Update 1145

On February 8, 2025, Paul Niehoff will present the sermonette, titled, “Going on to Perfection,” and Norbert Link will present the sermon, titled, “What the Bible Says About the Beast.”

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

The story of Abraham’s departure from the land he was living in has been on my mind lately. What is interesting is that the Bible talks about the tower of Babel in Genesis 11 and then it reports much genealogy which gets us to the story of Abraham.

The interesting part I think is that we see the genealogy of Abraham laid out for us: Noah → Shem → Arphaxad → Shelah → Eber → Peleg → Reu → Serug → Nahor → Terah → Abram. There was much going on between the time of Noah and Abram. It is hard to say how long this time frame was, but it is estimated to have lasted somewhere between 350 to 400 years. That’s a long time for the Bible not to mention anyone else as playing a role in the Bible.

And then we are thrust upon the scene of Abram being told by God that he was to pack up everything and leave when he was 75 years old. He had come to live in Haran on the way to the land of Cannan, because his father had moved his family there (Genesis 11:31). So Abram listens to God and moves his family and his nephew’s family as instructed. They leave on this journey. They have considerable livestock. The journey if we look at where he travels is somewhere approximately 1,100 – 1,500 miles long. The Bible doesn’t tell us how long this journey took, but if they traveled 10-15 miles per day, the journey could have lasted several months to a year. The whole time God is telling Abram, don’t worry where you are going! I’m going to take you there and it’s going to be amazing.

Hebrews 11:8-9 states that the reason Abraham went out and did this was because he had faith in God. His faith in God led to his obedience: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.”

I want to hone in on the mindset of Abraham though, because it shows us a lot about what God was looking for. God essentially is looking for this same mindset in us today. We may have a tendency to get in the thick of living and miss the point of living. We are here as sojourners. It doesn’t matter where we live in this world.  We don’t have a real home in this world. It’s nice to have consistency and safety. It’s nice to own nice things. None of that is wrong. The question then is, what is our attitude?

I want to set forth a few Scriptures, highlighting this journey of sojourners [all from the English Standard Version):

• Genesis 23:4 – Abraham said, “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me a possession of a burying place among you, that I may bury my dead.”
• Psalm 39:12 – “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers.”
• Hebrews 11:13 – “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
• 1 Peter 2:11 – “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”

The mindset of looking to God — allowing Him to lead, guide and help us in our lives — is of the utmost importance for us. I know that this story has been told time and again in our Church literature and in messages, but truly, I think that it is so refreshing to read this story and to realize that this life that we are living has been experienced by others before. This is not something new. The stress, the anxiety, the frustrations–I am sure Abraham felt those, and I am sure the other people mentioned in the Scriptures above also felt the same way. And yet, God led all of them!

The encouragement we need is found in these stories. We need to meditate on them and then take action, by allowing God to show us what needs to be done. It becomes imperative that we learn this lesson and learn how to allow God to lead. God will allow us to live our lives on our own until we come to the point where we realize that it doesn’t really work. In fact, this is the story of man for the last six thousand years. God allows man to go his own way to learn that it doesn’t work.

Where is God leading each of us? This is something we can each think about deeply and meditate on.

Like God promising Abraham a good land for his descendants, God is promising US access into His Family as God beings. That is where God is ultimately leading each and every one of us. If we set our faith and sight on that, we can more easily learn to turn our lives over to God and allow Him to help us as we live our lives. 

by Norbert Link

We begin with President Trump’s dangerous and potentially very costly policies for American consumers, causing a potential global tariff and trade war; and publish excerpts from an insightful article in the conservative Wall Street Journal, charging Trump and his administration with the mishandling of two major emergencies. We also report on Trump’s last minute agreement to postpone tariffs against Canada and Mexico for one month, pending further negotiations, but he did not exempt China which has already begun to retaliate. Trump’s threats against Europe continue, and so does Europe’s commitment to respond in kind.

We also report on Trump’s bombshell announcement to take over Gaza, prompting worldwide condemnation.

Please view in this context our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump—the Man of Destiny?”

We continue with ISIS terrorists in Somalia and Iran’s nuclear ambitions; Belgium’s new government; the contentions between China and the Philippines; and we conclude with the political fight in a deeply divided Germany.

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

Please note: Before Trump agreed to a last-minute postponement of tariffs against Canada and Mexico, numerous articles had been written warning of terrible consequences if those tariffs would be imposed, as had been announced by Trump. We begin with covering these articles, and then continue with articles about the postponements, which may or may not put the matter to rest.

Global Tariff and Trade War…

Reuters wrote on February 1: 

‘U.S. President Donald Trump is… threatening to ignite a trade war that could disrupt more than $2.1 trillion of annual trade… Just 12 days into his second term, Trump is upending the norms of how the United States is governed and interacts with the wider world. On Friday, he pledged to proceed with the levies [25% against Mexico and Canada, and 10% against China] despite acknowledging they could cause disruption and hardship for American households.

