On November 18, 2017, Dave Harris will present the sermonette, titled, “Treasures in Heaven,” and Robb Harris will present the sermon, titled, “Where is 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.

When someone makes the decision to become baptized, they enter into a covenant or contract with God. They exchange their person for a new person. Not physically of course, but spiritually (Romans 6:3-4).  This change comes at a very high price. When we make that momentous choice to leave behind our old life and person, we must not turn back. In Matthew 16:24-26, Christ tells us this new Way of Life, of living, is about denying those old things that hold nothing good for us.

Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 that the Israelites of old were weak, even though they had been physically redeemed or freed by God. They saw incredible miracles and signs, but this was NOT enough to keep them believing and staying motivated. Instead, they tended to only want and crave those evil things from which God was attempting to lead them away. And we are not immune to the sins Paul mentions. The stories of the Israelites and how God worked with them are written for our admonition. Do we take the time to study the stories, to put ourselves in their shoes and think about how we would have acted? The fact is, we can take the same principles and apply them to our situations today.

We have power, wisdom and understanding that God gives us through His Holy Spirit. No matter what the issue is, God says He will show us the way out. The question then is, are we seeking to find out the answer(s) diligently? Are we full-heartedly seeking to find out God’s Will and what He wants us to do?  And when we do find the answers, are we willing to accept them and take action? Or do we find ourselves not really wanting God’s answer, but just wishing to do things the way we want to?

Satan wants us to become fearful and unable to have a clear mind. He works to get us to doubt ourselves, to doubt our ability to overcome. Once he accomplishes this, people can lose confidence and faith in God. Those who succumb to this doubt can no longer see that it is God who gives them the power to overcome sin in ALL its various shapes and forms. Paul encourages us in 2 Timothy 1:7 to call upon His help for power, for true and proper love and also for a sound mind.  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 that he trained his body, his spiritual body, to be in control of his mental and emotional state so that he could continue to fight properly. Satan attacked Christ by testing His resolve and His mental state, but Christ was able to fend him off through the proper use of Scripture.

As we see the end of this age drawing closer, what will we choose to do in regards to sin? Will we choose to no longer have a secret hidden love for sin and get rid of it through a deeper love for God the Father and Jesus Christ? Or will we let it continue to enslave us?

Matthew 24:13 says: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” We cannot endure on our own. But we can decide to push on until the end. We cannot overcome sin on our own. But we can choose that we do not continue to want any part of it. Romans 15:4 reiterates the endurance and the encouragement that we need to pull from God’s Holy Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 pleads for us to read the Scriptures which will help strengthen our resolve as we see God’s Truth and recognize His help to become the type of people that He wants us to be. Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us that it is Christ, our High Priest, who overcame sin and who sits with the Father on His throne, sympathizing with what we go through. This is the reason why we should come BOLDLY to the throne of grace ANY time we need God’s power and strength. God the Father and Jesus Christ have not gone through the time, effort, trouble and pain to fashion us, just so that we fail.

Whether we live or die before Christ’s return, the true test will be if we will continue to endure until the end—the end of our natural life or the end of this present evil world at Christ’s return. Christ told us many times that this is a choice we will need to continue to make, especially as times become harder (Matthew 10:21-22; Revelation 2:3,7,10-11, 17, 19, 26; 3:3, 10, 19; Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-17).  We have the opportunity and the choice to endure until the end. The question is, will we?

by Norbert Link

In this issue, we begin with reports on developments in Germany and the ongoing Brexit negotiations; remarkable European advancements towards a “European mega-army”(please view in this regard our new StandingWatch program, “Europe’s New Defense Pact… Blessing or Curse?”), and frightening prospects for European customers of failing banks. We address the military coup in Zimbabwe; the powder keg in the Middle East and especially the escalating and extremely volatile situation pertaining to Lebanon, Iran and Saudi Arabia; as well as a powerful earthquake at the border between Iran and Iraq; and we speak on President Trump’s travel to China, Russia and the Philippines and his encounter with the leaders of these countries, while emphasizing an agreement between Trump and Putin which might prove to be extremely dangerous for Israel; and we focus on noteworthy and disconcerting events in Poland.

We continue with the upheaval in the Roman Catholic Church and Pope Francis’ clear “response” to some of his conservative critics, as well as reactions by the US bishops.

In the last portion of this section, we address a variety of “social” issues, including a decision by Germany’s constitutional court regarding intersex people;  the German military’s approach towards transgender service members and the dangers of transgenderism; Australia’s approval of gay marriages; an attempt to abolish Obama’s individual mandate in America’s healthcare law; America’s huge production of missiles and “kill vehicles”; the debate on whether or not to carry concealed weapons in worship services; and the history and sad transformation of the American Veterans Day.

We conclude with reports on a possible return of the Black Death; scientific experiments to grow miniature versions of human brains in animals; and remarkable explanations for the extinction of the dinosaurs.

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

Proposed Jamaica Coalition Not Popular in Germany

Express wrote on November 10:

“ANGELA Merkel is facing a domestic crisis after a poll suggested most Germans do not want the three-party coalition she is desperately trying to form. Following her election disaster, the German Chancellor is attempting to form a partnership with the Greens and pro-business FDP. But a poll published this week showed 52 per cent of Germans think the so-called Jamaica coalition would be bad for the country. Just 45 per cent thought it would be a good thing, a fall in support of 12 per cent from a previous survey last month. Three per cent were unsure. The poll, published yesterday, was commissioned by huge public service broadcaster ARD and surveyed 1,005 people…

“A piece published in the Die Zeit newspaper this week accused Mrs Merkel of ‘fidgeting’, lacking leadership and failing to grapple with policies to shape the nation’s future. The column contrasted the French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent speech on EU reform at the Sorbonne with ‘the almost complete absence of Angela Merkel in public’.”

Even if a Jamaica coalition comes into effect, it won’t last very long.

Showdown in Jamaica Coalition Talks

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 16:

“For over a month, four of Germany’s most unlikely political partners have been trying to decide whether they can form a viable coalition government. Their deadline to end exploratory talks — a precursor to formal negotiations — is early Friday morning.

“Before Thursday’s talks began, Merkel said ‘serious differences’ remain among the parties, but she also said she was confident an agreement could be reached.

“If the talks fail, Chancellor Merkel faces the prospect of wooing the Social Democratic Party (SPD) into another grand coalition government or possibly calling for new elections.”

EU Tightens the Screws Further on Britain

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 9, 2017:

“Britain on Friday was reminded once more that time is running out to advance Brexit negotiations as both London and Brussels remain in dispute over the final cost of the divorce. Chief European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told reporters that the bloc would need UK clarifications in two weeks to prepare for a December 14-15 summit. He said progress in negotiations on how much money Britain will owe the EU when it leaves the bloc in March 2019 was imperative if EU leaders were to allow discussions on future trade ties with Britain in December…

“Barnier’s remarks seem to tighten the screws still further on Britain after The Financial Times earlier cited an unnamed EU diplomat as saying the issue needed to be settled within two to three weeks. The Brexit bill is estimated by the EU at around €60 billion ($70 billion). But the UK has insisted that it should be more like €25 billion… the [British] government [made] clear late on Thursday that the country’s exit from the bloc would occur at exactly 2300 GMT on March 29, 2019… Prime Minister Theresa May’s minority Conservative government remains deeply divided over what kind of deal it is seeking with the EU…”

Britain will leave the EU, as prophesied, and the exit will NOT be advantageous for the country.

EU Signs Defense Pact

The EUreporter wrote on November 14:

“Foreign and defence ministers gathered at a signing ceremony in Brussels to represent 23 EU governments joining the pact, paving the way for EU leaders to sign it in December. Those governments will for the first time legally bind themselves into joint projects as well as pledging to increase defence spending and contribute to rapid deployments. ‘Today we are taking a historic step,’ Germany’s Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told reporters. ‘… it’s really a milestone in European development,’ he said.

“The pact includes all EU governments except Britain, which is leaving the bloc, Denmark, which has opted out of defence matters, Ireland, Portugal and Malta. Traditionally neutral Austria was a late addition to the pact… The club will be backed by a 5-billion-euro defence fund for buying weapons, a special fund to finance operations and money from the EU’s common budget for defence research…

“Despite an Anglo-French-led EU defence integration effort in 1998, Britain blocked formal collaboration on military matters, wary of the creation of an EU army. Defence integration was revived by France and Germany, with support from Italy and Spain, in a show of unity after Britons voted to leave the EU in June 2016.”

Quartz added on November 13:

“It took 70 years… US president’s Donald Trump’s frequent accusations that EU countries do not pay enough into NATO has been one catalyst for them move forward… The other is that it could legitimately diminish the bloc’s dependence on US military support…”

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 13:

“With 23 of the EU’s current 28 member states joining the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), there seems to be a great deal of consensus among member states… The new defense union is expected to address immediate threats without having to rely on NATO for all of the EU’s defense needs…  Those who didn’t sign initially can still join at a later date and countries not living up to their expected commitments could be kicked out of the group…

“German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said it was important for Europe to stand on its own feet when it comes to security and defense – ‘especially after the election of the US President’…”

On November 13, Reuters ran an article about PESCO with the following headline: “EU countries agree to create a European mega-army.”

European Banks Might Freeze Customers’ Money

Express wrote on November 14:

“The European Central Bank has outlined plans to freeze cash deposits of customers at failing banks in order to halt collapses… The move could mean people with money in their bank accounts could not withdraw anything while the bank was in crisis talks…

“Most EU member states are behind the ECB’s new proposals…”

Military Coup in Zimbabwe

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 15:

“Longtime Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe was arrested along with other senior officials early Wednesday morning in what appeared to be a military seizure of power… Hours earlier, Major General SB Moyo had said on state television that the army’s takeover of state offices, the parliament, the airport and state broadcaster was ‘not a military takeover.’…

“Armored vehicles and soldiers were seen throughout the capital city, Harare, Wednesday morning as many people rushed to withdraw money from banks…

“Grace Mugabe — who reportedly fled to Namibia early Wednesday morning — had been publically positioning herself to succeed her husband as president. That ambition led to a public feud with former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa who had been seen as Mugabe’s likely successor before the president fired him in early November. Mnangagwa — nicknamed ‘Crocodile’ — is… popular with the country’s military…

“South African President Zuma urged the Zimbabwean government and army to resolve their differences amicably… The European Union and Britain also expressed concern and called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.”

This seems to be a usual power struggle which is not uncommon in many non-democratic countries.

War Between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon?

The New York Times wrote on November 9:

“Saudi Arabia ordered its citizens to leave Lebanon on Thursday, escalating a bewildering crisis between the two Arab nations and raising fears that it could lead to an economic crisis or even war. The order came after Saudi Arabia had stepped up its condemnations of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite militia that is the most powerful political and military force in Lebanon, and asserted that Lebanon had effectively declared war on Saudi Arabia.

“The developments plunged Lebanon into a state of national anxiety, with politicians, journalists and even parents picking up their children at school consumed with the question of what could come next. While analysts said a war was unlikely — because Saudi Arabia was not capable of waging one and Israel did not want one now — they worried that with so many active conflicts in the region, any Saudi actions that raised the temperature increased the risk of an accidental conflagration…

“But even before the current crisis, fears were building in Lebanon that Israel… would instigate another war against Hezbollah…”

The Fight Between Iran and Saudi Arabia

The Guardian wrote on November 11:

“The fall of Kurdish-held Kirkuk in northern Iraq to the Iraqi government, backed by Iran’s most prominent general, in October, starvation among the population of war-torn Yemen, a ballistic missile over Riyadh, and the apparently forced exit of the premier in Lebanon are all part of the same machinations – a great strategic power play between two regional heavyweights… Now, more than at any point in modern history, Iran and Saudi Arabia are squared off against each other as a race to consolidate influence nears a climax from Sana’a to Beirut and the tens of thousands of miles in between…

“The foundational split between the two main sects of Islam, over whether followers or descendants should succeed the Prophet Mohammed, has long been a starting point for attempts to explain the contemporary rivalry between Tehran and Riyadh…

“Iran now all but controls a land corridor that runs from Tehran to Tartous in Syria, on the Mediterranean coast, giving it access to a seaport a long way to its west… Among all its proxies, Hezbollah in Lebanon has been the most valuable – and potent. Hezbollah is the arrowhead of Iran’s projection against Israel…”

All of this shows that it is extremely unlikely that a king of the South will still arise in the Middle East, leading all Arab nations against Europe. Those who preach such an arrival of an end-time king of the South grossly misinterpret the Bible and seem to lack the spirit of prophecy, as Scripture, correctly understood, does NOT necessitate a future king of the South.

Iran-Iraq Quake

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 14:

“Iranian authorities on Tuesday scrambled to bring relief aid to thousands of people left homeless by an earthquake that killed at least 432 people and injured nearly 5,000 more. The national rescue service called off most searches for bodies trapped under rubble, saying it was unlikely survivors would be found.

“President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday arrived in Kermanshah province, a mostly Kurdish area hit hardest by the 7.3-magnitude tremor that struck the mountainous border region between Iran and Iraq Sunday… Around 15,500 homes were destroyed and another 15,000 damaged in Kermanshah province… Seven towns and nearly 2,000 villages were damaged… and several villages were completely destroyed…

“The earthquake has led to an outpouring of solidarity from Iranians across the country and millions more in the diaspora… Dozens of countries including Arab states, as well as Iran’s enemies the US and Israel, extended their sympathies to the Iranian people. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif thanked the international community for messages of sympathy and offers of assistance…”

Trump Meets Putin… Sort of…

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 11:

“US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin assured him that Moscow did not interfere in the 2016 US election during their discussions on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Danang, Vietnam. ‘Every time he sees me, he said: “I didn’t do that.” And I believe, I really believe that when he tells me that he means it,’ Trump told reporters… He also noted that Putin is ‘very insulted’ by the accusation…

“Trump and Putin did not have a formal meeting at the APEC summit, but the two leaders met unofficially several times since late Friday and have even posed for a side-by-side photo… US officials may well be anxious to avoid any encounter between the two men that could be seen to reinforce the notion that they are in cahoots in any way…

“Trump and Putin did issue a statement [saying] that the two leaders… confirmed their commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity…

Deutsche Welle added on November 12:

“Trump tried to distance himself from remarks suggesting he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin… ‘I believe that he feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election,’ Trump said… ‘As to whether I believe it, I’m with our agencies.’”

It’s always better to think first before speaking.

Putin and Trump Invite Hezbollah and Iran to Stay in Syria

The Jewish Press wrote on November 11:

“According to their joint statement, President Trump and President Putin on Saturday met on the margins of the APEC conference in Da Nang, Vietnam, to confirm their determination to defeat ISIS in Syria. Meanwhile, the two presidents also agreed to let Iran and its two satellite terrorist groups, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah, to roam free in parts of Syria, including up against Israel’s northern border.

“Naturally, ISIS is far from being the only player in the Syrian civil war, nor is it a major player, at this stage… The two presidents also engaged in creative fantasy…

“That bit of newspeak coming from President Trump, after months and months of warnings from Prime Minister Netanyahu, is outright frightening… In the end, President Trump who has been so adamant about the folly of Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran, is signing off on allowing the Iranian threat against the Jewish State to come in a thousand miles closer.”

Amazing what ill-advised politicians are able to “accomplish.”

Trump vs. Xi Jinping

The Guardian wrote on November 10:

“Donald Trump has abruptly ended the diplomatic streak he displayed on his 12-day tour of Asia by launching a tirade against ‘violations, cheating or economic aggression’ in the region, just hours after heaping lavish praise on China… The speech was clearly, sometimes explicitly, focused on China and other countries he blamed for predatory economic policies…

“Trump addressed a largely mute and visibly stunned audience that included ministers from countries he accused of not ‘playing by the rules’… ‘The United States will no longer turn a blind eye to violations, cheating or economic aggression. Those days are over,’ he added. Previous US administrations had not done anything about the trade deficit, he said, ‘but I will … I am always going to put America first.’

“… The speech was markedly different from the reserved tone of the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, who spoke directly after Trump, although to much louder applause and cheers from the audience… Xi did not directly respond to Trump’s challenge on trade but sought to paint himself as a champion of economic openness, globalisation and the fight against climate change, in contrast to the isolationist US president…”

Trump in the Philippines

The Week wrote on November 12:

“President Trump arrived in the Philippines from Vietnam on Sunday, where he was greeted by controversial Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte [The international press refers to Duterte as the “Trump of the East”], who has been accused of human rights abuses including the promotion of extrajudicial killings.

