The Feast of Trumpets is on the Sabbath of September 12, 2026. On that day, Kalon Mitchell will give the sermonette, titled, “Hold Fast Until the Trumpet Sounds”, and Norbert Link will give the sermon, titled, “The Feast of Trumpets—Why a Day of Joy?”

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.

One of my favorite terms in the Bible is the admonition for us to “hold fast.” When I was younger, I read a lot about sailing — large sailing ships have always fascinated me. There is something majestic about traveling across the water in a boat with large rigging and all the parts of a ship. But being on the ocean is not without peril; there are times when storms come, and sailors have to withstand them.

From a nautical standpoint, “hold fast” is an old maritime command meaning to grip a fixed point, a rail, a line, anything they could securely hold on to. This was especially shouted to the crew in heavy weather so no one would get swept overboard; it’s essentially “hang on!” It was also used to mean securing a line itself (to belay it so it doesn’t run out), and “holdfast” is the general term for any fitting, clamp, or cleat that pins something in place against the ship’s motion so it can’t shift. (The word shows up outside sailing too; carpenters use a “holdfast” clamp, and biologists use it for the root-like structure kelp uses to grip a rock.)

This term “hold fast” appears a number of times throughout the Old and New Testaments. So it is not just a nautical term. In the Bible, the way it is used is powerful, because it describes the need for each of us to cling to God with everything that is within us.

In Hebrew, several words get translated as “hold fast,” each with a slightly different meaning. One word can mean to seize and grip firmly (Job 2:3; Isaiah 56:4,6), which is bound up with the idea of strength itself. Another word can convey the thought of grasping or seizing physically (Song of Solomon 3:4), and a third word can mean to cling, cleave, or stick to (Deuteronomy 10:20), describing the kind of closeness a husband and wife have, staying devoted and stuck to each other out of love and commitment, no matter what. 

In Greek, several verbs get translated as “hold fast,” each with a slightly different meaning as well. One word can mean to grasp with force, to seize and not let go (Hebrews 4:14). Another word can mean to hold down firmly or to retain or possess securely (Hebrews 10:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; and 1 Corinthians 15:2). Finally, a third word can mean to hold oneself against something, and to cling to it (Titus 1:9).

As we can see, across both the Old and the New Testaments, “hold fast” describes a deliberate, muscular grip on what’s internal rather than external — faith, hope, integrity, God’s Laws — held under pressure, against a force that would otherwise tear these things away. It’s not casual possession; it’s resistance under strain.

Scripture actually gives us pictures of exactly what kind of strain is meant. Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil”; something that holds firm precisely because a current is pulling against it. And Ephesians 4:14 warns of not being “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting”—children of God blown off course by every gust. Both these Scriptures place us right in the middle of a storm-tossed deck: the wind and waves trying to sweep us overboard, and faith and hope being the grip that keeps us from going over.

The storms in our lives are going to happen whether we are ready to “Hold Fast” or not. The question is, where is our strength to ride out the storms? 

Luke 8:22-25 and Matthew 14:22-33 describe actual storms in which the early disciples found themselves being forced for a reason. Christ used these moments to help teach the disciples that the storms were there to make them lean on Christ and realize how they could get through any situation. We are also Christ’s disciples and He uses the same approach with us today to help us learn to lean fully on Him in all situations so that when the storms that come get bigger, we can “Hold Fast” and find the God-given strength to endure until the end and make our calling and election sure. 

By Norbert Link

Following Trump’s scandal pertaining to the Venezuela oil deal (note our StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump’s Oil Deal with Venezuela—Another Fiasco”), another scandal is developing pertaining to Trump’s new “beef deal.” We also report on the futile idea that all-high gas prices will go down any time soon; speak on Hegseth’s unprecedented lie detector tests which badly backfired on him; and we address Trump’s unsuccessful attempts to end the Russia-Ukraine war while threatening Europe with reimbursement payments for supporting Ukraine. Note our StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump and Putin vs EU and Ukraine?” 

We also address Trump’s denial of the depleted stockpiles of American weapons while speaking out of both sides of his mouth (note our StandingWatch program, titled, “USA Dangerously Short on Essential Missiles”).

The conflict between the USA and Canada is boiling over (note our StandingWatch program, titled, “America’s Foolish Trade War With Canada”); and Trump has been described by a prestigious German paper as the destructive “demolition man.”

We are addressing the situation in Germany, pertaining to the new role of the “comeback kid” Jens Spahn (note our StandingWatch program, titled, “The Downfall of Germany’s Most Powerful Politician”)  and the not unexpected tremendous success of the AfD in the Saxony election; and we address European discussions to withdraw their gold reserves from the unreliable USA.

We address the most recent developments pertaining to Israel; point out the British Army’s monetary shortfalls; contradictory comments by Pope Leo; and AI’s activities which can only be described as Satanic.

Please view our most recent StandingWatch program, titled, “How AI Could Destroy Us All”

Trump’s Beef Deal… More Corruption?

The Hill wrote on September 4:

“President Trump said Friday that tariff-free imported beef will be coming from Brazil and Argentina, among other places, as his administration works to alleviate stubbornly high prices….

“Trump announced last month that the U.S. would be pausing tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of beef for 90 days to be sold at a 25 percent discount below market price. The president said it would lower costs for Americans while allowing for ranchers to build up their herds… The announcement was quickly criticized by the cattle industry and GOP lawmakers who said that lowering prices for Americans shouldn’t come at the cost of U.S. ranchers….

“The White House further defended the decision after a report that a Brazilian billionaire influenced it. The Wall Street Journal reported… that Trump met with Joesley Batista, who shares control of JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, a day before the announcement. Batista and his brother Wesley Batista were fined in 2020 by the Justice Department over charges that they violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by using funds obtained through a bribery scheme to expand operations in the U.S.”

Another White House cooperation with a corrupt businessman.

Unsafe Beef?

Forbes wrote on September 5:

“Brazilian beef exporters, who are usually subject to a 26.4% tariff, recently found themselves with a large backstock of beef after the European Union announced it would no longer accept imports from the country because it wasn’t meeting safety standards around the use of antibiotics…. Ranchers have called for the mandatory country-of-origin labeling on the lower-priced foreign beef entering the country, and are encouraging consumers to look for labels that say the product is American raised.

“… Argentine meat has made headlines after 30,000 pounds was allowed into Texas and Florida without being inspected by U.S. workers. China in August refused to accept a shipment of 22 tons of beef from Argentina because inspectors found evidence of chloramphenicol contamination. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic strictly prohibited in food-producing animals under U.S. standards.

“Look for stickers that say ‘Product of USA’ or ‘Made in the USA.’ Those mean the product comes exclusively from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. Other stickers to look out for will say ‘Born, Raised, and Harvested in the USA’ or ‘American Grassfed Association (AGA) Certified.’ If beef is imported or blended, the country of origin list will appear in small print near the nutrition label or ingredient list. Consumers can also check oval Department of Agriculture inspection stickers for an establishment number, which can be searched online to find the exact facility where the beef was processed.”

This would of course not tell you anything about the origin of the beef you are ordering and consuming at restaurants and fast food places.

Insane Gas Prices

CNN wrote on September 4:

“Americans will likely face the highest Labor Day gas prices on record this holiday weekend. It’s another blow to a ‘drill, baby, drill’ president who campaigned on affordable energy. President Donald Trump’s war with Iran isn’t just driving up prices at the gas pump. Diesel, a crucial fuel at the heart of the modern economy, hit an all-time high Friday. Jet fuel costs have skyrocketed, too, leading airlines to hike airfare and baggage fees while cutting less profitable flights….

“US refiners are running as hard as they can to make up for the loss of refining capacity elsewhere. Venezuela is unlikely to deliver a major increase in oil supplies for many years – perhaps not until 2035... Americans are paying an extra $97 billion since the Iran war started due to higher gas and diesel prices… That amounts to more than $740 per US household….

“Diesel has skyrocketed more than 60% so far this year, leaving it on track for the biggest annual increase on record… Gasoline gets more of the attention because of the consumer impact, but diesel powers trucks, tractors, trains, boats and construction vehicles at the heart of the modern economy.”

We can thank Donald Trump for all of that.

Hegseth’s Lie Detector Tests Backfire

Daily Mail wrote on September 5:

“At least 50 members of staff were subjected to lie detector tests in August to find out who the alleged rats were after multiple news outlets reported that the US military was running low on key weapons stockpiles amid the ongoing war in the Middle East. But that anti-leak mission has seemingly backfired on the White House – as news of the polygraph testing has now ironically leaked to the media...

“The move marks the first time the US has ever issued mass polygraph tests to top brass officials in the military.”

Polygraph tests are unreliable and not admitted in courts.

Europe to Repay US For Ukraine Aid?

The Kyiv Independent wrote on September 4:

“U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Sept. 3 that he will ask European countries to repay Washington for ammunition and military aid given to Ukraine under former President Joe Biden. The demand comes amid Trump’s growing fury with European and NATO countries for their refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran, which has dragged on for six months…. ‘Hundreds of Billions of Dollars was given to Ukraine and NATO, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for… but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly.’

“In the post, Trump also lambasted media reports that the U.S. military was running low on missile stocks due to the war against Iran… ‘we have virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition, far more than we could ever use for this, or for any other War (which is highly unlikely!), that could improbably take place,’ wrote the American Commander-in-Chief. ‌‌‌‌

”Responding to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for more Patriot systems amid a critical air defense shortage…, Trump himself said on Aug. 7 that military aid had depleted U.S. stockpiles. ‘We want missiles too,’ Trump said. ‘Biden gave (Zelensky) $300 billion worth of ammunition.’

