On January 3, 2026, Dave Harris will present, “Pillars of Confidence,” and Eric Rank will present the sermon, titled, “John the Baptist.”

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.

Having managed cities in my past, I have a unique perspective as to the problems commonly experienced. We’ve all seen examples of once-great cities that have declined. Cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris, and London were never godly, but they were admired for their outward beauty. I recall that during the early 2000s, New York City reduced the overall crime rate dramatically. This was celebrated as a major achievement, despite the ongoing presence of evil.

Several years ago, I attended a conference in Portland, Oregon. The city enjoys a pleasant setting along the banks of the Willamette River. The main gathering spot in the city, Pioneer Square, was a striking blend of green spaces, historic architecture, and commerce. Shops of all kinds lined the perimeter of the Square. Many of those shops have since closed due to factors such as the pandemic, violent crime, homelessness, street camping and the residue it leaves behind, not to mention rioting and retail theft. My point is that the most admired cities suffer degrees of chaos and confusion, as opposed to cities of God.

Consider the future of human societies as described in Isaiah 24. Some Bible translations give the following headline: “Impending Judgement on the Earth.” Verses 7-12 specifically illustrate God’s judgement for ongoing and unrepentant human sin: “The new wine fails, the vine languishes, All the merry hearted sigh. The mirth of the tambourine ceases, The noise of the jubilant ends, The joy of the harp ceases. They shall not drink wine with a song; Strong drink is bitter to those who drink it. The city of confusion is broken down; Every house is shut up, so that none may go in. There is a cry for wine in the streets, All joy is darkened, The mirth of the land is gone. In the city desolation is left, And the gate is stricken with destruction.”

We know that God’s judgement on this world is assured, and punishment for our disobedience and lack of sincere repentance will ignore social status, politics, and influence. The moral decay of cities the world typically lauds will not be spared God’s anger. Paris, once referred to as the City of Light, more aptly describes the darkness that defines so many cities. As true Christians, we understand that God’s plan for those He calls cannot be compared to the current state of our governments, no matter how well intentioned they may be.

As a former city manager, I think of the challenges we faced in addressing a multitude of problems. The choices we considered were never easy, but we knew that they were needed to face the problems or suffer the consequences of a bankrupt city. I realize now that God was merciful with me back then when, despite my indifference to His Law, we succeeded in making necessary changes. Yet, despite temporary outward prosperity, success is an illusion if it is not of God. Today, as a repentant Christian, I face challenges in an entirely different manner, striving to place my faith and trust in God.

We contrast the devastation of our cities discussed above with the glorious promise of Isaiah 9:6-7: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given: And the government will be upon His shoulder: And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end…”

This is the book and chapter of the Bible that fueled my conversion away from the world because it clearly pictures the future Kingdom of God, and the stunning connection with the New Testament, as mentioned in Luke 2:7-14. This is the story of our God, our Creator, and our soon-coming King and Ruler from the Throne of David in Jerusalem.

Consider an ancient city known for idolatry and opposition to God’s law—Jericho, known as the City of Palms in ancient times. It was situated near the Dead Sea and the West Bank of the Jordan River, and it thrived for a time despite its evil focus. That is until God had enough of the sinfulness and established the region as the land promised for His people. In Deuteronomy 34:1-4, we see the story beginning to unfold: “Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the South, and the plain of the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. Then the LORD said to him, ‘This is the land of which I swore to give Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants.” I have caused you to see with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.’”

We know what became of Sodom and Gomorrah as a result of their sinfulness, as recorded in Genesis 19. Alternatively, we read about the city of God in Psalm 48:1-3: “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King. God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.”

In Psalm 125:1, we read: “Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.” Unlike trying to rebuild our cities at this time, regaining the trust of the public and enticing visitors back into a blighted urban core, true Christians can take heart by focusing instead on the coming perfect spiritual city—the New Jerusalem on the new earth. Consider Revelation 21:2-3: “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

As true Christians, we have been called to obedience, but we have also been called to courage. In the past week our region experienced 100 mph winds, threats of wildfire, and the reality of extended periods without electricity and heating. Mankind’s cities, structures and systems are unbelievably fragile as we’ve all experienced. God’s Kingdom however is hopeful, bright, peaceful and eternal. Let’s focus on that!

by Norbert Link

We begin with reports on the rise of Iran and its alleged stance against the USA, Israel and even Europe; while pointing out that Europe is shifting away from the USA and Israel and moving closer and closer towards Iran. We also publish an article recommending that Israel ditch USA aid, and talks about building the Third Temple.

We report on the trade war between China and Europe and Russia’s support of China.

We continue with Donald Trump’s destruction of the old world order; false smiles at the Trump summit in Florida which did not bring any substantial results to end the Russia-Ukraine war; and the allegation that Trump wants to destroy Europe. Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump’s Destruction of the Old World Order in 2026.” 

We end with an article about false predictions regarding the time of the return of Christ.

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

Iran at War With USA and Europe

Newsmax wrote on December 27:

“Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran is at war with the West and Israel. ‘In my opinion, we are in a full-fledged war with America, Israel, and Europe; they do not want our country to stand on its feet,’ he said Saturday…

“Pezeshkian said the West’s war against Iran is ‘more complicated and more difficult’ compared to the 1980-88 war with Iraq that left more than 1 million casualties on both sides. ‘In the war with Iraq, the situation was clear: they fired missiles, and I also knew where to hit. Here, they are besieging us from every aspect, they are putting us in difficulty and constraint, creating problems – in terms of livelihood, culturally, politically, and security-wise – while raising society’s expectations,’ he said… 

“The remarks came two days before a planned meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during which Iran is expected to be a key topic in the talks. Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran that came during a 12-day air war in June killed nearly 1,100 Iranians including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. Retaliatory missile barrages by Iran killed 28 in Israel.” 

The New York Post added on December 27: 

“Iran’s president declared they were in a ‘total war’ with the US, Israel and Europe, just as Tehran looks to rebuild its nuclear capabilities and strengthen ties with Hamas… 

“As tensions between the Middle Eastern rivals ramps up, a Tehran-backed candidate is also likely to win a major election to a leading role with Hamas… al-Hayya is considered to be close to Iran, according to those same sources who told the outlet he would have a clearly adversarial stance toward Israel — as a tenuous Gaza peace deal hangs in the balance… 

“Israeli sources claim that the Islamic Republic is repairing its air defense systems and rebuilding its ballistic missile program… Netanyahu remains skeptical of the plan to demilitarize Gaza…” 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was widely considered by the USA and the EU as a moderate-reformist, promising more social freedoms (like women’s hijab choice), better nuclear talks, and economic relief.

Europe Shifts Away From USA and Israel 

The Jerusalem Post wrote on December 29: 

“… the US, Israel, and Europe, the ones listed as enemies by Iran, should all be friends. But the truth is that they are not all friends… The US and Israel are certainly openly, publicly, and historically the best of friends on the international stage… It is Europe that is the problematic part of the equation…

“The Iranian President does not have a proper understanding of Europe. Europe is not merely moving further and further away from the US and Israel in terms of diplomacy, doctrine, and politics, but also because Europe is moving closer and closer towards Iran… Europe has fallen into an abyss. Europe has become a branch, an extension, of Islam – and it has a name. Today, there is a phenomenon that is referred to as European Islam… Europe is more and more rapidly, and more and more evidently, shifting away from alliances with the US and, even more so, with Israel. Because their population is shifting toward Islam. 

“The US is also shifting. The obvious example is the American political stage. What began with the election of several openly pro-Islam members of Congress blossomed into the election of New York City’s Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The election of Mamdani is a classic example of not just a shift in American politics, but also of the move away from Israel… 

“The metropolitan area of Paris is estimated to be around 10–15% Muslim, with higher concentrations in certain suburbs. London is estimated to be around 12–15% Muslim, with much higher percentages in the areas of Tower Hamlets and Newham. Birmingham is estimated to be 20–22% Muslim. Manchester has about 15–16% Muslims. Brussels is estimated to be around 20–25% Muslim. Marseille is about 25–30%. Rotterdam is about 20–25% Muslim. Amsterdam has around a 15–25% Muslim population. The Hague & Utrecht have around a 13–15% Muslim population.

Berlin is around 9–12% Muslim. Cologne is around 10–12%. Vienna around 10–12%. Copenhagen is about 10%. Stockholm & Malmö each have around 15–20% Muslims…

“The dream of Muslim revolutionaries is to generate influence in the West and then take over. They want to flip the world into a Muslim oriented society. The fulfilment of that dream necessitates a shift away from the US and especially away from Israel.” 

Europe is prophesied to shift away from Islam, but their disassociation from the USA and Israel will continue.

Time to Ditch U.S. Aid

Israel 365 News wrote on December 24:

“Israel is on the verge of a decision that could fundamentally alter its relationship with the United States—and the world… The idea of ending $3.8 billion in annual U.S. military aid might sound unthinkable, but Israel has reached a point where it no longer needs to rely on the U.S. to maintain its security. 

“The country’s defense industry is more self-sufficient than ever, capable of developing cutting-edge technology and securing international contracts without U.S. support. And yet, for years, American aid has come with a price: U.S. influence over Israel’s strategic decisions. From the Sinai withdrawal in 1979 to the Iran nuclear deal, American aid has been tied to political concessions, shaping the very direction of Israeli policy… 

“The question is whether Israel can afford to cut this tie. After all, the U.S. has been a powerful ally, and the aid has undoubtedly strengthened Israel’s military. But there’s another side to this coin. The dependence on U.S. military assistance has limited Israel’s autonomy, forcing it to align with American policies that don’t always serve its best interests. Israel’s defense decisions, at times, have been dictated by the conditions of foreign aid, leaving it vulnerable to political pressure.

“It’s time for Israel to make its own decisions, without needing Washington’s approval. The country has proven its ability to thrive without the U.S. at its side, from securing billions in defense contracts with countries like Germany and Greece to developing some of the most advanced military technologies in the world… 

“There will be fierce resistance, particularly from the U.S. military-industrial complex, which benefits greatly from the current arrangement. Companies like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon rely on the billions in defense contracts that U.S. aid provides. But for Israel, cutting this financial dependency would mean regaining control over its strategic decisions and no longer being beholden to outside pressures. 

“It’s time for Israel to stop borrowing security from the U.S. and start building its own future—one where it can act without fear of being manipulated, and where its defense decisions are its own to make.” 

Building the Temple 

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 25, 2025: 

“Against the backdrop of the change in policy on the Temple Mount, Finance Minister (RZP) Bezalel Smotrich spoke to thousands of participants at a conference marking the anniversary of Rabbi Kook’s passing on Sunday. Smotrich spoke twice during the event, which took place at the Jerusalem International Convention Center. His first speech in the afternoon addressed the ongoing war. 

“When Smotrich took the stage for a second time, in front of the thousands of people present, Smotrich smiled at Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and said, ‘I will give the money, you will build the Temple.’ The crowd burst into laughter, and sources who were there told Walla that Smotrich said it ‘as a joke’… In response, Lion replied to Smotrich: ‘You are the best finance minister Jerusalem has ever had.’ 

“… it comes at a time when there is, in fact, a de facto shift in the policy surrounding the Temple Mount.”

Trade War Between China and EU Continues

Reuters wrote on December 22:

“China will impose provisional duties of up to 42.7% on dairy products imported from the European Union, the latest in a series of measures against EU exports widely seen as retaliation for the bloc’s electric vehicle tariffs… 

“Trade tensions with the EU erupted in 2023 when the European Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese-made electric vehicles. It imposed tariffs in October 2024. In apparent retaliation, Beijing has imposed measures on imports of EU brandy, pork and now dairy… China imported $589 million of dairy products… in 2024…”

Russia Supports China

ntv reported on December 28: 

“Russia has demonstratively sided with its ally China in international conflicts. The government in Moscow rejects Taiwan’s independence in any form and considers the island an inseparable part of China, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a published statement.

“Democratically governed Taiwan is considered a breakaway province by the People’s Republic of China. President Xi Jinping has not ruled out the use of force to reintegrate the island. The US supports Taiwan and has warned against military action.” 

Trump Administration Acknowledges Birth of Christ in Christmas Messages 

Breitbart wrote on December 26: 

“Several agencies and Trump administration officials acknowledged the birth of Jesus Christ in several Christmas messages… ‘Rejoice America, Christ is born!’ DHS wrote in a post on X, which also included a video with the song, ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.’ 

“‘Merry Christmas to all,’ [Secretary of War Pete] Hegseth wrote in a post on X. ‘Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May His light bring peace, hope, and joy to you and our families.’ 

“‘Merry Christmas and aloha from our family to yours,’ [Director of National Intelligence] Gabbard wrote in a post on X. ‘May we spend this day and every day remembering Jesus Christ and following his message to us all: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like unto it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39).’ 

“‘The joyous message of Christmas is the hope of Eternal Life through Christ,’ Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote in a post on X. ‘Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season filled with hope and peace.’… 

‘‘Praise God!’ one person wrote. ‘I vote for my government to promote the true religion.’” 

What a mockery of the concept of true love, true peace, and the true God.

Trump’s Destruction of the Old World Order

On December 27, The Daily Mail published the following remarkable article by Andrew Neil:

“This was the year the old world order ended. The order that had defeated Nazi Germany, the greatest evil the modern world has known, then went on to see off Soviet communism – the other great evil of the age 

“The order that rebuilt – from the carnage, ruins and dictatorships of the Second World War – prosperous Western European democracies. Then embraced the new democracies of Eastern Europe as they threw off their communist yoke. 

“The order that, for all its many lapses in living up to its principles, placed liberal democracy, human rights and the prosperity of the people at the core of its purpose, leading to the greatest rise in global living standards these past eight decades the world has ever known…

“The old order was no doubt in need of a reboot, a recalibration, a refocusing for the 21st century. Instead, it is being swept away, for no good reason, by an American president with no knowledge of history, little grasp of geopolitics and scant regard for the principles of democracy and freedom which made the world a safer place the more they were adopted across the globe.

“A president… whose only concern is furthering the narrow, short-term interest of an isolationist America… It is the ruthless, unprincipled application to foreign policy… in which everything is reduced to a ‘deal’ and nothing matters but power, money, success and self-interest – attitudes that mark the death knell of an old world order…

“To be replaced by what? We do not yet know for sure. No doubt the coming year will improve our comprehension of what is in store. Those contours that we can already discern are not encouraging.

“Next year will hasten America’s retreat from Europe, which will increasingly be left to its own devices, as President Trump focuses his attention and American power on the Western Hemisphere – where he has imperial ambitions.

“That is why, as 2025 draws to an end, he has assembled a massive armada off the coast of Venezuela. The pretext is a crackdown on drug-smugglers speeding towards America in high-powered boats. The real goal, of course, is to topple Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, whose regime has impoverished the country, even though it sits on the biggest oil reserves in the world.

“The US Navy is now seizing tankers carrying Venezuelan crude oil exports, which account for 90 per cent of Maduro’s revenues. The loss of these funds would be catastrophic for the man in Caracas…

“But there is a further, so far unspoken, purpose to Trump’s Caribbean military adventure: his aim is also to bring down the flailing communist regime in Cuba, which is just as much an economic basket case as Venezuela…

“If Trump could bring down both regimes early in 2026 he would regard it as vindication of his new emphasis on increasing US power in its own backyard. His aim is to surround America with governments that will do its bidding. He’s already achieved that in Panama… Trump has indicated Colombia could be next if Venezuela falls.

“Argentina is already in hock to Washington, with $20 billion of US support for its currency. Canada will remain under pressure to fall in line with whatever is Trump’s latest whim. Even Greenland is still in his sights. He’s just appointed a new envoy who has described his job as ‘a volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US’. The Danes, under whose control Greenland falls, are increasingly nervous.

“The more Trump concentrates on his own backyard, the more the US retreat from Europe will gather pace. I find it astonishing that European leaders have still to grasp the immensity of the geopolitical shift that is now under way.

“It isn’t just that the European leg of Nato can no longer count on US military when the chips are down – the fact is that Trump’s America is no longer even on our side, a harsh reality that will become apparent as next year unfolds…

“The coming year will see the effective end of US financial and military aid to Ukraine. It already started to dry up this year. If Europe means what it says about standing by Ukraine then, in 2026, it will have to become Europe’s war, without American back-up. Despite all the supportive rhetoric it is by no means clear Europe’s leaders are up for this…

“I have little hope of peace breaking out in Ukraine. No Ukrainian leader could accept what President Putin wants: to consolidate his grip on the east; place severe limits on the size of free Ukraine’s military; replace President Zelensky with a leader more disposed to the Kremlin – then wait for the rest of Ukraine to fall into his lap. Patience has always been a key ingredient of Russian strategy.

“Although Putin is the real roadblock to peace, the Russian dictator knows Trump will blame Ukraine (and its European backers) for the lack of progress. He expects Trump to throw his toys out of the pram in frustration sometime in the first half of 2026 and depart the scene, saying it’s now on Europe to handle the conflict while he doubles down on the Western Hemisphere.

“This will hand the advantage to Putin, which is why 2026 is so dangerous… Russian cyber-attacks and sabotage in Europe, which increased this year, will become endemic next year. Russian drones have recently flown over Poland, Germany and Denmark, causing civilian airports to shut.

“These ‘grey-zone’ provocations will intensify next year, designed to intimidate Europe into loosening its commitment to Ukraine. In the next 12 months we will discover if Europe has the backbone to resist them…

“[Trump’s] presidency is now being rocked by a cost-of-living crisis. His MAGA movement is now gripped by low-intensity civil war. The bookies reckon there’s an 80 per cent chance the Republicans will lose the House come the November mid-term elections. That would limit his scope for mischief. But the modern US imperial presidency has plenty of room for maneuver, especially in foreign policy.

“I expect Trump to be as active as ever on that front in 2026. There is talk in the White House of bringing the Kremlin in from the economic cold with a spate of US-Russian energy deals, perhaps even a joint carve-up of Ukrainian resources… I’ve even heard top aides muse about a new world order in Trump’s image. America dominant and unchallenged in the Western Hemisphere. But calling the shots in the rest of the world through a new alliance of America, Russia, China, India and perhaps even Japan (now with a Trump-style leader).

“Europe, of course, is nowhere in any of these plans. If, in 2026, it doesn’t at last dawn on Europe (including Britain) that we’re on our own then I doubt it ever will – at least not before it’s too late.”

An interesting article with insightful comments. But Europe will wake up to reality, and it will emerge as an incredible economic and military power surpassing the USA.

“False Smiles at the Trump Summit”

On December 29, Bild Online published the following commentary by Paul Ronzheimer:

“One day after the summit in Mar-a-Lago, one thing is clear above all: Vladimir Putin (73) remains unyielding on the crucial issues. He is not budging an inch in the negotiations. The friendly atmosphere of the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy cannot disguise the fact that nothing has changed regarding the fundamental positions.

“A Ukrainian government insider told BILD: ‘We can hold countless meetings and have dozens of phone calls, but one thing remains unchanged: Putin wants the entire Donbas – and much more. He has nowhere clearly stated that he wants peace.’…

“A Ukrainian diplomat familiar with the talks told BILD: ‘After phone calls with Putin, we always experience the same pattern. Trump subsequently reverts to the Russian maximalist demands – even though he had previously shown considerable understanding. How are we supposed to agree to a peace that is effectively tantamount to surrender?’…”

“While Europe will be involved, it remains unclear whether European states would be willing to take real military risks – especially in light of Russian threats to consider Western troops as legitimate targets…

“In Ukraine, there is unity within the government and the military: nothing indicates that Putin is willing to make genuine compromises. A Ukrainian military officer told BILD: ‘The intensity of the Russian attacks on all fronts speaks volumes.’”

“Sounds Good, But It’s Not Enough!”

Bild Online wrote on December 29:

“The meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday at Trump’s luxury resort Mar-a-Lago raised high expectations – and at the same time left many doubts.

“While it did bring some movement to the negotiations for a ceasefire in Ukraine, there can be no talk of a breakthrough.”

Welt Online wrote on December 29:

“The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy ended without any discernible breakthrough…”

Thorniest Issues Unresolved

The Sun wrote on December 29:

“The thorniest issue yet to be resolved is land, the US president said, but security guarantees to end the war were ‘95 per cent done.’ Trump told the Ukrainian leader: ‘You’re better off making a deal now.’

“He said: “I think the land you’re talking about, some of that land has been taken. Some of that land is maybe up for grabs, but it may be taken over the next period of a number of months…’”

Trump Wants to Destroy Europe?