“Trump offered Duterte mediation assistance in his country’s dispute with China over the South China Sea, calling himself ‘a very good mediator and arbitrator.’ Duterte declined the offer, saying the issue ‘is better left untouched’ because ‘nobody can afford to go to war.’”

Newsmax added on November 12:

“The Philippines has for decades been a key U.S. defence ally and although the base was closed in 1992, Subic [once home to one of the biggest U.S. naval facilities in the world] has since received a regular flow of retirees and visits by U.S. warships for repairs, resupply and exercises. About 220,000 Americans, many of them military veterans, live in the Philippines. An additional 650,000 visit each year…”

Trump’s Asia Tour Receives Mixed Reviews

The Week wrote on November 15:

“President Trump spent Wednesday morning tweeting about his ‘successful trip to Asia,’ although many regional experts were reluctant to share his characterization. ‘The principal takeaway from Trump’s big Asia trip: virtually zero progress on any issue that matters to the Americans,’ wrote Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group consultancy… ultimately no new measures were forged regarding North Korea, and Asian countries pressed ahead with the Trans-Pacific Partnership without the U.S.

“‘While Trump announced billions in new business deals, ‘most of those agreements were older, already agreed-upon, or only promises,’ The Associated Press writes. Additionally, Trump broke with his predecessors, avoiding confrontation with leaders on human rights records.”

 It seems to be a common feature in President Trump’s attempts to take credit for something which was already decided before. The highly praised decision by car manufacturing company FORD to keep jobs in the USA was apparently not reached due to President Trump’s negotiations and persuasion powers, but to FORD’s prior decision.

“Polish PM Calls for an EU Where Christianity Is Not Censored’

Reuters wrote on November 9:

“Poland wants to be sure that Christian traditions are not subject to ‘ideological censorship’ in the European Union, Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said on Thursday, emphasizing her party’s opposition to Muslim immigration. Along with Hungary, Poland has refused to take in any of its quota of the wave of refugees from Syria and elsewhere who have come to Europe since 2015, on the grounds that Muslim immigrants are a threat to their national security and stability.

“Szydlo’s eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS) party appeals directly to the more socially conservative sections of Poland’s overwhelmingly Roman Catholic population… Szydlo said Christians in Europe should not need to feel uncomfortable or ashamed about their faith and traditions…”

60,000 Nationalists March in Poland

The Week wrote on November 12:

“An estimated 60,000 nationalists marched in Warsaw to celebrate Poland’s 99 years of independence on Saturday. While many simply waved Polish flags, some demonstrators threw red smoke bombs and carried signs with slogans like, ‘Europe must be white,’ ‘white Europe of brotherly nations,’ and ‘pray for an Islamic Holocaust.’

“They shouted chants including, ‘glory to our heroes,’ ‘pure Poland, white Poland,’ ‘refugees get out,’ and ‘death to enemies of the homeland.’ Among the marchers were supporters of Poland’s governing party, Law and Justice (PiS). Interior Minister Mariusz Blaszczak downplayed the racist elements in comments praising the ‘beautiful sight’ of Poles celebrating independence.”

JTA wrote on November 13:

“The sight of far-right activists… shouting anti-Semitic slogans during a nationalist march in the capital of Poland over the weekend shocked many around the world. It was an understandable reaction to witnessing tens of thousands in Warsaw marching near what used to be the largest Jewish ghetto during the Holocaust amid shouts of ‘Jews out’ and ‘Remove Jewry from power.’

“… on Monday, a spokesman for [Israel’s] Foreign Ministry called the Warsaw event ‘a dangerous march of extreme and racist elements,’ and urged Polish authorities to act against the organizers…”

These radical elements in Poland do not necessarily represent just a negligible portion of the population.

Pope Francis and the European Power Bloc

The website of cruxnow.com wrote on October 30:

“From Brexit to Catalonia, as well as the rise of far-right parties in central Europe, the Catholic reaction has been almost uniformly to sound the alarm… On a dramatic weekend in which the Catalan regional government declared independence and the national government moved to restore direct rule, the archbishops of Barcelona and Madrid, as well as the president of the Spanish bishops’ conference, made clear their sadness at the independence bid…

“Pope Francis backed that message on Saturday… warning against building trenches… [and] against ‘particular and nationalist agendas’ that threaten ‘the courageous dreams of the founders of Europe.’”

Uproar in the Catholic Church

The Associated Press wrote on November 11:

“Pope Francis on Saturday reaffirmed the ‘primacy’ of using one’s conscience to navigate tough moral questions in his first comments since he was publicly accused of spreading heresy by emphasizing conscience over hard and fast Catholic rules. Francis issued a video message to a conference organized by Italian bishops on his controversial 2016 document on family life, ‘The Joy of Love.’

“The document has badly divided the Catholic Church, with some commentators warning that it risked creating a schism given its opening to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics… Conservatives accused the pope of sowing confusion and undermining the church’s teaching on the indissolubility of marriage…”

The Wall Street Journal added on November 14:

“The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops chose a conservative archbishop for a key post Tuesday, signaling resistance to Pope Francis’s vision for the church among the Catholic hierarchy in the U.S… ‘It is clear since 2013 that a majority of them (the bishops) sees the message of Francis’ pontificate, esp. on life and marriage, as not adequate for the Catholic Church in the U.S.A.,’ Massimo Faggioli, a theologian at Villanova, said on Twitter after the vote…

“However, Catholic leaders are hardly in lockstep with the Trump administration on immigration, and made a point of echoing the pope on the issue of welcoming migrants…”

Germany’s Supreme Court Accepts Intersex People as Third Gender

AFP wrote on November 8:

“Germany’s top court Wednesday required parliament to legally recognise a ‘third gender’ from birth. Current regulations on civil status are discriminatory against intersex people, the Federal Constitutional Court said. Legislators must by the end of 2018 pass a new regulation to offer a third gender option in birth registers, added the court, ruling in favour of an appeal brought by an intersex person…

“The intersex person was registered as female, but a chromosome analysis found the plaintiff to be neither male nor female. Intersex is a broad term encompassing people who have sex traits, such as genitals or chromosomes, that do not entirely fit with typical binary notion of male and female. Intersex people can have features that are neither wholly female nor wholly male, or a combination or neither. People who identify as intersex are recognised on official documents in some countries including Australia, India, New Zealand and Nepal.”

Bild Online commented on November 8:

“About 160,000 people live in Germany who have male and female characteristics. Until now, the parents determine at the time of birth the designation of the child’s gender. The WHO [World Health Organization] considers Intersex people as suffering from a sickness or a birth defect… In the future, the government will not be allowed to send out letters anymore, addressing the recipients as “Ladies and Gentlemen.” Another designation will have to be found… Intersex people are different from transgender people. While the first category describes people who are not clearly male or female, transgender people clearly belong to one particular gender, but are ‘unsatisfied’ with it…”

Bild Online also wrote that sometimes, young intersex people are being operated on or receive hormones. In quoting an expert, the paper wrote that this is a wrong, harmful and traumatizing procedure.

In a follow-up article, Bild Online wrote on November 11 that the Duden, the standard dictionary of the German language, is unable to use a word (like “he” or “she”) describing intersex people. The designation of “it” has been rejected by the organization for intersex people. A spokesperson for the Duden explained that the publication can only include words which are spoken or written in colloquial usage, and there is no word at this point describing intersex people. It has also been discussed whether or not to omit any reference to gender in birth certificates.

 It seems to us that the WHO is correct in its evaluation of intersex people as suffering from a sickness or a birth defect, and that an official designation as “third gender” is just ridiculous, as would be the omission of gender for everyone in birth certificates.

Transgender Service Members

The Washington Post wrote on November 11:

“Anastasia Biefang… joined the German army as a man more than 23 years ago. Two years ago… she came out to her superiors and eventually to her entire unit… the Bundeswehr, Germany’s military, heralds her as a national role model. She is the first transgender commander in a force headed by a defense minister, Ursula von der Leyen, who has made support for transsexual and homosexual personnel a top priority…

“Trump… argued that ‘tremendous medical costs and disruption’ were behind his decision to reinstitute the ban on transgender service members… Trump’s battle to ban transgender servicemen and women is also feeding into a growing perception in Germany that Europe can no longer trust the United States as a reliable partner that shares its values…”

The word “value” is a strange choice in the context of the topic.

Dangers of Transgenderism

Christian Headlines wrote on November 10:

“A 14-year-old girl who began a transition to become a boy is speaking out about the dangers of transgenderism, particularly for young people. Noor Jontry… shares that her exploration of her gender began when she encountered young people online who were transitioning to another gender. She says she realized she wanted to be a boy because she wanted to be ‘masculine.’ ‘[B]eing masculine was about feeling safe,’ she said…

“Noor has come to believe that… most teens and young people who think they are trans are simply confused or going through a time of transition in life.

“When asked what she would say to other girls who think they are boys, she replied, ‘There’s nothing wrong with your body. To be straightforward, you will never be male… Stop hurting yourself. Not wanting to be female doesn’t mean you’re really male…’”

The entire transgender philosophy is not only ridiculous from a medical and biological standpoint; it is also abhorrent in the eyes of God.

Australians for Gay Marriage

The Washington Post wrote on November 14:

“Australians supported gay marriage in a postal survey that ensures Parliament will consider legalizing same-sex weddings this year… 62 percent of registered voters who responded in the unprecedented survey favored reform… A ‘no’ vote in the survey would have put marriage equality off the political agenda, perhaps for years…

“Ireland is the only other country to put same-sex marriage to a popular vote, but that referendum was binding. Irish voters in 2015 changed their constitution to allow marriage equality.

“In Australia, voting in elections and referenda is compulsory…

“Lawmakers opposed to gay marriage are already moving to wind back anti-discrimination laws, with debate in Australia intensifying over the possibility of gay wedding boycotts and refusals to provide a celebrant, venue, flowers or a cake…”

Australia is another Israelite country which continues to turn its back on God and His clear teachings.

Senate Republicans to Include Individual Mandate Repeal in Tax Plan

The Week wrote on November 14:

“Senate Republicans announced Tuesday they will be including a repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate in their tax plan.

“‘Repealing the mandate pays for more tax cuts for working families,’ wrote Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in a statement. President Trump has put heavy pressure on Republicans to repeal the ‘very unfair’ individual mandate, which is the portion of ObamaCare that requires individuals to purchase health care or face a fine.

“Its elimination would free up more than $300 billion over a decade, The New York Times reports, ‘because … a decline in the number of people with health coverage’ means ‘the government would spend less money on subsidized health plans.’”

Senate Democrats are of course opposed to this move; but they are opposed to the entire tax plan anyway.

House Passed Trump’s Tax Bill

CNBC wrote on November 16:

“House Republicans on Thursday passed a monumental bill to cut taxes on businesses and individuals, the biggest step yet in the GOP’s once-in-a-generation effort to overhaul the American tax system. The tax reform plan passed the chamber with 227 votes in favor and 205 against.

“To pass the bill, the House GOP had to overcome opposition from several of its members who live in high-tax blue states. Those lawmakers objected to the proposal’s curb on popular state and local tax deductions.

“The House plan would permanently chop the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent… It would reduce individual tax brackets to four from seven and make changes to several tax breaks. Among them, the bill would limit state and local deductions and the mortgage interest deduction, eliminate the personal exemption and nearly double the standard deduction…

“Despite passage of the bill Thursday, pitfalls await the party. Senate Republicans hope to pass their own bill as soon as the week after Thanksgiving… Several other Republicans in the Senate, where the GOP holds a slim two-seat majority, have expressed doubts about the upper chamber’s version…

“Should the Senate GOP pass its bill, the two chambers will have to craft a joint plan before Congress can pass final legislation… The Republican plan is expected to get no Democratic support throughout the process…

“Republicans say their plan will trim the tax burden on the middle class and push businesses to create jobs and boost wages. The message, so far, has not resonated with voters, according to a recent public opinion poll. Most Americans disapprove of the Republican tax plan…”

Missile Renaissance Blooms in the USA

CNBC wrote on November 11:

“Raytheon is building missiles that may feature prominently in the effort to repel a possible attack from North Korea. Tucked into next year’s $700 billion Defense authorization is a request for $4 billion, [still to be approved by both houses of Congress] which will go to missile defense… destined for U.S. and Japanese warships in the Pacific… Soon, the facility will start producing a next-generation version of the SM-3… capable of traveling even farther and higher to better intercept an intermediate-range ballistic missile…

“In addition to more funding at home, the makers of American missile defense systems are racking up big-ticket international orders. This week, Sweden said it wants to buy a $1 billion-plus Raytheon-made Patriot system. Other allies that have missile defense orders moving through negotiations and approvals include Japan, Poland and Saudi Arabia…

“Raytheon… also makes… the exo-atmospheric kill vehicles [which] sit inside interceptors positioned in underground fields in Alaska and California. When an interceptor launches, the kill vehicle uses ‘hit-to-kill’ technology to target a warhead in space — then smashing into it at more than 10,000 miles per hour, pulverizing the threat upon impact.”

The business with weapon production blooms. Where will it end? Note the next article.

Bringing Weapons to Church Services

Newsmax wrote on November 10:

“A church in central New York has made it perfectly clear it allows its parishioners to carry weapons… The Lighthouse Mexico Church of God in Mexico, New York, posted a message on a sign outside the building that reads: ‘We say it again. We are not a gun-free zone.’…

“Pastor Ronald Russell has extended the invitation to those who attend his church that they are welcome to carry while worshipping… ‘People say “well, pastor, you’re talking about killing some,” and I say “well, if I don’t protect my people, I’m being complicit.”’…”

Apart from the unbiblical stance of the pastor, his faulty reasoning, and his obvious lack of trust in God’s protection; what if a potential perpetrator sneaks into his church with a weapon, determined to kill all the parishioners? To allow all in attendance to carry weapons would make the perpetrator’s job so much easier, as her or she would just blend in with the rest of the attendees,

The History of Veterans Day

Fox News wrote on November 10:

“‘While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime,’ the Department of Veterans Affair says…

“The roots of Veterans Day go back nearly 100 years. Fighting during WWI stopped on Nov. 11, 1918 due to an armistice between the Germans and the Allies…  Nov. 11 was commemorated as Armistice Day by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919…

“A resolution passed by Congress in 1926, according to the federal agency, called for Nov. 11 to be remembered every year ‘with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.’ In 1938, Armistice Day was officially made a legal public holiday…

“Many American soldiers lost their lives during WWII and the Korean War. In the wake of these wars, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. In 1968, a bill was passed which called for Veterans Day to be observed on the fourth Monday in October starting in 1971… President Gerald Ford signed a bill in 1975  which pushed Veterans Day back to Nov. 11, with the changes taking place in 1978.

“Ford said in a statement that he felt ‘restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 will help preserve in the hearts and lives of all Americans the spirit of patriotism, the love of country, and the willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good symbolized by this very special day.’”

The Washington Post wrote on November 11:

“The original intent, established in the wake of World War I, was to celebrate world peace. Then the wars never ended, so Veterans Day changed…

“Much has changed in the 98 years since Armistice Day was first observed. Now we honor not just servicemen, but servicewomen. Our wars are not fought with cannons, but with drones. The war to end all wars didn’t end war at all. Soldiers have fought and died all over the globe…”

November 11 is still being celebrated as Armistice Day in Europe, including in France. Fox News reported on November 11:

“Emmanuel Macron… commemorated his first Armistice Day as French president — marking the end of combat during World War I. During Saturday’s events, Macron paid homage to the wartime French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau by laying a wreath at his statue on the famed avenue. Clemenceau was a key architect of peace between the great powers… Next year France will host a grand Armistice centenary, marking 100 years since the war’s end in 1918 with envoys from 80 nations.”

The change from Congress’s declared purpose of Armistice Day to President Ford’s stated purpose of Veterans Day is both sad and unbiblical. God does not support the vain and futile attempts of man to bring peace through war and the taking of human lives. Please view Norbert Link’s sermonette, “Did Jesus Resort to Violence?”

