We have just finished the autumnal Holy Day season with the Feast of Tabernacles for 2025, and have learned more about God’s Holy Days which clearly reveal the incredible master plan of salvation for mankind.

Our understanding of the Feasts of the LORD (compare Leviticus 23:2) is a magnificent description of this plan for all of mankind and is priceless information that is not understood by the world at large.

On our website under the heading “Statement of Beliefs,” we read this about the Last Great Day (the 8^th Day) following the Feast of Tabernacles:

“The Last Great Day which immediately follows the Feast of Tabernacles, once a year. This day symbolizes a 100-year period called the ‘Great White Throne Judgment,’ during which all persons who have ever lived and who were never called by God for salvation during this life, will have their first opportunity to accept Christ as their Savior (Leviticus 23:36; John 7:37; Revelation 20:11-12).”

It is a repudiation of the false concept of going to heaven or hell at death (usually heaven for everyone!) and via purgatory for the Roman Catholic Church.   It also negates the hell-fire preachers who think that they have to get everyone saved now because this, they suppose, is the only day of salvation, not a day of salvation.

But one aspect of all of this is that those who have lived and died, without being called and knowing the Truth of God in this age will, in their next waking second after death, be brought back to life in the Second Resurrection – the Great White Throne Judgment.

We may, from time to time, wonder what our parents and grandparents would think if they were alive today with all of the advancements made in the last 100 years.

Also, what about all of those who were killed in the Flood which was, according to a number of sources, around 1,656 years after creation. And after the Flood, from a new start, the billions that have been born since then. They would have been used only in an agrarian-type society with none of the wonderful advances in the last 100 years or so in technology, transport, space exploration, in the medical profession, with the worldwide web, television, smartphones and a whole range of modern electronic devices.   They would be staggered.

But those who are dead and in their graves, none of whom have ascended to heaven, will open their eyes in the next second of their consciousness to a whole new world well beyond their immediate understanding.   Those from biblical times and our forebears will, in their next second of life when resurrected, be greeted with a world totally different, in most cases, from the one they were used to.

The next second of their life will be a time when those who are then already members of the God Family will be able to help all those in the Great White Throne Judgement to come to terms with the marvellous opportunity that God will give them, together with a world that is totally different from what they experienced in their previous life.   To use an old English humorous slang expression: “Their eyes will stick out like chapel hat-pegs” – meaning to their considerable amazement!

The next second for them will be a time of wonderment and excitement, and let us all hope and pray that the vast, overwhelming majority will take full advantage of their one and only opportunity!

Back in 1973, the United States had been reeling from the shocks of the Vietnam War, the ever-threatening Cold War with the Soviet Union, the Watergate scandal, and the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Any of these factors alone could destabilize a nation and spark panic and economic uncertainty for decades to come. We know that when nations and world markets suffer, private business interests and world banks react. From 1973 through 1975, world markets suffered from an oil crisis, energy shortages, and high unemployment. While these headwinds resulted in political changes in U.S. leadership in 1976, business people, former government ministers, and members of security services in Japan, the US, and Western Europe had already formed an alliance, a Trilateral Commission, under the guidance of the rich and powerful David Rockefeller to affect change.

The inspiration for our messages can vary. Recently I was watching a lighthearted police comedy/drama from the mid-1970’s. In one episode, the detectives brought in a person who was agitated about a meeting of the Trilateral Commission in NYC. The mention of the Commission brought me back to my teen years and my new awareness of world politics. The members and their work were opaque at the time, as intended—powerful people working behind the scenes, yet hidden in plain sight, and they are not alone.

The stated goal of the Commission since its founding in 1973 has been to foster international cooperation between Japan, Western Europe, and North America. Further, the Commission is purportedly committed to so-called common values, rule of law and democratic principles. The Commission represents the commercial and political interests of what we now refer to as the elites in business and government. In 2021, the Commission had over 400 representatives from the member nations, and this includes academia, business, national security, medicine, and other disciplines. Members have included U.S. Congressional representatives, National Security Advisors, Media, and even the late financier, Jeffrey Epstein.

