This Week in the News

Hamas Is Iran’s Proxy

Life Mint wrote on October 9:

Iran helped Hamas plot the rocket attack on Israel and approved of the assault during a meeting in Beirut last week, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal… The report also stated that the officers of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard have worked with Hamas to plan the deadly attack since August. It is pertinent to note that Hamas is the Shiite militant group that holds control in Gaza, while Hezbollah is a political faction backed by Iran in Lebanon…”

Times of Israel wrote on October 8:

“Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad tells the BBC that Iran gave its support to the Palestinian terror group to launch its surprise multi-front attack on Israel on Saturday…

“Tehran is a key backer of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as well as Lebanese terror group Hezbollah.”

Hezbollah is also actively involved in bombing Israel. There can be no doubt that Iran is behind all of these terrorist attacks. The slaughter and kidnapping of thousands of Jews are the direct consequence of Biden’s recent ill-advised “deal” with Iran regarding the exchange of prisoners.

Breitbart reported on October 14 that “Israel Defense Forces killed Ali Qadi, the Hamas commander behind the Palestinian terror group’s attack on Israel, which left at least 1,300 dead and more than 3,000 wounded.”

Israel’s Deadly Wound?

Breitbart wrote on October 10:

“Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the brutal Hamas terrorist attack on Saturday as an ‘irreparable defeat’ for Israel. He blamed the Israelis for bringing rape and murder upon themselves… ‘It is unlikely that the usurping regime will be able to use the help of the West to repair the deep impacts that this incident has left on its ruling structures,’ Khamenei claimed…

“Khamenei praised the Hamas terrorists as ‘mujahideen,’ or holy warriors, and railed against the ‘brutal measures’ taken by Israel against the ‘oppressed Palestinian nation.’… He threatened the Israelis with even worse consequences if they retaliate against the terrorists he supports… Khamenei hastened to claim that Tehran wholeheartedly approves of the slaughter in Israel, but played no role in planning or executing it…

“Khamenei told the Iranian cadets that all Muslims should be prepared to take up arms and fight alongside the Palestinians…”

It is the declared goal of Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and other Arab nations to totally destroy and obliterate the state of Israel. Psalm 83 and Hosea 5:13 come to mind.

An Evil Not Even Created by the Devil?

Breitbart reported on October 13:

“Eli Cohen, Israel’s foreign minister, said on Monday evening in a press conference that Hamas’ actions constitute ‘an evil that’s not created even by the devil.’”

Satan is terribly underestimated.

Unprecedented For 50 Years: Israel Declares Total War!

Breitbart wrote on October 8:

“Israel formally declared war on Saturday evening for the first time in 50 years

“The last official ‘war’ was the Yom Kippur War of 1973, when Israel was taken by surprise in an attack by Egypt and Syria. Though Israel has fought several conflicts since then, many of which are popularly referred to as ‘wars,’ the country has not officially declared war in half a century.

“The Prime Minister’s office also announced that it was cutting off ‘electricity, fuel, and goods’ to Gaza…

“The Palestinian terror attack happened on the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret, the final day of the annual High Holy Day cycle [the Last Great Day].”

“Iran has already declared ‘victory’…”

Humanitarian Aid for Gaza?

Bloomberg reported on October 18:

“Biden said Israel’s war cabinet had agreed ‘to the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza’ and that trucks would begin carrying aid from Egypt across the border.

“The US president also announced $100 million in aid for both Gaza and the West Bank and said there would be checks to ensure that aid went to civilians in need and not to Hamas…”

It is doubtful that Hamas will stand idly by if and when humanitarian aid is delivered to the people of Gaza.

Israel’s 9/11

Israel 365 News wrote on October 8:

“What we are experiencing now is unthinkable, unimaginable. The horror, the evil, the pain. It is more than we can bear. Parents and children are slaughtered. Elderly people and their nurses, are slaughtered. Teenagers at an outdoor party, slaughtered. 

“For those who are far away, who may not grasp the enormity of this horror – this is Israel’s 9/11… Israel is in crisis, in a way many of us have never experienced in our lifetimes…

“It is only a matter of time before President Biden and the US government begins pressuring Israel to stop its retaliation against Hamas terrorists. Sickeningly, the European Union has already done so, even as Hamas terrorists hold… of Israeli citizens hostages…”

“Biden’s Empty Words for Israel”

Israel 365 News reported on October 13:

“‘We will continue to stand united, supporting the people of Israel who are suffering unspeakable losses, in opposing the hatred and violence of terrorism.’ These words were part of a ten-minute address delivered by US President Joe Biden in response to the war in Israel…  Those Israelis who are basking in the glow of Joe Biden, lover of Israel, should pay attention to what he did not say in his short address. 

Biden did not mention Iran, Israel’s primary enemy. While he called out Hamas for its goal of murdering Jews and wiping Israel off the map, he said nothing of the parent company, Iran, which holds to the identical ideology and aims. Iran, of course, is the primary financial backer of Hamas. The Iranian regime not only praised the Hamas atrocities, it has tacitly admitted its awareness and involvement in the planning of the attacks…

“So, as Israelis are filled with warm fuzzies over Biden’s commitment to ‘stand united supporting the people of Israel’ against terrorism, the correct response is simple: As a result of its immoral and criminal policies, the Biden administration has Israeli blood on its hands.”

Breitbart added on October 15:

“Sunday, during an interview on CBS’s ‘60 Minutes,’ President Joe Biden voiced his opposition to Israeli occupation of Gaza in the wake of the Hamas terror attack on Israel.”

Biden’s trip to Israel proved to be a colossal failure as he was only able to meet with Netanyahu, while Arab leaders [including from Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority] whom he was supposed to see canceled all personal meetings with him.

Hamas the Same as or Worse Than ISIS

Fox News wrote on October 8:

“… jubilant Hamas terrorists uploaded to social media brutal video clips of their work: bodies of civilians lying dead in pools of blood at city bus stops, elderly people hauled away on motorbikes, and women and children hustled into jeeps and trucks as fighters battered and spat and screamed ‘God is great’ at their bewildered captives. 

“The terrifying videos, which also included groups of young Israeli and foreign partygoers tied up and taken into Gaza, were eerily reminiscent of images shared by the extremist Islamist group ISIS, which tried to establish an Islamic caliphate in northern Syria and Iraq several years ago.”

Europe Guilty

Washington Examiner wrote on October 9:

“European leaders have contributed to Hamas terrorism by providing aid to the Palestinians, an Israeli diplomatic official said. ‘The European Union was financing textbooks of the Palestinian authorities that were full of antisemitism and incitement for violence and terrorism against Jews,’ Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat told reporters Monday. ‘Those textbooks are the root of the Palestinian terror against Israelis. Young people are being taught, educated, to hate Jews and to murder Jews.’…

“‘To my mind, not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been killed on one day,’ Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Monday. ‘And not since the Holocaust have we witnessed scenes of Jewish women and children, grandparents, even Holocaust survivors, being herded into trucks and taken into captivity.’

“The carnage on Saturday shocked Western leaders and spurred Germany and Australia to announce a suspension of international aid to the Palestinians…

“EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi declared on social media that ‘all payments [are] immediately suspended,’ but the wider commission tempered that claim in a more formal statement announcing ‘an urgent review of the EU’s assistance for Palestine’ in light of the attack.”

Europe’s stance against Israel is manifesting itself over and over again.

Netanyahu Responsible?

Newsweek wrote on October 9:

“Benjamin Netanyahu ‘bears responsibility’ for the deadliest raid into Israeli territory in 50 years, newspaper Haaretz has said.

“The left-leaning publication blamed intelligence failures and the Israeli prime minister’s policy towards Palestinians …

“The op-ed said that the prime minister had ‘completely failed to identify the dangers he was consciously leading Israel into’ when he established a government of ‘annexation and dispossession’…

“The paper said that Netanyahu’s foreign policy ‘openly ignored the existence and rights of Palestinians’…

“The newspaper said that after winning in the last election, his ‘fully-right government’ had taken steps to annex the West Bank and to carry out ethnic cleansing in parts of the Oslo-defined Area C, including the Hebron Hills and the Jordan Valley.’

“The piece criticized Netanyahu for a ‘massive expansion’ of settlements and increasing the Jewish presence on [the] Temple Mount near the Al Aqsa Mosque, as well as a peace deal with Saudi Arabia ‘in which the Palestinians get nothing.’”

The accusations against Netanyahu and blaming him for the terrorist attacks are ridiculous. A misfired rocket by a Hamas faction, hitting a hospital in Gaza and causing the death of more than 500 civilians, was also originally blamed falsely on Israel. The irresponsible reporting triggered all kinds of anti-Israeli and anti-American protests and riots all over the world.

The Coming Destruction of Al Aqsa

Life Site News wrote on October 13:

“The mosque on the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is the third holiest site in Islam. No non-Muslim is permitted to pray there.

“On October 4, the mosque was occupied by around 1,000 Israeli settlers. Screaming ‘death to the Arabs,’ this crowd appeared not only to intentionally enrage Muslims worldwide, but also to restate the intention of the ruling government faction to destroy the mosque and rebuild the temple in its place

“Ben-Gvir… is committed to rebuilding the Third Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. To do this, the Al-Aqsa Mosque must be destroyed and replaced with it.

“A ceremony must be held before the temple is built, with the mount scattered with the ashes of a red heifer. In September 2022, Netanyahu’s government celebrated the purchase and arrival in Israel of three red heifers…”

“Israeli settlers are behind the move to rebuild the temple, which Muslims know will mean the obliteration of their third holiest shrine. The scattering of these ashes will ‘purify’ the mount, encouraging many more religious Jews to enter the site.”

It Could Also Happen in the USA

Newsmax wrote on October 8:

“Franklin Graham told Newsmax Sunday that events similar to what’s transpiring in Israel could happen in the United States…

“The United States recently reported, 232,972 southwest border encounters for the month of August. A number of reports from the past year say that a deluge of military-age men, not just from Latin America but from China and other parts of the world, are filing in.”

The FBI seems to agree with Graham.

Trump and the 14th Amendment

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on October 6:

“In the developing world the party in power does away with its opponents one of three ways: a bullet to the head, throwing them in jail or kicking them off the ballot… America, Leader of the Free World, is already at work on two of the three.

“With it becoming ever-clearer that nothing in the courts is likely to stop Trump… attention has turned to the third dirty solution, driving him off the ballot in as many states as possible to enable a Joe Biden walk-on win. The vehicle for this is supposedly the 14th Amendment, Section Three.

“Section Three was ratified in 1868 following the Civil War as a way to keep former Confederate officials out of government. It reads in whole ‘No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.’ (emphasis added).

“The obvious ploy is to claim Trump engaged in some sort of insurrection on January 6 and with that making him ineligible to be president, his name should be automatically (self-enacting) removed from all ballots…

“The problems with the 14th Amendment strategy begin with the question of whether the prohibition still exists. Written in 1868 to affect Confederate officials, the Article was overturned by Congress on behalf of several individuals. They could do the same for Trump…

“Also left undefined is the standard of proof for ‘insurrection.’ As a crime, insurrection has its legal definition. Trump, however, is not charged with insurrection (or sedition or rebellion) in any of the cases he now faces. The 14th Amendment in its Section One also provides for due process… [That is, it cannot be an automatic disqualification].”

The Biden Administration and the Left will stop at nothing to get rid of Trump.

The FBI’s Attack on Trump Supporters

Newsweek wrote on October 4:

“The federal government believes that the threat of violence and major civil disturbances around the 2024 U.S. presidential election is so great that it has quietly created a new category of extremists that it seeks to track and counter: Donald Trump’s army of MAGA followers.

“The challenge for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the primary federal agency charged with law enforcement, is to pursue and prevent what it calls domestic terrorism without direct reference to political parties or affiliations—even though the vast majority of its current ‘anti-government’ investigations are of Trump supporters…”

What another incredible and unconstitutional left-wing extreme position the weaponized FBI is willing to take in support of the Biden Administration!

Trump: God Gave Me to You

Newsmax wrote on October 7:

“As Israel is reeling from deadly Hamas attacks springing it into a war in the Middle East and as Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds on, former President Donald Trump is warning President Joe Biden has the world spiraling toward World War III. ‘We are closer to World War III than we’ve ever been, and I’m the only one that will prevent World War III,’ Trump told his campaign rally Saturday night in Cedar Rapids, Iowa… ‘That won’t be a war with army tanks going back and forth, too,’ Trump continued. ‘That will be a war with weaponry the likes of which this world has never seen before. I know it. I know it better than anybody.’

“A Trump supporter shouted that the world needs God, and Trump responded quickly. ‘You’ll need God,’ true,’ Trump said in a brief exchange…He said, ‘God gave me to you.’”

Trump should be very careful with his references to God. Note the next article.

Jesus Christ on Trump’s Side?

The Daily Mail wrote on October 3:

“Former President Donald Trump shared a strange court sketch on social media that showed him at his Manhattan fraud case with a person who looked like Jesus Christ sitting next him...

“Dom Lucre, a pro-Trump political commentator with over 700,000 followers on Twitter, captioned the image: ‘This is the most accurate court sketch of all time. Because nobody could have made it this far alone.’

“Trump shared the image to his Truth Social platform without any further caption…”

One needs to understand biblical prophecy to realize what is really going on in America and the rest of the world.

Trump—the Anointed One

The Los Angeles Times wrote on October 12:

“The two-day church revival held in August just outside Las Vegas featured nearly 70 speakers who preached that vaccines are poisonous and will bring about the end of the world, that a cabal of global leaders is engaged in child sex trafficking and that the 2020 election was stolen.

“Through it all was an apocalyptic drumbeat that the country will be destroyed if Trump doesn’t become president again. God wants him to win in 2024, speakers proclaimed to their audience, and as Christians they have been called upon to ensure he does.

“‘We know the one in charge up above, and I can tell you that I believe that he has his hand now on Donald Trump, that no weapon formed against him shall prosper,’ Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, told the crowd. ‘God is a part of this race. I’m telling you guys this. I feel it deep down inside.’…

“Over the last year, the tour has become increasingly focused on reelecting Trump. In North Las Vegas, several speakers referred to him as the ‘rightful president.’ Self-described prophets spoke of Trump as God’s ‘anointed one’…”

While President, Trump called himself the “anointed one.” If God really wants Trump to win, then He surely does not need the votes of Christians.

A Contingent Presidential Election?

The Hill wrote on October 11:

“One thing I worry about is a contingent presidential election. That situation arises when no candidate gets a majority of electoral votes (270 of 538). Should this situation arise, Congress gets to pick the next president and vice president.

“Yes, you read correctly, the 535 folks whom 80 percent of Americans dislike make these momentous decisions.”

Judge Engoron’s Ridiculous Decision Against Trump

The New York Post wrote on September 27:

“A New York judge’s Tuesday ruling valuing Donald Trump’s sprawling, headline-making Florida estate at $18 million has left industry experts perplexed. In his verdict, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron delivered a bombshell ruling that the former president committed fraud by inflating the value of his wealth with details including the monetary value associated with Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.

“This decision, which came down without a jury, has sent shockwaves through political — and real estate — circles, especially that $18 million base value for the property. One prominent Palm Beach real estate broker, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Post, ‘It’s utterly delusional to think that property is only worth $18 million.’ The insider added, ‘If that property were on the market today, I would list it at around $300 million, minimum … at least. He also has the separate golf course minutes away.’…

“Forbes had appraised the property which is made up of 128 rooms, at approximately $160 million in 2018 following extensive renovations and its exclusive Palm Beach location on Billionaires’ Row. The property includes a 20,000-square-foot ballroom, five clay tennis courts and a sprawling waterfront pool. And in the five years since, Palm Beach properties have only increased in value…”

Engoron’s false and illegal decision via summary judgment without trial is so ridiculous that his objectivity must be questioned and his bias is clearly manifest. As a Democrat, he had called Trump last year “just a bad guy” when rebuking a lawyer who suggested that Trump was being unfairly singled out for investigation—which is undoubtedly correct.

RFK to Run as Independent

Breitbart wrote on October 9:

“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Monday he will run as an independent instead of challenging President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination…

“‘We declare independence from the cynical elites who betray our hope and who amplify our divisions. And finally, we declare independence from the two political parties,’ he added.”

RFK Warns the USA

Breitbart wrote on September 28:

“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. warned on Thursday that the ‘next step of Ukraine War escalation’ is stationing United States military advisers on the ground… He posted on X: ‘…Have they forgotten how we got embroiled in Vietnam?’

Support for Ukraine Wanes

Reuters wrote on October 5:

“Support is falling among Americans of both major political parties for supplying Ukraine with weapons…

“The two-day poll… showed only 41% of respondents agreed with a statement that Washington ‘should provide weapons to Ukraine,’ compared to 35% who disagreed and the rest unsure.

“Support for U.S. weapon shipments is down from May, when a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 46% of Americans backed sending arms, while 29% were opposed and the rest unsure…

“Washington has provided $44 billion to supply Kyiv with dozens of tanks, thousands of rockets and millions of rounds of ammunition…

“Some Republicans, particularly those with the closest ties to former President Donald Trump… oppose the aid. It was left out of a stopgap funding bill Congress passed on Saturday to keep the government open, although the White House and some congressional leaders pledged to vote separately on a package for Kyiv.

House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ouster on Tuesday added to the uncertainty, with some of his potential successors skeptical about the value to U.S. taxpayers of assisting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s government…

“Some 52% of Democrats backed arming Ukraine in the most recent poll, down from 61% in May… Some 34% of Democrats in the poll agreed with a statement that Ukraine’s problems ‘are none of our business and we should not interfere,’ compared to 56% of Republicans.”

Change in Poland

The Associated Press wrote on October 17:

“The opposition leader who won Poland’s parliamentary election, Donald Tusk, appealed to the nation’s president Tuesday for ‘energetic and fast decisions’ so that a new government could be formed quickly. Three opposition parties that vowed to restore democratic standards in Poland together won over 54% of the votes in the nation’s weekend parliamentary elections, putting them in a position to take power…

“Poland’s constitution now requires President Andrzej Duda to assess the new political alignment of forces and to appoint a new prime minister who is tasked with forming a government that will need parliament’s approval, all within a set timeframe…

“Law and Justice, which governed the country for eight turbulent years, won slightly over 35% of the votes, making it the single party with the most votes. But the party and its leader Jarosław Kaczyński lost their majority in parliament and appeared to have no way to hold onto power

“The election result was a huge victory for Tusk, the head of the largest opposition group, Civic Coalition. He appeared likely to return to his past role as Polish prime minister, a job he held from 2007-14. He also served as European Council president, a top job in the EU, from 2014-19.”

We feel that Poland would be one of the prophesied ten nations or groups of nations in Europe.

Newsom Vetoes Condom Bill

The New York Post wrote on October 8:

“California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill Sunday that would require all public high schools in the Golden State to make free condoms available to students. The Democrat said he decided to return Senate Bill 541 without his signature because the economically stressed state — with more than 4,000 public schools — doesn’t have the funding for such an extensive program…

“Newsom said he believed in the bill’s merits but the financial toll made him unable to pen his signature.”

Newsom made the right decision for the wrong reasons.

Newsom Vetoes Gender Identity Law

Fox News wrote on September 23:

“California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, vetoed a bill late Friday night that would have required judges in child custody cases to consider whether a parent has affirmed their child’s gender identity…The bill was passed earlier this month by the state assembly, and was sent to the governor’s desk for his signature. But Newsom said in a statement released Friday night that he cannot sign the legislation. 

“The governor said he appreciates the ‘passion and values’ that led Democrat Assemblywoman Lori Wilson to introduce the bill and that he shares a ‘deep commitment to advancing the rights of transgender Californians, an effort that has guided my decisions through many decades in public office…

“‘That said, I urge caution when the Executive and Legislative branches of state government attempt to dictate… legal standards for the Judicial branch to apply,’ Newsom wrote. ‘Other-minded elected officials, in California and other states, could very well use this strategy to diminish the civil rights of vulnerable communities.’”

Another correct decision, but again, for basically the wrong reasons.

Coronavirus Vaccine Mandate Ends… For Now

Breitbart wrote on September 27:

“The Los Angeles Unified School District, the largest district in the nation, officially ended its coronavirus vaccine mandate for employees on Tuesday after endless controversy and a string of lawsuits.

“Wearing a mask at the vote to end the mandate, district president Jackie Goldberg said she voted ‘reluctantly yes’ and the mandate had finally been lifted…

“According to Fox 11, in a lawsuit earlier this year, ‘more than 20 current and former school Police Department members alleged that science shows that being vaccinated against COVID-19 does not prevent someone from acquiring the virus and that the district disregarded religious beliefs and enforced its vaccination policy to the detriment of the plaintiffs.’

“People on social media lamented how long it took for the requirement to end…”

And they might try to enforce it again!!!

No New Panic!

Bild Online wrote on September 22:

“Suddenly Corona is on everyone’s lips again. The first mask wearers appear and they test themselves for the virus. You don’t say: ‘I have a cold’ or ‘I have the flu’, no, you want to know exactly and report without being asked: ‘I have Corona.’…

“Health Minister Lauterbach (SPD) has recognized the trend and is taking center stage. He calls the journalists together and says with an important air: ‘We don’t need any contact restrictions.’ There is ‘broad immunity’.

“At the same time, he advises people aged 60 and over and risk groups to be vaccinated. The corona vaccination has led to serious side effects in some cases. He doesn’t mention that, the government hasn’t made any effort to come to terms with it…

“Now people are asking for a test and a mask again. This is as deep as trauma. We should free ourselves from that. Corona is now like other viruses: unpleasant, but not dangerous (except for the very old and sick). So please don’t panic again.”

But left-wing governments, papers and outlets DO panic… or they appear to do so in an effort to help Big Pharma make again a lot of money from untested and questionable vaccinations and booster shots.

Pope Francis’ Latest Attack on Climate Change Deniers

LifeSiteNews wrote on October 4:

“Pope Francis has published his second document on the topic of ‘climate change,’ condemning ‘human-induced climate changes’ and calling for ‘obligatory’ measures across the globe to address the issue…

“The Pope’s text… contains several strong statements… decrying those who oppose measures intended to lessen ‘human-induced climate changes.’… ‘It is no longer possible to doubt the human… origin of climate change,’ wrote the Pontiff. 

“He claimed that the human effect upon the planet was undeniable...”

As the Pope is wrong on so many issues, chances are he is wrong on this one too.

The Mysterious Alaska Triangle

Daily Star wrote on September 23:

“Sightings of UFOs, ghosts and ‘aggressive’ Bigfoot-type creatures have been reported in the so-called Alaska triangle – but the area is also known for a remarkable number of unexplained disappearances

“In fact, the History Channel says there are more unsolved missing persons cases in the region than anywhere else on Earth… Since 1970, over 20,000 unexplained disappearances have been recorded in the sparsely-populated patch of land between Anchorage and Juneau in the south to Utqiagvik on the northern coast. Considering the rugged area’s low population, that figure comes out at well over twice the national average for the US. The disappearances have been blamed on everything from UFO abductions, a flesh-eating Bigfoot-type creature called the Wendigo, and magnetic anomalies that interfere with hikers’ compasses.

“Experienced rescue workers sent out to investigate the state’s numerous missing-person incidents have reported hearing phantom sounds, and becoming disorientated and light-headed due to some unknown feature of the desolate Alaskan wilderness...

“But with so many of those people missing, never to be seen again, it’s undeniable that there is a mystery to be solved in the Alaska Triangle.”

Please read our free booklets, “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World” and “Heavens and Earth… Before and After the First Man.”

The Bundeswehr’s Mistake

Bild Online wrote on September 26:

“Last year the Bundeswehr ordered digital radios for thousands of Bundeswehr tanks and vehicles. Costs: more than a billion euros! Now it turns out that they obviously cannot be installed easily. They don’t fit…

“On Monday, the Ministry of Defense informed the Bundestag that ‘the technical complexity of installation’ had been underestimated. The result: delays of around a year!”

Germany’s “Leading Role”

ntv wrote on September 27:

“Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has assured NATO allies in the Baltics of Germany’s military reliability in deterring Russia. ‘Germany takes responsibility. And Germany is taking on a leadership role,’ said the SPD politician at the security conference in the Estonian capital Tallinn.

“At the same time, Pistorius assured Ukraine of long-term support in defending itself against the Russian attackers. ‘We will stand by them as long as it takes,’ he said.”

And so, more and more innocent people will die in this ongoing war…

Raid Against Neo-Nazi “Sect”

Bild Online wrote on September 27:

“Nationwide raid against neo-Nazis of the so-called ‘Artgemeinschaft’. At 6 a.m., several hundred special units simultaneously stormed objects in the twelve federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia. 26 apartments of 29 club members were searched.

“Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (53, SPD): ‘With the “Artgemeinschaft” we are banning a cult-like, deeply racist and anti-Semitic association. This is another hard blow against right-wing extremism and against the intellectual arsonists who continue to spread Nazi ideologies today.’

“According to the minister, the ban on the group, which is said to have around 150 members, has been prepared for a year by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution…

“Nancy Faeser continues: ‘The “Artgemeinschaft” actively communicated an ideology that was largely based on National Socialism. Above all, through the manipulative, indoctrinating upbringing of their children and the distribution of corresponding literature, the “Artgemeinschaft” acted differently, but no less dangerously, than the neo-Nazi “Hammerskins”, which we banned last week.’

“In Essen, the practice and apartment of doctor Gerhard H. are in the sights of state security investigators… According to the investigators, the doctor and his sons have access to weapons, and sometimes they even pose with guns on the Internet. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb), the ‘Artgemeinschaft’ is ‘a cult-like, religious-ethnic, anti-Christian and right-wing extremist organization’…”

It should be noted that no violence was committed by the group. Nancy Faeser is deeply unpopular. It is obvious that in using highly controversial and arguably illegal methods, she had hoped to gain in popularity. But it backfired.

Faeser’s Further Decline

ntv wrote on October 8:

“In view of the SPD’s worst performance in a state election in Hesse in the history of the state association, top candidate Faeser spoke of a ‘disappointing result’. As the top candidate, she had a ‘special role,’ said Faeser.”

In other words, she totally failed. Many ask for her long-overdue resignation. Today, the “Ample” coalition would not gain a majority. Neither would the CDU or the AfD. What a nightmarish scenario. 

Germany’s Politics Outrageous

Bild Online wrote on October 15:

“How could we be so blind, so oblivious to history, so naive? These images are a historic slap in the face for the federal government: Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas leader and therefore responsible for the terrorist massacre in Israel, meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Qatar in a good mood. One has to assume that the Iranian minister congratulated the terrorist leader for the slaughter of babies, children and the elderly in kibbutz villages and at the music festival in Israel…

“Germany is very close to Qatar, which is luxuriously hosting the Hamas leader while he slaughters Jews. Is it any wonder that no one takes the West seriously? They first bought our economy, then our politics and finally sports and society, and we didn’t want to notice. Now we even buy our energy in countries that welcome terrorist leaders who slaughtered Jews. It is humiliating, shameful, outrageous, what we have all allowed to happen.”

Germany Complicit

Die Welt wrote on October 11:

“The images of people cheering in Germany after Hamas’ major attack on Israel hurt former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. The 100-year-old fled Nazi Germany as a teenager and is demanding the federal government’s unrestricted support for Israel… ‘in extreme cases also militarily’…

“He also sees the cause in Germany’s asylum policy: ‘It was a serious mistake to let in so many people of completely different cultures, religions and beliefs…’

“As US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger helped end the Yom Kippur War through tireless travel diplomacy 50 years ago, when Israel had already been unexpectedly attacked by Arab neighbors. The now 100-year-old does not believe that a further escalation of the current war with Hamas is out of the question, nor is an Israeli attack on Iran, which supports the terrorist organization.

“Israel gave back to the Palestinians their land with the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but did not get peace in return. ‘You can no longer make concessions to people who have shown by their actions that there will be no peace. There has to be a punishment,’ emphasized Kissinger.”

Germany’s Huge Problem

Bild Online wrote on October 12:

“In Germany, people, apparently from the migrant milieu, are openly celebrating the barbaric terrorist acts in Israel, even saying on TV cameras that they approve of the Hamas attacks…

“Ethnologist Susanne Schröter (66, director of the Global Islam Research Center at the Goethe- University of Frankfurt) to BILD: ‘We have a huge problem. We have allowed hundreds of thousands of people with an anti-Semitic world view into Germany who grew up with this inhumane ideology in their countries of origin…

“Another big problem that Schröter sees: ‘Imported anti-Semitism has long been trivialized and relativized in Germany. Left-wing circles have promoted it – right into our universities – through their portrayal of Israel as an alleged ‘apartheid state’ and their talk of ‘settler colonialism’. This… repeats a disastrous alliance between forces in Germany and the Middle East. ‘During the Nazi era, Palestinian Islamists collaborated with the Nazis.’”

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

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

Update 1086

Outsiders/ How’s the Family?

On October 21, 2023, Eric Rank will present the sermonette, titled,  “Outsiders”, and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “How’s the Family?”

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.

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R O I (Return on Investment)

by Rene Messier (Canada)

Any investor planning an investment, whether in stocks, bonds or precious metals, has to analyze the risks involved. Some risks are high but produce big results; low risks usually produce lesser results as far as returns are concerned, so investors look at the potential Return On Investment or what kind of profit they can expect from their investment and how much risk they are prepared to take, and also, how much they are prepared to lose financially which in some cases may be all of their investment. 

These are factors involved in investing in the markets. If one doesn’t want to incur any potential losses, then one  should stay out of the market and keep their money in what the banks have to offer for term investments, with minimum losses, if any.

When we were called by God, He had to evaluate the risk involved in regard to our remaining faithful to the end. It was not an easy choice in some ways because of the human factor—the sometimes unpredictable reaction to certain events. Christ was frustrated at times, dealing with Israel, and He was prepared to start all over again through Moses, had not Moses talked Him out of it.

That same evaluation had to be done when creating angels since as free moral agents, they could rebel against Him, so in a sense, there was a risk involved in the process, and history shows that indeed thirty percent of the angels did rebel under the influence and leadership of Satan—an unredeemable, corrupt and evil being. 

We were predestined before the creation of the world to be called at this time which is a great privilege since we can become part of the first resurrection, but the success of this calling is in our hands, in that we have to follow through to the end in order to stand before Christ at His coming. The investment by God is a portion of Himself in the form of His Holy Spirit in us and also the Spirit of Christ, so they are invested in us and want the correct outcome at the end of this process.

They are there to help us along the way, but we have to walk the path of this life, following the footsteps and perfect example of Jesus Christ. We are not going to be carried automatically into the Kingdom.

If we fail, we can never blame God but must only blame ourselves.

God has not left us without tools for the success of this task, and that is that we must draw close to God using prayer, bible study, fasting and meditation as the means to achieve our goal of being in God’s Kingdom as God beings and being subject to God the Father, as Christ was and is.

God and Christ are on our side and in a way cheering us on, and the holy angels want us to succeed also, so let’s ensure we do not let God down.

Our golden crown and white garments await us.

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by Norbert Link

We report on events in the Middle East, especially with focus on the USA and Europe; and continue with developments pertaining to Donald Trump; Robert F Kennedy Jr.; Gavin Newsom and Pope Francis; and we speak on Germany’s ongoing international and domestic debacle.

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Israel Is Being Attacked! Where Are Israel’s True Friends?”

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

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Hamas Is Iran’s Proxy

Life Mint wrote on October 9:

Iran helped Hamas plot the rocket attack on Israel and approved of the assault during a meeting in Beirut last week, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal… The report also stated that the officers of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard have worked with Hamas to plan the deadly attack since August. It is pertinent to note that Hamas is the Shiite militant group that holds control in Gaza, while Hezbollah is a political faction backed by Iran in Lebanon…”

Times of Israel wrote on October 8:

“Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad tells the BBC that Iran gave its support to the Palestinian terror group to launch its surprise multi-front attack on Israel on Saturday…

“Tehran is a key backer of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as well as Lebanese terror group Hezbollah.”

Hezbollah is also actively involved in bombing Israel. There can be no doubt that Iran is behind all of these terrorist attacks. The slaughter and kidnapping of thousands of Jews are the direct consequence of Biden’s recent ill-advised “deal” with Iran regarding the exchange of prisoners.

Breitbart reported on October 14 that “Israel Defense Forces killed Ali Qadi, the Hamas commander behind the Palestinian terror group’s attack on Israel, which left at least 1,300 dead and more than 3,000 wounded.”

Israel’s Deadly Wound?

