On July 2, 2016, Dave Harris will present the sermonette, titled, “Other People,” and Robb Harris will present the sermon, titled, “The Forerunner to Destruction.”

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.

History has been made and prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes.  A week before the June 23, 2016, referendum in Great Britain, I was asked by someone I know, who is not in the church, what I thought about the Brexit and if the United Kingdom would vote to stay or leave the EU.  I answered him, saying that I believe they will decide to leave, if not on June 23, then sometime in the future, although I hinted at the great possibility that it would happen on June 23.  He didn’t necessarily agree with me and then brought up all kinds of explanations for his belief that they would vote to stay.

A day before the referendum, he asked me again if I thought that the Brexit would happen, but now he added if I would “bet on it.”  I gave him the same answer, and this time I added the reason why I was so convinced that they would ultimately leave, without placing a bet, as it would prove to be an unfair outcome on his end.  Since I knew that he didn’t really believe in the Bible, I told him what I believed and that based on biblical prophecy, the UK leaving the EU would happen.  However, it wouldn’t end there.  I explained to him that out of the present EU, very powerful core European countries would emerge. He also wondered how the stock market would be affected, and I merely responded to be prepared.

What we in the church have been saying for years is coming to fruition, and we have been able to back it up BECAUSE we understand biblical prophecy.  We have produced videos, messages and literature for many years, warning about Great Britain leaving the EU and ten European countries or groups of nations emerging that will unify and become militarily strong (compare Daniel 2:42). These ten nations or groups of nations will only rule for a short time, and they will give their power and authority to a charismatic political personage – the “beast” (Revelation 17:12-13), who will also work together with a religious figure, called “the false prophet.” Our free booklet, “The Ten European Revivals of the Ancient Roman Empire,” explains all of this in great detail.

Now that we see more and more how prophetic situations are developing in the world, we must ask ourselves just how prepared we are, for we are accountable for ourselves and others. Do we have our priorities straight or are we “delaying” the return of Christ?  Would we be ready if the great tribulation was to occur very soon, or do we need to make changes so we can be counted worthy to escape all these terrible events that will occur during the great tribulation?  Are we close enough to God and do we place Him first?  These are important questions that we need to ask ourselves because the future is also dependent on us!

People who don’t know the truth and who don’t understand biblical prophecy and the actual significance of what is happening now in the world, will be caught off guard, as more and more prophetically described events start to take place in the near future.  We, however, who KNOW the truth and who UNDERSTAND what the Bible is saying, MUST continue to be on guard, for Christ warns that “if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you” (Revelation 3:3).  Paul also expounds upon this in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-10 where he says, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.  For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.  You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.  For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.”

Interesting times are indeed ahead of us, and we are witnessing “a change in the making.”  We must continue to watch and pray always that we “may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

We begin with reports on the last terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey, following Turkey’s announcements regarding improved relationships with Russia and Israel; and we continue with several reports about the situation in Great Britain and continental Europe, following the British referendum to exit from the EU. British politicians from both camps are trying to delay the process, while many Europeans demand speedy action. The divorce between Britain and Europe has been described as messy, ugly and dirty.

At the same time, some continental Europeans are pursuing their vision of Europe, and in the wake of the Brexit vote, a German-French proposal recommends an even tighter “collaboration” and the creation of a United States of Europe, while others seem to be pushing for a European army. Please view our new StandingWatch program on the subject, titled, “No Exit from Brexit”; as well as last week’s program, titled, “Brexit Won—Now What?” 

We continue with a controversial decision of the US Supreme Court regarding abortion and a misleading article, falsely suggesting and complaining about an alleged big change in the US Naturalization procedures.

We quote further upsetting comments by Pope Francis, including his ideas regarding homosexuals, the blessing of weapons, Martin Luther and the Reformation, and the role of Pope Benedict; and we conclude with an eye-opening article, putting to rest the hoax that the Holocaust never happened, while warning of a potential repetition in European architectural design.

Terror Attack in Istanbul

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 29:

“The bombing at Ataturk Airport is the most recent attack in a long line of lethal assaults Turkey has seen over the past year. The country is struggling to defend itself against Kurdish militants and Islamist terrorists.

“Turkey is still in shock after three suicide bombers killed at least 41 people and injured 239 more at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport on Tuesday. Among the victims were travelers from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, China, Iran, Ukraine and Jordan.

“The attack was the latest in a string of violent terrorist acts that have rocked Turkey since 2015. On July 20, 2015, the terrorist group ‘Islamic State’ (IS) first attacked in Turkey, killing 34 leftists and Kurds in the southern town of Suruc. Turkish forces retaliated by bombing IS strongholds in Syria.

“IS’ first bombing in Suruc triggered a spiral of violence. The activists were on an aid mission to Kobane, where months earlier Syrian Kurdish figh[t]ers affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) had defended against an IS onslaught with the help of US airstrikes. The Turkish government’s mute response to the ‘Battle for Kobane’ – which became a source of nationalist pride for Kurds across the Middle East -raised sentiment among Turkish Kurds that the government was backing IS against their ethnic brethren in Syria.

“The PKK responded to the Suruc attacks by murdering two police officers in retaliation for what it views as Turkish support for IS to counter the Syrian Kurds. Turkey’s government had been in peace talks with the militant PKK for two and a half years in a bid to end more than three decades of fighting. But after the killing of the two police officers and subsequent Turkish retaliatory airstrikes, the peace was shattered. Ever since then, the country has been struggling with violence from two sides: IS terrorists and Kurdish militants.

“No one has taken responsibility for the most recent bombing at Ataturk Airport, but Turkish authorities are blaming IS. The Islamist terrorists were definitely responsible for several other deadly attacks in Turkey since July 2015. Aside from the attack in Suruc, they also killed 102 people and injured 400 at a leftist and Kurdish peace rally in Ankara on October 10, 2015. Another IS suicide attack in Istanbul’s heavily touristed Sultanahmet district in January killed 12 people, mostly German tourists…”

The Guardian wrote on June 30:

“According to Turkish government officials, the three attackers who stormed the airport’s lower-level arrivals terminal came from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The authorities believe the trio carried out their suicide mission on behalf of Islamic State.”

“Erdogan Went to Sleep with Dogs and Woke Up with Beasts…”

JTA wrote on June 29:

“Exactly two years since Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced the establishment of the ‘Islamic State,’ Baghdadi’s life project looks less like a country and more like the most vicious and sophisticated terror group the world has ever known. And that’s even taking al-Qaeda into account. Time after time, IS proves capable of carrying out massive attacks at resonant targets (like Turkey’s busiest airport), with major potential consequences (such as a drastic fall in tourism)…

“Its ambitions are not limited to the Middle East, either. IS is doing all it can to export terror attacks across the Bosphorus, to Europe and also to the United States. One or more of these attempts is likely to succeed sooner or later…

“And here is where Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey enters the picture. The president and his government for years ignored the stream of fighters that traveled through their country to territories controlled by the Islamic State. They preferred to concentrate their military efforts against the Kurds. They preferred to cooperate with IS, the Nusra Front and others by looking the other way, hoping to weaken their other enemy – Bashar Assad, the president of what is left of Syria.

“More recently, however, US pressure bore fruit, and Erdogan instructed Turkish intelligence to try to stop the flow of IS volunteers from Turkey, and to tackle the black market for IS oil. That’s how Erdogan, an Islamist from the Muslim Brotherhood ilk, an overt supporter of the Hamas terror group, became the man who went to sleep with dogs and woke up with beasts, how he became the enemy of Islamic State…”

Consequences of the Brexit Vote

The Washington Post wrote on June 25:

“… political aftershocks rocked both sides of the English Channel following Britain’s historic vote to leave… British voters and their European peers began… to digest the full and enormous consequences of the historic decision to break with Europe. In Berlin, foreign ministers from the six original members of the E.U. spoke with one voice, effectively telling the British that now that they have decided, there should be no delay to the exit door.

“Cameron has sought a looser timetable to give his Conservative Party a chance to choose his successor, whose task it would be to fashion a withdrawal deal over the course of two years. But technically, negotiations can’t start until Britain triggers the bloc’s Article 50 — the never-before-used mechanism to leave it. Cameron has given no indication of pulling that lever fast. But for European officials stung by the vote, patience was wearing thin…

“At the same time, deep intrigue reminiscent of ancient European power plays using knights and swords instead of the ballot box swirled over the future of Scotland. Scottish voters, unlike the English or Welsh, voted on Thursday to remain in the E.U… some E.U. politicians have said that if Scotland extends a hand, the E.U. should take it… ‘If Scotland wants to be a member of the European Union as an independent country, then they are welcome,’ said Manfred Weber, the chair of the European Parliament’s center-right European People’s Party and an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel…

“Britain could undergo even further dismantling if the nationalists in Northern Ireland, which also voted to remain in the E.U., press ahead with their calls for a vote on Irish reunification. Signs at the main post office in Belfast warned all who entered that it had already run out of applications for passports from Ireland.

“In the tumult, Jonathan Hill, Britain’s European commissioner, announced his resignation Saturday, citing his disappointment at the outcome of the referendum. His departure as Britain’s most senior official in Brussels was expected, but it nonetheless was another reminder of how the vote Thursday is quickly shrinking the country’s role in European affairs…”

What Will Scotland Do?

The Telegraph wrote on June 29:

“Nicola Sturgeon’s hopes of negotiating a deal to keep Scotland in the EU has suffered a major setback after Francois Hollande ruled out talks and the Spanish Prime Minister [Mr Rajoy] said it has to leave with the rest of the United Kingdom… A series of other member states, including Germany, also said they would not get involved in ‘internal’ British politics…

“Mr Rajoy… told a news conference following a summit of European leaders in Brussels: ‘… Scotland does not have the competence to negotiate with the European Union. Spain opposes any negotiation by anyone other than the government of United Kingdom.’

“Mr Rajoy’s uncompromising stance appears to make a second independence referendum more likely, as Ms Sturgeon has said that she will propose one if that is the ‘best or only way to protect Scotland’s place in the EU.’

“But [Mr Rajoy’s] statement also suggests that a separate Scotland would start life outside the EU and have to negotiate entry, a process that could take years and involve adoption of the euro, a hard border with England and tight public spending controls.”

In the Wake of the Brexit… Anti-Semitism in Corbyn’s Labour Party

JTA wrote on June 28:

“Only a week ago, Jeremy Corbyn seemed to have survived his biggest public relations debacle as the leader of Britain’s Labour Party: the proliferation of anti-Semitic rhetoric among its members. Yet this week, the British vote to leave the European Union achieved what Corbyn’s opponents failed to do in their attacks against him over anti-Semitism.

“On Tuesday, 172 Labour lawmakers among the total 229 in the Parliament said they had no confidence in Corbyn, opening the door to a challenge that if co-signed by 51 lawmakers will lead to internal elections. The previous day, the party’s leadership abandoned Corbyn in a mass walkout over his perceived failure to effectively lobby against the Brexit, which a majority of voters supported in Thursday’s referendum.

“Relying on strong popular support in the Labour rank-and-file and ignoring calls to resign by former supporters who quit in protest of his leadership, Corbyn is holding on to his seat. Critics say he risks splitting and ruining a party that used to be a natural political home for British minority groups, including many from the Jewish community…

“Under fire by senior party members who accused him of either doing too little to curb the phenomenon or of contributing to it with his open endorsement of anti-Israel terrorists, Corbyn took a serious beating in the mainstream media. The pressure mounted after Ken Livingstone, a former mayor of London, said Adolf Hitler was a Zionist. Livingstone was suspended from the party…”

More Outcry Against Corbyn

The Guardian wrote on June 30:

“Jeremy Corbyn was engulfed in a fresh row over Israel when he appeared to compare the government of Binyamin Netanyahu to Islamic State at the launch of an independent review into antisemitism in the Labour party. In prepared remarks, Corbyn said: ‘Our Jewish friends are no more responsible for the actions of Israel or the Netanyahu government than our Muslim friends are for those of various self-styled Islamic states or organisations.’,,,

“Responding to the report, Jonathan Arkush, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews… added: ‘It is deeply regrettable that [Corbyn] went on to establish some sort of equivalence between Israel and terrorist groups such as Isis. This is completely unacceptable.’…

“The Labour MP Ruth Smeeth walked out of the press conference after being accused of colluding with the Daily Telegraph in a row over leaflets allegedly describing MPs opposed to Corbyn’s continued leadership as ‘traitors.’ Corbyn refused to take questions on the challenge to his leadership or whether he intended to remain at the helm of the party. ‘I am the leader,’ he said…

“Corbyn, who was greeted with whoops and cheers as he stood at the podium, criticised ‘hateful language’ used by some of the most prominent pro-leave campaigners in the referendum debate, naming Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Nigel Farage…

“Danny Rich, senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, said although he did not believe the Labour party was institutionally antisemitic, Livingstone’s comments and other rhetoric had made an independent inquiry necessary. He added: ‘Jeremy Corbyn’s comment at the press conference, which paralleled Israel and Islamic State, makes me wonder whether he, at least, has learned anything at all from the inquiry.’”

