On July 18, 2026, Frank Bruno will present the sermonette, titled, “Our Spiritual Continuing Education,” and Eric Rank will give the sermon, titled, “Hard Things.”

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.

Christ is telling us time and again that we must overcome in order to enter the Kingdom of God. We have long understood that this means to be victorious in our fight against Satan, the world and ourselves—our own carnal human nature. 

In his last Editorial, titled “The Wisdom of Self-Control,” Michael Link emphasized especially proper and improper reactions towards accusations and persecutions from others—how self-control can help us not to answer provocations from others with anger or a desire to get even.

In this Editorial, I would like to discuss another aspect of self-control—that of self-discipline in regard to our own ungodly lusts. How careful and committed are we not to fall into the trap of allowing the “old man” to enter and take over our lives again and to tempt us to do things which we know we ought not do? In other words, how careful are we not to give in to our human desires? 

Overcoming our own human nature means not engaging in conduct that we must avoid.  We can do that—with God’s help—when we exercise self-discipline—but it is never easy. 

For instance, Christ told us not to look at the wife of another man with evil thoughts or to lust for her (Matthew 5:28). David should have looked away when he noticed his inappropriate desires for Bathsheba, who bathed in the nude on the rooftop, but he continued to let lust for her take over until sinful actions were the consequence. As James would write later: “…each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15).

Paul cautioned us in Romans 13:14: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

That is what David should have done, but he failed to exercise proper self-discipline. He knew what to do; he knew that he had to “flee sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18), but he was too weak to overcome his carnal desires. His lust for Bathsheba led to the sin of adultery which was followed by the sin of murdering her husband Uriah, and David’s punishment was severe. Even though he repented bitterly, he still had to pay dearly for his transgressions.

There is a battle going on in our minds. Our human carnal heart fights against God’s Spirit in us which “yearns earnestly” (James 4:5) for us to do the right things—to overcome and conquer our fleshly desires. Paul cautioned us not to “grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30). But Paul also recognized that far too often, this spiritual fight is lost. He wrote in Galatians 5:17: “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”

Paul recognized many years after his conversion that he was still giving in to his human nature, committing sinful acts even though he did not want to do so. He admitted that he was still “carnal, sold under sin” (Romans 7:14). As a consequence, he did what he hated to do, not even understanding WHY he did it (verse 15). At the same time, he found himself unable to perform what was good (verses 18-19). 

He was in despair, distraught, deeply sorry and dissatisfied with himself when he realized that he had just committed another sin—having followed the evil desires of his heart, lacking self-discipline—and he cried out, in desperation: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (verse 24). But in reality, he KNEW the answer. He knew it all along. The only help could and can come from Jesus Christ. And so he exclaimed, “I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin” (verse 25). 

Paul knew what to do. He knew what was right. He wanted to do it. But he also knew that only with Christ’s help could he become more and more successful in overcoming his lusts and evil desires. He knew that he had to do his part. He continued to fight against his human nature, wanting to overcome it, to conquer it, to replace it with God’s divine nature. But he also knew that all his efforts would be useless if Christ was not on his side to help him. 

He wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:25, 27: “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things… But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

That was the danger. He could not tell others to practice self-discipline, while not practicing it himself. He told his beloved disciple and evangelist Timothy what he, Paul, himself had to practice. In 2 Timothy 2:22, he wrote: “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Evil desires and lusts begin in the human heart. Paul asked Timothy to conquer and overcome those lusts, as Paul himself was engaged in the same battle. After all, “youthful” lusts are not only committed by young people.

Paul knew that he could never allow his evil desires to become so dominant in his life that he would become like those who ultimately, “being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness” (Ephesians 4:19). Rather, he knew that self-discipline required that he would be “renewed in the spirit of [his] mind” (verse 23). 

As Michael Link emphasized in his previous Editorial that we must have self-control when reacting to the improper conduct of others, this Editorial emphasizes that we must have self-discipline when reacting to the improper desires of our own heart. With Christ in us, we CAN overcome, and when we sin, come to our senses, REPENT of what we did, and confess our sins to God the Father, “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He will do so, because it is “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son [which] cleanses us from all sin” (verse 7). 

This is how we walk and live with God. This is how we overcome. This is how we “are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). This is how we exercise and maintain the power of self-discipline.

By Norbert Link

We begin with the suspiciously sudden and untimely death of Senator Lindsey Graham; continue with Donald Trump’s lost wars in Lebanon and Iran and his ever-shifting contradictory and toothless involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war; speak about America’s genocide; and address the godless spirit of war in Switzerland.

Lindsey Graham Dies Suddenly

Daily Mail wrote on July 12:

“Firebrand US Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71 after a ‘brief and sudden illness’ [which has not been explained so far]… Emergency services responded to a ‘cardiac arrest’ at Graham’s home… on Saturday night… He has been a close ally of President Trump, a longtime hawk on Iran and an ardent supporter of Israel. … Graham also cheered on Trump’s decision to strike nuclear sites last year and had been a supporter of the latest conflict that started a few months ago…

“Graham never married and is survived by his younger sister Darline Graham Nordone and other relatives. For decades, his status as a long-term bachelor fueled rumors about his sexuality. But in 2018 interview with TMZ, he firmly denied being gay. …

“Graham’s sudden death comes as other prominent Republicans have faced health issues.  Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell was hospitalized weeks ago for undisclosed health reasons.”

Deutsche Welle added on July 12:

“The exiled son of Iran’s former Shah, Reza Pahlavi, said of Graham: ‘When friends were seldom found, he stood alongside the people of Iran in their struggle against tyranny.’ Graham was also an advocate for the Kurdish people [whom Trump betrayed], particularly in their fight against the ‘Islamic State.’” 

With their bare majority, the Republicans can’t afford to lose any more members in Congress.

Medical Examination To Follow

The Associated Press wrote on July 12:

“The Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia’s preliminary findings are that Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham died of aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a statement released by his office on Sunday. That is when the aorta is damaged or develops a leak.

“The statement also said that the death certificate will be pending until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized. At that point, the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death.”

Whether a “medical examination” will put numerous rumors surrounding the strange and sudden death of Graham to rest remains doubtful. Note the next article.

Was Lindsey Graham Murdered?

First Post wrote on July 12:

“The sudden and unexpected death of veteran US Senator Lindsey Graham has sparked a flood of online conspiracy theories, with Iran and Russia becoming the focus… Graham’s recent Ukraine visit, his push for fresh sanctions on Russia, his long-standing advocacy of a hardline policy against Iran and reports of recent threats from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have prompted social media users and commentators to question whether there is more to the story.

“While the Russian angle dominates Eastern European discourse, a second, equally virulent wave of conspiracy theories points squarely at Iran. Graham was arguably the most vociferous anti-Iran hawk on Capitol Hill. He spent decades advocating for the total isolation of Tehran, consistently pushed for military action to dismantle its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, and loudly cheered the Trump administration’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.Iranian state television announced Graham’s death in openly celebratory language, describing him as a ‘warmongering and anti-Iranian U.S. senator’ and congratulating Iran on his passing…

“The timeline preceding Graham’s death serves as the primary fuel for the unfolding Kremlin-centered theories. Just hours before his fatal medical emergency, Graham had returned from a high-profile visit to Kyiv—his tenth trip to Ukraine since the 2022 full-scale invasion. Days earlier, Graham had announced progress with the Trump administration on a sanctions package targeting Russia, reinforcing his reputation as one of Congress’s most vocal critics of Moscow.”

That Graham’s death is extremely suspicious is without doubt. Examiners have never been [purposefully?] too successful in explaining suspicious deaths—for instance, the death of Marilyn Monroe or Jeffrey Epstein; and the masterminds behind the murders of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. And there are so many other countless suspicious, undisclosed or unresolved deaths and killings.

Suspicions Galore

The Daily Mail added on July 14:

“Trove of horrifying evidence that proves why America must NOT dismiss suspicions about Lindsey Graham’s shock death: Putin expert reveals exactly how Russian agents could have done it…”

NBC News added on July 14:

“President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is aware of conspiracy theories circulating about the sudden death of his friend and ally, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., but declared ‘the FBI is wasting their time’ investigating the matter… Trump said he was aware that Graham’s father had also died of heart complications at a relatively young age.”

Sorry to say, but when Trump is adamant that there was no foul play involved, then there might very well have been. The mass media is jumping on the bandwagon of “no evidence” for foul play… which is suspicious all by itself.

No Peace in the Middle East

JNS wrote on July 9:

“Israel ‘did not ask anyone for permission to enter Lebanon, and we do not need permission to remain in Lebanon,’ Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday, hours after US President Donald Trump said he believed Jerusalem would withdraw from the country. ‘It is our right and our duty to protect the residents of the Galilee and the citizens of Israel from the threats posed by the jihadist Hezbollah terrorist organization, which seeks to destroy the State of Israel,’ Katz said in a Hebrew-language statement…

“As he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘have made clear, we will continue to remain in the security zone in Lebanon and operate from it as long as necessary until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon and the threat to the residents of northern Israel is removed,’ Katz vowed. Trump, speaking to reporters alongside Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at a press conference in Ankara on Wednesday, said he had discussed an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon with Netanyahu. ‘I talked to Bibi [Netanyahu] about that. I think they’re going to. I think they want to. I don’t think it’s a question,’ the US president said. ‘We have a deal with Israel and Lebanon, and yeah, they’ll leave.’

“The June 26 framework of understandings between Jerusalem and Beirut conditions an Israeli redeployment on Hezbollah being removed from Southern Lebanon.”

Israel and Hezbollah are not part of that “agreement.” How can anyone trust Trump’s “declarations”?

Dangerous Erdogan

The Jerusalem Post wrote on July 13:

“Netanyahu went on American television networks to lobby publicly against an administration policy still under consideration. If Iran’s decline is creating a regional vacuum, Israel fears Turkey is positioning itself to fill it, and that American F-35s, coupled with Trump’s embrace of Erdogan, might help it do so….

“Trump has repeatedly emphasized his close relationship with Erdogan. Indeed, he has gone even further, portraying himself as the man who prevented Turkey from entering the recent war against Iran on the opposite side. ‘He could have gone into the war,’ Trump said. ‘He didn’t because of me.”’…

“Why the president would want to sell state-of-the-art weaponry to a leader who he himself said had contemplated joining a war against the United States and Israel is almost beside the point. …

“Turkey’s ambitions are hardly viewed with alarm only in Jerusalem. For Greece, Ankara’s increasingly assertive posture is reflected in repeated airspace violations over the Aegean and long-running disputes over maritime boundaries. For Cyprus, it is embodied in Turkey’s continued occupation of half of the island. For Armenians, opposition to a stronger Turkey is rooted in the national trauma of the Armenian Genocide and Ankara’s continued refusal to acknowledge it.”

The Bible contains terrible predictions for the future of Turkey and maybe for Erdogan himself… because of their gruesome hostility towards Israel.

American-Israeli Failed Coup to Bring Former Iranian President Back to Power

The Daily Mail wrote on July 13:

“Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been put under house arrest by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after intelligence authorities uncovered his secret dealings with Israel… For years, Israel conducted a covert operation aimed at grooming Ahmadinejad as an intelligence asset who, when the time came, could be installed as Iran’s new leader, American and Iranian sources [said].  Israel even secretly transferred money to Ahmadinejad for housing and travel, while operatives met him abroad on several occasions. The discovery of the secret relationship is shocking given that Ahmadinejad was known for accelerating Tehran’s nuclear programme, calling regularly for the destruction of Israel and denying the Holocaust…

“The ambition was to set in motion the toppling of the current regime, and to install Ahmadinejad as leader, who had been living under strict surveillance in Tehran. But the grand plan failed. On February 28, Ahmadinejad’s compound was struck by an Israeli airstrike aiming towards the building of his bodyguards and his armoured vehicle. Following the strike, a black Peugeot car arrived, picked up Ahmadinejad, and took him away at high speed from the dramatic scene, according to four senior Iranian officials. The vehicle was driven by agents of Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service, who whisked Ahmadinejad away to a secret safe house in Iran, American and Iranian officials said. But the former Iranian president was discontented with the chaotic rescue operation, and apparently appeared disillusioned about Mossad’s plan to return him to power…

“A second element involved training Iranian Kurdish opposition forces located in northern Iraq, arming them with weapons, and ordering them to cross into western Iran, where they would hold territory and eventually move toward the capital Tehran. This effort never came to fruition… The regime-change mission involved a ‘sequence of special operations, very, very unique, that was supposed to happen,’ Tamir Hayman, a former head of intelligence for the Israeli Defence Forces, told the PBS talk show ‘Firing Line’ in May. ‘And Ahmadinejad was part of that sequence.’…

“Ahmadinejad’s 2024 trip to the university in Budapest and a second one the following year were part of a yearslong Israeli initiative to install him as Iran’s new leader. He was such a priority for Israel that the country’s then-Mossad chief, David Barnea, even flew to the Hungarian capital in 2024 to talk with Ahmadinejad personally… Soon afterward, they said, Mossad contacted the CIA to confirm that it had been in discussions with Ahmadinejad… Ahmadinejad began writing public letters in 2017 to Trump and later to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The US president lavished praise on both figures.”

Deutsche Welle added on July 16:

“Haaretz also wrote that the operation involved much more than Ahmadinejad and included infiltration plans inside Iran, contacts with minority groups and that there was also discussion of a broader destabilization strategy… The details have not been independently verified and remain unconfirmed. However, Ahmadinejad’s office has reportedly rejected the claims, describing them as ‘absurd’ and ‘completely false.’”

What an idiotic plot that would have been. It would show again the degree of incompetence prompting Israel and the USA to attack Iran with their “goal” of “regime change.”

Trump’s Middle East Trap

Bild Online wrote on July 11:

“Trump wants to extricate himself from the [Iran] war—but he cannot. Yet almost every tactic has already been employed: a twelve-week air war alongside war partner Israel. Then a ceasefire. Afterward, a mutual declaration of intent to hold peace talks… even an easing of sanctions… At first, he praised the new leadership under Khamenei’s son Mojtaba (56) as ‘rational’; more recently, he reviled them as ‘scum’—liars whose word is worthless. In between: wild threats…

“Americans call wars that get bogged down a ‘quagmire’—the most famous examples being Vietnam and, later, the Iraq War. Trump’s Iran offensive is already shaping up to be just such a mess…

“Now, he must also solve a problem that did not exist before the war: The battle for the oil route through the Strait of Hormuz—now apparently blocked again—looms once more! Following Iranian attacks, only two tankers managed to make the passage on Thursday morning. Furthermore, the Iran War complicates Trump’s entire Middle East policy…

“Domestic pressure is mounting: The unpopular war is driving up prices… Trump’s fellow Republicans are increasingly standing up to him. Former US military intelligence officer Michael Pregent warns BILD: ‘The greatest danger is that, in the end, this war will have been fought for nothing.’”

Who can still doubt the incompetence of Trump and his spineless or incapable “advisers” regarding the Iran War?

Iran War Without End

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 12:

“Iran reacted to the latest round of US strikes on its territory by saying they have ‘rendered futile’ the diplomatic efforts of the past few months.

“According to a foreign ministry statement cited by the AFP news agency, the US military strikes ‘has caused the return of insecurity to the Strait of Hormuz and disruption of international commercial shipping.’”

Trump declared the Strait was open again—a blatant misrepresentation.

More Idle Threats

Politico wrote on July 11:

“U.S. President Donald Trump said that the American military stood ready to ‘completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran’ in response to threats to his life….”