The Commission has a bold, three-arrow circular logo that one could imagine adorning the collar of a uniform—a one-world government uniform, so to speak. The concept of common democracy and economic prosperity might not, on the surface, seem problematic; however, we know that God does not wish His people to focus in this way. We only need to turn to the beginning of our Bible in Genesis 11, verses 1-9, to see that the earliest people became focused on creating a coordinated government and language, and, they were intent on building a great tower to the heavens—in essence to compete with God:

“Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, ‘Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.’ But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. ‘Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’ So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth” (New International Version throughout).

God knew that the people’s desire to grow and unite in language and power was evilly inspired. He therefore took swift action to change the plans of the people at that time, and He scattered the people and their languages so that evil collaborations were halted.

“We know that the prophet, Daniel, was granted the ability from God to foresee similar events long into the future that he shared with the king of Babylon. What Daniel saw in his dreams was a future, powerfully evil, one-world government that is detailed in Daniel 7:23: “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.’”

We see time and again in Scripture that God is warning us to be aware of flawed and corrupt leaders, in all fields, not just government, who use their authority for self-aggrandizement and control over the people. This is certainly not a new theme for our Church. This is what our Evangelist, Norbert Link, is doing with his messages and StandingWatch programs; however, we all must be awakened to these things.

The Prophet Jeremiah, however, initially reluctant to be a messenger of God, provided important words to live by in Jeremiah 17, verse 5: “This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.’”

As those called by God the Father to faith and Truth, we know how this story of Creation and mankind’s existence on earth progresses and is fulfilled by the return of Jesus Christ. We see the horror in Revelation 13:15 that shows us a global government and religious structure that we can have no part in and that means to destroy or subjugate all life. Then, and, in God’s good time, we have in Revelation 19:15-16the fulfillment of God’s plan for His people in the return of Jesus Christ and His Millennial rule: “Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” The Trilateral Commission, or any national or hidden power will be no more.

“Consider this final Scripture inRevelation 22:3-5:“No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” I am elated at the thought of the rulership of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the ultimate force of goodness and life prevailing over such depravity. Vengeance is not ours to deliver, but, if we do our work and remain faithful, we can see the end of all evil and be a part of God’s plan. These worldly entities will attempt to convince all that they are the answer, or conversely, frighten people into submission. Either way, obedience to the Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the only antidote to such poison.

One would have to be living under a rock not to have seen the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Live on national TV, the man was murdered by someone with a rifle. Charlie Kirk was a polarizing person because he was willing to debate anyone on what he believed to be right. 

As this was happening, Joe Rogan, a well-known podcaster, was doing a podcast and his guest commented that this assassination could serve as a tipping point just as other assassinations in history have caused some serious issues to happen, so for example the Rodney King video that caused massive riots or the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which triggered a series of declarations of war due to complex alliances and underlying tensions which ended up causing the start of World War One, etc. 

A few days before this, there was another killing where a young Ukrainian woman was stabbed on a train in New York, and she sat there for a few minutes dying, and no one stepped in to help or confront her attacker. 

If we were to monitor the news from all over the world, the number of deaths is extraordinary and it grows day by day. 

I have been watching a lot of podcasters and YouTubers and reading articles and talking to people, and the general consensus I am getting is that people are tired of what has been going on over the last few years. There is a rift growing within the United States. The problem is that people want to fight. Left and Right are hating one another. 

On top of this, there are wars going on: Israel and its fight for Gaza. Ukraine and its war with Russia. This is the state of the world that we live in at this time. 

It should be clear that we are experiencing the days that Christ spoke about, which would occur before the start of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:12; Luke 21:9). These are not just random tragedies, but they are evidence that the world is unraveling, and Christ told us this would happen. 

We must be vigilant and aware that we are not caught up in these same worldly mindsets and attitudes. Violence is not just the act of murder or war. Christ expanded the definition in Matthew 5:22: “…whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…” The increase in hostility, division, and rage, even in speech and attitude, shows how violence grows first in people’s hearts before it spills out into the world. 

We are called for a different purpose. We are standing up for the Truth. This may cause serious violence for us. Most of the early apostles ended up being martyrs. Seeing a man shot on TV for being brave enough to speak his mind made me stop and evaluate who I am and what I believe and it is making me confront some fears. Christ minced no words about this. He said in John 15:18: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” He added in Matthew 10:28:  “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”

We cannot live in fear and panic, and we cannot consider retaliation. Rather, we have to live in faith. We continue to speak the Truth even though we realize what it will cost. We refuse to turn to the right or to the left. We are the ambassadors for the light, for peace, for a Way of Life that is foreign and unknown to the masses. 

