Update 994

Current Events

by Norbert Link

We begin with articles about Vladimir Putin’s recent comments on “cancel culture” and gay and transgender rights; the ongoing military collaboration between Russia and China; and new developments in Turkey and Poland.

We continue focusing on violence in Israel and Israel’s controversial banishment of six Palestinian groups as well as America’s objections to Israel’s settlement plans; the new (or old) dictatorship in Austria; proposed plans for corona measures in Germany; the coming European Army; and the nationalistic decision of  French President Emmanuel Macron pertaining to domestic flights.

We point out the disaster of Joe Biden’s townhall meeting last week, and address specifically his divisive comments on Taiwan (which might have been made because of confusion, accidentally or intentionally); his call for the National Guard to deal with the supply chain crisis; his blatant misrepresentation regarding his alleged visit of the southern border; his scorn for American freedom; and his and the White House’s participation in the despicable claim that concerned parents are to be treated as domestic terrorists. (Please view our StandingWatch program in this regard, titled, “America Is Breaking Down.”). As a consequence, it was reported that Biden’s popularity is worse than it has been for any president since World War II.

We address the latest controversy regarding Dr. Fauci, for having allegedly lied to Congress and for funding despicable experiments with dogs.

We conclude with articles on vaccinations for children; religious objections to vaccinations; and the indecisive decision of the US Supreme Court regarding abortion.

Please also view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Why People Love Halloween.”

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

What IS Our Position?

by Norbert Link

We are sometimes asked why we are publishing certain articles about corona measures in our Current Events section, which do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint expressed by the mass media. The suggestion is made that we might be political, anti-vaxxers, corona deniers, etc. Others feel that we do not oppose governmental measures strongly enough, and that we should tell our membership and the entire world that we must resist and that we must not get vaccinated or wear masks under any circumstances. At times, the mandate to get vaccinated or wear masks is associated with the mark of the beast.

I’d like to use this Editorial to make the Church’s position on these matters very clear. I refrain from discussing here what my own preference is or would be, as this is irrelevant in the context of this Editorial.

We said this in a recent Q&A about the mark of the beast:

“Wearing or not wearing a mask, or getting or not getting vaccinated is not, per se, tantamount to accepting the mark of the beast, as long as they do not prevent us from worshipping God in the right way (However, wearing a mask in church services might very well prevent us from worshipping God in a proper way). Otherwise, these are personal decisions, based on one’s individual situation. If a minister ought to travel overseas to visit the church or baptize or preach the gospel, but could only do so if he is vaccinated first, then vaccination does not prevent him from worshipping God and fulfilling his job as a minister; in fact, it might enable him to do so. If air travel in such a case would require the wearing of a mask [or to be fully vaccinated], and if there was no other way to travel, then doing so would not constitute accepting the mark of the beast. This does not mean however that he must travel under those circumstances, because additional considerations, personal and otherwise, might have to be taken into account.

“These principles… do not just apply to ministers. If one has to wear a mask or has to be vaccinated to be able to keep his or her job or to go shopping, then a decision to do so would not constitute the acceptance of the mark of the beast, as it has nothing to do with worshipping or not worshipping God in the right way.

“In this Q&A, we are primarily addressing the concept of the mark of the beast, and what it does and does not constitute. We are not speaking, in general, about the advisability or inadvisability of wearing a mask or becoming vaccinated. In particular, we are not addressing here whether or not vaccinations are safe; whether or not they will cause short-term or long-term (genetic) side effects; whether or not it is advisable to become vaccinated because of one’s health or age; or whether or not vaccinations are morally and ethically questionable because they were originally developed from cells of aborted fetuses…

“A decision to get vaccinated or not is an individual decision, but it must be based on one’s individual conscience and conviction, because whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). We must be persuaded or fully convinced in our own mind (Romans 14:5). It is important, however, that our conviction is based on a sound mind and not on speculation, unproven narratives or political propaganda. (For instance, a concept that wearing a mask is our patriotic duty or responsibility is as wrong as the idea that wearing a mask is sinful and constitutes acceptance of the mark of the beast.)

“However, God commands us to work, earn money and support our family, and we should consider in this context whether or not a commanded activity, enabling us to do so, is ‘neutral’ in that it does not violate God’s command to worship Him properly. Health concerns should be taken into consideration as well, when it comes, for instance, to wearing masks or getting vaccinated, such as difficulties with breathing, allergies, a compromised immune system, reactions to vaccinations, etc. But health concerns must not become our main priority if this means neglecting other and perhaps even more demanding duties. We read, for example, that Epaphroditus became sick because he worked so hard in the Work of God (Philippians 2:25-30). Paul said: ‘For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s’ (Romans 14:8).

“It is true, of course, that we are not to put God to the test. On the other hand, we must also recognize that time and chance do not rule over a Christian, but that he is in God’s hands. It is therefore important that we always pray to God for His lead, guidance, inspiration and protection (Psalm 48:14; Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 10:23 and Isaiah 58:11), and that we do not judge or condemn anyone who might decide in a way other than what our preference would be, because our situation might be quite different from the situation of our next-door neighbor, relative or friend.

“Whatever our individual decision will be, especially when it comes to getting or not getting vaccinated, God’s Church will back us up, honoring our individual conviction, based on our circumstances. Wearing a mask or getting vaccinated is not tantamount to accepting the mark of the beast, nor do they constitute sinful conduct (unless wearing a mask prevents us from worshipping God in a proper and righteous way.) Neither is it sinful conduct not to get vaccinated.”

One of the reasons, then, why we are publishing certain articles on vaccinations, wearing masks, etc., is to enable the reader to come to balanced conclusions, also in reliance on viewpoints which the mass media might reject and label as “fake news.” This does not mean, however, that we necessarily endorse these viewpoints—they are presented to help the reader in conducting his or her own proper research and reach an individual decision based on his or her circumstances. In fact, we always state the following in our Current Events section: “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.”

When the Church is approached by members for support of an individual application for religious exemption against vaccinations, the Church will most certainly support such an application, if it is based on sincerely held religious convictions, because whatever is not of faith is sin. The Church would not take the position, however, that vaccinations are sinful per se, and that they must therefore be rejected.