“A model gauging the economic impact of Trump’s tariff plan from EY Chief Economist Greg Daco suggests it would reduce U.S. growth by 1.5 percentage points this year, throw Canada and Mexico into recession and usher in ‘stagflation’ at home… That volatility was evident on Friday, when the Mexican peso and Canadian dollar both slumped after Trump vowed to fulfil his threats. U.S. stock prices also fell and Treasury bond yields rose…

“… during a lengthy White House exchange with reporters, Trump brushed aside the notion that his threats were merely bargaining tools…  He also said revenue was a factor and the tariffs may be increased… Trump did, however, mention a potential carve-out for oil from Canada, saying that tariff rate would be 10%. But he indicated that wider tariffs on oil and natural gas would be coming in mid-February, remarks that sent oil prices higher. At nearly $100 billion in 2023, imports of crude oil accounted for roughly a quarter of all U.S. imports from Canada, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

“Trump acknowledged that higher costs could be passed on to consumers and that his actions may cause short-term disruptions, but said he was not concerned about their impact on financial markets. Jake Colvin, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, which represents major U.S. companies, said imposing tariffs on key trading partners ‘could impact the cost and availability of everything from avocados to air conditioners to cars and risks shifting the focus of our relationships away from constructive dialogue.’

“Although Trump speaks of ‘charging’ other nations for tariffs, they are paid by importing companies, and sometimes passed on to consumers. Automakers would be particularly hard hit, through tariffs on vehicles assembled in Canada and Mexico. Their vast regional supply chain, where components can cross borders several times before final assembly, would further exacerbate these costs.

“And Trump said import taxes were also being considered on European goods, as well as on steel, aluminum and copper, and on drugs and semiconductors… It typically takes weeks for tariffs to take practical effect. Trump’s move is expected to draw retaliatory tariffs, potentially disrupting more than $2.1 trillion in annual two-way U.S. trade with its top three trading partners.”

Mexico supplies about 90% of the avocados consumed in the United States, totaling an estimated $2.7 billion in imports for 2024. While Trump had originally justified tariffs with drugs coming in from Mexico, China and Canada, he recently emphasized more, if not exclusively, the economic aspect, stating that the USA has been unfairly treated by these countries. Of course, tariffs against Europe could not be based on illegal immigration or the allegation that drugs are coming in from there.  It would be strictly on an economical and commercial basis.

Self-Inflicted Wounds?

The Associated Press wrote on January 28:

“Having already forced Colombia to accept deportees by threatening a 25% tariff, President Donald Trump is readying the same move against Canada and Mexico as soon as Saturday. But this time, the stakes are higher and many economists surveying the possible damage… [and warn of] self-inflicted wounds from the tariffs…

“[It is estimated] that taxes paid on imports in the transportation sector from all of Trump’s tariff plans, which include new taxes on China and other countries, could increase from $4 billion a year to $68 billion. It’s unclear how companies would absorb those costs or possibly pass them along to consumers.”

No doubt they would be passed on to consumers. And they would not be happy about Trump’s new economic policies, when they can’t put food on their tables. Biden and Harris were, to a large extent, defeated because of the poor economy with the expectation that the USA will do better under Trump. Now it appears that the USA would do worse. Maybe that was part of the reason why Trump caved in at the last minute…

Canada and Mexico to Retaliate

Bloomberg wrote on February 2:

“Canada and Mexico vowed to hit back at the US after President Donald Trump followed through on threats to impose 25% tariffs on imports of their goods, instigating a trade war that’s set to reshape global supply chains. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the country will impose 25% tariffs against… US goods, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also pledged retaliation. China vowed “corresponding countermeasures” to Trump’s 10% levy on Chinese products…

“The Republican’s orders also included retaliation clauses that would increase US tariffs if the countries respond in kind. The new measures will be on top of existing trade levies on those countries. Energy imports from Canada, including oil and electricity, will be spared from the full 25% levy and will face a 10% tariff…. Trump’s move is explosive in scale and goes well beyond his first-term tariffs. Steep tariffs will raise the cost of key goods like food, housing and gasoline for Americans, while the overall fallout threatens to spill widely across the countries…”

USA and Canada… A New Low

Reuters wrote on February 2:

“… relations between the long-time allies who share the world’s longest land border reach a new low…

“The Canadian leader said tariffs would include American beer, wine and bourbon, as well as fruits and fruit juices, including orange juice from Trump’s home state of Florida. Canada would also target goods including clothing, sports equipment and household appliances. Trudeau said the coming weeks would be difficult for Canadians but that Americans would also suffer from Trump’s actions…

“Trudeau encouraged Canadians to buy Canadian products and vacation at home rather than in the U.S…”

Everything to Become More Expensive?

The New York Post wrote on February 1:

“The tariffs could mean significant price increases for ordinary Americans on everyday products… Trump’s tariffs will likely lead to more expensive cars at least in the short term before American suppliers can ramp up to fill the shortfall.

“The tariffs could also reduce consumer spending power by $90 billion on smartphones, TVs, laptops and tablets, video game consoles, headphones and other popular electronics, according to the Consumer Technology Association.  Laptops and tablets could see 45% price increases while similar double-digit increases for smartphones and video games could also be on the offing. ‘The likelihood of retailers or any importer absorbing the tariff cost is very low, so the pass through to consumers will be quick,’ Ed Brzytwa, vice president of international trade at CTA [said].

“The Peterson Institute has estimated Trump’s… tariffs would cost the typical US household over $2,600 a year.”

And that would not even include further tariffs because of retaliation and tariffs for other countries and power blocs, such as the EU.  

The EU Tariff Bomb Shell 

Daily Mail wrote on January 31:

“Trump has announced he will impose tariffs on the European Union… Trump said at the White House Friday he would ‘absolutely‘ put tariffs on the nation’s EU allies. ‘The European Union has treated us so terribly,’ Trump told reporters as he inked new executive orders…

“He said the tariffs on the EU would be ‘very substantial,’ without providing details. It was not immediately clear when those tariffs would go into place.”

It is clear that tariffs against Europe would have nothing to do with illegal drugs flooding the American market. 