“It is not clear where Trump’s ‘$300 billion’ figure comes from — previously, Trump claimed Biden sent Ukraine $500 billion in aid, while Zelensky has said the total is around $100 billion… He has also previously demanded repayment from Ukraine for U.S. aid…

“Under the Trump administration, U.S. aid to Ukraine has ground to a halt, leaving Europe and NATO countries to shoulder the financial burden of supporting Kyiv amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.”

Clearly, Trump is speaking out of both sides of his mouth. It should be obvious that US stockpiles have been heavily depleted. Trump’s naïve assessment that another war with the US is highly unlikely will end up in a rude awakening… and maybe much sooner than many think. And when [not if] that happens, America might not have enough weapons to defend itself, while Americans will not even be willing to do so.

That Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Putin to discuss the war in Ukraine might be another alarming development. One wonders what further concessions the Americans have been willing to make to Putin. Kushner and especially Witkoff have not been good negotiators at all.

Putin Attack Inevitable?

The Sun wrote on September 7:

“A security source has warned that it is ‘inevitable’ that Putin will order retribution on Britain for its continued support of Ukraine.”

PBS wrote on September 8:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin assured U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call Tuesday that Moscow doesn’t harbor aggressive intentions toward Europe… That claim runs counter to European authorities’ versions of recent incidents, such as the German government last week blaming Russia for an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August using a drone laden with explosives.”

One would have to be crazy to believe Putin’s assurances.

No Breakthrough… War to Continue

BBC News reported on September 6:

“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he expects the war with Russia to continue into the winter, following talks with Donald Trump’s top envoys in Kyiv.

The discussions finished without an announcement of a major breakthrough, after Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travelled to Ukraine for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion. The previous day, the pair had held talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow…

“Zelensky emphasised that should the war continue into the winter – ‘which is what it looks like for now’ – Ukraine would need air defence and energy support. Ukraine has relied on American-made Patriot interceptors to combat Russian ballistic missiles, but the US has used many of its stockpiles during its war with Iran.”

…despite Trump’s laughable denial of this apparent fact.

USA No Longer Canada’s Friend?

National Post/MSN wrote on September 6:

“For as long as anyone can remember, Canada and the U.S. have arguably been the world’s closest of allies and friends… But as the trade war initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump drags on, getting uglier every day, a growing number of Canadians have a very different view of America: our ‘enemy.’… a strong plurality of Canadians (41 per cent) consider the U.S. an enemy country…

“More than half (51 per cent) of those 55 or older perceived the U.S. as an enemy, only 13 per cent of whom see it as neutral. Meanwhile, Quebecers were the Canadians most likely (49 per cent) see the U.S. in that light and the least likely to consider it an ally (17 per cent) or neutral (20 per cent), one of several times an ‘exclamation point’ appeared on some Quebec results….”

The relationship between Canada and the USA has never been worse.

USA Is Losing Everywhere!

Hedge Avenue wrote on September 9:

“Last week, in Tiananmen Square, China put on a chilling display of military power. Fighter jets, tanks, AI-guided drones — all paraded under the red flag, in front of Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and more than two dozen world leaders… The world is realigning. China. Russia. India. They’re drawing closer. And Trump’s high-risk trade policies are pushing them into each other’s arms…

“The U.S. is becoming isolated and distrusted… And we’re drowning in debt – $21 billion a day added and growing.  And this Chinese parade – as symbolic as it was strategic – signals that the world may be entering a post-American financial era. One where the dollar no longer dominates… and U.S. influence is no longer guaranteed.

“Foreign alliances are being formed without us… economic blocks are shifting against us… our tariffs are backfiring and capital is fleeing the country… debt is exploding past $37 trillion with no plans to stop it.”

Trump—the Demolition Man

On September 5, Die Welt wrote:

“Donald Trump brings Sylvester Stallone to mind. In the film ‘Demolition Man’, the lawman unhesitatingly tears apart an entire city block. The US President is following a similar path. The difference: he employs political weapons—such as coercion and blackmail—from the outset. Trump treats America’s long-standing friends in Europe, Canada, and East Asia like enemies.

“Security guarantees are being dismantled, troops withdrawn; Trump wants to get his hands on Danish Greenland; he targets Canada as a potential ‘51st state’ and imposes 50 percent tariffs… Yet far more is at stake than mere money—it is a question of who defeats whom on the chessboard of power, very much in the spirit of Lenin… Trump cozies up to Russia, China, and North Korea… In Asia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea fear for their security and the once-reliable pledges made by the US. The same goes for the Europeans. Ukraine is fighting for its life while Trump takes it on a rollercoaster ride…

“He attacks Iran without regard for costs or consequences… The fact that the rest of the world is groaning under skyrocketing energy prices concerns this fantasist as little as the well-being of his own voters… America calls itself the ‘indispensable nation.’ For 80 years, it was. Under the showman Trump, the prospect is not ‘America First,’ but the looming threat of ‘America Alone.’”

A German perspective that is shared by most Germans.

Iceland Summons U.A. Ambassador

NBC News wrote on September 8:

“Iceland summoned the U.S. ambassador on Monday after President Donald Trump posted an image on social media showing the island and other countries covered by the American flag… The map showed the United States, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean covered by the U.S. flag, with the entire landmass labeled ‘United States of America.’ Trump posted the image on his Truth Social platform without explanation….

“Iceland last month voted against reopening E.U. membership talks in a referendum in which Trump’s designs on Greenland had featured as a backdrop.”

Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean should all take Trump to task for his irresponsible and ludicrous postings. Trump also claimed the Strait of Hormuz should be changed to Trump Strait, and the US state of New Mexico should be renamed as New America. And to top it all off, Trump claimed US ownership of the moon. Note the following detailed article, revealing further frightening and highly disconcerting Trump postings.

Trump’s Crazy Postings

MSN reported on September 6:

“President Donald Trump left countless onlookers aghast Sunday after publishing three dozen bizarre online posts in the span of two hours… ‘Something is very wrong with the president,’ wrote Tom Nichols, staff writer for The Atlantic, in a social media post on X Sunday. ‘And yet, still has the codes to our nuclear arsenal and is the single person who can order their use.’

“Among Trump’s bizarre online posts were images that appeared to be generated with artificial intelligence (AI) depicting him in hellish landscapes with threatening messages. One depicts Trump walking in Washington, D.C. alongside an army of robots and soldiers with red glowing eyes, and the message, ‘THEY WILL NEVER SLEEP AGAIN.’ Another depicts Trump sitting atop a black throne amid a hellish and war-torn landscape in front of giant humanoid robots. In another post, Trump suggested renaming the state of New Mexico to ‘New America,’ and in another, redrawing Iran’s borders to mirror the silhouette of Trump’s profile. One post, also likely generated with AI, depicts the destruction of Iran’s Kharg Island with the message, ‘Bye bye, Kharg.’

“Trump also shared an image of the moon that included the text, ‘THE MOON IS OURS,’ alongside an American flag. ‘This is not normal,’ wrote John Jackson, a political commentator… and former trial lawyer…. Trump also shared an AI-generated image depicting himself blowing up the earth, as well as an AI-generated image depicting himself buying stocks in the Oval Office, alongside the admission that he had ‘made Hundreds of Billions of Dollars on Stocks, and Many other type Holdings.’”

Whether this is meant to be serious or in jest, something is VERY WRONG with President Trump! Note the next articles as well.

Trump’s Ongoing Fabrications

The Huffington Post wrote on September 9:

“President Donald Trump on Tuesday raged at New York magazine after the publication questioned his recollection of his experience in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The president apparently took issue with an online story, ‘Trump Tells Weird Lie About Where He Was On 9/11,’ and lashed out by branding the outlet ‘Failing New York Magazine.’

“The article refers to a rambling speech Trump made Tuesday in Washington, D.C., where he reflected on the strength of New York City after the tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001. He offered an anecdote about how he was ‘down there right after this happened’ and that two ‘big, strong’ firefighters ‘lifted him’ to safety as they feared the nearby U.S. Steel Building was also at risk of collapse. In his remarks, Trump also renewed a claim that he took a construction crew with him to Lower Manhattan to help with ground zero clean-up efforts.

“New York magazine questioned Trump’s telling of the story and fact-checked his previous comments about his whereabouts on 9/11 and the days after. Trump did visit the site two days after the attacks, on Sept. 13, and conducted interviews, but many of the details of his claims are contested… New York magazine noted the then-real estate developer was at Trump Tower in Manhattan’s midtown on the day of the attacks — miles away from the twin towers and the U.S. Steel Building… [He contacted local Channel 9 news right after the attack and remarked that he now possessed the tallest building in Manhattan.]

“In his rebuttal Wednesday, Trump said he ‘was there, obviously not on the same day as the collapse, but shortly thereafter,’ and posted a clip in which he spoke to reporters by ground zero after the attacks.”

This reminds us of the fabricated stories President Biden used to tell.

Jens Spahn—the Proverbial Comeback Kid

Merkur wrote on September 5:

“Just weeks after stepping down, Spahn is set to resume a key role within the Union parliamentary group as a member of the powerful Budget Committee… the CDU politician is apparently slated to become the rapporteur for the Foreign Ministry’s budget there. News that is sparking resentment and sharp criticism among the opposition…

“‘Some things are so crazy that I honestly didn’t think they were possible,’ writes Green Party MP Paula Piechotta… ‘He has demonstrated in the past that he lacks a sufficient sense of responsibility when it comes to handling taxpayer money.’ The Green Party’s budget expert is referring to controversial mask purchases made early in the coronavirus pandemic during Spahn’s tenure as Health Minister. Furthermore, a conflict of interest exists: Spahn would be conflicted regarding any ongoing costs associated with the mask deals. The committee not only has the final say on the budget but also oversees the government and sanctions it in cases of misconduct.”

