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
US kills powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad airstrike
Qassem Soleimani, the powerful head of Iran’s Quds Force, was killed in an airstrike at Baghdad International Airport, Iraqi TV and three Iraqi officials said Friday.
Esper promises to pre-emptively strike Iran if U.S. receives intelligence of impending attacks
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday that the U.S. was anticipating more attacks from Iran following an assault on the American embassy Tuesday that caused serious damage, promising to pre-emptively strike the Islamic Republic if reliable intelligence of a forthcoming attack surfaced.
Police in Hong Kong arrest hundreds on New Year's Day
Hong Kong police arrested 400 people on New Year's Day after what began as a peaceful protest deteriorated into protestors forming human chains and passing bricks to each other, police firing on them with tear gas.
Wildfires destroy hundreds of homes, cause thousands to flee in Australia in one week
Wildfires sweeping through Australia have caused thousands to flee and burned 381 homes to the ground in the last week, with officials not expecting the fires to let up until significant rainfalls come in a few months.
Iran militia in Iraq vows to legislate U.S. out of the country
The Iranian militia group Kataeb Hezbollah vowed to seek the expulsion of U.S. troops from Iraqi territory Thursday through legal channels after protests manufactured by Iran wreaked havoc on the U.S. embassy earlier in the week.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel set to build advanced national communications satellite
Israel's major aerospace and aviation manufacturer will develop and manufacture a national communications satellite that is expected to serve the country's needs for at least 15 years.
Israel moving towards ‘calm’ agreement with Hamas
Israel made progress toward a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza, in a two-hour meeting on Wednesday that ended without a vote.
Inside the United States
More than 200 members of Congress ask Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade in latest abortion case
More than 200 members of Congress asked the Supreme Court to consider overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, when it takes up a major abortion case this spring.
Christian News
Earliest Christian church in sub-Saharan Africa discovered in Ethiopia
Researchers have discovered what is thought to be the oldest church in sub-Saharan Africa in Ethiopia, allowing scholars to now reliably date the spread of Christianity to the continent to the Constantinian era.
Christians in India dragged to jail and charged with illegal medicine for healing prayers
Christians in central India accused of illegally practicing medicine spent Christmas Eve and Christmas in jail, later discovering that the charges against them applied to prayers for healing in which they had engaged.
Chinese Christians on the mainland punished for Hong Kong protests
Officials in China are extremely threatened by the involvement of Christians in recent mass protests in Hong Kong, with many churches on the mainland pinned for supposed extremism in recent months for their association with Christians in the Special Administrative Region.
Trump admin condemns imprisonment of Chinese pastor Wang Yi, calls for his release: 'We are alarmed'
The Trump administration has condemned the imprisonment of Wang Yi, pastor of one of China's best-known unregistered house churches, calling it another example of 'Beijing's intensification of repression of Chinese Christians and members of other religious groups.'
US kills powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad airstrike
Qassem Soleimani, the powerful head of Iran’s Quds Force, was killed in an airstrike at Baghdad International Airport, Iraqi TV and three Iraqi officials said Friday.
Esper promises to pre-emptively strike Iran if U.S. receives intelligence of impending attacks
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday that the U.S. was anticipating more attacks from Iran following an assault on the American embassy Tuesday that caused serious damage, promising to pre-emptively strike the Islamic Republic if reliable intelligence of a forthcoming attack surfaced.
Police in Hong Kong arrest hundreds on New Year's Day
Hong Kong police arrested 400 people on New Year's Day after what began as a peaceful protest deteriorated into protestors forming human chains and passing bricks to each other, police firing on them with tear gas.
Wildfires destroy hundreds of homes, cause thousands to flee in Australia in one week
Wildfires sweeping through Australia have caused thousands to flee and burned 381 homes to the ground in the last week, with officials not expecting the fires to let up until significant rainfalls come in a few months.
