Worthy Brief - 12/26/2016
Friend, trim your lamps!
Matthew 25:1-13 "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. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
This parable in Matthew 25 is a warning to the entire body -- be ready with your oil! Each of these virgins was anticipating the Lord's return; none were atheists, or non-believers. They were all virgins who claimed to be awaiting the Bridegroom's arrival. But notice carefully that only half of them were truly ready.
In the ancient Temple era the Aaronic priests were in charge of lighting the lamp of God and keeping it burning. Their main responsibilities included trimming the wicks, refilling the lamp constantly with fresh oil, and making sure it never burned out.
A clear parallel can be drawn between the Aaronic priesthood and the New Covenant priesthood of Melchizedek and Yeshua (Jesus). Both are responsible to keep the lamps burning!
Friend, are you feeling burned out this Chanukah season? Then trim your wick by getting rid of the useless things in your life and diving deeper into His Word. Are you feeling spiritually drained? Then wait on the Lord and ask Him for a fresh anointing. Bearing the light of God is the responsibility of all true believers; you are the bearer of that light; so be reignited today and keep your lamps burning bright for Him. Let's be wise virgins, anxiously awaiting His return!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Apollo Beach, FL
Editor's Note: Let President-Elect Trump know the Importance of Israel: Sign our Petition!
Editor's Note: We are on a cross-country speaking/music tour this winter and early spring in the United States! If you see that we will be close to your area and you want to hear a 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, we invite you to join us -- or even invite us to speak/sing at your Congregation, Conference, Church, Midweek Meeting or Israel focused Event, especially if you see a free date on our way! We hope to hug you! Send us an email to george [ @ ] worthyemail.com for more information. Check out our calendar and see if we're speaking near you!
Around the World
China sends aircraft carrier to Pacific for first time
China's navy has sent a carrier battle group to the Pacific to conduct military drills for the first time. The projection of power comes amid tensions with Taiwan and the US in the South China Sea.
Can Fake News Start A Nuclear War? Pakistan Defense Minister Threatens Israel In Response To Bogus Story
Concern about the effects of fake news racheted up a notch Sunday with a tweet from Pakistan's defense minister threatening nuclear war with Israel on the mistaken belief Israel's defense minister had threatened Pakistan if it sent troops to Syria.
Putin calls Assad to congratulate him on Aleppo 'liberation'
Russian President Vladimir Putin called Syria's Bashar Assad Friday to congratulate him on completing the 'liberation' of Aleppo, the Kremlin said.
Ebola vaccine gives 100% protection, study finds
An experimental vaccine against the Ebola virus was found to be 100% effective, according to a study published in The Lancet on Thursday.
Super Typhoon Nock-ten makes landfall on the Philippines
Super Typhoon Nock-ten, rapidly intensifying through Christmas Eve, made landfall on the eastern province of Philippines on Christmas Day.
7.7-magnitude earthquake in Chile, tsunami warning lifted
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Chile Sunday. There were tsunami warnings, but they have been lifted.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu warns ministers: Obama could take further steps against Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Likud ministers on Sunday to stop criticizing US President Barack Obama and calling for annexing territories and building in settlements as a response to UN Security Council Resolution 2334 that passed two days earlier.
Netanyahu aide: Obama administration pushed UN resolution
A spokesman for the Israeli prime minister said Sunday that they have 'ironclad information' that the Obama administration had a large role in pushing the United Nation's resolution on Israeli settlements.
Allowing anti-settlement resolution to pass, US also shifts to branding settlements illegal
In a speech to the Security Council explaining why the US had changed its longstanding policy Friday and abstained in a vote demanding a halt to all Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem -- thus enabling the motion to pass -- US ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power signaled another significant shift by saying America recognized the Security Council's consensus that 'settlements have no legal validity.'
Netanyahu warns ministers against declarations of annexation
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed his party Sunday to refrain from making public declarations relating to annexation of territories or construction in the West Bank, warning that more international maneuvers could be made against Israel until the expiration of President Obama's tenure in office on January 20.
In wake of UN vote, PM hails historic ties to Jerusalem in Hanukkah ceremony
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a last minute decision joined the candle lighting ceremony at the Western Wall Sunday for the second night of Hanukkah and hailed Jewish ties to the historic city.
Fearing UN vote on principles of Palestinian statehood, PM 'reaching out to Trump'
Amid escalating fallout from the UN Security Council vote Friday that condemned Israel's settlement activities, a furious Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reported on Sunday night to be attempting to 'recruit' the incoming Trump administration and the US Congress to block a feared bid by the outgoing Obama administration to have the Security Council approve principles for a Palestinian state.
Inside the United States
Congress: Obama admin fired top scientist to advance climate change plans
A new congressional investigation has determined that the Obama administration fired a top scientist and intimidated staff at the Department of Energy in order to further its climate change agenda, according to a new report that alleges the administration ordered top officials to obstruct Congress in order to forward this agenda.
Rabbi uses National Menorah lighting to trash Obama UN move
The rabbi in charge of the National Hanukkah Menorah lighting used the ceremony, held Sunday just steps from the White House, to criticize the Obama administration's decision to allow the United Nations to pass a resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank and portions of Jerusalem as illegal.
Christian News
Nigerian churches criticised for not helping persecuted north
Christians in the south of Nigeria are failing to help their persecuted compatriots in the north, according to a veteran humanitarian campaigner.
Nepali church leaders found guilty of 'witchcraft' and 'violence' for helping mentally ill woman
A Nepali court has found four Christians guilty of 'violence' and 'witchcraft' against a severely mentally ill woman whom they sought to heal, even though she testified in court in their favour, saying she was now better. The four are sentenced to five years in prison. A fifth Christian, Rupa Thapa, was found not guilty and released after the hearing in the District Court of Salyan - a district in western Nepal.
Aleppo Christians celebrate holiday in hope peace has returned
Christians in Aleppo celebrated under a giant Christmas tree lit up for the first time in five years, hailing what many described as the return of peace to a city that came back under full government control last week.