EC Founding Members: “No Time to Lose!”

Deutsche Welle added on June 25 :

“‘The people have spoken and we need to implement this decision,’ Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said on the British vote to leave the EU. The UK should not ‘play a game of cat-and-mouse’ by delaying divorce talks, he added… ‘There is no time to lose,’ said French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. ‘Of course a new (British) prime minister must be appointed, that will probably require a few days but this is quite urgent,’ he added.

“Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said Europe could not accept a political vacuum. ‘This will not be business as usual,’ he said.

“The present-day European Union originated from the European Economic Community, which was established in 1957 by West Germany, France, Italy, and the Benelux countries. The UK joined the organization in 1973.”

Is Britain Trying to Stall?

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 27:

“Germany’s EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger on Monday joined the chorus of voices calling on Britain to clarify its intentions after the Brexit vote, telling broadcaster Deutschlandfunk that the Conservative Party under Prime Minister David Cameron must swiftly decide on what course to take… His comments echoed those made at the weekend by the president of the European Parliament, Oettinger’s compatriot Martin Schulz… On Monday, Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert also said that the chancellor rejected any long delay in Britain’s departure from the bloc…

“However, Britain’s Cameron has so far refused to invoke Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty and has signalled that he wants to wait several months before beginning the country’s exit from the bloc, leaving his European partners in a state of limbo… By Cameron’s timetable, a replacement should be found ready for the Tories’ party conference in October, a delay that might not prove palatable on the continent.

“Even those British politicians behind the ‘Leave’ campaign seem to be in considerable doubt as to how to proceed without damaging British interests. Boris Johnson, who is favorite to become the next Conservative prime minister, has tried to allay fears about the country’s economic future by claiming that it would continue to have access to the EU single market. What he could not explain, however, was how Britain can continue to partake in free trade in Europe without accepting precisely the EU regulations that those in the ‘Leave’ campaign want to jettison, including rules on freedom of movement for EU citizens.”

Daily Mail added on June 27:

“… the result continues to cause deep divisions within the UK, with departing Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne criticised for a lack of leadership, while Leave campaign figurehead Boris Johnson has also come under fire for ‘backtracking’ on arguments he made in favour of Brexit.”

Europe Angry with Britain

The Associated Press wrote on June 27:

“The European Union wants a quickie divorce, but Britain wants time to think things over… EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warned that the split was ‘not an amicable divorce’ but noted it was never ‘a tight love affair anyway.’…

“… French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron expressed the frustrations that many EU politicians feel, accusing Britain of taking the EU ‘hostage’ with a referendum called to solve a domestic political problem: challenges to Cameron from right-wing euroskeptics…

“Legally, there is little the EU can do to force Britain’s hand, since Article 50 must be triggered by the country that is leaving. But political pressure and economic instability may force British politicians to act more quickly than they had hoped…

“Britain will remain an EU member until the divorce is finalized, but its influence inside the bloc is already waning. Leaders of the bloc will hold a summit in Brussels next week, and the second day, Wednesday, will take place for the first time without Britain…”

UK Loses Top Credit Rating

BBC wrote on June 27:

“The UK has lost its top AAA credit rating from ratings agency S&P following the country’s Brexit vote. S&P said the referendum result could lead to ‘a deterioration of the UK’s economic performance, including its large financial services sector’.

“Rival agency Fitch lowered its rating… forecasting an ‘abrupt slowdown’ in growth in the short-term.”

The Associated Press wrote on June 27:

“The referendum has already triggered financial turmoil around the world… Credit rating agency Moody’s downgraded the U.K.’s economic outlook from stable to negative, saying Britain faces ‘a prolonged period of uncertainty … with negative implications for the country’s medium-term growth outlook.’”

Europe Stands Firm Against Britain

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 28:

“Great Britain cannot expect special treatment during negotiations to leave the European Union, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday… ‘Whoever wants to leave this family cannot expect to have no more obligations but to keep privileges,’ she said, adding that there will be no ‘cherry-picking’ during the talks. ‘There must be and will be a noticeable difference between whether a country wants to be a member of the European Union family or not,’ she said… Even after Article 50 has been triggered Merkel reminded that Great Britain remains a part of the EU ‘for as long as the negotiations take place.’ ‘All the rights and duties that come with this membership are to be fully respected and held until the actual exit,’ she said…

“Access to Europe’s market also depends on ‘accepting Europe’s fundamental freedoms and the other rules and commitments that go with it,’ she said, adding that this rule ‘applies to Britain as it does to everyone else.’ The freedom of movement is one of the EU’s basic principles, but the UK ‘Leave’ campaigners drew a great deal of support for rejecting the bloc’s immigration rules…

“Merkel’s coalition partners, the Social Democrats (SPD)… called for a tough stance on the UK. ‘Those who decide against Europe must also face the consequences,’ said SPD faction head Thomas Oppermann. Although good relations with Britain should be maintained, Oppermann urged: ‘There can’t be an award for the exit, for nationalism and for anti-europeanism.’”

CNN wrote on June 29:

“The most vocal architect of Britain’s seismic decision to leave the European Union [Mr. Farage] thumbed his nose at the EU Parliament Tuesday as members booed and turned their backs on him, in the most visible clash of ideologies between Britain and Europe since last week’s vote…

“Britain’s divorce from the EU is shaping up to be messy, with Prime Minister David Cameron also in Brussels and at loggerheads with EU leaders over how to even begin…

“During his speech, Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, turned to confront Farage and said he was surprised he was there. ‘That’s the last time you are applauding here,’ he said to the British Brexiters. ‘You were fighting for the exit, the British people voted in favor of the exit. Why are you here?’”

No Way to Reverse the Brexit

Der Stern reported on June 28 that “Angela Merkel (CDU) does not see any possibility to stop and reverse” the Brexit, “which was voted upon by the British people.” She added that “all would be well advised to accept realities” and that “this is not the hour of wishful thinking.”

Der Spiegel and The Associated Press added that Merkel also said: “I fully expect that Britain will formalize the exit from the EU by invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.”

Brexit Means Brexit

Express wrote on June 30:

“Home Secretary Theresa May this morning launched her bid to replace David Cameron as prime minister by promising to ‘build a better Britain’… Despite supporting Britain remaining in the EU, Mrs May ruled out a second referendum on membership of the bloc. She said: ‘Brexit means Brexit. The campaign was fought, the vote was held, turnout was high and the country gave their verdict. There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it through the backdoor and no second referendum.’

“Mrs May promised to put controls on open-door EU migration as part of the Government’s Brexit negotiations… Mrs May vowed to set up a new Government department to deliver a Brexit deal, which she confirmed would be headed by a Brexit-supporting Tory MP.”

May Now the Favorite?

The Sun wrote on June 30:

“Boris Johnson sensationally pulled out of the Tory leadership race today after former ally Michael Gove brutally torpedoed his chances of becoming the next PM. The Conservative leadership race was blown wide open this morning as the Justice Secretary announced he was running for leader while also knifing Boris in an extraordinary attack on his credentials.

“… Mrs May, now the favourite to succeed Mr Cameron, launched her bid to ‘reunite the Conservative Party and Britain’ in the wake of the referendum… she promised not to trigger Article 50 and kick-off the two-year process of negotiating withdrawal until the UK’s negotiating strategy is agreed – probably not before the end of this year.

“The 59-year-old said she would create a new Government department, headed by a Cabinet-level minister who had campaigned for Leave, to oversee the UK’s departure from the EU. The timetable for the contest – which will end with a new Prime Minister being named on September 9 – was formally approved by the backbench 1922 Committee yesterday.”

… And Now—The EU Super State?

Express wrote on June 27:

“European political chiefs are to take advantage of Brexit by unveiling their long-held plan to morph the continent’s countries into one. The foreign ministers of France and Germany [revealed] a blueprint to effectively do away with individual member states in what is being described as an ‘ultimatum’. Under the radical proposals EU countries will lose the right to have their own army, criminal law, taxation system or central bank, with all those powers being transferred to Brussels. Controversially member states would also lose what few controls they have left over their own borders, including the procedure for admitting and relocating refugees.

“The plot has sparked fury and panic in Poland – a traditional ally of Britain in the fight against federalism… Meanwhile Lorenzo Condign, the former director general of Italy’s treasury, has said it is nearly impossible to see Europe opting for more integration at such a time of upheaval…

“But others see the Brexit vote as an opportunity to push ahead with the European elite’s long-cherished dream of creating a United States of Europe. Spain’s foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo has called for ‘more Europe’ whilst Italy’s finance minister, Carlo Padoan, is advocating a common budget for the eurozone states. And Emmanuel Macron, France’s economy minister, wants to go even further and set up a common eurozone treasury which would oversee the permanent transfer of funds from wealthier northern Europe to shore up Mediterranean economies.”

The Local wrote on June 27:

“The foreign ministers of Germany and France on Monday called for ambitious steps to strengthen the European Union after Britain’s shock vote to leave the bloc. ‘We will… take further steps toward a political union in Europe, and we invite the other European states to join us in this endeavour,’ Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Jean-Marc Ayrault wrote in a joint position paper. The top diplomats of the two core EU founding members and biggest economies said that ‘Germany and France have a responsibility to strengthen solidarity and cohesion within the European Union’.

“But they also signalled a willingness to accept a multi-speed union… The two centre-left politicians proposed closer cooperation in three key policy areas – internal and external security, the migrant and refugee crisis, and on fiscal and economic cooperation.

“A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a conservative, said that she had read the paper and considered it one of the many contributions that would shape the way ahead for the EU, as its government leaders agree on a common policy.

“Ayrault and Steinmeier… stressed that ‘Germany and France remain firmly convinced that the European Union is a historically unique and indispensable framework for the pursuit of freedom, prosperity and security in Europe, for fostering peaceful relations between its peoples and for helping bring peace and stability in the world… Our two countries share a common destiny and a common set of values. Both together are the foundation for an ever closer union of our peoples.’”

A European Army?

The Sun wrote on June 28:

“The spectre of an EU army was raised by Brexiteers as a reason to quit the EU. In the wake of a vote for Brexit, EU chiefs have been more brazen about their desire to form [an] EU army. In a document titled ‘EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy’, Europe’s chief diplomat said the Brussels bloc must be able to ‘repel, to respond and to protect’. While the paper stops short of explicitly calling for an EU army, it does suggest its members should work more closely on defence matters.

“The paper states: ‘We, as Europeans, need to take on a greater responsibility for our own security. We need to be ready and able to repel, respond and to protect ourselves against aggression, provocations and destabilisation.’

“Possible areas of cooperation include the deployment of unmanned aircrafts, aerial refuelling services, satellite communication and cyber resistance and defence.

“The head of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, Elmar Brok, has also argued for ‘more cooperation in the European defence policy’. He said: ‘We need a common (military) headquarters and a coalition (of EU countries) acting in accordance with the permanent structural cooperation of the EU Treaty. From such a group an EU army could eventually emerge.’”

The Daily Mail wrote on June 29:

“The foreign affairs chief of the EU has warned that Europe is unable to rely on NATO for its military without Britain, sparking worries that an EU army may have to be formed following the Brexit vote. EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini on Tuesday urged the bloc to do more in its own defence, just as leaders discussed Britain’s leave vote which will result in the loss of a major military power. While Britain is an active contributor to the currently very limited EU military operations, David Cameron has consistently opposed any idea of a separate EU army.

