thetrumpet--2020-02-09--Will the Trump Peace Plan Bring Peace to Israel?

Last Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump unveiled his peace plan for the Middle East. It was 180 pages and covered an enormous number of specifics. The White House called it “the most detailed proposal ever put forward by far.” It received support from Israel: President Trump announced it at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by his side. But Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas responded, “We say a thousand times: No, no and no to the deal of the century.”
Does anybody really think this plan will bring peace? I don’t suppose many people do.
The Bible tells us to beware when you are hearing a lot about peace. The Prophet Jeremiah wrote of false prophets “saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11). Isaiah the prophet foretold of a time when “the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly.”
Diplomats run around talking about peace, peace, peace—but we never have lasting peace. This has been true throughout history.
When they keep talking about peace, you know we are about to have war—war like you have never seen!
Did you know that Jerusalem means “city of peace”? You would almost think that is a sick joke. There has been no lasting peace in that city. In fact, Jerusalem has flowed with rivers of blood!
Why do these peace plans always fail? There is a reason—a cause we need to understand. Jerusalem provides a stunning example of this reason. Many of the most arduous peace efforts have centered around this city. For years, many nations have labored to bring it peace and have failed.
We desperately need to understand this fundamental point. If ever there was a time we need to be concerned about how to bring peace to this world, surely it is now. The number one problem the world faces today is human survival! Many nations are acquiring nuclear weapons and honing their nuclear power! We are facing a nuclear war that stupefies the imagination!
Isaiah said, “The way of peace they know not” (Isaiah 59:8). There is a way of peace—but mankind does not know that way! Man keeps trying to somehow generate some kind of peace, but never can.
This is a deadly dangerous issue. If we are to avoid great suffering, we must understand how to have peace. We need peace not only in nations, but in our own homes. How do you have peace in a home?
There is a way, and you can absolutely prove it. In fact, even the name Jerusalem, “city of peace,” is prophetic, telling us that we will have peace—in spite of man, not because of him.
‘Peace’ Process
Over some decades now, the United States and Britain have pressured the Jews to accept a peace process that has repeatedly failed. Clearly America and Britain, like the rest of mankind, do not know the way to peace.
The “former prophets” include the biblical books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. These books were written by prophets and, like virtually all biblical prophecy, contain forecasts intended primarily for this end time.
Notice this stunning statement in the prophetic book of Kings. When God decided to strip the kingdom of Israel away from Solomon for his terrible sins, He said: “Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen” (1 Kings 11:13). God has chosen Jerusalem. He has chosen no other city in the world—only Jerusalem.
This has everything to do with our having peace in this world!
When the modern State of Israel came into being in 1948, the Arabs immediately attacked. The Jews had no real army. Within three weeks, they were losing the war. Then the Arabs strangely agreed to a temporary United Nations-sponsored truce. This is just what Israel needed to rearm and train its weary troops—many of them civilians who carried guns. Soon after, the Arabs started attacking again. This time the Jews were well prepared and quickly won the war. It was a miracle from God.
The Jews experienced many miracles in the following years. The Six-Day War in 1967 was a major clash between the Jewish nation and Egypt, Jordan and Syria. In that short but intense conflict, the Jews captured all of the Sinai, the Suez Canal, East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Golan Heights—in six days! Study that history and you will see they were aided by miracles.
In late 1973, the Arabs attacked again, this time on the solemn Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. With much aid from the Americans, the Jews won the war in three weeks—another miraculous deliverance.
At some point, however, the Jews decided to stop looking to God for help. They decided, prodded by America and Britain, to seek security by negotiating with the very people who wanted to destroy them.
In 1993, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat made a pact in which Israel gave up land for promises of peace. Arafat, before he led the Palestinians in the peace process, was the number one terrorist in the Middle East! Does it make sense that you could somehow achieve peace by making a deal with a famed terrorist? There is no logic in that!
Even as Arafat talked about peace to the Israelis and to the world, in private he would often tell people of his plan to take over Israel and destroy the Jews completely! That was always his ambition! Yet somehow we thought that simply handing him land would soften him or convince him to abandon that goal. Such reasoning shows terrible weakness and only encourages an enemy who thinks like that. Swapping land for peace has never brought peace.
Since the start of that peace process, the Jews have given up Gaza, Jericho, Bethlehem and the West Bank to the Arabs. Think about that: Arabs attacked the Jews on multiple occasions with a goal to annihilate every one of them! Where in history can you find a war where the victors later gave the land back to the aggressors who tried to wipe them off the map?
Today, the Jews have very little land left. They have run out of land to give away. Yet the Trump peace plan includes a map that shows a lot of Israeli territory becoming a new Palestinian state.
To think that if you give the Palestinians their own state they will abandon their plans to destroy Israel is utterly delusional!
If you want to see what Bible prophecy reveals about where these peace efforts are leading, read Chapter 2 of my booklet Jerusalem in Prophecy. Those peace plans are a deadly delusion! We ought to see by now that it won’t work! Every time we have tried giving land for peace, or negotiating with terrorists to bring peace, it has only brought more war!
Where Is Their Faith?
Something is terribly wrong with man’s reasoning. “The way of peace they know not.” Men are trying to work the problem out themselves, and are even looking to their enemies to make a peace pact with!
But how much are they looking to God?
The truth is that nobody can bring peace in a family or a nation apart from God! God must be involved if you are to have real peace. You will never have peace any other way.
These leaders seem to have more faith in their enemies than in God! How much faith do we have in the all-powerful God who could instantly bring us peace if we would look to Him? That shows you what the real problem is!
How insulted must God be when men trust somebody like the top terrorist in the Middle East rather than trusting in Him?
Jeremiah 17:9 says the human mind is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. That is human nature, and we can never have peace as long as we have human nature. Man must be rid of human nature before we can ever have peace!
Iran has created a presence and influence in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. It has surrounded the Jews, and it hates the Jews more than anybody in the Middle East. Yet today, Israel is proffering a peace pact with, essentially, an Iranian proxy! That will never work!
Anybody should be able to understand that. But when you look at Bible prophecy, the danger involved becomes even more exceedingly clear.
Zechariah 14:2 says that in the end time, half of Jerusalem will be captured by the Arabs: “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.”
Yes, the efforts to make peace with the Palestinians are prophesied to fail catastrophically!
I explain this prophecy in Chapter 3 of Jerusalem in Prophecy, and it is a crucial end-time prophecy to understand. But notice: In this context God says that all nations will be gathered “against Jerusalem to battle.” Many other prophecies provide detail about this climactic battle. All of these nations, with all of their militaries, are going to gather in Armageddon before marching on Jerusalem! And what will happen then?
“Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations as when he fought in the day of battle” (verse 3). Jesus Christ is going to return personally to fight them! Revelation 14:18-20 show that this battle will be so fierce, the blood of these armies will be flowing deep enough that for 200 miles in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, it will rise to the level of the horses’ bridles!
This clash in Jerusalem will be the decisive battle in the bloodiest war in human history. Many prophecies show that the death toll will be horrific all over the Earth. The Bible warns soberly that the horrors of World War ii—with Germany’s extermination camps, Russia’s gulags and other nightmares including nuclear bombs incinerating whole cities—were only a rehearsal for the Tribulation to come!
Why such butchery and warfare? Because this is what it will take for God to get man’s attention! We have to recognize and acknowledge what a disaster results when we try to solve our problems on our own, without God!
And this is what is going to bring peace to this world!
Peace Is Coming
Despite the lack of peace in Israel today, numerous prophecies tell us that God will give us peace!
Leviticus 26:6 says that if you turn to God, “I will give peace in the land,” nobody will “make you afraid,” and “neither shall the sword go through your land.” This is what God says if you will do what I say! What a promise!
Zechariah 1:17 says that God “shall yet choose Jerusalem.” And He is going to cause the whole world to look to Jerusalem! He will bring peace to all mankind in just a few years.
“And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3). Clearly this hasn’t happened yet! It is a prophecy that is about to be fulfilled.
Isaiah 66:10 and 12 say, “Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her …. For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river ….” Instead of a river of blood, there will be a river of peace flowing from Jerusalem! God is going to bring the wonderful peace and joy man has sought for 6,000 years and has never been able to find because he hasn’t looked to God.
Watch Jerusalem! So much is going to be happening there! Events are serious and sobering, yet at the same time, they are filled with the hope of God!
What hope God gives through His peace plan. What a vision this is! How does that compare with President Trump’s peace plan?
Henry Kissinger once said there is no other choice than the peace process. That is terribly wrong! That is not a choice of life.
Moses wrote that there are two ways before us: life and death. Choose life! (Deuteronomy 30:19). Man is choosing the wrong way. We are choosing the way that God is not involved in. God is telling us what we should be doing, but we are not following His instructions. That needs to change and change quickly.
More than a hundred scriptures tell you how to bring peace! We need faith in God. We could save ourselves so much suffering if we would listen to God today and turn to Him! God says, “[T]urn ye, turn ye … for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11). He wants you to choose life—choose His way and trust Him. When you do, He will give peace in your individual life, and in your nation. And very soon, He is going to give peace to this whole world!


