On November 4, 2017, Norbert Link will present introductory comments, followed by the sermon, titled, “You Shall (Not) Desire! (Part 2).”

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.

Like many people in my generation, I spent a fair amount of time in my youth playing video games. The continuous challenge was a genuine source of fun. Most of the games I played had levels that needed to be completed, which increased with difficulty as progress was made in the game. The further I advanced, the more challenging it became. I recall many afternoons – probably too many – trying over and over again to finish a level and make it past the hard part in the game that challenged me at that moment. Being tenacious in my nature, I was able to succeed in several games. But, some were too hard and I was never able to overcome the obstacles standing in my way of finishing the level and proceeding to the next. For those games, I resigned myself to give up and move on.

While the consequences for giving up on the attempt to win a video game are insignificant, the same cannot be said for the Christian Way of Life. If the obstacles that we face cause us to turn away from God and our commitment to Christian living, we will be truly defeated. Giving up the Way of Christian life ends in the end of life that can never begin again.

When Jesus was consulted by a rich, young ruler about what he needed to do in order to inherit eternal life, the answer He gave became an obstacle. Even though the ruler had worked throughout his life to live in obedience to the law, he had more that was required of him. “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’ But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:21-22). This man allowed an obstacle to block his path towards salvation. His desire to continue indulging in worldly abundance prevented him from proceeding. As a result, he turned away defeated, unwilling at that time to overcome his problem.

It is the mission of a Christian to continuously grow in his or her spiritual development. It is unacceptable and unprofitable to God if we learn the Truth, but fail to make improvements in our lives. The knowledge of the Truth needs to be used! It provides guidance to us so we can become perfect in righteousness. We know that we will not actually become perfect until God glorifies us, but we are instructed to work towards the state of perfection until that time. Right now, our spiritual growth requires us to combine our efforts with the spiritual discernment, strength, and grace provided by the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. When we commit our lives to that goal, we will find ourselves progressing further and further.

If we choose to dedicate ourselves to overcoming obstacles that stand in the way of our spiritual development, we should expect to encounter new and different challenges along the way. This is evidence of our progress. Step by step, we learn how to commit ourselves ever more to righteousness, making our challenges of the past trivial by comparison. And since we all sin (compare Romans 5:12), there will always be more to overcome. However, if we become stagnant in our efforts, we put ourselves in danger.  Hebrews 6:1 obliges us to “go on to perfection”, compelling us to never stop our development. After providing this instruction, a dire warning is pronounced, informing the reader about the death that results from falling away from the Truth (compare Hebrews 6:4-8). A failure to make progress implies an unwillingness to earnestly continue in the way of righteousness, with a dreadful result.

Our commitment to follow in the path of righteousness cannot be hindered by obstacles that we encounter. The sins that we discover in our lives must not block us without a fight to overcome. With this enduring attitude, and with the help of the Holy Spirit provided by God the Father and Jesus Christ, God promises that we will succeed and advance to the next level.

by Norbert Link

In this issue, we concentrate on events in and pertaining to the USA, which show beyond a reasonable doubt that the USA is at the brink of total destruction. It has reached the point of no return, and is facing internal turmoil and “bankruptcy,” as well as the external threat of a nuclear attack. The irony is that the US leadership is not even considering and able to identify the future real enemy. At the same time, God has given the people of the USA and the UK the leadership they deserve. After all, God holds the people accountable for their many sins and transgressions and their unwillingness to change and to turn back to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob whom they have forgotten and whom they defy on a daily basis.

In this context, we speak on a catastrophe in North Korea and the coming European superpower and Germany’s ongoing struggle to form a viable and workable government; and we address the explosive situation regarding independence-seeking Catalonians, which has plunged Spain into the worst political crisis since the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

We conclude with articles showing the utmost confusion of orthodox Christians who do not seem to know anymore what and whom to believe. We especially address paganism and the curse of the demonical “festival” of Halloween, showing WHY God is so angry and FURIOUS with our “Christian” nations. In this regard, please view our new StandingWatch program, “Worshipping Satan on Halloween.” We also publish reports on the terror attack in New York on Halloween and attempts to politicize the action of a deranged and demonically influenced terrorist.

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

US To Be Wiped Out in a Nuclear War?

Sunday Express wrote on October 29:

“American Pastor Greg Laurie, of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, believes the US could be obliterated in a nuclear war before the end of the world begins. Pastor Laurie says the prophecy was revealed to him after he read the Bible and discovered there was no mention of a ‘reigning superpower’ in the end days, which he has interpreted as the US being destroyed imminently…

“As things stand, it would seem the nation most likely to attack the US with nuclear weapons would be North Korea. But as Pastor Laurie points out, there is no mention of Kim Jong-Un’s nation either – but it does talk about Iran which could assist North Korea by the Pastor’s reckoning…”

The Pastor is right that the USA will be destroyed in a nuclear war, according to the Bible, but he does not understand that it will not happen through either North Korea or Iran. Even though a nuclear war between the USA and North Korea is not unthinkable, America’s total destruction will occur through the United States of Europe which will launch a successful nuclear attack against the USA and the UK.

Catastrophe in North Korea

The Sun wrote on October 31:

“A TUNNEL at an underground North Korea nuclear site has collapsed with up to 200 people killed… The collapse happened at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the north-east of the country on October 10… The Punggye-ri test site in North Korea is carved deep into Mount Mantap… The disaster has prompted fears of a massive radioactive leak which could spark a Chernobyl- or Fukushima-style disaster…

“The accident is believed to have been caused by Kim Joing-un’s sixth nuclear test which weakened the mountain… It was reported earlier this year that the mountain under which the base is believed to be hidden was at risk of collapsing and leaking radiation into the region. Experts said if the peak crumbles, clouds of radioactive dust and gas would blanket the region…

“Geophysicist Wen Lianxing and his team at the University of Science and Technology of China… said they were ‘confident’ underground detonations were occurring underneath the mountain… Seismic data showed the underground test triggered an earthquake of magnitude 6.3, around ten times more powerful than the fifth test a year ago…

“News of the tunnel collapse comes after it emerged Russia and the US have both flown nuclear bombers near the country as tensions grow over Kim’s nuke threats.”

Obamacare, Trump and the Looming Disaster

Flipboard wrote on October 29:

“Peter Lee, Covered California’s executive director, told Business Insider in an interview that the Trump administration has thrown a wrench into insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act… Already, a study by healthcare consulting firm Avalere Health projected that premiums for the lowest cost silver-level plans on the Obamacare exchanges would increase by 34% in 2018. Benchmark silver plans, which are the second most expensive, went up by only 26% in 2017.

“Avalere said the increase was, in part, due to Trump’s elimination of so-called cost-sharing reduction payments… Lee cited several examples of how the Department of Health and Human Services helped to undermine the market… ‘This is now on President Trump, the healthcare market is not about President Obama anymore,’ Lee said. ‘They are the responsibility of this president, and they have to be owned by this president.’”

President Trump immediately tweeted that the Democrats are to be blamed for the horrendous increase in premiums. But no matter who is to be blamed, the American citizens are the ones who will suffer from the incompetency of the past and present leadership.

It is no coincidence that President Trump’s approval rate hit an all-time low of only 33%, which could also be in part due to the ongoing investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller who indicted two former Trump campaign officials and got a guilty plea from a lower campaign aide for lying to the FBI about his ongoing contacts with the Russians. Deutsche Welle commented on October 30: “But assuming, as the scholars tend to, that this is likely just the first major step in Mueller’s widening probe into Russian election meddling and possible ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow, then President Trump has reason to be worried.”

All of this is just another example as to how the country is heading towards a complete downfall. The next article adds more information about the disastrous prospects of a country beyond repair.

US Government Bankrupt… while Adding $200 Billion Dollars to the Debt in October Alone

Zerohedge wrote on October 30:

“There’s been something happening this month that very few people have noticed. It’s been lost beneath all the other headline-dominating news, from the Las Vegas shooting to Harvey Weinstein to the Mueller investigation. But very quietly behind the scenes there’s been an extremely rapid uptick in the US national debt. In the month of October alone, the US national debt has soared by nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars. This is pretty astonishing given that October is supposed to be a ‘good’ month for the US Treasury Department. Yet despite being flush with tax revenue, the US government still managed to pile almost a quarter of a trillion dollars more on top of its already enormous mountain of debt…

“The only realistic way out is for the US government to eventually capitulate… and default. This could mean selectively defaulting on holders of US debt (for example–the Chinese, Japanese, Federal Reserve, Social Security Trust Funds, etc.); one day Uncle Sam simply stops paying. Or it could mean defaulting on promises made to citizens, like providing a strong national defense, maintaining a stable currency, or paying out Social Security benefits as advertised. Each of these scenarios has its own particular consequences, ranging from steep inflation to a full-blown global financial crisis…”

It seems we are traveling on the Titanic without wanting to see the destructive iceberg.

Coming… European Superstate with an EU Army and One Chancellor for ALL of Europe

Express wrote on October 29:

“BRITAIN’S exit from the European Union has accelerated plans within Brussels to form a giant superstate with its own army, currency and shared rules, as well as a EU Chancellor of the Exchequer, it has been revealed.

“Hardcore Europhiles have plotted to create the new post of Chancellor for the 27 member states, despite all nations having dramatically different financial situations. The Chancellor would have the power to go into member states and make ‘structural reforms’ to their domestic budgets. The plans are revealed in a paper called The Future Of Europe which calls for EU expansion to include Serbia and Montenegro, an EU army by 2025 and an EU-wide work permit…

“Pro-Brexit Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said: ‘This is what many of us thought was the plan all along. Now we have the evidence.’

“Ukip MEP Nathan Gill told the Daily Mail: ‘These sweeping new developments, including the EU creating its own Chancellor as well as pushing ahead with plans for a continent-wide army, prove Brussels is hurtling at breakneck speed towards becoming a full superstate. We got out in the nick of time.’

“Pro-Remain Tory MP Anna Soubry told the paper: ‘Brussels can do these things more easily now we aren’t there to make the sensible case and work with those countries who also don’t want the EU to move in this direction.’

“Jo Leinen, a German MEP revealed this month the EU will form its army by offering to save country’s money, if they hand over part control of their military affairs. The MEP said the policy of national armies ‘cannot continue’ for much longer.”

There are more and more talks about creating an EU superstate; a European army; and now a Chancellor for all of Europe. They are truly blind who cannot see that all of this is in line with biblical end-time prophecy which reveals the final and last European revival of the ancient Roman Empire. It is THAT power which will ultimately destroy the USA and the UK… but both nations are totally ignorant about this prophesied future development. This is because God has given them the spirit of slumber.

Coalition Talks in Germany Are Dragging on… and on….

Deutsche Welle wrote on October 30:

“Four German political parties — the Christian Democrats, Christian Social Union, Free Democrats and Greens — are now in their third week of talks to form a government… Germany is now outside its political comfort zone.

“Although a coalition of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU), the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Greens has been run more or less successfully at the state level once before, the Jamaica coalition — so named because of the parties’ respective colors: black, yellow and green — has never been tried at the national level… As things stand, the list of agreements is significantly shorter than the list of disagreements…”

Even if there will be a Jamaica coalition, it won’t last long. Martin Schulz (SPD) already asked for new elections.

