Update 988

On August 28, 2021, Norbert Link will present, “Comments on News and Prophecy, August 28, 2021,” and Rene Messier will present the sermon, titled, “Prayer.”

The live services are available, over video and audio, at http://eternalgod.org/live-services/ (12:30 pm Pacific Time; 1:30 pm Mountain Time; 2:30 pm Central Time; 3:30 pm Eastern Time; 8:30 pm Greenwich Mean Time; 9:30 pm Central European Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

We, as God’s people, have been given Ten Commandments as our primary rule of life. The first four tell us how to love God, and the last six tell us how to love our fellow man. Five of these last six are mainly concerned with physical actions, although with some spiritual overtones. When we break most of those, it can be obvious to those who see us. But the last commandment is purely moral or spiritual. If we break that one, it is possible that no one might ever realise that we have broken it, except for God, of course. It is a commandment to control our thoughts, more so than our actions. However, if we break it, it can lead us to break some other commandments as well.

It is stated in Deuteronomy 5:21: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbour’s.” It is a very simple concept but can be very difficult to fulfill; especially, as it covers every possession of others. And as Jesus defined neighbor in the parable of the good Samaritan, it includes foreigners, not just fellow citizens.

In the course of history, coveting has been the cause of great suffering. The first episode of coveting we read about is in Isaiah 14:12-15. It concerns Satan who coveted position, power and glory that was not his to have: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the pit.” Strong’s concordance states that “like” means resemble. Matthew Poole’s commentary states that Satan coveted uncontrollable power and universal dominion over all the earth, the same as only God has. Some feel that Satan really wanted to BE God, replacing Him as Ruler over the universe.

Coveting has been the motive for many wars over the course of history—coveting for land, wealth or power and control. James explains the motives for most fights and wars in James 4:1-3: “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Again, individuals and nations covet what is not theirs and are willing to fight and murder to try to obtain it. This has led to much suffering throughout history.

Consider king David, a man whom God praised very highly, calling him, “A man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22). Yet, even with such a high compliment, he still broke the commandment, “You shall not covet,” in his mind. This led him to commit adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2-4), and ultimately, the murder of his faithful servant, Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 12:9).

The apostle Paul wrote some things we should keep in mind to help us not to covet. While they refer specifically to Church members, they can be extended to others also. He states in Philippians 2:3-4: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better [or higher, more important] than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Certainly, if we are looking to the interests of others, we will not want to take anything from them. We will not covet what they have.

He also wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:26: “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” If we are glad for the blessing another has received and rejoice with that person, we will not covet what they have but rather be glad that they have it.

There was one notable example of a person who did not covet power or position. That was John the Baptist. We read his words in John 3:28-30; “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” Can we say under the right circumstances that someone else must increase while we must decrease? But John rejoiced in this very situation in which his own role would diminish.

While there is nothing wrong to desire what we can lawfully obtain, we should think on the apostle Paul’s example where he said: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11). And also his statement that “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). If we can live a life of contentment, there should never be a desire to ever covet what another has. Always remember, coveting can lead to a multitude of sins.

by Norbert Link

We begin with several articles about the debacle in Afghanistan  [please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “The Afghanistan Catastrophe”]; renewed calls for a European army; and the mass media’s stupidity, blind-sightedness and their cover-up in their reports about Joe Biden and the Taliban. We also address the world’s disappointment with or scorn for Joe Biden and his administration, while asking seriously whether Mr. Biden and Kamala Harris are fit for office, combined with the prospect of Donald Trump’s return.

We speak on Russia’s ambitions regarding Ukraine and Angela Merkel’s embarrassing visit with Vladimir Putin; address Australia’s, Canada’s and America’s accusations and restrictions pertaining to the corona virus; ongoing vaccination resistance and mandatory vaccinations; and the FDA’s pushed-through approval of two vaccines.

We warn of a repeat of the housing crash which could “make 2008 look like a dress rehearsal”; and address Bank of America’s appalling racist “re-education program.”

We conclude with a new poll finding that most Americans believe in the blasphemous fairy tale of evolution, clearly showing that God is not amused, and neither are we.

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

Terror Attacks in Afghanistan Have Begun

The Sun wrote on August 26:

 “THIRTEEN US troops and at least 90 Afghans have been killed in ISIS suicide bomb attacks at Kabul Airport.

“Two explosions rocked the airport in Afghanistan yesterday just hours before the evacuation deadline… The attacks made for America’s deadliest day in Afghanistan for 10 years – and Republicans claimed US President Joe Biden had “blood on his hands”.

“Mr Biden told those behind the Kabul airport attacks: ‘We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.’… Other blasts were heard in Kabul in the hours after the earlier two… ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack…”

The End of the American Era

The Washington Post wrote on August 20:

“‘Let me speak clearly and bluntly. This is a catastrophe,’ said Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, in an address Thursday to the European Parliament. He echoed the widespread dismay felt by policymakers and politicians across the continent over the sudden Taliban takeover in Afghanistan – and the Biden administration’s military withdrawal that preceded it. Many of the United States’ NATO partners in Europe had invested considerable manpower and resources in the American-led war and nation-building project in Afghanistan, though on a smaller scale than Washington…

“Now, European onlookers are shocked to see the fruits of their labor seemingly vanish in the space of a few harrowing days. Across the pond, a defiant White House has doubled down on its decision-making, showing little contrition for its role in the chaotic scenes unfolding in Kabul. ‘I say this with a heavy heart and with horror over what is happening, but the early withdrawal was a serious and far-reaching miscalculation by the current administration,’ Norbert Röttgen, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the German parliament, told Politico. ‘This does fundamental damage to the political and moral credibility of the West.’

“Röttgen’s British counterpart, conservative parliamentarian Tom Tugendhat, cast the Afghan government’s implosion and the Taliban’s surge into power as an epochal blow. ‘Afghanistan is the biggest foreign policy disaster since Suez,’ he tweeted, referring to the 1956 crisis over control of the strategic Egyptian canal that, to some historians, marked the ultimate waning of the British Empire. ‘We need to think again about how we handle friends, who matters and how we defend our interests.

