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

The live services are available, over video and audio, at http://eternalgod.org/live-services/ (12:30 pm Pacific Time; 1:30 pm Mountain Time; 2:30 pm Central Time; 3:30 pm Eastern Time; 8:30 pm Greenwich Mean Time; 9:30 pm Central European Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

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

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

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

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

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

This means nothing less than always, without limitation!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger)

by Norbert Link

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

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

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

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

US No Longer Reliable Ally 

Politico wrote on December 21: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Breitbart wrote on December 20: 

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

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

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

“Row Over ‘Censorship’ Escalates” 

The Guardian wrote on December 24: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Politico added on December 24: 

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

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

US Military Presence in Europe Throughout 2026 

Caliber wrote on December 20: 

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

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

Denmark Fumes Over New US Envoy to Greenland

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 22: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interest-Free Loan for Ukraine 

Times of Oman wrote on December 19: 

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

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

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

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

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

Peaceful Russia? 

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

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

Maybe not now, but it WILL occur later. 

Russia Scraps Military Pacts With Europe 

TRT World wrote on December 20: 

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

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

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

MDR reported on December 21: 

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

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

This is more than questionable. 

“Painful Truths” 

Die Welt wrote on December 19: 

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

Trump on the Run 

t-online wrote on December 18: 

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

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

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

“A Battered America” 

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on December 19: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Incompetent FBI 

The New York Post wrote on December 21: 

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

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

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

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

Allegedly, many photos showing Trump were redacted. 

What’s the Point?

International Business Times wrote on December 20:

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

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

Trump’s “Absurd” National Security Threat Allegations 

The Daily Beast wrote on December 23: 

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

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

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

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

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

Hegseth’s Accusations 

The Independent wrote on December 18: 

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

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

The War Machine 

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

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

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

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

Tucker Carlson Inflames Raging Battle for MAGA’s Future 

The Washington Post wrote on December 20: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Israel Surrounded by Enemies 

Israel Today wrote on December 19: 

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

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

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

Trump’s Contempt for Logic 

The Jerusalem Post wrote on December 22: 

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

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

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Coming Demise

Andrew Neil wrote on December 20 in Daily Mail:

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

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

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

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

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

Die Welt wrote on December 21: 

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

Merz’s Most Powerful Opponent? 

ntv wrote on December 19: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spahn the New Chancellor? 

Focus wrote on December 20: 

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

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

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

Military Service in Germany

Die Zeit reported on December 19: 

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

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

Conscription will be reintroduced.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lead Writer: Thilo Hanstein (Germany)

(Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger)

compiled by Dave Harris

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

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

How then will there be peace on earth?

“Warum belügen sie uns über Krieg und Frieden?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

A new Member Letter (December 2025) has been posted and mailed to our subscribers. Pastor Kalon Mitchell, reflecting on the death of a close family member, reminds us of the hope Christians have for their future in God’s Kingdom.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The live services are available, over video and audio, at http://eternalgod.org/live-services/ (12:30 pm Pacific Time; 1:30 pm Mountain Time; 2:30 pm Central Time; 3:30 pm Eastern Time; 8:30 pm Greenwich Mean Time; 9:30 pm Central European Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

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

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

Wrong.

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Norbert Link

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

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

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

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

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

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

Handelsblatt wrote on December 11: 

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

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

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

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

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

Is the USA a Security Risk? 

t-online reported on December 11: 

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

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

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

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

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

Angela Merkel Predicts New Conflict With the USA 

Bild Online wrote on December 12: 

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

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

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

Merz Compares Merkel to Chamberlain and Putin to Hitler 

ntv reported on December 13: 

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

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

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

Boris Pistorius’ Wisdom 

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

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

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

War Is Closer Than We Think 

ladbible.com wrote on December 14: 

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

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

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

Russia Rejects Ceasefire or Peace Plan 

Euronews wrote on December 16: 

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

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

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

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

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

The talks in Berlin accomplished absolutely nothing. 

Putin Not Ready For Peace

Bild Online wrote on December 17:

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

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

Taking Frozen Russian Assets?

aa.com.tr wrote on December 13:

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

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

Kyivindependent wrote on December 16:

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

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

Syria News wrote on December 17:

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

Trump’s Rambling Speech 

Focus reported on December 12: 

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

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

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

“Trump Is Sleepwalking Into an Electoral Disaster” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key MAGA Voices Turn on Trump—“Pointless Address”

The Mirror wrote on December 18:

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

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

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

The Atrocities of Trump’s Immigration System 

NBC News wrote on December 12: 

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

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

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

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

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

More Immigration Regulations 

NBC San Diego wrote on December 12: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Denaturalizing Law-Abiding Citizens?

The New York Times wrote on December 17:

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

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

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

The New York Post wrote on December 15: 

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

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

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

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

The Associated Press added on December 15:

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

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

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

The Sun wrote on December 15: 

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

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

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

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

Trump’s Gaza Plan—Utter Failure

Israel365News wrote on December 14: 

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

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

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

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

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

The “Menetekel” from Sydney 

Die Welt Online wrote on December 15: 

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

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

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

The Curse of Global Warming Propaganda?

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

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

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

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

Reclassification of Medical Marijuana

ABC News wrote on December 18:

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

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

 An overdue move to be applauded.

The Next Big Financial Crash Is Coming—But When? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bulgaria Becomes the Newest Member of the Eurozone 

Bild Online reported on December 12: 

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

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

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Luke 1:5-9, we read:

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

There are two points to note here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All of this simply means the following:  

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continuing with verses 27-36:

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

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

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

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

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

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

compiled by Dave Harris

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The live services are available, over video and audio, at http://eternalgod.org/live-services/ (12:30 pm Pacific Time; 1:30 pm Mountain Time; 2:30 pm Central Time; 3:30 pm Eastern Time; 8:30 pm Greenwich Mean Time; 9:30 pm Central European Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger

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

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

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

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

U.S. Gives Europe Three-Year Ultimatum 

Espreso wrote on December 5: 

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

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

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

Is the USA inadvertently and foolishly creating a Frankenstein monster? 

Trump Warns Europe of Losing National Identity 

The Guardian wrote on December 5: 

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

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

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

Europe is not amused. Note the next article. 

“Mind Your Own Business” 

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 5: 

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

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

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

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

Trump to Divide Europe?

The Daily Mail wrote on December 11:

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

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

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

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

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

The US No Longer on Europe’s Side 

Bild Online wrote on December 8: 

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

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

Europeans See a Hostile U.S. 

The Washington Post wrote on December 9: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trump’s Interview with Politico 

Politico wrote on December 12: 

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

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

Trump also said this in the interview:

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

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

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

“Europe—You Are on Your Own!” 

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

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

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

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

EU’s Fine of Musk Attack on America? 

Fox Business wrote on December 6: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X: 

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

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

EU Censors US? 

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

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

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

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

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

Voluntary Military Service in Germany – For Now! 

BBC wrote on December 5: 

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

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

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

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

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

Young Germans Opposed to Conscription 

Sky News reported on December 6: 

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

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

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

Europe Is Arming Fast 

Patreon wrote on December 5: 

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

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

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

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

“Stop Relying on Washington” 

Politico wrote on December 4: 

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

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

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

Finland Not Ready to Give NATO-Style Guarantees to Ukraine

Helsinki Times wrote on December 2: 

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

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

Belgium Opposed to Freezing Russian Assets 

The Press United wrote on December 3: 

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

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

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

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

Russian Money for Ukraine to the US? 

Handelsblatt wrote on December 4: 

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

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

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

Tagesschau added on December 5: 

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

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

Zelensky Rejects Trump’s “Peace Plan” 

MSN wrote on December 8: 

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

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

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

Merz and Spahn At Odds

Bild Online wrote on December 5: 

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

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

When Merz falls, will Spahn survive? 

Merz for a Two-State Solution 

ntv wrote on December 7: 

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

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

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

China’s New Warrior Robots 

Interesting Engineering wrote on December 3: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But Trump Is Not Listening!!! 

ABC News wrote on December 9: 

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

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

“Kill Them All” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

On December 4, Newsmax wrote: 

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

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

Still Justified? 

The Guardian reported on December 5 

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

CNN added on December 6: 

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

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

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

Minister of War Pete Hegseth—How the Times Have Changed 

CNN Politics wrote on December 8: 

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

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

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

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

The Sun wrote on December 10: 

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

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

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

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

The New York Times added on December 10: 

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

This is totally insane and blatantly illegal 

Insane—Trump’s New Requirements for Tourists

Daily Mail wrote on December 11:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Birthright Citizenship 

NBC News wrote on December 5: 

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

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

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

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

No More Dual Citizenship? 