Trouble Ahead for Spain

AFP wrote on October 27:

“Spain was plunged into crisis Friday as Madrid seized power from independence-seeking Catalonia, the first curtailment of regional autonomy since the brutal dictatorship of Francisco Franco. After regional lawmakers voted to declare a Catalan ‘republic’, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy moved swiftly to dissolve the rebel government and parliament, and called December 21 elections to replace them.

“In an escalating standoff closely watched by secession-wary Europe, Rajoy fired pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont and all his ministers as well as the director of the regional police, and Catalan envoys to Madrid and Brussels, to halt what he termed an ‘escalation of disobedience.’ Secessionist lawmakers voted 70 to 10 in the 135-member parliament Friday to declare Catalonia ‘a republic in the form of an independent and sovereign state’. They take their mandate from the ‘Yes’ result in a banned and unregulated October 1 independence referendum spurned by many more than half of Catalan electors…

“The region of some 7.5 million people accounts for about 16 percent of Spain’s population, a fifth of its economic output, and attracts more tourists than anywhere else in the country. Catalonia´s inhabitants are fiercely protective of their language, culture and autonomy — restored after a long period of oppression during nationalist Franco´s 1936-1979 rule…

“The sweeping measures [by Spain] were approved by the Senate Friday under a constitutional article designed to rein in rebels among Spain’s 17 regions. Madrid’s allies in the European Union and the United States rallied behind Madrid as they voiced alarm over developments in Spain´s worst political crisis in decades… Polls show Catalans themselves are split, pretty much down the middle, on the issue of independence from Spain…

“The UN urged both sides Friday to ‘seek solutions within the framework of the Spanish constitution, and through established political and legal channels.’ But far-left groups have already threatened ‘massive civil disobedience’ if Madrid usurps Catalan autonomy…

“There are deep concerns over the economic impact of the showdown, with nearly 1,700 companies already having moved their legal headquarters out of Catalonia, which has an economic output equivalent to that of Portugal.”

Deutsche Welle reported on October 30:

“Former Catalonian regional leader Carles Puigdemont and five aides went to Brussels on Monday to meet with his lawyers… The revelation came as prosecutors in Madrid charged the 54-year-old and several associates with rebellion, sedition and embezzlement. Rebellion alone carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison… Spain is in the throes of its worst political crisis since the dictatorship of Francisco Franco…”

Deutsche Welle added on November 2:

“Spain’s public prosecutor has requested that an arrest warrant be issued for deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont. [Eight] Catalan ministers have been jailed for their role in the independence push.”

The powerful measures used by Spain which are endorsed by most of Europe is just a foretaste of the undemocratic and dictatorial way in which the United States of Europe will conduct their affairs in the future. Russia was rightly condemned for annexing the Crimea peninsula and getting involved in Ukrainian affairs, but why is Spain’s conduct any different? Note the next article.

Why Do Catalonians Want Independence from Spain?

The Telegraph wrote on October 10:

“Catalonia was an independent region of the Iberian Peninsula – modern day Spain and Portugal – with its own language, laws and customs. In 1150, the marriage of Petronilia, Queen of Aragon and Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona formed a dynasty leaving their son to inherit all territories concerning the region of Aragon and Catalonia. This lasted until the reign of King Philip V. The War of the Spanish Succession ended with the defeat of Valencia in 1707, of Catalonia in 1714, and finally with the last of the islands in 1715 – resulting in the birth of modern-day Spain.

“Subsequent kings tried to impose the Spanish language and laws on the region, but they abandoned their attempts in 1931 and restored the Generalitat (the national Catalan government). General Francisco Franco, however, set out to destroy Catalan separatism and with his victory at the Battle of Ebro in 1938 he took control of the region, killing 3,500 people and forcing many more into exile.

“The region was granted a degree of autonomy once more in 1977, when democracy returned to the country…

“The Catalan region… is one of the wealthiest regions of Spain… Secession would therefore cost Spain almost 20 [percent] of its economic output, and trigger a row about how Catalonia would return 52.5 billion euros of debt it owes to the country’s central administration.

“It would have a gross domestic product of $314 billion (£195bn)… which would make it the 34th largest economy in the world. That would make it bigger than Portugal or Hong Kong. Its GDP per capita would be $35,000, which would make it wealthier than South Korea, Israel or Italy. And Catalonia’s contribution to the Spanish economy is twice that of Scotland’s to the UK.”

So, it appears, it’s all about money and power.

No Apology for Balfour Declaration

Times of Israel wrote on November 2:

“British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday said she would ‘absolutely not’ apologize for the 1917 Balfour Declaration which paved the way for the establishment of the ‘most extraordinary’ State of Israel, while noting that the document’s vision of Jewish-Arab coexistence remained ‘unfinished business.’

“In a speech marking the centenary of the declaration, May was glowing in her praise of the Jewish state, describing it as a ‘true start-up nation’ and ‘a symbol of openness, as a thriving democracy; and a beacon to the world in upholding the rights of women and members of the LGBT community’…

“Signed on November 2, 1917 by the UK’s then foreign secretary, Arthur James Balfour, the declaration announced his government’s intention to establish ‘a national home for the Jewish people’ in the Land of Israel… In recent weeks, the Palestinians have vehemently protested the British government’s decision to mark the Balfour Declaration with pride, calling on London to apologize for the document and recognize a Palestinian state…

“In her address, the British prime minister… voiced support for a two-state solution, underlining that the Israelis and Palestinians would need to make compromises, on settlements and incitement, respectively…”

May also said that Israeli settlements were a “barrier” to peace.

Donald Trump and the Evangelicals at the Crossroad?

NPR wrote on October 29:

“When Donald Trump announced he would be running for president, he didn’t seem like the obvious candidate for evangelical voters, given his multiple divorces, use of crass language and one-time admission that he had never asked God for forgiveness. Nonetheless, he did manage to coalesce 81 percent of white evangelical voters behind him in November.

“Almost a year since Election Day, President Trump’s unlikely marriage with the religious right seems to have only strengthened, as seen at the Values Voter Summit earlier this month. Trump administration officials peppered the speaker list, and attendees praised the president as having been chosen by God to lead the country at this time…  many prominent faith leaders — including Liberty University’s Jerry Falwell Jr. and First Baptist Dallas’ Robert Jeffress — didn’t just endorse Trump, they gave him their most full-throated blessing and defense.

“But that fervent support from evangelicals may have come at a cost… There have been growing racial and generational divisions within the church… and Trump’s election seems to have brought some of those simmering tensions to the surface, putting evangelicalism at a potential crossroads.”

The mixture of religion and politics has always been a lethal potion.

Most Brits Reject Four of the Ten Commandments

Christian Post wrote on October 26:

“Most Britons believe that only six of the Ten Commandments are relevant today, and Christians are split over whether some, like the Commandment to not worship other gods, are essential to their faith… A YouGov research poll released on Wednesday found that 93 percent of Britons still find the Commandments against murder and stealing to be fundamental.

“Another 87 percent agreed that ‘you shall not bear false witness against other people’ is still relevant, along with 73 percent who agreed with the Commandment against adultery. Sixty-nine percent said that honoring one’s father and mother is important, along with 61 percent who said the same for not coveting other people’s possessions.

“But only 31 percent said that not worshiping idols is still essential, and 23 percent agreed with not using God’s name in vain. Only 20 percent agreed with not worshiping other gods, and only 19 percent said that keeping the Sabbath day holy is paramount.”

On top of that, we are certain that most of those who still believe in the sanctity of the Sabbath are confused about the identity of the day and may erroneously believe that they ought to observe Sunday, instead of the biblical seventh-day Sabbath.

Court Decision in the UK: You Must Not Post your Christian Views on Facebook

Christian Concern wrote on October 27:

“Felix Ngole was studying for an MA in Social Work at Sheffield university. In 2015 he made comments using his personal Facebook account on the story of the American registrar Kim Davis who was imprisoned after conscientiously refusing to register same-sex marriages. Felix expressed his Christian beliefs on the issue and argued that: ‘same sex marriage is a sin whether we like it or not. It is God’s words and man’s sentiments would not change His words’. He was asked where in the Bible it says that same-sex marriage is wrong, and he quoted various passages to demonstrate this.

“… Felix [was] subsequently removed from his course by a panel chaired by Professor Marsh, an LGBT rights campaigner. Felix, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, sought to challenge the university’s decision in a judicial review which was heard in the High Court over two days. The court ruled that the university acted lawfully in removing Felix from his course…

“The university held that it was not Felix’s views that were at issue, but his public posting of these views. They held that this expression of his views ‘may have caused offence to some individuals’…”

When will this ungodly nonsense of liberal and Bible-defying universities and judges stop?

Pope Francis—a Dilemma for the Catholic Church

The Guardian wrote on October 26:

“Pope Francis is one of the most hated men in the world today. Those who hate him most are not atheists, or protestants, or Muslims, but some of his own followers. Outside the church he is hugely popular as a figure of almost ostentatious modesty and humility.

“From the moment that Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio became pope in 2013, his gestures caught the world’s imagination: the new pope drove a Fiat, carried his own bags and settled his own bills in hotels; he asked, of gay people, ‘Who am I to judge?’ and washed the feet of Muslim women refugees. But within the church, Francis has provoked a ferocious backlash from conservatives who fear that this spirit will divide the church, and could even shatter it. This summer, one prominent English priest said to me: “We can’t wait for him to die. It’s unprintable what we say in private. Whenever two priests meet, they talk about how awful Bergoglio is…’

“This mixture of hatred and fear is common among the pope’s adversaries. Francis, the first non-European pope in modern times, and the first ever Jesuit pope, was elected as an outsider to the Vatican establishment, and expected to make enemies. But no one foresaw just how many he would make… To judge by the voting figures at the last worldwide meeting of bishops, almost a quarter of the college of Cardinals – the most senior clergy in the church – believe that the pope is flirting with heresy…

“The crunch point has come in a fight over his views on divorce. Breaking with centuries, if not millennia, of Catholic theory, Pope Francis has tried to encourage Catholic priests to give communion to some divorced and remarried couples, or to families where unmarried parents are cohabiting. His enemies are trying to force him to abandon and renounce this effort. Since he won’t, and has quietly persevered in the face of mounting discontent, they are now preparing for battle.

“Last year, one cardinal, backed by a few retired colleagues, raised the possibility of a formal declaration of heresy – the wilful rejection of an established doctrine of the church, a sin punishable by excommunication. Last month, 62 disaffected Catholics, including one retired bishop and a former head of the Vatican bank, published an open letter that accused Francis of seven specific counts of heretical teaching. To accuse a sitting pope of heresy is the nuclear option in Catholic arguments. Doctrine holds that the pope cannot be wrong when he speaks on the central questions of the faith; so if he is wrong, he can’t be pope. On the other hand, if this pope is right, all his predecessors must have been wrong…”

Prophecy reveals that the conservative branch within the Catholic Church will prevail. At the same time, Pope Francis might not be as liberal as he pretends to be.

