The Bible speaks of longsuffering and gives us many examples of God’s followers who have suffered for a long time. And today, all of us are suffering too… some for comparatively shorter, and some for much longer periods. It may appear at times that our longsuffering is just lasting TOO long. So, what does God tell us about longsuffering?
Norbert Link
Current Events
by Norbert Link
We begin with reports on the political earthquakes in Virginia and New Jersey [please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Political Earthquakes in Virginia and New Jersey” ]; the unsuccessful G20 meeting in Rome and the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow; and the controversial meeting between President Biden and Pope Francis as well as Biden’s other [dangerous] embarrassments. We address troublesome developments involving Poland, Russia and Ukraine; and we speak on the authoritarian and persecuting conduct by the European Union. We also point out inappropriate statements by Boris Johnson and some silly comments by Joe Biden, causing immediate rebuke from the Brits.
We address the skepticism of many Germans regarding more vaccines; Big Pharma’s huge profits; and the “gender-neutral” and “white privilege” nonsense. We continue with extremely troubling articles on the “new global order”; governmental funding of despicable experiments; and the attacks on religious liberty.
We conclude with frightening [overlooked] warnings of the resurgence of the Nazi culture; and the stupidity of modern witch-hunts.
Throughout this section, we have underlined pertinent statements in the quoted articles, for the convenience and quick overview of the reader.
Who Will Resurrect the Dead?
The Resurrection of the dead is one of the basic and fundamental doctrines (Hebrews 6:1-2). The Bible teaches that there is more than just one resurrection. For instance, Revelation 20:5 speaks of the “first” resurrection, necessitating at least a second resurrection. In fact, there will be three resurrections, and our free booklets, “The Mysteries of the Book of Revelation,” and, “Biblical Prophecy—From Now Until Forever,” explain this fact in much more detail.
The first resurrection will occur when Christ returns, and those who have died in Christ will be resurrected to eternal life. The second resurrection or the Great White Throne Judgment is a resurrection to physical life and includes those who have died without ever having been granted the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They will be given that opportunity then, and, at the end of their judgment period, they will be given eternal life if they have qualified. The third resurrection is to physical life as well, but it is composed of those who have committed the unpardonable sin before they died. They will be thrown into the lake of fire to be burned up and extinguished.
Who, exactly, will resurrect those who have died? Who will bring them back to life?
The short answer is that God will do it. There is no biblical evidence that angels, let alone Satan and his demons, would have the power to resurrect the dead.
But since God is a Family, consisting of the Father and the Son, who within the God Family will bring about the resurrection?
We know from the Bible that it was the Father who raised Christ from the dead.
Galatians 1:1 says:
“Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)…”
Note that it was the Father, not the Son or the “person” of the Holy Spirit, who resurrected Jesus Christ from the dead. Nor did the dead Jesus resurrect Himself. The teaching that God is a Trinity, consisting of three persons, is false. The teaching that the Son of God, as being part of the unalterable Trinity, stayed alive in heaven when Jesus died, is equally false and constitutes parts of the teaching of the spirit of antichrist. The idea that the Son of God resurrected Jesus is blasphemous, because Jesus WAS and IS the Son of God. When Jesus died, the Son of God died. And it was the Father who resurrected the Son of God—Jesus Christ—from the dead.
As God the Father raised up Christ, so He will raise us up as well.
1 Corinthians 6:14 states very clearly: “And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power”—the power of His Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:11 adds: “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit [which] dwells in you.”
2 Corinthians 1:2,9 says: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.” Paul speaks in this passage of God the Father who raises the dead.
2 Corinthians 4:14 adds to this: “… knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.”
Some commentaries have considerable difficulty with this last passage, since it says that “He”—the Father—will raise us up “with” Jesus. Due to the fact that most teach the Trinity, they have a problem with saying that the above-quoted Scripture states that the Father and the Son will raise up the dead, since the Holy Spirit is not mentioned. They therefore conclude that this passage does not even talk about the coming resurrection of the dead, but that it describes here a figurate resurrection to a new life and the community which we have with Christ today.
In this context, one might think of Ephesians 2:4-6 which states: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”
Another passage, which might come to mind, would be Colossians 2:8-12:
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. In Him 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.”