thetrumpet--2020-02-08--The Spread of Coronavirus and Other Modern Plagues

The monarchy has gone terribly off track , especially in the last three years .
Why ?
Prince Harry and his wife , former actress Meghan Markle , have stepped down as senior members of the British royal family .
Why does news about the monarchy keep getting worse and worse ?
This decline is prophesied in your Bible but is also related to the best possible news you could ever hear—news that will fill the Earth with joy like never before !
The Telegraph reported that Prince Harry wanted certain access and privileges without as much responsibility , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations against the royal family .
He and his wife are receiving advice from former United States President Barack Obama and his wife , Michelle .
Remember , Obama sent a bust of Winston Churchill back to Britain soon after taking office , an open expression of contempt for the British Empire .
I don ’ t know what kind of advice he might be offering to the departing royals .
A lot of Prince Harry ’ s colleagues in the army are really angry with him for the way he has spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t share his sentiment .
The problems keep mounting for Britain .
The nation is trying to solve the protracted problem of Brexit .
Prince Andrew has dealt with severe criticism for his relationship with the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein .
What is going on here ?
God promised to preserve the line of King David forever .
“ And when thy days be fulfilled , and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers , I will set up thy seed after thee , which shall proceed out of thy bowels , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He shall build an house for my name , and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever ” ( 2 Samuel 7:12-13 ) .
This is an everlasting covenant ( 2 Samuel 23:5 ) , meaning the throne must be somewhere on Earth today .
The British people possessed the throne of David for thousands of years .
As of three years ago , they no longer have it .
God has established a new stone and a new throne , as I explain in The New Throne of David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throne from where it was ?
Everything revolves around David ’ s throne—today and in the World Tomorrow , and for all eternity .
Jesus Christ will rule from that throne , assisted by the tiny group of people who proclaim God ’ s message to the world before Christ ’ s Second Coming .
There has never been anything in this world like the British royal family .
But something much greater is coming : “ For unto us a child is born , unto us a son is given : and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : and his name shall be called Wonderful , Counsellor , The mighty God , The everlasting Father , The Prince of Peace .
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end , upon the throne of David , and upon his kingdom , to order it , and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever .
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this ” ( Isaiah 9:6-7 ) .
This future spiritual government will bring all humanity under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All will become a part of spiritual Israel .
David ’ s throne will unite the world !
Today , division is spreading like a plague , but God gives us hope !
There will be peace—not just on Earth , but in the universe !
God the Father and Jesus Christ will make sure of it .
Until January 2017 , Queen Elizabeth ii ruled from David ’ s throne .
Here ’ s part of the reason why she no longer does , excerpted from The New Throne of David : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David is today , or we can ’ t discern whether God is keeping His promise to King David !
Why don ’ t we hear more discussion about the throne and these staggering prophecies ?
God has always expected David ’ s kingly line to uphold the highest standard : “ Thus saith the Lord ; Go down to the house of the king of Judah , and speak there this word , And say , Hear the word of the Lord , O king of Judah , that sittest upon the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thy servants , and thy people that enter in by these gates : Thus saith the Lord ; Execute ye judgment and righteousness , and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor : and do no wrong , do no violence to the stranger , the fatherless , nor the widow , neither shed innocent blood in this place .
For if ye do this thing indeed , then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David , riding in chariots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his servants , and his people ” ( Jeremiah 22:1-4 ) .
Ask yourself : Is the British royal family today really fulfilling these requirements ?
The monarchy has always had flaws , but never until the last few decades has it intentionally devalued David ’ s throne .
God is so upset at what ’ s happening with the royal family : “ And I will prepare destroyers against thee , every one with his weapons : and they shall cut down thy choice cedars , and cast them into the fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this city , and they shall say every man to his neighbour , Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this great city ?
Then they shall answer , Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God , and worshipped other gods , and served them ” ( Jeremiah 22:7-9 ) .
God made a covenant with David , which his own descendants have forsaken !
The Queen and the rest of the royals ought to be seeking the righteousness of David !
This is bad news for the royal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good news when you understand the truth about the new throne .
You don ’ t have to guess where the throne is today !
You can stake your life on this throne !
Many great men of the Bible did .
I wrote in The New Throne of David : What has happened in the three years since ?
A civil war within the royal family !
Queen Elizabeth ii is almost 94 years old .
Her husband ’ s health is failing .
Prince Harry has said that no one else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowned king or queen , and now he has backed up those words by essentially leaving the royal family !
“ Harry ’ s determination to be ordinary seems reflected in his love life , ” Newsweek reported in 2017 .
“ His [ now wife ] Meghan Markle , might be a well-known actress , but she is also a divorcée , a vocal feminist and American , none of which conforms to the stereotype of a royal consort.
” “ The younger royals are just too interested in the cringe-inducing world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own image , ” the Spectator commented .
“ We are told that they are reinventing the concept of monarchy for the digital age ….
” That article concluded with an analysis of the younger royals eagerly associating with celebrities , then posed the chilling question : “ Was this the moment when it all started to go wrong ?
” Finally , the British and the whole world can see what I have been telling you for decades !
God shows us exactly what is wrong with the royal family : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with David .
The Queen returning the throne to Scotland in 1996 exposed a degeneration in their faith .
Things have gotten much worse ever since .
“ And the angel said unto her , Fear not , Mary : for thou hast found favour with God .
And , behold , thou shalt conceive in thy womb , and bring forth a son , and shalt call his name Jesus .
He shall be great , and shall be called the Son of the Highest : and the Lord God shall give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David : And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever ; and of his kingdom there shall be no end ” ( Luke 1:30-33 ) .
It ’ s not over for the British royal family or for this dark world !
Christ Himself is about to rule all nations forever !
Jeremiah 30:24 says , “ … in the latter days ye shall consider it.
” Consider it would be better translated “ understand it thoroughly.
” In the end time , God has revealed the truth about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it thoroughly !
It ’ s time we repent of our sins and support God ’ s Work .
“ Alas !
for that day is great , so that none is like it : it is even the time of Jacob ’ s trouble ; but he shall be saved out of it .
For it shall come to pass in that day , saith the Lord of hosts , that I will break his yoke from off thy neck , and will burst thy bonds , and strangers shall no more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shall serve the Lord their God , and David their king , whom I will raise up unto them ” ( verses 7-9 ) .
Jacob ’ s trouble means that America , Britain and the Jewish nation are suffering for their rebellion against God .
The suffering will intensify until God resurrects King David and all His loyal saints to help teach them the right way to live .

This is Gerald Flurry, Trumpet editor in chief. A new strain of coronavirus is making headlines, and I’d like to look at a Bible prophecy that talks about it.
Many of you are familiar with the pale horse of the apocalypse of Revelation 6:7-8: “[B]ehold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” This shows that diseases like this virus are about to get worse, spreading like medieval pandemics and killing millions of people! Whether or not this specific outbreak will cause such ruin, this prophecy is sure.
You can find a related image in Zechariah 6. It is important to note the time frame. This chapter describes a dual crown being given to a man just before Jesus Christ returns—a prophecy that was recently fulfilled (request my free book The New Throne of David for an explanation). Before that takes place, though, four chariots emerge from between two mountains, symbolizing God the Father and Jesus Christ (verse 1). God sends these chariots. He gives specific commands about what these chariots are to do. This is explained in Chapter 7 of that book.
The black horses here symbolize violence, famine and pestilence. We are already in the preliminary stages of their ride. The coronavirus is only a small part of the overall picture. Other plagues are already spreading in our cities.
Many cities are facing a crisis of homelessness. In downtown Los Angeles, for example, is a little city of homeless people. The area is awash in drugs—and human feces, rats and every imaginable kind of filth. And even now, people are contracting tuberculosis and typhoid fever! Some of the policemen have contracted these Third World diseases! Rats carry disease and spread it everywhere. Some experts warn of the onset of bubonic plague—a disease that wiped out much of Europe in the 14th century! We are ignoring that history, and officials are permitting these conditions to ripen within some of our mightiest cities!
The same circumstances are true in Seattle and San Francisco. Some travel guides tell visitors to avoid portions of San Francisco and other big cities to avoid catching bubonic plague.
It is a most awful scene; we can hardly even stand to hear the news about it! Yet it is just a small foretaste of the plagues coming to America and Britain and Judah if people don’t repent before God!
Last year, border patrol agents apprehended over 850,000 illegal aliens at the Southern border. And who knows how many illegal aliens snuck across the border without being caught? A mumps outbreak at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Processing Center in Louisiana forced officials to put hundreds of detainees in quarantine. Yet illegal aliens are pouring into the country so fast that very few of them are adequately checked for infectious diseases.
In March 2019, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan told reporters that illegal aliens from Central America were overwhelming border officials and posing serious health risks. “We are seeing migrants arrive with illnesses and medical conditions in unprecedented numbers,” he said. Last May, California apprehended more than 144,000 people crossing the border from Mexico in a single month! Another report said 500 immigrants ended up in San Antonio, Texas, from an area in Africa where they have the Ebola disease.
It would be naive not to realize that with this influx of people you are likely to have diseases being brought in and spread. The governor of California is actually offering free health care to many illegal migrants. Maybe in the back of his mind, he fears a disease outbreak among the aliens and the homeless.
Where is this leading? We are already experiencing the preliminary stages of what the Bible terms “great tribulation,” in which one third of the populations in America and other Israelitish nations will die—before being directly attacked by foreign enemies!
These black horses—violence, famine, pestilence—are going to overtake the Earth! God is beginning to send a number of globe-rattling events our way! He is going to let the world see where their evil ways lead them.
God has a lot to accomplish with His people in the midst of an explosion of satanic chaos! He sends these angels out with specific jobs, all in preparation for the Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! He is already preparing for that crisis of crises!


