The Update

On this Sabbath, Daniel Blasinger will give the sermonette, titled, “Between the Lines—Elijah and the Prophets of Baal”, and Norbert Link will give the sermon, titled, “Does God Answer Your Prayers?”

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.

It is truly astonishing how timely and apt Solomon’s words are in our present day. What he wrote a millennia ago finds an alarming confirmation today in many countries around the world: “A king establishes the land by justice, but one who imposes heavy taxes brings it to ruin” (Proverbs 29:4; Lutherbible 1984).

Some other English translations have it this way:

“A king gives stability to a country by justice, but one who overtaxes it brings it to ruin“ (Complete Jewish Bible 1998).”

“A king gives stability to the land by justice, but one who imposes heavy taxes tears it down” (Common English Bible).”

Today, ever-higher taxes and fees are being demanded. People are being literally squeezed dry until they have hardly anything left to live on. Thus, creeping expropriation is taking place! More and more is being taken out of their pockets. And eventually, they often have no choice but to sell their belongings.

Some pensioners, especially here in Germany, who must even pay taxes on their retirement benefits and also cover their own health insurance costs, can barely afford to simply stop by a bistro for a cup of coffee.

Drivers around the world are also being asked to pay more and more at gas stations. At the same time, there has been repeated talk that numerous factories in the German automotive industry are facing closure. While parts of the car industry are under enormous economic pressure, the defense industry is benefiting from political and economic developments by increasingly shifting parts of its production toward military goods.

As a result, stock prices in the defense sector are rising—in some cases significantly—and those who already possess great wealth can further increase their riches.

The real estate market, too, has long since become a purely commercial venture, with large investors buying up vast amounts of housing to rent it out as profitably as possible. At the same time, the cost of living continues to rise, and many people are desperately trying to make the most of their financial resources, working increasingly long hours and seeking additional sources of income just to maintain their standard of living at all. The gap between rich and poor continues to widen; the poor are getting poorer, and misery is on the rise.

This frightens many, and one might ask: What are we actually working for our whole lives? In the end, what really remains of all that we work so hard for? And what value do these earthly treasures still have when we one day stand before God? What did Christ tell us in light of all these developments?

Christ said: “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23). And furthermore: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).

But what is truly so valuable to us?

If our greatest treasure consists of money, possessions, a house, cars, recognition, or power in this world, then our heart is bound to these things, and we are serving the devil.

But if our treasure is God—His truth, His righteousness, His love, and the coming Kingdom of God—then we direct our lives toward something so magnificent that it cannot be compared to this present life. Patience, gentleness, self-control, faithfulness, mercy, and above all, love are qualities that are essential to God’s Kingdom.

When we stand before God one day, will He ask us how much gold, silver, real estate, and possessions we have accumulated on this earth? Or rather, will what matters most be what we have done with our lives, our faith, our love, and what He has entrusted to us? (Galatians 5:21)

(Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger)

By Norbert Link

While the USA is concentrating almost exclusively on its ugly midterm elections, we point out that further confrontations with Iran are on the horizon, and that there is no end of the Russia-Ukraine war in sight. Europeans object to the proposal of an associate member status of Canada; America’s addiction to war is highlighted; and so is the danger of the Muslim Brotherhood.

We are addressing the in partly violent demonstrations in Germany; and the turmoil in Poland.

You Can’t Vote For Either Party

Ron Paul wrote on November 2, 2026 in the Ron Paul Institute:

“Republicans Deserve to Lose, but Democrats Do Not Deserve to Win….

“The Trump-era Republican record of debt and war makes Republicans, with few exceptions, unworthy of support… Some Democratic candidates are openly socialist. Others who do not call themselves socialist do advocate socialist policies… A choice between the Republicans’ corporatism and the Democrats’ socialism is a sad choice…”

In fact, it’s no choice at all. True Christians are NOT to vote in governmental elections.

Wild rumors are being circulated in the likely event that Trump and the Republicans will lose in the midterm elections, after his recent rallies have been, for the most part, complete failures. Some claim that Trump will flee the country to avoid criminal prosecutions (an unlikely scenario); others claim that he will even become more aggressive and rule by executive orders, thereby circumventing Congress (which he has been doing anyway…a very likely scenario). In that case, his animosity towards Europe will only increase.

