Norbert Link

Current Events

by Norbert Link

We begin with the raid of the FBI on Trump’s property in Florida and show the consequences of this politically motivated and allegedly illegal ill-advised move, while examining who was or might have been “behind” this [please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “The Raid—a Failed Attempt to Stop Trump!”]; continue with statements by Trump during his rallies which are deeply disturbing, even though they are not new at all; Fauci’s ongoing fear mongering regarding COVID, while baselessly blaming the unvaccinated; and Germany’s Health Minister Lauterbach blowing into the same horn producing an uncertain and unpopular sound.

We continue with recession fears in the USA, Britain and Germany; and we focus at length on deeply troubling developments in and pertaining to China. In this regard, please view our recent message, “China on the Warpath—Comments on News and Prophecy, August 6, 2022.”

We address the relationship between China and Japan; the vulnerable military situation in Canada; the shaky relationship between Ukraine and the USA; report on allegations regarding Pope Francis’s retirement;  and conclude with reports on Amsterdam’s nine-day gay parade.

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

Why do you not baptize by using the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost”? (Part 1)

Many mistakenly believe that a proper baptism must include these words, as quoted in the Question above, or similar words such as, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” and they base that concept on the Scripture in Matthew 28:19, as rendered in the Authorized Version, using the words “Holy Ghost,” or in the New King James Bible, using the words “Holy Spirit.”

But as we will show in this series, the Bible really does not command us to use those words during the baptism ceremony, and there are many reasons for this.

It should be stated at the outset that Trinitarians see clear evidence for their belief in Matthew 28:19. The Ryrie Study Bible comments: “Here is evidence for the trinity: one God (the name) who subsists in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Each of the three is distinguished from the other; each possesses all the divine attributes; yet the three are one.“

We know, of course, that the concept of the Trinity is wrong. Even the Ryrie Study Bible continues to state, “This is a mystery which no analogy can explain satisfactorily.” Of course not, because this idea is utter nonsense. But it must be admitted that the passage in Matthew 28:19 could pose a problem which must be properly explained, as we will attempt to do in this series.

To begin with, there is one other passage that has been frequently used to prove the Trinity.  This passage can be found in 1 John 5:7-8, which is translated in the New King James Bible as follows:

“For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.”

We explain this Scripture in our booklet, “Is God a Trinity?”:

“The way this passage is translated in the New King James Bible is considered a proof text by some that the Holy Spirit is a person. But this is not true at all. With that rationale given to verse 7 (‘there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one’), it would follow from verse 8 (‘there are three that bear witness on earth, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and these three agree as one’), that ‘water’ and ‘blood’ would also have to be persons. But nobody claims that.

“In addition, most scholars agree that the words in verse 7, ‘in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one,’ were later added by the Catholic Church to ‘prove’ the Trinity, and that these words were not in the original writings. Many Bible translations and commentaries state that this particular phrase, referred to as the ‘Comma Joanneum,’ is ‘not contained in the best authorities and constitutes a late addition in the Latin Text’ [Pattloch Bible, Appendix, page 85].

“The Zürcher Bible comments in a footnote that ‘this passage was added in the fourth century in the Latin Text, and only in the 15th century in some Greek Texts.’ The NIV [New International Version] adds in a footnote that this particular phrase is only contained ‘in the late manuscripts of the Latin Bible and that it is not found in any Greek manuscripts before the 16th century.’ Other commentaries point out that these words are clearly a falsification and that they have therefore been correctly omitted, even as a footnote, in many modern translations. So this passage is clearly not proof at all that the Holy Spirit is a separate divine person.”

When turning again to Matthew 28:19, the genuineness of this passage has also been questioned by commentators. Before addressing this question in future installments, we explain in our free booklet, “Is God a Trinity?”, that, in any event, this passage does not teach the Trinity at all:

“As the role of Christ in the baptismal ceremony is mighty important… so also is the role of the Father. It was God the Father who gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for us, so that we could have eternal life. Once we repent and believe we are then to be baptized as an outward sign of inner repentance, to ‘bury our old self.’ Once we come out of the watery grave, we are to walk in newness of life. And, this can only be done with the help of God’s Holy Spirit.