However, an obvious difference should be noticed between passages such as Ephesians 2:4-6 and Colossians 2:8-11 (quoted above), and the above-quoted passage in 2 Corinthians 4:14, as Paul speaks in 2 Corinthians 4:14 about the future (He “will also raise us up”), whereas Ephesians 2:4-6 and Colossians 2:8-12 address the past and the presence. While those passages convey indeed a figurative concept, 2 Corinthians 4:14 does not.
Some say that 2 Corinthians 4:14 should be translated in this way: “… Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise us up also by Jesus…” (Authorized Version). The German Schlachterbibel and the Lutherbibel of 1891 and of 1964, and the Neue Lutherbibel 2009, all say that God the Father will raise us up “through Jesus.”
Before addressing this alternate translation, let us explore as to whether there is any biblical evidence that Jesus will resurrect us.
John 6:39-40, 44, 54 quotes Jesus as follows:
“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day… No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day… Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
According to this passage, it is the Father’s Will that Christ should raise up or resurrect man… beginning with the first resurrection. Christ clearly said repeatedly in the above-quoted passage that HE will raise up those who died.
John 11:23-25 adds to this, when addressing the death of Lazarus and his sister Martha’s reaction: “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to Him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.’”
Jesus is addressing here those who will be resurrected to eternal life. But Jesus’ words must not be misunderstood by concluding that it is He, alone, who will resurrect us. This would contradict the passages, quoted above, which show us that the Father is involved in the resurrection of man. Rather, the Truth is that the Father and Christ will act in complete harmony. Their Will to resurrect man, and whom at what time, is totally identical. In that sense, the Father and the Son are “one” (John 10:30; 17:11,20). They are of a completely identical mindset (compare John 5:19).
John 5:21 tells us: “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.”
To understand all of these quoted Scriptures correctly, we conclude that Christ will be the Person within the God Family who will actually raise man from the dead, but He will be doing it in complete harmony and agreement with the Father. In fact, it will still be the Father, as the highest in the God Family (John 10:29), who will resurrect us through Jesus Christ, as it was the Father who created everything through Jesus Christ (Revelation 4:11; Acts 4:24; 14:15; 17:24-31; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:10; John 1:3, 10; Colossians 1:15-16; Ephesians 3:9).
John 5:25, 28-29 says:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live… Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth–those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation [better: judgment].”
Gill’s Exposition of the Bible explains this passage in this way:
“It will be the voice of the Son of God that will quicken and raise the dead.”
The Father is greater than Christ (John 14:28). Whatever Christ does is in submission to God the Father. (Compare also in this context 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, which says that at the end, Jesus will deliver the kingdom to God the Father). Christ would never act in any way contrary to the Father’s Will. And so, when He resurrects someone to eternal life, it is in accordance with the Father’s Will as well. It is still the Father who directs and does it, but He does it through or by Jesus Christ. As the Father created man through Jesus, He will also resurrect man through Jesus.
Returning to 2 Corinthians 4:14 and the question as to whether the Father will resurrect us “with” or “by” or “through” Jesus, let us note some concepts as brought forth by several commentaries:
The Jamieson Fausset and Brown commentary says:
“… shall raise up us also—at the resurrection (1Co 6:13, 14) by Jesus—The oldest manuscripts have ‘with Jesus.’”
The Pulpit Commentary agrees, stating:
“By Jesus–The reading supported by nearly all the best manuscripts is ‘with Jesus.’”
Even translating it in this way (“with Jesus”) would not negate Christ’s role or the Father’s role in the resurrection. Rather, the thought would be expressed that God the Father, together with Jesus, will resurrect us.
Barnes Notes on the Bible explains this passage as follows:
“By Jesus – By the power or the agency of Jesus. Christ will raise up the dead from their graves, John 5:25-29.”
We would agree with these conclusions, as it is indeed the Father who will resurrect man through Jesus Christ, as it was the Father who made man through Jesus Christ.
This then may pose an interesting question: God the Father resurrected Christ and gave Him eternal life and the glory which He used to have before He became a man; and the Father will raise the dead through Jesus. Could this indicate, then, that we, who will be resurrected by the Father through Jesus and receive eternal life in the God Family, will also have a part in resurrecting others in the second resurrection, especially our loved ones who died without having been given the opportunity for salvation? We will of course always be subject to the Will of God the Father and of Jesus Christ, as Christ is also always subject to the Will of the Father. To state it differently, the Will of Christ is and always will be IDENTICAL with the Will of the Father. Likewise, our Will—the Will of immortal God beings in God’s Family—will always be totally identical with the Will of the Father and of the Son. And as the Holy Spirit, like living waters, flows out of the Father and the Son, so the Holy Spirit—God’s power—will also flow out of us as well (John 4:13-14; 7:37-39).
