On January 28, 2023, Kalon Mitchell will present the sermonette, titled, “Submit to God,” and Brian Gale will present the sermon, titled, “Bible Gems, Part 2.”

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.

“If only I could win the lottery”… I’m sure many of us have told ourselves this and perhaps have even bought a ticket or two hoping that we would be the lucky ones to win the jackpot, especially when the prize is extraordinarily high.  We think about what we could do with all that money, how our financial problems will be solved, how we can help our families, the brethren and the church, and so on.  “If only we could win the lottery,” so we might say, and hasten to add, “IF that is what God wants…”

The odds of winning the lottery are very small and almost impossible when looking at the percentage.  Here in the U.S., it is estimated that 1 in 292 million has a chance to win the Powerball jackpot by getting all 6 numbers correct as well as the Powerball number.  In the past 7 years, there have been incredible jackpot amounts of over a billion dollars due to the fact that lottery officials adjusted game rules and ticket prices to pump up the top prizes.  So far, the largest jackpot was at $2.04 billion on November 7, 2022.

In an article by cbsnews.com, it was stated that “the likelihood of one person winning it all is vanishingly small. Statistically speaking, a Powerball player has a far better chance of being attacked by a grizzly bear at Yellowstone National Park — about 1 in 2.7 million, according to the National Park Service — or of finding a blue lobster in the ocean (1 in 2 million).

“The best number-picking strategy is to have no strategy at all. A computer randomly generates the winning digits… better to use a random ticket number generator — also known as quick picks — because those machines better match what the Powerball might do.”

There have been stories of winners who were not prepared to have so much money, leading to bad decisions, and the pressures and stress were far too large.   Their lives were not as glamorous as they were hoping for and still remained unhappy, if not worse.  Money could not buy them happiness.  Trying to live a quiet and peaceful life is hardly the case, as they are now the center of attention and everyone wants a piece of their pie.

Again, for those of us who haven’t won, we tell ourselves, “If that was only us, what we would do with that money and how happy we would be, how we would do things differently.”  Is that what God wants? Perhaps we think we are prepared to take on the challenge for we have the knowledge and insight on how to handle our wealth in a wise way, using biblical principles and God’s blessings (compare Proverbs 10:22; 21:20).  Unfortunately, many who are not prepared would find themselves in a mess.

Winning the lottery is most likely not our destiny, but something far more significant is, and if we want to compare percentages to how many people in the world are truly converted and have been set aside by God for His purpose of salvation, it is most likely only a fraction of a percent.  At the time of Noah, the percentage of those who were saved from physical destruction was far less than the possibility of winning the lottery today.

The opportunity for God’s people right now to be saved and to ultimately receive the greatest gift of all is predestined for us (compare Ephesians 1:3-6).  But this is ONLY the case IF we keep God’s commandments.  We do this and we are 100% guaranteed to be in His Family as born-again members and to have everlasting life (Matthew 19:17).

It will not be the odds of winning a lottery that will give us ultimate happiness; rather, it is the certainty of belonging to the very few in the world who have been called now for the potential of achieving everlasting life and being in the God Family which is a far greater blessing than anything this world has to offer.

By Norbert Link

We begin with Germany’s embarrassing debacle regarding its Leopard 2 tanks, and how the national and international pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz is growing to deliver those tanks to Ukraine. In this regard, please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Germany’s ‘Recalcitrant’ Policy With America’s ‘Acceptance.’”  Please also see this  program on Rumble.

We speak on Rumble’s decision to shut down in France; new unclean ingredients in Europe’s food; further discoveries of classified documents in President Biden’s private possession and the DOJ’s controversial conduct in this regard; the collusion of Team Biden and Big Tech to censor and suppress voices questioning their political narrative; and George Soros’ troublesome connections with the left-wing mainstream media.

We speak on Donald Trump’s warning for Republicans; Saudi Arabia’s policy towards Israel; and the feeling that a major controversy between Biden and Netanyahu is inevitable.  

We close with the Church of England’s position towards the LGBT movement; the opinion that severe winter storms in the USA are a punishment from God; and the Pope’s declaration that proselytizing is pagan.

No Deal re German Leopard Tanks

The following articles set forth, chronologically, the recent development pertaining to Germany’s Leopard 2 tanks.

NBC News reported on January 20, 2023:

 “Defense leaders meeting at a U.S. air base in Germany on Friday failed to resolve divisions over providing advanced battle tanks to Ukraine after more than five hours of discussions about sending more military aid to the embattled country in its war with Russia. The defense minister of Poland, which has pledged a company of 14 Leopard tanks on condition that other countries also supply them, said 15 countries that have the German-made Leopards discussed the issue but no decisions were made…

“Germany would need to consent for the tanks to be given to Ukraine, which is not a member of NATO. Despite pleas from Ukrainian officials, Germany has so far resisted mounting pressure to quickly supply Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv, or at least clear the way for other countries, such as Poland, to deliver them from their own stocks. The U.S. has resisted providing its own M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, citing extensive and complex maintenance and logistical challenges with the high-tech vehicle. Washington believes it would be more productive to send German Leopards since many allies have them and Ukrainian troops would need less training than on the more difficult Abrams.

“U.S. and German officials have given mixed signals about whether Germany is hesitant to provide the Leopards unless the U.S. provides Abrams tanks. A U.S. official familiar with White House thinking reiterated that Germany has expressed hesitance to providing its tanks without the U.S. sending Abrams. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the Biden administration deliberations, added that there was some bewilderment in the administration over the German position, since Britain, another NATO ally, has already agreed to provide tanks. But Steffen Hebestreit, a spokesman for the German government, denied that Berlin demanded that the U.S. supply Abrams tanks alongside any shipment of Leopards…

“Ukrainian leaders and supporters of Kyiv have repeatedly criticized Germany for what they see as holding back critical assistance in the war..

“German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that while there was no resolution yet, ‘we will make our decisions as soon as possible.’ He said he had ordered the ministry to look into the tank stocks Germany has so he can be prepared for a possible green light and be able to ‘act immediately.’ Pistorius added that Germany will ‘balance all the pros and contras before we decide things like that. … I am very sure that there will be a decision in the short term but … I don’t know how the decision will look.’”

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 20: “US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Mark Milley expressed doubt that Ukraine would succeed in driving Russian troops out of its territory this year.”

Germany’s position has been sharply criticized by national and international observers, politicians and leaders, as the following articles show.

Germany in Disgrace

Die Welt wrote on January 20:

“The conference of Ukraine supporters is over and Germany is left in a state of disgrace. The new defense minister does not want to promise any tank deliveries, but wants to start by counting how many we still have. The last few months would have been enough time for that…

“After the arms summit at the US air base in Ramstein, the Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk sharply criticized the German government for blocking the delivery of main battle tanks. ‘It is a huge disappointment that Germany ducked the subject of leopards,’ said the former Ukrainian ambassador in Germany to WELT AM SONNTAG. ‘The fact that you still want to weigh things up is nothing but a disgrace,’ says Melnyk. Berlin is wasting valuable time with ‘questionable salami tactics’ in arms aid for Ukraine.”

Bild Online wrote on January 20:

“The CDU foreign affairs expert Johann Wadephul (59) is stunned: ‘We are witnessing Germany’s total failure on the international stage.’ He attacks Scholz directly: ‘Either out of stubbornness or cowardice, he leaves Ukraine hanging and leaves behind a pile of fragments.'”

“Germany Is Making Again a Fool of Itself”

t-online wrote on January 20:

“Discontent is growing: the Russian army is slowly advancing in eastern Ukraine, but Germany is counting its Leopard tanks first. A big disappointment…

“The endless debate on tanks has long since become an embarrassment for Germany internationally. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is seen as a brakeman in the discussion and does not manage to publicly state his reservations about tank deliveries. And the new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (both SPD) made statements at the Ramstein meeting that caused even more resentment and incomprehension…

“Factually and argumentatively, Pistorius’ statements are… a disaster… Pistorius announced that he would examine the Bundeswehr’s Leopard 2 stocks. He wants to get ahead of the situation and be ready if a decision is made to deliver the main battle tank.

“That is completely incomprehensible. The war has been raging since February 24, 2022, and soon, there was talk of surrendering tanks. Is the Bundeswehr only doing this test now or has it already taken place earlier? In the course of the 100 billion euro ‘special fund’ for the Bundeswehr, the Ministry of Defense must have taken stock. That is why the federal government’s initiative is probably one thing above all: playing for time.

“‘The impression that has occasionally been given that there is a closed coalition and Germany is standing in the way – this impression is wrong,’ said Pistorius.

“The German defense minister is indicating that other countries are also hesitant, not just Germany. But this statement is also extremely strange. There is currently no state that openly supports the Germans on the Leopard issue. Not all states that use the battle tank want to deliver it to Ukraine. But the German veto banning Poles, Finns and Spaniards from exporting their own leopards to Ukraine is a unilateral effort by the Scholz government. It has become lonely around Germany.

“In any case, the communication of the federal government is disastrous, no country jumps to Germany’s side. On the contrary: Great Britain, for example, is now supplying Western main battle tanks just to irritate Berlin…

“President Volodymyr Zelensky’s impatience [is] absolutely understandable… To have Ukraine… begging for tanks is unworthy. Germany has to put up with this accusation, even though it is Ukraine’s third-largest supporter. The alliance continues to look to Scholz on the tank issue – and is waiting for leadership.”

With Scholz and the traffic light government (“Ampel Regierung”), Ukraine—and Europe—can wait a long time for leadership.

 Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung wrote on January 20:

“If the federal government does not see itself in a position to deliver Leopards to Kyiv soon, the traffic light (“Ampel Regierung”) should at least give Poland and Finland the green light to pass on the same fighting machines from their stocks to Kyiv. There is backing from the US for this. And indecision eventually just seems like a farce.”

Südkurier wrote on January 20:

“For almost a year, Ukraine has been asking for main battle tanks. And for almost a year it has been put off by the federal government and put off with changing reasons. Not even the angry look from US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the NATO meeting in Ramstein can dissuade the Germans from their eternal tactics…

“No wonder the NATO partners are reacting with increasing irritation, above all the USA. The Chancellor is said to have coolly informed US President Biden that Germany would only deliver the Leopards if the US went ahead with their Abrams tanks. A little later, Pistorius rowed back – which suggests a harsh response from Washington.

“The rift is becoming more and more obvious. Is this what avoiding a German special path that Scholz is talking about looks like?”

Berliner Morgenpost wrote on January 20:

“It is disappointing that Germany is not promising Ukraine any Leopard tanks from its own stocks for the time being. The fact that Scholz announced that an examination of dispensable Leopard reserves at home would only begin now is unabashed – as if there hadn’t been enough time for that.

“But the culmination is that the federal government is even refusing to allow allies, for the time being, to export their Leopard tanks developed in Germany to the Ukraine: This is an unfriendly act that provokes a dramatic loss of confidence among the Allies. The continued hesitation is a strategic mistake. Germany had good reasons not to go alone in increasing arms aid. But now it actually stands alone among important NATO partners – as a procrastinator and brakeman.”

Pforzheimer Zeitung wrote on January 20:

“Germany, so the impression, is becoming increasingly isolated. And Scholz? As always, he refuses to make clear statements. The chancellor remains to be an evasive maneuverer („ein Mensch gewordenes Ausweichmanöver ”).

“But… Germany [does] far more for Ukraine… than is commonly assumed—both financially and in terms of arms deliveries. Nobody hears about that. Maybe that will change now with the new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Scholz’ weakness has long since meant that Germany has lost its reputation and is no longer considered a reliable partner. This has long-term consequences that go far beyond the war in Ukraine.”

Whether Germany under Scholz will ever get to the point where it will be viewed as a reliable European partner is doubtful. But a new German government will accomplish this in the future.

Germany Gives In, With Ridiculous Excuses

AFP wrote on January 22:

“Germany is ready to authorise Poland to send German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine to help Kyiv fight the Russian invasion if Warsaw makes such a request, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Sunday. ‘If we are asked the question, then we will not stand in the way,’ Baerbock told LCI television after a Franco-German summit meeting in Paris. ‘We know how important these tanks are and this is why we are discussing this now with our partners. We need to make sure people’s lives are saved and Ukraine’s territory liberated.’

“Baerbock, who represents the Greens in Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ruling coalition, said that Poland had yet to make a formal request. Her comments come as Berlin resists pressure from Kyiv to send some of its own stocks of the Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

“Poland has announced it is ready to deliver 14 Leopard tanks to Kyiv but Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he was waiting for ‘a clear statement’ from Berlin whether countries that have the Leopards can transfer them to Ukraine.”

Baerbock’s comments are more than embarrassing and laughable.

Poland Formally Requests Transfer of German Tanks to Ukraine

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 24:

“Poland’s defense minister says Warsaw has sent a formal request for Berlin to allow the transfer of German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine… Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki later said he would ask the European Union to reimburse the cost of the tanks… The German government confirmed it had received the request, with a spokesperson saying, ‘We will treat the proceedings with the urgency they deserve.’… Still, Berlin stopped short of granting permission for the transfer, instead saying a decision was imminent…”

Bild Online wrote on January 24:

“Now Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64, SPD) no longer has a choice – he has to make a decision: continue to procrastinate or deliver?… The pressure is great – not only from abroad. Opinions are also divided within the coalition: the FDP and the Greens don’t just want to allow other alliance partners to deliver their German tanks. They want to supply German tanks from German stocks themselves. The Chancellor and large parts of his SPD do not want that…

“The federal government could deliver 29 Leopard tanks to Ukraine – as early as the end of March!… said Rheinmetall boss Armin Papperger (59) in an interview with ‘Stern’… According to BILD information, Rheinmetall also has the right to buy back dozens more Leopards -2 tanks from Finland (100), Poland (142) or Italy. These too could be serviced and delivered within a short time – if the chancellor moves.”

Now It Happens Quickly: Germany to Approve Sending Tanks

Deutsche Welle reported on January 24:

“German news magazine Der Spiegel and others published stories on Tuesday evening saying that the government in Berlin had decided to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine… Spiegel magazine reported that the decision would involve sending at least one company of Leopard 2A6 tanks…

“One prominent German security observer, Ulrike Franke, wrote on Twitter that she was surprised to see this decision so soon after the Ramstein meeting of defense ministers less than a week ago. ‘… how and why was it impossible to make this happen for Ramstein? Sooo much broken porcelain to in the end arrive here,’ Franke… wrote in response to the news.”

Chancellor Scholz ridiculously claimed on Wednesday that his decision—or the lack thereof–was well-considered over a period of time. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the first Leopard 2 tanks could be delivered to Ukraine within three months.

Russia’s Angry Reaction

The New York Post wrote on January 24:

“Germany confirmed Wednesday it was sending battle tanks to help Ukraine in the war — which Russia called a ‘disastrous plan’ that it said was part of wider ‘blatant provocation’ led by the US… It is seen as a major turning point in Western support as it is the first supply of weapons that have a mainly offensive rather than defensive purpose…

“German military officials, meanwhile, noted the painful historic significance for Germany, given the horrors of World War II. ‘German-made tanks will face off against Russian tanks in Ukraine once more,’ said Ekkehard Brose, head of the German military’s Federal Academy for Security Policy…

“Recent opinion polls showed German voters split on the idea, and two opposition parties criticized the move. The far-right Alternative for Germany party called the decision ‘irresponsible and dangerous,’ saying that “Germany risks being drawn directly into the war as a result.’ The Left party also warned of a possible escalation in the conflict.”

The U.S. Sun wrote on January 24:

“One high-profile Putin mouthpiece demanded Berlin’s Bundestag parliament should be reduced to radioactive ash in retaliation. It comes after dithering German chancellor Olaf Scholz folded to international pressure and direct pleas from president Volodymyr Zelensky. He will now send a squadron of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, and allow Nato allies to re-export dozens more.

“The Kremlin today hit back saying any tanks supplied by Germany and the US will ‘burn like all the rest’. And raging Moscow TV pundit Yevgeny Satanovsky said warheads should be launched on the centre of German democracy.

“He said: ‘German tanks with crosses on their armour will again march across Ukraine attacking Russian soldiers. I have a natural reaction to this – the Soviet Union bombed Berlin in 1941. And to me this is a signal that the Reichstag, or Bundestag, which now replaces the Reichstag, simply should not remain standing any longer. Flat, slightly radioactive, melted-down ground [will remain in its place].’

“Another of Putin’s favourite propagandists, TV host Vladimir Solovyov, claimed it meant Germany had joined the war. He ranted ‘It’s time to send a clear, resolute message that we now consider Germany a direct party to the conflict, rekindling memories of World War Two. German tanks appearing [in Ukraine] will definitely mean we consider German territory, military bases and other sites as legitimate targets.’…

“Meanwhile, Joe Biden was poised to approve sending around 30 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine… It is a major reversal after Washington argued against sending its premier battle tank into the conflict with Russia…  However, despite the U-turn, it could still take months or even years for the tanks to be delivered.”

Germany’s Post-War Planning

TRT World wrote on January 20:

“In 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, Boris Pistorius was among many German politicians who opposed western sanctions on Moscow. Nearly a decade later, Pistorius is the new German Defence Minister, a job he has been thrust into amid Russia’s nearly year-long assault on Ukraine… Pistorius’ post, reportedly declined by several other politicians sounded out by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, is unenviable for different reasons, including the huge task of reforming the underfunded German military structure.

“…  the Russian attack on Ukraine ‘undermined’ the SPD’s soft approach toward Moscow, leading to a change of heart in many people holding senior positions in the leftist party, like Pistorius…

“While Pistorius had connections with political circles close to former Chancellor Gerhard Schroder –  a Social Democrat close to Russian President Vladimir Putin –  he is not pro-Russian… Pistorius is from a leftist political tradition that has long advocated good relations with Russia for political and economic reasons…  Pistorius’s appointment might signal that Germany seeks a kind of post-war realignment with Russia… Germany desperately hopes to see the end of the Ukraine war, and in that sense, Pistorius’s appointment might make perfect sense to lay out Germany’s post-war planning…”

Ukraine and Russia will unite, and Germany will try to create again a friendly relationship with them, but ultimately, it will not work out.

Bundeswehr to Become Most Powerful Army in Europe?

Euro Weekly News wrote on January 22:

“Boris Pistorius, the new German Defence Minister, on Saturday, January 21, announced his plan to turn the Bundeswehr into the most powerful army in the European Union… ‘Germany is the largest economy in Europe, so it should also be our goal to have the strongest and best-equipped army in the EU. However, this cannot be done in three years, it will take a few more years. My job is now to set the course for the turning point to succeed’, he told the news outlet [Bild am Sonntag].

“When asked by the German publication what resources the Bundeswehr needed most urgently, he responded: ‘Everything has to happen at the same time now: the procurement of weapons and equipment, the modernisation of the barracks, and the recruitment of personnel. Also, the troops have to feel that you trust them and are grateful for what they do.’”

Germans Still Pacifists?

The Local wrote on January 20:

“As Ukraine and Germany’s NATO allies wait on Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s decision about whether to send modern Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the German government has been accused of dragging its feet and wasting valuable time as more Ukrainians die in Russian attacks.

“Some political observers have argued that Scholz is simply following the will of German voters, who tend to have strongly pacifist tendencies, and would prefer he stay cautious on delivering tanks. But polls conducted over the last year show us a society that’s quickly changing its opinions on military force, and on supporting Ukraine with weapons.

“One recent poll by public broadcaster ARD finds a fairly even split among German voters on whether to send Ukraine tanks, with slightly more in favour (46 percent), than against (43 percent). To be sure, that signals that there’s still a sizeable pacifist tendency among ordinary Germans. But only one year ago, just before Russia invaded Ukraine, 73 percent of Germans were against sending any weapons—of any kind—to Ukraine at all.

“Things changed very quickly after the invasion, with 78 percent of Germans in one Forza poll at the time responding that sending weapons to Ukraine, particularly air defence, was the right thing to do.

“Recent polls do show that Germans are a little more reluctant to send heavier weapons—like tanks. But to have a slight plurality in favour of sending heavy-duty tanks when so many were against sending any weapons at all just a year ago shows just how much the invasion of Ukraine has changed German society… it’s getting harder to say that Germany is a pacifist society in general.”

Germany’s move to its militaristic past is only a matter of time.

Rumble Shuts Down in France

Western Standard wrote on January 21:

“Online video platform Rumble will be shutting down in France after the government demanded it remove Russian news outlets from the platform. ‘Users with unpopular views are free to access our platforms on the same terms as our millions of other users,’ said Rumble in a Tuesday statement. ‘Accordingly, we have decided to disable access to Rumble for users in France while we challenge the legality of the government’s demands.”’

“Rumble was founded in 2013 by technology entrepreneur Chris Pavlovski. It hosts a number of conservative public figures who have been censored by other social media platforms… Rumble said as part of its mission to restore a free and open internet, it has ‘committed not to move the goalposts on our content policies.’

“The statement said the decision will not have a material effect on the company, as France represents less than 1% of users. It said the French people will lose access to a wide range of videos because of the government’s demands…”

Thema News added on or about January 21:

“‘The French Government has demanded that Rumble block Russian news sources,’ [Rumble CEO Chris] Pavlovski said Wednesday. ‘Like Elon Musk, I won’t move our goalposts for any foreign government. Rumble will turn off France entirely (France isn’t material to us) and we will challenge the legality of this demand.’

“Pavlovski’s mention of Musk, the new owner of Twitter, referenced the billionaire’s refusal in March to block Russian news sources from his Starlink satellite internet service, which he provides free for Ukraine amid its invasion by Russia (At the time, Musk wrote: “Starlink has been told by some governments (not Ukraine) to block Russian news sources. We will not do so unless at gunpoint. Sorry to be a free speech absolutist.”)

“European nations have attempted to silence any pro-Russian news sources amid the war, which began in February. RT, the Moscow-controlled television network previously known as Russia Today, was essentially purged from western nations in the wake of the invasion. The European Union and Canada all banned the network, and it shut down U.S. production after major U.S.-based social media platforms blocked its content, cable and streaming services dropped its programming, and Apple and Microsoft removed its app from their offerings.

“While RT France and Sputnik were already banned from airing on television or online in France and elsewhere in the EU, they got around the sanctions by putting their content on social media platforms not based in the European Union.”

And Now… Newsmax Being Censored

Newsmax reported on January 25:

“At midnight Tuesday, AT&T’s DirecTV cut Newsmax’s signal, immediately shutting the network off from more than 13 million customers of the satellite service, DirecTV Stream, and U-Verse. This is the second time in the past year AT&T has moved to cancel a conservative channel, with DirecTV deplatforming OAN in April.

“Despite Newsmax being the 4th highest-rated cable news channel in the nation, a top 20 cable news channel overall, and watched by 25 million Americans on cable alone, according to Nielsen, DirecTV said it was taking the step as a ‘cost-cutting’ measure and would never pay Newsmax a cable license fee.

“DirecTV pays cable license fees to all top 75 cable channels and to all 22 liberal news and information channels it carries. Almost all of these channels are paid hefty license fees significantly more than Newsmax was seeking — and despite the fact that most of the channels have much lower ratings than Newsmax. ‘This is a blatant act of political discrimination and censorship against Newsmax,’ Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax said. ‘The most extreme liberal channels, even with tiny ratings, get fees from AT&T’s DirecTV, but Newsmax and OAN need to be deplatformed,’ Ruddy added.

“Last week, as news spread in Congress that AT&T DirecTV was moving to deplatform Newsmax, 41 Republican congressmen led by Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, sent a letter to the CEOs of AT&T, DirecTV, and hedge fund TPG Capital, the minority operator of the satellite system, warning of hearings.

“The members of Congress also demanded to know why conservative media was being targeted for censorship, with the letter noting the House is ‘deeply concerned about this undemocratic assault on free speech.’…

“AT&T DirecTV’s decision to drop OAN and Newsmax comes on the heels of a February 2021 letter written by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and then-Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Calif., demanding that cable and satellite TV providers explain their alleged role in the ‘spread of dangerous misinformation’ by carrying conservative networks. After the Eshoo and McNerney letter, in April 2022, AT&T removed OAN from DirecTV.

“About the same time, the Biden administration speedily approved AT&T’s proposed $43 billion merger of its WarnerMedia division with Discovery…

“As news reports indicated the likelihood of a Newsmax deplatforming Tuesday night, DirecTV representatives made false claims to the media about Newsmax and its negotiations. DirecTV falsely claimed to media outlets that Newsmax is asking for a fee but still wants to keep a free stream on OTT platforms…”

More Unclean Ingredients in Europe’s Food

Report 24 wrote on January 16, 2023:

“Looking at the ingredient list should be part of grocery shopping. EU citizens who do not want to ingest insects unknowingly should be particularly careful: the EU Commission has already approved four types of insects in different processing forms as ‘edible insects’. The most recent approval was on January 5: From now on, after mealworms, grasshoppers and crickets, the grainmold beetle (“Getreideschimmelkaefer”) can also be used as an ingredient in foods such as bread, soups, pasta, snacks, peanut butter and chocolate products…

“The mealworm received the first approval for a so-called ‘edible insect’ in June 2021…

“Where insects are used, there must be a statement on the packaging of the food that consumption may cause allergic reactionsin people with known allergies to crustaceans and mollusks and their products and to house dust mites (“Hausstaubmilben”).

“…In November 2021, approval followed for…frozen, dried and powdered…migratory locusts (Wanderheuschrecken”)…

“Since 2022 and 2023 respectively, the house cricket… has been permitted in various forms (frozen, dried and powdered)…

“[From] January 5… the grainmold beetle (“Getreideschimmelkaefer [is] [approved] in frozen, paste, dried and powdered forms.”

The article ending, “Klaus Schwab Says Bon Appetit!,” gives a detailed listing of which products may have any or all of these “food additives”. These include:

Cookies, pasta, bread, rolls, soups, sauces, sausages, salads, chocolate, nuts, crackers, peanut butter, meat preparations, and beer-like alcoholic beverages. A thorough review of the list of ingredients is recommended.

Conspiracy Between White House and Justice Department to Hide the Biden Scandal

Breitbart wrote on January 20:

“The plot to hide the scandal, initially designed by eight of Biden’s closest confidants with apparent approval from the Justice Department, was suddenly leaked to CBS News 68 days after Biden’s personal attorney unearthed the classified documents at the Penn Biden Center. It is unclear why or what Biden’s personal attorneys were originally seeking at the center funded in part by anonymous Chinese donations.

“According to the New York Times, there is suspicion within the White House about how the scandal became public after it had been tightly under wraps for weeks between Biden’s eight aides and the Justice Department. Despite the administration’s claims of transparency after the fact, those eight aides and the DOJ agreed to hide the scandal from the American people until it leaked to the press on January 9, sixty-eight days after the documents were unearthed by an unknown cause on November 2, the Washington Post reported Thursday.

“The president’s senior adviser Anita Dunn was initially ‘adamant’ about hiding the legal disaster from the press because ‘the only thing that would create legal exposure would be drawing public attention to it,’ the Times reported Friday. The plot to keep the scandal concealed from the public was further fueled because the aides worried ‘the very act of publicizing the discovery of the documents would create a political furor that would make the appointment of a special counsel unavoidable.’

“‘The quiet cooperation continued for weeks’ between the aides and the DOJ, which not only tried to obscure the scandal from public view but refused to divulge that the second trove of classified documents was already unearthed at Biden’s home in Wilmington when CBS News first contacted the White House about the initial leak of classified documents apparently illegally stored at the Biden Penn Center, according to the Post.

“Biden’s personal attorneys were not the individuals who sought to unearth more documents at Biden’s residence. The Times reported the widened search was demanded by the DOJ. After about 25 classified documents — some of which are top secret — were found between three locations, the DOJ appointed a special counsel, a move Biden’s aides reportedly were trying to prevent…”

This is SO perverse.

FBI Finds More Classified Documents

The Associated Press wrote on January 22:

“The FBI searched US President Joe Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware, on Friday and located six additional documents containing classified markings and also took possession of some of his notes, the president’s lawyer said Saturday.

“The president voluntarily allowed the FBI into his home, [later, the White House claimed that Biden’s attorneys requested the search] but the lack of a search warrant did not dim the extraordinary nature of the search. It compounded the embarrassment to Biden…

“Though Biden has maintained ‘there’s no there there,’ the discoveries have become a political liability… and they undercut his efforts to portray an image of propriety to the American public…”

… And Now Pence…

ABC News wrote on January 24:

“Classified documents have been found in the home of former Vice President Mike Pence and turned over to the FBI for review…  The revelation makes Pence the third high-profile official to have classified material discovered at their residence in recent months, after Biden and former President Donald Trump…

“Pence had engaged outside counsel on Jan. 16 to review records that were stored in his home… The materials seemed to have been ‘inadvertently boxed and transported’ to Pence’s home, [Pence’s attorney] wrote, and he had been ‘unaware’ of their existence…

“Pence previously told ABC News’ David Muir that he did not retain any classified information after leaving office… ‘There’d be no reason to have classified documents, particularly if they were in an unprotected area.’…

“Lawmakers on the Senate Intelligence Committee reacted more colorfully. Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va. [and] Florida’s Marco Rubio, the ranking Republican member… agreed there may be ‘systemic problems’ in how the executive branch deals with classified documents and over-classifications.”

The nonchalant attitude towards top secret documents of all involved (and possibly many more who have not been identified yet) is frightening.  

More Appalling Evidence—Team Biden Used Big Tech to Censor

On January 23, The New York Post published the following article by Jeff Landry (R), Louisiana’s Attorney General:

“… as we dig deeper into discovery in our Big Tech censorship case — Missouri and Louisiana v. Biden — we uncover ever-more truly appalling abuses of power that President Joe Biden’s director of digital strategy, Rob Flaherty, admitted come from ‘the highest (and I mean highest) levels of the’ White House.

