Update 1222

On September 5, 2026, Daniel Blasinger will give the sermonette, titled, “Blameless,” and Norbert Link will give the sermon, titled, “Waiting for God.”

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.

Would you sign a contract knowing that, in the end, you would lose everything? Probably not. No reasonable person would sacrifice their freedom, happiness, and future for a short-term advantage. Right?

What if such a contract wasn’t even recognizable as a contract, but instead came about through compromises, wrong decisions, and small concessions in everyday life?

Most people don’t believe in a literal “pact with the devil”. For many, that belongs in the world of legends, movies, and novels. The Bible, however, reveals that behind the scenes of this world, a spirit being is at work who wants to lead humanity away from God.

If you’d like to learn more about this, please order a free copy of our booklet, entitled “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World”.

The devil does not need to get people to worship him directly. It is enough for him if they forget God. He knows human nature—our fears, desires, and weaknesses. The Bible calls him the one “who deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). His influence is widespread; the world doesn’t even realize it is being influenced.

A successful deceiver does not reveal his identity. In the same way, Satan works in secret. His goal is to promote thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors that distance people from God.

“Has God indeed said…?” The temptation began with this question. Eve was to believe that God’s commandment restricted her and that disobedience would bring an advantage. The promised gain was emphasized, while the consequences were kept secret. To this day, Satan uses the same strategy. He presents sin as something pleasant and God’s commandments as unnecessary restrictions; the crucial Truth remains hidden.

But every wrong decision has consequences.

Every contract contains terms and conditions; every pact has its price. Satan, too, makes offers. He promises freedom but delivers bondage. He promises joy but leaves behind emptiness and suffering. He promises profit but conceals the cost.

Jesus Christ said that Satan is “a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). A lie is a statement in which the Truth—or at least part of the Truth—is distorted.

A fish sees the bait but does not recognize the hook. That is how temptation works. The immediate benefit appears visible and attractive, while the long-term consequences remain hidden.

Despite tremendous advances in science, technology, and education, humanity’s fundamental problems persist. Wars, violence, hatred, deceit, and injustice continue to shape the world. Why? John wrote: “…the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). Paul even refers to Satan as the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4). The world follows him without even knowing it.

Pride instead of humility; selfishness instead of love; self-will instead of obedience—we encounter these attitudes daily, and they often seem normal and natural. That is precisely where their danger lies.

The most dangerous pact with the devil is not made consciously. Almost no one signs a document titled “Contract with Satan”. Rather, this pact is sealed when people constantly adopt the same fundamental attitude: “I decide for myself what is right and wrong.”

When God is excluded from life, people take on the role of their own lawgiver and thus, without realizing it, follow the same path that already separated Adam and Eve from God.

The good news is: No one has to continue down this path. Jesus Christ came to overcome sin in the flesh and to reconcile humanity with God. During His life on earth, He resisted every temptation from Satan and demonstrated that obedience to God is possible.

James writes: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The Bible does not call on us to negotiate with temptation, but to trust in God and resist evil. Those who are close to God receive the strength to withstand deception and seduction.

Satan’s greatest success is to make us believe that no danger exists. Yet the Bible reveals an adversary who knows humanity intimately and does everything in his power to separate us from God. That is why everyone faces a decision: Will they follow the alluring offers of this world, or will they trust God and His ways?

The pact with the devil is not a medieval fairy tale. It begins wherever people exchange God’s Truth for their own ideas. But God offers a different covenant—one that does not lead to death, but to life, and indeed to eternal life.

The question, then, is: Which contract will you sign?

(Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger)

By Norbert Link

We begin with Iceland’s rejection of the EU; America’s failed negotiations with Canada and Trump’s subsequent outlandish actions which are bound to backfire on his administration, the Republicans and the American people; and we continue with his threat pertaining to the Falkland Islands and his naïve and unbelievable Chamberlain-like comments about Putin.

We discuss his controversial and highly overrated Venezuela oil deal; his renewed attack on Iran and Hegseth’s troubles. We also address absolutely silly and pointless California law proposals and California Governor Newsom’s highly suspect conduct. 

We speak on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s life in a dreamhouse (not unlike Trump); and interesting developments regarding the far-right German party AfD; and we conclude with China’s armies of robots. 

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “America’s Foolish Trade War With Canada” .

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump’s Oil Deal with Venezuela—Another Fiasco.”

Iceland Rejected the EU

Politico wrote on August 30:

“By a narrow margin of 52.8 percent to 47.2 percent, Icelanders rejected new talks with the EU… In the end, Icelanders’ skepticism about taking even this small step toward the EU proved too strong… The warning that membership would mean losing control over fishing quotas and having to open Icelandic waters to foreign companies was a cornerstone of the No campaign, and one that many voters cited as their reason for rejecting it…

“In Brussels, the result will land as a disappointment. A move by Iceland toward membership would have sent a signal of European unity to the world — and, amid tensions between the U.S. and Europe and the growing sway of authoritarian powers led by Russia and China, such a signal would have been more than welcome…. Reykjavík and Brussels will remain closely tied all the same. Before the referendum, the government had signaled that, in the event of a No, it would seek to deepen cooperation by other means.”