More and More Students Turn to Paganism, Astrology and Wiccanism

The College Fix wrote on October 31:

“As millennials continue to leave traditional Christian religions, interest in Wiccan and pagan practices have seen increased interest in recent years, a trend also spotted among young people and on college campuses…

“25 percent of Americans now identify with no religion… Underscoring that, a 2014 National Science Foundation poll found nearly half of all Americans say astrology is either ‘very scientific’ or ‘sort of scientific’… Today a number of universities around the country have officially recognized Pagan or Wicca student groups…

“In 2010, Syracuse University appointed its first ‘Pagan Chaplain’ of Hendricks Chapel, its interdenominational place of worship. Others, like [the] Air Force, have followed suit, including designating specific areas on campus for pagan or spiritual worship. In 2014, Loyola University Chicago — a Catholic institution — christened a new pagan student club. Also that year, the University of Washington’s student newspaper launched a column dedicated to delving into Wiccanism…”

Human Craziness Might Spread the Black Death

The Sun wrote on November 1:

“Madagascans have been told to call a halt to the ceremony as it is feared to have contributed to the outbreak that has left 120 dead from pneumonic plague – an even deadlier strain of the lethal disease than bubonic plague. Madagascans have been told to stop the traditional practice of Famadihana – which sees locals dig up deceased relatives and dance with them before they are re-buried…

“The medieval disease notoriously wiped out one third of Europe’s population in the 13th and 14th centuries in one of the most devastating pandemics in human history known as the Black Death. Dr Ashok Chopra, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Texas, told The Sun Online the crisis in Madagascar had yet to peak.”

The stupidity of man knows no bounds.

The Curse of Halloween

ABC News wrote on October 30:

“Halloween dates back to the Celtic farming festival Samhain [pronounced “sah-win”]. The holiday marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. As the crops died, farmers believed there was a day when spirits could rise from their graves. During Samhain, Celtic people would dress in disguise to fool and ward off the spirits, hoping to protect their land through the upcoming winter.

“In the eighth century, Christians sought to transform the pagan holiday. Pope Gregory III declared Nov. 1 to be the feast of All Saints’ Day. The night before became known as All Hollow’s Eve…

“Modern Halloween traditions and folklore first came to America in the 19th century with the influx of Irish immigrants. The practice of carving and decorating jack-o-lanterns [pronounce: “jahck-o-lantern] is an Irish custom that honored the souls stuck in purgatory. Legend has it that Stingy Jack roamed the Earth, unable to enter heaven or hell, with only a piece of burning coal in a carved out turnip to light his way. Since pumpkins are easier to carve than turnips, this ritual adapted into jack-o’-lanterns as All Hollow’s Eve celebrations took shape in America.

“Today, Halloween has grown into a nationally recognized festival. Over 179 million Americans plan to partake in festivities in 2017… The top children’s costume is an action hero or superhero while adults are most likely to choose a witch…”

The Telegraph wrote on October 30:

“Gaels believed that it was a time when the walls between our world and the next became thin…, allowing spirits to pass through, come back to life on the day and damage their crops. Places were set at the dinner table to appease and welcome the spirits. Gaels would also offer food and drink, and light bonfires to ward off the evil spirits… Many dressed up as souls of the dead and were understood to be protecting themselves from the spirits by impersonating them…

“Celts dressed up in white with blackened faces during the festival of Samhain to trick the evil spirits that they believed would be roaming the earth before All Saints’ Day on November 1st.

“By the 11th century, this had been adapted by the Church into a tradition called ‘souling’, which is seen as being the origin of trick-or-treating. Children go door-to-door, asking for soul cakes in exchange for praying for the souls of friends and relatives. They went dressed up as angels, demons or saints. The soul cakes were sweet, with a cross marked on top and when eaten they represented a soul being freed from purgatory…

“In Czech culture, chairs for deceased family members are placed by the fire on Halloween night alongside chairs for each living one. In Austria some people leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table before going to bed. It is believed that this will welcome dead souls back to Earth. Meanwhile in Germany, people hide their knives to make sure none of the returning spirits are harmed – or seek to harm them!…”

There is absolutely nothing “Christian” about this Satanic festival. Even the attempts by the Catholic Church to make it “Christian” are all based on unbiblical superstition (“souls stuck in purgatory”) and pagan beliefs (“wearing terrible costumes to ward off evil spirits”; “spirits of the dead come back to life”). A true Christian must have NOTHING to do with Halloween, as in His due time, God will severely punish those who do.

Halloween and Islamic Terrorism in New York

JTA wrote on November 1:

“At least eight people were killed and about a dozen injured when a truck rammed into a crowd on a bike path in downtown Manhattan in what Mayor Bill de Blasio called ‘an act of terror.’…

“The suspect, Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, 29, an Uber and commercial truck driver from New Jersey, was identified as a Uzbek national who is a permanent U.S. resident. He arrived in the United States in 2010 and has a green card, according to reports. Police shot Saipov after he exited the rented truck he was driving and ran through the street waving pellet guns… Saipov reportedly left a note in the truck saying he committed the attack for the terrorist group ISIS… Witnesses said the suspect had yelled ‘Allahu Akbar,’ which means ‘God is great’ in Arabic, law enforcement sources told CNN…”

NBC San Diego wrote on November 1:

“Roused by the first major ISIS-inspired attack on U.S. soil since he took office, President Donald Trump… insisted Wednesday that Congress must end the visa lottery program under which Uzbek immigrant Sayfullo Saipov entered the country, and he ordered still tighter scrutiny of immigrants already subject to what he calls ‘extreme vetting.’ But the White House offered no indication of what new steps the president might be planning…

“Trump’s swift political response to the New York attacks contrasts with his wait-and-see approach after the October massacre of 59 people by a Las Vegas gunman… The two responses offer the latest suggestions of how the culture wars that defined Trump’s campaign may be coloring his actions…”

Those who receive green cards through the lottery program are extremely vetted before entering the country. It seems clear that the idiotic and deranged “lone-wolf”-terrorist was radicalized by ISIS after coming to the USA. He stated that he became radicalized after watching an ISIS video. He obviously became demon-influenced, if not possessed. No prior vetting could have prevented his demonical deed.

Fox Business wrote on November 1:

“Halloween has lived up to its reputation in New York… No one could have foreseen Tuesday’s sinister mission to turn a vehicle into a deadly weapon. We stroll our streets without paying attention to what’s around us, intent on reading or sending text messages, or watching videos on our phones…

“The problem is that terrorists – those whose perverted view equates God’s greatness with acts of bloodshed – know how clueless we are, and exploit our assumption that nothing bad can happen to us. And it is that careless confidence that makes us easy prey, soft victims for determined evildoers.”

It is very true and a biblical command that we must pay attention to our surroundings.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

These words can have a variety of meaning, depending on the context.

We addressed a related question in a Q&A, titled, “When the Bible uses the term ‘forever,’ does this always mean the same as ‘everlasting’ or ‘eternally’?

There, we pointed out the following:

“While ‘forever’ may indeed convey an absolute sense of being perpetual or interminable, ‘forever’ is also used metaphorically and in a conditional sense. The Hebrew word that is translated many times as ‘forever’, is ‘owlam.’ It can be found in Daniel 12:2. In this case, the English word ‘everlasting’ is used to translate the Hebrew word ‘owlam’: ‘And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to everlasting contempt.’ [The Revised English Bible says: “… some to everlasting life and some to the reproach of eternal abhorrence.”] This prophesied occurrence speaks of a future time when the fate of many humans will be decided on a perpetual and eternal basis.

“Jesus also taught about life that would be endless. In John 6:51, He states: ‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.’ The Greek word ‘aion’ translated as ‘forever’ in this passage is used by John in a similar context as he contrasted that which is temporary to that which is permanent: ‘And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever’ (1 John 2:17).

“In numerous instances the eternity of God is revealed through the use of the word ‘forever.’ One such example… appears in Revelation 4:9-10: ‘Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever…’

“In this context, consider these parallel concepts about God’s existence–His life–being forever: Deuteronomy 33:27: ‘The eternal God is your refuge…’ Psalm 90:1-2: ‘LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.’ Isaiah 57:15: ‘For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy…’”

We see from the foregoing that the concepts of “forever,” “everlasting” and “eternal” are used in a synonymous way.  In all the passages quoted, they confer the concept of “without end.” But we will now see that these words can also have the meaning that something will end. We explain in the above-quoted Q&A:

“Look at this statement that appears in Exodus 21:6: ‘… then his master shall bring him to the judges, He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl, AND HE SHALL SERVE HIM FOREVER’ (Compare Deuteronomy 15:17). Does this verse mean that a servant in this circumstance will continue serving the same master for all of eternity [that is, without end]? Obviously not, as both the servant and his master eventually died! The word translated here in Exodus 21 as ‘forever’ is the same Hebrew word ‘owlam’ that we have already seen used in earlier examples about living forever…

“Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible offers definitions for ‘owlam’ that include ‘eternal’ and ‘perpetual’ but also includes the idea of ‘lasting.’… the service of a particular individual was a life-long commitment—lasting as long as either the servant or master lived. In another place where ‘owlam’ is translated ‘forever,’ the obvious intent is for a lifetime. In this example, the mother of Samuel is quoted: ‘But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and REMAIN THERE FOREVER”’ (1 Samuel 1:22). But we know that Samuel died—that he is not NOW still before the LORD! (Compare 1 Samuel 25:1).  [Also, 1 Samuel 1:28 explains that “forever” means in that context, “as long as he lives.”]

“In biblical usage of the word ‘forever,’ we see that the context and application MAY be for something that will come to an end… When studying the concept of ‘forever’ in context, we see a variety of intended meanings. The word can express a never-ending condition or situation, but it can also refer to a certain limited period of time, based on the life of the parties involved and also dependent on relevant conditions.”

The same must be said about the terms “everlasting” and “eternal”. For instance, we read in Isaiah 60:15 that God will make “Zion” “an eternal excellence”, which is defined here as “many generations.” The Hebrew word is “owlam.”

Hebrew 6:2 speaks of “eternal judgment.” As we saw in a previous Q&A on Matthew 25:31-46, the meaning does not convey that God’s judgment will continue for all eternity; that is, that He will judge and judge without end. Rather, the term refers to God’s judgments with eternal consequences.

In addition, we read in Matthew 18:8 that people may be thrown into the everlasting fire (the RSV writes: “eternal fire.”). The warning that some will be thrown into the everlasting fire is repeated in Matthew 25:41 (the NIV, the RSV and other translations say, “eternal fire”; the Greek word is “aionios”; see below for an explanation of this phrase), and that they will endure everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; NIV and RSV: “eternal punishment”). The Bible tells us that some will be punished with everlasting destruction when Christ returns (2 Thessalonians 1:9; RSV: “they shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction”).

As we will see, these expressions do not mean that the everlasting or eternal fire will burn “without end,” or that people will be tortured and punished without end. Rather, these expressions refer to eternal or everlasting consequences. But in regard to 2 Thessalonians 1:9, the expression of “everlasting” or “eternal” destruction only refers to a certain time span, because most of those mentioned in this passage will be brought back to life in a second resurrection. Their “everlasting” or “eternal” destruction “only” lasts during the time of the Millennium.