The Bible does not say what part we will have in the second resurrection, if any; but it is most certainly an intriguing thought to contemplate that we might be right there to greet our relatives and friends when they come out of their graves in the second resurrection. We will have to wait however until God reveals to us what He has in store for us.
Lead Writer: Norbert Link
Political Earthquakes in Virginia and New Jersey
The debacle for President Biden and the Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey cannot be underestimated. But what are the reasons? To a large extent, President Biden’s failing leadership in many respects and what he supports are blamed for the defeat in those states, but he does not accept any responsibility, while blaming others and doubling down on unpopular issues. What does God have to say in His Word about the leadership in our English-speaking countries?
Download AudioCurrent Events
by Norbert Link
We begin with articles about Vladimir Putin’s recent comments on “cancel culture” and gay and transgender rights; the ongoing military collaboration between Russia and China; and new developments in Turkey and Poland.
We continue focusing on violence in Israel and Israel’s controversial banishment of six Palestinian groups as well as America’s objections to Israel’s settlement plans; the new (or old) dictatorship in Austria; proposed plans for corona measures in Germany; the coming European Army; and the nationalistic decision of French President Emmanuel Macron pertaining to domestic flights.
We point out the disaster of Joe Biden’s townhall meeting last week, and address specifically his divisive comments on Taiwan (which might have been made because of confusion, accidentally or intentionally); his call for the National Guard to deal with the supply chain crisis; his blatant misrepresentation regarding his alleged visit of the southern border; his scorn for American freedom; and his and the White House’s participation in the despicable claim that concerned parents are to be treated as domestic terrorists. (Please view our StandingWatch program in this regard, titled, “America Is Breaking Down.”). As a consequence, it was reported that Biden’s popularity is worse than it has been for any president since World War II.
We address the latest controversy regarding Dr. Fauci, for having allegedly lied to Congress and for funding despicable experiments with dogs.
We conclude with articles on vaccinations for children; religious objections to vaccinations; and the indecisive decision of the US Supreme Court regarding abortion.
Please also view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Why People Love Halloween.”
Throughout this section, we have underlined pertinent statements in the quoted articles, for the convenience and quick overview of the reader.
What IS Our Position?
We are sometimes asked why we are publishing certain articles about corona measures in our Current Events section, which do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint expressed by the mass media. The suggestion is made that we might be political, anti-vaxxers, corona deniers, etc. Others feel that we do not oppose governmental measures strongly enough, and that we should tell our membership and the entire world that we must resist and that we must not get vaccinated or wear masks under any circumstances. At times, the mandate to get vaccinated or wear masks is associated with the mark of the beast.
I’d like to use this Editorial to make the Church’s position on these matters very clear. I refrain from discussing here what my own preference is or would be, as this is irrelevant in the context of this Editorial.
We said this in a recent Q&A about the mark of the beast:
“Wearing or not wearing a mask, or getting or not getting vaccinated is not, per se, tantamount to accepting the mark of the beast, as long as they do not prevent us from worshipping God in the right way (However, wearing a mask in church services might very well prevent us from worshipping God in a proper way). Otherwise, these are personal decisions, based on one’s individual situation. If a minister ought to travel overseas to visit the church or baptize or preach the gospel, but could only do so if he is vaccinated first, then vaccination does not prevent him from worshipping God and fulfilling his job as a minister; in fact, it might enable him to do so. If air travel in such a case would require the wearing of a mask [or to be fully vaccinated], and if there was no other way to travel, then doing so would not constitute accepting the mark of the beast. This does not mean however that he must travel under those circumstances, because additional considerations, personal and otherwise, might have to be taken into account.
“These principles… do not just apply to ministers. If one has to wear a mask or has to be vaccinated to be able to keep his or her job or to go shopping, then a decision to do so would not constitute the acceptance of the mark of the beast, as it has nothing to do with worshipping or not worshipping God in the right way.
