Update 1134

On November 23, 2024, Paul Niehoff will present the sermonette, titled, “Without Deceit,” and Norbert Link will present the sermon, titled, “Salvation of the World”.

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.

How do we become stronger and stronger in faith? Certainly, we must; but even having faith in our time seems outside our control. We can read about others in the pages of the Bible who were noted for having great faith, but can we also attain that key attribute?

We are challenged by a very crucial requirement as we follow Jesus Christ: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

We see then, first, that we must believe that God is real! That takes faith, because we can’t see Him, for He is a spirit (John 4:24). Yet, we do learn about God through His written Word and the Creation He has made—things we can see and understand. Since that is true, then can we learn more about Him and be strengthened in our faith?

Second, to strengthen our faith as Christians—begotten children of God—we have access to God the Father through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). We can have our prayers answered and, when that happens, our faith can grow. In every aspect of our life, we can seek to walk in righteousness before God, which simply means obeying Him. The more we become obedient sons and daughters of our Father in heaven, the more we will grow in faith.

God has all the answers to anything we could possibly imagine or ever need! Have we grown in faith to the extent that we believe this? Do we truly face all our challenges based on this kind of resolute and unshakeable faith?

Being called by God in this life should allow us to reflect and consider the many times when our faith has been tested. When we fellowship as members of the body of Christ (the Church of God), we share our stories of faith with others. We should also be able to see personal growth and how, with the power of God’s Holy Spirit, we are being strengthened in faith.

Having the kind of faith that will please God is, indeed, the hard work of salvation! Let’s remember that we aren’t alone when it all seems too great a challenge to have faith for the moment. Consider the example of a father who sought to have his son healed. Jesus said, “‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes’” (Mark 9:23).

I think the father’s response hits home for all of us: “‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief’” (Mark 9:24).

He did find the help he needed, as Jesus did help and healed his son. We, too, can be strengthened in faith by God.  In matters small or great, ask for God’s help—fully trusting that He will!

by Norbert Link

We begin with further observations regarding Europe’s antisemitism and its persecution of Jews; speak on Trump’s ever-increasing powerful position and his announced plans to deport up to 20 million immigrants; and further shocking developments in Germany and those pertaining to the war between Russia and Ukraine and possible serious escalations.

Please view our new StandingWatch program with the title, “So Close to World War III.”

We address the intention by some on the Trump team to build the Third Temple in Jerusalem; and speak on the comparison between the UK and the former Soviet Union.

We also quote articles about the truly mind-boggling stupidity of the Evolution Theory; extraordinary findings of remains of extinct animals; speculations about the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire; and the possibility that Noah’s Ark has been located.

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

Jews Safer in Eastern Europe

The Wall Street Journal wrote on November 15:

“After the attacks in Amsterdam, a delegation of imams from France and Belgium came to the city to condemn the violence and lay flowers at the house where Anne Frank hid during the Nazi occupation before being found and deported to a death camp. Some local Islamic organizations criticized the media and some politicians for using the attacks to stigmatize Muslims.

“Public opinion surveys by the Anti-Defamation League have found that antisemitic attitudes are actually more common in Eastern European countries like Hungary, Poland and Ukraine than in France, Germany and the Netherlands. Yet Eastern Europe, home to the killing fields of the Holocaust in World War II, has reported few violent antisemitic incidents since Oct. 7. Hungary and Poland, home to around 45,000 and 17,000 Jews respectively, each registered a single violent incident. In the Czech Republic, home to around 5,000 Jews, two incidents were recorded.”

Breitbart wrote on November 15:

“Tourism or attending sports games is becoming increasingly difficult in Europe for Israeli citizens, where mass migration has radically altered city demographics in many European states and governments increasingly see events like football matches against Israeli teams as a ‘high-risk’ threat… they would rather do without. A recent home match for a Belgian team against Israel couldn’t find a single city in the country willing to host the game…

“Belgium… refused to allow Israel’s footballers to play there for the UEFA championship this year. The Belgian authorities said at the time it would be ‘impossible to organize this very high-risk match’ due to tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.”

In spite of rampant anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe, Jews feel much safer there than in Western Europe… for now.

Violence in Amsterdam

Bloomberg wrote on November 16:

“… the war in Gaza is reverberating thousands of miles away. All over the world, the conflict has inflamed both anti-Israel rhetoric and antisemitism and blurred the boundaries between them — but Europe’s particular history of persecution has left the region’s Jewish population bewildered and fearful. ‘Antisemitism has made an eerie comeback in the western world,’ said Eva Illouz, a French-Israeli sociologist living in Paris… homes and businesses have been vandalized with antisemitic and pro-Hamas graffiti. Antisemitic slurs have been chanted in the streets, and instances of physical violence against Jews have increased… At the same time, Arab and Muslim people in Europe are also facing extreme levels of discrimination and violence…

“In the wake of the violence [in Amsterdam], Dutch King Willem-Alexander announced that the Netherlands had failed the Jewish community ‘again.’…

“Meanwhile, authorities fear that these issues — and the very real threats facing Jewish and Muslim people — will not disappear anytime soon. Scheinin, the Israeli man who was out in Amsterdam the night of the attacks, felt singled out in the Netherlands long before tensions burst out into the open. He had several close friends cut him off on account of the war, without bothering to ask about his beliefs. He’s grown accustomed to potential partners rejecting him on dating apps for being Israeli. After four and a half years trying to build a life in Amsterdam, he’s giving up. Last week, he decided to move back to Israel.”

Jews feel no longer safe in Western Europe.

“‘Jew Hunts’ Are Returning to the Streets of Europe”

The Telegraph wrote on November 15:

“History is repeating itself – anti-Semitic violence is back once more in Dutch, Belgian and German cities.

“This week an American friend asked me whether it is safe to come to London. He asked me because he is Jewish. I was unsettled by the question but understood why he asked. My friend had been reading reports of violent Jew-hate in Europe. The terrifying events in Amsterdam over the past few days have heightened many Jewish people’s sensitivities to the risks that may surround them. An extra degree of caution is seeping into the thoughts of a growing number as they go about their daily lives. We now know more details of what took place in Holland and the planning that went into it…

“The attacks were well-organised, with taxi drivers responding to calls to mobilise and help identify the whereabouts of Jews… It would be some solace to believe that these horrific events in Amsterdam were an isolated incident, but this is not the case. Accounts of violent racism against Jews have appeared across Europe over the past few days.