In chapter 18 of our free booklet, “Is That In the Bible? The Mysteries of the Book of Revelation,” we address the “torment of the wicked,” stating this: “Does the Bible, particularly a passage in Revelation 14:9–11, teach that the wicked will be tormented forever in hell fire?”

In that passage, we read that “the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever.” We explain in this chapter that the Bible does not teach an ever-burning hell fire, but that the wicked will be burned up in the THIRD resurrection—that is, after the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment period (compare Revelation 20:4–15).

We continue:  “One key point is to realize what it says and what it does not say. It DOES say that the torment of their SMOKE will ascend forever and ever. It DOES NOT say that THE WICKED will be tormented forever and ever. Rather, the wicked will be burned up in fiery plagues, and it is their smoke—evidence that the fire has done its work—which ascends forever and ever. Smoke results from something burned. This indicates that they were consumed and that all that remains is smoke. We also read in Malachi 4:3 that the ASHES of the wicked will be under the feet of the righteous. Psalm 37:20 tells us that the wicked shall ‘perish’—‘into smoke they shall vanish away.’ It is not the punishment of the fire, but the result of that punishment, which is being addressed in Revelation 14:11.”

We continue to state in our booklet:

“We also need to understand that the biblical expression ‘forever’ does not have to mean ‘for all eternity’ [that is, without end]. The words are often a translation from the Hebrew ‘olam’ [or ‘owlam’] and the Greek ‘aion’ or ‘aionios,’ meaning ‘age,’ or ‘age-lasting’ (compare Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible). In Revelation 14:11, the Greek words translated as ‘forever and ever’ mean, according to Young’s, ‘to ages of ages.’ The Englishman’s Greek New Testament translates this verse as follows: ‘And the smoke of their torment goes up to ages of ages…’

“In Jonah 2:6, the term ‘forever’ describes the time span of ‘three days and three nights,’ as made clear in Jonah 1:17. Jonah, when in the belly of the sea monster, prayed about the earth with her bars being about him forever. What he was actually saying here is that as long as he was in that particular situation, the earth was about him.”

In addressing the use of the word “eternal” in this context, we state this:

“Jude 7 speaks of the vengeance of eternal fire that burned Sodom and Gomorrah, though these cities are not still burning nor are the people still suffering that vengeance. The fire only burned for a while. An ‘aeonian fire’ does not refer to a fire that never goes out. After it completely destroyed and obliterated those ancient cities, it burned itself out when there was nothing else left to consume. The smoke from that fire ascended for a while. It is not still ascending today. Jesus shows that the people in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be resurrected in a period of judgment yet future (compare Matthew 10:15).

“The people worshipping the political and religious leaders of the end-time Babylonian system will be tormented ‘forever’—that is, until they die. They ‘have no rest day or night,’ as long as they are alive and remain part of that system falling under God’s wrath; that is, before they are destroyed by the fiery plagues of God’s last seven bowls judgment (Revelation 16:1–21)… The smoke of their torment will ascend for a while—as long as the necessary conditions exist to allow smoke from burned bodies to ascend… We read that the smoke from the Babylonian system… will rise up ‘forever and ever’ (Revelation 19:3—based on the Greek, it should say, according to Young’s and the Englishman’s Greek New Testament, ‘to the ages of the ages’)… This is a reference to the smoke from buildings, but the fire won’t burn for all eternity [that is, without ever ending]…

“Likewise, we read in Isaiah 34:9–10, that the smoke from the land of Edom will ‘ascend forever’—that is, until the fire has burned up all consumable material. As in the case of the burned cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, that fire of Edom will not burn for all eternity [without end].”

When speaking of eternity, we also need to realize that there are all kinds of spirits. There are Spirit BEINGS. God is a Spirit Being. And so, there is God’s Holy Spirit—emanating from both the Father and Jesus Christ. It is through the Holy Spirit of God that both the Father and the Son dwell in us (John 14:23). That Spirit, although not a person, is clearly eternal and immortal, because it emanates from GOD—and GOD is immortal and eternal, that is, He will never cease to exist. As God cannot die, so His Spirit cannot be extinguished. We read that we can quench the Holy Spirit WITHIN US (1 Thessalonians 5:19)—but that does not mean that somehow God’s Holy Spirit would cease to exist. This is just referring to the dwelling of His Holy Spirit IN US. When a person loses the Holy Spirit—that is, when God withdraws from that person by removing His Holy Spirit from such a person—then of course THAT portion of the Holy Spirit does not “die”—since it was part of GOD all along.

When we become immortal Spirit beings in the Family of God, we too—everything that we will be—will be eternal, in the sense that there will be no end for us. That is, our “human” spirit will become eternal as will be our “bodies”—they will be spiritual or Spirit bodies—and we, as eternal beings without end, will have God’s eternal Holy Spirit abiding in us forever. We will be GOD—full-fledged members of God’s Family.

There are other spirit beings—angels and demons. And they too, possess a spirit. But again, their spirit is eternal, without end, if you please, as THEY are immortal beings. They cannot die, and neither can their spirit, which is emanating from them, be destroyed.

Then there is the human spirit which distinguishes man from the animals (1 Corinthians 2:11). But there is also an animal spirit (compare Ecclesiastes 3:19). We read in Genesis 7:21-22 that all flesh outside Noah’s Ark died in the Flood—birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing, AND every man; that is, “ALL in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on dry land, died.”

But neither the spirit in man nor the animal spirit are conscious “entities,” nor are they the same as the Holy Spirit of God or the spirits of angels. The unrepentant and incorrigible wicked will be destroyed and totally annihilated. It will be as if they had never existed. The soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:4)—and unless the soul repents of its sins, it will die the second, final and eternal death. This includes their spirit in man—it too will be destroyed.

In our Q&A, “What will happen to the spirit in man of those who die the second death?”), we stated this:

“Isaiah 42:5 says that God, after having created the heavens and the earth, gives breath to the people on it, and ‘spirit to those who walk on it.’ But there is no breath in a particular person prior to his existence, and by extension, there would not be any spirit either. That is, neither the breath nor the spirit of man exist prior to the ‘creation’ of that particular person. We also read in Zechariah 12:1 that God FORMS the spirit of man within him. Again, this seems to imply that God actually creates in man the human spirit when man comes into existence. The connection between God’s breath and the spirit in man is also expressed in Job 32:8. The New Jerusalem Bible translates Job 32:8, ‘There is, you see, a spirit residing in humanity, the breath of God conferring intelligence.’ …

“Paul prayed that God would preserve blamelessly spirit and soul and body of a converted Christian (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Paul wished that God would preserve blameless the Christian’s human spirit, his temporary physical life and his physical flesh. All of these ‘components’ are mentioned together, to describe the entire being. In addition, 1 Corinthians 5:5 says about a Christian who sinned gravely to ‘deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.’… The fact that Paul prayed to God to ‘preserve blameless’ the body, soul AND spirit of a person shows that it is possible that body, soul AND spirit may not be preserved ‘blameless’—or not at all. And if they are not preserved, then they cease to exist…”

We continued to address Isaiah 57:16, which says: “For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would fail before Me, and the souls which I have made.”

We stated:

“The commentary of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown explains correctly that the ‘spirit’ in the passage refers to the spirit in man—not the Holy Spirit of God… In referring to a passage of Numbers 16:22, where God is referred to as ‘the God of the spirits of all flesh,’ the commentary states that the word ‘spirit’ in Isaiah 57:16 refers to ‘the human spirit which went forth from Me (Numbers 16:22).’… The Hebrew word [for “fail”]  is ‘ataph’ and has a variety of meanings… German translations point out that the word ‘ataph’ can also mean ‘cease to exist, get destroyed, become annihilated.’ For example, the German Luther Bible [Revised 1984]; the Elberfelder Bible; the Menge Bible; the Schlachter Bible and the Pattloch Bible all use the expression, ‘verschmachten,’ which is a word describing the death of a person in the desert, who is dying of thirst… [The Revised Luther Bible 2009 says, “vergehen,” meaning, “pass away” or “die.”]

“The Amplified Bible renders Isaiah 57:16 as follows (brackets in the original): ‘… for [where it not so] the spirit [of man] would faint and be consumed before Me, and [My purpose in] creating the souls of men would be frustrated.”

“Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible comments regarding Isaiah 57:16: ‘The simple meaning seems to be, that if God should continue in anger against people they would be consumed. The human soul could not endure a long-continued controversy with God. Its powers would fail; its strength decay; it must sink to destruction.’”

In conclusion, the foregoing shows that the expressions “eternal” or “eternity,” when applied to God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Christians made immortal, angels and demons, do in fact describe an eternal, everlasting existence which will never end.  On the other hand, those who have committed the unpardonable sin will be destroyed in the lake of fire. They will not be tormented forever in an eternal never-ending hell fire. Rather, their existence will cease. Even though they will be burnt up in the “everlasting” and “eternal” Gehenna fire which will burn “forever,” these words do not mean here, “without end,” but they describe a state of affairs which will endure as long as certain conditions prevail. Once the conditions do no longer exist, the “eternal” fire will cease to burn. At the same time, the eternal fire will have eternal or never-ending consequences for those human beings who will be thrown into it. Their punishment (not punishing) will be of eternal consequence, as they will cease to exist and never come back to life.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

A new Member Letter (October 2017) has been written by the ministry which features reports from our Feast sites in the US and Germany.  Along with this letter, our newest booklet, “How to Find the True Church of God,” is included for those who have not yet received a copy. Both the letter and booklet have been mailed to our subscribers.

“Worshipping Satan on Halloween,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

Most Brits don’t believe anymore that  they must refrain from worshipping idols or other gods. The Vatican is in uproar over the liberalism of Pope Francis.  What do these developments have to do with Halloween? What is the origin of Halloween? Is there a connection between Halloween and All Hallows Eve? Pope Gregory III tried to transform Halloween, and evil Samhain practices were adapted by the church into a tradition called “souling.” But can you make something “Christian” which is thoroughly Satanic?

“Satanische Verehrung an Halloween ,” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This covers the same topic as described above.

“Lehrt die Bibel wirklich eine zweite Auferstehung?” is the title of this Sabbath’s German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Does the Bible Really Teach a Second Resurrection?”

“Germany Recap,” is now posted. Kalon Mitchell and Michael Link presented a review last Sabbath of what they experienced during the Feast in Templin, Germany.

“You Shall (Not) Desire,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

The Bible tells us that we must not “desire”, “lust” or “covet.” But what, exactly, do we need to avoid or fight against, and what can we do so that we do not become or remain to be victims of evil, deceitful, worldly and fleshly lusts, which enslave us?

This week, several more sermonettes and sermons given in the USA during the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day observances have been posted on our website: www.eternalgod.org.

On October 28, 2017, Mike Link and Kalon Mitchell will report on the 2017 German Feast site, titled, “Feast 2017 Recap,” and Norbert Link will present the sermon, titled, “You Shall (Not) Desire!”

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.

“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.”

This quote has been around for a long time, and it reflects an approach we should all take to heart. Jesus Christ said something similar:

“So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do’” (Luke 17:10).

