On August 3, 2024, Michael Link will present the sermonette, titled, “Comfortable With the Uncomfortable“ and Norbert Link will present the sermon, titled, “Why Will God Soon Plague Mankind?”

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.

When we consider the works of God, the whole universe is included in these works. But those God has called out in this age are the ones He is most interested in working with at the present time. A good verse to begin to demonstrate this is Isaiah 64:8, “But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.” We are not just His children, but He is working a work in us as a potter works with clay to fashion an object. As we read in that verse, “We are the work of Your [God’s] hand.” Depending on the time frame, the “we” here could be the Old Testament nation of Israel and/or the New Testament Church. God intended the nation of Israel to be an example of a righteous nation to the world. He intends for us to preach the gospel of His soon-coming kingdom as a witness to all nations.

In what is considered to be the oldest book of the Bible, the book of Job, Job recognised that God was working with him personally. He asked and answered the question whether there was life after death. This is mentioned in Job 14:14-15, a verse often used in funeral services. “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes. You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall desire the work of Your hands.” Again, Job recognised that he was the work of God’s hands.

So, while God is working with us, He also fully recognises what we are. This is made evident in Psalm 103:13-14, “As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” As dust, we can accomplish very little, but our situation is even worse. As we read in Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.”

Jeremiah 17:9 confirms this and shows what our thinking is really like. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Because our tendency is toward being deceitful, it can be difficult to recognise our shortcomings. But, of course, the answer is that God knows what we are like, even if we do not recognise it ourselves. Romans 3:23 informs us that all are included in this, none are excluded. “… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Our only hope is the gift from God described in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Even though we have earned death by our very nature and conduct, He still lists characteristics He wants us to aspire to, while understanding that we will fall short at times. Micah 6:8 gives us a concise list of what God is looking for in us. “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”

So, while we are striving with the help of God to overcome, Jesus Christ has no shame or embarrassment in calling us His brethren, even with all our flaws and sins. This shows His mercy and love toward us, and that He has prepared a future for us to be with Him and His Father forever. Hebrews 2:11 states, “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Hebrews 2:17 repeats this acknowledgement of us being His brethren. “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in all things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” He was made like us to experience life as a human so that He could understand how to be a merciful high priest.

While at this time, God is working with His called-out ones; ultimately, He will include all of mankind in His plan. All will have an opportunity to be a part of His plan to be in His Family. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 tells us, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” God is not exclusive but is working out His plan in a certain order. He is working with His called-out ones first, then He will work with the rest of mankind. He ultimately wants everybody to have the opportunity to be saved and be His children forever. At that time, Jesus Christ will call all of those His brethren who have accepted the opportunity to be saved – those called in the past, those who are called now and in the future, and those who will be called when they are resurrected. Unfortunately, although God desires all men to be saved, not all have or will accept that opportunity. We must make sure we do accept it.

by Norbert Link

We begin with explosive developments in the Middle East which could lead to an all-out war between Israel and its enemies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian terrorists, the Houthis, AND Iran. We also report on Turkey’s dangerous threats.

We continue with a report stating that the USA is not prepared for a major war; speak on irresponsible conduct by Biden, Newsom, Facebook and Google; point out mutual accusations and threats being exchanged between Russia and Germany; Europe’s march towards dictatorship; turmoil in Venezuela; and we discuss at length the sickening and disgusting 2024 Paris Opening Ceremony.

We address troubling revelations regarding the Republican pick for the Vice Presidency, J.D. Vance, and some cryptic comments by Donald Trump about the next four years.

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

Israel Attacks School in Gaza

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 27:

“An Israeli attack on a school in Gaza has left at least 30 killed and over 100 injured, authorities in the Hamas-run enclave said on Saturday. They said the school was serving as provisional shelter and housing displaced Palestinians. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it attacked the area of the school as it was targeting a ‘camouflaged Hamas command and control compound.’… The IDF said the attack killed ‘Hamas terrorists who were hiding and operating from the compound. It added that the targeted location was used for weapons storage…

“Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris referred to Israel’s latest school strike as ‘a further demonstration of brutal, unconscionable violence… Targeting an area populated with displaced families is inhumane and despicable,’ he said…

“Meanwhile in southern Gaza, the IDF asked Palestinian civilians to evacuate parts of the Khan Younis area including the humanitarian zone there, as it prepares to ‘forcefully operate’ in the region. The IDF said staying in the area has become dangerous, citing ‘significant terrorist activity and rocket fire toward the State of Israel from the southern area of Khan Younis.’ It accused Hamas of embedding ‘terrorist infrastructure’ in the humanitarian zone there.

“The Israeli military said it has made an early warning to civilians ‘to mitigate harm to the civilian population.’ It called on the civilians to ‘temporarily evacuate’ to the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, saying it has reached out using flyers, media broadcasts, phone calls and text and voice messages.”

Of course, one cannot believe a word the murderous lying terrorist organization Hamas and its agencies are saying. But war breeds more war. Note the next articles.

Hezbollah’s Attack on Israel—Harris and Biden At Fault?

The New York Post wrote on July 27:

“Former President Donald Trump blamed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the Hezbollah rocket strike on a soccer field in northern Israel that killed 12 children and teens as he campaigned in Minnesota Saturday night […the rocket was an Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket. If not fired by Hezbollah, then it could have been fired by Iranian Revolutionary Islamic Corps (IRGC) forces in Lebanon.]  ‘Today’s attack on Israel cannot be forgotten and will go down as another moment in history created by a weak and ineffective United States President and Vice President,’ Trump said…

“Israel has promised to respond to the deadliest attack on the country since Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre sparking the ongoing war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [said:] ‘Hezbollah will pay a heavy price for this that it has not paid so far…’  Israeli authorities said at least 30 rockets were fired from Lebanon toward Israel Saturday… The victims, all between the ages of 10 and 20, were Druze — an ethnoreligious Arab minority that maintains Arabic as their primary language and represents just 1.6% of Israel’s population [Many Druze are Israeli citizens and proudly serve in the IDF]…”

 The New York Post wrote on July 27:

“Foreign Minister Israel Katz discussed the deadly attack with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and declared that ‘Hezbollah crossed all red lines’ and the Jewish state was now ‘facing an all-out war’ with the Lebanese terrorists…. the attack… unfolded hours after an Israeli airstrike on the town of Kfarkela in southern Lebanon… killed four members of the terrorist sect.”

 In a related article, the New York Post wrote on July 27:

“The Mideast is on the cusp of what might become its bloodiest war since Israel’s founding in 1948… Harshly criticizing Israel as [Kamala Harris] did in front of Bibi at the White House might bag November votes – but they are also leading to body bags in Gaza and North Israel. Now, Israeli civilians are paying a heavy price for her words.

“Harris told Netanyahu she would not be silent. Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran heard her loud and clear and just told her they will not be silent either. In telling Israel she has serious concerns, Harris unwittingly, yet predictably, sent a greenlight to all three Axis of Evil partners that it is open hunting season again on Israel and its civilians throughout the country. Harris naively might have thought her ploy for votes in Michigan would lead to a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. But that ceasefire is not going to happen now and Harris, despite her team’s denials to the contrary, shoulders much of the burden of blame…”

Hezbollah Attack Enabled by Biden and Harris

Newsmax wrote on July 29:

“Hezbollah’s attack on a soccer field in the Golan Heights Saturday was another Iranian-backed mission enabled by the Biden-Harris administration, former Sen. Rick Santorum said… Sunday.  ‘The Biden-Harris administration has funded Iran, lifted sanctions, given them money, tried to become their friend so they could reestablish another nuclear accord with them,’ [he said]. As a result, U.S. policy has empowered Iran with resources to support terrorist organizations in their attacks on Israel, said Santorum. 

“‘As the Iranians always say, there’s two objectives,’ he said. ‘Number one, the great Satan, which is the United States, and the little Satan, which is Israel. Now they’re attacking the little Satan, but their goal is the great Satan’… ‘This is part of a coordinated effort by Iran… These are Iranian rockets. This is Iran funding terrorist organizations in the north, which is Hezbollah, and in the South, which is Hamas, and the Houthis in Yemen.’ And the Hezbollah attack Saturday… was conducted by an Iranian satellite organization, he added. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has more sophisticated weapons than Hamas, and is much better trained, said Santorum. ‘They control Lebanon…’”

America’s politics towards Iran, especially under Obama and Biden, have been incompetent and dangerously irresponsible.

Israel Responds

Aljazeera wrote on July 28:

“The Israeli military said on Sunday its jets bombed weapons depots and infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, in Shabriha and Burj al-Shemali near the southern city of Tyre, and the villages of Kfar Kila, Rab el-Thalathine, Khiam and Tayr Harfa.”

Reportedly, Israel’s drones have now also hit, in a deadly attack, areas in southern Lebanon.

Iran Threatens Direct Attack on Israel

ABC wrote on July 31:

“Israel… just announced they had killed a senior Hezbollah leader in Beirut, their targeted response to the Golan Heights rocket attack…”

The New York Post wrote on August 1:

“Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated Wednesday by a bomb that was smuggled into the Tehran guesthouse where he was staying two months before his arrival… The bomb was hidden inside the guesthouse approximately two months before Haniyeh’s visit… the bomb detonated remotely once it was confirmed Haniyeh was inside the room at around 2 a.m. local time…

“With the revelation that Haniyeh was killed by a remotely detonated bomb, not by an airstrike or drone strike as previously speculated, Iranian officials slammed the assassination as a major security failure…  Iranian officials said the explosion is now a source of tremendous embarrassment for the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps]… While Tehran and Hamas have blamed Israel for the assassination, the Jewish state has remained silent.”

Breitbart wrote on August 1:

“Iran’s so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ has called for a direct attack on Israel…. Many countries have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon, and some U.S. carriers have canceled flights to Israel, in anticipation of a possible war between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran’s terrorist proxy in Lebanon…”

Erdogan Threatens With Invasion

The Times of Israel wrote on July 28:

“Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatens to invade Israel in support of the Palestinians. ‘We must be very strong so that Israel can’t do these things to Palestine,’ says Erdogan, one of the most bitter critics of Israel on the international stage, referring to the war against Hamas in Gaza.

“‘Just as we entered [Nagorno-]Karabakh, just as we entered Libya, we might do the same to them. There is nothing we can’t do. We must only be strong.’’

Just idle talk? We know from the Bible that Turkey will act violently towards Israel.

Erdogan’s History of War

Breitbart wrote on July 29:

“Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an avowed Islamist and one of the loudest world leaders supporting the Hamas jihadist terror organization, threatened to invade Israel on Sunday… Under Erdogan, Turkey has engaged in foreign interventionism for nearly a decade, sending troops into Syria in 2016 to allegedly ‘end the rule of the tyrant [Bashar] Assad,’ but in reality, attacking U.S.-allied Kurdish groups. Turkey has also been active militarily in neighboring Iraq, similarly targeting Kurdish groups at the time fighting the jihadist Islamic State ‘caliphate.’ In Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkey, supplied its popular, relatively affordable Bayraktar drones to its Azeri allies, marking a decisive turn in the conflict that resulted in the completion of the genocide of Armenian Christians in the area.

“Erdogan also announced an invasion of Libya in 2020 to defend the internationally recognized ‘Government of National Accord’ (GNA) from an ongoing siege by Russia-backed warlord Khalifa Haftar. Turkish involvement in the conflict helped the GNA keep control of Tripoli through several attempts at conquest by Haftar, though Libya currently remains fractured and unstable, as neither political force has completely subdued the other.

“Reports on the Turkish president’s comments on Sunday did not clarify if intervention in Israel would be a direct Turkish military action or Erdogan would consider selling Bayraktar drones or other equipment to Hamas, which Ankara enthusiastically supports…

“The Turkish Foreign Ministry supported Erdogan’s remarks with a statement later that day comparing Israel to Nazi Germany and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler… Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz replied to Erdogan in a statement comparing him to another genocidal leader, Iraq’s Saddam Hussein. ‘Erdogan is following in the footsteps of Saddam Hussein by threatening to attack Israel. He should remember what happened there and how it ended’…

“Turkey is widely credited with committing the first genocide in modern history of Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, and other Christians and non-Turkish people within the territory that ultimately became the Republic of Turkey. Led by the ‘Young Turks,’ the killers exterminated 1.5 million Armenians out of an estimated global population of 2 million. The Turkish government, and Erdogan personally, continue to deny the 1915 genocide to this day… It is illegal to refer to the Armenian genocide as a ‘genocide’ in Turkey…”

“Erdogan… organized a massive rally in October to support the [Hamas] terrorist group’s massacre in Israel that month…”

Erdogan—“Totally Nuts”

JTA wrote on July 29:

“In May, Turkey abruptly canceled all trade with Israel, a potentially costly move that has interrupted a range of markets… Turkey is a member of NATO, the alliance formed after World War II that includes a commitment to the security of the other members. No NATO country is permitted to attack any other, and all are obligated to provide defensive aid in the case of attack by other states.

“Erdogan’s comments represent a stark departure from the expectations of NATO countries, but so far criticism has been muted… The only NATO member so far to condemn Erdogan’s comments was the Netherlands, where the right-wing prime minister Geert Wilders… tweeted that Turkey should be ejected from the alliance, something that has never happened before. ‘Islamofascist Erdogan threatens to invade Israel,’ Wilders said. ‘This guy is totally nuts. Turkey should be kicked out of NATO.’”

Erdogan is a “totally nuts” warmonger and a cruel and ruthless mass murderer. But NATO is too timid to do anything about him. Turkey has the NATO alliance’s second largest military.

Erdogan Is Germany’s “Valuable Friend”!

Bild Online wrote on July 30:

“The Turkish despot Recep Tayyip Erdogan (70) is once again causing outrage with invasion fantasies and hatred against Israel. For [German] Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (68) this is no reason to NOT refer to him as a ‘valuable friend’ (“werter Freund”) anymore…

“BILD asked… Steinmeier whether he intended to change his relationship with Erdogan: After all, in April he called Erdogan a ‘valuable friend’ – and was already receiving criticism back then, as just days before the Hamas boss had visited Erdogan to shake hands with him… In response to BILD’s query, the Federal President’s Office explains that there are ‘fundamental differences’ between the presidents in the Middle East conflict, ‘particularly with regard to Israel’s right to self-defense and the terrorist organization Hamas’. But: Steinmeier is not moving away from the term ‘valuable friend’.”

The Bible prophesies that Turkey will support Europe, under Germany’s leadership, in a military attack on Israel.

Knesset Erupts in Uproar

 i24News wrote on July 24:

“National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir shocked lawmakers during a ‘Return of Israel to the Temple Mount’ conference held Wednesday in the Knesset (Israel’s parliament), declaring that he had prayed at the Temple Mount and that Jewish prayer was allowed on there… The statements upturn the status quo between Israel and its neighbors, Jews and Muslims, and even within the Jewish community. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Ben Gvir is a ‘pyromaniac who is trying to ignite the Middle East.’…

“United Torah Judaism’s Moshe Gafni also condemned Ben Gvir’s statements, stressing that ‘ascending to the Temple Mount is entangled with a serious prohibition of karet punishment,’ referring to a religious punishment [This is a reference to the unbiblical Jewish thinking that the place was polluted and needs to be cleaned through the sacrifice of a red heifer]…

“Yesh Atid’s Mickey Levy, former Israel Police Jerusalem District commander, warned the Knesset plenary: ‘A group of lunatics and messianics will entangle Israel in another war… You are abnormal,’ he added, warning that ‘a third world war will break out. This is a real danger to the people and the State of Israel.’”

The Times of Israel added on July 25:

“Netanyahu’s office quickly countered Ben Gvir’s assertion, releasing a statement declaring that Israel’s policy ‘to maintain the status quo on the Temple Mount has not changed and will not change’… The vague status quo  governing the compound allows Muslims to pray and enter with few restrictions, while non-Muslims, including Jews, can visit only during limited time slots via a single gate, with visibly religious Jews only allowed to walk on a predetermined route, closely accompanied by police. While Jews are not officially allowed to pray, police have increasingly tolerated limited, quiet prayer….”

For now, Israel’s political establishment gives lip services in rejecting Ben Gvir’s statements and actions. This will change.

USA Not Prepared For Major War

Breitbart wrote on July 29:

“A report has found that the United States military is ‘not prepared’ to fight in a major war, as ‘major powers’ — such as Russia and China — have become ‘top threats’ to the U.S., with China ‘outpacing’ the U.S. The report, which the Commission on the National Defense Strategy released in July, reveals that while the U.S. is currently facing some of ‘the most serious and most challenging’ threats since 1945, several problems are preventing the U.S. military from being able to address threats from China or Russia.

“Among the problems preventing the U.S. military from addressing threats… is reportedly the Department of Defense’s (DOD) ‘business practices, byzantine research,’ and its ‘reliance on decades-old military hardware,’ which reflects ‘an era of uncontested military dominance.’ The report adds that ‘such methods’ are ‘not suited to today’s strategic environment.’ The report also notes that the U.S. military has faced ‘recent recruitment shortfalls’ that have led to a decrease in ‘the size of the Army, Air Force, and Navy.’…  ‘The United States last fought a global conflict during World War II, which ended nearly 80 years ago. The nation was last prepared for such a fight during the Cold War, which ended 35 years ago. It is not prepared today.’

“The report notes that ‘the U.S. defense industrial base (DIB) is unable to meet the equipment, technology, and munitions needs of the United States and its allies and partners’…”

According to Bible prophecy, America’s real danger does not come, prior to Christ’s return, from China or Russia, but from an awakening Europe. And it is also prophesied that when Europe is about to attack the USA, Americans will not be willing or able to fight.

“Sacrificing the Supreme Court Not For Democracy, But For the Far Left”

On July 29, the New York Post published the following analysis by Law Professor Jonathan Turley:

“In a failed attempt to save his nomination, Biden offered to ‘reform’ the [Supreme] Court by imposing an 18-year term limit that would jettison the three most senior conservative justices. With only six months left in his presidency, Biden’s efforts are likely to fail, but, unfortunately, could set the stage for activists under a Harris Administration in seeking to change the Court forever… It is no accident that the first three justices who would term limited off the Court are conservatives: Clarence Thomas (after 33 years on the Court), Chief Justice John Roberts (after 19 years), and Justice Samuel Alito (after 18 years)… Moreover, the Framers clearly wanted these positions as lifetime appointments as an added protection against political pressure or influence…

“For more than two centuries, presidents have struggled with the Supreme Court, but none (until now) have attempted to end life tenure on the Court… Now President Biden is leading the mob for changing this institution for the first time since its founding… After sending Thomas, Roberts, and Alito packing, many want to go further and pack the Court itself.

“Democratic leaders such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have called for outright court packing — a proposal that Vice President Kamala Harris has suggested that she might support… The pledge will be dead on arrival with Congress. What is left is a King Lear-like tragedy of a presidency, betrayed by those closest to him, and wandering the land for continued relevance.  History will show a pitiful figure who offered up the Court as the cost of staying in power, only to lose his candidacy and his legacy.”

A pitiful figure indeed.

Newsom Is Destroying California Industry

California Globe reported on July 29:

“A new survey reports 74% of California fast-food restaurant owners said ‘there is an increase in the likelihood of shutting their restaurants down – an increasingly real concept as restaurants continue to shutter,’ the Daily Mail reports. ‘Recent reporting from Business Insider showed how this is already happening, with customer foot traffic around California’s fast food restaurants considerably down.’ This is devastating to the middle class. Owning franchise fast-food restaurants is one way to build wealth…

“Never once has Gov. Gavin Newsom accepted responsibility for killing off California’s businesses with his 3-years of Covid lockdowns, nor with his radical progressive policies behind California’s ridiculously high cost of living – policies he not only supports but signs into law every year. Nor does Newsom acknowledge that in California – once known as the land of opportunity – his $20 per hour fast food minimum wage only serves to create a permanent poverty class…

“Instead of acknowledging that ‘the ones who remain employed will receive higher wage rates, but fewer will be employed,’ Newsom will cause owners of fast food businesses more hardship. And he already has…the governor sent his office minions to harass media outlets including the Globe, who accurately reported on the fast food job losses and business closures. The harassment and demands for retractions and ‘corrections’ continues on social media and in emails. We received an email from Brandon Richards… Deputy Director of Communications in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, asking for a retraction or correction and claiming the state has gained jobs since the $20 per hour fast food minimum wage…

“Now we have another recent survey of 200 fast-food companies which found that 89 percent of those eateries polled have already been forced to reduce scheduled hours for their employees, less than a year since it was passed, the Daily Mail reported. This survey comports with college students home for the summer – kids who were gainfully employed throughout high school (except during Newsom’s Covid lockdowns) – who report they can’t find summer jobs, and especially in fast food. ‘California fast-food restaurants have been forced to cut back on employee hours, shut down, or consider moving out of state completely because of Gov. Gavin Newsom‘s new $20-an-hour minimum wage law, a new study has shown,’ the Daily Mail said. Some fast-food restaurants have had to lay off staff completely…  

“Rubio’s Coastal Grill, a Carlsbad-based Mexican food restaurant chain with over 200 stores nationwide, announced that 48 stores in California would close over the weekend because of a large number of rising costs, including employee wages… ‘The rising cost of doing business and the current business climate in California are key factors in the closures,’ Rubio’s said in a statement…

“As if that isn’t damaging enough, Forbes reports, ‘California officials are reportedly considering a further increase to the recently implemented $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers… “

Terrible! Once a prosperous state, California is bankrupt. It has become a “progressive” Woke-infested nightmare, due to the incompetence and ignorance of its leaders.

Facebook, Meta and Google Under Fire for Censorship

The New York Post wrote on July 29:

“Facebook acknowledged that it mistakenly censored the iconic image of former President Donald Trump with his fist raised in the immediate aftermath of the July 13 assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. A post on Mark Zuckerberg’s social media site by a user with the handle End Wokeness that showed the Republican presidential candidate defiantly pumping his fist in the air while blood streams down his face had initially been flagged as misinformation. The user was threatened with being deplatformed.

“However, on Monday, Dani Lever, a spokesperson for the social network’s parent company, Meta, admitted the tech giant made a ‘mistake.’ ‘Yes, this was an error,’ Lever wrote on X in response to conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, who had called out Facebook for not allowing users to share the photo. ‘This fact check was initially applied to a doctored photo showing the secret service agents smiling, and in some cases our systems incorrectly applied that fact check to the real photo.’ Lever added that ‘this has been fixed and we apologize for the mistake.’

