Prophecy News Watch provided by Worthy Ministries
Prophecy News Watch is a service hosted by Worthy Ministries to provide Christians daily news from a Biblical, and yet Prophetic worldview. Our news is gathered by our Christian News Service, Worthy News. For more about our vision for how we assemble our daily headlines, please read, "What is Worthy News?"
Around the World
Wuhan lab 'most likely' coronavirus source, U.S. government analysis finds
A Wuhan laboratory is the 'most likely' source of the COVID-19 outbreak now ravaging the globe, according to a U.S. government analysis that catalogs the evidence and concludes that other explanations for the origin of the coronavirus are less credible.
Officials: US seeks indefinite UN arms embargo on Iran
The United States has circulated a draft U.N. resolution that would indefinitely extend a U.N. arms embargo on Iran set to expire in October, a move almost certain to spark opposition from Russia, which has made no secret of its desire to resume conventional weapons sales to Tehran, U.S. officials and U.N. diplomats said Tuesday.
UK government planning to ban minors from access to gender reassignment surgery
A UK cabinet minister has said the government is planning legislation that would prohibit minors from receiving gender reassignment surgery, the Daily Telegraph reported. Equalities Minister Liz Truss was addressing a parliamentary committee last week when she stated it was important to protect minors from making such irreversible decisions.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel enters lockdown ahead of muted Independence Day celebrations
The Independence Day celebrations, characterized by barbecues in local parks, have been banned by the Health Ministry. Most local municipalities also canceled the traditional firework shows, deeming it 'inappropriate' at the time of the epidemic.
US willing to recognize extension of Israeli sovereignty parts of West Bank in context of negotiations with Palestinians
The US State Department said Monday it was prepared to recognize actions taken by Israel to extend Israeli sovereignty to parts of the West Bank. However, this recognition would be 'in the context of the Government of Israel agreeing to negotiate with the Palestinians along the lines set forth in President Trump’s [peace plan],' a State Department spokesperson told The Times of Israel.
Inside the United States
Federal Debt Up $1 Trillion in April
The federal debt has increased by more than $1 trillion so far in the month of April, according to data released by the U.S. Treasury.
Poll: '90 Percent of Americans Fear U.S. Economy Collapse.'
Nearly nine out of every 10 Americans fear the imminent collapse of the U.S. economy during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new poll. The Axios-Ipsos CoronavirusIndex also showed that Americans fear the possible financial ruin of their nation more than the risk of reopening communities too early amid the virus outbreak.
Pentagon to backfill money diverted to build border wall
The Trump administration notified Congress this week that it will try to refill the money it took from Pentagon accounts to use to build the border wall by cutting European defense assistance.
Christian News
Letter Campaign As Christian Spent 2000th Day In North Korean Jail
Christians have launched a global letter-writing campaign demanding the release of an ethnic Korean believer who spent his 2000th day in a prison inside North Korea. Jang Moon Seok, a deacon, was kidnapped by suspected North Korean agents in November 2014 from China, according to aid workers familiar with the situation. He is currently serving a 15–year prison sentence on charges that friends link to his involvement providing aid to North Koreans and evangelism.
Some 132,000 Turn To Christ In 'Quarantine Revival'
More than 130,000 people from across the world, many in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, have decided to follow Jesus Christ after an online evangelism event, organizers said. "We are living through a Great Quarantine Revival, and I think God is just getting started," explained evangelist Nick Hall, whose Pulse movement organized the virtual program.
Tennessee Governor attends multi-church drive-in worship service
The Governor of Tennessee expressed full support for holding drive-in church services during the COVID-19 pandemic by attending such a service himself, Christian Headlines reports. At a time when state and local leaders have grappled with whether to allow drive-in services, Gov. Bill Lee attended a multi-church 'Beyond Our Walls' worship service on Sunday evening.
Amid COVID-19, Wycliffe Associates’ Developed Web-Based Program Helps Bible Translators to Work, Collaborate Remotely
Wycliffe Associates, an international organization working with national translators with close to 1,200 languages in progress, is expanding its Bible translation technological reach with V-MAST, a video conferencing version of the MAST (Mobilized Assistance Supporting Translation) methodology.
Wuhan lab 'most likely' coronavirus source, U.S. government analysis finds
A Wuhan laboratory is the 'most likely' source of the COVID-19 outbreak now ravaging the globe, according to a U.S. government analysis that catalogs the evidence and concludes that other explanations for the origin of the coronavirus are less credible.