How, then, can we become profitable servants of God? First, we must be doing those things which are required of us. Without this foundation we cannot progress. As Christians, we should be firmly established in the “elementary principles” (compare Hebrew 5:12-14; 6:1-2).

How we build on this Way of Life—Christianity—will determine our reward in the eternal Kingdom of God. This kind of judgment is portrayed in the parable of the talents, as Jesus explained in Matthew 25, verses 14-30. Note how Jesus addresses those who do the best job and those who don’t even try:

“‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away’” (Matthew 25:29; 13:12).

If we want to do the best we can, is there a key we should use—a way in which we can accomplish the superlative in our calling from God? Solomon answered this way: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Let’s not become content thinking about how much we have been doing already. Nor should we compare ourselves feeling we are doing more than others. Rather, let us ask God the Father to help us do the most we can as we follow the lead of Jesus Christ.

by Norbert Link

In this issue, we concentrate on events in Austria and Germany and quote stunning comments by the media and politicians, all of which have a striking resemblance to prophetic revelations. In this regard, please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Austria in Prophecy.”

We report on developments in Israel and Japan; the ongoing European desire for a powerful EU army; and we conclude with articles about the UK’s “political correctness” regarding gender issues and imagined non-Christian sensitivities; further “security” measures on ALL U.S.-bound flights; and the return of the Black Death.

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

Austrian Conservative/Far Right Pro-European Government Forming

Politico wrote on October 24:

“Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache [successor to the late Joerg Haider] accepted Sebastian Kurz’s invitation to start coalition talks…

“Kurz is on course to become chancellor after his party came first in a national election earlier this month. His party previously made up a grand coalition government with the Social Democrats (SPÖ)… Kurz said that all talks with the parties had been ‘constructive,’ but when he spoke to Strache, he said he had the feeling that the FPÖ had a ‘strong will of shaping’ the country’s future…

“Strache’s Freedom Party came in third place in the October 15 election, close behind the Social Democrats. The party shares a similar stance with Kurz’s ÖVP on migration, including plans to reduce illegal immigration as well as to cut taxes… Kurz said there will be three important areas of coalition negotiations: establishing a ‘new style’ of politics, creating a coalition that has the will to make changes and maintaining a ‘clear pro-European stance.'”

A coalition between the ÖVP and the FPÖ would catapult Austria into the country’s right-wing corners of the political spectrum.

Hitler Comparison with Kurz Sparks Uproar

Deutsche Welle reported on October 16:

“In the run-up to Sunday’s Austrian elections, German media had accused frontrunner Sebastian Kurz of ‘fishing for far-right votes… Following his victory, German satirical magazine Titanic sparked an uproar in Austria after it published an image of Kurz with a target over his chest and the caption: ‘Finally possible: Killing baby Hitler!’

“Austrian newspapers and Twitter users criticized the magazine within hours of Titanic posting the image on its official Twitter page.

“The Austrian news website os24.de published an article on the incident with the headline, ‘Scandal: Satire magazine calls for the murder of Kurz,’ while the daily tabloid newpaper Kronen Zeitung said the tweet was ‘unbelievable’ and ‘tasteless.’

“Adolf Hitler, who was born in Austria, ruled Nazi Germany from 1933 until his death in 1945…

“DW asked Christian Solmecke, an expert in media law in Cologne, Germany, about the case: ‘…it’s very clear that there is no incitement to murder that should be taken seriously… Satire is, at least in Germany, completely protected… Even if you think it is outlandish and you don’t understand the joke or you think it’s a bad joke, it’s still within the scope of free expression… Titanic’s opinion is clear: the wrong politician is about to become chancellor and that politician is too right-wing…’”

Making Austria Great Again

Deutsche Welle wrote on October 15:

“Kurz rose to prominence in 2013, when at 27 he became the world’s youngest serving foreign minister… When a new wave of refugees seeking to relocate to Europe became a continent-wide concern in 2015, Kurz recognized Austrian voters’ anxiety over unchecked immigration. He called for tougher external border controls, better integration and stringent control of ‘political Islam’ funded from abroad. He also organized the shutdown of the popular overland route through the West Balkans…

“His hard-line positions have prompted observers to call him ‘hard hearted’ as Gemany’s Die Welt newspaper did…

“According to professor Peter Filzmaier… what Kurz has accomplished is ‘unprecedented in Austrian politics…’”

Strongman Needed

Bloomberg wrote on October 14:

“Compared with 10 years ago, more Austrians say they feel like they’re not being heard and are in search of law-and-order leadership, a SORA institute study showed.

“More than two-fifths of voters declared their desire for a ‘strongman’ leader, according to the research, periodically commissioned by the federal government to gauge public attitudes and consciousness about the country’s Nazi history.”

Someone like Kurz ”Needed” in Germany?

Politico wrote on October 23:

“A member of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s own party said their conservative CDU needs ‘new party leadership’…

“Alexander Mitsch, who leads a right-leaning group within the CDU… criticized the party’s immigration policies in recent years as well as the loss of voters’ support in September’s national election… Mitsch also suggested that his party could learn from the example of Austria’s conservative leader, 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz…  ‘Of course that is a very good model for Germany … We wish we had someone in Germany like Mr. Kurz,’ Mitsch said of Kurz’s election success… adding that a young new leader would bring ‘new momentum’ to the party.”

Mitsch echoed a statement by the mass tabloid Bild Online, asking the question on October 16: “Why don’t we (in Germany) have someone like Sebastian Kurz?”

Bild’s hysteria with Sebastian Kurz knows no bounds. In an editorial on October 17, Kurz was compared with Mozart (as both were very young when they accomplished great things) and the question was asked as to what “supernatural” abilities Kurz possesses. He was described as a man without sins, as he is “too young to have committed a sin” (even though he has been living together with his girlfriend for 13 years, without being married), concluding that the young have now to replace the old. It is interesting that the Bible warns that children will rule over the old and over entire nations.

The German coalition discussions between CDU, CSU, FDP and the Greens (the so-called Jamaica coalition) are ongoing, but due to the recent surprise victory of the SPD over the CDU in a German state election, Chancellor Merkel’s task of trying to form such a coalition has not become any easier. The continuation of the present grand coalition between CDU and SPD should not be ruled out. In any event, “compromise” is the word of the day. Everybody urges the other side to show a willingness to compromise, which only manifests again the absolute necessity for Christians to stay away from the political stage.

German Parties in Disarray

The following two articles, even though somewhat dated, show the growing concern in Germany and around the world about the success of the AfD and the overall defeat of Germany’s “main” parties, and asking uncomfortable questions about the relationship between Israel and Germany.

Deutsche Welle wrote on September 26:

“Among the many earthquakes in Germany’s political landscape triggered by the German election was the destruction of a decades-old dictum once uttered by the… CSU’s most famed leader Franz Josef Strauss: ‘There must be no democratically legitimate party right of the CSU.’ Sunday’s devastating results for Germany’s conservative parties seemed to show that the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a populist far-right force across Germany has forever buried that notion. The CSU, Bavarian allies to Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU)… scored its lowest ever result on Sunday, with just under 39 percent of the vote in its home state — over 10 percentage points down on 2013.

“Media commentators were quick to draw… [the conclusion that] the CSU will have to shift to the right to win back its lost voters — particularly ahead of the Bavarian state election next fall… this [is] going to make it even more difficult for Merkel to bring the CSU into a coalition with the nominally more left-wing Green party — even though the ‘Jamaica coalition,’ a four-way combination of the CDU/CSU, Greens, and the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP), appears to be the chancellor’s only option…

“Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble will be the Bundestag’s likely new president [he was inaugurated on October 24]… clearing the path for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) to offer his job to a member of a potential coalition partner. The… FDP… are said to covet the post…

“In addition to the AfD, which formed in 2013 and which will enter the Bundestag after winning the votes of 12.6 percent of Germany’s electorate, Schäuble will have to contend with the Social Democrats (SPD). The party will likely lead the opposition to whatever coalition Merkel cobbles together… The SPD reached a postwar low in support on Sunday, winning just 20.5 percent of the vote…

“[CSU’s] Seehofer has also proved a consistent thorn in the chancellor’s side on topics such as migration, which is shaping up to be a point of contention in coalition talks, with the Greens favoring a more humanitarian approach and the FDP advocating more restrictive policies… parties have not even begun to make their most major maneuvers in earnest yet: There is a contested state election in Lower Saxony scheduled for October 15, and nobody wants a national-level misstep to ruin things for their regional division.”

Seehofer’s CSU only ran in the “free state” of Bavaria. Merkel’s CDU, which ran in the entirety of Germany outside Bavaria, suffered its worst election result since 1949, with only 33% of the votes.

In the first session of the newly formed Bundestag, on October 24, the AfD made their voice heard by comparing the maneuvering of the Bundestag with that of the Nazis… and the SPD attacked Angela Merkel by stating that it was her fault that the AfD entered the German parliament.  The uproar was forthcoming.. and signaled a rough and stormy future of Germany’s political mine field.

Will Germany Defend Israel?

Israel Hayom wrote on September 26:

“AfD leader Alexander Gauland… said Jews had nothing to fear… the AfD aims to outlaw kosher slaughter and halal food, which adheres to Islamic law, along with circumcision for minors… ‘If Israel’s right to exist is one of Germany’s top interests, then that says we need to deploy German soldiers to defend the Jewish state, and the politicians don’t provide a clear answer on this,’ Gauland said…

“Gauland continued to defend his controversial assertion that Germans can be proud of the German army’s achievements in both world wars… The AfD leader also stressed that his party would give Germans their country back: ‘A million people, who came in unsupervised, are taking a part of Germany. I don’t want to lose Germany because of an invasion of people from foreign cultures.”

Bild Online wrote on September 27 that the spokesman of the German government, Steffen Seibert, refused to answer the media’s question as to whether Merkel agreed with the AfD, or whether Germany would be willing to send soldiers to Israel to defend it if it was threatened.

Prospect of Compulsory Military Service in Israel Causes Strong Protests by Influential Ultra-Orthodox Jews

AFP wrote on October 23:

“Several thousand ultra-Orthodox Jews blocked the main entrance to Jerusalem on Monday and protested in other areas as part of a series of demonstrations against serving in the Israeli military… A series of such protests in recent weeks has been spurred by occasional arrests of ultra-Orthodox young men accused of dodging military service…

“Israeli law requires men to serve two years and eight months in the military on reaching the age of 18, while women must serve for two. Ultra-Orthodox men are exempt from military service if they are engaged in religious study, but must still report to the army to receive their exemption. Those who are not exempt must enlist with the military and can be arrested if they refuse.

“In September, a decision by Israel’s supreme court struck down the law exempting them. However, the court suspended its ruling for one year to allow for preparations for a new arrangement, also giving the government time to pass a new law. The ruling raises the possibility that the ultra-Orthodox could be forced into service, a highly contentious proposition with political implications. Ultra-Orthodox parties are a key part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition and have often acted as kingmakers in Israeli politics.”

