Worthy Brief - 3/25/2021
Friend, the dry bones will live!
As we continue this study of the Dead Sea Scrolls we jump to 1963 and the unearthing of Masada.
Flavius Josephus the Jewish historian recorded the tragic events at Masada in “The Jewish Wars.” Masada was ignored for years as it reminded the Rabbis of the failures of the many false messiahs that appeared after Yeshua (Jesus).
However, Yigael Yadin, the son of Eleazar Sukenik who originally purchased the first of the Dead Sea scrolls, led an international expedition to unearth the secrets of Masada. While many archaeologists revel in the massive building projects of Herod the Great and the ruins of the seige of Masada, I want to focus on the Biblical documents which were discovered there, since in the synagogue the Jewish rebels had constructed after they seized the Roman compound in 66 A.D, Yadin discovered fragments of Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones, [Ezekiel 37].
Ezekiel 37:7-8 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath [ruach] in them.
The prophet's remarkable vision pertained explicitly to the restoration of Israel to the Promised Land, the first phase of which was merely physical, a necessary precursor to their spiritual restoration when the breath or Ruach of God would be poured out upon the restored nation.
Once again, an archaeological discovery of Biblical text containing Ezekiel’s vision illustrated precisely where Israel was in their present history… the physical restoration of the Jewish people to their Land. The same passage also foretold their restoration in the Spirit, and since Israel's restoration is only partially completed, we continue to anticipate its fullness according to the sure word of prophecy. Just a few short years later, that restoration showed its first signs of life...
On June 7, 1967, Israel reclaimed the Temple Mount for the first time in 2000 years. Meanwhile on the other side of the globe in San Fransisco, on that same day, the Jesus movement was being birthed. Within just a few years, an enthusiastic community of Jesus-loving ex-hippies from the 60s took the world by storm and revival broke out; thousands of Jews came to faith in Yeshua (Jesus), beginning the spiritual rebirth of the Jewish nation foretold so many years ago in Ezekiel's vision of dry bones. Quite a number of those new Jewish believers actually made aliyah and moved to Israel to participate in its spiritual renewal.
Friend, don't fail to recognize these amazing signs as prophetic events minutely correspond to archeological discoveries. We are witnessing fulfillments promised millenia ago in our modern times. The blossoming of the fig tree, a symbol for Israel, was one explicit sign given by Yeshua portending the end of the age and His soon return. "Learn the parable of the fig tree" He said. When it becomes “tender and puts out leaves, know that summer is near", the harvest is ripe and He is at the door. [Matthew 24:32-33]. In light of these things, let us watch and pray as never before, and keep our lamps filled with the oil of His Spirit, and let us remember, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy; [Rev. 19:10].
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Mansfield, Texas
Editor's Note: We've added a minute-by-minute channel to Telegram. Follow us on Telegram.
Editor's Note: We're starting to schedule our Spring tour of the United States. If you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.
North Korea Fires Missiles Prvoking Tensions
North Korea has fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan in the first such test since Joe Biden became U.S. president.
Massive ship runs aground in Suez Canal, blocks the waterway
A gigantic, fully loaded container ship has run aground and become wedged across Egypt’s Suez Canal, blocking all other vessels from passing through, and threatening the viability of a pandemic-beleaguered global shipping system, the Associated Press reports. The MV Ever Given, a Panama-flagged ship that transports cargo between Asia and Europe, ran aground Tuesday for reasons that were still not clear on Wednesday.
‘Done deal’: Turkey defies U.S., won’t give up Russian-made S-400 missile defense system
Turkey‘s purchase and installation of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system is a “done deal” despite vehement U.S. objections, top Turkish officials said Wednesday, once again openly defying Washington and deepening a rift between the NATO allies.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu short for right-wing coalition, would need Arab support
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be able to form a government, according to preliminary results from 97% of the regular polling stations reported by the Central Elections Committee unless he gains support from the Arab-Islamist Ra'am Party.
With 5th election possible, anti-Netanyahu bloc mulls law banning him from race
With non-final results of the election signaling ongoing political deadlock and the prospect of yet another election, opposition figures are increasingly considering the possibility of passing a law to prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from running again.
Outcome still up in air, officials start counting 450,000 absentee ballots
The Central Elections Committee on Wednesday night began counting some 450,000 absentee ballots, and said it hoped to conclude the tally by Friday morning.
IDF accidentally reveals location of secret bases online
In an apparent blunder of operational security, the IDF Home Front Command published the location of secret IDF bases, Haaretz revealed Tuesday.
Inside the United States
California anti-hate bill may block Christians and pro-lifers from joining police force
A California bill intended to ensure police candidates have no connection to hate groups may ultimately prevent conservative Christians and pro-life advocates from joining the force, Christian Headlines reports. Titled the “California Law Enforcement Accountability Reform Act,” bill AB 655 will be heard by the state’s Assembly Public Safety Committee on April 6.
Border Patrol whistleblower email details inhumane conditions at Texas processing center
An email from a Border Patrol whistleblower has been obtained by Fox News contributor and investigative reporter Sara Carter detailing concerning conditions at the Donna, Texas migrant processing facility.
Rachel Levine is now the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Rachel Levine to serve as assistant secretary of health by a slim margin in a 52-48 vote.
After Pledging to Decriminalize Illegal Border Crossings, Harris Will Lead Border Crisis Response
Vice President Kamala Harris, who less than a year ago expressed support for decriminalizing illegal border crossings, will spearhead the White House's response to the crisis at the southern border.
Americans have ‘no right’ to carry guns in public, 9th Circuit Court rules
A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that there is no right to carry a gun in public.
Colorado’s tough gun control laws failed to stop deadly Boulder shooting
Colorado has been enacting gun control laws at a rapid clip for years, and yet none of those restrictions was able to prevent Monday’s horrific attack at a Boulder grocery store.
Christian News
Egypt Disabled Christian Beaten For Conversion
A physically disabled Christian man was beaten in Egypt due to his conversion to Christianity and later detained by police, friends said Wednesday.
Algeria court upholds five-year prison term for Facebook post
An Algerian court has upheld the five-year prison sentence given to a Christian man convicted of insulting Islam because he reposted a cartoon of Muhammad on his Facebook page three years ago, Morning Star News reports.
India Christian persecution: Tribal animists violently attack Christians at home church meeting
Around 30 tribal animists violently attacked Christians at a home worship service in India’s Chhattisgarh state on March 8, Morning Star News reported Tuesday. India currently ranks 10 on the Open Doors watch list of countries in which Christians are persecuted.
Worthy Watch
Hackers Unlock Files From 2020 Breach, Exposing Personal Info of Nearly All Israeli Voters