Update 1194

On February 7, 2026, Norbert Link will present, “Comments on News and Prophecy, February 7, 2026,” and Michael Liink will present the sermon, titled, “Ask and You Shall Receive.”

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.

We all go through pain and suffering, some more than others, and when we go through it personally, it can be quite debilitating.  It affects us physically; our energy, appetite, and our ability to function properly, thereby impacting our work.   It affects us mentally, impairing our concentration, our moods, our behavior.  It’s a challenge and a part of life.  Yet, we find ways to cope with it, no matter the severity, big or small. 

However, completely ignoring it is inadvisable. Even something as small as a physical thorn in the flesh, if not taken care of, can lead to more serious problems.  A very simple thing to do, but one that can easily be forgotten, is prayer.  God hears all prayers and especially many prayers.  Our prayer requests are helpful as we all pray together as one big family, pleading to God to intervene on all our behalf, for we are all praying on behalf of the individual who is in need. 

Another crucial step, which should be the first step, is asking for anointing from one of God’s ministers with the laying on of hands with oil, which symbolizes God’s Holy Spirit – the power of God. Having faith that God will intervene is absolutely necessary.  And no matter the outcome, also know that it is all in God’s hands and according to His Will. 

Paul is a prime example.  He prayed to God three times to remove the pain he was suffering from (2 Corinthians 12:8). God did not heal him for a reason.  Instead of removing his ailment, God gave Paul more overwhelming humility and love, and more compensating strength for he responded by saying: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Paul learned that God’s “power is made perfect in weakness” (verse 9).  

What exactly his thorn in the flesh was is not specifically mentioned, yet he knew that this suffering was necessary to continue doing what God wanted him to do.  Things may have been much different if he had been in perfect health. Perhaps the urgency and purpose that God desired from him would not have been fulfilled in the same way that Paul carried them out.

As the Nelson Study Bible states, “Paul believed he was suffering the afflictions God wanted him to endure. Instead of facing his difficulties with dread, Paul saw his troubles as a time of joy… because they were producing an eternal reward…”

Just as Paul, we are not perfect, but we must be growing in perfection through suffering. And just as Christ suffered, so must we. Peter also tells us in 1 Peter 4:16 that “if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”  

He further says in 1 Peter 4:1-2, “Therefore, since Christ suffered FOR US in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for HE WHO HAS SUFFERED IN THE FLESH HAS CEASED FROM SIN, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”  This is talking about US since Christ never sinned, and suffering as a Christian or follower of Christ should motivate us to stop sinning. 

Christ suffered FOR US, and our suffering is also for the purpose of helping others. If one member suffers, ALL the members suffer (1 Corinthians 12:26). We suffer so that we can understand what it is like, enabling us to feel the pain of those who are suffering. When we go through suffering, God comforts us in many different ways, so that we, in turn, can comfort others in their suffering with the same comfort we ourselves received from God.

Whatever our particular “thorn in the flesh” may be, God knows all about it and will take care of us, according to His purpose, ensuring that we ultimately succeed—if we allow Him to.

by Norbert Link

We begin with the ongoing turmoil regarding Trump’s self-defeating immigration policy; address Trump’s nonsensical proposals regarding the housing market; and speak of the naivety to believe that Trump would really retreat for good on anything.

We continue with potential serious trouble for Trump in the Epstein saga; the refusal of Saudi Arabia to provide bases or airspace to the USA in case of an attack on Iran; and a hidden movie which might shed some light on the John F Kennedy assassination.

Turning to Europe, we report on the concept of an all-powerful European leader; the concept of a two-speed Europe; and a new rising star in Germany’s far-right AfD party. We also discuss movements in Germany to boycott the 2026 World Cup in the USA.

We speak on Ukraine’s rejected request to become part of a European army; another 180-degree turnaround by Donald Trump; trouble between Europe and Iran; the desire to build the Third Temple; and the deep fraternal relationship between Iraq and Jordan. Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “The Third Temple—Coming Soon?”

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

America Needs to Hear: “You Are Fired!” 

The Editorial Board of the New York Post wrote on January 28: 

“If the second Trump term turns out to be like ‘The Apprentice’ without ‘You’re fired!,’ its ratings are going to resemble President Joe Biden’s. That means… big losses in the coming midterms and an end to — or even reversal of — President Trump’s agenda. 

“Biden never accepted blame for the Afghanistan debacle, for economic malaise and record inflation or any of his other disasters… But he also never even implicitly admitted his team had failed by axing an obvious author of those debacles… Nor did he change the course that produced those debacles….

“…  if [Trump] wants to keep winning after something’s clearly gone wrong in the public’s eye, he should send the message that his administration will do better. Decisive action will calm the nerves of independent voters; anything else comes off as inauthentic and shady, raising fears that Team Trump will slide back into the same blundering approach. A high-level firing… is easily the best way to signal — to the public and to his whole team — that things are going to change.

“Put a face on failure, and get rid of it… To move on, the prez should ax someone… You need a high-profile firing, sir.” 