thetrumpet--2020-02-07--Christ’s Coming Is ‘At the Very Door’

Christ’s Coming Is ‘At the Very Door’

God has promised to preserve King David ’ s throne for all eternity .
Where is this throne today and why does it matter ?
Why the Day of the Lord ?
The most terrifying time in world history has almost arrived .
What will God teach mankind during the great and dreadful Day of the Lord ?
Why the Great Falling Away God ’ s Church was spiritually wrecked three decades ago .
There is one specific reason why .
During His time on Earth , Jesus Christ established the one true Church .
But just over 100 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What happened to God ’ s Church during the ‘ lost century ’ ?
The defection of Prince Harry from the British royal family has shocked the world .
Why has the monarchy struggled in recent years—and what is God doing to fix this urgent problem ?
American politics are in a state of hysteria right now .
There is a deadly reason so many people are adopting insane ideas .
The late , great Winston Churchill knew he was walking with destiny .
How can you walk with destiny every day of @ @ @

The Times of the Gentiles (2023) Thousands of years ago, the Prophet Daniel foretold the violent times of the Gentiles that we are entering into today. The minds of human leaders are becoming like wild beasts—and the whole world will suffer horribly as a result. Discover the inspiring reason why God allows such a terrible tragedy.
The Man Who Wrecked the Soviet Empire God used one man of faith to shake the world and wreck the Soviet Empire. This man suffered in the gulag and turned hearts and minds with his powerful writing. Learn how he exposed the evils of the Soviet Union—and discover the life-saving power of real faith.
Resurrecting the Psalter of Tara The Prophet Jeremiah collected and organized King David’s psalms in his book The Psalter of Tara. Jeremiah understood what your Bible reveals: that David was a man after God’s own heart. Understand how studying David’s psalms can put your life on God’s track.
Daniel and the Second Coming of Christ Chaotic world events in this end time were foretold thousands of years ago by the Prophet Daniel. Get God’s perspective on all this—and discover what else will happen before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Putin Remembers Yugoslavia (2022) Russian President Vladimir Putin has attacked Ukraine without reason—or so it seems. Actually, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine connects to America’s actions in Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Revealing the Two Witnesses The two witnesses may be the most mysterious characters in the entire Bible. They have a vital role on the world scene in the near future.
The China-America Clash Is Prophesied Under President Donald Trump, the United States is holding China accountable more than ever before. How will this budding rivalry end?


thetrumpet--2020-02-07--President Trump’s Victory Lap

President Trump’s Victory Lap

U.S. President Donald Trump holds a copy of The Washington Post as he speaks in the East Room of the White House one day after the U.S. Senate acquitted on two articles of impeachment , ion February 6 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
Listen to the Trumpet Daily radio program that aired on February 7 , 2020 .
After serving less than 24 hours in office , the new leader of the German state of Thuringia has already stepped down .
The political crisis in Thuringia is a precursor to the national crisis in German leadership .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the announcement of his acquittal by the Senate .
Ever since he announced he was running for president in 2015 , Mr. Trump and his family have been viciously attacked by the radical left .
The short book of Jude contains powerful lessons for God ’ s disciples .
In this segment , I review the Church crisis Jude witnessed in the first century and the urgent instruction he gave to God ’ s people .
Subscribe to the Trumpet Daily Radio Show on Apple Podcasts , Google Play or by RSS

President Trump’s Victory Lap
Listen to the Trumpet Daily radio program that aired on February 7, 2020.
Visit: www.thetrumpet.com/stephen-flurry
Germany Yearns for Leadership (8 minutes)
After serving less than 24 hours in office, the new leader of the German state of Thuringia has already stepped down. The political crisis in Thuringia is a precursor to the national crisis in German leadership.
President Trump’s Victory Lap (30 minutes)
President Trump went on a victory lap yesterday after the announcement of his acquittal by the Senate. Ever since he announced he was running for president in 2015, Mr. Trump and his family have been viciously attacked by the radical left.
Bible Study: Earnestly Contend! (10 minutes)
The short book of Jude contains powerful lessons for God’s disciples. In this segment, I review the Church crisis Jude witnessed in the first century and the urgent instruction he gave to God’s people.
E-mails (3 minutes)


thetrumpet--2020-02-07--A Form of Government That Works!

A Form of Government That Works!