Arrests Over Intermarriage Dispute in Israel

 AFP wrote on October 23:

“Israeli police detained 15 suspected Jewish extremists following an undercover investigation into a group accused of tracking down and threatening Arab men dating Jewish women, authorities said Sunday. Among those arrested was Benzi Gopstein, a prominent leader of the Israeli extreme-right group Lehava…

“Speaking to reporters at his hearing at Jerusalem magistrates’ court, Gopstein said he was arrested for telling a Jewish woman that she should not date an Arab man, insisting he did no wrong… Lehava opposes intermarriage. In August 2014, its activists staged a rally where racist slogans, including “Death to Arabs!”, were shouted at the wedding near Tel Aviv of a Muslim man and Jewish woman.

“Arabs account for some 17.5 per cent of Israel’s eight million population… In April, six Israelis, including two soldiers, were arrested for alleged racist attacks against Arabs with knives and other weapons and charged with ‘terrorist’ offences. Police said they were influenced by a Lehava video.

“Gopstein was also questioned by police in 2015 after he condoned setting fire to Christian churches in Israel, in accordance with a medieval Jewish commandment to destroy places of idol-worship.

“The police statement said that the latest arrests were the result of an undercover investigation. ‘It uncovered organised and premeditated activity believed to have been carried out by the suspects, known members of Lehava,’ it said.”

Violence in Israel will be breaking out in different corners and based on different philosophies, and it will be the European army which will attempt to bring peace to the region.

New Excavations in Jerusalem

Christian Headlines wrote on October 23:

“Israeli archaeologists recently uncovered eight previously unearthed sections of the Temple Mount’s retaining wall in Jerusalem and part of a Roman-era theater in an area abutting the wall…

“The archaeologists hope they will uncover artifacts from the First Temple, built by King Solomon of the Old Testament and destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem and built the Second Temple, which was dedicated around 515 B.C. Roman soldiers burned the temple and razed Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Jews still consider the Temple Mount the holiest site on earth. Today the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Islamic Dome of the Rock sit on the site.

“‘We have a great deal of archaeological work ahead, and I am certain that the deeper we dig, the earlier the periods we will reach, further anchoring the profound connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel and to Jerusalem,’ Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites of Israel told the Times of Israel.”

According to SWR2, the excavations occur in the eastern part of Jerusalem, which was annexed by Israel. It is hoped to prove the presence of Jews in Jerusalem for thousands of years, thereby establishing Israel’s claim to an undivided Jewish city and the Temple Mount.

European Army Soon?

Express wrote on October 25:

“DONALD Tusk is pushing to set up an EU army by the end of the year to protect the bloc’s borders and fight back against [the] ‘destabilisation around Europe’.

“The European Council President called for the 27-nation superstate to introduce Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence (PESCO) to protect the bloc from the effects of the migrant crisis, hostile bordering states and forces that risk tearing the bloc apart.

“He added the EU should be prepared to spend huge amounts on the project, which will come with its own centralised headquarters and ambitious plans for EU military missions abroad.

“Critics have repeatedly warned that the new system is a gateway to the creation of an EU army, although Brussels itself denies this and says it is just facilitating better military cooperation.”

Japan Ready to Change Its Pacifist Constitution

The Los Angeles Times wrote on October 23:

“Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe scored a landslide victory on Sunday as his conservative ruling party and a coalition partner secured a two-thirds majority in parliament that will allow him to push ahead unimpeded in his quest to change [Article 9 of] Japan’s pacifist constitution…

“A constitutional reform bill requires approval by two-thirds of both houses, and then a simple majority in a national referendum. The vote in the latter is all but guaranteed to be far tighter than Sunday’s election.”

Reuters wrote on October 22:

“The U.S.-drafted constitution’s Article 9, if taken literally, bans the maintenance of armed forces. But Japanese governments have interpreted it to allow a military exclusively for self-defence…

“Abe has backed U.S. President Donald Trump’s tough stance towards North Korea, which has test-fired missiles over Japan, that all options, including military action, are on the table. Trump is to visit Japan Nov. 5-7 to reaffirm the leaders’ tight ties.”

Japan’s  future role is not clearly revealed. In World War I, Japan was an ally and “foe” against Germany and China, while in World War II, it was an ally or “friend” of Germany, but it was still a “foe” against China. We will need to see whose ally a militaristic Japan will be in World War III.

Crazy Gender “Confusion”

International Business Times wrote on October 23:

“As many as 50 children a week are being referred to gender reassignment doctors in the UK, including children as young as four… Figures show that a record number of children now believe [they] were born in the wrong body, according to the Mirror. Some experts attribute the rise in the number of children being referred to is the growing acceptance of gender issues.

“Children ages 11 and over can be treated with powerful hormones to prevent puberty. The children are allowed to decide whether they want to go ahead with gender realignment when they are older.”

These pitiful assertions and “beliefs” of children have been made possible by an irresponsible political liberal agenda of medical “experts,” a confused mass media and unsuspecting, gullible and deluded parents.

Ridiculous “Political Correctness”

Express reported on October 1:

“In some educational institutions, BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) have been replaced with terms BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era). The new terms still indicate the periods before and after the birth of Christ, but have been put into use as local authority committees say the old terms may upset minorities and atheists. But critics blasted the move as a ‘capitulation to political correctness’, while non-Christian religious leaders said the move was unnecessary… Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey said the ruling by the religious education committees was a ‘great shame’. He said he has ‘never met a Muslim or Jewish leader who is offended by the Gregorian calendar’…

“Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education (SACREs) from Brighton and Essex are among an increasing number of local authority committees urging education heads to drop BC and AD.  The syllabus for schools in East Sussex reads: ‘BCE and CE are now used in order to show sensitivity to those who are not Christians.’”

The insanity of “political correctness” seems to know no limits.

New “Security” Measures Enforced by USA

CNBC wrote on October 25:

“New security measures take effect on Thursday on all U.S.-bound flights to comply with government requirements designed to avoid an in-cabin ban on laptops.

“Airlines contacted by Reuters said the new measures, which could include short security interviews with passengers, would be in place by Thursday.

“The new measures will affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,000 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries.”

As if these “security” measures would accomplish anything… They will, however, contribute to further flight delays and unpleasant experiences of travelers.

The Return of the Plague or the Black Death

The Sun wrote on October 25:

“PLAGUE warnings have been issued for NINE countries surrounding Madagascar amid fears the disease could spread via sea trade and flight routes. The outbreak is considered a much bigger threat to the region than in previous years because it has taken on its pneumonic form – meaning it is airborne and spread by sneezing and coughing.

“WHO has issued alerts for nine countries surrounding Madagascar where the outbreak has occurred…

“The medieval disease famously wiped out ONE THIRD of Europe’s population in the 13th and 14th centuries…”

The Bible predicts that in these end times, huge disease epidemics will severely plague mankind.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Most Christians do not really believe in the resurrection, nor do they understand that there are more than one resurrection. There is of course the first resurrection to eternal life for those who died in Christ. But only very few are called in this day and age to eternal life. Most who have died were never called. They will be called in the future… in a “second” resurrection (Revelation 20:11-12).

The “second” resurrection or the Great White Throne Judgment describes a resurrection to physical life of those who had not been called before. Ezekiel 37 pictures the resurrection of the entire house of Israel to PHYSICAL life. Other passages describe the physical resurrection of Gentiles (Matthew 12:38-42; Matthew 11:20-24).

Isaiah 65:20-25 indicates that there will be an allotted time span of 100 years during which those who are brought back to physical life can qualify for eternal life. If they do, they will be changed to immortality at the end of that judgment period (Hebrews 9:27; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36).

Those who are called in this day and age are already being judged now (1 Peter 4:17); if they don’t fall away, they will become immortal at the time of Christ’s Return and will not come into the judgment of the second resurrection (John 5:24).

Throughout the Bible, we are being taught that ALL who died will be brought back to life by Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:22)… in their due time order (verses 23-24).

ALL who have died will hear the voice of Christ when He calls them out of their graves (John 5:21-29). Those who died in Christ (“who did good”) will come forth to the resurrection of life (the first resurrection), and those who were not called in this life and, as a consequence, did not really know how to do good (“who did evil”) will come forth after the Millennium (Revelation 20:5) to the second resurrection (resurrection of “condemnation” should be translated in John 5:29 as resurrection of “judgment”).

Since ALL will be brought back to life, this must include all those billions of people who were NOT resurrected at the time of Christ’s return. Their resurrection WILL occur later, and they will be made alive “in Christ.” It is Jesus Christ who will raise them up, and they will, for the first time, really understand who and what Christ was and is, and that there is no other name given to man by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12).

After they died, they “slept” the sleep of death… without any consciousness. They had no feeling or comprehension of time. When they awake, it will be for them as if they had just fallen asleep a second before (compare Isaiah 63:15-16).

Even though most Christians believe in an immortal soul which keeps on living after the person dies, this is not so. The Bible teaches the resurrection from the DEAD… not, that the DEAD continue to live. Rather, life and death are irreconcilable opposites (Romans 6:23).

After asking whether the dead will live again, Isaiah proclaims in Isaiah 26:19: “Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise.” A better rendering can be found in the New International Version, which says: “But your dead will live; their bodies will rise (again).”

Job asked the question: “If a man DIES, shall he LIVE again?” (Job 14:14). And he answers that he wants to wait for his change, continuing, “You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall desire the work of Your hands” (verses 14-15). Even though Job might have had in mind his resurrection to eternal life, the fact of the matter is that when he spoke these words, he was not yet converted. But only those who have become converted and have received the Holy Spirit can enter the resurrection of life. Still, God desires the work of His hands as it regards unconverted people, as He waits anxiously for the time of their resurrection, so that they can BECOME converted. It is God’s desire that ALL men shall be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).

In an exchange with Mary and Martha, Christ pointed out His power over death through the resurrection from the dead, and that He was about to raise Lazarus. Martha misunderstood, thinking that Jesus was referring to the fact that their brother Lazarus would rise again in the resurrection of the last day. Again, neither Lazarus, Mary nor Martha were converted at that time, but they apparently still believed in the resurrection. It may well be that Martha had the second resurrection in mind, and not the first–being perhaps unaware of a first resurrection.

It may be surprising to many, but the Old Testament speaks foremost of the second resurrection to physical life, and NOT of the first resurrection to eternal life; as ancient Israel and Judah were never converted in their lifetime. Even though the concept of the first and the second resurrections was clearly taught in Old Testament Scriptures, it is doubtful that most understood the different order of resurrections; nor, that there would be a first resurrection to eternal life.

The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection (Acts 23:8). When they tried to trick Christ in respect to the issue, they were confused as to what kind of resurrection Christ emphasized, apparently believing that Christ taught a resurrection to physical life for His followers (Matthew 22:23-28). Christ explained that He was not teaching the second resurrection for His disciples, but the first (Matthew 22:29-31). And He proved the FIRST resurrection in that He emphasized that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, showing that God is not a God of the dead (those who will remain dead), but those of the living (verse 32); that is, that those who died would LIVE again and come back to life in a resurrection.

Some Jews might have “professed” the resurrection and claimed that they believed in more than one resurrection, but it is doubtful that they really understood the concept. Paul clearly emphasized more than one resurrection in Acts 24:12-15.  In this passage, Paul even made reference to the third resurrection to physical life of those who committed the unpardonable sin and who would be destroyed in a lake of fire (compare Revelation 20:13-15; Daniel 12:2).

