Worthy Brief - 7/15/2021
Friend, open your eyes!
Revelation 3:17-19 Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent.
Laodicea was known for its Temple dedicated to Asklepios, worshiped as the god of medicine, and associated with a renowned medical school. Most historians believe that the school developed a medicine known as Phrygian power which was used to produce eye salve.
The people of Laodicea prided themselves on their wealth, their extensive textile industry which produced black wool, and their eye salve. The Lord rebuked them exactly according to the details of their prosperity. His rebuke directed toward their wealth: “buy gold refined in the fire” so that they could be spiritually rich...toward their black wool industry: buy "white clothes” for covering their spiritual nakedness...and finally, toward their eye salve: to exchange the healing of physical eyes, for true spiritual vision. It is amazing to discover the historical details of Laodicea's condition in connection with the specificity of God's prophetic words to them.
Friend, God's love for the Laodicean church was expressed as a detailed exposure of their sins and a sincere invitation to repentance. He firmly rebuked them according to their true spiritual condition of self-sufficiency, blindness and pride, and encouraged them in the specific ways they would understand and be able to respond. He encouraged them to return, to be refined, to be spiritually clothed, and to be anointed in a way to truly see. It's clear that He anticipated some genuine repentance, declaring His promise to every overcomer...a place with Him on His throne!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Nashville, Tennessee
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 Summer 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.
Rouhani warns Iran could enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels
Iran’s outgoing president on Wednesday warned his country could enrich uranium at weapons-grade levels of 90 percent if it chose, though it still wanted to save its tattered nuclear deal with world powers.
US to evacuate under-threat Afghan interpreters as Taliban gains ground
Thousands of interpreters who aided US and NATO forces in Afghanistan will be evacuated beginning in late July, Washington announced Wednesday, as Taliban insurgents captured a strategic crossing on the Pakistan border from government forces.
‘Down with dictatorship’: 19K protest, clash with cops over France COVID rules
Police in Paris fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators on Wednesday, as 19,000 people protested throughout France over new coronavirus restrictions.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
15 years on, IDF girds for a potentially devastating war against Hezbollah
In a future war with Hezbollah, more rockets and missiles would be fired at Israel from Lebanon in the span of less than two days than were fired during the entire 11-day battle between Israel and Palestinian terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip in May, according to fresh Israeli military assessments.
‘Just the beginning’: UAE opens Tel Aviv embassy as sides hail ties
The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday formally inaugurated its embassy in Israel, capping a process that began with an agreement to normalize diplomatic relations nearly a year ago.
Israel: Archaeologists find 2,000-year-old coins inscribed with references to freedom of Jerusalem and Zion
Israeli archaeologists in the Binyamin region of the West Bank recently found two 2,000-year-old coins which are inscribed with references to the freedom of Jerusalem and Zion, the Times of Israel reports. The coins date back to the times of the Jewish wars against the Romans.
Church of England confirms it will apologize for centuries of supporting anti-semitism in England
The Church of England has confirmed it will officially apologize for the church’s involvement in the expulsion of Jews from medieval England, the Telegraph reports. Jewish groups have welcomed the move.
Inside the United States
Democrats Attempting to Force $3.5 Trillion spending bill through without GOP support
Senate Democrats announced a top-line budget number late Tuesday that will propel their plan to enact the full array of President Joe Biden’s social welfare and family aid promises without Republican votes.
Drug-overdose deaths in the U.S. rose by nearly 30% in 2020, synthetic opioids primarily to blame
Deaths due to drug overdoses in the United States increased nearly 30% during 2020, a spike largely attributed to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic combined with an increasingly deadly drug supply.
Senate Democrats to introduce bill to federally decriminalize marijuana
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Senate Democrats plan to unveil legislation Wednesday that would decriminalize marijuana on a federal level.
Police are being attacked in major cities grappling with cop shortages
Police are being attacked in major cities where departments are struggling to maintain staff.
Abortion providers file lawsuit to block Texas ‘heartbeat’ legislation
A group of abortion providers filed a federal lawsuit against Texas on Tuesday, in an effort to block a new ‘heartbeat’ law that allows private citizens to sue anyone who helps a woman get an abortion, UPI reports.
Christian News
Uzbekistan’s New Religion Law Adds Pressure on Christians
Christian rights activists say Uzbekistan’s new Religion Law maintains restrictions despite state media claims that it extend freedoms.
Nigeria: Kaduna state closes 13 mostly Christian schools as abductions spiral
Amid a catastrophic situation of relentless kidnappings in Nigeria’s Kaduna state, the local Schools Quality Assurance Authority (SQAA) has ordered the closure of 13, mostly Christian, schools which it identified as being “vulnerable” to attacks by Islamic militants who abduct students, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports. Following the kidnapping of 140 pupils from Bethel Baptist High School on July 5th, CSW said Kaduna has become an “epicenter for kidnapping.”
Iran Jails Convert For Refusing To Abandon Christian Faith
A former Muslim who embraced faith in Christ has been ordered to begin a ten-month prison sentence for “propaganda against the Islamic Republic,” Worthy News learned Wednesday.
Worthy Watch
Mass Protests Erupt in Greece Over Covid Vaccinations and Restrictions
Covid Vaccine Coming to Your Front Door: Doses to Door Program Launched
Democrats Want to Fact-Check Text Messages
Protestors in Paris Chant “Liberte” as they Revolt Against Mandatory Vaccinations and Vaccination Passports
Biden Admin Tells Cubans Trying to Flee Communist Cuba: “Do Not Come!”
Fauci: Children Over 2 Wear Your Masks!