When the ancient people of Israel were freed from captivity in Egypt and called to depart from their sins to serve God, it was no easy path for them to enter the new life God had planned for them.

Time and again, Israel forgot that God had delivered them from Egyptian slavery with a mighty hand, and the Bible shows us this pattern many times, especially during the journey through the wilderness and also later throughout the entire Old Testament period, extending into the New Testament, and even beyond into the present day.

God’s miracles were repeatedly forgotten, in no small part because Israel had continuously expressed its discontent and dissatisfaction. God had provided them with everything they needed for the entire forty years; He even gave them silver and gold jewelry, clothes, and precious garments, useful household items, livestock, and much more for their exodus from Egypt.

Nevertheless, they had decided – and even encouraged one another – to grumble against God, to rebel, and to openly display their ingratitude.

They had simply allowed God’s great deeds to fade from memory, even though He had reminded them with these words: “…because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it” (Numbers 14:22-23).

One might say, “A murmuring heart found no peace even at a bountiful table.” That is sad, but true!

David put it very aptly in Psalm 106:7: “Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; They did not remember the multitude of Your mercies, But rebelled by the sea—the Red Sea.”

But even today, if one understands who and where Israel and Judah are now, one can see that they have forgotten God’s great deeds—everything He once did for their ancestors and everything He has done for them to this day. God’s mercy is so immeasurably great, yet people seem to have a tendency to forget—time and again, and especially very quickly.

Why does this even happen? Why don’t people remember God’s good deeds? Why are His blessings and His guidance so quickly forgotten? How quickly do we forget today?

Even though Paul had repeatedly written it down in the letter to the Hebrews as a reminder, precisely so that people would not forget: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” (Hebrews 12:1). 

One might add here: “…and let’s not forget!”

But on the one hand, the human heart often tends toward selfishness or egotism, and on the other hand, prosperity and wealth can replace good memories of God’s deeds. Furthermore, false pride can also attribute success to oneself, as God already warns us in Deuteronomy 8:11,17: “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… then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’”

This is also why Christ said in Matthew 19:23: “…Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of [God].”

We are God’s chosen people today – all of us throughout the world who have been baptized in the proper manner and who are part of the Body of Christ.

God the Father, as well as Jesus Christ, have called us out of this sinful world, just as He did with Israel in those days. We read this call – “Come out of her, my people” – in Revelation 18:4, and it is one of God’s most urgent calls to His people – to us today in these end times. We are all spiritual Israelites and must never allow the works of God to fade from our minds and hearts.

It is Satan who tries to steal the memory of God’s Word from our hearts. Christ explains this unequivocally in the Parable of the Sower:

“…When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts” (Mark 4:15; compare Matthew 13:19).

This statement applies not only to hearing the Word of God, but also to its enduring effect in our lives. Satan does everything in his power to ensure that God’s Word and His Truth fall into oblivion, lose their power, and bear no fruit in us.

That is why it is not enough to hear or read the Word of God just once a week. We must continually keep it within us, reflect on it again and again, and bring it to life in our daily routines. Thus, it will remain in our hearts, shape our thoughts and actions, and produce the fruit that God expects of us.

This means that our memory needs constant care and conscious recall. It is no coincidence that the Bible contains so many exhortations such as “Remember…,” “Do not forget…,” “Tell your children about it…,” or “Write down these words…” There is a deep spiritual principle behind this as well.

God knows how easily people forget – even His greatest blessings, miracles, and acts of help. That is why He repeatedly calls on us, His people, to consciously remember His deeds, His commandments, and His promises, and not to forget them.

According to the Bible, remembering is not a passive process, but a conscious spiritual exercise and discipline. Those who regularly recall God’s works through Bible study, prayer, meditation, and fasting strengthen their faith, maintain gratitude, and remain steadfast in their trust in God.

But when we stop consciously remembering God’s deeds, we often fall into ingratitude, doubt, disobedience, and rebellion. That is why God repeatedly calls on His people to consciously keep His miracles, His commandments, and His help in mind.

David gives us a beautiful guide for anchoring this in our memory. We read in Psalm 103:2-5:

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,  Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Initial translation from the German: Daniel Blasinger

In a world like this, which we all have to live in, we often find it hard to accept certain situations for what they are. Not everything can be understood, explained, or even changed. Many paths are rocky, many decisions are difficult, and some burdens must be carried for longer than one could ever have expected.

