Halloween falls on the Sabbath this year. How ironic that something despicable will be embraced amidst public revelry while something Holy and pleasing to God (not to mention beneficial to ourselves) will be largely ignored.

Is there anything wrong with candy, costumes or public holidays? No. But there is a big problem with the glorification of evil, as well as with turning wicked spirits into a game for children. Further, while we have the liberty to set aside memorials or celebrations (as scripturally evidenced by Purim or the Dedication), taking some other religious practice and saying we’re doing it for God is repugnant to Him.

Deuteronomy 12:30-31 lays this out explicitly. We know this very thing was standard Roman practice. So many supposedly “Christian” traditions are exactly that. “All Saints Day” and the “Hallowed Evening” are not exceptions.

The upcoming election will certainly be interesting, to say the least. While we are not a political organization, we are called to be a moral people. Once upon a time, a vote might not have had an impact on the establishment of Biblical values one way or the other. Unfortunately, that is not the case any longer.

You may have seen some of the post-election chaos from Brazil. Flavio Bolsonaro has fled to the United States. A post he made claiming to be the rightly elected President was quickly deleted (and somewhat hilariously attributed to AI) but he did allege fraud and meddling by the Supreme Court in the aftermath of the vote. The Chief Justice is a staunch ally of his opponent Lula. His departure may have been prudent. He had been asked to turn in his passport but refused. His father is currently serving 35 years for contesting the last election. And we thought American politics was brutal…

Israel also held an election but the final result is not yet clear. Netanyahu’s bloc still holds the most seats but lost ground and now lacks a majority. Eisenkot’s rival bloc has fewer seats, but may be able to cobble together a coalition at the expense of some campaign promises. Options may be to form a minority government with the help of Arab parties, which made significant gains, or to drop their opposition to religious exemptions for military service and try to govern with some of the more Orthodox parties.

Both were ruled out pre-election, as was cooperating with Netanyahu in a national unity government, and we shudder to think a politician might actually break a campaign promise. Netanyahu will remain as Prime Minister in the interim. If no coalition is possible, there will be another election in a couple of months.

A major theft occurred this week, possibly the biggest in history. Crypto exchange platform Binance was hacked, losing the staggering sum of $6.3 billion. About $3 Billion has been tracked down and frozen as of this morning, and the company is promising to cover their client’s losses. State sponsored hackers from North Korea are currently being blamed. Reliance on digital platforms to clear currency and incumbent security risks show how the world could be pushed into a unified global system with total oversight, an outcome equally unpalatable and prophetic.

There are quiet pushes for peace with both Iran and Russia. Meanwhile, people are panic buying in many places, partially due to many governments updating their recommendations for emergencies and the kind of disruptions that could be caused by a major war. Video also emerged of the US military practicing how they might dig mass graves to preserve combat casualties temporarily. Unsettling to say the least. Whatever the future holds, our faith is in God and His plan. Everything else will pass away in time.

-Michael

The post Weekly Update by Michael Armstrong – October 30, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

I bring you greetings from your brethren in Australia. The trip went smoothly, and it was a pleasure to meet many friends in person and make some entirely new ones. Murray was laid to rest last Friday and we had a special Sabbath service in Sydney the following day. Please continue to pray for Murray’s wife, Dita. They were married for over 40 years and as many sadly know firsthand, it is a difficult loss to endure. We can be thankful for the comfort of the truth, and the knowledge of God’s promises.

Our Sabbath service went well. There is inevitably going to be a period of adjustment in Australia as Murray personally handled all of the church’s operations over there. If anyone needs immediate support please reach out to us and we can provide DVDs, anointed clothes, or whatever is necessary to fill the gap for the time being. Or if you just want to make the connection, it never hurts to verify addresses, phone numbers and be sure that no one will be overlooked during this transition.

One remarkable thing about the trip was seeing the warmth and similarity in God’s people, wherever they may call home. We often encounter this at regional meetings or at the Feast of Tabernacles, but it was comforting somehow to find it about as far away from Texas as you could possibly get! Those who are called share the same overriding priority; we share God’s Holy Spirit. It guides our lives and shapes our characters. In this we are the same, brothers and sisters, even if we have never met.

Everyone I encountered wanted to pass along their love and regards. I cannot speak highly enough of their hospitality or the beauty of their country. It is exceptional. God has blessed their land tremendously. Yet, sadly, they struggle with many of the same issues we do in the United States. Governments with mixed-up priorities, migration-based cultural pressures, lax law enforcement (except for speeding and red light cameras, they’ll get you!), and seemingly irreconcilable political divides. On one of my final days in the country a member of Parliament was intentionally run down by a driver who tried to keep backing and pulling over the poor lady before a shopkeeper intervened.