“Such evidence proves the Biden administration is leveraging its power to coerce social-media companies to suppress the speech of thousands, if not millions, of Americans who disagree with its political narratives.

“Naturally, the First Amendment prohibits censorship. Yet the Biden team has worked to circumvent this fundamental constitutional protection by inducing, threatening and colluding with private companies to suppress speech. It’s illegal; but when Big Government enters into such a conspiracy with Big Business to violate your rights, it’s also known by another name: fascism.

“While that word may conjure up images of World War II, we must remember the horrors of that conflict’s end have blinded us to the subtlety of the start. And who needs to burn books when you have algorithms?

“Either way, totalitarianism cannot tolerate free thought or speech any more than a petulant Flaherty can tolerate a tech company showing even a moment’s hesitation at fulfilling Biden’s demands for increased censorship. When Facebook didn’t answer one of his emails in a chain demanding the company take down a Tucker Carlson video, after it told him ‘it does not qualify for removal,’ Flaherty sent a one-line followup: ‘These questions weren’t rhetorical.’…

“The trouble is totalitarianism requires a ruthless conformity and complete allegiance to the cause of the state without argument. That pattern of behavior, and utter contempt for our Constitution, is blatantly obvious in Flaherty’s hostile emails to Facebook, Twitter and Google.

“‘As we move away from a supply problem toward a demand problem,’ Flaherty wrote to seven employees of YouTube parent Google in April 2021, ‘we remain concerned’ YouTube ‘is “funneling” people into hesitance and intensifying people’s hesitancy’ about the vaccine…

“Flaherty knows what he’s doing is wrong… But that never stops him or other Biden officials from coercing, conspiring and colluding with tech companies in illegal conduct.

“He even uses some platforms to intimidate others, suggesting to Google he’s getting less pushback from other ‘platform partners’ of ‘similar scale’…

“No one is exempt, no matter [the] political party or creed. This administration is determined to control all flow of information and keep the populace ignorant to any message outside its chosen narrative.

“Tucker Carlson, who hosts one of the highest-rated prime-time cable-news programs, has been censored. Robert Kennedy Jr., a US attorney general’s son and a president’s nephew, has been censored

… our First Amendment… is the vanguard against fascism and totalitarianism. This is why our lawsuit is so important. It… reminds the world such dangerous threats to American liberty shall not be tolerated — not even if they come from Pennsylvania Avenue.”

George Soros the Most Dangerous Man in America?

The New York Post wrote on January 23:

“George Soros is the most dangerous man in America. The investor is intent on remaking the country in his liberal image, from our foreign policy priorities to undermining our criminal justice system…

“A new report from the Media Research Center has exposed connections between billionaire liberal financier George Soros and 54 prominent media figures. As documented by its authors, Joseph Vazquez and Dan Schneider, these include reporters, anchors, columnists, editors, news executives and journalists.

“The highest-profile media figures revealed to have connections to Soros, often due to them sitting on boards of organizations he funds, include:

“CNN’s Christiane Amanpour sits on the board of the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit investigative journalism group funded by Soros, that critics charge mainly targets Republican fundraisers. NBC’s Lester Holt, the Washington Post’s Sally Buzbee, Associated Press executive editor Julie Pace, and Reuters editor-in-chief Alessandra Galloni all sit on the board of the Committee to Protect Journalists, a Soros-funded organization that purports to defend the rights of journalists.

“CBS’s Margaret Brennan and CNN’s Fareed Zakaria serve on the board of the massively influential Council on Foreign Relations, a Soros-backed think tank specializing in US foreign policy.

“NBC’s chairman Cesar Conde is on the board of the Aspen Institute, a Soros-backed think tank. In recent years, it launched a left-leaning commission to combat so-called disinformation, and was implicated in the suppression of the New York Post’s Hunter Biden laptop story in the recently released Twitter files. NPR’s president and CEO John Lansing is connected by the direct funding Soros gives his publication.

“PolitiFact editor-in-chief Angie Dronbic Holan serves on the board of the Soros-backed International Fact-Checking Network, which has openly pressed Facebook to censor what it considers misinformation (i.e., anything that goes against the liberal narrative), and serves as the ‘high body’ for dozens of fact-checking organizations under its umbrella.

“And it shows in their coverage. Not only does Soros fund the media to push his radical-left agenda, his funding has the added effect of insulating him from criticism…

“During the Brett Kavanaugh hearings in 2018, the Soros-funded ThinkProgress called reports that  Soros was paying people to protest against then-President Donald Trump an ‘anti-Semitic conspiracy theory,’ and accused Trump himself of ‘getting in on the anti-Semitic action.’ Meanwhile, Soros was spending $5 million on the effort to thwart Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination, and his accuser Christine Blasey Ford’s lawyer Debra Katz was vice chair of the Project on Government Oversight, which has been directly funded by Soros’ Open Society Foundations.

“NPR has received nearly $2 million from Soros in the past to hire up to 100 new reporters. When Spanish language broadcaster Radio y Televisión Martí ran a 15-minute segment on the influence of Soros, warning that he has his ‘eyes on Latin America,’ NPR branded it ‘taxpayer-funded anti-Semitism against George Soros’…

“This ‘Any criticism of Soros is anti-Semitic’ narrative has naturally spread to other left-wing publications, such as the Associated Press, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and seemingly everywhere else. So mindless is this type of charge that one publication, Moment Magazine, accused the Jewish prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, of anti-Semitism for daring to criticize Soros.

“Soros went into overdrive in funding his media empire in the Trump era, with other research from the MRC finding that from 2016 to 2020, Soros dished out at least $131 million to influence at least 253 journalism and activist media groups to promote far-left views on abortion, economics, the police, environmentalism, LGBT ideology, and anti-Americanism. A common strategy for when those outlets report on any misdeeds of Soros is to frame the allegations as ‘conspiracy theories’ from people with sinister motives…

“Publications that employ journalists that also serve on Soros-funded boards include the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Baltimore Sun, CNN, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ABC News, the Sacramento Bee and countless more.

“Others will simply downplay any alleged wrongdoing or accept Soros’ counternarrative without question…”

Sebastian Kurz a Globalist?

Report 24 wrote on January 20:

“As is well known, Sebastian Kurz was and is a member of the WEF’s Young Global Leaders program and as such is considered a close confidant of Klaus Schwab. The extent to which he represents his agenda and concerns or how he represented it as Chancellor of Austria can only be speculated on, as there is of course no definitive evidence or an admission. Kurz was also active in George Soros’ important think tank, the European Council for Foreign Relations.

“So we can rightly consider him as a part of the globalist jet set. His visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos proves that this classification is correct. He openly shows on his Twitter appearance how well connected he is in the world of globalists…”

It is amazing what is all happening behind the scene, of which the in many respects “willfully ignorant” general public has no concept.

Trump: “Don’t Cut Medicare and Social Security”

Breitbart wrote on January 20:

“Former President Donald Trump warned Republicans not to vote for any cuts to social security or medicare as lawmakers spar over the debt ceiling. ‘Under no circumstances should Republicans vote to cut a single penny from medicare or social security to help pay for Joe Biden’s reckless spending spree, which is more reckless than anybody’s ever done or had in the history of our country,’ Trump began at the start of his latest campaign video, released Friday. He emphasized that Biden and the Democrats have ‘wasted trillions on left-wing lunacy’ and that they have ‘thrown open our treasury and our borders to migrants from all over the world.’

“‘While we absolutely need to stop Biden’s out-of-control spending, the pain should be borne by Washington bureaucrats, not by hardworking American families and American seniors,’ said the 45th president, adding that seniors have been ‘absolutely destroyed in the last two years.’

“On Friday, Trump highlighted that cuts could be made on a number of fronts, including cutting ‘hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars going to corrupt foreign countries,’ cutting ‘the mass releases of illegal aliens that are depleting our social safety net and destroying our country,’ ending radical gender programs in the military and nixing reckless funding on ‘climate change extremism.’

“‘Cut waste, fraud, and abuse everywhere that we can find it, and there’s plenty of it, but do not cut the benefits our seniors worked for and paid for their entire lives. Save social security, don’t destroy it,’ he warned.”

Hopefully, Republicans will heed this warning.

Trump Fines for “Frivolous” Lawsuit Against Clinton

Newsmax wrote on January 20:

“A federal judge on Thursday sanctioned former President Donald Trump and attorney Alina Habba nearly $1 million for filing a ‘frivolous’ lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and other Democrats. U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks of Southern Florida ruled that Trump, Habba and Habba Madaio & Associates were liable for $937,989 in the suit, which he dismissed in September. ‘This case should never have been brought,’ Middlebrooks, who was appointed by then-President Bill Clinton, wrote… ‘Its inadequacy as a legal claim was evident from the start. No reasonable lawyer would have filed it. Intended for a political purpose, none of the counts of the amended complaint stated a cognizable legal claim.’…

“In March, Trump sued Clinton, who was his opponent in the 2016 presidential election, and several other Democrats, alleging that they tried to rig that election by tying his campaign to Russia. Middlebrooks in November sanctioned Habba and three other attorneys for their handling of the since-dismissed lawsuit. They were ordered to pay a $50,000 court penalty, along with more than $16,000 in attorney fees to one of the named defendants in Trump’s lawsuit.

“In Thursday’s order, Middlebrooks ordered Trump and Habba to cover the legal costs for the 31 defendants linked to the lawsuit.

“The judge also called out Trump in the order… ‘Mr. Trump is a prolific and sophisticated litigant who is repeatedly using the courts to seek revenge on political adversaries. He is the mastermind of strategic abuse of the judicial process, and he cannot be seen as a litigant blindly following the advice of a lawyer. He knew full well the impact of his actions.’”

Without stating an opinion on the veracity of the judge’s decision, the fact that the judge was appointed by Bill Clinton raises more than an eyebrow and should perhaps have induced the judge to recuse himself as being potentially biased.

Trump’s Accuser Accused

The Washington Free Beacon wrote on January 23:

“Charles McGonigal, who led the FBI’s counterintelligence division in New York, is accused of violating U.S. sanctions on behalf of Oleg Deripaska, a Russian aluminum magnate with close ties to Vladimir Putin… McGonigal, who was arrested on Monday, allegedly received $225,000 from a former Russian intelligence officer while he was still employed by the FBI.

“The indictment marks a surprising twist given McGonigal’s involvement with the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign’s links to Russia. As a top counterintelligence official, McGonigal was one of the first individuals at the FBI to learn that a Trump campaign adviser had discussed Hillary Clinton’s emails with a foreign diplomat. The FBI opened its investigation of the Trump campaign based on that conversation, but later found no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

“McGonigal, who left the FBI in 2018, was involved in the bureau’s probe of Trump campaign adviser Carter Page… It is unclear what other involvement McGonigal had in the Trump-Russia probe. But that investigation also scrutinized Deripaska’s relationship with former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Manafort and Deripaska had business dealings in Ukraine and maintained contact during the 2016 campaign.

Deripaska also has ties to former British spy Christopher Steele, who alleged in an infamous dossier that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government to influence the 2016 election. The FBI relied heavily on Steele’s dossier for its investigation, but failed to verify the collusion allegations. Deripaska once hired Steele to work on a ‘research project’ on his behalf.”

Pelosi Summoned Priests for Exorcism

Breitbart reported on January 22:

“Nancy Pelosi summoned Catholic priests to perform an exorcism of her San Francisco townhouse to rid it of evil spirits, TMZ reported Sunday.

“The former Speaker of the House and her daughter, Alexandra, delivered the news in an interview with Maureen Dowd of the New York Times published Saturday…

“Pelosi has made a point of describing herself as a ‘devout’ Catholic, despite her wholehearted advocacy of abortion in flagrant opposition to Church teaching.”

Saudi Arabia Insists on Two-State Solution

The Times of Israel wrote on January 20:

“Saudi Arabia will not normalize ties with Israel in the absence of a two-state solution with the Palestinians, the kingdom’s top diplomat has said, according to a tweet by the foreign ministry on Friday.

“The comments by Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed normalization with Saudi Arabia in talks with White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Jerusalem on Thursday. ‘True normalization and true stability will only come through… giving the Palestinians a state,’ Prince Faisal told Bloomberg at the summit.”

Saudi Arabia (“Ishmael” in the Bible) will turn against Israel.

Controversy Between Biden and Netanyahu Inevitable

The Jewish News Syndicate (JNA) wrote on January 18:

“… with Netanyahu back in power, the pressure on Biden to start acting like his old boss Barack Obama and go to war with Netanyahu is getting harder to ignore… many Americans… like Biden… claim to love Israel but only on their own terms. They only think Israel deserves support as long as it obeys orders from Washington and acts as if it is a deep blue colony of liberal Jews living abroad, rather than a Jewish state filled with people with their own ideas, and who understand that they live in the Middle East and not the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

“… if there’s anything that we’ve learned about Biden’s presidency, it’s that he has steadily drifted to the left for fear of offending the activist and intersectional base of his party. That’s been evident on a host of issues, ranging from illegal immigration to his bending of the knee to the Black Lives Matter movement and the imposition of the hard-left’s DEI—diversity, equity and inclusion—-catechism throughout the government.

“For now, Biden is too committed to doubling down on an endless and unwinnable war in Ukraine to want to get drawn into a battle over who should govern Israel. But as the Israeli left turns up the volume on its anti-Bibi resistance effort, the idea that America has a ‘duty’ to save Israel from itself will be gaining more and more support in the liberal corporate media. The fact that distorted coverage of Israeli judicial reform is already getting more attention in the American press than Iranian executions of dissidents is a sign of what is to come.

“And as the 2024 presidential race begins in earnest later this year, Biden’s need to curry favor with his party’s left wing will make him less, not more, likely to avoid fights with the Jewish state. Whether the excuse concerns the Palestinians or Israeli efforts to stop Iran, it won’t be easy for Netanyahu to avoid such battles.

“Yet those who are eager for Biden to start ratcheting up the pressure on Netanyahu have short memories. Obama spent his eight years in the White House constantly plotting to undermine and defeat Netanyahu. But each time he did so, he only strengthened the prime minister.

“Netanyahu has many political enemies at home, but those who want to save Israel from itself always forget that its citizens have little interest in accepting diktats from American presidents or liberal Jews who want a fantasy Israel rather than the real one. The more Biden leans on Netanyahu or tries to influence the debate in the Jewish state, the less likely it is that the prime minister will be beaten.”

The relationship between the USA and Israel WILL deteriorate more and more.

Church of England Apologizes to LGBT

Newsmax wrote on January 20:

“Church of England bishops apologized to LGBTQI+ people on Friday for the rejection and hostility they have faced… ‘We have not loved you as God loves you, and that is profoundly wrong,’ the bishops said in an open letter… ‘The occasions on which you have received a hostile and homophobic response in our churches are shameful and for this we repent.’

“The Church of England, central to one of the world’s oldest Christian institutions, the Anglican communion, stood by its teaching that marriage is between ‘one man and one woman’ in the proposals. Gay marriage was legalized in Britain in 2013. A spokesperson for gay and transgender lobby group Stonewall said the Church of England had ‘once again’ fallen short on being inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ+ Christians.”

Church of England Departs Further From the Biblical Truth

Life Site News wrote on January 19:

“The Church of England approved blessings for same-sex civil unions for the first time… Although stopping short of allowing a full-blown, solemn church wedding for same-sex couples, the Anglican bishops of England are allowing church blessings for gay and lesbian civil unions that will include ‘prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and God’s blessing following a legal marriage ceremony.’ The matter will be reviewed next month in a General Synod of the bishops in London.

“Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby defended the new policy. ‘This response reflects the diversity of views in the Church of England on questions of sexuality, relationships and marriage,’ he said in a statement. ‘I rejoice in that diversity and I welcome this way of reflecting it in the life of our church.’…

“Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell went so far as to speak of the Church of England’s casting off the biblical teaching on homosexuality as repentance from sin. ‘We are deeply sorry and ashamed and want to take this opportunity to begin again in the spirit of repentance which our faith teaches us,’ Cottrell said… ‘I hope that these prayers of love and faith can provide a way for us all to celebrate and affirm same-sex relationships.’…

“The new stance of Anglican bishops in England followed an unprecedented intervention this week by Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons who in a letter to the bishops pressured the Church of England to allow ‘parishes and clergy to conduct weddings for same-sex couples, or at a minimum, authorize blessings…’

“After the bishops’ decision, former cabinet minister Ben Bradshaw threatened that since the Church of England was still not allowing full solemn Church weddings for same-sex couples, it should lose its ‘established status… Many members across this House, I would judge a majority, believe that by continuing to exclude lesbian and gay people from its full rights, the church is no longer compatible with its established status, which confers the duty to serve the whole nation.’

“It is perhaps not surprising that the Church of England, which broke from Rome over the question of Henry VIII’s desire to divorce and remarry, has now departed even further from Christ’s teaching and that of Scripture on sexual morality and marriage. In Germany, the Catholic bishops appear set on a similar course.”

Severe Winter Storms Divine Punishment?

Israel Today’s Staff wrote on January 19:

“Official Palestinian daily suggests winter storms that devastated the United States were consequence of White House support for LGBT movement…  In late December, the US was hit by severe winter storms–dubbed by many the ‘North Pole bomb’–that claimed the lives of over 100 people. Writing for the official Palestinian Authority daily newspaper Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Iraqi columnist Hadi Jalo Mar’i noted that this unprecedented storm struck just hours after the Biden White House was illuminated with the colors of the gay flag in celebration of passing a same-sex marriage bill.

“[He wrote:] ‘…it is our right to reject and condemn any idea and behavior that contradicts human nature, and to wonder what is the secret that causes governments of states that control the world and lead it to defend homosexuality, and even sexual perversion, and to legislate laws defending abominable behavior that contradicts the way of nature and appropriate behavior. All we have to do is to wait and see how much nature’s fury will intensify, according to the will of Heaven…’

“It is not our intention to give credence to the tenets of Islam. But in the matter of homosexuality, their position lines up with that of the Bible, as does their belief that divine punishment befalls nations that promote sinful behavior.”

This is indeed an interesting “coincidence.”

Proselytism Is Pagan?

Israel 365 News wrote on or about January 19:

“On Wednesday, Pope Francis… addressed crowds gathered for his weekly general audience that convincing someone from another religion to become Christian is a ‘pagan’ practice. ‘To evangelize is not to proselytize,’ the pope told crowds gathered in the Vatican… ‘To proselytize is something pagan, it is neither religious nor evangelical.’

“Quoting the late Pope Benedict XVI, who died Dec. 31, Pope Francis said that ‘the church does not proselytize…’

“The pontiff has spoken against proselytizing several times. In the first year of his papacy, in an October 2013 interview with La Repubblica, he said, ‘Proselytism is solemn nonsense, it makes no sense … I believe in God, not in a Catholic God, there is no Catholic God, there is God and I believe in Jesus Christ, his incarnation.’

“In an interview with Spanish language news outlet Mundo Negro back in mid-December, which was published on January 13, Pope Francis [said:] ‘… the most serious sin that a missionary can have is proselytism. Catholicism is not proselytizing.’

“Pope Francis has specifically forbidden attempts to convert Jews…”

The Church of the Eternal God states the following in its Statement of Beliefs:

“We do not believe in proselytizing. Therefore, we do not seek members by having people standing on street corners or going around neighborhoods knocking on doors. We carry out our various projects in an effort to freely give to all people regardless of their race, nationality, or religious affiliation. We believe in the godly way of helping others…”

We do not proselytize, not because we believe it is “pagan,” but because we believe that God has to call someone for salvation in this day and age, and that we cannot convert anyone.

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 the second part of this series, we reviewed the BLM and the LGBT+ movements. In the last part of this series, we look at the Woke Movement and finish up with a conclusion about all that this series has revealed.

The Woke Movement

In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, under “Woke – What to Know,” we read: “Woke is now defined in this dictionary as ‘aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice),’ and identified as U.S. slang. It originated in African American English and gained more widespread use beginning in 2014 as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.”   We can see from this how the BLM and wokeness are inter-related, as are all the matters being discussed, which is precisely what this Q&A is highlighting.

Wikipedia makes these observations: “While the term woke initially pertained to issues of racial prejudice and discrimination impacting African Americans, it was appropriated by other activist groups with different causes.  Abas Mirzaei, a senior lecturer in branding at Macquarie University says that the term ‘has been cynically applied to everything from soft drink to razors.

“Woke (/ˈwoʊk/ WOHK) is an English adjective meaning ‘alert to racial prejudice and discrimination’ that originated in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE).   Beginning in the 2010s, it came to encompass a broader awareness of social inequalities such as sexism, and has also been used as shorthand for American Left ideas involving identity politics and social justice, such as the notion of white privilege and slavery reparations for African Americans.”

We can see from the above that the original meaning came to encompass a broader awareness of different matters that were attached to the original prejudice and discrimination, and we will see that other attachments have been made.

On the “younger.co.uk” website is an article, entitled “What Does ‘Woke’ mean to Britons?” as follows:

“Originally the term referred to a need to wake up to, and stay ‘woke’ to, the realities of Black people’s place in America and the system designed to keep them down. With the term becoming more mainstream recently it evolved to mean a more general sense of awareness to social injustice against all groups, although it remains closely associated with the Black Lives Matter movement.

“To opponents of the social aims of such movements, however, it has become a catch-all term for a certain type of socially liberal ideology they dislike – much as the term ‘political correctness’ can often be.”

In August 2022, on the byfaith.org website is a very long and instructive article, and below are a few excerpts:

“Today, the modern religion of the world is wokeness and when you examine its heart, you find wokeness is divisive and antichrist in nature. Those who embrace woke ideology claim to be distinctly aware of social justice problems and aim to eliminate all inequality. These people ‘awakened’ by the contemporary gospel of ‘justice’ believe this can be achieved by tearing down the old oppressive patriarchal order and by embracing all forms of diversity, inclusion and equity (DIE).

“Burning down buildings or dividing communities through violence is fine to woke protestors because they think it addresses ancient injustices. One famous woke warrior was asked about the violence and stealing within the movement, and replied, ‘I don’t care if someone decides to loot a Gucci or a Macy’s or a Nike store,’ adding, ‘That is reparations, anything they wanted to take, they can take it.’

“The command of Exodus 20:15, ‘You shall not steal,’ is not the only problem woke activists have with God’s Holy Scripture. All those limited Christian definitions in the Bible about human nature and sin, created by God, must be rejected and replaced. In short, they believe we must repent and renounce the gospel.

“All Christians should be committed to ending racism, but that desire does not extend to endorsing an antichrist movement that is in rebellion against God’s expressed will.  Be careful what cause you endorse because you may be making God your enemy.

“‘For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted – you may well put up with it!’ – 2 Corinthians 11:4.

“According to progressive woke ideology, God is hindering true justice. The Bible’s precise description of the two sexes is discriminatory for those who identify as one of 68, 69, 70, and counting different gender expressions. The boundaries keep moving in this movement (Proverbs 22:28), but Christ is the anchor of all truth. The Holy Scriptures represent continuing symbols of the oppressive patriarchy, to those who keep inventing a new series of gender-inclusive pronouns, as their feelings or demonic beings guide them.

“Those who ‘go woke’ have been manipulated to believe they are establishing a just order; but they end up defining themselves by what they hate. They fall out with friends, family and colleagues, and hate the country that gave them everything they possess.

“As wokeness is a faith, it additionally has a demonic inquisition of hatred. The woke belief compels you to hate those who disagree with the ‘justice’ you are bringing. You can cancel, despise, spit, harm and kill those who disagree with you because they’re evil. It provides its servants with a pass to abuse those who think differently.  Jesus said, ‘The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service’ – John 16:2.

“In the woke religion, Christian beliefs about justice and truth are supplanted with contemporary doctrines of equality, LGBTQ+, aggressive feminism, anti-capitalism, cultural shame, historical national sin, legacy guilt, claims of privilege, intersectionality, micro-aggression, critical race beliefs, BLM, compelled speech and inclusion of all self-identities; but there’s no tolerance for those who challenge the woke faith. The woke spirit takes a young person who desires to do good and shifts them into a hating machine, an angry, bitter person.”

CONCLUSION

As we have mentioned previously, the overall discrimination package contains many different issues and situations.   It is generally agreed that racial discrimination on its own is wrong.  We were all made in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26-27).

However, along with this issue, the promotion of LGBT+ rights are seen by many as justified or acceptable; any opposing view is described as discrimination.  However, biblical understanding clearly shows that this type of behaviour is wrong as it is the advancement and ennoblement of conduct of which God clearly disapproves.

Also, in the package generally called “discrimination” is the Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM).   They are against racial discrimination which is clearly correct but they then go on much further by adding in their aim to defund the police and are anti-family.  On their website we read, “We affirm the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, undocumented folks, folks with records, women, and all Black lives along the gender spectrum.”   We have seen footballers “taking the knee” in an alleged attempt, in many cases, of supporting BLM and its aims and agenda.

White privilege and slavery together with identity politics and social justice are also inextricably woven into the fabric of this mass of unrest and negativity.   Add into the mix, the Politically Correct Brigade which have been around longer than most of those whom we have already discussed, can also be part of this package together with the lack of free speech on these issues if you oppose them, and you have a real broad group of complainants, and often aggressors.

Then we have the Woke brigade many of whom are just waiting to be offended when no offence is meant and who act and behave in a way that Christians must never do.

Throw in abortion and other ungodly practices and you have an eclectic mix of most of the grievances found in society today, with so many of them overlapping into one big complaints package.  All of these issues we have covered are inter-connected.

By supporting the general discrimination package, all of the other matters described above are included.   It is like voting in an election where candidates may be seen as acceptable because they are against abortion and are pro-marriage but have other views that are not acceptable as part of their political platform.   Therefore, voting for them is a non-starter for a true Christian as they would be giving support to views that are unacceptable to God’s Way of Life.   We must not be involved with racial discrimination but ensure that we are not involved nor accept the rest of the package that it comes dressed up in.   We have to be far more selective than those in the world because of the Way of Life to which we have been called.

We cannot change society nor is it our job to try and do so.   It can be so easy to say “everyone to their own” and accept that this is okay because that is the way it has been going for quite some time.  But we must be resolute in our own thinking, knowing that all of this antipathy to the Word of God, and the resultant depravity, will be replaced in God’s soon-coming Kingdom.   In the meantime, it is an attitude we must have against that which is patently wrong, and which mustn’t infect our Christian beliefs and a mindset that we must have.

We should love the sinner genuinely and hate the sin – a requirement that those without God’s Spirit just cannot comprehend!   One example of this may be helpful.  A Church member lived opposite two homosexuals who shared a house and one of them had cancer.  This member helped the person concerned in a number of ways and for which he was most grateful.   He knew that this Church member did not approve of their lifestyle but appreciated the help given.   That is a prime example of loving the sinner and hating the sin, which is something opponents of this concept cannot understand.

As Christians, we need to be aware of what is going on in the world today and to watch world events and our own personal spiritual condition.  But our attention will not be in the direction of the whole discrimination package and all of its different component parts but in the context of Luke 21:36: “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines discrimination as follows: “…to distinguish by discerning or exposing differences: to recognize or identify as separate and distinct.”  And we are separate and distinct from the world as the people of God, by not being involved, supporting or endorsing all of the wrong practices as discussed in this series of Q&As.

We read in James 2:10: “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” Bible.ak.orgmakes these interesting observations: “Lawbreaking, whether civil or religious, doesn’t need to be a breaking of all the laws—one offense is enough to convict the offender. No earthly judge will pardon the breaking of one law simply because the offender has kept many other laws. A chain is broken by the rupture of its weakest link. So, to stumble in one commandment causes the breaking of the whole law for the transgressor.”

Similarly, we might say that the discrimination “package” has to be accepted as a whole and any part of it that is not agreed with, or discarded, can be seen by its adherents as dismissing the whole concept of discrimination, when it is not!

Of course, the big difference between the two descriptions above is that all of God’s laws are to be kept but this “package” of man-made concepts about discrimination is just the words and folly of man, and in many cases, is not in alignment with the Word of God.

In our Q&A about right and wrong: www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk/who-determines-what-is-right-and-wrong/, we quote Dr J Slattery, writing specifically about sexual matters, stating the following:

“‘In today’s culture, right and wrong are sorted through a grid of what we perceive as being the best for ourselves and our fellow humans. Essentially, human beings are now “god,” with the authority to determine our own moral compass. With this type of humanistic worldview, morality is defined as “do no harm.” Ethics and morality are measured by whether or not people are harmed. “She’s not hurting anyone, so how could she be doing something wrong?” From this perspective, Christians who stand against gay marriage, for example, are thought to be doing harm. They are “hurting” people who want to celebrate the gay lifestyle. In contrast, those who want to participate in gay marriage are viewed as doing no harm.’”

Who is the ultimate authority in all moral matters? Is it the created – man – with all of his imperfections and lack of wisdom and Godly knowledge, or is it the Creator God of the Bible who was the One who created us all? The answer is that God reveals what is right and wrong in His Word—the Bible. Put as simply as we can, God decides what is right and wrong in His Word, and that must be our guide to life.

Only God has the right to decide what is good and evil, and much that is part of the “blob” of discrimination is decidedly against the way that God has commanded His people to live!

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

compiled by Dave Harris

Our newest booklet, “God the Father Is the Highest,” written by Evangelist Norbert Link, has been sent to graphic artist Shelly Bruno in preparation for printing.

“Der Leib—ein Tempel des Heiligen Geistes,” last Sabbath’s German sermonette, presented by Jens Herrmann, is now posted. Title in English: “The Body–a Temple of the Holy Spirit.”

“What Are You Thinking About?” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Michael Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

We think about all kinds of various things on a daily basis but controlling what we think about, especially when it’s negative, can be challenging.  How do we limit our negative thoughts and instead focus on the positive that will bring about good fruit?