Icelanders are understood to be descendants of the Israelite tribe of Benjamin… the proverbial Vikings.

The Guardian added on August 30:

“The vote was held in the shadow of repeated threats by Donald Trump to invade or acquire neighbouring Greenland.

“Although Iceland is a Nato member, supporters of EU membership said European solidarity would provide greater protection if Trump ever made similar threats towards the smaller, Arctic island.”

America’s Failed Negotiations With Canada

The Hill wrote on August 28:

“Washington went into last week’s trade talks with Canada looking for more than relief on dairy and alcohol. The administration wanted Ottawa to complete its F-35 purchase, buy American radar planes as part of joining President Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense project and grant the U.S. a right of first refusal on Canadian critical minerals. By Saturday morning, the talks had collapsed…. None of what Washington wanted on defense was ever going to be delivered by threat.

“Canada contracted for 88 aircraft, but Carney ordered the purchased review after Trump’s first tariff offensive last year. Washington wanted reassurance in these talks that Canada would finish the buy. It left without it… Trump wanted Canada to shoulder more of its own defense burden. He may get exactly that. What his administration hasn’t reckoned with is how much of that new Canadian money will still flow south, after a year of tactics that turned dependence on the United States into a political liability in Ottawa.”

The USA has scored an own goal… or maybe several.

Canadian Reluctance Regarding US Military

CBC wrote on August 29:

“The flareup in the Canada-U.S. tariff war has not only strengthened Ottawa’s resolve to boost military co-operation with Europe and Asia — it’s also hurting prospects of major military purchases from the United States… [There is] a growing reluctance toward potential acquisitions of U.S. military hardware.”

Deutsche Welle wrote on August 28:

“Canada’s deal to buy [88] US-made F-35 [stealth-]fighter jets took years to negotiate and is worth tens of billions of dollars. But amid the trade war between Canada and the United States, some are calling for Ottawa to ditch the deal…”

The Aluminum Debacle

CTV News wrote on August 26:

“Canada’s aluminum industry is not worried about U.S. tariffs continuing into the new year. While Canadian domestic producers will absorb the loss of U.S. business and find other customers, the U.S. will find it nearly impossible to replace its cheapest supplier…

“The U.S. depends on Canada for 75 per cent of its imported primary aluminum, covering 60 per cent of its yearly usage…”

What American short-sightedness and incompetence!

Quebec United Against Trump

The Independent wrote on September 1:

“Canada’s governing Liberals have secured victories in three special elections on Monday, providing a significant boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney… The Liberal Party claimed victory in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord in Quebec, Beaches-East York in Toronto, and North Vancouver-Capilano in British Columbia… The biggest shift occurred in Quebec… The local economy relies on aluminum production and dairy farming, key sectors affected by the trade conflict.

“Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto, said Carney enjoys higher approval ratings in Quebec than anywhere else in Canada, noting that Trump’s remarks about annexation resonate deeply there. ‘Quebecers have the most to lose in an apocalyptic scenario where the U.S. absorbs Canada, and the status of the French language disappears,’ Wiseman said.”

Trump’s Silly Postings—Donald Ducks “Protect” “Lake America”

The Independent wrote on August 30:

“President Donald Trump on Saturday posted an apparently AI-generated video depicting an army of buff, bequiffed and heavily-armed ‘Donald Ducks’ patrolling the shores of  ‘Lake America.’

“Hours later, while he was at his Virginia golf course, the president posted another AI-generated video, this time showing himself knocking over a ‘Welcome to Lake Ontario’ sign and installing a ‘Welcome to Lake America’ one in its place…

“Set to the theme song from Hawaii Five-O, a 34-second clip shows a squadron of Canada geese marching near the Great Lake. The birds have human arms, carry assault rifles and sport the president’s signature blond pouf of hair. The geese then fire their weapons into the air as fireworks erupt over the skyline of a nearby city — which appears to resemble Toronto.”

These juvenile postings don’t help anyone… they might only contribute to the accelerating alienation.

Spineless Google [and Apple]

Fox News wrote on August 30:

“Google Maps has begun displaying ‘Lake America’ in place of Lake Ontario for users in the United States after President Donald Trump ordered the body of water renamed.

Google said the change began rolling out Saturday after the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) formally updated the lake’s name from Lake Ontario to Lake America.

“‘Since we update Google Maps to reflect name changes in official government sources, which is GNIS for the U.S., people using Maps in the U.S. will see “Lake America,” those in Canada will continue to see “Lake Ontario,” and those outside of the U.S. and Canada will see both names,’ Google said.”

Have you ever heard such nonsense? And Apple followed suit as well. Google’s actions remind us of its spineless behavior under incompetent Joe Biden’s unconstitutional conduct of censoring those who opposed the government’s terrible fake announcements and appalling measures pertaining to the Corona pandemic, with which Google and others, such as Twitter, readily complied. We will continue to refer to the lake as Lake Ontario and the gulf as the Gulf of Mexico, and we will also continue to refer to Erdogan’s Turkey as such, while not using the ridiculously sounding name “Türkiye,” as requested by him.

