This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Under Joe Biden's presidency, there have been multiple bad actors in American courts who have been tapped by Democrats in their lawfare against President Donald Trump.
A New York judge, for example, has demanded Trump pay a penalty of nearly half a billion dollars for business practices that the supposed "victims" said were routine. They wanted the opportunity to engage in more business with him.
And then there was the New York judge who was found to be partisan, donating money to Democrats, yet refusing to excuse himself from an odd claim by a Manhattan prosecutor who said misdemeanor business infractions weren't misdemeanors, they were felonies, so they could be brought after the statute of limitations passed.
"The judiciary stands out for losing more U.S. public confidence than many other U.S. institutions experienced between 2020 and 2024. Even though confidence in the national government also declined, by 20 points to 26% in 2024, the decline of 24 points in judicial confidence is somewhat outsized, which is atypical," Gallup said after a recent poll.
"The net result is that for the first time on record, many more Americans trust the honesty of their elections (51%) than trust their judicial system (35%)."
That result sets the U.S. apart from other rich nations where still a majority expresses trust in their judiciary, "an institution that relies largely on the public's confidence to protect its authority and independence."
Gallup reported that from 2006 to 2020 Americans' perceptions of their courts were in line with other nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
"Since 2020, confidence in the courts across the other OECD countries has been stable, while the U.S. has seen a sharp decline — 24 percentage points — in the past four years. The resulting 20-point gap in confidence between the U.S. and the median of OECD nations in 2024 is the largest in the Gallup trend, which dates to 2006."
Other nations with similar "drops" include "Myanmar (from 2018 to 2022) overlapping the return to military rule in 2021, Venezuela (2012-2016) amid deep economic and political turmoil, and Syria (2009-2013) in the runup to and early years of civil war…"
There have been other nations where the confidence in the courts has been lower: The Congo, Venezuela, and Syria, at times.
The report said the drop under Biden "signals that something profound occurred to atypically shake his opponents' confidence in the courts — with the various legal cases against Trump likely factors."
On a partisan basis, the report said, "Democrats' trust in the judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court fell 25 points (from 50% to 25%) between 2021 and 2022, spanning the Dobbs decision overturning constitutional protections for abortion. Democrats' confidence in the Supreme Court rebounded a bit, to 34% in 2023, before sinking to 24% in 2024. By contrast, Republicans' trust in the high court increased slightly between 2021 (61%) and 2022 (67%), and stretched to 71% in 2024."
The Daily Mail pointed out that soon-to-be First Lady Melania Trump changed up part of her distinctive style for a recent formal dinner in which she and President-Elect Donald Trump hosted Akie Abe, the widow of the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on Sunday.
Trump was known for always having a white-on-white French manicure, but at this dinner, she sported long, talon-like nails that come to a point.
The nails were painted a metallic white.
Maybe they were meant to signify a new Melania Trump. No more Mrs. Nice Girl if the media attacks her.
French manicures became popular in the 1970s for their simplicity and classic elegance, which befit Trump during her first stint as First Lady between 2016 and 2020.
Trump was always understated in her appearance as she supported her husband on the campaign trail and as president.
Her new style still looks polished and elegant, but may have been updated for the 2020s by her stylist.
Speaking of stylists, Trump was also apparently spotted wearing hair extensions to fill out her look.
'You can spot the telltale signs where the natural hair meets the extension pieces, particularly visible in the mid-sections,' hairstylist Julia North said.
At 54, Trump may be experiencing thinning hair that she is augmenting with extensions. She may also just have wanted to change her hairstyle faster than she could grow it.
"It was a privilege to host Mrs. Akie Abe at Mar-a-Lago once again," Melania said about the dinner.
"We fondly remembered her late husband, former Prime Minister Abe, and honored his remarkable legacy," she added.
The Trumps are getting ready to transition into another four years at the White House, and the dinner may have been seen as an attempt at diplomacy in that vein.
While the First Lady's fingernails or hairstyle may not be the most important aspect of the dinner, she has obviously put time and effort into looking good as well as bieng a kind and gracious person.
