April 27 – May 3, 2014

“If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because

of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.”

(Ezekiel 33:6, New International Version)

Weekly World Watch

Andy Walton’s

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What is a Weekly World Watch?

• Israel: The continuing conflict in the Middle East and focus on Jerusalem.

• Europe: Its developing union, both political and religious.

• Russia: Its return to anti-Western ways as Bible prophecy’s “king of the north.”

• The UK and the US: Bible prophecy’s “king of the south.”

• Moral standards in decline and violence on the increase.

WWW presentations in PowerPoint can be ordered as audio/visual CDs by clicking here. Move your mouse to place the cursor on the blue link and click.

The idea is simple. It is to look at current events and compare them to events spoken of in the Bible. .

I hope to build up a picture of God’s hand working in the affairs of this world. God is bringing about a day when all nations will be gathered to Jerusalem to battle. At that time God will send His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, back to this earth. Jesus will then establish God’s kingdom on earth.

This kingdom will last for ever. This is our hope and the reason we watch.

• Increasing natural disasters: including earthquake, famine etc

The following six themes will appear repeatedly in WWW:

HEADLINE

EVENT

COMMENT

News Photo

The source of the headline and the date are included.

Each WWW looks at a few key developments that have happened during the past week. It is in no way meant to be exhaustive – just a look at those events I saw as significant from a Biblical point of view.

What is in a Weekly World Watch?

BIBLEQUOTE

This is normally one verse which backs up why the event that has occurred is interesting from a Biblical perspective. Please read in its context. Unless stated otherwise, all quotes are from the King James Version. (Book, chapter, and verse)

This is straight from a news report that caught my eye because it looked significant from a Biblical perspective, usually that of prophecy.

Every WWW event slide has the following format. To reveal each block of text just left click your mouse or press the space bar. You control when it appears.

This is the reporter’s description of the event. It is always a direct quotation from the news report and reflects the understanding of the reporter and editors.

This is my comment on why the event is interesting to a Bible student. The intention of the WWW is to offer brief Biblical perspectives without going into detail. If more detail is desired, please e-mail me: (andy@weeklyworldwatch.co.uk). Please note that these are personal thoughts and the aim is purely to stimulate Bible study.

This Week’s Developments

To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper rightPRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

• Russia warns Ukraine of 'catastrophic consequences’

• Ukraine crisis: dozens killed in Odessa

• NATO Official: Russia now an adversary

• John Kerry warns Israel could become apartheid state

• 'UK should get out of the EU,' says former French PM

April 27 – May 3, 2014

• US: Tornadoes, dust storms and floods

Ukraine has launched a military assault on the flashpoint town of Slavyansk, raising the stakes in the showdown with Russia, which has promised "catastrophic consequences" if Kiev stepped up operations. Insurgents shot down two army helicopters, killing two servicemen, including a pilot, as the army tightened its noose around the rebel-held town of 160,000 people. The predawn offensive drew a sharp response from Moscow, where a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin said it dealt a "final blow" to a deal clinched last month in Geneva meant to ease the crisis.A spokeswoman for insurgents in Slavyansk, the epicentre of tensions in eastern Ukraine, said the army had staged a "full-scale attack" on the town. An AFP reporter on the scene saw a column of eight armoured vehicles just south of Slavyansk and heard explosions and sporadic small arms fire as helicopters circled overhead.

Daily Telegraph, May 2, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

at the time of the end, the king of the south will thrust at the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall

BIBLEQUOTE

Another week and yet another step towards war in Europe. On Thursday Ukraine's interim president reintroduced conscription amid fears of an imminent Russian invasion. Oleksander Turchynov has also put his armed forces on "full-combat alert" in response to the estimated 40,000 Russian troops massed on the border. Analysts say Ukraine has 130,000 personnel in its armed forces that could be boosted to about one million with reservists. German chancellor Angela Merkel and President Obama delivered a joint statement that 3rd tier economic sanctions will be activated if Russia moves further into Ukraine. This is the strongest statement from Germany yet. We have all the makings here (as reported last week) of a third world war. This is not an exaggeration. Both of the world’s superpowers are directly opposing each other with no side backing down. The king of the north (Russia) and king of the south (US/UK) are at loggerheads.

