On January 24, 2026, Paul Niehoff will present the sermonette, titled, “The Two Test Commandments for the Children of Israel,” and Rene Messier will present the sermon, titled, “Walking Dust.”

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

For many people, the following account is little more than a “fairy tale”:

“Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16 New American Standard Version).

This is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 3:16), but it is only part of the story about Him. He is also revealed as the “Word”:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-3, 14).

What Jesus did was actually planned “before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9), as the Apostle Peter confirms: “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1 Peter 1:20).

Is this the Jesus Christ you believe in, know and serve? Furthermore, is the biblical description of the glorified Christ how you view Him to be? Note how it is found in Revelation 1:13-15:

“[A]nd in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters…”

Not only who Jesus is and what Jesus did misunderstood, but what He is doing and will do seems to hold no relevance for most people. Right now, He is the living Head of the Church of God (Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 4:14-16). Following His resurrection, He said, “‘…All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” (Matthew 28:18). We are also told that He will come back to the earth from heaven (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 1:7).

Yet, for all the prophecies about Jesus Christ, people continue to ignore the very signs He gave which will herald His return, and we find this stern warning from Him:

“‘Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect’” (Matthew 24:44).

We simply don’t know the exact time, but we must not ignore events that are now signifying and heralding the end of this age and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. These things are happening exactly as Jesus foretold.

The key for us who know the story of Jesus Christ found in the Word of God is to be preparing, because we truly believe it! Let’s not treat the warnings of the Bible as improbable fairy tales, but as what they are—the very Truth of how God will bring salvation to mankind, which He promised before time began (Titus 1:2).

We continue reporting on Trump’s obsession to acquire Greenland and the condemnation from his “allies.” His coercion and blackmail of imposing tariffs on leading European countries have only accelerated the antagonism and separation of these two power blocs and all of this has placed the survival of NATO in jeopardy. 

Trump suddenly backed away from imposing tariffs, citing flimsy reasons, claiming that an unspecified, obscure agreement had been reached. This means that Trump has backed down or that he is simply trying to conceal his true intentions without abandoning them.In this context, see our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump’s Greenland Deal—Defeat or Distraction?”

Due to Trump’s imperial ambitions, Europe is considering a more “normal” relationship with Russia, while entering into trade agreements with South America. At the same time, Canada is entering into trade agreements with China—all in defiance of Trump.

Most Americans question the justification of the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis and the conduct of ICE in general, and criminally investigating the Governor of Minnesota and the Mayor of  Minneapolis certainly does not help to calm the waves of uproar.

We speak on Trump’s controversial Board of Peace for Gaza; another appeal of the Sanhedrin to build the Third Temple; new pressure on German doctors to vaccinate their patients; and we conclude with an interesting article by a scientist as to where God’s Third Heaven might be located

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

Trump’s Tariffs For Countries Supporting Greenland 

Yahoo! Finance wrote on January 17:

“President Trump said the US would implement 10% tariffs on eight European countries he says are getting in the way of a US purchase of Greenland. [He specified that the tariffs are imposed on those countries that have sent military forces to Greenland]. The tariffs would begin Feb. 1 and apply to ‘any and all goods sent to’ the US. 

“The levies on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland would be raised to 25% on June 1 if no agreement is in place.” 

The small contingent of troops sent by Europeans to Greenland had only a symbolic character to underscore Europe’s commitment to Greenland. In the meantime, waffling Germany withdrew its small contingent, saying that they had fulfilled their commission of observing the situation. However, it is clear that Trump is using tariffs as blackmail and coercion. Sadly, the US Supreme Court has still not issued a ruling on the legality of such tariffs. Trump speaks of purchasing Greenland but knows that Denmark and Greenland will not agree to a purchase; so he is really talking about military acquisition. Trump is making his European “allies” very angry. Has the time come for the prophesied lasting final separation? 

Trump’s Punitive Tariffs Are “Grotesque” 

Die Welt wrote on January 17: 

“The new punitive tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump are meeting with massive criticism in the German business community.  Associations are warning of an escalation of the trade dispute and calling for a united response from the EU… ‘The announcement of new US tariffs on certain European countries is grotesque,’ said the president of the German Foreign Trade Association (BGA), Dirk Jandura. 

‘The US is punishing participants in a NATO operation; that is simply inconceivable. This marks a new low point in American-European trade relations.’  He added that Germany continues to stand by Denmark, and that democracy and freedom cannot be wiped away with punitive tariffs.” 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Trump’s threat to impose tariffs over Greenland is “completely wrong.” Reform leader Nigel Farage said: “We don’t always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don’t.”  

Trump a Threat to NATO 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 17:

“Most Germans believe US President Donald Trump’s policies are putting the NATO alliance at risk, according to a new poll. Some 78% of respondents to the ZDF Politbarometer survey said Trump’s approach endangers the alliance… The survey comes as Trump presses US claims over Greenland… 

“The poll also asked how the European Union should respond if the US were to intervene militarily… A clear majority of 69% said the EU should oppose such actions…” 

What needs to be realized is that Trump really wants to leave NATO. So the Greenland debacle might be a welcome excuse for him to do so—or forcing Europe to kick the USA out.

“IF US Goes Extreme, Europe Will Go Extreme”

Newsbreak wrote on January 4: 

“Harald Viereck Fehlinger, an Austrian political activist associated with an unofficial NATO enlargement advocacy group, issued a stark warning to the United States over its stated interest in acquiring Greenland, threatening the removal of American military forces and bases from Europe if such a move were to occur… 

“According to Fehlinger, the loss of these bases would dismantle the foundation of American power projection in Europe that has existed since World War II. He argued that Europe could defend itself without U.S. troops, without the American nuclear umbrella, and without U.S. military infrastructure on the continent. He further claimed that U.S. forces would be expelled and sent back to the United States, ending America’s military footprint in Europe… 

“Fehlinger’s statements do not reflect official European policy, they underscore the severity of the rhetoric emerging around Greenland and highlight how the dispute has escalated into open threats against long-standing U.S. military arrangements in Europe.” 

Those words would have never been spoken just a few months ago.

Macron Warns Trump 

Express wrote on January 15: 

“Emmanuel Macron has issued a stern warning to Donald Trump, cautioning that any breach of Greenland’s sovereignty would trigger ‘unprecedented cascading consequences’ for the transatlantic alliance. The statement represents the strongest European pushback yet to Mr Trump’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric, which has evolved from diplomatic interest to explicit threats of military action. 

“The US President has recently ramped up his language significantly, suggesting that the United States will acquire the island either ‘the easy way or the hard way,’ a characterization that has rattled European capitals… 

“French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot… emphasized: ‘Greenland does not want to be owned, governed… or integrated into the United States. Greenland has made the choice of Denmark, NATO, and the European Union.’” 

European countries are uniting in their opposition to Trump’s “autocratic” and “threatening” conduct. 

Stephen Miller’s Bizarre Thinking 

The Huffington Post wrote on January 17: 

“The White House deputy chief of staff [Stephen Miller] argued that America has a right to Greenland because ‘tiny’ Denmark can’t defend its territory against U.S. military force.” 

What kind of twisted and despicable Hitler-like “logic” is that?

Greenland Saga Far From Over 

Bild Online reported on January 17: 

“The Greens are demanding a unified response from the European Union to US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats against Germany and other European countries in the Greenland conflict. 

“‘The EU must not back down now in the face of Trump’s tariff threats,’ said parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge in Berlin. ‘A clear message must be sent to Trump that the EU will respond to tariff threats with retaliatory tariffs.’… 

“The CDU foreign policy expert and the Union’s rapporteur for North America and the Arctic, Peter Beyer (55)… [said:] ‘This looks like a typical Trump maneuver: He’s applying maximum pressure, he wants a deal. But my transatlantic heart bleeds when I see that in these times we almost have to be glad when it’s only about punitive tariffs from Washington.’” 

But it won’t stay there. This is going to escalate. 

Trump Continues to Provoke and Attack 

Mediaite wrote on January 20: 

“The president [shared] an AI-produced image of him presenting a doctored map of the Western Hemisphere – showing Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela all under a U.S. flag — to European leaders gathered in the Oval Office… Another image showed him planting a U.S. flag on Greenland while flanked by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with a sign that read ‘Greenland — U.S. Territory Est. 2026.’… He closed the barrage by attacking Britain over the ‘GREAT STUPIDITY’ of its decision to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, lashing out at plans to transfer Diego Garcia, home to a major US military base… 

“Trump went further, citing the move as ‘another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired.’ … The intervention reportedly blindsided London, not least because Trump’s own secretary of state, Marco Rubio, previously welcomed the Chagos deal, calling it ‘a critical asset for regional and global security’ and praising its role in safeguarding the base for decades.” 

According to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump told him personally that he approved of the Chagos deal. 

Trump Won’t Use Force to Acquire Greenland? 

Newsmax wrote on January 21: 

“President Donald Trump said Wednesday he wants negotiations to acquire Greenland, portraying the effort as a strategic necessity while insisting he does not want to use military force. ‘People thought I would use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,’ Trump said in remarks to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. 

“Trump, however, also said on Wednesday that the United States will not forget the slight if a deal on Greenland is not reached. ‘So we want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won’t give it,’ he said. ‘We’ve never asked for anything else, and we could have kept that piece of land, and we didn’t. So [you] have a choice. You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember.’ ‘All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland, where we already had it as a [territory] but respectfully returned it back to Denmark not long ago, after we defeated the Germans, the Japanese, the Italians, and others in World War II,’ said Trump. ‘We gave it back to them.’… 

“He used World War II to support his claim that Denmark could not defend Greenland and said the U.S. built bases there at significant cost. ‘We saw this in World War II when Denmark fell to Germany after just six hours of fighting and was totally unable to defend either itself or Greenland,’ Trump said… He said the U.S. should not have returned Greenland after the war… ‘After the war, we gave Greenland back to Denmark. How stupid were we to do that, but we did it. But we gave it back. But how ungrateful are they now?’” 

Welt Online added on January 21: 

“He then reprimanded Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The US has always been very generous to Canada, he said. Despite this, Carney hadn’t shown much gratitude in his Davos speech. ‘Canada exists because of the United States, remember that, Mark, the next time you speak,’ Trump said. The US president has repeatedly expressed his desire to annex Canada as another federal state…” 

Trump’s Big Greenland Defeat?

USA Today wrote on January 21:

“Donald Trump said he’s holding off on imposing tariffs he threatened on eight European nations after securing the ‘framework of a future deal’ with NATO involving Greenland and ‘the entire Arctic region…’ ‘This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations,’ Trump said…

“Details of the potential deal were not immediately clear. In his post, Trump made no mention of the United States acquiring Greenland, a territory of Denmark that he’s repeatedly said the United States needs for security purposes. He instead referenced additional discussions over his planned $175 billion air defense system known as the ‘Golden Dome.’…

“He declined to lay out the full details but suggested Greenland would be part of the Golden Dome and that the U.S. would acquire mineral rights in Greenland… Trump said Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will be involved in future negotiations over Greenland and the Golden Dome.’”

The Huffington Post wrote:

“After first threatening another trade war and then hinting at an actual one to wrest control of Greenland away from Denmark, President Donald Trump Wednesday backed down from all his threats and claimed victory… It is… unclear what a new agreement would offer the United States that it cannot already do under a 1951 treaty with Denmark about U.S. military installations there.”

The Sun added on January 21:

“DENMARK is reportedly set to keep control of Greenland under a Trump-backed framework as Europe takes a deep sigh of relief. But Nato chief Mark Rutte has warned negotiations remain ongoing with ‘more work to be done’ after the President publicly pushed to take control of the Arctic island…”

Der Stern wrote:

“When asked whether the deal was about acquiring Greenland, Trump simply told the US broadcaster CNBC that he didn’t want to comment on it at the moment and that it was ‘somewhat complex.’… According to a NATO spokeswoman, however, the actual discussions have yet to take place…”

Focus wrote:

“The Danish Foreign Minister did not comment on Trump’s statements about such an agreement… Lars Løkke Rasmussen declined to provide details. However, the minister made it clear: ‘The US will not acquire Greenland.’ He described Trump’s ambition in this regard as ‘wild fantasies.’”

Old Western Order Is History 

The Guardian wrote on January 15: 

“Donald Trump is threatening to take over Greenland, the territory of a Nato ally, possibly by military force, as Vladimir Putin is trying to take over Ukraine. Even if he doesn’t actually do it, this is a new era: a post-western world of illiberal international disorder… 

“All the signs are that Trump is going to get more extreme and unpredictable as time goes by and his domestic difficulties increase… 

“Europe – the US’s biggest single economic partner – should privately review the full range of economic responses (including, for example, selling off US Treasury bonds) it could make in the… event of Trump ordering a Putin-style military takeover of Greenland. The outline of these contingency plans could be discreetly conveyed to the White House via US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent or presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner. There are doubtless other possible moves, but the general thrust is clear: a Europe (and Canada, and other liberal democracies) projecting quiet strength, power and resolve.” 

Far Right European Parties Distance Themselves From Trump 

Politico wrote on January 16: 

“Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has long sought close ties to the Trump administration in its quest for powerful international allies and an end to its political isolation at home. But as public sentiment in Germany increasingly turns against U.S. President Donald Trump and his foreign interventionism…, AfD leaders are recalibrating, putting distance between their party and a U.S. president they previously embraced. 

“By distancing themselves from Trump, the AfD leaders are following the path of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally in France, whose leaders, due to the American president’s deep unpopularity there, have been far more critical of Trump and view his administration’s overtures to European nationalists as a liability… 

“The AfD’s criticism this week, by contrast, was tepid… But the political risks inherent in the AfD’s efforts to ally with Trump are also becoming clearer. Surveys show the vast majority of Germans strongly oppose what Trump has said about Greenland and what he has done in Venezuela. Only 12 percent of Germans view his performance positively… while only 15 percent see the U.S. as a trustworthy partner, a new low.”

Trump Sees No Longer Obligation to Bring Peace 

The New York Post wrote on January 19: 

“President Trump has warned America’s European allies ‘I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace’ after he missed out on last year’s Nobel Prize amid a new round of threats to annex Greenland… 

“‘Dear Jonas,’ reads the message…  ‘Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land [Greenland] from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also,’ Trump goes on…

“Despite the president’s complaints…, the Norwegian government has no role in awarding the Nobel Peace Prize, which is done by an independent committee… Trump campaigned hard for the Peace Prize and received public nominations from several world leaders — though the annual nominating deadline of Jan. 31 precluded him from receiving the award for most actions during the first year of his second term in office.” 

Newsmax wrote on January 19, 2025 

“Danish sovereignty over the vast, mineral-rich island is documented in a series of binding legal instruments including a treaty ⁠agreed in 1814. ​

“The U.S. has repeatedly recognized that Greenland ‍is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.” 

When asked whether he would seize Greenland by force, Trump responded, “No comment.” 

His justification to acquire (conquer) Greenland as a reason for not getting the Peace Prize has  been roundly condemned on US Social Media. Trump’s letter has been described by commentators as “deranged,” “insane”, and “unhinged crazy talk.” The Daily Beast wrote on January 19: 

“Even by Trump’s standards, this letter is so dangerous and so delusional that there is no longer any question that the president is mentally ‘unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,’ as laid out in the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. It is clearly not rational to start a war because your feelings got hurt by not winning a prize that you were not even eligible for.” 

At the same time, Russia is celebrating the “collapse of NATO.” 

Trump Managed to Combine His Three Least Popular Policies: Greenland, Canada and Tariffs 

The Independent wrote on January 19: 

“… his [tariff] threats [against European countries] come despite being one of his most unpopular policies with voters at home and abroad. Trump’s comments are just the latest sign that the United States can no longer be considered a reliable partner for its European partners… 

“While Trump continues to push his idea of the U.S. taking Greenland, voters remain opposed… Now, Trump is trying to couple Greenland with another one of his favorite terms – tariffs – despite poor polling… 

“In the same token, NBC News reported that Trump is now fretting about Canada and its supposed vulnerabilities to Russia and China. It comes after a reprieve from Trump’s threats last year about turning Canada into the ‘51st state.’ 

“But there is just one problem: all of these measures are incredibly unpopular. In fact, the president has figured out how to merge three of the least popular parts of his agenda to create a… policy that will alienate most of the American electorate eleven months before the 2026 midterm elections…

“The Wall Street Journal’s poll released this weekend found that his approval on both the economy and tariffs are at a negative ten percent. And this does not begin to talk about how unpopular taking Greenland is… There is also not much support for taking control of Canada. Only 22 percent of Americans support taking control of Canada and only 4 percent support using military force against Canada. 

“The CBS News/YouGov poll also found that 86 percent of Americans opposed using military force to take Greenland, with 70 percent of Republicans disapproving of the idea. In addition, 69 percent of Americans thought that taking Greenland by military force would cause the United States to leave NATO, even though 54 percent thought it would give the country access to needed resources…” 

Trump’s desire to annex Canada is not going away. And, this article does not even include Trump’s highly unpopular immigration policy. 

A Stretch Too Far?

MSN wrote on January 19: 

“President Trump may be overplaying his hand in negotiations for Greenland, economists are warning, after the Oval Office threatened new tariffs on E.U. countries if they did not support America’s demand to purchase the territory… 

“Deutsche Bank’s Jim Reid… wrote in a note to clients this morning. ‘The main Achilles Heel of the U.S. is the huge twin deficits. So while in many ways it feels like the U.S. holds the economic cards, it doesn’t hold all the funding cards in a world that will be very disturbed by the weekend’s events.’ 

“Investors, analysts, and world leaders have long wondered when—or if—a debt crisis would occur in one of the nations burdened by a massive deficit. While the likes of Japan, the U.K., and France are by no means balancing their books, America’s $38 trillion deficit dwarfs its counterparts. While a great deal of that debt is held by the public (including the Fed, where President Trump is also in hot water), vast sums are also owned by foreign governments and overseas investors… 

“Europe being America’s largest lender ‘illustrates the deep interdependence between the U.S. and Europe but also shows that, at least theoretically, Europe also has leverage on the U.S.,’ wrote Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro, and Bert Colijn, chief economist for the Netherlands.”

Sooner or later, Europe will use that leverage on the USA. 

