On December 15, 2018, Eric Rank will present the sermonette, titled, “Endless Encouragement” and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “Who are the Gentiles?”

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.

December 5, 2018, was declared a national day of mourning for the United States of America, because former President George H. W. Bush had died the previous day. Many governmental agencies were shut down in response to this day of mourning for a past president.

When I heard about this, there were a couple of observations that ran through my mind. The first was that, while yes, banks were closed, the stock market was closed and post offices were closed, there didn’t seem to be an outpouring of sorrow. No one was of a sad countenance. Life kept going on. Most people went to their jobs and lived their lives.  Secondly, I wondered what it would be like if this day of mourning was actually in response to people’s realization that they have been living the wrong way of life and they were ready to turn to God.

In reading through the Bible, we find many stories about how people were living the wrong way of life and had issues and problems that came to a head. Then, they would call out and ask God for help and He would save them. Many times, the Israelites had to face serious problems and captivity in order to repent and return to God. The city of Nineveh, while not an Israelite city, was warned about the captivity and destruction that WOULD come upon them unless they repented. They did, and the city was spared at that time.

The problem is that very often, humans have to learn the hard way. God doesn’t desire people to die. In Ezekiel 18:21-32; 33:11-20, God keeps asking why people would not turn from sin and live. The whole reason God has given man about 6,000 years to try living his own way is to recognize how bad a job he has done. And indeed, we are coming up to the times when issues and problems are becoming more and more prevalent. We are destroying the earth we live on, and we are in the process of destroying all life. In fact, Christ warns in Matthew 24:21-22 that if God were not to cut short the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, no flesh would survive. We would wipe each other out. That’s how far man would take it. When we review the history of the past two world wars and the atrocities and the inhuman treatment, it is not hard to imagine that man would be willing to do much worse, especially under the inspiration of the god of this world, Satan the Devil.

As Christians, we also have the duty to sigh and cry about the atrocities that we see (Ezekiel 9:4), as well as continue our warning cry to the nations, as we are told to do by God (Ezekiel 33:1-10). Unfortunately, many refuse to hear the warning. They claim to know God and yet their hearts are not in line with God’s ways (Ezekiel 33:30-33). The warning to mourn and to turn to God is plainly there. Will we be the ones who are willing to do so? Or will we have to go through the Great Tribulation?

Our choice is of the utmost importance at this moment in time. James 4:8-10 tells us: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Yes, we should be weeping. We should be, individually and collectively, appalled, disgusted, shocked and grieved in the depths of our hearts over our sins, just as the people were in Acts 2:37: “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart…”

We are not only addressing the prideful, lying, stealing, and lusting sins but also sins of the tongue, sins of anxiousness, sins of bitterness, sins of partiality, sins of complacency, sins of jealousy, sins of impatience, sins of arrogance, sins of hate, sins of backbiting and sins of cowardliness, and the list could go on and on. We should grieve over all of them because every sin separates us from God.

The time for mourning and returning to God is NOW! In Matthew 5, the beatitudes show that the actions of those who want to be known by God are in line with turning to Him. They are doing what is required of them. One of these actions is mourning, while being mindful of sin in our lives and actively turning from it. True Godly sorrow and repentance produce the change that is needed. 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 says: “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”

Again, the choice is ours. What will our choice be?

We begin with the election of Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer as the new leader of Germany’s biggest but strongly divided party, the CDU, thereby replacing Angela Merkel who will remain German Chancellor for the time being.

We continue with the ongoing Brexit chaos and the postponement of a vote in the British Parliament to approve Theresa May’s Brexit deal with the EU, which was almost certain to fail; as well as further unsuccessful attempts by May to re-negotiate her deal with the EU and her survival of a No-Confidence vote, within her own party, by a slim margin.

We speak on the willful ignorance of many in light of a coming World War; increasing arms sales and the power of the euro; the violent demonstrations in Paris over tax and other issues; a terrorist attack in France; and the collapse of the Belgium government over immigration issues. We also point out ongoing frictions between the EU and the USA.

In this context, please view our new StandingWatch program, “USA and EU on Collision Course.” 

We address further controversial developments regarding Donald Trump and strong criticism from unsuspected sources; and we address anti-Semitism in Europe; the dead Israeli-Palestinian “peace” treaty; and the ongoing desire and preparation to build a Third Temple in Jerusalem.

We conclude with Josef Stalin’s belief that Adolf Hitler survived World War II; radioactive wolves in Chernobyl; ridiculous reactions of a school principal and parents to a teacher telling students the truth about the fairy tale of Santa Claus; as well as the desire of many Jews to keep Christmas.

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

Kramp-Karrenbauer Succeeds Merkel as CDU Chair

Handelsblatt Global wrote on December 7:

“Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer…, former state premier of Saarland, won the historic race to succeed Angela Merkel as leader of the Christian Democratic Union… with a majority of 51.75 percent in the second round of voting, beating Friedrich Merz…

“[Chancellor Angela Merkel] decided to give up the party’s leadership after the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, suffered painful electoral losses in two German states. Her withdrawal, following the rise of the Alternative for Germany, an anti-immigrant party, marked a decline of her political powers…

“Kramp-Karrenbauer is now the person most likely to become the next chancellor of Europe’s largest economy when Merkel resigns in 2021 – or earlier if she is forced out of office by internal political strife or should her coalition with the Social Democrats collapse. Kramp-Karrenbauer… could set different accents than Merkel in dealing with Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, immigration and indebted euro-zone countries…

“The new party leader… is expected to broadly continue the chancellor’s policies and style, although she has been tougher on immigration than Merkel. AKK, for instance, proposed expelling refugees from the EU if they sexually harass women and wants to confine immigrants in closed centers if their asylum application has been rejected…”

The Washington Post wrote on December 7:

“Kramp-Karrenbauer won Friday’s vote in the second round of balloting, eking out a bare majority in a closely divided party… Germany is likely — though not certain — to have a second female chancellor.”

Newsmax wrote on December 7:

“Sometimes dubbed ‘mini Merkel,’ Kramp-Karrenbauer… told Reuters last week that Europe and the United States should consider blockading Russian ships over the Ukraine crisis… Last month, Kramp-Karrenbauer told a business conference: ‘With every wish to take Europe forward with a German-French nucleus, the proposals must always fit with German interests.’”

The Guardian wrote on December 7:

“Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer [is] a staunchly Catholic conservative career politician… [The 56-year-old lawyer is] a self-professed strict Catholic… While she generally supported Merkel’s open-door policy towards migrants, she has admitted that grave mistakes have been made…

“[She] has spoken out in favour of a ban on doctors who carry out abortions being able to advertise their services… and is also openly sceptical about the ‘marriage for all’ law campaigned for by her opponent, Jens Spahn, who is married to his male partner.”

BBC wrote on December 7:

“AKK… lives in her hometown of Püttlingen with her husband of 34 years, Helmut Karrenbauer, who quit his job as a mining engineer to take care of their [by now grown] three sons while she pursued her political career… While she supported Ms Merkel’s refugee policy and has a liberal position on women’s rights and a minimum wage, she has also expressed more conservative views.

“As a practising Catholic… she has expressed concerns about giving same-sex couples full adoption rights. She is also in favour of reinstating year-long military or social service and has questioned the right of ethnic Turks to hold dual German and Turkish citizenship. Turks are Germany’s largest immigrant community.”

After the victory, AKK was busy trying to solidify her deeply divided party. Based on her nomination, one of her critics, conservative 33-year-old Paul Ziemiak was elected as General Secretary, who will be taking care of the day-to-day affairs of the party. However, he only got 62.8 % of the votes. AKK had the post before becoming new chairman of the party. She had been nominated by Merkel and had received a record of 98.9% of the votes.

The party also elected a new Board. Ursula von der Leyen (Defense Minister) became one of the five Vice-Chairmen with only 57.5% of the votes. One of AKK’s two challengers, Jens Spahn, was elected as Chairman of the CDU Presidency (“Präsidium”) with 89.1 % of the votes. At this point, it is unclear in what way, or if at all, AKK’s other challenger, Friedrich Merz, will continue in a leading function within the CDU.

AKK’s First Mistake?

The Associated Press wrote on December 8:

“[New General Secretary Paul] Ziemiak is further to the right than Kramp-Karrenbauer, is considered a friend of Spahn and comes from the same region as Merz… Setting out her pitch on Friday, [Kramp-Karrenbauer] called for ‘a strong Europe that completes Schengen,’ Europe’s border-free travel area, and advocated for a European army… Kramp-Karrenbauer is promising to give her party the first say in discussing policies, rather than digesting decisions already made by the government. It’s unclear how much friction that could cause with Merkel.”

Bild Online wrote on December 9:

“If the CDU remains as unpopular as it is today, then the chapter AKK could soon be history. AKK’s first mistake was to nominate Ziemiak as General Secretary. He almost was not voted in… The idea backfired to unify the party by nominating Ziemiak … Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder labeled the election of Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer ‘a mistake.’ He would have liked to see businessman Friedrich Merz as leader of the CDU.”

AKK Guilty of Collusion?

Politico wrote on December 9:

“After capturing the leadership of Germany’s Christian Democrats on Friday, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer declared the party could not remain a house divided. Within hours, she stood accused of turning the party into a House of Cards.

“Supporters of Friedrich Merz, the conservative corporate lawyer Kramp-Karrenbauer edged out for the CDU chairmanship in the Friday vote, accused her of cutting a secret deal with the leader of the party’s youth wing, Paul Ziemiak, promising him a top party position in exchange for the votes she needed to win the run-off. Though Kramp-Karrenbauer denied the suggestions of collusion, the suspicions persisted in the Merz camp, frustrating the new leader’s efforts to project harmony as the CDU’s two-day congress drew to a close.

“Some disgruntled conservatives on Saturday even threatened to form their own party… A breakaway from the party ‘is not something one should wish for, but it also can’t be ruled out,’ Alexander Mitsch, the leader of a CDU faction known as the Werte Union, or Values Union, told Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung, a regional newspaper…

“Whether there was a deal or not, Ziemiak would make sense for the position… he’s a young conservative face in a party dominated by men over 70. And as the son of Polish refugees who fled Poland when he was just three, Ziemiak injects more diversity into the party’s leadership. ‘I want to have someone at my side who sends a signal that a new generation is engaged,’ Kramp-Karrenbauer told convention delegates on Saturday. But many didn’t buy it and quietly accused Ziemiak of sacrificing their cause for his own career ambitions…”

Brexit Chaos… Now What?

Before Theresa May postponed the vote of Parliament on Tuesday (see articles below), strong statements regarding the Brexit deal were made on both sides… all of which could now be in question.

The Guardian wrote on December 8:

“On signing an agreement with the British prime minister last month, Juncker described the draft withdrawal treaty and accompanying political declaration on the future relationship as ‘the deal – the only deal possible’. May has also said there is no scope for any further negotiation in Brussels if her deal is rejected when it comes to a vote in the Commons on Tuesday, and that the consequence of it being rejected would be ‘no deal or no Brexit’. The chancellor, Philip Hammond, described those who believed there could be a renegotiation as ‘delusional’…

“There is a reluctance [of EU members] to open up the political declaration on the future relationship, given the difficulties the EU had in finding agreement on the terms set out in the 26-page document. The November Brexit summit was just hours from being cancelled after Spain insisted on assurances about the fate of Gibraltar at the last minute. Further talks on that document could see it unravel as the EU’s member states seek to pursue their own interests.

“There is also almost a consensus in Brussels that the withdrawal agreement, containing the most contentious part of the deal, the so-called backstop for avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland through keeping the UK in a customs union indefinitely, cannot be touched.”

Theresa May Admits Humiliating Defeat—Brexit Vote Postponed after Broken Promises

The Guardian wrote on December 10:

“Theresa May has postponed the final vote on her Brexit deal after a last-minute conference call with cabinet ministers, a clear admission by the prime minister that she does not believe she can get the unpopular EU withdrawal agreement through the Commons. The drastic move, as May faced defeat by up to 100 of her own MPs, is a humiliation for the prime minister, whose aides and cabinet ministers had emphatically denied there was any prospect of pulling the vote, even as late as Monday morning. Advisers, ministers and loyalist MPs had been urging May to delay Tuesday’s vote in order to seek new assurances from Brussels and avoid the chaos of a parliamentary defeat.

“… The vote could take place next week or even be delayed until early January, although this would allow less time for the ensuing Brexit legislation to be passed through parliament before 29 March. The ultimate deadline for the vote is 21 January. News of the delay caused the pound to tumble to its lowest level in 18 months.”

The Independent wrote on December 10:

“David Cheetham, chief market analyst at XTB Online Trading, said… ‘The negative reaction in the markets is more likely due to what it means for her position rather than the failure to win the vote… as it now seems increasingly likely that a long-touted leadership challenge will ensue… The frontrunners to replace May as PM such as Boris and Rees-Mogg are much more likely to push for a hard Brexit and this would no doubt be negative for the pound…’”

Express wrote on December 10:

“Time is running out for Mrs May… after the European Court of Justice ruled the UK could unilaterally revoke Article 50 to halt Brexit – without agreement from any other EU member state… But Mrs May’s spokeswoman said the ECJ ruling did not change the government’s ‘firm’ policy on Article 50… The future of Brexit remains deeply uncertain…”

Deutsche Welle added on December 10:

“May said… that the so-called backstop for keeping an open border between Northern Ireland, a British territory, and the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state, needed to be resolved… There were also reports that May… would go back to Brussels to secure ‘legally-binding assurance’ the UK would not be trapped in the Irish backstop element of the deal indefinitely. The provision… would keep Britain under EU customs rules until superseded by new trade arrangements.”

Newsmax wrote on December 10:

“With her position at home in open jeopardy… [the] vote postponement marks what many lawmakers cast as the collapse of May’s two-year attempt to forge a compromise under which the United Kingdom would exit the EU while staying largely within its economic orbit…

“May indicated she was seeking further assurances from the EU on the working of the backstop… May said that other EU leaders were open to a discussion about the backstop, though Germany’s foreign minister said he could not see what could be changed in the 585-page deal…

“May said the result of the 2016 referendum, in which… 52 percent… backed Brexit while… 48 percent… backed staying in the EU, should be honored. The United Kingdom will leave as planned on March 29, she said.”

Brexit will happen… in one way or another.

UK PM Theresa May Ends Tour without EU Brexit Concessions

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 11:

“British Prime Minister Theresa May met with four EU leaders… to seek ‘reassurances’ on a draft Brexit deal…

“German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other European Union leaders told British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday that there would be no changes to the draft Brexit deal. The British prime minister went into a whistle-stop tour of the Netherlands, Germany and Brussels seeking ‘reassurances’ that the deal’s ‘backstop’ for keeping an open border in Ireland was temporary. But Merkel, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, EU Council President Donald Tusk and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told May in separate meetings that while they were open to semantic clarifications, they would not renegotiate any aspect of the deal.”

The EUObserver added on December 12:

“The EU is not preparing a legal document on the backstop, as requested by British prime minister Theresa May… EU diplomats… said that there has been not enough time, and it was unnecessary, to come up with a legally-binding text that could clarify positions on the so-called backstop on the Irish border…”

Theresa May Stumbles Through No-Confidence Vote

The Sun wrote on December 12:

“Theresa May will limp on in Number 10 after winning the confidence vote despite a THIRD of her own MPs wanting to sack her. The PM won the support of 200 Tory MPs, enough to stay in post, but with 117 MPs calling for her to go her time in charge seems to be running out… Less than two-thirds of MPs – 63 per cent – voted to keep Mrs May in power, fewer than expected by many observers. The uncomfortably close result suggests it will be extremely tricky for her to get any Brexit deal signed off.

“… she may end up quitting despite her win, if she concludes the margin of victory is embarrassingly slim. The fact that 117 MPs defied her could be a signal that she has lost her authority and has no chance of pushing a Brexit deal through the Commons… In 1990, Margaret Thatcher won a narrow majority of MPs on a leadership ballot but resigned shortly afterwards.”

Deal NOT Open to EU Negotiations

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 13:

“Embattled UK Prime Minister Theresa May… has been roundly criticized on both sides of the English Channel for postponing a vote on her plan in parliament on Tuesday in the face of certain defeat. She is now hoping to convince European politicians to make changes to the current rules on Brexit… the prospect of May getting what she wants seems very unlikely.

“French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking Thursday morning, was quick to point out that the ball was in May’s court. ‘We can have a political discussion tonight but the legal framework and the agreement that were negotiated are not supposed to change,’ the French leader said… ‘We cannot reopen the legal agreement, we can’t renegotiate what was negotiated for several months…’

“Any changes will likely be cosmetic in nature and fail to affect the substance of the legally binding, 585-page withdrawal agreement, despite May’s avowed aim of attaining ‘legal and political assurances’ that will satisfy her critics at home…

“Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte… said, ‘Today is about de-mystifying this whole Northern Ireland backstop. Nobody in the EU wants to use it. But we need to have it…’ Rutte’s sentiments were echoed by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, ‘There is no way we are opening the agreement but we can try to agree on a clarification.’”

Express wrote on December 13:

“Theresa May was dealt a blow by European Union leaders as they refused to offer Britain ‘any further assurances’ that the backstop will not be triggered. EU bosses pulled original plans to ‘further examine’ potential guarantees that they could offer the Prime Minister in order to help her controversial Brexit deal through the House of Commons. Mrs May pleaded with her European counterparts to work with her to find a way to ease the concerns of rebellious MPs who believe Brussels could use the Irish backstop to permanently lock Britain into a customs union…

“But her efforts fell on deaf ears… In post-summit conclusions, the EU removed plans to ‘stand ready to examine whether any further assurance can be provided’… European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker made clear that there would be no further renegotiations…

“European Council President Donald Tusk said: ‘… After discussing the Prime Minister’s intervention among the 27 leaders… [the] Union stands by this agreement and intends to proceed with its ratification. It is not open for renegotiation.'”

UK Largest Arms Producer in Western Europe

The EUObserver wrote on December 10:

“Sales of arms and military services by the world’s 100 largest producers totalled €348bn in 2017, 2.5 percent up from 2016… Accounting for 57 percent of sales, US companies remained the world’s largest arms producers, followed by Russia with 9.5 percent. Western European companies accounted for 23.8 percent, with UK the region’s largest producer.”

