Update 1200

On March 21, 2026, Dave Harris will present the sermonette, titled, “The Bond of Friendship,” and Eric Rank will present the sermon, titled, “Be Transformed.”

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.

As members of the Church of the Eternal God, we each have a commission to obey God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and also to honor our calling by protecting ourselves from sin. We can do this by living faithfully and avoiding evil in our lives. We cannot however lock ourselves away; we live in this world that Satan controls, and therefore we must protect ourselves through prayer and obedience to God. We must distance ourselves from the enemy.

I recently read an account as to how the young Continental Militia sought to protect the new American nation from the British forces. They could not avoid the British presence as the colonies had been governed by England and the King. The new nation had declared independence from Britain in 1776, but the British were unrelenting in their efforts to quell this uprising. The ill-equipped American force realized that fighting such a powerful enemy was often not as effective as avoiding them in the first place. When we are baptized into God’s true Church we recognize that we are joining a spiritual battle against evil, and yet the only way to win such a battle is to rely wholeheartedly on God and never impede Him.

Much as we must protect our hearts and minds by avoiding Satan, it is interesting that the new American militia sought to protect their strategic fortress of West Point, NY, by avoiding the enemy, rather than being desirous of engaging in battle. As the first buds of springtime of 1778 began to emerge, and the ice on the Hudson River in New York State began to break up, the under-powered continental troops of the new republic sought to defend against the British Navy and land forces. The historic West Point Military Academy was constructed at a strategic, yet vulnerable point along the Hudson River. The river provided a barrier between the New England territory and the rest of the Middle Atlantic region of the young nation. The military academy sits atop the cliffs on the west bank of the Hudson, and although the site was defensible to a degree, it was impossible to stop the British from making their way up-river, leaving most of New York and New England susceptible to attacks and sabotage.

A British engineer, aiding the continental forces, designed a 650-yard linked chain that would be laid across the Hudson from West Point to a small island, now known as Constitution Island. Imagine a necklace of iron, but then consider that each link weighed in at 114 pounds and was 2 feet in length. Some 750 separate links comprised the 65-ton chain that would be lowered and raised much as a ship’s anchor, to admit friendly vessels or repel the British warships. The fledgling American force installed the chain each spring/summer from 1778, until it ceased to be needed in 1782. This was referred to as Washington’s Watch Chain, euphemistically nodding to the new president’s pocket watch. The chain’s sole purpose was avoidance and protection rather than engagement.

Washington and his men stood watch and protected the new nation, and as true Christians, we must also protect our hearts and spiritual lives from the enemy. We know that we can all too easily become ensnared in sinful ways, including relying on our own abilities, as we see in Jude 6: “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day…”

Additionally, consider  2 Peter 2:4-6: “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly…”

When we repent and rely on God, we are released from the bondage of sin. We understand that our freedom and safety was purchased by God through the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and so we read in Romans 6:18: “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” We know that sin can be like a bear trap that we stumble into; we did not intend to place ourselves in that position, but we must ask ourselves how we might have avoided the situation and similarly, sin. Consider the wisdom contained in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” We must be proactive and work, but also never place ourselves in that bear trap of sin. Again, we should guard our spiritual lives as aggressively as we protect our bodies from illness and injury. We recall the words of Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The message is straightforward; in order to protect ourselves from sin, we need to be mindful of our actions and intentions and always guard against and avoid evil.

Being aware of the progression of sin is another good way to protect oneself. We see this clearly in James 1:15: “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” As true Christians, we pray consistently for strength to remain faithful to God the Father and to Jesus Christ and to do as we read in Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

We do not need a massive iron chain to avoid sin; we simply need the power and majesty of God the Father and Jesus Christ, and to follow the commandments to lead us to safety and eternal Life in the Kingdom.

By Norbert Link

We report on ongoing developments in the Iran War (including Trump’s attack on Kharg Island; the controversy regarding the Strait of Hormuz; and different opinions between the USA and Europe regarding Iran).

We speak of “boots on the ground” and an “invasion” of Iran, which, if actually carried out, would be disastrous for the USA. In this regard, please view our new message, “Why America Won’t Win the Iran War—Comments on News and Prophecy, March 14, 2026.“

Please also view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Germany Stands Up to and Rejects Trump”.

 We quote Pope Leo’s strong condemnation of the Iran war and strong criticism of Israel by Catholic priests. We also point out Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s attempts to influence the free press.

In other news, we show Europe’s rejection of Trump’s dealings with Russia, while, at the same time, Ukraine is accusing Europe of potential blackmail.

We report on the suspicion that the Iran war was started to distract from the Epstein files; address catastrophic gasoline prices in California, due, in part, to a ridiculous system; and we conclude with appalling developments in Canada caused by corrupt Big Pharma and left-extreme politicians.Throughout this section, we have underlined pertinent statements in the quoted articles, for the convenience and quick overview of the reader.    

Attack on Kharg Island 

Breitbart wrote on March 14: 

“Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Saturday that the conflict with Iran is ‘escalating’… 

“On Friday evening, President Donald Trump said that the U.S. Military had conducted ‘one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East’ on Iran’s strategically significant Kharg Island, which he dubbed the ‘crown Jewel’ of the regime… 

“President Trump remarked last night that ‘for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.’” 

