Update 1010

On February 19, 2022, Eric Rank will present the sermonette, titled, “Wrapped Around the Axle,” and Dave Harris will present the sermon, titled, “The Power of Mercy!”

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 define our relationships within the Church of God? We say we are members. We might refer to being among the called of God. We might even reference ourselves by the group we meet with—the Worldwide Church of God is a reference for some who have had a long time association with the Church.

But, at the end of the day, if we have the Holy Spirit of God, we are brethren. Brethren with each other, and—most importantly—brethren of Jesus Christ!

How does God look upon us—the elect, the called of God, the firstfruits of salvation (Compare James 1:18)? Note how God identifies us, when He says, “‘I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty’” (2 Corinthians 6:18); Also, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14).

God the Father calls Jesus Christ His Son (Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5). And of Christians, this is said:

“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren…” (Hebrews 2:10-11).

Because we are brethren, with Christ and with one another, we bear great responsibility before God—to behave with the same kind of love amongst ourselves as Christ did—and as He continues to do for us:

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:12-13).

The Apostle Peter adds this:

“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart…” (1 Peter 1:22).

You know, I have heard these words, these vibrant instructions, before—as many of you have. For far too many, these were words heard but not words heeded. The foundational principal of loving one another got lost along the way, but if we are to remain faithful to the end, we must love, not only God, not only Jesus Christ, but the rest of the Family of God—the brethren!

by Norbert Link

We begin with reports about President Joe Biden, which do not show a very flattering picture, as he is losing more and more popularity and credibility, while supporting a radical left-wing pro-LGBT agenda. We also address new developments in the “Russiagate” scandal, which are largely ignored by the left-wing mass media.

We continue with the events in Canada regarding the Trucker Freedom convoy, pointing out that the movement has now spread to numerous countries around the world, including the USA, Europe and Australia.  In his desperate fight against the truckers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has now invoked the totalitarian Emergencies Act—an ill-conceived and extremely divisive move which might backfire. More and more disturbing news about Trudeau comes to light. Note our recent StandingWatch program, titled, “Why Canada’s Justin Trudeau Is so Dangerous.” 

We report on the fear of war in Europe over the Russia-Ukraine situation with seemingly unsuccessful attempts to persuade Vladimir Putin to change course; and we point out the re-election of Germany’s President who is unwilling to take any positions, and we conclude with an article claiming that the Vatican is in possession of the original Temple treasuries.

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

Biden in Free Fall

CNN wrote on February 11:

“A nation exhausted by a two-year pandemic, struggling against rising food and gas prices, driven to distraction by school closures and torn apart by a political schism that erupted in violence is far from at ease with itself. The sense of turmoil was captured in a new CNN/SSRS poll released Thursday that showed waning faith in US elections and found that most of the nearly 60% of Americans who disapprove of how Biden is handling his presidency were unable to name one single thing they like that he has done…

“Also on Thursday there was news that a key measure of inflation had climbed to near-40-year high last month…

“37% of Americans saying Biden did not legitimately win enough votes to be president…

“This foul national mood is primarily a disaster in the making for Democrats in November’s midterm elections, but it’s been a long time coming…

“Just 41% of those asked approve of the way Biden is handling his job. His approval rating on the economy has dropped to 37% — down 8 points since early December alone…”

We omitted to cite the typical left-wing pro-Biden and anti-Trump propaganda in CNN’s article, which borders at times on the ridiculousness. But what we did quote speaks for itself.

Biden Interview with Lester Holt

The Blaze wrote on February 11:

“On Tuesday, the Washington Post released an article detailing an Army report that contains documents and sworn testimony from U.S. military commanders involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal last summer. The 2,000-page investigative report… claimed that White House and State Department officials failed to understand and prepare for how fast the Taliban would capture Kabul. The report claimed that senior officials disregarded advice by military commanders to prepare for the evacuation of embassy staffers and Afghan allies as the Taliban marched toward the capital city. In the end,  13 American service members and more than 180 Afghan civilians were killed in August by an ISIS-K suicide bomb attack outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport during the frantic evacuation.

“During the ‘NBC Nightly News’ interview [with NBC’s Lester Holt], President Biden said he rejected the findings of the report…  Biden then had difficulty remembering which country he was talking about. ‘And, and there was no way we were ever going to unite Ukraine, I mean, excuse me, Iraq, Afghanistan,’ Biden said…

“President Biden got a bit peeved during the interview when Holt asked about the latest inflation report  from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On Thursday, it was announced that the consumer price index rose in January to an annual rate of 7.5% – the highest inflation rate in 40 years. In July, President Biden said that inflation would be temporary. Holt told Biden, ‘I think a lot of Americans are wondering what your definition of temporary is.’ Biden responded, ‘Well, you’re being a wise guy with me a little bit, and I understand that’s your job.’ He then blamed the supply chain crisis for inflation…

“On the topic of Russia potentially invading Ukraine, Biden told American citizens living there to ‘leave now’… Holt asked the commander in chief if there was a scenario in which he would send troops to Ukraine to rescue American citizens, to which Biden replied, ‘There’s not. That’s a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another.’”

Neither does NATO have any plans to send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia.

Biden’s Mental Decline

Express wrote on February 10:

“JOE BIDEN has reportedly been asked to take a ‘cognitive test’ after nearly forty House Republicans addressed a letter to the US President outlining their concerns…  The letter, revealed by the Daily Mail, reportedly included recent examples of Mr Biden’s ‘mental decline’ as well as recent public blunders…

“Mr Jackson told Fox News: ‘As a former physician to three Presidents of the United States, I know what it takes mentally and physically to execute the duties of Commander-in-Chief and Head of State….’”

While more and more questions are being asked about Mr. Biden’s mental capacity to lead the country, he and many of his Democratic colleagues seem to be giving in to extreme left-wing members of his party, as the next article shows. But even some “RINOs” seem to become blind in the left eye.  

Biden’s Far Left Pro-LGBT Agenda

 LifeSiteNews wrote on February 11:

“The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed a bill that would allow the Biden administration to sanction foreign individuals who oppose LGBT ideology. The so-called Global Respect Act (GRA) cleared the House in a 227-206 vote Wednesday, with six Republicans joining all Democrats in support.

