes. ‘So the (DIA) assessment is that the US set them back maybe a few months, tops,’ this person added…

“US officials believe Iran also maintains secret nuclear facilities that were not targeted in the strike and remain operational, according to two sources familiar with the matter…”

Trump described all of this as “fake news.”

Iran Claims Victory

Almayadeen, which describes itself as an “Arab Independent Media Satellite,” wrote on June 24:

“The Iranian Supreme National Security Council announced on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic had achieved a significant strategic victory, asserting that it had ‘forced the enemies to seek a ceasefire.’”

Missing Uranium

The Independent wrote on June 24:

“… as the smoke cleared over the three underground facilities hit by [American] stealth bombers and cruise missiles over the weekend, experts say the result may actually bring an Iranian nuclear bomb closer to reality and raise the risk of greater U.S. involvement in the conflict [as Iran has now the will power to do this]… the showpiece of Trump’s attack — the attack on the Fordow nuclear facility, built deep underground, which required the use of 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs — was limited in its effectiveness because Iran had time to evacuate and remove equipment before the strikes… Fordow has a symbolic importance to people, but it is by no means the only underground facility associated with Iran’s nuclear program…

“One of the primary motivations for launching the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities was to destroy Iran’s ability to enrich uranium. But the country has amassed a stockpile over the years of an estimated 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium — enough to make around 10 nuclear weapons if it were further enriched from 60 percent where it is now, to the 90 percent required to construct a device… “

“Vice President JD Vance conceded on Sunday that the stockpile is still in Iranian hands and its whereabouts are unknown… There are also concerns that Iran’s nuclear program, or what is left of it, will move underground. That would begin with the stockpile of enriched uranium that is currently unaccounted for…

“There’s a risk that if the United States wants to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran in the future, it’s going to need to strike Iran again and again. Because Iran is going to retain that knowledge, the risk of a nuclear-armed Iran cannot be eliminated…”

Trump declared on Tuesday that this was the last time that the USA would help Israel in its fight against Iran. He also stated again on Thursday that the nuclear sites were totally destroyed and that Iran did not have the time to evacuate the sites and remove the uranium.

The Telegraph added on June 25:

“Iran claims to have smuggled almost all of the country’s highly enriched uranium to a secret location before the US launched strikes on its [three] nuclear bases [through] a barrage of submarine-launched missiles early on Sunday morning. But officials believe that most of the material at Fordow and Iran’s other facilities had been moved elsewhere before the strikes.

“Iran has vowed to continue enriching uranium in defiance of Donald Trump, raising further concerns over its nuclear programme. Takht Ravanchi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, rejected claims that Tehran would abandon its nuclear programme, telling the Germany broadcaster ARD: ‘No one can tell us what we should and should not do.’

“Following the mission, codenamed Midnight Hammer, the US president claimed to have ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear aspirations in the wave of strikes. He said the US had taken the bomb ‘right out of Iran’s hands’ by inflicting ‘monumental damage’ on the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan facilities. However, doubt has been cast on Mr Trump’s claims after senior US officials admitted they did not know the fate of Iran’s near-bomb-grade uranium stockpile…

“Two Israeli officials with knowledge of the intelligence told The New York Times that Iran had transferred equipment and uranium outside Fordow in recent days. There was also evidence to suggest Iran had moved its 400kg stockpile of 60 per cent enriched uranium, which had been stored inside Isfahan, to a secret location… According to satellite imagery, trucks, bulldozers and security convoys appeared to swarm the Fordow facility two days before the US strikes. Analysts at TS2 Space, a Polish defence firm, suggested it revealed a ‘frantic effort’ to move centrifuges or shielding materials…”

Iranians Demand Regime Change

The Daily Mail wrote on June 23:

“Iranian-Americans have backed President Trump’s strikes on their home nation as they hope the intervention could trigger a revolt against the Ayatollah’s regime. In Maryland, one of the largest Iranian communities in America where over 16,000 Iranian people live, residents have expressed a cautious optimism over the strikes..

“Pushing for regime change in Iran has long been avoided by US presidents, before Donald Trump on Sunday night stunned the Middle East again as he called to ‘MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN.’ In a shock post on Sunday night to Truth Social, Trump wrote: ‘It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!’ 

“The message from the president directly contradicted remarks from his top allies just hours earlier, with Vice President JD Vance telling ABC: ‘We don’t want to achieve regime change. We want to achieve the end of the Iranian nuclear program.’… However, direct American intervention to end to the Ayatollah’s regime is exactly what many Iranians in America are hoping for…

“The divide between the desired outcome of regime change and skepticism over how to achieve it follows decades of US presidents floating strikes on Iran but backing down due to the risks involved, before Trump pulled the trigger on Saturday night… Trump’s strikes did not target or kill any civilians in Iran.”

Reza Pahlavi Advocates Regime Change

The Sun wrote on June 24:

“IRAN’S brutal regime could kill tens of millions of people by smuggling nuclear material and unleashing it on Europe, the rogue nation’s exiled prince told The Sun. Reza Pahlavi [the exiled son of Iran’s last Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi] warned [that Iran’s current] leaders could still acquire a dirty bomb… ‘Terrorism has many means of hurting big time. Nobody anticipated 9/11. It was a terrorist attack. What keeps people not to worry about the fact that the call of these terrorist networks of sleeper cells could smuggle in a few grams of enriched plutonium, throw it in a lake in Europe and instantaneously kill tens of millions of people who will be radioactively attacked. 

“‘You don’t need a missile or warhead for that. We have at least eliminated the imminent threat of the regime. Does that mean that the regime still doesn’t have the capability to acquire nuclear weapons or a dirty bomb by purchasing it from the North Koreans? ‘It doesn’t eliminate that, that’s the entire point… And hopefully the world this time will be wise enough to say, let’s not throw this regime a lifeline. This is time to put an end to it….’”

The Sun added the following regarding the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi:

“What led to his downfall initially however was 1963 The White Revolution – a series of social, political and economic reforms that Mohammad Reza initiated. This looked to both modernise and westernise Iran. But the reforms were perceived as controversial and led to some resistance from various religious and political factions. On February 11, 1979, Iran’s army declared its neutrality, paving the way for the fall of US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza. He died in exile in Egypt in 1980.”

Trump’s Fatal Naiveté Toward the Iranian Regime

Die Welt wrote on June 25:

“The Iranian regime has been significantly weakened by the attacks by Israel and the US. This is good news for the Iranian people, for Israel, the Middle East, and the world. However, those who hoped—like many people in Iran and Israel—that the rule of the mullahs in Iran would finally end were disappointed. The regime will not be overthrown. It will continue to massively oppress the Iranians; it will continue to pose a threat to Israel…

“Among the Iranian people, these attacks have sparked great hopes that they will soon finally be free again. They even dreamed of dancing in the streets. However, these hopes were dashed by the ceasefire negotiated by Trump. The Iranian leadership remains in power.

“Trump quickly abandoned the regime change that he briefly flirted with. This proves once again that one cannot rely on the erratic and unpredictable US president. Israel cannot do that either…

“He urged the Jewish state not to resist the ceasefire violation [by Iran]. So that he can pose as a peacemaker, he is abandoning the Iranians and Israelis. After all, no one should steal his show. Trump’s ceasefire is a lifeline for the regime. Asked whether he still believes that Iran is committed to peace, Trump affirmed on Tuesday. A completely absurd view of a dictatorship of ayatollahs and Revolutionary Guards who adhere to an Islamist martyr ideology. It is this ideology that makes the Iranian regime so dangerous – and to which Trump unfortunately shows himself naive… Peace in the Middle East is only possible without the Iranian regime.

“Shortly after the ceasefire, the rulers in Iran began raids and arrests of opposition figures, accusing them of spying for Israel. A wave of death sentences and executions threatens. The mullahs are preparing new mass crimes against the Iranian people… Anyone who argues that the Iranians themselves must succeed in overthrowing the regime and that they could simply elect other rulers is naively misunderstanding the repressive nature of the regime and the pseudo-elections that are being boycotted by millions of Iranians for good reasons.

“In Germany, this regime was long downplayed to justify close economic and political ties. Germany is Iran’s most important trading partner within the European Union. And for decades, Germany has refused to take sufficient non-military measures against the Islamic Republic…. Appeasement and collaboration must finally end.”

AI Spreads False Information About the Israel-Iran War

BBC wrote on June 21:

“A wave of disinformation has been unleashed online since Israel began strikes on Iran last week…

“Our analysis found a number of videos – created using artificial intelligence – boasting of Iran’s military capabilities, alongside fake clips showing the aftermath of strikes on Israeli targets. The three most viewed fake videos BBC Verify found have collectively amassed over 100 million views across multiple platforms.

“Pro-Israeli accounts have also shared disinformation online, mainly by recirculating old clips of protests and gatherings in Iran, falsely claiming that they show mounting dissent against the government and support among Iranians for Israel’s military campaign…

“One widely shared post claimed to show a jet damaged after being shot down in the Iranian desert. However, signs of AI manipulation were evident: civilians around the jet were the same size as nearby vehicles, and the sand showed no signs of impact.  Another video with 21.1 million views on TikTok claimed to show an Israeli F-35 being shot down by air defences, but the footage actually came from a flight simulator video game. TikTok removed the footage after being approached by BBC Verify.

“Official sources in Iran and Israel have shared some of the fake images. State media in Tehran has shared fake footage of strikes and an AI-generated image of a downed F-35 jet, while a post shared by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) received a community note on X for using old, unrelated footage of missile barrages…”

Trump—a Different Man?

The Independent wrote on June 19:

“Veteran rocker Rod Stewart has renounced his friendship with Donald Trump, claiming the businessman completely changed after becoming president of the United States. The 80-year-old singer said he previously had a close relationship with Trump as the pair have owned nearby multi-million pound properties in Palm Beach, Florida, since 1991 and 1985 respectively.

“Speaking to Radio Times, Stewart said: ‘I’m not a great fan of Trump. I knew him very, very well. I used to go to his house.’ He added that he lives ‘literally half a mile away’ from him. ‘We’re both on the beach. I used to go to his Christmas parties. He’s always been a bit of a man’s man. I liked him for that. But he didn’t, as far as I’m concerned, treat women very well. But since he became president, he became another guy. Somebody I didn’t know,’ he said.”

Controversial Decision by the Court of Appeals

The Daily Mail wrote on June 19:

“Donald Trump celebrated a victory over Gavin Newsom after an appeals [court] allowed him to keep control of National Guard troops he deployed to Los Angeles to handle anti-ICE riots…. The decision halts a ruling from a lower court judge who found Trump acted illegally… The deployment was the first by a president of a state National Guard without the governor´s permission since 1965.

“In its [unsigned] decision, a three-judge panel on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals [two judges appointed by Trump, the third by Clinton] unanimously concluded it was likely Trump lawfully exercised his authority in federalizing control of the guard. It said that while presidents don’t have unfettered power to seize control of a state’s guard, the Trump administration had presented enough evidence to show it had a defensible rationale for doing so, citing violent acts by protesters…

“It also found that even if the federal government failed to notify the governor of California before federalizing the National Guard as required by law, Newsom had no power to veto the president´s order… The court case could have wider implications on the president´s power to deploy soldiers within the United States after Trump directed immigration officials to prioritize deportations from other Democratic-run cities.”

NPR added on June 20:

“The court emphasized the decision only pertained to Trump’s authority to deploy the Guard and not what he could do with the troops once deployed. The president called the decision a big win that would have an impact, not just in California, but in any other state where he decides to call in the National Guard.”

This very troublesome decision ignores the wording of the statute in question. If it stands, it gives a president almost unchecked dictatorial powers. This is clearly not what the “Founding Fathers” intended. Note the next article.

The Legal Fight Between Trump and Newsom Continues

The Los Angeles Times wrote on June 24:

“The Trump administration must turn over a cache of documents, photos, internal reports and other evidence detailing the activities of the military in Southern California, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, handing a procedural victory to the state in its fight to rein in thousands of troops under the president’s command.

“Ordering ‘expedited, limited discovery,’ Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer in San Francisco also authorized California lawyers to depose key administration officials and signaled that he might review questions about how long California National Guard troops remain under federal control.”

The American Gestapo?

Breitbart wrote on June 20:

“Author Stephen King compared Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Nazis, framing them as an ‘American Gestapo.’… King issued his denunciation of ICE in response to the Trump administration increasing raids and deportations in cities across the country…”

In this regard, please note the next article.

Churches Oppose Trump Immigration Policies

The Daily Mail wrote on June 20:

“A bishop appointed by Pope Leo [of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, Michael Pham] descended on a California court [in San Diego] today with a dozen other priests and faith leaders in an attempt to persuade ICE against deporting migrants… he was among 16 who went to the Southern California federal courthouse to support the migrants in the US legally who were pleading their cases…

“Dramatic and emotional scenes have played out in immigration courts across the country where migrants who went from legal to illegal in seconds are taken away. This includes mothers who have been ripped away from their US-born kids…

“When those migrants are arriving in court, Trump federal prosecutors will inform the judge that they want to dismiss the case. However, that doesn’t mean the legal claim can forward. Instead, with the case out of the hands of the court, ICE now has jurisdiction to make an arrest…

“[Scott Santarosa of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish] recounted how they witnessed the case of [a] migrant woman whose case had been closed for 20 years, however, the Trump administration had found a loophole to reopen it. ‘The messaging from the government that, “We’re going after criminals,” is really not a true narrative because this is clearly not a criminal. This is the government figuring out whose case can we open up again to go after so we can deport,’ he said.’….

“Priests and churches across the country have spoken out against Trump’s deportation policies… When Trump first won re-election, the United Methodist Church issued a blistering rebuke of the president-elect two days after his victory.  ‘The lessons teach us the dangers of silence in the face of threats to human rights,’ the Council of Bishops wrote on Nov. 7. ‘We therefore reject rhetoric, policies, and actions that demean or discriminate against any of God’s children and will be vigilant in defending the rights of the vulnerable and speaking out against oppression.’ 

“Before becoming the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo had been incredibly critical of MAGA immigration policies. Earlier this year, the new pope called out Vice President JD Vance, calling him outright ‘wrong‘ as viral social media spat about his faith went viral.”

Rather than defending the indefensible, true Christians should allow themselves to see, and, when appropriate, say clearly what is going on. Note our recent StandingWatch program, titled, “The End of the American Empire?”

In regard to the end of America, note the following articles.

America’s End… Coming!

The Hill wrote on June 20:

“My Albanian-born father-in-law was an American patriot. In the mid-20th century, he served for decades as a CIA operative, quietly fighting against the spread of communism in Europe and Southeast Asia. Before his death at age 92, he lamented America’s future, saying, ‘I’m glad I won’t be around to see the end.’ Long before the U.S. was on the brink of World War III I shared his bittersweet pessimism, prompted by the “death spiral math” found on the U.S. Debt Clock.

“The ‘clock’ ticks real-time government data showing the ever-growing national debt — $36.9 trillion as of this writing — the most owed by any country or empire in human history. Nonetheless, this decades-long travesty of overspending, attributed to presidents from both parties, is still manageable if the U.S. gross domestic product — estimated at $29.2 trillion in 2024 — were to exceed the nearly $37 trillion national debt. At least, that is the economic theory recently espoused by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who stated, ‘If the economy grows faster than the debt, we stabilize the country.’

“Bessent’s philosophy of ‘we can grow our way out of debt’ supports adding an estimated $3.3 trillion to the national debt, according to the Congressional Budget Office, if President Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ were to become law…

“Bessent’s growth fantasy is a joke when viewed through the lens of history and facts. The national debt has exceeded GDP since 2013, and the Debt Clock shows the U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio today at 123 percent. Reducing that unwieldy ratio requires a sustained economic boom not seen since the decades following World War II… Does anyone honestly believe that Trump’s ‘Golden Age of America’ policies will stimulate levels of explosive growth needed to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio from 123 percent to double digits?

“Bessent’s ‘we can grow our way out of debt’ wish-casting could easily be thwarted, starting with Trump’s trade war. Then add untamed inflation, an aging population, ongoing global crises, natural disasters, supply-chain issues, AI’s unpredictable impact and Trump’s self-inflicted scientific brain drain resulting from cuts to research funding. Moreover, a shortage of highly skilled tech workers, the fallout from Trump’s immigration policy, and economic uncertainty all contribute to slow growth, while government spending remains unchecked. [Add to this now America’s war with Iran.]