“Germany-US Rift Is Looming After a Year of Trump” 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 19: 

“The second term of US President Donald Trump has brought unprecedented strain on once-solid German-American relations. The issue of Greenland could be a tipping point… ‘This is a really dramatically tense time. Rachel Tausendfreund, an American researcher at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), told DW. ‘Germany is wondering right now if it has to be preparing for an attack by its most important NATO ally. In that sense, the relationship has never been worse…’ 

“Johannes Varwick, Professor of International Relations at the University of Halle, thinks that a takeover of Greenland ‘would indeed be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. I believe that the trust relationship with the US would probably be irrevocably broken…’ 

“Trump… has… disregarded almost all previously held beliefs regarding the close partnership… Varwick said: ‘The only thing that really, if ever, could make an impression [with Trump], is a truly united European position. Friedrich Merz is working on that, but the European countries have hugely differing interests.’.. 

“The German government seems clueless as to how it can, on one hand, keep Trump on board in the quest for peace in Ukraine and as a protector of Europe and, on the other, remain true to its self-proclaimed values: adherence to international law and a rules-based international order… 

“Varwick… sees turbulent times ahead for Germany because with Trump, imperialism and the ‘might makes right’ approach have returned. ‘That is, of course, very, very bad news for Germany…’ 

“Merz invited Trump to Germany when relations were already very tense, but long before the latest escalation over Greenland. Under current circumstances, it seems almost unthinkable that Donald Trump would visit soon.” 

The current German government, under Merz, is indeed clueless. But a new government, as prophesied in the Bible, will change this. 

Europe to Divorce America? 

Politico wrote on January 19: 

“… for many European governments, including America’s longest-standing and most loyal allies, Trump’s threat of punitive tariffs against anyone who tries to stop him taking Greenland was the final straw. Divorce, they believe, is now inevitable. In private, dismayed European officials describe Trump’s rush to annex the sovereign Danish territory as ‘crazy’ and ‘mad,’ asking if he is caught up in his ‘warrior mode’ after his Venezuela adventure — and saying he deserves Europe’s toughest retaliation… 

“… diplomats and government officials in national capitals are also considering what a long-term split from Washington might bring… 

“European states, including those not in the EU like Britain and Norway, have spent much of Trump’s second term working in an increasingly effective group that already operates without America… National security advisers from 35 governments are in regular contact, meeting frequently online and in person, as well as interacting via less formal text messaging… Levels of trust in these circles are generally high… Nor is it just at the level of officials: National leaders are themselves rolling up their sleeves and working in intimate new groupings.  

“Leaders including the U.K.’s Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Alexander Stubb of Finland and Meloni of Italy regularly text with each other — often in the same group chat. Over the past year they have developed a well-drilled routine of exchanging messages whenever Trump does something wild and potentially damaging… 

“But Trump’s hell-raising over Greenland has now tipped the balance. Gone is the softly-softly approach to the American president’s threats… This format could potentially become the seedbed for a new security alliance in an era when the U.S. no longer supports NATO and European security.” 

Europe is secretly working on a new European alliance, without the USA. 

EU Army Without All 27 Member States 

Euractiv wrote on January 18: 

“Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has signalled he is ready to push ahead with a common European army and defence industry – even if not all EU members are on board. 

“‘Europe must move forward in its integration process and equip itself with a truly common defence. And for that we do not need the unanimous agreement of all 27 member states,’ he told Spanish daily La Vanguardia… 

“When asked whether EU leaders have discussed the idea of a smaller group of countries moving ahead independently on defence, Sánchez said they have – but only in an ‘abstract’ way.” 

The prophesied concept of a “core Europe” or a Europe with two speeds is again making a comeback.

Martin Schulz on Collision Course 

Bild Online wrote on January 19: 

“Former SPD leader Martin Schulz (70), once President of the European Parliament, has reacted to US President Donald Trump’s (79) plans for Greenland with a fierce attack… ‘He wants Europe to consist of vassal states that do what he says. If I can’t buy it, I’ll conquer it militarily. Today Venezuela belongs to us, tomorrow the whole world.’… 

“‘May the American voters prevent another one like Trump from coming along, this Vance or whatever his name is!… But I am allowed to say here that I consider him (Vance) a shady character.’”

Merz Sharply Criticizes Trump 

Die Welt reported on January 17: 

“At a CDU event in Baden-Württemberg, Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke with unusual frankness: The US course is developing ‘towards a purely power- and interest-driven policy.’ Germany must not become a pawn of the great powers, Merz warned…

“Merz is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the policies of US President Donald Trump and is calling for a more self-confident stance from the Europeans… Merz also apparently no longer expects any changes from Trump… If Trump simply continues his policies, ‘we mustn’t bury our heads in the sand and say we’ll just accept it all.’” 

Now Germany’s chancellor openly opposes Trump as well. But with indecisive Merz, nobody knows for sure what his next step will be, if any. 

Europe Wants to Normalize Relations With Russia 

Boltwise wrote on January 16: 

“In a remarkable diplomatic move, European leaders are signaling their willingness to intensify dialogue with Russia in order to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and French President Emmanuel Macron have all spoken out in favor of direct talks with Moscow… 

“The Kremlin has reacted positively to the recent statements from Europe. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the proposals from Paris, Rome, and Berlin are consistent with Russian interests. 

Merz also said that it is essential to find a way to reach a compromise with Russia. This is interesting in light of the developing alienation between Europe and the USA. 

EU and South America Join in Effort to Oppose Trump 

The Associated Press wrote on January 17: 

“The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries formally signed a long-sought landmark free trade agreement on Saturday… to strengthen commercial ties in the face of rising protectionism and trade tensions around the world… 

“The signing ceremony in Paraguay’s capital, Asunción, marks a major geopolitical victory for the EU in an age of American tariffs and surging Chinese exports, expanding the bloc’s foothold in a resource-rich region… Mercosur consists of the region’s two biggest economies, Argentina and Brazil, as well as Paraguay and Uruguay. Bolivia, the bloc’s newest member, can join the trade deal in the coming years. Venezuela has been suspended from the bloc and isn’t included in the agreement. 

“Promoted by South America’s renowned grass-fed cattle-raising countries and Europe’s industrial interests, the accord’s gradual elimination of more than 90% of tariffs creates one of the world’s largest free trade zones and makes shopping cheaper for more than 700 million consumers. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who heads the EU’s executive branch, portrayed the deal as a bulwark against the disruptive policies of the Trump administration… 

“But even as the ink dried on Saturday, powerful protectionist lobbies in Europe were still hoping to prevent the agreement from clearing its one final hurdle: ratification by the European Parliament. France remains opposed to the accord, with President Emmanuel Macron worrying that farmers’ frustration with the EU could drive more voters to the country’s far right in the 2027 presidential election.” 

European members continue to be divided amongst themselves because of strictly national political ambitions (compare Daniel 2:42-44). 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 21: 

“The European Parliament voted narrowly to challenge the EU trade deal with Latin America in the bloc’s top court, a move that could derail the deal. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz took to social media soon after news of the vote, calling the result ‘regrettable’ and saying it ‘misjudges the geopolitical situation… ‘We are convinced of the legality of the agreement. No more delays. The deal must now be implemented provisionally.’”  

Most Americans Oppose Trump 

ABC News reported on January 16: 

“A set of recently released polls found Americans largely at odds with the Trump administration and its defense of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who fatally shot Minneapolis woman Renee Good…, 53% of registered voters saying the shooting of Good was not justified… 56% majority of Americans saying the shooting was an inappropriate use of force… About half (51%) said that the fatal shooting reflects bigger problems with the way ICE is operating… 51% of Americans saying ICE enforcement actions were making cities less safe… 

“Americans voiced little trust in the federal government to carry out a fair and thorough investigation of the shooting in Minneapolis, according to the CNN poll, with 62% saying they had just some or no trust at all… 

“57% of voters disapproving of how ICE is enforcing immigration laws… A 58% majority disapproves of how Trump is handling immigration… a slim 52% majority of Americans saying Trump’s efforts to deport immigrants living in the U.S. illegally have gone too far… 61% of Americans disapproving of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s handling of her job…” 

Trump will of course dismiss those numbers as being fake. However, they are not fake, but represent the reality that most Americans disapprove of Trump’s immigration policy. This is a bad sign for him when it comes to the midterm elections. Trump seems to recognize this himself, recently commenting that the pictures of the behavior of ICE agents on TV are bad. 

Trump’s Justice Department’s Investigation Against Minnesota Governor and Minneapolis Mayor 

npr wrote on January 16: 

“The Justice Department is investigating Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey… Frey said… on Friday: ‘This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up…’ 

“Walz… said: ‘Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic. The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.’” 

It is suspected that the investigation is aiming at alleged interference of ICE actions by the governor and the mayor. That would be difficult to maintain, as both asked the demonstrators to act peacefully (as Trump had asked the demonstrators on January 6, 2021, to act peacefully). A detailed analysis of all the available videos has shown that Good was not attempting to hit the agent or to run him over. Subsequently, the Justice Department issued subpoenas on Walz and Frey, among others. 

Canada and China Adopt Trade Deal in Defiance of Trump 

BBC News reported on January 16: 

“Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new approach to Canada’s foreign policy can perhaps be distilled in one line: ‘We take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be.’ That was his response when asked about the deal struck with China on Friday, despite concerns over its human rights record and nearly a year after he called China ‘the biggest security threat’ facing Canada. 

“The deal will see Canada ease tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles that it imposed in tandem with the US in 2024. In exchange, China will lower retaliatory tariffs on key Canadian agricultural products. Experts told the BBC the move represents a significant shift in Canada’s policy on China, one that is shaped by ongoing uncertainty with the US, its largest trade partner… Canada’s relationship with China, [Carney] added, had become ‘more predictable’ than its relationship with the US under the Trump administration…. 

“Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province is home to Canada’s auto sector, was sharply critical of the deal. He said removing EV tariffs on China ‘would hurt our economy and lead to job losses’… 

“Since taking office for a second time last year, Trump has imposed tariffs on Canadian sectors like metals and automotives, which has led to swirling economic uncertainty. He has also threatened to rip up a longstanding North American free trade agreement between Canada, the US and Mexico, calling it ‘irrelevant’. That trade agreement, the USMCA, is now under a mandatory review. Canada and Mexico have both made clear they want it to remain in place. 

“But the decision to carve out a major new deal with China is a recognition by Carney that the future of North American free trade remains unclear…” 

How the world changed! A year ago, China was perceived as being the biggest security threat to Canada; now it seems to be the USA. This is also in light of the fact that Trump repeatedly demanded that Canada become the 51^st state of the USA—a demand which has been strongly rejected by the vast majority of Canadians. Similarities with the situation regarding Greenland are blatantly obvious. 

“Carney to Trump: Back Off on Greenland” 

Politico wrote on January 16: 

“Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned Friday that a decision on who owns Greenland doesn’t belong to U.S. President Donald Trump. ‘The future of Greenland is a decision for Greenland and for the Kingdom of Denmark,’ Carney told journalists at a press conference in Beijing following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

“Carney urged NATO allies including the U.S. to ‘respect their commitments’ as he stressed Canada’s support for Danish sovereignty over the strategically vital Arctic island, which Trump has threatened to seize. ‘We are NATO partners with Denmark, and so our full partnership stands,’ Carney said… ‘Our obligations on Article 5, Article 2 of NATO stand, and we stand full-square behind those.’ 

“… Carney said Greenland and Arctic sovereignty also featured in his discussions with Xi, adding that he ‘found much alignment of views in that regard.’” 

Of course, China would agree with Europe against Trump. 

Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza—Tony Blair Is On It 

Breitbart wrote on January 17: 

“US President Donald Trump on Friday gave a key role in post-war Gaza to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair… 

“Trump named [founding] members of a board to help supervise Gaza that was dominated by Americans, as he promotes a controversial vision of economic development in a territory that lies in rubble after two-plus years of relentless Israeli bombardment… 

“Trump has already declared himself the chair of a ‘Board of Peace’ and on Friday announced its full membership that will include Blair as well as senior Americans — Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff… 

“Blair is a controversial figure in the Middle East because of his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. … Trump… has previously mused about turning devastated Gaza into a Riviera-style area of resorts, although he has backed away from calls to forcibly displace the population. 

“Israel’s military said Friday it had again hit the Gaza Strip in response to a ‘blatant violation’ of the ceasefire declared in October. The strikes come despite Washington announcing that the Gaza plan had gone on to a second phase — from implementing the ceasefire to disarming Hamas, whose October, 2023 attack on Israel prompted the massive Israeli offensive.” 

Depending on how influential Blair will be, this could only spell disaster. In the meantime, Israel objected to the appointments, stating that the Gaza executive committee “was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy.” 

According to the New York Post, dated January 17, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the makeup of the body, which includes Turkey and Qatar, contradicts Israeli policy… National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, another key ally, rejected the entire framework, saying Gaza did not need an international body at all and called for a return to war.” 

Still, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday ‍accepted ‍President Donald ⁠Trump’s invitation to join the so-called “Board ​of Peace.” Germany, France, Norway and Sweden will not join. As a consequence, Trump threatened France with tariffs of about 200% for champagne. 

Also, incredibly, Trump demands one billion dollars to stay on his peace board.

Sanhedrin Calls For Building the Third Temple 

Israel 365 News reported on January 16: 

“The [Sanhedrin issued a declaration containing] a direct call to Iranian leadership: ‘We call upon the leaders of all the peoples in Iran to walk in the path of Cyrus, King of Persia, to support the building of the Temple on the Temple Mount, and even to ascend and pray there in the places designated for the descendants of Noah, ‘for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’ (Isaiah 56:7)… 

“The Sanhedrin was reconstituted in 2004 after nearly 1,600 years of absence. Its members believe the generation has arrived when prophecy will be fulfilled, and the Temple will be rebuilt. The declarations… are legal rulings with the force of biblical law, not suggestions. They represent the Sanhedrin’s assertion of its role as the supreme legal authority for the Jewish people…”  

And so, the Third Temple will be built soon. 

No Pressure on German Doctors Regarding Vaccinations? 

In our recent StandingWatch program, titled, “Germany’s Refusal to Accept Guilt for Authoritarian Corona Measures“, we quoted alarming statements of US Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr in regard to Germany’s refusal to guarantee doctors’ freedom of treatment. The German government denied those statements. However, the following developments support Kennedy’s conclusion: 

“Starting in 2026, doctors will have to meet certain vaccination quotas to receive the full retainer fee, with a minimum of 10 vaccinations per quarter required.  Failure to meet this minimum will result in a 40% reduction in the fee, while higher quotas (7% in the first three quarters, 25% in the fourth) can lead to higher bonuses. However, meeting these higher quotas is not mandatory for receiving the basic retainer fee, but only for the additional bonuses” (taken from the Internet). 

This new regulation, which was already decided in 2025, is being criticized by some as an infringement on doctors’ freedom of treatment. This is seen as a continuation of the restrictions on doctors’ freedom of treatment that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Is God’s Heaven Real? 

Fox News wrote on January 18: 

“Where exactly is the heaven described in the Bible?… According to the Bible, the lowest level of heaven is Earth’s atmosphere. The mid-level heaven is outer space. The highest-level heaven is what we’re talking about: It’s where God dwells. As for heaven’s location, the Bible contains many verses that describe us as looking ‘up’ at God in heaven, and God as looking ‘down’ at us on Earth… 

“In 1929,… Edwin Hubble discovered that… there’s a definite pattern to how galaxies are rushing away from each other, namely: The farther ‘up’ in space a galaxy is located — the farther away it is from Earth — the faster it’s moving away from Earth and everything else… 

“Theoretically, a galaxy that’s 273 billion trillion… miles away from Earth would move at 186,000 miles per second, which is the speed of light. That distance, way ‘up’ there in space, is called the Cosmic Horizon. That means you and I can never reach the Cosmic Horizon… because… only light and certain other non-material phenomena can travel at the speed of light. 

“… It’s entirely possible heaven is located on the other side of the Cosmic Horizon… an entire universe exists beyond the Cosmic Horizon. But it’s permanently hidden from us because we can never reach, let alone cross over, the Cosmic Horizon… Our best astronomical observations… indicate that time stops at the Cosmic Horizon… Unlike time, however, space does exist at and beyond the Cosmic Horizon. Which means the hidden universe beyond the Cosmic Horizon is habitable, albeit only by light and light-like entities… whatever exists beyond the Cosmic Horizon predates these oldest objects… predates the so-called big bang… predates the beginning of the observable universe. 

“All these modern scientific realities, and others, are why it’s entirely reasonable to speculate that: 

“1. Heaven is, indeed, located ‘up’ there — way above our heads and way beyond the visible, starlit universe — just as the Bible indicates.

“2. Heaven is inaccessible to us mortals while we’re alive, just as the Bible indicates.

“3. Heaven is inhabited by nonmaterial… beings, just as the Bible indicates.

“4. Heaven is the dwelling place of the One who predates the universe — the One who created the universe — just as the Bible indicates.”

An interesting observation. The one mistake the author makes, however, is that where God dwells, there is no “space” either, as “space” is something “physical.” But there is a world composed of Spirit. The Bible indicates that God’s Heaven—the “Third Heaven”—is located in the North [Psalm 75:6; Isaiah 14:13-14—even in heathen literature, the abode of the gods was supposed to be in the North]. But God’s Third Heaven consists of Spirit and is therefore invisible to the human eye. For more information, please read our free booklet, “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World.” 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

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

“Soul sleep” is not a phrase that we would use in the Church of God, even though, as we will see, it is an accurate description of biblical teaching. Rather, we would say that a baptised faithful Christian who had repented of their sins and lived the Way of Life—the narrow way, not the broad and easy way—will upon their death be awaiting the resurrection at the return of Jesus Christ.   We read this in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16:

^“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Still, the question remains as to what happens to the soul when man dies. It is important to understand this, when we review the false mainstream understanding which is at odds with the Bible.

