Update 1188

On December 27, 2025, Norbert Link will present, “Comments on News and Prophecy, December 27, 2025,” and Christoph Sperzel will present the sermon, titled, “Choose the Better Side.”

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

“For the sake of peace”—for some, this phrase implies that one must always give in, but it also contains an old, yet deeply biblical expression that reminds us that true peace does not come when everyone insists on their rights, but rather, when love and humility are stronger than pride.

Acting “for the sake of peace” means, yielding not out of weakness, but out of inner strength, because one values peace more highly than dispute.

The Bible repeatedly calls us to seek and preserve peace. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

This shows that peace often begins with our own attitude. We need to let go, forgive, and remain silent, even when it is difficult. We need to give in, even when it seems unfair or we have already done so many times.

When Peter once asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (compare Matthew 18:21-22).

This means nothing less than always, without limitation!

Jesus teaches us that true forgiveness knows no bounds and that true peace can only grow where we are ready to forgive again and again.

But peace does not mean concealing injustice or suppressing the Truth.

In Ezekiel 33:1-9, God speaks of the responsibility of the watchman to warn the people in the face of danger. The watchman who remains silent is complicit in the disaster that occurs. These words remind us that peace does not come from silence about evil, but from the Truth spoken out of love.

Sometimes, God calls us to speak up, to warn, or to have the courage to address injustices—not to condemn, but to preserve and save lives.

This also means acting “for the sake of peace”: speaking the Truth in love so that genuine peace based on justice can arise.

Jesus himself said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9; Authorized Version). Peacemaking is therefore a sign of being a child of God.

Those who seek peace follow the example of Christ, who showed us the way of peace—not by fighting, but by loving, forgiving, and serving.

The peace that God gives is more than the absence of dispute; it is a state of the heart in which God’s love reigns: “…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”, as Paul writes in Philippians 4:7.

To live “for the sake of peace” means to consciously seek reconciliation in relationships, in the family, in the church, or at work. It is not always easy, but it is worth trying not to always have the last word, but rather to remain calm. It means to think “more highly of one another than you do of yourselves,” as it says in Philippians 2:3 (Amplified Bible), and in doing so, allowing God’s love to be manifested.

Sometimes, this also means giving in more often than one would like, and yet finding peace in it because one knows that God guides our hearts and that love always remains the stronger force.

Jesus Himself paid the highest price “for the sake of peace.” He gave up His divine right, became human, served, and died so that “our peace was upon Him” (Isaiah 53:5).

This divine peace is the foundation on which we can build our lives.

Thus, God calls us to be peacemakers in word and deed, in love and patience. “For the sake of peace”—for us, this is not a sign of weakness, but an expression of divine strength rooted in love and bearing fruit in peace.

(Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger)

by Norbert Link

We begin with the continuing alienation between the USA and Europe (including Germany, Denmark and Sweden); address the ongoing confusion regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine; impressions that Trump is on the run and losing power; the release of further Epstein documents (many of them redacted) and the incompetent FBI; and the fierce battle for MAGA’s future.

We are addressing developments in Israel and Great Britain and conclude with numerous articles pertaining to Germany.

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Why Are They Lying to Us About War and Peace?” 

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

US No Longer Reliable Ally 

Politico wrote on December 21: 

“Trump continues to antagonize the United States’ traditional European allies, deriding them… as ‘weak’ and a ‘decaying group of nations’… 

“Like many other European nations, France sees Russia has a growing threat to the continent. So it is preparing to defend itself against… a ‘violent test’ from Russia in the next three to four years that it would need to counter without much, if any, help from Washington… 

“The challenge is even higher as it’s becoming increasingly clear they can no longer rely on the United States as a primary security provider. Successive U.S. presidents — including Barack Obama and Joe Biden — have warned over the past decade that Washington would eventually have to focus on the Indo-Pacific region instead of Europe, but the Trump administration has already matched those words with action. 

“That is putting the spotlight on France, the EU’s only nuclear power and a country with independent weapons makers that has long warned the continent should become more autonomous in areas such as technology and defense… the way France and Germany, the EU’s largest countries, respond in the coming months and years will determine whether other European countries will turn to them for Europe’s defense or try to retain bilateral ties with Washington at the expense of EU and NATO unity… 

“France’s distrust of America dates back to 1956, when U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower forced it and Britain to back down from a military intervention to regain control of the Suez Canal from Egypt, leaving Paris feeling betrayed and humiliated. Since then,… France’s defense policy has been based on the assumption that the U.S. is not a reliable ally and that the Western European nation should be able to defend itself on its own if need be. The memory of the Suez incident contributed to former French President Charles de Gaulle’s decision to leave NATO and develop its own nuclear program. 