Trump Threatens Britain Over Falkland Islands

The Independent wrote on August 30:

“The US is said to be considering an ultimatum…, threatening to withdraw its support for Britain’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands if it does not increase defence spending…

“The UK government has responded by saying its position on the islands is ‘long-standing and unwavering’, and that they will remain a British Overseas Territory in line with the wishes of the Falkland islanders….

“America’s recent demand follows a threat in April, in which a leaked internal Pentagon email suggested that the US could review Britain’s claim to the Falklands as revenge for a lack of support in the Iran war.”

Based on biblical prophecy, the UK might very well lose the Falkland Islands.

Trump Trusts Putin???

The Sun wrote on August 29:

“VLADIMIR Putin has flexed his nuclear arsenal by launching an intercontinental ballistic missile in a chilling warning to the West. It came after CIA chief John Ratcliffe flew to Moscow and reportedly issued the Kremlin a stern warning not to attack Nato members…. But just days later Putin has defiantly engaged in more nuclear saber-rattling by firing a ballistic rocket at Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia….

“Trump has now insisted Putin wouldn’t attack any Nato territory whilst he was in charge. He said: ‘I’ve had good talks with him. He’s not going to be attacking a Nato territory.’

“The latest launch appears a symbolic move intended to convey Putin’s power…. It is known Putin was briefed in real time about Ratcliffe’s meetings but despite cancelling a key event at the last minute opted not to meet the CIA boss face-to-face. The mission to Moscow via Riga on Monday was seen as ‘so delicate’ that even some high-ranking White House staff were in the dark over it, reported the Wall Street Journal.”

As if Putin’s words amount to anything! Is Trump really that naïve? Do we ever learn from history? All of this reminds us of Hitler’s promises in 1938. As we may recall, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain traveled to Germany to stop a war over Czechoslovakia. He signed the Munich Agreement with Adolf Hitler, allowing Germany to take the Sudetenland (border areas of Czechoslovakia with German speakers). Chamberlain returned to London, waved a paper signed by Hitler and himself, and told cheering crowds it was “peace for our time.” The deal failed completely. Hitler broke the promise and invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia, then Poland in September 1939, which started World War II.

The Kings of the East Meet

CNA (Channel News Asia) wrote on August 31:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping began talks on Monday (Aug 31) in Kyrgyzstan, where a dozen other heads of state also gathered for a two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which seeks to be a counterbalance to the West. Iran’s leader Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, India’s Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif were also among those in Bishkek to attend the summit of the regional SCO bloc, which celebrates its 25-year anniversary…

“Putin and Xi have previously used SCO summits to promote their vision of a multipolar world and present a united front against the West…. Russia’s economy has become increasingly dependent on China during its 4.5-year invasion of Ukraine… Russia and Iran – among the most sanctioned states in the world – have massively deepened their military and economic ties since Moscow invaded Ukraine.”

The USA or Europe were not present.

North Korea’s Strong Warning to the USA

Africa Business Insider wrote on September 2:

“In a strongly-worded statement released by state media KCNA, North Korea accused the United States of maintaining an ‘invariable hostile policy to wantonly violate the sovereignty, political system and security interests of the DPRK’…

“Pyongyang has made it clear that its nuclear weapons are non-negotiable, describing them as ‘an absolute guarantee for defending its sovereignty.’”

Trump’s Venezuela Oil Deal

ABC News reported on August 29:

“President Donald Trump announced Friday that the U.S. and Venezuela have reached a ‘historic’ oil deal that he said would give the U.S. a majority control of billions of barrels of oil reserves in the Caribbean country and lower gas prices for Americans.

“In a social media post, Trump called it ‘THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY’ and said it would provide majority U.S. control of more than 65 billion barrels of proven oil reserves in Venezuela… Venezuela is recognized as holding the largest proven oil reserves in the world.”

Technically, Venezuela is not a Caribbean country but is located on the northern coast of South America, not inside the Caribbean, but it has a long coastline along the Caribbean Sea.  It is geographically a South American country.

If Trump really thought that his deal was to lower the gas prices at the pump before the midterm elections, he would be woefully mistaken. Note the next articles.

Not For a Long While, If Ever…

Newsweek added on August 30:

“… several developments would need to occur before additional Venezuelan oil could translate into lower gasoline prices. First, substantial investment would be required to expand production… extracting and transporting the oil would take considerable time, meaning ‘changes to fuel prices won’t happen overnight or even in months.’…

“Second, global refining capacity would need to increase. Even if crude supplies rise, refineries must have the ability to process that oil into gasoline and diesel… refining capacity is already constrained, limiting the potential for lower crude prices to feed through to consumers.

“Previous analysis of global energy markets has also shown that gasoline prices tend to lag behind movements in crude oil prices because fuel must be refined, transported and distributed before reaching retail stations.”