“No wonder the World Bank recently issued new economic projections contradicting Bessent’s optimism. In 2024, the U.S. economy grew by 2.8 percent. However, for 2025, the World Bank’s initial downward forecast of 1.8 percent growth has again been revised to 1.4 percent… the debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to reach 140 percent by 2029 — the year Trump leaves office.

“Most Americans don’t know that the two largest federal expenditures are Medicaid and Medicare, totaling nearly $1.7 trillion, followed by Social Security at $1.5 trillion, according to the Debt Clock. Cuts to these massive programs are inevitable and will be painful [unless God prevents this from happening for the benefit of His people.]

“On the tax receipt side, the Debt Clock displays $5.1 trillion in revenue, relatively small compared to the $36.9 trillion national debt. This debt has risen so rapidly that interest has reached $1.03 trillion — the third-largest item in the federal budget…

“War is expensive… Our enemies are keenly aware of America’s economic vulnerabilities. More defense spending means more borrowing and, eventually, the U.S. could cease to be a great power… But unlike my late father-in-law, many of us reading this might be around to see the end.”

Indeed.

Trump, War and the Constitution

On June 19, the Ron Paul Institute published the following article by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano:

“Has the United States become what President Donald Trump recently condemned? Can the president fight any war he wishes? Can Congress fund any war it chooses? Are there constitutional and legal requirements that must first be met before war is waged? These questions should be central to a debate over the U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran. Sadly, there has been no great debate. The mainstream media are mouthing what the CIA is telling them, and only a few websites and podcasts are challenging the government’s reckless, immoral, illegal and unconstitutional wars…

“Under the Constitution, only Congress can declare war on a nation or group. The last time it did so was to initiate American involvement in World War II. But Congress has given away limited authority to presidents and permitted them to fight undeclared wars — such as the War Powers Resolution of 1973 and President George W. Bush’s invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Congress has not only not declared war on Russia or Gaza or Iran; it has not authorized the use of American forces in those countries. Yet, it has given the president a blank check and authorized him to spend it on military equipment for Ukraine and Israel however he sees fit.

“President Donald Trump came into office promising to end America’s forever wars…

“The War Powers Resolution, which requires presidential notification to Congress of the use of American military force, is unconstitutional because it consists of Congress giving away one of its core functions — declaring war. The Supreme Court has characterized delegating away core functions as violative of the separation of powers, and thus unconstitutional…

“Last month, in Saudi Arabia, Trump condemned the neocons’ forever wars and western military intervention in the Middle East. We now know he didn’t mean what he said. We have reposed the Constitution for safekeeping into the hands of those who ignore it. The consequences are deaths of innocents and the undermining of constitutional norms. And the U.S. continues to be what Trump verbally condemned….”

America’s Wars Will End America

The Ron Paul Institute published this follow-up article on June 21—which was published just BEFORE Trump’s attack on Iran:

“War has become a huge money-making venture, and the U.S. government, with its vast military empire, is one of its best buyers and sellers… Incredibly, America’s military forces aren’t being deployed abroad to protect our freedoms here at home. Rather, they’re being used to guard oil fields, build foreign infrastructure and protect the financial interests of the corporate elite…

“… these wars abroad aren’t making America—or the rest of the world—any safer, are certainly not making America great again, and are undeniably digging the U.S. deeper into debt. War spending is bankrupting America… Since 2001, the U.S. government has spent more than $10 trillion waging its endless wars, much of it borrowed, much of it wasted, all of it paid for in blood and taxpayer dollars… America’s expanding military empire is bleeding the country dry at a rate of more than $32 million per hour…  

“Americans have thus far allowed themselves to be spoon-fed a steady diet of pro-war propaganda that keeps them content to wave flags with patriotic fervor and less inclined to look too closely at the mounting body counts, the ruined lives, the ravaged countries, the blowback arising from ill-advised targeted-drone killings and bombing campaigns in foreign lands, or the transformation of our own homeland into a warzone...

“The U.S. government is not making the world any safer. It’s making the world more dangerous…

“The nation’s infrastructure is in shambles. Public schools are underfunded. Mental health care is collapsing. Basic needs like housing, transportation, and clean water go unmet. Meanwhile, government contractors drop bombs on third-world villages and call it strategy… Bridges collapse, water systems fail, students drown in debt, and veterans sleep on the streets—while the Pentagon builds runways in the desert and funds proxy wars no one can explain…

“We are funding our own collapse… We don’t need another war… In the end, it’s not just the empire that falls. It’s the republic it hollowed out along the way.”

America WILL fall. It is inevitable.

Too Many Federal Holidays?

Newsmax wrote on June 19:

“Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 under President Joe Biden. Perhaps it won’t be a holiday much longer. On Thursday, President Donald Trump made no declarations about Juneteenth but did post a message on his Truth Social account decrying Americans having too many paid days off. He wrote: ‘Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don’t want it either! Soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!’

“Trump did honor Juneteenth during his first term as president. In 2018, he issued a message which in part read, ‘Melania and I send our best wishes to those celebrating Juneteenth. … As a Nation, we vow to never forget the millions of African Americans who suffered the evils of slavery. Together, we honor the unbreakable spirit and countless contributions of generations of African Americans to the story of American greatness. Today and every day, we recommit ourselves to defending the self-evident truth, boldly declared by our Founding Fathers, that all people are created equal.’ [This would include undocumented aliens in this country, wouldn’t it?]

“Trump repeated a similar message the following year, writing, ‘Across our country, the contributions of African Americans continue to enrich every facet of American life. This Juneteenth, as we vow always to uphold the God-given rights of all Americans, we pay tribute to the indomitable spirit of African Americans.’

“And again in 2020, Trump’s message included, ‘This Juneteenth, we commit, as one Nation, to live true to our highest ideals and to build always toward a freer, stronger country that values the dignity and boundless potential of all Americans.’…

“Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States by commemorating June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas. Their freedom came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln liberated slaves in the Confederacy by signing the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War. ‘I did something good. I made it famous. I made Juneteenth very famous,’ Trump said in 2020 before holding a rally on June 19. ‘It’s actually an important event, it’s an important time. But nobody had heard of it. Very few people have heard of it.’”

Trump Blasts Fox News

Newsmax wrote on June 19:

“President Donald Trump blasted Fox News Thursday after the network released a new poll showing that just over half of Americans [53%] approve of his handling of border security… while 46% disapprove. On immigration, 46% approve of the president’s policies, while 53% disapprove, according to the poll… ‘They are always wrong and negative. It’s why MAGA HATES FoxNews, even though their anchors are GREAT…’

“Trump’s worst marks, according to the survey, were on the economy, where 40% approve, 58% disapprove, and inflation, where 34% approve, 64% disapprove…”

The poll might very well have been wrong, as perhaps many more people than listed may disapprove of Trump’s conduct. Of course, Trump also blasted CNN, MSNBC and other outlets for their reporting on the actual damage caused during the American attack on Iran.

NATO No Reason to Exist?

Politico wrote on June 20:

“Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Friday that NATO ‘as it is, no longer has a reason to exist’ …

“Crosetto’s comments come ahead of the NATO leaders’ summit in The Hague next week, where the alliance is likely to agree on a higher spending target of 5 percent of GDP to placate U.S. President Donald Trump.”

Italy was one of the 12 original members forming NATO in 1949. Right now, NATO counts 32 members.

NATO to Placate Trump?

BBC News wrote on June 21:

“[Trump] has been highly critical of Nato too – even questioning its very foundation of collective defence… The [NATO] summit takes place at the World Forum in The Hague over two days, on Tuesday and Wednesday next week…

“Some have suggested the brevity of the summit is in part to cater to the US president’s attention span and dislike of long meetings. But a shorter summit with fewer subjects discussed will, more importantly, help hide divisions… specific discussions about Russia and the war in Ukraine will be muted. It’s the one big issue that now divides Europe and America… Trump has already shattered Nato’s united front by talking to Putin and withholding military support to Ukraine.

“… contentious issues have been stripped from the summit. Not least to avoid a schism with Trump. Leaders were supposed to discuss a new Russia strategy, but it’s not on the agenda.

“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to the summit dinner, but he won’t be taking part in the main discussions of the North Atlantic Council.

“[Secretary General Mark] Rutte will be hoping that his first summit as secretary general will be short and sweet. But with Trump at odds with most of his allies on Russia, the greatest threat facing the Alliance, there’s no guarantee it’ll go according to plan.”

Rutte, a Dutch politician who succeeded Jens Stoltenberg as NATO’s Secretary General last year, has gone out of his way to woe and praise Trump during the NATO meetings. Rutte’s conduct has been described by the media as “embarrassing” and “demeaning.”

Trump Can Pull the Plug on the Internet

Politico wrote on June 23:

“Donald Trump’s return to the White House is forcing Europe to reckon with a major digital vulnerability: The U.S. holds a kill switch over its internet. As the U.S. administration raises the stakes in a geopolitical poker game that began when Trump started his trade war, Europeans are waking up to the fact that years of over-reliance on a handful of U.S. tech giants have given Washington a winning hand. The fatal vulnerability is Europe’s near-total dependency on U.S. cloud providers.

“Cloud computing is the lifeblood of the internet, powering everything from the emails we send and videos we stream to industrial data processing and government communications. Just three American behemoths — Amazon, Microsoft, and Google — hold more than two-thirds of the regional market, putting Europe’s online existence in the hands of firms cozying up to the U.S. president to fend off looming regulations and fines… ‘Europe blindly trusted the U.S. to always be there, and always on their side,’ said Bria, the University College London professor. ‘The situation feels very different now.’”

Putin: Ukraine Belongs to Us

Reuters wrote on June 20:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that in his view the whole of Ukraine was ‘ours’ and cautioned that advancing Russian forces could take the Ukrainian city of Sumy as part of a bid to carve out a buffer zone along the border…

“Asked about fresh Russian advances, Putin told the St Petersburg International Economic Forum that he considered Russians and Ukrainians to be one people and ‘in that sense the whole of Ukraine is ours’…. ‘We have a saying, or a parable,’ Putin said. ‘Where the foot of a Russian soldier steps, that is ours.’”

Germany’s Suppression of Freedom of Speech and Assembly?

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 19:

“Hundreds of demonstrators assembled for a march in the German city of Frankfurt, under the slogan ‘First Gaza, now Iran — What is Israel’s next goal?’…

“The gathering comes as the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty expressed his concern to German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt about freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Germany over protests related to Gaza.

“O’Flaherty noted restrictions on events, symbols, or other forms of expression in this context in Germany, but also cited reports of police using excessive force against demonstrators, including minors.”

Compact Ban Unconstitutional

Focus wrote on June 24:

“Almost a year ago, then-Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser banned [the] ‘Compact’ magazine… Shortly thereafter, in August, the highest administrative judges in Leipzig provisionally suspended the ban in expedited proceedings [so that the paper could continue publication for the time being]…

“The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig has now lifted the ban… The Leipzig judges are responsible for lawsuits against association bans in the first and final instance… ‘The AfD will also benefit from this,’ said [‘Compact’ editor-in-chief Jürgen Elsässer] after the hearing on the ban on his right-wing extremist magazine. Elsässer said that if it was impossible to ban ‘Compact,’ it was also impossible to ban the AfD. His magazine was ‘the assault gun of democracy.’ ‘We are the strongest voice of the opposition. And you will hear more from us.’…”

Söder for Mandatory Military Service

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 23:

“Bavarian Premier Markus Söder has reaffirmed his call for the return of compulsory military service, citing growing threats to European security….

“‘I am in favor of conscription and not just a few questionnaires being sent out. We need it to defend our freedom,’ Söder said Monday on German broadcaster ZDF.”

Majority of Germans Favor Independent European Nuclear Deterrent

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 23:

“Almost two-thirds of Germans are in favor of a European nuclear deterrent independent of the United States, according to a new poll… 64% of respondents were in favor of setting up a European nuclear shield, while 29% were opposed.

“Before taking office in May, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had already signaled his intent to pursue discussions with the United Kingdom and France — Europe’s two nuclear powers — on developing a joint European nuclear strategy. The goal is to reduce Europe’s reliance on the US nuclear umbrella, especially amid concerns over the unpredictability of President Donald Trump.

“Support for a European deterrent was consistent across demographic and political lines — an unusual level of consensus on foreign policy in Germany. In western Germany, 66% backed the idea, compared to 52% in the east. Among respondents under 45, support was 58.5%, rising to 67.5% among those over 45.

“By party affiliation, 78% of Green Party voters supported the concept, followed by 71% of supporters of Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU). Support also stood at 65% among Social Democratic Party (SPD) voters, 54% among Alternative for Germany (AfD) voters, and 52% among those backing The Left.

“The UK’s nuclear deterrent is operationally independent but technologically reliant on US systems. France’s version is both operationally and technologically independent…”

Defense News added on June 23:

“Simultaneously, voices here grew louder that favored a degree of European strategic autonomy. In March 2025, 69% of Germans supported European countries building a common army, up from just 49% in 2015. The poll results also show Germans willing to spend substantially on defense, with 75% supporting increased EU member state military spending.”

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

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

To think about death is not something we like to do. Even though we know that we will die eventually, we love to concentrate on other and seemingly more important and pressing matters. It is indeed not pleasant to think about the inevitability of our death. Still, the Bible is filled with admonitions in this regard, and it gives us advice as to how to deal with this subject matter in a balanced and right way.

Death is unavoidable. Psalm 89:47-48 tells us: “Remember how short my time is… What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave? Selah.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 states as a matter of fact: “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die…”

King Solomon states in Ecclesiastes 9:5: “For the living know that they will die…”

In addition, we read in Hebrews 9:27:  “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” 

Death does not end it all. Rather, there will be a resurrection for all of us, followed by a judgment. Romans 14:10, 12 tells us: “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ… So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

We need to keep this fact strongly in mind. An accounting is coming, and we decide now, by the way in which we live, how this accounting will proceed. 

That is why Moses was inspired to write in Psalm 90:10, 12:

“The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away… So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

The wisdom Moses is referring to relates to the way we live and conduct ourselves, knowing how short and fleeting life is and that an accounting is coming. Paul tells us in Colossians 4:5: “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” Compare also Ephesians 5:15-17: 

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

A similar thought is expressed by King Solomon who wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:2:

“Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart.”

David was very much aware of the fact that his death was a certainty. He wrote in Psalm 39:4-5:

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

Knowing this, our whole outlook on life should be one of humility and submission to God. It should not reflect the attitude described in James 4:13-15:

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

The realization of the certainty of our death should motivate and encourage us to conduct our lives always in a manner “worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10; compare 1 Thessalonians 1:12 and Ephesians 4:1).

When we are young, we might think of death as something so distant that we might not have to give it serious consideration. But Solomon encourages us even then: “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth…  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13-14).

But apart from this seemingly “distant” reality, it may not be that distant at all. The reason being, no one knows the time of his or her death. Ecclesiastes 9:12 tells us:  “For man also does not know his time.” Compare also Isaac’s words in Genesis 27:2: “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death.” Neither do we. For us, death may come at any time. Even though true Christians are never victims of time and chance, they still can die suddenly and unexpectedly when and if God allows it. We should therefore always live with that realization in mind. 

Of course, Christ knew exactly the time of His death. He knew that He would die at the age of 33 on Wednesday, the Day after the Passover evening on Tuesday, just before the First Day of Unleavened Bread in 31 AD. The Two Witnesses will know when they will die—3 ½ years after proclaiming God’s words during the Great Tribulation. As we explain in our free booklet, “Are You Predestined to be Saved?,” the time of our death has also been pretty much determined by God (even though we don’t know it), but this does not mean that circumstances might not change that time which had been allotted to us. When we fall away from God, we might die prematurely (compare, for example, Psalm 55:23). God may also give us some extra time to come to repentance (compare Luke 13:6-9).  God might add days to the [predetermined] life span of His people if this is reasonable and in fulfillment of the wish of the person.   

We read about King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:1-6:

“In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.”’ Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying, ‘Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, ‘Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: ‘I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. And I will add to your days fifteen years…’”’’

Here, Hezekiah made it very clear to God that he would love to live longer and that he felt he was not ready to die, and God honored that. We even read that holy women received their dead husbands back in a physical resurrection (Hebrews 11:35). But this is up to God and His prerogative, depending on the individual circumstances. 