Iran militia in Iraq vows to legislate U.S. out of the country
The Iranian militia group Kataeb Hezbollah vowed to seek the expulsion of U.S. troops from Iraqi territory Thursday through legal channels after protests manufactured by Iran wreaked havoc on the U.S. embassy earlier in the week.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel set to build advanced national communications satellite
Israel's major aerospace and aviation manufacturer will develop and manufacture a national communications satellite that is expected to serve the country's needs for at least 15 years.
Israel moving towards ‘calm’ agreement with Hamas
Israel made progress toward a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza, in a two-hour meeting on Wednesday that ended without a vote.
Inside the United States
More than 200 members of Congress ask Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade in latest abortion case
More than 200 members of Congress asked the Supreme Court to consider overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, when it takes up a major abortion case this spring.
Christian News
Earliest Christian church in sub-Saharan Africa discovered in Ethiopia
Researchers have discovered what is thought to be the oldest church in sub-Saharan Africa in Ethiopia, allowing scholars to now reliably date the spread of Christianity to the continent to the Constantinian era.
Christians in India dragged to jail and charged with illegal medicine for healing prayers
Christians in central India accused of illegally practicing medicine spent Christmas Eve and Christmas in jail, later discovering that the charges against them applied to prayers for healing in which they had engaged.
Chinese Christians on the mainland punished for Hong Kong protests
Officials in China are extremely threatened by the involvement of Christians in recent mass protests in Hong Kong, with many churches on the mainland pinned for supposed extremism in recent months for their association with Christians in the Special Administrative Region.
Trump admin condemns imprisonment of Chinese pastor Wang Yi, calls for his release: 'We are alarmed'
The Trump administration has condemned the imprisonment of Wang Yi, pastor of one of China's best-known unregistered house churches, calling it another example of 'Beijing's intensification of repression of Chinese Christians and members of other religious groups.'
Around the World
Hundreds of troops deployed to Iraq to defend US embassy as Trump says peace with Iran not likely
The US is scheduled to deploy 750 new troops to defend the US embassy in Iraq, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday night, following protests by Iran-backed groups that marched on the compound in retaliation for US strikes Sunday that killed 25 Kataeb Hezbollah fighters.
Surge of IS Violence Seen in Syria
Islamic State militants have increased their terror activity in recent weeks in Syria, carrying out deadly attacks against Syrian regime troops and U.S.-backed forces.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel moving towards ‘calm’ agreement with Hamas
Israel made progress toward a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza, in a two-hour meeting on Wednesday that ended without a vote.
Annual poverty report reveals 841,000 children in Israel live in poverty
The poverty rate in Israel has grown by a percent over the last year – with a bigger increase in the number of children under the line of poverty, according to the poverty report for 2018 published by the National Insurance Institute of Israel (NII) on Tuesday.
IDF unveils first-of-its-kind unit unifying pilots, tank drivers and more
The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday created a new type of combat unit bringing together infantry, tanks, combat engineering and air power to serve as a proving ground for new fighting techniques and tactics.
Inside the United States
Hundreds of Counties Across America Have Declared Themselves ‘2nd Amendment Sanctuaries’
Hundreds of local counties, cities, and towns across America are declaring themselves 'Second Amendment sanctuaries' or 'constitutional counties' as part of an ever-expanding movement over the past few years that has surprised even those who enacted the sanctuary resolutions in the first place.
FBI data underscores rising threat to places of worship
When a machete-wielding attacker walked into a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, during Hanukkah and a gunman fired on worshipers at a Texas church 14 hours later, the two congregations in different regions of the country joined a growing list of faith communities that have come under attack in the US.
More Roman Catholic sexual abuse history comes to light in Charlotte, North Carolina
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte released a list of 14 clergy Monday it said had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors since its founding in 1972, including the names of six other clergy who had been credibly accused before the diocese's founding, and 23 men who had been caught outside its jurisdiction.
Christian News
China intends to exercise total control over religion beginning February 2020
China will roll out new measures to further circumscribe the spiritual activities of its citizens on February 1st in the New Year, as state news reported Monday that the 42 articles of the Administrative Measures for Religious Groups had been approved.