“Now, European capitals… are starting to increasingly realize France might have been right all along… Since Trump came back to power in January, the clues of Washington’s disengagement from — if not disdain of — Europe have been hard to ignore… Less than one year after Trump returned to the White House, influential German voices… are no longer looking at Washington as an ally… 

“The French president said France’s military expenditures will increase by €6.7 billion next year, bringing the country’s total defense spending to more than €57.1 billion. In comparison, German lawmakers this week greenlit €50 billion in weaponry procurement — Germany’s military expenditures are expected to reach more than €82 billion next year…” 

It’s all in line with biblical prophecy for the USA and Europe. 

“Rubio Warns Europe Risks Destroying ‘Shared Culture’ of Western Civilization“

Breitbart wrote on December 20: 

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Europe risks destroying the ‘shared culture’ of the West and in turn weaken bonds with the United States… Rubio doubled down on the assertions made in the White House’s National Security Strategy memo, which declared that Europe faces ‘civilizational erasure’ if it continues globalist policies of mass migration and attacks on fundamental liberties such as freedom of speech. 

“The memo has riled feathers in Europe, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying that many aspects of the document were ‘unacceptable to us from a European perspective.’ Meanwhile, the… head of the European Commission… Ursula von der Leyen demanded that the United States not ‘interfere’ in European democracy… 

“Rubio specifically pointed to the problems surrounding mass migration, citing the recent Islamist terror attack at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Australia as an example. ‘Mass migration over the last decade has been highly disruptive, not just to the United States but also to continental Europe and in some cases in the Indo-Pacific as well. So I just think this is a real challenge that multiple Western advanced, industrialized countries are facing…” 

“Row Over ‘Censorship’ Escalates” 

The Guardian wrote on December 24: 

“The French president… and the European Union have accused Washington of ‘coercion and intimidation’, after the US imposed a visa ban on five prominent European figures who have been at heart of the campaign to introduce laws regulating American tech giants. The visa bans were imposed on Tuesday on [French] Thierry Breton, a former EU commissioner and one of the architects of the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), and four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK… 

“Justifying the visa bans, the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on X: ‘For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose. The Trump administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.’… the row threatens to become part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between Donald Trump’s administration and Europe… 

“Macron condemned the visa ban in furious terms… Breton, a former French finance minister and the European commissioner for the internal market from 2019 to 2024, said: ‘Is McCarthy’s witch-hunt back?…’ 

“A European Commission spokesperson said: ‘If needed, we will respond swiftly and decisively to defend our regulatory autonomy against unjustified measures’… 

“Germany’s justice ministry said the two German campaigners had the government’s ‘support and solidarity’ and the visa bans were unacceptable… 

“Raphaël Glucksmann, a French socialist MEP, said in a message to Rubio: ‘For far too long, Europe has been weak in implementing its own laws and defending its own interests. You have chosen to cosy up tyrants and confront democracies. The time has come for us to stand up. Kneel as much as you want in front of Putin, we are the free world now. We are not a colony of the United States. We are Europeans, we must defend our laws, our principles, our interests. This scandalous sanction against Thierry Breton pays tribute to his fight for our sovereignty. We will continue it together. To the end.’… 

“Michel Duclos, a former senior French diplomat [said:]… ‘Europe is becoming the new Russia for Washington. It brings to mind the 1920s – America favouring the former enemy [Germany) against its former allies – but worse.’ 

“The chair of the German Journalists’ Association, Mika Beuster, [said:] ‘This is censorship in its purest form, the likes of which we have previously only known from autocratic regimes’…” 

Politico added on December 24: 

“The sanctions, announced Tuesday, also revoke the U.S. visas of British citizens Imran Ahmed and Clare Melford…  Ahmed, who currently lives in Washington, faces immediate deportation… 

“The move is the latest in a series of warning shots volleyed by the U.S. at allies over what it views as unfair efforts to regulate American social media and tech giants, including Elon Musk-owned X, which was slapped with a Euro 120 million fine earlier this month for violating the bloc’s content moderation law….” 

US Military Presence in Europe Throughout 2026 

Caliber wrote on December 20: 

“US President Donald Trump has signed into law legislation that sets a minimum level of 76,000 American troops in Europe throughout 2026… Under the law, the number of US service members stationed on the continent may not fall below that threshold for more than 45 days… 

“According to the Pentagon, approximately 100,000 US troops are currently deployed in Europe, including more than 65,000 permanently stationed personnel, with the remainder serving on rotational deployments… The law also provides for: $400 million in funding for arms procurement for Ukraine; Financing for the Golden Dome missile defence shield initiated by Trump; A US defence budget of approximately $900 billion for the next fiscal year, $8 billion higher than the administration’s previous proposal.” 