How well does that bode for the future? Look at what is consuming France. Protests have gotten so out of hand that they have been banned over the weekend. We will see if that order holds. This round began over school conditions, verifiably awful in some places, but as always it is those who merely wish to wreak havoc that end up taking the lead. How can burning e-bikes in the streets, stopping ordinary concourses, destroying historical buildings, looting shops or stealing i-phones possibly improve France’s budget constraints? Spoiler alert: it can’t. It is just another opportunity for evil to run rampant.

France has yet to be able to get its fiscal house in order, though to be fair, they are not the only ones. Every time a cut is proposed people flood the streets, whether it is retirement age, fuel taxes, or what have you. Consequently nothing gets done. Interestingly some like Marine Le Pen propose cutting France’s contributions to the EU budget, something that the average person would not feel directly. That is significant from the point of view of prophecy, which indicates a coalition of 10 nations rather than a sprawling federal bureaucracy. Whether or not France is the first major nation to pull back remains to be seen, but they have few options as their deficits grow and their bond yields rise, increasing the cost of continued borrowing.

The conflict with Iran continues to simmer. They are trying to punish and deter traffic through Hormuz as the brief period where shipping reached pre-war levels nearly made their claims of control irrelevant. The Houthis also have stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia. Oil operations, airports and even the Ministry of Defense have been targeted. There is a feeling that the US may begin serious strikes again sooner than advertised, despite many statements about “after the mid-terms.” Aramco evacuated their headquarters. Diplomatic missions have been drawing down their staff, even US bases have been quietly removing personnel. This may be to limit potential casualties if there is a sudden escalation.

Israel flew a sortie of aircraft to the border of Iran before turning around and heading home. Some speculate they may have been hoping to draw fire and use the incident to renew hostilities. An election is looming in Israel, and Iran represents unfinished business for Netanyahu’s fragile coalition.

No doubt there are those that feel similarly in the US. A return to open hostilities is no small thing however. Reports have emerged about the accuracy of Iran’s attacks on its gulf neighbors. Statements about debris from intercepted drones being the main source of damage were patently false. The targets struck were often critical and hard to repair pieces in the oil and gas processing and transport equation. It is not credible to believe such components were repeatedly destroyed by random fragments falling from the sky. This is the risk that low-cost swarms of drones pose; it only takes a very few getting through to compromise high-value targets.

Another election worth watching is unfolding in Brazil. Their socialist President Lula is in a runoff with the son of former President Bolsonaro. The final vote takes place this weekend. It could have major repercussions as Brazil under Lula has been antagonistic towards the US, to say the least. Should he be defeated that could change dramatically.

Until next week, hope you all have a wonderful and refreshing Sabbath!

-Michael

The post Weekly Update by Michael Armstrong – October 23, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Michael is in Australia for Murray Allatt’s funeral, and is staying with a church member in Sydney. He’s had tremendous hospitality and kindness from all the folks there. I’m having flashbacks of my trips to Australia… We will welcome Michael back with open arms.

We’re at war; two wars. Iran isn’t backing down on the Strait of Hormuz. They’ve got enough weird holy men, and they’ve already started naming them.

The Pope had surgery and has been photographed since. He doesn’t look too chipper. This little guy doesn’t look like the one at the end time, but who knows? He apparently had some of his lung removed, but cancer has a way of coming back.

You know I don’t like Zelensky, but he just keeps on. There’s some news about him postponing elections again. It’s eastern Europe after all. I don’t think Trump likes him.

Gas prices are off the chart, and diesel is even higher. (I’m sure you’ve noticed.) With the Strait of Hormuz this dangerous, it could go on. But not if Trump has anything to say about it.

Mark

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – October 16, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Iranian officials said two people were killed and several others wounded in the U.S. attack Sunday night on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by launching missiles at U.S. sites in Jordan, which were intercepted.

During the lull in fighting, the U.S. has been ratcheting up economic pressure on Iran with the hope of forcing concessions out of Tehran, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping.

Continue reading HERE

Source: https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-uea-august-31-2026-9f34873bad9a928574c36ee984c3f96b

The post United Arab Emirates says it intercepted an Iranian drone over its territorial waters first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

In a video statement, CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper declared that efforts by US divers, Navy Seals, and aerial assets have cleared all sea mines laid by Iran in the strait’s international shipping lanes, hailing the achievement as “a major milestone” in facilitating commercial traffic.

Continue reading HERE

Source: https://thenewregion.com/posts/6354?fbclid=IwY2xjawUXn0ZwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4BjwwN9jRR0-G4N-a1aattRYKpjHQHv3L3_0_Thep25Ayl2wwu7WoxV2Rh6Q_aem_wVxAFeRKYqswA8GgYEs3CA

The post US military claims facilitated transit of nearly 750M oil barrels in Hormuz strait first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

This approach is exactly how Iranian-linked hackers locked municipalities out of their own water systems across multiple states this summer, changing passwords, cutting off access and forcing utilities back to manual pumps and valves. I wasn’t surprised that it happened — I was surprised it took this long. And the scariest part is how little sophistication it took to disrupt something as fundamental as water.