As the saying goes: There’s nothing in this world that comes easy. Everything that truly matters – trust, love, patience, maturity, or inner strength – usually arises from trials, disappointments, or experiences that shape us. Yet it is precisely in these moments that the depth of life reveals itself: that people do not grow only on good days, but often especially on the difficult ones.

Recently, I read something that really got me thinking. The words stirred something within me, as if a process had been set in motion deep within my thoughts – one that was necessary to bring about real change.

Sometimes you come across phrases or thoughts that don’t just touch you for a brief moment but continue to work within you. They put their finger on something that may have been slumbering within us for a long time. And that is precisely when this change begins – not on the outside, but first on the inside, in our thinking, our hearts, and our view of ourselves and how we live.

The phrase was: “Learn to accept the things you cannot change, have the courage to change the things you can change, and the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.”

This quote can touch upon one of humanity’s deepest inner struggles, perhaps prompting us to ask ourselves: “What should I make peace with, and what should I continue to fight for?”

Most people suffer not only when facing very serious problems, but often also when they try to control things that are beyond their power. Things like the past, other people’s behavior, injustice or illness, loss through death, or other unpleasant events. And that is precisely where discouragement, bitterness, anger, or despair can sometimes arise.

And that is exactly when we must say: “Do not give up but recognize your limits and do not waste your strength on things that God has not placed in your hands.” This is precisely what Jesus Christ spoke about, and the Bible generally has a great deal to say on the subject.

For example, in Matthew 6:25, 27, we read an appropriate statement by Jesus Christ: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life… Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”

In this way, Christ shows us that people often desperately try to grasp hold of things they cannot control at all. At the same time, the Bible also teaches us not to live passively.

God said in Joshua 1:9:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

And in Romans 12:21, Paul wrote: “…overcome evil with good.”

This means: Acceptance does not mean approving of everything. Humility is not weakness and letting go does not mean indifference. The difficulty lies in recognizing: When do I continue to fight out of love for the Truth, and when am I merely fighting out of disappointment, pride, anger, or a wounded ego?

The Bible strongly links this wisdom with humility. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3:5:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding…”

Humans often see only a small piece of the mosaic, while God sees the whole picture. And that is precisely why we should not seek our peace in wanting to control or determine everything, or in impatiently demanding something that is not our responsibility, but rather, in trusting completely that God will ultimately make everything right.

In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul wrote:

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

This is precisely what deep spiritual maturity looks like. Not every external situation should be allowed to influence and dictate our inner peace. Sometimes, of course, people cling to things—to friends and family, to times past, to recognition, to control, or to ideas about life—even though much of it has long since been broken and is even predestined.

Yet it is precisely this desperate clinging and controlling that can often cause even more harm.

Solomon describes something similar in Ecclesiastes 3:1 with the words: “To everything there is a season” – a time to build and to tear down, to gain and to lose, to hold on and to let go.

This is often difficult because people seek security. Yet spiritual maturity is often shown in the realization that we do not have to control or change everything to find peace.

And perhaps this is the hardest lesson of our lives: God wants us to learn to accept the fact that not every wound heals, not every question is answered, and not everyone acts justly – and that we must not let our hearts become discouraged or hardened because of it.

Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger

Feelings are inner experiences that show how we evaluate or personally perceive something. They arise in response to thoughts, situations, or physical conditions and influence our actions.

Feelings can be viewed from three perspectives. From a psychological point of view, feelings are subjective perceptions such as joy, fear, anger, or sadness. They help us to quickly assess situations, for example, to recognize dangers through fear—a kind of protective reaction. At the same time, feelings cause physical changes, such as a faster heartbeat when we are afraid, a sense of warmth when we are happy, or inner tension when we are angry. Hormones and the nervous system play an important role in this. Feelings also influence our relationships. Through facial expressions, voice, and behavior, we show others how we are feeling. They can occupy space within us and give rise to envy, pride, shame, gratitude, romantic love, and many other emotions.

However, feelings should not be confused with emotions. An emotion is a process, or a reaction that comes from within a person, a visible or tangible expression. A feeling, on the other hand, is the conscious inner experience of this emotion. Feelings are like an inner compass, so to speak. They guide us in our decisions. Whether these decisions were ultimately good or bad is another matter.