When focusing on the concept that the Church, or individual members, must stand up in unison with others in a concerted effort to resist governmental mandates, it is important to understand what the role of the Church is. We said this in one of our Q&As on slavery:

“… it has never been the role, function and responsibility of the Church of God to change the world now, or to undermine the systems and governments of this world. True Christians don’t participate in the wars of this world, nor do they vote in governmental elections nor participate in any attempts to overthrow the government… Christians are ambassadors of Christ and representatives of a better world–the heavenly kingdom–to be set up on this earth within a few years from now… This is NOT God’s world, but Satan’s (compare Matthew 4:8-9); Christians are not here for the purpose of ‘improving’ Satan’s rotten evil world (Galatians 1:4)–of trying to make this evil world a better world. They know that this world will be REPLACED by a better world (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15-18)–attempts to IMPROVE or change THIS Satan-ruled world for the better are doomed to fail.”

This is not to say that we must never object, individually, or stand up to governmental conduct which affects us or our loved ones personally. Our free booklet, “Obeying God Rather Than Men,” gives many examples in this regard. Nor do we say that the Church must not speak out against dangerous governmental measures or wrong governmental conduct—the opposite is the case, and we prove this fact weekly in our Current Events section.  As God’s Church, it is our duty and responsibility to cry aloud and spare not and show the people, including governmental officials, their sins and transgressions against God’s Law. But the Church has never endorsed the concept that our members should participate in demonstrations for or against governmental measures, as demonstrations, far too often, end up in violence or are being manipulated by extreme radical factions.

One most important reason for many articles in our Current Events section, over the years, dealing with governmental actions worldwide in general and measures regarding Covid-19 in particular, is to unmask the propaganda and the push of Big Pharma for [costly] vaccinations, thereby omitting to even address any potential dangers, while ignoring natural immunity. It is a fact that once you have had corona, there is no need for vaccinations. Many scientists admit that natural immunity is at least as effective as vaccinations. But natural immunity does not make Big Pharma rich. We also observe the prophesied development of worldwide dictatorships by adopting governmental measures even in democracies, which would have been thought of as totally unacceptable a few years ago. Far too often, this development is accompanied by the constant pressure and verbal and sometimes even actual persecution of the unvaccinated through doctors, governmental agencies, the mass media, relatives and friends, making them scapegoats, not unlike the Jews were made scapegoats in the past, speaking of a pandemic of the unvaccinated, and ignoring, omitting or under-reporting the cases where people got sick even though [or because?] they were fully vaccinated.

In the past, it was said that when you have an underlying condition, you should not get vaccinated—especially the elderly. Now, this was all turned around because this approach does not make Big Pharma rich. Also, they are going after our children now, even though the chance they get corona is very slim, and if they do, the symptoms are very mild and brief. But again, not vaccinating kids does not put money into and fill the coffers of Big Pharma.

So, we are warning in our Updates of governmental control, including the unconstitutional and illegal push for mandatory vaccinations, censorship and suppression of medical opinions which are not in conformity with governmental directives, Big Pharma or the mass media, and, most importantly, we are addressing the blindness of the masses following whatever the mass media and doctors paid by Big Pharma are telling them, even though some of it has been proven to be untrue, showing thereby how easy it will be for the vast majority to follow the coming beast and to accept its mark.

Paul warns you not to be deceived with empty words (Ephesians 5:6), and he is telling you that you must be “fully convinced” in your “own mind” (Romans 14:5). We try to help you to reach, for yourself, this unshakable personal conviction, which will be pleasing in God’s sight.

Providence / As We Forgive

On October 30, 2021, Eric Rank will present the sermonette, titled, “Providence,” and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “As We Forgive.”

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.

This Week in the News

Putin Tells the West

The Washington Post wrote on October 22:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin again attacked Western liberalism in a fiery address on Thursday, blasting so-called cancel culture and advances in gay and transgender rights… he said the notion that children are ‘taught that a boy can become a girl and vice versa’ is monstrous and ‘on the verge of a crime against humanity.’

“He also suggested that transgender rights supporters were demanding an end to ‘basic things such as mother, father, family or gender differences.’…”

The Daily Mail added on October 21:

“Putin has regularly faced criticism for his crackdown on the LGBT community in Russia, where same-sex marriage and ‘gay propaganda’ is banned… Russia’s constitution now says that marriage can only exist between a man and a woman, and also prevents trans people from adopting children. “

Shameful that Putin must tell the Western European nations how wrong they are.

Military Collaboration between Russia and China

Reuters wrote on October 23:

“Russian and Chinese warships held their first joint patrols in the Western part of the Pacific ocean on October 17-23, Russia’s defence ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

“Moscow and Beijing, which staged naval cooperation drills in the Sea of Japan earlier in October, have cultivated closer military and diplomatic ties in recent years at a time when their relations with the West have soured…”

This kind of military collaboration will end up with the biblically prophesied emergence of the “kings of the East.”

Russia vs. Turkey

Express wrote on October 22:

“VLADIMIR PUTIN rejected calls for the UN Security Council to dramatically reform as he warned the organisation would ‘die’ in a showdown with Turkey. The Russian President said on Thursday that depriving permanent members of the United Nations Security Council of their veto rights would destroy the world body. Russia is one of five permanent veto powers at the UN…

“Speaking at the annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, he said: ‘If we remove the veto right of the permanent members, the UN would die the very same day – it would turn into the League of Nations. It would simply become a discussion platform…’

“The comments came as a response to Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s calls to change the rules of the organisation. Speaking in Angola on Monday, on his tour of Africa, Mr Erdogan said ‘the world is bigger than five’, referring to the number of UN powers holding veto rights. He added: ‘The fate of humanity should not be left to the mercy of a handful of countries that won World War Two.’…

“Earlier last month, Erdogan was quoted as saying on his return from a visit to New York that US-Turkish relations were not healthy and their current direction ‘does not bode well.’”

In spite of the present collaboration, in general, between Turkey and Russia, ultimately, according to biblical prophecy, Turkey will align with Europe against Israel and the USA.

Fight between Poland and the EU Is Heating Up

Deutsche Welle reported on October 27:

“The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ordered Poland to pay a fine of €1 million ($1.2 million) per day on Wednesday over its decision to ignore an EU ruling on Warsaw’s judicial reforms.  The top EU court imposed the penalty as Poland has not suspended the disciplinary chamber of the Supreme Court. The ECJ had ruled in July that the chamber did not guarantee impartiality.

