Update 1223

The Feast of Trumpets is on the Sabbath of September 12, 2026. On that day, Kalon Mitchell will give the sermonette, titled, “Hold Fast Until the Trumpet Sounds”, and Norbert Link will give the sermon, titled, “The Feast of Trumpets—Why a Day of Joy?”

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.

One of my favorite terms in the Bible is the admonition for us to “hold fast.” When I was younger, I read a lot about sailing — large sailing ships have always fascinated me. There is something majestic about traveling across the water in a boat with large rigging and all the parts of a ship. But being on the ocean is not without peril; there are times when storms come, and sailors have to withstand them.

From a nautical standpoint, “hold fast” is an old maritime command meaning to grip a fixed point, a rail, a line, anything they could securely hold on to. This was especially shouted to the crew in heavy weather so no one would get swept overboard; it’s essentially “hang on!” It was also used to mean securing a line itself (to belay it so it doesn’t run out), and “holdfast” is the general term for any fitting, clamp, or cleat that pins something in place against the ship’s motion so it can’t shift. (The word shows up outside sailing too; carpenters use a “holdfast” clamp, and biologists use it for the root-like structure kelp uses to grip a rock.)

This term “hold fast” appears a number of times throughout the Old and New Testaments. So it is not just a nautical term. In the Bible, the way it is used is powerful, because it describes the need for each of us to cling to God with everything that is within us.

In Hebrew, several words get translated as “hold fast,” each with a slightly different meaning. One word can mean to seize and grip firmly (Job 2:3; Isaiah 56:4,6), which is bound up with the idea of strength itself. Another word can convey the thought of grasping or seizing physically (Song of Solomon 3:4), and a third word can mean to cling, cleave, or stick to (Deuteronomy 10:20), describing the kind of closeness a husband and wife have, staying devoted and stuck to each other out of love and commitment, no matter what. 

In Greek, several verbs get translated as “hold fast,” each with a slightly different meaning as well. One word can mean to grasp with force, to seize and not let go (Hebrews 4:14). Another word can mean to hold down firmly or to retain or possess securely (Hebrews 10:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; and 1 Corinthians 15:2). Finally, a third word can mean to hold oneself against something, and to cling to it (Titus 1:9).

As we can see, across both the Old and the New Testaments, “hold fast” describes a deliberate, muscular grip on what’s internal rather than external — faith, hope, integrity, God’s Laws — held under pressure, against a force that would otherwise tear these things away. It’s not casual possession; it’s resistance under strain.

Scripture actually gives us pictures of exactly what kind of strain is meant. Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil”; something that holds firm precisely because a current is pulling against it. And Ephesians 4:14 warns of not being “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting”—children of God blown off course by every gust. Both these Scriptures place us right in the middle of a storm-tossed deck: the wind and waves trying to sweep us overboard, and faith and hope being the grip that keeps us from going over.

The storms in our lives are going to happen whether we are ready to “Hold Fast” or not. The question is, where is our strength to ride out the storms? 

Luke 8:22-25 and Matthew 14:22-33 describe actual storms in which the early disciples found themselves being forced for a reason. Christ used these moments to help teach the disciples that the storms were there to make them lean on Christ and realize how they could get through any situation. We are also Christ’s disciples and He uses the same approach with us today to help us learn to lean fully on Him in all situations so that when the storms that come get bigger, we can “Hold Fast” and find the God-given strength to endure until the end and make our calling and election sure. 

By Norbert Link

Following Trump’s scandal pertaining to the Venezuela oil deal (note our StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump’s Oil Deal with Venezuela—Another Fiasco”), another scandal is developing pertaining to Trump’s new “beef deal.” We also report on the futile idea that all-high gas prices will go down any time soon; speak on Hegseth’s unprecedented lie detector tests which badly backfired on him; and we address Trump’s unsuccessful attempts to end the Russia-Ukraine war while threatening Europe with reimbursement payments for supporting Ukraine. Note our StandingWatch program, titled, “Trump and Putin vs EU and Ukraine?” 

We also address Trump’s denial of the depleted stockpiles of American weapons while speaking out of both sides of his mouth (note our StandingWatch program, titled, “USA Dangerously Short on Essential Missiles”).

The conflict between the USA and Canada is boiling over (note our StandingWatch program, titled, “America’s Foolish Trade War With Canada”); and Trump has been described by a prestigious German paper as the destructive “demolition man.”

We are addressing the situation in Germany, pertaining to the new role of the “comeback kid” Jens Spahn (note our StandingWatch program, titled, “The Downfall of Germany’s Most Powerful Politician”)  and the not unexpected tremendous success of the AfD in the Saxony election; and we address European discussions to withdraw their gold reserves from the unreliable USA.

We address the most recent developments pertaining to Israel; point out the British Army’s monetary shortfalls; contradictory comments by Pope Leo; and AI’s activities which can only be described as Satanic.

Please view our most recent StandingWatch program, titled, “How AI Could Destroy Us All”

Trump’s Beef Deal… More Corruption?

The Hill wrote on September 4:

“President Trump said Friday that tariff-free imported beef will be coming from Brazil and Argentina, among other places, as his administration works to alleviate stubbornly high prices….