Based on a perfect law , administered by leaders of perfect character People throughout history have realized that society needs government—otherwise , it ’ s every man for himself .
The strong prey on the weak ; the evil take advantage of others .
Society descends into chaos .
But the trouble is , human governments bring their own problems .
The major reason this world ’ s systems of government fail is that they are concocted and administered by human beings under the sway of Satan the devil , an evil being who passionately hates God—and hates the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subjected humanity to oppressive , inept , selfish governments for millennia , he is deceiving us into hating and rejecting all forms of authority—especially God ’ s government .
Look around : Satan ’ s society unceasingly broadcasts brazenly anti-government messages : In media , the husband and father is portrayed as an immature wimp ; at work , the boss as an idiot ; in government , officials are savagely ridiculed .
We must realize just how anti-God all these ideas about government really are !
It is also important we realize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is from any other .
God has a perfect system of governance , revealed in Scripture .
And very soon , it will be the authority all over the Earth .
In his book Mystery of the Ages , Herbert W. Armstrong called God the “ Author of government.
” God is the supreme and only perfect Lawgiver ( James 4:12 ) , and “ The very fact of law presupposes government , ” Mr. Armstrong wrote .
“ Government is the administration and enforcement of law by one in authority .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mystery of the Ages ) .
Even between God the Father and Jesus Christ , the Son clearly spoke of how the Father holds higher authority ( e.g .
John 14:28 ) .
Government is simply an organized system of administering and enforcing law .
The law tells you how to live ; the government administers and enforces that law .
Men ’ s governments administer man ’ s laws ; God ’ s government administers God ’ s law .
A government that is not enforcing God ’ s law is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government of God is of necessity government from the top down , ” Mr. Armstrong continued .
“ It can not be ‘ government by the consent of the governed.
’ Its laws originate and are handed down from God—never legislated by the people—never dictated by the governed how the government over them shall rule them .
… “ [ T ] he government of God is based on the law of God , which is the way of life of outflowing love , cooperation , concern for the good of the governed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace , happiness , cooperation through obedience.
” The Bible reveals that that law can be summarized by the one word love—subdivided into love toward God and love toward neighbor ( Matthew 22:36-40 ) .
“ Jesus magnified this law by showing how its principle expands to cover virtually every possible human infraction .
[ I ] t is so perfect that , by applying its principle , it is a complete law ” ( ibid ) .
When Jesus Christ returns to this Earth in supreme power and glory , that law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isaiah 2:2-4 ) .
The results will be a world with strong and happy families , a world without murder and hatred , a world of honesty and truth , of giving and contentment , of prosperity and harmony , a world united in knowing and worshiping the one true God .
“ The contrast between the beautiful results of God ’ s government and the wretched results of the governments of Satan ’ s world could not be more stark !
” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in a recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vision .
“ Yet human nature , under Satan ’ s influence , rebels against and rejects God ’ s rule .
Thankfully , this will change when Christ returns .
The devil will be imprisoned , and his anti-God broadcasting will cease ( Revelation 20:1-3 ) .
Men ’ s eyes will be opened to the glorious benefits of being ruled by God , and they will embrace it.
” He then referred to the prophecy in Acts 3:20-21 about that time being called “ the restitution of all things.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth , ” he wrote .
“ That is the most important aspect of this coming ‘ restitution of all things.
’ ” We will look at more of the results this “ restitution of all things ” will achieve later in the article .
But first , let ’ s study some of the specifics the Bible teaches us about God ’ s form of government .
God ’ s law not only shows how to love God and neighbor , it also includes many provisions that explain how to administer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders how to lead in a godly way .
It also tells followers how to follow excellently .
When God ’ s eternal spiritual law is obeyed , it produces a beautiful , harmonious relationship between leader and follower , government and governed .
The principle of God ’ s government is based on the fact that God is at the top .
It is government for the people , but it is not by the people .
The authority emanates from God , and He delegates it to whom He chooses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Deuteronomy ’ s first four chapters , Moses delivered a sermon to the Israelites about their history .
Deuteronomy 1:9-10 show how Moses was acting as God ’ s sole representative , administering His government , but the job was too big for him .
God ’ s solution was to create an organized system of leaders working under Moses in a pyramidal structure ( verses 13-15 ) .
This is the pattern for God ’ s government throughout the Bible .
It is government from the top down , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one man , and people filling various offices under that man .
The pyramidal government structure alone doesn ’ t make it God ’ s government—plenty of worldly organizations use that .
What makes it God ’ s government is that it has God at the top !
In a May 2 , 1974 , member letter , Mr. Armstrong talked about this administration of godly government : “ Here is government from the top ( God ) on down .
… Under the Eternal God in authority was Moses .
Under Moses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands ( it could have been several thousands under each ruler ) .
Under each ruler of a thousand , rulers over hundreds .
Under each ruler of a hundred , rulers of fifties , and under each of them rulers of tens .
It was rule from the top down—that is , from God—it was the government of God !
” To implement that government , each individual in office must be a righteous person who exhibits godly character .
Many people have come to believe that the character of a leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he or she knows how to lead .
To God , this notion is ludicrous .
Throughout the Bible , God concerns Himself with character most of all—not talent , not charisma , not ambition , not some magical “ ability to lead.
” Study , for example , the qualifications for the ministry the Apostle Paul discusses in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 .
What good are other leadership qualities if the leader draws people astray with a corrupt personal example ?
The solution to all mankind ’ s failed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That godly government will consist of God beings with perfect character who are submitted to God .
Nothing else will work !
Human governments often act in their own interests .
That is why they tend to get bigger and bigger , demanding more and more of the people ’ s resources .
God ’ s government is different : It doesn ’ t act in its own interest because God is at the top , and God is love !
God has outgoing concern for the benefit of those under His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His disciples for government positions , on at least one occasion they began to bicker politically about who should have a higher office .
Jesus took the opportunity to show them how utterly different , and entirely unselfish , God ’ s government is .
He said , “ In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people , yet they are called ‘ friends of the people.
’ But among you it will be different .
Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a servant .
Who is more important , the one who sits at the table or the one who serves ?
The one who sits at the table , of course .
But not here !
For I am among you as one who serves ” ( Luke 22:24-27 ; New Living Translation ) .
Godly leadership is service .
Those who implement it live and govern according to God ’ s law of love .
If they prioritize their own interests , they are breaking that law ( Matthew 22:36-40 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws for Israel ’ s monarchy .
Verse 15 shows that the king was to be God ’ s choice .
God didn ’ t institute anything like democracy—it was still God ’ s government .
This verse also shows that God doesn ’ t want Israelites ruled by non-Israelites .
In verse 16 , God commands the king not to trust in his military .
America has violated both of these laws in recent times .
Verse 17 underscores God ’ s concern with the character of the ruler .
He wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Him—He didn ’ t want him led astray by a lust for women or riches .
This again points to the New Testament counterpart where God demands that a minister be “ the husband of one wife … not greedy of filthy lucre ” ( 1 Timothy 3:2-3 ) .
A leader who is greedy for money is susceptible to corruption , liable to abuse his position at the people ’ s expense .
Such weakness disqualifies an individual to lead , in God ’ s eyes .
In verses 18-20 , God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diligent student of His law .
This makes perfect sense when you remember that God ’ s government is a system of administering and enforcing God ’ s law .
This is true wherever that government is administered , whether within a family , church or nation .
Soon it will be true all over the Earth .
This is essentially the extent of what God ’ s government will be doing in the World Tomorrow : 1 ) educating people in God ’ s law ; teaching people how to lead happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in their families , with their neighbors and in their nations ; and 2 ) administering and enforcing God ’ s law , ensuring justice among the people by judging according to that law .
( This involves bringing criminals to judgment and protecting the people from outside aggressors .
Within God ’ s nation , this ultimately includes destroying any foreign aggressors . )
Within a church or nation , God ’ s government also operates a centralized system of worship .
The purpose of God ’ s government is extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to realize just how revolutionary it is compared to all the flavors of government in Satan ’ s world .
What God ’ s Government Does Not Do Anciently , when the Israelites demanded a king , God gave Samuel important insights into the pitfalls of human governments , which Samuel relayed to the people ( 1 Samuel 8:10-18 ) .
God warned that a human-led government would be oppressive .
It would introduce burdensome taxes , becoming bloated and centralized .
This is what human-led governments tend to do : They get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wealth—wealth that should remain in the hands of citizens .
God ’ s government is far more generous , far less intrusive , and far more interested in the prosperity and happiness of the people .
Consider some things God ’ s government does not do—things that become very problematic when governments do them .
God ’ s government does not manage people ’ s money—neither for health care nor retirement .
( Those programs are bringing America and many other Western nations down .
The socialistic mindset—that government will provide for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is why it fails . )
God ’ s government does not own or run businesses that compete with businesses run by private industry .
God ’ s government facilitates wealth creation rather than interfering with it .
God ’ s government does not legislate new laws .
God only has about 600 laws .
Man ’ s governments , by contrast , constantly create new laws .
In God ’ s system of administration , there is no legislature .
In ancient Israel , if Moses needed guidance in a matter he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he appealed to God , who gave him judgments in accordance with the existing law .
That ’ s the way it was in ancient Israel—that ’ s how it will be in the World Tomorrow !
James 4:12 says there is one Lawgiver : God .
Governmental positions under the Lawgiver are administrative—administering the law of God that already exists .
God ’ s government is so simple .
It teaches the law , and it administers and enforces the law .
That is why God ’ s entire government—whether over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire world—can operate on such a limited budget .
It stays out of people ’ s business as they strive to keep the law .
In the Millennium , people will tithe and give offerings the same as God ’ s people do in God ’ s Church today .
Wealth is going to grow .
Justice , equity and peace will spread !
As God ’ s government teaches , administers and enforces God ’ s law—His way of life—the whole world will be able to enjoy the affection and love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the serving and helping way of life—the way that God and the Word have enjoyed forever !
Jesus Christ is about to return and take His place as King of kings , governing all the Earth .
You can read about this in the wonderful prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 : “ For unto us a child is born , unto us a son is given : and the government shall be upon his shoulder : and his name shall be called Wonderful , Counsellor , The mighty God , The everlasting father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titles !
What a wonderful picture of the blessing this government will be .
“ Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end , upon the throne of David , and upon his kingdom , to order it , and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever .
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this ” ( verse 7 ) .
God is zealous about this !
Mr. Armstrong said the “ restoration of God ’ s government is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mind.
” The Bible is full of beautiful prophecies describing conditions that will result when this government is restored .
Mr. Armstrong describes these in inspiring detail in The Wonderful World Tomorrow—What It Will Be Like ( free upon request ) .
“ Now notice just how the new world government will function !
” he wrote in Chapter 4 , “ The New World Government.
” “ All officials will be appointed—and by the divine Christ , who reads and knows men ’ s hearts , their inner character , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ’ ll find a description of Christ ’ s supernatural insight into the very character of others in Isaiah 11:2-5 .
… Think of it—no money wasted on political campaigns .
No splits in political parties with quarreling and hatreds .
No political parties !
” Christ and His governing Family will bring about this utopia through two basic courses of action , Mr. Armstrong continued : “ 1 ) All crime and organized rebellion will be put down by force—divine supernatural force .
2 ) Christ will then set His hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiritually convert , the world.
” On the first point , the most important step Christ will take is to depose and imprison Satan the devil , “ the god of this [ present ] world , ” whose evil influence manifests itself in human nature in all of mankind ’ s interactions ( 2 Corinthians 4:4 ; Revelation 20:1-2 ) .
The end of his malevolent broadcasting will immediately change the course of the world .
But whatever of man ’ s stubbornness and unteachability remains , Christ will confront by ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Revelation 19:15 ) .
As for the second action , once human nature is eliminated God will be able to put His law into people ’ s minds and write it on their hearts ( Jeremiah 31:33 ; Hebrews 8:10 ; 10:16 ) .
“ When God ’ s laws are in our hearts—when we love God ’ s ways , and in our hearts want to live by them , human nature will be put under subjection—people will want to live the way that is the cause of peace , happiness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Armstrong continued .
With the Prince of Peace overseeing a government of righteous , incorruptible leaders administering a perfect law of love , with satanic broadcasts stopped and true education universal ( Habakkuk 2:14 ) , with all individuals worldwide developing a loving , personal relationship with the one and only true God , a truly utopian world will result !
Scripture amply describes life brimming over with pure water , nutritious food , favorable weather , fertile deserts , agricultural abundance , robust health , satisfying work , efficient economies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ architecture , clean energy , happy families and harmonious communities .
God ’ s government will produce all these conditions and lead all human beings to fully realizing their incredible God-given potential !