Newsmax wrote on March 14: 

“… energy and security experts have warned that striking the island’s export terminals could trigger major disruptions in global oil markets. Analysts have said destroying the facility could send crude prices sharply higher and remove most Iranian oil exports from the global market. That risk has been one reason U.S. and Israeli forces have historically avoided attacking the island’s export infrastructure directly.” 

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on March 14: 

“… only one of Iran’s 5 operational oil export terminals is located on Kharg Island… the amount of oil loaded from the tanks installed on Kharg increased by 1.5 times in the past month. This suggests that Iran, by quickly emptying Kharg’s tanks, was prepared for this attack….”

“Just For Fun” 

Daily Sabah wrote on March 15:

“Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Kharg Island, after claiming U.S. strikes Friday had ‘totally demolished’ much of the island. Speaking to NBC News Saturday, the U.S. President said: ‘We may hit it a few more times just for fun.’”

Terrible comment!

Trump Sends Marines

The Sun wrote on March 14:

“A Marine expeditionary unit with 2,500 Marines aboard three US Navy amphibious ships has been ordered to the Middle East… The flotilla is expected to number 5,000 troops and sailors… 

“Meanwhile, the US State Department announced it is offering a reward of up to $10 million to anyone who provides information on Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and nine other senior officials in the Iranian regime… 

“Washington is also openly discussing potential missions inside Iran. War Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that no option is off the table. ‘We would be completely unwise if we did not reserve the right to take any particular option,’ Hegseth said. ‘Whether it included boots on the ground or no boots on the ground.’” 

Invading Iran? 

Daily Mail wrote on March 14: 

“Iran is a notoriously difficult country to invade, thanks to its tough terrain.

“The country is home to vast salt flats, dense and swampy marshes, and a series of rocky mountains that create a natural, nationwide fortress, in which countless military and nuclear sites hide.  Iran’s dominance over the Strait of Hormuz… means that any enemy vessels in either the Gulf of Oman or the Persian Gulf may become sitting ducks.  

“Some experts have warned that America could face a worse environment than they encountered in Afghanistan, Iraq and even Vietnam…. 

“Iran is one of the biggest countries in the world… Its total land mass is larger than France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal combined. It also has one of the largest populations in the world, with more than 93 million citizens. 

“It is four times bigger than Iraq, and nearly three times bigger than Afghanistan… The whole country has an incredibly high elevation. Tehran, Iran’s capital, sits at 3,900ft… the vast majority of Iran’s military and nuclear assets are hidden throughout its three mountain ranges.  Mountains are notoriously difficult to fight in.” 

If Trump were to invade Iran, this would end up in total disaster for the USA.

Lost Trust 

The Telegraph wrote on March 14:

“Panic-stricken markets are losing faith in Donald Trump. The president’s contradictory statements on the Iran war have sent trading into chaos…”

Pope Against Starting and Fighting In Wars 

Newsmax wrote on March 13: 

“Pope Leo XIV… suggested on Friday that Christian political leaders who start wars should go to confession and assess whether they are following the teachings of Jesus… 

“President Donald Trump was raised in the Presbyterian Christian faith. Several of his top deputies, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are Catholic…” 

Of course, the Catholic Church does support wars when it determines that those wars are “justified.” This is also a perversion of the teachings of Christ. 

Thomson/Reuters wrote on March 15: 

“Pope Leo made an impassioned plea on Sunday for an immediate ceasefire in the expanding Iran war, lamenting ‘atrocious violence’ that he said had killed thousands of non-combatants and caused suffering across the region. 

“As the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran enters its third week, the first U.S. pope warned that violence would not bring the justice, stability and peace that the peoples of the region long for…. ‘In the name of Christians in the Middle East and of all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict: Cease fire!’ Pope Leo said. ‘Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and many more have been forced to leave their homes. I renew my closeness to all those who have lost their loved ones in the attacks,’ he said.” 

Wars bring nothing but misery, pain, destruction and murder. War mongers will be held responsible when Christ returns. 

Pope: War Is Not a Video Game 

Al-Monitor wrote on March 16: 

“Pope Leo urged journalists on Monday to highlight the suffering caused by war, cautioning against news reports that risk sliding into propaganda by glorifying conflicts or serving as ‘a megaphone’ to amplify the voices of those in power… the pope made a direct appeal for reporters ‘to show the face of war and tell it through the eyes of the victims, so as not to turn it into a video game.’… 

“Leo’s warning against depicting war like a video game echoed remarks from a senior United States church official earlier this month. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich sharply rebuked the White House for posting a video on social media featuring footage from the Iran war, spliced with scenes from video games and action films. Cupich called the video ‘sickening.’” 

“Thousands of Priests Call For Justice Against Israel” 

LifeSiteNews wrote on March 12: 

“A group consisting of thousands of Catholic priests issued a statement mourning the Israeli army’s killing of a brother priest in Lebanon earlier this week, demanding accountability ‘before international justice’ and calling for a day of prayer and fasting on Friday… A spokesperson for the network of clergy told LifeSiteNews that members currently include 2,200 priests in 59 countries, including two cardinals and 25 bishops/archbishops…

“Expressing solidarity with the Chrisitan communities in southern Lebanon, with candor the priests described that ‘Father Pierre did not die as a result of a tragic mistake but while carrying out the highest evangelical mandate: helping his neighbor,’ the group decried. ‘After a tank fired a first shot at a house, the priest rushed to the scene with some young people to help the wounded. It was then that a second shot struck him fatally.’ 

