On December 28, 2024, Eric Rank will present the sermonette, titled, “Breaking Up Our Fallow Ground,” and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “Individuals of the End Time.”

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.

God tells us in Isaiah 43:18-19 (New International Version) to “forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” This shows us that we should not dwell or linger over or spend time thinking about the past (except for the purpose of not repeating past mistakes) because God is always working something new for us, and providing for us the path which affects our future. 

God has predestined us, called us before time began for a specific purpose (Romans 8:28-30).  Even though this refers to the past, it still alludes to what is present and what will come in the future. We may have been shown the Truth through someone else, for instance through family members, and through them we were able to receive the knowledge we need to inherit eternal life. 

Someway or somehow, we became knowledgeable of the Truth, and God granted us this gift for us to use.  Because we have this understanding now, we shouldn’t be ashamed of what we know NOW (2 Timothy 1:8-9).

Yes, we are to learn from past mistakes so we can be successful in the future, just as Paul explained in Philippians 3:14-16, pressing on toward the goal and the prize of obtaining eternal life.  We are to go forward with our understanding, not drift backward.  The Bible teaches us many examples from the past of those who went through difficulties that we can learn from for our benefit as explained in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. Many of those who were confronted with challenges and trials will be in the Kingdom. They were not perfect, and yet, they overcame their imperfections.

Insofar as our future is concerned, what we do NOW is vital, as we have pointed out countless times. We are to watch what is going on in the world and warn the world about what is coming! (Matthew 24:42, 14).  We have to be prepared, vigilant, focused, and look to God for help in fighting our battles (Ephesians 6:10-18), and also use the Holy Spirit that God has given us at our baptism which will help us to continue and to grow in wisdom and understanding so that we can inherit eternal life (John 6:63).

We are not to base our lives on physicality alone, but we have to live “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).  We need to focus on what the Bible says and must not be fooled by Satan’s tactics which may have been used by some people with whom we have associated with throughout the years. Satan is using the same tactics presently and will also use them in the future.  What does Satan do? How did he tempt Christ? How does he tempt us? He questions the Truth and appeals to human nature.  He then quotes Scripture, but out of context, to twist the meaning which adds to confusion and questioning.  He uses people today to do the same thing.  

This is where we need to remain focused and diligent, continuously asking God to open our understanding so we can comprehend His Word (John 8:31-32).  Only He can call us and the ONLY way we can understand is when God opens our minds.  This is what separates us from the people of the world who don’t understand what we understand.  

This also determines our future for we need God’s Spirit to be successful. David understood this as well. He needed to trust in God insofar as his future was concerned (Psalms 51:10-11).  More often than not, the future is based on trust, and putting trust and confidence into something now hoping that it will come to fruition in the future.  We trust that God will protect and provide for us now, and also in the future. 

In the meantime, God has appointed certain specific people to do a job, to teach, and to spread the word on what is coming (Ephesians 4:11-16). We are all working together for something better.  We have our individual talents, and we all have a certain part to do in the Church.  This unified effort will bring about success. The end is something we all look forward to because ALL things will be made new, and if we overcome, then we will inherit ALL things (Revelations 21:1-7).

We can see how the past, present, and future all work together. The Bible shares with us experiences that even the most faithful had to go through, and their experience can also be for our admonition. The Bible shows us how we are to apply the Word of God in our present lives by obeying Him so we can then experience what the future indeed has in store for us.

by Norbert Link

We begin with a scandalous cover-up regarding Biden’s physical and mental fitness; continue with articles on mysterious drones and a controversial bill to avoid a governmental shutdown in the USA, and the terrible waste of our money through the government. Please view in this regard our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Scandal! How Our Government Wastes Our Money!” 

We report on numerous threats and actions by Donald Trump and Elon Musk. We also speak on a terror attack in Magdeburg, Germany.

We continue with Switzerland’s disastrous decision to deny parents’ rights; Israel’s fight with Turkey over Syria and Poland’s abominable announcement to arrest Netanyahu if he were to attend the Auschwitz memorial; as well as its mandatory weapons training programs for children.

We give an example of the despicable cruelty of man towards animals; and address the ancient Yule festival and sunrise celebrations which all sound like Christmas observances.

We conclude with an article about illusionist Uri Geller’s comments on Christ’s and his powers.  

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

Concerns About Biden’s Fitness From Day One

The National News Desk (TNND) wrote on December 19:

“Concerns within the White House over President Joe Biden’s physical and mental fitness began early in his term in the Oval Office, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. Biden, 82, faced accusations throughout this year of being unfit to continue serving in the White House. The scrutiny peaked following his performance in a June presidential debate with President-elect Donald Trump, during which Biden appeared forgetful and confused while speaking in rambling fragments.

“Biden and members of his administration repeatedly rejected suggestions he could not continue running for reelection, despite some of the suggestions coming from other Democrats… The Wall Street Journal on Thursday interviewed nearly 50 individuals familiar with ‘operations’ to conceal… the president’s mental and physical state. Advisers of Biden reportedly realized during the first few months of his term that the ‘bruising presidential schedule’ would need to be adjusted for the president, citing his fatigue and making mistakes…

“Once concerns arose early on, Biden advisers instructed top lawmakers and allies to keep exchanges with the president ‘short and focused,’ according to the Wall Street Journal. Staffers reportedly also ensured most of Biden’s meetings were held later in the day due to the president not being ‘at his best’ first thing in the morning, with the option to scrap meetings entirely if he was having an ‘off day.’

“The guidelines for interactions with Biden even impacted Cabinet members, according to the Wall Street Journal. Biden has reportedly held just nine full Cabinet meetings throughout his term, compared to former President Barack Obama holding 19 during his first term and Trump convening 25 during his.

“At least one Cabinet member stopped asking for calls with Biden ‘because it was clear that such requests wouldn’t be welcome,’ a source told the Wall Street Journal. Cabinet members with particularly infrequent access to Biden reportedly included Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Donors also noticed how staffers worked to mask signs of Biden’s ‘decline,’ the Wall Street Journal reported…

“Harris during her brief presidential campaign fielded accusations of covering up Biden’s mental fitness. During an August interview with CNN, Harris told anchor Dana Bash she had no ‘regrets’ about what she told Americans about the president’s ability to serve…”

A Scandalous Cover-Up

Fox News wrote on December 20:

“CNN’s Scott Jennings criticized the White House for hiding President Biden’s health and age issues from the public in a segment on Thursday. ‘This is the biggest scandal in America,’ Jennings said on CNN. ‘And the level and volume of people who dedicated themselves to lying to everyone at home about this man’s condition for four-straight years up through this summer is breathtaking… It‘s a scandal of epic proportions and it’s a fair question to ask — who is running the country?… Who has been running the country?’

“Jennings argued that Biden’s staffers lied about his health and age concerns for the entirety of his presidency. ‘If you‘re worried about Donald Trump’s having influence — for the last four years, apparently, this president, duly elected, this president was not capable of fulfilling the duties of the office. And his staff and the White House lied about it and kept it from the American people,’ Jennings said…”

Biden did not run the Presidency during these four years, for numerous reasons. For one, it is very doubtful that he was even legitimately elected as President, given major concerns that the election in 2020 was rigged. And unless we forget, there are still major and unresolved concerns and unanswered questions (despite the fact that Trump buckled in this regard) whether Obama was born in America (Hawaii)… if he was not, his presidency would have been illegitimate as well.

“Shoot the Drones!”

The Ron Paul Institute published the following article by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano on December 19:

“The skies over New Jersey have been littered with strange flying objects during the past two weeks; and the feds are either hiding the truth from terrified folks on the ground or scratching their collective heads along with the rest of us. Since early December, there have been between 3,000 and 5,000 reports of large drones — some about the size of a pickup truck. They have three or four arms, at the ends of which are very bright lights.

“The drone I saw over the northwest tip of the state appeared to come toward me and then stood perfectly still. Then — in a heartbeat — it was gone… The New Jersey State Police dispatched a helicopter — manned by two troopers — to pursue this beast but not to interfere with it. As their helicopter approached, the drone fled from them and seemed to disappear.

“New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy — who had no use for the Bill of Rights during the pandemic four years ago — sees no threat to public safety or public peace. The White House — which must know the origin and nature of these things — also professes ignorance. President-elect Donald Trump… opined that if this happens on his watch, he’d order the drones shot down. Don’t expect that from President Joe Biden. Remember the two weeks during which we all watched a huge Chinese ‘weather’ balloon make its way from Alaska to South Carolina, only to have it shot down over the Atlantic? That was a manifestation of the Biden attitude about strange and terrifying flying objects…

“Will I shoot down the next drone that flies over my home when the state claims it cannot do so and the feds tell me to mind my own business? If I did, I’d be responsible for the natural and probable consequences of such an act, including personal injury and property damage to those on the ground. The better way to address this is for the states to chase and capture these devices, in defiance of an incompetent federal government. If they won’t, I might just take my chances with a New Jersey jury.”

Please view our StandingWatch program, titled, “The DRONES! No Danger? Are You Kidding?” 

Controversial Bill Passed to Avoid Governmental Shutdown

Fox News wrote on December 21:

“The White House has announced that President Biden signed a stopgap funding bill into law on Saturday, extending government funding into March [through March 14, 2025] and avoiding a shutdown. The bill includes $100 billion in disaster aid and a one-year farm bill. The Senate worked into early Saturday morning to pass the bill 85-11, just after the deadline following a chaotic week on Capitol Hill.”

The substantially same bill had been rejected twice before by the House.

Fox News reported on December 21:

“An original agreement on a short-term spending bill was released earlier in the week… But soon after its release, billionaire Elon Musk and other conservative critics publicly blasted the measure, ultimately resulting in it being condemned by President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance… Meanwhile, as of Thursday, the U.S national debt was at $36,167,604,149,955.61 and was continuing to climb rapidly…

“House Republicans emerged on Thursday with a new proposal. The revised measure would have extended current funding levels for three months and included a debt limit suspension for two years, per the request of Trump… But the bill failed on the House floor Thursday night as Democrats united against it and a significant group of Republicans opted to oppose it as well…

“The third measure, which ultimately passed the House and Senate, was similar to the one that failed the night prior…. However, the final stopgap bill did not include a suspension of the debt ceiling, which Trump had requested himself. The House passed the short-term spending bill with 366 yes votes, surpassing the necessary two-thirds…  34 Republicans [voted] against the legislation and zero Democrats [voted] against it. One Democrat… voted present… Among those who voted against the bill was Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who told Fox News Digital, ‘I don’t know why we’re giving Joe Biden $100 billion to play with in 30 days’…”

It does not appear that anyone voting for this bill had the best interests of the American people in mind. Neither did Trump who wanted a suspension of the debt ceiling. Ridiculous!

How Our Government Wastes Our Money!!!

Newsmax wrote on December 24:

“Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., released his annual ‘Festivus’ report on Tuesday where he cited more than $1 trillion in government waste for 2024. Paul’s yearly accounting of frivolous government spending is a scathing editorial of… absurd federal projects…

“Paul noted that the national debt increased $2 trillion in 2024 to a current figure of $36 trillion and is on pace to increase at least $2 trillion every year for the next decade… ‘That’s over $1 trillion in government waste, including things like ice-skating drag queens, a $12 million Las Vegas pickleball complex, $4,840,082 on Ukrainian influencers, and more! No matter how much money the government has wasted, politicians keep demanding even more.’..

“While hundreds of millions was listed in misused COVID PPP funds, some of the more ludicrous government programs called out include The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spending $419,470 to determine if lonely rats seek cocaine more than happy rats, $3 million on ‘girl-centered climate action’ in Brazil, $288,563 to create safe spaces for bird watching groups, and $123,066 to teach youths in Kyrgyzstan how to ‘go viral.’”

Fox News added on December 23:

“The 2024 Festivus Waste Report found that the Biden-Harris administration spent over $1 trillion this year, including giving a $10,000 grant to ‘Beards on Ice’ — an ice skating drag show on climate change put on by the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, a self-described ‘queer cabaret arts organization.’ Additionally, the Agency for International Development (USAID) spent $20 million on a Sesame Street spin-off show in Iraq, titled ‘Ahlan Simsim,’ in an effort to promote ‘inclusion’ and ‘mutual respect.’

“About $1.5 million was spent experimenting how different species, such as young female kittens, respond to motion sickness.  According to the report, researchers would strap kittens to a table, where they are spun around in several directions and have holes drilled into their skulls to keep them in place — ‘and it’s all being done with your money,’ Paul writes in the report. ‘More than one and a half million dollars of it.’…

“‘As the average American taxpayers struggle to pay rent, their hard-earned dollars are ironically funneled into more real estate,’ the report read, referring to the Biden struggles spending $10 billion on maintaining and furnishing buildings that were almost entirely empty. The Department of Energy (DOE) gave automakers $15.5 billion to push the industry into the electric vehicle (EV) sector while another $388,000 was given to ‘Magic in the United States,’ a podcast discussing how magical beliefs and practices have evolved in the U.S. The senator also mentioned the Biden administration giving $2.1 million to fund Paraguay’s border…”

Trump Threatens EU With Tariffs

AFP wrote on December 20:

“President-elect Donald Trump on Friday threatened the European Union with tariffs if the bloc does not reduce its ‘tremendous’ trade gap with Washington through oil and gas purchases. ‘I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large scale purchase of our oil and gas,’ Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform in the early hours of Friday. ‘Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way!!!’

“According to U.S. figures, goods imports from the EU were $553.3 billion in 2022, while its exports to the bloc were $350.8 billion. This puts the U.S. goods trade deficit with the EU at $202.5 billion that year… Trump… has made sweeping threats of slapping tariffs on US trading partners — including Canada, Mexico and China — which could send reverberations across the global economy… Trump had threatened a 25% import tariff, while vowing at least 10% against China…

“Earlier this month, the European Union concluded a massive trade deal with four South American countries — Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay — that aims to create a 700-million-customer free-trade area. Von der Leyen had said the agreement would build trade bridges as ‘strong winds are blowing in the opposite direction, towards isolation and fragmentation’ — comments largely seen as a nod to Trump’s threats to hike tariffs…”

Trump is making more and more enemies, especially in Europe.. and Europe WILL respond, when the time comes.

Trump Attacks Panama Canal Toll, Threatens With Return of Ownership

Fox Business News wrote on December 21:

“President-elect Trump unleashed a tirade against Panama Canal tolls Saturday, claiming the U.S. is being ripped off by high prices… The Panama Canal’s tolls can range from three to six figures depending on how large a vessel is and how much cargo it carries, with the largest ships being charged as much as $500,000. ‘The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National Security,’ Trump wrote in his post. ‘A secure Panama Canal is crucial for U.S. Commerce, and rapid deployment of the Navy, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and drastically cuts shipping times to U.S. ports.’

“The incoming president criticized former President Carter, who Trump said ‘foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar.’ In 1977, Carter signed the Panama Canal Treaty, which phased out U.S. control of the canal by 1999. Carter also signed the Neutrality Treaty, which ensured that the tolls would be equal for all nations. Trump implied that the U.S. should be given preferential treatment in his post… ‘The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete “rip-off” of our Country will immediately stop.’

“Trump also floated the idea of demanding the canal’s ownership be returned to the United States if American ships are not given fair treatment. ‘[The Panama Canal] was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama,’ Trump concluded. ‘If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question.’”

Giving away the Panama Canal was indeed a foolish move, humanly speaking, but it was prophesied in the Bible, as America is to lose ALL its “sea gates.”

Trump Dreams of Empire Extension

MSN wrote on December 24:

“Trump has been in a strikingly imperial mood since his election victory. He has floated with acquiring Greenland, reclaiming the Panama Canal, annexing Canada, and potentially invading Mexico…

“Greenland’s prime minister, Múte Egede, hit back at Trump on Monday: ‘Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.’ A day earlier, Trump had labeled taking ‘ownership’ of the world’s largest island ‘an absolute necessity’ [for national security and freedom]. People involved in Trump’s transition have been discussing how an acquisition or custodianship of Greenland [which is currently controlled by Denmark] would work… The island’s attractions include its natural resources and its location, as the U.S., Russia and other powers scramble for footholds in the Arctic…

“Panama President José Raúl Mulino declared in an on-camera address Sunday that Panama would not hand over a single square meter of the canal, to which Trump replied on Truth Social: ‘We’ll see about that!’ Trump followed up with a picture of an American flag flying over the canal, captioned: ‘Welcome to the United States Canal!’…

“Trump previously told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that his country could avoid tariffs if it became America’s 51st state — a message he has repeatedly re-upped through memes and jokes… Trump’s allies have also been discussing a potential ‘soft invasion’ of Mexico… That could involve targeting cartels through cross-border special forces operations or drone strikes.”

Trump Appoints Brian Burch as Ambassador to the Holy See

Yahoo! News wrote on December 21:

“President-elect Donald Trump on Friday nominated Brian Burch, a right-wing Catholic who has often criticized Pope Francis, as his ambassador to the Holy See. Trump announced Burch, a father of nine and president of the non-profit CatholicVote.org (which he described as ‘one of the largest Catholic advocacy groups in the Country’) as his nominee in a Truth Social post, which was followed by a message selling ‘God Bless the USA’ Bibles…

“Burch… may not have a lot of love for Pope Francis specifically. He strongly opposed the pontiff’s decision to allow the blessing of same-sex couples…  He has also alleged church leaders might have collaborated with the FBI on plans ‘to infiltrate “Latin mass” communities,’ amid reports last year that the agency had warned of ‘radical traditionalist’ Catholics as part of investigations into far-right activism.

“… theology professor and director of the Catholic Theological Union’s Bernardin Center in Chicago Steven Millies described Burch as ‘an agitator, mostly, the opposite of a diplomat… His appointment signals what we already know; a difficult time lies ahead for U.S.-Vatican relations.’”

The relationship between the USA and the Vatican will drastically deteriorate.

Musk Wades Into Election Campaigns

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 20:

“Elon Musk… opined on his platform X (formerly Twitter) on Friday morning that ‘Only the AfD can save Germany.’ Alica Weidel, who is running for chancellor as co-leader of the AfD, [a lesbian married to a woman from Sri Lanka] responded to Musk an hour later, saying: ‘Yes! You are perfectly right! Please also have a look into my interview on President Trump, how socialist Merkel ruined our country, how the Soviet European Union destroys the countries [sic] economic backbone and malfunctioning Germany!’