Democrats Take Over House and the Senate

“The New York Post wrote on October 3:

“A blue tsunami delivered Democrats the House of Representatives and the Senate Tuesday night, sweeping away once-safe Republican seats and unleashing immediate finger-pointing and preparations for fights with Congress. A historic series of defeats, including Democrats flipping Senate seats in Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas — with equally staggering results in House races — positioning New Yorkers Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries to lead the Senate and House…. Many of the president’s allies blamed the Iran war which caused higher energy prices, inflation and interest rates, while the White House blamed ‘candidate quality,’ even though many Republican candidates were hand-picked by Trump…

‘I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!’ he posted late Tuesday — despite telling Republicans in Iowa at a rally less than two weeks ago to ‘pretend I’m on the ballot.’”

Trump Under Pressure

Bild Online wrote on November 4:

“Majority in both chambers of the US Congress gone!…

“A really bitter night for Donald Trump (80)! The US President is losing a good part of his power. Result of the US midterm elections: His Republicans lose their majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, in both chambers of the US Congress the power is gone! The last time this happened was with George W. Bush Jr. in 2006.

“And the current US President is furious! On social media he writes: ‘I wasn’t on the ballot, and if I were, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!’ And he threatens to govern around Congress, posting a red baseball cap with the word: ‘VETO’. With a veto, the US President can block laws from Congress – and apparently Trump plans to do just that…

“The biggest shock for Trump’s Republicans comes from Texas. There, Democrat James Talarico (37) wins the race for the U.S. Senate against Republican Ken Paxton. Trump had supported Paxton. And even the governor’s seat for the Republicans is gone! The new governor will be Gina Hinojosa (52), a woman with Hispanic roots. A first in the Southern state! It’s kind of like if the CSU lost in Bavaria. Even in the 2024 presidential election, Trump carried the state 56 to 43 percent.

“Another striking example: the Kansas sensation! In this Republican stronghold, Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton wins, taking the Senate seat for the Democrats for the first time since 1932 (!).

“Besides Texas, the governor’s offices in Georgia, Ohio, and Iowa also go to the Democrats…”

Stock Market Crash

The Financial Times wrote on November 5:

“US tech stocks tumbled on Thursday in chaotic trading on worries that Democrats’ sweeping victories in midterm races across the US will herald a slowdown in the AI boom.”

Estimates place the single-day loss between $1.3 trillion and $1.8 trillion.

Could Netanyahu Attack Iran Now?

Financial Review wrote on October 30:

“Tuesday’s election ending in a stalemate and Israel facing weeks of tortuous negotiations between legislators to cobble together a governing coalition, Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister…

“Danny Citrinowicz, a former Iran analyst with Israeli military intelligence now attached to the Institute for National Security Studies, said Netanyahu had an incentive to go to war. ‘Netanyahu may have lost his parliamentary majority, but he retains the legal authority to launch another military campaign while serving as caretaker prime minister,’ Citrinowicz said on X.

“‘The IDF may have reservations about initiating another war, but ultimately the political leadership makes the decisions. The concern is that renewed escalation with Iran could also serve Netanyahu’s political interests by creating the conditions for a national unity government under his leadership. And we should not assume another war would be short or decisive. Iran will retaliate, and there is little reason to believe additional strikes will force Tehran to surrender its strategic assets…’

“Netanyahu can’t go it alone. He needs the backing of the American war machine, especially in light of Iran’s ability to strike back with missile and drone attacks. But both Netanyahu and Trump are in weakened states… Iran has blown apart Trump’s two central election tenets: keeping fuel prices low and American soldiers out of foreign wars….

“But in recent weeks, America has begun again to build up its armed forces in the Middle East. A Patriot missile battery to shoot down Iranian warheads was moved to Israel this week, while a third aircraft carrier strike group and amphibious landing ships with 2000 marines are steaming towards the region. On Thursday, America’s top military commander for the Middle East, Admiral Brad Cooper, gave Trump and other senior officials a rare in-person briefing on potential targets against the regime, expected to focus on nuclear facilities. Gulf allies have also been briefed to brace for retaliatory strikes from Iran if the US and Israel renew hostilities.”