“The Meta spokesperson’s clarification did not sit well with X users, including one who remarked: ‘Funny that the ‘errors’ only ever go in one direction. Just coincidence, I guess.’ Another X user wrote: ‘No one believes you.’ ‘Nope, not buying it anymore,’ remarked another X user. Meta has come under fire from Trump supporters after its AI chatbot, Meta AI, referred to the attempted assassination as ‘fictional’ when prompted to provide details about the tragic event…

“Google has also come under fire after users noted that its ‘Autocomplete’ function on its search engine failed to generate results for the Trump attempted assassination when prompted to do so. GOP lawmakers have vowed to investigate Google, which is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Donald Trump Jr. blasted Google, accusing it of putting its thumb on the scale to favor his father’s opponent, Harris. Trump Jr. said it was ‘intentional election interference.’…

“A Google spokesperson told The Post that there was no ‘manual action taken on these predictions,’ and that its systems include ‘protections’ against Autocomplete predictions ‘associated with political violence’…”

Unfortunately, Facebook and Google have become known for inappropriately censoring or manipulating “undesired” content. The present “explanations” ring more than shallow.

Russia Threatens Germany… and Vice Versa

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 28:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that Moscow would implement ‘mirror measures’ if the United States goes ahead with its stated plan to deploy advanced missiles within Germany. Washington said earlier this month that it would start stationing longer-range and hypersonic missiles in Germany by 2026 as part of its commitment to NATO… ‘If the US implements such plans, we will consider ourselves free from the previously imposed unilateral moratorium on the deployment of intermediate and shorter-range strike weapons, including increasing the capability of the coastal forces of our navy,’ Putin said at a naval parade in St Petersburg.

“The Russian leader said that preparation for such a move was ‘in its final stage,’ adding that once ready, state, military and industrial targets could be hit within 10 minutes… The US already maintains several military bases in Germany which date back to the Cold War. US missiles are already deployed across Europe, albeit with shorter ranges… Germany’s armed forces defended the plan, saying that Russia had already deployed Iskander missiles — which are capable of carrying nuclear warheads — in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. Such intermediate-range missiles would, Germany argued, be able to hit German cities. Last week, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow would not rule out deploying nuclear missiles in response to the US move.”

Ultimately, Germany will lead an attack against Russia, but Russia will retaliate in a terrible fashion.

Prisoner Swap with Russia

Newsmax wrote on August 1:

“Jailed U.S. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan were among 26 prisoners from the United States, Russia, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway and Belarus being freed in a major east-west exchange on Thursday, Turkey’s presidency said.”

The Sun added:

“Today’s exchange is one of the largest and most complicated swaps between the West and Russia in history… The German government said it was not an easy decision to release [Russian assassin Vadim] Krasikov, who was serving a life sentence for the murder of a Chechen rebel leader in Berlin.”

 ntv wrote on August 1:

“Murderers against political prisoners. This is how the exchange between Russia and the West can be roughly summarized. Mainly in order to free contract killer Vadim Krasikov, Moscow is also releasing several Germans who were probably often convicted on trumped-up charges… Russia agrees on a large-scale prisoner exchange with several Western countries, including Germany and the USA. The German Rico Krieger, imprisoned in Russia, is released, but Moscow gets the Tiergarten murderer.”

Die Welt wrote on August:

“It is likely to be the ‘largest prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War’…”

The released Americans include three journalists, including the innocent Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was recently sentenced to 16 years in prison for alleged espionage… a farce that was probably in preparation for the prisoner exchange.

Bild Online wrote:

“We are once again deep in the dark ages of the Cold War. Prisoners must be exchanged with Moscow again. We are releasing a convicted murderer… The Kremlin criminals dictate the terms of the prison deals. In December 2022, the arms dealer Wiktor But was released against the US basketball player Brittney Griner – a hardened criminal against a naive athlete with some hash in her luggage…

“Now this; [Putin] brings his contract killer Wadim Krasikov home to the Russian Empire – the man who murdered on his behalf in Berlin’s Kleiner Tiergarten, sentenced under the rule of law to life imprisonment in Germany. The perverse message sent to the Russian people: Putin is the hero who can do this. That’s how Russia works. That’s where Putin’s interests lie: he saves murderers…

“From now on we are worried about every Western journalist and every German who makes one wrong step in Putin’s empire… Vladimir Putin keeps collecting innocent victims until he can exert enough pressure against the West to get his Shadow Warriors back. Those he sent into his no longer just Cold War against us, against the free world.”

Europe’s Undemocratic Dictatorship

Hungary Today wrote on July 25:

“This week the European Parliament has opted for its to-date most blatant revolt against the will of some 20 million European voters by excluding the third largest bloc, Patriots for Europe, from all leadership post and working groups. Zero post for the third largest political alliance thanks to European People Party (EPP) leader Manfred Weber’s anti-democratic deal with Europe’s far-left and progressive forces.

“This is a clear violation of the so called d’Hondt method used in proportional representation systems, proudly published on the EP’s own website…. Needless to say, the Parliament had just sold its own rules down the river without even trying to explain why they put a political ‘cordon sanitaire’ around Europe’s conservatives and sovereigntists.”

Europe’s move towards a dictatorship is obvious.

Turmoil in Venezuela

Thomson/Reuters reported on July 30:

“Protests spread around Venezuela and police fired tear gas in the capital Caracas as the opposition said it had voting-tally proof it won a weekend election awarded to long-ruling socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Demonstrations began after the election board, which critics say is in the pocket of a dictatorial government, declared Monday that Maduro had won a third term with 51% of the vote, extending his ‘Chavista’ movement’s quarter-century rule. But the opposition said the 73% of vote tallies to which it has access showed its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez had won by a landslide, with more than twice as many votes as Maduro…

“In Coro, the capital of Falcon state, protesters cheered and danced when they tore down a statue depicting late president Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s mentor who ruled from 1999-2013… Maduro, a 61-year-old former union leader and foreign minister, won election after Chavez’s death in 2013 and was re-elected in 2018. The opposition said both votes were rigged. He has presided over an economic collapse, mass migration, and deteriorating relations with the West including U.S. and EU sanctions that have crippled an already struggling oil industry.

“His Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino warned against allowing a repeat of the ‘terrible situations of 2014, 2017 and 2019’ when waves of anti-government protests led to hundreds of deaths and failed to dislodge Maduro. Independent pollsters called the declaration of Maduro’s victory implausible, and governments in Washington and elsewhere questioned the results and urged a full tabulation of votes. ‘Not even (Maduro) believes the electoral scam he is celebrating,’ said Argentina’s President Javier Milei. Peru ordered Venezuelan diplomats to leave within 72 hours, citing ‘serious and arbitrary decisions made today by the Venezuelan regime.’ But political allies, including Russia and Cuba, backed Maduro…”

Scandalous and Disastrous 2024 Paris Opening Ceremony

Infowars wrote on July 26:

“The 2024 Paris Olympic games kicked off Friday with a bizarre opening ceremony that featured drag queens and strange biblical references many online suggested were intended to insult members of the Christian faith. Things went awry when a group of transvestites and a fat woman posed in the fashion of the Last Supper, the Leonardo da Vinci painting immortalizing Jesus Christ’s last meal with his disciples before his crucifixion…

“The criticism over the skit reached such fever pitch, French European parliament member Marion Maréchal was forced to disavow the performance. ‘To all the Christians of the world who are watching the Paris 2024 ceremony and felt insulted by this drag queen parody of the Last Supper, know that it is not France that is speaking but a left-wing minority ready for any provocation,’ Maréchal wrote Friday on X.”

Breitbart wrote on July 26:

“Further making the Olympics opening ceremonies the ‘gayest ever,’ Parisian Olympics officials also featured an LGBTQ parody of the ‘Last Supper’ along with a woke fashion show featuring gender-bending fashions and transgender models….”

Daily Mail wrote on July 27:

“With critics branding the four-hour show as the ‘worst ever’, viewers reported poor audio caused by the near-torrential rain…  Performances from Lady Gaga and approximately 3,000 dancers, acrobats and actors were hard to hear over the sound of rain…  Gaffes with country names, the mounting of the Olympic flag and bizarre scenes which saw as headless Marie Antoinette singing peppered the display last night…

“But among the various artistic tableaus, named after French values such as freedom, fraternity and equality, it was the last supper-style performance in ‘festivité’ – or party – scene which caused the most controversy. Complete with models, dancers, fashion icons and drag queens from the host nation, the performance took place on a bridge over the capital’s river… At the centre was a woman in front of DJ equipment with a golden halo-style crown, surrounded by several drag queens and dozens of dancers and performers… Among those present was Drag Race icon Nicky Doll…

“Later in the show, the most bizarre moment of the night saw a giant platter bedecked in fake fruits and other foods – with a ‘smurf’ resting among them. The man, dressed in a skintight blue bodysuit that left very little to the imagination, was dressed as the Greek God of wine, festivity and theatre, Dionysus…

“As the South Korean delegation sailed down the Seine River in the French capital, they were introduced with the official name for North Korea…  North Korea was correctly introduced with the country’s official name…

“Another embarrassing gaffe saw the Olympic flag raised upside down…   The only saving grace came at the end of the ceremony with a stunning performance by Canadian Celine Dion. It was her first live public performance since revealing she is living with stiff person syndrome (SPS)…”

All of this is so disgusting. Our societies are SICK. Note the next two articles.

Mission Accomplished?

Fox News wrote on July 28:

“Paris organizers defended the Olympics opening ceremony..  Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps spoke about it on Sunday. ‘Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. (The opening ceremony) tried to celebrate community tolerance,’ Descamps told reporters…  ‘We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense, we are really sorry.’

 “Another French LGBT leader suggested the ceremony didn’t go far enough. ‘We know in the LGBTQ community in France we are far from what the ceremony showed,’… Inter-LGBT president James Leperlier said. ‘If you saw the opening ceremony last night you’d think it was like that normally, but it’s not. France tried to show what it should be and not what it is.’”

Jill Biden Defends the Ceremony!

Fox News wrote on July 28:

“First lady Jill Biden had high praise for the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics this weekend…  Biden led the U.S. delegation to the Olympics and called the opening ceremony ‘spectacular’… Biden remarked that the U.S. would have to work hard to top Paris’ opening ceremony when the games are held in Los Angeles in 2028… ‘The rain did not dampen our spirits…. Every step of the way, I was thinking to myself, oh my g…, oh my g…. How are we going to top this?’…

“Several U.S. and world lawmakers denounced the Paris ceremony after drag queens and artists made a spectacle of the Leonardo DaVinci painting, the Last Supper, which depicts the last meal Jesus had with his apostles… ‘Last night’s mockery of the Last Supper was shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world who watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games,’ House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a post on X. ‘The war on our faith and traditional values knows no bounds today. But we know that truth and virtue will always prevail.’

“He then referred to the Bible verse [John 1:5], which reads, ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’”

Jill Biden’s blasphemy in the context of praising the Paris ceremony is quite telling as well. Trump rightly condemned the spectacle.

Gay Artist Director: A Great Pagan Festival

Breitbart wrote on July 29:

“Thomas Jolly, the [openly gay] artistic director of the Olympic Opening Ceremony, denied on Sunday that he was not ‘inspired’ by the Last Supper, despite the striking similarities between the Leonardo da Vinci depiction of the Jesus Christ’s Last Supper with his 12 Apostles and the drag queen tableau shown at the opening of the Paris games… ‘I wanted to do a ceremony that repairs, that reconciles, that reaffirms the values of our Republic,’ Jolly said in comments reported by Le Figaro… ‘I think it was quite clear, there is Dionysus who arrives on this table. He is there, why? Because he is the god of the festival… of wine, and father of Sequana, the goddess connected to the river… The idea was rather to make a great pagan festival linked to the gods of Olympus,’ he said.

“Jolly also claimed that he did not intend to celebrate political violence by showing a decapitated Marie-Antoinette…

“The apparent mockery of the Christian religion drew fierce backlash throughout the world, with Catholic Bishop Robert Barron describing the drag queen scene as ‘gross, flippant mockery’ of a ‘very central moment in Christianity.’ The Bishop of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester added: ‘Would they ever dared mock Islam in a similar way? Would they have ever dreamed of mocking, in this gross, public way, a scene from the Qur’an? We all know the answer.’

“Backlash was also swift in France, with former Culture Secretary Philippe de Villiers declaring: ‘We are committing the suicide of our country in front of the whole world.’”

If THAT was to portray France’s values, then we can only say: Poor France!

JD Vance the Wrong Choice for Trump?

Bild Online wrote on July 28th:

“J.D. Vance (39) is supposed to supply Donald Trump’s (78) campaign with fresh conservative blood. But two weeks after his nomination, the Republican vice-candidate’s past caught up with him and became a problem for his boss – who is reportedly already regretting his choice.

“Reason: Around 90 emails that Vance wrote to a former classmate, a transsexual, and which have now been published by the New York Times. Even though it is known that Vance has changed politically, the emails could become a scandal in the election campaign. In it, Vance wrote, among other things: ‘I hate the police.’ And about Trump he said: ‘A demagogue.’

“The emails date from between 2014 and 2017. At that time, Vance was studying law at the prestigious Yale University. They show: Vance not only radically changed his opinion about Trump, but also once had a transsexual as a close friend. A fact that could cause uncertainty in parts of the Republican Party – after all, Vance is considered a tough conservative there.

 “At the center of the email affair: Sofia Nelson – a transsexual who now works as a lawyer in Detroit. Nelson had a falling out with Vance for political reasons in 2021 and leaked his correspondence to the New York Times.

“Excerpts:

“‘I hate the police,’ Vance wrote in 2014 after an officer shot and killed 18-year-old African-American Michael Brown in Ferguson. And further: ‘When I see how many negative experiences I have had with the police, I can imagine how black boys feel.’

“When Donald Trump announced his candidacy in 2015 and, among other things, attacked Muslim immigrants, Vance wrote to his friend: ‘I am appalled by Trump’s rhetoric. I’ve always believed that people believe in crazy sh…. And there have always been demagogues willing to take advantage of people who believe crazy sh….’

Two months before Trump’s victory in November 2016, Vance wrote, ‘The more white people want to vote for Trump, the more black people will suffer.’

“A little later he confessed to the transgender that he wanted to help Democrat Hillary Clinton (76) in the election campaign and wrote about Trump: ‘He is simply a bad man. A morally reprehensible person.’

“The emails come at a sensitive election campaign phase: Trump’s lead is melting away…

“Trump already regrets his decision for Vance, said Republican analyst Ben Shapiro (40) on TV. And Kamala Harris’ campaign exults: ‘Vance is already a disaster.’ From Vance’s camp, the message so far is: ‘It’s a shame that someone is publicly sharing a decade-old private conversation.’

“Meanwhile, Americans are asking themselves: Is Trump now angry with his eldest son Donald Jr.? He had recommended Vance to him because he had spoken out against aid to Ukraine.”

The real question is, Can someone change THAT MUCH?

The Guardian wrote on July 27:

“Now – days after receiving a rapturous response at the Republican national convention in Milwaukee – JD Vance is being lamented within party circles as a potentially fatal liability in Trump’s quest to recapture the White House… Vance’s poll ratings have been dragged to record lows by a combination of his own past statements resurfacing on social media and embarrassingly awkward performances on the campaign trail. The danger that Vance’s baggage will drag Trump down with him may already be giving the former president buyer’s remorse, commentators believe…

“Vance… was selected because he faithfully reflected the ideological gut instincts of Trump, despite having previously called him ‘America’s Hitler’ and ‘cultural opioid.’… Vance, with his hardline anti-abortion stance and sneering contempt for childless women, may be entirely the wrong partner to help Trump… [In] a 2021 interview with then Fox News host Tucker Carlson, [Vance] derided women without children as ‘childless cat ladies who are miserable in their own lives’…”

Vance confirmed last Friday in an interview that his position in regard to women without children has been substantially correct.

“In Four Years, You Don’t Have to Vote Anymore”

npr wrote on July 27:

“[In his address to Christians at Turning Point Action’s ‘Believers Summit’ in West Palm Beach, Fla.,] Trump… urged Christians to turn out for him ahead of Election Day, calling it the ‘most important election ever.’ He added that if elected, Christian-related concerns will be ‘fixed’ so much so that they would no longer need to be politically engaged. ‘You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what? It’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians,’ he said.”

Commentators offered numerous ways of interpreting this statement. According to the Atlantic, “First, Trump could be implying that there won’t be any future elections if he comes to power [declaring] himself ‘president for life”’…  A second and slightly more charitable interpretation of his remarks is that Trump believes his presidency will entrench so many pro-Christian policies into the United States government that no future election could realistically undo his transformation of the country.’ Breitbart added on July 28: “There is, in fact, a third possibility… telling [Christian voters] that if he wins the election he will make voting so secure that their votes will no longer be needed in future to overcome the possibility of cheating by Democrats.”

Of course, there is still another possibility that Trump was “guided” to say these words, perhaps being oblivious himself to the true meaning, that there will be no more elections in four years as the USA might not exist anymore as a nation by that time?

Trump Repeats Controversial Claim

The Guardian wrote on July 30:

“Donald Trump on Monday repeated his weekend remarks to Christian summit attendees that they would never need to vote again if he returns to the presidency in November. But, after being asked repeatedly on Fox News to clarify what he meant, the Republican former president denied threatening to permanently stay in office beyond his second – and constitutionally mandated final – four-year term…

“‘That statement is very simple, I said, “Vote for me, you’re not gonna have to do it ever again,’” Trump told Ingraham. ‘… Christians are not known as a big voting group, they don’t vote. And I’m explaining that to them. You never vote. This time, vote. I’ll straighten out the country, you won’t have to vote any more, I won’t need your vote any more, you can go back to not voting… Christians do not vote well. They vote in very small percentages. Why? I don’t know. Maybe they’re disappointed in things that are happening…’

“Ingraham pressed the former president, asking him, ‘But you will leave office after four years?’ Trump responded, ‘Of course.’”

While Trump tried to explain what he did not mean with his claim, he never really explained what he DID mean.

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.

We read in Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”  The New International Version states it this way:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  

Even though the author of the Book of Hebrews is not clear, this book has been traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul.  Nevertheless, the writings were Godly-inspired and are still in force and effect today, as Jesus is described in the next verse as the “author or originator” and the “finisher or perfecter” of our faith, and all who profess faith in Him are urged to do two things:

First, we are to remove or put off any burden that keeps us from attaining the likeness of Christ, especially sin, because sin ensnares us and we become slaves to sin when we commit unrighteousness. Second, we are to persevere with patience, enduring all things until we grow and mature in the faith. James reminds us in James 1:2-3 that the trials we suffer test our faith and thereby strengthen us through patience which leads us to maturity.  Hebrews 12:1 is reminding us to persevere through those trials, knowing that, by God’s faithfulness in us as we have faith in Him, we won’t be overwhelmed by them but we should be able to overcome them (1 Corinthians 10:13).

So who is the “cloud of witnesses,” and how is it that it “surrounds” us? 

Gotquestions.org answers this question in the following way:  “To understand this, we need to look at the previous chapter, as evidenced by the word therefore beginning chapter 12. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the rest of the Old Testament believers looked forward with faith to the coming of the Messiah. The author of Hebrews illustrates this eloquently in chapter 11 and then ends the chapter by telling us that the forefathers had faith to guide and direct them, but God had something better planned. Then he begins chapter 12 with a reference to these faithful men and women who paved the way for us. What the Old Testament believers looked forward to in faith—the Messiah—we look back to, having seen the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning His first coming.

“We are surrounded by the saints of the past in a unique way. It’s not that the faithful who have gone before us are spectators to the race we run. Rather, it is a figurative representation and means that we ought to act as if they were in sight and cheering us on to the same victory in the life of faith that they obtained. We are to be inspired by the godly examples these saints set during their lives. These are those whose past lives of faith encourage others to live that way, too…”

They conclude by saying this:

“That the cloud is referred to as ‘great’ indicates that millions of believers have gone before us, each bearing witness to the life of faith we now live.”

Other commentaries state something similar in this regard. Barnes Notes on the Bible says: “The phrase, ‘a cloud of witnesses,’ means many witnesses, or a number so great that they seem to be a cloud.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Bible seems to agree to an extent, stating this:

“… and more especially for their number, being like a thick cloud, and so many, that they compass about on every side, and are instructive every way.”

However, it is doubtful that the term “so great a cloud of witnesses” wants to convey the existence of millions of Old Testament saints. The Greek word for “cloud” is nephos. It is only used in Hebrews 12:1. It seems to describe a “cloud,” or “clouds,” or a “nebula.” The Greek word for “so great” is “tosoutos” and describes a quantity. It is used in Matthew 15:33 for “so great a multitude,” consisting of four thousand men, besides women and children (verse 38). Even though it refers to several thousands of people, it clearly does not describe millions.

Jude 14-15 states that Jesus Christ comes “with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment…” It is doubtful that Jude is referring here to converted Christians. It is more likely that the reference is to Christ who is returning with His angels (compare Benson Commentary: “Or holy ones, namely, angels, with legions of whom his descent for the purpose here mentioned will be attended.”)

Barnes Notes on the Bible adds: “The word ‘saints’ we now apply commonly… to Christians. The original word is, however, applicable to all who are ‘holy,’ angels as well as men. The common representation in the Scriptures is, that he would come attended by the angels…”

We read in Deuteronomy 33:2 that Moses used similar terminology as Jude, stating, “The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came with ten thousands of saints; From His right hand Came a fiery law for them.” A better translation of “saints’ is “holy ones,” referring to angels (compare Ryrie Study Bible). Apparently, the reference is to Christ’s coming to the Israelites to proclaim the Ten Commandments. A similar reference is in Daniel 7:10, referring to God and His heavenly court of angels.

The Bible does not show that millions of people in Old Testament times received the Holy Spirit. Rather, it appears that their number was limited, and that only few, by comparison, were called by God to salvation in Old Testament times. Compare, for example, our Q&A, “Will Only Few Be Saved?” explaining in detail the biblical use of the word “many,” which must always be viewed in context. 

Still, Hebrews 12:1 says that we are surrounded by a great cloud of Old Testament saints or by many witnesses, if we understand this terminology correctly.

The Barnes Notes on the Bible commentary explains Hebrews 12:1 in this way:

“Seeing we also are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses – The apostle represents those to whom he had referred in the previous chapter, as looking on to witness the efforts which Christians make, and the manner in which they live. There is an allusion here, doubtless, to the ancient games. A great multitude of spectators usually occupied the circular seats in the amphitheater, from which they could easily behold the combatants.”