“The AfD is currently polling at around 19% ahead of the German federal election in February, second only to the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at around 33%. But all the other parties currently in the German parliament have ruled out forming a coalition with them…

“Asked about Musk’s comments, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: ‘Freedom of expression also applies to multi-billionaires, but it also means that you’re allowed to say things which aren’t correct, and aren’t good political advice.’

“Other German lawmakers from across the political spectrum criticized both Musk’s post and Weidel’s response, slamming ‘interference’ and insisting that no other party will form a government with ‘fascists bought by billionaires.’… Anton Hofreiter from the Green Party  called the AfD ‘traitors bought by billionaires’ and ‘a band of fascists who have not only been bought by… Putin but are now being supported by a multi-billionaire-turned-right-wing-extremist.’…

“It’s not the first time that Musk has addressed the AfD. At the start of June, he posted: ‘They keep saying “far right,” but the policies of AfD that I’ve read about don’t sound extremist…’

“Musk has also expressed support for the United Kingdom’s far-right ‘Reform UK’ and its populist leader Nigel Farage. This week, Farage told the BBC that his party is in ‘open negotiations’ with Musk regarding a potential donation, which The Times has reported could be as high as £78m ($100m, €96m), by far the biggest political donation in British political history…  In Germany, state security services have warned that the upcoming federal election could be targeted by disinformation campaigns not only from Russia, but also from the United States.

“Meanwhile, the leader of Germany’s neoliberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) Chrisitan Lindner, sparked controversy this month when he appeared to praise the political views and activities of Musk and right-wing populist Argentinian President Javier Milei… On Friday, replying to Musk on X, he… cautioned against supporting the AfD.”

After Musk’s “endorsement” of the AfD, “Alice Weidel has surged to the top of the polls of preferred chancellors in the upcoming February elections… [She] surged by three points over the previous week to 24 points, surpassing the leader of the centrist neo-liberal Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz, who fell by one point to 20 per cent since the previous week.

“Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the current candidate for the leftist Social Democrat Party (SPD) languishes in third place, falling one point from last week to 15 per cent support. Scholz is followed by his Economic Minister Robert Habeck, the chancellor candidate for the Greens, at 14 per cent…. Although the attack [see below] happened under the watch of Chancellor Scholz, the suspected attacker was reportedly granted asylum in 2016, under the CDU government of Angela Merkel” (Breitbart, December 22).

Reuters wrote on December 20:

“Musk… on Friday called on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to resign in response to a deadly attack at a German Christmas market [in Magdeburg]. ‘Scholz should resign immediately,’ Musk posted on X, adding: ‘Incompetent fool.’”

On Saturday, he wrote in regard to the news (see below) that Saudi Arabia had warned Germany about the attacker:

“Yeah, he was obviously a lunatic who should never have been allowed to enter Germany and should have been extradited when Saudi Arabia made the request. Suicidal empathy by the German government.

“Wow, this is insane. Whoever refused to extradite a murderer deserves to be punished severely!”

Musk is seen as Trump’s strongest and most influential [unelected] adviser. Some call him already “President Musk.” And as Trump becomes more and more unpopular in Europe and especially in Germany (if that is possible), so Musk is even trumping him in that regard.

Note the following articles.

Terrorist Attack in Magdeburg, East Germany

The Daily Mail wrote on December 20:

“… a Saudi doctor [a specialist in psychiatrist and psychotherapy] who drove through a massive crowd at a German Christmas market [in Magdeburg], killing at least two and injuring nearly 70 people, was arrested. [He had lived and worked in the neighboring city of Bernburg, about 25 miles south of Magdeburg.]  

“While official figures say that two people, including a toddler, have died, local media have put the death toll at 11…

“Bild reported that the [rented] car was driven ‘at least 400m (1,300ft) across the Christmas market’… at least 15 people were ‘severely’ injured…” 

Those figures were clearly underreported and totally unrealistic.

ABC News reported on December 21:

“At least five people are now known to have been killed in the vehicle-ramming attack on a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg on Friday, the Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt Reiner Haseloff told journalists on Saturday. Haseloff said that at least 200 more people were injured… At least 40 of those injured were so seriously hurt that their lives are still thought to be in danger, according to Chancellor Olaf Scholz.”

Who Is the Terrorist?

Breitbart wrote on December 20:

“The suspected attacker… was granted asylum [an indefinite residence permit] in Germany in 2016 after fleeing from his native Saudi Arabia for fear of persecution over his atheism, Welt reports. [He arrived in Germany in 2006 and lived in Germany since then.] The suspect has been identified as having established a website to help other atheist asylum seekers flee to Germany. In an interview in 2019, he reportedly claimed to be the ‘most aggressive critic of Islam in history’.

“Der Spiegel reports that Taleb A. had expressed sympathies towards the anti-mass migration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, as well as figures such as Elon Musk, Alex Jones, and Tommy Robinson. However, the news outlet noted that Taleb A. identified as a ‘leftist’. [Breitbart added on December 21: “While much media attention in the wake of the attack has focussed on statements Taleb made in support of the populist right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party over its critiques of Islamic immigration, he apparently considered himself to be a leftist. ‘Taleb A. said in the interview that he was not a right-winger and described himself as a leftist,’ Der Spiegel reports… He appears to have been particularly angered over the acceptance rate of ‘Syrian jihadists’ compared to ex-Muslims from Saudi Arabia.]”

“Welt reported that posts apparently made on social media by the suspected attacker criticised Germany for trying to ‘Islamize Europe’ while also accusing Berlin of ‘hunting Saudi asylum seekers inside and outside Germany to destroy their lives.’ There are growing suggestions that the attacker may have suffered from some form of mental illness, with posts accusing the German state of the ‘killing of Socrates’, as well as personally persecuting him…

“However, despite reportedly not being on police radar as a potential extremist, several posts attributed to the suspect seemingly showed violent intent, including: ‘I assure you that 100 percent revenge will come soon. Even if it costs me my life,’ and ‘Germany will pay the price. A huge price.’..

“The attack appears to be similar to the 2016 terrorist attack on a Christmas market in Berlin when a man hijacked a truck and used it to plow down people attending the market. In total, 13 people died, as a result of the attack and dozens were left injured. The attacker, a failed asylum seeker from Tunisia named Anis Amri, fled to Italy and was shot and killed by police in Milan days later.”

The Sun wrote on December 21:

“Four months before the attack, he wrote online in Arabic: ‘I assure you: if Germany wants war, we will have it. If Germany wants to kill us, we will slaughter them, die.’ He wrote: ‘Is there a path to justice without slaughtering German citizens indiscriminately?’”

Breitbart added on December 21:

“The German news magazine [“Der Spiegel”] also reported that Berlin security agencies received three warnings from Saudi Arabia about the suspect… However, officials allegedly dismissed the statements and reportedly did not consider him to be a threat as a potential extremist.”

Daily Mail added this on December 21:

“In 2013 he was sentenced by a German court for ‘disturbing the public peace by threatening to commit crimes’, according to Der Spiegel. Three years later, he applied for asylum in Germany and his application was approved within four months…  German officials said… that the attacker drove into the market through a rescue entrance, where they were no barricades.”

This will have a massive influence on Germany’s upcoming elections. Undoubtedly, each party will use this to further their own goals and to attack the other side.

How Is Something Like That Possible?

On December 21, Bild Online published the following comment from Bild boss Robert Schneider:

“A doctor from Saudi Arabia, who has lived in Germany for many years and appears as a fanatical anti-Islamist, carried out this murderous attack under the influence of drugs like something out of the textbook of Islamic terrorism… Much of the terrible bloody act is inexplicable. And yet urgent questions arose the day after the shooting. Saudi authorities have repeatedly warned German authorities about Taleb A…. Why did our police and secret services do nothing even though they had the Saudi on their radar, even though he was said to have been convicted of threatening criminal offenses in 2013?

“Why did someone like that even get asylum with us in 2016? And why were the tips from Saudi Arabia apparently ignored? And how can it be that in Germany, at the same time, the judiciary is meticulously tracking down and prosecuting citizens who make insulting or even satirical comments about politicians – up to and including house searches? So ‘imbecile professional’ (Habeck case) is persecuted and ‘Kill Merkel’ (Taleb on X) is not!”

Bild Online then wrote on December 23:

“Three days after the murderous attack in Magdeburg!… High representatives of the state such as the Chancellor, Federal President, ministers and state leaders were there and gave moving speeches. Then the politicians left again. But questions remain!…

“Why was the police van missing at the entrance to the Christmas market? A larger police car was supposed to be parked across there, but was missing. Only because of this safety glitch was the death driver able to drive through the 5 meter gap and murder several people. They would still be alive if the police car had been there!… Who is responsible for the security plan for the Magdeburg Christmas market?…

“For terror expert Peter Neumann (King’s College London), one thing is clear: ‘The concept has failed. This didn’t even close the obvious gap – making an identical attack like the Berlin shooting at Breitscheidplatz in 2016 impossible – … I’m stunned that the city of Magdeburg continued to defend its security concept even after the attack.’

“Why was the assassin Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen allowed to work as a doctor? Patients called him ‘Dr. Google’ because he didn’t even know what a thrombosis was! He was obviously neither mentally nor professionally suitable for this and yet he worked as a doctor – how is that possible?…

“Why were there indications from Saudi Arabia ignored that Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen is a dangerous man? Some ex-Muslims are also said to have warned authorities about his attack fantasies and were not listened to. Why?… If the security authorities had followed up on the tips, it might have become clear: This man had no place in Germany!”

Shiite Mass Murderer?

Report 24 asked similar questions on December 21, and then reported other shocking findings:

“While the German media is busy with highly questionable reports that he was an Islam-hating convert, Arabic-speaking citizen journalists brought to light his connections with the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood and the terrorist group ‘Islamic State’ (IS)… The actual name of the murderous psychiatrist is, according to Arabic sources, ‘Talib Al-Abdul Mohsen’. It is a Shia surname. Shiites are the minority in Saudi Arabia; most Saudis are Sunnis. Both are different branches of Islam that repeatedly fight each other with deadly violence. Taleb confessed to Wahhabism in 2016 – which hardly fits with the theory of turning away from Islam…

“Taleb A. further supported the Islamist groups that recently brought Syria under their control… It is gratifying how many details from the mass murderer’s life are coming to light through the work of citizen journalists. Fortunately, Elon Musk’s X doesn’t cooperate as submissively as Zuckerberg’s Facebook and makes this research possible. The German authorities apparently want to cover up as much about this case as possible…”

Europe Leaderless

Haaretz wrote on December 19:

“The continent may be on the verge of another defining moment in its postwar history depending on how it reconciles U.S. President-elect Donald Trump – a huge NATO critic – with Europe’s endemic political weakness…

“Europe’s largest and strongest countries are undergoing political turmoil and instability. The European Union is weak on foreign and defense policy… Today, Europe is leaderless…”

A powerful European leader will arise, when it is least expected.

Switzerland’s Crazy Decisions

LifeSiteNews wrote on December 20:

“Switzerland’s highest court has decided parents separated from their daughter for refusing to endorse her gender ‘transition’ must enable their child’s legal ‘sex change’ or face the possibility of criminal charges…

“The child’s father reacted to the ruling: ‘… That we could face criminal charges for simply trying to care for our daughter shows how deeply embedded transgender ideology is in Swiss institutions and the real harms it causes…’

“This is the latest juncture in a case that has already received worldwide attention…  X-owner Elon Musk commented on it saying: ‘This is insane. This suicidal mind virus is spreading throughout Western Civilization.’

“The daughter’s parents were separated from their child by court order over a year and a half ago, after they objected to their child’s so-called gender ‘transition.’ They were concerned their daughter was being pushed to make hasty and irreversible decisions when she first said she identified as the opposite sex following mental health struggles at the age of 13… The parents refused ‘puberty blockers’ for their child and told her school to not ‘socially transition’ her, and instead arranged private mental health care. But the school ‘socially transitioned’ the daughter anyway and liaised with the state child welfare agency, Service de Protection des Mineurs (SPMI) and a transgender-activist organization. Eventually, the daughter was separated from her parents and legal authority over her medical care was transferred from the parents to SPMI.

“The daughter has lived in a government shelter since April 2023 and the parents’ access to her is regulated by the state. The parents tried and failed to recover legal authority over their daughter’s medical care through an appeal, and a court order was issued for them to hand over her identity documents (under the threat of criminal charges) to enable a legal ‘sex change’…”

Such crazy occurrences are not limited to Switzerland, but would include the rest of Europe AND the USA—especially, when incompetent and parent-opposing state child welfare agencies get involved. This is SATAN’S abominable world with its governments and laws in which we live. THANK GOD, hopefully not much longer!

Israel vs. Turkey Over Syria

Israel Today wrote on December 19:

“Turkey’s recent posture [towards Israel], particularly in the aftermath of the Hamas-led massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, has been increasingly antagonistic… Turkey, although a NATO member, has facilitated activities that undermine Israel’s security and… publicly supports groups with terrorist affiliations. For example, in July, Israel thwarted a Hamas attack orchestrated from within Turkey and Turkey now hosts the Hamas leaders who were forced out of Qatar.

“Erdoğan has frequently called on Israel to refrain from military actions in Lebanon and Syria. Yet, Turkey itself appears ready to launch a military operation in Syria targeting Kurdish groups..  in July [Erdogan] went so far as to threaten an invasion of Israel… Despite this, NATO has shown little resistance to Turkey’s behavior…”

Turkey is prophesied to become Israel’s arch-enemy.

Netanyahu Will Not Attend Auschwitz Memorial

Israel 365 News wrote on December 22:

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp due to concerns that the Polish government’s pledge [expressed on Friday by Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Bartoszewski] that it will adhere to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu over possible war crimes in Israel’s war against the Hamas terrorist organization.

“The major event is planned for International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 and is expected to be attended by dozens of leaders and heads of state, including Britain’s King Charles…

“Polish sources told Rzeczpospolita that Warsaw was enforcing the warrants due to its wish to see Russian President Vladimir Putin stand before the court. The court issued a warrant for Putin in 2022 over the kidnapping of Ukrainian children from occupied Ukraine. The report also said President Isaac Herzog does not plan to attend.”

This is SO stupid. Shame on Poland—especially in light of its Nazi past.

Mandatory Weapons Training for Children in Poland

International Business Times (IBT) wrote on December 24:

“Poland has introduced mandatory firearm and basic first aid training for schoolchildren as fears of Russian aggression loom over the country. The Education for Safety program, which targets students aged 14 to 16, teaches theoretical and practical gun-handling skills using laser-based weapons for safety… Students learn how to assemble and disassemble firearms, improve shooting accuracy, and respond to warfare-related threats.

“The lessons, conducted for one hour per week in school gymnasiums, also include topics on state security, survival techniques, and tactical rescue…

“The mandatory lessons reflect Poland’s broader effort to prepare its population for potential conflict… The government plans to implement the program across all 18,000 schools nationwide…”

A terrible development of indoctrination and glorification of guns.

Our Cruel World

The Sun wrote on December 20:

“[Thailand’s only gorilla] Bua Noi has lived behind bars in [Bangkok] Thailand for most of her life… The gorilla has been caged up for [for more than three decades] in the widely criticised Pata Zoo which is located on the sixth and seventh floor above a [desolate and decaying city center shopping mall]. This allows passers-by and shoppers to gaze in at the unloved mammal who is unable to ever leave… A damming report back in 2019 detailed how Bua had been pulling out her hair and anxiously rolling around in her isolated cage. Footage also shows the lonely gorilla looking visibly depressed and staring through the bars of her old cage.

“All of this has made Bua one of the most well-known living gorillas with her being at the centre of dozens of campaigns aimed at getting her free. These calls have come mainly from international campaign groups but even celebrities such as Cher. PETA have spent over 12 years trying to relocate Bua but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears…  the owner of Bua has constantly ignored calls to give her a better quality of life and says he will only release her if he is paid £700,000… Even the environment minister of Thailand, Varawut Silpa-archa, has made it clear he wishes to see her moved to a sanctuary…

“Bua was first shipped off to the shopping centre from Germany when she was just a one-year-old. She has been trapped in her cramped and dirty cage ever since… Pata Zoo is not only home to the sombre gorilla but also more than 200 other animal species including tigers, bears and pythons. Many of the animals live in similar conditions to Bua [i.e., in dirty sand dingy cages] and spend their days wallowing about in pity. A chilling report by International Animal Rescue has even claimed that some animals were left to die in their cages.

“PETA has strongly condemned the zoo for years… labelling it ‘one of the worst zoos in the world’ [and the ‘saddest place on earth’].”

It was also reported that “Bua Noi’s owners were offered a free service from professional gorilla experts who could help relocate her to any modern zoo. The offer fell on deaf ears as Bua Noi stays in a cage 24/7” (mustsharenews, dated August 19, 2015).

How is something like this even allowed? The owner should be dispossessed of the animals and the zoo closed, with the animals transferred to a better environment. God IS holding such cruel and heartless people responsible for their evil doing!

The Ancient Yule Festival

NPR wrote on December 20:

“In Southwestern Wisconsin, preparation is underway for Circle Sanctuary’s 50th annual Yule festival. For the pagan members the church serves, it marks winter solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. On Sunday night, High Priestess Selena Fox gathered spiritual leaders on Zoom to light candles and honor the full moon… She invited those watching to call to mind joy from sacred seasonal plants: evergreen trees, holly, ivy and mistletoe.

“On Saturday, she and several dozen others will gather around a bonfire at the sanctuary’s nature preserve and throw a decorated Yule log into the fire, symbolizing the returning sun. Fox is a Wiccan priestess, but Circle Sanctuary is inclusive of a range of pagan traditions, focusing on a spiritual connection with nature. Amid the depths of winter, Fox said Yule is a celebratory occasion to plant seeds of hope for the coming spring…

“Paganism is growing in the U.S, particularly among young people… [It] reflects Americans’ movement away from organized religion and toward less-hierarchical spiritual practices… Many pagans, including Wiccans, practice magic and call themselves witches… [It may include] a reenactment of the Wild Hunt, a story about guiding souls who’ve died during the year into the afterlife.”

