The Update

On August 22, 2026, Paul Niehoff will give the first split sermon, titled, “Fruit of the Spirit—Peace,” and Norbert Link will give the second split sermon, titled, “Christ in Us…What Does This Mean?”

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.

Since my conversion, I have become more aware of the resentment that so many people seem to harbor towards God and true Christianity. There are yard signs here in our neighborhood that are meant to show the homeowner’s absolute belief in science, choice, and diversity of everything—all things except a belief in God. As I walk in my neighborhood and see these signs, I find myself getting upset, but I know that I’ve got to rely only on God to deal with such matters; it is not my place to confront my neighbors. Still, it is frustrating because people don’t seem to learn. From Covid lockdown lies to riots that some still characterize as peaceful demonstrations; people become comfortable with their positions, speaking points and deception. It also seems that people are more interested in celebrating what humans can accomplish, rather than repenting and turning to God. 

To this point, on September 5, 1977, from a launch pad at Cape Canaveral in Florida, a spacecraft named Voyager 1, lifted off on the start of a mission to deep space. I had just turned 20 at the time of launch, and was in the middle of college and fascinated by the space race that was initiated by the Soviet Union and President Kennedy’s challenge to take the US to the moon. Weighing just 1800 pounds, far less than most cars, and having only 470 watts of on-board power, this spacecraft has been on the job each day for nearly 50 years.

A 1960s proposal for a space tour to study the outer planets led NASA to begin work on a mission during the early 1970s. Initially, Voyager 1 was planned as Mariner 11 of the Mariner program. Due to budget cuts, the mission was reduced to a flyby of Jupiter and Saturn and renamed the Mariner Jupiter-Saturn probes. The name was changed to Voyager when the probe designs began to differ substantially from the Mariner mission. Currently, it is roughly 16 billion miles away from Earth, and while its mission was initially intended to last only about five years, it will continue to send data for at least a few more years.

In 2012, Voyager 1 entered Interstellar Space—the distant zones of cold and deep space between the stars. On March 31, 2006, amateur radio operators in Germany tracked and received radio waves from Voyager 1 using the 20-meter (66 ft) dish at Bochum with a long integration technique. Retrieved data was checked and verified against data from the Deep Space Network station at Madrid, Spain. This seems to be the first such amateur tracking of Voyager.

It is interesting how much interest there is in wanting to reach out to deep space and somehow connect with the unknown. To this end, Voyager 1 included a gold-plated record that held music and speeches from notable people of the day. The record was curated by the astronomer, Carl Sagan. Mr. Sagan was famous for his belief only in science, rather than God—The Creator of the universe. 

The point of the golden record sent on Voyager was intended to be a message from Earth’s scientific and political establishment into deep space. The point being that mankind exists and is in control here on Earth. Humankind desires power and to control. This is of course rather than making a connection with the Creator of the universe. Consider the contrast with this worldview in David’s writings in Psalm 19:1-2: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge” (New International Version throughout). 

Voyager 1 has been collecting interesting data that has helped science better understand our own planet. It has also recorded similar information from the planets and deep space. However, remember, when we receive this information back on Earth, it is already in the past. As true Christians, we are focused on the promise of the coming Kingdom of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. We know that ultimately science and technology, no matter how impressive, pales in the face of God and His majesty. Consider just how this will unfold, as we see in 1 Thessalonians 4:16: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” Those who have been called by God need not rely on Voyager 1 “to touch the face of God,” as Ronald Reagan spoke, following the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. In Psalm 29:3-4, we read that “The Voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.” This is reinforced for us in Job 37:5: “God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.”

If we, as true Christians wish to develop deeper wisdom, we simply need to ask God. We see this in James 1:5-6: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

It is not my intention to demean the work of NASA and many independent scientists and academics. Clearly, they did impressive work in keeping Voyager 1 in orbit for nearly 50 years when its mission was designed to conclude decades ago. This has been inspired work indeed; however, it is not the voice of God that will be heard in any of the data.

We need only turn to God to unlock the majesty of the universe that God created—we need only to believe and trust in God and as we read in Psalm 46:10 where He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

By Norbert Link

We address the alleged appalling conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln – a byproduct and consequence of war – and speak on Trump’s unhinged rants and outbursts on numerous fronts, while totally misrepresenting or misunderstanding the negative standing of the USA in the world… and his rising unpopularity among most American voters. 

We address the role of Eritrea; Greenland’s concerns; and Israel’s misgivings regarding Trump’s handling of the war with Iran.

We speak about contradictory messages from Trump and JD Vance about the Iran war; and the nearly insurmountable problems NATO might face if Putin were to strike a NATO country. 

We address the inexcusable failure of the FBI to investigate Epstein; the scandal pertaining to COVID measures; and reactions to Germany’s new military system. 

