On October 1, 2022, Michael Link will present the first split-sermon, titled, “The Power of Three,” and Kalon Mitchell will present the second split-sermon titled, “Do Simple Better.”

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.

The Day of Atonement will be observed on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, and services will be broadcast live beginning at 12:30 pm Pacific Time.

Eric Rank will present the Offertory, titled, “Treasure of the Heart,” and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “Reconciled to God.”

This will be our last Update until after the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day.

When I was doing field studies for my undergraduate degree in NY many years ago, I became fascinated with a lighthouse at the far end of Long Island. The Montauk lighthouse is the last bit of stonework between NY and Portugal. It was commissioned by George Washington in 1792 and was completed in 1796. It is among the oldest such beacons in the United States. However, there are quite a few lighthouses around the world that date back many generations.

The oldest is said to be the Hercules lighthouse in Galicia, Spain, and records date it to the 2^nd century AD. Several others built in the 1500’s still survive. On our family trips to the Central California Coast, I became enamored with the Port San Luis Lighthouse that was built in 1890. The complex lens that has guided so many ships is fascinating. By design, theFresnel lens generated alternate red and white flashes of light every 30 seconds and was visible 17 nautical miles (31 km) out to sea. This lens, often referred to as “the invention that saved a million ships,” was retired in 1969 and replaced by a simple electric light.

The point is not to study lighthouses but to draw the parallel to the light of our lives that is God the Father and His Son. How easy it is in this world to lose one’s way. This is what Satan wants for us, for if we lose the path, we lose safe passage around sin. We need God’s light to guide us, and especially when we are lost and vulnerable.

Let’s consider a Scripture in Psalm 119, and in verse 105: “…Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s Word is our lighthouse in this foggy, murky world that is fraught with shoals and shallows. None of us wishes to lose the gift of life that God has given to each of us, but losing one’s opportunity for eternal life is far worse. Sadly, that is exactly what can happen if we miss His light and allow the darkness to guide us. Satan does not wish us to rely on God to avoid the trap of temptation.

Consider the words of Isaiah in chapter 60, and verses 19 and 20: “The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; but the LORD will be to your everlasting light, And your God your glory. Your sun shall no longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.”

 It isn’t just the light of the beacon that guides the ships into a channel and towards the port; the beacon also provides the warning that signals captains to consult the charts and look for danger. The beacon may also be linked with a navigational signal that offers an extra measure of security. So too, God’s Word is not only the navigational star to guide us, but it also provides us with the warnings that sin is around us, and we can succumb to it if we are not on our guard.

In God’s Kingdom after the Millennium, there will be no need for the sun and the moon—nor for the lamp. In Revelation 22, and in verse 5, we read: “There shall be no night there: they need no lamp, nor the light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” This Scripture points us back to Isaiah, both in chapter 60 as referenced above, and chapter 9 where he foreshadowed the coming light that was and is Jesus Christ. Jesus told us that He was the light of our lives in John 8, and in verse 12, where we read: “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’”

The point is that we need Jesus and the Father to navigate our course of action in this world. Without God’s mercy, we might wander aimlessly and become ensnared in the many traps that Satan sets for people in general, and the brethren in particular. We can only overcome this world by and through Jesus Christ.

 In Micah 7, and in verse 8, we read: “…the LORD will be a light to me.” The Israelites paid a price for losing their way to sinfulness, but God was merciful with them as He is with us. When we repent and obey, when we are sorrowful and seek Him, He will be there to guide our way. When we turn our thoughts, actions, and obedience to God, He does not abandon us. He will guide our path and strengthen us, but we must ask in faith and in obedience. And as we read in Numbers 6, and in verse 25, the outcome is like nothing we can imagine: “The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.”

 When we have faith and obey God’s commands, we can walk in His light, rather than stumble into evil. God’s expectation of us is simple: follow and obey! In Proverbs 6, and in verses 20 through 23, we see this clearly: “My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you, when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life…”

We know that God has given those of us whom He has called the path to follow and the beacon to light our way.

by Norbert Link

We begin with an explosive and prophetically relevant article, posing the question whether Europe will break with the United States. Biblical prophecy answers this question in the clear affirmative.

We report on dramatic comments by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and blasphemous statements by California’s Governor Gavin Newsom. We also publish a highly controversial and thought-provoking article about the US government and more of Biden’s embarrassing public statements. We also report on Canada’s decision to remove all COVID-19 travel measures.

We continue reporting on the situation in Russia and Ukraine, and report on damage, inflicted by apparent sabotage on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. We also publish an article by the New York Times about an interview with Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, revealing again Scholz’s weak and indecisive leadership, or its complete lack, coupled with signs of self-delusion.

Turning to dramatic events in Italy, we report on the victory of far-right Giorgia Meloni in the parliamentary elections, combined with the return of Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi, and ask what this could mean for the USA.

We speak on the unprecedented fall of the British pound and conclude with an article about the Catholic Church and Antichrist.

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

Will Europe Break With the United States?

On September 24, 2022, the Ron Paul Institute republished the following article by Sonar21.com:

“I received a great question from a German reader who also happens to be a journalist. He asked, ‘What would be a way and what would be the practical implications if Europe in general and Germany in particular were to break with the US in order to find a European peace and economic framework including Russia?’

“The craven sycophancy demonstrated by Germany, France and the United Kingdom in their passionate embrace of America’s confrontation with Russia is now on life support. Despite continued bombastic threats to keep arming Ukraine until Russia collapses, economic reality is hitting the Europeans like an icy cold shower from a fire hose. Rapid inflation, particularly in the energy sector, is forcing factories and businesses to shutter operations. The de-industrialization of Europe, especially Germany and the UK, has started. German steel plants are closing, German bakeries are trying to figure out how to pay soaring utility bills while still making bread and pretzels and German toilet-paper manufacturer Hakle GmbH has applied for insolvency proceedings in self-administration…

“So, the economic situation in each of the countries is going to create enormous domestic pressure for the respective European governments, which currently are cheer-leading Ukraine and cursing Russia, to rethink their policies. The Russia/Ukraine war already has created significant fissures among EU members, with Hungary refusing to impose further sanctions on Russia. Cold, hungry voters will become increasingly outraged at sending millions of dollars to Ukraine while deprivation multiples from Berlin to London.

“Europe’s rift with Russia is huge and Russia is not in a mood to forgive… Russia holds the critical trump card–it can turn on the flow of gas and oil essential to rekindle manufacturing and home heating in Europe…

“How about Europe breaking with NATO? Or, more simply put, the breakup of NATO. Up to this point Europe has embraced the delusion that Russia cannot function economically without a European market. The last six months of Russia’s Special Military Operation have proven that the opposite is true–without Russia’s key resources Europe is a dead economy walking naked into a frozen winter.

“Europe’s two largest trading partners are China and the United States. Europe runs a trade deficit with China. If China demands payment in dollars, rather than Euros, then the inflationary pressure on Europe will escalate… the value of the US dollar has soared relative to the Euro and British pound sterling. They will have to spend more Euros to buy dollars, which means the trade deficit with China is likely to worsen.

“The situation with the United States is the opposite. The United States has run a deficit with Europe who, in turn, has enjoyed a surplus. That surplus will go away or, at a minimum, shrink dramatically. Germany’s ability to export products to the United States will weaken because of the price of the dollar and because European factories will close or cut back on production.

“Barring a miracle turnaround–i.e, inflation disappears and the energy crisis dissipates–the situation in Europe will become more dire. The history of these kinds of economic upheaval is littered with the corpses of politicians that insisted on pushing policies that hurt their voters. Germany’s [Weimar] Republic’s failure paved the way for the rise of Adolf Hitler to power…

“The United States is facing its own looming economic disaster. The collapse of the stock market–now down over 20% since the first of the year–is likely to continue. Notwithstanding the Biden administration’s strident insistence that there is no recession, the signs of recession are mounting, especially in the housing market. But the worsening economic picture is not yet sufficient to generate the necessary political pressure among the… American electorate to back away from sending billions to Ukraine. A major shock of stagflation or a collapse of the Ukrainian army, however, could change that calculus…

“Russia’s burgeoning trade and military relations with China, Iran, India and Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Brazil is making Putin’s position stronger, not weaker. The eventual collapse of Ukraine as a result of a wrecked economy and/or battlefield defeats, will be more than a black eye for NATO and, by extension, Europe… The age of the United States’ Colossus is nearing its end…”

Very true on all counts.

The USA Would Lose World War III?

The Daily Mail wrote on September 24:

“Former President Trump said he hopes [he] is ‘wrong’ about the possibility of World War III because the U.S. is being run by ‘stupid people’ at a rally in Wilmington, N.C. on Friday…, as he predicted the U.S. would lose a conflict to Russia.”

The US WILL lose World War III, but the victor will be a United States of Europe.

Clinton: Trump the New Hitler?

Newsmax wrote on September 24:

“Hillary Clinton on Friday likened former President Donald Trump’s supporters to Nazis, and Trump himself to Adolf Hitler. ‘I remember as a young student, you know, trying to figure out, how people get basically drawn in by Hitler. How did that happen? I’d watch newsreels and I’d see this guy standing up there ranting and raving, and people shouting and raising their arms. I thought, “What’s happened to these people?”’ Clinton said Friday at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, miming the Nazi Sig Heil salute.

“‘You saw the rally in Ohio the other night,’ she continued… ‘Trump is there ranting and raving for more than an hour, and you have these rows of young men with their arms raised. I thought, “What is going on?”’…

“Clinton’s comments come after President Joe Biden at the beginning of September referred to the ‘MAGA’ voters of Trump as a threat to the United States.”

The verbal assassinations on all sides, with potential PRACTICAL consequences, are increasing.

Newsom Guilty of Biblical Distortion

Fox News wrote on September 22:

“Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is taking flak from Christians who are offended by his multi-state billboard campaign that promotes abortion by quoting Jesus. Last week, Newsom took to Twitter to tout the billboards his gubernatorial campaign is erecting in Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and four other ‘anti-freedom’ states where abortion is restricted or outlawed. Some versions of the billboards, all of which urge women in such states to come to California to get abortions, advertise the state’s easily obtainable abortions by quoting Mark 12:31, where Jesus says, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.’…

“The idea that Newsom is using the words of Jesus Christ, the Holy Scriptures, to promote the killing of unborn children as somehow loving and commanded by God is quite frankly disgusting,’ said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law & Justice, in a statement to Fox News Digital…

“Many Twitter users echoed Sekulow’s sentiment, including Matthew P. Schneider, a Roman Catholic priest who serves as adjunct professor of theology at Belmont Abbey College in Charlotte, North Carolina. He described Newsom’s billboards as ‘one of the [worst] distortions of a Bible passage I’ve ever seen.’ ‘Shame on [Newsom] and his government,’ Schneider said. ‘The most basic level of loving your neighbor as yourself is not killing your neighbor, yet that’s exactly what abortion does.’…

“‘Good Catholic’ [Newsom] is now using Bible scriptures to encourage women to come to California to abort their babies,’ wrote David Giglio, a former congressional candidate who is also a Catholic. ‘A truly shameful display…’”

Other leading Democrats have taken similar positions as Newsom on the issue of abortion, when citing the Bible.

The US Government… Not To Be Trusted

On September 22, the Ron Paul Institute republished the following article by the Rutherford Institute:

“The US government has become a master of deceit… This is a government that lies, cheats, steals, spies, kills, maims, enslaves, breaks the laws, overreaches its authority, and abuses its power at almost every turn; treats its citizens like faceless statistics and economic units to be bought, sold, bartered, traded, and tracked; and wages wars for profit, jails its own people for profit, and has no qualms about spreading its reign of terror abroad.

“Worse, this is a government that has become almost indistinguishable from the evil it claims to be fighting…

“With every passing day, it becomes painfully clear that this is not a government that can be trusted with your life, your loved ones, your livelihood or your freedoms….

“[We] have the makings of a restructuring of reality straight out of Orwell’s 1984, where the Ministry of Truth polices speech and ensures that facts conform to whatever version of reality the government propagandists embrace.

“We’ve already seen this play out on the state and federal level with hate crime legislation that cracks down on so-called ‘hateful’ thoughts and expression, encourages self-censoring and reduces free debate on various subject matter.

“The end goal of these mind-control campaigns—packaged in the guise of the greater good—is to see how far the American people will allow the government to go in re-shaping the country in the image of a totalitarian police state.

“The government’s fear-mongering is yet another key element in its mind-control programming. National crises, global pandemics, reported terrorist attacks, and sporadic shootings leave us in a constant state of fear. The emotional panic that accompanies fear actually shuts down the prefrontal cortex or the rational thinking part of our brains…

“Fear not only increases the power of government, but it also divides the people into factions, persuades them to see each other as the enemy and keeps them screaming at each other so that they drown out all other sounds…”

Biden’s Embarrassing Errors

The New York Post wrote on September 28:

“President Biden asked for the late Rep. Jackie Walorski to identify herself at a Washington event Wednesday, forgetting that the Indiana Republican died in a car crash last month. Biden made the embarrassing error while thanking bipartisan members of Congress at a nutrition event near the White House. ‘I want to thank all of you here, including bipartisan elected officials like Representative [Jim] McGovern, Senator [Mike] Braun, Senator [Cory] Booker, Representative Jackie — are you here? Where’s Jackie? — I think she was going to be here,’ the president said.

“Biden, 79, is the oldest-ever president and his mental acuity is regularly questioned by his political foes…

“The White House on Aug. 3 released a statement from Biden mourning [Jackie] Walorski after she perished in an Indiana wreck alongside her press secretary, Emma Thomson, and St. Joseph County Republican Party chairman Zachery Potts… ‘Jill and I are shocked and saddened by the death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski of Indiana along with two members of her staff in a car accident today in Indiana,’ Biden said at the time… The flag atop the White House was flown at half-staff for two days after Walorski’s death and the congresswoman’s brother, Keith Walorski, told the Post that Biden called the family to offer his condolences.

“Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, allege that Biden is in mental decline. Those claims resurfaced after video showed first lady Jill Biden directed her husband where to go during another event Wednesday celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act…

“Biden’s record of forehead-slapping statements includes asking Missouri state Sen. Chuck Graham to stand up during a 2008 campaign event — before realizing too late that Graham was in a wheelchair…

“The president also has a habit of using improper words at awkward points in speeches. During a Middle East trip in July, for example, Biden told an audience in Israel that ‘we must … keep alive the truth and honor the Holocaust’ before correcting himself to say ‘horror of the Holocaust.’  Days later, in Saudi Arabia, Biden said during a speech: ‘We’ll always honor the bravery and selfishness — selflessness of the — and sacrifices of the Americans who served, including my son, Major Beau Biden, who was stationed in Iraq for a year.’

“Meanwhile, the president has regularly shared stories that either are false or impossible to verify. In January, Biden told students at historically black colleges in Atlanta that he was arrested during civil rights protests — for which there is no evidence. Biden in September 2021 told Jewish leaders that he remembered ‘spending time at’ and ‘going to’ the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh after the mass murder of 11 people there in 2018. The synagogue said he never visited and the White House later said he was thinking about a 2019 phone call to the synagogue’s rabbi.

“Also last September, Biden told an Idaho audience that his ‘first job offer’ came from local lumber and wood products business Boise Cascade. The company said it was news to them and Biden had not previously described an interest in moving to the state.

“And In May, Biden said at the Naval Academy’s graduation ceremony that he was appointed to the military school in 1965 by the late Sen. J. Caleb Boggs (R-Del.). A search of Boggs’ archives failed to turn up evidence of the appointment.”

Canada Removes All COVID-19 Travel Measures

National Post wrote on September 26:

“The federal government is removing all remaining COVID-19 related travel measures, ending masks on planes, vaccine mandates and the mandatory use of the ArriveCan app… Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the government had been following the science and now believes it is safe to relax these measures, starting Oct. 1.

“‘Based on the data accumulated over the last few weeks and months, we are announcing that the Government of Canada will not renew the order in council that expires on September 30 and will therefore remove all COVID-19 border requirements for all travellers entering Canada,’ he said… He strongly advised Canadians to get vaccinated and receive third or even fourth doses…

“Airlines, airports, tourism associations and other groups all called for the government to abandon the app and vaccine mandates months ago. Many other countries have scrapped similar requirements, though people travelling into the United States are still required to show proof of vaccination.”

It is hoped that the USA will likewise remove all travel restrictions very soon.

Russia’s Desperate Attempts to Win the War

AFP wrote on September 25:

“Russia on Saturday toughened penalties for voluntary surrender and refusal to fight with up to 10 years imprisonment, and replaced its top logistics general after a series of setbacks to its seven-month war in Ukraine. The tough new amendments and personnel change come days after Russia instigated partial mobilization with Kyiv taking back more and more territory in a counter-offensive. It also comes as Kremlin-held regions of eastern and southern Ukraine voted for a second day on becoming part of Russia, dramatically raising the stakes. Integrating the four regions into Russia would mean that Moscow would consider any military move there as an attack on its own territory…

“Military-age men have sought to leave, with flights full and neighboring countries receiving an influx of Russians, including Georgia where 2,300 private vehicles were waiting to enter at one crossing, regional Russian authorities said… A separate law, also signed on Saturday, facilitates Russian citizenship for foreigners who enlist in the Russian army as the Kremlin seeks to bolster its ranks…

“UN investigators on Friday accused Russia of committing war crimes on a ‘massive scale’ in Ukraine — listing bombings, executions, torture and horrific sexual violence. In the eastern Kharkiv region, Ukrainian officials said they had exhumed 447 bodies from a site near the city of Izyum, which was recaptured from Russian forces. The Kremlin has accused Kyiv of fabricating evidence of the alleged war crimes.”

Newsmax wrote on September 25:

“The United States warned on Sunday of ‘catastrophic consequences’ if Moscow were to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, after Russia’s foreign minister said regions holding widely-criticized referendums would get full protection if annexed by Moscow…”

The U.S. Sun wrote on September 28:

“RUSSIA claims to have won the ‘SHAM’ referendums as voting ended in Russian-held regions of Ukraine. Moscow-installed officials in the regions are now claiming almost total support among those who took part as Russian sources reported that 96% of voters want to join Putin’s regime.

“The ballots closed in Donetsk and Lugansk in the east and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south… Western leaders have already slammed the votes.”

Nord Stream Pipeline Network Sabotaged?

Breitbart wrote on September 21:

“The Kremlin said on Tuesday that it cannot rule out ‘sabotage’ as the cause of significant damage to the Nord Stream pipeline network that carries gas from Russia to Germany. The same thought occurred to various European officials as they turned gimlet eyes upon Russia as a potential suspect…

“‘The multiple undersea leaks mean neither pipeline will likely deliver any gas to the EU over the coming winter, irrespective of political developments in the Ukraine war. Depending on the scale of the damage, the leaks could even mean a permanent closure of both lines,’ a notice from the Eurasia Group, a risk consulting firm, said on Tuesday… ‘We are talking about three leaks with some distance between them, and that’s why it is hard to imagine that it is a coincidence,’ Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen observed.”

Germany’s Olaf Scholz Battle With the New York Times

The New York Times wrote on September 25:

“Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany gets right to the point when asked why his country will not send battle tanks to Ukraine: It is ‘a very dangerous war,’ he said. Ukraine has made gains recently against Russia, which invaded the country in February, and has been asking the West for reinforcements. But Germany has declined to lead the way in sending that aid… it took months and the threat of a parliamentary vote before [Scholz] approved any shipments of heavy weapons…

“But Mr. Scholz has refused to provide Ukraine with Leopard battle tanks or Marder infantry fighting vehicles, which Ukrainian officials have repeatedly asked for… Mr. Scholz’s refusal — which goes against the will of many even inside his own governing coalition — has earned him noisy and near-unanimous criticism among Germany’s Eastern European neighbors, not least in Ukraine. Commanders along the front say the Germans’ reluctance to provide battle tanks points to a policy of seeking a negotiated settlement along existing lines, rather than a Ukrainian success in pushing out the Russians…

“Pressed on that question in the interview with The Times, Mr. Scholz bristled. ‘Leadership does not mean you do what people ask you,’ he said. ‘Leadership is about taking the right decisions and to be very strong. And this is what I’m doing.’… In the interview, Mr. Scholz rejected any suggestion that the United States might in fact welcome Germany’s stepping up and taking the lead on sending battle tanks, which are cumbersome to transport, especially across an ocean… But after Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive, the U.S. Embassy in Berlin posted on Twitter what many interpreted as a veiled invitation to Germany: ‘We call on all allies and partners to lend as much support as possible to Ukraine in its struggle for democratic sovereignty,’ the embassy tweeted. ‘The decision on the type of aid ultimately lies with each country.’

“This month’s battlefield gains by Ukrainian forces have only added to the pressure on Mr. Scholz, whose government has cited different reasons at different times for not sending tanks. After Mr. Scholz’s defense minister, Christine Lambrecht, said this month that Germany had to hold onto its tanks to fulfill its obligations to NATO, the alliance’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said that arming Ukraine was more important…

“Even within Germany, impatience has been building. ‘All of Europe is waiting for Germany to make the first step,’ said Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a member of the Free Democrats, one of the three parties in Mr. Scholz’s coalition government, and the head of the parliamentary defense committee.

“Mr. Scholz’s caution was also evident during the interview in his reluctance to detail his own vision for how the war might end… Did he want Ukraine to win? ‘Russia can’t win,’ was as far as he would go…

“For a chancellor with a robotic manner that long ago earned him the nickname ‘Scholz-o-mat,’ there were moments during the sometimes tense interview with The Times when Mr. Scholz was surprisingly emotional when reacting to questions that challenged him. Several times, he berated journalists for asking those. Asked why Germany will still not spend 2 percent of gross domestic product on military spending in the next couple of years, as Mr. Scholz has said it would, he snapped: ‘Asking that question is not serious, to be very honest.’…

“But Mr. Putin’s veiled threat last week of a tactical nuclear strike when he was announcing the force buildup and promising to see the war through has been resonating in Berlin. ‘Unfortunately, nuclear blackmail seems to be working in Germany,’ said Claudia Major, the head of security policy at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. ‘If the chancellor is serious about leading, he will have to show initiative and, yes, step up,’ Ms. Major said. ‘Doing a lot and leading is not the same thing.’”

Scholz’s claim that he is a strong leader is a bad joke.. and a tragic self-illusion… His inability to lead is more than obvious.

Italy’s Move to the Right

ABC News wrote on September 24:

“Giorgia Meloni, leader of Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy), could become the first female prime minister in the history of Italy…

“The archconservative of Italian politics, Meloni entered politics at age 15 in 1992, joining the neo-fascist Social Movement, a group with pronounced sympathy for Benito Mussolini, the country’s dictator from 1925 to 1945. Fratelli d’Italia’s party imagery evokes Italy’s fascist past…

“The collapse of Draghi’s government in July threw Italy into a familiar political tumult… The right wing, though, has joined forces. Polls indicate Meloni will be the leading conservative finisher on Sunday; her government’s junior partners would be Matteo Salvini, leader of the League, and Silvio Berlusconi, the head of the center-right Forza Italia. Berlusconi, the media tycoon and conservative firebrand, rose to power in 1994 and won three stints as prime minister, in total the longest serving premier in the post-war era. Salvini has been seen as the conservative in the wings of Palazzo Chigi, while Meloni had led the smaller Fratelli d’Italia, distant from the mainstream…

“Anticipation for a far-right surge in Rome, which would follow closely behind Tuesday’s stunning electoral victory for the Swedish Democrats, a party with neo-Nazi origins, has already provoked barbed remarks from Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission chief. Von der Leyen was not keen to veil Brussels’ posture toward a government that could move to subvert democracy…”

Deutsche Welle wrote on September 26:

“The center-right coalition led by nationalist Giorgia Meloni secured a parliamentary majority in Italy’s general elections on Sunday, according to exit polls… the main center-left group, the Democratic Party, conceded defeat… Although she has been known for her euroskeptic stance, she has abandoned her calls for Rome to ditch the eurozone. Instead, she wants Italy to assert its interests more in the European Union.

“Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki, congratulated Meloni after exit polls showed that her coalition was winning. ‘In these difficult times, we need more than ever friends who share a common vision and approach to Europe’s challenges,’ said Orban’s political adviser Balazs Orban. Lawmakers from the German far-right AfD party and the French National Rally party have also hailed the right-wing victory in Italy. ‘We celebrate with Italy!’ AfD lawmaker Beatrix von Storch wrote late Sunday on Twitter. ‘Sweden in the north, Italy in the south: left-wing governments are yesterday’s news,’ she wrote…

“Given the complicated electoral system and the likelihood of coalition negotiations, the first session of the new parliament and formation of a new government is liable to take weeks, as it tends to in Germany after a national vote.”

The Associated Press wrote on September 26:

“Differences among Meloni’s potential coalition partners could loom. She has solidly backed the supplying of Ukraine with arms to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. In contrast, right-wing League leader Matteo Salvini, who before the war was a staunch admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has voiced concern that Western sanctions could end up hurting Italy’s economic interests more that punishing Russia’s.

“Former Premier Silvio Berlusconi, another long-time Putin admirer, has said that his inclusion in a center-right bloc’s coalition would guarantee that Italy stays firmly anchored in the European Union and one of its most reliable members…

“What kind of government the eurozone’s third-largest economy might be getting was being closely watched in Europe, given Meloni’s criticism of ‘Brussels bureaucrats’ and her ties to other right-wing leaders. She recently defended Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban after the European Commission recommended suspending billions of euros in funding to Hungary over concerns about democratic backsliding and the possible mismanagement of EU money.”

Further developments in Italy could be significant, from a prophetic standpoint.

What Italy’s Election Could Mean for the USA

On September 26, The Ron Paul Institute wrote the following:

“Sunday was an historic election day for Italy. A conservative alliance with a populist flair absolutely trounced the technocrats who had been running the country into the ground for the past several years. The previous prime minister, former Goldman Sachs banker Mario Draghi, implemented one of the most restrictive – and inhuman – Covid shutdowns, which, along with supporting economically suicidal sanctions against Russia, have left Italy an economic basket case…

“Ironically, the democratic victory of Meloni and the rest of the Italian right likely owes a great deal of gratitude to one of Europe’s most undemocratic and anti-democratic leaders: European Union Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen… her message to Italian voters was ‘yes you can vote, but if you vote in a way I do not approve of, you will be punished.’ Italians rushed to vote in a way she did not approve of. It will be interesting to see what happens.

“How does any of this relate to the United States as the US moves closer to the midterm elections? Americans have also been given warnings by the political elites that they dare not vote for the ‘wrong’ candidates or parties.

“On September 1st, President Biden issued a warning similar to that of Europe’s von der Leyen. In one of the most bizarre speeches in political history, Biden warned that Trump supporters ‘…are determined to take this country backwards — backwards to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry who you love. They promote authoritarian leaders, and they fan the flames of political violence that are a threat to our personal rights, to the pursuit of justice, to the rule of law, to the very soul of this country.’… it was a declaration of war against half of the country.”

It is also very interesting that America has been taken backwards under Biden in many different ways when considering the threats and attempts of abandoning constitutional rights of America’s citizens.

British Pound at All Time Low

BBC wrote on September 27:

“The pound has fallen to a record low against the dollar… If the pound stays at low levels against the dollar, imports of commodities priced in dollars, including oil and gas, will be more costly. Other imported goods could also become considerably more expensive, further pushing up inflation which is already at its highest rate for decades….

“Many people don’t think about exchange rates until it’s time to swap money for a foreign holiday. When you travel abroad, things will be more expensive if the pound buys less of the local currency. However, a fall in the pound affects household finances too.

“If the pound is worth less, the cost of importing goods from overseas goes up. For example, as oil is priced in dollars a weak pound can make filling up your car with petrol more expensive. Gas is also priced in dollars.

“Technology goods, like iPhones, that are made abroad, may get more expensive in UK shops. Even things that are made in the UK but from parts that are bought abroad can get much more expensive.”