Of course, Christmas [as well as New Year’s observances] is nothing else but a slightly modified (“Christianized”) version of those ancient pagan Yule Festival celebrations.

Winter Solstice Sunrise Celebrations

BBC News reported on December 21, 2024:

“The winter solstice sunrise was greeted by thousands of people at Stonehenge, with a focus on ‘renewal, rebirth and good vibes’…

“In nearby Avebury, which is home to another ancient stone circle, two men wearing cloaks could be seen blowing horns as people gathered to watch the sunrise over the fields. Near the stone circle there is a group of beech trees which people tie ribbons to. This is a pagan tradition known as ‘wishing trees’, done as prayers to the tree spirits or in the memory of loved ones.

“In Somerset, Glastonbury Tor also saw crowds of people climbing the hill earlier this morning to mark the sun rising… It is regarded by some as a spiritual site just like Stonehenge. At the top of the hill, a fire was lit and songs were sung by people gathered there.”

Uri Geller’s Powers

Yahoo! News wrote on December 21:

“Uri Geller believes aliens gave Jesus the power to perform miracles. The 78-year-old illusionist is convinced that ‘humans are not alone in the universe’ and that ‘some sort of extraterrestrial intelligence is watching us’… 

“Uri… questioned whether Jesus’ ‘miraculous powers’ were a ‘gift from God’ or whether they were actually ‘a gift from extraterrestrials’… ‘I am by no means comparing myself to Jesus but I believe my powers were a gift from extraterrestrials – and that those of Christ could have been too.’”

Geller has become famous for appearing on TV to seemingly alter the shape of spoons and other utensils. If real, his powers might have come from forces other than God. Christ, however, was clearly given power from God the Father.

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.

To answer this question comprehensively, one must look at the historical events, as it is important to understand why we are referring to a third temple, and what this temple of God is all about.

Who built the first temple and why? What happened to this temple and what became of it? And finally, why should the third temple be a requirement for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

We can predict one thing with certainty: YES, this third temple is a requirement for Jesus Christ to even initiate His Second Coming! All of this is prophesied in the Bible, the Word of God; including the fact that there MUST be a third temple!

Some believe that the prophecy for the third temple is not about a physical temple made of stones, but only about a spiritual, inward temple. They link this to Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, where he says, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (Compare also 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19.)

Paul is saying here that our body, “spiritually speaking,” is a temple of God, in which God the Father and Jesus Christ dwell through the Holy Spirit, which WE should not defile, for example, by smoking, excessive drinking, gluttony, fornication or adultery, and so on.

But that does not mean that there will be no physical temple in the end time – BEFORE the Second Coming of Christ.

Let us first ask ourselves: Why did the God of the Old Testament – Jesus Christ – want a temple, initially a tabernacle, to be built? Who was to build it?

We find the answer to this question in Exodus 25:1-9:

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.’” (See also Exodus 40:34-35; 1 Kings 8:10-11).

Christ is the King of kings. He wanted to dwell with His people. He wanted to be close to them and care for them. Of course, we know that God does not actually dwell in a physical temple (see Acts 7:48). But this was a symbolic visual confirmation that He would be close to His people.

Unfortunately, in the time of Samuel, there was a rebellion by the Israelites, because they did not want to accept the invisible God of the Old Testament as their king, preferring a human being as their ruler, which of course only led to suffering and pain (see 1 Samuel 8:1-22).

And so God decided that Saul should be anointed king (compare 1 Samuel 9:15-27; 10:1). According to the biblical account, Saul died because of his many sins, and God had David, the shepherd, the son of Jesse, anointed to be king. David, however, became a man of war and had much blood on his hands. Nevertheless, he was a man after God’s own heart because he was faithful to God and always repented with all his heart and with humility.

We read in 2 Samuel 5:4-10: “David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land… David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David)… Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. So David went on and became great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.“

In 2 Samuel 7:1-16, we read that it was David’s desire to build a house or temple for God, but this was denied him because he was a man of war. Instead, his son Solomon was to build the house for God.

In 1 Chronicles 21:18-30; 22:1-19, however, God allows David to identify the site for the temple and the altar of sacrifice, after which David handed over the construction of the temple to his son Solomon, as it was God’s will. David then passed the design of the temple to his son Solomon with all its provisions and regulations (compare 1 Chronicles 28:11-21).

In 2 Chronicles 3, Solomon began the construction of the temple, which was around 970 BC. In 1 Kings 6:37-38 we read: “In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid, in the month of Ziv (today April/May). And in the eleventh year (about 7 ½ years later), in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished (about 962 BC) in all its details and according to all its plans. So he was seven years in building it.”

This first Temple, also called “Solomon’s Temple”, was then destroyed and burnt down by King Nebuchadnezzar II in about 587/586 BC. We read in 2 Kings 25:8-10: “And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month (which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. He burned the house of the LORD and the king’s house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire. And all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.” On this subject, also read Ezra 5:12; 2 Kings 24:10-14; 2 Chronicles 36:17-19.

At this point, the people of Judah had already been deported to various regions of the Babylonian Empire. This captivity, which was to last for 70 years, had already been prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah. He was preaching to the people of Judah for 23 years that this would happen, but they did not want to hear it (see Jeremiah 25:1-11; 29:10, and 2 Chronicles 36:20-21).

After these 70 years of captivity, they returned from Babylon to Jerusalem and Judah. The whole community numbered 42,360 people in total, not including their servants, who numbered 7,337, and there were 200 singers (see Ezra 2:1-70).

Then, in about 515 BC, about 7 months after the return from Babylon, King Cyrus gave the order to rebuild the temple and to bring back all the articles of the house of God (compare Ezra 1:1-11). After an interruption, King Darius again confirmed the order to build the temple (Ezra 6:1-5).

This was the second temple that was built or rebuilt, which was not always easy, as there were some obstacles. It is also interesting that Isaiah, about 150 years before Cyrus, predicted exactly this situation; namely, that Cyrus would rebuild the temple (Isaiah 44:24-28; 45:1-3).

In our free booklet “The Fall and Rise of the Jewish People”, you can learn more about the fulfillment of these prophecies, and how they relate to the modern State of Israel.

This second temple was then renovated several times and greatly expanded and redesigned under Herod the Great. It became known as the Herodian Temple, but it was still the second temple.

When Jerusalem was conquered by the Roman troops in 70 AD, it was again looted, set on fire and destroyed. This was no coincidence, because Christ had twice predicted during His lifetime as a human being here on earth, that the temple would be destroyed again.

In Luke 21:5-6, we read: “Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, ‘These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.’”

According to the biblical account, Christ was saddened for the people of Jerusalem because they did not believe in Him and the gospel, the good news, and He wept over them. He also said the following in Luke 19:41-44: “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.’”

This is exactly what happened in 70 AD through the Romans.

The German Website of the Wikipedia-Encyclopedia states the following: “On August 30, the Romans conquered the upper and lower city with Herod’s palace. Smaller groups of Jewish fighters escaped through hidden tunnels. On September 7, 70, the city was completely in Roman hands. According to Flavius Josephus, approximately 1.1 million people lost their lives during the conquest, the majority of whom were Jews. The temple was destroyed – probably accidentally – and has not been rebuilt to this day. Only the Western Wall remains.”

What is at issue now is that this destroyed second temple must in fact be rebuilt before Jesus Christ can return!

So why a third temple before the return of Jesus Christ? Couldn’t Christ just decide not to have the third temple built and come back to earth without it?

NO, because otherwise God’s end-time prophecy could not be fulfilled! For it is prophesied that there MUST be a third temple. The Bible gives us numerous impressive prophecies that describe or mention the third temple before Christ’s return.

Matthew 24:15 refers to the “abomination of desolation” in the temple. The New International Version puts it like this: “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel – let the reader understand…”

Daniel 11:31 reads: “And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.”

Although Antiochus Epiphanes fulfilled this prophecy in his time, this was only a forerunner, because it is an end-time prophecy. It is a prophecy for the third temple. The sacrificing of animals, which according to the Bible is to be taken away, is being prepared in Jerusalem at this present time and will soon reach its climax!

We also read about what must happen in the third temple before the Second Coming of Christ.

In 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2, the German Luther Bible 1984 begins with the heading “The Adversary’s Appearance Before the Coming of Christ.”

Verses 3-4 state: “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” This man will claim to be God.

Verses 9-10 continue as follows:

“The coming of the lawless one (the adversary; the man of wickedness or also the man of lawlessness) is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

This is a clear prophecy that there must be a third temple!

Who is the one who will sit in the third temple and claim to be God?

Revelation 13:11-14 states: “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs…”

The first beast is an end-time political and military leader of German or Austrian descent. The second beast refers to a religious leader who is also called the false prophet. In 2 Thessalonians, he is called the transgressor, the lawless one, the adversary, the man of sin or the man of lawlessness, depending on the translation. He will be someone who will arise from the Catholic Church, perhaps even directly from the Vatican in Rome.

But he will meet his temporary end and lose his life, since he is only human, not God!

Revelation 19:20 says: “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

In Ezekiel 28:8-9, we also read the following about the false prophet in the Authorized Version:

“They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas. Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee.”

There are many more Bible passages that point to the false prophet in this coming age, before the Second Coming of Christ. This man will sit in the rebuilt third temple and will claim to be God. The construction of this third temple is imminent.

If you want to know and understand more about it, please order our free booklet “The Fall and Rise of the Jewish People.”

Lead Writer: Thilo Hanstein (Germany)

Initial translation from the German: Daniel Blasinger

compiled by Dave Harris

“Scandal! How Our Government Wastes Our Money!” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

First, we experienced a chaotic week on Capitol Hill with ridiculous proposals, resulting in a stopgap funding bill to avoid a shutdown. Then, we were informed about the unbelievable waste of American taxpayers’ money in 2024 for useless and godless projects while the US national debt is steadily climbing. This program lists some examples of “frivolous government spending” while many, also in light of heavy taxes, are struggling to make ends meet.  

“Terror in Magdeburg und Deutschlands Zukunft,” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Terror in Magdeburg and Germany’s Future.”

A new Member Letter (December 2024) is now posted, and copies have been sent to those on our mailing list (available on request). Dave Harris writes about the prophesied persecution for Christians which lies ahead and for our need to watch and be ready.

“Middle Eastern and African Nations in Bible Prophecy,” has been translated into German (“Die Nationen des Nahen Ostens und Afrikas in der biblischen Prophezeiung”) and sent to graphic designer Shelly Bruno in preparation for printing.

“Totensonntag ein Gedenken im Sinne Gottes?” last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Jens Herrmann, is now posted. Title in English: “Sunday of the Dead – A Commemoration in the Spirit of God?”

“The Foundation of Faith,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is the summary:

The Bible describes people as having little faith in God and even great faith in God. WHY is that so? What is the variable?

“Understanding and Overcoming Shame,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Shame describes an emotional state of feeling bad about one’s self. It’s uncomfortable, unpleasant, and can incur lasting damage if left unattended. How are we supposed to understand feelings of shame and the purpose that God intends for those feelings to have? What can we do to move beyond feelings of shame so that we can grow in the way that God expects?

On December 21, 2024, Dave Harris will present the sermonette, titled, “The Foundation of Faith,” and Eric Rank will present the sermon, titled, “Understanding and Overcoming Shame.”

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

It’s still only a matter of a few weeks since we were keeping the annual Feast of Tabernacles as instructed by God, where we heard many messages about the greatness of God and the wonderful future just ahead of us.   We will also have enjoyed fellowship with people of like-mind and the cares and concerns of life in general will have been put to one side in order to enjoy this annual celebration which is unlike anything else we experience in our normal activities.  As we returned home, we were soon back into our everyday routines and again fighting against Satan and his society.

In his Editorial dated 14th July 2023 entitled “Get Mad!” Mr. Norbert Link wrote the following:

“In order to fulfill our responsibility effectively and convincingly, we must ourselves feel anger and hatred for the injustice, wickedness, rebellion against God and the lies and misrepresentations we observe daily, from the very top down, starting with the ‘heads of the house of Jacob’ and the ‘rulers of the house of Israel, Who abhor justice And pervert all equity’ (Micah 3:9). This anger must be reflected in our speaking and writing in order to be convincing. When we speak about the horrible sinful conduct of our leaders and the people, and don’t show convincingly how mad and really outraged we are about it, we will not wake anybody up (Ephesians 5:14).”

And so, after each Feast, it is back to having to live in a godless system and doing everything we can to get behind the Work that the Church is doing in anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ.

Mr Link writes about “the horrible sinful conduct of our [National] leaders and the people” and it is interesting to see that three consecutive UK Prime Ministers oversaw changes that the nation now accepts as the norm, but changes that God totally condemns in His Word.

Tony Blair (1997-2007) followed by Gordon Brown (2007-2010) and then David Cameron (2010-2016) all pursued, over a period of 19 years as leaders of the UK, the promotion of homosexuality and, it appears, were proud of their achievements in this regard.

The gov.uk website on the History of the UK Government states as follows: “Why is history important? Governments are remembered for their leaders and the course they set for their country.”   Quite so, and what these three leaders achieved has helped to set us on the path of destruction that now lies before us.   The promotion of perversion is something that people seem to be so proud of!  But not God!

This UK government website has this to say about Tony Blair:

“Major Acts – Civil Partnership Act 2004: allowed legal recognition of civil partnership relationship between two people of the same sex.”

The same website has this to say aboutDavid Cameron: 

“Major acts – Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2010 Academies Act 2010 Education Act 2011 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 Succession to the Crown Act 2013.”

In 2009, The Christian Institute reported that “Gordon Brown is in negotiations with France and Spain in an attempt to get British civil partnerships legal recognition in EU member states. These negotiations form part of Gordon Brown’s campaign for ‘gay rights’ recognition across Europe.  During an interview with a gay lifestyle magazine, Mr Brown said: “I’m fighting to get all the countries in Europe to recognise civil partnerships carried out in Britain.’”

Since David Cameron left the Prime Ministerial office in 2016, there have been 5 Prime Ministers, none of whom have shown the slightest interest in rectifying this God-defying legislation probably because it has become so ingrained in society that to do so would signal their immediate political demise.

Recently, in November 2024, two well-known female professional footballers who are engaged, announced that they were expecting a baby. While this news received much support from well-wishers across the game, it also prompted what one fans’ group called “hateful comments” on social media.  Chelsea Pride, an LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, condemned the comments in a statement posted on social media platform X. “Homophobia has no place in football, at Chelsea, or in our society,” it said.  Another headline said that it was “another reminder of how far society has to go,” meaning that full acceptance of this practice was not yet achieved.

It appears that there were “homophobic” comments on social media. Exactly what they were are not explained but it could be that saying such behaviour is unacceptable and that homosexuality is wrong is counted today as homophobic. We are told that we do not only have to accept such behaviour but approve of it and, whenever possible, promote it.

This societal acceptance and promotion of sin has become accepted conformity and part of the grievance industry.   And I am hopping mad about it!

A question to always ask is what have been the fruits of this behaviour.   We now have, in the UK, the most sinful sexual conduct ever seen in this once great nation.   We have (supposedly) over 70 different sexual designations and the weirdest conduct ever seen.   

But there’s even more outrageous and ridiculous behaviour.  In June 2023, the Daily Mail reported that “Britain’s strictest headteacher has said children allowed to self-identify as animals, moons and holograms should be moved to another school by their parents.” This was already seen as saying too much. It was demanded that the headteacher had to allow such self-identification of children at any school.

And so, if children want, they are now allowed to self-identify as whatever comes into their minds.   What on earth are their parents doing to allow this gross stupidity?  It has got to the stage that if our ten-year-old pet chihuahua wanted to self-identify as a human being, it is hardly likely that any criticism would be made of it, such is the state of play in our educational system and society today!   (I jest, but only just!) 

Isaiah 3:4-5 is an excellent commentary which will be ignored by most people: “I will give children to be their princes, And babes shall rule over them. The people will be oppressed, Every one by another and every one by his neighbor; The child will be insolent toward the elder, And the base toward the honorable.”

And finally, in this Editorial, I get very upset indeed when I hear blasphemy on a daily basis, taking the Name of God, of both the Father and of Jesus Christ, in vain by so many in society today, from the very young to the oldest, not seeming to care one jot about what they are saying.   Am I mad about that?   Absolutely!

I have just mentioned these areas briefly where I am mad and outraged about what is going on.   And there’s more, but space does not permit me to expand further.  I hope that it shows in this Editorial that we should get mad at what is going on in this Satan-inspired society!

by Norbert Link

We begin with reporting on mysterious drones hovering over parts of the United States and Germany. Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled,  “The DRONES! No Danger? Are You Kidding?”

We continue with crumbling, failing and collapsing governments in France, Canada, Germany, Romania, South Korea, and Syria.

We continue with Israel’s attacks on Syria and deliberations to attack Iran.

We address Trump’s highly controversial idea to end birthright citizenship and his popular idea to end daylight saving time.

We conclude with an article stating that tattoos are not well-received in Germany.

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

The DRONES… Don’t Trust Biden Administration’s “Assurances”

The Editorial Board of the New York Post wrote on December 13:

“Gaslighting as usual, the White House is telling Americans freaked out by the drones hovering ominously over parts of New York and New Jersey [as well as Pennsylvania and Maryland]: Everything’s fine! Just trust us! Since the first known spotting Nov. 18, at least 3,000 sightings have followed in New Jersey alone, and it’s spread to Staten Island and The Bronx…

“Pushed by local leaders to address exactly what… has been happening in US airspace for nearly a month, National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby had the nerve to brush off concerns. ‘Many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully,’ he insisted, and there’s no evidence the UFOs pose a threat. Which might be reassuring if he hadn’t just indicated that the White House has no clue where the drones are coming from…

“Americans aren’t stupid; most people can tell the difference between an airplane or helicopter and the type of eerie, floating objects that have been reported. And the Biden crew has absolutely blown its credibility on this front: Earlier this year, the White House stayed hush-hush about a Chinese spy balloon that it knew was taking a tour of American military bases. They fully planned to keep it a secret forever, only to be foiled when civilians spotted the craft…

“If the US government actually has no idea what the drones are or who’s operating them, that’s a scandalous national-security failure… People are scared: Car-sized objects that could be armed or equipped with surveillance gear are literally hanging over their heads…”

Kirby stated on Fox News on December 16 that the drones were mainly unmanned aircraft, but perfectly legal, posing no threats whatsoever to America’s security.  