A clear conflict of interest, as he is not going to sanction himself for his misconduct. But in spite of his many scandals and downfalls, he always comes back.

The Saxony-Anhalt Dilemma

Die Tagesschau reported on September 6:

“The AfD has clearly won the state election in Saxony-Anhalt. According to ARD projections… it is polling at 44.0 percent—compared to the 20.8 percent it secured in the 2021 election. The AfD has thus achieved its best-ever result in a state and is set to become the strongest force in the state parliament. Trailing far behind is the CDU… at a historically low 17.4 percent… Projections place the SPD in third place with 9.2 percent… The Greens are at 8.9 percent… Next is the Left Party (‘Die Linke’) with 8.6 percent—its worst result to date in Saxony-Anhalt… The BSW [another left-leaning party] is at 5.1 percent and could, as things stand, enter the state parliament, while the [business-friendly] FDP is projected to fail to meet the threshold for seats with 2.5 percent…

“The AfD’s goal is to govern alone. To do so, the party does not need an absolute majority of the votes, but rather an absolute majority of the seats in the state parliament. Whether it achieves this depends on the number of parties represented in the parliament. As things stand, the AfD is falling short of its goal. No other path to participating in government is open to the AfD. All other parties certain to be represented in the state parliament reject any coalition or cooperation with the party…

“Currently, a coalition of the CDU, SPD, and FDP is governing in Magdeburg. Projections indicate that continuing this alliance is not possible… Should the AfD be unable to govern alone, one option would be a CDU-led minority government that would rely on the Left Party… However, there are strong reservations within the CDU—which has a formal resolution prohibiting cooperation with both the AfD and the Left Party—regarding this model… According to the state constitution, the new state parliament must [convene] no later than the 30th day after the election—that is, on October 6.”

Bild Online wrote on September 6:

“The expected political bombshell from the Right in the East has arrived! The decisive factor: the hostile mood in Saxony-Anhalt—against (almost) everything! Against Chancellor Merz… Against public service broadcasting. Against foreigners. Against transatlantic values. And even against West Germans…

“CDU Minister-President Schulze’s election campaign was disappointing. Lackluster, timid, and completely devoid of edge—Schulze came across as utterly colorless! In contrast, AfD lead candidate Siegmund mobilized the masses and clearly struck a chord with the people… The fact is: this electoral shockwave from the East will send significant ripples through Berlin. Tough times lie ahead for the black-red governing coalition.”

When Germans become hostile and angry…beware!

The World’s Reactions to the AfD Victory

Politico wrote on September 7:

“Tech billionaire Elon Musk applauded the German far right’s win in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, a result that sent shockwaves through the country’s political establishment and around Europe… Musk has championed the AfD for years, including during Germany’s 2025 federal election campaign…

“Italy’s right-wing Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini congratulated his ‘friend’ [Alice] Weidel… Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl said voters had torn down the political ‘firewall’ around the AfD, while Spain’s Vox leader Santiago Abascal wrote on X that the result was ‘a great hope for Germany and Europe.’ Hard-right Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe called the AfD ‘an inspiration.’ Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders also congratulated the party…

“While Musk and Europe’s right rejoiced, centrist and left-wing heavyweights around the continent sounded the alarm. French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs slammed the AfD as a ‘neo-Nazi, anti-European, pro-Putin’ political force whose program is ‘a betrayal of the European spirit’…

“Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the result as ‘a warning that the ultra-threat is gaining ground in Europe and the world’… Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X that ‘only idiots or traitors’ in Poland could celebrate the result. French Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad called it ‘a grave moment in Europe,’ warning that ‘nationalism and xenophobia will never be a solution.’”

According to Die Welt, dated September 4, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) demanded the prohibition of the AfD. CSU leader Markus Soeder disagreed with Pistorius’ viewpoint. Reuters reported on September 9 that “US President Donald Trump hails what he calls a ‘really big’ victory by Germany’s far-right movement.” He closed the post with a call to “MGGA!!!” or “Make Germany Great Again.” Despite his party’s terrible defeat, Chancellor Merz stated that he would stay in office.

“Established” Parties Remain Asleep

On September 9, Bild Online published the following commentary by Marcel Sacha:

“Anyone who thought the parties of the so-called ‘political center’ had finally woken up after the election debacle in Saxony-Anhalt was bitterly disappointed on Wednesday. A spirit of renewal? New concepts? A genuine will to reform? A different approach to dealing with the AfD? All were missing. Instead, the same old game played out in the Bundestag as it has for years: once again, everyone focused almost exclusively on attacking the AfD.

“Starting with the Chancellor: Friedrich Merz reacted to their 44 percent victory in Saxony-Anhalt with the counter-argument—offered in all seriousness—that ’56 percent did not vote for you.’ A reminder: 83 percent of voters did not vote for his CDU—which polled 17 percent—last Sunday… Furthermore, the speakers from the other parties offered almost nothing but the same old anti-AfD platitudes…

“The sad part is that, once again, hardly any politicians from the Black-Red camp presented new concepts or ideas… The established parties obviously still haven’t grasped the fact that AfD-bashing won’t win back a single voter… Or to put it another way: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.”

Bild Online added on September 9:

“The AfD is leading by a huge margin in East Germany… Nationwide, too, the AfD remains on a record-breaking trajectory.

“Why do AfD supporters vote for the party? For the largest group, the answer is clear: 34 percent say the deciding factor is the conviction that the AfD best represents the ‘interests of the German people.’ 22 percent cite dissatisfaction with the political system as a whole as their primary motive. Another 21 percent point to dissatisfaction with the federal government…

“Who do Germans trust to solve the problems? On this question, the AfD is narrowly in the lead with 13 percent. But the real bombshell lies in another figure: 55 percent do not trust any party to be best at solving Germany’s problems.”

And the Germans are right about that. NO party can provide real solutions.

Europe Withdraws Gold Reserves from the U.S.

Bild Online reported on September 5:

“Are the gold reserves of foreign nations stored in the U.S. still safe under U.S. President Donald Trump? The debate has been simmering for months, particularly in Europe. Now comes a bombshell: The Dutch central bank (DNB) announced that it has moved 86 tons of its gold reserves—previously held in vaults in New York and Ottawa—to London. Consequently, only 18.5 percent of the total Dutch ‘gold hoard,’ valued at around 75 billion euros, remains stored in the U.S….

“Princeton visiting professor Steven Strauss… argued that for decades, European nations had relied on the U.S. reputation as a ‘guarantor of the rule of law, property rights, and financial stability’ when storing their gold. Today, however, he increasingly views Trump’s America as a ‘rogue superpower’—a major power acting with less predictability and reliability….

“The debate is simmering in Germany as well. A total of 1,236 tons of German gold—currently valued at around 152 billion euros—remains stored in the Federal Reserve’s vault in Lower Manhattan, 24 meters underground… The Taxpayers’ Association, in particular, is applying pressure. ‘The Netherlands has proven with its actions that where there’s a will, there’s a way; we have long demanded that the gold belonging to the taxpayers be brought back to Germany,’ Vice President Michael Jäger told BILD. It continues: ‘The clock is ticking; the risk in the USA is rising by the day…’

“In addition to the Netherlands, other EU states have also transferred gold holdings from the USA to Europe. France sold off its entire stock of 129 tons held in New York and repurchased the same amount in Europe… The situation is most critical in Italy. Of all major EU nations, it holds the largest share of its gold reserves—43.3 percent—in the USA: 1,061.5 tons worth around 130 billion euros. One thing is clear: the Dutch move is now increasing the pressure, particularly on Germany and Italy, to reconsider storing their multi-billion-euro treasures in America.”

Europe’s trust in America’s reliability is completely gone.

Funding Shortfalls Hit British Armed Forces

United24 Media wrote on September 4:

“The British Armed Forces have suspended military exercises involving 90 or more personnel due to budget constraints at the Ministry of Defense, according to a report by The Sun. Units were instructed to stop collective training with immediate effect unless they are getting ready for deployment on active operations, leaving many troops with little to do…

“The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have also been instructed to scale back training activities to save funds…”

Everyone is running out of money. Wars are not inexpensive.

“Britain Works Against Israel”

CNBC wrote on September 9:

“Britain’s foreign secretary Ed Miliband announced on Tuesday that Britain would ban imports from Israeli settlements built on the West Bank, adding that the U.K. government’s official view is that the ‘occupation [of the West Bank] is unlawful.’

“The move prompted an accusation from Israel that the British government was ‘systematically working against’ the country, and a ban on 12 U.K. lawmakers entering Israel. Britain has also been told to close its consulate in east Jerusalem within 30 days…”

France and Canada also announced sanctions on Israeli settlements on Tuesday.

Was Netanyahu Warned?

Mediaite wrote on September 8:

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was personally and explicitly warned that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a major attack roughly 10 days before the October 7 massacre, but dismissed the threat and did not alert his security chiefs, according to a shocking new Haaretz report…

“United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan raised the alarm directly with Netanyahu during a 45-minute conversation… and reportedly warned that Sinwar was preparing a major operation. Netanyahu reportedly responded that he believed Hamas intended to operate in the West Bank and assured the Emirati leader that Israel was prepared for any scenario… Haaretz also reported that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel separately contacted Netanyahu around the same period to warn that Hamas was planning ‘something unusual, a terrifying operation.’ The prime minister, however, insisted again that Israel was in control and reportedly mentioned neither call during an October 1 security discussion about Hamas and Gaza. The Prime Minister’s Office categorically denied the central allegation…”

It has been claimed before that Netanyahu had been warned, but did not react.