The Return of the Black Death

Daily Mail wrote on November 12:

“A strain of plague… could mutate and become untreatable, an expert has warned. There are fears the disease could spread to Europe and America via plane travel as Ebola did in 2014, with ten African nations already put on alert for signs of infection…

“In total 2,000 people have been affected and 143 killed by the pneumonic plague in Madagascar’s worst outbreak in 50 years… The pneumonic plague [is] a more-deadly form of the bubonic plague which devastated Europe’s population in the 1300s. While the bubonic plague is spread through the bites of infected fleas, pneumonic plague is spread through the air, usually by coughing. Symptoms include severe fever, headaches and coughing, with patients often coughing up blood… It can be fatal within 72 hours of infection…

“The current outbreak is unusual as it has affected urban areas increasing the risk of transmission…”

Daily Star wrote on November 14:

“Infection and immunity expert Dr Matthew Avison, of University of Bristol, has revealed the outbreak in east Africa is likely to become more serious before the ‘crisis’ ends… Dr Avison said because the disease is ‘extremely rare’ it has been ‘resilient’ to antibiotics… However, he said if antibiotics are handed out quickly then the disease ‘can still be treated’. Failure to do so could result in the outbreak – the ‘worst in 50 years’ – spreading to other continents, including Europe and the US, he warned.”

We hear more and more about the resurfacing of disease epidemics which our advanced scientific “wonders” thought of having eradicated a long time ago.

Man Playing God

The website of inverse.com wrote on November 8:

“Stem cell technology has advanced so much that scientists can grow miniature versions of human brains… called organoids… in the lab, but medical ethicists are concerned about recent developments in this field involving the growth of these tiny brains in other animals…

“Scientists have debated whether these brains are ‘conscious,’ but the fact that they could be successfully implanted in lab animals raises a whole new set of ethical concerns for the researchers who work with them. One of the major concerns in the mini-brain scenario is that these organoids could grow to more advanced levels within lab animals, making the debate about mini-brain consciousness much more urgent…

“Putting human brain structures into non-human animals creates a thorny ethical area that raises people’s fears about medical research going too far into unfamiliar territory — and too quickly… In January, Salk Institute researchers developed human-pig chimeras, creating the possibility that pigs with human brain cells might also develop human consciousness…”

When is man’s scientific madness ever going to end?

Asteroid Hit the Earth at Precisely the “Right” Location and Time

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 9:

“The asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs should have had a very low chance of triggering mass extinction, scientists say. Had it struck most other spots on the Earth’s surface, the world could have been a different place. Dinosaurs might still be roaming the Earth if the celestial object that smashed into the present-day Gulf of Mexico had hit almost anywhere else on the planet. By hitting the rocky terrain of the Yucatan Peninsula about 65 million years ago, however, the impact sent the soot into the air that would trigger a chain reaction and lead to mass extinction…

“Impacts on this scale are rare enough, but the object that initiated what scientists call the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event happened to also hit an area rich in hydrocarbon and sulfate. The force of the impact heated the materials, ‘forming stratospheric soot and sulfate aerosols and causing extreme global cooling and drought…”

“In 2014, the Edinburgh University paleontologist Steve Brusatte said dinosaurs might have survived the impact ‘if it had hit a few million years earlier or later… The asteroid hit at a particularly bad time,’ he wrote in the journal Nature… The impact might have been a stroke of bad luck for dinosaurs…”

Our free booklets, “The Theory of Evolution” and, “Heavens and Earth…” explain in detail as to what caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.

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.

The concept of “speaking in tongues” has been grossly misunderstood. However, in setting aside any human “traditions” and misinterpretations and just reviewing the Scriptures, there is really no reason for such confusion.

For instance, when Christ’s early apostles and disciples received the Holy Spirit AFTER Christ’s ascension on the Day of Pentecost, in 31 AD, they saw and heard a rushing wind and divided tongues as of fire, and they spoke with other clearly understood or understandable tongues or languages—not some kind of unidentifiable “gibberish.” As we will explain more fully below, Acts 2:7-11 reveals that the assembly heard the apostles speak “EACH IN OUR OWN LANGUAGE IN WHICH WE WERE BORN… Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—WE HEAR THEM SPEAKING IN OUR OWN TONGUES THE WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD.”

The confusion regarding speaking in tongues is not only academic. As we point out in our free booklet, “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World,” “Angels speak their own language, a language that is different from the languages of man. In 1 Corinthians 13:1, Paul says: ‘Though I speak with the tongues [languages] of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become [as] sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.’” As God’s holy and righteous angels have their own language, so do the fallen angels or demons. When people speak in “languages” that are unknown to man, expressing words which they themselves do not understand and being ignorant as to what they are actually saying, they might very well be under demonic influence, uttering words of demons.

We address the “tongue” question in great detail in our free booklet, “Baptism—a Requirement for Salivation,” where we say the following under, “Speaking with Tongues”:

“There are only three recorded events in the Bible when people spoke with tongues after receiving the Holy Spirit. These special events occurred to provide evidence that the people had, in fact, received the Holy Spirit…

“The first event is recorded in Acts 2, when the New Testament Church was born. God wanted to make it very clear that His disciples received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The second event occurred in Acts 10, when, for the first time, Gentiles received the Holy Spirit. God did not want to leave any doubt that He had now opened the door of repentance and faith to the Gentiles (Acts 10:45–46; 11:15–18). The third event is the one in Acts 19… Here, God wanted to make it very clear that ONLY the baptism into Christ is sufficient to receive the Holy Spirit (and not, as in that case, the baptism into John)…

“We need to understand, too, what actually happened when people spoke with tongues in these given instances. Some claim that baptism with the Holy Spirit causes the baptized person to fall backwards, begin rolling on the floor, and speaking and screaming in an unintelligible way, allegedly showing that he or she has received the gift of the Holy Spirit and can now ‘speak in tongues.’

“However, that kind of conduct is not what is meant when the Bible talks about speaking in tongues. Acts 2 explains that speaking in tongues means speaking in another language. In Acts 2:4 we read: ‘And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.’ Beginning in verse 6 and continuing in verses 8 and 11, we find the explanation of ‘speaking with tongues.’ Verse 6: ‘…everyone heard them speak in his own language…’ (verse 8) ‘And how is it that we hear, each in our own language [Authorized Version: ‘tongue’] in which we were born?’… (verse 11) ‘We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.’”

“The Greek word for ‘language’ in verses 6 and 8 is ‘dialektos,’ from which our word ‘dialect’ is derived. The Greek word for ‘tongue’ or ‘language’ in verses 4 and 11 is ‘glossa.’

“To speak in tongues, then, simply means to speak in a different language or dialect—but it is still a language or dialect ‘in which people are born.’ They speak in a dialect or language, which other people understand due to their background, environment or upbringing…

“Paul said specifically that ‘speaking in tongues,’ or speaking a different language, should not be done unless someone is present to interpret what is said… Note 1 Corinthians 14:4–5: ‘He who speaks in a tongue [Greek: ‘glossa’] edifies himself… he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues [Greek: ‘glossa’], unless he indeed interprets, that the church may receive edification.’

“In other words, if a minister preaches to the audience in a foreign language, the audience won’t understand him… Unless he or someone else who knows both languages interprets what he says, the audience is not benefited.

“Paul continues, in verses 9: ‘So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue [Greek: ‘glossa’] words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.’

“In the Greek, the word for ‘tongue’ and ‘language’ is the same; i.e., ‘glossa.’ The translator decided to sometimes use the English word ‘tongue’ and sometimes ‘language’… The Living Bible, for example, translates verse 9 this way, ‘In the same way, if you talk to a person in some LANGUAGE he doesn’t understand, how will he know what you mean?’ Clearly, speaking in a foreign tongue means speaking in a foreign language.

“Let’s note Paul’s command in 1 Corinthians 14:27–28: ‘If anyone speaks in a tongue [or foreign language; Greek: ‘glossa’; the Living Bible translates here, ‘No more than two or three should speak in an unknown LANGUAGE…’], let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.’”

In addition, the Nelson Study Bible writes under “word focus”:

“tongue… The Greek term glossa means ‘tongue’ or ‘language.’ When the early believers were empowered by the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, they were given the ability to speak in many different languages, so that those visiting from all around the Roman world could hear the glories of God being uttered in their native tongue (Acts 2:4-11). The household of Cornelius also spoke in different languages when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:46). And the same happened with the new disciples from Ephesus (Acts 19:6). From then on, some members of the early church regularly spoke in different languages as a way of praying to God, and others spoke in different languages in church meetings. When the languages were spoken in private, interpretation was not needed; when they were spoken in the meetings, Paul required interpretation so that others could understand and be edified (14:2-27).”

We need to emphasize again that the foreign languages which were spoken were not “unknown” to man; they were “known” languages, but not all the hearers present would be familiar with and understand the foreign language; hence, an interpreter was needed who was fluent in both the native and the foreign languages and who could convey to the hearer what the speaker had just uttered.

Unnecessary confusion has arisen because the Authorized Version added the word “unknown” several times in 1 Corinthians 14, translating, for example, verse 2 as, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue…” As the Ryrie Study Bible explains, “The word ‘unknown’ is not in the original text and has been supplied by translators throughout this chapter. Though many understand these tongues to be ecstatic speech, it may well be that they were languages, as in Acts 2:4, 6, 8, 11.”

If we let the Bible interpret the Bible, it is clear that these “unknown” tongues were in fact known languages. They were NOT ecstatic speech. The Greek word is “glossa” in all instances, and this word always describes known languages, when applied to humans, and it never refers to any ecstatic speech.  The word “glossa” is used fifty times in the New Testament. It is rendered “tongue,” when describing the human organ as such (Mark 7:33; Luke 16:24); and it describes the use and utterance of the tongue (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:11; James 1:26; 3:8; 1 John 3:18)—that is, speaking in a familiar language (Romans 3:13; 1 Peter 3:10) or a newly learned or acquired language (Mark 16:17; 1 Corinthians 14:18).

Many years ago, the (now defunct) Worldwide Church of God published a reprint article, titled, “What the New Testament Teaches about ‘Tongues.’”  It stated the following regarding the events in Acts 2:

“There can be no doubt that the ‘tongues’ of Acts 2 were real, intelligible foreign languages… The disciples ‘began to speak with other languages [glossa],’ so that… the crowd came together and were astounded [or confused] [sugcheo].’ These same root words are found in the Septuagint version (Greek translation) of the Old Testament in Genesis 11—the account of the confusion of languages in Babel! According to the Septuagint, in Genesis 11 God said, ‘Come, we will go down and confuse [sugcheo] their language [glossa] so that they will not understand one another’s speech… they were human languages in Babel—they were also human languages at Pentecost…”

The above-mentioned article also discusses in detail Paul’s statements in 1 Corinthians 14, showing that Paul is speaking exclusively about known human languages. We are giving you the following excerpts.

In addressing 1 Corinthians 14:1-3, it is stated that “Speaking in a language, although one of God’s gifts, is one of the lesser ones. It is not as important as speaking or preaching under inspiration.” In referring to verses 20-24, it is stated, “… tongues indeed function as a sign. This is also clear from Acts 2. But… they have the reverse effect if done in confusion and disorder…”

In this context, it is also interesting that in verse 21, Paul talks about people speaking with “other tongues and other lips”, quoting from Isaiah 28:11-12, which says that God will speak “with stammering lips and another tongue.” In both cases, the reference is clearly to human languages; continuing that even then the people will not hear. How true this is today for especially the stiff-necked and arrogant nations of the USA, the UK and Canada.

Addressing verses 29-33, the above-mentioned article points out that “the speakers must also be in control of themselves… No ‘seizure by the spirit’ here. No giving of one’s mind up to an outside force. The person under God’s inspiration is still able to control what he says and does.”

Concluding with verses 34-37, the article states that “women are to keep silent in the churches… women are not to participate, either as ‘tongue’ speakers or as speakers of any kind in the service.” This alone would disqualify many Pentecostal groups which allow women in their services to “speak in tongues.”

The Bible makes it very clear that speaking in or with tongues simply means, speaking in another language which is known to man. There is no record in the Bible that a human being ever spoke the language of an angel. 1 Corinthians 13:1 does not say something differently. There, Paul just states a theoretical proposition, without claiming that he could speak with the “tongue” of an angel. The Living Bible renders the meaning of this verse quite accurately: “If I HAD the gift of being able to speak in other languages… and could speak in every language there is in all of heaven and earth…”

In conclusion, the Bible does in no way endorse the false concept that a righteous person can or should speak in ecstatic “tongues”; fall backwards; begin rolling on the floor; and scream in an unintelligible way. Nor is the idea biblical that one can speak in a “tongue” which he or she does not know, while being ignorant as to what is being uttered. Rather, these would be symptoms of demonic influence.

The biblical concept of speaking in tongues means, speaking in a foreign human language. The speaker knows what he or she is saying, and the listener is able to understand the translator. God may have given the translator the “natural” talent to translate, but in some, if not many cases in God’s Church, He might give him or her additional and unusual abilities to fulfill the necessary and required task of a translator. Still, those who receive and are able to use those gifts must realize in humility that these are not the greatest gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1-5), even though they must be thankful to God that He does bestow such gifts on them, especially for the edification of His people.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“Europe’s New Defense Pact… Blessing or Curse?”, is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

On November 13, 2017, European defense ministers signed the Permanent Structured Cooperation pact. This new military agreement has been hailed by some as a “historic step” and a “milestone in European development,” which was “70 years” in the making. Others, especially in Britain and Russia, look at this pact with great concern and warn of terrible consequences. What is this all about, and what does biblical prophecy reveal?

A Tech Team meeting was conducted via SKYPE on last Sunday morning, November 12, 2017. Hosted by Eric Rank, special emphasis was given to discussing our live stream service.

“Gewalttätige Christen?” is the title of this Sabbath’s German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Violent Christians?”

“Did Jesus Resort to Violence?” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Did Jesus approve of killing in war? Would He support the changed purpose of Armistice Day to that of Veteran’s Day? Would He agree with the idea of bringing weapons to church services? Did He ever commit violence towards anyone? What can WE do to protect ourselves? Are guns the answer?

“Living a Full Life,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Kalon Mitchell, is now posted. Here is a summary:

What does it mean to live a full life as a Christian? When we look at the state of the world at this time, it is easy to think that Christ will come soon, so we just need to put out heads down and mind our own business. But the Bible is very implicit that we should be living our lives to the fullest extent possible every single day. So how do we accomplish this? What form does it come to take in our daily Christian lives?

On November 11, 2017, Norbert Link will present the sermonette, titled, “Did Jesus Resort to Violence?” and Kalon Mitchell will present the sermon, titled, “Living a Full Life.”

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

Violence seems to be a part of everyday human life. Three unspeakable acts of horror occurred recently in the USA… a mindless and despicable mass murder in Las Vegas through a deranged gambler; a cowardly terror attack in New York through a radicalized Islamist; and now another senseless mass murder in a small Texas church through a former disgraced member of the Air Force who apparently preached atheism. Other violent acts happen in the country on a daily basis. And the USA is no exception.

After each horrific act, politicians and the mass media are quick in pointing out the “causes” for such ungodly behavior… mental sickness; uncontrolled access to weapons;  radical Islam; and many other ideas. And even though some of these explanations might play a role, the REAL culprit is hardly ever mentioned—Satan and his demonic forces. After all, it is SATAN who rules this world. It was through Satan that man became so corrupt and violent that God decided to destroy him in a worldwide Flood (Genesis 6:11,13).

Man has, from his youth (Genesis 8:21), given in to Satan’s evil devices, and Satan is THE destroyer and an extremely irrational violent being.

On the other hand, we are told that God HATES the wicked and the one who loves violence (Psalm 11:5). Jesus, the coming Prince of Peace, NEVER committed any violence when here on earth (Isaiah 53:9), and under His rule, “Violence shall no longer be heard in your land” (Isaiah 60:18). But today, our cities, the land and the entire earth are confronted with horrible and despicable violence (Ezekiel 7:23; 8:17). Christ said that at the time of His return, it will be similar as it was at the time of Noah… when violence, corruption and everything evil fill the earth (compare Romans 1:28-31).

God has been commanding repeatedly to abstain from violence (Jeremiah 22:1-5; Ezekiel 45:9). John the Baptist told Roman soldiers not to commit violence against anyone (Luke 3:14, Authorized Version). Christ told us that we must not even think of committing violence against others, let alone carrying it out (Luke 9:54-56; Matthew 26:52). He warned us that we will have to give account of every idle word which we speak (Matthew 12:36), adding that we will be justified or condemned by our words (verse 37). Paul reminds us not to engage in foolish talking (Ephesians 5:3-4). God’s ministers and deacons must not be violent (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7). Since there is no partiality with God (Romans 2:11) and since God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34, Authorized Version), His prohibition of violence applies to all of His children.