Europe Will Retaliate

The Financial Times wrote on February 2:

“The EU has said it regrets US President Donald Trump’s decision to hit Canada, Mexico and China with sweeping tariffs, and said it would respond firmly if a threat to expand the trade measures to Europe was fulfilled.

“Trump sparked a global trade war this weekend…

“Trump imposed the blanket tariffs against Canada and Mexico by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which allows him to take measures in response to ‘an unusual and extraordinary threat.’ [It authorizes the President to regulate imports during a national emergency declared under the National Emergencies Act. It was interpreted to apply here due to the three nations’ tolerance of illegal immigrants and fentanyl] He would need to find justification to potentially use the same tool against the EU, or use tariffs targeting certain industrial sectors on security grounds…”

Even though Trump invoked the IEEPA to justify tariffs due to illegal immigration and fentanyl, Trump’s overriding goal seems to be much more encompassing, as the following articles point out.

Europe’s Reaction

The Guardian wrote on February 3:

“EU leaders have signalled that the bloc would be prepared to retaliate against the US if Donald Trump followed through on his threats to impose tariffs on European goods…

“… French president Emmanuel Macron said that if Europe is ‘attacked in terms of trade … [it] will have to stand up for itself and therefore react.’ Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said the EU should do all it can to avoid ‘totally unnecessary and stupid tariff wars,’ adding it would be a ‘cruel paradox’ if the bloc was forced into a trade war with a long-standing ally. Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen, who is already embroiled in a separate crisis with Trump over the future of Greenland, said that while she would typically ‘never support fighting allies, if the US puts tough tariffs on Europe, we need a collective and robust response.’

“Luxembourg’s prime minister Luc Frieden also said that ‘the answer to tariffs is to reply with [the] same action’… German chancellor Olaf Scholz said any tariffs would be ‘bad for the US and bad for Europe’… “ 

ENR added on February 4:

“The EU summit was almost entirely focused on defense, but the transatlantic relationship with the US was also high on the agenda… According to the Commission President (Ursula von der Leyen), a lot is at stake… the European Union is prepared for a ‘robust, but constructive dialogue with the United States,’ but will not accept everything. ‘We are ready’ for a possible conflict, she warned.”

The alienation between the EU and the USA will continue… 

Tariffs on Hold for Thirty Days

The New York Post wrote on February 3:

“President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a temporary deal Monday evening to halt the imposition of 25% tariffs on each other’s imports for 30 days while a final border security pact gets hashed out. Trump, 78, and Trudeau, 53, spoke on the phone twice Monday before announcing the agreement, with Canada set to ensure 10,000 troops will be stationed at the northern border and the PM vowing to take steps to crack down on fentanyl smuggling….

“Earlier Monday, Trump and Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a similar monthlong pause on the looming 25% tariff against America’s southern neighbor. Mexico confirmed plans to dispatch 10,000 troops to the US border and claimed that Washington would help crack down on illegal weapons trafficking into its territory….

“The tariff-adoring president has also been musing about issuing similar threats against European countries as well as the United Kingdom.”

Justifying the postponement with working on border security pacts is clearly not the only reason for the tariffs, as the threat towards Europe and the UK demonstrates. But Trump might have realized that, for now, the American people would not stand for having to pay much more for goods and necessities. Conservative papers and outlets described the postponement as a victory for Trump. In reality, if anything, it was a Pyrrhic victory.

The Guardian wrote on February 3:

“It is the third time in two weeks the US president has delayed his threatened 25% tariffs on the two countries. China is still set to face additional 10% levy on its exports to the US from Tuesday…

“The agreements came on a day of extreme volatility in global financial markets as rattled investors reacted to the prospect of a dramatically escalating dispute involving the world’s largest economies… Economists have warned Trump’s planned wave of tariffs would risk raising prices for millions of Americans, just weeks after he pledged, upon taking office, to ‘rapidly’ bring them down… [Trump] conceded over the weekend that they could cause ‘a little pain’ in the US.

“Markets sold off sharply worldwide in response to what has been described as a ‘Trump tariff tantrum’ before recovering some of their losses after news broke of the deal with Mexico. Wall Street fell in early trading, with the S&P 500 down almost 2%. Share prices in Europe followed a sharp move lower in Asia. London’s FTSE 100 index dropped 1.4% from Friday’s record high before making back some of its losses to trade down 1%….”

Trump Delays Canada Tariffs, But Anger Persists

Al Jazeera wrote on February 3:

“Canada has experienced a tumultuous start to 2025, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing his resignation days into the new year, a federal election looming, and the country’s affordability crisis deepening. Now, Canada is facing what some economists have dubbed ‘its largest trade shock in nearly 100 years’.

“United States President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25-percent tariffs on a wide range of Canadian imports and 10-percent tariffs on Canadian energy. While the measures were set to begin on Tuesday, Trudeau said on Monday afternoon that the US tariffs and retaliatory measures announced by his government would be delayed by ‘at least 30 days’ as the countries work together on border security.

“Yet for many across the country, the potential for a trade war between the longtime allies continues to fuel a sense of anger, as well as anxiety and confusion over what is to come. Trump’s treat of tariffs has also raised questions about the nature of the cross-border relationship and spurred calls for Canada to boost in-country trade while looking beyond the US for more reliable international partners…

“Asa McKercher, a professor at St Francis Xavier University who studies Canada-US relations…  said the current trade tensions have plunged the relationship to its lowest point. ‘We haven’t really seen the Americans go out of their way to impose a policy that will just destroy the Canadian economy…’  He said that since Trump signed the order authorising tariffs against Canada and Trudeau unveiled reciprocal measures, there has been an uptick in nationalist sentiment in Canada. Canadian crowds booed the US national anthem at hockey and basketball games over the weekend, while the leaders of several provinces have urged people to ‘buy Canadian’ in response to the tariffs… ‘We’re really subject to the whims of a guy in the White House, and that’s a very scary thing.’..