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a key advisor to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, abruptly resigned over the weekend, citing a need to retire and focus on her family. Her resignation marks the latest twist in an ongoing corruption investigation involving several of Mayor Adams’ aides, including Martin-Lewis herself.
Her resignation comes as part of a broader probe into potential wrongdoing within the Mayor’s office, including questions surrounding city contracts and improper hiring practices, the New York Post reported.
Martin-Lewis confirmed her decision to step down on Sunday, noting that she was retiring earlier than expected. This departure follows a series of investigations into her involvement with city contracts and the hiring of several prominent figures without the usual vetting procedures.
Her resignation is effective immediately, marking a significant shift in the dynamics at City Hall. Martin-Lewis had been a long-time ally of Adams, having worked with him for nearly two decades. However, sources suggest the two had become estranged in recent months.
In September, federal investigators seized Martin-Lewis’ cellphone as part of an ongoing corruption case. She was also called to testify as a witness in a legal case that has led to scrutiny of Mayor Adams’ dealings, including the hiring of controversial figures like former police commissioner Eddie Caban and others, without proper checks.
These actions have led to an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, with some indicating that an indictment of Martin-Lewis could be forthcoming. The investigation centers around whether Martin-Lewis used her influence to benefit certain contractors and political allies.
Despite the growing legal pressure, Martin-Lewis has remained steadfast in her support of her colleagues, with sources close to her noting that she “protected them to the end.” Her resignation comes on the heels of a public call from New York Governor Kathy Hochul for Adams to remove certain staff members, including Martin-Lewis, to help distance the administration from the growing scandal.
Martin-Lewis’ resignation is part of a broader investigation that has also ensnared other close members of the mayor’s inner circle. The city’s ongoing corruption investigation has raised questions about possible illegal activities, with both local and federal authorities focusing on city contracts and campaign donations.
In addition to the controversy over her involvement in city contracts, Martin-Lewis had also come under fire for her role in bypassing standard hiring processes. She was responsible for bringing in individuals such as Winnie Greco, Tim Pearson, and Caban without conducting the proper background checks, raising questions about transparency and accountability within the mayor’s office.
Amid this turmoil, Martin-Lewis spoke publicly about her decision to retire, expressing that it was both a personal and professional choice. She acknowledged the bittersweet nature of her exit, stating, “While I previously announced my retirement, this is still a bittersweet moment for me as government has been my life’s work.”
Despite the storm surrounding her departure, Mayor Adams praised Martin-Lewis for her decades of service to the city. He referred to her as “a friend, confidant, trusted advisor, and a sister,” noting that their close relationship made her resignation especially difficult for him to accept.
Mayor Adams, who has also faced his own legal challenges, including an indictment for accepting illegal foreign donations, expressed a mix of sadness and gratitude in his statement. “We’ve always talked about when this day would come, and while we’ve long planned for it, it is still hard to know that Ingrid won’t be right next door every day,” he said.
Despite the legal cloud hanging over both of them, Adams emphasized that Martin-Lewis’ contributions to the city would not be forgotten. He added, “I, and every New Yorker, owe her a debt of gratitude for her decades of service to our city.”
With her retirement, Martin-Lewis plans to focus more on her family and personal life, a move she said was “necessary” after decades of public service. She expressed her hope to continue supporting the city from the sidelines, offering her backing to Adams’ administration even as she steps away from the spotlight.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
JERUSALEM – Middle East/Israel Morning Brief
Candace Owens named StopAntisemitism campaign's 'Antisemite of the Year'
Commentator Candace Owens has been designated 2024's "Antisemite of the Year" by watchdog organization StopAntisemitism, following a poll which garnered more than 30,000 votes.
The announcement marks a significant shift in Owens' public trajectory, from conservative media personality to a figure increasingly isolated from former allies. StopAntisemitism cited a pattern of concerning statements and positions taken by Owens, including her July 2024 comments dismissing documented medical experiments conducted on Jewish victims during the Holocaust, which she claimed were "too absurd" and "must be propaganda."
The remarks, coupled with her March 2024 allegations about "secret Jewish gangs" in Hollywood and their supposed control over the entertainment industry, have drawn sharp condemnation from Israeli historians and Holocaust research institutions. The controversy has extended beyond academic circles, with Owens having faced entry restrictions from several countries, including New Zealand and Australia.