This world’s violence steadily increases, as Satan has great wrath, knowing that his time is short. Christ warned us that in these end times, we will hear more and more of wars and rumors of wars… and He spoke of civil wars, wars between two or three nations, as well as all-encompassing world wars. This is so as Satan, the originator of war, is trying to destroy all of mankind.

In quoting from the Old Testament, Paul summed up the way of this world with the following condemnatory remarks (Romans 3:10-18):

“… There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside… Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

God has called true Christians out of this evil and rotten world. We are to be different… shining lights in this violent society. Our new life must not be hidden or hypocritical. We cannot preach violence in any manner, shape or form, let alone act upon it. We must not hate others, which may lead to violent and murderous acts (1 John 3:15); nor must we advocate the destruction of our enemies through war and other violent means. Of course, it goes without saying that we cannot participate in any of man’s wars, whether or not they may be deemed “righteous” by politicians, religious leaders and the mass media.

We are to pray that God’s Kingdom will come soon. Then, and only then, will we experience a world without war and violence. We are to be ambassadors and representatives of that future kingdom. But are we? Are we truly peacemakers, by saying things which are good, gracious and wholesome for the hearer (Ecclesiastes 10:12; Ephesians 4:29-31)? Or are we at times conforming to this world by expressing its evil thoughts… thoughts of hatred, violence and revenge? Are we sometimes overcome by evil, or are we overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:21), having regard for the good and peaceful things in the sight of men (Romans 12:17-18)? Are we allowing God to transform us by renewing our minds, so that we fulfill God’s good and acceptable and perfect Will for us (Romans 12:2)?

The choice is ours.

by Norbert Link

We begin with reporting on the terrible mass murder at a Texas church, which has been described as the “worst massacre at a place of worship in American history.”

We continue with developments in Germany and Europe and concentrate on a decision by Germany’s Supreme Court, which appears to be in violation of Germany’s Constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion, but which is, in any event, deeply disturbing and unsettling for members of God’s Church; address the ongoing difficult coalition talks in Germany; and quote interesting articles about a “revival” of the Habsburg Empire; the prospects of a two-speed Europe; and the parallels between the ancient Holy Roman Empire and the EU.

We point out Christian concerns and warnings about events in Israel, which might lead to significant prophetic developments; and Pope Francis’ warning that mankind may be committing nuclear suicide.

We continue focusing on North Korea and President Trump’s impressive speech in South Korea; and address the Middle East and developments in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon; and speak on sad political and economic developments in the USA, as well as the unsuccessful Paris Climate Accord.

We report on the potential for further turmoil in the Catholic Church; and conclude with articles about prophetic expectations of Christian Zionists regarding momentous events pertaining to the state of Israel before the end of the year; and a young Russian claiming to have lived on Mars before being reborn on Earth.

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

Creepy Atheist Commits Mass Murder at Texas Church

The Daily Beast wrote on November 5:

“Devin Patrick Kelley has been identified as the gunman who killed at least 26 people at a church Sunday morning in Texas, a U.S. official told The Daily Beast. A week before he committed the worst massacre at a place of worship in American history, Kelley posted a photo of a semiautomatic rifle to Facebook…

“It’s part of a disturbing picture emerging of the 26-year-old, who was discharged under dishonorable circumstances from the Air Force in 2014, according to Defense Department records. Kelley was court-martialed in November 2012 for assaulting his wife and their child. A judge sentenced him with a bad-conduct discharge, 12 months confinement, and two reductions in rank to basic airman, according to an appeals court decision in 2013 that affirmed the decision against Kelley.

“Kelley entered First Baptist Church at approximately 11:30 a.m. Sunday and opened fire, witnesses reported. Officials said he wore a ballistic vest and was dressed in all black. A law-enforcement source close to the investigation said the rifle Kelley used is similar to the one pictured but could not confirm it is the same rifle. When Kelley exited the church, he dropped his rifle… Kelley was pursued by a civilian with a shotgun and died near the city of New Berlin, Sheriff Joe Tackett said Sunday evening at a press conference. It is unclear if Kelley was killed or died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“Police told reporters that Kelley’s victims range in age from 5 to 72, with approximately 20 wounded being treated at area hospitals. Kelley was a resident of New Braunfels, a suburb of San Antonio, according to public records. Kelley was married and his mother-in-law listed a P.O. box in Sutherland Springs as a mailing address…”

The Daily Mail added on November 5:

“The Texas church shooter who shot dead 26 people and injured 24 others was an ‘outcast’ who ‘preached his atheism’ online. Former classmates say Devin Patrick Kelley… was ‘creepy’, ‘crazy’ and ‘weird’… ‘He was the first atheist I met…”

Other reports suggest that the deranged murderer had a prior dispute with his mother-in-law, who attended the church. In any event, his demonical influence cannot be neglected.

Bringing Guns to Church?

Christian Headlines wrote on November 7:

“In 2007, the unthinkable happened at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. A gunman opened fire outside the church, just as its midday service had dismissed. His bullets hit several members of the same family as they left, wounding David Works and killing his two teenage daughters… ‘I know there’s a great theological debate about what Jesus would do,’ [church pastor Brady Boyd] told RNS. ‘I just know… we could have very well lost 100 people that day.’ Boyd believes that didn’t happen because… Jeanne Assam, a former police officer and member of the church security team who was legally carrying a pistol… returned fire, ending the attack…

“The memories of that day came flooding back for Boyd when he learned of the mass shooting Sunday (Nov. 5) that left 26 people dead and tens more wounded at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, described as the deadliest attack on a church in modern American history…

“Across the country, many churches and other places of worship are considering security measures as mass shootings have become a tragically familiar narrative in the United States… On Sunday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton suggested on Fox News that churchgoers carry concealed weapons.

“He was echoed by Rev. Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church of Dallas, also on Fox News, who insisted that if a gunman opened fire at his church, ‘they may get one shot off or two shots off, but that’s it, and that’s the last thing they’ll ever do in this life.’ That’s because as many as half his church members carry concealed weapons into church with them on a given Sunday, Jeffress estimated.

“… few Americans were in favor of guns in churches in a 2012 PRRI survey: More than three-quarters of respondents (76 percent) said concealed weapons should not be allowed in houses of worship…”

Christ drove moneychangers out of the Temple. Would He approve of churchgoers to bring concealed weapons to His spiritual Temple, the Church of God?

Germany’s Constitutional Court Denies Religious Freedom

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 6:

“A newly published decision from March reveals that Germany’s Constitutional Court rejected a lawsuit by Muslim parents who wanted their son to be exempt from the religious teachings at a publicly funded Catholic school in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia… Underlining Germany’s sometimes porous boundary between church and state, the court has effectively affirmed the elementary school’s right to force non-Catholic students to attend religion classes and services…

“NRW is the only state that still maintains publicly funded religious schools. The court’s decision confirmed an NRW administrative court’s ruling that states are free to set up publicly funded schools administered by Germany’s two official Christian denominations: Catholics and Evangelicals… Article 7 of Germany’s constitution, or Basic Law, states: ‘Parents and guardians shall have the right to decide whether children shall receive religious instruction…

“Michael Wrase, a public law professor at the University of Hildesheim… thought the court’s decision was problematic… pointing out the legal paradox: ‘The state is allowed to set up such schools even though it is obligated to maintain religious neutrality.’ ‘It’s absurd to force a Muslim child, or an atheist child, to take Catholic religion lessons,’ he added. ‘For me that’s a major invasion of religious freedom…’

“In 1949, when the Basic Law came into force, nearly everyone in Germany was a declared member of one or other of the two formal Christian churches, and paid their church tax to the state — so it seemed only natural that the state should fund Christian schools… [Hans Michael Heinig, a professor of church law at the University of Göttingen] said political cowardice was in part to blame for the problems associated with public religious education in NRW: The Social Democrats, who governed Germany’s most populous state for many years, ‘didn’t want to have a conflict with the Catholic church in the state, so they didn’t touch this school system.’

“This is in contrast, oddly enough, with Bavaria, which has a much larger Catholic population and is governed by the conservative Christian Social Union, but has a much more secularized school system. In many areas, officials enforce a strict separation of religion and government in schools… ‘It’s really out-of-date,’ Heinig said of the situation in NRW… ‘The lawmaker has to change the system there. It’s quite easy…  There should be a school system for all religions — with religious instruction for those that are religious, but no obligation to join this instruction.’”

This decision poses a problem for members of Sabbath-keeping Churches of God in NRW whose children might attend publicly funded Catholic or Protestant schools, but who would not want them to be exposed to unbiblical religious teachings.

What if the Jamaica Coalition Fails?

Deutsche Welle wrote November 6:

“Talks to return Chancellor Angela Merkel at the head of a new three-way ‘Jamaica’ coalition resumed on Monday, with politicians vowing to start working concretely on possible compromises. But as if to illustrate how much the conservative CDU-CSU, the business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP) and the Greens still need to iron out, there is disagreement about whether the coalition negotiations will succeed at all.

“Over the weekend, FDP leader Christian Lindner raised the possibility that talks could fail, which would necessitate new elections. And he reiterated that stance in Berlin on Monday…

“Statements like these are in marked contrast to those from the Greens, who see no alternative but to make the coalition talks work. Conservative leaders also seem to consider a Jamaica deal inevitable… The partner that stands to lose the most if Jamaica talks fail is undoubtedly the conservatives. Merkel’s image took a hit after the CDU only polled 32.9 percent, and the previously unassailable chancellor feels compelled to re-assert her leadership abilities. Meanwhile, the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, the CSU, is reeling from its own electoral losses and is in the midst of a leadership struggle.”

Looking for German and French Positions in Europe

Express wrote on November 4:

“New chiefs of the EU Commission, Council, Parliament, Foreign Office and European Central Bank are set to be assigned by 2019. And reports in the German media suggest Chancellor Angela Merkel is pushing for current Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann [to] become the next head of the central Bank. Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, wants a Frenchman to take over the European Commission.

“According to Sueddeutsche Zeitung, the two nations are closely aligned in their aims, with both wanting a ‘strong personality’ to take the reins.”

Resurrecting the Habsburg Rule?

EU Times wrote on October 29:

“Hungary has signaled its readiness to develop closer ties with the new Austrian government… Norbert Freiherr van Handel, a member of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, called for full-fledged cooperation between Vienna and the member states of what was once known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire. ‘I see, of course, not only Austria, but also the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia and Slovenia, countries which managed to preserve friendly ties,’ Norbert Freiherr van Handel of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty said.

“He added that it is impossible to repeat history and that it was impossible to return to 1918, when the defeat of the Central Powers spelled an end to centuries of Habsburg rule. ‘But you can look at an economic space where people get along with each other — both culturally, and in terms of traditions, religions and their common history’…

“He noted that Austria’s neighbors Croatia, Slovenia and Northern Italy as well as… Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, are especially close to Vienna. These countries, which have been tied to each other for centuries, could form a community under the common keyword ‘Central Europe’ and act within the EU as one state, according to Van Handel…

“Van Handel was echoed by German political analyst Herbert Auinger, who [said] that the new positioning of Central European states is likely… Meanwhile, Austria’s Chancellor-Elect Sebastian Kurz [called] Austria the European Union’s foothold. Kurtz emphasized that he wants close cooperation with Germany, France and other states as well as ‘good contacts with Eastern Europe.’”

Austria, Hungary and other countries of the former Habsburg Empire are destined to play a significant role in the final configuration of the European revival.

Coming—a Two-Speed Europe

Politico wrote on November 7:

“There’s a feeling among European leaders that the bloc has weathered the worst of its recent crises — euro, refugee, Brexit — and should now turn its focus to the future… The only real option is to get behind Macron’s vision: Leave reluctant countries behind and allow others to move ahead on key policies.

“It won’t be easy, of course… But… current political trends make it likely the EU will move toward Macron’s model. The French president has found a powerful partner in German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with whom he is preparing new initiatives on Eurozone governance.  These are likely to help further integrate the monetary union and create new eurozone institutions, including its own budget and system of parliamentary scrutiny… A more supple EU would be harder to break apart and more viable in the long run…”

“EU ‘Regime’ Is DOOMED ‘like the Holy Roman Empire’”

Express wrote on November 4:

“The European Union (EU) will end by 2027 like the Holy Roman empire (HRE) did, argues the Brexit campaigner and author Dr Niall McCrae. The HRE was a group of Papal territories in Central Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages… Writing in an article for the think tank, the Bruges Group, Dr McCrae said: ‘Just as the European Union is becoming less united, the HRE was not really holy.’…

“He wrote that in 2027 the chief Brexit negotiation, Michel Barnier, and his fellow commissioners will be behaving like the ‘enlightened despots’ of the European past… He argues… that the HRE ‘ended as an embarrassment of corrupted ideals and the EU may be going the same way’.

“He said: ‘For now, the EU seems to have strength and resilience: the combined might of France and Germany… The European Council has similarities to the Empire’s old Reichstag, where the representatives of the German cities would meet…

“Earlier this year, Boris Johnson, the former Mayor of London said that history teaches us that attempts to create a unified body have always been doomed to failure. He said: ‘Napoleon, Hitler, various people tried this out, and it ends tragically. The EU is an attempt to do this by different methods. But fundamentally what is lacking is [that there] is no single authority that anybody respects or understands…’”

Although the conclusions in the article are basically wrong, some statements are quite remarkable. First, the modern EU is indeed related to the “Holy Roman Empire” (HRE)… it is becoming the last or tenth revival of the ancient Roman Empire and the seventh revival of the HRE. If we apply biblical definitions to the word “holy,” then there was indeed nothing holy about it. Furthermore, Napoleon and Hitler revived the “Holy Roman Empire” for a short time, constituting the eighth and ninth revivals. The missing “single authority” will exist in a few years from now. Finally, the last European revival of the ancient Roman Empire will not slowly disintegrate within the next ten years, but it will be suddenly and forcefully destroyed in a world war, which will be fought with nuclear weapons.

“Christians Concerned over “Attempts” to Threaten Right to Worship in Old Jerusalem

Christian Today wrote on November 2:

“The peace of Jerusalem is being undermined along with open access to the holy Christian sites by the prospect of legislation which, if left unchecked, would be ‘catastrophic,’ the head of the Church in the Holy City has warned.

“The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilus III, widely seen as the most senior Church figure in the Holy Land, issued the stark warning about the ability of religions to worship in peace side by side. He said ‘enough is enough’ at a press briefing in London today as part of an international tour to gain support for the position of the Church inside the Old City of Jerusalem…

“In July, 40 members of the Israeli Knesset, or parliament, signed a proposed bill that would restrict the rights of the Churches to deal freely and independently with their lands and would threaten their confiscation. The bill proposes to allow the state to confiscate lands of the Churches that have been leased to third parties. The Patriarch, who also visited king Abdulla II of Jordan, last month met at the Vatican with pope Francis, who said: ‘The Holy City, whose Status Quo must be defended and preserved, ought to be a place where all can live together peaceably; otherwise, the endless spiral of suffering will continue for all.’

“[The Petrarch] told journalists today: ‘Recently we have seen the emergence of a trend that threatens to undermine the Christian presence and destabilise the peace of the Holy City of Jerusalem. The ‘Status Quo’ rule that has guaranteed the rights of Jews, Christians and Muslims to live, flourish and thrive together in Jerusalem for centuries is in grave danger… If we do not act soon it will be too late…’”

According to clear Bible prophecy, the final revival of the ancient Roman Empire, in collaboration with the Roman Catholic Church, WILL intervene militarily in the Middle East and occupy Jerusalem to safeguard their Christian interests.

Pope Francis: Mankind Is Risking Nuclear Suicide

 National Post wrote on November 3:

“Like the recent pontiffs before him, Pope Francis traveled to Nettuno, Italy, on Thursday to visit the burial ground of the 7,860 American soldiers who died liberating southern Italy and Rome during World War II. There, he told several thousand people at Mass that he believed the world was heading into what could be its biggest war yet… Commemorating the young soldiers who died in World War II was of particular significance today, he said, because ‘the world once more is at war and is preparing to go even more forcefully into war.’