Trump Announces Early End to US Military Aid for Israel

ntv wrote on November 3:

“According to President Donald Trump, the US is ending a multi-billion dollar ten-year program to support Israel’s security at the end of the year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ‘on board’ with the move, aimed at stopping years of ‘waste’ of funds, Trump said in a phone interview with Fox News. He added, ‘We will help Israel if they need it.’

“Trump said he had already agreed with Netanyahu to stop the financial aid ‘months ago.’ ‘Israel is our number one. We give them more money than anyone else, and they don’t need it anymore’…

“The Israeli news portal ynet reported that Israel’s Finance Ministry was surprised by Trump’s announcement. If the aid is actually stopped at the end of the year, it would be two years earlier than planned, the portal wrote… ‘Giving up two years of military aid basically means eight billion dollars. Where are we supposed to get this money from? Quite clearly: from taxpayers.'”

Who’s lying again now?

Iran Threatens Germany

MSN wrote on October 31:

“Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has openly threatened German Chancellor Friedrich Merz—and all of Europe—with a ‘devastating blow.’ On the platform X, Tehran’s chief diplomat responded to remarks made by Merz during a visit to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. In his address, the Chancellor had estimated the economic consequences for Europe resulting from the war involving Iran—which has been ongoing since the end of February—at more than 100 billion euros. Araghchi seized upon this figure directly: ‘100 billion euros is nothing compared to the devastating blow that Iran’s powerful armed forces will deal to those who dare to inflict harm upon our people.’ So-called ‘red lines’ no longer exist, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated…

“Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia added on X: Should U.S. President Donald Trump ‘embark once again on regional adventures,’ the ‘flames of war would undoubtedly engulf a far larger geographical area.’

“In addition to the Foreign Minister, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, also spoke out using harsh language. According to a statement, he told high-ranking military commanders that any threat must be met with ‘an immediate, effective, and geographically unrestricted response.’ Should the enemy attack Iran, Tehran would determine when and under what conditions the war would end. Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father, Ali Khamenei, who had led the Islamic Republic since 1989. The long-serving religious leader lost his life on February 28—the first day of the war. Since then, his son has not appeared in public, nor have any audio or video recordings of him surfaced.”

Trump’s Support of Russia Obvious

AFP wrote on October 30:

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio opened talks Friday with G20 counterparts including Russia’s Sergei Lavrov, in meetings set to be fractious as wars in Ukraine and Iran, alongside surging energy costs, fan discord.

“The foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, takes place just days before crucial U.S. midterm elections, setting the stage for a December G20 leaders’ summit in Miami at President Donald Trump’s Doral resort. But ongoing conflicts have deepened rifts… Already, a traditional family photo [with Russia’s Sergei Lavrov] planned for Friday morning was called off shortly before the two-day meeting started…

“Russia has been shunned by most of the West after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and Lavrov himself remains under international sanctions… Meanwhile, the possibility of further escalation in the Middle East is mounting… Washington has welcomed Russian officials to this year’s G20 events — while excluding member South Africa — and Trump has invited his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to Miami in December…”

Uproar at the G20 Summit

ORF.at reported on October 30:

“A meeting of G20 foreign ministers yesterday was overshadowed by deep divisions stemming from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. While U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on participants in Atlanta to increase cooperation, the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov caused significant tension. In protest against Lavrov’s attendance, the ministers opted against the traditional group photo. According to a Western diplomat, one-third of the participating nations—including Australia and Canada—had opposed being in a photo with Lavrov. A U.S. official stated that the State Department removed the photo from the agenda to avoid a spectacle or a distraction…

“The European G20 members support Ukraine and oppose recent decisions made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Russia—specifically, an agreement to purchase diesel and the suspension of certain sanctions. On the sidelines of the meeting, Lavrov remarked that there had been no easing of tensions in the relationship between Russia and the U.S., and that the sanctions remain in place. ‘One should harbor no illusions regarding the diesel deal,’ Lavrov said.