“Even as Canada appears to have secured a reprieve from US tariffs — at least for now — many Canadians have expressed anger at Trump’s repeated threats against their country. Last week, political, labour and civil society leaders released the ‘Pledge for Canada’ to build a nationwide response to the Trump administration’s policies. That includes protecting Canadian sovereignty, reducing the country’s ‘dependence on the United States by diversifying our trade’, and building alliances with other countries… ‘We have a president that rips up trade agreements. We have a president that threatens us daily with measures that would throw our economy into a recession. These are not the actions of an ally.’”

The emotional damage which Trump has inflicted on the Canadian people will not be easily repaired… if at all…

Putin Praises Trump

Newsweek wrote on February 3:

“Calling Trump a ‘master,’ Putin said the U.S. leader will restore order in Europe quite quickly with his character and persistence. ‘You’ll see, it will happen quickly—soon, they will all stand at the feet of the master and will gently wag their tails. Everything will fall into place,’ the Russian president said…

“The Kremlin on Monday said it was watching on as ‘tensions’ build between the U.S. and its allies. ‘You know, there are many tensions there, so, of course, we have no desire to be associated with all this in any way or to evaluate it in any way,’ Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters in his daily press briefing. ‘Let those countries that are participating in this process sort it out,’ he said..

“Criticizing his European counterparts on Sunday, Putin said European leaders on the Continent lacked conviction in their beliefs. Praising former European leaders such as France’s Charles De Gaulle, Jacques Chirac and Germany’s Gerhard Schroeder, Putin said such leaders ‘had their own opinion and the courage to fight for this opinion, to express it, to talk about it and to try to at least implement it in practical work.’ ‘Today, there are practically no such people there,’ Putin said.”

We wonder what Putin means by “order” to be restored in Europe by Trump. Putin’s friend and former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is one of the most unpopular former political leaders in Germany. Putin’s praise for Trump and his rejection of Europe is telling… and deeply concerning.

China Retaliates

The Associated Press wrote on February 4:

“China announced retaliatory tariffs on select American imports and an antitrust investigation into Google on Tuesday, just minutes after a sweeping levy on Chinese products imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump took effect.”

“The Ultimate Goal Remains Unclear”

The Wall Street Journal wrote on February 3:

“The postwar bipartisan consensus that the U.S. prospers by fostering cooperation and integration with allies and neighbors is gone… Trump’s motives are difficult to discern… Drugs and migrants might turn out to be a pretext for bigger, long-term goals…

“Philip Verleger, a longtime energy economist, writes… that Trump ‘intends to ‘Make America Great Again’…by diminishing the power of every other country. Cooperation is not an objective. His focus is dominance.’… Trump’s second-term actions make little distinction between adversaries and allies….”

This could very well be an accurate assessment. It appears true that “drugs and migrants might turn out to be a pretext for bigger, long-term goals,” which would clearly be interpreted as being hostile towards Europeans and others, “necessitating” a response.

RFK to Be Appointed?

NBC News wrote on February 4:

“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cleared a key hurdle Tuesday after a Senate panel voted to advance his nomination to be health and human services secretary to the full chamber. In a 14-13 vote along party lines, the Senate Finance Committee pushed through Kennedy’s nomination after he managed to allay concerns raised by Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. Cassidy, a doctor, was the one potential swing vote on the panel…

“Cassidy addressed the full Senate after the vote, saying he received a series of promises from Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist, including that he would maintain the Center for Disease Control’s advisory committee on immunization practices, and would not remove statements on the CDC’s website noting that vaccines don’t cause autism… Last week, Cassidy had said he needed to hear an unequivocal statement from Kennedy that vaccines do not cause autism and indicate he would listen to well-established science on the matter. It was still unclear on Tuesday whether Kennedy had made that assertion.

“Even as Cassidy said he received various assurances from Kennedy about supporting the efficacy of vaccines, the nominee’s firm ties to the anti-vaccine community were unmistakable… Minutes before the committee’s vote, Trump attempted to provide a boost to Kennedy on Truth Social. 20 years ago, Autism in children was 1 in 10,000. NOW IT’S 1 in 34. WOW! Something’s really wrong. We need BOBBY!!! Thank You! DJT.’”

During the hearings, Kennedy did NOT agree with the contention that vaccines do not cause autism. If he did agree with that contention now, that would be an incredible and quite frankly shameful turn-a-round.

On August 5, 2024, at a campaign rally on June 22, 2024, Trump told the audience: “I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate.” Given that every public school in the United States has vaccine mandates, this would mean eliminating all federal funding for public schools.

Medical Express wrote on January 28, 2025:

“With President Donald Trump having threatened school vaccine mandates for children during his campaign, a new survey finds that nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults support requiring that children be vaccinated against preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. To protect children who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, over half of Americans also support states prohibiting other unvaccinated children from attending school, either private or public.”

The degree of uninformed Americans who are denying the dangers of vaccinations is stupefying.

Trump’s (Mis-)Handling of Emergencies

The Wall Street Journal wrote on January 31:

“President Trump’s handling of two crises this week—one, a bureaucratic mess and the other, a horrific tragedy —quickly shifted the White House from inaugural euphoria to the realities of governing. His defiant stand in the face of nationwide confusion and fear left some aides scrambling to fortify the image of a White House that could do no wrong. But he handled both problems with the same approach: deflecting blame and attacking Democrats, the media and his predecessors. His message was an amplified version of what he has tried to exude since taking office: He is in charge.