Shameful for the USA and the UK.

Ignorance in Light of Looming War

The Independent wrote on December 12:

“The international security landscape is the most uncertain politically and strategically in living memory… where threats to ‘our nation are diversifying, proliferating and intensifying very rapidly’, the head of Britain’s military has warned. The ‘constant confrontation’ across the world is ‘reminiscent of the first decade of the 20th century’ of the great power competition that ended with the conflagration of the First World War, General Sir Nick Carter said in his annual lecture.

“He claimed that hostile states such as Russia and China – and Iran’s ‘flexing of muscle’ – challenged our security, stability and prosperity. But there were also the added dangers of terrorist groups such as Isis, and the ‘bellicose nature of populism and nationalism’ that seek to exploit mass migration, which many see as an existential threat to Europe…

“He pointed to a worrying lack of knowledge or interest among the public about how current geopolitical issues have evolved. ‘Of course, people don’t really study history any longer,’ he said, pointing to a recent survey of 2,000 people about the First World War. ‘Fifty per cent thought Winston Churchill was the prime minister at the time, and 10 per cent thought it was Margaret Thatcher; 20 per cent thought we were fighting the French; 6 per cent thought it was President Kennedy’s assassination that triggered the war. And when asked what the bloodiest battle of the war was, 16 per cent voted for Pearl Harbour, 8 per cent for Independence Day, 7 per cent for Hastings and 5 per cent for Helm’s Deep… who thought it was a battle in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.’”

The seed of this contemptable willful ignorance of historical events will reap a terrible harvest.

The Power of the Euro

The EU Reporter wrote on December 7:

“President Juncker highlighted the strategic importance of the euro and the need to ensure that the single currency can play its full role on the international scene…

“Euro and Social Dialogue Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said: ‘The euro is a young but successful currency. The time has come for the euro to develop further its global role. The euro should reflect the euro area’s political, economic and financial weight and support a balanced, rules-based international political and economic order…’

“Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete said: ‘The EU is the world’s largest energy importer with an average import bill of €300 billion, with an open and competitive internal market. Strengthening the international role of the euro in the field of energy investment and trade will help reduce the risk of supply disruptions and promote the autonomy of European businesses…’

“Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said: ‘A wider use of the euro in the global economy yields important potential for better protecting European citizens and companies against external shocks and making the international finance and monetary system more resilient… it is also an important project to underpin our European autonomy in a globalized world.’…

“The Commission also calls on member states to promote the wider use of the euro in strategic sectors. In spite of their position as large buyers as well as major producers, European businesses still trade in US dollar in key strategic markets, often even between themselves. This exposes businesses to currency risks and political risks, such as unilateral decisions that directly affect dollar denominated transactions…

“The euro is today the second most important international currency. Some 340 million European citizens use euro banknotes and coins every day across the eurozone’s 19 member states. Around 60 countries in the world use, will use or link their currency to the euro. It is a widely accepted currency for international payments, and a significant share of international reserves of foreign central banks and debt issuance on international markets are in euro.

“Public support for the euro has been consistently high in the EU, especially in the countries already using the euro. Europeans identify the euro as one of the main symbols of the European Union. It has brought visible and very practical benefits to European households, businesses and governments alike…”

While some of the statements above are written from an extreme pro-euro perspective and rather doubtful as to their accuracy, we have been saying time and again, even when many others disagreed with us: The Euro is here to stay.

Paris on Lockdown–Ongoing Violent Demonstrations in France

The Huffington Post and The Associated Press wrote on December 8:

“French riot police fired tear gas and water cannon in Paris on Saturday, trying to stop thousands of yellow-vested protesters from converging on the presidential palace to express their anger at high taxes and French President Emmanuel Macron. Security officials imposed a lockdown on parts of central Paris… Blue armored vehicles rumbled across cobblestone streets from the Arc de Triomphe across toward eastern Paris… A ring of steel surrounded the Elysee Palace itself, as police stationed trucks and reinforced steel barriers in streets throughout the entire neighborhood…

“Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas were locked down Saturday at the height of the holiday shopping season. The Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum were among the many tourist attractions that closed for the day… Subway stations in the center of town were shut down.

“The yellow vest movement… started as a protest against higher taxes for diesel and gas, but quickly expanded to encompass wide frustration at stagnant incomes, the rising cost of living and other grievances. Macron on Wednesday agreed to abandon the fuel tax hike… but that hasn’t defused the anger. After two weekends of violence in Paris that made the authorities look powerless, police went into overdrive Saturday to keep a lid on unrest. Police frisked people or searched bags throughout central Paris, and confiscated gas masks and protective goggles from AP journalists…

“Macron’s government had warned that the yellow vest protests had created a ‘monster’ and that Saturday’s protests would be hijacked by radicalized and rebellious crowds… National police estimated the number of protesters in Paris on Saturday at 8,000, among 31,000 protesters nationwide. They appeared to be outnumbered by police, with 8,000 officers deployed in the capital alone and 89,000 fanned out around the country.

“The yellow vests include people with views that range from the far right to the far left. The group has no leaders but is united in its feeling that Macron and his government are out of touch with the concerns of ordinary French families… Four people have been killed in accidents since the unrest began Nov. 17. Christmas markets, national soccer matches and countless other events have been canceled due to the protests.

“Protesters also blocked roads, roundabouts and tollbooths elsewhere in France. Offshoot movements have emerged elsewhere, and yellow-vest protests were held Saturday in Belgium and the Netherlands. U.S. President Donald Trump sought to fuel the anger in France, seizing the moment to criticize the Paris climate accord, which he is abandoning. ‘People do not want to pay large sums of money … in order to maybe protect the environment,’ he tweeted.”

Macron’s Concessions—Not Enough!

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 11:

“After listening to their president speak for 13 minutes, a sober reality started to spread among the many ‘yellow vest’ demonstrators protesting across France. ‘That’s not enough,’ they confidently announced…

“The government has now said it plans to raise the monthly minimum wage by €100 starting January 1. France’s current guaranteed net monthly minimum wage of €1,185 is already the highest in the OECD… It remains to be seen, however, if the increased payment, which will not benefit all minimum-wage workers, will be enough to mollify the angry yellow vests for long. First reactions to Macron’s plan do not suggest they will…

“Fears that the liberal-socialist president’s demise could open the floodgates for extremists has been long voiced by French publicists…”

Terrorist Attack in France

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 11:

“A gunman opened fire near a Christmas market in the French city of Strasbourg, killing at least four [subsequently changed to “three”] people and injuring 11 others… Several of those wounded have critical injuries… Officers were searching for the shooter, who was known to France’s internal security services as a suspected risk… French prosecutors said they had opened a terrorism probe into the shooting.

“The European Parliament was on lockdown, conservative MEP Siegfried Muresan said. Hundreds of MEPs and officials were in the building attending a plenary session when the shooting started… Police in the neighboring German state of Baden-Württemberg wrote on Twitter that they had reinforced border controls at the crossing into Strasbourg. Strasbourg’s Christmas market is a popular tourist destination, drawing millions of visitors every year.

“Multiple terrorist attacks have shaken France in recent years. Since 2015, more than 200 people have been killed in attacks inspired or commissioned by the Islamist terrorist group ‘Islamic State.’”

The Guardian wrote on December 13:

“French police have killed the suspected gunman who shot and stabbed people at Strasbourg’s Christmas market… He was well known to police as a criminal and had been convicted 27 times, mostly for theft and violence, in France, Germany and Switzerland… Witnesses said the man shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ as he shot into the crowds and slashed at passersby with a knife…

“According to the Reuters news agency, the Islamic State terrorist group claimed shortly after Chekatt was killed that he was one of its followers…”

Belgium Government Collapses over UN Immigration Pact

Breitbart wrote on December 10:

“The Belgian government has split apart after Prime Minister Charles Michel ignored the objections of his ruling coalition’s biggest party and insisted he would sign the UN migration pact. The Flemish nationalist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) party quit the government following crisis talks over the weekend, prompting Michel to announce he would travel to Marrakesh to sign the controversial compact representing a minority government.

“The patriotic party had previously produced a list of 30 objections to signing the so-called Global Compact on Safe and Orderly Migration including a lack of differentiation between illegal and legal flows, and questions over whether the agreement, which declares mass immigration to be ‘inevitable, desirable and necessary’, could have a chilling effect on objective journalism.

“Vice Prime Minister Alexander De Croo rebuffed the N-VA… asserting that ministers will continue to have ‘firm but humane’ migration policies because ‘no one in this government wants to pursue open [borders]’…”

The EUObserver wrote on December 11:

“The world’s first-ever global pact on how to deal with migration was adopted on Monday by 164 countries at a conference in Marrakesh, Morocco. Seven EU countries, Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Latvia and Slovakia did not sign the UN pact, while German chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed it, saying that it was high time the international community came to a more realistic understanding over global migration.”

Coming… Further Conflicts between EU and USA

Politico wrote on December 11:

“The EU is regulation-obsessed, ‘out of touch,’ and stalling trade negotiations with Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the EU said Monday. And Trump is going to put a stop to it,  the ambassador, Gordon Sondland, warned. ‘…we now have to recognize that the relationship and all of the goodwill that has been built up since the Marshall Plan doesn’t seem to count when it comes to getting a little consideration,’ Sondland said…

“Washington and Brussels have been engaged in high-stakes trade talks… Sondland’s remarks made clear that Washington is now fed up with what it views as egregious delaying tactics by Brussels… ‘There are a multitude of tools available to the president and to the U.S. trade representative beyond just tariffs on cars to make it more difficult for Europe to sell its products to America and I think all of those tools are on the table…,’ Sondland warned. Trump wants to ‘fundamentally fix the imbalance…’

“Sondland said that while he remains on good personal terms with EU officials, he finds the bloc to be utterly obstructionist… ‘we don’t ever beg. That’s not our style. But we do what we need to do in order to fix a problem. And if it can’t be done in a voluntary and cooperative fashion, it’ll have to be done in other ways’…

“Apart from trade, Sondland also criticized the EU for obstructing U.S. policy on numerous other fronts, including by ‘clinging’ to the Iran nuclear accord, which Trump has abandoned, and by some EU countries continuing to support the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany…

“The ambassador also accused EU members of NATO of resisting Trump’s push for increased military spending on the alliance, while being willing to raise spending on the EU’s own security and defense projects…

“Sondland also criticized the EU for taking a protectionist approach to military procurement, putting U.S. manufacturers at an unfair disadvantage… In the end, Sondland said, European leaders were failing to capitalize on the opportunity to work with Trump.”

Trump Not Cleared of Wrongdoing

The Independent wrote on December 7:

“Donald Trump has wrongly claimed that prosecutors have cleared him of wrongdoing in legal documents that accuse two of his former associates of repeatedly lying about Russia. In fact New York prosecutors alleged that Michael Cohen, the president’s former personal lawyer, had acted at his direction in organising hush money payments to two women who claimed they had had affairs with the billionaire…

“A day that began with the president launching an angry Twitter rant about special prosecutor Robert Mueller – a suggestion he knew bad news was coming – ended with prosecutors asking for ‘substantial’ jail time for Cohen, and saying Mr Trump’s one-time campaign manager Paul Manafort had lied not just about interactions with Russians, but over his continued contact with the White House six months after turning himself into the FBI.

“… the filing by prosecutors in relation to Cohen’s financial crimes claimed he had broken the law at the direction of Mr Trump. ‘With respect to both payments, Cohen acted with the intent to influence the 2016 presidential election. Cohen coordinated his actions with one or more members of the campaign, including through meetings and phone calls, about the fact, nature, and timing of the payments,’ said the filing. ‘In particular, and as Cohen himself has now admitted, with respect to both payments, he acted in coordination with and at the direction of Individual-1 [Mr Trump].’”

Newsmax and Bloomberg wrote on December 10:

“President Donald Trump further distanced himself from Michael Cohen, placing responsibility for any crimes stemming from hush money paid to women during the 2016 campaign on his former personal lawyer… Cohen pleaded guilty in New York in August, saying that ‘Individual-1’ (widely identified as Trump) schemed to silence two women about affairs with the Republican candidate before the 2016 election. Cohen acknowledged that such payments amounted to illegal campaign donations — and said he arranged for them at Trump’s behest.”

After Trump denied any knowledge of payments to women by Cohen, published audio recordings of a conversation between Trump and Cohen revealed that Trump asked Cohen to pay one of the women to stay quiet. Obviously, Cohen would not have paid the two women such substantial amounts of money out of his own pocket and without Trump’s knowledge or consent. The real issue is, however, whether this constituted an illegal act on Trump’s part. In any event, it should not cause Trump any legal worries as he will not be impeached and forced out of office. Rather, he has to fulfill his providential role. The next articles will not change this conclusion.

Trump Knew!

Newsmax wrote on December 13:

“President Donald Trump in August 2015 was in the room when former lawyer Michael Cohen and National Enquirer publisher David Pecker discussed ways Pecker’s outlet could help change the narrative concerning negative coverage of Trump’s relationships with women, American Media Inc., the parent company of the National Enquirer, admitted Thursday in a nonprosecution agreement with federal prosecutors. NBC News also said AMI admitted to helping facilitate a hush payment to one of the women who claimed she had an affair with Trump ahead of the election, former Playboy model Karen McDougal…

“The agreement does not detail the meeting, but the fact Trump was there squarely places the president, ‘in the middle of a conspiracy to commit campaign finance fraud,’ said NBC News analyst and former assistant U.S. attorney Daniel Goldman. Cohen on Wednesday was sentenced to three years in prison during a sentencing hearing in which he claimed he acted out of ‘blind loyalty’ to Trump. He had previously pled guilty to campaign finance violations and lying to Congress.”

Fox News Channel Host Tucker Carlson Rips Trump

MSNBC wrote on December 7:

“Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson set straight any misinformation concerning his views on President Trump: ‘I don’t think he’s capable,’ he said during an interview on Tuesday. Urs Gehriger, an editor at ‘Die Weltwoche,’ Switzerland’s leading German-language opinion weekly, noted that Carlson’s new book, ‘Ship of Fools,’ is silent on Trump but comments on his critics. And so, Gehriger jump-started the conversation by asking what Carlson thought of Trump’s first two years in office.

“Carlson said he cannot stand Trump’s self-aggrandizement and boasting. Then, when asked whether Trump has kept his promises, the usually quick-witted and long-winded Carlson had just one word: ‘No.’…

“Although it has a variety of voices, Fox News Channel has become the outlet often aligned with the current administration, at least in prime time. Hosts such as Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro have taken near-unequivocal positions in support of Trump… ‘His chief promises were that he would build the wall, defund Planned Parenthood and repeal Obamacare, and he hasn’t done any of those things,’ Carlson said, adding that those goals were probably lost causes.

“Trump, he said, doesn’t understand the system, and his own agencies don’t support him. ‘He knows very little about the legislative process, hasn’t learned anything, hasn’t surrounded himself with people that can get it done, hasn’t done all the things you need to do, so it’s mostly his fault that he hasn’t achieved those things,’ he added. ‘The elite in our country is physically separated in a way that’s very unhealthy for a democracy,’ he said. Rural America is ‘really falling apart,’ he said, adding that ‘if you’re running the country, you should have a sense of that.’

“Gehriger said Carlson sounded like a ‘renegade.’ ‘He was so tough’ on Trump, he told The Post. ‘He was nobody’s cheerleader. For a person who is so successful on Fox News, I didn’t expect him to be so outspoken.’”

Some moderators, critical of Trump, have left Fox News, including Megyn Kelly and Greta Van Susteren. Bill O’Reilly was also not totally supportive of Trump, but he was asked to leave for personal problems. And then there are other Fox News moderators working at Fox News who don’t hide their criticism, including Shepard Smith and Neil Cavuto. But as the article points out, Sean Hannity and Judge Jeanine Pirro, as well as Laura Ingraham, belong to those who support Trump, for better or worse, virtually 100%.

Spielberg Warns of New Genocide

JTA wrote on December 6:

“Steven Spielberg, the Oscar-winning director of the Holocaust film ‘Schindler’s List,’ has a warning: The possibility of hate leading to genocide is as possible today as it was during the Holocaust.

“Spielberg in an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt specifically identified the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue building in Pittsburgh as a signal of the rise in hateful ideologies. ‘When collective hate organizes and gets industrialized, then genocide follows,’ Spielberg said… ‘We have to take it more seriously today than I think we have had to take it in a generation.’”

EU to Combat Anti-Semitism Following Sebastian Kurz’s Initiative

Jewish News Syndicate wrote on December 6:

“Several Jewish groups praised the Council of the European Union for its unanimous adoption of a statement on combating anti-Semitism across the continent. The measure, which was the first time the council’s 28-member states have passed a resolution countering anti-Semitism, calls on its member states to ‘to adopt and implement a holistic strategy to prevent and fight all forms of anti-Semitism.’

“It also expresses E.U. determination to ‘ensure a future for Jewish people to live with the same sense of security and freedom as all other citizens in the European Union,’ while urging E.U. member states that have not yet adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism to endorse it…

“The Jewish groups also praised Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who currently holds the E.U. presidency, for initiating the declaration. ‘We would like to thank Chancellor Kurz, with whom we have worked closely in the last few months, and all the European leaders and officials who assisted with this vital process… One of the most urgent calls for action in the declaration is to adopt the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism to assist law-enforcement agencies in their efforts to identify and investigate more efficiently anti-Semitic manifestations in all their forms.’”

Some observers are focusing on figures such as former German Defense Minister [Note for clarification: the following is his entire name] Karl-Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Franz Joseph Sylvester Buhl-Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg, or Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, as potential candidates for the biblically prophesied charismatic political and military leader, called the beast in the book of Revelation. Although we don’t know for sure, we would have to say that at this point, much speaks against this conclusion, including the fact that Kurz initiated an EU declaration against Anti-Semitism. We will discuss in a future Q&A the revealed characteristics of the person who is destined to manifest himself as the beast.

Israeli-Palestinian Peace Deal Dead on Arrival

JTA wrote on December 12:

“Jared Kushner, the presidential son-in-law and adviser, rarely speaks in public. No surprise, then, that a rare appearance on cable news TV was with a friendly network, Fox News, with a friendly interviewer, Sean Hannity.