Breitbart wrote on December 13:

“President-elect Donald Trump joined the conversation on the ongoing sightings of mysterious unidentified drones and called for the government to ‘shoot them down.’ In a post on Truth Social, Trump questioned if the drone sightings could be ‘happening without’ the government’s knowledge and added that the government should provide the public with answers. ‘Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country,’ Trump wrote in his post. ‘Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT.’”

Subsequently, Trump said that the government knows, that Biden knows, but that they are hiding their knowledge. He also stated that he does not believe that the drones are coming from foreign entities. This seems to be a rather odd conclusion in light of the evidence. Note the next articles.

Drones Over US Air Base in Germany

Reuters wrote on December 13:

“Unidentified drones have been sighted over sensitive industry locations and the U.S. air base at Ramstein in Germany in recent weeks, the Spiegel news magazine reported on Friday, citing a confidential report by German security authorities.

“The report flagged numerous drone sightings made in the evening hours of Dec. 3 and 4 over the air base, according to Spiegel.”

What’s Going on With the Drones?

Report 24 wrote on December 13:

“Recent videos show such drones potentially firing weapons and releasing unknown substances. A warning has now been issued to emergency services to stay away from crashed drones for health reasons…

“Specifically, in the last few days, images have emerged of a drone firing at some unknown target with an unknown weapon. Tracers streaked across the sky. Another drone is said to have sprayed a substance into the air about which nothing is known…

“Now the FBI and New Jersey State Police have released a fact sheet to address first responders called to drone crash sites. Key recommendations include avoiding physical contact with the drone and establishing a 100 meter wide isolation and evacuation zone in all directions…

“First responders are instructed to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) when securing the perimeter and are warned not to re-enter the once established isolation zone.

“In addition, responders are instructed to notify local law enforcement and the FBI, as well as request assistance from hazardous materials response teams and bomb disposal squads to assess the situation… Use of radiation monitors is also advised, and attention should be paid to possible electronic interference in the area. The incidents should be classified as criminal offenses and reported, using established protocols to prevent violence and terror….”

This does not sound like harmless drones which pose no threats to American security. It has been suggested that the drones could be searching for radioactive material which went missing in early December.

Drone Sightings Aren’t Just in Northeast

USA Today wrote on December 18:

“The boom in drone sightings ignited a month ago in New Jersey that quickly spread across the Northeast has swept across the nation, and military bases are front and center amid the chaos and controversy. Last week a drone incursion over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio forced the closure of its airspace for several hours. In Utah, drones were recently spotted near Hill Air Force Base…

“In California, residents of Venice Beach reported seeing unexplained drones Sunday, and Rep. Paul Ruiz, D-California, expressed concern this week over recent sightings in the Coachella Valley. Camp Pendleton, 40 miles north of San Diego, saw at least six drone  incursion over its airspace last week alone, a spokesperson for the Marine base told ‘The War Zone’ on Tuesday…

“President Joe Biden dismissed conspiracy theories… ‘So far no sense of danger’… Biden’s comment reaffirmed a joint statement issued this week by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, FAA and the Pentagon saying that − based on preliminary investigations − the sightings appear to include legal commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones, as well as airplanes, helicopters and ‘stars mistakenly reported as drones.’ No threat of national security or public safety had been determined from more than 5,000 reported sightings, the statement said…

“The House Intelligence Committee received a closed-door briefing on drones Tuesday with representatives from Justice, Defense and Homeland Security departments…”

WHY a closed-door briefing?

Targeting Military Sites

In a related article, USA Today wrote on December 18:

“There have been hundreds, perhaps thousands, of drone incursions at remote military installations, drawing little public attention. But they have disrupted sensitive operations… In the vast, sparsely populated areas that are home to many military installations, the response is often too little, and way too late… the Pentagon had been too passive in the face [of] the growing threat.

“Spy drones could collect sensitive information on U.S. military activities that could tip off adversaries to future deployments… For example, aerial surveillance could show the movement of ammunition from arsenals to port as the Pentagon prepared for war. A drone could also provide real-time video of the rapid response of Special Forces soldiers out of Fort Liberty… F-22 fighters, the most sophisticated warplanes in the Air Force fleet, may have been the target of mysterious waves of drones that soared over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia last year…

“… sites of drone incursions include White Sands Missile Range,… the Army’s only land range for testing long-distance missiles, explosives and artillery…

“Drones have already taken lives at U.S. military bases abroad. In January, a drone attacked Tower 22, a U.S. base in Jordan, killing three American soldiers [and] wounding more than 40. A one-way drone, which is programmed with a target and doesn’t need direction in mid-air, was used in the attack.

“The current drone mania also echoes the Chinese spy balloon incident that riveted the country in 2023.  The Pentagon monitored the balloon, bristling with spyware, as it passed over sensitive military sites on its transit across the country…”

It has been suggested that at least those drones that are over US military sites are adversarial and most likely are coming from the People’s Republic of China.

France’s New Prime Minister… For How Long?

AFP wrote on December 13:

“President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named centrist Francois Bayrou as prime minister, handing him the daunting task of hauling France out of months of political crisis. Bayrou, 73, the leader of the MoDem group, which is allied to Macron’s party, was appointed nine days after parliament ousted Michel Barnier’s government in a historic no-confidence vote following a standoff over an austerity budget…

“Bayrou is the sixth prime minister of Macron’s mandate, with his predecessor, Barnier, being France’s shortest-serving premier, having lasted only three months. Bayrou also is Macron’s fourth prime minister this year. The newly appointed premier faces the immediate challenge of forming a cabinet that can survive a no-confidence vote in a divided parliament and thrashing out a 2025 budget in a bid to limit economic turmoil…

“Several sources told AFP that the morning meeting between Macron and Bayrou had been a stormy affair, with the president initially leaning toward naming his loyal Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu as premier. Losing his temper, Bayrou threatened to break the alliance with Macron, who decided it would be best to turn to Bayrou in the name of unity, the sources said… Mujtaba Rahman, Europe director at risk analysis firm Eurasia Group, said: ‘In the long history of the Fifth Republic [founded in 1958], this may have been the first time that a prime minister chose himself.’”

This does not appear to describe a stable government which could survive its challenges for long. But France is only one of quite a few unstable governments which are ready to collapse or which have already collapsed.

Canadian Government Crumbles

Daily Mail wrote on December 16:

“Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on the brink of resigning as his liberal government crumbles around him… Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland… quit on Monday after clashing with Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible U.S. tariffs, dealing a huge blow to an already unpopular government…

“The resignation by Freeland, 56, who also served as deputy prime minister, is one of the biggest crises Trudeau has faced since taking power in November 2015.  It also leaves him without a key ally when he is on track to lose the next election to the official opposition Conservatives….

“Trudeau can be toppled if the opposition parties unite against him on a vote of no confidence, though that cannot happen until late January at the earliest… Polls show the Liberals are set to be crushed in an election that must be held by late October 2025.”

Trudeau’s time to step down has long passed.

Trudeau Governor of 51^st State?

Newsmax wrote on December 18:

“President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday questioned why the U.S. provides Canada with subsidies and suggested it should become a U.S. state. ‘No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year? Makes no sense!…  Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea,’ he added. ‘51st State!!!’

“Trump has needled Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the last few days following the shock resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. ‘The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau,’ Trump wrote Monday…”

Could Canada Become the 51^st State of the USA?

National Post wrote on December 12:

“… if either Canada as a whole, or some portions of it, would want to join the United States they would have to go through Section 41 of the Constitution Act of 1982. Which means that consent would have to be given for the departure from Canada of a particular jurisdiction by the Senate, and the House, and the legislatures of all 10 provinces… Once that decision is taken, either by all 10 provinces or by some but not others, then there must be admission into the United States. And that is a completely separate process. That is based on Article IV, section 3, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which essentially says that by a simple vote of the U.S. Congress, new territories can be incorporated into the U.S. and can become states. The most recent example of that occurred with Hawaii which became a state on August 21, 1959, pursuant to a statewide referendum in Hawaii and then federal legislation.

“The second possibility is by purchase. A lot of the American states were purchased, for example, in the Louisiana Purchase, and that’s how states on the western side of the Mississippi became first territories and eventually states… If you recall during his first term, President Trump talked about simply buying Greenland…

“The third option:… Outright invasion. In upstate New York, close to Ottawa, they have the 10th Mountain Division, which are elite troops of the U.S. Army. It wouldn’t… take much for them to drive up to Ottawa and say you’re now part of us… The United States has historically added a new state that had formerly been an independent country: That’s how we annexed Texas in 1845.

“The constitutional provision authorizing the addition of new states is found at Article IV, section 3, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution: ‘New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.’…

“The Congress then passes an enabling act authorizing the admission of the new states on some statutorily specified set of conditions. For Utah’s admission, Congress insisted that the Utah Constitution outlaw polygamy, for instance. Then the population of the proposed state generally votes in a referendum to approve or reject the conditional admission…

“At the time of our Revolution against the British Empire, the Continental Congress actually invited Canada to join the Union as a state — and, when they did not rise up against the British, we Americans invaded…”

The article concludes that all of this is absolutely absurd. But even though it was perhaps meant as a joke by Trump, stranger things have happened.

German Government Collapses

DNYUZ rote on December 16:

“Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in the German Parliament on Monday, a defeat that effectively ended the increasingly unpopular government he has led since 2021 and set the stage for elections early next year [planned for February 23].

“The collapse of the government just nine months before elections had been scheduled was an extraordinary moment for Germany. This will be only the fourth snap election in the 75 years since the modern state was founded, and it reflected a new era of more fractious and unstable politics in a country long known for durable coalitions built on plodding consensus. The confidence vote, in the same month that the French government fell, deepens a crisis of leadership in Europe at a time of mounting economic and security challenges. The war in Ukraine has reached a pivotal moment. President-elect Donald J. Trump is set to take office in the United States. And now, Europe’s largest economy is in the hands of a caretaker government.

“Mr. Scholz had little choice but to take the unusual step of calling for the confidence vote after his three-party coalition splintered in November, ending months of bitter internal squabbling and leaving him without a parliamentary majority to pass laws or a budget. But the political uncertainty could last for months. The elections are expected to be held on February 23, but even if, as expected, his party does not finish first, Mr. Scholz would remain in place as a caretaker chancellor until weeks after that. He would step down only after a new coalition forms, which will probably not happen until April or May.

“Seven parties will go into the campaign for Parliament with a realistic chance of gaining seats, and some on the political fringes — especially on the right — are poised for strong showings, according to polls…

“It is an inopportune time for Germany to be plunged into a grueling winter election campaign and a political freeze that could last until a new government takes power. ‘The timing is absolutely terrible for the E.U. — basically, these multiple crises are hitting the E.U. at the worst possible time, because the bloc’s traditional engine is busy with itself,’ Jana Puglierin, of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said, referring to Germany and France…

“… in Germany’s fractious political landscape, no single party is likely to win an outright majority, leading to potentially tricky negotiations to build a coalition more functional and durable than the one that failed…”

We feel that the new German government will fail exactly as the current one has, having no chance for survival, unless something really drastic occurs.

Merz Is Doing Everything Wrong

t-online wrote on December 12:

“Friedrich Merz has wanted to become Chancellor for at least 20 years. Now he is on the verge of fulfilling his dream – and fails… He has been waiting for this chance for decades, working for his comeback in the CDU, rallying the party behind him as much as possible, shaping it into a new one after the diffuse Merkel era, has become the Union’s candidate for chancellor and is well ahead in the polls. His life’s goal of becoming Federal Chancellor is within reach. And suddenly he slips up, stumbles, stammers. He no longer speaks like himself, but sounds like the sounding board of all those who talk to him… And Merz wants to do everything right – and yet does everything wrong…

“Work longer until retirement? It wasn’t meant that way. A real economic turnaround? Yes, yes, but not in the way the FDP demands. Taurus for Ukraine? Yes, yes, but first Ukrainian soldiers would have to be trained on this weapon in Germany for months…

“On top of that, he is already wildly handing out ministerial positions in his future cabinet to all possible coalition partners, as if he were already Chancellor – and then withdrawing them again… Given the current situation, Olaf Scholz can no longer win this election, that’s true. But Merz can still lose his.”

Germany to the Right?

Barron’s wrote on December 17:

“Germany’s conservative opposition, leading in the polls ahead of February 23 elections, on Tuesday outlined plans to shift the EU powerhouse firmly to the right on immigration, social and economic policy. Friedrich Merz, head of the Christian Democrats (CDU), is tipped to replace Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose term the conservatives have slammed as ‘three lost years’ for the stuttering economy.

“A day after Scholz lost a confidence vote he had called to pave the way for the early elections, Merz charged that the chancellor had ‘lost the confidence of a majority of the population a long time ago’. Merz — long a party rival of the CDU’s more moderate ex-chancellor Angela Merkel — has steered a return to the party’s right-wing roots to try to win support of voters tempted by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

“In their campaign programme published Tuesday, the CDU and its Bavarian allies the CSU vowed to ‘stop illegal migration’ and scale down benefits for rejected asylum seekers to a ‘bed, bread and soap’ minimum. They also pledged ‘zero tolerance’ on crime, more video surveillance in public spaces and to ‘shut down mosques where hate and anti-Semitism is being preached’.

“Much of the platform may be softened in the coalition talks that typically follow German elections, but for now the alliance vowed to reverse two decades of more centrist rule dating back to the Merkel years. They promised a ‘fundamental shift in migration policy’ and criticised Merkel’s welcome to refugees, without naming her…

“The alliance also said it would reverse the legalisation of marijuana enacted by Scholz’s three-party alliance with the Greens and the liberal FDP, which collapsed in early November. The CDU also said it opposed efforts to liberalise abortion rules [and] a new gender self-determination law…

“In contrast, the campaign of the Social Democrats (SPD), the traditional defenders of the working class, emphasises better wages, stable pensions and benefits such as free school lunches… It wants to lower taxes for 95 percent of earners and raise them for the super-rich, while also increasing the minimum wage from 12 to 15 euros per hour…

“On security, both major parties vow to keep helping Ukraine in its war with Russia, and spending two percent of GDP or more on Germany’s defence. While the CDU programme remains vague on what weapons to ship to Kyiv, the SPD insisted it opposes sending long-range missiles because ‘Germany and NATO must not themselves become parties to the war’.”

What Russia Wants…

Focus wrote on December 14:

“There is constant talk about how a war with Russia can be prevented, even though we have been at war for a long time… The Russians send contract killers who liquidate people they don’t like… They hack into our networks and infiltrate social media…

“Most Germans think that if Putin has imposed his will in Ukraine, there would be peace. But it’s no longer about Ukraine. The man in Moscow has stated in several speeches that he dreams of a great Russian empire that would reverse the downfall of the Soviet empire.

“Since the summer, people around Putin have only been talking about the ‘so-called Baltics’. And once you’re done with Lithuania and Latvia, why not reach for Poland? By the way, Dresden was also once a Russian sphere of influence.

“Soldiers… closely monitor where barracks are constructed and supply routes are established. Russia is working hard to expand its military capabilities. It has the ambition to expand the war. And there is a militarization of society that is ready to support the expansion…

“Will there be an attack?… Russia appears strong because we are so weak… This is the Russia that is preparing to defeat the West. It should be possible for Europe to counter this. However, you have to do something about it.

“I don’t know whether things would be better under Chancellor Merz… A lot depends on whom the CDU forms a coalition with when it receives the government mandate in February. In Berlin everyone is preparing for a grand coalition (with the SPD). But perhaps this should be reconsidered in the Adenauer House….”

A grand coalition between the CDU and the SPD has miserably failed in the past.

A Europe to Moscow?

Die Welt wrote on December 14:

“AfD state leader Björn Höcke wants to make the Russia-Ukraine war a focus of the federal election campaign. At the Thuringian state party conference he called for ’emancipation’ from the USA and a Europe ‘whose spine runs from Paris via Berlin to Moscow’… If CDU leader Friedrich Merz becomes Chancellor, ‘German soldiers would, in the worst case scenario, send rockets to Moscow, where Russian soldiers and Russian civilians would be killed,’ claims Höcke. ‘Whoever votes for Merz is voting for war.’…

“In his speech, Höcke takes a look at history since the Cold War. At that time the world situation was bipolar – on the one hand the Soviet Union, on the other the USA. After the fall of the Wall, the era of unipolarity entered, with the USA as the only superpower… The Americans ‘acted as a new colonial power’ – and in doing so ‘made a lot of enemies’…

“Europe must become an independent, autonomous pole in a new, multipolar world order, says Höcke. ‘We have to emancipate ourselves from the United States of America… And in the worst case, they turn Europe into a theater of war.’…

“At the end of his speech, Höcke refers to the former French President Charles de Gaulle… In 1959, De Gaulle spoke of an ‘alliance from the Atlantic to the Urals’. Helmut Kohl and Mikhail Gorbachev called this a ‘common house of Europe’ in 1989. In 2010, Vladimir Putin then called for ‘the creation of a harmonious economic community from Lisbon to Vladivostok’. Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron later took this up word for word.

“De Gaulle also dreamed of a ‘sovereign Europe without foreign hegemonic influence from outside’, Höcke continues. ‘And he dreamed of a Europe whose spine runs from Paris via Berlin to Moscow. I find this dream very attractive.’”

No one wants to enter into a coalition with the AfD. But the AfD is a force to be reckoned with.

Court Annuls Romanian Election

Atlantic Council wrote on December 16:

“It’s never a good thing when presidential elections are annulled. But that’s just what happened in NATO and European Union (EU) member Romania earlier this month…

“On November 24, Georgescu, a formally fringe mystic nationalist, earned the most votes in the first-round presidential election. Then, just before the second round runoff, the Romanian Constitutional Court announced that it was annulling the results of the first round. The court’s decision was based on declassified Romanian government assessments of foreign (Russian) election interference, including using the social media platform TikTok to promote Georgescu. US intelligence officials privately confirmed to me that the allegations are credible. Still, evidence of Russian interference in European and US elections is abundant. No country before Romania has cancelled a presidential election because of it.