Understanding the correct biblical belief is crucial as it illustrates the various interpretations within mainstream Christianity and offers insight into how different denominations approach the topic of life after death.

divinenarratives.org observes that “The term ‘soul sleep’ refers to the belief that the soul enters a dormant state after physical death [this is poorly worded, when discussing the concept of “soul sleep,” as we will see], remaining unconscious until the resurrection. This concept diverges from the more widely held view that the soul immediately transitions to an afterlife, whether it be heaven, hell, or purgatory. The origins of soul sleep can be traced back to early Christian thought, where it found a foothold among certain sects and theologians who sought to reconcile scriptural interpretations with philosophical inquiries about the nature of the soul.

“One of the earliest proponents of this doctrine was the 16th-century reformer Martin Luther, who suggested at that time that the dead are completely unconscious until the Day of Judgment. Luther’s views were influenced by his reading of the Bible, particularly passages that seemed to imply a state of sleep or rest for the dead. This interpretation was not entirely novel, as similar ideas had been discussed by early church fathers and various Jewish sects, including the Sadducees, who denied the immortality of the soul.”

Luther’s concept that the dead are completely unconscious was entirely correct. But it is rather amusing to read that “Martin Luther was influenced by his reading of the Bible.” Naturally, this does not reflect what Luther’s conviction was based on, as it was more than just being “influenced” by reading Scripture. The quoted article sounds like that this is something highly unusual. But it should be a “given” on all matters regarding true Christian theology!

Jesus taught, as we read in Luke 6:47-49, how the foundations of building a house are like the foundations needed for our Christian lives:

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

Our foundations are built on what Jesus Christ, the Rock, taught, and the Bible which reveals the Way of Life to which we have been called.  If not, man’s own thoughts and ideas can be seen as normal and acceptable by those who don’t take the time to properly read and understand the Word of God.

It has been acknowledged that syncretism entered the early Church.  The concept of an immortal soul which continues to live when man dies is pagan, and was inserted into Christian thinking—a typical case of syncretism. We have previously quoted Will Durant confirming this, as follows:

“Will Durant and his wife wrote the following in Volume III, titled ‘Caesar and Christ’ (1944, p. 595: ‘Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it…. [T]he Greek mysteries passed down into the impressive mystery of the Mass. Other pagan cultures contributed to the syncretist result. From Egypt came the ideas of a divine trinity, the Last Judgment, and a personal immortality of reward and punishment; from Egypt the adoration of the Mother and Child…’”

The problem with mainstream Christianity is that it has absorbed pagan practices into that system of belief.   The Topical Encyclopedia has this to say on syncretism:

“Syncretism refers to the blending or merging of different religious beliefs and practices. In the context of Christianity, syncretism poses a significant threat as it can dilute or distort the core tenets of the faith. The Bible consistently warns against the incorporation of pagan or foreign elements into the worship of the one true God, emphasizing the need for purity and exclusivity in devotion.

“The Old Testament is replete with admonitions against syncretism. The Israelites were repeatedly cautioned against adopting the religious practices of the surrounding nations. In Deuteronomy 12:30-31, God warns [as quoted in the article], ‘Be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” You must not worship the LORD your God in their way.’”

And man, in his usual way, ignores what the great God tells him to do.   And so “soul sleep” [rightly understood] is accepted by few but criticised and condemned by many.   To look at what the real understanding is of this matter, we have taken a full statement on this matter and will answer the assertions as we go along.   While we have taken this from a particular website, we could easily have found many other proponents with the same line of reasoning.

The quotation from the article taken is in italics, followed by our comments below in roman type.

“Soul sleep” is a belief that after a person dies his or her soul “sleeps” until the resurrection and final judgment. The concept of soul sleep is not biblical.

We will prove in this two-part Q&A that it is biblical, mainstream theology notwithstanding. The immediate observation reveals where this response is headed, and so let us review their observations on this matter.

It’s true that, in some places, the Bible speaks of those who have died as being asleep. Daniel 12:2 describes the resurrection as the time when “multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake.” The New Testament speaks of believers who are “asleep” in Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul speaks of those who are “still living,” in contrast to those who have “fallen asleep” (see also verses 18 and 20). Luke relates the death of Stephen with the words, “He fell asleep” (Acts 7:60), much the same as how Jesus describes Lazarus in John 11:11  and Jairus’s daughter in Luke 8:52. So, for those who expect a resurrection, sleep is a metaphor for death.

So far, so good. Continuing:

Death is a “sleep” for the believer because it is temporary; the resurrection is the “awakening.” But what exactly is it that sleeps, and what is awakened? It is the body, not the soul. A body, when dead, appears to be resting in sleep, and that gives rise to the metaphorical usage of sleep. But the soul does not sleep. The moment we experience physical death, our souls are transferred to a different place. For believers, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). For unbelievers, death means everlasting punishment in hell (Luke 16:22-23). 

This is where error creeps in early on.  “But the soul does not sleep.”   This assertion is made because of the false understanding that man has an immortal soul.   We have a 40-page free booklet entitled “Do We Have an Immortal Soul?” and we read on page 28 the following:

“HUMAN SOULS DIE AND MUST BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE

“When people die, they are dead. Death is the opposite of life! In order to live again, dead people must be resurrected from the dead to either physical life or to eternal life. 

“In Revelation 20:4, both types of resurrections to physical life and to eternal life are discussed, with special emphasis on a resurrection to eternal life, ‘…and I saw the souls (psyche) of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and they lived (as spirit beings) and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished (but they will be resurrected afterwards to physical life). This is the first resurrection’ (This phrase refers to those souls that were brought back to life to reign with Christ for a thousand years.). 

“Notice that the souls that had been killed lived again. So the souls were dead, but they were brought back to life in a resurrection from the dead. How clear it is that persons are souls and that souls die. Souls do not continue to live on after death.”

Man IS a soul but doesn’t have a soul—he has the spirit in man which is entirely different. The spirit in man goes back to God when man dies, but it won’t be conscious. It has stored everything about the man—his outward appearance, his experiences, even his thoughts and motives—and God will use it and place it in the newly created body of the person at the time of the resurrection. 

In our Q&A “What does the Bible teach about the ‘spirit in man’? Is that human spirit the same as an immortal soul?,” we read the following:

“Most people know nothing about the existence of the spirit in man—even many religious people—lay persons and theologians alike. When they read passages in the Bible describing the spirit in man, they assume the Bible is talking about the soul. But the soul is not a non-physical component of the human being. The soul, according to the Bible, is totally physical. The Bible does not teach the concept of an immortal soul. Rather, we read in Ezekiel 18:4, ‘The soul who sins shall die.’ The word ‘soul’ in the Bible refers to the living body of both man and animals…

“In the book of Isaiah we are told that each human being has a spirit within him. ‘Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it…’ (Isaiah 42:5).

“The Bible strongly indicates that God gives the human spirit at the time of conception, and then takes it back at the time of death. We read in Zechariah 12:1, ‘Thus says the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.’ Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, ‘Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.’ When the spirit in man leaves a person, that person is dead. James 2:26 says, ‘For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also’…

“Understand though, that when a man dies and his spirit returns to God, that spirit does not continue to live consciously, apart from the body. Rather, God ‘stores’ it, so to speak, in heaven, until He unites it at the time of the resurrection of man with a new spiritual or physical body. The concept that man’s soul is immortal is as wrong as the concept that man’s spirit continues to live consciously after death…”

(To be continued)

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

compiled by Dave Harris

“Trump’s Greenland Deal—Defeat or Distraction?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

In order to answer the question in the title of this program, we will first go back to point out Trump’s statements of his intensions regarding Greenland. In light of those declarations, the answer might become more obvious. But in any event, Trump’s conduct has contributed to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. This program will show you, how this is the case.

“Trumps Grönland Deal—Niederlage oder Ablenkung?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers topics as described above.

“Liebt Eure Feinde,” last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Mike Richter, is now posted. Title in English, “Love Your Enemies.”

“Urteile nicht nach dem, was vor Augen ist,” last Sabbath’s German sermon presented by Christoph Sperzel, is now posted. Title in English: “Do Not Judge by What You See With Your Eyes,”

“What Have You Learned About Generosity?” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Generosity has effects upon the giver that are contrary to human intuition. On the surface, the act of giving takes away from givers, leaving them with less than they started with. However, generosity is not a zero-sum game. The Bible reveals that the act of giving brings unique benefits to all of those involved.

“Those Who Knew Better,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is the summary:

How often have we been confronted with a choice to do something that we knew we shouldn’t do, or to do what we know God commands for us? How do we choose in those situations?

On January 17, 2026, Eric Rank will present the sermonette, titled, “What Have You Learned About Generosity?” and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “Those Who Knew 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.

Recently, Elon Musk (the world’s richest man) claimed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the near future will create a reality where there will be an abundance of goods and services, which in turn will make money useless.

In a Podcast that he was on, he stated the following: “One side recommendation I have is: Don’t worry about squirreling money away for retirement in 10 or 20 years. It won’t matter.” He went on to iterate that AI will become so efficient that it will make the cost of everything nearly zero. Everyone will be able to have “universal income” and AI will create a “good future where anyone can have whatever stuff they want.” He also stated that AI in the next 5 years will become so advanced that we will have “better medical care than anyone has today” with “no scarcity of goods and services. You can learn anything you want about anything for free” (compare Moonshots with Pete Diamandis).

What struck me about this concept that Musk was introducing is that it is in direct opposition to God and what He has put man here on earth to do.

When God ripped apart man’s languages and scattered people at the tower of Babel, the people had similar ideas as to what is happening now: “How can we make something so great that it dwarfs God?”

I am reminded of what God told Daniel at the end of the book of Daniel: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4).

AI is undeniably increasing human knowledge and allegedly solving problems at an astonishing speed. But the question is not whether knowledge is increasing; the questions we should be asking are, what kind of world is this increase producing? These are some of the relevant questions:

Are our families stronger?

Is violence decreasing?

Is truth becoming clearer?

Is peace increasing?

Is Godly knowledge flourishing?

I suggest just the opposite as we read in chapter 59 of Isaiah (the first eight verses are about being separated from God). Verse 8 points out that man separated from God is lost: “The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.” AI will not change human thinking at its core.

January 16th marks 40 years since the death of Mr. Armstrong, the late leader of the now defunct Worldwide Church of God. Mr. Armstrong consistently taught that man always chooses capability and intellect over submission to God. I wonder how he would view AI; my guess is that he would see it as a multiplier of the very problem God has always warned about. AI is massively expanding material knowledge but it does nothing to change human nature.

Mr. Armstrong often stressed the lessons from the two trees in the Garden of Eden. Humanity chose to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil while rejecting the Tree of Life (God’s Spirit, God’s mind and God’s government). AI does nothing to bring us closer to God in terms of choosing correctly. In fact, IF what Musk proposes turned out to be true, the question I have is how would this make people turn to God? Indeed, I would suggest that just the opposite would be true with AI giving man more ability to do wrong faster, more efficiently and on a global scale.

AI may eliminate scarcity, but it cannot eliminate sin. Without God, abundance only magnifies mankind’s rebellion (Deuteronomy 8:11-18). As we continue to watch this world deteriorate, our message and preaching remains the same! We continue to preach about the coming Kingdom of God and how only the return of Jesus Christ to set up this Kingdom will save humanity. The road to get to the Kingdom is going to be very tragic and devastating for mankind. Yet in the end, God’s goal is for all of humanity to have the opportunity to unite with Him and to join His Family. 

by Norbert Link

We begin with the killing of a US citizen by an ICE agent in Minneapolis and the twisted reactions, while the Truth is suffering and many times ignored. Especially empathy by “Christian” commentators and politicians is woefully missing. The specter of civil war is on the horizon.

We also report on Pope Leo’s attack on Trump and Putin; and Trump’s ongoing military threats against numerous countries while, at the same time, complaining that he was not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. We are in particular focusing on the volatile situation pertaining to Greenland which could destroy the NATO alliance.

We are also speaking about the events in Iran and Germany’s shameful silence; and we conclude with Robert F. Kennedy’s complaints about German dictatorial measures, especially during COVID; and Germany’s unconscionable and antiquated prohibition of homeschooling.

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Germany’s Refusal to Accept Guilt for Authoritarian Corona Measures.” 

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

Minnesota Killing… and Torrent of Untruths 

The Guardian wrote on January 9: 

“The killing of a US citizen by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis was a five-alarm fire for the Trump administration. But a torrent of untruths, half-truths, smears and innuendo has been unleashed by the White House… 

“The victim-blaming began almost immediately after news broke of Good’s killing on Wednesday. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and a regular spokesperson for ICE, declared in a post on X that ‘one of these violent rioters weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them – an act of domestic terrorism.’ Multiple ICE officers were hurt, she insisted, when videos of the shooting showed no such thing… 

“There is simply no evidence that Good was ‘a violent rioter’ or ‘domestic terrorist.’ No riot was taking place before her encounter with the ICE agents… A… video clearly shows that the officer who fired the fatal shots walked up to the front of Good’s car, which was turning away from him as it began to move forward, and he remained on his feet as the vehicle passed him…  The … video shows that the officer was so slightly brushed by the slowly moving car that he had no trouble retaining his balance and firing multiple shots at the driver. The same clip also appears to show that the vehicle only accelerated after the driver had been fatally shot…. 

“The officer who killed Good was not in the pathway of her car when he began firing, analysis of the video shows. Two other officers were beside the car, and no members of the public were seen to be in harm’s way. There is no evidence that any ICE officer was injured.” 

Unverified reports suggested that the agent suffered internal bleeding and was shortly treated in a hospital. Based on the available evidence, these reports appear to be highly dubious.

Trump’s America Is Torn Apart 

Daily Mail wrote on January 8: 

“A squad of ICE agents hunting down illegal migrants. A mother who went to protest against them after dropping her young son at school. A pop-pop-pop of bullets – then blood in the snow… the ELEVEN SECONDS tearing Trump’s America apart. 

“In this case, the ICE convoy – SUVs and pick-up trucks – decided to leave the vicinity, moving off with lights and sirens blaring. But they were blocked by a maroon SUV, a Honda Pilot, parked askew in the middle of the street… After about three minutes, an ICE agent walked around Ms Good’s vehicle… filming on his phone. 

“The Honda’s driver rolled the car forward slightly, turning left (towards the ICE convoy), but then stopped and waved for other cars to drive past. But the Honda was already reversing before its wheels turned to the right and it started to drive off – away from the agents. It was too late. At around 10.25am, three shots rang out in rapid succession, fired by the agent who’d originally circled the vehicle with his phone camera… 

“He’d then positioned himself just to the left of the front of the car and drawn his gun, reportedly shouting at the driver to ‘stop’ before opening fire. He fired into the windscreen – witnesses recalled hearing a sudden ‘putt, putt, putt’ sound – and continued shooting as the car swerved past him. It came to a halt a few seconds later, crashing into a parked vehicle… The agent holstered his gun and walked unhurriedly towards the Honda before turning back and telling his colleagues to summon an ambulance. 

“Video footage taken from a distance in front of the car suggests the vehicle clipped the agent, but other footage makes clear the driver didn’t run him over… 

“Trump’s opponents counter that Ms Good was not remotely a ‘terrorist’ and that none of the agents were in danger. Some believe she may have panicked when faced by the armed men. Trump’s critics have produced video evidence that certainly contradicts the official government narrative: careful analysis from several angles shows the car did drive towards the agent as he stood in front of it, but he was able to step out of the way and let off at least two shots at the side of the vehicle as it passed… 

“Her defenders insist she was murdered by a trigger-happy federal agent. Reports Jonathan Ross was dragged 50ft by a car last June may encourage his accusers in their case that he wildly over-reacted… 

“Ordinary people can watch the videos – frame by frame if necessary – and make up their own mind who is responsible. However, it’s unlikely many Americans will approach the controversy with an entirely open mind. 

“Trump’s migrant deportation drive – and particularly the heavy use of ICE agents to round up people who’ve often been living in the US for decades – has proved to be one of the most controversial policies of the President’s second term so far. Last month, it was revealed that the number of people in ICE detention had reached a record high of more than 68,400… Opponents counter that quite aside from questions of fairness, it is economic madness to deport so many long-standing, working migrants when Trump had appeared to have only dangerous criminals in his sights. 

“More troubling still, they believe the President has created in ICE a ‘personal army’ which seems alarmingly unaccountable and is, according to its critics, unconstitutional, not to say ‘un-American’. ICE agents, who often hide their faces and wear no identifiable insignia or identification, can detain people without charges or a hearing before flying them abroad… 

“With protesters angrily confronting heavily armed agents at every opportunity, some will say that a death like Wednesday’s tragedy in Minneapolis was inevitable. And with Minneapolis’s Left-wing mayor Jacob Frey saying that ICE needs to ‘get… out of his city’, and the Trump administration making it equally clear that it won’t be pushed around, the terrible events of this week might have been just the opening shots….” 

Demonstrations against ICE are ongoing. And so, civil war is more likely than not. 

New Video Proves Nothing 

The Huffington Post wrote on January 10: 

“An alleged cell phone video showing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shooting Renee Good, filmed from the shooter’s angle, was given to right-wing website Alpha News on Friday… which was also shared by Fox News, CBS News and other outlets… 

“The camera pans up to the sky as Good drives away and Ross fatally shoots the 37-year-old mother. It remains unclear from the footage whether Good’s car made contact with Ross, but previously released footage showed her angling her car away from him when she began driving. It also showed Ross walking away from the scene after he shot her… 

“Vice President JD Vance shared the video on social media, claiming it backed up the Trump administration’s claims that Good was threatening Ross’s life… He also slammed coverage of the shooting, suggesting the video was proof that outlets were ‘lying about this innocent law enforcement officer… You should all be ashamed of yourselves,’ Vance wrote.”

Maybe it’s Vance who should be ashamed of himself? Note the next article.

JD Vance No True Catholic? 

The National Catholic Reporter (NCR) wrote on January 8: 

“JD Vance has taken to social media to justify the shooting and blame Good for her own death… The Trump administration was quick to demonize Good. Within hours of the event and before a formal investigation could even be launched, Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem labeled Good’s actions as an ‘act of ‘domestic terrorism.’ President Donald Trump on Jan. 7 labeled her as ‘disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer.’ Trump went on to say that the ICE officer was lucky to be alive and ‘is now recovering in the hospital.’… 

“The investigation is ongoing, but the entire situation is a powder keg: Social media is on fire as users viciously debate the justification of the killing and it seems protests are beginning in Minneapolis and beyond. 