Breitbart wrote on October 10:

“Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the brutal Hamas terrorist attack on Saturday as an ‘irreparable defeat’ for Israel. He blamed the Israelis for bringing rape and murder upon themselves… ‘It is unlikely that the usurping regime will be able to use the help of the West to repair the deep impacts that this incident has left on its ruling structures,’ Khamenei claimed…

“Khamenei praised the Hamas terrorists as ‘mujahideen,’ or holy warriors, and railed against the ‘brutal measures’ taken by Israel against the ‘oppressed Palestinian nation.’… He threatened the Israelis with even worse consequences if they retaliate against the terrorists he supports… Khamenei hastened to claim that Tehran wholeheartedly approves of the slaughter in Israel, but played no role in planning or executing it…

“Khamenei told the Iranian cadets that all Muslims should be prepared to take up arms and fight alongside the Palestinians…”

It is the declared goal of Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and other Arab nations to totally destroy and obliterate the state of Israel. Psalm 83 and Hosea 5:13 come to mind.

An Evil Not Even Created by the Devil?

Breitbart reported on October 13:

“Eli Cohen, Israel’s foreign minister, said on Monday evening in a press conference that Hamas’ actions constitute ‘an evil that’s not created even by the devil.’”

Satan is terribly underestimated.

Unprecedented For 50 Years: Israel Declares Total War!

Breitbart wrote on October 8:

“Israel formally declared war on Saturday evening for the first time in 50 years

“The last official ‘war’ was the Yom Kippur War of 1973, when Israel was taken by surprise in an attack by Egypt and Syria. Though Israel has fought several conflicts since then, many of which are popularly referred to as ‘wars,’ the country has not officially declared war in half a century.

“The Prime Minister’s office also announced that it was cutting off ‘electricity, fuel, and goods’ to Gaza…

“The Palestinian terror attack happened on the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret, the final day of the annual High Holy Day cycle [the Last Great Day].”

“Iran has already declared ‘victory’…”

Humanitarian Aid for Gaza?

Bloomberg reported on October 18:

“Biden said Israel’s war cabinet had agreed ‘to the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza’ and that trucks would begin carrying aid from Egypt across the border.

“The US president also announced $100 million in aid for both Gaza and the West Bank and said there would be checks to ensure that aid went to civilians in need and not to Hamas…”

It is doubtful that Hamas will stand idly by if and when humanitarian aid is delivered to the people of Gaza.

Israel’s 9/11

Israel 365 News wrote on October 8:

“What we are experiencing now is unthinkable, unimaginable. The horror, the evil, the pain. It is more than we can bear. Parents and children are slaughtered. Elderly people and their nurses, are slaughtered. Teenagers at an outdoor party, slaughtered. 

“For those who are far away, who may not grasp the enormity of this horror – this is Israel’s 9/11… Israel is in crisis, in a way many of us have never experienced in our lifetimes…

“It is only a matter of time before President Biden and the US government begins pressuring Israel to stop its retaliation against Hamas terrorists. Sickeningly, the European Union has already done so, even as Hamas terrorists hold… of Israeli citizens hostages…”

“Biden’s Empty Words for Israel”

Israel 365 News reported on October 13:

“‘We will continue to stand united, supporting the people of Israel who are suffering unspeakable losses, in opposing the hatred and violence of terrorism.’ These words were part of a ten-minute address delivered by US President Joe Biden in response to the war in Israel…  Those Israelis who are basking in the glow of Joe Biden, lover of Israel, should pay attention to what he did not say in his short address. 

Biden did not mention Iran, Israel’s primary enemy. While he called out Hamas for its goal of murdering Jews and wiping Israel off the map, he said nothing of the parent company, Iran, which holds to the identical ideology and aims. Iran, of course, is the primary financial backer of Hamas. The Iranian regime not only praised the Hamas atrocities, it has tacitly admitted its awareness and involvement in the planning of the attacks…

“So, as Israelis are filled with warm fuzzies over Biden’s commitment to ‘stand united supporting the people of Israel’ against terrorism, the correct response is simple: As a result of its immoral and criminal policies, the Biden administration has Israeli blood on its hands.”

Breitbart added on October 15:

“Sunday, during an interview on CBS’s ‘60 Minutes,’ President Joe Biden voiced his opposition to Israeli occupation of Gaza in the wake of the Hamas terror attack on Israel.”

Biden’s trip to Israel proved to be a colossal failure as he was only able to meet with Netanyahu, while Arab leaders [including from Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority] whom he was supposed to see canceled all personal meetings with him.

Hamas the Same as or Worse Than ISIS

Fox News wrote on October 8:

“… jubilant Hamas terrorists uploaded to social media brutal video clips of their work: bodies of civilians lying dead in pools of blood at city bus stops, elderly people hauled away on motorbikes, and women and children hustled into jeeps and trucks as fighters battered and spat and screamed ‘God is great’ at their bewildered captives. 

“The terrifying videos, which also included groups of young Israeli and foreign partygoers tied up and taken into Gaza, were eerily reminiscent of images shared by the extremist Islamist group ISIS, which tried to establish an Islamic caliphate in northern Syria and Iraq several years ago.”

Europe Guilty

Washington Examiner wrote on October 9:

“European leaders have contributed to Hamas terrorism by providing aid to the Palestinians, an Israeli diplomatic official said. ‘The European Union was financing textbooks of the Palestinian authorities that were full of antisemitism and incitement for violence and terrorism against Jews,’ Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat told reporters Monday. ‘Those textbooks are the root of the Palestinian terror against Israelis. Young people are being taught, educated, to hate Jews and to murder Jews.’…

“‘To my mind, not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been killed on one day,’ Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Monday. ‘And not since the Holocaust have we witnessed scenes of Jewish women and children, grandparents, even Holocaust survivors, being herded into trucks and taken into captivity.’

“The carnage on Saturday shocked Western leaders and spurred Germany and Australia to announce a suspension of international aid to the Palestinians…

“EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi declared on social media that ‘all payments [are] immediately suspended,’ but the wider commission tempered that claim in a more formal statement announcing ‘an urgent review of the EU’s assistance for Palestine’ in light of the attack.”

Europe’s stance against Israel is manifesting itself over and over again.

Netanyahu Responsible?

Newsweek wrote on October 9:

“Benjamin Netanyahu ‘bears responsibility’ for the deadliest raid into Israeli territory in 50 years, newspaper Haaretz has said.

“The left-leaning publication blamed intelligence failures and the Israeli prime minister’s policy towards Palestinians …

“The op-ed said that the prime minister had ‘completely failed to identify the dangers he was consciously leading Israel into’ when he established a government of ‘annexation and dispossession’…

“The paper said that Netanyahu’s foreign policy ‘openly ignored the existence and rights of Palestinians’…

“The newspaper said that after winning in the last election, his ‘fully-right government’ had taken steps to annex the West Bank and to carry out ethnic cleansing in parts of the Oslo-defined Area C, including the Hebron Hills and the Jordan Valley.’

“The piece criticized Netanyahu for a ‘massive expansion’ of settlements and increasing the Jewish presence on [the] Temple Mount near the Al Aqsa Mosque, as well as a peace deal with Saudi Arabia ‘in which the Palestinians get nothing.’”

The accusations against Netanyahu and blaming him for the terrorist attacks are ridiculous. A misfired rocket by a Hamas faction, hitting a hospital in Gaza and causing the death of more than 500 civilians, was also originally blamed falsely on Israel. The irresponsible reporting triggered all kinds of anti-Israeli and anti-American protests and riots all over the world.

The Coming Destruction of Al Aqsa

Life Site News wrote on October 13:

“The mosque on the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is the third holiest site in Islam. No non-Muslim is permitted to pray there.

“On October 4, the mosque was occupied by around 1,000 Israeli settlers. Screaming ‘death to the Arabs,’ this crowd appeared not only to intentionally enrage Muslims worldwide, but also to restate the intention of the ruling government faction to destroy the mosque and rebuild the temple in its place

“Ben-Gvir… is committed to rebuilding the Third Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. To do this, the Al-Aqsa Mosque must be destroyed and replaced with it.

“A ceremony must be held before the temple is built, with the mount scattered with the ashes of a red heifer. In September 2022, Netanyahu’s government celebrated the purchase and arrival in Israel of three red heifers…”

“Israeli settlers are behind the move to rebuild the temple, which Muslims know will mean the obliteration of their third holiest shrine. The scattering of these ashes will ‘purify’ the mount, encouraging many more religious Jews to enter the site.”

It Could Also Happen in the USA

Newsmax wrote on October 8:

“Franklin Graham told Newsmax Sunday that events similar to what’s transpiring in Israel could happen in the United States…

“The United States recently reported, 232,972 southwest border encounters for the month of August. A number of reports from the past year say that a deluge of military-age men, not just from Latin America but from China and other parts of the world, are filing in.”

The FBI seems to agree with Graham.

Trump and the 14th Amendment

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on October 6:

“In the developing world the party in power does away with its opponents one of three ways: a bullet to the head, throwing them in jail or kicking them off the ballot… America, Leader of the Free World, is already at work on two of the three.

“With it becoming ever-clearer that nothing in the courts is likely to stop Trump… attention has turned to the third dirty solution, driving him off the ballot in as many states as possible to enable a Joe Biden walk-on win. The vehicle for this is supposedly the 14th Amendment, Section Three.

“Section Three was ratified in 1868 following the Civil War as a way to keep former Confederate officials out of government. It reads in whole ‘No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.’ (emphasis added).

“The obvious ploy is to claim Trump engaged in some sort of insurrection on January 6 and with that making him ineligible to be president, his name should be automatically (self-enacting) removed from all ballots…

“The problems with the 14th Amendment strategy begin with the question of whether the prohibition still exists. Written in 1868 to affect Confederate officials, the Article was overturned by Congress on behalf of several individuals. They could do the same for Trump…

“Also left undefined is the standard of proof for ‘insurrection.’ As a crime, insurrection has its legal definition. Trump, however, is not charged with insurrection (or sedition or rebellion) in any of the cases he now faces. The 14th Amendment in its Section One also provides for due process… [That is, it cannot be an automatic disqualification].”

The Biden Administration and the Left will stop at nothing to get rid of Trump.

The FBI’s Attack on Trump Supporters

Newsweek wrote on October 4:

“The federal government believes that the threat of violence and major civil disturbances around the 2024 U.S. presidential election is so great that it has quietly created a new category of extremists that it seeks to track and counter: Donald Trump’s army of MAGA followers.

“The challenge for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the primary federal agency charged with law enforcement, is to pursue and prevent what it calls domestic terrorism without direct reference to political parties or affiliations—even though the vast majority of its current ‘anti-government’ investigations are of Trump supporters…”

What another incredible and unconstitutional left-wing extreme position the weaponized FBI is willing to take in support of the Biden Administration!

Trump: God Gave Me to You

Newsmax wrote on October 7:

“As Israel is reeling from deadly Hamas attacks springing it into a war in the Middle East and as Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds on, former President Donald Trump is warning President Joe Biden has the world spiraling toward World War III. ‘We are closer to World War III than we’ve ever been, and I’m the only one that will prevent World War III,’ Trump told his campaign rally Saturday night in Cedar Rapids, Iowa… ‘That won’t be a war with army tanks going back and forth, too,’ Trump continued. ‘That will be a war with weaponry the likes of which this world has never seen before. I know it. I know it better than anybody.’

“A Trump supporter shouted that the world needs God, and Trump responded quickly. ‘You’ll need God,’ true,’ Trump said in a brief exchange…He said, ‘God gave me to you.’”

Trump should be very careful with his references to God. Note the next article.

Jesus Christ on Trump’s Side?

The Daily Mail wrote on October 3:

“Former President Donald Trump shared a strange court sketch on social media that showed him at his Manhattan fraud case with a person who looked like Jesus Christ sitting next him...

“Dom Lucre, a pro-Trump political commentator with over 700,000 followers on Twitter, captioned the image: ‘This is the most accurate court sketch of all time. Because nobody could have made it this far alone.’

“Trump shared the image to his Truth Social platform without any further caption…”

One needs to understand biblical prophecy to realize what is really going on in America and the rest of the world.

Trump—the Anointed One

The Los Angeles Times wrote on October 12:

“The two-day church revival held in August just outside Las Vegas featured nearly 70 speakers who preached that vaccines are poisonous and will bring about the end of the world, that a cabal of global leaders is engaged in child sex trafficking and that the 2020 election was stolen.

“Through it all was an apocalyptic drumbeat that the country will be destroyed if Trump doesn’t become president again. God wants him to win in 2024, speakers proclaimed to their audience, and as Christians they have been called upon to ensure he does.

“‘We know the one in charge up above, and I can tell you that I believe that he has his hand now on Donald Trump, that no weapon formed against him shall prosper,’ Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, told the crowd. ‘God is a part of this race. I’m telling you guys this. I feel it deep down inside.’…

“Over the last year, the tour has become increasingly focused on reelecting Trump. In North Las Vegas, several speakers referred to him as the ‘rightful president.’ Self-described prophets spoke of Trump as God’s ‘anointed one’…”

While President, Trump called himself the “anointed one.” If God really wants Trump to win, then He surely does not need the votes of Christians.

A Contingent Presidential Election?

The Hill wrote on October 11:

“One thing I worry about is a contingent presidential election. That situation arises when no candidate gets a majority of electoral votes (270 of 538). Should this situation arise, Congress gets to pick the next president and vice president.

“Yes, you read correctly, the 535 folks whom 80 percent of Americans dislike make these momentous decisions.”

Judge Engoron’s Ridiculous Decision Against Trump

The New York Post wrote on September 27:

“A New York judge’s Tuesday ruling valuing Donald Trump’s sprawling, headline-making Florida estate at $18 million has left industry experts perplexed. In his verdict, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron delivered a bombshell ruling that the former president committed fraud by inflating the value of his wealth with details including the monetary value associated with Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.

“This decision, which came down without a jury, has sent shockwaves through political — and real estate — circles, especially that $18 million base value for the property. One prominent Palm Beach real estate broker, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Post, ‘It’s utterly delusional to think that property is only worth $18 million.’ The insider added, ‘If that property were on the market today, I would list it at around $300 million, minimum … at least. He also has the separate golf course minutes away.’…

“Forbes had appraised the property which is made up of 128 rooms, at approximately $160 million in 2018 following extensive renovations and its exclusive Palm Beach location on Billionaires’ Row. The property includes a 20,000-square-foot ballroom, five clay tennis courts and a sprawling waterfront pool. And in the five years since, Palm Beach properties have only increased in value…”

Engoron’s false and illegal decision via summary judgment without trial is so ridiculous that his objectivity must be questioned and his bias is clearly manifest. As a Democrat, he had called Trump last year “just a bad guy” when rebuking a lawyer who suggested that Trump was being unfairly singled out for investigation—which is undoubtedly correct.

RFK to Run as Independent

Breitbart wrote on October 9:

“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Monday he will run as an independent instead of challenging President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination…

“‘We declare independence from the cynical elites who betray our hope and who amplify our divisions. And finally, we declare independence from the two political parties,’ he added.”

RFK Warns the USA

Breitbart wrote on September 28:

“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. warned on Thursday that the ‘next step of Ukraine War escalation’ is stationing United States military advisers on the ground… He posted on X: ‘…Have they forgotten how we got embroiled in Vietnam?’

Support for Ukraine Wanes

Reuters wrote on October 5:

“Support is falling among Americans of both major political parties for supplying Ukraine with weapons…

“The two-day poll… showed only 41% of respondents agreed with a statement that Washington ‘should provide weapons to Ukraine,’ compared to 35% who disagreed and the rest unsure.

“Support for U.S. weapon shipments is down from May, when a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 46% of Americans backed sending arms, while 29% were opposed and the rest unsure…

“Washington has provided $44 billion to supply Kyiv with dozens of tanks, thousands of rockets and millions of rounds of ammunition…

“Some Republicans, particularly those with the closest ties to former President Donald Trump… oppose the aid. It was left out of a stopgap funding bill Congress passed on Saturday to keep the government open, although the White House and some congressional leaders pledged to vote separately on a package for Kyiv.

House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ouster on Tuesday added to the uncertainty, with some of his potential successors skeptical about the value to U.S. taxpayers of assisting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s government…

“Some 52% of Democrats backed arming Ukraine in the most recent poll, down from 61% in May… Some 34% of Democrats in the poll agreed with a statement that Ukraine’s problems ‘are none of our business and we should not interfere,’ compared to 56% of Republicans.”

Change in Poland

The Associated Press wrote on October 17:

“The opposition leader who won Poland’s parliamentary election, Donald Tusk, appealed to the nation’s president Tuesday for ‘energetic and fast decisions’ so that a new government could be formed quickly. Three opposition parties that vowed to restore democratic standards in Poland together won over 54% of the votes in the nation’s weekend parliamentary elections, putting them in a position to take power…

“Poland’s constitution now requires President Andrzej Duda to assess the new political alignment of forces and to appoint a new prime minister who is tasked with forming a government that will need parliament’s approval, all within a set timeframe…

“Law and Justice, which governed the country for eight turbulent years, won slightly over 35% of the votes, making it the single party with the most votes. But the party and its leader Jarosław Kaczyński lost their majority in parliament and appeared to have no way to hold onto power

“The election result was a huge victory for Tusk, the head of the largest opposition group, Civic Coalition. He appeared likely to return to his past role as Polish prime minister, a job he held from 2007-14. He also served as European Council president, a top job in the EU, from 2014-19.”

We feel that Poland would be one of the prophesied ten nations or groups of nations in Europe.

Newsom Vetoes Condom Bill

The New York Post wrote on October 8:

“California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill Sunday that would require all public high schools in the Golden State to make free condoms available to students. The Democrat said he decided to return Senate Bill 541 without his signature because the economically stressed state — with more than 4,000 public schools — doesn’t have the funding for such an extensive program…

“Newsom said he believed in the bill’s merits but the financial toll made him unable to pen his signature.”

Newsom made the right decision for the wrong reasons.

Newsom Vetoes Gender Identity Law

Fox News wrote on September 23:

“California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, vetoed a bill late Friday night that would have required judges in child custody cases to consider whether a parent has affirmed their child’s gender identity…The bill was passed earlier this month by the state assembly, and was sent to the governor’s desk for his signature. But Newsom said in a statement released Friday night that he cannot sign the legislation. 

“The governor said he appreciates the ‘passion and values’ that led Democrat Assemblywoman Lori Wilson to introduce the bill and that he shares a ‘deep commitment to advancing the rights of transgender Californians, an effort that has guided my decisions through many decades in public office…

“‘That said, I urge caution when the Executive and Legislative branches of state government attempt to dictate… legal standards for the Judicial branch to apply,’ Newsom wrote. ‘Other-minded elected officials, in California and other states, could very well use this strategy to diminish the civil rights of vulnerable communities.’”

Another correct decision, but again, for basically the wrong reasons.

Coronavirus Vaccine Mandate Ends… For Now

Breitbart wrote on September 27:

“The Los Angeles Unified School District, the largest district in the nation, officially ended its coronavirus vaccine mandate for employees on Tuesday after endless controversy and a string of lawsuits.

“Wearing a mask at the vote to end the mandate, district president Jackie Goldberg said she voted ‘reluctantly yes’ and the mandate had finally been lifted…

“According to Fox 11, in a lawsuit earlier this year, ‘more than 20 current and former school Police Department members alleged that science shows that being vaccinated against COVID-19 does not prevent someone from acquiring the virus and that the district disregarded religious beliefs and enforced its vaccination policy to the detriment of the plaintiffs.’

“People on social media lamented how long it took for the requirement to end…”

And they might try to enforce it again!!!

No New Panic!

Bild Online wrote on September 22:

“Suddenly Corona is on everyone’s lips again. The first mask wearers appear and they test themselves for the virus. You don’t say: ‘I have a cold’ or ‘I have the flu’, no, you want to know exactly and report without being asked: ‘I have Corona.’…

“Health Minister Lauterbach (SPD) has recognized the trend and is taking center stage. He calls the journalists together and says with an important air: ‘We don’t need any contact restrictions.’ There is ‘broad immunity’.

“At the same time, he advises people aged 60 and over and risk groups to be vaccinated. The corona vaccination has led to serious side effects in some cases. He doesn’t mention that, the government hasn’t made any effort to come to terms with it…

“Now people are asking for a test and a mask again. This is as deep as trauma. We should free ourselves from that. Corona is now like other viruses: unpleasant, but not dangerous (except for the very old and sick). So please don’t panic again.”

But left-wing governments, papers and outlets DO panic… or they appear to do so in an effort to help Big Pharma make again a lot of money from untested and questionable vaccinations and booster shots.

Pope Francis’ Latest Attack on Climate Change Deniers

LifeSiteNews wrote on October 4:

“Pope Francis has published his second document on the topic of ‘climate change,’ condemning ‘human-induced climate changes’ and calling for ‘obligatory’ measures across the globe to address the issue…

“The Pope’s text… contains several strong statements… decrying those who oppose measures intended to lessen ‘human-induced climate changes.’… ‘It is no longer possible to doubt the human… origin of climate change,’ wrote the Pontiff. 

“He claimed that the human effect upon the planet was undeniable...”

As the Pope is wrong on so many issues, chances are he is wrong on this one too.

The Mysterious Alaska Triangle

Daily Star wrote on September 23:

“Sightings of UFOs, ghosts and ‘aggressive’ Bigfoot-type creatures have been reported in the so-called Alaska triangle – but the area is also known for a remarkable number of unexplained disappearances

“In fact, the History Channel says there are more unsolved missing persons cases in the region than anywhere else on Earth… Since 1970, over 20,000 unexplained disappearances have been recorded in the sparsely-populated patch of land between Anchorage and Juneau in the south to Utqiagvik on the northern coast. Considering the rugged area’s low population, that figure comes out at well over twice the national average for the US. The disappearances have been blamed on everything from UFO abductions, a flesh-eating Bigfoot-type creature called the Wendigo, and magnetic anomalies that interfere with hikers’ compasses.

“Experienced rescue workers sent out to investigate the state’s numerous missing-person incidents have reported hearing phantom sounds, and becoming disorientated and light-headed due to some unknown feature of the desolate Alaskan wilderness...

“But with so many of those people missing, never to be seen again, it’s undeniable that there is a mystery to be solved in the Alaska Triangle.”

Please read our free booklets, “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World” and “Heavens and Earth… Before and After the First Man.”

The Bundeswehr’s Mistake

Bild Online wrote on September 26:

“Last year the Bundeswehr ordered digital radios for thousands of Bundeswehr tanks and vehicles. Costs: more than a billion euros! Now it turns out that they obviously cannot be installed easily. They don’t fit…

“On Monday, the Ministry of Defense informed the Bundestag that ‘the technical complexity of installation’ had been underestimated. The result: delays of around a year!”

Germany’s “Leading Role”

ntv wrote on September 27:

“Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has assured NATO allies in the Baltics of Germany’s military reliability in deterring Russia. ‘Germany takes responsibility. And Germany is taking on a leadership role,’ said the SPD politician at the security conference in the Estonian capital Tallinn.

“At the same time, Pistorius assured Ukraine of long-term support in defending itself against the Russian attackers. ‘We will stand by them as long as it takes,’ he said.”

And so, more and more innocent people will die in this ongoing war…

Raid Against Neo-Nazi “Sect”

Bild Online wrote on September 27:

“Nationwide raid against neo-Nazis of the so-called ‘Artgemeinschaft’. At 6 a.m., several hundred special units simultaneously stormed objects in the twelve federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia. 26 apartments of 29 club members were searched.

“Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (53, SPD): ‘With the “Artgemeinschaft” we are banning a cult-like, deeply racist and anti-Semitic association. This is another hard blow against right-wing extremism and against the intellectual arsonists who continue to spread Nazi ideologies today.’

“According to the minister, the ban on the group, which is said to have around 150 members, has been prepared for a year by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution…

“Nancy Faeser continues: ‘The “Artgemeinschaft” actively communicated an ideology that was largely based on National Socialism. Above all, through the manipulative, indoctrinating upbringing of their children and the distribution of corresponding literature, the “Artgemeinschaft” acted differently, but no less dangerously, than the neo-Nazi “Hammerskins”, which we banned last week.’

“In Essen, the practice and apartment of doctor Gerhard H. are in the sights of state security investigators… According to the investigators, the doctor and his sons have access to weapons, and sometimes they even pose with guns on the Internet. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb), the ‘Artgemeinschaft’ is ‘a cult-like, religious-ethnic, anti-Christian and right-wing extremist organization’…”

It should be noted that no violence was committed by the group. Nancy Faeser is deeply unpopular. It is obvious that in using highly controversial and arguably illegal methods, she had hoped to gain in popularity. But it backfired.

Faeser’s Further Decline

ntv wrote on October 8:

“In view of the SPD’s worst performance in a state election in Hesse in the history of the state association, top candidate Faeser spoke of a ‘disappointing result’. As the top candidate, she had a ‘special role,’ said Faeser.”

In other words, she totally failed. Many ask for her long-overdue resignation. Today, the “Ample” coalition would not gain a majority. Neither would the CDU or the AfD. What a nightmarish scenario. 

Germany’s Politics Outrageous

Bild Online wrote on October 15:

“How could we be so blind, so oblivious to history, so naive? These images are a historic slap in the face for the federal government: Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas leader and therefore responsible for the terrorist massacre in Israel, meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Qatar in a good mood. One has to assume that the Iranian minister congratulated the terrorist leader for the slaughter of babies, children and the elderly in kibbutz villages and at the music festival in Israel…

“Germany is very close to Qatar, which is luxuriously hosting the Hamas leader while he slaughters Jews. Is it any wonder that no one takes the West seriously? They first bought our economy, then our politics and finally sports and society, and we didn’t want to notice. Now we even buy our energy in countries that welcome terrorist leaders who slaughtered Jews. It is humiliating, shameful, outrageous, what we have all allowed to happen.”

Germany Complicit

Die Welt wrote on October 11:

“The images of people cheering in Germany after Hamas’ major attack on Israel hurt former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. The 100-year-old fled Nazi Germany as a teenager and is demanding the federal government’s unrestricted support for Israel… ‘in extreme cases also militarily’…

“He also sees the cause in Germany’s asylum policy: ‘It was a serious mistake to let in so many people of completely different cultures, religions and beliefs…’

“As US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger helped end the Yom Kippur War through tireless travel diplomacy 50 years ago, when Israel had already been unexpectedly attacked by Arab neighbors. The now 100-year-old does not believe that a further escalation of the current war with Hamas is out of the question, nor is an Israeli attack on Iran, which supports the terrorist organization.

“Israel gave back to the Palestinians their land with the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but did not get peace in return. ‘You can no longer make concessions to people who have shown by their actions that there will be no peace. There has to be a punishment,’ emphasized Kissinger.”

Germany’s Huge Problem

Bild Online wrote on October 12:

“In Germany, people, apparently from the migrant milieu, are openly celebrating the barbaric terrorist acts in Israel, even saying on TV cameras that they approve of the Hamas attacks…

“Ethnologist Susanne Schröter (66, director of the Global Islam Research Center at the Goethe- University of Frankfurt) to BILD: ‘We have a huge problem. We have allowed hundreds of thousands of people with an anti-Semitic world view into Germany who grew up with this inhumane ideology in their countries of origin…

“Another big problem that Schröter sees: ‘Imported anti-Semitism has long been trivialized and relativized in Germany. Left-wing circles have promoted it – right into our universities – through their portrayal of Israel as an alleged ‘apartheid state’ and their talk of ‘settler colonialism’. This… repeats a disastrous alliance between forces in Germany and the Middle East. ‘During the Nazi era, Palestinian Islamists collaborated with the Nazis.’”

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

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

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How can we avoid Satan’s influence?

Many might say that Satan cannot influence us. After all, we belong to the Church of the Eternal God and are therefore members of the Body of Christ. But do we understand how Satan exerts influence, how he operates, how he deceives us? A deceived person is not aware of being deceived.

We find a statement in Ephesians 2:2 about Satan, who is “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience…”

Satan, the god of this world is “the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” Now we might assume that this excludes true Christians, who would have nothing to worry about, since as a matter of principle, they are not children of disobedience.

That would be a terrible mistake. When we are tempted by Satan and fall for his devices, we are no longer obedient. Satan broadcasts his waves through the air, and just like receiving electrical waves through the radio or the internet, they can be received by us. We may not see them or hear them, but if we have the “right tuning” and frequency, we receive Satan’s waves like one receives radio waves.

Satan implants his message into our heads through the human spirit. Our reception is, by default, tuned to Satan’s wavelength.

He does not broadcast in words or in pictures, but rather, he broadcasts an attitude of self-centeredness, vanity, lust, greed, jealousy, envy, competition, strife, violence, hatred, resentment, bitterness, rebellion and defiance of authority. All this describes human nature; respectively, the nature of Satan.

God’s Way, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. It is the Way of love, of concern for the well-being of others.

Now, properly baptized Christians have received the Holy Spirit and can reject Satan’s impulses through regular Bible study, prayer, and Church attendance. And likewise, the children of converted Christians can reject Satanic impulses through Bible study, prayer, and Church attendance. They ought to be close to God, and this is the only way they can succeed in resisting Satan, because Satan cannot impose his will on us.

Paul writes about those for whom the gospel was hidden. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, he speaks of those, “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

Paul feared that the Corinthians would be deceived by Satan, who still existed and was working powerfully, as was the case with Eve. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, we read: “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Satan is still working, even in the members of God’s Church, just as he did in the Corinthians who were also members of the Church!

Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, which was part of the Church of God, in Ephesians 6:10:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

He continued in verse 12: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” And in verse 11, he said: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

These admonitions apply to us today. We must never think that Satan cannot tempt or deceive us. Satan is stronger than us, but not stronger than Jesus Christ. Some have left God’s Church because Satan deceived them. But a deceived person does not know that he has been deceived. He may think that he is correct. If that person knew about his deception, he would think and act differently. We must therefore approach God in prayer and ask Him to deliver us from any temptation. All of us must rely on Christ.

Satan is powerful, clever and acts quickly. His greatest trick was convincing people he didn’t exist. But he does indeed exist!

Satan’s way is neither better than nor as good as God’s Way; otherwise, God would tell us to “walk Satan’s way.” We are not to compromise either. What did Elijah write in 1 Kings 18:21? “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word.”

Again, we need to watch out and be on guard. We need to be mindful of our environment and our “friendships”. For a little leaven leavens the whole lump. One rotten apple in the basket will infect the apples next to it and they will rot, and so on, until all the apples in the whole basket are rotten.

This must not happen in the Church of God.

Satan still has influence. It requires constant vigilance to keep our minds and spirits focused on Christ, on His work and on the things of God, and to avoid falling for Satan and his demons by adopting the attitude of self-centeredness or focusing on respecting the person.

We must not allow ourselves to be distracted from God’s Way. For example, if we have neglected Bible study and prayer, we should not be surprised if we are irritable or judging others, if we have thoughts of competition or divisiveness, or if we mistakenly side with others. This all originates from Satan, for whose spirit of discord we have fallen. This would quench the love of God in our hearts.

That is why Christ warns us through Peter in 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The Living Bible adds “hungry” – a lion that roars out of hunger.

Satan is trying to destroy us and the Church of God. There is a reason why God inspired Peter to write down the above-stated warning. We would be terrified if a hungry and roaring lion stood before us. Peter continues in verse 9: “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

What do we read in James 4:7-8? “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

It is possible for Satan to make use of us, without us knowing it. We must acknowledge and confess our sins, and God will be faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

If we have such a God-pleasing attitude and mindset, we will be able to avoid Satan’s influence in our lives better and better.

Lead Writer: Christoph Sperzel (Germany)

Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger

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Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

compiled by Dave Harris

“Israel Is Being Attacked! Where Are Israel’s True Friends?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

On Saturday, October 7, the Last Great Day which followed the Feast of Tabernacles, the murderous and barbaric Terrorist group Hamas attacked, killed, wounded and kidnapped thousands of Jews with the help of Iran.  At first, Western nations voiced strong support for Israel, but this changed quickly. What we are seeing these days is again a worldwide anti-Semitic uprising and slanderous reporting by the mass media, combined with terrible politics of the USA, Europe and Germany. As usual, Israel’s search for true friends is failing miserably. 

During the recent Fall Holy Days, John Amorelli, a longtime faithful member of God’s Church, was ordained as deacon. He and his wife, Louise, live in West Virginia. Also, four faithful and dedicated members in Germany were ordained as deacons:  Marc Völler, Robert Muhr, Cristian Popescu and Robert Indlekofer. In addition, we are very pleased to announce the baptism of two people in Germany:  Petar Babaradic and Tom Lämmchen.

Recent Holy Day sermonettes and sermons are or will be posted at www.eternalgod.org and https://www.ewigengottes.de/

“Jüngste Ereignisse im Nahen Osten, den USA und Deutschland… im Lichte der biblischen Prophezeiung,” was last Sabbath’s first message in Germany by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Recent Events in the Middle East, the USA and Germany… in the Light of Biblical Prophecy.”  

“Wo steh ich heute?” last Sabbath’s first split sermon, presented by Johann Schell in Germany, is now posted.

“Zu den Waffen,” last Sabbath’s second split sermon, presented by Daniel Blasinger in Germany, is now posted.