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

Bild Online wrote on December 8: 

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

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

Trump’s Gaza “Peace Plan” Falling Apart? 

The Algemeiner wrote on December 8: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trump’s peace deals collapse one after another. 

The FIFA Gala Turns Into a Bizarre Pandering to Donald Trump 

ntv wrote on December 5: 

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

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

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

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

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

An Act of Cronyism 

Die Welt wrote on December 5:

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

An Absolute Spectacle of Horror 

t-online wrote on December 5: 

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

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

A Bizarre Ceremony

Express wrote on December 5: 

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

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

Shameless 

The Daily Mail wrote on December 5: 

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

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

Australian Youth Banned From Social Media 

NBC News wrote on December 9: 

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

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

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

Heading to a Very Dark Place

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

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

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

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

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

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

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

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

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

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

Acts 2:44-45 reads as follows:

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

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

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

Let us get some definitions, firstly about socialism.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary makes some other interesting observations:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom) 

compiled by Dave Harris

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On December 6, 2025, Michael Link will present the first split sermon, titled, “Do the Opposite,” and Kalon Mitchell will present the second split sermon, titled, “An Ode To 40.”

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.

Some of us like to do jigsaw puzzles as a form of relaxation. They come in different sizes, the average adult ones being around one thousand pieces. On the outside of the box is usually a picture of how the finished puzzle should look.

So my wife Tine and I sometimes do these puzzles and diligently seek out all the pieces and analyze where each piece goes, comparing it with the overall picture.

But just imagine if there was no overall picture available. It would not be impossible to put the puzzle together, but it would be much more difficult.

Now consider if the pieces of two puzzles were mixed, with no picture, or even more than two. It would become nearly impossible to complete the task. Then, if some pieces that did not belong to any of the puzzles were also thrown in for good measure, at this point or previously, many would give up.

So you say, what does this have to do with the Church?

Well, this was the position Mr. Armstrong found himself in when God first called him—when he started to come into an understanding of the Truth.

He started off as biblically illiterate in his thirties, till his wife challenged him on the Sabbath question. This made him mad because he was sure the Bible teaches Sunday observance. All the churches teach it, so it must be right and the Bible must teach it.

He was so upset with his wife that he considered divorce. He could not accept such a crackpot idea.

But he accepted the challenge and studied for six months, and the more he studied, the more he realized he was wrong and his wife was right. That’s really tough for a man.

This is something like the analogy I described earlier, with all these puzzles mixed together with no overall picture and with some false pieces included. In fact, at that time, most of the pieces were false. So it was humanly impossible for Mr. Armstrong to do what he did—to gradually get the overall big picture from all the bits available, true and false. He did not have a picture to go by. He had to have God’s help and guidance.

We would not be able to see the big picture if God had not inspired Mr. Armstrong to find out what the big picture was. And all of us individually needed God’s help to see it, because before we were called and our minds opened, none of this made sense to us.

How many of us tried to teach our relatives or friends God’s Truth? They thought we were strange—even crackpots, like Mr. Armstrong thought his wife was.

Let’s turn to Isaiah 28, verses 9 and 10. “‘Whom will He teach knowledge? And whom will He make to understand the message?…’” This shows us that God has to enable us to understand His message. Continuing: “‘…Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line. Here a little, there a little.’”

This is gradually putting the jigsaw puzzle together, bit by bit till finally, a picture starts to emerge.

Once Mr. Armstrong proved the Truth of the Sabbath, he began to search for other pieces of the puzzle. He checked out the Seventh-day-Adventists and the Seventh-day-Baptists, then he began to realize that the Church of God (Seventh Day) had more of the Truth than the other groups. So he associated with them for a time. They had a lot of the pieces of the puzzle, but as Mr. Armstrong continued to study, he also began to learn from other sources. He found still more pieces of the puzzle.

He was not a trained scholar; he didn’t have much formal education. He could not read the Greek or Hebrew texts of the Bible, but he did find a lot of pieces of the puzzle by reading books other men had written. These other men had certain pieces of the puzzle, a piece here and a piece there, but they were unable to put the whole puzzle together.

So he was collecting all the pieces, and he had to pick out which pieces fitted the true picture.

One of the books he read was by Alexander Hislop, “The Two Babylons”, and that book makes it plain where professing Christianity got a lot of its practices and beliefs. Hislop knew who the great harlot church was, and yet he was a minister in one of the daughter churches. He was a minister in a Presbyterian Sunday-keeping church, and he remained in that position. Mr. Armstrong received many pieces from his book.

Another man was J. H. Allen. He wrote the book “Judah’s Sceptre and Joseph’s Birthright.” This book is similar to “The United States and Britain in Prophecy,” written by Mr. Armstrong. Mr. Allen was a Methodist minister. He had discovered some very important pieces of the puzzle, but he never saw the big picture. Like so many others who had a part of the Truth, he kept trying to fit the pieces into the wrong picture.

There was another man, E. W. Bullinger, and he compiled the “Companion Bible”, which has many valuable notes and appendices in it—some being true and some false. Mr. Armstrong got a lot of information from his work—for example, the events of the six days before Christ’s sacrifice. Mr. Bullinger understood that the crucifixion was on a Wednesday, and many more details. He was an Anglican minister and even though he recognized that the resurrection was not on Sunday, he remained a minister in a Sunday-keeping church. He understood that Christ was born in the autumn, but continued to observe Christmas.

So these three men all had important pieces of the puzzle, but like so many others, whom Mr. Armstrong also learnt from, they kept trying to make the pieces fit into a different picture where they wouldn’t fit. So they didn’t let the Truth that they had change their practices.

When Mr. Armstrong came across a piece of the puzzle, he began to practice it and publish it. It changed his whole life. Looking at Isaiah 28:10-12: “‘For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.’ For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, ‘This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,’ And, ‘This is the refreshing’; Yet they would not hear.”

When we look up the word “hear” in Strong’s concordance, it means to hear intelligently; it implies to give attention to, obey, etc. It also means to proclaim and publish. Mr. Armstrong did all these things. When he learned new aspects of the Truth, he practiced it, he preached it and published it. That’s why God continued to guide him to discover more and more of the pieces and putting the pieces together until he began to see the big picture. He then made it clear to the rest of us so that we can see that big picture today.

Continuing on in verse 13: “But the word of the LORD was to them, ‘Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little…’” Now Isaiah is talking about those who would not hear: “…That they might go and fall backward, and be broken, And snared, and caught.” So to those who would not hear, the Truth becomes a trap and a snare. It did not benefit them. They had pieces of the puzzle, but they could not put them together because they did not hear, act or publish them.

So let’s make sure we are among those who hear, and obey what we hear. Then we can see the big picture and understand where the pieces fit, and which pieces are not a part of the big picture.

by Norbert Link

We are beginning with the ongoing controversy regarding Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine and Russia, and while it has now been watered down considerably, there is no chance that Russia will accept it. Europe is still upset, however, that “totally unacceptable” plans were designed without Europe’s knowledge and involvement, and a major split between America and Europe is being considered. This comes as Germany is being re-militarized and suggestions are made that Germany should take over NATO, while defense talks between Europe and Britain are breaking down.

Focusing on America, we report on the perception that President Trump has gone too far in regard to his attacks on lawmakers who told the Truth regarding illegal orders; quote articles wondering about Trump’s cognitive abilities, and speak about the despicable attack on two National Guard members by an Afghan suspect, which prompted Trump to announce additional immigration restrictions.

We report on America’s controversial destruction of boats and their occupants in the Caribbean; and the fear that an American invasion of Venezuela and a Chinese invasion of Taiwan are imminent.

We conclude with a remarkable and historical event on the Temple Mount.

Please view our new message, “America in Decline and Free Fall?—Comments on News and Prophecy, November 29, 2025.” 

Please also view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump and Putin vs. EU and Ukraine?”

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

USA Willing to Give Occupied Regions to Russia? 

The Telegraph wrote on November 28: 

“The United States is poised to recognise Russia’s control over Crimea and other occupied Ukrainian territories to secure a deal to end the war… Donald Trump has sent his peace envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to make the direct offer to Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

The plan to recognise territory, which breaks US diplomatic convention, is likely to go ahead despite concerns among Ukraine’s European allies.