“Bible Gems, Part 1,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Brian Gale, is now posted. Here is a summary:

In this first of a two-part series on “Bible Gems,” the Book of Proverbs is used to show us how to act, behave, and make decisions for virtually any situation. Both wisdom and foolishness are addressed to show right from wrong and how we can make those decisions which can best assist us at this time and in the way that God approves.

On April 17, 2021 Eric Rank will present the sermonette, titled, “A Better Way,” and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “God of Heaven.”

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 looking at the Sacrifice of Christ from an analytical point of view, we come to the conclusion as to how complete it was, covering every base as it were. Blood, the lifeline of any human being, was shed for our sins to be forgiven. Life is in the blood, it is the human common denominator, and loss of it leads to death.

Christ could have chosen a more pleasant way to die, but He did not for a reason. The one thing which cannot be said to Him is: “I suffered more than You.”

We have all gone through painful experiences. For some women it is very painful to have a child, and for all of us passing a kidney stone is very painful also. Crushing-type injuries are particularly painful.

But none of us has been beaten, punched in the face, slapped, scourged (from which, in many cases, the tortured person died with the subsequent loss of blood), hung on a stake for six hours and then being speared in the side to finish us off. Why go through so much physical suffering? A spear through the heart, without the previous excruciating pain, would have been quick and just as deadly in shedding blood and being killed.

Isaiah answers that question. In Isaiah 53:5, we read: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”

This is restated by Peter in 1 Peter 2:24: “…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

So there was a reason for all the physical wounding—it was for our physical healing. We can be anointed by God’s ministers and ask God to apply the beating and suffering of Christ to our physical healing.

There are several types of wounds, and Christ suffered them all:

–Contusion:  The medical term for bruising. He was hit on the head with rods and punched.

–Abrasion:  An open wound caused by rubbing against something which breaks the skin. The crown jamming down on His brow

–Laceration: The tearing of soft body tissue from the scourging.

–Avulsion: Chunks of tissue were removed totally. Psalm 22:17, prophesying Christ’s torture, states: “I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me.” Avulsion causes severe bleeding, referring to the scourging and the crucifixion.

–Puncture:  A punctured wound is a deep wound that occurs due to something sharp and pointed, such as a nail. This applied when Christ’s hands and feet were pierced and when He was nailed to the stake.

–Incision: Cuts through the skin and muscles. This describes the moment when He was speared in the side deep enough to cut the artery running down the spine.

So we can see that the wounding of Christ was complete and thus can be applied to our physical healing.

Christ’s Sacrifice was a complete one. He shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins and He permitted evil men to wound Him for our physical healing. We must therefore appreciate all of His suffering and His death for us, so that, ultimately, all of mankind could be reconciled to God and be given an opportunity to be in the God Family.

by Norbert Link

We begin with deeply troubling developments in Germany, as Angela Merkel wants to push through a new law giving the federal government autocratic powers with the goal of enforcing a nationwide lockdown with curfews; report on the death of Prince Philip and worldwide reactions; and focus on the “inevitable” Biden-Israel showdown; Governor Cuomo’s hatred of God’s Feast of Tabernacles; and America’s, the UK’s and Germany’s announcements to unilaterally withdraw their troops from Afghanistan. We also speak on a worldwide debt crisis and America’s growing border crisis.

We continue with speaking on military “exercises” all over Europe and the fear of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. In this regard, please see our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Russian Invasion of Ukraine Inevitable?”

We speak on COVID-19 vaccines which may not be as “harmless” as officially presented; a US Supreme Court decision [divided by “party” lines], limiting California Governor Newsom’s assumed powers; address the terrible prospects of a drought in the Western part of the USA—unparalleled in modern times.

We conclude with new technologies for animals, including the unsettling concept of “recreating” dinosaurs.

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

Rule from Above… Central Power not a Trivial Matter in Germany

Deutsche Welle wrote on April 10:

“… the federal and state governments have agreed on an amendment to Germany’s Infection Protection Act, which governs control of the pandemic. Under the amendment, the federal government will now be able to unilaterally impose restrictions on regions with high infection rates.

“Imposing a central power over state responsibilities is no trifling matter in Germany. After lessons learned from the last time the country was ruled by a single central power — the Nazi party… the postwar constitution granted federalized states wide-reaching powers.

“This has become increasingly relevant in measures to fight the pandemic. The result is a jumble of measures, complicated by competition among states seeking the best anti-coronavirus policies. While some states have relaxed measures, others have tightened them further. Differences between states include such major points as whether schools are open or not, and details on if hardware stores may open; whether a curfew is in place or not; or even a testing requirement to shop at certain stores… Citizens are confused, finding many measures illogical and losing track of what is allowed where. Calls for a uniform approach have become ever louder.

“Shortly before Easter, German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized some states on the German TV program Anne Will for not implementing the agreed resolutions to combat the virus. If they didn’t come into line ‘in the foreseeable future,’ Merkel hinted, the federal government might act to amend the Infection Protection Act… That the federal government would take more power was, perhaps surprisingly, welcomed by some state leaders. Armin Laschet and Markus Söder, respective premiers of the two powerful states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, both backed the idea, agreeing to curtail their own powers.

“But both men likely have other ambitions in mind. After Merkel steps down this fall, both will seek to become their parties’ candidate to succeed her as chancellor. Laschet is the head of Merkel’s center-right Christian Democrats; Söder of their Bavarian sister party, the CSU. This is then somehow an audition for the most important office in the federal government…

“The latest agreement was preceded by sometimes heated arguments. Carsten Schneider, parliamentary director of the center-left Social Democrats — who rule in coalition with the CDU/CSU in the German federal parliament — called the move by the CDU/CSU members an attempt to disempower the states… the greatest support for the new rules came from the Greens, currently in an opposition position….”

Deutsche Welle wrote on April 9 that “Merkel and other leading lawmakers, such as Health Minister Jens Spahn, have called for a short, hard lockdown in Germany… Spahn on Friday suggested implementing curfews,  as is already the case in the capital Berlin… Lothar Wieler, president of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany’s infectious disease authority, suggested implementing a two-to-four week lockdown…”

Merkel’s plans are coming increasingly under attack. Bild Online wrote on April 12 that they are “Murks” (“botched-up”, “bungled” or “a mess.”). The conservative mass tabloid warned especially about the powers Merkel wants to acquire for the federal government to enforce new prohibitions without the consent of the states. In a commentary, the paper wrote: “Nobody in Germany is helped… One has to say it bluntly: Nothing is correct regarding the lockdown plan of the chancellor.” (“Niemandem in Deutschland ist geholfen… Man muss es so hart sagen: Am Lockdown-Plan der Bundeskanzlerin stimmt gar nichts.“)

Germany is playing with fire for sure… But Germans have been known for willingly giving up their freedoms and liberties and sheepishly approving and following dictatorial measures for the propagated alleged “greater good.”

Prince Philip Dies at 99

JTA wrote on April 9:

“Prince Philip, perhaps the closest member of the British royal family to Jews and Jewish causes, has died at 99 [on Friday]. Philip, who had been married to Queen Elizabeth II for 74 years, since five years before she ascended to the throne, had been in declining health for some time.

“Also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, Philip’s support for Jewish and pro-Israel causes ran deep. His mother, Princess Alice of Greece, sheltered a Jewish family during the Holocaust and is recognized as one of fewer than 30,000 ‘righteous among the nations’ by Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust museum. [The Gestapo was suspicious of Alice, even questioning her, but the princess, who was deaf, pretended not to understand their questions. Alice later became a nun.]

“Philip’s four sisters each married German nobles, at least three of whom became Nazis. But Philip, educated in Britain, joined the allied war effort. As an adult, he showed little patience for Nazi collaborators; he was instrumental in making a pariah of his wife’s uncle Edward, who after abdicating the throne dallied with Nazi Germany…

“Philip… came under attack in the 1960s for speaking to pro-Israel groups, and, famously impervious to criticism, ignored the attacks. In 1994, Philip was the first British royal to visit Israel, when he accepted Yad Vashem’s recognition of his mother and visited her burial site at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem… “

Those who have been and are sitting on the British throne, are descendants of the house of Judah and the house of David.

American Presidents Give Tribute

BBC wrote on April 10:

“The current President Joe Biden… issued a statement in which he praised the Duke of Edinburgh’s ‘lifetime of service to the United Kingdom’…

“Donald Trump, who last visited the Royal Family in 2019, described Prince Philip as ‘a man who embodied the noble soul and proud spirit of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.’ He described Prince Philip’s death as an ‘irreplaceable loss for Great Britain, and for all who hold dear our civilisation… Prince Philip defined British dignity and grace… He personified the quiet reserve, stern fortitude, and unbending integrity of the United Kingdom… We saw first hand how the monarchy epitomises and carries on the virtues of the British people – and no-one did so more than Prince Philip…’

“Barack Obama and his wife Michelle said Prince Philip and the Queen had ‘already been on the world stage for more than half a century’ at the time of the group’s first meeting. ‘As two Americans unaccustomed to palaces and pomp, we didn’t know what to expect. We shouldn’t have worried,’ they said. ‘The Queen and Prince Philip immediately put us at ease with their grace and generosity, turning a ceremonial occasion into something far more natural, even comfortable…’

“George W Bush praised the duke’s devotion to public service… ‘He represented the United Kingdom with dignity and brought boundless strength and support to the sovereign,’ he said.

“Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said they joined people ‘from all around the world in giving thanks for his remarkable life of service’.

“The oldest living US president, Jimmy Carter, dined with Prince Philip and the Queen in 1977. A tweet issued from the 96-year-old’s presidential library account read: ‘We are sorry to hear that Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has passed away.’”

As commentators pointed out, Trump’s statement was the most meaningful.

World Leaders Give Tribute

BBC wrote on April 10:

“Prince Philip had blood ties with a number of former or current European royal households, and many of their members sent condolences. The telegram from King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain was particularly poignant, sending ‘all our love and affection’ to Aunt Lilibet (the affectionate name used by the duke for his wife) and Dear Uncle Philip. ‘We shall never forget the moments that we shared with him,’ they told the Queen…

“Sweden’s King Carl Gustaf said the duke had been ‘a great friend of our family for many years, a relation we have deeply valued’… The Dutch royal family said they remembered Prince Philip with great respect, adding: ‘His lively personality made an indelible impression.’ Belgium’s King Philippe said he and Queen Mathilde would ‘always cherish the memories of our warm encounters’…

“Tributes came in too from the Commonwealth – 54 nations, most with roots in the British Empire and home to 2.4 billion people. ‘He embodied a generation that we will never see again,’ Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. ‘He was a man who was steadfast, who could be relied upon, always standing by his Queen.’ New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern noted that thousands of young people had ‘completed life-changing challenges’ through the duke’s Hillary Award… Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the duke had ‘contributed so much to the social fabric of our country – and the world’… Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said Philip had been a ‘wise leader’ and his ‘role in promoting Pakistan-UK relations will always be remembered.’ And Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was another to praise a lifetime of dedication to ‘many community service initiatives.’ Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta said the duke had been a ‘towering symbol of family values and the unity of the British people as well as the entire global community’…

“Other tributes came from nations deeply linked to the duke and his family… In a telegram to the Queen, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the duke had ‘rightfully enjoyed respect’ both at home and internationally. And Chancellor Angela Merkel said the duke’s ‘friendship with Germany, his straightforward nature and his sense of duty’ would be remembered. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called the duke a man of ‘great style’, saying: ‘France joins in the sorrow of its friends across the Channel and salutes the life, at once European and British, of a man who was a witness to a century of trials and hopes for our continent.’ Italian President Sergio Mattarella said he would ‘cherish’ the memories of Prince Philip’s ‘deep admiration for Italy’s artistic and cultural heritage’…”

It is interesting how many influential royals are still living in Europe, and how many nations are still part of the Commonwealth.

Little Chance that Queen Elizabeth Will Abdicate

Reuters wrote on April 10:

“Despite the death of her husband Prince Philip, her partner and confidante during a record-breaking reign, there is little chance that 94-year-old Queen Elizabeth will abdicate, royal watchers believe… Despite the huge hole in her life that Philip’s death leaves, aides and royal experts have long said it would not lead to the queen, the world’s oldest and longest-reigning living monarch, relinquishing the throne in favour of her son and heir Prince Charles…

“When she was born in 1926, it was not expected she would ever become the monarch. But her uncle Edward VIII abdicated because of his love for American divorcee Wallis Simpson, which the British establishment deemed an unacceptable union, prompting a constitutional crisis which saw the crown passed to her father George VI when she was 10 years old. ‘It is a job for life,’ Elizabeth once said, echoing a promise she made on her 21st birthday in 1947… It was a commitment she repeated on the 60th anniversary of her accession, and when senior Buckingham Palace aides are asked whether abdication is possible, they have the same answer: ‘Life means life’.

“That means she would not follow the leads of other European monarchs such as King Juan Carlos of Spain who abdicated in 2014, King Albert of Belgium who quit in 2013 and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands who stepped down the same year. As a deeply religious figure and titular head of the Church of England, Elizabeth sees the vows she took on her coronation day when she was anointed queen as unbreakable, according to royal commentators and those who know her well.

“However, she might pass on even more official duties to Charles, 72, and other members of the Windsor family who have taken over much of her workload… If the queen follows in the footsteps of her mother – who was known as Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and was still appearing in public almost up until her death aged 101 in 2002 – Elizabeth might yet be at the forefront of British public life for some time.”

On the other hand, some experience has sadly shown that if one long-time mate dies, the surviving mate might not live that much longer, either. But this does not have to be the case, as other examples show.

The Inevitable Biden-Israel Showdown

The Jerusalem Post wrote on April 9:

“The Trump era was unique in US-Israeli politics in that the two governments were almost completely synchronized in their global policy outlooks, particularly on Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Biden might not bring with him an immediate cold blast of Obama-era politics, but for Israelis who know the man famous for disagreeing with Netanyahu, their showdown is not a question of if, but when…

“Those on the Left will of course feel that Biden has not gone far enough, fast enough, and hope that he holds Israel to account. Those on the Right are concerned that these last months have simply been a short honeymoon period. It is hard to match the drama over the pending US-Israeli diplomatic conflict over Iran, with the Biden administration holding talks to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, while Israel allegedly attacked an Iranian ship in the Red Sea [and while Israel appears to confirm it carried out a cyberattack on the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on Sunday, just five days after the alleged attack on the Iranian ship, according to the Guardian, dated April 11]. Secondary to the Iran drama, the pending Biden-Israel showdown began in earnest over the last 10 days, with a series of small steps that might seem like a few small stones rolling down a hill, but which could ultimately become an avalanche…

“As a first step, Biden immediately returned to the Obama-era language of speaking of settlement activity as a stumbling block to peace, whereas the Trump administration had legitimized settlement activity and focused on Palestinian terrorism as one of the main issues…  Last week Biden’s administration reintroduced the word ‘occupation’ to describe the West Bank, all of the West Bank, including the settlements. This week, the administration agreed to relaunch a system of providing financial assistance to the Palestinians, including to its security services, eliminated by Trump, even though the PA has not ended its monthly stipends for terrorists. To date the administration has spoken of a financial package of $290 million.”

Netanyahu has said that he will do everything in his power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb, even if he has to do it all alone. It appears he has begun doing just that.

Governor Cuomo’s Hatred of the Feast of Tabernacles

Israel News wrote on April 14:

“Just as allegations of misreporting COVD deaths were evaporating amid sexual abuse allegations (which also seem to be mysteriously evaporating with no repercussions), a new scandal concerning New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has appeared. Cuomo hates the Jewish celebration of the Biblical feast of Sukkoth… The New York Times reported on Tuesday a disturbing comment by Cuomo. When he was running for the position of New York Attorney General in 2006, Cuomo was frustrated that his campaigning to Jewish groups was hampered by the observance of the Biblical holiday of Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles). ‘These people and their f***ing tree houses,’ Cuomo said to his team, according to The Times…

“If this scandal sticks, it could seriously hurt the governor in any future attempts at reelection. Overall, in his bid for governor in 2014, Cuomo received about 67% of the vote in New York City but in predominantly Orthodox Jewish sections, he garnered over 80% of the vote. To reinforce this, he traveled to Israel and a photo from the trip taken at the Western Wall with Cuomo wearing a yarmulke was featured in his campaign.

“Cuomo’s relationship with his Orthodox constituency has clearly suffered… Like President Biden, Cuomo is a Roman Catholic whose political positions on issues like abortion, homosexual marriage, and divorce, stand in stark contrast to the tenets of his faith.”

JTA added on April 13:

 “New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has long prided himself on his strong relationship with the Jewish community… But that love for the Jewish community apparently does not extend to the Jewish holiday of Sukkot… Sukkot is marked by eating, and sometimes sleeping, in a sukkah, a temporary hut often built from wood and covered in tree branches.

“Cuomo’s… ties with the Orthodox Jewish community hit a rough patch in the fall when Cuomo ordered tightened [COVID-19] restrictions on a number of Orthodox neighborhood… Coincidentally or not, those restrictions were announced during  Sukkot.”

Worldwide Debt Crisis at Worst Possible Time

America Magazine wrote on April 9:

“Pope Francis has highlighted a global crisis that has been obscured by the inescapable Covid-19 catastrophe but has the potential to lead to comparable human suffering. In a letter on April 8 to the participants in the spring 2021 virtual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund… Pope Francis urged world leaders to support a significant reduction in the debt burden of the world’s poorest nations. “Relieving the burden of debt of so many countries and communities today is a profoundly human gesture that can help people to develop, to have access to vaccines, health, education and jobs,” he said…

“‘We’re approaching the greatest wave of debt crises and debt restructurings the world has ever seen,’ [Eric LeCompte of Jubilee USA Network] said in an interview… ‘Fifty-six percent of all countries in the world are either [already in a] debt crisis or on the verge of [a] debt crisis’…

“Accepting higher levels of debt proved irresistible to many governments because of the historically low interest rates that followed the 2008-09 global economic collapse and the creation of new borrowing instruments… Payments on those novel debts are coming due at the absolute worst possible time, Mr. LeCompte pointed out, as Covid-19 shuts down economies around the world… ‘It’s a global economic shock, the worst crisis that we have faced since the Great Depression, and developing countries don’t have the revenues or the tools to be able to face the crisis.’”

America’s Border Crisis

Fox News wrote on April 11:

“Vice President Kamala Harris’ relative silence regarding the topics of – immigration and border security — since taking on an oversight role on those issues — continued to draw more media scrutiny Saturday. It was the 18th day that Harris went without holding a news conference regarding her duties on the issues, since receiving the assignment from President Biden. On Saturday, the Washington Examiner… quoted White House press secretary Jen Psaki, reacting Wednesday to questions about when Harris would be visiting the border region. ‘I’m sure it will be soon,’ Psaki said…

“Also Saturday, NBC News published an article titled, ‘Confusion clouds Harris immigration role.’ The NBC story argued that the White House helped create confusion by not clarifying what Harris’ specific duties would be regarding the migrant crisis. It went on to quote White House aides, mostly anonymously, who asserted that Harris’ focus was on addressing the root causes of migration that exist in the so-called ‘Northern Triangle’ countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras – and not on the border region itself.”

It was also reported that Harris claimed she was not in charge of the border crisis, thereby contracting Biden’s conflicting remarks.

 The Associated Press wrote on April 5:

“More Americans disapprove than approve of how President Joe Biden is handling waves of unaccompanied migrant children arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border…  59% say providing safe treatment of unaccompanied children when they are apprehended should be a high priority, and 65% say the same about reuniting families separated at the border… Overall, 40% of Americans disapprove of Biden’s handling of children reaching the nation’s southern border without their parents, compared with just 24% who approve. Thirty-five percent don’t have an opinion either way.”

The Baltimore Sun added on April 8:

“The U.S. government picked up nearly 19,000 children traveling alone across the Mexican border in March, authorities said Thursday, the largest monthly number ever recorded and a major test for President Joe Biden as he reverses many of his predecessor’s hardline immigration tactics… March’s count was roughly double the number of unaccompanied children encountered by the Border Patrol in February and more than five times the number in March 2020.

“The huge increase in children traveling alone — some as young as 3 — and families has severely strained border holding facilities, which aren’t allowed to hold people for more than three days but often do. It’s left the government scrambling to find space and hire staff to care for children longer term until they can be placed with sponsors.

“Amid the growing numbers, more than 4,000 people at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection holding facility have been jammed into a space designed for 250 at a tent complex in Donna, Texas. They lay inches apart on mats on the floor with foil blankets…”

Withdrawing from Afghanistan—a Gift to the Taliban?

Deutsche Welle wrote on April 14:

“After almost two decades since the United States invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban regime, Washington is set to exit the country. President Joe Biden has decided to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September 11.  The military withdrawal will not depend on the situation on the ground — despite fears that the Taliban could make major gains, many say… Germany will match US plans for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan [and so will the UK].

“Former US President Donald Trump’s administration had set the pullout date for May 1, but Biden’s decision will delay the withdrawal by another five months. Biden’s complete and unconditional decision to withdraw comes as a surprise for many experts, who had hoped that his administration would reverse Trump’s policies, which many believe have emboldened Islamist militants in Afghanistan.

“Violent attacks in Afghanistan have spiked since the signing of the US-Taliban agreement in Doha, Qatar, in February 2020 to end the protracted war. The Taliban deny involvement in these attacks, but their refusal to agree to a nationwide ceasefire has raised doubts about their intentions. The Islamist group, which feels more powerful than ever, also says it would not attend a planned summit in Turkey until all foreign troops leave the country…

“The Taliban are not the only threat to Afghan forces; other militant groups, such as ‘Islamic State’ (IS), have also gained a foothold in the war-ravaged country…”

CNN added on April 14:

“Biden said Wednesday that the withdrawal will begin on May 1, in line with an agreement President Donald Trump’s administration made with the Taliban. He said the complete withdrawal will be done by September 11. Some US troops will remain to protect American diplomats, though officials declined to provide a precise number.”

The New York Times wrote on April 14:

“President Biden formally announced his decision to end the 20-year, largely unsuccessful American effort to remake Afghanistan… For the United States, Mr. Biden’s announcement was a humbling moment. The Afghan war was not only the longest in American history, it was one of the costliest — more than $2 trillion. Nearly 2,400 American service members were killed, and more than 20,000 were wounded.”

America has not won a war since World War II.

Afghanistan–a Tortured Wasteland

The Ron Paul Institute published the following article by Scott Ritter on April 15, which originally appeared in RT—the outlet controlled by the Russian government:

“President Joe Biden, in a departure from a policy embraced by four successive US presidential administrations which placed stringent conditions on determining the conditions under which the US might leave Afghanistan, has announced that he is ordering all US military forces out of Afghanistan by September 11, 2021 – the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks which propelled the US Afghan intervention to begin with.

“This decision, which is not linked to any preconditions or other policy contingencies, means the US will finally extricate itself from the two-decade long nightmare in Afghanistan that had become known as ‘the forever war.’… This decision flew in the face of the advice Biden was receiving from the military, which argued that any condition-free withdrawal would doom the Afghan government and military to a Vietnam-like collapse…

“In short, the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan accomplished nothing other than killing more than 2,000 Americans, wasting trillions of dollars of American treasure, and slaughtering hundreds of thousands of Afghans while leaving their country little more than a tortured wasteland.”

Trump at it Again

Politico wrote on April 11 (The Washington Post and The Week contributed to the report):

 “Former President Donald Trump ripped into Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell before a Republican National Committee donor retreat Saturday evening… Trump veered off his prepared text during a roughly 50-minute speech before several hundred well-heeled GOP donors at his Mar-a-Lago resort in South Florida… The former president spent several minutes tearing into [Senate Minority Leader Mitch] McConnell, [calling him a “dumb” S.O.B. and a “stone cold loser” and ] saying that he didn’t do enough to defend him during the February impeachment trial…

“The latest verbal broadside against McConnell, the most powerful Republican still in elected office, comes as Trump reemerges as a dominant force in GOP politics. The former president… is issuing a steady stream of endorsements for the 2022 midterm elections…

“Several attendees said there was little response to Trump’s insult. Much of Trump’s Saturday night speech was aimed at relitigating the election results, on which the former president has remained fixated. At one point he said he remained disappointed with Pence for not doing more to stop the certification of the election, which he called ‘rigged’ (and ‘bulls…’)… The former president also savaged Fauci, saying that he gave him bad advice [and asking whether ‘you have ever seen anybody that is so full of c…’]… Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who spoke before Trump, also went after Fauci…”

The Associated Press added:

“…the location of the event suggests that the GOP, at least for now, is not ready to replace Trump as its undisputed leader and chief fundraiser.”

Fox News wrote:

“Trump didn’t say whether he plans to run for president again but assured donors ‘in 2024, a Republican candidate is going to win the White House.’ He said any potential announcements of his own candidacy would likely come after the 2022 midterms…”

Rubio: “No One in GOP Beats Trump in 2024”

Newsmax wrote on April 15:

“Despite a competitive (if not contentious) 2016 GOP primary battle against former President Donald Trump, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has Trump’s endorsement in his bid for reelection next year… Indeed, Rubio says, he won’t even challenge Trump, whom he called ‘the most popular and most influential Republican in America,’ should the former president make another run for the White House in 2024. ‘If he decides to run for the president and the nomination, he’s going to be the party’s nominee,’ Rubio [said]… ‘almost everyone that I’ve talked to would agree with that.’

“Rubio is not the first potential rival for the Republican presidential nomination to signal he’d defer to Trump. Onetime ambassador Nikki Haley said this week she wouldn’t run against Trump and would support his presidential bid, should he run.”

Defender-Europe 21… Preparing for War against Russia and China?

Workers World wrote on April 9:

“Defender-Europe 21… is mobilizing 28,000 troops from the United States and 25 NATO allies and partners. In over 30 training areas in 12 countries, these troops will conduct operations including live fire and missile exercises. The U.S. Air Force and Navy will also participate.

“In March, the U.S. began to transfer thousands of soldiers and 1,200 armored vehicles and other heavy equipment from the United States to Europe. They are landing in 13 airports and four European seaports, including some in Italy. In April, over 1,000 heavy equipment pieces will be transferred from three pre-positioned U.S. Army depots in Italy (probably Camp Darby), Germany and the Netherlands — to various training areas in Europe; they will be transported by trucks, trains and ships.

“…In one of the war games, more than 5,000 soldiers from 11 countries will spread across Europe for live fire exercises…

“While… European citizens will still be prohibited from freely moving for ‘security’ reasons, this prohibition does not apply to the thousands of soldiers who will move from one European country to another freely. They will have the ‘COVID passport,’ provided not by the EU but by the U.S. Army… Defender-Europe 21… utilizes key ground and maritime routes bridging Europe, Asia and Africa… In June… it will ‘defend’ Tunisia, Morocco and Senegal with a vast military operation from North Africa to West Africa, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. It will be directed by the U.S. Army through the Southern Europe Task Force with its headquarters in Vicenza (North Italy).

“The official statement explains: ‘African Lion exercise is designed to counter malign activity in North Africa and Southern Europe and to defend the theater from adversary military aggression.’ It does not specify who the ‘bad actors’ are, but the reference to Russia and China is evident…

“The U.S. Army V Corps participates in Defender-Europe 21. The V Corps, after being reactivated at Fort Knox, Ky., has established its advanced headquarters in Poznan (Poland), from where it will command operations along NATO’s Eastern flank… citizens of the participating countries know [they] will pay the cost with… public money, while… resources to face the pandemic crisis are scarce. Italian military spending rose this year to the equivalent of $32.5 billion, that is, $89 million a day. However, Italy has the satisfaction of participating in Defender-Europe 21, not only with its own armed forces but as a host country. It will therefore have the honor of hosting the final exercise of the U.S. Command in June, with the participation of the U.S. Army V Corps from Fort Knox.”

One needs to ask the question as to what Defender-Europe 21 is really about. Surely, it’s more than just a routine military exercise.

Preparing for War in Ukraine?

At the same time, the situation at Ukraine’s border gets more and more serious.

The Sun reported on April 10:

“Putin’s troops boast they are primed for battle as terrifying new footage appears to show Russian tanks and missile launchers closing in on Ukraine… Kiev estimates there are now 85,000 Russian troops between six and 25 miles from its frontier and in Crimea. It warned today that Putin could very soon spark a war in the pro-Moscow rebel-held east of the country… Others also fear Moscow is on the point of a full-scale invasion, and believe the Ukrainian authorities… are already preparing for the worst…

“Moscow has already surrounded Ukraine’s border with tens of thousands of troops… Russia is massing huge military firepower on the border of the disputed Donbass region in eastern Ukraine as it threatens ‘full-scale combat operations’… And chilling satellite images show new Russian encampments and artillery batteries in the provinces of Voronezh and Krasnodar which lie to the east of Donbass.

“At least six 2S4 Tyulpan self-propelled mortars – capable of firing warheads 12 miles – were filmed on a flatbed train… Dubbed the ‘city destroyer’, it is the largest mortar system in the world and has been used to demolish fortifications from Chechnya to Afghanistan.

“On Friday, the Kremlin said it fears the return of full-scale fighting in eastern Ukraine and could take steps to protect Russian civilians there…”

It does not appear that Russia is only conducting routine military exercises.