“That may include reevaluating the role of the United States. Tobias Ellwood, another Tory parliamentarian, who chairs the Defense Committee in the House of Commons, questioned President Biden’s repeated insistence that his administration was bringing America ‘back’ on the world stage… In an essay for the Economist, Stanford University political theorist Francis Fukuyama suggested that the horrors on view in Kabul may mark a ‘major juncture in world history, as America turned away from the world.’ But in truth, he continues, ‘the end of the American era had come much earlier.’”

Indeed, it did come much earlier. America has not won a major war since WW2, and it won’t in the future either.

“Britain loses Patience with” Biden

Daily Mail wrote on August 22:

“Tony Blair has blasted Joe Biden’s ‘imbecilic’ decision to withdraw US troops from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, calling the President’s scuttle ‘tragic, dangerous and unnecessary’ and claiming the move had ‘every Jihadist group round the world cheering’…

 “Relations between Britain and US are strained… the Prime Minister [Boris Johnson] has allegedly privately referred to Mr Biden as ‘Sleepy Joe’, the nickname coined by Donald Trump. Mr Johnson also allegedly remarked Britain ‘would be better off with Trump’ – allegations branded ‘categorically untrue’ by Downing Street.

“’For Britain, out of Europe and suffering the end of the Afghanistan mission by our greatest ally with little or no consultation, we have serious reflection to do,’ said Mr Blair. ‘We don’t see it yet, but we are at risk of relegation to the second division of global powers.’”

The National News added on August 22: “Mr Biden’s decision is set to have major ramifications for Europe, which is predicting a refugee crisis after the fall of Kabul.”

The refugee crisis will be one of many problems and issues Europe will be facing due to Mr. Biden’s creation of chaos in Afghanistan.

No Military Cooperation between US and UK

Fox News wrote on August 25:

“Nigel Farage, former Brexit party leader, slammed the Biden administration’s Afghanistan blunder Tuesday, arguing the crisis has led his country of Britain feeling ‘betrayed’…

“Farage [said:] ‘The medium-term problem is the resurgence of international terror… Certainly, if it’s a Biden or Harris administration, honestly, there is no way, there is no way a British parliament right now would vote for military cooperation with America led by this administration. And that’s a very sad thing to say, because since 1917, the U.K. and America have been side by side in virtually every major conflict. We’ve been the closest allies in terms of military action, in terms of intelligence sharing, in terms of culture, in terms of business. You couldn’t have a better ally in the world. And right at the moment, I’m sorry, but there’s no way we could enter into another operation with you.’”

The Bible predicts that Ephraim (the UK) would be against Manasseh (the USA), and vice versa.

Afghanistan Crisis Proves Need for EU Army

Express wrote on August 23:

“Guy Verhofstadt took to Twitter earlier today to say that an EU army ‘is common sense.’

“Mr Verhofstadt wrote: ‘Afghanistan once more shows armies are crucial to the security of our citizens & allies abroad. EU countries need to do that together: cooperate & integrate forces so our people, interests & values are protected. Think beyond taboos or caricatures: an EU army is common sense!’”

Express added on August 24:

“Anger over the US approach to Afghanistan sparked plans for a European defence force from EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell this weekend. He wants to assemble an EU force of 50,000 men and women. He said Afghanistan could be the wake-up call for Europe. He said: ‘The time has come to create a military force that can fight when necessary. We are going to propose to provide the Union with an expeditionary force of fifty thousand men.’

“Mr Borrell is currently working on a so-called ‘defence strategy’ for the European Union. The plans and their elaboration are on the agenda of a European summit to be held in November. But now Brussels is already using the chaos surrounding the evacuation of European citizens in Afghanistan to argue for a large European army… He said: ‘Europeans have no choice. We have to organise ourselves to deal with the world as it is and not with the world we dream of.’”

And so, a powerful European army will come… but this will require some fundamental changes in the leadership of European countries, especially in Germany. Note the next article.

No Trust in the USA and Germany’s Incompetence

The Globalist wrote on August 24:

“No question, trust in American leadership is badly damaged. The disastrous end of the Afghanistan military mission has raised questions about whether the United States will defend its long-time allies if they do not defend themselves…

“A key focus of the potential global fallout is on Germany, Europe’s largest economy. Politically, Germans may be looking to get out from under American dependence. Militarily, however, they are utterly dependent on the Americans…

“To protect himself and probably also his party, the SPD, ahead of critical elections on September 26th, [Germany’s Foreign Minister Maas] still seeks to explain away Germany’s de facto complete rejection of international foreign and security responsibilities. To that end, Mr. Maas is throwing the German intelligence service (BND) as well as his own Foreign Office (AA) under the bus. That is as disrespectful as it is cowardly…

“Mr. Maas’s influence, though, seems on the wane. His days in the Foreign Office are likely numbered in the dual-digit range.”

That the German government has acted and is continuing to act in a completely incompetent way is without doubt. But all of this might change very soon.  

Biden Gives in to the Taliban—No Extension

Deutsche Welle wrote  on August 24:

“At an emergency G-7 summit, US allies pushed Washington to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond next Tuesday in order to facilitate evacuation flights. But President Biden is refusing to budge.”

The Associated Press reported on August 25:

“The United States clashed with some of its closest allies over President Joe Biden’s insistence on sticking to an Aug. 31 Afghanistan withdrawal date that will shut down a frantic international evacuation effort from Taliban rule… ‘I want to stress again that of course the United States of America has the leadership here,’ German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters in Berlin after the meeting. ‘Without the United States of America, for example, we — the others — cannot continue the evacuation mission.’”

American Military News wrote on August 18:

“During a Wednesday press briefing, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan has the capability to extract some Americans in extreme circumstances, but not to gather up large groups of Americans who cannot get to the U.S.-controlled airport in Kabul…”

Thousands of Americans are still stranded behind Taliban lines. This is shameful! It will not restore any confidence of allies towards the USA. To the contrary, Bild Online reported on August 24 that the American military expelled eleven international journalists from Kabul, including one Bild Online reporter. Bild stated that the US is afraid of independent critical reporting and wants no witnesses testifying about the shameful situation in Afghanistan which has been caused by the USA.  