Radicals in India disrupt inauguration of Jesus-centered prayer hall
Three Bharatiya Janata Party-affiliated people led an attack on a new prayer hall dedicated to Jesus in India's West Bengal state Saturday, as a mob of 800 people, mostly non-Christians, surrounded the building's inauguration ceremony.
Hundreds of troops deployed to Iraq to defend US embassy as Trump says peace with Iran not likely
The US is scheduled to deploy 750 new troops to defend the US embassy in Iraq, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday night, following protests by Iran-backed groups that marched on the compound in retaliation for US strikes Sunday that killed 25 Kataeb Hezbollah fighters.
Surge of IS Violence Seen in Syria
Islamic State militants have increased their terror activity in recent weeks in Syria, carrying out deadly attacks against Syrian regime troops and U.S.-backed forces.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel moving towards ‘calm’ agreement with Hamas
Israel made progress toward a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza, in a two-hour meeting on Wednesday that ended without a vote.
Annual poverty report reveals 841,000 children in Israel live in poverty
The poverty rate in Israel has grown by a percent over the last year – with a bigger increase in the number of children under the line of poverty, according to the poverty report for 2018 published by the National Insurance Institute of Israel (NII) on Tuesday.
IDF unveils first-of-its-kind unit unifying pilots, tank drivers and more
The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday created a new type of combat unit bringing together infantry, tanks, combat engineering and air power to serve as a proving ground for new fighting techniques and tactics.
Inside the United States
Hundreds of Counties Across America Have Declared Themselves ‘2nd Amendment Sanctuaries’
Hundreds of local counties, cities, and towns across America are declaring themselves 'Second Amendment sanctuaries' or 'constitutional counties' as part of an ever-expanding movement over the past few years that has surprised even those who enacted the sanctuary resolutions in the first place.
FBI data underscores rising threat to places of worship
When a machete-wielding attacker walked into a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, during Hanukkah and a gunman fired on worshipers at a Texas church 14 hours later, the two congregations in different regions of the country joined a growing list of faith communities that have come under attack in the US.
More Roman Catholic sexual abuse history comes to light in Charlotte, North Carolina
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte released a list of 14 clergy Monday it said had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors since its founding in 1972, including the names of six other clergy who had been credibly accused before the diocese's founding, and 23 men who had been caught outside its jurisdiction.
Christian News
China intends to exercise total control over religion beginning February 2020
China will roll out new measures to further circumscribe the spiritual activities of its citizens on February 1st in the New Year, as state news reported Monday that the 42 articles of the Administrative Measures for Religious Groups had been approved.
Radicals in India disrupt inauguration of Jesus-centered prayer hall
Three Bharatiya Janata Party-affiliated people led an attack on a new prayer hall dedicated to Jesus in India's West Bengal state Saturday, as a mob of 800 people, mostly non-Christians, surrounded the building's inauguration ceremony.
Around the World
Defense officials ready 4,000 troops for deployment in Middle East
Three U.S. defense officials confirmed late Tuesday night that 4,000 troops from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division’s alert brigade are preparing to mobilize to the Middle East after protesters encircled the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad earlier in the day.
US reinforcements deployed to Iraq following assault on US embassy Trump says engineered by Iran
One hundred marines were deployed to the US embassy in Iraq Tuesday under a "show of force" from two Apache helicopters, as Iraqi protestors assaulted the compound in retaliation for US strikes on Iran-backed forces that killed 25 militants.
Trump warns Iran of ‘BIG PRICE’ to pay for attacks on US
The US flew a rapid response team of Marines into Baghdad to reinforce its embassy on Tuesday after a mob of pro-Iranian demonstrators stormed the compound, setting fires and chanting 'Death to America!'
Anti-Semitic graffiti in UK tails attacks on Jews in US during Hanukkah season
Jewish stars of David adjoined to the numbers "911" were discovered on an Israeli-style restaurant and on a synagogue in the predominantly Jewish areas of Hampstead and Belsize Park in north London in the UK Sunday.