Denmark Fumes Over New US Envoy to Greenland

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 22: 

“Denmark is incensed at the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as new US special envoy to Greenland as President Donald Trump continues to heap pressure on the Nordic nation and looks to take over the autonomous territory from Copenhagen. 

“In appointing Landry on Sunday, Trump — who has threatened to take Greenland by force from ally Denmark if necessary — wrote that the southern governor, ‘understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.’ 

“Landry took to the social media platform X to thank Trump for the appointment, writing, ‘It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.’ 

“On Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the move left him ‘deeply angered’ and said Washington must respect Denmark’s sovereignty, with Copenhagen vowing to summon the US ambassador in protest… Rasmussen told Denmark’s TV 2 that he was ‘particularly upset by his [Landry’s] statements,’ calling them ‘completely unacceptable,’ and adding to the Reuters news agency: ‘We insist that everyone — including the US — must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.’ 

“Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said news of the appointment, ‘might sound like a big deal,’ but added that it ‘doesn’t change anything for us here at home. We will determine our future ourselves,’ he said. In a joint statement with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Nielsen added: ‘Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the US shall not take over Greenland.’… 

“Trump, who floated the option of buying Greenland and established a new consulate there during his first term, has repeatedly threatened to get it no matter what since returning to office in January 2025. He has sought to emphasize Greenland’s location and mineral riches as key to US national security and has ignored the wishes of Greenlanders and Danish leaders in his pursuit…” 

Interest-Free Loan for Ukraine 

Times of Oman wrote on December 19: 

“German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the European Council’s decision to grant Ukraine a €90 billion loan a ‘decisive message for an end to the war.’ 

“The interest-free loan is enough to cover Ukraine’s military and budgetary needs for the next two years, he pointed out in a statement. And Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘will only make concessions once he realizes his war will not pay off,’ Merz said. ‘If Russia does not pay reparations we will — in full accordance with international law — make use of Russian immobilized assets for paying back the loan,’ Merz added. 

“Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the EU’s decision on the €90 billion loan to Ukraine. ‘It’s lost money,’ said Orban, who is seen as one of Russia’s closest allies in Europe. ‘The good news is that we’re staying out,’ he said. 

“Hungary, along with Slovakia and the Czech Republic, were given an exemption from the loan commitment to avoid them blocking the decision.” 

How giving a loan to Ukraine to enable it to keep on fighting will guarantee that the war will end is an unexplained mystery. 

Peaceful Russia? 

Tulsi Gabbard, US Director of National Intelligence, wrote on December 21  wrote on X: 

“Deep State warmongers and their Propaganda Media are again trying to undermine President Trump’s efforts to bring peace to Ukraine—and indeed Europe—by falsely claiming that the ‘U.S. intelligence community’ agrees to and supports EU/NATO viewpoint that Russia’s aim is to invade/conquer Europe (in order to gin up support for their pro-war policies). The truth is that ‘US intelligence’ assesses that Russia does not even have the capability to conquer and occupy Ukraine…” 

Maybe not now, but it WILL occur later. 

Russia Scraps Military Pacts With Europe 

TRT World wrote on December 20: 

“The Russian government on Saturday officially authorised the Defence Ministry to terminate a series of bilateral military cooperation agreements signed with several European nations between 1992 and 2002. 

“The termination list includes agreements with Germany, Poland, and Norway, as well as similar pacts with Bulgaria, Romania, Denmark, the UK, the Netherlands, Croatia, Belgium and the Czech Republic.” 

“US Intelligence Chief Calls Reuters Report on Putin’s War Aims a ‘Lie'” 

MDR reported on December 21: 

“The Director of National Intelligence of the United States, Tulsi Gabbard, has rejected a Reuters report claiming that US intelligence agencies believed Russian President Vladimir Putin intended to conquer all of Ukraine. 

“Gabbard wrote on X that this was ‘a lie and propaganda.’  She claimed Reuters was ‘willingly serving warmongers’ who are undermining US President Donald Trump’s peace efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The truth, she said, is that US intelligence assesses that Russia wants to avoid a larger war with NATO…”

This is more than questionable. 