Israel shuts down Dublin embassy in protest at 'extreme' position of Irish government, opens mission in Moldova
In an unprecedented move, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced the closure of Israel's embassy in Dublin on Sunday, citing Ireland's "extreme anti-Israel policies."
The decision follows escalating tensions, including Ireland's recent decision to join South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the state of genocide.
"Ireland's actions and rhetoric are rooted in delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, accompanied by blatant double standards," Sa'ar said. "Ireland has crossed every red line in its treatment of Israel. We will redirect our resources toward strengthening ties with nations that respect Israel."
IDF continues to pound Syrian weapons stores
The IDF conducted a wave of airstrikes in Syria overnight Sunday, with local media reporting the attacks were so powerful that they triggered minor earthquakes.
Israeli fighter jets bombed military targets of the deposed dictator Bashar Assad in the port cities of Latakia and Tartus, according to the reports, with Russian media, citing Syrian sources, reporting that the target of the attack in Tartus was an air defense base and a surface-to-surface missile depot.
IAF pilots use their planes' contrails to create a 'ribbon in the sky' above Israel to symbolize call to release Israeli hostages in Gaza captivity
A plane flying over Israel early on Monday, painted ribbons symbolizing the call for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
The gesture was made by one or more pilots whose identity is not yet known and the symbol was seen from north to south, as the dawn skies turned red and the sun came up. The military was looking into the incident as those responsible were not given permission to use their plane for this purpose.
Israeli defense minister warns of threats from Syria, despite rebel assurances
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Sunday that the threats posed by Syria remain significant despite the moderate tone adopted by the rebel leaders who overthrew President Bashar al-Assad a week ago. Speaking to officials reviewing Israel's defense budget, Katz emphasized the heightened risks stemming from recent developments in Syria.
"The immediate risks to the country have not disappeared, and the latest developments in Syria increase the strength of the threat – despite the moderate image that the rebel leaders claim to present," Katz said.
Will long-awaited hostage deal hit Hamas snag of releasing too few captives?
Conflicting reports have emerged as to the likely implementation of a hostages-for-prisoners deal between Israel and Hamas. Some outlets have proffered the hope a deal can be struck by the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah (which coincides this year with Christmas), while others suggest a major sticking point is apparently Hamas' new insistence on releasing fewer of the hostages than it recently said it would.
Students in Iran give school principal pulsating middle finger after chanting 'Death to Palestine' instead of 'Death to America, Israel'
In a viral video posted on various social media accounts on December 14, 2024, Iranian high school students can be heard chanting "Death to Palestine!" in response to the school administrator trying to lead chants of "Death to Israel!" and "Death to America!" The students can be heard laughing as an administrator attempts to set a makeshift Israeli flag on fire.
U.S. State Dept., U.K. Foreign Office previously met with Syria's new government-in-waiting, Turkish-backed HTS
Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and his U.K. counterpart Foreign Secretary David Lammy, both admitted their respective governments have been in 'diplomatic contact' with so-called rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or HTS which recently overthrew the Assad regime in Syria, even though it is a proscribed terrorist organization.
Tel Dan Stele, earliest reference to Bible's King David, arrives in New York
The Tel Dan Stele, a stone fragment long held exclusively by the Israel Museum, is on view at the Jewish Museum on the Upper East Side, New York, until Jan. 5.
A 12-by-13 inch chunk of basalt, the Tel Dan Stele is a 9th-century B.C. stone document acknowledging the military victories of a person whom scholars believe to be King Hazael of Aram, an area in contemporary Syria that includes what is today Damascus. One of those victories was over a descendant of David, the king of ancient Israel.
When it was discovered in northern Israel in 1993, the Tel Dan Stele became the earliest evidence beyond the Bible that King David was a real figure.
Trump talks with Netanyahu, discuss 'completing Israel's victory, bringing hostages home'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he discussed with US President-elect Donald Trump ongoing efforts to bring back the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, as Israeli officials indicated a deal could be reached in less than two weeks despite sticking points in negotiations.