Express wrote on December 29: 

“Russia believes Donald Trump wants to ‘destroy Europe’ as the President sparks criticism for his handling of peace talks with Ukraine.  Media in Moscow is hailing Trump’s stance, with the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda saying: ‘America no longer sees our country as a threat. The threat is now a militaristic Europe… He sees Europe as a liberal stronghold that must be destroyed to Make America Great Again.’…’ 

“Russia Thanks Trump and Celebrates ‘Total Victory’ Over Ukraine” 

Express wrote on December 31: 

“Russian state media has claimed a victory over Ukraine after a Florida summer between Donald Trump and Volodimir Zelensky appears to have forced Ukraine into making concessions… 

“According to Russian broadcaster and noted Kremlin Propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, Moscow is delighted with how the meeting went, claiming it was all part of his country’s plan. Speaking on his evening show, Solovyov said: ‘We have achieved a knockout victory’… He also claimed that a call between Trump and Moscow took place shortly before the Ukrainian president landed. 

“Solovyov goes on to see that the phone call ‘completely destroyed Zelensky’s plans’… The broadcaster’s statements need to be taken with a grain of salt, but still give an insight into the optimism within the Kremlin for this deal to be weighed in Russia’s favour. 

“Their talk has worried many in Kiev, with Yuriy Boyechko, CEO and founder of Hope for Ukraine – a non-profit delivering humanitarian aid to war-torn Ukrainians – slamming Mr Trump’s approach as dangerously detached from reality. Mr Boyechko added: ‘This treats Putin as a co-partner whose approval is needed, signalling to Kyiv that peace will come on Moscow’s terms…’ 

“Concerns escalated at the joint press conference, where Mr Trump insisted Putin ‘wants to see the war end’ and was ‘very generous’ towards Ukraine succeeding, even pledging Russian help with reconstruction via cheap energy and electricity.” 

Trump is indeed dangerously detached from reality.  

Russia Prevents Peace 

Newsmax wrote on December 31: 

“Without adding any comment, President Donald Trump shared a New York Post opinion piece Wednesday that asserts that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ‘bluster’ shows that Russia, not Ukraine, is standing in the way of a peace agreement. The piece, posted on Trump’s Truth Social page Wednesday, accuses Putin of shedding ‘crocodile tears’ through claims that the Ukrainians had launched drones at one of his homes in an attempt to kill him. 

“The Post’s editorial board notes that Russia’s reporting came after Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago residence, where several compromises were reached on a peace plan… 

“‘It’s rich that Putin, who has waged a brutal war for nearly four years, believes that any violence in his vicinity merits special outrage,’ the Post noted. ‘After all, Russia launched 131 drones on Christmas at Kyiv and other cities, killing seven civilians.’ The publication also said an attack on Putin is ‘more than justified,’ considering the attempts made to assassinate Zelenskyy.  Further, the drone attack was not confirmed…” 

When the World Doesn’t End… 

ntv wrote on December 27: 

“It’s a story that repeats itself again and again: A (mostly) religious group announces a specific date for the end of the world.  The followers prepare themselves, quit their jobs, sell their houses, and say goodbye to friends. And then… nothing happens… 

“William Miller, a Baptist lay preacher from New York, had studied the Bible for years and developed a calculation: Based on the Book of Daniel and some of Jesus’ words from the Gospels, he concluded that Jesus Christ would return in 1844. His message spread like wildfire, and he gained many loyal followers. The so-called ‘Millerites’ were born. 

“In the months leading up to the supposed end of the world, which Miller finally scheduled for October 22, 1844, many of the believers prepared themselves for the end. People paid off their debts to stand ‘pure’ before God. Farmers left their fields unharvested, shopkeepers gave away their goods—why accumulate supplies, why earn money, if everything was going to be over soon anyway?  Consequently, the despair was great when, on October 23, the sun simply rose as it did every other day… 

“Hiram Edson, one of Miller’s most devoted followers, had a revelation ‘the day after’: The date was correct, but the event had been misunderstood! Jesus had not returned to Earth, but had entered the innermost sanctuary of the heavenly temple.  Therefore, a new era had not begun visibly on Earth, but invisibly in heaven… This group eventually developed into the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a worldwide church with now over 20 million members…” 

“One popular strategy is the very spiritualization that the Millerites employed: the event did take place, but on an invisible level. This ‘theological trick’ is also used, for example, by Jehovah’s Witnesses, who expected the return of Christ in 1914. When nothing happened, the leadership declared that Jesus had been invisibly installed as king in heaven…” 

Christ said, You do NOT know the exact time of My return.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

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

It is sometimes overwhelming and perhaps confusing to read about events, as described in the Bible, without having a proper time setting for those events. Many times, God has carefully planned the timing, for a greater purpose, and in this series, we will show when certain occurrences took place, why they took place then and not at another time, and how God has been working out His master plan here below. We will also explain some astonishing facts which this confused world, including professional Christianity, does not know or understand.

To begin with, how did God prepare the world for the birth of Jesus Christ and the New Testament Church? What conditions had to be met?

The Greek Empire (331-63 BC) introduced the Greek language, which became a world language. And so, the New Testament would be written in Greek.

The Roman Empire (63 BC – 324 AD) developed the ability to transport war machines on well-built roads (like Hitler later did). Even done for a completely wrong purpose, this allowed the apostles to travel freely. [Until the 19th century, there was no fundamental improvement in this regard. But then, Herbert W. Armstrong was able to proclaim the message with the help of a microphone, the printing press, and later with the use of television and airplanes. Today, we can proclaim the gospel message through the Internet and other electronic means, which were even unavailable to the Church under Mr. Armstrong.]

Augustus [Octavian] (63 BC – 14 AD) initiated a tax system, which was necessary to bring about events culminating in the birth of Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:1-5 reads:

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.”

The census or tax assessment, and the registration of the people took place around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. But Joseph would not have taken his pregnant wife to Bethlehem, 100 miles from Galilee, solely because of the Feast of Tabernacles. God had to orchestrate events so that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and this census served that purpose. It was actually intended by Augustus to take place two years earlier, but it was delayed because of a Jewish revolt against the tax system (compare Acts 5:37).

Christ was not born in December (at “Christmas” time), but He was born in late September or early October, in 4 BC, six months after the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:26, 36). He began His ministry when He was 30 years old (Luke 3:23; this was in 27 AD, after He had been baptized), and it lasted 3½ years. Since He was killed at Passover (in 31 AD), He must have been born six months earlier than Passover.

According to Daniel 9, 7 weeks plus 62 weeks (i.e., 69 weeks) were to pass from the decree to rebuild the temple (457 BC by Artaxerxes) until the Messiah would come to preach. These prophetic weeks describe 483 years (one week containing seven days, which in prophecy amounts to seven years). This brings us to 27 AD. One week (7 days = 7 years) remains. Christ preached for half a week (3½ years), then He died. The remaining half will be fulfilled after His second coming.

Luke 3:1-2 continues:

“Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.”

In 14 AD, Augustus had died, and Tiberius had become the sole ruler until 37 AD. Annas and Caiaphas, father and son, were high priests at that time when John the Baptist began to preach.

Herod the Great had died around 3 BC. He might have even died in 2 BC or 1 BC, as some suggest. [Some say, he died in 4 BC, but this cannot be correct, as he instigated the murder of young male children age two and under, before his death, after Christ had been born and the wise men from the East [it does not say they were three, nor, that they were kings] had visited the Jesus Child and His parents in the house—no longer in a manger].

After Herod’s death, his sons divided the rule among themselves. They were regional rulers appointed by the Romans. Another regional ruler was Pilate, the governor of Judea. He was not a Jew (John 18:33-35).

We don’t read much about the time of Christ’s youth (except for Jesus being in the temple at the age of 12), until He was baptized by John. But He was called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23), suggesting that He grew up and lived in Nazareth for most of His life. He is also referred to constantly as Jesus of Nazareth.  However, there are credible reports that He might have accompanied His uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, on his travels. His uncle was allegedly in the tin trading business, and might have reached England during his travels.

The 15th year of Tiberius’s reign [mentioned in the passage in Luke 3:1 above] began on October 1 of the year 27 AD.

Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the first month of John’s preaching, in October. John’s baptism was one of repentance, but Christ did not need to repent, as He had never sinned. However, we read about one interesting event during His baptism, in Luke 3:21-22:

“When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’”

It appears that at that time, Jesus received the power from God to perform miracles (compare Acts 10:38). We do not read that Jesus performed any miracles before, and the miracle at Cana (see below) is designated as the “beginning of the signs” (John 2:11).

After His baptism, we read in Luke 4:1-2, 13:

“Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil… Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”

This occurred in October of 27 AD. Christ’s temptation in the wilderness for forty days was to prove that God in the flesh could command the devil [verse 8], just as Jesus, as a glorified divine being, could command him. Note that Christ was led “by the Spirit” into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil, in accordance with God’s plan to overcome Satan.

In December of 27 AD, Christ chose some of His disciples (Matthew 4:18-22). It is quite possible that James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were cousins of Christ [as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, was probably a cousin of Mary; Luke 1:36]. This means that Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary, the mother of James and John, also called Salome, would have been sisters. Also, it has been suggested that Mary and Joseph were cousins.

After Christ selected some of His disciples, the following events took place until the spring of 28 AD:

• The miracle at Cana (John 2)
• Jesus’ first Passover after His baptism (John 2)
• Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus (John 3). This conversation addressed how one can enter the Kingdom of God. The Jews were shocked that their physical lineage was meaningless, since flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus also explained that one has to be born again (not just begotten through the gift of the Holy Spirit at the time of baptism) to become an immortal Spirit being.

We are informed that Jesus left Judea (John 4:1-3). This happened in late November or early December 28 AD. John had been preaching for one year and two months. Although Jesus had also been ministering in Judea during this time, like John, the attention had been focused more on John. But now, John had been imprisoned and the people began to focus on Jesus.

John 4:4 recounts Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman. John 4:35 gives the time frame:

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”

Jesus told His disciples that there would still be four months until the harvest. The spring harvest began in the middle of the month of Nisan (beginning, middle, or end of April). Four months after Christ’s encounter with the Samaritan woman would be Christ’s second Passover after His baptism.

During the second half of December 28 AD:

• Jesus went to Nazareth (John 4:45);
• began preaching in the synagogues (Luke 4:14-16);
• announced a year of His preaching (“the acceptable year of the Lord”; Luke 4:19).

By the end of December 28 AD, Jesus’ public ministry began in Capernaum (Luke 4:31-32). Previously, he had only taught His disciples privately.

At the beginning of 29 AD, we read about the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Luke 4:38) and the calling of Matthew (Luke 5:27).

In the spring of 29 AD, Jesus kept His second Passover after His baptism. The famous plucking of the heads of grain by His disciples happened at that time (Luke 6:1-5). Passover fell that year on a Sabbath.

In late spring of 29 AD, Jesus selected twelve disciples from all of His disciples whom He called apostles  (Luke 6:12; Matthew 3:13). That means, the disciples (apostles), with the exception of Matthew, who was called later, had been trained by Jesus for 1 ½  years.

In late summer of 29 AD, we find that John was still in prison (Luke 7:18-15). We are being introduced to Jesus’ message on the Day of Trumpets (John 5:1). Jesus began His parables (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8). He also gave a sign to the Pharisees that He was the Messiah:

“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.’ But He answered and said to them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth’” (Matthew 12:38-40).

This sign will become extremely important later when reviewing the time of His death and resurrection.

In the autumn of 29 AD, the famous event of the calming of the storm took place (Luke 8:22); and John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod after one year of imprisonment (Luke 9, Mark 6:14; Matthew 14).

From the autumn of 29 AD until the spring of 30 AD, Christ sent out His twelve disciples (apostles) two by two (Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1). This happened 6 to 9 months after their selection as apostles and did include Judas Iscariot, which is remarkable, as we read in Luke 9:1-2: “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

During that time, He also fed 5,000 people, which was near to His third and final Passover (John 6:1-14). During that time, Jesus walked on the sea (John 6:16); and He went to Tyre and Sidon (Mark 7:24; Matthew 15:21) where He stayed among the Gentiles, showing that God is not a respecter of persons, even though He made clear that at that time, He was sent only to the lost tribes of the House of Israel. Still, He did not refuse to heal the daughter of a believing Gentile woman (Mark 7:25-30).

Subsequent events occurred until the autumn of 30 AD, including His transfiguration on the mountain (Mark 9:2). He went to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:1); and He taught His disciples about the right kind of prayer (Luke 11:1).

In December of 30 AD, Jesus attended the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem (John 10:22). This was a Jewish national holiday, lasting for 8 days, which Jesus, as a Jew, observed.  It has no significance for us today. It commemorates the restoration of the divine worship in the Second Temple after it had been abolished by Antiochus Epiphanes.

From that time on until the spring of 31 AD, He gave the parable of Lazarus, a beggar, and the rich man, in which He taught the final destruction of unrepentant sinners (Luke 16:19). He also raised His friend Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, from the dead and restored physical life to him (John 11:1).

We should pay special attention to the events during the week before and during Christ’s final Passover of the year 31 AD:

We find Christ in Bethany (John 12:1), which was six days before Passover; i.e., Thursday night.

In John 12:9, we are told that people came to see the resurrected Lazarus, which happened on Friday.

We then read that Christ was in Jerusalem “the next day” (John 12:12). This was on the weekly Sabbath, not on a Sunday (erroneously referred to by “nominal” Christianity as “Palm Sunday”). On the 10^th day, the Passover lamb was taken (Exodus 12:3). Christ was chosen by the Jews as their Passover lamb on the 10^th day. The Passover lamb was slaughtered at the beginning of the 14^th day, the 14^th of Nisan, between the two evenings, describing sunset to nightfall. Christ observed the Passover at the beginning of the 14^th day, but He was killed and laid in the tomb at the end of the 14^th day.

Focusing on Pilate, we can see from John 18:36-38; 19:6, that He found Christ to be guiltless. He still ordered His death. He acted not because of religious beliefs, but because he feared the Romans (John 19:12). The actual persecution, now declared as political, was carried out by the Jews.

Christ was crucified and laid in the tomb on a Wednesday, before the beginning of the annual Sabbath of the first Day of Unleavened Bread [John 19:31: “that Sabbath was a high day”]. He was resurrected three days and three nights later [compare again Matthew 12:38-40. John 11:9-10 clarifies that the daylight portion of a day has 12 hours, and then comes the night… another twelve hours].

He left the tomb before the end of the weekly Sabbath. When the women came to the tomb at the end of the Sabbath, Christ had already risen. We read in Matthew 28:1-6, in the Elberfelder Bible: “But late on the Sabbath, at the dawning of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.”

After His resurrection, Christ ascended to the Father on Sunday morning, on the Sunday during the Days of Unleavened Bread, when the first sheaf was offered as a wave offering (Leviticus 23:10-11). Fifty days later was Pentecost (verses 15-16).

Christ taught the apostles about the Kingdom of God for 40 days (Acts 1:3) until He ascended visibly to Heaven on a cloud. Two angels told the apostles that Jesus would return in like manner as they had seen Him ascending to Heaven (Acts 1:11).

The New Testament Church was founded (Acts 2) on June 17, 31 AD [54 days after Christ’s crucifixion]. Jerusalem served as its headquarters from 31 to 69 AD. James, the half-brother of Jesus, served as the local Church pastor.

(To be continued)

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“Trump’s Destruction of the Old World Order in 2026,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

The Daily Mail wrote on December 29: “This was the year [2025] the old world order ended. The order that had defeated Nazi Germany…  then went on to see off Soviet communism… The old order… is being swept away, for no good reason, by [the] American president.” This program explains in detail why this is so, and what we can expect to see in 2026.

“Trumps Zerstörung der alten Weltordnung in 2026,” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

“Should We Celebrate New Year’s Day” is the latest short video posted on YouTube.

“Joseph Sold Into Slavery – Part 1” is the latest video in our Bible Story Series on YouTube.

“Wahre Freunde oder doch nur Kumpel?” last Sabbath’s first split sermon in Germany was presented by Dmitrij Niemann and is now posted. Title in English: “True Friends or Just Acquaintances?” 

“Gottes Geist,” last Sabbath’s second split sermon in Germany was presented by Robert Indlekofer and is now posted. Title in English: “God’s Spirit.”

“EU Claims: US No Longer “Reliable Partner”—Comments on News and Prophecy, December 27, 2025,” last Sabbath’s first message presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Frictions between the USA and Europe continue, and mutual trust disappears rapidly or is already gone. Europe is upset with Trump’s visa bans; and Denmark fumes over Trump’s envoy to Greenland. Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine is as illusionary as ever. At the same time, developments regarding the building of the third temple continue. We also address some “problematic” Christmas messages by several agencies and Trump administration officials. 

“Choose the Better Side,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Christoph Sperzel is now posted. Here is the summary:

God’s promise of eternal life requires us to check ourselves, repent, and walk the path of change to live according to God’s commands. While worldly insurance offers material security, God’s “life insurance” gives us an absolute guarantee of eternal life—but only if we fulfill His requirements. The Passover reminds us to check our spiritual condition, align our lives with God’s Will, and continually grow and follow Christ so that we may ultimately be ready for the Kingdom of God.

On December 27, 2025, Norbert Link will present, “Comments on News and Prophecy, December 27, 2025,” and Christoph Sperzel will present the sermon, titled, “Choose the Better Side.”

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.

“For the sake of peace”—for some, this phrase implies that one must always give in, but it also contains an old, yet deeply biblical expression that reminds us that true peace does not come when everyone insists on their rights, but rather, when love and humility are stronger than pride.

Acting “for the sake of peace” means, yielding not out of weakness, but out of inner strength, because one values peace more highly than dispute.

The Bible repeatedly calls us to seek and preserve peace. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

This shows that peace often begins with our own attitude. We need to let go, forgive, and remain silent, even when it is difficult. We need to give in, even when it seems unfair or we have already done so many times.

When Peter once asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (compare Matthew 18:21-22).

This means nothing less than always, without limitation!

Jesus teaches us that true forgiveness knows no bounds and that true peace can only grow where we are ready to forgive again and again.

But peace does not mean concealing injustice or suppressing the Truth.

In Ezekiel 33:1-9, God speaks of the responsibility of the watchman to warn the people in the face of danger. The watchman who remains silent is complicit in the disaster that occurs. These words remind us that peace does not come from silence about evil, but from the Truth spoken out of love.

Sometimes, God calls us to speak up, to warn, or to have the courage to address injustices—not to condemn, but to preserve and save lives.

This also means acting “for the sake of peace”: speaking the Truth in love so that genuine peace based on justice can arise.

Jesus himself said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9; Authorized Version). Peacemaking is therefore a sign of being a child of God.

Those who seek peace follow the example of Christ, who showed us the way of peace—not by fighting, but by loving, forgiving, and serving.

The peace that God gives is more than the absence of dispute; it is a state of the heart in which God’s love reigns: “…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”, as Paul writes in Philippians 4:7.

To live “for the sake of peace” means to consciously seek reconciliation in relationships, in the family, in the church, or at work. It is not always easy, but it is worth trying not to always have the last word, but rather to remain calm. It means to think “more highly of one another than you do of yourselves,” as it says in Philippians 2:3 (Amplified Bible), and in doing so, allowing God’s love to be manifested.

Sometimes, this also means giving in more often than one would like, and yet finding peace in it because one knows that God guides our hearts and that love always remains the stronger force.

Jesus Himself paid the highest price “for the sake of peace.” He gave up His divine right, became human, served, and died so that “our peace was upon Him” (Isaiah 53:5).

This divine peace is the foundation on which we can build our lives.

Thus, God calls us to be peacemakers in word and deed, in love and patience. “For the sake of peace”—for us, this is not a sign of weakness, but an expression of divine strength rooted in love and bearing fruit in peace.

(Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger)

by Norbert Link

We begin with the continuing alienation between the USA and Europe (including Germany, Denmark and Sweden); address the ongoing confusion regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine; impressions that Trump is on the run and losing power; the release of further Epstein documents (many of them redacted) and the incompetent FBI; and the fierce battle for MAGA’s future.

We are addressing developments in Israel and Great Britain and conclude with numerous articles pertaining to Germany.

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Why Are They Lying to Us About War and Peace?” 