From the first murder (Cain killing Abel) to where we are now, the world thinks that violence can end violence. This lie is sold over and over again. James 4:1-2 makes it so abundantly clear that this is so far from the Truth: “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.”

In a few short weeks, we will be keeping the Feast of Tabernacles! One of the highlights of the Feast is the revelation that we are going to have peace. These wars and violent acts will be a thing of the past. There is a promise of peace, real peace under Christ’s rule in the Kingdom of God. Isaiah 2:4 tells us: “…They shall beat their swords into plowshares…” We as Christians must not be overcome by the violence around us, but rather, we should live as witnesses of Christ’s peace in a divided and violent world. Part of our commission is to live and act in this way; the other part of it is to preach the Gospel to all the world. 

We will continue to preach this and we will continue to grow in Faith in doing this. 

In stark contrast to this current world, let us cling to the promise of what is before us, which is described in Isaiah 9:6-7: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

The saying “May the best player win” is often heard in sports or games. It expresses the desire that victory should go not to the ruthless or crafty, but to the truly more capable or skilled. Behind this stands an attitude of fairness and respect: one recognizes that the other person also deserves a chance—and that their success should elicit recognition rather than envy.

But in the reality of today’s society, things often look different. Performance, self-promotion, and competition shape the thinking of many people. Social media does not celebrate fairness, but mostly individual success. Even in everyday or professional life, the motto “The most important thing is that I win” often seems to apply.

In English, the saying goes, “The winner takes it all.” But what does that mean from a biblical perspective? What does God’s Word say about winning, losing, and what it means to truly take it all?

The world equates “winners” with power, influence, success, or wealth. But Jesus Christ’s victory over sin and death did not come through domination, but through sacrifice. Christ did not win by defeating others, but by sacrificing Himself. Many people saw His death on the cross as a defeat – but it was precisely there that He achieved the ultimate victory.

Jesus challenged the worldly idea of success. He said:

“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).

Even true Christians are not immune to comparing themselves with others: Who is more successful, more popular, more talented, or more “spiritual”? But the gospel calls us to a different Way of Life – to humility, to appreciation for our neighbors, and to gratitude.

The apostle Paul, who endured much suffering – shipwreck, beatings, imprisonment, abandonment – did not strive for worldly fame. His goal was different:

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

The true winner does not take anything away from others but receives what only God can give.

The Bible often uses metaphors from sports and competition to convey spiritual Truths: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

For Christians, this means that we do not race against each other, but together toward Christ.

One of the greatest ideas in the Bible is that God’s victory is shared: “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21).

The path to the throne leads through humility: “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vain glory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3; New American Bible; the New Jerusalem Bible says, “…give preference to others”).

The world says: The winner takes it all.

Jesus asks: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

To enter God’s Kingdom, we must give up everything in this life that stands in the way. This is how we receive eternal life. When we follow Christ, we do not chase after trophies. We carry our cross. We may lose a lot in this life – prestige, possessions, even our lives. But in the end, we gain the most important thing: eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

When we as Christians say, “May the best player win. The winner takes it all,” we recognize a deeper Truth in this: in the end, what matters is not whether we were better than others, but whether we remained faithful.

Paul gets to the heart of the matter: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Where do I find it difficult to acknowledge the success of others? Do I live my daily life according to the principle of “me first” – or in humility, considering “others as more important” than myself?

Which “victories” in faith are genuinely important to me – the recognition of people or faithfulness to God?

Let the world chase after its perishable crowns. We want to run the race that is set before us – toward the prize that never fades away (cf. Hebrews 12:1-2).

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

(Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger)

An abundance of options prevails in our lives. To my wife and me, simply choosing something to watch from a streaming video service on Saturday night after the Sabbath has become a chore! I remember when watching something on TV was limited to about half a dozen channels broadcast over the air, and even further limited by the scheduled programming of those stations.  Certainly, we had less to choose from, but it made the process of deciding a whole lot simpler.

