May 3 - 9, 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

• Vatican recognizes State of Palestine in new treaty

• Iran 80,000 missiles pointed at Tel Aviv

• Iran enters Iraqi fight for key oil refinery

• Finland tells 900,000 reservists roles 'in event of war'

• Greece says that it will default on June 5th

May 10 - 23, 2015

• Ireland same-sex referendum

The Vatican has officially recognised a Palestinian state in a new treaty. The treaty, which was finalised on Wednesday but still has to be signed, makes clear that the Holy See has switched its diplomatic relations from the Palestinian Liberation Organisation to the "state of Palestine”. The Vatican had welcomed the decision by the UN General Assembly in 2012 to recognise a Palestinian state. But the treaty is the first legal document negotiated between the Holy See and the Palestinian state and constitutes an official recognition. The treaty comes as Pope Francis prepares for a visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday before the canonisation of two new saints from the Holy Land the following day.Israel said it was "disappointed”. In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said the move would not help the peace process and "distances the Palestinian leadership from returning to direct and bilateral negotiations."

Daily Telegraph, May 13, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, Some believe the “he” to refers to Jesus. But it cannot be so. It is a latter day Roman ruler who causes the overspreading of abominations – the Pope

BIBLEQUOTE

The Pope makes a treaty with the Palestinians with regards the division of the land of Israel! We have in Biblical terms the little horn power of Rome in Daniel 7 (the Pope) making a covenant with the Philistines (Palestinians) with regard to the division of God’s land of Israel who He gave to the Jews. There must be scriptural significance with this event. And there is. Amazingly we read of a future leader of the Rome confirming a covenant with those opposed to the descendants of Jacob. It’s in Daniel 9v27. We read that “he shall confirm a covenant with many”. “He” grammatically refers to the ruler that destroyed the city and the sanctuary. The ruler who did this was a Roman ruler in AD70. A latter day Roman ruler makes an agreement for a period of 7 years with “many”. The many refers to descendants of Esau- those who oppose Israel

Vatican recognizes State of Palestine in new treaty

(Daniel 9:27)

he

Iran 80,000 missiles pointed at Tel Aviv

Iran issued yet another threat against Israel on Thursday, Channel 2 reported. According to a top Iranian advisor, Tehran has “tens of thousands” of missiles pointed at Israel, and will not hesitate to use them. Speaking Thursday, Yahya Rahim Zafabi, a top advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said the tens of thousands of missiles will “sow the seeds of destruction in Israel” if they are to be fired. “The Zionists and the Americans know what the powers of Iran and Hezbollah are,” he added. “They know that over 80,000 missiles are pointed at Tel Aviv and Haifa,” with the figure apparently including the many short-range missiles Hezbollah is believed to have.Zafabi was apparently responding to remarks made Wednesday by Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon, who said Israel “will not allow for the opening of another war front against Israel. We will act strongly against those who act against us or plans to act against us. We will reach their bases, damage them, and destroy their weapons."

Israel National News, May 21, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a flame that sets a woodpile ablaze or like a burning torch among sheaves of grain. They will burn up all the neighbouring nations right and left, while the people living in Jerusalem remain secure. Notice Jerusalem is secure. Very different to the situation in Zechariah 14 when Jerusalem is taken and ruined.

BIBLEQUOTE

(Zechariah 12:6 NLT)

Iran wants Israel removed from the map. Even though they are talking to America about limiting their nuclear program there is no doubt with Bible in hand that we know this is all deceit. They are stalling for time and busy arming those people that surround Israel with deadly missiles and rockets that will one day be used against them.

Zechariah 12 speaks of an initial war against Israel that involves Israel’s surrounding neighbours. It is a war we are told that Israel wins. It is the same war mentioned in Psalm 83. Iran [Assur] is mentioned in Psalm 83 as helping those peoples like Hamas and Hezbollah who want to destroy Israel. Following this devastating war which Israel does win (but is left greatly weakened) we will then see Russia and Iran itself descend

into the vacuum that is left. There are 2 main parts then to the final conflict coming…

Iran enters Iraqi fight for key oil refinery

Iran has entered the fight to retake a major Iraqi oil refinery from Islamic State militants, contributing small numbers of troops — including some operating artillery and other heavy weapons — in support of advancing Iraqi ground forces, U.S. defence officials said Friday. Two U.S. defence officials said Iranian forces have taken a significant offensive role in the Beiji operation in recent days, in conjunction with Iraqi Shiite militia. The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. One official said Iranians are operating artillery, 122mm rocket systems and surveillance and reconnaissance drones to help the Iraqi counteroffensive.The Iranian role was not mentioned in a new U.S. military statement asserting that Iraqi security forces, with U.S. help, had managed to establish a land route into the Beiji refinery compound

Associated Press, May 21, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Behold, I will stir up the Medes [Iranians] against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children. And Babylon,[Iraq]…shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

The report above went on to say that “Iran's role in Iraq is a major complicating factor for the Obama administration as it searches for the most effective approach to countering the Islamic State group.” Iran is getting more and more assertive. It feels in the driving seat. Iran knows America wants a deal on its nuclear program. It sees America’s support diminish for both Israel and Saudi Arabia. Iran therefore is bolstered and is stirring up trouble in Yemen and now entering the war in Iraq. The Bible tells us that Iran (the Medes) will have a role to play in Iraq. Just as ancient Medes brought ancient Babylon to an end so modern Iran will bring modern Iraq to an end. We are told in Isaiah 13 that the Medes will be stirred up against Iraq. They will bring great destruction to that land. We are seeing the start of Iranian involvement there.