“In Germany, a group of Jewish schoolchildren were attacked by a pro-Palestinian mob armed with knives and sticks… In Belgium, police arrested five men as part of a pro-active effort to stop a suspected ‘Jew hunt’…”

Terrible atrocities in Europe! Please note our StandingWatch program, “Why Riots Against Jews in Amsterdam?” 

In our German edition of “Aktuelle Weltnachrichten”, dated November 14, we stated the following regarding the German AufPostenStehen version of our StandingWatch program, titled, “Warum die Gewalt gegen Juden in Amsterdam? 

“For a while, we have been allowing comments on our AufPostenStehen programs, although we do not necessarily share the views expressed there. However, some anti-Semitic statements and absolute propagandistic false statements about the [new] program were particularly frightening, from which we have removed the most blatant ones. A disgrace for Germany that such vile anti-Semitism is possible… and unfortunately, it will only increase.”

Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu

The Associated Press reported on November 21: 

“The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian territory.

“The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict.

“Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. U.S. President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request…. The court itself has no police to enforce warrants, instead relying on cooperation from its member states.”

Will Trump Be More Powerful Than Ever?

Bild Online wrote on November 15:

“Immediately after his election victory, Donald Trump (78) struck a mild tone – spoke of the ‘time of unity’ and of becoming the president of all Americans. Now he’s back to his old self!

“Trump sent a clear signal to the Republicans that he wants more power. His party should guarantee him that he can install a number of ministers and employees in his future government without a vote in the Senate. His reasoning: ‘Otherwise it would take too long to form a government.’… He expects absolute obedience from the Republicans. And he wants to reduce Congress’s ability to put the White House, and thus him, on a leash.

“His chances of doing so are good. Because the Republicans have a solid majority in the Senate at 53 to 47. And: They are on the verge of getting a majority in the House of Representatives. Trump would have a ‘government trifecta’ – a government hat trick from the White House and both chambers of Congress. The opposition would then be condemned to watch for at least two years. Two years in which Trump has a lot planned…

“Trump announced during the election campaign that he would revamp the powerful justice department, which operates largely independently of the White House. With Matt Gaetz (42), he wants to appoint someone who is absolutely loyal to him as Minister of Justice – and fire all Democrats in the ministry immediately…

“Trump announced during the election campaign that he did not want a say in setting interest rates and threatened to fire Fed Chairman Collin Powell (71). He has already declared that he will demand his term of office in court if necessary. But here too, Trump has the upper hand: in his first term in office, he installed three constitutional judges and created a super majority of his Republicans of six to three judges. Consequence: The court granted the president extensive immunity last July…

“Trump has placed the richest man in the world in a key position in the form of Tesla boss Elon Musk (53, 296 billion euros). The SpaceX boss will head the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’. Specific task: drastic cuts in government spending. Number three on the money list, Jeff Bezos (60, 209 billion euros), is also considered an advisor to the president.

“In plain language: Nothing stands in the way of Trump’s vision of a super president.”

Something Europe will not like for sure…

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 16:

“The incoming president has made clear that he would prefer to circumvent the whole confirmation process altogether. To do so, Trump could make so-called ‘recess appointments,’ installing Cabinet members while Congress is not in session, allowing him to sidestep confirmation hearings. Trump has already called on Republicans to approve his unusual plan in a statement on X…

“The Supreme Court… could be called upon to weigh in on the constitutionality of the domestic deployment of US troops to carry out deportations, or attempts to upend birthright citizenship [guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution], as George Washington University political science professor Sarah Binder told DW. Binder is concerned that the current conservative-majority Supreme Court may choose to ignore legal precedent and instead regularly rule in favor of Republican policies…”

Trump’s Deportation Plans

The Mail on Sunday wrote on November 17:

“When Donald Trump is inaugurated as America’s 47th president on January 20, the event will mark the official start of his second term in office with carefully stage-managed images that will be seen around the world. Within hours of the event, Trump will take his seat behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office and launch what he calls ‘the biggest mass deportation in American history’.

“While the expulsion of illegal immigrants was a focal point of Trump’s election campaign, the precise details of how he intends to accomplish his goal of removing as many as 20 million people from US soil have largely remained unknown.

“The Mail on Sunday has spoken to those in Trump’s inner circle who say his immigration plans have been top of the list in discussions held at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida home, in the days since his crushing victory. One lawyer familiar with the talks told me: ‘Donald is preparing for a series of moves against illegal immigrants, which he says will cause ‘shock and awe’. Kicking out illegals was the mainstay of his run… The source claims Trump will immediately sign a series of executive orders… Citing an immigration crisis, he will temporarily shut the southern border to give officials a chance to clear a huge backlog of cases…

“There are plans to significantly increase the number of armed officers on horseback patrolling the rugged terrain close to the US’s border with Mexico. And, of course, construction will resume on the… wall running between the two countries…

“Trump plans to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which gives presidents the authority to detain and deport non-citizens from ‘hostile nations’ during times of war and conflict. The law was used to justify the building of Japanese internment camps during the Second World War. According to those familiar with Trump’s plans, he will target the 700,000 Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans and Nicaraguans he has branded ‘vicious criminals from countries that hate us’, who have been allowed to stay in the US under a Biden parole programme.

“And what if, as is highly likely, countries refuse to take back violent gang members? Trump will cut off aid and ban travellers from those countries from entering the US, even on tourist visas.

“’Step Two’ is to expel more than one million people whose applications to remain in the US have been denied and who are on the deportation list.

“Then the round-up of the millions of remaining illegal immigrants will begin as part of ‘Step Three’. Places of work, including farms and meatpacking plants, will be subject to raids (or ‘targeted enforcement activities’)… Individuals will be taken to ‘holding centres’ before their deportation is fast-tracked.

“Experts say the cost of the first two steps could be as much as $300 billion and the cost of expelling every illegal alien – something even Trump privately admits is impossible – could be as much as $1 trillion… Trump is considering deploying the military and National Guard to build ‘tent cities’ on unused federal land, including property belonging to schools and prisons…

“But it is the rounding up of the bulk of migrants under ‘Step Three’ that will likely produce the defining images of Trump’s second term. Many of these people will have children, after being in the US for years. Pictures of families being torn apart, of children being ripped from their parents’ arms, could backfire on Trump.