“Taking Stock,” last Sabbath’s sermonette was presented by Dave Harris. Here is a summary:

Taking stock means to carefully think about something in order to make a decision about what to do next. Regarding the prophetic future, are we prepared?

“Quench the Fiery Darts,” last Sabbath’s sermon was presented by Eric Rank. Here is a summary:

One of the implements of the armor of God is the shield of faith, with which we can “quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.” What can we learn about this valuable tool to help strengthen our defense against Satan?

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How This Work is Financed

This Update is an official publication by the ministry of the Church of the Eternal God in the United States of America; the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship in Canada; and the Global Church of God in the United Kingdom.

Editorial Team: Norbert Link, Dave Harris, Rene Messier, Brian Gale, Johanna Link, Eric Rank, Michael Link, Anna Link, Kalon Mitchell, Manuela Mitchell, Dawn Thompson

Technical Team: Eric Rank, Shana Rank

Our activities and literature, including booklets, weekly updates, sermons on CD and video and audio broadcasts, are provided free of charge. They are made possible by the tithes, offerings and contributions of Church members and others who have elected to support this Work.

While we do not solicit the general public for funds, contributions are gratefully welcomed and are tax-deductible in the U.S. and Canada.

Donations can be sent to the following addresses:

United States: Church of the Eternal God, P.O. Box 270519, San Diego, CA 92198

Canada: Church of God, ACF, Box 1480, Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0

United Kingdom: Global Church of God, PO Box 44, MABLETHORPE, LN12 9AN, United Kingdom

Offertory / Our Resurrection to Life

On September 16, 2023, the Feast of Trumpets, Michael Link will present the Offertory, and Norbert Link will present the sermon, titled, “Our Resurrection to Life.”

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.

Please NOTE: Due to our observance of the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, Updates will not be published again until October 20, 2023.

This Week in the News

Germany Ready for Change?

The Telegraph wrote on September 10:

“[Scholz] said his country was afflicted by a ‘blight’ of timidity and risk aversion that only an ‘act of national strength’ can heal… the country has been brought down to earth by a gloomy economic reality… ‘The government’s story that green investments will bring a big boom is clearly misleading,’ Ifo head Clemens Fuest told The Telegraph. Climate policies such as a decision to phase out gas heating that was passed… by the German parliament on Friday are ‘of course raising costs and slowing down production’ in the crisis-hit building sector, he added…

“Berlin estimates that it needs to build some 8,600 miles of extra power lines to transport electricity from its new renewable wind and solar sources. But so far, less than 1,200 miles of the new lines have been completed…

“The picture of economic doom and gloom is playing into the hands of the far-Right Alternative for Germany party, which has been surging in polling in recent months. The pro-Russian party says it would tackle high energy prices – one of the core issues facing German industry – by repairing the sabotaged Nord Stream pipelines and buying gas from the Kremlin again. The price they are willing to pay is an end to military support to Ukraine.

“A recent poll from Saxony, one of three states in the former communist east that is going to the polls next year, found that all three parties in Mr Scholz’s coalition may struggle to win even the five per cent necessary to make it into the state legislature. Meanwhile, the AfD is set to win the most seats with 35 per cent of the vote while the CDU would come in second with 29 per cent….”

IF Germany was willing to change, it would have to start at the very top. But the question is, what kind of change? Note the next article. 

Persecution in Germany Continuing

The Ron Paul Institute published on September 12 the following article by C.J. Hopkins (an American author living in Germany. We reported on this development in our Current Events in our Update #1083, dated September 1, 2023):

“So, the Berlin State Prosecutor has launched another criminal investigation of me. Apparently, I’m being charged with reporting on the original investigation of me that the Berlin State Prosecutor launched in June…

“What happened is, the prosecutor visited my blog and read a column I published in July…  which included screenshots of the alleged ‘hate-crime’ Tweets that the original criminal investigation is based on, and that resulted in the Order of Punishment that the Berlin District Court handed down two weeks ago. So, the prosecutor opened a new criminal investigation and sent my attorney an official notice explaining the gravity of the additional charges… I am officially accused of ‘relativizing’ or ‘minimizing’ the crimes of the Nazis … by republishing the two Tweets that I originally tweeted…

“You would have to be a certified moron to believe they ‘minimized,’ or ‘relativized,’ or in any way made light of the crimes of the Nazis. You and I are not certified morons. Neither is the Berlin State Prosecutor. Neither is the District Court of Berlin… They are a blatant pretext to crackdown on dissent… [As was pointed out before in our above-mentioned Update, the allegations against Hopkins of minimizing the crimes of the Nazis are indeed preposterous and laughable.]

“I’m not at all enjoying my introduction to the so-called ‘German legal system.’ It is taking up my time. It is making me angry. It is upsetting my wife, which I do not appreciate. It is costing me a lot of money… The goal of… prosecutions like mine (and those of many other dissidents currently) is (a) to punish us for speaking out against ‘New Normal’ totalitarianism by making our lives as miserable as possible, (b) to make examples of us to discourage others from speaking out, and (c) to intimidate us into shutting… up… They may cloak themselves in the mantle of the law, but their modus operandi is brute force… their message is simple: ‘either do what we say, or we will hurt you.’..

Never, ever, give in to a bully. The second you do, that bully owns you. What the bully wants, more than whatever he is demanding, more than anything else in the world, is your fear. The bully interprets your fear as respect, because the bully doesn’t understand respect. The bully craves your fear, and your obedience, because they reify the bully’s ‘authority.’ They enable the bully to feel powerful and important. The bully needs to feel ‘powerful’ and ‘important’ because the bully feels weak and unimportant, and afraid…

“Michael Ballweg, the founder and lead organizer of the ‘Querdenken’ movement… just spent nine months in jail. The German authorities have seized his assets, and frozen all his funds, so he is homeless, and bankrupt, and they are prosecuting him for attempted fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion, or, in other words, for launching a protest movement… The most absurd aspect of Michael’s case is the German authorities’ ‘theory of his crimes.’ According to this theory, Michael’s devious scheme was to commit serious fraud by … basically, launching a nationwide protest movement that was certain to get a ton of media attention and incur the wrath of the German authorities…”

These developments in Germany are indeed deeply disturbing. They are reminiscent of persecutions in Germany’s recent past. Hopkins’s comments on a bully are quite insightful. 

Ukraine’s Costly War

On September 9, FPMag wrote the following:

“‘Supporting the USA proxy war in Ukraine is not a necessity. Ending this war is a necessity,’ exclaimed Alona Adamovich, humanitarian team lead providing women’s shelters in the Ukraine war zone…

“Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told Tucker Carlson the way ahead is ‘peace’. The only way to achieve that, PM Orbán said, is ‘call back Trump’…

“All the while, some 40,000 NATO troops are present at Russia’s borders and the Pentagon has called up 8,500 U.S. troops to prepare for ‘shipping out’ to join others… as a plan for 50,000 more is in the works…

“‘All this undeniably proves that Washington, contrary to White House and Pentagon claims, is directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine,’ the RF defence ministry has repeatedly said in the past…

“‘Half a million people have died in Ukraine in the last year,’ said Irish MEP Claire Daly at a EU Parliamentary session with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, while Kiev resorts to conscripting disabled people into the army having lost 400,000 to 500,000 military personnel.”

And the way to peace they do not know…

Many “Able” Men Flee Ukraine

European Conservative wrote on September 9:

“Neither the Austrian, nor the Czech government is willing to bow to Ukraine’s demands and extradite Ukrainian men who have fled the war-torn country…

“David Arakhamia, parliamentary faction leader of Ukraine’s governing party, Servant of the People, said last week that Ukrainian law enforcement agencies should demand the extradition of men of military age who had illegally left Ukraine to escape mobilisation. With the war against Russia costing thousands of lives, the Ukrainian leadership is stepping up its efforts to recruit soldiers… But there are more and more reports of men fleeing the country to avoid military service

“President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a general mobilisation after Russia’s invasion in February of last year, and military reservists between the ages of 18 and 60 are eligible for conscription. The number of Ukrainian men who have successfully avoided mobilisation and sought refuge abroad could be in the tens of thousands… What Eurostat’s statistics do tell us is that 17.7% of the 4 million Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection in the EU since the start of the war are men aged 18-64…

“… there are around 14,000 Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 54 who have been registered as refugees in Austria… 80,000 Ukrainian men of military age may have entered Poland since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the German Interior Ministry has registered more than 200,000 men in the same age group since the start of the war…”

This demand to extradite Ukrainian men seems to be in violation of international law. 

NATO Admits Its Responsibility for the Ukraine War

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on September 11:

“During a speech at the EU Parliament’s foreign affairs committee on Thursday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg clearly and repeatedly acknowledged that Putin made the decision to invade Ukraine because of fears of NATO expansionism… It would have been so very, very easy to prevent this horrific war…”

Formal Impeachment Inquiry Into Joe Biden

The New York Post wrote on September 12:

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Tuesday that Republicans plan to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Biden’s alleged involvement while vice president in his son Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings. ‘House Republicans have uncovered serious and credible allegations into President Biden’s conduct. Taken together, these allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption,’ McCarthy (R-Calif.) said at the Capitol…”

Fox News added on September 12:

“The speaker said House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., will lead the inquiry in coordination with House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio… ‘Through our investigations, we have found that President Biden did lie to the American people about his own knowledge of his family’s foreign business dealings. Eyewitnesses have testified that the president joined on multiple phone calls and had multiple interactions, dinners resulted in cars and millions of dollars into his sons and his son’s business partners,’ McCarthy said.

“‘We know that bank records show that nearly $20 million in payments were directed to the Biden family members and associates through various Shell companies. The Treasury Department alone has more than 150 transactions involving the Biden family. Another business associates that were flagged as suspicious activity by U.S. banks. Even a trusted FBI informant has alleged a bribe to the Biden family. Biden used his official office to coordinate with Hunter Biden’s business partners about Hunter’s role in Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company,’ he continued. 

“‘Finally, despite these serious allegations, it appears that the president’s family has been offered special treatment by Biden’s own administration. Treatment that not otherwise would have received if they were not related to the president,’ McCarthy said. ‘These are allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption, and they want further investigation by the House of Representatives.’”

The concept, propagated by some, that there is no evidence of wrongdoing by Joe Biden is laughable, in light of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Whether McCarthy will garner enough votes for an impeachment inquiry or an impeachment is a different question. 

At the same time, Hunter Biden was indicted on Thursday on three firearm charges, carrying prison terms (even though it is unlikely that the President’s son, if convicted, will be imprisoned.). He was not charged (so far) with FARA or tax violations. It was pointed out that the indictments are the only alleged criminal violations which do not directly implicate Joe Biden.

The US-Iran Deal 

The Associated Press wrote on September 11, 2023:

“The Biden administration has cleared the way for the release of five American citizens detained in Iran by issuing a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar without fear of U.S. sanctions. In addition, as part of the deal, the administration has agreed to release five Iranian citizens held in the United States… Congress was not informed of the waiver decision until Monday…

“The outlines of the deal had been previously announced and the waiver was expected. But the notification marked the first time the administration said it was releasing five Iranian prisoners as part of the deal. The prisoners have not been named. The waiver drew criticism of President Joe Biden from Republicans and others who say the deal will boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to U.S. troops and Mideast allies.”

The Biden Administration announced that the money will only be used by Iran for “humanitarian” purposes. This has been flatly contradicted by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi who said that the money will be used “wherever we need it,” continuing, “This money belongs to the Iranian people, the Iranian government, so the Islamic Republic of Iran will decide what to do with this money’ (compare Newsmax, dated September 12). 

Besides everything else, the timing is just awful. So is the timing for the next “announcement”:

White House Praises Saudi Arabia

Daily Dot wrote on September 11:

“The White House is facing backlash online after praising Saudi Arabia on the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks… In a tweet on Monday, National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson applauded the foreign regime after it committed tens of billions of dollars towards the Partnership for Global Infrastructure (PGI). The initiative, spearheaded by President Joe Biden, seeks to spur economic growth in low- and middle-income countries with investments in infrastructure.

“But users on X were quick to label the tweet as out-of-touch given the day’s date. ‘Posting on 9/11 and 20 minutes after the first tower fell,’ one user wrote. ‘Just incredible timing.’

“Saudi Arabia has long been accused of helping to fund and assist the 9/11 terror attacks. Of the 19 Al Qaeda members involved in hijacking the four commercial airliners that day, 15 were citizens of Saudi Arabia…

“‘Great tweet for 9/11,’ wrote Chuck Ross, a journalist for the Washington Free Beacon. The tweet comes just three days after Bloomberg reported on allegations from Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) that Biden’s Deputy Assistant Brett McGurk was actively working against the interests of the families of 9/11 victims in order to curry favor with Saudi Arabia. The victims’ families for years have attempted to convince Congress to strengthen a law aimed at allowing U.S. citizens to sue foreign governments that funded or aided terrorist attacks…”

More Biden Fairy Tales

Fox News reported on September 11:

“President Biden claimed Monday, without evidence, that he stood at Ground Zero in New York City viewing the damage from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks just one day later, despite records showing he was in Washington, D.C. that day… and gave a speech on the floor of the Senate. Records show the Senate met in the morning, and a classified briefing was held for all senators that afternoon at 2:00 p.m. ET…

“Records also show Biden participated in a joint resolution vote condemning the terrorist attacks later that afternoon. Biden was the Democratic manager of the resolution… Biden also contradicted his own claim in his autobiography detailing his actions after the attacks. Biden said in the book that he ‘headed back to the Capitol’ on September 12, and made no mention of visiting Ground Zero that day.”

It looks like, Joe Biden has a very difficult time to tell the truth. 

Biden Violated Free Speech

Breitbart wrote on September 8:

“A federal appeals court ruled that the Biden administration likely violated Americans’ First Amendment rights when it worked to censor speech during the COVID-19 pandemic… the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals said the White House, surgeon general, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Federal Bureau of Investigation improperly commandeered speech

“The decision modifies a lower court preliminary injunction which prohibited a wide-ranging group of government officials from coercing social media platforms to take down or limit posts on their websites. While agreeing with much of the lower court’s premises, the new order limits the scope of the restrictions imposed to the groups it found culpable — the White House, surgeon general, CDC, and FBI…”

That the Biden Administration exerted undue pressure on social media outlets to suppress politically inconvenient opinions is without any doubt. That those social media outlets bowed to such pressure is shameful. 

Guilty of Sedition?

The Future of Freedom Foundation wrote on September 6:

“This week, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., sentenced Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, to 22 years in jail for the crime of ‘sedition’ arising out of the January 6 protests at the Capitol. It wasn’t the first time that the judge, Timothy Kelly, meted out a high jail sentence for the sedition offense. Last week, he handed out an 18-year sentence to Ethan Nordean, one of Tarrio’s co-defendants. Last May, another D.C. federal judge, Amit P. Mehta, sentenced leader of the Oath Keepers militia, Stewart Rhodes, to 18 years for the federal crime of ‘sedition.’

“Those high jail sentences… are so ridiculous… The federal crime of ‘sedition’ is akin to the local crime of ‘disorderly conduct.’ It is designed to give federal authorities the ability to severely punish people who have committed no real crime to justify severe punishment…

“How did Kelly arrive at 22 years for Tarrio when the law expressly limits sentences to 20 years? He used some sort of enhancement provision relating to terrorism law, even though Tarrio was convicted of ‘sedition,’ not “’terrorism.’…

“The notion that the January 6 protests were an attempt to overthrow the U.S. government is laughable to the extreme. After all, everyone knows about AR-15s and other assault rifles. Everyone also knows about regular mass killings in the United States. If people are going to attempt a violent overthrow of the federal government, they are going to go into the Capitol with AR-15s or other assault rifles. They are immediately going to start shooting and killing people and taking hostages… They are not going to settle for smashing a few doors and windows, forcing their way past security police, or damaging some desks.

“In fact, it is ironic that the only person who was killed on January 6 was an unarmed protestor. That was Ashli Babbitt, who was shot dead by a Capitol policeman who got scared during the protest. Notwithstanding the fact that he shot an unarmed woman in cold blood, that cop got away scot-free, unlike Tarrio and Nordean, who didn’t kill anyone…

“There is no doubt that on January 6, people were filled with passionate emotions… There is also no doubt that given the heightened emotions, such protests oftentimes get out of hand. That certainly is what happened in the January 6 protests. But to jump from that to the notion that the protestors were attempting to overthrow the U.S. government is so patently ridiculous that it defies credulity…

“It’s one thing to charge January 6 protestors who got out of control with such crimes as trespass, assault, or destruction of government propriety. It’s quite another thing to punish them for sedition…”

The conviction and the length of incarceration are unworthy examples of a country which claims to be “brave and free.” 

The Magic Bullet

The Independent wrote on September 10:

“A former Secret Service agent who was metres away from John F Kennedy when the former president was assassinated in Dallas in 1963 has spoken out to cast fresh doubt on the official findings.

“Paul Landis, 88, who had been assigned to protect first lady Jackie Kennedy, challenged the Warren Commission’s findings that a ‘magic bullet’ had struck and exited the president before hitting then-Texas governor John Connally Jr.

“Mr Landis told the New York Times he recalled hearing several shots ring out in Dealy Plaza as he walked just behind the president’s limousine, and saw the president slump forward after being struck in the head… Investigators claimed [the bullet] passed through Kennedy’s throat, and then somehow hit the former governor’s right shoulder before causing wounds to his back, chest, wrist and thigh.

“It became known as the ‘single bullet’ or ‘magic bullet’ theory, and was relied on by the Warren Commission as evidence that Lee Harvey Oswald had carried out the assassination alone….”

The “magic bullet” theory is so ridiculous. The idea that Oswald acted alone has been dismissed for a long time by many experts as absolutely unbelievable. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on September 11 during a Fox News interview that he is convinced that his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was not killed by just one person, acting alone, and that the concept that his father, Robert F. Kennedy, was killed by just one person must likewise be dismissed. Kennedy stated that the CIA was probably behind both murders. 

Covid Hysteria and New Elections

Newsmax wrote on September 9:

“Former President Donald Trump warned ‘COVID hysteria’ is coming back because ‘there’s an election coming up,’ and Republicans have to step in to stop the tyranny…

“Trump has long believed Democrats ‘used COVID to cheat’ on the 2020 presidential election, including having key battleground states impose mass mail-in ballotingwithout constitutionally required authorization from state legislatures…”

Trump definitely has a point. The connection should be obvious.

“Never Again!”

Brownstone wrote on September 11:

“In a recent piece for the Washington Post, Ramesh Ponnuru wrote that ‘the public is not going to accept restrictive coronavirus mitigation measures again, regardless of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other public health authorities say.’…

“If there’s an upside to the lockdowns that never, ever made sense… it’s that government has forfeited a great deal of the little credibility it had…

“Much worse than the [arrogant] conceit [of lockdowns] were the lockdowns themselves, that to varying degrees blinded the very people who very much needed to see clearly. Precisely because the arrival of the coronavirus brought with it unknowns, a country with sane leadership would have turned the unknowns into knowns by getting out of the way.”

People say a lot these days that they will never comply again. But the “sheep instinct” of most may paint a very different picture.

Oil Prices Climb

LifeSiteNews wrote on September 9:

“Oil prices shot passed $90/bbl Wednesday after Saudi Arabia and then Russia announced a continuance of production cuts through the end of this year. The BRICS alliance is going to deliver some pain to the Western alliance… 

“Gasoline, energy products, petroleum products, home heating oil, groceries, everything will cost more as the geopolitical battle continues; but we are supposed to pretend we are unaware of the global political dynamic…

“Saudi Arabia said it would extend the voluntary cut of 1 million b/d of for another 3 months, from October until the end of December, well beyond the expectation of just 1 more month…  Russian deputy PM Novak said Russia would also extend its reduction of oil exports until the end of the year, reducing its oil output by 300kb/d in voluntary cuts until December 2023.”

Crazy California Child’s Gender Bill

Breitbart wrote on September 8:

“The California legislature approved a bill this week that would punish parents who do not ‘affirm’ their child’s gender identity… If Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signs the bill, it would require custody judges to consider a parent’s ‘affirmation’ of their child’s gender, as judges consider the ‘health, safety, and welfare of the child’ when making decisions.

“Threatening the standard of ‘health, safety, and welfare’ of a child under the California Family Code can carry penalties under the California Penal Code—prompting parents, activists, and lawmakers to speculate that AB 957 could result in parents being charged with child abuse or neglect for not participating in a child’s transgenderism. 

“In a hearing about the bill, California Sen. Scott Wilk (R) said the bill would force parents to leave the state.  ‘In recent years, we have put government bureaucrats between parents, children, and doctors when it comes to medical care—and now we have this where if a parent does not support the ideology of the government, [children] are going to be taken away from the home,’ Wilk said, adding, ‘if you love your children, you need to flee California.’”

God sees California’s ungodly policies. 

Climate Change Findings Distorted

Fox News wrote on September 9:

“A California scientist admitted that he ‘left out the full truth’ about climate change, blaming it primarily on human causes, to get his study published in a prestigious science journal. [He admitted] that he distorted the findings of his studies to appeal to the editors at Nature and Science magazines, which are prestigious online science journals. 

“‘And the editors of these journals have made it abundantly clear, both by what they publish and what they reject, that they want climate papers that support certain preapproved narratives—even when those narratives come at the expense of broader knowledge for society,’ Brown wrote in The Free Press.”

Joe Biden said in Vietnam during a “confused, bizarre and rambling” press conference, that those who question man-made global warming, are “lying dog-faced pony soldiers,” quoting from a John Wayne movie.

Devastating Earthquake in Morocco

CNN reported on September 10:

“The [6.8] quake, the strongest to hit Morocco in more than 120 years, killed more than [in excess of 2,900] people. Many others remain missing… The difficult access to the vast earthquake-hit area has hampered aid delivery efforts. While emergency camps have been set up in some places, people in other inaccessible areas have been left to fend for themselves…

“Many are exhausted and heartbroken, and emotions are running high… With each passing hour, the chances of anyone being pulled out of the rubble alive are disappearing.”

Devastating Floods in Libya

Deutsche Welle wrote on September 12:

“At least 2,300 people have died in an eastern Libyan city alone [Derna] after a powerful storm caused devastating floods in the area over the weekend… The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) earlier Tuesday reported that around 10,000 people were missing

“Libya is divided between rival administrations in the west and east… The chaos and split in governance in the oil-rich nation has long left cities with crumbling and inadequate structures.”

It has now been reported that the death toll hit 11,300 and could reach 20,000.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

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

Update 1085

Offertory / Our Resurrection to Life

On September 16, 2023, the Feast of Trumpets, Michael Link will present the Offertory, and Norbert Link will present the sermon, titled, “Our Resurrection to Life.”

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.

Please NOTE: Due to our observance of the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, Updates will not be published again until October 20, 2023.

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Not As I Will…

by Norbert Link

Christ gave us this powerful promise in John 14:13-14:

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

He adds in Matthew 21:22: “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Further, we read this in 1 John 3:22: “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

So, all of this sounds pretty straightforward. If we ask God the Father to do anything for us, He will do so, if we ask in Christ’s name (with His authority and on His behalf); if we believe that God will do it; and if we keep His commandments and do the things which are pleasing to Him.

And still, even though we might fulfill all these requirements, we still might not receive the desired answer to our prayer. Does this mean, then, that God did not hear us; that He broke His promise; or that He is displeased with us for not being obedient and faithful enough? Does this mean, then, that it makes no difference whether we believe and keep His commandments?

If there was one Man who never disobeyed God; in whom the Father was well pleased; and who had full, total and complete faith, it was Jesus Christ. He even said that He knew that His Father would always hear Him. But at one time, He did not receive the answer from God the Father which He had desired.

Even though He came for the purpose of suffering and dying for mankind, when He was faced with the reality of torture and death, He did not want to go through it. He prayed to the Father to spare Him from this terrible ordeal which was awaiting Him. He told His disciples who were with Him: “‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.’ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me…’” (Matthew 26:39).

Although hoping that there could be another way to accomplish the purpose of His coming, He knew, deep down inside, that there was really no other way, and so He added: “‘… nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will’” (same verse).

He submitted to God’s Will and made it His own. When Peter was willing to defend Him against the soldiers with the sword, trying thereby, however foolishly, to prevent His arrest, Jesus told him: “‘Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?’’ (John 18:11).

And so, we read in 1 John 5:14-15:

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

But how do we know whether our requests are in accordance with God’s Will? And if we don’t know, doesn’t this mean that doubts come in and diminish our faith? The answer is “No; that does not have to be the case.” When we pray to God, we must have the unconditional and unwavering faith that He will hear and answer us in the way we hope. And that He will make it abundantly clear to us if His Will differs from ours. Sometimes, that answer comes rather soon. After Jesus had finished His prayer, He knew that there was no other way; the soldiers came to arrest Him, and there was no escape. 

But this realization of God’s Will, being contrary to ours, may not be manifested right away. It may take some time.

The Apostle Paul was a man after God’s own heart. He seemed to have suffered from an incurable sickness, and He asked God three times—apparently asking Him three times during the formal procedure of anointing by other ministers—to be healed from this sickness. Only after the third anointing did he know that God would not heal him, as this was not His Will. Paul describes this realization in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9:

“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’”

Paul accepted God’s Will. He continued: “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (same verse). 

It took Paul a while to come to this conclusion. In the meantime, he had continued to ask God for healing. When we do not know yet whether God’s Will is contrary to our request, we have to continue to ask in faith. Giving up prematurely is not the answer, when God’s Will contrary to our desires had not been made clear. Christ said in Luke 18:1, 7:

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart… And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?”

God will make His Will abundantly clear to us, either immediately or in time. He may do so, for instance, by circumstances. We should know, however, that it is never God’s Will that we sin by not keeping His commandments. Even if circumstances might “indicate” that we “cannot” keep the Sabbath or the annual Holy Days, to draw the conclusion that we don’t have to would never be in accordance with God’s Will. 

We are faced many times with difficult and uncertain situations. God’s Will might not be what we would like to see, and disappointment in the case of “unanswered” prayers may be the inevitable result. We all go through these emotions, but it is important to realize that God has the best for all of us in mind. And in time, we will clearly see why God’s decisions have always been the right ones.

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by Norbert Link

We begin with further developments pertaining to Germany, pointing out that many Germans are unhappy with Chancellor Scholz while legal persecution of critics of the German government continues; and we report that many in the USA, Germany and in other countries advocate ending the “costly” military and financial support for Ukraine. At the same time, Ukraine is demanding of certain countries, apparently unsuccessfully, to extradite “able” men who have fled Ukraine to avoid conscription and fighting in the war. Also, NATO made an astonishing admission.

We report on the Republican demand to begin a [long overdue] formal impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden’s misconduct; problematic US deals with Iran and Saudi Arabia; more of Biden’s fairy tales; and the “likely” violation of the Constitution by the Biden Administration.

We address the “outrageous” imprisonment of members of the Proud Boys because of “sedition” and speak about the ridiculous “magic bullet” theory. 

We continue with the COVID hysteria and the fear of rising oil prices; and we address an absolutely crazy bill in California regarding “child’s gender identity”; an admission by a California scientist that he distorted climate change findings; and the terrible earthquakes in Morocco and the devastating floods in Libya. 

Please view our new message, “Departing from God—Comments on News and Prophecy—September 8, 2023. 

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

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Germany Ready for Change?

The Telegraph wrote on September 10:

“[Scholz] said his country was afflicted by a ‘blight’ of timidity and risk aversion that only an ‘act of national strength’ can heal… the country has been brought down to earth by a gloomy economic reality… ‘The government’s story that green investments will bring a big boom is clearly misleading,’ Ifo head Clemens Fuest told The Telegraph. Climate policies such as a decision to phase out gas heating that was passed… by the German parliament on Friday are ‘of course raising costs and slowing down production’ in the crisis-hit building sector, he added…

“Berlin estimates that it needs to build some 8,600 miles of extra power lines to transport electricity from its new renewable wind and solar sources. But so far, less than 1,200 miles of the new lines have been completed…

“The picture of economic doom and gloom is playing into the hands of the far-Right Alternative for Germany party, which has been surging in polling in recent months. The pro-Russian party says it would tackle high energy prices – one of the core issues facing German industry – by repairing the sabotaged Nord Stream pipelines and buying gas from the Kremlin again. The price they are willing to pay is an end to military support to Ukraine.

“A recent poll from Saxony, one of three states in the former communist east that is going to the polls next year, found that all three parties in Mr Scholz’s coalition may struggle to win even the five per cent necessary to make it into the state legislature. Meanwhile, the AfD is set to win the most seats with 35 per cent of the vote while the CDU would come in second with 29 per cent….”

IF Germany was willing to change, it would have to start at the very top. But the question is, what kind of change? Note the next article. 

Persecution in Germany Continuing

The Ron Paul Institute published on September 12 the following article by C.J. Hopkins (an American author living in Germany. We reported on this development in our Current Events in our Update #1083, dated September 1, 2023):

“So, the Berlin State Prosecutor has launched another criminal investigation of me. Apparently, I’m being charged with reporting on the original investigation of me that the Berlin State Prosecutor launched in June…

“What happened is, the prosecutor visited my blog and read a column I published in July…  which included screenshots of the alleged ‘hate-crime’ Tweets that the original criminal investigation is based on, and that resulted in the Order of Punishment that the Berlin District Court handed down two weeks ago. So, the prosecutor opened a new criminal investigation and sent my attorney an official notice explaining the gravity of the additional charges… I am officially accused of ‘relativizing’ or ‘minimizing’ the crimes of the Nazis … by republishing the two Tweets that I originally tweeted…

“You would have to be a certified moron to believe they ‘minimized,’ or ‘relativized,’ or in any way made light of the crimes of the Nazis. You and I are not certified morons. Neither is the Berlin State Prosecutor. Neither is the District Court of Berlin… They are a blatant pretext to crackdown on dissent… [As was pointed out before in our above-mentioned Update, the allegations against Hopkins of minimizing the crimes of the Nazis are indeed preposterous and laughable.]

“I’m not at all enjoying my introduction to the so-called ‘German legal system.’ It is taking up my time. It is making me angry. It is upsetting my wife, which I do not appreciate. It is costing me a lot of money… The goal of… prosecutions like mine (and those of many other dissidents currently) is (a) to punish us for speaking out against ‘New Normal’ totalitarianism by making our lives as miserable as possible, (b) to make examples of us to discourage others from speaking out, and (c) to intimidate us into shutting… up… They may cloak themselves in the mantle of the law, but their modus operandi is brute force… their message is simple: ‘either do what we say, or we will hurt you.’..

Never, ever, give in to a bully. The second you do, that bully owns you. What the bully wants, more than whatever he is demanding, more than anything else in the world, is your fear. The bully interprets your fear as respect, because the bully doesn’t understand respect. The bully craves your fear, and your obedience, because they reify the bully’s ‘authority.’ They enable the bully to feel powerful and important. The bully needs to feel ‘powerful’ and ‘important’ because the bully feels weak and unimportant, and afraid…

“Michael Ballweg, the founder and lead organizer of the ‘Querdenken’ movement… just spent nine months in jail. The German authorities have seized his assets, and frozen all his funds, so he is homeless, and bankrupt, and they are prosecuting him for attempted fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion, or, in other words, for launching a protest movement… The most absurd aspect of Michael’s case is the German authorities’ ‘theory of his crimes.’ According to this theory, Michael’s devious scheme was to commit serious fraud by … basically, launching a nationwide protest movement that was certain to get a ton of media attention and incur the wrath of the German authorities…”

These developments in Germany are indeed deeply disturbing. They are reminiscent of persecutions in Germany’s recent past. Hopkins’s comments on a bully are quite insightful. 

Ukraine’s Costly War

On September 9, FPMag wrote the following:

“‘Supporting the USA proxy war in Ukraine is not a necessity. Ending this war is a necessity,’ exclaimed Alona Adamovich, humanitarian team lead providing women’s shelters in the Ukraine war zone…

“Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told Tucker Carlson the way ahead is ‘peace’. The only way to achieve that, PM Orbán said, is ‘call back Trump’…

“All the while, some 40,000 NATO troops are present at Russia’s borders and the Pentagon has called up 8,500 U.S. troops to prepare for ‘shipping out’ to join others… as a plan for 50,000 more is in the works…

“‘All this undeniably proves that Washington, contrary to White House and Pentagon claims, is directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine,’ the RF defence ministry has repeatedly said in the past…

“‘Half a million people have died in Ukraine in the last year,’ said Irish MEP Claire Daly at a EU Parliamentary session with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, while Kiev resorts to conscripting disabled people into the army having lost 400,000 to 500,000 military personnel.”