Russia warns Ukraine of 'catastrophic consequences’

(Daniel 11:40 NLT)

Dozens have died in a building fire in Ukraine after a clash between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian protesters in the Black Sea port of Odessa. Ukrainian authorities said 31 people died in the blaze at the city’s trade union building on Friday evening. Twenty-three of the victims died of carbon monoxide poisoning and eight died after leaping from upper storey windows to escape the flames, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. More than 50 people, including 10 policemen, have sought medical attention. The carnage came after a day of vicious street battles between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian activists in which both sides hurled cobble stones and molotov cocktails. Riot police largely stood aside as pro-Russian activists carrying bats and shields and distinguished by the orange and black St. George’s ribbon clashed with activists carrying the yellow and blue colours of the Ukrainian flag.

Daily Telegraph, May 2, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him

BIBLEQUOTE

There is no doubt that Putin has caused this mayhem. This one man has stirred up Ukraine so that the nation has begun to tear itself apart. There was no violence, no rioting, no clashes until Putin sent in his special forces to destabilise eastern Ukraine.Human life means nothing to this man. His ambition, his plan, is to recreate the Russian Empire. He will stop at nothing to achieve this aim. Even if many lives are sacrificed he will not stop. In fact the Bible speaks of a Russian ruler (Gog) who lives at the time of the end. God knew all about Putin and the role he would play. Listen to these words from Ezekiel 38:17. This is God speaking….”You are the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel. At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them.” The chapter goes on to say that when Gog does send his armies into Israel – he (Gog) and they (his armies) will be destroyed by God…

Ukraine crisis: dozens killed in Odessa

(Ezekiel 38:21-22 NIV)

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NATO Official: Russia now an adversary

After two decades of trying to build a partnership with Russia, NATO now feels compelled to start treating Moscow as an adversary, the alliance's second-ranking official said Thursday. "Clearly the Russians have declared NATO as an adversary, so we have to begin to view Russia no longer as a partner but as more of an adversary than a partner," said Alexander Vershbow, the deputy secretary-general of NATO.In a question-and-answer session with a small group of reporters, Vershbow said Russia's annexation of Crimea and its apparent manipulation of unrest in eastern Ukraine have fundamentally changed the NATO-Russia relationship. "In central Europe, clearly we have two different visions of what European security should be like," Vershbow said. "We still would defend the sovereignty and freedom of choice of Russia's neighbors, and Russia clearly is trying to re-impose hegemony and limit their sovereignty under the guise of a defense of the Russian world."

Associated Press, May 1, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince (ruler) of Rosh, of Meshech, and of Tubal. And I will turn you back and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you forth and all your army

BIBLEQUOTE

(Ezekiel 38:3-4)

Interesting that NATO now talk of Russia being an adversary not a partner. NATO says that Russia is trying to reimpose hegemony. In the Greek the word “Hegemon” means a leader. Hegemony is where a more powerful state rules over subordinate states using the threat of force. This is exactly what Russia is now doing.

Ezekiel 38 talks about God turning Gog back. It actually says ”I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army.” The original Hebrew means “I will return you” or “I will restore you”. Putin (Gog) has been returned and restored to power (in 2012). But we also see Russia itself turned back to an being an adversary. Returned to anti-west, authoritarian, totalitarian ways. God says that

when Gog has been restored we will then see him descend into the Middle East…

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John Kerry warns Israel could become apartheid state

John Kerry has warned that Israel risks becoming an “apartheid state” if it fails conclude a historic peace deal with the Palestinians, in a graphic indication of his frustration at the collapse of his peace initiative. His blunt comment, made behind closed doors at a meeting of senior international officials, broke a long-standing American taboo on comparing Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians to apartheid-era South Africa, and is certain to damage his already frayed relations with the Israeli political establishment. Underscoring the urgency of creating an independent Palestine alongside Israel he declared: “A two-state solution will be clearly underscored as the only real alternative - because a unitary state winds up either being an apartheid state with second class citizens, or it ends up being a state that destroys the capacity of Israel to be a Jewish state.”

Daily Telegraph, April 28, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely:

BIBLEQUOTE

(Jeremiah 23:5-6)

Apartheid is an Afrikaans word which means apartness.. It was a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race. It was the cause of serious political violence over the years. Over 9000 people were killed during the years of apartheid.