“Trump announced last month that the U.S. would be pausing tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of beef for 90 days to be sold at a 25 percent discount below market price. The president said it would lower costs for Americans while allowing for ranchers to build up their herds… The announcement was quickly criticized by the cattle industry and GOP lawmakers who said that lowering prices for Americans shouldn’t come at the cost of U.S. ranchers….

“The White House further defended the decision after a report that a Brazilian billionaire influenced it. The Wall Street Journal reported… that Trump met with Joesley Batista, who shares control of JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, a day before the announcement. Batista and his brother Wesley Batista were fined in 2020 by the Justice Department over charges that they violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by using funds obtained through a bribery scheme to expand operations in the U.S.”

Another White House cooperation with a corrupt businessman.

Unsafe Beef?

Forbes wrote on September 5:

“Brazilian beef exporters, who are usually subject to a 26.4% tariff, recently found themselves with a large backstock of beef after the European Union announced it would no longer accept imports from the country because it wasn’t meeting safety standards around the use of antibiotics…. Ranchers have called for the mandatory country-of-origin labeling on the lower-priced foreign beef entering the country, and are encouraging consumers to look for labels that say the product is American raised.

“… Argentine meat has made headlines after 30,000 pounds was allowed into Texas and Florida without being inspected by U.S. workers. China in August refused to accept a shipment of 22 tons of beef from Argentina because inspectors found evidence of chloramphenicol contamination. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic strictly prohibited in food-producing animals under U.S. standards.

“Look for stickers that say ‘Product of USA’ or ‘Made in the USA.’ Those mean the product comes exclusively from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. Other stickers to look out for will say ‘Born, Raised, and Harvested in the USA’ or ‘American Grassfed Association (AGA) Certified.’ If beef is imported or blended, the country of origin list will appear in small print near the nutrition label or ingredient list. Consumers can also check oval Department of Agriculture inspection stickers for an establishment number, which can be searched online to find the exact facility where the beef was processed.”

This would of course not tell you anything about the origin of the beef you are ordering and consuming at restaurants and fast food places.

Insane Gas Prices

CNN wrote on September 4:

“Americans will likely face the highest Labor Day gas prices on record this holiday weekend. It’s another blow to a ‘drill, baby, drill’ president who campaigned on affordable energy. President Donald Trump’s war with Iran isn’t just driving up prices at the gas pump. Diesel, a crucial fuel at the heart of the modern economy, hit an all-time high Friday. Jet fuel costs have skyrocketed, too, leading airlines to hike airfare and baggage fees while cutting less profitable flights….

“US refiners are running as hard as they can to make up for the loss of refining capacity elsewhere. Venezuela is unlikely to deliver a major increase in oil supplies for many years – perhaps not until 2035... Americans are paying an extra $97 billion since the Iran war started due to higher gas and diesel prices… That amounts to more than $740 per US household….

“Diesel has skyrocketed more than 60% so far this year, leaving it on track for the biggest annual increase on record… Gasoline gets more of the attention because of the consumer impact, but diesel powers trucks, tractors, trains, boats and construction vehicles at the heart of the modern economy.”

We can thank Donald Trump for all of that.

Hegseth’s Lie Detector Tests Backfire

Daily Mail wrote on September 5:

“At least 50 members of staff were subjected to lie detector tests in August to find out who the alleged rats were after multiple news outlets reported that the US military was running low on key weapons stockpiles amid the ongoing war in the Middle East. But that anti-leak mission has seemingly backfired on the White House – as news of the polygraph testing has now ironically leaked to the media...

“The move marks the first time the US has ever issued mass polygraph tests to top brass officials in the military.”

Polygraph tests are unreliable and not admitted in courts.

Europe to Repay US For Ukraine Aid?

The Kyiv Independent wrote on September 4:

“U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Sept. 3 that he will ask European countries to repay Washington for ammunition and military aid given to Ukraine under former President Joe Biden. The demand comes amid Trump’s growing fury with European and NATO countries for their refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran, which has dragged on for six months…. ‘Hundreds of Billions of Dollars was given to Ukraine and NATO, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for… but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly.’

“In the post, Trump also lambasted media reports that the U.S. military was running low on missile stocks due to the war against Iran… ‘we have virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition, far more than we could ever use for this, or for any other War (which is highly unlikely!), that could improbably take place,’ wrote the American Commander-in-Chief. ‌‌‌‌

”Responding to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for more Patriot systems amid a critical air defense shortage…, Trump himself said on Aug. 7 that military aid had depleted U.S. stockpiles. ‘We want missiles too,’ Trump said. ‘Biden gave (Zelensky) $300 billion worth of ammunition.’

“It is not clear where Trump’s ‘$300 billion’ figure comes from — previously, Trump claimed Biden sent Ukraine $500 billion in aid, while Zelensky has said the total is around $100 billion… He has also previously demanded repayment from Ukraine for U.S. aid…

“Under the Trump administration, U.S. aid to Ukraine has ground to a halt, leaving Europe and NATO countries to shoulder the financial burden of supporting Kyiv amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.”

Clearly, Trump is speaking out of both sides of his mouth. It should be obvious that US stockpiles have been heavily depleted. Trump’s naïve assessment that another war with the US is highly unlikely will end up in a rude awakening… and maybe much sooner than many think. And when [not if] that happens, America might not have enough weapons to defend itself, while Americans will not even be willing to do so.

That Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Putin to discuss the war in Ukraine might be another alarming development. One wonders what further concessions the Americans have been willing to make to Putin. Kushner and especially Witkoff have not been good negotiators at all.

Putin Attack Inevitable?

The Sun wrote on September 7:

“A security source has warned that it is ‘inevitable’ that Putin will order retribution on Britain for its continued support of Ukraine.”

PBS wrote on September 8:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin assured U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call Tuesday that Moscow doesn’t harbor aggressive intentions toward Europe… That claim runs counter to European authorities’ versions of recent incidents, such as the German government last week blaming Russia for an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August using a drone laden with explosives.”

One would have to be crazy to believe Putin’s assurances.

No Breakthrough… War to Continue

BBC News reported on September 6:

“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he expects the war with Russia to continue into the winter, following talks with Donald Trump’s top envoys in Kyiv.

The discussions finished without an announcement of a major breakthrough, after Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travelled to Ukraine for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion. The previous day, the pair had held talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow…

“Zelensky emphasised that should the war continue into the winter – ‘which is what it looks like for now’ – Ukraine would need air defence and energy support. Ukraine has relied on American-made Patriot interceptors to combat Russian ballistic missiles, but the US has used many of its stockpiles during its war with Iran.”

…despite Trump’s laughable denial of this apparent fact.

USA No Longer Canada’s Friend?

National Post/MSN wrote on September 6:

“For as long as anyone can remember, Canada and the U.S. have arguably been the world’s closest of allies and friends… But as the trade war initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump drags on, getting uglier every day, a growing number of Canadians have a very different view of America: our ‘enemy.’… a strong plurality of Canadians (41 per cent) consider the U.S. an enemy country…

“More than half (51 per cent) of those 55 or older perceived the U.S. as an enemy, only 13 per cent of whom see it as neutral. Meanwhile, Quebecers were the Canadians most likely (49 per cent) see the U.S. in that light and the least likely to consider it an ally (17 per cent) or neutral (20 per cent), one of several times an ‘exclamation point’ appeared on some Quebec results….”

The relationship between Canada and the USA has never been worse.

USA Is Losing Everywhere!

Hedge Avenue wrote on September 9:

“Last week, in Tiananmen Square, China put on a chilling display of military power. Fighter jets, tanks, AI-guided drones — all paraded under the red flag, in front of Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and more than two dozen world leaders… The world is realigning. China. Russia. India. They’re drawing closer. And Trump’s high-risk trade policies are pushing them into each other’s arms…

“The U.S. is becoming isolated and distrusted… And we’re drowning in debt – $21 billion a day added and growing.  And this Chinese parade – as symbolic as it was strategic – signals that the world may be entering a post-American financial era. One where the dollar no longer dominates… and U.S. influence is no longer guaranteed.

“Foreign alliances are being formed without us… economic blocks are shifting against us… our tariffs are backfiring and capital is fleeing the country… debt is exploding past $37 trillion with no plans to stop it.”

Trump—the Demolition Man

On September 5, Die Welt wrote:

“Donald Trump brings Sylvester Stallone to mind. In the film ‘Demolition Man’, the lawman unhesitatingly tears apart an entire city block. The US President is following a similar path. The difference: he employs political weapons—such as coercion and blackmail—from the outset. Trump treats America’s long-standing friends in Europe, Canada, and East Asia like enemies.

“Security guarantees are being dismantled, troops withdrawn; Trump wants to get his hands on Danish Greenland; he targets Canada as a potential ‘51st state’ and imposes 50 percent tariffs… Yet far more is at stake than mere money—it is a question of who defeats whom on the chessboard of power, very much in the spirit of Lenin… Trump cozies up to Russia, China, and North Korea… In Asia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea fear for their security and the once-reliable pledges made by the US. The same goes for the Europeans. Ukraine is fighting for its life while Trump takes it on a rollercoaster ride…

“He attacks Iran without regard for costs or consequences… The fact that the rest of the world is groaning under skyrocketing energy prices concerns this fantasist as little as the well-being of his own voters… America calls itself the ‘indispensable nation.’ For 80 years, it was. Under the showman Trump, the prospect is not ‘America First,’ but the looming threat of ‘America Alone.’”

A German perspective that is shared by most Germans.

Iceland Summons U.A. Ambassador

NBC News wrote on September 8:

“Iceland summoned the U.S. ambassador on Monday after President Donald Trump posted an image on social media showing the island and other countries covered by the American flag… The map showed the United States, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean covered by the U.S. flag, with the entire landmass labeled ‘United States of America.’ Trump posted the image on his Truth Social platform without explanation….

“Iceland last month voted against reopening E.U. membership talks in a referendum in which Trump’s designs on Greenland had featured as a backdrop.”

Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean should all take Trump to task for his irresponsible and ludicrous postings. Trump also claimed the Strait of Hormuz should be changed to Trump Strait, and the US state of New Mexico should be renamed as New America. And to top it all off, Trump claimed US ownership of the moon. Note the following detailed article, revealing further frightening and highly disconcerting Trump postings.