Based on a perfect law, administered by leaders of perfect character
People throughout history have realized that society needs government—otherwise, it’s every man for himself. The strong prey on the weak; the evil take advantage of others. Society descends into chaos. But the trouble is, human governments bring their own problems.
The major reason this world’s systems of government fail is that they are concocted and administered by human beings under the sway of Satan the devil, an evil being who passionately hates God—and hates the government of God. Not only has Satan subjected humanity to oppressive, inept, selfish governments for millennia, he is deceiving us into hating and rejecting all forms of authority—especially God’s government. Look around: Satan’s society unceasingly broadcasts brazenly anti-government messages: In media, the husband and father is portrayed as an immature wimp; at work, the boss as an idiot; in government, officials are savagely ridiculed. We must realize just how anti-God all these ideas about government really are!
It is also important we realize just how different God’s government is from any other. God has a perfect system of governance, revealed in Scripture. And very soon, it will be the authority all over the Earth.
The Author of Government
In his book Mystery of the Ages, Herbert W. Armstrong called God the “Author of government.” God is the supreme and only perfect Lawgiver (James 4:12), and “The very fact of law presupposes government,” Mr. Armstrong wrote. “Government is the administration and enforcement of law by one in authority. This necessitates authoritative leadership—one in command” (Mystery of the Ages). Even between God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son clearly spoke of how the Father holds higher authority (e.g. John 14:28).
Government is simply an organized system of administering and enforcing law. The law tells you how to live; the government administers and enforces that law. Men’s governments administer man’s laws; God’s government administers God’s law. A government that is not enforcing God’s law is not God’s government.
“The government of God is of necessity government from the top down,” Mr. Armstrong continued. “It cannot be ‘government by the consent of the governed.’ Its laws originate and are handed down from God—never legislated by the people—never dictated by the governed how the government over them shall rule them. …
“[T]he government of God is based on the law of God, which is the way of life of outflowing love, cooperation, concern for the good of the governed. And this law of God produces peace, happiness, cooperation through obedience.” The Bible reveals that that law can be summarized by the one word love—subdivided into love toward God and love toward neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). “Jesus magnified this law by showing how its principle expands to cover virtually every possible human infraction. [I]t is so perfect that, by applying its principle, it is a complete law” (ibid).
When Jesus Christ returns to this Earth in supreme power and glory, that law will be taught and enforced worldwide (Isaiah 2:2-4). The results will be a world with strong and happy families, a world without murder and hatred, a world of honesty and truth, of giving and contentment, of prosperity and harmony, a world united in knowing and worshiping the one true God.
“The contrast between the beautiful results of God’s government and the wretched results of the governments of Satan’s world could not be more stark!” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in a recent issue of our companion magazine, Royal Vision. “Yet human nature, under Satan’s influence, rebels against and rejects God’s rule. Thankfully, this will change when Christ returns. The devil will be imprisoned, and his anti-God broadcasting will cease (Revelation 20:1-3). Men’s eyes will be opened to the glorious benefits of being ruled by God, and they will embrace it.” He then referred to the prophecy in Acts 3:20-21 about that time being called “the restitution of all things.” “God yearns to restore His government to Earth,” he wrote. “That is the most important aspect of this coming ‘restitution of all things.’”
We will look at more of the results this “restitution of all things” will achieve later in the article. But first, let’s study some of the specifics the Bible teaches us about God’s form of government. God’s law not only shows how to love God and neighbor, it also includes many provisions that explain how to administer and enforce that law properly. It tells leaders how to lead in a godly way. It also tells followers how to follow excellently. When God’s eternal spiritual law is obeyed, it produces a beautiful, harmonious relationship between leader and follower, government and governed.
Godly Leadership
The principle of God’s government is based on the fact that God is at the top. It is government for the people, but it is not by the people. The authority emanates from God, and He delegates it to whom He chooses in order to administer and enforce His law.
In Deuteronomy’s first four chapters, Moses delivered a sermon to the Israelites about their history. Deuteronomy 1:9-10 show how Moses was acting as God’s sole representative, administering His government, but the job was too big for him. God’s solution was to create an organized system of leaders working under Moses in a pyramidal structure (verses 13-15). This is the pattern for God’s government throughout the Bible. It is government from the top down, with God at the top, working through one man, and people filling various offices under that man. The pyramidal government structure alone doesn’t make it God’s government—plenty of worldly organizations use that. What makes it God’s government is that it has God at the top!
In a May 2, 1974, member letter, Mr. Armstrong talked about this administration of godly government: “Here is government from the top (God) on down. … Under the Eternal God in authority was Moses. Under Moses a number of rulers, each over thousands (it could have been several thousands under each ruler). Under each ruler of a thousand, rulers over hundreds. Under each ruler of a hundred, rulers of fifties, and under each of them rulers of tens. It was rule from the top down—that is, from God—it was the government of God!”
To implement that government, each individual in office must be a righteous person who exhibits godly character. Many people have come to believe that the character of a leader doesn’t matter—what matters is that he or she knows how to lead. To God, this notion is ludicrous.
Throughout the Bible, God concerns Himself with character most of all—not talent, not charisma, not ambition, not some magical “ability to lead.” Study, for example, the qualifications for the ministry the Apostle Paul discusses in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. What good are other leadership qualities if the leader draws people astray with a corrupt personal example?
The solution to all mankind’s failed, Satan-influenced governments is the Kingdom of God. That godly government will consist of God beings with perfect character who are submitted to God. Nothing else will work! Human governments often act in their own interests. That is why they tend to get bigger and bigger, demanding more and more of the people’s resources. God’s government is different: It doesn’t act in its own interest because God is at the top, and God is love! God has outgoing concern for the benefit of those under His authority.
When Jesus Christ was training His disciples for government positions, on at least one occasion they began to bicker politically about who should have a higher office. Jesus took the opportunity to show them how utterly different, and entirely unselfish, God’s government is. He said, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:24-27; New Living Translation). Godly leadership is service. Those who implement it live and govern according to God’s law of love. If they prioritize their own interests, they are breaking that law (Matthew 22:36-40).
In Deuteronomy 17:14-20, God gave some laws for Israel’s monarchy. Verse 15 shows that the king was to be God’s choice. God didn’t institute anything like democracy—it was still God’s government. This verse also shows that God doesn’t want Israelites ruled by non-Israelites. In verse 16, God commands the king not to trust in his military. America has violated both of these laws in recent times.
Verse 17 underscores God’s concern with the character of the ruler. He wanted the king to turn his heart to Him—He didn’t want him led astray by a lust for women or riches. This again points to the New Testament counterpart where God demands that a minister be “the husband of one wife … not greedy of filthy lucre” (1 Timothy 3:2-3). A leader who is greedy for money is susceptible to corruption, liable to abuse his position at the people’s expense. Such weakness disqualifies an individual to lead, in God’s eyes.
In verses 18-20, God commanded that the king must be a diligent student of His law. This makes perfect sense when you remember that God’s government is a system of administering and enforcing God’s law. This is true wherever that government is administered, whether within a family, church or nation. Soon it will be true all over the Earth.
God’s government is so simple. It teaches the law, and it administers and enforces the law. That is why God’s entire government can operate on such a limited budget.
This is essentially the extent of what God’s government will be doing in the World Tomorrow: 1) educating people in God’s law; teaching people how to lead happy lives and to prosper and be blessed—individually, in their families, with their neighbors and in their nations; and 2) administering and enforcing God’s law, ensuring justice among the people by judging according to that law. (This involves bringing criminals to judgment and protecting the people from outside aggressors. Within God’s nation, this ultimately includes destroying any foreign aggressors.) Within a church or nation, God’s government also operates a centralized system of worship.
The purpose of God’s government is extraordinary for its beautiful simplicity. We need to realize just how revolutionary it is compared to all the flavors of government in Satan’s world.
What God’s Government Does Not Do
Anciently, when the Israelites demanded a king, God gave Samuel important insights into the pitfalls of human governments, which Samuel relayed to the people (1 Samuel 8:10-18). God warned that a human-led government would be oppressive. It would introduce burdensome taxes, becoming bloated and centralized. This is what human-led governments tend to do: They get bigger as they amass power, property and wealth—wealth that should remain in the hands of citizens.
God’s government is far more generous, far less intrusive, and far more interested in the prosperity and happiness of the people. Consider some things God’s government does not do—things that become very problematic when governments do them.
God’s government does not manage people’s money—neither for health care nor retirement. (Those programs are bringing America and many other Western nations down. The socialistic mindset—that government will provide for you—contravenes God’s law. That is why it fails.) God’s government does not own or run businesses that compete with businesses run by private industry. God’s government facilitates wealth creation rather than interfering with it.
God’s government does not legislate new laws. God only has about 600 laws. Man’s governments, by contrast, constantly create new laws. In God’s system of administration, there is no legislature. In ancient Israel, if Moses needed guidance in a matter he could not discern from the existing law, he appealed to God, who gave him judgments in accordance with the existing law. That’s the way it was in ancient Israel—that’s how it will be in the World Tomorrow! James 4:12 says there is one Lawgiver: God. Governmental positions under the Lawgiver are administrative—administering the law of God that already exists.
God’s government is so simple. It teaches the law, and it administers and enforces the law. That is why God’s entire government—whether over a church or a nation, or the entire world—can operate on such a limited budget. It stays out of people’s business as they strive to keep the law. In the Millennium, people will tithe and give offerings the same as God’s people do in God’s Church today. Wealth is going to grow. Justice, equity and peace will spread!
As God’s government teaches, administers and enforces God’s law—His way of life—the whole world will be able to enjoy the affection and love, the cooperation, the harmony, the serving and helping way of life—the way that God and the Word have enjoyed forever!
The Beautiful Fruits
Jesus Christ is about to return and take His place as King of kings, governing all the Earth. You can read about this in the wonderful prophecy in Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting father, The Prince of Peace.” What wonderful titles! What a wonderful picture of the blessing this government will be.
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (verse 7). God is zealous about this! Mr. Armstrong said the “restoration of God’s government is the one great purpose uppermost in God’s mind.”
The Bible is full of beautiful prophecies describing conditions that will result when this government is restored. Mr. Armstrong describes these in inspiring detail in The Wonderful World Tomorrow—What It Will Be Like (free upon request).
“Now notice just how the new world government will function!” he wrote in Chapter 4, “The New World Government.” “All officials will be appointed—and by the divine Christ, who reads and knows men’s hearts, their inner character, and abilities or lack of ability. You’ll find a description of Christ’s supernatural insight into the very character of others in Isaiah 11:2-5. … Think of it—no money wasted on political campaigns. No splits in political parties with quarreling and hatreds. No political parties!”
Christ and His governing Family will bring about this utopia through two basic courses of action, Mr. Armstrong continued: “1) All crime and organized rebellion will be put down by force—divine supernatural force. 2) Christ will then set His hand to reeducate and to save, or spiritually convert, the world.”
On the first point, the most important step Christ will take is to depose and imprison Satan the devil, “the god of this [present] world,” whose evil influence manifests itself in human nature in all of mankind’s interactions (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:1-2). The end of his malevolent broadcasting will immediately change the course of the world. But whatever of man’s stubbornness and unteachability remains, Christ will confront by ruling with a “rod of iron” (Revelation 19:15).
As for the second action, once human nature is eliminated God will be able to put His law into people’s minds and write it on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16). “When God’s laws are in our hearts—when we love God’s ways, and in our hearts want to live by them, human nature will be put under subjection—people will want to live the way that is the cause of peace, happiness, abundance, joyful well-being!” Mr. Armstrong continued.
With the Prince of Peace overseeing a government of righteous, incorruptible leaders administering a perfect law of love, with satanic broadcasts stopped and true education universal (Habakkuk 2:14), with all individuals worldwide developing a loving, personal relationship with the one and only true God, a truly utopian world will result! Scripture amply describes life brimming over with pure water, nutritious food, favorable weather, fertile deserts, agricultural abundance, robust health, satisfying work, efficient economies, universal literacy, elegant cities, spectacular architecture, clean energy, happy families and harmonious communities. God’s government will produce all these conditions and lead all human beings to fully realizing their incredible God-given potential!


