In our latest StandingWatch program, titled, Killing of Fishermen—Must Illegal Orders Be Obeyed?, we discussed that six Democratic lawmakers urged service members to defy illegal orders and President Trump’s reaction. He called them traitors and described their conduct as seditious behavior at the highest level, advocating their arrest and death.

Subsequently, it was reported that the FBI requested “interviews” with them. A law professor who teaches national-security law described this as “a frivolous investigation meant to suppress speech” (The Wall Street Journal, November 25). Especially, the “investigation” of Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy pilot and astronaut, potentially facing a military tribunal to be court-martialed, has been roundly condemned by many observers.

Also, many veterans, highly praised in the past by President Trump, strongly voiced their objection to the entire matter, saying that “calling for an investigation into a well-known principle of service is dangerous, and says more about this administration than it does about Senator Kelly” (The Independent, November 25).

Sadly, these developments only serve as one example of a situation within the USA which is deeply troublesome. The ongoing controversial actions of ICE raids, detentions and deportations of potentially everyone being in the country “illegally,” as defined by the Trump administration, including members of DACA, stand in strong contrast to original representations during the presidential campaign that only dangerous hard-core criminals would be arrested and deported.  

Some of the comments we received on the above-mentioned StandingWatch program and the German AufPostenStehen version, covering the same topic, are telling. One viewer wrote: “An excellent commentary on the current leadership of America and its inevitable downfall as prophesied in the bible. Thanks to God there is at least one Church of God not singing the praises of [Trump]… an iceberg has been hit and all that’s being done is rearranging of the deck chairs. These are dangerous times unfolding before our very eyes.”

Another viewer wrote: “Especially because the man who is [an] astronaut [Senator Mark Kelly] is a war hero [with] 39 years of service and his poor wife [was] shot in [the] head and lived, thank God. He has paid a [huge] price to be an American.”

A German-speaking viewer wrote: “This humanity is a complete madhouse. In Germany, it is a punishable offense to carry out unlawful orders. Such orders must be strictly and absolutely refused without fear of punishment. That’s what I was taught in the German armed forces.”

In fact, this last comment is very remarkable in light of Germany’s dark history, especially during the Nazi era and former East Germany. We know, of course, that terrible times lie ahead for Germany in the not-too-distant future.

In light of Trump’s questionable actions, which are clearly not in line with godly principles, and which will contribute to America’s inevitable downfall, why are we so confident that God will use him to build the Third Temple? (Compare for example our Editorial, dated October 31, 2025, titled, “When Our Critics Become Silent…”). Actually, there is no contradiction, but, in fact, biblical confirmation. We will explain this in detail in a future Q&A.

All of this sounds like bad news, but it isn’t. These events, and many more, must occur before Christ can return. But these days will be shortened and He WILL return soon to end the madness of this current civilization and to usher in the beautiful world tomorrow. This is the good news or gospel of the rule of the Kingdom of God here on earth which must be and is “preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). And for THAT, we can be truly thankful.

The Bible is perfect, incapable of being wrong, the unchanging Word of God, and therefore, it cannot be altered or improved upon by human beings. This is what the phrase “the Bible is no amendment” signifies. The principles and contents of the Bible are from a perfect God and are not subject to human error or the need for correction; it does not need to “change to the times” or adapt to changing societal views.  If something appears to be an “error” or out of step with modern thinking, the flaw is in the human perspective, not the biblical text itself. People, therefore, should change to follow God’s Word, not the other way around.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. We are surrounded by a society that thinks it has all the answers, believes it is correct in its own mindset, and considers what it believes to be the right way.  We see this everywhere; we witness it constantly. Everybody has their own opinion, which they are entitled to, but that doesn’t mean that every opinion that one has is correct.  

This is a dissimilarity with human law since this concept is often contrasted with documents like the U.S. Constitution, which clearly includes an amendment process, acknowledging its human origin and the need for potential changes over time (e.g., the 27 Amendments). In essence, “no amendment” emphasizes the Bible’s authority as a final and complete revelation that is not open to human modification.