“The Paradox of Choice” is the title of a book, published by author Barry Schwartz in 2004. In this book, Schwartz explains how having a multitude of choices in the modern world counterintuitively causes people to be less happy with their decisions. Having too many options turns out to make people less likely to feel that they have made the best decision. Yet still, people gravitate towards shaping their circumstances, so they have the greatest possible set of options to choose from. Ironically, this only works against their best interests. Maybe you can relate.

Adam and Eve began by making a choice that set the course for humankind in the way that many of their descendants would make wrong decisions. They chose the way of worldly wisdom, which is not satisfied with the simplicity of godly wisdom. After eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, their eyes were opened to a multitude of options. The vast majority of those options lead humankind towards the satisfaction of carnal desires, but further and further away from the true joy that comes from turning to God instead.

The book referenced above was written in the past 20 years, being acclaimed for its novel findings about the abundance of choice leading to a life of dissatisfaction. But the Bible revealed this problem thousands of years ago. God warned Adam and Eve that following the path of worldly wisdom, symbolized by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, would result in death (compare Genesis 2:17) and suffering (compare Genesis 3:16-19). The way of life Adam and Eve chose brought about the current state of the world. And so, today we have choices that interminably grow in number. But they will never lead us to find true fulfillment.

Fortunately, there is a better way. And it does not (necessarily) require canceling subscriptions or living off the grid. God’s Holy Spirit gives us the opportunity to choose differently. The options in life that the world offers will only provide worldly experiences. But God, through His Holy Spirit, helps us to understand that the path to a life of truly deep satisfaction is to simply obey God and love the way of life He provides. The abundance of choices available in our lives will continue to be there, but in a life dedicated to God they do not matter. They cannot provide the kind of satisfaction that a life guided by godly wisdom does.

Solomon had tremendous abundance in his life. He had so much wealth that he could have whatever he wanted that money could buy. Yet, it did not give him the satisfaction he sought. It was all a vain pursuit (compare Ecclesiastes 2:9-11). He experienced the paradox of choice as we do today. In his wisdom, he understood the solution to the paradox. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). The simple secret to living a satisfied life is to obey God.

We understand that our joy comes from refusing to participate in the paradox of choice. Simplifying our lives by reducing our options might make it easier to choose a movie to watch, but it may not guide us to abound in the Spirit. The true happiness that God provides comes from putting the power of the Holy Spirit to work, giving us godly discernment to judge righteously. Satisfaction comes from a life well-lived, choosing the path that leads to life resulting from godly obedience and wisdom.

A long time ago, when I was in paid employment, I read an article by an instructor in leadership in one of my engineering magazines. She remembered back in her college days that the dean, over a period of several months, had invited all the students to dine with him and his wife. I will quote her words. “He had been doing this for over ten years. After my dinner, I wrote a thank you note. To my great surprise and trepidation, they asked to see me. They wanted to thank me for being the only student ever to thank them for their hospitality.”

This was one in maybe hundreds. In the days of the New Testament, when Jesus Christ healed ten lepers, only one turned back to thank God and show appreciation. In this case, it was one in ten. And that one was a foreigner (compare Luke 17:15-18).

Is thankfulness just a matter of politeness, being tactful, just a nice social custom?

I would like us to see what God says about thankfulness. How important it is to Him. Paul states this in 2 Timothy 3:1-4, “But know this that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God…” Being unthankful is listed among many other serious shortcomings like blasphemers and slanderers.

This shows that God considers being unthankful as a serious matter. Why is this? He knows that our human nature is selfish, trying to get for oneself. With this nature, it is hard to be thankful.

To be thankful, we must stop, look at, and appreciate what we have. But instead of appreciation, human nature generally lusts for more and more. A mind filled with this desire to get more is virtually incapable of gratitude.

God states this clearly in Romans 1:21-22. “… because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools…” It takes humility to be thankful. Human nature, with its greed, selfishness and vanity cannot humble itself in thanksgiving to God.

In Psalm 100:4, we read: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” In some of the hymns we sing, based on the Psalms, they begin with “O Give Thanks.” Why?

God wants to develop holy, righteous, perfect character in those who have voluntarily yielded their lives to Him. God knows human nature. He knows it is filled with, as Mr. Armstrong used to say frequently, vanity, selfishness, lust and greed. God knows that of itself, human nature is not thankful.