And the way to peace they do not know…

Many “Able” Men Flee Ukraine

European Conservative wrote on September 9:

“Neither the Austrian, nor the Czech government is willing to bow to Ukraine’s demands and extradite Ukrainian men who have fled the war-torn country…

“David Arakhamia, parliamentary faction leader of Ukraine’s governing party, Servant of the People, said last week that Ukrainian law enforcement agencies should demand the extradition of men of military age who had illegally left Ukraine to escape mobilisation. With the war against Russia costing thousands of lives, the Ukrainian leadership is stepping up its efforts to recruit soldiers… But there are more and more reports of men fleeing the country to avoid military service

“President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a general mobilisation after Russia’s invasion in February of last year, and military reservists between the ages of 18 and 60 are eligible for conscription. The number of Ukrainian men who have successfully avoided mobilisation and sought refuge abroad could be in the tens of thousands… What Eurostat’s statistics do tell us is that 17.7% of the 4 million Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection in the EU since the start of the war are men aged 18-64…

“… there are around 14,000 Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 54 who have been registered as refugees in Austria… 80,000 Ukrainian men of military age may have entered Poland since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the German Interior Ministry has registered more than 200,000 men in the same age group since the start of the war…”

This demand to extradite Ukrainian men seems to be in violation of international law. 

NATO Admits Its Responsibility for the Ukraine War

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on September 11:

“During a speech at the EU Parliament’s foreign affairs committee on Thursday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg clearly and repeatedly acknowledged that Putin made the decision to invade Ukraine because of fears of NATO expansionism… It would have been so very, very easy to prevent this horrific war…”

Formal Impeachment Inquiry Into Joe Biden

The New York Post wrote on September 12:

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Tuesday that Republicans plan to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Biden’s alleged involvement while vice president in his son Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings. ‘House Republicans have uncovered serious and credible allegations into President Biden’s conduct. Taken together, these allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption,’ McCarthy (R-Calif.) said at the Capitol…”

Fox News added on September 12:

“The speaker said House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., will lead the inquiry in coordination with House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio… ‘Through our investigations, we have found that President Biden did lie to the American people about his own knowledge of his family’s foreign business dealings. Eyewitnesses have testified that the president joined on multiple phone calls and had multiple interactions, dinners resulted in cars and millions of dollars into his sons and his son’s business partners,’ McCarthy said.

“‘We know that bank records show that nearly $20 million in payments were directed to the Biden family members and associates through various Shell companies. The Treasury Department alone has more than 150 transactions involving the Biden family. Another business associates that were flagged as suspicious activity by U.S. banks. Even a trusted FBI informant has alleged a bribe to the Biden family. Biden used his official office to coordinate with Hunter Biden’s business partners about Hunter’s role in Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company,’ he continued. 

“‘Finally, despite these serious allegations, it appears that the president’s family has been offered special treatment by Biden’s own administration. Treatment that not otherwise would have received if they were not related to the president,’ McCarthy said. ‘These are allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption, and they want further investigation by the House of Representatives.’”

The concept, propagated by some, that there is no evidence of wrongdoing by Joe Biden is laughable, in light of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Whether McCarthy will garner enough votes for an impeachment inquiry or an impeachment is a different question. 

At the same time, Hunter Biden was indicted on Thursday on three firearm charges, carrying prison terms (even though it is unlikely that the President’s son, if convicted, will be imprisoned.). He was not charged (so far) with FARA or tax violations. It was pointed out that the indictments are the only alleged criminal violations which do not directly implicate Joe Biden.

The US-Iran Deal 

The Associated Press wrote on September 11, 2023:

“The Biden administration has cleared the way for the release of five American citizens detained in Iran by issuing a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar without fear of U.S. sanctions. In addition, as part of the deal, the administration has agreed to release five Iranian citizens held in the United States… Congress was not informed of the waiver decision until Monday…

“The outlines of the deal had been previously announced and the waiver was expected. But the notification marked the first time the administration said it was releasing five Iranian prisoners as part of the deal. The prisoners have not been named. The waiver drew criticism of President Joe Biden from Republicans and others who say the deal will boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to U.S. troops and Mideast allies.”

The Biden Administration announced that the money will only be used by Iran for “humanitarian” purposes. This has been flatly contradicted by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi who said that the money will be used “wherever we need it,” continuing, “This money belongs to the Iranian people, the Iranian government, so the Islamic Republic of Iran will decide what to do with this money’ (compare Newsmax, dated September 12). 

Besides everything else, the timing is just awful. So is the timing for the next “announcement”:

White House Praises Saudi Arabia

Daily Dot wrote on September 11:

“The White House is facing backlash online after praising Saudi Arabia on the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks… In a tweet on Monday, National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson applauded the foreign regime after it committed tens of billions of dollars towards the Partnership for Global Infrastructure (PGI). The initiative, spearheaded by President Joe Biden, seeks to spur economic growth in low- and middle-income countries with investments in infrastructure.

“But users on X were quick to label the tweet as out-of-touch given the day’s date. ‘Posting on 9/11 and 20 minutes after the first tower fell,’ one user wrote. ‘Just incredible timing.’

“Saudi Arabia has long been accused of helping to fund and assist the 9/11 terror attacks. Of the 19 Al Qaeda members involved in hijacking the four commercial airliners that day, 15 were citizens of Saudi Arabia…

“‘Great tweet for 9/11,’ wrote Chuck Ross, a journalist for the Washington Free Beacon. The tweet comes just three days after Bloomberg reported on allegations from Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) that Biden’s Deputy Assistant Brett McGurk was actively working against the interests of the families of 9/11 victims in order to curry favor with Saudi Arabia. The victims’ families for years have attempted to convince Congress to strengthen a law aimed at allowing U.S. citizens to sue foreign governments that funded or aided terrorist attacks…”

More Biden Fairy Tales

Fox News reported on September 11:

“President Biden claimed Monday, without evidence, that he stood at Ground Zero in New York City viewing the damage from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks just one day later, despite records showing he was in Washington, D.C. that day… and gave a speech on the floor of the Senate. Records show the Senate met in the morning, and a classified briefing was held for all senators that afternoon at 2:00 p.m. ET…

“Records also show Biden participated in a joint resolution vote condemning the terrorist attacks later that afternoon. Biden was the Democratic manager of the resolution… Biden also contradicted his own claim in his autobiography detailing his actions after the attacks. Biden said in the book that he ‘headed back to the Capitol’ on September 12, and made no mention of visiting Ground Zero that day.”

It looks like, Joe Biden has a very difficult time to tell the truth. 

Biden Violated Free Speech

Breitbart wrote on September 8:

“A federal appeals court ruled that the Biden administration likely violated Americans’ First Amendment rights when it worked to censor speech during the COVID-19 pandemic… the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals said the White House, surgeon general, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Federal Bureau of Investigation improperly commandeered speech

“The decision modifies a lower court preliminary injunction which prohibited a wide-ranging group of government officials from coercing social media platforms to take down or limit posts on their websites. While agreeing with much of the lower court’s premises, the new order limits the scope of the restrictions imposed to the groups it found culpable — the White House, surgeon general, CDC, and FBI…”

That the Biden Administration exerted undue pressure on social media outlets to suppress politically inconvenient opinions is without any doubt. That those social media outlets bowed to such pressure is shameful. 

Guilty of Sedition?

The Future of Freedom Foundation wrote on September 6:

“This week, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., sentenced Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, to 22 years in jail for the crime of ‘sedition’ arising out of the January 6 protests at the Capitol. It wasn’t the first time that the judge, Timothy Kelly, meted out a high jail sentence for the sedition offense. Last week, he handed out an 18-year sentence to Ethan Nordean, one of Tarrio’s co-defendants. Last May, another D.C. federal judge, Amit P. Mehta, sentenced leader of the Oath Keepers militia, Stewart Rhodes, to 18 years for the federal crime of ‘sedition.’

“Those high jail sentences… are so ridiculous… The federal crime of ‘sedition’ is akin to the local crime of ‘disorderly conduct.’ It is designed to give federal authorities the ability to severely punish people who have committed no real crime to justify severe punishment…

“How did Kelly arrive at 22 years for Tarrio when the law expressly limits sentences to 20 years? He used some sort of enhancement provision relating to terrorism law, even though Tarrio was convicted of ‘sedition,’ not “’terrorism.’…

“The notion that the January 6 protests were an attempt to overthrow the U.S. government is laughable to the extreme. After all, everyone knows about AR-15s and other assault rifles. Everyone also knows about regular mass killings in the United States. If people are going to attempt a violent overthrow of the federal government, they are going to go into the Capitol with AR-15s or other assault rifles. They are immediately going to start shooting and killing people and taking hostages… They are not going to settle for smashing a few doors and windows, forcing their way past security police, or damaging some desks.

“In fact, it is ironic that the only person who was killed on January 6 was an unarmed protestor. That was Ashli Babbitt, who was shot dead by a Capitol policeman who got scared during the protest. Notwithstanding the fact that he shot an unarmed woman in cold blood, that cop got away scot-free, unlike Tarrio and Nordean, who didn’t kill anyone…

“There is no doubt that on January 6, people were filled with passionate emotions… There is also no doubt that given the heightened emotions, such protests oftentimes get out of hand. That certainly is what happened in the January 6 protests. But to jump from that to the notion that the protestors were attempting to overthrow the U.S. government is so patently ridiculous that it defies credulity…

“It’s one thing to charge January 6 protestors who got out of control with such crimes as trespass, assault, or destruction of government propriety. It’s quite another thing to punish them for sedition…”

The conviction and the length of incarceration are unworthy examples of a country which claims to be “brave and free.” 

The Magic Bullet

The Independent wrote on September 10:

“A former Secret Service agent who was metres away from John F Kennedy when the former president was assassinated in Dallas in 1963 has spoken out to cast fresh doubt on the official findings.

“Paul Landis, 88, who had been assigned to protect first lady Jackie Kennedy, challenged the Warren Commission’s findings that a ‘magic bullet’ had struck and exited the president before hitting then-Texas governor John Connally Jr.

“Mr Landis told the New York Times he recalled hearing several shots ring out in Dealy Plaza as he walked just behind the president’s limousine, and saw the president slump forward after being struck in the head… Investigators claimed [the bullet] passed through Kennedy’s throat, and then somehow hit the former governor’s right shoulder before causing wounds to his back, chest, wrist and thigh.

“It became known as the ‘single bullet’ or ‘magic bullet’ theory, and was relied on by the Warren Commission as evidence that Lee Harvey Oswald had carried out the assassination alone….”

The “magic bullet” theory is so ridiculous. The idea that Oswald acted alone has been dismissed for a long time by many experts as absolutely unbelievable. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on September 11 during a Fox News interview that he is convinced that his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was not killed by just one person, acting alone, and that the concept that his father, Robert F. Kennedy, was killed by just one person must likewise be dismissed. Kennedy stated that the CIA was probably behind both murders. 

Covid Hysteria and New Elections

Newsmax wrote on September 9:

“Former President Donald Trump warned ‘COVID hysteria’ is coming back because ‘there’s an election coming up,’ and Republicans have to step in to stop the tyranny…

“Trump has long believed Democrats ‘used COVID to cheat’ on the 2020 presidential election, including having key battleground states impose mass mail-in ballotingwithout constitutionally required authorization from state legislatures…”

Trump definitely has a point. The connection should be obvious.

“Never Again!”

Brownstone wrote on September 11:

“In a recent piece for the Washington Post, Ramesh Ponnuru wrote that ‘the public is not going to accept restrictive coronavirus mitigation measures again, regardless of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other public health authorities say.’…

“If there’s an upside to the lockdowns that never, ever made sense… it’s that government has forfeited a great deal of the little credibility it had…

“Much worse than the [arrogant] conceit [of lockdowns] were the lockdowns themselves, that to varying degrees blinded the very people who very much needed to see clearly. Precisely because the arrival of the coronavirus brought with it unknowns, a country with sane leadership would have turned the unknowns into knowns by getting out of the way.”

People say a lot these days that they will never comply again. But the “sheep instinct” of most may paint a very different picture.

Oil Prices Climb

LifeSiteNews wrote on September 9:

“Oil prices shot passed $90/bbl Wednesday after Saudi Arabia and then Russia announced a continuance of production cuts through the end of this year. The BRICS alliance is going to deliver some pain to the Western alliance… 

“Gasoline, energy products, petroleum products, home heating oil, groceries, everything will cost more as the geopolitical battle continues; but we are supposed to pretend we are unaware of the global political dynamic…

“Saudi Arabia said it would extend the voluntary cut of 1 million b/d of for another 3 months, from October until the end of December, well beyond the expectation of just 1 more month…  Russian deputy PM Novak said Russia would also extend its reduction of oil exports until the end of the year, reducing its oil output by 300kb/d in voluntary cuts until December 2023.”

Crazy California Child’s Gender Bill

Breitbart wrote on September 8:

“The California legislature approved a bill this week that would punish parents who do not ‘affirm’ their child’s gender identity… If Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signs the bill, it would require custody judges to consider a parent’s ‘affirmation’ of their child’s gender, as judges consider the ‘health, safety, and welfare of the child’ when making decisions.

“Threatening the standard of ‘health, safety, and welfare’ of a child under the California Family Code can carry penalties under the California Penal Code—prompting parents, activists, and lawmakers to speculate that AB 957 could result in parents being charged with child abuse or neglect for not participating in a child’s transgenderism. 

“In a hearing about the bill, California Sen. Scott Wilk (R) said the bill would force parents to leave the state.  ‘In recent years, we have put government bureaucrats between parents, children, and doctors when it comes to medical care—and now we have this where if a parent does not support the ideology of the government, [children] are going to be taken away from the home,’ Wilk said, adding, ‘if you love your children, you need to flee California.’”

God sees California’s ungodly policies. 

Climate Change Findings Distorted

Fox News wrote on September 9:

“A California scientist admitted that he ‘left out the full truth’ about climate change, blaming it primarily on human causes, to get his study published in a prestigious science journal. [He admitted] that he distorted the findings of his studies to appeal to the editors at Nature and Science magazines, which are prestigious online science journals. 

“‘And the editors of these journals have made it abundantly clear, both by what they publish and what they reject, that they want climate papers that support certain preapproved narratives—even when those narratives come at the expense of broader knowledge for society,’ Brown wrote in The Free Press.”

Joe Biden said in Vietnam during a “confused, bizarre and rambling” press conference, that those who question man-made global warming, are “lying dog-faced pony soldiers,” quoting from a John Wayne movie.

Devastating Earthquake in Morocco

CNN reported on September 10:

“The [6.8] quake, the strongest to hit Morocco in more than 120 years, killed more than [in excess of 2,900] people. Many others remain missing… The difficult access to the vast earthquake-hit area has hampered aid delivery efforts. While emergency camps have been set up in some places, people in other inaccessible areas have been left to fend for themselves…

“Many are exhausted and heartbroken, and emotions are running high… With each passing hour, the chances of anyone being pulled out of the rubble alive are disappearing.”

Devastating Floods in Libya

Deutsche Welle wrote on September 12:

“At least 2,300 people have died in an eastern Libyan city alone [Derna] after a powerful storm caused devastating floods in the area over the weekend… The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) earlier Tuesday reported that around 10,000 people were missing

“Libya is divided between rival administrations in the west and east… The chaos and split in governance in the oil-rich nation has long left cities with crumbling and inadequate structures.”

It has now been reported that the death toll hit 11,300 and could reach 20,000.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

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

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How can I stand up for my Christian values and beliefs growing up in contemporary society?

Growing up is hard. During our teens and twenties, we discover our values, form our identity, and transform from childhood to adulthood. Going through the experiences inherent during the formative years, we learn about the world, ourselves, and how we fit into the world. These are foundational moments in life with tremendous value.

Growing up with Christian values brings an added element into the picture. It is first and foremost a great advantage to begin life with a solid Christian foundation. Developing knowledge of the Truth at an early age makes it possible to establish values that will lead us into the most satisfying life. The challenge, of course, is that Christian values are at odds with the world in which we live. Inevitably, being a Christian brings with it the certainty of confrontation with the world, and those who abide by worldly values. Being a young person willing to live a Christian Way of Life multiplies the challenge because peers, the education system, and the need for a sense of belonging in the community are very strong forces to deal with at a young age.

We don’t have to look very far to see how opposed the pressures of contemporary society and education are to the Truth. Schools teach the theory of evolution as fact, denying the biblical Truth of creation and the amazing Creator. Gender identity has become a fluid construct, by which people impose their feelings of gender dysphoria upon others in defiance of how God created male and female. Societal norms consider the exclusion of ourselves from voting, participation in worldly politics, jury duty, and military service as a denial of civic duty and national patriotism. The world glorifies premarital sex, drug use, tattoos, and other physical mistreatments in open rebellion against the physical well-being that the Bible teaches. Social and school events regularly conflict with the weekly Sabbath and God’s Holy Days. On top of it all, being atheist or vaguely “spiritual” is considered to be transcendent, while being Christian is considered naïve. We are sure you can think up many more examples of how difficult it is being a young person with Christian values in this world.

With so many pressures to conform to worldly values that are unique to the life of a Christian, what can one do to stand up for the Christian Way of Life that leads to the greatest possible reward? This is the question we will answer in this Q&A. However, there is no prescription of do’s and don’ts that guarantee an easy path. Rather, we will cover a few principles that can help when facing challenging circumstances as a young man or woman who is set apart and called to the Truth.

Strengthening Christian stamina begins with having the right frame of mind. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

Standing up for our beliefs must originate with personal convictions founded on the Truth learned from the Bible and the ministry of the Church of God. Without being convicted in what we believe, we are vulnerable to the swindles of rhetoric and biased media. To be conformed to the world is to not think critically and independently. To be renewed in our mind is to develop an understanding of the Truth proven to ourselves and rooted in faith. We ought not merely follow a friend’s or classmate’s ideas because it appeals to our human nature. We must independently think for ourselves, so that we can prove to ourselves what beliefs we have that are worth standing up for.

Rejecting the pressure to conform to the world by thinking critically is the way to begin the Christian journey. However, we cannot stop here. Strengthening Christian values requires that we receive the Word of God with an open mind. Give the Truth a chance! When Paul and Silas went to Berea, they taught in the synagogues to people who were ready and willing to learn, and took ownership in proving what they learned.

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men” (Acts 17:11-12).

Having an open mind, willing and ready to learn about the Truth is required to develop convictions and beliefs worth standing up for. Without taking the time to learn about the Truth, we will not be able to defend our beliefs.

Just as in school, having the right attitude about learning can make all the difference in putting lessons into practice for our benefit. The Parable of the Sower demonstrates a variety of common attitudes and circumstances that affect our spiritual growth (compare Matthew 13:18-23). When we hear or read the Word of God, but don’t ask questions and take the initiative to understand what we learn, Satan will snatch away our understanding. The Word of God will not profit if we only hear the words without having the ability to explain why we believe them. If we learn about the Truth and become enthused without having a firm conviction about it, we will stumble when our beliefs are put to the test. In addition, we must value the Truth if we are to stand up for it. If we don’t value the Christian Way of Life far above the worldly way of life, we will inevitably slip back into the grip of the world.

The way to profit in life with the Truth requires that we invest our efforts so that we bear fruit. Jesus Christ ends the Parable of the Sower by characterizing the model of successful individuals. These are the ones who are receptive to learning the Truth; who put in the effort to ensure they understand it; and finally, value it enough to put the lessons into practice so they bear fruit. Putting this model to work at an early age will make it much easier to stand up for Christian beliefs in all kinds of adversity, because the Truth becomes embedded into our identity.

Having a solid foundation in learning to live by the Truth places us in a strong position to withstand the temptations in the world. Going further, we must learn to also love the Truth. If we really, truly love this Way of Life, the ways of the world will have no power to persuade us to give it up! But the corollary of not developing a love for the Truth places us in a precarious position. “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). Without having a love for the Truth, we become vulnerable to giving it up.

The final principle to put into practice follows naturally from the above. And that is to live by the commandments! Doing so brings inherent blessings, but it also increases the understanding needed to more firmly establish our beliefs. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever” (Psalm 111:10). By following God’s commandments, we learn from experience why it is valuable to live obediently. And when we understand the value of the Truth from experience, we become stronger in our convictions.

As a young person with Christian standards, his or her values are in their formative state. Even though the development of Christian values is a deeply personal process, it helps to have a guiding framework for how to do so successfully. The process begins by refusing to be conformed to the world and having an open mind to learn about the Truth. From there, the process continues by putting in the effort required to understand what we learn and to love the Truth. Finally, we put everything into practice when we live by what we learn and strengthen our understanding. This progression takes place continually, but is even more vital when we are young.

If we love God and prove it by the way we live in obedience to Him from an early age, we will have the strength to stand up for what we believe without any fear of the consequences.

Lead Writer: Eric Rank

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Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

compiled by Dave Harris

2023 FALL HOLY DAYS: Feast of Trumpets—September 16th; Day of Atonement—September 25th; Feast of Tabernacles—September 30th until October 6th; Last Great Day—October 7th.

A new Member Letter (September 2023) has been posted and mailed to our subscribers. Dave Harris points to the Fall Holy Days reminding us that Christians will comprise those in the First Resurrection who will accompany Jesus Christ when He returns to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.

“Unsere Auferstehung zum Leben,” is the German Trumpet’s sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Our Resurrection to Life.”

“Departing from God—Comments on News and Prophecy—September 9, 2023,” the first message presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

In this program, we discuss astounding recent news which all signify a further departure from God: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Joe Biden telling fairy tales; France at the brink of civil war; American nuclear bombs on European soil; NATO’s collapse; Corona restrictions and the “we will not comply movement”; stiff sentences against the Proud Boys because of “sedition”; funding of the US government is being threatened; the push for President Biden’s impeachment and the GOP reluctance; the Burning Man Festival; England’s Church priests support premarital sex and gay marriage; and gender change of children. 

“Isaiah 58 – A Chapter for Modern Times,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Kalon Mitchell, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Isaiah 58 is an interesting chapter that speaks about some of the things that Christians need to be doing in their lives. It also talks about things that a Christian should be careful not to do. How exactly does this chapter find relevance in our modern times, seeing that this book was written sometime in the early 700s BC? 

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How This Work is Financed

This Update is an official publication by the ministry of the Church of the Eternal God in the United States of America; the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship in Canada; and the Global Church of God in the United Kingdom.

Editorial Team: Norbert Link, Dave Harris, Rene Messier, Brian Gale, Johanna Link, Eric Rank, Michael Link, Anna Link, Kalon Mitchell, Manuela Mitchell, Dawn Thompson

Technical Team: Eric Rank, Shana Rank

Our activities and literature, including booklets, weekly updates, sermons on CD and video and audio broadcasts, are provided free of charge. They are made possible by the tithes, offerings and contributions of Church members and others who have elected to support this Work.

While we do not solicit the general public for funds, contributions are gratefully welcomed and are tax-deductible in the U.S. and Canada.

Donations can be sent to the following addresses:

United States: Church of the Eternal God, P.O. Box 270519, San Diego, CA 92198

Canada: Church of God, ACF, Box 1480, Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0

United Kingdom: Global Church of God, PO Box 44, MABLETHORPE, LN12 9AN, United Kingdom

Comments on News and Prophecy, September 9, 2023 / Isaiah 58 – A Chapter for Modern Times

On September 9, 2023, Norbert Link will present “Comments on News and Prophecy, September 9, 2023,” and Kalon Mitchell will present the sermon, titled, “Isaiah 58 – A Chapter for Modern Times.”

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.

This Week in the News

The Totalitarian EU State

Express wrote on September 1:

“Arch-Europhile MEP Guy Verhofstadt has been accused of trying to turn the EU into a ‘totalitarian supra-national authority’ with a package of proposals including one which would see member states stripped of their vetoes. Mr Verhofstadt’s ideas are set out in a 116-page draft document which… would introduce qualified majority voting in dozens of areas including defence, taxation and foreign policy. 

“The proposals contained in the dossier… would dramatically enlarge the powers of the European Parliament, and – crucially – prevent members of the EU27 from blocking legislation.”

Even if this proposal were not to be adopted for now, the underlying thinking is alarming.

Scholz Tells Economic Fairy Tales

Bild Online wrote on September 3:

“Chancellor Olaf Scholz… predicted in March… new mega growth. Scholz at the time: ‘Due to the high investments in climate protection, Germany will be able to achieve growth rates for some time, as last happened in the 1950s and 1960s.’ In plain language: the Chancellor promised the Germans a new ‘economic miracle’, expected growth rates as in the post-war period (In 1950 to 1960 an average of 8.2 percent per year). For comparison: Between 2010 and 2020, growth was only 1.2 percent.

HOW does Scholz arrive at this positive forecast, while economists even warn of a shrinking economy? In response to a question from the Union faction [opposition] in the Bundestag, the traffic light [coalition] has to admit: there are no expectations of an economic miracle… MEANING: The chancellor CANNOT justify his economic promises!

“Union parliamentary group leader and economic politician Jens Spahn (43, CDU) accuses Scholz of [lying to] the citizens with his promise. Spahn to BILD: ‘The chancellor tells economic fairy tales. The traffic light cannot provide any evidence for his claim that there will be growth rates last seen in the 1950s and 1960s. In truth, we are further away than ever from a new economic miracle.'”

In another article regarding power supply, Bild Online wrote on September 3:

Jens Spahn… to BILD: ‘No one believes in the Chancellor’s perseverance slogans anymore, not even his own party. The losers are millions of industrial workers. They don’t know if their jobs will still be there tomorrow.’”

The days of incompetent Scholz and his pitiful “traffic light” coalition are numbered.

Does Pistorius Have the Courage to Act?

Focus wrote on September 4:

“Boris Pistorius [Germany’s Federal Minister of Defense] achieves fantastic poll numbers reminiscent of those of Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. The big question now is: Will he use this position to act? He has a historic opportunity – but also a lot of resistance.

“Is Boris Pistorius a brave man? There is much to be said for it… Above all, the decision to station a heavy brigade permanently in Lithuania was courageous. The army strongly advised against it – the organizational problems and disruptions to the restructuring of the land forces were too great. Pistorius made the decision anyway. And he was right… especially since it also makes operational sense to have powerful brigades on NATO’s eastern border.

“Organizationally, the implementation of this decision is an enormous challenge for the overly bureaucratic and cumbersome apparatus… Can you even find enough soldiers who are willing to go there for maybe three years? What do you do with the families? In addition: A powerful brigade normally includes well over 4,000 men and women, especially if they are to operate independently.

“Of course, these problems are also an opportunity, a kind of lever to advance the Bundeswehr’s focus on national and alliance defense. Everyone knows that the armed forces are dysfunctional and it is high time to do something about it. Boris Pistorius’ predecessors didn’t have the courage to reform… 

“Now it’s Pistorius’ turn. The conditions for reforms were never better in the days of the Berlin Republic: After the disaster with the weak Christine Lambrecht in times of war, the chancellor cannot afford any further downtime, there are comprehensive commitments to NATO that require quick action and according to public opinion, the Bundeswehr is very well-liked…

“Certainly no defense minister can implement the reforms that are actually necessary on his own… The staff shortage can probably only be solved by introducing a militia system, a mandatory year or the massive expansion of the reservists, which also requires a cabinet decision…

“But the minister can also do a lot of things on his own… many regulations could easily be changed with good will.

“He is by far the most popular politician in Germany—an ace in Olaf Scholz’s hands during these months when the cabinet is struggling. Politically, however, this will only sting if the defense minister follows up his positively received speeches with deeds… The soldiers appreciate their minister beyond measure. However, if he does not use the historic opportunity to advance fundamental issues, the euphoria will be followed by bitter disappointment….”

And so, the concept of mandatory military service is being thrown into the mix.

France at Brink of Civil War?

Modern Diplomacy wrote on September 3:

“A couple of months ago, France was engulfed by an explosive wave of civil unrest… The significance of the situation cannot be overstated: the entire world witnessed the outbreak of anarchy in a major European nation. Street violence took place not just in Paris, but also in various other French cities and the contagion even reached the neighbouring Swiss city of Lausanne. People were beaten, businesses were looted, vehicles were burned and countless acts of vandalism were committed. As law enforcement was overwhelmed by the proportions and intensity of this popular revolt, the French government —unable to respond effectively— was badly shaken by the seismicity of the ensuing political shockwaves…

“In turn, the reaction of everyday citizens showed a combination of disbelief, concern, dismay, outrage and uncertainty. The perception of danger made people think that there is no reliable guarantee that their lives, integrity and property will be respected. Moreover, the fact these events took place shortly before the anniversary of the French Revolution makes things look even more ominous. From a long-range perspective, they could be interpreted as a powerful confirmation that history has fatefully returned to Western Europe… illusions of everlasting peace and harmony are being shattered by reality… 

“Yet, perhaps the most problematic implication of recent events in France is that similar dynamics could gain traction in societies with similar conditions, most notably Britain, Germany and Sweden. Signs of violent interethnic animosities are becoming ‘part and parcel’ of everyday life in such European nations…

“France may already be in a state of low-intensity civil war. So far, it remains to be seen if the clashes remain intermittent or if they will spiral out of control. The undecisive reaction of the French government reflects an unwillingness to confront a difficult situation. Blaming videogames and expect trouble to go away on its own is the equivalent of burying one’s head in the sand…

“Although the latest wave of urban riots in France seems to have subsided, their underlying structural roots remain unchanged. Accordingly, this episode foreshadows the escalation of violence sooner or later. The magnitude of the next crisis will likely be higher both quantitatively and qualitatively… The sinister spectre of civil war is haunting France…”

Macron is not the man who would be able to stop this development. But a charismatic powerful person, called the beast in the Bible, will rise up, and European countries, including Germany and France, will transfer their authority to the beast. He will rule with an iron fist. 

American Nuclear Bombs on British Soil?

Bloomberg wrote on September 5:

“Russia warned Tuesday it will treat any US move to station nuclear weapons in the UK for the first time in 15 years as an ‘escalation’ after media reports indicated plans to deploy the bombs on British soil. ‘If this happens, it will be treated by us as an escalation, which will lead to the exact opposite of achieving the pressing task of removing all US nuclear weapons from Europe,’ Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Tuesday…

“The US Air Force has earmarked $50 million in funding for military housing at a UK air base. The language used to describe the purpose for the increased personnel usually refers to the handling of nuclear weapons, The Guardian reported last week…

“Around 150 US B-61 nuclear gravity bombs are currently stationed in four European countries — Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy — as well as Turkey…”

Ultimately, these weapons will be used AGAINST the USA.

Will NATO Collapse by 2025 Over Ukraine?

Atlantic wrote on September 2:

“Europe and the United States are on the verge of the most momentous conscious uncoupling in international relations in decades. Since 1949, NATO has been the one constant in world security. Initially an alliance among the United States, Canada, and 10 countries in Western Europe, NATO won the Cold War and has since expanded to include almost all of Europe… It… might collapse by 2025.

“The cause of this collapse would be the profound difference in outlook between the Republican Party’s populist wing—which is led by Donald Trump but now clearly makes up the majority of the GOP—and the existential security concerns of much of Europe. The immediate catalyst for the collapse would be the war in Ukraine

“The past few weeks have revealed that Trump’s pro-Russian, anti-NATO outlook isn’t just a brief interlude in Republican politics; suspicion of American involvement in supporting Ukraine is now the consensus of the party’s populist heart. During last week’s GOP presidential debate, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy… both argued against more aid for Ukraine…

“… the growing sentiment on the American right against supporting Ukraine represents an extraordinary challenge to the future of NATO. European states have been moving in the opposite direction… [This] would split the Atlantic alliance

“If the United States simply abandons Ukraine a year and a half from now, there is no way whatsoever that Europe could make up for the loss of aid…”

Ultimately, NATO will fall apart, and the animosity between the USA and Europe will continue. 

Zelenskyy to Replace Defense Minister

Thomson/Reuters reported on September 3:

“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday he had decided to replace his defense minister, setting the stage for the biggest shake-up of Ukraine’s defense establishment since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

“In his nightly video address to the nation, Zelenskyy said he would dismiss Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and would ask parliament this week to replace him with Rustem Umerov, head of the country’s main privatization fund…

“The decision comes amid a crackdown on corruption in Ukraine that Zelenskyy has been keen to emphasize. Kyiv has applied to join the European Union and the public has become highly sensitive to corruption as the war rages with no end in sight…

“During the war, Reznikov’s defense ministry lobbied the West to overcome various taboos on supplying powerful military kit to Ukraine, including everything from German-made main battle tanks to HIMARS multiple-launch rockets. Kyiv now looks poised to receive U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets soon…

“His apparent exit appears to bring an end to months of domestic media pressure that began in January when Reznikov’s ministry was accused of buying food at inflated prices. Though he was not personally involved in the food contract, some Ukrainian commentators said he should take political responsibility for what happened.

“Last month, a Ukrainian media outlet accused his ministry of corruption during the procurement of winter coats for the army. Reznikov denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly said he was being targeted by a smear campaign.”

Whether this was a wise decision to fire Reznikov will have to be seen.

COVID Hysteria, Vaccines and Mandates Starting Again!