Many have their own set of beliefs, being convinced for the most part that what they believe is the Truth.  There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different kinds of “truths” in this world at this time.  There is only one Truth, which is the Bible!  We are familiar with many who believe in their own religious ideas, who don’t believe what we do, who do things completely contrary to what we do.  Can we prove it from the Bible? That should always be the question. 

Others don’t understand what we are doing, and yet they plan on celebrating something unbiblical and pagan, thereby replacing what God commands to keep!  They may think that what we do is strange, but what they do is false, and God warns against those who try to amend His words. “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6).

On average, the Bible is over 1000 pages long and yet that is evidently not enough for many denominations in the world, as they add to the Bible with their own “prophetic” ideas, their own understanding, and at the same time they think it’s too many pages as they take away from the Bible what they consider “irrelevant” claiming what doesn’t apply anymore, since Christ, they think, came to do away with the Law, for example. But again, God makes it clear that we are not to add or take away from His Word and that His commandments are to be kept (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). Christ echoed the same in the New Testament in Matthew 5:17-19, making clear that He did not come to do away with the Law, but to magnify it. 

The Bible concludes with a warning for everyone in Revelation 22:18-19. “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life [better: Tree of Life], from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

Can it be clearer?  We need to continue in the pursuit of perfection.  Despite what many may say about us when we are challenged to compromise our faith and beliefs, we need to stay strong and consistent in what God teaches us through His Word, the Bible. 

God is with us, He knows what’s best, and He expects us to put our faith in Him, without doubt, which is easy to say, hard to do, but not impossible. Let us not take away from what God has instructed us to do, but rather apply what is written in these pages, thereby making sure that we will be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God (2 Thessalonians 1:5).

“A Man for All Seasons” was a movie that was released in the 1960’s, based on the true story about the final years of Sir Thomas More, a 16^th century lawyer, devout Catholic and Lord Chancellor of England who was executed for refusing to support King Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon and his subsequent marriage and to take an Oath of Supremacy, declaring King Henry Supreme Head of the Church of England.

He showed moral standards and refused to buckle under pressure from the King to maintain his integrity even to the point of decapitation. He was willing to die for his convictions, and in the movie, he paid his executioner money before being beheaded, this being a practice in the 16th century.

Regardless of all his noble and high moral standards, there is one man in history who really was “A Man for All Seasons,” and that is the Man Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

To become a Man, He gave up His divinity for a time. He was immortal and eternal. He had power and authority. He was the Son of God. He had created all things under God the Father, both physical as the universe and mankind, and spiritual as angels and everything else existing in the spirit realm [excluding, of course, the Father], including thrones, instruments of music, golden bowls etc., as we can read in Revelation 5:8: “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders [angelic beings] fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

Think about what He gave up! It would be somewhat comparable [even though the comparison is enormously lacking] to a very wealthy man from a rich and prosperous family used to everything imaginable with a life of luxury, to become homeless, begging for food and sleeping on the sidewalk.

He, as a human, was subject to pain, mockery, temptation from Satan, the world and His human desires, and through it all, He never sinned and prevailed with flying colours (Matthew 4:1-11).

You could just see Satan taunting Christ: “Why go through all that suffering and die, when you can have it all now? Just fall down and worship me.”

Christ rebuked him, using Scripture: “Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, “YOU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD YOUR GOD’” (Matthew 4:7).

He had compassion on the sick, the lame, deaf and blind, and He healed them, even when knowing not all would show appreciation for their healing. Luke 17:11-19 reports the following:

“Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.   And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’  So when He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

“So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’ And He said to him, ‘Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.’”

He never wanted to put the spotlight on Himself, but He gave credit to God. “Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner’” (John 5:19).

He was subject to God’s Will even when facing death: “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will’” (Matthew 26:39).

Nobody on this earth would want to go through the beatings, scourging, punches to the face and mockery Christ would have to face, plus hanging on the cross for six hours and then being pierced with a sword to end His life. He knew ahead of time that all of this would happen to Him. Yet He did all of this for us; so how much do we appreciate His Sacrifice, pain, suffering and death so that we could be saved and become members of the God Family?