Returning one more time to Hezekiah, notice that God had told Isaiah to admonish Hezekiah to set his house in order. This is good advice for all of us at all times, since we don’t know when we will die. This would include taking care of our affairs, especially for those whom we may leave behind. A beautiful example can be seen in Christ’s words at the stake, when He told His beloved disciple John to take care of His mother Mary. 

The Study Bible included the following comments:

“‘Put your house in order.’ This directive implies that Hezekiah should prepare for his impending death by settling his affairs, both personal and political. In ancient Near Eastern culture, this would involve ensuring a smooth succession, addressing any unresolved issues, and making peace with God and others. The instruction reflects the biblical principle of stewardship and responsibility, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for the end of life.”

When we live with the realization that death can come to us at any time, then Solomon’s statements in Ecclesiastes 7:1 really strike home: “And the day of death [is better] than the day of one’s birth.” He adds to this in verse 8: “The end of a thing is better than its beginning.”

When we are born, our whole life is in front of us, and it is up to us what to make out of it. When we live a life pleasing to God, then we have accomplished our purpose, when we die. That is especially true for us when we become converted. At that time, we just begin our travel towards eternal life and the Kingdom of God. When we die, having stayed faithful, we will enter into eternal life at the time of our resurrection. 

Job exclaimed in Job 14:14, focusing on the time of his death: “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes.” And Isaiah 26:19 states with conviction: “Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise.” This is the hope and the power of the resurrection, which is taught throughout the Bible (compare Acts 23:6; Philippians 3:10-11).

With that frame of mind, we don’t need to be afraid of death. Even though death is our enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26), it has no permanent power over us when we are in God’s loving hands.  We read in Hebrews 2:14-15:

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

The Apostle Paul was not overly concerned or afraid of his death if that meant, serving Christ. He told the brethren who were weeping for him, anticipating his arrest and captivity:

“What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). He even said in Philippians 1:21-26:

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.” (Compare also 2 Corinthians 5:8). 

Paul was ready to die, whenever that time would come, because he knew that he had lived worthy of Christ and that his physical death did not end it all. He told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:6-8:

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

He did not fight the time of his death. It seems he was more than ready to die, because he knew that he had qualified and that he would be in God’s Kingdom.

Some of the ancients are described as those who died “full of days.” They lived their lives, and in death they looked forward to their eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Psalm 116:15 says about them:  “Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.” God says the same about us, as long as we can declare with confidence and conviction: “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8).

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“Iran No Longer a Threat?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

Have the strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites eliminated any threat from Iran for the world? How successful were these strikes? In this program, we are discussing many Iranian threats and also possible means to carry out those threats. That is why many hope for a regime change in Iran, but how realistic are those hopes?

“Iran keine Bedrohung mehr?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

“Vergebliche Ausreden,” is the title of this Sabbath’s split sermon in Germany. Presented by Michael Link, the title in English is, “Futile Excuses.”

A new Member Letter (June 2025) is now posted and will be mailed to our subscribers. Pastor Michael Link writes about the ever-increasing turmoil Christians face and our challenge to bear godly fruit as the return of Jesus Christ draws near.

“Die Heiligen Schriften der Bibel: Entstehung und Überlieferung – Das Neue Testament,” is last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Tahir Coban, is now posted. Title in English: “The Holy Scriptures of the Bible: Origin and Tradition – The New Testament.”

“The Importance of Doing Hard Things,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is the summary:

The best way to grow spiritually is to accept challenges in our lives that God prepares for us, and work through them. By shifting our perspective so that we face trials with joy, rather than resistance, we open ourselves to developing the character that God expects of us.

“Why Prophecy Is Important!” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Throughout the Bible, prophecies are given which culminate in the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. Among other things, prophecy reveals God’s plan for the salvation of mankind and the unique responsibility the Church of God has been given in this regard.

On June 21, 2025, Eric Rank will present the sermonette, titled “The Importance of Doing Hard Things,” and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “Why Prophecy Is Important!”

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

God gives us all kinds of experiences to enjoy. And sometimes, He gives us experiences that we do not enjoy. We don’t necessarily get to choose what our circumstances are, but we get to choose how we respond. The choices we make in reaction to our circumstances demonstrate the motivations of our heart. It is not only our action, but also our heart which God will judge (compare Jeremiah 11:20). This is why we get to have such a wide array of experiences. God tests us, expecting that we will navigate through our experiences, good and bad, without forsaking Him.

There are many stories in the Bible that review the range of experiences of being human. I am particularly fond of the story of Hannah. It gives us an example showing the unwavering trust in God through the good and the bad circumstances she experienced. She was barren for years, and at the brink of desperation, desiring a child. She pleaded before God to allow her to have a little boy of her own. Then she conceived and became tremendously thankful. To honor God’s generosity and mercy, she gave custody of her boy Samuel to the priest, placing him into the service of God. She proved her faith in the most trying times and then glorified God when He blessed her with the child she pleaded for (compare 1 Samuel 1:1-28).

We can learn much from Hannah’s attitude. In her song recorded in the Bible, we read about her wise perspective regarding God’s involvement in people’s lives: “The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, And He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. For by strength no man shall prevail” (1 Samuel 2:6-9).

From her words we understand how she acknowledges the power of God to expose us to experiences that run the gamut, from desperation to delight. However, she is wise enough to recognize that what really matters is that He is totally involved in the lives of His people, whether times are good or bad. Her response in both the good times and the tough times demonstrated consistent trust in Him, giving Him glory through it all. The range of circumstances that God allows or even prepares for us are there for us to learn from and use for our growth. The best part about His involvement is the overarching intent He has for us. He will protect and ultimately glorify those saints who are faithful to Him.

Sometimes, we might feel that life is not fair. But we must remember, God knows what He is doing and that He cares for us. Whatever it is that we experience is what He knows about and sometimes even directly prepares for us, so that we can take it as an opportunity to do good works (compare Ephesians 2:10). He knows that we can endure through the hard times. He gives us experiences to learn from, and in that, we should see those difficult circumstances as being valuable. When we are able to acknowledge this fact, it is easier to respond in faith, trusting Him as in the example of Hannah.

God never promised that life would be easy for those who obey Him. But He does promise that those who endure to the end will be saved (compare Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13). We can trust in this, helping us to not get distracted by the challenges we face.

by Norbert Link

In this edition, we report on the war between Israel and Iran and national and international reactions; nationwide protests against President Trump and his immigration policies; the controversial military parade in Washington; more and more violence spreading in the USA; and America’s ongoing self-inflicted isolation on the world scene; lawsuits against an AI company for alleged copyright violations; Turkey’s new role in Europe; and Germany’s first-ever Veteran’s Day celebration.

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “The End of the American Empire?”

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

What Matters Now For Israel

The Telegraph wrote on June 13:

“Now all that matters is how much damage Israel can inflict on three vital plants at the core of Iran’s nuclear industry – Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan. The first two are where Iran enriches uranium…  In Isfahan, raw uranium is converted into gas prior to being fed into centrifuges for enrichment… So far, Israel appears to have struck Natanz but not Isfahan or Fordow.

“The latter is by far the toughest target – an enrichment facility dug into a mountain, beneath hundreds of feet of rock and earth, where centrifuges are already producing uranium at 60 per cent purity, barely a hair’s breadth from weapons grade… The great risk for Mr Netanyahu is that when the smoke clears and Operation Rising Lion, the codename of this campaign, is over, Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan will be reparable in a matter of months or even weeks.

“If so, he will have achieved nothing but a short delay in Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon. And you can be sure that Iran’s leaders – if they are still in power when this ends – will immediately dash for a bomb…”

Reuters wrote on June 13:

“… satellite imagery did not yet show significant damage to nuclear infrastructure, several experts said. ‘The first day was aimed at things that you would get through surprise – killing leadership, going after nuclear scientists, air defense systems, the ability to retaliate,’ said nuclear expert David Albright at the Institute for Science and International Security. ‘We can’t see any visible damage at Fordow or Isfahan. There was damage at Natanz,’ said Albright, referring to Iranian nuclear sites. But ‘there’s no evidence that the underground site was destroyed.’…

“‘It has always been the conventional wisdom that Israel may not have the ordnance to destroy Fordow without American military support,’ Mark Dubowitz, head of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, told a podcast. The United States is better equipped than Israel to destroy such targets with its most powerful bunker buster bombs, the 30,000-pound (14,000 kg) Massive Ordnance Penetrator.

“If Iran decides not to negotiate a nuclear deal, the U.S. could use its B2 bombers and those bombs to destroy Fordow, Dubowitz said….”

Israel will receive a [military] “wound” before the beginning of the Great Tribulation. 

Trump Warns Iran 

Breitbart wrote on June 13: 

“President Trump related that ‘I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to “just do it”’, but said they ‘just couldn’t get it done’. This is a serious matter, the President said, because ‘the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, [by far], and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come’. 

“Iranian hardliners had been brave in negotiations but they are ‘all [dead] now, and it will only get worse’, he said… ‘Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left… [Just do it, before it is too late]’, he wrote…” 

Trump Claims He Knew Everything! 

The New York Post wrote on June 13:

“President Trump told The Post Friday that he knew Israel would strike Iran if the theocratic regime didn’t quickly agree to a revised nuclear deal with the US. ‘I always knew the date,’ the president said in a brief phone interview. ‘Because I know everything. I know everything. I know everything. I gave them 60 days and they didn’t meet it,’ Trump went on. ‘Today’s 61, you know. Today’s day 61.’… 

“The first sign that a significant operation was afoot came Wednesday, when non-essential US personnel were told to leave several outposts in the region…” 

Trump’s and Pakistan’s Threats 

The Sun wrote on June 17: 

“Trump is reportedly considering joining Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites hours after he said the Ayatollah is an ‘easy target.’ Trump claimed the US and Israel know exactly where Iran’s Supreme Leader is hiding out but he won’t order any assassination plot ‘for now’… 

“[Trump] is now said to be considering allowing for a US strike on Iran, according to multiple current and former administration officials… 

“Tension across the Middle East is now skyrocketing as the conflict threatens to spiral into a wider regional war after Pakistan called for the Islamic world to back Iran. Islamabad even warned they will nuke Israel, a senior Iranian general claimed.” 

Daily Mail wrote on June 17: 

“Israel has said it is ‘on the verge’ of destroying ‘more than 10 nuclear targets’ in Iran’ – amid fears that strikes on the sites could trigger a radiation incident… Trump last night refused to sign a joint statement with fellow G7 leaders calling for de-escalation in the conflict before storming out of the summit, saying he had to get back to Washington early ‘for obvious reasons’. 

“Speaking from Air Force One, he then furiously denied claims made by French President Emmanuel Macron that he was heading back to work on a ceasefire… He warned that the US will join Israel’s war and ‘come down hard’ on Tehran if provoked, adding that if Tehran ‘touches’ US troops, ‘the gloves are off’.” 

Tehran to Evacuate 

The New York Post wrote on June 16:

“President Trump warned that ‘everyone’ in Tehran should ‘immediately evacuate’ in an alarming Monday night Truth Social post as it was revealed he would be leaving the G7 summit a day early due to the Iran-Israel conflict… The president’s evacuation warning came after Israeli officials called for those in Tehran to evacuate earlier Monday ahead of its continued military campaign against Iran, which has included slews of missile exchanges between the conflicting countries. 

“The evacuation area includes an estimated 330,000 people in central Tehran, including Iran’s state television headquarters, police headquarters and three key hospitals including one owned by the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard… thousands have been pushed to flee, the chaos only exacerbated by Tehran’s lack of publicly accessible bomb shelters. A majority of the 9.5 million people in Iran’s capital have been left in limbo as mass evacuations clogged traffic while others lack the means to leave at all… Earlier that same day, Trump told ABC News that it is ‘possible’ the US could get involved in the conflict… As of Monday, an estimated 224 people were killed during the attacks in Iran. In Israel, 24 deaths have been confirmed…”

 Reportedly, tens of thousands of Americans are living in Tehran, with no realistic possibility of evacuation. 

Tucker Carlson Attacks Trump 

The Independent wrote on June 13: 

“Tucker Carlson has turned on President Donald Trump by accusing him of being ‘complicit’ in Israel’s attacks on Iran.  The former Fox News host and MAGA figurehead rebuked Trump and the administration in his newsletter: ‘… While the American military may not have physically perpetrated the assault, years of funding and sending weapons to Israel, which Donald Trump just bragged about on Truth Social, undeniably place the U.S. at the center of last night’s events….’ 

“The conflict is already splitting MAGA down the middle, leading figures of the movement have said publicly. ‘A direct strike on Iran right now would disastrously split the Trump coalition,’ podcaster Jack Posobiec wrote on X… He added that it could cost the Republicans the midterms. 

“If Trump gave Israel the ‘green light’ to target Iran, it ‘would be seen as an unforgivable betrayal by millions of American voters,’ Mollie Hemingway, the editor of right-wing publication The Federalist, said in a post on X… Iran has since retaliated by firing missiles at Israel, which the U.S. is supporting to intercept…” 

MAGA in Disarray? 

The Daily Mail wrote on June 15: 

“Donald Trump is teetering on the brink of an all-out Iran crisis amid MAGA fury over his ‘complicity’ in Israel’s strikes. In a sensational development Sunday, two US officials revealed that the president vetoed an Israeli plan this week to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei… The president is now facing calls from Iran hawks in the GOP to join Israel’s bombing campaign… It comes as Trump this morning refused to rule out involvement in the conflict, while at the same time denying any American participation to this point… 

“The intra-MAGA split on foreign policy appears to be far-reaching, even extending as far at the leadership at the Pentagon itself…”

On June 16, Netanyahu said during a TV interview with ABC that assassinating Ali Khamenei would “end the conflict” between the two nations, thereby not ruling out “killing Iran’s supreme leader” (The New York Post, dated June 16). 

Tucker Carlson Attacks “Warmongers” 

Newsmax wrote on June 15: 

“Carlson targeted conservative media figures and donors, labeling them ‘warmongers’ for advocating U.S. military involvement… [listing] specifically Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Rupert Murdoch [and others]… 

“U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also weighed in, saying Israel’s security remains in America’s national interest. ‘Seven hundred thousand Americans live in Israel,’ Huckabee wrote to supporters… 

“Carlson argued Trump had campaigned against regime change in Iran. He also argued that a war with Iran could be challenging… ‘An attack on Iran could very easily become a world war. We’d lose.’ 

“Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that abandoning uranium enrichment was ‘100%’ against the country’s interests, rejecting a central U.S. demand in talks to resolve a decadeslong dispute over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions… Iranian leaders have long claimed that if they acquired nuclear weapons they would ‘wipe Israel off the map.’” 

Carlson has been a strong Trump supporter. But so have been Hannity and Levin. Trump praised them all in the past. Now what? 

Israel’s surprise attack killed at least 20 senior Iranian commanders, sources said, including the head of its Revolutionary Guard. At least six nuclear scientists have also been confirmed killed in the strikes. 

End of American Empire? 

Mediaite wrote on June 16: 

“Tucker Carlson warned Monday that U.S. involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict could bring down President Donald Trump and mark the collapse of America’s global influence… ‘I’m really afraid that my country’s gonna be further weakened by this. I think we’re gonna see the end of the American empire… But it’s also going to end, I believe, Trump’s presidency and effectively end it.’

“… Carlson expressed doubt about U.S. military readiness and warned of overreach… ‘We don’t even have a good track record… Why are the Houthis still there?… How prepared is the U.S. military for a real conflict? The answer is totally unprepared. Scary unprepared. I don’t think people understand that.’” 

MAGA War Intensifies 

The Hill wrote on June 17:

“The ideological battle over what ‘America First’ means in the Trump era is intensifying in wake of Israel’s strikes on Iran, splitting the MAGA right and testing its relationships with the president. On one side, noninterventionist doves insist the Trumpian tagline means the president must avoid U.S. troops, resources or dollars going toward the conflict, for fear of getting dragged into an endless war. ‘Anyone slobbering for the U.S. to become fully involved in the Israel/Iran war is not America First/MAGA,’ Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) posted Sunday on…  X.  