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Will Putin Attack NATO?”

Appalling Conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln

Stars and Stripes wrote on August 13:

“Family members and sailors say months at sea with no end in sight to a grueling Middle East deployment have intensified worries about mental health and the risk of self-harm aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Those concerns were brought directly to Navy leadership Thursday, when family members spoke to Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao and other senior officials during intense town hall meetings… In one case, a spouse tearfully told officials that she received a message that same day from her husband saying ‘he hopes he doesn’t wake up tomorrow’… 

“The worries expressed at Thursday’s meetings echo those raised independently with Stars and Stripes by sailors and family members in recent weeks. Interviews with active-duty sailors and family members, along with dozens of public social media comments and posts by crew members, describe sailors struggling with exhaustion and declining morale, including reports of suicidal thoughts and at least one instance where a crew member was prevented from jumping overboard. The concerns come during an unusually demanding deployment… The aircraft carrier left San Diego in November for a Pacific deployment, was redirected to the Middle East and has now been deployed for more than eight months, including a record-breaking number of days at sea without a port stop. Its crew has spent much of that time supporting U.S. combat operations against Iran, and the deployment, which was anticipated to end in May, has been extended with no publicly announced return date….

“Family members and sailors say the roughly 5,000 service members aboard Lincoln have endured food and water shortages, disrupted mail service and long workdays with little time off…. Carriers generally pull into a port every 30 to 45 days to allow for replenishment, maintenance and crew rest… ‘Nothing to really look forward to at this point,’ [a] sailor said, adding that crew morale now is so low that sailors and Marines aboard Lincoln would be willing to forgo any upcoming stops in favor of returning home as soon as possible…”

While Secretary of State Pete Hegseth flatly denied the reports, saying they were “completely misrepresented,” President Trump downplayed or dismissed them, saying that the deployment was “not nearly long enough.” This happens when you start an unprovoked war in the Middle East with no clear goal or concept of duration in mind. These denials sound untrustworthy.

Trump’s Navy in Crisis

Daily Mail wrote on August 18:

“Donald Trump’s Navy is facing renewed scrutiny after a warship lost all power while deployed in the South China Sea, stranding sailors without drinkable water, food, air conditioning or working toilets for four days.

“A generator failure aboard the USS Benfold on July 24 left the destroyer without power… The Navy did not disclose the incident for nearly a month…”

Trump Attacks Fox News Anchor

TV Insider wrote on August 17:

“Fox News’ Shannon Bream appeared to get under Donald Trump’s skin on Sunday (August 16) as the president delivered not one but two lengthy rants against the anchor on Truth Social… ‘Watching FoxNews with Shannon Bream is always like watching the Worst of Fake News CNN,’ he wrote in the first of two unhinged rants….

“‘I don’t know Shannon, but she always seems to pick guests, charts, and “polls” that are negative, never talking about all of the incredible things that the Trump Administration has done,’ he continued before reeling off a list of supposed accomplishments and claimed that the U.S. is ‘more RESPECTED throughout the World than at any time in Memory’… adding, “Even Chris Wallace was better, and he was really bad.”

Trump lives in a dream world. 

Due to Trump, Tension Escalates in Strait of Hormuz

The New York Post wrote on August 15:

“President Trump posted an AI image of himself helping seize an Iranian-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Truth Social, in another online escalation as a US ally said Iran fired on another commercial vessel. ‘It’s Our Oil Tanker Now!’ Trump posted Friday night, hours after declaring on Long Island that ‘Pretty soon, I will be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States.’ 

“‘This strait will only be opened and closed under Iran’s command, and as long as you do not accept the reality of defeat and stop indulging in delusions, Iran will continue to enforce the blockade,’ Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi posted on X Saturday. The United Arab Emirates said Saturday that Iran had attacked another Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessel transiting the strait, the third attack in a week.”

Some say Trump’s comments regarding declaring the Strait of Hormuz territory of the USA was a joke, but due to Trump’s ongoing provocations and his desire to invade other countries and areas, it would be foolish to dismiss his illegal threats as a joke. Note the following article.

Daily Mail added on August 18:

“The US President shared a map on Truth Social showing the narrow waterway with the words ‘NEW U.S. TERRITORY’ written across it. The bizarre image showed a large blue circle around the strait, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world’s most important shipping routes.”

Trump Threatens Oman 

The Daily Mail wrote on August 17:

“Donald Trump threatened to ‘bomb the s….’ out of Oman if it continues negotiations with Iran without American approval as the ceasefire with Tehran nears its expiration.

Oman, a major US defense ally in the Middle East, is negotiating with Iran over a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by placing the narrow waterway, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, under joint control…

“Trump’s threats against his own ally come as the 60-day US-Iran ceasefire is set to expire today, raising fears of renewed fighting that could further destabilize the region and disrupt global oil supplies…”

With his wild rant against Oman, Trump proved again his frustration and his realization that he is unable to bring the war to an end. 