“But the lawyer who has been speaking to Trump’s team says: ‘What you have to remember is that President Obama deported five million people, and no one talks about that because he’s a Democrat.’ It was under Obama, he observes, that controversial chain-link fence enclosures – or cages – in deportation holding centres were first built. ‘President Trump has a professional team around him,’ says the lawyer. ‘The best of the best. They have been working on this immigration plan for years.’ And, crucially, Trump ‘has the mandate of the people’.

“He insists that the President-elect isn’t against immigration, pointing out that Trump is married to Melania, a Slovenian-American; his first wife Ivana was born in what was then Czechoslovakia; and Elon Musk, ‘his best buddy’, hails from South Africa…”

We will see if some, or all, of the plans described above will be carried out. As described above, some, if not many, of them do not look too good or just or godly.

Trump Will Declare National Emergency

Washington Examiner wrote on November 18:

“President-elect Donald Trump  confirmed on Truth Social early Monday morning that his incoming administration will declare a national emergency and use military resources to implement a mass deportation of illegal immigrants… the president-elect said he would ‘deport more illegal immigrants from the United States than any of his predecessors.’

“To implement such a plan and facilitate this initiative, Trump announced that Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, would be the ‘border czar’ for the Trump administration… Homan stressed that he would prioritize deporting the illegal immigrants who were already told to leave the country by a federal immigration judge but have defied those orders… Currently, there are an estimated 1.3 million illegal immigrants who were ordered to leave the country but ignored those orders and remained, the Wall Street Journal reported.”

DACA Recipients Brace for Trump’s Return 

Newsmax wrote on November 15:

“Advocates are advising beneficiaries of a program that protects illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to renew their status immediately, if eligible, because of President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations. Just a fraction of an estimated 3.6 million illegal immigrants brought to the country as children (called Dreamers) have sought legal protection under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The Obama-era policy protects qualifying Dreamers by temporarily shielding them from deportation and providing them work authorization with possible renewal every two years…

“During his first term, Trump tried to end DACA in 2017. But the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts, ruled in 2020 the Trump administration did not provide a reasoned explanation for ending DACA. But the court’s ruling allowed the administration to make another attempt to end the program if it used proper administrative procedures, including a well-reasoned explanation for its actions…”

And now, Republican judges are in the majority, 6 to 3. To abolish the protection for “Dreamers” would be absolutely unconscionable.

Is Fauci Finally Going to Pay For His Crimes?

Life Site News wrote on November 19:

“… the newly nominated U.S. Attorney General Matt Gaetz… declared, ‘The Hammer of Justice is coming [on Fauci].’… Anthony Fauci committed a federal crime [on May 11, 2021] by providing false testimony to Congress under oath…

“In June of this year, criminal referral requests against Anthony Fauci and other public health officials were submitted to District Attorneys in Louisiana…  the Trump administration will likely have no issue identifying federal crimes committed during the COVID-19 pandemic… some courts have already taken positive action. Last week, a Michigan jury awarded $12 million to a Blue Cross Blue Shield employee fired after refusing the COVID-19 ‘vaccine’: Much of the award – $10 million – is for punitive damages against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan…

“Another employee from Blue Cross Blue Shield that was fired for refusing to take a COVID-19 mRNA injection was awarded almost $700,000 by a federal jury. This was followed by a court ordering San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to pay $7.8 million to 6 workers fired for refusing COVID-19 mRNA injections.

“The jury awarded over $1 million to each of six former BART employees who were fired for seeking religious exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The court rejected BART’s claim of undue hardship, ruling the firings violated their religious rights. This landmark decision came after nearly three years of struggle.

“With a Robert F. Kennedy Jr.-led restructuring of public health agencies and a revamped Department of Justice, the scales of justice are expected to tip in favor of medical freedom and democracy as public and expert opinion continues to shift.”

Late—too late for many—but at least something is happening.

Gaetz Withdraws

Newsmax wrote on November 21:

“Matt Gaetz… withdrew from consideration for attorney general Thursday, saying he was ‘unfairly becoming a distraction’ to President-elect Donald Trump’s transition… his meetings with Republican senators this week reportedly revealed that his nomination would get rejected in confirmation hearings.”

Habeck Presses Charges Against His Critics

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 15:

“Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck has pressed charges against a man who posted a picture of him with a derogatory caption online… The public prosecutor’s office in Bamberg in northern Bavaria confirmed on Friday that the suspect’s flat had been searched, with a tablet device being seized, and that [Habeck] had asked authorities to prosecute an alleged insult against him…

“[The man] captioned the photo with a phrase that could be translated multiple ways in English, with one strong option being ‘professional idiot’ — with the German ‘Schwachkopf’ literally translating as ‘weak-head.’ The man… appeared to be trying to allude to an advertising campaign by the similarly-named hair care company Schwarzkopf Professional…

“At least in theory, any political officials in Germany — all the way from the chancellor to the municipal level — can press charges against perceived public insults, if they think they can demonstrate reputational harm or an impact on their ability to carry out their role.  If convicted, perpetrators can face a fine or up to three years in prison…”

Report 24 added on November 15 that Habeck, who wants to become Germany’s next Chancellor, has by now pressed 805 charges against German citizens for “inflicting reputational harm.”

Nius added on November 15::

“It is still hard to believe: Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) had filed a criminal complaint against a citizen who had insulted him as an ‘imbecile’. The renowned GDR historian Hubertus Knabe tells NIUS that this is definitely reminiscent of the abuse of justice in the communist German Democratic Republic….

“He thinks: ‘If a member of the government takes criminal action against a citizen because of such a statement, it has another dimension – and it is definitely reminiscent of the abuse of justice in the GDR… As a politician you have to endure more than normal citizens. Especially derogatory statements that are made emotionally – these are part of the political business. If you can’t stand that, then you’re in the wrong place in politics…”

These developments in Germany are truly “hard to believe”—unless you know biblical prophecy. The Bible tells us that Germany will become an absolute unhinged dictatorship. 

