Here are five of the most important news stories this week, as well as relevant links to the full articles and videos here on theTrumpet.com.

Jerusalem and Donald Trump’s Entirely Unremarkable Declaration

On December 6, United States President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and pledged to move America’s embassy to Jerusalem. This announcement plunged the civilized world into convulsions and mass hysteria.

America’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will undoubtedly have significant geopolitical ramifications and, depending on how the Palestinians and international community respond, might be a game changer. But not because the truth at the heart of this announcement was erroneous, unreasonable or provocative. In fact, the truth at the heart of this announcement is rational, logical and entirely unremarkable.

North Korea Getting Nuclear Weapons Help From Russia, China, Iran

North Korea’s rapid progress in developing nuclear weapons is likely thanks to help from Russia, China and Iran, according to retired Adm. James Stavridis, a former supreme allied commander for nato.

“[T]he idea that [North Korean leader Kim Jong-un] would simply be developing this on an indigenous basis within his own population of scientists simply seems unlikely given how fast it’s moving. … You’ve got to think that at least part of it is coming from either China or Russia.”

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Warns of End-time Apocalypse

After a November 20 service at Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral, Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church warned that mankind is approaching the end of history. “One must be blind not to see the approach of the terrible moments of history about which the apostle and evangelist John the theologian spoke in his Revelation,” he said.

Some Russian strategists and politicians believe that Russia is waging a “holy war” against the forces of the antichrist in an apocalyptic struggle. Russian President Vladimir Putin, they say, is their Eastern Orthodox czar.

Read Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s booklet The Prophesied ‘Prince of Russia’, to learn what the Bible says about Russia’s strongman.

American-German Relations ‘Crumble’

Speaking to an audience of politicians and government representatives at the Koerber Foundation on December 5, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said that relations between Europe and the United States were beginning to “crumble.” He pointed to America’s withdrawal from the world stage as a contributing factor. “Germany cannot afford to wait for decisions in Washington or to just react,” he said. “We have to describe our own positions and if necessary also make clear to our allies when the limits of our solidarity are reached.”

These are shockingly strong words for a nation that has comfortably sat back for years as America took the lead.

Sinai Violence Threatens Egypt’s President

According to the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, the Sinai Peninsula region has suffered 1,700 terrorist attacks over the last four years. This despite the efforts of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has initiated military crackdowns. Should the president fail in his attempts to stabilize the Sinai, radical Islam will effect radical change in Egypt.

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