Worthy Brief - 7/25/2018

[WorthyNewsBot]

Worthy News Brief - July 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.
Friend, if our ministry has blessed you, consider supporting our work online and in Israel! Thank you for your prayers and gifts! Together, we are making a difference for the Kingdom!
Around the World 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.
Letters to the Editor Editor's Note If you would like to submit a note to the editor, simply hit reply. Be sure to add your name and location! We're looking for intercessors to pray for our ministry online and in Israel. If you're interested, please send an email to george [@] worthyemail.com. If you'd like to get a copy of our family newsletter, please send george [@] worthyemail.com an email. Friend, help spread WORTHY BRIEFS, now reaching 126 countries daily! Forward this brief to a friend! IMPORTANT NOTE: To ensure delivery of your Worthy Brief please add worthynewsbrief [@] worthynetwork.com to your address book or approved senders list. If you're having problems receiving your Worthy Brief, click here!	Follow Us on Facebook Worthy News Worthy Devotions Follow Us on Twitter Worthy News Worthy Devotions Support our Ministry Friend, if our ministry has blessed you, consider supporting Worthy Network with a tax-deductible gift! You can give online OR send gifts to: Worthy Ministries 106 Sheffield Place Franklin, TN 37067-4437 Please include your email address in the memo section of your check or money order so we can keep in touch a bit easier than sending mail overseas.

This email was sent to <<Email Address>> unsubscribe from this list | Update Subscription Preferences Worthy News · 106 Sheffield Place · Franklin, TN 37067-4437 · USA

[WilliamL]

While I fully agree with the sentiments of this brief, I believe that the "gates of hell will not prevail" passage is widely misunderstood.

The gates of Hades are not things that attack (the church or otherwise). They are that which keep in: the gates of hell keep in the denizens of hell/Hades, just as the gates of any prison keep its prisoners from escaping.

When Jesus descended to Hades,

1 Peter 3:19 ...he went and preached to the spirits in prison [hell]... 4:1 ...the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

John 5:25 “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live."

Those who received and believed the gospel among the dead rose from the dead (Matt. 27:52-53): the gates of hell did not prevail against them to keep them in hell. This is the meaning of the passage.