“But on the other end, foreign policy hawks and supporters of Israel are appealing to President Trump’s position that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon, and encouraging him to leave all options — including direct military intervention — on the table… 

“Trump beat back the dove side somewhat in another post calling Carlson ‘kooky’ — prompting Greene, who almost never criticizes the president, to make the stunning move to come to Carlson’s defense. ‘Foreign wars/intervention/regime change put America last, kill innocent people, are making us broke, and will ultimately lead to our destruction. That’s not kooky. That’s what millions of Americans voted for,’ Greene said.” 

In a heated interview with Senator Ted Cruz, exposing the massive fault line ripping through the MAGA world, Carlson accused Cruz of not knowing anything about Iran which he wants to “topple.” 

The Reaction of the Arab World 

Aljazeera wrote on June 13: 

“Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned Israel’s ‘military aggression’ against Iran, saying that the wave of air strikes violated international law and threatened global security… Oman, which has been mediating nuclear talks between the US and Iran over recent months, decried Israel’s attacks as a ‘dangerous and reckless escalation’ that ‘violates the principles of international law’… 

“Ankara issued a sharp condemnation of Israel’s attack, calling it a violation of international law and a reckless provocation… Saudi Arabia denounced the ‘heinous’ Israeli attacks… Qatar said it was deeply concerned over the ‘dangerous escalation’ and called on the international community to ‘urgently halt these Israeli violations’… The UAE condemned the Israeli attacks and called for restraint… ‘Jordan has not and will not allow any violation of its airspace, reaffirming that the Kingdom will not be a battleground for any conflict,’ a government spokesperson told AFP after Jordan closed its airspace following Israel’s attack on Iran… 

“The Lebanese foreign ministry condemned Israel’s attack on Iran…” 

The nations mentioned in Psalm 83 are coming together in their hatred against “Israel.” And while the German government (CDU and SPD) is honoring Israel’s right to self-defense, the AfD and the left-wing parties strongly condemned Israel’s actions.   

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it would close all consulates and embassies worldwide.

Turkey to Be Part of Europe’s Defense System 

Arab News wrote on June 13:

“Turkiye has long insisted on being a part of Europe’s defense programs and having a say in how Europe shapes its security. Yet, for decades, European states viewed Turkiye mostly through the lens of its EU membership bid and political disagreements. But today, geopolitical matters — especially growing security threats — are shifting that perspective. Now, both Ankara and Brussels recognize that they face similar security concerns….

“A few years ago, the idea of integrating Turkish defense companies into Europe’s security systems might have seemed unrealistic. But several factors have changed that. Turkiye’s falling-out with the US over the F-35 program, increasing regional threats, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and Europe’s doubts about long-term US security commitments have all helped bring Ankara and the EU closer together and make EU-Turkiye defense cooperation more appealing. The combination of these factors has created a major shift in their relationship, which is now reflected in more regular meetings between Turkish and European defense officials.” 

Even though it is not to be expected that Turkey will join the EU, a collaboration between the EU and Turkey is prophesied… 

Rand Paul Criticizes Saturday’s Military Parade 

Mediaite wrote on June 15: 

“Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) — who has clashed heavily with President Donald Trump in recent days by speaking out against the Trump-backed budget bill — condemned Saturday’s military parade  in Washington, comparing it to similar marches in the Soviet Union and North Korea…

“‘I just never liked the idea of the parade because I grew up in the ’70s and ’80s and the only parades I can remember are Soviet parades for the most part or North Korean parades,’ Paul said. ‘And the parades I remember from our history were different… we were rejoicing the end of war, and we were rejoicing our soldiers coming home… But we never glorified weapons so much.’ 

“[He] added that he also objected on the basis of the parade’s reported price tag of more than $40 million… ‘I mean, we’re $2 trillion in the hole and just, an additional cost like this, I’m not for it.’” 

Paul certainly has a point. According to the Hill, dated June 14, “Six in 10 adults in a nationwide AP-NORC poll conducted between June 5 and June 9 said that the parade was not a good use of government funds. However, 40 percent of people approved of Trump’s decision to hold a parade… Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said he wouldn’t have held the parade. ‘We’re a lion, and a lion doesn’t have to tell you it’s a lion,’ Kennedy said on Tuesday. ‘I would save the money, but if the president wants to have a parade, he’s the president, and I’m not.’” 

Nationwide Anti-Trump Demonstrations and Protests 

The Guardian wrote on June 14: 

“As tanks and soldiers paraded through the streets of Washington on Saturday, several million people around the country [the estimate is up to 6 million] turned out to protest against the excesses of Donald Trump’s administration.  The protests, dubbed ‘No Kings’, took place at about 2,100 sites nationwide, from big cities to small towns. A coalition of more than 100 groups joined together to plan the protests…” 

The Associated Press reported on June 15: 

“Atlanta’s 5,000-capacity event quickly reached its limit, with thousands more gathered outside barriers to hear speakers in front of the state Capitol. Officials in Seattle estimated that more than 70,000 people attended the city’s largest rally downtown, the Seattle Times reported….” 

Newsweek wrote on June 15: “Police estimate the crowd at the ‘No Kings’ protest in Chicago was ~15,000 deep…” 

CBS News wrote on June 15: “An estimated tens of thousands joined the ‘No Kings’ demonstrations throughout Portland, Oregon…” 

USA Today wrote on June 15: “50,000 people showed up in New York City…” According to the Guardian of June 15, “more than 200,000 in New York and over 100,000 in Philadelphia [showed up]… The protests were largely peaceful, though some – in Los Angeles and Portland – were later deemed unlawful assembly by law enforcement…” 

The Los Angeles Daily News wrote on June 15: “Around 4 p.m., the downtown LA rally – with an estimated 200,000 protesters – switched from peaceful to chaotic, as some people reportedly threw rocks, bottles and fireworks at police. Officers issued a dispersal order and unleashed a multitude of flash-bang grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at the crowd. Confusion broke out as police on horseback pushed people away from various areas and traffic had to be diverted…”

America Divided 

NPR wrote on June 16: 

“The 33-mile trip from one protest in Annapolis to the parade grandstand in front of the White House was like a journey between two different countries… 

“America’s split-screen day had finally merged into a collective image of a divided people a half block from the White House, many unable or unwilling to talk to one another…” 

Trump’s Vengeance? 

The Guardian wrote on June 16: 

“Trump has promised an expanded immigration crackdown in several large Democratic-led cities as apparent vengeance for ‘No Kings’ protests against his administration on Saturday that drew millions of people… 

“Trump’s stance on immigration has fluctuated wildly in recent days. Last week, his administration ordered Ice to stop workplace immigration enforcement actions unless related to criminal investigations, in the face of growing public backlash to raids perceived to harm industries with a significant proportion of immigrant labor, such as farming and tourism… 

“Sunday’s post, however, appeared to reverse his position again. His choice to identify only Democratic-run cities with large immigrant populations, and omit others controlled by, or leaning Republican, was notable.” 

Also, “Trump told ICE staff to ‘do all in their power’ to detain and deport undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York” (The Daily Beast, dated June 15). 

None of this will lead to peace in the USA.

Trump Flip-Flops Again, While Listening to Bad Advice 

The Daily Beast wrote on June 17:

“White House Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem… were enraged after learning that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins had called Trump and suggested that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents avoid deporting longtime workers in sectors heavily reliant on migrant labor… Rollins’ intervention… appeared to sway the president. 

“Last week, Trump floated the idea of carving out exemptions from his mass deportation plans specifically to avoid targeting non-criminal workers on farms and in hotels. An official policy shift followed soon after. Senior ICE official Tatum King informed regional ICE offices Thursday that ‘investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture and meatpacking plants), restaurants, and operating hotels’ would be paused… 

“Miller, Noem and other hardline anti-immigration officials then sought to change the policy back to where it was before Rollins got in Trump’s ear… That pressure campaign seemed to work… By Monday, the Department of Homeland Security reversed course, notifying staff that the previous guidelines were scrapped and that ICE would resume raids on agricultural businesses, hotels, and restaurants.” 

The New York Post added on June 17: 

“The Trump administration is backing away from its earlier instructions to halt immigration raids at farms, hotels and restaurants, according to reports… President Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday that his mass deportation campaign was taking its toll on the agricultural and hospitality industries… ‘Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace,’ Trump wrote. ‘This is not good. We must protect our Farmers…,’ he said… 

“All the while, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has further pushed ICE to meet the 3,000 daily arrest quota the administration has set…”

In an interview on Wednesday, June 18, Trump said that before considering the farmers and hotel and restaurant owners, ICE had to get rid of the criminals first, defining them, again, as those coming from prisons and mental institutions. The truth is, the raids are clearly not limited to or even mainly directed towards those people. 

And what a ridiculous quota! So, that America’s economy, American farmers, hotel and restaurant owners and others are hurting does not seem to be of any concern to the Trump Administration. Shameful! 

Dramatic Confrontations and Federal Overreach 

NBC News wrote on June 17: 

“New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was released Tuesday hours after he was arrested in connection with an episode at a federal courthouse in the city, where he and his wife were serving as advocates for defendants in immigration courts, they said.

“The Department of Homeland Security said Lander, a candidate for mayor, had been arrested and accused of ‘assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer.’…  After he was released, Lander denied assaulting law enforcement… ‘We are not going to allow Donald Trump to wreck the rule of law, to deny people due process and to turn our country into something that doesn’t meet its obligations under international law,’ Lander said… 

“New York Gov. Kathy Hochul accompanied him as he was released and told reporters that ‘to my knowledge’ any charges had been dropped… Hochul also called Lander’s arrest ‘total bull—’ on X.  ‘When elected officials are being detained without cause, we have to ask: what the hell is happening to our country?’… 

“Kat Capossela, Lander’s campaign press secretary, said in an email earlier in the day that ‘Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE,’ a reference to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, after ‘escorting a defendant out of immigration court’… Lander [said] that after he was handcuffed, federal agents escorted him to a detention room. ‘They took the cuffs off, and I just sat for 3½ hours in a detention room,’ Lander said, adding that he was not released until Hochul showed up… 

“The incident is the latest in a series of dramatic confrontations between immigration officials and Democrats opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Last week, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed from a news conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristin Noem. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was then a candidate for governor of New Jersey, was also arrested on trespassing charges last month at an ICE detention facility in the state. The charges were dropped, but Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver was subsequently charged with assaulting law enforcement during the incident. Trump and his ‘border czar,’ Tom Homan, also suggested that California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass could be arrested, too.  [Trump even said, if he was Homan, he would arrest Newsom.] 

“The Democratic officials and their allies have argued that the incidents were politically motivated and have criticized the administration’s conduct, while the Trump administration has fiercely defended immigration agents and accused Democrats of staging political stunts. 

“Lander can be seen in a video on his personal X account being surrounded by people, including masked officers in vests labeled with the word ‘police.’ At one point, someone says, ‘Put him in custody,’ and the men holding him scuffle with him before they pin him to a wall and handcuff him. ‘I’m not obstructing. I’m standing right here in the hallway. I asked to see the judicial warrant,’ Lander says in the video. ‘You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant,’ he adds. 

“Lander’s wife, Meg Barnette [a former attorney], criticized the Trump administration’s handling of cases involving immigrants at a news conference shortly after her husband’s arrest. She also echoed Democratic criticisms of the administration’s immigration policies, arguing that judges were dismissing charges against defendants before the defendants were turned over to federal agents to begin the deportation process…” 

The New York Times added on June 18: 

“With tensions rising over President Trump’s mass deportation policies, the government crackdown is extending to the political opposition… The scenes of chaos reflect the tinderbox nature of this political moment… 

“In recent weeks, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have also aggressively thought to detain migrants at immigration courts, leading to emotional scenes as masked agents make surprise arrests of people who thought they were attending routine hearings. 

“Last week, Senator Alex Padilla, Democrat of California, was forcibly removed from a news conference being held by Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, and handcuffed despite identifying himself as a senator… ‘Like me, Mr. Lander had the audacity to question the legitimacy of federal actions, only to find himself handcuffed, pushed against a wall and detained,’ Mr. Padilla said in a statement. ‘If it happened to us in full view of the public, imagine what is happening in communities across the country when the cameras are off. This should be a wake-up call to the country.’” 

Violence and perceived authoritarian federal actions are continuing in the USA… 

Innocent Protestor Killed in Utah 

Newsmax wrote on June 15: 

“A demonstrator was shot and killed at Salt Lake City’s ‘No Kings’ protest when a man believed to be part of the event’s peacekeeping team fired at another man allegedly aiming a rifle at protestors, authorities said Sunday. Police took the alleged rifleman, Arturo Gamboa, 24, into custody Saturday evening on a murder charge… The bystander, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, died at the hospital. 

“Detectives don’t yet know why Gamboa pulled out a rifle or ran from the peacekeepers, but they accused him of creating the dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo’s death… 

“[Police Chief Brian] Redd said a man dressed in a brightly colored vest fired three shots from a handgun at Gamboa, inflicting a relatively minor injury but fatally shooting Ah Loo. The gunshots sent hundreds of protestors running, some hiding behind barriers and fleeing into parking garages and nearby businesses, police said in a statement.” 

Trump’s Actions Illegal

The Ron Paul Institute republished the following article by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano on June 14: 

“The deployment of California National Guard troops and active-duty U.S. Marines onto the streets of Los Angeles is an assault on federalism, violates federal law and manifests a dangerous pattern of governmental behavior in defiance of constitutional principles and the rule of law… President Donald Trump, against the express wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, federalized the CA National Guard, became their commander in chief, and ordered them to thwart both lawful and unlawful demonstrators in Los Angeles. 

“There, agents of the U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were attempting to make warrantless arrests of persons whom they and their colleagues believed were unlawfully present in the U.S. Demonstrators soon arrived, some of whom peaceably assembled and vociferously objected to the arrests, and some of whom attempted to interfere with them violently. Clearly, acts of physical interference with even unlawful arrests are themselves unlawful, but condemning government behavior, waving Mexican flags, cheering on those who have been arrested, even standing in the way of federal agents until ordered to move are all protected acts of expression and historically recognized acts of civil disobedience… 

“Then the president ordered in the federalized National Guard and then — almost unimaginably — he ordered in active-duty Marines. The sight of active-duty armed troops confronting unarmed persons exercising their constitutionally protected freedom of expression, and the declaration of no free speech zones, was and is gut wrenching, un-American and without lawful precedent in modern times… 

“Can National Guard troops be used for law enforcement?… Congress addressed this in numerous federal statutes, enacted in 1792, 1794, 1795 and again in 1807. The essence of these laws permits the president to declare himself the commander in chief of the National Guard for law enforcement purposes only when asked by a state governor. Short of the gubernatorial request, the Guard may not be summoned by the president for law enforcement purposes, except in the cases of invasion or rebellion… since there is no invasion or rebellion as the laws define them, there is no lawful basis for all these troops on the streets. 

“This is not constitutional hairsplitting. This is very serious business. If the feds can characterize an unarmed assemblage of protesters as an invasion merely because they are angry, carry a foreign flag and prefer a foreign language — all protected speech — and engage in civil disobedience, and thus justify the use of military force against them, whose freedoms are safe? 

“The government argues that the current state of affairs in Los Angeles constitutes an emergency and thus it has broad powers to address it. That is constitutional hogwash…” 

More Countries to Be Added to Travel Ban List? 

The Washington Post wrote on June 14: 

“The United States is considering restricting entry to citizens of an additional 36 countries in what would be a significant expansion of the travel ban announced by the Trump administration early this month, according to a State Department memo reviewed by The Washington Post. Among the new list of countries that could face visa bans or other restrictions are 25 African nations, including significant U.S. partners such as Egypt and Djibouti, plus countries in the Caribbean, Central Asia and several Pacific Island nations… 

“The memo, which was signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and sent Saturday to U.S. diplomats who work with the countries, said the governments of listed nations were being given 60 days to meet new benchmarks and requirements established by the State Department. It set a deadline of 8 a.m. Wednesday for them to provide an initial action plan for meeting the requirements. 

“The memo identified varied benchmarks that, in the administration’s estimation, these countries were failing to meet. Some countries had ‘no competent or cooperative central government authority to produce reliable identity documents or other civil documents,’ or they suffered from ‘widespread government fraud.’ Others had large numbers of citizens who overstayed their visas in the United States, the memo said. 