This could be seen in the way Paul describes those running in a race in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. 

Continuing:

“In like manner, the apostle represents Christians as encompassed with the multitude of worthies to whom he had referred in the previous chapter. It cannot be fairly inferred from this that he means to say that all those ancient worthies were actually looking at the conduct of Christians, and saw their conflicts. It is a figurative representation, such as is common, and means that we ought to act as if they were in sight, and cheered us on…”

Gills Exposition of the Bible explains the “great cloud of witnesses” as “the Old Testament saints, the instances of whose faith and patience are produced in the preceding chapter: these, some of them, were martyrs in the sense in which that word is commonly used; they suffered in the cause, and for the sake of true religion; and they all bore a noble testimony of God, and for him; and they received a testimony from him; and will be hereafter witnesses for, or against us, to whom they are examples of the above graces: and these may be compared to a ‘cloud’, for the comfortable and reviving doctrines which they dropped; and for their refreshing examples in the heat of persecution; and for their guidance and direction in the ways of God… Hence the following things are inferred and urged:”

“Let us lay aside every weight; or burden; every sin, which is a weight and burden to a sensible sinner, and is a hinderance in running the Christian race; not only indwelling sin, but every actual transgression, and therefore to be laid aside; as a burden, it should be laid on Christ; as a sin, it should be abstained from, and put off, with respect to the former conversation: also worldly cares, riches, and honours, when immoderately pursued, are a weight depressing the mind to the earth, and a great hinderance in the work and service of God, and therefore to be laid aside; not that they are to be entirely rejected, and not cared for and used, but the heart should not be set upon them, or be over anxious about them.”

Barnes Notes on the Bible further explains that the usual meaning of weight or burden references here to “the runners in the games who were careful not to encumber themselves with anything that was heavy. Hence, their clothes were so made as not to impede their running, and hence, they were careful in their training not to overburden themselves with food, and in every way to remove what would be an impediment or hindrance.

“As applied to Christians it means that they should remove all which would obstruct their progress in the Christian course. Thus, it is fair to apply it to whatever would be an impediment in our efforts to win the crown of life. It is not the same thing in all persons. In one it may be pride; in another vanity; in another worldliness; in another a violent and almost ungovernable temper; in another a corrupt imagination; in another a heavy, leaden, insensible heart; in another some improper and unholy attachment. Whatever it may be, we are exhorted to lay it aside…”

Referring to the “sin which so easily ensnares us,” it is sin that is easily committed.  Gills Exposition of the Bible further explains that it could also mean “either the corruption of nature in general, which is always present, and puts upon doing evil, and hinders all the good it can; or rather some particular sin, as what is commonly called a man’s constitution sin, or what he is most inclined to, and is most easily drawn into the commission of; or it may be the sin of unbelief is intended, that being opposite to the grace of faith, the apostle had been commending, in the preceding chapter, and he here exhorts to; and is a sin which easily insinuates itself, and prevails, and that sometimes under the notion of a virtue, as if it would be immodest, or presumptuous to believe; the arguments for it are apt to be readily and quickly embraced; but as every weight, so every sin may be designed.. The allusion seems to be to runners in a race, who throw off everything that encumbers, drop whatsoever is ponderous and weighty, run in light garments, and lay aside long ones, which entangle and hinder in running, as appears from the next clause, or inference.”

We are admonished to run with endurance or patience (Authorized Version) the race that is set before us.  Barnes Notes on the Bible explains, “The word rendered ‘patience’ rather means in this place, perseverance. We are to run the race without allowing ourselves to be hindered by any obstructions, and without giving out or fainting in the way.”  

Gills Exposition elaborates further, stating that “the stadium, or race plot, in which the Christian race is run, is this world; the prize run for is the heavenly glory; the mark to direct in it, is Christ; many are the runners, yet none but the overcomers have the prize; which being held by Christ, is given to them: this race is ‘set before’ the saints; that is, by God; the way in which they are to run is marked out by him in his word; the troubles they shall meet with in it are appointed for them by him, in his counsels and purposes; the mark to direct them is set before them in the Gospel, even Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, whom they are to look unto; the length of their race is fixed for them, or how far, and how long they shall run; and the prize is determined for them, and will be given them, and which is held out for their encouragement, to have respect unto: and it becomes all the saints, and belongs to each, and every one of them, to ‘run’ this race; which includes both doing and suffering for Christ; it is a motion forward, a pressing towards the mark for the prize, a going from strength to strength, from one degree of grace to another; and to it swiftness and agility are necessary; and when it is performed aright, it is with readiness, willingness, and cheerfulness: it requires strength and courage, and a removal of all impediments, and should be done ‘with patience’; which is very necessary, because of the many exercises in the way; and because of the length of the race; and on account of the prize to be enjoyed, which is very desirable: the examples of the saints, and especially Christ, the forerunner, should move and animate unto it.”

We are to be encouraged by the example of the many who have run the same race before us, who have succeeded and overcome in faith as we read about in Hebrews 11, and we are to follow their examples so we can persevere as they did, to the end.

As we read in verse 2 of Hebrews 12, we are to look unto Jesus, to imitate Him, as a further encouragement to do this and to look to His perfect sinless life; to His patience and perseverance in trials; to what He endured in order to obtain the crown, and to his final success and triumph.  He is our ultimate example who set aside His divinity to come into sinful flesh, lived His human life as an example for us by overcoming sin in the flesh and dying for us so that each one of us could obtain forgiveness, providing we repent of our sins and accept His Sacrifice. Once we repent of our sins, turn to God, and accept forgiveness for our sins by claiming Christ’s Sacrifice, we are NOT to turn back and start sinning again. 

As we are to follow the examples of the “cloud of witnesses” who have been victorious in their race, WE also have God the Father and Jesus Christ as our witness as they observe our lives, hoping that we will live righteously, for Their purpose is also to see us qualify, to inherit eternal life and to be in Their Family.

Lead Writer: Michael Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“The Coup to Oust Joe Biden,” a new StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

In spite of his and the White House’s and his family’s assurances to the contrary, Biden surprised everyone when he announced on Sunday, July 21, his abrupt decision to drop out of the 2024 race and to endorse Kamala Harris (even though Jill Biden was allegedly totally opposed to such an endorsement). While Harris was quick to complete her “takeover” of the Democratic Party by obtaining the support of enough delegates for her nomination, Obama, Pelosi and other influential Democrats refused initially to endorse her.  But subsequently, they did—Obama as late as Friday, July 26, even though it is claimed that he had been furious about Biden’s endorsement of Harris who he allegedly feels to be incompetent and unable to beat Trump. This program describes in detail the coup by the “trinity” of Obama, Pelosi and Schumer to get rid of Biden, the cover-up by the White House and Kamala Harris of Biden’s failing health, the Democrats’ “crocodile tears,” and the reported allegation that Harris is “a far-left authoritarian demagogue.”  

“Gottlosigkeit und Perversion in unserer Endzeit-Gesellschaft,” this Sabbath’s new German sermon presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. Title in English: “Godlessness and Perversion in our End-time-Society.”

“Auf dem Weg hin zu 1939,” last Sabbath’s German sermonette by Marc Voeller, is now posted. Title in English: “On the way to 1939.”

“The Cruel God of the Old Testament?” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Many believe that God the Father is cruel and harsh, but Jesus Christ is the merciful and the loving Son of God who must intrigue the Father on our behalf so that He is less angry with us. This belief is based on the idea that the Father was the angry God of the Old Testament who did terrible things to the people, while Christ, the innocent Lamb, is our loving Mediator to beg the Father to show love to us. Why are these ideas totally wrong? And what DOES the Bible say about God’s love and punishment?

“Seek,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Rene Messier, is now posted. Here is the summary:

This sermon looks at biblical examples of the practical use of the word SEEK.  Some examples show immediate positive outcomes, some long-term positive outcomes, while others do not reflect such immediate or long-term positive outcomes. 

On July 27, 2024, Norbert Link will present the sermonette, titled, “The Cruel God of the Old Testament?” and Rene Messier will present the sermon, titled, “Seek.”

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.

There are currently many people around me suffering from sickness, be it in the family, among relatives, friends, brethren or acquaintances, as well as among colleagues at work.

Sadly, illnesses have existed for a very long time and are also part of the consequence of sin, which began with Eve choosing to eat the forbidden fruit. Satan’s direct involvement can of course also be responsible for illnesses. We read Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:7: “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.” Paul suffered from some kind of illness that is not described here in detail.

Job also had to suffer much, albeit because of his arrogance, through a direct attack by Satan. We can see from Job 1:6-12 that whatever Satan attacks always turns into evil. Verse 12 confirms that its outcome is in Satan’s hands: “The LORD said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands…’” (New International Version). But Satan can only work to a certain extent, and we read this in the same verse as follows: “… only do not lay a hand on his person.”

Leprosy is a very serious disease. It is said that leprosy is one of the oldest known diseases and has been described for around 4,000 years. Because of the distinctive skin lesions, the disease became known as leprosy. We read about it for the first time in Leviticus 13:1-3. Whether this disease has been brought under medical control is highly questionable.

Many of our brethren also suffer from a wide variety of diseases, such as cancer, which comes in many different forms. Others have been suffering for years from diabetes or severe back pain, knee and hip problems, allergies and so much more. My wife suffers from many different illnesses. I personally suffered from a pulmonary embolism caused by thrombosis. Initially, I had to take a blood thinner from the pharmaceutical industry, which unfortunately had countless side effects. But through the advice of endearing brethren, I was able to use natural remedies made from plants created by God, which, with God’s help, meant that firstly, I no longer needed thrombosis stockings and secondly, the blood clot was able to dissolve.

God has created all kinds of plants and herbs to heal many diseases. The Bible gives us a glimpse that there were physicians in both the Old and New Testaments (compare Genesis 50:2 and Colossians 4:14). Although the Bible does not mention much about healing with herbs or other natural substances, there are some accounts, and we may assume that competent physicians made use of natural remedies or ointments and oils.

Isaiah 1:6 records that ointments were used for relief. Luke 10:34 shows that oil and wine were used to disinfect and treat wounds. Treatment with natural eye salve and balm was also known (compare Jeremiah 8:22 and Revelation 3:18). We also read about a poultice made of figs for boils to induce healing (compare Isaiah 38:21). In the future, leaves from all kinds of fruitful trees will also be used as healing medicines (compare Ezekiel 47:12).

It is even claimed that pomegranates can cure many different cancers, but they are also said to be very helpful for healing wounds. And there are over thousands of different plants and herbs that can help.

God has brethren ordained as ministers, including for the purpose of anointing the sick with oil for healing. Now, of course, the oil has no healing effect in this respect; it is symbolic of the Holy Spirit of power, through which God brings about healing. Although complete healing does not always occur immediately, we know that it is up to God’s Will how and whether He will heal someone later, today, or in the near future.

You might ask yourself: “Why do I have to suffer so much, even though I pray so often for healing, have faith in healing, or even fast for it?” Paul received his answer from Christ after he had prayed to Him three times for healing: “And [Christ] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

God could, of course, deliver us from all our sickness and pain in the blink of an eye, but if this doesn’t happen, then God has chosen to wait a little longer, and whatever His motives are, we will find out in due time. As long as we are not healed of our sicknesses, patience and perseverance are another test for us.

We must not let up, give up, or doubt that God will help. James 5:13-15 tells us: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

But James 1:6-8 also admonishes us: “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Everything comes from God. Only, we need to have faith and trust in Him.

(Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger)

by Norbert Link

We begin with the bombshell news which broke Sunday, revealing that Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race AND that he endorsed Kamala Harris, even though he had insisted as late as of Friday that he would NOT step down and that he would continue his race next week, and his wife had insisted that in any event, Kamala would not be endorsed. It is interesting that Obama and Pelosi, who are seen as the puppet masters behind the plot to end Biden’s career, did not endorse Kamala, who is indeed considered by many as an extremely poor choice, and that this would virtually guarantee Donald Trump’s victory in November. Time will tell.

We expressed concern that the German government’s rejection of Trump might turn out to be very bad for Germany. We also report on numerous scandals in Germany pertaining to the Corona pandemic.

We continue with the worldwide Internet chaos which was allegedly caused by a faulty software Update. Many feel that these catastrophes are bound to continue.

We speak on telephonic meetings between Trump and Zelensky as well as Trump’s meeting with Orban, discussing a peace plan to end the Russian-Ukrainian war, while reelected EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attacked Orban and the right in Europe, and an advisory board of the Department of Homeland Security characterized Trump supporters, religious and military people as potential terrorists.

We address an appalling decision by the European Parliament pertaining to the assassination attempt on Trump,

We report on Russia’s ongoing persecution of journalists; statements by Iran’s new “moderate” president in support of Hamas; escalations between the Houthis of Yemen and Israel; and a legally non-binding decision by the UN’s International Court of Justice against Israel, finding Israel’s presence in the Palestinian occupied territories to be “unlawful.”

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

Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race, Endorses Kamala Harris

Newsmax wrote on July 21:

“President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday… The decision comes after escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside… Biden’s decision came as he has been isolating at his Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, huddling with a shrinking circle of close confidants and family members about his political future… 

“A party’s presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election… Now, Democrats have to urgently try to bring coherence to the nominating process in a matter of weeks and persuade voters in a stunningly short amount of time that their nominee can handle the job and beat Trump…

“The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, but the party had announced that it would hold a virtual roll call to formally nominate [Biden’s successor] before in-person proceedings begin.”

Breitbart wrote on July 21:

“Obama and Pelosi stand out among Democrat leaders for not specifically endorsing Harris. [The New York Post commented: “Obama said Democrats would pick an unnamed ‘outstanding nominee’. Obama, America’s first black president, remains one of the most respected leaders among Democrats and his lack of an endorsement of Harris could damage her candidacy and implicitly encourage new candidates to emerge.”]. It will be interesting to see whether current elected Democrat politicians (who still must face public opinion) call for the party to get behind Harris or call for an open and competitive process that, at least in theory, will look less rigged. [The New York Post: “Some Democrats fear that Harris, the 59-year-old vice president, could further diminish the party’s chances against former President Donald Trump.”]

“In Obama’s statement praising Biden and not endorsing Harris, he writes: ‘I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges’… Harris was one of the first candidates to drop out of the 2020 Democratic primary campaign… 

“Politico reports that Biden’s White House and campaign aides learned the news that Biden is dropping the same way the rest of the world did — by Biden’s statement on X… Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issues a statement thanking Biden for his service but not offering any endorsement of Harris. Last week, Pelosi told colleagues that she supports an ‘open’ and ‘competitive’ nomination process if Biden drops out…

“The DNC Chair Jaime Harrison issued a statement that seems to acknowledge that the Democratic Party does not yet have a plan in place for deciding who the nominee will be… Both Bill and Hillary Clinton issued a statement endorsing Harris…

“Republican Nominee former President Donald Trump predicted last December that neither Biden nor Harris would be the Democratic nominee…

“House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is also calling on Biden to step down from his presidency. In a statement on X, Johnson writes: ‘If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough.’ Even before today’s announcement by Biden, some were calling for him to step down from the presidency if he stepped aside from the nomination. Republican Vice-Presidential Nominee Ohio Sen. JD Vance posted on X this morning before Biden’s announcement, ‘If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President?’…”

More Reactions

The Sun added on July 21:

“Florida Governor Ron DeSantis… slammed VP Harris for standing by Joe before his announcement. ‘Kamala Harris was complicit in a massive coverup to hide and deny the fact that Joe Biden was not capable of discharging the duties of the office… She also was the border czar during the worst border crisis in American history. Democrats are just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.’…

“The world has begun to react to Biden removing himself from the race with English journalist Piers Morgan [posting] a picture of Biden asking, ‘If Biden’s unfit to stay in the presidential race, then surely he’s unfit to remain President too?’ In another tweet, he commented on the stunning series of developments that the United States has seen in just a month. ‘The debate.. the shooting… now the dropout … what an incredible 24 days in American political history…’

“Morgan… wrote, ‘You [Nancy Pelosi] literally just led the plot to end his career’…  Biden reportedly considered Pelosi the main instigator behind the push to drop out, sources close to the president have said… He also reportedly said former president Barack Obama was the puppet master behind the operation…” 

Biden’s Farewell

The Daily Mail wrote on July 25:

“President Joe Biden mumbled his way through an 11-minute farewell address to the nation and claimed he could have served another four years if he wanted to. Biden, 81, spoke quietly, at times haltingly, and his voice was scratchy as he explained his stunning decision not to seek reelection… The President said he had chosen to ‘pass the torch’ to Vice President Kamala Harris because it was time for ‘younger voices’ and he believed that would ‘unite’ the country and ‘save’ democracy…”

The New York Post wrote on July 24:

“Joe Biden said his farewell to the nation Wednesday night, and it was the same old malarkey… There wasn’t a word about his age, his recent public stumbles [his health and mental acuity] or the pressure from his party. There was no apology and no self-reflection… Instead, Biden sermonized on the importance of character and telling the truth, as if he and his White House hadn’t spent years misleading the public about the president’s capacity to do the job…

“Biden talked about what he still wants to do, but not how this old man, slurring his cliches for 13 minutes off a TelePrompter, is supposed to do it… If you watched looking for a warm endorsement of Kamala Harris, you didn’t get much. Biden gave her a generic shout-out that said nothing about what she actually contributed to his administration. But then, what is there to say?…

“Biden rehashed the supposed highlights of his presidency, and insulted the intelligence of his listeners with claims to have defeated crime and secured the border.”

White House Cover-Up Continues

In a related article, the New York Post wrote on July 24:

“White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted Wednesday that President Biden remains sharp as a tack and ‘absolutely’ could serve another four-year term — stunning journalists at her first briefing since Biden  dropped his re-election campaign over concerns about his mental acuity. ‘Look, he didn’t step down from campaigning or from running because he didn’t believe he can serve in a second term. That is not why,’ Jean-Pierre claimed, to the incredulity of the press corps.

“The press secretary said the 81-year-old president’s decision to drop out Sunday and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, was in the ‘best interest’ of the country and the Democratic Party and that viewers should ‘stay tuned’ for a fuller explanation from Biden in an 8 p.m. Oval Office address on Wednesday. ‘It has nothing to do with his health,’ Jean-Pierre claimed…Asked about allegations that Biden’s inner circle had covered up his cognitive condition, she asserted, ‘it is not a cover-up’…”

Except, Biden did give NO further “explanation” in his speech as to why he resigned.

Kamala Harris a Poor Choice

The Daily Mail wrote on July 21:

“Earlier on Sunday a slew of Biden’s allies went on the airwaves to insist the President was not stepping down and would continue his reelection efforts [So who or what convinced him to change his mind so abruptly? This is very strange indeed, as is his tweet half an hour after his initial announcement that he would drop out, to endorse Kamala Harris—even though his wife Jill had allegedly insisted earlier that she would be fully opposed to endorsing Kamala. Some felt First Lady Jill Biden was the only one pushing for her 81-year-old husband to remain on the ballot. If so, who and what changed HER mind?]

“Critics… have attacked [Harris] for poor public speaking skills…  And some polls have shown her less popular even than ailing, ageing, [P]resident Biden, in the vital swing states likely to settle the election. Her opponents argue letting her run would amount to admitting defeat. As a result… challengers to a Harris nomination are bound to come forward… just because Biden backed his No. 2 to take his spot doesn’t mean she automatically will receive the nomination.”

To recall, the New York Post wrote on July 19 about the mounting pressure on Biden to stand down:

“President Biden is digging in his heels and vowing to get ‘back on the campaign trail next week’ despite mounting calls from Democrats to stand down — even reportedly lashing out at his party’s leaders and accusing them of helping Donald Trump get elected in 2016 when they cast him aside to boost Hillary Clinton. Former President Barack Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New York Sen. Chuck Schumer are just three of the powerful Dems who have apparently counseled Biden, 81, to throw in the towel. ‘Can we all just remember for a minute that these same people who are trying to push Joe Biden out are the same people who literally gave us all Donald Trump?’ a source close to Biden scoffed to NBC News.  ‘In 2015, Obama, Pelosi, Schumer pushed Biden aside in favor of Hillary; they were wrong then, and they are wrong now,’ they added…

“The Biden camp clapback comes on the heels of mounting speculation that the president’s own party might be turning on him due to concerns about his mental and physical fitness. Even the president’s family has reportedly discussed what an exit from the campaign trail might look like… Speculation about private family talks, however, was shut down by White House spokesman Andrew Bates…

“Biden stepped back from campaigning this week when he tested positive for COVID-19…”

So, something is clearly rotten in the… USA.

Democrats’ Crocodile Tears

The New York Post wrote on July 22:

“After Democratic bigs knifed Joe Biden in the back, wresting the candidacy from his stubborn, locked grip, they rushed to valorize him with effusive praise and glowing political obituaries. They’ve called him a ‘patriot’ and a ‘hero’... the trinity of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer…. especially with the backing of the big-money donor class and Hollywood hotshots… in a calculated campaign to remove the president, threatened him with the 25th Amendment in a ‘palace coup’… Behind closed doors, they were likely calling him four-letter words not suitable for a family newspaper…

“The only person who gave it to us straight was the Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania, John Fetterman. ‘Spare me the soaring accolades from people with their fingerprints on the blades in our president’s back,’ [he said]…

“Biden was clearly bullied into submission by party leaders… And our 46th president is no hero…”

Republicans are now demanding that Biden resigns as President, as they demanded before that he discontinues his run for the race. But if he resigns as President, Kamala Harris would take his place. How does this make any sense?

Harris Secures Enough Delegates to Become Democrat Nominee

Breitbart wrote on July 22:

“By Monday night, Harris had the support of at least 2,471 delegates, according to the AP tally of delegates, more than the 1,976 delegates she’ll need to win on a first ballot. No other candidate was named by a delegate contacted by the AP…

“Chairman Rusty Hicks said 75 to 80 percent of the state’s delegation was on a call Monday and expressed unanimous support for Harris. ‘I’ve not heard anyone mentioning or calling for any other candidate,’ Hicks said…  The AP stopped short of calling Harris the presumptive nominee due to the fact that ‘the convention delegates are still free to vote for the candidate of their choice at the convention in August or if Democrats go through with a virtual roll call ahead of that gathering in Chicago.’