“By contrast, Romania’s parliamentary elections were held without incident on December 1. The parliamentary elections produced a strong result for the three centrist governing parties—the center-right liberals, the center-left social democrats, and the Hungarian minority party—plus a fourth liberal party. These four parties are now in negotiations to form a new coalition government… The new government will then have to rerun the cancelled presidential election, likely early next year. Outgoing President Klaus Iohannis will probably remain in office until then…

“The twin shocks—Georgescu’s rise and the annulment of the presidential election—have shaken the hitherto complacent centrists in Romania. While the accusations of Russian interference (and attempted sabotage) are plausible, given that the Kremlin engages in such activities throughout the West, Georgescu’s popularity is not simply a foreign import. That a man regarded as a fringe character even by fellow nationalists could rise within a few weeks from near obscurity to a leading contender for the presidency speaks to broad social dissatisfaction with the Romanian centrist parties, which have been trading control of the government back and forth for years. 

“My Romanian interlocutors expressed embarrassment, even shame, at the court’s annulment of the election, and they agreed that it set a terrible precedent for the country and the region. They also acknowledged that the centrist parties had lost touch with Romanian society and its cultural and economic dissatisfactions that, when spelled out, sounded similar to those of unhappy right-wing voters in Germany (particularly in the former East Germany), France, and to some degree the United States. In Romania, there is a widespread sense, accurate or not, that the establishment has been focused on itself, not on the problems faced by ordinary citizens, and that traditional national values and even national sovereignty were being lost. 

“More thoughtful liberals told me that Georgescu’s rise was, in effect, a protest vote against centrist complacency, not a vote for the candidate’s weird brand of nationalism and Romanian fascist nostalgia…

“Whether Georgescu will be allowed to compete given various irregularities in his campaign… is not clear. If he is not allowed to compete, the credibility of the rerun presidential election will be questioned within and without the country. If he is allowed to compete, he could win. In that case, a nationalist president and centrist government could rapidly find themselves at loggerheads. The resultant political paralysis could hamper governance, raising social frustrations still more.

“Romania’s communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu was repressive and economically incompetent, even by communist standards. When Romanians overthrew his rule in swift (and violent) revolt in December 1989, it was one of the poorest countries in Soviet-dominated Europe. No longer. After a slow start, Romania’s free-market reforms kicked in. The country’s economy has quadrupled in size since 1989, and it has joined NATO and the EU. Even as the current political crisis took hold, Romania gained admission to the EU’s Schengen area, meaning free travel within the bloc. It was a big deal for Romanians, and everyone I spoke with in Bucharest regarded it as a major national achievement. 

“But success as seen from afar and in context does not seem enough to assuage Romanian voters. The political dissatisfaction common throughout Europe and the United States has hit Romania hard…”

South Korea President Yoon to Be Impeached?

The Sun wrote on December 14:

“SOUTH Korea has voted to impeach President Yoon over his controversial martial law declaration that sparked mass protests in the country. Lawmakers successfully voted on Saturday, in a second attempt, to remove Yoon from office after his spectacular martial law U-turn last week. 204 out of 300 cast their votes to remove the leader on allegations of insurrection, while 85 voted against. This meant members of his own People Power Party voted against the leader, despite the group boycotting the first vote…

“Yoon declared he would ‘not give up’ despite the vote and called for officials to maintain government stability… Yoon is now suspended from office while the Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide whether to restore the controversial leader or finalise the decision. He could become the second South Korean president to be successfully impeached, if the courts uphold parliament’s vote.”

None of that contributes to the stability of the South Korean government.

Syria Was Never a Democracy

Focus wrote on December 13:

“Annalena Baerbock [Germany’s minister of foreign affairs] wants to make Syria a democratic country… At the end there should be free elections, says Baerbock… We don’t even know whether the Syrian population wants free elections. Free elections, a pluralistic democracy, religious freedom, women’s rights – these are all a Western ideal. Other countries think and act differently… Syria was never a democracy…

“Ms Baerbock has now transferred eight million euros. To whom actually? The reconstruction of the largely destroyed country is likely to cost between 200 and 400 billion euros, which only the sheikhdoms could finance, especially Qatar…

“If you as a Federal Republic want to invest in this country, which does not know democracy but has corruption in all areas of government, then only if clear, tough and comprehensible conditions for government and social development are formulated. Well-intentioned but poorly provided help is likely to end up with the wrong people.”

And that is SO predictable!

Public Executions in Syria

Report 24 wrote on December 13:

“The West is celebrating the fall of President Assad and the rise to power of the HTS Islamists in Damascus. But in the Syrian capital they are celebrating their ‘moderate jihad’ with public executions – and with the implementation of Sharia law. One dictatorship replaces the other. Are the Syrians now going from bad to worse?

“The BBC extols ‘moderate jihad’ in Syria as thousands gather ‘excitedly’ for public executions… The Western media… is literally falling over itself in portraying al-Jolani and his HTS militias as enlightened reformers. The absurdity of the man who was radicalized by the September 11 attacks and who attacked American troops in Iraq with booby traps is now being styled as a poster boy for ‘moderate Islam’ is hard to beat.

“Meanwhile, there are countless videos circulating on social media of alleged Assad supporters being shot and tortured by the ‘moderate’ rebels… In their desperate search for ‘moderate’ forces in Syria, the Western media appears to be prepared to accept even obvious excesses of violence as an expression of the will to reform. It is a dangerous distortion of reality…”

Turkey Ready to Invade?

The Jerusalem Post wrote on December 17:

“The United States is increasingly alarmed that Turkey and its militia allies are preparing for a large-scale military incursion into Syrian territory controlled by US-backed Kurdish forces, according to an exclusive Wall Street Journal report on Tuesday… One US official, speaking to the WSJ, warned that ‘a cross-border operation could be imminent.’…

“In response to the escalating situation, Ilham Ahmed, a senior official in the Kurdish civilian administration in Syria, penned a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, urging him to pressure Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to abandon the planned operation. Ahmed’s letter… stated that Turkey aimed to seize control of Kurdish territory before Trump’s inauguration, thereby forcing the new administration to recognize Ankara’s authority in the region. ‘If Turkey proceeds with its invasion, the consequences will be catastrophic,’ Ahmed’s letter was cited as saying, noting that such an operation could displace more than 200,000 Kurdish civilians and threaten Christian communities in the area. The letter reportedly appealed to Trump’s prior assurances of support for the Kurdish forces, reminding him of his past promises that ‘the United States wouldn’t abandon the Kurds.’…

“The WSJ further noted the precarious position of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led group working alongside US troops to eliminate the remaining elements of the Islamic State… Last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Turkey in an effort to de-escalate tensions. Blinken sought assurances from Erdogan to limit operations against Kurdish forces but was unable to secure any commitments…”

Syria in the Abyss

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on December 18:

“Syria has entered the abyss – the demons of al-Qa’eda, ISIS, and the most intransigent elements of the Muslim Brotherhood are circling the skies. There is chaos, looting, fear, and a terrible passion for revenge scalds the blood. Street executions are rife.

“Maybe Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and its leader, Al-Joulani, (following Turkish instruction), thought to control things. But HTS is an umbrella label like Al-Qa’eda, ISIS and An-Nusra, and its factions have already descended into factional fighting. The Syrian ‘state’ dissolved in the middle of the night; the police and army went home, leaving weapons depots open for the Shebab to loot. The prison doors were flung (or prised) open. Some, no doubt, were political prisoners; but many were not. Some of the most vicious inmates now roam the streets….”

Israel to Attack Iran’s Nuclear Sites?

Breitbart wrote on December 12:

“Israel’s Army Radio reported Thursday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began preparing plans for Israel to attack Iran’s nuclear sites after destroying nearly 90% of Syria’s air defense capabilities, which had formerly protected Iran…

“Iran has been pursuing nuclear weapons for decades, but began enriching uranium rapidly after President Joe Biden took office… Israel and the U.S. have long considered a military strike on the nuclear program as a last resort.

“The U.S. has discouraged Israel from pursuing such an attack, and Israel was deterred in the past by the presence of Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, which was thought to be able to launch thousands of rockets at Israel at once. But with Israel’s stunning success against Hezbollah over the past few months, that deterrent is gone. In a recent retaliation against Iran for a massive ballistic missile attack on Israel, Israel attacked at least one nuclear facility.

“In that same attack, Israel also reportedly destroyed much of Iran’s air defense system, leaving the country without any way to prevent future attack. It also reportedly damaged Iran’s missile sites and missile production facilities.

“Israel’s leaders may believe that the need for an attack is urgent, for two reasons. First, the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump has signaled that it wants to wrap up the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Second, Iran may conclude that it has no choice but to accelerate its development of nuclear weapons, having lost most of the other deterrents it attempted to create in its ‘ring of fire’ of terrorist organizations surrounding Israel.

“Previously, Israel would not have considered a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities without consulting the U.S. But in recent days, Israel attacked the Syrian military without waiting for the Biden administration to agree. Israel is unlikely to wait for the lame-duck White House to weigh in, and may rely on the previous statements of President-elect Trump, who said earlier this year that Israel should attack Iran’s nuclear sites in response to its missile attacks.”

Time wrote on December 12:

“President-elect Donald Trump, TIME’s 2024 Person of the Year, sat down for a wide-ranging interview at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., on Nov. 25:

“‘… numbers of dead soldiers that have been killed in the last month are numbers that are staggering, both Russians and Ukrainians, and the amounts are fairly equal… It’s crazy what’s taking place. It’s crazy. I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We’re just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done. Now they’re doing not only missiles, but they’re doing other types of weapons. And I think that’s a very big mistake, very big mistake. But the level, the number of people dying is number one, not sustainable, and I’m talking on both sides. It’s really an advantage to both sides to get this thing done…

“‘And I disagree with the whole thing, because it should have never happened…

“‘I think that the Middle East is an easier problem to handle than what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine… October 7 was a horrible thing. Everyone is forgetting conveniently about October 7, but that was a horrible day for the world, not for Israel, for the world…

“‘I want everything to end… I don’t want people from either side killed, and that includes whether it’s Russia, Ukraine, or whether it’s the Palestinians and the Israelis and all of the, you know, the different entities that we have in the Middle East. There’s so many different entities… I support whatever solution we can do to get peace. There are other ideas other than two state, but I support whatever, whatever is necessary to get not just peace, a lasting peace… I’m not saying that’s a very likely scenario, but I want a long lasting peace, a peace where we don’t have an October 7 in another three years. And there are numerous ways you can do it. You can do it two state, but there are numerous ways it can be done…

“‘[Back to the Russia-Ukraine war:] I think the most dangerous thing right now is what’s happening, where Zelensky has decided, with the approval of, I assume, the President, to start shooting missiles into Russia. I think that’s a major escalation. I think it’s a foolish decision…

“‘[When asked whether he trusts Netanyahu:] I don’t trust anybody…’”

Interesting…

Israel on the Attack

The Sun wrote on December 16:

“… a colossal explosion erupted in Syria, marking the ‘heaviest strikes’ to hit the region in over a decade – and even registering on the Richter scale. Astounding video showed a giant mushroom-cloud fireball filling the sky alongside deafening sounds – with claims that the blast was caused by an Israeli strike… the ground-shaking blast measured the same as a 3.0-magnitude earthquake on nearby seismic sensors.

“Dozens of other Israeli attacks were seen across Syria on Sunday with warplanes reportedly launching pinpoint strikes on weapons depots… The blitz raged for at least 30 minutes…

“Meanwhile, there have been reports of Israeli tanks spotted ‘less than 20 miles’ from Damascus after they entered Syria for the first time in 50 years. After Syrian rebels ousted the tyrant President Assad, Israeli forces seized the Golan Heights region and other defensive positions.”

Israel Closes Embassy in Dublin

Politico wrote on December 15:

“Israel is closing its embassy in Dublin in protest against Ireland’s decisions to recognize Palestinian statehood and to accuse the Israelis of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who confirmed the embassy closure in a statement Sunday, condemned Ireland for what he called its ‘extreme anti-Israel policies.’…

“Israel’s move follows a steady downward spiral in relations with Ireland, which has a history of expressing sympathy for the Palestinian cause… The final straw for Israel appears to have been the Irish Cabinet’s decision last week to get more involved in South Africa’s year old case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice in The Hague…”

Israel vs. Ireland

Times of Israel wrote on December 17:

“Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar castigates comments made today by Ireland’s president, who accused Israel of breaching Lebanon’s and Syria’s sovereignty and charged, without evidence, that Jerusalem is seeking to establish settlements in Egypt. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar yesterday defended his decision to close Israel’s embassy in Ireland, saying that Dublin ‘encouraged’ antisemitism under a prime minister he accused of hating Jews… Sa’ar says: ‘Once an antisemitic liar — always an antisemitic liar’…

“Concluding his combative statement, Sa’ar brings up Ireland’s failure to join the Allies in fighting Nazi Germany in World War II. ‘Let us not forget that Ireland was at best neutral during World War II. At that time, the free world was fighting Hitler’s axis while Ireland sat on the side and did nothing.’”

Ending Birthright Citizenship?

Newsmax wrote on December 16:

“President-elect Donald Trump has identified ending birthright citizenship as a top priority for his second administration, setting him up for a showdown over the controversial issue with Democrat lawmakers and the Supreme Court. Congressional Republicans say that foreign nationals are taking advantage of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment – which grants citizenship to everyone born in the United States – to gain a permanent foothold in the country, which the framers never envisioned. They told The Hill that they believe Trump has the authority to take executive action and reinterpret the 14th Amendment’s language to exclude the children of foreign-born individuals from receiving citizenship if they are born on U.S. soil…

“Adopted in 1868 in the aftermath of the Civil War, the 14th Amendment states that ‘all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.’ While the language has traditionally been interpreted as granting citizenship to anyone born in the United States, conservatives argue that it must be reinterpreted to exclude those who visit the U.S. in order to have their children gain automatic citizenship,”

The language of the 14^th Amendment is very clear. To just “reinterpret” it via executive action should be doomed to fail. But in the USA these days, everything could be possible. For practical purposes, to try to distinguish (if that is the goal) between those who visit the U.S. “in order to have their children gain automatic citizenship” or whether they came to the USA for other reasons would possibly meet insurmountable problems.

What is also totally unclear at this point is whether Trump wants to repeal or “reinterpret” the 14^th Amendment retroactively (this would be a scandal of unheard proportions) or “just” for the future. In any event, to abolish or “reinterpret” the 14th Amendment seems to be a somewhat bone-headed un-American idea. Many other countries allow birthright citizenship as well. Others should allow it.

Collateral Arrests of Non-Criminal Migrants

Newsmax wrote on December 18:

“Although President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan will center on illegal migrants with criminal histories, border czar Tom Homan warns that other migrants undoubtedly will be subject to ‘collateral arrests.’ … migrants whose only accused crime was entering the U.S. illegally should expect deportation, especially if they are residing with someone who’s the target of an arrest warrant… [Homan said:] ‘We expect a lot of collateral arrests.’…

“While ICE under the Biden administration prioritized arresting illegal migrants with criminal convictions for serious crimes, Trump is expected to include anyone unlawfully present in the country… The border czar said Trump’s deportation plan will begin on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20…”

This was clear from the outset.

Ending Daylight Saving Time?

The New York Post wrote on December 13:

“President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that he’ll back Republican-led efforts to eliminate daylight saving time, arguing that the twice-a-year ritual of adjusting clocks is ‘inconvenient’ and ‘very costly.’… In 2022, the Senate unanimously approved a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent. The Sunshine Protection Act was introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) — Trump’s pick to lead the State Department — but never received a vote in the House…. ‘This ritual of changing time twice a year is stupid,’ the Florida Republican senator said at the time, noting that ‘locking the clock has overwhelming bipartisan and popular support.’

“75% of Americans are against seasonal time adjustments…  Arizona and Hawaii are the only states that have locked their clocks, following standard time throughout the whole year.

“The origins of daylight saving time date back to World War I, when the Standard Time Act of 1918 was passed in an effort to conserve energy for the war effort. Entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy — tapped by Trump to make government more efficient — have signaled they’d support eliminating clock changes.”

This idea was gladly adopted by Hitler in World War II. It’s about time to do away with the stupid “war-originating” and “war-perpetuating” daylight saving time.

Tattoos Unpopular in Germany

ntv wrote on December 12:

“Tattoos are also very common in Germany [20% are said to have them], but many people find tattooed people less beautiful. This is the result of a new study… The models pictured completely without tattoos were consistently rated as the most beautiful, while those with extreme tattoos scored the lowest… the model photos with facial tattoos received the worst rating…

“Not everyone is happy with their tattoos in the long term; some people want to get rid of them. In a 2019 survey… 6.8 percent of tattooed people said they regretted their tattoos. Since 2021, only doctors in Germany have been allowed to remove tattoos with a laser. More extensive treatments can cost several thousand euros, which those affected have to pay for themselves.

“The less tattooed you are, the more beautiful you appear to others – this is how the results of the study can be summarized according to the head of the study…”

Amen to that… apart from the fact that the Bible prohibits tattoos.
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 have published a booklet which deals with the origin and practices of the holiday known as Christmas (“Don’t Keep Christmas”). Secular history also fully documents the many aspects of worship associated with Christmas observance, and one of the most widespread traditions involves that of Christmas trees.

The use of an evergreen tree for religious observance was founded in pagan worship practices. Its origin far predates Christianity. From history.com, “History of Christmas Trees,” we find these comments:

“Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, many ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness…

“Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition—as we now know it—by the 16th century when sources record devout Christians bringing decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce…

“Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first records of Christmas trees being cut for display comes from the 1820s in Pennsylvania’s German community, although trees may have been a tradition there even earlier. As early as 1747, Moravian Germans in Pennsylvania had a community tree in the form of a wooden pyramid decorated with candles. But, as late as the 1840s, Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans…

“It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. New England’s first Puritan leaders viewed Christmas celebrations as unholy. The [pilgrims’] second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out ‘pagan mockery’ of the observance, penalizing any frivolity…

“In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the influx of German and Irish immigrants in the 19th century undermined the Puritan legacy.”

In our booklet, “Don’t Keep Christmas,” we say on pages 23-24:

“Let’s also notice [Jeremiah] 10:2-5: ‘Thus says the Lord: ‘Do not learn the way [Note in the Lamsa Bible: “Religion”] of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple. They are upright, like a palm tree, and they cannot speak; they must be carried, because they cannot go themselves. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, nor can they do any good.’