Using Nuclear Weapons Against Iran?

Vietnam.vn wrote on August 17:

“Former US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claims that officials in Washington are discussing the possibility of using nuclear weapons against Iran amid the escalating months-long conflict… According to Ms. Greene, the issue of nuclear weapons use was discussed in strategic planning meetings…

“Ms. Greene wrote: ‘They are discussing the use of nuclear weapons against Iran in strategic meetings. I’m not speculating, I know that. And that’s absolutely evil.’… Ms. Greene warned that such a move could trigger a ‘nuclear catastrophe’ and drag the world into a war on a much larger scale.”

Greenland Objects—Far From Receiving Approval

Euractiv wrote on August 11:

“US oil operator Greenland Energy will not obtain the approvals needed to begin drilling in eastern Greenland this year, local authorities said, contradicting the company’s public timetable. Nuuk, however, says the project remains far from receiving approval.

“‘In the current situation, I do not believe it is realistic for the company to carry out drilling work this autumn,’ Greenlandic Minister for Foreign Affairs and Natural Resources, Múte B. Egede, told local broadcaster KNR.”

It will remain to be seen how US oil operator Greenland Energy will react, given its close relationship with Donald Trump. 

Eritrea’s Strategic Importance

Deutsche Welle wrote on August 13:

“Amid growing tensions and security risks in the Horn of Africa, Eritrea, with its strategically important coastal points on the Red Sea, is emerging as an important player in the region… Yemen lies on the other side of the Red Sea, which makes Eritrea’s location particularly interesting… The only safe route in this area runs through Eritrea… The Houthi militia, propped up by Iran, have been attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea from the Yemeni coastline…

“Still, Eritrea continues to exert its influence as the Red Sea has emerged a crucial sea route for the world, and especially for the Gulf states — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates… A viable alternative, should the Strait of Hormuz remain repeatedly blocked, would be for these Gulf nations and their partners to find routes via Saudi ports located further up on the Red Sea…

“Meanwhile, Eritrea’s neighbors, particularly landlocked Ethiopia, are fighting hard to maintain access to the Red Sea as a trade route, Sayed added — in particular for oil exports from the Horn of Africa to the rest of the world, especially to Europe and the Americas.”

At one time, Ethiopia and Eritrea were one country until they separated in 1993. Biblically, the two powers might still be viewed as one country. The same may be true for India and Pakistan, which were one country in the past, until their separation in 1947. Other examples might be North and South Korea, which separated in 1953, or Germany and Austria, which seem to be “one country” according to the Bible.  

Israel Can’t Wait Forever

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 16:

“The clock has been ticking for two months since the June ‘ceasefire’ between the US and Iran, and still the Islamic Republic is rearming. That should dominate Israel’s thinking about every day that passes without an agreement capable of restraining the Iranian regime…  Israeli defense officials have been shocked by the speed with which Iran is recovering from the damage inflicted during the war…

“Israel and the United States struck more than 2,600 missile and military-industrial targets during the roughly 40-day war, carrying out some 30,000 attacks, and it left Israeli officials believing the scale of the destruction had crippled Iran’s ability to restore its military industries at anything like their previous pace…. Now the Post has confirmed that Iran is producing new weapons at a much faster pace than Israeli planners anticipated…

“The ballistic missile threat remains unresolved, and the pressure campaign has yet to return Tehran to the negotiating table on terms that can give Israel confidence the danger is actually receding. The longer this goes on, the more it looks like the Americans are operating without a real, strategic plan… Every month gives Iranian engineers, commanders, and procurement networks more time to reopen facilities, replace machinery, uncover underground missile sites, disperse production, and replenish stocks…

“Israel cannot afford to wake up next year and discover that a threat believed to have been pushed back by years was delayed by only a matter of months… Israel is directly in the firing line. The United States is not. If we need to take matters into our own hands, then that should be our prerogative, whatever our working relationship with the US… Two months have already been spent trying to turn a ceasefire into something more permanent. Iran has spent those same two months recovering…  Israel cannot afford to give Iran any more time to rearm.”

The war with Iran was a catastrophic failure from the outset. 

Terrible Demands

Brussels Signal wrote on August 17:

“Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for the Israeli army to carry out targeted assassinations in Gaza every night, arguing it should be ‘taking down 30 to 40 every night.’… 

“Ben-Gvir said the killings should not be confined to those posing an immediate threat, describing people in the enclave as unworthy of life and not even human.”