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

US No Longer Reliable Ally 

Politico wrote on December 21: 

“Trump continues to antagonize the United States’ traditional European allies, deriding them… as ‘weak’ and a ‘decaying group of nations’… 

“Like many other European nations, France sees Russia has a growing threat to the continent. So it is preparing to defend itself against… a ‘violent test’ from Russia in the next three to four years that it would need to counter without much, if any, help from Washington… 

“The challenge is even higher as it’s becoming increasingly clear they can no longer rely on the United States as a primary security provider. Successive U.S. presidents — including Barack Obama and Joe Biden — have warned over the past decade that Washington would eventually have to focus on the Indo-Pacific region instead of Europe, but the Trump administration has already matched those words with action. 

“That is putting the spotlight on France, the EU’s only nuclear power and a country with independent weapons makers that has long warned the continent should become more autonomous in areas such as technology and defense… the way France and Germany, the EU’s largest countries, respond in the coming months and years will determine whether other European countries will turn to them for Europe’s defense or try to retain bilateral ties with Washington at the expense of EU and NATO unity… 

“France’s distrust of America dates back to 1956, when U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower forced it and Britain to back down from a military intervention to regain control of the Suez Canal from Egypt, leaving Paris feeling betrayed and humiliated. Since then,… France’s defense policy has been based on the assumption that the U.S. is not a reliable ally and that the Western European nation should be able to defend itself on its own if need be. The memory of the Suez incident contributed to former French President Charles de Gaulle’s decision to leave NATO and develop its own nuclear program. 

“Now, European capitals… are starting to increasingly realize France might have been right all along… Since Trump came back to power in January, the clues of Washington’s disengagement from — if not disdain of — Europe have been hard to ignore… Less than one year after Trump returned to the White House, influential German voices… are no longer looking at Washington as an ally… 

“The French president said France’s military expenditures will increase by €6.7 billion next year, bringing the country’s total defense spending to more than €57.1 billion. In comparison, German lawmakers this week greenlit €50 billion in weaponry procurement — Germany’s military expenditures are expected to reach more than €82 billion next year…” 

It’s all in line with biblical prophecy for the USA and Europe. 

“Rubio Warns Europe Risks Destroying ‘Shared Culture’ of Western Civilization“

Breitbart wrote on December 20: 

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Europe risks destroying the ‘shared culture’ of the West and in turn weaken bonds with the United States… Rubio doubled down on the assertions made in the White House’s National Security Strategy memo, which declared that Europe faces ‘civilizational erasure’ if it continues globalist policies of mass migration and attacks on fundamental liberties such as freedom of speech. 

“The memo has riled feathers in Europe, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying that many aspects of the document were ‘unacceptable to us from a European perspective.’ Meanwhile, the… head of the European Commission… Ursula von der Leyen demanded that the United States not ‘interfere’ in European democracy… 

“Rubio specifically pointed to the problems surrounding mass migration, citing the recent Islamist terror attack at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Australia as an example. ‘Mass migration over the last decade has been highly disruptive, not just to the United States but also to continental Europe and in some cases in the Indo-Pacific as well. So I just think this is a real challenge that multiple Western advanced, industrialized countries are facing…” 

“Row Over ‘Censorship’ Escalates” 

The Guardian wrote on December 24: 

“The French president… and the European Union have accused Washington of ‘coercion and intimidation’, after the US imposed a visa ban on five prominent European figures who have been at heart of the campaign to introduce laws regulating American tech giants. The visa bans were imposed on Tuesday on [French] Thierry Breton, a former EU commissioner and one of the architects of the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), and four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK… 

“Justifying the visa bans, the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on X: ‘For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose. The Trump administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.’… the row threatens to become part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between Donald Trump’s administration and Europe… 

“Macron condemned the visa ban in furious terms… Breton, a former French finance minister and the European commissioner for the internal market from 2019 to 2024, said: ‘Is McCarthy’s witch-hunt back?…’ 

“A European Commission spokesperson said: ‘If needed, we will respond swiftly and decisively to defend our regulatory autonomy against unjustified measures’… 

“Germany’s justice ministry said the two German campaigners had the government’s ‘support and solidarity’ and the visa bans were unacceptable… 

“Raphaël Glucksmann, a French socialist MEP, said in a message to Rubio: ‘For far too long, Europe has been weak in implementing its own laws and defending its own interests. You have chosen to cosy up tyrants and confront democracies. The time has come for us to stand up. Kneel as much as you want in front of Putin, we are the free world now. We are not a colony of the United States. We are Europeans, we must defend our laws, our principles, our interests. This scandalous sanction against Thierry Breton pays tribute to his fight for our sovereignty. We will continue it together. To the end.’… 

“Michel Duclos, a former senior French diplomat [said:]… ‘Europe is becoming the new Russia for Washington. It brings to mind the 1920s – America favouring the former enemy [Germany) against its former allies – but worse.’ 

“The chair of the German Journalists’ Association, Mika Beuster, [said:] ‘This is censorship in its purest form, the likes of which we have previously only known from autocratic regimes’…” 

Politico added on December 24: 

“The sanctions, announced Tuesday, also revoke the U.S. visas of British citizens Imran Ahmed and Clare Melford…  Ahmed, who currently lives in Washington, faces immediate deportation… 

“The move is the latest in a series of warning shots volleyed by the U.S. at allies over what it views as unfair efforts to regulate American social media and tech giants, including Elon Musk-owned X, which was slapped with a Euro 120 million fine earlier this month for violating the bloc’s content moderation law….” 

US Military Presence in Europe Throughout 2026 

Caliber wrote on December 20: 

“US President Donald Trump has signed into law legislation that sets a minimum level of 76,000 American troops in Europe throughout 2026… Under the law, the number of US service members stationed on the continent may not fall below that threshold for more than 45 days… 

“According to the Pentagon, approximately 100,000 US troops are currently deployed in Europe, including more than 65,000 permanently stationed personnel, with the remainder serving on rotational deployments… The law also provides for: $400 million in funding for arms procurement for Ukraine; Financing for the Golden Dome missile defence shield initiated by Trump; A US defence budget of approximately $900 billion for the next fiscal year, $8 billion higher than the administration’s previous proposal.” 

Denmark Fumes Over New US Envoy to Greenland

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 22: 

“Denmark is incensed at the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as new US special envoy to Greenland as President Donald Trump continues to heap pressure on the Nordic nation and looks to take over the autonomous territory from Copenhagen. 

“In appointing Landry on Sunday, Trump — who has threatened to take Greenland by force from ally Denmark if necessary — wrote that the southern governor, ‘understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.’ 

“Landry took to the social media platform X to thank Trump for the appointment, writing, ‘It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.’ 

“On Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the move left him ‘deeply angered’ and said Washington must respect Denmark’s sovereignty, with Copenhagen vowing to summon the US ambassador in protest… Rasmussen told Denmark’s TV 2 that he was ‘particularly upset by his [Landry’s] statements,’ calling them ‘completely unacceptable,’ and adding to the Reuters news agency: ‘We insist that everyone — including the US — must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.’ 

“Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said news of the appointment, ‘might sound like a big deal,’ but added that it ‘doesn’t change anything for us here at home. We will determine our future ourselves,’ he said. In a joint statement with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Nielsen added: ‘Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the US shall not take over Greenland.’… 

“Trump, who floated the option of buying Greenland and established a new consulate there during his first term, has repeatedly threatened to get it no matter what since returning to office in January 2025. He has sought to emphasize Greenland’s location and mineral riches as key to US national security and has ignored the wishes of Greenlanders and Danish leaders in his pursuit…” 

Interest-Free Loan for Ukraine 

Times of Oman wrote on December 19: 

“German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the European Council’s decision to grant Ukraine a €90 billion loan a ‘decisive message for an end to the war.’ 

“The interest-free loan is enough to cover Ukraine’s military and budgetary needs for the next two years, he pointed out in a statement. And Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘will only make concessions once he realizes his war will not pay off,’ Merz said. ‘If Russia does not pay reparations we will — in full accordance with international law — make use of Russian immobilized assets for paying back the loan,’ Merz added. 

“Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the EU’s decision on the €90 billion loan to Ukraine. ‘It’s lost money,’ said Orban, who is seen as one of Russia’s closest allies in Europe. ‘The good news is that we’re staying out,’ he said. 

“Hungary, along with Slovakia and the Czech Republic, were given an exemption from the loan commitment to avoid them blocking the decision.” 

How giving a loan to Ukraine to enable it to keep on fighting will guarantee that the war will end is an unexplained mystery. 

Peaceful Russia? 

Tulsi Gabbard, US Director of National Intelligence, wrote on December 21  wrote on X: 

“Deep State warmongers and their Propaganda Media are again trying to undermine President Trump’s efforts to bring peace to Ukraine—and indeed Europe—by falsely claiming that the ‘U.S. intelligence community’ agrees to and supports EU/NATO viewpoint that Russia’s aim is to invade/conquer Europe (in order to gin up support for their pro-war policies). The truth is that ‘US intelligence’ assesses that Russia does not even have the capability to conquer and occupy Ukraine…” 

Maybe not now, but it WILL occur later. 

Russia Scraps Military Pacts With Europe 

TRT World wrote on December 20: 

“The Russian government on Saturday officially authorised the Defence Ministry to terminate a series of bilateral military cooperation agreements signed with several European nations between 1992 and 2002. 

“The termination list includes agreements with Germany, Poland, and Norway, as well as similar pacts with Bulgaria, Romania, Denmark, the UK, the Netherlands, Croatia, Belgium and the Czech Republic.” 

“US Intelligence Chief Calls Reuters Report on Putin’s War Aims a ‘Lie'” 

MDR reported on December 21: 

“The Director of National Intelligence of the United States, Tulsi Gabbard, has rejected a Reuters report claiming that US intelligence agencies believed Russian President Vladimir Putin intended to conquer all of Ukraine. 

“Gabbard wrote on X that this was ‘a lie and propaganda.’  She claimed Reuters was ‘willingly serving warmongers’ who are undermining US President Donald Trump’s peace efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The truth, she said, is that US intelligence assesses that Russia wants to avoid a larger war with NATO…”

This is more than questionable. 

“Painful Truths” 

Die Welt wrote on December 19: 

“Ukraine will lose the war against Russia – Europeans must admit this, even if it hurts…” 

Trump on the Run 

t-online wrote on December 18: 

“Donald Trump’s annual address revealed a US president on the run – not only from the facts and from his own responsibility. At an unusually early stage, he finds himself confronted with a loss of power… But instead of spreading credible optimism in his prime-time address, Trump’s appearance once again primarily devolved into a personal settling of scores with his political opponents and a strategic concealment of his own failures… 

“Trump is finding it increasingly difficult to mask his plummeting approval ratings. These are now the worst of his two terms in office. The same applies to the growing tensions within his own party ahead of the difficult midterm elections for the Republicans next year. The signs that Trump is already governing like a ‘lame duck’ after only the first eleven months are multiplying. This is unusually early for a president in his second term.” 

“With all the lies and omissions in his year-end address, Trump appeared noticeably rushed, nervous, even almost slightly panicked.  That, at least, is how numerous people from his own political camp commented on the performance.  Perhaps this was a man quickly reading a defense speech from a teleprompter before the electorate delivers its verdict on him in the midterm elections. This was a president who is already on the run.” 

“A Battered America” 

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on December 19: 

”President Donald Trump’s end of year speech to the American public that took place on December 17^th was full of conceits over how the United States under the new regime in power is moving ahead on all fronts to benefit the American people. The reality is somewhat different with a struggling economy, inflation and growing unemployment as well as wars and rumors of wars. The only economic sector that appears to be doing just fine is the ‘military industrial complex’… For sure, the warfare bill is helping to expand the nation’s debt while providing little in the way of national security due to profound ignorance combined with serial blundering by those in power in and around the White House. 

“The unavoidable fact that Trump has created a mess nearly everywhere that he has trod has been visible practically since inauguration day eleven months ago, made worse by the incoherent and frequently contradictory explanations coming out of the Oval Office itself… 

“Regarding Russia and Ukraine, Trump’s fumbling negotiating team consisting of two property developers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner…  consistently fail to appreciate what Russia’s redlines are… 

“All of which leads us to Israel… Early in December, the US Embassy in Jerusalem co-sponsored with the Israeli government a gathering of 1,000 evangelical pastors from the United States… The trip to Israel was paid for by the Israeli government according to reports… 

“Fox News host arch Israel Firster Mark Levin hailed President Donald Trump as ‘the first Jewish president’ during the [White House Hanukkah Party] on Tuesday… Interestingly, Levin aside, it has been plausibly asserted that Trump is indeed the first Jewish president, having converted in 2017… 

“Also at the Tuesday reception, Israeli Las Vegas casino magnate and top political donor Miriam Adelson publicly and openly declared that Trump could pursue a third term as president… She also pledged an additional $250 million in campaign support to fund such an initiative, prompting audience chants of ‘Four more years.’ Trump praised Adelson’s backing… 

“Trump just appointed Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun… as head of the office of the State Department Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism where he will have the rank of Ambassador. Kaploun pledged… to work with social networks to curb the spread of antisemitic falsehoods online.” 

Interesting facts and comments in light of our belief that God has set aside Trump to build or help build the Third Temple in Jerusalem. 

Incompetent FBI 

The New York Post wrote on December 21: 

“[The] FBI was warned that Jeffrey Epstein was into child porn — but ignored it for 10 years… A former employee of late sex predator Jeffrey Epstein alerted the FBI that he was interested in ‘child pornography’ and that he threatened to ‘burn her house down’ decades before Epstein became an international fixation — but feds apparently did nothing. Maria Farmer, whom Epstein hired to help purchase art, filed a complaint against him on Sept. 3, 1996… 

“‘I’ve waited 30 years,’ Farmer told The New York Times when asked about a recently released report showing her complaint… ‘They should be ashamed,’ she continued. ‘…They harmed all of these little girls. That part devastates me.’ 

“Farmer has publicly claimed for years that she tried to inform the authorities about Epstein and his madam, Ghislaine Maxwell’s, predatory behavior. Until the latest batch of Epstein files was released on Friday, the FBI didn’t publicly confirm that she had filed that complaint, and Farmer faced accusations from some that she fabricated her story about going to the feds… 

“Critics… accused the Trump administration of failing to comply with the law by not releasing all the documents by Friday. Detractors also railed against the level of redactions in the Epstein files released.” 

Allegedly, many photos showing Trump were redacted. 

What’s the Point?

International Business Times wrote on December 20:

“The long-awaited disclosure of the Jeffrey Epstein investigative files has arrived, but the resulting digital fallout suggests the public feels more deceived than informed. Instead of the transparency many had campaigned for, the release has sparked a firestorm of criticism over the heavy-handed use of the literal black pen.

“Over a hundred pages from the Epstein files are redacted, leading many to wonder ‘what was the point’ of releasing them in the first place… Public reaction turned swift and vitriolic as users began scouring the digital archives. The social media account UTOPIC reported that the files released are ‘apparently 90 percent redacted.’”

Trump’s “Absurd” National Security Threat Allegations 

The Daily Beast wrote on December 23: 

“It is unclear what prompted the president’s latest deranged rant. Donald Trump has accused The New York Times of being a [serious] national security threat in an unhinged Truth Social post… 

“Last week, the paper… published a detailed report examining Trump’s friendship with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, describing how the two ‘pursued women in a game of ego and dominance’ in which ‘female bodies were currency.’ In one particularly damaging section, a mother who accompanied her 14-year-old daughter to a party at Mar-a-Lago with other young models claimed she was warned by Trump’s then-wife, Marla Maples: ‘Whatever you do, do not let her around any of these men, and especially my husband.’ Maples denied making the remark to the Times… 

“The president ranted about the outlet while continuing to push a dubious claim that he had lowered the cost of prescription drugs by the mathematically impossible amount of up to ‘3,000 percent.’… 

“In response to the Truth Social attack, a spokesperson for the Times told the Daily Beast: ‘Our job is to report fully and fairly on the government, no matter which party is in power. That includes reporting things that officials would prefer to hide from the American people. We won’t be deterred from this responsibility by threats and bluster, from the president or anyone else.’” 

Even though Trump has been railing against the New York Times, calling it fake news, the truth is that it is widely considered a highly respected, leading news outlet and America’s newspaper of record, recognized globally for its extensive investigative and international journalism, numerous Pulitzer Prizes [more than any other news organization] and large digital readership [millions of subscribers and leading the industry]. 

Hegseth’s Accusations 

The Independent wrote on December 18: 

“Many Americans are ‘too dumb’ or ‘too fat’ to serve in the military, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a gathering of top recruiters at the Pentagon on Thursday,…  ‘not dumb, that’s wrong. You know, we’re just not educating them properly or they’ve got criminal records, or ADHD [Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder], or all these other things.’… 

“Hegseth has made a point of focusing on physical fitness throughout his time as secretary… and railing against ‘fat generals’…” 

The War Machine 

On December 22, Ron Paul wrote in his weekly column of the Ron Paul Institute: 

“Late last week, Congress passed and President Trump signed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill marks the first time the US military budget officially passed the one trillion dollar mark. 

“Of course, when you add in other military-related spending such as interest on the debt, veterans’ affairs, and military components of other government agencies, the true number is at least one and a half times that amount… Congress is so addicted to military spending that they appropriated even more money than President Trump requested…” 

This incredible waste of money for all the wrong reasons and ungodly projects is appalling. When David numbered his army, he was severely punished by God. 

Tucker Carlson Inflames Raging Battle for MAGA’s Future 

The Washington Post wrote on December 20: 

“Tucker Carlson had some concerns. So he called President Donald Trump. The right-wing podcaster and provocateur wanted to understand why the U.S. was attacking alleged drug smuggling boats off the coast of Venezuela and he warned against pursuing regime change there — a prospect that has alarmed the more isolationist ‘America First’ Republicans in Trump’s movement. 

“The conversations last weekend… show how the Fox News castoff is at the center of some of the most heated disputes in MAGA — over foreign policy, antisemitism and conspiracy theories, among other topics heightening tensions in the movement… Carlson is a divisive and influential figure with an audience — on social media, among MAGA commentators and inside the White House… as a growing number of MAGA activists clash with Trump and each other, clouding the future of the movement, Carlson has become a more central figure this year, viewed as consequential by detractors and supporters alike. 

“… Carlson is trying to push the party away from foreign intervention and divorce it from Israel, which he argues exerts burdensome pressure on U.S. foreign policy, drawing accusations that he is repeating antisemitic tropes. He has entertained conspiracy theories about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk that have angered many MAGA influencers, including Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk. And this fall, he interviewed white supremacist commentator Nick Fuentes, who has espoused antisemitic conspiracy theories… 

“Carlson vehemently rejects accusations of antisemitism. ‘Just because I don’t want to bow to the will of a foreign leader does not make me an antisemite, okay?’ he said. ‘I think antisemitism is immoral and I am against it.’… 

“To Carlson’s fans, he’s a champion of the populist ‘America First’ agenda they see as the future of the GOP… But others see Carlson as a threat to the conservative movement, elevating extreme ideas that the GOP has a responsibility to condemn — or at least not magnify… 

“Carlson spent years as a conservative commentator on CNN and MSNBC before landing at Fox News, where he rose… to the network’s most popular star… Carlson’s departure from Fox threatened to dramatically reduce his visibility in the party. Instead, freed from corporate constraints, he has rebuilt a large audience… 

“Over the summer, Carlson criticized the Trump administration’s bombing of Iran, prompting Trump to call him ‘kooky’… This past week, Carlson said he heard Trump was about to announce a war with Venezuela in a national address — and turned out to be incorrect. 

“But the two have also kept open lines of communication and praised each other…” 

Israel Surrounded by Enemies 

Israel Today wrote on December 19: 

“Israel is committed to the long-term demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and, if necessary, by force. That message was made unmistakably clear by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in an interview with Al Arabiya English, the Saudi outlet. If Hamas refuses to disarm as outlined in the US peace plan…, ‘Israel will have to deal with the problem,’ Sa’ar said… Senior Hamas leaders have stated publicly they have no intention of laying down their arms… If the threat continues, Israel cannot ignore it. That assessment is shared by Israel’s national security community, which has long argued that ceasefires without disarmament are merely pauses before the next escalation.

“Beyond Gaza, Sa’ar also addressed Israel’s northern borders. In Syria, he noted, the new regime in Damascus has recently hardened its position, delaying progress toward a potential security agreement… the facts on the ground remain deeply concerning. Syria is home to numerous militias, including extremist factions, some of which have committed atrocities against Alawite and Druze communities in recent months. Israel’s first priority, he said, remains the security of its own borders. 