“The ECJ said in a press release the fine was ‘necessary in order to avoid serious and irreparable harm to the legal order of the European Union and to the values on which that Union is founded, in particular that of the rule of law.’… On Twitter, Poland’s Deputy Justice Minister Sebastian Kaleta called the fine ‘usurpation and blackmail.’… Earlier this month, Poland’s constitutional court ruled Polish law supersedes EU law when there is a conflict between the two.

“Last week, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told the European Parliament the disciplinary chamber will be abolished, but he gave no timeline for when that would occur and no draft law has been introduced… The EU asserts Poland has politicized the judiciary with the placement of judges loyal to the ruling Law and Justice Party.”

Express added on October 27:

“Poland argues that the European Union is overstepping its mandate and, in a Financial Times interview published on Sunday, the ruling nationalist Law and Justice Party’s (PiS) Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, accused the European Commission of holding a ‘gun to our head’. The Polish leader warned the EU Commission was at risk of starting a third world war by making demands on the rule of law… He added:  ‘If they start the third world war, we are going to defend our rights with any weapons which are at our disposal.’

“Brussels is currently withholding recovery funds against Poland until the dispute is resolved.”

Violence Flares in Israel

Israel Today wrote on October 22:

“Hamas, Turkey, the Palestinian Authority and Islamist activists are fanning the flames in Jerusalem using the pretext of ‘Israeli settlers storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque’ as an excuse to incite the masses. In reality, however, no Israeli Jews have been entering the mosque as they only come to visit the site where the two Jewish Temples once stood before they were destroyed, and sometimes briefly recite a prayer….

“[Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud] Abbas said during a meeting of the PLO’s Executive Committee this week that ‘a real confrontation with the occupation’ had become necessary, and then cited the charge of ‘repeated settler attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque’ as one of the excuses for his incitement…

“Incitement by the two Palestinian entities [Palestinians and Hamas] in Israel is not the only reason why the situation in Jerusalem has become so explosive and violent. The activities of Islamist organizations that are supported by the regime of Turkey’s President… Erdogan are another factor in the enduring violence… Erdoğan regards what is now Israel as Ottoman property and that’s why he last year said that Jerusalem was, in fact, a Turkish city.”

Israel Outlaws Six Palestinian Groups

The Algemeiner wrote on October 22:

“The Israeli government on Friday outlawed six Palestinian NGOs charged with having links to one of the most extreme and violent factions of the PLO… All six groups receive funding from the European Union (EU) or from individual European countries, as well as church groups and foundations including the US-based Rockefeller Brothers Fund…

“[Defense Minister Benny] Gantz’s executive order was strongly condemned by Palestinians and left-wing Israeli groups… International NGOs Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International — both of which have accused Israel in the past of pursuing polices based on ‘apartheid’ and ‘racism’ — issued a joint statement condemning what they called ‘an attack by the Israeli government on the international human rights movement.’…

“Later on Friday, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the US had not received prior notice about the move, and planned to seek clarification from Israel…”

Israel responded that they HAD given the USA prior notice.

USA Opposed to Israel’s Settlement Plans

Reuters and The Algemeiner wrote on October 26:

“The United States on Tuesday said it strongly opposed Israel’s plans for more settlement units in the West Bank as ‘inconsistent with efforts to lower tensions’ and damaging to the prospects of a two-state solution advocated by Washington. ‘We are deeply concerned about the Israeli government’s plan to advance thousands of settlement units tomorrow, Wednesday, many of them deep in the West Bank,’ State Department spokesperson Ned Price told a briefing…

“Israel on Sunday published tenders for about 1,300 new settlement homes in the West Bank and authorities are also expected to discuss proposals for another 3,000 homes.”

Austria’s New Dictator

The Hill wrote on October 23:

“Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg says he is considering imposing a lockdown on people who are not vaccinated against the coronavirus if case numbers continue to rise… In a meeting with state-level leaders on Friday, Schallenberg said the country would limit entrance into businesses to those who are vaccinated if the number of COVID patients in intensive care reaches 25 percent of the country’s total ICU capacity, which is 500.

“Unvaccinated residents would only be allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons if the number of patients in intensive care reaches 600, or one-third of total capacity… Schallenberg said… ‘We are about to stumble into a pandemic of the unvaccinated.’

“Just over 65 percent of Austrians have had at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 62 percent are fully vaccinated…”

Schallenberg or Kurz… the (historical) Austrian dictatorship continues.

Germany’s Plans of the Proposed Coalition regarding Covid

The Local wrote on October 27:

“Mandatory masks, restricted entry to bars and restaurants and Covid tests in schools could all be scrapped next spring under plans unveiled by Germany’s ‘traffic light’ coalition parties on Wednesday. In a joint statement by the parliamentary leaders, the SPD, Greens and the FDP also ruled out future lockdowns over autumn and winter, and said they don’t plan to force people to return to home office working… If the coalition talks succeed, the future government would instead bring in laws to allow state governments to implement rules like mandatory masks, tests in schools, social distancing and restrictive entry to public places and events until spring next year… However, this new legislation would expire on March 20th, 2022, ‘at the latest’, the draft proposals say, meaning nationwide Covid restrictions would also fall away on this date unless new legislation was brought in down the line.  That means that mandatory masks and regulations like ‘3G’ (access only for vaccinated, recovered and people with negative tests) and ‘2G’ (entrance only for vaccinated and recovered people) could all be coming to an end…

“The German Bundestag first enacted special pandemic powers, which fall under a clause declaring the country to be in an ‘epidemic situation of national importance’, in March 2020… the fact that they allow governments to set laws without parliamentary oversight has been controversial… With the emergency legislation due to run its course on November 25th, the three ‘traffic light’ coalition parties also said on Wednesday that they were unwilling to extend them further.

“Instead, the parties would introduce the bridging legislation detailed above to allow state governments to implement Covid measures… they would allow states to introduce measures like alcohol bans, contact tracing, health passes and masks on public transport in response to infection and hospitalisation rates until March 2022…

“In order to increase the vaccination rate and make progress with so-called ‘booster’ jabs, the traffic light parties have also laid out plans for an expert commission on vaccination coverage. With the commission in place, ‘we will work together with practitioners to find ways to significantly accelerate the progress of vaccinations,’ their draft proposals state.”

We should note that this is a draft proposal by three potential coalition partners who have to agree to a coalition in the first place. But even then, some of the proposed measures are still highly problematic.