There are quite a few high-profile people in Trump’s administration who should be fired. The trouble is, he did not fire anyone, and he even praised all of them for their actions. That is a sure road to disaster. 

Detained Boy and Father Released

BBC wrote on February 1:

“A five-year-old boy and his father who were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota have returned home… The detainment of the pair sparked protests outside the detention facility where they were being held, and led to a national outcry…

“Their return home came after US District Judge Fred Biery granted an emergency request from the family’s lawyer, and ordered their release on Saturday. The judge condemned their detention as driven by a ‘perfidious lust for unbridled power’. ‘The case has its genesis in the ill-conceived and incompetently implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatising children,’ Biery [a Bill Clinton appointee] wrote in his ruling.”

Biery also wrote: “… apparent also is the government’s ignorance of an American historical document called the Declaration of Independence.” npr added on January 31: “Stephen Miller, the White House chief of staff for policy, has said there’s a target of 3,000 immigration arrests a day. It’s that figure which the judge seemed to describe as a ‘quota.’’

In a complete turnaround, Trump defended Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, writing the following defamatory and nonsensical post early morning on January 31: “The Radical Left Lunatics, Insurrectionists, Agitators, and Thugs, are going after Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, because she is a woman, and has done a really GREAT JOB!” Incredible and laughable at the same time. The uproar over ICE and DHS agents [and Trump’s sanctioning their conduct]  is not going to end any time soon. 

Latino Voters Running Away From Trump 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 28: 

“Latino Republican lawmakers are warning that the GOP could lose the midterms as Hispanics flee over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown… ‘I do think that he will lose the midterms because of Stephen Miller,’ state Senator Ileana Garcia, who stands to lose reelection in her swing district, told the New York Times… 

“’I warned about this months ago, before the headlines caught up. Today we are watching it unfold in real time,’ [GOP Representative Maria Elvira] Salazar posted to X Tuesday night. ‘Hispanics are leaving the GOP in large numbers, and pretending otherwise won’t fix it.’ She implored her party to ‘reverse course and act now.’… 

“Things on the immigration front have only gotten more heated… with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agents descending on Minneapolis, killing two American citizens and detaining a 5-year-old child… 51 percent of Latino voters said [Monday] they disapproved of the Trump administration’s record on immigration… Fifty-eight percent of Latino voters disapproved of ICE specifically… 57 percent of Latino voters said they believed that ICE should pull out of U.S. cities… Another 48 percent of Latino voters said that Noem should be fired, and 49 percent said she should be impeached by Congress….” 

The GOP could lose the midterm election big time. 

The American Gestapo 

Judge Andrew P. Napolitano wrote the following on January 29 in the Ron Paul Institute: 

“Last week, a half-dozen masked and unidentifiable Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents killed a 37-year-old federal employee, a nurse, by spraying pepper spray into his eyes, pushing him to the ground, stealing his lawfully owned and carried handgun, and then shooting him [at least] nine times in the back. The thugs from ICE whom the federal government has sent to Minneapolis have produced murder and mayhem on a scale far more violent, disruptive and disturbing to human life than have the immigrants residing there without papers… 

“The White House has defended the ICE killings of two innocent Americans in the maelstrom of Minneapolis by using phrases like terrorist, agitator, assassin and self-defense. In the process of politically smearing two dead victims, it has tried to divert attention away from the ICE Gestapo-like tactics in the streets… 

“Federal and state laws mandate — and all police, even DHS agents, know this — that if the driver of a vehicle moving less than 5 miles per hour is trying to turn away from you, you don’t kill the driver; you let her turn or get out of the way. If somehow you feel threatened by a man on all fours on the ground whose lawfully carried handgun you have already seized, and whom you have temporarily blinded with pepper spray because he photographed you, you restrain him, you don’t shoot him in the back… 

“More dangerous than American Gestapo is American Psycho — an attitude of government devoid of moral principles. One that — as authoritarians throughout history have done — targets a helpless, hopeless, politically weak minority and justifies murdering those who protest the violence employed in the targeting… 

“The same psychotic mentality that argued last year it can execute people on the high seas without trial has brought that might-makes-right nihilism into our streets…” 

God calls the USA an “ungodly nation” (Isaiah 10:6). 

“Military Helping Trump Build Massive Network of ‘Concentration Camps’”

Newsbreak wrote on February 3:

“In the wake of immigration agents’ killings of three US citizens within a matter of weeks, the Department of Homeland Security is quietly moving forward with a plan to expand its capacity for mass detention by using a military contract to create… ‘a nationwide “ghost network” of concentration camps.’…

“According to a source familiar with the project, ‘the goal is for the facilities to house as many as 10,000 people each, and are expected to be built in Louisiana, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Utah, and Kansas’…

“Amid its push to deport 1 million people each year, the White House has said it needs to dramatically increase the scale of its detention apparatus to add more beds for those who are arrested. But… ‘this isn’t just about bed space; it’s about the rapid deployment of self-contained cities.’…

“The new reporting… comes on the heels of a report last week from Bloomberg that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has used some of [a] $45 billion [increase of a Navy contract] to purchase warehouses in nearly two dozen remote communities, each meant to house thousands of detainees, which it said ‘could be the largest expansion of such detention capacity in US history’…” 

Another Broken Promise of a “Great” Housing Market?

