Worthy Brief - 9/21/2021
Friend, get your lamps lit!
John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life."
Matthew 25:1-10 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
During the feast of Tabernacles in Yeshua's (Jesus') day, the temple priests would set up four great lampstands with golden lampholders, which they would light with the aid of enormous ladders in the Temple courtyard. The lighting of these lamps began the celebration of the "Great Hosannah" (Hoshannah Rabbah, in Hebrew). The celebration went on in to the wee hours -- with music and dancing and rejoicing, while the beautiful lights lit up the night. Jerusalem was a breathtaking, illuminated city on a hill.
The following morning the Jewish people would recite the prayer for the eighth day of the feast -- "Be thou praised, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who makest light and causes darkness, who makest peace and createst all: the light of the world as the treasure of life…" Yeshua said, "I am the Light of the world.".
God is Light, He loves light, He creates light, He sheds light, He desires light. Lamps with oil produce light, both for those who carry them and for those who see the light bearers. "You are the light of the world", He said. So the Lord also expects light from and His people. The light of God in our lives comes from His Holy Spirit, and oil has always been associated with the Spirit's ministry in the lives of believers. Burning oil produces light. If we are spiritual "virgins" because we are betrothed to one Heavenly Husband, we ought to bear His light in this dark world. Yet He has told us that some virgins will not have the wisdom to do it, so it is a warning to us; a warning not to quench the Spirit, but be filled with Him and be the light of the world.
Some of us, though virgins, have been walking in darkness. This could change. The choice to light our lamps belongs to us. The gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to all true virgins. The wise among us will "buy oil" and maintain our lamps thoroughly filled. To "buy oil" means to "spend time" with the One who supplies it, asking Him to fill us up, and to clean out the impurities in our "lamps". You know what this means for you personally, and I know what it means for me.
Friend, we ought to think about the joy of the wedding, and prepare our hearts with His light... illuminated beautifully for all the world to see, and to be ready! At midnight, when the Bridegroom suddenly appears, our joy will be unspeakable.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Gainesville, Florida
Editor's Note: Our preferred social media platform is Telegram [ Follow us on Telegram ]. However, we've also set up a Facebook page for Worthy News. [ Follow us on Facebook ].
Lebanon: Parliament approves new government, PM calls for IMF talks
Lebanese lawmakers approved Prime Minister Najib Mikati's new cabinet on Monday, in a move that aims to remedy the country's devastating economic crisis.
Latin, Caribbean Nations Want New Bloc Outside US
The U.S. global influence was further challenged over the weekend, with several Latin American and Caribbean nations aspiring to form their bloc like the European Union.
Several Killed In Russian University Shooting
Russian authorities say a gunman has been detained after opening fire in a university in the Russian city of Perm, killing at least a handful of people.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Christian Feast of Tabernacles event opens with greeting from Bennett, Herzog
Senior Israeli leaders kicked off the 42nd International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem Feast of Tabernacles celebrations on Monday with video greetings as the massive annual gathering went online due to the pandemic.
Israeli doctors: ‘3rd COVID shot requirement not medically justified, unreasonable’
After an FDA decision called into question the necessity of so-called “booster” shots, Israeli doctors and medical professionals wrote a letter condemning a new policy from the Ministry of Health which requires Israelis to be triple vaccinated in order to freely enter a number of public places.
Inside the United States
Roe v. Wade in the balance? Supreme Court sets date for arguments on Mississippi abortion law
The Supreme Court announced Monday that it has set a date to hear arguments in a potential landmark abortion case from Mississippi which the state hopes will result in the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Back to Haiti: US Begins Deporting the 10,000+ Migrants Huddled Under Texas Bridge
The U.S. is flying Haitians camped underneath that bridge in the Texas border town of Del Rio back to their homeland and trying to block others from crossing the border from Mexico.
Dow tumbles more than 600 points at Monday close, following three straight weeks of losses
U.S. stocks shed more than 600 points as the markets closed Monday. This recent plummet comes as emerging risks continue to become the September story for Wall Street.
Durham preparing ‘very well-laid out’ conspiracy charge, ‘Russiagate’ inquirer says
A former top House Intelligence Committee investigator instrumental in revealing secrets behind the "Russiagate" controversy said the latest grand jury indictment in special counsel John Durham's inquiry offers a good view into a broader charge that may follow.
Biden administration asks Pentagon to send military to border
The Biden administration has requested the Pentagon send the military to the southern border to help regain control after thousands of Haitian migrants swarmed over the Rio Grande into Texas.
Christian News
‘Hotel Rwanda’ Celebrity Charged With Murders
Paul Rusesabagina, portrayed in a film as a life-saving hero during the Rwandan genocide, has been convicted of terrorism by a court in Rwanda.
Taliban carrying out mass executions, Christian missionary says
A Christian missionary and former US Army Special Forces and Ranger officer has reported that the Taliban in Afghanistan appear to have carried out mass executions since the US withdrawal last month, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Worthy Watch
Media Hyped ‘Justice For J6’ Rally As The Next ‘Insurrection’ But It Was Another Corrupt Press Dud
Project Veritas: Part 1 of HHS Whistleblower on Covid Vaccine