Current Events 2025
From Adventist Laymen
Each article presented will contain a headline, an excerpt from the article, the Biblical connection to the article and our thoughts on how it is pertinent to our watching and praying. The articles may contain additional information not mentioned. With prayerfulness, please continue reading.
DISCLAIMER:
Any hyperlinks to documents on other websites are provided for access to those documents only, and DO NOT constitute endorsement of any ideology, doctrine, theology, or political perspective promoted on the parent web sites. Certain of the popular positions mentioned approvingly in some hyperlinked reports, essays, and blogs on this web page (site) will of necessity cause reactions of strong disagreement, or at the very least discomfort, on the part of many readers. Regrettably, these positions cannot be separated from the core issues in the reports which prove the fulfillment of major end-times prophecies, and may of themselves be fulfillment of the prophecy of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
January
12 Ways to Obtain a Jubilee Indulgence
Original Url:https://www.ncregister.com/news/jubilee-2025-indulgences
January 3, 2025
Excerpt(s) From the Article:
Requirements: detachment from sin (even venial), confession within about 20 days, Communion, and prayer for the Pope's intentions (e.g., an Our Father and Hail Mary).
Biblical Connection:
1 Timothy 2:5: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
Our Thoughts:
The Roman Catholic Church has been handing out 'Indulgences' since the 3rd century. NO one can 'free' another from the punishment of sin. Christ ALONE is our mediator. Yes, we are to confess our sins to each other and forgive one another (all of us to each other not a priest), but that DOES NOT take the place of confessing and repenting, and seeking forgiveness from Christ for our sins.
James 5:16: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The Protestant Reformation took off when Martin Luther nailed his, 'The Ninety-five Theses, also known as the Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences' on the castle door. The ninety-five theses as mentioned above disputed the power and efficacy of INDULGENCES.
Indulges are not Biblical, they are not from God, they were never ever mentioned by Jesus, they are purely the fabrication of the Papacy. In rebellion against them, the Protestant Reformation began and yet TODAY they still exist and the Roman Catholic Church is still handing them out! They may not be selling them but the mere fact they believe they have any power is ludicrous. In the blurb above it lists requirements- can it be any more blatant that this is a manmade deceptive means of deceiving people?
Anyone who doesn't realize that the Papacy is STILL the Beast today, and will always be the Beast of Revelation, has been blinded by delusions because they don't want truth!
Extra Article:
Beast and the Image to the Beast:
Can't Make it to Rome? Here are the U.S. locations where you can get a jubilee indulgence (https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2025/02/24/cant-make-it-to-rome-here-are-the-u-s-locations-where-you-can-get-a-jubilee-indulgence/)
In this article as well it talks about this: 'What does it mean to get an indulgence?' It discusses the church's right to 'bind and loose' on Earth but they've grossly misinterpreted scriptures once again to suit their own desires.
Link to a commentary on Binding and Loosing (https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/acc/matthew-16.html) It's definitely not any power given to the Papacy. Skip to the Matthew 16:19 on the commentary page and please read it all.
Excerpt From the Commentary: After all these evidences and proofs of the proper use of these terms, to attempt to press the word, into the service long assigned them by the Church of Rome, would to use the words of Dr. Lightfoot, be "a matter of laughter or of madness." No Church can use them in the sense thus imposed upon them, which was done merely to serve secular ends and least of all can that very Church that thus abuses them.
Lil Wayne's Concert at Adventist Health Arena Postponed Again to May 9
Original Url: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/lil-waynes-concert-adventist-health-130156345.html
January 20, 2025
More Information: Stockton Arena was rebranded as Adventist Health Arena in October, 2023. The 10,000-seat arena is located at 248 West Fremont Street in downtown Stockton, California.
Explanation: The rebranding was part of a multi-year, multi-million-dollar partnership between Adventist Health, ASM Global, and the city of Stockton. The arena is home to the Stockton Kings, the G-League Team of the Sacremento Kings. The arena has hosted such events as basketball, arena football, and concerts by artists such as Neil Diamond and Snoop Dogg. The city started taking bids for the arena's naming rights in April, and Adventist Health came out as the winner.