The EU Army

France 24 wrote on October 22:

“US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed strengthening European defenses in a telephone call Friday, the White House said as Washington seeks to mend ties after a bitter row over submarine contracts.

The Telegraph added on October 22:

“France’s armed forces minister [Florence Parly] told Nato partners not to be ‘afraid’ of an EU army as she urged her international counterparts to embrace the prospect… EU plans for a rapid-reaction military unit, designed to operate independently of the United States, sparked fears that the bloc would be in competition with Nato…

“Paris wants to pool resources to develop weapons and new battlefield technologies. Brussels is hoping to agree on a EU-wide military strategy next year, which President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to champion as part of France’s six-month presidency of the bloc, starting in January.”

After Biden botched the matter regarding submarine contracts, he is now trying to appease France by granting their wishes for a European army. And even though it is claimed that such an army would not be in competition to NATO, but rather, that it would strengthen the alliance, the opposite should be obvious.

France Bans ALL Domestic Flights… except for Air France

Express wrote on October 24:

“THE BOSS of budget airline Ryanair has hit out at French President Emmanuel Macron in a row over ‘flight-shaming’. Michael O’ Leary criticised France’s decision to ban some domestic flights… in a move it said it would help limit air pollution. However, Mr O’Leary said there was no public support for a flight ban in a fiery tirade against Macron’s policy…

“‘France is banning all domestic flights that are under 500km- unless it is travelling on to a connecting flight through Paris Charles de Gaulle. So basically Air France will keep on flying, but everyone else will be banned.’”

Biden’s Statements on Taiwan

Breitbart wrote on October 22:

“President Joe Biden on Thursday night promised the U.S. stands behind Taiwan’s defense and had a commitment to militarily support the island China claims for itself. The White House was forced to hastily issue a different, contradictory statement before the evening was out…

“‘The U.S. defence relationship with Taiwan is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act…’ [the White House said]… Under the agreement, the U.S. officially recognizes China rather than Taiwan for diplomatic purposes… ‘While that act binds the United States to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, Washington only acknowledges China’s stance that the island belongs to it and that there is “one China,” and takes no position on Taiwan’s sovereignty,’ the [Reuters] news agency noted.

“The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) established the ‘one-China’ policy so that foreign governments could officially recognize Beijing’s stance that only one legitimate Chinese government exists. The policy stipulates the CCP is the sole ruler of China’s government and must never be challenged on that specific edict.”

Living in Dangerous Times

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on October 25:

“President Biden’s ‘townhall’ meeting this past week was a disaster… the Wall Street Journal was early among mainstream media publications to observe that the emperor has no clothes. In an editorial titled ‘The Confusing Mr. Biden,’ the paper wrote, ‘Even with a friendly audience and softball questions, Mr. Biden’s performance revealed why so many Americans are losing confidence in his Presidency.’

“The Journal focused on one of the most shocking and disturbing revelations from the carefully crafted event: asked by CNN’s Anderson Cooper if the United States would come to the defense of Taiwan should it come under attack by the Chinese mainland, he replied, ‘Yes, we have a commitment to do that.’ Anderson threw him another softball in hopes he might correct this… misstatement, but Biden was not nimble enough to see his gaffe. He doubled down.

“It was left to the ‘Chemical Ali’ of this Administration, White House Spokesman Jen Psaki, to ‘clarify’ that when the President signaled a major shift in US policy – a shift that could well lead to nuclear war with China – he was just kidding. Or something… In other words: ‘Pay no attention to the man who pretends to be the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States.’…

“Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Miley was heralded as a hero for betraying his Commander in Chief Trump by seeking to restrict Trump’s access to the US nuclear arsenal. Milley claimed that Trump was so unsound of mind that he could not be trusted with the nuclear football. Yet when actual unsoundness is there for everyone to see, Milley and the other ‘woke’ generals are silent as the grave. These are dangerous times.”

Accidental or Intentional?

Newsmax wrote on October 24:

“President Joe Biden has twice asserted, counter to current U.S. policy, that the United States is ready to defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion — and his position may soon have serious consequences, Axios reported. Citing an unnamed source, Axios reported Biden has been accidentally revealing his true views — that Taiwan is too strategically important to the United States for China to seize by force. Defense officials have aired their concerns that China will take Taiwan by force in the next four to six years — or sooner, the news outlet reported…

“Chris Johnson, a former top CIA China analyst who now heads China Strategies Group, told Axios it’s unclear whether Biden’s statements are strategic or accidental, but ‘the result in Beijing will be the same. … The Politburo will interpret it as a unilateral change in the U.S. position on the cornerstone underpinning the bilateral relationship.’”

Calling in the National Guard and Visit at the Southern Border

In addition, the White House walked back Biden’s “vow to call in the National Guard to aid the congested supply chain,” stating  that “requesting the use of the national guard at the state level is under the purview of Governors” and that the Biden Administration is “not actively pursuing the use of the national guard on a federal level” (Fox News, October 22).

Biden also gave wrong impressions—to put it mildly—during Thursday’s Townhall Meeting when he claimed that he had been at the southern border. When pressed on the issue, the White House Press Secretary said that “there has been reporting” that Biden “drove through the border in 2008 when he was on the campaign trail.” This “explanation” caused scorn and outrage on social media.

Better Be Quiet

The Week commented on October 22:

“Trump wouldn’t be quiet. Biden should be,” continuing, “Thursday’s incident may be a sign it’s wise for this administration to continue to keep the boss mostly under wraps. As a senator and vice president, Biden had a reputation for being notoriously gaffe-prone when speaking off the cuff… After four years in which Trump broadcast every stray thought into the world without regard for the consequences — or with deliberate intent to make trouble — it was easy to keep Biden away from the press and declare it a virtue. Now it looks like a necessity. Generally, the health of democracy requires presidents to take questions from the press and public. Biden might be the exception.”

What an assessment for an American President. Note the next article.

Supply Chain Havoc with no End in Sight

Breitbart wrote on October 22:

“Cargo air shipping companies this week warned President Joe Biden the vaccine mandate will wreak havoc on the supply chain by increasing worker shortages across the industry, Politico reported Thursday…

“Biden’s executive order has also caused the shipping companies UPS and FedEx [in addition to DHL Express, Atlas Air and Amazon] to acknowledge they are concerned about the vaccine mandate and are reviewing the possibility of losing many workers due to the federal mandate.

“Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday confirmed Biden’s vaccine mandate is, indeed, contributing to the supply chain crisis… Firms reported high turnover, as workers left for other jobs or retired… Shipping prices across the industry have already skyrocketed due to the supply chain jam driven by a lack of labor. For instance, the price to send a container from Asia to the east coast costs $20,000. In 2020, the price was around $3,800…”

Biden’s self-destructing policies are shocking. Donald Trump Jr. put it correctly, when he said this week that “the Biden administration was ‘overseeing the downfall of America.’” Please read our free booklet, “The Fall and Rise of Britain and America.” 

Biden Mocks Freedom

Townhall wrote on October 22:

“President Biden, who in December said he ‘wouldn’t demand’ vaccines be mandatory, not only mocked unvaccinated Americans on Thursday and their freedom to make their own medical decisions, but also endorsed the firing of first responders and police who don’t comply.

“During a town hall event with CNN, moderator Anderson Cooper asked about his thoughts on first responders and police in a number of major cities who are refusing to take the vaccine, which has been mandated at the city level. ‘Should police officers, emergency responders be mandated to get vaccines and if not, should they stay at home or be let go?’ he wondered. ‘Yes and yes,’ Biden replied to applause…

“He then mocked one of the main concerns about the mandates—‘freedom,’ and said those people are trying to make it a ‘political issue.’ “I have the freedom to kill you with my Covid,” I mean come on, freedom,’ he said.”

It has been reported that the applauding attendees were exclusively Biden supporters who were carefully screened and invited to attend by CNN.

Another Nail in Biden’s Coffin—The Accusation against Parents as “Domestic Terrorists”

The Editorial Board of the New York Post wrote on October 22:

“Attorney General Merrick Garland basically admitted Thursday that the White House contacted the Justice Department about that odious letter from the National School Boards Association begging the feds to use the Patriot Act against ‘domestic terrorist’ parents who raise questions about critical race theory being pushed in their kids’ schools.

“This is outrageous, even though Garland fudged on whether it was at the White House’s behest that he issued his remarkable public guidance. He told federal prosecutors and the FBI to actively investigate threats or violence against school officials and/or boards, a dramatic display of intimidation.

“There’s every reason to think it was the White House’s idea: Garland acted just days after the president’s office got the letter, which the NSBA’s top two leaders actually sent at the request of President Joe Biden’s aides after prior discussions on the issue. After all, this is the same White House that ordered the Centers for Disease Control to let teachers-union boss Randi Weingarten dictate parts of their guidance on school masking. And that has embraced mandatory CRT training all across the federal government, including in the military.

“Nor does the attorney general normally make a high-profile public announcement that he’s ordering his minions to get on top of a purely imaginary danger. And never mind that the NSBA’s own board was furious about the letter, which the CEO and president sent out without getting board members’ feedback first.

“Nor that the only real violence cited in the letter involved a dad who lost his temper when the Loudoun County, Va., board refused to address his daughter’s claim (backed up by evidence) that she was raped by a trans person in her school bathroom…

“The simple truth is that the education establishment across America (sometimes pushed by politicians) has been embracing CRT for some time now… It’s all simplistic garbage…

“… nearly three-quarters of voters say they’re ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ concerned about what is being taught in public schools.

“The clear message of Garland’s guidance was that parents better watch out if they dare to speak up, and it’s obvious the White House was behind his move. The Biden White House, in short, is politicizing the Justice Department in a bid to stifle dissent — free speech! — about the radicalization of the nation’s schools.”

There is even evidence to suggest that the White House collaborated with the author of the letter and helped in drafting it. All of this is so scandalous. America is developing into a full-fledged dictatorship, and many American citizens are sound asleep.

Fox News wrote on October 23:

“The National School Boards Association issued an apology Friday night for a letter sent to the Biden administration which targeted some parents who are concerned about their child’s school curriculum  and said certain of their actions could be domestic terrorism…

“‘On behalf of NSBA, we regret and apologize for the letter,’ the NSBA said, noting that ‘there was no justification for some of the language included in the letter.’

“In a letter to Garland, half of the eight members of the Commission on Civil Rights requested ‘specific examples’ of ‘harassment, intimidation and threats of violence’ which Garland claimed as evidence for the need for federal intervention in parent protests at schools….”

Will AG Garland, the White House, Joe Biden, the Justice Department, the FBI and others who are responsible for this scandalous course of action against concerned parents apologize too? On Thursday, according to Professor Jonathan Turley, Garland  “testified in Congress to assure members that he does not believe that parents protesting at school board meetings are domestic terrorists.” What double-talk and shameful position, without any hint of an apology for his actions.  Nor did he retract his prior order to the Justice Department and the FBI for “monitoring” parents. Turley said: “Telling parents that the Justice Department is monitoring school board meetings creates an obvious chilling effect on speech. It is like a police car following you on the highway for miles just to see if you violate any law. It has an impact on how you act. Indeed, the purpose of the National School board letter seemed designed to have that effect. The Justice Department then amplified that effect by quickly announcing it would carry out the national effort and released a press statement referring to various departments being brought into the fight, including the National Security Division.”

Regarding the abominable case of the [predictable] rape of a girl by a transgender boy, Truly wrote:

“When asked about alleged sexual assaults in Loudon County, Virginia in school bathrooms involving a transgender student, Garland insisted that such violence sounds like a ‘local case’ and the Justice Department would not be involved. Yet, the Justice Department just announced it would get involved with… threats or violence in school board meetings.”

This whole matter is so despicable and unworthy of any free democracy.

Biden’s Popularity Worse than any other Post-War President

Express wrote on October 24:

“JOE BIDEN is facing a crisis after his popularity has plummeted faster than any other US President since 1945…

“According to the latest study by Gallup, Mr Biden’s approval rating plummeted by 11.3 percent, making him the worst rated than all other 10 presidents before him in the first months of their presidencies…

“While Mr Biden’s approval in the Democrat Party was around 92 percent, only four percent of Republicans approve of him. For independent voters, Mr Biden’s approval has collapsed with only 34 percent now approving of his performance compared to 55 percent in June.”

That the vast majority of Democrats support Biden is shocking beyond belief. Are they willfully ignorant and blind?  

Fauci Accused of Funding Sickening Experiments on Dogs

The Sun wrote on October 23:

“Fauci is under fire for allegedly funding experiments where beagle puppies were locked in cages with hungry sandflies that would eat them alive.