Trump’s Crazy Postings

MSN reported on September 6:

“President Donald Trump left countless onlookers aghast Sunday after publishing three dozen bizarre online posts in the span of two hours… ‘Something is very wrong with the president,’ wrote Tom Nichols, staff writer for The Atlantic, in a social media post on X Sunday. ‘And yet, still has the codes to our nuclear arsenal and is the single person who can order their use.’

“Among Trump’s bizarre online posts were images that appeared to be generated with artificial intelligence (AI) depicting him in hellish landscapes with threatening messages. One depicts Trump walking in Washington, D.C. alongside an army of robots and soldiers with red glowing eyes, and the message, ‘THEY WILL NEVER SLEEP AGAIN.’ Another depicts Trump sitting atop a black throne amid a hellish and war-torn landscape in front of giant humanoid robots. In another post, Trump suggested renaming the state of New Mexico to ‘New America,’ and in another, redrawing Iran’s borders to mirror the silhouette of Trump’s profile. One post, also likely generated with AI, depicts the destruction of Iran’s Kharg Island with the message, ‘Bye bye, Kharg.’

“Trump also shared an image of the moon that included the text, ‘THE MOON IS OURS,’ alongside an American flag. ‘This is not normal,’ wrote John Jackson, a political commentator… and former trial lawyer…. Trump also shared an AI-generated image depicting himself blowing up the earth, as well as an AI-generated image depicting himself buying stocks in the Oval Office, alongside the admission that he had ‘made Hundreds of Billions of Dollars on Stocks, and Many other type Holdings.’”

Whether this is meant to be serious or in jest, something is VERY WRONG with President Trump! Note the next articles as well.

Trump’s Ongoing Fabrications

The Huffington Post wrote on September 9:

“President Donald Trump on Tuesday raged at New York magazine after the publication questioned his recollection of his experience in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The president apparently took issue with an online story, ‘Trump Tells Weird Lie About Where He Was On 9/11,’ and lashed out by branding the outlet ‘Failing New York Magazine.’

“The article refers to a rambling speech Trump made Tuesday in Washington, D.C., where he reflected on the strength of New York City after the tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001. He offered an anecdote about how he was ‘down there right after this happened’ and that two ‘big, strong’ firefighters ‘lifted him’ to safety as they feared the nearby U.S. Steel Building was also at risk of collapse. In his remarks, Trump also renewed a claim that he took a construction crew with him to Lower Manhattan to help with ground zero clean-up efforts.

“New York magazine questioned Trump’s telling of the story and fact-checked his previous comments about his whereabouts on 9/11 and the days after. Trump did visit the site two days after the attacks, on Sept. 13, and conducted interviews, but many of the details of his claims are contested… New York magazine noted the then-real estate developer was at Trump Tower in Manhattan’s midtown on the day of the attacks — miles away from the twin towers and the U.S. Steel Building… [He contacted local Channel 9 news right after the attack and remarked that he now possessed the tallest building in Manhattan.]

“In his rebuttal Wednesday, Trump said he ‘was there, obviously not on the same day as the collapse, but shortly thereafter,’ and posted a clip in which he spoke to reporters by ground zero after the attacks.”

This reminds us of the fabricated stories President Biden used to tell.

Jens Spahn—the Proverbial Comeback Kid

Merkur wrote on September 5:

“Just weeks after stepping down, Spahn is set to resume a key role within the Union parliamentary group as a member of the powerful Budget Committee… the CDU politician is apparently slated to become the rapporteur for the Foreign Ministry’s budget there. News that is sparking resentment and sharp criticism among the opposition…

“‘Some things are so crazy that I honestly didn’t think they were possible,’ writes Green Party MP Paula Piechotta… ‘He has demonstrated in the past that he lacks a sufficient sense of responsibility when it comes to handling taxpayer money.’ The Green Party’s budget expert is referring to controversial mask purchases made early in the coronavirus pandemic during Spahn’s tenure as Health Minister. Furthermore, a conflict of interest exists: Spahn would be conflicted regarding any ongoing costs associated with the mask deals. The committee not only has the final say on the budget but also oversees the government and sanctions it in cases of misconduct.”

A clear conflict of interest, as he is not going to sanction himself for his misconduct. But in spite of his many scandals and downfalls, he always comes back.

The Saxony-Anhalt Dilemma

Die Tagesschau reported on September 6:

“The AfD has clearly won the state election in Saxony-Anhalt. According to ARD projections… it is polling at 44.0 percent—compared to the 20.8 percent it secured in the 2021 election. The AfD has thus achieved its best-ever result in a state and is set to become the strongest force in the state parliament. Trailing far behind is the CDU… at a historically low 17.4 percent… Projections place the SPD in third place with 9.2 percent… The Greens are at 8.9 percent… Next is the Left Party (‘Die Linke’) with 8.6 percent—its worst result to date in Saxony-Anhalt… The BSW [another left-leaning party] is at 5.1 percent and could, as things stand, enter the state parliament, while the [business-friendly] FDP is projected to fail to meet the threshold for seats with 2.5 percent…

“The AfD’s goal is to govern alone. To do so, the party does not need an absolute majority of the votes, but rather an absolute majority of the seats in the state parliament. Whether it achieves this depends on the number of parties represented in the parliament. As things stand, the AfD is falling short of its goal. No other path to participating in government is open to the AfD. All other parties certain to be represented in the state parliament reject any coalition or cooperation with the party…

“Currently, a coalition of the CDU, SPD, and FDP is governing in Magdeburg. Projections indicate that continuing this alliance is not possible… Should the AfD be unable to govern alone, one option would be a CDU-led minority government that would rely on the Left Party… However, there are strong reservations within the CDU—which has a formal resolution prohibiting cooperation with both the AfD and the Left Party—regarding this model… According to the state constitution, the new state parliament must [convene] no later than the 30th day after the election—that is, on October 6.”