“Here we find a description of the Christmas tree. Some have said, however, that [Jeremiah] 10 only talks about a wooden idol that was carved out of a tree, but that it does not refer to decorating a Christmas tree per se. Remember, though, that the pagans believed that their gods ‑ Attis, Osiris, Dionysus ‑ lived as tree spirits in pine trees. They believed that their gods actually changed into those trees, and they carried these sacred trees to a certain place of worship, decorated them, and adored them as deities.”

Most of the world’s claimants to Christianity now fully embrace the many aspects of “keeping Christmas”—including bringing an evergreen tree or its symbolic equivalent into their homes and businesses in the time leading up to December 25th.

Even governments celebrate the selection and decoration of Christmas trees with great public ceremonies, such as tree lighting and gift-giving. Perhaps no other country has so fully adopted this practice as the United States. Now, many non-Christian people embrace Christmas—especially, its frivolity and commercialism.

Catholicism, representing the largest number of adherents to modern Christianity, is the source for the term Christmas, literally meaning, “mass on Christ’s day” (compare britannnica.com).

The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization founded by an American Catholic priest in 1882, is very active in perpetuating Christmas observance internationally. Note the mission statement concerning their program, “Keep Christ in Christmas”:

“Promote the true spirit of Christmas in homes, schools, parishes and communities. Councils will evangelize society through their faithful acts, celebrations and a variety of activities.

“The Knights of Columbus offers multiple activities that promote Christmas and the season of Advent in their proper context: Journey to the Inn, Spread the Light of Christ, Crèche or Advent Wreath Blessing, and the Christmas Poster Contest. These programs are centered on the example of the Holy Family and the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

“The Keep Christ in Christmas (KCIC) Program brings all KCIC activities together under one umbrella. It encourages councils to prompt their neighbors to shift from a preoccupation with materialism to the light of Christ and the spirit of giving. KCIC activities include whatever efforts best suit the parish and community of a particular council and do not need to originate from the Supreme Council.”

Countless other organizations, both secular and religious, actively support the many aspects of Christmas observance. However, ask someone WHY they observe Christmas or WHY they have a Christmas tree, and the answer centers on emotional aspects such as family time, the “spirit of giving,” or many other self-professed reasons.

Exactly how Jesus Christ fits into all of this, what the relevance of a fir tree is, or whether the commemoration of December 25^th finds support in the Word of God concerning what Christians believe and practice, does not pass the test of what is TRUTH!

In fact, God condemns this kind of false worship, and every aspect of Christmas observance is founded on deceptive lies! We have already noted the explicit warning from God in Jeremiah, chapter 10, concerning the use of a tree as idol worship. Note what God states about man-made religious practices:

“‘I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream’” (Amos 5:21-24).

One must seriously consider whether the observance of Christmas and the use of all the associated paraphernalia, such as a Christmas tree, as well as the common decoration of houses and Christmas-related “things” or “kitsch” in front yards is something God hates and despises! We realize, of course, that we cannot escape what is going on around us. We can hardly enter a building this time of year where there is no Christmas tree (or, in many cases, a cross for that matter), or, when we enter a shop, never-ending silly Christmas songs (“Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer”) are being played. What we are addressing here is our individual participation in those activities, including decorating or assisting in decorating a Christmas tree.

Do you call yourself a Christian? You can test yourself for proof by comparing your religious practices with what God commands. For instance, do you keep God’s commandment to observe the Sabbath day (Exodus 20:8-11), the seventh day of the week (Genesis 2:2-3), or do you observe Sunday, the first day of the week? Do you keep God’s commanded Holy Days (Leviticus 23), or do you participate in New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Easter and Halloween? Do you falsely worship God through the idolatry of passed-down customs and practices, such as Christmas and the placing of a tree to adorn your home, or do you obey the commandment of God to not do these demonic inspired activities?

Christmas celebrations completely smother society in much of the world. Media, whether in print, in movies, or over the Internet, endlessly promotes “Christmas time.” “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year” suddenly becomes the accepted form of greeting as December 25^th draws near. But this activity does not bring people closer to God the Father or His Son, Jesus Christ! Rather, this kind of blind worship is forbidden by God:

“And God spoke all these words, saying:‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments’” (Exodus 20:1-6).

God very specifically reveals HOW TO WORSHIP HIM. Celebrating Christmas with figurines representing Jesus and His family are an absolute abomination in God’s eyes! Yet, people have become so emotionally transfixed with all things pertaining to Christmas that most would not even consider rejecting the traditions of this holiday and instead investigate the Bible (and history) for the Truth!

The set up and use of Christmas trees in one’s home or business to pay tribute to Jesus Christ is false worship, and it is condemned by God. Then there’s the maddening flurry of purchasing and gift-giving, the drinking parties, the emotional Christmas family gatherings, the seasonal music, including the singing of Christmas carols—everything associated with Christmas observance is wrong in God’s eyes, and it is indeed sin!

As this world struggles to “Keep Christ in Christmas,” will you believe what the Bible reveals, that Christ has NEVER been in Christmas! Will you reject the worthless customs and traditions of Christmas and ask God to reveal His Truth to you? It can be found in the true good news Jesus Christ brought—the gospel of the Kingdom of God!

Lead Writer: Dave Harris

compiled by Dave Harris

“The DRONES! No Danger? Are You Kidding?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

The many sightings of drones hovering over America and its military bases are no laughing matter, nor are these drones harmless. We are told that they don’t pose a danger to national security, but those assurances don’t ring true. Nor are opinions that they do not come from a foreign “enemy.” Reviewing the available evidence, what conclusions CAN we come to in regard to these drones? And what does this all mean?

“Die DROHNEN! Keine Gefahr? Sie scherzen wohl!” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

We have posted our first Bible Story short video in German, “Die Schöpfung” (The Creation), on our German YouTube and Aufpostenstehen Website. Created by our members Evelyn Gerz and Andreas Rätz through AI technology, it is the start of a series. We plan to do the same in English shortly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2iE4AgYjKU 

“Memorial for Margaret Adair,” was conducted on Sunday, December 15, 2024, and this service is now posted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI81HalPidw

“Leben Sie mit Christus in himmlischen Regionen?” is the title of this Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Do You Live with Christ in Heavenly Places?”

“Es gibt ein Zu Spät,” last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Johann Schell, is now posted. Title in English: “There Is Such a Thing as Too Late.”

“Wir WERDEN gross sein!” last Sabbath’s German sermon presented by Michael Link, is now posted. Title in English: “We Will Be Great!”

“What Does God Require of Us?” is the title of last Sabbath’s first split sermon, presented by Paul Niehoff. Here is the summary:

God has a number of requirements for us to live by, which are stated in many places throughout the Bible. However, there is one verse that summarizes what these requirements are, and that is found in the book of Micah.

“A Sinless Human Life,” is the title of last Sabbath’s second split-sermon, presented by Frank Bruno. Here is the summary:

In this Split Sermon we will consider various scriptures that help us in our study of the sinless human life of Jesus Christ. We understand that Jesus lived a fully human life, yet did so without sinning. This enabled Him to take on the sins of the world and offer salvation for true Christians who believe in Him and obey the commandments of the Father.

On December 14, 2024, Paul Niehoff will present the first split-sermon, titled, “What Does God Require of Us?” and Frank Bruno will present the second split-sermon, titled, “A Sinless Human Life.”

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

The original book, “The Tale of Two Cities,” was published in 1859 by English author Charles Dickens; it was set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. In this Editorial, I want to look at the people of the ancient cities of Nineveh and Sodom. Both these cities had issues with sin.

In Jonah 1:2, we read God’s words to Jonah: “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” Nineveh had issues with wickedness which is not really defined by God as to the exact problem it had.

This is what is said about Sodom, in Genesis 18:20-21: “And the LORD said, ‘Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” God states that their sin is great, without going into any detail.

It’s interesting to notice that He, together with two angels, wanted to go in person to see how bad it was. You have probably heard that it is sometimes hard to describe a situation and, “You had to be there to see how bad it was”—to be there in person to get the full impact or feel how bad a situation was. God, in the Person of Jesus Christ, would stay with Abraham but would send His two angels to Sodom to evaluate the people there.

Sodom was really bad, as described in 19:4-5: “Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, ‘Where are the men [the two angels] who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.’”

They wanted to abuse the two guests sexually, thinking they were ordinary men, and both young and old were in the mix. It is evident that the whole town was perverted and twisted sexually.

Both these cities had major issues but the outcome of them was totally different.

After trying to avoid his commission, Jonah finally went as instructed by God and warned Nineveh of destruction.  In Jonah 3:2-4, we read that God told Jonah again: ‘‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.’ So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent.  And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’” 

So Jonah sounded the alarm or trumpet as it were of coming destruction; and what was the response from the city?

Jonah 3:6-10 tells us: “Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.  And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, ‘Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 

But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?’  Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.”

The result was repentance of the city and thus God changed His mind about destroying it. Please note however that the city of Nineveh was destroyed later by falling back to their old ways.

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

Continuing in Genesis 19:24-25: “Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.”

So Sodom was totally destroyed. Lot had apparently been a judge in Sodom, “sitting in the gate” (Genesis 19:1); he had warned the people of Sodom repeatedly (compare Genesis 19:7-9; 2 Peter 2:7), but they did not listen. When the city was evaluated by the two angels, being there in person, it was determined that redemption at that point was far from attainable, leading to its destruction. This is not to say that the people of Sodom, as well as of Nineveh, won’t have a future opportunity to repent after their resurrection to physical life, and then be given an opportunity for salvation.

We all sin from time to time. When we realize our error, we repent and ask for forgiveness, knowing God will forgive us our sins with the understanding that we are to make efforts to overcome sin, not to succumb to it.

On the other hand, if we harden our hearts by sinning and do not repent, we could find ourselves in the situation of Sodom, beyond repair and redemption. But while the unconverted people of Sodom will have a chance in the future, for us, as converted Christians who fall away for good, there is only one final fate, which is the lake of fire from which there is no comeback (compare Hebrews 10:26-27).

As we go forward in our Christian walk, we will sin on occasion, but the final outcome of sin is really up to us; so, let’s make the right choices. 

by Norbert Link

We begin with the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and the take-over by Islamist rebels, as well as international reactions to the developments, posing the frightening question as to what is next for Syria and the entire Middle East, as well as, potentially, for Europe and the USA. Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Syria’s Terrible Future” 

We report on a revealing interview between Tucker Carlson and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as well as the situation in South Korea.

We speak on Trump’s impressive visit to Paris and his plans for his new rule, which are a mixture of good and bad.

We speak on the pagan origin of Santa Claus and a move in Austria to force Santa Claus (or “Nikolaus”) celebrations on children in Kindergarten, while threatening parents with heavy fines who do not want to “integrate.” We also speak on the demonic motives of California’s school shooter; and conclude with a US committee’s devastating findings regarding the “corona scam.”

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

How Assad Fell

Politico wrote on December 8:

“The rapid sweep by a coalition of armed opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al Qaeda breakaway designated a terror group by the United States, saw rebels at first burst out of an enclave in northwest Syria on Nov. 27. Then there was the capture in quick succession of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, Hama and then Homs…  By Saturday, the rebels were in Damascus and Bashar Assad had fled, concluding the 10 days that shook the Middle East. [Russian state media confirmed the dictator and his family were granted asylum in Russia for ‘humanitarian reasons’ after their jet landed in Moscow.]

“All the more surprising — some might argue suspicious — is the ease with which the offensive unfolded and the absence of any serious government resistance… the lightning rapidity and ease of the offensive and the melting away of government forces raise questions, as does the failure of Assad’s allies Russia and Iran to do much to disrupt the rebels and save him. The questions include whether there was any rebel coordination with elements inside the Assad regime…

“The country’s prime minister, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, said in a video message posted online that he remained at home and was prepared to cooperate with the transfer of power to ‘any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.’…

“[Turkey’s] Erdoğan openly endorsed the rebel offensive… Few observers believe the offensive could have gone ahead without Ankara’s knowledge and approval… [Since 2011, he had] seized a strip of land along the border and has even toyed at times with annexing part of northern Syria, tauntingly suggesting publicly that Turkey has historical rights to do so.

“The final nails in Assad’s political coffin were hammered in not by foes but his allies — Iran and Russia. Their inaction eased the rebels’ advance… U.S. officials agreed that the collapse of Assad’s frontlines had much to do with the absence of any serious Iranian or Russian action — whether from inability or unwillingness because of Ukraine and Lebanon remains unclear…”

Ransacking and Looting

The Sun wrote on December 8:

“SYRIANS gleefully ransacked Bashar al-Assad’s palace [in Damascus] after the ousted tyrant fled the country to [Moscow]… going room from room looting items of value… It’s thought dozens of Assad’s luxury vehicles have also been seized after militants broke into his garage packed with Mercedes, Ferraris, and Audis.

“Militants have also stormed and looted the Iranian embassy as well as the Italian embassy, while the Iraqi embassy has been evacuated to Lebanon… The Italian ambassador was unharmed in the break-in by an armed group of rebels who stole three cars from the garden before fleeing… Syrians have also reportedly been seen leaving the country’s Central Bank with bags stuffed full of cash…”

These actions are similar to the ones which occurred in Iraq after Saddam Hussein’s downfall. Iraq and the USA are most certainly not better off now than they were under Saddam. Will history repeat itself insofar as Syria is concerned?

Future Uncertain

The Sun wrote on December 8:

“Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling US-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and ISIS is still active in some remote areas…

“Russia has put all of its military bases on high alert… Hezbollah has withdrawn all of its forces from the country… But as Syrians celebrate in the Israeli-occupied buffer zone in the Golan Heights which was captured from Syria in 1967, almost 300 miles away, suspected airstrikes from Israel hit Damascus on Sunday… It is believed that Israel bombed the Khlakhuala air base in the south of the country overnight. It comes after the IDF was deployed in the Golan buffer zone in preparation for chaos following the toppling of Assad, on Saturday night…

[It was also reported that the US on Sunday has struck more than 75 ISIS targets in Syria as part of efforts to “disrupt, degrade, and defeat” the terror group. The US has stationed 900 soldiers in Syria and 2,500 soldiers in Iraq.]

“A number of countries have closed border crossings with Syria as the chaos unfolds, including Lebanon and Jordan. All pro-Iranian forces have reportedly withdrawn from the country… the Kremlin [had been] allowed to operate two military bases inside Syria. One of those was a naval base – giving the Russians a port in the Mediterranean. But those bases might now be under threat as the rebels look to boot the Russians out of the country.”

A New Islamist Rule?

The New York Post wrote on December 7:

“While few will mourn Assad himself, many in the world community — perhaps even among his regional adversaries — may not be so enthused about seeing him toppled. Butcher though he may be, the Syrian dictator has maintained some support both in the region and in his country — especially among Syrian Christians and Druze, who fear persecution under Islamist rule. Assad’s secular regime had refrained from direct provocations against Israel and seems sanguine about Israel’s continued occupation of the Golan Heights. The Syrian civil war destabilized Lebanon, which took in hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees but has not spread to Jordan — a primary US concern. 

“If Assad is now replaced by Islamists sympathetic to Al Qaida, neighboring countries like Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel would be directly threatened. Extremists could gain access to Syria’s chemical weapons and potentially use the country as a launchpad for jihadist recruitment and terrorism. Such a regime would suppress minorities like Christians, Alawites, and Druze, while women’s rights would suffer… the rebels with the most momentum right now appear to be Islamists, especially Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)…  This is a Sunni group that once pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda’s central leadership… HTS imposed Islamic law on areas it has controlled in northwest Syria since 2015.”

Fox News wrote on December 8:

“A coalition of largely radical Islamist groups dislodged Assad’s Iran-backed regime. The U.S.-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist former Al-Qaeda affiliate that is part of the rebel forces, played the decisive role in evicting Assad…

“Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the Islamist leader of HTS, who has a $10 million bounty on his head from the U.S., seeks to present a toned-down version of the radical Islamism that has defined his years of fighting in Syria and in Iraq against American troops. Al-Golani was detained by the U.S. military in the first decade of this century. Syrian experts have told Fox News Digital that HTS seeks to impose a totalitarian Islamist regime on the population. Phillip Smyth, an expert on Iranian regime proxy groups and Syria, who is with the Atlantic Council, told Fox News Digital, ‘HTS is a group that is an outgrowth of Al-Qaeda and has connections to Turkey. Their endgame is to create a Taliban-esque society with a few tweaks.’”

In light of all of this, certain reactions of international leaders seem to sound unrealistically optimistic. Note the next article.

International Reactions to Assad’s Downfall

The Jerusalem Post wrote on December 8:

“Iran seems to be distancing itself from Assad, potentially abandoning everything it has built and fought to preserve in Syria for the past 40 years, which has been its primary foothold in the Arab world…  Egypt has called on all parties in Syria to preserve the capabilities of the state and national institutions…  Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it stands by [the] Syrian people and their choices at this ‘critical stage’ after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was toppled.

“King Abdullah said Jordan respected the choices of the Syrian people… Iraqi government spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi… reaffirmed the importance of not interfering in the internal affairs of Syria…

“President-elect Donald Trump applauded the fall of the regime and mocked Russia and Iran for losing their core ally. ‘Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer,’ Trump posted on Truth Social. ‘Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success.’… [He also said: “Syria is a mess, but is not our friend. This is not our fight… Do not get involved!”]

“German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the need to protect minorities in Syria. ‘Bashir al Assad has brutally oppressed his own people, has countless lives on his conscience and has driven numerous people to flee Syria, many of whom have also come to Germany. The Syrian people have experienced appalling suffering. The end of Assad’s rule over Syria is, therefore, good news. What matters now is that law and order are quickly restored in Syria. All religious communities, all minorities must enjoy protection now and in the future.’..

“French President Emmanuel Macron harshly condemned the Assad regime, saying, ‘The barbaric state has fallen. At last.’

“UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer said, ‘The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long, and we welcome his departure…

“Kaja Kallas, EU Foreign Minister, said, ‘The end of Assad’s dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran. Our priority is to ensure security in the region. I will work with all the constructive partners in Syria and in the region.’