It is true that the first resurrection to eternal life is also mentioned in Old Testament writings in respect to those who had received the Holy Spirit (note again Daniel 12:2). Still, most in Old Testament times apparently did not know about the “first” resurrection, and in New Testament times, many disbelieved altogether in the concept of any resurrection (Acts 26:8; 1 Corinthians 15:12). This disbelief included Jews and Gentiles (Acts 17:32). Furthermore, some in God’s Church had no clear picture as to the nature of the FIRST resurrection, only thinking in terms of a physical resurrection to temporary life (apparently confusing the first with the second resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:35-55).

Today, the Christian world might give lip service to a resurrection, but in fact, it does not believe in one, thinking instead that man keeps on living after he has died, as it falsely assumed that man has an immortal soul which cannot die. Martin Luther once asked the pertinent question: Why should there be a resurrection if we have an immortal soul, which goes to heaven when we die?

As some in the New Testament church were confused as to the concept of the resurrection (compare 2 Timothy 2:16-18), today’s orthodox Christianity, as a whole, is hopelessly confused about this entire issue. But the fact remains that we have NO hope in life after death if we reject the concept of the resurrections.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“How to Find the True Church of God,” our newest booklet, was distributed to members at the Feast of Tabernacles. Those on our mailing list will receive their own copy very soon. If you would like to receive a copy of this thought-provoking booklet, contact us with your request.

“Austria in Prophecy,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

The victory of “shooting star” and “superman” Sebastian Kurz during the last Austrian election, in conjunction with the strong possibility of a coalition with populist Heinz- Christian Strache, successor of Jörg Haider, has thrown Austria into the country’s right-wing corner of the political spectrum. 31-year old Kurz has claimed to make Austria great again, and Germany wonders why they don’t have someone like Kurz. In all the hype and euphoria, most important and relevant issues are being overlooked or forgotten, including the critical question as to biblical prophecy and the nature of sin.

“Österreich in der Prophezeiung,” is the German version of the program described above, and it is available at AufPostenStehen on Youtube—presented by Norbert Link.

“Der Tag des Weltgerichtes,” is the title of this week’s new German sermon and is presented by Norbert Link. The English title is: “The Day of the World’s Judgment.”

Sermons given in Germany during the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day observances are now posted on our website: www.eternalgod.org.

On October 21, 2017, Eric Rank will present the sermonette, titled, “It Takes Practice,” and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “The God of the Bible.”

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.

We have just had the privilege of keeping the Feast of Tabernacles where the truth of God has been clearly and resolutely expounded.   We have not been hounded by the general public because of what we believe because it probably doesn’t particularly concern them as they have their own holidays to enjoy and because they don’t really know about God’s wonderful festival which is held behind closed doors.

So far, so good.  But does this allow us to make known all of our beliefs and not suffer persecution?   The answer should be obvious.

I was much taken by the honesty of a Conservative MP (an elected Member of the UK Parliament) who, in early September 2017, was asked his views on a couple of controversial subjects.   He has been touted as a future leader of his party and most people would have been evasive on these subjects if they had any ambition to be promoted to a more senior political position.  But not this gentleman!

He was being interviewed on a television programme and he said that his devout Catholic faith meant he could not support gay marriage. That’s a show stopper to start with.  But there was more.

A newspaper report said that he “faced a furious backlash today after saying he ‘morally’ opposes abortion for women who have been raped.  There was further fury as he said that he is ‘morally’ opposed to abortion even when women have been victims of rape or incest.  He said that “life is sacrosanct and begins at the point of conception and I think it is wrong.”

The newspaper report continued: “Pressed specifically on whether a woman who was raped should have a right to an abortion, he made clear that they would have a ‘right under UK law’ and the ‘law is not going to change’.  But he added: ‘My personal opinion is that life begins at the point of conception and abortion is morally indefensible.’”

Here was a man in the public eye, and a man of principle.

You can imagine what the outrage was from those who think that any behaviour is acceptable but he presented his views in a reasoned and professional way.   Women’s rights campaigners branded his views “extreme” and “out of touch”. A Labour MP said they were “shocking” and “belonged in the 18th Century”.   One young female journalist said that “he and his right-wing followers should accept that, as in almost every other facet of his life, he represents an obscure minority.”   Little did any of these opponents realise, and probably wouldn’t even have cared had they known, that in these observations he was following clear biblical instruction and that they were, in essence, setting their face against God.

It was all very, very predictable.   Several days later, as one newspaper wrote: The explosion of fury was predictably volcanic, and the waves of the aftershock are still rumbling today.   However, he refuses to be ruffled.  “It’s a free country and everyone’s entitled to express an opinion. Why should I get flustered?” he asked equably.

It was said that “Downing Street also made clear that the Prime Minister did not share his opinions.”   And so we see that the Prime Minister, a Sunday church going Christian, endorses the liberal view even though the Bible is very explicit on these issues.   The fact of the matter is that no one would be able to retain high office if they didn’t conform to the requirement of supporting such outrageous behaviour.

I have not seen or heard of any of the other MP’s (there are 650 in the House of Commons) who have had the guts to say the same thing although there were many who opposed abortion and same sex marriage.   Have they changed their mind or are they just keeping quiet to keep their jobs?

Why raise this now?   Well, for two very pertinent reasons.

First of all, we have seen that this person was, and is, a man of principle.   We, too, have to be men and women of principle and the time may not be that far away when we are put into a similar scenario.   How will we fare?   Will we duck and dive about the way of God that we currently espouse or will we be straightforward and confirm our biblically held views, irrespective of the consequences, which could be more hot air from other politicians and journalists?   It is something to think about.

Secondly, as I said at the beginning of the editorial, we have just enjoyed God’s festivals, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. We were presented with clear teaching about the way of God and what the future holds in store for us and for mankind.  In the not too distant future, when Jesus Christ returns to earth to save man from blowing himself off the face of the planet, the government of God will rule with love, equity and a concern for every individual.

There will be no more nonsense about gender issues, no more killing of any kind (of which abortion is just one of the methods used), no more arguing about governmental positions, and the certainty of completely fair treatment for everyone for an initial 1,000 years, and for eternity after that.

How different will be the Way of the true God for eternity than the way of man at this time, which can be ridiculous in the extreme.

God has all the answers, man has very few.  The replacement with true values, for eternity, is well worth waiting for, and it shouldn’t be too long now!

Profound changes are shaping up in Europe! We report on the convincing election of hardliner Sebastian Kurz in Austria, as other European nations note the emergence of a far-right political presence;

We present an article about French President Macron’s call for new kinds of heroes to lead Europe; and cite the Vatican plans for a high-level Forum to insert its support for the “European Project.”

We report on China’s congress featuring the now powerful place China has taken on the world stage; we conclude with reports of a powerful hurricane hitting Ireland and news about the historic fires in California.

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

Austria Elects Hardliner Sebastian Kurz

The Washington Post reported on October 16:

“Austria became the latest European country to take a sharp turn right on Sunday, with the conservative People’s Party riding a hard-line position on immigration to victory in national elections and likely to form a government with a nationalist party that has long advocated for an even tougher stance.

“The result puts the 31-year-old foreign minister and People’s Party leader, Sebastian Kurz, in line to become Austria’s next chancellor after a campaign in which he emphasized the need to strengthen border controls, reduce caps on refugees and slash benefits for newcomers.

“Much of Kurz’s rhetoric echoed positions long held by the Freedom Party, which for decades has anchored the far right of politics in this nation of 8.7 million…

“Freedom Party backers were in a jubilant mood Sunday night, eating schnitzel, dancing to Austrian folk music and waving flags at the party’s election-night celebration. Heinz-Christian Strache, the party leader, said the results proved that ‘our message has reached the mainstream…’

“The elevation of Kurz to chancellor would put another young and charismatic leader at the helm of a European government, after the election of 39-year-old Emmanuel Macron in France.

“Kurz, though ideologically to the right of Macron, modeled much of his campaign after the Frenchman’s. The Austrian politician styled his run for the nation’s highest office as a movement, not a conventional election, and personalized his party, informally renaming it ‘the Sebastian Kurz List.’

“Kritzinger said Kurz’s opponents were flummoxed by how to counteract the charismatic People’s Party leader, who took the reins in the party this year and promptly remade it as his own.

“’From a rhetoric perspective, he’s an absolute talent,’ Kritzinger said. ‘The other parties didn’t know how to deal with him.’”

The Times of Israel commented on October 16:

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called to congratulate Sebastian Kurz on his victory in Austria’s elections, according to a statement from his office that made no mention of the success of the far-right Freedom Party.

“On Sunday, the 31-year-old Kurz’s  People’s Party (OeVP) swept to victory with a projected 31.7 percent of the vote, ahead of the Social Democrats (SPOe) at 26.9% and the anti-migrant Freedom Party (FPOe) at 26%, leading to the expectation that Kurz would turn to the far right party as a coalition partner…

“Kurz, for his part, told the prime minister of his interest in boosting Austria’s ties with Israel, the PMO said.

“The statement did not make any mention of the Freedom Party’s expected role as the junior partner in Kurz-led coalition. In 1999, Israel recalled its ambassador after the party, then under Jörg Haider, joined the government.

“The success of the FPOe, which was founded by former Nazis in the 1950s, has created a dilemma for Israel, whose government refuses to meet with members of the party. If senior party member Norbert Hofer were to become foreign minister, as is common for runners-up in Austrian coalition governments, Jerusalem would have to choose between ending its longstanding policy of not interacting with ultra-nationalist parties and boycotting a top diplomat of a friendly country.

Politico wrote on October 18:

“Regardless of whether it joins the next Austrian government, the far-right Freedom Party was the victor in the country’s election last Sunday. Like Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, the anti-immigration party has built the theater in which the mainstream parties are now performing.

“Sebastian Kurz — the 31-year-old leader of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) — is set to lead a right-leaning coalition that includes the far-right Freedom Party. The last time Austria’s populists won more than a quarter of the vote and played kingmaker, in 1999, the other EU members isolated Vienna through bilateral sanctions. But what shocked EU leaders then is barely causing a stir now.

“In part, this is simply because the inclusion of the far right is not as shocking as it was 20 years ago. Since then, governments across Europe — from Hungary to Italy — have turned rightward and a host of mainstream political leaders have adopted anti-immigrant rhetoric in an effort to keep the political fringes at bay.

“Exclusion is no longer an option. The EU is too busy trying to figure out how to respond to the most blatant challenges to its rule of law and other key values — from self-proclaimed “illiberal” governments in Budapest and Warsaw.

“When it comes to Austria, the other European countries will be watching whether campaign slogans turn into action, particularly when it comes to migration policy.”

Kurz’s rise to power reflects the growing revolt across Europe over a seeming lack in answering the concern for Europe’s traditional values. Europe is turning to younger, charismatic leaders, and that opens the door for the emergence of a very powerful personality who is destined to emerge to lead a totally new kind of European nationalism!

Macron Calls for New Political Heroes

The Independent reported on October 15:

“Emmanuel Macron has said modern democracies need new political heroes and called for an end to the ‘European civil war’.

“The French President said he wanted to ‘renew the European dream and reawaken ambitions for it’ during an interview with German newspaper Der Spiegel.

