Worthy Brief - 4/6/2018
Friend, He's establishing His watchmen!
Isaiah 62:6-7 6 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
We've just returned to Israel and the region seems to be nothing but a boiling cauldron ready to erupt. In just a few weeks, we will celebrate the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, in Hebrew. Most Christians recognize this holiday as the Feast of Pentecost -- the time when the Holy Spirit descended and empowered His saints to accomplish the mission of global witness to Yeshua (Jesus). Here in the Land, there has been a call to prayer and fasting in anticipation of Shavuot and its prophetic significance for believers in Israel, as we long for a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit.
At the same moment in time there is another call; this one, for an uprising or "intifada" to begin on May 14-15th termed, "Nabka Day" intended to coincide with the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. Nabka literally means the "day of catastrope" and is held each year remembering the time Israel became a nation. The "coincidence" of these two "calls", one to prayer, the other to war, seems significant.
We believers in Yeshua (Jesus) are called to stand as watchmen. Interestingly, one of the ancient Hebrew words for 'watchmen' is the word 'notzrim' -- which coincidentally, is the modern Hebrew word for 'Christians'. Watchmen are called to vigilance and attentive awareness of the situation. Our present situation is a boiling pot threatening to overflow. Please keep watch with us; "do not keep silence, and give Him no rest, till He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise throughout the earth." This can not happen if Jerusalem is divided and overrun with those who hate the very existence of Israel. The Lord will use this pressure for His own purposes, to test nations and hearts, and to draw Israel back to Himself. Our heart cry is for another outpouring of His Holy Spirit on all flesh. Whatever peace we can hope for in this age will come from Him, and this Divine outpouring...then, finally, Yeshua will return to establish His Kingdom -- and the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God.
Friend, but for now, please stand as a watchman with us at this pivotal time..watch and pray fervently for a minimum of conflict....and for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit – the Lord will be faithful to answer our cries to Him.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Trudeau sees 'high chance' of reaching 'win-win-win' NAFTA deal
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that there is a "high chance" that the U.S, Mexico and Canada will reach a deal on a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
ISIS Caught Plotting Rome Attack: Terror Threat Has Never Been Higher
A large scale anti-terror operation by Italian authorities has netted several ISIS terrorists who authorities believe were planning to attack Rome. Italy's Interior ministry says 'Rome is in the crosshairs of ISIS' and 'Italy's terror threat has never been so high.'
Iran Continues to Hide Past Nuclear Weapons Work
Iran continues to hide key work it undertook on nuclear weapons development while perfecting ballistic missile technology that could carry such a weapon, according to a new report from a senior Israeli military official that has fueled calls from Trump administration insiders and Congress to nix the deal ahead of a May deadline.
White House approves $1.3 billion sale of artillery to Saudi Arabia
The Trump administration signed off Thursday on selling more than $1.3 billion in artillery to Saudi Arabia, giving a vote of confidence to the Saudi military as young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman concludes a marathon tour of the United States.
Trump orders review of $100 billion more in tariffs on China
Escalating his trade feud with China, President Trump ordered his administration Thursday night to consider adding another $100 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese products.
Venezuela's Currency Is Doing Even Worse Than Previously Thought
Venezuela’s currency is worth even less than previously believed, with new trackers of the black-market rate showing deep discounts compared with the long-standing benchmark gauge.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Assad regime places tanks, artillery in buffer zone with Israel
The Bashar Assad regime is preparing an offensive to retake southern Syria and the Syrian Golan Heights from rebel groups and has reportedly placed tanks and heavy artillery inside the demilitarized buffer zone on the country’s border with Israel.
IDF thwarts terror plot, plans for massive Friday protests in Gaza
An armed Palestinian from Gaza approached the Gaza fence late Wednesday night and the attack was thwarted by the IDF, according to the IDF's spokesperson's unit.
Ahead of fresh standoff, Hamas reveals payouts to injured protesters
Hamas has distributed payments to Palestinians injured in protests in the border region between the Gaza Strip and Israel and to the families of those killed, according to a report on the Islamist movement’s official website.
Inside the United States
US trade deficit rises to near 9½-year high
The U.S. trade deficit increased to a near 9½-year high in February as both exports and imports rose to record highs, but the shortfall with China narrowed sharply.
Judicial Watch: State Department Records Show Obama Administration Helped Fund George Soros’ Left-Wing Political Activities in Albania
Judicial Watch obtained 32 pages of records showing the Obama administration sent U.S. taxpayers’ funds to a group backed by billionaire George Soros, which used the money to fund left-wing political activities in Albania, including working with the country’s socialist government to push for highly controversial judicial 'reform.' The records also detail how the Soros operation helped the State Department review grant applications from other groups for taxpayer funding.
Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake in Southern California
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck near the Channel Islands early Thursday afternoon, jolting residents in the Los Angeles area and beyond as Southern California saw its largest quake in more than four years, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Christian News
Four Christians Killed, Girl Wounded in Easter Monday Attack in Pakistan
Four Christians, including a woman, were killed and a young girl wounded in a terrorist attack in Pakistan on Monday (April 2), sources said.
Bible Ban: God's Word Disappears from Online Stores in China
Bibles are being pulled from online retailers in China as the government cracks down on how its citizens practice religion. Christians fear a new wave of widespread persecution may be underway.