“The Taliban applauded HTS [Hayat Tahrir al-Sham] for liberating the Syrian people…

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood along the Syrian border with Israel on Sunday afternoon, hailing the end of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad’s 14-year rule and claiming Israel’s ‘blows inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah’ had a direct impact on the Syrian revolution… he had ordered Israeli forces to seize areas in the buffer zone to ensure Israel’s security and said: ‘We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border.’”

The entire Middle East is a powder keg ready to explode.

Israel Attacks

The Associated Press wrote on December 11:

“Israel carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria as its troops advanced deeper into the country… and the Israeli defense minister announced that his forces had destroyed Syria’s navy… it remained unclear if Israeli soldiers had gone beyond that area [of the buffer zone], which was established more than 50 years ago. Israel denied that it was advancing on the Syrian capital of Damascus.

“The Israeli military said Tuesday that it carried out more than 350 strikes in Syria over the last 48 hours, hitting ‘most of the strategic weapons stockpiles’ in the country to stop them from falling into the hands of extremists. The targets included air defense systems, military airfields, missile depots and dozens of weapons production sites in Damascus and other cities…

“Israeli missile ships also simultaneously struck two Syrian navy facilities, where the military said 15 Syrian naval vessels were docked. Israel did not specify how many vessels it struck, but the private security firm Ambrey said it had seen evidence that at least six Soviet-era missile ships were hit. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel intended to establish a demilitarized zone in southern Syria.”

New Interim Prime Minister

Middle East Eye wrote on December 10:

“Mohammed al-Bashir, the head of the administration that ran Idlib in northwest Syria has been appointed as the country’s interim prime minister [until March 1] following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. …

“Bashir has been the head of the Syrian Salvation Government, a HTS-controlled administration in the Idlib governorate, since January 2024. … freedom of expression has been stifled by HTS during its rule over Idlib, including violence and arbitrary arrests used to crack down dissenting voices.”

Chaos in Syria

Breitbart reported on December 10:

“Syrian rebels who overthrew the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad on Sunday are reportedly executing their opponents, imposing Islamic sharia law, and threatening non-Muslim minorities, including the Kurdish population in the north. Videos are circulating on social media showing Syrian rebels killing people associated with the regime — some of whom may have been part of the state security services, and others who appear to have been ordinary employees.

“The New York Times reported Tuesday: ‘Islamic State forces on Tuesday killed 54 people in the Homs region in central Syria who had been part of the Syrian government’s military and fled during the collapse of the Assad regime… The killings highlight the chaos in Syria as various rebel factions operate in different regions. One video also shows thousands of smashed bottles of liquor at the duty free store of the Damascus airport, where Islamist rebels apparently enforced the Islamic ban on alcohol by force, as Islamists did in Lebanon in the 1980s.”

Losers and Winners

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on December 9:

“Iran and Russia are the two big losers in the ouster of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday by the Sunni Islamist groups affiliated to al-Qaeda… Israel and Turkey are the biggest winners, having established links with the al-Qaeda groups…

“Turkey has demanded that Syria belongs to Syrian people alone — a thinly covered call for vacation of foreign military presence (Russian, American and Iranian.)… Turkey has special interests in Syria in relation to the Kurdish problem. The weakening of the Syrian state… provides Turkey for the first time a free run in the northern border provinces where Kurdish separatist groups are operating. The Turkish military and intelligence presence in Syria will expand by leaps and bounds…

“Turkish occupation of Syrian territory may assume a permanent character and even a quasi-annexation of the regions is within the realms of possibility… the hour of reckoning has come for reclaiming the Ottoman glory. The present Turkish leadership is committed to the geo-strategy of Neo-Ottomanism.

“The bottom line is that the genie of al-Qaeda is out of the bottle, finally, and there is no stopping its pan-Islamic agenda…”

The Times of Israel wrote on December 9:

“Footage from a mosque in Damascus… showed Syrian rebels vowing to march on Jerusalem. ‘This is the land of Islam, this is Damascus, the Muslim stronghold. From here to Jerusalem. We’re coming for Jerusalem. Patience, people of Gaza, patience,’ vowed an Islamist rebel, surrounded by a group of gunmen who responded with cries of ‘Allahu akbar!’ (‘God is greatest’ in Arabic.).”

Civil War May Not Be Over

The Telegraph wrote on December 8:

“Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist rebel faction that mounted the offensive which led to Assad’s downfall — and which is now likely to play a very influential role in shaping Syria’s future— is very much an unknown quantity. It was an affiliate of al-Qaeda until severing ties in 2017, a move that did not convince the United States to lift its terrorist designation of the group.

“Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, served five years in various US detention facilities in Iraq, including at Abu Ghraib, and had ties to both al-Qaeda and ISIS. The United States still has a $10 million (£7.8 million) bounty on his head…

“Beyond HTS… there are numerous other rebel factions, from Turkish-backed factions to Kurdish dominated groups, not to mention Isis, heavily weakened but still in control of a sliver of Syrian territory and still able to launch localised attacks…

“… it is also a reminder that the country’s factions will look to secure a place in the new Syria – and that they still have their guns if they do not get what they want. Given that there is unlikely to be much of a restraining hand from the incoming Trump administration, disgruntled armed groups may be even more emboldened to act… In other words, the 13-year rebellion against Bashar al-Assad may be over. Syria’s civil war may not be.”

Bloomberg wrote on December 8:

“… the implications are also quickly sinking in — and not least the prospect of more upheaval and violence as groups tussle for control… Multiple Arab and US officials told Bloomberg that a power vacuum could now be dangerous. Memories of Muammar Qaddafi’s Libya and Saddam Hussein in Iraq loom large in the region: In both countries, those entrenched rulers were swept aside in brief moments of euphoria, only for the countries to descend into deeper turmoil.”

Who Will Rule Syria Now the Assad Regime Has Been Toppled?

The Economist wrote on December 8:

“Syrians are hoping for a peaceful transition of power. They may not get it.

“In Damascus and across the country, Syrians were cheering a fresh start… What kind of fresh start will they get?

“Much depends on whether Syria’s multi-pronged opposition, suddenly bereft of its common enemy, will band together to form a pluralist, federal civilian government over all of Syria, or descend into infighting that plunges the country into a new civil war…

“The rebels, foremost among them Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate that has ruled a slice of north-western Syria for the past few years, say they have learnt the lessons of past regime changes in the Arab world… But things in Syria have a habit of getting complicated. The de facto partitioning of Syria that took place under Mr Assad has intensified since his fall.

“Rebels from the north, east and south of the country co-ordinated their takeover with remarkable discipline in recent days. Yet because Mr Assad’s regime collapsed far faster than they expected, they have not had time to plan for the day after. Each of the four main factions—Turkish-backed Sunni rebels in the north-west, Kurds in the north and east, Jordanian-backed rebels in the south, and the remaining loyalists from Mr Assad’s Alawite sect in the west—has its own army. All of them have been bolstered by the weapons, land and economic holdings seized from the Assads in recent days. Each group will want its share of the spoils and a slice of whatever package is arranged to reconstruct the devastated country, with needs estimated to cost some $200bn.

“Within hours of Mr Assad’s fall, the fragile truce between the different groups had begun to break down as fighting flared at Manbij, on the line dividing Turkish-backed Arabs in the north-west from the Kurds in the north-east. Syrians have not forgotten that the toppling of Iraq’s and Libya’s strongmen triggered a decade of civil war between their would-be successors. Nor are they unaware how tricky it will be to manage relations with their neighbours…

“The strongest contender to rule Syria is Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, the 42-year-old head of HTS, which launched the rebel offensive from its seat in Idlib in north-western Syria only 11 days ago, on November 27th. Mr Jolani… has… assured Christians and women that he has no plans to impose strict Islamic codes… But Mr Jolani’s past as al-Qaeda’s leader in Syria and his brutal suppression of rivals makes others wary. Getting other rebels to accept his leadership will be his hardest task. For years he fought them more than he did Mr Assad.

“A few hundred former rebels in the south beat Mr Jolani to Damascus. They marched on the presidential palace and detained the prime minister, Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali, not only to pursue Mr Assad’s loyalists but to prevent Mr Jolani from getting there first. That America, Russia and the UN all regard Mr Jolani as a terrorist and HTS as a terrorist organisation could also complicate things if he does indeed take charge. His close ties with Turkey and Qatar irk Arab powers who want to limit their zone of influence. Some opposition figures talk ominously about how convenient his assassination would be…

“Many Syrians worry that they could end up replacing one dictator with another, this time an Islamist one. Whoever takes charge in Damascus will have trouble controlling all of Syria. In the north-east, the Kurds will look to the few hundred American troops stationed there to thwart efforts to bring the lucrative oilfields, Syria’s breadbasket and the Arab cities they rule back under central control… they are already fighting Turkish-backed forces to preserve the autonomy they carved out under Mr Assad…

“Mr Assad’s sect, the Alawites, will similarly have to decide whether to fight or accept Sunni-majority rule. In addition to the heavy weapons salvaged from the regime’s rout, they may also look to protection from Russia, which still keeps a naval and airbase there that it may hang on to, subject to negotiation with Turkey and Syria’s new rulers. Civilians in the exiled political opposition in Istanbul, in Turkey, seem to have been sidelined for now…

“After 13 years of civil war and penury, an exhausted population is praying for a peaceful handover that has proved vanishingly rare in the Arab world. With so much division inside and outside Syria, consensus will be hard to find.”

Large Demonstration in Austria

Report 24 wrote on December 8:

“Syrian hordes overrun Vienna’s city center – police show complete powerlessness… Apparently it was possible to mobilize 30,000 Syrians within a very short time, who marched across the ring, making a lot of noise and ‘shooting fireworks’. The police speak of a ‘duly registered rally’ – which is questionable due to the chronology. Under no circumstances could Austria have 30,000 police officers, which demonstrates the state of internal security in an impressive and tragic way… They shouted the well-known ‘Allahu Akbar’ – at the same time the Muslims’ creed (‘Allah is greater’) and the Islamists’ battle cry.

“Islamist butchers have taken control in Syria. It is to be feared that they will take bloody revenge on all those who have previously supported the Assad government. In addition, one can expect the mass expulsion of Shiites, Alawites, Druze and Christians. In the worst case scenario, millions of people will flee to the West… The takeover of state power by Islamist forces was enthusiastically celebrated by tens of thousands of Syrians in many European cities. What is notable is the fact that no women can be seen in any of the videos or photos. The manpower of young Syrians fit for war in Europe is frightening.”

Interview With Lavrov… How the War Could End

The Daily Mail wrote on December 6:

“Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow doesn’t want a war with the United States but will use ‘all means’ to defend its interests in an interview with… broadcaster Tucker Carlson. He went on to argue that, while Russia and the US are officially not at war, Washington’s permission for Ukraine to use American longer-range missiles for strikes on Russian territory marked a dangerous escalation…

“Lavrov, the world’s longest-serving foreign minister who has been on the job for 20 years, said that the recent Russian strike on Ukraine with a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile called Oreshnik was a signal to the West that Russia is prepared to use all means to achieve its goals…

“Speaking about the Kremlin conditions for a potential peace deal, he reaffirmed Putin’s declaration that Ukraine should pull back its forces from the four regions that Russia annexed in September 2022 and renounce its bid to join NATO… He added that any peace agreement must secure the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine… ‘No military bases, no military exercises on Ukrainian soil with participation of foreign troops. We cannot tolerate a deal which would keep the legislation which I quoted prohibiting Russian language, culture and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,’ he said…

“When asked about his view of Donald Trump… Lavrov described him as ‘a very strong person, a person who wants results, who doesn’t like procrastination on anything.’ But he dismissed the idea that Trump is in any way ‘pro-Russian’… ‘The amount of sanctions we received under him was very very big.’…

“Lavrov’s interview with Carlson comes as officials, military chiefs and civilians on all sides of the Ukraine conflict wait to see what approach the Trump administration will take. Advisers to Trump publicly and privately are floating proposals to end the war that would cede large parts of the country to Russia for the foreseeable future… In September, Vice President-elect JD Vance offered former US Navy Seal Shawn Ryan an outline of how peace may be brought about in Ukraine under Trump.  ‘What it probably looks like is something like the current line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine becomes like a demilitarised zone, heavily fortified for the Russians don’t invade again… Ukraine remains an independent sovereign. Russia gets the guarantee of neutrality from Ukraine.  ‘It does not join NATO and some other allied institutions. Germans and other nations have to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction,’ Vance added.”

We will wait and see whether this is a basis for a peace deal.

Uncertainties in South Korea

Deutsche Welle reported on December 7:

“A motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol failed after most ruling PPP party lawmakers walked out from the vote. The motion was dropped without ballots being counted as the total votes did not reach 200, or the two-thirds majority required for it to pass. Opposition parties, which hold 192 seats in parliament, presented the bill after Yoon briefly declared martial law last week.

“After the vote, PPP leader Han said the party had decided that Yoon would resign and had ‘effectively obtained’ his promise to do so. Han emphasized that Yoon was no longer in a position to carry out his public duties and his resignation was unavoidable. Though he pledged the PPP would ‘resolve this crisis in a more orderly and responsible manner’ than impeachment would have, Han refused to say just when Yoon would step down.

“Yoon’s term in office runs out in May 2027. ‘The People Power Party will pursue an orderly departure of the president in order to minimize confusion for the people,’ said Han, who added that Yoon would be ‘effectively excluded from his duties, and the prime minister will consult with the party to manage state affairs.’

“The opposition DP ridiculed that idea as ‘absurd and illegal.’ ‘Neither the people, nor the law, nor anyone has given Han the power to remove [Yoon] from office,’ the party said in a statement, saying impeachment is the only way.”

Trump Domineering in Paris

The New York Post wrote on December 7:

“President-elect Trump dominated French President Emmanuel Macron during a tense photo-op handshake as the leaders met in Paris ahead of the Notre Dame cathedral’s reopening Saturday — where global heads of state and dignitaries tripped over themselves to pay their respects to ‘The Don.’… Inside the 861-year-old cathedral for the reopening ceremony, Trump enjoyed front-and-center seating between Macron and his wife, Brigitte…

“German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and King Philippe of Belgium flashed wide grins as they shook hands with the once-and-future president, as did Britain’s Prince William, who met with Trump afterward for one-on-one talks at the British ambassador’s residence in Paris… First Lady Jill Biden, who attended the weekend’s festivities in her husband’s stead and was seated next to their daughter, Ashley, appeared visibly uncomfortable just one spot over from Trump…”

Justin Trudeau had visited Trump in Florida to “kiss the king’s ring.” Trump is being recognized as a powerful leader who is respected and feared at the same time.

Trump Reveals His Plans

NBC News wrote on December 8:

“President-elect Donald Trump vowed to make immediate and sweeping changes after he takes office on Jan. 20, such as pardons for those convicted in the attack on the U.S. Capitol…

“In an interview with Kristen Welker, moderator of NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press,’… Trump said he would fulfill a campaign promise to levy tariffs on imports from America’s biggest trading partners. In a noteworthy moment, he conceded uncertainty when Welker asked if he could ‘guarantee American families won’t pay more’ as a result of his plan. ‘I can’t guarantee anything,’ Trump said. ‘I can’t guarantee tomorrow.’

“Trump also said he will not raise the age for government programs like Social Security and Medicare and will not make cuts to them as part of spending reduction efforts led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy…

“He would not concede that he lost the 2020 election. Asked how, in his view, Democrats stole that election but not this one even though they control the White House, Trump said, ‘Because I think it was too big to rig.’… Trump made clear he believes he’s been wronged, but he also [said] he will not appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden…  Yet he also singled out people he believes crossed the line in investigating his actions, calling special counsel Jack Smith ‘very corrupt.’

“Members of the House committee that examined the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol were ‘political thugs and, you know, creeps,’ committing offenses in going about their work, he said. ‘For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail,’ Trump said… If Biden wants to do it, he could pardon the committee members, Trump said, ‘and maybe he should.’…

“Immigration was the centerpiece of Trump’s campaign, and he didn’t flinch in saying he will carry out mass deportation of those who are living in the country illegally. First will be convicted criminals, he said. Pressed on whether the targets would go beyond that group… Asked about families with mixed immigration status, where some are in the U.S. legally and some illegally, Trump said, ‘I don’t want to be breaking up families, so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.’… ‘But we’re starting with the criminals, and we’ve got to do it. And then we’re starting with the others, and we’re going to see how it goes.’

“An exception might be the ‘Dreamers’ — people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children and have lived here for years. He voiced openness toward a legislative solution that would allow them to remain in the country… He also said he intends to eliminate birthright citizenship, the protection enshrined in the 14th Amendment that guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil regardless of their parents. Asked about the likelihood that doing so unilaterally would face legal opposition, Trump said he would consider amending the Constitution…

“Trump said he is actively trying to end the war, ‘if I can,’ adding that Ukraine can ‘possibly’ expect it won’t get as much military aid from the U.S. when he’s back in office. He would not commit to keeping the U.S. in NATO… ‘If they pay their bills, absolutely,’ he would preserve America’s role in the alliance, he said….”

Some of his ideas are pretty good, other plans are pretty bad.

Hero and Villain

On December 10, The New York Post published the following article by Piers Morgan:

“I cheered when I heard that Marine veteran Daniel Penny had been found not guilty. And I felt shocked and saddened when I saw the footage of  UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson being executed in the middle of Manhattan. Those two reactions would surely be the correct and appropriate ones for anyone with an ounce of fairness and humanity in their heart.

“Penny risked his own safety on the crime-ravaged New York subway to prevent a dangerous, mentally ill, homeless man with a lengthy rap sheet of violence from carrying out his ranting threat to kill someone. For six minutes [or less], he kept the man, Jordan Neely, in a restraining chokehold as he waited for the police to arrive, alternating between applying pressure and not, a tactic he’d learned in the military to subdue people. Why did Penny do this? Because he saw the frightened faces of nearby women and children and wanted to protect them… It was a tragic accident that Neely — who was high on drugs at the time — ended up dying, but that was a direct consequence of his own menacing actions… [a forensic pathologist said Mr Neely could have died from other contributing factors.]