thetrumpet--2020-02-07--Catholic Bishops Condemn Trump’s Peace Plan

Last Tuesday , United States President Donald Trump unveiled his peace plan for the Middle East .
It was 180 pages and covered an enormous number of specifics .
The White House called it “ the most detailed proposal ever put forward by far.
” It received support from Israel : President Trump announced it at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by his side .
But Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas responded , “ We say a thousand times : No , no and no to the deal of the century.
” Does anybody really think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t suppose many people do .
The Bible tells us to beware when you are hearing a lot about peace .
The Prophet Jeremiah wrote of false prophets “ saying , Peace , peace ; when there is no peace ” ( Jeremiah 6:14 ; 8:11 ) .
Isaiah the prophet foretold of a time when “ the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly.
” Diplomats run around talking about peace , peace , peace—but we never have lasting peace .
This has been true throughout history .
When they keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are about to have war—war like you have never seen !
Did you know that Jerusalem means “ city of peace ” ?
You would almost think that is a sick joke .
There has been no lasting peace in that city .
In fact , Jerusalem has flowed with rivers of blood !
Why do these peace plans always fail ?
There is a reason—a cause we need to understand .
Jerusalem provides a stunning example of this reason .
Many of the most arduous peace efforts have centered around this city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labored to bring it peace and have failed .
We desperately need to understand this fundamental point .
If ever there was a time we need to be concerned about how to bring peace to this world , surely it is now .
The number one problem the world faces today is human survival !
Many nations are acquiring nuclear weapons and honing their nuclear power !
We are facing a nuclear war that stupefies the imagination !
Isaiah said , “ The way of peace they know not ” ( Isaiah 59:8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace—but mankind does not know that way !
Man keeps trying to somehow generate some kind of peace , but never can .
This is a deadly dangerous issue .
If we are to avoid great suffering , we must understand how to have peace .
We need peace not only in nations , but in our own homes .
How do you have peace in a home ?
There is a way , and you can absolutely prove it .
In fact , even the name Jerusalem , “ city of peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we will have peace—in spite of man , not because of him .
Over some decades now , the United States and Britain have pressured the Jews to accept a peace process that has repeatedly failed .
Clearly America and Britain , like the rest of mankind , do not know the way to peace .
The “ former prophets ” include the biblical books of Joshua , Judges , Samuel and Kings .
These books were written by prophets and , like virtually all biblical prophecy , contain forecasts intended primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stunning statement in the prophetic book of Kings .
When God decided to strip the kingdom of Israel away from Solomon for his terrible sins , He said : “ Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom ; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant ’ s sake , and for Jerusalem ’ s sake which I have chosen ” ( 1 Kings 11:13 ) .
God has chosen Jerusalem .
He has chosen no other city in the world—only Jerusalem .
This has everything to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world !
When the modern State of Israel came into being in 1948 , the Arabs immediately attacked .
The Jews had no real army .
Within three weeks , they were losing the war .
Then the Arabs strangely agreed to a temporary United Nations-sponsored truce .
This is just what Israel needed to rearm and train its weary troops—many of them civilians who carried guns .
Soon after , the Arabs started attacking again .
This time the Jews were well prepared and quickly won the war .
It was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many miracles in the following years .
The Six-Day War in 1967 was a major clash between the Jewish nation and Egypt , Jordan and Syria .
In that short but intense conflict , the Jews captured all of the Sinai , the Suez Canal , East Jerusalem , the West Bank and the Golan Heights—in six days !
Study that history and you will see they were aided by miracles .
In late 1973 , the Arabs attacked again , this time on the solemn Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jews won the war in three weeks—another miraculous deliverance .
At some point , however , the Jews decided to stop looking to God for help .
They decided , prodded by America and Britain , to seek security by negotiating with the very people who wanted to destroy them .
In 1993 , Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat made a pact in which Israel gave up land for promises of peace .
Arafat , before he led the Palestinians in the peace process , was the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Does it make sense that you could somehow achieve peace by making a deal with a famed terrorist ?
There is no logic in that !
Even as Arafat talked about peace to the Israelis and to the world , in private he would often tell people of his plan to take over Israel and destroy the Jews completely !
That was always his ambition !
Yet somehow we thought that simply handing him land would soften him or convince him to abandon that goal .
Such reasoning shows terrible weakness and only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Swapping land for peace has never brought peace .
Since the start of that peace process , the Jews have given up Gaza , Jericho , Bethlehem and the West Bank to the Arabs .
Think about that : Arabs attacked the Jews on multiple occasions with a goal to annihilate every one of them !
Where in history can you find a war where the victors later gave the land back to the aggressors who tried to wipe them off the map ?
Today , the Jews have very little land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land to give away .
Yet the Trump peace plan includes a map that shows a lot of Israeli territory becoming a new Palestinian state .
To think that if you give the Palestinians their own state they will abandon their plans to destroy Israel is utterly delusional !
If you want to see what Bible prophecy reveals about where these peace efforts are leading , read Chapter 2 of my booklet Jerusalem in Prophecy .
Those peace plans are a deadly delusion !
We ought to see by now that it won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have tried giving land for peace , or negotiating with terrorists to bring peace , it has only brought more war !
Where Is Their Faith ?
Something is terribly wrong with man ’ s reasoning .
“ The way of peace they know not.
” Men are trying to work the problem out themselves , and are even looking to their enemies to make a peace pact with !
But how much are they looking to God ?
The truth is that nobody can bring peace in a family or a nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved if you are to have real peace .
You will never have peace any other way .
These leaders seem to have more faith in their enemies than in God !
How much faith do we have in the all-powerful God who could instantly bring us peace if we would look to Him ?
That shows you what the real problem is !
How insulted must God be when men trust somebody like the top terrorist in the Middle East rather than trusting in Him ?
Jeremiah 17:9 says the human mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wicked .
That is human nature , and we can never have peace as long as we have human nature .
Man must be rid of human nature before we can ever have peace !
Iran has created a presence and influence in Gaza , Lebanon and Syria .
It has surrounded the Jews , and it hates the Jews more than anybody in the Middle East .
Yet today , Israel is proffering a peace pact with , essentially , an Iranian proxy !
That will never work !
Anybody should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you look at Bible prophecy , the danger involved becomes even more exceedingly clear .
Zechariah 14:2 says that in the end time , half of Jerusalem will be captured by the Arabs : “ For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle ; and the city shall be taken , and the houses rifled , and the women ravished ; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity , and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
” Yes , the efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prophesied to fail catastrophically !
I explain this prophecy in Chapter 3 of Jerusalem in Prophecy , and it is a crucial end-time prophecy to understand .
But notice : In this context God says that all nations will be gathered “ against Jerusalem to battle.
” Many other prophecies provide detail about this climactic battle .
All of these nations , with all of their militaries , are going to gather in Armageddon before marching on Jerusalem !
And what will happen then ?
“ Then shall the Lord go forth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he fought in the day of battle ” ( verse 3 ) .
Jesus Christ is going to return personally to fight them !
Revelation 14:18-20 show that this battle will be so fierce , the blood of these armies will be flowing deep enough that for 200 miles in the Valley of Jehoshaphat , at the foot of the Mount of Olives , it will rise to the level of the horses ’ bridles !
This clash in Jerusalem will be the decisive battle in the bloodiest war in human history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be horrific all over the Earth .
The Bible warns soberly that the horrors of World War ii—with Germany ’ s extermination camps , Russia ’ s gulags and other nightmares including nuclear bombs incinerating whole cities—were only a rehearsal for the Tribulation to come !
Why such butchery and warfare ?
Because this is what it will take for God to get man ’ s attention !
We have to recognize and acknowledge what a disaster results when we try to solve our problems on our own , without God !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring peace to this world !
Despite the lack of peace in Israel today , numerous prophecies tell us that God will give us peace !
Leviticus 26:6 says that if you turn to God , “ I will give peace in the land , ” nobody will “ make you afraid , ” and “ neither shall the sword go through your land.
” This is what God says if you will do what I say !
What a promise !
Zechariah 1:17 says that God “ shall yet choose Jerusalem.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole world to look to Jerusalem !
He will bring peace to all mankind in just a few years .
“ And many people shall go and say , Come ye , and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord , to the house of the God of Jacob ; and he will teach us of his ways , and we will walk in his paths : for out of Zion shall go forth the law , and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem ” ( Isaiah 2:3 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet !
It is a prophecy that is about to be fulfilled .
Isaiah 66:10 and 12 say , “ Rejoice ye with Jerusalem , and be glad with her , all ye that love her : rejoice for joy with her , all ye that mourn for her … .
For thus saith the Lord , Behold , I will extend peace to her like a river ….
” Instead of a river of blood , there will be a river of peace flowing from Jerusalem !
God is going to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought for 6,000 years and has never been able to find because he hasn ’ t looked to God .
Watch Jerusalem !
So much is going to be happening there !
Events are serious and sobering , yet at the same time , they are filled with the hope of God !
What hope God gives through His peace plan .
What a vision this is !
How does that compare with President Trump ’ s peace plan ?
Henry Kissinger once said there is no other choice than the peace process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a choice of life .
Moses wrote that there are two ways before us : life and death .
Choose life !
( Deuteronomy 30:19 ) .
Man is choosing the wrong way .
We are choosing the way that God is not involved in .
God is telling us what we should be doing , but we are not following His instructions .
That needs to change and change quickly .
More than a hundred scriptures tell you how to bring peace !
We need faith in God .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we would listen to God today and turn to Him !
God says , “ [ T ] urn ye , turn ye … for why will ye die , O house of Israel ?
” ( Ezekiel 33:11 ) .
He wants you to choose life—choose His way and trust Him .
When you do , He will give peace in your individual life , and in your nation .
And very soon , He is going to give peace to this whole world !