Bild Online wrote on September 6:

“The expected political bombshell from the Right in the East has arrived! The decisive factor: the hostile mood in Saxony-Anhalt—against (almost) everything! Against Chancellor Merz… Against public service broadcasting. Against foreigners. Against transatlantic values. And even against West Germans…

“CDU Minister-President Schulze’s election campaign was disappointing. Lackluster, timid, and completely devoid of edge—Schulze came across as utterly colorless! In contrast, AfD lead candidate Siegmund mobilized the masses and clearly struck a chord with the people… The fact is: this electoral shockwave from the East will send significant ripples through Berlin. Tough times lie ahead for the black-red governing coalition.”

When Germans become hostile and angry…beware!

The World’s Reactions to the AfD Victory

Politico wrote on September 7:

“Tech billionaire Elon Musk applauded the German far right’s win in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, a result that sent shockwaves through the country’s political establishment and around Europe… Musk has championed the AfD for years, including during Germany’s 2025 federal election campaign…

“Italy’s right-wing Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini congratulated his ‘friend’ [Alice] Weidel… Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl said voters had torn down the political ‘firewall’ around the AfD, while Spain’s Vox leader Santiago Abascal wrote on X that the result was ‘a great hope for Germany and Europe.’ Hard-right Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe called the AfD ‘an inspiration.’ Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders also congratulated the party…

“While Musk and Europe’s right rejoiced, centrist and left-wing heavyweights around the continent sounded the alarm. French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs slammed the AfD as a ‘neo-Nazi, anti-European, pro-Putin’ political force whose program is ‘a betrayal of the European spirit’…

“Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the result as ‘a warning that the ultra-threat is gaining ground in Europe and the world’… Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X that ‘only idiots or traitors’ in Poland could celebrate the result. French Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad called it ‘a grave moment in Europe,’ warning that ‘nationalism and xenophobia will never be a solution.’”

According to Die Welt, dated September 4, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) demanded the prohibition of the AfD. CSU leader Markus Soeder disagreed with Pistorius’ viewpoint. Reuters reported on September 9 that “US President Donald Trump hails what he calls a ‘really big’ victory by Germany’s far-right movement.” He closed the post with a call to “MGGA!!!” or “Make Germany Great Again.” Despite his party’s terrible defeat, Chancellor Merz stated that he would stay in office.

“Established” Parties Remain Asleep

On September 9, Bild Online published the following commentary by Marcel Sacha:

“Anyone who thought the parties of the so-called ‘political center’ had finally woken up after the election debacle in Saxony-Anhalt was bitterly disappointed on Wednesday. A spirit of renewal? New concepts? A genuine will to reform? A different approach to dealing with the AfD? All were missing. Instead, the same old game played out in the Bundestag as it has for years: once again, everyone focused almost exclusively on attacking the AfD.

“Starting with the Chancellor: Friedrich Merz reacted to their 44 percent victory in Saxony-Anhalt with the counter-argument—offered in all seriousness—that ’56 percent did not vote for you.’ A reminder: 83 percent of voters did not vote for his CDU—which polled 17 percent—last Sunday… Furthermore, the speakers from the other parties offered almost nothing but the same old anti-AfD platitudes…

“The sad part is that, once again, hardly any politicians from the Black-Red camp presented new concepts or ideas… The established parties obviously still haven’t grasped the fact that AfD-bashing won’t win back a single voter… Or to put it another way: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.”

Bild Online added on September 9:

“The AfD is leading by a huge margin in East Germany… Nationwide, too, the AfD remains on a record-breaking trajectory.

“Why do AfD supporters vote for the party? For the largest group, the answer is clear: 34 percent say the deciding factor is the conviction that the AfD best represents the ‘interests of the German people.’ 22 percent cite dissatisfaction with the political system as a whole as their primary motive. Another 21 percent point to dissatisfaction with the federal government…

“Who do Germans trust to solve the problems? On this question, the AfD is narrowly in the lead with 13 percent. But the real bombshell lies in another figure: 55 percent do not trust any party to be best at solving Germany’s problems.”

And the Germans are right about that. NO party can provide real solutions.

Europe Withdraws Gold Reserves from the U.S.

Bild Online reported on September 5:

“Are the gold reserves of foreign nations stored in the U.S. still safe under U.S. President Donald Trump? The debate has been simmering for months, particularly in Europe. Now comes a bombshell: The Dutch central bank (DNB) announced that it has moved 86 tons of its gold reserves—previously held in vaults in New York and Ottawa—to London. Consequently, only 18.5 percent of the total Dutch ‘gold hoard,’ valued at around 75 billion euros, remains stored in the U.S….

“Princeton visiting professor Steven Strauss… argued that for decades, European nations had relied on the U.S. reputation as a ‘guarantor of the rule of law, property rights, and financial stability’ when storing their gold. Today, however, he increasingly views Trump’s America as a ‘rogue superpower’—a major power acting with less predictability and reliability….