Daily Express US wrote on September 1:

“With summer coming to an end and a new Covid variant on the loose, some health experts are recommending people begin taking precautions again – starting with mask-wearing… CDC spokesperson Scott Pauley told Daily Express US the CDC recommends that all people are up to date on their vaccines before they travel… 

“An updated vaccine for new strains is expected to be available by the end of September – the CDC recommends everyone receive a booster shot.”

Will we experience a repeat of Biden’s horrible war of the vaccinated against the unvaccinated?

Corona in Spite of Vaccination and Booster Shots

Fox News wrote on September 4:

“First lady Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19… President Biden tested negative for the virus… The first lady is double-vaccinated, twice boosted, according to a statement from her communications director last year.”

So, vaccinations and booster shots don’t seem to be “miracle cures” after all.

Biden’s Insane Fearmongering

Fox News wrote on September 5:

“Social media users mocked the news that President Biden will return to masking indoors Tuesday…

“White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre… said: ‘President Biden… will be masking while indoors and around people in alignment with CDC guidance…  the president will remove his mask when sufficiently distant from others indoors and while outside as well.’

“The return to indoor masking ignited backlash online from X users, who complained about the possibility of mask mandates returning. ‘The conspiracy theorists were right again. These loony psychopaths are going to try to bring masks back. Nope. We aren’t playing this time,’ cryptocurrency entrepreneur Bruce Fenton wrote.

“Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich commented, ‘Your regular reminder that masks are garbage against COVID/Wuhan coronavirus and do not work. In fact, they cause harm with lung damage and cancerous materials. Not to mention the massive environmental pollution.’ ‘Biden masking again because he’s been around Jill is such nonsense fearmongering,’ investigative reporter Emily Miller wrote… ‘They never stop. They never quit,’ RealClearInvestigations editor-at-large Benjamin Weingarten posted.”

Biden’s fearmongering is indeed ridiculous, but it is dangerous!

School in Maryland Reinstates Masks

Fox News wrote on September 5:

“An elementary school in a Washington D.C. suburb in Maryland is reinstating school masks for third-graders, after a handful of kids recently tested positive for COVID-19. In a now-viral X post, OutKick founder Clay Travis posted a letter that was allegedly sent to all parents at Rosemary Hills Elementary School in Montgomery County, updating them on updated mask requirements for all students.

“‘A DC area elementary school — Montgomery County, Maryland — is reinstating a mask mandate — N95’s — for third-graders over a few kids testing positive for COVID,’ Travis wrote on X. ‘Here’s the letter. They’re coming with masks for your kids again. Get ready. Read this insanity.’”

Insanity indeed. 

We Will Not Comply Movement

Newsweek wrote on August 31:

“A ‘we will not comply’ movement is slowly formulating across social media, spurred by Donald Trump’s renewed focus on mask mandates and COVID-affiliated lockdowns that he initiated at the pandemic’s inception. Trump, in a video posted Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter, vowed to reject any ‘fearmongering’ of new coronavirus variants and if elected president pledged to cut federal funding for entities like schools and airlines that follow such protocols.

“Trump was the individual who set the original mandates and lockdowns in motion, however, when coronavirus cases escalated exponentially starting in March 2020. At the time, he urged individuals to avoid bars, restaurants and other areas where 10 or more people were gathered in the hope that the virus would dissipate by that summer.

“‘Do not comply’ means your [sic] not going to go to work if your employer requires a mask as part of the “mandate” not law; your [sic] not going to wear one at the Dr, Dentist, restaurant or stores,’ wrote one Facebook user. ‘Imagine if everyone did not comply how that would hurt our government or economy. If every American did not go to work or buy anything at all for one or two days things would get real. We are all slaves to our Government until we stop conforming to the demands and dollar.’

“One X user posted that she would ignore mandates instituted by Trump, President Joe Biden or anyone else. ‘I won’t mask again,’ the user wrote. ‘I don’t care what Trump or Fauci or Birx or Biden or any other governmental agency try and push again. I won’t deal with the anxiety mask wearing brings me again. Not going to cover my daughter’s beautiful face or force her to deal with the frequent painful breakouts again. Nope. For my child, I say, never again.’”

Sadly, Trump was responsible for many of the ridiculous governmental measures or recommendations pertaining to the fight against COVID. Instead of firing incompetent Fauci, he followed his nonsensical advice in far too many instances. Biden, of course, made matters much worse.

Fauci’s Incompetence Exposed

The New York Post wrote on September 3:

“Social media erupted after Dr. Anthony Fauci was confronted by a CNN host with a study showing face masks made little to no difference in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic… ‘Fauci admits that masks don’t work for the public at large but still absurdly claims masks work on an individual basis. More subterfuge,’ Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)… wrote on X, formerly Twitter… 

“‘It’s really hard to assume Fauci’s disastrous “mistakes” were in good faith when he refuses to acknowledge obvious facts that don’t require a PhD to decipher. It looks a lot more like “TRUST THE SCIENCE!” only applies when it suits Fauci’s personal or political narrative,’ former senior White House and US Intelligence Community official Cliff Sims said…

“During the initial onset of the pandemic, he suggested that masks were not providing the type of protection ‘people think it is’ and underscored the severe shortage of masks afflicting health care providers. As mask production ramp up and supply snarls abated, Fauci reversed course and endorsed masking to tamp down the spread… ‘I don’t regret anything I said then because in the context of the time in which I said it, it was correct…’”

Fauci has been preaching this kind of nonsense all along. 

Assassinating Trump?

Business Insider wrote on September 2:

“Tucker Carlson… claimed that the political establishment is plotting to assassinate former President Donald Trump… ‘They have decided — permanent Washington, both parties have decided — that there’s something about Trump that’s so threatening to them, they just can’t have him,’ he said.

“Carlson had, in fact, asked Trump if he feared being killed in an interview last week, to which the former president responded: ‘They’re savage animals. They’re people that are sick.’… While Trump has never made such an assertion, he often describes himself as the victim of a ‘witch-hunt’…”

John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy were assassinated; and Ronald Reagan barely survived an assassination attempt. In fact, four sitting presidents have been killed: Abraham Lincoln (1865, by John Wilkes Booth), James A. Garfield (1881, by Charles J. Guiteau), William McKinley (1901, by Leon Czolgosz), and John F. Kennedy (1963, by Lee Harvey Oswald). As far as we can see, only one person was assassinated while running for the office of the Presidency, and that was Robert Kennedy. In addition to the assignation attempt on Ronald Reagan, another assassination attempt was made on former president Theodore Roosevelt (1912, by John Flammang Schrank). 

Will Trump Go to Prison?

The Independent wrote on August 31:

“Trump faces four criminal indictments in three separate jurisdictions. Nearly 100 felony criminal charges are leveled against the former president who remains the… favourite to win the 2024 Republican primary… Between his 91 felony counts, Mr Trump faces a total of roughly seven centuries in total jail time, spread between dozens of various charges of differing seriousness…

“The first indictment to drop against the former president… deals with conduct committed the furthest in the past. Donald Trump is accused of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, a felony under New York state law… Mr Trump’s accusation is largely victimless, and as such a judge is not likely to sentence him to anything more than fines or, at the most, probation and community service were he to be convicted by a jury…

“After exploding into the public eye last year with an FBI raid of Mar-a-Lago, the allegations spelled out in this [second] indictment… [accuse him] of mishandling classified information in an egregious manner… Convictions of willful and/or reckless retention of classified information frequently result in prison sentences of several years or more…

“The Department of Justice’s most recent [third] indictment charging Mr Trump with crimes was related to the 2020 election… There are two basic parts of this case which should concern the ex-president; the possibility that he will be convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiring against Americans’ right to vote in free elections, and the possibility that he will be convicted of directly attempting to block the certification of the election via summoning a mob to attack the Capitol.

“The real battle in [regard to the first allegation] will be for prosecutors to prove that the Trump team’s efforts went beyond legal challenges to the election results… [Regarding the second allegation,] Mr Trump and his allies have fiercely denied since the attack itself that the mob of Trump supporters… was directed by the president himself…

“Should he be convicted of either, however, he faces steep maximum prison sentences for each count… 

“The most recent [fourth] indictment to drop, Fulton County’s case against Mr Trump in Georgia is unique in that it also involves the only charges to carry minimum prison terms… A RICO charge will undoubtedly be the hardest for prosecutor Fani Willis and her team to prove… Should that fail, however, Mr Trump also faces 12 other felony counts, all of which carry the potential for incarceration…

“In the end, it’s quite possible that the answer to the question of whether Mr Trump will ever see the inside of a cell comes down to not whether he will be convicted, but whether jailing a former president is even feasible. Should he win the general election next year, an entirely new layer of complexity is added to the mix…”

Apart from the perception of many Americans that these are all trumped-up charges, the idea that an elected President could be officiating, while imprisoned, is preposterous. 

Trump Barred From Office?

Raw Story wrote on September 4:

“Trump on Monday claimed that ‘almost all legal scholars’ have agreed that the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution ‘has no legal basis or standing relative to the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election.’

“The former president’s comments come the same day as former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner joined the ranks of several other legal experts,  including retired Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe and former conservative federal judge Michael Luttig, in arguing that former President Donald Trump is automatically disqualified from running for office again under the plain text of the 14th Amendment’s prohibition on aiding insurrection. 

“‘Like Election Interference, it is just another “trick” being used by the Radical Left Communists, Marxists, and Fascists, to again steal an Election that their candidate, the WORST, MOST INCOMPETENT, & MOST CORRUPT President in U.S. history, is incapable of winning in a Free and Fair Election,’ Trump wrote.”

Whatever happened to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty?

22 Years Prison Sentence for Proud Boy

Deutsche Welle wrote on September 5:

“Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right Proud Boys militia, was sentenced to 22 years in prison on Tuesday in Washington… it is… the stiffest penalty handed out so far for the 2021 attack on the US Capitol… Despite agreeing that Tarrio’s actions did not fall under the most traditional definitions of ‘terrorism,’ US District Judge Timothy Kelly said the adjustment should apply, as prosecutors had wanted.

Tarrio was not in Washington on January 6 but was accused and convicted of directing the assault on the Capitol by members of the Proud Boys.

“Tarrio and three others were convicted of seditious conspiracy in May for their roles in the failed attempt to stop the congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory over Republican Donald Trump… The other three men received jail terms of between 10 and 18 years last week. Tarrio’s sentencing was delayed as the judge was ill.”

The defense has announced that it will appeal “on both the merits of the case and the sentence imposed.” These are indeed ridiculous sentences, which are clearly politically motivated, while violent criminals are either not prosecuted at all or receiving a light sentence. 

Biden Keeps Telling “Stories”

The Washington Post wrote on August 31:

“Biden’s propensity to exaggerate or embellish tales about his life led to doubts about his truthfulness… Biden has continued a tradition of embellishing his personal tales in ways that cannot be verified or are directly refuted by contemporary accounts…

“At least six times as president, mostly recently in comments to Hurricane Idalia victims Wednesday, Biden has exaggerated the extent of a fire that occurred at his house in 2004…

“At least 10 times as president…, Biden has told a heartwarming but implausible story about an Amtrak conductor named Angelo Negri who congratulated him for traveling more on Amtrak than he had on Air Force planes as vice president…

“Three times this year — and at least seven times since 2014 — Biden has told a version… of a story about words his father supposedly spoke after a teenage Biden saw two well-dressed men in suits kiss each other in downtown Wilmington in the early 1960s… Biden depicts a scene that would have been unusual six decades ago. He describes this exchange with his father usually as taking place in 1961. But back then, gay men generally did not kiss in public…

“Four times… Biden has suggested he was arrested for standing on the porch with a Black couple who were subject to demonstrations… the story did not add up. There was a protest of a Black couple who had purchased a house in an all-White area, but it was a neighborhood many miles from the Biden home…

“Campaigning for president in 2020, Biden three times claimed he was arrested in South Africa for trying to see Nelson Mandela, who at the time was imprisoned on Robben Island, near Cape Town. When we determined that was false, he amended his statement to say he was ‘stopped’ at the airport while traveling with a congressional delegation — though others on the delegation said that did not happen…

“Biden recalled how his Uncle Frank fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart but never received it. He said that after he became vice president in 2009, he arranged to present the medal to his uncle with the rest of the family in attendance. But his uncle, Frank H. Biden, died in 1999, a decade before Biden became vice president…

“Twice this year, most recently in the Milwaukee speech, Biden has claimed his grandfather, an oil company executive, ‘died in the same hospital’ just before Biden himself was born there… But Biden’s paternal grandfather, Joseph H. Biden, died at Johns Hopkins Hospital on Sept. 26, 1941…  Biden was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Scranton, Pa., on Nov. 20, 1942, 14 months later. His maternal grandfather, Ambrose Finnegan, did die at St. Mary’s — but in 1957, nearly 15 years later.”

If one keeps repeating a fabricated story long enough, he might even begin to believe it himself.

The Lie of Bidenomics 

Fox News wrote on August 29:

“In the midst of President Biden’s campaign to sell ‘Bidenomics’ to American voters [the false claim that his economic measures are working], Vice President Kamala Harris made a curious admission. Speaking about the costs of getting an abortion…, she stated that ‘[m]ost Americans are a $400 unexpected expense away from bankruptcy.’ Of course…, it wasn’t exactly true. But you have to give her credit for raising a counter-narrative the Biden administration is otherwise choosing to ignore. The fact is that American families are in trouble, deep trouble, and it’s far more significant than any Bidenomics spin can conceal.

“Harris’s point comes from a recent Morning Consult survey which found that in the third quarter of this year only 46% of Americans could cover a $400 unexpected expense without going into debt. That’s not the same as being $400 away from bankruptcy, but it’s still really bad. It shows how expenses as commonplace as a surprise car repair or a medical bill are forcing many American families into debt – at a time when interest rates are disturbingly high…

“The Lending Club’s Paycheck-to-Paycheck Report for June confirms the Morning Consult survey. It found that a majority of Americans (54%) were living paycheck to paycheck. That includes 53% of consumers who earn $50,000 to $100,000 per year. So, this problem extends well beyond lower-income families, although it certainly hits you harder the less you have. But what about personal savings? Americans received a lot of cash from the government during the pandemic. In fact, when Biden took office, Americans had $2.3 trillion in personal savings. That number shot up to $5.7 trillion following Biden’s March 2021 ironically named ‘American Rescue Plan.’ But by June of this year, a mere 27 months later, personal saving had dropped by nearly $5 trillion to a much diminished $862 billion. 

“Again, it isn’t just lower-income Americans who have watched their savings diminish. According to a Bloomberg analysis, the average middle-class household has lost over $33,000 in real wealth in just the past year. The situation is so bad that Americans are even draining their 401(k) plans to cover expenses… 36% more people drained their retirement accounts to make ends [meet] in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the same period last year.

“So, where did all that money go?…

“The Bureau of Labor Statistic publishes the Consumer Price Index (CPI) each month, a common measure of inflation. CPI takes a basket of commonly purchased goods and services and prices them on a monthly basis. In January 2021, when Biden took office, that basket cost about $261.50. In July of this year, the same basket cost $305.70. That’s a huge 16,9% increase in only two and a half years…  Exacerbating the problem, wage growth has failed to keep pace with inflation – increasing only 13% since Biden took office (versus nearly 17% for inflation). When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, as most Americans are, that kind of disparity hurts. 

“So, with savings increasingly depleted and wages failing to keep up with increased living expenses, many Americans are resorting to their credit cards in an effort to make ends meet. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in the second quarter of this year,  credit card debt rose to $1 trillion–the highest number ever. And that amount of credit card debt is a huge problem with 51% of Americans unable to pay off their entire balance each month – so they let it revolve to the next month at an average budget killing interest rate of nearly 15% [or 22%, depending on the source]…”

Bidenomics” is clearly not working. The utter incompetence of Biden and his administration is obvious in this regard as well.

Americans Aren’t Sold on Joe Biden’s Handling of the Economy 

1945 wrote on September 5:

“A Wall Street Journal poll, taken between August 24 and 30, found that just 37 percent of registered voters ‘somewhat’ or ‘strongly’ approved of Biden’s handling of the economy. By contrast, a majority of the same group, 59 percent, said they disapproved of how the [president] has tackled the economy…

“The Wall Street Journal post also found that nearly three in four voters believe that inflation ‘is headed in the wrong direction,’ while 63 percent said they ‘somewhat’ or ‘strongly’ disapproved of the president’s record on inflation and climbing prices.”

Who are those people who “strongly” approve of Biden’s failed handling of the economy????

Funding the Government Being Threatened

The New York Post wrote on September 1:

“Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)… told constituents: ‘I’ve already decided I will not vote to fund the government unless we have passed an impeachment inquiry on Joe Biden.’ She also conditioned her vote on withdrawing US defense funding for Ukrainecutting out federal spending for new COVID-19 vaccines and ending ‘Biden’s weaponization of government.’ That includes moving to ‘rein in the FBI,’ defunding special counsel Jack Smith, who has twice indicted former President Donald Trump, and firing Delaware US Attorney David Weiss, Greene added…

“Congress has until Sept. 30 to avoid a partial shutdown by passing legislation to fully fund the government. The Senate is scheduled to return from its August recess Tuesday, while the House is due back the following week…

“NBC News reported Friday that the White House is preparing a legal war room for the president’s expected impeachment inquiry, helmed by dozens of lawyers, aides and communications staff…”

The Daily Mail added on September 1:

“[Greene] is not the only Republican to have threatened to block funding.  Earlier in the week Rep. James Comer… [said] an impeachment inquiry [was] ‘imminent’… 

“In the meantime, the federal government is hurtling towards its funding deadline. The White House is looking for a stopgap measure to keep things ticking over. A spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget said: ‘It is clear that a short-term continuing resolution will be needed next month.’”

Dire prospects indeed.

Will the GOP Impeach Joe Biden? 

1945 wrote on September 5:

Elected Republicans are the most skittish group of powerful people imaginable. Here they have one half of one of the three branches of the federal government, and they are afraid to use whatever power they have against their political foes. 

“In this case, despite all their perpetual talk about the corruption of President Joe Biden and his wayward son, Hunter; irrespective of the… evidence they’ve compiled after years of investigations into the Biden Family, the leadership of the House Republicans acts as though they don’t have enough to impeach President Joe Biden. 

“Hilariously, when the political shoe was on the other foot, with the Democrats not having the relevant power that they needed to successfully impeach—and remove then-President Donald J. Trump— that never stopped the Democrats. That’s because the Democrats have gumption, whereas the Republicans are perennially afraid of making mistakes…

“Under House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)… it has now become unbearable… [He insists] that it’s still premature to impeach Joe Biden. He makes such statements, even after the Republican-led House Oversight Committee recently received the sworn testimony of two senior IRS whistleblowers alleging that the Department of Justice (DOJ) purposefully slow-walked their investigation into Hunter Biden’s finances out of fear that they’d be forced to also investigate Joe Biden’s finances. 

“McCarthy pretends like his investigators in the House have not received sworn testimony from one of Hunter Biden’s closest business associates, Devon Archer, who admitted under oath that then-Vice-President Joe Biden was intimately involved with Hunter Biden’s allegedly illicit international influence-peddling scheme from the outset of Hunter Biden’s efforts…

“The House investigators have already proven that every member of the Biden Family received huge payouts from Hunter Biden’s firm

“Furthermore, a series of text messages between Hunter Biden and a Chinese businessman… was uncovered… showing Hunter threatening the Chinese businessman with political reprisals unless the businessman paid Hunter Biden an exorbitant amount of money. 

“The specific threat entailed Hunter texting the Chinese businessman that he was sitting next to his father, Joe Biden, and relaying the threats from his father to the Chinese businessman by text…

“An impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden is still undesirable, as that should have happened earlier in the Spring. We should be onto a full-blown impeachment by now… Impeaching Biden, much as the Democrats showed by impeaching Trump on inflated charges in 2019, may not lead to Biden’s removal from office (that requires a majority in the Senate that the Republicans simply lack). But, as the Democrats proved in 2019, an impeachment will galvanize their base going into a contentious presidential election…”

Not to forget Joe Biden’s admission of successfully coercing or blackmailing Ukraine to fire the prosecutor investigating the corrupt company Hunter Biden was working for. 

The Hill wrote on September 5:

“Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is tiptoeing through a political minefield as he weighs whether to open an official impeachment inquiry into President Biden… Trump… is exerting public pressure to pursue impeachment without a long inquiry. So are voters in the GOP base, Republicans say…  Some GOP members, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) and Ralph Norman (S.C.), have also pushed to quickly open an impeachment inquiry. Republicans have told The Hill that they are getting many phone calls and town hall questions asking when they will take the step toward impeachment…

“While McCarthy argues that taking a step to open an inquiry is distinct from the House actually impeaching Biden, it would be politically unthinkable to not follow through on an inquiry with a vote on impeachment articles…”

Pressure on McCarthy

Newsmax wrote on September 5:

“In a statement issued on Tuesday, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., predicted forthcoming efforts to compel House votes on impeachment [of Biden], while delivering a warning to Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif… ‘if Speaker McCarthy stands in our way, he may not have the job long,’ Gaetz said.

“Amid the electoral complexities that unfolded during McCarthy’s election saga in January, he strategically decided to decrease the threshold required to initiate a ‘motion to vacate the chair’ [which] is a parliamentary maneuver available to ordinary lawmakers to remove the speaker of the House of Representatives. 

“Under former GOP rules, this process could have been initiated only by a majority of House Republicans. McCarthy, intent on locking down his speakership, ultimately agreed to permit a single member to initiate such a vote.”

Apart from the fact that many Republicans don’t seem to have much backbone, one reason for not wanting to impeach Biden could be that in the unlikely event of Biden’s removal from office, Kamala Harris, viewed by many as totally incompetent, would take his place.  

Biden’s Disastrous Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Fox News and The Associated Press wrote on September 5: 

“U.S. military equipment abandoned in Afghanistan has made its way to militant groups in other countries through the Taliban, Pakistan alleged Monday, [saying] terror groups in the country are now using American equipment, including night vision goggles and firearms, in their operations…

“The U.S. abandoned approximately $7 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan following President Biden’s withdrawal from the country in 2021… The equipment included guns, ammunition and helicopters, among other things.

“More than 40,000 of the 96,000 military vehicles given to Afghan authorities were abandoned, including 12,000 Humvees. Just under three-quarters of the 427,300 weapons provided to the Afghan forces were left behind along with less than 1,537,000 ‘specialty munitions’ and small arms ammo…

“Pakistan’s claims come just days after the second anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Biden hailed the operation as ‘one of the largest airlifts in history’

“The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan left hundreds of Americans and tens of thousands of Afghan allies in the country under the rule of the Taliban, which swiftly retook control of Afghanistan as American forces prepared their exit.”

Attempting to defend Biden’s incompetent withdrawal is just beyond belief. 

How the Government “Flags” Us

The Rutherford Institute wrote on August 29:

“Consider just a small sampling of the ways in which the government is weaponizing its 360 degree surveillance technologies to flag you as a threat to national security, whether or not you’ve done anything wrong.

“Flagging you as a danger based on your feelings…  Flagging you as a danger based on your phone and movements… Flagging you as a danger based on your DNA…  Flagging you as a danger based on your face… Flagging you as a danger based on your behavior… Flagging you as a danger based on your spending and consumer activities… Flagging you as a danger based on your public activities…   Flagging you as a danger based on your social media activities… Flagging you as a danger based on your social network…  Flagging you as a danger based on your car…  Flagging you as a danger based on your political views… 

“Now the government wants us to believe that we have nothing to fear from these mass spying programs as long as we’ve done nothing wrong. Don’t believe it. The government’s definition of a ‘bad’ guy is extraordinarily broad, and it results in the warrantless surveillance of innocent, law-abiding Americans on a staggering scale… the police state wants us silent, servile and compliant.”

Nothing in regard to man’s mis-rule and leaders’ oppression of “subjects” will substantially change until Christ comes back and makes an end with ALL human governments. 

Canada—a Laughing Stock

The Telegraph wrote on August 31:

“Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been a mediocre, ineffective leader since coming to power in 2015. Every time you believe he’s reached the lowest depths of political incompetence, he finds a new way to sink even further into the muck. As fate would have it, the most unserious government in Canadian history has reached another new low. 

“Global Affairs Canada adjusted its international travel advisory this week to warn the LGBTQ+ community against supposed discrimination they may face in the United States…

“This impetuous decision likely came as a result of U.S. states passing limits or bans with respect to medical treatment for underaged children identifying as transgender, or on the teaching of sexual orientation in schools…

“Does anyone seriously believe most LGBTQ+ Canadians will now be scared to visit the happiest place on earth, Walt Disney World, because Florida decided its schools can’t teach about gender identity and support parental rights in education?…

“The U.S. and [the] rest of the world have taken notice of Canada’s rapid decline as a serious, relevant international player during Trudeau’s unserious, irrelevant leadership. They hope it will change when the next Canadian election is held. Many Canadians feel the exact same way.”

Trudeau continues to ruin his country. His authoritarian and dictatorial style, coupled with extreme left-wing Woke nonsense and a persecution of religious minorities who opposed his COVID lockdown, have been noted. Also view the next article.

“The Decline and Fall of Canada”

The Telegraph published on September 5 the following article by Dr. Jordan Peterson:

“In my case, a court has upheld an order from the College of Psychologists of Ontario that I undergo social media training or lose my licence to practice a profession I have served for most of my adult life. My transgressions? Two tweets criticizing Justin Trudeau; one criticising his former chief of staff, who resigned in the aftermath of scandal some years ago; one ironically commenting on the identity of a city councillor in Ottawa, who in my view acted in a particularly unforgivable manner during the famous trucker convoy protest; and one objecting to the actions of the physicians performing mastectomies on perfectly healthy women – often minors –  alongside a criticism of a famous actress who received such ‘treatment’ and then advertised its benefits to her unwitting fans. 

“In conjunction… I expressed doubts… about the validity of the idiotic models that economists stack carelessly upon the doom-mongering climate predictions… which will harm millions…

“[There] are many ‘regulated professions’ in Western countries, including Canada; professions whose conduct is held to be crucial to the public interest, and whose practitioners must therefore uphold certain standards to protect the public… In Canada, as elsewhere, these professional colleges, with authority delegated from the government, limited their actions to situations of obvious professional misconduct.

“In the last few years, however, such bodies… have been weaponised by the same ideological radicals of the Left that have infiltrated and undermined higher education, media, judiciary, law, science and government. Any radical anywhere can submit the kind of complaint that can bring a professional’s life to a halt, and can increasingly rely on these captured colleges and other professional regulatory bodies to uphold and pursue their vexatious, vengeful, petty, spiteful and ideological motivated ‘complaints.’…

“I appealed the decision of my professional college. But the court has rejected my appeal, ruling that although I had my Charter rights – my constitutional right to freedom of speech – the professional regulatory body essentially has indefinite sway over the determination of what limits they felt fit to impose in their professional context, in whatever retroactive manner they felt fit to impose them…

“Canadians now need to wake up to the fact that the right to freedom of speech in Canada is subject to limitations placed by any level of government, for any reason. I know perfectly well that many professionals in Canada are cowed to the point where they are forced to lie; they tell me so repeatedly in private. And when professionals have to lie, they can no longer do their job properly, and the public suffers. I know, too, that this is increasingly true across the West. Hence the increasing international interest in the dangerous social experiment taking place in Canada, as we ride the forefront of the wave of woke lunacy threatening to swamp the entire Western world…

“I will fight this idiocy all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary. I have instructed my lawyers, in the aftermath of the rejection of my appeal, to inform the College that I will not comply with their forced re-education mandate, and to proceed with the disciplinary hearing they have promised will occur…

“But I know few people are in a position to conduct such a fight: I have the resources necessary to wage a multi-year court battle, ruinously expensive (tens of thousands of dollars a month) though it is. I also have the means of communication at hand to publicise exactly what is going on. I do so on the behalf of those who are unable to do so…”

Deluge on Burning Man Festival Divine Retribution?

Benzinga wrote on September 4: 

“… a severe deluge at the annual Burning Man festival has been described as an act of divine retribution by leading Republicans… The Burning Man festival, traditionally held in Black Rock City, Nevada, faced an unprecedented level of rainfall this year, leading to muddy conditions and stranding thousands of festival-goers.

“The extreme weather conditions resulted in the tragic loss of one life and caused the event’s closing ceremony to be postponed. However, the situation took a political turn when key figures suggested a religious angle to the calamity. 

“Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)… suggested that the unfortunate incident at the festival was a divine sign, stating, ‘God has a way of making sure everyone knows who God is.’ She also insinuated that festival attendees were misguided into blaming climate change for the disaster.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) expressed a similar sentiment… attributing the floods to ‘God’s judgment’ and challenging the moral correctness of the festival’s unconventional activities. Andrew Torba, founder of Gab, a far-right social platform, and Jeff Clark, a former assistant attorney general, joined the chorus with similar views, with Clark labeling the festival a ‘neopagan ritual.’”

Daily Mail added on September 5:

“Burning Man has descended into chaos as fed-up revelers snapped and fought during the mass exodus from the washout festival… It came as the grand finale – the burning of ‘the man’ – finally got underway a day late on Monday night, with the wooden statue lit for the dwindling crowd who’d stayed…

“A half-inch of rain fell on Friday, turning the site into a quagmire, and attendees were ordered not to leave because the exit roads were impassable… People were being urged to delay their departure until Tuesday if possible.

“Disruptions are part of the event’s recent history: Dust storms forced organizers to temporarily close entrances to the festival in 2018, and the event was twice canceled altogether during the pandemic…”

According to Wikipedia, “Burning Man began as a bonfire ritual on the summer solstice. Sculptor Mary Grauberger, a friend of Larry Harvey’s girlfriend, Janet Lohr, held solstice bonfire gatherings on Baker Beach for several years prior to 1986, some of which Harvey attended. When Grauberger stopped organizing it, Harvey ‘picked up the torch’, with Grauberger’s permission, and ran with it. He and Jerry James built the first wooden effigy on the afternoon of June 21, 1986, cobbled together using scrap wood, to be torched later that evening. 

“On June 22, 1986, Larry Harvey, Jerry James, and a few friends met on Baker Beach in San Francisco and burned an 8 feet (2.4 m) tall wooden man as well as a smaller wooden dog. Harvey later described his inspiration for burning these effigies as a spontaneous act of ‘radical self-expression’. In 1987, the Man grew to 15 feet (4.6 m) tall, and by 1988, it had grown to 30 feet (9.1 m). 

“By 1988, Larry Harvey formally named the summer solstice ritual ‘Burning Man’ by titling flyers for the happening as such. This was apparently done to ward off references to ‘wicker man,’ the reputed Celtic pagan practice of burning live sacrifices in human-shaped wicker cages…”

Still, the parallels are undeniable. Why would anyone want to participate in such obscure pagan and ungodly customs?

Majority of Church of England Priests Support Premarital Sex and Gay Marriage

The Daily Caller wrote on August 30:

“The Church of England’s (CofE) liberal drift continues as a new survey shows that a [majority] of priests now support abandoning traditional Christian sexual ethics.

“A survey by the Times found that 62.6 percent of priests believe the church should relax its teaching that all premarital sex is sinful. A smaller majority (53.4 percent) voiced their support for same-sex marriage. The Church of England currently allows marriages only between men and women, though the General Synod — the CofE’s legislative body — voted in February to offer blessings to civilly married same-sex couples.”

The Bible condemns premarital sex and gay marriage. 

Children Change Their Gender

The Washington Examiner wrote on September 2:

“Thousands of children have undergone gender transition surgeries in recent years, following a trend that has ‘increased significantly,’ according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study identified 48,019 Americans of all ages who had undergone some form of gender dysphoria-related surgery in the United States between 2016 and 2019.

Nearly 4,000 of those were between the ages of 12 and 18. The reasoning for including 18-year-olds, the age of adulthood, in the younger cohort was not explained, so it is unclear by the study how many who are legally children were given the surgeries.

“However, a recent Vanderbilt University study found that 489 children between the ages of 12 and 17, with a median age of 16, had gotten their breasts removed in a double mastectomy in 2019 alone. ‘…it’s been happening to thousands of kids and it’s continuing to grow,’ Terry Schilling, president of American Principles Project, told the Washington Examiner. ‘The reality is that trans is not a civil rights movement. It’s an industry that’s mutilating and sterilizing the next generation of Americans for profits.’

“Surgeries in the JAMA article went beyond mastectomies and breast implants and included genital transition and facial reconstruction… ‘The fact that they are asking children to consent to something that they clearly can’t understand and will change lives irrevocably is extremely unfortunate…’, Stanley Goldfarb, chairman of the Do No Harm medical advocacy group, told the Washington Examiner

“People who have destransitioned… cite deep regret for their adolescent surgeries and drugs and point to heavy coercion on the part of doctors, who many critics say are trapping children in a lifetime of medical procedures and drugs at personal monetary gain….”

The horrible propaganda and unjustifiable encouragement of medical “experts,” with the brainless support of the mass media, leading to horrific decisions by uninformed children and teens, are appalling examples of a deceived world having gone terribly wrong.  