 USA Today wrote on January 29: 

“Amid growing affordability concerns across the nation, President Donald Trump said he is looking to drive housing prices further up, not down. Trump said at a Jan. 29 Cabinet meeting he wants to make it easier for Americans to buy homes ‒ but not by making housing less expensive. Instead, he suggested lower interest rates… will allow more Americans to buy homes even as housing prices rise… 

“Yet Trump made clear in his meeting with Cabinet secretaries that greater opportunities to buy homes shouldn’t mean lowering costs, even as Americans voice concerns about the price tag to buy a home… Housing prices remain elevated relative to income growth after adjusting for inflation, pushing homeownership out of reach for many Americans.” 

Trump’s proposals are utter nonsense. 

“It’s Beyond Naive to Think Trump’s ‘Retreats’ Are Real” 

The Guardian published on January 30 the following opinion piece by Jonathan Freedland: 

“Don’t be fooled. When it comes to Donald Trump, what might look like a full retreat is almost always a mere tactical withdrawal, designed to buy time. He’ll step back when he’s forced to, under pressure, but will then revert the instant the pressure lets up. Too often, his opponents, whether at home or abroad, allow themselves to be played, confusing a mere pause for a surrender – and the risk is strong that they’re making that same mistake all over again. 

“This week, the US president won praise in some quarters for moving to ‘de-escalate’ the war he has been waging on the people of Minneapolis… He shipped out the man who had become the face of the campaign of terror conducted by both CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, Gregory Bovino… Next, Trump subjected his homeland security secretary… Kristi Noem, to an emergency Oval Office meeting… 

“But, remember, it’s only ever a pause. The instant the pressure eases, normal service resumes… for all the earlier talk, both Noem and Miller [as well as Bovino] remain in their jobs… 

“The pattern is clear. Trump will do just enough to get through a damaging news cycle, wait for it to pass – then carry on as before. We saw the first half of that manoeuvre last week, which began with threats to seize Greenland and ended with those threats seemingly withdrawn under international and domestic fire. Nato and European leaders probably thought they’d seen off the danger. But this week Trump’s Greenland envoy was back demanding ‘total, unfettered access’ to the island, so who knows what his boss might say next week…” 

Please view our StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump’s Greenland Deal—Defeat or Distraction?” 

Trouble Brewing for Trump and Others in the Epstein Scandal?

The Jerusalem Post wrote on February 1:

“The Department of Justice has removed files containing hundreds of mentions of US President Donald Trump from the latest wave of Epstein files documents that were released on Saturday. The removed files included descriptions of Trump sexually assaulting several women, some of them being underage.

“In the removed files, which still have a preview and broken link on the DOJ’s website, Trump is described by victims and friends of victims as, among other things, engaging in ‘big orgy parties’ with young girls alongside former president Bill Clinton and the Alexander brothers.

“Additionally, a removed file stated Trump was involved in human trafficking, with one statement reading the president would host parties at his home in Mar-A-Lago called ‘calendar girls,’ where Jeffrey Epstein would bring children for Trump to auction off. Some of the people named at these parties were Elon Musk. Donald Trump jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, attorney Allan Dershowitz, and attorney Bob Shapiro.

“The full documents were screenshotted and saved by internet users following the release, who uploaded them to multiple online archives. The DOJ stated that its release of the second wave of files – about 3.5 million, bringing the total to over 6 million –  was in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, despite being released over a month after the deadline…

“When asked about the newly released files, Trump stated that while he had not seen them, he was told that ‘not only does it absolve me, it’s the opposite of what people were hoping, you know, the radical left.’ Trump also stated that the files revealed that author Michael Wolff conspired with Epstein against the president, and that we’ll probably sue Wolff for that.”

It was also reported by the Independent and Daily Mail that Trump is suggesting suing the Epstein estate as well. Why, if the released files allegedly absolved him, even though he did not give a rationale for that claim? Trump is mentioned more than 3,000 times in the latest Epstein files release. There is no finding that Trump is guilty of any wrongdoing, and the removed reports are unverified. However, the question remains why those files were removed. 

No Saudi Bases or Airspace for USA

Fox News wrote on January 30: 

“As President Donald Trump weighs his options on a possible military strike on Iran, a senior Gulf official told Fox News Saudi Arabia will not allow the U.S. to use its airspace or bases for such an attack… 

“‘Saudi Arabia wouldn’t allow airspace to be used to target Israel, Houthis, Iran. The position is the same now. Saudi Arabia wouldn’t allow airspace to be used in a war Saudi Arabia is not a part of,’ the official said…” 

Iran threatened the USA with a regional war if the USA were to attack Iran. 

JFK Assassination Film Could Prove Second Shooter

The New York Post wrote on February 1:

“A 62-year-old home movie could blow the JFK assassination wide open — and prove once and for all there was a second shooter on the grassy knoll that fateful day.