One well-placed source said: ‘It’s increasingly clear the Americans don’t care about the European position. They say the Europeans can do whatever they want.’… 

“Washington’s apparent offer of recognition has caused concern amongst its European allies, who have repeatedly ruled out backing a peace deal that condones borders being redrawn by force… Until now, the US and Europe have refused to recognise Russia’s control over Crimea, the peninsula that Putin illegally annexed in 2014… 

“In recent days, leaked phone calls showed how Mr Trump’s lead negotiator, Mr Witkoff, was found to have coached Russian officials on how to court the White House… Open source intelligence experts have suggested a European agency could have disclosed this information to expose the blossoming relationship between the presidential aide and the Kremlin…” 

Risk of Major Split 

The Daily Mail added on November 28: 

“The move would mark the most dramatic shift in US policy toward the conflict since Russia seized Crimea in 2014, and risks a major split with European governments that have repeatedly rejected any peace plans involving territorial concessions… 

“European concern has intensified further after leaked recordings revealed Witkoff coaching Russian officials on appealing to the Trump administration. In those calls, he referred to Ukraine needing to give up Donetsk, prompting questions about whether US envoys had already signalled willingness to support Russian demands…”

Europeans would view such an “agreement” with Russia as an American betrayal. No good would come out of it, and the result would be increased anti-American sentiments. 

Preemptive Strikes on Russia? 

The Sun wrote on December 1: 

“RUSSIA has accused Europe of gearing up for ‘major war’ after a top Nato chief claimed the defence pact could launch ‘pre-emptive strikes’ on Vladimir Putin. Moscow hit back at the suggestion, blaming the West for ‘moving towards escalation’… 

“Speculating on Nato’s ability to hit Russia first, [Admiral Giuseppe Cavo] Dragone, [chair of Nato’s Military Committee] said: ‘We are studying everything […] On cyber, we are kind of reactive. Being more aggressive or being proactive instead of reactive is something that we are thinking about.’

“Dragone added that revenge cyber-attacks would be the simplest option, because many Nato member nations hold the capabilities to launch them. Retaliation for physical sabotage or drone incursions would be more complex – but not out of the question. The admiral said that a ‘pre-emptive strike’ could, under certain circumstances, be classified as a defensive action… 

“Nato has already been urged to abandon its reactive stance by several member states – particularly those in eastern Europe which bear the brunt of Russia‘s aggression.” 

Ultimately, this is exactly what will happen, according to biblical prophecy. 

Putin: “If Europe Wants War…” 

Newsmax wrote on December 2:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia did not want a war with European powers but that if Europe did want a war, then Russia was ready right now to fight. Putin said that European powers were making demands on a possible peace settlement for Ukraine that Moscow considers absolutely unacceptable. Putin accused Ukraine’s European allies Tuesday of sabotaging U.S.-led efforts to end the war that have gained momentum in recent weeks… thus ‘blocking the entire peace process,’ only to blame Russia for it. ‘That’s their goal,’ Putin said. 

“… European leaders, who fear Russia’s future territorial ambitions and are trying to figure out how they can fund Ukraine’s fight beyond this year, are trying to make their voices heard after being largely sidelined by Washington…” 

Europe Plans “Nuclear Option”? 

Express wrote on December 1: 

“Trump has fuelled fears among European politicians that the White House is preparing to sacrifice the continent’s security in exchange for US economic gain. 

“European states are considering adopting the ‘nuclear option’ of sinking the US economy, if Donald Trump sells out Ukraine and endangers security on the continent… European leaders remain suspicious that Trump is rushing towards a geopolitical deal with Vladimir Putin while paying little heed to the security concerns of NATO allies. 

“The Wall Street Journal reports a European intelligence service has circulated internal assessments about ‘commercial and economic plans’ the Trump team has been exploring with Russia behind closed doors… Sources told the WSJ that European leaders are considering adopting extreme countermeasures in retaliation, designed to unleash economic chaos in the US. 

“The alleged plan involves dumping trillions in US government debt owned by European states. A rapid sell off would likely cause a crash in the value of the US dollar, create a liquidity crisis across the banking system and cause a huge spike in borrowing costs. It would also lock the American financial sector into a paralysis more severe than the 2008 crisis. 

“A leading European economist [described]… the plan as a potential financial whiplash that could hit the US harder than any external shock in modern history. The political consequences would likely be disastrous for Trump and the Republicans as the midterm elections approach next year. 

“The EU and the UK are among the largest holders of US Treasury securities (US debt), which gives them significant potential economic leverage.

As of December 2024, the United Kingdom holds an estimated $722.7 billion in US debt. The European Union member countries collectively hold an estimated $1.62 trillion. Combined, this is approximately $2.34 trillion, making the EU/UK bloc one of the single largest foreign holders of US debt.” 

This would cause an incurable permanent rift between the two power blocs. 

EU Tells Trump: You Can’t Pardon Putin For War Crimes 

Politico wrote on December 1: 

“Donald Trump’s drive to secure peace in Ukraine must not let Vladimir Putin off the hook for war crimes committed by Russian forces, a top EU official has warned, effectively setting a new red line for a deal… Michael McGrath, the European commissioner for justice and democracy, said negotiators must ensure the push for a ceasefire does not result in Russia escaping prosecution. 

“His comments reflect concerns widely held in European capitals that the original American blueprint for a deal included the promise of a ‘full amnesty for actions committed during the war,’ alongside plans to reintegrate Russia into the world economy. The Trump team’s push to rehabilitate the Kremlin chief comes despite international condemnation of Russia for alleged crimes including the abduction of 20,000 Ukrainian children and attacks targeting civilians…. 

“Ukrainian authorities say they have opened investigations into more than 178,000 alleged Russian crimes since the start of the war… The EU and others have worked to set up a new special tribunal for the crime of aggression with the aim of bringing Russian leaders to justice for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022… In March 2023, judges at the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin…” 

The different positions between the USA and the EU become more and more obvious. 

Germany to Take Over NATO? 

Newsweek wrote on November 30: 

“Comments by President Donald Trump’s envoy to NATO suggesting that Germany take over the American role of the alliance’s European commander signal Washington’s disengagement from European security affairs…

“[U.S. ambassador to NATO, Matthew] Whitaker’s comments follow rumors the U.S. wants to step back from the role and suggest the Trump administration would like to see Germany replace the U.S. as Europe’s main security guarantor.”

Europe to Hit Back? 

Politico wrote on November 27: 

“Russia’s drones and agents are unleashing attacks across NATO countries and Europe is now doing what would have seemed outlandish just a few years ago: planning how to hit back… 

“After Russian war drones were shot down over Poland, NATO said it would boost the alliance’s drone and air defenses on its eastern flank — a call mirrored by the EU. Even that is enraging Moscow.

“Europeans ‘should be afraid and tremble like dumb animals in a herd being driven to the slaughter,’ said [deputy Kremlin Security Council head Dmitry] Medvedev in early October. ‘They should soil themselves with fear, sensing their near and agonizing end.’… 

“So far, countries like Germany and Romania are strengthening rules that would allow authorities to shoot down drones flying over airports and militarily sensitive objects.” 

Too early yet, but ultimately, Europe will be destroyed by Russia and its Far Eastern allies. 

“Germany Raised Its Citizens to Hate War. Now It Wants Us to Enlist in the Army – But We Say No” 

On November 28, the Guardian published the following opinion by Mithu Sanyal, author, academic and broadcaster based in Düsseldorf: 

“After we lost the second world war – or, as we prefer to say, after we were liberated by the allies – we swore ‘never again’: never again to war, and never again to Auschwitz. Admittedly, Germany rearmed in 1955, but just as ‘citizens in uniform’… For most of my life, the German army didn’t venture beyond our borders. Then came reunification in 1990, and during the first sitting of the all-German Bundestag, the then chancellor, Helmut Kohl, announced that we had to step up internationally: in 1994, the law was changed accordingly to allow the Bundeswehr to be deployed ‘out of area’ again. 

“Nonetheless, Germans remained squeamish about the idea that our soldiers might actually do what they have been trained for… That all changed in 1999. I always try to convey to people outside Germany the seismic shift that occurred that year, when our then foreign minister Joschka Fischer declared we had to let go of ‘never again to war’, in order to honour ‘never again to Auschwitz’ – because Serbia was planning what Fischer called a ‘new Auschwitz’ in Kosovo. Invoking the Holocaust was the only way to get the German public to accept our participation in international wars again. 