Kushner Blames Israeli Elections

CBS News reported on September 7:

“President Trump’s special envoy Jared Kushner directly linked the lack of progress on the rehabilitation of the war-torn Gaza Strip to upcoming Israeli elections. Israel will hold elections in late October, and polls show it is a tight race between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents… ‘They just have a crazy election, and that makes them a little irrational in certain regards.’

“Kushner’s remarks are a rare and candid criticism of Netanyahu’s government by a senior Trump administration official over the conservative Israeli leader’s Gaza policy…. U.S. efforts to advance plans to disarm Gaza militant group Hamas and open the way for investment into rebuilding the devastated Palestinian enclave have stalled amid disagreements with Israel and Hamas about the proposed roadmap. Kushner… did not elaborate on how the Israeli government is impeding the Gaza peace plan.”

Kushner has not been successful as a negotiator.  NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel asked directly why his lacking track record should inspire ‘any confidence’ in his abilities to negotiate an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” Engel also said, “You were involved in the Gaza negotiations, but Gaza remains a wasteland… Iran, you were involved in those negotiations. The war is still going on…  You’ve been involved in several rounds of negotiations in this conflict. It’s only getting more intense. So you’re relaunching negotiations now. What’s the likelihood they will succeed, when other negotiations you’ve been involved in have not?”

Kushner responded defensively, but without real clarity. He and Steve Witkoff [viewed as highly incompetent by many Europeans] have been failures, putting it mildly.

The Third Temple—Far-Fetched?

Israel365News wrote on September 7:

“Zehut chairman Moshe Feiglin… signed a joint Knesset list with Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich, taking the No. 2 slot ahead of the October 27 election… Asked how the mosque on the Temple Mount would ever open up to make room for the Temple, Feiglin [answered]:

“‘The Zehut party will not build the Third Temple. Am Yisrael [the nation of Israel] will build the Third Temple. The Third Temple will not be built by some accidental majority, at midnight, in some Knesset committee. Am Yisrael will build it because an entirely new consciousness will descend and envelop all of us. I believe the Third Temple will be built ish echad b’lev echad — as one man, with one heart — when we all want it. This will no longer be a partisan matter…

“‘What about the mosque? I believe the Arabs will vacate it… I believe we will reach a point where the entire world will want to see the Temple built. In the consciousness we’re in right now, this sounds far-fetched, impossible. But we’ve seen how quickly things can change. Why will it happen? Because it is written in the Torah — just as it was written in the Torah — that we would return to our land after nearly two thousand years, and that was the most far-fetched thing in the world. The most far-fetched thing in the world, far more so than building the Temple. And that came true too. That came true too.’”

Shortsighted and Contradictory Pope

Life Site News wrote on September 3:

“Pope Leo XIV opened this week’s Wednesday General Audience by citing Pope John XXIII’s warning against the so-called ‘prophets of doom’ who believe our current time is worse than previous generations…

“Despite the pontiff endorsing his predecessor’s words, he has repeatedly suggested that our modern age is the worst it has been for the environment, noting his belief that the ‘world is burning’ due to ‘global warming.’”

There can be no doubt that the current time is much worse than previous generations… with the exception of the time during the days of Noah. Christ said so, and if He were not to return in our generation, no flesh would be saved alive… and we are NOT talking about global warming.

Another Stupid US Supreme Court Decision

The Huffington Post wrote on September 9:

“The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a Roman Catholic mother’s request to send her 5-year-old son to school in New York without him receiving state-required vaccines under the argument of religious exemption. The court on Tuesday issued a one-line order denying the woman’s emergency appeal ahead of the new school year.

“Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch said they would have granted the request. In 2019, New York eliminated its religious exemption to school vaccination requirements.”

At least there were, in this case, two sensible justices on the Supreme Court.

The Curse of AI

MSN/RNS wrote on September 6:

“[Elderly East Asian monk] Yang Mun… has more than 2.5 million followers on Instagram, where his videos draw millions of views and comments from people thanking him for his advice. His website describes him as a teacher of traditional Eastern wisdom. But the monk does not exist. Mun was generated using artificial intelligence…

“Yang Mun is not alone, Rabbi Goldman, an AI-generated Orthodox rabbi who dabbled in conspiracy theories, amassed more than 1.5 million Instagram followers before his account was removed.  Father Justin, created as an AI Catholic priest, answered questions about faith…”

Satan’s tool no doubt…

AI Could Kill Us All

AFP wrote on September 9:

“An artificial intelligence researcher who left OpenAI to join Anthropic has decided to leave the industry, accusing both US companies of ‘gambling with our lives’ in the race to develop AI models capable of self-improvement… ‘The people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade,’ he said in a post on X…. Superintelligence is the theoretical point when AI’s capabilities exceed human intelligence…. ‘Anthropic… does not yet have a plan to ensure an AI system that surpasses human capabilities would obey its creators.’”

For further information, please view our most recent StandingWatch program, titled, “How AI Could Destroy Us All.”

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.

Wars, crises, fear everywhere – can there even be true peace in such a world? And what distinguishes the peace this world promises from the peace that only God can grant?

When we look at the world around us, it’s sometimes hard to even talk about peace. Almost every day we hear about wars, conflicts, terrorism, economic hardship, political tensions, and societal crises. At the same time, many people are struggling with their own personal burdens, such as worries about their families, health problems, financial difficulties, or fear of an uncertain future. It appears the world is becoming increasingly turbulent.

Against this backdrop, many ask an important question: Can there even be true peace in such a world?

The Bible answers this question with a clear “yes”. However, we first need to understand what true peace actually is.

Many people picture peace as the absence of problems. To them, peace means that everything is going well, that no difficulties arise, and that the future seems secure.

As long as circumstances are favorable, they are at ease. But as soon as a crisis occurs, this peace is shaken. It depends on circumstances that can change at any moment.

The peace of God is unlike this. It does not come about through the disappearance of all problems. It comes through trust in God. This trust is not simply an achievement we accomplish on our own. The Bible describes peace as part of the fruit of the Spirit of God at work within us (compare Galatians 5:22). In other words, when we entrust our lives to God, He allows His peace to grow within us.

To understand this, we must first recognize why the world is how it is in the first place.

Many people assume that God rules the world today in a direct and immediate way and that everything that happens on earth is an expression of His Will. The Bible, however, presents a more comprehensive picture.

God is the Creator of the universe. He possesses all power, and ultimately everything belongs to Him. Yet the present world is not governed according to His standards. The Bible describes Satan as the one who deceives the whole world and as the “god of this world” (Authorized Version). That is why we see the consequences of human self-determination and mismanagement everywhere – wars, hatred, injustice, corruption, violence, and confusion.

If the true God already ruled the world today, there would be no wars, no oppression of the weak, and no political lust for power. Instead, the conditions we experience today reflect a humanity that goes its own way and absolutely rejects God’s Way.

History confirms this time and again. Humans have made impressive technological advances; there is no question of that. They went to the moon, fought diseases, and brought about tremendous developments – but these also include negative developments. They have not solved the fundamental problem: They have not created lasting peace, nor are they capable of doing so.

Why not?

Because the real problem cannot be found solely in political systems, economic models, or a lack of education. The problem runs deeper. It lies in the human heart. As long as pride, envy, selfishness, greed, and the pursuit of power control people, the problems of this world will persist. That is why we do not believe that the ultimate solution will come through human efforts.

But before we can speak of this necessary inward, tangible peace, we must take a step back. The Bible shows us that humanity is separated from God. This means that before we can experience the peace of God in our daily lives, we must first be at peace with God Himself. Everything else builds upon this.

Humanity needs more than just better ideas. It needs God’s guidance. This is precisely where the difference between the peace of the world and the peace of God begins. The peace of the world says, “I have peace when everything is going well.” The peace of God says, “I have peace because I trust in God, even when not everything is going well.”

Jesus Christ made this distinction clear when He said to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you…” (John 14:27).

The prophet Isaiah summed up the same idea centuries earlier. The New King James Bible translates it particularly clearly: “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” God grants perfect peace to the one who sets his thoughts (his mind and his heart) on God and trusts in Him.

Jesus spoke of God’s peace shortly before His suffering and death. His situation was anything but peaceful. Yet, He spoke of peace. It is indeed difficult to imagine this when facing death.

But the peace He spoke of did not depend on external circumstances. He trusted completely in His Father – our Father. We see the same principle in many biblical role models.

Abraham left his homeland without knowing exactly where God would lead him. Joseph was betrayed and sold into slavery. Daniel lived under a foreign government. The apostles were persecuted and harassed.

None of them led a trouble-free life. Just as we, too, do not lead trouble-free lives. Nevertheless, they did not lose hope, because their trust did not depend on their circumstances, but was rooted in God the Father.

Perhaps the example of Jesus and His disciples on the Sea of Galilee illustrates this idea best. As a violent storm raged, the disciples were in a panic. They saw only the waves, the wind, and the danger that came with them. Jesus, on the other hand, remained calm. The storm was the same for everyone. The boat was the same. The danger was the same. The difference, however, was their trust.

It is the same today. We all experience storms. Some affect our health; others, our family, our work, or our plans for the future. The crucial question is not whether we will experience storms. The crucial question is what or whom we trust, when they come.

But how do we trust God in the midst of a storm? The Bible gives us very practical guidance on this. Paul writes: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Trust is not a feeling we have to somehow find within ourselves. It is a conscious decision to bring our worries before God instead of carrying them around on our own.