Deal Won’t Lower Gas Prices

npr wrote on August 31:

“The idea that the U.S. government becomes a shareholder of this joint venture is extremely unusual… Unlike Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Aramco, or Mexico’s Pemex, the U.S. doesn’t own a national oil company… Other American oil company investors might want to take a portion of the U.S. government’s stake in this joint venture. But the deal may not appeal to international investors…

“Many of the larger oil fields being discussed in the deal are still largely undeveloped. That means it will take a minimum of a few years for those fields to produce anything… If this deal does have an impact on gas prices…, it will be far on the horizon…”

npr added on September 1:

“The White House on Monday said it’s partnering with North American Blue Energy Partners as part of President Donald Trump ‘s push to tap into Venezuela’s oil industry… As part of the deal, the U.S. is creating a private company as a joint venture with NABEP — a detail the White House had withheld for days. NABEP, owned by Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt, is already the second largest operator in Venezuela, behind Chevron… Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez is giving the company 100-year rights over 17 oil fields with proven reserves of 65 billion barrels…

“Former U.S. government energy advisers have cautioned that the deal comes with political risk, since future administrations in Venezuela or the United States could challenge the deal. Even if the agreement holds, analysts say it could take years to turn around Venezuela’s… energy sector.”

Trump’s Stolen Venezuelan Crude Oil

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on September 1:

“On August 29, President Trump went on social media and boasted about stealing Venezuelan oil. The theft, according to Trump, ‘more than doubles American oil reserves.’ He said there was ‘no cost’ to American taxpayers, although there will obviously be a huge cost to the people of Venezuela who will see little if any benefit from Trump’s plunder. Trump went so far as to claim the brazen theft will benefit the Venezuelan people. The profits are expected to enrich oil company executives and elites rather than ordinary citizens…

“The Financial Times reported there is no evidence of oil money returning to Venezuela, as claimed by Trump, and that Venezuela’s GDP in the first quarter was its lowest in five years. Oil makes up virtually a quarter of the country’s GDP…

“Swiss company Vitol is involved in shipping Venezuelan oil to Israel… Delcy Rodríguez, who became the president of Venezuela after Trump abducted Nicolás Maduro on bogus drug charges, restored relations with Israel in August…

“Donald Trump and his family have exploited their position to profit through cryptocurrency and related ventures… these schemes generated approximately $2.25 billion in realized profits from foreign payments and other alleged sources. Additionally, analysts have observed unusual trading activity that frequently spikes just before Trump makes significant public statements or announcements. This pattern was also evident before Trump announced a pause on tariffs, where traders were betting on stock market increases right before the announcement….”

Criticism From All Sides

Newsmax wrote on August 30:

“… the deal is drawing unusual criticism from both the political left and right, Venezuelan democracy advocates, and foreign-policy experts who question whether Washington is putting oil ahead of free elections… critics argue the administration is striking a potentially century-long bargain with essentially the same political apparatus built by Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro. Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in January, but interim President Delcy Rodríguez — Maduro’s longtime vice president and a central figure in the Chavista government — remains in power. That has alarmed Republicans representing large Venezuelan and Cuban communities….

“One of the harshest attacks came from Harvard economist Ricardo Hausmann, a former Venezuelan planning minister, who has long been a critic of the Chavez and Maduro regimes. Hausmann directly accused Secretary of State Marco Rubio of abandoning the country’s democratic opposition. Hausmann charged Rubio with using American power for ‘an asset grab, an unconstitutional deal with an illegitimate oppressive government, instead of using US leadership to re-establish constitutional rule and democracy first . . . He said Rodríguez lacks the legitimate authority to make such a long-term commitment and warned the agreement “will not stand” because the Venezuelan people will not support it, nor will any major U.S. oil company. ‘…

“European and international observers have raised broader questions of sovereignty and legality. The Guardian reported critics describing Washington’s approach as ‘predatory’ and unconstitutional.”

As Trump, Rubio, Hegseth and others have forsaken the opposition in Venezuela, so they have forsaken the opposition in Iran AND the Iranian people opposed to the murderous Mullah regime.

For further information and discussion on this controversial oil deal and what the White House might be hiding, please view our most recent StandingWatch program, “Trump’s Oil Deal with Venezuela—Another Fiasco.”

Trump Attacks Iran Again

The Sun wrote on August 30:

“DONALD Trump has reignited his war with Iran by launching strikes on the twisted regime for the first time in a month. US forces targeted Tehran’s rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz after reported intelligence that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps were preparing to deploy sea mines in the crucial waterway…. Two Iranian rocket launchers were destroyed in the attacks, according to an anonymous US official.

“Iran said several of its fighters had been killed and badly wounded in the blasts…. The last US strikes on Iran came in late July as the war has reached a stalemate.

“Trump has changed tack in recent weeks, announcing crippling plans to launch a crushing ‘Operation Economic Outcast’ against Iran. The US has vowed to place crippling sanctions on any country propping up the regime… Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent… stopped short of naming specific countries or laying out a timeline. Bessent declined to answer whether the move would target China, which bought 80 per cent of Iran’s ship oil last year.”

Trump might be too afraid to include China in this, especially, since Xi Jinping is planning to visit him on September 24, 2026.

Hegseth in Trouble

Daily Mail wrote on August 29:

“Trump ruthlessly sidelines Pete Hegseth after Camp David showdown… as insiders mock war secretary’s humiliating inadequacy – and new cabinet golden boy gets promotion…”

Hegseth should have been fired a long time ago.