Officials: US seeks indefinite UN arms embargo on Iran
The United States has circulated a draft U.N. resolution that would indefinitely extend a U.N. arms embargo on Iran set to expire in October, a move almost certain to spark opposition from Russia, which has made no secret of its desire to resume conventional weapons sales to Tehran, U.S. officials and U.N. diplomats said Tuesday.
UK government planning to ban minors from access to gender reassignment surgery
A UK cabinet minister has said the government is planning legislation that would prohibit minors from receiving gender reassignment surgery, the Daily Telegraph reported. Equalities Minister Liz Truss was addressing a parliamentary committee last week when she stated it was important to protect minors from making such irreversible decisions.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel enters lockdown ahead of muted Independence Day celebrations
The Independence Day celebrations, characterized by barbecues in local parks, have been banned by the Health Ministry. Most local municipalities also canceled the traditional firework shows, deeming it 'inappropriate' at the time of the epidemic.
US willing to recognize extension of Israeli sovereignty parts of West Bank in context of negotiations with Palestinians
The US State Department said Monday it was prepared to recognize actions taken by Israel to extend Israeli sovereignty to parts of the West Bank. However, this recognition would be 'in the context of the Government of Israel agreeing to negotiate with the Palestinians along the lines set forth in President Trump’s [peace plan],' a State Department spokesperson told The Times of Israel.
Inside the United States
Federal Debt Up $1 Trillion in April
The federal debt has increased by more than $1 trillion so far in the month of April, according to data released by the U.S. Treasury.
Poll: '90 Percent of Americans Fear U.S. Economy Collapse.'
Nearly nine out of every 10 Americans fear the imminent collapse of the U.S. economy during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new poll. The Axios-Ipsos CoronavirusIndex also showed that Americans fear the possible financial ruin of their nation more than the risk of reopening communities too early amid the virus outbreak.
Pentagon to backfill money diverted to build border wall
The Trump administration notified Congress this week that it will try to refill the money it took from Pentagon accounts to use to build the border wall by cutting European defense assistance.
Christian News
Letter Campaign As Christian Spent 2000th Day In North Korean Jail
Christians have launched a global letter-writing campaign demanding the release of an ethnic Korean believer who spent his 2000th day in a prison inside North Korea. Jang Moon Seok, a deacon, was kidnapped by suspected North Korean agents in November 2014 from China, according to aid workers familiar with the situation. He is currently serving a 15–year prison sentence on charges that friends link to his involvement providing aid to North Koreans and evangelism.
Some 132,000 Turn To Christ In 'Quarantine Revival'
More than 130,000 people from across the world, many in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, have decided to follow Jesus Christ after an online evangelism event, organizers said. "We are living through a Great Quarantine Revival, and I think God is just getting started," explained evangelist Nick Hall, whose Pulse movement organized the virtual program.
Tennessee Governor attends multi-church drive-in worship service
The Governor of Tennessee expressed full support for holding drive-in church services during the COVID-19 pandemic by attending such a service himself, Christian Headlines reports. At a time when state and local leaders have grappled with whether to allow drive-in services, Gov. Bill Lee attended a multi-church 'Beyond Our Walls' worship service on Sunday evening.
Amid COVID-19, Wycliffe Associates’ Developed Web-Based Program Helps Bible Translators to Work, Collaborate Remotely
Wycliffe Associates, an international organization working with national translators with close to 1,200 languages in progress, is expanding its Bible translation technological reach with V-MAST, a video conferencing version of the MAST (Mobilized Assistance Supporting Translation) methodology.
Around the World
New North American trade pact to take effect July 1
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on Friday said he has notified Congress that the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement will take effect on July 1, a month later than initially proposed.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Arab League to meet over Israel’s plans to annex parts of West Bank
The Arab League said Monday it will convene an urgent virtual meeting this week to discuss how to galvanize opposition to Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank.
Syria accuses Israel of air-strike near Damascus
Syria has accused Israel of conducting a pre-dawn airstrike on a military airfield near Damascus on Monday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said at least four Iranian militants and three civilians were killed, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Inside the United States
'Food supply chain is breaking': Tyson Foods warns 'millions of pounds of meat will disappear' from shelves
Tyson Foods warned 'millions of pounds of meat' will not make it to consumer shelves as processing plants are forced to shutter amid the coronavirus.