“His comments come days after the fifth round of Brexit talks closed with the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, claiming the EU and UK were in a ‘deadlock’ over Britain’s financial contribution.

“Giving his thoughts on modern democracy, Macron said: ‘I am a strong believer that modern political life must rediscover a sense for symbolism.

“‘We need to develop a kind of political heroism. I don’t mean that I want to play the hero. But we need to be amenable once again to creating grand narratives.’

“He went on to call on leaders to work together to achieve ‘sovereignty, unity and democracy’ in Europe.

“‘Let’s put an end to this European civil war, the existence of which we don’t want to admit, and stop constantly looking at whether we are better than our neighbouring country at this or the other thing.’”

Vatican Prepares Forum to Support European Union

Vatican Radio reported on October 14:

“‘Rethinking Europe’ is the title of a high-level Forum of Dialogue which aims to discuss the main challenges of the European Union and the ways the Church can support the European project in a moment in which Europe itself seems to be at a crossroads.

“Organized by COMECE (the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community), in collaboration with the Holy See, the event will take place in the Vatican from 27 to 29 October.

“Presenting the Forum earlier this year, COMECE President Cardinal Reinhard Marx said: ‘Rethinking Europe will be the start of a process of dialogue between the Churches representatives (both bishops and seculars) and the politicians who have political responsibility and take decisions.’

“Participants will include hundreds of high-level Church and EU political representatives, together with other grassroots actors who will meet in a series of workshops and debates ‘in order to facilitate a frank and open discussion between stakeholders of different geographic, cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds, putting in practice the motto of the EU: Unity in Diversity’.

“The date for the Forum has been chosen to fall on the 60th anniversary of the signature of the Treaty of Rome.

“Pope Francis, who has repeatedly reminded the EU of its role and responsibility towards the world and n citizens and encouraged EU representatives of their commitment to safeguard peace and the dignity of all women and men, will address the participants on Saturday, 28 October.

“Presenting the project for the Forum, COMECE stressed that ‘The main message of the Church is to put the human person back at the heart of the European public policy and the Dialogue of Rome will be a milestone of this process’.”

China Tightens Communism

The Washington Post wrote on October 18:

“For 3½ hours, China’s President Xi Jinping commanded the stage and the nation’s television screens as he set out a far-reaching agenda for the Communist Party, outlining a vision of total control, not only of the nation’s economy and the Internet but also of culture, religion and morals.

“The Communist Party already has a hand in just about every aspect of life here. But Xi’s speech Wednesday — opening a five-yearly congress of the party’s top leadership — cast the net even wider.

“His was a vision of a reinvigorated Communist Party, backed by a strong economy and a powerful, modern military taking an even more central role in the affairs of the nation and a more confident role on the world stage.

“‘Achieving national rejuvenation will be no walk in the park,’” Xi told more than 2,200 members of the party’s elite, speaking beneath gigantic red drapes and a huge hammer and sickle in the mammoth Great Hall of the People, a monument to Communist authoritarianism, on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square…

“The theme of the congress: that the party should remain true to its original aspiration, hold high the banner of socialism and secure a decisive victory in the battle to build a moderately prosperous society.”

Powerful Hurricane Pummels Ireland

CNBC reported on October 16:

“The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are experiencing some of the most extreme weather the island has seen in decades as the aftermath of Hurricane Ophelia strikes.

“Schools and hospitals are closed, many public transport and aviation services have ceased operations and the army has been sent to shore-up flood defenses in what has been called an “unprecedented storm” by Ireland’s meteorological office.

“Two people were killed in separate incidents when trees fell on their cars — a woman in her fifties in the southeast and a man on the east coast. Another man in his thirties died while trying to clear a fallen tree in an incident involving a chainsaw.

“Over 360,000 homes and businesses were without electricity with another 100,000 outages expected by nightfall, Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board said, describing it as an unprecedented event that would [a]ffect every part of the country for days.”

California Wildfires Prove Historic!

AP reported on October 17:

“The fires that swept through parts of seven counties were the deadliest and most destructive series of blazes in California history. At least 42 people died and 6,000 homes were lost.

“The flames were especially devastating in Sonoma and Napa counties on the northern edge of the Bay Area — a region that has seen housing prices skyrocket in recent years amid a technology industry boom. In San Francisco, an average one-bedroom apartment rents for more than $3,000 a month, and the median home price is about $1.5 million.

“Cities such as Santa Rosa, about 50 miles north of San Francisco, have offered more affordable housing for people willing to endure a longer commute. But that may not be the case anymore…

“An estimated 100,000 people were evacuated at the height of the fires, and about 22,000 remain under evacuation.”

As this report shows, the repercussions will last far past the time when these fires are quenched. Like so many disasters which have occurred in recent weeks, the challenge to survive and rebuild is simply overwhelming.

Without comparing other Scriptures, some assume that Jesus will immediately judge all people at His return. But that is NOT what the Bible reveals!

These verses referenced in Matthew 25:31-46 encompass a PERIOD OF TIME in which Jesus will reign on the earth in the Kingdom of God. It is important to understand that judgment has been given to Him by the Father, as Jesus stated, “‘For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son…’” (John 5:22). Paul also taught this:

“‘Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead’” (Acts 17:30-31; compare Acts 10:42).

In saying that God “‘has appointed a day,’” what did Paul mean? Was this to be just a twenty-four-hour period—only ONE day? In speaking about those who rejected the preaching of the gospel by His twelve apostles, Jesus stated:

“‘Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!’” (Matthew 10:15).

In this example with Sodom, is Jesus’ statement to be understood as implying that there is only ONE judgment period for ALL mankind —or is He referring to a very specific future time in which people will give account for themselves and be examined  based on their response to being taught the Truth of God? (Compare Matthew 11:20-24). The answer is that in the example regarding Sodom, He is referring to a time period which is described in the Bible as the Great White Throne Judgment… but it does not refer to the same judgment period for ALL human beings.

Very clearly, the Bible reveals that there will be multiple resurrections, as well as multiple judgment periods, and that judgment is taking place NOW for those whom God calls in this age:

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’” (1 Peter 4:17-18).

Those whom God has called and who are judged to be righteous in this life will be in the FIRST RESURRECTION:

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Corinthians 15:22-23; compare 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Further proof that judgment regarding the receipt of eternal life will have been taking place already by Jesus prior to His return for those who are called now (remember, all judgment has been committed to Jesus—John 5:22) is found in the Book of Revelation. In chapters 2 and 3, it is to those people in the Church of God who “overcome,” that both eternal life and rewards of reigning with Him are offered. Also, in Hebrews 11, other righteous men and women are mentioned who await the first resurrection:

“And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews 11:39-40).

All of those “who are Christ’s at His coming,” will have been judged to receive eternal life. They will receive the promise, and that will take place BEFORE subsequent resurrections occur:

“And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4-6).

(As an aside, we also read in this passage that it is our incredible potential to rule and judge under Christ. And as will be mentioned below, even those in the First Resurrection will still appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be given their reward of rulership in the Kingdom of God.)

Notice how there will be a period of judgment following the thousand years:

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).

All people will be judged by Jesus Christ! Those not in the First Resurrection will be brought back to life. There will be a period of time in which the Way of God is taught, and the people will have a chance to choose life in God’s eternal Kingdom—it is the choice which has always been ultimately set before mankind (compare Deuteronomy 30:19-20). And, as God’s Word reveals, everyone will face Jesus Christ:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10; also, Romans 14:10). And this will include those in the First Resurrection as well. They, too, will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be given their specific reward of rulership in the Kingdom of God (compare Luke 19:11-27).

Not only will everyone appear before Christ, but everyone will submit to His authority:

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Along with those in the First Resurrection, everyone who does come to repentance in the Second Resurrection will make up those who are figuratively called the “‘sheep’” in Matthew 25, verses 32 and 33. (Note that the term “Second Resurrection” does not occur in the Bible, but is revealed in Revelation 20 as following the First Resurrection when Christ will judge all of the rest of humanity.) It has been man’s potential from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34) to inherit eternal life, but man must decide and choose to accept God’s offer.

However, a final or third group is revealed—people who refused in this life and who will refuse in the future to accept God’s Way of Life. They will come back to life in a Third Resurrection to be destroyed in the lake of fire. They will, by that time, have been judged for eternal condemnation, as they REJECTED OBEDIENCE to God. They are those who are identified as the “‘goats’” in Matthew 25, verses 32 and 33, and who are positioned at Christ’s “‘left hand.’” Their fate is described in verse 31 of Matthew 25:

“‘Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”

These are those who will experience the “second death” (Revelation 20:14). As Revelation 20, verse 13, shows, this will be a period of judgment—but this is to formally condemn those who have committed  sin and have fully known God’s Truth but have chosen to utterly reject God, His Son—Jesus Christ—and the opportunity for eternal life:

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:4-6).

And:

“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27).

Jesus Christ will complete the judgment of mankind, and as we have seen, the Bible reveals that judgment involves a period of time and does not occur just at His return to the earth:

“But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:23-26).

Focusing specifically on Christ’s judgment in Matthew 25:31-46, we also note that His judgment will occur throughout the Millennium as well, in addition to the Great White Throne Judgment period of the Second Resurrection. Those who live in the Millennium will also be judged on a continuous basis—like we are being judged today and like those in the Second Resurrection who will be judged during a 100 year time period (compare Isaiah 65:20). That is, the nations mentioned in Matthew 25 will not only be judged at the very beginning of the Millennium, but throughout the 1,000 years and thereafter. The process of time and the continuation of Christ’s judgment are clearly described in verse 46, stating that the righteous will go away into everlasting life. This cannot refer to those in the First Resurrection as they will have already received everlasting life when they appear before the judgment seat of Christ. (The continuation of Christ’s judgment over all of mankind is also clearly described in Isaiah 9:6-7).

The argument is made that the entire judgment period in Matthew 25 must refer to those who have lived and died before the Millennium and can’t refer to those in the Millennium and the Second Resurrection, as in the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment, there will not be any prisons nor any of the other conditions mentioned in Matthew 25. This argument overlooks that Christ’s statements also address people who lived before His return (including those who will survive the Great Tribulation and live into the Millennium and those who will be brought back to life in the Second Resurrection). Their judgment will include actions committed in this life… especially when they refuse to repent (Matthew 25:46). Christ’s statements must also be viewed in the context of those who choose a way of give and those who choose to live a way of get.

The Work of God given to Jesus Christ includes judging the world, but it is not for condemnation! Rather it is the work of salvation:

“‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved’” (John 3:16-17).

NOTE: For further information about God’s great masterplan for salvation, please study our booklets and articles on God’s Holy Days, Punishment for Our Sins, and the Gospel of the Kingdom of God —available at www.eternalgod.org

Lead Writers: Dave Harris and Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

We are pleased to announce the baptism of four people in Templin, Germany, during the Feast observance. Welcome to the Church of God!

It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the death of Joan Voss on October 13, 2017. Joan attended services in Woodburn, Oregon. Her example of optimism and true faithfulness to God remains with all who knew her. She will be greatly missed!

Sermonettes and sermons from the recent Holy Days will be posted on our websites very soon.