Trump to Americans: Accept Higher Gas Prices

Reuters wrote on August 15:

“Trump urged Americans to accept slightly higher gasoline prices while the conflict continues. He told a political rally in Garden City, New York, on Friday that paying ‘a tiny little bit more for your gasoline’ is worth the cost of ensuring ‘a very evil country’ could not have a nuclear ‌weapon, one of his stated rationales for the war.

“Throughout the conflict, the president has alternated between threats of escalation and assertions that a peace deal is imminent. In a trend that has sparked inflation and disappointed voters, the average U.S. price of a gallon of ⁠gasoline was about $4.08 on Friday, up 29% from a year earlier… Trump… campaigned for reelection on a promise to lower energy costs, and Democrats are seeking to make the war’s fallout an issue in November congressional elections….

“Only two vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday with no crude oil shipments ‌visible… Some ships may cross the strait undetected with their transponders off, ​but the figures are nowhere near the more than 130 ships that traversed it daily before the war. Vessels that dare ​navigate the strait without Iranian permission risk missile or drone strikes… Attacks by ‌Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen renewed concerns about a widening regional war… the Houthis fired six ballistic missiles at the Red Sea port of Mocha ​on Friday, killing four civilians…”

Americans are not going to accept higher gas prices for a war which should have never been started. In fact, Trump’s declaration for the goal of the war contradicts what JD Vance just said. Note the next article.

Top Goal of Iran War: Get Gas Prices Down

AFD wrote on August 14:

“The top US priority now in the Iran war is no longer its nuclear program but to bring gasoline prices down for American consumers, the vice president said Thursday… Preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon — consistently touted by President Donald Trump as his main reason for the war — now takes a back seat to getting oil flowing again freely through the strait, Vance told Will Cain on Fox News.

“Vance’s comments underscored the stark reality that the war now centers on control of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical fuel supply conduit that was open before Trump started the war along with Israel in late February… Republicans fear Trump and the war, which has caused gasoline prices to soar, will cost them their control of Congress.”

Trump reiterated again that his main goal is that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. He said that he does not care about the midterm election (and by extension, gas prices). It does not look like Trump and Vance are on the same wavelength. This confusing picture is not very reassuring for American citizens. 

Trump’s Loyalty Test

The Daily Beast wrote on August 14:

“The Trump administration is quietly trying to force international partners to pass an ideological fealty test before deciding whether to pull back vital military protection.

A leaked document sent to alliance members… lays out a high-stakes questionnaire probing whether individual countries have ‘been publicly supportive’ of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy…

“Allies have balked at the private questionnaire, viewing it as a blatant attempt to pressure sovereign nations into political alignment in exchange for basic security guarantees…

“The questionnaire arrives partway through an administration review of its military presence in Europe, expected to wrap by December. That review process has left NATO allies bracing for deep cuts to U.S. troop levels and the military assets the U.S. would deploy in the event of an attack. The document touches on several major flashpoints that have divided Washington from its partners, including the U.S. war with Iran and the raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro…

“ It specifically asks whether countries are buying from American defense firms and whether they have spoken out against new ‘made in Europe’ procurement policies, adding, ‘If not, would they be willing to do so?’”

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte attempted to downplay the rift, even stating foolishly that the questionnaire would bring NATO “closer together.” NATO, as we know it, is doomed, and Rutte’s hypocritical “diplomacy” won’t change that. 

No Referendum as Long as Trump Is in Office

CBC wrote on August 18:

“The Parti Québécois will not hold a referendum as long as U.S. President Donald Trump remains in power, party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon announced Tuesday morning. In a news release, St-Pierre Plamondon said he wants to avoid having the issue ‘hijacked by the ups and downs of American politics.’ ‘An issue as crucial as the political future of Quebec requires conditions that allow for an informed and calm debate,’ the PQ leader said.

“He said the next government will be faced with ‘more than enough challenges’ without calling a referendum. ‘So I decided to completely defuse the argument that this would be the worst time to think about our future because of Trump, by ruling out the possibility of holding a referendum by the end of his second term,’ St-Pierre Plamondon explained. Trump’s second term is set to end on Jan. 20, 2029.

“St-Pierre Plamondon said that, if elected, he would still consult Quebecers on the issue of independence during his first mandate, but only after Trump leaves office. The announcement comes just over a week ahead of the official launch of the Quebec provincial election campaign. Voters are scheduled to head to the polls on Oct. 5.”

Will Putin Attack NATO?

The Sun wrote on August 13:

“With his back against the wall, Putin could choose to risk it all and attempt a World War Three-stoking attack on a Nato nation, according to longtime Kremlin critic and Brit banker Bill Browder. The gamble would aim to test who is truly on Ukraine‘s side and would be aimed at the US with Russia hoping they would avoid being drawn into a conflict despite Article 5 of the Nato treaty. One theory is Putin could grab a city in Poland or one of the three Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  – all Nato nations which have strongly backed Ukraine during the war. A new US intelligence report even revealed this week that US officials fear Putin is plotting a small-scale land incursion to test the alliance.