“Lebanon, too, remains a major destabilizing factor. Hezbollah continues to undermine state sovereignty by refusing to comply with the Lebanese government’s call to disarm. Sa’ar made it clear that disarming the Shiite militia would not only strengthen Israel’s security—it would also help Lebanon free itself from foreign interference. The implication was obvious: Iran, which has armed and financed Hezbollah for years.” 

Trump’s Contempt for Logic 

The Jerusalem Post wrote on December 22: 

“… regarding an American president now endowed with near-total decisional authority over nuclear weapons, a… fundamental concern should be Trump’s evident incapacity for logic-based reasoning. Though often minimized, underestimated, or overlooked, this conspicuous deficit could lead… to wholly unprecedented military conflicts…  each day’s news is replete with well-founded condemnations of Trump’s logical failings, historical inaccuracies, and contrived conclusions… 

“… it’s high time for Americans to worry not only about their current president’s transgressions, but also his intellectual debilities. At some not yet determinable point, the American president’s shortfalls of logic-based reasoning could bring us to the brink of a nuclear war.” 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Coming Demise

Andrew Neil wrote on December 20 in Daily Mail:

“The more Keir Starmer’s popularity plummets, the more he tries to shield himself from public scrutiny and the judgement of voters who’ve come not just to dislike him but, in many cases, to detest him.

“So local elections he knows Labour is going to lose are cancelled. Access for journalists trying to hold him and his government to account is curtailed. Opinions on race, gender and immigration which do not conform to his government’s liberal-left worldview are rigorously policed — and miscreants often penalised.

“No opportunity is missed for him to escape these shores even on the flimsiest of globetrotting excuses — making it all the easier for him to avoid proper interrogation on the disasters regularly unfolding back on the home front.

“The Prime Minister thinks all this will restore his tarnished reputation and eventually make him electable again. It is a sign of just how out of touch he is that he doesn’t realise they merely underwrite his one-way ticket to the knacker’s yard, which is printed out and ready to be issued before 2026 is over.” 

“They Are Immigrating to Germany—and Behaving Like Conquerors or Colonialists.” 

Die Welt wrote on December 21: 

“They believe they are at war: Islamists are immigrating to Western countries like conquerors, considering their culture inferior.  Regardless of the number of victims of attacks or rapes, German politicians are not confronting the problem.”

Merz’s Most Powerful Opponent? 

ntv wrote on December 19: 

“Russia’s appetite for war is meeting with little resistance, certainly not in Washington, Beijing, or New Delhi. Only Europe and a few allies outside the continent are standing up to Putin. At their head is Chancellor Merz, who is playing for high stakes to achieve even the bare minimum… In recent days, Friedrich Merz has thrown the full political weight of the Federal Republic of Germany into the balance to prevent the year from ending in a complete defeat for Ukraine and, consequently, for Europe. 

“Among the European countries, Germany, despite a profound economic crisis, is by far the most powerful on the side of Ukraine, and the Chancellor is demonstrating his determination to fulfill this responsibility these days. 

“At the EU summit, three EU states—Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia—opposed further aid for Ukraine. Other, smaller countries expressed doubts. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for several reasons, could not bring herself to offer consistent support for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron cannot get his domestic political crisis under control because his country is more notable for its massive debt than for being a great nation. And Great Britain, since Brexit, stands alone anyway and only fits into this list because British Prime Minister Keir Starmer can only dream of achieving even Merz’s weak approval ratings. 

“This disunited, weakened Europe is therefore the one Merz must lead, because only a united EU, together with the British, Norwegians, Canadians, and Australians, can offer any meaningful resistance to the Russians, who are openly supported by China. And where the USA will stand in this conflict tomorrow is something even Donald Trump probably doesn’t know today…” 

“In Brussels, an agreement was finally reached on financing Ukraine, for which Merz, contrary to his convictions, also agreed to joint EU debt. The Chancellor did not achieve a complete victory. At a crucial moment, Europe failed to demonstrate the resolve to protect its own security interests, which Merz had so emphatically demanded on Monday. But: after the EU summit, Moscow must assume that Ukraine will continue fighting… 

“Now, however, there is at least a chance for talks that could lead to a ceasefire. Without the Chancellor, even this slim chance would probably not exist – and that currently makes Friedrich Merz Vladimir Putin’s most powerful opponent. How Russia will react to this will likely become clear soon.”

Spahn the New Chancellor? 

Focus wrote on December 20: 

“If Friedrich Merz were to fail as Chancellor, there is only one logical successor for FOCUS columnist Jan Fleischhauer. ‘If I had to bet on a replacement chancellor from the CDU right now,’ he says…, ‘I would say: Jens Spahn.’ 

“A name that polarizes. Spahn is considered politically tainted by many; he is accused of moral questionable behavior, from privately financed real estate purchases to the procurement of masks during the pandemic, which resulted in billions of euros in losses for taxpayers. 

“For Fleischhauer, however, the crucial question is not one of impeccable morals, but of political suitability. Spahn possesses qualities that would be more useful than detrimental in the Chancellor’s office. ‘He has the certain ruthlessness that you need for the job,’ says Fleischhauer. Added to this are toughness and assertiveness… less concern for internal party politics, more power instinct and leadership. And this is precisely where his comparison with Merz is telling….” 

Military Service in Germany

Die Zeit reported on December 19: 

“The Federal Council has approved the new military service. Starting in January 2026, all 18-year-olds born in 2008 and later will receive an information letter from the German armed forces (Bundeswehr). Men will then be required to fill out a questionnaire that, among other things, asks about their interest in serving in the Bundeswehr.  Filling out the questionnaire is voluntary for women. 

“The medical examination will also become mandatory again for 18-year-old men. The new military service will last between six and eleven months, or longer. The federal government aims to increase its attractiveness by offering, among other things, a monthly salary of €2,600 gross and a subsidy for a driver’s license. The goal is to meet the Bundeswehr’s personnel needs as precisely as possible. If not enough volunteers come forward, the Bundestag can enact a so-called compulsory service based on need, which would have to be regulated in a separate law.”

Conscription will be reintroduced.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

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

This question can be answered with a clear “NO.” It is obviously not biblical to try to lead someone to conversion, and certainly not with the premise of being able to marry that person after repentance and conversion. As we will explain, repentance does not come from the human motivation of third parties, nor from pure self-interest. Repentance can only be initiated by God! After all, marriage is also a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the Church, which requires spiritual unity.

In order to come to repentance, there are two central messages from Christ; one that He personally communicated to the Jews (in John 6:44) when they grumbled about Him; and the other that He responded to Thomas (in John 14:6). Both statements are related. The first says: No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and the other says: No one comes to the Father except through Me.

This means that the first impulse to repent, to believe, and to turn to God does not come from man, but that God is the initiator!

It is important to recognize that God never pushes or compels people, as the German Luther Bible 1984 falsely translates Romans 8:14: “For those who are pushed (“treibt”) by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” The German Menge Bible translates it more accurately: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God… (or: allow themselves to be led) are sons of God.” The New Luther Bible 2009 also puts it this way: “For all who allow themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” The majority of the English Bible translations render it correctly: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are sons of God” (compare Authorized Version).

“Being led” is not compulsion from God, but an inner calling that is intended to lead people to a movement of conscience, to a longing for the Truth, and to the recognition of guilt for lawlessness toward God’s commandments, which is sin. In this sense, deep repentance is ultimately a great favor or gift from God. Paul makes this statement precisely in 2 Timothy 1:9:

“[He] who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…”

In this context, it is important to understand that God calls only those today to salvation whom He predestined and chose “before time began.” For more information on this topic, please read our free booklet, “Are You Predestined to be Saved?”

Peter explains in 1 Peter 2:11–12: “… abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that … they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

Paul also conveys a clear message to all Christians in Ephesians 5:15–17:

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Put together, this results in an important sequence of events: First, God the Father inspires and guides the predestined person towards repentance. The person should respond to this, which opens up the opportunity to come to Christ and the Way to God the Father.

But even this conversion must come from free conviction and repentance before God, not from emotional or interpersonal pressure from another person, or from ulterior motives.

What is the problem with wanting to convert an unbeliever in order to marry him or her?

The problem lies in the different beliefs, which often lead to serious spiritual conflicts, including with family or educational training. As already explained, marriage is a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the Church, which requires spiritual unity. Marriage to an unbeliever is therefore not considered to be in accordance with God’s Will, although existing marriages are of course respected.

Paul, an apostle of Christ, explains in 1 Corinthians 7:12–13:

“But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.”

But trying to convert an unbeliever in order to marry him or her is by no means biblical!

Paul explains this further in 2 Corinthians 6:14–15:

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?”

Basically, the biblical teaching is expressed in 1 Corinthians 7:39, where Paul explains: “A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.”

Paul is saying that those who wish to marry should only do so with a believer. Nowhere in the Bible is a believer instructed to seek out an unbeliever for a later marriage, based on one’s own initiative.

Amos asks the question in Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”

The question is: “How can two people walk together if one’s heart longs for God and Jesus Christ, but the other’s is focused on the world?”

God always wanted order, separation, and identity among the nations so that there would be no religious intermingling. These “marriage prohibitions” are clearly grounded in the Bible.

In Deuteronomy 7:2–6, we read about the “warning against fellowship with Gentiles”:

“… You shall make no covenant with them … Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly … For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”

Many examples in the Bible show that marriages between believers and unbelievers are problematic.

Samson is a classic warning example in Judges 14:1–3.

Samson, a man from the people of Israel, of the tribe of Dan, is determined to marry a Philistine woman. His parents protest strongly, as the Philistines were considered uncircumcised, idolaters, and enemies of Israel before God. The problem was their origin, their false beliefs, their moral influence, and the spiritual seduction by the Philistines. This becomes clear later with Delilah (Judges 16), through whom Samson falls into the hands of the Philistines.

Esau also had problems with unbelieving women. In Genesis 26:34–35, it says:

“When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. And they were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah.”

Marrying more than one woman was wrong, and in this case, the marriage also violated God’s prohibition against marrying Hittite women (the Hittites were one of the seven nations that God would drive out of the Promised Land).

These women brought idolatry and foreign customs with them, which led to family tensions.

Many other examples in the Bible confirm that marriage between believers and unbelievers is problematic – especially, when someone tries to convert an unbeliever before marriage for the purpose of later marriage.

The Bible clearly shows that marriage is more than physical love or attraction. Spiritual unity is very important.

In conclusion, our free booklet “The Keys to Happy Marriages and Families” says this in the first part, “The Christian Marriage,” on page 2:

“Too many marriages face serious difficulties based on an improper understanding and exercise of the different roles and functions of husbands and wives, ending their relationship in divorce or legal separation. But we are called upon to return to the clear teachings of the Bible to produce happy, healthy, successful Christian marriages. Are we willing to listen to God and actually do what He says?”

Lead Writer: Thilo Hanstein (Germany)

(Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger)

compiled by Dave Harris

“Why Are They Lying to Us About War and Peace?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

We are bombarded right now with messages of peace. But the sad truth is, they don’t know what they are talking about. The way to peace they don’t know. Rather, they tell us lies to justify our alleged need for more weapons and a bigger army. Or they lie when they say that one cannot govern a country by following Christ’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. 

How then will there be peace on earth?

“Warum belügen sie uns über Krieg und Frieden?” 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 (December 2025) has been posted and mailed to our subscribers. Pastor Kalon Mitchell, reflecting on the death of a close family member, reminds us of the hope Christians have for their future in God’s Kingdom.

A contract has been signed for facilities in St. George, Utah, which will be our location for observing the 2026 Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day in North America.

“Werden Androiden den Menschen ersetzen?” last Sabbath’s 2^nd split sermon in Germany, presented by Robert Muhr, is now posted. Title in English: “Will Androids Replace Humans?

“The Exit Interview,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Frank Bruno, is now posted. Here is the summary:

In the business world when an employee voluntarily leaves an organization an exit interview is often scheduled in order to learn and improve the organization and the employee. As true Christians we know that we face our most significant interaction with our Creator at the time of our judgement. In this sermonette we will consider several scriptures that can help us become and remain more prepared for this.

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

Christianity is a Way of living, and it involves “spiritual” thinking and acting as Jesus Christ instructs. This stands in total contrast to “carnal” thinking and acting, a way which ends in death.

On December 20, 2025, Frank Bruno will present the sermonette, titled, “The Exit Interview,” and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “Every Thought.”

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.

It is human nature to justify our actions. For example, one might choose to tell a so-called white lie when asked about their opinion. If telling the Truth might invoke conflict, masking the Truth to prevent conflict might seem like the best thing to do. Human nature will push us to believe that God won’t mind a little sin if it is for the purpose of doing what we think is good.

However, those who rely only on their human judgment to evaluate between right and wrong and choose to do what is contrary to what God commands are deceived. They might think that God will understand their circumstances and permit a minor indiscretion. Certainly, He will consider the situation and allow an exception to His rules, right?

Wrong.

As hard as it might be to accept, God’s Laws do not make room for exceptions. White lies are one simple example. But this principle extends to other seemingly harmless actions as well. Consider the high standard that Jesus Christ described when He explained how sin begins in the heart. Even though the Ten Commandments condemn murder, Jesus explained that even being angry with one’s brother without a cause can bring one into judgment (compare Matthew 5:21-22). He also explained that a man who looks upon another woman with lust or a desire to commit adultery with her commits sin, even if the actual physical act never takes place (compare Matthew 5:27-28).

With a human perspective, it can be tempting to believe that our good intentions that manifest as sinful behavior would be acceptable by God, but this is simply not true.

In fact, if we have an attitude of knowingly committing sin in defiance of God’s commandments because we think those sins are no big deal, we put ourselves in a very dangerous position. If we sin willfully with full knowledge of the Truth, this is known as committing the unpardonable sin. “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27). It does not matter if that sin is big or small, because it is all sin. Even an unrepented white lie spoken willfully to deceive is enough to result in this terrible condemnation.

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law” (James 2:10-11).

Considering how there is such a high standard to be without sin is sobering. We all have failed in our attempts to obey God, even though we try. The point is to continue learning from our mistakes and correct our paths, not to continue making mistakes willfully, thinking that our sins are no big deal to God. When we have an attitude of repentance, we can continue claiming the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ to offer us forgiveness. If we are willing to turn away from sin, Jesus Christ is willing to forgive us. But if we are so full of pride that we believe our sins don’t matter, there is no sacrifice that remains to forgive us.

We cannot take God’s commandments lightly. If we sin willfully, thinking that God won’t mind, we are mistaken, and gravely so. Fortunately, as long as we take God seriously, continue to love the Truth, and repent from our sins when we discover them, we will receive forgiveness which will save us.

by Norbert Link

We begin with further escalations between Europe and the USA; Chancellor Merz’ comments about Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin; predictable failed attempts to reach a ceasefire or peace in Russia’s war with Ukraine; a warning about Great Britain’s defeat in the next war; and Donald Trump’s rambling speech about his imagined leadership of Europe and his “sleepwalking into an electoral disaster” at the midterm election. We also address his highly controversial immigration regulations and practices; as well as his terrible and tasteless fabricated comments regarding the murder of Rob Reiner.

We address Trump’s failing Gaza peace plan and the warning that Trump is “sleepwalking into a strategic catastrophe.” Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Does Trump Sleepwalk Into Catastrophes?” 

We continue with a report on the mass murder of Jews in Sydney by Islamist terrorists.

We speak on the end of the global warming propaganda, the coming financial clash and the enlargement of the Eurozone.

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

“The US Wants to Destroy the EU… There Isn’t Much Time Left” 

Handelsblatt wrote on December 11: 

“The US is now among those who want to destroy the EU. But, as so often, Europe needs time to grasp the extent of what has been happening since the Trump administration took office… 

“With Russia, whose neo-imperial ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine, and with China, which is increasingly putting economic pressure on Europe,… the EU is now being pressured from three sides. All three actors share a common goal: to destroy the EU as a global economic power and to prevent its member states from becoming a politically relevant force in the emerging international order of the 21st century… 

“Europe must stop using the US as a point of reference for everything it does. It cannot influence the US in the long term. Let’s focus on Europe and strengthening its economic and defense policies. Then the US might rediscover its interest in a partnership. If so, fine; if not, that’s also fine. However, strengthening Europe means that there can be no taboos…

“Europe needs a defense union. And not among all EU members, but among those who are capable and willing… Such a development… requires political leadership and the courage to break with old traditions. There isn’t much time left to set such developments in motion, because Europe’s adversaries are already actively working to weaken or even destroy it.” 

The article recommends, in so many words, the creation of several core nations under strong leadership. The Bible says that ten powerful European nations or groups of nations will unite and give their might and authority to a charismatic military leader—the “beast.” 

Is the USA a Security Risk? 

t-online reported on December 11: 

“Trump’s new security strategy has been available for a week. Now the first NATO country has issued a security warning. 

“…The Danish foreign intelligence service has provided a first assessment of the Trump doctrine. Denmark is the first NATO country to officially warn against the USA. The United States is now ‘using its economic and technological strength as an instrument of power against allies and partners,’ it says… 

“Relations between Denmark and the USA are already strained. Immediately after the start of his second term, Trump laid claim to Greenland. The island is autonomous but belongs to Denmark. 

“In the report, the Danish foreign intelligence service now openly expresses its concerns regarding the USA. ‘There is uncertainty about the role of the United States as a guarantor of European security,’ the document states… With regard to the new document from the Trump administration and the new geopolitical positioning of the USA, the Danish foreign intelligence service generally warned of an increased security risk.”

Looking at the USA as a security risk for Europe is alarming. 

Angela Merkel Predicts New Conflict With the USA 

Bild Online wrote on December 12: 

“Will artificial intelligence trigger the next major clash between us and America? Former Chancellor Angela Merkel has now warned of this – she sees Europe in a tough power struggle with Donald Trump’s United States… At an event hosted by Stern magazine in Berlin, Merkel therefore called for binding rules for the use of AI… ‘This will be the next major battle with the United States of America over the question of whether or not we can regulate digital media.’…” 

“Merkel believes the US will try to prevent the establishment of rules for AI. ‘There will be very strong pressure not to do it,’ said the former chancellor…  Indeed, Trump just signed an executive order that is intended to prevent US states from introducing their own regulations for artificial intelligence… The former chancellor is generally critical of Trump’s new security strategy… 

“According to Merkel, organizations like the European Union are seen as ‘troublemakers’ in the US. Instead of negotiating with the EU as a whole, the US is trying to win over individual member states. ‘That cannot be in Europe’s interest,’ said Merkel.”

Merz Compares Merkel to Chamberlain and Putin to Hitler 

ntv reported on December 13: 

“At the CSU party conference, Chancellor Merz named restoring Germany’s competitiveness and defense capabilities as the top priorities of his government.  Domestically, he wants to bring about a new beginning; in foreign policy, he aims to prevent the worst… He heavily criticizes the policies of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, although he… does not mention her by name. He says that we should have known what kind of times we were living in even before February 24, 2022 – the day Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine. The day ‘we should have known’ was in May 2014 – when the war in the Ukrainian Donbas, initially waged covertly by Russia, escalated. 

“‘In those days, a historical analogy was frequently invoked,’ Merz says. ‘2014 was compared to 1914, the beginning of the First World War, into which Europe sleepwalked… It would have been more accurate to see 1938 as the historical analogy: the Munich Agreement, in which British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain ceded the Czechoslovakian Sudetenland to Nazi Germany.’ Indirectly, Merz is thus comparing Putin to Hitler. If Ukraine falls, that won’t be enough for the Russian leader, ‘just as the Sudetenland wasn’t enough in 1938.’ Putin’s goal is ‘the fundamental alteration of borders in Europe, the restoration of (Russia) to the borders of the old Soviet Union…’ 

“The ‘decades of Pax Americana,’ the years in which the USA guaranteed peace in Europe… ‘are largely over for us,’ Merz says…” 

Boris Pistorius’ Wisdom 

CBS News published on December 14 the following comments by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius: 

“Germany is [the] third biggest economy in the world and the biggest one in Europe, of course. So everybody in Europe expects us to be the strongest ally in NATO in Europe. With the surge of federal funding, the long-moribund German defense industry is springing back to life… I try to explain that, if you want to live in peace, in freedom, security– with a right to go on the street and to demonstrate against or for whatever you want, to love however to want, and you to believe in any god you want, then you need to be willing to defend it.” 

But war—including “defensive war”– will never bring peace, but only more war. And so, the next world war, in which Germany will be heavily involved, will bring mankind to the brink of utter annihilation. 