NBC News wrote on August 28:

“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told close friends and associates that he is considering a run for president in 2028…

“Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, have floated the idea of a presidential run for the past few months…”

Hegseth for President? Mercy. When asked, Trump just said it’s too early to tell. For now, Hegseth has denied the reports… which may not mean much. So now we have JD Vance, Rubio and perhaps even Hegseth as possible contenders. And there might be more. And then there is still Donald J.(John) Trump!

Hegseth Disastrous From the Beginning

The Atlantic wrote on August 31:

“Making Pete Hegseth the secretary of defense was always a huge gamble. A television host with little background in national-security or defense affairs, who topped out as a major in the National Guard, he was nominated based on the same qualification shared by most of Donald Trump’s other appointees: loyalty. And now the price of that gamble is evident. The Pentagon is careening offtrack under a secretary of defense who is firing or forcing the resignations of officers and civilian officials, not because they are unqualified but because he believes they are insufficiently loyal to him, personally. The latest casualty of Hegseth’s ongoing purge is Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who  resigned today after repeatedly clashing with the secretary of defense…

“Hegseth’s tenure has been disastrous on multiple scores. Instead of giving sound advice to the commander in chief and ensuring that America remains secure while the president fights a deeply unwise war of choice, he has been pursuing his political grievances… against the U.S. military. Hegseth seems to have a special animus toward the Army, an institution he claims ‘spit me out.’”

JD Vance and the End Time

The Huffington Post wrote on September 2:

“‘I have for my entire life been fascinated by end-times prophecy and theology,’ [JD Vance] said, and described reading about it in a Bible when he was 10 or 11 years old. Vance said he wouldn’t be shocked to learn that the Antichrist was ‘walking among us’ right now, nor would he be shocked to learn that we’re living in the end times at this moment….

“‘What I’m trying to focus on is doing as much of God’s work as possible right now, and if that leads to the end times, okay,’ he said. ‘And if that leads to, you know, us building a better world that thrives and survives for a very long time after I’m gone, that’s great, too… In fact, they are coming, it’s just a question of whether they’re coming thousands of years down the road or a few months down the road, and we’ve got a lot of work to do right now.’”

Doing God’s work in building a better world now? And the end times being thousands of years away? So much lack of biblical understanding!

Supreme Court: Ballroom Construction Can Continue

Newsmax wrote on August 31:

“The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for President Donald Trump to continue construction of his $400 million White House ballroom and accompanying military complex… The 5-4 ruling blocked a lower-court order that would have halted above-ground construction while a lawsuit challenging the project proceeds… The Supreme Court’s Monday ruling did not, however, finally resolve the underlying legal dispute.

“The court’s conservative majority said the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which brought the lawsuit, likely lacked the legal standing necessary to challenge the project… Chief Justice John Roberts broke with the court’s five-justice majority and joined the three liberal justices in dissent.

“Roberts wrote that the ballroom is ‘likely unlawful’ because Congress has constitutional authority over federal property in Washington, D.C., and has not expressly authorized construction of the new structure… The majority did not decide whether Trump ultimately has the authority to build the ballroom without congressional approval. That distinction leaves the broader legal fight unresolved even as construction proceeds.”

A typically cowardly decision by the majority. Instead of ruling on the merits, they allowed the continuance of the construction because of technical grounds. Embarrassing!

Crazy Season in California

The New York Post wrote on August 28:

“Each year in Sacramento brings a new crop of crazy bills… Gavin Newsom is trying to position himself ahead of a wide-open Democratic presidential primary that will begin the moment the polls close in the midterm elections on Nov. 3. Newsom needs to look as ‘progressive’ as possible, given the rise of socialism within his party….

“That’s why a bill like AB 2599 has a chance to become law. The bill would require any large company in California that can trace its roots back before 1965 to search through its records and disclose any possible connection to slavery.  California entered the Union as a ‘free’ state in 1850, meaning that it outlawed slavery from the outset. 

But under AB 2599, if any company that later did business in California had been involved in any remote way in the slave trade nearly 200 years ago, it would have to disclose that information on a state website — and face the inevitable backlash….

“A bill as pointless as AB 2599 falls into the same category of bills as AB 3121, which was passed at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. It set up a ‘task force’ to study reparations. Newsom duly signed it — and strung the committee along until, at the end, he declined to offer any cash to the descendants of former slaves. 

He did, however, sign AB 3089 in 2024, which offered a formal apology for slavery — which, again, California had never allowed.

“It remains to be seen what Newsom signs, and what he vetoes. But the number of absurd laws signed will be higher than usual. On slavery and AB 2599, for example, Newsom isn’t really thinking about California. He’s thinking about South Carolina, the first state to vote in the Democratic presidential primary, with a majority-black electorate that Newsom has struggled to reach.”

Newsom for President? Mercy! Note the next article.

Only Newsom’s Winery Gets a Settlement!

The New York Post wrote on August 28:

“California wineries have been scrambling to recover from the 2025 Pickett Fire, which caused an estimated $56 million in wine-grape losses across Napa Valley.

More than 30 winery and vineyard owners are seeking up to $90 million from Hundred Acre Winery and its owner, Jayson Woodbridge — but so far, only Newsom’s PlumpJack Group has reached a settlement [for an undisclosed amount]. PlumpJack was co-founded by Newsom, who built his wine and hospitality empire in part through connections to California’s wealthy Getty family….