US in Danger of Terror Attacks

Reuters wrote on August 25:

“With no U.S. troops or reliable partners left, jails emptied of militants and the Taliban in control, doubts are mounting within President Joe Biden’s administration over Washington’s ability to stem a resurgence of al Qaeda and other extremists in Afghanistan… Weeks before the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States by al Qaeda, the lack of visibility regarding potential extremist threats is a chilling prospect for officials…

“The U.S. troop departure ordered for Aug. 31 by Biden and the subsequent collapse of Afghan security forces have stripped the CIA and other spy agencies of protection, forcing them to close bases and withdraw personnel as well. The Biden administration cannot rely on neighboring countries because it has so far been unable to strike accords on bases for U.S. counterterrorism forces and drones…

“Nathan Sales, the State Department’s coordinator for counterterrorism until January, estimated it would now take al Qaeda six months to reconstitute the ability to conduct external [terrorist] operations. The Taliban freed hundreds of detainees from prisons, stirring fears that some may include leading extremists… Daniel Hoffman, a former chief of CIA covert Middle East operations, expressed doubt that the Taliban would constrain al Qaeda, noting their decades-old ties and shared ideologies… A series of United Nations reports say that hundreds of al Qaeda fighters and senior leaders remain in Afghanistan under Taliban protection…

“Pakistan has said it will not host U.S. troops and countries in central Asia are reluctant to accept American requests because of concerns that it may anger Russia.”

What a nightmare and disaster. What IF another terrorist attack on American soil would occur?

Taliban’s Rule of Terror

The New York Post wrote on August 18:

“The Taliban are collecting weapons and ammunition from civilians in Kabul… A Taliban official told Reuters that people no longer needed weapons for personal protection because ‘they can now feel safe’ since the insurgents have taken over..

“The news came as reports emerged that a woman had been shot dead Tuesday for not wearing a burqa in public…

“Kabul residents have said groups of armed men have been going door to door in recent days seeking out individuals who worked with the ousted government and security forces.”

The promises of the Taliban that they became less violent and radical are not worth the paper they may be written on. Terrorists don’t change. Note the next article.

Israel 365 News wrote on August 22:

“Frontier Alliance International, a global Christian missionary organization, released a statement last week stating that the Taliban in Afghanistan is going door-to-door, searching for Christians and executing them. The Taliban has a hit list of known Christians they are targeting to pursue and kill. The US Embassy is defunct and there is no longer a safe place for believers to take refuge. All borders to neighboring countries are closed and all flights to and from have been halted, with the exception of private planes. People are fleeing into the mountains looking for asylum…

“The Taliban are going door-to-door taking women and children. The people must mark their house with an ‘X’ if they have a girl over 12 years old, so that the Taliban can take them. If they find a young girl and the house was not marked they will execute the entire family. If a married woman 25 years or older has been found, the Taliban promptly kill her husband, do whatever they want to her, and then sell her as a sex slave. Husbands and fathers have given their wives and daughters guns and told them that when the Taliban come, they can choose to kill them or kill themselves—it is their choice.

“The Daily Wire reported that Taliban terrorists are going through people’s cell phones, searching for Bible apps that would indicate they are Christians… Taliban are pulling people off public transport and killing them on the spot if they’re Christians or considered ethnically ‘unpure.’…

“The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan does not recognize any Afghan citizen as being Christian so there are officially no Christians in Afghanistan. Despite the legal restrictions, many sources claim that there is a secret underground church of Afghan Christians living in Afghanistan… Due to the hostile legal environment, Afghan Christians practice their faith secretly in private homes.

“On Thursday, USA Today ‘debunked’ claims of the Taliban executing Christians, describing it as a ‘decade-old hoax’… USA Today judged the current reports of Christian persecution by the Taliban to be false in light of the Taliban’s stated intentions that they are moderating their actions.”

Can one believe the stupidity of our mass media? (Note the next article.) And when it comes to the Taliban terrorists, these are the murderous people to whom Joe Biden gave the country. Shocking, embarrassing, appalling!

Is the Mass Media Giving Biden another “Free Pass”?

The New York Post Editorial Board wrote on August 18, 2021:

“You won’t find a more powerful example of the media’s pro-Democratic tilt — and outright hostility toward former President Donald Trump — than their refusal this week to call out President Joe Biden as a downright liar, as they did with his predecessor, when it comes to his comments about his Afghanistan pullout.

“Back in July, the [President] flatly rejected suggestions that the intelligence community feared an increasingly rapid collapse of the Afghan government as US troops withdrew. ‘Your own intelligence community has assessed that the Afghan government will likely collapse,’ a reporter noted at the July 8 presser. Biden denied it. ‘Can you please clarify what [intelligence officials] have told you?’ he was asked. Biden fumed again: ‘They did not — they didn’t — did not reach that conclusion.’ Indeed, the president insisted that the idea there’s ‘going to be one unified government in Afghanistan controlling the whole country is highly unlikely.’

“As the world learned painfully this week, he was dead wrong… In truth, it appears Biden was lying through his teeth: It actually might be hard to find a top official who didn’t warn him about the dangers of his pullout.

“As The Wall Street Journal reports, ‘the president’s top generals, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley, urged Mr. Biden to keep a force of about 2,500 troops, the size he inherited, while seeking a peace agreement between warring Afghan factions, to help maintain stability. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin . . . said a full withdrawal wouldn’t provide any insurance against instability.’ Military and intelligence officials told Biden they were concerned about the Afghan army’s capabilities and the likelihood that the Taliban would control major cities.

“The New York Times, meanwhile, cited ‘classified assessments by American spy agencies over the summer’ that ‘painted an increasingly grim picture of the prospect of a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.’

“Biden simply appears to have lied, claiming intelligence reports did not paint a bleak picture. And though the Times briefly noted the contradiction, it refrained from using the word ‘lie’ — as it did freely for Trump’s remarks…

“[Biden’s] little ‘obfuscation’ is leading to madness in Afghanistan today. There has been utter chaos at the airport and reports of revenge killings and other brutality. By denying and ignoring the warnings, Biden left thousands of Americans and Afghans who’ve worked with us stranded, with many now fearing for their lives. Yet somehow the Times — and other left-leaning outlets — is suddenly once again not comfortable using the word ‘lie.’ How shameful.”

That Biden has been shamelessly lying through the years is well-known. But the TRUTH is, ALL politicians are liars. Otherwise, they could not be politicians. However, in Biden’s case, being a liar might be combined with mental disability, as the next article suggests.