“Mogherini’s review, a year in the making, lays down ambitious goals for the EU in the face of new security challenges in the east, highlighted by the Ukraine crisis, and in the south, driven by turmoil across Africa and the Middle East… ‘An appropriate level of ambition and strategic autonomy is important for Europe’s ability to foster peace and safeguard security within and beyond its borders.’”

Express added on June 29:

“Downing Street had previously stated there was ‘no prospect of an EU army’. However, with Britain out of Europe it will not be able to veto a treaty change on the combined force.”

Supreme Court Turns More Liberal Towards Abortionists

The Associated Press wrote on June 27:

“The Supreme Court struck down Texas’ widely replicated regulation of abortion clinics Monday in the court’s biggest abortion case in nearly a quarter century. The justices voted 5-3 in favor of Texas clinics that had argued the regulations were only a veiled attempt to make it harder for women to get abortions in the nation’s second-most populous state. Justice Stephen Breyer’s majority opinion for the court held that the regulations are medically unnecessary and unconstitutionally limit a woman’s right to an abortion.

“Texas had argued that its 2013 law and subsequent regulations were needed to protect women’s health. The rules required doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and forced clinics to meet hospital-like standards for outpatient surgery…

“Justices Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan joined Breyer… Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented. Thomas wrote that the decision ‘exemplifies the court’s troubling tendency “to bend the rules when any effort to limit abortion, or even to speak in opposition to abortion, is at issue.”’ Thomas was quoting an earlier abortion dissent from Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February. Scalia has not yet been replaced, so only eight justices voted…”

Big Change in US Naturalization Procedure?

Breitbart wrote on June 25:

“Immigrants seeking to become citizens no longer have to pledge to ‘bear arms on behalf of the United States.’ They can opt out of that part of the Oath. Nor do they have to cite any specific religious belief that forbids them to perform military service….

“It’s true that other Presidents [besides President Obama] have made changes in the Naturalization process by administrative decree and without congressional approval. In 2002, in the wake of the 9-11 terrorist attack, President George Bush by executive order expedited the naturalization process for 89,000 immigrants serving in the armed forces. While many will agree with Bush’s action and even applaud, that change should have been done by act of Congress, not a presidential executive order.”

However, the statements in the article are misleading, at best.

The following “policy alert” is published on the USCIS website, dated July 15, 2015: https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/Updates/20150721-OathModifications.pdf

“In general, a naturalization applicant must take an oath of allegiance in a public ceremony, in addition to meeting other eligibility requirements, in order to naturalize. The oath includes the clauses to bear arms on behalf of the United States and to perform noncombatant service in the U.S. armed forces when required by law. An applicant may be eligible for certain modifications to the oath to exclude the clauses based on religious training and belief or a conscientious objection.

“This guidance updates Volume 12 of the Policy Manual to clarify the eligibility requirements for the modifications… an applicant may be eligible for modifications based on religious training and belief, or conscientious objection arising from a deeply held moral or ethical code… an applicant is not required to belong to a specific church or religion, follow a particular theology or belief, or to have had religious training in order to qualify… an applicant may submit, but is not required to provide, an attestation from a religious or other type of organization, as well as other evidence to establish eligibility.”

As can be seen, the statements in the quoted Breitbart article are incorrect or at least misleading. For more than half a century, candidates for naturalized citizenship have been permitted to give a “qualified oath,” exempting him or her from serving as a combatant, if his or her religious convictions were opposed to bearing arms. Many court decisions have upheld this right as well, dating back at least to the fifties. The latest USCIS policy change merely establishes guidelines of procedure as to how to uphold the right to a qualified oath in a given situation.

More From the Pope

The National Catholic Reporter wrote on June 26:

“The Catholic church and other Christian communities must apologize to gay people and to many groups they have let down or offended throughout history, Pope Francis has said… ‘When I say the church: [I mean:] Christians,’ Francis clarified. ‘The church is holy. We are the sinners.’

“The pope was responding to a question about remarks German Cardinal Reinhard Marx made last week that the Catholic church should apologize to the gay community for marginalizing them… ‘I will repeat the same thing I said on the first trip,’ Francis said today, referencing the press conference he held on a return flight from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2013. ‘I will also repeat what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: that [gay people] should not be discriminated against, that they have to be respected, pastorally accompanied.’ ‘The matter is a person that has that condition [and] that has good will because they search for God,’ said the pontiff…

“Francis was asked about Martin Luther, and the possibility of removing his excommunication, in relation to the pope’s upcoming October trip to Sweden for the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. ‘I believe the intentions of Martin Luther were not wrong,’ the pontiff responded. ‘He was a reformer.’ ‘Maybe some methods were not the right ones,’ the pope continued. ‘But in that time … the church was not really a model to imitate. There was corruption in the church. There was worldliness; there was attachment to money, power…’ After 500 years, Francis said, it’s time to ‘take up again the path of meeting each other,’ adding that Lutherans and Catholics must pray and work together. ‘This is a very long path,’ the pontiff said. ‘One time I said I know when the day of full unity will come: the day after the coming of the Son of Man.'”

On June 27, CNN added more information regarding the pope’s statements:

“‘I believe that the church not only should apologize to the person who is gay whom it has offended,’ he added, ‘but has to apologize to the poor, to exploited women, to children exploited for labor; it has to ask forgiveness for having blessed many weapons.’… James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at large of America magazine, called the Pope’s apology to gays and lesbians ‘a groundbreaking moment.’ ‘While… John Paul II apologized to several groups in 2000 — the Jewish people, indigenous peoples, immigrants and women, among them — no pope has ever come close to apologizing to the LGBT community. And the Pope is correct of course. First, because forgiveness is an essential part of the Christian life. And second, because no group feels more marginalized in the church today than LGBT people.’…

“In response to a question about whether there are two Popes in the Vatican, a story which had received headlines recently because of a comment by Pope Benedict’s personal secretary who said that the Pope Emeritus was part of an ‘expanded papacy,’ Francis said, ‘There is only one Pope.’ ‘[Benedict] is the Pope Emeritus, the wise grandpa. He is the man who guards my back with his prayers.'”

Reuters wrote on June 28:

“Former pope Benedict made one of his rare public appearances on Tuesday to be feted by his successor Pope Francis, two days after Francis denied reports that Benedict was still exercising influence in the Vatican. Benedict, an 89-year-old German, stood without a cane for part of a ceremony in a Vatican hall to mark the 65th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. But Benedict, in his first public comments in the presence of his successor, did appear to have difficulty pronouncing a few words as he thanked Francis and a small group of cardinals in Italian.

“In 2013 Benedict, citing health reasons, became the first pope to resign in some 600 years, ending a papacy of nearly eight years marked by a scandal centered around leaked documents that alleged corruption and mismanagement in the Vatican. He has since been living in relative isolation in a convent in the Vatican gardens and has made only a handful of brief public appearances, usually at major Church ceremonies together with Francis such as the investiture of new cardinals.”

Reuters added on June 26:

“Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said that the pope, by saying [that a gay person] ‘has that condition’, did not imply a medical condition but ‘a person in that situation’. In Italian, the word ‘condition’ can also mean ‘situation’.

“… Francis has been hailed by many in the gay community for being the most merciful pope toward them in recent history and conservative Catholics have criticized him for making comments they say are ambiguous about sexual morality. He told reporters on the plane ‘there are traditions in some countries, some cultures, that have a different mentality about this question (homosexuals)’ and there are ‘some (gay) demonstrations that are too offensive for some.’ But he suggested that those were not grounds for discrimination or marginalization of gays.

“The pope did not elaborate on what he meant by seeking forgiveness for the Church ‘having blessed so many weapons’, but it appeared to be a reference to some Churchmen who actively backed wars in the past.”

That puts it mildly, given the fact that throughout the history of the Catholic Church, it has promoted, supported and at times actively participated in brutal wars, especially in wars of extinction against religious minorities.

The Holocaust DID Really Happen!

JTA wrote on June 23:

“It’s been more than 50 years since the Nuremberg trials, yet proving the Holocaust actually happened remains an ongoing project. Why? For one, the Nazis covered their tracks, deliberately leaving gaps in the historical record. (In the death-camp blueprints that survive, for example, gas chambers were often labeled as morgues or ‘undressing rooms.’) As the years pass, survivors and eyewitnesses are dying or suffering dementia. Add in social media — including the rise of the ‘alt-right’ — and it creates an ideal environment for neo-Nazis to swiftly disseminate claims that the Shoah is a fiction.

“Filling the breach in our understanding of the Holocaust is a relatively new discipline called forensic architecture, which analyzes renderings, documents, videos and photographs of buildings and infrastructure and uses them to re-create atrocities, ranging from drone strikes on apartment buildings in wartime to the gassing of millions of Jews at Auschwitz.

“An example of how forensic architecture can be used to set the record straight is on display at this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale. Titled ‘The Evidence Room,’ it runs through Nov. 27… Robert Jan van Pelt, the curator of ‘The Evidence Room’ and a professor at Canada’s University of Waterloo, tells JTA he considers Auschwitz’s crematoria ‘the most important building of the 20th century.’… ‘The Evidence Room’… re-creates some of the definitive evidence used in a landmark British court trial 16 years ago that pitted the American Jewish historian Deborah Lipstadt against the Holocaust-denying British historian David Irving. The trial — soon to be dramatized in a major motion picture — is viewed as a watershed in the ongoing campaign against Holocaust deniers because it relied on actual physical evidence as opposed to anecdotal accounts.

“Some of this evidence is on display in van Pelt’s exhibit, which is located in a 500-square-foot space at the Biennale’s Central Pavilion. The walls are white plaster and adorned with bas reliefs that depict blueprints for the gas chambers, photographs and illustrations based upon eyewitness accounts, including an image of a kneeling naked Jewish woman being shot in the back of the head by a German officer.

“What makes the exhibition stand out from familiar Holocaust museum exhibits, however, are three full-scale models of gas chamber apparatus designed by the Nazis. There’s a mechanical gas canister delivery system encased by sturdy metal grillwork; a rough-hewn door with a grill-covered peephole, and a wood ladder propped against a wall with a small, locked hatch. These items, designed and fabricated by University of Waterloo students and faculty based on photos and eyewitness testimony, are also painted white…

“‘The forensic study of architecture was able to show that Irving had deliberately misrepresented historical evidence,’ Aravena writes in his essay on ‘The Evidence Room’ in the Biennale’s catalog. Van Pelt… has spent decades studying the architecture of Auschwitz and gathering physical evidence to show the workings of the Nazis’ systems. Thanks to his research, many myths have been definitively debunked — including that deadly gas emanated from shower heads. (It actually came from gas canister delivery systems…)

“Van Pelt discovered many of the documents and plans for Nazi death camps in archives in Eastern Europe that were opened after the fall of communism in 1989… He says the history of Auschwitz serves as a warning for architects to be socially conscientious about the impact of the buildings they design. One example: the refugee housing being built in parts of Europe that van Pelt says ‘is starting to approach concentration camp conditions.’ ‘Architects should get the equivalent of the oath of Hippocrates,’ van Pelt says. ‘When I teach my class, I tell them the story of Auschwitz — and I say whatever you do with your career, don’t do this.’”

(Español: ¿Qué revela la profecía sobre Europa y el Brexit?)

In this Q&A, we will give you a prophetic panorama on current and future developments in Europe in light of the Brexit.

The Church of God has been proclaiming for many years that, ultimately, Great Britain would not be a part of the European unification. The main reason for this warning has been that the Bible predicts a devastating war between Great Britain and continental Europe.

We have pointed out this fact in many of our booklets, and we have consistently warned about it in our weekly Updates and sermons. The following sets forth a brief synopsis, but the booklets quoted contain much more material and discussion on the particular issues, while offering much additional biblical proof. Following these quotes, further considerations will be discussed.