“Bill told The Sun: ‘Putin has reached a stalemate in his war with Ukraine. It’s been going on for more than four years, and he’s unable to gain more territory. He’s losing between 1,000 to 1,500 troops a day. His oil refineries and warehouses of online retailers are being bombed by the Ukrainians. And the Ukrainians are developing more and more sophisticated weapons so they’ve reached a stalemate – and, of course, he’s short on money.’ 

“Russia’s faltering economy is one of the biggest issues hampering the war, he says…. ‘If he were to attack a Nato country, he might do that with the expectation that Trump doesn’t get involved. And then he’s got this situation where you have Nato without America. Bill says the Kremlin could turn Trump’s refusal to support Europe into a weapon of their own. They could demand countries stop funding Ukraine and supplying weapons or risk war with Russia. ‘That may be Putin’s best way to win this war with Ukraine as if Ukraine doesn’t get European funding, they will lose the war,’ Bill added.”

Some of these thoughts are quite interesting. We know that ultimately, Russia and Ukraine will be together against Europe. 

Russia on German Soil?

On August 16, Die Welt wrote:

“Russia is increasingly becoming a threat to Europe: the explosive-laden drone at Leipzig Airport, the impact of a Russian missile in Poland, a drone crash in Romania, and repeated airspace violations in the Baltic states. For former US Secretary of Defense and ex-CIA chief Leon Panetta, these are warning signs that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is systematically testing Europe’s lines of defense…

“Panetta is no longer willing to rule out even a nightmare scenario: Russian military actions taking place on German soil as well… ‘Putin reacts to weakness, and if he senses it in NATO and the US, he will continue to provoke and strike,’ Panetta warns.”

Ultimately, Russia WILL attack Europe and Germany, but not yet.

Putin’s Drones on NATO’s Doorsteps

The Sun wrote on August 18:

“AN ‘apocalyptic’ war is looming over Europe as Russia lines its borders with new drone bases capable of striking Nato and Kremlin warships stalk the seas, experts warn. Desperate Vladimir Putin is rapidly expanding Russia’s drone network and developing new warfare tactics as he prepares to take on the West…

“Images showed enough storage at one base for more than 1,000 drones to be kept on site at one time… Turkey, Romania, eastern Poland and the Baltic Republics, Lativa, Lithuania and Estonia are all under threat.”

A Three-Front War?

The Atlantic wrote on August 17:

“Western military planners do not seem eager to talk about their nightmare scenario, much less prepare for it. But they tend to agree on how it would begin: a coordinated, near-simultaneous attack on opposite sides of the planet, in which Russia targets a NATO member in Eastern Europe while China makes its move against Taiwan. The U.S. military would need to react on two fronts at once—three if it remains at war in the Middle East…

“About a year ago, General Alexus Grynkewich, the top NATO commander in Europe, issued a rare public warning about the risk of a two-front war against Russia and China, and he called on European allies to help the U.S. prepare. But when I asked a range of military experts and strategists what the West would do in such a situation, the responses rang surprisingly hollow. Most of them expressed bewilderment and a bit of shame about how little has been done in recent years to study this risk in detail.”

FBI Failed to Investigate Epstein

California Post wrote on August 14:

“Playboy founder Hugh Hefner repeatedly called the FBI to report Jeffrey Epstein for sexual abuse in 2005, after a Playboy Playmate [Christiansen]… told him she was raped and trafficked by the disgraced financier, according to new details in a lawsuit… The revelations are part of an amended complaint filed in May in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida by Epstein victims who charge the FBI failed to act on multiple reports about his sexual abuse as early as 1996.

“‘The fact that the FBI is trying to utilize procedural technicalities to try to avert accountability and responsibility for its failures to properly investigate Jeffrey Epstein for over 20 years should be deeply concerning to all,’ Jordan Merson, lawyer for the victims, told The Post… Christiansen… was only contacted by the FBI in October 2020, after Epstein’s death, to follow up on the information provided 15 years earlier…

“The FBI tried to get the lawsuit thrown out in June, saying it was ‘not required to investigate every complaint’ it received.”

The Epstein scandal is not a fake, but very real. The lack of US government investigations into Epstein is deeply disturbing. The idea that Epstein committed suicide is likewise absurd.

California’s “Rolling Resistance” Madness

The New York Post wrote on August 18:

“The California Energy Commission unanimously approved new rules Monday that will phase out the sale of replacement tires that don’t meet the state’s energy- efficiency standards— potentially wiping out a huge chunk of the tires currently available to California drivers… The rules target a tire’s ‘rolling resistance’ — how much energy it takes to keep a tire moving down the road. Lower resistance means cars use less gas or electricity.