“The grainy 8mm footage, captured by Dallas air conditioner repairman Orville Nix as bullets ripped through Dealey Plaza on Nov. 22, 1963, hasn’t been seen since 1978, when it was sent away for analysis by an LA company and later fell under federal ownership – although the feds claim they don’t have it. Nix died in 1972, and his granddaughter picked up from her late dad the legal war to recover his film — which she’s convinced is worth more than $900 million as it may hold the key to exposing one of history’s biggest coverups.

“Now a federal judge has ruled that the battle over the film can go forward — and the footage might finally see the light of day… The film could reveal evidence that gunman Lee Harvey Oswald didn’t act alone — thanks to new optic technologies and AI…”

The idea that Oswald acted alone was laughable from the outset 

An All-Powerful European Leader? 

Politico wrote on January 28: 

“The jobs of president of the European Commission and president of the European Council should be merged so the EU can speak with one voice on the global stage, European People’s Party boss Manfred Weber said Wednesday. Reforming the EU’s leadership structure in such a way would…simply mean giving one person both jobs. He said this could happen after the next EU election, in 2029. ‘We are blocked, we are speechless, we are voiceless, we have no say on the global stage, and that has to be stopped,’ said Weber, the president of Europe’s largest political family. 

“The European Commission president (currently Ursula von der Leyen) leads the bloc’s executive arm, which has power over trade, agriculture, the single market and other internal policy areas — although foreign affairs is handled by the EU’s top diplomat (Kaja Kallas) and the European Council president (António Costa), with both reporting directly to EU countries. This fragmented division of power is not ‘up to the task’ at a time of geopolitical uncertainty, Weber said, with Donald Trump’s U.S. administration turning the international order upside down 

“Asked by POLITICO if he would be in the running for a future ‘president of Europe’ role, Weber declined to rule it out… Weber has led the EPP in the European Parliament since 2014, and in 2019 campaigned for the job of European Commission president, but EU leaders instead chose von der Leyen, then Germany’s defense minister. 

“In his speech, Weber also said EU countries should switch to qualified majority voting on foreign and security policy issues rather than by unanimity… If such reform is not possible, as it would require the backing of all current members, those countries willing to advance integration ‘should go forward with a special sovereignty treaty’ on foreign policy, Weber said.” 

In other words, a powerful European leader ruling over core nations (the countries of the willing). 

Two-Speed Europe

Reuters wrote on January 27:

“Germany will push for a ‘two-speed’ European Union to break decision-making inertia in the 27-member bloc and galvanise its economies, calling for a core group of member states to move ahead on key policies to make Europe stronger and more independent. ‘Now is the time for a Europe of two speeds,’ German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said at an event hosted by Welt on Tuesday in Berlin…

“Klingbeil invited partners in France, Poland, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands to a video conference on Wednesday to set an ambitious and concrete agenda to strengthen the sovereignty, resilience and competitiveness of Europe…

“Regarding defence spending, Klingbeil called for better cooperation among member states and for firmly embedding defence as a priority in the next EU multiannual budget, ‘turning defence into an engine for growth.’ 

Ulrich Siegmund—the Rising Star of the AfD? 

Politico wrote on January 30: 

“In recent months, this 35-year-old regional politician [Ulrich Siegmund] has turned into a new leading figure on Germany’s far right, now one of the two largest parties in the national parliament, the Bundestag, neck-and-neck with the Christian Democrats, known as the CDU, and its sister party, the CSU… 

“Later this year, Siegmund has a realistic chance to deliver the AfD its first outright victory one of Germany’s 16 states. Recent polls put the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt at 39 percent, once even at 40. A gain of just two or three points could be enough for Siegmund to secure an absolute majority in the 83-seat state parliament and take over the premier’s office… 

“As long as the firewall holds, the only way the AfD can take power is by winning a straight-up majority. Which is what it seems poised to do in the September elections… And that would immediately launch Siegmund to the forefront of German politics. Nationally, the AfD is led by 46-year-old Alice Weidel, whose cool, abrasive style attracts attention but little affection. Her co-chair Tino Chrupalla, a 50-year-old painter, appears more down-to-earth yet often awkward. By contrast, the young candidate from Saxony-Anhalt presents a more personable, media-savvy image…. Success… would make him a contender for the party’s top candidacy in the next national elections, presumably in 2029.” 

It will be interesting to see how successful Siegmund will become. 

How the Tides Turn 

Politico wrote on February 2: 

“FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Monday that the world football governing body should lift its ban on Russia competing in international tournaments. Russia was banned from the football events by FIFA immediately following the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The ban has remained in place… The suggestion drew a furious response from Ukraine,… 

“Infantino maintains close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump and in December awarded him the newly created FIFA Peace Prize… after the American president was not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, despite having campaigned heavily for the honor…” 

The Athletic wrote on February 2: 

“The leader of world football’s governing body has been described as a ‘moral degenerate’ by Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha… ‘Future generations will view this as a shame reminiscent of the 1936 Olympics.’” 