Continue reading HERE

Source: https://thehill.com/opinion/cybersecurity/6047624-iranian-hackers-water-infrastructure/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUXnhJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6mf_LVwxqXsgHb9Y-Go2ybM0XlPTz0AvsIWON6rxJSsXGDvZBp2ivyz-uMfg_aem_IWY61PGWBg3FALs9QH-V4g

The post Iran’s attacks on US water systems are just the beginning first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

The United Arab Emirates, which serves as Tehran’s largest supplier of goods, suspended all trade with the Iran over the weekend — nixing $6 billion in cash that went to the regime from exports, as well as access to vital supplies from the outside world.

Dubai — the UAE’s thriving commercial hub — is by far Iran’s largest supplier of goods. The Emirati government finally got fed up with Iran following repeated missile attacks that triggered evacuations for the first time during the war.

Continue reading HERE

Source: https://nypost.com/2026/08/24/world-news/why-uaes-suspension-of-iran-trade-could-be-biggest-threat-to-regime-yet/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT63mlwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5IvTFBuOhuWH6Gbzfcx6WnGk2m8tv1d0BCHZZRSn_8azoBgTm4W-pW8OWTAA_aem_u2DTC118gFjQt1sot6vOZQ

The post United Arab Emirates cuts off trade with Iran, nixing billions — why it could have ‘crippling effect’ on Tehran first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

The Strait of Hormuz has always been strategic, but now more than ever. All that oil has to pass, though, and we’ve been talking about the passageway forever. Dad did programs where that was front and center. How’s the war going? There are many reports, and I’m sure every news organization wants an eyewitness. How would you like that job?

People are crazy in the Middle East. I don’t know why, but they are and always have been. Sometimes you hear the most fantastic tales, knowing it never happened, but playing along. I had a good time, but those days are over. 

Who knows what’s going on? You would have to volunteer for some pretty rough duty to know for sure. The Arabs talk big. Don’t believe them. Negotiations are breaking out so that you can hardly keep up. Call us when it’s over. 

People are worrying about WWIII again, buying property in South America and so forth. Me? I don’t want to leave home ever again. Much less go to some bunker in Argentina. The Drudge Report keeps showing pictures of Putin with that angry look on his face. What? He wants to rule the world? Good luck with that. If he survives the comrades, maybe.

What with Elon’s chances of colonizing the moon, we need to get off Earth? That will be the day! I like it here.

Back in the day, my Grandad was just sure that humans wouldn’t be allowed in space. That was the ‘60’s. The music was great but the predictions, not so much. I wish my Grandad could see everything happening now. It would be interesting to get his take. The very idea that we’re still here in 2026! 

But right now we’ve got more trouble than bad predictions. 

Mark

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – August 7, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Iran’s foreign ministry said Wednesday that Iran and Oman have agreed on a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and are putting the final touches on arrangements for jointly managing the waterway.

Reports said the deal, which would renew a US-Iran ceasefire, would preserve Iranian control of the strait’s traffic.

But official sources briefing Iranian media stressed that any reopening of the strait would depend on the United States fulfilling what Tehran sees as a US commitment to end its own naval blockade of Iran’s ports.

Continue reading HERE

Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-oman-said-nearing-deal-that-will-restore-us-truce-give-tehran-some-control-over-hormuz/?fbclid=IwY2xjawToggpwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR47YkcqSiTQ7MxpxLcrFZwHYJt6opC2kcMSOk9Cu8nbQjRpXkmuCwlTeLMeYg_aem_Pc8k_jjcWCcMAUzSw0GbTw

The post Iran, Oman said nearing deal that will restore US truce, give Tehran some control over Hormuz first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

In a rare public execution, the Iranian regime hanged two protesters, Abolfazl Sepahi and Amir Safari, in the central Iranian city of Isfahan on July 28. They were among at least 12 young men sentenced to death for the killing of four police officers during anti-regime protests in Isfahan in January 2026. Two of the other men were executed in prison on July 19.

The regime had prepared for the public executions the evening before, erecting a makeshift stage in Alikhani Square, where authorities claim the four police officers were killed by protesters during the anti-regime demonstrations in January 2026.

Continue reading HERE

Source: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260729-iran-public-executions-isfahan-anti-regime-protests?fbclid=IwY2xjawTXXbpwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4f-r6g11cmeK4h5FOvkTO-j0mYdrQ5TmFREuyz_myM1R4Vem7VprQWIp1pwg_aem_luOCAf6w5pED_rzuM0EuKQ

The post Public executions in Iran spark anti-regime protests first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.