The only way Trump could “completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran” would be through the use of nuclear weapons. He apparently considered this possibility before but was fortunately “dissuaded” from carrying it out.

Now Trump Wants to Charge Ships?

Politico wrote on July 13:

“President Donald Trump on Monday said the U.S. will take over the Strait of Hormuz — and will be reimbursed ‘at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped’ for overseeing one of the world’s most critical oil passageways that has been at the center of the U.S.’s re-escalating war with Iran. ‘We will become guardians of the strait,’ Trump said during an interview with ‘Fox & Friends’ on Monday morning…

“Trump followed his Fox News interview with a Truth Social post that said the U.S. will reimpose a blockade on Iran. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait,’ he said, but added that ‘as a matter of FAIRNESS, [the U.S.] will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World.’”

Crazy. Note the next article.

The Associated Press wrote on July 13:

“The International Maritime Organization, the United Nations agency which oversees safety and security measures in international shipping, said… ‘There is no legal basis through which to introduce mandatory tolls simply to transit through a strait…’”

But Trump’s threats did not endure for long.

Trump’s Ever-Changing Threats

Bild Online wrote on July 14:

“The escalating conflict between the US and Iran is keeping the economy on edge. On Monday, the US President caused a stir in the Gulf states when he announced plans to impose a kind of 20 percent toll on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. By Tuesday afternoon, however, he had backed away from this idea. A ‘total blockade’ of Iranian ships was to remain in place, though; the country’s ‘deceitful, violent, and malicious leadership’ left him no other choice… After ‘very productive talks’ with leaders in the Middle East, he decided to replace the levy with trade and investment agreements that the Gulf states would conclude with the US…”

Is there anything one can rely on when Trump makes an “announcement”? Trump’s threats seem simply ridiculous.

The War That Never Ended

Politico wrote on July 13:

“President Donald Trump formally notified lawmakers this weekend that the nation is once again at war with Iran, giving his administration another 60-day clock to use the military in the region without congressional approval… Trump had previously notified lawmakers in May that the war launched in February had ‘terminated,’ thereby negating a 60-day legal deadline under which military operations must halt without congressional authorization.”

The prior notification was clearly misleading. The war had never ceased.

Cuba Invasion Next?

CBS News wrote on July 15:

“As the U.S.-Iran war restarts following the collapse of the weeks-long ceasefire, senior Pentagon officials are also quietly eyeing another flashpoint much closer to home: Cuba. 

“Military planners have in recent weeks examined a range of options for possible action against the island, including an Army-led air assault involving thousands of U.S. soldiers to be carried out by the 101st Airborne Division, the only unit trained for such a task… Cuba has presented new security challenges… Cuba [has]  acquired attack drones of unknown origin.”

Trump’s Toothless Pledge to Help Ukraine

Newsmax republished on July 10 the following article by The Associated Press:

“President Donald Trump’s pledge to give Ukraine a license to produce Patriot air-defense systems could mark a major breakthrough for Kyiv, but experts and Ukrainian officials warn that turning the idea into real weapons would likely take years.

“[Trump’s “pledge”] left open a crucial question: What exactly would Ukraine be allowed to produce?… Trump’s wording was ambiguous because he referred broadly to producing ‘Patriots,’ without specifying whether he meant missiles, launchers, radar systems, command centers or components…

“Even if Ukraine received complete component kits from abroad…, it would likely need at least 18 to 24 months to launch its first pilot production line, followed by more time to complete the first weapons…”

Trump’s declaration that there was “love in the room” during the NATO summit sounded good, even though extremely silly and doubtful… but in any event, there was really nothing substantive behind it.

Russia’s Lack of Trust in the West

The Times of India wrote on July 10:

“Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow no longer trusts Western calls for negotiations, arguing that previous agreements and security guarantees related to the Ukraine conflict were not honored.

“Speaking at a public event, Lavrov claimed Russia’s ‘reserve of goodwill and hope’ toward the West has been exhausted, citing failed diplomatic efforts in 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2022.”

Border Controls Between Gibraltar and Spain to Be Abolished

Focus reported on July 15:

“Every workday, thousands of Spanish commuters cross the border into Gibraltar—a process that has often resulted in long wait times. This is set to change starting July 15: under a post-Brexit agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom, the border is being largely removed after 118 years, significantly easing freedom of movement between Spain and Gibraltar…

“For the region, this is considered a historic step, primarily due to Gibraltar’s economic importance. While Gibraltar ranks among the wealthiest territories in the world, the adjacent Spanish region is characterized by high unemployment.

“However, the new agreement brings not only opportunities but also new rules. Gibraltar will align itself more closely with the EU Customs Union and the Schengen Area. Consequently, goods in Gibraltar will have to comply with EU regulations. In addition, new taxes are being introduced, including a transaction tax that replaces the previous import duties.”

And so, the United Kingdom will ultimately lose Gibraltar—one of its last sea gateways—to Spain and the EU.

Germany’s Path Into the Abyss

Die Tagesschau reported on July 9:

“Germany will purchase US ‘Tomahawk’ intermediate-range weapons and station them in Germany. An agreement to this effect was reached with the US side at the NATO summit in Ankara, said Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) in his government policy statement to the Bundestag… ‘And at the same time, we will work on developing our own European systems and stationing them in Europe,’ said Merz.

“The cruise missiles have a range of 2,500 kilometers—meaning they could fly from Germany deep into Russian territory. Moscow is 1,600 kilometers from Berlin as the crow flies. European NATO states do not yet possess their own intermediate-range weapons…

“[Merz’s] goal is ‘an economically strong, socially just Germany capable of defending itself both internally and externally…’ The Chancellor explained that the answers offered by radical parties—whether from the left or the right—do not shape the future. ‘They divide our country and, should they assume political responsibility in Germany, would lead it into the abyss.’”

Many feel that Merz has already led Germany into the abyss.

American Mass Murders

Life News wrote on July 9:

“More than 66 million babies have been killed in abortions in the United States since the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision… The Roe ruling alone is responsible for more than 64 million deaths through mid-2022, with the overall figure surpassing 65 million by early 2025 and estimates now placing it at approximately 66 million.

“In June 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe in the Dobbs decision, returning authority over abortion to the states [a move supported by Trump]. Many states promptly enacted protections for unborn children. These measures led to abortion center closures in pro-life states and initial drops in abortions there. The abortion industry responded by shifting resources to pushing women to travel across state lines for abortions and by expanding access to dangerous chemical abortion pills through telemedicine and mail delivery…

“The cumulative death toll from abortion since Roe now stands at an estimated 66 million babies. It’s a heartbreaking figure that shows abortion is genocide.”

It is indeed genocide, and America will pay dearly for it.

Trump Insists Terrible ICE Policy Must Continue

The Guardian wrote on July 15:

“The White House overturned a one-day old homeland security department (DHS) memo that said they would be halting traffic stops in the wake of recent stops that left two men killed in the space of a week on Wednesday morning… On Tuesday, federal officers across the US had been told to temporarily stop pulling drivers over. That directive came after ICE agents fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston on 7 July and Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine on Monday. Both men were unarmed, neither was the intended target of the operation that killed him, and in both cases the agents involved wore no body camera to record what had happened.

“The president’s Wednesday declaration made no mention of either killing… The whiplash from the post initially rebuked his own homeland security department, which had just spent a day trying to contain the fallout from back-to-back killings…. Civil rights groups have called both shootings extrajudicial killings…. None of that appears to have registered with the Trump, who instead said that attempt to hold ICE accountable should be blamed on ‘Radical Left Dumocrats.’”

And so, human life does not seem to have any more value in America, and the killing of innocent people will continue.

Swiss New Military Law—Godless and Respectless

SWI (Swissinfo.ch) wrote on July 10:

“The requirement for priests and monks to serve in the Swiss army from June 1 has angered Swiss Churches. The three main national Churches and the Network of Evangelical Churches have expressed their discontent and demanded action in a letter to the government…

“Religious communities are particularly incensed that the government no longer considers pastoral care, and therefore the spiritual support of the population, as essential. ‘This is simply incomprehensible,’ the Churches wrote… Alain de Raemy, head of military affairs at the Swiss Bishops’ Conference and auxiliary bishop currently in charge of the diocese of Lugano, describes the government’s decision as ‘a lack of respect for the population.’

“[The] army added: ‘The increasing secularisation of society means that fewer and fewer people feel connected to the Church’s offerings.’ According to the authorities, pastoral care is no longer even ‘an activity essential to maintaining social life’...

“According to the army, nine clergymen have already been recalled since the change in the law. The Swiss Evangelical Network said five additional requests for exemption are expected to be rejected soon. An army spokesperson stated that, in addition to pastors, members of religious orders and monasteries are also affected.”

The godless spirit of war is engulfing the world.

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.

The “Kings of the East” are first mentioned in connection with the “beast” or the “King of the North”—a charismatic political and military leader of German or Austrian descent who will still manifest himself in Europe. The “beast” will lead ten European nations or groups of nations. He will carry out a terrible martyrdom of true Christians (Revelation 6:9-11), which might last for 3 ½ years (during the time of the Great Tribulation).

When that religious persecution of God’s servants is taking place, the beast will invade the Middle East, including Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia. He will enter the Glorious Land and conquer Jerusalem, and his forces will, at the same time, successfully attack the modern nations and peoples of Judah (the Jews) and of the House of Israel (the English-speaking nations of the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and others). The beast will apparently use nuclear weapons against the modern House of Israel, especially the USA and the UK, as all their major cities will be destroyed or laid waste in this war (compare Ezekiel 6:6; 35:4). Those of the House of Israel who survive these terrible events will become captives of the beast, mainly in Europe. The Bible does not say that the beast will use nuclear weapons against the Jewish people in Israel.

The beast will be supported by Turkey (biblical Edom). While Turkey does not appear to be part of the ten European core nations, it will, with unspeakable cruelty and hatred, murder many Jews, after having made an agreement with the beast to wipe out the name of “Israel.” God’s punishment of Turkey will be extremely severe.

After the European war against the modern Houses of Israel and Judah has begun, the King of the North or the beast will hear troublesome news “from the east and the north” and “he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many” (Daniel 11:44).

Please note that the news from the east and the north shall trouble him. In the Bible, there is no single word for north-east. The reference here can refer to both the east and the north. This troublesome news will stem from and involve the “Kings of the East”—a confederation of many Far Eastern nations.

The European forces, under the leadership of the beast, will attack the Kings of the East, as those rumors might indicate that these Far Eastern nations are planning an attack on Europe and the Middle East. At first, the European nations will use weapons that will not kill, but only torment their enemy for five months (Revelation 9:5). At that time, the beast will be, for whatever reason, unwilling to start a full-fledged nuclear war against the Kings of the East—perhaps also because its war with the USA and the UK is still ongoing.

Nevertheless, the beast’s attack on the Kings of the East will be gruesome. The five-month torment of the beast’s war machines “was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man” (Revelation 9:5). The pain will be so severe that“men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them” (verse 6).

Even though the European weapons will, at first, “only” harm people without killing them, this will quickly change as we read in Daniel 11:44 that ultimately, as the war drags on, the King of the North will “destroy and annihilate many” of the Far Eastern people.

The Kings of the East will retaliate with brutal force. They had been restrained by four angels but were now released to cross the Euphrates [it does not say that the river had dried up at that point] to kill many Europeans. They will use sophisticated nuclear weapons of mass destruction and kill one-third of mankind (Revelation 9:18), showing that the effect of their actions will not be limited to just European nations. As will be discussed, other passages tell us that ultimately, Europe will be destroyed by these Far Eastern nations, and the beginning of this destruction will undoubtedly commence with this counterattack, but additional attacks will follow. This also shows that the Kings of the East were not altogether unprepared for such military action by the beast, and that the beast’s concern about a Far Eastern attack will not have been unjustified.

In Revelation 9:16, John states that he heard that the number of “the army of the horsemen” of the attacking Kings of the East was 200 million. The Life Application Study Bible (1996) writes that “In John’s day, this number of mounted troops in an army was inconceivable, but today there are countries and alliances that could easily amass this many soldiers.”

Some would dispute this. But there are other explanations for this huge number. We should note that Revelation 9:16 literally says that John heard “the number of armies of the cavalry two myriads of myriads…” The word for “cavalry” is hippicon, which is derived from hippos, meaning “horse.”

Some claim the reference to the huge number of horses is strictly symbolic; others state that the army describes a force of 200 million demons. But since the emphasis is on the “horses” or tanks and other deadly weaponry, the thought should be considered that the tanks are not directed by human beings, but by robots. Especially Far Eastern nations are already heavily engaged in creating and cloning dangerous artificial intelligence (AI) machines. The terrible influence of AI must by no means be underestimated, and especially true Christians must be very careful not to engage themselves too closely with AI manipulations which could indeed be of demonic origin.

The initial attack of the beast on the Kings of the East and their retaliation on Europe begin at the time described in the Bible as the “Day of the Lord” (Revelation 6:17)—which commences about one year prior to Christ’s return. But that war will continue.

We read in Revelation 16 that the Kings of the East are now preparing to strike a final blow in an effort to win the war. This will take place just prior to Christ’s return… maybe just a few days or weeks before Christ’s Second Coming. The Kings of the East will be crossing the now dried-up river Euphrates to move their armies and equipment to a place called “Armageddon,” to assemble there with the apparent desire to advance toward Jerusalem to defeat the beast (who will by that time be in Jerusalem, having planted “his tent of his palace” there; Daniel 11:45). It is Satan and his demons who will assemble the Kings of the East, the beast and the false prophet [a religious leader working with the beast] as well as all the armies of the world to this place, called Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16). Please note that it does not say that a battle will take place at Armageddon; only that all the armies of the world will assemble there.

Armageddon (in Hebrew Har Megiddo, the “Mount of Megiddo”) sits at the western edge of the Jezreel Valley. Megiddo is located roughly 18 miles southeast of Haifa and 25 miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee, as well as 75 to 90 miles (120 to 125 km) north of Jerusalem.

But even prior to or during their move towards Armageddon, the Kings of the East will continue their war through Europe. They will defeat Europe under the leadership of the modern Medes, who will be part of the Kings of the East. Isaiah 13:17-19 describes the destruction of modern “Babylon” (Europe) through the hand of the modern “Medes.” Verses 6, 9 and 13 designate the timing as occurring during the “day of the LORD.”

In ancient times, the Medes lived in present-day Iran. Originally under Assyrian rule, they revolted against and expelled the Assyrians and imposed their rule over the Persians. They then attacked Nineveh and overthrew the Assyrian Empire. Under Cyrus the Great, the Medes and the Persians were considered one people. The Encyclopedia Britannica (ed.1959) points out that at least some of the Medes were not Iranians or Indo-Europeans, but perhaps connected with the numerous tribes of the Caucasus. The modern Medes, then, are to be found in modern Russia and surrounding areas, including Ukraine.

The historian Herodotus wrote in Terpsichore, 9, that the Medes began to settle throughout South Russia and present-day Ukraine. He stated: “They say that they are a colony of Medes.” Pliny wrote in Natural History, book VI, section xi, that the people who colonized the lands along the river Don claim to be “descended from the Medes.” The Church of God has long held and taught that the modern Medes can be found today among the Russian and Ukrainian peoples who will be instrumental in leading the Far Eastern nations to destroy Europe.

So, Russia and Ukraine will be fighting together, as part of the Kings of the East, against Europe. Today, both nations are fighting each other. But this war will end, and they will combine their forces against the West, especially Germany and continental Europe. We don’t know whether Russia will overtake Ukraine, or whether the two nations will reach an amicable agreement. What we DO know is that finally, they will work hand-in-hand to defeat and destroy Europe.

