Six Democratic lawmakers urged service members to defy illegal orders. President Trump called them traitors and described their conduct as seditious behavior at the highest level, advocating their arrest and death. Whether or not they had the killing of fishermen on the high seas in mind, who allegedly tried to smuggle dangerous and deadly drugs into the United States, are these killings legal? And more importantly, what does God say about them?
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Current Events
by Norbert Link
We begin with the political and economic troubles for the Trump administration, including rising costs because of his tariffs; Trump’s apparent ignorance as to what is happening in this country; and his unexplained reason for resisting the release of the Epstein files which has caused quite a stir with Marjorie Taylor Greene, as well as within the Republican Party, leading to a complete turn-around and a remarkable flip-flop.
We speak on Trump’s highly controversial meetings in Washington DC with Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa and Saudi Arabia’sCrown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
We continue with fears of denaturalization; and his ongoing legally questionable attacks on shipping boats.
We report on Tucker Carlson’s comments about Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer; Trump’s defense; the “terrorist organization” Antifa in Germany; and George Washington’s haunting vision.
In this context, please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “George Washington’s Haunting Vision of America’s Invasion.”
We speak on the red heifer; Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas; policies towards Ukrainian refugees; and Hungary’s warning regarding nuclear war.
We point out the upheaval in Germany regarding unpopular Chancellor Merz and his position on the AfD and the push for military service.
We conclude with new rules for tourists traveling to Europe; and a ridiculous decision in Switzerland.
Throughout this section, we have underlined pertinent statements in the quoted articles, for the convenience and quick overview of the reader.
Does God promise us physical blessings when we lead a righteous life?
Some claim that even though God might have promised people in the Old Testament wealth, prosperity and riches, this is no longer the case for New Testament Christians, as the New Covenant has “better promises,” which allegedly succeed Old Testament blessings.
It is true that as converted Christians, we are living under the conditions of the New Covenant. We read in Hebrews 8:6 that the New Covenant is based, founded or established on better promises. But what are those better promises, exactly?
One of those promises is forgiveness of sin, which was never part of Old Covenant promises. Before the New Covenant came, there was no forgiveness of sins—animal sacrifices do not forgive sins (Hebrews 10:4, 11). They just served as a reminder of sins. When those sins were recognized and “repented” of, a physical relationship with God could be restored so that people were allowed to stay within the community of Israel. They did not repent in a spiritual sense and did therefore not receive forgiveness in a spiritual sense, as they were not called for salvation at that time.
New Testament Christians recognize that Jesus Christ already shed His blood, the blood of the New Covenant, for the remission of our sins. Christ clearly told us the conditions of the New Covenant, and we accepted them at the time of our baptism. As ancient Israel said, we also said, “Everything that the LORD has said, we will do.” We also, of course, accepted Christ’s shed blood that forgives our sins, and we acknowledged that we had entered into a covenant with God at the time of our baptism.
The New Covenant is also a marriage agreement. The consummation of our marriage with Jesus Christ—the bridegroom and the Lamb—is still in the future. This is where the biblical concept of betrothal becomes important. In biblical times, the parties went through a period of “betrothal” before they actually consummated the marriage. Mary was already betrothed to Joseph when she was found to be with child (Matthew 1:18). Since they had not consummated the marriage, Joseph thought that Mary was guilty of fornication. But Mary and Joseph were already called, at the time of their betrothal, husband and wife (Matthew 1:19–20, 24; compare also Deuteronomy 28:30). Betrothal was a binding agreement or contract of marriage, and it could only be severed through a divorce. With this contract, the husband had promised his wife to consummate the marriage with her, after a certain period of time.
As the consummation of the marriage occurred later, and so it is with us today. The consummation of our marriage will occur, once Jesus Christ returns to establish His Kingdom on earth. At that time, we will become immortal Spirit beings—born-again members of the God Family. That is the time when the New Covenant—the consummation of our marriage with Christ—will reach its total fulfillment. We are to inherit eternal life and become glorified God beings. THAT was never a promise given to ancient Israel.
Also, there was no promise for receiving the Holy Spirit, which alone gives us the strength and power to overcome and conquer sin, and to obey and keep God’s Law. God, in the New Covenant, replaces our stony hearts with hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19). The ministry under the previous covenants led to condemnation, since people sinned and could not obtain forgiveness (2 Corinthians 3:9). On the other hand, the ministry under the New Covenant leads to righteousness, since the promises of the New Covenant include forgiveness of sins and the gift of the power of the Holy Spirit to live righteously.