The Catholic Church and Antichrist

LifeSiteNews wrote on September 23:

“Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller revealed in a new interview that during the discussions at the recent 29–30 August meeting of the College of Cardinals in Rome, a newly appointed cardinal and key papal advisor suggested that the power of the Pope over the Church is ‘unlimited.’ Müller reported that Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J., a canon lawyer who helped the Pope with his curial reform, presented the ‘theory of the papacy as an unlimited power of divine right over the whole Church, as if the Pope were a Deus in terris [God on earth].’

“The German cardinal explained further that the ‘new cardinal Ghirlanda, S.J, as the most important advisor to the Pope in the reform of the curia, holds the view that everything the popes have ever said or done in the history of the Church is a dogma or a law de jure divino [by divine right].’…

“Müller made it clear that ‘the Pope has no authority to change the teaching of the Church.’ That teaching, he expounded, is ‘anchored in the revelation of God.’ ‘For in doing so, he would exalt himself as a man above God,’ he added.

“…the German bishops think they can make up a new teaching that is not loyal to the Church’s constant teaching. They do not only want to change the Church in Germany, the German prelate explained, but they want to carry their reforms to Rome. ‘In their blind arrogance,’ he stated, ‘they are not thinking of schism, but of taking over the Universal Church…They claim the leading role in the Universal Church.’… And here Cardinal Müller made a reference to the Antichrist: ‘Their [the German bishops’] goal is the transformation of the Church of the Triune God into a worldly welfare organization (NGO).

“‘Then we would finally have arrived at the “religion of universal brotherhood,” i.e. a religion without the God of revelation in Christ, without a truth that reaches beyond finite reason, without dogmas and sacraments as means of grace necessary for salvation – just as the great Russian religious philosopher Vladimir Soloviev described it in his writing Short Narrative of the Antichrist (1899). The world ruler of the universal philanthropy without God is contradicted here by Pope Peter II by hurling the confession against the Antichrist, who has spread himself on the throne of God…

“‘The German cardinal reminded Catholics of their duty, in light of this extreme Church crisis, to defy the commands of the Antichrist and his minions and to stay loyal to Jesus Christ and witness to Him… In a world where people presume to be God, to recreate themselves and to redeem themselves (cf. the main advisor of the New World Order: Yuval Noah Harari, Homo Deus [Man is God]), for us Christians there remains only the testimony of the word and, if necessary, of blood, that only the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is our Savior, because He has overcome the world, its arrogance and its sin and death as the wages of sin.’”

The reality is, popes have exalted themselves above God, and the final representative will do so even more. He will sit in the temple of God, claiming to be God. This, in conjunction with other developments, will be the ultimate fulfillment of the “abomination of desolation.”

 Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

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

In the previous installment, we began discussing the history of the Stone of Destiny and its relationship with the Throne of David. In this second installment, we will continue with astonishing claims in this regard.

1. Wallace Connon wrote in “The Stone of Destiny,” cp. 1951:

“Tradition identifies this stone with the one upon which Jacob rested his head at Bethel… Jacob’s sons carried it to Egypt, and from thence it passed to Spain with King Garthelus, son of Cecops, the builder of Athens.  About 700 B.C., it appears in Ireland… there it was placed upon the sacred hill of Tara, and called ‘Lia-Fail, the ‘fatal’ stone, or ‘stone of destiny’… Fergus II (d. 501), the founder of the Scottish monarchy and one of the Blood Royal of Ireland, received it in Scotland, and King Kenneth (d. 860) finally deposited it in the monastery of Scotland (846)… Upon the stone their kings, down to John Baliol, were crowned.

… after the death of Zedekiah [it] was carried by a migrating colony, with ‘Scota the King’s daughter’ under the leadership of the prophet Jeremiah.

“There is no record of what Jacob did with the Stone, but it is hardly likely that he who had had such a dream, and believed its import, would leave it lying just where he ‘set it up’; it is more likely that, at the earliest opportunity, he secured its safe keeping as an heirloom for the generations to some, the seed that were to be ‘as the dust of the earth.’”

In commenting on Jacob’s SECOND visit of Bethel in Genesis 35, it is stated:

“Is it not a reasonable suggestion that he used for this second occasion the same ‘pillar of stone’ as when at Bethel the previous time he had received his first promise from God?…

“It is but fair also to mention the Mohammedan belief that Jacob’s Stone was brought to Jerusalem, and is still preserved in the mosque now standing where the Temple once stood.”

We do not believe that the Stone is in Jerusalem AT THIS POINT, but it is interesting that the Muslims believe that “Jacob’s Stone” had been brought to Jerusalem at one time.

Much information about the history of the Stone of Destiny is provided by E. Raymond Capt, “Jacobs’s Pillar,” cp. 1977.

Capt draws a connection between the pillar, mentioned in 2 Kings 11:13, 14, with Jacob’s pillar stone, saying: “In the Revised Standard Version it is rendered, ‘standing by THE PILLAR, as was their custom,’ the article ‘the’ denoted a particular pillar, by, or upon, which it was the custom of Israel to crown their kings.” He also refers to 2 Chronicles 23:13, describing the king standing “at the pillar.” Later, Capt refers to Hosea 3:4, stating:

“‘The children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a sacrifice, and WITHOUT AN IMAGE,’ or as the marginal reading gives it, ‘WITHOUT A STANDING PILLAR.’ Young’s Exhaustive Concordance gives, among other definitions of the original Hebrew word, both ‘Memorial stone’ and ‘pillar.’ Other authorities give us ‘pillar-rock’ and ‘pillar stone’ as the correct rendering. All this justifies our conclusion that the pillar in question is the Bethel Pillar Stone which was used as a Coronation Stone and retained by the royal family which ruled over the remnant of Judah until the overthrow of Zedekiah.”

Later, when referring to Jeremiah 15:14; Isaiah 37:31 and Jeremiah 1:10, Capt states:

“Since the planting and building was to take place in a land that Jeremiah did not know, it could not have been Egypt, Palestine or Babylon, or any of the small nations around Palestine. The expression ‘to pass’ is significant, for it implies travel by sea, passage by boat. … Upon leaving Egypt, Jeremiah would doubtless have had in his possession the Stone of Bethel…

“The ‘History of Ireland’ … states that the ancient Irish, called the ‘Danai’ or ‘Danes’, separated from Israel around the time of the Exodus from Egypt, crossed to Greece and then invaded Ireland. The ‘Tuatha De Danann’, means the ‘Tribe of Dan.’ The ‘Leabha Gabhala’, or ‘Book of Conquests of Ireland’, give their earlier name as ‘Tuathta De’, meaning ‘People of God.’… the ships of the Tuatha De Danann are accredited with bringing Jeremiah and Jacob’s Pillar to Ireland…

“Many of the ancient Irish records, when making reference to an ‘eastern king’s daughter,’ also mention an old man; ‘a patriarch, a saint, a prophet’, called ‘Ollam Fodhla’ and his scribe-companion called ‘Simon Brug, Brach, Break, Barech, Berach’, as it is variously spelled. Reportedly, they carried with them many ancient relics. Among these were a harp, an ark or chest, and a stone called, in Gaelic, ‘Lia -Fail’… meaning ‘Stone of Fate’ or ‘History of Destiny.’

“Tradition asserts that Ollam Fodhla was none other than Jeremiah, the prophet; that the king’s daughter was the heir of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. Simon Brug (Baruch) was Jeremiah’s scribe who figures prominently in Biblical history, and the harp was the one belonging to King David.  The ark or chest was the Ark of the Covenant. Finally, that the stone, ‘Lia Fail’ was the stone that Jacob anointed with oil at Bethel.”

Capt then relates several versions of the story as to how Jeremiah planted the throne of David in Ireland:

“One story relating to Scota (a princess from Egypt and daughter of the Pharaoh of Egypt) tells of her son, named ‘Eochaidh’ (later called Eremhon or Heremon, meaning King) marrying a girl named ‘Tea Tephi’… Another version [which seems to be more reliable] lists Tea Tephi as being the daughter and heir of King Zedekiah (Scota, her younger sister, having married in Spain) who accompanied Jeremiah to Ireland to meet and marry Eochaidh. In this version Tea was made Queen at her husband’s coronation (by Jeremiah) on the Stone of Bethel… and the Harp of David became the national emblem.

“… all (versions) agree in the following: The Stone, known as the ‘Stone of Destiny’, came from Spain, and before that, from Egypt. It came in the company of an aged guardian, who was called ‘Ollam Folla’ (Hebrew words that mean ‘revealer’ or ‘prophet’). Eoachaidh (Eremhon) with his Queen Tea Tephi was crowned King of Ireland upon the Stone which remained at the Palace of Team-hair Breagh. It was the Coronation Stone of every ‘Ard-Righ’ (High King) of ‘Eireann’ for a period of about 1010 years; from King Eremhon (The Heremon) to the 131^st Ard-Righ, named ‘Murcheartach.’…”

Regarding the Harp of David, Capt states: “Tradition has it that the Harp of David was brought to Ireland by Jeremiah and is buried with Tea Tephi at Tara. It is a significant fact that the royal arms of Ireland is a representation of the Harp of David, and has been such for 2500 years.”

Capt also points out:

“The crowning of Eochaidh, the son of Scota (daughter of Zedekiah) on the Stone of Destiny completed the first ‘overturn’…”

We need to clarify that the transfer or receipt of the Stone would not constitute the “overturn” or transfer of the crown or the Throne of David, but this claim of the transfer of the Stone, in conjunction with coronations, is interesting and a contributing “visibly manifesting factor,” visualizing a change of location of the crown and Thone of David from Jerusalem to Ireland.

Capt continues:

“… after Fergus the Great… had obtained power of Scotland… he … ask[ed] [the King of Ireland] to send him this stone, to sit upon, for the purpose of being proclaimed King of Scotland… and he [received the stone and was] inaugurated King of Scotland on the same stone, and he was the first King of Scotland of the Scottish nation…

“When the Stone of Destiny landed on Scottish soil, it constituted the second ‘overturn’; the first being its removal from Palestine, through Egypt and Spain, to rest in Ireland…”

Again, the same comments as above apply. The transfer of the Stone does not constitute, per se, the overthrow or transfer of the “crown” or the rulership on the Throne of David from Ireland to Scotland.

Capt continues:

“On Moot Hill stands a stone chapel, marking the place where the Stone of Destiny had rested and where the kings of Scotland presided over their Parliaments until Edward I of England removed the Stone to Westminster Abbey… The third ‘overturn’ of Jacob’s Bethel Stone was realized when Edward I of England (1296 A.D.) carried off the Stone to Westminster Abbey. There it became the crowning stone of the successors to the English throne…”

Again, the same comments as to what constituted the third overthrow or transfer of the crown from Scotland to England apply. Continuing:

“King James VI of Scotland was crowned on the Stone in Westminster Abbey when he became James I of England…

“From the time of King Edward I onward, all the Monarchs of England have been crowned on the ‘Stone of Destiny’ and the Coronation Chair with the exception of Mary I (known as Bloody Mary)… Queen Elizabeth II was crowned upon the Stone in 1953, in fulfillment of God’s Covenant with David…

“… the Monarchy of Britain as well as most of the other monarchies of Europe are descendants from Judah… In the Scottish National Library there is a Gaelic manuscript … containing the complete genealogies of the Scottish Kings, showing their descent through the Irish Kings by way of Judah, Jacob and Isaac back to Abraham. In Windsor Castle there is also a genealogical table showing the descent of the British kings from David through the Irish and Scottish lines. Thus the Monastery existed long before there was a British Nation.”

Sometimes, the question is asked as to whether the Queen of England knew that she was Jewish, and whether her first-born son, King Charles III, also knows about his real heritage. Based on the foregoing, the answer would be yes, but it is a different issue as to whether or not they believed or believe it. On the other hand, according to an article of Die Abendzeitung of July 23, 2013, referring to an article of The Observer, Queen Victoria was convinced that the royal family members were direct descendants of King David, and that partially because of that belief, circumcision was practiced. Allegedly, King Charles III and his brothers Andrew and Edward were also circumcised, but it is unclear whether Charles’ and Diana’s sons William and Harry were.

Capt also makes the following interesting observation:

“One of the most significant facts about the Coronation Stone is that no similar rock formation exists in the British Isles… Odlum discovered a stratum of sandstone near the Red Sea at Bethel, geologically the same as the Coronation Stone…”

In 1996, the Stone was returned to Scotland and is now displayed in Edinburgh Castle. But this transfer of the Stone did not consist another overthrow of the crown and of the Throne of David, since, in any event, no king or queen has been coronated on that stone since its return to Scotland. It is clear that Queen Elizabeth sat on and occupied the Throne of David, and as of today, King Charles III occupies the Thone of David as well.

BBC wrote on September 8:

“At the moment the Queen died, the throne passed immediately and without ceremony to the heir, Charles, the former Prince of Wales… He will be known as King Charles III… The symbolic high point of the accession will be the coronation, when Charles is formally crowned. Because of the preparation needed, the coronation is not likely to happen very soon after Charles’s accession – Queen Elizabeth succeeded to the throne in February 1952, but was not crowned until June 1953. For the past 900 years the coronation has been held in Westminster Abbey – William the Conqueror was the first monarch to be crowned there, and Charles will be the 40th.”

When King Charles III’s coronation as the King of England occurs, it will be interesting to see whether the Stone will be loaned or sent back from Scotland to England for the purpose of the coronation, as did happen before. Even though it would not be necessary for the ongoing fulfillment of God’s promise and His prophecy regarding the crown and the Throne of David, it would still be a remarkable occurrence, given the claims made in regard to the Stone of Destiny or Jacob’s Pillar Stone.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“Achtet auf den Schall der Posaune ,” the sermon presented on the Feast of Trumpets in Germany by Norbert Link, is now posted. Title in English: “Heed the Sound of the Trumpet.”

“Die Posaune Gottes,” the sermonette presented on the Feast of Trumpets in Germany by Manuel Müller, is now posted. Titled in English: “The Trumpet of God.”

“Die kommende prophezeite Verfolgung wahrer Christen,” the sermon presented last Sabbath in Germany by Norbert Link, is now posted. Title in English: “The Coming Prophesied Persecution of True Christians.”

“Der Ruf nach Antworten,” the sermonette presented last Sabbath in Germany by Manuel Giermann, is now posted. Title in English: “The Call for Answers.”