Report: 'More Americans Believe in Satan than in God'
A new report of a respected U.S. researcher concludes that more Americans believe in Satan than belief in God. George Barna, whose work is based at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, also writes: "Tens of millions of Americans consider themselves to be Christian but do not believe that God is really in control or cares what happens to them."
US deficit expected to reach nearly $4 Trillion
The US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicted on Friday that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s deficit will reach $3.7 trillion this year, Politico reports. The CBO also said that unemployment will rise to 16 percent in 2020, before going to down to 9.5 percent by the end of 2021.
Christian News
About half of US churches planning to resume in-person services in May
After weeks of having online services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, about half of US churches are expected to resume holding in-person services in May, the Christian Post reported. Churches that reopen are expected to do so while still observing safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
New North American trade pact to take effect July 1
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on Friday said he has notified Congress that the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement will take effect on July 1, a month later than initially proposed.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Arab League to meet over Israel’s plans to annex parts of West Bank
The Arab League said Monday it will convene an urgent virtual meeting this week to discuss how to galvanize opposition to Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank.
Syria accuses Israel of air-strike near Damascus
Syria has accused Israel of conducting a pre-dawn airstrike on a military airfield near Damascus on Monday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said at least four Iranian militants and three civilians were killed, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Inside the United States
'Food supply chain is breaking': Tyson Foods warns 'millions of pounds of meat will disappear' from shelves
Tyson Foods warned 'millions of pounds of meat' will not make it to consumer shelves as processing plants are forced to shutter amid the coronavirus.
Report: 'More Americans Believe in Satan than in God'
A new report of a respected U.S. researcher concludes that more Americans believe in Satan than belief in God. George Barna, whose work is based at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, also writes: "Tens of millions of Americans consider themselves to be Christian but do not believe that God is really in control or cares what happens to them."
US deficit expected to reach nearly $4 Trillion
The US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicted on Friday that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s deficit will reach $3.7 trillion this year, Politico reports. The CBO also said that unemployment will rise to 16 percent in 2020, before going to down to 9.5 percent by the end of 2021.
Christian News
About half of US churches planning to resume in-person services in May
After weeks of having online services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, about half of US churches are expected to resume holding in-person services in May, the Christian Post reported. Churches that reopen are expected to do so while still observing safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Around the World
EU Unveils $580 Billion Aid Package Amid Virus Lockdowns
After the U.S. unveiled similar measures, the European Union has approved a $580 billion aid package to help limit the devastating economic consequences of coronavirus pandemic lockdowns in member states. However, beyond the immediate aid, the dispute remains over the structure - and funding – of a long-term recovery plan. It emerged this weekend that the European Commission, the EU's executive, has now been tasked to make proposals by May 6, when another video conference will be held.
Protests Against Anti-Virus Lockdown Spread In Europe
Protests against lengthy coronavirus-related lockdowns have spread in Europe where most people have died in the global pandemic, devastating economies and wracking lives of millions. In Germany, the continent's largest economy, police detained dozens of protesters over the weekend for violating the strict lockdown measures they were demonstrating against.
'Prominent Saudi Rights Activist Dies In Detention'
A prominent Saudi Arabian rights campaigner imprisoned since 2013 for dissident activities for which he was awarded the 'Alternative Nobel' prize has died, activists and friends confirmed. The 69-year-old Abdullah al-Hamid passed away Thursday in King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, the capital, after suffering a stroke on April 9 in prison, said London-based Saudi rights group ALQST.
Poland's Health Minister: 'Delay Elections Till 2022 Over Coronavirus'
Poland's health minister risked the anger of other government officials by suggesting to delay next month's presidential elections until 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Minister Lukasz Szumowski, who is also a cardiologist, said Friday that postponing the vote 'the only safe option' as the virus disease COVID-19 spreads across the nation.
Saudi Arabia Ends Flogging As Punishment
Saudi Arabia is ending flogging as a form of punishment amid efforts to modernize the judicial system, according to a document obtained by several media outlets. The kingdom's top court said in written remarks that flogging would be replaced by prison sentences or fines, or a mixture of both.