Scholz Calls Putin

Breitbart wrote on November 16:

“The German government has collapsed and is rapidly heading to snap elections in early 2025, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz has picked this moment to reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in two years to ask him to withdraw his troops from Ukraine…

“Per a German government spokesman, the call lasted for an hour and Scholz spent his time on the line with President Putin condemning the Russian war against Ukraine, calling on Moscow to enter negotiations, and urging for the Kremlin to end the conflict by withdrawing their troops. Scholz told Putin Russia had failed to achieve its war aims so it might as well now give up…

“German newspaper Die Welt states that in addition to asking Russia to end the war, Scholz also affirmed on behalf of Germany to President Putin the nation’s ‘unwavering determination’ to keep supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary… Ukraine reacted badly to the call. President Volodymyr Zelensky called it a ‘Pandora’s box’ moment that could lead to other conversations with the Russian leader. Zelensky said this is ‘exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time: it is crucial for him to weaken his isolation.’

“Russia reacted in turn, with their state media stating the country’s position was essentially unchanged, and President Putin has told Scholz Moscow would enter into negotiations to ‘settle the conflict’ as long as all of its conditions were met. While evidently, these are not acceptable to Ukraine or its Western backers, they nevertheless include Ukraine surrendering parts of its territory to the Russian Federation and then becoming a ‘non-aligned’ and demilitarized state…”

That Russia, according to Scholz, had not achieved its military goals and should therefore give up is a rather illusionary conclusion. In addition, Scholz is a lame-duck chancellor and does not speak for Germany at all anymore. It is not expected that Scholz will stay chancellor after the new elections, currently planned in February.

Biden Gives Green Light for Long-Range Missiles

The New York Post wrote on November 17:

“President Biden has reportedly given Ukraine permission to deploy US-supplied long-range missiles to attack targets in Russian territory just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Ukraine said it plans to take advantage of the policy change within days.

“The dramatic shift in policy comes as Ukraine has faced setbacks on the battlefield… Trump had pledged that he will end the war once he takes office in January… Looming over the decision was the Kremlin’s decision to deploy North Korean troops into the bloody war, which presents significant dangers for Ukraine…”

Breitbart added on November 17:

“[Biden’s] move… may escalate the conflict two months before President-Elect Donald Trump comes into office with a mandate to seek a peace settlement… The apparent about-face from the Biden administration may be seen as an attempt to undermine peace efforts by incoming President Donald Trump, who has already embarked upon unofficial diplomatic efforts to fulfil his promise of negotiating an end to the war…

“The ‘Weimar Triangle’ alliance of France, Germany, and Poland are… expected to meet alongside the UK and others next week to discuss potentially increasing European funding for the war if the incoming Trump administration seeks to limit aid to Ukraine. It is unclear, however, how much popular support would be for such a move, given the budget crises currently bedevilling the left-wing governments in Berlin, London, and Paris.”

So far, Scholz has steadfastly refused to allow German long-range missiles to be used to attack targets within Russia. He said he would not allow it even if the USA did… 

Will Scholz Make Room For Pistorius?

The Guardian wrote on November 19:

“Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz, is under mounting pressure to step aside as his party’s candidate for the job in February’s snap election in favour of his defence minister, Boris Pistorius, the most popular politician in the country… In a move drawing comparisons to Joe Biden’s decision to step aside for Kamala Harris as the Democratic party candidate in the US election, speculation is rife that the SPD could switch horses at roughly the same moment in the campaign, with about 100 days left.

“Scholz led a fractious three-way coalition from 2021 until it imploded this month after he fired his pro-business finance minister Christian Lindner. He has stated he is seeking a second term at the helm of the EU’s top economic power. But even his swift move… has failed to revive his political fortunes.

“A poll published on Tuesday showed Scholz slipping into last place among Germany’s top 20 politicians in terms of support, with the genial, politically deft Pistorius consistently holding on to the lead… Pistorius had repeatedly demurred when asked about ambitions to replace Scholz, citing loyalty and a commitment to the defence brief. But on Monday evening he shifted his tone, saying: ‘In politics you should never rule anything out.’… The defence minister has made his backing known for shipping long-range Taurus missiles long demanded by Ukraine, while Scholz this week again ruled out such a move over fears of escalation of the war…”

Politico added on November 20:

“Boris Pistorius, Germany’s current defense minister and a member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), consistently ranks as the most liked politician in the country. Scholz, on the other hand, ranks as one of the least popular politicians…

“Pistorius is known for his relatively hawkish views when it comes to providing arms to Ukraine and expanding Germany’s military. For this reason, he’s not necessarily a natural fit for a party that has traditionally sought to retain ties to Moscow and has remained skeptical of wielding military power.

“Despite that, many inside the SPD are arguing that Pistorius is the only one who can save the party from a stinging defeat in Germany’s early election, expected on Feb. 23, following the collapse of Scholz’s three-party coalition earlier this month…

“SPD leaders have sought to put speculation about a possible Pistorius candidacy to rest, vowing that Scholz remains the party’s top choice. But a growing number within the party’s rank and file are coming out to voice support for Pistorius…

“The goal, he has often said, is to make the German military ‘fit for war.’ Pistorius has also spearheaded a new recruitment effort based on a volunteer model in an effort to bolster Germany’s depleted military ranks… A few years ago, many voters would have rejected Pistorius’s talk of war readiness as militaristic. But Russia’s war on Ukraine has changed minds in Germany, and polls show most Germans favor more investment in their military. Pistorius has also quickly built up his international credentials. His frequent calls for Berlin to meet or exceed NATO’s 2-percent-of-GDP spending target have won him many fans among Western allies who have long urged German leaders to invest more in their military…

“But even if Scholz remains, his party is likely to lose the election, making it unlikely he will hold onto power within the SPD after it’s over. Pistorius, however, is likely to stick around. He could play a major part in any new government… Pistorius… may well end up serving again as defense minister in the next government. This, in turn, could put him in position to become the SPD’s chancellor candidate in the following federal election. In other words: Whatever the outcome of the current machinations inside the SPD, Pistorius appears set to play a key role for the SPD for years to come.”

Pistorius… someone to watch…

Pistorius Won’t Run for Chancellor

Deutsche Welle wrote on November 21:

“Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has published a video on the SPD’s social media accounts, saying he told the party leadership he ‘was not available’ to run for chancellor and would support Olaf Scholz’s reelection bid.”