The Daily Mail added on April 12:

“Russia is ‘one step from war’ with Ukraine, state TV has warned in the latest bout of sabre-rattling between Moscow and Kiev that has jangled nerves across Europe. Dmitry Kiselyov, a Russian news anchor who has been called a ‘Putin propagandist’ in the past, issued the warning during a primetime broadcast in Russia on Sunday. He branded Ukraine a ‘Nazi’ state, saying that Russia may be forced to ‘de-Nazify’ it by force…

“Meanwhile Michael McFaul, who was America’s man in Moscow between 2012 and 2014 when Putin annexed Crimea, warned that Putin could invade Ukraine and bring war to Europe in a ‘worst-case scenario’. He said the current posturing in eastern Europe could easily spill over into all-out conflict if Russia decides to attack on the pretext of ‘liberating’ Russian-speakers in the east of the country who it considers citizens… Asked by BBC Radio 4 how concerned world leaders should be by the situation in Ukraine, Mr McFaul responded simply: ‘Very.’”

Russia Sanctioned  

Axios wrote on April 15:

“The Biden administration… will sanction dozens of Russian officials and entities, expel 10 diplomats from the U.S., and set new restrictions on buying Russian sovereign debt in response to the massive SolarWinds hack of federal agencies and interference in the 2020 election… The announcement comes two days after President Biden… warned Putin against further ‘cyber intrusions and election interference’ and raised concerns over Russia’s massing of forces on the border with eastern Ukraine… 

“‘We condemn any sanction aspirations. We believe they are illegal. In any case, the principle of reciprocity applies in this case…’ Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday… Despite the fact that the U.S. is itself highly active in cyber espionage, a senior administration official said it was appropriate to respond to the SolarWinds attack…”

COVID-19 Vaccines… not as Harmless as Portrayed?

Children’s Health Defense wrote on April 8:

“Over the past year, it would be all but impossible for Americans not to notice the media’s decision to make vaccines the dominant COVID narrative… A December preprint about SARS-CoV-2, by scientists at Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), produced findings about wild coronavirus that raise questions about how viral RNA operates. The scientists conducted the analysis because they were ‘puzzled by the fact that there is a respectable number of people who are testing positive for COVID-19 by PCR long after the infection was gone.’ Their key findings were as follows: SARS-CoV-2 RNAs ‘can be reverse transcribed in human cells,’ ‘these DNA sequences can be integrated into the cell genome and subsequently be transcribed’ (a phenomenon called ‘retro-integration’) — and there are viable cellular pathways to explain how this happens.

“According to Ph.D. biochemist and molecular biologist Dr. Doug Corrigan, these important findings (which run contrary to ‘current biological dogma’)… put the CDC’s assumptions about mRNA vaccines on shakier ground… Corrigan emphasized that the Harvard-MIT findings about coronavirus RNA have major implications for mRNA vaccines… While not claiming that vaccine RNA will necessarily behave in the same way as coronavirus RNA — that is, permanently altering genomic DNA — Corrigan believes that the possibility exists and deserves close scrutiny. In Corrigan’s view, the preprint’s contribution is that it ‘validates that this is at least plausible, and most likely probable’…

“The authors suggest that while the clinical consequences require further study, detrimental effects are a distinct possibility and… could include ‘a more severe immune response…’ …the preprint’s discussion of reverse transcription and genome integration elicited a maelstrom of negative comments from readers unwilling to rethink biological dogma, some of whom even advocated for retraction (though preprints are, by definition, unpublished) on the grounds that ‘conspiracy theorists … will take this paper to ‘proof’ that mRNA vaccines can in fact alter your genetic code.’ More thoughtful readers agreed with Corrigan that the paper raises important questions…

“Corrigan acknowledges that some people may dismiss his warnings… He has a ready and compelling response: ‘[T]here’s a big difference between the scenario where people randomly, and unwittingly, have their genetics monkeyed with because they were exposed to the coronavirus, and the scenario where we willfully vaccinate billions of people while telling them this isn’t happening.’

“In mid-November… the Jerusalem post told readers that ‘when the world begins inoculating itself with these completely new and revolutionary vaccines, it will know virtually nothing about their long-term effects’… In the U.S., enthusiasm for mRNA technology is similarly unfettered. Just a few days after the CDC released updated data showing that more than 2,200 deaths of individuals who had received either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines had been reported as of Mar. 26 , The Atlantic praised the technology, suggesting that the ‘ingenious’ synthetic mRNA technology behind Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID vaccines represented a ‘breakthrough’ that could ‘change the world.’

“Rather than dismiss the prospect of retro-integration of foreign DNA as a ‘conspiracy theory,’ scientists should be conducting studies with the mRNA-vaccinated to assess actual risks… Judging by pharmaceutical company executives’ willingness to overlook mRNA vaccines’ long-term — and possibly multigenerational — risks, they must be… entranced by dollar-sign visions of a never-ending pipeline of ‘plug and play’ mRNA products.”

The New York Post reported on April 10:

“A Brooklyn woman who managed to avoid catching COVID-19 throughout 2020 went down with the bug this month — three weeks after being vaccinated… [with the] Johnson & Johnson vaccine… Even after [she] was vaccinated, she was careful to always mask up when outside and wash her hands frequently… ‘The vaccine does not necessarily prevent you from getting COVID. It prevents you from being hospitalized or dying from it,’ Dr. Kris Bungay, a Manhattan primary care physician, told The Post.”

That is not, of course, what we have been told so far.

It should make us think when we hear that nearly 40% of American Marines have declined to get vaccinated (CNN, April 10, 2021). They may know much more than the “ordinary” citizen, and it would be preposterous to assume they are all part of unfounded conspiracy theories. In addition, almost half of Republicans say they will never get the COVID-19 vaccine (Newsmax, April 14).

Reuters reported on April 14 :

“Denmark on Wednesday became the first country to stop using AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine altogether over a potential link to a rare but serious form of blood clot. The decision will push back the scheduled conclusion of Denmark’s vaccination scheme to early August from July 25, health authorities said. But that new timeline assumes it will start using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, whose rollout in Europe has been delayed over similar clotting concerns and the use of which Denmark has suspended. That shot comprises around a third of the country’s total contracted supply.”

CNBC added on April 14:

“A [US] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel on Wednesday decided to postpone a decision on Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine while it investigates cases of six women developing a rare but potentially life-threatening blood-clotting disorder that left one dead and one in critical condition. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met a day after the Food and Drug Administration asked states to temporarily halt using J&J’s vaccine ‘out of an abundance of caution.’”

Vaccine Passport of Limited “Value”

Breitbart wrote on April 15:

“A so-called ‘green pass’, or vaccine passport, will have limited scope, according to a new agreement by the 27 member-states of the European Union. EU members agreed that the vaccination certificate would not allow carte blanche travel across the European Union and stated that national governments would be allowed to restrict travel to stop the spread of the Chinese virus. The agreement states that ‘the use of the digital green certificate with a view to lifting restrictions should remain the responsibility of the member states’ and argues that the certificate should not be a travel document in order to ‘reinforce the principle of non-discrimination, in particular, towards unvaccinated persons’, newspaper El Paìs reports.

“The new proposal for the green pass would also introduce an expiration date for the green pass for 12 months from June 2021, when it is expected that the green pass will be approved… Previously, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had expressed a desire to use the pass longer, or even change it to adapt to future pandemics…

“While the proposal has passed the Council of the European Union, it must now go to the European Parliament, where it will need to meet with approval. It comes as several other countries have reacted negatively to the idea of vaccination passports, including the United Kingdom… In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, owners of restaurants, nightclubs, and other venues stated that they would refuse to recognise the vaccine passports even if the government mandated them.”

US Supreme Court Rejects Newsom’s Limits on In-Home Religious Gatherings

Fox News reported on April 9:

“The U.S. Supreme Court in a divided decision late Friday ruled in favor of lifting restrictions on in-home religious gatherings [holding the state may not prevent people from gathering in homes for Bible study and prayer meetings], overturning a lower court ruling that upheld Gov. Gavin Newsom’s limits on people from different homes. The 5-4 unsigned ruling follows other similar decisions recently regarding churches and the coronavirus pandemic. The decision noted it was the fifth time the court has rejected the Ninth Circuit’s analysis of California coronavirus restrictions.

“Chief Justice John Roberts dissented but did not sign the dissenting statement submitted by justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer. The ruling stated that before it can limit religious gatherings, the government must prove they pose a greater danger than secular activities that remain open, such as shopping or attending movies… adding that California ‘treats some comparable secular activities more favorably than at-home religious exercise, permitting hair salons, retail stores, personal care services, movie theaters, private suites at sporting events and concerts and indoor dining at restaurants to bring together more than three households at a time.’…”

No wonder that the Biden Administration wants to desperately “pack” the US Supreme Court by adding more liberal judges in order to uphold the Democrats’ political agenda. But who would have followed the state’s ridiculous prohibition on in-home Bible studies and prayer meetings anyhow?

Newsmax wrote on April 9:

“The Constitution doesn’t say how many justices the court must have, but Congress has left the number at nine since 1869. The idea of adding justices hasn’t been seriously discussed since President Franklin Roosevelt unsuccessfully pitched a court-packing plan to Congress in 1937.”

According to reports, Congressional Democrats, under the leadership of House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler, want to increase the number of judges on the US Supreme Court to 13. 

A superior court in Weimar, Germany, found on April 8 in a decision of 178 pages that all mask mandates for students in schools are unconstitutional, and the court prohibited the school in question to direct or compel  students to wear masks. It also prohibited the school officials to demand quick corona tests of their students. We wonder how long this decision will stand until it is overturned by higher courts.

Is Western U.S. Entering its Most Severe Drought in Modern History?

CBS News wrote on April 12:

“Extreme drought across the Western U.S. has become as reliable as a summer afternoon thunderstorm in Florida. And news headlines about drought in the West can seem a bit like a broken record, with some scientists saying the region is on the precipice of permanent drought. That’s because in 2000, the Western U.S. entered the beginning of what scientists call a megadrought— the second worst in 1,200 years… what is happening right now appears to be the beginning stages of something even more severe.

“And as we head into the summer dry season, the stage is set for an escalation of extreme dry conditions, with widespread water restrictions expected and yet another dangerous fire season ahead… there is little doubt that the drought in the West, especially the Southwest, this summer and fall will be the most intense in recent memory…

“Right now, the U.S. Drought Monitor places 60% of the Western states under severe, extreme or exceptional drought… this past winter’s wet season was not very wet at all. In fact, it just added insult to injury, with only 25 to 50% of normal rainfall falling across much of the Southwest and California. This followed one of the driest and hottest summers in modern times, with two historic heat waves… and the worst fire season in modern times…”

The Associated Press added on April 14:

“Hundreds of farmers who rely on a massive irrigation project that spans the Oregon-California border learned Wednesday they will get a tiny fraction of the water they need amid the worst drought in decades…”

Thinking Monkeys and Living Dinosaurs?

Reuters wrote on April 9:

“Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup released footage on Friday appearing to show a monkey playing a simple videogame after getting implants of the new technology… Neuralink works by recording and decoding electrical signals from the brain using more than 2,000 electrodes implanted in regions of the monkey’s motor cortex that coordinate hand and arm movements, the video’s voiceover said…

“Co-founded by Musk in 2016, San Francisco-based Neuralink aims to implant wireless brain computer chips to help cure neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia and spinal cord injuries and fuse…”

The Bible does speak of a spirit of animals, giving them the limited capacity of “thought processes.” Musk and his associates have other ideas, too.

Fox Business reported on April 8:

“Elon Musk’s business partner says a real-life version of ‘Jurassic Park’ could ‘probably’ happen but only if the tech whizzes ‘wanted to.’ The co-founder of Musk’s Neuralink company, Max Hodak, hit send on a tweet that suggested that any featured dinosaurs at a metaphorical Jurassic Park ‘wouldn’t be genetically authentic dinosaurs.’ But, with about ‘15 years of breeding and engineering’ anything is possible ‘to get super exotic novel species,’ he added.”

The Independent added on April 8:

“Scientists have cloned a number of animals, including wolves, dogs, cats, monkeys and, famously, sheep [and a black-footed ferret]… but scientists have not managed to create an extinct animal yet… The challenge in creating genetically authentic dinosaurs is due to the fact that soft material which would contain DNA is hard to preserve…

“Breeding and engineering, as Hodak suggests, is a possibility… Scientists are attempting to bring back similar species that have gone extinct, such as cloning a ‘proxy’ species of mammoth from an Asian elephant where there is a large amount of DNA material available…”

If it were possible to “create” an extinct dinosaur, then we can be certain that power- and fame-hungry scientists would attempt to do so. But can you imagine dinosaurs coming back to life? And what kind? The peace-loving vegetable-eating ones, or the vicious meat-eating ones?  For scientists, that would only be an academic question, however.

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.

This is a good question, and the answers are there for everyone to see if only they would look in the right place.

We make no apology for always basing our answers on the instruction manual that God has given mankind – the Bible. But the Bible today is ridiculed, maligned, scorned, rejected and attacked by so many opponents, including intellectuals (so-called), many in the teaching fraternity, politicians and other leaders including those who are involved in shaping the direction of society which the overwhelming majority of people just blindly accept.

It is such a huge subject to address, and yet the answer is simple. In Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, we read about the promise of blessings and also the pronouncement of cursings (or retribution) that God would bestow on the ancient nation of Israel depending on their obedience or disobedience. Not just blind obedience, but obedience based on the principles that would bring about peace, protection, prosperity and plenty.

The Bible does not hold back on its reporting of the good things and bad ways of Israel and of its kings and their subjects. We see that when the people respected and followed God, good things happened. When they rejected God and followed worthless idols and lived ungodly lives, their good life was replaced by war, captivity, subjection and a miserable existence.

The Bible gives a very important admonition in Galatians 6:7, which reads: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”  This is such an important principle, and one that man ignores at his peril. In the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, we read: “There is a terrible rebuke implied in the choice of this word. It is far stronger than ‘deceived’. The word means ‘to sneer at’, and here denotes not merely the attempt to impose a cheat upon another, but the open gesture of contempt for one who is an easy dupe.”

Perhaps most of us grew up, understanding the consequences of the Law of Gravity. Just what is it?  Is it as simple as, “Things tend to fall downwards?” The gravitational attraction between the Earth and the object pulls it towards the ground.

Likewise, when we choose an action, we also choose the consequences! This is not always known and understood; otherwise, so many actions that so many have taken may not have been made in the first place, had this principle been understood! But the ancient nation of Israel made wrong choices and suffered the consequences, and the same principle applies to us today! There are natural consequences to our actions. The world operates under the law of cause and effect. There is no way around it: every time we choose an action, we also choose the consequences of that action.

If a penalty or reward doesn’t come quickly, the thought might be that it isn’t coming at all, and then the wrongdoer may just think that the law of cause and effect is broken.

One person put it this way: “But what if a farmer thought this way? What if just because the seed he planted on Monday hadn’t sprouted by Tuesday, it meant that it wasn’t going to sprout? Or, if it did produce, he would get, say, beetroots when he had planted carrots? Ridiculous? Of course it is. But we humans can do bad things and then think we got away with them, or do good and then become discouraged, simply because the pain or pleasure that’s supposed to follow takes a while to come.”

A number of years ago, Billy Graham’s daughter was interviewed on the Early Show, and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” She made reference to the attacks on September 11, hurricanes and earthquakes. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. Some have disputed the source of this response, but whoever gave it, it was very meaningful.

She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.  And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.

“How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone? In light of recent events… terrorists attack, school shootings, etc., I think it started when Madeleine Murray O’Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn’t want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

“Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school … the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn’t spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock’s son committed suicide).

“We said an expert should know what he’s talking about. And we said OK.  Now we’re asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don’t know right from wrong, and why it doesn’t bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.  Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.  I think it has a great deal to do with ‘WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.’

“Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world’s going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.  Funny how you can send ‘jokes’ through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

“Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.  Are you laughing?  Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you’re not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think, of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.  Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it… no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don’t sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.”

That was a very hard-hitting and accurate assessment of the way that things have gone in recent decades, but most people don’t see any connection at all between the behaviour and lifestyle of people, and the state of the nations.

We must also add into the mix the fact that Satan the devil is alive and well. He sees that he doesn’t have much time, as we read in Revelation 12:12: ‘Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.’”

Because his time is almost up, we are warned in 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

He wants to stop our progress in our Christian lives so that we don’t make it into God’s Kingdom. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 we read about carnally-minded people “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

Make no mistake about it, Satan will continue his attacks on God’s people and it is up to us to be, and remain, close to God who can and will protect us at the end of this age. For further information on the demonic spirit world, please read our free booklet “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World.” 

We have recently covered two other Q&As which are, in many ways, inter-related with the question in this Q&A. They are:

https://www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk/who-determines-what-is-right-and-wrong/

https://www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk/why-do-you-think-that-christian-values-are-the-right-ones/

The Church of God has forecasted the downward spiral of our nations for many decades but, unfortunately, as people grow ever more distant from God and His ways, so the punishments will continue and increase.  If such ungodly practices were repented of and eliminated, the countries would benefit enormously but there seems to be no general recognition that our nations’ behaviour is wrong!

As the nations continue to lurch from crisis to crisis, many more bad days lie ahead. But after the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, the world will experience the righteous rule and government of God on earth. But until that time, with no leaders having the answers and none of them truly trusting God, more punishments will inevitably follow.

Society is at odds with itself because it doesn’t know how to live and behave. They know little about blessings and cursings. They don’t understand the principle of sowing and reaping.  And Satan, who deceives the whole world (compare Revelation 12:9), is very active in his demonic activities.

So, expect much more of the same as we rush headlong into the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation (compare Daniel 12:1).

We have been warned.

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

compiled by Dave Harris

“Russian Invasion of Ukraine Inevitable?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

Mounting tensions have been reported between Russia and Ukraine, with the West becoming increasingly concerned about the situation, while not really knowing as to what to do about it. With more than tens of thousands of Russian troops at the Ukrainian border, backed by tanks, armored vehicles, artillery and rocket batteries and apparently the largest mortar system in the world on its way, will Russia engage in a full-scale combat invasion of Ukraine? Will there be war between Russia and the West? How may all of this play out in the light of biblical prophecy?

A new Member Letter (April 2021) has been written. Michael Link reflects on the future for those who do keep God’s commandments at this time and the ultimate future for God’s people who are obedient to Him.

Our new German booklet “Die biblische Prophezeiung—von nun an bis in Ewigkeit“ (“Biblical Prophecy—From Now Until Forever“) has been completed and will be sent to the printer in Germany shortly. 

“Seid klug wie Schlangen und harmlos wie Tauben!” is the title of this Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Be Wise as Serpents and Harmless as Doves!”

“Welche Worte fallen uns schwer auszusprechen?” is the title of last Sabbath’s split sermon in Germany, presented by Christoph Sperzel. Title in English: “What Words Do We Find Difficult To Say?”

“Beständigkeit,” is the title of last Sabbath’s split sermon in Germany, presented by Thilo Hanstein. Title in English: “Resistance.”

“The Future is Forever,” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is a summary:

There is a tendency for all of us to view our lives in the context of this world and this lifetime. But our vision must be much greater than that! We must also live our lives with a view of our future and the promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of God!

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

The Bible tells us that “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31​). But it is also a tremendous opportunity if we have the faith to take advantage of it.

On December 26, 2020, Frank Bruno will present the sermonette, titled, “Finding Hope,” and Robb Harris will present the sermon, titled, “The Futility of Anger.”

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 this Editorial is published, many are celebrating the lie of Christmas. The professing Christian world has embraced the Christmas story, allegedly in memory of the birth of Christ, while that holiday is pagan to the core and has nothing to do with our Savior. An “alternate” narrative of fake news has suppressed the Truth for almost 2,000 years and replaced it with human fairy tales inspired by Satan, thereby creating an alternate “reality.” But it is all nothing but a fanciful and harmful illusion.

We have witnessed another fanciful and harmful illusion—in fact, many of them—in the year 2020. If there was one development of events which had a common denominator and stood out more than any other, it would have been the role of the mass media, in conjunction with certain politicians and experts, in a combined effort to suppress and set aside the Truth, while publishing and propagating false and alternate narratives and fake-news “realities.”

Just think of governmental restrictions and lockdowns to combat the coronavirus pandemic, based many times on inflated figures of test results and “cases.” Much has been reported about the inaccuracies of the numbers, and you can read many articles in our weekly Updates quoting such information. The tragedy is, the mass media ignored the facts and engaged in a war against those who dared to disagree with the “official” opinions of Dr. Fauci and other “experts,” thereby allowing mainly left-wing state governments to engage in repeated lockdowns, while destroying the livelihood of small business owners and others and causing much more physical and mental harm to grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren than the coronavirus did or could have done.

You might also want to think of the mass media’s and the left-wing politicians’ treatment of violent demonstrations by, among others, the Antifa and Black Lives Matter movements, in combination with the attempt to destroy or rewrite America’s history and smash monuments of historical figures. If these events were reported at all, they were explained as legitimate expressions of concerns about racial discrimination, while those who pointed out the hypocrisy and racism on the part of violent demonstrators and their supporters were maligned and persecuted.

It should also not be surprising, of course, to realize that the presidential elections were rigged and stolen, according to the view of most Trump voters and many others. The mass media and many Democrats and anti-Trump groups have been trying desperately to suppress the evidence for such belief, even falsely alleging that claims of voter fraud and irregularities were baseless and without proof. This might backfire, as nearly 77% of Trump voters and over 35% of Independents and Democrats believe that the election was indeed stolen.

Long before Joe Biden became president-elect, as determined by the Electoral College in December, he was already referred to as such in the mass media, even though this was clearly premature and legally untenable. Worse yet, the mass media, being in cahoots with many Democrats, intentionally and willfully suppressed the Hunter Biden scandal until after the election, fearing that otherwise, their candidate would not win. They might have been right with that “concern.” It is telling that fifty-six percent of Americans believe it is likely Joe Biden was consulted and perhaps profited from his son Hunter’s overseas business deals, while fifty-two percent believe many news organizations ignored the Hunter Biden story to aid his father’s presidential campaign. In addition, according to one poll, seventeen percent of Biden voters said they would not have voted for him had they known what the national media refused to report. In another poll, at least 9.4 percent of Biden voters would have changed their vote if they had known about the Hunter Biden scandal. Many Americans who had already cast ballots in early voting unsuccessfully sought to change their votes after learning of the Hunter Biden emails.

Joe Biden has steadfastly refused to comment on his son’s alleged misconduct, except to say that he was totally uninformed about what his son was doing; that he did not obtain any financial benefits from his son’s conduct; that he trusts his son; and that he does not believe that his son did anything wrong. And that even though the evidence is mounting that all of these statements are dubious at best and false at worst. This got me thinking of God’s instructions in regard to the parent-child relationship; especially since Joe Biden is a practicing Catholic who claims to attend church every week.

There are many biblical examples of parents having been too negligent and permissive regarding their children’s unrighteous behavior. Eli knew about the corrupt conduct of his sons, but he did not prevent them from continuing in their service at the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25).  A man of God told him that he honored his sons more than God (verse 29). Samuel did not correct his corrupt sons either, but let them continue in their ungodly behavior (1 Samuel 8:1-3). The same is true for David who did not rebuke his rebellious son Adonijah at any time (2 Samuel 23:5; 1 Kings 1:5-6). In every case, the consequences were disastrous.

It may be easy and convenient, as parents, to look the other way when it comes to their children, but this must not be done. We must follow God in everything, and we must love Him and His Word more than anyone or anything else, including our own mate, our families, our parents and our children, our friends, and even our own lives (Matthew 10:37-38; Luke 14:26). In Old Testament times, parents were asked not to tolerate the ungodly conduct of their unrepentant rebellious children. Rather, they had to show their disapproval, when called upon to do so (Deuteronomy 13:6-10; 21:18-21). The principle of physical or at least spiritual separation, if need be, still applies today, and it also applies, of course, to the children’s reaction towards the unrighteous behavior of their parents.

We are living in a thoroughly corrupt society, where anything goes. Every lie, every abomination is accepted and many times even propagated, while the truth is “fallen on the street” and “fails” (Isaiah 59:9-15). As true Christians, we cannot change society, realizing that this evil rotten world is Satan’s, not God’s. We should not expect to find righteousness where Satan governs, but we can and must pray for God’s Kingdom to come and His Government to be restored on this earth, while keeping ourselves unspotted from the world with its rulers, politicians and experts (James 1:27). And we must NEVER ever begin to justify and embrace the wrong ideas they stand for, nor tolerate and imitate their evil and corrupt actions.

by Norbert Link

We begin with reporting on the top European Court’s highly controversial decision to allow the prohibition of ritual slaughter (Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Europe’s Attack on Religious Freedom and the coming Great Tribulation”).

We continue with reports on the appalling “coronavirus relief bill” adopted by a thoroughly corrupt Congress; and the frustration of many Americans regarding dictatorial corona measures by hypocritical state governors leading to the destruction of especially small businesses and a growing will to resist.  

We speak on a massive hacking attack on US companies and governmental agencies; the growing military cooperation between China and Russia; Donald Trump’s ongoing challenge of the accuracy of the outcome of the presidential election; the troubles of Joe Biden; the fight for and against abortion; and the shaky relationship between the UK and the USA.  

We address the announcement of a Brexit deal, due to Boris Johnson’s alleged spineless willingness to compromise; point out numerous and diverse issues connected with coronavirus vaccinations; attempts to bring about “reconciliation” between the Catholic and the Protestant Lutheran churches; the collapse of the Israeli government (again); speak on the Third Temple; and address the isolation of the UK and travel bans, due to an alleged “dangerous” mutation of the coronavirus.  

We address discussions about Europe’s intervention in Ethiopia; the Catholic Church’s criticism of Europe’s restrictions of religious freedom; religious persecution of the wife of a Christian minister in Finland; and the concerted efforts of more than 300 religious leaders to fight conversion therapies.

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

“A Disastrous Decision”

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 18:

“The European Union’s top court has deemed kosher and halal slaughter incompatible with animal welfare. This is a grim day for religious freedom in Europe…

“As European societies grow progressively secular, more and more people take offense to certain religious practices. This pertains to certain rituals, religious needs and sensitivities… Now, the ECJ has spoken on the matter. This is a very sad, indeed fateful, day for religious freedom in Europe.

“And by the way: Do not stress the absolute primacy of animal welfare and turn a blind eye to Europe’s meat industry. Consulting the figures quickly shows that kosher and halal slaughter are a marginal issue compared to any one of the continent’s meat processing plants, where livestock are pumped full of chemicals, industrially killed and processed…

According to Times of Israel, dated December 18, “Israel’s foreign ministry lashed out at the verdict as ‘sending a harsh message to all European Jewry. Beyond the fact that this decision harms the freedom of worship and religion in Europe, a core value of the EU, it also signals to Jewish communities that the Jewish way of life is unwanted in Europe,’ the ministry said in a statement.”

“A Disgrace”

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) wrote on December 18:

“Hungary’s deputy prime minister called Thursday’s ruling by the European Union’s highest court in favor of banning kosher slaughter a ‘disgrace… to the religious freedom and security of the European Jewish community and is yet one more sign of the total collapse of our traditional Judeo-Christian value system’…

“In Western Europe, liberals and right-wing nationalists have united over the past few years to oppose the ritual slaughter of animals and the circumcision of boys. Liberal circles cite animal and child welfare concerns, while nationalists perceive the customs foreign imports that need to be limited to mitigate the perceived effects of the arrival of millions of Muslims to Europe in recent years.

“Jews have strict laws to make the slaughter of animals as quick and painless [as] possible, requiring a trained professional slaughterer and extremely sharp and large knives, among other requirements… the ruling by the EU court… is likely to encourage other European courts to enact similar bans…”

Europe will soon begin a systematic persecution of Jews “and all those who keep the Sabbath,” to quote Martin Luther’s terminology when he advocated war against them.

Another Disgrace… Congress’ appalling “Coronavirus Relief” Bill

Breitbart wrote on December 22:

“President Donald Trump demanded Tuesday that Congress amend the coronavirus rescue package and government funding bill before sending it to his desk. The massive 5,593-page bill was passed by both the House and the Senate on Monday night but immediately drew criticism for only sending $600 of direct aid to each American… ‘I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2000, or $4000 for a couple,’ he said. The also president lamented that the bill also failed to provide substantial aid to restaurants and small businesses.

“Trump berated members of Congress for failing to even read the massive bill before passing it quickly in the last hours before the Christmas holiday. ‘It’s called the COVID relief bill, but it has almost nothing to do with COVID,’ he said. He criticized the billions appropriated for aid to countries like Cambodia, Burma, Egypt, countries in Central America, and even $25 million for ‘democracy and gender programs’ in Pakistan. The president also ridiculed the bill for including $40 million for the Kennedy Center, $1 billion for the Smithsonian, and $154 for the National Gallery of Art.

“‘Congress found plenty of money for foreign countries and lobbyists and special interests, while sending the bare minimum to the American people who need it,’ Trump said… ‘I am also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation and to send me a suitable bill or else the next administration will have to deliver a COVID relief package, and maybe that administration will be me and we will get it done,’ he concluded.”

After months and months of “negotiations,” to pass such a bill is appalling. Only very few members of Congress had the guts to object to and not to approve this bill. Shame on the rest who approved without having even read it.

Americans in Revolt

Reason wrote on December 16:

“Evidence from around the country shows that many Americans are thoroughly sick of impoverishing, socially isolating lockdown orders, and are revolting against the often-hypocritical politicians who issue them…

“From coast to coast, businesses and individuals are ignoring restrictive rules that threaten their livelihoods, stifle social contact, and threaten to strangle the necessary interactions of everyday life… On the West Coast, many restaurants also open their door to customers despite state orders to the contrary…

“The city council in Solvang, a tourism-fueled community in Santa Barbara County, recently voted to ignore shutdown orders that threaten locals’ livelihoods…

“None of this should be a surprise. Small businesses have taken it in the teeth from restrictions that cut them off from customers and cash… many of them closing permanently. Restaurants… have been especially hard hit…

“Politicians actively fanned the flames of resistance with their ‘rules are only for the little people’ flouting of their own orders. Amidst a flurry of high-profile examples, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s expensive gathering with other officials at The French Laundry stands out for its arrogance…

“In distress and after due consideration, many Americans have decided that they shouldn’t comply. Individually and in organized groups, often with the support of their communities, people are pushing back against lockdown orders that they find more threatening than COVID-19. Mayor de Blasio, Cuomo, and their colleagues near and far may loudly announce new restrictions on life, but they’re going to find ever-shrinking ranks willing to listen.”

