#ourCOG Daily Brief [December 1, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for December 1, 2025.

In today’s U.S. news, a shooting incident in Washington D.C. saw two National Guard members wounded just blocks from the White House, leading President Trump to order 500 additional troops to the capital and prompting a significant escalation in his immigration crackdown. This campaign, already underway, has intensified with stepped-up measures to limit entry and scrutinize Afghan and other immigrants already in the U.S. Meanwhile, the U.S. Army is rapidly expanding its capabilities by acquiring a million drones annually, updating its forces, and training troops in their use. On the political front in New York, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is beginning a wary rapprochement with the city’s influential financial community, with both sides expected to make concessions for collaboration. Globally, President Trump’s foreign policy has shown contradictions, as he vows to attack drug trafficking across Latin America but has promised to pardon a convicted trafficker from Honduras, unsettling policy in the region. The U.S. government’s attempt to secure critical minerals led to a peace deal between militias in Congo, but unfortunately, new violence has already broken out. And offering a ray of hope, a social enterprise called Science Fuse is inspiring Pakistani children, particularly in impoverished areas like Karachi’s Machar Colony, through engaging science education.

Switching gears to our video selection, you might be interested in some recently released titles. We have “Poppi’s Dream Delivers Gifts and Hope!”, a powerful message from Jentezen Franklin titled “You Didn’t Come This Far To Stop Here,” and “EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE! – Rabbi Reveals Location of The Ark of The Covenant” from Perry Stone.

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we note “Smith Honored with Spirit of Azusa Award,” “More Americans Embrace ‘Animal Gifting’ This Christmas,” news of a “Foundation Announces Partnership to Support Military Families in Need,” and the exciting release of the “Church of God Publications Releases 75th Anniversary Edition “Red Back Hymnal”.”

In prophecy news, the U.S. federal government continues its “Drill, baby, drill” approach, with President Trump pushing to reopen California’s coast to offshore oil and gas drilling. This comes alongside peculiar reports of Somalia suddenly being described as “Heaven on Earth” by some X users. From Canada, People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier has vowed to reopen the abortion debate following viral videos exposing late-term abortions. And in a moment of significant historical and prophetic import, for the first time since the Temple’s destruction nearly two millennia ago, Levites have returned to sing daily psalms on the Temple Mount. Internationally, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia will cease fighting if Ukraine withdraws from territories claimed by Moscow, otherwise, he asserts, victory will be achieved militarily.

Finally, in Jewish history, we look back to December 2nd. In 127 CE, a document from Rabbatg, east of the Dead Sea, recorded four date groves as part of a provincial census. Notably, these groves abutted the property of Tamar, daughter of Thomas, providing ancient proof that women did indeed own property in their own right in Roman-era Palestine. Fast forward to 499 CE, or the 4427th year in the Jewish calendar, when Ravina II, nephew of Ravina, passed away. Tradition credits him with completing the final editing of the Talmud, a monumental task begun by Rav Ashi.