Therefore, to help us overcome this selfish nature, God has commanded that we be thankful. Thankfulness gets our minds off self. It acknowledges God’s hand in our lives. We admit we’ve had help. We did not do it all ourselves.

It can be very difficult for people to say thank you. But God tells us, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “… in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

So this is the formula for happiness. God expects us to give thanks in everything. In other words, God expects us to find something good in every situation. God wants us to focus on our blessings, not dwell on our problems. In fact, there is a command in Ephesians 5:20, “… giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There are many things to be thankful for, and I will not mention them here, but being human, we like to think normally that we are sufficient unto ourselves, that we have worked hard to get all we have. Yet when we give God thanks, or even thank other people, we are acknowledging that God and others have helped us and provided for us and that we are not self-sufficient. We are not the big I.

King David understood the need for thanksgiving. He even set up certain of the Levites to thank and praise the Eternal God of Israel. Every morning and every evening also, these Levites were to thank and praise the Eternal. David knew how easy it is to become ungrateful, and this was one of the greatest sins a nation could fall into, so for an example, these Levites formally offered thanks to God twice a day (compare 1 Chronicles 23:30).

In a number of places God says He is not really pleased with the sacrifices the people offered in the Old Testament and the way they were offered, but in the book of Psalms, thanksgiving is called an offering and a sacrifice. God is very pleased with this offering (compare Psalms 116:17).

God knows it goes against the grain of human nature to say thank you. But to say it sincerely shows a person to be humble, meek and thoughtful. Every day God wants us to give thanks for the many blessings we have in life. He also wants us to thank others.

It is recorded that Daniel was a man who gave thanks. He thanked God for giving him wisdom and revealing the secrets of the king in prophecies. He was so thankful, that even when a decree was issued that no one should make petition to any God or man other than the king for thirty days, and if he did, he was to be put to death, Daniel knelt three times a day and gave thanks (compare Daniel 6:10).  He gave thanks even under a death sentence. He was not so concerned about himself that he forgot about God’s goodness. We note later in the book of Daniel that the angel Gabriel told him that he was greatly beloved. This was because of his total character, including his thankfulness.

Would I be able to give thanks under such circumstances? Would you? And yet, God says to give thanks always in all things; so yes, we should be growing in order to be able to do this.

So is being thankful just a social custom, a matter of being nice to people? No. From what we have just read, it is obvious that God wants us to give thanks always because it pleases Him.

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)

In Matthew 5, Christ discusses the beatitudes, beginning with the importance of being humble in verse 3.  To be in the Kingdom of God, we MUST have a spirit of humility, also defined as a lowliness of mind, which is an attitude expressed from the heart, not just an outward behavior. One may be able to fool everyone else by putting on an outward show of humility, but still have a heart full of pride and arrogance, along with hypocrisy.  This is very dangerous because God knows everything, and we can’t hide anything from Him.  

The behavior that Christ describes in Matthew 23 about the Pharisees is the opposite of humility, and also the opposite way that Christ lived, for the Pharisees presented themselves hypocritically to be “seen by men” (Matthew 23:1-12).

Christ says that whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. If we put ourselves above others, we will be put down. But if we humble ourselves, we will be honored.  We are to conduct ourselves in our lives by being a good example, not just to ourselves, but also to God. That is what we ought to be doing.  We have to be diligent in all we do, diligently keeping God’s Law, for it is our future that is at stake. 

Humbling ourselves is a must, and we are constantly growing in wisdom, learning throughout our lives in how we handle certain situations, especially when it comes to people who have NO knowledge of the Truth.  We may be confronted by people in the world who think they know everything, but they are mistaken (1 Corinthians 8:2). True knowledge is linked to humility and a willingness to learn, by loving God and obeying Him, for He reveals to us our understanding.  

Our humility is put to the challenge when we are confronted by people who assume what they believe is correct, for example, when someone wishes us a Merry Christmas, when someone expects us to congratulate them because they have just joined the military, or that their baby has been baptized, or that God loves us no matter what we do, etc.  Our patience in our responses is also put to the test.  In certain instances, silence is the best response, which can prevent worthless arguments. However, when we do respond, we must be wise in our answers (compare Ecclesiastes 3:7; Proverbs 17:28). Additionally, we should pray to God, and He will guide us (compare Luke 12:11). 