The prime minister said he and Trump spoke "at length about the efforts we are making to free our hostages," but declined to go into specifics. "We are working all the time, without rest, to bring our hostages home, the living and the fallen together," he said, but added, "the less we talk about it, the better — that way, with God's help, we will succeed."
Israel's justice minister revives controversial, divisive judicial reform
Justice Minister Yariv Levin announced his intention to revive the controversial judicial reform, which was suspended at the start of the war against Hamas on October 7, 2023. In a long message posted Saturday night, he accused the Supreme Court of having "left him no choice" after it ordered him to appoint a new president within a month.
"The government acted responsibly by suspending everything related to reform at the outbreak of the war," Levin said. "The Court, with unprecedented irresponsibility, decided to take advantage of this to continue to seize the powers of the Knesset and the government."
Hamas official to Saudi media: 'Oct. 7 attack ruined us'
The 37th anniversary of the Hamas terrorist organization's founding on Dec. 10 came during a period of decline due to defeats in Gaza and the broader region, a senior Hamas official based in Turkey told Saudi media.
"Hamas is suffering from a genuine leadership crisis," the official said. "The Al-Aqsa Flood [Oct. 7, 2023], attack backfired on us, submerging us in a sea of blood and crises. The most recent blow was the fall of Bashar Assad's regime in Syria, with which Hamas had been attempting to rebuild relations."
Columbia professor who praised Hamas attacks to teach course on Zionism
Professor Joseph Massad will be teaching an undergraduate course, History of the Jewish Enlightenment (Haskala) in 19th century Europe and the development of Zionism.
The course also covers a "current peace process between the state of Israel and the Arab states and the Palestinian national movement."
Sen. Ted Cruz accuses State Department of influencing U.S. airlines to suspend Israel flights indefinitely
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is accusing the State Department of potentially becoming "inappropriately entangled in deliberations over safety" which influenced U.S. airlines' continued refusal to fly to Israel.
Cruz, the incoming chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, told Jewish Insider that he "welcomes a full investigation of these issues" after more than a year of airlines refusing to resume regular service to the Jewish state.
"The Biden-Harris administration was lax in pursuing why some airlines will not fly to Israel. Indeed, they may have been worse than lax, and the State Department may have become inappropriately entangled in deliberations over safety and subverted the FAA," Cruz's statement reads.
Israeli, Jordanian security officials in secret meeting over Syria fears
Senior Israeli officials reportedly held secret talks with Jordanian military brass late last week on the fallout that arose from the ousting of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad from power, as regional powers sought to address worries of rippling instability in the wake of the lightning overthrow of the regime.
The meetings held in Jordan on Friday largely revolved around possible threats posed by the jihadist force that pushed Assad out and took over Syria, as well as countering Iranian attempts to smuggle weapons overland to Palestinian terror groups.
Dutch Parliament votes to phase out UNRWA funding over terrorism ties
The Netherlands became the first European Union member state to vote to phase out funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The motion passed after incontrovertible evidence was presented as to the U.N. body's complicity with terrorism, particularly in relation to the barbarism unleashed on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The phasing-out path ensures that the contribution to UNRWA will decrease from €19 million to €15 million in 2025, decreasing annually until 2029, when only 1 million euros will be granted.
Turkey mediates agreement between Ethiopia Somalia, sidelines Egyptian influence
Turkey recently announced it mediated what President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called an "historic agreement" between Ethiopia and Somalia, ending a nearly decade-long rivalry between the two African neighbors. The agreement states it would grant Ethiopia "reliable, safe and sustainable" access to the sea under Somali sovereignty. Turkey has a military base in Somalia and backed Ethiopia's current president during the civil war.
Ethiopia irked Somalia earlier in the year when it reportedly reached an agreement with the breakaway republic of Somaliland to lease a coastline for a port and military base in exchange for diplomatic recognition.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The extent of the failure of the American university system has been revealed in a new survey by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression that confirms only 20% of faculty members say a conservative would fit well in their department.
Or the 47% of conservative faculty members who feel unable to voice their opinions because of how others might react.
Or the 35% who reported toning down their written work to avoid controversy, which incidentally was four times those turning in that response when the same question was asked in the 1950s, during McCarthyism.