As Christians, we do not ignore the problems of this world. We do not turn a blind eye to the news. We know that the world is facing difficult times. But we view these developments from a different perspective. We know that the chaos of this world is not the end of the story.

Our hope does not depend on politics, the economy, or human institutions. Our hope lies in the Kingdom of God.

The Bible promises the Return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of a reign of justice on earth and over the earth. For the first time in history, the world will then be governed, guided, and ruled according to God’s standards. War will no longer be taught. Justice will not depend on power or money. The causes of suffering, hatred, and oppression will be eliminated.

That is why we can have peace even today. Not because the world has become peaceful – by no means. Not because all problems have been solved. But because we know that God is carrying out His plan and that His Kingdom will come.

True peace does not come from the security of this world. It comes from the certainty that God is in control of the future. That is why the real answer to the question in this Q&A is: 

Yes, peace can be found in a chaotic world. But this peace does not come from the world getting better before Christ’s Return, because it won’t. It comes from trusting God more than the circumstances around us.

The peace of the world waits for the storm to pass. The peace of God gives us the strength to stand firm in the midst of the storm.

Lead Writer: Christoph Sperzel (Germany)

(Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger)

Compiled by Norbert Link

“How AI Could Destroy Us All” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link.

Here is the summary: 

Most are not aware of the incredible demonic influence and catastrophic abilities which AI already possesses. This program goes into many details and will shock you. We are dealing with a power beyond human control… which could wipe all of us out.

“Wie KI uns alle vernichten könnte” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

The flyers for our Feast sites in Germany and Utah have been posted and are being printed. https://www.eternalgod.org/feasts/ and https://www.ewigengottes.de/wir-uber-uns/laubhuttenfest-2026/ 

Daniel Blasinger’s sermonette has been posted, titled, “Blameless.” 

Here is a summary:

When Michelangelo sculpted David, he could already see the finished masterpiece in his mind’s eye, even though he still had only a rough block of marble before him. And in exactly the same way, God already sees us today in the perfection we will attain if we remain faithful to His path until the end. He sees us just as a loving father sees his children, and we can and must make His perspective our own.

Norbert Link’s sermon has been posted, titled, “Waiting for God.” 

Here is a summary:

Sometimes it may seem as though God does not hear our prayers or is unwilling to answer them. This is especially true in cases where people have been ill or facing other problems for a long time, yet—despite initial prayers—no healing or change has occurred. Some people slowly but surely resign themselves to their condition and circumstances; they come to believe that this is their fate and that God simply will not heal them or alter their situation in this day and age. This dangerous misconception can deprive us of God’s blessings.

Norbert Link’s sermon for the Feast of Trumpets has been posted. It is titled, “Das Posaunenfest—warum ein Tag der Freude?” (“The Feast of Trumpets–Why a Day of Joy?”)

Robert Muhr’s German sermonette has been posted, titled “Checkliste für Ihr bestes Fest aller Zeiten“ (“Checklist for Your Best Feast of All Times”)

Thilo Hanstein’s German sermon has been posted, titled, “Disziplin oder Toleranz” (“Discipline or Tolerance”) 

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”). 

On August 29, 2026, Eric Rank will give the first split sermon, titled, “Foundation of Values”and Daniel Blasinger will give the second split sermon, titled, “Laodicea 2.0.”

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.

In our Q&A on 8^th July 2022, entitled “What is the Definition of a Woman?,” we discussed this matter after a female nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court couldn’t define what a woman is during her confirmation hearings.   In short, we showed that it was as simple as an adult female.  Even the UK Prime Minister had a problem with the simple definition, no doubt brought about by political correctness rather than ignorance.

Another example is that of marriage. God says quite simply: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”   They were told to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 2:24). Therefore, a family is a man and a woman and their children. End of story you would think, but not in a more “enlightened” society. 

I was reminded of all of this nonsense recently when I read a report about two female lesbian English cricketers. They both had represented their country at the international level with great success, had “married” a few years ago and had a son in 2025.  The one who had recently retired from cricket had the baby and her “wife” was still a full-time professional cricketer. As she was the wife, the one who had the baby was the “husband.“  However, a husband is always a man in God’s eyes and we know that a man cannot give birth in a normal union of husband and wife. Also, there have to be three people in such a “marriage” of two lesbians as a sperm donor is always required. The simple definition of husband and wife in a marriage goes out the window when perverted lifestyles are adopted.

For those of us who believe in God should not have the problems that non-believers have in terms of definitions.   

But for non-believers, they have to make up their own definitions because they refuse to allow God and His Way into their lives.   

We have quoted this before, but it is worth mentioning again. In November 2009, Desert News in Salt Lake City, USA, stated that “America’s struggles to define marriage are all over the map.   It’s more than just differences from California to Connecticut and from Idaho to Iowa — it’s also how those definitions continue to be refined across the country.  Marriage definitions have been crafted or confirmed in courts, legislatures and voting booths. And in some cases, those definitions have been reversed in a matter of months.  With the exception of the Defense of Marriage Act passed a dozen years ago by the United States Congress, the definition of marriage — either the traditional union of a man and a woman or the more recent allowance of uniting same-sex couples — is an issue left for each state to answer for itself.”   

Of course, since this was written, matters have progressed at an alarming rate in the wrong direction.

Since that time, there have been many other people who have tried to define marriage simply because they won’t accept the biblical definition, thinking that they know better. But they don’t! 

And so, man will make up the definitions himself, and unless they are in conformity with the Word of God, they will always be wrong.

In short, God simplifies, but man complicates and is so often wrong when he does.  God is never wrong.

Having come up with their own definitions, what are the fruits of these definitions when implemented in reality? We only have to look at society today to see what a mess it all is. If only man would accept that God knows best and accept His definitions, much heartache, anguish and trouble would be saved. In short, it reminds me of the song “I Did It My Way”. But we should do it God’s Way, and the results would be much better and longer-lasting. However, man who has no intention of going God’s Way at this time, will do so in the Millennium when the “knowledge of the LORD” shall be as “the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9; compare Habakkuk 2:14). Then they will all realize that God had, quite simply, the best definitions because they all worked!

By Norbert Link

We begin with frightening developments and occurrences in Germany, especially regarding AfD’s convoluted plans and Germany’s most dangerous school; and we continue with Putin’s sinister scheme against NATO. Please view in this regard our StandingWatch program, titled, “Will Putin Attack NATO?” We also speak on Ukraine’s attacks on Russia with alleged British weapons and support and Russia’s response in pulling its ambassador out of Britain.

We address National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s terrible demands; the position of Israel pertaining to a Palestinian state; and Israel’s volatile and deteriorating relationship with Turkey.

Focusing on the United States, we address America’s unprecedented horrendous national debt; Trump’s attempt to court North Korea about which South Korea is extremity unhappy; the US Pentagon’s firing of the Stars and Stripes Editor in Chief; the beginning of a new trade war between Canada and the USA; the Supreme Court’s controversial decision to give green light for Trump’s ballroom; and a thought-provoking article about the downfall of the United States.

We conclude with another example of Catholic idolatry and blasphemy.

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

Is the Gestapo of a Police State Coming?

tkp wrote on August 16:

“On Wednesday, the German cabinet passed a 700-page legislative package that massively expands the powers of the domestic intelligence agency (Office for the Protection of the Constitution) and the Federal Intelligence Service (BND)… Artificial intelligence is to analyze vast amounts of data—including footage from public and private video surveillance. Data retention periods are being extended, and controversial methods such as online searches, surveillance of private homes, and the creation of movement profiles are being expanded…

“The Society for Civil Rights (GFF) considers large parts of the package to be unconstitutional… The strict separation between the police and intelligence agencies was enforced by the Allies after World War II to prevent a recurrence of the Gestapo… The article argues that the abolition of this separation is directly linked to Germany’s return to an imperialist war policy: hundreds of billions of euros in additional military spending, the reintroduction of conscription, and the creation of a society ‘ready for war’ require a police state…

“There is reportedly no serious opposition among the parties in the Bundestag… WSWS author Peter Schwarz views the legislative package… as the deliberate preparation for a police state intended to suppress growing domestic opposition to rearmament and social cutbacks—with the tacit or open support of all parties in the Bundestag.”

These are dangerous developments, but they are prophesied to occur.

Calls For Spahn’s Complete Departure

Bild Online wrote on August 21:

“Pressure is mounting on Jens Spahn in his political home region: following his resignation as leader of the Union parliamentary group and his decision to step down as district chairman, some CDU officials are now openly demanding that he also relinquish his seat in the Bundestag.

‘Accusations of double standards have been raised; at the grassroots level, there is talk of anger, outrage, and party members leaving.’”

But observers feel that Spahn’s future is anything but certain.

Jewish Community Compares AfD to NSDAP

t-online reported on August 22:

“Shortly before several elections in East Germany, Reinhard Schramm, chairman of the Jewish community in Thuringia, has issued a warning regarding the AfD. Drawing a comparison with the NSDAP highlights parallels in the rise of both parties, Schramm wrote in a guest commentary for the Thüringische Landeszeitung newspaper. By downplaying Nazi crimes and attacking Germany’s culture of remembrance, the AfD is facilitating its own gradual ascent to power, Schramm argued. Eyewitnesses to Nazi terror are watching ‘with fear the development of today’s increasingly right-wing extremist AfD.’

“Charlotte Knobloch, a Holocaust survivor and former president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, had previously drawn this comparison in Stern magazine. ‘The NSDAP, too, started small and tested the limits of what was possible,’ she said. That is exactly what is happening with the AfD. ‘In many areas, I no longer see any difference between it and the NSDAP before it came to power.’ She noted that she had witnessed many terrible parties—the NPD, the Republicans, the DVU—but none had been as dangerous as the AfD.”

