February 21 - 27, 2010

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s February 21 - 27, 2010 “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) To skip the introductory slides and go straight to this weeks developments click here.

2. What is a Weekly World Watch? 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. The following six themes will appear repeatedly in WWW: • 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. • Increasing natural disasters: including earthquake, famine etc 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.

3. BIBLE QUOTE What is in a Weekly World Watch? 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. 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. News Photo This is straight from a news report that caught my eye because it looked significant from a Biblical perspective, usually that of prophecy. HEADLINE The source of the headline and the date are included. 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. EVENT 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). COMMENT 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)

4. This Week’s Developments February 21 - 27, 2010 • Palestinian president warns of 'Religious War' • Israel plans more homes for East Jerusalem • Ahmadinejad and Assad united in Damascus • Israel, US hold strategic talks on Iran • War in the EU as Van Rompuy makes 'power grab' • Massive earthquake strikes Chile To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right

5. And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan. And his [Abraham's] sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah . Palestinian president warns of 'Religious War' Associated Press, February 23, 2010 The Palestinian president warned Tuesday that the region could plunge into a "religious war" over Israel's plans to recognize a disputed West Bank shrine as one of its own national heritage sites. Mahmoud Abbas spoke during a visit in Belgium, following an announcement by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the Cave of Patriarchs in Hebron earlier this week. The Hebron site is holy to both Jews and Muslims. Jews revere it as the traditional burial place of the Bible's Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Muslims also see Abraham as their forefather, and control of the shrine is a flashpoint between Palestinians and Israelis. Palestinians in Hebron rioted Monday to protest the Israeli decision, and tension there continued Tuesday. EVENT The announcement by the prime minister of Israel on Sunday said that 2 shrines in the West Bank would become Jewish and Zionist Heritage sites. One was Rachel's Tomb, near the city of Bethlehem, and the other the Tomb of the Patriarchs in the city of Hebron. The Palestinians believe both sites are holy to them. However, as we know these shrines are actually where the Israel’s founders are buried. Three of the founding fathers of the Jewish nation (and their wives) are buried in the cave of Machpelah. (1) Abraham and Sarah; (2) Isaac and Rebekah; (3) Jacob and Leah. The only one missing is Rachel who is buried on the other disputed site. It is interesting that this could cause a “religious war”. Joel 3:9 says the gentiles will “prepare war”. The word “prepare” means “sanctify” or “make holy” or “make religious” The final war will have a religious element. It will be Jew versus Gentile. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Genesis 23:19) (Genesis 25:9) (See also Genesis 49:31 & 50:13)

6. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. Israel plans more homes for East Jerusalem Reuters, February 26, 2010 Israel has plans to build another 600 homes in occupied land that it considers part of East Jerusalem, the Haaretz daily newspaper reported on Friday. The plan, approved by a district planning commission, could further hamper U.S.-brokered efforts to revive stalled peace talks as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has insisted on a total settlement freeze in all territories, including Jerusalem. Israeli officials reached by telephone had no immediate comment. Palestinian official Ghassan al-Khatib denounced the decision as "another Israeli violation of international law". He said it threatened to derail efforts to resume negotiations that have not convened since a war in Gaza in December 2008. A similar building plan proposed late last year for other parts of the Jerusalem area drew international condemnation. EVENT Not only is there tension (and rioting) over the 2 tombs in the West Bank but we also have increasing tension over Jerusalem. The Palestinians have demanded that Israel halt all settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem before they will rejoin peace talks with Israel. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as their capital. Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said the government made a distinction between the West Bank and Jerusalem. “In the West Bank, we've agreed to unprecedented restrictions on growth but Jerusalem is different, it's our capital," he said. The focus on Jerusalem will only increase as the days go by. It will be the final stumbling block for the world. All nations one day will be drawn to Jerusalem. First of all for war but later when Christ has returned and established his kingdom - for peace. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Zechariah 12:3)

7. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of… Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; NB Edom = Jordan and is mentioned first. Most Palestinian refugees went to Jordan Ahmadinejad and Assad united in Damascus The “tabernacles” or tents of a Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan / Edom ABC News, February 25, 2010 Iran and Syria's presidents started two days of meetings in Damascus Thursday, and lost no time in issuing more threats against the U.S. and Israel. Iran President Ahmadinejad said ties between his country and Syria remain "deep" and attacked U.S. involvement in the Middle East. "The Americans want to dominate the region but they feel Iran and Syria are preventing this," he said. "We tell them that instead of interfering in the region's affairs, to pack their things and leave." As usual Israel was also the target of Ahmadinejad's fiery rhetoric. In recent weeks the region has been abuzz with talk of war, with both Syria and the Lebanese group Hezbollah exchanging threats with Israel. "If the Zionist regime wants to repeat its past mistakes, this will constitute its demise and annihilation," the Iran president said. "With Allah's help the new Middle East will be a Middle East without Zionists and Imperialists." Syrian officials have been issuing increasingly bellicose statements against Israel and has promised to support Hezbollah in the event of conflict, a commitment underscored Thursday by Syria President Assad. EVENT War is coming. Not initially the war of Russia invading Israel but a prelude to this final war. It is a war that will involve Israel and Syria and Hezbollah and Hamas supported by Iran. The Bible is clear that Syria will be destroyed. It is also clear in Psalm 83 that a group of people decide that Israel needs to be destroyed. The people mentioned all surround Israel. Note that Psalm 83 says the “tabernacles” of Edom etc. ie The “tents” or “nomadic” people. It implies a wandering people or maybe refugees. Palestinians fit this description. They live in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon. The terrorist groups are based in Tyre, Gaza, the Egyptian border, West Bank etc. All the places mentioned in Psalm 83! COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Psalm 83:5,6)