“The country also received its first live-action glimpse of a White House and cabinet that is being hastily assembled and crafting policies on the fly that in one case had to be quickly reversed.

“On Monday, a memo written by an acting director of the White House’s budget office caused a widespread panic and might have inadvertently led the Medicaid system to freeze in less than 24 hours. On Thursday, Trump’s new Defense and Transportation chiefs were thrust in the middle of investigating the worst domestic airplane crash in two decades…

“Trump announced the appointment of a new acting Federal Aviation Administration director [Sean Duffy] less than 24 hours after an American Airlines plane collided with an Army helicopter over the Potomac River, killing 67 people… he speculated the accident could have been caused [with no evidence whatsoever] because of ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ policies stretching back to the Obama administration… [This was a terribly embarrassing performance which was totally disrespectful to the victims and survivors. [It has now been established that the accident occurred because the helicopter flew 100 feet too high.]

“On camera and on Truth Social all week, Trump governed with his usual confidence and bravado. But behind the scenes, there was evidence of frustration and breakdowns in communication in an administration that has moved with lightning speed to try to shake up the government… The budget memo, calling for a pause in federal spending on an unspecified number of programs effective the next day was issued without the knowledge of senior staff, people familiar with its release said, even though they were forced to quickly defend it…

“Republican lawmakers immediately defended the spending freeze but they were hit with questions from constituents about veterans programs being halted as well as potential cuts to Medicaid, which provides benefits to low-income Americans and many with disabilities… Meanwhile, consternation was unfolding across the country. Kelly Neidel, executive director of a Head Start agency that serves more than 240 children outside Chicago, said even a partial-day freeze of federal funding for her organization created massive stress for her employees and families they serve. ‘We notified parents that your child no longer has a place to go,’ she said. ‘It was chaos.’…”

This could be a bad sign for things to come. 

Another TRO

npr wrote on January 31:

“A judge with the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking the Trump administration’s efforts to freeze payments for grants and other programs.

“The Friday ruling stems from a lawsuit filed earlier this week by Democratic attorneys general in 22 states and the District of Columbia. It is separate from a lawsuit filed by Democracy Forward and other non-profit groups that resulted in a separate federal judge’s decision to temporarily block the plan as originally detailed in a memo by the Office of Management and Budget. The White House later rescinded that OMB memo, but stated that its review of federal funding remained in effect…

“For now, the order blocks any suspension of federal dollars to the 22 states that were party to the suit — as well as the District of Columbia….”

Trump Kills ISIS Terrorists in Somalia

The Sun wrote on February 1, 2025:

“Donald Trump has killed ‘many’ ISIS terrorists with pinpoint airstrikes in Somalia… Trump wrote a powerful message on Truth Social saying: ‘This morning I ordered precision Military air strikes on the Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia. These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies. The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians.’

“He added that the US military has spent years gathering intelligence on these ISIS hideouts but former President Joe Biden ‘and his cronies wouldn’t act quickly enough to get the job done’. Trump ended his post by saying to anyone who attacks the US: ‘We will find you, and we will kill you!’…

“Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed he conducted the coordinated strikes alongside Trump and the Federal Government of Somalia… In Somalia alone, there are estimated to be hundreds of IS fighters…  In 2023, Biden ordered a special forces operation in northern Somalia which eliminated a senior ISIS commander and 10 other militants… Three more IS operatives were taken out last May in another US airstrike…”

Iran Is Secretly Creating Long-Range Nuclear Weapons

Daily Mail wrote on January 31:

“Iran has allegedly been covertly creating nuclear weapons with a 1,800-mile radius that could reach Europe based on designs created by North Korea… [Allegedly,] two sites have been disguised as communication satellite launch facilities, but are being utilised to expedite the manufacture of the missiles. It is believed they are controlled by Iran’s nuclear weapons division…

“According to the Telegraph, there have been three successful rocket launches thus far, with test for the more advanced Ghaem-105 rocket set to happen over the next few months. Past tests were carried out in the guise of being satellite launches in a bid to secretly carry out the trial… Image taken by Google Earth show a concrete platform used in the experiments, with buildings nearby thought to be used for related research…”

Iran should clearly not be underestimated. They will still have a role to play in coming events.

USA Today wrote on February 4:

“Trump signed a presidential memorandum Tuesday authorizing more aggressive measures toward Iran.

“He also threatened ‘total obliteration’ of the country if there is another attempt on his life by Tehran.”

Trump: US Will Take Over Gaza

Breitbart wrote on February 4:

“President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. would take over Gaza and remove debris, tunnels, and explosives left there by Hamas after the war with Israel, adding that he saw America taking a ‘long-term ownership position.’ Trump said: ‘The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll love it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous bombs and other weapons on the site… and get rid of the destroyed buildings [and] create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing.’

“The surprise announcement came as the president spoke alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the first foreign leader to visit Trump since his Inauguration last month. Trump had previously said that he would like to see most, or all, of the Palestinian population of Gaza moved to another Arab or Muslim country. The idea of actually taking over Gaza, and establishing a U.S. presence, was both unexpected and completely new. Trump added that the U.S. would develop Gaza economically, sending troops if necessary and making investments.