“We are to make disciples by baptizing them, and by teaching them to observe all things that Christ commanded. And, we baptize a person ‘in’ or ‘into’ [the Greek word eis can mean ‘in’ or ‘into’] the ‘name’ or ‘possession’ [the Greek word onoma can mean ‘name’ or ‘possession’] of the Father and of the Son who both are present through the Holy Spirit. The entire clause, ‘baptize in the name of,’ in Greek, ‘eis (to) onoma tinos,’ also conveys the meaning of coming under the ‘control’ or ‘authority’ of the Father and of the Son (cp. Strong’s, #3836; and William Arndt and F. Wilbur Gingrich, p. 575). And… it is the Holy Spirit, emanating from the Father and from the Son, by which we have fellowship with the Father and Jesus Christ.

“When we are baptized in, or into, the name or possession of Jesus, we recognize that we are baptized into His death (Rom. 6:3). When we come out of the watery grave, and one of God’s ministers places his hands on our heads and asks God the Father for the Holy Spirit, emanating from both the Father and the Son, we recognize that it is the Holy Spirit of God flowing into us that enables us to walk in newness of life. We also recognize that we are entering, at that very time, the Family of God as begotten, but not yet born, children of God the Father and brothers and sisters of our elder brother Jesus Christ. In that sense, we become the possession or the ‘property’ of the God Family. And all of this is made possible, then, through God’s Holy Spirit, dwelling in us. So rather than teaching the personage of the Holy Spirit, Matt. 28:19 teaches how God makes it possible, through His Spirit in us, to become a part of the Family of God.”

The point here is, we are not the property of a man. We are the property, or possession, of Jesus Christ who has purchased us with His own blood, as Acts 20:28 states, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

With these introductory comments, let us begin to show why we do not use Matthew 28:19 as a “formula,” by reviewing how the early apostles baptized the disciples.

The following are selected quotes from our free booklet, “Baptism—a Requirement for Salvation?”: (We recommend, however, that you read the entire booklet for a complete understanding.)

“One of the early baptisms is described in Acts 8:14–17. This passage… summarizes for us the exact ceremony of baptism leading to the gift of the Holy Spirit… ‘Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He [better: it—the Holy Spirit] had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

“Notice carefully that they first received or accepted the word of God. They heard the message, accepted it, believed it and repented of their sins. They were then baptized ‘in the name of the Lord.’ Following their baptism, the ministers prayed for them and laid their hands on them to set them apart for the holy purpose of following God and His way of life. It was THEN that they received the Holy Spirit. So we see that baptism in the name of Christ was sufficient. Some have said that this passage just describes the fact that the apostles baptized the people with Christ’s authority. Although certainly included, the Scriptural meaning is more encompassing.

“We must realize that in the phrase, ‘in the name of the Lord,’ the Greek word for ‘in’ is ‘eis,’ and the Greek word for ‘name’ is ‘onoma.’ The Greek word ‘eis’ can mean ‘in’ or ‘into,’ depending on the context. Scriptures such as Matthew 2:23; 18:6; Mark 2:1; 13:16, translate the Greek word ‘eis’ correctly as ‘in.’ Other passages, such as Matthew 2:11, 12 and 13 (AV), correctly translate the Greek word ‘eis’ as ‘into.’

“Additionally, the Greek word for ‘name,’ ‘onoma,’ can also mean, ‘possession.’ It would therefore be accurate to render the phrase, ‘baptism in the name of Christ,’ as ‘baptism into the possession of Christ.’ This phrase not only describes the fact that baptism must be done with Christ’s authority, it also shows the result of baptism—we become Christ’s property because He died for us and bought us with His blood (compare Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Peter 2:1).

“Now notice another revealing passage in Acts 19:1–6: ‘And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “INTO what then were you baptized?” So they said, “INTO John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.’