Joe Biden Unfit for Office?

The Daily Mail wrote on August 20:

“Questions have been raised about US President Joe Biden’s cognitive wellbeing after a car crash interview over his handling of the unfolding Afghanistan crisis. America’s oldest president provided jumbled responses to questions and mixed up details about his son in an interview with ABC. The stumbles did not make the broadcasted version but were revealed when a full transcript of the interview was published overnight.

“It revealed the President incorrectly stated his late son Beau Biden worked for the Navy in Afghanistan, before correcting himself that he served for the Army in Iraq. It follows a spate of gaffes and slips of the tongue since the 78-year-old ran his successful presidential campaign in 2019.

“Mr Biden has previously suffered two brain aneurysms and a heart condition which makes the muscle beat too fast, causing dizziness and confusion. A top cardiologist told MailOnline today that both conditions are linked to memory difficulties and confusion, as well as dementia. Dr Aseem Malhotra, an NHS consultant and expert in evidence-based medicine, said: ‘Certainly there’s a link [between the conditions and cognitive decline]. But just as a doctor observing him, given his medical history and age, I’m worried about early onset dementia. I would be worried about anyone exhibiting issues with recall and memory at Joe Biden’s age.’…

“Mr Biden is known for his blunders and even referred to himself as a ‘gaffe machine’ in 2018. Just last month he forgot his reasons for running for president, and when he was newly elected he referred to his deputy as ‘President Kamala Harris’… Mr Biden has also experienced accidents since becoming President, including falling three times on one occasion in March while climbing up the stairs of Air Force One… He also introduced his granddaughter as his deceased son Beau, who passed away from brain cancer in 2015…”

 Apart from his obvious confusion, gaffes and “slips of the tongue,” combined with his well-documented ongoing misrepresentations and lies over the years, Mr. Biden is also unfit for office due to his terrible politics and implementation of destructive measures. Less than 40% of voters think that Biden is even in charge, according to Newsmax, dated August 20.  The tide is turning. The support and protest vote for Biden, which was a predictable catastrophe from the beginning, is ebbing away.

“Biden’s Failure Could Let Trump Back in the White House”

Express wrote on August 20:

 “The fall of the Afghan Government is nothing short of a disaster for Mr Biden’s tenure as President, coming within his first eight months in office. Bipartisan criticism has ramped up significantly over the past several days — amid scenes of chaos at the international airport in Kabul — as both Democrats and Republicans contend the administration was unprepared to safely evacuate American citizens and Afghan allies out of the country…

“[Biden’s] statement, which blamed the Afghanistan army for failing to hold the Taliban back, was met with criticism world over. He has also been accused of showing no sympathy for Afghans… His disastrous handling has led to comparisons with the Bay of Pigs invasion, which occurred in the first year of President Kennedy’s time in office…

“Former president Donald Trump has naturally taken the opportunity to eviscerate his successor. Mr Trump called it the ‘greatest embarrassment in the history of our country.’ And it seems that Americans, and not just Republicans, are inclined to agree with him. Mr Trump has made it no secret that he may plan to run for the presidency again in the 2024 election… Mr Trump still has an enormous following in the states, despite his lifetime ban from Twitter, which was often used as his main method of gathering support…

“But most of all, America’s reverence of its armed forces could likely be a key reason voters would back Mr Trump at a future election… At the heart of it all is the memory of 9/11, which spurred America to invade in 2001 as the Taliban harboured those responsible for the deaths of 2,977 men, women and children in New York…

“It remains to be seen what the American public will think come the next election, but it’s unlikely the fallout from Mr Biden’s spectacular mishandling of crisis will be forgotten.”

Of course, memory fails quickly. But it is not to be expected that the Afghanistan debacle will be the last of Biden’s acts of incompetence.  It is breathtaking to realize the current leadership imposed on the USA. The Bible speaks of “children” (not necessarily by age, but more by lack of wisdom) and “women” running the country. For instance, when the Afghanistan debacle was unfolding, rather than calling Joe Biden, Canada’s PM Trudeau reportedly called Hillary Clinton for advice.

The Embarrassing Conduct of Kamala Harris

Breitbart reported on August 22:

“Vice President Kamala Harris, who is currently traveling through South Asia, busted out in a fit of laughter when reporters attempted to ask her about Afghanistan… Harris has been noticeably absent since the Taliban toppled the U.S.-backed Afghan government last week. For at least eight days after the crisis began, she vanished from public view and maintained complete silence about the issue, despite claiming to have played a key role in the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan…

“The vice president has a nervous habit of laughing when faced with tough questions about serious political topics. Before Harris went to the U.S.-Mexico border — 93 days after President Joe Biden assigned her the immigration crisis — she chuckled during an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt when pressured about her delay in visiting. Holt stated, ‘You haven’t been to the border.’ ‘And I haven’t been to Europe,’ Harris said with a laugh…

“She also once broke out in bizarre laughter before she became vice president when asked if she presents a ‘socialist or progressive perspective.’”

However, it’s not really a laughing matter.

… and Biden Laughs Too

On August 23, the New York Post published the following opinion piece by Miranda Devine:

“The laughter was so off-kilter, it made you wonder if Joe Biden had taken leave of his senses… The first bout of hilarity came in response to a question from CBS News reporter Ed O’Keefe, one of four questions Biden allowed from a pre-approved list of reporters in the Roosevelt Room, seven days after the fall of Kabul.

“Did he trust the Taliban? A swaggering, streetwise smile swept his face…

“His derisive chuckles began when O’Keefe apologetically asked about a new CBS/YouGov poll that shows a majority of Americans disapprove of the way he has handled the Afghanistan exit… ‘I haven’t seen that poll,’ said Biden, shaking his head with a half-smirk… ‘It’s out there,’ said O’Keefe. ‘From CBS this morning.’ This led Biden to burst out laughing. What was funny? If the mirth was a face-saving performance, it was appallingly ill-judged…

“The problem is the incompetence of the withdrawal, the premature closure of Bagram Air Base, placing our troops in an impossible position, needlessly endangering lives of American citizens and Afghan allies, and leaving billions of dollars of weaponry in the hands of our enemies…

“The unfamiliar feeling of universal condemnation, more than anything, is what has had his team reeling… He kept fantasizing at the podium Sunday, as if saying something grotesquely false will make it come true… history will record that he bungled the troop withdrawal… and set in motion a disaster that has echoes of the last disaster he had oversight of in the Middle East, when he was the VP in charge of withdrawing troops from Iraq, spawning ISIS and the Christian genocide.