Paul already formulated an interesting thesis when he wrote: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

Here, Paul sets an important standard between “lawful”, meaning legally possible or not expressly prohibited, and “not helpful”, meaning not useful and edifying, not beneficial to life and relationships with God and others. Feelings can lead us to allow or justify something that is not good. So, the question remains: Does it serve my salvation, my life? Does it build me or others up? Or am I about to be controlled by this feeling?

Paul does not warn against feelings per se, but against becoming a slave to false desires, impulses, or inner states.

The Bible knows the concept of spiritual influence. It speaks of temptation, accusation, or seduction that comes from the adversary, from Satan. At present, many people’s feelings are being put to the test. Peter wrote: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

For true Christians, such influence is often a hard trial. Questions may then arise such as: “Does it lead to hopelessness with no way out? Does it lead to self-condemnation? Does it lead away from love and trust? Does it bring inner enslavement or compulsion?”

The Holy Spirit of God, on the other hand, is described as the Spirit of truth, peace, freedom, and love: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that trust in God must be our inner anchor, regardless of what we feel or experience.

Solomon wrote: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

And Paul wrote: “… we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

No matter what happens to us, feelings are as volatile as a flag in the wind – confidence today, doubt tomorrow; joy today, sorrow tomorrow.

God’s Word does not say that we should suppress our feelings, but that we should not make them our ultimate standard. God is described as unchanging, while the human heart can falter. That is why trusting in God is not a feeling, but a decision.

Trusting in God is not about never being afraid, never doubting, and always being strong. Rather, it means turning to God with our fears and doubts, as well as our anger and sadness, and asking Him for help!

Even Jesus prayed to His Father in great agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying: “…not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Perhaps it can be summarized this way: Feelings say, “This is how I experience it right now.” But faith says, “This is how God is – even if I don’t feel or understand it right now.”

Trust in God is like a foundation underlying changing inner states. It is not our feelings that carry us – it is God who carries us.

Our trust must always be rooted in God and not guided solely by our feelings.

David put it concisely: “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:8).

(Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger)

Recently, on November 28, a Q&A written by Mr. Norbert Link was published on our website, eternalgod.org. The second question, “What do we read in general about true thankfulness to God for His physical blessings, even in difficult times, and how can Thanksgiving Day contribute to this attitude of thankfulness?” led me to the following reflection: “What do we really know about genuine gratitude for God – precisely for the peace He wants to give us, especially in difficult times?”

Currently, we are all living in a deeply stressful and depressing time, in which political decisions often show that citizens are being restricted by ongoing new regulations. At the same time, people around the world are feeling increasingly disappointed by a lack of transparency, dubious priorities and enormous spending on ideological projects. In addition, international decisions are leading to people being drawn into conflicts that are causing a high number of human casualties.

We are also seeing a significant change in society, with some people feeling that politicians are supporting certain social groups whose activities are having a major impact on public debate. One example is Antifa, a term used to describe anti-fascist radical left-wing groups that regularly call for demonstrations against right-wing extremism or authoritarian political developments.

There is also discussion about the role of political peace initiatives that show how military buildup, nuclear deterrence, or a return to mandatory military service are being promoted. For many, the idea of trying to create peace through military strength is frightening—like trying to dry up a river by pouring more water into it.

In my personal circle, I see every day how deep peoples’ dissatisfaction has become. You can not only feel it, but you can also hear it almost daily in every sentence that alternates between worry and exhaustion.

Many people carry fears within them that are reinforced by discussions and negative headlines in the media. There are fears of a new, second pandemic due to a mysterious “disease X,” as well as fears of a major blackout, a widespread power failure that could paralyze entire cities, as recently happened in Spain. Added to this is the uncertainty surrounding digitalization, surveillance, and changes to the monetary system. Issues such as the “surveilled citizen,” a digital euro, or a possible “social credit system” are suddenly much more prominent.

There are also concerns about geopolitical tensions and the grim scenarios that are circulating, from an allegedly imminent war with Russia in 2029 to global changes that are being discussed under slogans such as “Great Reset.”