“The debate is simmering in Germany as well. A total of 1,236 tons of German gold—currently valued at around 152 billion euros—remains stored in the Federal Reserve’s vault in Lower Manhattan, 24 meters underground… The Taxpayers’ Association, in particular, is applying pressure. ‘The Netherlands has proven with its actions that where there’s a will, there’s a way; we have long demanded that the gold belonging to the taxpayers be brought back to Germany,’ Vice President Michael Jäger told BILD. It continues: ‘The clock is ticking; the risk in the USA is rising by the day…’

“In addition to the Netherlands, other EU states have also transferred gold holdings from the USA to Europe. France sold off its entire stock of 129 tons held in New York and repurchased the same amount in Europe… The situation is most critical in Italy. Of all major EU nations, it holds the largest share of its gold reserves—43.3 percent—in the USA: 1,061.5 tons worth around 130 billion euros. One thing is clear: the Dutch move is now increasing the pressure, particularly on Germany and Italy, to reconsider storing their multi-billion-euro treasures in America.”

Europe’s trust in America’s reliability is completely gone.

Funding Shortfalls Hit British Armed Forces

United24 Media wrote on September 4:

“The British Armed Forces have suspended military exercises involving 90 or more personnel due to budget constraints at the Ministry of Defense, according to a report by The Sun. Units were instructed to stop collective training with immediate effect unless they are getting ready for deployment on active operations, leaving many troops with little to do…

“The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have also been instructed to scale back training activities to save funds…”

Everyone is running out of money. Wars are not inexpensive.

“Britain Works Against Israel”

CNBC wrote on September 9:

“Britain’s foreign secretary Ed Miliband announced on Tuesday that Britain would ban imports from Israeli settlements built on the West Bank, adding that the U.K. government’s official view is that the ‘occupation [of the West Bank] is unlawful.’

“The move prompted an accusation from Israel that the British government was ‘systematically working against’ the country, and a ban on 12 U.K. lawmakers entering Israel. Britain has also been told to close its consulate in east Jerusalem within 30 days…”

France and Canada also announced sanctions on Israeli settlements on Tuesday.

Was Netanyahu Warned?

Mediaite wrote on September 8:

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was personally and explicitly warned that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a major attack roughly 10 days before the October 7 massacre, but dismissed the threat and did not alert his security chiefs, according to a shocking new Haaretz report…

“United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan raised the alarm directly with Netanyahu during a 45-minute conversation… and reportedly warned that Sinwar was preparing a major operation. Netanyahu reportedly responded that he believed Hamas intended to operate in the West Bank and assured the Emirati leader that Israel was prepared for any scenario… Haaretz also reported that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel separately contacted Netanyahu around the same period to warn that Hamas was planning ‘something unusual, a terrifying operation.’ The prime minister, however, insisted again that Israel was in control and reportedly mentioned neither call during an October 1 security discussion about Hamas and Gaza. The Prime Minister’s Office categorically denied the central allegation…”

It has been claimed before that Netanyahu had been warned, but did not react.

Kushner Blames Israeli Elections

CBS News reported on September 7:

“President Trump’s special envoy Jared Kushner directly linked the lack of progress on the rehabilitation of the war-torn Gaza Strip to upcoming Israeli elections. Israel will hold elections in late October, and polls show it is a tight race between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents… ‘They just have a crazy election, and that makes them a little irrational in certain regards.’

“Kushner’s remarks are a rare and candid criticism of Netanyahu’s government by a senior Trump administration official over the conservative Israeli leader’s Gaza policy…. U.S. efforts to advance plans to disarm Gaza militant group Hamas and open the way for investment into rebuilding the devastated Palestinian enclave have stalled amid disagreements with Israel and Hamas about the proposed roadmap. Kushner… did not elaborate on how the Israeli government is impeding the Gaza peace plan.”

Kushner has not been successful as a negotiator.  NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel asked directly why his lacking track record should inspire ‘any confidence’ in his abilities to negotiate an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” Engel also said, “You were involved in the Gaza negotiations, but Gaza remains a wasteland… Iran, you were involved in those negotiations. The war is still going on…  You’ve been involved in several rounds of negotiations in this conflict. It’s only getting more intense. So you’re relaunching negotiations now. What’s the likelihood they will succeed, when other negotiations you’ve been involved in have not?”

Kushner responded defensively, but without real clarity. He and Steve Witkoff [viewed as highly incompetent by many Europeans] have been failures, putting it mildly.

The Third Temple—Far-Fetched?

Israel365News wrote on September 7:

“Zehut chairman Moshe Feiglin… signed a joint Knesset list with Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich, taking the No. 2 slot ahead of the October 27 election… Asked how the mosque on the Temple Mount would ever open up to make room for the Temple, Feiglin [answered]:

“‘The Zehut party will not build the Third Temple. Am Yisrael [the nation of Israel] will build the Third Temple. The Third Temple will not be built by some accidental majority, at midnight, in some Knesset committee. Am Yisrael will build it because an entirely new consciousness will descend and envelop all of us. I believe the Third Temple will be built ish echad b’lev echad — as one man, with one heart — when we all want it. This will no longer be a partisan matter…

“‘What about the mosque? I believe the Arabs will vacate it… I believe we will reach a point where the entire world will want to see the Temple built. In the consciousness we’re in right now, this sounds far-fetched, impossible. But we’ve seen how quickly things can change. Why will it happen? Because it is written in the Torah — just as it was written in the Torah — that we would return to our land after nearly two thousand years, and that was the most far-fetched thing in the world. The most far-fetched thing in the world, far more so than building the Temple. And that came true too. That came true too.’”