“‘This double-tap, which deliberately targets rescuers, is a brutal violation of humanitarian law,’ the priest association emphasized. ‘Father Pierre, 50, had chosen not to abandon his flock despite evacuation orders, bearing witness that faith does not flee in the face of threat.’… 

“‘The current Israeli government, which orders and carries out these attacks against civilians, children, and ministers of God, must be held accountable for its actions before international justice,’ the organization demanded… Echoing the words of Pope Leo XIV, the network of clergy asked that ‘the roar of bombs cease,’ pleading that ‘space be opened for true dialogue,’ and emphasizing that war ‘is never the solution, but a defeat for all humanity.’”

Right. And the alienation between Israel and the Catholic Church continues. 

Israel Claims Missile Debris Falls Near Al-Aqsa Mosque 

Aljazeera wrote on March 16: 

“Israeli police said fragments from missiles and interceptor systems landed at several sensitive religious sites in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City during Iranian missile interceptions. Authorities said debris was discovered near the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and in the Jewish Quarter after air defence systems engaged incoming missiles over the city…

“Officers later located ‘fragments of missiles and interceptor debris, some of significant size, at multiple sites in the Old City.’…” 

Suddenly, Desperate Trump Wants Help 

The Guardian wrote on March 14: 

“Donald Trump said ‘many countries’ would send warships to keep the strait of Hormuz open, without providing details on which countries would do so. He said he hoped the UK, China, France, Japan, South Korea and others will send ships to the area.” 

So, which is it? Totally contradictory. 

The Huffington Post wrote on March 14: 

“President Donald Trump spent his Saturday begging and pleading for other countries to help the U.S. clear out Iran’s military from the Strait of Hormuz…. It was his second post of the day asking other countries to help clear the critical passage for the world’s oil that Trump has jeopardized… 

“President Donald Trump was warned by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that Iran could close the Strait of Hormuz if attacked, The Wall Street Journal reported. Gen. Dan Caine reportedly told Trump in multiple briefings before the war that U.S. officials believed Iran would close the key oil shipping route. Trump brushed off those concerns, suggesting the U.S. military could handle it, according to the report.” 

What arrogance. 

Now Trump Needs Britain? 

Daily Mail reported on March 14:

“Trump has demanded Britain send warships to help defend the Strait of Hormuz and avert a global recession. The US President had previously slapped down Sir Keir Starmer, saying earlier this month that his offer of assistance was no longer needed because the war was already won 

“But on a day of escalating tension in which Tehran threatened to use helicopters to kidnap US soldiers, Mr Trump urged the UK to join an international armada to force open the blockaded Strait, where Iran has begun laying mines. It came as Iran’s foreign minister confirmed in an interview that his country was receiving military help from Russia and China.” 

But Europeans have different ideas. Note the next article. 

Europe Wants to Negotiate With Iran 

Financial Times wrote on March 14: 

“European countries including France have opened talks with Tehran seeking to negotiate a deal to guarantee safe passage for their ships through the Strait of Hormuz… European countries have sought to… avoid any direct participation in the conflict, and some have criticised the initial US-Israeli attack that provoked the wider regional war. 

“Italy, France and Greece have warships in the Red Sea as part of the EU’s Aspides naval protection mission. But no European navies are prepared to escort ships through Hormuz, the officials said, if there is a risk of attack, for fear of escalating the war… Britain is not talking directly to Iran about access to the strait… 

“Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto said in an interview with Corriere della Sera published on Friday: ‘We are trying to get Europe to speak with a single, united voice . . . pushing for two key points. The first is to officially request . . . to allow ships from countries that are not at war to pass through Hormuz.’” 

Were Europe’s negotiations at least partly successful? Note the next article.

Strait of Hormuz Safe Except For USA and Israel? 

The New York Post wrote on March 14: 

“Iran said Saturday that all countries besides the US and Israel may pass through the Strait of Hormuz in a desperate attempt at coalition busting… ‘As a matter of fact, the Strait of Hormuz is open,’ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. ‘It is only closed to the tankers and ships belong[ing] to our enemies, to those who are attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass,’ Araghchi told MS NOW. … 

“Two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas crossed the Strait, Reuters reported Saturday. ‘They crossed the Strait of Hormuz safely early this morning and are en route to India,’ Rajesh Kumar Sinha, the minister of ports and shipping in New Delhi, said.” 

If correct, then Trump’s request for help from other countries becomes irrelevant. If Iran grants them free access to the Strait of Hormuz, they would most certainly not want to jeopardize that by helping Trump. On the other hand, since Iran has been lying all along, one cannot trust their assurances either. 

No European Military Deployment 

Nius wrote on March 14: 

“[German] Defense Minister Boris Pistorius rejected a European military deployment to secure the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. He didn’t see ‘what European frigates could still accomplish down there,’ the SPD politician said… 

“Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in turn, said with regard to a possible German involvement that there was currently ‘no reason to even consider a military securing of the sea lanes.’ The CDU politician said: ‘Germany is not part of this war and we don’t want to be.'”

Trump in a Dead End 

t-online wrote on March 16:

“The US launched its war against Iran more than two weeks ago – without a strategy. US President Donald Trump has thus reached a dead end. An end to the war is not in sight. The US president simply lacks options – and time is running out for him. Oil prices on the world market are exploding, partly because the Iranian regime is blocking the Strait of Hormuz. 