“I Have To,” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Being convicted by the Holy Spirit can often put us in an uncomfortable position. Knowing what the right course of action is in our lives doesn’t make it easy! However, the strength and faith of Christ provide us with what we need to follow through.

“True Worship,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is a summary:

The Bible instructs about what is required for true worship, and it warns about false worship. What about your worship—is it true or is it false?

“Look Inside,” the Offertory presented on the Feast of Trumpets by Frank Bruno, is now posted. Here is a summary:

We are commanded to bring an offering before God on His appointed Holy Days. However, as we consider the amount to offer we have to examine our motivation and our heart. That means that our intent in giving back to God must extend beyond our budget and focus on our ability to honor and serve Him. In this message we will consider the scriptures and life examples that make this clear.

“The Trumpet Will Sound,” the sermon presented on the Feast of Trumpets by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Just as the Children of Israel were commanded to appear before God, so on this day, the Feast of Trumpets, we are assembled before God at His command to memorialize and mark the sounding of trumpets. It is important to consider the tremendous meaning of this Day according to what God has revealed to us.

Live Services for the Fall Holy Days will be available for viewing. Please consult our website, www.eternalgod.org, to see our schedule.

2022 FALL HOLY DAYS

Day of Atonement… October 5

Feast of Tabernacles… October 10-16, with Opening Night on October 9

Last Great Day… October 17

On September 24, 2022, Eric Rank will present the Sermonette, titled, “I Have To,” and Dave Harris will present the sermon titled, “True Worship.”

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.

FEAST OF TRUMPETS will be observed on Monday, September 26, 2022, and services will be broadcast live beginning at 12:30 pm Pacific Time.

The Offertory, titled, “Look Inside,” will be presented by Frank Bruno, and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “The Trumpet Will Sound.”

When I get a lot of things to do—like packing for a trip or tasks at work starting to pile up—one of the best ways for me to deal with such situations is to create a list of the things that I can check off and stop worrying about as I accomplish them. It is quite helpful to see the things that need doing and be able to prioritize and make plans for what needs to be done.

Our Christian lives can in a way also be viewed as lives with checklists. We can line up our spiritual priorities and start to execute them. But the one thing about Christianity is that it is not “a one time and done” occurrence. We have to constantly be re-evaluating and re-looking at our lives and everything that we do, all the while keeping hold of the things we know and holding on to them tightly.

Paul says that we are to be consistently looking at all areas of our lives with a spiritual checklist in mind to see how we are doing. Notice 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.”

Nothing stays the same! As children, we continue to grow and to learn more and more. As we get older, our bodies start to change. As adults, life never is the same— it is always changing. There are always new challenges. Recently, it has seemed that the challenges are coming with faster speed—and more of them at the same time! There is no sign of them slowing down either!

What we may have had to check off as a younger Christian may not be the same as what we have to concentrate on now!  But that is a good thing. We are to be maturing and growing in the use of God’s Spirit in our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 says: “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”

So what does our checklist look like now? What is on there that we are working towards?

Thankfully, God the Father and Jesus Christ do not change. So, the checklist, from their standpoint, doesn’t change, either.

Numbers 23:19 tells us: “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” When we have the understanding that He is the same “yesterday, today and forever,” then there is a good baseline that we can grow from.

I have always found this truth extremely helpful: God doesn’t change. What He has said applies to everyone—for all times. Yes, the world is different now from thousands of years ago. But none of that really matters. The same principles and laws still govern all of us.

This truth allows all of us to be unique and have differences, and yet, all are still on the same playing field. Just because someone is ordained doesn’t mean that someone who is not is not as important to God. There is no favoritism with God. It is all based upon how well we are following our checklists and remaining close to God and allowing Him to lead us through this life.

Our Christian lives can be varied from individual to individual. Not everyone is doing the same job or has the same gifts. But how important all those jobs are! God is looking at how well we are each growing in our individual ways. Remember the widow with the two mites, the smallest amount of money, yet she gave it and Christ said she was more blessed because she gave all she had. Maybe it can feel at times that we aren’t doing enough, or that there is something more which we must do. This may be so, but the reality is that we should go back to our spiritual checklists and make sure that we are hitting all of our boxes and then, if we are, see about adding some new ones to help us to continue to grow in the “grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

There are many Scriptures that can give us a good checklist of areas to be looking at. It would be a good idea to search the Bible and come up with a list to look at. The Ten Commandments is a great starting place. It really regulates the fundamental basics for us. Another great place is Romans 12. There are so many additional places to look at. But if we are not looking and studying and making sure that we are checking off those important and essential requirements which are listed in those and other Scriptures, then we will just drift through life, without having a concrete baseline. If we are not attentive, then, as it says in Matthew 24:12, our love could grow cold. We need to make sure that we are hitting all of the marks.

by Norbert Link

 We begin with an insightful article addressing the hypocrisy of many who insist on upholding “Western values,” while at the same time persecuting those who do.

We continue with a few interesting concepts pertaining to the coronation of the British monarch and the crown of Queen Victoria.

We speak on the fascination of orthodox Jews with the red heifer which many consider to be a condition for the building of the third temple, as well as the role of the shofar; and address Pope Francis’ controversial views about the eucharist in connection with abortionists.

We address the ongoing nonsense regarding the COVID policy; Biden’s declaration to defend Taiwan in case of an attack by China; Biden’s “warning” directed at Putin; the threat of nuclear war; and we point out the forming collaboration between Far Eastern powers, including Russia, China, India and Pakistan; and report on Germany’s sudden desire to become the leading military power in Europe.

We conclude with another example of incredible persecution by the politicized Department of Justice and the FBI against Trump supporters.

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

Western Values Which Westerners Don’t Value

On September 16, the Ron Paul Institute republished the following article by Caitlin Johnston:

“Have you ever noticed how those who shriek the loudest about tyranny in foreign countries are always the same people calling for the censorship and deplatforming of anyone who criticizes the western empire?… Anyone — and I do mean anyone — who aggressively and consistently criticizes the foreign policy of the US and its allies in front of a sizeable audience gets branded a Russian agent by empire apologists…

“Defenders of the western empire won’t admit to wanting all empire critics silenced, but that’s what you get… Whenever I criticize the foreign policy of the western empire I get its apologists telling me I’d never be allowed to criticize my rulers like that if I lived in a nation like Russia or China, when they know full well that if it were up to them I wouldn’t be allowed to criticize the western empire here either. They are the same as the tyrants they claim to despise.

“The trouble with ‘western values’ is that westerners don’t value them… all that reverence for free expression and holding power to account with the light of truth goes right out the window the second they see someone saying something that sharply differs from what their rulers and their propagandists have told them to think. Then they want that person silenced and shut down…

“People tell me ‘Move to Russia!’ or ‘Move to China!’… and I always want to tell them, no, you move to Russia. You move to China. You’re the one trying to suppress dissent and criticism of the powerful. I’m the one who is living by western values as they were sold to me and demanding normal scrutiny of the most powerful empire that has ever existed. You don’t belong here…

“It’s obvious with a look around that the ‘western values’ we’re all told about are not actually terribly common in the west. Look at the west’s major media platforms and they virtually never platform anyone who is meaningfully critical of the real centers of power in western civilization. Look at western governments and they continually dance to the beat of oligarchy and empire regardless of how people vote in their supposedly free democratic elections. Look at the internet and it’s actually very difficult to find authentic criticisms of imperial power unless you already know where to look… It’s we marginalized outsiders who are adamantly opposing censorship, propaganda and the empire’s war on the press while continuously working to shine the light of truth on the mechanisms of power from the fringes, while we are being yelled at and accused of treason by mainstream sycophants who have far more in common with the autocrats they claim to oppose than with the western values they purport to uphold.”

Sadly, this is SO true!

The Anointing Oil for King Charles III

Express wrote on September 17:

“The anointing of a monarch is regarded as the most sacred part of the coronation – the only part which is shielded from public view, and which was not televised when the late Queen Elizabeth officially took the crown in 1953. During that section of the ceremony, the Archbishop of Canterbury daubs the head of the monarch with special oil, of a secret recipe that has remained the same across reigns. It is intended to mark their appointment as a religious and spiritual leader for the nation, as well as the head of the Church of England…

“John Bell and Croyden, the Queen’s pharmacy in London, holds the two samples of the oil ‘under lock and key’ at their Marylebone premises. It said it had ‘contacted the palace and are awaiting further instructions’ on the use of the oil in King Charles’ coronation. The current batch of oil was formulated using the same recipe as that which crowned King Charles I in 1626, after the oil used for her father King George VI was destroyed in the Blitz. Several bottles have been made up in the centuries between for various historical reasons, but the use of oil in anointing monarchs in the UK is believed to date back to 973, to the time of King Edgar…

“Though the exact preparation is said to be a well-kept secret [it is said that] the 1952 oil ‘consists of a mixture of sesame and olive oil, perfumed with roses, orange flowers, jasmine, cinnamon, flowers of benzoin, musk, civet and ambergris’…”

King Charles III’s coronation will or may include numerous interesting components and “accessories”… compare our new series of Q&As in this and the next issue.

Queen Victoria’s Crown

The Arlington Daily Dispatch wrote on September 9:

“… an Anglican priest who I have known for decades is searching to find out if the following anecdote — which is circulating once again, for obvious reasons — is real or fiction. It would appear that the original source was one of the queen’s chaplains, or someone close to the chaplain. Here is the reference:

“ONE of the chaplains of her late Majesty, Queen Victoria, had been preaching on the Second Coming of the Lord, and afterward, in conversation with the preacher, the Queen exclaimed: ‘Oh! how I wish that the Lord would come in my lifetime!’ ‘Why,’ asked the chaplain, ‘does your Majesty feel this very earnest desire?’ The Queen replied with quivering lips, and her whole countenance lighted up by deep emotion: ‘I should so love to lay my crown at His feet.’”

This episode, if true, would be remarkable, given the fact, as is being pointed out in our new Q&As, that Queen Victoria apparently believed that she was Jewish and a direct descendant of King David, which would mean that she also believed that she was sitting on the Throne of David, and that the British crown would be transferred to Christ at His return.

The Red Heifer and the Third Temple

Israel 365 wrote on September 16:

“The Temple Institute and Boneh Israel made a huge step towards reinstating the Temple service on Thursday when five red heifers landed at Ben Gurion International Airport. The red heifer was the main component in the Biblically mandated process of ritual purification for impurity that results from proximity or contact with a dead body.  Because the elements needed for this ceremony have been lacking since the destruction of the Second Temple, all Jews today are considered ritually impure, thereby preventing the return of the Temple service. The Temple Institute launched its Red Heifer program about a decade ago, led by Rabbi Azariah Ariel. But even in Temple times, an animal that fulfilled the Biblical requirements was exceedingly rare. Failing to produce a suitable candidate from ranchers in Israel, The Temple Institute began investigating alternative sources for a red heifer.

“Boneh Israel, an organization that connects Christian lovers of Israel to the Holy Land, stepped in to help. Led by Byron Stinson, a native Texan, Boneh Israel understood ranchers. ‘I didn’t set out to do this, but right now, I am probably the best red heifer hunter in Texas,’ Byron quipped. ‘The Bible says to bring a red cow to purify Israel, and I may not understand it, but I am just doing what the Bible said… The prophecies came true, and the Jews are back in Israel,’ Byron said. ‘Now they need to build a Temple… The red heifer is the key to making the Temple work like it’s supposed to.’…

“From the time of Moses, who personally prepared the first heifer, until the destruction of the Temple, only nine red heifers were prepared. Nonetheless, this was sufficient to maintain the ritual purity of the entire nation for almost 2,000 years. According to Jewish tradition, there will only be ten red heifers in human history with the tenth heifer ushering in the Messianic era…”

Even though the Bible does NOT require the existence and sacrifice of a red heifer prior to the building of the Temple, many orthodox Jews believe in its necessity.

Blowing the Shofar and Rebuilding the Temple

Israel Today wrote on September 18:

“Three Jewish men were detained by the Jerusalem Police for questioning on Sunday after they blew a shofar outside the Temple Mount, reported TPS. They are being accused of ‘provocations’ and disturbing the peace. The three ‘offenders’ were identified as: Former Member of Knesset Yehudah Glick; Tom nisani, head of the Beyadenu… [and] Emanuel Brosh, also a leader of Beyadenu.

“All three men are activists for a return of Jewish prayer to the Temple Mount, and the eventual rebuilding of the biblical Temple. The present status quo bars Jews from expressions of faith and religion at the Temple Mount, despite it being Judaism’s holiest site.”

JNS wrote on September 18:

“The first shofar blast in the Bible is a supernatural one: at the foot of Mount Sinai, the Jews [the Israelites] are gathered and hear the sound of the shofar, presumably from the lips of God Himself… There is an etymological link between the Hebrew term for ‘shepherd,’ ro’eh, and the term we identify with shofar blasts, t’ruah….

“Leviticus proclaims the first day of the seventh month—Rosh Hashanah—yom t’ruah, a ‘day of blasts.’ On Yom Kippur, every 49 years, the Jubilee is ushered in with the sound of a ‘broken blast.’… In the Temple, priests blew shofars to mark the new moon and as part of the regular musical service of the Levites…. Even in Temple times, it was used to warn of approaching danger, mark the onset of Shabbat (before the advent of clocks) and crown a new king—a practice preserved in modern-day Israel when a new president is sworn in. And it was used in war. In the book of Judges, Gideon and his army of 300 intimidate the much more numerous Midianites with some primitive pyrotechnics accompanied by shofar blasts. Perhaps most famously, at the command of God and under the direction of Joshua, the walls of Jericho collapse at the sound of seven shofars…

“Rosh Hashanah also became the day when, with shofar blasts, the Jewish people crown God as their king… Laden with such history and significance, it’s little wonder that in modern times, the shofar became a symbol of Jewish identity and continuity, blown in Auschwitz, at the end of World War II and at the liberated Western Wall in 1967…”

Even the continued existence and blowing of the shofar keeps the Jewish desire for a third temple very much alive.