“So now we’re bringing back conscription – only we call it voluntary conscription… Even Germany’s Protestant church has been re-evaluating its stance on war and the atom bomb this month… with the following conclusion: in these troubled times, ‘Christian pacifism is ethically not justifiable.’  [What blasphemy!] 

“It is scary how fast this is moving – and some of the details are mind-boggling… A few months ago a prominent German feminist pointed out it was against equal rights that our sons had to go into the army… she went on to ask for conscription for our daughters as well… 

“If we enter the Ukrainian war with manpower…, Patrick Sensburg, president of the Bundeswehr Reservists Association, warned that 1,000 soldiers would die or be seriously maimed every day… One of his main concerns was how to replace 1,000 dead human beings each day. The solution: conscription… 

“Likewise, Chancellor Merz knows he is helping to reconstitute the national mood and set a new agenda when he says: ‘We are not at war. But we are no longer at peace.’ So does nearly every politician and… nearly every journalist in Germany. They are participating in what propaganda researchers call cognitive warfare… 

“I agree the war in Ukraine is a crime – so why aren’t we doing everything in our power to end it?…  a country that isn’t doing everything to prevent wars has lost the right to ask its citizens to participate in them. 

“Most Germans under 30 are against conscription– and it’s only Germans that are too old to go to war that are in favor…” 

Very important and CORRECT article. Yes, Germans are being induced by the political establishment and the mass media to love to go to war again… slowly but surely. 

Defense Talks Between Britain and EU Break Down

Vocal Media wrote on November 28: 

“For months, the United Kingdom and the European Union have tried to build a new foundation for defence cooperation. Both sides hoped that, even after Brexit, they could still work together on issues that affect the entire continent—security, technology, and military readiness. But this hope took a serious hit when Britain officially announced that talks to join the EU Defence Fund (EDF) had broken down… 

“Billions of euros are set aside for this fund, and companies from member states can apply for major contracts. If Britain had joined the EDF, its defence industries could have benefited from these opportunities… However, joining the EDF as a non-EU country is complicated. Unlike NATO, the EDF is tightly controlled by the EU, and it requires strict adherence to the bloc’s regulations, data-sharing rules, and research guidelines. This is where the talks began to fall apart… 

“The most important disagreement was about control and decision-making. The EU wanted Britain to follow its rules without giving the U.K. much influence over how the fund operates… 

‘Another conflict involved technology sharing. EU leaders were cautious about allowing a non-member state access to sensitive military research. They worried that sharing information widely—even with a trusted partner—could weaken security or give other countries an advantage.

“The third major issue was political trust, which still hasn’t fully recovered after Brexit…

“In the end, neither side was willing to compromise enough to reach an agreement. As a result, the talks officially collapsed… many analysts believe the U.K. has lost a valuable chance to shape Europe’s defence future… the breakdown marks a disappointing moment in post-Brexit security efforts…” 

“Britain Quits EU Rearmament Deal After £5.7 Billion Demand from France” 

Express wrote on November 29:

“The programme is set to provide up to €150 billion (£130 billion) in long-term loans to member states for defence spending and large-scale investments.

“SAFE [“Security Action for Europe”] is based on EU loans, and French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that the UK must make high contributions to participate in the scheme. A source claimed that the UK was not prepared to pay significantly into the programme and offered a figure lower than £1 billion…

“It is reported that 19 of the 27 EU countries have applied for SAFE loans so far… The money is expected to be issued early next year, with Poland set to receive the highest share with €43.7 billion. Meanwhile, Romania will receive €16.6 billion, with Hungary and France each given €16.2 billion.”

SAFE and EDF refer to multiple different programs and entities, but they are generally not the same program. The acronyms have distinct meanings in different contexts.  

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is an EU initiative to fund cooperative defense research and capability development, which builds on earlier initiatives. The Security Action for Europe (SAFE) is an EU financial instrument providing support to Member States for urgent defense investments. 

Costco Sues Trump Over Tariffs

CNBC wrote on December 1:

“Costco sued the Trump administration [on Friday] to get a full refund of new tariffs it paid so far this year, and to block those import duties from continuing to be collected from the retail warehouse club giant as a Supreme Court case plays out… Costco said that it risks losing the money it has already paid to satisfy the tariffs even if the Supreme Court eventually upholds earlier lower court rulings that found President Donald Trump did not have the legal power to impose those duties.

“The company noted a looming Dec. 15 deadline that could prevent the tariffs that it has already paid on an estimated basis from being refunded… Dozens of other companies have filed similar lawsuits to protect their right to potential refunds in case the Supreme Court rules against the [tariffs]… 

“The Trump administration has warned of the potential fallout of having to refund hundreds of millions of dollars in tariffs if the Supreme Court upholds the lower court rulings that Trump did not have authority… to unilaterally impose those duties.’

Trump Is Going Way Too Far

On November 28, the Ron Paul Institute published the following article by Eric Margolis:

“President Donald Trump threatens to hang military officers who have the audacity to tell their troops not to obey unlawful orders. Trump called them ‘traitors’ and suggested they be locked up. The president just crossed the Rubicon… after these threats, he has gone way too far. Americans should be alarmed.

“I enlisted in the US Army in 1969 to become an infantry officer and served in Vietnam… In basic and advanced infantry training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, we were educated in the military code of conduct… The most important single lesson that I vividly recall was the order to refuse any orders seen as illegal – that is, in violation of US law and the Geneva Conventions. This command did not come out of the blue. It was promulgated as a result of the Nuremberg Trials after World War II in which much of the senior German elite was found guilty of war crimes, and many sentenced to death.

“Most of the German officials and soldiers being tried for assorted war crimes claimed they were simply following orders from senior commanders… The Nuremberg Trials were in many ways legalized revenge on a defeated enemy. Particularly so when the victorious allies included the US Air force and RAF who had killed millions of civilians in Europe and Japan, and the Soviets who had killed millions more innocent civilians. 

“Nuremberg was a gigantic kangaroo court, and legalized revenge killings. But the one good thing that came out of it was the rejection of the ‘I was only following orders’ defense. All wars are a crime, but this new statute slightly reduced some of the horrors and murder involved. 

“President Trump now wants to sweep this protection away because he feels his regal authority powers have been challenged. This is a violation of our constitution and laws… It’s too bad Donald Trump managed to evade military service… or he would have a better understanding of this important issue and the legal and customary restraints imposed on his noble office.” 

But what about those under him, supporting him, who served in the military? They undoubtedly should know better. 

Trump’s Mental Decline? 

Mediaite published on November 28 the following opinion by Michael Luciano: 

“President Donald Trump’s spiral into a vicious – and malicious – mental decline continued apace on Thanksgiving, capping off an especially erratic month in which he somehow managed to be even less ‘presidential’ than before. 

“Trump, 79, has displayed increasingly antisocial behavior. This month, he called a reporter ‘piggy’ to her face. Last week, he claimed that six Democratic lawmakers who urged soldiers to ‘refuse illegal orders’ had committed sedition… [He] reposted a post stating, ‘HANG THEM.’ On Wednesday, the president ranted about ‘Somalians’ after an Afghan national… was arrested in connection with the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., one of whom has died. 

“… he erupted at another female reporter… Trump told the reporter, ‘You’re a stupid person.’

“… Trump took to Truth Social, where he railed against Somalis again and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D), whom he called ‘seriously retarded’ and claimed that the country’s foreign-born population is composed mostly of people who ‘are on welfare, from failed nations, or from prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels.’ The president also baselessly claimed that Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), an immigrant who is one of a notable contingent of Somalis in Minnesota, ‘probably’ entered the U.S. illegally and married her brother: ‘… her place of origin is a decadent, backward, and crime ridden nation, which is essentially not even a country for lack of Government, Military, Police, schools, etc…’ 

“Trump’s… actions of late… are well beyond the pale. And this is to say nothing of his actual policies, which have had disastrous and deadly consequences for millions of people in the U.S. and abroad.” 

However, according to India Today, dated November 28, “There is… no proof that Omar, the first Somali-American in Congress, ever married a relative or committed immigration fraud. Trump… also did not elaborate on his bizarre claims… A report in the UK’s Daily Mail claimed that Omar confided to her friends that Elmi was actually her biological brother and the marriage was a scam for immigration purposes.” 

