Worthy Brief - 7/25/2018
Friend, the gates of hades shall not prevai!
Matthew 16:17-19 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Caesarea Phillipi, where Yeshua (Jesus) revealed himself as Messiah to His disciples, was home to the Temple of Pan, a place so demonic that many of the rituals performed there are too horrible to mention in a daily devotion.
The city sits at the foot of Mount Hermon, which was known as the ‘Rock of the Gods’, referring to the many shrines built against it. At the foot of Mount Hermon sat the temple of Pan, the ruins of which can still be seen there. In the rear of the temple was a cave with a deep pool (which also remains there) from which spring water flowed. Ancient Pagans believed that the water symbolized the abyss, and that the cave was a door to the underworld. The cave at the rear of the temple was considered the ‘Gate of Hades’ because it was believed that Baal would enter and leave the underworld through it. God only knows what kind of spiritual activity passed through this realm of darkness.
It was here, in the most demonic place in Israel, that Yeshua chose to reveal, through Peter's spirit inspired proclamation, that He was Messiah, the Son of God. And it was in this place of repugnant darkness and spiritual degeneracy that the Lord announced His intention to build His "Church" (or "congregation"). And it was in this " Hell hole" that He gave us the assurance, "The Gates of Hell will NOT prevail against it."
Friend, we are planted where evil dwells, to proclaim and represent the Lord of Light. And we seem to be witnessing an advance of evil in this world that is unprecedented, and is becoming a "flood" reminiscent of the "Days of Noah". How precious and vital are the Lord's words, "The Gates of Hell will NOT prevail..." Believing those words, we will stand, every day, and we will overcome the power of Satan, by faith, especially as we continue to pray as He taught us, "Deliver us from evil." Not in our own strength or power – but in the power of God given to all His children through His Son!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Editor's Note: We're starting to put together our Winter Tour to the States. If you would like to us minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or host a Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyemail.com for more information.
Tough trade talks ahead for EU's Jean-Claude Juncker in Washington
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is not shy when it comes to being friendly to people he needs to negotiate with. In Brussels, he is known for hugging, kissing and cuddling almost everyone if it serves the cause, namely a relaxed mood. It remains to be seen how US President Donald Trump will react to the Commission president's body language during one-on-one talks in the Oval Office on Wednesday.
Congress blocks F-35 fighter shipments to Turkey
Congressional defense lawmakers officially barred deliveries of the fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to Turkish forces, inserting the ban into the final version of the Pentagon’s budget blueprint for the upcoming fiscal year.
Turkey vows to keep buying Iranian oil: 'We will not obey'
Turkey plans to keep purchasing Iranian oil in defiance of American sanctions on the rogue regime, according to the NATO ally’s top diplomat.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF shoots down Syrian fighter jet that entered Israeli airspace
The Israeli Air Force shot down a Syrian fighter jet that traveled two kilometers into Israeli airspace on Tuesday afternoon, the military said. Syrian state-run media confirmed the jet was shot down but said it was inside its own airspace.
Majority of Israelis back LGBT protests, new poll finds
A majority of Israelis from across the political spectrum support the LGBT community’s fight to secure surrogacy rights for gay couples, a Hadashot TV news poll has found.
Abbas: We won't stop payments to 'martyrs' and prisoners
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas vowed on Monday to continue funding Palestinian security prisoners held by Israel and families of Palestinians killed in attacks on Israelis.
Poll: Netanyahu's Likud would win 30 seats if elections held today
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party has lost five seats over the past two months, according to a Midgam poll broadcast Tuesday on Channel 2.
Inside the United States
Farm groups praise $12 billion aid package, urge pullback on trade fights
Key agricultural trade associations praised the Trump administration Tuesday for providing $12 billion to support farmers hurt by an ongoing trade war, but urged the administration to dial back that fight.
Documents reveal FBI misled FISA court on sourcing, used anti-Trump media reports
The FBI misrepresented its findings to the FISA court on several fronts in order to secure a wiretap to spy on Trump campaign associate Carter Page, recently released documents show.
CNN obtains Trump-Cohen tape discussing Playboy payoff
Then-presidential candidate Trump can be heard on tape discussing with his attorney Michael Cohen how they would buy the rights to Playboy model Karen McDougal’s story about an alleged affair they had a year earlier.
Federal Court Says Hawaii Must Allow Open Carry of Guns
A panel of judges from the Ninth Circuit court of appeals ruled on Tuesday that Hawaii's effective ban on the open carry of guns is unconstitutional.
Trump-Backed Brian Kemp Wins Republican Nomination in Georgia Governor’s Race
Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp defeated Lieutenant Gov. Casey Cagle in Tuesday's primary runoff to earn the Republican Party's nomination for governor.
Christian News
Iranian pastor taken to Evin Prison after violent raid on home
Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been taken to Evin Prison in the capital, Tehran, after a violent raid on his home in the northern city of Rasht on Sunday (22 July).
Ads for Franklin Graham Festival Banned Due to His Views on Homosexuality
Evangelist Franklin Graham says his Festival of Hope will go on in the United Kingdom despite backlash and a local bus company banning ads for the event.