Many Americans who are facing personal ruin and destruction, will not tolerate governmental Corona measures and restrictions for much longer.

Defiance to Newsom’s Lockdown Orders in San Diego

The following sections describe the sad events happening in San Diego, reflecting what is occurring in much of the country.

NBC San Diego wrote on December 17:

“Thursday afternoon, a San Diego judge held a last-minute hearing to clarify a bombshell court order allowing strip clubs, strip clubs that serve food, and thus restaurants to reopen [thereby overruling and nullifying Gov. Newsom’s lockdown order]…”

Fox 5 San Diego wrote on December 18:

“A California appeals court [from the Fourth District Court of Appeals, District One] on Friday blocked a judge’s order allowing San Diego County restaurants to resume indoor and outdoor dining, keeping Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home edict in full effect. A three-judge panel’s brief order gave no explanation and came almost immediately after the state asked for emergency intervention…”

What is happening in California is appalling. A recall effort is underway to depose Emperor Newsom, due to his perceived incompetence and ongoing hypocrisy, and it will have to be seen whether it is going to be successful.1,5 million votes are needed, and by now, half of the votes have been obtained.  In 2003, Gray Davis was recalled and Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced him.

CBS 8 wrote on December 20:

“Restaurant owners in San Diego are still pushing back against this week’s court ruling that shut them down again. The on again, off again shut-down of restaurants has frustration levels running high in San Diego County. More and more restaurant owners said they won’t shut down despite the public health order…

“Dozens of people came out in North Park on Saturday to show their support for struggling restaurant owners who want to stay open… the rally was held so more restaurant owners can know how to stand up for themselves… [One restaurant owner] said police have already given her a citation and San Diego County has issued a cease & desist order. She said she’s hired a lawyer and will continue to remain open.”

Do they really have another choice if they want to stay alive? Note the next articles.

Government, not Coronavirus, Is Killing Small Business

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on December 21:“A video of a confrontation between Ventura County, California health officials and restaurant owner Anton Van Happen has gone viral. The health officials were ordering Mr. Van Happen to close his business because he allegedly violated California’s ban on outdoor dining. Mr. Van Happen asked the health officials if the government will pay his employees and his rent while his business is indefinitely closed.

“Mr. Van Happen is hardly the only small business owner worried about how to pay bills during the lockdowns. Many small businesses operate on a narrow profit margin, so being forced to ‘temporarily’ shut down or limit the number of customers they can serve is a virtual death sentence. The lockdowns have already caused as many as 200,000 small businesses to permanently close. Lockdowns, by shrinking the number of employers, lead to long-term unemployment or lower wages for many workers.

“While governments have terrorized small businesses, they have typically deemed the big chain stores ‘essential businesses’ so they can remain open. The lockdowns are thus another government policy that gives big businesses a competitive advantage over their smaller competitors. The benefits big businesses get from the lockdowns — including fewer competitors, more customers, and a job market with more workers competing for fewer jobs — may explain why many big businesses are not fighting the lockdowns… Sadly, even many progressives are unquestioningly parroting the Covid propaganda and demonizing those who dissent…

“Resistance to Covid tyranny is growing as more people figure out that lockdowns and mandates are both unnecessary and harmful. This resistance was largely started by small business owners faced with a choice between obeying the government or making sure they, and their employees, can feed their families. Small business owners have been leaders in recent anti-lockdown protests across America.

“Eventually the resistance will grow to the point where the politicians will be forced to either double down on authoritarianism or admit the lockdowns were a mistake. Either way, those of us who know the truth must resist the Covid tyranny until government officials no longer terrorize small businesses for the crime of serving willing consumers.”

Mandates all about Submission

Breitbart wrote on December 20:

“Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) told Breitbart News on Saturday that mask mandates — ostensibly issued for public health purposes — ‘are all about submission’…

“‘…nobody can eat in a restaurant, there’s no science behind any of that. Middle seat missing on the airplane, you really think you’re like 12 inches from the other guy instead of six inches, it really makes a difference?  None of it really makes any sense, and there’s no epidemiological evidence… If Fauci has his way, you’ll never give up on the mask… It’s all about submission. They want you to submit to their will…’”

Breitbart wrote on December 19:

“Jonathan Philip Chadwick Sumption, who still serves on the Supplementary Panel of Britain’s top court,… questioned the moral and practical basis for [a] lockdown… ‘A policy that only works by suppressing our humanity is unlikely to work at all. Life is risky. A policy that seeks to eliminate risk ends up trying to eliminate life. We have to re-examine the whole concept that governments can simply turn social existence on and off at will, treating us as passive instruments of state policy.’”

True, but what governmental leaders are listening?

Worst Hacking in US History?

Times of Israel and The Associated Press wrote on December 18:

“US officials suspect a massive hacking operation that hit numerous government agencies and has been linked to Russia breached networks tied to the country’s nuclear weapons stockpile… The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said… that the intrusion had compromised federal agencies as well as ‘critical infrastructure’ in a sophisticated attack that was hard to detect and will be difficult to undo…

“CISA directed all civilian agencies of the federal government to remove SolarWinds [software] from their servers. The cybersecurity agencies of Britain and Ireland issued similar alerts…

“[A] US official… said the hack was severe and extremely damaging… ‘This is looking like it’s the worst hacking case in the history of America,’ the official said. ‘They got into everything.’ The official said the administration is working on the assumption that most, if not all, government agencies were compromised but the extent of the damage was not yet known.

“The intentions of the perpetrators appear to be espionage and gathering valuable information rather than destruction… Members of Congress said they feared that taxpayers’ personal information could have been exposed because the IRS is part of Treasury, which used SolarWinds software.”

Trump Disputes Severity

Sputnik News reported on December 19:

“The extent of the hacking attack on US companies and entities is far less severe than mass media picture it to be, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday on his Twitter account… Trump berated media outlets for excluding China’s potential involvement in the attack, which, he believes, might be the case…”

 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo disagrees. Before Trump spoke out on Twitter, Fox News reported on December 19 about Pompeo’s statements on Friday:

“Pompeo says Russia was ‘pretty clearly’ behind the gravest cyberattack against the United States on record, the first administration official to publicly tie the Kremlin to the widespread intrusion.”

Close Military Ties between Russia and China

The Associated Press reported on December 22:

“Russian and Chinese bombers flew a joint patrol mission over the Western Pacific Tuesday in a show of increasingly close military ties between Moscow and Beijing… The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the joint mission was intended to ‘develop and deepen the comprehensive Russia-China partnership, further increase the level of cooperation between the two militaries, expand their ability for joint action and strengthen strategic stability.’…

“It follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement in October that the idea of a future Russia-China military alliance can’t be ruled out — a signal of deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing amid growing tensions in their relations with the United States… Putin also noted in October that Russia has been sharing highly sensitive military technologies with China that helped significantly bolster its defense capability.”

According to prophecy, a huge, powerful and hostile military alliance between Russia, China and other Far Eastern countries will form.

Big Wild Protest on January 6?

Fox News wrote on December 19:

“President Trump on Saturday promised a ‘wild’ protest in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, as he continued to deny that he lost the election. ‘Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election,’ he tweeted. ‘Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!’ Jan. 6 is the day Congress will meet to accept the presidential election results…

‘Some Trump allies have planned to call for a debate in the House when the election results are received. However,… Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell asked his Republican colleagues in the Senate not to contest the election results on Jan. 6, when a joint session of Congress formally accepts the count… A majority of both chambers of Congress (including the Democratic-controlled House) would be needed to upend the election results.

“Meanwhile, Trump has been critical of those in his party who have accepted Biden’s victory. After McConnell recognized Biden as president-elect in a Tuesday speech on the floor of the Senate, Trump responded by calling on him and other Republicans to ‘get tougher.’… ‘Republican Senators have to get tougher, or you won’t have a Republican Party anymore. We won the Presidential Election, by a lot. FIGHT FOR IT. Don’t let them take it away!’ Trump charged on Twitter.”

What’s going on with McConnell and the Republican Party? Are they trying to commit suicide?

Trump: Biden “Won” through “Monstrous Fraud”

Newsmax wrote on December 23:

“President Donald Trump Tuesday night released a 14-minute long video through Facebook declaring the election had been stolen from him in favor of Joe Biden because of ‘monstrous fraud.’… Trump said he was leading by ‘several hundreds of thousands of votes’ by midnight on election night, but that soon disappeared. He said that he was ahead in several key battleground states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, and Biden would not have been able to catch up to him. ‘Then suddenly everything started to disappear, everything started to change,’ said Trump, adding that he was starting to get calls from leaders congratulating him. ‘The vote-counting abruptly stopped in multiple states.’

“By the next morning, the states were starting to swing the other way, said Trump. For example, he said that at 6:31 a.m., Michigan had a sudden boost of votes that went more than 90% for Biden, and soon after that, other states started reporting that the former vice president was winning. ‘These gigantic and ridiculously one-sided spikes were miraculously just enough to push Joe Biden into the lead in all of the key swing states,’ Trump said. ‘These glaring anomalies are just the tip of the iceberg.’

“He also said that in individual states:

“Pennsylvania broke state law by suspending signature verification requirements. Michigan’s Democrat secretary of state ‘illegally flooded the state with absentee ballot applications’ even though Michigan law strictly limits the distribution of absentee ballots. Wisconsin’s Democrat cities deployed over 500 unmanned, unsecured ballot drop boxes. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger started processing ballots ‘weeks before Election Day’ and also ‘destroyed the signature verification systems in violation of the law.’ Absentee ballot rejection rates proved that ‘hundreds of thousands of illegitimate ballots’ had been counted in key states, which was ‘sufficient to change the election results all in their own.’ ‘The same phenomena occurred in Pennsylvania and other states,’ he said. ‘They were accepting all of these ballots, many of which were absolutely illegal.’

“The rejection rates for ballots in most states, he added, were ‘magically’ the lowest they had been. ‘The only possible explanation is that tens of thousands of ballots were unlawfully processed … hundreds and hundreds of witnesses have come forward to testify under penalty of perjury about the cheating and fraud they saw with their own eyes.’

“He also mentioned video showing security camera footage from Georgia ‘that shows officials telling poll watchers to leave the room before pulling suitcases of ballots out from under the tables and continuing to count for hours.’”

As we have pointed out throughout our reporting, evidence for claims of voter fraud and voter “irregularities” seems to be very convincing.

Franklin Graham: The Election Was Stolen

Newsmax added on December 19:

“Franklin Graham said Saturday that President Donald Trump has been right on many issues about how he has been treated during his presidency, and when he says the election was rigged or stolen, ‘I tend to believe him.’ ‘The President has been maligned, falsely accused, and attacked on every front since before the election in 2016,’ Graham posted on his Facebook page…

“Graham commented that in 2016, when Trump told Americans the government was spying on him, ‘the media said that he was paranoid.’ ‘The Obama administration and the Democrats said that this was an absolute lie and that Donald Trump was not fit to be president, only for us to find out later that the U.S. government did spy on Donald Trump, and what he had said was in fact true,’ said Graham.

“Then, for the next two years, Trump was under investigation for collusion with the Russians, but even though he said there was no collusion, ‘the media and the Democrats’ said there was. ‘After an investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, it turned out to be false — there was no collusion,’ said Graham. ‘President Trump was right again. Then the Democrats impeached him over a phone call.’

“He concluded his message by asking for prayers for Trump, Joe Biden, and the nation ‘that we will get through this, and for God’s will to be done.’”

Amen to that.

Pat Robertson: Trump Should give Up and Move On

Mediaite wrote on December 21:

“Pat Robertson thinks that President Donald Trump is being ‘erratic’ and needs to move on from his ‘alternate reality’ about the election. Yes, that Pat Robertson… Back in October, Robertson said God told him Trump would win… before adding, ‘It’s going to lead to civil unrest, and then a war against Israel and so forth.’… But on Monday… after The 700 Club aired a report about Trump considering a 2024 run, Robertson… added Trump shouldn’t run in 2024, saying such a move would be a ‘mistake’…

“Earlier on in the program, Robertson acknowledged Biden’s victory…”

We wonder (not really) whether God “told” him that too…

“With a ‘Little’ Help from His Friends…” Joe Biden in Trouble

Newsmax reported on December 18:

“Fifty-six percent of Americans believe it is likely Joe Biden was consulted and perhaps profited from his son Hunter’s overseas business deals, including at least one involving a company in mainland China, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports… 52% believe many news organizations ignored the Hunter Biden story to aid his father’s presidential campaign.”

“It was reported that according to a poll, “one of every six Biden voters (17%) said they would not have voted for him had they known the facts about several of the news stories the national media refused to investigate thoroughly because they might have hurt his candidacy. Had one of six voters not voted for Biden in the swing states, or voted for Trump instead, the election would have turned out differently.

“The survey showed that 45.1% of Biden voters were unaware of the financial scandals of Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and how Hunter’s business had been wrapped up in Biden’s work in foreign affairs while vice president under President Barack Obama. It further showed 35.4% of Biden voters were unaware of his former aide Tara Reade’s allegation that Biden sexually assaulted her on Capitol Hill in the 1990s, and 25.3% of his voters didn’t know that Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California, Biden’s vice presidential running mate, was ranked America’s most ‘progressive’ senator in 2019” (Chattanooga Times Free Press, dated November 26, 2020).

Another poll indicated that Biden would have lost the presidential race if the mainstream news media hadn’t covered up stories about alleged scandals involving the former vice president… For instance, 35.4 percent of those voting for him admitted their news sources didn’t report on the Hunter Biden scandal. If they had known about it, 9.4 percent of them would have changed their vote. That could have moved six of the swing states into the Trump column, giving him a decisive 311 electoral votes…Studies by the Media Research Center show the mainstream news media’s reporting about Trump has been more than 90 percent negative his entire presidency and consistently failed to cover his administration’s accomplishments” (Sky 21 sand CBN, dated November 21).

The Fight for and against Abortion—“Biden-Harris-Becerra: The Unholy Abortion Trinity”

Israel 365 wrote on December 21:

“On Wednesday, President Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced that it will be enacting a measure withholding $200 million in Medicaid funding from California in the first quarter of 2021 due to the state’s requirement that state insurance companies provide abortion insurance coverage. Azar threatened to continue to penalize the state $200 million for every quarter it does not comply…

“This comes in the wake of a decision by the department’s Office of Civil Rights in January that California’s requirement that state-regulated health plans cover abortions discriminated ‘against health care plans and issuers that did, or would otherwise, limit or exclude abortion coverage in their plan products.’… the decision to bypass the federal regulations was carried out under the attorney generalcy of Kamala Harris, the current Democratic candidate for Vice President. Harris is a strong advocate for abortion…

“California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom lashed out at President Trump…

“Many pundits have challenged Azar’s threat to continue penalizing California for non-compliance, suggesting that the Trump administration may not remain in office. If this dire reality materializes, it is unlikely that California will be forced to comply as Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate, announced Xavier Becerra as his candidate for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Becerra served as Harris’s assistant, eventually replacing her as California Attorney General…”

The problem is, in withholding Medicaid funding, Californians in the program are penalized who are opposed to abortion.

Biden Would Not Sign US-UK Deal

Express wrote on December 18:

“JOE BIDEN has dashed hopes of a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and US when he succeeds Donald Trump in January… the former vice-president has said he will adopt a similar ‘America First’ policy as Mr Trump and will ‘fight like hell’ to invest in US firms and employees… Biden, who served as second in command during the Barack Obama administration, has previously made his anti-Brexit views known…

“But, on Thursday, the UK was given an unexpected boost after Donald Trump’s trade representative confirmed he is in talks with the UK over an agreement before the 45th US President leaves office next month. The Department for International Trade has already confirmed post-Brexit trade deals have been secured with 58 countries – including Canada, Japan and Mexico. The agreements are worth £198billion and covers 96 percent of non-EU trade.”

A Brexit Deal? Did Johnson Cave in?

Express wrote on December 23:

“France has boasted Britain has made significant concessions over fishing in Brexit trade talks over the past two days with a trade deal between the UK and European Union reported to be on the verge of being agreed. The French official, who declined to be named, told Reuters: ‘The British have made huge concessions in the negotiations in the past 48 hours.’ The insider also warned that on fishing in particular, the latest position from the UK was ‘far’ from the three-year access to British waters and 80 percent reduction in quotas offered by London a week ago. Fisheries has proved to be a major stumbling block in post-Brexit trade deal talks as the end of the transition period approaches on December 31.

“The Prime Minister has vowed to take back control of the UK’s 200 nautical mile coastline and it is thought this would involve cutting EU access by up to 60 percent over a three-year period. But, with just days to go in negotiations, reports suggested the UK had caved in on this and offered to reduce the amount of fish EU fishermen can catch by around a third over the next five years. The prospect of handing large swathes of fish back to EU vessels has been condemned by UK fishing group Fishing for Leave who branded the proposal ‘abysmal’.”

Subsequently, on December 24, it was announced that a deal was reached. The details are sketchy, and while every side claims victory, reality might be different. It has already emerged that the British fisheries are unhappy.  

Newsmax commented on December 24:

“While the last-minute deal prevents the most acrimonious ending to the saga on Jan. 1, the United Kingdom is set for a much more distant relationship with its biggest trade partner than almost anyone expected at the time of the 2016 referendum… Without the collective might of the EU, the United Kingdom will stand largely alone…”

Sky News wrote on December 24:

“The deal will be judged by the public on a broad set of criteria.

“Does this deal satisfy everyone who voted to leave the European Union in the referendum on 23 June 2016?

“Does the British public think it gives the nation the freedom to do things it could not do as members of the EU?

“Does it cause businesses and individuals difficulties in their dealings with the EU, or have sensible compromises been found?

“How easy will it be to live, work and deal with people across the Channel and the Irish Sea?

“These questions are simply not possible to answer today. Britain has begun a journey away from the EU and this is only the first step.

“The detail of the deal has not been seen, only the slogans have.

“Only once businesses are forced to follow its strictures and courts interpret its meaning, when it comes into force on 1 January, will the deal start to have an impact.

“And only then can we truly know how good a deal it is.”

Negative Reaction to Corona Vaccination

Breitbart wrote on December 16:

“A health worker in Alaska experienced a ‘serious reaction’ and was subsequently hospitalized after receiving a dose of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine… The worker had ‘no history of drug allergies,’ the [New York] Times reported…

“This month, Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) confirmed that it was providing ‘resuscitation facilities’ in vaccination centers following reports of two individuals experiencing anaphylactic reactions after receiving the vaccine. However, the two health care workers reportedly had histories of allergic reactions. ‘Resuscitation facilities should be available at all times for all vaccinations. Vaccination should only be carried out in facilities where resuscitation measures are available’” the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said, offering ‘precautionary advice.’”

Some local hospitals have halted vaccinations due to allergic reactions of patients.

Censuring “Phony Claims” against Vaccinations

The Times of Israel wrote on December 20:

 “As Israel kicked off its mass inoculation drive on Sunday, state prosecutors warned that the distribution of false material about the vaccine could amount to a criminal offense as it was announced that Facebook deleted dozens of posts containing falsehoods about the inoculation… Additionally, four groups were removed from Facebook for propagating false information about vaccinations, prosecutors said…

“Posts that fall afoul of the policy could include phony claims about vaccine safety, efficacy, ingredients or side effects… Twitter said last week that it will begin removing misinformation about COVID-19 vaccinations from its site. It listed among posts that will [be] removed as those including false claims that the virus is not real, debunked claims about the effects of receiving the vaccine and baseless claims that suggest that immunizations are used to harm or control people.

“Health Minister Yuli Edelstein… last week criticized Israelis who spread fake news and unverified claims about coronavirus vaccines, saying it could cause people to die if they take their advice and refuse to vaccinate.”

The question is, what is the exact nature of so-called phony claims?

Reluctance to Take Vaccines in Muslim Communities

The Associated Press reported on December 20:

“As companies race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine and countries scramble to secure doses, questions about the use of pork products — banned by some religious groups — has raised concerns about the possibility of disrupted immunization campaigns.

“Pork-derived gelatin has been widely used as a stabilizer to ensure vaccines remain safe and effective during storage and transport. Some companies have worked for years to develop pork-free vaccines: Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis has produced a pork-free meningitis vaccine, while Saudi- and Malaysia-based AJ Pharma is currently working on one of their own. But demand, existing supply chains, cost and the shorter shelf life of vaccines not containing porcine gelatin means the ingredient is likely to continue to be used in a majority of vaccines for years, said Dr. Salman Waqar, general secretary of the British Islamic Medical Association.

“Spokespeople for Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca have said that pork products are not part of their COVID-19 vaccines. But limited supply and preexisting deals worth millions of dollars with other companies means that some countries with large Muslim populations, such as Indonesia, will receive vaccines that have not yet been certified to be gelatin-free. This presents a dilemma for religious communities, including Orthodox Jews and Muslims, where the consumption of pork products is deemed religiously unclean, and how the ban is applied to medicine, he said.

“‘There’s a difference of opinion amongst Islamic scholars as to whether you take something like pork gelatin and make it undergo a rigorous chemical transformation,’ Waqar said. ‘Is that still considered to be religiously impure for you to take?’ The majority consensus from past debates over pork gelatin use in vaccines is that it is permissible under Islamic law… There’s a similar assessment by a broad consensus of religious leaders in the Orthodox Jewish community as well. ‘According to the Jewish law, the prohibition on eating pork or using pork is only forbidden when it’s a natural way of eating it,’ said Rabbi David Stav, chairman of Tzohar, a rabbinical organization in Israel. If ‘it’s injected into the body, not (eaten) through the mouth,’ then there is ‘no prohibition and no problem, especially when we are concerned about sicknesses,’ he said.

“Yet there have been dissenting opinions on the issue — some with serious health consequences for Indonesia, which has the world’s largest Muslim population, some 225 million. In 2018, the Indonesian Ulema Council, the Muslim clerical body that issues certifications that a product is halal, or permissible under Islamic law, decreed that the measles and rubella vaccines were ‘haram,’ or unlawful, because of the gelatin. Religious and community leaders began to urge parents to not allow their children to be vaccinated… A decree was later issued by the Muslim clerical body saying it was permissible to receive the vaccine…  In Malaysia, where the halal status of vaccines has been identified as the biggest issue among Muslim parents, stricter laws have been enacted so that parents must vaccinate their children or face fines and jail time. In Pakistan, where there has been waning vaccine confidence for religious and political reasons, parents have been jailed for refusing to vaccinate their children against polio… In Indonesia, the government has already said it will include the Muslim clerical body in the COVID-19 vaccine procurement and certification process.”

Please note our Q&A on the issue addressed in the above-quoted article, titled, “Does it violate the Biblical injunction against consumption of unclean meat to use medicines, vitamins and mineral supplements derived from unclean animals? Is it a violation to use gelatin products, which might be derived from parts of unclean animals?” 

Vatican: OK to Get Vaccination

The Associated Press wrote on December 21:

“The Vatican on Monday declared that it is ‘morally acceptable’ for Roman Catholics to receive COVID-19 vaccines based on research that used cells derived from aborted fetuses, guidance that came after some churchmen in the United States argued that such products were immoral… The doctrinal office pointed out that bishops, Catholic groups and experts have offered ‘diverse and sometimes conflicting pronouncements’ on the matter…

“The Vatican concluded that ‘it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses’ in the research and production process when ‘ethically irreproachable’ vaccines aren’t available to the public… The Vatican didn’t name any of the COVID-19 vaccines already being given to people in some countries or authorized to be used soon…

“The Vatican… noted that ‘health authorities do not allow citizens to choose the vaccine with which to be inoculated.’ Given such circumstances, it is morally acceptable to receive vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses, the Vatican said. The Vatican said the COVID-19 vaccines that are getting rolled out or are expected to be soon used cell lines ‘drawn from tissue obtained from two abortions that occurred in the last century.’…

“The Roman Catholic church’s doctrinal orthodoxy office said ‘vaccination is not, as a rule, a moral obligation’ and must be voluntary. Still, it said, from an ethical point of view, ‘the morality of vaccination depends not only on the duty to protect one’s own health but also on the duty to pursue the common good.’”

So, that settles it????

Catholic-Protestant Reconciliation  

Philstar wrote on December 23:

“Pope Francis is being asked to lift the excommunication of Martin Luther and thus seal Catholic-Lutheran reconciliation. Cleansing the legacy of the 16th-century reformer would remove a major block to Christian unity, influential ecumenical thinkers say. A papal initiative shall be reciprocated by Lutheran leaders. Other Protestant churches will be motivated into deeper talks for communion.

“Harsh words exchanged in the wake of Luther’s schism 500 years ago need to be taken back. That will cap 50 years of efforts at Catholic-Lutheran mending… A date is suggested for the historic restoration: Jan. 3, 2021… On that day five centuries ago, Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther… Four years earlier the German monk had nailed his Ninety-Five Theses on the Wittenberg church door. Aided by newly invented printing, the schism spread fast across Christian Europe.

“By June 1520 Leo X issued a bull ‘condemning, reprobating and rejecting completely’ 41 of Luther’s theses. He called them ‘errors… either heretical, scandalous, false, offensive to pious ears or seductive of simple minds, and against Catholic truth.’…

“Luther reaffirmed his declarations and added, ‘Whoever wrote that bull, he is Antichrist.’… he and fellow-reformer Philip Melancthon burned a copy of the bull and other papal documents. Expulsion followed… Leo X censured Luther as a ‘misguided,’ ‘debased,’ ‘depraved,’ ‘damnable …heretic.’ Persecutions and wars ensued as monarchs and nobles took sides.

“Rescinding the excommunication would delete such descriptions… the Lutheran World Federation [is being urged] to revoke Luther’s condemnation of the pope as ‘Antichrist.’”

That figures. If the Pope of the Mother church is “Antichrist,” what then happens to the daughter churches? (See Revelation 17).

Israel’s Government Collapses

CNN wrote on December 22:

“The Israeli government collapsed on Tuesday…  after the country’s parliament failed to meet a deadline for passage of the 2020 and 2021 budgets. Israel will now head to its fourth elections in two years probably on March 23 next year. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his erstwhile coalition partner, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, sought to blame one another for the collapse of their seven-month-old government…

“After three inconclusive elections, and with the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic underway, Gantz agreed to join Netanyahu in April, in what was described as an ‘emergency’ coalition government – even though he’d campaigned on a platform that ruled out sitting with the Prime Minister while he faced corruption charges.

“Under the deal, the prime ministership would have been rotated between the two party leaders: Netanyahu would serve first, and then give way to Gantz after 18 months. The only loophole in the complicated deal was if lawmakers failed to agree to a budget before Tuesday’s midnight deadline — a failure that has now come to pass…

“Opinion polls suggest Netanyahu’s Likud party is again on track to win the most Knesset seats in the next election…”

Trump, Johnson and Netanyahu seem to be in serious difficulties. But we have not heard the latest from these three individuals.

Getting Closer to the Third Temple?

Israel 365 wrote on December 20:

 “Israel’s coalition chair and lawmaker (Likud) Amit Halevi lit Chanukah candles on Tuesday outside of the Temple Mount. Halevi then entered the holy site and recalled how Matityahu of the Hasmonean Dynasty ‘illuminated our light.’ … Members of Knesset… are not allowed on the site without the Prime Minister’s explicit approval which means that Halevi had to have gotten the green light from PM Benjamin Netanyahu to ascend the mount…

“Halevi was impressed with the changes taking place on the Temple Mount and said that step-by-step, Israel is getting closer to the Temple… Halevi is a member of the Levite tribe…

“Excited to enter the Temple Mount, Halevi quoted Zechariah: ‘Does anyone scorn a day of small beginnings?’ (Zechariah 4:10). He also said that he is there to ‘strengthen the Temple, the House of Prayer.’ He then called on Israel to strengthen the light of the Temple and the light of God.”

A third temple will be built soon…

Germany… Wake Up!

Deutsche Welle reported on December 19:

“Geneticist Wolfram Henn says those who turn down the new COVID-19 vaccine should carry a note also refusing intensive care treatment… [He said they] should not be able to access ventilators and other emergency measures if they become ill…  ‘Whoever wants to refuse the vaccination outright, he should, please also always carry a document with the inscription: “I don’t want to be vaccinated!… I want to leave the protection against the disease to others! I want, if I get sick, to leave my intensive care bed and ventilator to others.’

“He also slammed conspiracy theorists and coronavirus deniers, saying that decisions should not be left to ‘lateral thinkers and vaccination opponents.’ …Germany has played host to a growing movement against coronavirus-related measures. Several large protests have been held in cities including the capital Berlin and eastern city of Leipzig. Last month,  a protest in Leipzig drew over 20,000 participants.”

Henn also blamed vaccination opponents for the “damage” they cause for parents who stay at home with their children or for restaurant owners who cannot open their business or for the unemployed, according to Focus, December 19. Talking about twisted and perverted sick thinking! If this does not remind us of Nazi Germany’s propaganda and the despicable “Judenstern,” what does? Sadly, many Germans believed Hitler and Goering, and today, many Germans seem to believe the coronavirus propaganda demanding lockdowns, if polls are accurate [which they might not be].