For now… Pistorius is clearly someone to watch…

So Close to WW III

The Daily Mail wrote on November 19:

“Following President Vladimir Putin’s approval of new rules governing the use of nuclear weapons, the world has rarely been closer to World War III. Putin yesterday signed into law a revised ‘doctrine’ that would permit the Kremlin to authorise a nuclear strike if Russia is attacked by any country that is supported by a nuclear power after Ukraine fired an American-supplied, long-range missile into Russia for the first time.

“Since his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the despot has consistently threatened to deploy Moscow’s fearsome arsenal but his latest move brings the spectre of a nuclear holocaust ever closer.”

Ukraine Attacks Targets Inside Russia

Breitbart wrote on November 20:

“Ukrainian forces have attacked targets inside Russia with British-made Storm Shadow missiles for the first time… Ukrainians have deployed Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of around 250 km (155 miles), in an attack on the Kursk region of Russia, where Kyiv launched a surprise incursion over the summer…

“The use of long-range British missiles against targets inside Russia comes after lame duck U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly approved the use of 190 mile range (300 km) American Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles for similar strikes over the weekend after months of refusals over concern of escalating the conflict…

‘Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, who controls the world’s largest nuclear weapons arsenal, updated Moscow’s nuclear doctrine  this week to include ‘any attack’ sponsored by a nuclear power that threaten Russia’s ‘sovereignty’ or a ‘large-scale launch of enemy aircraft, missiles, and drones targeting Russian territory’ as justification for a nuclear response from the Kremlin. Ukraine’s reported use of U.S. made ATACMS and Storm Shadows from nuclear armed Britain may therefore qualify under the updated doctrine.

“The United States may have also been involved in the reported Storm Shadow strikes on Wednesday as well, with the Times of London reporting that it is believed that Washington provides navigation assistance for such missile strikes…”

The USA is truly playing with (nuclear) fire.

“Biden’s Missile Crisis”

On November 20, the Ron Paul Institute published the following article by Dennis J. Kucinich, a U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1997 to 2013. He was also a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States in 2004 and 2008:

“When President Biden approved the use of supersonic Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike Russia, he placed in jeopardy the national security of the United States, the safety of our troops abroad and violated the U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, which provides that only Congress can declare war. Biden has made a decision to insert the U.S. into an unambiguous, escalatory phase, using the territory of Ukraine to attack Russia directly with missiles which can reach 190 miles deep.  This is an illegal act by the President which puts our nation on a path to war with Russia.  

“The American people voted for Trump to end the wars. Biden apparently wants to end the world. Trump is listening to the American people. Biden is listening to NATO’s malignant agenda…

“No President has the right to use unilateral executive authority to permit a U.S. missile strike against another nation. It invites a retaliatory attack.  It is an impeachable offense… The specter of WWIII has  loomed before,  in October of 1962, when the Soviet Union used the territory of Cuba to place offensive missiles just 90 miles away from the American mainland. Absent the wisdom of President Kennedy and the forbearance of Nikita Krushchev, the world was on a path to nuclear annihilation. 

“If Krushchev had ‘permitted’ Russian missiles to be launched at the U.S.  from Cuba, you would not be reading this.

“It is magical thinking that U.S. missiles can be used to attack Russia without consequences.  Now it is Putin who must exercise forbearance…

“Western vainglorious cynicism, together with hundreds of billions of dollars for weapons, shoved Ukraine into an unwinnable conflict… Now, as U.S. missiles rain down on Russia, a counterstrike will occur, spreading ever wider the misery which has enveloped Ukraine.  

“The Biden Administration, in the face of the Afghanistan withdrawal debacle, rejected a Ukrainian-Russian diplomatic settlement more than two years ago, and continued financing the war for domestic political reasons, giving Americans a false hope for victory over Russia…”

Russia Fires Intercontinental Missile

Reuters wrote on November 21:

“Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from its southern Astrakhan region during a morning attack on Ukraine on Thursday, Kyiv’s air force said, the first time Russia has used such a powerful, long-range missile during the war. 

“The strike comes after Ukraine used U.S. and British missiles to strike targets inside Russia this week, something Moscow had warned for months would be seen as a major escalation. … The missiles have a range of thousands of kilometres and can be used for delivering nuclear warheads, though they can also have conventional warheads…”

No Intercontinental Missile?

Deutsche Welle reported on November 21:

“President Vladimir Putin said on Russian television that a new intermediate-range missile had been fired at Ukraine, hours after claims from Kyiv of the first known use of an even longer-range intercontinental ballistic missile… He said Russia would have the ‘right’ to strike countries whose weapons were used by Ukraine to strike Russia.”

Whatever the missile was, the escalation is continuing…

Willing to Cede Crimea?

Fox News reported on November 20:

“Zelenskyy told Fox News that his country ‘cannot legally acknowledge any occupied territory of Ukraine as Russian,’ when asked if he was willing to cede land as part of a peace deal…. ‘We cannot spend dozens of thousands of our people so that they perish for the sake of Crimea coming back… we understand that Crimea can be brought back diplomatically.’…

“Zelenskyy told Fox News his country will keep fighting without the support of the U.S., but believes his side will ultimately lose the war if the U.S. withdraws its military funding…”

Coming… the Third Temple

Life Site News wrote on November 15:

“Netanyahu has gained religious Zionist support by… supporting the rebuilding of the Third Temple…

“The rebuilding of the Third Temple, which several Trump appointees appear to support and Mike Huckabee [the designated US ambassador to Israel] definitely does, would also require the destruction of the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third most holy site in Islam. That would be certain to lead to a much larger conflict, or Armaggedon, with all of the world’s Muslims. Increasing indications of Zionist threats to the mosque were said to be one of the major reasons for the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.”

Boris Johnson: The UK Just Like the Soviet Union

The Daily Mail wrote on November 16:

“… two Essex police officers visited newspaper columnist Allison Pearson following a complaint about a social media post from a year ago, which has since been deleted. Ms Pearson says she has not been told which message generated the accusation, or who made it. Mr [Boris] Johnson said that was ‘obviously wrong, and tyrannical, and redolent of the Soviet Union at its worst’. ‘The police should clearly abandon immediately their investigation into this deleted tweet,’ he said. ‘The whole thing would be a complete joke, if it were not so serious for Allison Pearson – and for all of us living in Starmer’s Britain today.’