Then there are many other events that we can glean from our weekly Current Events. We could mention the recent civil war-like riots on November 29, 2025, in Giessen, Germany, where many left-wingers violently demonstrated against a new AfD youth organization.

Moreover, we may have our own personal burdens and the struggles of everyday life, which demand a lot from us and keep us constantly on the move.

When we consider all these impressions that are reaching us now – what we see, hear, and in some cases experience ourselves – a quiet, oppressive feeling may remain, because the problems addressed here are very real and by no means trivial—and they are indeed a legitimate cause for concern. Do all these developments affect our inner peace and quality of life, which we strive for?

All these scenarios, as terrible as they are, must not rob us of our inner peace and the quality of life we long for. Rather, we see them as signs of the times and therefore know that Christ will return to earth very soon and judge all injustice!

Especially now, in such difficult times, we should have genuine gratitude toward God, especially for the peace He wants to give us.

Isaiah 26:3-4 tells us: “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.”

David wrote in Psalm 29:11: “The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.”

Christ said: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

Christ also gives us courage, for His peace will sustain us even in the midst of difficult times, saying, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Paul also reminds us again and again how important it is to be thankful for this peace that Christ gives us: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

He concludes the 12th chapter of the letter to the Hebrews with these words: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

If we always trust in God, He will give us His peace, which provides us with peace of mind, tranquility, strength, and courage, even in difficult times. Gratitude opens our hearts to His peace, and so God’s Word reminds us repeatedly of what will truly endure: His peace, which is stronger than anything that can shake us.

Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger

Many politicians of this world enjoy a form of political immunity that appears to guarantee them exemption from punishment or impunity. Due to widespread corruption and lobbying, this gives the impression that these rulers can never be held accountable.

As an ordinary citizen, this is difficult to understand. Whether it is the US, the UK, Russia, Ukraine, or Germany, the whole world is corrupt, and pretty much all politicians seem to be concerned with their own advantage or their own position and power, rather than the welfare of the people they swore to uphold when they took office.

At present, one can only shake one’s head at recent Current Events published by the Church of the Eternal God and be deeply distraught about this worldwide political corruption.

Whether it is the affair involving Jeffrey Epstein, which is causing a worldwide uproar, the wars in Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, China, North Korea, and many others – trillions of dollars, euros, and other currencies are being embezzled and senselessly wasted. This embezzlement of taxpayer money not only leads to further tax increases; above all, in God’s eyes, it is nothing less than a serious crime!

But none of those in power take responsibility or care about making a righteous change in their actions, as they all enjoy a certain kind of immunity. In most cases, therefore, no one can be punished for their actions! These are disgusting conditions.

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 29:4: “By justice a king gives stability to the land; but he who imposes heavy taxes ruins it” (New American Bible).

However, the Bible regards goods and money as entrusted to human beings, regardless of whether they come from God or from people. Misuse or waste is considered foolishness and sin, which demand accountability. Read “The Parable of the Unjust Steward” in Luke 16.

Diplomats also enjoy immunity from prosecution in their host country under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. There are several well-known cases of fatal accidents or even intentional acts that fell under this immunity. The diplomats involved were never held accountable in the host country.

For example, the case of Anne Sacoolas – USA/UK (2019):

Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a US diplomat in the UK, caused a traffic accident in Northamptonshire in which 19-year-old Harry Dunn died. She left the country invoking diplomatic immunity. It was not until years later that she was convicted in her absence in the UK, but she did not serve any sentence in the UK.

Or Raymond Davis – USA/Pakistan (2011):

Davis, officially declared a diplomat, shot and killed two men in Lahore, Pakistan. The US invoked diplomatic immunity. Davis was released after paying financial compensation (“diyya,” blood money in Islamic law) and returned to the US without being punished in Pakistan.

These are just two examples of many! This immunity, behind which politicians and diplomats hide, is officially not unlimited. In most countries, it “can” be lifted by parliament if there is a serious suspicion of a criminal offense. However, the problem is often not immunity itself, but corruption, lobbying, and a lack of transparency, which in most cases lead to impunity. And as the saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together!”

God knew that these abuses would come into the world. The following Bible passages prove it.

David wrote in his Psalms, “No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength” (Psalm 33:16).

And Isaiah declared, “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have prescribed To rob the needy of justice, And to take what is right from the poor of My people, That widows may be their prey, And that they may rob the fatherless” (Isaiah 10:1-2).

