The Update

On January 24, 2026, Paul Niehoff will present the sermonette, titled, “The Two Test Commandments for the Children of Israel,” and Rene Messier will present the sermon, titled, “Walking Dust.”

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.

For many people, the following account is little more than a “fairy tale”:

“Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16 New American Standard Version).

This is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 3:16), but it is only part of the story about Him. He is also revealed as the “Word”:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-3, 14).

What Jesus did was actually planned “before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9), as the Apostle Peter confirms: “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1 Peter 1:20).

Is this the Jesus Christ you believe in, know and serve? Furthermore, is the biblical description of the glorified Christ how you view Him to be? Note how it is found in Revelation 1:13-15:

“[A]nd in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters…”

Not only who Jesus is and what Jesus did misunderstood, but what He is doing and will do seems to hold no relevance for most people. Right now, He is the living Head of the Church of God (Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 4:14-16). Following His resurrection, He said, “‘…All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” (Matthew 28:18). We are also told that He will come back to the earth from heaven (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 1:7).

Yet, for all the prophecies about Jesus Christ, people continue to ignore the very signs He gave which will herald His return, and we find this stern warning from Him:

“‘Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect’” (Matthew 24:44).

We simply don’t know the exact time, but we must not ignore events that are now signifying and heralding the end of this age and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. These things are happening exactly as Jesus foretold.

The key for us who know the story of Jesus Christ found in the Word of God is to be preparing, because we truly believe it! Let’s not treat the warnings of the Bible as improbable fairy tales, but as what they are—the very Truth of how God will bring salvation to mankind, which He promised before time began (Titus 1:2).

We continue reporting on Trump’s obsession to acquire Greenland and the condemnation from his “allies.” His coercion and blackmail of imposing tariffs on leading European countries have only accelerated the antagonism and separation of these two power blocs and all of this has placed the survival of NATO in jeopardy. 

Trump suddenly backed away from imposing tariffs, citing flimsy reasons, claiming that an unspecified, obscure agreement had been reached. This means that Trump has backed down or that he is simply trying to conceal his true intentions without abandoning them.In this context, see our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump’s Greenland Deal—Defeat or Distraction?”

Due to Trump’s imperial ambitions, Europe is considering a more “normal” relationship with Russia, while entering into trade agreements with South America. At the same time, Canada is entering into trade agreements with China—all in defiance of Trump.

Most Americans question the justification of the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis and the conduct of ICE in general, and criminally investigating the Governor of Minnesota and the Mayor of  Minneapolis certainly does not help to calm the waves of uproar.

We speak on Trump’s controversial Board of Peace for Gaza; another appeal of the Sanhedrin to build the Third Temple; new pressure on German doctors to vaccinate their patients; and we conclude with an interesting article by a scientist as to where God’s Third Heaven might be located

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

Trump’s Tariffs For Countries Supporting Greenland 

Yahoo! Finance wrote on January 17:

“President Trump said the US would implement 10% tariffs on eight European countries he says are getting in the way of a US purchase of Greenland. [He specified that the tariffs are imposed on those countries that have sent military forces to Greenland]. The tariffs would begin Feb. 1 and apply to ‘any and all goods sent to’ the US. 

“The levies on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland would be raised to 25% on June 1 if no agreement is in place.” 

The small contingent of troops sent by Europeans to Greenland had only a symbolic character to underscore Europe’s commitment to Greenland. In the meantime, waffling Germany withdrew its small contingent, saying that they had fulfilled their commission of observing the situation. However, it is clear that Trump is using tariffs as blackmail and coercion. Sadly, the US Supreme Court has still not issued a ruling on the legality of such tariffs. Trump speaks of purchasing Greenland but knows that Denmark and Greenland will not agree to a purchase; so he is really talking about military acquisition. Trump is making his European “allies” very angry. Has the time come for the prophesied lasting final separation? 

Trump’s Punitive Tariffs Are “Grotesque” 

Die Welt wrote on January 17: 

“The new punitive tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump are meeting with massive criticism in the German business community.  Associations are warning of an escalation of the trade dispute and calling for a united response from the EU… ‘The announcement of new US tariffs on certain European countries is grotesque,’ said the president of the German Foreign Trade Association (BGA), Dirk Jandura. 

‘The US is punishing participants in a NATO operation; that is simply inconceivable. This marks a new low point in American-European trade relations.’  He added that Germany continues to stand by Denmark, and that democracy and freedom cannot be wiped away with punitive tariffs.” 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Trump’s threat to impose tariffs over Greenland is “completely wrong.” Reform leader Nigel Farage said: “We don’t always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don’t.”  

Trump a Threat to NATO 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 17:

“Most Germans believe US President Donald Trump’s policies are putting the NATO alliance at risk, according to a new poll. Some 78% of respondents to the ZDF Politbarometer survey said Trump’s approach endangers the alliance… The survey comes as Trump presses US claims over Greenland… 

“The poll also asked how the European Union should respond if the US were to intervene militarily… A clear majority of 69% said the EU should oppose such actions…” 

What needs to be realized is that Trump really wants to leave NATO. So the Greenland debacle might be a welcome excuse for him to do so—or forcing Europe to kick the USA out.

“IF US Goes Extreme, Europe Will Go Extreme”

Newsbreak wrote on January 4: 

“Harald Viereck Fehlinger, an Austrian political activist associated with an unofficial NATO enlargement advocacy group, issued a stark warning to the United States over its stated interest in acquiring Greenland, threatening the removal of American military forces and bases from Europe if such a move were to occur… 

“According to Fehlinger, the loss of these bases would dismantle the foundation of American power projection in Europe that has existed since World War II. He argued that Europe could defend itself without U.S. troops, without the American nuclear umbrella, and without U.S. military infrastructure on the continent. He further claimed that U.S. forces would be expelled and sent back to the United States, ending America’s military footprint in Europe… 

“Fehlinger’s statements do not reflect official European policy, they underscore the severity of the rhetoric emerging around Greenland and highlight how the dispute has escalated into open threats against long-standing U.S. military arrangements in Europe.” 