“Sir Keir this week backed their use, prompting Mr Johnson to attack the PM’s ‘deathless skill in plonking himself on the wrong side of the argument’. ‘If someone doesn’t like what you have said, you can be done for a non-crime hate incident, or worse, and be damned for ever. Isn’t it a nightmare? ‘It’s certainly a disaster for policing, because good officers are having to waste their time on this nonsense, so that they can’t attend burglaries; and every hour that they spend scanning the ether for ‘offensive’ tweets is an hour they can’t spend on the beat deterring the criminal gangs who swipe your mobile phone.’” 

Not just the UK… As the article above showed, it’s happening in Germany too…

Witchcraft On the Rise

CBN News wrote on October 28:

“From dabblers to hard-core practitioners, witchcraft has been on the rise in the U.S. in recent years… The occult has gained popularity in the political realm as well, once again on display during this election season.

“In the lead-up to the presidential election, witches were trying to cast spells against Donald Trump, but this time around they were reportedly frustrated that their spells weren’t working…

“The trendiness of witchcraft on social media makes some young people believe it’s just a harmless hobby. But people who used to be practitioners of witchcraft warn it is real, and it eventually destroys the person practicing it.  CBN News has spoken with an ex-witch named Jenny Weaver… ‘I had such a fear that gripped my life. It crippled me. The next thing that I knew, I was seeing things, hearing things, and I was being tortured by demonic spirits that had come in through the use of witchcraft. It was a very scary time. I didn’t even want to close my eyes to wash my face. I was that terrified. If you think that it is innocent I am telling you it will take you down a road you do not want to go down…’”

It is dangerous and foolish to get involved in witchcraft. Please read again our Q&A from last week, https://www.eternalgod.org/how-can-satan-and-his-demons-appear-to-you/

More Foolishness of the Evolution Theory

Daily Mail wrote on November 14:

“Octopuses are the species that are most likely to take over the world after humans, scientists say… [being] primed to become the dominant force on Earth should humanity die out.  In the event of a wipeout through either wars or climate change, the marine invertebrates are said to possess the ‘physical and mental attributes necessary’ to evolve into the next civilisation-building species… they could create complex tools to build a vast Atlantis-like civilisation underwater. And although the octopus is ‘unlikely’ to develop into a full land animal, it was clever enough to ‘extend’ its time out the water to develop new methods of hunting…

“Professor Coulson, who is one of the world’s leading zoologists and biologists and has advised governments, said the cephalopods were now in ‘pole position’ to colonise the world in the event humanity dies out… The professor said the predators – which can breathe for 30 minutes out of water – could, over millions of years, develop their own methods of hunting on land in much the same way as humans have done at sea.

“This could include SCUBA-like breathing gear to extend the time they can remain out of the water, he said… the creatures… could conceivably build underwater cities and towns akin to those we recognise on land. Thanks to evolution, it is ‘possible, if not probable’ that they could develop their own methods of breathing out of water and hunt prey like deer, sheep and other mammals on land…” 

Have you ever read such nonsense? Words fail… 

Extraordinary Finds of Remains of Extinct Animals

The Sun wrote on November 16:

“SCIENTISTS have uncovered a perfectly preserved sabre-toothed tiger cub frozen deep in Siberian ice. The extinct beast was found complete with its fur and sharp claws intact as the remarkable discovery is believed to be over 35,000 years old… The pristine remains of the three-week-old kitten were first found in 2020 in the Russian Republic of Sakha, along the Badyarikha River…

“Frozen remains of mammals from around this time are said to be ‘very rare,’ the researchers claim… It comes as the world’s tiniest dinosaur egg from a whopping 80 million years ago has also been discovered ‘perfectly preserved.’… Another ancient discovery saw miners stumble upon a preserved woolly rhino… The magnificent 10,000-year-old beast was found by gobsmacked workers while digging for gold…

“There are hopes of bringing such extinct animals —  including woolly mammoths – back to life by using DNA found on such carcasses preserved in the  ice….”

The given dates are surely debatable, but the excavations could lead to scientists’ foolish interest in trying to “recreate” or bring “back to life” dangerous and vicious animals.

Why the Fall of the Ancient Roman Empire?

The Daily Mail wrote on November 16:

“Scientists have uncovered an unlikely event that led to the eastern Roman Empire’s collapse 1,500 years ago. They discovered that the Romans miscalculated their Persian opponents which caused their downward spiral, leaving them weak and allowing Islam to rise in a manner that essentially wiped out the once-powerful civilization. The two groups were at war from 54 BC to 628 for control of territories, but the Persians took over Roman trade routes that were critical to their victory.

“Without access to trade, the economy quickly collapsed and forced people in the Roman Empire to flee to other regions like Constantinople, the researchers said… The researchers said during the 2nd century AD, the number of Roman shipwrecks stayed consistent with between 200 and 300 occurring every 50 years. ‘Then, at the very end of the 5th century, there is a sharp decline of almost fifty percent in shipwreck numbers,’ the team shared. ‘The reason for such a severe reduction was most probably due to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the late 5th century. ‘The fall of the west also symbolized the decline of the city of Rome and other western trade cities and their hinterlands, and their subsequent reduction in population.’

“The data also showed the number of vessels dropped to just 67 by the second half of the 7th century, signifying that their trade routes were cut off. ‘This decline was most probably an outcome of the Persian war, and the Islamic conquest shortly after, which deprived Constantinople of most of the territories that were previously under the rule of the Eastern Roman Empire,’ said the researchers…”

It was prophesied that the Roman Empire would fall but be revived ten times throughout history. 

Noah’s Ark… Located?

Israel 365 News wrote on November 17:

“In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have deciphered what is believed to be the world’s oldest map—a 3,000-year-old Babylonian clay tablet that may reveal the location of Noah’s Ark. The artifact, known as the Imago Mundi, has been housed in the British Museum since 1882 after its discovery in what is now Iraq… According to the Bible… the flood lasted 150 days, after which the ark came to rest on the ‘mountains of Ararat.’