“Regarding the talks between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia—hinted at by the Kremlin to take place in Abu Dhabi in mid-November, aimed at resuming discussions on a potential peace settlement (which had been stalled for months)—Lavrov criticized the Europeans, stating: ‘They are attempting to interfere in the peace negotiation process in Ukraine.’

“For her part, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas accused the Russian Foreign Minister of spreading lies about the war in Ukraine: ‘Naturally, he presented many lies, many false representations, which we subsequently refuted.’” …could,’ she told the news agency AFP. Lavrov also showed no sign of any willingness on Moscow’s part to engage in peace negotiations.”

Ukraine Defies Trump

The Guardian wrote on November 1:

“Ukraine has resumed its attacks on Russian oil refineries in defiance of pressure from Donald Trump ahead of the US midterm elections, as a ceasefire in the occupied town of Oleshky ended on Sunday night. Russian state media said on Sunday Ukrainian long-range drones had set fire to the Kstovo refinery in Nizhny Novgorod oblast overnight, soon after a major strike against another big refinery in Samara oblast, owned by the Russian state energy giant Rosneft….

“Ukrainian officials… told the Kyiv Independent newspaper that they never agreed to a demand from Jared Kushner, the US president’s son-in-law, to pause refinery strikes for 30 days. The raids on Russia restarted on Friday, Kremlin officials said, complaining that Kyiv was now ‘simply ignoring’ US wishes…. The latest attacks came before a six-day local ceasefire brokered by the US first lady, Melania Trump, came to an end in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky. Hundreds of residents were reunited with their loved ones over the weekend in northern Ukraine, with both sides hailing the evacuation mission as a success…

“Trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the US are likely to take place later this month, and Kremlin officials said on Sunday that Vladimir Putin was willing to talk directly to Zelenskyy by phone. They added that European leaders who support Ukraine should not be involved in any such call. There is little prospect of a wider breakthrough, however, as the Russian president’s maximalist demands remain unchanged. He is insisting that Ukraine give up all of the eastern Donetsk oblast – which Russia has been unable to seize since 2014 – as well as further territory in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces, which the Kremlin does not control but says it has ‘annexed.’”

Europeans Object to Von Der Leyen’s Plan Regarding Canada

Deutsche Welle wrote on October 29:

“European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to give Canada a special status within the EU. But Germany and other member states have raised objections ahead of a summit in Montreal. European Union member states are ready to block a proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to grant Canada a special status as an ‘associate member’ of the bloc.

“German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and several other EU leaders [including France and Italy] pushed to remove the term from a draft declaration ahead of a two-day EU-Canada summit…  Instead, the revised document calls for a plan to establish ‘closer ties’ between Canada and the EU without membership.”

No Associate Member, but “Ill-Defined “Alliance”

Courthouse News Service added on October 30:

“After two days of talks in Montreal, the 21st European Union and Canada Summit concluded on Friday with the creation of the Alliance for the Future… The process of joining the EU usually takes years… Admitting Canada quickly could go against those established procedures….

“The disagreement highlights the complexity of the European Union. With 27 member states and many governing bodies, there are different views about Canada’s place in the bloc…

“A statement from his office on Friday alluded to Canada possibly ‘becoming the European Union’s first associate member.’ But that term was noticeably absent from Friday’s joint statement, with CBC News reporting it was point of contention…

“In September, Trump threatened to impose more tariffs if Canada were to get EU associate member status, saying it would be a ‘hostile act.’ But the White House — now apparently distracted by midterm elections — has not yet reacted to the latest developments.”

America’s Deadly Addiction to War

Judge Andrew Napolitano wrote on October 29 in the Ron Paul Institute:

“America has a deadly addiction to war. Since 1950, presidents of both political parties have sent American troops into conflicts across the globe, killed countless people, sacrificed the lives and limbs of American servicemen and women, and wasted trillions of dollars. Yet these wars have consistently failed to achieve the objectives proclaimed when the killing began. Enemies are replaced by new enemies, dictators give way to new dictators, and supposedly decisive victories become endless occupations. The beneficiaries are the military-industrial complex, the intelligence agencies and the politicians who confuse the exercise of power with the achievement of peace…