Pope Rebuked Over Liberal Abortion Views

LifeStiteNews wrote on September 16:

“Four bishops, several priests, and numerous Catholic scholars have signed a statement rebuking Pope Francis for a recent statement about the reception of Holy Communion, according to which ‘everyone is invited to the supper of the wedding of the Lamb (Re 19:9). To be admitted to the feast all that is required is the wedding garment of faith which comes from the hearing of his Word.’ The Pope wrote these words in his June 29 Apostolic Letter on the liturgy… but for the signatories of this new statement… he omitted the ‘essential topic of repentance for sin for the worthy reception of the Eucharist.’… They explain:

“The Catholic Church has always taught that in order to receive the Holy Eucharist worthily and without sin, Catholics must receive sacramental absolution, if possible, for any mortal sins they may have committed and obey all other laws of the Church concerning reception of the Eucharist (as, for example, the laws concerning fasting prior to reception of the Eucharist).

“If a sacramental confession is not possible, but the reception of Holy Communion urgent (such as for a priest celebrating Mass), the Sacrament of Penance has to be sought as soon as possible afterwards, and the penitent must have perfect contrition for his mortal sins. By extensively quoting from the Council of Trent’s documents, the signatories also make it clear that such teachings as presented in Pope Francis’ document have already been condemned as heresy. ‘The claim,’ they write, ‘that faith is the only requirement for worthy reception of the Holy Eucharist was condemned by the Council of Trent as a heresy.’

“This false teaching might become more important now at this historic moment. Only in May, a U.S. Bishop – Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone – publicly banned Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, from receiving Holy Communion because she is defying the Church’s teaching against abortion. ‘A Catholic legislator,’ he then wrote, ‘who supports procured abortion, after knowing the teaching of the Church, commits a manifestly grave sin which is a cause of most serious scandal to others.’

“It nearly looks as if Pope Francis’s June 2022 document is a response to that diocesan ruling, now stating that faith alone is sufficient for receiving Holy Communion….”

The disagreements and rifts within the Catholic Church about the  Eucharist will not go away. The tragedy is that all sides are wrong. The Eucharist is a false concept based on a false understanding of the Passover. In addition, Revelation 19:9 has nothing to do with the issue at hand. But the controversy within the Catholic Church between liberals (led by Francis) and conservatives (looking at Benedict as their guide) continues.

Biden Declares That the COVID Pandemic Is Over. But This Means Nothing!

The New York Post wrote on September 18:

“The pandemic is essentially over, right?…  It was only June when unvaccinated Canadians were finally allowed to leave the country, for reasons unclear to anyone. The vaccine doesn’t prevent transmission, so how did it make sense to keep the unvaccinated behind the frozen curtain? It didn’t. But that’s Canada. It’s completely lost the plot with COVID… America wouldn’t behave like that, right? Except we are…

“The fractured trust between Americans and our institutions will be immeasurable. And the damage continues… Studies show the vaccine’s effectiveness wears off after a few months and transmission can happen at any time. Forced compliance for the fun of it should not be health policy.

“And no, boosters don’t mean you’re any safer. In fact, the Biden administration isn’t labeling the latest shot a ‘booster’ at all. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre called it a ‘new vaccine.’ You [the fully vaccinated] might find yourself back with the ‘unvaccinated’ sooner than you think…

“It’s maddening… We have won absolutely nothing with these vaccine mandates — but will have lost so much. Politicians did so many backward, horrible things in the name of safety throughout COVID. The continuing vaccine mandates are a reminder that… the harm goes on.”

The “scientific” incompetence of politicians and their medical “advisors” in their hypocritical approach towards COVID—which is sadly still going on in many parts of the world—has been appalling and terribly harmful.

USA to Defend Taiwan?

Reuters wrote on September 19:

“U.S. President Joe Biden said U.S forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, his most explicit statement so far on the issue. Asked in a CBS 60 Minutes interview broadcast on Sunday whether U.S. forces would defend the democratically governed island claimed by China, he replied: ‘Yes, if in fact, there was an unprecedented attack.’ Asked to clarify if he meant that unlike in Ukraine, U.S. forces – American men and women – would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, Biden replied: ‘Yes.’

“The interview was just the latest time that Biden has appeared to go beyond long-standing stated U.S. policy on Taiwan, but his statement was clearer than previous ones about committing U.S. troops to the defend the island… In May, Biden was asked if he was willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan and replied… ‘Yes … That’s the commitment we made.’…

“Biden’s remarks are likely to enrage Beijing, which was angered by a visit to Taiwan by U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi in August. That visit promoted China to conduct its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan and China has protested moves by U.S. lawmakers to advanced legislation that would enhance U.S. military support for Taiwan.

“Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control and has not ruled out the use of force. Taiwan strongly objects to China’s sovereignty claims… In a phone call with Biden in July, Xi warned about Taiwan, saying ‘those who play with fire will perish by it.’”

It appears that Biden is indeed willing to defend Taiwan militarily with American “boots on the ground” in case of an undefined “unprecedented attack,” even though the White House keeps denying it.

Biden “Warns” Moscow

AFP wrote on September 18:

“US President Joe Biden is warning his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin against using chemical or tactical nuclear weapons in the wake of serious losses in his war in Ukraine. ‘Don’t. Don’t. Don’t,’ Biden said in an excerpt from an interview with CBS’ ‘60 Minutes’ that aired Friday evening… ‘You would change the face of war unlike anything since World War II,’ Biden said. ‘They will become more of a pariah in the world, more than they have ever been,’ the US leader added… Moscow is facing fresh outrage from the West after the discovery of a mass grave outside the formerly Russian-occupied city of Izyum, where, Kyiv officials say, almost all of the exhumed bodies showed signs of torture.

“But Putin remained steadfast, saying his war against Russia’s Western-leaning neighbor was proceeding according to plan. ‘The plan is not subject to adjustment,’ Putin said Friday. ‘Our offensive operations in Donbas itself do not stop. They are going at a slow pace… The Russian army is occupying newer and newer territories.’”

These kinds of vague “warnings” are pretty meaningless.

The Threat of Nuclear War

The Spectator wrote on September 16:

“The world is facing the prospect of its first nuclear attack since the US Air Force dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Yet that horror arouses little fear or outrage… The vast mass of people don’t care to think about it… we belittle threats that terrified our parents and grandparents… Fears of radiation clouds do not panic the European public…

“The Russian ‘tactical’ weapons that could hit Ukraine are ‘delivered’ by cruise missiles fired from submarines and ships, or from land-based missile launchers…

“The bombs they carry have about 10 kilotons of destructive power. To grasp the devastation 10 kilotons can cause, the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima had a yield of 15 kilotons. It killed about 70,000 people, injured another 70,000 and levelled the city for 12 square kilometres around the blast site. In our time, the explosion that destroyed much of central Beirut in 2020 was less than 1 kiloton. It still stripped steel-framed buildings of their cladding, and left 300,000 people homeless. There’s nothing tactful about tactical weapons…

“Military analysts who believe we can escape a catastrophe must downplay Russian military doctrine and how it envisages the first use of nuclear weapons in conventional wars. They tell us to wipe from our mind, too, of the jeering bullies of Russian state television who deploy threats to go nuclear against Ukraine and the wider West as a matter of course. Underlying their arguments is a belief in Putin’s rationality… Is a man who locked himself away during the pandemic rational? More pertinently does Putin see any rational difference between his interests and Russia’s interests? There’s no reason to think he does. The existential threat to his autocracy that defeat in Ukraine could bring surely appears to him to be an existential threat to Russia itself. The tsar cannot separate the two.

“In these circumstances, we cannot rule out the chance that nuclear terror will return. Neither can we do much to stop it returning. Betraying Ukraine is the only plausible way to remove the possibility of a catastrophe. If we cut off all weapons supplies and left it at Putin’s mercy, then the threat would recede…”

A complacent mankind will have a rude awakening.

Russia, China, India and Pakistan

Insider Paper wrote on September 16:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the growing influence of ‘new centres of power’ on Friday at a summit with Asian leaders including China’s Xi Jinping. ‘The growing role of new centres of power who cooperate with each other… is becoming more and more clear,’ Putin told the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in ex-Soviet Uzbekistan…

“The summit has brought together Putin and Xi with the leaders of several Asian countries including India and Pakistan, as Russia looks to show it has not been fully isolated by the conflict in Ukraine.”

In a related article, Insider Paper wrote on September 15:

“A Russian pipeline to China will replace the Nord Stream 2 gas link to Europe, abandoned amid the Ukraine conflict, Moscow’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Thursday… Earlier in the day, the minister, on the sidelines of a visit to Uzbekistan, said Russia and China would soon sign agreements on the delivery of ‘50 billion cubic metres of gas’ per year via the future Force 2 pipeline in Siberia. This volume will almost represent the maximum capacity of Nord Stream 1 — 55 billion cubic metres in total — which has been shut down since September 2…

“Construction is due to start in 2024… Russian gas exports to the EU ‘will drop by around 50 billion cubic metres’ in 2022, Novak said.”

Far Eastern nations are forming to become a new power bloc—the biblical “kings of the East.”

SCO Meets Again

The Jerusalem Post wrote on September 17:

“[The] Shanghai Cooperation Organization [SCO] brought together countries that are close partners of Russia and China… [including Iran and Turkey.]”

Turkey said that it wants to become a member of SCO. While Turkey will ultimately lean more towards Europe than Russia, Iran and other Central Asian countries (all being part of the SCO) might continue to align more strongly with China and Russia. SCO members are China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Germany to Become Best-Equipped Force in Europe

Deutsche Welle wrote on September 16:

“German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday once more stressed… the importance of Germany’s armed forces in the new situation. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin was trying to redraw borders with the aim of making Russia an ‘imperial power’ in Europe once more…

“Scholz said Germany had to get used to the fact that Putin’s Russia will define itself as an adversary to it, to NATO and the EU for the foreseeable future. He said that in view of the situation, Germany’s military force must become Europe’s best-equipped. ‘We are making it convincingly clear: Germany is ready to take on leading responsibility for the security of our continent,’ he said. ‘As the most populous country with the greatest economic power and as a country in the middle of the continent, our army must become the cornerstone of conventional defence in Europe: the best-equipped force in Europe,’ he added… ‘The core task of the Bundeswehr is to defend freedom in Europe,’ he said, adding that all other jobs had to take a secondary role…”

As we reported in our last Update, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht had already said she believed Germany was obliged to play a leading global role, including in the military sphere, and that the country should not be afraid of its responsibility.

Even though the words of Scholz, as such, are pretty meaningless, since he is always wavering and speaking out of both sides of his mouth, the approach is interesting, as he is being pushed to say and echo these words which WILL come true in due time… but not under Scholz and the present Ample coalition, which is a laughing stock and doomed to fall apart.

Germany Wants Weapons From Israel

Israel 365 wrote on September 14:

“Already in early April, reports began surfacing that Berlin is interested in purchasing Israeli-made air- and missile-defense systems, in addition to unmanned aerial vehicles… Monday’s meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin yielded significant clues that a major defense deal is in the works (according to Bloomberg, the cost could be around $2 billion)…

“Germany seems keen to prioritize air defense against Russian missile threats after the latter fired thousands of cruise missiles and an unknown but likely smaller number of ballistic missiles at Ukraine… The Arrow-3 system features advanced radar that constantly scans for threats, and when it detects them, it tracks and dispatches interceptors into the air over a very large area.

“The likely German purchase fits into a larger pattern of growing European defense acquisitions from Israel… Europe as a region is already the leading importer of Israeli defense technology, accounting for 41% of sales in 2021 out of a total of $11.3 billion… The trade will be two-way; Germany is supplying Israel’s most expensive and strategically important platform, the existing Dolphin and future Dakar submarines… These sales reflect extensive, mutual and strategic cooperation on defense, with the Arrow-3 representing a dramatic Israeli export to a Europe that has been permanently changed by Russia’s war against Ukraine.”

The tragedy is that ultimately, Europe will use those Israeli weapons against Israel.

The DOJ’s and the FBI’s Persecution of Trump Supporters

Zero Hedge wrote on September 13:

“Prominent Trump supporter and 2020 election integrity skeptic [MyPillow CEO] Mike Lindell says he was stopped by the FBI Tuesday and had his cell phone seized. While heading home from a hunting trip with a friend, Lindell said he was at a Hardees in Minnesota when ‘cars pulled up in front of us, to the side of us and behind us, and I said “they’re either bad guys or the FBI”’…Well, it turns out they were the FBI. ‘I can’t even imagine that you can take someone’s phone because they want me to be a witness in the Tina Peters case. But I’m not a witness, they just want my phone.’

“Lindell is the latest Trump ally to receive a warrant or subpoena by the FBI. Last week, the Biden DOJ hit dozens of Trump aides and allies with subpoenas as part of their investigation into efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 US election over claims of fraud that handed Joe Biden the White House, as well as the run up to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Interesting how the Biden DOJ waited more than 18 months – right before midterms – to initiate legal action against Trumpworld. And Biden said he wouldn’t weaponize  the Justice Department.”

Newsmax wrote on September 14:

“Trump blasted the FBI through his Truth Social page for questioning Lindell, commenting that he was ‘just raided by the FBI. We are now officially living in a Weaponized Police State, Rigged Elections, and all. Our Country is a laughing stock all over the World. The majesty of the United States is gone…’”

It sure is.

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.

As we will see, the “Stone of Destiny” and its history are closely connected with the history of the “crown” and the Throne of David.

To begin with the “Throne of David” and the “crown,” our free booklet, “The Fall and Rise of Britain and America,” addresses the history and future of the throne of David, stating this:

“The Bible foretells that the throne of David would be overthrown or transferred three times (compare Ezekiel 21:27). And so it happened… it was transferred from Jerusalem to Ireland, then from Ireland to Scotland, and finally from Scotland to England. Today, it is in ENGLAND, from where the Queen [and now King Charles III] rules, sitting on the throne of David, over one of the tribes of Israel (i.e., Ephraim).

“Ezekiel tells us: ‘And Thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown; this shall not be the same; exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it; and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it [to] him’ (Ezekiel 21:25–27, Authorized Version).