In 1936, the Summer Olympics were held in Berlin, Germany, under Adolf Hitler. 49 countries with nearly 4,000 athletes participated. While there were significant international calls and movements to boycott the 1936 Berlin Olympics due to Nazi persecution, ultimately no major country officially boycotted. 

World Cup Boycott? 

Bild Online published on January 31 the following article by Filipp Platov: 

“There is the reasonable, clear, even harsh criticism of Donald Trump that German politicians must offer. Of course, the German government must speak out when the US president criticizes our soldiers or doesn’t rule out deploying his military in Greenland. Then, a rebuttal is necessary, even if the target is the most powerful man in the world. 

“However, there is also a form of Trump criticism that is so excessive and so recklessly damaging to national interests that it borders on hysteria. 

“The best example of this is the call for a World Cup boycott. The debate was sparked by CDU foreign policy expert Juergen Hardt and DFB Vice President Oke Goettlich. The SPD’s sports policy spokesperson, Bettina Lugk, has already announced that she will not travel to the USA. Journalists from major media outlets expressed their support and criticized those who refused to acknowledge the issue. 

“Germany participated in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, even though Vladimir Putin had already been waging a barely disguised war in eastern Ukraine for four years. Germany participated in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, even though the emirate co-finances virtually every Islamist terrorist organization in the world. But suddenly, the USA is supposed to be the red line?” 

The author has a valid point. 

Trump Sleepwalks into a Forever War in Europe 

The Hill published on January 29 the following opinion of Jonathan Sweet and Mark Toth. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Sweet served 30 years as a military intelligence officer and led the U.S. European Command Intelligence Engagement Division from 2012 to 2014.  Mark Toth writes on national security and foreign policy.  

“Tragically, we have witnessed this trainwreck coming for months… As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left Davos following his meeting with Trump last week, he told reporters that a document with the U.S. dealing concerning security guarantees for Ukraine was ‘done’… 

“Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner sped off to Moscow to brief Russian President Vladimir Putin, then proceeded to the United Arab Emirates to participate in the trilateral talks. The talks commenced and concluded in Abu Dhabi the next day. The outcome? Russia refused to back off their maximalist demands and continued to demand Ukraine unilaterally withdraw from the Donbas. 

“The U.S. is now 0 for 7 in its negotiations with Russia to end the war — chiefly because Ukraine stubbornly refuses to commit national suicide.

Kyiv will not give Moscow in negotiations what the Russians cannot take on the battlefield. Nor should they be persuaded or coerced into doing so… 

“On Tuesday, Trump pulled a 180. The security guarantees he offered were contingent upon Ukraine withdrawing from the Donbas. That is a hard no for Zelensky and for the Ukrainian people… 

“For now, the sticking point is the Donbas. But what if Ukraine agreed to withdraw from the region? Would Russia end the war? Probably not. It will just lead to the next bone of contention… 

“Putin is the ‘root cause’ of the war. The killing stops when Putin stops attacking. Witkoff’s negotiations have done nothing to bring the war to an end. They only prolong it, creating a ‘forever-war.’ Trump has the cards to end the war, but those cards need to be played against Russia and not Ukraine…” 

Trump’s ever-changing policy regarding the Russia-Ukraine war is hard to follow. 

Ukraine Agrees to US-Backed Security Deal? 

The U.S. Sun wrote on February 3: 

“VOLODYMYR Zelensky has reportedly agreed to a Trump-backed security plan to protect Ukraine from future Russian ceasefire violations. The US president said yesterday that he may have ‘some good news’ on the ongoing efforts to end the war in Ukraine as it nears its four-year anniversary… 

“[The plan] would involve coordinated US-Europe military action against the Kremlin in the event of future peace pact breaches…[It] would trigger a military response against Russia in a day, starting with a ‘diplomatic warning’ and message from the Ukrainian army…  Should fighting continue, a second phase would be initiated involving the military intervention from the ‘coalition of the willing’, made up of more than 20 of Ukraine‘s allies… A western-backed military coalition involving US forces would step in after three days if the ceasefire developed into a wider attack… 

“The Kremlin said on Monday that any foreign military deployment to Ukraine would be treated as unacceptable foreign intervention and legitimate targets in ongoing fighting, citing foreign minister Sergei Lavrov… The sticking point remains whether Kyiv is willing to cede the entire Donbas region or whether [Putin] will row back on his imperialist ultimatum.” 

How would this “plan,” unacceptable to Russia and perhaps even Ukraine, end the Ukraine war??? 

No EU Army With Ukraine 

MENAFN wrote on February 1: 

“The concept of a consolidated European military, promoted by Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, is unfeasible, according to Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s chief for foreign policy and security… Last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelensky advocated for a ‘united armed forces’ of Europe, asserting that Ukraine’s experience in combat against Russia could offer valuable insights… 

“During his speech, he also criticized what he described as hesitation and division among European supporters, while insisting that Ukraine should join the EU by 2027—a demand that has been met with skepticism by some member states… Kallas told reporters, ‘I can’t imagine that countries will create a separate European army. It has to be the armies that already exist’…”  

Ukraine will ultimately be part of or in collaboration with Russia, not the EU. 