“Painful Truths” 

Die Welt wrote on December 19: 

“Ukraine will lose the war against Russia – Europeans must admit this, even if it hurts…” 

Trump on the Run 

t-online wrote on December 18: 

“Donald Trump’s annual address revealed a US president on the run – not only from the facts and from his own responsibility. At an unusually early stage, he finds himself confronted with a loss of power… But instead of spreading credible optimism in his prime-time address, Trump’s appearance once again primarily devolved into a personal settling of scores with his political opponents and a strategic concealment of his own failures… 

“Trump is finding it increasingly difficult to mask his plummeting approval ratings. These are now the worst of his two terms in office. The same applies to the growing tensions within his own party ahead of the difficult midterm elections for the Republicans next year. The signs that Trump is already governing like a ‘lame duck’ after only the first eleven months are multiplying. This is unusually early for a president in his second term.” 

“With all the lies and omissions in his year-end address, Trump appeared noticeably rushed, nervous, even almost slightly panicked.  That, at least, is how numerous people from his own political camp commented on the performance.  Perhaps this was a man quickly reading a defense speech from a teleprompter before the electorate delivers its verdict on him in the midterm elections. This was a president who is already on the run.” 

“A Battered America” 

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on December 19: 

”President Donald Trump’s end of year speech to the American public that took place on December 17^th was full of conceits over how the United States under the new regime in power is moving ahead on all fronts to benefit the American people. The reality is somewhat different with a struggling economy, inflation and growing unemployment as well as wars and rumors of wars. The only economic sector that appears to be doing just fine is the ‘military industrial complex’… For sure, the warfare bill is helping to expand the nation’s debt while providing little in the way of national security due to profound ignorance combined with serial blundering by those in power in and around the White House. 

“The unavoidable fact that Trump has created a mess nearly everywhere that he has trod has been visible practically since inauguration day eleven months ago, made worse by the incoherent and frequently contradictory explanations coming out of the Oval Office itself… 

“Regarding Russia and Ukraine, Trump’s fumbling negotiating team consisting of two property developers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner…  consistently fail to appreciate what Russia’s redlines are… 

“All of which leads us to Israel… Early in December, the US Embassy in Jerusalem co-sponsored with the Israeli government a gathering of 1,000 evangelical pastors from the United States… The trip to Israel was paid for by the Israeli government according to reports… 

“Fox News host arch Israel Firster Mark Levin hailed President Donald Trump as ‘the first Jewish president’ during the [White House Hanukkah Party] on Tuesday… Interestingly, Levin aside, it has been plausibly asserted that Trump is indeed the first Jewish president, having converted in 2017… 

“Also at the Tuesday reception, Israeli Las Vegas casino magnate and top political donor Miriam Adelson publicly and openly declared that Trump could pursue a third term as president… She also pledged an additional $250 million in campaign support to fund such an initiative, prompting audience chants of ‘Four more years.’ Trump praised Adelson’s backing… 

“Trump just appointed Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun… as head of the office of the State Department Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism where he will have the rank of Ambassador. Kaploun pledged… to work with social networks to curb the spread of antisemitic falsehoods online.” 

Interesting facts and comments in light of our belief that God has set aside Trump to build or help build the Third Temple in Jerusalem. 

Incompetent FBI 

The New York Post wrote on December 21: 

“[The] FBI was warned that Jeffrey Epstein was into child porn — but ignored it for 10 years… A former employee of late sex predator Jeffrey Epstein alerted the FBI that he was interested in ‘child pornography’ and that he threatened to ‘burn her house down’ decades before Epstein became an international fixation — but feds apparently did nothing. Maria Farmer, whom Epstein hired to help purchase art, filed a complaint against him on Sept. 3, 1996… 

“‘I’ve waited 30 years,’ Farmer told The New York Times when asked about a recently released report showing her complaint… ‘They should be ashamed,’ she continued. ‘…They harmed all of these little girls. That part devastates me.’ 

“Farmer has publicly claimed for years that she tried to inform the authorities about Epstein and his madam, Ghislaine Maxwell’s, predatory behavior. Until the latest batch of Epstein files was released on Friday, the FBI didn’t publicly confirm that she had filed that complaint, and Farmer faced accusations from some that she fabricated her story about going to the feds… 

“Critics… accused the Trump administration of failing to comply with the law by not releasing all the documents by Friday. Detractors also railed against the level of redactions in the Epstein files released.” 

Allegedly, many photos showing Trump were redacted. 

What’s the Point?

International Business Times wrote on December 20:

“The long-awaited disclosure of the Jeffrey Epstein investigative files has arrived, but the resulting digital fallout suggests the public feels more deceived than informed. Instead of the transparency many had campaigned for, the release has sparked a firestorm of criticism over the heavy-handed use of the literal black pen.

“Over a hundred pages from the Epstein files are redacted, leading many to wonder ‘what was the point’ of releasing them in the first place… Public reaction turned swift and vitriolic as users began scouring the digital archives. The social media account UTOPIC reported that the files released are ‘apparently 90 percent redacted.’”