“… the Harris campaign raised ‘$81 million in donations within 24 hours, setting a fundraising record’… more than 888,000 ‘grassroots donors’ had contributed, according to Axios. Out of this number, 60 percent were reported to have been first-time donors during the 2024 presidential election. Another 43,000 people had vowed to make recurring donations to Harris’s campaign.”

The Wall Street Journal wrote on July 24 that it took Harris only two days to complete her “takeover” of the Democratic Party. 

Kamala Harris… a Far-Left Authoritarian Demagogue?

The New York Post wrote on July 22:

“… at her core, Kamala Harris is a far-left, authoritarian demagogue… Harris’ agenda better resembles Bernie Sanders’, not [Biden’s]…

“In the Senate, Harris championed the farcical $10 trillion Green New Deal… Then, on the campaign trail, she boasted ‘there’s no question I’m in favor of banning fracking’… In 2019, she… went so far as to say that she would abolish private health insurance entirely… Harris doesn’t even balk at tax rates of up to 80%, even calling the idea ‘fantastic’… She hopped on to the destructive ‘Defund the police’ bandwagon and applauded Los Angeles for cutting its police department’s budget by $150 million… she promised to wield the Department of Justice against pro-lifers… she urged her followers to donate to bail funds for the sick rioters who unleashed hell on America’s cities during the summer of 2020… During her previous campaign, Harris promised, with a wave of her make-believe scepter, to implement a sweeping amnesty program for illegal immigrants…”

Obama Does Not Believe Kamala Harris Can Win

The New York Post wrote on July 24:

“Following President Biden’s shocking exit from the race on Sunday, and his immediate endorsement of the vice president, most of the Democratic elite have been quick to rally behind Harris — but Obama is a notable exception. ‘Obama’s very upset because he knows she can’t win,’ the Biden family source told The Post. ‘Obama knows she’s just incompetent — the border czar who never visited the border, saying that all migrants should have health insurance. She cannot navigate the landmines that are ahead of her… She can’t debate. She’s going to put her foot in her mouth about Israel, Palestine, Ukraine. She’s going to say something really stupid,’ the source said.

“‘Obama knew this was going to happen, Joe knew this was going to happen. Now she is going to have to answer real questions.’ The White House did not respond to The Post’s request for comment on this story.

“According to the source, Obama’s hope was to get Biden out of the way, and an op-ed written by Geroge Clooney in the New York Times asking him to step aside was a part of that plan. However, the higher-ups in the Democratic Party didn’t count on Biden endorsing Harris right away and ‘Obama was shocked’ when the president endorsed her, according to the insider. Obama is ‘furious’ that things haven’t gone his way, ‘which is why he is not joining in the Democratic Party’s support of Harris,’ the Biden source added.”

However, unconfirmed reports suggest that Obama will endorse Harris shortly, as wavering Pelosi, Schumer and Jeffries have already done in the meantime. 

California—a Train Wreck

Forbes wrote on July 23:

“Another regulatory train wreck is coming in California, which calls itself the Golden State. But California’s governance is pure lead. Never has an area with so much going for it—weather and natural beauty—been so mismanaged by its politicians. The tax and regulatory wounds they inflict are nonstop, which is why businesses and people are fleeing the state. For the first time since it achieved statehood in 1850, California has been losing population.

“Even so, the regulatory wreckers in Sacramento are still going at it. They are scheming to ban diesel-powered locomotives. Older engines would be prohibited by 2029, and longer-distance freight trains would have to be at zero emissions of carbon dioxide by 2035. The battery technology for these train engines doesn’t yet exist. But the once-Golden State’s modern socialists never let reality get in the way of their fantasies.

“Railroads will have to deposit billions of dollars into a special fund, so they’ll someday be able to buy zero-emission locomotives. In other words, money that could be productively employed now will instead sit around unused to buy what may never exist. After all, zero-emission train engines would require batteries up to ten times the size of today’s. Go for smaller such engines? Putting aside their inefficiency, smaller battery locomotives are vulnerable to fires and explosions. 

“Given California’s economic size, these regs would end up banning some two-thirds of the nation’s locomotives from entering the state. California’s socialists know this would be a neat way to coerce the rest of the country to follow what California is doing… This whole exercise is dangerous. It makes trains and trucks more prone to accidents. It’s a massive waste of money that the private sector could otherwise use to enhance our standard of living.

“When it comes to transportation, California has demonstrated a unique ineptitude with its project to build a 463-mile high-speed rail system between San Francisco and Los Angeles… It’s a decade behind schedule, and the estimated cost has vaulted from $35 billion to $135 billion and climbing. Only one-fourth of the system’s length is under construction, with the route having been repeatedly altered for political reasons…”

Secret Service Director Cheatle Resigns

Fox News reported on July 23:

“U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned Tuesday in the wake of mounting pressure following the assassination attempt on former President Trump… Cheatle wrote in a letter to the agency, ‘On July 13th, we fell short on that mission [to protect ‘our nation’s leaders’]… As your Director, I take full responsibility for the security lapse,’ she wrote…

“House Republicans [and Democrats]… had been calling on Cheatle to resign, calling her and the agency under her watch ‘the face of incompetence’…  But Cheatle had defied those calls for days, maintaining she would not tender her resignation…”

Not unlike Biden.

NBC added:

“The Secret Service did not extend its security perimeter for the rally to include the complex that included that building, instead leaving it up to local law-enforcement officials to secure that area. Secret Service agents also allowed Trump to take the stage and begin speaking after receiving a report from local police that a suspicious person had been seen at the event. That person ended up being Crooks, who was killed by a Secret Service sniper after he filed multiple rounds at Trump…

“This past weekend, the Secret Service admitted that on the heels of the shooting it had incorrectly stated that the agency had not rejected requests from Trump’s campaign for enhanced security for him. The shooting, the most serious assassination attempt against a U.S. president in more than 40 years, came after the Secret Service was informed of intelligence that Trump was the target of an Iranian assassination plot…

“The Secret Service in recent years has been the target of criticism for a series of scandals and missteps.”

Some commentators have been asking: Was this only mere incompetency, negligence or oversight by the Secret Service, or was there more involved? Another question which is being raised is: Did the 20-year-old Crooks really work alone?

Spahn Criticizes Scholz For His Behavior Towards Trump

t-online wrote on July 19 (before Biden announced that he would stand down):

“On the occasion of the Republican Party Congress in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, CDU parliamentary group vice-president Jens Spahn accused the traffic light coalition of not adequately preparing for a possible new term in office for Donald Trump… He particularly criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), who continues to show his open support for the current American President Joe Biden, despite his declining re-election chances.

“Spahn emphasized the need for the federal government to maintain discussions with both political parties in the USA. He particularly criticized the Chancellor’s strong focus on Biden as a risky strategy. ‘That’s irresponsible,’ said Spahn…

“After the assassination attempt on Trump, several heads of government, including from Canada and Great Britain [as well as from China], contacted him. According to Spahn, it was unclear whether Scholz was one of these. However, he emphasized the importance of personal relationships and statements favorable to Trump, and that he would be aware of who would come forward after such an incident and who would not.”

Spahn: Trump Wasn’t That Bad

Bild Online wrote on July 18:

“Spahn makes it clear that he is not a Trump supporter. But he refuses to demonize the Republican. His surprising confession: ‘Trump’s Iran policy was right, ours was wrong,’ says Spahn. Because: Germany stuck to the nuclear agreement for a long time, which was intended to prevent an Iranian atomic bomb, but at the same time poured billions into the mullahs’ war chest – and allowed them to finance terrorist groups throughout the Middle East. Trump was different: He torpedoed the agreement and then had Iran’s most important terrorist general, Qasem Soleimani, eliminated.

“Instead, Spahn praises the Trump administration that focused on peace agreements between Arab states and Israel and made the historic Abraham Accords possible. Germany, which had long spoken of peace in the Middle East, was not even involved. Spahn’s conclusion: ‘It wasn’t that bad compared to what the President (Barack Obama) did before..”

All of these European leaders who kept defending Biden’s health in spite of the evidence to the contrary, might have to make a quick U-turn. But will they?

There Was No “Pandemic of the Unvaccinated”

Apollo News wrote on July 23rd:

“As leaked documents from the RKI [Robert Koch Institute] reveal, the authority knew as early as the beginning of November 2021 that the ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’ did not correspond to the technical facts. However, for political reasons, they persisted in spreading this lie.

“The journalist Aya Velazquez managed to publish the unredacted and uncensored minutes of the RKI crisis team. The documents were leaked to her by an informant who worked or is working for the RKI… The authority, which is subordinate to the Federal Ministry of Health, had previously prevented the unredacted release of the protocols.

“As these documents now show, among other things, a ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’ never took place. The minutes from November 5, 2021 say: ‘The media is talking about a pandemic among the unvaccinated. From a technical point of view, this is not correct’… On that day at the RKI, people also asked themselves: ‘Should this be taken up in communication?’

“But the answer to this is clear. You don’t want to reveal the truth. After all, the thesis of the ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’ is an ‘appeal to everyone who has not been vaccinated to get vaccinated.’ Furthermore, the document goes on to say, the ‘minister speaks at every press conference, presumably consciously’ about the ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’. Therefore, this position ‘cannot be corrected’. By the way, the Federal Minister of Health at that time was not Karl Lauterbach, but Jens Spahn.

“… In the second half of 2021, the debate about and measures against unvaccinated people radicalized dramatically. The alleged ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’ was repeatedly cited as the reason for this. Stricter 3G rules came into force on August 23. [vaccinated, recovered and tested; in German: geimpft, genesen and getested] At least the costs for the tests were still borne by the state. From October 11, this changed. According to a new regulation from the Federal Ministry of Health, tests now mostly had to be paid for out of your own pocket. The test results were valid for 24 hours and the prices at the test stations were around 20 euros. But the measures against unvaccinated people were further tightened at a breathtaking pace.

“On November 17, the federal and state governments agreed that a nationwide 2G rule [vaccinated and recovered; in German: geimpft and genesen] should be introduced… The humiliating debate about unvaccinated people reached its climax in November and December 2021. World Medical President Frank-Ulrich spoke of the ‘tyranny of the unvaccinated’ on November 7, 2021… On December 3, 2021, Sarah Bosetti compared the unvaccinated people to an ‘appendix’ that is not ‘essential for the survival of the entire complex’. The reason for this agitation and the coercive measures was the talk of the ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’ which—as the RKI already knew on November 5, 2021 – never existed.” 

Germany’s Mask Scandal

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 24:

“Germany’s government has received some bad news at a time of tricky budget negotiations.

“The Higher Regional Court in Cologne has ruled in favor of a supplier of protective face masks, which the Federal Health Ministry [under Jens Spahn] ordered in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but later refused to accept or pay for. The judges ruled that the ministry should pay €85 million ($92 million), plus €33 million in default interest

“The ruling may well have a knock-on effect, as another 100 similar lawsuits are pending in court. If the Health Ministry is defeated in these cases, it could face a record loss of €2.3 billion in total. The mask purchases are already considered one of the biggest tax wastage scandals in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany….

“The Health Ministry’s calculation was that with 5 million health care workers needing two masks a day, more than 3 billion masks would be needed each year. However, in the end, only 1.7 billion of the ordered masks were distributed. As early as 2023, 1.2 billion protective masks were destroyed because their expiry date had passed.”

German Confrontation with Trump in Clear Sight

Mish Talk wrote on July 18:

“Two-and-a-half years after Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to overhaul Germany’s military, his government’s proposed budget for 2025 calls for only a modest increase in defense spending… Boris Pistorius, Germany’s defense minister, had asked for an increase of 6.7 billion, or $7.3 billion, over the 52 billion euros, or nearly $57 billion, in this year’s budget. He was given only 1.2 billion. The shortfall deepened concerns that Mr. Scholz’s unpopular government lacks the will or political backing to push Germans to overcome their historical reluctance to take the lead militarily since the calamity of World War II. The budget, which has to pass Parliament before being adopted, also proposes that Germany cut its military aid to Ukraine by half in 2025.

“Mr. Trump has repeatedly complained about the European allies not paying their fair share in the NATO alliance… Senator J.D. Vance, Trump’s Vice President running mate, is an open critic of aid to Ukraine. Trump won’t care much about the cut to Ukraine other than to welcome it. But expect an immediate confrontation over Germany’s military spending and contribution to NATO… Germany can afford to spend more and pledged to do more, yet refuses to do so… Expect fireworks because they are coming. And those defense spending fireworks will be on top of tariff fireworks.”

Worldwide Internet Chaos…

The Sun wrote on July 19:

“SUMMER holidays have been ruined with thousands of flights cancelled as Microsoft’s meltdown sparked chaos world wide. In what has been branded the ‘largest IT outage in history’, major airport, airline, railway and supermarket services across the globe have been crippled by the CrowdStrike issue.

“More than 100 planes had to be grounded in the UK because of the Microsoft outage, while over 3,300 were cancelled globally. Television channels, banks, GPs and supermarkets around the world have been rocked by the chaos. Shops in Australia either had to shut down or go cash only after digital checkouts stopped working. In the US, emergency services lines went down in Alaska, Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Ohio.

“Experts have warned that yesterday’s disaster highlights how reliant modern society is on technology and how vulnerable it is to glitches. The ‘blue screen of death’ on many Microsoft Windows computers was caused by a software update from a US cyber security firm called CrowdStrike…  CrowdStrike, valued at over $80 billion before yesterday’s crisis, counts 29,000 companies as customers including schools, hospitals, supermarkets, airlines and banks…

“It comes as Sky News was also this morning knocked off the air completely…

“Stephanie Thomson, heading home to Dallas, Texas, from the [Edinburgh] airport told the PA news agency: ‘It was supposed to leave at 9.25am and change in Heathrow at 11am and we were supposed to get into Dallas later today. ‘We couldn’t get an answer from anybody. British Airways kept hanging up saying we have too many calls right now. ‘I was on hold with American (Airlines) for about an hour and 10 minutes before I finally hung up. ‘We just paid $6,800 for a one-way trip home, hopefully leaving tonight. I didn’t know what else to do. I just wanted something to get us home.’

“Customers trying to access their banks this morning have also found they are locked out due to the IT problem… Meanwhile, airborne flights are set to remain circling in airspace above until the issue has been resolved…

“In worrying reports, emergency service lines in the United States are understood to be affected. There have been claims that 911 emergency lines are down in several states including Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio and Alaska…”

It Will Happen Again!

The New York Post wrote on July 19:

“When CrowdStrike CEO (soon to be ex-CEO) George Kurtz said Friday morning that ‘this is not a security incident or cyber attack,’ you should not have been reassured. This was hours after an update to their antivirus software had caused well over a billion Windows computers to cease to function completely, taking out crucial services at hospitals, airports, city services, and everything from jails to subways. As these systems visibly collapsed on Friday into Windows ‘blue screens of death,’ they did so not from malicious actors, but from small, ordinary human error. And the failure is massive: over a billion computers now need individual attention, since there’s no longer a way to communicate with any of these computers remotely. ‘A fix has been deployed,’ Kurtz said, neglecting to mention that the broken computers are not able to receive that fix. The damage will likely be far greater than it seems right now.

“Even now, many hours after the initial failures, there is no clear agreement on how it happened or where oversight had been or should have been — nor even how best to fix it. In recent years, there have been an increasing number of widescale internet outages, whether from Amazon’s cloud platform collapsing, misconfigurations in fundamental network infrastructure, or actual hardware.

“The CrowdStrike outage was worse than any of these because it didn’t just hit the backbone of the internet, but individual endpoint computers, knocking out crucial services not just from a central failure, but by taking down everything it touches.

“It is also not an anomaly. Lawmakers and tech mavens will make much of the oversights that caused this disaster, but there will be less talk of the more difficult problem: its inevitability. No matter what steps are taken, at the end of the day this sort of mistake only has to happen a single time to cause a catastrophe. Yet in a hyper-networked world like ours, the number of possible catastrophes are so great that we cannot hope to anticipate and protect against them all…

“Twenty years ago, the internet was a mishmash of competing and barely compatible standards and providers. As giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft dominate and standardize the practices, they only bind these systems more tightly together. Friday’s outage ‘only’ affected Windows computers, but that is cold comfort when they make up a majority of desktops and servers in the world today… While individual actors and negligent companies may be punished or fined, no one will walk away from this feeling safe that it won’t happen again — because it will… The next CrowdStrike is coming…”

Trump and Zelensky Speak About Peace Plan

Breitbart wrote on July 20:

“Former President Donald Trump said Friday he had spoken by telephone with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and vowed to end the war with Russia... Mr Trump said that he had a ‘very good phone call’ with President Zelensky, in which the Ukrainian leader congratulated the former president for once again becoming the Republican nominee for President of the United States and condemned the ‘heinous assassination attempt’ on his life last Saturday. ‘I appreciate President Zelensky for reaching out because I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families,’ Mr Trump wrote. ‘Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity.’

“The Ukrainian president confirmed the phone call with the frontrunner in the 2024 presidential race… ‘We agreed with President Trump to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting,’ Zelensky said in a post on X… ‘Ukraine will always be grateful to the United States for its help in strengthening our ability to resist Russian terror. Russian attacks on our cities and villages continue every day…’

“Prior to the phone call, Zelensky said this week that he would ‘work’ together with Trump if he wins the White House in November…

“Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán released a letter detailing his assessment of the current state of play and his recommendations for the European Union going forward. The Hungarian PM warned that there is a growing feeling that the ‘intensity of the military conflict will radically escalate in the near future… I personally witnessed that the warring parties are determined to involve themselves deeper into the conflict, and neither of them would like to make initiatives for a ceasefire or peace negotiations. Therefore we can assume that tensions will not decrease and the parties will not start searching for a way out of the conflict without significant external involvement.’

“Orbán said that President Trump, whom he said will likely win the election in November, will ‘be ready to act as a peace broker immediately’ after his victory and will not wait until his inauguration, adding: ‘He has detailed and well-founded plans for this.’ Therefore, he argued that the EU should begin to shift its strategy from copying the ‘pro-war policy’ of the Biden administration to making an ‘effort to decrease tensions and/or create the conditions for a temporary ceasefire and/or start peace negotiations.’”

Von Der Leyen Attacks the Right

The European Conservative wrote on July 18:

“In her final pitch before the vote on Thursday in front of the European Parliament’s plenary, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made it clear once again where her priorities lie by attacking right-wing sovereigntist and Eurosceptic forces that she claims threaten the ‘European way of life,’ whatever that often-repeated but intentionally vague term might entail… Implying that the sovereigntist parties in the Patriots group are ‘anti-democratic’ is ironic, given that they are the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament with a stronger democratic mandate than the Liberals and the Greens, two of von der Leyen’s leftist coalition partners. 

“Instead, what’s truly undemocratic is to deny such a force its fair representation among the Parliament’s top positions as the EU’s internal rules would have it, but it seems von der Leyen is even proud of this cordon sanitaire that takes away the voice of sixty million Europeans.

“The Commission president also took a cynical jab at Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, who recently went on a tour to meet relevant leaders on both sides of the Ukrainian conflict… ‘This so-called ‘peace mission’ was nothing but an appeasement mission,’ von der Leyen declared, promising to keep supporting Ukraine as long as it takes, without considering any compromise. Never mind that Europeans in most member states are way more likely to agree with Orban and expect the EU to press for a ceasefire as well, nor that Kyiv itself is also becoming increasingly open to dialogue with Moscow.

“Otherwise, von der Leyen’s program for the next five years is just as one would expect from a center-left grand coalition. She recommitted to the Green Deal and all its ambitious climate policies and decarbonization goals which brought half of Europe’s farmers onto the streets these past months… as well as focusing on renewable energy to replace fossil fuels, without even mentioning nuclear.

“Von der Leyen also pledged to recommit to her other flagship policy package, the Migration Pact, praising it as the product of a brilliant pan-European compromise, when in reality, the opposite is true. ‘Many pessimists thought that migration was too divisive to agree on. But we proved them wrong. Together we made it,’ she said, forgetting that only 20 out of the 27 member states endorsed the final package in the end, and those opposing it were stripped of their veto to stop it.”

Von der Leyen was of course reelected.

EU Parliament Refuses to DEBATE, Let Alone Condemn Assassination Attempt on Trump!!!

Politico wrote on July 17:

“The European Parliament rejected a far-right proposal to discuss the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and rising political violence. The Patriots for Europe group requested a debate on the Trump shooting and called for a resolution condemning the violence. The proposal was rejected with 337 votes against, 119 in favor and 15 abstentions. Another far-right group, Europe of Sovereign Nations, voted in favor, as did the hard-right European Conservatives and Reformists group, which contains the members of European Parliament belonging to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, the Brothers of Italy.

“‘Today in the European Parliament the Patriots for Europe proposed to have a debate on the assassination attempt against former US President Donald Trump and the rise of political violence in Europe, but the traditional groups rejected this,’ the Patriots group wrote in a post on social media. Patriots for Europe was formed last month and is the European Parliament’s third-largest group. It is home to MEPs belonging to the parties of Viktor Orbán and Marine Le Pen [as well as Austria’s FPO].

“The center-right European People’s Party (EPP), Socialists and Democrats, liberal Renew Europe, the Greens, and The Left all voted against debating the attempted assassination. It is normal for these groups to reject debate proposals from far-right forces, as part of the so-called cordon sanitaire that keeps them out of the policymaking loop. ‘We will not give a platform to enemies of democracy, we believe a cordon sanitaire is necessary for all far-right groups in Parliament to prevent them from making anti-democratic positions mainstream,’ The Left’s group co-chair Martin Schirdewan told POLITICO. ‘We had an agreement among political groups not to add any debate to this plenary beyond support to Ukraine,’ an EPP spokesperson told POLITICO.

“‘The left-liberal majority of the European Parliament … does not want to condemn the assassination attempt against Donald Trump,’ the group’s first Vice President Kinga Gál, an MEP for Orbán’s Fidesz party, wrote on social media after the vote. ‘They refuse to speak out about the violence committed against patriotic politicians.’ Belgian far-right MEP and Patriots member Tom Vandendriessche also voiced outrage over the rejected proposal, calling it ‘hypocrisy.’ ‘The outrage over attacks on democracy seems to be quite selective in the European Parliament,’ he said.”

It surely is. This hypocrisy of the EU Parliament is hard to swallow.  The Left had just before asked for a debate regarding the deaths in the Gaza strip [which the EU likewise rejected.] Trump will most certainly not forget this anti-Democratic behavior of the EU, and its hostile stance towards him personally. 

Trump Supporters, Military and Religious People Are Terrorist Threats?