We see, then, that the New Covenant contains tremendous spiritual blessings and promises which were not included in previous Old Testament covenants which God made with Israel under Moses. But does this mean, then, that the New Covenant does not include physical promises which were indeed part of Old Testament covenants? To put it differently, does the New Covenant relationship with God exclude physical blessings? Must we be poor when we want to be Christians?
It is true that at times, true Christians had to give up physical possessions for Christ’s sake. But is this supposed to be the promised general and permanent condition of a Christian life?
Let us note Ezekiel 34:25–27 which describes physical people living under the conditions of the New Covenant:
“I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield their increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the LORD…”
These promises clearly include physical blessings.
We also read in Malachi 3:8-10 about the New Covenant command of tithing and God’s physical blessing when we fulfill that command:
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,’ Says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.’”
In Matthew 19:27-29, Christ gave His disciples a tremendous promise of spiritual AND physical blessings:
“Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.’”
He makes it still clearer in the parallel passage in Mark 10:28-30 that He was also referring to “hundredfold” physical blessings in this life:
“Then Peter began to say to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You.’ So Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—
houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.’”
Either these words are true and to be taken quite literally, or Christ is a liar, which is of course a ridiculous and preposterous concept, as then, we would have no Savior, since lying is sin. But we are told that Christ never committed a sin in what He thought, said and did.
So let us reflect on the tremendous application of what Christ said. Leaving houses and lands for Christ’s sake will bring about a hundredfold blessing, including houses and lands. One might think of Job at the end of his trial, whose losses were restored, and who received twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10). Of course, our motivation must not be to get hundredfold blessings when we give up physical possessions, but the fact of the matter is that God promises us such physical blessings when we give up physical possessions for Christ.
Christ also made clear that not only our relationship with God, but also with our fellow man, will have a bearing on whether God will bless us physically. We read Christ’s words in Luke 6:38:
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
We should be able to see, then, that the New Covenant clearly includes physical blessings, in addition to those spiritual blessings which are of course better than the physical ones. But physical and spiritual blessings are not mutually exclusive.
Note also the following timeless promises of God for His people, including New Testament Christians:
Proverbs 10:22 says: “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.”
Proverbs 11:25 adds, mirroring the above-mentioned promise in Luke 6: “The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.” Compare also Proverbs 22:9: “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.”
Proverbs 3:9-10 mirrors God’s promise in Malachi for faithful tithing:
“Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”
Our relationship with God in all of this is of tantamount importance. God says He will bless the righteous with physical blessings; there is no Scripture telling us that God will bless the unrighteous in this way. And God warns us that we must never forget where our physical blessings come from, and while thinking that we did it on our own, we even forget to keep God and His Law.
In Deuteronomy 8:11-18, God warns ancient Israel in this regard, but His warning applies in like manner to us today:
“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest–when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end—then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
Also, as mentioned above, we must not concentrate on wanting to become rich, thereby forgetting about God and His Way of Life. Notice 1 Timothy 6:9-10:
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
We also read in Mark 4:19 that “…the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”
Proverbs 11:28 includes a similar stirring warning, but it also shows the connection between righteousness and physical blessings: “He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.”
Christ cautions us in Luke 12:15 to “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
Instead, we are challenged to use our physical blessings wisely, as we read in 1 Timothy 6:17-19: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
We are even told in 1 John 3:17: “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”
These warnings do not negate the fact that in regard to converted Christians who live under the conditions of the New Covenant, God has promised them physical blessings, as long as they remain faithful and righteous, with right priorities and the right goal and purpose in mind, seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then God will give us what we need physically, and so much more (compare Ephesians 3:20).
Lead Writer: Norbert Link
George Washington’s Haunting Vision of America’s Invasion
What does the Saudi Crown Prince’s meeting with Donald Trump have to do with George Washington’s haunting vision, and what did that vision say, exactly? And what does a remarkable end-time prophecy in Psalm 83 regarding Israel have to do with the last revival of the ancient Roman Empire under German military leadership? And how are all of these developments connected?
Download AudioCurrent Events
by Norbert Link
We begin with articles questioning the survival of the German government beyond 2025. In this regard, please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “What Does the Bible Say About Germany’s Future?”.
We address interesting developments and revelations pertaining to Austria’s Habsburg family; and point out the terrible consequences of the longest shutdown in American history, including SNAP payments and huge problems pertaining to travel.
We also quote articles claiming that Trump’s tariffs policy has caused just about everything to become more expensive for American consumers.
We address Trump’s meeting with Orban; his boycott of the G-2O summit in South Africa; BBC’s dishonest reporting; Pope Leo’s ill-conceived two-state “solution”; Turkey’s hostile conduct towards Israel; China’s use of war-robots in preparation of attacking Taiwan; and undeniable side effects of Covid-19 vaccinations.