We should thank Him for His Sacrifice and service and also thank God the Father as hard as it was for Him to look away from or “forsake” Christ for a moment, when shortly before His death on the cross, He was carrying all the sins of the world, so that God’s Plan could be accomplished and that we would have a true “Man for All Seasons” and a loving compassionate High Priest and Saviour.

Google Maps is a web-based mapping service that is available to most of the world’s population. Through satellite imagery, “It includes real-time traffic conditions, route planning, and 360-degree panoramic street views (Street View). With over a billion monthly users, it is a popular tool for finding locations, getting directions, and exploring the world,” according to AI Overview.

Using Google Maps allows one to find the best route to follow to reach a destination. It even shows where travel may be difficult or impossible and how to avoid the problem.

When it comes to planning our life journey, the Bible establishes the ultimate destination for us and directions for taking the best route. In His preaching, Jesus said this, “‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’” (Matthew 6:33).

As the previous verses reveal, Jesus is teaching us not to worry about what we may face in our day-to-day living, but, through faith, to rely on God.

Jesus revealed the best route to follow, which is to, “‘Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it’” (Matthew 7:13-14).

The “narrow gate” is Jesus Christ and true Christianity, as taught by Him (John 14:6). The gate leading to destruction is the way of this deceived evil age ruled by Satan (1 John 5:19).

There is a feature on Google Maps which allows the user to “recenter” during travel. That is something we can all do regarding our following the Way of God. That can be done through prayer about the very thing that has thrown us off course. We can take time to fast if we don’t feel connected to God. We can stop neglecting God’s guidance by opening our Bible and filling our minds with His words.

Most importantly, don’t quit the journey—God will always provide the best route for us if we stay close to Him.

Every time we address the biblical fact that a Third Temple will be built in Jerusalem prior to Christ’s Return, we are confronted with criticism: “Where in the Bible does it say that?” “There will be no Temple prior to Christ’s Return.” “The reference to a Temple is strictly addressing the Church.” Or, to make matters still worse and pathetic, “Jesus is the Temple, and God the Father will send Him—the Temple—back to Earth.”

The last objection is, of course, totally ridiculous and not even worth the time of discussing. I am only bringing it up to show how spiritually uneducated and ignorant “religious” people can be. It is true, of course, that the Bible does sometimes speak about the Church—or each and every true Christian—as a spiritual Temple. And it is also true that Christ comes back to His Church—His spiritual Temple. But many Scriptures cannot be explained that way and require the existence of a physical Temple before Christ’s Return.

For instance, we read that the man of sin (the false prophet) will be in the Temple of God, claiming to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). This cannot possibly be referring to the man of sin sitting in God’s true Church—the very thought borders on blasphemy. That is the reason why Herbert W. Armstrong taught dogmatically that this passage mandates the existence of a physical Temple prior to Christ’s Return. We also read that the Millennial Temple in the book of Ezekiel must be cleansed—the reason being that it was polluted through the man of sin and the abominations which will take place in the Temple, as for instance described in the early pages of the book of Ezekiel and in the book of Daniel. For anybody who is willing to open his or her eyes, our literature is filled with proof that a physical Temple MUST be built before Christ CAN come back.

But who is going to build that Third Temple? I have been saying for quite some time that I strongly believe that Donald Trump will have an important role to fulfill in this regard. In fact, I recently said that I believe that Mr. Trump has been placed in power, among other reasons, to fulfill the biblical requirement of helping to build that Temple. I said this already during his first term, and I’m saying this again now. It is true that I strongly felt that events would happen faster—that Mr. Trump would be in the White House again more than four years ago. As it turned out, he was not then, but he is now. I explained at the time why I was four years ahead of my time (as many of the early apostles were and as Mr. Armstrong was as well)—and that I felt strongly that he would be back.