Trump’s “Absurd” National Security Threat Allegations 

The Daily Beast wrote on December 23: 

“It is unclear what prompted the president’s latest deranged rant. Donald Trump has accused The New York Times of being a [serious] national security threat in an unhinged Truth Social post… 

“Last week, the paper… published a detailed report examining Trump’s friendship with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, describing how the two ‘pursued women in a game of ego and dominance’ in which ‘female bodies were currency.’ In one particularly damaging section, a mother who accompanied her 14-year-old daughter to a party at Mar-a-Lago with other young models claimed she was warned by Trump’s then-wife, Marla Maples: ‘Whatever you do, do not let her around any of these men, and especially my husband.’ Maples denied making the remark to the Times… 

“The president ranted about the outlet while continuing to push a dubious claim that he had lowered the cost of prescription drugs by the mathematically impossible amount of up to ‘3,000 percent.’… 

“In response to the Truth Social attack, a spokesperson for the Times told the Daily Beast: ‘Our job is to report fully and fairly on the government, no matter which party is in power. That includes reporting things that officials would prefer to hide from the American people. We won’t be deterred from this responsibility by threats and bluster, from the president or anyone else.’” 

Even though Trump has been railing against the New York Times, calling it fake news, the truth is that it is widely considered a highly respected, leading news outlet and America’s newspaper of record, recognized globally for its extensive investigative and international journalism, numerous Pulitzer Prizes [more than any other news organization] and large digital readership [millions of subscribers and leading the industry]. 

Hegseth’s Accusations 

The Independent wrote on December 18: 

“Many Americans are ‘too dumb’ or ‘too fat’ to serve in the military, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a gathering of top recruiters at the Pentagon on Thursday,…  ‘not dumb, that’s wrong. You know, we’re just not educating them properly or they’ve got criminal records, or ADHD [Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder], or all these other things.’… 

“Hegseth has made a point of focusing on physical fitness throughout his time as secretary… and railing against ‘fat generals’…” 

The War Machine 

On December 22, Ron Paul wrote in his weekly column of the Ron Paul Institute: 

“Late last week, Congress passed and President Trump signed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill marks the first time the US military budget officially passed the one trillion dollar mark. 

“Of course, when you add in other military-related spending such as interest on the debt, veterans’ affairs, and military components of other government agencies, the true number is at least one and a half times that amount… Congress is so addicted to military spending that they appropriated even more money than President Trump requested…” 

This incredible waste of money for all the wrong reasons and ungodly projects is appalling. When David numbered his army, he was severely punished by God. 

Tucker Carlson Inflames Raging Battle for MAGA’s Future 

The Washington Post wrote on December 20: 

“Tucker Carlson had some concerns. So he called President Donald Trump. The right-wing podcaster and provocateur wanted to understand why the U.S. was attacking alleged drug smuggling boats off the coast of Venezuela and he warned against pursuing regime change there — a prospect that has alarmed the more isolationist ‘America First’ Republicans in Trump’s movement. 

“The conversations last weekend… show how the Fox News castoff is at the center of some of the most heated disputes in MAGA — over foreign policy, antisemitism and conspiracy theories, among other topics heightening tensions in the movement… Carlson is a divisive and influential figure with an audience — on social media, among MAGA commentators and inside the White House… as a growing number of MAGA activists clash with Trump and each other, clouding the future of the movement, Carlson has become a more central figure this year, viewed as consequential by detractors and supporters alike. 

“… Carlson is trying to push the party away from foreign intervention and divorce it from Israel, which he argues exerts burdensome pressure on U.S. foreign policy, drawing accusations that he is repeating antisemitic tropes. He has entertained conspiracy theories about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk that have angered many MAGA influencers, including Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk. And this fall, he interviewed white supremacist commentator Nick Fuentes, who has espoused antisemitic conspiracy theories… 

“Carlson vehemently rejects accusations of antisemitism. ‘Just because I don’t want to bow to the will of a foreign leader does not make me an antisemite, okay?’ he said. ‘I think antisemitism is immoral and I am against it.’… 

“To Carlson’s fans, he’s a champion of the populist ‘America First’ agenda they see as the future of the GOP… But others see Carlson as a threat to the conservative movement, elevating extreme ideas that the GOP has a responsibility to condemn — or at least not magnify… 

“Carlson spent years as a conservative commentator on CNN and MSNBC before landing at Fox News, where he rose… to the network’s most popular star… Carlson’s departure from Fox threatened to dramatically reduce his visibility in the party. Instead, freed from corporate constraints, he has rebuilt a large audience… 

“Over the summer, Carlson criticized the Trump administration’s bombing of Iran, prompting Trump to call him ‘kooky’… This past week, Carlson said he heard Trump was about to announce a war with Venezuela in a national address — and turned out to be incorrect. 