We stated the following in our free booklet, “The Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord” (first published in 2002):

“Many falsely believe that the house of Israel and the Jewish people are one and the same. Nothing could be further from the truth. Judah, from whom the Jewish people descended, was just one tribe of the descendants of Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel long ago (Genesis 35:10). In due time they separated from their Israelite brothers and, along with the tribes of Levi and Benjamin, formed the ‘house of Judah.’ The other tribes then became known as the ‘house of Israel.’ The ‘house of Israel’ went into captivity first, never to return to the ‘Promised Land.’ Today, they are known as the ‘lost ten tribes.’ The ‘house of Judah’ also went into captivity but did eventually return to Palestine. Many descendants of the house of Judah are living today in the state of Israel. In due time, as history and archeology reveal, the lost ten tribes of the house of Israel migrated to and settled in Europe and the British Isles. One tribe in particular, the descendants of Manasseh—the older son of Joseph—migrated from there to the United States of America, where they still are today. The descendants of Ephraim—the younger son of Joseph—can still be found in Great Britain and the Commonwealth Nations, including Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand…

“Incredible as it may seem, the United States and Great Britain, as well as other Commonwealth nations, will be overthrown and enslaved by their former ally and friend—the United States of Europe, led by the modern Assyrians…

“Looking at the present day, some may say that Europe could NEVER attack and successfully conquer Great Britain and the United States. They forget, however, that there have already been plans to do so, and the ONLY reason that it did not happen at the time was because God did not let it happen. Many times, God intervened by sending bad weather to prevent German attacks on British or American troops. Once God withdraws His protection, these things WILL occur as prophesied…”

We wrote in our free booklet, “The Ten European Revivals of the Ancient Roman Empire” (first published in 2013):

“There is strong historical and biblical indication that Britain will not be part of the final unification of Europe… it is highly unlikely that Britain will be part of it… the Bible says that in the very end, the European power bloc, under the leadership of the biblical ‘beast’ (a military leader), will fight a war against Britain.”

In our free booklet, “Biblical Prophecy… From Now until Forever” (first published in 2013), we wrote:

“At the same time this religious persecution of God’s servants during the ‘Great Tribulation’ is taking place, the modern nations and peoples of Judah (the Jews) and of the house of Israel (the English-speaking nations of the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and others) will be attacked and destroyed in war, mainly by a European power bloc (Matthew 24:15–28; Mark 13:14–20; Luke 21:20–24; Daniel 12:1; Jeremiah 30:10; Hosea 9:3; 13: 16; Amos 6:7; 7:17)…

“The military political leader of Europe, called the beast, will invade the Middle East and conquer Jerusalem, and his forces will, at the same time, successfully attack the USA and the UK—apparently using nuclear weapons, as all the major cities of the USA and the UK will be destroyed or laid waste in this war (compare Ezekiel 6:6; 35:4).

“We are told in Hosea 5:5, in the Authorized Version, that ‘Israel and Ephraim’ will ‘fall in their iniquity’ and that ‘Judah also shall fall with them.’ This is an end-time prophecy that has yet to be fulfilled. In the past, Israel and Judah ‘fell’ at different times, but never together or at the same time. The Tanakh says: ‘Israel’s pride shall be humbled before his very eyes, As Israel and Ephraim fall because of their sin (And Judah falls with them).”

We stated this in our free booklet, “The Book of Zechariah–Prophecies for Today” (first published in 2009):

“Many prophecies in the book of Zechariah deal with the Second Coming of the Messiah. Just prior to the return of Jesus Christ, God will inflict terrible punishment on the MODERN descendants of the ancient houses of Israel and Judah. We understand that the modern descendants of the houses of Israel and Judah include the peoples of the USA, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as the modern Jews, who live both inside and outside the present day state of Israel… As God scattered ancient Israel and Judah ‘with a whirlwind’—invasion and war—‘among all the nations,’ so God will scatter the modern houses of Israel and Judah…

“[A] remarkable prophecy for our time, which is directed against the modern English-speaking nations (and the religious and political leaders) of the USA and the British Commonwealth, and their future captivity and slavery, can be found in Zechariah 11… referring to three powerful religious and/or political leaders: ‘(8) “I dismissed the three shepherds in one month. My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me…” (14) Then I cut in two my other staff… that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.’

“This indicates that in the times just ahead of us, the close relationship between the USA and Britain on the one hand, and the state of Israel on the other hand, will cease. The future will have to show who the three shepherds will be who will be ‘dismissed’ ‘in one month.’”

We set forth the following in our free booklet, “Europe in Prophecy” (first published in 2004):

“It has… been learned that the modern German-speaking nations are the descendants of the biblical Assyrians…

“In Ezekiel 39:23, God states, ‘The Gentiles will know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them.’ Even Gentile nations will know why God is allowing this captivity of the modern-day descendants of Israel and Judah. The Germans will be the dominant people of the coming united Europe, which will conquer both the United States of America and Great Britain as well as the Jews, transporting captives to Europe and Egypt. This will all happen just prior to the return of Jesus Christ—for, in the remainder of Ezekiel 39, the prophet reveals that Christ will come to free the captives and bring them back into their land…

“Christ will come back to make an end of the war and destruction going on. Conditions will be so terrible that if Jesus Christ were not to intervene, all of mankind would be annihilated. He states in Matthew 24:22, ‘And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved [alive], but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened’…

“Isaiah 10:5 reveals more about the person who will launch the world into a devastating war: ‘Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger and the staff in whose hand is My indignation.’ God will use Assyria to punish Israel and Judah, but afterward, He will deal with Assyria… God Himself is calling the modern house of Israel an ungodly nation because they have forsaken Him!…

“It is interesting to note that at least three leaders, and possibly as many as seven leaders, of the various revivals of the Roman Empire were descendants of the Assyrians. And the Bible informs us that the last leader, called the king of the North, the Beast and King Jareb, will also be an Assyrian. For this reason, we must pay close attention to what is happening in Europe, and among the Germans in particular.”

Our free booklet, “The Fall and Rise of Britain and America” (first published in 2005), points out the following:

“A prophesied World War will occur just prior to the return of Jesus Christ… God yearns for the modern houses of both Israel and Judah to turn to Him and repent. Speaking of the house of Judah, the house of Israel, and, in fact, all nations, God says through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the adversities which I purpose to bring upon them, that everyone may turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin… It may be that they will present their supplication before the LORD, and everyone will turn from his evil way. For great is the anger and fury [a reference to the seven last plagues in the book of Revelation, compare Revelation 15:1] that the LORD has pronounced against this people’ (Jeremiah 36:3, 7).”

In our free booklet, “Germany in Prophecy” (first published in 2011, as an English translation of the original German booklet from 2001), we state the following:

“There is currently an apparent concord between Germany and the State of Israel as well as the United States and, to a lesser extent, Great Britain. But according to the Bible, the time will soon come when this friendly relationship will come to an end. The days of calamity are looming, when the United States, Great Britain and the modern state of Israel will seek the help of the modern Assyrians, without receiving it… We read God’s words in Hosea 5:9-14: ‘Ephraim [modern Great Britain and possibly, by extension, the USA] shall be desolate in the day of rebuke; Among the tribes of Israel I make known what is sure. The princes of Judah [modern Jews] are like those who remove a landmark; I will pour out My wrath on them like water. Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, Because he willingly walked by human precept. Therefore I will be to Ephraim like a moth, And to the house of Judah like rottenness. When Ephraim saw his sickness, And Judah saw his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria And [the Menge Bible says: ‘…and Judah…’] sent to King Jareb [Note that the ‘Elberfelder Bibel’ explains that ‘Jareb’ means, ‘fighter; or one who seeks quarrels’]; Yet he cannot cure you, Nor heal you of your wound. For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue.”

“Considering the former greatness of the British Empire and comparing it with today’s British Isles, we can see how accurate the following descriptions are in Hosea 7:8-9, 11-12. Beginning with verse 8: ‘Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned…’

“The Nelson Study Bible has the following interesting annotation: ‘Instead of depending on the Lord for political stability, Israel [Ephraim] formed [and forms] alliances with surrounding nations. The destructive outcome of this policy is compared to a cake that has been placed over a fire and left unturned.’…

“Modern Israel and modern Judah will try in vain, at their time of distress, to obtain assistance from Assyria. Rather, as the Bible reveals, the current ‘amicable’ relationships among certain nations will turn around. Another war is prophesied—the Assyrians will fight against modern Israel and Judah… Enslavement and mass deportation of peoples will be the result. Assyria, which will invade the territories of the modern Israelites and Jews, will bring some of the prisoners into its own country (as in the Second World War many of the imprisoned Poles and Yugoslavs were deported to Germany as forced laborers). Other Israelite and Jewish prisoners of war will be deported to various countries…”

In the above-quoted sections, repeated reference has been made to a unified Europe fighting in war with Great Britain. We read about “Babylon the Great” in Revelation 17 and 18—a mighty economic, military and religious European power bloc, which culminates in the last European revival of the ancient Roman Empire and its violent destruction just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. This destruction will not occur before the “Day of the Lord”—a time of godly intervention which will begin about one year before Christ’s return. It follows then that this mighty European power will continue to exist until that time.

This shows that current speculation is misplaced to the effect that the “European dream” is dead and that the EU will disintegrate and cease to exist. Rather, what prophecy reveals is that out of the current EU (consisting of 28 member states or “countries”, see below) and out of the current Eurozone member states (consisting of 19 “countries” which have adopted the euro, see below), ten nations or groups of nations will emerge, which will receive authority for one prophetic hour together with the “beast”—a charismatic political and military leader.

To emphasize, these ten European nations or groups of nations will receive power together with the beast “for one hour” (Revelation 17:12). They will not receive such power before the beast manifests himself. When he does, THEN they receive power at the same time, which they will then turn over to the beast. The mighty and powerful Babylonian system—“Babylon the Great”—will continue to exist, and so will the euro—the common European currency which glues the Eurozone states together. The concept is biblically untenable that the euro will fail and that the European nations will return to individual national currencies.

Some have asked why we are referring to “ten nations or groups of nations,” as it is believed that the Bible only refers to ten nations. However, the Bible does not specifically use either of those two terms.  It speaks of ten kings or kingdoms in the book of Revelation and ten horns in the book of Daniel. But when reviewing the biblical view point, these kings, kingdoms or horns (powers) do not have to correspond to humanly devised geographical borders, designed by political ambitions.

Note that currently, the EU member states consist of the following 28 EU “countries”:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

Currently, the 19 Eurozone member states are designated as follows:

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

It should be clearly seen that God is not viewing some of those “countries” as single and independent entities, and that is the reason why for many years the Church of God has referred to the prophesied end-time member states (or the core European member states) as “ten nations or groups of nations,” because some of the “countries” might be grouped together and are to be viewed as “one” in biblical terminology. For instance, Germany and Austria would be one entity or one group, even though man lists them as two nations. It should also be clear that little islands like Malta or Cyprus would not constitute individual countries or nations in God’s eyes; in all likelihood, Malta would be considered as part of either Italy or France, and Cyprus might be viewed as part of Greece. (This is not to say that the current Eurozone configuration constitutes the prophesied ten nations or groups of nations.)

In addition, consideration might be given to the possibility that in addition to Great Britain, other Israelite nations in Europe might leave the EU and even the Eurozone. Suggestions were recently made that some Nordic countries might form a trading bloc under British leadership and in competition to the Eurozone, and Eurozone members Finland and The Netherlands were specifically mentioned (in addition to EU members Sweden and Denmark, which are not part of the Eurozone). This would be an interesting development as these Nordic EU members are all descendants of the ancient House of Israel.

The modern tribes of the ancient House of Israel (in addition to Ephraim and Manasseh) can be found in the following European countries (compare our free booklet, “The Authority of the Bible,” pages 71 and 72):

Reuben can be found today in parts of modern France; Dan in Ireland and part of Denmark; Benjamin in Norway and Iceland; Zebulon in the Netherlands; Issachar in Finland; Gad in Switzerland; Asher in Belgium and Luxembourg; and Naphtali in Sweden. We are unable to determine the modern identity of Levi and Simeon, as they were prophesied to be scattered among the rest of the tribes of Israel (compare Genesis 49:7). Strong evidence suggests that many in Wales are descendants of Levi, and some Scots—especially around Glasgow—are descendants of Simeon, as well as of Levi. We should mention, of course, that people from many other countries have joined with and settled among all of the above-mentioned nations. This means that not everyone living in the United States, for example, is a descendant of the tribe of Manasseh.

Since the Bible tells us that the ten nations or groups of nations will fight against the modern descendants of the ancient House of Israel, it might be worth considering whether the war will not only be directed against Great Britain and former British Commonwealth nations (such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand), as well as the USA, but also against some of the Israelite nations in Europe. Such war could perhaps come about following a trading bloc of some of these nations in competition with the EU (but again, this would not really damage the wealth of the EU—“Babylon the Great”—but it could be viewed as a potential threat).