Apart from the fact that I believed (and believe) that the 2020 election was rigged and that Donald Trump should have been the rightful President, I also believed that God delayed the timing as the Church, as a whole, was not ready for the prophesied end-time events (cp. 2 Peter 3:9). Sadly, I don’t believe that the Church, as a whole, is ready now, but God’s patience has limits, and we are told that God will not delay the fulfillment any longer. In fact, God says that He will do a short Work (Romans 9:28) which can be accelerated (2 Peter 3:12). This is not to say that everyone in the Church will participate in the hastening of the Work and of Christ’s coming—some will be counted unworthy to go to the place of safety (even if they still believed in one) or to stand before the Son of Man.

When I mentioned Donald Trump in relation to the Third Temple, criticism ensued… as was expected: “What biblical Scripture do you have backing up this bizarre claim?” Of course, if someone does not believe that a physical Temple must be built, he obviously would not believe that Mr. Trump would have anything to do with such an endeavor. But if we believe in a physical building, how does President Trump come into play? Let’s be logical for a moment.

We are told in the Bible that foreigners (“they that are far off”) will come and build IN the Temple of the LORD (compare Zechariah 6:15, Authorized Version). It is obvious that Israel will not be able to build the Temple on its own; it would need support and protection. This protection can only be provided by the USA—and who would be better equipped and qualified to do so and to engage in such a building process than Donald Trump, who has been undeniably very successful in erecting monumental and significant buildings?

Of course, there is no Scripture which says: Donald Trump will build the Third Temple. Nor has there been a Scripture which says that divided Germany would reunite. But Herbert Armstrong powerfully proclaimed that it would reunite because he understood the entirety of prophecy in this regard, and he was guided by the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10; John 16:13). With that same spirit, he proclaimed that there would be no major war between Russia and America, and that America had won its last war. That spirit of prophecy is with God’s true servants today, and we proclaim as well that America will not win another war and that Russia will not attack America… but also, that a war will break out between Russia, Ukraine and Europe. After all, we read that God will do nothing unless He reveals His plan first to His servants (Amos 3:7).

And we believe that we are guided by that same spirit of prophecy which inspires us to see Mr. Trump’s role in building the Third Temple—provided, he is willing to fulfill this commission—even though this claim might sound strange to some people (compare Habakuk 1:5).

We are by far not the only ones who have seen the significance of Donald Trump being in power in relation to the Third Temple. Israel 365 News wrote on October 24:

“White House correspondent, Jake Turx, asked Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt whether President Donald Trump had ever discussed the prospect of supporting the Temple’s reconstruction in Jerusalem… after noting Trump’s reputation for large-scale building projects and his newly revealed plans for a White House ballroom…

“Leavitt pointedly did not reject the possibility that the president and real-estate tycoon would consider the project, responding, instead, ‘It has not. No it hasn’t. I’m sorry, Jake.’ The exchange was brief, but it immediately recalled one of the most symbolically potent moments of Trump’s first term: the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem in May 2018… Following the embassy move, the Sanhedrin minted a ceremonial coin depicting Trump alongside the Persian King Cyrus, who facilitated the Jewish people’s return from Babylonian exile and rebuilding the Second Temple…”

The press reported in some articles that Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had said that President Trump will not build the Third Temple. The Jerusalem Post had the following headline: “Leavitt: Donald Trump not rebuilding Jerusalem’s third temple.” This is clearly misleading, as Leavitt did NOT say that.

Also, Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to announce the building of a Third Temple about 7 years ago. You might want to listen again to our StandingWatch program from May 16, 2018, titled “Netanyahu’s Announcement of a Third Temple?” 

Books have been written about the Third Temple and Donald Trump’s involvement. One introduction reads: “Many believe that President Trump is Israel’s next King Cyrus, the facilitator and overseer of the building of the Third Temple and that his influential role in that pursuit is being guided by Hashem (God) Himself, in order to restore to His people the most sacred site of worship. Is a secret plan under development for [the] construction of the Third Temple? And as these plans are increasingly expedited, will Trump succeed in raising this landmark, only to usher in the end of days?”