“In this Q&A, we are primarily addressing the concept of the mark of the beast, and what it does and does not constitute. We are not speaking, in general, about the advisability or inadvisability of wearing a mask or becoming vaccinated. In particular, we are not addressing here whether or not vaccinations are safe; whether or not they will cause short-term or long-term (genetic) side effects; whether or not it is advisable to become vaccinated because of one’s health or age; or whether or not vaccinations are morally and ethically questionable because they were originally developed from cells of aborted fetuses…
“A decision to get vaccinated or not is an individual decision, but it must be based on one’s individual conscience and conviction, because whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). We must be persuaded or fully convinced in our own mind (Romans 14:5). It is important, however, that our conviction is based on a sound mind and not on speculation, unproven narratives or political propaganda. (For instance, a concept that wearing a mask is our patriotic duty or responsibility is as wrong as the idea that wearing a mask is sinful and constitutes acceptance of the mark of the beast.)
“However, God commands us to work, earn money and support our family, and we should consider in this context whether or not a commanded activity, enabling us to do so, is ‘neutral’ in that it does not violate God’s command to worship Him properly. Health concerns should be taken into consideration as well, when it comes, for instance, to wearing masks or getting vaccinated, such as difficulties with breathing, allergies, a compromised immune system, reactions to vaccinations, etc. But health concerns must not become our main priority if this means neglecting other and perhaps even more demanding duties. We read, for example, that Epaphroditus became sick because he worked so hard in the Work of God (Philippians 2:25-30). Paul said: ‘For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s’ (Romans 14:8).
“It is true, of course, that we are not to put God to the test. On the other hand, we must also recognize that time and chance do not rule over a Christian, but that he is in God’s hands. It is therefore important that we always pray to God for His lead, guidance, inspiration and protection (Psalm 48:14; Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 10:23 and Isaiah 58:11), and that we do not judge or condemn anyone who might decide in a way other than what our preference would be, because our situation might be quite different from the situation of our next-door neighbor, relative or friend.
“Whatever our individual decision will be, especially when it comes to getting or not getting vaccinated, God’s Church will back us up, honoring our individual conviction, based on our circumstances. Wearing a mask or getting vaccinated is not tantamount to accepting the mark of the beast, nor do they constitute sinful conduct (unless wearing a mask prevents us from worshipping God in a proper and righteous way.) Neither is it sinful conduct not to get vaccinated.”
One of the reasons, then, why we are publishing certain articles on vaccinations, wearing masks, etc., is to enable the reader to come to balanced conclusions, also in reliance on viewpoints which the mass media might reject and label as “fake news.” This does not mean, however, that we necessarily endorse these viewpoints—they are presented to help the reader in conducting his or her own proper research and reach an individual decision based on his or her circumstances. In fact, we always state the following in our Current Events section: “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.”
When the Church is approached by members for support of an individual application for religious exemption against vaccinations, the Church will most certainly support such an application, if it is based on sincerely held religious convictions, because whatever is not of faith is sin. The Church would not take the position, however, that vaccinations are sinful per se, and that they must therefore be rejected.
When focusing on the concept that the Church, or individual members, must stand up in unison with others in a concerted effort to resist governmental mandates, it is important to understand what the role of the Church is. We said this in one of our Q&As on slavery:
“… it has never been the role, function and responsibility of the Church of God to change the world now, or to undermine the systems and governments of this world. True Christians don’t participate in the wars of this world, nor do they vote in governmental elections nor participate in any attempts to overthrow the government… Christians are ambassadors of Christ and representatives of a better world–the heavenly kingdom–to be set up on this earth within a few years from now… This is NOT God’s world, but Satan’s (compare Matthew 4:8-9); Christians are not here for the purpose of ‘improving’ Satan’s rotten evil world (Galatians 1:4)–of trying to make this evil world a better world. They know that this world will be REPLACED by a better world (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15-18)–attempts to IMPROVE or change THIS Satan-ruled world for the better are doomed to fail.”
This is not to say that we must never object, individually, or stand up to governmental conduct which affects us or our loved ones personally. Our free booklet, “Obeying God Rather Than Men,” gives many examples in this regard. Nor do we say that the Church must not speak out against dangerous governmental measures or wrong governmental conduct—the opposite is the case, and we prove this fact weekly in our Current Events section. As God’s Church, it is our duty and responsibility to cry aloud and spare not and show the people, including governmental officials, their sins and transgressions against God’s Law. But the Church has never endorsed the concept that our members should participate in demonstrations for or against governmental measures, as demonstrations, far too often, end up in violence or are being manipulated by extreme radical factions.