EU Militaries a Terrorist Group? 

The Associated Press wrote on January 31: 

“German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Sunday slammed Iran over its decision to designate European Union militaries as terrorist groups, a move that came in response to the EU adding Iran’s elite paramilitary force [Iranian Revolutionary Guards, IRGC] to its terror list… 

“The IRGC is Iran’s elite military force and far superior to the regular army. In recent decades, the force has not only undergone a massive rearmament, but also expanded its social and economic influence – for example, through investments in hotel chains and airlines.” 

Terrible Death Toll 

The Ron Paul Institute published on February 3 the following article by Brian McGlinchey: 

“…  after more than two years of casting doubts, the IDF has finally admitted its own estimates match the Gaza Health Ministry’s accounting of some 70,000 confirmed dead… in Gaza since the Oct 7, 2023 invasion of Israel by Hamas militants… 

“Importantly, both the IDF official and the Gaza Health Ministry says these numbers do not include bodies yet to be discovered under the incomprehensible volume of rubble across Gaza. The Gaza ministry says its numbers only reflect deaths directly resulting from military fire, excluding those who’ve died from disease and malnutrition. Neither party has yet broken down the death toll into combatants and civilians… 

“President Biden was among the first to who sought to discredit the fatality figures coming from Gaza… Beyond dismissing the top-line number of deaths reported by the Gaza Health Ministry, Israel has also denied credible accusations that IDF soldiers have frequently and deliberately targeted civilians… 

“Israel has also denied widespread reports —substantiated by video — that soldiers shot at civilians gathering at aid distribution points set up last May as malnutrition surged in Gaza and global outrage mounted…” 

“There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). 

When Will the Knesset Act? 

Israel 365 News wrote on February 3: 

“A massive stone vessel, carved 1,800 years ago and used by Jews in the Galilee to maintain ritual purity, now sits in the halls of Israel’s Knesset. The timing is deliberate. As the Parliament building marks its 60th anniversary…, this archaeological treasure forces an unavoidable question: Can the Knesset truly claim to be the heir of the Sanhedrin while ignoring the institution that made the ancient court legitimate—the Temple in Jerusalem?… The exhibition celebrates continuity but avoids the uncomfortable truth: the original Sanhedrin derived its authority from the Temple, and without actively pursuing the Temple’s restoration, the modern Knesset remains an incomplete successor… 

“The Sages understood this as a positive commandment incumbent on each generation—to build and maintain the Temple when circumstances permit. Israel today has sovereignty over Jerusalem. It has the political and military capability to control the Temple Mount. The technological and architectural expertise to construct the Third Temple exists. What is missing is not ability but will, particularly the Knesset’s will to assert Jewish rights at the site… 

“The Knesset passes laws about the Supreme Court and the economy, but avoids legislation addressing Jewish worship rights on the Temple Mount or advancing plans for the Temple’s reconstruction… 

“The modern Knesset… must take concrete steps toward enabling the Third Temple. This means passing legislation affirming Jewish sovereignty over the Temple Mount, allocating resources for preparation of Temple service, and supporting the training of kohanim, priests, for eventual Temple duties… 

“… visitors should see… a challenge to the current leadership to complete what the Sanhedrin in exile could only dream of—the restoration of full Jewish sovereignty over the Temple Mount and the rebuilding of the House that gives the Knesset its true legitimacy as heir to Israel’s ancient institutions of governance.” 

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “The Third Temple—Coming Soon?”

Deep Fraternal Relations Between Iraq and Jordan 

Militia Man and Crew wrote on February 1:

“Minister of Industry and Minerals [of Iraq], Khalid Battal Al-Najm, affirmed the deep fraternal relations between Iraq and Jordan and the importance of strengthening existing cooperation in the industrial sector to achieve the best interests of both brotherly nations…

“The two sides discussed bilateral relations and available cooperation opportunities in several industrial sectors, as well as a number of joint projects… For his part, the Jordanian ambassador affirmed his country’s desire and keenness to solidify cooperation and joint work to serve the industries of both countries.”

According to the Bible, Iraq and Jordan will be part of an anti-Israel confederation. 

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.

Many believe that Jesus just called His disciples randomly, without having known them before. This assumption is false. Christ knew them quite well. This includes His brothers and sisters.

As we explain in detail in part 3 of our free booklet, “Jesus Christ—a Great Mystery,” Jesus had half-brothers and half-sisters through His mother Mary. We read in Matthew 13:53-56 that the Jews said: “Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, ‘Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s Son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?’”

Christ’s audience knew that He had brothers and sisters. Four brothers are mentioned by name—James; Joses or Joseph; Simon; and Judas or Jude. Notice also that the Jews asked whether ALL His sisters were with them. This seems to strongly indicate that Christ had at least three sisters. If He had only two, the Jews would have said, “Are not His sisters with us?” or, “Are not both of His sisters with us?”