“These disciples had been baptized into the baptism of John. That baptism was not sufficient to receive the Holy Spirit. John’s baptism was an outward sign of inner repentance, but it did not include the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Another baptism—baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ—was necessary to receive the Holy Spirit. This passage implies that Christ’s baptism, which He accomplished through His apostles, was different from John’s baptism (compare again John 3:22; 4:1–3). Paul seemed to have known this distinction and that is why he asked the disciples, ‘Into WHAT [baptism] then were you baptized?’

“Let’s notice again the distinction. The disciples were baptized ‘into John’s baptism.’ The Greek word for ‘into’ is ‘eis.’ After they learned of the need of another baptism to receive the Holy Spirit, they were baptized ‘in [or into] the name of the Lord.’ In the Greek, the word for ‘in’ is also ‘eis,’ which can also mean ‘into.’ As they were baptized into John’s baptism, they were now baptized into the name or possession (‘onoma’ in Greek) of Christ, that is, into Christ’s baptism. This passage shows that baptism in, or into, the name of Christ is not only necessary, but is also sufficient, so that the Father will forgive our sins and give us His Holy Spirit.”

Later in the booklet, we point out the following:

“… there is no recorded biblical incident where the early apostles baptized people other than in, or into, the name of Jesus Christ. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, explained this very well in Romans 6:1–4:… ‘What shall we say then? Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.’

“Paul says that we are baptized into (Greek, ‘eis’) Christ and into His death. As Christ died a physical death, so we die spiritually in baptism. As Christ was literally resurrected from the dead, so we, too, are raised by the Father from the spiritually dead to live in newness of life. This part of the symbolism of baptism—death in the watery grave—clearly compares symbolically only with the death of Christ. Neither the Father nor the Holy Spirit—God’s power—died in any way. Only Christ, as a human being, died. Further, it is Christ’s death that is not only sufficient, but also necessary, for our forgiveness (Matthew 1:21). That is the reason why baptism into any other human being, be it Paul or Moses or John, would not have the effect of granting forgiveness and receiving God’s Holy Spirit. Their death did not, and could not, accomplish what Christ’s death accomplished…

“Let us also read… Colossians 2:11–13: ‘In Him [Christ] you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.’ When we are baptized into Christ—into His death—our old man dies, and we ‘put on’ Christ—the new man of God. Notice Galatians 3:27, ‘For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.’ Compare, too, Romans 13:14.

“Baptism pictures our death and burial in a watery grave in the same way that Christ died and was buried in a tomb. Baptism also pictures our resurrection from the dead and our leaving the watery grave, just as Christ was resurrected from the dead and left the tomb. Finally, it pictures walking in newness of life as we put on Christ, who is now living in us through His Holy Spirit…

“We read in Acts 2:38 that we must be baptized IN the name of Christ. Peter tells us to ‘Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ The Greek word for ‘in’ in this clause (‘in the name of Christ’) is ‘epi.’ The Greek word for ‘name’ is again, ‘onoma.’ Peter tells us, then, that we must be baptized ‘in’ the name, or possession, of Christ and then we will receive the Holy Spirit. After all, it is Christ who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit, as Matthew 3:11 tells us: ‘[Christ] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ (Compare, too, Matthew 3:14.)

“We also read in Acts 10:48 that Peter commanded them ‘to be baptized in the name of the Lord.’ The Greek word for ‘in’ within the phrase, ‘in the name of the Lord’ is ‘en.’ We find here a biblical command, through the mouth of Peter, to be baptized ‘in the name of the Lord.’ In the passages in Acts 2:38 and Acts 10:48, discussed above, the additional thought is conveyed that baptism must be done with Christ’s authority. Only then, the Father—through Jesus Christ—will bestow on us the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26; Titus 3:5–6).”

We continue to explain that Matthew 28:19, assuming the passage is genuine, does not, in any event, teach a mandatory “baptismal formula”:

“We have seen from the biblical record that the disciples were baptized in, or into, the name, or possession, of Jesus Christ. There is no biblical example where someone was actually baptized in, or into, the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We read consistently that disciples were baptized in, or into, Christ, or in, or into, the name of Jesus Christ ONLY.