The blueprint for building the Third Temple exists. Musical instruments, over 60 vessels, and priestly garments like the ephod, breastplate, robe and the high priest’s crown have already been prepared. These are not replicas or models, but authentic vessels, made from gold, copper, silver and wood. Also, the menorah has been made of one piece of pure gold. Even a replica of the ark of the covenant (made of gold and three tons of Egyptian Acacia wood) was painstakingly constructed to exact specifications of the Torah and was displayed for the first time in October of 2024 in Jerusalem. Descendants of the tribe of Levi, known as Levites, are actively being identified and trained for the future Third Temple service, including both the priestly “Kohanim” and other Levites for supportive roles.

Can one really believe that all these preparations have been done without God’s involvement or inspiration?

So, before being accused of proclaiming something bizarre and weird, let’s just patiently wait and see what the future holds. Maybe, our critics will end up very embarrassed and become silent when they will have to realize that true prophecy had been proclaimed to them (cp. Ezekiel 33:33).

We have just finished the autumnal Holy Day season with the Feast of Tabernacles for 2025, and have learned more about God’s Holy Days which clearly reveal the incredible master plan of salvation for mankind.

Our understanding of the Feasts of the LORD (compare Leviticus 23:2) is a magnificent description of this plan for all of mankind and is priceless information that is not understood by the world at large.

On our website under the heading “Statement of Beliefs,” we read this about the Last Great Day (the 8^th Day) following the Feast of Tabernacles:

“The Last Great Day which immediately follows the Feast of Tabernacles, once a year. This day symbolizes a 100-year period called the ‘Great White Throne Judgment,’ during which all persons who have ever lived and who were never called by God for salvation during this life, will have their first opportunity to accept Christ as their Savior (Leviticus 23:36; John 7:37; Revelation 20:11-12).”

It is a repudiation of the false concept of going to heaven or hell at death (usually heaven for everyone!) and via purgatory for the Roman Catholic Church.   It also negates the hell-fire preachers who think that they have to get everyone saved now because this, they suppose, is the only day of salvation, not a day of salvation.

But one aspect of all of this is that those who have lived and died, without being called and knowing the Truth of God in this age will, in their next waking second after death, be brought back to life in the Second Resurrection – the Great White Throne Judgment.

We may, from time to time, wonder what our parents and grandparents would think if they were alive today with all of the advancements made in the last 100 years.

Also, what about all of those who were killed in the Flood which was, according to a number of sources, around 1,656 years after creation. And after the Flood, from a new start, the billions that have been born since then. They would have been used only in an agrarian-type society with none of the wonderful advances in the last 100 years or so in technology, transport, space exploration, in the medical profession, with the worldwide web, television, smartphones and a whole range of modern electronic devices.   They would be staggered.

But those who are dead and in their graves, none of whom have ascended to heaven, will open their eyes in the next second of their consciousness to a whole new world well beyond their immediate understanding.   Those from biblical times and our forebears will, in their next second of life when resurrected, be greeted with a world totally different, in most cases, from the one they were used to.

The next second of their life will be a time when those who are then already members of the God Family will be able to help all those in the Great White Throne Judgement to come to terms with the marvellous opportunity that God will give them, together with a world that is totally different from what they experienced in their previous life.   To use an old English humorous slang expression: “Their eyes will stick out like chapel hat-pegs” – meaning to their considerable amazement!

The next second for them will be a time of wonderment and excitement, and let us all hope and pray that the vast, overwhelming majority will take full advantage of their one and only opportunity!

Back in 1973, the United States had been reeling from the shocks of the Vietnam War, the ever-threatening Cold War with the Soviet Union, the Watergate scandal, and the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Any of these factors alone could destabilize a nation and spark panic and economic uncertainty for decades to come. We know that when nations and world markets suffer, private business interests and world banks react. From 1973 through 1975, world markets suffered from an oil crisis, energy shortages, and high unemployment. While these headwinds resulted in political changes in U.S. leadership in 1976, business people, former government ministers, and members of security services in Japan, the US, and Western Europe had already formed an alliance, a Trilateral Commission, under the guidance of the rich and powerful David Rockefeller to affect change.