War Is Closer Than We Think 

ladbible.com wrote on December 14: 

“A major [Viktor Andrusiv] in the Ukrainian army has warned that ‘war is closer than we think’ – and he believes that the UK isn’t ready for it… 

“Earlier this month, the Russian president stated that his country is ‘ready’ for war with Europe if it is instigated, sparking fears that the continent could soon be engulfed in conflict… ‘The biggest problem is that people are not going to believe that this can happen,’ Andrusiv told The Sun… ‘You should be aware of that. This is possible…’  He warned that the UK could soon resemble the war-torn streets of Ukraine…’”

The warnings we hear today focus on a possible war between Europe and Russia. However, World War III will begin with a war between Europe and the USA and the UK. Only very few people believe that such a war is possible, but that war “is closer than we think.” 

Russia Rejects Ceasefire or Peace Plan 

Euronews wrote on December 16: 

“Russia will not accept any ‘compromise’ regarding the occupied territories of Ukraine, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday. Ryabkov stated that Moscow has not scaled back its demands and wants to retain control over five Ukrainian regions: Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

“Aside from annexed Crimea and almost all of the Luhansk region, Russia does not control the entirety of any of the other three areas of Ukraine. In Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, Moscow forces do not have control of the regional capitals either. As the European leaders vowed to protect Ukraine against Russia in the future, including via military means, the Kremlin now also demands security guarantees for Moscow….

“German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested on Monday in Berlin that Russia could pause its attacks during the holidays, which could eventually lead to the opening of negotiations for a genuine truce… But Moscow rejected the idea with Peskov saying, ‘We want peace. We don’t want a truce to give Ukraine a breathing space and prepare for a continuation of the war’…

“Moscow has repeatedly said its demands to Ukraine and any possible settlement remain the same. The US-Ukraine talks in Berlin have been largely criticised and dismissed in Moscow. The Kremlin [keeps] insisting that it won’t stop its war against Ukraine until the so-called ‘root causes’ are addressed.

“According to Moscow, the ‘root causes’ include Ukraine’s aspirations to join both the EU and NATO as well as NATO’s alleged violation of commitments not to expand eastwards, the Ukrainian government’s alleged discrimination against ethnic Russians and what Putin calls the ‘denazification’ of Ukraine. Putin and Russia have used these false arguments to justify the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but failed to provide evidence for any of these allegations.” [Russia did provide some evidence for some of those allegations.]

The talks in Berlin accomplished absolutely nothing. 

Putin Not Ready For Peace

Bild Online wrote on December 17:

“President Vladimir Putin (73) has threatened Ukraine with further attacks if Kyiv and the West reject his demands in the ongoing peace talks… At his annual meeting with high-ranking military officials, the Kremlin dictator made it clear that while Moscow would prefer to achieve its goals at the negotiating table, ‘if the other side and its foreign backers refuse to enter into a substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical territories by military means’…

“In his speech, Putin also sharply attacked European heads of state and government, calling them ‘pigs’… His accusation: ‘They thought they could destroy Russia in no time…’ While the Trump administration is showing a willingness to find a peaceful solution, Putin sees no chance of that in Europe at present. The Kremlin chief demands that all conquered regions in eastern Ukraine, as well as those occupied in 2014, be returned to Russia. The annexed Crimea must be recognized as Russian territory. Furthermore, Moscow demands that the Ukrainian army withdraw from some still-contested regions. Kyiv refuses…”

Taking Frozen Russian Assets?

aa.com.tr wrote on December 13:

“Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday described the EU’s plan to seize frozen Russian assets as a ‘declaration of war.’ Orban criticized European leaders, singling out German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European People’s Party leader Manfred Weber, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen… He added that Hungary would oppose any EU attempts to bypass the country in accessing Russian assets…

“Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini warned that freezing Russian assets was ‘risky and imprudent,’ noting that 314 Italian companies operate in Russia, generating revenue and employment…”

Kyivindependent wrote on December 16:

“Russia’s Central Bank has filed a lawsuit seeking 18.2 trillion rubles ($229 billion) in damages from Euroclear… The lawsuit marks the latest escalation in Moscow’s legal dispute with Euroclear, a Belgium-based central securities depository…

“Euroclear holds about 185 billion euros ($217 billion) of frozen Russian funds, which are subject to EU sanctions imposed after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.”

Syria News wrote on December 17:

“The US warned the EU that seizing frozen Russian assets would undermine peace talks with Moscow, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said.”

Trump’s Rambling Speech 

Focus reported on December 12: 

“One absurd statement followed another: US President Donald Trump claimed during a speech on Thursday that European nations viewed him as a leader and respected him like never before… 

“‘Now we have the greatest country in the world. Everybody says it. Other heads of state and government say it. The European nations say it. The European nations are saying that your president could just as well be the leader of the European nations. They are listening to us and respecting us like never before.’” 

In what dream-world is Trump living? Trump is probably Europe’s most hated American president in recent history. 

“Trump Is Sleepwalking Into an Electoral Disaster” 

The Sun published on December 12 the following opinion by Editor-at-Large Harry Cole: 

“Donald Trump was on the stump in the bellwether swing state of Pennsylvania, addressing a rally of cheering red-capped fans… Yet instead of leaning into the issue that is quite literally draining American voters’ wallets, the President declared that prices were not a real problem any more and dismissed the Washington buzzword of ‘affordability’ as another Democrat ‘hoax’… 

“Here’s the problem: You can’t tell people drowning in bills that everything’s rosy. Working Americans… are feeling the pain of a cost-of-living saga that seems to never end… eating, clothing, and healthcare bills are huge. Poll after poll [shows] a brutal reality: Americans feel battered. Four in ten say it’s the worst cost of living they have ever experienced. And twice as many voters say President Trump, not Joe Biden, is responsible for the current state of the economy. 

“That should be a wake-up call for this administration that faces a battle for its survival in next year’s midterm elections… Despite branding Biden as ‘Sleepy’ it looks increasingly like it is President Trump sleepwalking into an electoral disaster in 2026… Meanwhile, his MAGA base is tearing itself apart with infighting and scores of Republican politicians are throwing in the towel rather than defending seats next year… 

“Voters aren’t insane… They just want to know someone in Washington lives on the same planet as they do. And when you’re in the White House showing off a new golden mega-ballroom while regular Americans are struggling to pay the bills, the optics ain’t great. Warning signs are everywhere…

“While it made lots of noise,  Donald Trump’s tariff experiment does not appear to be working. Meanwhile, the promised surge in US manufacturing has not materialised. Trump defended his import taxes raid this week, urging the public to stop buying cheap Chinese goods…”

The problem is: Suffering Americans will buy the cheapest goods they can get… no matter where they are coming from. Unless there is a drastic and fundamental change in Trump’s approach, he will pay dearly during the next midterm elections. The concept that Trump is sleepwalking into domestic and international disaster can be heard now more often. 

Key MAGA Voices Turn on Trump—“Pointless Address”

The Mirror wrote on December 18:

“Some of the key voices in the MAGA movement have turned on Trump after the president’s address interrupted prime time television…

“Trump delivered a politically charged address on Wednesday, attempting to blame Democrats for economic difficulties… His address recycled his recent talking points that have so far failed to ease public concerns about the costs of groceries, housing, utilities and other essential items….

“Matt Walsh, a right-wing political commentator and podcast host, was among those slamming Trump after the address. He wrote on X: ‘That was perhaps the most pointless primetime presidential address ever delivered in American history.’ Another MAGA voice – Majestic Glow – with 46,000 followers wrote on X: ‘Remember when Joe Biden and his administration would tell us all how great things were, and we all loudly rejected that…? Trump and his administration are doing the same thing.’”

The Atrocities of Trump’s Immigration System 

NBC News wrote on December 12: 

“… spouses of U.S. citizens… were recently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at what they thought were going to be routine green card interviews. There have been several dozen known cases out of San Diego alone, but cases have also been reported in New York City,  Cleveland and Utah…   

“Immigration attorneys told NBC News that this marks an ‘unprecedented’ break in decadeslong practice policy, and that their clients are panicked they could be detained even when they are eligible to become legal permanent residents by law and have no criminal histories… The detentions are one of the latest tactics in President Donald Trump’s policies targeting legal pathways for immigration and increasing scrutiny of green card applicants. 

“The Trump administration has said in multiple cases that people were detained because they had fallen out of status by overstaying their visas, but longtime attorneys say this has never been an issue and spouses of U.S. citizens looking to obtain green cards were granted exceptions by Congress. The law says that immediate relatives, such as spouses, of U.S. citizens are eligible for green cards even if they were in unlawful immigration status at the time they filed to become legal permanent residents…

“Attorneys said the exact number of people affected would be difficult to quantify, but all said many spouses of U.S. citizens seeking green cards could fall into the category of overstaying their visas. There are currently at least hundreds of thousands of people who are at some stage of the green card application process, according to United States Citizenship and Immigration Service data…” 

The Trump administration is changing immigration law without congressional authority. Where is the outcry in the USA about such conduct? 

More Immigration Regulations 

NBC San Diego wrote on December 12: 

“A woman from Afghanistan who worked for the U.S. military saw her citizenship oath ceremony canceled with little explanation after she was already approved, her attorney said, as the Trump administration indefinitely pauses all immigration applications for people from 19 countries. ‘We knew it was coming, but we didn’t expect it to come for people who are only scheduled for like a celebratory ceremony, to celebrate becoming a citizen,’ said immigration attorney Habib Hasbini… 

“She applied for citizenship this year [after having had a green card for five years], Hasbini said, and her application was approved in October… But before her… ceremony, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services sent her a letter that said ‘due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to cancel the previously scheduled Oath Ceremony.’… 

“The letter arrived after the Trump administration announced in late November a pause on any immigration applications from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti and Somalia, among others… There’s little indication when the pause will be lifted, if ever. At a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, President Donald Trump touted the move. ‘I’ve also announced a permanent pause on third-world migration including from hellholes like Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia and many other countries,’ he said to cheers from the crowd.” 

One wonders who those people are who support this—including, as we reported in last week’s Current Events—, the new contemplated rules regarding revealing Social Media activities (including watching, liking and sharing as well as posting videos) when wanting to enter the USA as a tourist. The scope of “Social Media” includes, among many others: 

Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, Messenger, Reddit, Pinterest, X (formerly Twitter) and Rumble.   

In order to receive an ESTA, visitors are supposed to reveal all their activities for the last five years regarding any of those Social Media platforms. This new “law” is supposed to become effective within the next 60 days. It is strongly recommended that anyone who is contemplating to enter the USA as a tourist, file for an ESTA application now. Once approved, an ESTA is valid for 2 years. 

Denaturalizing Law-Abiding Citizens?

The New York Times wrote on December 17:

“The Trump administration plans to ramp up efforts to strip some naturalized Americans of their citizenship… The guidance, issued on Tuesday to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field offices, asks that they ‘supply Office of Immigration Litigation with 100-200 denaturalization cases per month’ in the 2026 fiscal year…

“Under federal law, people may be denaturalized only if they committed fraud while applying for citizenship, or in a few other narrow circumstances. But the Trump administration has shown a zeal for using every tool at its disposal to target legal and illegal immigrants, leading activists to warn that such a campaign could sweep up people who had made honest mistakes on their citizenship paperwork and sow fear among law-abiding Americans.”

Trump’s Outrageous, Vicious and Insane Ranting on Rob Reiner’s Murder 

The New York Post wrote on December 15: 

“President Trump on Monday said murdered actor-director Rob Reiner had ‘driven people CRAZY’ with his opposition to the Republican chief executive, with his bizarre ranting post on Truth Social prompting outrage from critics of all political persuasions. Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 68, were found butchered in their Los Angeles home Sunday afternoon, allegedly at the hands of their… son Nick, 32 [who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues and who has been charged with two counts of murder]. 

“‘A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social. ‘Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS. He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!’… 

“Even conservatives were outraged by the president’s comments… Post columnist and Commentary magazine editor John Podhoretz [wrote:] ‘Trump disgraces America with his tweet.’ Charles C. W. Cooke of National Review Online wrote, ‘That Trump wrote this is insane and disgraceful. That the White House chose to tweet it out is pathological.’… 

“Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said, ‘Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered. I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they’re afraid?’” 

The Associated Press added on December 15:

“President Donald Trump on Monday blamed Rob Reiner’s outspoken opposition to the president for the actor-director’s killing, delivering the unsubstantiated claim in a shocking post that seemed intent on decrying his opponents even in the face of a tragedy. The statement, even for Trump, was a shocking comment… Trump has a long track record of inflammatory remarks, but his comments in a social media post were a drastic departure from the role presidents typically play in offering a message of consolation or tribute after the death of a public figure. His message drew criticism even from conservatives and his supporters and laid bare Trump’s unwillingness to rise above political grievance in moments of crisis… 

 “The unsympathetic message was the latest example of Trump’s unsparing prism through which he views those he perceives as enemies. He made retribution against political enemies a prime focus of his campaign for the White House last year. And he has in the past made light of violence when it’s befallen those on the other side of the political aisle… That’s despite his comments after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this year. Trump said Kirk’s killing was ‘the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree.’… 

“Jenna Ellis, who was one of Trump’s lawyers and worked on his efforts in 2020 to overturn the results of the presidential election, pointed out Trump’s double standard and called his post… ‘a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency,’ Ellis said in a post on X.” 

The Sun wrote on December 15: 

“President Trump’s unfounded claims regarding the couple’s death have sparked outrage among social media users. ‘This is the most disgusting post Donald Trump has ever made…Imagine if I said this about Charlie Kirk,’ political commentator Brian Kassenstein posted on X.   

“Sirius XM host and MSNBC contributor Max Burns also called out the president on his comments. ‘I don’t want to hear another sanctimonious word from the Republicans who accused Democrats of not showing enough sadness when Charlie Kirk died,’ Burns posted on X. ’Donald Trump’s message about Rob and Michele Reiner’s death is a monstrosity.’” 

Piers Morgan “ordered” Trump to delete his “dreadful” and “unacceptable” post (Daily Express, December 15). 

Rob Reiner’s acting credits include “Throw Momma from the Train,” and “Sleepless in Seattle.” He directed movies such as “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “A few Good Men” and “The American President.” His wife Michele was a photographer who took the famous photo of Trump that graced the cover of his bestselling 1987 book, “The Art of the Deal.” 

Trump’s Gaza Plan—Utter Failure

Israel365News wrote on December 14: 

“The plan championed by the Trump administration is on the verge of being hijacked – not by Israel, but by the very states that have spent years arming, financing, and glorifying Hamas. At the Doha Forum, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey dispensed with diplomatic subtleties and openly demanded changes that would render the entire plan meaningless. Their proposed ‘revisions’ would force an Israeli withdrawal before Hamas disarms, insert an international force that refuses to confront Hamas, and hard-wire Hamas’s continued rule into the future of Gaza. 

“The astonishing part is not that Qatar and Turkey are attempting this maneuver – it is that Washington is allowing it. The US is ignoring the plainly anti-Western ideological motives of its supposed partners, and in doing so, it is sleepwalking into a strategic catastrophe… 

“Egypt’s foreign minister [was] demanding that an International Stabilization Force deploy immediately – not to restrain Hamas, but to restrain Israel… Washington’s strategic failure becomes glaring. For years, American policymakers have clung to the fantasy that Qatar and Turkey are ‘moderating influences,’ countries that can rein in extremist groups. This is willful blindness. Qatar and Turkey do not moderate extremists – they sponsor them. They do not want a stable, demilitarized Gaza – they want a Gaza in which the Muslim Brotherhood retains its foothold… 

“Qatar shelters Hamas leadership, glorifies Hamas on Al Jazeera, and bankrolls Muslim Brotherhood movements across the region. Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, praises Hamas as ‘freedom fighters,’ calls for Israel’s destruction, and funnels support to Brotherhood-aligned groups everywhere.” 

Trump calls the dictator and autocrat, Erdogan, his friend. That says it all.

The “Menetekel” from Sydney 

Die Welt Online wrote on December 15: 

“…the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration [with 1,000 attendees] at the popular Bondi Beach in Sydney… [and the murder of at least sixteen people by two or perhaps three suspected Islamist terrorists] is evidence of a grotesque reversal of perpetrator and victim roles, demonstrating that Jews worldwide have had to contend with rising antisemitism since the massacre of October 7, 2023 – including the approximately 120,000 Jews in Australia, many of whom live in the greater Sydney area. 

“Just two days after the attack on the Supernova festival, which left 1,200 dead, pro-Palestinian groups chanted anti-Jewish slogans in front of the famous Sydney Opera House. There have been death threats against prominent Australian Jews, attacks on synagogues, and vandalism against Jewish businesses… 

“The attack in Sydney shows once again that the fight against antisemitism is not solely a Jewish responsibility, but a challenge for society as a whole, affecting all citizens – because it concerns universal values such as human dignity and the rule of law. A society in which Jews are not safe will not remain a free society in the long run.” 

The Curse of Global Warming Propaganda?

On December 13, the Daily Mail published the following article by Matt Ridley:

“By failing to secure new pledges for a cut in fossil fuels, [the recent] Cop30 [summit in Brazil] achieved less than nothing…

“… no scare grew as big or lasted as long as global warming… Politicians welcomed the chance to blame others: if a wildfire or a flood devastates your town, point the finger at the changing climate rather than your own failure to prepare…

“[Bill] Gates… is correct to say that getting cheap, reliable, clean energy to the poor is by far the more urgent priority… The climacatastrophe has been a terrible mistake. It diverted attention from real environmental problems, cost a fortune, impoverished consumers, perpetuated indoor pollution and poverty, frightened young people into not having children, wasted years of our time, undermined democracy and corrupted science…” 

Reclassification of Medical Marijuana

ABC News wrote on December 18:

“President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. Currently, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug, the most restrictive federal category that includes heroin and LSD. Under this change, it moves to a Schedule III drug, putting it in the same group as some common prescription painkillers such as Tylenol with codeine….

“The White House is stressing that this change makes it easier for scientists to study marijuana, especially around its potential to treat chronic pain and other conditions. ‘The executive order the President will sign today is focused on increasing medical research for medical marijuana and CBD,’ a senior administration official told ABC News ahead [of] the signing.”

 An overdue move to be applauded.

The Next Big Financial Crash Is Coming—But When? 

On December 9, the Daily Mail published the following article by Ruth Sunderland: 

“Dr Michael Burry singled out two of the biggest winners of the Artificial Intelligence frenzy, Nvidia – a computer chip maker – and Palantir, a data analytics giant. The renowned investor explained that he had taken out bets that both will fall heavily within two years. He also derided bitcoin, whose value has shot up over the past five years, as ‘the most ridiculous thing… worse than a tulip bulb’ – a reference to the Dutch craze for the flower in the 17th century. Bitcoin has recently fallen back… 

“Burry argued that this AI bubble ‘looks an awful lot like the dot-com bubble’, which burst in 2000 after years of euphoria about the internet. 

“Burry… is in fact legendary for predicting the 2008 sub-prime mortgage meltdown, making hundreds of millions of dollars for himself and his clients while the rest of the financial system went into freefall… So when Burry warns the astonishing surge in AI shares will end badly, big investors take notice, even if they beg to differ… doubts are growing that the technology is turning into a bottomless money pit for investors and that the promised returns on the vast investments being made will prove elusive… 

“A major collapse in AI-linked shares would not be confined to the US markets or to tech stocks. Banks could face rising bad debts, global stock markets would slump and pension pots would shrink… 

“Burry is far from infallible. In 2017 he predicted a global meltdown that would trigger World War III, which has not happened yet. Two years later he warned of a bubble driven by index-tracking funds, which has not yet materialised either. He also bet against Tesla in late 2020 – just before its shares accelerated further… Burry has been predicting a crash for years in the US as stocks continue to soar… 

“In the run-up to the 2008 crash, Wall Street banks bundled risky ‘sub-prime’ mortgages into supposedly safe bonds. However, they did not account for the high chance many borrowers would be unable to repay their loans… It is relatively easy to spot a market that is over-valued and ripe for a fall, but what is really hard is predicting when the meltdown will come – and getting that wrong can prove costly… This time [Burry] admits he does not know when the AI bubble will burst and says the 2008 experience was unique… 

“Burry’s track record includes moments of brilliance but also some notable misfires. Plenty of experts believe the AI boom has further to run, and that selling out now would mean missing out on more profit. Investors must make up their own minds – but it is hard to ignore the doctor who diagnosed the last great financial crash.” 