“The first phase begins in 2029, when replacement tires will have to meet a maximum rolling-resistance level of 9.1 newtons per kilonewton. That threshold drops to 7.2 in 2033….

“Goodyear’s Bret Gladfelty told the commission the rules could drive up costs and said technical and legal questions remain unresolved. While the commission estimates phase-two rules would add an average of about $6.50 per tire, Gladfelty warned that actual increases could reach several hundred dollars. He also told KCRA that the rules could eliminate an estimated 70% of the tires currently sold in California by 2033.”

 No wonder California is going down.

Scientists Use AI to Create New Viruses

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 18:

“Researchers at Stanford University used artificial intelligence to create 16 functional viruses not found in nature earlier this month… [Researchers are] using EVO 2, a generative AI model… that generates new DNA sequences.

“… many have also expressed concern over the potential dangers of using artificial intelligence to create viruses. EVO 2 is open source, meaning anyone can download the AI and design new genomes themselves….

“In a paper written in response to King and Hie, scientists from John Hopkins University’s Center, Thomas Inglesby and Moritz Hanke for Health Security warned that while the Stanford researchers limited the AI’s training data it would not be difficult for a different user to discover a way around the limitations, opening the possibilities for viruses designed to infect humans, animals, or plants in ways we cannot yet counter.”

Another Frankenstein monster in the making… 

Covid Lockdowns to Delay Natural Immunity 

Life Site News wrote on August 14:

“Jeffrey Tucker, a prominent critic of COVID-19 lockdown policies from the earliest days, stated categorically that the purpose of the stringent measures was not to protect people’s health; it was to delay the onset of natural immunity so that the experimental ‘vaccine’ which was still in development would be hailed as the heroic solution to the virus…. ‘I was told by top FDA, NIH officials that a major reason for social distancing, lockdowns, masking, plexiglass, stay at home orders, and everything else was to delay the onset of natural immunity, to delay rising seroprevalence levels, to delay endemicity, until after the shots were online,’ said Tucker…. 

“‘It was to keep us from gaining a natural capacity to resist the virus so that they could wait until the injection came along so the injection could be deployed and experimented upon us and thereby get all the credit for having solved the issue,’ he explained… Multiple sources have confirmed this without a shadow of a doubt in their mind that that was the real purpose of the school closures, the business shutdowns, stay-at-home orders, the travel restrictions, everything – to delay the point at which we would have essentially solved the problem through natural exposure and immune upgrades.’”

Tucker stated that it sounds like a “wild conspiracy theory. But it’s the truth.” Frankly, in light of what has transpired, it sounds VERY believable. 

Fauci and Lauterbach

On July 28, the Berliner Zeitung published an article with the following headline and introduction:

“Fauci’s secret diary: ‘Important Zoom meeting with Karl Lauterbach.’ Secret vaccine coordination… Karl Lauterbach appears in the diary of immunologist Anthony Fauci.”

The article goes on to state:

“In the recently released secret diary of US coronavirus chief Anthony Fauci, an interested reader from Germany might be surprised to come across a familiar name: Former Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach had ‘by now become something of a friend’ to Anthony Fauci, the American immunologist wrote in his diary on December 8, 2022…. Lauterbach features quite prominently in Fauci’s notes… Lauterbach frequently sought the advice of the ‘Corona Pope’ [regarding the vaccination campaigns].”

This is by no means “surprising.” It has long been known that Lauterbach followed Fauci’s “wisdom” in his disastrous vaccination measures and his often unlawful efforts to combat the coronavirus. Consequently, Lauterbach should also be held accountable.

Applications For Conscientious Objection More Than Double

Kettner-Edelmetalle wrote on August 13:

“The figures are clear—and uncomfortable for the federal government. By July 31, 2026, the Federal Office of Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions in Cologne had received 8,302 applications for conscientious objection. That is more than twice as many in seven months as in the entire year of 2025, when the agency recorded 3,879 applications. This surge was evidently triggered by the new military service system that came into effect on January 1, 2026. Since then, every young German has received mail from the Bundeswehr shortly after their 18th birthday…

“Anyone who attributes these figures merely to the youth’s desire for an easy life is oversimplifying the issue. From our editorial team’s perspective, this mountain of applications reveals one thing above all: a profound loss of trust in the political leadership… The debate surrounding conscription assessments and conscientious objection is a symptom of broader uncertainty. The security situation, national debt, energy prices, migration…”

The “Firewall” Only Benefits the AfD

Die Welt wrote on August 18:

“A report by the British magazine ‘The Economist’ ahead of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt [on September 6] states that the ‘firewall’ has primarily benefited the AfD…

“The ‘Economist’s assessment prior to the election: Friedrich Merz—now Chancellor—had pledged in 2018 to cut the AfD’s support in half. Since then, however, support for the party has doubled, while the CDU is approaching record lows. ‘Irregular migration has dropped sharply, yet the AfD has simply shifted further to the right.’ It now rails against ‘culturally alien workers’…

“‘The Economist’ identifies the AfD itself as the greatest beneficiary of the firewall. AfD Bundestag member Torben Braga told the publication that the firewall protects his party from having to grapple with very difficult questions—a view the magazine explicitly shares. Political scientist Christian Stecker of Darmstadt adds that, behind the firewall, the AfD can promise anything; it shields the party from the disappointment that comes with the responsibility of governing in a democracy.