Life Site News wrote on July 19:

“A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advisory board characterized supporters of former President Donald Trump, as well as those who are in the military and religious people, as posing potential domestic terrorism risks, according to internal documents obtained by America First Legal (AFL). The board, called the ‘Homeland Intelligence Experts Group,’ was created in September 2023 to provide DHS with ‘expert’ analysis on subjects such as terrorism and fentanyl trafficking. The panel included former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan and former CIA Operations Officer Paul Kolbe… all of them ‘signed an October 2020 letter casting doubt on the legitimacy of the Hunter Biden laptop and suggesting its release was a Russian disinformation ploy.’

“Internal documents obtained by AFL show the board characterizing ‘supporters of the former president’ as constituting ‘most of the Domestic Terrorism threat’ in the United States. The documents also classified traits such as having served ‘in the military’ and being ‘religious’ as ‘indicators of extremists and terrorism’…”

Russian Persecution of Journalists Continues

CNN wrote on July 19:

“Evan Gershkovich, [a Wall Street Journal reporter and] the first American journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War, has been found guilty of spying and sentenced to 16 years in prison by a Russian court, in a case that the US government, his newspaper and supporters have denounced as a sham… The speed of the trial has raised questions over whether the Kremlin is intending to use him as part of a prisoner swap deal with the United States, suggestions which spokesman Dmitry Peskov left without comment when asked about them on a Friday conference call ahead of the verdict announcement.

“Gershkovich was arrested while reporting for the WSJ, during a trip to Yekaterinburg in March 2023, and later accused of spying for the CIA. Russian authorities have never offered any public evidence to support their claims.

Within two weeks of his arrest in March 2023, the US State Department designated him as wrongfully detained and called for his immediate release.

“In a statement following Friday’s sentencing, Gershkovich’s employer said: ‘This disgraceful, sham conviction comes after Evan has spent 478 days in prison, wrongfully detained, away from his family and friends, prevented from reporting, all for doing his job as a journalist…’

“Journalist advocacy group, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), joined the chorus of criticism, pointing out Russia’s current record as the world’s fourth-worst jailer of journalists, with at least 22 currently behind bars…”

JTA added on July 19:

“Gershkovich, 32, is the American-born son of Jewish refugees from the Soviet Union. His case has drawn support from the Jewish community and supporters of democracy and the free press who are pushing for his release. The Jewish Federations of North America called the verdict a ‘sham.’… [This makes him] at least the fifth prominent Jewish writer targeted by Russia for dissenting comments since the outbreak of the current Russia-Ukraine war… “

“Moderate” New President of Iran Sponsors Terrorism

The Washington Free Beacon wrote on July 19:

“Iran’s new president, widely touted in Western media outlets as a ‘moderate’ and ‘reformist,’ has spent the weeks following his election pledging to arm regional terror groups and assembling an international ‘Axis of Resistance’ to threaten America.

“In the two weeks since he rose to the presidency, Masoud Pezeshkian has pledged to continue supporting Hamas, provided Hezbollah assistance to destroy the ‘illegitimate Zionist regime,’ and lobbied for rosier relations with Russia and China as part of the trio’s Axis of Resistance against America… ‘The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the resistance of the people in the region against the illegitimate Zionist regime,’ he wrote to Hezbollah’s secretary general on July 8. ‘Supporting the resistance is rooted in the fundamental policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the ideals of the late Imam Khomeini, and the guidance of the Supreme Leader, and will continue with strength.’

“Pezeshkian’s quick embrace of the hardline regime’s policies stands in stark contrast to his portrayal across Western media, particularly in America, where publications including the New York Times, CNN, the Washington Post, USA Today, and the Financial Times touted his victory as a sea change for Tehran…

“Pezeshkian’s message to Israel… was clear: The Jewish state ‘remains an apartheid regime to this day, now adding ‘genocide’ to a record already marred by occupation, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, settlement-building, nuclear weapons possession, illegal annexation, and aggression against its neighbors.’…

 “Earlier this week, Pezeshkian held talks with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, signaling that support for Hamas remains at the top of his presidential agenda…”

Houthis Attack Tel Aviv

Firstpost wrote on July 19:

“The Houthis of Yemen have claimed responsibility for a drone strike on Israel’s Tel Aviv in the early hours of Friday in which at least one person has died and 10 others have been injured. The Israeli army has said that a falling ‘aerial target’ caused a massive blast. In a statement, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said their ‘UAV force’ attacked ‘one of the important targets in the occupied Jaffa region, what is now called Israeli Tel Aviv.’

“…Houthis have repeatedly launched drones and missiles toward Israel throughout the nine-month-long Israel war, in sympathy with Hamas. The rebels have also carried out dozens of attacks against Red Sea shipping in what they say is an act of solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza war.”

JTA added on July 19:

“It was the deepest strike into Israeli territory claimed by the Houthis… Israeli authorities said human error prevented civilians from being alerted to the drone.

“The drone exploded in the air, according to police at the scene, and shrapnel from the bomb killed one man and injured several others… Friday’s attack demonstrated that the regional conflicts sparked by the war, involving the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah in addition to the Houthis and others, also have the potential of reaching Israel’s population centers.” 

Israel Strikes Back

Breitbart wrote on July 20:

“The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Saturday that it had struck the ‘Houthi terrorist regime’ in Yemen for the first time, launching a long-distance airstrike on the Al Hudaydah Port, targeting the origin of a drone that hit Israel Friday…

“Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who monitored the attack together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from Israeli Air Force (IAF) headquarters, said… that the ‘fires that are burning now in Hudaydah’ are being seen in ‘the entire Middle East,’ a warning to enemies of Israel. Iran is roughly the same distance away from Israel as Yemen.

“According to a press briefing by IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari on Saturday evening, the attack was carried out by fighter jets, not remotely, with pilots flying 1,700 kilometers and returning home safely. Hagari said that Israel did not want a war with Yemen as a whole: ‘Yemen is a big country. Only a part of it is run by the Houthis.’ He emphasized that the target was the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist regime, not the people of Yemen… The attack was carried out solely by Israeli forces, Hagari said, though the U.S. and other allies were reportedly informed afterwards.

“Israel’s Army Radio said that Israel had destroyed both military targets and utilities that are used by the Houthis, such as fuel and electricity installations. The Times of Israel added that one of the goals of the attack was to disable the port through which Iran brings in weapons. Israel’s security cabinet held an unusual emergency meeting on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, during the attack.

“The Iran-backed Houthis have attacked Israel, without provocation, since the Hamas terror attacks of October 7… There were over 200 Houthi attacks on Israel before Friday, and Israel did not respond to any of them, under pressure from the U.S…”

ICJ Rules Against Israel

The Associated Press wrote on July 19:

“The top U.N. court ruled Friday that Israel’s presence in the Palestinian occupied territories is ‘unlawful’ and called on it to end, pointing to the building and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and east Jerusalem, its annexation and imposition of permanent control over lands and discriminatory policies against Palestinians.

“The International Court of Justice was issuing a non-binding opinion on the legality of Israel’s 57-year occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state, and the ruling is likely to have more effect on international opinion than it will on Israeli policies. The court’s panel of 15 judges from around the world said Israel has abused its status as the occupying power in the West Bank and east Jerusalem by carrying out policies of annexing territory, imposing permanent control and building settlements. It said Israel must end settlement construction immediately….”

The Times of Israel added on July 19:

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, numerous cabinet ministers as well as settler leaders roundly denounced the ruling, with some calling for the immediate formal annexation of the West Bank in response… ‘The Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land — not in our eternal capital Jerusalem, not in the land of our ancestors in Judea and Samaria,’ Netanyahu said, using the biblical names for the West Bank. ‘No false decision in The Hague will distort this historical truth, just as the legality of Israeli settlement in all the territories of our homeland cannot be contested.’”

Several countries do not recognize the legitimacy of the International Court of Justice, including China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the USA. The ICJ is different from the International Criminal Court [ICC] which is rejected by over 60 countries, including Israel and the USA.

Netanyahu Meets With Evangelicals

Breitbart wrote on July 24:

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met… with evangelical Christian leaders on Tuesday evening as part of his visit to the U.S. In a statement, the Israeli Government Press Office said:

“‘The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to the community leaders for their strong and constant support of Israel but especially in these complicated times. Prime Minister Netanyahu heard from them about their prayers for the return of the hostages, the wellbeing of the soldiers and the security of the State of Israel. The Prime Minister also thanked the evangelicals for their vigorous activity among the community’s young people to encourage continued support for Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu added that he is well aware of their deep commitment to Israel and how strong their support is for the truth and our common values.’

“Netanyahu is set to address Congress on Wednesday afternoon, before meetings with President Joe Biden and (separately, and privately) Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. On Friday, he will travel to Mar-a-Lago in Florida to meet with former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president.”

Biblical prophecy reveals that a third temple will be built in Jerusalem prior to Christ’s return. It has been suggested by some that evangelical Christians will participate in some way in the building of the Temple.

Netanyahu Speaks to US Congress

Breitbart wrote on July 24:

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a powerful speech to a special joint session of Congress on Wednesday… He recalled the many attacks by Iran and its proxies against Americans, and noted Iran’s intent to target America after controlling the Middle East. In defending itself, he said, Israel was defending the United States as well… He rebuked anti-Israel protesters, alluding to the thousands who had gathered outside the Capitol, noting that they stood with Hamas and with ‘evil,’ and noting that they often attacked the U.S. and American symbols…

“Netanyahu thanked Biden… for building… an alliance in the Red Sea in his efforts to thwart the Houthis… The prime minister then offered effusive praise for former President Donald Trump and his support for Israel, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and forging the Abraham Accords. Netanyahu’s praise for Trump was notably much longer than his praise for President Biden…

“The speech, described by pundits afterwards as ‘masterful,’ was extremely well-received, with many standing ovations — including from supporters of Israel like Elon Musk, who joined spectators in the gallery…”

Netanyahu also said he had a message for the protesters: “You have officially become Iran’s useful idiots.”

NBC News added on July 24:

“[Kamala] Harris, who as president of the Senate would normally preside over such an address, did not attend the speech. Neither did several other prominent Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, of California, and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, of Illinois, the No. 2 leader. Retiring Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., an Orthodox Jew and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, presided over the address instead… Johnson said Tuesday that it was ‘inexcusable’ that Harris was skipping Netanyahu’s speech and that she should be ‘held accountable’ for it.”

In fact, about half of House and Senate Democrats boycotted and skipped the speech.

Nancy Pelosi sharply criticized the speech, saying it “was by far the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress of the United States.”

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.

One eminent and highly intelligent Catholic writer made these observations: “As Catholics, it is essential to speak our sins to Christ through the priest in persona Christi that we might develop habits of examining our consciences, confessing our sins, receiving sacramental grace, resolving to improve, and receiving the real grace of the sacrament of Penance.  Such habits alert us to our vanities and ego and in turn inspire in us reverence and humility.”

We would agree that it is a good habit to use the tool of introspection; 2 Corinthians 13:5 gives us this admonition: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.”   This is particularly required of the people of God to do before they take the Passover: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28), but it should also be an ongoing process throughout the year.

But what is the Sacrament of PENANCE? It is worth spending some time on this whole matter as it is quite revealing about how the largest Christian mainstream group managed to come to this incorrect conclusion through the misunderstanding of Scripture.  On the website yourcatholicguide, we read the following: “Penance is the sacrament by which sins committed after Baptism are forgiven through the absolution of the priest.”

First of all, let us look at the question of baptism.  On the website catholicdoors, we read: “In the Roman Catholic Church, most believers are baptized by pouring (also known as infusion). At the same time, Catholics know that immersion (also known as dunking) and sprinkling are valid ways of baptizing… in A.D. 1311, the Catholic Church proclaimed ‘Baptism is to be administered by tribe immersion or aspersion.” “Aspersion” means “sprinkling.”

We have a free booklet entitled “Baptism – A Requirement for Salvation?”, which covers this matter in detail, showing that baptism by total immersion is the correct and only valid format. 

Secondly, let us look at whether the assertion is biblical that “Penance is the sacrament by which sins committed after Baptism are forgiven through the absolution of the priest.”

Wikipedia gives us the definition of “In persona Christi”: “In persona Christi is a Latin phrase meaning ‘in the person of Christ’, an important concept in Roman Catholicism and, in varying degrees, to other Christian traditions, such as Lutheranism and Anglicanism. In Catholic theology, a priest is In persona Christi because, in the sacraments he administers, it is God and Christ who act through the instrumentality of the priest.” 

This explanation is not totally accurate. The Catholic teaching is not only that the priest acts on behalf of Christ, but that it is the living Christ who is present and acts. In other words, the priest acts in the person of Christ. In that sense, he becomes Christ. When the priest absolves the penitent, he doesn’t say, “God absolves you from your sins” but rather “I absolve you from your sins,” because he is acting in the person of Christ at that moment.

With a priest being involved, the word “absolution” comes into play.  The definition of absolution is “An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty; forgiveness of an offense” (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language).  

At the time of Christ, Jews condemned Him when He forgave sins. In Mark 2:7, we read: “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” In Luke 5:21, we read: “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When He was on earth, Jesus did forgive sins (see Matthew 9:2; Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24; 7:48-49) as He was the Son of God. It is claimed that Christ gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins, while others deny this.

We read in John 20:21-23: “Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’”

The passage in John 20 is in direct connection with the power and authority to bind and loose, which Christ conferred on His ministers. We state the following in our Q&A on that topic  https://www.eternalgod.org/question-and-answer-70/:

“We are told in Matthew 16:19, that Christ gave Peter the ‘keys of the kingdom of heaven’… Christ continues to say that whatever ‘thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven’ (Authorized Version). Christ addresses Peter in this passage, as the word ‘thou,’ a singular word, shows. However, in Matthew 18:18, Christ does not only speak to Peter, when He says: ‘Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever YE shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever YE shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Authorized Version).’ While the word ‘thou’ (in Matthew 16:19) refers to just one person, the word ‘ye’ (in Matthew 18:18) refers to more than one person.

“In Matthew 18:15-17, Christ had just explained the proper procedure regarding an unrepentant brother or sister. If he or she does not hear ‘the church,’ that is, the ministry, ‘let him be unto THEE as an heathen man and a publican.’ It is the church, through its ministry, which will make the decision to disassociate from such a person. Such a decision involves, of course, a judgment whether or not the person is repentant and whether or not the sins of the person are forgiven. And so, we read in John 20:22-23 (Authorized Version): ‘And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive YE the Holy [Spirit]: Whose soever sins YE remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins YE retain, they are retained.’

“The ministry has been given the authority from God, to ‘bind and loose,’ and to ‘remit’ and ‘retain’ sin. It is critical that we understand correctly the scope of this authority. When returning to Matthew 16:19, we find, in the New King James Bible, the following annotation in the margin: ‘Or, “will have been bound… will have been loosed.”’ The Ryrie Study Bible explains: ‘Lit., “shall have been bound… shall have been loosed.” Heaven, not the apostles, initiates all binding and loosing, while the apostles announce these things…”

“The New American Standard Bible translates Matthew 16:19, as follows: ‘…and whatever you shall bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven’…

“Regarding John 20:23, the Ryrie Study Bible states: ‘Since only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7), the disciples and the Church are here given the authority to declare what God does when a man either accepts or rejects His Son.’ We might also add that Christ had announced to them that they would soon receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and discernment, and enables especially the ministry, when used correctly, to ascertain whether a person is repentant or not…

“The New Bible Commentary: Revised… adds the following remarks: ‘The promise does not of course mean that God will be bound by anything that Peter says (cf. Gal. 2:11), but that things done according to the will of Christ will have binding validity….’

In another Q&A on John 20:23, https://www.eternalgod.org/i-am-having-trouble-understanding-john-2020-23-did-jesus-give-the-apostles-and-the-church-the-power-to-forgive-sin/ we state the following:

“[It] is critically important to understand… that Peter and the rest of the apostles were given authority to baptize in the name of Jesus Christ and to lay hands on those baptized for the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit. They did not forgive those repenting of sins, but they were guided by God to see in people fruits worthy of repentance and those who did not have them—such as with Simon (Acts 8:18-24). John the Baptist was guided by God as well (Matthew 3:8). But they did not give the Holy Spirit, for this was done by God (Acts 5:32)…

“When Ananias and Sapphira lied to Peter, they died (Acts 5:1-11). To Ananias, Peter said, ‘“…You have not lied to men but to God”’ (verse 4); to Sapphira, Peter said, “‘How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”’ Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things’ (verses 9-11).

“Peter dealt with the sin of lying and there were consequences; however, it was not he who caused the death of Ananias or Sapphira—it was God…

“In the two letters to the Corinthians, Paul addressed a grievous sin being committed and knowingly condoned by others: ‘It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles–that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you’ (1 Corinthians 5:1-2).

“Paul directed that this person be expelled from the Church, and it was to be done by the authority of Christ. That meant the sin was to be judged based on God’s Law: ‘In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus’ (1 Corinthians 5:4-5).

“Because Paul decisively confronted sin by disfellowshipping the man, the sinning individual repented! In this poignant example, Paul ‘retained’ the man’s sins through applying the Law of God. When there was repentance, the man was ‘forgiven’… God uses His Church to lead people to repentance of sins. Now, though, and unlike the priestly administration in ancient Israel, because of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, upon true repentance, God will forgive a person’s sins.”

There is a fundamental distinction between trespasses and sins. Trespass is against another human being, but sin is against God. It is true that we should confess our trespasses to one another (James 5:16). But this does not apply to confessing our sins to others.

We wrote the following in a Q&A on the topic of confessing our sins to others https://www.eternalgod.org/q-a-3815/:

“The Bible teaches that we are to confess our sins to God. We read in 1 John 1:8-9, ‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ Other Scriptures clarify that such confession must be made to God. Romans 14:10-12 states, ‘But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.’

“We read that the people came to John the Baptist, ‘confessing their sins’ (Matthew 3:6). Note, however, it does not say that they were confessing their sins to John. Other Scriptures tell us that confession of sins is to be made to God.

“The practice taught by some religions to confess our sins to a human mediator to obtain forgiveness by that person is not Biblical. We are taught that we have only one Mediator and Advocate between God and man who makes intercession for us before God the Father — Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1-2; Hebrews 7:25). It is God who forgives sin (Mark 2:7; Isaiah 43:25; Acts 5:31). David understood that sin, in the final analysis, is against God (Psalm 51:3-4), as God gave us His law which defines for us sinful conduct (James 4:12).

“John 20:23 does not justify a different conclusion… This passage does not teach confession to a priest… Jesus’ words in John 20:23 — as well as in Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18 — are not to be understood as saying that God’s ministers are free to ‘forgive’ sins — or to refuse to grant forgiveness — and that God is bound by such a decision. Rather, the passages, correctly translated, convey the thought that God inspires His ministers to make those decisions, and whatever they bind on earth HAS ALREADY BEEN bound by God in heaven.

“We should therefore generally not ‘confess’ or tell our sins to others. There is, however, one exception to this rule. We are being told in James 5:16 that we are to ‘confess [our] trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that [we] may be healed.’ The Greek word for ‘trespass,’ paraptoma, is used in numerous additional passages, for instance in Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 2:1; 2:5; or 2 Corinthians 5:19. It is consistently and correctly translated in the New King James Bible as ‘trespasses’ in those passages. We are told in Colossians 2:13 that God, upon our repentance, forgives us all of our ‘trespasses.’ We are also told that if we forgive men their ‘trespasses,’ our Father will forgive us our ‘trespasses’ as well, but if we do not forgive men their ‘trespasses,’ our Father will not forgive us our ‘trespasses,’ either (Matthew 6:14-15; compare Matthew 18:35).

“The ‘trespasses’ which we need to confess to our brother or sister, in order to obtain his or her ‘forgiveness,’ are those that we have committed against our brother or our sister. Mark 11:25-26 tells us, ‘And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.’ Unresolved problems between brethren might even prevent healing of physical sickness. James 5:16 tells us, ‘Confess your trespasses to one another [with the goal to ‘clear the air’], and pray for one another, THAT you may be healed.’ After all, Christ told Peter to forgive his repenting brother ‘seventy times seven.’ In Peter’s question, the brother had sinned against Peter and had come to him to express to him his sorrow — in other words, to ‘confess’ to Peter his trespass or sin against Peter…

“If we commit a sin or trespass against someone else, resulting in an offense and a problem within our relationship with that other person, we are to ‘confess’ our sin or trespass to that person, asking him or her for forgiveness, with the goal of restoring our relationship… At the same time, the Bible does not teach that we should ‘confess’ or tell others (including a minister) sins that we might have committed against God. God can forgive and forget (Hebrews 8:12) — people, though, being human, have a long memory many times when it comes to the sins of others.”

When we forgive another person for whatever the problem was, we are forgiving their trespass against us and we are admonished not to hold a grudge.  Leviticus 19:18 reads: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”

It is very different than God forgiving us.   We must understand that there is quite a contrast and distinction between God’s forgiveness and our forgiveness of others.   The following verses show that when we receive the forgiveness of God, He blots out the sin and removes the guilt.

We read in Isaiah 43:25:” “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.”

In Psalm 103:3 is further instruction: “Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,” and verses 10-12: “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

When the Bible speaks about us forgiving others, it is different than God forgiving us.  God forgives sins because only He can forgive sins that violate His standards.

Regarding the Roman Catholic priest and his involvement in the “forgiving of sins,” 1 Timothy 2:5 is instructive: “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” The Greek word for “Mediator” is “mesites” which means “middle man,” and that is Jesus Christ, not a Roman Catholic priest.

The website catholic.com has a very long explanation about absolution and the following is but a brief extract:

“Absolution (Ab = from; solvere = to free), is the remission of sin, or of the punishment due to sin, granted by the Church…  Absolution proper is that act of the priest whereby, in the Sacrament of Penance, he frees man from sin. It presupposes on the part of the penitent, contrition, confession, and promise at least of satisfaction; on the part of the minister, valid reception of the Order of Priesthood and jurisdiction, granted by competent authority, over the person receiving the sacrament. That there is in the Church power to absolve sins committed after baptism the Council of Trent thus declares: ‘But the Lord then principally instituted the Sacrament of Penance, when, being raised from the dead, He breathed upon His disciples saying, ‘Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.’ By which action so signal, and words so clear the consent of all the Fathers has ever understood that the power of forgiving and retaining sins was communicated to the Apostles, and to their lawful successors for the reconciling of the faithful who have fallen after baptism.”