“Yet with pathetic predictability, there was an immediate campaign by left-wing activists to frame this as a racially motivated crime akin to the murder of George Floyd despite there being zero evidence to support this theory and no comparison in the circumstances of the two incidents. Race-baiting charlatan Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez shamefully posted on X: ‘Jordan Neely was murdered.’ Others branded Penny a ‘white supremacist’ without producing anything to back up such an appalling slur. Walter ‘Hawk’ Newsome, the founder of Black Lives Matter in New York, said anyone who thought Penny was innocent had ‘racism in their heart,’ and that ‘the KKK got another victory.’

“Newsome was at it again after the verdict, appearing outside court to shriek, ‘We need some black vigilantes. People want to jump up and choke us and kill us for being loud, how about we do the same when they attempt to oppress us.’… Why has he not been arrested himself for such brazen incitement to deadly violence?

“If the Left’s hateful conduct over this was bad enough, consider the very different way they responded to the disgusting, cold-blooded murder of Brian Thompson. Many openly celebrated, led by liberal journalist Taylor Lorenz, who worked until recently for the New York Times and Washington Post, and who posted: ‘And people wonder why we want these executives dead.’ She later commented ‘I am not alone’ on another X post saying, ‘Healthcare Executive Down’ adorned with party balloons…

“The reaction to the two deaths has been very illuminating about the woke left’s shocking double standards and warped, hypocritical morality…”

Scholz to Request Vote of Confidence

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 11:

“German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday formally applied for a vote of confidence in his government. This is the first step on the road to span elections scheduled for February (23)..

“Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, is scheduled to vote on the motion of the 16th of December. It is largely considered a formality, as opposition lawmakers outnumber those in Scholz’s minority government. The chancellor will then ask President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for approval to dissolve parliament, starting the clock on the 60-day time limit to hold new elections.”

The Many Faces of Santa Claus

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 5:

“Few historical facts… are… known today, so their life stories have been fused together over the centuries, creating famous Saint Nicholas legends… The feast of Saint Nicholas is celebrated on December 6… That displeased the famous 16th-century reformer, Martin Luther, who had fallen out with the Catholic Church and thus with almost half the world. He objected to the Catholic worship of saints and wanted to link the Christian bringer of gifts to Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. He wanted to direct people’s interest, especially that of children, away from the countless figures of saints and towards Jesus Christ. And so he replaced Saint Nicholas with Christ as the bringer of gifts, which was quickly accepted in Protestant areas.

“Since the Reformation, the ‘Christkind’ (Christ Child) has brought Christmas presents in Germany, usually on Christmas Eve, December 24, or a day later, on Christmas Day. But the custom of Nicholas placing presents in boots on the eve of December 6 did not die out either…

“In the 16th century, the benevolent Saint Nicholas was joined by a rather malicious antagonist. He was called ‘Knecht Ruprecht’ or ‘Krampus’ in southern Germany… Elsewhere, it has been replaced by Santa Claus, a figure whose origin story is a mixture of the legend of Saint Nicholas, the fairy tale of Father Frost…

“In Eastern European countries and as far afield as Mongolia, people talk of Papa Winter or Father Frost. That figure goes back to a winter wizard from Slavic mythology and is very similar to Santa Claus in its depictions. He is the personification of winter…

“The contemporary Scandinavian version of Santa Claus has various origins, generally predating Christianization, when people celebrated midwinter, called Yule. There is the figure of an old man with a fur cape, hood and beard, who travels through the countryside on a reindeer sleigh and distributes nuts to help people survive the harsh winter. Legend has it that he is a descendant of Odin, the most powerful Norse god.

“In Norway and Sweden, there is a story about a house spirit (‘Tomte’) who watched over the house and yard, but only if he was given enough food. Today, it is the Jultomte or Julenissen who brings presents on Christmas Eve — in exchange for food, of course.”

It’s all pagan and demonic to the core.

If Austria’s Bad Example Were to Set a Precedent…

The Kronenzeitung wrote on December 3:

“Customs and Christian traditions are now anchored in the education plan for the little ones in Lower Austria – cancellations of festivals should therefore be taboo in the future! ‘If you want to live here, you have to respect our values ​​and traditions.’ State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner sets a clear line after debates about moon bear festivals instead of St. Martin’s Day and crossings in classrooms and hospital rooms. That’s why Nikolaus & Co. are now included in the educational plan for kindergartens. Similar to the school curriculum, guidelines are given as to what content must be taught to the children.

“This is also welcomed by experts. ‘Festivals convey values ​​and a feeling of belonging,’ emphasizes educator Christina Steinböck from Asperhofen in the St. Pölten district. However, due to misunderstood tolerance towards other cultures, children are denied the opportunity to get to know the values ​​that we uphold.

“The ÖVP has a broad majority behind it on this measure. This is confirmed by opinion researcher Christoph Haselmayer, whose IFDD has found that 90 percent of the population in Lower Austria think it is right to celebrate Christmas, Easter, St. Nicholas and St. Martin’s Day in kindergartens. More than two thirds also support that crosses should be present in public buildings as a cultural symbol.

“With so much connection to tradition, the coalition partner obviously doesn’t want to be left behind. The Freedom Party tends to warm up to Krampus: ‘This is an old custom from the Eastern Alpine region,’ says State Vice President Udo Landbauer, emphasizing that Nikolaus’s shaggy companion should not be banned from kindergartens and schools either.”

Krampus—a symbolic figure for Satan. There are all kinds of worrying things on the horizon… It was also reported that if you refuse to take part in St. Nicholas celebrations in kindergarten, you could face a fine of up to 2500 euros…

OE24 wrote on December 3:

“In addition, the state leader once again called for harsher penalties from the incoming federal government for parents of families unwilling to integrate. The fines should therefore be increased from the current maximum of 440 euros to 2,500 euros. ‘By anchoring the traditions in the Lower Austrian education plan for kindergartens and with our demand for harsher punishments for those who refuse to integrate in schools, we are sending an unmistakable signal: Anyone who wants to live here, anyone who wants to raise their children here, must accept and respect our values, traditions and rules,’ says Mikl-Leitner.”

Frightening indeed… In Germany, they are talking about “Leitkultur.” But as we asked in our last edition, what does this mean? Is the celebration of Christmas, Easter or Sunday part of the German Leitkultur concept? What about the abrogation of the Sabbath and God’s annual Holy Days? What about supporting and fighting in war? A potentially dangerous concept indeed. 

California School Shooter’s Demonic Motives

The Algemeiner wrote on December 6:

“A gunman who shot and wounded two kindergarten students at a private school in northern California on Wednesday left behind a note revealing the shooting was motivated by his opposition to ‘America’s involvement with genocide and oppression of Palestinians.’

“The shooter… [Litton] opened fire in the playground of the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in the town of Oroville, injuring two children. Roman Mendez, 6, and Elias Wolford, 5, are in critical condition and will likely need surgery, according to police. Litton was pronounced dead at the Oroville school shortly after the shooting. Authorities said the cause of death was most likely a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“On Thursday, law enforcement said that Litton had a long criminal history and suffered from mental health issues. Police also revealed disturbing writings believed to be from Litton which provided insight into the shooter’s motives. One note indicated that opposition to US support for Israel’s defensive military operations against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Gaza was a motivation for the shooting. ‘Countermeasure involving child executions has now been imposed at the Seventh Day Adventist school in California, United States by The International Alliance,’ the note read…

“Litton reportedly gained access to the Feather River’s campus by securing a meeting with its principal to discuss enrolling a nonexistent grandson. He used a fake name. Having avoided arousing suspicion, Litton followed the meeting by walking to the playground, where he opened fire…”

He might have been suffering from “mental health issues,” but he was clearly influenced by demons. And it is interesting that demons motivated this sick individual to attack a Sabbath-keeping school and tried to kill young children, and that he was influenced by the demonic antisemitic and violent pro-Palestinian propaganda in the US.

The Corona Scam 

Focus wrote on December 5:

“The corona pandemic has scourged the entire world. Many people are still feeling the aftermath of this difficult time today. A US committee has spent two years extensively examining the pandemic and the countermeasures. The results now presented are devastating…

“The Subcommittee finds that Covid-19 ‘most likely’ arose from a laboratory accident during gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China… 

“The 2 meter distance recommendation that has led to school and small business closures across the country was arbitrary and not scientifically based…

“There was no convincing evidence that masks effectively protected Americans from coronavirus…

“Extended lockdowns caused enormous damage not only to the US economy, but also to the mental and physical health of Americans, especially younger citizens…

“Health officials have often spread misinformation through conflicting messages, knee-jerk reactions and a lack of transparency…

“Contrary to what was promised, the vaccine did not stop the spread or transmission of the virus…The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rushed approval of the Covid-19 vaccine to meet the timeline arbitrarily set by the Biden administration. Two top FDA scientists warned their colleagues about the dangers… as well as the likelihood of side effects. However, they were ignored and a few days later the Biden administration ordered the vaccine.

“…vaccination requirements… have done more harm than good. The Biden administration has coerced healthy Americans into complying with Covid-19 vaccination mandates that trampled on individual freedom, hampered military readiness and disregarded medical freedom in order to force a new vaccine on millions of Americans – without enough evidence for their political decisions.

“The government is failing to assess vaccine claims in an efficient, fair and transparent manner…”

To be fair, both the Trump and the Biden administrations are guilty of having severely violated individual freedoms of American citizens by spreading false information and irresponsible political propaganda, inspired by the likes of Dr. Fauci and Big Pharma. 

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.

In the first part of this two-part series, we looked at some of the superstitions that are commonplace in society today.   Let us continue in reviewing this practice.

We read the following at gotquestions.org: “There are many types of superstitions in the world, ranging from the benign—such as not walking under a ladder—to the occult practices of astrology, black magic, divination, voodoo and sorcery. Scripture condemns those who practice astrology (Deuteronomy 4:19), magic, divination and sorcery (2 Kings 21:6; Isaiah 2:6). Idolatry is also forbidden, and no one who practices it will enter the Kingdom of God (Revelation 21:27). These types of practices are extremely dangerous because they open the minds of the practitioners to the influence of the devil.”

On the bible-dictionary.info, we read about superstition:

“An irrational belief or fear that an object or other factor has the power to affect a person’s life with some action bringing bad luck or occasionally good luck. There is no Christian, rational or scientific basis for such behaviour as putting confidence in a lucky charm or doing something to gain protection from misfortune or to bring good luck. God causes or allows everything in keeping with His divine plan (Isaiah 46:9-11; Acts 4:26-28; Ephesians 1:9, 10). 

“Any unbiblical, irrational fear or ritual falls into the realm of superstition with some things what is often termed just a coincidence (1 Samuel 5:4,5; 1 Kings 20:23; Acts 28:3-6).

“However, the Bible says that God’s purposes will prevail and that He is in control of even the most random event (Proverbs 19:21).

“Superstitions range from not walking under a ladder, through astrology, black magic and divination, to voodoo and sorcery. These types of practices are forbidden in Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10-12;  2 Kings 21:6; Isaiah 2:6). The Bible warns against being taken captive by deceptive philosophies, which are based on human traditions, rather than on Christ; instead we should be alert to the enemies’ tactics as these practices open the mind of the practitioners to the influence of evil (Colossians 2:8-10; 1 Timothy 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8). We are not to give credence or pay attention to superstitions; instead God’s laws, plans and help should be our focus.”

Let us review those Scriptures mentioned above:

Deuteronomy 18:10-12: “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, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.  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.”

The Benson Commentary observes as follows (we quote just a few comments from many that are made):

“That maketh his son or daughter pass through the fire — By a superstitious dedicating, or a cruel sacrificing of them, see on Leviticus 18:2.  That useth divination — Of which there were many sorts, as is implied in the original expressions here: קסם קסמים, kosem kesamim, divining divinations, or with divinations. The meaning undoubtedly is, That seeketh to know or foretel things secret, or to come, by unlawful arts and practices. An observer of times — Superstitiously pronouncing some days lucky and others unlucky: or, an observer of the clouds, or heavens; 

“An enchanter — Or a conjecturer, that endeavours, or pretends, to discover hidden things by a superstitious use of words or ceremonies, by observation of water or smoke, or tiny contingencies.”

2 Kings 21:6: “Also he made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.”

Pretty much the same condemnation as in the previous observations on Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

Isaiah 2:6: “For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Jacob, Because they are filled with eastern ways; They are soothsayers like the Philistines, And they are pleased with the children of foreigners.”

The ways that God taught them were being cast aside for pagan gods.

In 1 Timothy 4:7 we read: “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.”

Here is an instruction to reject old wives’ fables – the word fable was “muthos”, from which the English words “myth” and “mythology” originate.   Young’s Analytical Concordance of the Bible also describes it as talk, tale or legend.

And 1 Peter 5:8 tells us where all of the wrong words and action emanate from: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

We read on the byjus.com website: “Superstitions are a universal phenomena having their own peculiar place in the cultural ethos and milieu of a people. They epitomize man’s fear of the unknown, fear of evil, blind faith in omens and portents. Superstitions are interwoven with myth, legend, unnatural phenomena and disaster, customs and traditions, and are mainly the outcome of ignorance. They are unreasonable and irrational beliefs that gradually become matters of faith. When certain things and happenings are rationally inexplicable people tend to assign mysterious and supernatural reasons for their operation. Thus a natural disaster is explained in terms of God’s wrath and the failure of one’s project is assigned to the black cat which crossed the path just as one set out on the errand.”

There are many references in the Word of God which clearly condemn the occult, magic, sorcery, witchcraft, astrology and idolatry from where much of superstitious ways emanate from.  It could be said that some of these actions are harmless like for example, crossing fingers, touching wood and throwing salt over your shoulder.   However, they are not harmless in God’s eyes, and a mindset can develop that can regularly involve such actions that progress on to matters of a more sinister nature and can be part of a way of life.

God has given us many warnings against superstition, idolatry, divination, (the art or act of foretelling future events or revealing occult knowledge by means of augury or an alleged supernatural agency), astrology, consulting horoscopes, witchcraft and sorcery (use of supernatural power over others through the assistance of spirits; witchcraft.).  

There are psychics and mediums today who flourish and thrive at the expense of those who are drawn into their web of deceit.   These are not the signs of a sound mind.

Let us look at a few Scriptures to show how important it is to have a sound mind.

In Isaiah 26:3, we read the following:  “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”   Trusting in God is clear evidence of a right mind which is hugely beneficial in the here and now and essential for life in the eternal Kingdom of God.

Romans 12:1-2 reads:  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary observes: “He (Paul) entreated the Romans, as his brethren in Christ, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. This is a powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy (Spirit) first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God.”

As the people of God, we have to come out of this world and its ways, and replace them with getting, and staying close to God, and His ways.   Anything less will simply not do.

Reviewing 1 Corinthians 2:16 is instructive.  “For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”  

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers puts it well: 

“‘For’—This is the proof that the enlightened spiritual man cannot be judged by any one who is not thus enlightened. ‘Who (thus uninstructed) can know the mind of the Lord Jesus, that he may instruct Him?’; But we.—That is, spiritual men, including the Apostles. The Apostle here identifies Christ with the Spirit, whom he has previously spoken of as the Teacher of spiritual things. He does not mean to assert that the Apostles knew all that the mind of Christ knew, but that all things which they did know were from Him and spiritual (John 15:15).”

Philippians 4:6-7 states: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

connectusfund.org comments: “God’s peace is not like the peace of the world. The world’s peace is based on the world’s thinking, which is the thinking of Satan. The world’s peace is circumstantial and depends on comparisons. The world’s peace is fleeting. Here one moment, gone the next. One of Satan’s tricks towards man is to whisper foreboding forecasts and to lie about the meaning of the present situation in order to get you to forget the truth that you know and believe. God’s peace, when it comes, overshadows and drives away the anxiety of the world.” 

Further instruction is given in Colossians 3:2: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”   We can become too involved in earthly matters that our spiritual life, and future, can be relegated in our list of priorities until we realise that that is not the Way of God.

Finally, let us look at 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”   

This verse promises us that if we are led by the Holy Spirit which we receive at proper baptism and the laying on of hands, we can have a spiritually sound mind.  We read in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit is vitally important because by it we can be guided into the Truth of God.   That is where our emphasis must be, not on any superstition which has no value at all, but on the Truth that God has revealed to us and which will lead us along the right path towards being in the Kingdom of God when Jesus Christ returns to this earth.

Superstition in all its many forms can sidetrack us, to divert from a main issue or course, which is our calling from God.   A review of whether we have fallen prey to superstition in one way or another, however small that may be, could be worthy of our time.  If we have, without realising it, then corrective action can be taken.   Something as simple as crossing our fingers or knocking on wood might seem, at first glance, a minor matter but they remove what should be our total reliance on our great Creator God.

Please also see our four-part series, entitled “How do you view paganism today, and exactly what is it?”, and our Q&A, titled, “How can Satan and his demons appear to you?”

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

compiled by Dave Harris

“Syria’s Terrible Future,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

The civil war in Syria has never stopped. But most recent events stunned the world. What happened, why, and what is Syria’s future? Many celebrate most current developments, but their celebration might be terribly premature.

“Syriens schreckliche Zukunft,” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This program covers the same topic as described above in English.

The memorial service for Margaret Adair will take place on Sunday, December 15, 2024. It will begin promptly at 12:45pm at Escondido Columbus Club Hall, 515 W. Valley Pkwy, Escondido CA 92025. Please contact Johanna.Link@cox.net if you want to attend.

“Die wahre Liebe,” last Sabbath’s first split-sermon in Germany was presented by Christoph Sperzel and is now posted. Title in English: “True Love.”

“Sei ein Tempel,” last Sabbath’s second split-sermon in Germany was presented by Thilo Hanstein and is now posted. Title in English: “Be a Temple.”

“Reading Right Over Things,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Brian Gale, is now posted. Here is the summary:

It is much more beneficial to our spiritual well-being if we read, think through, and understand the Scriptures we are reading which is obvious, but can be forgotten or neglected.   In addition, using a number of assorted Bible aids we will really profit from greater understanding and all the effort will be very worthwhile.

“Salvation of the World,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Did Christ come to save this world? Or are we talking about a completely different world? Didn’t Christ call us out of this evil world? Is this world being judged today? And if not, when will this be the case? Could this be related to the resurrections? And why does the Bible speak of the resurrection of the just and of the unjust, as well as the resurrection to everlasting life, to judgment and to everlasting contempt or condemnation?