After Christ’s death and resurrection, His half-brothers who had initially not believed in Him, became converted. James became the apostle in Jerusalem. He wrote the letter of James. After his violent death, tradition has it that he was replaced by Christ’s half-brother Simon. [Others claim that James was replaced by Simon, a son of Clopas, see below]. Neither the Bible nor tradition tells us anything about Jesus’ half-brother Joses or Joseph, but the assumption is that he, too, became converted (Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5). Jesus’ half-brother Jude or Judas wrote the epistle of Jude, in which he says in verse 1 that he is the brother of James. According to tradition, his grandchildren became leaders in the early Church.

It appears that Christ’s disciples John, who wrote the gospel according to John, the three epistles of John and the Book of Revelation, and his brother James who was later killed by Herod (compare Acts 12:1-2) were in fact Christ’s cousins. To show this, let’s note the following passages describing the women present when Jesus was crucified, and thereafter.

Mark 15:39-41:

“(39) So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this Man was the Son of God!’ (40) There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, (41) who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee…”

Mark 16:1:

“Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.”

Matthew 27:54-56:

 “(54) So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’ (55) And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, (56) among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.”

John 19:25:

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”

There are quite a few women mentioned by name or referred to in those passages. Let us review these passages in detail.

To begin with, Mary Magdalene was no relative of Jesus. There is no indication that there was anything going on between Jesus and Mary Magdalene beyond a strong friendship (some claim incorrectly that they were engaged or married). Undoubtedly, Mary Magdalene had great love and respect for Jesus, which Jesus honored. He appeared to her first after His resurrection (Mark 16:9).

[In passing, another Mary is mentioned in the Bible—the sister of Martha and Lazarus (Luke 10:39). She anointed Christ with oil. She is NOT identical to Mary Magdalene. She is not specifically mentioned at the time of Christ’s crucifixion. Also, another Mary, not present at the crucifixion, was the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12). John Mark was a nephew or cousin to Barnabas; Mary was the sister of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). Some feel that this Mark, an Evangelist, wrote the gospel according to Mark, with the help of the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:13).  Finally, a Christian woman with the name of Mary is mentioned in Rome (Romans 16:6).]

In John 19:25, Mary the wife of Clopas is mentioned. In the Greek, it says, Mary of Clopas; the word “wife” has been added by the translator. According to Josephus, Mary was the daughter of Clopas, not his wife. Others maintain that she was indeed the wife of Clopas. Some identify this Mary, wife of Clopas, as the sister of Mary, mother of Jesus. They interpret the passage in John 19:25 to mean that “Mary, the wife of Clopas,” defines the phrase, “His mother’s sister.” However, this does not seem to be correct. Rather, John 19:25 lists four women, not just three (Jesus His mother; His mother’s sister; Mary the wife of Clopas; and Mary Magdalene).

Note how other translations render this verse.

The New International Version writes: “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”

See also the New American Standard Bible.

The Berean Standard Bible writes: “Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.” Similar the German interpretation of “Hoffnung Für Alle” and the Menge Bible: “By the cross of Jesus stood His mother and the sister of His mother, also Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.” The annotation reads that the sister was Salome [see below].

The Amplified Bible states: “But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother’s sister [Salome], Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”

The New Bible Commentary Revised states: “It seems most reasonable to suppose that there were two pairs, in which case Salome was Mary’s sister and Mary the wife of Clopas was mother of James of Alphaeus.” The Commentary of the Holy Bible, edited by Dummelow, agrees, stating: “Translate, therefore, ‘His mother and His mother’s sister (i.e. Salome, the mother of the evangelists) and Mary, the daughter of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.”

Clopas is perhaps mentioned by name in Luke 24:18, where we read: “Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, ‘Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?’” He was one of the two disciples who travelled to the village of Emmaus. On their way, the resurrected Christ appeared to them, but they did not recognize Him at first, as their eyes were “restrained.”

According to Josephus, Clopas was a brother of Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus, and therefore the brother-in-law of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Note that “Mary of Clopas,” the mother of James (the Less or the Younger; Mark 15:40) and Joses or Joseph, was a different Mary than Mary, the mother of James and John.  As mentioned, she was either the wife or the daughter of Clopas. If she was Clopas’ wife, then she was also the sister-in-law of Mary, mother of Jesus. If she was the daughter of Clopas, then Mary, the mother of Jesus, would have been her aunt. In any event, Jesus would have been related to them as well. James the Younger, also known as James the Less, was one of the twelve apostles. In Mark 3:18, he is identified as James, the son of Alphaeus. He is called less or little to distinguish him from the Apostle James, the brother of John, and because he might have been little in stature, or he might have been younger than the Apostle James, the brother of John.

What about Salome? Was she indeed the mother of the sons of Zebedee (James and John)? Was she also called Mary? Was she the sister of Jesus’ mother? As we already saw from some quotations above, Salome (Mark 16:1) is in fact viewed as being identical with the sister of Mary in John 19:25 AND with the wife of Zebedee and the mother of the sons of Zebedee, James and John, the “Sons of Thunder” (Matthew 27:56; Matthew 10:2; compare Mark 3:17).