“We discussed Acts 8:14–17 and Acts 19:1–6 as proof of this assertion. Note that in those passages, the Greek term for ‘in the name of’ reads, ‘eis to onoma tou,’ exactly as it does in Matthew 28:19… The occasional claim that the expression “eis to onoma” only appears in Matthew 28:19, is therefore incorrect…

“If Christ had given His apostles a command in Matthew 28:19 to use a particular ‘formula’ during baptism, then His disciples would have been in flagrant violation of His command, as they never used that ‘formula.’ At least, there is no biblical record that they ever used it. Rather, we find that Paul told the disciples to be baptized in, or into, the name of Christ (compare Acts 19:1–6), not, in or into, the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Remember, though, what happened after the persons came out of the watery grave. The baptizing apostles prayed over them, and they laid hands upon them (compare Acts 8:14–17). We pray to the Father, as Christ instructed us to do (compare Matthew 6:9), so in laying hands on the persons and praying over them, the apostles asked the Father to give those people the Holy Spirit to set them aside from the rest of the world…

“When a minister baptizes us in, or into, the name, or possession, of Jesus Christ, we recognize that we are baptized into Christ’s death. Note that the Bible nowhere states we are baptized into the death of the Father or the Holy Spirit. Such an analogy simply does not fit. It was ONLY Christ who died, and it was ONLY Christ who was resurrected, by the Father, through the Holy Spirit. (Compare again Romans 6:1–13.)

“At the same time, it is also recognized that the Father gave Christ, His only begotten Son, to die for us; that the Father resurrected Christ; that the Father raises us up, spiritually speaking; and that the Father gives us the Holy Spirit. When we come out of the watery grave, God’s minister places his hands on our head and asks God the Father for the Holy Spirit—the same Spirit that emanates from both the Father and the Son. It is this Spirit of God flowing into us that enables us to walk in newness of life. We also recognize that, at that very moment, we enter into the Family of God as begotten—not yet born again—children of God the Father, and brothers and sisters of our elder Brother, Jesus Christ. In that sense, we become the possession, or the ‘property,’ of the God Family (Whatever Christ owns, the Father owns too, and vice versa; compare John 16:15). All of this is made possible, then, through God’s Holy Spirit. So, rather than teaching a particular baptismal formula, Matthew 28:19 teaches how God makes it possible for us, through the Holy Spirit in us, to become part of the Family of God.”

Genuine or not, the concept stated in Matthew 28:19, in referring during the entire baptism ceremony to the role and function of the Father and Jesus Christ, bestowing on the baptized person the gift of the Holy Spirit, is accurate and biblical. On the other hand, to teach that the baptizing minister must say the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” is erroneous and unbiblical.  Note, too, that the wording in Matthew 28:19, “baptizing them,” is describing a process during the entire baptismal ceremony, not a particular one-time rendered “formula.”  Christ did NOT say; “You must baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” which is quite in contrast with the requirement stated in passages such as Acts 2:38, where we read, …“let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ…”

Continuing from our booklet, “Baptism—a Requirement for Salvation?”:

“Notice Christ’s words in the parallel account in Mark 16:15–16: ‘And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe [and is not baptized] will be condemned [better translated: judged].”’ There is not even a hint of a baptismal formula here.”

We should also note that Mark 16:15-16 does not include the concept of baptizing someone “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost [or Spirit].” In the following installments, we will explain why this might be the case.

(To Be Continued)

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

The Raid—a Failed Attempt to Stop Trump!

The raid of Trump’s private property in Florida with the obvious attempt to prevent him from running for the office of President in 2024 has backfired. There is clearly an appearance of collusion between Joe Biden, the White House, the FBI and the Justice Department. Many feel that the FBI would have NEVER conducted this highly sensitive raid without the green light from Biden and Co. The raid was conducted under the pretext of discovering classified documents, but has been described by many as an unconstitutional fishing expedition. Republicans, Democrats, Independents and retired FBI agents have condemned the action. While the raid might constitute the biggest debacle for the Biden administration, Republicans have shown their support for Trump who is now clearly viewed as their candidate for the Presidential race in 2024. But more needs to, and is being addressed, in this program.