“The GRA would empower the White House to impose visa bans on foreigners deemed responsible for or ‘complicit’ in violations of ‘internationally recognized human rights’ against people who identify as ‘LGBTQI.’ The broadly-worded bill, which applies to private citizens, defines violations as ‘cruel and degrading treatment’ and ‘flagrant denial’ of the right to ‘liberty,’ among other things.

“The findings of the bill specifically take aim at laws in dozens of countries that prohibit sodomy and other homosexual activity, as well as ‘policies or laws that would further target LGBTQI individuals.’ More than 70 nations, including much of Africa and the Middle East, currently ban homosexual acts.

“Individuals sanctioned under the GRA and their immediate family would be unable to enter the United States and would be ineligible for U.S. visas. The bill would also require the U.S. State Department to designate a senior officer to track restrictions of ‘fundamental freedoms’ ‘based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics.’ And the measure urges the White House to ‘impose additional targeted sanctions’ through existing means…

“The Biden White House released a statement endorsing the bill last week. The statement also celebrated the administration’s ‘historic actions’ to advance  ‘LGBTQI+ equality,’ such as flying the ‘Pride’ flag at U.S. embassies…

“The Catholic Church, of which Joe Biden professes to be a member, has always condemned homosexuality as intrinsically evil and disordered and similarly rejects transgenderism. The Vatican has denounced LGBT ‘gender identities’ as based on ‘nothing more than a confused concept of freedom in the realm of feelings and wants.’

“Pro-family and religious freedom advocates have strongly criticized the Global Respect Act… ‘The far Left frequently asserts that even the failure to affirm someone’s sexual orientation and gender identity is a denial of human rights,’ wrote Arielle Del Turco of Family Research Council. ‘If that’s how the State Department would interpret the Global Respect Act, then foreign individuals such as pastors, teachers, judges, journalists, or private citizens voicing opinions rooted in their faith are at risk of being victimized by this bill.’

“During floor debate on the bill Wednesday, Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney of New York warned that vague terms in the bill, like ‘cruel and degrading treatment,’ could allow for prosecutions of free speech, religious exercise, and parental decision-making… ‘Is a parent who rejects her minor child’s wish for a sex change operation complicit in cruelty?’ Tenney asked. ‘Is the Pope engaging in degrading treatment when he expresses opposition to same-sex marriage?’”

The far-left agenda is clearly on display, and most are too blind to see it.

Hillary Clinton the Real Villain in “Russiagate” Scandal?

Fox News reported on February 15:

“The stunning revelation that lawyers for the Hillary Clinton campaign paid a computer technology company to surveil a sitting president, Donald Trump, shows that more than half a dozen crimes may have been committed to advance the false accusation that he colluded with Russia…

“After a 22-month probe, Special Counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence of a criminal collusion conspiracy because none ever existed.  U.S. Attorney John Durham was then tasked to investigate how the odious lie arose and whether crimes were perpetrated to accomplish it. Later elevated to special counsel status, Durham has indicted three people so far as he continues to doggedly pursue his investigation of wrongdoing by others.

“In a recent federal court filing, he disclosed that Clinton campaign lawyers hired a tech company to ‘infiltrate’ computer servers housed in Trump Tower, and later, the White House.  As first reported by Fox News, the goal was to generate an ‘inference’ or ‘narrative’ that Trump was colluding with Russia and then feed the phony information to the FBI to trigger an investigation of him. The methods behind the brazen smear were remarkably devious. The tech outfit exploited its access to non-public and proprietary internet data on servers at Trump Tower and the White House, according to Durham. It was equivalent of breaking into a computer except the technicians had special access since the company was performing what’s called ‘resolution services’ on those highly sensitive accounts. The cyber sleuths then covertly penetrated the servers without authorization…  It was insinuated that Trump and his associates were secretly communicating with Russia.

“Naturally, the media was tipped off and went full-throttle with wild claims that Trump was a Russian asset… Shockingly, the surreptitious intrusions continued when the new president moved into the White House.  But no evidence of Russian collusion was discovered because it was, after all, a cunning hoax conjured up by Hillary [Clinton] and her acolytes…

“Evidence of [Hillary Clinton’s] role has slowly emerged from declassified records. It was July 26, 2016, when Clinton personally approved the plot to vilify Trump with the bogus collusion claims, according to CIA documents… as a strategy to distract from her own email scandal. Two days later, President Obama was alerted but appears to have done nothing except keep the matter concealed. Intelligence officials then sent an investigative referral on Clinton to then-FBI Director James Comey and his deputy, Peter Strzok. Predictably, it was buried. …

“Clinton… was the architect and master designer of the greatest mass delusion in American political history.  Unraveling her web of deceit is John Durham’s immense challenge.”

Predictably, the mass media buried the story.  

Deliberate Attempts of Mass Media to Deceive the Public

The New York Post wrote on February 15:

“It is awfully late in the game to be surprised that our national press corps puts its political agenda ahead of the national interest, but the refusal to treat the Durham probe with the seriousness it deserves takes the dereliction to a new level. The refusal involves deliberate attempts to mislead the public. 

“Then again, the motive is obvious. Giving Durham his due would require the media to re-examine its role in perpetuating the dirtiest dirty trick in American political history. They won’t do that re-examination now for the same reason they wouldn’t do it after Robert Mueller couldn’t find the Trump-Russia collusion the press and Democrats insisted was in plain sight. The truth of how they screwed up would destroy careers and ruin reputations…

“Yet even now, nearly six years after the Russia lies first burst into the headlines, it still boggles the mind that the scam succeeded for as long as it did. Key among the unanswered questions is how Clinton operatives managed to sell the FBI, the Obama-Biden White House and the Washington media the lie that Russia and Trump were working together to steal the 2016 election. What we do know is that once that sale was made, all the rules about fairness and due process were jettisoned like so much trash. In the rush to demonize Trump and elect Clinton, trusted institutions abandoned their standards and shattered their public trust.