“The non-profit organization White Coat Waste Project has accused the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of funding a project that had beagles infected with disease-causing parasites in order to test an experimental drug.

“The Hill reports that a bipartisan group of 24 House Representatives has written a letter demanding that Fauci answer to the claims by the nonprofit. The organization claims that as many as 44 beagle puppies were used as part of the cruel experiment in a Tunisia laboratory. Some of the dogs allegedly had their vocal cords removed to muzzle their barking. ‘Our investigators show that Fauci’s NIH division shipped part of a $375,800 grant to a lab in Tunisia to drug beagles and lock their heads in mesh cages filled with hungry sandflies so that the insects could eat them alive,’ White Coat Waste told The Hill. ‘They also locked beagles alone in cages in the desert overnight for nine consecutive nights to use them as bait to attract infectious sand flies,’ they added.

“The NIAID spent directed $1.68million in taxpayer money on these experiments, according to documents obtained by the non-profit. The letter was signed by some Democrats…  However, it was mostly signed by Republican lawmakers…

“Fauci…. has previously found himself under hot water after being accused of lying to the American public after documents seemed to contradict his claims that his agency did not fund research of coronaviruses in a Wuhan, China, lab.”

If any of this can be proven to be true, Fauci should resign immediately and he should be held accountable for such alleged despicable acts.

The Crux with Vaccines for Children

The Ron Paul Institute published a lengthy article on October 22, titled, “Fauci Actually Got Something Right, but for the Wrong Reasons.” We are quoting some pertinent excerpts for your information and evaluation. The article itself includes numerous links for its assertions.

“Fauci, the reigning king of deceitful double-speak, actually got something right. Vaccines already mandated upon children are similar to COVID-19 vaccines in many respects, except not in good ways, as Fauci would have us believe. Many assume that COVID-19 vaccines will be the first vaccines mandated upon children without a showing of necessity, and without rigorous safety testing. They also assume that they’ll be the first mandated upon them without proven, long-lasting efficacy. They’re wrong on all counts.

“Many other vaccines have been mandated upon US children without proof of necessity, safety, or long-lasting efficacy… Newborns and infants are being administered a hepatitis B vaccine without proof of necessity, safety, or long-lasting efficacy… There has been no showing of necessity for mass measles vaccination, and widespread use of the measles vaccine has altered a beneficial, natural pattern… There has been no showing of necessity for mass mumps vaccination, and widespread use of the mumps vaccine has altered a beneficial, natural pattern… There has been no showing of necessity for mass chickenpox vaccination, and widespread use of the chickenpox vaccine has altered a beneficial, natural pattern…

“The CDC has not proven that its entire schedule of recommended childhood vaccines provides a net benefit to children’s health, and unvaccinated v. vaccinated data indicates that unvaccinated children are healthier… Many other vaccines have been mandated upon US children without proof of necessity, safety, or long-lasting efficacy, but this doesn’t warrant mandating more vaccines upon them under the same circumstances. It warrants rescuing them from those already mandated.”

Articles like these are seldom published, if ever, in the mass media. But this does not mean that they should just be ignored or dismissed without evaluation.

Why Vaccinate Children?

Life Site News wrote on October 21:

“For months, prominent doctors and scientists around the world have issued urgent warnings about the catastrophically bad safety profile of the Pfizer vaccine and other COVID injections, strongly arguing against their use in children. Several Scandinavian countries paused the use of the Moderna vaccine in younger age groups, concerned with the risk of myocarditis…

“Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. [said]  on Oct. 16, ‘We have no business doing this to little children,’ stating that subjecting children to the adverse events of COVID vaccination is unethical and is ‘medical malpractice.’…

“CDC has already issued guidelines on vaccinating children ages 5 to 11, and the Biden administration has purchased 65 million Pfizer pediatric doses — ‘more than enough to fully vaccinate … all 28 million 5 to 11-year-olds.’…

“Attempting to lay the psychological groundwork for FDA’s impending authorization, New York Times science writer Apoorva Mandavilli asserted on Oct. 6 that almost 900,000 children had been hospitalized with COVID since the beginning of the pandemic.The Times was forced to retract Mandavilli’s whopper — a 14-fold exaggeration — the next day…

“Last week, four- and five-year-old siblings mistakenly received adult doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at a local Walgreens instead of getting the flu shots their parents had requested. The children experienced adverse reactions almost immediately, and both are now under the care of a pediatric cardiologist for problems that include headaches, chest pain, abnormally fast heart rate and high blood pressure…

“Given that COVID disease poses almost no risk to children — with a 99.9973% survival rate for those 19-and-under and hospitalization rates far lower than what the New York Times would have us believe — what possible rationale can FDA and CDC offer for subjecting young children to such a dangerous experiment? One answer… is that good health is not profitable, whereas drug dependency is.

“It is well established that the rise of chronic illness in American children is coterminous with the childhood vaccine schedule, and the types of adverse events documented in package inserts for liability-free childhood vaccines — 400 different reactions that include seizures, asthma, allergies, autoimmune illness, arthritis, paralysis, gastrointestinal disorders and mental health challenges — generate long-term and often lifetime clients for the pharmaceutical industry.

“Now, doctors are reporting a significant uptick in cancers following COVID vaccination…

“Last week, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)… characterized the push for mandates as ‘sinister, [continuing] “the determined push for indiscriminate vaccination of … pregnant women, and of children causes me to ask questions.’”

Money makes the world go ‘round…

Vatican Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Mueller on Vaccine Mandates, Abortion and Same-Sex Unions

Newsmax wrote on October 21:

“Christians should be allowed to follow their conscience and opt out of vaccine mandates, especially in cases where aborted fetal tissue may have been part of the cell line used to develop the vaccine, key Vatican Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Mueller [said]. Mueller, originally of Germany, is currently in the United States…

“Pope Francis has said it is permissible for Catholics to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In fact, he has urged people to get vaccinated as an ‘act of love.’

“Mueller said ‘everybody must be allowed to act according to his conscience,’ especially in the United States, whose founding documents declare that the state serves and is not there to be served…

“On the subject of denying communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights, such as President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Mueller noted that the taking of human life defies the commandment of God… Mueller also condemned the idea of church leaders in Germany who are pushing for a sanctioning of same-sex unions… The Roman Catholic Church, he said, should be focused on evangelism rather than divisive issues that will only further drive people from embracing the faith.”