“Kushner… said little about the Israeli-Palestinian peace deal he hopes to strike, but in reading between the lines, some nuggets emerge: The release of the proposal is not absolutely certain, and statehood for the Palestinians seems for now to be a nonstarter. But Kushner also recognizes that he can’t get much else done in the region without an Israeli-Palestinian deal…

“Pivoting to Middle East peace, Kushner said, ‘We’re focused now on the broader region, which is figuring out how to hopefully bring a deal together between the Israelis and the Palestinians.’ Kushner and his team… have focused for two years on a deal, so this isn’t exactly new…

“Trump may want this deal, but insiders say its prospects of success are virtually nil given the Palestinian Authority’s unwillingness to participate since Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital a year ago, and the continued preeminence of the rejectionist Hamas, a terrorist group, in the Gaza Strip. The Trump administration, reportedly at Kushner’s behest, has severed all assistance to the Palestinians as an incentive to get them back to the table. It hasn’t worked…

“Palestinians for decades have said that statehood was a baseline for any deal…”

There will be no meaningful deal between Israelis and Palestinians.

Building the Third Temple

Breaking Israel News wrote on December 5:

“The first Temple Jerusalem Convention took place at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center on Wednesday, aimed toward educating Christians about the relevance of the Jewish Temples to their belief. The focus is not only on the Biblical Temples but also on the future Third Temple written about in prophecies…

“Doron Keidar, one of the organizers and the executive director of Cry for Zion, has high hopes for the event. ‘This is like the first Zionist conference which brought people together to talk about their hopes and dreams for a Jewish state,” Keidar told Breaking Israel News. ‘That led to the establishment of the modern state of Israel. We are bringing people together to talk about the Temple Mount. It is pretty clear what can come from this.’

“Rabbi Tuly Weisz, head of Israel365, addressed the crowd, emphasizing that it was powerfully appropriate for such a gathering to be held during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah… ‘The focal point of the holiday is about the non-Jews preventing the Jews from connecting to the Torah and about the Greeks defiling the temple. It is entirely appropriate to join in with Christians who have come to Israel to honor the Temple, the Torah, and the Jewish people.’…

“The conference focused on a theory that is gaining popularity which claims that the Jewish Temples did not stand on the Temple Mount. According to the theory, both Temples were located further south in an area now recognized by archaeologists as the City of King David. This theory was most recently put forth in a series of books written by Bob Cornuke, a former police investigator with no training in archaeology. Cornuke has also proposed that the Ark of the Covenant was taken out of Solomon’s Temple and has been hidden away in a church in Ethiopia for hundreds of years.

“Several of the speakers addressed this theory. Harry Moskoff, the author of the A.R.K. report, discussed the archaeological proof of the Temples’ location as well as the lack of proof for the theory’s claims.”

Breaking Israel News added on December 11:

“On Monday, the Sanhedrin hosted the dedication of the altar for the Third Temple… Special vessels have also been prepared to be ready at a moment’s notice should the need arise to jumpstart the Temple service. The menorah… is constructed of wood. Though not ideal, it is kosher for use in the Temple and can be carried by one person. The laver is also kosher though it is significantly different than the Sea of Solomon that was used in the Temple to wash the hands and feet of the priests.

“Mario Adolofo Bucaro Flores, the Ambassador of Guatemala was a guest of honor at the ceremony. Also present [was] the Ambassador of Honduras…”

Stalin Believed Hitler Escaped from Germany

Express wrote on December 7:

“Following the end of the war, the US government seriously investigated the possibility the Nazi leader made it out of Germany alive. Declassified FBI files show agents visited South America, after claims the Fuehrer had made it to Argentina in a submarine. The German vessels, described as ‘black boats’, were believed to have transported a number of Nazi officials across the North Atlantic.

“Following the alleged sightings, the possibility that Hitler did not kill himself caused paranoia among many world leaders, who seriously considered the idea. According to official reports, Hitler shot himself on April 30, 1945, as the Red Army closed in on his bunker. However, three months later US president Harry Truman raised his concerns, it was revealed in Amazon Prime’s 2015 ‘Adolf Hitler: Great Escape’ documentary. He asked Joseph Stalin outright whether or not Hitler was dead. The Soviet leader replied with a chilling one word answer: ‘No.’ Later that year, Soviet officer Marshall Gregory Zhukov, whose troops were the ones to occupy Berlin also backed the idea Hitler escaped…

“However, despite the alleged sighting recorded by the CIA and FBI, French-led investigations suggest the Fuhrer did indeed die in his bunker. Using remains of a jaw bone that had been hidden by the Russian secret service since 1945 suggests Hitler did kill himself. In a 2017 paper published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine, researchers suggest SS officers were ordered to burn the body before Soviet troops discovered the charred remains.”

There is no doubt that some Nazi leaders escaped from Germany and settled in South American countries. The fear was at the time that Hitler had also escaped and that he would build a new Nazi army in South America and then return to Germany as a conqueror (as Napoleon did when he escaped from Elba and returned to France, regaining the French crown). But even IF Hitler had escaped Germany in 1945, he would be dead by now.

Wolves Living in Chernobyl’s Radioactive Forbidden Zone May Be Spreading Mutant Genes Across Europe

The Sun wrote on December 7:

“The European grey wolf population has boomed at the site since the human population moved out and it became a virtual wildlife preserve… some of the wolves – potentially affected by damaging radiation – have been crossing Ukraine’s borders into Russia and Belarus… The site became off limits to humans after the nuclear power plant disaster on 26 April 1986, due to concerns about the high levels of radiation. Explosions destroyed a reactor at the plant releasing about 400 times more radioactive fallout than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Particles were spread thousands of miles across Europe, dozens of residents were killed and many more exposed to the deadly radiation.

“It now seems that the lack of human interference at the disaster site has allowed the wolves to thrive in the 1,000 sq mile exclusion zone. They began to take over the eerie site in 2016 and the pack’s population is now thought to be seven-times larger than usual… Studies of other animals -mostly smaller ones like birds, rodents, and insects -show that Chernobyl radiation can cause mutations and ill health. And work done in creatures such as barn swallows and voles suggests these mutations may be transferred to the next generation. These also had the potential to spread radioactive contaminants…

“The Chernobyl exclusion zone is also home to other species including moose, horses, bison, boars and red badgers. Last year… radioactive boars were running wild in the Czech Republic after eating mushrooms contaminated after the Chernobyl disaster.”

Teacher Condemned for Telling the Truth about the Santa Claus Fairy Tale!

News 12 New Jersey wrote on November 30:

“A Morris County school district is apologizing for a substitute teacher who told first-grade students that Santa Claus isn’t real… At least one parent told News 12 New Jersey that her 6-year-old daughter… was extremely upset by the ordeal. ‘I was heartbroken. You know, my daughter is the hugest believer in the whole Christmas spirit – Santa, giving,’ says [the mother, and] she assured her daughter that, yes, there is a Santa Claus.

“The Cedar Hill School principal says he has spoken with the teacher about her ‘poor judgment.’”

If the conduct by the PRINCIPAL and the PARENT wasn’t bad enough for apologizing for a teacher telling the TRUTH, the comments received to the article, condemning the TEACHER, show an unbelievable degree of flagrant acceptance of and the PROMOTION of spreading LIES. Here are some samples:

 “What an [sic] jerk and probably a [sic] emotional abusing person… Such a teacher should not be allowed to come into contact with kids… How very sad that… someone would rob young children of the chance to have something positive for a change… Young children… are looking foward [sic] to some wonderful volunteer elves on Santa’s employ to make a better Christmas than would otherwise be possible. Shame on the teacher that would rob little children of an importand [sic] part of their childhood!!”

Ashdod’s Christmas Tree

JTA wrote on December 11:

“An Ashdod mall put up a Christmas tree for the first time, and that’s not sitting too well with the northern Israeli city’s haredi Orthodox deputy mayor… He called on the Big Fashion Mall to remove the ‘disgrace.’

“The mall had responded to previous criticism by erecting a giant menorah next to the trimmed tree on Monday, even though Hanukkah was ending… The company told Haaretz that the Christmas decorations are an attempt to bring a ‘European atmosphere.’

“A large population of immigrants from the former Soviet Union live in Ashdod, a port city about a half-hour’s drive from Tel Aviv, and many are believed to celebrate Christmas.”

So, many Jews celebrate Christmas? This does not seem to make any sense, but it does, as the distinctions between Christmas and the way Hanukkah is being celebrated these days by most Jews, have become very blurry.

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 this installment, we will address the end-time manifestation of a powerful religious leader and the tragedy that in light of religious persecution and other reasons, true Christians will fall away from the Truth and return to the world. The prophesied “falling away” from the Truth is to occur, in its fullest and most grievous extent, just prior to and during the Great Tribulation. We will know that Christ’s return is eminent when these and other events happen at approximately the same time.

True Church members will fall away from the Truth because they did not receive the love of the Truth and did not believe the Truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12). Because of lawlessness, the love within them will grow cold (Matthew 24:12; “love” in Greek is agape, describing the love of God which only true Christians have; compare Romans 5:5). The New International Version says: “They refused to love the truth.”

As a consequence, they will become an easy target for Satan’s ministers (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) who will deceive them through their lying signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 11; Matthew 24:11, 24).

The end-time falling away from the Truth refers to converted Christians. It will reach its climax at the approximate time when the man of sin manifests himself just prior to and during the Great Tribulation, claiming to be God and sitting in the Temple of God. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Paul writes: “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day [of Christ’s return] 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 worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

This “man of sin,” who is also called “the lawless one” in verses 8 and 9, does not only claim to speak with godly authority; he will say that he is God himself (maybe the Messiah). He is identified in the book of Revelation as “the false prophet” (compare, for example, Revelation 16:13; 19:20; see, too, Revelation 13:13-14). He is also identified as the future prince of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:2-5) as well as the end-time representative of the “little horn” in Daniel 7:25 and of the “harlot” in Revelation 17, who rules from a city built on seven “hills” (Revelation 7:9; New English Bible; Revised English Bible; New International Version; New American Bible; Moffat Translation of the Bible; New Jerusalem Bible and Living Bible. Compare also Revelation 17:18).

This religious figure will deceive people through “great signs” (Revelation 13:13; 19:20). We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 that the coming of the lawless one is “according to the working of Satan, with all power, SIGNS and lying wonders.” This false prophet will receive his powers to perform great signs from Satan and his demons (compare Revelation 16:13-14).

Some believe that the man of sin is a reference to the end-time “beast”—a political military leader. This is not the case.

James Hastings, Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, under “Antichrist”, says correctly that the “man of sin” in 2 Thessalonians refers to “a false Messiah, a prophet… the opponent of the true Messiah.”

We also read that the returning Christ will consume the man of sin “with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming” (2 Thessalonians 2:8). Therefore, this man of sin will exist at the time of Christ’s return. He will proclaim himself to be God, sitting in the temple of God. It is highly unlikely that Paul was talking about the Church as the spiritual temple of God in this context. There is no biblical evidence that the false prophet will be sitting in God’s true Church—the pillar and ground or foundation of the Truth (1 Timothy 3:15)—which continues to teach and practice the Truth. (We will discuss later that a physical temple will be built in Jerusalem just prior to Christ’s return.)

Some have proposed that the coming end-time falling away refers to traditional Christianity, which will exert a more powerful influence on the world. Even though false Christianity will become more powerful in these last days, Paul’s warning of a future “falling away” refers to true Christians.

The context of these verses addresses a falling away (apostasia in Greek) from the Truth. The apostle Paul is addressing “brethren” (verse 1) about an apostasy especially at the end time, just prior to Christ’s return, when the man of sin is revealed.

An apostasy from the true gospel already began during the lifetime of Paul, when he stated that he marveled that so many in the Church of God had turned to another gospel (Galatians 1:6-7; compare also 2 Corinthians 11:4, saying that they had accepted another Jesus and another spirit).

Even though numerous false doctrines were infiltrating the early church, including “Judaism” with demands of physical circumcision and the observance of superseded ritual laws of the Old Testament, we can safely say that an important personality, the Samaritan sorcerer Simon Magus, had tremendous influence on the introduction of false doctrines, which are still known and taught today in orthodox Christianity.

Simon Magus believed “the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus” (Acts 8:12-13). He was baptized, but never received the Holy Spirit because the apostles refused to lay hands on him, given the fact that he had not repented and had an evil and wicked heart (compare Acts 8:18-24). Simon Magus went to Rome and was given the surname “Peter” as a religious title, meaning “father” or “interpreter.”

In his book, Mystery of the Ages, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote on pages 51-53:

“It seems incredible that a being like Satan not only could have deceived the whole world, but also ‘Christianity’—the very religion bearing Christ’s name and supposed to be his true religion. Yet, paradoxically, Satan did! He did it through his great false church, started A.D. 33 by Simon the Sorcerer…

“Simon proclaimed himself a Christian apostle… and called the pagan Babylonian mystery religion ‘Christianity.’ He accepted the doctrine of ‘grace’ for the forgiveness of sin (which the pagan religions had never had), but turned grace into license to disobey God (Jude 4). He aspired to turn his pagan religion, under the name ‘Christianity,’ into a universal religion…”

The Dictionary of Christian Biography, Vol. 4, p. 682, states:  “[Simon] came to Rome in the days of Claudius Caesar (45 A.D.), and made such an impression by his magical powers, that he was honored as a god…”

Hasting’s Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, volume 2, page 496, states: “But it need not be supposed that when Simon broke with the Christians he renounced all he had learned. It is more probable that he carried some of the Christian ideas with him, and that he wove these into a system of his own. This system is a mixture of pagan ideas wrapped with Christian names and identities.”

The Dictionary of Religion and Ethics says that Simon was “a false Messiah, who practiced magical arts and subsequently attempted, by the aid and with the sanction of Christianity, to set up a rival universal religion” (Apostolic Christianity, volume 11, page 514).

In Revelation 17, the Apostle John is given a vision of a scarlet beast having seven heads and ten horns. The scarlet beast is ridden by a woman—a harlot. Revelation 17:5 identifies the woman as “mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.”

In biblical terminology, a religious entity is many times depicted as a woman. The true Church of God is identified as a woman (Revelation 12:6, 13–17); a virgin (2 Corinthians 11:2); and the wife of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:7). Likewise, Christ’s true followers are identified as “virgins” (Matthew 25:1; Revelation 14:4).

However, the woman who sits on the scarlet-colored beast is a FALLEN rich woman who has committed “fornication” with the inhabitants of the earth (Revelation 17:2; compare also verse 4, and Revelation 18:3, 9). She is identified as “the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication” (Revelation 19:2). In biblical terminology, she is a fallen church, pretending to be the true Church of God.

The woman is called, in Revelation 17, verse 5, “Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth.” This fallen church is called the “Mother Church,” which has “daughter churches.”

Lehman Strauss writes in “The Book of the Revelation,” pages 295–301: “The Babylon of the Revelation is an apostate religious system clearly identifiable with all of Christendom, with papal Rome taking the lead in its formation.”

Simon Magus started the fallen church described in Revelation 17. As he was worshipped as a god or God, so the final representative of the harlot—the false prophet—will likewise claim to be God. A falling away from true Christianity did take place in the days of Simon Magus, and thereafter, when many who first believed the Truth of the Bible were swayed into accepting Simon’s counterfeit apostate religion.

More recently, another major falling away did take place at the time when a new administration came to power in the Worldwide Church of God [WCG], after the death of its human leader, Herbert Armstrong, in 1986. Gradually, the Truth was replaced with the false pagan doctrines of “orthodox” Christianity.

Catholic and Protestant churches have rejected, for nearly two millennia, the weekly Sabbath and the annual Holy Days. The Catholic Church claims godly authority and it has admitted that it changed many biblical laws, including the ones regarding God’s holy times—the weekly Sabbath and the annual Holy Days (compare Daniel 7:25).

The Protestant Churches, even though they officially reject the authority of the Catholic Church to change the teachings of the Bible, nevertheless followed the lead of the Catholic Church and adopted Sunday worship, while rejecting the Sabbath.

Today, those who accepted the changes within the [now defunct] WCG have become part of the Babylonian religious system of a counterfeit Christianity [unless they forsook religion altogether], embracing its false doctrines such as Sunday, Christmas and Easter worship; the Trinity; the immortal soul; going to heaven or hell upon death; and many more. At the same time, they have been rejecting the biblical Truth of the Sabbath, the Holy Days, abstaining from unclean meat; the true nature of God; and the potential of man, among many others.

However, the apostasy from the Truth within the Church of God will continue (Luke 8:13; 1 Timothy 4:1) and reach its climax of accepting false teachings and practices, while rejecting the Truth, just prior to Christ’s return.

The commentary of Bengel’s Gnomen states: “Apostasy is a falling away from the faith… Some of those who had received it drew back [and departed] from the living God…”

The coming end-time apostasy does not only refer to a “handful” of people. It is true that the Bible does not use the term “GREAT” or “GREATER” falling away in 2 Thessalonians 2. However, it is also correct that it has been commonly understood that Paul had a GREAT apostasy in mind, which—relatively speaking—will be, in some way, greater than prior apostasies. For instance, the headline of the New King James Bible for 2 Thessalonians 2 reads, “The Great Apostasy.” The Ryrie Study Bible comments about the coming apostasy: “An aggressive and climactic revolt against God.”

The Benson Commentary writes about the coming apostasy: “The article here is emphatical, denoting both that this was to be a great apostasy, the apostasy… and that the Thessalonians had been already apprised [sic] of its coming.”

After all, Paul uses the end-time falling away from the Truth and the manifestation of the man of sin as important and critical visible signs for the arrival of the day of the Lord–the return of Jesus Christ. If he had only a minor event in mind or just a few Christians who were to forsake the Truth, then this would hardly be an obvious and convincing sign for Christ’s return, as Christians have fallen away from the Truth as long as the Church of God has existed.

We must clearly keep in mind two different but separate end-time events, which will happen at approximately the same time: The apostasy or falling away of true Christians and the manifestation of the false prophet representing a false and apostate counterfeit “Christianity.”