“Other reasons included the availability of citizenship by monetary investment without a requirement of residency and claims of ‘antisemitic and anti-American activity in the United States’ by people from those countries… 

“The countries facing scrutiny in the memo: Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Benin; Bhutan; Burkina Faso; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Ethiopia; Egypt; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Ivory Coast; Kyrgyzstan; Liberia; Malawi; Mauritania; Niger; Nigeria; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; South Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uganda; Vanuatu; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. 

“The list represents a significant expansion of a presidential proclamation issued June 4, when the United States fully restricted the entry of individuals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The United States also had partially restricted the entry of travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela under that order…” 

Pretty soon, if this trend continues, America will become a “sealed castle” with no ability to enter for most. And many have no desire to visit Trump’s America anyhow. Note the next article. 

Avoiding the USA? 

The Associated Press wrote on June 16: 

“The world may be rethinking the American dream. For centuries, people in other countries saw the United States as place of welcome and opportunity. Now, President Donald Trump’s drive for mass deportations of migrants is riling the streets of Los Angeles, college campuses, even churches — and fueling a global rethinking about the virtues and promise of coming to America… Early clues across industries — like tourism, trade, entertainment and education — suggest the American dream is fading for foreigners who have historically flooded to the U.S… 

“Trump and many of his supporters maintain that migrants in the country illegally threaten American safety, jobs and culture. But people in the country legally also have been caught in Trump’s dragnet. 

“… the United States has always been a nation of immigrants… Everyone, after all, comes from somewhere — a fact underscored on-camera in the Oval Office this month when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gave the president the framed birth certificate of Trump’s grandfather, also named Friedrich, who emigrated from Germany in 1885. He was one of millions of Germans who fled war and economic strife to move to the United States in the late 19th Century… 

“Trump himself has married two immigrant women: the late Ivana Zelníčková Trump, of what’s now the Czech Republic, and his current wife, Melania Knauss Trump of Slovenia…” 

Trump’s Weird Comments 

Mediaite wrote on June 13: 

“President Donald Trump went on a strange rant about World War II when he was asked about his upcoming military parade, revealing a phone conversation in which he and Russian President Vladimir Putin humorously riffed about everyone ‘hating Russia’ but loving Germany and Japan now.

“Trump has a long history of oddball (and worse) commentary about World War II, which reared its head recently when he made a crack about Nazi Germany during a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz… A MAGA-friendly reporter asked him about Saturday’s parade to ostensibly celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army — which also coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday…. 

“‘Russia fought, sort of interesting, isn’t it? He [Who? Putin?] fought with us at World War II and everybody hates him [Putin?]. And Germany and Japan, they’re fine, you know… But Putin is a little confused by that. You know, he said, we lost 51 million people, and we were your ally. And now everybody hates Russia, and they love Germany and Japan.’” 

Stalin was America’s and Britain’s ally. He was as much a mass murderer as Hitler. Without this questionable alliance, the world would have been much better off. There would have been no Iron Curtain, no divided Germany, no Berlin Wall. Churchill was strongly advocating against having an alliance with Stalin whom he deeply distrusted, but he was not listened to. He even designed a contingency plan to invade Russia, called “Operation Unthinkable.” 

Madman Kills and Injures Politicians in Minnesota, Masquerading as Police Officer 

The New York Post wrote on June 14: 

“A Minnesota [Democratic] state lawmaker [and former House speaker] and her husband were killed, and another [Democratic] politician [senator] and his wife were seriously injured early Saturday in a ‘politically motivated attack’ when a madman posing as a police officer turned up at their homes and opened fire, authorities said… 

“Officers… discovered a car outfitted with flashing lights to look like an SUV squad car. ‘When they arrived at [the] house, they noticed that there was a police vehicle in the driveway with the emergency lights on and what appeared to be a police officer at the door coming out of the house,’ [Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark] Bruley said, adding that the suspect was wearing a vest, a badge and other equipment… ‘When our officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home,’ he continued….” 

A hit list was found in which the suspect listed nearly 70 names as potential targets, “mostly naming Democrats or figures with ties to abortion rights” (CNN, June 15). The suspect was subsequently arrested. 

No Trust in US Economy 

The Telegraph wrote on June 16: 

“British manufacturers snub [the] US after Trump’s trade war. Only 4 [percent] of companies would consider setting up a production facility in America… 

“The US has dropped out of the three most desirable markets for British manufacturers for the first time in decades, as Donald Trump’s trade war dents confidence in the world’s biggest economy.”. 

Japan’s Nippon Steel Takes Over US Steel 

The Financial Times wrote on June 18: 

“Japan’s Nippon Steel has closed its nearly $15bn purchase of its American rival US Steel, ending more than a year of political wrangling that threatened to scuttle the agreement on multiple occasions. US President Donald Trump approved the tie-up last week, months after his predecessor Joe Biden moved to block the deal. Nippon clinched Trump’s approval after pledging to invest $11bn in the Pennsylvania-based company by 2028, billions of dollars more than it had initially promised. It also handed the government a golden share in US Steel, which will allow the White House to veto key corporate decisions… 

“The Japanese steelmaker has committed to keeping US Steel’s headquarters in the industrial city. Nippon also said that a majority of US Steel’s board of directors will be US citizens, and so will top executives like its chief executive….” 

Still, Nippon now owns 100% of US Steel… an outcome which Trump had originally strongly opposed. 

San Diego Tops It All 

fox5sandiego wrote on June 15: 

“Food prices in San Diego County are rising noticeably, squeezing families’ wallets amid broader inflation trends. 

“San Diego topped all major cities in May when it comes to inflation, and food costs factor in…” 

AI Copyright Violations? 

NPR wrote on June 12: 

“In a first-of-its-kind lawsuit, entertainment companies Disney and Universal are suing AI firm Midjourney for copyright infringement… 

“The suit accuses Midjourney, a well-known force in the AI image generation space with around 20 million registered users… of ‘selling an artificial intelligence (‘AI’) image-generating service (‘Image Service’) that functions as a virtual vending machine, generating endless unauthorized copies of Disney’s and Universal’s copyrighted works.’ 

“The lawsuit details Midjourney’s alleged infringement of popular Disney and Universal figures, including Shrek, Homer Simpson and Darth Vader…” 

Germany’s First-Ever Veterans Day 

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 15: 

“The president of the German parliament, Julia Klöckner, officially opened the country’s first national Veterans Day on Sunday, saying it was ‘high time’ for such an occasion. ‘This day has created something which has always been lacking: public visibility, recognition and respect for all those who have served in our country’s armed forces,’ she said at an event in Berlin… Klöckner highlighted the role of the German army… as a ‘parliamentary army’ which is answerable to parliament – as opposed to an individual head of state as commander-in-chief… 

“Writing on social media, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the Bundeswehr a ‘key component of our society’ and said: ‘The men and women who serve, or have served, in it deserve our thanks, our recognition and our respect. This service for our country belongs in center of our society.’ 

“On Saturday, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius praised the professionalism of German troops and said that the challenges facing them will increase in years to come… ‘The threat has increased in recent years… We have to be clear: we have to be able to defend our country and our alliance if it is attacked.’” 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

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

In previous Q&As, we have pointed out THAT God has given His end-time Church—the Body of Christ, consisting of all Christians in whom God’s Spirit dwells—the commission to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God as a witness unto all nations, which includes the proclamation of a warning message of impending disaster and the possibility of worldwide destruction in a prophesied nuclear war.

Before answering HOW the Church can fulfill that commission, let us quote some excerpts to show THAT it will be accomplished.

We say the following in our Q&A, “What is the Work of God? (Part 3)”:

“But after the death of Paul and the other early apostles, the preaching of the gospel to the world would gradually stop, and so, as we have said many times, for over 1900 years, the gospel was NOT preached to the world, until God began to motivate His church and giving it the strength and opportunities to begin so again. This way, that worldwide proclamation would become the sign of the end—of the return of Jesus Christ. This proclamation would continue during the Great Tribulation as well—including through the preaching of the Two Witnesses. As God’s prophets (Revelation 11:3, 6, 10), they will of course warn the nations and proclaim what will happen—including, what has been written down in the Bible…”

We also say in that Q&A that the proclamation will produce fruit, in God’s due time:

“When we do the Work of God by preaching the gospel message, we do not do it in vain. It will produce fruit, even though it may not be obvious right away. Notice Isaiah 55:10-11: ‘For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.’ What the gospel message contains will be accomplished, in God’s due time. This is also confirmed in Jeremiah 1:12, where God says: ‘You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.’…”

We also state in our Q&A, “What is the Work of God? (Part 5)”:

“… the Work of preaching the gospel to the world as a witness and the warning message to the end-time nations was decisively given to God’s end-time Church, because it was to be THE sign of Christ’s speedy return, once that aspect of the Work was fulfilled (Matthew 24:14). Today, this preaching has been made possible through the invention of the internet and many other means of electronic communication….”

The use of social media worldwide might be a major asset in proclaiming the message. The mobile phone is owned by huge numbers around the world, enveloping every country and continent, and could well be a significant part of how the gospel message will go out and be received by the world.

We continue to state the following in the above-mentioned Q&A:

“The Work of God will be short in these end times, and God says that He will finish the Work and cut it short in righteousness (compare Romans 9:28)…”

In addition, we state this in our Q&A, “Who is to warn the leaders of the world? (Part 2)”:

“A warning must be given, and God expects and requires of His Church to do so… Today, the task of the watchman has been given to God’s Church, and we had better fulfill God’s command to warn the leaders and the people of coming disaster, unless they repent. This warning is being proclaimed today for everyone who is willing to see, hear and read… This end-time commission to warn the leaders and the people has been given to God’s Church today. But of course, it is prophesied that most will not listen, as they refused to listen to the prophets of old in ancient times.”

That the Church WILL indeed fulfill God’s commission to preach the gospel, which includes an emphasis of keeping His Law, and to proclaim a warning message of disaster to the rulers and nations because of their sinful conduct can be seen by the fact that the Church will be hated by all the people in the entire world.

Christ told us in Matthew 10:22-23:

“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

Christ repeats this end-time prophecy in Matthew 24:8-13:

“All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

When we are hated by all nations for Christ’s name sake, this implies that the Church has become known to all nations for it to be hated by all of them.

At the time of Paul, certain Jews claimed that the Church, through its teaching, had “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6), and that “concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere” (Acts 28:22). Paul says in Romans 10:18: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” He says in Colossians 1:23 that the gospel “was preached to every creature under heaven.” It was even said by Christ’s enemies about Him that “the world has gone after Him!” (John 12:19).

At that time, this had not literally occurred, but these are also prophetic sayings, which would be fulfilled in the future, and especially in our time.

We also read that the Apostle John, while being imprisoned on the isle of Patmos, was given a little book in a vision with the command to prophesy again about or to many peoples, tongues, nations and kings. There was no practical way for John to actually go to all those nations to proclaim to them God’s Word. Similar commands had been given to the prophets of old. While Ezekiel dwelt with the other Jews as captives in Babylon, God told him in a vision to go to the House of Israel to proclaim to them God’s Word.

By that time, the House of Israel had been taken captive by the Assyrians many years before; Ezekiel would have been unable to travel to Assyria to bring God’s message to the House of Israel. Similar commands were given to ancient Jeremiah and ancient Isaiah. It would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to physically deliver God’s message to all those nations.

We understand, of course, that the commission was primarily intended for the end time, and that God’s servants in our time were commissioned to proclaim the messages given to the ancient prophets. Still, John, Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Isaiah did receive orders from God, and they would not have dared not to carry them out. So what did they do, and how did they fulfill their responsibilities?

They WROTE DOWN what God told them, and God preserved their writings so that they could be read by everyone throughout the ages. The Old and New Testament prophets became worldwide “celebrities”—most everyone has heard of their name, but many did not and do not like what they proclaimed.  

As we will see, the same applies, to an extent, to the Church of God in our time.

We are told that Isaiah worked as a prophet and a minister for at least 40 years and perhaps as long as 64 years. Jeremiah is assumed to have worked for 40 years, but most do not take into account that he travelled with the daughters of the last Jewish King Zedekiah to Ireland where he ministered; he worked therefore longer than only 40 years. We are told that Ezekiel worked for 22 years. During all that time, they did what God had instructed them to do, and their commission did not last only for a few months or years. And as we said above, their writings are still available today.

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, the former human leader of the now defunct Worldwide Church of God, worked as a minister for over 50 years, from about 1933 or 1934 until his death in 1986. He wrote many booklets and books, produced many recorded sermons and radio and television programs, and he visited many leaders and dignitaries. Even though dead, what he did lives on in our memories, and most of it can be found, in one way or another, on the internet.

The Church of the Eternal God came into being in 2001, with the declared goal to uphold and teach that “The major doctrines of the Church are those, which were taught by Herbert W. Armstrong, derived from the Biblical teachings as followed by God’s faithful servants, and originally established by Jesus Christ through the founding of His Church in the time of His chosen early apostles. Since we are to increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, we are committed to review and alter any of our teachings, if and when proven to be wrong by the Bible.”

We are committed to this goal and have tried to faithfully carry it out. And so, all our literature is posted on the Web; and so are all our audio and video messages. We have been in operation a little bit longer than Ezekiel, but much shorter than Isaiah and Jeremiah, or Mr. Armstrong. The point being, God has given His Church an allotted time to do the Work. And that Work will produce fruit. It always will, if it is of God.

As we stated before, when talking about the Church in this Q&A, we speak about the Body of Christ, consisting of all Christians in whom God’s Spirit dwells. We recognize that in addition to the Church of the Eternal God and its international affiliates, there are others who also claim that they have continued to uphold the true faith as revealed to Mr. Armstrong. As Jesus said, each will be known by their behavior and works:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:15-20).

This test applies to all who claim to be doing God’s Will.

People will remember what they might have heard, or they will be led to the Church’s literature and recorded messages at the appropriate time. Word will spread, and many won’t like what they will hear and read. Then it will become true that God’s Church will be hated by all nations in all the world. This does not mean that each and every individual member will be known by everybody, but they will be hated by association when it becomes known that they are part of this “crazy” and unpopular “unchristian” “Jewish” Church—and that especially, since anti-Semitism will reach unparalleled heights.  

We also read that in the end time, Two Witnesses will proclaim God’s Truth. They will obviously be part of the Body of Christ, and their teaching will be in line with the teachings of the Church which had been proclaimed before for many years. People will recognize this, and they will connect the dots. Most will hate the Two Witnesses, and as they see the connection between them and the Church, they will hate the Church even more than they had already before.

The Two Witnesses will begin their public proclamations at the beginning of the Great Tribulation which will last for 3 ½ years. There will be those who recognize their teaching as being in line with what the Church had been teaching before, and they will become converted. They will be protected by God from the great and terrible Day of the Lord—a one-year time period which will begin 2 ½ years after the beginning of the Great Tribulation. But realize the impact which the Two Witnesses and the Church will have: 144,000 Israelites will become converted along with a great multitude from all nations “which no one can number” (Revelation 7:9).

Inasmuch as no one can become converted unless God draws them, God is obviously blessing the Church’s labor of the proclamation of the gospel in all the world, and a mass calling will occur before Christ’s return. God has been involved with the Church’s efforts all along. Even just prior to Christ’s return, we see God’s continued involvement, as mentioned in Revelation 14:6-7:

“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth–to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people–saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’”

Even then, God and His angels support the proclamation of the gospel message through His Church and the Two Witnesses. The Scriptures are clear that all of that will occur. God will reveal, in due time, how exactly He will bring it about.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“The End of the American Empire?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

The USA is no longer united, but divided as never before in its recent history. Some have already spoken about the end of America. Why is this the case? In this program, we are listing many subjects, which, taken together, paint an extremely disturbing picture. Immigration raids, the Iran-Israel war, tariffs, rule by executive order and travel bans are just a few of the examples which we are discussing. 

“Der Zusammenbruch Amerikas?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topic as described above.

“A Bride for Isaac” is the latest video in our Bible Story Series on YouTube.

“How to Love God and Man,” our new booklet written by Brian Gale and Norbert Link, has been sent to the printer.

“Krankheit und Heilung, Was uns die Bibel sagt!” is the title of a new German booklet. This is a translation of the English booklet, “Sickness and Healing – What the Bible Tells Us,” and it has been sent to the printer.

“Gottes Warnung an die Herrscher dieser Welt,” is the title of this Sabbath’s German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “God’s Warning to the Rulers of This World.”