Bulgaria Becomes the Newest Member of the Eurozone 

Bild Online reported on December 12: 

“From January 1, Bulgaria will also be part of the Eurozone.  However, the times there are turbulent: Following protests, the Bulgarian government resigned on Thursday. The resignation came shortly before the introduction of the euro and its own new coins… As the 21st country, Bulgaria is officially adopting the common currency… 

“Six EU states are retaining their own currencies: Poland, Hungary, Sweden, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Romania. They belong to the EU – but not to the Eurozone… There are already approximately 141 billion euro coins in circulation. Billions more from Bulgaria will soon be added.” 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

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

Amazingly, there are those who still erroneously believe that Jesus was born on December 25.For many decades, we have told the world, along with many other sources, that this is simply not the case; however, the world at large has generally ignored this information.  It is a bonanza for businesses that care only for the sales of their products.

It is possible to know the approximate time of Jesus’s birth, which totally destroys the Christmas myth, which is such a big issue in today’s society, and can be a make-or-break time for many businesses, since many people spend so much money at this time of the year.   But in the year 2025, very few seem to care, as it is a time to be merry, have a week or two off work and just enjoy oneself.   There are those who may genuinely take this time seriously, thinking that they are worshipping Jesus even though they may realize that the date is wrong, and even that the roots of Christmas are of pagan origin, but that it is an exciting time for their children and the family.   And yet, it is a practice which does not have God’s approval.

There is not one single reference in all 66 books of the Bible, and not one mention in early church literature pinpointing the date of Jesus’s birth. Obviously, God did not want us to know the date He was born!   

However, we do celebrate Christ’s death.   It is through His death and atoning Sacrifice that we are reconciled to God, and have forgiveness of sin.   

Let us, very briefly, look at the biblical way of calculating the approximate time of Jesus’s birth.  We will be looking at verses in just two books – Luke 1 and 1 Chronicles 24 to prove the approximate time of the year that the Savior of mankind was born.

Let us look at the biblical way of calculating this by reviewing Luke 1, where John the Baptist’s birth was announced to Zacharias. [We addressed this issue before, together with other aspects; compare our Q&A, asking and answering the question: “In your new book, ‘Jesus Christ — A Mystery,’ as well as in your booklet, ‘Don’t Keep Christmas,’ you state that Christ was not born on December 25th. Does the Bible give any indication as to when He was born?”. In this Q&A, we are elaborating on the passages in Luke 1 and 1 Chronicles 24.]

In Luke 1:5-9, we read:

“(5) There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah.  His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. (6) And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (7) But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. (8) So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, (9) according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.”

There are two points to note here.

In verse 5, it states that the “division” or “course” was that of Abijah, and in verse 8, it says that “he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his “division” or “course” (compare Authorized Version).

These courses lasted 8 days, from Sabbath to Sabbath, and there were 24 of them, and the division of Abijah, like the others, would serve in the temple twice a year.

These divisions or courses are listed in 1 Chronicles 24. We read in verse 10: “…the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah.”

In verse 19, we read: “This was the schedule of their service for coming into the house of the LORD according to their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

In his book under the heading “The Twenty-Four Courses,” the author Alfred Edersheim writes that each “course” of priests and Levites came on duty for a week from one Sabbath to another.   So, going back to Luke 1:5, we see that John the Baptist’s father – Zacharias was of the course of Abijah – was the eighth course.   

Let us continue reading this account in Luke 1:9-25:

“(9) … according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot (that is Zacharias) fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. (10) And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. (11) Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. (12) And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. (13) But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. (14) And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. (15) For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.  (16) And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. (17) He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, “to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,” and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ (18) And Zacharias said to the angel, ‘How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.’ (19) And the angel answered and said to him, ‘I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.’ (21) And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. (22) But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. (23) So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. (24) Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, (25) ‘Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.’”

And so, as soon as he finished his course—the eighth one—, he went home and his wife conceived.

By knowing the approximate date of John the Baptist’s birth, we should be able to arrive at the time of the birth of Christ, because Luke 1:26, 27, 36 tells us that Christ was just six months younger than John the Baptist. We will explain this in detail below. 

All of this simply means the following:  

• The courses started at the beginning of the sacred year.
• Zacharias served in the 8^th course.
• Since the course of Abijah was eighth in order, Zacharias ministered in the ninth week rather than the eighth week because during the third week, all the priests were ministering the Passover season.
• The first course started around April 6 that year.
• Zacharias, serving in the ninth week, served from around June 1 to June 8 which was the time when the angel told him that his wife would conceive and bear a son to be called John.
• Zacharias could not have returned home on June 9 however, because that week began with a Holy Day (Pentecost), in which his course ministered, along with the other 23 courses. This extra service kept him in Jerusalem until Sivan 12 (June 15).   At that time, he could return home and his wife conceived which was mid-to-late June.
• As the gestation period is 280 days, we arrive at about Nisan 1 – probably late March.
• As Jesus was 6 months younger than John [see below], we add 6 months to late March – which means that Jesus was born in late September or perhaps in early October.

We know that there were two courses a year and this course (or division) referred to, must have been the first course of the year because:

• The guest chambers became available around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Taxation (compare Luke 2:1-5) came just after the autumnal (fall) festival season; and
• Christ’s ministry was for 3½ years and as He was crucified at Passover, He was born 3½ years earlier which takes us back to the autumn. To elaborate, Luke 3:23 states that Jesus started His ministry around age 30). The Book of John mentions three Passovers: John 2:13; John 6:4 and John 11:55), with the last Passover leading to Christ’s arrest and crucifixion, fitting within Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27) of the Messiah’s coming and being “cut off” in the middle of the final week. Compare chapter 6 of our free booklet, “When and How Will Christ Return?” 

Going back to the Scriptural evidence, and showing in more detail that Jesus was in fact 6 months younger than John the Baptist, let us look at Luke 1:26:

“(26) Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth…”

This is where Christ’s birth was announced to Mary.   The sixth month referred to here is the 6^th month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, as explained below.

Continuing with verses 27-36:

“(27) to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. (28) And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’ (29) But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. (30) Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (31) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. (32) He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. (33) And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’(34) Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’ (35) And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (36) Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.”

As stated above, the sixth month referred to here is the 6^th month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, as verse 36 says that this is the 6^th month for her who was called barren.

Mary was to become the mother of Jesus – and conceived (verse 31) when Elizbeth, her cousin, was six months pregnant, as it says here in verse 36 which confirms the “sixth month” as mentioned in verse 26.   And so, when John the Baptist was born in mid-to-late March, Mary was 3 months pregnant.   Six months later, Mary gave birth to Jesus in approximately late September or maybe even early October—we simply do not know exactly, but it occurred around that time.  God has not made this date known, but surely would have done so had He wanted us to celebrate it.

Additional evidence is the fact that Jerusalem and the surrounding towns were very crowded with visitors at the time that Jesus was born – His parents had to take accommodation in a stable.  The autumnal festivals occur in the seventh month of the sacred year as we know from Leviticus 23, corresponding to our September/October.   This was also the time of the year when taxes were collected, as mentioned previously.

We can prove from many sources the paganism of Christmas (compare our free booklet, “Don’t Keep Christmas”). December 25is just another day – there is nothing sacred or holy about it.   Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, God’s Feast days and not the world’s pagan holidays – like Christmas – will be kept by everyone, worldwide. And that is such a wonderful thing to look forward to!

Lead Writers: Brian Gale (United Kingdom) and Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“Does Trump Sleepwalk Into Catastrophes?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

Many feel that Trump is detached from reality and sleepwalks through this world, not realizing what is and will be occurring. We are giving several examples to prove this conclusion and to show the dangers. Towards the end of this program, we address what God expects of Trump to do now.

“Schlafwandelt Trump in Katastrophen hinein?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program presented by Norbert Link. This program covers the same topics as described above.

We received word this week that long time member, Lora Lewis, died in her sleep following a long struggle with cancer. Our heartfelt prayers go out to the Lewis and Mitchell families.

Rhonda Cagle’s father died this week, and we extend our condolences for this very personal loss. 

“Tu das Gegenteil,” is the title of this Sabbath’s German split sermon presented by Michael Link. Title in English: “Do the Opposite.” 

“Hat Gott Sie für die zweite Auferstehung vorherbestimmt?” last Sabbath’s German sermon presented by Thilo Hanstein, is now posted. Title in English: “Has God Predestined You For the Second Resurrection?”

“Achten wir heute auf die Zeichen vor der Wiederkunft Christi?” last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Patrick Flück, is now posted. Title in English: “Are We Paying Attention to the Signs Preceding Christ’s Return Today?”

“Into the Future,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Is it even possible to do anything at the present time that will allow us to look into the future, in which we know what will happen to us?

“Maintaining Balance,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Living a balanced life takes continuous practice. How can we detect when we might be falling off balance before we fall? The Bible abounds with examples for us to learn from, so we can become ever better at balancing the varied conditions and competing interests in our lives.

On December 13, 2025, Dave Harris will present the sermonette, titled, “Into the Future,” and Eric Rank will present the sermon, titled, “Maintaining Balance.”

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.

Recently, on November 28, a Q&A written by Mr. Norbert Link was published on our website, eternalgod.org. The second question, “What do we read in general about true thankfulness to God for His physical blessings, even in difficult times, and how can Thanksgiving Day contribute to this attitude of thankfulness?” led me to the following reflection: “What do we really know about genuine gratitude for God – precisely for the peace He wants to give us, especially in difficult times?”

Currently, we are all living in a deeply stressful and depressing time, in which political decisions often show that citizens are being restricted by ongoing new regulations. At the same time, people around the world are feeling increasingly disappointed by a lack of transparency, dubious priorities and enormous spending on ideological projects. In addition, international decisions are leading to people being drawn into conflicts that are causing a high number of human casualties.

We are also seeing a significant change in society, with some people feeling that politicians are supporting certain social groups whose activities are having a major impact on public debate. One example is Antifa, a term used to describe anti-fascist radical left-wing groups that regularly call for demonstrations against right-wing extremism or authoritarian political developments.

There is also discussion about the role of political peace initiatives that show how military buildup, nuclear deterrence, or a return to mandatory military service are being promoted. For many, the idea of trying to create peace through military strength is frightening—like trying to dry up a river by pouring more water into it.

In my personal circle, I see every day how deep peoples’ dissatisfaction has become. You can not only feel it, but you can also hear it almost daily in every sentence that alternates between worry and exhaustion.

Many people carry fears within them that are reinforced by discussions and negative headlines in the media. There are fears of a new, second pandemic due to a mysterious “disease X,” as well as fears of a major blackout, a widespread power failure that could paralyze entire cities, as recently happened in Spain. Added to this is the uncertainty surrounding digitalization, surveillance, and changes to the monetary system. Issues such as the “surveilled citizen,” a digital euro, or a possible “social credit system” are suddenly much more prominent.

There are also concerns about geopolitical tensions and the grim scenarios that are circulating, from an allegedly imminent war with Russia in 2029 to global changes that are being discussed under slogans such as “Great Reset.”

Then there are many other events that we can glean from our weekly Current Events. We could mention the recent civil war-like riots on November 29, 2025, in Giessen, Germany, where many left-wingers violently demonstrated against a new AfD youth organization.

Moreover, we may have our own personal burdens and the struggles of everyday life, which demand a lot from us and keep us constantly on the move.

When we consider all these impressions that are reaching us now – what we see, hear, and in some cases experience ourselves – a quiet, oppressive feeling may remain, because the problems addressed here are very real and by no means trivial—and they are indeed a legitimate cause for concern. Do all these developments affect our inner peace and quality of life, which we strive for?

All these scenarios, as terrible as they are, must not rob us of our inner peace and the quality of life we long for. Rather, we see them as signs of the times and therefore know that Christ will return to earth very soon and judge all injustice!

Especially now, in such difficult times, we should have genuine gratitude toward God, especially for the peace He wants to give us.

Isaiah 26:3-4 tells us: “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.”

David wrote in Psalm 29:11: “The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.”

Christ said: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

Christ also gives us courage, for His peace will sustain us even in the midst of difficult times, saying, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Paul also reminds us again and again how important it is to be thankful for this peace that Christ gives us: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

He concludes the 12th chapter of the letter to the Hebrews with these words: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

If we always trust in God, He will give us His peace, which provides us with peace of mind, tranquility, strength, and courage, even in difficult times. Gratitude opens our hearts to His peace, and so God’s Word reminds us repeatedly of what will truly endure: His peace, which is stronger than anything that can shake us.

Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger

We begin with escalating disagreements and strongly worded accusations between the USA and the EU. Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “The War Between America and Europe Has Begun.” 

We continue with troublesome events in Germany and Europe’s frightening rearmament. We also point out problems and blatant differences between European and American viewpoints in regard to Ukraine.

We speak on America’s highly controversial and possibly illegal attacks on boats and the extermination of their occupants on the high seas and contradictory “explanations” and “justifications” by the Trump Administration; and the US Supreme Court’s published intention to finally rule on the birthright citizenship question.

We address the “shameless” and embarrassing performance of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino in relation to Donald Trump; and we conclude with the warning that the United Kingdom is heading to “a very dark place.”  Throughout this section, we have underlined pertinent statements in the quoted articles, for the convenience and quick overview of the reader.    

U.S. Gives Europe Three-Year Ultimatum 

Espreso wrote on December 5: 

“The Pentagon has informed European diplomats that the United States expects NATO’s European members to take control of the alliance’s conventional defense operations by 2027… The ultimatum marks a significant departure from decades of American military leadership in the transatlantic partnership. 

“During meetings with European delegations, Defense Department officials indicated that recent European efforts to strengthen military capabilities following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine have fallen short of expectations. Pentagon representatives warned that failure to meet the deadline could result in the United States withdrawing from certain NATO coordination mechanisms… 

“The European Union has already established its own target of achieving independent defense readiness by 2030, acknowledging substantial gaps in air defense, drone technology, cyber warfare, and ammunition production. Defense analysts consider even that more extended deadline highly ambitious…” 

Is the USA inadvertently and foolishly creating a Frankenstein monster? 

Trump Warns Europe of Losing National Identity 

The Guardian wrote on December 5: 

“[A new American strategy] document, with a signed introduction by Trump, says Europe is in economic decline but its ‘real problems are even deeper’, including ‘activities of the EU that undermine political liberty and sovereignty, migration policies that are transforming the continent, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition … and loss of national identities’… 

“The 33-page exposition…  appears to espouse the… ‘great replacement’ conspiracy theory [which claims ethnic white European populations are deliberately being replaced by non-white peoples], saying several countries risk becoming ‘majority non-European’ and Europe faces ‘the real and stark prospect of civilisational erasure’… 

“The policy document, released by the White House late on Thursday, underscores the Trump administration’s clear alignment with Europe’s far-right nationalist parties, whose policies centre on attacking supposed EU overreach and excessive non-EU migration… With far-right parties either in government, supporting rightwing coalitions or leading in the polls in several EU member states, the document says the ‘growing influence of patriotic European parties … gives cause for great optimism’.” 

Europe is not amused. Note the next article. 

“Mind Your Own Business” 

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 5: 

“German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU)… said Berlin did not need external lectures on freedom of expression or the organization of democratic societies… 

“Jürgen Hardt, the foreign policy spokesman of Germany’s ruling conservative CDU/CSU alliance was also critical of the US strategy. ‘The assessment of the US president on Europe, it’s very much single colored, maybe due to information he got from the wrong sides like right [wing] radical parties in Europe, or sometimes it sounds like [Russian President Vladimir] Putin talking about Europe,’ Hardt told DW. 

“Hardt expressed concerns about the US strategy, suggesting Trump ‘wants to engage actively in politics in European Union member states.’ ‘We did not [engage] in the US, and we expect that the US is not doing so in German democracies,’ he said… 

“The European Commission strongly rejected the accusations against the EU that the US strategy made.” 

Trump to Divide Europe?

The Daily Mail wrote on December 11:

“A US defense website claims to have seen a leaked document unveiling a dramatic US proposal to prise four countries away from the European Union…  The secret file, reported by Defense One, supposedly claims Trump intends to pull Austria, Italy, Hungary and Poland away from the EU and closer in to Washington’s circle of influence – a move that would rip through the continent’s political landscape…

“The White House has since come out swinging, vehemently denying the claims as the leak triggered widespread alarm among European media outlets and spiralled across social platforms…

“But Defense One upped the stakes hours later, publishing extracts from what it described as a ‘fuller version’ of the strategy that reportedly circulated behind closed doors before the White House unveiled the public edition. According to the outlet, the more expansive draft explicitly listed Poland, Austria, Italy and Hungary as countries the US should ‘work more with… with the goal of pulling them away from the [European Union].’..

“The reaction to the strategy from Europe was instant and furious…”

 Austria responded by condemning Trump’s planned strategy. It is clear that they accept the leaked document as genuine.

The US No Longer on Europe’s Side 

Bild Online wrote on December 8: 

“The new US ‘National Security Strategy’ is changing the world – and times will change even more rapidly for Europe and Germany than before. Experts are concerned and making dramatic predictions… 

“A top foreign policy expert is now outlining the painful consequences for Germany. ‘The new US foreign policy stance is a second turning point,’ said Norbert Röttgen, deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. ‘For the first time since the end of World War II, the US is no longer on the side of the Europeans. It is no longer on the side of Ukraine, a country against which a brutal war of annihilation is being waged in violation of international law.'” 

Europeans See a Hostile U.S. 

The Washington Post wrote on December 9: 

“Relations between the U.S. and Europe hit a low point as President Donald Trump’s security strategy slams Europe but largely ignores threats from Russia and China… 

“A new U.S. national security strategy berating Europe has triggered a wave of acrimony across the Atlantic, enraging and dismaying European officials who say the document has turned the Trump administration’s vitriol against European democracies into formal policy. 

“President Donald Trump’s push to halt the war in Ukraine on terms favorable to Russia, as well as the European Union’s announcement Friday of a roughly $140 million fine against X for violating the bloc’s digital rules, have fueled the fire, pushing transatlantic relations to their lowest point since Trump returned to the White House in January. 

“Elon Musk, the owner of X, is calling for abolishing the E.U., and Trump supporters are railing against the 27-nation bloc… Tensions erupted after the U.S. strategy painted the E.U. as a bigger threat than Russia or China… The document lays bare the depth of the rift in the 80-year-old Western alliance, European officials and analysts say, and serves as proof that European nations should strive for greater military independence. 

“From the start of Trump’s term, the president’s inner circle has bashed Europe… European Council President António Costa… urged Europe to understand that ‘post-World War II alliances have changed’ and to get ready to ‘protect ourselves not only against our adversaries, but also against the allies who challenge us.’… 

“Former E.U. commissioner Thierry Breton [stated] that the ‘very shocking’ document puts it ‘in black and white’ that the White House sees European institutions ‘as an enemy’ it wants to ‘destabilize.’… 

“This is certainly not the first transatlantic rift. During George W. Bush’s administration, there was a bitter split over the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and Trump’s first term was also divisive. But polling this year suggests growing alienation, with more and more Europeans viewing ties with America negatively or even as adversarial… Trump once said the E.U… was formed to ‘screw’ the United States… 

“But not everyone was displeased by the U.S. vision for Europe. The Alternative for Germany (AfD)… cheered the security strategy as ‘a foreign policy reality check for Europe, and especially for Germany.’ Hungary’s… prime minister, Viktor Orban… praised Musk ‘for holding the line’ against what he called an ‘attack on X’…  As Europeans fumed, Moscow welcomed aspects of the new U.S. strategy… 

“Some, however, criticized E.U. and national leaders for not hitting back harder. The E.U.’s former top diplomat, Josep Borrell, on Tuesday called the U.S. strategy ‘a declaration of political war’… Borrell called on European leaders to ‘stop pretending that Trump is not our adversary, hiding behind a fearful and complacent silence, and instead assert the EU’s sovereignty.’” 

Trump’s Interview with Politico 

Politico wrote on December 12: 

“President Donald Trump denounced Europe as a ‘decaying’ group of nations led by ‘weak’ people in an interview with POLITICO, belittling the traditional U.S. allies for failing to control migration and end the Russia-Ukraine war… The broadside attack against European political leadership represents the president’s most virulent denunciation to date of these Western democracies, threatening a decisive rupture with countries like France and Germany that already have deeply strained relations with the Trump administration… 

“In recent days, European capitals have shuddered with dismay at the release of Trump’s new National Security Strategy, a highly provocative manifesto that cast the Trump administration in opposition to the mainstream European political establishment… In the interview, Trump amplified that worldview.” 