As mentioned, it appears that before or while moving toward the place called Armageddon in the Middle East, at least parts of the armies of the Kings of the East will sweep through Europe, creating devastating havoc there. Jeremiah 51:27-28 refers to horses as coming up against Babylon like bristling locusts, indicating that they will use some of their tanks and their air force to destroy modern Babylon. They will be led primarily by the modern “Medes”—the Ukrainians and the Russians.

They will apparently destroy and burn the city of Rome—the religious capital of the revived Roman Empire—the city built on seven hills (Revelation 17:9,18).

But we also find that the ten end-time European kings or kingdoms will turn against the religious power and its seven-hill city and “make her desolate” (verse 16), apparently confiscating her property. This depicts the coming strong European alliance between church and state, which is prophesied to crumble. Ultimately, modern Babylon—the religious and economic European system, as well as the city of Rome—will be destroyed in one day (Revelation 18:8) and in one hour (verse 17).

The Bible does not give us all the specifics as to how, exactly, the destruction of the religious system and the city of Rome will occur; that is, whether or not the Medes or the Kings of the East and the ten nations or its leaders will independently turn on the “fallen woman” (the religious power), or whether there will be some limited collaboration between those powers.

In addition, as the ancient Medes destroyed ancient Nineveh—the capital of the Assyrian Empire—, so the modern Medes will also destroy modern Nineveh, capital of modern Assyria or Germany, which would be Berlin today. (Some have suggested that this capital may be Vienna, the capital of Austria).

Much has been written about the fear of a nuclear war between Russia and Germany. This war will indeed take place, and in the process, the modern Medes will totally destroy the modern city of Nineveh, but only AFTER the modern European-Babylonian Empire will have attacked and conquered the USA, the United Kingdom and the State of Israel.

Iran will participate in Europe’s destruction. In Isaiah 21:2, we find a description of the destruction of modern Babylon through the modern Medes and the modern Persians (Iranians). It says: “Go up, O Elam (Iran)! Besiege, O Media!” A future alliance between Russia, Ukraine and Iran (which is already developing today) is not surprising, given the fact that these powers were allied in the past as the “Medo-Persian Empire.” It appears that after their mutual attack on Jerusalem, modern Babylon will turn against Iran and enslave the Iranian people; and that Russia and Ukraine will intervene and free the Iranians; and that Russia and Ukraine, together with Iran, will attack modern Babylon.

While assembling at Armageddon, the Kings of the East and all the other armies moving there will suddenly feel threatened by another “enemy,” and being influenced by Satan and his demonic powers, they will combine their forces with the kings of the whole world (including the beast power) to attempt to defeat that common foe. That “foe” is none other than the returning Jesus Christ, His saints, and His angelic armies. In light of the end-time mania and demonic belief in UFOs, USOs and other demonic apparitions, the worldly and godless armies might perhaps think that Christ and His angels will be an army of hostile aliens with spaceships who are coming to destroy the world. The Bible shows us that Christ will thoroughly defeat and destroy all these worldly armies at the great battle at Jerusalem, when His feet stand on the Mount of Olives.

But this is not the end of the story of the Kings of the East.

After Jesus Christ has set up His rule on earth and the Millennium has begun, the Kings of the East—those who were not part of the army destroyed by Christ at Jerusalem—will again try to conquer the Promised Land. This attempt will occur after the Houses of Israel and Judah have been freed from slavery by Christ and settled peacefully in the Promised Land (Ezekiel 38:8, 11-12). It will be at that time that they will know that God is “the LORD their God from that day forward” (Ezekiel 39:22).

Ezekiel 38 identifies the identity of the hostile nations and armies. This gives us a clue as to who the nations of the Kings of the East will be that will attack Europe and that will invade the Middle East prior to Christ’s Return. 

Ezekiel 38:2–3, 5, 6 speaks of “Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal,” as well as “Persia, Ethiopia (Hebrew: Cush) and Libya (Hebrew: Put),” “Gomer and… the house of Togarmah.” “Gog” means “mountain” or “high” and seems to be a reference to a commander (compare also verse 7: “be as guard [or commander] for them”).

Magog has been understood as a reference to the Mongols—or more generally, China

As Gog is identified as being “of the land of Magog,” and also as “the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal,” it appears that at that time, Gog, the leader of the future Kings of the East and the nations under his command, will be Chinese. At the time prior to Christ’s Return, when the Medes were leading the Kings of the East, their commander seems to have been from Russia or Ukraine.

Some translations, such as the NIV, render Ezekiel 38:2-3 in this way: “… set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal… I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal…” But in the footnote to verse 3, the NIV states: “Or the prince of Rosh.” However, omitting the reference to “Rosh” as a people and replace it simply with “chief ruler” makes little sense, as Meshech and Tubal are correctly described as peoples as well.

The New Luther Bible 2009 renders these two verses as follows: “Turn against Gog, who is in the land of Magog and the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal… I will come to you , Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal…”

“Rosh,” meaning “blond,” is a reference to the White Russians or Ukrainians. “Meshech” is another designation for the city of Moscow, and “Tubal” for the city of Tobolsk. Meshech and Tubal, being sons of Japheth—the father of the Eurasian peoples—and brothers of Gomer and Magog (compare Genesis 10:2), seem to refer here to the Great Russians. Included in this entire description are the vast regions in northern Eurasia extending from the Baltic to the Pacific.

Persia (Elam in Hebrew) designates modern Iran; and Ethiopia (Cush in Hebrew) includes the people of Ethiopia, but also peoples in Central and Southern India and parts of Sri Lanka. Cush’s sons, Seba and Raamah (Genesis 10:7), and Raamah’s son Sheba (same verse), were later worshipped by Hindus as the gods Shiva and Ramah.

Libya (Put in Hebrew) includes the people of the state of Libya, as well as people from Northern and Central India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. As we read earlier that Ethiopia and Libya will be conquered by the beast prior to Christ’s Return, they will not be part of the Kings of the East at the time just prior to Christ’s Return, but they might become part of that collaboration after Christ’s Return, unless in Ezekiel 38, Cush and Put don’t refer to the nations of Ethiopia and Libya, but exclusively to the peoples of Southern India, Sri Lanka, Northern and Central India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Perhaps all these countries are included in this collaboration of the Kings of the East after Christ’s Return.

Gomer seems to designate the peoples from the Asian steppes and deserts, including people from the region of Mongolia. Finally, the reference to “Togarmah from the far north” (Ezekiel 38:6) has been understood as a reference to the people living in Siberia.

We note that certain other Far Eastern countries are not mentioned in Ezekiel 38, such as Japan, Korea and the Philippines, but it is highly likely or at least conceivable that they will be part of the Kings of the East prior to Christ’s Return.

We read in the 38^th and 39^th chapters of the book of Ezekiel that God will supernaturally intervene and destroy those warring nations.

But even that war at the beginning of the Millennium might not end the story of the Kings of the East. A similar attack on Jerusalem will occur when the Millennium is ending and Satan is “released from his prison” for a short while. He will “go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea” (Revelation 20:7–8).

We know that this is not the same incident as the one described in Ezekiel 38 and 39, as major differences are listed. For instance, Revelation 20:8 speaks of the hostile nations which are in “the four corners of the earth,” while Ezekiel 38:15 and Ezekiel 39:2 say that they come from “the far north.”

Also, the nations referred to in Revelation 20 might not have to be identical with those mentioned in Ezekiel 38 and 39, but they could just be mentioned symbolically in the book of Revelation to signify those who are opposing God and following Satan. Still, this passage might very well describe the final attempt of the Kings of the East and of all those from all over the world who follow them under Satan’s lead, to rebel against God and His people.

They will try to conquer Jerusalem, but God will supernaturally destroy them (Revelation 20:9), as He had done to the Kings of the East about 1,000 years earlier.

This will end the story of the Kings of the East, as revealed in Scripture. Never will they fight in war anymore, and never will they again oppose God and His people.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

Compiled by Norbert Link

“The Sabbath – God’s Gift to Humanity” is the latest short video that has been posted on YouTube.

Norbert Link’s German sermon for this Sabbath has been posted. It is titled, “Was sagt uns die Bibel über die “Könige des Ostens“? (“What does the Bible tell us about the ‘Kings of the East’?”).

Paul Niehoff’s first split sermon from last Sabbath has been posted. It is titled, “Gentleness or Kindness.” 

Here is a summary:

Gentleness or kindness is an important part of the fruit of the Spirit. It is mentioned a number of times in the epistles of the apostle Paul and elsewhere, and shows us one aspect of character that we need to apply in our relationships with both Church members and others we come across in our daily lives.

Rene Messier’s second split sermon from last Sabbath has been posted. It is titled, “Enduring to the End.” 

Here is a summary:

In this sermon, we are looking at how the Church of God was persecuted throughout its history and emphasize the importance of enduring to the end by remaining close to God.

Tahir Coban’s German sermonette from last Sabbath has been posted. It is titled, “Sollten Christen auf Fleisch verzichten und vegetarisch oder vegan leben?“ (“Should Christians Abstain From Meat and Live a Vegetarian or Vegan Lifestyle?”) 

Marc Voeller’s German sermon from last Sabbath has been posted. It is titled, “Wie in den Tagen Noahs” (“As in the Days of Noah”). 

On July 11, 2026, Paul Niehoff will present the first split sermon, titled, “Gentleness or Kindness”; and Rene Messier will give the second split sermon, titled, “Enduring to the End.”

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.

Thinking before we act is something we all strive to do on a daily basis, yet in moments of pressure, offense, or emotion, we can respond too quickly and regret it later. Proverbs 16 teaches that while people may believe their own ways are right, God weighs the motives of the heart. It reminds us to commit our plans to God, trust His guidance, value honest words, listen to instruction, avoid pride and conflict, and practice patience and self-control. Proverbs 13:16 says that “Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.” This contrasts wisdom with foolishness by showing the importance of thinking carefully before taking action. 

This principle especially applies when we are offended or confronted. When someone says something hurtful, false, or even partly true, our first reaction may be anger, defensiveness, or a desire to get even. But God expects us to respond with wisdom, patience, and self-control. Even when we must stand up for what is right, especially when defending biblical Truth, how we answer matters. We should not respond in a way that becomes offensive or sinful. In heated situations, instead of blurting out the first thing that comes to mind, we should pause, pray, and ask God for the right words.

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of wise action. Throughout His life, He was questioned, ridiculed, tempted, and tested by people who opposed Him. Satan also tempted Him directly after His baptism, twisting Scripture and appealing to human nature. Yet Christ responded with wisdom, Truth, and self-control (compare Matthew 4:1-11). He did not sin, even when confronted repeatedly. His example shows us that we must know God’s Word well enough to answer wisely and resist deception.

As Christians, we are called to imitate Christ, as it says in 1 Corinthians 11:1.  Through baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit, we are given access to God’s power, wisdom, and understanding. However, we still have a part to play. We must continue studying, praying, meditating on God’s Law, attending Church services when able, fellowshipping with others of like mind, and consistently practicing God’s Way of Life. God’s Holy Spirit helps us make right choices, grow in faith, and become more like Christ, but we must actively use that gift (compare Ephesians 3:16-20; 4:13).

The Bible also warns us about offenses, which can cause people to sin or lead others away from God. We must recognize both the offenses that come from others and those that may come from within ourselves. Christ warned about the seriousness of causing others to stumble, and we should regularly examine our own attitudes, words, and actions (compare Matthew 18:6-7). 

Many people may be offended by what we believe, just as many were offended by Christ. The Pharisees tried to trap Him, question Him, and prove Him wrong, but He always answered with wisdom and authority (compare Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 12:13-17). Likewise, our beliefs may be challenged by friends, family, co-workers, or others. We must be prepared to respond with Truth, but also with the right Spirit.

Ultimately, we face the same kinds of trials, temptations, and tests of faith that Christ faced. Our knowledge, faith, patience, and self-control are tested by how we respond when offended or pressured. We must let wisdom lead and direct our actions, seek God’s guidance, and follow Christ’s example in every situation. Our goal is to answer wisely, act righteously, and grow toward the perfection that God desires for us.

By Norbert Link

We begin with President Trump’s ridiculous interference in the soccer world, causing even more damage to America’s reputation and credibility. 

We continue with Russia’s and China’s military cooperation—angering Germany—and Germany’s suppression of a Russian channel ousted in Europe. We also point out Germany’s and Europe’s plans for insane rearmament spending.

We address this week’s NATO summit and the hope to keep Trump under control, while his relationship with Erdoğan becomes more and more problematic.

We publish further articles proving that Trump and Israel lost the Iran war; and we conclude with Trump’s desire to be added to Mount Rushmore and how he inadvertently unites the Catholic Church and approvingly revives the memory of one of America’s darkest chapters in history. 

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Sheer Madness… What on Earth Is Going On in Europe?”

The World Against Trump

The Guardian wrote on July 6:

“Fifa’s willingness to bow to the wishes of Donald Trump by lifting the suspension of the USA striker Florian Balogun for the host side’s World Cup last-16 game against Belgium was criticised strongly on Monday, with European politicians, football associations and the governing body Uefa condemning the decision. In an unprecedented intervention in the middle of a tournament, Uefa accused Fifa of crossing ‘a red line’ by making an ‘incomprehensible and unjustifiable’ decision to rescind Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, which it claimed undermined ‘the integrity of the game and the credibility of the competition’… the US president made three calls to Fifa urging an intervention after the 25-year-old was sent off…

“In a move that will reignite a long-simmering conflict with Fifa, Uefa claimed that the world governing body had ignored its own rulebook for political reasons… The Royal Belgian Football Association expressed its own ‘astonishment’ at the decision, with the national team manager, Rudi Garcia, comparing it to an April Fools’ Day joke. The RBFA has also received strong support from some of its European counterparts. The German Football Association questioned whether the outcome was the result of political interference, and said that Fifa’s credibility was at stake….

“… the England head coach, Thomas Tuchel, criticised the decision following his side’s thrilling 3-2 win against Mexico that secured their place in the last 16, where they will meet Norway in Miami on Saturday. Tuchel said: ‘Where does it end now?…’”

The new designated German coach Juergen Klopp also condemned FIFA’s decision and Trump’s involvement in the strongest terms, saying these two people (Trump and controversial FIFA president Gianni Infantino), “who know nothing about soccer,” should stay out of the game and leave it to us.

Although, objectively speaking, Balogun’s foul did not warrant a red card, Trump’s interference and the about-face by his sycophant Infantino are truly outrageous. Naturally, all of this once again damages the global reputation of the USA—Trump and FIFA lost all respect long ago anyway—as well as that of the American soccer team. Trump even admitted that he did not even know what a red card was.

Europe Must Oust Infantino—and Trump Is Intolerable

Bild Online wrote on July 6:

“It is a scandal the likes of which football has never seen! US President Donald Trump calls FIFA boss Gianni Infantino (a Swiss, Italian, and Lebanese national) and ensures that the suspension of US star Balogun—imposed following a controversial red card—is lifted so he can play in the World Cup again. There is a massive global outcry. The values ​​of the game are being trampled upon. The time for standing by and watching the FIFA boss’s shameless conduct must end now…

“The uprising must… be led by the powerful Europeans. The nations that send 60 to 70 percent of the stars to the tournament—Germany…, England, France, and Spain—along with UEFA, must join forces. Condemn Infantino’s machinations. NOW!… It is time to send a clear signal. And since Infantino is unlikely to leave voluntarily—being far too obsessed with power—UEFA should at least threaten to leave FIFA, and, if necessary, show strength and actually go through with it.