The main difference of course is that in effect John Kerry and the rest of the world are calling for apartheid in Israel. They are calling for two different races to live in two different countries. To divide the land and keep the races apart!

But what does God say about the land of Israel? He says the whole land of Israel from the Jordan river to the Mediterranean is His land and He has given it to the Jews. In Numbers 33:53 we read “I have given you the land to possess it.” God also says in the prophecy of Joel about the land being divided. But he goes on to say “what have you to do with me Palestinians (Philistines). Israel will one day be a united nation under Christ.

'UK should get out of the EU,' says former French PM

Britain should leave Europe because it is killing the European Union dream, a former French Prime Minister has said. In a blistering attack, Michel Rocard, a grandee of the French Socialist Party who served as premier under Francois Mitterrand, identified Britain as the source of all the EU's problems. "Britain is a great country that has always refused to allow Europe to interfere in its affairs. It has blocked any further integration," he told a French parliamentary magazine. "If they go, it becomes possible to respond to the needs of governing in Europe. Even Germany realises this and demands it. I hope for it a lot because they have prevented it from developing, they killed it.” Mr Rocard, 83, said that it was clear that the "British people want to end with Europe" and are only prevented from leaving the EU by Britain's political and financial classes. "British elites are afraid of the isolation that would result, that may weaken the City of London" he said

Daily Telegraph, April 29, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. It possible we have still not seen this full development of 10 nations giving their power to Europe (the beast). The UK would not be part of this.

Britain may one day leave the European Union. However it is not definite this needs to happen from a prophetical point of view. There are two arguments about Britain’s position in Europe. One is that (as we know) Britain is not part of the European beast system that stands against Christ. Britain is Tarshish and during the Gogian invasion stands with America (young lion) against the armies that invade Israel. Another view is that though all this is true it is possible for Britain to stay in Europe because from a military point of view Britain can still act alone. Isaiah 23 says the London will become like a harlot in the last days and become very wealthy. This is symbolic of Britain adopting European in thinking and becoming godless / obsessed with money. There is another view – a small group of nations could join together and leave Britain behind…

BIBLEQUOTE

(Revelation 17:12-13)

US: Tornadoes, dust storms and floods

The worst floods in decades deluged roads and engulfed homes and cars in Florida's Panhandle and coastal Alabama on Wednesday, the latest mayhem created by a tornado-packing storm system that has killed at least 34 people this week. Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 26 counties inundated by as much as two feet of relentless rain over a 24-hour period, as severe thunderstorms raced across the northern part of the state. Emergency workers evacuated about 200 people in the Panhandle, Scott told reporters at an emergency operations center south of Tallahassee. "This is devastating to this part of the state," he told CNN. "No-one anticipated it would just keep on raining and raining and raining ... We thought it was going to move on out. "There have been 27 confirmed weather-related deaths and more than 200 people reported injured across Arkansas and Mississippi, as tornadoes reduced homes to rubble, shredded trees and launched vehicles into the air.

Reuters, April 30, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

Behold , the LORD will come with fire & with his chariots like a whirlwind , to render his anger with fury & his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire & by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh & the slain of the LORD shall be many. For I know their works & their thoughts : it shall come , that I will gather all nations & tongues & they shall come & see my glory

BIBLEQUOTE

(Isaiah 65:15-18)

A week of ' freak & extreme ' weather events has battered the United States . . . devastating tornados & twisters that killed over 35 people ; torrential rainfall & hail in many regions on a biblical scale ; epic flooding that swept away roads & homes ; raging wildfires in California. These cascading events come just as America's top international diplomat , Secretary of State , John Kerry has been caught describing long-standing ally Israel , as an ' apartheid state ' further confirming the Obama Administration's rising hostility towards God's people. As these forces ' of nature ' continue to punish the USA for its abandonment of Israel , we know it's merely a foretaste of greater judgments to come as the Holy One of Israel unleashes his judgments on mankind , before establishing His righteous & eternal kingdom on earth

Please take a look at this excellent Christadelphian Prophecy website

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If you think others may find the WWW helpful please direct them to the website

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They can register on the sitePLEASE NOTE: The Weekly World Watch is written and sent by myself – it is my take on events and I accept that on occasions I will miss significant events

and also misinterpret them as well. However I will endeavour to be faithful to the scriptures and hope that it will be of benefit to both of us.

Weekly World Watch

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