The coming of the lawless one and the concept of lawlessness will remain a mystery to the world. God’s people are warned not to be deceived when the lawless one appears so that they don’t fall away from the Truth. The best protection against deception is to stay close to God and His Word and while rejecting the pleasures of unrighteousness, to believe the Truth and receive and hold fast to the love of it (compare again 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

When we see the manifestation of the man of sin and the falling away from the Truth, in combination with other events already discussed and to be discussed later, we know that Christ’s return is near.

(To Be Continued)

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“USA and EU on Collision Course” is the title of the new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

Germany has a new leader for Angela Merkel’s party (the CDU).  Her course towards Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will be tougher. She advocates helping Ukraine militarily against Russia, and she wants to reintroduce the draft in Germany. However, most Americans and Brits show a “worrying lack of knowledge or interest” in history and what is happening now, being totally oblivious to the signs of the time. Europe is anxious to replace trade transactions in US dollars with the euro, and Washington’s patience with European “obstructionism” in high-stakes trade negotiations is wearing thin, being willing to do “whatever it takes” to protect American interests. Where will all of this end?

“Was uns der Prophet Samuel lehrt! Teil 2,” is the title of this Sabbath’s German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “What the Prophet Samuel Teaches Us! Part 2.”

“By the Power of God,” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Kalon Mitchell, is now posted. Here is a summary:

The power of God is incredible and yet His Word shows us that we can at this time call upon and partake in some of this power now. Once we are a God being we will have the same power that God and Christ have, but we can use this power in small quantities in accordance with their Will at this present time. But it takes having a close relationship with them to be able to do so.

“A Future Hope,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Michael Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

There are many things that we hope for in this life but what is it that we should hope for in the time ahead? How is our relationship with God and how should we be living our lives at this moment so we can hope for and be part of a much better future?

On December 8, 2018, Kalon Mitchell will present the sermonette, titled, “By the Power of God!” and Michael Link will present the sermon, titled, “A Future Hope.”

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.

Having eight grandsons, my wife and I are regularly noting how much the boys are growing as the weeks, months and years go by. This is especially apparent when we view their older photos. Human growth is a miraculous occurrence. From conception forward, there is an astonishing and wondrous development of life culminating in birth. Likewise, the young grow into maturity—all a process of God’s creative power!

There is a parallel in spiritual growth.

We are called by God to become His sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18). That begins with our spiritual begettal when God gives us His Holy Spirit and culminates when we are changed from flesh to spirit. While many Scriptures describe this (compare 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 John 3:1-3), note that the Bible also reveals this change takes place after a period of time.

Very specifically, the Church and ministry are established to help in our spiritual growth, “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13; compare also, 2 Peter 3:18). We know that Jesus Christ is the example to apply in order to measure our spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:21). He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5); He conquered His own human nature (Romans 8:3-4); He overcame the world (John 16:33); and He defeated Satan (Matthew 4:10; John 12:31; 14:30).

How are we doing by His standard? Are we, more and more, “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5)? Can we say that “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5)? Is our constant goal to become perfect just like God is perfect (Matthew 5:48)? Can we say that we are a stronger Christian now than when God first called us?

Jesus gives us a powerful key for spiritual growth, and it is for us to focus on overcoming those things which are contrary to God’s Will. This is His message to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3.

The Apostle Peter wrote, saying, “…brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10), and in verses 5-9, he noted how Christians are to do this:

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

If we grow spiritually, then we have this incomparable promise: “For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11).

by Norbert Link

We begin with further developments regarding the ongoing volatile situation pertaining to Russia and Ukraine [Please view our StandingWatch program, “How Will the New Russian-Ukrainian Conflict Be “Solved”?], and continue with other interesting events at the G20 summit in Argentina, including the signing of a trade agreement between the USA, Canada and Mexico; the temporary stand-off between the USA and China on tariffs; and attempts of German automakers to prevent the imposition of American tariffs.

We report on the world’s reaction to the death of former US President George H.W. Bush and point out his historical role regarding Germany’s reunification, while quoting from one of our older Updates from 2009. Please view our most recent StandingWatch program, titled, “George H.W. Bush and the German Reunification”.

We also speak on the CIA assessment that Prince Mohammed of Saudi Arabia was responsible for the murder of an American journalist.

We address the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Alaska and the warning signs for California [Please view our recent StandingWatch program, “Is California’s Big Earthquake About to Strike?”]. We address events in France, including the passing of a controversial law prohibiting corporal punishment for children. We also speak on the ongoing violent demonstrations in Paris.

We give an update on the volatile and more and more confusing Brexit debacle; report on attempts and intrigues by German politicians to replace Angela Merkel; publish a frightening article of murderous right-wing radicals in the German army; the insensitive, if not intentionally offensive conduct of the German Interior Ministry towards Muslims and others; and developments pertaining to the Catholic Church, including the huge sexual abuse scandal; conflicting messages by Pope Francis pertaining to homosexuality; and the remarkable developments of a coming collaboration between the Vatican and Arabs against Israel.

We conclude with articles confirming the biblical account of man’s creation; the quest for the Ark of the Covenant (referring to one of our Q&As discussing this matter in detail); and ongoing preparations for the building of the prophesied third temple. In this regard, please view our recent StandingWatch programs, “Netanyahu’s Announcement of a Third Temple?” and “Ancient and Modern Beliefs in the Third Temple” 

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

Russia and Ukraine—Warring Regimes, but Brotherly People?

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 2:

“At a press conference… on Saturday, Putin said Ukraine was not interested in a peaceful resolution to the conflict and called the governing party in Kyiv a ‘party of war.’ ‘As long as it’s in power, tragedies of this type and the war will continue,’ Putin added.”

In a prior interview on or about November 30 which was published in German by the Russian outlet RT, Putin accused the Ukrainian leader, Petro Poroshenko, of provocation. Putin also said that the Russian and the Ukrainian peoples will always remain “brotherly people.”

n-tv reported on November 30:

“Former German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel stated that Ukraine was willing to draw Germany into a war with Russia.”

Breitbart wrote on November 30:

“Ukraine announced a ban on Friday on male Russian nationals between the ages of 16 and 60 entering the country for the duration of martial law, currently scheduled to last 30 days…

“The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday warned ‘the Russian people might lose patience’ and begin attacking Ukrainian diplomatic facilities on Russian soil, or even demand their government seize Ukrainian territory surrounding Russian diplomatic outposts…

“Ukraine’s state security service on Friday raided the home of Father Metropolitan Pavel, a Russia-backed Orthodox priest…, one of Ukraine’s most famous and frequently visited religious sites… President Poroshenko announced on Thursday that Ukraine is working on setting up its own independent branch of the Orthodox Church…”

Ultimately, Russia and Ukraine will act together, as brothers, against perceived enemies.

Putin Under Attack… Willing to Retaliate

The Associated Press wrote on December 1:

“… As the [G20] summit opened, European leaders lined up to criticize what one called Russia’s ‘aggression’ on Ukraine – the weekend seizure of Ukrainian ships and crew members near Crimea. The Group of 7 foreign ministers issued a statement demanding the seamen’s release.

“Isolated by Western democracies, Putin pushed instead to inject new strength into the so-called BRICS grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa…

“The Russian leader has warned that if the United States deploys intermediate-range missiles that are currently banned under the treaty to Europe, Russia will have to target the nations that would host them. Such weapons… take just a few minutes to reach targets, leaving virtually no time for decision-makers and dramatically increasing the possibility of a nuclear conflict over a false attack warning or technical glitch.”

Far Eastern nations will collaborate against western Europe.

In addition, the EUObserver reported the following on December 5:

“‘We’ll do the same,’ if the US deploys new medium-range nuclear missiles in Europe, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said Wednesday, after America said it would walk away from a Cold War-era anti-missile pact, the so-called INF treaty, in 60 days. The US and Nato said Tuesday Russia was anyway violating the INF by building cruise missiles capable of hitting targets in Europe at short notice. Putin denies this.”

Trump Cancels Press Conference at G20

The Daily Mail wrote on December 1:

“President Trump canceled his scheduled press conference at the G20. He said it was being done out of respect for George H.W. Bush’s family… However… the optics that would come out of Saturday’s press conference would likely not paint the White House in a good light.

“There are the personal problems that have consumed the president’s thoughts and twitter account while he’s been here. Trump has been in a defense posture since Cohen’s [Trump’s former lawyer and “fixer”] latest plea deal was revealed on Thursday. Adding to the pressure are reports that name his daughter Ivanka Trump and son Donald Trump Jr. as being more involved in looking at the Trump Tower Moscow project than previously revealed. The Trump Tower project in Moscow never got off the ground, but the Trump Organization didn’t shelve it until June 2016, long after the future president had locked up the GOP’s White House nomination…

“The one trade deal the president did sign – with Mexico and Canada – was overshadowed by the obvious unhappiness of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau [who] chastise[d] the president over steel and aluminum tariffs and pointedly called the agreement the ‘new North American Free Trade Agreement’ – instead of the USMCA, which is Trump’s preferred moniker. He made a personal plea to Trump during the ceremony to get rid of the tariffs, saying the recent closures of auto plants by General Motors in the United States and Canada made it more important for cooperation… After Trump, Trudeau, and outgoing Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto signed the agreement, Trump held his up and said: ‘We might as well hold that up.’ Nieto did so. Trudeau did not…”

Final G20 Statement

Reuters reported on December 2:

“…the leaders of all the world’s top economies called for reforms to the crisis-stricken WTO in a final statement from their summit… [It] recognized trade as an important engine of global growth but made only a passing reference to ‘the current trade issues’ after the U.S. delegation won a battle to keep any mention of protectionism out of the statement.

“… European officials said a reference to refugees and migration – a sensitive issue for Trump’s administration – was excised to ensure consensus. On climate change, the United States once again marked its differences with the rest of the G20 by reiterating in the statement its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and its commitment to using all kinds of energy sources. The other members of the group reaffirmed their commitment to implement the Paris deal and tackle climate change…”

The G20 compromise statement won’t avail to much or contribute to unity between the USA and most other countries.

US Will Hold Off on Raising China Tariffs

CNBC wrote on December 3:

“‘President Trump has agreed that on January 1, 2019, he will leave the tariffs on $200 billion worth of [Chinese] product at the 10 percent rate, and not raise it to 25 percent at this time,’ the White House said… Over the next 90 days, American and Chinese officials will continue to negotiate lingering disagreements on technology transfer, intellectual property and agriculture… ‘If at the end of this period of time, the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the 10 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent,’ the statement added.

“Meanwhile, ‘China will agree to purchase [immediately] a not yet agreed upon, but very substantial, amount of agricultural, energy, industrial, and other product from the United States to reduce the trade imbalance between our two countries…’, the White House said.”

Newsmax added on December 3:

“President Donald Trump said China had agreed to cut import tariffs on American-made cars [presently at 40%], buying shares in BMW and Daimler AG who manufacture in the United States for export to the world’s biggest auto market…

“The move, if realized, would bolster U.S. carmakers who were hit hard when China ramped up levies on U.S.-made cars in July as part of a broad package of retaliatory tariffs amid the sprawling trade war between Washington and Beijing.”

The next issues on the international agenda are the American tariffs threats for imported German cars. Note the next articles.

German Carmakers Trying to Trick Trump?

The EUObserver reported on December 5:

“The CEOs of Germany’s top three car firms, Volkswagen, Daimler, and BMW, said they were optimistic on avoiding US tariffs after meeting US leader Donald Trump in Washington Tuesday. ‘We made a big step forward to avoid the tariffs,’ Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess said. The visit caused annoyance in EU circles, where trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom was meant to conduct US trade talks on behalf of the whole EU.”

Handelsblatt Today added on December 5:

“German carmakers emerged from a three-hour meeting on Tuesday with US trade representatives and the president himself with smiles. ‘The US president has advised us to invest more in the US market. We are prepared to do exactly that,’ Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess said in Washington, D.C. The German carmakers are trying to avoid a 25 percent tariff on cars exported into the US. The investments they discussed… have been in the works for months – in response to Trump’s threats. And VW especially had reason to smile because it was able to spin a months-old alliance with Ford as a new idea. US media is treating Volkswagen’s proposal as one that was hatched just days ago to appease Trump and ward off the expensive tariffs.

“In fact, Handelsblatt first reported on a possible cooperation in June and then again early last month… VW’s plan to build some vehicles at Ford plants is anything but certain. Ford Chairman Bill Ford said talks were in the early stages though he didn’t fault VW CEO Diess for blabbing about the plans…

“For his part, Trump is trying to close a $30 billion gap in automotive trade with the European Union that is the largest chunk of the EU’s $65 billion trade surplus with the US. At the same time, he’s smarting from a General Motors announcement that it would shutter four US plants and fire thousands of workers. Trump was so incensed by GM’s plans that his administration is ending subsidies for electric cars to keep tax money away from GM…

“In addition to the Ford collaboration, VW said it might also cooperate with Microsoft on automotive software and build a second US plant, though no location was picked. VW currently produces two models in Chattanooga, Tennessee. And BMW said it had already invested $9.3 billion in its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and was planning an additional $600 million by 2021, leading to 1,000 new jobs. The Munich carmaker also said it’s considering a new US plant, this time for motors.”

World Leaders Honor Late US President George H.W. Bush

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 1:

“Leaders from across the world on Saturday paid tribute to the 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush, who passed away on Friday at the age of 94. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman said, ‘We will never forget his contribution to our reunion.’ The late president was an ardent supporter of a unified Germany as well as Western Europe as the Cold War unraveled in the early 1990s…

“Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said Bush was present at ‘a time of great change,’ adding that his leadership contributed to ‘the end of the Cold War and nuclear arms race.’ British Prime Minister Theresa May said that ‘in navigating a peaceful end to the Cold War, he made the world a safer place for generations to come.’ New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Bush ‘was a strong supporter of the international rules-based system, the rule of law and democratic values.’

“He tried to ‘create a new international order based on justice and equality among nations,’ said Kuwaiti leader Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah. He never ‘forgot the Kuwaiti people and will remain in their memory.’ When Saddam Hussein’s forces invaded Kuwait, Bush launched the US-led offensive against Iraq, culminating in the First Gulf War.

“US President Donald Trump said Bush ‘inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service.’ ‘George H.W. Bush’s life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling,’ said former US President Barack Obama… Former US President Bill Clinton, who beat Bush in the 1992 election but went on to become good friends with his once-rival, said he ‘will be forever grateful for the friendship we formed.’’

The Week added on December 5:

“President Trump on Wednesday declared a national day of mourning for former President George H.W. Bush… Bush’s son and fellow ex-president George W. Bush gave a [emotional] eulogy at Bush’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral, remembering his father’s ‘decency, sincerity, and kind soul’ and his ability to find ‘the good in each person.’

“Trump and first lady Melania Trump were in attendance, seated next to former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton [Next to them sat former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn. Bush’s death makes Carter, also 94 but more than 100 days younger, the oldest living ex-president.]. Bush’s body will be flown back to Houston, where it will lie in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. Bush will be buried Thursday next to wife Barbara and daughter Robin in a family plot at Texas A&M University in College Station.”

Deutsche Welle added on December 5:

“Foreign dignitaries included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Polish president Lech Walesa and Britain’s Prince Charles.”

The king and queen of Jordan were also in attendance, among many other foreign dignitaries.

Controversial Conduct pertaining to the Jewish Community

JTA wrote on December 1:

“George H.W. Bush, the one-term president whose public grappling with Jewish leaders made headlines while his private interventions helped bring tens of thousands of Jews out of danger, has died… The Bush presidency was marked by tensions both with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and the American Jewish leadership… Less remembered was how, as Ronald Reagan’s vice president, Bush quietly helped engineer some of the pivotal moments in the effort to bring Jews out of the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and Syria…

“At the United Nations, Bush made Soviet Jewry one of his signature issues… His concern for Israel and its relationship with the United States was evident again in 1976, when he was director of the CIA…

“By mid-1992, with his presidential campaign underway, Bush seemed irreparably wounded in the eyes of the Jewish community. The younger Bush seemed in some ways to directly contradict his father’s policies. One of the elder Bush’s first acts was to set in motion the process that would eventually welcome PLO leader Yasser Arafat into the American sphere. The younger Bush decided from the outset of his presidency to isolate Arafat, whom he reviled as an unrepentant terrorist.”

Key to German Reunification

Handelsblatt Global wrote on December 3:

“The Germans are fondly remembering the elder Bush as an American of the old school: Generous, optimistic, courteous, responsible. But above all, they remember him as the key to German reunification. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the leaders of the other three Allied Powers were far from thrilled to contemplate a reunited Germany in the middle of their continent again. It was Bush who immediately grasped that reunification was the best geopolitical way forward. And it was Bush who, with Chancellor Helmut Kohl, leaned on Gorbachev, Mitterrand and Thatcher to give their blessings.

“… In his inauguration speech, he dared to wish for a nation and world that was ‘kinder, gentler’… [He] was already fearing the bitter divisions to come. George H.W. Bush was a true American patriot, a multilateralist, a free trader, a good ally, and — not least — a decent, pragmatic and moderate Republican…”

Remembering President Bush’s historical role in helping with the reunification of Germany, we wrote the following in our Update #418 (November 13, 2009), pertaining to the 20th anniversary celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall:

“Most leaders of the free Western world assembled in Germany to recount and to celebrate the events of the fall of the Wall, including Messrs. Gordon Brown, Sarkozy, Berlusconi and Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev, as well as former President George H. W. Bush Sr., former President Mikhail Gorbachev and former Chancellor Helmut Kohl. But President Obama is too busy–even though he has the time to attend a Tribal Nations Conference for America’s 564 federally recognized Native American tribes… the fall of the Berlin Wall and the unification of Germany were indeed inevitable and unstoppable. From a biblical perspective, we know that this is also true for the additional reason that without a unified Germany, Europe would and could not have united. But the Bible has prophesied the unification of Europe in our days thousands of years ago–and that the most important player within a unified Europe will be Germany…

In that Update, we also quoted from The New York Times (November 9, 2009) about the German reunification:

“Willy Brandt was uncomfortable with the idea, Günter Grass… considered it an abomination, and Gerhard Schröder… eventually voted against it. François Mitterrand resisted as long as he could, and Margaret Thatcher, in her fierce opposition, held out even further. From the day after the Berlin Wall fell, and for the next month or two, the prospect of reunifying Germany met with extensive rejection, while the Cold War’s leaders nurtured the notion that it could be negotiated and stalled into a still distant future… History accelerated in the next weeks… In late summer 1990, reunification was virtually a done deal… [It] arrived with extraordinary speed. And extraordinary acceptance… So what now, almost 20 years after George H.W. Bush, to express his pleasure with reunification, offered Germany a ‘partnership in leadership’?…”

Furthermore, the Telegraph of November 9, 2009, was quoted by us as follows: “The combination of Mr Bush, Mr Gorbachev and Mr Kohl at the helm of the most powerful countries and the momentum for unification on the streets of the east was unstoppable.”