The divisions within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church are becoming more and more noticeable. When it comes to the above-stated claim that “aborted fetal tissue may have been part of the cell line used to develop the vaccine,” the following article by Nebraska Medicine, dated August 18, 2021, explains:

“… the COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any aborted fetal cells. However, fetal cell lines – cells grown in a laboratory based on aborted fetal cells collected generations ago – were used in testing during research and development of the mRNA vaccines, and during production of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine…. It is true that decades ago, scientists decided to use fetal tissue to start the cell lines we use to test drugs today… Fetal cell lines are cells that grow in a laboratory. They descend from cells taken from abortions in the 1970s and 1980s.

“Those individual cells from the 1970s and 1980s have since multiplied into many new cells over the past four or five decades, creating the fetal cell lines… mentioned above. Current fetal cell lines are thousands of generations removed from the original fetal tissue. They do not contain any tissue from a fetus…

“Vaccine makers may use these fetal cell lines during the following two phases:  Research and development [and] Production and manufacturing.

“When it comes to the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, fetal cell line HEK 293 was used during the research and development phase. All HEK 293 cells are descended from tissue taken from a 1973 abortion that took place in the Netherlands…

“For the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, fetal cell lines were used in the production and manufacturing stage. To make the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, scientists infect PER.C6 fetal cell lines to grow the adenovirus vector. All PER.C6 cells used to manufacture the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are descended from tissue taken from a 1985 abortion that took place in the Netherlands.”

US Supreme Court Does Not Block Texas Abortion Law… for now

Newsmax wrote on October 22:

“The Supreme Court is not immediately blocking the Texas law that bans most abortions, but has agreed to hear arguments in the case in early November. The justices said Friday they will decide whether the federal government has the right to sue over the law.

“The court’s action leaves in place for the time being a law that clinics say has led to an 80% reduction in abortions in the nation’s second-largest state. The law bans abortions after cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy. That’s before some women even know they are pregnant.

“Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that she would have blocked the law now.”

It appears that the US Supreme Court wants to avoid ruling on the merits, as usual, by just looking at procedural issues, such as the jurisdiction of the federal government to override state law.

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.

What can we learn from the example of Lot and his daughters? (Part 2)

In the first part of this two-part series, we reviewed the background from where Lot parted company with Abram, as we read in Genesis 13:11: “ Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.”   We then saw that Sodom was destroyed as Lot, his wife and two daughters fled from the city.

Let us continue with the story, as we read Genesis 19:30-38

“Then Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave.  Now the firstborn said to the younger, ‘Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth.  Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father.’  So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.  It happened on the next day that the firstborn said to the younger, ‘Indeed I lay with my father last night; let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father.’  Then they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.  The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day.  And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day.”

First, we note that the daughters made Lot drunk. Lot did not initiate his drunkenness, but he gave in to his daughters’ conduct of giving him too much wine to drink. Nevertheless, Lot should have resisted the temptation. We are reminded of the drunkenness of Noah, when his grandson Canaan abused him sexually, and when Noah awoke and realized what had happened and what Canaan had done to him, he cursed Canaan, Ham’s son, for his evil deed.

Then, we note that the daughters felt they had to make Lot drunk, in order to produce offspring with him, apparently understanding full well that Lot, being sober, would not have agreed to such action voluntarily.

It is quite possible that the culture that they had imbibed during their years in Sodom could have made their acts seem reasonable to them, and they could have become insensitive to sin after living amongst such a society for some years.  They thought that their family would not have any descendants and so took matters into their own hands.   It doesn’t seem like lust, more the desire to preserve their line and produce offspring.   However, it was against the instructions of God as we read in Leviticus 18:6-7, where the subheading in the New King James Bible is “the laws of sexual morality”:

“None of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him, to uncover his nakedness: I am the Lord.  The nakedness of your father or the nakedness of your mother you shall not uncover. She is your mother; you shall not uncover her nakedness.”

Of course, this instruction was recorded in the Bible hundreds of years later than this incident, and so they may not have thought it to be a “big deal”.   Nevertheless, it was unnatural and an underhand way of deceiving their father. And, as mentioned above, they knew it was wrong and that their father, being sober, would not have agreed to it. The fact that the passage in Leviticus 18 was recorded later does not mean that the prohibition did not exist and was unknown to the daughters. It is also possible that Lot’s daughters were aware of his previous offer to the homosexual men, and they might have thought, if he could do that to us, we could also do this to him.

In addition, according to Unger’s Bible Dictionary, we read: “Barrenness in the East was looked upon as a ground of great reproach as well as a punishment from God” and perhaps their comment ‘there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth’ (Genesis 19:31) was a part of their thinking.”

Of course, this is not to excuse such behaviour but to show what they may have been thinking about.   We know that Sarah and Rachel went many years without bearing a child and the frustration that it caused both of them until they did finally bear a child. Sarah and Abraham sinned when they tried to produce offspring through Sarah’s maid Hagar, rather than waiting for God to fulfil His promise that Sarah herself would become pregnant, and the consequences were disastrous.

We all have to live with the consequences of our actions.   They did not put their reliance on God, (as Abraham and Sarah at first doubted God’s word as well.) We know that Galatians 6:7 reveals: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”  There are always consequences for our actions, whoever we are.

There were a lot of factors to take into account, but Lot’s daughters made a decision that would reverberate with the nation of Israel in the future.  Reviewing some of the commentaries about this incident are very helpful.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary states:

“See the peril of security. Lot, who kept chaste in Sodom, and was a mourner for the wickedness of the place, and a witness against it, when in the mountain, alone, and, as he thought, out of the way of temptation, is shamefully overtaken. Let him that thinks he stands high, and stands firm, take heed lest he fall. See the peril of drunkenness; it is not only a great sin itself, but lets in many sins, which bring a lasting wound and dishonour. Many a man does that, when he is drunk, which, when he is sober, he could not think of without horror. See also the peril of temptation, even from relations and friends, whom we love and esteem, and expect kindness from. We must dread a snare, wherever we are, and be always upon our guard. No excuse can be made for the daughters, nor for Lot. Scarcely any account can be given of the affair but this, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? From the silence of the Scripture concerning Lot henceforward, learn that drunkenness, as it makes men forgetful, so it makes them to be forgotten.”