The inspiration for our messages can vary. Recently I was watching a lighthearted police comedy/drama from the mid-1970’s. In one episode, the detectives brought in a person who was agitated about a meeting of the Trilateral Commission in NYC. The mention of the Commission brought me back to my teen years and my new awareness of world politics. The members and their work were opaque at the time, as intended—powerful people working behind the scenes, yet hidden in plain sight, and they are not alone.

The stated goal of the Commission since its founding in 1973 has been to foster international cooperation between Japan, Western Europe, and North America. Further, the Commission is purportedly committed to so-called common values, rule of law and democratic principles. The Commission represents the commercial and political interests of what we now refer to as the elites in business and government. In 2021, the Commission had over 400 representatives from the member nations, and this includes academia, business, national security, medicine, and other disciplines. Members have included U.S. Congressional representatives, National Security Advisors, Media, and even the late financier, Jeffrey Epstein.

The Commission has a bold, three-arrow circular logo that one could imagine adorning the collar of a uniform—a one-world government uniform, so to speak. The concept of common democracy and economic prosperity might not, on the surface, seem problematic; however, we know that God does not wish His people to focus in this way. We only need to turn to the beginning of our Bible in Genesis 11, verses 1-9, to see that the earliest people became focused on creating a coordinated government and language, and, they were intent on building a great tower to the heavens—in essence to compete with God:

“Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, ‘Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.’ But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. ‘Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’ So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth” (New International Version throughout).

God knew that the people’s desire to grow and unite in language and power was evilly inspired. He therefore took swift action to change the plans of the people at that time, and He scattered the people and their languages so that evil collaborations were halted.

“We know that the prophet, Daniel, was granted the ability from God to foresee similar events long into the future that he shared with the king of Babylon. What Daniel saw in his dreams was a future, powerfully evil, one-world government that is detailed in Daniel 7:23: “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.’”

We see time and again in Scripture that God is warning us to be aware of flawed and corrupt leaders, in all fields, not just government, who use their authority for self-aggrandizement and control over the people. This is certainly not a new theme for our Church. This is what our Evangelist, Norbert Link, is doing with his messages and StandingWatch programs; however, we all must be awakened to these things.

The Prophet Jeremiah, however, initially reluctant to be a messenger of God, provided important words to live by in Jeremiah 17, verse 5: “This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.’”

As those called by God the Father to faith and Truth, we know how this story of Creation and mankind’s existence on earth progresses and is fulfilled by the return of Jesus Christ. We see the horror in Revelation 13:15 that shows us a global government and religious structure that we can have no part in and that means to destroy or subjugate all life. Then, and, in God’s good time, we have in Revelation 19:15-16the fulfillment of God’s plan for His people in the return of Jesus Christ and His Millennial rule: “Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” The Trilateral Commission, or any national or hidden power will be no more.

“Consider this final Scripture inRevelation 22:3-5:“No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” I am elated at the thought of the rulership of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the ultimate force of goodness and life prevailing over such depravity. Vengeance is not ours to deliver, but, if we do our work and remain faithful, we can see the end of all evil and be a part of God’s plan. These worldly entities will attempt to convince all that they are the answer, or conversely, frighten people into submission. Either way, obedience to the Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the only antidote to such poison.

One would have to be living under a rock not to have seen the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Live on national TV, the man was murdered by someone with a rifle. Charlie Kirk was a polarizing person because he was willing to debate anyone on what he believed to be right. 

As this was happening, Joe Rogan, a well-known podcaster, was doing a podcast and his guest commented that this assassination could serve as a tipping point just as other assassinations in history have caused some serious issues to happen, so for example the Rodney King video that caused massive riots or the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which triggered a series of declarations of war due to complex alliances and underlying tensions which ended up causing the start of World War One, etc. 

A few days before this, there was another killing where a young Ukrainian woman was stabbed on a train in New York, and she sat there for a few minutes dying, and no one stepped in to help or confront her attacker. 