United States President Donald Trump revealed his “deal of the century” on January 28. Since then, the world has responded with an outburst of both praise and hatred. The most negative reaction has come from Europe and the Catholic Church.
Catholic officials have strongly criticized President Trump’s peace plan, claiming that it does not take into consideration “the just demands of the Palestinian people for their homeland, their rights and dignified life. This plan will bring no solution, but rather will create more tensions and probably more violence and bloodshed.” Instead, the Vatican believes that the deal only endorses the demands of the Israelis and has called on Christians around the world to “pray for the Holy Land,” that a “voice” would be given to the “voiceless.”
These statements confirm that the Catholic Church believes the Palestinians are the victims and only serves to give them justification to continue attacking Israel. The letter states that President Trump’s plan will be the cause for any Palestinian violence that follows the peace deal—rather than the terrorists themselves.
Europe has also responded in alignment with the Catholic Church.
Hugh Lovatt for the European Council on Foreign Relations wrote on Wednesday that the U.S. plan “runs counter to internationally agreed parameters, international law, and past United Nations Security Council resolutions.” He wrote that the EU should “reject the U.S. plan in full and take steps to prevent it from becoming a new and dangerous reference point in attempts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
He argued that Mr. Trump “is formalizing the discriminatory dual legal regime that favors Jewish Israelis over their Palestinian neighbors.”
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas took a similar stance, questioning whether the deal had “the involvement of the conflicting parties,” and implying that he too felt the deal favored one side. German lawmaker Johann Wadephul called it a “unilateral peace plan” that would only intensify conflict. Spanish High Representative of the EU Joseph Borrell said that they must carefully analyze the deal to ensure it “takes into account the legitimate aspirations of both the Palestinians and the Israelis.”
This was further stipulated by Lovatt, who called for European powers to get more involved in the peace process in response. He wrote:
European governments … must urgently take decisive steps towards a viable two-state solution in line with internationally agreed parameters as the best means of ensuring equal rights for both peoples. This means rejecting Trump’s plan and recognizing the State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Western EU member states such as France have vowed to do so “at the right moment.” That moment is now.
The European response presents itself as the defender of equality for both parties.
Europe is already reaching out to the Palestinians. On Friday, the European Commission announced a $47 million assistance package for “activities in East Jerusalem” and “support towards building a democratic and accountable Palestinian state through targeted policy reforms, fiscal consolidation, reinforcing businesses and small- and medium-sized enterprises, strengthening the Palestinian civil society, and providing access to water and energy.” This assistance is over and above several other monetary packages made to the Palestinian cause.
While Europe follows the Catholic Church’s stance on the deal, standing in surprising contrast is the response from several Arab states.
An article by the Washington Examiner on Thursday noted that of the 23 nations that had expressed their support for the plan, seven were from the Middle East.
Statements from nations such as Bahrain and Oman expressed their appreciation to President Trump for his efforts to end the conflict. The strongest Arab support came from the two most important players in the region—Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Both of these countries urged Palestinian leaders to use Trump’s peace plan as the foundation to launch negotiations with Israel. The Saudi Foreign Ministry called for “the start of direct peace negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, under the auspices of the United States, and to resolve disagreements with aspects to the plan through negotiations.” The U.A.E. called it “a serious initiative” and “an important starting point for a return to negotiations within a U.S.-led international framework.”
While other neighbors have openly opposed the deal—especially Jordan, Iran and Turkey—the refusal by some Arab states to directly criticize the deal has angered the Palestinians. The fact that several Arab states were at least willing to accept the plan as a starting point makes the Catholic Church and Europe’s response even more condemning.
As one of the biggest opponents to the peace plan, Catholic Europe has revealed its hatred for Israel. This hatred is becoming more overt with each passing year.
Pope Francis used a visit to Jerusalem in May 2014 to show his open support for the Palestinians. He visited the Palestinians first, took a photo op at the Bethlehem security wall with graffiti accusing Israel of apartheid, openly embraced and praised Palestinian leaders, and refused to admit the role of Nazi Germany or the Vatican in World War ii while visiting Jerusalem’s Holocaust museum. The pope implied Israelis were modern-day Herods, while calling men who have openly said they want to kill the Jews his “brothers.” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote that these events “shed light on the future of Europe and of the world.”
About the pope’s photo op at the Bethlehem security wall—still one of the most iconic photos of his tenure—Mr. Flurry wrote: “The pope knows how to use symbolism, and this is the symbol he created to show the world. It did not happen by accident! … Francis clearly favors the Arabs, and he is projecting a distorted view of the Jews in the Middle East.”
We saw the same view in the Catholic Church’s response to the peace plan.
Exactly a year after his visit to Jerusalem in 2014, Pope Francis announced the Vatican’s formal recognition of the “state of Palestine.” Trumpet managing editor Brad Macdonald wrote that while the pope’s “rhetoric and body language, the gracious gestures, the smiles and salutations give the impression of a selfless liberator determined to broker peace, cooperation and tranquillity,” the Vatican is actually “creating tension, disunity and instability that are likely to lead to conflict and war.”
Take an honest look at the Catholic Church’s history—from the Crusades to its support of the Nazis in World War ii to its current support of the Palestinians—and you see a power consistently opposed to the Jews. Its response to Mr. Trump’s peace deal reaffirms this.
Why is the Catholic Church so opposed to Israel? Is it merely a neutral observer, or does it have its own agenda? You can learn more about the Catholic Church’s critical role in this region of the world in Gerald Flurry’s article “The Dark Side of the Pope’s Visit to Jerusalem.”