“The Hebrew word for ‘overturn’ means to be overthrown for committing iniquity leading to ruin (Strong’s #5762). This happened three times to David’s dynasty from the time Ezekiel wrote this prophecy. The first ‘overturn’ involved King Zedekiah, the last king of David’s dynasty in Jerusalem, who became exalted, but was to be made low. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, and all of his army came against Jerusalem and besieged it. King Zedekiah fled out of the city but was captured by the Babylonians. The King of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes in Riblah, as well as all the nobles of Judah. Moreover, he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and carried him off to Babylon (Jeremiah 39:1, 4–5, 6–7). ‘But Johanan (a warrior) took…the king’s daughters (of Zedekiah)… and Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah [and] they went to the land of Egypt’ (Jeremiah 43:5–7).

“God stated that ‘none… shall return [from Egypt] except those who escape’ (Jeremiah 44:14). Subsequently Jeremiah, Baruch and the king’s two daughters [known in history as Tea and Scota] did escape from Egypt. They were taken to Ireland.

“It was Jeremiah’s commission to uproot and to plant (Jeremiah 1:10). He had to uproot the kingship of Zedekiah over Judah, and he had to plant the kingship of Zedekiah’s daughters over another tribe or tribes of Israel. According to Irish records, shortly after the time of Jerusalem’s fall in 600 B.C., two princesses arrived in Ireland from Egypt with two wise men. We are even told that the one princess, identified as Tea or Tea-Tephi, married the Irish king, Eochaidh, while Scota married into a noble family, perhaps giving her name to Scotland. Irish scholars maintain that the later kings of Ireland knew that they were descendants of King David. Both princesses feature in many Irish poems, songs and legends.

“Thus David’s line continued the new dynasty in Ireland. This dynasty was later moved to Scotland, which, in accordance with prophecy, was the second time the crown was ‘overturned.’ Ultimately, it was moved to England, thus fulfilling the prophetic third time it was ‘overturned,’ when the Stewart line of David came to England in 1603 in the person of James I…

“But it doesn’t end there… the line of David was prophesied to continue ruling over the house of Israel up until the return of Jesus Christ, who will then take over this same throne. God has this to say about this future event: ‘Your eyes will see the King in His beauty’ (Isaiah 33:17).”

In a Q&A about the throne of David, we added the following:

“We are told that David’s ‘seed’ or descendants would rule or have dominion over Israel. This could be fulfilled in ANY of the tribes of ‘Israel’–the name given to Jacob by God (Compare Genesis 32:28; 35:10). We are specifically told that God would establish the throne of David’s kingdom forever over Israel, in his son Solomon.

“2 Samuel 7:12-13: ‘…I will set up your [David’s] seed after you, who will come from your body… and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.’

“2 Chronicles 13:5: ‘…the LORD God of Israel gave the dominion over Israel to David forever, to him and his sons…’

“Psalm 89:4: ‘Your seed [David’s seed] I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations.’

“When Christ returns, He will take over and sit down on an existing throne of David, here on earth (compare Luke 1:32).

“Until the last King of Judah, Zedekiah, the descendants of David ruled as kings over the house of Judah. The house of Judah consisted of the tribes of Judah, Levi and a part of Benjamin–they are the ‘Jews’ and called ‘Jews’ in the Bible.

“But the Babylonians killed all the sons of Zedekiah, and placed Zedekiah into captivity. There has never arisen since then a descendant of David to rule as king over the house of Judah, the Jews. Today, the state of Israel is not ruled by a king. Where, then, is the throne of David today? In which country do we find a descendant of David ruling as king?

“The prophet Jeremiah lived at the time when the Babylonians enslaved the house of Judah, and when the last king of the house of Judah, King Zedekiah, was captured. God gave Jeremiah the commission to uproot the throne of David, but also to plant it.

“Jeremiah 1:10: ‘I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.’

“God gave Jeremiah a prophecy regarding the kingship or throne of David, which was to be transferred from the nation or house of Judah to the house of Israel. [The house of Israel, the ‘Northern Kingdom,’ consisted of descendants from the other sons of Israel or Jacob, including Joseph and his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. It had been taken into captivity by the Assyrians more than 100 years prior to Jeremiah. They never returned to the Promised Land and have become known as the ‘Lost Ten Tribes.’]

“Jeremiah 33:17, 21, 26: ‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel… he shall [always] have a son to reign on his throne… [David’s] descendants [will be] rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’

“Jeremiah was to be instrumental in uprooting the throne over the house of Judah, and to plant it over the house of Israel. Before, it was said that David’s descendants were to rule over Israel [or Jacob; that is, ANY of the descendants of Jacob]. That INCLUDED the house of Judah, of course. But from the time of Jeremiah’s prophecy, David’s descendants were to rule over the HOUSE of Israel–which EXCLUDED the house of Judah.

“The throne of David was to be transferred three times, before Christ would return to occupy it. Ezekiel 21:27: ‘Overthrown, overthrown, I will make it [the crown, compare verse 26] overthrown!’

“The crown or throne of David was overthrown first in Judah and transferred to or planted in Ireland… The throne or rule of David’s descendants was later overthrown in Ireland and transferred to Scotland [where some of the tribes of the house of Israel had settled]. It was transferred to the royal house of the descendants of David in Scotland—to the offspring of Scota, the other daughter of Zedekiah… Thirdly, it was overthrown in Scotland and transferred to England, where the Stewart line of David had settled around 1600, in the person of James I. Also, descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, had settled there. The subsequent royal rulers in England all descended from King David, and so the throne of David is today in England…

“Nowhere else could the existing throne of David be today, but in England. It is not in the state of Israel [which is part of the house of Judah], and it is not vacant, either. Jesus Christ will occupy it when He returns (Compare Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6-7); He has not occupied it so far. And it is a throne here on earth—not somewhere in heaven. Christ, from the house of Judah, will come back to this EARTH, and it says that He will then SIT on the throne of His father David, here on earth. Jesus will once again establish rule over Israel in Jerusalem (Compare Zechariah 1:17; 2:12). Remember, the scepter would not depart from Judah.”

In this and the next Q&A, we will provide further information on Jeremiah and the two daughters of King Zedekiah and their travel to Ireland, as well as the three “overturns” of the throne of David, and we will also show and concentrate on the connection between them and the so-called “Stone of Destiny.”

Much has been written about the “Stone of Destiny,” and no doubt, many concepts are based on mere speculation and on fairy tales, but tradition should not be dismissed outright either—especially the claim that it is identical with the stone on which Jacob rested his head when he dreamed of a ladder reaching to heaven, with God on top (to be discussed later).

As we will see, the repeated claim has been made that many, if not all kings and queens have been coronated in Ireland, Scotland and England in connection with and upon the so-called “Stone of Destiny,” which is also called the “Stone of Scone” or “Jacob’s Pillar Stone.” In this context, claims have been made about the origin of this Stone, and we will explore the biblical significance of that claim.

We will begin our discussion with the allegation that a fake had been made of that Stone, and that, for instance, Queen Elizabeth II was coronated upon that fake, and that that fake was returned to Edinburgh Castle in Scotland in 1996, while the original Stone is believed to remain on the East Coast of Scotland.

Even though somewhat irrelevant for the purpose of this discussion herein, we have been advised by the Edinburgh Castle Admission that “various lines of research very strongly indicate that the Stone held within Edinburgh Castle is the authentic Stone…

“Firstly, geological analysis has identified a tightly defined area close to Scone where the stone was quarried from. Further detailed analysis of the stone has identified multiple phases of use, wear and tear that overlie one another; this includes evidence for gradual weathering over a long period of time prior to the Stone being used for inaugurations, when it may have formed a step or threshold to a significant building at Scone. Such wear and evidence for multiple phases of use would not be possible to fake. Another point to consider is, if the Stone currently held in the castle was fake – why were there such celebrations upon its return in 1996 and why did no one speak out or reveal the true stone?

“A great deal of research has been carried out into the Stone. There’s a very good published volume: The Stone of Destiny: Artefact & Icon, by Richard Welander, David J Breeze & Thomas Owen Clancy (2003).”

An additional report by Peter Hill, provided by the Edinburgh Castle Admission, titled, “The Stone of Destiny: A Review of New Imaging,” gives evidence proving that the Stone in Edinburgh Castle is the genuine Stone.

David H. Caldwell wrote a lengthy report in 2018 about the legitimacy of the claim that the Stone in Edinburgh Castle is genuine. In addition, and more importantly for the purpose of these Q&As, Caldwell provided much evidence as to the history of the Stone:

“After a sojourn of nearly 700 years in Westminster Abbey, the Stone of Scone was returned to Scotland in 1996… The Stone of Scone is an artefact of ritual and symbolic importance. It was on this rock that kings of the Scots, up to and including John Balliol in 1292, were seated when made kings, and it later served the same function for coronations of monarchs of England and of the United Kingdom…

“The Stone has had different names over the years… we normally refer to it as the Stone of Scone, a name that first appears in the mid-14th-century Chronicle of Lanercost describing events in 1327… but that is not the only correct name. Possibly the earliest mention of it is in an Irish poem, thought to date to the late 11th century, which mentions ‘the most powerful eastern stone’…

“In English sources recording its early fate in English hands it is called (in Latin) a ‘tribunal’, meaning a dais, platform or seat of authority, or else a great stone on which kings of Scotland were crowned… Thus it also came to be known as the royal stone (of Scotland) and more recently as the coronation stone, reflecting its function in Westminster Abbey.

“… there can be no reasonable doubt that this is the stone that Scottish kings up to, and including, King John (Balliol) were seated upon at Scone during their inauguration ceremonies, that it is the stone removed by the English and housed in a specially built chair in Westminster Abbey that was used for the coronation of English monarchs, and later rulers of England and Scotland….

“[A] story, derived from the Bible, about the Stone’s origin first surfaces in an English chronicle by William Rishanger (born 1249/50, died after 1312) covering the reigns of Henry III and Edward I of England. In the context of John Balliol’s ‘coronation’, the royal stone on which he was seated is described as the one on which Jacob rested his head when he went from Beersheba to Haran… This was on the occasion Jacob had a dream of a ladder reaching to Heaven with Angels descending and ascending on it to God, who promised Jacob that he would have very many descendants. When he awoke, Jacob set the stone up as a pillar (Genesis 28/10–22)….

“The 16th-century English antiquary, John Leland (c.1503–52) picked up this tradition… and by the end of that century there was a tablet on or beside the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey identifying the Stone as the one on which Jacob reposed when he had his dream… This was no doubt a preferable version of the Stone’s origins for the English than one that focused on a prophecy that the Scots would reign wherever the Stone was placed. King Edward I, as conqueror of Scotland, could be seen as inheriting a biblical mandate.

“… the account given of the Stone of Scone by the English chronicler, Walter of Guisborough, writing about 1305, describes it as lapis pergrandis (a very large stone), very probably referencing the same term used in the Vulgate version of the Bible to describe the stone set up by the Prophet Joshua as a witness to the covenant made by God with the people of Israel at Schechem when they renounced false gods. The idea that the Stone had biblical origins might well originally have been developed by the canons of Scone…

“[Upon the transfer of the Stone to Westminster Abby,] the Stone was set in a chair, commissioned by King Edward I, which was positioned next to the altar in St Edward’s Chapel in Westminster Abbey… It was intended, on a day-to-day basis, to serve as a seat for the priest saying Mass at that altar. It is probable that from the very beginning the abbey clergy would have accepted the biblical identification of the Stone, more specifically as Jacob’s Pillar, and as a result viewed it as sacred relic… For the coronations of Henry IV in 1399 and Edward VI in 1547 the chair was moved to the crossing of the abbey church, as for the coronations of Mary and Elizabeth I…

“At the time this Stone was selected for use in royal inaugurations there was probably a clear understanding of why it was appropriate. This very probably was nothing to do with stories of Scota, Simon Brecc and so on, or with Jacob dreaming in the desert. This original rationale has been lost… The Stone really was an object of destiny, a guarantee of the right of kings of Scots to reign wherever it was. Edward I and later English kings no doubt saw the potency of sitting on this Stone of Scotland in demonstrating their claim to overlordship of Scotland…

“Although it was probably always Edward I’s intention that the Stone, incorporated in the chair he had made for it, should be used in future coronations of English kings, the community of Westminster Abbey saw the Stone as a sacred biblical relic, and the chair and stone essentially for their liturgical use.”

In addition, W.H. Stacpoole, L.L.D., wrote in his book, “Coronation Reglia” about the belief that the stone “came from the plains of Luz, and may be the very stone on which the patriarch Jacob rested his head.”

(To Be Continued)

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“How and When Will There Be Worldwide Nuclear War?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

We hear more and more about the danger of a tactical or limited or even worldwide nuclear war, especially in regard to the war in Ukraine and the situation involving Taiwan, but many dismiss this idea as absurd. The Bible does predict a global catastrophic nuclear war, but it will occur quite differently from what many suspect.

“Wie und wann wird weltweiter Atomkrieg kommen?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German language program covers the same topic as described above.

“Eine Frage der Verantwortung,” is the title of last Sabbath’s German sermonette, presented by Andreas Ratz. Title in English: “A Question of Responsibility.”

“Wissen ist Macht,” is the title of last Sabbath’s German sermon, presented by Thilo Hanstein. Title in English, “Knowledge is Power.”

“Tempted—Yet Without Sin,” the first split-sermon presented last Sabbath by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Satan’s temptation of us is to cause us to fail, but God’s testing of us is for our success. We should always respond to the situation in the same way and that is to overcome all through obedience to God!

“Without Hypocrisy,” the second split-sermon presented last Sabbath by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Hypocrisy is a poisonous trait that Jesus condemned in several confrontations during His ministry. Yet, it can be so easy to discover inconsistencies between our behavior and the beliefs that we say we have. What can we do to live a Christian life without hypocrisy?

Live Services for the Fall Holy Days will be available for viewing. Please consult our website, www.eternalgod.org, to see our schedule.

2022 FALL HOLY DAYS

Feast of Trumpets… September 26

Day of Atonement… October 5

Feast of Tabernacles… October 10-16, with Opening Night on October 9

Last Great Day… October 17

On September 17, 2022, Dave Harris will present the first split-sermon, titled, “Tempted—Yet Without Sin,” and Eric Rank will present the second-split sermon, titled, “Without Hypocrisy.”

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.