“But in spite of the increasing uproar, Vice President JD Vance said… ‘You can accept that this woman’s death is a tragedy while acknowledging it’s a tragedy of her own making. Don’t illegally interfere in federal law enforcement operations and try to run over our officers with your car. It’s really that simple’… 

“At the time of publication of this piece, at no point has Vance tweeted any remorse, prayers or condolences regarding Good and her loved ones. Instead, Vance continued his storm of social media posts the morning after the shooting — this time leaning into divisive, tribalistic language to demonize Democrats. 

“In times past, a politician might offer thoughts and prayers, encourage those reacting to wait for the full results of the investigation and generally try to lower the temperature… JD Vance went in a different direction… 

“As a Catholic, Vance knows better than to peddle this brand of gaslighting and agitation. Vance knows that, by virtue of her humanity, Good was endowed with inherent dignity, made in the image and likeness of God. Vance knows that only God can take life. Vance knows that protesting, fleeing or even interfering in an ICE investigation (which there is no evidence that Good did) does not carry a death sentence. Vance knows that lying and killing are sins. 

“Vance knows. He doesn’t care. Vance’s twisted and wrongheaded view of Christianity has been repudiated by two popes. His Catholicism seems to be little more than a political prop, a tool only for his career ambitions and desire for power. The vice president’s comments justifying the death of Renee Good are a moral stain on the collective witness of our Catholic faith. His repeated attempts to blame Good for her own death are fundamentally incompatible with the Gospel. Our only recourse is to pray for his conversion of heart.” 

While we are at it, many members of the Trump Administration need a conversion of heart as well. But this is also true for all the other right- and left-wing politicians who seem to have only their political agenda in mind.

Can ICE Agents Be Prosecuted? 

Reuters wrote on January 8: 

“The officer fired ‘defensive shots’ after a ‘violent rioter’ attempted to run over officers, a spokeswoman of the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement, adding that the officer had feared for his life. Online videos of the shooting verified by Reuters cast doubt on the government’s narrative, however. 

“One video showed an officer approach an SUV and order the driver out and grab at the door handle while another officer appeared in front of the car. The driver moves forward while turning away from the officers, and the one in front pulls his weapon, steps back and fires three shots. It was not clear if the car made contact with the officer, and he fired at least one shot after it had already passed him… 

“Minnesota’s use-of-force law permits state police to use deadly force only if reasonable officers would believe doing so was necessary to protect themselves, or others, from death or serious harm. Federal law has a similar standard, permitting use of deadly force when a reasonable officer would have probable cause to believe a person posed an immediate threat of death or serious injury. 

“Federal agents are generally immune from state prosecution for actions taken as part of their official duties. Immunity only applies when an officer’s actions were authorized under federal law and were necessary and proper. 

“If Minnesota charged the agent, he could seek to move the case to federal court and argue he is immune from prosecution. To prevail, the state would have to show the actions were outside his official duties or were objectively unreasonable or clearly unlawful. If a judge ruled the officer was immune, the case would be dismissed and the state would not be able to charge him again. 

“Federal prosecutors can charge law enforcement officers for fatal shootings, but the bar is very high and charges are rare. Prosecutors would need to show the officer knew his conduct was unlawful or acted with reckless disregard for the constitutional limits of his authority, which is difficult to prove in court.” 

These human-made laws are totally contrary to God’s commandments. If the ICE agent is guilty, he needs to be dealt with. 

Tucker Carlson Rips MAGA Reactions 

The Huffington Post wrote on January 9: 

“Tucker Carlson has joined the multitude of conservatives with commentary on the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good… However, the former Fox News host had a starkly different reaction than many of his peers. Carlson slammed his fellow conservatives for using the tragedy ‘to score political points,’ while also decrying liberal leaders like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for ‘behaving like children’… 

“‘The 37-year-old was an American citizen and reportedly the mother of a kindergarten-aged child. Did we disagree with her views on immigration? Probably,’ he continued. ‘But that shouldn’t matter. Her death is a tragedy, regardless of her partisan affiliations, ideological beliefs, or who pulled the trigger. A woman got shot in the face. How come so few conservatives are viewing this story through a human lens?’…

“Carlson argued Thursday that violence around the world is ‘desensitizing Americans to violence at home,’ adding that as Trump supporters and critics debate the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela, few have focused on the death toll of at least 75 people… 

“‘If the United States were in a better place, everyone, regardless of their politics, would pause when something like the Minneapolis shooting happens and at least recognize the human tragedy,’ wrote Carlson. ‘But that doesn’t happen because, compared to the countless overseas killings our government routinely brings about, Good’s death doesn’t seem like such a big deal. She’s just another headline.’” 

Sadly, Carlson is SO RIGHT with his assessment. 

German Reaction to Minneapolis Shooting 

The Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote on January 10:

“‘In Minneapolis, an ICE immigration officer kills a woman who posed no threat to him whatsoever – and is even praised by the government for it. People without decency or empathy are running the country,’ comments SZ author Peter Burghardt:

“‘The US doesn’t need masked militias. The agents of Border Patrol and ICE are under pressure because ideologues like Trump’s hardliner Stephen Miller demand that at least 3,000 foreigners without immigration papers be arrested or forced out of the country every day. And this practice is just gaining momentum; Trump’s budget includes billions of dollars for ICE. 

“The gunman in Minneapolis was clearly unfit for his job; otherwise, he wouldn’t have opened fire immediately. The exact sequence of events still needs to be investigated, but Trump and his MAGA crowd are, as usual, immediately blaming the resistance to ICE. How will the FBI, which is under their control, conduct its investigation? If the Democrats want to be taken even remotely seriously, they must use every political means at their disposal to rein in Trump’s private army.”

ICE Arrests Tribal Citizens 

The Associated Press wrote on January 13: 

“The president of Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota on Tuesday called for the immediate release of tribal members who were detained… by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota last week… ‘The Oglala Sioux Tribe’s memorandum makes clear that ‘tribal citizens are not aliens’ and are ‘categorically outside immigration jurisdiction,’ Star Comes Out said. ‘Enrolled tribal members are citizens of the United States by statute and citizens of the Oglala Sioux Nation by treaty.’… 

“Fort Snelling has a troubling history for Indigenous people. It was the first military outpost in the area, and Dakota people were held prisoner there during the Dakota War of 1862, an armed conflict between the U.S. and Native Americans… 

“Last year, elected leaders in the Navajo Nation said that tribal citizens in Arizona and New Mexico reported being stopped and detained by ICE officers… That same month [of November], Elaine Miles, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon and an actress known for her roles in ‘Northern Exposure’ and ‘The Last of Us,’ said she was stopped by ICE officers in Washington state who told her that her tribal ID looked fake.” 

Nobody is safe anymore. 

Joe Rogan Compares ICE With Gestapo

NBC News wrote on January 13:

“Joe Rogan, one of the biggest podcasters in the world, had endorsed Trump in the 2024 election… [His] show, which has consistently retained its No. 1 spot on the Spotify podcast charts, has more than 20.6 million subscribers on YouTube. But on Tuesday, Rogan, who has been increasingly critical of Trump’s mass deportation agenda in recent months, expressed concern over ICE’s activities in an episode featuring Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

“He said that ‘most people’ believe law enforcement should arrest criminals, but that many of the same people also believe ICE is ‘operating illegally.’ ‘I can also see the point of view of the people that say, ‘Yeah, but you don’t want militarized people in the streets just roaming around snatching people up, many of which turn out to actually be U.S. citizens that just don’t have their papers on them,’ Rogan said. ‘Are we really going to be the Gestapo? “Where’s your papers?” Is that what we’ve come to?’”

 Sadly, it appears to be that way.

Pope Leo Takes On Trump and Putin 

The Associated Press wrote on January 9: 

“In his most substantial critique of U.S., Russian, and other military incursions in sovereign countries, Pope Leo XIV on Friday denounced how nations were using force to assert their dominion worldwide, ‘completely undermining’ peace and the post-World War II international legal order. ‘War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading,’ Leo told ambassadors from around the world who represent their countries’ interests at the Holy See. 

“Leo didn’t name individual countries that have resorted to force in his lengthy speech…  but his speech came amid the backdrop of the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela to remove Nicolas Maduro from power, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, and other conflicts….” 

James 4:1-3 states: 

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” 

Trump Repeats His Military Threats 

The Sun wrote on January 9:

“Trump has said the US will begin land strikes on Mexico to target drug cartels… It comes after an astonishing week where the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and threatened Columbia with military action… The US President told Fox News: ‘We are gonna start now hitting land with regard to the cartels. The cartels are running Mexico, it’s very sad to watch what’s happened to the country.’… 

“Trump has marked up Greenland, Cuba and Columbia as his next potential targets in threats that have angered world leaders and NATO. The president has hinted at invading Mexico in a bid to attack its cartels since his election campaign. He warned its leaders to ‘get their act together’ in the immediate aftermath of his weekend strike on Venezuela.”

Greenland Invasion Plot 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 10: 

“Donald Trump has ordered his special forces commanders to draw up a plan for the invasion of Greenland… 

“Sources say that the policy ‘hawks’ around the US President, led by political adviser Stephen Miller, have been so emboldened by the success of the operation to capture Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro that they want to move quickly to seize the island before Russia or China makes a move. 

“British diplomats believe that Trump is also motivated by a desire to distract American voters from the performance of the US economy before the mid-term elections later this year, after which he could lose control of Congress to the Democrats.  But such a dramatic move… would effectively lead to the collapse of Nato. 

“According to the sources, the President has asked the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to prepare the invasion plan, but it is being resisted by the joint chiefs of staff on the grounds that it would be illegal – and would not be supported by Congress… One diplomatic cable describes the ‘worst-case’ scenario as leading to ‘the destruction of Nato from the inside’. 

“It adds: ‘Some European officials suspect this is the real aim of the hardline MAGA faction around Trump. Since Congress would not allow Trump to exit Nato, occupying Greenland could force the Europeans to abandon Nato. If Trump wants to end Nato, this might be the most convenient way to do it.’… It concludes: ‘The current concerns [about an invasion] are driven by the most extreme views coming from Stephen Miller. The UK’s positioning will be key – whether it sticks closely with European allies or breaks ranks [to sanction Trump’s approach].‘” 

Fire Stephen Miller! 

WRAL News wrote on January 8: 

“U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, forcefully rebutted comments from one of the top officials in the Trump administration about a potential American takeover of Greenland… Tillis… called comments made by Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller ‘insane’ and ‘amateur hour.’… Tillis also said Miller should inform himself or get out of the job.” 

ABC 11 added on January 8: 

“The comments from retiring North Carolina senator mark some of the strongest yet from a Republican lawmaker following the White House deputy chief of staff’s assertion that the US has the right to take Greenland… ‘And I know, whether they say it out loud or not, most of my colleagues agree with me.’”

The problem is, they don’t say it out loud. Miller should have been fired a long time ago. 

Miller—Cold-Eyed, Racist and Most Influential? 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 13, 2026:

“If there was one thing that terrified Donald Trump’s critics more than the sensational raid he launched to capture Venezuela’s dictator Nicolas Maduro, it was the cavalier way his overweening policy chief Stephen Miller then sought to justify it. ‘We live in a world in which you can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else… But we live in a world… that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the world that existed since the beginning of time.’

“Viewers had barely caught their breath at this outburst of cold-eyed belligerence when Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy and his homeland security adviser, dropped another bombshell as the conversation moved to the sovereign Danish territory of Greenland [see article above]…

“Not for nothing is California-born Miller now regarded as the most influential official in the White House – and perhaps the most powerful unelected man in the US… Although Miller is of Ashkenazi Jewish extraction, Democrats like to portray him as a jackbooted fascist, Trump’s skinhead bovver boy…

“His own uncle, eminent psychologist David Glosser, has publicly condemned him, claiming that their family – who fled anti-Jewish pogroms in Europe – would have been ‘wiped out’ under his nephew’s immigration crackdown… He’s widely accused of being virulently xenophobic, if not outright racist… one ally described him as having ‘the bedside manner of [SS chief] Heinrich Himmler’. He is said to yell at everybody during his daily (even Saturdays) staff meetings – ‘nobody is spared from his wrath’.”

And this man is the most powerful unelected official? 

NATO on the Brink 

Aljazeera wrote on January 10: 

“The Trump administration has once again threatened to take control of Greenland either by acquiring it or through the use of military force to ‘deter our adversaries in the Arctic region.’… 

“European and Canadian leaders have jumped to support Denmark and Greenland, saying they are working on a plan in the event the United States follows through with its threats. Analysts have said that any attempt by the US to seize Greenland would be an unprecedented move in NATO’s history and raise serious questions about the survival of the alliance and the limits of Article 5, which was designed to defend against an external aggressor… 

“Collective defence is NATO’s governing principle, where Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that an armed attack against one NATO member is considered an attack against all… Because Article 5 requires unanimous agreement from all members to be invoked, a conflict between two members would lead to an impasse, as the alliance cannot vote to go to war against itself.” 

Europe Must Cut All Ties With the USA

The Guardian wrote on January 14:

“[Will] Europe finally choose between Europe and the US? Will its leaders have the courage to tell the full truth – that the US isn’t simply  abandoning its allies and destroying the international world order but is now in the position of active and hostile predation by force – and more importantly, to act on it?…

“If the US actually attacks Denmark by invading Greenland… [it] would demand the seizure of US military bases from Germany to Spain, individual sanctions on a wide range of US government officials, broad sanctions against the US economy… And if the US doesn’t attack Denmark, Europe’s best chance of surviving as a free and open continent in an imperial world is still to force the rupture with the US, force the consequences… anyway…  it is time for Europe to tell the US to leave its European military bases, throw off the yoke of US tech billionaires… Europe must cut the cord now, and not follow them into the storm.”

Strong words… unheard of just a few years ago. But in line with biblical prophecy.

Vance Hates Europe

Politico wrote on January 15:

“Among the 10 ministers and officials who spoke anonymously to POLITICO for this article, none regarded Vance as an ally — either in the Greenland talks or for the transatlantic relationship in general. 

“‘Vance hates us,’ said one European diplomat… While Trump can be distracted, some EU officials say, Vance appears to be more ideological in his hostility to Europe…”

Drums of War 

The Sun wrote on January 10: 

“DONALD Trump is ready to unleash the full force of US power as he eyes up a ‘hitlist’ of targets to create a new world order… Trump has marked up Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, Greenland and Iran as targets after the opening salvo on Venezuela – and is preparing for another hit soon, experts fear… 

“Trump’s threats have been described as an attempt to create an American ‘empire’… If Trump is to follow through with his threats, America could be fighting conflicts on multiple fronts across the globe, experts say.” 

The Hill wrote on January 14: 

“Denmark is boosting its military presence in and around Greenland… The Danish Defense Ministry noted Wednesday that it strengthened its presence in and around Greenland last summer as well with assistance from Germany, France, Sweden and Norway.” 

Fundamental Disagreements Remain 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 14: 

“Danish and Greenlandic officials said they still have a ‘fundamental disagreement’ with President Donald Trump over Greenland after meeting in Washington with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio… 

“Denmark has taken steps in recent days to increase military presence in Greenland, and has called for military exercises that will include aircraft, vessels and soldiers. Sweden said it would participate. On Wednesday, Germany and France both said they would send troops to Greenland for exercises.” 

German President: Trump Is Destroying World Order 

Reuters wrote on January 8: 

“German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has strongly criticised U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump and urged the world not to let the world order disintegrate into a ‘den of robbers’ where the unscrupulous take what they want (and where regions or entire countries are treated as the property of a few great powers). 

“In unusually strong remarks, which appeared to refer to actions such as the ousting of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro at the weekend, the former foreign minister said global democracy was being attacked as never before. Although the German president’s role is largely ceremonial, his words carry some weight and he has more freedom to express views than politicians. 

“Describing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a watershed, Steinmeier said the U.S. behaviour represented a second historic rupture. ‘Then there is the breakdown of values by our most important partner, the USA, which helped build this world order,’ Steinmeier said… 

“On Thursday, a poll for public broadcaster ARD indicated 76% of Germans surveyed now felt the United States was not a partner that Germany could rely on… Only 15% felt Germany could now trust the United States…” 

Trump: “Only I Can Stop Me.” 

The New York Times wrote on January 8: 

“President Trump declared on Wednesday evening that his power as commander in chief is constrained only by his ‘own morality,’ brushing aside international law and other checks on his ability to use military might to strike, invade or coerce nations around the world. Asked in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times if there were any limits on his global powers, Mr. Trump said: ‘Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me… I don’t need international law,’ he added… 

“When pressed further about whether his administration needed to abide by international law, Mr. Trump said, ‘I do.’ But he made clear he would be the arbiter when such constraints applied to the United States. ‘It depends what your definition of international law is,’ he said…. 

“He made clear that he uses his reputation for unpredictability and a willingness to resort quickly to military action, often in service of coercing other nations. In his conversation with The Times, Mr. Trump sounded more emboldened than ever. He cited the success of his strike on Iran’s nuclear program — he keeps a model of the B-2 bombers used in the mission on his desk; the speed with which he decapitated the Venezuelan government last weekend; and his designs on Greenland, which is controlled by Denmark, a NATO ally. 

“When asked what was his higher priority, obtaining Greenland or preserving NATO, Mr. Trump declined to answer directly, but acknowledged ‘it may be a choice.’ He made clear that the trans-Atlantic alliance was essentially useless without the United States at its core.” 

Trump should remind himself that GOD can stop him at any time 

Italy Criticizes Trump 

MSN reported on January 13: 

“Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has responded to renewed criticism of NATO from US President Donald Trump, arguing that simplistic proposals to sever key transatlantic ties are neither practical nor beneficial for Europe’s security. 

“Trump recently reiterated a familiar line – ‘NATO is zero without America’ – underscoring his view that the alliance’s strength depends on US leadership and capability. This rhetoric comes amid wider tensions over US strategic intentions, including controversial remarks about Greenland that alarm European NATO partners. In response, Meloni was quoted rhetorically asking whether Europe should then take radical steps like closing US military bases, cutting trade, or even ‘storming McDonald’s’ – not as a literal plan of action, but to highlight how unrealistic some proposals are that have circulated online. 