The Huffington Post wrote on November 28:

“Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) hit back pointedly at Donald Trump on Thursday, responding to the president’s latest online attack of him with a four-word challenge: ‘Release the MRI results.’…  Walz’s response referenced the recent presidential medical mystery of Trump’s MRI scan in October that neither he nor the White House have fully explained.” 

Trump’s MRI Not About His Brain 

Daily Mail wrote on December 1:

“The White House has provided details of Donald Trump’s MRI scan carried out last month amid mounting speculation about the president’s health… after it was revealed in July that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency… Trump’s cognitive health has also been called into question… 

“However, Trump’s scans were focused on the president’s heart and abdomen [not his brain], the White House confirmed on Monday…. Trump’s scan revealed no abnormalities and confirmed that he is in ‘excellent health.’ MRI scans are a standard preventative procedure for men his age, the doctor said.”

 As we pointed out in last week’s Current Events, there is great concern, shared by some of Trump’s relatives, that he might be suffering from increasing dementia. 

Attack on Two National Guard Members 

MSN wrote on November 28:

“The man suspected of shooting two National Guard members near the White House this week — one of them fatally — is an Afghan national who came to the United States in September 2021 because of his work with the U.S. government, including the CIA…. [He] was among tens of thousands of Afghan nationals who came to the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era program, following the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal…  [He] was granted asylum this April [under the Trump administration]… 

“CIA Director John Ratcliffe said [the suspect] had been a member of a partner force in Kandahar, a province in southern Afghanistan that saw significant fighting during the war. [He] was part of one of the CIA’s ‘Zero Units’ that were involved in combat missions to seize or kill suspected terrorists… The Zero Units, also known as National Strike Units, were involved in dangerous and often deadly night raids and other missions to kill or capture members of the Taliban, al-Qaeda, the Islamic State and other terrorist groups. The CIA and U.S. military provided intelligence and logistical support to the squads. 

“The CIA has never publicly acknowledged its work with the Zero Units, which have been shadowed by allegations of human rights violations, including a 2019 Human Rights Watch report that found they had conducted summary executions and other abuses. [The suspect] and other Afghan paramilitary members would have undergone extensive vetting before joining the Zero Units and were supposed to be monitored closely once in service, people familiar with the matter said.

“U.S. officials have said the Zero Units were effective fighters and that they played a critical role in assisting with the chaotic American evacuation from Afghanistan in late August 2021, probably saving U.S. lives.” 

CIA’s Zero Units 

The New York Times added on November 28: 

“Zero Units, which were formally part of the Afghan intelligence service but operated outside the usual chain of command, were largely recruited, trained, equipped and overseen by the C.I.A., according to Human Rights Watch. These units specialized in night raids and clandestine missions; Taliban officials and human rights groups described them as ‘death squads.’

“Human Rights Watch said it had documented several instances in which the units were responsible for ‘extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances, indiscriminate airstrikes, attacks on medical facilities, and other violations of international humanitarian law.’

“A childhood friend, who asked to be identified only as Muhammad because he feared Taliban reprisals, said that [the suspect] had suffered from mental health issues and was disturbed by the casualties his unit had caused.”

Trump said about the suspect that he had turned “nuts.” And Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that authorities believe the suspect might have been radicalized after he arrived in the United States.

npr wrote on November 27:

“Those people came on two-year grants of parole, then later had to apply for other ways to stay in the country permanently, like asylum, and go through rigorous screening. 

“Roughly 200,000 Afghan immigrants and refugees came to the U.S. after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021. Some of them have since received green cards or even U.S. citizenship, but many have more tenuous legal status, such as humanitarian parole.” 

The Blame Game Continues 

New York Post wrote on November 27: 

“An enraged Attorney General Pam Bondi blasted ‘progressive left idiots’ for fueling hatred towards National Guard troops — as she vowed to probe whether they encouraged the Thanksgiving eve shooting ambush. 

“Bondi tore into the scores of liberal lawmakers and media commentators who have criticized President Trump’s decision to deploy federal troops to Washington, DC, suggesting the ‘disgusting’ and ‘despicable’ rhetoric is to blame for any ensuing violence.” 

In the case of the suspect, such “rhetoric” was hardly the motive, from everything we know so far. Bondi seems to try to gloss over her unpopularity, by “seizing the moment.” 

Trump’s Announcement of Further Immigration Restrictions 

ABC News wrote on November 28: 

“President Donald Trump said he will ‘permanently pause migration’ from some countries following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., earlier this week… Trump did not specify which countries the pause would affect, saying it would apply to ‘Third World Countries.’… 

‘He said the U.S. would ‘terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions… and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country, end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens of our Country, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.’” 

If this is meant to be taken seriously, these would be extremely dangerous and troublesome announcements by an irate and out-of-touch President. If attempted to be carried out, a flood of lawsuits would be the consequence, and the world would turn even more hostile toward America. Pretty soon, Trump would have been successful in making America void and empty… no more foreign-born non-citizens; no more birthright citizenship; denaturalization of everyone who dares to disagree with Trump’s view of compatibility with Western Civilization; and so on. 

Immigration Applications on Hold 

The New York Post wrote on December 3: 

“The Trump administration formally halted immigration applications from 19 countries deemed to be a high risk for producing terrorists and other national security threats — hours after a source told The Post that list could grow to 30 nations or more…   

 “US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)… also announced a hold on ‘all pending asylum applications, regardless of the alien’s country of nationality.’”

Killings of Alleged “Drug Smugglers” to Be Investigated 

The Washington Post wrote on November 29: 

“The head of the Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee has pledged ‘vigorous oversight’ after a Washington Post report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave spoken order to kill crew members during the first U.S. strike against suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean earlier this year. 

“A live drone feed showed two survivors from the original crew of 11 clinging to the wreckage of their boat following the initial missile attack on Sept. 2, The Post reported on Friday afternoon. The Special Operations commander overseeing the operation then ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s directive, according to two people with direct knowledge of the operation, killing both survivors. Those people, along with five others in the original report, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matter’s sensitivity. 

“Late Friday, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), the committee’s ranking Democrat, issued a statement saying that the committee ‘is aware of recent news reports — and the Department of Defense’s initial response — regarding alleged follow-on strikes on suspected narcotics vessels.’ The committee, they said, ‘has directed inquiries to the Department, and we will be conducting vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to these circumstances.’ 

“Following the publication of The Post’s report, Hegseth wrote on X that ‘these highly effective strikes are designed to be “lethal, kinetic strikes,’” adding: ‘Every trafficker we kill is affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization.’ ‘Our current operations in the Caribbean are lawful under both U.S. and international law, with all actions in compliance with the law of armed conflict — and approved by the best military and civilian lawyers, up and down the chain of command,’ he said… 

“In some closed-door briefings to lawmakers, the Pentagon has declined to bring lawyers who could help explain the legal rationale behind the strikes. There has been extensive frustration among some members of Congress — including some Republicans — at the lack of detail provided to Capitol Hill, ranging from the intelligence to support the strikes to the identities of the people killed. 

“Last month, Wicker and Reed made public two letters they previously sent to the Pentagon, requesting the orders, recordings and legal rationale related to the strikes. The Defense Department, they wrote in the rare public warning, had surpassed the time required by law to provide some of the materials. That information would have included Hegseth’s order to kill everyone in the first strike and the video of the attack… some current and former U.S. officials and law-of-war experts have said that the Pentagon’s lethal campaign — which has killed more than 80 people to date — is unlawful and may expose those most directly involved to future prosecution… 

“The Joint Special Operations Command had said in briefing materials provided to the White House that the purpose of the ‘double-tap’ strike was to sink the boat to avoid any navigation hazard to other vessels, according to one person who saw the report. Lawmakers received a similar explanation in two closed-door briefings, according to two congressional aides. ‘The idea that wreckage from one small boat in a vast ocean is a hazard to marine traffic is patently absurd, and killing survivors is blatantly illegal,’ Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts) wrote… ‘Mark my words: It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.’” 

Some even question whether these attacks on boats take place, calling it “fake news.” How ignorant can one be! 

Second Strike in “Self-Defense”?

