Good morning! Have you noticed an increase in news commentary and public discussion regarding demons?

Recent mass shootings, unhinged attacks on law enforcement, disturbed individuals committing unprovoked attacks in public and similar activity seem to have raised awareness of the very real presence of evil.

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This is important to recognize—but you also need to know the good news. Today is the Day of Atonement, what the Jews call Yom Kippur. It is a day of fasting and prayer, seeking unity with God. It also foreshadows the deposing of Satan the devil, the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and all his demons, prophesied in Revelation 20. Learn more about this sobering and inspiring annual observance in our article at our sister website, pcg.church, “What Is the Day of Atonement?”

Trump’s love affair with Qatar deepens: Yesterday the White House revealed an executive order by President Trump granting Qatar a sweeping U.S. security guarantee. This unprecedented pact echoes nato’s Article 5 mutual defense clause, committing the U.S. to treat any armed attack on the Gulf state as a direct threat to U.S. peace and security and to defend it with “all lawful and appropriate measures”—potentially even military action.

The promise is difficult to understand apart from the outsized influence Qatar has within the Trump administration, thanks to its buying favor from people close to the president. After all, it cites the need to protect Qatar from “continuing threats … posed by foreign aggression.” As Gregg Roman wrote at Middle East Forum,

The question is, what threats? What foreign aggression? The state of Qatar is not a victim in the Middle East; it is a source of the instability that plagues the region.

It appears the guarantee could be triggered by an attack such as Israel launched on Doha three weeks ago, targeting Hamas leaders. That strike killed a Qatari security officer and five Hamas affiliates, arousing Trump’s anger and squeaking an apology of sorts out of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Qatar hosts 10,000 U.S. troops at Al Udeid Air Base, America’s largest Middle East installation. But its status as a U.S. ally is wholly undermined by its ties to Hamas, the Taliban, Iran, the Muslim Brotherhood and its terrorist offshoots. The Qataris bear direct responsibility for atrocities like the October 7 massacre.

Gerald Flurry wrote a blistering critique of President Trump cozying up to Qatar in our July Trumpet issue, “Don’t Accept Gifts From Terrorists”:

These terrorists are also liars who will flatter and say whatever is expedient to accomplish their aims. Proverbs 17:4 warns, “A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips ….” We must not have anything to do with such people!

It is truly concerning how Trump is nurturing this relationship at the same time he is presenting himself as a friend of Israel. It is a stern reminder of the dangers in trusting in man rather than in God (Jeremiah 17:5-9)—a foundational lesson that Israel, America and the rest of the world will soon learn the hard way.

IN OTHER NEWS

Austria’s far-right party is embracing the Catholic Church: The Freedom Party of Austria (fpö) has been using religion as a key feature in its marketing recently, hoping to attract voters dissatisfied with Muslim immigration. Its recently reelected leader, Herbert Kickl, has called himself a devout Christian, and at the fpö conference last week, the Bible was referenced several times. One of their slogans last year referenced “The Lord’s Prayer”: “Thy will be done.” They have also held several significant rallies at the Stephan Dome Square, the site of a giant Catholic cathedral. Bible prophecy foretells a strong Catholic resurgence in Europe. The fpö seems to be turning over a religious leaf, a sign of this approaching resurgence. Learn more in “The Holy Roman Empire Goes Public—Big Time!”

The fortress of Denmark: The 27 heads of state and government of the EU met in Copenhagen yesterday. On the agenda were security for Europe, aid for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. Given recent drone incursions over Denmark and East European countries, Denmark’s capital turned into a fortified city for the event. “I have never seen such security measures in Copenhagen before,” a Danish police officer told Bild. Tourists in Denmark had the rare sight of a German frigate and other antiaircraft systems supplied by nato. “Europe must be able to defend itself,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The Trumpet has long warned that fear of Russia will unify Europe militarily.

Europe needs to send “a very strong answer” to Russia, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said yesterday. She highlighted Moscow’s usage of drones in its “hybrid war” and said Europe faces its “most difficult and dangerous situation” since World War II. The Bible prophesies that Russian aggression will be a major reason behind Europe’s militarization and unification into one of the greatest powers in human history.

India and Russia are conducting joint military exercises in Rajasthan this month. Beginning yesterday, 250 Russian personnel are joining the two-week “Indra 2025” drill, simulating desert war zones. The Russian Embassy in India stated, “The joint exercises confirm the nature of the special, privileged strategic partnership between Moscow and New Delhi.” This comes weeks after India joined Russia’s “Zapad” exercises by sending 65 personnel. Tightened ties between India and Russia are a trend prophesied in the Bible.

Japanese warship will carry Raytheon’s Tomahawk cruise missiles: The JS Chokai is heading to America, where it will spend the next year acquiring the weapons system. These missiles can hit targets 1,000 miles away. Though Japan committed to pacifism in 1945, it is quickly abandoning that philosophy as its neighbors, especially China, become belligerent. Bible prophecies state that a militarized Japan will join an Asiatic military alliance led by Russia.