NSDAP stands for Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, which translates from German as the National Socialist German Workers’ Party. It was the official name of the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, which ruled Germany as a fascist dictatorship from 1933 to 1945.The similarities between the rise of the NSDAP and the AfD are obvious.

The AfD’s Short-Sighted Plans

t-online wrote on August 23:

“AfD leader Alice Weidel … predicted that the CDU would ‘never win another federal election’… In opinion polls, the AfD is leading the CDU and CSU by up to eight percentage points nationwide. The situation was exactly the reverse for the 2025 federal election. In states like Saxony-Anhalt, where elections are taking place in September, the gap between the AfD and the Union is even wider…

“The AfD politician reaffirmed her party’s intention—should it take power—to withdraw from the euro and from the Schengen Agreement, which provides for the principle of border-control-free movement across internal borders…”

On closer inspection, these are all plans that run counter to prophecy. The AfD would not succeed with them… at least not in the long run. Yet the AfD’s views and plans are constantly changing… much like the proverbial chameleon. Whether a charismatic political and military leader (a male) will arise out of the AfD or from somewhere else will remain to be seen.

The Most Dangerous School in Germany

Daily Mail wrote on August 23:

“A German school whose student body is made up almost entirely of migrants has been dubbed ‘the most dangerous in the country’. Karolina-Burger-Realschule, a secondary in the south-western state of Rhineland-Palatinate, has been at the centre of a national frenzy over the country’s relationship with migrants. 

“Around 90 per cent of the roughly 760 pupils there are migrants, while roughly 40 per cent of the residents in the town it is based in, Ludwigshafen, are also non-German… The school regularly sees brutal fights between students, wanton destruction of property and violent threats against teachers… The ongoing chaos is so bad that parents are desperate to pull their children out… Teachers at Karolina-Burger have been calling in sick to avoid the chaos. German newspaper Der Spiegel reported that a third of the school’s 53 teachers called in sick last week.”

And why is nothing done about this?

Putin’s Sinister Scheme

The Telegraph wrote on August 23:

“Russia has launched a fresh wave of attacks on European armaments factories under the guise of plausible deniability… The Kremlin is recruiting local gang members to sabotage defence manufacturers to test Nato’s resolve. The attacks appear carefully calculated to fall just short of triggering Article 5…

“This week, Latvia detained three of its own nationals on suspicion of an arson attack against a drone manufacturer in neighbouring Estonia. A building belonging to Milrem Robotics, a Tallinn-based firm that supplies weapons to Ukraine, was set ablaze on Aug 1…

“Since Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 there has been a steady stream of unexplained attacks across Europe. As well as the Estonian arson incident, there have been explosions at major arms manufacturers in Italy and Bulgaria this month alone. Earlier this year, a fire almost destroyed a Czech plant making drones and thermal optics for Ukraine…

“On August 10, a major explosion ripped through a plant belonging to EMCO, one of Bulgaria’s largest private arms manufacturers, which produces 155mm artillery ammunition for Ukraine… Three days later a similar blast rocked a munitions factory operated by KNDS Ammo Italy in Colleferro on the outskirts of Rome…

“Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency, known for its attacks on foreign soil using highly trained agents… cultivate sources within criminal gangs to act as intermediaries in the targeted country using online messaging apps such as Telegram. These middlemen then dish out tasks to local recruits, who are paid in cryptocurrency and often never know they are working for Russia…

“Italy and Germany… are often unwilling [to] blame Moscow over fears of an escalation… With each attack that goes unpunished, the Russians are gathering their own useful intelligence on just how far they can push Nato’s boundaries… With Putin preparing Russia to use force against Nato ‘within five years’, according to Mr Rutte, Western officials see this hybrid attack as a potential precursor…”

It sounds like being taken from Putin’s well-known playbook. And a Russian attack on NATO within the next five years sounds overly optimistic. Such an attack could happen much earlier.

Moscow Pulls Ambassador Out of Britain

Daily Mail wrote on August 21:

“More than 300 workers were urgently evacuated today at a Russian Amazon logistics hub as it was hit in a Ukrainian drone attack. It was the second Ozon online marketplace struck in two days as Vladimir Putin admitted Kyiv was damaging his economy with its latest onslaught…

“Meanwhile, Moscow has pulled its ambassador out of Britain after Putin claimed the concerted strikes on so-called ‘Russian Amazon’ Ozon and Wildberries facilities were helped on by ‘Western handlers’ like the UK…  diplomatic relations have effectively been downgraded between the two countries and fears have arisen of a total breakdown of communications between Moscow and London.

“Relations between the UK and Russia took a dive last week after it emerged that British drones had been used by Ukraine to strike targets deep in the Russian mainland, prompting the embassy to threaten ‘consequences’.”

Poland Braces For War With Russia

Fox News wrote on August 19:

“Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said his country is actively preparing for the possibility of conflict… A European diplomat… backed Tomczyk and said Poland sees a pattern of escalating Russian pressure on multiple fronts… The diplomat pointed to what they described as Russian disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, sabotage efforts and repeated tests of Poland’s air defenses, as well as increasingly frequent nuclear rhetoric from Russian officials and propagandists.

“‘Altogether, it shows quite clearly that if Russia or Belarus saw any chance to attack Poland to destroy an obstacle to restoring the Soviet or Tsarist Russian empire in Eastern Europe, they would do it without hesitation,’ the diplomat said…. ‘But they — at least the imperialists who are the foundation of the Putin administration — would like to turn Poland, the Baltics and, of course, Ukraine back into their colonial part of Europe.’”

This assessment is right… once Russia gets the chance.

Ben-Gvir’s Ongoing Inhuman Demands

Israel 365 News wrote on August 20:

“National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced this week the start of construction on a dedicated execution facility for Palestinians sentenced to death under Israel’s new death penalty law, days after his comments calling for Israel to kill ‘30 to 40’ Gazans nightly drew condemnation from Germany… The facility will include a dedicated wing for prisoners sentenced to death, with gallows at its center, and observation booths allowing victims and their families to witness executions…

“Referring to a woman who had brought Braslavski food during his captivity, Ben-Gvir said she ‘needs a bullet in the head..’… German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ‘strongly condemns the inhumane remarks made by Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’ a German government spokesperson said Wednesday.”

The remarks are indeed a terrible testimony to man’s cruelty.

No Palestinian State

Washington Jewish Week wrote on August 20:

“In a meeting on Monday with Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law who advises the president on Middle East subjects, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made very clear, and in no uncertain terms, that he is against a Palestinian state…

“The discussions come as implementation of Trump’s 20-point plan remains stalled over the issue of Hamas’s disarmament. The Jewish state has maintained that the terror group must disarm fully before Israeli forces withdraw and large-scale reconstruction can begin…”

Kushner has not been a successful negotiator.

Turkey Crossed a Red Line

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 20:

“Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter told The Jerusalem Post that Israel had received clear intelligence indicating that Turkey intended to significantly expand its military presence in Syria, a move Jerusalem viewed as crossing a red line… His comments came following Israel’s strike in Syria and subsequent criticism from both the Syrian and Turkish governments…

“‘It is clear to us that the Syrians do not want a confrontation with us,’ he said. ‘That is why we are telling the Turks not to create conflicts. There is more than one indication that the move planned by Turkey was imposed on the Syrians.’ … Leiter said the apparent disconnect was also evident in conflicting Turkish and Syrian statements following the strike. ‘While Syrian Foreign Minister Shaibani acknowledged that there had been a Turkish delegation in Syria several days before the strike, the Turks denied it.’”

PBS wrote on August 21:

“The Israeli military bombed an airbase in Syria, far from the Israeli border, sparking condemnation… from… the Trump administration. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack accused Israel of an ‘unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability.’”

Turkey Issues Another Arrest Warrant Against Netanyahu

The Times of Israel wrote on August 21:

“Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government on Friday issued another arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid spiking the two countries over an Israeli strike in Syria… Turkey’s Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said on X that his ministry had asked the interior ministry to issue Interpol red notice alerts for Netanyahu… A red notice is a request to police forces worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition…

“The Israeli statement reiterated past accusations by Jerusalem against Erdogan, calling him ‘an antisemitic dictator who has massacred Kurds, harbors Hamas terrorists, occupies half of Cyprus, and jails record numbers of journalists and politicians who oppose him.’..

“The Turkish announcement was the latest sign of the collapse of Israeli-Turkish relations since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack and subsequent Gaza war. Turkey has hosted Hamas leaders, and Erdogan has praised the terror group and castigated Israel, ending trade and direct flights between the countries.”

To our knowledge, there is no arrest warrant for the antisemitic warmonger and mass murderer Erdogan.

Unprecedented National Debt

ABC News wrote on August 20:

“The United States’ gross national debt surpassed $40 trillion this week for the first time, meaning the nation’s financial hole has doubled in size in less than a decade…

“It’s been more than 20 years since the federal government’s last budget surplus, which occurred in 2001. Every year since then, the U.S. has spent more money than it has brought in, deepening the nation’s debt…”

Such irresponsible and incompetent corrupt conduct!

Trump Courts North Korea, While South Korea Fears for the Worst

npr wrote on August 21:

“President Trump posted on social media on Monday that he had ordered the drills [with South Korea] shortened because he thinks they are costly and send a hostile message to North Korea. He later said that he had reached out to Kim for a meeting and received a positive response. [Kim Jong Un’s sister] Kim Yo Jong, however, dismissed what appeared to be Trump’s latest overture. 