8. Be thou [Russia] prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. NB one of the countries Russia “guards” is Persia (Iran) see verse 5 Israel, US hold strategic talks on Iran Jerusalem Post, February 25, 2010 Israel and the US were holding a one-day, high-level strategic dialogue on Thursday expected to focus on sanctions against Iran, a day after Russia announced it opposes “paralyzing” sanctions aimed at the Islamic Republic’s energy sector. A week after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu returned from Moscow, where he publicly called for “crippling sanctions” and “sanctions with teeth” against Iranian energy exports and imports, Oleg Rozhkov, the deputy head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s security and disarmament department, said that Moscow would not back “crippling or paralyzing” sanctions that could lead to the “political or economic or financial isolation” of Iran. According to Reuters, Rozhkov – when asked by a reporter what sanctions Russia might support – replied, “Those that are directed at resolving non-proliferation questions linked to Iran’s nuclear program. “What relation to non-proliferation is there in forbidding banking activities with Iran?” he asked. “This is a financial blockade. And oil and gas. These sanctions are aimed only at paralyzing the country and paralyzing the regime.” EVENT There were some reports last week following Netanyahu's meeting in Moscow with Putin that Russia might well back sanctions against Iran. With Bible in hand though we can see through the diplomatic talk. We know that Russia will continue to side with Iran. Not only side with but also act as a “guard” to protect. Within just a few days Russia makes a statement saying it will NOT back sanctions that involve energy or banking! The very things Israel and America are pushing for. We see God’s hand here. The day is coming when Russia and Iran will invade Israel. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:7)

9. The beast that you saw, was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life … will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. War in the EU as Van Rompuy makes 'power grab' Daily Telegraph, February 26, 2010 Open warfare has broken out at the top of the European Union with governments accusing the new president, Herman Van Rompuy, of making a power grab. National leaders are concerned Mr Van Rompuy, who had been expected to take a back seat role, is attempting to expand his position. Germany and France backed his candidature on the understanding he would act as an EU "chairman" rather than a high-profile leader. But the introduction of the Lisbon Treaty has triggered bitter in-fighting between Mr Van Rompuy, Baroness Ashton, the foreign minister, and the Commission over who is in charge of representing Europe on the global stage. Diplomats are increasingly worried that amid the turf wars there is a danger of Brussels "mission creep" as squabbling EU chiefs try to enlarge their empires at the expense of each other and national sovereignty. One of the points of the classified letter, seen by The Daily Telegraph, gives Mr Van Rompuy the right to lead the EU's negotiating team at G20 summits, usurping the role of national governments and the Commission. EVENT Even the nations who handed over their power and strength to the European Beast are shocked and alarmed at just how much power has been lost! The Lisbon Treaty has created a monster (I should say a beast) with a life of its own. The EU is now constitutionally separate from and superior to its member states. As all the states are now part of this “beast” they are no longer considered foreign. Therefore when a head of a state goes to a meeting he no longer takes his “foreign” minister!! Now we have the new “president” making a “power grab” and there is nothing the nations can do to stop it. The beast has emerged out of the bottomless pit as God said. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Revelation 17:8)

10. and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Massive earthquake strikes Chile and triggers tsunami The Times, February 27, 2010 A massive earthquake on the coast of Chile has killed at least 78 people, flattening buildings and triggering a tsunami. The 8.8-magnitude quake, the country’s largest in 25 years, shook the capital Santiago for a minute and half at 3:34am (0634 GMT) today. A tsunami warning has been extended across the Pacific rim, including most of Central and South America and as far as Australia and Antarctica. The Chilean media reported that at least 47 people died and president Michelle Bachelet declared a “state of catastrophe” in the country. The quake hit near the town of Maule, 200 miles southwest of Santiago, at a depth of 22 miles underground. The epicentre was just 70 miles from Concepcion, Chile’s second-largest city, where more than 200,000 people live along the Bio Bio river. In Santiago buildings collapsed and phone lines and electricity were brought down, but the full extent of the damage is still being determined. Santiago resident Simon Shalders said: "There was a lot of movement. The houses were really shaking, walls were moving backwards and forwards, and doors were swinging open. "The power is still out here. There's quite a few choppers flying around in Santiago I suppose checking out the worst-affected areas.“ Several big aftershocks later hit the south-central region, including ones measuring 6.9, 6.2 and 5.6. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a warning for Chile and Peru, and a less-urgent tsunami watch for Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Antarctica. A spokesman said: "Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated. EVENT Jesus said there would be fearful sights, and great earthquakes. He said the sea and waves would roar. The people who see these things will see him return…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Luke 21:25)

11. Weekly World Watch The end of this week’s WWW will be e-mailed to you each week. Please forward the e-mail addresses of others who may be interested. I will include them in the list of recipients. Comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome. E-MAIL ANDY Click here (Move the mouse until the cursor appears.) To watch again, click here.