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

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

Update 1084

Comments on News and Prophecy, September 9, 2023 / Isaiah 58 – A Chapter for Modern Times

On September 9, 2023, Norbert Link will present “Comments on News and Prophecy, September 9, 2023,” and Kalon Mitchell will present the sermon, titled, “Isaiah 58 – A Chapter for Modern Times.”

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.

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Other People’s Problems

by Dave Harris

Within families, there aren’t a lot of secrets. Family members know one another pretty well—both each other’s good points and bad; each one’s strengths and each one’s weaknesses.

Invariably, problems arise. Regardless, families most often stand by and offer great support in times of trial. It is rare to hear of a parent renouncing their child even when he or she commits terrible crimes.

Within our spiritual family, the Church of God, we also get to know one  another quite well—the good, the bad, and, yes, even the ugly.

How do we operate within that spectrum? Regardless of the relationship, the goal should be one emphasizing this foundational approach:

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

We probably have all heard someone say about another that they were there for them when they needed them the most. Paul wrote:

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).

But it isn’t just the big problems other people have for which they need our help. Life is made up of many, many little things and that includes problems—challenges which might go easier with another person’s help.

Let’s make it a point to do what we can when the opportunity and the need arises to serve, remembering that we, too, can fall into that category of being the other person—with a problem!

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By Norbert Link

We begin with the coming totalitarian EU state; fairy tales told by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; Boris Pistorius, the most popular politician in Germany; France being at the brink of civil war; American nuclear bombs in Europe; the possible collapse of NATO by 2025 over the Russia-Ukraine war; and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s firing of his defense minister.

We continue with renewed COVID hysteria; the new “We Will Not Comply” movement; and the incompetence of Anthony Fauci.

We address Tucker Carlson’s fear that Trump might be assassinated; and speak on the possibility of Trump ending up in prison and the movement to bar him from office; as well as the ridiculous prison sentences for some of the Proud Boys. We report on Biden’s fabricated stories of his life and the lie of successful “Bidenomics.”

We speak on some Republicans being unwilling to fund the government by the end of September, unless certain conditions are met; the pressing issue of impeaching Joe Biden; some of the consequences of his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan; and we show how the US government is “flagging” us. We also address the fall of Canada which has become the laughing stock of the world. In this context, please view our new StandingWatch program, titled,  “The Decline and Fall of Canada.”

We report on the strange events of the Burning Man festival and publish an article on the Church of England regarding premarital sex and gay marriage, and we conclude with despicable gender change operations of innocent deceived children. 

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

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The Totalitarian EU State

Express wrote on September 1:

“Arch-Europhile MEP Guy Verhofstadt has been accused of trying to turn the EU into a ‘totalitarian supra-national authority’ with a package of proposals including one which would see member states stripped of their vetoes. Mr Verhofstadt’s ideas are set out in a 116-page draft document which… would introduce qualified majority voting in dozens of areas including defence, taxation and foreign policy. 

“The proposals contained in the dossier… would dramatically enlarge the powers of the European Parliament, and – crucially – prevent members of the EU27 from blocking legislation.”

Even if this proposal were not to be adopted for now, the underlying thinking is alarming.

Scholz Tells Economic Fairy Tales

Bild Online wrote on September 3:

“Chancellor Olaf Scholz… predicted in March… new mega growth. Scholz at the time: ‘Due to the high investments in climate protection, Germany will be able to achieve growth rates for some time, as last happened in the 1950s and 1960s.’ In plain language: the Chancellor promised the Germans a new ‘economic miracle’, expected growth rates as in the post-war period (In 1950 to 1960 an average of 8.2 percent per year). For comparison: Between 2010 and 2020, growth was only 1.2 percent.

HOW does Scholz arrive at this positive forecast, while economists even warn of a shrinking economy? In response to a question from the Union faction [opposition] in the Bundestag, the traffic light [coalition] has to admit: there are no expectations of an economic miracle… MEANING: The chancellor CANNOT justify his economic promises!

“Union parliamentary group leader and economic politician Jens Spahn (43, CDU) accuses Scholz of [lying to] the citizens with his promise. Spahn to BILD: ‘The chancellor tells economic fairy tales. The traffic light cannot provide any evidence for his claim that there will be growth rates last seen in the 1950s and 1960s. In truth, we are further away than ever from a new economic miracle.'”

In another article regarding power supply, Bild Online wrote on September 3:

Jens Spahn… to BILD: ‘No one believes in the Chancellor’s perseverance slogans anymore, not even his own party. The losers are millions of industrial workers. They don’t know if their jobs will still be there tomorrow.’”

The days of incompetent Scholz and his pitiful “traffic light” coalition are numbered.

Does Pistorius Have the Courage to Act?

Focus wrote on September 4:

“Boris Pistorius [Germany’s Federal Minister of Defense] achieves fantastic poll numbers reminiscent of those of Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. The big question now is: Will he use this position to act? He has a historic opportunity – but also a lot of resistance.

“Is Boris Pistorius a brave man? There is much to be said for it… Above all, the decision to station a heavy brigade permanently in Lithuania was courageous. The army strongly advised against it – the organizational problems and disruptions to the restructuring of the land forces were too great. Pistorius made the decision anyway. And he was right… especially since it also makes operational sense to have powerful brigades on NATO’s eastern border.

“Organizationally, the implementation of this decision is an enormous challenge for the overly bureaucratic and cumbersome apparatus… Can you even find enough soldiers who are willing to go there for maybe three years? What do you do with the families? In addition: A powerful brigade normally includes well over 4,000 men and women, especially if they are to operate independently.

“Of course, these problems are also an opportunity, a kind of lever to advance the Bundeswehr’s focus on national and alliance defense. Everyone knows that the armed forces are dysfunctional and it is high time to do something about it. Boris Pistorius’ predecessors didn’t have the courage to reform… 

“Now it’s Pistorius’ turn. The conditions for reforms were never better in the days of the Berlin Republic: After the disaster with the weak Christine Lambrecht in times of war, the chancellor cannot afford any further downtime, there are comprehensive commitments to NATO that require quick action and according to public opinion, the Bundeswehr is very well-liked…

“Certainly no defense minister can implement the reforms that are actually necessary on his own… The staff shortage can probably only be solved by introducing a militia system, a mandatory year or the massive expansion of the reservists, which also requires a cabinet decision…

“But the minister can also do a lot of things on his own… many regulations could easily be changed with good will.

“He is by far the most popular politician in Germany—an ace in Olaf Scholz’s hands during these months when the cabinet is struggling. Politically, however, this will only sting if the defense minister follows up his positively received speeches with deeds… The soldiers appreciate their minister beyond measure. However, if he does not use the historic opportunity to advance fundamental issues, the euphoria will be followed by bitter disappointment….”

And so, the concept of mandatory military service is being thrown into the mix.

France at Brink of Civil War?

Modern Diplomacy wrote on September 3:

“A couple of months ago, France was engulfed by an explosive wave of civil unrest… The significance of the situation cannot be overstated: the entire world witnessed the outbreak of anarchy in a major European nation. Street violence took place not just in Paris, but also in various other French cities and the contagion even reached the neighbouring Swiss city of Lausanne. People were beaten, businesses were looted, vehicles were burned and countless acts of vandalism were committed. As law enforcement was overwhelmed by the proportions and intensity of this popular revolt, the French government —unable to respond effectively— was badly shaken by the seismicity of the ensuing political shockwaves…

“In turn, the reaction of everyday citizens showed a combination of disbelief, concern, dismay, outrage and uncertainty. The perception of danger made people think that there is no reliable guarantee that their lives, integrity and property will be respected. Moreover, the fact these events took place shortly before the anniversary of the French Revolution makes things look even more ominous. From a long-range perspective, they could be interpreted as a powerful confirmation that history has fatefully returned to Western Europe… illusions of everlasting peace and harmony are being shattered by reality… 

“Yet, perhaps the most problematic implication of recent events in France is that similar dynamics could gain traction in societies with similar conditions, most notably Britain, Germany and Sweden. Signs of violent interethnic animosities are becoming ‘part and parcel’ of everyday life in such European nations…

“France may already be in a state of low-intensity civil war. So far, it remains to be seen if the clashes remain intermittent or if they will spiral out of control. The undecisive reaction of the French government reflects an unwillingness to confront a difficult situation. Blaming videogames and expect trouble to go away on its own is the equivalent of burying one’s head in the sand…

“Although the latest wave of urban riots in France seems to have subsided, their underlying structural roots remain unchanged. Accordingly, this episode foreshadows the escalation of violence sooner or later. The magnitude of the next crisis will likely be higher both quantitatively and qualitatively… The sinister spectre of civil war is haunting France…”

Macron is not the man who would be able to stop this development. But a charismatic powerful person, called the beast in the Bible, will rise up, and European countries, including Germany and France, will transfer their authority to the beast. He will rule with an iron fist. 

American Nuclear Bombs on British Soil?

Bloomberg wrote on September 5:

“Russia warned Tuesday it will treat any US move to station nuclear weapons in the UK for the first time in 15 years as an ‘escalation’ after media reports indicated plans to deploy the bombs on British soil. ‘If this happens, it will be treated by us as an escalation, which will lead to the exact opposite of achieving the pressing task of removing all US nuclear weapons from Europe,’ Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Tuesday…

“The US Air Force has earmarked $50 million in funding for military housing at a UK air base. The language used to describe the purpose for the increased personnel usually refers to the handling of nuclear weapons, The Guardian reported last week…

“Around 150 US B-61 nuclear gravity bombs are currently stationed in four European countries — Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy — as well as Turkey…”

Ultimately, these weapons will be used AGAINST the USA.

Will NATO Collapse by 2025 Over Ukraine?

Atlantic wrote on September 2:

“Europe and the United States are on the verge of the most momentous conscious uncoupling in international relations in decades. Since 1949, NATO has been the one constant in world security. Initially an alliance among the United States, Canada, and 10 countries in Western Europe, NATO won the Cold War and has since expanded to include almost all of Europe… It… might collapse by 2025.

“The cause of this collapse would be the profound difference in outlook between the Republican Party’s populist wing—which is led by Donald Trump but now clearly makes up the majority of the GOP—and the existential security concerns of much of Europe. The immediate catalyst for the collapse would be the war in Ukraine

“The past few weeks have revealed that Trump’s pro-Russian, anti-NATO outlook isn’t just a brief interlude in Republican politics; suspicion of American involvement in supporting Ukraine is now the consensus of the party’s populist heart. During last week’s GOP presidential debate, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy… both argued against more aid for Ukraine…

“… the growing sentiment on the American right against supporting Ukraine represents an extraordinary challenge to the future of NATO. European states have been moving in the opposite direction… [This] would split the Atlantic alliance

“If the United States simply abandons Ukraine a year and a half from now, there is no way whatsoever that Europe could make up for the loss of aid…”

Ultimately, NATO will fall apart, and the animosity between the USA and Europe will continue. 

Zelenskyy to Replace Defense Minister

Thomson/Reuters reported on September 3:

“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday he had decided to replace his defense minister, setting the stage for the biggest shake-up of Ukraine’s defense establishment since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

“In his nightly video address to the nation, Zelenskyy said he would dismiss Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and would ask parliament this week to replace him with Rustem Umerov, head of the country’s main privatization fund…

“The decision comes amid a crackdown on corruption in Ukraine that Zelenskyy has been keen to emphasize. Kyiv has applied to join the European Union and the public has become highly sensitive to corruption as the war rages with no end in sight…

“During the war, Reznikov’s defense ministry lobbied the West to overcome various taboos on supplying powerful military kit to Ukraine, including everything from German-made main battle tanks to HIMARS multiple-launch rockets. Kyiv now looks poised to receive U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets soon…

“His apparent exit appears to bring an end to months of domestic media pressure that began in January when Reznikov’s ministry was accused of buying food at inflated prices. Though he was not personally involved in the food contract, some Ukrainian commentators said he should take political responsibility for what happened.

“Last month, a Ukrainian media outlet accused his ministry of corruption during the procurement of winter coats for the army. Reznikov denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly said he was being targeted by a smear campaign.”

Whether this was a wise decision to fire Reznikov will have to be seen.

COVID Hysteria, Vaccines and Mandates Starting Again!

Daily Express US wrote on September 1:

“With summer coming to an end and a new Covid variant on the loose, some health experts are recommending people begin taking precautions again – starting with mask-wearing… CDC spokesperson Scott Pauley told Daily Express US the CDC recommends that all people are up to date on their vaccines before they travel… 

“An updated vaccine for new strains is expected to be available by the end of September – the CDC recommends everyone receive a booster shot.”

Will we experience a repeat of Biden’s horrible war of the vaccinated against the unvaccinated?

Corona in Spite of Vaccination and Booster Shots

Fox News wrote on September 4:

“First lady Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19… President Biden tested negative for the virus… The first lady is double-vaccinated, twice boosted, according to a statement from her communications director last year.”

So, vaccinations and booster shots don’t seem to be “miracle cures” after all.

Biden’s Insane Fearmongering

Fox News wrote on September 5:

“Social media users mocked the news that President Biden will return to masking indoors Tuesday…

“White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre… said: ‘President Biden… will be masking while indoors and around people in alignment with CDC guidance…  the president will remove his mask when sufficiently distant from others indoors and while outside as well.’

“The return to indoor masking ignited backlash online from X users, who complained about the possibility of mask mandates returning. ‘The conspiracy theorists were right again. These loony psychopaths are going to try to bring masks back. Nope. We aren’t playing this time,’ cryptocurrency entrepreneur Bruce Fenton wrote.

“Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich commented, ‘Your regular reminder that masks are garbage against COVID/Wuhan coronavirus and do not work. In fact, they cause harm with lung damage and cancerous materials. Not to mention the massive environmental pollution.’ ‘Biden masking again because he’s been around Jill is such nonsense fearmongering,’ investigative reporter Emily Miller wrote… ‘They never stop. They never quit,’ RealClearInvestigations editor-at-large Benjamin Weingarten posted.”

Biden’s fearmongering is indeed ridiculous, but it is dangerous!

School in Maryland Reinstates Masks

Fox News wrote on September 5:

“An elementary school in a Washington D.C. suburb in Maryland is reinstating school masks for third-graders, after a handful of kids recently tested positive for COVID-19. In a now-viral X post, OutKick founder Clay Travis posted a letter that was allegedly sent to all parents at Rosemary Hills Elementary School in Montgomery County, updating them on updated mask requirements for all students.

“‘A DC area elementary school — Montgomery County, Maryland — is reinstating a mask mandate — N95’s — for third-graders over a few kids testing positive for COVID,’ Travis wrote on X. ‘Here’s the letter. They’re coming with masks for your kids again. Get ready. Read this insanity.’”

Insanity indeed. 

We Will Not Comply Movement

Newsweek wrote on August 31:

“A ‘we will not comply’ movement is slowly formulating across social media, spurred by Donald Trump’s renewed focus on mask mandates and COVID-affiliated lockdowns that he initiated at the pandemic’s inception. Trump, in a video posted Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter, vowed to reject any ‘fearmongering’ of new coronavirus variants and if elected president pledged to cut federal funding for entities like schools and airlines that follow such protocols.

“Trump was the individual who set the original mandates and lockdowns in motion, however, when coronavirus cases escalated exponentially starting in March 2020. At the time, he urged individuals to avoid bars, restaurants and other areas where 10 or more people were gathered in the hope that the virus would dissipate by that summer.

“‘Do not comply’ means your [sic] not going to go to work if your employer requires a mask as part of the “mandate” not law; your [sic] not going to wear one at the Dr, Dentist, restaurant or stores,’ wrote one Facebook user. ‘Imagine if everyone did not comply how that would hurt our government or economy. If every American did not go to work or buy anything at all for one or two days things would get real. We are all slaves to our Government until we stop conforming to the demands and dollar.’

“One X user posted that she would ignore mandates instituted by Trump, President Joe Biden or anyone else. ‘I won’t mask again,’ the user wrote. ‘I don’t care what Trump or Fauci or Birx or Biden or any other governmental agency try and push again. I won’t deal with the anxiety mask wearing brings me again. Not going to cover my daughter’s beautiful face or force her to deal with the frequent painful breakouts again. Nope. For my child, I say, never again.’”

Sadly, Trump was responsible for many of the ridiculous governmental measures or recommendations pertaining to the fight against COVID. Instead of firing incompetent Fauci, he followed his nonsensical advice in far too many instances. Biden, of course, made matters much worse.

Fauci’s Incompetence Exposed

The New York Post wrote on September 3:

“Social media erupted after Dr. Anthony Fauci was confronted by a CNN host with a study showing face masks made little to no difference in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic… ‘Fauci admits that masks don’t work for the public at large but still absurdly claims masks work on an individual basis. More subterfuge,’ Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)… wrote on X, formerly Twitter… 

“‘It’s really hard to assume Fauci’s disastrous “mistakes” were in good faith when he refuses to acknowledge obvious facts that don’t require a PhD to decipher. It looks a lot more like “TRUST THE SCIENCE!” only applies when it suits Fauci’s personal or political narrative,’ former senior White House and US Intelligence Community official Cliff Sims said…

“During the initial onset of the pandemic, he suggested that masks were not providing the type of protection ‘people think it is’ and underscored the severe shortage of masks afflicting health care providers. As mask production ramp up and supply snarls abated, Fauci reversed course and endorsed masking to tamp down the spread… ‘I don’t regret anything I said then because in the context of the time in which I said it, it was correct…’”

Fauci has been preaching this kind of nonsense all along. 

Assassinating Trump?

Business Insider wrote on September 2:

“Tucker Carlson… claimed that the political establishment is plotting to assassinate former President Donald Trump… ‘They have decided — permanent Washington, both parties have decided — that there’s something about Trump that’s so threatening to them, they just can’t have him,’ he said.

“Carlson had, in fact, asked Trump if he feared being killed in an interview last week, to which the former president responded: ‘They’re savage animals. They’re people that are sick.’… While Trump has never made such an assertion, he often describes himself as the victim of a ‘witch-hunt’…”

John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy were assassinated; and Ronald Reagan barely survived an assassination attempt. In fact, four sitting presidents have been killed: Abraham Lincoln (1865, by John Wilkes Booth), James A. Garfield (1881, by Charles J. Guiteau), William McKinley (1901, by Leon Czolgosz), and John F. Kennedy (1963, by Lee Harvey Oswald). As far as we can see, only one person was assassinated while running for the office of the Presidency, and that was Robert Kennedy. In addition to the assignation attempt on Ronald Reagan, another assassination attempt was made on former president Theodore Roosevelt (1912, by John Flammang Schrank). 

Will Trump Go to Prison?

The Independent wrote on August 31:

“Trump faces four criminal indictments in three separate jurisdictions. Nearly 100 felony criminal charges are leveled against the former president who remains the… favourite to win the 2024 Republican primary… Between his 91 felony counts, Mr Trump faces a total of roughly seven centuries in total jail time, spread between dozens of various charges of differing seriousness…

“The first indictment to drop against the former president… deals with conduct committed the furthest in the past. Donald Trump is accused of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, a felony under New York state law… Mr Trump’s accusation is largely victimless, and as such a judge is not likely to sentence him to anything more than fines or, at the most, probation and community service were he to be convicted by a jury…

“After exploding into the public eye last year with an FBI raid of Mar-a-Lago, the allegations spelled out in this [second] indictment… [accuse him] of mishandling classified information in an egregious manner… Convictions of willful and/or reckless retention of classified information frequently result in prison sentences of several years or more…

“The Department of Justice’s most recent [third] indictment charging Mr Trump with crimes was related to the 2020 election… There are two basic parts of this case which should concern the ex-president; the possibility that he will be convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiring against Americans’ right to vote in free elections, and the possibility that he will be convicted of directly attempting to block the certification of the election via summoning a mob to attack the Capitol.

“The real battle in [regard to the first allegation] will be for prosecutors to prove that the Trump team’s efforts went beyond legal challenges to the election results… [Regarding the second allegation,] Mr Trump and his allies have fiercely denied since the attack itself that the mob of Trump supporters… was directed by the president himself…

“Should he be convicted of either, however, he faces steep maximum prison sentences for each count… 

“The most recent [fourth] indictment to drop, Fulton County’s case against Mr Trump in Georgia is unique in that it also involves the only charges to carry minimum prison terms… A RICO charge will undoubtedly be the hardest for prosecutor Fani Willis and her team to prove… Should that fail, however, Mr Trump also faces 12 other felony counts, all of which carry the potential for incarceration…

“In the end, it’s quite possible that the answer to the question of whether Mr Trump will ever see the inside of a cell comes down to not whether he will be convicted, but whether jailing a former president is even feasible. Should he win the general election next year, an entirely new layer of complexity is added to the mix…”

Apart from the perception of many Americans that these are all trumped-up charges, the idea that an elected President could be officiating, while imprisoned, is preposterous. 

Trump Barred From Office?

Raw Story wrote on September 4:

“Trump on Monday claimed that ‘almost all legal scholars’ have agreed that the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution ‘has no legal basis or standing relative to the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election.’

“The former president’s comments come the same day as former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner joined the ranks of several other legal experts,  including retired Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe and former conservative federal judge Michael Luttig, in arguing that former President Donald Trump is automatically disqualified from running for office again under the plain text of the 14th Amendment’s prohibition on aiding insurrection. 

“‘Like Election Interference, it is just another “trick” being used by the Radical Left Communists, Marxists, and Fascists, to again steal an Election that their candidate, the WORST, MOST INCOMPETENT, & MOST CORRUPT President in U.S. history, is incapable of winning in a Free and Fair Election,’ Trump wrote.”

Whatever happened to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty?

22 Years Prison Sentence for Proud Boy

Deutsche Welle wrote on September 5:

“Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right Proud Boys militia, was sentenced to 22 years in prison on Tuesday in Washington… it is… the stiffest penalty handed out so far for the 2021 attack on the US Capitol… Despite agreeing that Tarrio’s actions did not fall under the most traditional definitions of ‘terrorism,’ US District Judge Timothy Kelly said the adjustment should apply, as prosecutors had wanted.

Tarrio was not in Washington on January 6 but was accused and convicted of directing the assault on the Capitol by members of the Proud Boys.

“Tarrio and three others were convicted of seditious conspiracy in May for their roles in the failed attempt to stop the congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory over Republican Donald Trump… The other three men received jail terms of between 10 and 18 years last week. Tarrio’s sentencing was delayed as the judge was ill.”

The defense has announced that it will appeal “on both the merits of the case and the sentence imposed.” These are indeed ridiculous sentences, which are clearly politically motivated, while violent criminals are either not prosecuted at all or receiving a light sentence. 

Biden Keeps Telling “Stories”

The Washington Post wrote on August 31:

“Biden’s propensity to exaggerate or embellish tales about his life led to doubts about his truthfulness… Biden has continued a tradition of embellishing his personal tales in ways that cannot be verified or are directly refuted by contemporary accounts…

“At least six times as president, mostly recently in comments to Hurricane Idalia victims Wednesday, Biden has exaggerated the extent of a fire that occurred at his house in 2004…

“At least 10 times as president…, Biden has told a heartwarming but implausible story about an Amtrak conductor named Angelo Negri who congratulated him for traveling more on Amtrak than he had on Air Force planes as vice president…

“Three times this year — and at least seven times since 2014 — Biden has told a version… of a story about words his father supposedly spoke after a teenage Biden saw two well-dressed men in suits kiss each other in downtown Wilmington in the early 1960s… Biden depicts a scene that would have been unusual six decades ago. He describes this exchange with his father usually as taking place in 1961. But back then, gay men generally did not kiss in public…

“Four times… Biden has suggested he was arrested for standing on the porch with a Black couple who were subject to demonstrations… the story did not add up. There was a protest of a Black couple who had purchased a house in an all-White area, but it was a neighborhood many miles from the Biden home…

“Campaigning for president in 2020, Biden three times claimed he was arrested in South Africa for trying to see Nelson Mandela, who at the time was imprisoned on Robben Island, near Cape Town. When we determined that was false, he amended his statement to say he was ‘stopped’ at the airport while traveling with a congressional delegation — though others on the delegation said that did not happen…

“Biden recalled how his Uncle Frank fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart but never received it. He said that after he became vice president in 2009, he arranged to present the medal to his uncle with the rest of the family in attendance. But his uncle, Frank H. Biden, died in 1999, a decade before Biden became vice president…

“Twice this year, most recently in the Milwaukee speech, Biden has claimed his grandfather, an oil company executive, ‘died in the same hospital’ just before Biden himself was born there… But Biden’s paternal grandfather, Joseph H. Biden, died at Johns Hopkins Hospital on Sept. 26, 1941…  Biden was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Scranton, Pa., on Nov. 20, 1942, 14 months later. His maternal grandfather, Ambrose Finnegan, did die at St. Mary’s — but in 1957, nearly 15 years later.”

If one keeps repeating a fabricated story long enough, he might even begin to believe it himself.

The Lie of Bidenomics 

Fox News wrote on August 29:

“In the midst of President Biden’s campaign to sell ‘Bidenomics’ to American voters [the false claim that his economic measures are working], Vice President Kamala Harris made a curious admission. Speaking about the costs of getting an abortion…, she stated that ‘[m]ost Americans are a $400 unexpected expense away from bankruptcy.’ Of course…, it wasn’t exactly true. But you have to give her credit for raising a counter-narrative the Biden administration is otherwise choosing to ignore. The fact is that American families are in trouble, deep trouble, and it’s far more significant than any Bidenomics spin can conceal.

“Harris’s point comes from a recent Morning Consult survey which found that in the third quarter of this year only 46% of Americans could cover a $400 unexpected expense without going into debt. That’s not the same as being $400 away from bankruptcy, but it’s still really bad. It shows how expenses as commonplace as a surprise car repair or a medical bill are forcing many American families into debt – at a time when interest rates are disturbingly high…

“The Lending Club’s Paycheck-to-Paycheck Report for June confirms the Morning Consult survey. It found that a majority of Americans (54%) were living paycheck to paycheck. That includes 53% of consumers who earn $50,000 to $100,000 per year. So, this problem extends well beyond lower-income families, although it certainly hits you harder the less you have. But what about personal savings? Americans received a lot of cash from the government during the pandemic. In fact, when Biden took office, Americans had $2.3 trillion in personal savings. That number shot up to $5.7 trillion following Biden’s March 2021 ironically named ‘American Rescue Plan.’ But by June of this year, a mere 27 months later, personal saving had dropped by nearly $5 trillion to a much diminished $862 billion. 

“Again, it isn’t just lower-income Americans who have watched their savings diminish. According to a Bloomberg analysis, the average middle-class household has lost over $33,000 in real wealth in just the past year. The situation is so bad that Americans are even draining their 401(k) plans to cover expenses… 36% more people drained their retirement accounts to make ends [meet] in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the same period last year.

“So, where did all that money go?…

“The Bureau of Labor Statistic publishes the Consumer Price Index (CPI) each month, a common measure of inflation. CPI takes a basket of commonly purchased goods and services and prices them on a monthly basis. In January 2021, when Biden took office, that basket cost about $261.50. In July of this year, the same basket cost $305.70. That’s a huge 16,9% increase in only two and a half years…  Exacerbating the problem, wage growth has failed to keep pace with inflation – increasing only 13% since Biden took office (versus nearly 17% for inflation). When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, as most Americans are, that kind of disparity hurts. 

“So, with savings increasingly depleted and wages failing to keep up with increased living expenses, many Americans are resorting to their credit cards in an effort to make ends meet. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in the second quarter of this year,  credit card debt rose to $1 trillion–the highest number ever. And that amount of credit card debt is a huge problem with 51% of Americans unable to pay off their entire balance each month – so they let it revolve to the next month at an average budget killing interest rate of nearly 15% [or 22%, depending on the source]…”

Bidenomics” is clearly not working. The utter incompetence of Biden and his administration is obvious in this regard as well.

Americans Aren’t Sold on Joe Biden’s Handling of the Economy 

1945 wrote on September 5:

“A Wall Street Journal poll, taken between August 24 and 30, found that just 37 percent of registered voters ‘somewhat’ or ‘strongly’ approved of Biden’s handling of the economy. By contrast, a majority of the same group, 59 percent, said they disapproved of how the [president] has tackled the economy…

“The Wall Street Journal post also found that nearly three in four voters believe that inflation ‘is headed in the wrong direction,’ while 63 percent said they ‘somewhat’ or ‘strongly’ disapproved of the president’s record on inflation and climbing prices.”

Who are those people who “strongly” approve of Biden’s failed handling of the economy????

Funding the Government Being Threatened

The New York Post wrote on September 1:

“Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)… told constituents: ‘I’ve already decided I will not vote to fund the government unless we have passed an impeachment inquiry on Joe Biden.’ She also conditioned her vote on withdrawing US defense funding for Ukrainecutting out federal spending for new COVID-19 vaccines and ending ‘Biden’s weaponization of government.’ That includes moving to ‘rein in the FBI,’ defunding special counsel Jack Smith, who has twice indicted former President Donald Trump, and firing Delaware US Attorney David Weiss, Greene added…

“Congress has until Sept. 30 to avoid a partial shutdown by passing legislation to fully fund the government. The Senate is scheduled to return from its August recess Tuesday, while the House is due back the following week…

“NBC News reported Friday that the White House is preparing a legal war room for the president’s expected impeachment inquiry, helmed by dozens of lawyers, aides and communications staff…”

The Daily Mail added on September 1:

“[Greene] is not the only Republican to have threatened to block funding.  Earlier in the week Rep. James Comer… [said] an impeachment inquiry [was] ‘imminent’… 

“In the meantime, the federal government is hurtling towards its funding deadline. The White House is looking for a stopgap measure to keep things ticking over. A spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget said: ‘It is clear that a short-term continuing resolution will be needed next month.’”

Dire prospects indeed.

Will the GOP Impeach Joe Biden? 

1945 wrote on September 5:

Elected Republicans are the most skittish group of powerful people imaginable. Here they have one half of one of the three branches of the federal government, and they are afraid to use whatever power they have against their political foes. 

“In this case, despite all their perpetual talk about the corruption of President Joe Biden and his wayward son, Hunter; irrespective of the… evidence they’ve compiled after years of investigations into the Biden Family, the leadership of the House Republicans acts as though they don’t have enough to impeach President Joe Biden. 

“Hilariously, when the political shoe was on the other foot, with the Democrats not having the relevant power that they needed to successfully impeach—and remove then-President Donald J. Trump— that never stopped the Democrats. That’s because the Democrats have gumption, whereas the Republicans are perennially afraid of making mistakes…

“Under House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)… it has now become unbearable… [He insists] that it’s still premature to impeach Joe Biden. He makes such statements, even after the Republican-led House Oversight Committee recently received the sworn testimony of two senior IRS whistleblowers alleging that the Department of Justice (DOJ) purposefully slow-walked their investigation into Hunter Biden’s finances out of fear that they’d be forced to also investigate Joe Biden’s finances. 

“McCarthy pretends like his investigators in the House have not received sworn testimony from one of Hunter Biden’s closest business associates, Devon Archer, who admitted under oath that then-Vice-President Joe Biden was intimately involved with Hunter Biden’s allegedly illicit international influence-peddling scheme from the outset of Hunter Biden’s efforts…

“The House investigators have already proven that every member of the Biden Family received huge payouts from Hunter Biden’s firm

“Furthermore, a series of text messages between Hunter Biden and a Chinese businessman… was uncovered… showing Hunter threatening the Chinese businessman with political reprisals unless the businessman paid Hunter Biden an exorbitant amount of money. 

“The specific threat entailed Hunter texting the Chinese businessman that he was sitting next to his father, Joe Biden, and relaying the threats from his father to the Chinese businessman by text…

“An impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden is still undesirable, as that should have happened earlier in the Spring. We should be onto a full-blown impeachment by now… Impeaching Biden, much as the Democrats showed by impeaching Trump on inflated charges in 2019, may not lead to Biden’s removal from office (that requires a majority in the Senate that the Republicans simply lack). But, as the Democrats proved in 2019, an impeachment will galvanize their base going into a contentious presidential election…”

Not to forget Joe Biden’s admission of successfully coercing or blackmailing Ukraine to fire the prosecutor investigating the corrupt company Hunter Biden was working for. 

The Hill wrote on September 5:

“Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is tiptoeing through a political minefield as he weighs whether to open an official impeachment inquiry into President Biden… Trump… is exerting public pressure to pursue impeachment without a long inquiry. So are voters in the GOP base, Republicans say…  Some GOP members, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) and Ralph Norman (S.C.), have also pushed to quickly open an impeachment inquiry. Republicans have told The Hill that they are getting many phone calls and town hall questions asking when they will take the step toward impeachment…

“While McCarthy argues that taking a step to open an inquiry is distinct from the House actually impeaching Biden, it would be politically unthinkable to not follow through on an inquiry with a vote on impeachment articles…”

Pressure on McCarthy

Newsmax wrote on September 5:

“In a statement issued on Tuesday, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., predicted forthcoming efforts to compel House votes on impeachment [of Biden], while delivering a warning to Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif… ‘if Speaker McCarthy stands in our way, he may not have the job long,’ Gaetz said.