“That, however, left some other vineyard owners suspicious and furious, as they wondered whether the connection to Newsom helped Plumpjack with getting its payout. ‘I don’t know what connections or motivations the defendant would have,’ John Cadieux, an attorney with a firm representing the 30 wineries and vineyards, told the Chronicle. ‘But certainly I’d imagine (Newsom’s connection) played a part.’… Ultimately, winery owners are slowly growing more pessimistic that they’ll get the same result that Plumpjack did.”

The answers should be obvious. This report fits with Newsom’s hypocritical conduct during the coronavirus pandemic.

Germany Takes on Trump

Deutsche Welle wrote on September 1:

“G 20 finance ministers and central bank heads gathered in Asheville, North Carolina for two days of talks. The session is being overshadowed by dissatisfaction over the White House welcoming Russia to the meeting but not some critical reporters, the war with Iran and its economic fallout… The US currently holds the rotating G20 presidency and so is hosting the session…

“‘Receiving the Russian finance minister here sends a troubling signal,’ German Finance Minister [and Vice Chancellor] Lars Klingbeil said. He said he and his European colleagues made clear that they would not appear in the traditional ‘family photo’ alongside the Russian media… Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski told the Reuters news agency that he recognized the right of the G20 hosts to invite guests, but that he was unhappy to see Moscow represented. ‘We do not trust Russia. They lie constantly and you need to be really, really cautious while discussing with them,’ he said. ‘So for me it would be very difficult to have any kind of conversation with Russia.’

“As leaders gathered in Asheville, three giants of the US media landscape complained of either no or limited access to the meeting. The business-focused Bloomberg News said that its team was not allowed access, while the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times both complained that certain journalists who would typically cover such events were refused media credentials… Klingbeil was critical on the matter. ‘I believe the press has a completely legitimate interest in reporting openly and freely on this G20 summit,’ he said. ‘I consider it unacceptable for journalists or entire editorial teams to be excluded.’ 

“Klingbeil had also said in a German political podcast last week that he would bring a simple message to the US regarding what he called Donald Trump’s ‘irresponsible’ war in Iran— that it needed to come to an end…”

Russia Again Threatens Germany With Military Attack

ntv reported on September 2:

“Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, has threatened Germany with punishment over sanctions following the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig-Halle Airport. ‘They deserve a direct strike against all German military production facilities,’ wrote the Kremlin politician—known for his harsh rhetoric—on Telegram. He was referring to defense plants working for Ukraine—and ‘certainly some other locations in Berlin as well’… Medvedev accused German authorities of fabricating the airport attack…

“The former Kremlin leader also threatened retaliation should Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy make good on his threat to target airports within Russia. Medvedev pointed out that European leaders—as financial backers of the Ukrainian government—frequently travel by train to Kyiv and other cities. Russia had also recently attacked railway infrastructure in Ukraine.”

Berlin blamed Russia for an incursion of explosive-laden drones last month in or near Leipzig and announced retaliatory measures. EU leaders and NATO supported Berlin in this. The Russia-friendly AfD party was skeptical.

Merz Lives in a Dream House

“Election victory for the far-right… AfD in Saxony-Anhalt next week would do serious damage to the eastern German state, according to Chancellor Friedrich Merz. ‘Should it come to that, this state would face significant problems,’ Merz told public broadcaster ARD in his annual summer interview. ‘I cannot imagine that international investors would want to be seen attending the first spades in the ground for new factories or businesses in Saxony-Anhalt alongside an AfD state premier,’ he said.

“According to the latest polls ahead of next Sunday’s vote, the AfD maintains a commanding lead with 40% — far ahead of Merz’s conservative CDU with 23%, the Left Party  (13%), the SPD (9%) and the Greens (6%)…. ‘We will do everything we can to prevent Saxony-Anhalt falling to extremists,’ he said, adding: ‘And that applies to the Left Party, too.’

“Merz said he would be appearing twice himself in Saxony-Anhalt over the coming week in order to convince undecided voters (which still make up a good 20% of the electorate, according to polls) not to vote for the far-right.

“Asked how the CDU intended to form a coalition government in Saxony-Anhalt with such low ratings and while refusing to work with either the AfD or the Left Party, Merz said: ‘We will look at that once we have the results.’”

Whatever the outcome will be, it could not be worse than the current situation in Germany. A coalition between the CDU, the SPD and the Greens would be a nightmare, even if it could be formed. To circumvent and ignore the AfD which appears to be receiving a majority of the votes, would raise uncomfortable questions as to the status of the democracy in Germany.

AfD Youth Wing Disagrees With Weidel

t-online reported on August 29:

“The AfD was founded as an anti-euro party. To this day, party leader Weidel remains opposed to the common currency. However, the party’s youth wing takes a different stance.

‘Generation Deutschland’ (GD) is distancing itself from the clear pro-exit stance regarding the euro held by its parent party, the AfD. GD leader Jean-Pascal Hohm told Bild: ‘We do not want a German exit from the euro; instead, we want to remedy the existing structural flaws of the euro system.’ … There is no talk of leaving the euro.”

China’s Robots Are Coming!