Shortsighted and Contradictory Pope

Life Site News wrote on September 3:

“Pope Leo XIV opened this week’s Wednesday General Audience by citing Pope John XXIII’s warning against the so-called ‘prophets of doom’ who believe our current time is worse than previous generations…

“Despite the pontiff endorsing his predecessor’s words, he has repeatedly suggested that our modern age is the worst it has been for the environment, noting his belief that the ‘world is burning’ due to ‘global warming.’”

There can be no doubt that the current time is much worse than previous generations… with the exception of the time during the days of Noah. Christ said so, and if He were not to return in our generation, no flesh would be saved alive… and we are NOT talking about global warming.

Another Stupid US Supreme Court Decision

The Huffington Post wrote on September 9:

“The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a Roman Catholic mother’s request to send her 5-year-old son to school in New York without him receiving state-required vaccines under the argument of religious exemption. The court on Tuesday issued a one-line order denying the woman’s emergency appeal ahead of the new school year.

“Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch said they would have granted the request. In 2019, New York eliminated its religious exemption to school vaccination requirements.”

At least there were, in this case, two sensible justices on the Supreme Court.

The Curse of AI

MSN/RNS wrote on September 6:

“[Elderly East Asian monk] Yang Mun… has more than 2.5 million followers on Instagram, where his videos draw millions of views and comments from people thanking him for his advice. His website describes him as a teacher of traditional Eastern wisdom. But the monk does not exist. Mun was generated using artificial intelligence…

“Yang Mun is not alone, Rabbi Goldman, an AI-generated Orthodox rabbi who dabbled in conspiracy theories, amassed more than 1.5 million Instagram followers before his account was removed.  Father Justin, created as an AI Catholic priest, answered questions about faith…”

Satan’s tool no doubt…

AI Could Kill Us All

AFP wrote on September 9:

“An artificial intelligence researcher who left OpenAI to join Anthropic has decided to leave the industry, accusing both US companies of ‘gambling with our lives’ in the race to develop AI models capable of self-improvement… ‘The people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade,’ he said in a post on X…. Superintelligence is the theoretical point when AI’s capabilities exceed human intelligence…. ‘Anthropic… does not yet have a plan to ensure an AI system that surpasses human capabilities would obey its creators.’”

For further information, please view our most recent StandingWatch program, titled, “How AI Could Destroy Us All.”

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 the contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing to worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Wars, crises, fear everywhere – can there even be true peace in such a world? And what distinguishes the peace this world promises from the peace that only God can grant?

When we look at the world around us, it’s sometimes hard to even talk about peace. Almost every day we hear about wars, conflicts, terrorism, economic hardship, political tensions, and societal crises. At the same time, many people are struggling with their own personal burdens, such as worries about their families, health problems, financial difficulties, or fear of an uncertain future. It appears the world is becoming increasingly turbulent.

Against this backdrop, many ask an important question: Can there even be true peace in such a world?

The Bible answers this question with a clear “yes”. However, we first need to understand what true peace actually is.

Many people picture peace as the absence of problems. To them, peace means that everything is going well, that no difficulties arise, and that the future seems secure.

As long as circumstances are favorable, they are at ease. But as soon as a crisis occurs, this peace is shaken. It depends on circumstances that can change at any moment.

The peace of God is unlike this. It does not come about through the disappearance of all problems. It comes through trust in God. This trust is not simply an achievement we accomplish on our own. The Bible describes peace as part of the fruit of the Spirit of God at work within us (compare Galatians 5:22). In other words, when we entrust our lives to God, He allows His peace to grow within us.

To understand this, we must first recognize why the world is how it is in the first place.

Many people assume that God rules the world today in a direct and immediate way and that everything that happens on earth is an expression of His Will. The Bible, however, presents a more comprehensive picture.

God is the Creator of the universe. He possesses all power, and ultimately everything belongs to Him. Yet the present world is not governed according to His standards. The Bible describes Satan as the one who deceives the whole world and as the “god of this world” (Authorized Version). That is why we see the consequences of human self-determination and mismanagement everywhere – wars, hatred, injustice, corruption, violence, and confusion.

If the true God already ruled the world today, there would be no wars, no oppression of the weak, and no political lust for power. Instead, the conditions we experience today reflect a humanity that goes its own way and absolutely rejects God’s Way.

History confirms this time and again. Humans have made impressive technological advances; there is no question of that. They went to the moon, fought diseases, and brought about tremendous developments – but these also include negative developments. They have not solved the fundamental problem: They have not created lasting peace, nor are they capable of doing so.

Why not?

Because the real problem cannot be found solely in political systems, economic models, or a lack of education. The problem runs deeper. It lies in the human heart. As long as pride, envy, selfishness, greed, and the pursuit of power control people, the problems of this world will persist. That is why we do not believe that the ultimate solution will come through human efforts.