As we have explained above, this interpretation is totally wrong and unbiblical. The website of 9marks concurs, stating:

“If absolution from sin is the meaning of Jesus’ words in John 20:23, then we must ponder exactly what His intention was when He gave His followers authority to forgive sin (or not). Did He make them judges and invest in them power to pass judiciary sentence, granting or withholding divine pardon, as the Catholic Church teaches? Or did Jesus make them His ambassadors to proclaim forgiveness through faith in His name, as Christians believe? In other words, can a sinner receive forgiveness directly from God through faith, or must he avail himself of the Catholic priest’s mediation? The Bible is clear: no priest is needed to mediate between God and man, ‘For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus’ (1 Timothy 2:5). The Catholic teaching of absolution is not scriptural.”

In our free booklet “Why This Confusion About Life After Death?,”  we cover such matters as “A Catholic Priest Cannot Give Absolution to a Dying Person” and many other erroneous and non-biblical teachings.   Quoting briefly from this, we read:

“The Catholic Church believes that a Catholic priest can give absolution to a dying person but this is not biblical. Only God can forgive sins upon true repentance (see Luke 5:21 and Mark 2:7). We read that absolution, in the ecclesiastical sense, implies a remission of sin or its penalties. In the Roman Catholic Church, the power to absolve is vested in the priest as we read above, and he assigns a penance! However, we are NOT to confess our sins to a priest, but to God. Also, this absolution is made in the name of the Trinity which is yet another non-biblical error. There is nothing biblical about this approach at all. As we have seen, the Bible does not teach the Trinity.”

All of this information must surely reveal to those who have eyes to see that, as also in many other matters, the Roman Catholic Church misunderstands what is written in the Word of God.   Those of us in the Church of God must not fall into the trap of accepting non-biblical practices.  We have the Bible as our guide to life and we read a passage of Scripture where Jesus was praying for His disciples when He said: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:15-17).  

And God’s Word is what we must live by!

Lead Writers: Brian Gale (United Kingdom) and Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

A new Member Letter (July 2023) has been posted and mailed to our subscribers. Pastor Eric Rank focuses on the “spiritually polluted environment” of our time, and he encourages us to bear the fruit of righteousness to overcome evil’s influence.

“Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen,” is the title of a new booklet which has been sent to graphic designer, Shelly Bruno, in preparation for printing. In addition, a Spanish language translation of our booklet, “Do We Have an Immortal Soul?” will soon be posted.

“Deutschland zerstört die Presse- und Meinungsfreiheit,” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Title in English: “Germany Crushes Freedom of Speech and of the Press.”

“Sind Sie wirklich gesegnet?” this Sabbath’s German presented by Pastor Michael Link, is now posted. Title in English: “Are You Really Blessed?”

“Wie kann diese Welt wahren Frieden erfahren?” last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Deacon Johann Schell, is now posted. Title in English: “How Can This World Experience True Peace?”

“Compassion,” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Pastor Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Compassion is a product of Christian love. It begins with empathy for others’ circumstances in life. When combined with care, concern, and a willingness to help, compassion bears the fruit of love. What can we learn about compassion from the example of Jesus Christ and instruction in the Bible?

“Will an Aborted Child Live Again?” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Pastor Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Few understand what the Bible so clearly reveals—all people will die, and all people will live again! Even the unborn will be brought back to life to appear before God!

Carol M. Busse (Alberta, Canada) died on June 30 at 6:10 PM at the age of 80. She was pre-deceased by her husband Max Busse in 2019 and is mourned by her son Ron, many family members, church members and friends. Both Max and Carol were baptized in 1969.

On July 20, 2024, Eric Rank will present the sermonette, titled, “Compassion,” and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “Will an Aborted Child Live Again?”

The live services are available, over video and audio, at http://eternalgod.org/live-services/ (12:30 pm Pacific Time; 1:30 pm Mountain Time; 2:30 pm Central Time; 3:30 pm Eastern Time; 8:30 pm Greenwich Mean Time; 9:30 pm Central European Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

We know that ALL things are possible through God when we put all our burdens on Him. We also understand that we must have the faith that He will come through for us.  So why then do we at times still struggle with doubt?

Many in the Bible went through several various trials to have their faith tested, to see if they would be able to persevere.  They also continued to go through trials to see how strong and committed they really were, just as we all do.

Those who are willing to be baptized need to take that ultimate step as they are filled with enthusiasm and determined to live a new life, filled with anticipation, a general desire, and a willingness.  They have this sudden urge, a drive within their minds that gets them determined for something great that lies ahead.  These are all wonderful feelings to have as they know that their lives are about to start over, spiritually speaking, as they get rid of the old man and become the new man.  However, it is not an easy road as trials and tribulations will come to test them to see how strong they really are.  

For those of us who are properly baptized, this was something we have all been faced with, and we continue to go through adversity.  For example, can we handle the burdens we go through; whether it be money problems, working on the Sabbath, family differences, material possessions, etc.?  Better yet, will we put our burdens into God’s hands and trust that He will take care of us, no matter what problems we are faced with?

Satan tries to do whatever he can to discourage us in EVERY possible way by tempting us to sin while God tests us to see if we can conquer Satan by living a life pleasing to Him and remaining faithful and wise in understanding that we constantly need to ask God for His help.

Is our life filled with joy, sorrow, or doubt?  Are we let down easily and do we take criticism harshly or personally, with a proud heart, and are we easily offended?  Is God trying to tell us something through the ministry when something is revealed to us?  Is our life affected by others and are we surrounded by drama, or does drama surround our life?  These are things that one must consider as every one of us is tested in our own way, in just the things that could affect us the most, what we struggle with the most.  Paul was just like us for he knew exactly what all Christinas go through as he explains in Romans 7:14-25.

The world distracts us and it will continue to do so.  We can get distracted very easily by the things that we are involved with in our lives.  When it comes to our spiritual lifestyle, what is it that we can do to be spiritually motivated and to persevere amidst this busy life we find ourselves in?

Prayer is extremely powerful because it brings forth our faith inside of us, knowing that God is the only One who can make anything happen, and as much as we have a part to do in our belief, God will respond and take action.  

When it comes to our spiritual needs, prayer is just as beneficial.  We go through trials continually and we do get sidetracked often.  What do we do when that happens? James 1:2-6 admonishes us to ask in faith, without doubting, especially during times we need God the most, when our motivation begins to deteriorate.   

As Hebrews 12:1-3 points out, we must remember that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, as God also witnesses the things that we are doing.  When it comes to God, and everything that He has created, we are a witness to that and His existence.  Have we sometimes just taken the time and take notice of all the things that God has done for us and admire all that He has made? Just knowing that, we should be willing to “lay aside every weight and sin that easily ensnares us.”  And if we are struggling, here is when we need to pray to God to show us what we need to change and fix in our lives. 

It is not only sin that can hinder us, but it’s also people, or anything else that we are involved with, that can do the same.  There could be someone or something in our life that can prevent us from doing what God wants us to do, and if so, we would need to fix the problem, by re-evaluating our relationships with others and/or asking God for wisdom and guidance to make the right choices. God comes first over all things, without compromising.   

When we have removed the things in our lives that hinder us, it should be easier for us to run the race that is set before us.  Running a race is no easy task because it can be exhausting and frustrating at times.  The goal here is to keep on running, to keep going the same path, not drifting off course, but going in the direction that God is leading us.  There are times when fatigue sets in, and when we become weary, we have to remember the persecutions Christ and some of the apostles went through.  As Christ says in Matthew 24:13, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

by Norbert Link

We begin with the nearly fatal assassination attempt on Donald Trump and, what appears to be, grave security lapses. We continue with Hungary’s Orban’s meeting with Trump prior to the assassination attempt; the dissatisfaction of many Americans with Joe Biden; the hypocrisy of America’s mass media; and the alleged “catfight” between Jill Biden and Kamala Harris.

We continue with Turkey’s hostility towards Israel and Biden’s criticism of Israel. We also report about a troublesome plan of Republicans to initiate mass deportations affecting 11 million people.

We speak on controversial plans to transfer American long-range missiles to Germany; and point out a deeply troublesome development in Germany pertaining to those who dare to criticize the government.

We conclude with articles about the Neanderthal Man and further archaeological proof for the accuracy of the Bible. Please view in this context our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Germany Crushes Freedom of Speech and of the Press.”

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

Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump

Daily Mail wrote on July 14:

“A 20-year-old gunman opened fire at ex-President Donald Trump on Saturday in what is being dubbed the most serious attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate since 1981. Thomas Matthew Crooks, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was identified as the shooter by the FBI following the shocking incident that took place during a rally in Butler. It has since emerged through federal campaign finance records that the gunman was a registered Republican  who had previously made a $15 donation to the liberal ActBlue political action committee on January 20, 2021 –  Biden’s Inauguration Day… Crooks had no criminal history…  Crooks appeared to have graduated in 2022 from Bethel Park High School, and received a $500 ‘star award’ that year from the National Math and Science Initiative…

“On Saturday, Crooks opened fire from the rooftop 150 yards from where Trump was on stage addressing thousands of fans in Butler at 6:15pm. Footage of the moment shows Trump suddenly grabbing his ear as blood poured down his face after at least eight shots were fired in his direction… But in a show of strength, Trump emerged from the cover of the suited agents and raised a fist, shouting ‘Fight, fight, fight,’ before he was ushered away from the chaotic scenes and sent to a hospital.

“Crooks had killed a member of the crowd and critically injured two others before he was gunned down by the Secret Service… Images show at least four members of law enforcement surrounding the bloody gunman and the AR-15-type semiautomatic rifle he used on the roof, while they point their guns towards his body…

“Current President Joe Biden also took to X following the attack to condemn the assassination attempt, and it has since been confirmed that he has spoken with Trump following the shooting… Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson added: ‘It is a miracle that Donald Trump escaped an attempted assassination’…

“Speaking out for the first time following the assassination attempt, Trump thanked law enforcement officers and the Secret Service for their ‘rapid response’. He added: ‘Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country.’”

Grave Security Lapse?

The Sun wrote on July 14 in several articles:

“Due to the assassination attempt, President Biden’s campaign team announced they will be pulling the president’s election campaign ads. Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also shared his prayers for his competition. ‘Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family,’ Kennedy wrote.

“Speaking to the BBC, eyewitness Greg said he saw a man crawling onto a nearby roof with a rifle as Trump spoke to supporters onstage at the Pennsylvania rally. He said minutes later the man remained in prime position and fired a shocking five times before Secret Service agents ‘blew his head off.’ His first-hand account raises serious doubts about security measures at the rally, as Trump came incredibly close to taking a bullet to the head…

“Greg told the BBC… he and a group of friends pointed at the man and told police what they saw. Only minutes later, the man fired around five bullets at Trump. Greg said: ‘We’re pointing at him, the police are down there running around on the ground – we’re like ‘hey man there’s a guy on the roof with a rifle’ and the police did not know what was going on.’”

NBC News reported on July 14: 

“The assassination attempt… appeared to be the result of a grave lapse, perhaps the biggest since President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded outside a Washington hotel in 1981.”

 Breitbart wrote on July 14:

“Political commentator and former New York Police Department officer John Cardillo posted on X, ‘This looks really bad. This looks like the counter sniper team had eyes on the shooter, let him fire first, then returned fire.’ Even the FBI is questioning how the Secret Service allowed the shooter to fire off several rounds…”

The New York Post wrote on July 14:

“Former FBI Director Chris Swecker… said, “If there had been a second shooter, there would have been plenty of opportunity to take him out again, so this breaks every rule of the Secret Service protocol… The security at the rally was a ‘breakdown from start to finish,’ Swecker said… ‘I don’t want to issue harsh judgments, but it was definitely a security breakdown,’ he said.”

WPXI wrote on July 15:

“Channel 11 News uncovered dramatic new details Monday in the moments leading up to the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. According to multiple law enforcement sources, Thomas Crooks was spotted by law enforcement on a roof nearly 30 minutes before shots were fired that injured Trump, killed a former fire chief and injured two others in the crowd.”

Breitbart wrote on July 15:

“A retired sniper from a team that once held the world record for longest confirmed kill said he has ‘no doubts’ that Trump rally gunman… had help from ‘an agency, an organization, or the government’ during Saturday’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.”

Local Officer Retreats Just Before Assassin Shoots

The Associated Press wrote on July 14:

“One local police officer climbed to the roof and encountered Crooks, who pointed his rifle at the officer. The officer retreated down the ladder, and Crooks quickly took a shot toward Trump, and that’s when Secret Service snipers shot him, said the officials… The officials also told AP that bomb-making materials were found inside Crooks’ vehicle, and bomb-making materials were found at his home.”

The New York Post added on July 15:

“The Secret Service blamed local police for failing to secure the rooftop from which gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate… Trump insisting it was outside the perimeter the federal agency was tasked with protecting.”

A weak “defense.”

Jesse Waters and Dr. Ron Paul: Be Skeptical of What You Hear!

Fox News published on July 14 Jesse Water’s monologue on “Jesse Waters Primetime”:

“We don’t know if the alleged assassin acted alone or if he was a part of a conspiracy. The FBI is telling us he was a lone actor, but we don’t trust the FBI. We don’t trust the media. All Americans should be skeptical about what they hear. Reagan’s wannabe assassin was a lone wolf. JFK’s assassin wasn’t. He had help, and there was a cover-up. So our job is to be curious. This is the most serious assassination attempt in 40 years. How can a man climb a ladder onto a roof, mount a rifle, and unload eight rounds at a former president from 130 yards?…

“Why didn’t the Secret Service, when they surveyed the site of the rally, account for this building? Why weren’t there counter-snipers on that roof? The Associated Press says a local police officer saw Crooks climb the roof but when he confronted him, Crooks pointed his rifle at him and the officer retreated. And then Crooks opened fire on 45. The FBI is denying that report, which is weird because the FBI never comments on active investigations. Many other people noticed the shooter on the roof. 

“Why did it take eight rounds to ring out before somebody returned fire? Sources tell ‘Primetime’ that the counter-sniper team that neutralized Crooks were Secret Service sharpshooters, but the Washington Post reports that the counter-snipers were local cops. Now, if that’s true, why is the Secret Service relying so heavily on locals?  And why did the counter-snipers who had their rifles trained on this assassin not shoot first?”

Another question would be: Why weren’t drones used to survey the area?

Dr. Ron Paul wrote on July 15 in his weekly column:

“…But what if there was a genuine investigation that actually revealed the truth about what happened at the Trump rally over the weekend? Could we rely on the mainstream media to even report it?… This is the same mainstream media that… now pretends to be shocked that their vile rhetoric ended up in violence. There is a good reason why the mainstream media is regarded by the American public with record levels of contempt…

“We shouldn’t count on hearing the truth about the attempted assassination from the mainstream media. No wonder the elites remain determined to censor social media sites like Twitter/X and TikTok. We live in an empire of lies, propped up by the mainstream media. And seeking the truth in this empire of lies is the greatest challenge for us in the moral bankruptcy in which we live.”

How Piers Morgan Sees It

The Sun published on July 14 the following article by Piers Morgan:

“I’d feared this moment for years. There are few more divisive or polarising public figures in the world than Donald Trump, and a lot of people hate him with a dangerous, visceral passion. There is also considerable precedent. Four American presidents have been assassinated, the most recent being John F. Kennedy in 1963. Two more survived assassination attempts, including Ronald Reagan outside a Washington hotel in 1981. 

“So, the threat of a sniper’s bullet is never far away for any occupant of the White House in a country awash with gun violence and increasingly toxic political tensions. Tragically, as many predicted, it was only a matter of time before some deranged lunatic tried to kill Donald Trump…

“Incredibly, Trump cheated death by what must have been an inch at best as the would-be assassin’s bullets whistled past his head. Instead, he suffered just a graze to his ear, and lives, as he shouted, to fight another day.  And thank God for that, as the consequences of him being killed in such an attack don’t bear thinking about.

“I genuinely think America might have tipped into some kind of civil war given how popular Trump is with his many millions of supporters and how convinced they already were, with good reason, that there has been a deliberate attempt by Democrats to weaponise the justice system against him to stop him being re-elected president…

“It was complete madness for President Biden to allow a Democrat attorney-general in New York to bring criminal charges against his predecessor for paying off a porn star, Stormy Daniels, over an alleged one-night stand 18 years ago and then trying to hide it from scrutiny before the 2016 election.  When presidents try to put their political opponents in prison, the country they run becomes a banana republic no better than Russia, North Korea, or corrupt nations in South America.

“And although I don’t want to blame Biden or Democrats for the actions of a mentally disturbed shooter, there is no doubt that the constant ludicrously exaggerated liberal depiction of Trump as ‘the new Hitler’ and their undisguised glee at the prospect of putting him in a jail cell, has played a part in whipping up partisan political rivalry to incredibly dangerous levels…

“The Secret Service massively dropped the ball, and senior heads will doubtless roll as a result. But the inevitable impact of this dreadful attack on American democracy is that it will now almost certainly propel Donald Trump back to the White House… Now, he’s literally taken a bullet for his country, and the images of his extraordinary and heroic defiance in the seconds after the shooting will surely compel many more Americans to vote for him in November. The shooter wanted Donald Trump dead, but ironically, has instead cemented his political resurrection.”

Shameful Biden

In a follow-up article, Piers Morgan wrote on July 16 in The New York Post:

“President Biden, during his last rambling incoherent, bad-tempered and often excruciatingly awkward TV interview, was very clear about one thing regarding Donald Trump’s shooting: Don’t blame me, pal! In fact, he looked indignant that the interviewer, NBC’s Lester Holt, would even suggest such a terrible thing.

“It was extraordinarily insightful to watch Biden working so hard to deflect any attention to his own culpability in raising the political temperature to such scarily dangerous levels that someone would try to assassinate his rival four months before the election.

“When asked for his first reaction to the shooting, Biden instantly went on his favorite Trump-bashing greatest-hits rant about January 6, Charlottesville, Nazis, both sides, etc…. Here is the president of the United States declining to even pretend to care that his immediate predecessor, and current rival for the forthcoming election, just came within an inch of being killed…

“To his credit, Holt was having none of it, and pointed out that just days before the shooting, Biden declared Trump an ‘existential threat’ to America and told donors: ‘It’s time to put Trump in the bull’s-eye.’ But even when confronted with his use of such obviously violent language, Biden scurried to avoid any responsibility for his shameful rhetoric. ‘I didn’t say crosshairs!’ he exclaimed, as if that made any tangible difference. They mean the same thing when used about human beings: Making someone a target…”

JD Vance Named Republican Vice Presidential Candidate

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 15:

“Ohio Senator JD Vance has been named as the Republican vice presidential candidate for the November election. In recent days, Vance attracted controversy for his comments on the assassination attempt against Trump.

“‘The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,’ Vance wrote on social media. ‘That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.’”

Within Inches

The New York Post wrote in several related articles on July 13:

“Former President Donald Trump says he ‘felt the bullet ripping through [his] skin’… ‘I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear… I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening’…

“President Biden called the attack ‘sick’ in remarks Saturday night… after the White House took heat for merely calling the shooting an ‘incident’ in initial press statements… ‘However, five days earlier, Biden was heard in a campaign meeting saying, “it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye” with regards to the campaign…

“‘[Trump] came within inches of having his face shot open,’ a senior law enforcement source told The Post.”

The New York Post wrote on July 14:

“Donald Trump slightly turned his head to look at a jumbotron at the same time shots rang out at his Pennsylvania rally Saturday evening – and the split-second move saved his life, an expert says… The small adjustment came right at the moment Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, aimed and shot at the former president’s head, causing the bullet to skim the Republican frontrunner’s ear as opposed to penetrating his skull…

“‘Snipers are typically trained to shoot into the cerebral cortex of the cerebellum at the top of the brain stem,’ Cohen explained to host Trace Gallagher. ‘It incapacitates you, it keeps your hands from moving. …  It’s about the distance of the shot. One hundred thirty yards. That’s a putt. Anyone can put a two, two, three, optic on a target from that distance and hit it. It’s not a difficult shot to make,’ he said. If Trump’s head had been straight when Crooks fired, ‘it would have been lights out,’ Cohen said. ‘The fact that he just happened to be turned this way with that shot coming in is what saved his life,’ the special ops expert said…

“Former FBI Director Chris Swecker agreed with Gilliam’s take and said the attempt on Trump’s life was ‘almost a kill shot.’”

“Pure Luck”?

Bild Online wrote on July 14:

“‘He hit Trump with the first shot. The fact that the ex-president was only hit in the ear was ultimately pure luck,’ says German weapons expert Lars Winkelsdorf (47) after analyzing the video of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump (78) in Butler (Pennsylvania)… ‘Four centimeters further to the right of the shooter’s view, then the bullet would have hit Trump’s skull and the ex-president would probably be dead… You can initially hear three shots. These were very targeted shots, with the first one scoring.

“‘When the shooter notices that the Secret Service men are protecting Trump with a human wall, he switches to rapid wildfire. That then explains the other injured people and the fatality… Trump realized very quickly that he had been shot at – and reacted accordingly, ducking away.

“This suggests that the Secret Service plays out such extreme situations very regularly with the people entrusted to it.”

Pure luck or God’s intervention? Note the next article.

Trump: God Alone Saved Me

Newsmax wrote on July 14:

“Former President Donald Trump on Sunday morning said ‘God alone’ saved him from a would-be assassin’s bullet and said it is ‘more important than ever’ that Americans stand united.”

But will America be united? The next article suggests the opposite.

US in Free Fall?

Vox wrote on July 13:

“America is not ready for what comes next… The United States is an extraordinary country: the wealthiest and most powerful ever to exist in human history. But it is riven by what might be its greatest internal divisions since the Civil War.

“The gravity of that particular comparison should underscore both the dangers here and the uncertainty. A gunman’s bullet has just sent the country hurtling into an abyss. The only question now is how far we fall.”

Mar-a-Lago Classified Documents Case Against Trump Dismissed!

NBC News reported on July 15:

“The Florida judge overseeing Donald Trump’s classified documents trial dismissed the case against the former President Monday on the grounds that the appointment of and funding for special counsel Jack Smith was illegal.

