May 24 - 30, 2009

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s May 24 - 30, 2009 “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 May 24 - 30, 2009 • US troops raise alert level over North Korean threat • 'Turning Point 3' - War simulation starts in Israel • NATO ‘Georgia will join as manoeuvres are held’ • Obama 'confident' on two-state solution • Russia's first Persian Gulf naval presence • Major quake strikes off Honduras To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right

5. LEFT IN FROM LAST WEEK IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not [Matthew 24:15 says stand in the holy place] Pope makes history in visit to Dome of the Rock The Holy Place – The Temple – now where the Dome of the Rock exists. Associated Press, May 12, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday called for the faithful to overcome conflicts of the past and engage in sincere dialogue as he became the first pontiff to visit Islam's sacred Dome of the Rock shrine. The pope then prayed at Jerusalem's Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, a remnant of Solomon's Temple and a top pilgrimage destination for the world's Jews. Benedict was the first pope to enter the Dome of the Rock on Al-Haram Al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), also known as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which is Islam's third holiest spot. The site, which the Jews call Temple Mount, is also the holiest in Judaism and has been a major flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where the latest Palestinian uprising erupted in 2000. Pope John Paul II had visited the compound during his landmark 2000 pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but did not enter the Dome of the Rock, whose huge golden cupola is seen as Jerusalem's main landmark. EVENT This is quite possibly the most significant sign of the nearness of Christ’s return that we have witnessed. The Pope is the head of the false religion of Rome. This religion is described as “THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Rome is the mother of ALL false “Christian” religions. God sees this religion as an abomination because they have twisted the truth of His Word with lies. Note that the word “abomination” is associated with Rome. Now look at where the Pope went. He stood in the Dome of the Rock. The Dome of the Rock is EXACTLY where the sanctuary – the Holy Place – the Temple shown above was situated. Matthew 24 tells us “when you see the abomination of desolation STAND in the Holy Place” – the time of trouble such as never was is at hand. To see how this is a SIGN FOR OUR TIMES click here to download an article… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Mark 13:14)

6. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet….. they are the spirits of devils,, which go forth unto the kings of the earth ..to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. US troops raise alert level over North Korean threat Daily Telegraph, May 28, 2009 South Korean and US troops stationed at the North Korean border have been put on the highest alert level in three years in response to threats from Pyongyang of a military attack. North Korea threatened yesterday to attack any US and South Korean ships that try to intercept its vessels and tore up the truce that ended the Korean War in 1953. A statement through the state newswire warned Seoul that North Korea "will no longer be bound by the armistice accord" and that "the Korean peninsula will go back to a state of war". Pyongyang's anger was sparked by a decision by South Korea to join a US-led initiative to stop and search any ships suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction. EVENT This week North Korea has thrown down the gauntlet to the USA. It tested a nuclear weapon on Monday which caused a 40 second 5.3 magnitude earthquake. Also this week North Korea is reported to have restarted its nuclear plant and fired another short-range missile in defiance of warnings from the United States that it would "pay the price" for its actions. What has North Korea got to do with Bible prophecy? Well it is possibly part of the dragon power mentioned in Revelation 16. The dragon power is the Eastern Roman Empire which now is Russia. The froglike spirit (godless teaching) that came out of the dragon was “Equality” or Communism. All men are equal. In fact it was a lie. It brought about dictatorships. This teaching spread to China and North Korea. To understand these froglike spirits further click here and order Pharaoh, Frogs & Freedom CD. It is these froglike spirits that gather the nations to Armageddon. We see it happening. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Revelation 16:13,14)

7. 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 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed[prepared]their lamps. 'Turning Point 3' - War simulation starts in Israel Israel National News, May 25, 2009 The largest war simulation in the history of the State of Israel is set to take place across the country next week, beginning with a "battle in Gaza" on Sunday. The five-day drill, to be coordinated by the Defense Ministry together with the Home Front Command, is intended to test Israel's preparedness at all levels, from the government down to the citizen in the street. It is also meant to check the coordination between local authorities and the various military and other organizations involved. Despite concerns expressed by neighboring Arab governments, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made an effort Sunday to stress that the exercise "is a routine drill that was planned several months ago and is held annually. Its objective is to test coordination between the civilian and military networks that would operate on several fronts in time of emergency. Government operations will also be tested, especially local councils' preparedness for various scenarios." The Israel Air Force also conducted a three-day exercise last week that included multi-level challenges faced by the IAF. Pilots were put through their paces on various combat maneuvers, and the force was briefed on Iran's launch of its newest missile, the 2,000 km range Seji-2. EVENT As the Gentiles prepare for war – so does Israel. The largest war simulation in their history will take place - starting tomorrow. We can surely see God’s hand bringing about the circumstances when everything is ready for the final conflict over Israel. As the nations beat their ploughshares into swords and their pruning hooks into spears let us prepare while we have the time. Let us make sure our lamps are full of oil BEFORE our Lord appears. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Joel 3:9, Matthew 25:4,7)