“The pattern is familiar. The government tells the public that a foreign adversary threatens our existence, that diplomacy has failed and that military action will be limited, necessary and successful. Then the bombs fall, the casualties mount and the mission changes. What began as a narrowly defined operation becomes a wider war, regime change, counterinsurgency or an open-ended commitment to demonstrate American domination…

“Americans were told that Vietnam was essential to containing communism, that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, that Afghanistan was a necessary campaign against terrorism, that Iran could ‘take out’ Los Angeles…

“… since 1950, American presidents have repeatedly committed American forces to major conflicts without formal declarations of war. Korea, Vietnam, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Ukraine, Iran and numerous other military operations have proceeded under various presidential theories of authority, vague congressional resolutions and claims of inherent executive power…

“The intelligence agencies compound the problem. The CIA has conducted covert operations, fomented coups, participated in foreign interventions and murdered and tortured in ways that escape public scrutiny… The military-industrial complex benefits. Intelligence agencies expand their influence. Defense contractors receive lucrative government contracts. Politicians posture as guardians of national security. Meanwhile, ordinary Americans pay the bills through taxes, inflation, mounting debt and the opportunity costs of spending money on destruction rather than productive activity at home; and our civil liberties are curtailed…

“The most dangerous enemy of American security is not a foreign power. It is our own government’s inability to recognize that the power to wage war is not an unlimited license to rule the world…”

The Danger of the Muslim Brotherhood

Report 24 wrote on October 30:

“On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. issued a stark warning regarding the danger posed by the Muslim Brotherhood…

“In Germany and Austria, ‘political Islam’ is a welcome partner to the ruling parties. Muslim spokespersons are courted as partners, and Muslims themselves are wooed as potential voters. The Muslim Brotherhood—one of the most active and powerful proponents of ‘political Islam’—is active in both countries, pursuing its long-term goal: the seizure of power by Islam. This is because traditional Islam, according to its own scriptures, is inherently political. As a totalitarian ideology, it strives for absolute power over every aspect of the lives of those subject to it…

“Kennedy explained that criticizing the Muslim Brotherhood does not constitute Islamophobia. The organization, founded in 1928, has developed a highly dangerous new ideology. Kennedy stated: ‘There are 500 million Arabs in the world, yet they produce no science. They win no Nobel Prizes, no Fields Medals, no Wolf Prizes. They produce no literature.’ He argued that science and culture have been ‘destroyed by the Muslim Brotherhood.’ The Brotherhood, he claimed, has ‘created stagnant societies that essentially produce two things: hatred, war, and a victim mentality.’ It has destroyed these societies…

“The worst victims are the ‘Palestinians’ and the populations in countries that the Brotherhood has already taken over. At the core of their ‘toxic ideology’ lies ‘hatred of Jews, of America, and of Western civilization as a whole.’ Their goal is to destroy democracy and implement Sharia law, under which a caliphate would serve as the sole, legitimate form of governance.

“The U.S. is not alone in facing the problem of Islamic infiltration; in Western European nations, this process is already much further advanced. Both the German Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Austrian state security services have issued clear warnings regarding the infiltration of society by ‘legalistic Islam’ and the Muslim Brotherhood. Yet, governments refuse to acknowledge the danger—and should any politician dare to speak as plainly as Kennedy Jr. has, they would immediately be accused of ‘Islamophobia’ and ‘racism.’ An ordinary citizen, meanwhile, would face prosecution by a politicized judiciary for ‘hate speech’ or ‘incitement.’

“However, the refusal to call the enemy by its name makes it impossible to combat that enemy. The consequences are currently visible on the streets of Europe, where leftists and Muslim migrants are staging what amounts to an insurrection…”

Radicals Infiltrate Demonstrations

Nius wrote on October 30:

“The initiative ‘Gen Z regelt’ [Gen Z Takes Charge] has called for a protest this Saturday. The youth initiative sees itself as a mouthpiece for its generation, demanding that the interests of young people be given greater consideration in politics… Crumbling schools, rising prices, military conscription, and climate protection: the ‘Gen Z regelt’ initiative is calling for more funding for education, healthcare, and social security.