The survey cites a biology professor "fired for saying X and Y chromosomes determine sex," a simple scientific truth.
The survey contacted 6,269 faculty members at 55 major colleges and universities over a three-month period and found many admitting they hide their political views to avoid punishment.
The results showed 87% of faculty "reported finding it difficult to have an open and honest conversation on campus about at least one hot button political topic."
And 14% reported "being disciplined or threatened with discipline for their teaching, research, academic discussions, or off-campus speech."
"The McCarthy era is considered a low point in the history of American academic freedom with witchhunts, loyalty tests, and blacklisting in universities across the country," said Nathan Honeycutt, a FIRE official. "That today's scholars feel less free to speak their minds than in the 1950s is a blistering indictment of the current state of academic freedom and discourse."
Among troublesome topics is Hamas launching a war on, and slaughtering, innocent Israeli civilians and that government's response, racism, transgenderism and affirmative action.
Other topics on which open and honest discussions are rare are the presidential election, abortion, hate speech, gun control, climate change.
More than half, 55%, of conservative faculty members say they sometimes hide their political views in order to keep their jobs. Only 17% of liberals said the same.
Honeycutt said, "There are very few conservative faculty. If they're not expressing their views, then students are even less exposed to conservative perspectives than one might expect based on the numbers."
"Respondents were also more likely to express skepticism that conservatives would be welcomed within their departments. While 71% of faculty said that a liberal individual would fit into their departments either 'very' or 'somewhat' well, only 20% said the same of a conservative individual," FIRE reported.
The report added, "Political statements from universities and colleges were unpopular across the political spectrum, with majorities of conservative (86%), moderate (76%), and liberal faculty (57%) opposed to the practice. Conservative faculty were also strongly opposed to mandatory DEI pledges (85%), as were a majority of moderate faculty (59%). Liberal faculty were split, with a little under half in favor (47%) of DEI pledges, but a third opposed (35%)."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
PALM BEACH, Florida – President-elect Donald Trump said Monday "the government knows what is happening" concerning mysterious drones spotted flying over numerous states in recent weeks.
At a news conference from his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Trump stated: "The government knows what is happening. Look, our military knows where they took off from.
"If it's a garage, they can go right into that garage. They know where it came from and where it went. For some reason, they don't want to comment.
"And I think they would be better off saying what it is. Our military knows and our president knows. For some reason, they want to keep people in suspense.
"I can't imagine it's the enemy because if it was the enemy they'd blast it out even if they were late, they'd blast it.
"Something strange is going on. For some reason, they don't want to tell the people and they should because the people are really – I mean they happen to be over Bedminster, [New Jersey]. They are very close to Bedminster. I think maybe I won't spend the weekend in Bedminster. I've decided to cancel my trip."
When asked if he had received an intelligence briefing on the drones, Trump replied: "I don't want to comment."
Trump's comments came a day after reports suggesting the devices are part of a massive counter-terror operation hunting for a dirty bomb or another possible weapon of mass destruction on American soil.
"It's potentially the most significant national security threat we've faced since 9/11," said Gary Franchi in his Raw Feed broadcast Saturday on the Next News Network.
"The Office of Global Access [a division of the CIA] has deployed these advanced surveillance assets for one purpose: hunting for a dirty bomb that's believed to be hidden somewhere on U.S. soil.
"But here's what should keep you up at night. The reason the intel is leaking now, well, because time may be running out."
Franchi cited a viral video posted by John Ferguson, the CEO of Wichita-based Saxon Aerospace which makes unmanned aircraft for the U.S. military, who gave his stunning "opinion" linking the drone sightings to the disappearance of more than 80 nuclear warheads from Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
He said there's never been a full accounting of these weapons, and at least one of them may have been headed toward America.
Ferguson recalled a discussion with a government insider who handled one of the missing warheads, only to have his concerns ignored by U.S. officials.
"Back in the 1980s, Ronald Reagan had dismantled the nuclear program," Ferguson explained. "With Russia, there were countless nuclear missiles that were disarmed and disposed of. Well, there were over 80, I believe. There were over 80 nuclear warheads that were in Ukraine that came up missing.