“And to judge from the reaction to Durham’s latest court filings, those same individuals and institutions intend to defend their misconduct with all their power…”

Shame on them.

Ambassador Bridge Open

The Associated Press wrote on February 14:

“The busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing… was open again Monday after police removed the last of the protesters who had bottled up the Ambassador Bridge for nearly a week in a demonstration against Canada’s virus restrictions. But the larger truck-borne protest in the capital, Ottawa, persisted as city residents seethed over authorities’ inability to reclaim the streets.

“Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that on March 1, the province will drop its requirement that people show proof of vaccination to get into restaurants, gyms and sporting events. A surge of cases caused by the omicron variant has crested in Canada. The province will also remove its 50% capacity limit on restaurants on Thursday, four days earlier than planned. Ford gave no timetable for dropping the requirement that people wear masks in public places.

“‘Let me [be] very clear: We are moving in this direction because it is safe to do so. Today’s announcement is not because of what’s happening in Ottawa or Windsor but despite it,’ Ford said.”

If you want to believe that…

Canada’s Fight Against the Freedom Convoy

Breitbart wrote on February 11:

“Christian-owned funding platform GiveSendGo said it would not comply with an order by a Canadian court [in Ontario] to freeze over $8.6 million in donated funds destined for the Canadian truckers’ Freedom Convoy 2022, saying the court has no jurisdiction over the U.S-based company…

“While the Ontario court order may make it difficult for the funds to reach the truckers via the traditional finance sector, no court order and no government has the ability to intercept or freeze funds if they are distributed through a decentralized cryptocurrency like Bitcoin…”

Trudeau Invokes Emergency Powers

The Guardian wrote on February 14:

“Justin Trudeau has invoked legislation that gives his government sweeping powers… [Trudeau is the] first prime minister to invoke the Emergencies Act… [It] goes into effect for a month [and] allows the federal government to bar people from gathering in certain locations. It could also allow officials to conscript the use of private tow trucks…  the Act would bar the use of crowdfunding websites… and punish companies whose trucks were being used in the protests.

“… at a press conference, organisers of the convoy said protesters would remain until mandates were removed…”

The left-wing liberal media tried to justify Trudeau’s dictatorial measures by alleging that the truckers might resort to violence and that allegedly 11 people with guns and ammunition had been arrested, who were conveniently labeled as being somehow associated with the truckers. Far-left Trudeau, an admirer of the late Marxist Fidel Castro, has faced criticism from the left and the right for his mishandling of the crisis, and his usurpation of autocratic powers is a logical consequence of a man obsessed with domination.

 But will Trudeau’s sinking popularity rates be helped by this extraordinary dictatorial conduct? Reuters published the following reactions to Trudeau’s intentions to invoke the Emergencies Act:

 “ADAM BUTTON, CHIEF CURRENCY ANALYST AT FOREXLIVE: ‘The protest hasn’t been a material market mover of the Canadian dollar…’

“QUEBEC PREMIER FRANCOIS LEGAULT. Legault told reporters that imposing the act risks putting ‘oil on the fire’ by further polarizing the population and argued that local police in the mostly-French speaking province have the situation under control… I was very clear with the Prime Minister, that the federal emergency act must not apply in Quebec. I think we don’t need it. I think that at this moment it would not help the social climate. There’s a lot of pressure right now and I think we have to be careful…’

“ALBERTA PREMIER JASON KENNEY: ‘We would prefer that the Emergencies Act not be invoked, but if it is we would very much prefer that it not be applied to Alberta,’ Kenny told a media briefing.

“MANITOBA PREMIER HEATHER STEFANSON: ‘In my view, the sweeping effects and signals associated with the never-before-used Emergencies Act are not constructive here in Manitoba, where caution must be taken against overreach and unintended negative consequences…’

“SASKATCHEWAN PREMIER SCOTT MOE: ‘… Saskatchewan does not support the Trudeau government invoking the Emergencies Act…’

“LEAH WEST, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, AT CARLETON UNIVERSITY: ‘…Can it truly be said the security of Canada is threatened by largely non-violent protests? Certainly, our sovereignty and territorial integrity are not at risk.’”

“Trudeau Has Gone Too Far”

The Toronto Sun wrote on February 15:

“Ever since the freedom convoy first touched base in Ottawa a couple of weeks ago, the PM has gone out of his way to increase the tensions. The Liberal government appeared to be hoping for some sort of Jan. 6 style event as happened in the United States last year. All of their rhetoric indicated they were keen to see such an event go down. It never did. The convoy has been peaceful throughout.

“The only real violence so far has been a vehicular ramming conducted against protesters, which sent four people to hospital. You don’t hear much about that though. Trudeau never condemned it. Instead, Trudeau has called protesters every name in the book even though they are a diverse crowd in every sense of the word.

“Now he is giving himself extraordinary powers to deal with these protests. One of the most disturbing parts is how they can now dictate that banks freeze people’s accounts without a court order. People like Canadian hero Kevin Vickers — the Sargeant-at-Arms who personally thwarted the 2014 terrorist attack on Parliament Hill — have called for calm and dialogue. Trudeau doesn’t want that though. He just wants division and more hostility… The only thing that can be said in defence of Trudeau’s invoking of the Emergencies Act is that it was his incompetence that made such an extreme measure necessary.”

It’s not “incompetence.” In fact, his deliberate actions are part of a political agenda. Trudeau is dangerous… far more so than the public might realize. But there are many dangerous political leaders around in this rotten and God-defying world. After all, it is SATAN who is the ruler of this world and of ALL nations.

Canadian Truckers Not Giving Up!

AFP wrote on February 15:

“Trucker-led protesters occupying the Canadian capital showed no sign of backing down Tuesday, despite a newly invoked state of emergency granting wide new powers to end their weeks-long protest over Covid rules… the truckers appeared undeterred — if anything hardening their stance to move their big rigs into positions tougher to dislodge, with signs that read: ‘Hold the line.’…

“… the Canadian Civil Liberties Association accused the federal government of not having met the threshold for invoking the act. Trudeau’s minority Liberal government, however, has enough support to push through approval of the measures when parliament weighs in to decide whether to extend their use beyond one week.”