BIBLEQUOTE

(Isaiah 13:17-19)

he

Finland tells 900,000 reservists roles 'in event of war'

Finland has sent letters to nearly a million military reservists, setting out their roles “in the event of war” amid rising tension with neighbouring Russia. The letters have been dispatched to 900,000 former conscripts in the armed forces, including to Finns living abroad. The first were sent earlier this month, with the final batch distributed in the last few days. Finland is not a member of Nato and the country shares an 830-mile border with Russia – the longest of any European nation apart from Ukraine. In the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the invasion of eastern Ukraine, Finland is uniquely vulnerable to any further aggression. The letter tells the reservists which regiment or unit to report to in the event of hostilities. “Attached you will find your personal details as well as your role in the event of war,” it reads.

Daily Telegraph, May 21, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.

BIBLEQUOTE

War is coming. In fact World War 3 is coming. The final conflict – Armageddon. Events in Europe with Russia are the preparation for a war that will be centred in the Middle East. The Ukrainian conflict is part of the push against Russia that in effect finally tips Putin over the edge. The push from the West encourages Putin to think an evil thought to descend south into the Middle East. It is possible that this summer might finally see war break out. There are a number of reports saying as follows…”A summer campaign may begin in a month or so. In July and August, the weather is best for war-making in Eastern Ukraine, and the Russian military is operationally at its peak for carrying out mass engagements if the confrontation, by chance, begins to escalate out of control.”We do not know for certain when World War will begin but when we look at events in Ukraine, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Russia – we know it cannot be long…

(Joel 3:9-11)

Greece says that it will default on June 5th

Greece will not be able to make a payment to the International Monetary Fund due on June 5 unless foreign lenders provide more aid, a senior ruling party lawmaker said on Wednesday, the latest warning from Athens that it is on the verge of default.Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's leftist government says it hopes to reach a cash-for-reforms deal in days, although European Union and IMF lenders are more pessimistic and say talks are moving too slowly for that. Payments to the IMF totalling about 1.5 billion euros ($1.7 billion) fall due next month, starting with a 300 million euro payment on June 5. "Now is the moment that negotiations are coming to a head. Now is the moment of truth, on June 5," Nikos Filis, spokesman for the ruling Syriza party's lawmakers, told ANT1 television. "If there is no deal by then that will address the current funding problem, they won't get any money," he said.

Reuters, May 20, 2015

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. These shall make war with the Lamb,

BIBLEQUOTE

(Revelation 17:12-13)

Why are we interested in a technical default by one of the smallest economies in the European Union? The answer is that a default could cause Greece to exit the Euro. An exit of the Euro could then cause contagion that spreads. It could cause other weaker nations to exit. At the same time the UK is looking to have a referendum on whether to stay in or leave Europe. What we could then see is a core group of nations covering a similar territory to the ancient Holy Roman Empire emerge. Ten nations who become a superstate. A block that really do give their power and strength to the European beast.One government, one army, one superstate. The Bible says that 10 kings (rulers) will give their power and strength to the beast for one hour. So emerging from a bottomless pit will be a Roman like superpower that one day makes war on Christ and the saints.

Ireland same-sex referendum

Vote counting has begun after a historic referendum in the Republic of Ireland on whether to legalise same-sex marriage. More than 3.2m people were asked whether they wanted to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. Counting started at 09:00 BST on Saturday morning - early indications are that the measure will pass. An "unusually high" turnout was reported on Friday.If the change is approved, the Republic of Ireland would become the first country to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. Minister for Equality Aodhan O Riordain said on Twitter: "I'm calling it. Key boxes opened. It's a yes. And a landslide across Dublin. And I'm so proud to be Irish today.” Speaking from the Dublin count, he told Irish broadcaster RTE that it appeared about 75% of votes being counted there were in favour of legalising same-sex marriage.

BBC, May 23, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Are we like Lot – sick of the shameful immorality we see?

BIBLEQUOTE

(2 Peter 2:6-8)

As this is being typed the vote has not yet been announced but from all reports it looks like a landslide victory for those backing same sex marriage. This is the first country in history to ask people to vote for same sex marriage. Other countries who have legalised this have never asked the people to vote.The Bible could not be clearer. Practising homosexuality is an abomination to God. We are designed by him. We were not created to behave in this way. The institution of marriage was designed by God. A man and a woman married, committed to each other. It is a sign we are living in the days like Sodom – which God destroyed. Jesus said we would be living in days like Sodom just before he returned. The acceptance of homosexual marriage surely puts in in those very days. His return is therefore near.

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