Those words would have never been spoken just a few months ago.

Macron Warns Trump 

Express wrote on January 15: 

“Emmanuel Macron has issued a stern warning to Donald Trump, cautioning that any breach of Greenland’s sovereignty would trigger ‘unprecedented cascading consequences’ for the transatlantic alliance. The statement represents the strongest European pushback yet to Mr Trump’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric, which has evolved from diplomatic interest to explicit threats of military action. 

“The US President has recently ramped up his language significantly, suggesting that the United States will acquire the island either ‘the easy way or the hard way,’ a characterization that has rattled European capitals… 

“French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot… emphasized: ‘Greenland does not want to be owned, governed… or integrated into the United States. Greenland has made the choice of Denmark, NATO, and the European Union.’” 

European countries are uniting in their opposition to Trump’s “autocratic” and “threatening” conduct. 

Stephen Miller’s Bizarre Thinking 

The Huffington Post wrote on January 17: 

“The White House deputy chief of staff [Stephen Miller] argued that America has a right to Greenland because ‘tiny’ Denmark can’t defend its territory against U.S. military force.” 

What kind of twisted and despicable Hitler-like “logic” is that?

Greenland Saga Far From Over 

Bild Online reported on January 17: 

“The Greens are demanding a unified response from the European Union to US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats against Germany and other European countries in the Greenland conflict. 

“‘The EU must not back down now in the face of Trump’s tariff threats,’ said parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge in Berlin. ‘A clear message must be sent to Trump that the EU will respond to tariff threats with retaliatory tariffs.’… 

“The CDU foreign policy expert and the Union’s rapporteur for North America and the Arctic, Peter Beyer (55)… [said:] ‘This looks like a typical Trump maneuver: He’s applying maximum pressure, he wants a deal. But my transatlantic heart bleeds when I see that in these times we almost have to be glad when it’s only about punitive tariffs from Washington.’” 

But it won’t stay there. This is going to escalate. 

Trump Continues to Provoke and Attack 

Mediaite wrote on January 20: 

“The president [shared] an AI-produced image of him presenting a doctored map of the Western Hemisphere – showing Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela all under a U.S. flag — to European leaders gathered in the Oval Office… Another image showed him planting a U.S. flag on Greenland while flanked by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with a sign that read ‘Greenland — U.S. Territory Est. 2026.’… He closed the barrage by attacking Britain over the ‘GREAT STUPIDITY’ of its decision to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, lashing out at plans to transfer Diego Garcia, home to a major US military base… 

“Trump went further, citing the move as ‘another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired.’ … The intervention reportedly blindsided London, not least because Trump’s own secretary of state, Marco Rubio, previously welcomed the Chagos deal, calling it ‘a critical asset for regional and global security’ and praising its role in safeguarding the base for decades.” 

According to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump told him personally that he approved of the Chagos deal. 

Trump Won’t Use Force to Acquire Greenland? 

Newsmax wrote on January 21: 

“President Donald Trump said Wednesday he wants negotiations to acquire Greenland, portraying the effort as a strategic necessity while insisting he does not want to use military force. ‘People thought I would use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,’ Trump said in remarks to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. 

“Trump, however, also said on Wednesday that the United States will not forget the slight if a deal on Greenland is not reached. ‘So we want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won’t give it,’ he said. ‘We’ve never asked for anything else, and we could have kept that piece of land, and we didn’t. So [you] have a choice. You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember.’ ‘All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland, where we already had it as a [territory] but respectfully returned it back to Denmark not long ago, after we defeated the Germans, the Japanese, the Italians, and others in World War II,’ said Trump. ‘We gave it back to them.’… 

“He used World War II to support his claim that Denmark could not defend Greenland and said the U.S. built bases there at significant cost. ‘We saw this in World War II when Denmark fell to Germany after just six hours of fighting and was totally unable to defend either itself or Greenland,’ Trump said… He said the U.S. should not have returned Greenland after the war… ‘After the war, we gave Greenland back to Denmark. How stupid were we to do that, but we did it. But we gave it back. But how ungrateful are they now?’” 

Welt Online added on January 21: 

“He then reprimanded Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The US has always been very generous to Canada, he said. Despite this, Carney hadn’t shown much gratitude in his Davos speech. ‘Canada exists because of the United States, remember that, Mark, the next time you speak,’ Trump said. The US president has repeatedly expressed his desire to annex Canada as another federal state…” 

Trump’s Big Greenland Defeat?

USA Today wrote on January 21:

“Donald Trump said he’s holding off on imposing tariffs he threatened on eight European nations after securing the ‘framework of a future deal’ with NATO involving Greenland and ‘the entire Arctic region…’ ‘This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations,’ Trump said…

“Details of the potential deal were not immediately clear. In his post, Trump made no mention of the United States acquiring Greenland, a territory of Denmark that he’s repeatedly said the United States needs for security purposes. He instead referenced additional discussions over his planned $175 billion air defense system known as the ‘Golden Dome.’…

“He declined to lay out the full details but suggested Greenland would be part of the Golden Dome and that the U.S. would acquire mineral rights in Greenland… Trump said Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will be involved in future negotiations over Greenland and the Golden Dome.’”

The Huffington Post wrote:

“After first threatening another trade war and then hinting at an actual one to wrest control of Greenland away from Denmark, President Donald Trump Wednesday backed down from all his threats and claimed victory… It is… unclear what a new agreement would offer the United States that it cannot already do under a 1951 treaty with Denmark about U.S. military installations there.”