As mentioned above, Lot did not become drunk “voluntarily,” but he gave in to his two daughters who gave him too much wine, and so, wanting to please them, he drank too much, which he should have refused to do. As a consequence, he became “insensible to their action” (Ryrie Study Bible).

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament says:

“But Lot’s daughters had so little feeling of shame in connection with their conduct, that they gave names to the sons they bore, which have immortalized their paternity. Moab, another form of ‘from the father,’ as is indicated in the clause appended and also rendered probable by the reiteration of the words ‘of our father’ and ‘by their father’ (Genesis 19:32, Genesis 19:34, and Genesis 19:36), as well as by the analogy of the name Ben-Ammi equals Ammon. This account was neither the invention of national hatred to the Moabites and Ammonites, nor was it placed here as a brand upon those tribes. These discoveries of a criticism imbued with hostility to the Bible are overthrown by the fact, that, according to Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:19, Israel was ordered not to touch the territory of either of these tribes because of their descent from Lot; and it was their unbrotherly conduct towards Israel alone which first prevented their reception into the congregation of the Lord, Deuteronomy 23:4-5. – Lot is never mentioned again… even his death is not referred to. His descendants, however, frequently came into contact with the Israelites; and the history of their descent is given here to facilitate a correct appreciation of their conduct towards Israel.”

We read in the New Unger’s Bible Dictionary the following information about Moab and Ammon:

“Moab (perhaps ‘from father’).  The starting point for both was in the vicinity of Zoar. Thence the roving Ammonites went to the NE whereas the more peaceful Moabites remained near their ancestral home displacing the Emim (Deuteronomy 2:11; cf Genesis 14:5).

“Coming up from Egypt the Israelites approached Moab through the desert facing Moab outside the bordering circle of hills on the SE.   They were forbidden to molest the Moabites in the enjoyment of the land that they had taken from the Emim (Deuteronomy 2:9-11).   They therefore applied for permission to pass through the territory of Moab and, being refused, went around its borders.

“Moab did not fight against Israel for 300 years. The Moabites were only too friendly, sending their daughters to cultivate friendly relations with the Israelites and to entice them to their idolatrous services.

“The national deity of the Moabites was Chemosh (which see), mentioned only in Numbers 21:29; Judges 11:24; 1 Kings 11:7, 33; 2 Kings 23:13; Jeremiah 48:7, 13, 46.

“Ammon ‘inbred’, another form of Ben-ammi.  A nomadic race descended from Lot’s youngest daughter, as the more civilized Moabites were from the elder one.   Although the Israelites were forbidden to molest the Ammonites, Ammon was often in league with nations against Israel, such as with Moab (Deuteronomy 23:3-4); with Moab and Amalek (Judges 3:12-13), with the Syrians (2 Samuel 10:1-19), with Gebal and Amalaek (Psalm 83:7) and was almost always hostile, both before and after the captivity (Nehemiah 4:3 etc).

“The Ammonites were governed by a king (1 Samuel 12:12).   The national deity was Molech (1 Kings 11:7) often called Milcom (1 Kings 11:5, 33).

“The Ammonite names in the Bible shows that the language was akin to that of the Hebrews.

“Solomon set an example in marrying Ammonite women.   Rehoboam’s mother being Naamah. An Ammonitess (1 Kings 14:31) which example Israel was too ready to imitate (Nehemiah 13:23).”

The daughters did not trust God to provide husbands for them and took matters into their own hands with the consequences that we read about in 1 Kings 11:33.  This was in connection with Jereboam’s rebellion: “…because they have forsaken Me, and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the people of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways to do what is right in My eyes and keep My statutes and My judgments, as did his father David.”

The many bad decisions that Lot made together with living and being actively involved in an evil city which was full of sin meant that the daughters of Lot were exposed to so much that was wrong.   Further, it would seem that being concerned about their lineage caused them to behave in such a shocking way, and we must not immediately dismiss the concerns that barren women had in those days.  For example, Rachel, the wife of Jacob said “Give me children or else I die!” (compare Genesis 30:1).

These are reasons, not excuses for their sinful behaviour, but those reasons are in no way justifications for sin, and the consequences have been seen through history.  For us, there are many lessons to be learnt from this whole episode, as we read in 1 Corinthians 10:11: “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

One of the most important lessons that we can take from this story is to be careful about the company we keep, as we read in 1 Corinthians 15:33: “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”    The ESV renders this as: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’”

In addition, God warns us not to be involved in the evil system of this world, let alone supporting it (compare Revelation 18:4; 2 Corinthians 6:17). Today, many say that even though they might be against abortion personally, they must support it as elected politicians. This double-standard and hypocrisy does not produce good fruits, and Lot might very well have given a wrong impression to his daughters, seeing him to be actively ruling and judging in Sodom. Today, many may not be in a position of simply moving away from a sinful city (even though it would be unwise to move into a sinful city such as San Francisco), but they must not be in any way become a supporting part of its sinful system.

Had Lot and his family understood this truism, they would have avoided what turned out to be very distressing and life-changing events.

Please note:

We also have these other Q&A’s on Lot and his daughters:

How Many Daughters Did Lot Have?

The Bible says that Lot was just or righteous. But did he not commit horrible sins? How can he then be called “righteous”?

Lead Writers: Brian Gale and Norbert Link

Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

compiled by Dave Harris

Our new booklet, “Why this Confusion about Life after Death?” was sent out this week to our subscribers. 

“Why People Love Halloween,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary: 

What is the real reason as to why Halloween is so popular? After all, Halloween is clearly a celebration of darkness and evil spirits. The Bible gives us surprising and unpopular answers to this crucial question.

“Warum die Menschen Halloween lieben,” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This program covers the same topic as the English program described above.

“Das wahre Licht besiegt Halloween” is the title of this coming Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Michael Link. Title in English, “The True Light Conquers Halloween.”

“Ist Jesus Christus Gott?” the sermonette presented last Sabbath in Germany by Tahir Coban, is now posted. The title in English is, “Is Jesus Christ God?”

“Overcoming is a Choice!”, the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is a summary:

We are commanded to choose life, and that means that we must choose to do what God commands. That is how we are to overcome evil.

“Your Body is the Temple,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is a summary:

There is a lot of focus on spiritual development for Christians. Yet the Bible also acknowledges that we are made of flesh and blood, bound in physical bodies. In this state of being, what is our responsibility for maintaining our physical health according to the teaching of the Bible?

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