Throughout this section, we have underlined pertinent statements in the quoted articles, for the convenience and quick overview of the reader.
What Does the Bible Say About Germany’s Future?
Will Germany’s coalition under Chancellor Merz collapse before the end of this year? And what would happen then? Who would lead Germany? What about the right-wing opposition party, the AfD? Can Germany even escape its current political and economic misery and its ongoing downfall? What does biblical prophecy tell us?
Download AudioCurrent Events
by Norbert Link
We begin with interesting developments in Israel referring to the Third Temple; speak on demons and aliens; and address numerous issues pertaining to the Trump Administration.
We address Tucker Carlson’s interview with antisemite Nick Fuentes; the victory of antisemite Zohran Mamdani in New York City; and the death of highly controversial former Vice President Dick Cheney.
We also speak on Putin’s new terrifying weapons; drones over Belgium; the election in the Netherlands; further troublesome news from Germany; and outrageous comments about the Bible.
Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Antisemitism on the Left and the Right.”
Throughout this section, we have underlined pertinent statements in the quoted articles, for the convenience and quick overview of the reader.
When Our Critics Become Silent…
Every time we address the biblical fact that a Third Temple will be built in Jerusalem prior to Christ’s Return, we are confronted with criticism: “Where in the Bible does it say that?” “There will be no Temple prior to Christ’s Return.” “The reference to a Temple is strictly addressing the Church.” Or, to make matters still worse and pathetic, “Jesus is the Temple, and God the Father will send Him—the Temple—back to Earth.”
The last objection is, of course, totally ridiculous and not even worth the time of discussing. I am only bringing it up to show how spiritually uneducated and ignorant “religious” people can be. It is true, of course, that the Bible does sometimes speak about the Church—or each and every true Christian—as a spiritual Temple. And it is also true that Christ comes back to His Church—His spiritual Temple. But many Scriptures cannot be explained that way and require the existence of a physical Temple before Christ’s Return.
For instance, we read that the man of sin (the false prophet) will be in the Temple of God, claiming to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). This cannot possibly be referring to the man of sin sitting in God’s true Church—the very thought borders on blasphemy. That is the reason why Herbert W. Armstrong taught dogmatically that this passage mandates the existence of a physical Temple prior to Christ’s Return. We also read that the Millennial Temple in the book of Ezekiel must be cleansed—the reason being that it was polluted through the man of sin and the abominations which will take place in the Temple, as for instance described in the early pages of the book of Ezekiel and in the book of Daniel. For anybody who is willing to open his or her eyes, our literature is filled with proof that a physical Temple MUST be built before Christ CAN come back.
But who is going to build that Third Temple? I have been saying for quite some time that I strongly believe that Donald Trump will have an important role to fulfill in this regard. In fact, I recently said that I believe that Mr. Trump has been placed in power, among other reasons, to fulfill the biblical requirement of helping to build that Temple. I said this already during his first term, and I’m saying this again now. It is true that I strongly felt that events would happen faster—that Mr. Trump would be in the White House again more than four years ago. As it turned out, he was not then, but he is now. I explained at the time why I was four years ahead of my time (as many of the early apostles were and as Mr. Armstrong was as well)—and that I felt strongly that he would be back.
Apart from the fact that I believed (and believe) that the 2020 election was rigged and that Donald Trump should have been the rightful President, I also believed that God delayed the timing as the Church, as a whole, was not ready for the prophesied end-time events (cp. 2 Peter 3:9). Sadly, I don’t believe that the Church, as a whole, is ready now, but God’s patience has limits, and we are told that God will not delay the fulfillment any longer. In fact, God says that He will do a short Work (Romans 9:28) which can be accelerated (2 Peter 3:12). This is not to say that everyone in the Church will participate in the hastening of the Work and of Christ’s coming—some will be counted unworthy to go to the place of safety (even if they still believed in one) or to stand before the Son of Man.
When I mentioned Donald Trump in relation to the Third Temple, criticism ensued… as was expected: “What biblical Scripture do you have backing up this bizarre claim?” Of course, if someone does not believe that a physical Temple must be built, he obviously would not believe that Mr. Trump would have anything to do with such an endeavor. But if we believe in a physical building, how does President Trump come into play? Let’s be logical for a moment.
We are told in the Bible that foreigners (“they that are far off”) will come and build IN the Temple of the LORD (compare Zechariah 6:15, Authorized Version). It is obvious that Israel will not be able to build the Temple on its own; it would need support and protection. This protection can only be provided by the USA—and who would be better equipped and qualified to do so and to engage in such a building process than Donald Trump, who has been undeniably very successful in erecting monumental and significant buildings?