The Sun added on January 21:

“DENMARK is reportedly set to keep control of Greenland under a Trump-backed framework as Europe takes a deep sigh of relief. But Nato chief Mark Rutte has warned negotiations remain ongoing with ‘more work to be done’ after the President publicly pushed to take control of the Arctic island…”

Der Stern wrote:

“When asked whether the deal was about acquiring Greenland, Trump simply told the US broadcaster CNBC that he didn’t want to comment on it at the moment and that it was ‘somewhat complex.’… According to a NATO spokeswoman, however, the actual discussions have yet to take place…”

Focus wrote:

“The Danish Foreign Minister did not comment on Trump’s statements about such an agreement… Lars Løkke Rasmussen declined to provide details. However, the minister made it clear: ‘The US will not acquire Greenland.’ He described Trump’s ambition in this regard as ‘wild fantasies.’”

Old Western Order Is History 

The Guardian wrote on January 15: 

“Donald Trump is threatening to take over Greenland, the territory of a Nato ally, possibly by military force, as Vladimir Putin is trying to take over Ukraine. Even if he doesn’t actually do it, this is a new era: a post-western world of illiberal international disorder… 

“All the signs are that Trump is going to get more extreme and unpredictable as time goes by and his domestic difficulties increase… 

“Europe – the US’s biggest single economic partner – should privately review the full range of economic responses (including, for example, selling off US Treasury bonds) it could make in the… event of Trump ordering a Putin-style military takeover of Greenland. The outline of these contingency plans could be discreetly conveyed to the White House via US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent or presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner. There are doubtless other possible moves, but the general thrust is clear: a Europe (and Canada, and other liberal democracies) projecting quiet strength, power and resolve.” 

Far Right European Parties Distance Themselves From Trump 

Politico wrote on January 16: 

“Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has long sought close ties to the Trump administration in its quest for powerful international allies and an end to its political isolation at home. But as public sentiment in Germany increasingly turns against U.S. President Donald Trump and his foreign interventionism…, AfD leaders are recalibrating, putting distance between their party and a U.S. president they previously embraced. 

“By distancing themselves from Trump, the AfD leaders are following the path of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally in France, whose leaders, due to the American president’s deep unpopularity there, have been far more critical of Trump and view his administration’s overtures to European nationalists as a liability… 

“The AfD’s criticism this week, by contrast, was tepid… But the political risks inherent in the AfD’s efforts to ally with Trump are also becoming clearer. Surveys show the vast majority of Germans strongly oppose what Trump has said about Greenland and what he has done in Venezuela. Only 12 percent of Germans view his performance positively… while only 15 percent see the U.S. as a trustworthy partner, a new low.”

Trump Sees No Longer Obligation to Bring Peace 

The New York Post wrote on January 19: 

“President Trump has warned America’s European allies ‘I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace’ after he missed out on last year’s Nobel Prize amid a new round of threats to annex Greenland… 

“‘Dear Jonas,’ reads the message…  ‘Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land [Greenland] from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also,’ Trump goes on…

“Despite the president’s complaints…, the Norwegian government has no role in awarding the Nobel Peace Prize, which is done by an independent committee… Trump campaigned hard for the Peace Prize and received public nominations from several world leaders — though the annual nominating deadline of Jan. 31 precluded him from receiving the award for most actions during the first year of his second term in office.” 

Newsmax wrote on January 19, 2025 

“Danish sovereignty over the vast, mineral-rich island is documented in a series of binding legal instruments including a treaty ⁠agreed in 1814. ​

“The U.S. has repeatedly recognized that Greenland ‍is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.” 

When asked whether he would seize Greenland by force, Trump responded, “No comment.” 

His justification to acquire (conquer) Greenland as a reason for not getting the Peace Prize has  been roundly condemned on US Social Media. Trump’s letter has been described by commentators as “deranged,” “insane”, and “unhinged crazy talk.” The Daily Beast wrote on January 19: 

“Even by Trump’s standards, this letter is so dangerous and so delusional that there is no longer any question that the president is mentally ‘unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,’ as laid out in the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. It is clearly not rational to start a war because your feelings got hurt by not winning a prize that you were not even eligible for.” 

At the same time, Russia is celebrating the “collapse of NATO.” 

Trump Managed to Combine His Three Least Popular Policies: Greenland, Canada and Tariffs 

The Independent wrote on January 19: 

“… his [tariff] threats [against European countries] come despite being one of his most unpopular policies with voters at home and abroad. Trump’s comments are just the latest sign that the United States can no longer be considered a reliable partner for its European partners… 

“While Trump continues to push his idea of the U.S. taking Greenland, voters remain opposed… Now, Trump is trying to couple Greenland with another one of his favorite terms – tariffs – despite poor polling… 

“In the same token, NBC News reported that Trump is now fretting about Canada and its supposed vulnerabilities to Russia and China. It comes after a reprieve from Trump’s threats last year about turning Canada into the ‘51st state.’ 

“But there is just one problem: all of these measures are incredibly unpopular. In fact, the president has figured out how to merge three of the least popular parts of his agenda to create a… policy that will alienate most of the American electorate eleven months before the 2026 midterm elections…

“The Wall Street Journal’s poll released this weekend found that his approval on both the economy and tariffs are at a negative ten percent. And this does not begin to talk about how unpopular taking Greenland is… There is also not much support for taking control of Canada. Only 22 percent of Americans support taking control of Canada and only 4 percent support using military force against Canada. 