“Francis did not elaborate on what he meant in saying the world is heading ‘more forcefully into war.’ But the ominous statement comes as antagonism between leaders in the United States and North Korea raises fears of a nuclear confrontation, and as violence and instability around the world have led to more profound human suffering and loss of innocent lives… ‘Please Lord, stop. No more wars. No more of these useless massacres,’ he said in an improvised homily… Before visiting the U.S. military cemetery Thursday, Francis on Monday warned that ‘humanity risks suicide’ with the increased danger of nuclear war…”

The Curse of North Korea’s Nuclear Tests

The Telegraph wrote on November 7:

“North Korea’s underground nuclear test site has turned the surrounding area to wasteland and caused defects among newborn babies, defectors have reported. About 80 per cent of trees that are planted die at Punggye-ri and underground wells have also run dry, according to 21 defectors who used to live in Kilju county, the location of the site… Defectors… testified that local people were not warned in advance…

“According to another source… residents have been banned from making hospital appointments in the capital, Pyongyang. Officials also appear to be intent on keeping a lid on accounts from Kilju county, with anyone caught boarding trains with samples of soil, water or leaves reportedly being arrested and sent to prison camps.”

Donald Trump Speaks to Kim Jong Un… But Is Kim Listening?

The Washington Post wrote on November 8:

“The U.S. president directly addressed his 33-year-old nemesis [Kim Jong Un] in a speech to South Korea’s National Assembly. This time, Trump did not call Kim “Little Rocket Man” or use the kinds of rhetorical flourishes that play so well on Twitter. But the words that Trump did use cut deeper, because they struck at the very heart of the Kim regime.  If there is one thing that Kim has shown he cannot tolerate, it is personal criticism.

“‘North Korea is not the paradise your grandfather envisioned,’ Trump said to Kim, who, if he was in Pyongyang, was just 120 miles away. ‘It is a hell that no person deserves.’ Kim Il Sung, who is revered like a god in North Korean propaganda, established the country in 1948 as a ‘socialist paradise’ of free housing, health care and education where people would want for nothing. Grandson Kim Jong Un claims his legitimacy as North Korea’s supreme leader by virtue of being a direct descendant of this quasi-deity.

“Trump devoted a large part of his address to detailing the human rights abuses that the Kims have committed in North Korea, filling his speech with words such as ‘twisted,’ ‘sinister,’ ‘tyrant,’ ‘fascism’ and ‘cult.’ ‘I wanted to stand up from my seat and shout “Yahoo!” ‘said Lee Hyeon-seo, an escapee from North Korea who was sitting in the assembly hall during Trump’s address. ‘We just don’t hear people talking about North Korea in this way in South Korea, so I was very emotional during the speech. I was very impressed.’

“Trump noted the slave-like conditions North Korean workers face, the malnutrition among children, the suppression of religion and the forced-labor prison camps where he said North Koreans endure ‘torture, starvation, rape and murder on a constant basis’…

“‘President Trump spoke about human rights in North Korea more than any other previous U.S. president,’ said Jeong Kwang-il, who was held as a political prisoner in North Korea and now runs the No Chain for North Korea human rights group in Seoul…

“It is hard to exaggerate the reverence with which North Koreans are forced to treat the Kim family. Every home and all public buildings must display portraits of Kim Il Sung and his son Kim Jong Il that must be cleaned only with a special cloth. North Koreans must bow at monuments to the leaders and sing songs celebrating their supposedly legendary feats… So to suggest that the regime is founded on a ‘fantasy’ and that the country is something other than a socialist paradise amounts to heresy in North Korea…

“‘North Korea tends to react sensitively to criticism in human rights,’ said Cheong Seong-chang, director of the unification strategy program at the Sejong Institute, a private think tank in South Korea… ‘North Korea is highly likely to take Trump’s address as a declaration of war and call for a holy war of its own against the U.S.,’ Cheong said.”

President Trump expressed what had to be said about North Korea. The brutal dictatorship of that regime is similar to the barbaric Nazi rule under Hitler and the oppressive tyranny under Stalin. Trump also challenged those countries (especially China and Russia) which still have trade relationships with North Korea, saying that they would be at least partially responsible if North Korea’s conduct was to lead to a nuclear war.

Saudi Arabia Shake-Up

The Washington Post wrote on November 6:

“The Saudi leadership shake-up and wave of arrests over the weekend have rattled potential investors… Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made the modernization drive, dubbed Vision 2030, the centerpiece of his plan for the kingdom, combining economic reforms and modest steps toward social liberalization. But the kingdom has pared back important but painful domestic economic reforms… Now the abrupt internal purge… has left experts wondering whether it is truly aimed at corruption or at Mohammed’s political rivals…

“‘The kingdom is at a crossroads,’ Bruce Riedel, director of the intelligence project at the Brookings Institution… said in an email. ‘Its economy has flatlined with low oil prices; the war in Yemen is a quagmire; the blockade of Qatar is a failure; Iranian influence is rampant in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq; and the succession is a question mark. It is the most volatile period in Saudi history in over a half-century.’

“… as part of the weekend shake-up, Adel Fakeih, the minister of economy and planning and a member of Saudi Arabia’s oversight council, was dismissed… Ibrahim Al-Assaf, a former finance minister and current director of Saudi Aramco, was among at least 17 princes, current and former government ministers and business executives taken into custody… Assaf was arrested on charges of corruption linked to an urban expansion project in the city of Mecca…”

The future of Saudi Arabia might be very important for America’s reliance on Saudi oil.

Bombshells in the Middle East

CNN added on November 6:

“A 24-hour sequence of political bombshells began on Saturday afternoon, when Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation from the Saudi capital of Riyadh, blindsiding his country’s political establishment. Hours later, Saudi Arabia’s official news agency reported that the country’s military had intercepted a Yemen-borne ballistic missile over Riyadh. Even as images of the blast were flashing on TV sets around the region, similarly dramatic news began to trickle in: Some of Saudi Arabia’s most high-profile princes and businessmen were being sacked and detained in an anti-corruption drive…

“The events serve as an opening salvo for a new period in the region’s crisis-ridden history, analysts say. They represent an escalation in a years-long proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, threatening to activate new fronts in the region, with the Saudi show of force beginning with a sweeping consolidation of power from within.

“On Friday, ISIS’ last strongholds in Iraq and Syria fell. It marked a major milestone in a fight that saw archrivals converge on the extremist group until its so-called caliphate was on its last legs… the dismantling of the so-called caliphate will basically intensify the geostrategic struggles between the pro-Iranian camp led by Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and its allies in the region, including the United States…”

The Algemeiner added on November 5:

“Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his sudden resignation on Saturday, citing fear of an assassination plot backed by Iran. Hariri made the announcement from Saudi Arabia, comparing the current situation in Lebanon to the time leading up to the assassination of his father, former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, in 2005… In his address, Hariri sternly criticized Iran and its Lebanese terror proxy Hezbollah of fueling conflict throughout the Middle East…”

Clinton’s Dubious Dealings with the Democratic Party

 JTA wrote on November 2:

“Donna Brazile, who became interim Democratic National Committee head after Debbie Wasserman Schultz was forced out, says in a book that her predecessor ceded control of the indebted party to the Hillary Clinton campaign.

“Brazile said the arrangement with the Clinton campaign was unfair to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who lost to Clinton in the primaries. Brazile… said she had called Sanders to inform him of Clinton’s assuming the DNC debt… ‘I explained that the cancer was that she had exerted this control of the party long before she became its nominee…’

“Brazile said the DNC had been $24 million in debt, in part because of Obama’s years of neglect…”

Politics is SUCH a dirty business…

Bad News for Wall Street Stock Analysts Due to Europe’s Regulatory Changes

Flipboard wrote on November 1:

“Wall Street stock analysts are about to find themselves on the chopping block, and only the best will survive. That was the hard truth Mary Erdoes had for a room full of analysts Thursday…

“Erdoes, the head of JPMorgan Chase’s $1.9 trillion asset and wealth management business, was asked about impacts from MiFID II — Europe’s sweeping financial regulatory changes that will be implemented in 2018 — and painted a future in which asset managers chop their budgets and only pay for research from top-tier analysts… This is bad news for stock analysts, as it could result in a 50% ‘compression’ in research budgets…  That means less money to go around.’”

The Paris Climate Accord Did Nothing…

Investor’s Business Daily wrote on November 3:

“Here’s a United Nations climate report that environmentalists probably don’t want anybody to read. It says that even if every country abides by the grand promises they made last year in Paris to reduce greenhouse gases, the planet would still be ‘doomed.’ But it turns out that the Paris accord was little more than a sham that will do nothing to ‘save the planet.’

“According to the latest annual UN report on the ‘emissions gap,’ the Paris agreement will provide only a third of the cuts in greenhouse gas that environmentalists claim is needed to prevent catastrophic warming…

“What the report does make clear… is that all the posturing by government leaders in Paris was just that. Posturing. None of these countries intended to take the drastic and economically catastrophic steps environmentalist claim are needed to prevent a climate change doomsday…

“Whether you believe in climate change or not, the Paris climate accord amounted to nothing, or pretty close to it. Even the UN admits that now.”

More Turmoil in the Catholic Church?

The Independent wrote on November 2:

“Pope Francis has reportedly requested that married men in Brazil be allowed to become priests – a controversial move likely to prompt a backlash from conservatives in the Catholic Church… The President of the Episcopal Commission for the Amazon, Cardinal Cludio Hummes, reportedly asked the pontiff to consider the move because there is a shortage of ordained ministers in the Amazon’s remote communities…

“The Pope has also said that the principle of celibacy for priests is a discipline, rather than a dogma. The church already allows some exceptions to priestly celibacy. Those in the eastern rite Catholic Church are allowed to be married, as are married Anglican priests who convert to Catholicism…

“However, the move is likely to anger conservatives in the church, who are already furious about the pontiff’s decision to allow divorced people who re-marry to receive communion if their priests or local bishop approve.”

More Prophetic “Expectations”… Israel-Related Anniversaries Just Coincidence?

JTA wrote on November 2:

“It has been 50 years since the Six-Day War, 100 years since the Balfour Declaration and 150 years since Mark Twain first visited Palestine. These are just a few of the big Israel-related anniversaries of 2017. To the Jewish state’s most diehard Christian supporters, the barrage of milestones is… prophecy being fulfilled… According to this pattern, something momentous should happen to Israel before the end of the year…

“When Israel captured eastern Jerusalem and its holy sites from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War, some Christians saw proof that the messianic era was nigh. They began scouring history for signs they may have missed. Many such harbingers were identified, from ‘blood moons’ to stock market crashes… In 1917, the British defeated the Ottoman Empire and took control of Palestine… Christian Zionists singled out 1517, the year the Ottomans conquered Jerusalem…

“Christian Zionists have had decades to speculate about what historic change would happen in 2017, a half century after the Six-Day War… a popular guess among the 100 or so evangelical and Jewish participants was that President Donald Trump would fulfill his campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. But with only two months left in the year, time is running out…”

These human speculations (some of them rather ridiculous) help no one. In fact, they only belittle God and the Bible and give unbelievers reasons to scoff.

Russian Claims to Have Lived on Mars before Reborn on Earth

The Daily Mail wrote on November 6:

“Boriska Kipriyanovich has confounded experts with his knowledge of outer space for nearly 20 years. His parents claim that he was able to speak months after he was born and would often discuss subjects they had never taught him, such as alien civilisations…

“Boriska, from Volgograd, claims to have lived on a ‘war-ravaged’ Mars, which suffered from a nuclear catastrophe in the distant past. He says that Martians measuring about seven-feet tall still live undergound on the Red Planet and breathe in carbon dioxide. According to Boriska, they are immortal and stop aging at an age of 35 years. They are also technologically advanced and capable of interstellar travel.

“As a schoolboy, Boriska explained how the Martians had a strong connection to the ancient Egyptians on Earth and how he had once visited the planet as a pilot. He said that life on Earth will change dramatically when the Great Sphinx monument in Giza is ‘unlocked’, adding that the opening mechanism is hidden behind an ear.’”

The reason why we report this fantasy is to show how gullible people can be to entertain such nonsense, willing to believe just about everything BUT the Truth. If the facts about Boriska are accurately reported, then it is clear to us that demons are using him in an attempt to deceive mankind.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

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

Many of the Psalms written by David describe his grief in facing conflict with his enemies. The context of many passages expresses his frustration, often facing dire circumstances, frequently with his life being threatened. In some of the Psalms, David prays for the demise of his enemies. For example, we read in Psalm 143:12: “In Your mercy cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant.” In this open prayer to God, it is apparent that David is asking for the death of people who cause him grief.

In Psalm 109 David records a plea for God’s retaliation against those who “have rewarded [him] evil for good, And hatred for [his] love” (Psalm 109:5). Within this chapter of the Bible, we read about several very specific requests. He requests for his accusers to be judged and found guilty (verses 6,7). He asks for the prayers of the one who afflicts him to become sin (verse 7). He prays that this man’s life may come to an untimely end (verse 8). David prays for the demise of his enemy’s family, to make his wife a widow and his children orphans and beggars, and remain unforgiven (verses 9,10, 13). He even prays that his accuser’s mother’s sins may not be forgiven by God (verse 14, 15). While the complete context of the situation is not revealed, it is clear that David was afflicted and troubled by those who betrayed him, and caused him to plea for vengeance.

In stark contrast to passages such as these, we learn about the commandment by Jesus to love our enemies. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). From this we can see that it is required of a Christian to have a merciful attitude towards those who might cause us trouble in life. We are even told to pray for those with whom we find ourselves coming into conflict. But our prayers for our enemies should not include personal wishes for revenge, death, and destruction. Such desires are not an expression of the love which Jesus has instructed us to have. On the other hand, we read repeatedly that we ought to have the wish and desire for God’s justice to be done on earth.

Seeing that we have a commandment to express love as Christians, even towards our enemies, how are we to understand the Psalms in which it is apparent that death, destruction, and demise are prayed for? Are there situations in which it is acceptable to harbor hateful and vengeful desires in our heart towards others? Do the Psalms pleading for vengeance provide us an example to follow? Is it right to pray for the death of our enemies, and the demise of their families? If we have hateful wishes in our hearts for our enemies, what are we to do? Since the Bible cannot contradict itself (compare John 10:35, 1 Peter 1:25, John 17:17), there must be an explanation.

First, we must realize that in many cases, the Bible just reports words, conduct or actions without evaluation or judging them. In the Psalms, David’s feelings are written down, but we must note that David, even though he was a man after God’s own heart, was a man of war, and it took him a lifetime to learn that war and the feeling and desires leading to war are wrong. This knowledge came to him only very gradually.

As always, the passages about revenge must be viewed in context. The first observation to make involves the sin of those who are the subject of these Psalms. In Psalm 109, recall that those whom David seeks vengeance upon have committed sin, having behaved in “evil” way, with “hatred” (compare Psalm 109:5). Being the victim of sin, David is essentially making a plea for punishment by God for the sinful behavior. Sin, as the Bible teaches, is punishable by death (compare Romans 6:23). These open prayers for vengeance are therefore consistent with the consequences of sin. Quite plainly, David writes “He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth” (Psalm 54:5)(.) Nowhere does David make a plea for the death or demise of an innocent, righteous person. It is frequently apparent that the requests for God’s intervention involve a threat of evil against him. In this context, the prayers for revenge can be interpreted as a plea for God’s judgment against the sinful man to be sentenced. They might also be viewed as prophetic statements regarding God’s conduct and judgment in the future.

The context of the sins committed against David in the cited psalms are not fully described, and therefore we don’t understand the heart of those who are committing them. However, what we do know from the Bible is that sins cannot go unpunished by God. In our booklet, Punishment For Our Sins, we write about the fact that there are automatic consequences of sinful conduct. As such, it may be the case that David’s pleas were for such consequences to be applied and not overlooked:

“We must realize that sin may have automatic consequences. For instance, if we drive under the influence of alcohol and are responsible for a serious car accident, which may result in bodily injury of ourselves and others, or even the death of an innocent person, then these consequences will remain for the rest of our lives, even though God will forgive our sinful conduct upon true and genuine repentance. But the death or the loss of a limb will not be automatically ‘annulled,’ as if it had never happened….