On the other hand, the name of Israel should rest specifically on the descendants of Joseph (Genesis 48:16), and biblical prophecies about the modern House of Israel are mainly directed towards them, so that a departure of Israelite nations from the Eurozone or even the EU is not compelling (as they might not become immediate war victims of the European super power). It is possible that many or all of these Israelite nations will stay members of the EU—in case of France, Belgium, Luxembourg or Ireland, this is very likely. Especially none of the descendants of Dan in today’s Ireland are mentioned in the book of Revelation as part of the 144,000 who will be sealed to receive special protection from God (see Revelation 7:4-8).

To summarize, we have been pronouncing the biblical warning for many years that Great Britain and the USA, among other English-speaking nations, will be defeated by a European super power in a coming World War. Sadly, the vast majority of indifferent and at the same time proud, Americans, are sound asleep. They are pursuing unimportant endeavors, and unless they wake up, listen to God and repent, their fate will be unimaginably terrible and devastating.

Big events have already occurred in the recent past, setting the stage for the final crescendo of end time prophecies—including the fall of the Berlin Wall; the unification of Germany; and the introduction of the euro. As another necessary preparatory step, the momentous prophetic event of Britain’s departure from the EU is in the process of being fulfilled. Even though the British government is willing to delay the actual departure as long as possible and the “Remain” camp is demanding a second referendum, continental European leaders have already demanded the initiation of a quick process, leading to the British exit. It is expected that Germany will fill the vacuum left by Britain, especially in the areas of the economy and “European security.”

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

The first draft of our new booklet, titled, “GOD’S LAW OR GOD’S GRACE?” has been sent for initial review. We anticipate having this published before the Fall Holy Days.

“No Exit from Brexit” is the title of this week’s StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

Many are speculating whether Great Britain might reverse the decision of the majority of the people to leave the EU, but political reality and the Bible rule out this possibility. In addition, due to the Brexit, remarkable developments are occurring in continental Europe, paving the way for the further fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

“Kein Zurück vom Brexit”, this week’s AufPostenStehen program, covers the same topic as above in German.

“Brexit Won – Now What?” is the title of last week’s StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

The British people have voted for Great Britain’s exit from the EU. How exactly is this going to occur; how much time will expire; and could it be that Britain will form a Nordic Trading Bloc with certain other European nations, such as Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and others? What does the Bible say, and why is the Brexit of fundamental prophetic significance?

“Brexit Hat Gewonnnen – Was Jetzt?”, last week’s AufPostenStehen program covers the same topic as above in German.

“Gottes Reichtum und menschliche Geldgier,” is the title of this week’s German sermon. This is the second part of our new series on money. Title in English: “God’s Riches and Man’s Love of Money.”

“The Power of Prophecy,” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is a summary:

What is about to happen to the people of the world and even to planet earth has been foretold by God, and the Church of God has been given a prophetic role to fulfill.

“Imperfection and Improvement,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is a summary:

The life of a Christian inherently involves handling imperfection. Whether the origin is our own behavior or the circumstances that surround us, we must develop the skills to handle imperfection gracefully. It is part of the job description of all Christians to continually improve as a way of life, so that perfection can ultimately be obtained.

On June 25, 2016, Dave Harris will present the sermonette, titled, “The Power of Prophecy,” and Eric Rank will present the sermon, titled, “Imperfection and Improvement.”

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.

What happens when your life is repeatedly moving into a different direction than where you want it to be—when you expect to find answers and more questions appear? Have you ever wished you could see into the future and be able to navigate through life’s ups and downs?

As human beings, we constantly make plans and try to affect the outcome of our lives for the best. We are always trying to come up with the right solutions for our problems and seeking answers. As long as humans have been here, this has been the case. It is easy to become distracted by our own wants, desires and ambitions. It is easy to get caught up in concentrating on ourselves while missing the fact that our lives hold such importance for all of us.

Do we believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ have seen us before time began? Do we accept that the words we read in our Bibles are true? If so, then we need to read and come to fully understand and put into practice what we claim to believe. First we read in Ephesians 2:10 that we are “created in Jesus Christ…” We have been given a new hold on life (also note 2 Corinthians 5:17-18). But this verse doesn’t just stop there. It continues: “… for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” The primary object here is that we should be living our lives in a holy way. This is explained so many times. Romans 6:4 tells us that we are called to “newness of life.” Ephesians 1:4 says that we have been chosen “before the foundation of the world” to be “holy and without blame.” God prepares beforehand for each of us particular good works, and the time and way which He sees best. By His providence, God brings about opportunities for good works, and makes us ready for their performance (John 15:16; 2 Timothy 2:21). He wants us to walk in them—not to “be saved” by them. Works do not justify, but a just man works (Galatians 5:22-25).

So how do we accomplish this goal, when life is throwing rocks at us left and right—when everything seems stacked against us? Does it seem then that God really cares? Does He answer us at all?

There can only be one answer!

God dares us to do something in Malachi 3:10. This passage involves the aspect of tithing. Also think about other areas of our lives. The principle of this Scripture applies in so many ways. God says: “… try Me NOW in this.” Don’t wait until it is convenient. Try it out and see if it works, if I won’t bless you for tithing. What if we took this challenge and applied it to bible study; prayer; meditation; helping out at Church services; volunteering time and effort to help promote the Word of God; in any situation, really.

These are ALL areas where we can apply this challenge. God wants to see the character that develops in us as we go through trials, while applying and being obedient to His rules and laws. If we do this, then God tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:8 that if we have good works then He can and will bless us. But if we think that we will be blessed at all times without having to grow spiritually, then there is still much to learn.

James 4:17 equates the good or evil that we do with the life that we choose to live. Notice, it says that everyone should seek the Lord’s Will. However, this is not just a one-time occurrence. Rather, it applies consistently, as it does with tithing or any of the above-mentioned activities. We don’t pray just one time for something and when nothing happens decide that we stop praying because God didn’t answer. Instead, it is just the opposite. We are commanded to pray “always” (Ephesians 6:18) and “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). If we fail to study God’s Word and pray for His help, how can He answer? Do we see the waterfall effect if we start failing in one area?

Consistency has to be our key—consistency in doing the right thing. We must have consistency in faith that God knows what is best for our individual situations; knowing that He will allow tests and trials to see where we stand in respect to our desire to have a relationship with Him. How can we expect God to answer if we half-heartedly go through the steps and motions of bible study and prayer? Psalm 23 lays out David’s deep respect and love for God and his relationship with God. Notice in this chapter the day-to-day reliance David had on God. He equated EVERYTHING as coming from God. He constantly was evaluating his life and seeking God’s Will in everything he did. He did this so he could come to the point where he would be able to see more clearly God’s point of view on things. And for this, God loved David dearly.

This is the type of reliance we need to establish in our relationship with God if we want to understand our lives better and where we are headed. Without this type of reliance and consistency on our part, we will be lost as to where we are on a daily basis. We will lose sight of what it is that God is trying to accomplish with each of us.

Try God! Put Him first in everything—in prayer, in thought, in deed and in action. If we start developing this mindset in our lives, dramatic changes in our thoughts and attitudes will occur, and God will be able to use us more easily because we seek His Will.

At the time of publication, final results had not been announced as to whether Britain decided to stay in or leave the EU, but polls suggested that the “remain” camp might have won. If so, it would be only a temporary victory, since the Bible shows that ultimately, Britain will not remain to be a part of the core nations of Europe.

The Telegraph commented: “‘Project Fear’ has succeeded. Brexit campaigners conceded defeat after referendum exit poll.”

But Deutsche Welle wrote: “While two different polls put ‘Remain’ ahead of ‘Leave,’ some of the first results declared in the EU referendum were disappointing to the Remain campaign. Unlike in general elections, there is no exit poll and the referendum’s final result is not expected until Friday morning.”

And the Daily Mail added: “The scale of the divide in Britain over whether we should cut ties with the EU was exposed tonight as results start to roll in in the historic referendum. Sunderland recorded a massive 61 per cent to 39 per cent win for Leave – 82,394 votes to 51,930 – shocking the Remain side which had been voicing confidence about its prospects for victory overall. It was swiftly followed by Swindon which voted out by 10,525 votes – 61,745 to 51,220, although Leave had expected to win by a greater margin. Conversely, Broxbourne voted Leave with more votes than predicted – 33,706 to 17,166… The Pound – which soared in value earlier after Nigel Farage admitted he thought Brexit had lost – immediately nose-dived by nearly 3 per cent against the US dollar.”

According to the broadcaster ITV, Brexit will occur with 75% certainty. 

Subsequently, the Daily Mail added:

“The Brexit door opens! Britain is on track to LEAVE the EU in historic referendum as Out stacks up votes in the North and Wales despite wins for Remain in London and Scotland.”

We begin with the murder of Britain’s Jo Cox and the shameful exploitation of her death by corrupt politicians and the propaganda machine of the mass media; continue with America’s ongoing nuclear program; report on developments pertaining to Donald Trump (including his firing of his campaign manager and an attempt on Trump’s life), as well as strong accusations against the Clintons and the religious affiliation of Barack Obama.

We speak on plans to create a Nordic trading bloc of Israelite countries under British lead; fury over Gibraltar; and Turkey’s Erdogan’s defeat in a German court.

We continue with reports on Pope Francis’ controversial comments on marriage and the death penalty, which contradict official Catholic teaching (please view our new StandingWatch program on this topic, titled, “More Wrong Comments by Pope Francis”); and an interesting article on the return of biblical sheep to the Holy Land which are said to be descended from Jacob’s flock noted in the Book of Genesis.

We conclude with two ludicrous articles by so-called “brilliant” minds about black holes and aliens; as well as gun violence and child rearing.

Murder in Connection With the British Referendum?

Britain is in mourning and in shock because of the terrible murder of Labour’s pro-Europe politician, Jo Cox. She has been praised, by political supporters and opponents alike, as a “great star” and as “one of the brightest and most popular MPs.” The situation in Britain has been described by Bild Online as similar to the time of the death of “Lady Di.” Connections have been drawn between the murder and the “tone” of the two camps regarding the Referendum, but quite a different picture emerges upon further scrutiny, as we point out in our italicized comments at the end of the article, titled, “The Story Behind the Story.”

The Independent wrote on June 17:

“Jo Cox, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, has died after being shot and stabbed in West Yorkshire…

“A former aid worker, she campaigned in economically deprived and war-torn countries across the world on issues such as discrimination and poverty. Before entering politics, Ms Cox… worked with charities such as Save the Children, acted as a senior advisor to the anti-slavery charity the Freedom Fund and as an advisor to Sarah Brown. Ms Cox was a vocal advocate for those affected by the Syrian crisis and abstained in the contentious vote on allowing British military action in Syria. She backed the Dubs amendment before it was defeated in the House of Commons that would have allowed the UK to accept 3,000 child refugees stranded in camps in Europe…

“A rising star within the Labour Party, Ms Cox had been in Parliament for just over a year but there was already talk of her having a future as a minister…”

Connection With “Ugly Tone” of Referendum Debate?

AFP wrote on June 17:

“German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday urged British politicians to moderate the language used in their campaigns ahead of the Brexit vote… ‘The exaggerations and radicalisation of part of the language do not help to foster an atmosphere of respect,’ she said, in response to a question on the killing of the British lawmaker Jo Cox… ‘Otherwise the radicalisation will become unstoppable,’ warned the German leader…

“Some commentators questioned whether the killing could be linked to a campaign that has stoked tensions by touching on issues of national identity and immigration…”

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 17:

“Britain was soul-searching on Friday after the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in West Yorkshire… Her death has also prompted questions about the tenor of the political debate in the UK…

“The UK is in the throes of a referendum on EU membership. Both the Leave and Remain camps suspended campaigning until Saturday… Prime Minister David Cameron has cancelled a pro-EU speech that he was scheduled to deliver in Gibraltar. ‘I think it’s right that the campaigns have been suspended,’ teacher James Bride told DW. ‘It’s been a depressing campaign full of lies and personal rivalries. Given the tragedy and enormity of losing Jo Cox, I’d like to see all sides behave with a little more dignity when campaigning resumes.’

