Worthy Brief - 7/18/2016
Friend, discern the spirits!
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
For the past two weeks we have examined lessons from the OT account of Israel's Exodus from Egypt in hope of avoiding the errors and attitudes of the children of Israel. This week we will draw connections between the Exodus and the prophecies in the book of Revelation.
One of the central figures in the Exodus, was the Egyptian ruler, Pharoah. The Hebrew spelling for "Pharoah" ("peh"-"resh"-"ayin"-"hey") literally describes who the man was. The outside letters ("peh" – "hey") spell the Hebrew word "Peh" which means "mouth" in English. The inner two letters ("resh"-"ayin") form the word "Rah", the name of the ancient Egyptian sun god. So, "Pharoah" in Hebrew, identified him as, "the mouth (or voice) of Rah".
But the word "rah" has another meaning in Hebrew, that is, "evil", "wicked", or "bad". Adding this meaning describes someone who speaks with "godlike" authority, yet is evil. We can see here a strong similarity to the "beast" of Revelation 13, as this "beast" was given a mouth to speak blasphemy against God; [Revelation 13:5].
The apostle John warned that antichrists are already here among us, and while we may be aware of the various manifestations of the antichrist spirit in our culture, and elsewhere, we also are expecting a final revelation of a "Man of Sin" known as "The Antichrist". His way is being prepared that the whole world may receive and worship him.
Friend, "the whole world", but not true believers in the Lord Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ). Yet, not to be deceived as the Lord warned us, [Matthew 24:24] will require spiritual discernment. We must test the spirits, as the Apostle John instructed us: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God..." [1 John 4:1]. Our spirits and our minds must be informed by the Word of God, according to simple and true gospel of Yeshua's death for sin, and resurrection from the dead.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Negev Desert, Israel
Editor's Note: Watch George's message: Which voice will you listen to in the last days?
Around the World
Turkish government says situation under control; air base used by U.S. closed
A violent, chaotic night in Turkey ended with at least 161 people dead, but the government said Saturday it remains firmly in control following a coup attempt by some members of the military, CNN reported.
Arrests hit 6,000 as Turkey cracks down on army and judges after coup bid
Turkey widened a crackdown on suspected supporters of a failed military coup on Sunday, taking the number of people rounded up in the armed forces and judiciary to 6,000, and the government said it was in control of the country and economy.
Nice, France, Bastille Day truck attacker was 'radicalized very quickly'
Authorities detained seven people over the weekend in a probe of Thursday's attack that killed 84 people, but officials were still scrambling Sunday to figure out whether the truck driver who plowed through Bastille Day crowds acted alone or as part of a terrorist cell.
After 36,000 years, a massive volcano near Rome rumbles to life
Italy, home to one of the most famous volcanic disasters in history, is showing signs that another massive eruption is brewing, according to a new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel identified as Nice truck attacker: French media reports
The Nice truck-terrorist has been identified as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, according to French media outlets.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel claims partial victory as UNESCO delays vote to erase Jewish ties to Temple Mount
The failed Turkish coup over the weekend delayed until October a UNESCO vote on Jerusalem that ignores Jewish ties to the Temple Mount.
IDF: We tried and failed 3 times to bring down drone over Golan
The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday that it failed in three attempts to shoot down an unidentified drone aircraft that entered Israeli airspace from Syria on Sunday.
Israel fires Patriot missiles downing unidentified drone in Golan Heights
Israel on Sunday fired Patriot missiles at an unidentified drone that entered Israeli airspace, apparently from Syria, setting off red alert sirens in communities in the Golan Heights region.
Israel Passes Law to Protect Christians in IDF
The Knesset passed a bill this week designed to protect Arab Christians who enlist in the Israeli army. The law, which includes an extended prison sentence for anyone who tries to dissuade a Christian Arab from serving in the IDF, became necessary in the face of stiff opposition and violent attacks against the Christian soldiers.
Inside the United States
Deadliest attacks on police in the last 100 years
Amid a month of racial conflict and gun violence, at least three police officers were killed in Baton Rouge Sunday, adding to the tally of law enforcement officials slain in the line of duty in 2016.
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Seven police officers have been shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and three have died, according to reports.
Obama convenes emergency meeting of national security team to discuss Turkey coup attempt
President Obama convened an emergency meeting of his national security team at the White House Saturday morning to discuss the attempted coup in Turkey.
US Declassifies Secret 9/11 Documents Known as the '28 Pages'
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Even gun rights advocates are questioning whether people should be allowed to carry rifles and handguns during protests at this week's Republican National Convention in Cleveland in the wake of the shootings of six police officers in Baton Rouge.
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Man with 'AR-15-style' rifle killed after exchanging gunfire with Baltimore police officers
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U.S. Politics
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Christian News
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Methodists elect 1st openly gay bishop in defiance of ban
The Western district of the Methodist church has elected an openly gay bishop despite the denomination's ban on same-sex relationships.
Massive evangelical gathering on National Mall closed early due to heat
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Iraqi Christians 'feel nobody cares for us', says Baghdad bishop
Christians persecuted by Islamic State in the Middle East believe the world has forgotten them, but remain convinced that God is near, an Iraqi bishop has said.