“He called the potential of Gaza ‘unbelieveable,’ but said that Palestinian control of Gaza ‘will never work.’…

“A reporter asked Trump what right the U.S. had to take over Gaza… Trump did not reply directly but said that American control of Gaza would increase ‘stability’ in the region as the various nations pursued peace together. Netanyahu, who had never publicly advocated for anything like what Trump proposed, said that the idea was ‘something that could change history’ and that it was ‘worth considering.’

“It is considered taboo, even in Israel, to advocate for the ‘transfer’ of Palestinians from Gaza or from Judea and Samaria (also known as the West Bank).

“Trump has previously proposed buying Greenland, so he is not averse to the idea of America taking over territory abroad. However, the idea of taking over war-torn Gaza is completely unique and quite possibly revolutionary.”

Israel’s far-right politicians responded with delight and approval.

Newsmax wrote on February 6:

“President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Israel would turn the Gaza Strip over to the United States after the fighting ends and that no U.S. soldiers would be needed there… ‘The Palestinians … would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region,’ Trump said in a Truth Social post… ‘No soldiers by the U.S. would be needed!’”

As we explain in our new StandingWatch program, “Trump—the Man of Destiny?”, that conclusion would be doubtful.

The Ron Paul Institute added on February 5:

“Trump also insisted that the Palestinians will be relocated to a third country (unspecified) and will not have a right to return. This was scripted. You can see Trump is reading from a note card.”

The Drudge Report linked on February 5 in this context to an article by the Times of Israel from November 14, 2024, stating that “President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense Pete Hegseth suggested that a temple could be re-established on the Temple Mount in a resurfaced speech he gave in 2018 at the Arutz Sheva conference in Jerusalem… He also rejected the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

We had reported on this in a previous Update.

The international reaction to Trump’s statement on Gaza was predictable. The Guardian reported on February 5:

“Trump’s declaration US will ‘take over’ Gaza Strip sparks global condemnation. UK, Germany, China, Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia speak against announcement described as ethnic cleansing by human rights groups.”

JTA added on February 5:

“Saudi Arabia responded quickly: No, it had not yielded on demanding the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with east Jerusalem as its capital, as a condition of normalization with Israel… ‘The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasizes that this unwavering position is non-negotiable and not subject to compromises,’ the statement said. Saudi Arabia also noted that it would object to any efforts to displace Palestinians, an idea Trump has repeatedly insisted on in recent days.

“The firm statement illustrates the gap between Saudi Arabia and Trump…”

Belgium’s New Government

Deutsche Welle wrote on February 1:

“Political parties in Belgium struck a deal on Friday to form a broad coalition government. The announcement concluded months of talks that followed federal elections in June last year. The country’s new prime minister is set to be the right-wing New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) leader Bart De Wever, who secured victory in the June polls.

“De Wever will lead a five-party coalition which includes the Christian Democrats, the liberal Reformist Movement and the Flemish Social Democrats. Together, they hold an 81-seat majority in Belgium’s 150-seat parliament. The far-right Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) party was excluded from the government talks, despite the anti-immigration party having made the largest gains in the June 2024 election. Political parties consistently exclude Vlaams Belang due to its anti-immigrant and anti-EU stance as well as its aim to split up the country.

“Belgium’s Royal Palace released a statement saying that De Wever had reported the agreement of the future coalition to the king… This will be the first time Belgium will have a nationalist in the position of prime minister…”

The same approach the established parties in Germany take toward the right-wing AfD. This approach will not succeed.

“Deal” Between China and the Philippines?

The Associated Press wrote on January 30:

“Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offered on Thursday to remove a U.S. missile system from the Philippines if China halts what he called its ‘aggressive and coercive behavior’ in the disputed South China Sea.

“The U.S. Army installed the Typhon mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines in April last year to support what the longtime treaty allies described as training for joint combat readiness. China has repeatedly demanded that the Philippines remove the missile system…

“Asked by reporters about China’s criticism of the missile system, Marcos said he did not understand the Chinese position because the Philippines does not comment on China’s missile systems which ‘are a thousand times more powerful than what we have.’ ‘Let’s make a deal with China: Stop claiming our territory, stop harassing our fishermen and let them have a living, stop ramming our boats, stop water cannoning our people, stop firing lasers at us and stop your aggressive and coercive behavior, and we’ll return the typhoon missiles,’ Marcos told reporters in central Cebu province…

“The U.S. Army’s mobile Typhon missile system, which consists of a launcher and at least 16 Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, was repositioned about two weeks ago from the northern Philippines to a strategic area nearer the capital, Manila, in consultation with Philippine defense officials, a senior Philippine official told The Associated Press… The Philippine official… said the U.S. missile system is now nearer an area where Chinese and Philippine coast guard and navy forces have been involved in increasingly tense faceoffs in the South China Sea.

“The U.S. and the Philippines have repeatedly condemned China’s increasingly assertive actions to press its territorial claims in the South China Sea, where hostilities have flared over the past two years with repeated clashes between Chinese and Philippine coast guard forces and accompanying vessels. Aside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the busy waterway, a key shipping route which is also believed to be sitting atop large undersea deposits of gas and oil.”

Maybe Trump will try next, unsuccessfully, to get that waterway or sea gate? The role of the Philippines in upcoming prophetic developments will be interesting to observe.

The Fight Against Merz

Focus wrote on February 1:

“The SPD and the Greens [part of the current German government] don’t have the slightest chance of governing in a red-green two-party coalition. But the red-green coalition easily manages to significantly influence the public discussion with the slogan ‘Fight against the right’. Anyone who presents themselves as an ‘anti-fascist’ has most of the media behind them… And sometimes the streets – demonstrating, protesting, sometimes violent.