Trump also said this in the interview:

“… if it keeps going the way it’s going, Europe will not be … in my opinion, uh, many of those countries will not be viable countries any longer. Their immigration policy is a disaster. What they’re doing with immigration is a disaster…. Europe, they’re coming in from all parts of the world. Not just the Middle East, they’re coming in from the Congo, tremendous numbers of people coming from the Congo. And even worse, they’re coming from prisons of the Congo and many other countries.” 

When asked whether the USA and Europe will remain allies, he answered: 

“You know, it depends. They’ll change their ideology, obviously, because the people coming in have a totally different ideology. But uh, it’s uh … it’s gonna make them much weaker. They’ll be a much … they’ll be much weaker, and they’ll be much different… When they allow millions of people to pour into their countries, many of these people are committing tremendous crimes…  I get reports that you will never see. And I think it’s horrible what’s happening to Europe. I think it’s endangering Europe as we know it.” 

“Europe—You Are on Your Own!” 

On December 10, The Daily Mail published the following article by Andrew Neil:

“Donald Trump to Europe: ‘You’re on your own, losers. Bye!’ That’s the blunt message at the heart of his administration’s new National Security Strategy… 

“Now, in a lot of what Trump has to say about Europe, he’s not wrong. Europe is indeed cursed with a weak and feckless leadership… Even so, the implications of Trump’s new strategy document are chilling… It would be hard to think of a more dramatic rupture between America and the governing elites of Europe’s most important countries, including Germany, France and even Britain. If Trump truly means what his strategy paper says, it’s hard to see Nato in its current guise surviving for long… 

“His Ukraine peace plan is going nowhere. I suspect he’ll simply throw his toys out of the pram and give up, abandoning Europe at a time when it is ill-equipped to stand on its own two feet… even as Putin, encouraged by Trump’s indifference, grows more emboldened on Europe’s eastern borders.” 

EU’s Fine of Musk Attack on America? 

Fox Business wrote on December 6: 

“Elon Musk and Trump administration officials delivered blistering criticism of the European Union after its executive branch issued a $140 million fine against Musk’s social media platform, X. ‘The EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people,’ Musk wrote on X on Saturday.. 

“The European Commission said Friday it was fining X for ‘non-compliance with transparency obligations’ under the Digital Services Act (DSA), adding that it was specifically ‘holding X accountable’ for what the EU deems ‘deceptive’ design of X’s ‘blue checkmark,’ a ‘lack of transparency of its advertising repository,’ and ‘failure to provide access to public data for researchers.’ …

“On Friday, in response to an X post from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, calling the fine an ‘abomination’ and saying that President Donald Trump should impose sanctions ‘until this travesty is reversed,’ Musk replied, ‘The “EU” imposed this crazy fine not just on X, but also on me personally, which is even more insane! Therefore, it would seem appropriate to apply our response not just to the EU, but also to the individuals who took this action against me,’ Musk wrote… 

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X that the fine ‘isn’t just an attack on X, it’s an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments.’.. 

“Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on X, ‘The Digital Services Act is designed to stifle free speech and American tech companies…’ 

“‘Foreign bureaucrats have zero right to tell Americans what they can and can’t say,’ added Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo….” 

At the same time, the Trump Administration tries to tell Europeans what they can and can’t say (note the articles above). 

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X: 

“What’s even worse is that the US is in a MILITARY ALLIANCE with the very countries attacking us via the EU. As noted earlier this year, this contradiction cannot continue. The nations of Europe cannot look to the US for their own security at the same time they affirmatively undermine the security of the US itself through the (unelected, undemocratic, and unrepresentative) EU. This fine is just the tip of the iceberg. As I mentioned to every European leader I just met at the NATO Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, the EU’s support of the Communist and anti-American regime in Cuba is another striking example of the EU affirmatively undermining US security while the vast majority of its member states look to the US for their own security via NATO… the time for games is over.”

This is tough language, showing that the “friendship” between the USA and the EU is declining fast. 

EU Censors US? 

On December 8, 2025, Zerohedge published the following article by Tyler Durden: 

“Elon Musk is not taking the outrageous fine from Brussels bureaucrats lying down, lashing out at EU officialdom for taking on Nazi characteristics and oppressing their own citizens’ best interests… Musk also re-shared a post about Irish teacher Enoch Burke, who was jailed for refusing to use transgender pronouns, and later replied to another user, ‘So many politicians in Europe who are traitors to their own people.’ And Musk highlighted the fact that Meta has a verification program similar to X’s, yet the EU hasn’t onerously fined the more censorship-prone Meta… 

“The EU has virtually declared war on free speech and is targeting American companies… Not surprisingly, X was the chosen target – a company blamed by many in the EU and the U.S. for rolling back free-speech protections. In essence, it’s punishment for not bending the knee to the EU’s iron-fisted control over online content… This isn’t a one-off slap; it’s the culmination of years of threats and harassment… Further, Musk brings receipts showing the European Union sent him a formal letter demanding that he censor Donald Trump during the 2024 US presidential election… 

“At the heart of it all is the EU’s obsession with controlling information flows… These moves expose the hypocrisy: the EU claims to champion democracy but builds an Orwellian apparatus that monitors, scans, and punishes speech. It’s not about safety—it’s about power. This latest EU assault on X has infuriated US Vice President JD Vance, who yesterday, as rumors of the impending penalty circulated, took to X and posted: ‘The EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage.’…  German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called Vance’s opinions ‘unacceptable,’ proving Vance’s point about normalized authoritarianism… 

“With Trump back in the White House and Vance as a key ally, expect pushback: America won’t stand idly by as allies erode the very freedoms that define the West. The $140 million hit on X isn’t just a fine—it’s a declaration of war on uncensored dialogue. Musk’s platform remains one of the last major outposts where ideas flow freely, unhampered by globalist filters. As the EU tightens its grip, the message is clear: comply or be crushed… This is just the first salvo in a war that some of us have warned is coming.” 

Voluntary Military Service in Germany – For Now! 

BBC wrote on December 5: 

“Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to introduce voluntary military service… It marks a significant shift in Germany’s approach to its military and follows Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s push to create Europe’s strongest conventional army. 

“The change means that all 18-year-olds in Germany will be sent a questionnaire from January 2026 asking if they are interested and willing to join the armed forces. The form will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women. 

“Students at schools across Germany have said they will join strikes in as many as 90 cities on Friday to protest against the move… Many young Germans either oppose the new law or are sceptical. ‘We don’t want to spend half a year of our lives locked up in barracks, being trained in drill and obedience and learning to kill,’ the organisers of the protests wrote in a statement posted on social media. ‘War offers no prospects for the future and destroys our livelihoods.’ In Hamburg alone, about 1,500 people were expected to join the protests, and school head teachers warned parents not to take their children out of school for the day. 

“The government says military service will be voluntary for as long as possible, but from July 2027, all 18-year-old men will have to take a medical exam to assess their fitness for possible military service… While the plan is for voluntary service, if the security situation worsens or if too few volunteers came forward, a form of compulsory military service could be considered by the Bundestag…” 

Many young people see the writing on the wall. Politicians don’t care and move full steam ahead. Note the next article.

Young Germans Opposed to Conscription 

Sky News reported on December 6: 

“Across the country, students gathered to demonstrate against what they fear will be a return to conscription. In Berlin, they held signs saying, ‘You can’t have our lives if we don’t eat your lies’… 

“While most demonstrators were in their late teens or twenties, some parents also turned out with their younger children. One mother held a placard declaring: ‘You can’t have my son’… ‘None of us want to die for a country that doesn’t really care about us,’ [a student] tells me… [Another demonstrator said:] ‘I don’t think it’s right to send children or anyone against their will into the military, because war is just wrong…’ 

“‘From my friends no one wants to volunteer because we don’t want to fight for a problem that’s not really ours. We didn’t start the problems, they [the government] did,’ says [another student.]” 

Europe Is Arming Fast 

Patreon wrote on December 5: 

“Europe is undergoing one of its most consequential military transformations in decades, led by a Germany that is quietly but decisively reshaping the continent’s defence architecture. Berlin has unveiled a sweeping €377 billion, 39-page procurement blueprint designed to forge what officials now openly call ‘the strongest conventional army in Europe.’ This unprecedented rearmament push, spanning land, air, sea, cyber and space, marks a fundamental departure from Germany’s post-Cold War posture — and signals the emergence of a nation preparing for confrontation in the absence of any direct, imminent threat. 

“Politically, the shift has been accelerated by conservative leader Friedrich Merz, who has argued that the Bundeswehr must be given ‘all the financial resources it needs.’ Behind that message lies a reordering of national priorities: cuts to social spending paired with record-scale defence investments. With Germany carving military spending out of its constitutional debt brake, Berlin now has the ability to sustain vast, multi-year procurement programmes. More than 320 new weapons projects are planned for the next budget cycle alone, with nearly half ready to be awarded to contractors — overwhelmingly German firms. Rheinmetall leads the pack, poised to receive more than €88 billion, followed by missile-maker Diehl Defence. 

“Germany’s ambitions extend far beyond terrestrial borders. More than €14 billion is earmarked for new satellite capabilities, including a €9.5 billion low-Earth-orbit constellation, forming the backbone of a €35 billion push into military space systems.

“But Germany is not alone. Poland has emerged as a central European military power, with its defence budget tripling in a decade and reaching 4.12 percent of GDP in 2024 — the highest in NATO… these developments signal a new European chapter defined by rearmament, industrial revival and rising geopolitical tensions — with profound implications for citizens, budgets and the continent’s long-term stability.” 

“Stop Relying on Washington” 

Politico wrote on December 4: 

“It’s time for Europeans to stop trailing behind Donald Trump and instead draw up their own peace plan for Ukraine, Defense Commissioner [and former Lithuanian prime minister] Andrius Kubilius told POLITICO. 

“The EU ‘needs to be independent or at least be ready to be strong in geopolitical developments, including to have our plans on how peace in Ukraine can be brought and to discuss them with our transatlantic partners,’ Kubilius said.” 

He also said that Europe needs to stop relying on US-led proposals. 

Finland Not Ready to Give NATO-Style Guarantees to Ukraine

Helsinki Times wrote on December 2: 

“Finland will not offer NATO-style security guarantees to Ukraine, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Tuesday. Speaking at a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Espoo, Orpo confirmed that Finland is prepared to assist in developing Ukraine’s security structures [through logistical and organizational support], but not to provide commitments comparable to NATO’s Article 5… 

“Orpo emphasised that only major powers such as the United States or larger European countries could realistically commit to security guarantees… Kristersson… said he would not comment directly on the guarantee issue but stated that Ukraine’s strongest protection is its own armed forces. He said European support should focus on helping Ukraine maintain a capable military.” 

Belgium Opposed to Freezing Russian Assets 

The Press United wrote on December 3: 

“Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has launched a new attack on the EU’s plan to use frozen Russian assets for a loan to Ukraine, describing it as ‘a complete illusion’ to think that Kiev could defeat Moscow and force it to pay reparations. 

“Under the proposal, the bloc would leverage about €140 billion ($162 billion) in immobilized Russian sovereign assets – most of them held at Brussels-based clearing house Euroclear – to guarantee a so-called ‘reparations loan’ for Ukraine. Belgium has vehemently protested the plan… 

“Russia, meanwhile, has branded such ideas ‘theft’ and warned of far-reaching legal and retaliatory steps if its reserves are stolen… 

“The Belgian leader further warned that Moscow would not ‘calmly accept’ confiscation, pointing to the risk that Russia could seize Western-owned factories and some €16 billion ($18.6 billion) held by Euroclear in Russia. He added that Belarus or China could follow suit by targeting Western assets on their soil.” 

Russian Money for Ukraine to the US? 

Handelsblatt wrote on December 4: 

“A new dispute is brewing between the EU and the US: It concerns the use of the €210 billion of the Russian central bank’s assets frozen in Europe. The EU wants to access these assets to support Ukraine. But Washington has its own plans.

“In an interview with Handelsblatt, the US ambassador to the EU, Andrew Puzder, said he expects the assets to be used according to American wishes. From the US perspective, the seized billions are part of the bargaining chips for peace talks with Moscow… 

“In a guest article published Wednesday in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) reaffirmed that Europe cannot ‘leave the decision to other, non-European states regarding what happens to the financial resources of an aggressor that have been legally frozen within the jurisdiction of our rule of law and in our own currency.’”

Tagesschau added on December 5: 

“Merz rejects US demands to transfer a large portion of the funds to the United States. ‘This money must flow to Ukraine and help Ukraine.’ The US government is also aware of this position [according to Merz].” 

There are now many areas where the USA and the EU disagree fundamentally.

Zelensky Rejects Trump’s “Peace Plan” 

MSN wrote on December 8: 

“Ukraine will not surrender territory, President Volodymyr Zelensky declared Monday, rejecting a central Russian demand that President Donald Trump had incorporated into his latest proposal to end the Kremlin’s war. ‘Under our laws, under international law — and under moral law — we have no right to give anything away,’ Zelensky said, after meeting with top European leaders to discuss Trump’s plan Monday. ‘That is what we are fighting for.’ The unequivocal declaration that Ukraine will not surrender land could mark the collapse of Trump’s plan, which critics condemned as fulfilling a wish list of Russian President Vladimir Putin… 

“Zelensky said Ukraine will not surrender its territory in the eastern Donbas region — not to hasten peace talks, not to satisfy Washington’s push for compromise and not under pressure from Moscow’s continuing military onslaught… Trump over the weekend again cast Kyiv as the obstacle to the American-championed proposal, accusing Zelensky of slow-walking the plan, even as Moscow has shown little, if any, willingness to compromise on its maximalist demands. 

“Trump’s continuing pressure, including his stern tone toward Ukraine and apparent openness to granting Putin’s territorial claims, has unnerved European capitals… Even before Zelensky’s outright rejection of ceding land, Ukraine and its European supporters voiced deep apprehension about Trump’s initiative, which some said originally was so favorable to Russia that they believed it had been drafted by the Kremlin…” 

Merz and Spahn At Odds

Bild Online wrote on December 5: 

“Distrust reigns between the CDU/CSU and the SPD. Many MPs no longer trust their coalition partner… 

“Furthermore, Merz and his parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn have even more opponents within their own ranks as of today. Many MPs resent the way they were pressured before the vote [on the pension issue]…

When Merz falls, will Spahn survive? 

Merz for a Two-State Solution 

ntv wrote on December 7: 

“A meeting between the Chancellor and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planned. At the meeting, Merz says he wants to promote the implementation of the two-state solution, i.e. the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. 

“He also wants to call on Israel to provide better humanitarian care for the people in the Gaza Strip. The Chancellor also wants to raise the tense situation in the West Bank…” 

It was only a matter of time before Merz, who proclaimed strong support for Israel, would stab Israel in the back. 

China’s New Warrior Robots 

Interesting Engineering wrote on December 3: 

“China has showcased its new type of military robot during a recent event. The robot is reportedly capable of matching every move of soldiers using artificial intelligence… The new combat robot is claimed to be an effort of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to develop autonomous combat systems for modern warfare. The Asian giant previously showcased gun-toting robotic dogs… 

“The report revealed that the new robotic system works by having a human operator wear a motion-sensing suit; whatever moves the person makes — punches, defensive maneuvers, or other actions — the robot replicates almost instantly.”

The Bible speaks about 200 million “horsemen” from the Far East invading Europe. Warrior robots seem to play a big part in this number. 

“Listen to the People, President Trump — They Really DO Feel Economic Pain” 

The conservative and Trump-friendly New York Post Editorial Board wrote on December 8: 

“President Donald Trump… needs to be careful: Slamming Democrats’ talk of ‘affordability’ as a ‘con job’… make it seem he doesn’t think people are suffering… [He] must admit the frustration is painfully real: Three-quarters of Americans view the economy negatively, a Fox News survey found last month. That’s up from the 70% who felt that way at the end of Joe Biden’s presidency. 

“Nearly half say Trump’s policies have hurt the economy, vs. just 15% who say they’ve helped… when voters feel pain, they don’t take well to being told they’re just wrong… prices… are still rising, with inflation stuck about 3%; wage growth is also slow, particularly for lower-income workers. 

“Trump’s tariffs are partly to blame; for example, new cars, whose prices are significantly affected by import fees, now average a mind-blowing $50,000, per Kelley Blue Book… voters elected him to fix things — and so far they haven’t seen great progress…. 

“Ending wars is great, but pretty distant from the kitchen table. With the midterm elections just 11 months off, Trump can’t afford to ignore [the economy].”

But Trump Is Not Listening!!! 

ABC News wrote on December 9: 

“In a speech the White House billed as President Donald Trump’s kickoff event for a tour around the country focused on his economic agenda ahead of next year’s midterm elections, Trump passed off any blame for high costs onto his predecessor almost a year into his second term. 

“Speaking for nearly an hour and 40 minutes, Trump strayed from the issue of affordability, launching into derogatory language to call out his political opponents, and prompting his supporters into a ‘Send her back’ chant about Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar.” 

“Kill Them All” 

The Ron Paul Institute published on December 4 the following article by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano: 

“When Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted a meme of Franklin the Turtle, the amiable child’s cartoon character, in a helicopter using a military weapon to kill people in a small boat below him, and captioned it ‘For your Christmas wish list,’ it understandably caused an uproar. Should the secretary of defense be mocking the people his troops have killed? Should he engage a child’s cartoon character to produce this mockery? Should anyone in his right mind, who professes to understand Christianity, suggest that this killing should be on a child’s Christmas wish list? Should he be killing nonviolent boatpeople?… 

“President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Defense to annihilate persons in speedboats in the Caribbean Sea, 1,500 miles from the United States and elsewhere. The true targets of these killings are not the boats but the persons in the boats. We know this because the president has stated so, and because in a particularly gruesome event, two survivors of an initial attack on Sept. 2, 2025, who were clinging to the broken remains of their boat hoping to be rescued, were hit with a second attack, which obliterated them… 

“These killings constitute murder under federal law and under international law, and persons who use the force of government to commit murder may themselves be prosecuted for it in US courts, courts of the countries from which their victims came, and in international courts. These killings constitute murder because none of the 81 dead boatpeople was engaged in any violence at the times of their deaths… If the police see a nonviolent person distributing dangerous drugs in an American city, can they summarily kill that person? Of course not… 

“The Washington Post reported that seven sources — seven — informed its reporters that when military personnel saw two boat survivors floating at sea, they asked the chain of command what to do. Under the law, the military had a duty to rescue the folks they tried and failed to murder.

“These seven persons have corroborated that Hegseth verbally ordered that the two survivors be killed — an order he denies having given, but which the White House has confirmed, laughably calling it ‘self-defense.’ That’s when Hegseth posted his macabre, revolting, anti-Christian suggestion of murder for Christmas.” 

On December 4, Newsmax wrote: 

“A Navy admiral told lawmakers Thursday that there was no ‘kill them all’ order… Adm. Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley ‘was very clear that he was given no such order, to give no quarter or to kill them all…’ said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark..” 

Both accounts cannot be correct. It is clear that someone is lying. 

Still Justified? 

The Guardian reported on December 5 

“The US admiral who directed an attack on suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean on 2 September told lawmakers this week that the small boat destroyed by the US military is a series of strikes was moving narcotics to a larger vessel bound for the South American nation of Suriname, not the United States… Suriname is a transit country for South American cocaine [not fentanyl], the majority of which is likely destined for Europe…” 

CNN added on December 6: 

“Bradley argued there was still a possibility the drug shipment could have ultimately made its way from Suriname to the US…, telling lawmakers that justified striking the smaller boat even if it wasn’t directly heading to US shores at the time it was hit…. The new detail adds yet another wrinkle to the Trump administration’s argument that striking the boat multiple times, and killing survivors, was necessary in order to protect the US from an imminent threat… 

“The US military ultimately struck the boat four times—the first time splitting the boat in half and leaving two survivors clinging to a capsized portion…  The second, third and fourth strikes killed them and sunk the vessel. The survivors were also waving at something in the air… although it’s unclear whether they might have been surrendering or asking the US aircraft they had spotted for help.”

Whether legal or not, according to man’s laws, all these actions are sinful and ungodly according to God’s standards. 

Minister of War Pete Hegseth—How the Times Have Changed 

CNN Politics wrote on December 8: 

“In 2016, as then-presidential candidate Donald Trump vowed that US troops would carry out even his most extreme battlefield orders as commander in chief — some of which former military leaders said would be illegal — Pete Hegseth warned that service members had a duty to refuse unlawful orders from a potential President Trump… 

“As a Fox News contributor and former Army National Guard officer, Hegseth was frequently asked to weigh in on Trump’s national security proposals, and in the 2016 appearances he echoed that consensus view: that service members could face criminal consequences for carrying out illegal commands, that the military’s ethos requires refusing such orders, and that military members may have to refuse Trump.” 