"We don't know where they are. Maybe somebody does, but nobody knows where these are. I speak with some pretty high-level government officials on this stuff. It seems as though that is the case.
"I spoke to a gentleman a few months ago who was trying to raise an alarm to the highest levels of our government, which they had their ears closed, about this one particular nuclear warhead that he physically put his hands on.
"He physically touched this warhead that was left over from Ukraine. And he knew that that thing was headed towards the United States. That is a very serious deal. And everyone knows that the United States government, this administration, is pushing to get into a war with Russia. We all know that. We all feel it. We all see it."
Ferguson believes the flying devices are most likely trying to sense hidden targets, which may contain radioactive material.
"Now, drones have no reason to be in the air at night unless you're doing some type of ISR work, intelligence surveillance reconnaissance, looking for bad guys or looking for a victim, a search and rescue victim, or law enforcement, or some type of military project," he said.
Popular podcaster Joe Rogan shared Ferguson's video online, noting: "This is the first video about these drones that has got me genuinely concerned."
As WorldNetDaily reported Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., dropped his bombshell concerning the source of the drones, asserting they're being launched from an Iranian "mother ship" off the eastern seaboard of the United States, a claim firmly denied by the Pentagon.
On a more humorous note, President-elect Donald Trump posted an image Saturday about the drone mystery, linking it to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie receiving drone-delivered meals from McDonald's.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Steve Bannon, longtime adviser to President Donald Trump who served a prison term for refusing to cooperate with ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's partisan attacks on Trump, has trolled Democrats with the suggestion that Republicans will do it again with Trump in 2028.
"Donald John Trump is going to raise his hand on a King James Bible and take the oath of office. His third victory, his third victory and his second term. The viceroy, Mike Davis, tells me, since it doesn't actually say consecutive, that, I don't know, maybe we do it again in '28. Are you guys down for that? Trump '28? Come on, man!"
The comments came as Bannon was speaking over the weekend at the New York City Young Republican Club annual Christmas dinner.
Trump several times has trolled Democrats with the idea of another term.
The 22nd Amendment, adopted in 1951, states, "no person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice."
It came after Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to four terms from 1933 to 1945.
While the amendment can be parsed to point out that it doesn't say consecutive, it also can be parsed to point out the word "elected," suggesting the remote possibility a president could serve additional time if installed through the chain of succession. For instance, if Trump were to be House Speaker, and a sitting president and vice president would leave office.
Such arguments never have been the subject of any court ruling yet.
A much more likely scenario for Trump's influence to continue unabated into subsequent years would be for Vice President-elect JD Vance to be elected in 2028, and for him to staff the government with the same personnel chosen by Trump.
That strategy already has been used, since Joe Biden staffed his administration with many of the same characters used by Barack Obama during his two terms, essentially giving Obama a third term in office, at least regarding policies and influence.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The physical birth of the divine Spirit God named Jesus, meaning "Salvation," into His human form is one of the most well-known and inspiring portions of the entire Bible.
But is there something millions of believing Christians are missing when they read the accounts in the New Testament?
The answer is a resounding yes, according to the author of a best-selling book revealing hidden messages secretly embedded by God into Scripture.
Appearing on the popular Bible program "Shabbat Night Live," Joe Kovacs, author of "Reaching God Speed: Unlocking the Secret Broadcast Revealing the Mystery of Everything," explored not just the historical events surrounding Jesus' birth, but the phenomenal additional meanings that become obvious when we open our "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" on the metaphoric, Spirit level of parables.
Noting that Jesus "did not tell them anything without a parable" (Matthew 13:34 CSB) and that He is constantly "declaring the end from the beginning" (Isaiah 46:10 KJV), telegraphing the conclusion of the story right from the start, Kovacs focused on the shepherds who famously visited Jesus on the night of his birth in Bethlehem, and then returned afterward with the glorious good news to spread.
He explained that singular event clearly reveals not only the incredible events of that night, but also what has been happening since then and will happen again in the future kingdom of God.
"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told" (Luke 2:20 CSB).
Kovacs said the shepherds of the ancient past actually represent anyone who is shepherding people to the knowledge of God, even the spiritual shepherds of today.