“Consider that even though God forgave David his sins, He later brought up again ‘the matter of Uriah the Hittite’ (1 Kings 15:5), as this was not sinful conduct that was committed because of ignorance or temporary temptation. Rather, these sins belonged to a slightly different category. It was not the unpardonable sin, to be sure, since David will be in the Kingdom of God (compare Jeremiah 30:9; Hosea 3:5; see also Luke 13:28, referring to ‘all the prophets,’ and David was a prophet, Acts 2:29–31). However, they were not sins that were committed ‘in ignorance’ or because of a temporary, passing weakness that had ‘snuck up’ on David. Rather, this was planned, premeditated, carefully designed and thought-out sinful conduct. David thought through very diligently how to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba, ultimately resorting to the murder of Uriah. God brought up the ‘matter of Uriah’ because He was terribly grieved that David would have acted in such a way, and He wanted to impress on the reader the awful consequences of these sins for David, as well as his entire household.”

If the sins that were committed against David warrant such dramatic consequences as are requested, we can conceive that prayers for vengeance against the enemies who sin against David were made out of a desire for justice rather than hatred.

While David clearly made requests for relief and help in the time that he lived, his requests for justice conceivably extend to the final judgment, during the third resurrection. “Behold, God is my helper; The LORD is with those who uphold my life. He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth” (Psalm 54:4-5). Even if those who commit unrepentant sin were not punished at the time of David’s life, God’s justice will ultimately be served. This passage declares the plain fact that God will ultimately punish people committing unrepentant sin by cutting off their lives from the Truth. We are told not to avenge ourselves, but to give place to God’s wrath and His vengeance (Romans 12:19). Again, David’s plea for revenge and God’s intervention must be seen in light of the knowledge and realization that God will act in His due time.

Even if sins committed by the enemies of David were rightly deserving of the horrible consequences prayed for, is this the best example to follow in our lives when we are victims ourselves? Is it best to pray for the death and destruction of those who sin against us, or is there a better way? As the Bible clearly shows, it is always better to be merciful.

Offering forgiveness and mercy is central to the commandment of love given by Jesus Christ (compare Luke 6:27-29). Forgiveness offered to those who sin against us also has a benefit for us. “‘For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses’” (Matthew 6:14-15). We can plainly see that if we want our own sins to be forgiven, we must be willing to forgive those who sin against us once they come to repentance. And we must not harbor grudges and have hatred towards them. By providing forgiveness to others, we show God that we value mercy, and become worthy of receiving it ourselves.

Consider the example of Stephen, who was killed for his testimony. “And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59-60). There is no question that Stephen was the victim of wicked sin in this historic event. Rather than make a plea for the death of those who were murdering him, Stephen makes a plea for mercy. This kind of attitude showing love towards our enemies may be difficult to the carnal man, but it is the superior approach to take when victimized by sin.

Going even further than offering forgiveness and mercy to those who sin against us, we are instructed to react with kind and generous behavior. “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21). Rather than respond with pleas for death and the demise of the family members of those who sin against us, it is better, and even required, for us to respond with good works. When we show kindness and mercy in response to evil, there are two important results. The first is that God sees the love that we have for others. The second may have an effect on those who are the ones that victimize us. Just as sin has an automatic consequence, good works have a positive consequence. In this example, guilt is affected in the sinner, likely resulting in correction. By offering kindness and mercy to others who commit sins against us, we propagate a good example of lovingkindness.

Our hearts need to be carefully monitored when we find ourselves victims of sin. Hatred and a desire for death must not take root. Even when we are angry with another, if we do not remove and replace that anger with mercy and love, we place ourselves in danger of punishment (compare Matthew 5:22-23). The Bible also plainly states that hatred that resides in our heart is sinful, causing us to walk in darkness, instead of the light (compare 1 John 2:10-11). There is no place for hatred of another and wishes for another’s death in the heart of a Christian—even though we realize that God’s justice will and must require the death of unrepentant sinners in the third resurrection.

When reading the Psalms that make a plea for sinful enemies to be “cut off”, implying their death, the context must carefully be considered. In some situations, the Scripture may be a plea to God for the automatic consequence of sin to be applied swiftly. In other situations, these open prayers may be considered a request for God to execute His judgment upon unrepentant sin in the future. Always, these Psalms are rightly interpreted as a request for God’s righteousness to prevail over evil. Yet, caution must be observed in using these Scriptures as a model to follow in our own lives. The commandment to love our enemies, offering love and kindness in response to evil inflicted upon us is always the superior path to follow. Hatred must be expunged from the heart of a Christian, always preferring God’s mercy over spiteful vengeance.

Lead Writer: Eric Rank

compiled by Dave Harris

“NO! The Holy Roman Empire Is NOT Dead!” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

The Bible shows us, and history confirms, that after the fall of Rome, the ancient Roman Empire (later known as the Holy Roman Empire) would revive numerous times. The last and final revival is happening right now in Europe. Recent news articles, totally oblivious to biblical teaching and prophecy, nevertheless confirm that the concept of the Holy Roman Empire is not dead at all. However, the devastating and terribly destructive consequences of nuclear war, following the last European revival, are mainly overlooked. Do YOU know what is going to happen on the world scene within a very few years from now?

“Was Versteht die Bibel unter ‘Ewigkeit’?” is the title of this Sabbath’s German sermon, presented by Norbert Link.

“God’s Warning for Us,” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

The time for inevitable terrible domestic and international disaster for the USA, the great tribulation, and the return of Christ is very near. With this recognition and the realization that God has given the USA the spirit of slumber comes the warning that in the light of personal struggles, the lack of progress in our own lives could have dreadful and eternal consequences for us.

“You Shall (Not) Desire, Part 2,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

As the last sermon showed, we are prohibited to have wrong and evil desires. On the other hand, the Bible COMMANDS us to have right desires. But what exactly is it that we should or even must desire, in order to obtain eternal life in the Kingdom of God?

On November 4, 2017, Norbert Link will present introductory comments, followed by the sermon, titled, “You Shall (Not) Desire! (Part 2).”

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.

Like many people in my generation, I spent a fair amount of time in my youth playing video games. The continuous challenge was a genuine source of fun. Most of the games I played had levels that needed to be completed, which increased with difficulty as progress was made in the game. The further I advanced, the more challenging it became. I recall many afternoons – probably too many – trying over and over again to finish a level and make it past the hard part in the game that challenged me at that moment. Being tenacious in my nature, I was able to succeed in several games. But, some were too hard and I was never able to overcome the obstacles standing in my way of finishing the level and proceeding to the next. For those games, I resigned myself to give up and move on.

While the consequences for giving up on the attempt to win a video game are insignificant, the same cannot be said for the Christian Way of Life. If the obstacles that we face cause us to turn away from God and our commitment to Christian living, we will be truly defeated. Giving up the Way of Christian life ends in the end of life that can never begin again.

When Jesus was consulted by a rich, young ruler about what he needed to do in order to inherit eternal life, the answer He gave became an obstacle. Even though the ruler had worked throughout his life to live in obedience to the law, he had more that was required of him. “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’ But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:21-22). This man allowed an obstacle to block his path towards salvation. His desire to continue indulging in worldly abundance prevented him from proceeding. As a result, he turned away defeated, unwilling at that time to overcome his problem.

It is the mission of a Christian to continuously grow in his or her spiritual development. It is unacceptable and unprofitable to God if we learn the Truth, but fail to make improvements in our lives. The knowledge of the Truth needs to be used! It provides guidance to us so we can become perfect in righteousness. We know that we will not actually become perfect until God glorifies us, but we are instructed to work towards the state of perfection until that time. Right now, our spiritual growth requires us to combine our efforts with the spiritual discernment, strength, and grace provided by the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. When we commit our lives to that goal, we will find ourselves progressing further and further.

If we choose to dedicate ourselves to overcoming obstacles that stand in the way of our spiritual development, we should expect to encounter new and different challenges along the way. This is evidence of our progress. Step by step, we learn how to commit ourselves ever more to righteousness, making our challenges of the past trivial by comparison. And since we all sin (compare Romans 5:12), there will always be more to overcome. However, if we become stagnant in our efforts, we put ourselves in danger.  Hebrews 6:1 obliges us to “go on to perfection”, compelling us to never stop our development. After providing this instruction, a dire warning is pronounced, informing the reader about the death that results from falling away from the Truth (compare Hebrews 6:4-8). A failure to make progress implies an unwillingness to earnestly continue in the way of righteousness, with a dreadful result.

Our commitment to follow in the path of righteousness cannot be hindered by obstacles that we encounter. The sins that we discover in our lives must not block us without a fight to overcome. With this enduring attitude, and with the help of the Holy Spirit provided by God the Father and Jesus Christ, God promises that we will succeed and advance to the next level.

by Norbert Link

In this issue, we concentrate on events in and pertaining to the USA, which show beyond a reasonable doubt that the USA is at the brink of total destruction. It has reached the point of no return, and is facing internal turmoil and “bankruptcy,” as well as the external threat of a nuclear attack. The irony is that the US leadership is not even considering and able to identify the future real enemy. At the same time, God has given the people of the USA and the UK the leadership they deserve. After all, God holds the people accountable for their many sins and transgressions and their unwillingness to change and to turn back to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob whom they have forgotten and whom they defy on a daily basis.

In this context, we speak on a catastrophe in North Korea and the coming European superpower and Germany’s ongoing struggle to form a viable and workable government; and we address the explosive situation regarding independence-seeking Catalonians, which has plunged Spain into the worst political crisis since the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

We conclude with articles showing the utmost confusion of orthodox Christians who do not seem to know anymore what and whom to believe. We especially address paganism and the curse of the demonical “festival” of Halloween, showing WHY God is so angry and FURIOUS with our “Christian” nations. In this regard, please view our new StandingWatch program, “Worshipping Satan on Halloween.” We also publish reports on the terror attack in New York on Halloween and attempts to politicize the action of a deranged and demonically influenced terrorist.

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

US To Be Wiped Out in a Nuclear War?

Sunday Express wrote on October 29:

“American Pastor Greg Laurie, of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, believes the US could be obliterated in a nuclear war before the end of the world begins. Pastor Laurie says the prophecy was revealed to him after he read the Bible and discovered there was no mention of a ‘reigning superpower’ in the end days, which he has interpreted as the US being destroyed imminently…

“As things stand, it would seem the nation most likely to attack the US with nuclear weapons would be North Korea. But as Pastor Laurie points out, there is no mention of Kim Jong-Un’s nation either – but it does talk about Iran which could assist North Korea by the Pastor’s reckoning…”

The Pastor is right that the USA will be destroyed in a nuclear war, according to the Bible, but he does not understand that it will not happen through either North Korea or Iran. Even though a nuclear war between the USA and North Korea is not unthinkable, America’s total destruction will occur through the United States of Europe which will launch a successful nuclear attack against the USA and the UK.

Catastrophe in North Korea

The Sun wrote on October 31:

“A TUNNEL at an underground North Korea nuclear site has collapsed with up to 200 people killed… The collapse happened at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the north-east of the country on October 10… The Punggye-ri test site in North Korea is carved deep into Mount Mantap… The disaster has prompted fears of a massive radioactive leak which could spark a Chernobyl- or Fukushima-style disaster…

“The accident is believed to have been caused by Kim Joing-un’s sixth nuclear test which weakened the mountain… It was reported earlier this year that the mountain under which the base is believed to be hidden was at risk of collapsing and leaking radiation into the region. Experts said if the peak crumbles, clouds of radioactive dust and gas would blanket the region…

“Geophysicist Wen Lianxing and his team at the University of Science and Technology of China… said they were ‘confident’ underground detonations were occurring underneath the mountain… Seismic data showed the underground test triggered an earthquake of magnitude 6.3, around ten times more powerful than the fifth test a year ago…

“News of the tunnel collapse comes after it emerged Russia and the US have both flown nuclear bombers near the country as tensions grow over Kim’s nuke threats.”

Obamacare, Trump and the Looming Disaster

Flipboard wrote on October 29:

“Peter Lee, Covered California’s executive director, told Business Insider in an interview that the Trump administration has thrown a wrench into insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act… Already, a study by healthcare consulting firm Avalere Health projected that premiums for the lowest cost silver-level plans on the Obamacare exchanges would increase by 34% in 2018. Benchmark silver plans, which are the second most expensive, went up by only 26% in 2017.

“Avalere said the increase was, in part, due to Trump’s elimination of so-called cost-sharing reduction payments… Lee cited several examples of how the Department of Health and Human Services helped to undermine the market… ‘This is now on President Trump, the healthcare market is not about President Obama anymore,’ Lee said. ‘They are the responsibility of this president, and they have to be owned by this president.’”

President Trump immediately tweeted that the Democrats are to be blamed for the horrendous increase in premiums. But no matter who is to be blamed, the American citizens are the ones who will suffer from the incompetency of the past and present leadership.

It is no coincidence that President Trump’s approval rate hit an all-time low of only 33%, which could also be in part due to the ongoing investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller who indicted two former Trump campaign officials and got a guilty plea from a lower campaign aide for lying to the FBI about his ongoing contacts with the Russians. Deutsche Welle commented on October 30: “But assuming, as the scholars tend to, that this is likely just the first major step in Mueller’s widening probe into Russian election meddling and possible ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow, then President Trump has reason to be worried.”

All of this is just another example as to how the country is heading towards a complete downfall. The next article adds more information about the disastrous prospects of a country beyond repair.

US Government Bankrupt… while Adding $200 Billion Dollars to the Debt in October Alone

Zerohedge wrote on October 30:

“There’s been something happening this month that very few people have noticed. It’s been lost beneath all the other headline-dominating news, from the Las Vegas shooting to Harvey Weinstein to the Mueller investigation. But very quietly behind the scenes there’s been an extremely rapid uptick in the US national debt. In the month of October alone, the US national debt has soared by nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars. This is pretty astonishing given that October is supposed to be a ‘good’ month for the US Treasury Department. Yet despite being flush with tax revenue, the US government still managed to pile almost a quarter of a trillion dollars more on top of its already enormous mountain of debt…

“The only realistic way out is for the US government to eventually capitulate… and default. This could mean selectively defaulting on holders of US debt (for example–the Chinese, Japanese, Federal Reserve, Social Security Trust Funds, etc.); one day Uncle Sam simply stops paying. Or it could mean defaulting on promises made to citizens, like providing a strong national defense, maintaining a stable currency, or paying out Social Security benefits as advertised. Each of these scenarios has its own particular consequences, ranging from steep inflation to a full-blown global financial crisis…”

It seems we are traveling on the Titanic without wanting to see the destructive iceberg.

Coming… European Superstate with an EU Army and One Chancellor for ALL of Europe

Express wrote on October 29:

“BRITAIN’S exit from the European Union has accelerated plans within Brussels to form a giant superstate with its own army, currency and shared rules, as well as a EU Chancellor of the Exchequer, it has been revealed.

“Hardcore Europhiles have plotted to create the new post of Chancellor for the 27 member states, despite all nations having dramatically different financial situations. The Chancellor would have the power to go into member states and make ‘structural reforms’ to their domestic budgets. The plans are revealed in a paper called The Future Of Europe which calls for EU expansion to include Serbia and Montenegro, an EU army by 2025 and an EU-wide work permit…

“Pro-Brexit Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said: ‘This is what many of us thought was the plan all along. Now we have the evidence.’

“Ukip MEP Nathan Gill told the Daily Mail: ‘These sweeping new developments, including the EU creating its own Chancellor as well as pushing ahead with plans for a continent-wide army, prove Brussels is hurtling at breakneck speed towards becoming a full superstate. We got out in the nick of time.’

“Pro-Remain Tory MP Anna Soubry told the paper: ‘Brussels can do these things more easily now we aren’t there to make the sensible case and work with those countries who also don’t want the EU to move in this direction.’

“Jo Leinen, a German MEP revealed this month the EU will form its army by offering to save country’s money, if they hand over part control of their military affairs. The MEP said the policy of national armies ‘cannot continue’ for much longer.”

There are more and more talks about creating an EU superstate; a European army; and now a Chancellor for all of Europe. They are truly blind who cannot see that all of this is in line with biblical end-time prophecy which reveals the final and last European revival of the ancient Roman Empire. It is THAT power which will ultimately destroy the USA and the UK… but both nations are totally ignorant about this prophesied future development. This is because God has given them the spirit of slumber.

Coalition Talks in Germany Are Dragging on… and on….

Deutsche Welle wrote on October 30:

“Four German political parties — the Christian Democrats, Christian Social Union, Free Democrats and Greens — are now in their third week of talks to form a government… Germany is now outside its political comfort zone.

“Although a coalition of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU), the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Greens has been run more or less successfully at the state level once before, the Jamaica coalition — so named because of the parties’ respective colors: black, yellow and green — has never been tried at the national level… As things stand, the list of agreements is significantly shorter than the list of disagreements…”

Even if there will be a Jamaica coalition, it won’t last long. Martin Schulz (SPD) already asked for new elections.