“Wie mit Zorn umgehen?” last Sabbath’s first split sermon, presented by Robert Muhr, has been posted. Title in English: “How to deal with anger?”

“Die Entrückung dem Herrn entgegen – ein Schutz vor der Trübsal?” last Sabbath’s second split sermon, presented by Jens Herrmann, is now posted. Title in English: “The Rapture to the Lord – A Protection from Tribulation?”

“People of Truth,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Paul Niehoff, is now posted. Here is the summary:

The sermonette is to show how important truth is to God and if we do not live by it, then we will not be in the Kingdom of God.

“PsyOps,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Kalon Mitchell, is now posted. Here is the summary:

PsyOps is a military term that has found its way into mainstream usage. The usage of psychological warfare has been around for a very long time. What does this have to do with Christians? How are we affected by the PsyOps of this world? Is there anything that we can or should do to deal with the issues that arise from PsyOps?

On June 14, 2025, Paul Niehoff will present the sermonette, titled “,People of Truth,” and Kalon Mitchell will present the sermon, titled, “PsyOps.”

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.

When Jesus was standing before Pilate, He made the comment that He was born and came into the world that He should bear witness to the Truth, and that everyone who is of the Truth hears Him. Pilate then asked a question sarcastically, without wanting an answer, “What is truth?” (Compare John 18:37-38.)

That is actually a very good question. What is Truth? How can we know that what we know is the Truth? Where does Truth come from? How should we handle the Truth?

To Pilate, Truth depended on what was politically expedient at the time. What gave him favor with those he was pleasing.

Even to historians, Truth varies or becomes colored, depending on who has commissioned the writing of historical events. If a history book put a current king of that time in a bad light, the historian may not have lived to see his book published.

So what is Truth? I found a number of definitions, of which I will quote a few:

–The true or actual state of a matter

–Conformity with fact

–A verified or indisputable fact or reality

–Honesty, Integrity

–Accuracy

–Agreement with a standard or original.

This last definition is very useful, and it will be mentioned later.

How do we know that we have Truth when many religions say they have “truth” and their “truth” is different from what we believe? Is it because of our superior intelligence? Are we so smart that we can work out logically what Truth is?

When I think about Church members, myself included, I recognize people who are fallible, people who make mistakes, people who are human, subject to error. We are not the most intelligent people in the world, even as God tells us, “not many wise according to the flesh” are called (compare 1 Corinthians 1:26). So it is not our intelligence that enables us to know the Truth.

In fact, it is because we know that we are fallible that we can come to know the Truth. We are willing to admit that what we previously thought we knew, before our conversion, may have been wrong, especially about God and His Church. Because of that, we can change when the Truth is pointed out to us.

Many really intelligent people who know they are intelligent find it very hard to admit error. It hurts their pride too much to admit that they could be wrong.

But what is more important than knowing we are fallible, and being willing to change, is that real Truth can only come by God’s inspiration. Once we have that inspiration from God, we can prove that the Bible is His Word, for instance, by means of fulfilled prophecy. We can also prove God exists by the facts of science and the wonders of creation.

So without God’s inspiration, we cannot know the Truth about the meaning of life, or of any spiritual Truths like, Why are we here? What are we? What does the future hold? How can we attain eternal life?

So to understand these Truths, we have to admit that we are human and subject to error. We need to change, again, which God makes possible as He grants repentance (see 2 Timothy 2:25), and we need God’s Holy Spirit, and then we can know the Truth.

God gives us much instruction about handling the Truth.

Actually, in this world, there are people who do get to the bottom of a matter. People conducting inquiries like judges or lawyers. These people also know that humans are fallible. The majority of the information people relate is exaggerated, colored, misinterpreted, based on assumptions, or just altogether false.

These judges and lawyers know that in order to arrive at the actual truth of the matter, diligent inquiry is necessary to sift fact from falsehood. They know that what the majority believe or what “they say” may not be true.

If you say something to them, they may ask you, “How do you know that is true? Did someone tell you or did you see the event yourself? Is it effectively hearsay or is it something you are fully aware of and know to be a fact? Can you prove it?”

This is how God instructs us to handle His Truth. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells us to “Test all things; hold fast what is good,” or as the Authorized Version says, “Prove all things.” Don’t believe anything without proof, even things we may have believed all our lives. Be willing to change when proven wrong.

Romans 12:2 tells us: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” We have to prove that God’s Way is better than the way of the world, and be changed to live that Way. We must not just assume because someone tells us, but make a diligent search into God’s Word and into His promises, to see what is really true.

Let us look again at that last definition of Truth, “Agreement with a standard or original.” We remember that Christ said in John 17:17, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” The Bible is the standard for spiritual and moral Truth and that should be what we compare Truth against. Anything that does not match up is not God’s Truth.

Looking at the first recorded human sin, Adam and Eve had God’s Word, the Truth that if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they would die, but Satan deceived Eve with a lie. She did not compare Satan’s words with God’s Truth. And once one lie is believed, it is easier to accept other lies and be totally deceived.

In the love chapter, we can read that the righteous man rejoices in the Truth (compare 1 Corinthians 13:6). The first part of the armor of God is to have your waist girded with Truth (see Ephesians 6:14). Truth is protective against being deceived and led astray by Satan or evil spirits.

So we need to walk in the Truth, studying it so we can rightly divide it. But God gives a very important warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-13: “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish…” Why? “…because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”

So, to please God, we must believe the Truth, which is of course, God’s Truth. But even more so, we must have the love of the Truth. We must cherish the Truth, seek it diligently and apply it in our lives every day.

Remember, God’s Word is Truth.

by Norbert Link

We report on [sometimes violent] protests against the Trump immigration policy which started in Los Angeles but are now spreading throughout the land. This development has been described as “extremely dangerous”  warning of an impending “civil war.”

In other news, we speak on the Biden health coverup which has been characterized as “worse than Watergate.” We also address the speculation that Washington had perhaps planned to humiliate German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his visit to the Oval Office. Please view in this regard our message, titled, “Trump Meets Merz—What Happened Behind the Scenes? Comments on News and Prophecy, June 7, 2025.” 

We conclude by focusing on Germany’s move towards compulsory military service and its military goals. Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Why Should YOU Be Concerned? Conscription in Germany!”

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

LA Protests: Trump’s National Guard Move Sparks Legal Concerns 

Newsweek wrote on June 8: 

“Federal immigration enforcement operations sparked protests across California for a second day in a row on Saturday. [They continued on Sunday.] ICE carried out raids in Paramount, Los Angeles County, following similar actions at several locations throughout other parts of city on Friday. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the move [to send 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles], saying that local law enforcement was already mobilized and the presence of the National Guard was ‘purposefully inflammatory,’ would ‘escalate tensions’ and ‘erode public trust.’ 

“On Saturday, the White House ordered the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles under a provision called Title 10 to ‘temporarily protect ICE and other United States government personnel who are performing federal functions.’ The National Guard is a state-based military force that serves as both a state and federal reserve branch of the U.S. Army and Air Force.

It typically operates under state command and is funded by the state. However, in some cases, troops may be assigned to federal missions while still under state control, with funding provided by the central government. 

“The law referenced in Trump’s proclamation allows National Guard troops to be placed under federal command, and permits this under three conditions: if the U.S. is invaded or faces the threat of invasion; if there is a rebellion or imminent rebellion against federal authority; or if the president is unable to enforce federal laws using regular forces. The memorandum from the White House reads: ‘To the extent that protests or acts of violence directly inhibit the execution of the laws, they constitute a form of rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States.’ 

“However, the law also stipulates that such orders should ‘be issued through the governors of the states.’ It is not immediately clear if the president can activate National Guard troops without the order of that state’s governor… The Trump administration has not invoked the Insurrection Act, according to anonymous U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters this weekend. The act of 1807 serves as the primary legal authority allowing a president to deploy the military or National Guard during times of rebellion or civil unrest. 

“… After Trump announced he was deploying National Guard troops on Saturday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said other measures could follow. Hegseth wrote on X that active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton, south of Los Angeles, were on ‘high alert’ and could also be mobilized ‘if violence continues.’” [Newsom called the potential deployment of US Marines in his state “deranged”.] 

BBC News added on June 8: 

“Trump’s decision to federalise the National Guard, which is normally under state control, is unusual. The military force’s website says it was brought under federal control using Title 10 of the US Code – the same law Trump used – during the Civil Rights era. 

“Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson used the National Guard to help enforce civil rights and keep public order. The Guard was also federalised during the 1967 Detroit riot, in riots after the killing of Martin Luther King Jr in 1968, and during the New York postal strike in 1970 

“… the last time a president federalized the National Guard was during the 1992 LA riots… after four white police officers were acquitted over the videotaped beating of a black motorist [Rodney King].” 

All of this will lead to more and more legal challenges in court. 

“Frightening Actions” by the Trump Administration 

The Guardian wrote on June 8: 

“US national guard troops began to deploy in downtown Los Angeles after an immigration crackdown saw police use teargas on protesters in a move that has sent shockwaves through American politics... The order… marks a stunning escalation in a broad crackdown on immigrants in the United States following raids across the country which have triggered protests… many critics have feared [something like this] might happen during his second administration amid fears that the US is sliding into authoritarianism… 

“Tom Homan, Trump’s ‘border czar’,… warned that immigration enforcement will continue ‘every day’ in Los Angeles….  ‘I don’t care if they like it or not.’… 

“During afternoon protests at a downtown federal detention facility on Friday, David Huerta, the president of the California branch of the Service Employees International Union, was arrested. Huerta, who was injured and detained, released a statement to the Los Angeles Times from the hospital, saying, ‘Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals. We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice,’ he added.” 

Huerta Charged… For What? 

The Associated Press reported on June 9: 

”Federal prosecutors have charged California [SEIU] union leader David Jose Huerta with conspiring to impede an officer… In a court affidavit, a homeland security agent wrote that a ‘law enforcement officer approached Huerta and told him to leave, then put his hands on Huerta to move him out of the way of a vehicle’… The agent said Huerta pushed back and the officer pushed Huerta to the ground and arrested him. 

“The SEIU has planned a rally in Los Angeles for Monday. ‘We demand David Huerta’s immediate release and an end to these abusive workplace raids,’ April Verrett, SEIU’s international president, said in a statement.” 

It’s getting more and more ridiculous… 

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 8: 

“Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, told the Los Angeles Times that by overriding Newsom’s authority, Trump ‘is using the military domestically to stop dissent.’ 

“‘It certainly sends a message as to how this administration is going to respond to protests. It is very frightening to see this done,’ he added.” 

Violence and Mayhem 

Daily Mail wrote on June 8: 

“The Los Angeles Police Department warned rioters on Saturday night that the use of non-lethal munitions has been authorized… The threats to use force came as activists set cars on fire and threw rocks and flaming projectiles at the authorities…. On Saturday, amid chants for ICE agents to get out, some protestors waved Mexican flags while others set a US flag on fire. 

“Cement blocks and overturned shopping carts from Home Depot served as crude roadblocks… Smoke rose from burning shrubbery and refuse in the street, and demonstrators kicked at a Border Patrol vehicle.” 

The New York Post wrote on June 8: 

“Dramatic footage of a masked protester on a dirt bike waving a Mexican flag as he performs donuts around a blazing car in Los Angeles has become a symbol of the anti-ICE riots in the city.

The drone footage of the masked protester went viral after it was shared on X — and many observers say it gives President Trump a propaganda coup as he works to round up and deport migrants from LA and other sanctuary cities. 

“Further pictures from demonstrations show protestors waving the flags of Palestine, and one demonstrator stands on top of a blazing car with a flag from the impoverished African nation of Burkina Faso… ‘This is like the perfect propaganda footage for Trump and Steven Miller. Why do people do this?’ Australian political observer Drew Pavlou [wrote]…” 

Social media is speculating, without evidence, that all of this has been staged by Trump. But it is a known fact that many times, peaceful demonstrations are being infiltrated by violent elements. That is why Christians should stay away from those demonstrations.

Newsom Is Threatened With Arrest 

NBC News wrote on June 8: 

“Tom Homan, Trump’s appointed border czar,… warned that the governor and L.A.’s mayor could be arrested… 

“The Trump administration appointee has previously stated that efforts to impede ICE operations could result in arrest. He said that neither Newsom nor Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both Democrats whom he accused of creating ‘a sanctuary for criminals,’ were exempt from that prospect. ‘I’ll say about anybody,’ Homan said. ‘It’s a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It’s a felony to impede law enforcement from doing their job.’” 

This might be an idle threat, but if it were to be carried out, more violent protests would be the consequence. 

Technically, Homan’s statements regarding the law may be correct, even though this is clearly a controversial statute. What makes Homan’s statements troublesome is the fact that he declared earlier that only aliens with criminal convictions would be the subject of the deportation policy, and that there might just be a little bit of “collateral damage.” This was quite clearly not true as many aliens being arrested are those who are undocumented or who have overstayed their visa, without having committed any crime beyond being here illegally. The anger in the USA is growing. 

Newsom Responds to Homan 

The New York Post wrote on June 9: 

“California Gov. Gavin Newsom added fuel to the fire after daring President Trump’s border czar Tom Homan to arrest him for failing to crack down on violent anti-ICE agitators in his state. ‘Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy,’ the defiant Democrat told NBC News on Sunday… 

“‘But you know what? Let your hands off 4-year-old girls that are trying to get educated. Let your hands off these poor people. They’re just trying to live their lives, man. Trying to live their lives, paying their taxes. Been here for 10 years. The fear, the horror… These guys need to grow up. They need to stop, and we need to push back. And I’m sorry to be so clear, but that kind of bloviating is exhausting. So, Tom, arrest me. Let’s go,’ he added.” 

Newsom will become more and more popular among Democrats. His assumed goal is to run for the Presidency in 2028.

California Sues Trump 

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 9: 

“California Governor Gavin Newsom said California will sue the Trump administration over its deployment of the National Guard to quell Los Angeles protests. Newsom told MSNBC that the lawsuit would challenge the president’s move to authorize federal troops without the state’s consent. 

“‘Donald Trump has created the conditions you see on your TV tonight. He’s exacerbated the conditions. He’s, you know, lit the proverbial match. He’s putting fuel on this fire, ever since he announced he was taking over the National Guard — an illegal act, an immoral act, an unconstitutional act,’ Newsom said…” 

Judge: Trump’s Action Illegal

Threadreader wrote on June 12:

“Judge Breyer orders Trump to return control of the National Guard back to California, saying the call-up was illegal… Breyer stays his order until noon tomorrow, which should be enough time for Trump to seek emergency appeal at 9th Circuit and perhaps Supreme Court.”

The judge granted Newsom a temporary restraining order and enjoined Trump from deploying members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles.

Glendale Ends ICE Detention Contract 

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 9:

“The City of Glendale in Los Angeles County has canceled a contract that allowed Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to house detainees in its local jail… ICE’s agreement with Glendale has been in place since 2007. 

“Even before the recent anti-ICE protests, the city faced criticism from community members and activists who argued that the collaboration violated California’s sanctuary laws. California is a sanctuary state, meaning state and local law enforcement agencies are barred from assisting federal civil immigration officers.” 