“We must not stand by and watch as the football we all love so much is taken away from us for good! The very thought of Trump and Infantino presenting the World Cup trophy after the final on July 19 is already unbearable.”

In another article, dated July 6, Bild Online commented:

“Have you lost your mind, Mr. President? Please stay out of this! As a football fan, I’m used to a lot by now—World Cups in rogue states, transfer fees completely divorced from reality. But the fact that the most powerful man in the world is now apparently interfering in the World Cup as if it were a video game really takes the cake… Is politics going to step in from now on whenever football matches don’t go the way people want?… Six months before the World Cup, Trump received a peace prize from Infantino that had been cooked up on the spur of the moment. And now, another gift between cronies?”

Wars have started over far less.

“Belgium Avenges the Football World”

Bild Online wrote on July 7:

“The football world was watching this World Cup match very closely! Belgium knocks out the last World Cup host, winning the Round of 16 match against the USA 4–1 and advancing to the quarter-finals against European champions Spain on July 10…

“For the Belgians, this success is a source of special satisfaction—the Europeans are avenging the football world!… Substitute Romelu Lukaku scores the 4–1 goal from ten meters out…—sealing the victory of retribution!”

Trump’s ridiculous stunt achieved nothing—except to once again turn the world against him. But given his incredible arrogance, he seems completely indifferent to that. Perhaps he even enjoys it. In any case, Belgium’s well-deserved victory is a case of poetic justice.

China vs. Germany

Kyiv Post wrote on July 5:

“Chinese and Russian military forces will hold joint naval and air exercises in Chinese territory this July, marking further military cooperation between the two nations, Bloomberg reported… The announcement of the Joint Sea-2026 exercises comes shortly after Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador for urgent diplomatic talks on Friday, July 3. The meeting was prompted by reports that Chinese military facilities secretly trained Russian soldiers last year.

“The German Foreign Ministry confirmed it had requested the meeting following Reuters’ revelations that the training had been personally approved by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov… ‘Anything that enables Russia to continue its war of aggression against Ukraine also threatens our security,’ a German foreign ministry source told Reuters. ‘China’s decisive and growing support for Russia’s brutal war of aggression directly impacts our security.’

“The Chinese embassy in Germany denied the allegations, labeling them ‘entirely unfounded.’”

China, Russia, North Korea, India, Pakistan and other Far Eastern countries, including Ukraine, will form the biblical “Kings of the East.”

European Censorship and Suppression

EU News wrote on July 2:

“The Court of Justice of the European Union has clarified that the ban on disseminating content from the Russia Today (RT) channelalso applies to those who operate a website that is freely accessible to the public and funded solely by users’ voluntary contributions. The ruling stems from criminal proceedings brought in Germany against three individuals accused of repeatedly publishing videos from the RT Germany channel on a freely accessible website…

“Across the EU, ‘operators’ are not permitted to broadcast RT content following the restrictive measures adopted in the context of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine… [The Judge was] clarifying that the concept of ‘operator’ encompasses any person responsible, directly or indirectly, for making prohibited content available, even in the context of an unpaid activity. This classification does not depend on either the scope or the duration of the dissemination.

“Only this interpretation, the Court emphasises, makes it possible to prevent the spread of Russian propaganda and to protect public order and the security of the Union…”

The criminal prohibition also includes the dissemination of written articles of RT in Europe. It reminds us of the book-burning mania of the Nazis prior to and during World War II. And even citing from a RT article is prohibited if it is cited as stemming from a “valid or objective news source.”

And who is protecting us from German or European or American propaganda?

How to Keep Trump on Board of NATO?

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 4:

“NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is working to keep the alliance united and Donald Trump engaged. But disputes over burden sharing, US military commitments, and the Iran war are creating a major test for NATO unity…

“Just days before a crucial NATO summit kicks off in Ankara on July 7, Rutte was doing what has become one of, if not his most, important tasks: keeping Donald Trump on board. The summit will bring together the leaders of NATO’s 32 allied countries at a moment of growing uncertainty amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and Russia’s ongoing war with the Ukraine.

“As the US reviews its military posture in Europe, many European governments are worried about how committed Trump remains to the security alliance.

“An important part of the Ankara summit will also be to secure further support for Ukraine, including potential new billion-dollar funding pledges to strengthen the country’s defense and security.

“According to news agency AFP, NATO’s European members and Canada will pledge to give Ukraine 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in military aid both this year and next at the upcoming Ankara summit. But tensions persist among European allies about sharing the burden.”

Unpredictable!

Politico wrote on July 8:

“President Donald Trump spent his first hours at the NATO summit publicly bashing the alliance and reciting a list of grievances that had allies fearing the worst. Then he went behind closed doors and changed his tune… The president was far more positive on Wednesday, when he gave a final 30-minute speech… The shift was a notable about-face for a president who has threatened repeatedly to leave the alliance — and came after European leaders heaped praise on Trump for helping ensure allies boosted their defense spending. But those in attendance weren’t clear what specifically changed his stance….

“His remarks represented a sharp turn from his condemnations on Tuesday and Wednesday when he lambasted NATO for failing to help with the Iran war and bristled at Spain’s refusal to spend more on defense. Trump went so far as to call for the U.S. and other countries to cut ties with Spain….

“The turnaround also underscores why European leaders remain on tenterhooks around the president, who relishes his own unpredictability. America’s carefully crafted diplomatic statements are increasingly a relic and what Trump says at one meeting may not represent his views at the next… But the tension is far from settled…”

No Future for NATO

ntv wrote on July 4:

“For the former Green Foreign Minister [Joschka Fischer], the transatlantic alliance is on the verge of collapse… and, in that event, he advocates for a European alliance with its own nuclear umbrella… Fischer said the only alternative is… the Europeanization of NATO…

“However, he spoke out emphatically against a national German nuclear umbrella: ‘For historical reasons, that would be very counterproductive.’… It is only because of the US presence that no one has had to worry until now about the potential resurgence of aggressive German nationalism. ‘Without the US, the situation changes. That is why we are already facing a potential loss of trust in Germany,’ the former foreign minister warned.

“In this context, Fischer criticized the German government’s communication—such as the announcement that the Bundeswehr should become Europe’s strongest conventional army. ‘I have doubts about whether that needs to be trumpeted so loudly. We must take our neighbors’ concerns seriously. We need a sense of our history and an understanding of the reactions it triggers in others.’ What is needed, he said, is sensitive communication—something he does not currently see coming from the German government.”

Germany has never been known for sensitive communication.

Germany a Major Military Power

Caliber wrote on July 6:

“Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has welcomed Germany’s growing defence role within the alliance, saying the country is on its way to becoming a major military power…Stoltenberg also cautioned against taking NATO’s long-term future for granted, saying the alliance’s continued existence cannot be guaranteed…

“Stoltenberg said European NATO countries have begun investing more heavily in defence, pointing to Germany as a notable example…”

Insane Rearmament Spending

Cryptobriefing wrote on July 6:

“Europe just decided it’s done relying on American security guarantees. The continent’s response: borrow an almost incomprehensible amount of money and start building weapons.

“The ReArm Europe initiative, unveiled on March 4, 2025 by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aims to mobilize nearly €800 billion across EU member states to strengthen defense capabilities through 2030. Germany, the economic engine of the continent, is at the center of this shift, reforming its constitutionally enshrined debt brake to unlock potentially €400 billion in additional defense spending.

“The €800 billion figure isn’t Germany alone borrowing that sum. It’s a pan-European mobilization effort combining national budgets, joint procurement programs, and EU-level borrowing. Of that total, roughly €150 billion will be borrowed directly at the EU level to support member states’ needs for air defense systems, missiles, and drones…

“The obvious winners are European defense contractors. Companies involved in missile production, drone manufacturing, air defense systems, and military technology are positioned to absorb a massive wave of procurement spending.”

With these weapons, millions upon millions of people will be killed.

USA Too Close to Turkey?

Israel Today wrote on July 6:

“Concerns grow in Jerusalem that Donald Trump may grant Turkey military concessions, thereby weakening Israel’s strategic position in the Middle East... The unusually harsh statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that Israel has become ‘a burden humanity can no longer bear’ is no longer being viewed in Jerusalem as merely another verbal exchange between Israel and Turkey. Rather, Israel sees it as part of a broader escalation in relations…

“Israel’s foreign policy and security establishment understands that the decisive question is no longer what Erdoğan or his foreign minister says, but what concessions Trump may grant Turkey as part of his efforts to draw Ankara closer to Washington once again.”

Trump’s Crazy Commitments Towards Turkey

ABC News wrote on July 7:

“President Donald Trump, during the first day of the NATO Summit in Ankara on Tuesday, said he will consider allowing Turkey to buy American F-35 fighter jets — despite possessing Russian-made air defense systems, which his first administration sanctioned the country for six years ago…

“In a 2020 release, Trump’s former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said those systems ‘would endanger the security of U.S. military technology and personnel and provide substantial funds to Russia’s defense sector, as well as Russian access to the Turkish armed forces and defense industry.’…

“Trump later said the U.S. had an ‘obligation’ to maintain the engines of planes Turkey has bought because Turkey, he said, has been ‘more helpful’ on Iran than other NATO countries. Trump again lashed out at other NATO allies for their reluctance to join U.S. military operations in reopening and patrolling of the critical Strait of Hormuz. ‘I was very disappointed with NATO,’ Trump said. ‘And frankly, if it weren’t held in Turkey, where my friend happens to be a very strong leader, a very strong person, it’s possible that I wouldn’t have attended… Italy turned us down, and Germany turned us down and France turned us down… They’ve [The Turks have] been extraordinary in many ways with respect to our relationship, including trying to end the war with Iran, or whatever you call it, it’s not even a war, it’s a military operation, it’s a denuclearization, that’s really what it is, of Iran…”

What absolute nonsense. Not a war with Iran? And Trump’s good friend Erdogan—an Antisemite, mass murderer and autocrat—helped the USA? Turkey will turn against the USA and Israel. Trump is building a Frankenstein monster.

Erdogan—the Leader of the Muslim World?

Politico wrote on July 7:

“Erdoğan remains an uncomfortable peacekeeper for much of NATO. At home, he has spent the last year methodically dismantling what remains of Turkey’s political opposition…  and deploying riot police to storm the headquarters of the country’s main opposition party…. He also maintains an open line of communication with Moscow even as European allies demand a harder line on Russia. Europe doesn’t love any of it… What appalls Europe about Erdoğan doesn’t appear to bother Trump,…

“… he is more than the president of Turkey. He is the leader of the Muslim world. He is the key interlocutor between North and South, East and West, the inheritor not of Ataturk but of the Ottoman sultans,’ said one former senior administration official who served in both the first Trump and Biden administrations… ‘This is a role history and destiny have granted him, and no one else in the world has this kind of presentational ability.’”

Trump’s and Netanyahu’s Lost Iran War

Former British diplomat Alastair Crooke of the Strategic Culture Foundation wrote on July 6, 2026:

“The prediction of a popular uprising in Iran has proved to have been a strategic mistake of such bearing that per contra, it catalysed a stronger, more defiant and assertive Republic…. now we have civil war inside the White House over Iran – Vance vs Rubio… For now, the oil coming out of the Persian Gulf is not heading to the U.S…. even were tankers to head to the U.S. now, the U.S. would still face a serious deficit of sour crude until 23 August at the earliest, given the 42 days voyage time to the U.S….

“The expected triumph of Israel over the Middle East has failed. The connected revolutionary war on Russia and the siege of China are faltering also…

“… some in Israel – including senior military figures – are already lamenting Israel’s assassination of the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, on 28 February 2026 – ‘At least we knew where we stood with Khamenei’, a senior Israeli military source told Ben Caspit. ‘[Khamenei] had red lines, he had a strategy, and he was sober to some extent. There was a certain stability to the Iranian madness. The current leadership is much less stable, far more extreme and unpredictable. They are intoxicated by power and hubris, convinced that they defeated both America and Israel.’”

Hezbollah Will Not Be Disarmed

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on July 3:

“Mint Press News posted there is a possibility US ground troops will be sent to Lebanon to tackle the impossible task of eliminating Hezbollah… In addition, The Washington Post reported on June 30 the US military has a plan to put ‘troops on the ground’ in Lebanon to assist the Lebanese military and Israel disarm Hezbollah….

“Hezbollah cannot be permanently dismantled without regime change in Iran and dismantling its domestic financial system and political power… In the Lebanese general election of 2022, Hezbollah secured fifteen seats in the Parliament… Hezbollah is the most prominent of Lebanon’s political movements, and has long been the most powerful in the country…

‘On June 30, Hezbollah reiterated its opposition to the framework agreement. Senior official Mahmoud Qamati characterized the accord as ‘stillborn,’ cautioning that the resistance movement ‘will not permit its implementation’ and will ‘oppose it using all available means… Despite a stillborn or deadlocked framework, France and Italy are preparing to deploy an international coalition force to southern Lebanon, supported by the United States… The U.S. and the EU are funneling millions of dollars into the Lebanese military, with the EU recently adopting a EUR 100 million assistance measure to help the state restore its authority…

“Israel, the United States, France, and Italy will not be able to disarm Hezbollah…”

And Europe supports the Lebanese army. The conflict between the USA, Israel and Europe is getting stronger.

Iran’s New Leadership: Younger, Savvier, Ruthless and Even More Hard-Line

Reddit wrote on July 24:

“After surviving months of strikes by the U.S. and Israel, the Iranian regime has emerged emboldened… Iran ‘might be weaker when it comes to its economic situation, its industries, some of its strategic capabilities,’ said Raz Zimmt, head of Iran research at the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel. ‘But the bottom line is that we are facing a new, bolder, self-confident Iran.’

“Even those perceived as moderates by the Trump administration were shaped by years spent in security agencies or war zones. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament and a main representative in peace talks with the United States, served as an IRGC commander during the Iran-Iraq war.

“By contrast, Iranian leaders with civilian backgrounds largely have been sidelined as part of the war-driven shake-up, officials and experts said. They include President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who previously led talks with the United States but has seen his position and influence diminished. The swift consolidation of power by loyalists contradicts claims by President Donald Trump that the war accomplished ‘regime change’ and empowered pragmatists willing to acquiesce to U.S. demands.”

Trump lost this war big time. Note the next article.

One of the Worst Foreign Policy Moves

Ron Paul wrote on the Ron Paul Institute on July 6:

“President Trump was reportedly ‘shocked’ to see many thousands of Iranians in the street mourning at the funeral of the country’s late leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over the weekend… ‘I thought they hated him,’ Trump said of the murdered religious leader of Iran. Not only did the Iranian people not rise up to replace their leadership with one friendly to Washington, but the society seems to have become even more cohesive and patriotic….

“In Soccer when you kick the ball into your own goal, it is referred to as an ‘own-goal.’ That is what President Trump achieved with his attack on Iran on February 28th. In fact, it was not just one ‘own-goal,’ but a series of them. The blunder will likely go down in American history as one of the worst foreign policy moves in our history.”

Peace Deal Over

The Huffington Post wrote on July 8:

“Just weeks after admitting he agreed to a peace deal with Iran to avoid a global economic calamity, President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the deal was ‘over’ and disparaged the same leaders he recently praised as moderate and reasonable as ‘scum’ who could not be trusted…

“His comments came after the U.S. military announced another round of attacks on Iranian targets around the Persian Gulf, which were in response to Iranian attacks on oil and natural gas tankers trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz using a channel not approved by Iran.”