“No matter how he tries to shift the blame, he is responsible for the calamity in Kabul. Yet his lack of humility or reflection shows he is nothing better than a con man, trying one last time to shaft the American people…”

Other reports from the Ron Paul Institute suggest that Biden is aware of his demise and shows by his conduct that he most certainly won’t be running again in 2024.

America’s Enemies Knew [and Know]…

Daily Mail wrote on August 20:

“Osama bin Laden banned al Qaeda from assassinating Joe Biden because the Democrat would become an incompetent president and ‘lead the US into a crisis’ if jihadists were successful in killing Barack Obama.

“Bin Laden made the remark in a 2010 letter that was found in a trove of documents at the Pakistan compound where he was killed by US special forces in 2011. The document was first made public in 2012 but has been brought back to light and given new significance amid the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan that has gifted the country back to the Taliban.”

Bin Laden knew. Many enemies know it today. And allies know it too—and they are extremely worried.

Israel Can’t Rely on USA

Israel Today wrote on August 20:

“Israeli officials have remained largely mum on the chaotic American withdrawal from Afghanistan…  But behind closed doors, Israeli leaders are reportedly voicing grave concern…

“The biggest lesson of Afghanistan as far as average Israelis are concerned is that the Jewish state can’t rely on foreign powers, even a genuine friend like the United States, to guarantee its security, let alone its future.”

Israel will be forsaken by all… and so will be, by the way, the USA and the UK.

Ukraine Next?

Putin’s propaganda outlet, Tass, wrote on August 19:

“The situation in Afghanistan will top the agenda of one of the next meetings of the Security Council, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council Nikolai Patrushev said… According to him, a similar situation is in store for those who support the US in Ukraine… He noted that about $90 bln was spent on training the Afghan servicemen… Additionally… the US ‘didn’t even bother to take out of the country a large number of weapons and military property, and just abandoned it all,’ while the military industrial complex and subcontractors raked in ‘superprofits.’

“He also noted that Washington is pumping Ukraine full of weapons that it has no use for… In his opinion, Ukraine is heading towards dissolution and at some point, the US won’t even remember its supporters much like what happened in Kabul…”

Ukraine will ultimately work hand in hand with Russia against Europe. In a meeting with Merkel [see below], Putin warned the West not to interfere with or impose their values on Afghanistan. Amazing when considering that Putin is doing exactly that in countries which he wants to control.

Merkel’s Embarrassing Visit with Putin

Bild Online wrote the following on August 21:

“Angela Merkel (67) was in Moscow this Friday – and made it clear: she was once the most powerful woman in the world. Now she is no longer. Once upon a time …

“Because if this visit served anyone, it was him: Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin (68). Next to Merkel in front of the press, he twisted the truth as he wanted, bent and lied as it suited him. And this time he got away with it for the most part …

“And after the performance here in Moscow, there is only one question left: what was that supposed to mean, Ms. Merkel? …

“The Chancellor has asked for Navalny’s release – so far, so good. Only: Putin was not interested, he used the opportunity to attack Navalny and the West. You don’t have to go to Putin’s court for that! …

“If it is true that Angela Merkel can read Vladimir Putin, then the question remains whether she marched into this Kremlin performance with open eyes.

“… That Merkel lied about the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline, which she saved for Putin when dealing with US President Joe Biden a few weeks ago, calling it a ‘European project,’ is almost at Putin’s level. Because the EU Commission, the EU Parliament and all of Eastern Europe – even France – are against it!…

“And after Putin accused Ukraine of deliberately not wanting peace in eastern Ukraine, which is occupied by Russian forces, and of turning away from the peace process, the German Chancellor, who invented the Minsk process, could think of little more than that both sides – expressly also Ukraine – would not implement agreements. As if Russia and its irregulars were not waging war there, having occupied entire stretches of land …

“The old wisdom remains: a lame duck shouldn’t fly to the vulture.

“And Merkel’s sentence remains: ‘It is better to talk to each other than not to talk at all’ … Talking for the sake of talking with someone who incidentally wages his wars, creates frozen conflicts at his borders, silences the free press, expels, murders or imprisons the opposition, murders in Berlin and hacks the Bundestag… with his hacker brigades—who plays a hypocritical game and wages an open, hybrid war against us and our values, who wants nothing from us but our money and investment opportunities for his criminal oligarch clan.

“So that was it?

“That is a state declaration of bankruptcy and means nothing else than: In the end, the mafiosi and secret service man in the Kremlin won and mostly got what he wanted. Also from the once most powerful woman in the world …”

Sad. And dangerous. Because Germany will not remain powerless forever, being humiliated by Putin and other world leaders.  

Trump Booed in Alabama

CNBNC wrote on August 22:

“Former President Donald Trump was booed at a rally on Saturday in Alabama after telling supporters they should get vaccinated. ‘And you know what? I believe totally in your freedoms. I do. You’ve got to do what you have to do,’ Trump said. ‘But, I recommend: take the vaccines. I did it. It’s good. Take the vaccines.’

“Some boos rang out from the rally crowd, who were largely maskless. ‘No, that’s okay. That’s all right. You got your freedoms,’ Trump said, echoing rhetoric from opponents of mask and vaccine mandates. ‘But I happen to take the vaccine. If it doesn’t work, you’ll be the first to know. Okay? I’ll call up Alabama, I’ll say, hey, you know what? But [the vaccine] is working. But you do have your freedoms you have to keep. You have to maintain that.’…

“Alabama has the lowest vaccinated rate in the U.S., with just more than 36 percent of its population fully inoculated… Republicans were the second-least likely demographic group to be vaccinated, only above uninsured Americans under 65. While 57 percent of Republicans have received at least one dose of the vaccine or say they will get a shot as soon as possible, 40 percent say they either never will, will only do so if it’s required or are still in wait-and-see mode…

“Trump has endorsed vaccination previously but has often matched it with similar caveats. Just last week, after promoting the vaccines in an interview with Fox Business personality Maria Bartiromo, Trump claimed upcoming booster shots recommended by the Biden administration as ‘a money-making operation for Pfizer.’”