“Trump is under massive pressure – and now he is passing it on to NATO allies. He demands that the military alliance support the Americans in protecting the Strait of Hormuz. He is threatening NATO with a ‘very bad  future’ and even indirectly calling into question American support for Ukraine. This is brazen and disrespectful… 

“The US president currently appears at a loss and has been unable to define a clear war aim in recent weeks with regard to the war in Iran. The power of the mullah regime still seems firmly established…” 

Europe Stands Up to Trump

The Guardian wrote on March 16:

“European countries have ruled out sending warships to the strait of Hormuz, despite threats from Donald Trump that Nato faces ‘a very bad future’ if members fail to help reopen the vital waterway. 

“Germany ruled out participation in any military activity, including efforts to reopen the strait. ‘There was never a joint decision on whether to intervene. That is why the question of how Germany might contribute militarily does not arise. We will not do so,’ the chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said….”

Trump vs. NATO 

ntv wrote on March 17: 

“Trump and NATO: It’s no love affair. After requesting help in the war against Iran, he received numerous rejections from the alliance partners. He reacted angrily – and suddenly no longer considers support necessary… ‘However, I am not surprised by their behavior, because I have always viewed NATO, for which we spend hundreds of billions of dollars annually to protect precisely these countries, as a one-way street,’ he said…

“Trump already sharply criticized NATO during his first term… Since the beginning of his second term, the US president has also regularly criticized the military alliance… ‘We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, especially in times of need,’ Trump writes…” 

Trump Attacks NATO

The Independent wrote on March 17:

 “Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Nato, claiming the alliance abandoned the US ‘in its time of need’ by refusing to help open the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, the US president said Washington ‘did not need’ the help of the military alliance in securing the key waterway… His post came shortly after the head of the US National Counterterrorism Centre resigned in protest at the war with Iran, becoming the first and most senior member of Donald Trump’s administration to do so, saying Tehran posed no imminent threat to the United States.”

Not a NATO Matter 

Focus wrote on March 16: 

“US Senator Lindsey Graham, in connection with the refusal of European NATO countries to provide aid in the Strait of Hormuz, writes on X that he has ‘never seen Donald Trump so angry.’… German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has rejected German military participation in protecting oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and sharply criticized the course taken by US President Donald Trump. NATO is a defense alliance and not an intervention alliance… The war in Iran is not a NATO matter…

Even the AfD Agrees 

Die Welt wrote on March 17:

“AfD leader Weidel sharply criticizes the US military intervention in the Persian Gulf… ‘The fact that help is now being requested suggests that this operation was undertaken without a clear plan. This should have been considered beforehand,’ she said… According to the AfD leader, Trump’s support would transform NATO from a defensive to an offensive alliance. She sees no obligation to provide assistance.”

Trump and the AfD have previously been considered strong supporters.

Why Merz’s Decision Is Right and Necessary 

Nius wrote on March 17:

“The war against Iran started by the US and Israel is not our conflict, which is why our troops have no business being in the Strait of Hormuz… Donald Trump’s bombing of Iran is… an act of hubris. With a series of targeted airstrikes against leading religious and military figures, the US president wanted to put an end to the mullah regime… Even at the beginning of the war, [the war aim] remained vague… Of course, the attacks were not discussed or coordinated with European countries like Germany… 

“Merz’s refusal is primarily correct because Germany’s navy doesn’t have to clean up the mess Trump made. The decision to bomb the mullah regime is based on a blatant miscalculation by the US president, who increasingly resembles a caricature of the ‘peace president’ he once campaigned on… When an ally leaves a trail of destruction, it is not the German government’s job to intervene and pick up the pieces.” 

“Merz’s veto is correct… It’s a clear refusal to participate in conflicts that are clearly not in Germany’s interest, but would put German soldiers in immediate danger.”

This post is also noteworthy because Nius is a media outlet that usually strongly supports Trump.

“EU Shows Cracks Over Iran War”

JNS wrote on March 12:

“… visible cracks are on display within the E.U., most visibly in Spain’s explicit opposition to the U.S.-Israeli operation and in France’s implicit criticism… Whereas Europe’s leaders are genuinely hostile to Iran’s ayatollah regime…, they also have an entrenched aversion to military solutions and distrust of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu…

“Additionally, the aftermath of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, in which several European allies participated, has contributed to the European reluctance to support the Iran operation… No weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq, contrary to pre-war intelligence that was put forward as part of the justification for going to war, and the experience of 2003 trained a generation of European elites to distrust intelligence-driven military action and to fear escalation…”

Their distrust is clearly justified. 

Russia Taking Control of Iran War?

Newsbreak wrote on March 13:

“Fears are emerging that Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking control of the Iran war, even as the U.S. turns to Russia for help in mitigating the oil crisis… U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said on Thursday that he believes [Iran] is being aided by Putin behind the scenes following a drone strike on a British military base in Erbil, Iraq… Iran was flying its drones ‘much lower, and therefore they were more effective,’ British military officials reportedly told Healey of the attack on the Erbil base.

“The tactic mirrored evolved tactics employed by Russia as it wages an all-out war of attrition against  Ukraine, which it invaded in 2022, hoping to annex it…” 

Europe Objects to Trump Decision on Russia

Politico wrote on March 14:

“Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined the leaders of Germany and Norway on Friday in criticizing the Trump administration’s decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian oil, exposing a public split between Washington and key NATO allies…. The three NATO leaders were publicly breaking with Washington over the Trump administration’s decision to ease some sanctions on Russian oil….