Trudeau’s Ongoing Dictatorial Conduct

The Journal de Montreal wrote on February 14:

“The federal government is launching an unprecedented financial hunt in an effort to financially strangle those who fund the siege of Ottawa and the border blockades…  Canadian banks no longer need the approval of a judge to immediately suspend the personal and corporate accounts and freeze the funds of any person or company they suspect of supporting the convoy. ‘Consider yourself warned: if your truck is used in these blockades, your business accounts will be frozen, your vehicle insurance will be suspended…’ said Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland…

“However, the organizers of the convoy have already abandoned the crowdfunding platforms. They turned to cryptocurrencies, with the avowed aim of receiving national and international donations without any legal obstruction and without banking supervision… bitcoins… present themselves as untraceable since they pass from one computer to another and not from one bank to another.”

In a video from 2013, Trudeau praised communist China, saying: “There’s a level of admiration I actually have for China… Because their basic dictatorship is allowing them to actually turn their economy around on a dime.” Breitbart also pointed out on February 15 that he “has praised both China’s dictatorship and Cuba’s dictatorship, while using his office to enrich the Chinese Communist Party.” Enough said.

Incredible Dictatorship in Canada! It’s Getting Worse and Worse!

Rebel News wrote on February 16:

“Pastor Artur Pawlowski… has been in jail — in solitary confinement — since he was arrested at his home on February 8… He was picked up last week on something akin to a terrorism charge – the first person to be charged under Alberta’s Critical Infrastructure Defence Act for allegedly abetting the Coutts, AB trucker blockade… Pawlowski gave a speech to truckers at the Coutts Alberta border blockade, telling them to hold the line…”

On February 16, Judge Erin Olson denied bail, stating, “The accused recent history is such that he poses an ongoing threat to the public and that because the accused opposes any and all rules, his release would bring the administration of justice into disrepute… the accused will, if released from custody, commit a criminal offense or interfere with the administration of justice. The accused pattern of behavior speaks volumes about his willful commission of offenses and/or violations of court & health orders. I have also concluded that the provision of cash bail with or without conditions of release would be unwise and fruitless, given the accused’s recent history of paying fines and costs potentially with other people’s money…”

The next hearing is set for March 11 2022.

With this blatant miscarriage of justice, the court followed the lead of dictator Justin Trudeau. On February 17, Rebel News reported that Trudeau claimed that Canada’s “Conservative Party members can stand with people who wave swastikas,” in obvious reference to Jewish member of Parliament Melissa Lantsman, who responded on Twitter: “I think the Prime Minister should think long and hard about his own history before singling out a Jewish Member of Parliament and falsely accusing me of standing with a Swastika. What a disgraceful statement unbecoming of anyone in public office – he owes me an apology’”

He does indeed, but don’t hold your breath. 

USA and Europe Tinderbox?

Breitbart wrote on February 12:

“‘People all over the world are watching, and they have respect for what they [the Truckers in Canada] are doing,’ [Trump] said. ‘They’re tired of being pushed around by incompetent people, being told what to do, being forced with the mandates. The mandates should have not happened…

“‘You can push people so far. And our country is a tinderbox, too. Don’t kid yourself. And there are plenty of our country up there right now, folks. When you look at what’s happening —when you look at what’s happening in Canada. Our country, I think, is far more of a tinderbox than Canada.’”

In an accompanying article, Breitbart wrote on February 12:

“French police have squared off with thousands of protesters attempting to establish a Canadian-style convoy in Paris in response to the draconian coronavirus measures that Emmanuel Macron’s government has imposed upon the country… over 3,000 vehicles have attempted to enter Paris to demand an end to the Covid regime…. Police were also seen using their batons on protesters… Police were seen smashing the windows of supposed demonstrators in order to remove them from their cars…

“Meanwhile, another trucker convoy descended upon the Dutch Parliament (Binnenhof) in the city centre of The Hague… trucks, cars, and tractors… shut down access to the area of the city in response to the nation’s coronavirus measures.”

Huge Demonstration in Australia

Life Site News wrote on February 14, 2022:

“On Saturday Australia’s capital city Canberra witnessed perhaps the largest political demonstration in the nation’s history. People came from all parts of the country to participate in the Canberra Convoy to protest against vaccine mandates and government oppression…

“For two years, we have been tirelessly fighting for our basic human rights while experiencing the heavy hand of police and government tyranny. People have lost their jobs, been alienated from their friends and families, been assaulted, defamed, and even spat on…. The true Australian soul was on display, ordinary people rising up against dictatorial leaders, so-called public servants, a completely corrupted media, a feckless medical fraternity, a failed judiciary and a co-opted scientific community. ..

“The numbers at the Convoy were huge, perhaps more than double the population of Canberra and representing over 6 per cent of the total voting population. That was just the people who made the long journey to get there… The disgraceful Australian media performed its now familiar job of lying and distorting. Newspaper reports said that there were only 10-20,000 people there; one outlet even said only 4,000. A glance at the aerial shots indicates how dishonest that is….

“Asked about the Convoy, Prime Minister Scott Morrison continued to speak out of both sides of his mouth. He washed his hands of the whole thing, deceptively claiming that the Federal government was against mandates except for some workers in high-risk areas and putting all the blame on the State governments. It was a massive abrogation of responsibility from a leader who does not have the courage to lead. As Craig Kelly, head of the United Australia Party, pointed out, the Federal government could easily have passed a bill against vaccine mandates but chose to oppose one.”

The Canadian Freedom Convoy has become an inspiration for many around the world.

Is Russia Getting Ready to Invade Ukraine?

The New York Post wrote on February 12:

“President Biden’s high-stakes phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin [occurred] Saturday morning as tensions over Ukraine reached a fever pitch [No suggestion was offered from either side that the call diminished the threat of an imminent war in Europe.]… They spoke soon after Putin wrapped up a lengthy conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron in which the two discussed ‘the conditions for security and stability in Europe’ [No progress was reported. The Kremlin said Putin told Macron that Western claims of a planned Russian invasion were ‘provocative speculation’ and could spark a conflict in Ukraine].