Excerpt(s) From the Article:
Lil Wayne, a five-time GRAMMY Award-winning multi-platinum rap icon, Young Money Entertainment founder, acclaimed author, pro skater, philanthropist, and history-making superstar, will showcase his unparalleled talent and leave an indelible mark on the audience," ASM Stockton said in a previous news release.
Biblical Connection:
Matthew 6:24: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
The Adventist church has mingled so thoroughly with the world and worldly pursuits, they've completely lost sight of their message. They are trying to serve two masters, but God tells us that's not possible.
"God's people are to be true to the trust committed to them. They are not to engage in speculation, neither are they to enter into business enterprises with unbelievers; for this would hinder them in their God-given work." - Testimonies for the Church Vol.9 No.37 Ellen G. White
Our Thoughts:
The corporate Seventh-Day Adventist Church apostatize from our core beliefs long ago. Their window of corporate repentence has closed. As a result of the betrayal of their sacred trust they've sunk way down into the depths of depravity. How many of those events at the arena are held on the Sabbath? How many are ungodly in content? The above is just one of many ways the Seventh-Day Adventist Church has strayed far beyond the boundaries of truth, betraying the trust given to them. Ellen White, the fallible messenger of the Lord, but a true messenger, would be appalled at the state of the church today. The church tries to distance themselves from this sort of thing and hide their evil deeds, yet when you dig into the facts you find they have very filthy hands.
Elise Stefanik Pledges Support for Trump and Israel at U.N. Ambassador Confirmation Hearing
Original Url: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/01/21/stefanik-trump-israel-un-ambassador-conformation-hearing/77851128007/
January 21, 2025
Excerpt(s) From the Article:
Stefanik says Israel has Biblical Right to West Bank. Asked by Van Hollen if she agreed with the view held by some far-right Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and ex-National Security Minister Ben Gvir, that Israel has a "Biblical Right to the entire West Bank," Stefanik said she did.
Biblical Connection:
Daniel 11:45: And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Our Thoughts:
We know the "HE" of Daniel 11:45 is the Beast: The Papacy.
Therefore, from the foregoing, we conclude that verses 36-39 of Daniel 11 accurately set forth in prophetic language the work and history of papal Rome, which we believe has specifically fulfilled these predictions in the theological claims of the Papacy and in its history as a church. Even in 1954 The Biblical Research Institute was unduly cautious in commenting on Daniel 11:40-45. While “how” verses 40-44 can come to pass was, and still is, obscure, the Institute’s study itself identifies the parties. There can be no doubt that “the” King is the papacy. The King of the North and the King of the South are clearly to be found in the territories of the former Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires. Furthermore, it was, and is, obvious that “he” in verse 45 refers to “the” King, which is the papacy.
We know that the Papacy has designs on Jerusalem. Because of these facts, we watch for situations taking place in Jerusalem in our time. The current event noted above is important because the United States, specifically the current administration, has a great interest in what is going on in Israel. To read that the United States United Nations Ambassador believes that Israel has a Biblical RIght to the West Bank, is outright mingling politics with religion beyond doubt.
No, the West Bank isn't Jerusalem, but we need to keep our eye on things. We also know that the Image to the Beast is to be formed from political-religious actions. We must watch as the scenes unfold, drawing us ever closer to the end and our Lord's glorious return. Go here to read a very indepth study on major end-time events.
The Catholic Church and Its Preoccupation with Power
Original url: https://churchandstate.org.uk/2025/04/the-catholic-church-and-its-preoccupation-with-power/
January 21, 2025
Excerpt(s) From the Article:
The past few years have been very active for the Roman Catholic Church in America, and, as time passes, its activities have become less thinly veiled and its intentions more evident.
Biblical Connection:
Rev 13: 11-18: And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therin to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the berast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Our Thoughts:
So many people would have us believe that the Roman Catholic Church is no longer a danger. Our own church in a court document once said:
Although it is true that there was a period in the life of the Seventh-day Adventist Church when the denomination took a distinctly anti-Roman Catholic viewpoint, and the term "hierarchy" was used in a pejorative sense to refer to the papal form of church governance, that the attitude on the Church's part was nothing more than the manifestation of widespread anti-popery among conservative protestant denominations in the early part of this century and the latter part of the last, and which has now been consigned to the historical trash heap so far as the Seventh-day Adventist Church is concerned.