One most important reason for many articles in our Current Events section, over the years, dealing with governmental actions worldwide in general and measures regarding Covid-19 in particular, is to unmask the propaganda and the push of Big Pharma for [costly] vaccinations, thereby omitting to even address any potential dangers, while ignoring natural immunity. It is a fact that once you have had corona, there is no need for vaccinations. Many scientists admit that natural immunity is at least as effective as vaccinations. But natural immunity does not make Big Pharma rich. We also observe the prophesied development of worldwide dictatorships by adopting governmental measures even in democracies, which would have been thought of as totally unacceptable a few years ago. Far too often, this development is accompanied by the constant pressure and verbal and sometimes even actual persecution of the unvaccinated through doctors, governmental agencies, the mass media, relatives and friends, making them scapegoats, not unlike the Jews were made scapegoats in the past, speaking of a pandemic of the unvaccinated, and ignoring, omitting or under-reporting the cases where people got sick even though [or because?] they were fully vaccinated.
In the past, it was said that when you have an underlying condition, you should not get vaccinated—especially the elderly. Now, this was all turned around because this approach does not make Big Pharma rich. Also, they are going after our children now, even though the chance they get corona is very slim, and if they do, the symptoms are very mild and brief. But again, not vaccinating kids does not put money into and fill the coffers of Big Pharma.
So, we are warning in our Updates of governmental control, including the unconstitutional and illegal push for mandatory vaccinations, censorship and suppression of medical opinions which are not in conformity with governmental directives, Big Pharma or the mass media, and, most importantly, we are addressing the blindness of the masses following whatever the mass media and doctors paid by Big Pharma are telling them, even though some of it has been proven to be untrue, showing thereby how easy it will be for the vast majority to follow the coming beast and to accept its mark.
Paul warns you not to be deceived with empty words (Ephesians 5:6), and he is telling you that you must be “fully convinced” in your “own mind” (Romans 14:5). We try to help you to reach, for yourself, this unshakable personal conviction, which will be pleasing in God’s sight.
Why People Love Halloween
What is the real reason as to why Halloween is so popular? After all, Halloween is clearly a celebration of darkness and evil spirits. The Bible gives us surprising and unpopular answers to this crucial question.
Download AudioPreaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock
compiled by Norbert Link
Our new booklet, “Why this Confusion about Life after Death?” has been received from the printer and will be sent out to our subscribers early next week.
A new StandingWatch program has been recorded by Norbert Link, titled, “America Is Breaking Down.”
Here is a summary:
America is indeed breaking down and falling apart. This situation has been described as “utter madness.” This program gives shocking examples as to how far we have drifted away from what is good and right, while showing utter disregard for those who suffer, warning that this is how freedom falls and tyranny rises.
“Durch Leid vollkommen werden” (“Being made perfect through Suffering”) is the title of this coming Sabbath’s new German sermon, presented by Norbert Link.
“Alle Ehre gehört Gott,” (“All honour belongs to God”), the German sermonette presented last week by Mike Richter, has been posted.
The sermonette presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, titled, “The Canadian Dictatorship—Comments on News and Prophecy, October 16, 2021,” is now posted.
The sermon presented last Sabbath by Norbert Link, titled, “Being Made Perfect Through Sufferings,” has also been posted.
Current Events
by Norbert Link
We begin with important news, including about coronavirus developments in the USA and elsewhere, especially in Germany; report on Canada’s ongoing persecution of Christian churches and pastors; the punishment of a US marine for telling the truth about the Afghanistan debacle; the breakdown of America [please note our new StandingWatch program, titled, “America Is Breaking Down”]; the crackdown of free speech and governmental cover-ups; the possibility of a Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem with the support of the USA; and the Catholic Church’s dubious role in Israel.
We also speak of Europe’s move towards totalitarianism, as Poland claims; and the interesting parallels between ancient emperor Justinian and modern Europe.
We address China’s and Russia’s collaboration in military matters; and Russia’s blackmail of Europe and Ukraine; and we conclude with experiments of animal-to-human organ transplants.
Throughout this section, we have underlined pertinent statements in the quoted articles, for the convenience and quick overview of the reader.
America Is Breaking Down
America is indeed breaking down and falling apart. This situation has been described as “utter madness.” This program gives shocking examples as to how far we have drifted away from what is good and right, while showing utter disregard for those who suffer, warning that this is how freedom falls and tyranny rises.
Download Audio