“One topic stands out in particular: Palestine! While barely mentioned on the official website, it features prominently on Instagram. Several local chapters are sharing Palestinian flags…

“However, extremists are also involved in the mobilization efforts. The North Rhine-Westphalia Office for the Protection of the Constitution reports the presence of actors from the far-left and foreign-linked extremist spectrums…”

Anger and Panic

On October 30, Focus wrote:

“Under pressure and enraged by his critics, the President… brushes aside polls that document his unpopularity. Furthermore, he rails against unfavorable media reports, which deeply agitate him… a somber mood has taken hold in the White House: it is shaken by staff turnover, tensions between internal factions, and fear of what might happen next…

“Since his return, he has directed his Department of Justice to carry out a campaign of retribution against his perceived enemies. He has unleashed a federal crackdown on individuals lacking legal immigration status—an effort that has also ensnared U.S. citizens and, in some instances, led to fatal confrontations. He has continued to trample upon the ethical norms that have historically defined the presidency. And he still has two years left to go….”

Escalation in Poland

On October 30, Die Welt reported:

“In Poland, the power struggle between the government and the Constitutional Tribunal is escalating dramatically. On Friday, a large police force moved onto the premises of the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw. The opposition is calling it a coup d’état, while PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński has warned of the establishment of a police state. Meanwhile, President Karol Nawrocki has cut short a trip to Africa due to these events. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, for his part, has emphasized that the rule of law must be restored.

“The escalation was triggered by a dispute over the leadership of the Constitutional Tribunal. On Friday, a statement appeared on the Tribunal’s website announcing that the terms of Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski and his deputy, Bartłomiej Sochański, had been suspended for one month. The decision was reportedly issued by Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, who is currently tasked with overseeing the Tribunal’s administration. However, the incumbent leadership immediately rejected the statement. On the Constitutional Tribunal’s official X account, the incident was described as an unlawful takeover of the website, asserting that Święczkowski remains the President and Sochański his deputy. At the same time, Korwin-Piotrowska’s status as a constitutional judge was called into question. Those responsible for the publication were accused of carrying out a coup d’état. Simultaneously, a police operation took place at the Constitutional Tribunal, which the investigative authorities justified by citing a security alert.

“Behind this escalation lies a conflict that has been simmering for years regarding the composition of the Constitutional Tribunal. The right-wing conservative PiS party, which governed the country from 2015 to 2023, had filled the court with judges politically aligned with it. At the time, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) determined that the Polish Constitutional Tribunal could not be considered independent or impartial, citing serious flaws in the appointment process for its judges and its then-president. After Tusk’s center-left coalition took power following the 2023 parliamentary elections, the new government announced its intention to reverse the controversial changes the PiS administration had made to the judicial system.

“However, this process is moving at a sluggish pace. This is partly due to President Nawrocki—who is close to the PiS—repeatedly placing obstacles in the path of Tusk’s government. In recent months, for instance, Nawrocki refused to swear in five constitutional judges nominated by parliament. When these judges took their oath of office before parliament instead, the president of the Tribunal—who had been appointed during the PiS era—denied them access to the building…”

Witchcraft on the Rise

Daily Mail wrote on October 30:

“America’s Vice President [JD Vance] says the Antichrist may be walking among us. Witchcraft and the occult are ever more fashionable…

“When I was a child, we made very little of Halloween, but now the shops fill up with masks, witchy outfits, pumpkins and fake skeletons weeks in advance. The younger children go round from house to house demanding ‘trick or treat’ – but what is really weird, in the past decade especially, is that it is not just children who are celebrating. Men and women in their twenties and even thirties prepare for tonight’s festivities weeks in advance, making or buying costumes, kitting themselves out as vampires or Frankenstein’s monsters. What’s going on?…

“I suspect that part of the reason so many of all ages are increasingly welcome to it is the strange and growing phenomenon of the occult, of belief in the supernatural and the paranormal, in witchcraft and wizardry…

“There are many indications at the moment that extreme superstitions are gathering wide followings among large numbers of people…

“The occultist Aleister Crowley, who practised witchcraft, celebrated Satanic ‘Black Masses’ and dubbed himself the ‘Wickedest Man in the World’, lived in Cornwall in the years before the Second World War… And when I watch the parade and see the excited, sweaty faces reflecting the flares, why do I sometimes think of the Nazis’ Nuremberg rallies, whose torchlit processions were their climax?