“But the two have also kept open lines of communication and praised each other…” 

Israel Surrounded by Enemies 

Israel Today wrote on December 19: 

“Israel is committed to the long-term demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and, if necessary, by force. That message was made unmistakably clear by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in an interview with Al Arabiya English, the Saudi outlet. If Hamas refuses to disarm as outlined in the US peace plan…, ‘Israel will have to deal with the problem,’ Sa’ar said… Senior Hamas leaders have stated publicly they have no intention of laying down their arms… If the threat continues, Israel cannot ignore it. That assessment is shared by Israel’s national security community, which has long argued that ceasefires without disarmament are merely pauses before the next escalation.

“Beyond Gaza, Sa’ar also addressed Israel’s northern borders. In Syria, he noted, the new regime in Damascus has recently hardened its position, delaying progress toward a potential security agreement… the facts on the ground remain deeply concerning. Syria is home to numerous militias, including extremist factions, some of which have committed atrocities against Alawite and Druze communities in recent months. Israel’s first priority, he said, remains the security of its own borders. 

“Lebanon, too, remains a major destabilizing factor. Hezbollah continues to undermine state sovereignty by refusing to comply with the Lebanese government’s call to disarm. Sa’ar made it clear that disarming the Shiite militia would not only strengthen Israel’s security—it would also help Lebanon free itself from foreign interference. The implication was obvious: Iran, which has armed and financed Hezbollah for years.” 

Trump’s Contempt for Logic 

The Jerusalem Post wrote on December 22: 

“… regarding an American president now endowed with near-total decisional authority over nuclear weapons, a… fundamental concern should be Trump’s evident incapacity for logic-based reasoning. Though often minimized, underestimated, or overlooked, this conspicuous deficit could lead… to wholly unprecedented military conflicts…  each day’s news is replete with well-founded condemnations of Trump’s logical failings, historical inaccuracies, and contrived conclusions… 

“… it’s high time for Americans to worry not only about their current president’s transgressions, but also his intellectual debilities. At some not yet determinable point, the American president’s shortfalls of logic-based reasoning could bring us to the brink of a nuclear war.” 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Coming Demise

Andrew Neil wrote on December 20 in Daily Mail:

“The more Keir Starmer’s popularity plummets, the more he tries to shield himself from public scrutiny and the judgement of voters who’ve come not just to dislike him but, in many cases, to detest him.

“So local elections he knows Labour is going to lose are cancelled. Access for journalists trying to hold him and his government to account is curtailed. Opinions on race, gender and immigration which do not conform to his government’s liberal-left worldview are rigorously policed — and miscreants often penalised.

“No opportunity is missed for him to escape these shores even on the flimsiest of globetrotting excuses — making it all the easier for him to avoid proper interrogation on the disasters regularly unfolding back on the home front.

“The Prime Minister thinks all this will restore his tarnished reputation and eventually make him electable again. It is a sign of just how out of touch he is that he doesn’t realise they merely underwrite his one-way ticket to the knacker’s yard, which is printed out and ready to be issued before 2026 is over.” 

“They Are Immigrating to Germany—and Behaving Like Conquerors or Colonialists.” 

Die Welt wrote on December 21: 

“They believe they are at war: Islamists are immigrating to Western countries like conquerors, considering their culture inferior.  Regardless of the number of victims of attacks or rapes, German politicians are not confronting the problem.”

Merz’s Most Powerful Opponent? 

ntv wrote on December 19: 

“Russia’s appetite for war is meeting with little resistance, certainly not in Washington, Beijing, or New Delhi. Only Europe and a few allies outside the continent are standing up to Putin. At their head is Chancellor Merz, who is playing for high stakes to achieve even the bare minimum… In recent days, Friedrich Merz has thrown the full political weight of the Federal Republic of Germany into the balance to prevent the year from ending in a complete defeat for Ukraine and, consequently, for Europe. 

“Among the European countries, Germany, despite a profound economic crisis, is by far the most powerful on the side of Ukraine, and the Chancellor is demonstrating his determination to fulfill this responsibility these days. 

“At the EU summit, three EU states—Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia—opposed further aid for Ukraine. Other, smaller countries expressed doubts. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for several reasons, could not bring herself to offer consistent support for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron cannot get his domestic political crisis under control because his country is more notable for its massive debt than for being a great nation. And Great Britain, since Brexit, stands alone anyway and only fits into this list because British Prime Minister Keir Starmer can only dream of achieving even Merz’s weak approval ratings. 