“With the ‘Influx Limitation Act’ [proposed by Merz], Merz gave the Red-Green Party (under Scholz and Habeck) the choice of either agreeing or letting the AfD tip the scales. Much of what was in the law had already been approved by the Prime Ministers of the SPD, the Greens and the Union (CDU). The SPD and the Greens could have agreed without betraying their principles. The SPD and the Greens were aware that their ‘no’ would once again increase the status of Weidel, Höcke & Co. (of the AfD). Despite all the pathetic statements, that didn’t deter them, on the contrary…

“It is revealing that the SPD and the Greens have hardly dealt with the content of the CDU applications for days. They have managed to focus the public discussion on the CDU’s supposedly collapsed firewall against the AfD [the idea that no one would enter into a collation with the AfD]. That is much easier than explaining why the Scholz/Habeck government of all people has driven the number of AfD supporters to unimagined heights with their policies.

“But apparently Merz and the CDU completely underestimated the wave of hatred they would face if they accepted the AfD’s approval in order to achieve their goal. What followed was worse than even pessimists had feared.

“Merz had hardly taken into account the ‘blood attack’ that his old opponent Angela Merkel was about to make… as no former chancellor had ever done against a potential successor – especially not against one from his own party. Merkel apparently cannot cope with the fact that the population has now recognized how negligent her refugee policy was. And that her own party has long since moved away from it. Above all, Merkel probably wants to prevent her eternal opponent Merz from sitting in her former chancellor’s office one day. She would rather help the united left to put down the party’s ‘friend’… Merz also completely underestimated the force with which most media – especially ARD and ZDF – would join in the theatrical indignation of the united left…

“The SPD knows that its chancellor [Olaf Scholz] has poorer poll ratings than any of his predecessors. She is aware that she cannot score points with voters either with her economic policy record or with her migration policy. The ‘fight against the right’ is their last cartridge…

“It is foreseeable that Friedrich Merz will no longer be able to appear anywhere until election day [February 23, 2025] without the united left trying to block access… All over the country, CDU offices have already been blocked or occupied, and employees have been threatened. In many places, the CDU has canceled the street election campaign this weekend. With so much hatred and agitation, it is too dangerous in some places to identify yourself as a CDU supporter...”

Assuming that the CDU under Merz will still win the election and will form some kind of an unstable coalition, the new government will turn out to be the same debacle which the government under Scholz has been. It won’t survive either.

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 years ago, I heard an interesting sermon by a minister of the (now defunct) Worldwide Church of God, in which he applied many passages in Ephesians 4 and 5 to the Christian marriage. I took notes (still in my possession) and have thought about this concept many times. I do not remember the minister’s name, but I do remember his message.

Using some of those interesting thoughts, and elaborating on them, let us review in this Q&A some of Paul’s statements in Ephesians 4 and 5, which definitely have meaning, application to, and relevance for a successful marriage.

Ephesians 4:14-15 reads:

“… that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ…”

Applying this passage to a Christian marriage, we are admonished not to be unstable, unreliable or unsettled, and we should not always be ruled by emotions (one is glad and happy at one moment, and then sad and upset the next moment). This also includes the directive to speak the Truth in love—and not in anger and with a desire to get back at our mate. Even telling the Truth can be wrong and it can hurt our mate unnecessarily, when it is done with false motives and not with love (which is outgoing concern for the welfare and benefit of others). The Truth told in love can hurt too, even if it is told with the desire to help one’s mate. It may take great wisdom and discernment to make the right distinction and decision in that regard. We are to become like Christ who never hurt another person unnecessarily.

Ephesians 4:17, 22 continues:

“This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind… that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts…”

We are told not to live any longer like those in the world with foolish and ungodly desires and deceitful lusts. We all did so in the past, but we need to get rid of such conduct and behavior, as it will destroy our marriage.  

Ephesians 4:25-27 states:

“Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another. ‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”

Nothing can destroy our marriage faster than lying to our mate. You might recall this famous analogy: Each lie is like a stone which becomes part of a wall. This wall grows higher with every lie, until the wall is so high that we cannot climb it anymore or jump over it. The two mates are separated without coming together again. The same applies to anger. We must control our emotions, as we already pointed out. There is a time for righteous anger, but even then, it must be controlled and must not linger. The goal must be to bring about reconciliation “before the sun sets.” A problem should be resolved immediately or as soon as possible, because if we wait too long, Satan is right there to influence us to believe that it is alright to stay angry and even to develop hate for our mate. His desire is to destroy our marriage, and we must not let that happen.

Ephesians 4:28 continues:

“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”

It should be self-evident that we are not to steal from our mate. In many, if not most cases, a couple has all things in common, so how could we possibly steal from our mate? One way would be to buy, secretly, things we do not need or should have, and of which our mate would not approve.

Ephesians 4:29 says:

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.’

We should try to refrain from making rude and offensive comments which our mate does not appreciate. Otherwise, we will cause unnecessary offense, which needs to be avoided so as not to jeopardize the well-being of our marriage. 

Ephesians 4:31-32 continues:

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”

Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil and malicious speaking to and about our mate could all lead to the destruction of our marriage. This includes the tendency to bring up things from the past which should have been resolved, forgiven and forgotten. It is always wrong to “make a mountain out of a molehill.” Rather, even in times of stress, disappointment, disagreement and quarrels, we must be kind and tenderhearted to one another, willing to forgive and to forget. It has been said that the success of a Christian marriage (with both parties being converted) may be an indicator of the depth of our conversion.