Germany and other European Countries Ban All Flights from UK

 Deutsche Welle reported on December 20:

“German Health Minister Jens Spahn announced Germany is ‘banning all passenger flights from the UK to Germany as of midnight.’ The decision comes after several European countries put a stop to all flights coming from the UK. ‘Tomorrow we plan to restrict all travel to GB (Great Britain) & South Africa with a government order in light of the reports over a mutation of the virus,’ Spahn tweeted. Berlin was taking this step due to ‘the reported mutation of the coronavirus,’ according to government spokeswoman Martina Fietz… The federal police also warned that people should only travel to the UK ‘if it is absolutely necessary.’

“The interior ministry has instructed federal police to systematically check travelers from the UK and South Africa, with immediate effect…”

Express wrote on December 21:

“Spain will ban all travellers from Britain except Spanish nationals and residents from entering the country from Tuesday… Controls at the border with Gibraltar… [will] be stepped up… the entry ban for non-residents had been coordinated with neighbouring Portugal… A number of European nations among others have shut off travel ties to Britain after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that the new strain of the coronavirus was a danger to the country.”

That “danger” is not even medically supported. “Health officials said this new variant doesn’t appear to be deadlier…” (The Week, dated December 21). But the paranoia spreads, and the UK has become the sick man of Europe, being isolated by just about everybody. First, it was reported that the USA remained “Britain’s only friend” for not banning flights from the UK (The Sun, dated December 20), but now it is said that that decision is under consideration.

Over 40 countries in Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean and the Middle East have restricted travel from the UK and in some cases, also travel from other countries that have documented cases with the variant (CNN, December 23).

Breitbart added on December 20:

“All may not be as it seems with respect to the travel bans, however, at least where France and the EU are concerned, with both anti-Brexit and pro-Brexit commentators indicating that it is really about damaging commerce in order to strong-arm the British into signing a disadvantageous trade agreement.”

Europe to Intervene in Ethiopia?

The European Council for Foreign Relations wrote on December 15:

“The recent war in Ethiopia may at first glance appear to be a short, sharp internal conflict with few implications for the Horn of Africa – or for Europe. But the war is far from over, and the risks it creates are spreading…

“The United States has all but confirmed that the Eritrean Army joined the military campaign on the side of the Ethiopian government. European countries’ diplomatic response to the crisis should focus on the destructive relationship between Eritrea’s participation in the war…

“Although European governments are considering whether to cut some of their aid to Ethiopia in response to these alleged crimes, their position on the political solution is less forceful. They are deferring to African leaders on the issue. But, given that the African Union will struggle to confront a member state as influential as Ethiopia, this deference is unlikely to help Europeans achieve their aims.

“Europe is currently the only actor that can bring the international community together on the conflict in Ethiopia… the AU and well-intentioned states on the Horn of Africa will need Europe’s political support if they are to help resolve the conflict.

“European leaders could begin to help by gathering the currently disparate international players in the region, with a view to fashioning a core group that can achieve progress towards a political solution. Europeans can help avert further conflict in Ethiopia – but they need to act now.”

The relationship between Europe and Ethiopia will be of prophetic relevance. Please read our free booklet, “Middle Eastern and African Nations in Bible Prophecy.”

European Bishops Criticize Europe’s Attack on Religious Freedom

Vatican News reported on December 20:

“The Bishops of the European Union… argue that proposed norms for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic interfere with freedom of religion and belief…

“The Bishops stress that the European Commission’s Document highlights the importance of ‘avoiding large services or using online, TV or radio broadcast, in case of ceremonies, […] and banning of communal singing.’ In response to this, the Bishops state that ‘while understanding the concern behind the recommendation, COMECE cannot support the method for which the EU institutions opted in providing such an orientation.’

“In their statement, the bishops reiterate the message addressed to the EU and Member States on behalf of all EU Bishops’ Conferences which stresses that ‘the respect for the freedom of religion of believers in full respect of sanitary requirements is a crucial element for the Church in many EU Member States during the current pandemic.’

“Finally, the statement reads that ‘non-binding EU recommendations on this matter, especially if taken without consulting with Churches and religious communities, may put at risk the efforts made in these recent months by EU Member States, together with local Churches and religious communities, to ensure that health measures are in place during celebrations, while avoiding violations of freedom of religion.’”

In the future, the ten kings of Revelation 17 who collaborate with the Church at first, will hate and participate in destroying it.

Persecution by Finland’s Government for Quoting the Bible

International Family News reported on December 14:

“Last Thursday it became known that the Prosecutor General of Finland Raja Toivieinen opened the fifth criminal case against the former Minister of the Interior of Finland (2011-2015), the former leader of the Finnish Christian Democrats Party (2004-2015) and the current MP Eduskunta (Finnish Parliament) from this party, Päivi Räsiänen. In three of the five criminal cases, Ms. Ryasyanen has already received an indictment and is awaiting trial. Päivi Räsianen is a doctor, wife of a Lutheran pastor and mother of five children. She’ll turn 61 this December… She is accused of… ‘hate speech.’ [She] quoted the Bible and called homosexual acts sinful…

“The problems of Räsianen started after the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, to which it belongs, became the official partner of the gay parade in June 2019. Rässianen wrote about it in Facebook, accompanying the news with a picture of the Bible, which was opened on the page with the following words: ‘Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Therefore, God handed them over to degrading passions. Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity’ (Romans 1:24-27) and the question, ‘How can the faithful foundation of the church, the Bible, be combined with upward display as an object of pride in that which is ashamed and sinful?’

“After that, a criminal case was brought against Rässianen arose. Subsequently, four more were added to it, connected respectively with her participation in talk shows on radio, television, with the availability on the Internet of her booklet, written in 2004, entitled ‘Male and female he created them. Homosexual relations challenge the Christian understanding of the human being’… And finally, the fifth criminal case opened the other day was a response to a September post on her blog entitled: ‘The king is naked! Gay pride parade is not a human rights event’.

“Päivi Rässianen repeatedly stated that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, are loved by God and valuable to Him, all are sinners and are called to repent for their sins. What’s threatening, slanderous or insulting about it? The police tried to close the case several times without finding anything criminal in the deputy’s words, but the prosecutor general demanded to continue the investigation.

“Rässianen says that she is not afraid of prison (she faces up to two years in prison on each of the five charges against her)… If the court finds her guilty, it will mean the beginning of large-scale state censorship… But…  constant criminal charges, pre-trial investigations and interrogations by the police themselves, even without a conviction, in practice limit freedom of speech and conscience.

“With this example, we can see that the LGBT movement…, gaining power, becomes intolerant and begins to persecute anyone who disagrees with it…”

These are horrible developments in Europe, which are, sadly, not limited to Finland by any means.

Religious “Leaders” Agree on Prohibiting Conversion Therapy

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 18:

“More than 300 religious leaders have called for a worldwide clampdown on conversion therapy for LGBT+ people. ‘We recognize with sadness that certain religious teachings have often, throughout the ages, caused and continue to cause deep pain and offense to those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex.’ This was a rare admission from members of the clergy… 370 interfaith religious leaders from around the world… came together this week for a conference calling for a global ban on the practice of ‘conversion therapy’ [which] is based on the belief that cisgender heterosexuality is the norm and anything else is an illness or abnormality — a belief that the World Health Organization (WHO) has rejected.

“Among the signatories to the declaration organized by the UK’s Ozanne Foundation were high-ranking representatives of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Sikh faiths, including South African former archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, and England’s Bishop of Liverpool…

“[Under the leadership of openly gay Health Minister Jens Spahn,] Germany became the fifth country to introduce an outright ban on the practice for minors in 2020, following Ecuador, Brazil, Taiwan and Malta as well as several US states and Canadian provinces… Bans have since been introduced in Albania, Switzerland and the Australian province of Victoria and have been proposed in many more countries, including France and the UK, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the practice as ‘abhorrent.’”

Who cares what the WHO, religious leaders and politicians believe? The Bible is clear that practicing homosexuality is an unnatural abomination.

 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.

On the National Geographic website, we read: “Wolves are the largest members of the dog family.   Adaptable gray wolves are by far the most common and were once found all over the Northern Hemisphere.  But wolves and humans have a long adversarial history. Though they almost never attack humans, wolves are considered one of the animal world’s most fearsome natural villains.  They do attack domestic animals, and countless wolves have been shot, trapped, and poisoned because of this tendency.”

In Acts 20:28-30 we read: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.   Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”

Paul is here describing a flock, and shepherding, which means that the members of the Church of God whom the apostle was addressing were likened to sheep.   Wolves are the enemy of sheep and sheep can be part of their diet.  There are other Scriptures where this same analogy is used.   In Matthew 7:15 we read: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

In Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, we read: “Which come to you in sheep’s clothing.  The illustration implies something like the conception of the wolf disguising himself as a sheep in order to gain entrance into the fold.”

The Benson Commentary observes: “All those are false prophets who teach any other way than that which our Lord hath here marked out.  Who come to you in sheep’s clothing — With a form of godliness and fair professions of love; but inwardly they are ravening wolves — Not feeding but destroying souls; feeding themselves by the destruction of the flock.  ‘A wolf in sheep’s clothing,’ says Doddridge, is ‘grown into a proverb for a wicked man that makes a great profession of religion, yet cannot dissemble so well as not to be discovered by attentive observation; which was just the character of the Pharisees in our Saviour’s days.’”

We know that the Church changed from apostolic Christianity to something entirely different within a relatively short period of time.   In the book “A History of the True religion” by Dugger and Dodd, the following is written at the beginning of chapter 5 which reviews the church between 100 AD to 200 AD:

“The first century closed with the death of the last of the apostles and writers of the New Testament, the Apostle John.  No sooner had the apostles and disciples, who had been with Jesus, fallen asleep, than a new order arose and a different class of writers began to pen religious epistles. Hurlbut says of this change, in his Story of the Christian Church:

“‘For fifty years after St. Paul’s life, a curtain hangs over the church, through which we vainly strive to look; and when at last it rises, about 129 A.D. with the writings of the earliest church-fathers, we find a church in many aspects very different from that in the days of St. Peter and St. Paul’ (Page 41).”

In his editorial entitled “A Foundation to Endure” in our weekly Update No.724 dated 12th February 2016, Robb Harris stated that “Careless building techniques plague Christianity today, and have since deceit crept into the early New Testament church.  Many of today’s most popular Christian leaders have built opulent church organizations and buildings with ever increasing growth.  But all of these grand edifices invoking the name of God are built on lies and foundations conceived by man, not God.

“Christ spoke of those who falsely profess to know God because they refuse to heed His Word. ‘For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone build on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear’ (1 Corinthians 3:11-13). What man builds is based only on the physical, and physical cannot inherit the kingdom prepared for each of us (Matthew 25:34).”

The wolves have been at work, and the Truth that Jesus preached and the original apostles continued to preach after Jesus’s death was replaced by error, mainly by mixing truth with error and pagan practices (syncretism) which has been carried on down through the ages.   What we see today in mainstream Christianity is a far cry from apostolic Christianity.

Jesus knew when sending out the twelve apostles to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:6) that there would be problems ahead of them, and in Matthew 10:16 He says: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

In Luke 10:3 is the same admonition:  “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.”

On the website whatchristianswanttoknow, we read an excellent description headed “The sneaky wolf. They hide until the time is right.”  Continuing:

“Wolves are sneaky.  They watch the prey and plan the attack.  The sneaky wolf [that is, a] false prophet is in the church watching and waiting. He is the one who calls secret meetings. He gains the trust of folks and then rises up to attack, taking innocent victims with him.  The Bible is clear about how God will deal with these sneaky wolves.”

We can read what action God will take in Matthew 7:21-23 which reads: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

Christ tells us in John 10:11-16 from where our protection comes: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.  But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.  The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.  I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.   And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”

A hireling who is not a true shepherd. He sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees.   The end product is that the wolf catches the sheep and can eat them and scatter them.   False workers and teachers can do the same to church members in a spiritual sense; hence the reason why we have to be continually on guard.

We read in John 10:27: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”   Those who stick closely to God and His ways and His truth know Him from the written Word of God and are not distracted from the true path they have been called to.   There is a sober warning in Ephesians 4:14 which is vital for our spiritual well-being: “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.”   The phrasing of this verse clearly shows that some had been taken in by wrong and deceitful influences.

In the previous verses, Ephesians 4:11-13, we read about the ministry which is there for the protection of the sheep and the equipping of the saints: “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”   The true servants of God will be protectors of the brethren and of God’s Truth: the wolves will attack, disturb and disorientate the sheep by their false teaching and trickery.

Just before Jesus’s betrayal and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed for His disciples, and for all believers and we read this in John 17:17: “Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your word is truth.”   In verse 20, He said, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”   If the teaching is in accordance with the Word of God then the teachers are themselves sheep and members of the flock and not wolves in sheep’s clothing.   The Word of God, the Bible, must always be our guide and will protect us against any wrong teachings of man.

Not only does God use wolves and sheep in analogies, but also sheep and goats (Matthew 25:32-33).   In addition “the devil walks about like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8) and as a “serpent” (Genesis 3:1 and Revelation 12:9).   In analogy, lions and serpents or snakes are spoken of in less than complimentary terms.

Wolves and other beasts are also used in the Bible as metaphors to describe Gentile nations and their efforts to destroy the physical and spiritual Israelites or Jews. Norbert Link discusses this in great detail in the following three Q&As:

https://www.eternalgod.org/please-explain-the-biblical-metaphors-of-animals-used-to-describe-the-powers-prophesied-to-fight-and-destroy-the-modern-tribes-of-israel/

https://www.eternalgod.org/please-explain-the-biblical-metaphors-of-animals-used-to-describe-the-powers-prophesied-to-fight-and-destroy-the-modern-tribes-of-israel-part-2/

https://www.eternalgod.org/please-explain-the-biblical-metaphors-of-animals-used-to-describe-the-powers-prophesied-to-fight-and-destroy-the-modern-tribes-of-israel-part-3/

But in the Kingdom of God during the Millennium things will be completely different.

The good news is that Satan the devil will be bound for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-3) and then peace will reign with no more false teachers and without these malevolent influences that we now have to fight.   We read how it will be in the book of Isaiah: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6) and “‘The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,’ Says the LORD” (Isaiah 65:25).

The wolf and the lion will get on together and the analogy of wolves (false prophets and teachers) tricking the sheep (church members) will no longer be applicable.

But until the wonderful time just ahead of us, we need to make sure that we are on our spiritual toes so that we don’t fall prey to any false prophets and wrong teachers.   God has surely warned us about them in His Word!

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

compiled by Dave Harris

Unsere Ängste Bekämpfen is the title of this Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Michael Link. Title in English: “Fighting our Fears.”

“Der Bedenkenträger,” the sermonette presented last Sabbath in Germany by Jens Herrmann, is now posted. Title in English: “The Skeptic.”

“Access to Opportunity,” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is a summary:

What kind of opportunities do you believe you have access to? How important are the opportunities presented by the world, relative to the opportunity to understand the Truth with the Holy Spirit as your guide? With access to the greatest opportunity known to mankind, what do we need to do to seize it?

“What Does a Christian Do?” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is a summary:

A Christian is someone whom God has called, who has repented, been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and who has received the Holy Spirit. Then what?

On November 14, 2020, Frank Bruno will present the sermonette, titled, “Taking God to Work,” and Robb Harris will present the sermon, titled, “Maintain the Grit to Succeed.”

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.

Any life worth living involves encountering difficulties, accepting the challenges, and working in earnest to overcome them. Growth requires us to push our boundaries, press against the edges of our capabilities, and do more with what we have. Learning, being a type of growth, involves accepting that we don’t know something, and seeking out knowledge to increase our understanding. This principle of growth applies in every aspect of our lives. Spiritual growth requires that we continually ask, seek, and knock. Fulfilling our individual purpose in life requires that we find the gaps that prevent us from achieving our goals, and do the uncomfortable work to fill those gaps. A full life is only possible when we invite God in and ask for His help in guiding our growth. When we actively bring God into our life, He is willing to support our growth by coaching us through our challenges.

Our relationship with God involves pursuing our divinely ordained purpose in life (compare Romans 8:28). It is our responsibility to search out what that purpose is, and begin to do the work required to fulfill that purpose. But that work must involve the guidance from God. “A man’s heart plans his way,

But the LORD directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). When we actively involve God in guiding our direction, our plans have a much better probability of succeeding! Undoubtedly, we will encounter difficulties along the way when we pursue our chosen endeavors, but those difficulties serve a purpose. If we genuinely seek the counsel of God in prayer, faithfully step out to take action to achieve our goals, we can rest assured that any difficulty or trial set before us will help us to grow. And growth is necessary if we want to make progress in life. When God is our coach, He will push us to fulfill the potential that He sees in us.

With this in mind, we ought to ask ourselves what our attitude is when we encounter difficulties. Do we complain? Do we get discouraged? Do we begin to doubt or lose faith? Obviously, these kinds of responses are counterproductive when we are trying to achieve our goals and fulfill our purpose. If we consider that God, as our coach, guides us through all of our challenges, that source of discouragement completely flips. When God is for us, He will help us to grow in the direction we need to grow, and those challenges become a source of encouragement. Who or what can be against us when we seek God? When we think this way, we can begin to look forward to the difficulties that we will face day to day because we know that they are there for us to overcome, and draw closer to achieving our goals. God only presents or allows challenges to us that He knows we can overcome (compare 1 Corinthians 10:13).

The Word of God admonishes us to grow. Such growth must begin with our relationship with God and our spiritual development. We read these instructions in the Bible: “… but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 3:18) and “but, speaking the truth in love, [you] may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—   from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16). When we work on our spiritual development by searching out the Truth, putting godly obedience into practice, and continually learning, we draw ever closer to God. This is important because if we want God to be our coach in life, we must have a good relationship with Him so we don’t lead ourselves astray by making decisions that exclude Him. When we actively work to grow spiritually and overcome the challenges that God allows or even gives to us, we will find growth to spring forth abundantly in every aspect of our lives.

by Norbert Link

In the morning of November 7, America’s mass media and networks, including CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, AP and Fox News all declared, in unison and at the same time, that Joe Biden is the next president.

Newsmax did not, pointing out that such declaration is premature in light of ongoing vote counts, mandatory recounts and legal challenges. While governmental leaders in Canada, Germany, France, the UK ,Turkey and Israel have “recognized” and congratulated Biden as the new president, Russia, China and Mexico have not.

We point out in this edition the irresponsible and totally premature announcements by the networks and the mass euphoria by certain politicians in the USA and around the world to “accept” what is a misleading conclusion. No matter what one thinks about President Trump, he has at this point not been defeated. Statements to the contrary simply constitute an appalling corrupt propaganda machine, worthy of the worst dictatorships, designed to create a scenario as a “fait accompli” which is simply untrue.

In this context, please watch Norbert Link’s recent message on the topic, titled, “Biden the President-elect? Not so Fast!—Comments on News and Prophecy (November 7, 2020).”

In other news, we report on developments in Europe and the UK, and conclude with articles on frightening and disgusting developments associated with autocratic governmental measures regarding the coronavirus.

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

“Biden NOT the Elected 46^th President”

Fox 8 wrote on November 7:

“President Donald Trump is not conceding the presidential race.

“He released a statement after the Associated Press and other news outlets declared Joe Biden the next President of the United States:

“‘We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed. The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor. In Pennsylvania, for example, our legal observers were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process.  Legal votes decide who is president, not the news media.

“‘Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated. The American People are entitled to an honest election: that means counting all legal ballots, and not counting any illegal ballots. This is the only way to ensure the public has full confidence in our election. It remains shocking that the Biden campaign refuses to agree with this basic principle and wants ballots counted even if they are fraudulent, manufactured, or cast by ineligible or deceased voters. Only a party engaged in wrongdoing would unlawfully keep observers out of the count room – and then fight in court to block their access.

“‘So what is Biden hiding? I will not rest until the American People have the honest vote count they deserve and that Democracy demands.’”

Trump is raising good questions. In addition, according to Fox News, dated November 6: “Trump campaign general counsel Matt Morgan on Friday said… ‘In Nevada, there appear to be thousands of individuals who improperly cast mail ballots.’”

Important Decision by US Supreme Court Judge in Pennsylvania

The Washington Post wrote on November 6:

“Republicans asked the U.S. Supreme Court to ensure county election officials were segregating mail ballots delivered after Election Day… On Friday evening, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., who received the petition because he is the justice responsible for that region, approved the GOP request for now, ordering county boards to comply with state guidance to keep the late ballots separate.”

To be exact, Alito ordered the election officials to keep the mail ballots separate which were received after Election Day, and, if they count those, to count them separately and not to include them in the figures of ballots for Biden. The reason being, under Pennsylvania law, those ballots must not be included in the final count, but election officials allegedly ignored that provision. So did the governor of Pennsylvania and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, thereby acting totally unconstitutionally, according to legal scholars and experts. It is hoped that the United States Supreme Court will faithfully and dutifully apply the US Constitution and rectify these egregious violations.

In this regard, Fox News reported on November 8:

“Sen. Lindsey Graham announced Saturday that the Senate Judiciary Committee would investigate possible voting irregularities after receiving an affidavit from a Pennsylvania postal worker alleging a plot to backdate ballots mailed after Election Day.” This was also reported from Detroit. A “report” from the Washington Post suggested that the person in Pennsylvania, who had signed an affidavit, subsequently repudiated his claim after two U.S. Postal Service investigators “spoke” to him. However, the postal worker denied having repudiated his claim. 

Fox News also reported that two census takers told the Associated Press that their supervisors pressured them to enter false information into a computer system about homes they had not visited so that they could close cases. One supervisor said: “ It was all a sham.”

Computer “Glitch” in Michigan… with potentially massive consequences

Elexonic wrote on November 6:

“Software used to tabulate votes… gave 6,000 votes to Joe Biden in Anterim County [in Michigan where] ballots were counted for Democrats that were meant for Republicans…  Anterim County had to hand count all of the ballots, and these counties that used the software need to closely examine their results for similar discrepancies…  Of note, Trump won Antrim County in 2016 with 62% of the vote vs. 33% for Hillary Clinton.”

Breitbart wrote on November 6:

“The Associated Press has called battleground Michigan for the former vice president, who leads Trump by an estimated 146,123 votes. Hypothetically, a similar ‘glitch’ of 6,000 ballots in each of those 47 counties would call 282,000 ballots into question, well above Biden’s current margin of victory.”

It added on November 7:

“Two Georgia counties using the same electronic voting software as a Michigan county that experienced a glitch have also reported encountering glitches during the 2020 election… A Georgia election official said that a technical glitch that halted voting in the two counties was caused by a vendor uploading an update to their election machines the night before the election… the state reportedly implemented [the controversial system] in every county for the first time this year…

“Trump attorney Jay Sekulow said that the Trump campaign’s lawyers should demand a manual recount of any other areas that used the same software… Sekulow said,… ‘If 30 states have used a software that there’s already proved to be a glitch of 6,000 votes in one balloting area, and now you’ve got over 30 states using it, lawyers should be… in every one of those jurisdictions… demanding a manual recount.’”

Sean Hannity reported on his show that in about 30 US states, the same software has been used (The software company admits to 28 states on its website.).  It is remarkable that these kinds of “errors” always seem to occur in favor of Biden and the Democrats.

Trump Can Still Win

Newsmax published on November 8 an article by Dick Morris, former presidential advisor and political strategist:

“President Donald Trump can still win the presidency… Only the Electoral College or the various state legislatures can declare a candidate the winner. To base this decision on network vote totals and projections and to call Biden the president-elect is irresponsible.

“The recounts in Arizona, Georgia, and the other states are likely to go heavily for Trump. Most of the likely errors or invalid votes took place on mailed in ballots… Since Biden won upwards of two-thirds of mail-in votes and absentee ballots, it’s likely that most of the discarded mail ballots will be subtracted from Biden’s total…

“Alaska, where Trump has led by 2:1 all week and is now more than half counted will likely throw its 3 votes to Trump giving him 217. Trump has likewise led in North Carolina (15 votes) all week and his margin of 75,000 has not diminished. He will undoubtedly carry North Carolina…

“The vote count in Arizona shows Trump’s deficit shrinking from 30,000 on Friday to 18,500 on Saturday with about 100K left to count… In Georgia (16 votes), Biden leads by only 8400 votes, a margin that has been dropping. Like Arizona, Trump may still win the count and, if not, would have a very good chance of prevailing in the recount…

“Wisconsin (10 votes) is tallied as having been won by Biden by 21,000 votes but a recanvass is in the offing. Given the facts enumerated earlier, there is a very good chance Trump will carry Wisconsin. The recount process in Wisconsin is uniquely fair and transparent — a model for the nation — so Trump may well flip the state…

“Then, it comes down to Pennsylvania and its 20 votes… Joe Biden currently leads by 37,000 votes in Pennsylvania. The number of late arriving ballots likely far exceeds this total… Justice Alioto and a Court majority may throw out the late ballots, likely delivering the state to Trump… If he wins Pennsylvania, he would have 289 votes and a victory.

“Will there be a recount in Pennsylvania? The current law requires one if the margin is under 0;.5% and in Pennsylvania it likely will be slightly greater. There are two ways to trigger a recount:

“First, the U.S. Supreme Court could order one after the vote counters so flagrantly violated Alito’s order to segregate the votes that he had to re-issue it. And remember, four Justices wanted to reconsider whether to allow late ballots entirely but the high court deadlocked 4-4. Now with Justice Barrett in the mix it may take a different view, particularly if the presidency hangs in the balance.

“Second, Article II Section 1 of the US Constitution reads: ‘Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress.’

“The Pennsylvania State Legislature, solidly in Republican hands (both houses) may choose to demand a recount before appointing electors. To build the case for doing so, it may hold hearings into the allegations of fraud so as to help the voters of the state understand how flagrantly their votes were mishandled. Already, the leader of the State Senate in Pennsylvania and the Speaker of the State Assembly have held a press conference announcing their intention to ‘audit’ the vote counting process….”

Not Before the Middle of December

Breitbart wrote on November 9:

“Joe Biden is not ‘president-elect.’ Joe Biden has not won the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump’s re-election has not been defeated. Right now, Joe Biden is merely ‘ahead in the count’ of enough states to win the presidency. But this is a contested election and we have a long way to go, probably more than a month and a plethora of legal filings, before a winner is declared. Per our own Constitution, there is only one institution legally entitled to declare a winner in a presidential election,  and that’s the Electoral College, which does not meet until the middle of December…

“Democrats, most especially Joe Biden, are also trying to gaslight us into believing the election is over (along with Vichy Republicans), which is why Biden gave a premature victory speech on Saturday, and why he is already behaving like a president-elect. What Biden is doing is un-American, anti-democratic, fascist…

“Overall, though, what we are seeing the media do, aside from dismiss the possibility of widespread voter fraud before anyone has had adequate time to make their case and produce evidence, is declare Joe Biden the winner even before the legal recounts and re-canvassings have taken place. The bottom line is that the media want this election shut down before anyone has a chance to look into what happened, before anyone has a chance to even see if Biden did indeed win fair and square…”

What is happening in the USA is shocking and abominable. And even though certain foreign politicians want to see Biden in power and pretend to turn a blind eye on the scandal occurring in the USA, they will for sure not forget how corrupt the USA has become… and will act accordingly, when the time is ripe.

Biden’s Hypocrisy

Breitbart reported on November 10:

“During the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Chris Wallace of Fox News asked Biden if he would ‘pledge not to declare victory until the election is independently certified,’ to which the former vice president answered, ‘yes.’ ‘Will you urge your supporters to stay calm while the vote is counted, and will you pledge not to declare victory until the election is independently certified?’ asked Wallace of Biden at the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio. ‘Yes,’ answered Biden…

“Biden, however, has done nothing of the sort, as he has since carried on as if he is president-elect… as he seemingly ignores the fact that the 2020 presidential election has not yet been independently certified.”

Johnson’s Hypocrisy

Fox 5 New York reported on November 11:

“British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called Donald Trump the ‘previous president’ of the United States and said it was ‘refreshing’ to talk to President-elect Joe Biden… he says he was ‘delighted to find the many areas in which the incoming Biden-Harris administration is able to make common cause with’ British lawmakers.”

Boris Johnson might become thoroughly disappointed.

Why Does the Mainstream Media Want to Suppress Investigations into Mail Fraud?

Future of Freedom Foundation wrote on November 11:

“I just don’t get the mainstream media’s vehement objections to President Trump’s desire to investigate whether Joe Biden [ends] up winning the election through fraud. Their argument, repeated from the very moment that Biden was declared the winner and ever since, is that Trump’s claims of fraud are ‘false’ and ‘baseless.’ But secrecy is normally at the core of fraud… It usually takes an investigation to ferret it out…

“Let’s assume, for example, that there was election software that corrupt officials were able to use to manufacture whatever number of votes Biden needed to win. How could anyone be expected to ferret out that fraud immediately after the election? One would need an investigation to discover fraud on that sophisticated level…

“The mainstream media asserts that there is nothing unusual about the massive number of votes that poured in for Biden after the election. But the fact is that it was unusual. Nothing like that has ever happened in U.S. presidential election history.

“Democrat Lyndon Johnson’s 1948 US Senate campaign in Texas, which I wrote about the day before the Trump-Biden election, is instructive. Johnson won that election by 87 votes out of almost a million votes cast.

“Johnson’s position was the same as that of the mainstream media today. Immediately after the election, he was asserting that there was no evidence of fraud. But as I indicated above, oftentimes election fraud is hard to ferret it. It takes an investigation to do so. Even with an investigation, Johnson’s opponent, Gov. Coke Stevenson, was unable to prevail in his election contest. Does that mean there was no fraud? No, it doesn’t. In fact, many years later, after Johnson had served as John Kennedy’s vice president and then as president, his electoral fraud rose to the surface.