Tense Calm In France After Lockdown Riots
A tense calm returned to the outskirts of Paris after four days of riots exacerbated by the anger of the ongoing coronavirus lockdown and police measures in France. Crowds of youths targeted riot police with fireworks and torched rubbish bins amid rising tensions. The violence began Saturday after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in Villeneuve-La-Garenne in a confrontation with police.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu confident Trump will okay West Bank annexation in ‘couple of months’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he was 'confident' US President Donald Trump would let him fulfill his election promise to apply Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank “a couple of months from now.”
High Court: Shin Bet surveillance of virus carriers must be enshrined in law
The High Court of Justice ruled Sunday that the Shin Bet security service’s cellphone tracking of confirmed coronavirus carriers cannot continue unless the government anchors the highly controversial practice in law.
Inside the United States
U.S. Top Court Rejects States' Coronavirus Appeal Against Trump Policy
Concerns remained Sunday that certain immigrants suffering from the coronavirus disease COVID-19 would not seek medical help after a U.S.Supreme Court ruling. The top court declined a request by U.S.states to halt a Trump administration policy temporarily on health grounds.
Trump Signs $500 Billion Aid Bill As U.S. Virus Deaths Rise To 50,000
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a $484 billion bill on Friday to aid employers and hospitals under pressure from the coronavirus pandemic as the related death toll rose to more than 50,000 Americans.
Christian News
US Pastor Defies Coronavirus House Arrest And Holds Services
A controversial pastor in the U.S. state of Louisiana held services in his evangelical church Sunday despite house arrest orders for violating social distancing measures linked to the coronavirus pandemic. A live stream from Life Tabernacle Church in the state capital Baton Rouge showed pastor Tony Spell walking among more than 100 congregants. Most participants were not wearing face masks or kept social distancing rules. "The virus doesn't have a brain," Spell told the worshipers. "It doesn't stop at the door of the White House and come into the door of the church house. The virus doesn't have a brain, but we can bind fear right now. God gave you an immune system to kill that virus."
Pastor in India, driven from his home, beaten and choked for filing police report
A pastor in India whose family's house was demolished a month ago was assaulted on his way home from grocery shopping by the same people who forced him to flee his village.
Pakistan Church Has Rooftop Services Amid Lockdown and Saves Slaves
An evangelical church and mission group has launched rooftop services in Pakistan after authorities banned regular church meetings amid a national lockdown to halt the coronavirus pandemic. Besides providing alternative worship, the church also saved 100 Christian families from slavery in some of Pakistan's notorious brickyards, a pastor said in an extensive interview.
Group of Pastors in Cuba share Gospel through face masks
A group of pastors in Cuba is sharing the gospel message during the coronavirus pandemic by having Scriptures written on face masks to wear and give out as they minister. Fox News learned of this outreach from Vernon Brewer, the CEO and founder of the World Help Christian humanitarian aid organization.
Facebook removes videos of military chaplains referring to God
Facebook has removed four videos of military chaplains encouraging prayer and referring to God during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fox News reported on Thursday. The posts were taken down after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRRF) complained the videos constituted 'illicit proselytizing' of Christianity.
Christian organization calling on US churches to reopen May 3
The Liberty Counsel (LC) Christian non-profit organization has launched the ReOpen Church Sunday campaign, calling on US churches to resume congregating in person on May 3, the Christian Post reports. As the campaign follows weeks of on-line worship services due to the coronavirus pandemic, LC advises that congregations should continue to observe social-distancing and sanitation measures at in-person services. However, LC says: 'Now is the time to act.'
EU Unveils $580 Billion Aid Package Amid Virus Lockdowns
After the U.S. unveiled similar measures, the European Union has approved a $580 billion aid package to help limit the devastating economic consequences of coronavirus pandemic lockdowns in member states. However, beyond the immediate aid, the dispute remains over the structure - and funding – of a long-term recovery plan. It emerged this weekend that the European Commission, the EU's executive, has now been tasked to make proposals by May 6, when another video conference will be held.
Protests Against Anti-Virus Lockdown Spread In Europe
Protests against lengthy coronavirus-related lockdowns have spread in Europe where most people have died in the global pandemic, devastating economies and wracking lives of millions. In Germany, the continent's largest economy, police detained dozens of protesters over the weekend for violating the strict lockdown measures they were demonstrating against.
'Prominent Saudi Rights Activist Dies In Detention'
A prominent Saudi Arabian rights campaigner imprisoned since 2013 for dissident activities for which he was awarded the 'Alternative Nobel' prize has died, activists and friends confirmed. The 69-year-old Abdullah al-Hamid passed away Thursday in King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, the capital, after suffering a stroke on April 9 in prison, said London-based Saudi rights group ALQST.