On the other hand, we don’t want to be going around thinking that we know everything either, persuading people to believe what we do, for example, by going door to door, passing out literature at public places where people don’t ask for it, throwing our pearls before swine by giving our precious knowledge away to those who don’t understand and don’t care (compare Matthew 7:6). 

God has a specific requirement from His called-out ones.  Our commission is to preach the gospel through our messages, literature and other material, that is accessible on our websites, where anyone has access to it, and those who have an eye will read the literature that is presented, and those who are interested will contact us for more information. We do our part and God does the rest. 

Moses is mentioned in the Bible as the most humble person, but there were still times when he didn’t do things that God wanted him to do. And because of that, he wasn’t able to enter the Promised Land.  Moses took credit for himself when he struck the rock in the wilderness and water gushed out, and, due to his failure to give glory to God and his doubt that God would provide, he was punished for it (Numbers 20:12).  

However, God was with Moses, and Moses saw firsthand how God intervened time and time again.  Moses should have remembered that, and that there comes a time when God’s patience runs out.  If God has a specific purpose for each of us, which He expects from us, a decision that we also have made to live righteously, to overcome our weaknesses, to come out of the world, then God WILL help us, to be there for us, and He will continue to bless us. 

If we choose to disobey by not overcoming our weaknesses, then the time will come when God will have had enough.  “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:19-20).  

This is serious, brethren!  We need to make sure that this doesn’t happen to us because it has happened to many others in the Church, and it will continue to happen in the Church of God. We must have our priorities straightened out by glorifying God and by putting Him first in our lives with humility and trusting in Him – in ALL things.

When men and women put themselves forward in political elections, if successful, they take on great responsibility.

The law of the land is already there, and they not only must uphold those laws, but they will be required to enact new laws, if deemed necessary.

Law is vital in any civilised society to avoid anarchy; most people will accept that, although we do hear of elected politicians who break the law and suffer the consequences.   Others just break the law, hoping to get away with their infraction.

When it comes to the Law of God, mainstream Christianity in general dismisses this as not being necessary, since it teaches that Jesus has done it all for us!  How blessed are we in the Church of God to know that we DO have to keep God’s Law!

Law is a vital part of life, whether people like it or not.  

And then there is the law of unintended consequences.

The Tutor2u website gives this definition: “The law of unintended consequences refers to the idea that actions or decisions can have unforeseen and unintended consequences, often in ways that are not immediately apparent. This can occur because complex systems often have multiple interconnected parts, and a change in one part of the system can have ripple effects that are difficult to predict.”   They give a number of examples, two of which are as follows:

1. The minimum wage: A policy to increase the minimum wage may be intended to help low-wage workers, but it could also lead to unintended consequences such as businesses reducing their workforce or raising prices to offset the higher labor costs.
2. Prohibition: The prohibition of alcohol in the United States in the 1920s was intended to reduce crime and social problems, but it had many unintended consequences, including the growth of organized crime and an increase in the consumption of illegal and potentially dangerous alcoholic beverages.

There are many examples on the internet. One was about India’s vultures, and it read as follows:

“In the mid-1990s India’s population of vultures began to die in droves. At first it was thought the animals were being killed off by a mysterious disease, but the culprit was eventually identified as an anti-inflammatory drug called diclofenac that was being administered to sick cattle.

“As the vultures scavenged meals from the cows that didn’t pull through, they consumed small quantities of the drug. A vulture’s stomach acid is capable of dissolving anthrax and cholera bacteria, but the slightest trace of diclofenac causes their kidneys to fail. In a matter of just a few years India’s vulture population plummeted from 40 million to just 100,000 birds.

“In India cattle are raised almost exclusively for dairy rather than meat, so when the beasts die their carcasses are left for scavengers. When the vultures all but disappeared, food was in plentiful supply for the millions of feral dogs that roam India in packs. More dogs meant more humans being bitten, and this in turn led to an increase in fatalities from rabies.

“The Indian Government banned the use of diclofenac in 2006, but the damage may prove to be irreversible. Despite the efforts of conservationists several species of vultures remain critically endangered.”