“The CBS News/YouGov poll also found that 86 percent of Americans opposed using military force to take Greenland, with 70 percent of Republicans disapproving of the idea. In addition, 69 percent of Americans thought that taking Greenland by military force would cause the United States to leave NATO, even though 54 percent thought it would give the country access to needed resources…” 

Trump’s desire to annex Canada is not going away. And, this article does not even include Trump’s highly unpopular immigration policy. 

A Stretch Too Far?

MSN wrote on January 19: 

“President Trump may be overplaying his hand in negotiations for Greenland, economists are warning, after the Oval Office threatened new tariffs on E.U. countries if they did not support America’s demand to purchase the territory… 

“Deutsche Bank’s Jim Reid… wrote in a note to clients this morning. ‘The main Achilles Heel of the U.S. is the huge twin deficits. So while in many ways it feels like the U.S. holds the economic cards, it doesn’t hold all the funding cards in a world that will be very disturbed by the weekend’s events.’ 

“Investors, analysts, and world leaders have long wondered when—or if—a debt crisis would occur in one of the nations burdened by a massive deficit. While the likes of Japan, the U.K., and France are by no means balancing their books, America’s $38 trillion deficit dwarfs its counterparts. While a great deal of that debt is held by the public (including the Fed, where President Trump is also in hot water), vast sums are also owned by foreign governments and overseas investors… 

“Europe being America’s largest lender ‘illustrates the deep interdependence between the U.S. and Europe but also shows that, at least theoretically, Europe also has leverage on the U.S.,’ wrote Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro, and Bert Colijn, chief economist for the Netherlands.”

Sooner or later, Europe will use that leverage on the USA. 

“Germany-US Rift Is Looming After a Year of Trump” 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 19: 

“The second term of US President Donald Trump has brought unprecedented strain on once-solid German-American relations. The issue of Greenland could be a tipping point… ‘This is a really dramatically tense time. Rachel Tausendfreund, an American researcher at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), told DW. ‘Germany is wondering right now if it has to be preparing for an attack by its most important NATO ally. In that sense, the relationship has never been worse…’ 

“Johannes Varwick, Professor of International Relations at the University of Halle, thinks that a takeover of Greenland ‘would indeed be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. I believe that the trust relationship with the US would probably be irrevocably broken…’ 

“Trump… has… disregarded almost all previously held beliefs regarding the close partnership… Varwick said: ‘The only thing that really, if ever, could make an impression [with Trump], is a truly united European position. Friedrich Merz is working on that, but the European countries have hugely differing interests.’.. 

“The German government seems clueless as to how it can, on one hand, keep Trump on board in the quest for peace in Ukraine and as a protector of Europe and, on the other, remain true to its self-proclaimed values: adherence to international law and a rules-based international order… 

“Varwick… sees turbulent times ahead for Germany because with Trump, imperialism and the ‘might makes right’ approach have returned. ‘That is, of course, very, very bad news for Germany…’ 

“Merz invited Trump to Germany when relations were already very tense, but long before the latest escalation over Greenland. Under current circumstances, it seems almost unthinkable that Donald Trump would visit soon.” 

The current German government, under Merz, is indeed clueless. But a new government, as prophesied in the Bible, will change this. 

Europe to Divorce America? 

Politico wrote on January 19: 

“… for many European governments, including America’s longest-standing and most loyal allies, Trump’s threat of punitive tariffs against anyone who tries to stop him taking Greenland was the final straw. Divorce, they believe, is now inevitable. In private, dismayed European officials describe Trump’s rush to annex the sovereign Danish territory as ‘crazy’ and ‘mad,’ asking if he is caught up in his ‘warrior mode’ after his Venezuela adventure — and saying he deserves Europe’s toughest retaliation… 

“… diplomats and government officials in national capitals are also considering what a long-term split from Washington might bring… 

“European states, including those not in the EU like Britain and Norway, have spent much of Trump’s second term working in an increasingly effective group that already operates without America… National security advisers from 35 governments are in regular contact, meeting frequently online and in person, as well as interacting via less formal text messaging… Levels of trust in these circles are generally high… Nor is it just at the level of officials: National leaders are themselves rolling up their sleeves and working in intimate new groupings.  

“Leaders including the U.K.’s Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Alexander Stubb of Finland and Meloni of Italy regularly text with each other — often in the same group chat. Over the past year they have developed a well-drilled routine of exchanging messages whenever Trump does something wild and potentially damaging… 

“But Trump’s hell-raising over Greenland has now tipped the balance. Gone is the softly-softly approach to the American president’s threats… This format could potentially become the seedbed for a new security alliance in an era when the U.S. no longer supports NATO and European security.” 

Europe is secretly working on a new European alliance, without the USA. 

EU Army Without All 27 Member States 

Euractiv wrote on January 18: 

“Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has signalled he is ready to push ahead with a common European army and defence industry – even if not all EU members are on board. 

“‘Europe must move forward in its integration process and equip itself with a truly common defence. And for that we do not need the unanimous agreement of all 27 member states,’ he told Spanish daily La Vanguardia… 

“When asked whether EU leaders have discussed the idea of a smaller group of countries moving ahead independently on defence, Sánchez said they have – but only in an ‘abstract’ way.” 

The prophesied concept of a “core Europe” or a Europe with two speeds is again making a comeback.

Martin Schulz on Collision Course 

Bild Online wrote on January 19: 

“Former SPD leader Martin Schulz (70), once President of the European Parliament, has reacted to US President Donald Trump’s (79) plans for Greenland with a fierce attack… ‘He wants Europe to consist of vassal states that do what he says. If I can’t buy it, I’ll conquer it militarily. Today Venezuela belongs to us, tomorrow the whole world.’… 

“‘May the American voters prevent another one like Trump from coming along, this Vance or whatever his name is!… But I am allowed to say here that I consider him (Vance) a shady character.’”