The time will come when everyone has to give account for their actions – if not in this life, then at the latest at the Great White Throne Judgment.

The Bible, the Word of God, is infallible and absolutely correct. It condemns corruption, abuse of power, and lies in the strongest terms and in fact gives warnings about the consequences. False rulers are often hypocrites and perpetrators of injustice, but the people should look to God, stand up for justice, and not participate in lawlessness.

Micah wrote down what God expects of people: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

Even if politicians enjoy immunity from prosecution, one thing is as certain as the sun rising every day: There is no immunity before God!

God’s answer for all people is actually no secret, except that most people do not want to know about it, especially today’s politicians.

Paul wrote at least three times that all people will one day have to give an account.

First in Romans 14:10-12; then in 2 Corinthians 5:10; and finally in Hebrews 4:13, where it says: “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

Solomon confirms these words in Ecclesiastes 12:14. And Christ admonishes us in Matthew 12:36: “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”

It would be an illusion to believe that we will never have to give account for our actions which we commit in this life.

(Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger)

When I read the article “Anyone who withdraws €3,000 in Spain will be monitored” in our German Edition of the Weltnachrichten, I was initially appalled. The Express newspaper wrote the following: “Anyone in Spain who wants to withdraw large sums of cash from their account will in the future have to inform the tax authorities in advance… When registering, the purpose of the withdrawal must be stated as well as the identity of the person making the withdrawal and, if different, the recipient.

“Non-compliance can be expensive: fines range from 1 to 10 percent of the amount withdrawn – in extreme cases, up to €150,000.

“Even those who regularly withdraw smaller amounts of around €800 or €900 can come under the scrutiny of the authorities if there is no plausible reason for doing so. Banks are now obliged to report suspicious activities – even if they remain below the thresholds.”

However, this approach, as currently practiced in Spain, is not unique in the EU.

Verbraucherschutzforum.Berlin (a platform that deals with consumer protection) published the following information on its website on April 28, 2025:

“An important change that all citizens should be aware of: The European Union has introduced an upper limit for cash transactions. With immediate effect, a maximum of €10,000 may be handed over in cash anywhere in the EU – anything above this amount will be strictly regulated. Anyone who fails to comply risks severe penalties.”

Then there is another type of surveillance that Germany in particular is very interested in and that the EU would like to introduce. This is the so-called “social credit system,” which is already well established in China.

Please note the following excerpts from an article by Frau von Hassel in the “Bayerische Gemeinde Zeitung” from December 2022:

“Social scoring coming soon to Bavaria?

“2G/3G has led to the acceptance of mutual control in a very short time. (2G: vaccinated or recovered; 3G: vaccinated, recovered, or tested). Everyone now has various apps on their smartphones that voluntarily provide data on whether law-abiding citizens are complying with all the measures imposed. But how far away is this scenario really from a social scoring system or social credit system, as has already been introduced in China? Are structures not being created here that could be brought into sharp focus and abused in the near future?…

“Bologna and Vienna are currently introducing a social credit system (light) on a trial basis. These systems are based on the concept of sustainability. Anyone who acts in a sustainable and environmentally conscious manner can benefit from this. The conditions for this are already in place in Bavaria. The aim is to promote sustainable behavior in everyday life by rewarding environmentally conscious actions. It is intended to send a signal to companies and citizens.”

What exactly is this social credit system?

The social credit system is a method of assessing individuals or situations using rating scales. A citizen’s social credit score rises based on socially desirable actions, such as paying taxes or buying Chinese products. However, it also drops if a person exhibits behavior that the state considers dishonest or otherwise problematic, such as committing a crime or making negative statements about the government.

At first glance, it seems very frightening when you consider that we are on the verge of establishing this totalitarian surveillance state, which will be none other than the final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire. And it is precisely these scenarios that should remind us of the warnings Jesus Christ gave us in the Gospels and in the Book of Revelation. But Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Joel, and many others also warn us precisely of such a dictatorship, which is prophesied for the end times.

We read in Revelation 13:16-17: “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast…”

It is about disregarding God’s commandments and no longer obeying them and instead giving full obedience to the state! As frightening and monstrous as it may be, it is also sobering when one becomes aware of God’s revelation.