CIA Confident that Prince Mohammed Ordered Murder of American Journalist

The Wall Street Journal wrote on December 1:

“… previously unreported excerpts [from a highly classified CIA assessment document]… state that the CIA has ‘medium-to-high confidence’ that Prince Mohammed ‘personally targeted’ Khashoggi and ‘probably ordered his death.’ It added: ‘To be clear, we lack direct reporting of the Crown Prince issuing a kill order.’

“…Secretary of State Mike Pompeo… has said that he had read every piece of U.S. intelligence regarding Mr. Khashoggi’s killing and that the agency didn’t find a so-called smoking gun. ‘There is no direct reporting connecting the crown prince to the order to murder Jamal Khashoggi,’ Mr. Pompeo told reporters.

“The judgment on Prince Mohammed’s likely culpability, the CIA assessment says, is based on the crown prince’s personal focus on Mr. Khashoggi, his tight control over the Saudi operatives sent to Istanbul to kill him, ‘and his authorizing some of the same operators to violently target other opponents.’… ‘We assess it is highly unlikely this team of operators…carried out the operation without Muhammed bin Salman’s authorization’…”

Most world leaders agree with the CIA’s assessment. As a consequence, Prince Mohammed was shunned by most at the G20 summit. A notable exception was Vladimir Putin who was also shunned by most leaders.

Newsmax added on November 5:

“There is ‘no doubt’ that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman not only knew about the death of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, but also condoned it or ‘worse, was actually involved in directing it,’ Sen. Marco Rubio said Wednesday, citing what he knows from being on the Senate Intelligence Committee. ‘He has absolute control in Saudi Arabia,’ the Florida Republican [said]. There is no way, and I mean no way, that 17 people that close to the crown prince fly into a third country, murder someone in a diplomatic facility, and fly back to Saudi Arabia and he not at least know about it, much less perhaps be involved in it.’

“Rubio’s comments echoed those by other Senate leaders such as Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who after hearing a briefing by CIA Director Gina Haspel earlier this week said their belief the crown prince was involved in the journalist’s death had been cemented by the intelligence committee’s assessment.”

Multiple Earthquakes in Alaska within two days

The Week wrote on December 1:

“The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that caused serious infrastructure damage in and around Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday has been attended by at least 193 other quakes in the state over the course of two days… Though tremors are common in Alaska, Friday’s major quake was unusual. ‘It was very loud when it came,’ said Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. ‘It was very clear that this was something bigger than what we normally experience’…”

Reuters wrote on December 2:

“The state late Saturday identified 47 earthquake-damaged roads and bridges, most of which cannot be fully repaired until the region’s dark and snowy winter has passed. But even as cleanup began, as many as 650 aftershocks continued to rock the area…”

California—Be Prepared!

The Los Angeles Times wrote on December 1:

“Buildings cracked. Roads collapsed. People were injured by falling debris. But for all the ferocity of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck the Anchorage area on Friday, the temblor did not cause the catastrophic damage or loss of life that have occurred from even smaller quakes both around the world and in California.

“…the quake was not centered directly under Anchorage. The epicenter was about 8½ miles away… The quake was also fairly deep — 25 miles underneath the surface — which also resulted in less shaking at the surface… The magnitude 6.7 Northridge quake hit directly underneath the suburban San Fernando Valley [in California] and was much shallower — just 11 miles underground — than the Anchorage quake… causing more damage…

“In California… there are hundreds of old brick buildings in the Inland Empire that have been marked as dangerous but haven’t been retrofitted despite decades of warning. Across California, there are other vulnerable building types, such as apartments with parking on the ground floor, older houses with a handful of steps off the ground, and vulnerable concrete and steel buildings…

“The 1964 Alaska temblor (a 9.2. monster), the second-largest earthquake in the modern record, produced 1,995 times more energy than Friday’s quake. It lasted 4½ minutes and, along with its tsunamis, killed more than 120 people. It was felt all the way to Seattle… an area of 185,000 square miles was disrupted. There were areas that dropped as much as eight feet and others rose 38 feet… Eleven people were killed by a tsunami that hit Crescent City, Calif.

“Aside from the mighty San Andreas fault, Southern California is criss-crossed with smaller faults that pose major dangers, including the Newport-Inglewood fault, which produced the 1933 Long Beach quake, and the Hollywood fault, which runs through the heart of Los Angeles. Another big concern is the Puente Hills thrust fault, which runs from near Whittier through downtown L.A., USC and Dodger Stadium, before veering west toward Beverly Hills.”

Brexit Debate in UK Parliament

The Daily Mail wrote on December 4:

“[Prime Minister] Theresa May suffered a number of big defeats in the House of Commons. MPs voted to hold ministers in contempt [which has never happened before] for refusing to publish the [governmental] legal advice [warning the Irish backstop could leave the UK trapped in ‘protracted and repeated rounds of negotiations’ for years to come.] In another defeat, an amendment… also passed. It gives MPs the power to tell [the] PM what to do in talks if her Brexit deal is defeated.”

The Guardian wrote on December 5:

“With just six days to go until the vote on her controversial deal [on December 11], which May is expected to lose heavily, Downing Street confirmed the prime minister was keen to find ways to offer MPs extra reassurance about the backstop, in the hope they will support her.”

France Passes Law Banning Corporal Punishment

The Independent wrote on November 30:

“The bill still needs to pass through the senate, France’s upper house of parliament.  As a result of the vote, France’s civil code will be changed to state that parents must not resort to ‘physical, verbal or psychological violence, nor to corporal punishment or humiliation’ when disciplining their children. Previously, parents were allowed to use corporal punishment under rights granted under Napoleon in the early 1800s.

“… a few conservative and far-right MPs have condemned it for interfering with the private lives of French citizens and families. Corporal punishment is popular in France and around 85 per cent of parents in the country smack their children…

“Following the example of Sweden in 1966, some 54 countries – including 22 EU countries – have introduced similar laws banning corporal punishment in the home… Hitting a child is illegal in England, however a legal defence exists that protects parents who smack their children. Scotland is expected to outlaw the defence next year, and Wales is considering doing the same.”

Whatever the popular opinion and strictly human reasoning might be, the Bible does not endorse such a universal ban on corporal punishment. For more information, please read our free booklet, “The Keys to Happy Marriages and Families.”

Macron in Trouble

Handelsblatt Global wrote on December 3:

“Berlin is watching with growing anxiety the travails of French President Emmanuel Macron. Germany needs Macron to succeed in France — both to stave off the populist Eurosceptic Marine Le Pen… and to reform Europe…

“Macron… returned from his G20 photo op in Buenos Aires to a French capital that looked pre-revolutionary. For the third consecutive weekend, protesters wearing yellow security vests (the ones you’re supposed to keep in your car for accidents) vandalized the Arc de Triomphe and other symbolic sites. Officially, they’re upset about planned hikes in fuel taxes [which subsequently Macron put on hold]. But increasingly they’re just venting against a young president they perceive as haughty.”

Replacing Merkel… through Intrigue and Backstabbing?

Handelsblatt Global wrote on December 5:

“Friedrich Merz’s bid to succeed German Chancellor Angela Merkel as chair of her Christian Democratic Union received its biggest boost yet as Wolfgang Schäuble, the former finance minister, endorsed him two days ahead of the party convention [on Friday, December 7]… The comments are a setback for Merkel, who is widely believed to support Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (AKK), a moderate like her whom she anointed as her successor earlier this year…

“Although polls show AKK is more popular than Merz among the party base and broader German public, Merz is believed to enjoy wider support from CDU party delegates. Many party officials wish for a return to the CDU’s conservative roots after years of Merkel’s centrism… Schäuble was Merkel’s finance minister during the euro crisis and is now the president of the Bundestag, the lower chamber of parliament. At 76, the veteran politician is a veritable patriarch of the party…

“Many in Germany see Merz’s bid to succeed Merkel as a quest for personal revenge. Merz was one of the country’s most senior figures, the head of the CDU’s parliamentary group in the Bundestag until Merkel ousted him in 2002. He left politics in 2009 and went on to become a senior executive with asset management giant BlackRock, amassing a fortune in the process. And Schäuble’s endorsement of Merz may have a similar motive. The men are good friends — and Schäuble also fell victim to Merkel’s intrigues as she pursued power two decades ago. In 1999, in a column in the same daily, she turned against Schäuble, who until then had been among her political mentors…

“In the past months, Schäuble quietly engineered Merz’s political comeback. The nearly-forgotten former politician surprised Germany when he came forward six weeks ago as a candidate to succeed Merkel as CDU chair within minutes of the chancellor’s announcement that the post was up for grabs. It is thought that Merkel got wind of a plan to oust her and chose to step down rather than being pushed out. Pundits say if Merz becomes the CDU’s next chairman, he would likely bring about her downfall before her fourth term is due to end in 2021…”

Neo-Nazis in the German Bundeswehr

Express wrote on December 2:

“Neo-Nazi soldiers have infiltrated the German military and are plotting to butcher a list of politicians and immigrants… [They] have allegedly plotted to kill Green Party leader Claudia Roth, foreign minister Heiko Mass and former president Joachim Gauck. The group have been stockpiling weapons for when the right time arrives… German authorities have reportedly been searching training camps on the Austrian and Swiss borders for weapons, ammunition, petrol and food.

“Death squads allegedly planned to lure them and other left-wing politicians to a remote location and assassinate them. Reports say they planned to kill leaders of asylum seeker groups who have been blamed for social unrest, terrorism and rapes in Germany. Accusations made against one soldier – known by his code name ‘Hannibal’ – revealed how little Germany knows about its most elite troops. According to [a report] by Berlin magazine, Focus, elite soldiers who meet Hannibal are enlisted into his ‘shadow army’ of extremists… Evidence also implies ‘Hannibal’ has been helped by people high up in the Bundeswehr. [The] extremists are still believed to operate in Germany’s military. Germany’s defence Ministry insists the army is clean.”

Serving Pig Blood Sausage to Muslims?

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 3:

“Germany’s Interior Ministry has come under fire for serving blood sausage at a national Islam conference last week… The ministry has defended its decision to serve the sausage consisting of pig’s blood, pork and bacon at the evening buffet on Wednesday. It said the serving reflected the ‘religious-pluralistic composition’ of the event, which brought together Muslim associations and leaders with officials from the federal and local governments. The ministry added that there was a wide range of food at the ‘clearly excellent’ buffet, with vegetarian, meat, fish and halal dishes available. ‘If individuals were still offended for religious reasons, we regret this,’ it said.

“Nonetheless, some have viewed the choice of blood sausage as a deliberate provocation by hardline Interior Minister Horst Seehofer. In March, Seehofer caused a stir when he said in an interview that ‘Islam doesn’t belong to Germany’ and that ‘Germany has been shaped by Christianity’…

“Turkish-German journalist Tuncay Ozdamar, who first reported the ‘#BloodSausageGate’ scandal, questioned on Twitter what message Seehofer had intended to send with the culinary decision. ‘A little respect for Muslims who do not eat pork would be appropriate,’ wrote Ozdamar…

“Green Party politician Volker Beck also slammed the Interior Ministry, writing on Twitter that ‘appreciating diversity means also considering different habits.’ Ali Bas, a Green Party spokesman for religious issues, told Watson.de that the blood sausage was not clearly identified at the buffet, but was rather served on appetizer trays. The Interior Ministry had said the food servings were clearly marked… The Interior Ministry reportedly served ham in the first year of the annual Islam Conference in 2006.

“The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) quickly entered the discussion, accusing critics of the Interior Ministry of launching an attack on German culture…”

This “insensitive” or perhaps even intentional conduct of the Interior Ministry, combined with its ridiculous explanation, is not only directed at Muslims, but also, by extension, at Jews and EVERYONE who wants to live by the dietary laws of the Bible. That the AfD would support such conduct is again telling and frightening.

Pope Concerned over Status of Jerusalem

Reuters and The Algemeiner wrote on December 3:

“The Vatican expressed concern over the status of Jerusalem on Monday as Pope Francis and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas held their first meeting since the United States stirred international anxiety by moving its embassy there… ‘Particular attention was reserved for the status of Jerusalem, underlining the importance of recognizing and preserving its identity and the universal value of the holy City for the three Abrahamic religions,’ a Vatican statement said, referring to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam…

“The Vatican expressed concern last year at Trump’s move [of the embassy to Jerusalem], saying the city’s ‘status quo’ should be respected… As Abbas was leaving the library, he told the pope: ‘We are counting on you.’ It was not clear what he was referring to.”

Ultimately, the Roman Catholic Church and a new leadership of a United Europe will collaborate with the Arabs against Israel.

“Why I Left the Catholic Church”

The Week published the following article by Damon Linker, on November 30:

“Three months ago, I announced I was leaving the Catholic Church. My reason was that the latest revelations in the church’s interminable sex abuse scandal had revealed ‘a repulsive institution — or at least one permeated by repulsive human beings who reward one another for repulsive acts, all the while deigning to lecture the world about its sin.’

“Let’s just say subsequent events haven’t led me to regret the decision. That would include Wednesday’s news that the offices of the cardinal-archbishop of Galveston-Houston, who also happens to serve as president of the United States Catholic bishops’ conference, were raided by ‘dozens of local and federal law enforcement officers … looking for evidence in a clergy sexual abuse case.’ A couple of weeks ago, the story was the Vatican’s decision to nix plans by the American bishops to devise some kind of response to the scandal — on the grounds that it’s mostly just a conspiracy drummed up by troublemaking right-wing clerics and laypeople…

“The claim [is absurd] that, of all the Christian churches, the Roman church is the very best, the truest of all, the one most fully and rightly ordered through time. That would be not only the church of the great diabolical popes of the past (like John XII and Alexander VI and Boniface VIII and Leo X), but also the church that in recent decades has seen literally thousands of priests in countries across the globe accused of sexually abusing children — 271 of them in the archdiocese of Boston alone — with untold numbers of bishops covering it up year after year after year. The number is untold, by the way, because we are still nowhere near knowing just how many members of the Catholic hierarchy around the world — all the way up to popes themselves — knew exactly what was happening and responded like self-protective bureaucrats and PR flacks out to protect a corporate brand from bad press…

“If you believe that Jesus Christ was resurrected, that he is the Son of God and the second person of the… Godhead, that his teaching tells us how the creator of the universe wants us to live, then by all means be a Christian. But to believe that this particular church, of all the Christian churches in the world, is the one most fully and rightly ordered through time, over and above all of the others? You can’t possibly be serious…”

The Catholic Church claims that she is the one and only true Christian mother church, and that the Evangelicals or the Protestant organizations are rebellious daughters who have left their mother. Of course, in a spiritual sense, the Evangelicals did not really leave their mother, because they have adopted and still maintain her unbiblical teachings.

“Gay People Should Not Join Catholic Clergy, Pope Francis Says”

The Guardian wrote on December 1:

“Pope Francis is ‘concerned’ about what he describes as the ‘serious issue’ of homosexuality… ‘that must be adequately discerned from the beginning with the candidates’… ‘In our societies it even seems that homosexuality is fashionable and that mentality, in some way, also influences the life of the church’…

“The Roman Catholic church’s position is that homosexual acts are sinful… A decree on training for Roman Catholic priests in 2016 stressed the obligation of sexual abstinence, as well as barring gay men and those who support ‘gay culture’ from holy orders.

“The barring of people who present homosexual tendencies was first stipulated by the Catholic church in 2005. ‘It can happen that at the time perhaps they didn’t exhibit [that tendency], but later on it comes out,’ Francis said. ‘In consecrated and priestly life, there’s no room for that kind of affection. Therefore, the church recommends that people with that kind of ingrained tendency should not be accepted into the ministry or consecrated life… It’s better for them to leave the ministry or the consecrated life rather than to live a double life.’

“In 2013, just months after assuming the papacy, Francis said: ‘If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, then who am I to judge him?’, signifying a softer tone on homosexuality.”

Pope Francis’ contradictory positions on the issue of homosexuality must be confusing to many Catholics.

Did Science Confirm Accuracy of the Bible’s Explanation of the Origin of Man?

Express wrote on December 3:

“The Bible’s book of Genesis has been ‘confirmed’ as evidence suggests every man, woman and child can trace their family tree back to an original man and woman, a documentary has claimed.

“… In Amazon Prime’s ‘Unlocking Ancient Secrets of the Bible’, the documentary explores a contentious question: Is the biblical book of Genesis literal, real-life history? The show’s narrator, Roger Moore, claims: ‘The best scientific evidence suggest[s] the universe began thereby confirming the words of Genesis.’ Faze Rana, author and research[er] reveals: ‘There was compelling scientific evidence that this biblical story of Adam and Eve actually is history.’

“Mr Moore asks: ‘Can every single human being, past, present, and future, trace their family tree back to an original man and woman?’ Hugh Ross, President and Director of Reasons to Believe explains: ‘The scientific community actually refers to this genetic Adam that they have found as Y chromosome Adam and they refer to the mitochondrial DNA woman as Eve. This is referred to in the scientific literature as Garden of Eden Hypothesis.’”

Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopia?

The Daily Star wrote on December 3:

“Bible scholars claim to have uncovered the final resting place of the legendary Ark of the Covenant – saying the holy relic was most likely smuggled out of Israel to Africa. Bible Archaeology, Search & Exploration Institute (BASE) claim there is strong evidence that the Old Testament’s ark’s resting place is in Ethiopia.

“The Ark of the Covenant is one of the most sought after relics from the Bible, being the trunk said to contain the Ten Commandments handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai. It is said the chest is made of wood and covered in gold, containing the two stone tablets along with other paraphernalia from the Bible. Ethiopia has long had a connection to the Ark, with Christians in the country outright claiming to be the current holders of the relic with it under guard at the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion.