“Notably, US–NATO relations are under strain due to shifting US foreign policy priorities under Trump and broader disagreements over burden-sharing. European capitals are increasingly vocal about how the alliance should function, especially regarding collective defense, trade and geopolitical competition with powers like Russia and China. 

This is remarkable as Meloni is viewed as one of Trump’s strongest supporters. 

Trump’s Dream-World

AlterNet wrote on January 15:

“President Donald Trump, rejecting criticism from within his own party, the economic challenges facing the American people, and polling on Greenland, suggested that his second-term accomplishments were so extensive that they should render the 2026 midterm elections unnecessary.

“In an interview with Reuters, President Trump ‘expressed frustration’ that Republicans may lose control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate in the November midterm elections… Trump told Reuters that ‘when you win the presidency, you don’t win the midterms’…

“Trump, Reuters reported, ‘repeatedly dismissed concerns by the public, business leaders and even his fellow Republicans on issues ranging from the future of Greenland and the criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, to the state of the economy.’ He deemed ‘fake’ a Reuters/Ipsos poll that found little support — just 17 percent — for him seizing control of Greenland.

“He repeatedly declared, ‘I don’t care’ when confronted with news that some Senate Republicans oppose the Department of Justice’s investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell… Trump also dismissed the concerns of the American people over high prices they are facing, instead incorrectly declaring the economy the strongest ‘in history.’ …

“On actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Reuters reported that Trump ‘said he would continue sending armed agents into cities, claiming that his efforts had taken “thousands of murderers out of our country.” Reuters noted that there is ‘no evidence to support that assertion.’”

Trump is losing support nationally and internationally. The German AfD voiced criticism of his actions as well.

Trump—Emperor of America’s Police State 

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on January 14: 

“Trump speaks in a language of kings, strongmen, and would-be emperors advocating for personal rule over constitutional government… Trump and his army of enablers and enforcers may have co-opted the language of patriotism, but they are channeling the tactics of despots…

“All presidents in recent years have contributed to the rise of the American police state with executive overreach, standing armies, militarized policing, war without consent, mass surveillance, and concentrated power. But Trump 2.0 has done more to dismantle the nation’s constitutional guardrails than at any other time in history…

“With every passing day, the American police state with Trump at its helm gets more unhinged… This is not leadership. It is lawlessness carried out by mercenaries and thugs on the government payroll… This is the reality of Trump’s America: moral collapse, thuggery, violence, greed, and dehumanization…

“Nothing about Trump’s behavior is rational or sane, even by his own standards: he’s bulldozing the White House, blitz-bombing boats, threatening to seize foreign lands by force, and plastering his name and face on every available surface. Yet as diabolical as these distractions are, they are a sideshow to keep us from seeing the long-term plans to lock down the country being put in place by an unaccountable shadow apparatus operating behind the scenes for whom the Constitution means nothing…

“Americans are being trained to accept what would have once been unthinkable: law enforcement that kills without consequence, presidents who operate above the law, wars launched without consent…” 

Trump Deserves Eight Peace Prizes? 

Daily Mail wrote on January 10: 

“Donald Trump cannot officially be given Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize, according to the committee that gives out the award. Machado initially dedicated the award to Trump but has since expressed her desire to give him the trophy, which the president has said would be a ‘great honor’ to accept. However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday that this would be impossible…  White House spokeswoman told The Daily Mail it’s clear that the president should get the prize regardless... 

“… reports have suggested Trump’s displeasure with her acceptance of the prize – which he has long coveted — has left her out in the cold following the capture of Maduro, with Trump saying Machado ‘doesn’t have the respect’ in Venezuela to be named president…. 

“The president suggested… that he ought to get as many as eight Nobel Prizes. Trump argued that the Nobel committee not giving him the prize this year has been ‘a major embarrassment to Norway,’ which is where they’re located. ‘When you put out eight wars, in theory, you should get one for each war,’ he said. 

“White House insiders revealed his displeasure stems from her acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize – an honor Trump has long coveted for himself. ‘If she had turned it down and said, “I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,” she’d be the president of Venezuela today,’ a person familiar with Trump’s thinking told the Washington Post. ‘Her acceptance of the prize was an “ultimate sin.”’ … Former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul suggested Trump threw Machado ‘under the bus,’ over the Nobel Peace Prize.” 

What pitiful and egoistic thinking… 

Clintons Defy Congressional Subpoenas 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 13:

“House Oversight’s Republican chairman James Comer promised to bring contempt proceedings next week [against the Clintons], setting off a potentially protracted and politically fraught legal battle that would be the first time in history a sitting or former president has been held in contempt by Congress…

“In an astonishing letter to Comer, the Clintons launched a broadside at Donald Trump and the Republican lawmakers carrying out his ‘cruel agenda.’ They claimed a legal analysis proved they were not required to testify [in the Epstein matter] and insisted the subpoenas were an extension of Trump’s ‘weaponization’ of the law…

“’Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences. For us, now is that time.’

“The Clintons cited the precedent set by Trump in October 2022, when he defied a congressional subpoena demanding his testimony over the Capitol riot… Two Trump allies, Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, were both sentenced to four months in federal prison for defying subpoenas from the January 6 Committee…

“The dispute comes amid controversy over the Trump administration’s handling of Epstein-related records. Weeks after a legal deadline to release the Epstein files, the Justice Department has offered up only one percent of the total archive, angering Trump supporters who had expected sweeping disclosures…” 

“Bloody Uprising Against the Mullahs, and in Germany, There Is an Embarrassing Silence” 

Focus wrote on January 9: 

“In Iran, masses of people are risking their lives. Trump is siding with them, Musk is providing Starlink as an internet alternative. From Germany comes: Nothing. 

“In Iran, parts of the population are now rising up against the mullahs… They are calling for freedom in the streets of the major cities, many are also calling for Reza Pahlavi, the son of the Shah… 

“How is the West reacting? In Germany, in Berlin for example, there are currently no demonstrations for a free Iran. Not in the streets, not at the universities. When it came to Gaza, things were completely different – it was against Israel, it was against ‘the Americans.’ Why is there now this deafening silence, this ‘loud silence’? 

“Is it because US President Donald Trump, the bogeyman of the left in the West, is on the side of the Iranian protests? Is it because the left has always warned against alleged ‘Islamophobia’? Is it because, pardon the expression, this time it’s not against Jews?…” 

“Nothing has been heard from the Federal Chancellor regarding Iran… The highest-ranking German politician from the governing parties who has sided with the protesting Iranians is currently the parliamentary group leader of the CDU/CSU, Jens Spahn. He wrote on X: ‘The courageous Iranian men and women deserve freedom. I wish them all the strength to overthrow the Mullah regime and pray that the Islamists will not be able to murder any more people. Germany and Europe must stand by the brave women and men who are taking to the streets.’ 

“And then Spahn adds a concrete demand: ‘Classifying the Revolutionary Guard in the EU as a terrorist organization is long overdue!’ This demand from Spahn is highly explosive because the parliamentary group leader of the CDU/CSU is putting pressure on the government, especially the Foreign Minister from his own party. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard could and perhaps should have been classified as a terrorist organization years ago. Spahn is quite late with this demand, but he is so far the only high-ranking politician to raise this issue now. 

“Germany, like the Europeans and the CDU politician and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, could do considerably more. For example, they could freeze Iranian assets in accounts held in European countries. Or they could seek dialogue with the exiled opposition politician Reza Pahlavi. This hasn’t occurred to the Europeans so far, but it has to someone else: US President Trump.” 

Looking the Other Way For Too Long 

Bild Online wrote on January 12: 

“The longer the bloody protests in Iran continue, the more criticism there is of [German] public broadcasting coverage.  Politicians and media experts say the broadcasters were too slow to react, misjudged the protests for a long time, and invited biased interviewees. 

The ‘Jüdische Allgemeine’ criticizes both public broadcasters in a new article, titled: ‘The protests in Iran and the shameful reporting by ARD and ZDF.’  It offers this assessment: ‘The mullahs should go, the Shah should return: The left doesn’t have an explanation for this right now – and neither do the left-leaning editorial offices of public broadcasting.’… In Germany, ARD and ZDF in particular ‘didn’t really want to get involved in the reporting, while in Great Britain, the BBC is also hesitant.’” 

Attack on Iran Imminent? 

Reuters wrote on January 11: 

“Unrest in Iran has killed more than 500 people, a rights group said on Sunday, as Tehran threatened to target U.S. military bases if President Donald Trump carries out his renewed threats to intervene on behalf of protesters.” 

Trump has paused an attack on Iran, for now.

Iran Threatens Trump 

Newsmax wrote on January 14: 

“Iran issued a direct assassination threat against President Donald Trump on Wednesday, airing a chilling image on state television showing Trump during the 2024 rally shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, with the warning: ‘This time, the bullet won’t miss.’ 

“The image, broadcast on Iran’s Islamic Republic state television, marks Tehran’s most explicit threat yet against Trump and comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and the Iranian regime.”

Merz Is Hedging Again 

ntv wrote on January 9: 

“France and Great Britain are preparing to send soldiers to Ukraine to secure a ceasefire. And Germany? It wants to be a leading power, but it dithers when things get dangerous. But German cowardice threatens to backfire on all of Europe… 

“Chancellor Friedrich Merz is distancing himself again. German troops could primarily be deployed in ‘neighboring NATO states’ such as Poland or Romania. Directly in Ukraine? On this, only an evasive ‘We are not ruling anything out.’ That’s not a strategy. That’s a maneuver. 

“Translated, it means: Germany wants to be part of the backdrop, but not part of the risk. Solidarity, yes – as long as it doesn’t hurt… 

“Half-hearted solidarity is not a compromise. It is betrayal. Germany must stop hiding behind history, structures, and excuses – and finally do what it expects of others: take responsibility.” 

This will happen soon… but probably not under Merz. 

Kennedy vs. Germany 

The Independent wrote on January 11: 

“Germany has vehemently dismissed accusations from US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who claimed the nation had undermined patient autonomy, particularly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. German Health Minister Nina Warken issued a statement late on Saturday, asserting: ‘The statements made by the US Secretary of Health are completely unfounded, factually incorrect, and must be rejected.’ 

“Earlier that day, Mr Kennedy had posted a video stating he had written to the German minister. His letter was reportedly based on information from Germany suggesting the government was ‘limiting people’s abilities to act on their own convictions when they face medical decisions.’ The American health secretary said that ‘I’ve learned that more than a thousand German physicians and thousands of their patients now face prosecution and punishment for issuing exemptions from wearing masks or getting COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic.’” 

According to Deutsche Welle, dated January 11, “Warken said that ‘criminal prosecution took place only in cases of fraud and forgery of documents, such as the issuing of false vaccine certificates’ or exemption certificates for masks.” 

There can be no doubt that the government was pressuring people and at the same time violating their constitutional rights; thereby “limiting people’s abilities to act on their own convictions when they face medical decisions.” 

COVID-19 Hardliners Fume Over Kennedy’s Letter to Nina Warken 

Nius wrote on January 12: 

“After US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanded an end to the criminal prosecution of doctors in Germany for issuing exemptions from mask mandates or COVID-19 vaccinations, hardliners like Karl Lauterbach and Janosch Dahmen are up in arms. 

“In particular, [the Green Party member] Dahmen is outraged… who during the COVID-19 years never found any measure too harsh and who called for an expansion of mandatory vaccination… Former Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD), who for years fueled ‘pandemic’ panic by constantly warning of new variants of the virus and repeatedly making grim predictions about the deadly course of the infection, spoke out on the platform X. Kennedy should ‘take care of health problems in his own country.’… 

“There is concern because Kennedy is essentially right. Whether it’s actually a thousand doctors who have been prosecuted for not being ‘in line,’ or fewer (or possibly many more), cannot be determined because there is currently no comprehensive survey of ongoing or completed proceedings of this kind. 

“The fact is: … Known court cases involve dozens of instances, often resulting in convictions with fines or suspended sentences, as well as professional bans. These cases are often based on the accusation of issuing medical certificates without a physical examination, which was considered ‘incorrect’… 

“In addition, there were almost 270,000 violations of the mandatory vaccination requirement for healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes… In this respect, Warkens’ claim that there were no professional bans is incorrect.  Healthcare workers did indeed face such bans if they could not provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. And soldiers were subject to a ‘duty of compliance.’ Those who did not undergo the controversial COVID-19 vaccination were dismissed from service or prosecuted for insubordination. The majority of the population was pressured into complying with the measures and getting vaccinated through fear-mongering and the threat of penalties.” 

“Law professor Martin Schwab… also points out on X that during the coronavirus pandemic, neither the autonomy of patients nor the therapeutic freedom of doctors was respected: ‘The current regulation, according to which general practitioners covered by public health insurance lose 40 percent of their retainer fee if they do not vaccinate, represents a clear attack on doctors’ therapeutic freedom.’ 

“It is clear: doctors were systematically pressured during the coronavirus years, including by medical associations, regulatory authorities, professional societies, and colleagues. Those who did not comply were… defamed. The others made a lot of money from mass vaccinations. 

“Like Karl Lauterbach and Janosch Dahmen, the Christian Democrat Nina Warken also distinguished herself as a hardliner…” 

Homeschooling 

Die Welt wrote on January 9: 

“Abolish compulsory schooling? Yes, we should talk about it! 

“When the AfD politician Ulrich Siegmund recently questioned compulsory schooling, the knee-jerk outrage was considerable.  Yet there are good reasons to allow homeschooling – not least the shortcomings of the German school system.” 

Absolutely! German compulsory schooling is a relic from a bygone, authoritarian era. It should be abolished. But the AfD, in general, is opposed to homeschooling as well. 

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 first part of this series, we discussed the time of the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the birth of the New Testament Church in 31 AD.

In the second part, we discussed events and developments in the New Testament Church and concluded with the first imprisonment of Paul in Rome, which ended in 62 AD.

To continue with the chronology of events, in 62 AD, James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ, was killed during a brief period when there was no governor in Jerusalem. The high priest was subsequently deposed. James was condemned to death by the Sanhedrin. He was thrown from a high pinnacle of the Temple, but did not die from the fall, and was then stoned and beaten to death with a club.

In 63 AD, after his release, Paul wrote 1 Timothy and Titus. Around that time, Luke wrote the book of Acts, which ends with the imprisonment of Paul in Rome for two years.

In 64 AD, while Peter was still living in Babylon (1 Peter 5:13), Rome was set on fire by mad Emperor Nero, who blamed Christians for this crime.

Peter died around 67 AD or 68 AD, after having written his second letter (2 Peter 1:14). There is no evidence that he was ever in Rome.

In 65-67 AD, Paul was arrested again. While in prison, he wrote his second letter to Timothy. Paul was killed in Rome in or about 68 AD.

In 69 AD, Jerusalem was besieged by Roman armies; the Church fled to the city of Pella.

In 70 AD, Titus marched into Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, which had been built by Zerubbabel and restored and beautified by Herod the Great. Polycarp (see below) was born around 69/70 AD. It is unclear when his parents converted to Christianity; Polycarp himself was converted as a young man.

Around 70 AD, the heresy of Gnosticism had emerged, which claimed that Christ was not born of a virgin; that he was not truly God; and that He was not the Messiah.

In the book of Revelation, seven local church congregations are described, which also symbolize seven Church eras.

The first era is identified as the Ephesian era (Revelation 2:1-7). That era began under the apostles Paul and John and describes the Nazarenes. The Bible confirms that the first Christians were referred to as “the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5), since Jesus was called “the Nazarene.” Secular records tell us that the Nazarenes observed the Sabbath and the annual Holy Days, did not eat unclean food, and practiced the “ceremonies of Moses.” In other words, they followed both the Old and New Testaments. Historians tell us that the Nazarenes and the Ebionites escaped the Roman destruction of Jerusalem by fleeing to the city of Pella in 69 AD. The Ebionites were not part of the Church of God, but they had joined converted brethren.

The Nazarenes are still mentioned in late records from the 5th century. It was they who preserved the Book of Matthew.

The Church members in Ephesus had grown weary, had lost their first love for Christ and His Truth, and no longer showed any zeal in resisting error (compare Revelation 2:4-5: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place–unless you repent”).

According to some commentators, the fact that this could happen at all is partly attributable to the constant persecution by the Romans under Emperor Domitian (whose statue was found in Ephesus, and who referred to himself as “God”).

In 90 AD, John wrote his letters to refute the false teachings of Gnosticism. Around 90 AD, during a persecution against all who called themselves Christians, he was arrested and banished to the island of Patmos where he wrote the Book of Revelation. He had previously taught Polycarp of Smyrna.

In 100 AD, after his imprisonment, John continued to teach Polycarp, who was now perhaps 30 years old. John died, approximately 100 years old.

The first era of Ephesus has disappeared—its lampstand has been removed—and no remnants can be found today.

The second era of the Church of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) began with Polycarp around 100 AD. He became the head of the congregation in Smyrna.

For the next 50 years, Polycarp defended the Truth and opposed false doctrines in the Church. One false teacher, Marcion, claimed there was no resurrection of the dead. Polycarp described him as the firstborn of Satan. Polycarp ministered in the East, where the Truth about Passover and the Sabbath had been preserved. In the West, the Sabbath had been replaced with Sunday and Passover with Easter. The laws concerning clean and unclean animals had also been rejected. (Everything “Jewish” was to be eradicated.)

In 155 AD, a debate took place between Polycarp and Irenaeus regarding the Passover question—when and how to observe Passover—, but there was no resolution. The influence of the Church in the East steadily declined, while the influence in the West steadily increased.

In 156 AD, Polycarp was arrested during a major persecution by the Romans. His arrest took place during the Passover season, on the “Great Sabbath.” He refused to worship Caesar as a god and to curse Christ. He said: “I have served Him for eighty-six years, and He has never done me any wrong. How then could I blaspheme my King who saved me? Hear my confession: I am a Christian.” He was tied to a stake to be burned, but the flames did not harm him.  He was then pierced with a dagger and died.

The Church of Smyrna was to endure persecution for ten days (Revelation 2:10). This persecution took place under Diocletian and Galerius from 303 to 313 AD. In Rome, it lasted only three years, but in the eastern Roman Empire, it lasted ten years. After this, in about 325 AD, the Church fled into the wilderness for 1,260 prophetic “days” or actual years (Revelation 12:6).