“What You Need to Know About the Riots in Los Angeles” 

Bild Online wrote on June 10: 

“… at Trump’s direction, the US Department of Defense mobilized 2,000 additional National Guard troops for deployment in the West Coast metropolis—and 700 Marines from the regular armed forces. Trump had already mobilized 2,000 National Guard troops over the weekend in a highly unusual and controversial move. So, a total of 4,000!… 

“Downtown L.A. is a war zone: anarchy, looting, vandalism. US flags are being set on fire. ‘Death to America’ is being sprayed on walls. At the same time, the political feud between Trump and Gavin Newsom is escalating… 

“The beginning of the US federal authorities’ deportation offensive was associated by many with a dramatic moment: A white van drove into the parking lot of a Home Depot store in Los Angeles. Suddenly, someone in a group of day laborers shouted, ‘La Migra!’ – ‘Immigration and Customs Enforcement!’ Masked agents from the ICE deportation agency jumped out of the vehicle, and people fled in all directions. According to eyewitness accounts, the officers ‘attacked whoever they could catch’… These and similar raids were interpreted as the prelude to a large-scale deportation offensive by the federal authorities. The outrage spread like wildfire, especially in Los Angeles County – home to the largest Hispanic community in the USA. About 50 percent of the population there is Latino, and around 10 percent live without papers… 

“Donald Trump’s ‘border czar,’ deportation commissioner Tom Homan (63), however, disagrees: The raids are said to have taken place as part of the investigation into gang violence. ‘These were not migrant raids,’ he said on MSNBC. According to the federal agency, those arrested were illegal immigrants convicted of, among other things, violence against children, manslaughter, or sexual abuse… 

“At first, it was migrants and activists, encouraged by local politicians, who wanted to blame Trump for the chaos. However, extremists from progressive groups quickly joined in – Israel haters with Palestinian flags, ‘Black Lives Matter’ agitators, and especially ‘Antifa’ rioters. Antifa, as so often, forms the core of violent perpetrators: They wear black, paramilitary outfits and have tools for breaking out concrete blocks as projectiles… NGOs, especially the ‘Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles’ (CHIRLA), have also been criticized… 

“Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass (71) assert that local security forces can restore calm: But the LAPD is dramatically understaffed with just 8,620 police officers – with the riots at multiple hotspots, there is a lack of police everywhere.” 

KTLA wrote on June 8: 

“Protests over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and the deployment of the National Guard boiled over on the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday as demonstrators blocked the 101 Freeway and surface streets, set cars ablaze, and lobbed projectiles at law enforcement… throwing concrete, bottles and other objects… Later in the evening, CHP officers on the 101 Freeway came under assault from rocks, fireworks and other objects thrown by agitators on a bridge.”  

And the Raids and Protests Will Go On… 

The New York Post wrote on June 11: 

“ICE tactical units are gearing up to conduct raids in five Democrat-led areas… The tactical units are set to deploy into New York City, Philadelphia, northern Virginia, Chicago, and Seattle… Previous ICE raids led to distressing scenes in downtown Los Angeles after protests quickly escalated into full-blown riots over the last five days. 

“Newsom condemned Trump’s decisions during an emotional televised address Tuesday night, when he likened the president’s actions to those of an ‘authoritarian’ regime… ‘If some of us can be snatched off the streets without a warrant, based only on suspicion or skin color, then none of us are safe. Authoritarian regimes begin by targeting people who are least able to defend themselves. But they do not stop there… California may be first — but it clearly won’t end here. Other states are next… There are no longer any checks and balances. Congress is nowhere to be found. [House] Speaker [Mike] Johnson has completely abdicated that responsibility…’ 

“While the California governor spent most of his address attacking Trump, he pleaded with protesters not to turn to violence and claimed authorities have arrested ‘more than 370 people’ who participated in ‘criminal behavior’ and are actively looking to take more into custody… 

“As law enforcement continues to try to get the chaos in the city under control, other parts of the US have begun to see an uptick in unrest, with anti-ICE protests sprouting up in New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco. Thousands of  angry New Yorkers took to the streets near Foley Square in the shadow of City Hall to protest the Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations going on in the city and throughout the country on Tuesday… In Chicago, thousands of people marched downtown and eventually clashed with police…”

The Guardian added on June 10: 

“Large rallies also took place in Dallas and Austin on Monday, and up to 1,800 protests are planned nationwide on Saturday, to coincide with the military parade Donald Trump is throwing on his birthday in the nation’s capital.” 

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbot has already ordered state National Guard troops deployed to San Antonio in anticipation of immigration protests this week. 

Trump to Liberate Los Angeles? 

Newsmax wrote on June 11: 

“President Donald Trump called protesters in Los Angeles ‘animals’ and ‘a foreign enemy’ in a speech at Fort Bragg on Tuesday as he defended deploying the military on demonstrators opposed to his immigration enforcement raids and as he vowed to ‘liberate’ the West Coast city… Trump’s intense comments came as he has left open the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, one of the most extreme emergency powers available to the president. It authorizes him to deploy military forces inside the U.S. to suppress rebellion or domestic violence or to enforce the law in certain situations… 

“The president called Los Angeles ‘a trash heap’ with ‘entire neighborhoods under control’ of criminals… 

“Trump said earlier Tuesday that there would be more immigration raids and that any additional protests would be met with even greater force, including those who show up at the parade.”

He also said that Europe should learn from what Trump is doing regarding immigration and should act likewise. 

Civil War?

The Mirror wrote on June 9: 

“Americans fear civil war is beginning right before their eyes as L.A. protesters and police clash… 

“Writing on X, one user said, ‘…sadly LA looks like a scene from the 2024 Civil War movie,’ while another user asked: ‘Is the US now in de facto civil war or is that not yet what they call it?’ Others said they fear L.A. is the ‘beginning’ of a wider civil war across the U.S….” 

Time Magazine wrote on June 8: 

“… the ACLU condemned Trump’s decision, calling it ‘akin to a declaration of war on all Californians… We intend to file suit and hold this administration accountable and to protect our communities from further attacks.’… Daniel Kanstroom, a professor at Boston College Law School, says that this is an ‘incredibly dangerous’ moment in America… Trump’s tactics, he says, have only worsened this crisis. 

“‘When you have agents apparently arbitrarily arresting people, pulling them off the street without showing a warrant, without explaining who they are, without being respectful, then this creates a sense of terror and fear in the community, and that tends to result, sooner or later, in a kind of resistance, which is what we’re seeing develop,’ says Kanstroom.”

Trump Admits Error?

Otus wrote on June 12:

“President Donald Trump said Thursday that he may create a carveout to his mass deportation efforts for hospitality and farm workers.

“After facing criticism over immigration raids that picked up people who have lived in the U.S. for years, Trump said the White House is looking at executive action that would exempt employees of some farmers and hotels from the administration’s sweeping immigration enforcement push.”

This is all Trump’s doing and should not have happened in the first place. Also, effective June 12, Trump terminated humanitarian parole for about 450,000 aliens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Their work authorization was revoked—contributing further to the destruction of America’s economy.

Trump’s Fury Backfires

The New Republic wrote on June 11:

“The media has it wrong. Trump is not coming across as fearsome and strong… With President Donald Trump sending more troops into Los Angeles amid protests there, a remarkable image has gone viral on social media. It shows members of the National Guard crowded into a sterile-looking office, sleeping on a hard floor, in evident discomfort, all dressed in full military gear.

“The image doesn’t just reveal awful planning for this dispatching of troops. It also captures the deeper absurdity of this entire operation: These members of the military were supposedly needed to quell an urgent emergency, but as it has turned out, they were simply not needed for this purpose at all…

“The Wall Street Journal… says that in May, top Trump adviser Stephen Miller told Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials that Trump was displeased with lagging deportation numbers. Miller told ICE officials that they are not merely supposed to target gang members and violent criminals, and instead must ‘just go out there and arrest illegal aliens.’ It’s this order that inspired the ICE sweep at a Home Depot in Los Angeles that led to where we are right now, reports the Journal.

“… by definition this entails targeting day laborers—that is, going after people who want to work and whose labor is in demand, meaning it inherently constitutes the opposite of hunting for dangerous criminals. Worse, Trump and Miller are not just neglecting serious criminal migrants to target more noncriminals; to do so, they’re also actively shifting law enforcement resources away from other serious crimes, from drug trafficking to child exploitation…

“And polling data shows that while generalized deportations sometimes poll well, majorities do not support removals of longtime residents, noncriminals, and people with jobs. Voters want a law-based, orderly immigration system, but they don’t harbor Trump-Miller’s deep ideological hostility to the mere presence of undocumented immigrants…”

ABC Correspondent Suspended After Attacking Stephen Miller 

The New York Post wrote on June 8: 

“ABC News’ senior national correspondent Terry Moran [went] on a late-night screed against top White House adviser Stephen Miller along with President Trump on social media — drawing scathing backlash from the Trump administration. 

“Moran… blasted Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, as a man ‘richly endowed with the capacity for hatred’… ‘He’s a world-class hater,’ the ABC News reporter added… ‘He eats his hate… Trump is a world-class hater. But his hatred [is] only a means to an end, and that end [is] his own glorification. That’s his spiritual nourishment.’ 

“ABC News announced Sunday that it was suspending him over concerns about him violating the outlet’s standards on impartiality and objectivity. ‘ABC News stands for objectivity and impartiality in its news coverage and does not condone subjective personal attacks on others. The post does not reflect the views of ABC News and violated our standards — as a result, Terry Moran has been suspended pending further evaluation,’ a spokesperson told The Post. Moran later deleted his posts, but not before they were screen-shotted and spread across X like wildfire… Moran’s tirade against Miller came as tensions boiled over in Los Angeles… During this time, Miller publicly ripped the riots as an ‘insurrection.’… 

“The ABC news correspondent hasn’t been shy about weighing in on some of the politically dicey subjects he covers. Last November, Moran explained that he predicted Trump would win in 2016 and 2024. ‘The way to understand Trump (as I said on ABC Election Night 2016) is to see him not as a Republican or Democrat, not as a conservative or liberal, but as a Nationalist,’ he posted on X last November. ‘And, like many nationalist leaders, he is a man with an authoritarian cast of mind and a personality to match,” he added, noting that he was ‘not endorsing any political point of view.’ 

“In April, Moran notched a highly coveted interview with Trump for his 100 days in office milestone. The two had sparred over Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador and alleged ties to MS-13. In December, ABC paid $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit Trump brought against the news network over George Stephanopoulos’ use of the word ‘rape’ to describe the civil sexual abuse judgement against Trump in a case brought by E. Jean Carroll. Trump has denied wrongdoing in that case.” 

Subsequently, Disney’s ABC fired Moran on Tuesday. One may ask what was really behind ABC’s actions. The explanation given by ABC is laughable and not believable. It needs to be stated that Miller is perceived by many as a highly controversial figure whose rage has been broadcast even on conservative channels like Fox News.   

Biden Cover-Up Worse Than Watergate

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on June 5, 2025: 

“For years, Jake Tapper, the leading newsreader for CNN, has been very unfair to and very biased against Republicans in general, and to President Trump in particular. Now, in an attempt to restore some of his lost credibility, he has written a new book with Alex Thompson of Axios about the Biden health cover-up. He apparently is embarrassed and/or feels guilty about all he did in a very partisan way to try to keep a very unhealthy Joe Biden in office as president, but I will give him credit for now admitting to some extent how wrong he was. Of course, he is putting most of the blame on the White House staff… 

“He said: ‘Alex and I are here to say that conservative media was right and conservative media was correct and that there should be a lot of soul-searching, not just among me, but among the legacy media.’ In an interview with Piers Morgan, Tapper said the cover-up of Biden’s health by the White House, aided by Tapper and most of the national media, was ‘maybe even worse’ than the Watergate scandal… 

“Tapper’s book apparently says that Biden’s inner circle ‘couldn’t believe how easily (the media) swallowed campaign lies’… Much of the mainstream media was doing everything it could to protect and promote Biden… In the summer of 2023, the New York Times reported that ‘people who deal with him regularly, including some of his adversaries, say he remains sharp and commanding in private meetings’ and ‘he has at times exerted striking stamina.’ 

“His two young press secretaries said at different times they were having trouble keeping up with him and that videos shown by Fox News and other conservative media were ‘deep fake.’ Yet, several months before the election, the Biden campaign tried to film a town hall meeting to use on TV ads, but they couldn’t use it because, according to the Tapper book, Biden ‘couldn’t put together coherent thoughts.’ The book also said Hunter Biden was ‘effectively chief of staff.’” 

The cover-up was indeed outrageous and constitutes embarrassing testimony for the political agenda of the mass media. 

Was a Coup Planned in Washington Against German Chancellor? 

Der Westen wrote on June 5: 

“Former ‘Bild’ editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt could have caused the bombshell of the day. Many press representatives from Berlin had already anticipated an unpleasant surprise for Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office. Possibly even a scandal! Just as with the visits of Volodymyr Zelenskyy or South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Would Trump want to expose and humiliate his guest from Germany? 

“When Reichelt was suddenly spotted in the White House, speculation began. The controversial head of the far-right portal ‘Nius’ was not traveling to Washington as part of Merz’s press delegation. 

“So it was clear that Reichelt was smuggled into the White House by the Trump side. For an appearance to attack Merz in the middle of the US capital in front of the press? That freedom of expression was supposedly restricted in Germany or that the AfD is being suppressed by the state? Trump’s vice president, JD Vance, struck a similar tone months ago at the Munich Security Conference. Vance appeared to be sitting on the sofa, lurking with anticipation. 

“But things didn’t go according to plan for Reichelt. His appearance briefly caused a stir online, but he didn’t get a chance to ask Trump or Merz a question… ‘Welt’ journalist Robin Alexander, who was present in the Oval Office himself, reported… : ‘Julian started a question in which the word “freedom” appeared, but was drowned out…’ The journalist was unfortunate enough to be seated in the second row, thus not in Trump’s direct line of sight.” 

Handelsblatt wrote on June 5: 

“Surprise guest in the White House: ‘Nius’ editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt is the only German journalist who was not part of the Merz delegation present in the Oval Office. A total of 18 people from the Merz delegation, including journalists, were granted access to the Oval Office. Reichelt managed to attend outside of official channels. His presence underscores two developments: the White House is placing increasing emphasis on the influence of right-wing media – and: official channels are becoming less and less relevant for networking and access.” 

Merz had been warned before his trip not to fall into the trap, like Zelensky had done, which might be prepared by Trump, especially in regard to the issue of freedom of speech and the press in Germany. Trump asked twice at the end of the press conference whether there weren’t any questions for Merz—was this the set-up? But the other journalists made so much noise, maybe intentionally so, that Reichelt was not heard. And only one asked a question of Merz. The other one asked something of Trump. And then Trump ended the press conference with his good friend Friedrich. 

After the meeting, Merz said that the issue regarding the AfD did not come up, not even in his private talks with Trump,  because the Trump Administration “must have recognized by now how problematic the AfD is.” He also reiterated that it is Germany’s responsibility, and Germany’s alone, as to how to deal with the AfD. But this issue is not off the table. 

The American Dream—Gone! 

TTW wrote on June 9: 

“Australia now stands firmly beside Canada, Mexico, Germany, the UK, Spain, and South Korea in a growing movement to cancel trips to the United States. The shift is loud, deliberate, and impossible to ignore. These countries aren’t just reducing travel—they’re choosing easier, safer, more welcoming destinations. And the US once the dream, is now the detour. 

“Australia is walking away. Canada is turning inward. Mexico is rerouting. Germany, the UK, Spain, and South Korea are all following suit. The travel tides are changing fast. But why now? Why all at once? 

“The truth is hidden in plain sight. It’s in the headlines. It’s in the airports. It’s in the anxious conversations of travelers second-guessing their plans. And now, it’s becoming a global pattern… 

“Australia’s love affair with U.S. travel is fading fast. Once a top destination for Aussie tourists, the United States is now facing a major pullback. Flights are being rebooked. Itineraries are being torn up. And travel dollars are being redirected toward countries that feel safer, friendlier, and more predictable… the impact on America’s tourism industry is quickly becoming undeniable. 

“The warning signs have been building for months. Across travel forums, group chats, and travel agencies, Aussies are voicing the same concerns. Getting into the U.S. feels like a gamble. The visa process is stressful. Border experiences are unpredictable. And recent policies have created a climate of anxiety and hesitation. Moreover, Australia’s travelers are highly informed. They watch the global news, follow political shifts, and study how tourists are being treated. And what they see coming out of the U.S. in 2025 is turning them away. 

“Aggressive airport checks. Talk of tariffs and trade feuds. Headlines filled with cultural tension. It all adds up. The perception is clear: visiting America no longer feels like a holiday—it feels like a risk… 

“For the U.S., this trend couldn’t come at a worse time. Just as the industry was inching back toward pre-pandemic levels, international travel is stalling. One market at a time… The decline is not just inconvenient. It’s financially devastating. 