“Earlier Saturday, the US and its Western allies began to evacuate their embassies in Kyiv. A small core of American diplomats would remain in Ukraine… but would relocate to the city of Lviv in western Ukraine, where they could be more easily evacuated if a Russian invasion begins…

“US intelligence officials have reportedly concluded that Putin has given the order to attack its neighbor within days.”

The Moscow Times wrote on February 12:

“Russia’s defense ministry added to the febrile atmosphere by announcing that it had chased off a U.S. submarine that it alleged had crossed into its territorial waters near the Kuril Islands in the Pacific. The ministry said it had summoned the U.S. defense attache in Moscow over the incident…

“Russia on Saturday added to the ominous tone by pulling some of its diplomatic staff out of Ukraine. The foreign ministry in Moscow said its decision was prompted by fears of ‘possible provocations from the Kyiv regime.’

“… Dutch carrier KLM announced that it was suspending commercial flights to Ukraine until further notice…  U.S. and German media cited intelligence sources and officials as saying that a war could begin at some point after Putin concludes talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Moscow on Tuesday… The diplomatic push continued on Saturday with a new round of inconclusive talks between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.”

Deutsche Welle wrote on February 12:

“German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday urged Moscow to deescalate the Ukraine standoff and warned Russia faces [“tough”] sanctions ‘immediately’ if it invades its neighbor… Scholz’s deputy chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck reiterated Sunday that Europe may be on the verge of war…”

The Russian ambassador to Sweden said in response that Putin “doesn’t give a s… about Western sanctions,” adding that ‘the more the West pushes Russia, the stronger the Russian response will be” and that “Russia had become more ‘self-sufficient’ amid the threat of sanctions” (Daily Mail, dated February 12).

Scholz Meets Putin

Deutsche Welle wrote on February 15:

“Olaf Scholz made his inaugural visit as German chancellor to Moscow on Tuesday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin… In a joint press conference after meeting, the chancellor said ‘it is our absolute duty as heads of government that Europe does not see an escalation into war.’… Putin added that Germany ‘is one of Russia’s most important partners’ and said it intended to cooperate further with Berlin. He emphasized the role of economic ties between the two, with Germany being Russia’s second-biggest trade partner after China…

“New York Times Moscow Bureau Chief Anton Troianovski tweeted that Scholz had told German-speaking reporters after the press conference that ‘all involved’ know Ukrainian NATO membership is not on the agenda. ‘We just can’t have a possible military conflict over a question that is not on the agenda,’ Scholz said, adding that such a situation would be ‘absurd.’”

With that, most demands of Russia have already been fulfilled… without a war.

Russian Cyberattack on Ukraine?

Newsmax wrote on February 15:

“Kyiv appeared to blame Russia for a cyberattack on Tuesday, as U.S. President Joe Biden warned that more than 150,000 Russian troops were still amassed near Ukraine’s borders after Moscow’s announcement of a partial pullback was met with skepticism…. ‘If Russia attacks the United States or our allies through asymmetric means like disruptive cyber-attacks against our companies or critical infrastructure, we’re prepared to respond,’ Biden said in televised remarks from the White House….

“The White House said energy prices could be hit if sanctions are imposed on Moscow following an invasion… Putin told reporters Russia would not be satisfied with talk that Ukraine was not ready to join NATO any time soon and was demanding that the issue be resolved now.”

Russia has rejected all responsibility and blamed Ukraine for spreading misinformation.

Is Russia Really Withdrawing Troops?

Newsmax wrote on February 16:

“The configuration of Russia’s armed forces in the west of the country will return to normal in three to four weeks, TASS news agency cited Russia’s ambassador to Ireland as saying on Wednesday… Russia said more of its forces surrounding Ukraine were withdrawing on Wednesday but NATO urged Moscow to prove it was pulling back…”

The Guardian wrote on February 16:

“Russia is building up its military forces on Ukraine’s border with more troops on their way, contradicting Moscow’s claims of a drawdown, Nato’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has said… Stoltenberg warned that Russian military capability was only increasing in number and strength.

“The former Norwegian prime minister said Nato needed to be ‘prepared for the worst’…”

Russia’s Con Job?

The Sun wrote on February 16:

“Russia insisted that it was returning more troops and weapons to bases and put out video showing tanks as well as other vehicles leaving the Crimean peninsula…

“But none of the pictures could be verified on Tuesday – as warjets, tanks, troops, missile batteries and battleships continued huge exercises to the north, south and east of the besieged nation. Russian researchers the Conflict Intelligence Team said far from the forces being withdrawn from invasion-ready positions, they are merely being sent back to permanent bases just 15 miles away.”

Russian Invasion in a Few Days?

National Review wrote on February 17:

“Russia has expelled the second-most senior American diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow as tensions between the two countries continue to rise over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, the State Department said Thursday. The expulsion comes as President Biden said Thursday that he believes Russia could invade Ukraine in the next several days despite Russian officials’ claims that the country would be withdrawing an unspecified number of troops from the Ukrainian border following the completion of military exercises on Tuesday.

“Officials in Ukraine and the West remain unconvinced that the move represents a sign that Russia will not move forward with a military incursion into its western neighbor. U.S. officials said Wednesday that intelligence shows 7,000 more Russian soldiers had actually arrived on the Ukrainian border…”

Attack on Kindergarten and School in Ukraine

 Reuters wrote on February 17:

“Kyiv and its Western allies said they feared that Russia might be trying to create a pretext to unleash war… , after reports of shelling across the front line in Ukraine’s longstanding conflict with Moscow-backed separatists…  Kyiv accused the rebels of firing shells at several locations, including some that struck a kindergarten and others that hit a school where pupils had to flee to the cellar.”

Ukraine, Poland and UK Sign Cooperation Agreement

The New York Post wrote on February 17:

“Ukraine has signed a new cooperation agreement with Poland and the United Kingdom as the threat of a Russian invasion looms over the former Soviet republic… The three countries will coordinate on cybersecurity, energy security, and countering disinformation, according to the statement.

“The UK and Poland also expressed their support for reversing the Russian annexation of Crimea. The statement said the nations were “fully committed to stand with [the] Ukrainian nation in its efforts aimed at defending Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,’ but stopped short of announcing any military support.”