If we were to monitor the news from all over the world, the number of deaths is extraordinary and it grows day by day. 

I have been watching a lot of podcasters and YouTubers and reading articles and talking to people, and the general consensus I am getting is that people are tired of what has been going on over the last few years. There is a rift growing within the United States. The problem is that people want to fight. Left and Right are hating one another. 

On top of this, there are wars going on: Israel and its fight for Gaza. Ukraine and its war with Russia. This is the state of the world that we live in at this time. 

It should be clear that we are experiencing the days that Christ spoke about, which would occur before the start of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:12; Luke 21:9). These are not just random tragedies, but they are evidence that the world is unraveling, and Christ told us this would happen. 

We must be vigilant and aware that we are not caught up in these same worldly mindsets and attitudes. Violence is not just the act of murder or war. Christ expanded the definition in Matthew 5:22: “…whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…” The increase in hostility, division, and rage, even in speech and attitude, shows how violence grows first in people’s hearts before it spills out into the world. 

We are called for a different purpose. We are standing up for the Truth. This may cause serious violence for us. Most of the early apostles ended up being martyrs. Seeing a man shot on TV for being brave enough to speak his mind made me stop and evaluate who I am and what I believe and it is making me confront some fears. Christ minced no words about this. He said in John 15:18: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” He added in Matthew 10:28:  “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”

We cannot live in fear and panic, and we cannot consider retaliation. Rather, we have to live in faith. We continue to speak the Truth even though we realize what it will cost. We refuse to turn to the right or to the left. We are the ambassadors for the light, for peace, for a Way of Life that is foreign and unknown to the masses. 

From the first murder (Cain killing Abel) to where we are now, the world thinks that violence can end violence. This lie is sold over and over again. James 4:1-2 makes it so abundantly clear that this is so far from the Truth: “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.”

In a few short weeks, we will be keeping the Feast of Tabernacles! One of the highlights of the Feast is the revelation that we are going to have peace. These wars and violent acts will be a thing of the past. There is a promise of peace, real peace under Christ’s rule in the Kingdom of God. Isaiah 2:4 tells us: “…They shall beat their swords into plowshares…” We as Christians must not be overcome by the violence around us, but rather, we should live as witnesses of Christ’s peace in a divided and violent world. Part of our commission is to live and act in this way; the other part of it is to preach the Gospel to all the world. 

We will continue to preach this and we will continue to grow in Faith in doing this. 

In stark contrast to this current world, let us cling to the promise of what is before us, which is described in Isaiah 9:6-7: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

The saying “May the best player win” is often heard in sports or games. It expresses the desire that victory should go not to the ruthless or crafty, but to the truly more capable or skilled. Behind this stands an attitude of fairness and respect: one recognizes that the other person also deserves a chance—and that their success should elicit recognition rather than envy.

But in the reality of today’s society, things often look different. Performance, self-promotion, and competition shape the thinking of many people. Social media does not celebrate fairness, but mostly individual success. Even in everyday or professional life, the motto “The most important thing is that I win” often seems to apply.

In English, the saying goes, “The winner takes it all.” But what does that mean from a biblical perspective? What does God’s Word say about winning, losing, and what it means to truly take it all?

The world equates “winners” with power, influence, success, or wealth. But Jesus Christ’s victory over sin and death did not come through domination, but through sacrifice. Christ did not win by defeating others, but by sacrificing Himself. Many people saw His death on the cross as a defeat – but it was precisely there that He achieved the ultimate victory.

Jesus challenged the worldly idea of success. He said:

“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).

Even true Christians are not immune to comparing themselves with others: Who is more successful, more popular, more talented, or more “spiritual”? But the gospel calls us to a different Way of Life – to humility, to appreciation for our neighbors, and to gratitude.

The apostle Paul, who endured much suffering – shipwreck, beatings, imprisonment, abandonment – did not strive for worldly fame. His goal was different:

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

The true winner does not take anything away from others but receives what only God can give.

The Bible often uses metaphors from sports and competition to convey spiritual Truths: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

For Christians, this means that we do not race against each other, but together toward Christ.