We know the truth in our Bibles cannot be changed by us, and the truth has revealed that the Papacy will ever remain evil and its fate will be the lake burning with fire.
Rev 19:20: And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Catholic and U.S. Bishops for Trump
Original Url: https://opentabernacle.wordpress.com/2025/01/12/catholics-for-trump/
Excerpt(s) From the Article:
Evangelicals helped Trump in states he was mostly going to win anyway. Catholics? Now we're talking about Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. And that was the election.
Biblical Connection:
Rev 13: 11-18: And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therin to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the berast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Our Thoughts:
The late Webmaster Eric Jones went into great detail about the way the United States, and particularly the Republican Party, have been corrupted by the Papacy's deceptions. Please brwse the Final World Events and then study in-depth to gain the knowledge necessary to unmask some of Satan's deceptions for our time.
Trump's Win Sparks Hope for Jewish sovereignty on Temple Mount - Opinion
Original Url: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-839334
January 27, 2025
Excerpt(s) From the Article:
I quickly called a few friends and organized an impromptu prayer service - a unique gathering of Jews and Christians that is uncommon here in Israel. Moreover, under the so-called "status quo" agreement that grants exclusive prayer rights to Muslims, it was actually illegal for Jews and Christians to pray on the Temple Mount Defying these restrictions felt particularly meaningful as we ushered in a new era and celebrated Trump's win. But that wasn't even the most significant aspect of the unprecedented event.
Biblical Connection:
We are to keep our eyes on Jerusalem. We are to watch and pray.
Daniel 11:45: And he shall plant the tabernacle of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
The Temple Mount is in Jerusalem. Again as already mentioned, it's been proven that the Roman Catholic Church is pulling the strings behind the scenes in the Republican Party. They've seeped their deceptions into entire religious organizations that can't even see what's happened. Just because the Beast has not revealed his hand for people to see- doesn't mean it's not there. We mustn't forget-
2 Corinthians 11:14: And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Our Thoughts:
In his first term, Trump had the United States Jewish Embassy moved to Jerusalem. This was an unprecedented act after past presidents saying they wouldn't move it because they didn't want to upset the Status Quo over there. What Trump has in store now for Jerusalem, I don't know, but he's sure been talking about Israel and taking over Gaza for his own purposes, though he may have backed down recently. He's a very fickle liar so it's extremely hard to know what to believe when he opens his mouth.
Related News:
February 9, 2025:
RABBI: Trump's Gaza plan the catalyst to bring Messiah (https://israel365news.com/400175/rabbi-trumps-gaza-plan-the-catalyst-to-bring-messiah/)
February 21, 2025:
February 25
EU calls for preserving special status of Jerusalem (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250227-eu-calls-for-preserving-special-status-of-jerusalem/)
February 27
Trump's First Cabinet Meeting Opens in Prayer, 'Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord' (https://www.crosswalk.com/headlines/contributors/michael-foust/trumps-first-cabinet-meeting-opens-in-prayer-blessed-is-the-nation-whose-god-is-the-lord.html)
GOP Lawmakers Urge Trump to Recognize Israeli Sovereignty Over West Bank (https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/02/27/gop-lawmakers-urge-trump-to-recognize-israeli-sovereignty-over-west-bank/)
And from the Beast- Mention of Jerusalem's Temple Mount. The Pope said:
"Hope is rekindled in hearts in the Temple of Jerusalem because Christ our hope has entered it..."
Note: Yes he is speaking of Jesus going into the Temple as a babe, but that same Temple was spoken of by Jesus much later.
Matthew 24:1-2: And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Matthew 23:37-38: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold your house is left unto you desolate.
February
Donald Trump Tells National Prayer Breakfast: 'Bring God Back'
Original Url: https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-tells-national-prayer-breakfast-bring-god-back-2027362
February 3, 2025
Excerpt(s) From the Article:
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday his intention to eliminate "anti-Christian bias" in the U.S. by forming a task force led by Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the "targeting" of Christians.