“… Nazism, for all its perverted embrace of modern technology, was at heart deeply cultish and superstitious… Hitler was more than a dictator: he was a kind of wizard who had cast a spell over his people. And since human beings are so easily bewitched, who knows, in the troubled times to come, what political magician is now biding his time to beguile the millions of young people drinking up all this online poison in our new and darkening age?”

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.

In the final part of this series, we will look at the fact that God does not change, women in the Bible, and we will come to a conclusion based on the Word of God.

God does not change 

God does not change – and His Word doesn’t change.   That’s the way of the world. We had a Q&A some time ago entitled, “Does God Change”, where we reviewed a few examples where God DID change His mind and from these examples we saw that God did change but none of these changes involved alterations to His unalterable spiritual Law. 

Let us review 4 verses of Scripture that show that God doesn’t change irrespective of time:

In Hebrews 13:8, we read: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

In Malachi 3:6, we read the following: “For I am the LORD, I do not change;”

In 2 Timothy 3:16, we read: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

And John 17:17 states: “Sanctify them by Your truth.   Your word is truth.”

Sanctify means to set apart – and true Christians are set apart by the Truth – and God’s Word is Truth.   As we take the approach of the Bereans by searching the Scriptures, we will ensure that we find out what God’s Will is and subjugate our own human reasoning accordingly.   And that is the approach that God expects of His children.

We read in the Pulpit Commentary: “For I am the Lord, I change not; or, Jehovah, I change not. This is to show that God performs his promises, and effectually disposes of the allegation in Malachi 2:17, that he put no difference between the evil and the good. The great principles of right and wrong never alter; they are as everlasting as he who gave them (our emphasis). God here speaks of himself by his covenant name, which expresses his eternal independent being, “the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning’ (James 1:17).”

Women in the Bible

What about some of the women in the Bible?  

We do find that God did use some righteous women in the office of prophetess. 

First of all, let us look at Exodus 15:20-21:

^“Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.  And Miriam answered them: ‘Sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!’”

This gives the account of Miriam the prophetess leading the women out to dance and praise God in song.   But she is nowhere spoken of as having preached or having had any religious authority of any kind over men.   In fact, when Miriam and Aaron were critical of Moses (Numbers 12), Miriam became leprous and was shut out of the camp for seven days before being healed.   A prophetess she may have been but she wasn’t allowed to usurp Moses’s authority. Neither was his brother Aaron, a prophet, allowed to do this.

In Judges 4 and 5, we have an unusual situation in Israel.   This was a time when “there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes”.   Deborah, a prophetess judged Israel in those days.   It appeared that no man had the courage and leadership at that time and Deborah, being a prophetess and knowing God’s Will, reminded Barak, “Has not the LORD commanded?” And she proceeded to remind him – not command him – of what God had instructed should be done.  

We see in Judges 4:8-9 that Barak was a weakling: “And Barak said to her, ‘If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!’”  So she said, ‘I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.’ Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.”

Deborah herself, who was a righteous and God-fearing woman, had no desire to usurp man’s responsibility for leadership.   She later sang of this national tragedy as recorded in Judges 5:7:

“Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, Until I, Deborah, arose, Arose a mother in Israel.”   It was a time when the prevailing attitude in Israel was that everyone did that which was right in their own eyes.  In fact, pretty much like today.

As Deborah viewed herself as a “mother in Israel,” this particular statement can be profitable in helping us understand feminine leadership.   A godly woman who is both a wife and a mother submits to her husband, and yet, she can clearly be seen as an authority figure for her children.   She can lead, direct and teach them on a daily basis about God, and in Proverbs 1:8 we read: “My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother…”

If she is married, hers is a supportive role that complements that of her husband’s – but doesn’t usurp it. You can read more in our Q&A: “Why did God use Deborah in the leadership role as prophetess and judge to Israel, and why is this recorded in God’s Word?” 

In 2 Chronicles 34:22-28, we learn of Huldah the prophetess.   The king of Judah sent to Huldah to find out what God’s Will was.   But upon learning this, HE made the decision as to what should be done.