All this madness that is now coming upon us must not frighten us, neither the punishments nor the people who will use this system against true Christians.

Paul tells us: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

And Solomon wrote: “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25).

Christ gives us a firm confidence in His great help: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Our trust in God and Jesus Christ must remain unshakable, and we must hold fast to the conviction that God will protect us in all our distress!

Christ told us: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). Furthermore: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Let us together hold fast to this confidence and strengthen one another so that we may all enter the Kingdom of God. We ought to obey God rather than men!

Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger

The recent German federal election, held on February 23, proved to be a real thriller. The election campaign itself, in which all parties were involved, can only be described as a farce. With each party attacking the others, and candidates fighting for every vote, the campaigns of the long-established parties were full of lies and deceit. Election programs were copied and declared as their own; and in the TV shows, the questions were constructed in such a way as to defame others. Every politician fought for his own power, and many voters were ultimately cheated of what they wanted to obtain.

However, it was interesting to see that voter participation had not been as high in almost 40 years as it was on that day. At the end of February, I read the following article on zdf.de: “An extremely polarizing election campaign and overlapping domestic and foreign policy crises have pushed voter participation in Sunday’s federal election to its highest level in almost 40 years… According to the preliminary results published early Monday morning, it was 82.5 percent.”

That is indeed enormous. Therefore, about 48.84 million people, out of 59.2 million eligible voters, participated in the election. Needless to say, they did not all vote for the same candidate, but for different parties and people.

This shows how desperate people are in Germany and, of course, all over the world. For many decades, people have been taken for fools by politicians, cheated, lied to and robbed of their possessions through various forms of expropriation; they have been arbitrarily imprisoned, made ill and even killed as a result of vaccinations. TODAY, however, people are turning a blind eye to this and want the whole scenario to be quickly forgotten. But God will not forget anything unless there is sincere repentance.

We know that Satan is behind all of this, as we can read in the Book of Revelation, in the 12th chapter and in verse 9: “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world…” And Paul explains in his letter to the Romans, in chapter 8 and verse 22: “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”

Even back then, during the 430 years of the Israelites’ captivity in Egypt, the world was in a state of disorder, and when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, unfortunately their voter participation for God was not 82.5%. On the contrary, well over 90% voted against God. They constantly complained, murmured, and were not particularly blessed because of their disobedience. This, of course, increased the discontent of the Israelites until they finally decided to completely reject Jesus Christ as their Savior and King. Note 1 Samuel 8:1-22.

Yes, the world is still in a state of disorder today, but now at the beginning of sorrows. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are riding ever faster, more violently and more corruptly, until it will ultimately come to a triumph when our Savior JESUS CHRIST returns to earth and puts an end to all this madness.

But before that happens, true Christians still have some time to dwell here, and as Paul so fittingly wrote, they live in the midst of a perverse and crooked generation. In this context, Paul warns us not to behave like the ancient Israelites, and that we should remain steadfast and be counted worthy.

He wrote the following in Philippians 2:14-16: “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

Of course, we don’t want any of God’s called elders and pastors to have run in vain or labored in vain for the gospel of Christ and the salvation of the brethren. Christ commanded Peter to tend His sheep, and this task is entrusted to the elders and pastors today. We must therefore all remain steadfast, today more than ever, because the time that remains for us until the return of Christ is indeed extremely short!

Let us therefore constantly strive to ensure that our voter participation for God the Father and Jesus Christ is 100%.

Initial translation from German: Daniel Blasinger

Very bad conditions prevail throughout the world. Apart from the incompetence of all politicians, the tax madness and the wars in this world, there is a very specific matter that makes me so upset that anger and a deep sadness over these barbaric acts of humanity towards animals arise in me.

Recently, our Current Events, published on December 27, 2024 (Update 1139), featured a heartbreaking article about Bua Noi, a gorilla in Thailand. I was so devastated by it that I had to cry.

The Sun wrote on December 20:

“[Thailand’s only gorilla] Bua Noi has lived behind bars in [Bangkok] Thailand for most of her life… The gorilla has been caged up [for more than three decades] in the widely criticised Pata Zoo which is located on the sixth and seventh floor above a [desolate and decaying city center shopping mall]. This allows passers-by and shoppers to gaze in at the unloved mammal who is unable to ever leave… A damning report back in 2019 detailed how Bua had been pulling out her hair and anxiously rolling around in her isolated cage. Footage also shows the lonely gorilla looking visibly depressed and staring through the bars of her old cage.”

