Worthy Brief - 10/28/2016
Friend, give thanks for His rest!
Hebrews 4:3-4 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works";
As God worked on creation for six days and rested on the seventh day, so our seven day week is established on that pattern. If, as the scripture declares, with the Lord one day is as 1,000 years and 1,000 years as a day, then the seven-day cycle also finds expression in a great historical "week". As we approach the 1,000-year reign of the Messiah, this "millennium" as it is called, (described in some detail in Revelation chapter 20), is clearly understood as a time of global rest, peace, and righteousness throughout the Earth.
This "millennial" rest could never come but for its foundation in Yeshua's cross which was established at the foundation of the world [Revelation 13:8], although it was historically accomplished about 2000 years ago. Our own regular week, itself, with its 7th day of rest gives perpetual testimony to our Lord's provision for all mankind. This provision is both natural and spiritual; present and future.
Yeshua's "work" on the cross was the greatest and most difficult labor in history. And He declared it finished, shortly before the Jewish Sabbath began that week, His followers hurrying to remove Him from the cross and bury Him in the tomb before Shabbat began. The Lord's agonizing work of suffering and death has given rest to all who have believed in Him.
Friend, your weekly day of rest serves a powerful reminder aside from being a day of delight, refreshment, and renewal. You are resting in Yeshua's finished work, utterly incapable of laboring for your own righteousness, sins forgiven by the shedding of His blood. You also are resting in the hope of the world, the return of the Messiah to establish His peaceable kingdom of righteousness. So this weekend, leave the struggles -- the labors -- the toil of the week behind you – and enter into His rest, His peace. This is His good will for us who believe.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Negev Desert, Israel
Editor's Note: We are hoping to come to the United States this upcoming January-March for a cross country speaking/music tour. If you want to hear timely word from Worthy News Founder and Director, George Whitten and powerful Israeli Worship Music from Baht Rivka Whitten, Lazman Hazeh Music, as well as testimony of life and ministry in the Land, make sure to book soon for your Congregation, Conference, Church, Home Fellowship or Israel focused Event. We hope to hug you! Please send an email to george [ @ ] worthyemail.com for more information.
Editor's Note: Watch George's message: Which voice will you listen to in the last days?
Around the World
Russia warships: Kuznetsov battle group 'refuels off North Africa'
A group of warships including Russia's only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, is reportedly refuelling at sea off North Africa en route to Syria.
NATO seeks to manage Russia's new military deployments
President Vladimir Putin's high-profile military deployments aim to showcase Russian power in any global confrontation with the West, NATO officials say, but the alliance will not seek to match Moscow's actions.
Plan to battle ISIS creates uneasy alliance that has US working with Iran
The Americans don't trust the Iranians, the Iranians covet Iraq, the Sunnis and Shia have been at each other's throats for 1,000 years and the Kurds prefer to be left alone.
Russia 'unconvinced' by UN investigation on use of chemical weapons in Syria
On Thursday Russia dismissed the findings of a joint UN-Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) report concluding the Syrian government used chemical weapons on its own people.
UN votes to launch talks on nuclear weapons ban
A UN General Assembly committee on Thursday voted to launch negotiations on a new treaty banning nuclear weapons despite fierce opposition from the world's nuclear powers.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Trump tells Jerusalem rally he'll 'make Israel, US safe again'
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump told a Republican event in Jerusalem on Wednesday that he will work to make 'America and Israel safe again.'
Israel says ancient papyrus supports its claim to Jerusalem
Israeli archaeologists have made public a fragment of an ancient text which they say is the earliest Hebrew reference to Jerusalem outside the Bible - a discovery the government swiftly enlisted as evidence of the Jewish connection to the holy city.
Christ's Burial Place Exposed for First Time in Centuries
For the first time in centuries, scientists have exposed the original surface of what is traditionally considered the tomb of Jesus Christ. Located in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, the tomb has been covered by marble cladding since at least 1555 A.D., and most likely centuries earlier.
Inside the United States
Dozens arrested in $300M India-based IRS fraud scheme
The Department of Justice on Thursday indicted 61 people and entities for alleged involvement in a $300 million fraud scheme in which India-based scammers impersonated Internal Revenue Service agents.
White House Scolds Americans: It's 'Pretty Simple,' Sign Up for Obamacare or Pay Significant Fine
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Thursday there was a 'pretty simple' choice for Americans regarding the Obamacare individual mandate: Sign up for health insurance or pay Uncle Sam a $700 fine.
U.S. Politics
Trump raises about half as much as Clinton in campaign's final weeks, finance reports show
Donald Trump raised about half as much as Hillary Clinton for his presidential campaign in the first 19 days of October, putting him at a severe financial disadvantage in the crucial final days of the White House contest, new campaign finance reports filed late Thursday show.
Trump blasts 'dirty polls' after rigged election claims
After weeks of claiming the 2016 presidential election is rigged in Hillary Clinton's favor, Donald Trump said on Thursday that national and state polls conducted by media outlets and nonpartisan groups are also perverted to help the Democratic nominee.
Plane carrying VP candidate Pence skids off NY runway, no injuries
A plane carrying U.S. Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence skidded off the runway after landing in the rain at New York City's LaGuardia Airport on Thursday, halting flights for at least an hour, officials said.
3 Things to Look for on Election Day Ballot: Marijuana, Religion, and Suicide (Part 1)
Choosing the future president of the United States of America is not the only decision voters across the nation will find themselves voting on come November 8.
3 More Things to Look for on Election Day Ballot: Casinos, Sex, Death Penalty (Part 2)
Choosing the future president of the United States of America is not the only decision voters across the nation will find themselves voting on come November 8.
AP-GfK poll: Most voters believe media biased against Trump
Donald Trump repeatedly rages that the media is biased against him, putting claims of press prejudice at the center of his campaign for president. Most voters -- and not just those who are backing the Republican nominee -- agree with him, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll.
Christian News
Judge Rules Iowa Churches Are Not Subject to Government Control
A federal judge in Iowa has ruled that churches are not 'public accommodations' and therefore not subject to government control.