Kovacs said, "So, the shepherds are going to return. Not just in the event in the past, the shepherds are going to return in the future," he told host Scott Laird. "Because anyone who shepherds God's people is a teacher of God's people. And the shepherds are going to be resurrected."
"The Bible talks about this in Jeremiah 3:15. Again, part of God speed and getting up to the spirit level is connecting the dots from all over the Bible. It's 'here a little, there a little' (Isaiah 28:10), and you have to put the pieces together to understand the big jigsaw puzzle that the Bible is. You know, the Bible doesn't tell you everything in one spot. God is a good Author. He makes you read the entire book to be able to put the book together."
"The Book of Jeremiah says … 'I will give you shepherds who are loyal to me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill' (Jeremiah 3:15 CSB).
"'I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them.'" (Jeremiah 23:4 CSB)
Kovacs then jumped back to the New Testament story of Jesus' birth to connect the dots and unlock the prophecy.
"So these shepherds then 'reported the message they were told about this child' in Luke 2:17."
The Gospel of Luke states: "They reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them" (Luke 2:17–18 CSB).
"So this is really a prophecy for the FUTURE. God is going to raise up people from the grave to shepherd other people who didn't understand the message in the first round. And all they that HEARD – you gotta finally hear the message of God with your ears to hear – you're going to wonder at those things that were told. It's amazingly good news when you learn that you can live forever and not die.
"Everyone's afraid of death right now. That's why the world is in the state we're in. Everybody's panicking. 'Will I have enough food? Will I have enough money to pay my bills and all that?' Because we're afraid of dying. But when you're not afraid of dying, that's where the victory comes. The victory has already been won by Christ. He has been raised from the dead, and He is the Captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10). He is the Forerunner, so that WE are going to be raised from the dead too."
"So once the shepherds return [in the future], they're going to broadcast the message to the world, just as [other previous shepherds] did 2,000 years ago to all these physical people. We're gonna do it again in the future." WATCH THE INTERVIEW:
In "Reaching God Speed," the author writes: "The shepherds (all leaders of God's people in this current time) are going to return in the future, to glorify and praise God for all the things they had seen and heard. This return will take place when they are resurrected from the dead and raised to immortal life to report the message again, instructing people a second time on how to receive eternal life!
"The good news given to the shepherds of the past is also the good news about the shepherds of the future. Those shepherds are anyone and everyone who believes the message of God, repents of their sin (the breaking of God's laws) and allows Jesus – the true food, the true bread from heaven found in the house of bread in the city of the beloved – to fill their own body and literally become part of them."
"Thus, the glorious end of our story has been declared from the very beginning of Jesus' physical life," he adds.
The author, perhaps best known for his "Shocked by the Bible" series, also explains why the Bible makes such a big deal out of the Son of God being placed in a manger.
"A manger is simply a feeding box for animals. It's where the food is," Kovacs says. "Even in basic French class, one of the first verbs we all learn is 'manger,' which means 'to eat.'
"And why is this significant? Because when we connect the dots from other parts of Scripture, we realize that this child lying in a feeding box in Bethlehem (which means the 'house of bread' or 'house of food') is more than just a typical baby. He is our true food, the real bread from heaven, as is stated numerous times in the Gospel of John. We don't get eternal life unless we feed on and follow His teachings."
Endorsed by Chuck Norris and other Christian champions, "Reaching God Speed" is nothing short of a breakthrough work, as it probes God's hidden messages embedded in popular movies, hit songs from (Adele and the Beatles to Frank Sinatra and Led Zeppelin), the stories we tell our children, everyday phrases we all say, historic news events, famous commercial campaigns, nature itself, and typical life activities such as such as inhaling every breath you take, sleeping, waking up and many more.
It features a myriad of stunning biblical revelations, as the book:
The book rocketed to the #1 position in several Amazon categories both before and since its official release.
From day one of his presidency, Joe Biden did everything possible to reverse course from his predecessor's immigration policies, and in the last days of his term, the commander in chief is still working to appease the left flank of his party on the issue.
It was reported last week that the administration was taking steps to haul wall materials away from America's southern border so they could be sold at government auction, activity that was captured on video to show Biden's determination to thwart President-elect Donald Trump's plans for stronger immigration enforcement, as Breitbart reports.