“It turned out that Johnson had told a South Texas crony named George Parr to keep his poll tabulations open after the election, just in case Johnson needed more votes to win. Several days after the election, when Johnson was losing, Parr delivered 200 votes to him, which gave Johnson the win. This New York Times article, which is worth reading, details Johnson’s election fraud, which became known as the ‘Box 13’ scandal… In 1977, after Johnson and Parr were dead, an election judge in charge of Jim Well County’s Box 13, Luis Salas, came forward and confessed that he was part of the fraud. He said that Johnson told Parr that he needed 200 more votes to win the election. Parr instructed Salas to produce the additional 200 votes, which Salas did. The last 200 signatures on the election tally were all in the same ink, which was different from the ink of the other signatures, the signatures were in the same handwriting, and the names were in alphabetical order.

“Johnson went on to become US Senator. If he had lost the race, there is no chance he would have become president in November 1963.

“It’s certainly possible that Joe Biden’s election is legitimate. But it’s also possible that it’s not. What’s wrong with Trump investigating it now rather than have the fraud surface 30 years from now, as it did in the case of Lyndon Johnson? Surely, the mainstream media wouldn’t want another illegitimate Democrat president, would it?”

Rhetorical questions, of course!

What a Biden Presidency Might Mean for Israel

Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) wrote on November 5:

“The U.S. presidential election has illustrated more graphically than ever before that we are living beneath an erupting civilizational volcano. The flaming cultural lava is spreading well beyond America… If President Donald Trump is finally edged out, the recent startling prospects for peace in the Middle East may well be extinguished by the hideous prospect of a terrible war. Those who most threaten the Jewish people, as well as the peace of the world, have been banking on Joe Biden winning the presidency…

“War between Iran and Israel would become much more likely. There would also be a domino effect in the Arab world. The unprecedented moves by the Gulf states to normalize relations with Israel have been driven principally by their perception that Trump was determined to neutralize Iran, and that their interests therefore lay in an alliance with Israel and America. If America reactivates the nuclear deal, these Arab states may well revert to the strategy they adopted during the Obama administration’s appeasement of Iran…

“And a Biden administration, reflecting the increasing hostility to Israel within the ever-more radical Democratic Party, would be used by the Palestinians to reignite their terrorist and diplomatic onslaught on Israel which, under the pressure from Trump, had been dampened down.

“Beyond this looming Middle East disaster, the election has dealt a devastating blow to America’s standing and authority in the world…

“In Britain and mainland Europe, the Jews are now trapped inside this civilizational onslaught against the West. As a result, they are in the cross-hairs of the left, the far-right and the Islamists. Whenever a culture is in deep trouble like this, the Jews get it from all sides.

“But just as America is divided, so the Jewish world is also now divided within itself… The Jews of Israel are determined to survive. The Jews of America are steadily destroying most of their community…many of the Jews of Israel… are gazing in dread and despair at what America has now become.”

… or for Britain

Express wrote on November 7:

“NIGEL FARAGE raged at a future Joe Biden presidency in a furious on-air rant as he warned the Democrat was ‘strongly anti-Brexit and even anti-Britain’… [he said] that Joe Biden would take the side of the EU in the crunch Brexit transition, which ends on December 31. Mr Farage said the UK would again ‘be at the back of the queue for a trade deal,’ referencing Barack Obama’s claim in 2016… ‘The prospects of a trade deal between the UK and the US under a Biden presidency are very low. He was the vice-president to Obama, who delightfully came to London in 2016 and said we’d be at the back of the queue if we dared vote for our independence…

“Mr Biden has already issued a warning about Boris Johnson’s apparent willingness to tear up the Brexit withdrawal deal over measures around the Irish border…”

How the Left Wants to Persecute Trump Supporters

Breitbart reported on November 6:

“Left-wing Democrats and Never Trump Republicans appealed Friday for assistance in compiling lists of Trump supporters so they could be held ‘accountable’ for supporting President Donald Trump after the election… Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted: ‘Is anyone archiving these Trump sycophants for when they try to downplay or deny their complicity in the future? I foresee decent probability of many deleted Tweets, writings, photos in the future.’

“Michael Simon, who describes himself as a former staff member in Barack Obama’s administration, replied in the affirmative, linking to what he called the ‘Trump Accountability Project’: ‘Yes, we are… Every Administration staffer, campaign staffer, bundler, lawyer who represented them — everyone.’ The database at the site includes a list of federal judges appointed by the president…

“Jennifer Rubin, a Washington Post columnist and Never Trumper, tweeted that anyone challenging the 2020 election results should not only be disqualified from holding public office, but ostracized from society. ‘Any R now promoting rejection of an election or calling to not to follow the will of voters or making baseless allegations of fraud should never serve in office, join a corporate board, find a faculty position or be accepted into “polite” society,’ she tweeted. ‘We have a list.’”

Now, this is REALLY reminiscent of a socialist dictatorship. It was subsequently announced that the “Trump Accountability Project” was “no longer active”–whatever that means.

Trump Fires Defense Secretary

Newsmax wrote on November 9:

“President Donald Trump said Monday that he has fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper. In a pair of tweets, he announced that Christopher C. Miller, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has been named acting secretary, mentioning almost as an afterthought that Esper ‘has been terminated.’…

“The relationship came close to collapse over the summer during civil unrest that triggered a debate within the administration over the proper role of the military in combatting domestic unrest. Esper’s opposition to using active duty troops to help quell protests in Washington, D.C., infuriated Trump, and led to wide speculation that the defense chief was prepared to quit if faced with such an issue again.

“Esper’s departure could foreshadow a broader post-election purge of appointees who displeased the president…”

There is no doubt about that.

Europe Creates Hurdles for Non-Bloc Countries to Participate in Common Defense

Defense News wrote on November 3:

“European Union officials in Brussels are setting up a labyrinth of rules for non-bloc countries and their companies to join defense-cooperation projects under the PESCO framework… the agreement text leans heavily in the direction of making third-party participation an exceptional affair…

“The PESCO framework envisions groups of countries working together – three, at least – to solve defense problems that range from military logistics to cyber warfare. There are currently 47 such projects on the books. Approved projects can apply for subsidies through the multibillion-dollar European Defence Fund… Those case-by-case reviews [of applications for admission by individual non-bloc countries] are designed to dispel any notion of an automatic process for outsiders into what defense-minded officials throughout Europe hope will evolve into a reliable pipeline for building military capabilities on the continent…

“It remains to be seen whether the most important NATO member, the United States, finds the terms enticing… Applicant countries must pass a series of requirements to be invited to specific projects. For example, it must ‘share the values’ of the European Union and honor ‘good, neighborly relations’ with member countries…”

Germany to Expand Air Force

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 5:

“Germany has given the green light to purchase [38 Eurofighter] jets worth at least €5.4 billion. The air force said that the new aircraft will be equipped with the latest technology and could be used against targets on the ground. The contract is part of the German Defense Ministry’s long-term plan to gain at least 93 Eurofighter jets, along with 45 F-18s from Boeing…

“According to the manufacturer Airbus, the new ‘Eurofighter Tranche 4’ is the best and most modern fighter aircraft that Europe currently has to offer. Germany’s ruling grand coalition government as well as the Free Democratic party (FDP), and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party voted in favor of the billion-dollar purchase. The Left party voted against the deal, and the Greens abstained.”

Forcibly Institutionalizing Quarantine Violators?

MSN wrote on November 6:

“Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) wants quarantine refusers to be forcibly transferred to a closed hospital [i.e., institutionalized]…  Strobl, who is also the CDU federal vice-president, invokes the Infection Protection Act, which provides for forced segregation in a closed hospital… If a person has been identified as a confirmed or potential carrier of the virus, the ‘separation does not serve as punishment, but as protection of others’. The same applies if ‘the person has to be forcibly separated against his will because he does not comply with the orders for domestic separation,’ Strobl affirms…

“Social Affairs Minister Lucha believes that tough sanctions must be imposed on those who refuse quarantine…

“The local police authorities should immediately initiate the judicial procedure for ‘forced separation in a closed hospital’ after the first quarantine violation, Strobl demands. The German Police Union sees a lot of work to be done by the police in such a case…

“Criticism came from the FDP. ‘Mr. Strobl seems to have completely lost measure and center. The CDU’s renewed commitment to pay attention to proportionality in the future Corona measures was apparently only a lip service,’ said Michael Theurer, head of the FDP state and member of the Bundestag. AfD member of parliament Christina Baum called the interior minister an ‘unbearable human enemy’…”

Not since Nazi Germany…

According to Focus, dated November 11, German Health Minister Jens Spahn is proposing that Google gives articles from his Health Ministry preference to articles from the press. This proposal has been criticized by the media as a unique and unparalleled attack on and discrimination of the free press. Spahn keeps trying to gain more and more power for himself, wherever he can do so.

Brexit in a Second Lockdown—”Worst of Both Worlds for UK Business”

Bloomberg wrote on November 4:

“Businesses must get ready to exit the EU single market at year-end, even if Britain and the bloc end up signing a free-trade agreement. With staff off work, an economic slowdown, and swings in the supply and demand for essential goods, the new Covid-related restrictions will add to pressure on logistics firms and supply chains…

“The stakes are high: If companies aren’t prepared, Britain could face widespread disruption to commerce with its largest trading partner in the difficult winter months… The government is already concerned about poor levels of Brexit readiness. Businesses will need to file new customs paperwork, food products will be subject to new animal health certificates and lorries will need to comply with new government IT systems to cross the U.K.-EU border.”

The second lockdown in Germany is likewise not going to end any time soon, even though the government had said it would only last until the end of November. Now, Merkel, Spahn and others have declared that it might last for several months, with serious prohibitions for public assemblies, including religious services. More drastic limitations on personal liberties and freedoms are to be expected; they are currently being debated by the German Parliament which wants to enact a new law very soon.

Denmark to Kill Up to 17 Million Mink for Fear of Coronavirus

CNN wrote on November 5:

“Denmark, the world’s largest producer of mink furs, plans to cull all mink in the country to contain a mutated form of novel coronavirus. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Wednesday the decision had been made with a ‘heavy heart,’ but it was necessary based on the recommendation of health authorities. ‘The virus has mutated in mink. The mutated virus has spread to humans,’ Frederiksen said.

“Statens Serum Institut, the Danish authority based in Copenhagen which deals with infectious diseases, had found five cases of the virus in mink farms and 12 examples in humans that showed reduced sensitivity to antibodies, she said. Allowing the virus to spread could potentially limit the effectiveness of future vaccines… There are between 15 million and 17 million mink in Denmark, according to authorities. Outbreaks of coronavirus at the country’s mink farms have persisted despite repeated efforts to cull infected animals since June.

“One million mink within a five mile (8.4 kilometers) radius of suspected or confirmed farm infection were destroyed in October. Denmark’s police, army and home guard will be deployed to speed up the culling process, Frederiksen said. Mink have also been culled in the Netherlands and Spain after infections were discovered there.”

However, the Guardian added on November 6:

“… the experts stressed on Friday there was as yet no hard evidence to suggest [that the mutation of the virus could potentially have an impact on the efficacy of vaccines in development]. The World Health Organization also offered a circumspect assessment of the risk from the new mink variant.”

Disgusting and appalling…  and all in the name of “science.”

More Epidemics Coming?

Express wrote on November 6:

“It could happen AGAIN: New fatal bat virus ‘jumping to humans’ – WHO escalates response.

“SCIENTISTS have raised the alarm over a worrying new disease repeatedly ‘jumping’ from bats to humans – sparking fears of another pandemic… It has been listed by the World Health Organization as one of the 10 highest-priority pathogens which must be urgently dealt with…

“The virus can spread to humans after eating fruit contaminated by bats. However, scientists were concerned to discover the virus is also spreading when no contaminated fruit was eaten…

“It comes just two months after another paper warned the world was facing a wave of pandemics. Anthony Fauci… and… David Morens warned of ‘extreme backlashes from nature’ in the years ahead. They wrote for scientific journal Cell: ‘… In a human-dominated world, in which our human activities represent aggressive, damaging, and unbalanced interactions with nature, we will increasingly provoke new disease emergences…’”

Great. More lockdowns in the making?

A New Safe Coronavirus Vaccine?

Deutsche Welle reported on November 9:

“German company BioNTech and its US partner Pfizer announced on Monday that early results from ongoing Phase III trials showed that their vaccine was 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 infections… According to their reports, they found no serious safety concern connected with the vaccine… Biden welcomed the promising results from the vaccine trials, but warned that widespread vaccination was still months away. He also urged the US public to continue wearing masks and social distancing… US President Donald Trump celebrated the news and the boost to the stock market… on Twitter…

“German Health Minister Jens Spahn said the European Union will wait to approve the vaccine until late-stage safety data is collected to ensure the broadest possible acceptance for the vaccine…”

So now, Spahn is speaking for the EU? At the same time, the push for MANDATORY vaccinations is ongoing. While Merkel stated there would be no mandatory vaccinations in Germany, the German Parliament is debating a change in the law regarding infectious diseases which proposes the exact opposite, especially for tourists wanting to enter the country.  

Forcing Children to Be Vaccinated without Parents’ Knowledge and Permission

Natural News wrote on November 9:

“In the nation’s capital city, legislators are plotting to strip parents of their legal guardianship so their children can be coerced into vaccination behind closed doors… The new law would allow health care professionals to privately take children aside and coerce them to take vaccines, without parental consent… The new law would give health care professionals the power to establish the ‘informed consent standard’ for minors, allowing children as young as eleven to consent to vaccination without their parent’s knowledge.

 “The new law allows the school, health care provider, and the parent’s private insurance to conceal the child’s vaccination status from their parent or guardian… The bill’s primary sponsor, Mary Cheh, said the bill is important because covid-19 is a public health emergency. This is yet another example of this so-called public health emergency being escalated and weaponized to strip people of their rights… The state keeps a registry of children who have medical exemptions… and religious exemptions to the vaccines… Legislators are trying to remove the religious exemption…

“Once the religious exemption is shamed out of existence, parents are left to beg medical professionals for medical exemptions. In order to receive a medical exemption, a child must have suffered an injury from the product first… vaccines would become the first and only product that a person must be injured from before they can legally opt out.”

This is truly an abominable assault on freedom and liberty.

 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 the first three parts of this series, we began to discuss the concept taught by the Roman Catholic Church that the “immortal souls” of departed ones may be in hell or purgatory, and that “indulgences” or prayers for the dead can allegedly remove, partially (“plenary”) or completely (“in full”), punishment for sin, so that their souls can be freed from purgatory or even hell to go to heaven. In order to answer the question regarding indulgences, we reviewed, among other questions, related issues such as the fact that we do not have an immortal soul; that we neither go to heaven (where we, as immortal saints in heaven, could allegedly receive prayers from the living and intervene on their behalf), nor do we go to hell or purgatory when we die.

We also discussed the spirit in man and showed that it is not just another concept for an immortal soul; but that the spirit in man has no consciousness when a person dies. Rather, upon death, the entire human being—spirit, body and soul (1 Thessalonians 5:23)—ceases to “live” or have any conscious “life” in any manner, shape or form.

In this part 4, we will review further the idea of purgatory and we again refer to the Roman Catholic “In Brief” writings from their Catechism.

“1054 Those who die in God’s grace and friendship imperfectly purified, although they are assured of their eternal salvation, undergo a purification after death, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of God.”

The website https://www.catholic.com/tract/purgatory adds the following explanation:

“The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a ‘purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven’ which is experienced by those ‘who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified’ (CCC 1030). It notes that ‘this final purification of the elect . . . is entirely different from the punishment of the damned’” (CCC 1031).

“The purification is necessary because, as Scripture teaches, nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Rev. 21:27) and, while we may die with our mortal sins forgiven, there can still be many impurities in us, specifically venial (that is, easily excused or forgiven; pardonable) sins and the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven.”

Revelation 21:27 is quoted, but this is talking about the New Jerusalem (not heaven) when no more human beings nor anything physical will exist. Rather, the New Jerusalem will descend to a new earth, composed of spirit, where God’s immortal people will then dwell. Applying this verse to the need for purgatory is completely erroneous.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, we read: “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

This applies to true Christians only and those asleep in Christ are the dead who will be resurrected as spirit beings at the return of Christ along with those, still living, who have the Holy Spirit of God, and who will be changed into immortal spirit beings as well at that time. They will then rule with Christ here on earth for a thousand years. Nothing is mentioned that they will go to heaven, purgatory or hell; or that they will have to be purified in any way. Rather, when they are resurrected as or changed into God beings at the time of Christ’s return, they will be resurrected or changed as PERFECT beings—not imperfect and in need of purification or perfection. As the Father is perfect and has no need of purification, so we will be (Matthew 5:48; Colossians 1:28; Luke 6:40; Hebrews 13:20-21; 11:40; 12:23). In this life, we will never attain perfection in the flesh, but we must work toward it so that at the time of Christ’s return, we will be resurrected or changed as perfect beings; and it is this godly perfection which God will grant us at that time.

We must understand that when we die, we will not have attained perfection but we do not need a period of time in purgatory in order to achieve this state of perfection. In Philippians 3:12 we read: “…not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”

A key to understanding is Matthew 24:13: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” We will be saved at the end of our lives, even though imperfect and without a visit to purgatory!  In 2 Timothy 4:6-8—the apostle Paul’s valedictory—we read: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Paul looked forward to a crown of righteousness even though he would not have attained perfection in his life. In fact, in Romans 7:15, he pointed out his physical frailties: “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.”

It is obvious from these examples that through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit throughout and to the end of our lives, true Christians will be resurrected or changed to immortal spirit life which will ensure perfection, thus revealing that any imperfections that we may have at death or at our change if still alive at Christ’s return will count as nothing and be dismissed by God.

In our Q&A, “Do the Wicked go to Hell?,” we read the following about purgatory:

“In addition, the Bible does not teach the concepts of ‘limbo’ or ‘purgatory,’ either. These concepts have their origin in pagan mythologies, as well. Richard Craze points out these most incredible facts (in his book, ‘Hell, An Illustrated History of the Netherworld,’ copyrighted 1996):

“‘The early [nominal] Christians… introduce[d] the concept of a sort of waiting-room, where souls would stay for [a while]. They found a ready-made idea — limbo — that they freely borrowed from the Romans, who had borrowed it from the Greeks. Limbo became a place where anyone who did not quite fit could be put… Purgatory… was a cross between limbo and hell… Jesus’ mother, the Virgin Mary, was called back from heaven, where she had been asleep (the Dormition). She was given the keys of hell to look after, and the running of the purgatory. She does not administer any punishments — in fact, her main job seems to be protecting the souls of the sinners from the wrath of her son [Jesus Christ!!!]. Purgatory became a sort of temporary hell — but one from which sinners could be rescued.”

However, the Bible does not teach the concepts of limbo, purgatory or of an ever-burning hell. In the meantime, the Catholic Church has given up the idea of “limbo” as a doctrine and recognizes it, if at all, as mere human tradition. And, we have already seen, “the Virgin Mary” is not in heaven, hell or purgatory. Mary, the mother of Jesus, died and is awaiting her resurrection from the dead. In addition, the very thought that she is running purgatory and that she is protecting the souls of the sinners from the wrath of her Son is quite frankly blasphemous.

Continuing with the website https://www.catholic.com/tract/purgatory, we read the following:

“What Happens in Purgatory?

“When we die, we undergo what is called the particular, or individual, judgment. Scripture says that ‘it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment’ (Heb. 9:27). We are judged instantly and receive our reward, for good or ill. We know at once what our final destiny will be. At the end of time, when Jesus returns, there will come the general judgment to which the Bible refers, for example, in Matthew 25:31-32: ‘When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.’ In this general judgment all our sins will be publicly revealed (Luke 12:2–5).

“Augustine said in The City of God that ‘temporary punishments are suffered by some in this life only, by others after death, by others both now and then; but all of them before that last and strictest judgment’… It is between the particular and general judgments, then, that the soul is purified of the remaining consequences of sin: ‘I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper’ (Luke 12:59).”

First of all, it is misleading to say, “At the end of time, when Jesus returns.” In fact, it is the end of the age of man but eternity beckons after that for the Family of God which will comprise the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and all the born-again members of the true Church of God who have the Holy Spirit.

Let us look at the Scriptural “evidence” that is given in the piece above to “prove” the existence of purgatory.

Hebrews 9:27 states: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Nowhere here does it mention anything about purification in purgatory, and to even imply that purgatory is part of a purification process in judgment is simply twisting Scripture to fit in with an unscriptural belief.

It is true, of course that we all have to appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive our reward (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Luke 19:16-17; Revelation 22:12; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 2 John 8). This has nothing to do with having to go through a judgment period of purification.  The concept of obtaining our reward when we appear before Christ at His return is fully explained in our free booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

It is also true that those who will be resurrected as human beings in the Second Resurrection will be given a certain amount of time (the Bible indicates a period of 100 years) to qualify for the Kingdom of God. At the end of that Great White Throne Judgment period, judgement will be pronounced (Revelation 20:11-12). But again, this has nothing to do with some kind of purgatory and burning in a hell fire for a certain amount of time; rather, people will be given the chance to qualify for God’s Way of Life then, so that their names can be written in the book of Life (verse 12), as this opportunity has been given to true Christians now whose names are already written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 21:27).

Matthew 25:31-32 reads: “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.  All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.”

This passage refers to the time when Christ rules mankind (physical human beings) living here on earth. A separation will take place during the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment, based on how men will live at that time.

In our booklet “Is That In the Bible? The Mysteries of the Book of Revelation,” we read the following on page 41 under the heading “Jesus Will Return to This Earth”:

“Christ is coming in all His glory, with His holy angels, to begin a Millennial rule upon the earth (Matthew 25:31–32). The saints of God, who will have been resurrected from the dead at that time, along with those saints still living, who will be changed to spirit at that time, will be given power to rule with Christ (Revelation 2:26–27).

“The saints will have positions as Kings and Priests, and will reign with Christ during the 1,000 year period on the earth. The rest of the dead, who had no part in this resurrection, will await in their graves for a future resurrection (Revelation 20:5).

“No biblical passage tells us that we go to heaven when we die. Rather, Christians will rule with Christ here on earth, when He resurrects those who died, or when He changes those, who are still alive at His Coming, from mortal to immortal.”

There is no way that a concept of purgatory for “departed ones” could be applied to this passage of Scripture.

Luke 12:2–5 states: “ For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.  Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”

As we mentioned earlier in part 2 of this series, we repeat below the explanation for the word “hell” which is in the latter part of verse 5:

“It is true that the New Testament speaks about a fiery place, which is translated in some English Bibles as, ‘hell.’ The Greek word for this place is ‘gehenna.’ It does not, however, describe an ever-burning hell, as commonly understood by many. Craze explains: ‘Gehenna — the place of fire. It is probable that it was named after the place just outside Jerusalem where the household rubbish, including the bodies of criminals and animals, was burnt.’”

Please see other excerpts in part 2 about the word “gehenna,” and none of this passage of Scripture can, in any way, be construed as a reference to purgatory.

In the above-quoted passage in Luke 12:2-5, reference is also made to the killing of the body, and God’s power to “cast into hell.” We discuss the parallel Scripture in Matthew 10:28 in our Q&A about the “spirit in man” and the “immortal soul”:

“Let’s notice what Matthew 10:28 does say: ‘And fear not them which kill … the body [‘soma’], but are not able to kill… the soul [‘psyche’]: but rather fear him which is able to destroy… both soul [‘psyche’] and body [‘soma’] in hell [‘gehenna’].’ We need not fear man who can only kill us, taking away our physical lives. That is all man can do—man cannot prevent God from resurrecting us from death to give us life again. Instead, we must fear God, who not only can take away our physical lives, but who can also throw us—both ‘body and soul’—into ‘hell’ [‘gehenna’], taking away our opportunity for eternal life…”

Luke 12:59 reads: “I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”

The subheading is “make peace with your adversary” and this short parable shows what we should do in this life if we were taken to court to settle a matter for which we had a financial liability, and the reading from the last verse is that we, as debtors, should make every effort to settle the case with our creditor, lest we are convicted by a judge and, depending on the situation, would even be thrown in jail.

It has a spiritual message too. For those of us called by God we need to realise that this is our one and only calling that we will have, and we need to make sure that we are prepared for Christ’s return. It will be too late for those who have turned their back on God, for whatever reason, and who have not been faithful to the end of their lives (compare Matthew 24:13). The message is: Seek the LORD while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6). There is no way that a state of purgatory can be read into this passage except by those who look for Scriptures to try to defend an indefensible doctrine.

The New Bible Commentary says in connection with Luke 12:59 that “the parable cannot be pressed to teach a doctrine of purgatory.”

(To be continued)

Lead Writers: Brian Gale (United Kingdom) and Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

A new Member Letter (November 2020) has been written and is available at our website. In this letter, Michael Link addresses the “core values” established at the founding of the United States but which are not being practiced today. He points out that we must look to God for the eternal values that will sustain us in these very troublesome times.

“Korruption, Verschwörung und Rebellion unter den Herrschenden,” is the title of this Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Corruption, Conspiracy and Rebellion among the Rulers.”

“Alles unter Kontrolle!” the sermonette presented last Sabbath in Germany by Christian Mrosek, is now posted. Title in English: “Everything Under Control!”

“Wahre Freiheit” is the title of this Sabbath’s new German sermonette, presented by Michael Link. Title in English: “True Freedom.”

“Biden the President-elect? Not so Fast!—Comments on News and Prophecy (November 7, 2020),” the first message presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

In the morning of November 7, just prior to a press conference by President Trump’s attorneys, the mass media and most networks declared Joe Biden to be the President-elect. However, Newsmax refuses to call Biden the winner. Why is that? Newsmax explains that the votes are still being counted, recounts are certain, and accusations of fraud and irregularities in several states are going to be brought before the courts. In addition, President Trump is not conceding and has no intention of doing so anytime soon. What are some of the specific allegations which the courts will be asked to decide?

“Political Alliance and Friendships are Useless,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

The Bible has much to say about political alliances, covenants and “friendships,” and it shows that they transform very soon—almost without exception—into hostile relationships. God condemns modern political  alliances, especially by the USA, the UK and Israel, which are not based on consideration for God but which are made because of selfish interests. All of this will contribute to the national downfall of those countries. Even friendly alliances, which will be or have been entered into by Europe with other countries, will end very soon in animosity.

On August 29, 2020, Norbert Link will present “Comments on News and Prophecy (August 29, 2020),” and Rene Messier will present the sermon, titled, “Internal Healing.”

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 we listen to the news, we are bombarded with a never-ending amount of “facts”—all aimed at telling a story from a certain perspective. And the select details that are brought to light are often based on the opinions of the speaker.  The truth of a situation in today’s political and social environment is designed to push people into a specific mindset.  The tendency of man is to build a narrative based more on ego and vanity than on verity.

This propensity for bias comes naturally when we allow ourselves to be guided by the anger of Satan, because acrimony is the source of Satan’s continual lashing out against God’s people.  We know this “because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). It was pride and arrogance that caused Satan’s desire to “ascend above the heights of the clouds” and “be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:14).

The veracity of God’s Word is known by His people who have the Holy Spirit. However, mankind is easily tempted, and swayed by deception in the world. Paul tried to get this point across to the early church, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).  What leads man away from these truths and into the darkness of deception?  Paul continues, “…because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 20:21).

Mankind is easily ensnared as prey by the great devourer. Satan is relentless in this pursuit. He is the “accuser of our brethren, who accuses them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10).  All of our weaknesses and sins are brought before God on a continual basis.  Satan’s desire is to create a narrative that will lead to our condemnation and destruction.  But God knows the facts. He understands us. He forgives us when we repent. This is the way how to overcome Satan and his accusations (verse 11).

We must be careful to stay true to the path that leads to salvation. The deceit and hypocrisy so rampant in the world today is designed by Satan to cause many to fall. But we know that God’s Plan is unstoppable. The same eternal Being who cast Satan out of heaven looks to each of us with a wonderfully planned future.  In God’s eyes, that future is a fact.  Let us be sure we are doing our part in making it so.

by Norbert Link

We begin with articles about the new deal between the USA, Israel and the UAE; speculation that Israel will still go ahead with the annexation of West Bank territories even before the November election; signs that show the fragility of the deal; and the idea that it might help though for the building of the Third Temple.

We speak on the condemnation of Turkey’s Erdogan through the US State Department; and on ongoing racial unrest in the USA, with special emphasis on Wisconsin and Portland.

We address the withdrawal of US troops from Germany and Merkel’s anger with Trump, while, at the same time, Germany gets more and more involved with military matters in the EU, for instance Hungary. We also speak about Britain’s new “dark” passport.

We continue with articles about new or contemplated controversial governmental measures to “combat” the coronavirus, especially in Germany, the UK and Israel; and we publish a biting article about worldwide nonsensical and oftentimes totally unscientific governmental measures, giving rise to speculation as to what is actually going on behind the scene. In this context, please view our new presentation, “Lockdowns and Governmental Restrictions.” 

We conclude with an article about the Berlin Film Festival’s silly decision to grant performance awards in a “gender-neutral way.”

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

Annexation of West Bank before Election in November?

Breaking Israel News wrote on August 23:

“Having been Director of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus since its inception in 2004, Joshua Reinstein is intimately familiar with the political connection that binds American evangelicals with Israel. As such, he believes that the key to the next election lies in this US-Holy Land connection… ‘The base of the Republican party are Bible-believing Christians… And the number one issue that will do that is the declaration of sovereignty in the Biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria…

“‘I think that Donald [Trump] will announce American support of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria before the election. Like Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said in June, Trump will probably declare that the choice of whether or not to declare sovereignty lies with Israel and his administration will support whatever Israel decides.’”

This would be an interesting development, especially in light of the turmoil the evangelical world in the USA is presently going through. Notice just one example—namely, the most recent developments and direct or indirect sexual allegations pertaining to Trump supporter Jerry Falwell Jr., “one of the most influential figures in the American Christian conservative movement” (Reuters), and his resignation from the Liberty University, “the Christian school he has run since 2007.”