Of course, there is no Scripture which says: Donald Trump will build the Third Temple. Nor has there been a Scripture which says that divided Germany would reunite. But Herbert Armstrong powerfully proclaimed that it would reunite because he understood the entirety of prophecy in this regard, and he was guided by the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10; John 16:13). With that same spirit, he proclaimed that there would be no major war between Russia and America, and that America had won its last war. That spirit of prophecy is with God’s true servants today, and we proclaim as well that America will not win another war and that Russia will not attack America… but also, that a war will break out between Russia, Ukraine and Europe. After all, we read that God will do nothing unless He reveals His plan first to His servants (Amos 3:7).
And we believe that we are guided by that same spirit of prophecy which inspires us to see Mr. Trump’s role in building the Third Temple—provided, he is willing to fulfill this commission—even though this claim might sound strange to some people (compare Habakuk 1:5).
We are by far not the only ones who have seen the significance of Donald Trump being in power in relation to the Third Temple. Israel 365 News wrote on October 24:
“White House correspondent, Jake Turx, asked Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt whether President Donald Trump had ever discussed the prospect of supporting the Temple’s reconstruction in Jerusalem… after noting Trump’s reputation for large-scale building projects and his newly revealed plans for a White House ballroom…
“Leavitt pointedly did not reject the possibility that the president and real-estate tycoon would consider the project, responding, instead, ‘It has not. No it hasn’t. I’m sorry, Jake.’ The exchange was brief, but it immediately recalled one of the most symbolically potent moments of Trump’s first term: the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem in May 2018… Following the embassy move, the Sanhedrin minted a ceremonial coin depicting Trump alongside the Persian King Cyrus, who facilitated the Jewish people’s return from Babylonian exile and rebuilding the Second Temple…”
The press reported in some articles that Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had said that President Trump will not build the Third Temple. The Jerusalem Post had the following headline: “Leavitt: Donald Trump not rebuilding Jerusalem’s third temple.” This is clearly misleading, as Leavitt did NOT say that.
Also, Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to announce the building of a Third Temple about 7 years ago. You might want to listen again to our StandingWatch program from May 16, 2018, titled “Netanyahu’s Announcement of a Third Temple?”
Books have been written about the Third Temple and Donald Trump’s involvement. One introduction reads: “Many believe that President Trump is Israel’s next King Cyrus, the facilitator and overseer of the building of the Third Temple and that his influential role in that pursuit is being guided by Hashem (God) Himself, in order to restore to His people the most sacred site of worship. Is a secret plan under development for [the] construction of the Third Temple? And as these plans are increasingly expedited, will Trump succeed in raising this landmark, only to usher in the end of days?”
The blueprint for building the Third Temple exists. Musical instruments, over 60 vessels, and priestly garments like the ephod, breastplate, robe and the high priest’s crown have already been prepared. These are not replicas or models, but authentic vessels, made from gold, copper, silver and wood. Also, the menorah has been made of one piece of pure gold. Even a replica of the ark of the covenant (made of gold and three tons of Egyptian Acacia wood) was painstakingly constructed to exact specifications of the Torah and was displayed for the first time in October of 2024 in Jerusalem. Descendants of the tribe of Levi, known as Levites, are actively being identified and trained for the future Third Temple service, including both the priestly “Kohanim” and other Levites for supportive roles.
Can one really believe that all these preparations have been done without God’s involvement or inspiration?
So, before being accused of proclaiming something bizarre and weird, let’s just patiently wait and see what the future holds. Maybe, our critics will end up very embarrassed and become silent when they will have to realize that true prophecy had been proclaimed to them (cp. Ezekiel 33:33).
Current Events
by Norbert Link
We begin with events pertaining to Israel and the Third Temple, as well as Hamas; speak on Trump’s possible “third term”; the new ballroom and threats to revoke the naturalization of Americans; the continuing shutdown; Putin’s new maneuverings; and Europe’s steps to secure “defense” readiness against major attacks by 2030. We also point out disturbing developments in Germany.
Please view in this regard our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Germany Continues to Embrace Dictatorship.”
We also report on a new trade controversy between the USA and Canada; a TikTok deal in the making; Kennedy’s position on saturated fats; and the death of Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit.
Please note our new message, “Will Trump Build the Third Temple?—Comments on News and Prophecy, October 26, 2025”
Throughout this section, we have underlined pertinent statements in the quoted articles, for the convenience and quick overview of the reader.
Germany Continues to Embrace Dictatorship
This program discusses an alarming example of dictatorial conduct in Germany, and it is by no means an isolated incident. It is becoming increasingly dangerous to even report and comment on those occurrences, as we do in this broadcast. Germany’s descent into a dictatorship reminiscent of Russia, the Third Reich or the GDR is unmistakable.
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