“With pollsters saying in recent days that the battle is too close to call, the tone of the debate has stepped up in ferocity. Politicians on both sides believe that this is the political fight of their lives and have been pulling out all the stops. The debate has increasingly focused on immigration. For many, this was summed up by a controversial poster released by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) on the day that Cox was murdered. It shows lines of dark-skinned refugees with the caption ‘Breaking point: the EU has failed us all.’ It caused widespread outrage on social media, and Unison, the public sector workers’ union, reported it to the police for inciting racial hatred. Boris Johnson, head of the official Vote Leave campaign, said that the poster was ‘not my politics.’

“In a widely praised column for the Spectator magazine, journalist Alex Massie summed up the relationship many see between this vicious political debate and the murder. ‘When you shout BREAKING POINT over and over again, you don’t get to be surprised when someone breaks. When you present politics as a matter of life and death, as a question of national survival, don’t be surprised if someone takes you at your word. You didn’t make them do it, no, but you didn’t do much to stop it either. Sometimes rhetoric has consequences.’

“This view is shared by many in Britain… Yet so soon after the attack, there is caution about drawing conclusions. Labour MP Neil Coyle, who represents the London constituency of Bermondsey and Southwark, directly linked the rhetoric of the Leave campaign to the murder… He was sharply criticised on social media for ‘politicising’ Cox’s death.

“But many analysts are reflecting on the relationship between the wider tone of the political conversation in the UK, and the tragic death of Cox. ‘This attack on a public official cannot be viewed in isolation,’ said Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee. ‘It occurs against a backdrop of an ugly public mood in which we have been told to despise the political class, to distrust those who serve, to dehumanize those with whom we do not readily identify.’’

The World’s Reaction

The Telegraph wrote on June 17:

“Tributes and condolences poured in following the news from all corners of the world and across the political spectrum. In Britain the news of the Labour MP’s death dominated the front pages of the newspapers.  The story was also featured on some foreign publications.

“The story featured prominently in Italy’s La Repubblica, where the headline reads: ‘Brexit, blood on the referendum as Labour’s politician killed.’ Belgium’s Le Soir’s coverage of the tragedy reads, ‘Brexit debate turns into tragedy.’ Spain’s El Mundo also features the killing on its front page saying ‘Blood stains Brexit.’… ‘It is cruel and terrible that her life was cut short by a violent act of political intolerance,’ Mrs Clinton said…

“Christine Lagarde, director of the International Monetary Fund, said the killing is time for ‘reflection’ about the nature of Britain’s referendum debate… Swedish PM Stefan Löfven called it ‘an attack on democracy’…

“Sweden’s Dagens Nyheter newspaper noted the uncanny parallels with the murder of Sweden’s foreign minister Anna Lindh in the last week of Sweden’s Euro referendum in 2003. ‘It’s hard to resist making connections to the murder in Sweden’s foreign minister Anna Lindh in September 2003,’ wrote EU correspondent Annika Ström Melin. ‘Just like Jo Cox, Anna Lindh was a young, successful politician, and both were the mothers of two children. Both were also participating in campaigns for the EU when they were murdered.’… Sweden in 2003 voted against joining the Euro, despite the fact that the murdered foreign minister had been campaigning in its favour…”

 Was It Really an “Act of Political Intolerance”?

Breitbart London wrote on June 17:

“A friend, fellow Labour Party campaigner, and eyewitness to the murder of Member of Parliament Jo Cox has told Breitbart London that he does not believe her murder should be used as a ‘token’ for ‘political ego’ in the referendum campaign…

“Mr. Hicham Ben Abdallah – one of the men who was originally used to back up the claim that murderer Thomas Mair shouted ‘Britain First’ before he clarified that he did not hear it – has told Breitbart London that Mrs. Cox’s death should not be used for political campaigning. But much of the British public is already incensed about the mainstream media as well as politicians using the tragedy to make the case for remaining in the European Union (EU).

“Today, Prime Minister David Cameron and leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn travelled to the site of the attack, where they both made overtures about the ‘well of hatred’, ignoring the overwhelming evidence about Mr. Mair’s mental health status. This occurred while police investigations into Mr. Mair are ongoing, and there is no current clear motive behind the attack allegedly perpetrated by this mental health patient…

“Earlier today Breitbart London columnist James Delingpole wrote on how the Remain campaign is exploiting the death of Mrs. Cox. ‘Is there any depth to which you will not stoop in order somehow to snatch victory in this EU referendum?’ he wrote, following a Breitbart London expose of how Remain campaigners were tweeting the blame at the Brexit camp just minutes after the incident was first reported.

“Additionally, the European press seized on the issue, calling Brexit a ‘campaign of blood’. An EU Commissioner tweeted that Mrs. Cox was ‘murdered for her dedication to European democracy and humanity’, and the Guardian’s Polly Toynbee and the Spectator’s Alex Massie both attempted to lay the blame at the feet of UKIP leader Nigel Farage for the killing. The headline of the Daily Star newspaper called Mr. Mair a ‘Brexit gunman’.”

The Story Behind the Story

Daily Mail wrote on June 17:

“The man suspected of killing Labour MP Jo Cox previously bought a book on how to make a handgun, it was claimed this morning. Gardener Thomas Mair… has been described as a loner who was ‘socially isolated and disconnected from society’ as a result of long-term mental illness…

“Rosemary Surman, 61, who is a friend of Mair’s mother, Mary… denied that the attack was ‘politically motivated’, adding: ‘We’ve been talking to him and asking him about whether we should be in or out of the EU and he always said there were good arguments for both sides. He had never mentioned Jo Cox before ever, I don’t think he even knew who she was.

“Duane St Louis, age 41, the suspect’s half-brother… said Mair had obsessive compulsive disorder and cleaned himself with Brillo pads because he was ‘obsessed with his personal hygiene’. ‘He couldn’t even stand the sight of blood, when he cut his finger or something he couldn’t look at it.’

“Mother-of-two Mrs Cox was punched and kicked to the ground by her attacker before being shot three times – once in the head – with what was described as an ‘antique gun’ outside a West Yorkshire library yesterday afternoon. The married 41-year-old, a dedicated and popular MP, died from the catastrophic injuries she sustained in the attack, after the killer ambushed her as she walked to her constituency surgery at about 1pm… Witnesses said a man in a baseball cap grabbed her, pulling her hair as he punched and kicked her to the ground. As bystanders attempted to intervene, he pulled out a large hunting knife and repeatedly stabbed the MP, also catching a 77-year-old man in the stomach as he tried to intervene. He then pulled out what appeared to be an antique gun which he fired three times from just a few feet away, aiming the final shot at her head. Some witnesses claimed he looked ‘full of rage’ as he shot her at close-range…”

So, was this horrible crime by a mentally ill person really politically motivated? What we are seeing here described is further evidence of Satan’s and his demons hatred and rampage. First, last week’s brutal and senseless mass murders in Orlando, Florida, in addition to further individual murders (including the previous and last week’s killing of two performers in the TV show, “The Voice,”), and now the senseless murder of Jo Cox by a perpetrator who was in all likelihood demon-influenced.

Subsequently, it emerged that an illegal alien from Great Britain tried to assassinate Donald Trump, and that a German caused a mass shooting at a cinema near Frankfurt, Germany, and was killed by the police. Deutsche Welle reported on June 24 that the heavily armed man barricaded himself and took hostages in the cinema before the police stormed the building. His motives are still unknown.

From all of this we see that Satan’s wrath is great, and that he knows that he has but a short time. While true Christians view such violent events in the world with horror and disgust, they must realize that Satan’s wrath is foremost directed against God’s people, and they must be very careful that they are not oblivious and do not give in to his evil devices, not being unaware of what he has in mind.

America’s Nuclear Ambitions

Salon wrote in June 18:

“The U.S. is currently in the process of planning for the construction of a new fleet of nuclear submarines loaded with new intercontinental nuclear missiles, while simultaneously creating a new land-based intercontinental missile, a new strategic nuclear bomber, a new land-and-sea-based tactical nuclear fighter plane, a new long-range nuclear cruise missile (which, as recently as 2010, the Obama administration explicitly promised not to develop), at least three nuclear warheads that are essentially new designs, and new fuses for existing warheads. In addition, new nuclear command-and-control systems are under development for a fleet of satellites (costing up to $1 billion each) designed to make the business of fighting a nuclear war more practical and manageable.

“This massive nuclear buildup, routinely promoted under the comforting rubric of ‘modernization,’ stands in contrast to the president’s lofty public ruminations on the topic of nuclear weapons. The most recent of these was delivered during his visit — the first by an American president — to Hiroshima last month. There, he urged ‘nations like my own that hold nuclear stockpiles’ to ‘have the courage to escape the logic of fear, and pursue a world without them.’

“In reality, that ‘logic of fear’ suggests that there is no way to ‘fight’ a nuclear war, given the unforeseeable but horrific effects of these immensely destructive weapons. They serve no useful purpose beyond deterring putative opponents from using them, for which an extremely limited number would suffice…

“One component of the current ‘modernization’ plan is the proposed development of a new ‘dial-a-yield’ version of the venerable B-61 nuclear bomb. Supposedly capable of delivering explosions of varying strength according to demand, this device will, at least theoretically, be guidable to its target with high degrees of accuracy and will also be able to burrow deep into the earth to destroy buried bunkers. The estimated bill — $11 billion — is a welcome boost for the fortunes of the Sandia and Los Alamos weapons laboratories that are developing it…”

Trump to Lewandowski: “You’re Fired.”

Breitbart wrote on June 20:

“Donald J. Trump fired his wunderkind campaign manager Corey Lewandowski Monday at the campaign’s regular Trump Tower meeting. ‘Corey was escorted out of the building,’ a source close to the campaign told Breitbart News. Lewandowski came to the meeting unaware that he had lost the support of the GOP presumptive nominee, the source said.

“At the meeting, attended by both senior campaign staff and members of the family, Trump reviewed different campaign metrics that were all faltering: cooperation with party leaders, fundraising, surrogate operations and most importantly the polls. The campaign manager seemed to have run out of ideas. When the New York City developer asked Lewandowski what he would do to turn things around, the only thing he could come up with was for Trump to announce his pick for vice-president… When the time came for Trump to lower the axe, no one spoke up to defend Lewandowski.

“One month ago, Lewandowski was reported in the New York Post to have had a screaming match with the campaign’s press secretary about the running of the campaign on an uptown Manhattan street four blocks up from Trump Tower. Afterwards, there was speculation that Lewandowski was in trouble.”

Newsmax added on June 20:

“Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her two brothers played a major role in the decision to fire the presumptive GOP nominee’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, according to new reports… Sources told NBC that Trump’s daughter, who holds a great deal of influence with her father, was unnerved for ‘months’ after former Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields accused him of assaulting her while she was trying to ask the candidate a question.

“Trump stayed loyal to Lewandowski after the scandal, but after his poll numbers started to drop, his adult children were able to make their case to release Lewandowski, NBC reports.  However, the sources told NBC that the final decision to fire Lewandowski was Trump’s…

“Multiple sources said that Trump had made the decision because of many problems within the campaign that had become public, and the operation was in trouble while his poll numbers were dropping and his image problems were growing…

“Lewandowski remained publicly loyal after the firing…”

Newsmax wrote on June 21:

“Donald Trump Tuesday morning denied reports that he fired Corey Lewandowski as his campaign manager because of the demands of his family members – especially daughter Ivanka Trump – insisting that the reports were ‘all nonsense’ and that Lewandowski was released because the campaign is ‘going in a different direction.’… Trump, though, said he does not plan to change his tone for the general election, even without Lewandowski, whose game plan was to ‘let Trump be Trump.’ ‘I think I have to be who I am,’ he told ‘Today’ show anchor Matt Lauer. ‘I don’t want to be a phony like Hillary Clinton where she reads stuff written up by high-priced talent…’”

It was announced that Lewandowski was hired by CNN as a moderator.

Attempted Murder Against Trump

Daily Mail wrote on June 20:

“A British man arrested at a Donald Trump rally in Las Vegas told authorities he tried to grab a police officer’s gun and shoot the billionaire Republican presidential candidate. Protester Michael Steven Sandford, who appeared in court on Monday, even went to a gun range on Friday so he could learn how to shoot. The 20-year-old, who was carrying a UK driver’s licence, was arrested at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino on Saturday after going for a metro police officer’s gun.