One of the greatest ideas in the Bible is that God’s victory is shared: “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21).

The path to the throne leads through humility: “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vain glory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3; New American Bible; the New Jerusalem Bible says, “…give preference to others”).

The world says: The winner takes it all.

Jesus asks: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

To enter God’s Kingdom, we must give up everything in this life that stands in the way. This is how we receive eternal life. When we follow Christ, we do not chase after trophies. We carry our cross. We may lose a lot in this life – prestige, possessions, even our lives. But in the end, we gain the most important thing: eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

When we as Christians say, “May the best player win. The winner takes it all,” we recognize a deeper Truth in this: in the end, what matters is not whether we were better than others, but whether we remained faithful.

Paul gets to the heart of the matter: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Where do I find it difficult to acknowledge the success of others? Do I live my daily life according to the principle of “me first” – or in humility, considering “others as more important” than myself?

Which “victories” in faith are genuinely important to me – the recognition of people or faithfulness to God?

Let the world chase after its perishable crowns. We want to run the race that is set before us – toward the prize that never fades away (cf. Hebrews 12:1-2).

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

(Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger)

An abundance of options prevails in our lives. To my wife and me, simply choosing something to watch from a streaming video service on Saturday night after the Sabbath has become a chore! I remember when watching something on TV was limited to about half a dozen channels broadcast over the air, and even further limited by the scheduled programming of those stations.  Certainly, we had less to choose from, but it made the process of deciding a whole lot simpler.

“The Paradox of Choice” is the title of a book, published by author Barry Schwartz in 2004. In this book, Schwartz explains how having a multitude of choices in the modern world counterintuitively causes people to be less happy with their decisions. Having too many options turns out to make people less likely to feel that they have made the best decision. Yet still, people gravitate towards shaping their circumstances, so they have the greatest possible set of options to choose from. Ironically, this only works against their best interests. Maybe you can relate.

Adam and Eve began by making a choice that set the course for humankind in the way that many of their descendants would make wrong decisions. They chose the way of worldly wisdom, which is not satisfied with the simplicity of godly wisdom. After eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, their eyes were opened to a multitude of options. The vast majority of those options lead humankind towards the satisfaction of carnal desires, but further and further away from the true joy that comes from turning to God instead.

The book referenced above was written in the past 20 years, being acclaimed for its novel findings about the abundance of choice leading to a life of dissatisfaction. But the Bible revealed this problem thousands of years ago. God warned Adam and Eve that following the path of worldly wisdom, symbolized by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, would result in death (compare Genesis 2:17) and suffering (compare Genesis 3:16-19). The way of life Adam and Eve chose brought about the current state of the world. And so, today we have choices that interminably grow in number. But they will never lead us to find true fulfillment.

Fortunately, there is a better way. And it does not (necessarily) require canceling subscriptions or living off the grid. God’s Holy Spirit gives us the opportunity to choose differently. The options in life that the world offers will only provide worldly experiences. But God, through His Holy Spirit, helps us to understand that the path to a life of truly deep satisfaction is to simply obey God and love the way of life He provides. The abundance of choices available in our lives will continue to be there, but in a life dedicated to God they do not matter. They cannot provide the kind of satisfaction that a life guided by godly wisdom does.

Solomon had tremendous abundance in his life. He had so much wealth that he could have whatever he wanted that money could buy. Yet, it did not give him the satisfaction he sought. It was all a vain pursuit (compare Ecclesiastes 2:9-11). He experienced the paradox of choice as we do today. In his wisdom, he understood the solution to the paradox. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). The simple secret to living a satisfied life is to obey God.

We understand that our joy comes from refusing to participate in the paradox of choice. Simplifying our lives by reducing our options might make it easier to choose a movie to watch, but it may not guide us to abound in the Spirit. The true happiness that God provides comes from putting the power of the Holy Spirit to work, giving us godly discernment to judge righteously. Satisfaction comes from a life well-lived, choosing the path that leads to life resulting from godly obedience and wisdom.