The Independent wrote on December 1:

“The White House has confirmed that the admiral overseeing U.S. military operations against alleged drug-carrying boats had issued the order for a second strike that killed two survivors, an attack that has intensified legal scrutiny into the Trump administration’s lethal campaign… 

“Asked to clarify whether [Defense Secretary Pete] Hegseth had ordered the second strike on the boat, [White House press secretary Karoline] Leavitt told reporters that [Admiral Frank] Bradley — not Hegseth — gave the order and stressed that the veteran naval officer was ‘well within his authority and the law’ when he did. ‘He directed the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat from narco terrorists was eliminated,’ she said… The strike on September 2, the first among more than a dozen attacks that have killed more than 80 people in recent months, ‘was conducted in self-defense to protect Americans’ and ‘vital United States interests,’ she said… When two survivors emerged from the wreckage, Bradley issued an order to comply with Hegseth’s alleged instructions to ‘kill everybody’… 

“According to the Pentagon’s own Law of War Manual, people who are ‘wounded, sick, or shipwrecked’ on the high seas are supposed to be ‘respected and protected in all circumstances’ by U.S. forces, even during hostilities. The Defense Department’s manual specifically states that ‘making them the object of attack is strictly prohibited.’” 

Acting in self-defense? This is the most ridiculous “justification” anyone could come up with. 

“Hegseth Throws Admiral Under the Bus” 

Mediaite wrote on December 1: 

“Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made clear that he believes Admiral Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley is the man responsible for a U.S. attack on the survivors of a boat bombing in the Caribbean. 

“On Sept. 2, the U.S. bombed an alleged drug boat off the coast of Trinidad. According to The Washington Post, Hegseth ordered everyone aboard killed, according to sources familiar with the situation. After the first strike, which was conducted by the Navy, two survivors remained, clinging to the wreckage. Heeding Hegseth’s directive, the Post said Bradly deemed the survivors valid targets and ordered that Hegseth’s directive be carried out. The Navy conducted a second strike and killed the survivors… 

“On Monday night, Hegseth tweeted ‘support’ of Bradley while also making sure to say that the admiral was responsible for ‘combat decisions’… Fox News Chief Political Analyst Brit Hume… wrote: ‘How to point the finger at someone while pretending to support him.’… Hume said on Fox News that the story could be ‘a big problem’ for the Trump administration. 

“Over on CNN, Ryan Goodman, former general counsel for the Department of Defense, stated that if Hegseth ordered everyone on the boat killed, the secretary is ultimately responsible for the second strike, regardless of Bradley’s involvement…” 

He certainly would be. 

It was also pointed out that during his time in office, President Barack Obama significantly expanded the use of drone strikes for targeted killings against suspected terrorists, particularly in Pakistan, Yemen, and the Horn of Africa. 

How can something like this be possibly justified? 

Prosecuting Hegseth? 

Mediaite wrote on December 2: 

“Newsmax’s senior judicial analyst, Judge Andrew Napolitano, argued on Tuesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should be prosecuted for a war crime over his order to kill everyone aboard an alleged drug smuggling boat in early September… 

“‘Well, I wish the White House would reveal to us the laws on which the president is relying. He says he has an opinion from the Justice Department, but neither the Justice Department nor the White House will offer it for public scrutiny… The killing is out of hand. And this last one, in which Pete Hegseth first denied that he gave the order, and then the White House said he did give the order, and then the White House said it was in self-defense. Self-defense! You got two people in the ocean clinging to a burning boat to stay alive, and they’re gonna be killed for self-defense? That doesn’t make any sense. 

“‘… the law of armed conflict says survivors have to be rescued. They can’t be killed. That’s very clear. It’s in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and it’s in federal law…  narco terrorist is not a legal term. It’s a political term and using that political term does not justify [killing them]… only if they’re engaged in violence can the military kill them…’ 

“When asked whether they act violently ‘if they’re coming here with drugs that could kill Americans,’ Napolitano replied, ‘Well, they’re fifteen hundred miles from the United States on a speed boat with a fifty-mile distance. It’s inconceivable it could reach the United States.’” 

ABC News added on December 3: 

“The family of a Colombian fisherman who died in a U.S. military boat strike in September has filed a formal complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights alleging the U.S. government illegally killed him… While the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights can investigate the complaint and issue findings, any ruling it makes would not be legally binding on the U.S…. 

“The filing comes after [far-left] Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the U.S. government of committing murder… ‘Fisherman Alejandro Carranza had no ties to the drug trade and his daily activity was fishing… The Colombian boat was adrift and displaying the distress signal due to having an outboard motor…’” 

No Evidence 

Breitbart wrote on December 2: 

“During an interview aired on Tuesday’s broadcast of Bloomberg’s ‘Balance of Power,’ Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) stated that there isn’t any evidence of fentanyl coming from Venezuela… ‘All these people [are] going off saying, oh, fentanyl’s killing people, I know people who died of fentanyl. I have a great deal of sympathy. I know a family that lost two sons to fentanyl. I have sympathy for that. There’s no evidence there’s any fentanyl on this boat. There’s no evidence that any fentanyl comes from Venezuela, zero.’ 

“He continued, ‘There is fentanyl coming up [from] Mexico, but since we’re blowing these boats up, maybe we’re taking our eye off the border in Mexico. So, the whole thing is a pretense and a prelude to war in Venezuela, and I hope it doesn’t happen.’” 

He also said this in regard to pardoning former President of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández: 

“‘if they label you a narcoterrorist, they can kill you without trial, but if they say you’re not a narcoterrorist, you can be given a pardon, even though you have been convicted, even though he’s gloated over all the people he’s loaded with drugs, including some who have probably and inevitably have died in our country… you get into the lunacy of, well, Orlando Hernández is not a narcoterrorist, but these guys, who we don’t know their name, and we’ve presented no proof, they’re narcoterrorists.’” 

Pardoning Drug Smuggler, While Attacking “Drug Smugglers” 

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on December 1: 

“Trump’s South America policy is getting more ridiculous by the day. Yesterday he announced a pardon for the former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, who is serving a 45-year sentence for partnering with drug traffickers who had allegedly shipped 400 tons of cocaine to the United States… 

“While pardoning a convicted drug smuggler on one day Trump uses the next one to threatening Venezuela for alleged drug smuggling for which there is no evidence… All Trump assertions about Venezuela, its alleged ‘terrorist gangs’ and drug smuggling are completely bogus. This is not at all about drugs but about stealing the huge oil reserve Venezuela has: ‘[Oil] is at the heart of the matter,’ Colombian President Gustavo Petro told CNN in an interview published Wednesday… ‘He’s not thinking about the democratization of Venezuela, let alone the narco-trafficking,’ added the South American president, who last month was sanctioned by the Trump administration… 

“Meanwhile the U.S. military continues to strike random fisherman [sic] near Venezuela… with drones and missiles… Some current and former U.S. officials and law-of-war experts have said that the Pentagon’s lethal campaign — which has killed more than 80 people to date — is unlawful and may expose those most directly involved to future prosecution. Hegseth had overruled the most senior military lawyer of the U.S. Southern Command who had called the strikes illegal… 

“Eleven people in a boat is by the way a sure sign that these were not drug smuggler [sic]… The boat in question, a go-fast vessel with four motors, is common in the region and would typically be manned by a small crew — perhaps one mechanic, a driver or two, and another person focused on security… More people on board means less room for drugs to sell…’” 

US Attack on Venezuela Imminent? 

The Telegraph wrote on November 29: 

“Donald Trump has told all airlines to consider the skies above and surrounding Venezuela closed, as the threat of US air strikes intensifies. The US president declared Venezuelan airspace ‘closed in its entirety’ in an early-morning post on social media, two days after suggesting he would launch military strikes on the country [“very soon”] to stop drug traffickers. 

“The US does not have the authority to close another country’s airspace, but the threat is likely to panic airlines, cause travel uncertainty in Venezuela, and worry Nicolas Maduro, its leader, whom the Trump administration has labelled a ‘narco-terrorist’…. 

“Despite the president’s declaration, US authorities have not banned American aircraft from entering Venezuelan airspace and flights were still going ahead as of Saturday morning… Since September, the Trump administration has been massing the most significant US military force in the southern Caribbean region for generations, while conducting deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in international waters…”

China To Invade Taiwan? 

The Daily Mail published on November 29 an article by Ian Williams, author of “The Rise And Fall Of The Chinese Economy”: 

“If China attacked its neighbour, [Taiwan] the threat to the global economy and to the bruised Western alliance would make Russia’s long war in Ukraine look like a picnic. And although it is half a world away, the UK could be drawn more directly to a conflict in Taiwan than to the muddy fields of the Donbas. 