8. And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships NATO ‘Georgia will join as manoeuvres are held’ "Into Nato" posters can be seen on the streets of the Georgian capital Associated Press, May 25, 2009 NATO said Monday that Georgia will eventually become a member — reaffirming its support for the country with which it is hosting joint military exercises, to Russia's dismay. Robert Simmons, NATO's special envoy to the Caucasus and Central Asia, refused to set a date for Georgia's entry into the military alliance, saying that would be futile. Georgia, a former Soviet republic that borders Russia, has been embroiled in domestic political infighting. Russia has sharply criticized the war games being held near South Ossetia, a rebel-held separatist province that was at the centre of the war last summer between Russia and Georgia. And confirmation of NATO's intent to accept Georgia will probably anger Russia. NATO has said before that Georgia and Ukraine can eventually join the alliance despite Russia's opposition, but has stopped short of granting them a formal roadmap to membership. EVENT Russia continues to be provoked (pushed) by NATO. NATO is really headed up by the USA and therefore we have here a battle of one superpower versus one that wants to be! The tensions around Georgia have not gone away. NATO has begun more military exercises in Georgia. Russia has sharply criticized the war games, saying they raise the threat of renewed conflict in the country 10 months after the Russia-Georgia war. Daniel 11 speaks of the king of the north being pushed by the king of the south and THEN descending into the Middle East and down into Israel. Surely the pushing is underway and at some point Russia will respond – and come like a whirlwind…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40)

9. Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. Obama 'confident' on two-state solution BBConline, May 29, 2009 US President Barack Obama says he is confident that Israel will recognise that a two-state solution is in the best interests of its security. Speaking after White House talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Mr Obama again urged Israel to freeze settlement expansion. Israel has insisted it will allow existing settlements to expand, despite pressure from Washington. President Obama said he had been "very clear" in his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week on the need to "stop settlements". Mr Netanyahu later said no new settlements would be built but natural growth in existing settlements should be allowed. The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says Mr Obama's public reiteration of his view - a day after his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had laid it out only to have it shot down by the Israeli government - has raised eyebrows in Washington. Ahead of his visit to the Middle East next week, Mr Obama has put Mr Netanyahu on notice that this White House has a firm agenda of its own, our correspondent adds. EVENT This is it…. Obama has decided NOW is the time to divide Israel. He believes he can do it. Next week he is going to Saudi Arabia AND Egypt (both king of the south territories) to make an announcement concerning a new Palestinian State. Israel and America are on a collision course. This week we have seen a public spat between Israel and America – Hillary Clinton telling Israel to stop building on the West Bank – Israel responding with, No! and then Obama responding - You will. As one settler on the West Bank said this week though, “God is stronger than Obama.” COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 11:17)

10. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. Them = Persia, Libya, Ethiopia etc see verse 5 Russia's first Persian Gulf naval presence coordinated with Tehran Debkafile, May 26, 2009 Russian warships are due to call Wednesday, May 27, at the Bahrain port of Manama, seat of the US Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf, DEBKAfile's military sources reveal. They will be following in the wake of the Russian vessels already docked at the Omani port of Salalah, the first to avail themselves of facilities at Gulf ports. Their arrival is fully coordinated between the Russian and Iranian naval commands. According to our sources, this is the first time a Russian flotilla will have taken on provisions and fuel at the same Gulf ports which hitherto serviced only the US Navy. Moscow has thus gained its first maritime foothold in the Persian Gulf. While Iranian warships have taken up positions in the Gulf of Aden, the Russians are moving naval units southeast into the Persian Gulf. Russian and Iranian naval movements in the two strategic seas are clearly synchronized at the highest levels in Tehran and Moscow. EVENT Russia and Iran are working together. Under the pretext of needing to send warships to the region (to help with the Somali pirate situation) – Russia has managed to get a foothold in the Persian Gulf. America in the very recent past has had a large presence in the Persian Gulf to put pressure on Iran. In fact since Obama came to power he has quietly reduced America’s presence near Iran's shores in order to generate a positive atmosphere for the coming US dialogue with the Islamic Republic. Not a single US aircraft carrier is consequently to be found anywhere in the Gulf region according to military experts. The Bible says that Russia will act as a “guard” a protector for Iran (Persia). It also speaks of Russia having many ships in the area at the time of the end! Daniel 11:40. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:7)

11. ….because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Major quake strikes off Honduras BBConline, May 28, 2009 A powerful earthquake has struck off the coast of Honduras, killing five people and causing widespread damage. The earthquake hit 64km (39 miles) north-east of Roatan, one of Honduras's Bahia islands in the Caribbean Sea, in the early hours of Thursday. A number of schools and at least one church were damaged. The main port, Puerto Cortes, has been closed. Tremors were felt in dozens of cities across the region and as far north as Cancun in Mexico. The 7.1 magnitude quake struck at 0324 local time (0824 GMT) at a relatively shallow depth of 10km (six miles), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). A bridge which spans the country's largest river, the Ulua, collapsed in El Progreso in the north-west. The bridge is one of two which connect San Pedro Sula - the second largest city in Honduras - with the rest of the country. EVENT The disciples asked Jesus.. “what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3) He replied that “nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” We know that throughout time there have always been wars and famines and earthquakes and plagues. But we know that there shall be an increase in these the nearer we get to the time of the end. We surely do see a world with increased famine, plague, earthquake. We also see nations rising up against each other and preparing for war. But Christ continues with a warning to ourselves for he says in the verse quoted below that the love of MANY will wax cold…. Let us make sure we endure to the end… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Matthew 24:12,13)

12. 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.