About two months ago, we had the hottest day ever recorded in the UK.   On the 19^th July this year, 41.3 degrees centigrade (106.34 Fahrenheit) was recorded in Lincolnshire.  The following day was pretty much on a par with that until the weather started to normalise.

There are, of course, places across the world that have higher temperatures than that.   We read on Wikipedia that “the current official highest registered air temperature on Earth is 56.7 °C (134.1 °F), recorded on 10 July 1913 at Furnace Creek Ranch, in Death Valley in the United States.”

Just as a flavour of the damage caused in the UK by this intense heat, Yahoo News wrote:

“Firefighters are unaware of the full extent of the damage caused by blazes which affected houses, schools and churches across London, with crews describing scenes as ‘absolute hell’.

“Residents were being evacuated from their homes and people were taken to hospital amid fires in the capital as temperatures soared to more than 40C on Tuesday afternoon.”

It just shows how just a few extra degrees can cause havoc in different parts of the world.

An ex-atheist – but one who came to understand that there is a great Creator God wrote these interesting observations:

“The Earth is located the right distance from the sun. Consider the temperature swings we encounter, roughly -30 degrees to +120 degrees. If the Earth were any further away from the sun, we would all freeze.  Any closer and we would burn up.  Even a fractional variance in the Earth’s position to the sun would make life on Earth impossible.  The Earth remains this perfect distance from the sun while it rotates around the sun at a speed of nearly 67,000 mph.   It is also rotating on its axis, allowing the entire surface of the Earth to be properly warmed and cooled every day.

“And our moon is the perfect size and distance from the Earth for its gravitational pull.  The moon creates important ocean tides and movement so ocean waters do not stagnate, and yet our massive oceans are restrained from spilling over across the continents.”

Atheists would have you believe that the universe came about through a Big Bang or some primordial soup.  But how could such a beginning with nothing guiding, directing or developing events finish up with what we have today?   How could the precision of God just happen without Him being involved which has resulted in the earth being exactly the right distance away from the sun and moon?  Creation demands that there be a Creator but man thinks otherwise and they turn logic on its head.   Godly revelation in the Bible means nothing to so many as they wallow in their own “greatness”.

In Isaiah 40:21-26, we read a comparison between God’s great majesty and mankind which shows how small and insignificant we all are: “Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?  It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.  He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless.  Scarcely shall they be planted, Scarcely shall they be sown, Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, When He will also blow on them, And they will wither, And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble.

“To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One.  Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.”

God’s precision is seen in everything He has created and does.  Man, in general, won’t even acknowledge that there is a God.   Romans 1:18-22 sums it up perfectly: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.”

And fools they are, who fit into this category now, but they will have their opportunity, as will all people, and when they see the might, glory and the precision of all that God does, perhaps they may repent and be in the Family of God forever!

Let us hope and pray that that is the case!

by Norbert Link

We begin with an analysis about how safe we are today—more than 20 years after September 11, 2001; and continue with the challenges for the UK; the death of Queen Elizabeth and the complicated future of King Charles III.

We address the goal of Europe to become more “autonomous” and the fact that the once-unfavored German Bundeswehr is receiving more and more momentum and approval, while Germany is desirous of becoming a leading military power.

We discuss Putin’s threats and Russia’s temporary alleged “retreat” from certain key regions in Eastern Ukraine which might backfire for Europe. We address Germany’s grim future for this winter and the fear of nuclear war.

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

Are We Safer Today Than on September 11, 2001?

Fox News wrote on September 11:

“More than 20 years into the War on Terror and a year after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, terrorism still remains a threat to American security and interests around the globe…

“According to a Washington Post-ABC News poll conducted last year, 49% of Americans believe the country is safer today than it was before 9/11, while 41% believe the U.S. is less safe than it was 21 years ago. The numbers mark a dramatic departure from the same survey two years after the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. In 2003, 67% of Americans believed the country was safer compared to 27% who said it was less safe. An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll conducted last year had worse results, with 30% of respondents believing the country is safer than it was before 9/11 compared to 44% who said it is less safe…

“The foothold al Qeada has in Afghanistan provides the organization with two important strategic advantages, safe haven and state sponsorship. Like before September 11, 2001, the terrorist organization can use Afghanistan as a base of operations with little fear, providing safe haven for it to recruit, train, and possibly carry out attacks. However, unlike in 2001, the Taliban completely controlling the country means the organization will have a powerful ally and plenty of protection. Making the threat potentially more deadly is that terrorist organizations have both multiplied their numbers and spread to more far-flung regions of the world, making it difficult for the U.S. to track and fight the organizations on multiple fronts…”

The article also mentions the lack of U.S. commitment to fight… which is in line with Ezekiel 7:14.

More Challenges for the UK

Yahoo! News wrote on September 9:

“It could hardly be a more dramatic start to Liz Truss’ tenure as Britain’s latest prime minister. Barely 48 hours after being formally invited by Queen Elizabeth II to become premier, she found herself faced with the unsettling news Thursday that the beloved 96-year-old monarch had died — an event that instantly plunged the country into grief. Truss and her fledgling Conservative government must now manage the mourning, as well as a complicated, security-laden, emotional state funeral expected to draw heads of state from around the world.

“At the same time, the new prime minister is faced with urgent problems that could quickly boil over into full-blown crises, including runaway energy prices, soaring inflation and Brexit-induced questions over the future of Northern Ireland and Scotland within the United Kingdom…

“Britain has been effectively leaderless in the two months since Truss’ predecessor, Boris Johnson, was forced to resign over a series of ethics scandals and to serve as a lame-duck prime minister until a successor was chosen. Parliament has been mostly paralyzed while the cost-of-living crisis ballooned, gas prices skyrocketed and Britons grew fearful over how to get through the coming winter. The queen’s death now means a further slowdown of some of the workings of government, with parliamentary business suspended during a 10-day mourning period….”

In the end, the irreversible downfall of Great Britain is prophesied.

Queen Elizabeth and King Charles III

The Algemeiner wrote on September 9:

“That Queen Elizabeth II was both Britain’s longest-serving and oldest monarch is a testament to the period of history in which she lived, and upon which she left an indelible mark… Memorable actions, such as staying in London for much of the devastating Blitz wrought by the fighter planes of the German Luftwaffe in 1940 and 1941, fed into a broader narrative of service to her country before anything else…

“Many of the obituaries published since her death noted with amazement that no less than 15 prime ministers were in office during her reign, including Sir Winston Churchill, who was born in 1874, and the newly installed Liz Truss, born in 1975. Each of these prime ministers would dutifully attend a private weekly meeting with the queen to debrief her on current events…

“No one should pretend that Charles will easily fit his mother’s outsized shoes, and he now faces the formidable task of winning the affections of the British people alongside their respect. The knowledge that his mother held onto the throne despite frequent suggestions that she should abdicate in Charles’s favor—so as to avoid the present situation, where he becomes king at the age of 73—will not help in that regard either…

“Nevertheless, the coming days will see an outpouring of prayers for the new monarch’s success, not least from the British Jewish community, which this Shabbat will recite its weekly prayer for the Royal Family with King Charles named as ‘our sovereign lord’ for the very first time. That will be accompanied by a profound sense of sadness that a woman who was integral to British life for nearly a century is suddenly no longer there, together with a modicum of anxiety about what the future might hold. It seems fair, then, to wish King Charles the best of British luck.

“Given what his mother represented, and the high regard in which she was held around the world, he is going to need it.”

Breitbart wrote on September 10:

“King Charles III has been formally proclaimed as monarch following a meeting of the ancient Accession Council  in St James’s Palace…. King Charles also gave a formal oath concerning his constitutional duty relating to the security of the Church of Scotland — a tradition dating back to a time when the Scottish royal family had ascended to the English throne but not yet united the Scottish and English states….”

An upcoming series of Q&As will address this succession of the throne. Neither British “luck” nor prayers for Britain’s “sovereign lord” will prevent Britain’s demise.

Canada’s New Monarch

The Associated Press wrote on September 10:

“King Charles III was officially proclaimed Canada’s monarch Saturday in a ceremony in Ottawa. Charles automatically became king when Queen Elizabeth II died Thursday. But like the ceremony in the United Kingdom hours earlier, the accession ceremony in Canada is a key constitutional and ceremonial step in introducing the new monarch to the country. Charles is now is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies.

“Overall, the antiroyal movement in Canada is minuscule, meaning that Charles will almost certainly remain king of Canada. One reason is that abolishing the monarchy would mean changing the constitution. That’s an inherently risky undertaking, given how delicately it is engineered to unite a nation of 37 million people that embraces English-speakers, French-speakers, Indigenous tribes and a constant flow of new immigrants…

“Trudeau attended the ceremony where the Chief Herald of Canada read the proclamation on the accession of the new sovereign. Also taking part was Governor General Mary Simon, who is the representative of the British monarch as head of state, a mostly ceremonial and symbolic position. She is an Inuk and is the first Indigenous person to hold the position….”

The glory and power of the “British Commonwealth”—as it had been prophesied in the Bible—is long gone. However, some ceremonial loyalties without any practical consequences are being maintained. Note the next article.

Australia’s New Monarch

The Guardian wrote on September 13:

“Victorian MPs have sworn allegiance to King Charles III in a special sitting of parliament unique to the state following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.  The speaker, Maree Edwards, opened the sitting on Tuesday with a message from the Victorian governor, Linda Dessau, formally announcing the death of the Queen and the ascension of King Charles III to the throne. All 88 lower house MPs were then asked to take an oath or affirmation in which they pledged to be ‘faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty and His Majesty’s heirs and successors according to law’… Victoria is the only state or territory which requires members of both houses to swear allegiance to the new monarch after their predecessor’s death under section 23 of its constitution.

“The last time this occurred was on 14 February 1952, eight days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II’s father, King George VI…

“Condolences will continue in both houses for much of Tuesday before parliament adjourns for one week as a mark of respect. It will return for two final sitting days next week ahead of the November state election.

“In NSW, a brief sitting of parliament was held on Tuesday morning, with the premier, Dominic Perrottet, moving a motion to profess ‘profound sorrow’ at the death of the ‘beloved sovereign’. He then moved a separate motion congratulating King Charles III on his ascension to the throne, swearing ‘unswerving loyalty’ and wishing a ‘long and happy’ reign ‘marked by peace and prosperity throughout NSW and Australia.’”

There is discussion in Australia about the future of the monarchy, but it was felt that now was not the time to pursue that matter.

Europe to Become Autonomous?

FP [Foreign Policy] wrote on September 8:

“Russia’s war in Ukraine, Europe’s military weakness, and the United States’ outsized role in the Western response have led many officials and observers to conclude that now is finally the time to ensure Europe can defend itself—and become an autonomous strategic actor. Last week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joined the chorus calling for a ‘stronger, more sovereign, geopolitical European Union.’ Claiming that Washington’s focus has shifted to competition with China in the Indo-Pacific, he concluded that ‘Europe is our future.’

“…the European Union has almost 450 million people, a GDP of $18 trillion, and more $200 billion in defense spending by its member countries…

“Europe could do more but remains unwilling… Germany, France, and Italy combined have pledged less to Ukraine than Poland on its own, even though their collective GDP is almost 14 times larger…

“Who would control an EU army? Would Germany—let alone France—agree to be blocked by Hungary (if war needs a unanimous decision among EU members) or be outvoted (if a majority suffices)? Which country’s electorates would tolerate their government passing decisions literally over the life and death of thousands of citizens to EU institutions?…”

The author argues against European autonomy and pleads for staying under the US umbrella. But biblical prophecy shows that the opposite will happen. In times of ongoing crises, ten European core nations or groups of nations will transfer their power and authority to a future charismatic military leader of German or Austrian descent; and this new power bloc will be antagonistic towards the USA.

Germany’s Army (Bundeswehr) Gains Momentum

The Los Angeles Times wrote on September 8:

“In the not-so-distant past, the reputation of the Bundeswehr — the successor force to the infamous Nazi-era Wehrmacht — was less than stellar. Some members, especially conscripts, did their best to keep a low public profile. Few young people aspired to join. Starved of funds, shrunken in size, the military was almost invisible to the public… After the depredations of World War II, framers of the country’s postwar order initially envisioned Germany having no military at all. But a divided Germany was the Cold War’s ground zero for a tense standoff between the West and the members of the Warsaw Pact, led by the Soviet Union. At its height, the Bundeswehr belonged to the former West Germany and fielded almost half a million troops…

“The military draft remained in effect until 2011, but many young Germans sought to avoid conscription by applying to do some form of civilian service instead, such as working in a hospital…

“To a German public deeply shocked by events in Ukraine, the Bundeswehr — which has concerned itself mainly with foreign peacekeeping and natural disasters at home — is now seen as an indispensable guarantor of security... Recruiters are seeking to capitalize on that more dynamic image. A new Bundeswehr video titled ‘We Protect Germany’ features action-heavy scenes of fast-moving tanks and helicopter-borne troops swooping in to land.

“Germany’s Green Party has been an intriguing barometer of changing sentiment. A heavyweight in the current coalition government and deeply rooted in the antiwar movements of the 1970s and 1980s, the left-leaning, environmental-minded party has probably made the most stunning U-turn in Germany’s recent political history, backing continued weapons shipments and a tough stance toward autocratic governments like those in Beijing and Moscow.”

How times have changed. The once—more or less— pacifistic approach of many Germans has turned to a more military outlook and is returning to and embracing Germany’s problematic and frightening original roots. All of this has been prophesied to happen for these end times. The last and final European revival of the ancient Roman Empire, leading to the return of Jesus Christ, is in full swing. Note the next short article as well.

Germany to Play a Leading Military Role

Deutsche Welle wrote on September 12:

“German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Monday she believed Germany was obliged to play a leading global role, including in the military sphere, and that the country should not be afraid of the responsibility.

“‘Germany’s size, its geographical situation, its economic power — in short, its clout — makes us a leading power whether or not we want to be one. Militarily as well,’ she said in a keynote security address in Berlin.”