“Carney, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued that sanctions relief would weaken efforts to force Russia to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine…

“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the decision on Friday as ‘not very logical.’ ‘The lifting of sanctions means that [Russia] will receive more money and there will be more drone attacks’ in the Middle East, Zelenskyy said… ‘Russia will get money for its war machine, and there are a lot of drones that are built on Russian soil to destabilize the Middle East,’ he added.”

The Guardian wrote on March 13:

“European countries have pushed back against Donald Trump’s decision to ease some US sanctions on Russian oil… The UK has joined Germany, France and Norway in rejecting the move…

“Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor… insisted that support for Ukraine should continue despite the conflict in the Middle East. ‘We will not allow ourselves to be deterred or distracted from this by the war with Iran,’ he said…

“Merz’s comments follow similar remarks from the French president, Emmanuel Macron, who said… that the paralysis of the strait of Hormuz ‘in no way’ justified lifting sanctions on Russia….

“Trump’s chaotic geopolitical moves appeared to have left allies increasingly confounded as he also rejected Ukraine’s offer of help in countering Iran’s drones.” 

“Trump Is Wrong”

Politico wrote on March 13:

“Merz said, ‘…I would like to know what other factors led the U.S. government to make this decision.’ Merz said the decision by the U.S. administration had come as a surprise on Friday morning, crushing his hopes that Washington might refrain from taking such steps, as other G7 members had strongly urged Trump not to ease the pressure on Moscow during a joint video call on Wednesday…

“Merz stressed that Germany, together with its G7 partners and Israel, was working to end the war. He also reiterated his fears that the U.S. and Israel lack a strategy for ending the conflict.”

In fact, there seems to be no plan whatsoever. 

Zelensky Accuses Europe of Potential Blackmail

Politico wrote on March 15:

“Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described European allies’ attitude over the Druzhba oil pipeline as ‘blackmail.’ In remarks made public on Sunday, the Ukrainian leader criticized European pressure to allow oil to flow through the pipeline, which connects producer country Russia to Europe by way of Ukraine. The pipeline has been offline since January after a Russian attack, and has been at the center of a bitter row between Ukraine and Hungary.

“Budapest has accused Kyiv of deliberately blocking progress on repairing the infrastructure in order to engineer an energy crisis in Hungary. In response, Hungarian Prime [Minister] Viktor Orbán has been blocking the release of a €90 billion tranche of EU funding for Ukraine needed to keep the war-torn country financially afloat.

“On Thursday, the European Commission proposed sending a fact-finding mission to inspect the damage to the Druzhba pipeline in an attempt to resolve the dispute. ‘If we have decided to restore Russian oil supplies, then I want them to know that I am against it. … But if I am given conditions that Ukraine will not receive weapons, then, excuse me, I am powerless on this issue; I told our friends in Europe that this is called blackmail,’ Zelenskyy said…”

Is a rift between Ukraine and Europe coming?

Hegseth’s Attack on the Free Press

The Independent wrote on March 13:

“[As] the ex-Fox News host [appeared at the] briefing room on Friday, it was not the Supreme Leader (new or old one) that had Hegseth nearly breathless at the podium. No, it was an enemy far more insidious that revealed itself to the self-titled Secretary of War — the free press… Instead of ‘Mideast war intensifies,’ Hegseth demanded an alternative headline: ‘Iran increasingly desperate.’

“He also took issue with another ‘fake headline’ which suggested the war is ‘widening’ after Iran threatened to target shipping in the Strait of Hormuz — which, to the consternation of ‘fake news’ copy editors everywhere, he insisted on repeatedly calling the Straits of Hormuz — and Israel began attacking targets in Lebanon…. ‘Here’s a real headline for you, for an actual patriotic press. How about, “Iran shrinking, going underground,”’ Hegseth… told the reporters…  

“And on top of that, he went after CNN — the only major U.S. network to have had a correspondent inside Iran since the start of the war — for reporting that Trump administration officials told Congress they had underestimated the extent to which Iran would seek to retaliate against airstrikes…”

The Secretary of War’s demand that the “free press” enthusiastically and patriotically suppress the facts and rather “support” the Iran war is appalling. 

CNN’s Kasie Hunt Stood Her Ground

Express wrote on March 13:

“A fiery clash erupted on CNN after the news channel brought a breaking Donald Trump update. The US President had been downplaying the rising costs of oil as the Iran war rages on.

“Journalist Kasie Hunt was speaking to Republican politician Jim Jordan via video link live on air when the two clashed. He claimed that Trump makes decisions ‘that are in the best interest of our country’… But then the CNN host interrupted as she said: ‘He told them that he wouldn’t start any new wars,’ but Mr Jordan continued to rage on. He explained that the President is ‘making sure that this regime doesn’t get nuclear capability’…

“But Kasie then shared some clips of previous speeches that Trump had made as she pointed out that he said: ‘I’m not going to start a war, I am going to stop wars.’ ‘How is that an example of Donald Trump doing what he said he is going to do?’ She asked.

“Fans of the news channel took to social media to laugh about Trump being called out on his hypocrisy. One viewer wrote on X/Twitter: ‘… He quite literally broke every promise he campaigned on.’ Another fumed: ‘How do you lie so blatantly when shown evidence that you are lying. He did not say that he would start a war if negotiations fail, he said he would not start a war period!!’

