This Week in the News

by Norbert Link

We begin with the tumultuous and chaotic situation in Italy and the real danger that far-right populist Matteo Salvini might manifest himself as the new “Il Duce”; address the distinct possibility of a no-deal Brexit on Satan’s festival, Halloween, by the end of October; speak on Gibraltar’s defiance of the USA and the call for Europe’s unified opposition to President Trump; the reactions to Trump’s cancellation of his visit to Denmark; the troublesome descriptions which Trump applies to himself or which he embraces of himself [please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Donald Trump–America’s Savior or Destroyer?”], and we address a potential rift between the USA and Israel.

We speak on Israel’s antagonists, including Jordan and Europe; and address at length further developments towards the building of the biblically prophesied Third Temple. We also address the interesting phenomenon that more and more Christians have begun to celebrate “Jewish” holidays.

We focus on Trump’s trade war and the fear of a worldwide recession; speak on immigration issues in Germany and the USA; point out frictions between Trump and Fox News; and conclude with an appalling statement by Putin regarding Russia’s most recent nuclear disaster.  

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

We all know people who, at some point in their lives, disappointed us. Because of this, relationships can become so broken that there is no longer any contact. It may be leaders who fail, friends who let us down, family members who cause great offence or mates who sin by departing from the marriage and God’s Church.

Sometimes there really is a somber and grim finality in which relationships end, without any hope of reconciliation or restoration. We understand that Satan and those angels who followed him in rebellion will be ultimately and absolutely cut off from God. Furthermore, people who refuse to repent, but who instead harden their heart, sear their conscience and completely reject God and His Way, will be destroyed.

Sometimes, however, relationships can be restored! God, against Whom all of mankind have sinned, gave His Son to reconcile us to Himself (Romans 3:21-26; 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; 1 John 2:2). Through Jesus Christ, we can now have access to the Father (John 14:6; 16:26-27). Our part in this reconciliation is to repent and obey God. (Acts 2:38; 3:19-21).

We are told, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). This…

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The question as to the timing of ordinations can be quite confusing and puzzling. How does one know whether a person should be ordained to a particular office?

We have discussed this question, in general,  in numerous Q&As.

In “What is the basis or reason for ordination?”, we said the following:

“Ordination, as a practice, is clearly set forth in the Bible… In the New Testament, we note that Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church of God (Ephesians 1:22), has established ministerial positions: ‘And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers’ (Ephesians 4:11). Speaking of the Church, Paul writes: ‘Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues’ (1 Corinthians 12:27-28).

“From the outset, the process of choosing ministers and deacons for particular service in the Church has been the result of careful consideration… Paul and Barnabas were prophets and teachers. They were subsequently ordained to the rank and function of apostles (Acts 14:14) for the particular job they would then fulfill in the Church… Paul specifically…

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