Merz Sharply Criticizes Trump 

Die Welt reported on January 17: 

“At a CDU event in Baden-Württemberg, Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke with unusual frankness: The US course is developing ‘towards a purely power- and interest-driven policy.’ Germany must not become a pawn of the great powers, Merz warned…

“Merz is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the policies of US President Donald Trump and is calling for a more self-confident stance from the Europeans… Merz also apparently no longer expects any changes from Trump… If Trump simply continues his policies, ‘we mustn’t bury our heads in the sand and say we’ll just accept it all.’” 

Now Germany’s chancellor openly opposes Trump as well. But with indecisive Merz, nobody knows for sure what his next step will be, if any. 

Europe Wants to Normalize Relations With Russia 

Boltwise wrote on January 16: 

“In a remarkable diplomatic move, European leaders are signaling their willingness to intensify dialogue with Russia in order to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and French President Emmanuel Macron have all spoken out in favor of direct talks with Moscow… 

“The Kremlin has reacted positively to the recent statements from Europe. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the proposals from Paris, Rome, and Berlin are consistent with Russian interests. 

Merz also said that it is essential to find a way to reach a compromise with Russia. This is interesting in light of the developing alienation between Europe and the USA. 

EU and South America Join in Effort to Oppose Trump 

The Associated Press wrote on January 17: 

“The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries formally signed a long-sought landmark free trade agreement on Saturday… to strengthen commercial ties in the face of rising protectionism and trade tensions around the world… 

“The signing ceremony in Paraguay’s capital, Asunción, marks a major geopolitical victory for the EU in an age of American tariffs and surging Chinese exports, expanding the bloc’s foothold in a resource-rich region… Mercosur consists of the region’s two biggest economies, Argentina and Brazil, as well as Paraguay and Uruguay. Bolivia, the bloc’s newest member, can join the trade deal in the coming years. Venezuela has been suspended from the bloc and isn’t included in the agreement. 

“Promoted by South America’s renowned grass-fed cattle-raising countries and Europe’s industrial interests, the accord’s gradual elimination of more than 90% of tariffs creates one of the world’s largest free trade zones and makes shopping cheaper for more than 700 million consumers. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who heads the EU’s executive branch, portrayed the deal as a bulwark against the disruptive policies of the Trump administration… 

“But even as the ink dried on Saturday, powerful protectionist lobbies in Europe were still hoping to prevent the agreement from clearing its one final hurdle: ratification by the European Parliament. France remains opposed to the accord, with President Emmanuel Macron worrying that farmers’ frustration with the EU could drive more voters to the country’s far right in the 2027 presidential election.” 

European members continue to be divided amongst themselves because of strictly national political ambitions (compare Daniel 2:42-44). 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 21: 

“The European Parliament voted narrowly to challenge the EU trade deal with Latin America in the bloc’s top court, a move that could derail the deal. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz took to social media soon after news of the vote, calling the result ‘regrettable’ and saying it ‘misjudges the geopolitical situation… ‘We are convinced of the legality of the agreement. No more delays. The deal must now be implemented provisionally.’”  

Most Americans Oppose Trump 

ABC News reported on January 16: 

“A set of recently released polls found Americans largely at odds with the Trump administration and its defense of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who fatally shot Minneapolis woman Renee Good…, 53% of registered voters saying the shooting of Good was not justified… 56% majority of Americans saying the shooting was an inappropriate use of force… About half (51%) said that the fatal shooting reflects bigger problems with the way ICE is operating… 51% of Americans saying ICE enforcement actions were making cities less safe… 

“Americans voiced little trust in the federal government to carry out a fair and thorough investigation of the shooting in Minneapolis, according to the CNN poll, with 62% saying they had just some or no trust at all… 

“57% of voters disapproving of how ICE is enforcing immigration laws… A 58% majority disapproves of how Trump is handling immigration… a slim 52% majority of Americans saying Trump’s efforts to deport immigrants living in the U.S. illegally have gone too far… 61% of Americans disapproving of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s handling of her job…” 

Trump will of course dismiss those numbers as being fake. However, they are not fake, but represent the reality that most Americans disapprove of Trump’s immigration policy. This is a bad sign for him when it comes to the midterm elections. Trump seems to recognize this himself, recently commenting that the pictures of the behavior of ICE agents on TV are bad. 

Trump’s Justice Department’s Investigation Against Minnesota Governor and Minneapolis Mayor 

npr wrote on January 16: 

“The Justice Department is investigating Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey… Frey said… on Friday: ‘This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up…’ 

“Walz… said: ‘Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic. The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.’” 

It is suspected that the investigation is aiming at alleged interference of ICE actions by the governor and the mayor. That would be difficult to maintain, as both asked the demonstrators to act peacefully (as Trump had asked the demonstrators on January 6, 2021, to act peacefully). A detailed analysis of all the available videos has shown that Good was not attempting to hit the agent or to run him over. Subsequently, the Justice Department issued subpoenas on Walz and Frey, among others. 

Canada and China Adopt Trade Deal in Defiance of Trump 

BBC News reported on January 16: 

“Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new approach to Canada’s foreign policy can perhaps be distilled in one line: ‘We take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be.’ That was his response when asked about the deal struck with China on Friday, despite concerns over its human rights record and nearly a year after he called China ‘the biggest security threat’ facing Canada. 

“The deal will see Canada ease tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles that it imposed in tandem with the US in 2024. In exchange, China will lower retaliatory tariffs on key Canadian agricultural products. Experts told the BBC the move represents a significant shift in Canada’s policy on China, one that is shaped by ongoing uncertainty with the US, its largest trade partner… Canada’s relationship with China, [Carney] added, had become ‘more predictable’ than its relationship with the US under the Trump administration…. 

“Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province is home to Canada’s auto sector, was sharply critical of the deal. He said removing EV tariffs on China ‘would hurt our economy and lead to job losses’… 

“Since taking office for a second time last year, Trump has imposed tariffs on Canadian sectors like metals and automotives, which has led to swirling economic uncertainty. He has also threatened to rip up a longstanding North American free trade agreement between Canada, the US and Mexico, calling it ‘irrelevant’. That trade agreement, the USMCA, is now under a mandatory review. Canada and Mexico have both made clear they want it to remain in place. 

“But the decision to carve out a major new deal with China is a recognition by Carney that the future of North American free trade remains unclear…” 

How the world changed! A year ago, China was perceived as being the biggest security threat to Canada; now it seems to be the USA. This is also in light of the fact that Trump repeatedly demanded that Canada become the 51^st state of the USA—a demand which has been strongly rejected by the vast majority of Canadians. Similarities with the situation regarding Greenland are blatantly obvious. 

“Carney to Trump: Back Off on Greenland” 

Politico wrote on January 16: 

“Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned Friday that a decision on who owns Greenland doesn’t belong to U.S. President Donald Trump. ‘The future of Greenland is a decision for Greenland and for the Kingdom of Denmark,’ Carney told journalists at a press conference in Beijing following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

“Carney urged NATO allies including the U.S. to ‘respect their commitments’ as he stressed Canada’s support for Danish sovereignty over the strategically vital Arctic island, which Trump has threatened to seize. ‘We are NATO partners with Denmark, and so our full partnership stands,’ Carney said… ‘Our obligations on Article 5, Article 2 of NATO stand, and we stand full-square behind those.’ 

“… Carney said Greenland and Arctic sovereignty also featured in his discussions with Xi, adding that he ‘found much alignment of views in that regard.’” 

Of course, China would agree with Europe against Trump. 

Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza—Tony Blair Is On It 

Breitbart wrote on January 17: 

“US President Donald Trump on Friday gave a key role in post-war Gaza to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair… 

“Trump named [founding] members of a board to help supervise Gaza that was dominated by Americans, as he promotes a controversial vision of economic development in a territory that lies in rubble after two-plus years of relentless Israeli bombardment… 

“Trump has already declared himself the chair of a ‘Board of Peace’ and on Friday announced its full membership that will include Blair as well as senior Americans — Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff… 

“Blair is a controversial figure in the Middle East because of his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. … Trump… has previously mused about turning devastated Gaza into a Riviera-style area of resorts, although he has backed away from calls to forcibly displace the population. 

“Israel’s military said Friday it had again hit the Gaza Strip in response to a ‘blatant violation’ of the ceasefire declared in October. The strikes come despite Washington announcing that the Gaza plan had gone on to a second phase — from implementing the ceasefire to disarming Hamas, whose October, 2023 attack on Israel prompted the massive Israeli offensive.” 

Depending on how influential Blair will be, this could only spell disaster. In the meantime, Israel objected to the appointments, stating that the Gaza executive committee “was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy.” 

According to the New York Post, dated January 17, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the makeup of the body, which includes Turkey and Qatar, contradicts Israeli policy… National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, another key ally, rejected the entire framework, saying Gaza did not need an international body at all and called for a return to war.” 

Still, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday ‍accepted ‍President Donald ⁠Trump’s invitation to join the so-called “Board ​of Peace.” Germany, France, Norway and Sweden will not join. As a consequence, Trump threatened France with tariffs of about 200% for champagne. 

Also, incredibly, Trump demands one billion dollars to stay on his peace board.

Sanhedrin Calls For Building the Third Temple 

Israel 365 News reported on January 16: 

“The [Sanhedrin issued a declaration containing] a direct call to Iranian leadership: ‘We call upon the leaders of all the peoples in Iran to walk in the path of Cyrus, King of Persia, to support the building of the Temple on the Temple Mount, and even to ascend and pray there in the places designated for the descendants of Noah, ‘for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’ (Isaiah 56:7)… 

“The Sanhedrin was reconstituted in 2004 after nearly 1,600 years of absence. Its members believe the generation has arrived when prophecy will be fulfilled, and the Temple will be rebuilt. The declarations… are legal rulings with the force of biblical law, not suggestions. They represent the Sanhedrin’s assertion of its role as the supreme legal authority for the Jewish people…”  

And so, the Third Temple will be built soon. 

No Pressure on German Doctors Regarding Vaccinations? 

In our recent StandingWatch program, titled, “Germany’s Refusal to Accept Guilt for Authoritarian Corona Measures“, we quoted alarming statements of US Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr in regard to Germany’s refusal to guarantee doctors’ freedom of treatment. The German government denied those statements. However, the following developments support Kennedy’s conclusion: 

“Starting in 2026, doctors will have to meet certain vaccination quotas to receive the full retainer fee, with a minimum of 10 vaccinations per quarter required.  Failure to meet this minimum will result in a 40% reduction in the fee, while higher quotas (7% in the first three quarters, 25% in the fourth) can lead to higher bonuses. However, meeting these higher quotas is not mandatory for receiving the basic retainer fee, but only for the additional bonuses” (taken from the Internet). 

This new regulation, which was already decided in 2025, is being criticized by some as an infringement on doctors’ freedom of treatment. This is seen as a continuation of the restrictions on doctors’ freedom of treatment that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Is God’s Heaven Real? 