“Biblical scholars mounted an expedition to Ethiopia as they believe the Ark was taken there after being shipped out of Israel to Egypt. BASE do not 100% claim to have uncovered the Ark, but said the research has ‘strong potential’. It said: ‘… As unusual as this may sound, the BASE team has uncovered compelling evidence that the Ark may well have been spirited up the Nile River to an eventual resting place in the remote highlands of ancient Kush–modern-day Ethiopia.’

“BASE allege the Biblical king Manasseh drove a sect of Jews out of Israel and they took the Ark of the Covenant with them from its original resting place beneath the Temple Mount… Visiting the alleged site in Ethiopia they were met with Christian monks who… produced the two forks allegedly taken from Solomon’s Temple – the first temple in Jerusalem – that was destroyed in 587 BC. BASE scholars visited the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion – but were denied access to the alleged Ark… No one can view the Ark except for the guardian monk…

“‘What we have concluded is that St. Mary’s of Zion church in Axum, Ethiopia, is the resting place either of an incredible replica of the biblical Ark of the Covenant, or, of the actual Ark of the Covenant itself.’

“Legends about the end of days are linked to the recovery of the Ark, claiming the construction of the prophesied Third Temple – which would trigger the end times and the arrival of the Messiah – needs the crate to be returned to Jerusalem. Prophecies state that Ark will be found just before Judgement Day when God should ‘gather his people again and receive them unto mercy.’ Other theories on the Ark’s location claim it remains hidden in its resting place beneath the Temple Mount [or] to being sunk in the Sea of Galilee… To this day, there is no leading historical theory on what happened to the Ark…”

For further archeological and biblical information, please read our Q&A, titled, “Where is the Ark of the Covenant today? Will it be found prior to Christ’s return?”

Preparing for the Third Temple

Breaking Israel News wrote on November 29:

“The nascent Sanhedrin released a declaration to the 70 nations for Hanukkah to be read at a ceremony in Jerusalem on the last day of the holiday. The ceremony will include the consecration of a stone altar prepared for use in the Third Temple. The declaration is intended as an invitation to the nations to participate in the Temple and to receive its blessings. The altar is currently in the form of loose stone blocks ready to be transported to the Temple Mount and stored in a manner that will enable them to be transported and assembled at a moment’s notice.

“When complete, the altar will be a square nine feet on each side and five feet tall, and includes a ramp for the priests to ascend. The decision to prepare the blocks and all the details of their composition is the result of a long study performed by the members of the Sanhedrin in conjunction with the Temple Institute. The stones are made of aerated concrete and are fit for use in the Temple. There are plans underway to prepare a new set made of actual stones which are considered the ideal material from which to build the altar.

“A full-dress reenactment of the Korban Olah Tamid (the daily offering) will take place. Kohanim (Jewish men of the priestly caste descended from Aaron) wearing Biblically mandated garb will lead the ceremony. The location is still unclear… the meat [of the offered lamb] will be roasted on the newly consecrated altar…

“[On behalf of the Sanhedrin, Rabbi Yoel Schwartz stated:] ‘Now, it is time for the Creator’s people to return to their land… and the Temple will be restored and built on its place, then… all the nations [will] realize that the time has come to worship God.’”

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 installment, we discussed the SIGN of Christ’s coming—the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of God as a witness among all nations. We also saw that Christ referred to several events, which are prophesied to accompany that particular sign.

The event, which we will focus on in this installment, is commonly referred to as the “Great Tribulation.” We already noticed that those coming days would be so devastating that, unless those days were cut short, no one would survive and all would perish (Matthew 24:21-22; Mark 13:19; Daniel 12:1-2). The very physical survival of mankind will be at stake. But it has already been determined that those days will be shortened. Mark 13:20 reads, in the New International Version: “If the Lord had not cut short these days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.”

Christ will return to end those terrible times. He will come to a world at war to make wars cease on this planet (Psalm 46:9). Misguided and misled human ingenuities, experimentations and inventions have produced weapons of mass destruction capable of eradicating man from this earth many times over. This shows that Christ could not have returned in previous generations, as the possibility that man could cause such mass extinction simply did not exist.

It became reality with the development and use of atom bombs in World War II. Since then, man has been busy in creating and assembling more and more powerful and highly sophisticated nuclear arsenals, advanced conventional war machines and biological and chemical weapons with the obvious intention of using them when the time comes. He has perhaps deceived himself in believing that the build-up of deadly ammunition will prevent the outbreak of war, as a country’s enemies might be too afraid to attack. However, history shows that weapons, which were invented, were also used.

As Satan’s wrath is great and as he is determined to destroy mankind, he will see to it that those terrible weapons of mass destruction will be activated… in the very near future.

The Great Tribulation has been correctly described as Satan’s wrath against God’s people—the physical descendants of Israel and true Christians who are oftentimes referred to as spiritual Jews or Israelites (Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 6:16). Even though Satan’s ultimate goal is to murder every human being on the face of the earth, he will focus in these end times, first and foremost, on physical and spiritual Israel.

God’s Church is to warn the modern descendants of the ancient tribes of the physical house of Israel, as well as the Jewish people, of impending disaster and destruction, as they will be defeated in war and either killed or enslaved at the very beginning of the Great Tribulation. This warning message is being given today, before the Great Tribulation starts, even though it will continue to be proclaimed during that time, especially through the testimony and prophecies of the “two witnesses” (Revelation 11:3-6).

God has revealed to His Church the understanding as to where the modern descendants of the ancient houses of Israel and Judah can be found today, and so it is able to pronounce the identity and fate of these nations who will be the targets of coming military attacks, commencing at the very beginning of the Great Tribulation. Christ leads and inspires His Church, and Christ’s Spirit is a spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10; compare Amos 3:7-8; John 16:13; Isaiah 44:26; 1 Corinthians 13:2).

Many Scriptures show us that the modern descendants of the houses of Israel [also known as Jacob] and Judah will suffer unparalleled destruction and gruesome captivity in World War III (Luke 21:20–24; Hosea 13:16; Amos 6:7; 7:17).

Jeremiah 30:4-7 gives us this frightening scenario:

“Now these are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah. For thus says the LORD: ‘We have heard a voice of trembling, Of fear, and not of peace. Ask now, and see, Whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins Like a woman in labor, And all faces turned pale? Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, But he shall be saved out of it.’”

The modern house of Israel is also oftentimes referred to as Ephraim (mainly Great Britain and countries such as Canada and Australia) and Manasseh (the USA). We are told in Hosea 5:5, in the Authorized Version, that “Israel [here mainly a reference to Manasseh] and Ephraim” will “fall in their iniquity” and that “Judah also shall fall with them.” This is an end-time prophecy that has yet to be fulfilled. In the past, Israel and Judah (the Jews) “fell” at different times, but never together or at the same time. The Tanakh says: “Israel’s pride shall be humbled before his very eyes, As Israel and Ephraim fall because of their sin (And Judah falls with them).”

The signs of the time show us that the Great Tribulation is near. Christ tells us in Luke 21:29-31:

“Then He spoke to them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near…”

Weapons of mass destruction are available, which are capable of eradicating all human life; the warning message to the houses of Israel and Judah is going out, and we observe that especially the United Kingdom and the USA, as well as the state of Israel, are becoming more and more isolated on the world scene, preparing the way for a most devastating war against them. America is hated more than ever before, Great Britain is “divorcing” from the EU; and anti-Semitism is on the rise.

As mentioned, the Great Tribulation is not only describing military attacks against the physical Israelites and Jews. It is also prophesied that Satan’s wrath will be directed at the same time against God’s Church—spiritual Israel.

Christ warns that prior to His return, an organized and worldwide martyrdom of true Christians will occur. Matthew 24:9-10 describes this time in vivid terms (compare also Mark 13:11–13; Luke 21:12, 16-17). These events as part of the “Great Tribulation” are also described as the fifth seal in Revelation 6:9-11. The fifth seal, following the first four seals of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, is a vision of slain souls under the altar:

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.”

The Nelson Study Bible explains that the souls who were slain for the Word of God are pictured as resting under the altar, as “sacrificial blood was poured beside the base of the altar in the temple (see Ex. 29:12).”

The “souls under the altar” are of course not alive (it is said that they need to “rest” a little bit longer) and they do not really cry to God with a loud voice. Neither did the “dry bones” in Ezekiel’s vision in Ezekiel 37:11 really speak, nor did Abel’s shed blood (Genesis 4:10). All of this is symbolic language. Notice what is said in Revelation 20:4, 6 about the “souls” of those who were killed for Christ:

“… I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads and on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years… Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection…”

This vision of the souls under the altar makes clear that religious persecution has occurred throughout the history of the true Church, compare Revelation 6:9-10, but that in the end time, a terrible and unparalleled persecution will happen once again (compare verse 11).

The Church of God—spiritual Israel—is viewed by most as a sect or even a cult and as a part of Judaism. As anti-Semitism rises, true Christians will be affected as well, and perhaps even more so, as they will be viewed as “traitors” towards orthodox Christianity. Not willing to submit to false religious concepts and unbiblical human traditions, which have replaced God’s Word, they will be treated as enemies of the state and of the established and mandated state religion. We will later discuss in detail the identity of the “beast” and the “false prophet,” as well as the “fallen woman,” and their role regarding the persecution of the saints.

For now, we will quote several passages, which describe the martyrdom of the saints during the Great Tribulation (which will last 3 ½ years or less).

Daniel 7:21-22, 25 speaks about that time which will culminate in the return of Christ and the establishment of God’s rule on earth:

“I was watching; and the same horn [to be explained later] was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom… He [the horn] shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time [i.e., approximately 3 ½ years].”

Revelation 13:5-6 speaks about the rule of the beast and his persecution of the saints during the time of the Great Tribulation:

“… he [the beast, to be explained later] was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months [approximately 3 ½ years]. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.”

Revelation 16:4-6 describes a future time just prior to Christ’s return, showing again that true Christians will be hated, betrayed, persecuted and killed:

“Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying: ‘You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.’”

Revelation 17 speaks about a harlot or a fallen woman, called “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.” The woman sits on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. We will identify the woman and the beast later, but notice how she is described in these last days, just prior to the return of Christ.

Revelation 17:6; 18:24 states very clearly:

“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus… And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”

We are approaching this time very soon. The beast, the false prophet, and Babylon the Great will manifest themselves in the near future, setting in motion events, which will lead to the Great Tribulation. We are seeing the beginnings of these prophesied events, which show us that Christ’s return is near. It is therefore extremely important to heed Christ’s warning for the Church in these last days:

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).

God will provide the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). While many will have to endure persecution and martyrdom, some members of the true Church of God who have been counted worthy to escape such terrible fate will be protected during that time at a physical location or “place of safety” here on earth (Revelation 12:13-16; 3:10). As we see devastating end-time events developing with enormous speed, we should make sure that God will count us worthy of His protection (1 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:5, 11; compare also Luke 20:35).

(To Be Continued)

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

We are very sad to announce the death of long-time member and deacon, Bill Grams, on December 1, 2018. His wife, Nancy Grams, thanks everyone for their prayers during this difficult time.

“George H.W. Bush and the German Reunification” is the title of the new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

The late American President George H.W. Bush has been described as a gentleman, a generous and true American patriot and a “stroke of luck” for the Germans. From a prophetic standpoint, his most important accomplishment was his contribution to the German reunification. This program describes the events in 1989, when the Berlin Wall fell, and points out the close friendship between President Bush and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. But neither Bush nor Kohl anticipated what would subsequently transpire; nor, what is still prophesied to happen in the future.

A German AufPostenStehen program, covering the same topic, was also published. Title in German: “George H.W. Bush, Helmut Kohl und die deutsche Wiedervereinigung“  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_q-sOZGFF0

Our monthly Tech Team meeting was held on Sunday, December 2, 2018, via SKYPE. Hosted by Eric Rank, updating our web host, review of hacking attempts, video production and factors relating to our web page were covered.

“Was uns der Prophet Samuel lehrt!” is the title of this Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “What the Prophet Samuel Teaches Us.”

“Comments on News and Prophecy (December 1, 2018),” the message presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

In this edition, we are addressing new developments in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict; the G-20 summit and President Trump’s cancellation of a press conference because of respect for the death of George H.W. Bush and his refusal to meet with Vladimir Putin and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman; the military collaboration of Germany and France because of Brexit; Germany’s public support for increase in defense spending; different viewpoints of Americans and Germans in regard to the US-German friendship; the economic consequences of a border closure between the US and Mexico; the many recent earthquakes in Alaska; and the reasons as to why a prominent writer left the Catholic Church.

“Let Us Be Clean and Holy!” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

As members of the spiritual Body of Christ we must be clean and holy, and we may think many times that we are, but may deceive ourselves. We must recognize our uncleanness and eradicate it with God’s help.

On December 1, 2018, Norbert Link will present “Comments on News and Prophecy (December 1, 2018), as well as the sermon, titled, “Let Us Be Clean and Holy!”

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

When reading about biblical prophecy, one of the direst warnings involves deception. The frailty of mankind will fall prey to believing lies because they seem to be so compelling. Lies will masquerade as Truth, and people will believe them! The cares of the world will simply pull people away from God and His Truth. It is sobering to consider this because we are all human, and therefore we are all inherently vulnerable to the trap of deception.

In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, the source of vulnerability is exposed: “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). We can see plainly that the belief in Truth stands directly opposed to unrighteousness. When there is pleasure in living a way of life that is inconsistent with the plain Truth of the Bible, the result is a vulnerability to believing deception instead. Clearly, when a love for man’s way of life begins to take root, there leaves less and less room for God’s Way of Life to protect one from deception.

Being deceived is not the end in itself though. The most frightening part is the ultimate result. The deception that turns people away from God by convincing them that their unrighteous ways are apparently righteous leads to condemnation – that is, death. When deception bears its fruit, the victim dies a death with an eternal duration. The pleasure in a life of unrighteousness has a dreadful finality.

Therefore, if we want to avoid this grim end in our lives, it is vitally important that we make sure to guard ourselves against deception. Nurturing our love for the Truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10), and all that naturally follows from such love, is the only way that we can defend ourselves from the subtle and cunning onslaught of deception. By building up our love for the Truth, we strengthen our ability to reject the imposters that threaten to take away our crown of righteousness. When we become intimately familiar with the Truth, we become strangers to the lies of deception.

Becoming familiar with the Truth and nurturing our love for it sounds great, but how do we do it? We can draw inspiration from the Psalms. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever” (Psalm 111:10). If we want to increase our understanding of the Truth, which is necessary in order to love the Truth, we have to put the Truth into action. By actually doing the commandments of God, we increase our familiarity with them, and we receive their benefits. By building obedience to God into every corner of our lives and taking the time to appreciate the inherent goodness, we build up our defenses against the dreadfulness of death. Our best protection against deception is to build up our love for the Truth by living by it.

by Norbert Link

We focus on Britain’s political chaos due to a controversial Brexit “deal,” which was agreed to by Britain and the EU last Sunday, but which is feared to fail in the British Parliament in early December (please also view our StandingWatch program, “What the BIBLE Says on the Brexit Debacle” and the latest edition of our new feature, “Comments on News and Prophecy (November 24, 2018)” We also report on interesting consequences from Brexit, such as a deteriorating relationship between the UK and the US, and the creation of a European army.

We continue with different viewpoints of Americans and Germans and quote comments by Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron and Martin Schulz, advocating the creation of a sovereign United States of Europe; speak on the lost lessons of World War I; and quote Hillary Clinton’s controversial statements on European immigration which even Democrats wished she would not have made.

We warn of a renewed conflict between Russia and Ukraine (please view our new StandingWatch program, “How Will the New Russian-Ukrainian Conflict Be ‘Solved’?” speak about valid concerns that Saudi Arabia, under its ruthless and murderous Crown Prince, wants to build a nuclear bomb with inadvertent American assistance; as well as European arms embargos on Saudi Arabia, pointing out the tragic irony in light of biblical prophecy. We also speak on the “humanitarian crisis” at the US-Mexico border and the economic costs to the US for temporarily closing parts of the border; and the status of California’s wildfires.

We conclude with a dire report on climate change by the Trump Administration which is at odds with the President in many respects; and with Russia’s “joke” on questioning the American moon landing, thereby bringing to mind the many ridiculous conspiracy theories or “fake news,” which are quite popular in Russia and Europe.

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

Brexit: “May Gives Way over Gibraltar after Spain’s ‘Veto’ Threat”

The Guardian wrote on November 24:

“Theresa May has given way to Madrid’s demands over the future of Gibraltar after the Spanish prime minister threatened to ‘veto’ the Brexit deal due to be signed off by EU leaders on Sunday [which it was, see below]. On the eve of Sunday’s special Brexit summit, the British ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, wrote to concede that Gibraltar would not necessarily be covered by a future trade deal with the EU… The Spanish leader, Pedro Sánchez, reacted immediately, claiming the UK would now have to open talks on ‘joint sovereignty’ of Gibraltar…

“Sánchez said:  ‘Spain will be a fundamental pillar of the relationship between Gibraltar and the EU as a whole. When it comes to the future political declaration, the European council and the European commission have backed Spain’s position, and backed it as never before.’…

“The development threatens… to open up a new front in Downing Street’s battle with the critics of May’s deal… The prime minister had promised in the House of Commons and on the steps of Downing Street that she would work for the entire ‘UK family’, including Gibraltar, a disputed territory.”

The Church of God has felt for many decades that, ultimately, the UK might lose Gibraltar as one of the last remaining “sea gates” in their possession.

EU Approves Agreement on UK’s Brexit

BBC reported on November 25:

“EU leaders have approved an agreement on the UK’s withdrawal and future relations – insisting it is the ‘best and only deal possible’…

“European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said anyone in Britain who thought the bloc might offer improved terms if MPs rejected the deal would be ‘disappointed’. But European Council President Donald Tusk… said he would not speculate on what would happen in such a situation, saying: ‘I am not a fortune teller.’

“The UK Parliament is expected to vote on the deal in early December, but its approval is far from guaranteed. Labour, the Lib Dems, the SNP, the DUP and many Conservatives MPs are set to vote against.