Focus reported on August 23:

“Humanoid robots broke numerous world records at the ‘World Humanoid Robot Games.’ On the opening day of the Olympic-style event in Beijing, for instance, Usain Bolt’s world record in the 100-meter sprint was beaten.

“According to the organizers, more than 2,000 humanoid robots participated in the event. In the 100-meter sprint, a humanoid robot clocked a time of 9.39 seconds, beating the human record of 9.58 seconds set by Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt in 2009. A humanoid robot cleared 2.88 meters in the standing high jump… The human record for a standing high jump is 1.90 meters, set by Swedish athlete Rune Almén. Both robots were created by the Beijing-based company X-Humanoid.”

The Guardian wrote on August 29:

“… the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing gripped the world this week… The five-day showcase staked out China’s claim to undisputed leadership in humanoid robotics as android martial artists landed knockout roundhouse kicks and robot teams marched into the arena heralded by flag-waving captains astride giant robotic dogs. The games’ blue-riband event, the 100m, did not disappoint… before slamming mindlessly into a padded wall in a blaze of sparks, flames and flying mechanical limbs….

“But the games were not intended to only entertain. Involving over 2,000 humanoids built by more than 660 mostly domestic tech companies, it was a propaganda flex of China’s robotics muscle just weeks before its president, Xi Jinping, lands in Washington DC for a summit with Donald Trump, where the superpowers’ race to tech supremacy will be high on the agenda. Only last month Trump banned imports of Chinese humanoids and four-legged robot dogs, citing cyber and national security concerns. 

“The event was also a billboard to boost global sales of Chinese robots as US rivals prepare their own launches, notably Elon Musk’s long-hyped Optimus humanoid which is reported to have finally gone into production this month. Last year China produced 12,800 humanoids, about 90% of the global total…

“‘Fascinating, and honestly, a little scary,’ said Arun Bothra, a senior police officer in India, which shares a tense border with China. ‘Watching robots run, play football and compete like humans is one thing. Seeing them on borders someday, carrying guns and making decisions, will be something else entirely.’ Or as another viewer concluded while watching a humanoid hoist a loaded barbell in the weightlifting contest: ‘Humanity is preparing its own end’.

“Of course China is not alone in pursuing robotic warfare. As the Beijing games progressed on Monday, Ukraine was staging a novel military parade in Kyiv made up entirely of robotic weaponry and defence equipment.”

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 the contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing to worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

In part 1 of this two-part Q&A, we looked at how disobedience to God’s instructions was life-changing for Adam and Eve, Lot’s wife, King Uzziah, and Gehazi, Elisha’s servant.   Let’s continue with some more examples.

King Saul

In 1 Samuel 8, when Samuel the prophet was old, the elders made a request to him as we read in verses 4 and 5:

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, ‘Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.’”

This did not go down well with Samuel as he realized that the request of the people was sinful, but God told him in verse 9:

^“Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”

Samuel did this in quite some detail in the rest of 1 Samuel 8.

King Saul was the first king of Israel, the son of Kish, who was described as tall and handsome and he started well.   His story is told in 1 Samuel 9 and continues until the end of this particular book in the Bible, chapter 31, where the sub-heading of this chapter is, in some translations: “The Tragic End of Saul and His Sons,” and so there is much information about this first king of Israel.

Initially, he was a humble and successful military leader from the tribe of Benjamin, but later disobeyed God, leading to his rejection as king and a tragic downfall marked by paranoia, jealousy of David, and his death on Mount Gilboa. 

The first problem was his arrogance, as we read in 1 Samuel 13:1-2:

^“Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent.”

And so, two years into his reign comes his first big mistake. In this chapter, we read that he offered a burnt offering for the nation (verse 9) which only priests were allowed to do.   He had waited seven days according to the time set by Samuel, and Samuel had not turned up and so he arrogantly took upon himself to do something that was prohibited to even a king.   He was chastised by Samuel when he arrived to find that the offering had already been made by Saul.   We read in verses 13-14 how big a mistake this was:

“And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.’”

In 1 Samuel 15, Saul was told by Samuel to kill all the Amalekites and all that they had, as we read in verse 3: 

“Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ” 

This was punishment for what they did to Israel (see verse 2). God has the right to take human life, but He used human beings for that purpose who did not understand that it was sin to kill, in order to fulfill His purpose. But, again, Saul was disobedient as we read in verses 8-9:

^“He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.”

Saul told Samuel that he had performed the commandment of the LORD (verse 13) but he was rebuked by Samuel who told him what God had said in verses 17-19: 

^“So Samuel said, ‘When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel? Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, “Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.”Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?’”

Samuel made excuses but this was the second time that Saul had disobeyed God’s clear instructions.   Samuel made this clear response in 1 Samuel 15:22:

“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.”

There were many other errors that he made, including his consultations with a witch which led to his death, but the two mentioned above brought wrath from God, showing that disobeying God’s instruction was life-changing! Saul’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience, pride, and failing to uphold divine commands.

Ananias & Sapphira

In Acts 5 we read about Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple in the early Jerusalem church, and the very bad decision that they both had made.  The incident occurs shortly after the account in Acts 4, which describes the early Christians voluntarily sharing all their possessions and living in a community.

