February 22 - 28, 2015

“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

To skip the introductory slides and go straight to this weeks developments click here.

PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

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

• British forces head for Ukraine

• Putin's Cyprus deal gives Russia a foothold in the EU

• Russia could cut off gas to Ukraine by ‘end of week'

• Russia and US spar over global crises at UN meeting

• U.S. military decimated under Obama

February 22 - 28, 2015

• Solar eclipse to disrupt power supplies

British troops will be deployed in Ukraine to train soldiers fighting Russian separatists, David Cameron has said, as he delivered an extraordinary warning to Vladimir Putin over his continued aggression in eastern Europe.The Prime Minister said that there would be "deeply damaging" consequences for all of Europe if the EU fails to stand up to Mr Putin in Ukraine, predicting that the Russian president could turn against the Baltic states or Moldova if he is not reined in now.He warned that Mr Putin has opted out of the “rules-based system” of the twenty-first century and warned that the Russian president must expect consequences. Downing Street said that around 75 UK troops will travel to Ukraine to help with medical, intelligence, logistics and infantry skills.

Daily Telegraph, February 24, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack [push / militarily provoke] 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

BIBLEQUOTE

Britain is sending troops to Ukraine. It may seem a paltry amount of troops but they are troops all the same. The Ukrainian crisis is seen by Russia (Putin) as Europe and NATO trying to take away one of its offspring, one of its cubs. Ukraine was once part of the USSR. Putin wants to revive the USSR. He certainly does not want Ukraine to be part of Europe and in NATO. So as Ukraine moved towards Europe, Putin began to send in the troops and stir up trouble. So Britain sending troops (however few) to assist Ukraine fight against Russian troops with be like waving a red rag at a bull. Putin of course being the bull. Britain is in effect saying we are not going to let Russia take back Ukraine and we will support Ukraine militarily to stay with Europe.We could be watching the very start of the push against Russia by the king of the south. It is a military provocation that causes Russia to descend into the Middle East. The next slide shows Russia doing exactly that. Moving into king of south territory…

British forces head for Ukraine as David Cameron issues warning to Vladimir Putin

(Daniel 11:40 NLT)

he

Putin's Cyprus deal gives Russia a foothold in the EU

Russia has gained a military foothold in Europe after Vladimir Putin signed a controversial deal with Cyprus to dock warships there. British MPs said Nicosia’s decision to let the Russian navy, including heavily armed frigates, use its ports for counter-terrorism and anti-piracy was ‘worrying and disappointing’. Cyprus, an EU member, thrashed out the agreement despite already hosting two British military bases and 3,200 troops. President Putin insisted the deal ‘should not cause worries anywhere’. But Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, who was visiting Moscow, hinted Russian warplanes could also be allowed to use a military airbase in Paphos, on the south-west coast of the island. A senior British Army officer said: ‘This will be watched closely by London. We know Russia has long coveted a naval base in Cyprus. 'This is another sign we are creeping back into a new Cold War.’

Daily Telegraph, February 27, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever. This prophecy in Numbers has a latter day fulfillment. Asshur and Eber are territories currently occupied by ISIS. Britain is attacking ISIS from Cyprus!

BIBLEQUOTE

(Numbers 24:24)

This is a significant event. Russia is moving into the territory of the king of the south (Britain). Cyprus has long been linked with Britain. Cyprus is Kittim or Chittim in the Bible. It is only mentioned 8 times. The Bible shows that Britain and Cyprus are very close. 3 times Cyprus is mentioned with Tarshish (Britain). In Daniel 11:30 Cyprus is mentioned sending ships against the king of the north. In other words Cyprus was supporting the king of the south. In Isaiah 23:1 we read of the ships of Tarshish being based in Chittim. Even now Britain has two sovereign bases in Cyprus with 3200 troops based there. Britain is also using Cyprus as a base to launch attacks on ISIS in Iraq. And so Russia arriving with ships into Cyprus will be deeply concerning for Britain. It is a step towards Russia entering the Middle East. We know that Russia will come with “many ships”. We are watching the king of the north v king of the south in

Cyprus !

Russia could cut off gas to Ukraine by ‘end of week'

Russia could cut off supplies to neighbouring Ukraine by the end of the week if it does not get further payments from the country, state-owned gas company Gazprom said Thursday. Spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said in televised remarks that "if no new funds are received from Kiev, then naturally we cannot continue delivering gas to Ukraine." He did not specify the sum. Despite the threat, Russian and Ukrainian energy ministers are set to meet in Brussels on Monday, making an immediate cutoff unlikely.Gazprom's ultimatum came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement that Ukraine's latest payment would only be good for "another three to four days." Putin warned that Russia would turn off the tap if Ukraine fails to remit payment quickly, but did not set a concrete deadline for the halting of deliveries.

Associated Press, February 18, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning.

The latest gas dispute erupted last week. Basically Ukraine cut gas supplies to areas in the east controlled by Russia-backed rebels. Russia then began pumping gas directly to the east, saying they should be counted as part of the overall volume of its gas exports. On Wednesday Putin angrily denounced Ukraine's decision to halt gas supplies to eastern regions, home to 4.5 million people, saying it "smacks of genocide.”Putin and other government officials warned earlier this week that Russia would cut off supplies to Ukraine by the end of the month unless Kiev makes the due pre-payments. So even with a shaky ceasefire now in place the troubles continue.Putin is the little horn that grows in Daniel 8. He is the fierce king. The arrogant master of deception. The one who has become very strong and who succeeds in all he does. He thinks he in invincible. But God will bring him to an end on the mountains of Israel.