“Taiwan is a vital cog in the global high-tech economy. It produces more than 90 per cent of the world’s most advanced semi-conductors. One Taiwanese company, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, also known as Foxconn, is the world’s biggest electronics manufacturer, including of most Apple products. Bloomberg Economics has estimated that a war over the island would cost the global economy around $10trillion (£7.56trillion) – about 10 per cent of the world’s GDP.

“For years, America has been supporting Taiwan’s defences and bolstering regional alliances to deter Chinese aggression. Now, not only has Donald Trump ushered in a new era of unpredictability, but his counterpart Xi Jinping is growing increasingly impatient, stepping up his military intimidation of the democratic, self-ruled island, which China claims as its own.

“Xi sees taking Taiwan as a key part of his mission to restore national greatness, an eerily similar mission to that of his ‘good friend’ Vladimir Putin, which drives the Russian dictator’s aggression on Ukraine. Xi is closely watching the West’s faltering resolve in Ukraine. If Putin is rewarded with territory for his aggression, that will factor into Beijing’s calculations.

“This is why a phone call between Xi and Trump this week attracted so much attention and raised questions about America’s commitment both to the defence of Taiwan and to its regional alliances. The Americans say the call came from Xi, while Beijing claims Trump initiated it. The US President says ‘many topics’ were discussed, while China insists the focus was Taiwan… According to Chinese reports, Xi reminded Trump that the US and China had jointly fought ‘fascism and militarism’ during the Second World War. The message was clear: if Trump wants better relations with Beijing, he should… allow China to have its way with Taiwan.

“No doubt Xi will also have watched Trump’s attempts to wash his hands of Ukraine by foisting on Kyiv a peace plan that largely gives Moscow what it wants. Xi must be calculating that this transactional American President could similarly be persuaded to abandon Taiwan as part of a mutually beneficial trade deal…

“Xi will have noted the way Putin has been able to play Trump like a fiddle, and there should be no surprise that the Chinese leader wants to join that orchestra.” 

Levites Sing Psalms on the Temple Mount 

Israel 365 News wrote on November 28: 

“The silence that has hung over the Temple Mount for nearly two thousand years was broken Thursday morning when three Levites ascended Judaism’s holiest site and sang the daily psalm. The moment marks an unprecedented restoration of an ancient Temple service that ceased with the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE… 

“The Bible assigns the Levites a specific role in Temple worship. In the book of Chronicles, King David organizes the Levitical singers: ‘David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, harps, and cymbals’ (1 Chronicles 25:1). This wasn’t merely ceremonial music. The Sages teach that Levitical song was an essential component of the Temple service itself, so integral that sacrifices offered without it were considered incomplete…

“The Levites performed various functions in the Temple including guarding and serving all the musical needs.  

“Jewish communities are scrupulous about perpetuating the status of the Levites, which is passed from father to son. Only Jewish men whose fathers were Levites are considered eligible. Comprising about 4% of the total Jewish population, they are recognized for conspicuous honors in religious services and their status as Levites is inscribed on their gravestones…” 

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.

Would God use unrighteous persons or entities to fulfill His purpose? Actually, as we will see, God used, is using and will use unrighteous personalities and nations to fulfill His Will.

God used Joseph’s brothers to sell him into slavery. At that time, Joseph’s brothers were not righteous at all. But when they repented of their evil conduct, Joseph explained to them what God’s purpose for them had been, and how God worked it all out. We read in Genesis 45:4-8:

“And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come near to me.’ So they came near. Then he said: ‘I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”

After their father Jacob had died, the brothers became again concerned that Joseph would deal harshly with them. So, Joseph comforted them, as we read in Genesis 50:19-20:

“Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.’”

At last, Joseph’s brothers repented. But even if they had not, God still would have used them to fulfill that aspect of His plan to keep many people alive through Joseph.

When we review the events in Egypt at the time of Moses, we see that God used Pharaoh to fulfill His plan, but Pharaoh was unrighteous and never repented. In fact, God raised Pharaoh and brought him to power so that God’s plan could be fulfilled.

We read God’s words in Exodus 9:16: “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” This is repeated and confirmed in Romans 9:17.

When Israel sinned against God after Joshua’s death, God used unrighteous adversaries on numerous occasions to trouble Israel. We read in Judges 2:14: “And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.”

Judges 3:8 adds: “Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim eight years.” Also note Judges 4:2: “So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor.”

We also find that God used unconverted Samson to fulfill aspects of His plan. Samson would later repent, but he was not righteous at all when God used him before in certain circumstances. He wanted to marry a Philistine girl which was against God’s instructions, and so his parents tried to dissuade him from doing so. Notice, though, how the Bible describes that conversation and the reason for Samson’s inappropriate desires, in Judges 14:3-4:

“Then his father and mother said to him, ‘Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?’ And Samson said to his father, ‘Get her for me, for she pleases me well.’ But his father and mother did not know that it was of the LORD—that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.”

Due to the betrayal of his new wife, and the conduct of the Philistines, Samson became their enemy from that time on. God, knowing Samson’s shortcomings and his carnality, used him to bring about His purpose. We read in Judges 14:19: “Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave the changes of clothing to those who had explained the riddle. So his anger was aroused, and he went back up to his father’s house.”

This does not mean that God’s Spirit was poured into his heart—that he became converted at that time. It just means that God, through His Spirit, “moved” or motivated him, as it was God’s plan to punish the Philistines. Something similar happened, when Delilah betrayed Samson for money and bound him with ropes to hand him over to the Philistines. Note Judges 15:14-15:

“When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it.”

That God uses unrighteous entities to fulfill aspects of His plan is exemplified by the fact that He used demons—evil spirits—to punish the Egyptians at the time of Moses. We read in Psalm 78:49: “He cast on them the fierceness of His anger, Wrath, indignation, and trouble, By sending angels of destruction among them.” The better translation for “angels of destruction” is “evil angels,” as the Authorized Version has it.

We also read that God used a demon to trouble King Saul, after he had rebelled against God and became unqualified to rule Israel. God even removed His Holy Spirit from him which had been given to him when he became anointed king. We read that an “evil spirit from God” plagued King Saul.

1 Samuel 16:14-16 tells us: “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. And Saul’s servants said to him, ‘Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.’”

This is how David came to Saul’s court. We read in 1 Samuel 18:10-11: “And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul’s hand. And Saul cast the spear, for he said, ‘I will pin David to the wall!’ But David escaped his presence twice.”

Later, when the demon influenced Saul again, he tried once more to kill David. 1 Samuel 19:9-10 reads: “Now the distressing spirit from the LORD came upon Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing music with his hand. Then Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away from Saul’s presence; and he drove the spear into the wall. So David fled and escaped that night.”

Following many ordeals and trials, David occupied the office of anointed king, after Saul had died in battle. God’s plan for David was being fulfilled, but King Saul who had become unrighteous had been a necessary part of that plan.

However, David failed too, but in contrast to Saul, he repented of his sins. Still, we read that God was involved in David’s punishment for his sins. David understood this, and when he fled from his son Absalom, and someone cursed him, David said in 2 Samuel 16:10-11: “But the king said, ‘What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, “Curse David.” Who then shall say, “Why have you done so?”’ And David said to Abishai and all his servants, ‘See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him.’”

David recognized the fact that God used an unrighteous Benjamite (Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin) to curse David.

We also read that God used a lying spirit to bring about the death of evil King Ahab (1 Kings 22:19-23).

And God used Satan to deal with Job to make Job realize that even he was not without sin and that his righteousness was much inferior to God’s righteousness.

God used the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar to conquer sinful Judah. We read in Jeremiah 25:9: “‘…behold, I will send and take all the families of the north,’ says the LORD, ‘and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, against its inhabitants, and against these nations all around, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations.’”

God called Nebuchadnezzar His servant because he would serve God in fulfilling God’s Will, even though he himself did not understand this at all. Nebuchadnezzar was a devout worshiper of Babylonian pagan gods, such as Marduk, Nabu, Šamaš, Sin, and Ishtar, to whom he credited Babylon’s success, as can be seen from his royal inscriptions. Even though he developed an intellectual acknowledgement of the true God of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, there is no indication that he ever forsook his pagan worship and belief.

We are told that God raised up the Persian king Cyrus to fulfill part of His plan—to rebuild Jerusalem and to build the Second Temple.  We even read that God knew Cyrus by name prior to his birth (Isaiah 45:4-5; these passages in the book of Isaiah were written long before Cyrus was born). God even called him “His anointed.”