What happened? It’s a rhetorical question, of course.

Crazy: Tourists to Provide Social Media History… and More! 

The Sun wrote on December 10: 

“TOURISTS entering America will have their social media histories checked at border control, if the latest Trump administration mandate is enforced.

“The proposed social media screening would apply to all tourists… entering the US, regardless of whether they need a visa or not… 

“Currently,… tourists [on the visa waiver program] do not require a visa to visit the US and instead can complete Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTA).

“The Federal Register notice states it would be mandatory for all foreign tourists to provide data from their social media from the past five years, including email addresses and phone numbers. Names, addresses, numbers and birthdays of family members would also be included in the compulsory information passed to the country’s border force.” 

The New York Times added on December 10: 

“In a document filed on Tuesday in the Federal Register, C.B.P. (Customs and Border Protection) said it plans to require applicants to provide a long list of personal data including social media, email addresses from the last decade, and the names, birth dates, places of residence and birthplaces of parents, spouses, siblings and children.” 

This is totally insane and blatantly illegal 

Insane—Trump’s New Requirements for Tourists

Daily Mail wrote on December 11:

“Overseas travellers… could soon be required to make every post they’ve made on social media in the last five years open to scrutiny, with any hint of anti-American sentiment likely to land them in hot water with border officials.  

“The controversial plan follows other recent proposals, including asking tourists to pay a $15,000 bond to guarantee they won’t overstay their 90-day tourist visas.   

“People entering the US will also be asked to provide email addresses [for the last ten years], phone numbers and information on their family members in order to achieve safe passage…

“Peter Greenberg, aka The Travel Detective, [said] that the US faces losing huge tourist revenue if the plans go ahead. The News Travel Editor at CBS said: ‘They’re proposing up to a $15,000 bond to guarantee that when a visit is over, they don’t extend their visa and they come home. How many people can afford that? Adding to that [the bond] is the new proposal that tourists may have to provide five years of social media history that needs to be inspected. Add those things together and you’ll understand already why there’s been a huge drop in inbound travel to the United States this summer, resulting in lost revenue that can never be recouped.’ 

“To avoid unnecessary waits and checks at the airport, ticking all the admin boxes before you get on the plane will make going through the US border less painful. A spokesperson for ABTA, the UK’s trade organisation for tour operators and travel agents, told the Daily Mail that fans who are determined to make it to the World Cup next summer should apply for… ESTA, now, before booking travel and tickets… ‘If you are unable to get an ESTA you will need to go in person to apply for a visa, which can take some time.’”

If you thought Trump’s crazy immigration policy could not get any crazier, here you go… and, of course, it will contribute to the destruction of the USA.

Birthright Citizenship 

NBC News wrote on December 5: 

“… the Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide the lawfulness of President Donald Trump’s contentious plan to roll back automatic birthright citizenship for nearly anyone born in the United States… 

“Birthright citizenship has long been understood to be required under the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which states: ‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.’ The language was included in the constitutional amendment enacted after the Civil War to ensure that Black former slaves and their children were recognized as citizens. 

“Legal scholars of all ideological stripes have generally assumed the phrase to be self-explanatory, with the only exceptions being people born to foreign diplomats, invading hostile forces and members of some Native American tribes. But Trump, as part of his immigration crackdown, has sought to unravel that historical understanding, embracing a hitherto fringe theory pushed by anti-immigration activists.”

This time, the Supreme Court is supposed to rule on the merits, unlike last time, when it just ruled evasively on jurisdictional issues [For example, can courts issue nationwide injunctions?]. A decision by the Supreme Court is expected in June. Let us hope that they make the only correct decision in line with the Constitution—to uphold birthright citizenship. 

No More Dual Citizenship? 

It gets crazier and crazier. A bill was introduced by Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Morenoa to ban dual citizenship. That would even apply to Melania and Barron Trump who hold citizenship in the United States and Slovenia. Unfortunately, Germany wants to follow Trump in this respect. 

Bild Online wrote on December 8: 

“A tough legislative initiative in the USA: Dual citizenship is threatened with extinction! If Republican Senator Bernie Moreno has his way, US dual citizens will soon have to relinquish their second passport… Millions of people in the USA would be affected. 

“Leading politicians from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) now see the planned US model as a blueprint for Germany and want to bring about the end of dual citizenship here as well… BUT: Parts of the ‘plans being discussed in the USA,’ such as the ‘retroactive abolition’ of the already permitted dual passport, would probably be ‘neither constitutionally nor politically feasible’ in Germany.”

Trump’s Gaza “Peace Plan” Falling Apart? 

The Algemeiner wrote on December 8: 

“As the United States pushes for the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire to begin, Israel is warning that Qatar and Turkey are trying to shield Hamas from disarmament as the Palestinian terrorist group seeks to reassert control over the war-torn enclave. 

“Qatar and Turkey have proposed alternatives to a central provision of Trump’s peace plan… Rather than requiring Hamas to disarm, Qatari and Turkish officials have pushed for the Islamist group either to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority or place them in secure storage under international oversight. As part of this plan, Qatar and Turkey are reportedly advocating a two-year grace period during which Hamas could legally retain its weapons. 

“However, Israeli officials have rejected these options as unacceptable, arguing they would allow the terrorist group to maintain its influence in Gaza, which Hamas has ruled for nearly two decades. Israel has made clear it will allow Hamas just a few months to give up its weapons, warning it will act unilaterally if the group is not disarmed promptly.

“Turkey and Qatar [have been] longtime backers of Hamas… Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected any Turkish or Qatari involvement in post-war Gaza… 

“Qatar and Turkey are now insisting that Israel must withdraw from Gaza before Hamas can disarm — a demand Jerusalem vehemently opposes, warning it would give the terrorist group time to reassert full control over its half of Gaza and remove any incentive to disarm later on… 

“Since the ceasefire took effect two months ago, Hamas has targeted Palestinians who it labeled as ‘lawbreakers and collaborators with Israel,’ sparking widespread clashes and violence as the group moves to seize weapons and eliminate any opposition. Social media videos widely circulated online show Hamas members brutally beating Palestinians and carrying out public executions of alleged collaborators and rival militia members.” 

This “peace plan,” for which Trump got a “peace prize” from the corrupt FIFA [see below], was doomed to failure from the outset. How one can have Turkey and Qatar participate in the process of establishing peace with terrorists is beyond sanity. Also, one of the wars which Trump allegedly ended, is still ongoing. 

As Reuters reported on December 10: “Thailand and Cambodia traded accusations of targeting civilians in artillery and rocket attacks on Wednesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump said he would try to intervene to stop the fighting and salvage a ceasefire he brokered earlier this year.” The Thai Prime Minister allegedly wrote online that he will no longer negotiate with Trump and will no longer take orders from him. 

Trump’s peace deals collapse one after another. 

The FIFA Gala Turns Into a Bizarre Pandering to Donald Trump 

ntv wrote on December 5: 

“In a bizarre show, ostensibly billed as the World Cup draw for next year’s biggest football tournament of all time, the smitten and self-abasing FIFA boss Gianni Infantino unknowingly gifted the sport to the US president. Trump was canonized that evening. As the peace angel he fancies himself… 

“And Trump was then allowed to participate in his own canonization: He spoke of it as ‘one of the greatest honors of my life.’ He thus elevated the award above the Nobel Peace Prize, which he so desired and which he deserved according to Infantino’s world… 

“Trump praises his relationship with the Canadian Prime Minister. What a joke! Just a few months ago, he wanted to annex Canada as the 51st state… 

“Infantino, of course, personally presents the gigantic trophy! What a sycophantic scene… The man who deployed the National Guard in his own country…” 

Infantino, as the FIFA president, has been controversial for years (according to Die Welt). FIFA—the international federation of football associations—has been embroiled in numerous scandals, not least because of bribery and corruption. Furthermore, many of the controversial rules established by FIFA have long been under attack. FIFA can certainly spoil the enjoyment of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. But this is always the case when politics gets involved. 

An Act of Cronyism 

Die Welt wrote on December 5:

 “‘A clumsy attempt at pandering by FIFA,’ said ZDF commentator Oliver Schmidt… ‘Has an act of cronyism ever been so blatant, ever so public?’”

An Absolute Spectacle of Horror 

t-online wrote on December 5: 

“This draw will be remembered – unfortunately for all the wrong reasons. This gala in Washington, D.C., was one of the most absurd events in recent sports history. The way football and politics became intertwined, the way FIFA President Gianni Infantino fawned over and flattered US President Donald Trump – it was an absolute spectacle of horror. 

“FIFA has done a lot to lose credibility in recent years. But with this draw, it has outdone itself in a negative way… When Infantino presented Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize, it was clear: things couldn’t get any crazier – or more unpleasant…” 

A Bizarre Ceremony

Express wrote on December 5: 

“Football fans have reacted with fury as Donald Trump plays a major role at the World Cup 2026 draw in Washington. The US president was awarded a peace prize and allowed to take part in the draw, sparking frustration from viewers on social media platform X… 

“One person wrote: ‘…  There was global condemnation & constant crying at Qatar having the World Cup. What we are witnessing with USA & Trump is so comfortably worse & a bigger disgrace for the sport & the globe, but of course, no one will care because it’s the West. Hypocrites…’” 

Shameless 

The Daily Mail wrote on December 5: 

“In a display of sycophancy so cringe-inducing it almost veered beyond satire, Mr Infantino presented President Trump with the award in recognition of his ‘extraordinary actions to promote peace and unity throughout the world’… 

“Yesterday’s draw for the World Cup group stage at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC often fell flat with a seemingly perplexed crowd and Mr Infantino’s shameless courting of the President…” 

Australian Youth Banned From Social Media 

NBC News wrote on December 9: 

“More than 1 million social media accounts held by users under 16 are set to be deactivated in Australia on Wednesday in a divisive world-first ban that has inflamed a culture war and is being closely watched in the United States and elsewhere. Social media companies will have to take ‘reasonable steps’ to ensure that under-16s in Australia cannot set up accounts on their platforms and that existing accounts are deactivated or removed… 

“Social media companies will be responsible for enforcing the ban, paying fines of up to 49.5 Australian dollars (about $32 million) for serious or repeated breaches. Children and parents will not be punished for any infringements. 

“Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, X, Snapchat and Reddit are all set to be age-restricted under the law… All of the platforms have said they will comply…” 

Heading to a Very Dark Place

The Daily Mail published on or about December 6 the following article by Stephen Glover:

“In all sorts of areas this increasingly despised Government is showing a lofty dismissiveness for the rights and concerns of those whom they claim to serve. Tradition is ignored, and established liberties set aside, in the cause of greater efficiency… Look at Labour’s new plans to extend facial recognition technology, which could be deployed in every city, town and village. Under a new consultation launched on Thursday, police could be given access to Britain’s passport database to identify lawbreakers… But do we really want our every movement outside our homes to be monitored by the authorities? Who knows to what uses information garnered in this way might be put by a future government that was positively malign? Even the Home Office admits that live recognition cameras ‘interfere’ with human rights… 

“I feel the same about digital identity cards, which will soon be mandatory for anyone taking a new job. Sir Keir Starmer has told us that they will be useful in preventing illegal immigrants from working. I’ve no doubt we will all have them in the end. Again, greater efficiency is the justification for imposing new restrictions. Most of us would be much happier if Labour found a way of deterring illegal immigrants from coming here in the first place rather than foisting ID cards on us… 

“What makes this Government’s high-handed coercion especially galling is that many of its senior ministers are very far from being morally upright and, in some cases, are fortunate not to have been led away in handcuffs… But then it is precisely because they are not upright that they find it so easy to bully us and tell us what to do, even if that involves stripping us of freedoms which many of us had taken for granted. 

“Nowhere is this more apparent than in the crackdown over free speech. A slew of new laws has made it more difficult for people to speak their minds. The logging of ‘non-crime hate incidents’ – deemed by the police to demonstrate hostility in action or speech – has soared in recent years… more than a third of Britons feel that they have to self-censor their views on race or ethnicity, while 32 per cent said they felt they could not speak freely about immigration or religious extremism. Some 41 per cent hold back their views on transgender issues… 

“With a Government that holds so many of the people in contempt, and a people that comprehensively loathes its Government, we could be heading to a very dark place.” 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

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

First of all, let us review this passage of Scripture and see what it says and get a rounded view of what the context is.   The Cambridge Dictionary explains what context means, as follows: “… the text or speech that comes immediately before and after a particular phrase or piece of text and helps to explain its meaning.”

Context is a vital piece of biblical understanding, eliminating the use of a particular word or passage of Scripture which, on its own, may give a misunderstanding of what is meant. 

Acts 2:44-45 reads as follows:

“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.”

This was written at a time following the birth of the New Testament Church after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.   We read in Acts 2:41-42: “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

These were amazing, exciting and dangerous times.   It was a one-off demonstration of a tidal wave of conversions but the Bible makes no further explanations of any long-term continuance of this manner of living.   For a while, they integrated and pooled their resources for their mutual safety and protection but scripture is silent on such an arrangement becoming the norm.

Let us get some definitions, firstly about socialism.

Wikipedia explains that “Socialism is a political, social and economic philosophy encompassing a range of economic and social systems characterised by social ownership of the means of production, and democratic control, such as workers’ self-management of enterprises. It includes the political theories and movements associated with such systems.  Social ownership can be public, collective, cooperative, or of equite. While no single definition encapsulates the many types of socialism, social ownership is the one common element.” 

thebalance.com states that “socialism is an economic system where citizens share ownership of the various factors of production.  That ownership is acquired through a democratically elected government, a cooperative, or a public corporation in which everyone owns shares.”

We can see from these brief and general explanations that socialism varies greatly from capitalism where thebalance.com states that “Capitalism is an economic system where private entities own the factors of production. The four factors are entrepreneurship, capital goods, natural resources, and labor.  The owners of capital goods, natural resources, and entrepreneurship exercise control through companies. Individuals own their labor.”

Barnes Notes on the Bible makes these comments about Acts 2:44-45:

“All that believed – That is, that believed that Jesus was the Messiah; for that was the distinguishing point by which they were known from others.

“Were together – Were united; were joined in the same thing. It does not mean that they lived in the same house, but they were united in the same community, or engaged in the same thing. They were doubtless often together in the same place for prayer and praise. One of the best means for strengthening the faith of young converts is for them often to meet together for prayer, conversation, and praise.

“Had all things common – That is, all their property or possessions. See Acts 4:32-37; Acts 5:1-10. The apostles, in the time of the Saviour, evidently had all their property in common stock, and Judas was made their treasurer. They regarded themselves as one family, having common needs, and there was no use or propriety in their possessing extensive property by themselves [This seems to be wrong. We know, for example. that Jesus owned a house and maybe more than just one.] . Yet even then it is probable that some of them retained an interest in their property which was not supposed to be necessary to be devoted to the common use. It is evident that John thus possessed property which he retained, John 19:27. And it is clear that the Saviour did not command them to give up their property into a common stock, nor did the apostles enjoin it: Acts 5:4: ‘While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold was it not in thine own power?’ It was, therefore, perfectly voluntary, and was as evidently adapted to the special circumstances of the early converts. 

“Many of them came from abroad. They were from Parthia, and Media, and Arabia, and Rome, and Africa, etc. It is probable, also, that they now remained longer in Jerusalem than they had at first proposed; and it is not at all improbable that they would be denied now the usual hospitalities of the Jews, and excluded from their customary kindness, because they had embraced Jesus of Nazareth, who had been just put to death. In these circumstances, it was natural and proper that they should share their property while they remained together.”

The reference to Acts 5:4 above is about Peter’s censure of Ananias behaviour where he exposed his deceit, not the retention of property. It is clear that Peter does not condemn private ownership of property both before and after the sale.  The problem was the sin of lying by stating that Ananias and Sapphira had held back part of the proceeds for themselves while giving the impression that they were giving their all.   Such sinful behaviour cost them their lives.

The Pulpit Commentary makes some other interesting observations:

“Had all things common. Just as the Transfiguration gave a passing glimpse of the state of glory, so here we have a specimen of what Christian love and unity in its perfection, and unchecked by contact with the world without, would, and perhaps someday will, produce. But even at Jerusalem this bright vision of a paradise on earth was soon troubled by the earthly dissensions recorded in Acts 6; and the Christian community received a timely lesson that things good in themselves are not always practicable in an evil world…..”

Another aspect of this situation is spelled out well by the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges:

“were together, and had all things common: With the words of the angels still in their ears (Acts 1:11): ‘This same Jesus shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven,’ the disciples were no doubt full of the thought that the return of Jesus was not far distant. Such an opinion spreading among the new disciples would make them ready to resign their worldly goods, and to devote all things to the use of their brethren. For so the spreading of a knowledge of Christ could be made the chief work of the whole body of believers.”

The faithful disciples realised after a short while that Jesus would not return during their lifetime and, down through the last 2,000 years, His return has been anticipated. In the meantime, we continue to look for the return of Jesus and the signs are now that it is close to fulfilment.

Biblehub.com observes: “Luke describes the spontaneous outcome of the Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41). Verse 42 lists four core devotions—apostolic teaching, fellowship (κοινωνία), breaking of bread, and prayers—while verses 44-47 detail practical outworkings of that fellowship: meeting daily, eating together, praising God, and meeting material needs. Nothing in the context hints at governmental coercion or an imposed economic system; rather, Luke is chronicling the joyous generosity of a newborn community amazed by the risen Christ (v. 36).”

It is interesting that thebalance.com comments as follows: “Socialists assume that the basic nature of people is cooperative. They believe that this basic nature hasn’t yet emerged in full because capitalism or feudalism has forced people to be competitive. Socialists argue that the economic system must support this basic human nature before these qualities can emerge.”

Put, quite simply, man has been competitive by nature for the last 6,000 years and that is not going to change during this age of man.  Socialism, as explained above, is doomed to failure as are all other types of human government.  It will take the return of Jesus Christ to this earth to set up a theocratic government that will have everyone’s best interests at heart. 

Coming back to the original question: “Is Acts 2:44-45 a biblical example of socialism?”   The answer is “No.”  Acts 2:44-45 describes a temporary solution to a problem that arose after the extraordinary events on the day of Pentecost and no other examples of this exist in the New Testament.   

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom) 

compiled by Dave Harris

“The War Between America and Europe Has Begun,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

Really? How can we say this? Well, when you listen to this program until the end, you will know what we mean. And you will agree with us. We are addressing the new American National Security Strategy; Europe’s $140 million fine against Elon Musk and his platform X, and President Trump’s interview with Politico. The condemnatory accusations on both sides of the Atlantic are telling and unparalleled since the end of World War II.

“Der Krieg zwischen den USA und Europa hat begonnen!” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

A Tech Team Meeting was conducted on December 7, 2025. Hosted by Eric Rank, results of our booklet ad campaigns were presented with participants discussing possible improvements. New equipment needs were addressed along with adjustments to our email automation.

Our short promotional video, “The Fall and Rise of the Jewish People,” presented by Michael Link, has received over one million views.

“What is the Origin of Christmas?” is the latest short video that has been posted on YouTube.

“The Work of God,” our newest booklet, has been sent to the printer and is posted on our website.

“Ist der Weihnachtsmann christlich?” last Sabbath’s German sermonette by Dominik Kaltenegger, is now posted. Title in English: “Is Santa Claus Christian?”

“Do the Opposite,” last Sabbath’s first split sermon presented by Michael Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Because of ignorance and uncertainty, thinking that “the law” has been done away with, we have what we have today: people doing as they please, keeping holidays which are not from God, abusing their bodies in ways which are shameful in God’s eyes, giving in to sin and deceit, and forsaking God’s specific commands on how to live a Godly life. What does the Bible actually say when it comes to “the law” and in what way are we to do the opposite from what the world in general justifies in their own eyes?

“An Ode to 40,” last Sabbath’s second split sermon presented by Kalon Mitchell, is now posted. Here is the summary:

As I turn 40, I want to reflect on seeing God’s hand in my life while also connecting this personal milestone to the Bible’s repeated use of the number 40 as a symbol of testing, judgment, purification, and new beginnings—from Noah’s flood and Moses’ fasts to Israel’s wandering, Elijah’s journey, and Christ’s temptations and post-resurrection ministry. These “forty” periods always lead to renewal, covenant, and deeper relationship with God. Listeners of any age should view their own trials as God-given opportunities for spiritual growth, transformation, and preparation for His Kingdom.