“While one more raged: ‘This is why we hate politicians and can never trust them. Not an ounce of integrity.’”

That’s why you don’t vote in presidential elections!

Trump in Trouble

The Associated Press wrote on March 15:

“He’s grown more agitated with news coverage and has failed to find a way to explain why he started the war — or how he will end it — that resonates with a public concerned by American deaths in the conflict, surging oil prices and dropping financial markets…

“The longer the conflict goes, the more pronounced questions about the midterms will become. Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, suggested on Fox News Channel this past week that if gas and oil prices continue to stay high ‘you’re going to see a disastrous [midterm] election’ for the GOP.”

Indeed. 

Europeans Want Distance From USA… But Not From China

Politico wrote on March 15:

“European allies broadly support building closer ties to China — and believe America’s role as a global superpower is fading… Swaths of the public in Canada, Germany, France and the U.K. have soured on the U.S., driven by President Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions… Respondents in these countries increasingly see China as a more dependable partner than the U.S…

“Critically, Europeans surveyed see it as possible to reduce reliance on the U.S. but harder to reduce reliance on China… respondents in those four allied countries believe it is better to depend on China than the U.S. following Trump’s turbulent return to office… a majority of respondents in both Canada and Germany agreed that any attempts to get closer to China are because the U.S. has become harder to depend on — not because China itself has become a more reliable partner. ..

“Respondents across all four allied countries are broadly supportive of efforts to create some distance from the U.S. .. As Washington and its allies grow more estranged, the perception of the U.S. as the dominant world power is in retreat — though most Americans don’t see it that way.

“About half of all respondents in Canada, Germany, France and the U.K. believe that China is rapidly becoming a more consequential superpower. This is particularly true among those who say the U.S. is no longer a positive force for the world. By contrast, 63 percent of respondents in the U.S. believe their nation will maintain its dominance in 10 years — reflecting major disparities in beliefs about global power dynamics between the U.S. and its European allies.”

America’s downfall is prophesied and inevitable… but many Americans are blind to that fact. 

Iran War a Distraction From Epstein Files?

People’s World wrote on March 13:

“Despite extensive redactions that blacked out entire pages, the allegations made against Trump so far are upsetting beyond belief and demand further investigation. In light of these attempts to cover up Epstein and Trump’s relationship, some have gone so far as to claim Trump is attacking foreign countries to distract people from the sex scandal.

“Some critics have sarcastically renamed ‘Operation Epic Fury’ as ‘Operation Epstein Distraction.’…

“Shaiel Ben-Ephraim, an analyst with Atlas Global Strategies and a former Israeli diplomat, told Al Jazeera that Trump ‘needs a distraction from [his domestic issues] in the form of a war’ and that Google searches for the Epstein files have ‘plummeted’ since the U.S. and Israel struck Iran.

“Republican Congressman Thomas Massie and Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley have both made comments suggesting the Iran war is meant to distract people from the Epstein files.”

Daily Beast wrote on March 11:

“A majority of Americans think that Donald Trump’s surprise attack on Iran was an effort to distract the public from his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein… The survey… also found that at least a quarter of Republicans shared the same belief…. Additionally, a striking two-thirds of people under 45 echoed such claims.” 

Crazy California Gas Prices

The New York Post wrote on March 3:

“The Trump administration has signed an executive order to resume oil drilling operations off the Southern California coast, citing national energy security concerns. The order… will prove controversial despite the potential to bring down gas prices, which are now the highest in America. Gov. Gavin Newsom also flagged the state would challenge the order in the courts… California’s price for a regular gallon hit an average of $5.42 on Friday. That’s far above the national average of $3.60.

“Drivers pay a ‘California premium’ loaded with higher than average state excise and sales taxes, as well hefty fees for climate programs unique to the state. The state also requires an eco-friendly more costly fuel blend designed to prevent pollution.

“Last week, oil giant Chevron warned in a doomsday letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom that the state will face economic collapse under his ‘misguided’ climate policies. State lawmakers also warned that Newsom’s green agenda risks sending the price of gas above $8 a gallon — potentially returning drivers to fuel rationing not seen since the 1970s.”

Corrupt policies contribute to the demise of America. 

America’s Suicide—Working Without Pay

npr wrote on March 13:

“TSA officers have been working without pay since funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed on February 14th. They’ve already missed part of one paycheck, and many security officers received no money at all in their paychecks on Friday as the partial shutdown approached the one-month mark… The majority of TSA employees work paycheck to paycheck… and don’t have enough savings to cover their expenses.

“Passengers have encountered hours-long security lines at major airports in Houston, Atlanta, New Orleans, Austin, and elsewhere, as many TSA officers have called out sick. Some officers have taken on second jobs in order to make ends meet… Meanwhile, airline passengers are still paying the security fees that help to fund the TSA’s budget, even as the partial shutdown drags on…. And that money has continued to accrue, even though none of it is finding its way into the bank accounts of TSA workers….

“Security officers also went more than 40 days without a paycheck last year during the partial government shutdown last year. The back-to-back shutdowns have only made it harder for the agency to attract and retain workers… as more than 1,000 security officers resigned from TSA during October and November of last year… An additional 300 TSA officers have quit during the current shutdown…”

Democrats and Republicans accuse each other of being responsible for the shutdown. Suffering Americans seem to matter little to them. 