“While the U.S. struggles to retain interest, other regions are thriving. Japan, South Korea, Italy, Greece, and Portugal are seeing a surge in Australian tourists… European destinations are capitalizing on America’s decline by offering cultural depth, visa-free access, and streamlined travel infrastructure… 

“Campaigns like ‘Visit the USA’ are falling flat in Australia. Instead, travelers are being drawn in by digital influencers, local tour deals in Europe and Asia, and a growing awareness that the U.S. trip they once dreamed of may no longer be worth the cost—or the worry… With Canadians, Mexicans, and now Australians pulling back, the trend is global. It signals something deeper: America’s image as a traveler-friendly nation is being questioned…” 

Trust in Trump Government “Completely Gone” 

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on June 10: 

“… the wild optimism that greeted the inauguration of Trump has turned to something different, a mixture of incredulity from the grassroots combined with outrage and disgust from the legacy media and establishment that fought this revolution at every turn… The new leaders – elected to change course…, began with tremendous bravado and sweeping edicts that seemed promising. Four months later, they are asking for patience while dealing with legacy barriers on all sides from media harassment to court blockages.  

“The trouble is that public trust is completely gone. The whole country, traumatized by years of lies [under Biden], has become Missouri: show me.  

“First, no one believes that the ‘one big beautiful bill’ is just a first step on the way to future draconian cuts. We’ve seen this too many times, which is why Elon Musk finally broke his silence and denounced the entire ‘massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill’ as ‘a disgusting abomination.’ That has set off a power struggle for the ages.  

“Second, in areas of government transparency, there have been some steps but not nearly enough to fulfill the promises. There are still no new Epstein files. The JFK files are a mess and incomplete. We know no more than already public information about the two shooters who tried to kill Trump. There are still many lingering questions about 9-11, the Covid disaster, and so much else. This is not the opening for which the people had hoped.  

“Third, let’s talk more at length about the public health area of policy where we’ve seen the most progress. We have a new and excellent Executive Order on science. Tax-funded Covid testing has ended. A contract of $750M for a Bird flu shot has been cancelled. There are new limits on gain-of-function research, and experiments on beagles and other animals are over. Many terrible contracts from NIH have been cancelled while parts of the CDC have been dismantled… 

“Above all else, what we really need is the blunt truth about the last five years. We need to know that the people in office, whether elected or appointed, still share the deep outrage that fueled the movement that put them in power. We need to hear frank talk about the harms, the mandates, the suffering, the deceptions, the payoffs, the graft, the abuses, the illegal vanquishing of freedom, science, and human rights.  

“It is not enough to proclaim a new Golden Age and be done with it. This pertains to every aspect of public life. Press conferences by the new officeholders, with smiles and promises of better behavior in the future, don’t cut it given the mass loss of trust, rampant cynicism, and grassroots fury. There must be more straight talk, more decisive action that goes to the heart of what happened, and some degree of accountability…” 

Israel Attacks Iran

The Jerusalem Post wrote on June 13:

“Dozens of Israeli aircraft participated in an initial wave of strikes on dozens of military targets and Iranian nuclear sites early on Friday morning. Warning sirens have been set off to get the public ready for potential Iranian counterattacks of ballistic missiles on Israel.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Iran is gearing up to produce tens of thousands of ballistic missiles, which could kill millions of Israelis even without nuclear weapons, but imagine if any of them had nuclear weapons on them. Further, Netanyahu stated Iran may only be a few months away from being able to actually make a nuclear weapon…

“In recent days, Iran developed a plan with Hezbollah, Hamas, and other proxies to destroy the State of Israel, potentially including attempts to attack via all borders, including Egypt and Jordan… Israel has had strong coordination with the US, but Israeli military officials refused to say whether America was pre-updated or fully coordinated into the current attack, coming hours after Washington seemed to suggest it might not be in the loop or approve… ‘Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,’ Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.”

Tusk Wins Confidence Vote 

Deutsche Welle reported on June 11: 

“Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk won a parliamentary vote of confidence in his pro-European government on Wednesday, just days after a stinging presidential election defeat… [The] inability to deliver on key reforms — which also includes abortion rights — despite holding a parliamentary majority, has been a dark cloud over Tusk’s government… 

“In Poland, the prime minister, chosen by parliament, holds most day-to-day power, while the president, as the head of state, can influence foreign policy and veto legislation… Opposition leaders had seized the moment to signal Tusk’s downfall. Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro told reporters, ‘The lost presidential election is the end of Donald Tusk. His fate is already sealed.’” 

Maybe not… 

Germany to Introduce Compulsory Military Service? 

DPA wrote on June 6: 

“The head of the organization that represents Germany’s armed forces personnel has called for the reintroduction of compulsory military service. André Wüstner, from the Bundeswehr Association, said on Friday that Germany’s new coalition government should start laying the groundwork now for the possible reintroduction of conscription. In an interview with the Deutschlandfunk radio station, Wüstner also called for voluntary military service to be made more attractive in order to achieve increased NATO targets. 

“He expressed doubts that it would be possible to recruit up to 60,000 additional men and women for active duty on a voluntary basis alone. He added that he could almost predict that a review would be necessary in the middle of the legislative period and that a switch to some form of compulsory military service would then be necessary… In view of the threats Germany faces, speed is needed to increase the number of active soldiers from 181,000 to 260,000, he argued. 

“… Defence Minister Boris Pistorius had recently made it clear on several occasions that the voluntary nature of military service agreed by the coalition only applies if the demand can be met in this way… 

“On Thursday, NATO defence ministers in Brussels agreed on the largest rearmament programme since the Cold War in response to the threat posed by Russia.” 

Compulsory Military Service is coming, even though many Germans don’t (want to) believe it. 

Germany’s Military Goals 

Oema wrote on June 5: 

“Germany in 2025 is changing. Under the leadership of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the country is undergoing the most radical reorientation of its military policy since the end of World War II.  Merz’s goal is clear: to turn the Bundeswehr into ‘the strongest conventional military force in Europe.’ This statement, as noted in an article by The Economist, is not merely symbolic. It reflects Berlin’s new self-confidence and its intention to assume a leadership role in European security at a time when Russia is once again threatening the continent and the United States is no longer seen as a guaranteed defender of European defense. 

“The most striking evidence of this shift was the military ceremony on May 22 in Vilnius. For the first time since 1945, German armored units were permanently stationed abroad, forming the ‘Lithuania’ Brigade as part of Berlin’s NATO commitment. The symbolic weight of this move is immense. For decades, German politicians avoided such actions, mindful of World War II memories and a deeply ingrained societal stance on military restraint. But today, the facts are changing. 

“Berlin’s pivot comes with significant investments. Merz and the Defense Ministry have pledged to dramatically increase the defense budget in order to renew the arsenal, boost readiness, and fill personnel gaps. At the same time, the industrial sector is being strengthened: new orders for Leopard tanks, missile systems, and electronic defense systems are activating German defense manufacturers. At the core of this strategy lies the desire for strategic autonomy—not only for Germany, but for all of Europe. 

“However, transforming the Bundeswehr is no easy task. Military infrastructure remains outdated, staffing shortages are widespread, and public support is not a given. German society remains divided. Some welcome Merz’s decisiveness and believe the country must shoulder greater responsibility. Others fear that expanding the military’s role could stir tensions, especially with the historical burden of the past still fresh. 

“What’s clear is that Germany is not merely aiming for defensive sufficiency. It seeks a strategic role, power, and influence within Europe’s security architecture. And if Merz’s plan succeeds, Berlin will not only be able to defend itself but also lead Europe both politically and militarily. Germany’s new military might is no longer a ghost of the past—it’s the foundation of a different geopolitical reality unfolding before our eyes.” 

Indeed it is. 

No Peace Between Russia and Ukraine 

Newsweek wrote on June 9: 

“The Ukraine war won’t end until NATO withdraws troops from the Baltics, a top Russian official has warned… [Sergei] Ryabkov’s comments mark a shift in the Kremlin’s position. He suggested that the conflict’s roots lie not only in Ukraine itself but in NATO’s eastward expansion… NATO maintains a strong military presence in the Baltic States, with multinational battle groups and brigades stationed in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia… 

“The Kremlin had said Ukraine must abandon its ambitions to join NATO as a condition for ending the war, but Ryabkov appeared to signal to Tass that the alliance must withdraw completely from the Baltics as well… Moscow and Kyiv will continue to launch strikes on each other’s territory, with the war in Ukraine showing few signs of a peace deal in the near future.”

What Germans and Russians Think…

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 5: 

“The vast majority — 84% — of those [Germans] surveyed thought that Russia could not be relied upon, and 73% said the same of the US. Israel was also classified as no longer reliable by a clear majority. Only 16% of respondents still regarded Israel as a partner that Germany can rely on — an 11% drop compared with October 2024… The Israeli course of action in Gaza has gone too far, according to 63% of respondents, while 18% thought it was appropriate. 

“Seventy-seven percent of respondents thought it was right that Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Israel for its current military conduct in Gaza. Only one in eight thought Germany should unconditionally support Israel in the Gaza conflict… Almost exactly as many respondents blame Israel for the situation faced by Palestinian civilians in Gaza as blame Hamas… 43% supported restricting weapons exports to Israel, and a further 30% wanted a complete stop… 

“Forty percent of those surveyed were satisfied with the [German] coalition’s first few weeks in office… Friedrich Merz of the CDU has gained considerable popularity since taking office as Germany’s chancellor. Of those surveyed, 39% were satisfied with his work, up 14% since April. Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil of the SPD, also has a 39% approval rating. The only high-profile German politician who most citizens are satisfied with remains Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD).

How easily gullible Germans can become deceived and manipulated…At the same time, most Russians consider Germany as their greatest enemy, followed by the United Kingdom and Ukraine. They consider Belarus, China, India and North Korea as their greatest friends. These “friendly” countries, together with Russia, would all be part of the prophesied Kings of the East. 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

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

Inasmuch as none of the political and religious leaders of our nations will repent of their sins and stand in the gap to tell the people to repent of their sins and turn to the true God, calamity will follow. What a contrast to the king of Nineveh who, responding to Jonah’s warning, repented of his evil deeds and told the people to do likewise.

Notice God’s pronouncement in Isaiah 63:4-5:

“For the day of vengeance is in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, And I wondered That there was no one to uphold; Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; And My own fury, it sustained Me.”

God’s Church must be different. A warning must be given, and God expects and requires of His Church to do so. And so, God demands of His Church to plead the cause of the needy and to show the leaders of our nations and the people following our leaders their sins with the hope that they will repent and turn. Isaiah 58:1 says:

“Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.” 

He continues to list some of those sins—brutal and violent conduct; disregard of the poor and needy; as well as Sabbath-breaking. This warning message of impending disaster, because of the sins of the leaders and the people, is to be proclaimed by God’s Church, like the blowing of a loud and mighty trumpet. 

We read in Ezekiel 33:2-7:

“Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’ So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.”

Today, the task of the watchman has been given to God’s Church, and we had better fulfill God’s command to warn the leaders and the people of coming disaster, unless they repent. This warning is being proclaimed today for everyone who is willing to see, hear and read. Again, God’s commission to His Church is stated in Ezekiel 3:17-19:

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”

Jeremiah repeats this commission to God’s Church, but also points out that most will not listen. We read in Jeremiah 6:17-19:

“Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ Therefore hear, you nations, And know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people– The fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not heeded My words, Nor My law, but rejected it.”

Also notice Isaiah 48:6, charging His Church with declaring what  God reveals to it: “You have heard; See all this. And will you not declare it? I have made you hear new things from this time, Even hidden things, and you did not know them.” Also note verse 20: “Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! With a voice of singing, Declare, proclaim this, Utter it to the end of the earth…”

Yes, God’s people are commissioned to leave the evil systems of this world, and to admonish others to do likewise. God’s people are not supposed to be part of the world. But they are in this world, shining as lights among an evil and adulterous generation.

When God told Jeremiah that He had ordained him a prophet to the nations, He commanded: “Therefore prepare yourself and arise, And speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, Lest I dismay you before them. For behold, I have made you this day A fortified city and an iron pillar, And bronze walls against the whole land– Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, And against the people of the land. They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,’ says the LORD, ‘to deliver you’” (Jeremiah 1:17-19).

Jeremiah spoke first to the people, but they did not listen. So he concluded: “Therefore I said, ‘Surely these are poor. They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD, The judgment of their God. I will go to the great men and speak to them, For they have known the way of the LORD, The judgment of their God.’ But these have altogether broken the yoke And burst the bonds” (Jeremiah 5:4-5). 

A devastating example of the rebellion of the leaders and the people of our nations can be found in the end-time prophecy in Psalm 2:1-12. We read:

“Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD [God the Father] and against His Anointed [Jesus Christ; in Hebrew: Messiah], saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens [the Father] shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: ‘Yet I have set My King [Jesus Christ] On My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The LORD [the Father] has said to Me [Jesus Christ], ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son [Jesus Christ], lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”

We see how the leaders and nations of this world are in total defiance of God—the Father and the Son—and none of that will change until Christ returns to this earth to establish the Kingdom and government of God, thereby replacing all human kings and rulers. They had received the warning and admonition from God, but as it is prophesied, they chose to ignore them.

Still, God told Jeremiah—and He tells us today—to continue warning the rulers and the people of terrible disaster which would strike them (Jeremiah 5:20-21: “Declare this in the house of Jacob And proclaim it in Judah, saying, ‘Hear this now, O foolish people, Without understanding, Who have eyes and see not, And who have ears and hear not…’”).

The rejection from the leaders and the people did not stop Jeremiah or the other prophets to continue proclaiming God’s warning. 

The prophets of old were charged to tell the leaders with whatever means available to them that they were doing wrong. John the Baptist did the same later when he told Herod that he was living in adultery. In Revelation 10:11, John is given a little book with the admonition, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” This verse can also be understood that he had to proclaim a warning message before, concerning and against many peoples, nations, tongues and kings. Inasmuch as this is an end-time prophecy, this commission is given to God’s end-time Church. 

This includes, preaching against fighting in war. We read in Isaiah 28:6 that God gives “strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” Also note Isaiah 54:15: “… they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake.” The Good News Translation says: “Whoever attacks you, does it without my consent; whoever fights against you will fall.” This is why Christ says that we will perish by the sword if we take the sword to fight (Matthew 26:52; also note Revelation 13:10).

It also includes not voting in elections for our leaders. This should be self-evident when considering how God views them, and we are admonished to abstain from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Note also Hosea 8:4:  “They set up kings, but not by Me; They made princes, but I did not acknowledge them…”

This end-time commission to warn the leaders and the people has been given to God’s Church today. But of course, it is prophesied that most will not listen, as they refused to listen to the prophets of old in ancient times. In fact, we read in Micah 2:11: “If a man should walk in a false spirit And speak a lie, saying, ‘I will prophesy to you of wine and drink,’ Even he would be the prattler of this people.” In other words, he would be the kind of prophet whom the people would like to have and listen to.

Also note God’s words in Ezekiel 33:30-33:

“As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

Still, this must not discourage or prevent us from proclaiming what we are called to do, thereby following God’s direct commission to the Church—realizing that this is part of the Work of God which God has given us to carry out. 

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“Why Should YOU Be Concerned? Conscription in Germany!” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

While America tears itself apart internally, an unnoticed external enemy is emerging that will ultimately contribute to America’s downfall and destruction. We speak of Europe under German leadership. The debate in Germany about the return of conscription is only one, albeit necessary, piece of the bigger puzzle. Germany’s true ambitions are not seen or recognized by most observers.

“Warum SIE besorgt sein sollten—Wehrpflicht in Deutschland!” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

“Krankheit und Heilung—Was uns die Bibel sagt!” the German translation of our English booklet, “Sickness and Health—What the Bible Tells Us!”  has been sent to graphic designer Shelly Bruno in preparation for printing.

“Das Murren des Volkes Gottes—Früher und Heute,” last Sabbath’s first split German sermon presented by Andreas Rätz, is now posted. Title in English: “The Murmuring of God’s People—Then and Now.”

“Die Tiefe von Gottes Wort,” last Sabbath’s second split German sermon presented by Daniel Blasinger, is now posted. Title in English: “The Depth of God’s Word.”

“Trump Meets Merz—What Happened Behind the Scenes? Comments on News and Prophecy, June 7, 2025,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Was it planned to embarrass and humiliate German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his visit to the Oval Office? If so, why did it fail? And why did journalists during the press conference refuse to ask Merz important questions regarding Germany’s clear attack on freedom of speech and the press?

“Don’t Be Deceived,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Michael Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Is it ok to lie at any time for any reason, whether considered “innocent” or serious?  Are we strong enough to stand up for the truth in any given situation where many would take the “easy way” out by lying about it?  How can we avoid being deceived and making sure that we don’t mislead others?