Peace Deal between Israel, UAE and USA Already Shaky?

JTA wrote on August 24:

“Not all is rosy with the United Arab Emirates and Israel in the aftermath of their peace accord. The UAE canceled a public meeting with the United States and Israel meant to celebrate the so-called Abraham Accords over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public opposition to the U.S. sale of F-35 advanced fighter jets to the Arab nation.

“Senior UAE officials wanted to send a message to Israel that they were disappointed with Netanyahu’s public statements on the sale of the F-35s… Ambassadors from the three countries were scheduled to meet Friday at the United Nations. The Emirates also will hold no other public political meetings with the two countries until Israel’s position on such a sale is ‘clarified’…

“White House senior adviser Jared Kushner said Sunday… that the peace agreement between Israel and the UAE ‘should increase the probability’ of an F-35 jet sale to the Emirates.”

These plans are so counterproductive and dangerous for Israel. This peace agreement will turn out to be a total flop. At the same time, the “appearance” of a workable agreement might linger on for a short while to bring about other important developments.

Breaking Israel News wrote on August 25:

“Rabbi Yehudah Glick, a former Likud Member of Knesset… noted that… the First Temple was built during a period of peace following a long period of war… Rabbi Glick noted that just like King Solomon made peace agreements with King Hiram of Tyre (known today as Lebanon) and with the Queen of Sheba, the current efforts to pursue peace include Lebanon and African nations.”

It will have to be seen how the building of the Third Temple on the Temple Mount will come about. Our Q&A in this issue describes some possible scenarios.

Erdogan Condemned by US State Department

The Algemeiner wrote on August 25:

“The US State Department slammed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday for his meeting last weekend with two leaders of the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas — one of whom is the subject of a $5 million bounty for his part in the murder of an American-Jewish teenager. ‘The United States strongly objects to Turkish President Erdogan hosting two Hamas leaders in Istanbul on August 22,’ State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.

“‘Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the US and EU and both officials hosted by President Erdogan are Specially Designated Global Terrorists’… Ortagus made clear that the State Department would keep monitoring Erdogan’s interactions with Hamas leaders with concern…  ‘We continue to raise our concerns about the Turkish government’s relationship with Hamas at the highest levels. This is the second time President Erdogan has welcomed Hamas leadership to Turkey this year with the first meeting occurring February 1.’

“The State Department’s official condemnation of Erdogan came one day after President Donald Trump briefly discussed his positive personal relationship with the Turkish leader at the Republican National Convention.”

Turkey will fulfill a despicable prophesied role of violence and manslaughter against “Israel.”

Hurricane Laura Hits Louisiana

 The Week wrote on August 27:

“Hurricane Laura made landfall in southwestern Louisiana as an ‘extremely dangerous’ Category 4 storm early Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said, and had slowed to a Category 2 hurricane hours later… Laura brought an 11-foot storm surge to some areas, and flooding started along the Louisiana coast on Wednesday afternoon… Earlier this week, Laura killed 20 people in Haiti and three in the Dominican Republic.”

The Associated Press reported on August 27:

“One of the strongest hurricanes ever to strike the U.S. pounded the Gulf Coast… Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards… called it the most powerful hurricane to strike Louisiana, meaning it surpassed even Katrina, which was a Category 3 storm when it hit in 2005. The hurricane’s top wind speed of 150 mph (241 kph) put it among the most powerful systems on record in the U.S…

“More than 580,000 coastal residents were ordered to join the largest evacuation since the pandemic began and many did, filling hotels and sleeping in cars… More than 700,000 homes and businesses remained without power in Texas and Louisiana…

 “[Laura] was the seventh named storm to strike the U.S. this year, setting a new record for U.S. landfalls by the end of August. The old record was six in 1886 and 1916… Laura was tied with five other storms for fifth most powerful U.S. hurricane, behind the 1935’s Labor Day storm, 1969’s Camille, 1992’s Andrew and 2004’s Charley…”

More Racial Unrest in the USA

The Associated Press reported on August 25:

“The father of a Black man who was shot, apparently in the back, by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, says his son was left paralyzed from the waist down. Jacob Blake’s father told the Chicago Sun-Times that he was told his son was shot eight times during the Sunday evening confrontation with police, which was captured on cellphone video and led to two nights of unrest in the city between Milwaukee and Chicago… [The] doctors don’t know if the paralysis will be permanent.

“Anger over the shooting of a Black man by police spilled into the streets of Kenosha for a second night Monday, with police again firing tear gas at hundreds of protesters who defied a curfew, threw bottles and shot fireworks at law enforcement guarding the courthouse. The southeastern Wisconsin city became the nation’s latest flashpoint in a summer of racial unrest after cellphone footage of police shooting Blake — apparently in the back as he leaned into his SUV while his three children sat in the vehicle — circulated widely on social media…

“Police in the former auto manufacturing center of 100,000 people midway between Milwaukee and Chicago said they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute when they encountered Blake on Sunday. They did not say whether Blake was armed or why police opened fire, they released no details on the dispute, and they did not immediately disclose the race of the three officers at the scene.

“The man who said he made the cellphone video… said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, ‘Drop the knife! Drop the knife!’ before the gunfire erupted. He said he didn’t see a knife in Blake’s hands. The governor said he has seen no information to suggest Blake had a knife or other weapon, but that the case is still being investigated by the state Justice Department…

“Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said the officers ‘must be held accountable.’… Republicans and the police union accused the politicians of rushing to judgment, reflecting the deep partisan divide in Wisconsin, a key presidential battleground state. Wisconsin GOP members also decried the violent protests…

“In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns pointed and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while Blake has his back turned. Seven shots can be heard, though it isn’t clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired…

“Blake’s grandfather, Jacob Blake Sr., was a prominent minister and civil rights leader in the Chicago area who helped organize a march and spoke in support of a comprehensive housing law in Evanston, Illinois, days after the 1968 slaying of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr….

“Online court records indicate Kenosha County prosecutors charged Blake on July 6 with sexual assault, trespassing and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse. An arrest warrant was issued the following day… It was unclear whether that case had anything to do with the shooting.”

Whatever the Truth may be, this is just another example of the fragile domestic situation within the USA. Any spark can now cause an explosion. And radical “protestors” use any opportunity to spread their violence.

Deutsche Welle added on August 26:

“Two people were killed and another injured in Kenosha, Wisconsin, local police confirmed Wednesday, after gunfire broke out on the third night of unrest… An 8 p.m. curfew is in effect in the city. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has declared a state of emergency and doubled the deployment of National Guard forces in Kenosha from 125 to 250. Police and protesters also clashed in Portland, Oregon, and Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday night.”

Ongoing Violence in Portland, Oregon

The Los Angeles Times wrote on August 24:

“It has become a dangerous nightly ritual in Portland. Around 11 p.m., protesters set fire to trash cans or toss burning cardboard into police buildings and hurl bottles, eggs and chunks of concrete at officers. Then police broadcast an order for the demonstrators to leave. Most do. But a hardcore group, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, remain to face off against police, who use tear gas, rubber bullets, flash grenades and arrests to clear the streets…

“As of last week, protesters had set 41 fires, thrown projectiles at police officers on at least 58 nights and vandalized property on 49 nights, according to the police department, which has declared riots 17 times…

“[The police department said that officers] ‘have been the focus of over 80 days of violent actions directed at the police…”

Breitbart wrote on August 26:

“Democrat Gov. Kate Brown may release as many as 400 prisoners from state jails for fear of the coronavirus spreading at the same time violent Antifa riots are taking place nightly in Portland….

“Brown’s concern for prisoners seems in stark contrast to the reality of her state’s second largest city facing nightly riots that have resulted in ongoing injuries to police officers and the destruction of innocent people’s property. And large crowds gathering every night also pose the risk of spreading the virus.”

Words fail. And what is Portland doing about it?

USA Withdraws Troops from Germany

Fox News wrote on August 23:

“President Trump recently ordered a 12,000-troop reduction in American military personnel stationed in Germany. That leaves about 24,000 American soldiers still in the country. A little more than half of the troops being withdrawn will return home. The rest will be redeployed to other NATO member nations such as Belgium, Italy, and perhaps Baltic and Eastern European countries. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is said to be furious.

“… the Merkel government has concluded, over American objections, a huge natural gas deal with Russia… Merkel likes to lecture the world on moral issues, but what is so noble about empowering Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently reclaimed Crimea and seems now to be eyeing Belarus? Like a modern-day Byzantine emperor Justinian, who recovered much of the lost Western Roman Empire, Putin seems to think he can reabsorb the lost Soviet republics.

“In recent polling, Germans were more anti-American than any other nation in Europe. And while about 75 percent of Americans believe the U.S. still has a good relationship with Germany, only about a third of Germans feel that way about the U.S. Nearly half the German population in some polls want U.S. troops out…

“Does Merkel really believe that if her nation cuts huge deals with NATO’s historically greatest threat, polls as the most anti-American country in Europe and still refuses to honor its promises to increase defense spending, Germany still deserves a large American commitment of 36,000 troops to anchor its defense?…

“According to its founders, NATO was created for three reasons: to keep the always aggressive Russians ‘out’ of Europe, to keep the often isolationist Americans ‘in’ to help protect it, and to keep the supposedly restless Germans ‘down’ in order to avoid a replay of their invasions that ignited both world wars. In other words, the huge defense commitment to an often ungracious Germany over eight decades was not just envisioned to create a central base from which to protect Europe from ancient Russian ambitions, but also to remind Germany itself of its checkered past. That third mission… is not entirely forgotten, and it may explain why many in Europe — and some in Germany itself — are worried when any American soldiers leave Germany.”

All of this is leading to a revival of Germany’s ambitions to build a strong European Army. It also leads to further alienation between the USA and Germany. Germany hopes that Biden will become the next US President, thinking that under him, the relationship might become better again. Whether that hope would be justified or not, the Truth is that Biden will not replace Trump. Please view our recent StandingWatch program, “Why Trump Will Stay in Office!”

Germany Helps to Finance Hungarian Army

Israel Defense wrote on August 20:

“… the Hungarian government signed an agreement for a joint venture with the German company Rheinmetall, under which a production facility will be set up in Hungary to manufacture the most modern Lynx infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). The joint venture is part of a massive programme worth over two billion euros to modernize the East-European country’s defense industry and military capabilities…

“The step is of central importance in Hungary’s ongoing programme of military and industrial development, which aims to transform the Hungarian Army as quickly as possible into a world-class fighting force capable of actively addressing security challenges in the Euro-Atlantic region…”

And so, Germany is getting more and more involved in European military matters and affairs.

Britain’s New Passport—as Dark as Midnight

On August 24, the Guardian published the following opinion piece by Guardian columnist Zoe Williams:

“[My new passport] arrived today, as blue as midnight and also as dark.

“We definitely are not in the EU any more. There are no stars, just a lion, a unicorn and a peculiar and bereft illustration of the UK, with Northern Ireland a floating blob, the rest of the landmass etched out like Trotsky’s face…

“The flowers and a shamrock are embossed on the back… except the daffodil could be any flower, and the overall effect is of someone finding free graphics on the internet for a superbly boring PowerPoint presentation.”

Does this mirror the fate of the UK?

Corona Forever

The Sun wrote on August 22:

“[The] CORONAVIRUS will be in Britain FOREVER and people will need regular [repeated] vaccinations, a former chief scientific adviser [Professor Sir Mark Walport] has warned today… And he said the pandemic will be controlled by ‘global vaccination’ but that it is not ‘going to be a disease like smallpox which could be eradicated by vaccination’.

“His warning comes after the WHO chief said the deadly bug could last for another two years.”

In Corona Times… How the Rich Get Richer…

Fox News wrote on August 21:

“California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been drawing his full monthly salary despite asking state workers in May to take a pay cut to alleviate the state’s burden in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Though elected state officials are exempt from such pay cuts, Newsom pledged that he would voluntarily slash his salary when he asked state workers to make that same sacrifice. But a Thursday report… revealed that Newsom has continued drawing his full monthly salary… A spokesman for Newsom’s office blamed the matter on an ‘administrative error.’… ‘The reductions for both July and August will be deduced for the next pay period.’…

“PlumpJack, a Northern California-based winery and hospitality company, founded and partly owned by Newsom, was open through early July – well after Newsom ordered all essential business closed in March. Data released by the U.S. Treasury Department also shows that the wine company also received a loan worth $150,000 to $350,000 from the Paycheck Protection Program…”

Jens Spahn’s Further Dictatorial Restrictions

The Associated Press added on August 26:

“People coming home from coronavirus risk areas were offered free tests at airports, train stations and highway stops, allowing them to cut short the required two-week quarantine if their result came back negative. Travelers returning from high-risk areas, which include most countries outside the European Union and some regions inside the bloc, will in the future be required to go into mandatory quarantines for at least five days before taking a test, which may no longer be free unless ordered by a doctor… The change in the country’s testing strategy is also due to Germany’s labs reaching the limits of their capacities, [Health Minister Jens] Spahn said.

“The operators of Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s biggest, criticized the decision to focus on quarantining, rather than testing travelers. Stefan Schulte, the chief executive of Fraport, said the move amounted to a second lockdown for the airline and travel industries. He called on the government to instead improve the existing system of testing travelers from high-risk areas rather than to dismantled it again.”

Until recently, according to an article by Deutsche Welle, dated August 24, “93% of the population thought the measure [of testing and mandatory quarantine] was a reasonable demand to impose.”

However, the mood is changing in Germany. Bild Online wrote on August 25 that the harsh restrictions of the German government do not find acceptance by most Germans. “This is no miracle… It will be difficult to get the approval of the German population for a second lockdown.”

In a related article, Bild Online wrote on August 26: “The confusion is complete and so is the anger of the German citizens. Again new rules, and nobody can figure them out…”

The paper also quoted Jens Spahn as saying that the new rule is mandatory and will be enforced, and those who don’t obey are violating the criminal law.  

New Governmental Restrictions in Germany… and Merkel’s Failure to Unite

 Deutsche Welle wrote on August 27:

 “Chancellor Angela Merkel and Germany’s 16 regional leaders have agreed to ban major public gatherings and impose a national fine for mask shirkers… measures include a minimum fine of €50 ($60) for anyone caught not wearing a mask in shops and on public transport. There was no agreement on limiting the number of participants for private events. Instead, Merkel and the regional leaders asked Germans to ‘critically weigh’ in each individual case whether private celebrations are ‘necessary’ and ‘justifiable.’…

 “Merkel and the regional leaders stressed on Thursday that  ‘covering the mouth and nose in certain public areas is mandatory and must be consistently controlled and sanctioned by public order authorities.’ The return to nationwide decisions also marks a political shift in Germany… 

“The new nationwide measures are already proving controversial.  Whereas some politicians believe consistency is necessary to avoid a confusing patchwork of decisions, others say blanket measures disproportionately affect states with a low coronavirus incidence… Reiner Haseloff of Saxony Anhalt, which registered 16 new cases on Wednesday, has already indicated mask fines will not be implemented in his region… There was no decision on whether to give the green light for Germany’s beloved Christmas markets to operate.”

Berlin Prohibits Demonstrations against Corona Measures

The Associated Press reported on August 26:

“… in Berlin authorities banned several protests planned for the weekend against coronavirus pandemic measures. Officials said that those protesting would likely have breached rules on social distancing designed to stop the spread of the virus.… Berlin’s top security official, Andreas Geisel, welcomed the decision… Geisel said police would act to stop any large gathering of people and indicated that authorities wouldn’t tolerate a tent camp that protesters have erected near the German parliament. ‘I’m not prepared to accept that Berlin is abused a second time as a stage for corona deniers … and right-wing extremists,’ he said.

“Numerous leading figures in the country’s far-right scene, including members of the Alternative for Germany party, had announced they would participate in rallies in Berlin on Saturday. The party’s leader in the Berlin state assembly, Georg Pazderski, criticized the decision to ban the protests, calling it disproportionate and unjustified.”

The reaction of Bild Online to the prohibition was fierce and unusually condemnatory: “This is an unacceptable attack on one of our most important constitutional rights… and political insanity which could hardly be topped…”

Ban on Non-Israelis

JTA wrote on August 24:

“Non-Israeli passport holders who do not come from countries with low coronavirus infection rates will be banned from entering the country until at least Oct. 1. The United States is among those not on the so-called green list of countries with low rates.

“Among non-citizens who can enter the country are nuclear family members of Israelis having lifecycle events such as births and weddings. In addition, thousands of… students have entered Israel in recent days for the start of the school year.

“All Israelis and non-citizens entering the country must go into a two-week isolation, except those that arrive from countries on the so-called green list. That list includes the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy and Germany….”

Equally nonsensical and contradictory measures.

Crazy Global Government Restrictions Because of Fear

The American Institute for Economic Research wrote on or about August 24:

“A mystery for months is how it is that so many governments in so many different places on earth could have adopted the same or very similar preposterous policies, no matter the threat level of the virus, and without firm evidence that interventions had any hope of being effective. In the course of two weeks, traditional freedoms were zapped away in nearly all developed countries. In a seriously bizarre twist, even the silliest policies replicated themselves like a virus in country after country.

“For example, you can’t try on clothing in a store in Texas or in Melbourne, or in London or in Kalamazoo. What’s with that? We know that the COVID bug is least likely to live on fabrics unless I have symptoms of it, sneeze on my handkerchief and then I stuff it in your mouth. The whole thing is a ridiculous mysophobic overreach, like most of the rules under which we live.

“Then there was the inside/outside confusion. First everyone was forced indoors and people were arrested for being outdoors. Later, once restaurants started opening, people were not allowed indoors so eating establishments scrambled to make outdoor dining possible. Are we supposed to believe that the virus lived outside for a while but then later moved inside?

“Or these curfews. So many places have them despite a complete absence of evidence that COVID spread prefers the night to the day. I guess the real point is to put a stop to revelry that might bring people together in a fun way? It’s like all our governments decided on the same day that COVID spreads through smiles and fun, so we have to banish both.

“In Sydney and Los Angeles, and also in Detroit and Miami, you need to wear a mask when you walk in a restaurant but not when you sit. And this 6-foot rule is highly suspect too. It seems to imply that if you get too close to each other, COVID spontaneously appears. At least people seem to believe that…

“In most places too, you have to quarantine two weeks when you arrive from afar, even though it is rare that the virus incubation period is that long…  Oh, and in department stores, you can’t spray perfume to try it out, because surely that spreads COVID – not. Except that there is not one shred of evidence that there is any truth to this. This one seems completely made up, though it is widely imposed.

“The list goes on. The bans of gatherings over 50 outdoors and 25 indoors, the closures of gyms at a time when people need to be getting healthy, the shutting of theaters and bowling alleys but the keeping open of big-box stores – these policies are as ubiquitous as they are unsupported by any science. And we’ve known this for many months…

“The worst case is school closings. They were shut down at the same time all over the world, despite evidence available since at least January that the threat to children is nearly zero. Yes, they do get COVID almost entirely asymptomatically, which is to say they do not get ‘sick’ in the old-fashioned sense of that term. What’s more, they are highly unlikely to spread it to adults precisely because they do not have symptoms… Still governments decided to wreck kids’ lives for an entire season.

“And the timing of it all seems strangely suspicious. All these countries and states implemented this compulsory clown show at the same time, whether cases were everywhere or nowhere.  In the US, this was fascinating to watch. The shutdowns happened all over the country. In the Northeast, the virus had already spread widely toward herd immunity. The South shut down at the same time but the virus wasn’t even there. By the time the virus did arrive, most states in the South had already reopened…

“How can so many governments in the world have simultaneously lost their marbles and abolished the people’s liberties in such a cruel way, while trampling on all rights of property and association? I tend to resist big conspiracy theories on this subject simply because I seriously doubt that governments are smart enough to implement them. From what I can see, these governors and statesmen seem to be making things up in a crazy panic and then sticking with them just to pretend that they know what they are doing… But how can we account for the imposition of so many similarly ridiculous rules at the same time across so many parts of the globe?…

“Why did so many governments go so nuts at once, disregarding their own laws, traditions, and values by bludgeoning their own people with the excuse of science that has turned out to be almost completely bogus? Some people claim conspiracy but a much simpler answer might be that, in their ignorance and stupor, they copied each other out of fear.”

Whether they are acting because of fear or as being part of a conspiracy with secret or not-so-secret talks… the mastermind behind all of this—Satan the Devil—is having a field day…

Non-Gender Awards Show in Berlin

Showbiz411 wrote on August 24:

“Best Actress, Best Actor? No more. At least at the Berlin Film Festival. They’re going non-gender and handing out one acting prize for lead and supporting this winter…

“‘The Berlinale has reorganised the prizes awarded by the International Jury in the Competition. For the first time, the performance awards will be defined in a gender-neutral way. Instead of the awards for the Best Actor and the Best Actress, a ‘Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance’ and a ‘Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance’ shall each be awarded on a gender-neutral basis.’

“So there’s no longer a distinction between men and women, and all the gradations. Will this become the norm now for all awards shows?…”

How much more stupid will it get?

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.

Some of the next major events that have to happen prior to or at the beginning of the Great Tribulation are the building of a temple in Jerusalem, the rise of the beast power in Europe and the rise of the false prophet, as well as the continued downfall of the USA, the UK, Canada and other English-speaking nations and the constant and increasing deterioration of the relationship between the USA and their allies.

 In regard to the temple being built either before or at the beginning of the Great Tribulation, how is that currently possible when the Dome of the Rock and/or the al-Aqsa mosque are sitting on the very spot where the temple needs to be built? Some claim that this could never happen; therefore, the third temple would not be built.

Let’s look at some possibilities in regard to having the site available for building a temple there.

1- The Arab world might consider relocating the al Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock to another site, since historically, it can be proven that the Dome of the Rock was built sometime after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

According to Google, the Dome of the Rock was built between AD 685 and 691 by the caliph ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, not as a mosque for public worship but rather as a Mashhad, a shrine for pilgrims. The same is true for the al-Aqsa mosque which was built in the early 8th century.

2- War could break out with any number of groups in the area and a bomb could completely destroy the Dome and the mosque. This could even occur, arguably, “accidentally.” During the war with Iran, they fired Scud missiles at Jerusalem which have no guiding system and would fall to the ground when the fuel ran out.

3- In the event of a conflict, the Israelis (or some zealots) could intentionally destroy the Dome and the mosque and place the blame on others, claiming they were accidentlly destroyed by them.

4-The site could be hit by a meteorite from space and it would not have to be a huge one to flatten the buildings. Even though somewhat far-fetched, it is not totally out of the realm of possibility. Luke 21:11 speaks of great signs from heaven, and Revelation 6:13 records that stars will fall from heaven, presumably right after the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

5-God could cause fire and brimstone from heaven to destroy the buildings like He did with Sodom and Gomorrah.

6-God could cause the buildings to just collapse, similar to Dagon falling before the ark of the covenant when the Philistines had it at the house of Dagon.

1 Samuel 5:1-4 says: “Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.   When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.   And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again. And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it.”

There might be more scenarios which could explain to us several ways for the site to be cleared or the Dome and the mosque to be destroyed so the temple could be built at that location. It is possible and in fact very likely that Donald Trump will collaborate with Israel when it comes to building the temple. Some concessions to the Arab world might be made in exchange for such an endeavor. Or, no concessions will be made; terrible turmoil will result and the Europeans might be forced to “intervene” in the Middle East to create peace there.

We will just have to wait and see. The important thing to remember is that God says the building of the third temple will happen, and so we can be sure that it will.

In regard to the beast power arising in Europe, a strong charismatic political individual of either German or Austrian descent will arise, and a core Europe, consisting of ten nations or groups of nations will give him unlimited powers. He will lead core Europe, causing the ultimate downfall of English-speaking nations, including the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Their complete destruction will be brought about through nuclear war and other devastating weapons.

Revelation 13:2-7 describes the European power and the last “fuehrer” of that Empire:

“Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’ And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.”

Notice, Satan gives the European power bloc and the final representative of that power his authority. The power of the European Empire, from the fall of Rome during its revivals, lasted at first for forty two prophetic months or 1,260 years, until the fall of Napoleon, but two more revivals would subsequently occur. In focusing on the last individual leader, he will speak great things. He will be a good orator to the point of blasphemy and his authority will last approximately three and a half years. He also makes war with true Christians, the saints, and he causes some to be martyred. He is also described in the book of Daniel as the king of the north.

Daniel 11:33-37 says:

“And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.”

Notice, this starts off with the martyrdom of the saints (verses 33-35), after which it describes the person (Antiochus Epiphanes was a forerunner of the final leader of the European Empire). He exalts himself above every God and he has no desire for women. This indicates that he might be homosexual.

Daniel 11:38 continues: “But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.” This god might very well be the false prophet.

Both the beast and the false prophet are alive today and they will shortly manifest themselves for the saints to recognize them.

In regard to the false prophet, we find him mentioned, for example, in Revelation 13:11-15:

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.  He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth—by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”

Notice, he has power to bring fire down from heaven. He uses deception and performs great signs, deriving this power from Satan the devil. It appears that there will be some kind of talking image or statue which will be used to further deceive and convince people he is a servant or prophet from God—in fact, that he is God or the Messiah, as we read in 2 Thessalonians 2:7-10:

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way [better: “until he is coming out of the midst of the apostasy”; compare https://www.eternalgod.org/who-or-what-restrains-or-holds-back-the-manifestation-of-the-man-of-sin/ ]. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 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, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Notice, he receives his power from Satan. He is around when Christ returns. He had declared himself to be God, just prior to Christ’s Coming.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4:

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

The false prophet cannot sit in the temple of God unless the temple is there at the time.

Elijah, a man of God, was also able to call fire down from heaven which killed a hundred of Ahab’s soldiers. 2 Kings 1:9-12 tells us:

“Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. So he went up to him; and there he was, sitting on the top of a hill. And he spoke to him: ‘Man of God, the king has said, “Come down!”’ So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, ‘If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.’ And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. Then he sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty men. And he answered and said to him: ‘Man of God, thus has the king said, “Come down quickly!”’ So Elijah answered and said to them, ‘If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.’ And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.’”

Elijah received his power from God, and the two witnesses will also receive power from God to devour their enemies with fire from their mouth (compare Revelation 11:5), but the false prophet will receive his power from Satan. Still, working such “miracles” would of course give credence to the false prophet’s false claim to be God.

We understand that this religious leader may be an elected pope, or it might even be someone claiming that he should be the pope. Currently, there are two Popes, one as leader and the other one retired, and there are issues between them. In the past, there were occasions when two and even three popes existed at the same time, all claiming to be the rightful “heir” of “Saint Peter.” We know that the false prophet will arise out of the current religious Babylonian system, and he will be able to perform signs and wonders, with Satan’s help.

In conclusion, there will be a temple built in Jerusalem prior to or at the beginning of the Great Tribulation in which the false prophet will ultimately sit. How that comes about, remains to be seen. Coupled with that, we can expect to see the rise of the military leader of ten nations or groups of nations in Europe. He will be backed by Satan, and he will be able to influence the nations to follow him. He will work in conjunction with the false prophet who will give his support to the military leader, and vice versa, and who will have deceiving powers from Satan.

These events are sure; and due to all the current trends, it appears that that time is not too far away.

Lead Writer: Rene Messier (Canada)

compiled by Dave Harris

A new Member Letter (August 2020) has been written and is now posted. In this letter, Kalon Mitchell presents powerful encouragement for us to prepare for the Fall Festivals of God, and to use our trials to draw ever closer to God for the help we need.

Our new booklet, “Obeying God rather than men,” has been translated into Spanish by Anna Ruoff; finalized by our Graphic Designer, Shelly Bruno, and posted this week on our Spanish site. 

“Why Trump Will Stay in Office!” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

The Democratic Convention has ended. This program will cover a few highlights and contentions and discusses whether the Democratic criticism of Donald Trump, especially regarding the coronavirus, is justified. It also addresses the unconvincing speeches of Kamala Harris and Bill Clinton, as well as Joe Biden’s well-received acceptance speech; the success story of South Dakota; and suggestions and actions of Donald Trump which might hurt him. Still, we explain as to why we are convinced that Donald Trump will stay in office.

“Der Dritte Tempel, das Ende der Welt und der Nahost-Deal,” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “The Third Temple, the End of the World, and the Middle Eastern Peace Deal.”

“Glaube, der rettet,” is the title of this Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Michael Link. Title in English: “Faith That Saves.”

“Die richtige Wahl,” is the title of last Sabbath’s German split-sermon, presented by Christoph Sperzel. Title in English: “The Right Choice.”

“Unwissenheit schützt vor Strafe nicht,” is the title of last Sabbath’s German split-sermon, presented by Thilo Hanstein. Title in English: “Ignorance Does Not Protect One from Punishment.”

Also, you might want to take a look at the many new German articles which have been posted on our German website

“Lockdowns and Governmental Restrictions—Comments on News and Prophecy August 22, 2020,” is the title of last Sabbath’s first message, presented by Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

While governmental restrictions are being imposed on American citizens, thereby causing economic hardship and ruin for many businesses and people, medical experts and governors kept enjoying their monthly paychecks. But how dangerous is the pandemic? One professional magician claims that it is all an illusion. How is that “new reality” affecting your life and your personal choices? And how does it affect the Church of God and important decisions as they relate to Church services?

“Faith that Saves,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Michael Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Faith all by itself without any action isn’t enough to be saved. What do we need to do in order for us to be truly saved from death? How can we learn from the examples in the Bible what it means to put our complete trust in God?

The YouTube channel for the Church of the Eternal God presents past videos for StandingWatch programs along with sermonettes, sermons and promotional videos. These are also available on our website: www.eternalgod.org.