We read in verses 1-2:

“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

The apostle Peter confronted Ananias about the sale of this land that they had sold. They had pretended to donate all of the proceeds received, but secretly kept part of it for themselves. This story emphasizes the need for honesty and reveals the high cost of hypocrisy. 

The story continues in verses 3-6 where Peter confronted Ananias, stating that he had not lied just to humans, but to God.

^“But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’ Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.”

Peter said that Ananias had not lied just to humans, but to God, which was a fearful thing to do.

And more was to follow, continuing with verses 7-10:

^“Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?’ She said, ‘Yes, for so much.’ Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the LORD? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’ Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.”

The deception was that Ananias, with his wife’s knowledge, sold a piece of land and brought only a portion of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. They were under no obligation to sell any piece of the land. Their sin was that they lied about how much they gave to the apostles, wanting to look great in the eyes of man. 

This story about Ananias and Sapphira finishes in verse 11 where we read:

^“So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”

The ultimate price was paid for their sin!

Achan

Another biblical example of sinning by disobeying God’s command is that of Achan.  In Joshua 7:1 we read about the problem:

“But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel.”

These things were devoted to God. They were not to be taken for personal use. 

The men of Ai struck down about 36 men (verse 5) and in verse 11, God revealed why this had happened:

^“Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff.”

Through the process of elimination to find the culprit, Achan was found to be the one (verse 18), and we read his admission in verses 19-21:

^“Now Joshua said to Achan, ‘My son, I beg you, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.’ And Achan answered Joshua and said, ‘Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I have done: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it.’”

True enough, those items were found and Joshua and all Israel with them took Achan and all his family and animals that he had to the valley of Achor where they were stoned and then burned with fire (verses 24-26).

Achan was an Israelite from the tribe of Judah who disobeyed God’s command during the Battle of Jericho. By stealing devoted treasures from the city—a Babylonian robe, silver, and a gold bar—he brought divine judgment, causing Israel’s defeat at Ai and leading to his own death and that of his family. 

Even though the Bible does not expressly say so, it appears that the family knew about, consented to and perhaps even participated in his transgression. 

The severity of the punishment emphasizes the seriousness of stealing what was consecrated to God.  Achan’s sin was not just personal; it affected the entire community, illustrating how individual actions can affect a group.

It certainly showed how disobeying God’s instructions can be life-changing, in this case not only for the wrongdoer but for the whole of his family and his possessions.

CONCLUSION

These seven examples which have been looked at briefly, clearly show that disobedience doesn’t pay, and there are others in the Bible.

In these examples, we see that disobeying God’s instructions resulted in loss of access to the Garden of Eden, and to death and leprosy.

We also know that the peoples of Israel and Judah obeyed God, then fell away, came back to God and so the see-sawing went on for a very long time.  It is not what God is looking for in His people and the consequences are telling.

As someone once said: “Strict obedience is better than good intentions.   This isn’t complicated.   When you hear a clear command, don’t analyse or interpret it.   Just obey it.”

In 1 Corinthians 10:11 is a command for all of us to take notice of: “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

Paul sets out in Philippians 3:12-14 his strategy for making it into God’s Kingdom which is a great outline for us to take notice of.

^“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Pressing on indicates a continuous active effort which is what God requires of us towards the goal of the prize of eternal life in the Kingdom of God, with our eyes on Jesus Christ showing the importance of a focus on the Ways of God and seeing earthly matters as secondary and subordinate.   And obedience to God’s Ways is a vital component in that pursuit.   All the people of God have to be careful not to play fast and loose with God, as disobedience can be deadly!

These Scriptures should be lessons for us all, but also great encouragement for us to maintain our focus where it should be – on our spiritual journey towards being in the Family of God for eternity!

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

Compiled by Norbert Link

“Trump’s Oil Deal with Venezuela—Another Fiasco” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

Trump called it the biggest oil deal in world history which will lower gas prices for Americans. But will it.. ever? Why is the deal drawing criticism from all sides of the national and international political spectrum; and what was and is the White House anxious to conceal in regard to the deal? 

“Trumps Öl-Abkommen mit Venezuela – ein weiteres Fiasko” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

Daniel Blasinger’s first split sermon has been posted, titled, “Laodicea 2.0.” 

Here is a summary:

Christ’s message to the seven churches is of timeless significance. It is particularly important to recognize that the church at Laodicea mirrors the final era of the church—the era in which Christ will return and in which we live today. From this, we can see where we need to examine ourselves. For it is up to us to ensure that Christ does not have to knock at our door to gain entry.

Eric Rank’s second split sermon has been posted, titled “Foundation of Values.” 

Here is a summary:

God created everyone with a unique spirit and personality. This means that everyone has their own personal system of values according to their own individual character. What matters to one person may be trivial to another. From the foundation of values, we all make decisions and choose what to do in our lives, which bears fruit that reflects our character. Therefore, it is important for us to carefully inspect our own values to ensure that they express a love for the Truth of God.

Johann Schell’s first German split sermon has been posted, titled, “Die Liebe zur Wahrheit“ (“The Love of Truth”).

Mike Richter’s second German split sermon has been posted, titled, “Lassen wir uns in alle Wahrheit leiten” (“Let Us Be Led Into All Truth”).