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China on the Warpath—Comments on News and Prophecy, August 6, 2022

by Norbert Link

Was Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban correct with his recent comments about human races? Why are new conditions after COVID shots and Fauci’s misinformation alarming, and why are Germany’s new Corona restrictions so stupid? In what way did Biden’s monumental failure contribute to the terrible situation in Afghanistan; and what did Pelosi’s visit in Taiwan trigger regarding China? Frightening news from China may signal a Chinese military strike on US forces in the region. What would or could the USA do in such a case?

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Why the Book of Ecclesiastes Is Misunderstood

by Norbert Link

The book of Ecclesiastes has many layers. It describes the lives of people under the sun who are cut off from God. To that extent, life is vain and a grasping for the wind. In addition, when Solomon addresses the reader DIRECTLY, he is not talking about people who have turned away from God and who refuse to submit to God. It is important to see the distinction.

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Current Events

by Norbert Link

We report on growing concerns that Russia wants to dissolve Ukraine from the world map; Italy’s perceived return to Mussolini’s fascism; America’s suffering military; and the contemplated goal by Fox News to ban Donald Trump as part of an ill-conceived strategy to eliminate the former president as a major GOP player.

We point out that Tunisia’s new constitution supports a Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem; and the interesting relationship between Europe and Libya.

We speak on Pope Francis’ participation in the alleged worship of demons; and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s misunderstood comments about races.

We address new developments regarding COVID; the FBI’s alleged involvement in the 2020 election, the assassination of al Qaida’s leader in Afghanistan and Joe Biden’s monumental failure; and Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in defiance of the Biden Administration and China.

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Could There Be Another 9-11?”

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

Could There Be Another 9/11?

While the free world has celebrated the assassination of Al Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan, the frightening prospect of a repeat of 9/11 has been raised in the press, and it was stated that President Biden, due to his “disastrous” and “appalling abandonment of Afghanistan” and his “monumental failure,” “has now exposed the US to a potential whole new world of pain and bloodshed at the hands of the very same terrorists who brought down the Twin Towers in 2001.” Why is this so, and is a repeat of 9/11 possible, likely or even inevitable? What does the Bible say?

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Keep on Walking with God

by Norbert Link

Have you ever experienced feelings of discouragement? When things go wrong, as they often do—at least seemingly—have you wondered whether God is really there… being really involved in your life, guiding and directing it? Did promises that God even knows about what you are thinking and what you will be saying lose their meaning, somehow, during those times?

Now, I hate to admit it but there were moments in my life when I felt exactly that way.

Surely, you and I know certain key Scriptures… Scriptures such as that all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28); that the very hairs of our head are all numbered (Matthew 10:30); that God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)… but how real, how relevant, how ever-present are those promises when hard times hit us? Are we really convinced even then, that nothing… and I mean, nothing! – can happen to us, unless God specifically allows it… and that He does so for a grandiose reason and purpose?

It may become easy to dismiss or forget such knowledge and fall into the trap of believing in “time and chance”—it just “happens” to us; our misery has nothing to do with God being or not being there and watching over us!

I have found and concluded and am convinced that believing in the concept of “time and chance” is perhaps the surest way of destroying our faith in Almighty God. While “time and chance” does happen to this world, it quite decisively does NOT rule over true Christians. As we explain in our free booklet, “Human Suffering, Why… and How Much Longer?”, “True Christians are NOT in the ‘hand’ of time and chance. Rather, Solomon tells US: ‘… the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God’ (Ecclesiastes 9:1). David understood, too, that he was in God’s hands. He wrote, in Psalm 31:15: ‘My times are in Your hand.’ He knew that he was always, constantly, and completely under God’s observation, His protection, and in His loving care… as are all true Christians today. God promises that nothing will happen to us that is too difficult for us to bear (compare 1 Corinthians 10:13). This means, then, that God must be watching us every second to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise.”