Poland's Health Minister: 'Delay Elections Till 2022 Over Coronavirus'
Poland's health minister risked the anger of other government officials by suggesting to delay next month's presidential elections until 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Minister Lukasz Szumowski, who is also a cardiologist, said Friday that postponing the vote 'the only safe option' as the virus disease COVID-19 spreads across the nation.
Saudi Arabia Ends Flogging As Punishment
Saudi Arabia is ending flogging as a form of punishment amid efforts to modernize the judicial system, according to a document obtained by several media outlets. The kingdom's top court said in written remarks that flogging would be replaced by prison sentences or fines, or a mixture of both.
Tense Calm In France After Lockdown Riots
A tense calm returned to the outskirts of Paris after four days of riots exacerbated by the anger of the ongoing coronavirus lockdown and police measures in France. Crowds of youths targeted riot police with fireworks and torched rubbish bins amid rising tensions. The violence began Saturday after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in Villeneuve-La-Garenne in a confrontation with police.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu confident Trump will okay West Bank annexation in ‘couple of months’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he was 'confident' US President Donald Trump would let him fulfill his election promise to apply Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank “a couple of months from now.”
High Court: Shin Bet surveillance of virus carriers must be enshrined in law
The High Court of Justice ruled Sunday that the Shin Bet security service’s cellphone tracking of confirmed coronavirus carriers cannot continue unless the government anchors the highly controversial practice in law.
Inside the United States
U.S. Top Court Rejects States' Coronavirus Appeal Against Trump Policy
Concerns remained Sunday that certain immigrants suffering from the coronavirus disease COVID-19 would not seek medical help after a U.S.Supreme Court ruling. The top court declined a request by U.S.states to halt a Trump administration policy temporarily on health grounds.
Trump Signs $500 Billion Aid Bill As U.S. Virus Deaths Rise To 50,000
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a $484 billion bill on Friday to aid employers and hospitals under pressure from the coronavirus pandemic as the related death toll rose to more than 50,000 Americans.
Christian News
US Pastor Defies Coronavirus House Arrest And Holds Services
A controversial pastor in the U.S. state of Louisiana held services in his evangelical church Sunday despite house arrest orders for violating social distancing measures linked to the coronavirus pandemic. A live stream from Life Tabernacle Church in the state capital Baton Rouge showed pastor Tony Spell walking among more than 100 congregants. Most participants were not wearing face masks or kept social distancing rules. "The virus doesn't have a brain," Spell told the worshipers. "It doesn't stop at the door of the White House and come into the door of the church house. The virus doesn't have a brain, but we can bind fear right now. God gave you an immune system to kill that virus."
Pastor in India, driven from his home, beaten and choked for filing police report
A pastor in India whose family's house was demolished a month ago was assaulted on his way home from grocery shopping by the same people who forced him to flee his village.
Pakistan Church Has Rooftop Services Amid Lockdown and Saves Slaves
An evangelical church and mission group has launched rooftop services in Pakistan after authorities banned regular church meetings amid a national lockdown to halt the coronavirus pandemic. Besides providing alternative worship, the church also saved 100 Christian families from slavery in some of Pakistan's notorious brickyards, a pastor said in an extensive interview.
Group of Pastors in Cuba share Gospel through face masks
A group of pastors in Cuba is sharing the gospel message during the coronavirus pandemic by having Scriptures written on face masks to wear and give out as they minister. Fox News learned of this outreach from Vernon Brewer, the CEO and founder of the World Help Christian humanitarian aid organization.
Facebook removes videos of military chaplains referring to God
Facebook has removed four videos of military chaplains encouraging prayer and referring to God during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fox News reported on Thursday. The posts were taken down after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRRF) complained the videos constituted 'illicit proselytizing' of Christianity.
Christian organization calling on US churches to reopen May 3
The Liberty Counsel (LC) Christian non-profit organization has launched the ReOpen Church Sunday campaign, calling on US churches to resume congregating in person on May 3, the Christian Post reports. As the campaign follows weeks of on-line worship services due to the coronavirus pandemic, LC advises that congregations should continue to observe social-distancing and sanitation measures at in-person services. However, LC says: 'Now is the time to act.'