In 325 AD, Constantine banished all non-Christian churches from the empire, forbade the Passover, and in 365 AD, he forbade the Sabbath. Constantine declared himself a Christian and Christianity the state religion. Christian leaders were invited to witness mass baptisms of entire regiments of soldiers in Constantine’s army. Later, when nearly 400 bishops met, Constantine was carried in on a golden throne, and he presided over the council as the recognized head of the church.

The Church of Smyrna was confronted with the “synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9)—those who claimed to be “Christians” but were in reality those who followed the doctrines of Satan. This false Christianity, which already began at the time of Paul, has “conquered” the world ever since, as pictured by the first (white) horseman of the Apocalypse.

Christ has nothing bad to say about the Church of Smyrna. But He encouraged them to remain faithful until death, and undoubtedly, some would not heed that warning. We do not know of any remnants of the Church of Smyrna today.

In 650, the third era—the Pergamos era—began (Revelation 2:12-17). Christians were described as Paulicians (followers of the “unfortunate little Paul”). A key leader was Constantine of Mananalis.  Originally, the Paulicians believed what the Nazarenes and Polycarp believed. Secular records tell us that they observed the Sabbath and the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, that they preached the Kingdom of God, and that they practiced baptism by immersion. Apparently, more than 100,000 Paulicians died as martyrs, as one author put it, “by hanging, fire, and sword.”

We are also told that some in Pergamos had begun to embrace pagan doctrines (Revelation 2:14-15). Later, and likely due to persecution, many abandoned the true faith and turned to violence. They became known as a militant sect; their preachers also served as generals.

Christ had warned in Matthew 26:52 that all who take the sword will perish by the sword. He repeated His warning later in Revelation 13:10. He warned the Church in Pergamos to repent “or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth” (Revelation 2:16). Apparently, His warning was not heeded. We do not know of any existent remnants of the Church of Pergamos today.

Around 1104, Peter of Bruys (Peter Waldo) established the fourth era—the Thyatira era (Revelation 2:18-29). In the 12th century, the Waldensians were present in approximately 22 European countries. In 1309, they appeared in the Netherlands, and a few years later, the Waldensian leaders Walter Lollard and his brother Raymond preached the Gospel in Great Britain. In 1315, records indicate 80,000 Waldensians in Bohemia. By 1539, their membership in Europe had grown to 800,000.

In Hungary, the Church observed the Sabbath and the annual Feast Days at the end of the 16th century. Waldensians had fled to Hungary between 1585 and 1623, as well as to Bulgaria and Russia.

The Waldensians observed the Sabbath and the annual Holy Days, and they rejected pagan customs such as Easter, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and the veneration of the cross. They considered themselves the successors of the apostles. Luther wrote about the Waldensians that he had found something among them that was not present in the papal church, namely, that they set aside the doctrines of men while meditating on the law of God day and night, and that they were experts in the knowledge of the Scriptures. 

Luther also stated that the Waldenses had the better arguments for keeping the Sabbath, but in order to avoid unnecessary uproar and disturbance, he recommended continuing to keep Sunday.

Originally, they called themselves “the Church of God.” Their official emblem showed seven stars (representing the seven churches in the Book of Revelation), and a candle light pointed at them as the fourth star–the fourth era. Officially, the Waldensian era came to an end in Europe in 1686.  Only in England were there still descendants of the Waldensians. Descendants who keep God’s commandments will still exist at Christ’s return (Revelation 2:24-25), but probably not under the designation of “Waldenses” who have, as an organization, completely rejected God’s laws and even deny that the original Waldenses ever kept the Sabbath. Instead, they are thoroughly involved with paganism, falsely labeled as “Christian” (Revelation 2:20-21).  In that regard, Christ warns them that they may have to suffer during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 2:22).

When the Waldenses of the fourth era were persecuted, many turned to violence—like the Paulicians—and began to forget the Truth and adopted false doctrines to save their lives (Revelation 2:20-23).

The year 1585 marked the end of the 1260 prophetic days or years of the Church in the wilderness (compare again Revelation 12:6). 

The fifth era (Revelation 3:1-6)—the Sardis era—began around 1585 in England. Sabbath observance was reintroduced during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603). A famous leader was Stephen Mumford, who founded the Church of God in the United States in 1664 in Newport, Rhode Island. In the mid-19th century, true Christians became part of an Adventist movement, but separated from the Adventists in 1860/1861, due to doctrinal disagreements and false visions by Ellen J. White, and began publishing a variety of magazines and pamphlets, including “The Remnant of Israel,” “The Sabbath Advocate,” and “The Bible Advocate.” Preachers were sent from Missouri, Oklahoma, and Oregon to Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and the Philippines, and congregations in these countries began observing the Sabbath and the Holy Days.

Originally, the Baptists in America, under their leader Roger Williams, also observed the Sabbath in 1693. They called themselves “the Church of God.” According to reports from 1729, they also observed the Passover only once a year, taught the law of tithing, rejected Christmas and the Trinity, believed in the Ten Commandments, practiced water baptism, ordained elders by the laying on of hands, and anointed the sick with oil. In 1846, an article appeared with the title, “The Sabbath Controversy.” In 1864, another article appeared with the title: “The Resurrection Was Not on a Sunday.”

Remnants of the Sardis era, who keep the commandments of God, will still exist when Christ returns (Revelation 3:3). However, as an organization, Christ said that “you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:1), and that He did not find their works to be perfect before God (verse 2).

In addressing individual members, Christ tells them to hold fast, repent and watch. Otherwise, “if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you” (verse 3), clearly referring to the time of the Great Tribulation and His Second Coming.

On the other hand, Christ said that “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy” (verse 4).

The sixth era (Revelation 3:7-13)—the Philadelphia era—began with Herbert Armstrong in 1933. Mr. Armstrong had come into contact with the Sardis era (Church of God Seventh Day) in 1927 and was ordained as a minister in 1931. However, the Sardis era had lost much of the Truth. They still observed the Sabbath, but no longer the annual Holy Days. They no longer understood the gospel of Jesus Christ and called it the message of the third angel. They knew nothing of the prophecies concerning America and Great Britain and rejected them when they were revealed to them by God through Mr. Armstrong. Yet, these and many other truths were to be restored in God’s Church before the return of Christ (Matthew 17:11).

In 1934, the Truth was preached from a radio station in Oregon, and in 1953, radio programs began to be broadcast in Europe. The Church of God became known as the Radio Church of God and later as the Worldwide Church of God, with its educational institutions, Ambassador College and Ambassador Foundation, headquartered in Pasadena, California.

Shortly before his death in 1986, Mr. Armstrong, in a prayer in the presence of the Council of Elders, wondered whether he was passing the baton to the Laodicean era. The apostasy that followed has amply answered this question with a resounding “yes.” Since Christ promised the members of the Philadelphia Church protection from the impending events of the “great tribulation” (Revelation 3:10, Living Bible), remnants of this Philadelphia era must still exist and be active at the time of Christ’s return (compare Revelation 3:8; Matthew 24:45-47).

In fact, we read that the remnant of the Philadelphia Church will not have “gone through” even “the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 10:23), let alone the cities of other nations. But it will preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and the warning message of impending disaster and the coming of the Great Tribulation to all nations as a witness, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). However, most will not hear and repent; they will reject the message and persecute those who bring it. They may call themselves Christians, but being totally diluted and deceived, they will not recognize the Truth, “seeking” God but not finding Him. For them, there will be “a famine of the Word” (Amos 8:11-12; compare Matthew 13:14-15).

The final era (Revelation 3:14-22) —the Laodicean era—began after the death of Herbert W. Armstrong, who died 40 years ago, on January 16, 1986. It will continue until Christ’s return. Eerdmans’ Handbook to the Bible, on page 650, states: “Of all seven churches, the worst case is a church so self-satisfied that it is completely blind to its true condition. Jesus stands outside, knocking at each individual’s door, asking for entry into the lives of those who call themselves Christians.”

We live today in the Laodicean era, but we had better not be Laodiceans. While those remnants of the Philadelphia era will be protected during the Great Tribulation at a place of safety (Revelation 12:14; 3:10), those with the Laodicean spirit will not be (Revelation 12:17). But even to them, Christ says in Revelation 3:19-20: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

They will have to go through the Great Tribulation, but they can be saved, after repentance, to be able to inherit eternal life when Christ returns.

Laodiceans can be found in all of the many Church of God groups, and the Laodicean era is not limited to just one organization. It is of course true that in some organizations, there can be found many more Laodiceans than in others. Still, the important thing to remember is that as individual Christians, we must strive to be filled with the Philadelphia spirit and to be involved in the commission which God has given His end-time Church to do.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“Germany’s Refusal to Accept Guilt for Authoritarian Corona Measures,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary.

Instead of being held accountable for her authoritarian and unlawful measures during the coronavirus pandemic, Angela Merkel receives a medal of merit. And instead of taking the alarming statements of US Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as an opportunity to come to terms with Germany’s past corona dictatorship, his warnings are simply denied. This broadcast, however, shows how right Kennedy is, and what another “pandemic” could mean for all of us.

“Keine deutsche Schuldanerkennung für autoritäre Coronamaßnahmen,” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Nobert Link. This covers the same topic  as described above.

“Der ungläubige Thomas – Namen sind (manchmal) Schall und Rauch,” last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Daniel Blasinger, is now posted. Title in English: “Doubting Thomas – Names Are (Sometimes) Noise and Smoke.”

“I Have Called You,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Christoph Sperzel, is now posted. Here is the summary:

God is calling a special people now for an eternal purpose. He draws them through His Spirit to understand and live by His Word. They must reject the human way and follow Christ’s way of love and obedience. Our mission is to live the gospel and prepare for Christ’s return.

“End-Time Prophecies in the Book of Amos,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

The Old Testament book of Amos—part of the “Minor Prophets”—contains many prophecies for our time, as well as timeless admonitions and teachings. Amos describes events leading up to and on the “Day of the Lord,” and divine warnings for many modern nations. How will God punish these nations, through whom, and why? And what does God say to each of us in the book of Amos?

On January 10, 2026, Christoph Sperzel will present the sermonette, titled, “I Have Called You,” and Norbert Link will present the sermon, titled, “End-Time Prophecies in the Book of Amos.”

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.

Earlier this year in the UK, there was an employment tribunal which was brought by a nurse who had worked for the NHS (National Health Service) for 30 years. She had refused to share a women’s changing room with a transgender colleague at Victoria Hospital, in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and because of this, she had been suspended from work at the beginning of 2024.

The nurse claimed her experiences amounted to harassment. She took legal action against the health board and the transgender doctor, citing the Equality Act 2010.

Scotland’s first minister John Swinney said the tribunal ruling in “this complex case” was important and that his government would look at the “general issues to be learned”.

Mr Swinney told BBC News: “It is important to take time to consider the judgment, that is the role of NHS Fife to do so, and of course the Scottish government will consider any issues that arise out of the judgement for the taking forward of public policy in this area.”

In short, it was about access to a single sex space, and who has the right to occupy it.

The problem was that a man self-identified as a woman.

However, the Supreme Court of the UK had handed down its ruling on the definition of sex in the equality law – stating it meant biological sex.

It was only a complex case because the Bible was not used as a source of wisdom; but then again, it rarely is.   We have covered the transgender issue in our Q&A’s and other material previously.

It is easy to see that ignoring and thumbing their nose at the Creator and His Way, mere man who thinks he knows so much, can by his supposed intellect and understanding come to astoundingly stupid situations and outcomes.

After the ruling in her favor, the nurse said that “I am beyond relieved and delighted that the tribunal has found that my employer Fife Health Board harassed me after I complained about having to share a female-only changing room with a male colleague.”

Allowing people, even children, to identify as to what they are, doesn’t change the fact that they are still what they were born as.   You can call a pig a dog but it is still a pig!

Wikipedia writes: “Gender self-identification or gender self-determination is the concept that a person’s legal sex or gender is determined by their gender identity, without medical or judicial requirements. 

“It is a major goal of the transgender rights movement. Advocates argue that medical requirements for gender recognition are intrusive and humiliating forms of gatekeeping that can pressure transgender individuals into undergoing unwanted medical procedures. They also claim that self-identification simplifies the process of transgender people living without prejudice and discrimination.”

There was the case where Katharine Birbalsingh, the headteacher of Michaela Community School, was telling the Daily Telegraph that she knew of a school where a pupil identified as “a gay male hologram” and a private school where “a bunch of girls identify as cats.”

This is the sort of idiocy that can happen when godless educationalists take over.

The number of hours that the nurse’s case took over a period of time, the number of people involved and the cost of it all, showed the sheer stupidity of man.  The young male doctor was allowed to self-identify as a woman even though he was, biologically, a man.

Had God’s Way prevailed in the first place, no one would have been allowed to self-identify as anything other than what they were born as.   There are only two biological sexes, not umpteen definitions that have come out of the depraved mind of man.   And all the waste of time and money on this tribunal would have been unnecessary.

But will people listen to the Way that God has set before us?  It appears that matters have become so bad that God is going to have to reverse all of these, and so many other wrongs, by getting the attention of mankind through the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord.   And even throughout these horrors, there will still be some who will blaspheme God (see Revelation 16:9, 11, 21).

Better times are ahead when Jesus Christ will have returned and set up the Kingdom of God on earth, and only His own righteous Way will prevail for the good and welfare for everyone.

We should continually pray, as we are instructed, for God’s Kingdom to come!

We begin with America’s invasion and occupation of Venezuelan and the capture ofVenezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. We point out that many legal experts consider America’s action as illegal. We address the ensuing chaos in Venezuela and; in light of Trump’s additional threats, the reactions of many voices around the world fearing further military actions by the Trump Administration against other countries.

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Today Venezuela! Who Will Be Next Tomorrow?” 

We also speak on lasting and enduring authoritarians established in Germany by Angela Merkel; Germany’s agenda for 2026, also regarding the build-up of Germany’s armed forces; a comparison between Russia’s and Europe’s military capabilities; Chinese aggression and New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani.

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

USA Attacks and Occupies Venezuela

The New York Post wrote on January 3: 

“President Trump told the nation Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro [and his wife Cilia Flores were] captured ‘in the dead of night’ and that the US would now take over running the South American country… The 63-year-old, who has held power in the country since 2013, was taken by the US military after President Trump ordered airstrikes on several military bases across the Venezuelan capital of Caracas 

“… the American raid on Caracas to capture President Nicolás Maduro and his wife produced initial reactions of shock, outrage and skepticism from international leaders, many of them troubled by an exercise of American gunboat diplomacy… Allies of Mr. Maduro like Cuba and Russia predictably condemned the American intervention, despite Russia’s own invasion of sovereign Ukraine nearly four years ago… 

“President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil… condemned the U.S. action and said it ‘recalls the worst moments of interference in the politics’ of the region… President Gustavo Petro of Colombia wrote on X that he ‘rejects the aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and of Latin America.’ … Iran, which has also been threatened in the last few days by Mr. Trump, issued a statement on Saturday condemning the U.S. attack and accusing the United States of violating the United Nations Charter… 

“The Venezuela intervention in the name of countering drug smuggling recalled to many the invasion of Panama in 1989. Back then, American forces captured Manuel Antonio Noriega, the ruler of Panama, and brought him to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking. He was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison, ultimately serving 17 years after a reduction in his sentence for good behavior. He died in Panamanian custody in 2017…. 

“But perhaps the most interesting criticism of Mr. Trump came from Jordan Bardella, the likely presidential candidate of France’s far right National Rally party, which has received support from Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance… ‘The forcible overthrow of a government from the outside cannot constitute an acceptable response…’ In the face of such intervention, he added, France must ‘rearm our nation, to strengthen our industrial and military capabilities,’ in order to ‘make its independent voice heard on the international stage, one that respects sovereignties.’” 

Trump’s actions will lead to the establishment of a strong military in Europe. 

Illegal Action? 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 4: 

“The Trump administration’s unilateral action to extract Maduro from his country… reportedly involved the use of 150 aircraft to strike locations in northern Venezuela, including the capital Caracas. Some reports suggest 40 people have died as a result of the US strikes… 

“The US led the establishment of the United Nations and, in 1945, signed its foundational document, the UN Charter, which underpins many principles of international law, including territorial integrity. Scholars have pointed to Article 2(4) of that charter to suggest the US’ actions violated international law. That article forbids the ‘threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence’ of another country. 

“‘This was a use of force,’ said Marko Milanovic, Director of Global Law at the University of Reading in the UK. ‘If you send 150 airplanes into another state, if you start bombing its air defenses, if you kidnap its president, if you kill dozens of people, that is a use of force in the sense of Article 2, paragraph 4.’ 

“There are exceptions, the most notable being authorization by the UN Security Council to proceed with military action against another country. However, this approval wasn’t sought prior to Maduro’s seizure. 

“Another is self-defence, though given the US’ outsized military strength relative to Venezuela, it is again unclear how this argument would hold up. Even labelling fentanyl as a WMD, branding Maduro a narco-terrorist and charging him with conspiracy against the US is unlikely to be accepted by any international standard as a rationale for self-defence. ‘Self-defense requires the existence of an armed attack,’ Milanovic told DW. ‘Simply allowing the exports of drugs from one country to another is not an armed attack and has never been treated as an armed attack.’ 

“Using the US military to attack a foreign country… would also require congressional approval. That approval was not secured. 

“At a press conference led by Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to cast the operation as one of law enforcement, rather than a war declaration, saying ‘… at its core, this was an arrest of two indicted fugitives of American justice and the Department of War supported the Department of Justice in that job.’ Jeremy Paul, an expert on constitutional law at Northeastern University in the US, said Rubio’s argument was ‘plausible,’ but subsequent statements by the president about the US ‘running’ Venezuela and its oil fields ‘completely undermined’ that rationale…. ‘It’s totally inconsistent.’” 

It was stated that long legal battles will ensue in the USA pertaining to the trials of Maduro and his wife, probably ending up before the US Supreme Court. 