"Apocalypse" descends on southeast Australia as wildfires forces thousands to flee
Scenes reminiscent of the "apocalypse" settled over southeastern Australia Tuesday, as brushfires had forced thousands to flee to beaches and burned down whole towns.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Forced to give up portfolios, Netanyahu set to appoint new ministers
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to appoint three new cabinet ministers on Wednesday after being forced to drop all his ministerial posts due to the criminal charges against him.
Inside the United States
Decade of Debt: Federal Debt Up More Than $10 Trillion in 2010s
The federal debt increased by a record $10,796,419,662,320 in the decade that is coming to a close today, according to data published by the U.S. Treasury.
With Births Down, the U.S. Sees the Slowest Population Growth Rate in a Century
The past year’s population growth rate in the United States was the slowest in a century due to declining births, increasing deaths and the slowdown of international migration, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Christian News
Iranian Christians, charged with "Zionism," sent to Evin prison, have their bail multiplied for requesting a lawyer
Nine Iranian Christians who had converted from Islam were sentenced to a total of 45 years in prison for "acting against national security" and "promoting Zionism," as Iran's Revolutionary court denied the requests of those who asked for lawyers and transferred them to the country's worst prison.
Translation of ISIS video threatens Christians of the world for killing of al-Baghdadi
A translation from a 56-second video released by the Amaq ISIS news outlet showing the beheading and execution of 11 Christians in Nigeria over the Christmas holiday was provided by the Washington-based SITE Intelligence Group in recent days.
Defense officials ready 4,000 troops for deployment in Middle East
Three U.S. defense officials confirmed late Tuesday night that 4,000 troops from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division’s alert brigade are preparing to mobilize to the Middle East after protesters encircled the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad earlier in the day.
US reinforcements deployed to Iraq following assault on US embassy Trump says engineered by Iran
One hundred marines were deployed to the US embassy in Iraq Tuesday under a "show of force" from two Apache helicopters, as Iraqi protestors assaulted the compound in retaliation for US strikes on Iran-backed forces that killed 25 militants.
Trump warns Iran of ‘BIG PRICE’ to pay for attacks on US
The US flew a rapid response team of Marines into Baghdad to reinforce its embassy on Tuesday after a mob of pro-Iranian demonstrators stormed the compound, setting fires and chanting 'Death to America!'
Anti-Semitic graffiti in UK tails attacks on Jews in US during Hanukkah season
Jewish stars of David adjoined to the numbers "911" were discovered on an Israeli-style restaurant and on a synagogue in the predominantly Jewish areas of Hampstead and Belsize Park in north London in the UK Sunday.
"Apocalypse" descends on southeast Australia as wildfires forces thousands to flee
Scenes reminiscent of the "apocalypse" settled over southeastern Australia Tuesday, as brushfires had forced thousands to flee to beaches and burned down whole towns.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Forced to give up portfolios, Netanyahu set to appoint new ministers
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to appoint three new cabinet ministers on Wednesday after being forced to drop all his ministerial posts due to the criminal charges against him.
Inside the United States
Decade of Debt: Federal Debt Up More Than $10 Trillion in 2010s
The federal debt increased by a record $10,796,419,662,320 in the decade that is coming to a close today, according to data published by the U.S. Treasury.
With Births Down, the U.S. Sees the Slowest Population Growth Rate in a Century
The past year’s population growth rate in the United States was the slowest in a century due to declining births, increasing deaths and the slowdown of international migration, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Christian News
Iranian Christians, charged with "Zionism," sent to Evin prison, have their bail multiplied for requesting a lawyer
Nine Iranian Christians who had converted from Islam were sentenced to a total of 45 years in prison for "acting against national security" and "promoting Zionism," as Iran's Revolutionary court denied the requests of those who asked for lawyers and transferred them to the country's worst prison.
Translation of ISIS video threatens Christians of the world for killing of al-Baghdadi
A translation from a 56-second video released by the Amaq ISIS news outlet showing the beheading and execution of 11 Christians in Nigeria over the Christmas holiday was provided by the Washington-based SITE Intelligence Group in recent days.