Unbelievable Announcement by US Embassy in Poland

The following “message to U.S. Citizens” was published by the US Embassy and Consulate’s website on February 12:

“U.S. citizens in Ukraine should depart immediately using commercial or other privately available transportation options…

“Poland has indicated to the U.S. government that U.S. citizens may now enter Poland through the land border with Ukraine… U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport and proof of COVID-19 vaccination.  Travelers are also encouraged to present a negative test result from a PCR or antigen COVID-19 test, which will facilitate entry into Poland. …

“U.S. citizens in Ukraine should be aware that the U.S. government will not be able to evacuate U.S. citizens in the event of Russian military action anywhere in Ukraine.”

Another Afghanistan in the making?

Russia Threatens with Use of Nuclear Weapons

Israel 365 News reported on February 12:

“As 135,000 Russian troops backed by tanks and artillery stand poised on the Ukrainian border, Russian President Vladimir Putin is threatening to deploy tactical nuclear weapons…

“Putin addressed the issue at a press conference. ‘I want to stress it one more time. I’ve been saying it, but I’d very much want you to finally hear me, and to deliver it to your audience in print, TV, and online,’ Putin said. ‘Do you understand it or not, that if Ukraine joins Nato and attempts to bring Crimea back by military means, the European countries will be automatically pulled into a war conflict with Russia?… Of course the [military] potential of NATO and Russia are incomparable. We understand it… But we also understand that Russia is one of the leading nuclear states, and by some modern components, it even outperforms many.’

“… Russia has just under 4,500 nuclear warheads in its stockpile making it the largest military superpower in the world today…

“It is assumed that Ukraine does not have nuclear weapons. Prior to 1991, Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union and had Soviet nuclear weapons in its territory. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine held about one-third of the Soviet nuclear arsenal totaling approximately 1,900 warheads, the third-largest in the world at the time, as well as significant means of its design and production. In 1994, at the behest of US President Bill Clinton, Ukraine agreed to hand over its nuclear stockpile to Russia for dismantlement…

“These agreements were clearly violated in 2014 when Russia invaded and subsequently annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. Obama was quietly criticized for his response which was limited to sanctions, precisely the strategy President Biden has stated he intends to employ in the current crisis.”

The time will come when Europe, under the “beast” or the “king of the North,” will attack Russia and other Far Eastern nations with conventional weapons, but the “Asiatic Hordes” or “kings of the East” will retaliate with nuclear weapons.

Germany’s new (old) President

Deutsche Welle reported on February 13:

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) invited people from all walks of life and across political divisions for talks… In his opening statements, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: ‘As federal president, I will not take a position for or against a general vaccination obligation.’ This was seen as typical for him: Once again he had failed to make a bold statement that the republic could argue about. Instead, Steinmeier moderated the round in a routine manner, not wanting to cause a stir, not wanting to provoke. It was representative of his first term in office…

“Frank-Walter Steinmeier experienced the high point of his political career at the beginning of 2017 [when he was elected President]…. he outlined what would be his main areas of focus in office: to prevent Germany forgetting its history, and to fight modern right-wing populism. Without explicitly mentioning the far-right populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), which had just seen resounding success in elections on all levels, Steinmeier said in his inaugural speech: ‘We must not only talk about democracy, we must learn to fight for it!’

“In the 2009 federal election, he ran against Angela Merkel as candidate for chancellor — and failed miserably…”

Steinmeier represents the typical face of the SPD (Scholz’ party). While fighting the AfD (which in many regards, especially when it comes to the ridiculous corona restrictions, makes more sense than all the other parties in Germany), he stays away from taking any position in other important matters.

Germany Plans End to Corona Restrictions? Not really!

Deutsche Welle wrote on February 16:

“Scholz told reporters, ‘The jab helps’ as he spoke about the fact that fall and winter will follow spring and summer, meaning the concept of a vaccine mandate cannot be taken off the table entirely. He also emphasized the importance of replenishing stockpiles of masks and other vital tools in the fight against the ever-mutating virus…. Scholz was adamant about the need to convince vaccine skeptics to get the jab….

“The first stage would see the lifting of the limit on the number of vaccinated and recovered people who are allowed to meet… The proposed plan would then lift further restrictions on March 4, including the requirement for vaccinated and recovered people to show a current negative test to access restaurants, bars and hotels — currently, only people with a booster shot do not need to take a test… Finally, on March 20, most remaining limits, including those that target only unvaccinated people, would be lifted. Requirements for mask-wearing on public transport would likely remain, as would testing in certain areas…”

Does the Vatican Possess the Temple Treasures?

The Jerusalem Post wrote on February 10:

“… the Vatican, including St. Peter’s Basilica, was constructed over Emperor Vespasian’s Roman palace approximately 200 years after the sacking of Rome in 455 AD…. the vandals and the Visigoths passed over, or simply didn’t find, the select treasures secreted away in that palace, and instead took with them the many items on public display in the Temple, located not far away….

“In fact, historian Josephus Flavius records the event in which Vespasian took for himself these items specifically as his special treasures for safekeeping, including an ancient Torah scroll. According to Vatican expert Dr. Michael A. Calvo, those vessels and others found their way to the Vatican via another route, after making their way to Byzantium: ‘These include Temple candelabra given to Pope Innocent III by Baldwin I after the sacking of Constantinople and the massacre of the Christian Orthodox population,’ Calvo claims. ‘Temple shofars and utensils; garments of the High Priest; the Tzitz – a gold plaque with the words Kodesh L’Hashem (“Holy to the Lord”); cultural objects, and many other objets d’art, books and manuscripts that the Vatican and other churches have appropriated and placed in their own storerooms, libraries and museums.’…

“But where is the factual, tangible proof that the Vatican ‘inherited’ these sacred items and retains them until today? The Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry and security services may already have evidence… Not long ago, Abbas had a personal consultation with Pope Francis. After agreeing that the two-state solution was the only way forward to make peace with Israel, Abbas stated that with respect to the advent of a Palestinian capital, ‘Jerusalem’s identity must be preserved through a special internationally guaranteed status.’…

“The official liaison of the pope to Israel, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, apostolic nuncio in Israel and apostolic delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine, stated in an official letter dated November 15, 2013, that if the Temple treasures do in fact still exist, surely the church would return those lost items to their ‘legitimate owners.’…

“There are several people alive that can personally attest to being eyewitnesses of the Vatican possessing Temple vessels, including the Menorah candelabra…”

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

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

In the previous Q&A, we reviewed some Scriptures that show how we are to deal with others in our relationship with them. In this Q&A, we are going to look at relationships within the conventional family.