This is brute force for no reason! This is animal abuse that causes a lot of suffering!

Animal welfare organizations like PETA have desperately tried to free the gorilla in Thailand from this disgusting facility; unfortunately so far without success, because the “owner” only wants to release the gorilla for a horrendous amount of money. I cannot understand how a person owning such a disgusting enclosure can be so heartless to this gorilla, as well as to many other beautiful creatures of God.

The German Animal Protection Act requires us to protect the “life and well-being” of animals: “No one may inflict pain, suffering or harm on an animal without reasonable cause,” Section 1, Principle). Anyone who keeps an animal must, according to this law, ensure that it is fed, cared for and housed in a manner appropriate to the needs of its species (Section 2; 2a). Unfortunately, this does not happen very often in this world, including in Germany.

Animals may have instincts and are unable to reason to the same extent, as God has endowed this quality on humans, but they do have feelings, they have empathy, and they can express their joy beyond measure. A dog, for example, is a friend of humans and can be a true protector. It can also give people joy and make them laugh. And of course, many other animals can do that too.

In our Current Events, published on October 29, 2021 (Update 994), we also read: “Fauci is under fire for allegedly funding experiments where beagle puppies were locked in cages with hungry sandflies that would eat them alive…

“The organization claims that as many as 44 beagle puppies were used as part of the cruel experiment in a Tunisia laboratory. Some of the dogs allegedly had their vocal cords removed to muzzle their barking. ‘Our investigators show that Fauci’s NIH division shipped part of a $375,800 grant to a lab in Tunisia…”

And in the issue of our Current Events, dated February 11, 2022 (Update 1009), we published an article from Life News dated February 4 that stated: “Recently, the University of Pittsburgh continued to defend its gruesome experiments involving implanting aborted babies’ scalps onto rodents and other research with aborted baby body parts…”

There are many more articles about animal abuse in this cruel world. To put it mildly, what is being done to animals is very bad, and we can consider ourselves “lucky”, that there are many animal welfare organizations that take care of these creatures of God, some of them on a voluntary basis. Animals are creatures of God that should be treated with love and respect.

In Genesis 1:20-25 we read: “Then God said, ‘Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.’ So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.’ So the evening and the morning were the fifth day. Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind’; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”

God saw that everything He had created was good. We would even argue that everything He has created is perfect. Yet humanity cannot comprehend this wonderful creation because Satan the devil, that serpent of old who is the adversary, has brought the entire world under his evil spell and bewitched it. But God sees everything that is happening on this earth, whether it is good or evil!

David already had this knowledge and wrote it down in Psalm 14:2-3: “The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.”

In Psalm 11:4-6 we read: “The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup.”

That will be their just reward when Christ returns to this earth, for all these and many more terrible deeds that mankind has done.

Revelation 11:18 shows the following: “The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead [better: the living], that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Let’s take a look into the future, at what awaits us with Christ in the Millennium and beyond– a world full of peace, with humans unified in peace with the animals, which are to be treated with care and mindfulness, as God intended from the beginning. And let’s look at what the Bible, God’s Word, prophesies for the animals in the future:

“The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:7-9).

“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,’ Says the LORD” (Isaiah 65:25).

These are firm promises from God for our future, which we proclaim today! The Church of the Eternal God in the USA, the Kirche des Ewigen Gottes in Germany and all their affiliated organizations around the world proclaim exactly this Kingdom of Peace that will be established over the entire earth in the near future. Let us see what Isaiah has written for us today, in Isaiah 52:7-8: “How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, With their voices they shall sing together; For they shall see eye to eye When the LORD [Christ] brings back Zion [Jerusalem].”

That is exactly what we are doing today. Day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year, we are relentlessly working to make people aware of the desperate state the world is in and why—because man continually breaks God’s law. It is time to wake up and escape the trance of darkness in order to open oneself to God!

Let us all continue to fulfill our duties to become worthy so that when Christ comes, He can say to us: “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” (Matthew 25:23).

Initial translation from the German: Daniel Blasinger