“The magazine outlines tricky scenarios for election day on September 6: If the AfD narrowly misses an absolute majority, the CDU would likely need the support of all other parties, including The Left… If the AfD remained excluded from power despite holding twice as many seats as the CDU, it would not just be its supporters asking whether German democracy is functioning, ‘The Economist’ continues…

“The magazine sees no clear path forward for the right way to deal with the AfD… Some things will collapse, new things will emerge—and we do not know what it will all look like in the end.”

Does the AfD Want to Abolish Christmas?

Focus wrote on August 13:

“State Minister for Culture Wolfram Weimer sharply criticizes the AfD and its understanding of German culture in an interview. He points out that some within the party even want to abolish Christmas.

“‘What the AfD understands by “German thinking” is particularly alarming. I see a blatant, narrow-minded nationalism there, a resurgence of the mindset from dark times…. At the last AfD party conference, there was this motion… from the state capital to abolish Christian holidays and introduce Germanic holidays instead. They seriously propose celebrating the Yule festival and the winter solstice instead.’”

Hitler tried to do that, too. Read our free booklet, “Europe in Prophecy.”

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 the contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing to worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

When we read about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, one word stands out in particular: longsuffering. It has affected many within the Church of God, and it is something we must understand correctly. God has the power to fulfill all things, and long suffering requires ongoing patience. Patience and longsuffering go hand in hand.    

Longsuffering means having patience in spite of troubles. It requires ongoing patience to wait faithfully for Christ’s return, even though we do not know exactly when that will be. In the meantime, we face trials, live in a world filled with hate and violence, and struggle to live God’s Way of Life. In this day and age, we have been called out of this world for a reason—to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and to prepare mankind for Christ’s Second Coming—and we have been given God’s knowledge and power to apply this in our lives. When we suffer from sickness, for example, we must pray continually for God’s healing and trust Him to answer in His time. We must believe that God will fulfill His promise to heal us and to continue to use us in His service, even though He might not intervene right away. 

Christ endured longsuffering during His life on earth to fulfill His mission, which included saving us from death. He lived as a human being, preached the Gospel, and sacrificed Himself for all mankind so that we may live and receive forgiveness of sins. He knew He would face a horrible death, yet He remained obedient to God the Father. He asked that the cup pass from Him three times, even though He knew that this was not possible. And so, He submitted to God’s Will for our sake (compare Matthew 26:39-44). 

God the Father and Jesus Christ are patient, merciful, and longsuffering, as the Bible shows in many places (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalms 86:15). We read in 2 Peter 3:14-15: “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you.” 

We also read in 2 Peter 3:9: 

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Also, let’s notice Romans 2:4: “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

We know that God the Father and Christ are longsuffering with us, because we sin at times and yet God still gives us life and mercy. Jesus Christ was the God of the Old Testament, dealing directly and personally with the people, but He acted on behalf of the Father, being totally unified with Him, His Will and His mindset. That is why we read that God is “one.”  However, God’s longsuffering is not endless. He gave people many chances to repent and live His Way, but when disobedience and disregard for the Truth continued, there came a point when His longsuffering ended (Genesis 6:5-12). It was not because of His gentleness or kindness that destroyed mankind, but man’s own corrupt and carnal behavior led to their destruction. We see similar attitudes in society today, and it will only grow worse until Christ returns and stops the total destruction of this world.

Israel endured longsuffering while enslaved in Egypt, waiting for the day when they would be freed. They would be blessed if they agreed to keep God’s Law (Exodus 19:1, 3-8). God also endured longsuffering with the Israelites, but it eventually came to an end when He removed the inheritance He had given them after they repeatedly defied His righteous rule. They had agreed to keep God’s Law, and they knew that disobedience would bring curses and eventually exile from the land God had given them as a blessing (Deuteronomy 28).

This was a strong warning for the Israelites, and it is a warning for us today. If only they had stopped sinning and repented, events would have unfolded differently. God was still patient with them, but after several hundred years of rebellion and repeated efforts to turn them back to the right path, He finally drove Israel out of their inheritance through the king of Assyria (2 Kings 17:5-18).