Trouble Ahead for Spain

AFP wrote on October 27:

“Spain was plunged into crisis Friday as Madrid seized power from independence-seeking Catalonia, the first curtailment of regional autonomy since the brutal dictatorship of Francisco Franco. After regional lawmakers voted to declare a Catalan ‘republic’, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy moved swiftly to dissolve the rebel government and parliament, and called December 21 elections to replace them.

“In an escalating standoff closely watched by secession-wary Europe, Rajoy fired pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont and all his ministers as well as the director of the regional police, and Catalan envoys to Madrid and Brussels, to halt what he termed an ‘escalation of disobedience.’ Secessionist lawmakers voted 70 to 10 in the 135-member parliament Friday to declare Catalonia ‘a republic in the form of an independent and sovereign state’. They take their mandate from the ‘Yes’ result in a banned and unregulated October 1 independence referendum spurned by many more than half of Catalan electors…

“The region of some 7.5 million people accounts for about 16 percent of Spain’s population, a fifth of its economic output, and attracts more tourists than anywhere else in the country. Catalonia´s inhabitants are fiercely protective of their language, culture and autonomy — restored after a long period of oppression during nationalist Franco´s 1936-1979 rule…

“The sweeping measures [by Spain] were approved by the Senate Friday under a constitutional article designed to rein in rebels among Spain’s 17 regions. Madrid’s allies in the European Union and the United States rallied behind Madrid as they voiced alarm over developments in Spain´s worst political crisis in decades… Polls show Catalans themselves are split, pretty much down the middle, on the issue of independence from Spain…

“The UN urged both sides Friday to ‘seek solutions within the framework of the Spanish constitution, and through established political and legal channels.’ But far-left groups have already threatened ‘massive civil disobedience’ if Madrid usurps Catalan autonomy…

“There are deep concerns over the economic impact of the showdown, with nearly 1,700 companies already having moved their legal headquarters out of Catalonia, which has an economic output equivalent to that of Portugal.”

Deutsche Welle reported on October 30:

“Former Catalonian regional leader Carles Puigdemont and five aides went to Brussels on Monday to meet with his lawyers… The revelation came as prosecutors in Madrid charged the 54-year-old and several associates with rebellion, sedition and embezzlement. Rebellion alone carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison… Spain is in the throes of its worst political crisis since the dictatorship of Francisco Franco…”

Deutsche Welle added on November 2:

“Spain’s public prosecutor has requested that an arrest warrant be issued for deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont. [Eight] Catalan ministers have been jailed for their role in the independence push.”

The powerful measures used by Spain which are endorsed by most of Europe is just a foretaste of the undemocratic and dictatorial way in which the United States of Europe will conduct their affairs in the future. Russia was rightly condemned for annexing the Crimea peninsula and getting involved in Ukrainian affairs, but why is Spain’s conduct any different? Note the next article.

Why Do Catalonians Want Independence from Spain?

The Telegraph wrote on October 10:

“Catalonia was an independent region of the Iberian Peninsula – modern day Spain and Portugal – with its own language, laws and customs. In 1150, the marriage of Petronilia, Queen of Aragon and Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona formed a dynasty leaving their son to inherit all territories concerning the region of Aragon and Catalonia. This lasted until the reign of King Philip V. The War of the Spanish Succession ended with the defeat of Valencia in 1707, of Catalonia in 1714, and finally with the last of the islands in 1715 – resulting in the birth of modern-day Spain.

“Subsequent kings tried to impose the Spanish language and laws on the region, but they abandoned their attempts in 1931 and restored the Generalitat (the national Catalan government). General Francisco Franco, however, set out to destroy Catalan separatism and with his victory at the Battle of Ebro in 1938 he took control of the region, killing 3,500 people and forcing many more into exile.

“The region was granted a degree of autonomy once more in 1977, when democracy returned to the country…

“The Catalan region… is one of the wealthiest regions of Spain… Secession would therefore cost Spain almost 20 [percent] of its economic output, and trigger a row about how Catalonia would return 52.5 billion euros of debt it owes to the country’s central administration.

“It would have a gross domestic product of $314 billion (£195bn)… which would make it the 34th largest economy in the world. That would make it bigger than Portugal or Hong Kong. Its GDP per capita would be $35,000, which would make it wealthier than South Korea, Israel or Italy. And Catalonia’s contribution to the Spanish economy is twice that of Scotland’s to the UK.”

So, it appears, it’s all about money and power.

No Apology for Balfour Declaration

Times of Israel wrote on November 2:

“British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday said she would ‘absolutely not’ apologize for the 1917 Balfour Declaration which paved the way for the establishment of the ‘most extraordinary’ State of Israel, while noting that the document’s vision of Jewish-Arab coexistence remained ‘unfinished business.’

“In a speech marking the centenary of the declaration, May was glowing in her praise of the Jewish state, describing it as a ‘true start-up nation’ and ‘a symbol of openness, as a thriving democracy; and a beacon to the world in upholding the rights of women and members of the LGBT community’…

“Signed on November 2, 1917 by the UK’s then foreign secretary, Arthur James Balfour, the declaration announced his government’s intention to establish ‘a national home for the Jewish people’ in the Land of Israel… In recent weeks, the Palestinians have vehemently protested the British government’s decision to mark the Balfour Declaration with pride, calling on London to apologize for the document and recognize a Palestinian state…

“In her address, the British prime minister… voiced support for a two-state solution, underlining that the Israelis and Palestinians would need to make compromises, on settlements and incitement, respectively…”

May also said that Israeli settlements were a “barrier” to peace.

Donald Trump and the Evangelicals at the Crossroad?

NPR wrote on October 29:

“When Donald Trump announced he would be running for president, he didn’t seem like the obvious candidate for evangelical voters, given his multiple divorces, use of crass language and one-time admission that he had never asked God for forgiveness. Nonetheless, he did manage to coalesce 81 percent of white evangelical voters behind him in November.

“Almost a year since Election Day, President Trump’s unlikely marriage with the religious right seems to have only strengthened, as seen at the Values Voter Summit earlier this month. Trump administration officials peppered the speaker list, and attendees praised the president as having been chosen by God to lead the country at this time…  many prominent faith leaders — including Liberty University’s Jerry Falwell Jr. and First Baptist Dallas’ Robert Jeffress — didn’t just endorse Trump, they gave him their most full-throated blessing and defense.

“But that fervent support from evangelicals may have come at a cost… There have been growing racial and generational divisions within the church… and Trump’s election seems to have brought some of those simmering tensions to the surface, putting evangelicalism at a potential crossroads.”

The mixture of religion and politics has always been a lethal potion.

Most Brits Reject Four of the Ten Commandments

Christian Post wrote on October 26:

“Most Britons believe that only six of the Ten Commandments are relevant today, and Christians are split over whether some, like the Commandment to not worship other gods, are essential to their faith… A YouGov research poll released on Wednesday found that 93 percent of Britons still find the Commandments against murder and stealing to be fundamental.

“Another 87 percent agreed that ‘you shall not bear false witness against other people’ is still relevant, along with 73 percent who agreed with the Commandment against adultery. Sixty-nine percent said that honoring one’s father and mother is important, along with 61 percent who said the same for not coveting other people’s possessions.

“But only 31 percent said that not worshiping idols is still essential, and 23 percent agreed with not using God’s name in vain. Only 20 percent agreed with not worshiping other gods, and only 19 percent said that keeping the Sabbath day holy is paramount.”

On top of that, we are certain that most of those who still believe in the sanctity of the Sabbath are confused about the identity of the day and may erroneously believe that they ought to observe Sunday, instead of the biblical seventh-day Sabbath.

Court Decision in the UK: You Must Not Post your Christian Views on Facebook

Christian Concern wrote on October 27:

“Felix Ngole was studying for an MA in Social Work at Sheffield university. In 2015 he made comments using his personal Facebook account on the story of the American registrar Kim Davis who was imprisoned after conscientiously refusing to register same-sex marriages. Felix expressed his Christian beliefs on the issue and argued that: ‘same sex marriage is a sin whether we like it or not. It is God’s words and man’s sentiments would not change His words’. He was asked where in the Bible it says that same-sex marriage is wrong, and he quoted various passages to demonstrate this.

“… Felix [was] subsequently removed from his course by a panel chaired by Professor Marsh, an LGBT rights campaigner. Felix, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, sought to challenge the university’s decision in a judicial review which was heard in the High Court over two days. The court ruled that the university acted lawfully in removing Felix from his course…

“The university held that it was not Felix’s views that were at issue, but his public posting of these views. They held that this expression of his views ‘may have caused offence to some individuals’…”

When will this ungodly nonsense of liberal and Bible-defying universities and judges stop?

Pope Francis—a Dilemma for the Catholic Church

The Guardian wrote on October 26:

“Pope Francis is one of the most hated men in the world today. Those who hate him most are not atheists, or protestants, or Muslims, but some of his own followers. Outside the church he is hugely popular as a figure of almost ostentatious modesty and humility.

“From the moment that Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio became pope in 2013, his gestures caught the world’s imagination: the new pope drove a Fiat, carried his own bags and settled his own bills in hotels; he asked, of gay people, ‘Who am I to judge?’ and washed the feet of Muslim women refugees. But within the church, Francis has provoked a ferocious backlash from conservatives who fear that this spirit will divide the church, and could even shatter it. This summer, one prominent English priest said to me: “We can’t wait for him to die. It’s unprintable what we say in private. Whenever two priests meet, they talk about how awful Bergoglio is…’

“This mixture of hatred and fear is common among the pope’s adversaries. Francis, the first non-European pope in modern times, and the first ever Jesuit pope, was elected as an outsider to the Vatican establishment, and expected to make enemies. But no one foresaw just how many he would make… To judge by the voting figures at the last worldwide meeting of bishops, almost a quarter of the college of Cardinals – the most senior clergy in the church – believe that the pope is flirting with heresy…

“The crunch point has come in a fight over his views on divorce. Breaking with centuries, if not millennia, of Catholic theory, Pope Francis has tried to encourage Catholic priests to give communion to some divorced and remarried couples, or to families where unmarried parents are cohabiting. His enemies are trying to force him to abandon and renounce this effort. Since he won’t, and has quietly persevered in the face of mounting discontent, they are now preparing for battle.

“Last year, one cardinal, backed by a few retired colleagues, raised the possibility of a formal declaration of heresy – the wilful rejection of an established doctrine of the church, a sin punishable by excommunication. Last month, 62 disaffected Catholics, including one retired bishop and a former head of the Vatican bank, published an open letter that accused Francis of seven specific counts of heretical teaching. To accuse a sitting pope of heresy is the nuclear option in Catholic arguments. Doctrine holds that the pope cannot be wrong when he speaks on the central questions of the faith; so if he is wrong, he can’t be pope. On the other hand, if this pope is right, all his predecessors must have been wrong…”

Prophecy reveals that the conservative branch within the Catholic Church will prevail. At the same time, Pope Francis might not be as liberal as he pretends to be.

More and More Students Turn to Paganism, Astrology and Wiccanism

The College Fix wrote on October 31:

“As millennials continue to leave traditional Christian religions, interest in Wiccan and pagan practices have seen increased interest in recent years, a trend also spotted among young people and on college campuses…

“25 percent of Americans now identify with no religion… Underscoring that, a 2014 National Science Foundation poll found nearly half of all Americans say astrology is either ‘very scientific’ or ‘sort of scientific’… Today a number of universities around the country have officially recognized Pagan or Wicca student groups…

“In 2010, Syracuse University appointed its first ‘Pagan Chaplain’ of Hendricks Chapel, its interdenominational place of worship. Others, like [the] Air Force, have followed suit, including designating specific areas on campus for pagan or spiritual worship. In 2014, Loyola University Chicago — a Catholic institution — christened a new pagan student club. Also that year, the University of Washington’s student newspaper launched a column dedicated to delving into Wiccanism…”

Human Craziness Might Spread the Black Death

The Sun wrote on November 1:

“Madagascans have been told to call a halt to the ceremony as it is feared to have contributed to the outbreak that has left 120 dead from pneumonic plague – an even deadlier strain of the lethal disease than bubonic plague. Madagascans have been told to stop the traditional practice of Famadihana – which sees locals dig up deceased relatives and dance with them before they are re-buried…

“The medieval disease notoriously wiped out one third of Europe’s population in the 13th and 14th centuries in one of the most devastating pandemics in human history known as the Black Death. Dr Ashok Chopra, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Texas, told The Sun Online the crisis in Madagascar had yet to peak.”

The stupidity of man knows no bounds.

The Curse of Halloween

ABC News wrote on October 30:

“Halloween dates back to the Celtic farming festival Samhain [pronounced “sah-win”]. The holiday marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. As the crops died, farmers believed there was a day when spirits could rise from their graves. During Samhain, Celtic people would dress in disguise to fool and ward off the spirits, hoping to protect their land through the upcoming winter.

“In the eighth century, Christians sought to transform the pagan holiday. Pope Gregory III declared Nov. 1 to be the feast of All Saints’ Day. The night before became known as All Hollow’s Eve…

“Modern Halloween traditions and folklore first came to America in the 19th century with the influx of Irish immigrants. The practice of carving and decorating jack-o-lanterns [pronounce: “jahck-o-lantern] is an Irish custom that honored the souls stuck in purgatory. Legend has it that Stingy Jack roamed the Earth, unable to enter heaven or hell, with only a piece of burning coal in a carved out turnip to light his way. Since pumpkins are easier to carve than turnips, this ritual adapted into jack-o’-lanterns as All Hollow’s Eve celebrations took shape in America.

“Today, Halloween has grown into a nationally recognized festival. Over 179 million Americans plan to partake in festivities in 2017… The top children’s costume is an action hero or superhero while adults are most likely to choose a witch…”

The Telegraph wrote on October 30:

“Gaels believed that it was a time when the walls between our world and the next became thin…, allowing spirits to pass through, come back to life on the day and damage their crops. Places were set at the dinner table to appease and welcome the spirits. Gaels would also offer food and drink, and light bonfires to ward off the evil spirits… Many dressed up as souls of the dead and were understood to be protecting themselves from the spirits by impersonating them…

“Celts dressed up in white with blackened faces during the festival of Samhain to trick the evil spirits that they believed would be roaming the earth before All Saints’ Day on November 1st.

“By the 11th century, this had been adapted by the Church into a tradition called ‘souling’, which is seen as being the origin of trick-or-treating. Children go door-to-door, asking for soul cakes in exchange for praying for the souls of friends and relatives. They went dressed up as angels, demons or saints. The soul cakes were sweet, with a cross marked on top and when eaten they represented a soul being freed from purgatory…

“In Czech culture, chairs for deceased family members are placed by the fire on Halloween night alongside chairs for each living one. In Austria some people leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table before going to bed. It is believed that this will welcome dead souls back to Earth. Meanwhile in Germany, people hide their knives to make sure none of the returning spirits are harmed – or seek to harm them!…”

There is absolutely nothing “Christian” about this Satanic festival. Even the attempts by the Catholic Church to make it “Christian” are all based on unbiblical superstition (“souls stuck in purgatory”) and pagan beliefs (“wearing terrible costumes to ward off evil spirits”; “spirits of the dead come back to life”). A true Christian must have NOTHING to do with Halloween, as in His due time, God will severely punish those who do.

Halloween and Islamic Terrorism in New York

JTA wrote on November 1:

“At least eight people were killed and about a dozen injured when a truck rammed into a crowd on a bike path in downtown Manhattan in what Mayor Bill de Blasio called ‘an act of terror.’…

“The suspect, Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, 29, an Uber and commercial truck driver from New Jersey, was identified as a Uzbek national who is a permanent U.S. resident. He arrived in the United States in 2010 and has a green card, according to reports. Police shot Saipov after he exited the rented truck he was driving and ran through the street waving pellet guns… Saipov reportedly left a note in the truck saying he committed the attack for the terrorist group ISIS… Witnesses said the suspect had yelled ‘Allahu Akbar,’ which means ‘God is great’ in Arabic, law enforcement sources told CNN…”

NBC San Diego wrote on November 1:

“Roused by the first major ISIS-inspired attack on U.S. soil since he took office, President Donald Trump… insisted Wednesday that Congress must end the visa lottery program under which Uzbek immigrant Sayfullo Saipov entered the country, and he ordered still tighter scrutiny of immigrants already subject to what he calls ‘extreme vetting.’ But the White House offered no indication of what new steps the president might be planning…

“Trump’s swift political response to the New York attacks contrasts with his wait-and-see approach after the October massacre of 59 people by a Las Vegas gunman… The two responses offer the latest suggestions of how the culture wars that defined Trump’s campaign may be coloring his actions…”

Those who receive green cards through the lottery program are extremely vetted before entering the country. It seems clear that the idiotic and deranged “lone-wolf”-terrorist was radicalized by ISIS after coming to the USA. He stated that he became radicalized after watching an ISIS video. He obviously became demon-influenced, if not possessed. No prior vetting could have prevented his demonical deed.