VP Defies Trump 

The New York Post wrote on January 3: 

“Venezuela’s vice president [Delcy Rodtríguez] declared that Nicolás Maduro is the ‘only president of Venezuela’ in a defiant speech that appeared to throw cold water on President Trump’s claims she was cooperating with his administration… The VP made her remarks flanked by high ranking generals and government officials in a televised address to the nation after convening an emergency meeting. She demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores…” 

The New York Post wrote on January 4: 

“Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodtriguez, [who was sworn in by Venezuela’s Supreme Court on Saturday for 90 days] is not the country’s legitimate leader, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. Rubio… suggested the US will not support her staying in power. He called for elections to determine the next leader of the beleaguered South American country.” 

Alarabiya wrote on January 4: 

“President Donald Trump threatened Sunday that Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez will pay a ‘very big price’ [‘probably bigger than Maduro’] if she doesn’t cooperate with the United States… 

“Venezuela’s military on Sunday recognized Rodriguez as the country’s acting leader…” 

A long battle appears to lie ahead. Note the next article. 

Chaos in Venezuela 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 4: 

“Venezuela was plunged into chaos on Saturday as armed supporters of captured Nicolas Maduro flooded the streets, sparking riots, shuttering transport networks and forcing terrified residents to barricade themselves inside their homes… The unrest followed a large-scale US strike on Caracas, which targeted Fuerte Tiuna – Venezuela’s largest military complex… Dramatic aerial images showed entire buildings obliterated, with scorched land and plumes of smoke hanging over the city… 

“As armed supporters continue to roam the streets and food supplies dwindle, many Venezuelans fear the country is once again sliding into a dark and uncertain chapter, even with Maduro now behind bars.” 

The chaos is continuing. Fears of civil war manifest themselves. Wars, violence and occupations never solve anything. 

Miller: We Are in Charge! 

Politico wrote on January 5: 

“White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller says the U.S. is in charge of Venezuela. ‘… we have the United States military stationed outside the country. We set the terms and conditions,’ Miller said. ‘We have a complete embargo on all of their oil and their ability to do commerce. So for them to do commerce, they need our permission.’” 

“It’s the Oil…” 

Fox News wrote on January 6: 

“President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the interim authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 million and 50 million barrels of ‘high-quality,’ sanctioned oil to the U.S… Trump said the oil will be sold at market price, and he will control the proceeds to ensure it is ‘used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!’” 

ABC News wrote on January 6: 

“The Trump administration has told Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez that the regime must meet the White House’s demands before being allowed to pump more oil… First, the country must kick out China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba and sever economic ties… Second, Venezuela must agree to partner exclusively with the U.S. on oil production and favor America when selling heavy crude oil…” 

ABC News wrote on January 7: 

“The U.S. on Wednesday seized… [off the coast of Europe] the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker… The U.S. on Wednesday also seized another tanker in the Caribbean… The Russian Ministry of Transport condemned the seizure of the oil tanker in the North Atlantic…” 

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the blockade of Venezuelan oil is in full effect and that no ship is safe anywhere in the world. 

Strategically Mad 

The Independent wrote on January 3: 

“What no one in the White House can see is that this invasion, this apparent political decapitation, this violation of international law, is strategically mad. Outside the White House and Magaland, the only cheering will be in the Kremlin and in Beijing. In Nato there will be horror…. 

“[Trump] said he would attack Venezuela’s mainland, and he has. His claim to be knocking over a narco-terrorist state that has exported vast quantities of opiates to the US, and killed hundreds of thousands of its citizens, is nonsense. Opiates get into the US from Mexico, not Venezuela. 

“As a premise for regime change and invasion, it is as false as the claims that Saddam Hussein was making a nuclear weapon. The invasion of that nation set off decades of pain and murder, terror and mayhem, and gave birth to Isis. It also tore at the fabric of Western democracies… 

“Now, Trump has attacked a neighbour without any international support. He has aped the behaviour of his great hero and friend, Vladimir Putin… mere anarchy is loosed upon the world…” 

America’s Past Failed Attempts 

National Post wrote on January 4, 2026 

“The United States has a really bad record when it comes to regime change. Time and again, it’s sought to oust foreign leaders and replace them with more favoured replacements…

“It was a disaster in Vietnam, at a horrendous cost in life. Cuba, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, … defeat, disappointment, debacle… Just four years ago, the Biden administration orchestrated the most recent example, before Saturday’s dramatic events in Venezuela. The hasty and chaotic retreat from Afghanistan damaged Biden’s image so badly he never really recovered… 

“There’s no dispute that Maduro has been a calamity for his country. By all the evidence, he’s been as grasping and pitiless a despot as you could find this side of Moscow. He’s been in power since 2013, holding onto office through a mix of corruption, violence and fixed elections, driving the economy into the ground, impoverishing millions and prompting a veritable stampede of desperate Venezuelans fleeing the country. No one outside his small circle of avaricious cronies is likely to miss him much. His support from Russia, China and Iran drew mainly from his ability to irritate the U.S… 

“If U.S. strategists have a well thought-out plan for supporting and advancing the shattered country Maduro leaves behind, they haven’t mentioned it beyond Trump’s assertion that ‘we’re going to run the country.’… There is no guarantee the Maduro establishment will disappear with him…. 

“Iraq remains host to 2,000 U.S. troops and an array of hostile armed militias loyal to Iran, with an insecure government caught between the two, struggling to avoid an explosion. More than a decade after its “liberation,” Libya is a divided country, riven by civil war, with competing warlords and rival governments at opposite ends of the country. Afghanistan, meanwhile, is back in the hands of the Taliban, 20 years and thousands of deaths after Washington and its allies set out to evict them…” 

“Emperor Trump’s Imperial Ambitions Should Send a Shiver Down the Spine of America’s Neighbors” 

On January 5, the Daily Mail published the following article by Andrew Neil: 

“… when Trump says, ‘We are going to run the country [Venezuela] now’, there is not only cause for concern but reason to fear for the worst… He has put no time limit on how long he plans to be Venezuela’s imperator… Venezuela faces the prospect of moving from being a domestic dictatorship to a US colony.

“… it was especially chilling to hear Trump so easily dismiss the hugely respected Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela’s main opposition leader, a centre-Right democratic heroine and last year’s winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. He claimed that she lacked the ‘support’ or ‘respect’ of the people, which is palpable nonsense… Clearly – and absurdly – it still rankles that she won the Nobel Peace Prize, not him. It is beyond pathetic…

“Venezuela’s regime has not changed. Maduro has gone but the government is still in the hands of his vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, a hardline socialist surrounded by Maduro’s nastiest enforcers… Just how Trump thinks he can wrestle power from her without a massive deployment of US boots on the ground – for which he has no mandate, not even from his own MAGA base, which abhors foreign interventions – is just one of many mysteries now surrounding Trump’s approach to Venezuela, a country of 28million people that is twice the size of California…”

Newsmax added on January 4: 

“President Donald Trump insisted Sunday the United States is ‘in charge’ of Venezuela… Asked whether the operation was about oil or regime change, Trump replied: ‘It’s about peace on earth.’… Trump said elections in Venezuela would have to wait… Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez said she was ready to work together… The Trump administration says it is willing to work with the remainder of Maduro’s government as long as Washington’s goals, particularly opening access to US investment in Venezuela’s enormous crude oil reserves, are met…” 

Threatening NATO 

Donald Trump wrote the following on January 7 on his Truth Social website: 

“Remember, for all of those big NATO fans, they were at 2% GDP, and most weren’t paying their bills, UNTIL I CAME ALONG… Remember, also, I single-handedly ENDED 8 WARS, and Norway, a NATO Member, foolishly chose not to give me the Noble Peace Prize… RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE ZERO FEAR OF NATO WITHOUT THE UNITED STATES, AND I DOUBT NATO WOULD BE THERE FOR US IF WE REALLY NEEDED THEM… We will always be there for NATO, even if they won’t be there for us…” 

This does not sound very reassuring… 

Threatening Cuba 

The Hill wrote on January 3:

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday warned Cuba’s leaders that ‘I’d be concerned’ following the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro…  The secretary accused Cuba of being ‘run by incompetent, senile men…’ He claimed Maduro’s guards and Venezuela’s ‘whole spy agency’ were ‘full of Cubans,’ and that ‘this poor island took over Venezuela.’” 

Threatening Mexico and Colombia 

The Daily Beast wrote on January 3: 

“President Donald Trump has hinted that the surprise abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro may not be his last operation in Latin America. Trump, 79, suggested on Fox & Friends Saturday that action could be taken against Mexico… which he said is run by drug cartels—a similar allegation he made against Maduro and Venezuela. ‘Something’s going to have to be done with Mexico,’ he said. 

“Trump then issued an even more explicit threat to Colombia, which borders Venezuela to the west, and its president, Gustavo Petro, during a Mar-a-Lago news conference. ‘I stick by my first statement. He’s making cocaine,’ Trump said of Petro. ‘They’re sending it into the United States, so he does have to watch his a–.’ 

“Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico… immediately condemned Trump’s attack on Venezuela…” 

Focus wrote on January 3: 

“Spain and a number of Latin American states [Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay] have [in a joint statement] condemned the US operation to arrest the authoritarian head of state Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela…” 

German and European Reactions 

Die Welt wrote on January 3: 

“The German government expressed concern regarding the US military intervention… The chairwoman of the EU Parliament’s Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), condemned the attack… 

“The attack was also ‘a warning from Trump to Denmark and Greenland as well’: He was showing what he was prepared to do if he didn’t get what he wanted voluntarily… The SPD foreign policy expert Adis Ahmetovic sharply criticized the US attack on Venezuela…” 

The Huffington Post wrote on January 3: 

“RODERICH KIESEWETTER, PROMINENT MP FROM GERMANY’S CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION: ‘With President Trump, the U.S. are abandoning the rules-based order that has shaped us since 1945.’ ‘The coup in Venezuela marks a return to the old U.S. doctrine from before 1940: a mindset of thinking in terms of spheres of influence, where the law of force rules, not international law. Trump is destroying what was left of any trust in the U.S.’ 

“BRITAIN’S REFORM UK PARTY LEADER NIGEL FARAGE: ‘The American actions in Venezuela overnight are unorthodox and contrary to international law – but if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing.’ 

“ITALIAN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER AND FORMER PRIME MINISTER GIUSEPPE CONTE: ‘The American aggression against Venezuela has no legal basis. We are facing a blatant violation of international law, which certifies the dominance of the strongest and best equipped militarily… I hope that the entire international community will make its voice heard and that everyone will understand that if rules only apply to enemies and not to friends, no one can feel safe anymore.’” 

Merz Too Timid 

Deutschlandfunk reported on January 4: 

“After the Chancellor and CDU leader [Friedrich] Merz spoke of a complex legal assessment that would require time, Vice-Chancellor Klingbeil of the SPD declared that the fact that Maduro had led an authoritarian regime could not justify disregarding international law. This also applied to the actions of the USA. 

“Direct criticism of Merz’s statement came from the Greens.  Parliamentary group leader Dröge expressed her incomprehension that the Chancellor had not clearly described the US operation as a violation of international law.  Avoiding the issue in this situation would be a fatal strategy.” 

Bild Online wrote on January 4: 

“CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn expressed a similarly reserved view of the US strike against Venezuela as Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU).” 

Merz and Spahn act again as proverbial chameleons. But they won’t be able to continue doing this for much longer, as the anger in Germany against America gets stronger and stronger. Note the next commentary.

Don’t Dismiss Trump’s Threats 

Bild Online published the following commentary by Paul Ronzheimer and Filipp Platov on January 4: 

“Europe urgently needs to understand the messages emanating from this historic day… Whether in Iran or Venezuela: Donald Trump is making it clear that he is prepared to use his military when it comes to American interests… Trump won’t even consult us [Europeans] before taking action… 

“It must be clear: If the Americans… want to strengthen the ‘resistance’ against the EU in order to politically transform our continent, then it would be naive to dismiss this as an empty threat… If Europe does not learn to defend and assert its own interests, it risks becoming a sphere of influence for foreign powers.” 

This Will End Badly 

ntv wrote on January 3: 

“…the goal was not only Maduro’s arrest, but also control of the country and its oil…  After the disaster the US caused in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, there was generally a consensus in the West that it’s best to stay away from regime-change wars. Now the most erratic US president in living memory is trying his hand at it. In his boundless vanity, Trump apparently thinks he will succeed where others have failed. This will end badly.” 

Canada Beware! 

On January 3, Focus published the following comments from US expert Josef Braml: 

“The Monroe Doctrine, formulated in the 19th century to keep European colonial powers at bay, essentially means today that the US claims dominance over the so-called Western Hemisphere.  Originally, this primarily referred to South America. However, Trump has updated and adapted the doctrine. And I’m not sure if he still only means South America. So, if you live in Canada or Greenland, you should definitely start giving this some thought… 

“During the so-called peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, it was clear that both Putin and Trump wanted to divide up business interests over the heads of the Ukrainians and the Europeans… America has become a threat to world peace, and incidentally, also to Europe, if you consider Greenland.” 

Threatening Greenland 

CBS News wrote on January 4: 

“Denmark on Sunday made its displeasure known after the wife of one of President Trump’s most influential aides posted a social media picture of Greenland painted in the colors of the United States flag. Katie Miller — wife of Mr. Trump’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller – put the contentiously altered image of the Danish autonomous territory on her X feed late Saturday, hours after the U.S. military operation against Venezuela. Her post had a single word above it: ‘SOON.’… 

“Mr. Trump has repeatedly made clear that he wants Greenland to become an annexed part of the United States… Stephen Miller is widely seen as the architect of much of Mr. Trump’s policies, guiding the president on his hardline immigration policies and domestic agenda…. (Stephen Miller is perceived as one of the most dangerous and radical politicians in the Trump Administration.) 

“In Greenland’s case, Mr. Trump has claimed that making the Danish territory part of the United States would serve U.S. national security interests, given its strategic location in the Arctic. Greenland is also rich in key critical minerals used in high-tech sectors. Katie Miller was deputy press secretary under Mr. Trump at the Department of Homeland Security during his first term.” 

On Sunday, Trump repeated his threat, saying, “We need Greenland, definitely.”

Trump Wants Greenland 

t-online reported on January 5: 

“Trump wants Greenland – and is putting Denmark and the inhabitants of the Arctic island on high alert.  For the Greenlanders, one thing is clear: ‘We have to prepare for the worst.’…  For Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, there is no doubt that Trump is serious… ‘if the USA attacks another NATO country, then everything stops.’ Trump had not ruled out the use of military force in Greenland in the past.” 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 5: 

“Trump has framed his interest as a matter of national security, claiming Greenland is ‘surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.’ That assertion is false… Greenland does, however, possess vast untapped natural resources, including oil and critical minerals — a similarity it shares with Venezuela…   

“European leaders could make clear what is at stake: the collapse of NATO, the closure of US bases in Europe, and potential sanctions on US companies operating in the EU… The case of Venezuela underscores just how unpredictable the US president can be. As 2026 gets underway, European leaders are bracing for a difficult year…” 

The Telegraph wrote on January 5: “If we can’t defend Greenland, Europe is truly finished.” 

Miller Questions Denmark’s Territorial Claim

Daily Mail wrote on January 5: 

“Stephen Miller stunned US allies and rattled NATO on Monday night after flatly declaring that Greenland ‘should be part of the United States’ – and insisting that no country would dare fight Washington over the Arctic territory’s future… Instead, he challenged Denmark’s sovereignty over the island. 

“‘What is the basis of their territorial claim?’ Miller asked. [He also said: “The real question is by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland?”] ‘What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?’” 

Shoot First, Ask Questions Later 

The Telegraph wrote on January 7: 

“[The] Danish defence ministry confirms 1952 rule of engagement requiring soldiers to attack invading forces, following [the] threat from [the] US… Danish soldiers will be required to shoot first and ask questions later if the United States invades Greenland, under the army’s rules of engagement…” 

Rubio backpedaled and said the USA is going to buy Greenland. But Greenland has already said, they are not for sale. Further, the White House said again that military action is always an option. 

On January 4, Bild Online published a list of countries and areas which have been threatened by Trump, including: Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Greenland and Iran. They could have added Europe (Germany), Canada and Panama (for now). 

Trump Declares the World Open Season 

t-online wrote on January 5: 

“Under Donald Trump… what was considered unthinkable for decades is changing. A US president is openly abandoning the international order… Trump offered no justifications for his actions… For him, alliances do not entail any strategic obligations.  In his view, they are, in most cases, bad deals. He considers institutions… a burdensome constraint on America. Trump violates norms and radically questions them. 

“…Trump is exerting pressure to eliminate regulations in the European Union that are burdensome for US companies… He relies solely on selective withdrawal from international institutions and on the aggressive exercise of American power. 

“…This development presents other states, particularly the Europeans, with a crucial challenge… They must jointly develop their own economic and military strength in order to defend themselves. Otherwise, they will be left with nothing but moralizing commentary, which amounts to surrender.” 

Steve Bannon’s Stunning Attack on Trump in Light of Trump’s Iranian Threats 

Mediaite wrote on January 2: 

“MAGA media personality and former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon compared President Donald Trump to Hillary Clinton in a scathing attack on his old boss on Friday. During a discussion about Trump’s threat to use the U.S. military to come to the defense of Iranian civilians protesting against the brutal Islamist regime in charge of their country, Bannon expressed his strong disapproval. ‘Aren’t people teasing right now that Samantha Powers [sic] and Hillary Clinton must somehow have gotten invited to the Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve celebration because the president coming out today saying, “Hey, we’re locked and loaded [towards Iran],” isn’t that straight from the Samantha Powers and Hillary Clinton playbook?’ asked Bannon. 

“At another point during Friday’s edition of his show, War Room, Bannon argued:… ‘Let the Persian people take care of this. You can’t intrude on this thing. The more you intrude, the more the Mullahs are gonna dig in and say, “This is the great Satan that’s doing this,” and you’re gonna have a bigger and longer mess than you can have. You’ve got the opportunity right now for the people in Persia to overthrow these demons, right? Let them get on with it. The Persians have been around a long time. They know how to do it, they did it in ’79.’ 

“Trump’s threat… read, ‘If Iran [shoots] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.’” 

Trump did not explain HOW he would come to their rescue. But if Venezuela is a guide… Interestingly, Bannon supported Trump’s strike on Venezuela. 