“Dr. Irving Finkel, Assistant Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian script at the British Museum, led the team that unlocked the tablet’s secrets. The Imago Mundi depicts a circular world map showing ancient Mesopotamia at its center, surrounded by a ‘bitter river’ that the Babylonians believed encircled the world. The tablet’s most intriguing features are found on its reverse side, which contains detailed travel instructions leading to a location called ‘Urartu’—the Assyrian equivalent of the Biblical ‘Ararat.’ Dr. Finkel explains: ‘The first place you come to is called “Urartu”, it’s drawn on the map. Now, the interesting thing about that is that in the Bible Noah, in his Ark, landed on a mountain where the name is “Ararat” and “Ararat” is the Hebrew equivalent of the Assyrian “Urartu.’”…

“The Biblical flood story closely parallels an earlier Babylonian version, where a man named Utnapishtim… builds the ark at divine command. In the Babylonian account, the god Ea sends the flood, and Utnapishtim’s family and the animals survive by landing at one of Urartu’s peaks… As Dr. Finkel concludes, ‘From the Babylonian point of view, this was a matter of fact thing’…”

Many findings point at the strong possibility that Noah’s Ark is still up there on the mountain of Ararat in Turkey. 

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 are under the misimpression that no matter what we do, God will always love us. Not too long ago, we published four Q&As on the concept of “unconditional love.” We follow up on them in this Q&A and add some clarifying comments, lest someone misunderstands.

In part 1 of our series (https://www.eternalgod.org/does-god-love-everyone-does-the-bible-teach-unconditional-love-part-1/), we stated the following, citing and then discussing Paul’s words in Romans 9:9-13:

‘”For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”’…

“In Romans 9:13, God explains that He CALLED Jacob, and that He did NOT CALL Esau at that time. We need to understand that God had decided to call or choose for salvation certain ones ‘before the foundation of the world’ (Ephesians 1:3-4). We don’t know exactly, and God does not reveal, on what basis He chooses and elects those whom He had preordained, but we know that He does make such an election, as the Bible tells us so. In calling Jacob, God loved him in a special way, by opening his understanding to His truth, and by ultimately granting him His Holy Spirit [during his life, as he will be in the first resurrection, compare Hebrews 11:9]. God did not call Esau AT THAT TIME. He WILL call Esau and all of his descendants later…

“By comparison, God ‘loved’ Jacob more than Esau. God’s ‘love’ needs to be understood in light of God’s calling at that time. In not calling someone to repentance and to the understanding of His truth, God ‘loves’ such a person ‘less’ by comparison — at that moment in time — but not forever. God knows that such a person, still cut off from Him, will engage in sinful ways, bringing about automatic penalties…

“… We might also note that the Bible itself sometimes describes ‘hate’ as ‘love less by comparison.’ In Luke 14:26 we read that Christ tells us, ‘If anyone comes to Me and does not HATE his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.’ In the parallel passage, in Matthew 10:37, the word ‘hate’ is described as ‘love less by comparison.’ We read, ‘He who loves his father or mother MORE than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter MORE than Me is not worthy of Me.’ In other words, we must love them LESS, by comparison, than Jesus Christ…”

We also explained that the word “hate,” in the context, can quite literally mean hating the evil in others and in ourselves.

Even though in Paul’s statement in Romans 9, the reference is clearly to the timing of God’s calling, in God’s original statement in the Old Testament, God’s condemnation of Esau is more encompassing and does not limit it to the time of God’s calling to salvation. Therefore, the meaning of this phrase can have a dual meaning. We read in Malachi 1:2-3:

“‘I have loved you,’ says the LORD. ‘Yet you say, “In what way have You loved us?” Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?’ Says the LORD. ‘Yet Jacob I have loved; But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.’”

Somehow, God’s “love” for Jacob and His “hatred” for Esau were associated with the character of these two individuals and their offspring. God, who knows our hearts, saw in Esau really bad character traits. He is referred in Hebrew 12:16 as a “profane” or “godless” person.

We continue quoting from the above-cited Q&A:

“Sometimes, Scriptures may suggest that God does not only hate the sin, but also the sinner. For instance, we read in Psalm 5:4-6: ‘For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.’

“Psalm 11:5-6 states: ‘… the wicked and the one who loves violence His [the LORD’s] soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup.’

“Furthermore, Psalm 7:11 states: ‘God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.’…

“God is angry with and hates the wicked behavior of the sinner… When biblical passages say that God hates the workers of iniquity and the wicked persons, then the sin or wickedness is ‘personified.’ Such usage of words is not uncommon in the Bible (compare Romans 7:8, 11, 17). But… God loves the sinner (but not his sinful way, nor does He love what he is doing) and because of His love for him, He is willing to give him the opportunity to repent and submit to and love Him.”

Before elaborating on these statements, let us first note how God’s great love is described, and in what context.

1 John 4:9-10, 16 says:

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”

Notice, God’s love is described here in relationship to those whom He has called in this day and age. The same is true for the next two passages:

In Galatians 2:20, Paul states: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in [better: of] the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” And also in Ephesians 2:2-4: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”

Apart from God’s love for those whom He calls to salvation, He expressed His love, for example, for His people Israel whom He called to have a special physical relationship with Him, without offering them the Holy Spirit and salvation at that time.

In Jeremiah 31:3-4, we read about the nation of Israel:

“The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel!…’”

His love for Israel is described as everlasting as He knew that Israel would be brought to repentance even in a physical sense, and so God, out of love for them, would restore them as a nation following God.

In Deuteronomy 7:7-8, we read:

“The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”

But notice God’s warning, following in verses 9 and 10:

“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face.”

A still stronger statement can be found in Isaiah 63:9-10:

“In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old. But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them.”

Based on these passages and the fact that God hates evil conduct, it would be incorrect to state that God loves everybody, regardless as to how they live. God is love; this means, there would be no love except for God. But love does not exclude hatred. We quoted above Psalms 5, 7 and 11, stating that although it says that God hates the wicked, He actually hates their wicked conduct. This is true, as far as it goes. But what if the wicked does not repent of his wicked conduct? Is it still correct to say that God loves the unrepentant sinner who refuses to repent? Since God is love, does this mean that He loves Satan and his demons? Can God’s love cease to be expressed towards others in certain circumstances?

Focusing again on Psalm 5:5, let us read the passage in context:

In Psalm 5:4-6, it is stated:

“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.”

Even though it is the sin, expressed by man, which God hates, He does not love the sinner to the extent that He lets him go unpunished. The sinner is responsible for his conduct, and so God will destroy him, unless he repents. God will DESTROY those who speak falsehoods. In the final analysis, unless they repent, they will be cast into the lake of fire to be burned up.