How Trump Unites the Catholic Church

New Lines Magazine wrote on July 3:

“For the first time, a sitting U.S. president publicly questioned the legitimacy of a pope’s election. And Pope Leo XIV refuses to back down from confronting him. The conflict between perhaps the two most famous Americans on the planet has no historical precedent, not least because Leo XIV is the first American pope. ‘It is an event that evokes the historical clashes between the papacy and the empire,’ Giovanni Maria Vian, historian and former editor of L’Osservatore Romano, the Holy See’s daily newspaper, told New Lines. He described the confrontation between the pope and the U.S. president as ‘unprecedented’ …

“Half a year ago, shortly before the first anniversary of Leo’s papacy, a senior Vatican diplomat was summoned to the Pentagon. This was not a courtesy call. Some sources inside the Holy See described the meeting as a confrontation: U.S. defense officials allegedly warned that Washington had the military power to act as it pleased and that the church had better take its side. That meeting marked the beginning of a rupture without precedent in the modern era. President Donald Trump has since questioned the legitimacy of the pope’s election, posted an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus, and declared he is ‘not a fan of Pope Leo.’ Leo, for his part, has said he has ‘no fear of the Trump administration’ and has continued to speak out….

“The relationship between the U.S. and the Holy See is at its lowest point since it was formalized in 1984. But what Trump does not seem to understand is that his outbursts are proving remarkably helpful in achieving one of the key objectives that led to Leo’s election. The new pope after Francis was expected to have two priorities: to prevent a world war and to reunite the Catholic community. Leo was elected in part to calm the disputes between conservative U.S. cardinals and the Vatican. It is no coincidence that his election came above all at the behest of American cardinals anxious to restore Vatican finances….

“Trump’s insults are helping Leo to effect reconciliation within the deeply fractured American Catholic Church…. Since the day Trump accused Leo of being ‘terrible for foreign policy,’ America’s bishops have rallied around Leo in ways they never did with Francis.” 

And so, Trump is inadvertently fulfilling biblical prophecy once again, without having any clue that he does.

America’s Marriage Laws

Israel 365 News wrote on May 5:

“Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got married Friday night at Madison Square Garden, and the man who sealed the deal was not a priest, not a judge, not a chaplain flown in from a Manhattan cathedral. It was Adam Sandler, star of Billy Madison and The Waterboy, presiding over one of the most-watched weddings of the decade with all the rabbinic authority…

“Here is the part that ought to make headlines of its own. According to the state of New York, Sandler did not need a seminary degree, a house of worship, or a single day of religious training to legally marry two of the most famous people on the planet. Any adult can apply for a One-Day Marriage Officiant License in New York State and stand at the altar, no questions asked. Sandler filled out a form. That is the entire ordination process….

“… the ease with which American law hands out marriage authority for an afternoon says everything about how far the modern wedding has drifted from the Bible’s own definition of the institution.”

Sandler, a Jew, officiated over a “Christian” wedding.

Adding Trump to Mount Rushmore?

Daily Mail wrote on July 4:

“Donald Trump has long boasted that his record is deserving enough to be added to Mount Rushmore, but the President seems more convinced now than ever as he drops hints about his inclusion on the historic monument…

“Trump shared an AI-generated video depicting a gold-plated engraving of Mount Rushmore with his face added to the far right of the monument, alongside Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt…. The Trump administration also heavily hinted at Trump’s addition to the monument, handing out cookies on Air Force One showing his face etched in the mountain alongside Lincoln.”

What record? Trump’s haughtiness and pride are truly remarkable.

Repeating One of America’s Ugliest Chapters?

NPR wrote on July 4:

“President Donald Trump ushered in the 250th anniversary of American independence on Friday with soaring rhetoric about American exceptionalism before veering into a darkly political speech with warnings about a sinister threat of communism that evoked one of the country’s ugliest chapters. ‘Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty,’ he said from Mount Rushmore. ‘It is the greatest threat to our country, including World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor or even 9/11.’…

“Trump’s language evoked the Red Scare of the 1950s, when alleged communists were persecuted and blacklisted from jobs across America, from Washington to Hollywood….”

This was indeed one of the darkest chapters in America’s history, and Trump’s revoking ofthis ugly and inhumane conduct is indeed a deeply alarming development.

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.

The best place to begin is by understanding where and in what context prophecy makes a reference to Egypt and the nation of Israel.

The earliest point in time that prophecy references Egypt, in respect to the nation of Israel, occurs shortly after Israel makes their escape during the time of the Exodus. Towards the end of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness, Moses pronounces blessings on obedience to God and cursings on disobedience. He presents many of the curses as prophetic events, many to still take place in the future. “The LORD will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors, with the scab, and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed” (Deuteronomy 28:27). “Moreover He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you” (Deuteronomy 28:60). Moses prophesies these and many more terrible consequences to Israel in his warning against disobedience. The sicknesses of Egypt can be expected in fulfillment of end-time prophecy.

In addition to the sicknesses, Moses refers to a future time of slavery. “And the LORD will take you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you, ‘You shall never see it again.’ And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you” (Deuteronomy 28:68). Of the conditions considered when understanding Israel’s experience in Egypt, slavery stands out as the most prominent. It is clear from this passage that the same slavery that Israel experienced in Egypt will again take place.

Hosea prophesies of a future time when modern descendants of Ephraim, who are identified below, will be punished for their disobedience to God and following the way of sin. He references a return to Egypt as well, “…Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins. They shall return to Egypt” (compare Hosea 8:11-13). In addition to this return to Egypt, Hosea states that Ephraim will not literally be in Egypt, but rather, in the land of modern-day Assyria. “They shall not dwell in the LORD’s land, But Ephraim shall return to Egypt, And shall eat unclean things in Assyria” (Hosea 9:3). We do not see the specific details about what exactly the return to Egypt entails here, but it is a clear allusion to the conditions they lived in during the time of their bondage before the Exodus, while physically being in the land of modern-day Assyria, which today is mainly Germany. Since this passage references Assyria as the place in which the people of Ephraim will eat unclean things, this implies that the return to Egypt is a symbolic return to slavery, not a literal return to the land of Egypt.

Isaiah prophesies a future time when the remnant of Israel will experience conditions similar to the days in which they were slaves in Egypt while they will be captive in Assyria. This reinforces the prophecy of Hosea. “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD of hosts: ‘O My people, who dwell in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian. He shall strike you with a rod and lift up his staff against you, in the manner of Egypt’” (Isaiah 10:24). This passage further supports the fact that the modern-day descendants of Israel will suffer subjection and abuse like ancient Israel did during their Egyptian slavery. This passage makes it even clearer that the reference to Egypt represents the conditions symbolically, explaining that they will be abused in the same manner. This abuse will take place in a different land.

While the remnant of Israel will return to the condition of Egypt in the land of Assyria, a remnant of Judah will return to literal slavery in Egypt. “So it shall be in that day: The great trumpet will be blown; They will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, And they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, And shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem” (Isaiah 27:13). This reference shows the time that follows the return of Jesus Christ, when the “outcasts” will come out of the literal land of Egypt. Assyria will not be the only place in which people will be taken captive. We prove below that the outcasts in the land of Egypt refer to the people of Judah.

From this Q&A, “What will be the future relationship between major Middle Eastern Nations and Israel?” we explain in more depth how to interpret prophecies of Egyptian slavery as they apply to Israel and Judah.

“Regarding EGYPT, we read that Jews will be enslaved in Egypt just prior to Christ’s return. Isaiah 27:13 explains that when the great trumpet sounds ‘in that day’—designating the resurrection of the just from the dead in the end time–captives from the Houses of Israel and Judah will be released from slavery. We are also told that prior to their freedom, some will perish in the LAND of Assyria, and some will be outcasts in the LAND of Egypt.

“Hosea 9:3 states that Ephraim (mainly the UK, but by extension including the USA, Canada and other English-speaking nations) shall return to Egypt and eat unclean things in Assyria. On the other hand, Hosea 11:5, 10-11 informs us that Ephraim shall not return to the LAND of Egypt; rather, it will go into the kind of ‘Egyptian’ slavery which ancient Israel experienced when it was in Egyptian captivity. The modern king ruling over the modern House of Israel (including the UK and the USA) will be Assyria. Deuteronomy 28:68; 17:16 confirms as well that ‘Egyptian’ slavery is decreed over both the Houses of Israel and Judah.

“According to Isaiah 27:13, a part of the enslaved remnant will return from the LAND of Egypt. Since Ephraim will not be enslaved in the LAND of Egypt, it follows that those who will be enslaved in the LAND of Egypt will be mainly those from the House of Judah (the Jews). This fact is supported in Joel 3:19, which tells us that Egypt will become a desolation, because of their violence against the people of JUDAH or the Jews.

“Zechariah 10:10-12 tells us as well that some (apparently referring to Judah) will be freed from slavery and brought back from the LAND of Egypt, while others (Ephraim) will be freed from Assyria.”

The examples set forth so far explain a dreadful time in the future when the modern-day descendants of Israel and Judah will experience a return to “Egyptian” slavery. We get a sense of what this return to Egypt means from the context, but to fully comprehend what those conditions will be like, we need to review what ancient Israel actually experienced.

What are some examples in Scripture that explain what the conditions were like?

Israel’s time in Egypt started out finding favor in their host nation. The sons of Israel all moved to Egypt during the famine in the area, being reunited with their brother Joseph. While Joseph was alive and second-in-command, Egypt thrived under his leadership. This is where the family of Israel settled and multiplied greatly (compare Genesis 47:27). What started well for this family turned out so bad after living there for several generations that God had to intervene to free them from their bondage.

The Egyptians, feeling threatened by their swelling population, enslaved the Israelites. “Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, ‘Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.’ Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor” (Exodus 1:8-14).

In this passage we can see that the conditions in Egypt were utterly terrible for the Israelites. They experienced forced labor and were kept in subjection. The kind of forced work they had to do was hard, physical labor. When it says that “the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor “, the English word “rigor” does not even come close to conveying the full meaning of the word. The Hebrew word for “rigor” is “perek”, which Strong’s concordance defines as “to break apart; fracture, i.e. severity: — cruelty, rigour.” From this it is clear that the way Egypt forced Israel into labor goes beyond mere hard work, expanding to cruel servitude. Israel’s quality of life was awful, as shown by the example of how the Egyptians made their lives bitter. Israel suffered tremendously under these conditions and cried out because of it (compare Exodus 2:23).

Further explaining the arduous condition of slavery, the account in Exodus shows the cruelty Israel experienced after Moses pleaded with Pharaoh to let them worship God. “And the taskmasters of the people and their officers went out and spoke to the people, saying, ‘Thus says Pharaoh: “I will not give you straw. Go, get yourselves straw where you can find it; yet none of your work will be reduced.”’ So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. And the taskmasters forced them to hurry, saying, ‘Fulfill your work, your daily quota, as when there was straw.’ Also the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, ‘Why have you not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as before?’” (Exodus 5:10-14). The hard work given to Israel to do was made even harder by neglecting them the resources they needed to complete it. Furthermore, the Egyptian taskmasters beat the Israelite servants when they struggled to complete the impossible task of making bricks without the necessary materials. The slavery they experienced was brutal.

With the view of history for us to learn from, we can see the terrible conditions that Israel experienced. Being an Israelite in Egypt meant living in fear of being beaten and forced into menial labor, being treated like animals. This history gives us the foundation from which we can understand the prophecies about returning to “Egyptian” slavery more fully. God inspired His prophets to warn His people about the consequences of disobedience, using the “Egyptian” slavery as the benchmark of comparison to illustrate the terrible conditions that will be experienced again.

It is difficult to comprehend the terrible conditions of slavery that ancient Israel experienced from the comforts of modern life in the 21^st century. To consider that these same awful conditions will again be experienced by the modern descendants of Israel and Judah is mind-boggling, almost to the point of disbelief. Yet, the prophecies referenced in the Bible that proclaim a return to “Egyptian” slavery make it clear there are dire consequences for disobedience that must take place again.

These are serious warnings, but they must be given. We hope that some of those who hear these warnings will repent, become converted and change their way of life so that they can be spared from the horrific events to come, including the prophesied “Egyptian slavery” for the modern Houses of Israel and Judah, and to stand before the Son of Man when He returns.

Lead Writer: Eric Rank

By Delia Messier (Canada)

My childhood friend and I had a long and very close relationship. Though we were no longer in the same faith and had agreed to disagree, we could still share and support one another.

My friend was a prominent person in her church. She was one of only two or three people who could read Scripture at Sunday Mass.  She taught catechism to new converts. She went to seminars with the nuns and had an ongoing rapport with their priest.

We encouraged and supported each other in difficult times.  Occasionally, my friend expressed that she lacked discernment and would be looking for understanding.   Knowing God’s Truth, I was often able to help her feel more confident.  One day, my friend told me that her church was open to people of other religions to use their church facilities; that we were living in an enlightened time.

Some time later, she announced that her daughter had become a Buddhist nun.  I asked her how she felt about her little Catholic daughter becoming a Buddhist nun, and she answered: “There is more than one way to God.”

She was a little taken aback when I replied to her: “There is only one way to eternal life, and that is through Jesus Christ.”

Her daughter, not long after, left the Buddhist faith, though she did not return to Catholicism.

A few years later, my dear friend died, and her daughter spoke at a very packed church funeral service with 200 to 300 in attendance.   At the podium, she said one thing that took me by surprise: “There is only one way to eternal life, that is through Jesus Christ.”

My friend and I had a special connection. On her deathbed, I was able to tell her that I would see her in the resurrection and encouraged her to be brave.  That day, I was the only person to whom she could respond. 

Looking back, I could see how God’s Spirit had been working quietly through our friendship all along.

Compiled by Norbert Link

“Sheer Madness… What on Earth Is Going On in Europe?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

What is Europe up to… and Germany and Britain in particular? What about Britain’s long-range missiles for Ukraine? What about Germany’s provocative war propaganda and insane rearmament spending; and what about their censorship and their appalling suppression of dissemination of news articles and opposing opinions?

A German AufPostenStehen program was posted with the same topic. The title is: “Der reine Wahnsinn … Was ist bloß in Europa los?“ 

Michael Link’s sermonette has been posted, titled, “When Nations Come Together”.

Here is a summary:

What major event brings nations from all over the world together, especially through the inspiring underdog story of a particular nation, showing how the world can briefly rally around courage, pride, and shared joy? This unity is short-lived, as conflict, division, and war will persist after the tournament ends. Only the return of Jesus Christ will bring true and permanent peace, when all nations will be unified under one divine rule with no more war, suffering, deception, or sorrow.

Norbert Link’s sermon has been posted. It is titled, “America and God’s Church – Astonishing Parallels.” 

Here is a summary:

What parallels and similarities might exist between America’s independence 250 years ago and the history of the founding of the Church of the Eternal God in the USA? Does God have a very specific timeline involving nations, individuals, and momentous events? Can this plan be altered? And what warnings does the Bible contain for God’s Church?

Andreas Raetz’s German sermonette from last Sabbath has been posted. It is titled, “Trägheit im Glauben—eine falsche Routine“ (“Sluggishness in Faith—a False Routine”). 

On July 4 2026, Michael Link will present the sermonette, titled, “When Nations Come Together,” and Norbert Link will give the sermon, titled, “America and God’s Church – Astonishing Parallels.”

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.

On July 4, 2026, America celebrates 250 years of independence. Speeches will be made. Flags will be waved. Politicians from every persuasion will congratulate the nation and promise a brighter future. The word freedom will be repeated until it almost loses its meaning.

America was founded on revolutionary ideals. The Declaration proclaimed that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights — life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Constitution and Bill of Rights sought to preserve those liberties by limiting the power of government.