Britain’s Suicide 

On March 14, the Daily Mail published the following article by Matthew Goodwin: 

“There are moments in the life of a nation when everything changes − not with a bang, not even with a conscious decision, but with a quiet, creeping loss of confidence so profound that a people start to forget who they are. Britain, I believe, is living through such a moment.

“For decades, the institutions that once embodied our nation − Parliament, the Civil Service, the courts, the police, the BBC, universities, schools, corporate executives, the Church, museums − have drifted away from the public they exist to serve.

“Our country is now in the grip of a new ruling class… Its defining ideology is ‘suicidal empathy’ – a deeply twisted worldview… Britain is not being conquered or invaded. Worse: it is being abandoned by the very people who were meant to protect it.” 

Canada Guilty of Attempted Murder of Cancer Patients? 

makisw.substack.com wrote on March 13: 

“Helping Cancer patients is now ILLEGAL in Canada, as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith punishes over 9000 Cancer patients for exercising their ‘Right to Try’ with Ivermectin… 

“Helping Cancer patients is now illegal in Canada. Health Coaching of Cancer patients is now illegal. Naturopathy is now illegal. Using Ivermectin and repurposed drugs is now illegal. Doing podcasts and videos on Health is now illegal. All punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment.

“Canadians have no idea what has just transpired and what Canada has recently turned into. The actions of Canadian authorities… amount to attempted murder of Cancer patients who wanted cutting edge options for their disease.” 

Big Pharma is behind this, as it is in the USA. It’s all about money! Also, a corrupt and crooked political system. Patients don’t matter… they are nothing more than numbers…. 

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.

More specifically, can you use a sourdough starter, or allow it to live in your fridge through the spring Holy Days? 

There are a few bakers in the Church who have received sourdough starters and have started to make sourdough bread. A sourdough starter is essentially flour, water and salt. Once these ingredients are added together it begins to ferment. There is natural wild yeast that is on ground flour that begins the process of fermentation when it is combined with the water and salt. The longer a starter is allowed to grow and be used, it gains flavor characteristics, and older starters are prized as having a fuller flavor and stronger binding properties. 

Some of the oldest actively used sourdough starters are over a century old, with notable examples including a 120-year-old Yukon Gold Rush starter and San Francisco starters dating back to the mid-19th century. Many family-kept starters are 50–100 years old. Recently, there was even an experimental, 4,500-year-old yeast from Egyptian pottery that has been revived and used to bake bread. 

When we look at the properties of sourdough starter, while no commercial yeast is added, the key point is that the starter is fermenting and growing, which gets to the heart of the matter.

During biblical times, they did not have the commercial rising agents we commonly use today (baking powder, baking soda, yeast, etc.). What they used during that time was a piece of dough retained from a previous batch which had fermented. This was then used to mix into a new batch to start the leavening process. The Israelites were deeply entrenched in Egypt. The Egyptians were advanced bakers and beer makers. So it goes to reason that the Israelites were well versed in how to make bread. 

In the ancient Hebrew and Greek when a substance was added to dough or liquids to cause fermentation, especially a portion of fermenting dough preserved for baking purposes, it was specified by the Hebrew word seʼorʹ (“sourdough”; Exodus 12:15) or by the Greek word zyʹme (“leaven”; Luke 13:21). A leavened thing is designated by the Hebrew word cha·metsʹ or Chametz (חָמֵץ) such as found in Leviticus 2:11. In Jewish law and tradition, it refers to any food product derived from five specific grains—wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt—that has come into contact with water and been allowed to ferment or “rise”. Under most halakhic (Jewish law) opinions, grain mixed with water becomes chametz if it is left unbaked for longer than 18 minutes. 

We are informed that Jewish law (Halacha) strictly forbids owning, using, or benefiting from sourdough starter (se’or) during the Days of Unleavened Bread, as it is considered chametz (leaven). Because it is a fermented flour-and-water mixture, it must be removed from the home. As we will discuss, we agree with that conclusion, but not with the Jewish practice of some to sell it to a non-Jewish person and buy it back afterward or to give it to a non-observant friend to care for during the week and to receive it back afterward. Rather, we agree with most observers who choose to throw away their starter before the Holy Days of Unleavened Bread.

When we look at what God commanded the Israelites when they were leaving Egypt, He wanted them to make their bread without allowing it the opportunity to rise. In Exodus 12:14-20, the specific commands were to remove leaven from their houses and they were allowed to only make that which could be eaten, again showing that no bread was to be left to rise and ferment.

Further on in the Israelite story, they are reminded of why they were continuing this tradition (one that is still relevant for us today). In Deuteronomy 16:3-4, they were instructed again as to the reasons why they must eat unleavened bread: “You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. And no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days…”

When Israel left Egypt, they did so with haste. They were leaving the sin-ridden Egyptians and they were to do so with an eye toward their ongoing journey. They were supposed to be looking to God who brought them out of Egypt, out of sin. They were removed from the slavery of Egypt. Today, while we do not live in literal slavery, many are still enslaved by sin and its power. Those who ate leavened bread during the Days of Unleavened Bread were to be cut off from the congregation (Exodus 12:15). The same principle applies today. Those who persist in sin without repentance ultimately separate themselves from the Body of Christ (the Church), and more importantly, from God.