Relationships within the human family.

Family is a place where strong relationships are built and provides a sense of meaning and belonging, although it has been undermined and demeaned in recent years by those who have an agenda to eliminate the family as we know it.

In our booklet “The Keys to Happy Families and Marriages!,” we read the following on page 18 under the heading of “The Christian Family”:

“As the Bible gives clear instructions as to the individual roles and functions of husbands and wives, it also explains the duties and responsibilities of fathers and mothers toward their children, and of the children toward their parents.

“As we have far too many marriage problems, we also have FAR too many family problems. Too often, parents know little about proper parenting, and rebellious children are the result. Children who are victims of divorce are expected to be resilient when someone they love suddenly disappears from their life. More often than not, they grow up with multiple mothers, fathers, and grandparents due to remarriage, and yet are left to fend for themselves too much of the time, because no one has time for them.

“We read, in fact, a startling and sobering prophecy in the Bible for the very last days—just prior to the return of Christ—that addresses the tragic reality of broken families. Sadly, this situation HAS also affected the attitudes of true Christians, and God says that unless these conditions change, something terrible will happen to this planet.”

We also have a Q&A entitled “What is a Family?” and this can be found in that Q&A, we address what constitutes a family in the eyes of God, and what does not “qualify” as a family according to the Bible.

In this Q&A, we focus on the relationships that there must be to help the God-ordained family flourish as a group.

There are relationships between husband and wife and between children and parents.

Relationship between husband and wife.

We read in Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”   This is repeated in Ephesians 5:31: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

As Marvin J Martin wrote: “God has designed separate, but related, roles for men and women in much of life, including our marriages. We need to accept the roles God has given to us and learn to complete, not compete with our spouses. Honestly helping one another to succeed in our biblical roles as husbands and wives can help build successful, enjoyable, fruitful marriages.”

In Ephesians 5, we see instructions given to both husband and wife.  The instructions to the husband are:

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.  So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church” (verses 25-29).

In Ephesians 5, the instructions to the wife are:

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything” (verses 22-24).

In verse 33 there is an instruction to both husband and wife: “Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

In 1 Peter 3:1-6 we read:

“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.  Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.  For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.”

One problem many husbands have is to really love their wives, and one problem many wives have is to submit to their husbands in the right way. Colossians 3:18 and Ephesians 5:22 give an important addition. We state in our booklet:

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” Note the fact that it would not be fitting or pleasing to the Lord, if the husband gave unreasonable orders; if he acted selfishly; or if he ceased to love his wife. Although the command to be submissive is directed to the wife, it presupposes that the husband himself submits to God first and that he does not require of his wife things that are ungodly. For instance, if a husband asks his wife to lie, the wife is not to do that. God’s commands always come first. We have to obey God rather than man (cp. Acts 5:29). Wives must not sin in ‘submitting’ to their husbands. They must not violate their biblically-based conscience (cp. Romans 14:23). The application of that principle can sometimes be difficult and may require individual advice from one of God’s ministers.

It is very important to handle any such conflict with love and respect for the mate, rather than with an arrogant, self-righteous attitude.

“Notice Ephesians 5:22, ‘Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord…’ Note again that we do not submit to God if we break His commandments. Likewise, wives are not to submit to their husbands if doing so would mean breaking one of God’s commandments in the letter or in the spirit.”

It will be easier for a woman to submit to her husband when he is a loving and kind man and deeply concerned about the welfare of his wife. Continuing with quoting from our booklet:

“It is true that 1 Peter 3:1–6 requires of the wives to be submissive to husbands who are not obedient to the word of God. Notice, though, the wording and the advice: ‘(verse 1) Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, (verse 2) when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear…’

“This is not talking about fear or torment because of the husband, but rather that women should live in the fear of God. Notice Proverbs 31:30, ‘But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.’ We… read in Ephesians 5:21 that we are to submit to one another ‘in the fear of God.’ Peter is not saying here that wives need to live in fear and torment of their disobedient husbands, but rather that they need to submit to their husbands in the fear of God. Again, they would not obey their husbands if the husbands require of the wives to do something that would be contrary to the word of God.”

The Headline to 1 Peter 3, verse 7, in the New King James Bible is “A Word to Husbands.” The Scripture itself reads:

“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.”

In our booklet, mentioned before, we say about this passage:

“Husbands need to understand their wives. If a husband doesn’t understand his wife, he needs to ask her, what she would like to do—what her dreams are, her preferences, and her dislikes. A husband needs to spend a lot of time communicating with his wife, as with his closest friend. He needs to respect her—to show her honor, to praise her for what she does. A husband must never put her down before others. Nothing hurts a woman more than being shown disrespect by her husband, especially in front of others. All husbands have done that at times. All husbands must repent of such disrespect.

“The husband’s guidance must be given with love and honor and respect for his wife. And, what is the purpose for such guidance? Is it so that HE can be regarded by others as the ‘RULER’ of the household? So that HE can glory in front of others in the fact that he is ‘obeying God’s commandments’ and his wife is obeying him? Far from it! That’s the kind of vain glory that we must not have!

“The reason why the husband is to give loving guidance to his wife is that God ordained that the husband and wife are one flesh—they are one entity, spiritually. Their Christian goal is to enter the kingdom of God together—to become inheritors of eternal life together, of which they are already heirs. So, the husband is to act out of true Godly love for his wife, and his wife, knowing that this is the reason why he acts the way he does, will be much more willing to overlook the shortcomings of her husband. If her husband shows that his love for her is so great that he is willing to lay down his life for her, on a continuing, life-long basis, and that he is concerned for her—spiritually and physically—then what Christian woman would not willingly respond to the leadership of her husband?