“Sandford, who is originally from Surrey, had been living illegally for 18 months in New Jersey after his visa expired and had been living in his car. Prosecutors claim he had been planning to attack Trump for more than a year before the alleged attempt to grab a gun in Las Vegas on Saturday.

“The court heard from a public defender that Sandford is autistic, while his mother told federal magistrate judge George Foley that he had been treated for obsessive compulsive disorder and anorexia when younger… The judge declined to grant bail to Sandford, pending a further hearing, saying the accused was a risk to the community and a flight risk.”

Is this another attempt by Satan, using a possibly mentally disturbed individual, to thwart whatever God may have in mind?

Strong Words Against Obama and Clinton

Newsmax reported on June 20:

“Actor Scott Baio said the reason President Barack Obama does not use the words ‘Islamic terror’ is because he is secretly Muslim or a Muslim sympathizer… Attacks by terrorists keep happening and Obama has done nothing to prevent them, said Baio, adding that ‘they say they’re going to kill us, and then they kill us. And it’s still not enough for this president and Hillary Clinton to get serious about it and do something about it.’

“The sitcom actor, known for his roles on ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Charles in Charge,’… does not understand Obama’s plans, saying, ‘I don’t know what the end game is. Is it to totally eliminate the United States as it was created and founded, and the way it is now?’ … Obama and Clinton never publicly get angry at terrorists. ‘They’re only angry at Republicans and conservatives,’ Baio said.”

Newsmax wrote on June 21:

“President Barack Obama is a Muslim and celebrates Islamic holy days in the White House, actor Pat Boone told Newsmax TV. Boone, a singer, actor, and TV host…  told Steve Malzberg Monday night Obama is not the Christian he claims to be. ‘He said during [his 2008 presidential] campaign, the sweetest sound in his memory is the Muslim call to prayer,’ Boone said. ‘He does make a perfunctory appearance at the presidential prayer breakfast, and he will come to a black funeral after one of these killings like Orlando, but he celebrates Ramadan in the White House. ‘He is, I’m afraid, more Muslim than Christian. And he is certainly more protective of anything relating to Islam than he is anything relating to Christianity.’

“Malzberg asked Boone about the war on Christianity that’s taking place across the world. ‘What I’m calling it is the Armageddon on the airwaves and in media,’ Boone said. ‘Armageddon is already happening. That’s the battle of two Gods. Allah is not Jehovah. Jehovah is not Allah. These are two concepts of God. Christian and Jewish is Jehovah, Allah is Islam… This religion, and certainly as ISIL practices it anyway, is a religion that reveres death and promotes death and rewards death and murder.’”

On June 20, 2016, Franklin Graham did not go quite as far as Pat Boone, but he commented in Fox News’ Hannity Show that Barack Obama was raised by Muslim parents in the Muslim faith, thereby strongly indicating his religious affiliation to Islam or being at least a Muslim sympathizer. This concept has been repeatedly mentioned over the years, but most left wing and conservative newscasts dismissed it or chose to ignore it… as they did the concept that Obama might not have been born in Hawaii and that he would not be a natural born citizen, rendering his election as President unlawful. However, undisputed evidence exists casting in doubt his legitimacy as US President.

Obama Administration Changes “Allah” to “God”

Breitbart wrote on June 20:

“Monday’s release of the text of Orlando terrorist shooter Omar Mateen’s 9-1-1 call is not the first time the Obama administration purportedly scrubbed ‘Allah’ from a transcript…  On Monday, the FBI finally released what it said was a full transcript of Mateen’s 50-second call with a 911 operator while he was perpetrating the deadly attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. After first releasing a redacted transcript that deleted references to the Islamic State, the FBI released the full transcript, which included an English translation changing the word ‘Allah’ to ‘God’.’’

Was this shameful change made to hide the connection of the Muslim mass murderer to radical Islam?

Are the Clintons Racists?

The Daily Mail wrote on June 20:

“Bill and Hillary Clinton profess to have always been supporters of racial equality, but anecdotes published in a new book by his ex-lover claim otherwise… Bill was also sued several times by blacks and Hispanics for violations of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

“Dolly Kyle – who was just 11 when she first crossed paths with Bill, dated him through high school and began sleeping with him once they graduated – published the claims about the Clinton couple’s racial epithets and politics in her new book, Hillary: The Other Woman, published by WND Books…

“Ben McGee was a black Democrat [who] was elected to the state legislature in 1988. Clinton tried to replace McGee with a white Democrat of his choice, claims Dolly. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court was ruled 8-0 against Clinton and the Arkansas officials who challenged McGee’s election. In the 1980s, Hispanics were moving into Arkansas in greater numbers and Clinton began racial profiling against Hispanics, she claims. He instituted the racial profiling program three years after his brother, Roger Clinton went to prison in 1985 for dealing cocaine. The program was initially part of his anti-drug program, although Roger’s drug suppliers and buyers were white… Clinton was sued in federal court for his Criminal Apprehension Program that was ruled unconstitutional… Racial profiling remained in Clinton’s head and several years later, he gave state troopers the right to stop and search any car…

“Clinton’s crime bill, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, was dubbed the ‘three strikes’ law and is one which has incarcerated over 2.5 million people, predominately poor people of color who could not afford lawyers during their trials. The ‘three strikes’ rule sent people to jail for a petty crime or a major felony. It meant prison for life on the third offense, whatever that happened to be…

“When Hillary moved into the White House, she requested nine hundred files from the FBI containing private information on people from both political parties. ‘Thousands of politicians in Washington still wonder what Hillary has on them.’ Dolly writes. ‘If they have any secrets at all, they must live in constant dread of being publicly exposed… The files were subpoenaed and Hillary declared, ‘We are the president’… Hillary has been declaring herself president since Bill stepped into office in 1992.”

There are many more shocking and outrageous allegations against the Clintons contained in the above-stated article, but this will suffice…

Nordic Trading Bloc Under British Lead?

The Express wrote on June 20:

“Swedish MEP Peter Lundgren said Denmark and Sweden were already ‘on the brink’ of quitting, suggesting that should the UK leave, a ‘Nordic trading bloc’ led by Britain could be born. Sweden has been sticking by its EU commitments, but barely. It’s little wonder. Sweden now has the highest level of non-EU immigration per capita… Looking to a post-Brexit future, [Lundgren] suggested the 90 million people of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the UK would harness a combined GDP of nearly £3trillion, representing considerable clout when it comes to forming new trading deals with the EU. ‘It’s an idea that has been gaining traction and one I’d like to see,’ he said. ‘We’re similar in our culture, in our outlooks and in our economies. It’s a better fit than the EU.’”

“Morten Messerschmidt, a Danish MEP and member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, said: ‘The idea of a Nordic bloc is being spoken about. Many Danes would find it appealing if the UK, after leaving the EU, created an alternative free market-oriented organisation. It could include the Netherlands and Switzerland too.  Denmark is in the EU for trade but there is no ideological loyalty. A Nordic bloc would attract Danes because it takes us back to the original EEC idea.”

It is interesting that all these countries, mentioned above, are modern descendants of the ancient House of Israel. They are indeed very similar in culture and outlooks.

Fury Over Gibraltar

The Express wrote on June 20:

“A Giant Spanish flag was unfurled on the Rock of Gibraltar today just days after the Madrid government declared the British territory was theirs – and always would be. Gibraltar Police confirmed the huge red and yellow banner, which had been installed on the west side of the Upper Rock, had now been removed.

“Tensions are running high between Gibraltar and Spain amid a renewed dispute over sovereignty of the small Mediterranean territory, which has been under British control since 1713… The stunt follows a declaration by the Spanish government last week that Gibraltar ‘remains Spanish’…

“Responding to a visit by David Cameron to the Rock, Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy said: ‘The government does not like Mr Cameron travelling to Gibraltar…’”

In Herbert Armstrong’s book, “The United States and Britain in Prophecy,” page 22, Gibraltar has been described as “the strategic western ‘gate’ to the Mediterranean,” which “stood for three centuries as the symbol of Britain’s far-flung power. Today it is one of the empire’s few remaining vestiges.” The Bible prophesies that ultimately, Britain will lose all its “gates,” which would include Gibraltar.

Turkey’s Erdogan Loses in German Court

The Local wrote on June 21:

“Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lost a German court battle against a top media boss Tuesday when his appeal in a bitter row over free speech was thrown out. Erdogan had sought a court order to stop the Axel Springer media group’s chief Mathias Döpfner from repeating support for a TV satirist who insulted the Turkish leader in a now infamous ‘smear poem.’ After failing to get an injunction from a lower court last month, Erdogan also lost an appeal before the higher regional court in the western German city of Cologne. The judges said they considered Döpfner’s letter of support ‘a permissible expression of opinion as protected under Article 5’ of Germany’s constitution, the court said in a statement. Erdogan could still seek recourse before Germany’s top tribunal, the Federal Constitutional Court.

“The legal action came after Döpfner published in April an open letter in one of the Springer group’s newspapers, in which he backed Jan Böhmermann – the satirist who in a poem accused Erdogan of bestiality and watching child pornography. Böhmermann’s recital of his so-called ‘Defamatory Poem’ on national television in late March sparked a diplomatic firestorm and a row over freedom of expression. During the broadcast Boehmermann gleefully admitted his poem flouted Germany’s legal limits to free speech and was intended as a provocation. In his letter, Döpfner took the comedian’s side, declaring: ‘For me, your poem worked. I laughed out loud.’

“In a controversial move, Chancellor Angela Merkel authorised criminal proceedings against the comedian after Turkey requested he be prosecuted for defamation. The higher regional court stressed Tuesday that its ruling in favour of Döpfner had no bearing on the other case still pending. Erdogan has come in for fierce Western criticism of late over his increasingly authoritarian rule, just as the European Union has turned to Turkey to help stem the influx of asylum seekers from Middle East war zones.”

Pope Francis: “Great Majority of Catholic Marriages Null”

The Washington Post wrote on June 17:

 “After Pope Francis on Thursday said ‘the great majority’ of Catholic marriages are religiously null because people don’t understand the concept of a lifetime commitment, some prominent traditional Catholics lambasted the pontiff as ‘irresponsible’ and that his statement could possibly discourage people from working on their marriage relations.

“Francis’s comments, which were reported by the Catholic News Agency, came during the question-and-answer session of a meeting of the Diocese of Rome. According to the CNA, a layperson asked about the ‘crisis of marriage’ and how Catholics can help young people overcome their ‘resistance, delusions and fears’ about marriage.

“Francis, who in his three-plus years as pope has regularly made news with his off-the-cuff remarks that at times seem to conflict with church doctrine, cited a case in which he’d heard of a young man who wanted to become a priest, but just for 10 years. The culture is too provisional, Francis said. ‘It’s provisional, and because of this the great majority of our sacramental marriages are null,’ the pope reportedly said. ‘Because they say “yes, for the rest of my life!” but they don’t know what they are saying. Because they have a different culture. They say it, they have good will, but they don’t know.’

“Reuters reported Friday that the Vatican issued an Italian transcript changing Francis’s words to say ‘some’ instead of the ‘great majority.’ A Vatican spokesman said the pope’s off-the-cuff remarks are sometimes edited after consulting with him or among aides, Reuters reported.

“Edward Peters, a popular canon lawyer and blogger, wrote Friday that the pope’s comments were the equivalent of a ‘nuclear winter’ because they suggest that most people have failed at ‘the most natural’ of human efforts…

“Marriage, in Catholic teaching, is a sacrament, an ‘original gift from God to humanity,’ says the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website. ‘It is a permanent, faithful, fruitful partnership between one man and one woman… only a church tribunal can say that a marriage isn’t valid because a real bond never existed. One of the reasons church courts may give for annulling a marriage is to say that the parties were unprepared.’