Fox News wrote on January 18: 

“Where exactly is the heaven described in the Bible?… According to the Bible, the lowest level of heaven is Earth’s atmosphere. The mid-level heaven is outer space. The highest-level heaven is what we’re talking about: It’s where God dwells. As for heaven’s location, the Bible contains many verses that describe us as looking ‘up’ at God in heaven, and God as looking ‘down’ at us on Earth… 

“In 1929,… Edwin Hubble discovered that… there’s a definite pattern to how galaxies are rushing away from each other, namely: The farther ‘up’ in space a galaxy is located — the farther away it is from Earth — the faster it’s moving away from Earth and everything else… 

“Theoretically, a galaxy that’s 273 billion trillion… miles away from Earth would move at 186,000 miles per second, which is the speed of light. That distance, way ‘up’ there in space, is called the Cosmic Horizon. That means you and I can never reach the Cosmic Horizon… because… only light and certain other non-material phenomena can travel at the speed of light. 

“… It’s entirely possible heaven is located on the other side of the Cosmic Horizon… an entire universe exists beyond the Cosmic Horizon. But it’s permanently hidden from us because we can never reach, let alone cross over, the Cosmic Horizon… Our best astronomical observations… indicate that time stops at the Cosmic Horizon… Unlike time, however, space does exist at and beyond the Cosmic Horizon. Which means the hidden universe beyond the Cosmic Horizon is habitable, albeit only by light and light-like entities… whatever exists beyond the Cosmic Horizon predates these oldest objects… predates the so-called big bang… predates the beginning of the observable universe. 

“All these modern scientific realities, and others, are why it’s entirely reasonable to speculate that: 

“1. Heaven is, indeed, located ‘up’ there — way above our heads and way beyond the visible, starlit universe — just as the Bible indicates.

“2. Heaven is inaccessible to us mortals while we’re alive, just as the Bible indicates.

“3. Heaven is inhabited by nonmaterial… beings, just as the Bible indicates.

“4. Heaven is the dwelling place of the One who predates the universe — the One who created the universe — just as the Bible indicates.”

An interesting observation. The one mistake the author makes, however, is that where God dwells, there is no “space” either, as “space” is something “physical.” But there is a world composed of Spirit. The Bible indicates that God’s Heaven—the “Third Heaven”—is located in the North [Psalm 75:6; Isaiah 14:13-14—even in heathen literature, the abode of the gods was supposed to be in the North]. But God’s Third Heaven consists of Spirit and is therefore invisible to the human eye. For more information, please read our free booklet, “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World.” 

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.

“Soul sleep” is not a phrase that we would use in the Church of God, even though, as we will see, it is an accurate description of biblical teaching. Rather, we would say that a baptised faithful Christian who had repented of their sins and lived the Way of Life—the narrow way, not the broad and easy way—will upon their death be awaiting the resurrection at the return of Jesus Christ.   We read this in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16:

^“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 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.”

Still, the question remains as to what happens to the soul when man dies. It is important to understand this, when we review the false mainstream understanding which is at odds with the Bible.

Understanding the correct biblical belief is crucial as it illustrates the various interpretations within mainstream Christianity and offers insight into how different denominations approach the topic of life after death.

divinenarratives.org observes that “The term ‘soul sleep’ refers to the belief that the soul enters a dormant state after physical death [this is poorly worded, when discussing the concept of “soul sleep,” as we will see], remaining unconscious until the resurrection. This concept diverges from the more widely held view that the soul immediately transitions to an afterlife, whether it be heaven, hell, or purgatory. The origins of soul sleep can be traced back to early Christian thought, where it found a foothold among certain sects and theologians who sought to reconcile scriptural interpretations with philosophical inquiries about the nature of the soul.

“One of the earliest proponents of this doctrine was the 16th-century reformer Martin Luther, who suggested at that time that the dead are completely unconscious until the Day of Judgment. Luther’s views were influenced by his reading of the Bible, particularly passages that seemed to imply a state of sleep or rest for the dead. This interpretation was not entirely novel, as similar ideas had been discussed by early church fathers and various Jewish sects, including the Sadducees, who denied the immortality of the soul.”

Luther’s concept that the dead are completely unconscious was entirely correct. But it is rather amusing to read that “Martin Luther was influenced by his reading of the Bible.” Naturally, this does not reflect what Luther’s conviction was based on, as it was more than just being “influenced” by reading Scripture. The quoted article sounds like that this is something highly unusual. But it should be a “given” on all matters regarding true Christian theology!

Jesus taught, as we read in Luke 6:47-49, how the foundations of building a house are like the foundations needed for our Christian lives:

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

Our foundations are built on what Jesus Christ, the Rock, taught, and the Bible which reveals the Way of Life to which we have been called.  If not, man’s own thoughts and ideas can be seen as normal and acceptable by those who don’t take the time to properly read and understand the Word of God.

It has been acknowledged that syncretism entered the early Church.  The concept of an immortal soul which continues to live when man dies is pagan, and was inserted into Christian thinking—a typical case of syncretism. We have previously quoted Will Durant confirming this, as follows:

“Will Durant and his wife wrote the following in Volume III, titled ‘Caesar and Christ’ (1944, p. 595: ‘Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it…. [T]he Greek mysteries passed down into the impressive mystery of the Mass. Other pagan cultures contributed to the syncretist result. From Egypt came the ideas of a divine trinity, the Last Judgment, and a personal immortality of reward and punishment; from Egypt the adoration of the Mother and Child…’”

The problem with mainstream Christianity is that it has absorbed pagan practices into that system of belief.   The Topical Encyclopedia has this to say on syncretism:

“Syncretism refers to the blending or merging of different religious beliefs and practices. In the context of Christianity, syncretism poses a significant threat as it can dilute or distort the core tenets of the faith. The Bible consistently warns against the incorporation of pagan or foreign elements into the worship of the one true God, emphasizing the need for purity and exclusivity in devotion.