We say this in our Q&A  https://www.eternalgod.org/does-god-love-everyone-does-the-bible-teach-unconditional-love-part-3/ :

“After Christ gave His life, He wanted that those whom He would call—now or later—to believe in Him. Their faith was supposed to be obedient faith (Romans 1:5). And in loving God, by keeping His commandments, they would keep themselves in the love of God (Jude 21). They would not continue to live a disobedient lifestyle, as expressed by John in 1 John 3:17: ‘But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?’

“And so, we read the following alarming pronouncement by Christ in Matthew 24:48-51: ‘But if that evil servant says in his heart, “My master is delaying his coming,” and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“This evil servant is one who has committed the unpardonable sin, and whose fate it is to be thrown into the lake of fire where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth (compare Matthew 13:41-42, 49-50). But before he ends up in the lake of fire, he will be ‘cut in two.’ This ‘correction’ is not for the purpose of leading him towards salvation; rather, it is punishment for his evil deeds with which he influenced and tortured others, without a willingness to repent. His punishment reflects God’s love for others, as well as His righteousness, which demands that the sinner has to pay. It is clearly NOT a reflection of God’s ‘unconditional’ love for the incorrigible sinner.

“These people had lost God’s love which had been poured in their hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). They had chosen the way of hate and unrighteousness. Christ who gave His life for them when they were still sinners will not have ‘unconditional’ love for them when they are to be punished for their wickedness [by suffering] the second death (Revelation 20:14).”

What we should take from the above-quoted comments is that we may lose God’s love; or better put, that God may stop loving us, depending on our conduct. And this does not only speak about those who have committed the unpardonable sin. Even people, who may not have received God’s Holy Spirit, but who might have a relationship with God in other ways, can come to the point, depending on their evil conduct, that God ceases to love them, at least until they come to repentance.

We read in Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8: “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven… A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.”

This would apply to God, too, depending on the circumstances. 

Notice the following passage in Hosea 9:1, 9, 12, 15-17:

“Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other peoples, For you have played the harlot against your God. You have made love for hire on every threshing floor… They are deeply corrupted, As in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity; He will punish their sins… Though they bring up their children, Yet I will bereave them to the last man. Yes, woe to them when I depart from them!… All their wickedness is in Gilgal, For there I hated them. Because of the evil of their deeds I will drive them from My house; I will love them no more. All their princes are rebellious. Ephraim is stricken, Their root is dried up; They shall bear no fruit. Yes, were they to bear children, I would kill the darlings of their womb… My God will cast them away, Because they did not obey Him; And they shall be wanderers among the nations.”

Because God’s love ceased for them (“I hated them”… “I will love them no more”), they will be punished and destroyed. That should be a warning for all of us not to test God and rebel against Him, thinking that God who “loves everybody” could in no way cease to love us. This is decisively not true.

The Berean Study Bible comments:

“The expression (“I hated them”) is a strong description of God’s response to Israel’s sin. [It] conveys intense aversion and rejection. [It is] a divine response to persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry. It reflects God’s holiness and justice, as well as the seriousness of Israel’s covenant violations… The phrase ‘I will no longer love them’ is a poignant declaration of the withdrawal of God’s… love. The Hebrew word for ‘love’ encompasses loyalty, affection, and commitment. This statement does not imply a change in God’s character but rather a response to Israel’s persistent unfaithfulness.”

Barnes Notes on the Bible adds:

“For there I hated them – ‘There, in the very place where heretofore I shewed such great tokens of love to, and by My gracious presence with, them, “even there I have hated them” and now hate them.’ ‘He saith not, there was I angry, or displeased with them, but in a word betokening the greatest indignation, ‘I hated them.’ Great must needs be that wickedness which provoked the Father of mercies to so great displeasure as to say, that He ‘hated them;’ and severe must needs be those judgments which are as effects of hatred and utter [aversion] of them, in Him.”

The Jamieson-Fausset and Brown commentary adds: “‘there I hated them’—not with the human passion, but holy hatred of their sin…”

The Pulpit commentary writes:

“‘For the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of my house, I will love them no more.’ They were driven out like Hagar out of the house of the patriarch, that Ishmael might not inherit with Isaac; like an unfaithful wife divorced and driven out of the house of the husband whom she has dishonored; or like an undutiful and disobedient son whom his father has disinherited. Further, God disowns the rebellious son, and acknowledges the paternal relationship no longer.”

Yes, God chastens us because He loves us, wanting us to repent (Revelation 3:19). But when repentance is ignored and rejected, and harsh punishment may still not lead to repentance, then God’s love for us may cease, as His chastisement may not do us any good. Notice Isaiah 1:4-5:

“Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward. Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, And the whole heart faints.”

Let us make sure that we remain in God’s love so that we will never hear God say to us: “I will love you no more.”

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

A memorial service for Margaret Adair will be held on Sunday, December 15. The exact time and location will be announced soon. If you are interested in attending, please contact Johanna.Link@cox.net. 

“So Close to World War III,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

Nuclear World War III is coming, but not in the way most suspect. Still, the terrible recent developments involving the war between Russia and Ukraine – and the conduct of Western nations, including the USA and Britain – have brought the “spectre of a nuclear holocaust ever closer” (Daily Mail, November 19). And what can we say about “Biden’s Missile Crisis?,” as Democratic author Dennis J. Kucinich described it?

“Dem Dritten Weltkrieg sehr nahe!” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

A new member letter has been written by Michael Link and will be posted and sent out soon. The letter includes reports on the Feast sites in 2024 in the USA and Germany and encourages all of us to grow in faith and to rely on God in everything.

“Die letzten Worte Jesu am Kreuz,” last Sabbath’s German sermonette by Tahir Coban, is now posted. Title in English: “The Last Words of Jesus on the Cross.” 

“A Mind to Work,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Even when facing opposition, we can be confident that God’s work is worth doing. In the story of Nehemiah, the Jews rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem facing ridicule and adversity. Through their perseverance, dedication, and unwavering focus, they succeeded. What can we learn from their example that can help us succeed in our endeavors?

“Why Are There Preachers?” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Are preachers chosen by God, or can just anyone—man, woman or child—decide on their own to preach? Do preachers have a specific message to proclaim, and does God give extra power to His preachers? Also, will those who preach be held accountable for what they teach? Do Christians really need preachers?