“In his comments Thursday, Francis noted that when he was archbishop in Buenos Aires, he had prohibited marriages in the case of ‘shotgun weddings,’ where the prospective bride was pregnant, CNA reported. He did this on the grounds there was a question of the spouses’ free consent to marry…”

Pope on Death Penalty

On June 21, The Associated Press reported:

“Pope Francis is amplifying his opposition to capital punishment, saying it’s an offense to life, contradicts God’s plan and serves no purpose for punishment. In a video message to an anti-death penalty congress in Norway, Francis declared: ‘The commandment “Thou shalt not kill” has absolute value and applies both to the innocent and to the guilty.’

“Francis has gone beyond his predecessors and traditional Catholic teaching in saying there is simply no justification for the death penalty today. He said Tuesday that rather than rendering justice, it fosters vengeance. Church teaching allows for recourse to capital punishment when it is the only way to defend lives ‘effectively’ against an aggressor. Francis said: ‘It must not be forgotten that the inviolable and God-given right to life also belongs to the criminal.’”

This is a very complex issue and cannot be answered with the simplistic and partially incorrect comments of Pope Francis. For more information, please read our free booklets, “Should YOU Fight in War?” and “Punishment for Our Sins.”

Biblical Sheep to Return to Israel

JTA wrote on June 20:

“A rare breed of sheep said to be descended from Jacob’s flock referenced in the Bible will be shepherded to Israel with the help of a Canadian Jewish couple and Israel’s national airline… The flight is expected to take place in late August or early September.

“The project is the brainchild of Gil and Jenna Lewinsky of British Columbia, owners of the Jacob sheep, which are said to be descended from the patriarch’s flock noted in the Book of Genesis. The sheep are said to be unique for their horns, numbering two to six. They are the only animals in the world to have the biblical description of speckled skin, spots on their wool, and bands on their ankles and knees…

“The Lewinskys believe the sheep must ‘return’ to Israel to fulfill biblical prophecy. They cite Rav Amram Vaknin, a mystic rabbi living in southern Israel who says he has visions predicting the future. Vaknin ‘has said that the Jacob Sheep must return to the Land of Israel to help with the Geula [redemption]!’ according to the Lewinskys…

“The flock currently consists of 113 animals — 18 adult rams, 62 adult ewes and the rest lambs. All will be settled on the Golan Heights. The Lewinskys say the sheep are extinct in Israel. They believe the animals came with Jacob through Canaan to Egypt, then with the Exodus to North Africa, and from there to Spain, England and then to North America. ‘It will be the first time since biblical times that the Jacob sheep will be reintroduced to the land of Israel again,’ they said.”

The story regarding the sheep is interesting. The alleged “mystical” prophecy is utter nonsense. It is not biblical at all, and neither is the idea that a spotless red heifer must be born as a prerequisite for the building of the Third Temple.

Complete Nonsense from “Brilliant” Minds!

On June 20, Bild Online reported about an article which had been published by Daily Star on June 8, which stated the following:

“Professor Stephen Hawking has theorised that black holes offer mankind a way to travel to other worlds. But the mega ‘brainbox’ – who has previously warned an advanced alien civilisation would easily destroy us – says once a spacecraft leaves our universe it can’t come back. Previously it was thought black holes crush and kill anything that it sucks in. Yet the 74-year-old Hawkins now says they [may] not be as dangerous as previously thought and may just be a door to another universe.

“‘The hole would need to be large and if it was rotating it might have a passage to another universe… Black holes are not the eternal prisons they were once thought. If you feel you are trapped in a black hole, don’t give up. There is a way out. The existence of alternative histories with black holes suggests this might be possible. The hole would need to be large and if it was rotating it might have a passage to another universe. But you couldn’t come back to our universe.’

“Hawking believes black holes do indeed have ‘hair’ which either stores the information on the boundary or the event horizon. They could store information on aliens. Aliens could travel to our universe through a black hole. But Hawking has warned that aliens would probably not be friendly and attempt to colonise us.”

The Bible tells us that even the most brilliant scientific God-defying minds in this world are total spiritual fools in the eyes of God. The article above confirms this. We ought to thank God daily that He has opened the minds of His people to the truth, while this world remains in utter darkness.

More Utter Nonsense—“Spanking Children in USA Cause for Gun Violence”

The Local wrote on June 20:

“Spanking kids is why US is more violent than Germany… the truth behind why Germany sees far less gun violence per capita than the United States goes deeper than the legal structures, argues German criminologist Christian Pfeiffer, who has conducted research on this topic for years. ‘America is a completely different world,’ Pfeiffer told The Local. ‘The laws are a result of a public that believes in fear. The laws reflect a culture of repression. America is a sick country in my opinion.’…

“Pfeiffer, who was also once Justice Minister in Lower Saxony, notes that while Germany has a low acceptance rate of spanking or other forms of physical discipline for children, approval of such methods are surprisingly high in the United States. A survey of Americans in 2014 found that 76 percent of men and 65 percent of women agreed with the statement that it is sometimes necessary to discipline a child with ‘a good hard spanking’, according to research centre Child Trends.

“In Germany on the other hand, a survey last year found that… 90 percent of Germans overall believed in nonviolent parenting methods…

“But not only is physical discipline socially tolerated in the United States more than in Germany, it’s also legally permitted, as corporal punishment at home by parents is legal in every US state, though each one varies by what is allowed. And 19 states allow corporal punishment in both public and private schools… Germany meanwhile ended parental and teachers’ rights to corporal punishment in 2000 and since the 1970s, there has been a movement of campaigns and research to inform parents about the harmful impacts of physical discipline, Pfeiffer explains… But until the US can also adopt such policies and parenting methods, Pfeiffer says problems like gun violence will persist.’

This is just another example of ridiculous vain babbling of totally ignorant child rearing “experts.” Of course, the “criminologist” does not remotely understand the biblical teaching on child discipline, and to draw a connection between gun violence and properly administered spanking is ludicrous. God-defying left-liberal Western societies, totally cut off from God and ruled by Satan, try to do everything they can think of to denigrate the Holy Bible. For more information regarding loving proper child rearing, please read our free booklet, “The Keys to Happy Marriages and Families.”

Lot is recorded as having two daughters who had not known a man (Genesis 19:8), but Genesis 19:12 talks about his sons-in-law. How is this explained?

We know that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).   Therefore, there must be an answer to this question and there are three possible answers.

First of all, let us look at this passage. In Genesis 19:8 Lot, through a misguided sense of hospitality, offered his two daughters to the depraved men of Sodom. The new KJV Bible Commentary observes that this “is absolutely an amazing statement, especially on the part of a believer.   That he would protect two strangers and offer his own flesh and blood is beyond understanding. Doing his best, he has jeopardized his daughters, enraged his townsmen, and finally required rescue by those he was trying to protect.”   Matthew Henry’s Commentary states that Lot “pleaded the laws of hospitality and the protection of his house which his guests were entitled to.” Of course, we understand that his conduct, at face value, would have been terribly wrong. However, it has been suggested that Lot’s “offer” was not to be meant seriously, but only made for the purpose of showing the Sodomites the depravity of their conduct.

In addition, Richard Elliott Friedman, “Commentary on the Torah,” writes on pages 66-67: “It seems to me that it is not the Near Eastern tradition of hospitality but of bargaining that accounts for what is going on here… Lot is supposed to make an extraordinary gesture. He offers his own two daughters. But no one is supposed to take him up on it. And then, in this horrible town, the gesture does not work anyway. The people only become angry.”

In Genesis 19:14 we read that “Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, ‘Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!’ But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.”

In Genesis 19:15-17 we read the outcome. “When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, ‘Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.’ And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, ‘Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.’”

The first possible answer to our above-stated question is that Lot had more than two daughters.   In verse 15, Lot was told to take “your two daughters who are here”. In the Douay Rheims Bible it states, “Arise, take thy wife, and the two daughters which thou hast who are here.” And in Young’s Literal Translation we read: “Rise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters who are found present.”   If these daughters were with Lot and his wife, it is likely that they were unmarried; otherwise, they would have been with their husbands (the exception behind this is explained below in the second possible answer).   If indeed Lot had other daughters who were not in the house, they would have been destroyed with his sons-in-law as only Lot, his wife and two daughters escaped from Sodom.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers agrees with this concept, stating: “The traditional view is that given in our Version, and is confirmed by Genesis 19:15, where the words—‘thy two daughters which are here,’ Heb., which are found—certainly suggest the idea that Lot had other daughters, besides the two which escaped with him.”

A second possible answer is the way that in biblical times, betrothal was a valid marriage.   In the Jewish Encyclopaedia.com under the heading “Betrothal and Home-Taking” it states the following: “After the betrothal a period of twelve months was allowed to pass before the marriage was completed by the formal home-taking (‘nissu’in,’ ‘liḳḳuḥin’). In case the bride was a widow or the groom a widower, this interval was reduced to thirty days (Ket. v. 2; Shulḥan ‘Aruk, Eben ha-‘Ezer, 56).”

In our booklet “Jesus Christ – A Great Mystery!,” pages 24 and 25, under the heading “Mary’s Betrothal to Joseph,” the following is written:

“We should take note of another important fact when considering the relationship of Joseph and Mary prior to Mary’s conception. We read in Matthew 1:18–20: ‘Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”’

“The angel told Joseph that he and Mary were already considered to be husband and wife. But they had not consummated the marriage yet—they were living in the state of betrothal. Legally speaking, they were married, but they had not come together, sexually, as husband and wife.

“The concept of betrothal is quite different from today’s concept of engagement. In our society the word ‘engagement’ does not seem to carry much value, as people commonly get engaged and then dissolve the engagement without legal consequence. In ancient Israel and Judah, a betrothal was considered to be a binding agreement, and could only be dissolved through divorce. This is why Joseph wanted to ‘put her away,’ a Biblical expression for divorce.

“The Luther Bible comments on ‘betrothal’: ‘The Jewish engagement constitutes a legally binding marital promise. The marital intercourse only occurs, however, after the wedding, when the bridegroom takes the bride into his home.’

“Eerdman’s Handbook to the Bible states, ‘Betrothal, unlike modern engagement, was legally binding and could be broken only by divorce.’”

In addition, Flavious Josephus, the Jewish historian, states in 1:11:4, that “these sons in law to Lot, as they are called (Genesis 19:12-14) might be so styled because they were betrothed to Lot’s daughters, though not yet married to them.” Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible gives a similar explanation: “… some think they were espoused to men, but had not yet cohabited with them.” Similar the viewpoint of Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: “‘… married his daughters.’ Better, as R.V. marg., were to marry… This seems more probable… The verb used here means literally ‘the takers of.’ For Lot’s daughters were in the house with him: Lot went out to find his ‘sons in law’: the word ‘sons in law’ may mean ‘the betrothed.’ If the daughters had been married, they would not have been living with Lot.”

Therefore, it could well have been that Lot’s daughters were betrothed as was Mary to Joseph who were considered man and wife.

And a third possible answer, although unlikely, is that Lot lied when he said that his daughters were virgins, to make them more “attractive” to the evil and sexually perverted people of Sodom.   If this is indeed the answer, then Lot would not have been the only man of God to lie (as examples, see Abraham in Genesis 20:2; Isaac in Genesis 26:7 and Jacob in Genesis 27:19).

Looking at the evidence, it is more likely that either the first or the second explanation may be the correct answer. But whichever it is, we can rest assured that the Bible does not contradict itself (compare John 10:35).

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

“More Wrong Comments by Pope Francis,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

In his three years as pope, Francis has regularly made news with his off-the-cuff remarks that conflict with the doctrines of his own church. His most recent comments about Catholic marriages and the death penalty are no exception. But why are his comments so devastating for Catholics, and in what way are they in total conflict with the teachings of the Bible?

“Geld–Segen oder Fluch?” is the title of this week’s German sermon. This is the first part of a new series on money. The title in English is: “Money–Blessing or Curse?”

“Which Cross?” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

It is well known that the Tau-Cross (commonly pictured as the type of cross on which Christ was crucified) has been used as an object of worship long before Christ was born. But does the Bible even support the idea that Christ was nailed to such a two beamed cross? If not, what does God’s Word reveal?

“Gold, Cloth & Eye Salve,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Kalon Mitchell, is now posted. Here is a summary:

In a world that is filled with an attitude of what is best for self, it is easy for Christians to get entangled in this type of thinking and lose sight on God’s providence and strength in their lives. In the church we understand that the age we are living in now is called in scripture the Laodicean era. God gives very serious warning to this end time church. What can we do to ensure that we are not in this category?