“Amid the electoral complexities that unfolded during McCarthy’s election saga in January, he strategically decided to decrease the threshold required to initiate a ‘motion to vacate the chair’ [which] is a parliamentary maneuver available to ordinary lawmakers to remove the speaker of the House of Representatives. 

“Under former GOP rules, this process could have been initiated only by a majority of House Republicans. McCarthy, intent on locking down his speakership, ultimately agreed to permit a single member to initiate such a vote.”

Apart from the fact that many Republicans don’t seem to have much backbone, one reason for not wanting to impeach Biden could be that in the unlikely event of Biden’s removal from office, Kamala Harris, viewed by many as totally incompetent, would take his place.  

Biden’s Disastrous Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Fox News and The Associated Press wrote on September 5: 

“U.S. military equipment abandoned in Afghanistan has made its way to militant groups in other countries through the Taliban, Pakistan alleged Monday, [saying] terror groups in the country are now using American equipment, including night vision goggles and firearms, in their operations…

“The U.S. abandoned approximately $7 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan following President Biden’s withdrawal from the country in 2021… The equipment included guns, ammunition and helicopters, among other things.

“More than 40,000 of the 96,000 military vehicles given to Afghan authorities were abandoned, including 12,000 Humvees. Just under three-quarters of the 427,300 weapons provided to the Afghan forces were left behind along with less than 1,537,000 ‘specialty munitions’ and small arms ammo…

“Pakistan’s claims come just days after the second anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Biden hailed the operation as ‘one of the largest airlifts in history’

“The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan left hundreds of Americans and tens of thousands of Afghan allies in the country under the rule of the Taliban, which swiftly retook control of Afghanistan as American forces prepared their exit.”

Attempting to defend Biden’s incompetent withdrawal is just beyond belief. 

How the Government “Flags” Us

The Rutherford Institute wrote on August 29:

“Consider just a small sampling of the ways in which the government is weaponizing its 360 degree surveillance technologies to flag you as a threat to national security, whether or not you’ve done anything wrong.

“Flagging you as a danger based on your feelings…  Flagging you as a danger based on your phone and movements… Flagging you as a danger based on your DNA…  Flagging you as a danger based on your face… Flagging you as a danger based on your behavior… Flagging you as a danger based on your spending and consumer activities… Flagging you as a danger based on your public activities…   Flagging you as a danger based on your social media activities… Flagging you as a danger based on your social network…  Flagging you as a danger based on your car…  Flagging you as a danger based on your political views… 

“Now the government wants us to believe that we have nothing to fear from these mass spying programs as long as we’ve done nothing wrong. Don’t believe it. The government’s definition of a ‘bad’ guy is extraordinarily broad, and it results in the warrantless surveillance of innocent, law-abiding Americans on a staggering scale… the police state wants us silent, servile and compliant.”

Nothing in regard to man’s mis-rule and leaders’ oppression of “subjects” will substantially change until Christ comes back and makes an end with ALL human governments. 

Canada—a Laughing Stock

The Telegraph wrote on August 31:

“Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been a mediocre, ineffective leader since coming to power in 2015. Every time you believe he’s reached the lowest depths of political incompetence, he finds a new way to sink even further into the muck. As fate would have it, the most unserious government in Canadian history has reached another new low. 

“Global Affairs Canada adjusted its international travel advisory this week to warn the LGBTQ+ community against supposed discrimination they may face in the United States…

“This impetuous decision likely came as a result of U.S. states passing limits or bans with respect to medical treatment for underaged children identifying as transgender, or on the teaching of sexual orientation in schools…

“Does anyone seriously believe most LGBTQ+ Canadians will now be scared to visit the happiest place on earth, Walt Disney World, because Florida decided its schools can’t teach about gender identity and support parental rights in education?…

“The U.S. and [the] rest of the world have taken notice of Canada’s rapid decline as a serious, relevant international player during Trudeau’s unserious, irrelevant leadership. They hope it will change when the next Canadian election is held. Many Canadians feel the exact same way.”

Trudeau continues to ruin his country. His authoritarian and dictatorial style, coupled with extreme left-wing Woke nonsense and a persecution of religious minorities who opposed his COVID lockdown, have been noted. Also view the next article.

“The Decline and Fall of Canada”

The Telegraph published on September 5 the following article by Dr. Jordan Peterson:

“In my case, a court has upheld an order from the College of Psychologists of Ontario that I undergo social media training or lose my licence to practice a profession I have served for most of my adult life. My transgressions? Two tweets criticizing Justin Trudeau; one criticising his former chief of staff, who resigned in the aftermath of scandal some years ago; one ironically commenting on the identity of a city councillor in Ottawa, who in my view acted in a particularly unforgivable manner during the famous trucker convoy protest; and one objecting to the actions of the physicians performing mastectomies on perfectly healthy women – often minors –  alongside a criticism of a famous actress who received such ‘treatment’ and then advertised its benefits to her unwitting fans. 

“In conjunction… I expressed doubts… about the validity of the idiotic models that economists stack carelessly upon the doom-mongering climate predictions… which will harm millions…

“[There] are many ‘regulated professions’ in Western countries, including Canada; professions whose conduct is held to be crucial to the public interest, and whose practitioners must therefore uphold certain standards to protect the public… In Canada, as elsewhere, these professional colleges, with authority delegated from the government, limited their actions to situations of obvious professional misconduct.

“In the last few years, however, such bodies… have been weaponised by the same ideological radicals of the Left that have infiltrated and undermined higher education, media, judiciary, law, science and government. Any radical anywhere can submit the kind of complaint that can bring a professional’s life to a halt, and can increasingly rely on these captured colleges and other professional regulatory bodies to uphold and pursue their vexatious, vengeful, petty, spiteful and ideological motivated ‘complaints.’…

“I appealed the decision of my professional college. But the court has rejected my appeal, ruling that although I had my Charter rights – my constitutional right to freedom of speech – the professional regulatory body essentially has indefinite sway over the determination of what limits they felt fit to impose in their professional context, in whatever retroactive manner they felt fit to impose them…

“Canadians now need to wake up to the fact that the right to freedom of speech in Canada is subject to limitations placed by any level of government, for any reason. I know perfectly well that many professionals in Canada are cowed to the point where they are forced to lie; they tell me so repeatedly in private. And when professionals have to lie, they can no longer do their job properly, and the public suffers. I know, too, that this is increasingly true across the West. Hence the increasing international interest in the dangerous social experiment taking place in Canada, as we ride the forefront of the wave of woke lunacy threatening to swamp the entire Western world…

“I will fight this idiocy all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary. I have instructed my lawyers, in the aftermath of the rejection of my appeal, to inform the College that I will not comply with their forced re-education mandate, and to proceed with the disciplinary hearing they have promised will occur…

“But I know few people are in a position to conduct such a fight: I have the resources necessary to wage a multi-year court battle, ruinously expensive (tens of thousands of dollars a month) though it is. I also have the means of communication at hand to publicise exactly what is going on. I do so on the behalf of those who are unable to do so…”

Deluge on Burning Man Festival Divine Retribution?

Benzinga wrote on September 4: 

“… a severe deluge at the annual Burning Man festival has been described as an act of divine retribution by leading Republicans… The Burning Man festival, traditionally held in Black Rock City, Nevada, faced an unprecedented level of rainfall this year, leading to muddy conditions and stranding thousands of festival-goers.

“The extreme weather conditions resulted in the tragic loss of one life and caused the event’s closing ceremony to be postponed. However, the situation took a political turn when key figures suggested a religious angle to the calamity. 

“Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)… suggested that the unfortunate incident at the festival was a divine sign, stating, ‘God has a way of making sure everyone knows who God is.’ She also insinuated that festival attendees were misguided into blaming climate change for the disaster.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) expressed a similar sentiment… attributing the floods to ‘God’s judgment’ and challenging the moral correctness of the festival’s unconventional activities. Andrew Torba, founder of Gab, a far-right social platform, and Jeff Clark, a former assistant attorney general, joined the chorus with similar views, with Clark labeling the festival a ‘neopagan ritual.’”

Daily Mail added on September 5:

“Burning Man has descended into chaos as fed-up revelers snapped and fought during the mass exodus from the washout festival… It came as the grand finale – the burning of ‘the man’ – finally got underway a day late on Monday night, with the wooden statue lit for the dwindling crowd who’d stayed…

“A half-inch of rain fell on Friday, turning the site into a quagmire, and attendees were ordered not to leave because the exit roads were impassable… People were being urged to delay their departure until Tuesday if possible.

“Disruptions are part of the event’s recent history: Dust storms forced organizers to temporarily close entrances to the festival in 2018, and the event was twice canceled altogether during the pandemic…”

According to Wikipedia, “Burning Man began as a bonfire ritual on the summer solstice. Sculptor Mary Grauberger, a friend of Larry Harvey’s girlfriend, Janet Lohr, held solstice bonfire gatherings on Baker Beach for several years prior to 1986, some of which Harvey attended. When Grauberger stopped organizing it, Harvey ‘picked up the torch’, with Grauberger’s permission, and ran with it. He and Jerry James built the first wooden effigy on the afternoon of June 21, 1986, cobbled together using scrap wood, to be torched later that evening. 

“On June 22, 1986, Larry Harvey, Jerry James, and a few friends met on Baker Beach in San Francisco and burned an 8 feet (2.4 m) tall wooden man as well as a smaller wooden dog. Harvey later described his inspiration for burning these effigies as a spontaneous act of ‘radical self-expression’. In 1987, the Man grew to 15 feet (4.6 m) tall, and by 1988, it had grown to 30 feet (9.1 m). 

“By 1988, Larry Harvey formally named the summer solstice ritual ‘Burning Man’ by titling flyers for the happening as such. This was apparently done to ward off references to ‘wicker man,’ the reputed Celtic pagan practice of burning live sacrifices in human-shaped wicker cages…”

Still, the parallels are undeniable. Why would anyone want to participate in such obscure pagan and ungodly customs?

Majority of Church of England Priests Support Premarital Sex and Gay Marriage

The Daily Caller wrote on August 30:

“The Church of England’s (CofE) liberal drift continues as a new survey shows that a [majority] of priests now support abandoning traditional Christian sexual ethics.

“A survey by the Times found that 62.6 percent of priests believe the church should relax its teaching that all premarital sex is sinful. A smaller majority (53.4 percent) voiced their support for same-sex marriage. The Church of England currently allows marriages only between men and women, though the General Synod — the CofE’s legislative body — voted in February to offer blessings to civilly married same-sex couples.”

The Bible condemns premarital sex and gay marriage. 

Children Change Their Gender

The Washington Examiner wrote on September 2:

“Thousands of children have undergone gender transition surgeries in recent years, following a trend that has ‘increased significantly,’ according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study identified 48,019 Americans of all ages who had undergone some form of gender dysphoria-related surgery in the United States between 2016 and 2019.

Nearly 4,000 of those were between the ages of 12 and 18. The reasoning for including 18-year-olds, the age of adulthood, in the younger cohort was not explained, so it is unclear by the study how many who are legally children were given the surgeries.

“However, a recent Vanderbilt University study found that 489 children between the ages of 12 and 17, with a median age of 16, had gotten their breasts removed in a double mastectomy in 2019 alone. ‘…it’s been happening to thousands of kids and it’s continuing to grow,’ Terry Schilling, president of American Principles Project, told the Washington Examiner. ‘The reality is that trans is not a civil rights movement. It’s an industry that’s mutilating and sterilizing the next generation of Americans for profits.’

“Surgeries in the JAMA article went beyond mastectomies and breast implants and included genital transition and facial reconstruction… ‘The fact that they are asking children to consent to something that they clearly can’t understand and will change lives irrevocably is extremely unfortunate…’, Stanley Goldfarb, chairman of the Do No Harm medical advocacy group, told the Washington Examiner

“People who have destransitioned… cite deep regret for their adolescent surgeries and drugs and point to heavy coercion on the part of doctors, who many critics say are trapping children in a lifetime of medical procedures and drugs at personal monetary gain….”

The horrible propaganda and unjustifiable encouragement of medical “experts,” with the brainless support of the mass media, leading to horrific decisions by uninformed children and teens, are appalling examples of a deceived world having gone terribly wrong.  

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

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

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You report on political matters–is that really biblical?

Indeed, we do watch and report on world affairs, but unlike the myriad of other news sources available, our focus is to reveal how prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled, today!

The word “political” can simply mean, “of or relating to government,” and it is this meaning which applies to the true gospel. Astounding as it may seem, the gospel of the Kingdom of God is a far-reaching political statement emphatically proclaimed by Jesus Christ:

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15; also, compare Matthew 4:23).

Gospel is the English word translated from the Greek, euaggelion, meaning, “good news.” Jesus spoke about a future government which would be established by God when He sends Him back to rule the earth. In this context, Jesus taught that we should anticipate this good news:

“‘In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven’” (Matthew 6:9-10).

Moreover, the Church of God has been commissioned to carry forward the very same message that Jesus brought. It includes an announcement about the end of this world’s governments under the invisible influence of Satan the Devil (compare John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19). Jesus came and qualified to be the future ruler of the world by overcoming Satan, and He announced this:

“‘These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33).

Adding: “‘Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out’” (John 12:31).

The change of government over the earth has not yet happened; however, it will, and the Church of God fulfills a unique role as representatives of the Kingdom of God:

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He gave these instructions to His disciples:

“‘…Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned’” (Mark 16:15-16).

Preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God has led and will continue to lead some few to God’s promise of SALVATION in this day and age; however, not all will believe! Most people will reject God’s message now, but in addition to announcing the coming government of God on earth, the Church of God must accomplish another aspect in its commission—to WARN:

“‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come’” (Matthew 24:14).

Jesus said that His servants would confront the political forces of this world:

“‘But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you’” (Matthew 10:17-20).

Facing shipwreck, the Apostle Paul was told by an angel of God that he and his companions would be saved. The angel further stated, “‘“Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar…”’” (Acts 27:24).

In Matthew 24, Jesus revealed the world conditions His disciples would face just before His return at the end of this age. He spoke of deception and false prophets, wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes—along with persecution. Additionally, He said that we should “‘watch’” and “‘be ready’” (Matthew 24:42, 44).

We are doing just that by reporting on events as they develop in fulfillment of Christ’s warning! We are doing so in great detail through our booklets, weekly Updates, StandingWatch and AufPostenStehen programs presented by Evangelist Norbert Link, sermons and sermonettes—all available on our websites: www.eternalgod.org; www.churchofgodacf.ca; www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk; www.aufpostenstehen.de.

The Church of God also has an additional responsibility to serve as a “WATCHMAN” to proclaim the prophetic messages for our time (compare Ezekiel 33:7)!

Jesus referred to the prophecy of Daniel as an end-time event (Matthew 24:15), and Daniel himself quoted a prophecy being fulfilled which was made by Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2).

Many of the prophecies given to the prophets found in the Old Testament did not apply to their lifetime. In fact, those prophets, at times, did not even understand, as Daniel said:

Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, ‘My lord, what shall be the end of these things?’ And he said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand’” (Daniel 12:8-10).

The ”wise” who understand will be watching world events in the light of biblical prophecies. The Book of Revelation is addressed to servants of God, that is, the Church of God:

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:1-3).

Those things revealed in both the Book of Revelation and other biblical prophecies deal with people—including their political and religious leaders; the rise and fall of nations and empires is addressed; the evil influence of demonic, spiritual wickedness is identified; and even catastrophic occurrences on earth and the powers of heaven are foretold.

“Political” has another meaning. It can be defined as “relating to the ideas or strategies of a particular party or group in politics.” In other words, it can refer to involvement in politics and especially party politics where there is infighting and the picking of one side or person over another. A third meaning of “political” is, “interested in or active in politics.”

That is not the role of the Church of God, nor should it be the role of individual Christians! However, God does instruct His servants to, “‘Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.’”

Doing all that this entails is BIBLICAL, indeed!

The Church of God is not commissioned to fix this world’s political structure; rather, the Church is announcing the NEW government which Jesus Christ will bring to the earth—the KINGDOM OF GOD!  

Lead Writer: Dave Harris

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Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

compiled by Dave Harris

“The Decline and Fall of Canada,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

Many Canadians feel that under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada has become a laughing stock of the world, and that the right to free speech has been severely limited. They feel that the country is indeed in the process of declining and falling. Is there any hope for change?

2023 FALL HOLY DAYS: Feast of Trumpets—September 16th; Day of Atonement—September 25th; Feast of Tabernacles—September 30th until October 6th; Last Great Day—October 7th.

Note that opening services for the Feast of Tabernacles will be conducted Friday evening (after sundown, Mountain Time)—September 29th.

A Tech Team Meeting was held via Google Meets on Sunday, September 3. 2023. Hosted by Eric Rank, much time was spent on analyzing and planning our booklet ad campaigns, which are targeting both English and German speaking audiences. It was noted that subscriptions for our Update (sent out weekly via email to all who make requests) has experienced modest growth in recent months. Due to the number of requests for “The Fall and Rise of the Jewish People” booklet, a rushed reprint order has been made this week.

“Sind wir Opfer Satans geworden?”, this Sabbath’s new German sermonette presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. Title in English: “Have We Become Satan’s Victims?”   

“Das Geheimnis der biblischen Zahlen—Teil 2,” this Sabbath’s new German sermon presented by Michael Link, is now posted. Title in English: “The Mystery of Biblical Numbers–Part 2.”

“Unsere Auferstehung zum Leben,” is the German Trumpet’s sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Our Resurrection to Life.”

“Gottes Bogen in den Wolken,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented in Germany by Jens Herrmann, is now posted. Title in English: “God’s Bow in the Clouds.”

“The First and Great Commandment,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Paul Niehoff, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Jesus Christ answered a lawyer about which is the great commandment of the law. He quoted a passage in Deuteronomy chapter six which described this commandment and the physical benefits from obeying it. It is also very beneficial spiritually for us to obey it, remembering that only the Eternal God can give us eternal life. No other so-called gods are able to.

“Know the Lord,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Rene Messier, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Many claim to “know the Lord,” but never study His life and how He dealt with life’s challenging situations; nor do they know what He was really like. This sermon looks at His attributes and characteristics.

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How This Work is Financed

This Update is an official publication by the ministry of the Church of the Eternal God in the United States of America; the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship in Canada; and the Global Church of God in the United Kingdom.

Editorial Team: Norbert Link, Dave Harris, Rene Messier, Brian Gale, Johanna Link, Eric Rank, Michael Link, Anna Link, Kalon Mitchell, Manuela Mitchell, Dawn Thompson

Technical Team: Eric Rank, Shana Rank

Our activities and literature, including booklets, weekly updates, sermons on CD and video and audio broadcasts, are provided free of charge. They are made possible by the tithes, offerings and contributions of Church members and others who have elected to support this Work.

While we do not solicit the general public for funds, contributions are gratefully welcomed and are tax-deductible in the U.S. and Canada.

Donations can be sent to the following addresses:

United States: Church of the Eternal God, P.O. Box 270519, San Diego, CA 92198

Canada: Church of God, ACF, Box 1480, Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0

United Kingdom: Global Church of God, PO Box 44, MABLETHORPE, LN12 9AN, United Kingdom

The First and Great Commandment / Know the Lord

On Sept 2, 2023, Paul Niehoff will present the sermonette, titled, “The First and Great Commandment,“ and Rene Messier will present the sermon, titled, “Know the Lord.”

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.

Update 1083

The First and Great Commandment / Know the Lord

On Sept 2, 2023, Paul Niehoff will present the sermonette, titled, “The First and Great Commandment,“ and Rene Messier will present the sermon, titled, “Know the Lord.”

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.

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Why You Cannot DIY!

by Frank Bruno

I enjoy watching Do It Yourself (“DIY) videos on YouTube. From an amateur watch maker who restores old mechanical watches, to a farmer in Ohio who is building his backyard pond, the ability to transform and create something of value is impressive. Many of us have experienced the sense of satisfaction that comes along with building something by hand. Perhaps the task is woodworking, metalsmithing, creating a piece of art, writing something with enduring quality, and even gardening. The feeling that we can derive from a job well done is hard to describe but one knows the feeling. People use the word “satisfying” to describe that sensation of accomplishment that comes from completing a task. It is good to use the skills we have been given by God, but not good to believe that we are independent of God’s grace in our lives.

I have a work-colleague who has mentioned a prior life near the beach in Costa Rica. He would fish for the family dinner, pick fruit from a tree for breakfast, and in general live a self-sufficient lifestyle. He makes it sound wonderful and free of the usual stress and hassle that everyday life typically includes. The positives of such a life seem to outweigh the possibility of negatives but they do exist. Perhaps you will wake up ill one day and be unable to fend for yourself. One would quickly come to understand they are not quite so self-sufficient.

In Proverbs 3, and in verses 5-8, we are directed to: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.”

This is antithetical to the DIY philosophy, but to us as true Christians, it is essential that our toolbox be grounded in our faith, obedience, and trust in the Father. It is also true that God wants those He calls to be productive and use the talents and abilities He gives them. This is not a DIY contradiction because we must remember that despite all that we do and may be proficient at, we must rely on God for blessings and deliverance from the challenges we face.

Isaiah 41 outlines the many things that God does and will do for His people. It is a catalogue of His power and majesty and encapsulated in verse 13: “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’” Is this not what we all require—God to take our hand and guide us through the difficulties? As we apply our skills and energies to a problem, we must understand that we must rely on Him. The part that many of us struggle with is that if it is not God’s Will to grant a desire, or an outcome He favors, it will not happen, regardless of our skill. As He did with Moses in the Wilderness, God made the impossible occur. He brought forth living water from stone. Later in Isaiah 41,we see His powers clearly, as stated in verses 18 through 20:

“I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.”

As humans, we are not capable of miraculous achievement, regardless of our skill. Even musical and technical prodigies must develop and are flawed. Only God is defined by perfection. He has, however, given us a glimpse of His magnificence through His creation of all of us and the universe around us.In 1 Peter 5, and in verses 6 and 7, we are admonished as follows: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”

True Christians must understand this and ensure that they do not fall back on the carnal expectation to rely on oneself, or one’s family, friends, or colleagues for salvation. All good things flow only from God. This includes all blessings, skills, sustenance, and even the challenges we face. In Philippians 4, and in verse 6, we understand that we are to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

In our society today, we are accustomed to receiving immediate updates for packages we are expecting. We have similar expectations for resolutions in our lives. Problems we face, health issues, and challenges involving work, are just a handful of matters we deal with in which our expertise may have little impact on the outcome. Yet, our human existence has trained us to believe that we can fix the situation. We also see the reliance that so many people in the world place on governmental leaders to deliver peace, prosperity, and well-being. Political parties and activists promote their ability to provide the answer. As true Christians, we know that this is not accurate, nor is it possible.

As we conclude, let us consider Christ’s words in John 15:4-5: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” This is what it boils down to: We can do nothing without God’s intervention and influence in our lives. When He calls us, we have a choice to make, and as the builder counts the cost of the project, true Christians must understand the full benefit that comes with trusting and relying on God.

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By Norbert Link

We begin this edition with frightening developments pertaining to Germany’s legal system which may pose the question as to whether Germany, as a “Rechtsstaat” (“State founded on the Rule of Law”), is becoming more and more a “Unrechtsstaat” (“Unconstitutional State”).

Focusing on current events in the USA, concern is mounting that we are reaching the time of another civil war.

These concerns are, in part, based on events in Georgia and Trump’s declaration that he will be the country’s retribution; allegations by Ukraine’s former prosecutor that Joe Biden took bribes from Ukraine; Biden’s use of email aliases to pass on governmental information to Hunter and others; the declared intention of Biden and other Catholic Democrats to make abortion legal until the time of birth, claiming falsely that the Catholic Church supports their stance;  Biden’s announcement that everyone will be “required” to take a new COVID shot [note in this regard the illuminating article by Dr. Ron Paul and the despicable court decision against Robert F Kennedy Jr.] ; climate czar John Kerry’s attack on “climate change deniers”; and Biden’s intentions to prohibit many household appliances (ceiling fans being the latest example).

Please view our new StandingWatch program, “Civil War Is Going to Happen!”

In other international news, Russia has claimed that the leader of the Wagner troop and warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin has died in a suspicious plane crash, but this claim is disputed; Hungary has demanded that the war in Ukraine must end immediately; and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is threatening to prevent a religious pilgrimage of Jews to Ukraine on the Feast of Trumpets.

We conclude with an interesting and outspoken controversy between Argentinian Pope Francis and the most likely next Argentinian president, Javier Milei.

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

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Travesty of Justice in Germany

Breitbart wrote on August 24:

“A judge who struck down government rules that children must wear masks at school in a German state in 2021 stands to lose his legal career and pension, and has been handed a two-year suspended prison sentence for ‘perverting the law’ (“Rechtsbeugung”).

“Judge Christian Dettmar struck down the order by German state Thuringia in 2021 that, as part of Coronavirus lockdown procedures, children must wear masks while at school, should keep a minimum distance from each other, and should be subjected to virus tests. Ruling that this was not compatible with the welfare of the children involved, Judge Dettmar ordered two schools in the city of Weimar, Thuringa, no longer to enforce the order, and the judge’s decision caused instant outrage in state government.

“His ruling was overturned by a higher court following a complaint by the state’s education department meaning masks returned to schools, and a prosecution against Judge Dettmar was launched, as he stood accused of ‘perverting the law’ and ruling on a matter he did not have authority over

“Now the Thuringian district court has found against the judge, giving him a two-year suspended sentence. His lawyers had argued for acquittal and the prosecution had asked for a three-year sentence, so now both will appeal the sentence

“The defence argued the trial was politically motivated and was intended to silence dissenters, while Judge Detmarr himself said he felt no regret and would make the same ruling again ‘out of deep inner conviction.’

“While a two-year suspended sentence may not seem like a serious outcome, it will have massive consequences for Judge Dettmar, as German law dictates any civil servant sentenced to a custodial sentence of more than 12 months is deprived of both their position and their pension… He has already been suspended on probation pending the outcome of the challenges, and police searched his home, offices, and digital devices.”

Legal experts have pointed out that, contrary to the prosecution’s and the courts’ allegations, Dettmar was fully authorized to make that decision as a family judge ruling in family matters, and there can be no doubt that the action by the government, in collaboration with politically motivated courts, is a travesty of judgment… especially, as rumors have it that the German government under Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (who has been called the German Anthony Fauci) wants to soon reinstate rigorous coronavirus restrictions.

LifeSiteNews added on August 24:

“Dettmar’s ruling striking down COVID mandates in schools had caused international headlines. A higher court subsequently overturned his decision on the grounds that a family court is not entitled to issue instructions to public institutions; only administrative courts are allowed to do so. The Thuringian Higher Regional Court and the Federal Court of Justice affirmed that family courts do not have jurisdiction to make such decisions. 

“However, according to Erik Rusch from Epoch Times Germany, this legal interpretation is debatable among experts. ‘If this interpretation of the law were to be followed consistently, sexual assaults against children in private schools, for example, could be attacked and stopped on the basis of Section 1666 of the German Civil Code (BGB) for endangering the welfare of children, but not in public schools,’ Rusch explains. ‘According to this case law, victims of sexual violence in state schools would have to engage in lengthy administrative proceedings.’”

Not only that, in order to be legally convicted, Dettmar must have intentionally issued his decision, knowing that he did not have the authority to do so, even though legal experts said that he had that authority. This defies credibility and is indeed a travesty of judgment. But it’s not the only legal travesty in Germany.

“American Author Convicted in Germany for Comparing COVID Regime to Nazi-Era”

LifeSiteNews reported on August 23:

“American satirist and playwright C.J. Hopkins has been convicted of a crime for content in social media posts that a judge considered to be critical of the German government for its Covid policies. Hopkins, who lives in Germany, was reportedly charged after posting a picture of his book that shows a face mask with a barely visible Swastika printed on it in response to a social media post featuring German health minister Karl Lauterbach

“A German judge sent Hopkins a ‘punishment order,’ sentencing the writer to a fine of €3,600 or 60 days in jail. The American author told [journalist] Taibbi that he was convicted for ‘disseminating propaganda, the contents of which are intended to further the aims of a former National Socialist organization.’

“Hopkins reportedly responded to a social media post on X, formerly Twitter, by the German newspaper Die Welt, featuring a picture of Lauterbach and a quote from the German health minister: ‘The mask always sends out a signal.’ The American writer responded to the post by quoting Lauterbach’s words back to him with a picture of the cover of his book called ‘The Rise of the New Normal Reich,’ which features a transparent swastika on a face mask.

“Hopkins’ book criticizes the draconian political response to the Covid crisis in Germany and around the world, comparing some aspects of it to the Nazi era. Hopkins stressed that neither his book nor any of his other works ever promoted National Socialism or anything related to it. ‘I’m laughing because it would take all of about 20 seconds of anyone looking at my actual work to determine how absolutely opposed I am to anything resembling totalitarianism, fascism, authoritarianism, anything,’ the author told Taibbi.

“To both Hopkins and Taibbi, the verdict appeared to be an act of censorship against a political dissident by the German state… When Taibbi asked Hopkins whether he thinks the case against him happened because the German government was upset at being compared to the Nazis, the author responded, ‘That’s exactly the way that I interpret it’…

“While it is illegal to spread symbols associated with National Socialism in Germany if the intent is to promote the ideology, many books and movies that depict swastikas are nevertheless allowed in Germany. ‘Yes, if you’re a Nazi, it’s illegal to spread swastikas around in Germany,” Hopkins said to Taibbi. “But if you’re doing art, if you’re commenting on history, if you’re selling a book, there are a whole slew of reasons for exceptions where people can and do use swastikas …’ according to Hopkins, he cannot appeal his conviction and can only go to court to ask for mitigation of the sentence….”

In Germany, judges are employed and appointed for life. It is very difficult to get rid of them. And so, we see more and more examples where German judges usher incredibly outrageous decisions in violation of the law. And as in this case, they cannot even be appealed. Also, in the last issue of our Current Events, we reported the incredible and blatantly false decision of a German judge against an AfD official, Florian Jäger, for alleged antisemitic statements, which “coincidentally” corresponds with the ridiculous decision against Hopkins.

Nothing Works Anymore in Germany

Bild Online wrote on August 29:

“Everywhere you look it crunches… Construction sites like malignant cancers that go on forever, which could be due to weeks of no workers in sight

“No one can ever be reached by phone if you want to complain to a governmental office or make an appointment. Registry office, passport, driver’s license, doctor – forget it…

“… economically, we are the sick man of Europe, the world economy is growing, we are shrinking, this year by 0.3 percent. On the other hand, we have the highest inflation at six percent, exports are weakening, China is no longer buying our cars…

“Where are all the people who used to work in gastronomy, in medical practices, in sales?… We don’t know. They are just missing.

“But we also have records. Regarding fearmongering or sickness. Every second person has already called in sick this year… We are never part of the solution, but always part of the problem.

“When it comes to absurdities, our state works. Self-determination from the age of 14; i.e., in the middle of puberty?…”

Such incredible nonsense!

Trump: I Am Your Retribution!

Report 24 wrote on August 25:

“His last tweets were from January 2021 – after the alleged ‘storming of the Capitol’ it was over; Donald Trump had been banned from Twitter. He did not respond to the activation after Elon Musk took over the network, but now the former President of the United States has reported back to X. He demonstratively posted his ‘mug shot’ taken of him today at Fulton Prison. The subtitle: ‘Never surrender!’

“X (formerly Twitter) rejoices: Donald Trump is back. While the German mainstream is trying very hard to convey the impression that he would have become unacceptable as the first US President with a so-called mug shot, the users in the social networks seem to see it quite differently: for his still enormous group of supporters the police photo that Trump provocatively posted on Twitter is likely to be a badge of honor.

“The actions of the judiciary against the former US President, who had always campaigned for the fight against the so-called Deep State, is seen as evidence of the machinations that Trump had vehemently denounced in the past. In particular, he saw the Justice Department as infiltrated and in the service of powerful, foreign masters who do not work for the well-being of American citizens but for their own interests – and who accordingly perceive ricochets like Trump as archenemies. Trump promised American citizens in May: ‘I am your warrior, I am your justice, and for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution. I will totally obliterate the Deep State.’

While Democrats and no-Trumpers are gloating, and while many Americans, being sound asleep, have no “opinion” on the matter, others came to his defense, and Trump’s approval rate skyrocketed after he had to present himself to Georgia’s “justice” system in connection with his fourth (!) criminal “indictment” to have his mug shot taken (which had never been taken before of a sitting or former President, but which he later placed himself on Twitter, now called “X,” attempting to show the travesty of the actions taken against him, and to reassure his supporters that he will fight to the bitter end).