“Trump’s curtailing of the military drills has fueled South Korea’s unease about the future of the alliance with the U.S… South Koreans have been shocked by this week’s events, which have heightened their fears of being sidelined during a Trump-Kim summit. They fear that in order to seal a deal with Kim, Trump could withdraw U.S. troops from South Korea and lift economic sanctions on the North, while leaving their nuclear arms in place…

“But for Trump, Seoul has fallen short on his demands. In the same social media post on Monday, Trump also complained that South Korea had declined his request to join the U.S. in its operations against Iran.”

South Korea has every reason to be concerned about Trump’s conduct.

Pentagon Fires Stars and Stripes Editor-in-Chief and Others

Deutsche Welle wrote on August 22:

“The US Pentagon has sacked the editor, publisher and a reporter of military newspaper Stars and Stripes after they publicly objected to potential editorial interference, they said on Friday. The newspaper, which has been publishing since World War II, is partially funded by the Defense Department but has remained editorially independent. ‘According to the notice, I am being fired ‌for stating in ⁠a CBS ⁠interview that hypothetical censorship of news for service members would constitute a personal red line,’ Stars and Stripes Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin said in a statement on Friday. Slavin received a notice of separation for insubordination, as did Publisher Max Lederer and Middle East reporter Lara Korte…

“In an email announcing his retirement, Lederer had said it was clear that the Pentagon had a new vision for the newspaper which differed from his own… Meanwhile, Korte said on social media she was being fired for insubordination ‘after I told a CBS reporter that I work for Stars and Stripes – not the Pentagon, not any administration, and not any policy maker… It’s a shame for the institution and service members, who swore to defend the Constitution and deserve the right to a free and independent press,’ she wrote…

“US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been extremely critical of the media since taking office in 2025. Among the measures he took was drastically restricting press access to the Pentagon…   National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. said, Slavin’s firing was ‘another brazen attempt by the Pentagon to dictate coverage of the military. Firing a newspaper editor after he publicly defended his newsroom’s editorial independence is deeply troubling, and it should concern every journalist and every member of the US military who depends on independent reporting…’”

In light of prior attempts to even deceive Trump about the state of affairs in the military, Hegseth’s conduct is clear. He does not want anyone reporting on his misrepresentations and lies, which do not reflect reality.

Trade War Between USA and Canada Has Begun

The New York Post wrote on August 22:

“A hefty new tariff on a wide range of products from Canada took effect early Saturday after last-minute negotiations to avert the duties collapsed…. The 50% tariff will apply to some $20 billion worth of Canadian products, including wine, hockey sticks, and cement. 

“Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed swift retaliation after negotiations failed. ‘Canada will match those tariffs dollar for dollar to protect our workers and businesses,’ he said in a statement… ‘We have recognised from the beginning that America has changed, and that we will not return to our old relationship… Our government understood, before many, that America is altering all its trade relationships. Putting tariffs on its closest allies and charging for access to its vast market.’

“The prime minister blamed ‘last-minute changes in the US proposed terms’ that he described as ‘unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal’ for the breakdown in talks.”

CTV News added on August 21:

“The Trump administration on Sunday warned that Canada would be ‘foolish’ to think it could win a trade war with the United States… Prime Minister Carney delivered his own address on the trade dispute in which he said Canada is at economic ‘war’ with the U.S… Carney was asked: ‘Why does it feel like, today, Mark Carney is going to war, trade war?’ ‘You’re at war when you get attacked. We got attacked,’ he responded… Carney said retaliatory tariffs, in response to Trump’s new levies, will come into force on Sept. 8…

“Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says he fully supports Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government’s decision to walk away from trade talks with the United States. Speaking Saturday afternoon, Kinew commended the prime minister for standing up for Canadians and that all premiers are united with Carney. ‘History will not be kind to Donald Trump. So we should never appease him and we should fight back, which is what Canada is doing today,’ said Kinew. ‘We can fight back against Donald Trump by buying from Canadian businesses, by supporting Canadian workers and most importantly, by living up to our Canadian values.’…

“B.C. Premier David Eby says a request from U.S. negotiators would have effectively reduced Canada to America’s 51st state. ‘The suggestion that Canada would not trade with other countries or reduce our trade with other countries because the Americans tell us to would reduce us to the economic equivalent of the 51st state,’ said Eby…”

What an incredible demand!

The Hill added on August 22:

“The prime minister has said these new policies are in ‘direct violation’ of the free trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada…. Canada and the U.S. have historically enjoyed a close relationship, but the Trump administration’s aggressive efforts to broker new trade agreements that favor the U.S. have placed these ties to the test. Trump has repeatedly suggested that the U.S. cede its northern neighbor as a ‘51st state’ and addressed Carney as the ‘future governor of Canada.’”

Trump repeatedly asked for a trade war with Canada. Now he has it, and he might very well lose this war as well.

Trade War Escalates

The New York Post wrote on August 25:

“President Trump floated the possibility of rebranding Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America,’ in a shot across the bow against Canada’s most populous province — whose premier threatened to cut off electricity and minerals to the US. ‘The United States is giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in that we don’t expect to [be] doing much business with Ontario any longer,’ Trump declared on Truth Social Tuesday…

“One of the issues Carney claimed contributed to the breakdown in talks at the 11th hour last week was purported demands that Canada make changes, demanding Quebec use English instead of French. Trump denied that on Monday. ‘I would never interfere with Canadians speaking French!; Trump insisted on Truth Social. ‘In fact, I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing. This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec. I love French Canadians!’”

We wonder who is lying. For further information on this developing situation, please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “America’s Foolish Trade War With Canada.”

Trump Allowed to Continue Ballroom Construction

NPR wrote on August 21:

“The Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Trump can — for now— move forward with construction of his ballroom on the site of the former East Wing of the White House without needing approval from Congress…. In a brief order, signed by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court stayed the lower court ruling to pause construction.

“In its brief filed earlier this week, the [National Trust for Historic Preservation] asserted that if the Supreme Court allowed construction to continue at this time, the court was effectively ending the case. ‘Rather than obtain permission from Congress, Petitioners have instead decided to try to outrun judicial review’ by accelerating construction. ‘It is clear that in Petitioners’ view, if the Court grants their stay application, this case is over—despite every court to have reviewed their project having found it to be patently unlawful, and no matter the fact that this Court has not reviewed those decisions on the merits,’ the brief states.  

“56% of Americans did not approve of Trump’s decision to tear down the East Wing and build the ballroom.”

And so, as one outlet wrote, Roberts dances with Trump in the new ballroom.

Our Shattered Empire

The Ron Paul Institute published the following article on August 20, which originally appeared on August 19 in the American Conservative:

“Almost daily we witness some spectacle illustrating the appalling corruption of our country’s leadership. The recent release of Anthony Fauci’s diary entries confirms long-held suspicions about the Covid-19 narrative, which we now know even Fauci himself did not fully believe. Think of the millions of lives ruined and harmed by that corruption… What else are our leaders still hiding about the worldwide disaster caused by Covid-related deceptions and manipulations? There has not yet been any meaningful examination of our medical profession, which largely acted as cowards during the pandemic, adhering to the bogus official narrative at the expense of the welfare of their patients.

“Our leadership has not even begun to scratch the surface of the horrors created by the many secret—and potentially illegal—biolabsscattered around the globe, supported by funds often hidden from voters under the guise of ‘national security.’ The Fauci crowd appears to have been deeply involved in that dark world…

“The current wars have exposed the shortcomings of our nearly trillion-dollar military and its multi-billion-dollar weapons systems… After years of being told we possess the ‘most powerful military’ in history, Americans are beginning to realize it is a fantasy…

“Our government classifies and redacts documents as a matter of course. Think of the billions of pages we are still not allowed to see… Many significant, history-changing events remain shrouded in secrecy. How is it that information is still being withheld about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy?… Most Americans suspect the official government narrative was false, yet officials continue to withhold information that might shed light on that crime. The same is true for the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., our government’s willful abandonment of US prisoners of war in Vietnam, the September 11 attacks, and the late, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein…

“Our political leadership’s frenzied efforts to hide the Epstein files make it look as though the ‘national security’ excuse is merely a convenient tool to obscure malfeasance, rape, blackmail, bribery, and plain old corruption…

“We watch with horror the chaos, death, and destruction currently being wreaked on the world—and on our own country—by our ‘exceptional nation.’… All this from a president who campaigned on an America First policy, an end to forever wars, and the promotion of peace. It looks like we were fooled again. Presidential candidate after presidential candidate promises peace, and we get war after war. The system is subverted by corruption…

“The American people, especially the younger generation, are beginning to recognize the corruption at the top of our country and the magnitude of the war lies…  Ours is not an ‘exceptional nation.’ It is not the ‘shining city on a hill.’… Not anymore. It is a declining empire with a declining military—one unable to protect its allies, yet still seeking to bully and harm any country that angers its corrupt elites.

“Our military defenses are so ineffective that Iran—a country one-fourth our size, with an economy smaller than our bloated military budget—can practically name its next round of targets knowing our mighty military can do little to stop them…”

This article shows clearly that if and when America is attacked by an outside military power, it will NOT be able to defend itself successfully.

Roman Catholic Idolatry

Daily Mail wrote on August 21:

“A 1,700-year-old skull was returned to a gold bust in an ancient Catholic ritual that saw one of the Vatican’s most powerful cardinals bow and kiss the relic. The remains belonged to Saint Agatha, a third-century Christian martyr and the patron saint of Catania, Sicily…. The ceremony commemorated the 900th anniversary of Saint Agatha’s relics being returned to Catania from Constantinople in 1126…

“Many non-Catholics deemed the ritual ‘idolatry’.. .Catholics view relics as tangible links to figures from the early Church and reminders of the courage they displayed. Believers may also pray beside them, asking the saint to intercede with God on their behalf.”