The signs of the time…

Putin Threatens to Cut Off Europe’s Energy Supplies

The Sun wrote on September 7:

“Vladimir Putin has threatened to cut off Europe’s energy supplies completely.He vowed to axe all ‘gas, coal and heating oil’ if the EU imposes a price cap this winter… He fumed: ‘We will not supply anything.’… [He] blasted EU plans as ‘stupid’ and vowed Russia would renege on deals to supply gas through the Nord Stream pipeline.

“Addressing a forum in Vladivostok, he said: ‘Will there be any political decisions that contradict the contracts? Yes, we just won’t fulfil them. We will not supply anything at all if it contradicts our interests.’… Putin switched off Nord Stream One gas supplies last week for unspecified repairs and threatened not to restore them until sanctions are lifted.”

Predictably, EU ministers seem to be caving in to Russia.

Deutsche Welle wrote on September 10:

“European energy ministers have disagreed on a price cap on Russian gas, and want the EU Commission to rework proposals to shield Europeans from increasing energy prices… The biggest sticking point appeared to be whether and how to impose a price cap on the amount the bloc pays for Russian gas… Member states in central and eastern Europe who still get gas from Russia feared retaliation by Moscow.”

Reports were published about Ukraine’s surprise advances in certain key regions in Eastern Ukraine and Russia’s retreat there to “regroup.” But it has also been stated that the war will drag on for months. Ultimately, Russia and Ukraine will unite, and as Ukraine is temporarily victorious in certain regions, Putin’s wrath is kindled… especially against Europe which is sanctioning Russia and supporting Ukraine with weapons and money.

When the Lights Go Out…

The Guardian wrote on September 11:

“That Robert Habeck, Germany’s economy minister in his recent, pre-ministerial life, wrote a children’s book in which a girl called Emily experiences ‘how exciting a night-time power cut can be’ may yet come back to haunt him. These days, Habeck is charged with the daunting task of ensuring that the lights do not go out… in Europe’s largest economy. And even if Germans have been hoarding candles and camping stoves, just as not so long ago they were doing with toilet paper and pasta, they consider the prospect of a blackout and cold homes to be scary rather than exciting. Reports of people illegally felling trees for fuel have brought back memories of postwar squalor, when Berlin’s Tiergarten park was stripped bare as Germans tried to keep warm.

“But a blackout is not so unrealistic since Moscow closed down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline more than a week ago… Bakers in northern Germany on Thursday turned off their lights in protest at the way they had been excluded from the government’s unwieldy sounding Energiekostendämpfungsprogramm, to provide help towards the bills of energy intensive industries, from glass to wallpaper manufacturers. ‘Lights today, ovens tomorrow?’ was the slogan posted on the door of a bakery in the well-to-do Hamburg district of Blankenese. ‘Bread could yet become a luxury good that only rich people can afford,’ the owner said, desperate for recognition that her gas provider had cancelled her contract and she was facing a monthly gas bill that had gone from €3,800 (£3,300) to €8,000…

“Energy specialists say that despite Scholz’s insistence that Germany would have enough energy to get through the winter, it is too early to be optimistic. Already in a colder than usual September, consumption has been higher than expected… Germany now faces nothing less than weighing up which is greater – its angst over atomic power or a blackout.”

Putin Counts on a Strong Winter

The Hill wrote on September 11:

“As the summer war in Ukraine transitions into autumn and the harvesting of sunflowers begins, repeated Russian military setbacks in the Donbas region and Kherson Oblast are forcing Vladimir Putin to show his hand. Impatient to reverse course on the battlefield, the Russian president is signaling that Moscow fully intends to weaponize Europe’s winter energy needs — for not just Ukraine but the entire European Union.

“Putin is gambling on a brutally cold and snowy winter like that of 1941, which helped derail the German army’s attack on Moscow during Operation Barbarossa. Theoretically, the Kremlin’s strategic aim is to produce an energy crisis in the dead of a European winter to break the will of NATO from continuing to militarily and economically support Kyiv. The underlying assumption is that Europeans would choose warmth and comfort over Ukraine’s independence.”

The author continues that Putin’s approach will not work, but time will tell…

The Fear of Nuclear War

Yahoo! Sports wrote on September 12:

“…comments from Ukraine’s top general last week point to a significant threat… ‘There is a direct threat of the use, under certain circumstances, of tactical nuclear weapons by the Russian armed forces,’ General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, writes in an article published by state news agency Ukrinform. ‘It is also impossible to completely rule out the possibility of the direct involvement of the world’s leading countries in a “limited” nuclear conflict, in which the prospect of World War III is already directly visible.’

“That’s a scary picture. The possibility of nuclear war makes all other problems seem trivial in comparison. Legendary investor Warren Buffett once called it ‘the ultimate problem of mankind.’ Warren Buffett is not a doom-and-gloom type of investor. He’s not shy about expressing his seemingly endless optimism over the U.S. economy. But if there’s one threat that keeps the investing legend up at night, it’s most certainly the threat of nuclear war. ‘It is the ultimate problem of mankind,’ Buffett said at his company Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholders meeting back in 2006. ‘And it will happen someday.’… Buffett expressed similar concerns in 2017. ‘I’ve been concerned since 1945 when the first atomic bomb was used,’ he said during a CNBC interview. ‘We have developed over these 72 years, since August of 1945, the ability around the world to almost destroy civilization…”

Sadly, there will be worldwide nuclear war in the future—not just a limited one—which WOULD destroy ALL life on earth if Jesus Christ were not to return to shorten those days and prevent human extinction.  

Project Syndicate wrote on September 5:

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and nuclear saber rattling against the West have revived a debate about nuclear weapons. Last year, when a United Nations treaty to ban such weapons outright entered into force, none of the world’s nine nuclear-weapons states was among the 86 signatories…

“In 1960, the British scientist and novelist C.P. Snow concluded that nuclear war within a decade was ‘a mathematical certainty.’ That may have been an exaggeration, but many believed Snow’s prediction would be justified if a war occurred within a century. In the 1980s, Nuclear Freeze campaigners like Helen Caldicott echoed Snow in warning that the buildup of nuclear weapons ‘will make nuclear war a mathematical certainty.’… There was a lower probability of nuclear war in 1963, just after the Cuban Missile Crisis, precisely because there had been a higher probability in 1962… During the Cuban Missile Crisis, US President John F. Kennedy reportedly estimated the probability of nuclear war to be between 33% and 50%.”

Many feel that nuclear war is not really possible as there have been so many warnings in the past—and nothing happened. They could not be more wrong.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

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

In part 1, we looked very briefly at how much the Bible has been influential in the world and how its influence can be noticed today for those with eyes to see.   Let us review some more interesting information that will help us realise how influential the Word of God has been over a long period of time.

On the website: “What Christians Want to Know,” we find more interesting information:

“The Bible is quoted more often than any other piece of literature in history and has had more influence on our language, culture, and laws than any other book or idea ever published. A recent book by the linguist David Crystal, appropriately called Begat: The King James Bible and the English language, counts 257 phrases from the King James Bible in contemporary English idiom. Some of the phrases from the Bible that has become part of our everyday language include [the following quotes are taken or adapted from the Authorized Version]:

“Gave up the ghost ~ Genesis 35:29

“Out of the mouth of babes ~ Psalms 8:2

“Put words in thy mouth ~ Jeremiah 1:9

“Feet of clay ~ Daniel 2:33

“Salt of the earth ~ Matthew 5:13

“Fought the good fight ~ 2 Timothy 4:7

“Turned the world upside down ~ Acts 17:6

“God forbid ~ Romans 3:4

“Take root ~ 2 Kings 19:30

“The powers that be ~ Romans 13:1

“Filthy lucre ~ 1 Timothy 3:3

“No peace for the wicked ~ Isaiah 57:21

“A fly in the ointment ~ Ecclesiastes 10:1

“Wheels within wheels ~ Ezekiel 10:10

“The blind leading the blind ~ Matthew 15:14

“Famous men have praised the Bible’s influence on society. Tennyson considered Bible reading ‘an education in itself’, while Dickens called the New Testament ‘the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world.’

“The US statesman Daniel Webster said: ‘If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures.’

“Equally celebrated as a British orator, TB Macaulay said that the Bible demonstrated ‘the whole extent of the beauty and power’ of the English language.

“The novels that have had the most impact on American literature have strong biblical influences. These classics include: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, The Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, Moby Dick by Herman Melville and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In the much-read Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, the book contains almost 100 quotations or direct references from the Bible.

“Film is a highly popular medium in society all over the world and the Bible has influenced society through films that have biblical references. Some of the great films with biblical themes include: The Ten Commandments, The Passion of the Christ, The Prince of Egypt, Chariots of Fire and many others.”

As we pointed out in part 1, we are in no way endorsing depictions of Jesus Christ, including in movies. We just quote these excerpts to show the influence the Bible has had, however inappropriate their depictions might have been. Continuing:

“The Bible has also influenced society by its presence in the great art throughout history.  If you visit the great museums in Europe and America, like the Louvre or the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, you’ll find many paintings whose subjects are inspired by the Bible.  Famous biblical art include Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper and his statue of David. The Sistine Chapel in Italy is famous for its ceiling painted by Michelangelo which is bursting with beauty from biblical scenes. In the Tate Museum in London, you’ll find engravings by William Blake on the Book of Job. Botticelli delights with his painting on the Adoration of the Magi at the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence. The painting of David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio is also well known.

Again, the same comments as stated above would apply here as well. Continuing:

“The Bible: laws and morality.

“In societies like America where the Bible is widely read, this sacred book is highly influential, becoming the foundation of morality in society. For example, in America, the Constitution and the rules and laws that govern society have their roots in the Bible, through moral codes like the Ten Commandments.

“Great American leaders have also spoken about the importance of the Bible in establishing morality in society.

“‘I have always said, I always will say, that the studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands.’ Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), 3rd President of the United States.

“And Jefferson wasn’t the only early U.S. president who felt this way.

“‘So great is my veneration for the Bible, that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hopes that they will prove useful citizens to their country and respectable members of society.’ John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), 6th President of the United States.

“In conclusion, we can see that the Bible has an enormous influence on society through its presence in culture. Biblical allusions can be found in the major works of art, fiction and poetry, music and films. Through the prevalence in both high culture and pop culture, the Bible influences society with its teachings. The Bible is indeed a highly influential book, impacting society on many levels.”

Some of the others who have attested to the value of the Bible are as follows:

Isaac Newton, English mathematician and scientist, 1642-1727: “We account the scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatsoever” (Libquotes.com).

Napoleon, Emperor of the French (1804-1814), 1769-1821: “The gospel is not a book; it is a living being, with an action, a power, which invades every thing that opposes its extension, behold! It is upon this table: This book, surpassing all others. I never omit to read it, and every day with some pleasure” (quotefancy.com).

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, 1809-1865: “In regards to this great Book [the Bible], I have but to say it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are found portrayed in it” (AZquotes.com).

Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States, 1856-1924: “When you have read the Bible, you know it is the word of God, because it is the key to your heart, your own happiness, and your own duty” (AZquotes.com).

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, 1858-1919: “A thorough understanding of the Bible is better than a college education” (brainyquote.com).

President George Washington, First President of the United States: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible” (creationist.org).

Robert E. Lee, Civil War General who fought for the Southern Confederacy: “In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength” (goodreads.com).

President Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States: “Of the many influences that have shaped the United States into a distinctive nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible” (libquotes.com).

We can see above that many leaders of the past have been very enthusiastic and positive about the Word of God.

According to Wikipedia, Gideons International “is an evangelical Christian association founded in 1899 in Wisconsin. The Gideons’ primary activity is distributing copies of the Bible free of charge. This Bible distribution is a worldwide enterprise taking place in around 200 countries, territories and possessions. The association’s members focus on distributing complete Bibles, New Testaments, or portions thereof. These copies are printed in over 100 languages. The association is most widely known for its Bibles placed in lodging rooms. The Gideons also distribute to hospitals and other medical offices, schools and colleges, military bases, as well as jails and prisons. The association takes its name from the Biblical figure Gideon depicted in Judges 6.

“Members of The Gideons International currently distribute over 80 million Bibles annually. On average, more than two copies of the Bible are distributed per second through Gideons International.   As of April 2015, Gideons International has distributed over two billion Bibles.”

What we have quoted is but a fraction of the evidence of the positive influence the Bible has had on so many people over such a long period of time.

As the teachings of the Bible are pretty much rejected by so many today, we can see a similar graph showing the nations’ descent into chaos and confusion. Perhaps reading and acting upon the blessings and cursings of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 might for some shine light on the principle of sowing and reaping. Also, Galatians 6:7 states: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that he will also reap.”  Sowing and reaping would be just one lesson from so many that can be found in the world’s bestselling book, but would also be an enormous benefit to everyone involved in implementing such wise advice.

The rejection of such knowledge and the antipathy and antagonism shown to the Word of God brings about, not only inferior results, but also a society that will, sooner or later, be punished for their attitude and blasphemy towards the information and knowledge unsurpassed from any other source.

Amongst so many issues that are addressed by the Bible, it gives an explanation about the creation of the universe; issues guidance on which Holy Days to keep; how to live a life pleasing to God; an object lesson on problem solving whenever this is necessary; and what the future holds for mankind.   (For an in-depth review and study of these and many other issues, please see our list of available booklets on our website www.eternalgod.org).

There are so many other lessons to be learned from the teachings of the Bible, and those who take note and apply them to their own lives are the real winners today.

And that is the effect that the Bible can have on us all, individually, today.

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

compiled by Dave Harris

Live Services for the Fall Holy Days will be available for viewing. Please consult our website, www.eternalgod.org, to see our schedule.

“So You Wanna Fight?” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Kalon Mitchell, is now posted. Here is a summary:

As Christians we have to be ready to fight. We know we will have to face battles in our lives and we must face them head on with confidence that we can win because God is by our side and He wants us to win. But we must be willing and zealous in our approach!

“Fight Like Christians,” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Michael Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

The world relies on war to bring about peace, but that is not the way to achieve it.  God never intended wars to be fought in the first place, as the Bible explains, but we are to be peacemakers.  We do however fight against the god of this world.  What do we need to do so we can be victorious?

2022 FALL HOLY DAYS

Feast of Trumpets… September 26

Day of Atonement… October 5

Feast of Tabernacles… October 10-16, with Opening Night on October 9

Last Great Day… October 17