“… At a news conference in Brussels, [Theresa May] said the agreement would: end freedom of movement ‘in full and once and for all,’ protect the constitutional integrity of the UK, and ensure a return to ‘laws being made in our country by democratically elected politicians interpreted and enforced by British courts’. The agreement, she added, would not remove Gibraltar from the ‘UK family’…

[As the previous article and the following articles show, all these declarations, as stated, are factually incorrect.]

“Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the parliamentary arithmetic was ‘looking challenging’ and warned ‘nothing could be ruled out’ if Mrs May lost the vote, including the government collapsing…

“The agreement will also have to go back to the European Council, where a majority of countries (20 out of 27 states) will need to vote for it. It will also need to be ratified by the European Parliament, in a vote expected to take place in early 2019…

“Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn responded to Sunday’s summit by calling the deal ‘the worst of all worlds.’ He said his party would oppose it… Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said he would find it ‘very, very difficult’ to support the agreement as it stood… [Northern Ireland’s] Democratic Unionist leader [DUP] Arlene Foster… said… the agreement… would leave Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK ‘still within European structures with no say in its rules’…”

A Hard Sell

The Associated Press wrote on November 24:

“British Prime Minister Theresa May must now sell the deal to her divided Parliament — a huge task considering the intense opposition from pro-Brexit and pro-EU lawmakers alike — to ensure Britain can leave with a minimum of upheaval on March 29. It’s a hard sell.

“The agreement leaves Britain outside the EU with no say but still subject to its rules and the obligations of membership at least until the end of 2020, possibly longer. Britons voted to leave in June 2016, largely over concerns about immigration and losing sovereignty to Brussels…

“Many predict it will fail in the British Parliament. No one can be sure whether that would lead to the fall of the government, a new referendum, a postponement of Brexit or a chaotic ‘no deal’ exit for Britain. But Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said he thought May’s chances of getting the agreement through Parliament were strong. He said British lawmakers would see that ‘the alternative is a no deal, cliff-edge Brexit, which is something of course that we all want to avoid.’”

The Sun wrote on November 27:

“Theresa May could suffer a 200-vote defeat when the Commons decides on her Brexit deal — dealing a fatal blow to her Premiership… By Tuesday night, a total of 98 Tory MPs had publicly declared their opposition to the deal… with more known to also oppose it.”

The Sun commented that the entire vote of all parties in Parliament could end up with 221 for and 418 against the deal. 318 votes would be needed to pass the deal.

At the same time, Daily Mail reported on November 28 that according to a new poll, 52 percent of the public state their belief that Theresa May’s deal “is the best on the table.”

“Theresa May’s Betrayal Agreement”—“Brexit By Name Only”

Breitbart added on November 24:

“The Remain-voting Prime Minister’s deal with the European Union — if ratified by the British Parliament and European Parliament — could condemn the United Kingdom to ‘perpetual purgatory’ or even no Brexit at all, as Britain’s departure would be followed by a lengthy ‘transition’ period in which it would remain subject to all the rules and regulations of an EU member-state, but without representation in the EU’s institutions.”

We know from the Bible that Great Britain will leave the EU… and not just by name only.

No Plan B?

Newsmax and Thomson/Reuters wrote on November 24:

“Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, whose country chairs EU meetings till the end of the year, said there could be no more negotiations. ‘There is no Plan B,’ said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. ‘If anyone thinks in the United Kingdom that by voting No something better would come out of it, they are wrong.’”

This was questioned by several reports in the press stating that the EU was drafting a contingency agreement in case the present deal would be rejected by the UK Parliament.

Will Germany Be Asked to Help?

The EUObserver wrote on November 24:

“German chancellor Angela Merkel refused to speculate on what would happen if the deal did not make it through the UK parliament. Asked if she would help May, she said ‘one should not do anything one is not asked to do’…”

The Bible indicates that the UK might indeed ask Germany for help, but in any case, Germany will not be able or willing to provide it.

Far From Over

The EUObserver wrote on November 24:

“The EU treaty on any given member state’s withdrawal, in its Article 50, makes it possible for the UK to ask for an extension of the Brexit withdrawal negotiating period that is meant to end in March 2019.  EU states would need to agree unanimously to continue negotiations with the UK, but at the moment, there is little appetite for that in European capitals.

“In any case, the Brexit story is far from over. If the deal goes through in Britain, negotiators will still have to turn to the next, and even more complicated talks on a future deal on trade and other aspects of the bilateral relationship… France’s president Emmanuel Macron also gave a sign that the EU was prepared to play hardball. He noted that an agreement on fisheries could be linked to avoiding the Irish backstop, meaning that the UK could be forced into a deal on fishing rights in order to avoid staying in the customs union indefinitely.”

No US-UK Trading Because of Brexit?

The Guardian wrote on November 26:

“Donald Trump has delivered a weighty blow to Theresa May’s hopes of steering her Brexit deal through parliament, saying it sounded like a ‘great deal for the EU’ that would stop the UK trading with the US… Trump’s intervention caught Downing Street off-guard and is likely to weaken May’s hand at a time when she is seeking to get the deal approved by parliament… A vote is due on 11 December after a five-day debate…

“Under the deal the UK will not be able to pursue an independent trade policy during the 21-month transition period after Brexit, during which it will be in effect an EU member state without any representation in the bloc’s decision-making institutions… Such a scenario would see the whole of the UK staying in a customs union with Brussels under which it would not be able to pursue any trade deal covering goods – although the UK would be free to seek agreements in the services sector…

“Trump has… been seeking a trade deal with the EU, and has been threatening tariffs on the European car industry in order to attain such a prize. The UK would likely be covered by such an EU-US deal… Trump has had an uneasy relationship with May, and made no secret of his support for Nigel Farage and the British hard right…”

US-British Relationship Less Special after Brexit

The Washington Post wrote on November 24:

“As Britain continues to hash out the terms of its divorce with the European Union… Americans are already feeling the loss: A once-indispensable proxy in Europe no longer has clout that it can exercise on Washington’s behalf… Americans will find it harder to exert their will inside a 27-nation bloc that will be among the richest in the world… Leaders in London and Washington like to boast of their ‘special relationship’… The reality… is that Britain outside the European Union is a lot less special…

“… a Europe unbound from Britain is likely to go in an entirely new direction — one that Americans may dislike. One conflict flared this month after French President Emmanuel Macron — the leader of the only remaining E.U. country with enough military might to engage in foreign operations on its own — spoke of his desire to build a ‘real European army,’ a project London and Washington long tried to prevent… When Britain was a full, participating member of the E.U., it vetoed such discussions. Now that Europeans are planning for life after Brexit, London no longer has a voice.”

“Thanks to Brexit, the European Army Is on Its Way”

Handelsblatt Global wrote on November 26:

“Last week German and French defense ministries quietly announced contracts for further cooperation. Could Brexit – and the impending departure of the EU’s biggest military spender – finally be causing the Germans to pick up their guns? Brexit may be sad but it has had one positive outcome for the other 27 nations in the European Union: It has brought them closer together politically. There may soon be another sector that can celebrate more togetherness thanks to the British decision to leave the EU: the defense industry.

“… the UK has always been closer to NATO than the idea of a European army. Additionally, Britain was always a fly in the sticky ointment of European defense. Successive British governments ‘have been careful to ensure that the EU did not develop any serious national security or defense capabilities that might impinge on [the UK’s] own,’ former British spy chief, Richard Dearlove, pointed out recently.

“That could all be about to change. Up until recently, Germany has been reluctant to truly engage in building up a ‘European army.’ But lately there’s been lots of talk about not being able to rely on the Americans anymore, under US President Donald Trump, as well as positive signs from French and German leaders. All that, and the looming loss (at least, contractually) of one of the EU’s major military powers, could finally be pushing the Germans into arming themselves better, after years of procrastination.

“A short announcement that appeared on the German defense ministry’s website last Wednesday afternoon seems to confirm this. German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen and her French counterpart, Florence Parly, announced they are awaiting a joint plan from Germany’s Rheinmetall and KNDS (a Netherlands-based holding company comprising arms-makers, Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, or KMW, and France’s Nexter) about the development of a combat ground system, including tanks. They expect the plan by the middle of next year. Both ministers also agreed on how exactly Dassault Aviation, a French firm, and the French-German aerospace company, Airbus, will work together on a new concept for joint air defense. The French companies will take the lead in the air while the Germans do so on the ground.

“The announcement… can be seen as an important de-facto declaration of intent, via the biggest defense contracts in the EU… Industry insiders say the air combat systems are worth around €500 billion ($569 billion) and the new tanks, about €100 billion…

“Franco-German naval defense could also see more mergers and cooperation, if things continue in this vein. France’s state-owned Naval Group could launch another bid for their German rival, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, who have said they are open to a good offer…”

The Times added on November 28:

“German public support for an increase to defence spending has risen sharply over the past year, amid concerns that the country can no longer depend on the US for protection.”

How American and German Views Differ

Politico wrote on November 26:

“According to a new study, seven-in-ten Americans said the relationship between the two countries was good, while 73 percent in Germany said the relationship was bad. That’s a big jump on the German side from 2017, when 56 percent said the relationship was bad…  Seventy percent of Americans said the U.S. should cooperate more with Germany, but only 41 percent of Germans said Germany should cooperate more with the U.S… 58 percent of Americans wanted to cooperate less with Moscow, while 69 percent of Germans wanted more cooperation.

“… most Germans (72 percent) said they want to be more independent from the U.S. when it comes to foreign policy…In the U.S., 65 percent want to remain close to Europe… 51 percent of Americans opposed the initial tariffs (with 44 percent in favor). In Germany, 78 percent supported increasing tariffs on imported U.S. products in response to American tariffs on German goods.”

Merkel and Macron: “EU States Must Prepare to Hand National Sovereignty over to Brussels”

Breitbart wrote on November 23:

“German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that European Union (EU) member states must be prepared to transfer powers over to Brussels at a debate on the ‘tensions’ between globalisation and national sovereignty. ‘Nation states must today be prepared to give up their sovereignty,’ Merkel said… [She also said that nationalism] ‘is not patriotism, because patriotism is when you include others in German interests and accept win-win situations,’ … paraphrasing her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who recently claimed that ‘patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism…’

“Battling disastrous poll ratings at home in France, as well as massive protests, Macron travelled to Berlin at the weekend, where he told the Bundestag that ‘the Franco-German couple [has] the obligation not to let the world slip into chaos and to guide it on the road to peace.’ ‘Europe must be stronger and win more sovereignty,’ the French president said, demanding EU member states surrender national sovereignty to Brussels over ‘foreign affairs, migration, and development’ in addition to ‘an increasing part of our budgets and even fiscal resources’.”

Ten nations or groups of nations with sovereign powers will emerge from the current EU, and they will in turn give their authority to a charismatic economic, political and military leader, called the “beast” in the Bible. He is also referred to as the “king of the North” and as “King Jareb,” the modern “King of Assyria.”

Martin Schulz Speaks Out

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 21:

“The former president of the European Parliament failed dramatically in his bid to unseat Chancellor Angela Merkel. But is he looking for a comeback?… Martin Schulz had hoped to become Germany’s chancellor, or at least the country’s foreign minister…

“It was a dramatic fall for a politician who went from being the hope of the Social Democrats, elected party leader with a record 100 per cent of the votes, to the man responsible for the party’s worst election result in decades. However… Schulz said he was not the wrong candidate for the top job… ‘I am not a bad loser,’ said Schulz, who before the failed campaign in 2017 made his mark as European Parliament (EP) president from 2012 to 2017. The EP has been widely criticized for its democratic deficits, but Martin Schulz said this criticism has mainly come from right-wing tendencies in the United Kingdom… [But when he was asked] whether this criticism is nevertheless valid, Schulz said it was ‘completely nonsense.’…

“Martin Schulz has remained a passionate European and has continued to defend one of his main proposals: the idea of a United States of Europe. [He said:] ‘… if you want to run in future times the EU and the idea of democracy against people like Mr. Trump, Xi Jinping or Mr. Putin, we have to deepen European integration.’ Schulz has defended these European ideas for a long time, and he probably will continue to do so… he will focus on his role as member of the German Bundestag. ‘I am not looking for a comeback. I am here,’ he said.”

“The Lost Lessons of World War I”

Project Syndicate wrote on November 23:

“It has been 100 years since World War I ended, and the centenary was commemorated this month with great pomp in Australia, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. Germany sent high-level authorities to France to mark the occasion, reaffirming the reconciliation between the two countries. But the fact that Franco-German reconciliation did not occur until Europe had suffered another devastating war demonstrates how fragile peace can be, especially when political leaders are as shortsighted as they often are… WWII erupted because nationalism was allowed to continue to fester…

“The risk today is that generations that have not known war will reproduce the chain of events that lead to it… the structures we have created to preserve peace are far from foolproof. With populations across the West embracing nationalistic and populist ideas, we are again dancing on the rim of a volcano.”

Hillary Clinton Wants to Advise Europe

The Guardian wrote on November 22:

“Europe must get a handle on immigration to combat a growing threat from rightwing populists, Hillary Clinton has said, calling on the continent’s leaders to send out a stronger signal showing they are ‘not going to be able to continue to provide refuge and support.’ In an interview with the Guardian, the former Democratic presidential candidate praised the generosity shown by the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, but suggested immigration was inflaming voters and contributed to the election of Donald Trump and Britain’s vote to leave the EU…

“Clinton’s remarks are likely to prove controversial across Europe, which has struggled to form a unified position ever since more than 1 million migrants and refugees arrived in the EU in 2015…

“Brexit, described by Clinton as the biggest act of national economic self-harm in modern history, ‘was largely about immigration’, she said… Clinton said rightwing populists in the west met ‘a psychological as much as political yearning to be told what to do, and where to go, and how to live and have their press basically stifled and so be given one version of reality. The whole American system was designed so that you would eliminate the threat from a strong, authoritarian king or other leader and maybe people are just tired of it. They don’t want that much responsibility and freedom. They want to be told what to do and where to go and how to live and only given one version of reality.’

“She also reveals her contempt for Steve Bannon, whose attempt to bolster rightwing populist parties in Europe is stalling everywhere outside of Italy. ‘Rome is the right place for him since it is bread and circuses and it’s as old as recorded history…”

Clinton’s statements about immigration met strong rejection by Democrats in the USA. Left-leaning MSNBC suggested that she should stay quiet, as her comments are hurting the Democratic Party. On the other hand, her description of Rome is quite interesting, as the ancient Roman Empire will be revived one more time in continental Europe.

The Renewed Russian-Ukrainian Conflict

AFP wrote on November 26:

“Ukraine’s parliament approved the introduction of martial law [for 30 days] in border regions on Monday, as Russian state TV aired images of Ukrainian sailors captured after Moscow seized three of Kiev’s ships in a confrontation at sea… on Sunday… Ukraine and its Western allies say Russia illegally blocked the strait and acted against international law by grabbing the vessels and sailors.

“The UN Security Council met in an emergency session, where US Ambassador Nikki Haley warned Russia against ‘outlaw actions’… The confrontation is the latest dangerous development in the conflict pitting Ukraine against Moscow and Russian-backed rebels in the east of the country. More than 10,000 people have been killed since the Moscow-backed insurgency broke out in April 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine…

“Tensions have been building over the Kerch Strait, where Russia has built a new bridge that gives it a land connection to Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014. Kiev has accused Moscow of blocking access for Ukrainian ships through the strait, the only way in and out of the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. In recent months both sides had deployed more naval and border vessels to the area.”

The EUObserver wrote on November 26:

“Russia has rejected Western calls to free Ukrainian ships and sailors and to unblock access to the Azov Sea, while trumpeting its alternative account of the crisis. The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said on Monday (26 November), that Moscow did not care if the EU and US imposed extra sanctions over Sunday’s naval incident… He accused Ukraine of having ‘provoked’ the incident ‘in the hope that the US and Europe, as always, recklessly, will take [its] side’… The Russian foreign ministry went further in its statement, saying that the attempt at ‘provoking a conflict with Russia’ was carried out by Ukraine ‘in coordination with the United States and the European Union’…

“The clash has raised alarm in Europe that the four-year old Ukrainian conflict could escalate into full-blown war…”

Ukraine will end up in Russia’s hands. The Bible shows that ultimately, Russia and Ukraine (the modern Medes) will fight against continental Europe. Please view our new StandingWatch program, “How Will the New Russian-Ukrainian Conflict Be ‘Solved’?” 

Is Saudi Arabia Trying to Build an Atomic Bomb?

The New York Times wrote on November 22:

“Before Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was implicated by the C.I.A. in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, American intelligence agencies were trying to solve a separate mystery: Was the prince laying the groundwork for building an atomic bomb?

“The 33-year-old heir to the Saudi throne had been overseeing a negotiation with the Energy Department and the State Department to get the United States to sell designs for nuclear power plants to the kingdom. The deal was worth upward of $80 billion, depending on how many plants Saudi Arabia decided to build. But there is a hitch: Saudi Arabia insists on producing its own nuclear fuel, even though it could buy it more cheaply abroad… That raised concerns in Washington that the Saudis could divert their fuel into a covert weapons project – exactly what the United States and its allies feared Iran was doing…

“Prince Mohammed set off alarms when he declared earlier this year, in the midst of the negotiation, that if Iran, Saudi Arabia’s fiercest rival, ‘developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.’ His negotiators stirred more worries by telling the Trump administration that Saudi Arabia would refuse to sign an agreement that would allow United Nations inspectors to look anywhere in the country for signs that the Saudis might be working on a bomb…

“Now lurking behind the transaction is the question of whether a Saudi government that assassinated Mr. Khashoggi and repeatedly changed its story about the murder can be trusted with nuclear fuel and technology. Such fuel can be used for benign or military purposes: If uranium is enriched to 4 percent purity, it can fuel a power plant; at 90 percent it can be used for a bomb…

“Saudi Arabia has long displayed interest in acquiring, or helping allies acquire, the building blocks of a program that could make nuclear weapons and protect the kingdom from potential threats from its neighbors – first Israel, then Iraq and Iran. The Saudi government provided the financing for Pakistan to secretly build its own nuclear arms… That financial link has long left American intelligence officials wondering if there was a quid pro quo…

“Over the years, several nations have demonstrated that it is possible to turn ostensibly civilian programs into sources of bomb fuel, and thus atomic warheads and military power. Israel recently released an archive of material, stolen from Tehran in January, to prove that the Iranian government deceived the world for years…”

European Arms Embargos on Saudi Arabia

The Independent wrote on November 23:

“More European governments have imposed an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia in response to the country’s on-going killing of civilians in Yemen. The British government has so far resisted joining international efforts to stem the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe, which the UK has sold £4.7bn worth of arms to fuel since 2015.