Just one of many examples of idolatry and blasphemy in the Catholic Church which run rampant.

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.

There are a number of stark reminders in the Bible of those who ignored God’s specific instructions when they were given to certain individuals and the consequences were very serious.  All of these should be handy lessons for those of us who have been called in this age that disobedience to God consistently results in serious consequences, ranging from immediate personal struggles and broken relationships to spiritual separation and ultimate judgment.

Obedience is often viewed today as a “bad” or outdated concept in modern society. It can often be equated with forced submission, authoritarianism, and a lack of free will. Obedience can be viewed negatively because it may limit freedom or be used manipulatively, plus the fact that so many don’t like any restrictions in their lives.

However, there are many areas where obedience is vital.   Without a base level of obedience to laws and authority, chaos could ensue.  It is essential for social order and safety, such as following road traffic rules to ensure safety, to maintain social order, and across multiple other facets of life.

Obedience to honour the true God is for Christians of paramount importance and must supersede man’s requirements if there is any conflict.  It is required as per biblical instruction for man’s own well-being. We must always obey God rather than man in any situation and under any circumstances. 

As God the Father created all things through Jesus Christ (compare Colossians 1:16-17), He knows better than any man, however great they may be, what is best for His creation and, therefore, He has our best interests at heart.   Obedience to God and His Way of Life is essential for the best results possible.

Some of these examples that we will look at will be well-known; others not quite so.

Adam & Eve

What a story this is! 

Right at the dawn of civilisation, after God had re-created the earth, we read in Genesis 1:31:

^“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”

In the following chapter, we read about the Garden of Eden, an idyllic physical creation if ever there was one. Verses 8-9 describe the situation:

^“The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

Probably most people around the world know the story of Adam and Eve.   There they were at the dawn of civilization, given the Garden of Eden to live in, and God commanded Adam what he could and couldn’t do.

God said that of every tree of the garden they could eat from except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (compare Genesis 2:16:17) but the serpent (Satan) was there to spoil the party.  Eve was encouraged and tempted to eat of the tree that God had said they should not, and Adam did likewise, even though he was not deceived, but he just followed the lead of his wife, which resulted in the first act of man’s disobedience to God taking place.

This broke the one single instruction that God had given them that they shouldn’t do, by just ignoring it, albeit through the subtlety of the serpent.   The consequences were that they were banished from the Garden of Eden, life became difficult in living off the land, women would suffer pain in childbirth, and they would eventually die.   This brought about a separation from God because they trusted the serpent more than they trusted the clear instruction from God.   Instead of relying on God’s perfect wisdom, they chose to take matters into their own hands and make their own wrong decision.

As it is with human nature, it was someone else’s fault; Adam blamed Eve (and in the final analysis, God, who had given Eve to him) and Eve blamed the serpent.  That so often happens today when people play the blame game; it is so often someone else’s fault and we see this behaviour playing out with the two original human beings.

It could be said that Eve was tempted on three levels: physical (good for food), emotional (pleasant to the eyes) and spiritual (desire for wisdom).   This is not dissimilar to what we read in 1 John 2:16:

^“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”

They made the choice to disobey God which was clearly an act of rebellion!

In a sermon entitled “What If Adam Hadn’t Sinned?,” given onJune 13, 1981, Mr Herbert W Armstrong said the following: 

“When Adam made that choice, he cut himself off from God! And most humans have cut themselves off from God through sin ever since. Your sins have cut you off from God. And man is on Satan’s wavelength, and ALL have sinned and been cut off from God. But when Adam made that choice and instead of taking the Holy Spirit, which he would have had from God that would have first given him knowledge of the SPIRITUAL LAW — the way of Life: love toward God and love out-going out-flowing towards neighbor … In other words, I help my neighbor. My neighbor helps me. We kind of help one another mutually. And, if we get into trouble, we go to God.”

Disobeying God’s instructions were life-changing for Adam and Eve, and disobeying God’s instructions have continued apace during the last 6,000 years.

Lot’s Wife

The story of Lot’s wife in the book of Genesis (19:1–26), when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, clearly illustrates the consequences of disobeying divine commands and longing for a sinful past.

The command was simple enough as we read in Genesis 19:15-17 when the two angels were trying to extricate Lot and his family out of an area that was to be razed to the ground.   They knew that the place was to be completely destroyed, leaving nothing standing:

^“When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, ‘Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.’ And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, ‘Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.’”

However, Lot’s wife whose name is not mentioned in the Bible, ignored this instruction and looked back at where she had lived her life for a number of years. As a direct consequence of this disobedience, she was instantly transformed into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26).

It shows that she valued her life-style that she enjoyed, and the worldly possessions she may have had, over obedience to God.    

In Luke 17:28-32, Jesus was speaking about the end times just before His Second Coming and the action His followers at that time must take:

^“Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.”

Lot’s wife is remembered for her disobedience to God’s instructions through the two angels, and her death, upon her disobedience, was immediate!

King Uzziah

Uzziah’s father, King Amaziah and the three previous kings had all been assassinated. It was a position with not a lot of job security!  However, in 2 Chronicles 26:1-5, it appears that he started his reign well:

^“Now all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah. He built Elath and restored it to Judah, after the king rested with his fathers. Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.”

In verse 5 above, we see twelve important words: “…and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.”  It was conditional. Although Amaziah, his father, had initially done well, we read that he “turned away from following the LORD” (see 2 Chronicles 25:27). His son was, unfortunately, to follow suit.  In 2 Chronicles 26:16 we read the penalty for his pride.   

God had blessed him with great power and military success. Uzziah grew arrogant, which caused his downfall. 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 gives the account of his dreadful demise:

^“But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the LORD—valiant men. And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, ‘It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the LORD God.’ Then Uzziah became furious; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the incense altar. And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the LORD had struck him. King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He dwelt in an isolated house, because he was a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD. Then Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.”

Instead of repenting when confronted by the priests, he became furious.  After all of his success, arrogance was the cause of his fall from grace and disobeying God’s instructions brought about his downfall.   He had reigned for 52 years.  The principle of cause and effect was shown to be still in operation… 

He made a good start and did well for a long time but we must remember that it’s not so much how we start, but how we finish.   Disobeying God’s instructions was life-changing for King Uzziah!

Gehazi

In 2 Kings 5, we read about Naaman’s leprosy being healed.   In verse 1, we read:

“Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.”

The story moves on and is told in 19 verses, and there is a lot that happens.   A young Israelite girl who waited on Naaman’s wife told her that Elisha, her master, would be able to heal him.   Naaman mentions this to the King of Syria who wrote a letter to the King of Israel (Jehoram) to help in this matter and he sent “ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing” (verse 5).   The king tore his clothes, fearing the worst and when Elisha heard of this he said: “Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” That happened, and Naaman was told to wash in the Jordan 7 times which sent Naaman into a rage as he said: “‘Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?’ So, he turned and went away in a rage” (verse 12). However, he was persuaded to do this and was subsequently healed.   Naaman offered gifts for this healing but Elisha refused them, which showed that God’s healing cannot be bought.

Now we come to Gehazi, Elisha’s servant.  In verses 20-27 is the story of Gehazi’s greed and how it played out for him.  He was unhappy that Elisha had turned down, quite categorically, receiving any gifts from Naaman and so he saw an opportunity to acquire gifts for himself.   He ran after Naaman and told lies to extort from a willing giver, silver and garments.  What he asked for was doubled by Naaman, as he was appreciative of his healing and Gehazi hid them away when he returned.   However, Elisha asked him where he had been and Gehazi lied again by saying that he had not been anywhere, but by spiritual discernment, Elisha was aware of the deception.  Gehazi lied to both Naaman and Elisha, and in verse 27, the concluding verse in the chapter, sums up his punishment:

“Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.”

His disobedience was life-changing!

(To be continued)

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

Compiled by Norbert Link

“America’s Foolish Trade War With Canada” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

America has begun a trade war with Canada which America might lose, as it has lost almost all wars or controversies in recent times.  Trump’s threats pertaining to Canada—and also to other countries—should not be ignored. And while old allies turn away from America and look for new alliances, America is becoming more and more isolated.

“Amerikas törichter Handelskrieg mit Kanada” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

A new member letter has been written. https://www.eternalgod.org/letter-to-the-brethren-august-28-2026/ It has been posted and sent out. In his letter, Paul Niehoff contrasts the evil in this world with our future, when Christ comes back and establishes the Kingdom of God here on earth.

We are pleased to announce the wedding of Steven Hammond and Natalia Lis, which was conducted in Spain by Pastor Michael Link on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Congratulations.

The Rank family hosted a memorial service for David Harris on August 16, 2026. It was attended by friends and family. We appreciate all of the support and prayers during the last few months.

Paul Niehoff’s first split sermon has been posted, titled, “Fruit of the Spirit: Peace.” 

Here is a summary:

Peace is a subject mentioned over two hundred times in the Bible. God’s Son is even named the “Prince of Peace” in Isaiah 9:6. God gives us instructions on how to achieve peace, and the practices we should avoid that will prevent us from achieving peace.

Norbert Link’s second split sermon has been posted, titled, “Christ In Us—What Does This Mean?” 

Here is a summary:

How, and from what point in time, can Christ live within us? And what does this mean in practical terms? How can we examine ourselves to see if Christ is truly in us? This split sermon explores clear biblical statements that reveal whether Christ lives within us—or not. It also shows that one does not and cannot walk God’s Way unless Christ lives and works within that person.

Robert Macher’s German sermonette from last Sabbath has been posted. It is titled, “Der Weg zurück in die Gemeinde“ (“The Way Back to the Church”).