We stated this in Part 1 of our Q&A about the history of Christ: 

“In December of 27 AD, Christ chose some of His disciples (Matthew 4:18-22). It is quite possible that James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were cousins of Christ [as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, was probably a cousin of Mary; Luke 1:36 [so the Authorized Version. Many renditions say: “your relative”]. This means that Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary, the mother of James and John, also called Salome, would have been sisters. Also, it has been suggested that Mary and Joseph were cousins.”

Since Salome or Mary, the wife of Zebedee, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, would have been sisters, James and John would have been Christ’s cousins. This close family connection would shed light on Salome’s [inappropriate] request to have her two sons sit at Jesus’ right and left hand in His Kingdom (Mark 10:35-37). It would also shed light on the fact that Jesus asked John, His cousin, to take care of His mother Mary (John 19:26-27). Because of humility, John does not name himself in this passage but identifies himself by saying, “the disciple whom He [Christ] loved”. Compare John 13:23. James and Jude act similarly when they speak about themselves as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1) or as “a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James” (Jude 1), rather than saying “brother of Jesus Christ.”

In 2 John, the Apostle John might in fact reveal His relationship with Mary, the mother of Jesus. In 2 John 1, he addresses his letter to the “elect lady and her children.” In verse 13, he states: “The children of your elect sister greet you.” Some claim that John wrote in verse 1 to Mary, the mother of Jesus, calling her “the elect lady.” And that he addressed in verse 13 Salome or Mary, the mother of James and John, calling her “the elect sister” of the “elect lady.” The reference in verse 1 to Mary’s children could refer to Christ’s half-brothers and half-sisters; and the reference to the children of Salome in verse 13 could be to John himself (James was already dead by that time), and perhaps other unnamed children Salome might have had, including perhaps daughters.

James, the brother of John, was killed in 43 AD, 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.”

James, the half-brother of Jesus, was killed later, in 62 AD. 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.

Finally, another interesting family relationship can be seen, when considering Joseph of Arimathea. We said in our above-mentioned Q&A:

“We don’t read much about the time of Christ’s youth (except for Jesus being in the temple at the age of 12), until He was baptized by John. But He was called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23), suggesting that He grew up and lived in Nazareth for most of His life. He is also referred to constantly as Jesus of Nazareth.  However, there are credible reports that He might have accompanied His [or His mother Mary’s] uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, on his travels. His uncle [or great-uncle] was allegedly in the tin trading business, and might have reached England during his travels.”

So we see that in the New Testament, many leading disciples and apostles were, in one way or another, related to Christ. Christ did not randomly choose them, without having known them before. As their relative, He was intimately familiar with many of them. Of course, God knew all of them before the foundation of the world, and decided to call them at the time when Jesus was here on earth as a Man. But the fact still remains that Jesus knew many of them, having had contact with them as their relative, before He selected them.

When you are chosen by God today, He is—and has been—intimately familiar with you. Your calling is not the result of an accident or a product of time and chance. God knew you long before you were born. He called you in this day and age for a reason. You need to figure out what that specific reason is.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

“The Third Temple—Coming Soon?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:  

Will the Third Temple be built soon, or is it being delayed? This program discusses developments showing an indirect relationship to the Third Temple, as well as direct orders to build the Temple.  However, we also show that some, who are responsible for building the Temple, seem to hesitate and thereby delay biblical prophecy. God won’t tolerate this much longer. 

“Kommt der dritte Tempel bald?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as discussed above.

A Tech Team Meeting was conducted on February 1, 2026. Hosted by Eric Rank, a wide range of ideas and suggestions centering on our ad campaigns for both English and German booklets were discussed along with website maintenance items.

“Joseph in Egypt – Part 2” is the latest video in our Bible Story Series on YouTube.

“Bittet und ihr werdet empfangen,” this Sabbath’s new German sermon presented by Michael Link, is now posted. Title in English: “Ask, And You Shall Receive.”

“Empathie,” last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Manuel Giermann, is now posted. Title in English: “Empathy.”

“Germany’s Continuing Rise in Europe—Comments on News and Prophecy, January 31, 2026,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Are you despairing of life? In light of the terrible developments in this world, this might be easy to do, but as Christians, we must not fall into that trap. This does not mean that we close our eyes and ignore what is happening in this world, as these are signs for the soon-coming Return of Jesus Christ. And so, in this program, we are addressing the remarkable military treaty between Germany and Italy and the call for an all-powerful European military leader, as well as the ongoing alienation between the USA and Europe and the terrible situation in Minnesota.

“A Pillar of God’s Word – Respect,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Kalon Mitchell, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Respect is not optional—it is a pillar of God’s Word that upholds families, communities, and our relationship with Him. This sermon contrasts respect and disrespect across Scripture, showing how love, humility, and reverence produce unity, while pride and contempt lead to division. In a world that is losing respect, God’s people are called to hold the line and reflect His character through proper respect in every relationship.