But knowing this intellectually and believing it wholeheartedly, without any shred of doubt, even in times of serious trials, may be two different things. Christ gave all of us this clear and at the same time serious and sobering challenge: “… when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). He was not just talking about any kind of faith, but THE faith—the living faith of Christ and God the Father in us. With THAT faith, we can move mountains, and nothing will be impossible for us. But we must cultivate that faith, growing in it.

Christ never lost that special faith of His Father in Him. He never believed for one second that He was just the potential victim of “time and chance”. He never became discouraged (Isaiah 42:4). But this does not mean that He never struggled with His human nature, or that His human will was always identical with the Father’s Will. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane: “…not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).  And He submitted to the Father’s Will (John 6:38)… never sinning by rebelling against it—always believing that the Father’s Will was the best for Him.

That is what we must believe too… how we must behave, and what we have always to remind ourselves of. Even if we don’t understand why some things “happen” to us, we MUST be fully convinced that whatever trials we are confronted with, God knows about them, and He is most powerful to intervene every time when it is in accordance with His Will. Sometimes, He might not act immediately, for His very purpose, but we must never doubt that God is there and that He knows what He is doing.

To accept, believe and live this Truth is not always easy. To really embrace the fact that His thoughts are so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and that His understanding and foresight are so much more superior than ours might pose quite a challenge for us at times. And then, discouragement can creep in—even finding fault with God. Elijah thought at one time that God was unfair… that He had fought for God but that he was left all alone (1 Kings 19:14). He felt at that moment that his work was useless and without meaning and effect. Jeremiah even exclaimed that God had become to him “like an unreliable stream, As waters that fail” (Jeremiah 15:18).

But God showed them, and many others, that their perspective and concept of Him was wrong; that He had been with them all the time, and that His purpose will stand (Isaiah 14:24).  And so, God tells us today: “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” (Isaiah 43:1-3).

With this ever-present conviction, we can walk with the invisible God as if we could see Him (Hebrews 11:27). By KNOWING that God is with us and in us, we can overcome fear and discouragement (Deuteronomy 1:21). We will not always be successful in this, and we might slip and fall, but we can get up again and keep on walking (Proverbs 24:16). And we can—and must—wholeheartedly agree with Paul when he encourages all of us: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Current Events

by Norbert Link

We begin with a deal between Russia and Ukraine to allow the export of needed grain from Ukraine, but subsequent events cast a shadow of doubt on the effectiveness of that arrangement. We address some of Ukraine’s unpopular moves and publish the opinion that Ukraine—and Europe—are losing the war against Russia.

We point out the dire state of America’s economy; incredible hypocrisy and political “blindness” of some American politicians; and discuss the contempt court conviction of Trump advisor Steve Bannon which has been labeled by legal experts as unconstitutional.

We speak on the fight against the traditional family in the UK and attempts to codify same-sex marriages in the USA; and we report on the controversy between the Pope and German Catholic Bishops; as well as the “apologies” for sinful misconduct by the Catholic and the Protestant Churches.

Turning to the history of COVID measures, restrictions and persecutions of “dissidents,” we report on a court decision in Canada reversing what appeared to have been blatantly illegal conduct by politicians, the police and the courts towards Pastor Artur Pawlowski and others; Dr. Fauci’s irresponsible and dangerous “follies”; further speculations about the origin of Covid-19; and the lies of Trump’s White House Covid response coordinator Deborah Birx; and we point out the undeniable dangers of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars especially for kids and young adults being targeted, among others, by the tobacco industry.

We conclude with an article speculating about the possibility that Boris Johnson may be planning a comeback.

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled “COVID 19–a Man-Made Pandemic?”

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

COVID 19—a Man-Made Pandemic?

The Bible prophesies for the end time serious worldwide disease epidemics and pandemics, which are caused far too often by human misconduct, resulting in incredible pain for innocent victims. Governments may contribute to the suffering when attempting to combat the pandemics. What can be said, then, in regard to the origin of COVID-19? And does the Bible include many warnings which, if headed, would prevent the spread of many disease epidemics?
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