But before we can speak of this necessary inward, tangible peace, we must take a step back. The Bible shows us that humanity is separated from God. This means that before we can experience the peace of God in our daily lives, we must first be at peace with God Himself. Everything else builds upon this.

Humanity needs more than just better ideas. It needs God’s guidance. This is precisely where the difference between the peace of the world and the peace of God begins. The peace of the world says, “I have peace when everything is going well.” The peace of God says, “I have peace because I trust in God, even when not everything is going well.”

Jesus Christ made this distinction clear when He said to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you…” (John 14:27).

The prophet Isaiah summed up the same idea centuries earlier. The New King James Bible translates it particularly clearly: “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” God grants perfect peace to the one who sets his thoughts (his mind and his heart) on God and trusts in Him.

Jesus spoke of God’s peace shortly before His suffering and death. His situation was anything but peaceful. Yet, He spoke of peace. It is indeed difficult to imagine this when facing death.

But the peace He spoke of did not depend on external circumstances. He trusted completely in His Father – our Father. We see the same principle in many biblical role models.

Abraham left his homeland without knowing exactly where God would lead him. Joseph was betrayed and sold into slavery. Daniel lived under a foreign government. The apostles were persecuted and harassed.

None of them led a trouble-free life. Just as we, too, do not lead trouble-free lives. Nevertheless, they did not lose hope, because their trust did not depend on their circumstances, but was rooted in God the Father.

Perhaps the example of Jesus and His disciples on the Sea of Galilee illustrates this idea best. As a violent storm raged, the disciples were in a panic. They saw only the waves, the wind, and the danger that came with them. Jesus, on the other hand, remained calm. The storm was the same for everyone. The boat was the same. The danger was the same. The difference, however, was their trust.

It is the same today. We all experience storms. Some affect our health; others, our family, our work, or our plans for the future. The crucial question is not whether we will experience storms. The crucial question is what or whom we trust, when they come.

But how do we trust God in the midst of a storm? The Bible gives us very practical guidance on this. Paul writes: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Trust is not a feeling we have to somehow find within ourselves. It is a conscious decision to bring our worries before God instead of carrying them around on our own.

As Christians, we do not ignore the problems of this world. We do not turn a blind eye to the news. We know that the world is facing difficult times. But we view these developments from a different perspective. We know that the chaos of this world is not the end of the story.

Our hope does not depend on politics, the economy, or human institutions. Our hope lies in the Kingdom of God.

The Bible promises the Return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of a reign of justice on earth and over the earth. For the first time in history, the world will then be governed, guided, and ruled according to God’s standards. War will no longer be taught. Justice will not depend on power or money. The causes of suffering, hatred, and oppression will be eliminated.

That is why we can have peace even today. Not because the world has become peaceful – by no means. Not because all problems have been solved. But because we know that God is carrying out His plan and that His Kingdom will come.

True peace does not come from the security of this world. It comes from the certainty that God is in control of the future. That is why the real answer to the question in this Q&A is: 

Yes, peace can be found in a chaotic world. But this peace does not come from the world getting better before Christ’s Return, because it won’t. It comes from trusting God more than the circumstances around us.

The peace of the world waits for the storm to pass. The peace of God gives us the strength to stand firm in the midst of the storm.

Lead Writer: Christoph Sperzel (Germany)

(Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger)

Compiled by Norbert Link

“How AI Could Destroy Us All” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link.

Here is the summary: 

Most are not aware of the incredible demonic influence and catastrophic abilities which AI already possesses. This program goes into many details and will shock you. We are dealing with a power beyond human control… which could wipe all of us out.

“Wie KI uns alle vernichten könnte” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

The flyers for our Feast sites in Germany and Utah have been posted and are being printed. https://www.eternalgod.org/feasts/ and https://www.ewigengottes.de/wir-uber-uns/laubhuttenfest-2026/ 

Daniel Blasinger’s sermonette has been posted, titled, “Blameless.” 

Here is a summary:

When Michelangelo sculpted David, he could already see the finished masterpiece in his mind’s eye, even though he still had only a rough block of marble before him. And in exactly the same way, God already sees us today in the perfection we will attain if we remain faithful to His path until the end. He sees us just as a loving father sees his children, and we can and must make His perspective our own.

Norbert Link’s sermon has been posted, titled, “Waiting for God.” 

Here is a summary:

Sometimes it may seem as though God does not hear our prayers or is unwilling to answer them. This is especially true in cases where people have been ill or facing other problems for a long time, yet—despite initial prayers—no healing or change has occurred. Some people slowly but surely resign themselves to their condition and circumstances; they come to believe that this is their fate and that God simply will not heal them or alter their situation in this day and age. This dangerous misconception can deprive us of God’s blessings.

Norbert Link’s sermon for the Feast of Trumpets has been posted. It is titled, “Das Posaunenfest—warum ein Tag der Freude?” (“The Feast of Trumpets–Why a Day of Joy?”)

Robert Muhr’s German sermonette has been posted, titled “Checkliste für Ihr bestes Fest aller Zeiten“ (“Checklist for Your Best Feast of All Times”)

Thilo Hanstein’s German sermon has been posted, titled, “Disziplin oder Toleranz” (“Discipline or Tolerance”)