Also, his “fundraising committee is selling now T-shirts, mugs, beverage coolers, bumper sticks, and other products featuring Trump’s mug shot and the words ‘never surrender’. The mug shot merchandise ranges in price from $12 for a bumper sticker to $36 for a long-sleeve T-shirt,” according to Newsmax, dated August 25.

Trump: I Will Jail My Opponents

Newsmax wrote on August 30:

“Former President Donald Trump, blaming President Joe Biden for the indictments he’s facing, [said in an interview with radio host Glenn Beck on Tuesday] he’ll have ‘no choice’ when it comes to jailing political opponents if he’s elected as president, as ‘they’re doing it to us.’…

“His comments came after Beck asked if he regrets not locking up his 2016 presidential election challenger Hillary Clinton, despite his calls during the campaign to ‘lock her up.’ ‘Then when you became president, you said, “We don’t do that in America.” That’s just not the right thing to do. That’s what they’re doing,’ Beck said. ‘If you’re president again, will you lock people up?’”

Beck asked a legitimate question as to why Trump broke his word when he did not at least retry to lock Hillary Clinton up.

Set Trial Date Blatant Election Interference

Breitbart wrote on August 28:

“Republicans blasted U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan’s scheduling the trial date for former President Donald Trump’s federal case a day before Super Tuesday, deeming it another ‘corrupt’ act by President Joe Biden’s DOJ as well as a ‘blatant’ form of election interference against the former president and Republican frontrunner.

“On Monday, the Associated Press reported on Chutkan’s decision in Washington, DC, after she denied Trump’s legal team’s request for a spring 2026 date. The trial date for the former president’s case — alleging he attempted to overturn the 2020 election results — is set for a day before more than a dozen states hold their caucuses or primaries, marking one of the most momentous days of the presidential primary process.”

It was pointed out that the Democrats are doing exactly what they are accusing Trump of doing, and that Chutkan should be disbarred. Also, as Breitbart reported, “Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case against Trump alleging 34 counts of falsifying business records is also set to commence this spring on March 25. Smith’s other case relating to classified documents Trump allegedly took at the end of his presidency is set to begin on May 20.”

Could anything be more obvious?

Breitbart quoted former U.S. Ambassador Richard Grenell as saying:

“‘Election interference in broad daylight, right up in your face by a weaponized justice system. Defund the DOJ, impeach Biden & Garland. Power is all they understand, use what power we have or lose the republic… The U.S. State Department usually calls out this type of election interference. Instead, Blinken is participating in election interference. Dictators around the world are celebrating. I look forward to removing these shisters from government and helping restore America’s moral clarity.”

Civil War Is Going To Happen

Daily Express US wrote on August 25:

“Donald Trump’s fourth indictment prompted fury from the former Alaskan Governor, with Sarah Palin evoking violent language and warning that a second Civil War is ‘going to happen’.

“Sarah Palin said a second Civil War is ‘going to happen’ if Donald Trump continues to be persecuted. The former Alaska governor made the grim prediction in an interview with Newsmax after Trump handed himself over to the authorities in Georgia. ‘Those who are conducting this travesty and creating this two-tier system of justice, I want to ask them… do you want us to be in civil war?’ she said. ‘Because that’s what’s going to happen. We’re not going to keep putting up with this.’… Palin also told ex-Fox News anchor Eric Bolling: ‘You suggested that we need to get angry. We do need to rise up and take our country back.’”

There is much anger in this country about what is perceived to be a crooked, corrupt and weaponized injustice department. Only imagine if Trump is convicted and imprisoned, for instance in Georgia, as some conservative legal experts, such as former US Attorney for Washington D.C. Joe diGenova, have predicted will happen, as Trump could not get a fair trial or a fair and impartial judge and jury. You don’t need to be a brain surgeon to know that if or when that happens, it will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

In an interview with Tucker Carlson, the question was asked of Trump: “So what’s next, after trying to put you in prison for the rest of your life? That’s not working. Don’t they have to kill you now?” Trump responded indirectly, saying that violence could break out: “There’s a level of passion I’ve never seen, there’s a level of hatred I’ve never seen,” he said. “And that’s probably a bad combination.”

It won’t be just some violence. It will be a full-fledged civil war, the likes of which we have not seen since THE Civil War which started in 1861 and ended in 1865. We have been warning you of this possibility for quite some time.

Democrats sense that too, but they place all the blame on conservatives and Trump supporters. Disgraced former FBI chief Andrew McCabe said on CNN that Palin’s comments were irresponsible, outrageous and “validate and seem to permit political violence,” while “proposing essentially extortion.” Left-wing reactions on social media were telling, with users suggesting that Palin was inciting violence and should be arrested for her comments.

In an article by BU Today, dated March 27, 2019, the following was stated:

A recent Washington Post headline says: ‘In America, talk turns to something not spoken of for 150 years: Civil war.’ The story references, among others, Stanford University historian Victor Davis Hanson, who asked in a National Review essay last summer: ‘How, when, and why has the United States now arrived at the brink of a veritable civil war?’ Another Washington Post story reports how Iowa Republican Congressman Steve King recently posted a meme warning that red states have ‘8 trillion bullets’ in the event of a civil war. And a poll conducted last June by Rasmussen Reports found that 31 percent of probable US voters surveyed believe ‘it’s likely that the United States will experience a second civil war sometime in the next five years.’”

In an article by Marca, dated August 23, 2022, it was stated that half of Americans think there’s another civil war coming.”

That was then. Now it’s even much worse. This country is hopelessly divided. It is a powder keg ready to explode.

Former Ukraine Prosecutor Charges Biden With Receiving Bribes

The New York Post wrote on August 25:

“Former Ukraine prosecutor general Viktor Shokin says in a new interview… that he believes… that President Biden and his son Hunter received bribes in exchange for forcing him out of office in early 2016. ‘I do not want to deal in unproven facts, but my firm personal conviction is that, yes, this was the case. They were being bribed,’ Shokin [said]… ‘And the fact that Joe Biden gave away $1 billion in US money in exchange for my dismissal, my firing, isn’t that alone a case of corruption?’ added the former top law enforcement officer in Kyiv…

“Shokin was dismissed by a vote of Ukraine’s parliament in March 2016 following intense pressure from then-Vice President Joe Biden. His office had been investigating Mykola Zlochevsky, the owner of natural gas company Burisma Holdings, which paid then-second son Hunter Biden up to $1 million per year as a member of the company’s board beginning in April 2014. Biden publicly claimed credit for forcing out Shokin by threatening to withhold $1 billion in US loan guarantees…

“An FBI informant file released publicly last month said that Zlochevsky claimed in 2016 that he was ‘coerced’ into paying $5 million apiece in bribes to Joe and Hunter Biden in exchange for Shokin’s ouster…

“Shokin [also] claimed that Joe Biden was responsible for Russia’s annexation of Crimea, which occurred in early 2014, before Hunter Biden joined Burisma. ‘Everybody knows that it was because of Joe Biden’s actions that Russia was able to claim Crimea without firing a single shot, which of course eventually led to a full-scale war that is currently underway,’ Shokin said…

“This week, purported internal Obama-Biden administration emails… indicate officials were surprised that Biden was pushing for Shokin’s ouster as a condition of US aid… Shokin’s office won a court order to seize Zlochevsky’s property on Feb. 2, 2016… Shokin was fired on March 29. The elder Biden spoke on the phone four times  in February and March 2016 with then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and once with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk as he pushed for Shokin’s ouster.”

Who can seriously question that Joe Biden’s conduct in this entire matter was utterly corrupt, to say the very least?

Joe Biden Secretly Revealed Government Information to Hunter and Others

Breitbart wrote on August 28:

“The National Archives (NARA) possesses about  5,400 emails and records linked to President Joe Biden’s email aliases, the House Oversight Committee revealed Monday evening. ‘The email aliases — ‘Robert Peters,’ ‘Robin Ware,’ and ‘JRB Ware’ — were used to share government information and discuss business with Hunter Biden and associates, according to the Southeastern Legal Foundation…”

When is Biden going to be held accountable for his actions?

Abortion Up to Birth Nationwide

Life News wrote on August 23:

“Joe Biden has a message for the American people. He wants voters to know that, if he’s re-elected, he will institute abortions up to birth nationwide.

“Biden wants Democrats to take over the House and pass a bill through Congress that would restore Roe v. Wade and legalize abortions up to birth without limits and at taxpayer expense across the country.”

International Family News wrote on August 26:

“In a move that contradicts the teachings of the Catholic Church, 30 U.S. House Democrats have claimed that their Catholic faith compels them to support abortion. Led by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, these lawmakers condemned the Supreme Court’s life-saving decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, stating that their Catholic faith supports a woman’s right to access abortion. They described themselves as devout Catholics who believe in the dignity of every human being and protecting the most vulnerable. However, they reject pro-life laws that aim to protect the lives of unborn babies. They argue that such laws disproportionately harm marginalized communities and violate the principles of social justice and religious freedom.

“Contrary to their claims, pro-life laws have been proven to save lives. Researchers estimate that approximately 25,000 unborn babies have been spared from abortion since the Dobbs decision. Pro-life advocates also ensure that pregnant mothers are protected by the law.

“In contrast, Pelosi and most Democrats in Congress support legislation that would legalize abortion for any reason up to birth and force taxpayers to fund these procedures. They argue that allowing individuals to make their own decisions about their bodies, families, and futures aligns with their beliefs as Catholics. However, Catholic Church teachings are clear that abortion is considered evil, as it destroys human life.

“While Catholics worldwide are active in the pro-life movement, speaking out for the sanctity of life and advocating for policies that protect unborn babies, some Catholic politicians have tried to justify their pro-abortion views by distorting their faith’s teachings. Pelosi, in particular, has faced criticism from San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, who  recently denied her communion in an effort to make her understand the seriousness of her actions.

“The stance of U.S. Catholic bishops on denying communion to pro-abortion politicians remains divided, with some welcoming and offering communion to those who support abortion rights without requiring them to repent. This divisive issue continues to stir debate within the Catholic Church.”

Joe Biden claimed that Pope Francis called him a good Catholic during a recent visit in spite of Biden’s ungodly stance on abortion which also happens to violate the official teaching of the Catholic Church.

Biden: Anyone Will Have to Take New COVID Vaccine

Fox News reported on August 26:

“President Biden said Friday he plans to request additional funding from Congress for the development of a new COVID-19 vaccine, adding he may require everyone to take it, regardless of if they previously received a vaccine or not.”

“Require”? He can’t be serious!

Is Governmental COVID Tyranny Coming Back?

On August 28, Dr. Ron Paul wrote in his “Weekly Column”:

“Just four and a half months since President Biden declared an end to the Covid ‘emergency,’ the media is suddenly full of stories about the return of Covid. This time a new ‘variant’ is being rolled out and the media, in collusion with big Pharma and the fear-industrial complex, are churning out stories about how forced masking is making a comeback. Also, the ‘unvaccinated’ are again to be denied basic human rights in the name of fighting a virus that the vaccine demonstrably does not protect against.

“In short, they are desperately trying to revive the tyranny, insanity, and utter irrationality of the two-year Covid scare. And they are pretending none of us remembers how they destroyed society with their lockdowns, mask mandates, and vaccine mandates. They are hoping that none of us will remember the suicides, lost jobs, broken marriages, increased alcoholism and drug abuse, and the rest of what went along with the world’s experiment with global lockdown.

“Even Fauci himself is back – like a moth drawn to the light of publicity. Despite all the scientific evidence that the lockdowns were a disaster, that they did far more harm than good, Fauci has re-emerged with his trademark arrogance and claimed that they were the right thing to do and should be done again if that’s what it takes to force people to take the vaccine. A vaccine that does not work.

“They won’t even allow us to mention the spike in all-around mortality or the millions who may have been vaccine-injured the first time around. They want us to think that 20-year-old world-class athletes have always just dropped dead of heart attacks out of the blue…

“Yes, look for a renewal of all those old hollow phrases used to attack those of us who can see with our own eyes and hear with our own ears. Their slogans are meant to silence any debate…

“The big question is…why? Why are they doing this and how do they think they can get away with it a second time? One reason they believe they can get away with it again is that no one has ever been punished for what they did the first time. The Federal Government made sure that the pharmaceutical companies would not be liable for vaccine damages.

“The public figures who openly became monsters, demanding the unvaccinated be drummed out of society and maybe even off the face of the earth have not been shamed or shunned. Politicians who displayed cowardice and worse have not been voted out of office for their treachery.

“Why are they coming back around for another round of Covid tyranny? Fear is a weapon to gain control. Last time around they generated fear to radically change how America voted. Suddenly everyone was mailed ballots. How closely were they checked? No one knew and no one dared ask. The people who did ask about the election are now facing jail terms.

“They want us to shut up while they do it again. Will we?”

Even though it states the opposite, let us remind our readers that we are not talking here about communist China, dictatorial Russia or autocratic North Korea, but the USA. Who would have thought a few years ago that such tyranny is even possible in America? Who can doubt that America is experiencing a complete irreversible downfall which will end in TOTAL DESTRUCTION?

Sadly, it is feared that many—far too many—in the USA and elsewhere will be COWARDS again, too afraid to speak up. Others won’t object because they profit financially, or politically, from the fear tactics employed by unscrupulous governmental officials, financially supported medical “experts,” and the left-wing mass media. See our new member letter (August 23). https://www.eternalgod.org/letter-to-the-brethren-august-21-2023/ . And note the next article!

Travesty of “Justice”: Court Rules Against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Breitbart wrote on August 28:

“The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has rejected a request by Democrat primary candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for a temporary restraining order preventing Google-owned YouTube from censoring his content.

“YouTube recently doubled down on its ‘medical misinformation’ policy, which it has used as a pretext to censor RFK Jr., who is Joe Biden’s closest competitor in the Democrat party primary…  ‘The Court finds that the First Amendment claim is unlikely to succeed on the merits because Google and YouTube are not state actors,’ wrote Judge Trina Thompson, who was nominated to serve on the Court by Joe Biden in 2021, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2022. ‘Second, Plaintiff was not, and will not, be irreparably harmed if a temporary restraining order is not issued because he does not demonstrate urgency or that he will not be able to share his videos through other sites and methods.’

“In the application for a restraining order, attorneys for Kennedy sought to prevent YouTube from using its ‘medical misinformation’ policy to censor videos of the candidate during his campaign in the 2024 election. In the ruling, Judge Thompson also argued that even if Kennedy could establish that YouTube is a state actor, the First Amendment does not necessarily protect ‘medical misinformation’… Thompson wrote ‘the coronavirus still poses a health risk to certain individuals, and it would not serve the public interest to let medical misinformation proliferate on YouTube.’”

Who says that Kennedy is disseminating “medical misinformation”? Has anyone ever heard such politically driven nonsense? Where are the “no-nonsense” judges in this country—or in Germany, for that matter?

Social Media Outrage Over John Kerry’s Accusations Against Climate Change Deniers

Fox News wrote on August 26:

“The Biden administration’s climate czar John Kerry sparked social media outrage this weekend with a video of him scolding humanity for threatening itself by not curbing its effect on the climate…. X (formerly Twitter) users ripped into it, calling Kerry a ‘con-artist’ and a ‘tyrant’ for his strong rebuke of those not on board with the climate agenda.

“During the address, Kerry likened climate-change deniers to ‘cult’ members, who ‘lash out at the truth tellers’ and refuse to accept ‘indisputable evidence’ of manmade climate change.”

Actually, much of the “indisputable evidence” of “man-made” climate change has been doctored and manipulated.

More Green Agenda Nonsense From the Biden Administration

The New York Post wrote on August 25:

Ceiling fans are now the latest target in the Biden administration’s green agenda, sparking pushback from Republicans and manufacturers. The Department of Energy is proposing a rule that would require ceiling fans to be more energy efficient, arguing the move would save U.S. households on energy costs. According to the Energy Department’s analysis, the new rules would save households about $39 over the lifespan of the new energy-efficient fan. However, the cost to manufacturers associated with the increased equipment will total $86.6 million per year, the department said.

Republicans on the House Committee on Small Business say if the rule goes into effect it could put small manufacturers out of business, given the costs the companies would incur in order to comply with the changes…

“The Energy Department has been on the warpath to impose more stringent regulations on household appliances for the past several months, proposing new standards for gas stoves, ovens, washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, and other essentials as part of its mission to advance energy efficiency and conservation.

“On his first day in office in January 2021, President Biden signed an executive order requiring the Energy Department to make ‘major revisions’ to current appliance regulation standards and standards set by the Trump administration. A month later, the agency listed more than a dozen energy-efficiency rules impacting appliances like water heaters, cooking products, and lamps, that it would review….”

The Woke nonsense is sweeping through the Western world, and the unified approach of leaders in different countries suggests coordinated efforts, as were the draconian measures against Corona.

Hurricane Idalia Causes Devastating Damage

The Associated Press wrote on August 30:

“Hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday in Florida as a Category 3 storm and unleashed devastation along a wide stretch of the Gulf Coast, submerging homes and vehicles, turning streets into rivers, unmooring small boats and downing power lines in an area that has never before received such a pummeling…

“The National Weather Service in Tallahassee called Idalia ‘an unprecedented event’ since no major hurricanes on record have ever passed through the bay abutting the Big Bend…

“Idalia had grown into a Category 2 system on Tuesday afternoon and became a Category 3 just hours earlier Wednesday before strengthening to a Category 4 and then weakening slightly to a high-end Category 3. Hurricanes are measured on a five category scale, with a Category 5 being the strongest. A Category 3 storm is the first on the scale considered a major hurricane and the National Hurricane Center says a Category 4 storm brings ‘catastrophic damage.’…

“The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently said the 2023 hurricane season would be far busier than initially forecast… The season runs through Nov. 30, with August and September typically the peak.”

Leader of Wagner Group Confirmed Dead

Fox News reported on August 27:

“Russian investigators say DNA testing confirms that Russian warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin was aboard the small jet that crashed outside Moscow under mysterious circumstances last week. [They] confirmed the identities of all 10 people aboard the craft, which also included Prigozhin’s second in command, Dmitry Utkin. Investigators have yet to offer an explanation for why the plane crashed…

“Prigozhin’s private jet plummeted out of the sky on Wednesday in the Tver region outside Moscow…

Prigozhin’s death comes just months after he led a stop-and-go insurrection against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime earlier this year. Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, expressed anger at how his forces had been used and treated and ordered a march on Moscow. He soon aborted the march after deal making with Putin’s regime, under which he was supposed to remain in exile in Belarus.”

There are speculations that Russia struck the plane with a surface-to-air missile or that a bomb was brought on the plane which exploded during the flight. There have also been speculations that Prigozhin was not on the plane, but another person using his name. It was also reported that Putin has ordered Wagner fighters to sign an oath of allegiance to the Russian state. Note the next article.

Prigozhin Still Alive?

The Daily Mail wrote on August 29:

“A Russian political analyst has claimed warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin is alive after his body double was killed in last week’s plane crash – not the Wagner chief himself.

“Prigozhin is ‘alive, well, and free’ in an unnamed country, according to Dr Valery Solovey, even as Russa stages his funeral which Vladimir Putin is refusing to attend..

“Prigozhin is now plotting his revenge [against the people who tried to kill him, and for killing some of his closest associates], says the political analyst, a former professor at Moscow’s prestigious Institute of International Relations [MGIMO], a training school for spies and diplomats… ‘the plane in which Yevgeny Prigozhin was supposed to fly was downed by a Russian air defence system,’ he said, challenging US intelligence claims that the plane was destroyed by a blast on board…

“Dr Solovey said he would reveal Prigozhin’s supposed country of exile early next month but denied it was in Africa where the Wagner private army has multiple interests… Prigozhin has access to £1.6 billion in bitcoin, Solovey said – a fund he will use to strike back.”

There is also still the existence of an unsolved mystery regarding a second plane taking off at the same time the destroyed plane departed. It is alleged that this second plane carried Prigozhin while others say that it had no connection to the Wagner group.

Hungary: War Must End Immediately

MENAFN wrote on August 27:

“Europe is ‘destroying’ itself… due to its backing of Ukraine, and the European Union’s restrictions strategy is a laughing stock on the international phase, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has stated. He said again his administration’s  [position is] that the war in Ukraine ‘must end this minute.’

“It would be a ‘baroque and poetic exaggeration’ to say that restrictions towards Russia have effectively paralyzed the Russian economy, Szijjarto [said]…. ‘The policy of sanctions has failed,’ he stated, also noting that ‘everywhere in the world, the European sanctions policy is being laughed at.’”

Don’t Travel to Ukraine for Feast of Trumpets?

Israel 365 News reported on August 27:

“Every Rosh Hashana (a/k/a the Feast of Trumpets), tens of thousands of Jewish men travel to the city of Uman in the Ukraine to pray at the gravesite of a Hasidic rebbe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used this against the Israeli government, threatening to prevent this religious pilgrimage if his political demands were not met

“The tradition of the Rosh Hashana pilgrimage to his grave began after Rabbi Nachman’s death in 1810 at the age of 38.  For hundreds of years, the tradition was carried out by a small group of ardent followers. His influence continues today, and, after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the New Year’s gathering grew quickly, soon attracting tens of thousands of men. While the sudden influx of foreigners brings massive tourist dollars into the economically depressed country, Jewish tourists have been targeted by violence and anti-Jewish vandalism.

“Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy threatened to shut the borders to Jews for the holiday due to alleged mistreatment of Ukrainian tourists to Israel… In response, Interior and Health Minister Moshe Arbel rejected claims of mistreatment of Ukrainian tourists…

“Despite the ongoing war and travel restrictions, over 20,000 Israelis traveled to celebrate Rosh Hashana in Uman last year… A similar number of Jews are expected to arrive in Uman the week before the Jewish New Year is celebrated on September 15.”

The Department of State continues to advise that U.S. citizens, including Jews, do not travel to Ukraine due to the active armed conflict.

Pope Francis vs. Javier Milei

The Guardian wrote on August 27:

“In one corner of the ring stands Javier Milei, 52,… frontrunner in Argentina’s upcoming presidential elections; in the other, his compatriot Pope Francis, 86,… repeatedly derided by Argentina’s likely next president as… ‘the representative of the evil one on Earth’

“Milei, a political unknown until 2020, has pledged to wage a ‘cultural battle’ to transform Argentina… From Rome, Pope Francis has expressed grave concern about the rise of such ‘callous’ policies in his home country… In words that seemed to be referring to Milei, the only candidate in the 22 October vote with no political experience prior to 2021, the pope added: ‘I am terrified of saviours of the nation without a political party history.’…

“[Milei said] the pontiff is ‘preaching communism to the world’. Juan Grabois… with close links to the pontiff… calls Milei a ‘false prophet’ but attributes his rise to Argentina’s dire economic crisis…

“Milei is also treading fearlessly into anti-woke territory saying he will reinstate the ban on abortion, legalised in 2020, shut down the ministry of women, gender and diversity, as well as the ministries of science – ‘climate change is a socialist lie’ – health, education, labour and public works, and will legalise the sale of firearms…

“Milei is broadly considered the undisputed shoo-in president appealing particularly to young underprivileged men… Milei’s rise has been nothing short of mesmerizing… ‘What happens if an unstable country is ruled by an unstable leader?’, asks journalist Juan González… 

“In a country that will celebrate four decades of uninterrupted democracy after decades of military rule when the new president takes office on December 10, the prospect of the military reassuming a role in ‘internal conflicts’ is raising alarms…”

It will be interesting to see whether the fight between Pope Francis and Javier Milei will continue after the election on December 10.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

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

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How can young people deal with peer pressure?

Peer pressure is an incredibly challenging thing that almost all young people will experience at one time or another in their lives—especially as young Christians or those who are on their way toward becoming true Christians. Even adults have to face peer pressure. The problem with peer pressure is that people want to fit in. They want others to like them and are at times willing to change their conviction in order to gain the approval of those around them. 

The Bible makes very good points about peer pressure and shows good examples of how to deal with these pressures.

It takes a solid understanding of what one believes, and to act toward that understanding to deal with and counter peer pressure. It should be noted that not all peer pressure is bad, and it can be useful to encounter peer pressure of both types to learn how to deal with each kind. 

Peer pressure really starts for early teens when they are trying to understand the world more and as they start to experience and gain more independence from their parents. And it continues through life to varying degrees. 

Peer pressure in and of itself is not a bad thing. Peer pressure can be positive or negative. There is a coach for teens whom I follow on Instagram and he is constantly posting that one of the most crucial things for teens is to choose their friend group – because it has a direct impact on the types of things each individual or the group are going to be influenced to do. 

Bad peer pressure can come about because of the type of people one associates with. 

Two quotes come to mind in this regard. 

  • “Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”  Booker T. Washington
  • And a very famous one, with the origin unknown, is: “You become like the 5 people you spend the most time with. Choose carefully.”

When it comes to choosing with whom we make friends, it is essential to look at the qualities they bring to the table. Good people challenge one to also do and be good. A bad friendship causes one to veer off into areas that are not good. 

Here is a quick list of Scriptures that talk about good friendships and what they provide:

“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26).

“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 27:12)

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20).

“A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful… Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel” (Proverbs 27:6, 9).

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

The Bible also gives us advice on the types of “friends” whom we should avoid so we don’t have to deal with bad peer pressure:

“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

“A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good” (Proverbs 16:29).

“Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul” (Proverbs 22:24-25).

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful” (Psalms 1:1).

“I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked” (Psalm 26:4-5).

When considering with whom to make friends, we should realize that there may be times when we will have to stand up to them in order to keep doing what is right. It may come to the point where we have to distance or disassociate from people whom we once called friends because we choose to walk a different path. It can be challenging and hard to walk away from a group of friends; we may be called names and made fun of or worse, people can try and defame us or cause problems for us. 

Daniel and his friends, when they were young, were asked to eat what appears to have included unclean food. They decided not to do this as they were following their conviction. They had to ask the people over them to give them a trial – they would not eat the unclean food while everyone else did. At the end of the trial, they were found to be healthier than everyone else. Daniel 1:8-16 tells this story. Daniel “set his heart” not to eat the food. Daniel understands the situation, and decides, in his heart, based upon his knowledge of what is right and what is wrong, and chooses to do the right thing. Once set, Daniel would not be moved. Not to give in to bad peer pressure shows the proper type of attitude.

Later on in the book of Daniel, we again see bad peer pressure at play. This time, Daniel’s friends were being “snitched” upon by people who should have been their peers. It involved the king of Babylon and the desire of the king to be worshiped by all people. Daniel’s three friends knew better and chose not to, because they knew they should only worship God, obeying the first commandment. The story shows that they had the faith to stand up for what they believed in, even if it would have resulted in their death. This type of faith was a result of consistent actions throughout their lives. 

Further on in the book of Daniel, in chapter 6, we find when Daniel is praying that people take notice and are jealous. They attempt to trap Daniel, again using the King’s power. Yet Daniel never strays from God, never stops doing what he knows to be right, and never gives in to bad peer pressure. And in return, God powerfully protects him from the lions in the den. 

These three stories iterate the power of bad peer pressure and how evil can be used against God’s people – including young people. More importantly, it shows that God is the One in control and knows the situations that we face. When we include Him in our ways and show Him that we are willing to stand up for what is right, instead of bowing to the pressures of doing what others think is right or cool, He will provide the way of escape. He will give us the power and the strength we need. 

Taking this one step further, we could even pray to God and ask Him to provide friendships for us that are good and helpful. Knowing that we can come to God and ask Him in faith for things such as this is powerful and should be reassuring for us. 

Good peer pressure is having an influence on people’s lives. As Christians, we are told that we are to be the “lights” of the world (Matthew 5:14-16)—meaning, we are to be the ones standing out. Even children, teens and young adults can be lights. This can be very hard for young (and old) people who want to fit in with their peers. Peers are oftentimes thought of as friend groups, but peers can actually be anyone with a similar status, such as age groups or some attribute that is shared. Good pressure is in finding groups where we are drawn to accomplish useful things such as doing well in school, encouraging others, work ethic, being kind to people, choosing not to follow other’s wrong examples, having good clean fun, enjoying other’s company, or finding and keeping up with interesting hobbies. People’s behavior is always influencing others. If one can act with integrity and confidence in good ways, others will take notice and follow. 

Philippians 4:8 tells us: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.”

Bad peer pressure isn’t hard to find. It is easy to fall into the traps of bad peer pressure. It will always be harder to swim against the current of popular culture and maintain that which is good. 

Bad peer pressure can involve many things such as using bad language, taking God’s Name in vain, including expressions such as “My God,” “My Gosh,” “Gee,” “O my Lord,” “My goodness,” cursing and swearing, lying, cheating, calling people names, bullying, harassing, using social media in mean and cruel ways, engaging in inappropriate and wrong activities, smoking, taking drugs, sex or sexting, encouraging others to do wrong things. 

When we engage in bad types of peer pressure, we lose confidence and respect for ourselves, and others can come to lose respect for us as well. God especially will be definitely saddened. When such activities are happening, it is often the case that it can feel scary and intimidating to say no when a wrong action has taken place and continues. 

It is important to realize that one should not engage in them in the first place. If the courage to say no is there at the outset, it will make the future easier. If you find yourself in the place where you are compromising with what you know to be right, then there are a few things to immediately do. Pray – pray to God for forgiveness as He is the only One with the power to forgive fully. Then ask God for the courage to stop and for help to figure out how to get out of the situation. God is always there and wants to help when you include Him. Next, talking to parents or a minister about your situation will help you to see the broader picture. When sin takes hold of you, it can be hard to see a way out, and it can narrow your field of view. The Bible refers to sin as a passing pleasure (Hebrews 11:25). Yes, sin can feel good! But the end is always misery and death, which may perhaps be hard to picture in the moment! 

Peer pressure will be something all young people will deal with. We cannot state strongly enough that God really cares. He knows what we go through. He observes. When we choose to include Him in our lives, actions and challenges, then we can expect help and make better choices and decisions. God is always just a prayer away! Start practicing and see what happens. See how He will help you. The only way to really know is to try and see how it will work out. 

Peer pressure will be a part of almost everyone’s life at some point in time. Understanding what it is should help us to see that a lot of it is about people being insecure and a desire for acceptance from all involved. But we don’t have to fit in with this world, and we are actually told that we shouldn’t fit in with it. Romans 12:2 tells us:

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

If people intimidate you, they are trying to manipulate you! It is very important that you make your own decisions and be the type of person to follow what God says, realizing that everything that He says is for our benefit and well-being. We must settle it in our hearts that we will not give in to peer pressure, no matter what we are facing. If we allow others to decide what we do and how we will behave, we lose our sovereignty. We have the right to our own thoughts. We have the right to choose not to follow what everyone else is doing. If we give that away, it plays right into Satan’s hands, with him seeking how we can fail. When we don’t stand up for what is right, we are in essence standing with those who are doing wrong, as it says in Romans 1:32 “…who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”  The previous verses also show in part what is going on in this world and how, with Satan’s influence growing stronger, people are given over to sin and will attempt to get us to follow suit. 

We will be able to overcome bad peer pressure when we realize it for what it is. Think carefully about the future and realize that many friends in early life will only be there for a brief time, while sometimes it can be a lifelong relationship. What really matters is good friendships and a strong relationship with those who truly love and care for your well-being—God, family and true and helpful friends. 

Lead Writer: Kalon Mitchell

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Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

compiled by Dave Harris

“Civil War Is Going to Happen!” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

More and more Americans are convinced that civil war in the USA is inevitable. The reasons for that belief are many, and this program lists quite a few. What does the Bible say about a coming civil war, and how can YOU prepare for it?

“Wird Deutschland zu einem Unrechtsstaat?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Is Germany Becoming an Unconstitutional State?”

“Unsere Kinder sind Gott heilig!,” is the title of this Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Our Children Are Holy to God!”

“Babylon, Gestern und Heute – Nimrods Erbe,” last Sabbath’s first split sermon in Germany, presented by Robert Indlekofer, is now posted. Title in English: “Babylon, Yesterday and Today – Nimrod’s Legacy.”

“Die Kraft von oben, der heilige Geist,” last Sabbath’s second split sermon in Germany, presented by Christoph Sperzel, is now posted. Title in English: “The Power from Above, the Holy Spirit.”

“Learning to Follow Directions,” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Kalon Mitchell, is now posted. Here is a summary:

What can we learn from teaching children? What lessons can we apply into our Christian lives?

“The Mystery of Biblical Numbers – Part 2,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Michael Link, is now posted. Here is a summary: In this second part of the series, we look at the meaning and symbolism of the biblical numbers 5, 6 and 7.

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How This Work is Financed

This Update is an official publication by the ministry of the Church of the Eternal God in the United States of America; the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship in Canada; and the Global Church of God in the United Kingdom.

Editorial Team: Norbert Link, Dave Harris, Rene Messier, Brian Gale, Johanna Link, Eric Rank, Michael Link, Anna Link, Kalon Mitchell, Manuela Mitchell, Dawn Thompson

Technical Team: Eric Rank, Shana Rank

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