thetrumpet--2020-02-07--Germany Prepares for a Sudden Military Build Up

At this year’s Bundeswehr conference, German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said she wanted the Germany military to be better prepared to swing into action. While prior defense ministers announced similar turning points, the new initiative breaks with former traditions and incorporates ideas from Army leaders, Germany’s n-tv.de noted on February 3. She wants to change the way the Army buys weapons, so it can arm more quickly.
In his current annual military report, military commissioner Hans-Peter Bartels criticized the Army, saying it has “[t]oo little materiel, too little staff, too much bureaucracy.”
Kramp-Karrenbauer is tired of hearing repeated criticism from within and outside the Army portraying the troops as unfit for battle. She is promising sudden and noticeable change. She declared 2020 to be a turning point for the Army. “We have to deliver results in a shorter period of time and increase operational readiness this year,” she said (Trumpet translation throughout).
Germany’s parliament already approved corresponding legislation in January that aims to simplify procurement for the Army and police. The change will enable the Army “to react quickly and effectively to security-related developments both at home and abroad,” the bill reads.
The amendment, which is not yet approved by the Federal Council, allows for orders, under certain conditions, to be directly placed at the German industry without a European Union-wide tender. When it comes to key technologies or materiel that is needed on short notice, the German Army could place its orders directly to the German industry.
Germany is the EU’s largest economy and hosts its most-advanced arms industry. By removing burdensome bureaucracy, Germany’s military will be able to arm more rapidly.
N-tv.de noted that unlike previous initiatives, the new initiative “takes up ideas from the Bundeswehr leadership itself—from inspectors, department heads and office presidents—and has not been drawn up by the ministry leadership, expert committees or external consultants.”
The Army’s Procurement Office will also be reformed and involve experts from the troops itself. This will ensure that the troops will receive equipment faster.
Many high-ranking officers in the military have been demanding reforms to the Army’s Procurement Office for quite some time. Last year, retired Brig. Gen. Erich Vad, who served as Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief military policy adviser from 2006 to 2013, publicly accused the military’s leadership of consisting of “cowards and bureaucrats.”
There is a danger in empowering the Army’s leadership by making such crucial changes. The Army’s needs are defined by its leadership. Germany’s military leaders have a different view of what the Army’s future should look like than many politicians.
Its current government has a hard time formulating what role the military should play in the country’s future. Military leaders, however, have a much more concrete vision. From the beginning of the Army’s founding, its leadership was set to restore its lost military glory. Late theologian Herbert W. Armstrong wrote in the September 1948 Plain Truth magazine:
Even before the end of [World War ii], I revealed to you the Nazi plans for a Nazi underground movement, to go underground as a secret organization the very moment they lost the war—to lay low a few years during Allied and Russian military occupation, then to come forth when least expected, restore Germany to power, and go on to finally accomplish their aims in a World War iii.
Over 80 percent of the approximately 15,000 officers who laid the foundation of the German Army in 1955 fought under Adolf Hitler just a few years previous. The German Army was formed with the intention to resurrect the Nazi empire. With every generation, these ideas and intentions were passed on. Recent investigations have shown that a shockingly high number of right-wing extremists are spread throughout the Army.
God revealed to the Apostle John a vision of end-time Germany’s military empire: It would rise in World War ii, go underground, and reemerge later to even greater power: “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is” (Revelation 17:8).
Our free booklet Germany and the Holy Roman Empire gives a detailed explanation of this prophecy. It also details how many Nazis went underground after World War ii and shows how they are actively working to resurrect this army today. The fact that we are now seeing Germany’s military leadership gain more power and face less restrictions shows that this prophecy is nearing its fulfillment.
However, John’s vision in Revelation 17 and various other prophecies illustrate that we won’t see this military fully emerge until Germany has found a strong leader, as Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explains in A Strong German Leader Is Imminent.


thetrumpet--2020-02-06--Germany’s Far-Right Causes German Politics to Boil

A far-right party played the role of kingmaker in Thuringia, Germany, yesterday—the first time this has happened in a German state in the country’s postwar history. The breaking of this taboo sent shock waves across Germany, and even around the world.
Thomas Kemmerich, a member of the Free Democratic Party (fdp), was elected premier of Thuringia, with the help of the Christian Democratic Union (cdu) and the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).
Until now, all mainstream German parties have refused to work with the AfD. The breach of this taboo created such strong backlash that Kemmerich announced his resignation today—after holding office for less than a day. “The resignation is inevitable,” he said. “Yesterday, the AfD tried a perfidious trick to damage democracy. Democrats need democratic majorities. Obviously, they cannot be produced in this parliament.”
Despite lasting less than a day, his short term is an important milestone, and a clear symbol of how unstable Germany’s politics have become.
Thuringia held state elections last October. The result was deadlock. The far-left Left party came in first place, with 31 percent of the vote. The AfD was second with 23.4 percent. The result meant that any government had to include one of the extreme parties—either on the far left or the far right. None of the usual coalitions were feasible.
What would be better, the mainstream parties asked themselves, cooperating with the far right or not governing at all?
The AfD repeatedly offered to be the kingmaker for one of the cdu’s or fdp’s candidates, but this would have meant entering a deal with the devil, as many see the AfD. The AfD branch in Thuringia is led by Björn Höcke, one of the party’s most overt radicals.
As anti-Semitism becomes an increasingly prominent issue in Germany, various leaders have appealed to the people to remember their history lest it repeat itself. Höcke, however, has a different viewpoint; he has called for a “180-degree shift” in Germany’s remembrance culture of the Holocaust. He believes recalling that history is crippling the nation. Referring to Berlin’s Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Höcke said Germany has built “a monument of shame” in the heart of its capital and spoke in favor of the abolishment of a law that makes Holocaust denial illegal in Germany.
So the fact that Kemmerich was voted into office yesterday with the support of the cdu and AfD strongly indicates that some kind of a deal was made behind closed doors.
Media, politicians and citizens responded furiously. Protesters outside the state parliament quickly recalled that it was in Thuringia that a Nazi minister was first allowed into the government in 1930. Former Thuringian State Premier Bodo Ramelow also compared the event to 1930 and tweeted two pictures that juxtaposed Kemmerich and Höcke and German President Paul von Hindenburg and Adolf Hitler.
https://twitter.com/bodoramelow/status/1225184119916826624
Hindenburg is still a controversial figure in Germany. Many believe he could have prevented Hitler’s rise, but instead helped him come to power. He believed the deadlock would never end otherwise.
While most support Kemmerich’s resignation, many more say he should have never accepted the vote to begin with. The fact that he accepted the office was a scandal in itself, even if no previous deal with the AfD had been made. Accepting the vote is being interpreted as a sign that the parliament is now willing to cooperate with the AfD.
This vote has brought heavy pressure on cdu leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. How was it possible that cdu members, along with AfD members, voted together for a state premier from the fdp? Many previously feared that the cdu in Thuringia would be the first to give into the pressure and cooperate with the far right.
Kramp-Karrenbauer explicitly condemned any kind of cooperation before and after the vote. But her statements and the reality of the situation indicate that she lost control over her own party. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who stepped down as the cdu’s party leader, intervened, calling the vote unacceptable and demanding new elections.
“The election of this state premier was a unique process,” she said, “that broke with a fundamental conviction of mine and my party’s, namely that you don’t win majorities with the help of Alternative für Deutschland.”
Comments from Chancellor Angela Merkel on the latest twist in German politics.
The CDU should not participate in a government under Prime Minister #Kemmerich, Merkel said on the sidelines of her state visit to South Africa.#ltwth #Thuringia #ThuringiaElection pic.twitter.com/u4lEuP9vKG — DW Politics (@dw_politics) February 6, 2020
On the federal level, the cdu is currently in a coalition with the Social Democrats (spd). The spd was livid about the cdu’s cooperation with the AfD. Many analysts feared that the cdu’s cooperation on a state level could break the coalition and paralyze Germany’s government.
What happened yesterday in Germany is a strong reminder that history can indeed repeat itself. Many fear that the rise of the AfD, and mainstream parties’ possible cooperation with them, is one of Germany’s greatest dangers at the moment. Its political deadlock is strengthening the far right as it gains momentum.
Germany’s Nazi past is glaring everyone in the face. But few realize that Germany’s greatest threat is not coming from the AfD!
Many hope that the AfD’s rise will be stopped if mainstream parties regain popularity. They hope that the right leader will reset everything, restoring the status quo.
They will get such a leader—as the Bible reveals. He could use Germany’s current political deadlock as a stepping-stone for his power grab. He will not appear as far right as the AfD. Instead, he will appear as a man of peace. But the Bible strongly warns that, though he appears moderate, he will cause havoc.
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry repeatedly points readers to a prophecy in Daniel 11: “And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries” (verse 21).
This man will not come to power through votes, the normal democratic means. He will most likely not come from the AfD either. That doesn’t mean we don’t need to worry about the AfD. It is a dangerous symptom of social trends in Germany—a clear sign that the nation is retreating to the paths trod in the 1930s.
The coming leader will use Germany’s current turmoil—the same turmoil that has caused the rise of the AfD—and appear to be the nation’s savior! Notice what Mr. Flurry wrote concerning this prophecy in the January 2020 Trumpet issue:
Knowing that such political intrigue will occur makes the bureaucratic turmoil in Berlin important to watch. The government is shaky, the need for strong leadership is clear—but the path to achieve it is unknown. This prophesied leader may well exploit this frustration and confusion by rallying a coalition behind him and vaunting himself to power. This would take a lot of intelligence and calculation; it would require unusual skill to deceive people in high places with flattery. But the prophesied Daniel 8 man will do it magnificently. Adolf Hitler was a man of mental strength, but he was not as adept at deceiving people as this coming strongman will be! This leader will come as an angel of light.
This is a stark warning! Yesterday, Germany was up in arms because of an apparent cooperation between the far right and its mainstream parties. Historians, politicians, activists, the German media and the international media all sounded the alarm. Certainly, they did so for good reasons! But at the same time, they are totally ignorant of God’s sure word of Bible prophecy. For this reason, history will repeat itself, and they will fail to recognize it!
God revealed to the late Herbert W. Armstrong that the Nazi empire was part of the prophesied sixth resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire (Revelation 17:10). He also revealed to him that this empire would rise one more time, just before the return of Jesus Christ! We are now seeing the rise of this empire! But though the rise of the AfD is certainly a big part of this trend, the Bible reveals that this last resurrection will be much more subtle and lead this world suddenly to war.
We believe that we know who will lead this last resurrection. It is a man who most of the world pays little attention to. What’s more, when he comes to power, most will likely celebrate him as a man who successfully ended the rise of the far right, just as Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz did.
We believe that Germany’s next strongman will be former Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. Read “Is KT zu Guttenberg About to Come to Power?” by Gerald Flurry and learn what the Bible says about Germany’s current political turmoil and where it will lead. This article gives a stark warning that is totally unlike what is currently coming from various media outlets.