BIBLEQUOTE

(Daniel 8:23-25 NLT)

he

Russia and US spar over global crises at UN meeting

Russia's foreign minister is implicitly accusing the United States of violating U.N. principles by bombing Syria, occupying Iraq under false pretenses and manipulating a Security Council mandate to destroy and create chaos in Libya.Sergey Lavrov, clearly pointing at the U.S. without naming it, said these acts were the result "of attempts to dominate global affairs" and use military force unilaterally to push "one's own interests.”U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power implicitly criticized Russia for blocking Security Council action against Syria and accused Moscow of training, arming and fighting alongside separatists who have seized Ukrainian territory. They spoke at a Security Council meeting Monday to assess the operation of the United Nations as it nears its 70th anniversary organized by China and chaired by its Foreign Minister.

Associated Press, February 23, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command…. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire… for the day of judgment..

BIBLEQUOTE

The war of words between Russia and America get worse each week. As well as the heated exchanges recorded in the article above there were other outbursts this week.A senior Russian diplomat on Friday accused the U.S. administration of taking a "destructive" stance in bilateral relations and warned that Moscow could deal "painful" counterblows. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Secretary of State John Kerry breached "diplomatic ethics" when he told U.S. lawmakers earlier this week that Russian officials had lied to him about support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. He warned that Moscow could retaliate to potential new U.S. sanctions, but wouldn't necessarily make them public. And so we see the growing rift, the increasing tension and the final stages leading up to worldwide conflict. There is no doubt we are on the brink of WW3 and the final judgement of the world. It is coming….soon…

(2 Peter 3:3-7 NLT)

U.S. military decimated under Obama, only ‘marginally able’ to defend nation

The U.S. military is shedding so many troops and weapons it is only “marginally able” to defend the nation and falls short of the Obama administration’s national security strategy, according to a new report by The Heritage Foundation on Tuesday.“The U.S. military itself is aging. It’s shrinking in size,” said Dakota Wood, a Heritage analyst. “And it’s quickly becoming problematic in terms of being able to address more than one major conflict.” The U.S. military is rapidly approaching a one-war capable force, said Mr. Wood, a former Marine Corps officer and strategic planner. So [it is] able to handle a major war and then having just a bit of residual capability to handle other minor crises that might pop up. But it is a far cry from being a two-war force.”

Washington Times, February 25, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her young lions will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?”’.

BIBLEQUOTE

(Ezekiel 38:13)

This report was heavily critical of how Obama has decimated the US military capability.It says that the US Army is shrinking from 570,000 soldiers to 440,000 or lower, and the  Navy, (which is failing to a achieve a 300-ship Navy), as only marginal in military power.The Navy would need 346 ships to carry out two large campaigns, Heritage said, but its fleet is only 284. On the other hand - Putin said on Thursday other countries should not think they can attain military superiority over Russia. "No one should have the illusion that they can gain military superiority over Russia, put any kind of pressure on it. We will always have an adequate answer for any such adventures.” he said.With Bible in hand we expect an aggressive, resurgent Russia and a weaker US/UK.We expect this because when Russia does invade it has spent time preparing for war. Tarshish and the young lions are only left asking Russia what on earth it is doing!

Solar eclipse to disrupt power supplies

Power supplies could drop suddenly next month when the UK is plunged into darkness with an eclipse of the sun. Energy experts warned there could be possible blackouts in the biggest solar eclipse since 1999. Nearly 90 per cent of the sun's rays will be blocked out in parts of Europe on March 20.In London and the South East, 85 per cent of the sun will be obscured by the moon whilst in northern Scotland, more than 95 per cent will be covered. The National Grid has warned that solar power output in Britain will halve during the event. The eclipse will last around two hours from 8.40am. The next one will not be until 2026.

Daily Telegraph, February 25, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

BIBLEQUOTE

In a few weeks time on March 20th a shadow will be cast over Europe as a solar eclipse occurs. It is actually quite interesting to note exactly where the shadow falls.The map above clearly shows the shadow of the eclipse covering the whole of Europe, Russia, Turkey, Israel, Syria, Iraq/Iran and north Africa. Obviously the sun will only be partially dark at the edges but a shadow is created. This shadow covers the exact nations mentioned in the Bible as being part of the final judgement of the world. All 3 stages of the final conflict are covered here. Stage 1 being war with Israel’s immediate enemies (Hamas, Syria, Hezbollah.). Stage 2 being Russia, Turkey, Iran, northern African nations. Stage 3 being Europe / Vatican. Could this darkening of the sun over these very nations be a sign that the final judgement is about to happen? Let us see!

(Acts 2:20-21)

Weekly World WatchYouTube Videos

Please take a look at this excellent Christadelphian Prophecy website

Just click the imageTo watch again, click here.

WWW will be e-mailed to you each week.

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

www.weeklyworldwatch.co.uk

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

The end of this week’s