Trump has to be careful that he does not lose necessary support due to his controversial vaccination push.

FDA Bows to Pressure

 CNBC wrote on August 23:

“The Food and Drug Administration on Monday granted full approval to Pfizer and BioNTech [for their] Covid-19 vaccine[s] [for use in people over the age of 16] – becoming the first in the U.S. to win the coveted designation and giving even more businesses, schools and universities greater confidence to adopt vaccine mandates. Up until now, the mRNA vaccine, which will be marketed as Comirnaty, was on the U.S. market under an Emergency Use Authorization that was granted by the FDA in December. Since then, more than 204 million of the Pfizer shots have been administered…

“Federal health officials had been under mounting pressure from the scientific community and advocacy groups to fully approve Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine ever since the drugmakers submitted their application to the agency in early May…

“Pfizer and BioNTech are now able to market the shots directly to U.S. consumers…  It also allows the shot to stay on the market once the pandemic is over and the U.S. is no longer considered in an ‘emergency.’…

“Pfizer and BioNTech have said they expect to generate billions from the vaccine. Under full approval, the companies could also decide to charge more for the vaccines… The companies have already raised the price of their vaccine in the European Union…

“Pfizer and BioNTech also plan to ask the FDA to approve a third dose as a booster shot following full approval….”

Breitbart added on August 23:

“Concerns over mandates and long-term side effects loom as polls show a majority of the unvaccinated indicating they will not get the jab.”

No wonder that many Americans are skeptical when considering how the FDA’s approval was rushed through, due to pressure from politicians, the Biden Administration, paid scientists and money-making companies.

Military Troops Ordered to Vaccinate

The Associated Press wrote on August 25:

“Military troops must immediately begin to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a memo Wednesday, ordering service leaders to ‘impose ambitious timelines for implementation.’ More than 800,000 service members have yet to get their shots… Fulfilling the vaccine mandate, however, may be a challenge for National Guard forces who are scattered around the country…

“Asked about specific punishments for noncompliance, [Pentagon spokesman John] Kirby said commanders have a ‘wide range of tools’ to use. ‘It’s a lawful order and we fully anticipate that our troops are going to follow lawful orders,’ he added… The Pentagon decision only applies to the Pfizer vaccine. Moderna has also applied to the FDA for full approval of its vaccine. J&J said it hopes to do so later this year.”

The Washington Post had written on August 21:

“Though Pentagon officials have made clear… that those who refuse risk losing their jobs, inoculation has been voluntary since the vaccines were introduced over the winter — a rare optional task in an organization where orders are the norm… It remains to be seen precisely how the military will address any continued resistance once the vaccine mandate takes [effect]…”

Indeed. It remains to be seen whether the Pentagon has a tiger on their hands.

Australia’s New Restrictions

Life Site News wrote on August 18:

“Australian officials, having legislated the Stay-at-Home order for New South Wales (NSW), have instructed their citizens to report all infringements of COVID regulations including those committed by neighbors and co-workers… Premier Gladys Berejiklian… admonished the people to report ‘anything which is not according to the health rules,’ anywhere, even on your fellow co-workers…

“Dr. Kerry Chant, the Chief Medical Officer for NSW, is also working to keeping people safe by discouraging social interactions and neighborly exchanges. In a public broadcast a week earlier, Chant made it very clear that ‘whilst it is in human nature to engage in conversation with others, to be friendly, unfortunately this is not the time to do that.’ Chant gave the example of meeting a neighbor in the grocery store. In such cases, the people of NSW are not to ‘start up a conversation.’ ‘Now is the time for minimizing your interactions with others,’ Chant continued…

“Effective this past Sunday at midnight, the NSW police have launched ‘Operation Stay at Home,’ which…  entails ‘a 21,000 personnel operation — including 18,000 police officers and 800 members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) — to enforce public health orders.’ In response, the Australian Lawyer Alliance (ALA) called the excessive use of military force to police the streets a ‘dangerous precedent.’

“People are not allowed to leave their homes without ‘a reasonable excuse,’ and if they do leave, they must ‘carry a face mask at all times.’ An individual who chooses to exercise is not allowed to move beyond a 5km radius from their home, and must provide proof of address upon request if stopped by the police.

“Other restrictions limit individuals living alone to having one ‘nominated visitor’ that is not ‘visiting’ other people and resides in the same government area. All places of worship are completely closed down, and only live-stream worship is allowed. All outdoor gatherings are limited to two people.

“As of the end of July, NSW State police commissioner Mick Fuller stated that the reporting hotline has received 15,000 complaints regarding the breaking of COVID restrictions…”

This is not the time to obey God by loving your neighbor as yourself??? Rather, this is the time to spy on and report on [and perhaps lie about] your neighbors???  This is Nazi Germany all over!

Trudeau Blaming the Innocent

Life Site News wrote on August 20:

“The Prime Minister of Canada has encouraged Canadians to confront neighbors who choose not to take COVID-19 inoculations. Justin Trudeau, 49, also suggested that people who refuse the experimental medical products are endangering Canadians, even Canadian children. On Thursday August 19, while campaigning in Calgary for the upcoming federal elections, Justin Trudeau said that people who remain unvaccinated against the coronavirus will be barred from plane and train travel. He also encouraged his supporters to protect themselves by confronting the unvaccinated people in their lives.

“In a video posted to Twitter, Trudeau can be heard at the Calgary Liberal Party rally yelling… ‘If you don’t want to get vaccinated, that’s your choice, but don’t think you can get on a plane, or a train, beside vaccinated people and put them at risk…

“Trudeau’s statement that unvaccinated people in particular endanger the vaccinated conflicts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) advice that even the vaccinated can contract and spread COVID-19… Trudeau’s statement that we need to ‘protect’ children from COVID-19 is at odds with the expert opinion of epidemiologist Dr. Paul Elias Alexander, a former senior adviser to COVID pandemic policy in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)… Alexander stated that: ‘… There is zero benefit to children from the vaccine.’”