Yet 250 years later, an uncomfortable question remains. What has become of that freedom?

Regardless of political affiliation, few would argue that Americans today enjoy the same level of liberty, privacy, trust in institutions, or confidence in their future as previous generations did. The government has grown. Division has deepened. Citizens increasingly look to political leaders to solve problems that politics has never been able to solve.

Christians however must view this milestone differently. We are not called to place our hope in political movements, elections, constitutions, or governments. Jesus Christ plainly stated that His Kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). While nations rise and fall, the people of God are commanded to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

That knowledge allows us to ask a question few will ask during America’s 250th celebration.

Is there another 250 in the Bible that serves not as a reason for celebration, but as a solemn warning?

Numbers 16 records another group of 250. They were not ordinary Israelites. They were “leaders of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, men of renown(verse 2). They were influential, respected and trusted.

Yet these men united themselves with Korah in challenging the authority God had established through Moses and Aaron. Their argument sounded reasonable enough: “All the congregation is holy” (verse 4). Why should Moses and Aaron occupy positions of authority over everyone else?

It was an appealing argument. It appealed to equality. It appealed to fairness. It appealed to the belief that no one should possess authority over another.

But Moses exposed the real issue. “Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the LORD” (Numbers 16:11).

Their rebellion was never really against Moses. It was against God. That same pride, the conviction that we know better, that we get to decide what’s right—that is the same attitude we can observe today in America and in many other nations. 

Scripture identifies the modern English-speaking nations: America, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and their kin are the descendants of ancient Israel, specifically of Joseph and the “lost ten tribes.” That identity carries weight. Not the weight of pride, but of responsibility. God has specifically warned that nations carrying this identity will experience national consequences for this exact pattern of pride and self-rule. While America may be enjoying its remaining freedom now, what is coming is predictable and yet entirely avoidable, if people would wake up and pay attention.

Deuteronomy 28 lays out the blessings (vs. 1-14) and the curses (vs. 15-68), tied to obedience or disobedience to God’s laws. When Israel lost her way and turned from God, notice the progression that God tells us would happen. It intensifies step by step: confusion and frustration (v. 20), disease and economic collapse, foreign oppression (vs. 43-44), military defeat (vs. 25, 49-52), siege and captivity (vs. 64-68).

In Leviticus 26, God repeats the same warning again and again: “If you will not obey me…” Again, each refusal deepens the consequence. The broad arc is pride, then broken national strength, then famine, then invasion, then desolation and finally scattering among the nations.

The 250th anniversary of America should be less a celebration of past greatness or coming greatness and instead be a more sober reminder that national blessings are taken away when a people turn away from God.

Proverbs 14:34 holds no punches: “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” It doesn’t matter who people think they are in their own eyes. When their actions become so consistently unrighteous that the pattern itself becomes a verdict, there is a problem.

People today do not want to know what sin is. And when they do know, they still don’t want to fully obey God’s law in keeping the Ten Commandments. People speak constantly about defending freedom. Far fewer ask what freedom is actually for. Biblical freedom was never freedom from God. Rather, it is freedom to obey Him, which in the end gives true freedom from sin and the penalty of sin—death! 

Modern society has redefined freedom as the right to determine morality, to decide what is right and wrong, what marriage is, what life is worth, what Truth is, and ultimately who has authority over us. Yet, this is not a modern philosophy. It is the oldest Satanic lie in history: “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5). 

Satan’s “promise” was never that mankind would become like God in character. The temptation was that mankind could replace God as the ultimate authority, determining good and evil on its own terms. That lie has driven every major rebellion against God, including the one staged by Korah, and it persists to the present day. Korah’s rebellion was just another expression of the same spirit. That spirit is alive today. It is celebrated as progress. It is praised as freedom. It is defended as personal autonomy. But Scripture plainly calls it rebellion.

The 250 men who stood with Korah believed they knew better than God. They rejected the authority He had established while convincing themselves they were pursuing justice and equality. Their rebellion became a warning, preserved for every generation. The ground opened and swallowed them.

America now celebrates 250 years of independence. Scripture reminds us about the 250 men who died. One celebration remembers the birth of a nation. The other remembers the destruction of men, and their families—of those who rejected God’s authority. One is marked with fireworks. The other was marked with fire from heaven.

The lesson is not merely that America has reached 250 years, but what America has become along the way. God is not impressed by military strength, economic prosperity, or patriotic celebrations. He is looking for people willing to humble themselves, repent, and obey Him.

Will America and the other modern descendants of Israel heed God’s warning before it is too late?

By Norbert Link

The fighting between America and Iran continues, even though a ceasefire had been “agreed upon.” The Sanhedrin condemns Donald Trump for his actions (so does Tucker Carlson, and so does Germany). While John Bolton pleads guilty to a politically motivated charge, defiant Anthony Fauci is subpoenaed to testify about his conduct leading to and during the coronavirus pandemic. The US Supreme Court renders irresponsible decisions regarding immigration and harmful pesticides, contributing to the sickness and destruction of the USA.

Trump threatens the EU; Russia claims that Trump breaks the “Alaska agreement” with Putin; Britain provokes Russia; and the question is posed: What IF Putin were to attack Europe?

Finally, strong earthquakes rattle the planet almost simultaneously, but scientists tell us it’s not connected and all normal.

Please view our new message, titled, “America’s Internal and International Destruction — Comments on News and Prophecy June 27, 2026.”

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump’s Bizarre Interaction With a Ghost”

Fighting Continues

The Independent wrote on June 27:

“Iran has said it has struck targets linked to US forces, as each side continued to accuse the other of violating last week’s agreement meant to end the four-month-old war. Iran’s foreign ministry did not identify the locations of its ‘defensive’ attacks, which it said were a response to US strikes on its coastal surveillance facilities. Later, Bahrain,  which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, condemned what it said was an Iranian drone attack on its territory as a flagrant violation of its sovereignty. A tanker also reported being struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz…

“The US military had carried out strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites in the wake of Donald Trump accusing Iran of a ‘foolish violation’ of the ceasefire agreement, claiming Tehran fired at least four kamikaze drones at ships in the Strait of Hormuz… He did not name the ship, but it came hours after a Taiwanese-operated ship was fired on by Iran…”

Daily Mail had reported earlier on June 25:

“Iran launched an explosive-laden suicide drone at a cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, endangering the regime’s fragile truce with the US after Donald Trump had declared the waterway safe for oil tankers.  US officials told the Washington Post that a Singaporean ship was attacked by an Iranian Shahed drone on Thursday evening… Prior to the attack, Iran issued warnings through regime media to oil tankers, cautioning that routes through the strait were restricted and that other routes were ‘completely dangerous.’…

“Although the President has said the strait is reopened following the ceasefire, only 50 vessels passed through the waterway on Wednesday.”

Tolls for Strait of Hormuz?

The Wall Street Journal wrote on June 25:

“Iran is pushing to make billions of dollars from the Strait of Hormuz as the regime positions itself to manage the global oil artery it severed at the start of the war. 

“The Islamic Republic estimates that charging for security, safety and environmental services in the strait would bring in $40 billion a year in revenue for states involved, according to officials familiar with the matter. The idea, if implemented, would bring Tehran cash flow and control that it didn’t command before the war.”

So, Iran is still determined to charge for tolls, in spite of Trump’s repeated “warnings.”

Talks Off Again Amidst Ongoing Fighting

CNBC wrote on June 28:

“Talks to end the war in Iran are on hold after the U.S. struck Iranian military targets in retaliation for Tehran’s latest strikes on shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz…. The diplomatic freeze comes after the exchange of fire prompted U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to again threaten Iran with annihilation following U.S. attacks on Iranian military targets in retaliation for Tehran’s latest strikes on shipping in the strategically vital waterway. Iran’s neighbors, Kuwait and Bahrain, reported incoming missiles and drones overnight.

“The U.S. military attacked a number of Iranian targets after a commercial tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was reported to have been struck by a projectile on Saturday….  The ship was transiting the strait with more than two million barrels of crude oil…”

Subsequently, both parties agreed once more to halt strikes ahead of Tuesday (June 30) talks. These “agreements” become a shame and a farce.

Sanhedrin: Iran Deal Will Cost America Dearly

Israel 365 News wrote on June 24:

“On 7 Tammuz 5786, June 23, 2026, the nascent Sanhedrin, the Jewish court reconstituted in Israel after a 1,600-year absence, issued a formal ruling addressed to the American people, warning that the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in Switzerland is built on illusion and places the United States in existential danger… The message: America is making one of the greatest strategic miscalculations in its history…

“The Sanhedrin does not limit its concern to the Iranian threat alone. The court warns that China, Russia, and North Korea are watching American decision-making with interest, and what they see is weakness… The court further warns that the imaginary peace carries an internal American dimension. It predicts that armed militia groups operating within the United States will see the instability created by this agreement as a signal to act…

“The Sanhedrin’s ruling concludes with a direct call to every Jew in America to make aliyah, the Jewish return to the Land of Israel, immediately, before the situation deteriorates beyond recovery. 

“The nascent Sanhedrin, reestablished in 2004, has not achieved universal acceptance within the Orthodox world. Its authority is contested. But its warnings have a way of landing in the middle of real events… Whether or not one accepts the court’s halachic standing, its geopolitical reading is not easily dismissed…”

Also, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has said that the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement signed in Washington is “null”, a “humiliation” and a surrender of sovereignty…”

“There Is Nothing to Celebrate, Mr. Trump!”

Bild Online wrote on June 28:

“Four months ago today, US President Donald Trump began the war against Iran… Iran is trumpeting the claim that the agreement documents the USA’s defeat! The terrible thing, I fear, is that the mullahs are right. Of course, Trump is celebrating himself for ending the war he unleashed himself. But what has he actually achieved in these four months? Nothing. Nothing for the people of Iran, who have been subjugated by the mullahs’ terror regime and murdered by the thousands.

“Tehran’s rulers still have their highly enriched uranium; they still have their vast arsenal of missiles and drones; the Revolutionary Guards are more firmly in the saddle than ever. Sanctions are set to be lifted, and frozen assets released. And the Strait of Hormuz—a shipping route vital to the global economy—is controlled by Iran. The fact that the ‘Supreme Mullah’ Khamenei was eliminated by the Americans on the very first day of the war is certainly no cause for jubilation. Now, the ‘Junior Mullah’—his son—is simply in charge.

“We are all paying the price for Trump’s resounding defeat—at the gas pump, at the supermarket, everywhere. Inflation has risen, and the economy is even weaker than feared. This is the ‘Horror of Hormuz’: supply chains are disrupted, insurance premiums are climbing, oil facilities are damaged, and cargo ships (along with nearly 11,000 seafarers) are stranded. Goods worth nearly $125 billion have recently been backed up in the strait. And the question remains whether Iran will demand transit fees in the future.

“I call this—since everyone is currently caught up in World Cup fever—an own goal of historic proportions. Of course, Trump can claim that the US wasn’t defeated militarily. But neither was Iran. And there are no draws in war…

“I simply ask myself: What was it all for? Since February 28, 2026, the world hasn’t become a whit safer, but it has definitely become more expensive. The man who so desperately wanted the Nobel Peace Prize (but only received the ‘Mickey Mouse’ version from FIFA boss Infantino) was determined to make history. Now he has a story: the 80-year-old looking out the window and realizing he doesn’t like the world he sees. Thanks for nothing, Mr. Trump.”

The author is right. Trump’s war has been a terrible defeat and humiliation for the USA of unparalleled proportions.

Trump a Liability For Right-Wing European Parties

Politico wrote on June 23:

“For Europe’s populist right, U.S. President Donald Trump’s embrace was once seen as a political asset. Not anymore…

“Even as the Trump administration’s leading figures have thrown their weight behind Europe’s nationalist parties, the U.S. president’s embrace has become a ‘poisoned gift,’ said Jean-Yves Dormagen, president of the Cluster17 polling institute. ‘Trump is really creating a problem for these leaders,’ he stated. While their electorates are divided over Trump, they increasingly see him as a threat, he added….

“In a POLITICO poll conducted by Public First in June, only 31 percent of AfD voters… agreed that the U.S. is ‘a reliable ally.’… In the U.K., Trump has become a liability for Nigel Farage’s right-wing populist Reform UK party… Meanwhile, in Germany, the Iran war has aggravated a crisis of confidence between Trump and the far right, which had already been building before the conflict.”

Nobody likes Trump.

Bolton Pleads Guilty to Politically Motivated Charge

Daily Mail wrote on June 26:

“President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton… pleaded guilty on Friday to a single charge of retaining classified information…  Prosecutors said Friday that Bolton ‘abused his position of trust’… by sharing roughly 1,000 pages of classified information in the form of ‘diaries’ with his wife and daughter. Bolton then retained the documents related to national defense at his home in Montgomery County, Maryland, after leaving the White House…

“The investigation into Bolton’s handling of classified materials moved forward in part during the Biden administration, and career prosecutors in the US attorney’s office signed off on the charges…”

So Bolton is guilty? Guilty of sharing unclassified documents with his wife and his daughter… not to a foreign power! And retaining them? What about Trump and Biden who all retained unclassified documents illegally? What about Hillary Clinton who destroyed unclassified documents? When will they be held accountable?

Fauci Subpoenaed to Testify

Chemistry World wrote on June 26:

“Anthony Fauci… has been subpoenaed by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s chairman Rand Paul. Fauci… is being accused of manipulating intelligence on the origins of the pandemic and lying to Congress to cover up alleged wrongdoing at the agency. He is expected to testify before the committee in July….

“‘Fauci was the behind-the-scenes adviser who, with his hand-picked experts, pushed the [intelligence community] to endorse a natural, animal origin to hide his dangerous research,’ Gabbard’s office stated. In a statement, it said that the NIH, under Fauci’s leadership, provided millions in funding for gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, falsely claiming that it ‘is now widely viewed as the source of the unintentional lab leak that sparked the pandemic’….

“To protect Fauci and other officials from political persecution by the incoming Trump administration President Biden took the unusual step of granting them pre-emptive, ‘full and unconditional’ pardons… before he left office in January 2025.”

The legality and constitutionality of such preemptive pardons is being widely questioned. However, the real origin and source of the virus spreading the disease is still up for debate.

Tucker Carlson Attacks Trump

Daily Mail wrote on June 26:

“[Tucker Carlson] compared Trump to a boxer who was all talk and taunting but ‘you don’t have to worry about’ when they make threats, before sending him a blunt message… Carlson appears to have defected from Trump in the months since the war began. In an April 15 clip from the Tucker Carlson Show, which is the former Fox host’s popular independent podcast, Carlson became biblical in his criticism.  

“’Here’s a leader who’s mocking the gods of his ancestors, mocking the god of gods, and exalting himself above them,’ Carlson said in the clip.  ‘Could this be the Antichrist?’ he then said. ‘Well, who knows?’…

“Carlson’s stark abandonment of Trump has poured kerosene on the fire already engulfing right-wing circles.”

Trump’s Bizarre Interaction With a Ghost

Daily Mail wrote on July 1:

“Trump’s bizarre interaction with dead president shocks viewers…Donald Trump interacted with an AI-powered ghost of Theodore Roosevelt, sparking immediate concern online over the surreal encounter… The President… asked if the fake AI-Roosevelt believed building the Panama Canal his ‘greatest achievements.’ ‘The canal stands as one of my proudest battles, no question. But greatness is a strange thing,’ the AI-powered ghost told Trump …

“Trump has often compared himself to Roosevelt, and notably threatened to seize the Panama Canal during the early days of his second term. Speaking at the Roosevelt Library, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to expanding US control of the waterway…”

Weird, shocking and frightening. Who knows with whom Trump was communicating?