As the Daily Wire explained, the Biden administration had commenced its plan to undermine the potential resumption of border wall construction by removing and subsequently selling unused or incomplete components of the border wall championed by Trump, supplies that were abandoned once the current president took power in early 2021.
Videos obtained by the outlet from a Border Patrol agent reveal portions of wall being taken away on trucks, with the source guessing that upwards of half a mile was being shifted away from the border on a daily basis.
The agent, who requested anonymity, said, “They are taking it from three stations: Nogales, Tucson, and Three Points. The goal is to move all of it off the border before Christmas.”
The insider continued, “They just started taking all the wall that was not used which is still totally good and usable, and they started taking it northbound. They're pulling it all off the border.”
As the Daily Caller noted, if substantial amounts of materials brought to the area during Trump's initial term in office are auctioned off now, progress on the wall's resumption will likely be delayed to a considerable degree.
In response to the news that the Biden administration was attempting to remove border wall materials ahead of the presidential transitions, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick appeared on Fox News with a creative suggestion.
“Message to the White House right now, I will bid on all of that wall, and we will buy it in Texas, and we will give it to Donald Trump,” Patrick said.
To that end, Patrick later noted that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had ordered the Texas Facilities Commission to explore the possibility of buying abandoned wall materials.
Patrick ultimately explained, “The Texas Facilities Commission told us today that the material for sale was mostly junk, with most panels covered in concrete and rust. There were a few panels that might be usable but not worth the cost of shipping to Texas from Arizona.”
It was then that Patrick revealed the real reason behind Biden's push to move and action off old wall materials.
“In short, this was a Biden ruse to gain favor with the radical left open border crowd, showing Biden was fighting President Trump to the bitter end,” Patrick observed.
He added, “Rest assured, if they sell any panels that make economic sense, we will buy them and give them to President Trump when he takes office,” and given Trump's decisive victory on Nov. 5, that is a move millions of Americans would support.
The split between Donald Trump Jr. and his fiancee, former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle, has attracted attention from the public and now it appears that Kai Trump, Trump Jr.'s eldest daughter, has chosen sides.
Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle appeared to have split prior to the election but it appears the two kept things quiet so as to not create a distraction for the Trump campaign.
While there isn't a solid confirmation of what caused the split, it appears that Guilfoyle didn't properly fit in with the notoriously close Trump family.
Rumors and leaks have come out pointing to Guilfoyle not meshing with the family, but these need to be taken with a grain of salt.
The professional relationship between Guilfoyle and the Trump family is intact as President-elect Donald Trump tapped her to be the U.S. Ambassador to Greece.
17-year-old Kai Trump's Instagram follows seem to indicate who she is siding with in this family drama. Kai is not following Guilfoyle but instead is following Bettina Anderson, the model that her dad appears to be dating following his split with Guilfoyle.
Kai Trump's other social media posts, notably pictures of the family, omitted Guilfoyle further suggesting that she is completely out of the picture.
However, it wasn't just Kai Trump who was done with Guilfoyle as sources close to the family suggested that Donald Trump Jr. ended his relationship with Guilfoyle because she didn't meet the standards of the family patriarch, Donald Trump.
One source told People that "Don Jr. has always wanted to look good in his father’s eyes," and that means his partner needs to boost him in his father's eyes, something Guilfoyle apparently failed to do.
That same source added that “Kim is not a nice person and always wants the limelight," which is a mindset that is asking for trouble when trying to fit in at Mar-a-Lago.
Nonetheless, it appears that despite her desire for power and the limelight, Guilfoyle hasn't burned her bridges with the Trump family and has been rewarded for her loyalty over the past years.
Guilfoyle has been an important figure in the Trump political machine for years and instead of completely throwing her out, she is being rewarded with an ambassadorship, pending Senate approval which isn't expected to be an issue with the GOP holding a majority.
Donald Trump Jr. issued a statement on Guilfoyle's nomination saying, "I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador. She will be an amazing leader for America First."
Going forward, all eyes will be on Bettina Anderson as she and Trump Jr. appear to be launching a serious relationship that will hopefully work out with the rest of the family.