There were quite a few unintended consequences in that story.  

Bringing this right up-to-date, we read on thewoof.org how recent events in the USA have had such awful unintended circumstances for those animals which cannot look after themselves:

“One of the administration’s executive orders focuses on intensifying immigration enforcement, leading to an uptick in deportations and detentions. This surge has resulted in numerous pets being abandoned or surrendered when their owners are detained or deported.

“Animal shelters, especially in areas with large immigrant populations, are witnessing an influx of these displaced pets, stretching their already limited resources. The Guardian highlights cases where pets are left behind due to sudden deportations, emphasizing the emotional and logistical challenges faced by both the animals and shelter workers.”

Did the Trump administration even consider these consequences in their race to impose draconian measures that have been compared to Nazi Germany in the 1930s?   Probably not, but if they did, it would show how little regard they have for the welfare of God’s creatures.   Galatians 6:7 is clear: “…whatsoever a man sows, that he will also reap.”  Those involved will be held accountable for not only these appalling actions but all the others that are currently being foisted on the human race with no regard for the welfare of some of God’s creatures.

BBC News reported on 12th April 2025 that “An animal sanctuary has said it is bracing itself for ‘another tidal wave of rescue cases’ if Donald Trump’s trade tariffs put extra financial pressure on UK pet owners.

“Woodlands Animal Sanctuary in Holmeswood, Lancashire, said existing cost-of-living pressures had made the past winter much busier than previous years, and that its cattery was full by March.

“The sanctuary said 90% of the animals it had taken in were given up by owners who could no longer afford to keep them or who were facing eviction from their homes.”

There are so many problems in the world today, and decisions taken on another matter, in another country, can have devastating effects elsewhere. 

Animal welfare is just one of them, but it can be heartbreaking to consider that because of the law of unintended consequences, decisions taken about one issue can unexpectedly affect those which completely rely on man for their existence.

There seems to be, so much of the time, very little kindness in the world today, and the treatment of animals is right up there with so many other examples.  Kindness is a godly quality, mentioned many times in the Bible, and one that can be most ignored.   And recent events where people are arrested without regard for the welfare of the animals affected and left behind is just one of so many actions that would come under the law of unintended consequences.

We can learn from this so that when we make decisions, we consider every facet that that decision will bring about.   This is especially true in our spiritual lives which must be of paramount importance.

When Jesus returns and sets up the soon-coming Kingdom of God, decisions will then be made on a godly basis with every consideration taken into account when action is required, and the law of unintended consequences will not be applicable!

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong’s favorite Scripture was Psalm 133:1-3, which reads:

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.”

We cannot have this kind of unity unless we are like-minded; that is, think alike and being on the same page.

Paul gave us this admonition in Philippians 2:5: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”

When the mind of Christ is internalized in our minds, there is harmony. The competition is gone and the focus is turned to accomplishing the task given to us by God. The spotlight is not on us but on Christ and our Creator God, with the desire to fulfill His Will in our lives.

It’s not just the mind of Christ in our minds, but the mind of the Father also.

In John 17:19-24, Christ says this in His prayer to God the Father:

“And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”

It is really incredible that God and Christ live in our minds through the Holy Spirit, but to what end?

Their Spirit in us does not force their Will upon us, since we are free moral agents. What They do is to influence our thinking to make proper judgments and decisions. They also open our minds to spiritual truths and spiritual understanding of Scripture—not just the understanding of what is written in the physical sense, but a deeper spiritual understanding of the intent of Scripture, which is a tremendous blessing, allowing us to grow in biblical knowledge.

In order to maintain this status, we have to be faithful in the study and meditation of the Word of God, lest we forget through neglect. We must make certain that this close relationship with God is maintained.

This knowledge should act as a catalyst to be zealous in our study and meditation of God’s Word, the Bible.

Flesh and blood cannot enter the Kingdom of God, as we read in 1 Corinthians 15:50-53: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

The only thing moving forward into the Kingdom is our minds preserved by our human spirit which, combined with the Holy Spirit of God which had been bestowed on us, will be placed in a new spiritual body given to us by God. Let us ensure we remain faithful to the end to receive eternal life in God’s Family.