“On the other hand, when the marriage is on the rocks, then even our individual and personal relationship with God is impaired. That’s why Peter says to husbands to ‘dwell with your wives with understanding, give them honor and respect, so that your prayers may not be hindered’ (1 Peter 3:7). Peter places the responsibility on the shoulders of the husband to see to it that the prayers of husbands and wives are not hindered.”

Especially Colossians 3:19 is worth mentioning in this context, saying, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.”

We state in our booklet:

“We are told that we need to give up all bitterness. All of us have to do that. Bitterness is like cancer. It will eat us up internally, until our light within us has become darkness. If we love another person, we cannot really be bitter toward that person. If there is still bitterness in our hearts toward another person, and especially, if a husband has bitterness toward his wife, then one has not come to the perfect love that is required of us. Notice Ephesians 4:31–32, ‘Let all bitterness… be put away from you… And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you.’

“Are husbands kind and tenderhearted toward their wives? Are they willing to forgive them? Or do husbands feel offended, and do they feed on that offense? Will they allow bitterness to creep into their hearts? If husbands do that, then they are walking on dangerous ground and unless quickly overcome and removed, that bitterness will quench their love for their wives. And then, it is the husbands who are in violation of God’s commandments not to be bitter towards their wives, and to love them as themselves.

“Notice the kind of love that God requires of the husbands toward their wives. ‘Love does no harm to a neighbor’ (Romans 13:10). If husbands really love their wives, they will not hurt them physically nor emotionally—they will not harshly ‘lord it over them.’”

Where there is not a close personal relationship between spouses, problems will inevitably occur.   In fact, even with a close personal relationship, misunderstandings and mistakes can take their toll on a perfectly good relationship, so how many more problems may arise where the relationship is less than ideal.   The Scriptures quoted above are God’s instructions for a good and right relationship to exist in a marriage.

The relationships within such a family will be pleasing to God as they will foster peace, harmony and personal growth for them all.

Children in the Family

In addition, children are told in the Fifth Commandment to “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12) and this admonition is repeated in Deuteronomy 5:16 (also compare Ephesians 6:1-3).  This is, again, further counsel and guidance to produce fruitful and harmonious relationships within the family.

The responsibility of parents is related in Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”   From birth, parents have control over what their children do and how they behave. As the years go by, that family direction diminishes as children make their own decisions.  However, if this sound foundation is followed, that influence will still be there to one degree or another throughout their lives for their own benefit.   We are the product of our environment, and a good and effective relationship forged through years of close interaction will yield many good benefits.

We say this in our booklet, cited before:

“Children learn by what they see. We teach by our actions, as well as by our words. We are not teaching or properly training if our actions do not match our words. We don’t teach Godly principles either, if our words and actions don’t correspond with God’s commandments. So, if we teach our children by our words or by our actions that it is sometimes justified to lie, to steal, to kill, to commit adultery, or to use God’s name in vain, then we are not teaching our children God’s word—we are not bringing them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

The book of Proverbs is a powerhouse of wise counsel: “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1); and “Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22).

We read in Colossians 3:20: “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” When this vital relationship is ignored by parents and children, the results can be dire: “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29:15).

However, we also state this in our booklet:

“As children, we are to obey our parents in the Lord. This means, we are not to obey them if it would not be in the Lord—that is, if it would be in contradiction to God’s commandments—either from a literal or a spiritual standpoint. Once a child is old enough to understand God’s way of life, he or she must follow God….  It is never well-pleasing to God if we disobey Him. We discussed that wives cannot disobey God by obeying their husbands. In the same way, children must not obey their parents either, if this would violate God’s Law. They are not to lie or to steal or to kill or any such thing in ‘obedience’ to their parents’ ‘orders.’”

Good parenting also includes not provoking our children to wrath (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21).

Good family relationships are vital because they are a pattern for how we live and relate as present or future begotten members within the Family of God at this time and for eternity in the Kingdom of God.

God knew that, over the years, we would have many good and bad times in our family relationships, and He gives help and direction in His Word for those situations that arise.

The love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, shows how love behaves: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  If our relationships, both in the family and with others, are according to the above approach, they will be successful, enjoyable, long-lasting and pleasing in God’s sight.

And finally, in this section, 1 Timothy 5:8 states: “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  When someone is lazy and slothful, being not easily aroused to action or work, relationships can be easily affected and probably strained, at the lack of provision for others by such inaction.  This is a situation that must not exist in our families.

(To be continued)

Lead Writers: Brian Gale (United Kingdom) and Norbert Link

compiled by Dave Harris

A new Member Letter (February 2022) has been posted and mailed to our subscribers. Dave Harris writes about the dramatic prophetic changes which are now occurring all around the world and also points to the promises of help given by God to His faithful people.

“Was Sie vielleicht noch nicht über die 10 Gebote wussten!” is the title of this Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Norbert Link. Title in English: “What You Might Not Have Known About the Ten Commandments!”

“Gefährliche Ignoranz,” the sermonette given in Germany last Sabbath by Robert Kintzi, is now posted. Title in English: “Dangerous Ignorance.”

“Germany, Canada, and USA—Testimony of Failed Policies–Comments on News and Prophecy, February 12, 2022,” the first message presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Germany under weak Chancellor Olaf Scholz has become the object of criticism in all the world—especially in regard to its conduct towards Russia and Ukraine.  Canada under self-righteous Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has become the object of criticism as well—especially in regard to the Freedom Convoy of truckers; and America under failing and rejected President Biden has become an unreliable laughingstock in all the world. And all of this is happening while news reports say that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine appears to be inevitable.

“Does the Teaching of the Trinity Deny Jesus Christ?”, the sermon presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is a summary:

When one understands the doctrine of the Trinity, as taught by the Roman Catholic church and most Protestant churches, one must realize that this teaching is not only unbiblical and heretical, but that it also denies the Son of God, our King and Savior, Jesus Christ. This sermon will show why this is so, and why it constitutes the spirit of antichrist.