“The Danish, German, Dutch and Finnish governments have now joined other countries in halting the sale of weapons to the autocracy, as the UN warns of ‘the worst famine in the world in 100 years’. The European parliament voted a month ago to back the embargo, which is also being supported by the governments of Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and Norway.

“Sweden has said it will end the sale of arms but has not yet done so. Britain’s vocal opposition to an embargo puts it in the same camp as Spain, which U-turned on a previous commitment to end the sale of arms after protests by workers at shipyards that would lose out from contracts.”

The Trump Administration has also refused to impose an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia, even though Congress is evaluating this possibility. The paradoxical irony is that soon, the current alliances will be reversed. The Bible shows that the relationship between the USA and Saudi Arabia will deteriorate, while the EU, under German leadership, will form a short-lived collaboration with Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, against the USA, the UK and the state of Israel.  

“Humanitarian Crisis” at the US-Mexico Border

Reuters wrote on November 23:

“Unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable migrants risk falling victim to crime in the Mexican border city of Tijuana, where thousands of Central Americans from caravans may be stuck for months as authorities tighten up asylum rules, advocates say. Some 4,600 migrants from the bedraggled caravans… are camped out with blankets and little food in an overcrowded stadium in Tijuana…Among the Central Americans, many of whom are Hondurans fleeing violence and poverty in the struggling region, are about 80 minors between the ages of 10 and 17…

“Tijuana was rated… as the fifth most violent city in the world in 2017, with a higher murder rate than the Central American cities from which the migrants are escaping. Juan Manuel Gastelum, Tijuana’s mayor, said late on Thursday that the city was facing a humanitarian crisis and that supporting the migrants was costing more than 500,000 pesos ($25,000) a day. He urged international agencies to help Tijuana.”

Closing the Border

Breitbart wrote on November 25:

“Thousands of additional migrants are expected to arrive in Tijuana, Mexico, to try to claim asylum at the U.S. border. The incoming migrants are in addition to the approximately 5,000 migrants who already arrived in this border city during recent days…

“The arrival of the new caravan comes just hours after a group of migrants tried to rush the U.S. border at the San Ysidro port of entry… the effort forced U.S. Customs and Border Protection to shut down the port of entry and establish barricades with federal officers in riot gear. U.S. Customs and Border Protection tweeted that Border Patrol agents were forced to fire tear gas into the crowds as some of the migrants threw rocks.”

The Washington Post wrote on November 26:

“The economic impact of Sunday’s border closure — even for just a day — was felt immediately by businesses just north of the San Ysidro crossing that depend heavily on customers from Tijuana, especially on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. The San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce estimates that the closure resulted in a loss of $5.3 million in sales for the area’s 650 businesses, as 93 percent of their customers arrive from Mexico…

“Of the roughly 70,000 vehicle passengers and 20,000 pedestrians who cross into San Diego each day through San Ysidro, about 30 percent work on the U.S. side — mostly in the hospitality industry… Individuals crossing from Tijuana into San Diego spend $10 million to $15 million in Southern California each day at gas stations, restaurants, stores and entertainment outlets…”

California Wildfire Contained, but…

The Washington Post wrote on November 25:

“The Camp Fire — the deadliest, most destructive blaze in California history that has killed 85 people, destroyed 14,000 residences and charred an area the size of Chicago — has been fully contained, authorities announced Sunday… But the rejoicing was muted. Authorities expect the death toll to continue to rise: 249 people are unaccounted for…

“Thousands of displaced people in shelters and hotels or camping outdoors in below-freezing temperatures face an uncertain future… the nightmare is far from over… Crews are working to repair power lines and clear debris from roads. Partially burned or hollowed-out trees are an ever-present threat… Debris and ash could be toxic, full of heavy metals or carcinogens… More than 120 have been sickened by what appears to be the highly contagious infection norovirus. Even the rain that knocked back the fire opened up the area to new threats. ‘Areas experiencing significant rainfall following a wildfire are at risk for debris flows and flash flooding,’ the Butte County Sheriff’s Office warned.”

“US Government Climate Report Warns of Worsening US Disasters, Contradicts Trump”

Newsmax wrote on November 23:

“A massive new federal report [by the Trump administration] warns that extreme weather disasters, like California’s wildfires and this year’s hurricanes, are worsening in the United States. The White House report quietly issued Friday also frequently contradicts President Donald Trump. The National Climate Assessment was written long before the California fires and the hurricanes. It warns of more, stronger and longer disasters triggered at least in part by global warming.”

The Week wrote on November 23:

“Human-made climate change will have massive costs for human health and the economy if America doesn’t take action today, the fourth National Climate Assessment, published Friday by the Trump administration, has found. America’s temperatures have risen 1.8 degrees in the past 100 years, and sea levels are 9 inches higher than 50 years ago, per the assessment.

“The U.S. is also slated for another 2.3 degrees of temperature growth by 2050, leading to days where people can’t even work outside and potentially costing the country $155 billion in lost labor each year. The risks of these massive climate swings mostly hurt ‘lower-income [people] and other marginalized communities,’ the report states. The report is congressionally mandated for release every four years, but scientists are frustrated that it came out over the holidays on a slow news day.”

The Washington Post wrote on November 27:

“President Trump on Tuesday dismissed a landmark report compiled by 13 federal agencies detailing how damage from global warming is intensifying throughout the country, saying he is not among the ‘believers’ who see climate change as a pressing problem… ‘One of the problems that a lot of people like myself, we have very high levels of intelligence but we’re not necessarily such believers,’ Trump said… ‘As to whether or not it’s man-made and whether or not the effects that you’re talking about are there, I don’t see it,’ he added…

“‘You look at our air and our water and it’s right now at a record clean. But when you look at China and you look at parts of Asia and you look at South America, and when you look at many other places in this world, including Russia, including many other places, the air is incredibly dirty, and when you’re talking about an atmosphere, oceans are very small,’ Trump said… ‘And it blows over and it sails over. I mean we take thousands of tons of garbage off our beaches all the time that comes over from Asia…’

“White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders echoed her boss. ‘We think that this is the most extreme version and it’s not based on facts,’ Sanders said of the National Climate Assessment. ‘It’s not data-driven… It’s based on modeling, which is extremely hard to do when you’re talking about the climate…’”

The ironic problem with the entire discussion is that the report was issued by the TRUMP Administration.

Russia “Jokes” over American Moon Landing

The Associated Press reported on November 24:

“The head of Russia’s Roscosmos space agency has said that a proposed Russian mission to the moon will be tasked with verifying that the American moon landings were real, though he appeared to be making a joke. ‘We have set this objective to fly and verify whether they’ve been there or not,’ said Dmitry Rogozin in a video posted Saturday on Twitter.

“Rogozin was responding to a question about whether or not NASA actually landed on the moon nearly 50 years ago. He appeared to be joking, as he smirked and shrugged while answering. But conspiracies surrounding NASA’s moon missions are common in Russia.

“The Soviet Union abandoned its lunar program in the mid-1970s after four experimental moon rockets exploded.”

These kinds of ridiculous conspiracy theories are not only common in Russia, but also in Europe. Many believe that the moon landing was fake or that the terrorist attack on 9-11 was perpetrated by the Bush Administration. Others are even convinced that the earth is flat or that man was created by aliens from other planets, just to name a few of the many outrageous and stupid concepts.  

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.

It seems that Christians always believed that Christ would return during their lifetime. The early New Testament apostles believed this, until it became clear to them that His return would not occur that quickly. The Worldwide Church of God under its late human leader, Herbert W. Armstrong, believed for a while that Christ might return in the 1970s or even earlier. They understood numerous prophecies that seemed to indicate convincingly that the Day was near—but they then had to realize that some end-time prophecies did not find their fulfillment then.

Based on the upheaval at his time, Martin Luther believed that Christ would return soon… and so did those who were plagued by the devastating Black Death. Strong earthquakes, heavenly occurrences, devastating natural disasters, famine, pestilences and great wars prompted many to believe that they would experience the soon-coming return of Christ. They all looked at certain signs and predictions, which were startling and frightening, but they did not look at the entire picture.

Why do we feel that it is any different today? What are the world developments leading us to believe that Christ’s return is indeed near, and why are we confident that we are right this time? What are the events which we need to consider—and what are false and misleading signs, which have no biblical bearing?

Christ’s disciples asked Him once about the destruction of the second temple (which would occur in 70 A.D.), the sign of His coming and the end of the world (compare Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 and the description of the first four seals in Revelation 6—the four horsemen of the Apocalypse). Christ proceeded by pointing at religious deception (the first seal), wars and rumors of wars (the second seal),) famines due to severe shortage of food (the third seal), and pestilences communicated oftentimes by sick animals carrying deadly viruses (the fourth seal). The reference to wild beasts in Revelation 6:8 would be one of the consequences of war, famine, and pestilence. Lands would be depopulated, and wild beasts would be multiplied.

Christ also spoke of commotions (Luke 21:9) and great or “big” earthquakes in various places (Luke 21:11; compare also Isaiah 24:19 and the culmination in Revelation 16:18). The Bible lists other natural catastrophes as well, which would include huge Tsunamis (“the sea and the waves roaring,” Luke 21:25), volcanic eruptions and increasing destructive wildfires. In Isaiah 1:7, we read: “Your country is desolate, Your cities are burned with fire…” Ezekiel 20:47-48 says: “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree and every dry tree in you; the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be scorched by it. All flesh shall see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.”

Christ also made clear that these events, all by themselves, were not indicating that the end had come, but that they were the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:6, 8). These events must take place, and they will increase in strength and frequency, but they alone are not the sign of Christ’s second coming. On the other hand, if they were not to occur, His Coming would not be near.

We can also expect more and more demonically inspired violent acts committed by deranged people as well as governmental suppression in many nations. The reason is that Satan has great wrath, as he knows that his time is short. We read in Revelation 12:12: “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

Christ continued to speak about a time of great distress (the Great Tribulation) and devastating heavenly signs. Other Scriptures in the book of Revelation and elsewhere describe terrible events on the Day of the Lord, which follow the heavenly signs, culminating in Christ’s return. We will discuss these later.

We should note however, that the disciples asked for one particular SIGN of Christ’s coming (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:4). Christ made very clear what that sign would be. He pointed out that the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of God as a witness in all the world and to all nations must precede His coming and the end of the age. He said in Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom WILL BE preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” He is quoted as saying in Mark 13:10 (Authorized Version): “And the gospel must first be published among all nations.”

That the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of God in all the world was given as the SIGN for Christ’s return shows that this gospel had NOT been preached to the world for a long time. Rather, a false gospel had been preached, which fact is alluded to in Galatians 1:6-7. Of course, “a” gospel was preached – the gospel “about” Christ (but it was many times a false Christ or a counterfeit; compare 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 and the reference to the first horseman of the Apocalypse). However, the gospel OF Christ—of the Kingdom of God—would be preached at the time of Christ’s coming. It was the gospel that Christ preached—the gospel which originated with the Kingdom of God which is the Family of God, consisting of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. This true gospel includes the message that God’s government will be restored on this earth when Christ returns, as well as the fact that true Christians will then be changed or resurrected to eternal life IN God’s Kingdom. They will become immortal sons and daughters of God the Father and brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, ruling on and over this earth under Christ for a thousand years. They will become born-again members of the God Family—God BEINGS in the KINGDOM of God.

It is an undeniable fact that the true gospel of the Kingdom of God was being preached to the world during the lifetime of Herbert W. Armstrong. It is likewise an undeniable fact that Mr. Armstrong died in 1986, and that Christ has not yet returned. This means, then, that God’s Church has the continued obligation to preach the gospel in all the world as a witness in order to fulfill THE Sign of Christ’s Coming.

Christ made it very clear that the gospel would still be preached at the time of His return. He told His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20 that He would be with them “always, even to the END of the age,” while they were “making disciples of all the nations” (a logical consequence of the Church’s preaching of the gospel in all the world, compare Romans 10:14-15). Christ also said that those who would be doing God’s Work of preaching His gospel would not have finished it, even in the cities of Israel, when He returns (Matthew 10:23).

Considering this fact, it is obvious that Christ could not have come back at the time of Martin Luther, as there was no practical way of fulfilling Christ’s prophecy that His gospel would be preached in all the world and among all nations. The possibility to do so simply did not exist. Even in the last century, that possibility was somewhat limited with the available use of radio, TV [which was only accessible in certain countries] and the printing press. But today, with the invention of the Internet and other technological opportunities, this prophecy can be and is being fulfilled–really for the first time in the history of man. Even though some autocratic and dictatorial countries, including certain radical Muslim counties, would like to limit or prevent their citizens’ access to the Internet, they are unable to do so completely. And so, the gospel of the Kingdom of God is indeed reaching people in all countries…the sign which Christ gave for His return is being fulfilled today.

The preaching of the gospel (the good news of the Kingdom or Family of God) includes the task to warn the world of impending disaster. This aspect is also being fulfilled today.

We read in Zephaniah 1:2-3 (Revised Standard Version): “‘I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,’ says the LORD. ‘I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. I will overthrow the wicked; I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,’ says the LORD.”

Verse 18 adds (Revised Standard Version): “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the LORD. In the fire of his jealous wrath, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full, yea, sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.”

However, Zephaniah 3:12 adds that some will survive: “Those who are left will be the poor and the humble, and they will trust in the name of the Lord” (Living Bible).

When speaking about the time of the Great Tribulation, Christ also confirmed that even though this will be the most devastating time in the annals of human history, some will survive, because Christ will come to shorten those terrible days. He told us in Matthew 24:21-22 (New International Version):

“For then there will be great distress (most translations say: “great tribulation”), unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect these days will be shortened.” The Living Bible writes: “… unless those days are shortened, all mankind will perish.”

Isaiah 24:5-6 tells us something very similar: “The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, Because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, And few men are left.”

The Church of God warns all nations of these impending dangers (Isaiah 34:1-3), especially the lost tribes of the house of Israel (Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:2-11). This emphasis on the house of Israel is placed as God will deal with them first, but a specific warning must also go out to all nations, because God will deal with them subsequently (Isaiah 24:5-6; 28:22). In addition, a warning message must even go out to members and prospective members of the Church of God (Colossians 1:28; Acts 20:31; 1 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:14).

This warning message is part of the proclamation of the gospel, as those who hear it are given the opportunity to repent so that they can be spared. We read in Luke 24:46-47: “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations…”

In order to warn the nations of the house of Israel (and, by extension, the modern house of Judah), it is necessary to know who they are today. And so, the Church of God has identified these nations—the lost tribes of the house of Israel—and it is proclaiming the warning to them as a witness or testimony against them.

Those nations can be found today in the USA (where we find descendants of Manasseh, the first-born son of Joseph and grandson of Jacob or Israel); the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa (all descendants of Ephraim, the second son of Joseph); parts of France (descendants of Reuben, Jacob’s first-born son); Denmark and Ireland (descendants of Dan, one of Jacob’s twelve sons); Norway and Iceland (descendants of Benjamin, another one of Jacob’s twelve sons); The Netherlands (descendants of Zebulon, one of Jacob’s twelve sons); Finland (descendants of Issachar, one of Jacob’s twelve sons); Switzerland (descendants of Gad, one of Jacob’s twelve sons); Belgium and Luxembourg (descendants of Asher, one of Jacob’s twelve sons); and Sweden (descendants of Naphtali, one of Jacob’s twelve sons). In addition, modern descendants of Jacob’s son Levi might be found today in Wales; and descendants of Simeon and Levi might also be found in Scotland. Furthermore, a warning message is going out to the modern descendants of the house of Judah—the Jewish people.

But, as mentioned, the warning message is also reaching non-Israelite peoples, which would include powerful nations such as Germany and Austria (modern Assyria); Italy (in part descendants of the ancient Chaldeans and Babylonians); and countries such as Russia, China, Japan, India, nations in the Middle East, Africa and South America. The gospel of the Kingdom of God with all its different aspects is indeed being proclaimed and published today in all the world as a witness among all nations.

(To Be Continued)

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“How Will the New Russian-Ukrainian Conflict Be ‘Solved’?” is the title of the new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

The Russian blockade of the Azov Sea and the capture of three Ukrainian ships and sailors caused the USA and the EU to condemn Russia for violating international law, but Russia denies this and couldn’t care less. Even though Ukraine is asking NATO and the EU, including Germany, for further economic sanctions and military intervention, this does not seem to be likely. What, then, is going to happen? History from World War II and the Bible give us answers.

A German AufPostenStehen program, covering the same topic, was also published. Title in German: “Wie der neue Konflikt der Ukraine mit Russland ‘gelöst’ wird!”

“What the BIBLE Says on the Brexit Debacle,” is the title of a recent StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

Much has been reported on present and future Brexit negotiations, the real or possible adoption of legally binding or not-binding deals, and further developments and potential outcomes. This can be confusing at times. This program will bring clarity and tell you what the Bible prophesies regarding the EU and Great Britain.

“Warum Christus bald zurückkommt!” is the title of this Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. In English: “Why Christ Will Come Back Soon!”

“Comments on News and Prophecy (November 24, 2018),” the first message presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

In this edition, we are addressing Europe’s desire for creating a powerful army and core Europe’s last revival of the ancient Roman Empire; the ongoing Brexit debacle with no good solutions for the UK; the future of Gibraltar; the false alternative Temple Theory and Israel’s desire of building a massive third temple on the Temple Mount; the non-exiting German-Israeli Friendship and Europe’s growing anti-Semitism; the Church of God’s debt of gratitude towards the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals; the European arms embargo on Saudi Arabia; and the curse of rising nationalism.

“True Christian Humility,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Kalon Mitchell, is now posted. Here is a summary:

The Bible enjoins us all to be humble and have the attitude of being as such. But why? Why is it important? What does Christian humility look like? Are there any other parts that go along with being humble? We will look into these questions and discover the important answers.