Angela Merkel Established Lasting Authoritarianism in Germany Because of Corona 

Apollo News published the following commentary by Max Roland on December 10: 

“Baden-Württemberg’s Minister-President Kretschmann is awarding Merkel a [medal of merit] for her actions during the Corona period.  One couldn’t mock accountability any better… 

“Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have already bestowed honors on the former Chancellor – now Baden-Württemberg has followed suit. On Tuesday, Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann awarded Merkel the Staufer Medal, an award given by the Minister-President for ‘services to Baden-Württemberg.’ 

“… Kretschmann has a very special justification for this: Merkel’s actions during the Corona period. In his laudatory speech, Kretschmann praised the CDU politician for ‘her decisive, prudent, and effective leadership as Federal Chancellor during this crisis.’  According to the Green Party politician, Merkel’s effective actions prevented significantly higher numbers [of cases/deaths]. He particularly praised her ‘consistently clear and coherent argumentation.’ 

“She didn’t deserve a medal for this, but rather the opposite.  She certainly didn’t do anyone a service with her policies – neither Baden-Württemberg nor Germany as a whole. On the contrary: Corona was the birth of the authoritarian state, and Merkel was its midwife. 

“Merkel turned the executive branch into an established instrument of power: Since the founding of the Federal Republic, no chancellor has governed the country as autocratically as Merkel did during the Corona pandemic. Parliament was sidelined, power was not democratically controlled, but centralized in the Chancellery – within the framework of an executive committee… Now one might say that it was all an exceptional situation – but the way politics was conducted during this exceptional situation cannot be excused by any pandemic in the world. 

“This is also evident in how often the last remaining boundaries of the law and the Basic Law were actually crossed. Merkel’s curfews? Illegal and unconstitutional. Blanket restrictions on the freedom of demonstration and assembly? Unconstitutional. Even the general mask mandates, lacking evidence, did not stand up in court. All of this was characteristic of Merkel, and apparently, none of it mattered. The end justified the means – that was Corona… 

“Winfried Kretschmann was right at the forefront of this policy, the empowerment of those who violated fundamental rights and disregarded the constitution – for him, the measures couldn’t be harsh enough. Evidence and proportionality? At best, secondary considerations. Merkel thought the same way, and she acted accordingly… 

“Measures soon became an end in themselves.  No one really questioned the purpose of a curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.: it simply had to be implemented… And the right to demonstrate? That, too, was simply overridden; protests were sometimes prevented with brutal force. 

“Whether the total exclusion of the unvaccinated was truly justifiable or not, or whether it was a fundamental transgression for a liberal-democratic state – no one considered that either, because ‘the unvaccinated’ were to blame themselves, as Merkel also conveyed…” 

“Being German means seeing something through completely and ruthlessly for its own sake, even at the risk of significant losses – in this respect, Angela Merkel was very German. The damage her coronavirus policies have caused has not even begun to be acknowledged, let alone addressed. Those responsible saw and still see it, at best, as collateral damage. After all, the goal was to ‘save lives.’ 

“How many lives were saved – and how many were ruined? The fact that this question is no longer even being asked is Merkel’s achievement:… The politics of the strong hand, which keeps the country firmly under control. And woe to anyone who doesn’t toe the line. 

“Merkel’s coronavirus policy has established authoritarianism as a political blueprint in the Federal Republic of Germany.  Instead of a critical review, she receives awards?… This sends a fatal signal for an overreaching, authoritarian state and all the corresponding tendencies that we are still experiencing after the pandemic. It sends a fatal signal to a society that has not yet overcome the divisions of the coronavirus era – divisions largely caused by Merkel – and will never do so as a result.” 

Merkel’s appalling example was supported by the likes of Jens Spahn, and in the USA, by the likes of Joe Biden, Gavin Newsom and Anthony Fauci. There has not been any accounting in this regard either. So again, the guilty remain free, and may be preparing for another coup.   

Germany’s Agenda for 2026 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 1, 2026: 

“At the beginning of 2026, young people in Germany aged 18 and over will receive mail from the government. Men must then complete the enclosed questionnaire, while women can do so voluntarily. The questions will focus on personal details, educational qualifications and other competences, as well as willingness to perform military service. Participation in a medical examination to assess their overall health and fitness will be mandatory. 

“The government is counting on finding enough volunteers to increase the number of Bundeswehr soldiers from approximately 184,000 now to between 255,000 and 270,000 over the next decade, and to increase the number of reservists to 200,000. If all this does not work on a voluntary basis, the government will move to reinstate conscription, which has been suspended since 2011… 

“The… AfD… is already the strongest opposition party in the Bundestag. With several regional elections scheduled for 2026, it’s expected to do well. In [some] eastern German states…,  the AfD is currently polling around 40%… if the AfD becomes the strongest party by a wide margin in [some] states, will the promise made by the conservative CDU to never cooperate with the AfD hold true? Both elections are not until September, but they will dominate the debates about how to deal with the AfD until then. State elections in [some] western states… will kick off an exciting election year in March… 

“The issue of migration will continue to be high on the agenda in 2026… Germany is now pursuing a tough policy toward irregular immigrants… so-called ‘return centers’ are now planned again in countries outside the European Union, even though previous attempts… have not been successful…” 

Some hot potatoes. And Germany does not look good in regard to any of them. It should be noted that the AfD is for compulsory military service, as a sign of “patriotism.”

“The German Armed Forces Must Become Europe’s Strongest Army” 

ntv reported on January 3: 

“The CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag wants to transform the German Armed Forces into the strongest conventional army in Europe… [They] envision equipping the Bundeswehr with, among other things, cruise missiles, long-range drones, and small, inexpensive guided missiles.  The development of its own hypersonic missiles is also planned. The goal, they say, is to build ‘a European arsenal of long-range conventional precision weapons’ that ‘can strike the enemy deep in their territory’… 

“Based on the experiences of the war in Ukraine, the German armed forces should become ‘a true drone army.’  They should be equipped with at least 100,000 drones, whose effectiveness should be enhanced through the use of artificial intelligence and ‘space-based capabilities’… To protect Germany, an air defense system similar to the Israeli ‘Iron Dome’ missile defense system is planned, with at least 2,000 interceptor missiles. 

“According to the plans, the Baltic Sea is to be made ‘completely transparent’ through real-time monitoring. Specifically, ‘cost-effective unmanned underwater drones’ are to ‘patrol large areas’ for this purpose.” 

…and they don’t know what they are talking about… 

How Would a European Army Fare Against Russia? 

Le Figaro wrote on January 1, 2026: 

“After Ukraine, could Russia decide to attack Europe? Vladimir Putin recently reiterated that he had no intention of doing so. However, the 2025 National Strategic Review, an official document that guides French defense policy, states in black and white that ‘by 2030, the main threat to France and Europeans is the risk of open warfare against the heart of Europe.’ 

“In the meantime, Europe intends to accelerate its rearmament and strengthen its defense industry. In the event of a confrontation, how would its combined military forces fare against Russia’s? Such is the question addressed by experts at the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) in a study entitled ‘Europe-Russia: Assessment of the Balance of Power.’… Ifri aggregated the personnel and equipment of all European NATO member countries, i.e., 23 EU states and seven other European countries, excluding Turkey… 

“In terms of a land confrontation, Russia has the advantage in numbers. Its ground forces are estimated at around 950,000 soldiers, compared to 750,000 for the European countries of NATO… 

“In terms of aerospace,… Europe has a clear superiority over Russia, both quantitatively and qualitatively… At sea, Europe has an ‘indisputable qualitative advantage’ thanks to its hundred or so large surface vessels — three times more than the Russian navy… Moscow’s great strength lies in its submarines, a ‘serious threat’ given Europe’s ‘limited’ anti-submarine capabilities… 

“Another area of confrontation is space. Here, the balance of power is ‘more nuanced,’ notes Ifri. Russia inherited a large fleet of military satellites from the USSR, exceeding that of Europe (100 to 60)… But Europe has enjoyed a satellite navigation system that is… ‘certainly superior’ to the Russian GLONASS system… 

“Russia, a ‘nuclear superpower,’ has approximately 1,700 strategic nuclear warheads deployed and approximately 2,600 in reserve, according to the authors of the study. This ‘plethora’ of weapons is intended, in Russia’s view, to ensure its ‘escalation superiority.’ In response to this, most European countries benefit from the United States’ so-called ‘extended’ nuclear deterrence, which takes the form of nuclear sharing agreements and the stationing of around 100 B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs. 

“This bulwark is complemented by the arsenal of the two independent nuclear powers in Europe, France and the United Kingdom, which have ‘several hundred strategic warheads each.’ However, ‘if the credibility of the United States’ extended deterrence were to be seriously undermined or prove to be failing, Europe would suffer […] from a strategic imbalance with Russia,’ warns Ifri.” 

But Europe will first attack the USA and the UK, before fighting a war with Russia. 

Chinese Dictatorship and Aggression 

Breitbart wrote on January 2: 

“Xi Jinping proclaimed that the Chinese… and the nation of Taiwan ‘share a bond of blood and kinship,’ insisting that China’s colonization of Taiwan was ‘unstoppable’ in an address to mark the new year… Xi also emphasized the importance of Beijing imposing itself on Hong Kong… ‘We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a bond of blood and kinship. The reunification of our motherland… is unstoppable!’ Xi declared. Xi also celebrated his government’s destructive policies towards the indigenous people of Tibet and East Turkistan… 

“Xi has spearheaded an ongoing campaign of genocide against the indigenous Turkic people of East Turkistan, in particular the local Uyghur population, fueled by mass forced sterilization, the imprisoning of millions in concentration camps, and state-sponsored slavery. In Tibet, Xi has effectively outlawed Tibetan ethnic identity, including banning Tibetan Buddhism… Tibetans have also, on a slightly smaller scale, been forced into labor camps…” 

China’s goals are blatantly obvious. 

Mamdani New York Mayor 

Breitbart wrote on January 1: 

“Socialist Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight Thursday, taking the oath of office as he placed his hand on the Islamic Quran in a private ceremony. In doing so Mamdani, a Democrat, was confirmed as the first Muslim leader of America’s biggest city. 

“The strictly invitation-only gathering [was] overseen by New York Attorney General Letitia James… AP further reports the immigrant from Uganda will be sworn in again, in much grander style, in a public ceremony at City Hall… by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the mayor’s confessed political heroes.” 

What a gathering of controversial left-wing politicians! 

Mamdani Revokes Orders Protecting Israel 

Fox News added on January 2: 

“Israel tore into New York City Mayor… Mamdani after he revoked a pair of executive orders signed by former Mayor Eric Adams that supported the Jewish state [and which were created to fight Antisemitism.].  

“‘On his very first day as New York City mayor, Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel,’ Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X. ‘This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.’…

“Mamdani has repeatedly described Israel as an apartheid state, accused it of committing genocide in Gaza, and said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested..” 

Whatever happened to the “friendly” meeting between Trump and Mamdani at the White House? What a joke that was! Mamdani said he called Trump to voice his strong disagreement with America’s invasion of Venezuela. 

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 first part of this series, we discussed the time of the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the birth of the New Testament Church in 31 AD. In the early days of the Church, it flourished tremendously, but very soon, persecution set in.  

After Christ’s death, Pilate remained governor for another six years. He did not hinder the Church in Jerusalem. The Church grew to 25,000 members—a tenth of the total population of Jerusalem. Persecution of the Church initially came exclusively from the Jews.

Acts 4:18-21 reports of the persecution of the apostles through the religious leaders of Jerusalem:

“And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’ So when they had further threatened them, they let them go…”

But it would not stay only with threats. Acts 5:14-18 reads:

“And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison…”

An angel of the Lord freed them from prison, and they continued to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were arrested again and brought before the High Priest. Compare verses 27-29, 33, 40-42:

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, ‘Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!’ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men’… When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them… when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

Under Roman law, the religious rulers were permitted to act in this way regarding the apostles, as they administered the law. However, they needed the approval of the Roman governor to carry out the death penalty. But in their wrath, the High Priest and the council members did not obey the Roman law in this respect, when they killed Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Note Acts 7:54-60:

“When they heard these things [which Stephen told them], they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

This was illegal, just as the “arrest” and “trial” of Christ had been illegal.

Saul, who would become the apostle Paul, was a Roman citizen. He was born in a Roman city and was the only Roman apostle. Christ chose him to preach the gospel to the Roman world, and he (not Peter) would found the Church in Rome. He grew up in Tarsus, amidst the Greek culture. He studied under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3).

About Saul, we read in Acts 8:1:

“Now Saul was consenting to his [Stephen’s] death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

This persecution came from the Jews. The Romans did not see the Church as a threat. On the contrary, Tertullian (around 200 AD) referred to a report from Pilate to Emperor Tiberius about the Christians. According to this report, Tiberius tried to obtain the Senate’s approval to declare Jesus divine and make Him a Roman god, but the Senate refused to do this.

In 36 AD, a new governor arrived in Jerusalem, who also appointed a new High Priest.

Around 37 AD, Caligula became the new emperor. He wanted to be worshipped as a god and had statues built of himself. This led to a Jewish rebellion, but before it escalated, Caligula died in 41 AD.

Around 38 AD, the situation of the Church is described in Acts 9:31, as follows:

“Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”

Under the former High Priest Caiaphas, the Church had not grown significantly in membership; this now changed under the new High Priest.

Acts 11:26 gives us an interesting detail:

“… And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

Now the Roman world gave the people of this movement the name Christians. The Jews called them only Nazarenes—derisively: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

In 41 AD, Claudius became the new emperor. He reinstated Herod Agrippa I, whom Caligula had deposed, as king of the Jews. Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great and the father of Agrippa II.

In 43 AD, the following development occurred, as described in Acts 12:1-3:

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.”

Peter’s arrest occurred under Herod Agrippa I during the “Days of Unleavened Bread.” This reference shows that God’s annual Holy Days were still observed, long after Christ’s death.

An angel of the Lord freed Peter from prison, and Herod became very angry that he could not find him.

Acts 12:21-23 informs us of subsequent events:

“So on a set day Herod [Agrippa I], arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.”

Depending on the circumstances, God may act very swiftly and decisively against proud rulers who defy Him.

The death of Herod Agrippa I occurred in 44 AD. After his death, there was no further persecution of Christians for 15 years.

In Acts 18:1-2, another event should be noted. We read:

“After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.”

A Jewish revolt had taken place, and the Jews had been ordered to leave Rome. This also applied to Aquila and Priscilla, not because they were Christians, but because they were Jews.

In 50 AD, Paul wrote and sent the First Letter to the Thessalonians from Corinth. Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians followed in 51 AD.

In 53 AD, Paul wrote the Epistle to the Galatians in Antioch. Antioch became a second headquarters from which Paul initially operated. Later, Ephesus became the second headquarters, where John and (allegedly) Philip died.

Peter met with Paul between 50 and 56 AD (compare Paul’s meeting with Peter in Jerusalem and his subsequent meeting with Peter in Antioch and the ensuing controversy between them, as described in Galatians 2).

Around 54 AD, Nero, 16 years old, became Roman emperor. When Paul was in Rome in 62 AD, Nero was just 22 years old.

Around 55 AD, Paul was persecuted in Ephesus, but protected by the city clerk (Acts 19). The city clerk was an official within the local Roman leadership, being subordinate to the proconsul.

In 57 AD, Paul was again persecuted by the Jews. Acts 21:27-29 reports:

“Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, ‘Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.’ (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul….”

The Jews arrested Paul in Jerusalem because he allegedly brought a Gentile into the Temple. A sign outside the Temple stated that Gentiles were forbidden entry to the Temple on pain of death. However, the governor Claudius Lysias (Acts 23:26) came to his aid. Still, Paul was arrested and subsequently brought, as prisoner, to the governor Felix.

In his defense before Felix and the High Priest Ananias, Paul managed to transform the accusations before Governor Felix into a religious dispute.

Acts 24:17-22 quotes Paul as follows:

“‘Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, “Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.”’ But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, ‘When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.’’

Paul stayed in prison for two years (Acts 24:27) and additional “some days”, as Acts 25:13-14 reports:

“And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus (who had succeeded Felix). When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king…”

This was Agrippa II, the son of the deceased Agrippa I. Paul gave his defense before him and governor Festus, and the results are stated in Acts 26:24-28:

“Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!’ But he said, ‘I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.’ Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’… When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, ‘This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.’ Then Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.’”

Agrippa used the name the Romans used for Christians.  They were therefore known as Christians at that time. (Peter later also spoke of Christians, compare 1 Peter 4:16).

And so, Paul was being transferred as a prisoner to Rome. He arrived there after a long and difficult journey and was imprisoned from 60 AD to 62 AD (compare Acts 28:30-31). There, around 60 AD, he wrote the Letters to the Colossians, the Ephesians, the Philippians (perhaps around 62 AD?), and to Philemon. After two years of imprisonment, he was set free again.

(To be continued)

 Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“Today Venezuela! Who Will Be Next Tomorrow?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

On December 30, 2025, we published a StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump’s Destruction of the Old World Order in 2026.” In it, I mentioned what we can expect of Trump in 2026. I referred especially to Venezuela. A few days later, on Saturday, January 3, the biblical Sabbath, Trump invaded the country. Why did he do it; what are his plans, and which countries might he invade next? Because Venezuela is just the beginning.

“Heute Venezuela! Wer ist morgen dran?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

“Endzeitprophezeiungen im Buch Amos,” is the title of this Sabbath’s German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “End-Time Prophecies in the Book of Amos.”

“Satans Kinder und seine Diener,” last Sabbath’s first split sermon presented by Tahir Coban, is now posted. Title in English: “Satan’s Children and His Servants.”

“Die göttliche Regierung und das Vorbild Abrahams,” last Sabbath’s second split sermon presented by Jens Herrmann, is now posted. Title in English: “The Divine Government and the Example of Abraham.”

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

Are we building confidence which will never fail? That opportunity is available to Christians, and it depends on our relationship with God!

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

John the Baptist fulfilled prophecy through the work of his ministry. What did he do? Why was he an important figure relative to Jesus Christ’s ministry and the growth of the New Testament Church? What can we learn about his life that can give us a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ’s teachings and our Christian conversion?