Fox Business wrote on November 1:

“Halloween has lived up to its reputation in New York… No one could have foreseen Tuesday’s sinister mission to turn a vehicle into a deadly weapon. We stroll our streets without paying attention to what’s around us, intent on reading or sending text messages, or watching videos on our phones…

“The problem is that terrorists – those whose perverted view equates God’s greatness with acts of bloodshed – know how clueless we are, and exploit our assumption that nothing bad can happen to us. And it is that careless confidence that makes us easy prey, soft victims for determined evildoers.”

It is very true and a biblical command that we must pay attention to our surroundings.

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.

These words can have a variety of meaning, depending on the context.

We addressed a related question in a Q&A, titled, “When the Bible uses the term ‘forever,’ does this always mean the same as ‘everlasting’ or ‘eternally’?

There, we pointed out the following:

“While ‘forever’ may indeed convey an absolute sense of being perpetual or interminable, ‘forever’ is also used metaphorically and in a conditional sense. The Hebrew word that is translated many times as ‘forever’, is ‘owlam.’ It can be found in Daniel 12:2. In this case, the English word ‘everlasting’ is used to translate the Hebrew word ‘owlam’: ‘And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to everlasting contempt.’ [The Revised English Bible says: “… some to everlasting life and some to the reproach of eternal abhorrence.”] This prophesied occurrence speaks of a future time when the fate of many humans will be decided on a perpetual and eternal basis.

“Jesus also taught about life that would be endless. In John 6:51, He states: ‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.’ The Greek word ‘aion’ translated as ‘forever’ in this passage is used by John in a similar context as he contrasted that which is temporary to that which is permanent: ‘And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever’ (1 John 2:17).

“In numerous instances the eternity of God is revealed through the use of the word ‘forever.’ One such example… appears in Revelation 4:9-10: ‘Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever…’

“In this context, consider these parallel concepts about God’s existence–His life–being forever: Deuteronomy 33:27: ‘The eternal God is your refuge…’ Psalm 90:1-2: ‘LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.’ Isaiah 57:15: ‘For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy…’”

We see from the foregoing that the concepts of “forever,” “everlasting” and “eternal” are used in a synonymous way.  In all the passages quoted, they confer the concept of “without end.” But we will now see that these words can also have the meaning that something will end. We explain in the above-quoted Q&A:

“Look at this statement that appears in Exodus 21:6: ‘… then his master shall bring him to the judges, He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl, AND HE SHALL SERVE HIM FOREVER’ (Compare Deuteronomy 15:17). Does this verse mean that a servant in this circumstance will continue serving the same master for all of eternity [that is, without end]? Obviously not, as both the servant and his master eventually died! The word translated here in Exodus 21 as ‘forever’ is the same Hebrew word ‘owlam’ that we have already seen used in earlier examples about living forever…

“Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible offers definitions for ‘owlam’ that include ‘eternal’ and ‘perpetual’ but also includes the idea of ‘lasting.’… the service of a particular individual was a life-long commitment—lasting as long as either the servant or master lived. In another place where ‘owlam’ is translated ‘forever,’ the obvious intent is for a lifetime. In this example, the mother of Samuel is quoted: ‘But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and REMAIN THERE FOREVER”’ (1 Samuel 1:22). But we know that Samuel died—that he is not NOW still before the LORD! (Compare 1 Samuel 25:1).  [Also, 1 Samuel 1:28 explains that “forever” means in that context, “as long as he lives.”]

“In biblical usage of the word ‘forever,’ we see that the context and application MAY be for something that will come to an end… When studying the concept of ‘forever’ in context, we see a variety of intended meanings. The word can express a never-ending condition or situation, but it can also refer to a certain limited period of time, based on the life of the parties involved and also dependent on relevant conditions.”

The same must be said about the terms “everlasting” and “eternal”. For instance, we read in Isaiah 60:15 that God will make “Zion” “an eternal excellence”, which is defined here as “many generations.” The Hebrew word is “owlam.”

Hebrew 6:2 speaks of “eternal judgment.” As we saw in a previous Q&A on Matthew 25:31-46, the meaning does not convey that God’s judgment will continue for all eternity; that is, that He will judge and judge without end. Rather, the term refers to God’s judgments with eternal consequences.

In addition, we read in Matthew 18:8 that people may be thrown into the everlasting fire (the RSV writes: “eternal fire.”). The warning that some will be thrown into the everlasting fire is repeated in Matthew 25:41 (the NIV, the RSV and other translations say, “eternal fire”; the Greek word is “aionios”; see below for an explanation of this phrase), and that they will endure everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; NIV and RSV: “eternal punishment”). The Bible tells us that some will be punished with everlasting destruction when Christ returns (2 Thessalonians 1:9; RSV: “they shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction”).

As we will see, these expressions do not mean that the everlasting or eternal fire will burn “without end,” or that people will be tortured and punished without end. Rather, these expressions refer to eternal or everlasting consequences. But in regard to 2 Thessalonians 1:9, the expression of “everlasting” or “eternal” destruction only refers to a certain time span, because most of those mentioned in this passage will be brought back to life in a second resurrection. Their “everlasting” or “eternal” destruction “only” lasts during the time of the Millennium.

In chapter 18 of our free booklet, “Is That In the Bible? The Mysteries of the Book of Revelation,” we address the “torment of the wicked,” stating this: “Does the Bible, particularly a passage in Revelation 14:9–11, teach that the wicked will be tormented forever in hell fire?”

In that passage, we read that “the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever.” We explain in this chapter that the Bible does not teach an ever-burning hell fire, but that the wicked will be burned up in the THIRD resurrection—that is, after the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment period (compare Revelation 20:4–15).

We continue:  “One key point is to realize what it says and what it does not say. It DOES say that the torment of their SMOKE will ascend forever and ever. It DOES NOT say that THE WICKED will be tormented forever and ever. Rather, the wicked will be burned up in fiery plagues, and it is their smoke—evidence that the fire has done its work—which ascends forever and ever. Smoke results from something burned. This indicates that they were consumed and that all that remains is smoke. We also read in Malachi 4:3 that the ASHES of the wicked will be under the feet of the righteous. Psalm 37:20 tells us that the wicked shall ‘perish’—‘into smoke they shall vanish away.’ It is not the punishment of the fire, but the result of that punishment, which is being addressed in Revelation 14:11.”

We continue to state in our booklet:

“We also need to understand that the biblical expression ‘forever’ does not have to mean ‘for all eternity’ [that is, without end]. The words are often a translation from the Hebrew ‘olam’ [or ‘owlam’] and the Greek ‘aion’ or ‘aionios,’ meaning ‘age,’ or ‘age-lasting’ (compare Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible). In Revelation 14:11, the Greek words translated as ‘forever and ever’ mean, according to Young’s, ‘to ages of ages.’ The Englishman’s Greek New Testament translates this verse as follows: ‘And the smoke of their torment goes up to ages of ages…’

“In Jonah 2:6, the term ‘forever’ describes the time span of ‘three days and three nights,’ as made clear in Jonah 1:17. Jonah, when in the belly of the sea monster, prayed about the earth with her bars being about him forever. What he was actually saying here is that as long as he was in that particular situation, the earth was about him.”

In addressing the use of the word “eternal” in this context, we state this:

“Jude 7 speaks of the vengeance of eternal fire that burned Sodom and Gomorrah, though these cities are not still burning nor are the people still suffering that vengeance. The fire only burned for a while. An ‘aeonian fire’ does not refer to a fire that never goes out. After it completely destroyed and obliterated those ancient cities, it burned itself out when there was nothing else left to consume. The smoke from that fire ascended for a while. It is not still ascending today. Jesus shows that the people in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be resurrected in a period of judgment yet future (compare Matthew 10:15).

“The people worshipping the political and religious leaders of the end-time Babylonian system will be tormented ‘forever’—that is, until they die. They ‘have no rest day or night,’ as long as they are alive and remain part of that system falling under God’s wrath; that is, before they are destroyed by the fiery plagues of God’s last seven bowls judgment (Revelation 16:1–21)… The smoke of their torment will ascend for a while—as long as the necessary conditions exist to allow smoke from burned bodies to ascend… We read that the smoke from the Babylonian system… will rise up ‘forever and ever’ (Revelation 19:3—based on the Greek, it should say, according to Young’s and the Englishman’s Greek New Testament, ‘to the ages of the ages’)… This is a reference to the smoke from buildings, but the fire won’t burn for all eternity [that is, without ever ending]…

“Likewise, we read in Isaiah 34:9–10, that the smoke from the land of Edom will ‘ascend forever’—that is, until the fire has burned up all consumable material. As in the case of the burned cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, that fire of Edom will not burn for all eternity [without end].”

When speaking of eternity, we also need to realize that there are all kinds of spirits. There are Spirit BEINGS. God is a Spirit Being. And so, there is God’s Holy Spirit—emanating from both the Father and Jesus Christ. It is through the Holy Spirit of God that both the Father and the Son dwell in us (John 14:23). That Spirit, although not a person, is clearly eternal and immortal, because it emanates from GOD—and GOD is immortal and eternal, that is, He will never cease to exist. As God cannot die, so His Spirit cannot be extinguished. We read that we can quench the Holy Spirit WITHIN US (1 Thessalonians 5:19)—but that does not mean that somehow God’s Holy Spirit would cease to exist. This is just referring to the dwelling of His Holy Spirit IN US. When a person loses the Holy Spirit—that is, when God withdraws from that person by removing His Holy Spirit from such a person—then of course THAT portion of the Holy Spirit does not “die”—since it was part of GOD all along.

When we become immortal Spirit beings in the Family of God, we too—everything that we will be—will be eternal, in the sense that there will be no end for us. That is, our “human” spirit will become eternal as will be our “bodies”—they will be spiritual or Spirit bodies—and we, as eternal beings without end, will have God’s eternal Holy Spirit abiding in us forever. We will be GOD—full-fledged members of God’s Family.

There are other spirit beings—angels and demons. And they too, possess a spirit. But again, their spirit is eternal, without end, if you please, as THEY are immortal beings. They cannot die, and neither can their spirit, which is emanating from them, be destroyed.

Then there is the human spirit which distinguishes man from the animals (1 Corinthians 2:11). But there is also an animal spirit (compare Ecclesiastes 3:19). We read in Genesis 7:21-22 that all flesh outside Noah’s Ark died in the Flood—birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing, AND every man; that is, “ALL in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on dry land, died.”

But neither the spirit in man nor the animal spirit are conscious “entities,” nor are they the same as the Holy Spirit of God or the spirits of angels. The unrepentant and incorrigible wicked will be destroyed and totally annihilated. It will be as if they had never existed. The soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:4)—and unless the soul repents of its sins, it will die the second, final and eternal death. This includes their spirit in man—it too will be destroyed.

In our Q&A, “What will happen to the spirit in man of those who die the second death?”), we stated this:

“Isaiah 42:5 says that God, after having created the heavens and the earth, gives breath to the people on it, and ‘spirit to those who walk on it.’ But there is no breath in a particular person prior to his existence, and by extension, there would not be any spirit either. That is, neither the breath nor the spirit of man exist prior to the ‘creation’ of that particular person. We also read in Zechariah 12:1 that God FORMS the spirit of man within him. Again, this seems to imply that God actually creates in man the human spirit when man comes into existence. The connection between God’s breath and the spirit in man is also expressed in Job 32:8. The New Jerusalem Bible translates Job 32:8, ‘There is, you see, a spirit residing in humanity, the breath of God conferring intelligence.’ …

“Paul prayed that God would preserve blamelessly spirit and soul and body of a converted Christian (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Paul wished that God would preserve blameless the Christian’s human spirit, his temporary physical life and his physical flesh. All of these ‘components’ are mentioned together, to describe the entire being. In addition, 1 Corinthians 5:5 says about a Christian who sinned gravely to ‘deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.’… The fact that Paul prayed to God to ‘preserve blameless’ the body, soul AND spirit of a person shows that it is possible that body, soul AND spirit may not be preserved ‘blameless’—or not at all. And if they are not preserved, then they cease to exist…”

We continued to address Isaiah 57:16, which says: “For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would fail before Me, and the souls which I have made.”

We stated:

“The commentary of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown explains correctly that the ‘spirit’ in the passage refers to the spirit in man—not the Holy Spirit of God… In referring to a passage of Numbers 16:22, where God is referred to as ‘the God of the spirits of all flesh,’ the commentary states that the word ‘spirit’ in Isaiah 57:16 refers to ‘the human spirit which went forth from Me (Numbers 16:22).’… The Hebrew word [for “fail”]  is ‘ataph’ and has a variety of meanings… German translations point out that the word ‘ataph’ can also mean ‘cease to exist, get destroyed, become annihilated.’ For example, the German Luther Bible [Revised 1984]; the Elberfelder Bible; the Menge Bible; the Schlachter Bible and the Pattloch Bible all use the expression, ‘verschmachten,’ which is a word describing the death of a person in the desert, who is dying of thirst… [The Revised Luther Bible 2009 says, “vergehen,” meaning, “pass away” or “die.”]

“The Amplified Bible renders Isaiah 57:16 as follows (brackets in the original): ‘… for [where it not so] the spirit [of man] would faint and be consumed before Me, and [My purpose in] creating the souls of men would be frustrated.”

“Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible comments regarding Isaiah 57:16: ‘The simple meaning seems to be, that if God should continue in anger against people they would be consumed. The human soul could not endure a long-continued controversy with God. Its powers would fail; its strength decay; it must sink to destruction.’”

In conclusion, the foregoing shows that the expressions “eternal” or “eternity,” when applied to God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Christians made immortal, angels and demons, do in fact describe an eternal, everlasting existence which will never end.  On the other hand, those who have committed the unpardonable sin will be destroyed in the lake of fire. They will not be tormented forever in an eternal never-ending hell fire. Rather, their existence will cease. Even though they will be burnt up in the “everlasting” and “eternal” Gehenna fire which will burn “forever,” these words do not mean here, “without end,” but they describe a state of affairs which will endure as long as certain conditions prevail. Once the conditions do no longer exist, the “eternal” fire will cease to burn. At the same time, the eternal fire will have eternal or never-ending consequences for those human beings who will be thrown into it. Their punishment (not punishing) will be of eternal consequence, as they will cease to exist and never come back to life.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

A new Member Letter (October 2017) has been written by the ministry which features reports from our Feast sites in the US and Germany.  Along with this letter, our newest booklet, “How to Find the True Church of God,” is included for those who have not yet received a copy. Both the letter and booklet have been mailed to our subscribers.

“Worshipping Satan on Halloween,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

Most Brits don’t believe anymore that  they must refrain from worshipping idols or other gods. The Vatican is in uproar over the liberalism of Pope Francis.  What do these developments have to do with Halloween? What is the origin of Halloween? Is there a connection between Halloween and All Hallows Eve? Pope Gregory III tried to transform Halloween, and evil Samhain practices were adapted by the church into a tradition called “souling.” But can you make something “Christian” which is thoroughly Satanic?

“Satanische Verehrung an Halloween ,” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This covers the same topic as described above.

“Lehrt die Bibel wirklich eine zweite Auferstehung?” is the title of this Sabbath’s German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Does the Bible Really Teach a Second Resurrection?”

“Germany Recap,” is now posted. Kalon Mitchell and Michael Link presented a review last Sabbath of what they experienced during the Feast in Templin, Germany.

“You Shall (Not) Desire,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

The Bible tells us that we must not “desire”, “lust” or “covet.” But what, exactly, do we need to avoid or fight against, and what can we do so that we do not become or remain to be victims of evil, deceitful, worldly and fleshly lusts, which enslave us?

This week, several more sermonettes and sermons given in the USA during the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day observances have been posted on our website: www.eternalgod.org.