“This disunited, weakened Europe is therefore the one Merz must lead, because only a united EU, together with the British, Norwegians, Canadians, and Australians, can offer any meaningful resistance to the Russians, who are openly supported by China. And where the USA will stand in this conflict tomorrow is something even Donald Trump probably doesn’t know today…” 

“In Brussels, an agreement was finally reached on financing Ukraine, for which Merz, contrary to his convictions, also agreed to joint EU debt. The Chancellor did not achieve a complete victory. At a crucial moment, Europe failed to demonstrate the resolve to protect its own security interests, which Merz had so emphatically demanded on Monday. But: after the EU summit, Moscow must assume that Ukraine will continue fighting… 

“Now, however, there is at least a chance for talks that could lead to a ceasefire. Without the Chancellor, even this slim chance would probably not exist – and that currently makes Friedrich Merz Vladimir Putin’s most powerful opponent. How Russia will react to this will likely become clear soon.”

Spahn the New Chancellor? 

Focus wrote on December 20: 

“If Friedrich Merz were to fail as Chancellor, there is only one logical successor for FOCUS columnist Jan Fleischhauer. ‘If I had to bet on a replacement chancellor from the CDU right now,’ he says…, ‘I would say: Jens Spahn.’ 

“A name that polarizes. Spahn is considered politically tainted by many; he is accused of moral questionable behavior, from privately financed real estate purchases to the procurement of masks during the pandemic, which resulted in billions of euros in losses for taxpayers. 

“For Fleischhauer, however, the crucial question is not one of impeccable morals, but of political suitability. Spahn possesses qualities that would be more useful than detrimental in the Chancellor’s office. ‘He has the certain ruthlessness that you need for the job,’ says Fleischhauer. Added to this are toughness and assertiveness… less concern for internal party politics, more power instinct and leadership. And this is precisely where his comparison with Merz is telling….” 

Military Service in Germany

Die Zeit reported on December 19: 

“The Federal Council has approved the new military service. Starting in January 2026, all 18-year-olds born in 2008 and later will receive an information letter from the German armed forces (Bundeswehr). Men will then be required to fill out a questionnaire that, among other things, asks about their interest in serving in the Bundeswehr.  Filling out the questionnaire is voluntary for women. 

“The medical examination will also become mandatory again for 18-year-old men. The new military service will last between six and eleven months, or longer. The federal government aims to increase its attractiveness by offering, among other things, a monthly salary of €2,600 gross and a subsidy for a driver’s license. The goal is to meet the Bundeswehr’s personnel needs as precisely as possible. If not enough volunteers come forward, the Bundestag can enact a so-called compulsory service based on need, which would have to be regulated in a separate law.”

Conscription will be reintroduced.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

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

This question can be answered with a clear “NO.” It is obviously not biblical to try to lead someone to conversion, and certainly not with the premise of being able to marry that person after repentance and conversion. As we will explain, repentance does not come from the human motivation of third parties, nor from pure self-interest. Repentance can only be initiated by God! After all, marriage is also a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the Church, which requires spiritual unity.

In order to come to repentance, there are two central messages from Christ; one that He personally communicated to the Jews (in John 6:44) when they grumbled about Him; and the other that He responded to Thomas (in John 14:6). Both statements are related. The first says: No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and the other says: No one comes to the Father except through Me.

This means that the first impulse to repent, to believe, and to turn to God does not come from man, but that God is the initiator!

It is important to recognize that God never pushes or compels people, as the German Luther Bible 1984 falsely translates Romans 8:14: “For those who are pushed (“treibt”) by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” The German Menge Bible translates it more accurately: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God… (or: allow themselves to be led) are sons of God.” The New Luther Bible 2009 also puts it this way: “For all who allow themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” The majority of the English Bible translations render it correctly: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are sons of God” (compare Authorized Version).

“Being led” is not compulsion from God, but an inner calling that is intended to lead people to a movement of conscience, to a longing for the Truth, and to the recognition of guilt for lawlessness toward God’s commandments, which is sin. In this sense, deep repentance is ultimately a great favor or gift from God. Paul makes this statement precisely in 2 Timothy 1:9:

“[He] who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…”

In this context, it is important to understand that God calls only those today to salvation whom He predestined and chose “before time began.” For more information on this topic, please read our free booklet, “Are You Predestined to be Saved?”

Peter explains in 1 Peter 2:11–12: “… abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that … they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

Paul also conveys a clear message to all Christians in Ephesians 5:15–17:

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Put together, this results in an important sequence of events: First, God the Father inspires and guides the predestined person towards repentance. The person should respond to this, which opens up the opportunity to come to Christ and the Way to God the Father.