“The Old Testament is replete with admonitions against syncretism. The Israelites were repeatedly cautioned against adopting the religious practices of the surrounding nations. In Deuteronomy 12:30-31, God warns [as quoted in the article], ‘Be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” You must not worship the LORD your God in their way.’”

And man, in his usual way, ignores what the great God tells him to do.   And so “soul sleep” [rightly understood] is accepted by few but criticised and condemned by many.   To look at what the real understanding is of this matter, we have taken a full statement on this matter and will answer the assertions as we go along.   While we have taken this from a particular website, we could easily have found many other proponents with the same line of reasoning.

The quotation from the article taken is in italics, followed by our comments below in roman type.

“Soul sleep” is a belief that after a person dies his or her soul “sleeps” until the resurrection and final judgment. The concept of soul sleep is not biblical.

We will prove in this two-part Q&A that it is biblical, mainstream theology notwithstanding. The immediate observation reveals where this response is headed, and so let us review their observations on this matter.

It’s true that, in some places, the Bible speaks of those who have died as being asleep. Daniel 12:2 describes the resurrection as the time when “multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake.” The New Testament speaks of believers who are “asleep” in Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul speaks of those who are “still living,” in contrast to those who have “fallen asleep” (see also verses 18 and 20). Luke relates the death of Stephen with the words, “He fell asleep” (Acts 7:60), much the same as how Jesus describes Lazarus in John 11:11  and Jairus’s daughter in Luke 8:52. So, for those who expect a resurrection, sleep is a metaphor for death.

So far, so good. Continuing:

Death is a “sleep” for the believer because it is temporary; the resurrection is the “awakening.” But what exactly is it that sleeps, and what is awakened? It is the body, not the soul. A body, when dead, appears to be resting in sleep, and that gives rise to the metaphorical usage of sleep. But the soul does not sleep. The moment we experience physical death, our souls are transferred to a different place. For believers, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). For unbelievers, death means everlasting punishment in hell (Luke 16:22-23). 

This is where error creeps in early on.  “But the soul does not sleep.”   This assertion is made because of the false understanding that man has an immortal soul.   We have a 40-page free booklet entitled “Do We Have an Immortal Soul?” and we read on page 28 the following:

“HUMAN SOULS DIE AND MUST BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE

“When people die, they are dead. Death is the opposite of life! In order to live again, dead people must be resurrected from the dead to either physical life or to eternal life. 

“In Revelation 20:4, both types of resurrections to physical life and to eternal life are discussed, with special emphasis on a resurrection to eternal life, ‘…and I saw the souls (psyche) of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and they lived (as spirit beings) and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished (but they will be resurrected afterwards to physical life). This is the first resurrection’ (This phrase refers to those souls that were brought back to life to reign with Christ for a thousand years.). 

“Notice that the souls that had been killed lived again. So the souls were dead, but they were brought back to life in a resurrection from the dead. How clear it is that persons are souls and that souls die. Souls do not continue to live on after death.”

Man IS a soul but doesn’t have a soul—he has the spirit in man which is entirely different. The spirit in man goes back to God when man dies, but it won’t be conscious. It has stored everything about the man—his outward appearance, his experiences, even his thoughts and motives—and God will use it and place it in the newly created body of the person at the time of the resurrection. 

In our Q&A “What does the Bible teach about the ‘spirit in man’? Is that human spirit the same as an immortal soul?,” we read the following:

“Most people know nothing about the existence of the spirit in man—even many religious people—lay persons and theologians alike. When they read passages in the Bible describing the spirit in man, they assume the Bible is talking about the soul. But the soul is not a non-physical component of the human being. The soul, according to the Bible, is totally physical. The Bible does not teach the concept of an immortal soul. Rather, we read in Ezekiel 18:4, ‘The soul who sins shall die.’ The word ‘soul’ in the Bible refers to the living body of both man and animals…

“In the book of Isaiah we are told that each human being has a spirit within him. ‘Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it…’ (Isaiah 42:5).

“The Bible strongly indicates that God gives the human spirit at the time of conception, and then takes it back at the time of death. We read in Zechariah 12:1, ‘Thus says the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.’ Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, ‘Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.’ When the spirit in man leaves a person, that person is dead. James 2:26 says, ‘For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also’…

“Understand though, that when a man dies and his spirit returns to God, that spirit does not continue to live consciously, apart from the body. Rather, God ‘stores’ it, so to speak, in heaven, until He unites it at the time of the resurrection of man with a new spiritual or physical body. The concept that man’s soul is immortal is as wrong as the concept that man’s spirit continues to live consciously after death…”

(To be continued)

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

compiled by Dave Harris

“Trump’s Greenland Deal—Defeat or Distraction?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

In order to answer the question in the title of this program, we will first go back to point out Trump’s statements of his intensions regarding Greenland. In light of those declarations, the answer might become more obvious. But in any event, Trump’s conduct has contributed to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. This program will show you, how this is the case.

“Trumps Grönland Deal—Niederlage oder Ablenkung?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers topics as described above.

“Liebt Eure Feinde,” last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Mike Richter, is now posted. Title in English, “Love Your Enemies.”

“Urteile nicht nach dem, was vor Augen ist,” last Sabbath’s German sermon presented by Christoph Sperzel, is now posted. Title in English: “Do Not Judge by What You See With Your Eyes,”

“What Have You Learned About Generosity?” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Generosity has effects upon the giver that are contrary to human intuition. On the surface, the act of giving takes away from givers, leaving them with less than they started with. However, generosity is not a zero-sum game. The Bible reveals that the act of giving brings unique benefits to all of those involved.

“Those Who Knew Better,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is the summary:

How often have we been confronted with a choice to do something that we knew we shouldn’t do, or to do what we know God commands for us? How do we choose in those situations?