As it is true for many of his colleagues in power all over the world, Trudeau is becoming a left-wing socialist autocrat. So is the current leadership in the USA.

SF Gate wrote on August 21:

“… the federal government is extending its mask mandate for all airline, train and bus passengers into next year. The rule had been due to expire in mid-September, but now travelers will have to keep wearing appropriate face coverings at least until Jan. 18. Consumer surveys have indicated that most travelers support the rule…”

And so, Americans, being pressured or duped by left-wing propaganda, support measures which severely violate their liberties and freedoms. It’s like the story about the proverbial frog in hot water, which is described in this way: “The boiling frog is a fable describing a frog being slowly boiled alive. The premise is that if a frog is put suddenly into boiling water, it will jump out, but if the frog is put in tepid water which is then brought to a boil slowly, it will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death.”

Coming… Repeat of the 2008 Housing Crisis?

Newsweek wrote on August 20:

“… it is safe to say that the U.S. housing market is as overvalued as it ever has been in history. So there is little reason to doubt that a large bubble has inflated in this market…

“The net result is that lessons hard learned are soon forgotten. As soon as a public health crisis like COVID-19 emerges, all those warnings from the financial crisis a decade previous are thrown in the trash like so many unloved toys. Borrowing statistics become passé; case numbers and deaths are in vogue now…

“How much damage could this housing bubble do? Housing bubbles affect the real economy through their impact on residential construction investment and employment. Construction firms see that prices—and, with them, profits—are rising, so they borrow and invest… If prices fall, it seems likely that investment will go into hard reverse… If property prices decline and construction investment dries up, many… workers will lose their jobs…

“But now consider the problems in the junk bond market. This is a double bubble. We have a bubble in the junk bond market allowing bankrupt businesses to keep their lights on, and a bubble in the housing market driving record rates of residential construction investment. It is hard to come to any other conclusion: the next financial crisis could make 2008 look like a dress rehearsal.”

The article also claimed that the same phenomenon can be observed all over the world, so that the coming housing crash will be worldwide.

Bank of America’s Radical Racist “Re-Education Program”

The New York Post wrote on August 19:

“Bank of America Corp. has implemented a racial re-education program that claims the United States is a system of ‘white supremacy’… Bank of America teaches employees that the United States is a ‘racialized society’ that uses ‘race to establish and justify systems of power, privilege, disenfranchisement and oppression.’ According to the training program, all whites… are ‘living a life with white-skin privileges.’ Even children are implicated in the system of white supremacy: According to the program materials, white toddlers ‘develop racial biases by ages 3 to 5’ and ‘should be actively taught to recognize and reject the “smog” of white privilege.’…

“People of color, on the other hand, can’t be racist, because ‘racism is used to justify the position of the dominant group . . . and to uphold white supremacy and superiority’…

“America’s economy is described as a ‘caste system,’ with ‘African-Americans kept exploited and geographically separate.’ The American policing system, according to the materials, was founded on ‘slave patrols whose task was to capture, control and brutalize enslaved people’;… this system is ‘woven into the DNA’ of US society and, according to the activists in the training module, can be solved only through ‘the defunding and even the abolishment of the police.’…

“In its very name, Bank of America claims to represent the United States. Yet instead of promoting American ideals, the company’s executives have adopted the radical… concepts of critical race theory…”

Bank of America’s claims are utterly ridiculous and constitute huge lies. Who in his right mind would believe any of it?

Most Americans Believe in Blasphemous Fairy Tale of Evolution

Israel 365 wrote on August 22:

“A new study published by the University of Michigan in the journal Public Understanding of Science reported that after many years of public opinion being evenly divided, the majority of Americans now claim to support the theory of evolution…

“The study identified levels of education as the strongest factors in determining the opinion of the theory of evolution. ‘Almost twice as many Americans held a college degree in 2018 as in 1988…

“Participants were asked to agree or disagree with this statement: ‘Human beings, as we know them today, developed from earlier species of animals.’… Over the last decade, until 2019, the percentage of American adults who agreed with this statement increased from 40% to 54%.

“The current study consistently identified religious fundamentalism as the strongest factor leading to the rejection of evolution… Political affiliation was also found to be a factor. As of 2019, 34% of Republicans accepted evolution compared to 83% of liberal Democrats…”

The “wise” or intellectuals in this world are fools in the eyes of God.

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.

There are many Scriptures that focus on the importance of prophecy. In fact, depending on different estimates, prophecy in the Bible takes up between 25% to 33% of all that is written. It is there for a reason – and if we ignore Bible prophecy, we are ignoring a large portion of God’s Word!

In 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, we read: “Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.” We are admonished to prove what is written in the Word of God where there are hundreds of prophecies in both the Old Testament and in the New Testament. There are those who may try and forecast future events with varying degrees of success and plenty of failures, but only God tells of many events in His Word without any mistakes or errors. When prophecies come to pass, the accuracy of the Bible is proved.

Prophecy is, simply stated, history written in advance.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we read: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Many today look at many sources to try and forecast the future. The writings of Nostradamus, the Koran, Buddha, Confucius, the Book of Mormon and other sources are often consulted, but the Bible could be the last place that many would look – if they looked at all.

God knows all the stars by name (Psalm 147:4), the hairs on everyone’s head are numbered (Luke 12:7), He knows when a sparrow falls (Matthew 10:29) and declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10). Our God is the one true God, and what He says in His Word is true (John 17:17).

2 Peter 1:19-21 shows how prophecy is not from men but from God: “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;  knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,  for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” Biblical prophecy is inspired by God, and so is the proper understanding of prophecy (Revelation 19:10; John 16:13).

The Church of the Eternal God and its affiliates, the Global Church of God in the UK and the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship in Canada, as well as the Kirche des Ewigen Gottes in Germany, have produced many booklets on prophecy – Europe in Prophecy, The Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, The Fall and Rise of Britain and America, The Book of Zechariah – Prophecies for Today, Germany in Prophecy, Middle Eastern and African Nations in Bible Prophecy, Biblical Prophecy – From Now Until Forever and the Ten European Revivals of the Ancient Roman Empire, plus other booklets that contain prophetic details. In addition, many prophetic issues have also been addressed in sermons, monthly member letters and our weekly Q&As. Prophecy has been well covered by the Church of God and this will continue to be the case.