But even this conversion must come from free conviction and repentance before God, not from emotional or interpersonal pressure from another person, or from ulterior motives.

What is the problem with wanting to convert an unbeliever in order to marry him or her?

The problem lies in the different beliefs, which often lead to serious spiritual conflicts, including with family or educational training. As already explained, marriage is a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the Church, which requires spiritual unity. Marriage to an unbeliever is therefore not considered to be in accordance with God’s Will, although existing marriages are of course respected.

Paul, an apostle of Christ, explains in 1 Corinthians 7:12–13:

“But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.”

But trying to convert an unbeliever in order to marry him or her is by no means biblical!

Paul explains this further in 2 Corinthians 6:14–15:

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?”

Basically, the biblical teaching is expressed in 1 Corinthians 7:39, where Paul explains: “A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.”

Paul is saying that those who wish to marry should only do so with a believer. Nowhere in the Bible is a believer instructed to seek out an unbeliever for a later marriage, based on one’s own initiative.

Amos asks the question in Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”

The question is: “How can two people walk together if one’s heart longs for God and Jesus Christ, but the other’s is focused on the world?”

God always wanted order, separation, and identity among the nations so that there would be no religious intermingling. These “marriage prohibitions” are clearly grounded in the Bible.

In Deuteronomy 7:2–6, we read about the “warning against fellowship with Gentiles”:

“… You shall make no covenant with them … Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly … For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”

Many examples in the Bible show that marriages between believers and unbelievers are problematic.

Samson is a classic warning example in Judges 14:1–3.

Samson, a man from the people of Israel, of the tribe of Dan, is determined to marry a Philistine woman. His parents protest strongly, as the Philistines were considered uncircumcised, idolaters, and enemies of Israel before God. The problem was their origin, their false beliefs, their moral influence, and the spiritual seduction by the Philistines. This becomes clear later with Delilah (Judges 16), through whom Samson falls into the hands of the Philistines.

Esau also had problems with unbelieving women. In Genesis 26:34–35, it says:

“When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. And they were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah.”

Marrying more than one woman was wrong, and in this case, the marriage also violated God’s prohibition against marrying Hittite women (the Hittites were one of the seven nations that God would drive out of the Promised Land).

These women brought idolatry and foreign customs with them, which led to family tensions.

Many other examples in the Bible confirm that marriage between believers and unbelievers is problematic – especially, when someone tries to convert an unbeliever before marriage for the purpose of later marriage.

The Bible clearly shows that marriage is more than physical love or attraction. Spiritual unity is very important.

In conclusion, our free booklet “The Keys to Happy Marriages and Families” says this in the first part, “The Christian Marriage,” on page 2:

“Too many marriages face serious difficulties based on an improper understanding and exercise of the different roles and functions of husbands and wives, ending their relationship in divorce or legal separation. But we are called upon to return to the clear teachings of the Bible to produce happy, healthy, successful Christian marriages. Are we willing to listen to God and actually do what He says?”

Lead Writer: Thilo Hanstein (Germany)

(Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger)

compiled by Dave Harris

“Why Are They Lying to Us About War and Peace?” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

We are bombarded right now with messages of peace. But the sad truth is, they don’t know what they are talking about. The way to peace they don’t know. Rather, they tell us lies to justify our alleged need for more weapons and a bigger army. Or they lie when they say that one cannot govern a country by following Christ’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. 

How then will there be peace on earth?

“Warum belügen sie uns über Krieg und Frieden?” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as described above.

A new Member Letter (December 2025) has been posted and mailed to our subscribers. Pastor Kalon Mitchell, reflecting on the death of a close family member, reminds us of the hope Christians have for their future in God’s Kingdom.

A contract has been signed for facilities in St. George, Utah, which will be our location for observing the 2026 Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day in North America.

“Werden Androiden den Menschen ersetzen?” last Sabbath’s 2^nd split sermon in Germany, presented by Robert Muhr, is now posted. Title in English: “Will Androids Replace Humans?

“The Exit Interview,” last Sabbath’s sermonette presented by Frank Bruno, is now posted. Here is the summary:

In the business world when an employee voluntarily leaves an organization an exit interview is often scheduled in order to learn and improve the organization and the employee. As true Christians we know that we face our most significant interaction with our Creator at the time of our judgement. In this sermonette we will consider several scriptures that can help us become and remain more prepared for this.

“Every Thought,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Dave Harris, is now posted. Here is the summary:

Christianity is a Way of living, and it involves “spiritual” thinking and acting as Jesus Christ instructs. This stands in total contrast to “carnal” thinking and acting, a way which ends in death.