“U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump nominee, said in her 93-page decision that Smith’s appointment was ‘unlawful’ and unconditional. ‘The clerk is directed to close this case,’ the judge wrote… Trump praised the ruling… and said other criminal cases against him should be tossed as well…

“Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith as special counsel in November 2022… Trump’s lawyers argued in court papers filed in February that the appointments clause of the Constitution ‘does not permit the Attorney General to appoint, without Senate confirmation, a private citizen and like-minded political ally to wield the prosecutorial power of the United States. As such, Jack Smith lacks the authority to prosecute this action’…

“Smith will be able to appeal this dismissal to the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. That court will certainly hear the case and likely hold oral arguments. However, even if it were to be heard on an expedited basis, and even if the appeals court were to overturn Cannon’s ruling, Monday’s ruling all but guarantees the classified documents case could not go to trial before the election.”

Deutsche Welle wrote: “A major legal victory for Trump.”

Orban Visits Trump

Breitbart wrote on July 12:

“Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban flew direct from the NATO summit in Washington, DC, late Thursday night to meet with former President Donald Trump at his Florida compound Mar-a-Lago. The pair convened at Trump’s beachside facility and shared a photo of the moment on social media. The caption said: ‘We discussed ways to make peace. The good news of the day: he’s going to solve it!’ On his own Truth Social media site, Trump posted: ‘Thank you Viktor. There must be PEACE, and quickly.’

“The Hungarian leader… expressed hopes the Republican will be able to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine through diplomacy as opposed to further bloodshed. The European Union’s longest-serving leader has long held close ties to Trump and other conservative Republicans, and expressed his belief a new Trump presidency remains the ‘only serious chance’ for an end to the war in Ukraine…”

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 11:

“Orban, who is widely considered to have the warmest relations with the Kremlin among all EU leaders, made an unannounced visit to Kyiv last week, where he held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggesting a truce. Some observers interpreted the visit as a sign that Hungary… might be taking steps toward the pro-Ukraine stance of the EU mainstream. But instead, days later, Orban made an unannounced trip to Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The trip drew condemnation from Kyiv and other European capitals.

“Orban then flew to Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi Jimping. He described China as a stabilizing force amid global turmoil and praised its ‘constructive and important’ peace initiatives. At a NATO summit this week in Washington, leaders condemned China’s role in ‘enabling’ Russia to maintain its war against Ukraine… Less than two weeks into the six-month term in the rotating EU presidency, Orban has already caused damage, the German Foreign Ministry said on Friday.”

To visit Zelenskyy is fine, but to visit Putin and Xi and Trump is not? What European hypocrisy! Note the next article.

Hungary Stands Alone

ntv wrote on July 12:

“At the conclusion of the alliance summit in Washington, the Hungarian government accused the NATO partners of double standards and failure in dealing with the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. ‘We will continue to advocate for dialogue and diplomatic channels, as the current strategy of the last two and a half years has been a total failure,’ Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a spokesman. Szijjártó represented Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who left the summit early to meet former US President Donald Trump in Florida.

“Specifically, Szijjártó criticized the fact that it was inconsistent that NATO rejected dialogue with Russia while Israel was pressured to negotiate with Hamas. ‘They want Israel to negotiate with a terrorist organization to resolve a security crisis while diplomatic channels are closed to the Ukraine war,’ he said.

“Szijjártó also criticized the fact that pressure is being put on EU countries such as Hungary to end nuclear cooperation with Russia, while trade between the USA and Russia, especially in the field of uranium, is increasing. He also asked whether there might be secret negotiations. Regarding Ukraine’s desire to join NATO, Szijjártó said that the country’s membership could weaken the alliance from a Hungarian perspective. It is therefore important to check membership carefully.

“After the summit, meeting participants said that Hungary was isolated during the discussion. ‘Several allies have also made it clear that they do not agree with the Hungarian Foreign Minister’s statements.’”

But these statements were very noteworthy and to the point.

Renegotiating the Brexit Deal?

Daily Mail wrote on July 11:

“Joe Biden urges Keir Starmer to get ‘closer with Europe’ as they hold first talks in White House amid Brexit renegotiation push… The US president described the UK as the ‘transatlantic knot’ binding the two continents…

“Sir Keir has vowed to renegotiate the  Brexit deal, with concerns that he could make concessions such as paying into Brussels budgets – although he has insisted Britain will not rejoin the customs union or single market. At the start of the meeting, the President said: ‘I kind of see you guys as the knot tying the transatlantic alliance together, the closer you are with Europe…’”

The UK wants a close and friendly relationship with Europe and especially Germany, but it will not happen.

Biden Under Attack

The Huffington Post wrote on July 11:

“Barely two hours after mixing up Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin in public remarks, President Joe Biden mixed up his own vice president, Kamala Harris, with his coup-attempting predecessor, Donald Trump,  at a high-stakes news conference Thursday evening ― a gaffe likely to exacerbate concerns about his ability to beat Trump in November…

“Biden went on to suffer several smaller verbal stumbles. He told reporters gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center that he follows the ‘advice of his commander in chief’ before correcting himself to say ‘chief of staff.’ Referring to the June jobs report… he said he just created ‘2,000’ jobs when he meant 200,000… Biden and Democrats have until mid-August to decide whether they will stick with him or choose a different nominee at their party’s convention in Chicago.”

Biden’s gaffes are really embarrassing and intolerable, but are they enough to get him out of the race?

European Leaders Defend Biden While European Media Dismisses Him

Reuters wrote on July 12:

“European leaders defended U.S. President Joe Biden after a number of gaffes during a NATO summit while the continent’s media took them as further evidence he was not fit to defeat Donald Trump in November’s presidential election… Britain’s Daily Telegraph… concluded that ‘Biden looks finished.’ ‘Slips of tongue happen, and if you always monitor everyone, you will find enough of them,’ German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said when asked by reporters about Biden confusing Zelenskiy with Putin. The sentiment was echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

“Newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking before Biden’s gaffes, said he and the president were able to address a number of issues ‘at pace’ during their first meeting. ‘He was actually on really good form, and mentally agile – absolutely across all the detail,’ Starmer told the BBC. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Biden looked ‘well’ and that he attended all summit sessions, unlike other leaders. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was less effusive but praised Biden’s organisation of ‘a very good summit’…

“Other European politicians were less forgiving. Geert Wilders, whose far-right party won the Netherlands’ last election, made fun of Biden, posting a photo of Zelenskiy and Harris on X under the title: ‘President Putin meets Vice President Trump’…

“A post-summit press conference failed to convince European media that Biden can rebuild confidence in his mental acuity. ‘This was Joe Biden’s chance to win over doubters. He blew it,’ said a Times of London headline, while Italy’s Il Giornale concluded it was the ‘end of the road for Biden’. Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung described Biden’s closing press conference as a ‘humiliation … To put it harshly: The dignity of the office holder has been irreversibly tarnished.’

“Britain’s Guardian newspaper agreed, describing the press conference as ‘painful to watch’ and ‘politics as bloodsport.’ Switzerland’s Neue Zuercher Zeitung daily concluded that the only chance the Democrats had of defeating the Republican Trump in November was for Biden to withdraw from the race. ‘An old man flexing his political muscles and raising his brittle voice does not come across as powerful…This president is not fit for a second term,’ the Zurich newspaper wrote.”

European politicians defend Biden because they are afraid of Trump. Trump won’t forget that.

“As Soon as the Teleprompter Was Turned Off”

The Independent wrote on July 12:

“The trouble began as soon as the teleprompter was turned off. Just two weeks after a disastrous debate plunged his campaign into chaos, and with heavy hitters in his own party refusing to publicly support him, Joe Biden’s performance needed to be flawless. But in his first answer, to the first question, at his first open press conference in eight months, he confused his running-mate, Kamala Harris, with his mortal enemy, Donald Trump. ‘I wouldn’t have picked vice president Trump to be vice president if I didn’t think she was qualified to be president,’ he said, without correcting himself.

“That might not have drawn so much attention if he hadn’t confused president Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine with his mortal enemy,  Russian president Vladimir Putin, just hours earlier. On the scale of presidential gaffes, they landed somewhere between George H. W. Bush vomiting in the Japanese prime minister’s lap at a banquet and a break-in at the Watergate Hotel.

“… His answers to simple questions were often rambling and trailed off. He would catch himself sometimes, ending a sentence abruptly with the word ‘anyway…’ Even on the occasions when he offered substantive answers, they seemed to last so long that the question was a distant memory…

“Biden has spent much of his presidency hiding from the full glare of the media. He has held fewer press conferences and media interviews than any of the last seven presidents at the same point in their terms. His last solo press conference, at which he took five questions from reporters, was eight months ago…”

The mass media has protected him. Now they turn against him. Note the next articles about the media’s hypocrisy.

How America Has Been Lied To

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on July 10:

 “The Editor at Large for the Wall Street Journal, Gerry Baker, says, ‘We’ve been “gaslit’ and deceived” – for years – ‘all in the name of ‘democracy’. That deceit ‘collapsed’ with the Presidential debate, Thursday’. Until the world saw the truth … [against] the ‘misinformation’ … the fiction of Mr. Biden’s competence … suggests they [the Democrats] evidently thought they could get away with promoting it. [Yet] by perpetuating that fiction they were also revealing their contempt for the voters and for democracy itself.’

“Baker continues: ‘[Now] it is going horribly wrong. Much of his party has no use for him anymore … in a remarkably cynical act of bait-and-switch, [they are trying to] swap him out for someone more useful to their cause…’

“Emmanuel Todd, the French anthropological historian, [stated:] ‘So when a senior WSJ editor tells us that the “deception and gaslighting” collapsed with the CNN Biden-Trump debate, we should surely pay attention; He is saying the scales finally fell from peoples’ eyes… Of course, Biden’s condition has been long known. So who then has been running affairs; making critical daily decisions about war, peace, the composition of the judiciary and the boundaries of state authority? The WSJ piece gives one answer: ‘Unelected advisers, party hacks, scheming family members and random hangers-on make the critical daily decisions’ on these issues.’

“Seymour Hersh, the well-known investigative journalist reports: ‘Biden’s drift into blankness has been ongoing for months, as he and his foreign policy aides have been urging a ceasefire that will not happen in Gaza whilst continuing to supply the weapons that make a ceasefire less likely. There’s a similar paradox in Ukraine, where Biden has been financing a war that cannot be won – yet refusing to participate in negotiations that could end the slaughter.’

“The reality behind all of this… is that Biden is simply ‘no longer there’ – in terms of understanding the contradictions of the policies he and his foreign policy advisers have been carrying out… In Todd’s words then, decisions are made by a small ‘Washington village’.

“Of course, Jake Sullivan and Blinken sit at the centre of what is called the ‘inter-agency’ view. This is where policy mostly is discussed. It is not coherent…’”

Worse Than Watergate and the Threat to Democracy

Newsmax wrote on July 13:

“Democrat operatives attempting to keep Donald Trump from the White House are the same ones covering for President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline, a political scandal of Bidengate that puts ‘Watergate in the shade,’ according to British journalist Andrew Neil… the famed former BBC broadcaster wrote in his Daily Mail column Friday:

“‘It was exposed as such in that fateful TV debate with Trump at the end of last month when Biden suffered a slow-motion car crash from which he has not recovered. Even then the White House lies did not stop. We were told it was just a bad night, that he had a cold, that he was suffering from jet lag. The excuses tumbled out from Team Biden, each one less credible than the last. But something significant had changed: even Jet-Lag Joe’s media cheerleaders no longer believed what they were being told.’

“The 1970s Watergate scandal put forth by former CIA operatives working for The Washington Post infamously led to the resignation of former President Richard Nixon, a Republican. Now, Democrats are working to force Biden out of office…’

“Now that the psyops has been exposed, lying media and spin-doctoring Biden administration officials and Democrats are jumping like rats off a sinking ship – turning the once-adoring media on the president, according to Neil. ‘Asked to choose between White House spin and what they’d seen with their own eyes, even partisan journalists chose their eyes,’ Neil wrote. ‘So did the American people. A huge majority now believes Biden is unfit to run again. A clear majority of registered Democrats agrees…

“‘The Democratic Party strategy to reelect Joe Biden as U.S. President was simple and stark: Donald Trump is a threat to democracy, so it is the constitutional duty of all patriotic Americans to stop him ever returning to the White House… We now know that those closest to President Biden in the White House and at the top of the Democratic National Committee (which is controlled by the White House) have been lying to the American people for months, nay years, about Biden’s fitness to run for a second term…

“‘When those at the heart of government and in control of the governing party are prepared to lie, dissemble and obfuscate to hide the truth from the people — and the plain, unexpurgated truth is that Biden is clearly in no condition to run for, never mind serve, a second term — I think it’s fair to conclude that those doing the lying are at least as big a threat to democracy as Trump.’ American voters now know which side was lying and suggesting Trump is the threat to democracy just no longer can land, according to Neil…”

But again and again, Biden postulates that he will not quit. The next article may give us a clue as to why.

The Catfight Between Kamala and Jill

The Daily Mail wrote on July 12:

“When Kamala Harris took to the stage during a Democratic primary debate before the 2020 election and implied that Joe Biden was racist, his wife, Jill’s, response was crystal clear. ‘Go f…yourself,’ the then-future first lady vented, as she allegedly admitted during a conference call with supporters. And the relationship between the two women – that began badly enough during that contentious battle for the presidential nomination – has only gone downhill from there. Now, political insiders have told DailyMail.com that Democratic advisors are struggling to push past the powerful role that Jill Biden’s loathing of Harris, 59, is playing in Joe’s resistance to pass the mantle to his VP…

“According to one former Democrat operative in Jill’s circle, the women’s long-seated animosity is ‘one hundred per cent’ part of Jill’s resistance to having her 81-year-old husband step aside. Because the truth, according to a source who knows the First Couple well, is that Jill’s is now the only voice to which the 46th president listens.  And as far as Jill, 73, is concerned, the only thing worse than her husband stepping down would be Kamala stepping up to replace him.  The bad blood between the First Lady and the Vice President, a feeling so strong that one source described it as, ‘hatred,’ dates to June 2019, when Kamala was running against Biden and condemned him during a televised debate  for opposing aspects of mandatory busing for school desegregation.

“’Jill holds grudges,’ one Democrat insider revealed. ‘She doesn’t let things go and she has never forgiven Kamala for comments that some took to be allegations of racism.’ According to one insider, that was the reason she never wanted Kamala to be her husband’s number two in the first place.

“They said, ‘Jill was trying to stop Kamala joining the Biden ticket in 2020. She has hated her ever since the school bus thing. But she bit her tongue because Biden boxed himself into a corner by saying he would pick a black woman for his running mate.’

“… according to one well-placed source while the light of public scrutiny is trained on Biden’s mental acuity, the real power behind the throne is Jill… The source told DailyMail.com, ‘Jill has become consumed by the power and prestige of the presidency and what that means to her.’… Jill is ‘absolutely unwavering about Joe staying [in the race] but if he is forced out or opts out, she would be fully opposed to Kamala replacing him.’

“One insider revealed, ‘Kamala never runs competent organizations. Every office, every campaign, devolves into toxicity. And Jill is keenly protective of Joe’s legacy.’”

When some women run a country…

“US President As If Replaced After Mistake: Who Are These Biden?”

Bild Online wrote on July 13:

“The two faces of US President Joe Biden (81)! After the huge blunders with Putin’s breakdown and VP mix-up, US President Joe Biden is undeterred in his election campaign against challenger Donald Trump (78). Despite dwindling support from within his own ranks.

“On Friday, just 24 hours after his misfires at the NATO conference, Biden traveled to the US state of Michigan… At smaller engagements… Biden’s decline was clearly visible. He swallowed words, spoke in a hoarse voice. Biden repeatedly broke off his sentences when it came to details and facts… Even at the official event, Biden had to clear his throat several times and spoke in an unclear voice.

“At the next appointment on the same day, Biden made an appearance at a high school near Detroit… Biden suddenly seemed like a different person! In front of several hundred cheering Democrats, Biden shouted into the crowd: ‘I’m running!’… Biden condemned his opponent Trump as a ‘convicted criminal’. And he warned that Trump wanted to turn the USA into a dictatorship. The room was beside itself! ‘We are behind you!’ shouted the Democrats. His campaign speech – this time with a teleprompter – was SIGNIFICANTLY more aggressive than any previous speech. Biden clenched his fist and reared up at the lectern. The whole nation was watching him: The American press is currently broadcasting almost every appearance live…

“The Democrats are still threatened with a revolt within the party. 19 members of Congress have so far called on the 2024 candidate to withdraw. ‘It’s time for President Biden to pass the torch,’ urged Congressman Mike Levin (45).”

The comments about the “two Biden” and his apparent switched personality, as well as the ecstatic reaction of the crowd at a high school near Detroit, are very interesting.

Biden—A Different Person

 Newsmax wrote on July 17:

“Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told Newsmax on Wednesday that he didn’t know which version of Joe Biden he would get when he met with the president after Republicans gained the majority of the House in 2023. ‘Every time I met with him, it was a different Joe Biden,’ McCarthy [said]… ‘Each meeting was different. I’d have a number of meetings, thinking, … he’s out of it. Then he’d come back and there’d be a meeting he was totally with it. I thought it’d be like a different person.”

Erdogan vs. Israel

ntv wrote on July 12:

“With the start of the Gaza war, relations between Turkey and Israel are deteriorating. Now Ankara is stepping up. Until there is no ‘comprehensive and sustainable peace’, the country also wants to oppose Israel in NATO…

“Erdogan described the Islamist Hamas as a ‘liberation organization’ and compared Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.”

The relationship between Turkey and Israel will continue to deteriorate… and especially, when Europe turns against Israel as well.

Biden Criticizes Israel

JTA wrote on July 11:

“President Joe Biden said Israel had been ‘less than cooperative’ with the United States in its efforts to deliver assistance to Palestinian civilians… ‘I met with most of the Arab leaders to try and get a consensus going as to what had to be done to get more aid and food and medicine into the Gaza Strip,’ Biden said at a press conference on Thursday following a NATO summit…

“Notably on Thursday, the G7 issued a joint release condemning Israel’s latest settlement expansion, naming its far right finance minister, Betzalel Smotrich, who greenlighted the expansion.

“The talks, which in addition to Hamas include Qatar and Egypt, appear to be stuck in part on Netanyahu’s insistence that Israel reserve the right to restart the war in order to achieve its goal of  dismantling Hamas’ military and governing capabilities…

“Biden appeared to argue that much of the obstruction the United States has encountered stems from Israel’s government… ‘This war cabinet is one of the most conservative war cabinets in the history of Israel, and there’s no ultimate answer other than the two-state solution here,’ said Biden… Netanyahu adamantly rejects a two-state outcome as a long-term goal in the talks.

“Biden also rejected the Israeli far right’s ambitions to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, and of maintaining an Israeli military presence there. ‘The day after in Gaza has to be the end,’ he said, ‘has to be no occupation by Israel in the Gaza Strip, as well as the ability for us to access, get in and out as rapidly as you can for all that’s needed there.’”

The proposed “deal” is described as a “framework”—meaning, it is without consequence and meaningless.

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 16:

“Israel continued to bomb the Gaza Strip on Tuesday shortly after the US renewed its criticism over the high civilian death toll in the war on Hamas… On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to ‘increase pressure’ on Hamas and said Israel was remaining ‘firm’ in its demands…

“The Israeli military said it had killed ‘40 terror targets’ in Gaza. It said troops were continuing targeted raids in the southwestern city of Rafah and in central Gaza… the Israeli military said it had eliminated half of the leadership of Hamas’ military wing since the start of the war, claiming about 14,000 fighters killed or captured since the offensive began.”

Republican Party’s Plans to Launch Mass Deportations Alarming

JTA wrote on July 12:

“Three Jewish organizations dealing with immigration and community relations said they were alarmed by the Republican Party’s plans to launch mass deportations, saying they are steeped in a racist conspiracy theory that at times has veered into antisemitism. The Republican platform… pledges to ‘carry out the largest deportation operation in American history.’ ‘President Trump and Republicans will reverse the Democrats’ destructive Open Borders Policies that have allowed criminal gangs and Illegal Aliens from around the World to roam the United States without consequences,’ the platform says… Analysts have said that such a deportation order could affect as many as 11 million people…

“Mark Hetfield, the president of HIAS, the Jewish immigration advocacy group, said that such a plan would trigger legal challenges, and that HIAS would join them…  Amy Spitalnick, the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, a national community relations body, also predicted the community would challenge any plans for mass deportation… Jamie Beran, the CEO of Bend the Arc, a Jewish social justice activist network, singled out how deportation figures into the platform’s mention… antisemitism…

“Other Jewish groups that have in the past advocated for immigrants were silent: the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee declined comment, and the Jewish Federations of North America did not return a request for comment. Centrist Jewish groups generally avoid weighing in on hot button issues in an election year…

“Spitalnick and Hetfeld both expressed alarm at how the language of the platform appears to be steeped in ‘replacement theory,’  a baseless conspiracy alleging a liberal plot to replace whites with people of color. Versions of the theory have antisemitic overtones alleging that the plot is led by Jews.

“Hetfield singled out a passage targeting family reunion policies, which conservatives call ‘chain migration.’ ‘Republicans will prioritize Merit-based immigration, ensuring those admitted to our Country contribute positively to our Society and Economy, and never become a drain on Public Resources,’ the platform says. ‘We will end Chain Migration, and put American Workers first!’ The platform also declares, ‘We must not allow Biden’s Migrant Invasion to alter our Country.’”

Trump famously used Hitler’s language of poisoning the blood of the nation. The Republican’s plan of mass deportation, as described above, and the end of chain migration and maybe even DACA, should alarm all Americans.

Ursula von der Leyen Re-Elected

 Breitbart wrote on July 18:

“Arch-globalist Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as the President of the European Commission for a second five-year term by a comfortable margin in the European Parliament on Thursday. German politician Ursula von der Leyen will continue on as the top woman in Brussels…  Prior to the vote, the top globalist said that if given a second term she would double down on key issues, notably the European Green New Deal and the plans to see Ukraine join the European Union. She also appears set to continue her longtime battle with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whom she personally signalled out in her speech Thursday over his recent trip to Moscow to advocate for a peace settlement. Von der Leyen branded the trip as an ‘appeasement mission’ and vowed that Brussels will continue to ‘give Ukraine everything it needs to resist and prevail’.

“Responding to the vote, Spanish populist VOX MEP Jorge Buxadé said that it was a ‘sad day’ for Europe, particularly for farmers suffering under the green new deal agenda of Von der Leyen… French National Rally MEP and leader of the Patriots of Europe group the parliament, Jordan Bardella criticised centrists and conservatives for backing von der Leyen, saying that his faction in Brussels ‘will be the only patriotic group resolutely opposed to the Green Deal, the migration pact and the dissolution of our nations.’