Ephesians 5:3 states:

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints…”

As married couples, we must stay away from and flee adultery (fornication being a violation of God’s Law committed by two unmarried people, while adultery describes a situation where at least one party is married). Adultery is related to covetousness, as an adulterer covets the wife or husband of his or her neighbor or another person. Such conduct is absolutely not fitting for converted Christians, and adultery may constitute a biblical ground for divorce.

Ephesians 5:6 continues:

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

In the context of marriage, we are not to listen to foolish “advice” or persuasions from our “friends,” who might say: “You can do this. Sleep with him or her. No problem. Your mate won’t find out about it.”

Ephesians 5:11 says:

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

Such friends, as described above, are not real friends at all. They should be avoided. Our fellowship with darkness—with people who are not good for us—might lead to unsolvable problems in a marriage. We need to therefore evaluate whether our close contact with certain people is in fact healthy. Once we “expose” our contact and find that it is not fruitful, but leads to conduct we should not be engaged in, we need to break up such relationships.

Ephesians 5:16 reads:

“… redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

We are to be careful that we do not waste our time on unprofitable things which, in the context of our marriage, alienate our relationship with our mate; especially, when one mate may approve of those things, while the other mate may not. Rather than doing things on our own, we ought to find ways to do things of common interest together.

Ephesians 5:18 continues:

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…”

Another sure factor contributing to the destruction of a marriage is the improper use of alcohol. Consuming alcohol modestly is not wrong—Paul even encouraged Timothy to drink a little wine because of his frequent sicknesses (1 Timothy 5:23)—but to drink too much, and that on a continued basis, may well ruin the marriage relationship. Some who are drunk become very aggressive; others become silly and unresponsive. That could be an embarrassment to the sober mate; especially, when it occurs in public. A person loving his or her mate will do everything he or she can to overcome his or her alcoholism.

Ephesians 5:19-20 states:

“… speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Our focus should be on the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and a Christian marriage will be guided by principles and conduct which are in harmony with God’s Word and not contrary to it.  Sinful conduct will have its automatic consequences for a marriage, and even if both parties consent to such conduct, if it is wrong, the punishment will follow swiftly (Galatians 6:7-8).

Ephesians 5:21 states:

“… submitting to one another in the fear of God.”

One of the most important keys to a successful and happy marriage is to look after and consider the interests of our mate and not only our own interests (Philippians 2:3-5). When both mates do this, then a harmonious relationship will result. Also, the following verses deal with the conduct and responsibilities of the husband to his wife; and of the wife to her husband. If both treat each other in a godly manner, then the lasting success of a Christian marriage is so much more secure.

Ephesians 5:33 concludes:

“Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

In this verse, Paul summarizes the important instruction by emphasizing the two major facts of a marriage (i.e., the husband loves his wife and the wife respects her husband), which might determine whether a marriage will or will not succeed.

We say this in our free booklet, “The Keys to Happy Marriages and Families”:

“Unless we walk in the ‘fear of God’ and ‘in love’ toward the other person, any role carried out, even if done perfectly according to the letter, will not produce a happy marriage. Further, we must concentrate on how to carry out our roles. We must do so as ‘wise’ persons—not as fools—and we must try to find out what the ‘will of God’ is in any given situation—not, what we may want to do. Finally, we must make the best use of the ‘time’ that God has given us—again, using our time to the glory of God and in submission to His will, not to ours. In doing that, we will ‘walk in love’—in love toward God and in love toward our mate.

“And if we walk in this kind of love, we will be able to ‘submit one to another.’ That is, we will be looking at the interests and needs of the other person—not just at what we may be interested in. Submitting one to another does not mean that we have anarchy—no leadership whatsoever—but it does mean that the one who is to lead is the one who is expected to serve the most…”

The booklet then sets forth many principles of righteous living which must be followed by both marriage partners to guarantee a successful lasting marriage. Please read or re-read our free booklet, and better yet, if you do not have one already, please order your free personal copy so that you can mark those passages which are most important for and applicable to you.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“Trump—the Man of Destiny?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

The speed with which Trump has operated since becoming president is mind-boggling. What lies behind this, and what motivates him? And how do we explain his actions and plans regarding tariffs against Mexico, Canada, China and Europe, as well as an American takeover of Gaza, in the light of biblical prophecy?

“Trump—der Mann der Vorsehung?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topic as described above.

A “Tech Team Meeting” was held on February 2, 2025. Hosted by Eric Rank, the topic of others posting our material was discussed; results from test marketing were presented: and a new ad campaign for Germany was planned.

“Die ‘Wolke der Zeugen’ für unsere Ermutigung” is the title of this Sabbath’s German sermon, presented by Michael Link.  Title in English: “The ‘Cloud of Witnesses’ for Our Encouragement.”

“Warum werde ich nicht satt?” last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Johann Schell, is now posted. Title in English: “Why Am I Not Getting Full?”

“Unsere Berufung,” last Sabbath’s German sermon presented by Christoph Sperzel, is now posted. Title in English: “Our Calling.”

“Indomitable,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Having an indomitable spirit means not allowing anything to take away our hope and determination. When faced with problems, rather than allow us to be overcome, we can choose to respond with courage and trust in God’s power to see us through. The story of David and Goliath exemplifies this attitude, as David defeats Goliath by relying on his faith in God. Likewise, Jesus Christ, even facing the threat of immense suffering, encourages us to remain hopeful and undeterred, knowing that overcoming the world is possible through faith.

“Living Goals,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Are your goals active and functioning, or have your dreams and aspirations faded away—remaining unfulfilled? How does that apply to your goals as a Christian?