We read in Isaiah 44:28: “[God] says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be built,’ And to the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”

Isaiah 45:1 adds: “Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut.”

God used Cyrus to conquer Babylon and to make it possible that the Jews could return to Jerusalem and to build the Temple. He stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to make the proclamation regarding the building of the Temple (Ezra 1:1). But Cyrus was a pagan ruler who worshipped gods like Marduk and was apparently also a believer in Zoroastrianism, the state religion of the Persian Empire. There is no indication that Cyrus ever forsook his pagan religious beliefs.

Addressing our times and our immediate future, we find that God will raise up the modern Chaldeans (the final revival of the Holy Roman Empire) to conquer the modern sinful descendants of the Houses of Israel and Judah. We read in Habakkuk 1:5-6:

“Look among the nations and watch—Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe, though it were told you. For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling places that are not theirs.”

The modern Chaldeans are by no means a righteous people. In fact, they are described as “wicked,” devouring Israel and Judah who are, by comparison, more righteous than the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 1:13).

We also know from the Bible that an end-time charismatic military leader will rise in Europe to lead the modern Chaldeans in their conquest of modern Israel and Judah. This individual is called the ”beast” in the Book of Revelation. Since Satan, with God’s permission, rules all kingdoms and nations, he will give his throne to the beast, both the Empire and the future leader of that Empire (Revelation 13:2). But Satan can only do what God allows. And sometimes, God intervenes directly to see to it that His plan is carried out. In regard to the beast (also called the King of Assyria, the king of the North, and King Jareb), God will use him to conquer Israel and Judah.

We read in Isaiah 10:5-7, 12:

“‘Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger And the staff in whose hand is My indignation. I will send him against an ungodly nation, And against the people of My wrath I will give him charge, To seize the spoil, to take the prey, And to tread them down like the mire of the streets. Yet he does not mean so, Nor does his heart think so; But it is in his heart to destroy, And cut off not a few nations…’ Therefore it shall come to pass, when the LORD has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, ‘I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.’”

The beast will be demonically possessed. He is wicked and evil, and he will be thrown into a lake of fire when Christ returns. The nations following him will also be dealt with by God. He will use the modern Medes (Ukrainians, Russians and others) to destroy Europe.

Isaiah 13:17-19 tells us:

“Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, Who will not regard silver; And as for gold, they will not delight in it. Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces, And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb; Their eye will not spare children. And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Jeremiah 51:11 adds:

“Make the arrows bright! Gather the shields! The LORD has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it, Because it is the vengeance of the LORD, The vengeance for His temple.”

But the modern Medes are not a righteous people either. As part of the Kings of the East, they will assemble with the beast’s armies to fight against the returning Jesus Christ, but they will be consumed and destroyed (Revelation 19:19; Zechariah 14:1-2, 12). However, the point still is, God will be using the unrighteous modern Assyrians under their unrighteous king and the unrighteous modern Medes to fulfill His plan.

This is not to say that everyone being used by God to fulfill His plan is unrighteous. God has been and will be using many righteous people, but when God uses them, it is not only for the purpose of carrying out a specific physical task, but also for the purpose of achieving spiritual perfection. The apostle Paul, David and Jeremiah come to mind whom God knew before they were born, to be called to salvation in this life, and who were also predestined to carry out certain tasks. This is not true for those (unrighteous) people who were not preordained to be called in this life for salvation, but who still had been chosen to fulfill a specific physical task.

But even then, God may decide, based on their conduct, that they will become disqualified from even fulfilling that physical task or from maintaining a certain physical position.  As we mentioned, King Saul became disqualified from remaining King over Israel. Samuel’s words in this regard are very revealing. We read in 1 Samuel 13:13-14, after Saul had taken it upon himself to bring sacrifices, even though this task was reserved for the priests only:

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

Another example of a (at least temporary) disqualification of a king in office is Nebuchadnezzar. Because of his persecution of Daniel and his three friends and his pride in himself and his refusal to acknowledge the true God in an even intellectual way, God removed him from office for seven years, and only restored him to the office of king after his “repentance” in a physical way (we are not speaking of “spiritual” repentance necessary to obtain salvation—Nebuchadnezzar was never called in this life for spiritual salvation).

We read God’s pronouncement and punishment of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:16: “Let his heart be changed from that of a man, Let him be given the heart of a beast, And let seven times pass over him.” The following is added in verses 25-27:

“They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules. Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

But Nebuchadnezzar did not heed the warning. He did not cease from acting in pride, and so God brought about what He had proclaimed. He took away for seven times or years his “heart of man” and replaced it with “the heart of a beast,” which seems to indicate that God replaced his human spirit with an animal spirit. But at the end of the time, his understanding returned to him, and he gave praise to Daniel’s God, even though there is no indication that he became a true worshipper of God and forsook his pagan gods.

Another example is the way God reacted when Israel under Moses sinned greatly in building a golden calf. We read in Exodus 32:9-10: “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.’”

Moses pleaded with God, and He relented, but He still inflicted great punishment on the people and as it turned out, the entire generation would die in the wilderness, and not one of them was allowed to enter the Promised Land except for Joshua and Caleb. The lesson to take from this episode is that God was prepared to change His plan regarding the people whom He had brought out of slavery and to begin all over again with Moses and his descendants (similar to what God had done when He wiped out all flesh in the Great Flood and began anew with Noah and his descendants).

Even though God had a physical role for some people to be used for aspects of His plan (Israel, under Moses, was supposed to become a holy nation in a physical sense; they had never been offered salvation), He might replace those people if they continually act against standards which God considers as essential.

For argument’s sake, let us assume that God has set aside a particular individual of power for the purpose of participating in the building of the Third Temple (which is necessary to be built before Christ can return), because that particular individual appears to be the most logical and qualified person for that task, but if that person continues to live and rule in a way which is not pleasing to God, while even acknowledging that his chances to “get to heaven” (as mainstream Christianity erroneously believes) are rather slim, but not doing anything about it, then God might very well decide to give that task to someone else. After all, Esau lost his birthright and the blessing which were given to Jacob instead, and Jacob’s firstborn son Reuben, due to his sinful conduct, lost his birthright, which was given to Joseph.

God’s plan will stand, no matter what man does, but those who will be given a chance to fulfill parts of God’s plan, even in physical ways, should reflect on the fact that God can give and that He can take away (Job 1:21).

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“Trump and Putin vs. EU and Ukraine?,” a  new StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Trump’s and Putin’s original “peace plan” for ending the Russia-Ukrainian war has alarmed and angered the EU. They feel betrayed and are deeply suspicious of the underlying motives. As a result, they consider the “nuclear option,” which would have devastating consequences for America’s economy. 

“Trump und Putin gegen die EU und die Ukraine?,” a new AufPostenStehen program presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

A new Member Letter (December 2025) has been posted and mailed to our subscribers. Pastor Rene Messier reflects on himself and his wife, Delia, observing the Feast of Tabernacles with a small number of members who were unable to attend our overseas site.

“What Is the Work of God?,” our newest booklet written by Evangelist Norbert Link, has been forwarded to graphic designer Shelly Bruno in preparation for printing.

“The Truth About Christmas” is the latest short video that has been posted on YouTube.

“Wird Trump den Dritten Tempel bauen?” is the title of this Sabbath’s German sermon presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “Will Trump Build the Third Temple?”

“Sind Sabbat-Verweigerer chancenlos mit ihren Argumenten?,” last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Matthias Griesinger, is now posted. Title in English: “Do Those Who Refuse to Observe the Sabbath Stand No Chance With Their Arguments?”

“America in Decline and Free Fall?—Comments on News and Prophecy, November 29, 2025,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

The Bible tells us that America’s decline is inevitable. It is far from over! In fact, the signs indicate that the downfall, which has begun, is irreversible. At the same time, a great power in Europe is rising, which is also explained in God’s Word. In this message, many examples will be given which prove the accuracy of these prophecies.

“Do We Overlook Important Lessons in the Book of Job?,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

The Book of Job is a multifaceted book that is as relevant today as ever. How do we react when we suffer seemingly “without cause”? Do we feel that God is acting unjustly toward us? Do we become entangled in contradictions and, because of our suffering, forget important insights? How do we “comfort” and “teach” someone else who is suffering? Are we sure that our assessment of the situation also applies to that person? Are we truly helping, or are we merely “miserable comforters”? How does God give us answers? What is the true meaning of the Book of Job? And what other inspired truths does it contain for us?