Slimy Trump Deals

The California Post Editorial Board wrote on June 29:

“It was bad when the Bidens did it, and it’s just as bad when the Trumps do it. Insider deals, finders’ fees and backdoor introductions to family members are business-as-usual in Third World banana republics, but these slimy practices have now been normalized in the White House, to the shame of the nation…. Eric and Donald Trump Jr., sons of President Trump, and Kyle and Brandon Lutnick, sons of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, are tied to a billion-dollar tungsten mining deal that the US government is financing in Kazakhstan…. The Trumps sons… are part-owners or investors in companies neck-deep in a key defense contract to mine tungsten reserves in Central Asia. It stinks to high heaven.

“If a president’s family making bank from obscure resource companies in the former Soviet Union sounds familiar, maybe that’s because Hunter Biden’s lucrative connection to Burisma — a Ukrainian gas company — was a major scandal in the 2020 election and beyond. Republicans, including Donald Trump, were justifiably outraged at the obvious influence-peddling…. True, no one thought of Trump & Co. as unblemished saints, but who would’ve thunk that he, his kin and associates were going to use the Biden family template — virtually backing up the truck and stealing the carpets and silver — as a model of ethical behavior?…

“Democrats in Congress are pressing for an investigation into Trump sweetheart deals. If they take the House in the midterms, these hearings are surely coming.”

Incredible Decision on Pesticides

The New York Times wrote on June 25:

“The Supreme Court on Thursday sided with the manufacturer of the weedkiller Roundup, overturning a jury award for a Missouri man who claimed the widely used herbicide caused cancer in a decision that could have sweeping impacts on thousands of other Americans who similarly claim the product sickened them… Justice Kavanaugh wrote that the Missouri case would ‘require a cancer warning on Roundup’s label,’ which would directly conflict with the label required by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Because of this conflict, he wrote, federal law ‘expressly pre-empts’ the Missouri man’s claim.

“The dispute focused on a single case, a $1.25 million award for John Durnell, a gardener in St. Louis who had used Roundup for decades and claimed that years of exposure to the product led him to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a blood cancer. Mr. Durnell claimed that the company had failed to warn consumers of the dangers of the product. The ramifications of the decision could be enormous, potentially jeopardizing thousands of lawsuits pending in state and federal courts against Bayer, the German company that acquired Roundup’s original maker, Monsanto, in 2018…

“The Environmental Protection Agency, which is in charge of labeling pesticides throughout the country, has determined Roundup is safe. Bayer claims that the finding, which allows Roundup to be sold without a warning label, should override claims by Mr. Durnell and others that under state laws, they were injured by the product. The Trump administration joined the case on Bayer’s side, reversing the position taken by the Biden administration. The Trump administration’s support for the Roundup manufacturer has been controversial among the Make America Healthy Again movement, whose activists had largely supported the president’s political rise…

“Roundup, which was created by Monsanto in the 1970s, is one of the most popular weedkillers in the world. But concerns over one of its active ingredients — a chemical called glyphosate that is absorbed by plants, traveling into their roots and blocking an enzyme used for their growth — have prompted one of the biggest waves of class-action lawsuits in U.S. history.

“Evidence in lab animals, along with more limited evidence in humans, has shown a link between glyphosate and cancer, and a 2015 report by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified it as ‘probably carcinogenic in humans.’”

The Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to determine that Roundup is safe, is perceived to be wrong. Still, the Supreme Court thinks it is bound by a wrong decision! Everybody knows (or should know) that these pesticides are harmful. The stupidity of man is just mind-boggling.

“Trump’s Most Ruthless Immigration Weapons Unlocked as Supreme Court Hands Him Stunning Double Victory”

The Daily Mail wrote on  June 25:

“The Supreme Court on Thursday handed Donald Trump two rare wins in a huge victory for his strict immigration agenda. The Court cleared the way for Trump to revoke temporary protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Syrian nationals living in the United States – siding with the president on one of the most closely watched and consequential immigration cases this term. And the Justices also decided to give Trump more authority to limit asylum seekers in the US coming from Mexico.

“The court ruled 6-3 to grant Trump administration’s request to revive a controversial ‘metering’ policy that allows federal immigration officers to turn away asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border. The high court ruled 6-3 that the courts cannot review the Haitian and Syrian nationals’ non-constitutional claims, because the TPS statute bars judicial review. ….

“Justices ruled in both cases along ideological lines, and, in a rare move, Justice Sonia Sotomayor responded to the asylum case by reading aloud a summary of her dissent from the bench…. Thursday’s ruling… could make hundreds of thousands of individuals in US suddenly eligible for deportation, including many who have been living and working in the country legally for years.”

Bad decisions by a conservative majority strictly along ideological lines. Why would a nominally independent Court act this way?

Bad Consequences For America of Supreme Court Decision

The Huffington Post wrote on June 27:

“In the hours since the Supreme Court announced it would allow the Trump administration to end temporary protected status [TPS] for immigrants from Haiti and Syria, the potential consequences have ricocheted through American communities… Without further intervention from lower courts, about 400,000 Haitians and Syrians, or about a third of the 1.3 million total people with TPS, will have just about three months before they are eligible for deportation — three months to figure out what to do with the lives they have built in the United States, whether to leave behind U.S.-born children or bring them along to dangerous nations…

“But the impact will also be felt by the nation as a whole… There are at least 740,000 TPS holders in the U.S. workforce, with many holding jobs in critical fields like healthcare, childcare and elder care… More than 20% of Haitians in the nation work in healthcare… Many TPS holders, Yoon said, are in the ‘direct care’ sector, like those who provide long-term care services to people with disabilities and the elderly…

“These fields are already facing a massive workforce shortage which will only be exacerbated by the loss of a swath of workers…

“TPS holders contribute over $29 billion annually to the American economy, and that they pay almost $8 billion in federal, payroll, state and local taxes. Haitian and Syrian TPS holders alone contribute $4.4 billion to the U.S. economy annually… Some cities may be decimated if TPS holders are forced to leave the U.S.”

The decisions are plain stupid and inhumane.

Supreme Court Upholds Constitutional Birthright Citizenship

ABC News wrote on July 1:

“President Donald Trump brushed off his loss after the Supreme Court rejected his attempt to end birthright citizenship– rooted in the 14th Amendment — on Tuesday, saying the decision is ‘too bad for the Country’ and insisting that he can ‘easily make it up in Congress through Legislation.’

“The court ruled in a 6-3 decision to reject Trump’s executive order that he issued on the first day of his presidency, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing for the majority, ‘Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights — to freely participate in our political community. The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to every free-born person in this land. We keep that promise today.’

“Trump responded to the court’s decision with a post on his social media platform, writing, ‘The Supreme Court upheld Birthright Citizenship, which is too bad for our Country, but we can easily make it up in Congress through Legislation, with the support of the President, that has now been determined during this process,’ he wrote on his social media platform.

“Birthright citizenship is rooted in both the Constitution and 1940 federal citizenship law. But even if the law were to be changed, this would likely be challenged in court on constitutional grounds with the possibility of the issue making its way back to the Supreme Court…

“House Speaker Mike Johnson… acknowledged a constitutional amendment would be ‘very complicated’ and a ‘many-years-long process,’ but said he thought it was likely the only way forward.  Amending the Constitution would take a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress [or] ratification by three-quarters of the states.”

This will never happen. Trump lost this case for good.

Unfounded MAGA Anger

“Amy Coney Barrett, taking office in 2020, was the final of three justices appointed by the President during his first term. But she sided with Chief Justice John Roberts, also a Republican appointee, and the Court’s three liberals to overrule the dissent of justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch. 

“Justice  Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s second appointee, concurred with the judgment but disagreed with the majority’s argument.”

We feel that the Supreme Court decision was right. Three conservatives sided against Trump. The ruling is a major defeat for Trump. Any MAGA anger is unjustified.                                          

US Threatens to Cut Gas Supplies to EU

Big News Network reported on June 26:

“The US has warned the EU that American liquefied natural gas (LNG) could be diverted elsewhere unless Brussels eases planned methane emissions regulations…

“The EU replaced much of its Russian pipeline gas with American LNG following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022 and the imposition of sanctions on Moscow. The shift made the US the bloc’s largest external gas supplier and was hailed by EU leaders as a step toward greater energy security. Europe’s energy crisis has worsened since then, with gas and electricity prices soaring to record highs….

“US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said American exports would ‘flow somewhere else’ if the EU refused to change the rules, which are due to take effect in 2027…. The US has joined Qatar, Algeria and Nigeria in urging the EU to amend or delay the legislation. Exporters argue there is no practical way to comply…

“EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen rejected calls to weaken the legislation, insisting the bloc would not compromise its environmental standards despite pressure from suppliers…”

Brussels’ environmental regulations ARE ridiculous to a large extent. The relationship between the USA and Europe will never recover.

No Alaska Agreement?

Pravda wrote on June 26:

“Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has criticised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for saying that no agreements on ending the war in Ukraine were reached during the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Anchorage…

“The Russian foreign minister also said he wanted to clarify the US role in efforts to resolve Russia’s war against Ukraine following Rubio’s remarks. In this context, Lavrov claimed that ahead of the Anchorage summit, US envoy Steve Witkoff had brought Moscow a proposal from President Trump for a settlement to the war…

“‘In Anchorage… Putin, looking at Witkoff, who was also present, began going through the American proposals point by point. After each point, in the presence of Trump and Secretary of State Rubio, he asked Witkoff whether he had correctly presented the ideas he had brought to Moscow before the Anchorage meeting. Each time, Witkoff answered in the affirmative,’ Lavrov said… ‘If one side – in this case the United States – puts forward proposals on a settlement and on how to approach this crisis, and the other side agrees with those proposals, then saying there was no agreement seems, frankly, not very sophisticated,’ Lavrov added.”

Witkoff is not considered to be a sophisticated negotiator either. He is certainly no match for Putin, nor has he (or Jared Kushner) been a match for Iran.

England’s New PM?

The Daily Mail wrote on June 30:

“Andy Burnham insisted Britain needs to go back to the 1970s today as he put the ‘wealthy’ South on notice for his Downing Street takeover. Delivering his first big speech in Manchester, the PM-in-waiting… argued that ‘trickle down’ economics must be ditched and replaced with a Left-wing concept of ‘good growth’. That included more state ownership…

“He suggested his Government would copy German post-reunification legislation dictating that all states must have ‘equivalent living standards’ [which turned out to be a colossal fiasco]…

“The presumptive PM has already had to conduct a series of humiliating U-turns. They include dropping a promise of £10billion compensation for so-called Waspi women within hours, and admitting he will not try to rejoin the EU…

“In a worrying sign for Mr Burnham, YouGov research released today showed his popularity already dropping. Some 43 per cent had a negative view, against 32 per cent who were positive. That is seven points worse than immediately after his by-election victory…

“Mr Burnham has previously backed a property tax that will punish those with more valuable homes, as well as an increase in capital gains tax and a new ‘death tax’ to fund social care… Analysis has found that a ‘wealth tax’ being pushed by senior Labour figures would actually wipe billions of pounds off Treasury revenues…”

Pure Madness: Britain Tests Long-Range Missile For Ukraine to Bombard Moscow

Uncut-News wrote on June 23:

“Ukraine is making it clear that it aims to ‘take the war to Russia’—and that is precisely what lies behind the recent series of massive Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow, which have caused devastating damage, particularly to energy processing facilities and regional air traffic. The fact that… NATO supports such actions against a nuclear-armed superpower is madness.

“Beyond covert support for target acquisition, the United Kingdom is now adopting a more open stance, having reportedly just tested missiles with a range of 300 miles that are slated for delivery to the Ukrainian military. The British missile platform has the capability to deliver a 500-pound warhead all the way to Moscow…

“The Ministry of Defence (MoD) called on companies to develop long-range weapons capable of flying at speeds exceeding 370 miles per hour, costing around £400,000 apiece, and capable of being produced at a rate of 20 units per month…

“The open and blunt admission that these future systems could soon be deployed to directly attack the Russian capital would represent an insane escalation by NATO. Once NATO and Western systems begin destroying buildings in Moscow, direct military retaliation by Russia against Europe suddenly becomes a much more imminent reality. Once again, this is a case of sheer madness and insanity on the part of some of Europe’s most aggressive political leaders.”

Europe is provoking Russia needlessly. It shows that Europe IS willing to go all the way. Does Europe really want “total war”?

What If Putin Were To Invade Eastern Europe?

The Guardian wrote on June 27:

“A nightmare scenario has been playing on eastern European minds with increasing intensity since Donald Trump returned to the White House: what if Russia attacks and the US does not join the fight?…

“The problem, which would continually undermine such positivity, is that in the world of Trump, a firm promise today can be undone by a Truth Social post tomorrow….

“This is the uncertainty that sits at the core of European concerns about American reliability. For as long as Trump is in the White House, it creates… a state of ambiguity over whether the US is in or out, which will continue until a hypothetical moment of truth arrives.”

That moment arrives when Europe decides to attack the USA militarily.

Israel Is Dependent on Europe

Jerusalem Post wrote on June 27:

“Israelis like to say that Europe is ‘finished’ – an aging, divided, weak continent, increasingly Muslim and hostile to Israel. Polls show only about a third of Israelis hold a positive view of the European Union, while roughly half describe Israel-Eu relations as poor. This narrative is not entirely accurate – and certainly unwise. Israel actually depends on Europe more than on any other global actor except for the United States.

“Europe is Israel’s largest trading partner, is central to Israeli research and innovation, is an important investment source, and is home to partner academic institutions. It is also the region from which the modern Jewish state largely emerged…

“Many Europeans underestimate the threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran and apply standards to Israel that are not applied to others… Many Israelis have convinced themselves that as long as America supports their approach, Europe doesn’t matter.

“As is now evident, even President Donald Trump has grown weary of the bloodshed, realizing that US public opinion is shifting. European public opinion has shifted even further, and that is serious… When Israelis say Europe is ‘finished,’ they often mean it is becoming a Muslim continent. Yet Muslims account for only about 7% of the combined population of the EU and Britain, and no serious demographic forecast suggests a future Muslim majority…

“Israel simply cannot afford to treat Europe as a secondary concern or a lost cause. Losing Europe would be devastating, and Israelis need to understand this and recalibrate.”

Israel will seek help from Germany, but won’t get it.

A Red Heifer Born?

Israel 365 News wrote on June 30:

“A red heifer born last month in the hills of the Galilee, sired by imported American semen and born to a black-coated mother, has reignited a coordinated national campaign among Israeli rabbis, breeders, and educators to restore the lost laws of ritual purity to the Jewish people.

“The campaign arrives at a moment when public appetite for Temple-related preparation appears to be surging: a recent survey found 55 percent of Israeli Jews now support rebuilding the Holy Temple on the Temple Mount, and a report published this week put the number of men enrolled in Temple service training at 150,000, out of a planned 200,000.”

Even though a “red heifer” is not biblically required, many Jews believe it is.

Vatican Excommunicates Bishops of St. Pius X Society

ABC News wrote on July 2:

 “The Vatican responded aggressively Thursday to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent, declaring the Society of St. Paul X in schism, excommunicating its bishops and priests and warning its faithful they too face the harshest sanctions in the Catholic Church…. The society, known by its acronym SSPX, celebrates the ancient Latin Mass and opposes the modernizing reforms of the Catholic Church, which it considers to be rife with heresies and errors…

“French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre founded the SSPX in 1970 in opposition to the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council… Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without papal consent in 1988. The Vatican promptly excommunicated Lefebvre and the four bishops and declared the consecrations a ‘schismatic act.’ Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 lifted the excommunications as part of his yearslong outreach to the group.”