In the New Testament, in Luke 2:36-38, we read about Anna, a prophetess who was 84 years old – but there is no record of her ever having exercised religious authority over any men.

There are the four virgin daughters of Philip who are mentioned in Acts 21:8-12 but there is also no mention of them ever having any authority over men.  They were not ordained prophetesses, but they prophesied. The word prophesy can mean to “foretell for God” whether in the sense of a revelation of future happenings – or it can mean inspired preaching, and we see that the latter function was never exercised by women prophetesses who never held authority over the men or the congregation, but only spoke privately to convey a message from God. In fact, after the New Testament Church was founded, we do not read of any woman ordained to the “office” of prophetess.

We state the following in our free booklet, “The Keys to Happy Marriages and Families”:

“It is true that there were prophetesses in the Old Testament (Exodus 15:20; Judges 4:4), and it is also true that some women prophesied in New Testament times (Acts 21:9). There will come a time, when young women will prophesy again (Joel 2:28). These passages cannot be used, however, to justify women preaching in church, as Paul made it clear that this should not be permitted…

“Rienecker’s Lexikon zur Bibel points out, under ‘Women,’ ‘The relationship between man and woman, ordained by God, can also be seen in the role of service and function within the church. Women do prophecy (1 Corinthians 11:5; Acts 21:9), but only men are specifically referred to as prophets (v. 10). Paul does not allow the women to teach, that is, to fill the office of teacher in the church (1 Timothy 2:12). It is different when Apollos is introduced more fully, in a personal conversation with Aquila and Priscilla, to the teachings of God (Acts 18:26).’”

Women in the Old Testament were often shown as being wise counsellors to their husbands, and as mothers, were instrumental in training their children, many of whom grew up to be leaders.   Godly women served as leaders in a way that did not usurp their husband’s position but rather enhanced and supported the leadership role of men.

Women in the New Testament were among Christ’s earliest disciples and were treated respectfully – as they always should be.   They received the Holy Spirit along with men and were dedicated in their service to God.   But they did not exercise leadership nor were they to teach men in a ministerial role.

Today women preachers have taken unto themselves authority that is not rightfully theirs.   The Church of God has taught for decades that only men should be in the ministry and this is not anti-women but pro-Scripture.   We are to live by every Word of God – and that is the plain teaching of Scripture. 

CONCLUSION

We have covered, in this series, government in the Family of God, the human family and the Church of God.   We have also looked at instructions to the ministry, the culture of the time argument and women in the Bible.

This means that we have covered a number of different aspects that lead us, inexorably, to the conclusion that men and women have different roles and one of them is that the woman should not have authority over the man.   Now that can be uncomfortable for some women, many of whom will try and circumnavigate the clear Word of God on this matter, or ignore it altogether. 

In Isaiah 3:12 we read: “As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths. “

That seems like a pretty good description of today with children, in many cases, oppressing their elders – and women taking the lead.   Women’s lib and aggressive feminism have both fully played their part – but it was prophesied and so we shouldn’t be surprised!  

Romans 12:2 is very informative: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

The way that the world looks at things must not be our way – but the Will of God must be.  There are many roles that women can be involved with in the Church, and we do have deaconesses, helping out with all that has to be done in a Church setting. The only roles women cannot fill in the Church are ones that involve religious teaching or exercising authority over men.   

We have reviewed much in this series and return to the original assertion by an author who said that “The Scripture gives no indication if they were, men, women, or a combination of both.”  That is a flawed argument.  Even if we dismiss the listing of the seventy names who were sent out by Jesus “to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (compare Luke 9:2), we cannot dismiss the governmental structure in the Family of God, the Church of God and the human family which shows that leadership is necessary and who is to take responsibility for those tasks.  

Man was given that role and so it seems clear that the seventy that Jesus sent out were all men, and that no woman was ordained as a minister, let alone to the spiritual rank of Apostle. All the Scriptures quoted in this series inevitably must lead us to that conclusion.

Lead Writers: Brian Gale and Norbert Link

Compiled by Norbert Link

All English and German messages from last Sabbath have been posted.