As we know from the Old and New Testaments, leavening was disallowed during the Unleavened Bread Days. During the Old Testament, we know that leavening was often associated with corruption, impurity and sin. Offerings made to God in the Old Testament were oftentimes not to be made with leavening (Leviticus chapters 2, 6 & 7; Exodus 29:2; Numbers 6:15). (Please see our free booklet The Sacrificial System and the Tabernacle in the Wilderness for more information). In the New Testament, unleavened bread took on additional significance in the context of the Lord’s Supper. During the Last Supper, Jesus broke unleavened bread and gave it to His disciples, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). Christ used the symbol of unleavened bread and wine to foreshadow the Sacrifice that He would give of Himself for the redemption of humanity.

In the New Testament, leaven is used metaphorically to represent the pervasive nature of sin and false teachings. Many times Christ warned the disciples about the “leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees,” referring to their hypocritical and erroneous teachings (Matthew 16:6)—showing how easy it is to believe something so dogmatically while being utterly wrong.  Similarly, the apostle Paul used leaven as a metaphor for sin in the Church, urging believers to “purge out the old leaven” to become a new, unleavened lump (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). That is to be free from the fermentation of sin. We must do a thorough search of our hearts and minds, asking God for help in this manner as well. Paul warns us that “many are weak and sick” because they have not properly discerned “the Lord’s body” (1 Corinthians 11:27-33). 

In the prophet Amos’s day, Christ warned Israel in Amos 4:5 about what they were doing in transgressing His laws and commandments: “‘Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, Proclaim and announce the freewill offerings; For this you love, You children of Israel!’ Says the Lord God.” God here is telling them that their worship of other gods was a transgression against Him. They might as well offer leavened bread on the altar (which was disallowed) because they were actively committing idolatry, so that their religious services had become useless.  

While Christ mentioned a few times that leaven can be likened to the pervasive nature of sin and false doctrine (Matthew 16:6), He also made a very interesting statement about how the Kingdom of God should grow! Quoting from Luke 13:20-21: “And again He said, ‘To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.’” This is the proper way to think about God’s ways working through us. We should not be compromising or sinning, which will grow, but rather grow by showing and manifesting good fruits in order to qualify for the Kingdom of God. It is a way that transforms our whole lives—just as how the world will be transformed when Christ returns and ushers in the Rule or Kingdom of God. 

As we prepare for the Passover evening and the upcoming Days of Unleavened Bread, we should take note of our spiritual condition and ensure that we are entering these days with the right frame of mind. It is then that we can keep these days as the Israelites did with great gladness, rejoicing and joyfulness (2 Chronicles 30:21; Ezra 6:22). We are looking forward to the time when this world will be ruled differently. The Days of Unleavened Bread show us that we need to continually be looking at our lives and seeing where we can improve, and how we can incorporate more of God’s ways and allow that new lump to form, as Paul mentioned. 

In regards to the active sourdough starters in our homes, based on Scripture and our understanding, as described herein, we conclude that these types of starters are to be removed from our homes. Let us also ensure that we keep the coming spring Holy Days in a perfect state of mind, having worked to clear up our houses not only from literal leaven during that time, but also, by removing any lingering issues we may see in ourselves, so that we have the proper lump growing within ourselves.

Lead Writer: Kalon Mitchell

compiled by Dave Harris

“Germany Stands Up to and Rejects Trump,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is the summary:

The developments regarding the Iran war confirm beyond a shadow of a doubt that the alienation between Germany and Trump continues. Even German pro-Trump media outlets and politicians, seeing the signs of the times, stand up to him and reject his policies. Germany stated clearly that it will not join Trump militarily in any manner, shape or form. In return, Trump reacted with anger and threats. 

“Deutschland stellt sich ablehnend gegen Trump,” is the title of a new AufPostenStehen program, presented by Norbert Link. This German program covers the same topics as discussed above.

A new Member Letter (March 2026) has been posted and has been mailed to our subscribers. Pastor Brian Gale discusses why some leave the true Church of God and reminds us of the absolute necessity to be fully committed to the Way of Life God has called us to.

“Die vielen Warnungen von Jesus über die Endzeit,” last Sabbath’s German sermonette presented by Patrick Flück, is now posted. Title in English: “Jesus’ Many Warnings About the End Times.”

“Mit großer Macht kommt große Verantwortung,” last Sabbath’s German sermon presented by Christoph Sperzel, is now posted. Title in English: “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.”

“Why America Won’t Win the Iran War—Comments on News and Prophecy, March 14, 2026,” last Sabbath’s first message presented by Nobert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

America has no chance of winning this war—whatever you might describe as “undefined victory.” There will be no regime change; there will be no destruction of Iran’s nuclear stockpile; and most certainly, there will be no successful invasion of Iran through ground troops.

America’s allies, especially in Europe, are separating themselves more and more from Trump’s Iran war, and object strongly to his dealing with Russia and his “chaotic geopolitical moves,” being unwilling to “escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.”

At the same time, this ill-conceived and unprovoked war without any plan for the “Day After” might lead to a “dollar crisis” and an “economic crash worse than the Great Depression”; and oil prices will “march higher and higher” and will “NEVER go back down much again.”

“Faith in God’s Promise of Healing,” last Sabbath’s sermon presented by Norbert Link, is now posted. Here is the summary:

This sermon explores many biblical passages that address faith, hope, and doubt, and explains God’s promise of healing in this life, which is, however, conditional. We also present examples in which God’s supernatural, powerful healing was clearly demonstrated.