“After it was revealed last month that Von der Leyen had the backing for a second term from the unelected European Council, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said: ‘Instead of inclusion, it sows the seeds of division. EU top officials should represent every member state, not just leftists and liberals!’

“Von der Leyen has long been a controversial figure, stemming back to her unimpressive stint as German defence secretary, however, she has become the darling on the globalist circuit…

 “Her first term as Commission president has also left much to be desired, having presided over draconian lockdown measures during the Chinese coronavirus, spearheading the push for  health passports and mass censorship of ‘disinformation’, for example. This was followed up by Europe being plunged into an energy crisis after being caught off guard by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and ill-equipped to deal with cuts in Russian gas supplies after embarking on the green agenda favoured by Von der Leyen and her allies. Her term has also been marked by increased attempts by Brussels to police — through monetary pressure — the domestic policies of member states,  imposing financial penalties on conservative governments in Hungary and Poland for enacting conservative policies on migration and gender.”

Criticism of Olaf Scholz

Die Welt wrote on July 12:

“Scholz rejected… Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s demand for a lifting of all conditions for the use of Western weapons against Russian territory…

“‘If they attacked us and killed our children, it is crazy to ask why we are not allowed to attack this military base,’ Zelensky said. ‘If we want to win, if we want to be victorious, if we want to save and defend our country, we must lift all restrictions,’ he added…

“US President Joe Biden, like Scholz, rejects the extensive use of weapons using the escalation argument… At the same time, Scholz praises the American transfer of long-range weapons to Germany from 2026. Together with France and Great Britain, Germany will develop cruise missiles itself. Deterrence is necessary because of Russia’s rearmament…

“However, Scholz received prominent opposition to his stance from the head of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen. He criticized not only him, but also most of the federal government for their communication about the war in Ukraine. ‘In Germany [the] defense minister [Pistorius] talks about the fact that we have to become ready for war,’ he said… But his cabinet colleagues still underestimated the seriousness of the situation. To this day I have the feeling that most responsible politicians believe that they cannot give the population pure wine and say: “We are dealing with aggression like in the Cold War”… Heusgen said that Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin has aimed at restoring the old Soviet Union. ‘We still downplay everything a bit,’ he complained…

“Putin has proven how aggressive he is. ‘And it is only right that we now draw conclusions for our part,’ he said, referring to the planned stationing of US cruise missiles with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers in Germany from 2026. The USA wants to do so for the first time since the Cold War Station weapon systems in Germany that reach as far as Russia. Heusgen emphasized: ‘You can only negotiate with someone like Vladimir Putin from a position of strength.’”

Scholz’s duplicity will soon be obvious to everyone.

Europe’s Capitals Targeted by Russia

Bild Online wrote on July 13:

“Russia has responded with threats to the planned stationing of US long-range weapons in Germany.

“On Saturday, the Kremlin said Europe’s capitals could be targeted by Russian missile attacks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov (56) said: ‘Europe is a target for our missiles, our country is a target for US missiles in Europe.’ The confidant of ruler Putin (71) added: ‘We have the capacity, to keep these missiles at bay, but the potential victims are the capitals of these European countries.’ Russia had already reacted angrily to the West’s missile plans on Thursday. Peskov told a state television station two days ago: ‘We are steadily taking steps towards the Cold War.’

“The reason for the excitement in Moscow: As part of alliance defense, the USA will be moving from 2026 a battery of the brand new ‘Typhon MRC’ missile system to German NATO territory. The mobile system, which can fire both Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 2,500 kilometers and SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles with a range of 250 kilometers, will initially be temporarily and later permanently stationed in Germany.”

US Missiles in Germany

Nius wrote on July 12:

“The news of the stationing of US missiles on German soil shook the German media landscape like an earthquake… ‘We have a new threat situation. Vladimir Putin has shown what he is willing and capable of,’ said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at the NATO summit in Washington… One cannot speak of a new arms race – ‘Russia has had these weapon systems for a long time which were, as we suspect, stationed in Kaliningrad, which means within absolute reach of Germany and other European nations,’ said the minister…

“Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) are clearly in favor of deployment. ‘We know that there has been an incredible build-up in Russia, with weapons that threaten European territory,’ said Scholz at the NATO summit. ‘Russia is not a peace partner at the moment, said Habeck…

“As a young social democrat on the left wing of the SPD, Scholz himself once protested against, among other things, the stationing of US Pershing II medium-range missiles [in Germany]… “

New Investigations Against Höcke

Bild Online wrote on July 10:

“AfD right winger Björn Höcke has new trouble with the judiciary. The Gera public prosecutor’s office wants to investigate the politician on suspicion of denigrating the state and its symbols. ‘We have requested that his immunity be lifted,’ a spokesman for the authority confirms. ‘Today my immunity was lifted for the 9th time,’ said Höcke himself on X (formerly Twitter)…

“According to a spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office, the subject of the investigation is a speech given by Höcke on October 3, 2022 in Gera at the so-called ‘German Freedom Day’…. In his speech, Höcke denounces Western democracies as a ‘rainbow empire’ that – led by the USA – is aiming ‘at the destruction of the nation through mass immigration’ and has declared war on women and men. Given the choice, he would choose the traditional East (meaning Putin’s Russia).

“Höcke himself writes… about an ‘alleged opinion crime’ [and] repeatedly asks the question: ‘Yes, how political is the judiciary in Germany?’ He also threatens again with committees of inquiry…

“If there is an indictment in the current investigation, it would be the fourth case against the AfD politician, who wants to become Prime Minister in Thuringia after the state elections on September 1st…

If all of this is true, Germany is becoming an absolute dictatorship that criminalizes any criticism of its policies, similar to the former GDR. Also note the next article.

Attack on Freedom of the Press and of Expression in Germany!

Report 24 wrote on July 16:

“The Compact magazine was banned in the media today – by an interior minister who wrote for an Antifa magazine. The police, press and a photographer close to Antifa surprised editor-in-chief Jürgen Elsässer in a bathrobe, while system media celebrated the step as a success for democracy. The reasoning behind the ban raises considerable questions: it is not clearly identifiable criminal statements or calls for violence that are being denounced, but criticism of the government. It is sometimes drastic, but anyone who remembers the cover of Stern, for example, which showed Donald Trump giving the Hitler salute with the title ‘Sein Kampf’, can be amazed at what is allowed and what is forbidden in… Germany…

“If you consider that Interior Minister Nancy Faeser herself wrote for an Antifa magazine and is now supposed to determine what is right-wing extremist and what, in her opinion, should be banned, it becomes clear how shaky the German constitutional state is now… If the state of law and order becomes a left-wing state, then this is not only a danger for freedom of the press, but freedom of expression is also under attack. Not only media producers are affected, but also every citizen who expresses unpleasant opinions too publicly. That’s why the ban of ‘Compact’ is by no means just explosive for the publishers and editors of the magazine as well as its readers…

“What does the content in question look like? The ‘Welt’ magazine classified it as follows: It presents readers with ‘doomsday scenarios and racism, conspiracy stories and agitation against politicians from the hated “old parties” – and as a way out of all the disaster: the AfD’. When media outlets that otherwise readily spread apocalyptic climate warnings write about doomsday scenarios, it seems unintentionally strange. Terms like ‘racism’, ‘conspiracy narratives’ and ‘incitement’ have long been commonplace in the best of Germany, worthless phrases that are spat out when political opponents are to be defamed. Strangely enough, people still refuse to call the defamation and discrimination against unvaccinated people hate speech. It’s only ‘incitement’ when the government line is under fire. After all, they make no secret of the fact that support for the only opposition party in Germany (the AfD) is undesirable.

“[Die Welt continues that] people are particularly outraged by the constant criticism of Angela Merkel… Donald Trump – just like AfD politicians – is now often equated with Hitler by the German mainstream, but that is of course okay…

“After Merkel, the Greens then became the ‘main ideological opponents’, it goes on to say… It is then also stated that, in addition to Annalena Baerbock [and] Ursula von der Leyen… even Interior Minister Nancy Faeser was criticized by ‘ Compact’ and was seen on a cover with the words ‘Asylum Bomb’, which casts the ban of the magazine in a particularly worrying light: by now, at the latest, the reader could come to the conclusion that everything that is against Nancy Faeser and the politics of the traffic light [coalition] could be banned. Because these discussions make criticism of the government sufficient reason for repression and a classification as ‘right-wing extremist.’ This is a hard blow to freedom of the press and freedom of expression…

“The fact that the Tagesschau [Germany’s main broadcasting company] also points out Compact’s criticism of Corona measures and the pressure to vaccinate in its report on the ban tops it all off. Here you can read: “The decisive factor for the ban is that, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Compact violates the free-democratic basic order and human dignity and in doing so acts in an ‘aggressive and combative manner.’

In fact, you don’t have to look far for evidence of this: Compact spoke of itself as a ‘resistance’, and since the pandemic the political system has been defamed as a corona or vaccination ‘dictatorship’. In a recent broadcast about bird flu it was said that a “new vaccination terror” was on the rise and that people were ‘forcibly vaccinated” during the corona pandemic.’”

“What do you call it when you are forced to accept a vaccine that you actually don’t want by the threat of loss of your job and livelihood and massive social exclusion? “Voluntary vaccination”? Is criticism of the undermining of fundamental rights a commitment against or for democracy and the rule of law? Whose human dignity was violated here – and by whom? Where is the evidence of a threat to democracy?

“Strangely enough, there is no evidence of the ‘anti-Semitic, racist, anti-minority, historical revisionist and conspiracy theory’ content that the magazine is said to have and which should justify its classification as ‘certain right-wing extremist’ at the end of 2021. Faeser implies that she has essentially shaken right-wing extremism to its foundations by banning the magazine, but a lot of people have never read Compact. [The government] should be able to understandably explain and prove to what extent there was a danger to German democracy… Instead, they indulge in indignation when the government is criticized. Would that hold up in court?

“Editor-in-chief Elsässer is now also said to have expressed ‘subversive fantasies’ with the goal of ‘overthrowing the regime’… The context remains unclear. However, if that is all that can be said against ‘Compact’, it must come as a surprise, given the constant demands for subversion from the left and climate radicals…

“All in all, today’s actions and media reporting leave critical observers perplexed. Compact can sue against the ban – the outcome is of course uncertain… If criticism of uncontrolled mass migration, green politics and Corona measures violating fundamental rights can justify the ban of a magazine, then not only German alternative media are living dangerously, but also the mainstream press itself which still occasionally shoots harshly against those in political responsibility – especially against the Greens. Do we want to eradicate this remaining balance in the German press landscape? With what aim? To prevent any genuine democratic opinion-forming by completely bringing the press into line with the government?”

FDP politician Wolfgang Kubicki considers the ban possibly illegal. If the ban is lifted, Faeser’s resignation would be “inevitable,” said the lawyer.

 Former constitutional judge Christoph Degenhart said: “This is a dubious interference with the freedom of the press.”

Elon Musk said it succinctly on X:  “Crushing freedom of speech under a jackboot is what that government is doing.“

These are alarming and extremely dangerous developments! It is of course prophesied in the Bible that Germany will become a totalitarian dictatorship.

New Findings About the Neanderthal Man

phys.org wrote on July 11:

“Ever since the first Neanderthal bones were discovered in 1856, people have wondered about these ancient hominins. How are they different from us? How much are they like us? Did our ancestors get along with them? Fight them? Love them? The recent discovery of a group called Denisovans, a Neanderthal-like group who populated Asia and South Asia, added its own set of questions.

“Now, an international team of geneticists and AI experts are adding whole new chapters to our shared hominin history. Under the leadership of Joshua Akey, a professor in Princeton’s Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, the researchers have found a history of genetic intermingling and exchange that suggests a much more intimate connection between these early human groups than previously believed…

“Neanderthals, once stereotyped as slow-moving and dim-witted, are now seen as skilled hunters and tool makers who treated each other’s injuries with sophisticated techniques and were well adapted to thrive in the cold European weather. All of these hominin groups are humans…”

The researchers came to these correct conclusions, among other things, by comparing DNA between “modern humans” and the Neanderthal Man. Of course, they are completely off when speaking of the time when the Neanderthals lived. For more information on the Neanderthal Man, please read our free booklets, “The Theory of Evolution—a Fairy Tale for Adults,” and “Heavens and Earth—Before and After the First Man!”

Archeology Proves the Bible

Daily Mail wrote on July 12:

“Archaeologists have uncovered secrets of a Biblical city that sat within the ‘Promised Land’ where the Israelites settled after Moses led them out of Egypt. The Israeli Antiquities Authority recently shared their findings from Zanoah, which is mentioned in the Old Testament, revealing stone walls, pottery and other artifacts that date back more than 3,200 years…

“It begins with the Israelites enslaved in Egypt, before the Pharaoh – coerced by 10 terrible plagues – agrees to release them and Moses leads them across the miraculously-parted Red Sea. Once they reached the Sinai Peninsula, scripture says they traveled to Mount Sinai, where Moses received the 10 commandments. The group then headed to the southern border of Canaan, but being too scared to enter, were condemned to spending decades in the wilderness by God. After passing the years at the oasis of Kadesh Barnea, the Israelites then traveled to the eastern border of Canaan, where Moses died and was buried on Mount Nebo.

“In the subsequent Book of Joshua, Joshua takes over the leadership of the Israelites, leading them into the Promised Land across the River Jordan and conquering Jericho – and Zanoah is mentioned in the Book of Joshua. Joshua 15:34,56 outlines the boundaries and cities within the tribal allotment of Judah once they entered the Promised Land, which includes Zanoah…

“The team uncovered walls fashioned with rows of large, white rocks, which they believed were retaining walls for farming terraces used to create level areas for planting and to protect steeper soil from erosion. Preserved pottery was also pulled from the ground, with one featuring a stamp on the handle that read ‘of the King,’ which was to honor King Hezekiah’s reign in Judah in 701 BC.

“The life of Hezekiah is described in the Bible book of 2 Kings, chapters 18-20. In 2 Chronicles, the king is said to have reopened the Temple of Solomon,  known as ‘the First Temple’… Hezekiah also smashed the bronze snake statue God commanded Moses to make, which is mentioned in Numbers 21:8-9: ‘Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a snake image and mount it on a pole.’

“Pottery fragments littered the landscape, with about 20 percent dating to the time the Israelites were said to have arrived after the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness- the rest were fashioned over the next 900 years…”

Our free booklet, “The Authority of the Bible” proves the accuracy of the Holy Scriptures.

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.

Many today are engaging in witchcraft and superstitious conduct in one way or another, consulting mediums, or believing in the reliability of horoscopes. They may think that this is harmless or even beneficial and desirable.

Let us ignore what man may think about this topic and see what the Word of God has to say on this matter.   After all, it should be the guide for all who claim that they follow the Judeo-Christian faith, but sadly, history and experience show us that that is not the case with so many.

In the Statements of Beliefs of the Church of the Eternal God and its international affiliates, we read the following:

“Our doctrines and practices are based upon a literal understanding of the ‘teachings revealed in the entire Bible. We believe that the Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments are God’s revelation of His Will to man, inspired in thought and word, and infallible in the original writings; that said Scriptures are the supreme and final authority in faith and life, the source of Truth and the foundation of all knowledge.’”

Let us now concentrate on wizards, witchcraft and related concepts.

What is a wizard?  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary has this definition: “one skilled in magic: SORCERER”.  Dictionary.com has this definition: “a person who practices magic: magician or sorcerer.”

The Easton’s Bible Dictionary say: “A wizard is a pretender to supernatural knowledge and power, ‘a knowing one,’ as the original Hebrew word signifies. As we will see from the Word of God, such was forbidden on pain of death to practise his deceptions.” 

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary gives several definitions, one of which is “One devoted to the black art; a magician; a conjurer; a sorcerer; an enchanter.”

In the Englishman’s Concordance, we read that this word is translated as spiritist and wizard.  We should know that the Word of God clearly forbids Spiritism and we are not to make any attempt to contact spirits.

There are 11 Old Testament references to “wizard” in Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible, noting that the word used is yiddeoni.   Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance states that this is “from yada, properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost — wizard.”

And so, let us look at some of these references which many do not take into consideration, thinking that they no longer apply today or they may not simply be aware of them.   But we must remember that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

All of the following quotations are from the King James Bible or the Authorized Version (AV), unless noted otherwise:

Leviticus 19:31: “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.”

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers observes:

“Neither seek after wizards.—The expression ‘wizard,’ which in old English denotes ‘wise man,’ ‘sage,’ is almost the exact equivalent of the word in the original. These cunning men pretended to tell people their fortunes, where their lost property was to be found [etc.] According to ancient tradition, these wizards took in their mouth a bone of a certain bird called yaduā, burned incense, thus producing fumes which sent them off into an ecstacy, and then foretold future events. Hence their name, yidonee, as it is in the original. It occurs eleven times in the Bible, and always together with the word translated ‘familiar spirit.’”

Familiar spirit is always a reference to demons. They are called “familiar” spirits because they want to familiarize themselves with us and engage us in conversations with them, such is the case when we consult mediums, wizards, sorceries or other persons involved with the “black art.”

Leviticus 20:6: “And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.”

bibliaplus.org observes: “Witchcraft, being connected with idolatry, was ranked among the crimes which involved treason against Israel’s king, and hence, the severity of the punishment denounced against it…”

Leviticus 20:27: “A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.”

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament write: “But because Israel was called to be the holy nation of Jehovah, every one, either man or woman, in whom there was a heathenish spirit of soothsaying, was to be put to death, viz., stoned (cf. Leviticus 19:31) to prevent defilement by idolatrous abominations.”

Deuteronomy 18:9-12, sub-headed “Avoid Wicked Customs” in some renditions of the New King James Bible: “When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,or one who conjures spells, or a medium (AV: “a consulter with familiar spirits”), or a spiritist (AV: “a wizard”), or one who calls up the dead (AV: “a necromancer”). For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you” (New King James Bible).

This passage does not say that one can indeed call up the dead. Rather, it is a warning not to do so, as one may come in contact with demons who might pretend to be that dead person who is being “consulted.”

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary points out: “Was it possible that a people so blessed with Divine institutions, should ever be in any danger of making those their teachers whom God had made their captives? They were in danger; therefore, after many like cautions, they are charged not to do after the abominations of the nations of Canaan. All reckoning of lucky or unlucky days, all charms for diseases, all amulets or spells to prevent evil, fortune-telling, [etc.] are here forbidden. These are so wicked as to be a chief cause of the rooting out of the Canaanites. It is amazing to think that there should be any pretenders of this kind in such a land, and day of light, as we live in. They are mere impostors who blind and cheat their followers.”

Isaiah 8:19: “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?” The New King James Bible translates: “Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?”

We read in The Pulpit Commentary: “Verses 19-22. – ISAIAH RECOMMENDS LOOKING TO GOD AND THE REVEALED WORD RATHER THAN TO NECROMANCY. AFFLICTION WILL BRING ISRAEL TO GOD. Isaiah returns, in ver. 19, to the consideration of his disciples. In the terrible times impending, they will be recommended to have recourse to necromancy; he urges that they should look to God and the Law. He then further suggests that, in the coming affliction which he describes (vers. 21, 22), men will generally turn for relief to the same quarter (ver. 20). Verse 19. – Seek unto them that have familiar spirits. In times of great distress the Israelites seem always to have been tempted to consult those among them who pretended to magic and divination. So Saul in the Philistine war resorted to the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:7-20); Manasseh, threatened by Esar-haddon, ‘used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards’ (2 Kings 21:6). Israel generally, oppressed by Syria and Assyria, ‘used divination and enchantments’ (2 Kings 17:17).  There was the same inclination now on the part of many Jews.” 

According to britannica.com: “Necromancy, communication with the dead, usually in order to obtain insight into the future or to accomplish some otherwise impossible task. Such activity was current in ancient times among the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Etruscans; in medieval Europe it came to be associated with black (i.e., harmful, or antisocial) magic and was condemned by the church.”   This is not something to be involved with!

We read in Isaiah 19:3: “And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.” The New King James Bible says: “… And they will consult the idols and the charmers, The mediums and the sorcerers.”

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges points out: “the spirit of Egypt shall fail… lit. be poured out, cf. Jeremiah 19:7. ‘Spirit’ is here used of intellectual power, as ‘heart’ in Isaiah 19:1 denotes courage.  I will destroy or ‘swallow up,’ ‘annihilate’… In their desperation the Egyptians betake themselves to incantations, a sign in Isaiah’s view of hopeless intellectual embarrassment; ch. Isaiah 8:19.   The word rendered charmers means “mutterers” (of magical spells)…”

There are further passages of Scripture that are in accord with those which we have already covered, please see 1 Samuel 28:3, 9; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Kings 23:24 and 2 Chronicles 33:6.

It is interesting that there are those who were initially against approval of witchcraft but who mellowed over the years. Is that what true Christians, the people of God want to be involved with?  The answer should be obvious.

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

compiled by Dave Harris

“Germany Crushes Freedom of Speech and of the Press” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

This program addresses terrible developments in Germany which attacks Democracy and seems to move towards an autocratic dictatorship. To prove this, we are pointing out three steps towards this frightening outcome—suppression of journalism; unfounded prosecution under the guise of “denigrating the state”; and banning a magazine which “dares” to criticize the German government.

“Warum wird Gott bald die Menschen plagen?” is the title of this Sabbath’s German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Why Will God Soon Plague Mankind?”

“Bevor es zu spät ist!”, last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Dmitrij Niemann, is now posted. Title in English: “Before It’s Too Late.”

“Neue Kriegsführung? Was wäre, wenn…”, last Sabbath’s German sermon presented by Thilo Hanstein, is now posted. Title in English: “New warfare? What if…”

“Never Let Go,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Frank Bruno, is now posted. Here is a summary:

As a child learning to take those first few steps, or as a parent helping our kids do that, we appreciate the clutch of those tiny fingers on ours as the young ones take their halting first steps. There is a certainty and security that we know the child relies on. They have faith that their parent will be there to protect them. It is visceral and without question. We know that a true Christian should have that same absolute confidence in his or her relationship with the Father. If we rely on Him, He is there to protect us, guide us, and lead us in growing in our faith. In this Sermonette, we will cover several Scriptures and examples that illustrate this bond that we who are called have with our Creator.

“We Are God’s Workers,” last Sabbath’s sermon by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Being a Christian involves work. What kind of work are we obligated to do as fruitful laborers in the eyes of God? What does it mean to be productive in our work?