The importance of “watching” is emphasised in Luke 21:34-36: “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” We have to be watchful in seeing how world events play out in a prophetic way and also watching our own spiritual condition.

Events are now taking place that are fulfilling prophecy, and Romans 13:11 should give us the necessary prod to take note of the times we are living in: “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” We have to be patient for the return of Christ, as it states in James 5:7-8: “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.  You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Of course, we know that scoffers and mockers will come at the end time (see 2 Peter 3:3), and this is not helped by a succession of failed date-setters for Christ’s return in spite of Jesus saying that “… of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (see also Mark 13:32). However, we can discern the signs of the times (see Matthew 16:3), and the fact that we are in the end-times can be seen by all that is going on around the world – Europe heading for military and political union, debt crises in most countries, earthquakes and devastating and destructive weather patterns causing terrible wildfires and flooding, the coronavirus pandemic, wars, famines, religious deception, the downfall of the USA and the UK, and much more.

We do need to keep abreast of what is happening, but we do have to keep this in perspective, realising that the depth and breadth of our knowledge about prophecy, all by itself, will be insufficient for us to make it into God’s Kingdom. Mere knowledge of anything, including the Law and the Word of God, without being accompanied by action, is never enough. At the return of Christ, we will not have to sit an examination about how much we knew and understood prophecy or God’s Law or anything contained in His Word. Understanding, in depth, the seals, trumpets, woes and plagues that will take place at the time of the end will not be enough. Nor will all of the other prophecies that are written about in quite a number of books in the Bible. What will really matter is how we have applied what we knew and how we lived our lives, how we have grown and overcome, how obedient we have been to God and His Law and His Commandments, and how we have treated and dealt with other people.

It is unfortunate that some do get rather confused on such issues. Prophecy can become all-consuming to some who are unbalanced in their Christian lives. The same is true for extensive and never-ending Bible study if it does not lead to applying to ourselves  what we have read, followed by action and change of what is wrong. In Matthew 22, Jesus was asked a question by a lawyer: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”  Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (verses 35-40).

Further instruction is given on where our focus for living should be. James 1:26:27 states: “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

The golden rule in Matthew 7:12 is something that should be very close to our heart: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” We should do unto others as we would want them to do unto us; it is simple but very effective.

In Matthew 25:37-40, Jesus is talking about the time when the Son of Man will judge the nations: “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?   Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” This is behaviour and approach that must be an integral and imbedded part of our way of life.

If this is not the way that we live our lives, then there is a stern warning in Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness [or: who are transgressors of the law]!’”

One more reference should show where our priorities should be. In 1 Corinthians 13:8 we read: “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.”

There will come a time when prophecies will all be fulfilled and finished. We must keep in touch with what is happening in the world today and how such events are in line with biblical prophecy, leading to the return of Jesus Christ. It is helpful to know where we are in the timeline of prophetic events, as it is important to know what the Bible says on any given topic, but much more important is how we live our lives which is the basis on which we will be judged. Some, unfortunately, put far too much emphasis on trying to second guess God and predict Christ’s second coming with specific dates. Prophecy can become the be-all and end-all of some people’s interests. That is not balanced.

Rather, understanding biblical prophecy and viewing world events in light of biblical prophecy ought to help us to become better Christians and motivate us to lead more righteous lives, realizing that the time is near and that only so much time is left. The recent shameful developments in Afghanistan show us how quickly events can happen.

We need to be balanced individuals, ensuring that our behaviour and attitude to God and fellow man is dealt with as a matter of top priority. By doing so, we will be afforded the same reward that those in the parable of the talents were given in Matthew 25:20-23: “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’  He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”

Prophecy is vital in helping us to warn the nations of what is to happen in the near future (see Ezekiel 33), and is also vital in helping us to prepare for the second coming of Christ. While waiting for that wonderful event to happen, we have to get on with the job of being a watchman and, at the same time, live a life pleasing in the sight of God which will ensure our eternal future. That is the balance that we need!

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

compiled by Dave Harris

“The Afghanistan Catastrophe,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary: 

The deadly suicide attacks near the Kabul airport only emphasize how chaotic and catastrophic the situation is in Afghanistan, with tens of thousands of stranded Americans and others being left behind and forsaken by incompetent governments. Especially the UK and Germany are blaming the Biden Administration for Europe’s embarrassing retreat, and voices are being heard for a reevaluation of Europe’s relationship with the USA. The Bible tells us much about what is going on right now, and how it will end. 

“Die Afghanistan Katastrophe,” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German language program covers the same material as the SW program described above.

“Vögel der Bibel,” is the title of this Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Michael Link. Title in English: “Birds of the Bible.”

 Printed copies of our new booklet, “Evil Empires and Evil People—Wild Beasts of the Bible,” have been mailed along with this month’s (August) Member Letter to our subscribers. Please contact us if you would like to be on our mailing list.

“Der Splitter in deines Bruders Auge,” a split sermon presented last Sabbath in Germany by Thilo Hanstein, is now posted. Title in English: “The Splinter in Your Brother’s Eye.”

“Talente,” a split sermon presented last Sabbath in Germany by Christoph Sperzel, is now posted. Title in English: “Talents.”

“Water of Eternal Life,” the sermonette presented last Sabbath by Frank Bruno, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Water has been an enduring substance created by God to sustain life. It has also been symbolic of God’s promise to us if we follow and obey Him. In this Sermonette we will delve into several scriptures that illustrate that without God’s living waters we are merely dust, with no prospect of the eternal life that can only be obtained through our faith and obedience in Him and His Son.

“What Does the Bible Have to Say About Diversity?” the sermon presented last Sabbath by Eric Rank, is now posted. Here is a summary:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are a contemporary focus for our governments, educational institutions and work environments. What does the Bible say about the right way to apply these principles?

We will observe the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day for 2021, in Rapid City, South Dakota, and near Düsseldorf, Germany.  If you would like more information, check out our websites: https://www.eternalgod.org/feasts/  ; https://www.ewigengottes.de/wir-uber-uns/laubhuttenfest-2021/

FALL HOLY DAYS for 2021:

September 7          Feast of Trumpets

September 16        Day of Atonement

September 21-27  Feast of Tabernacles

September 28        Last Great Day