Earthquake Cluster Rocks Venezuela, California and Japan Within Seven Hours

Daily Mail wrote on June 25:

“Harrowing footage has revealed the extent of the damage and chaos inflicted on Venezuela by a pair of massive earthquakes last night. The back-to-back 7.1 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck near the coast, sending terrified residents racing out from swaying apartment blocks as walls collapsed and clouds of dust rose over the capital.

“’High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread,’ the US Geological Survey said, ‘with an initial death toll estimate likely between 10,000 and 100,000.’… The quakes are among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century…”

IBT added on June 25:

“Just seven hours earlier, USGS reported a notable quake with a magnitude of 5.6…. north of Redwood Valley, California…. Less than an hour after reporting the twin quakes, USGS again noted a Magnitude 6.9 earthquake… east-northwest of Kuji, Japan… (Allegedly,) the quakes were not related as they occurred on separate fault systems and plate boundaries…”

Not related? Maybe God sees it differently?

Even though the death number is still climbing (on June 28, about 1,500 were reported), more than 51,000 people are reported missing, and “nearly 7 million may be impacted”(Deutsche Welle, dated June 28).

Also, a magnitude 6.1 quake struck Afghanistan on June 27, and a magnitude 5.4 quake struck Pakistan on the same day.

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.

In other translations of the Bible, this word “repents” in the Authorized Version and in the New King James Bible can be read at times as: relented, regretted, was sorry, was very sad and had sorrow.

The first mention of this in the Word of God can be found in Genesis 6:6-7, in the Authorized Version, in regard to the people living before the Flood:

“And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.”

In the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, we read:

“And it repented the Lord … grieved him at his heart. This is a strong instance of what is called anthropomorphism, an expression descriptive of human emotion or action ascribed to Jehovah… Such expressions have often given rise to superficial criticisms, depreciatory of Holy Scripture, on the part both of those who are ignorant of Oriental literature, and of those who assume that the Books of Holy Scripture must be free from the literary characteristics of the writers’ age and nationality. In this verse Jehovah is represented as intensely grieved at the frustration of His purposes for the human race. The description is given in the childlike simplicity of the language of an early age…”

In Wordnik, we read that “anthropomorphism” is described as “The ascription of human attributes tosupernatural or divine beings; in theology, the conception or representation of God with human qualities and affections, or in a human shape.”

Continuing with the comments from the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges:

“In other passages, e.g. Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, it is asserted that Jehovah is not, like man, capable of repentance. There are two representations in Holy Scripture of the Divine Nature: one, which, as here, makes the Divine Purpose fluctuate, in reflexion, as it were, of man’s changing experiences; the other, which depicts the Divine Purpose as uniform, changeless, and unvarying, cf. James 1:17.”

Before addressing the false interpretation of the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges regarding God’s repentance, let us review the passages in Numbers and 1 Samuel, referred to above. (We will talk about the passage in James later).

In Numbers 23:19, it states (in the Authorized Version; the New King James Bible; and in the Luther Bibel 1984):

“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good.”

1 Samuel 15:29 reads in the New King James Bible: “And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.” The Authorized Version says “repent,” and so does the Luther Bibel 1984.

We see the context: God has said something, and He will not repent or relent from doing so. But even then, as we will see, He may give a prophecy which He might not carry out, depending on human conduct.

The huge problem of the false perception of the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges lies in a complete misunderstanding of God, in using the word“anthropomorphism” in describing God—as they put it, “the use of human “descriptions of the God being with ‘childlike simplicity,’” concluding that the description of God and His actions and emotions are not to be taken literally. For instance, anthropomorphism postulates that God cannot move from one place to another and that He has no form and shape—no hands, feet, a head, a mouth etc, thereby totally ignoring the biblical fact that man was created in God’s image and according to His likeness.

We state in our Q&A, “Does God travel?”:

“God HAS form and shape. God said that Moses saw the glorified ‘form’ of the LORD (compare Numbers 12:8). God, when creating man, said that man was to be made in accordance with the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6). God is described as having a head, arms, a body, feet, eyes and hair, among other aspects. Man is made in the physical form of God–he is a physical reflection, if you please, of the Spirit Beings, God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. Please also note that Christ is described as the [Spirit] image of God the Father (2 Corinthians 4:4). He looks like God the Father; that is why He could say, even when He was here on earth in human form, ‘He who has seen Me has seen the Father’ (John 14:9). In that same way–on a physical level–man is made in the image of God.

“… This is why we read that God came down from heaven to walk on earth; that Jesus Christ, after His resurrection to a Spirit Being, ascended to heaven; that He was brought before God the Father in heaven to receive kingship and power; and that He will return to this earth, in power and glory, to rule all nations. Of course, we must also understand that God CAN ‘travel’ from one place to another within a ‘split second’… [W]hen God is at a certain place, at that very same moment, He cannot be–as a Person–at a different place at the same time…

“David did not conclude that God’s miraculous omnipresence was due to God being everywhere like a form- and shapeless blob; he knew better than that… God the Father and Jesus Christ are both Spirit beings. They both have form and shape, composed of Spirit. But the Holy Spirit is NOT a being–rather, it is the power emanating from God (compare Micah 3:8; Luke 4:14). It is through the POWER of God’s Holy Spirit that things are created. And God’s Holy Spirit does not have form and shape–God’s Holy Spirit does not exist in a bodily form… God, a Spirit being, who has form and shape, is everywhere through His Spirit…

“Turning… to Genesis 3:8-11, we find that God–actually in the Person of Jesus Christ, as no man has ever seen the Father (John 1:18; 6:46)–‘walked’ in the Garden of Eden. That must be understood quite literally. At that moment in time, Christ appeared to Adam and Eve in a physical manifestation, but through His Spirit, He was still everywhere. [Later, we find that Christ appeared to Abraham and Sarah, together with two angels, manifesting themselves ‘as’ humans, to eat and to speak with them about their future son and to warn Abraham of the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (compare Genesis 18:1-2, 13, 16-33; 19:1).]…

“We read Christ’s words to Abraham in Genesis 18:20-21: ‘Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”’… Some commentaries tell us that this wording [of God coming down and seeing how bad it was] is ‘anthropomorphic’ (applying human characteristics, traits or attributes to God) or a figurative way of speaking, allegedly ‘proving God’s omniscience or all-embracing knowledge.’

“Of course, most commentaries do not believe that God has form and shape, and that man was made, in a physical way, after the spiritual likeness of God. Nor do they believe that God travels, going from one place to another.  But the Bible clearly teaches both…

“A similar conclusion can be gleaned from the account about the Tower of Babel. We read in Genesis 11:5-8: ‘But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The LORD said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’ So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.’

“This passage implies that Christ came down, apparently in response to a report by His angels, to see what was really happening at Babel, and after having analyzed the situation, both the Father and Christ determined to go down to confuse the languages…”

The same false concept of anthropomorphism is being used when trying to deny that God can “repent,” saying this is just a human expression applied to God in figurative ways. For instance, we clearly read that God has wrath; that He can get angry. These are not just anthropomorphic expressions.

We state in our Q&A, “Does God know anger?”

“God’s wrath—both of the Father and of the Son—is also vividly described in the Book of Revelation…. 

“We read in Psalm 7:11 that ‘God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.’… God judges and has to be ‘judgemental.’ There is nothing wrong with being angry as long as it is righteous anger – and with God that must always be the case as He is perfect.”

Addressing godly repentance, we always need to look at the context of the particular passage.

There are a number of instances where God repented or “relented, regretted, was sorry, was very sad and had sorrow.”  Let us review a few of these.

In the Authorized Version of 1 Samuel 15:11, we read: “It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.” The Luther Bible1984 renders it the same: “I repent,” or “Es reut mich…” However, in the New King James Version, the word repenteth is translated as “greatly regret”.  God was not repenting of any sin He would have committed–that would be ludicrous, but He greatly repented of or regretted His action in setting up Saul as king over Israel (this is repeated in verse 35). God repented of setting up Saul due to Saul’s rebellious conduct. It shows how much our Creator was grieved at the actions of His people.

In Jeremiah 18:8-10, we read in the Authorized Version: “If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.  And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.”   The same rendering is used in the Luther Bibel 1984. In the New King James Bible, the word used is relent.

Matthew Poole’s Commentaryobserves the above text as follows: “I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them; I will also turn from the methods of my severe providence which I had resolved in case of their impenitency to proceed in against them. There is a difference betwixt repentance in man, and repentance as it is attributed to God; repentance in man must be, not only a change in action, but a change of heart; repentance as attributed to God never signifieth a change of heart, or purpose, or counsels, but only a change in action, all alteration of the course of his providence.”

This distinction between man and God is clearly wrong. As man can and does change his heart or mind by thinking differently, so can and does God. And even though God’s overall purpose or master plan never changes, He is most certainly willing to make changes within His master plan, based on man’s conduct. When the Israelites built a golden calf, God repented that He had made them and He was willing to destroy all of them, while using Moses to makehim a great nation and leading them into the Promised Land. So, we could say that God changed His mind towards the Israelites.

The same can be attributed to Amos 7:3, 6 which states in the Authorized Versionthat “The Lord repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.”   Also, the Luther Bibel 1984. In the New King James Version, the word is “relented,” as it is in Jonah 3:10 and 4:2.

We know from Malachi 3:6 that God does not change: “For I am the LORD, I do not change”. Another verse that shows the unchanging nature of God is found in Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” In James 1:17, we read: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

These Scriptures show that His nature and character do not change. They do NOT alter the fact that He cannot decide to change His conduct due to the behaviour of human beings. Neither do they show that God cannot repent or relent of what He had originally planned, and that He could not change His plan in that regard, but all are subject to the fulfilment of His master plan.

The confusion with regard to the word “repent,” when applied to God, might stem from the idea that repentance, when applied to humans, is normally, but not always, associated with sin, which needs to be “repented” of. God never sins—He cannot sin—so, as the argument goes, the word “repent” could not possibly be used to refer to God. But that is faulty human reasoning, as the word “repent” does not necessitate sinful conduct.

The Hebrew word for repent in Genesis 6:3, “nacham,” can have a variety of meanings. Strong’sdefines it as “to sigh; to be sorry; to avenge; repent.” It simply means, ‘to feel sorry for something you have done.” It can also include a change of mind or behavior.

In our booklet “God’s Teachings on Sexual Relationships,” we read the following on pages 6-8:

“God Can Change His Mind on Temporary Matters.

“There are a number of examples where God DID change His mind, so how do we explain that? Let us look at some of these examples…

“Genesis 18:26–32 relates Abraham’s negotiation with God over how many righteous in Sodom would be needed in order to save the city from destruction. First of all it was 50, then God agreed to 45, then 40, then 30, then 20 and finally 10. We note quite a few changes of mind there because of Abraham’s pleading.

“Numbers 14 tells the story of Israel refusing to enter Canaan, and instead of entering the land immediately, God changed this by deferring their entry for 40 years.

“In 2 Kings 20 we read that King Hezekiah was ‘sick and near death’ (verse 1), and the king prayed about this matter (verse 2–3) and God changed His mind and added another 15 years to his life (verses 5–6).

“Jonah was sent out on a mission to Nineveh but Jonah tried to opt out of this task. Eventually he did deliver the message that in ‘forty days… Nineveh shall be overthrown’ (Jonah 3:4). However, the Ninevites repented and ‘God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it (verse 10).’ Again, a change of mind by God.

“We can see from these examples that God did change, but none of these changes involved alterations to His unalterable spiritual Law. God does not change, nor does He compromise with regard to His plan for mankind, a plan which is revealed through the meaning of His Holy Days. (For more insight, please read our free booklets, The Meaning of God’s Spring Holy Days, and The Meaning of God’s Fall Holy Days, where His plan of salvation for ALL people is revealed, including those who, at this present time, are disobedient to the Truth and Way of Life that God has shown His called-out ones.)

“God does not change with regard to keeping His Law—the Ten Commandments. It is interesting that the Roman Catholic Church has defied God and ‘replaced’ His seventh-day-Sabbath with Sunday. They also observe the paganized holidays, such as Christmas and Easter (and other days), while ignoring and rejecting the Holy Days that God says are His. Leviticus 23:1–2 clearly states: ‘And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.’”’ God then gives details about the Sabbath and all of His annual Holy Days.

“The Church of God has long understood that if one part or passage in the Bible is contradictory, then God’s Word could not be trusted. If God went back and forth about His spiritual Law for mankind, then how could we trust Him? How could we possibly build a relationship with Him?

“We know from God’s Word that He is perfect in all His ways, and we know that the Father and Jesus Christ are one (see John 10:30 and 17:11)—unified and with singleness of purpose.

“We are truly blessed that God is constant and that His integrity is intact so that we can fully trust the great Creator God of the universe. This is confirmed in Proverbs 3:5–6: ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding.’

“God Does Not Change His Eternal Truths Nor His Character.

“God does NOT change when it comes to the eternal truths that He has made clear in His Word. God has perfect character, which cannot change. So then, we must have the spiritual insight and understanding to comprehend this principal and learn to apply it.”

Repentance is a word that we use when we have sinned and need forgiveness (compare for example Acts 2:38).  That is at the human level but when used in connection with God and, therefore, it most certainly is not to do with any failure or sin, rather that the master plan of God is not altered though the means and initial steps to achieve it may be modified, based on human conduct.

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

Compiled by Norbert Link

“Trump’s Bizarre Interaction With a Ghost” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

Recently, Donald Trump communicated with an AI-powered ghost of Theodore Roosevelt. Harmless fun, or dangerous activity? With whom, exactly, did Trump speak? The Bible clearly warns us not to engage in such demonic practices. And why this fascination with UFOs, aliens, and other unexplained phenomena? Could it be that a sinister and deceptive plan is behind all of it?

“Trumps bizarrer Kontakt mit einem Geist“ is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topic as described above.

A new member letter has been written, posted on our Website, and sent out to our subscribers. In the letter, Rene Messier discusses the Work which God the Father gave Jesus Christ to do, and how this relates to us today. 

Norbert Link’s sermonette, titled, “America’s Internal and International Destruction — Comments on News and Prophecy, June 27, 2026,” has been posted. Here is a summary:

While Jesus told His disciples to make peace and oppose war, America is doing the exact opposite. On the international scene, the Iran war is ongoing, and even “attempts” to end the fighting virtually guarantee their continuance. In the process, America’s “allies” are running away. True faith in God and His power are basically nonexistent in the USA. Domestically and internally, recent US Supreme Court decisions help destroy America from the inside.

Kalon Mitchell’s sermon, titled, “When Everything Accelerates,” has been posted. 

Here is a summary:

The world is accelerating and nobody knows how to stop it. God told us this was coming. Underneath all the technology, capability, and noise, the same ancient problem is surfacing that has always surfaced when humanity gains more power, we want to be like God, on our own terms, without going through Him.

Norbert Link’s German sermon was posted with the title “Amerika und Gottes Kirche—erstaunliche Parallelen“. Title in English: “America and God’s Church—Astonishing Parallels.”

Johann Schell’s German sermonette, “Liebe ist Arbeit” (“Love is Work”) from last Sabbath has been posted. 

Christoph Sperzel’s German sermon from last Sabbath has been posted, titled, “Schach, ein Gleichnis für den geistlichen Kampf“ (“Chess, a Parable for the Spiritual Battle”).