Trump said at the National Prayer Breakfast that he believes people "can't be happy without religion, without that belief. Let's bring religion back. Let's bring God back into our lives."
Trump further stated that Bondi would be tasked with "fully prosecuting anti-Christian violence and vandalism in our society" and "moving heaven and earth to defend the rights of Christians and religious believers nationwide."
Biblical Connection:
Matthew 22:17-21: Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
John 18:36: Jesus answered. My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
1 Timothy 2:5: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
Ellen G. White:
GC 455.1: When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.
5T 451: When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government, and shall make provisions for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near.
Our Thoughts:
(.com Webmaster:)
Men attempted to trick Jesus by presenting a politically charged question to him: Were Jews lawfully supposed to give tribute to Caesar?
Now, tribute in this case meant tax. Jesus knew that the Jews lived under the rule of the Gentiles off and on throughout their history. Jesus knew their current Gentile rulers allowed the Jewish people to keep their religious practices in place, however, the Gentile ruler was also demanding taxes from them. This wasn't a question of surrendering their beliefs, this was a question about giving a secular ruler a part of their money. Jesus responded with that most famous of sayings: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." He said to give Caesar what was his and Caesar obviously believed that tax was his due. Jesus also said to give God the things that are God's. If you want to include 'tithe' that is one of the things that belongs to God.
Basically, it is understandable that Jesus was advocating for separating the two. The ruling government should get what its theirs by their government laws, and God should get what is His by His laws. Trying to say that because they followed God they shouldn't have to give to someone who didn't follow God, the tax they demanded, was wrong. Now, if the government tried to usurp the place of God in their lives, then they were to lay down their lives if need be rather than betray God. (Daniel 3)
The Papacy is a prime example of a system of Church and State mingled. The Vatican is its own governing state. "Vatican City State is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state ruled by the Pope, who is the bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church." - Wikipedia
Mingling in politics is something the Papacy has done throughout its entire history. Trump setting up a task force to stop ANTI-CHRISTIAN BIAS is using the United States government for religious purposes. A true image of the Beast growing ever stronger.
(.Net Webmaster:)
It is equally dangerous that this means the United States government is now in charge of what Christianity is. There are many forms of Christianity, many who we believe have left the path of God's truth in favor of the Papacy. God's truth may soon be "Anti-Christian Bias" and an example of such rhetoric is already out on Twitter (X). (Pictured right)
When Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the reverend at the National Cathedral prayer service for Donald Trump's inauguration said: "I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared. There are gay, lesbian, transgender children, Democratic, Republican, independent families — some who fear for their lives." Donald Trump demanded an apology and other so-called Christians were outraged. This specific call for mercy failed the purity test of Donald Trump's Christianity.
Matthew 5:43-45: Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
If a Bishop of the Episcopal Church, a church that described itself as Protestant, yet Catholic, can fail the purity test of Donald Trump's Christianity, then God's truth will have no place in this mix of religion and government.
Religious Zionist Rabbis Bless Trump as "God's Messenger"
Original Url: https://israel365news.com/400378/religious-zionist-rabbis-bless-trump-as-gods-messenger/
February 12, 2025
Excerpt(s) From the Article:
The rabbis wrote that Trump was chosen by God for this significant role...
Biblical Connection:
2 Timothy 3:1-5: This know also, that in the last perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12: And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Our Thoughts:
Tell me which of the above is Trump NOT guilty of? Far be it from me to judge ANYONE'S eternal life- that is not in my power to do! But we are all to be able to judge right from wrong. The Apostles were told this:
Matthew 10:13-14: And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
In order to judge a house, city worthy they had to make some decision, yes? Those that don't receive Christ's words, Christ's truth, He doesn't want us to be around them trying to convince them after we've given them a chance to know truth.
We have to be able to judge others behaviors and if we look at Trump's at this point in time, how can we say he's a man of God? We can't. Yet, people are deceived, they are believing strong delusions because they believe not the truth!
Extra Excerpt:
How the Bible Belt lost God and found Trump
He's a divorced adulterer who ran a gambling empire, so how did America's Moral Majority get so evangelical about Donald Trump? (2017)