Israel was not the only nation to reject God’s commandments; Judah followed their example as well (2 Kings 17:19). Eventually, God also removed them from the land through the king of Babylon (2 Kings 24:1-4). The two main reasons for their captivity was Sabbath-breaking and idolatry. We must be careful not to fall into the trap of this world, thinking it is acceptable to keep pagan practices and traditions because “everyone else is doing it.” That attitude is dangerous, and those who once knew the Truth but returned to the world, by, for example, forsaking the Sabbath and the Holy Days and keeping instead Christmas or Easter, will face a sobering awakening when they cry out to God: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Saul is a warning example of a man who seemed to have everything going for him until pride took hold and he began to fear men more than God, losing his humility and trust (1 Samuel 15:17-25). As a result, God rejected him (compare verse 26). God withdrew His mercy, took the kingdom from him, withdrew His Spirit, and allowed an evil spirit to trouble him, which led him farther and farther from righteousness and ultimately to his death (1 Samuel 15:28; 16:14; 22:16-19; 31:1-6). This is a serious warning: God gave him a chance, and he failed. We must make sure that the same does not happen to us. 

At that time, God’s longsuffering had ended for Israel, Judah, and certain individuals like Saul. But there is still hope: In the future, mankind will have a chance to obey God and live His Way. This would include ancient Israel and Judah, but not King Saul, who committed the unpardonable sin. This process of universal salvation for most people will begin with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and God’s rule over the earth, as it is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

Those who endure to the end will experience in the first resurrection what is described in Revelation 20:4-6. The old things will be forgotten, because God will make all things new again (Revelation 21:4, 7-8). Those who think God’s commandments have been done away with are mistaken; Jesus says in the last chapter of the Book of Revelation that God’s Law still stands: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14). 

Our longsuffering will come to an end, just as God’s longsuffering for mankind will come to an end, and everyone who did not commit the unpardonable sin will have the chance to live a perfect life and receive God’s reward, as we read in verse 12:“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

Do we understand why we suffer? How could we become perfect or grow in knowledge if we never went through trials? Each of us face different struggles in life, often in the areas that affect us most. We will continue to endure suffering until Christ returns, because these experiences help train us to become perfect and immortal beings prepared to share God’s righteousness in the future. Christ also suffered on earth for our sake, giving mankind the opportunity to become part of God’s Family, and we have that first opportunity now. Christ understands what we go through, and Peter reminds us that we are blessed in our sufferings and that we suffer for God’s glory (1 Peter 3:14, 17; 4:12-19).

We need to look at the bigger picture and understand that with God’s help, nothing we face is too difficult to overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). God knows what we are going through, and He will bless and take care of us if we put our faith and trust in Him.  Our longsuffering will soon come to an end and give way to the peace, restoration, and the joy of God’s Kingdom.

Lead Writer: Michael Link

Compiled by Norbert Link

“Will Putin Attack NATO?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. 

Here is the summary:

As with Putin’s back against the wall, many are afraid of such an action. And the fears extend beyond just one city in a neighboring NATO country… they are much more comprehensive. Mass murderer and war criminal Putin has uttered such threats for a long time. Then there is dictatorial China which might work with Russia to launch a coordinated simultaneous attack on opposite sides of the planet. What would Trump do? Would he want to get involved in a three-front war? Trump’s back is against the wall too, and his frustrations, irrational illusions, violent threats and aggressive actions are increasingly spiraling out of control. What does Bible prophecy tell us?

“Wird Putin die NATO angreifen?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

Frank Bruno’s sermonette has been posted, titled, “Atomic August.” 

Here is a summary:

On August 6, and August 9, 1945, the US dropped atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. While political and military pundits around the world have opinions as to the reasons and the responsibility for the bombings, true Christians understand that we must never justify the savagery that preceded the attacks, nor the acts themselves. In this Sermonette we will consider various scriptures that make clear how God sees such actions.

Eric Rank’s sermon has been posted, titled, “Give Your Concerns to God.” 

Here is a summary:

God is in control, and for that we can be relieved. Our circumstances and the outcomes in our lives are a result of His will for us. When we have problems or concerns that weigh us down, we can be reassured that we have God on our side. He loves us and will work things out for our best interest, even if we might not understand what He is doing. By trusting in this process designed by God, we can release the burden of worry and concern, giving it all to God to carry the load.

Norbert Link’s German sermon for this Sabbath has been posted. It is titled, “Wieso werden Simson, Gideon und Jeftha im Reich Gottes sein?“ (“Why Will Samson, Gideon and Jephthah Be in God’s Kingdom?”)

Dmitrij Niemann first German split sermon has been posted, titled, “Das Leben in vollen Zügen geniessen” (“Enjoying Life to the Fullest.”)

Daniel Blasinger’s second German split sermon has been posted, titled, “Gebrauchsanweisung” (“Manual”)