Letter to the Brethren – November 9, 2016

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Dear Members, Co-Workers and Friends:

What most did not believe possible has indeed occurred: Republican candidate Donald Trump was elected to become the 45th President of the United States of America. As the Republicans have also maintained the majority in both the House and the Senate, Mr. Trump will become the most powerful man on earth. His power will be greater than that of any recent American President. The German tabloid Bild ran this headline on November 9: “Trump Almighty.” As USA Today wrote, Mr. Trump will be in a position to repeal large parts of President Obama’s legislative agenda, repeal his executive orders with a stroke of a pen, and install conservative Supreme Court justices. As Commander-in-Chief, he will have the power to go to war.

Almost half of Americans (Hillary Clinton won by popular vote) and most countries in the world have reacted with shock, concern and anxiety. The Guardian echoed those sentiments, stating that “this is primarily an American catastrophe that America has brought upon itself.”

Europe is very concerned. Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, former German Minister of Economics and Energy, wrote: “A gruesome awakening for Europe! When it is finally waking up.” The BBC wrote that if Mr. Trump keeps his promise, then only four of NATO’s 28 members would qualify for support from Washington in the case of a war. German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen asked Mr. Trump for clarification on whether the U.S. would remain committed to NATO. German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel called Mr. Trump’s victory “a warning for Germany and Europe.” German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who had called Donald Trump a “hate preacher,” said that foreign relations would become “more difficult” with President Trump. The French ambassador to the United States tweeted that the “world is collapsing before our eyes.”

Voices are being heard that Europe cannot rely anymore on America and that, therefore, Germany needs to fulfill its role as the new world leader.

Not everyone reacted with dismay and disapproval. In addition to European right-wing politicians and Brexit proponents, Russia’s Vladimir Putin welcomed Mr. Trump’s victory, expressing hope for a “better relationship” between the USA and Russia. It was reported that he had said that under Hillary Clinton, World War III would have been certain, but not so under Donald Trump.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Mr. Trump a “true friend of the State of Israel.” Likud lawmaker and Temple Mount activist Yehuda Glick congratulated Mr. Trump and invited him to “ascend the Temple Mount.” Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett claimed: “The era of a Palestinian state is over.” Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat reminded Mr. Trump of his promise to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Even before the election results were announced, voices had been heard warning of the devastating status of the USA after eight years of the “Obama Presidency.”  In a biting commentary, Bild Online wrote on November 6 that Mr. Obama was mainly responsible for the conditions of his country, leaving behind an international “field covered with ruins,” continuing that America’s foes are no longer afraid of the US President, while America’s friends have no more confidence in him. The tabloid expressed the hope that the “world has learned from eight years of Obama that politicians are dangerous if they present themselves as saviors.”

On November 7, the Berliner Zeitung spoke of America’s “downfall” and voiced the opinion that “America is paralyzed politically, if not something worse happens,” and that “dark times await America.”

Those who understand biblical prophecy should be able to see how these developments point at predicted end-time events, ready to be fulfilled. The Bible shows that the relationship between the USA and Europe will deteriorate to the point of outright war. It is also clearly revealed that Germany (modern Assyria) will lead a United States of Europe under a charismatic leader, called “King Jareb” in Scripture (Hosea 5:13;10:6). It is perhaps remarkable that a few years ago, former German finance minister and candidate for chancellor in 2013, Peer Steinbrück, began a public speech by saying: “I am not King Jareb.”

God has decreed that, in these last days, the United States of America will fall and be defeated in a nuclear war, and no American President can prevent this. God is angry with our nation because of the many sins which we commit daily. God is especially angry with America’s political and religious leadership which is tolerating or even promoting ungodly sexual practices and the celebration of pagan customs, while ignoring or even suppressing a biblical lifestyle and worship requirements. For instance, God’s weekly and annual Holy Days have been replaced with holidays, such as Sunday, Halloween, Christmas, New Years’ Day and Easter, which are steeped deeply in paganism.

Even though religious leaders have tried to hide the fact that the Sabbath, and not Sunday, is the last day of the week which we are to keep holy (Exodus 20:8-11), sometimes even falsely claiming that Sunday is the last day of the week, the weekly Sabbath is still clearly identified in some languages. For instance, “Saturday” is called “savvato” in Greek; “sabato” in Italian; and “sabado” in Spanish. In addition, the ancient Hebrews had no names for the weekdays except for the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, calling the other days, “first day,” “second day,” etc.  The ancient and modern Greeks have the same custom, calling the seventh day “savvato,” and the other weekdays “second” (deytera); “third” (triti); “fourth” (tetarti), and “fifth” (pempti). The sixth day is called “paraskeyi,” meaning “preparation.” Following false teachings, modern Greek has replaced the “first” day with the name “kinaki,” meaning “of the Lord.” Similarly, the Icelandic and Portuguese languages have maintained the same designations for the weekdays.

Most Christian denominations teach that God’s spiritual Law has been abolished, and that God’s grace absolves us from any sinful conduct—”just live as you please, and you will still be saved.” This false concept is largely responsible for an ungodly lifestyle which would have been unthinkable not too long ago.

This development is one major reason as to why God will punish this nation, and it is extremely important that we understand this. We are pleased to enclose for our American and Canadian readers a copy of our new booklet, “God’s Law… or God’s Grace?” which explains this topic from your Bible.  Our European readers will receive a free copy shortly with a separate mailing.

Dark days are indeed ahead for the USA and the entire world. Those who voted in this presidential election for “the lesser of two evils” will be greatly sobered in the not-too-distant future when they realize that God placed Mr. Trump in the position of American President—not to make this country great again, but to bring about necessary events leading to the most terrible time in all of mankind’s history… the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22). May God be with all of you and help you to become worthy to escape all these chaotic and devastating things which will surely and shortly come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man when He returns (Daniel 12:1; Luke 21:36).

Your brother in Christ,

Norbert Link

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