August 22 - 28, 2010

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s August 22 - 28, 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 August 22 - 28, 2010 • Speculation of possible Israeli attack on Iran • Barack Obama 'to visit Jerusalem to press for peace' • Russia no longer 'security threat' to Turkey • Russian subs stalk Trident in echo of Cold War • Royal Navy underfunding has left it 'inadequate' • Sun storm to hit with 'force of 100m bombs' To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right

5. But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; The above comment is no way meant to detract from the normal view of the image of Daniel 2.. Speculation of possible Israeli attack on Iran The Atlantic, August 24, 2010 (Click on link below to read full article) D.C. is abuzz with speculation that Israel, convinced Iran is poised to launch a nuclear attack, is plotting a pre-emptive strike without the blessing of the U.S. — a theory fuelled by a cover story in The Atlantic magazine entitled “The Point of No Return,” which has itself sparked a war of words in the American capital and beyond about what Israel might realistically have in store. “The Jews had no power to stop Hitler from annihilating us,” an anonymous Israeli official tells Jeffrey Goldberg, who wrote the Atlantic article. “Today, six million Jews live in Israel, and someone is threatening them with annihilation. But now we have the power to stop them.” The talk has been intensified by news that Iran is flexing its military muscle with great fanfare as a fresh wave of international sanctions against the country kick in. On Monday, Iranian state media reported that the country’s Revolutionary Guard Corps inaugurated production lines for two high-speed vessels that will be armed with missiles and torpedoes. A day earlier, Iran also unveiled an unmanned drone bomber, dubbed the “Ambassador of Death” by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, even though it’s had military drones for years. EVENT As the war in Iraq officially closes a new war with Iran looks increasingly likely. If we look at Nebuchadnezzar's image we can possibly see a latter day fulfilment of the metals. We read (Daniel 2:28) that the image shows things “in the latter days”. Gold = Babylon (modern day Iraq). Silver = Persia (Iran). These equate with the “lion” and “bear” of Daniel 7. The lion has a “man’s heart” given to it. (Iraq Democracy?). The bear “devours much flesh”. We may see the war with Iran begin and they kill many people.. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:28)

6. I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? Barack Obama 'to visit Jerusalem to press for peace' Daily Telegraph, August 27, 2010 A determined President Obama has crafted a multifaceted Middle East peace plan, in preparation for next week's negotiations, that calls for heavy US involvement and frequent huddles between the heads of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, according to a leaked White House conference call. Obama is convinced that he can accomplish what has eluded his predecessors and plans to present Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with a plan for a comprehensive peace accord. Word of Obama's readiness for an intense focus on the Israeli-Palestinian issue comes as the leaders are set to meet in Washington for a summit next week. As proof of his confidence, Obama is prepared to wade shoulders deep into the conflict -- starting with next week's talks and followed by a visit to the Middle East sometime in the next year, according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. To hammer out the deal, Israeli and Palestinian peace teams would meet in secret locations. The deal would focus on settlements, the future of Jerusalem and borders. EVENT COMMENT The Nobel Peace Prize winning President of the United States is about to enter the peace talks that concern the dividing of the Promised Land. He may well have won a prize for peace but we know that the parting of God’s land will bring Armageddon. If only President Obama considered Joel 3 verse 2-4. He would read of the judgement of the nations that “parted my land”. The word “plead” in verse 2 is almost always translated “judge”. The president would also read what God thinks to Hamas and Hezbollah. God specifically singles out Tyre, Zidon (stronghold of Hezbollah) and the coasts of Palestine (home of Hamas) in v 4. “What have you to do with me?” He says. BIBLE QUOTE (Joel 3:2 &4)

7. the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. “Thou” in this verse refers to Russia . Russia no longer 'security threat' to Turkey Rianovosti, August 23, 2010 Turkey will strike four countries, including Russia, from its list of external security threats in a bid to revise the country's national security strategy, national media reported on Monday. The new national security strategy, the draft of which is to be considered at a National Security Council meeting in October, excludes Russia, Greece, Iran and Iraq from the so-called Red Book - a national security policy document - as "principal external threats," the Milliyet daily said. Turkey regards international terrorism and fundamentalism as its main external threats. Ankara has been closely cooperating with the four former "security threats" in recent years and now regards them as its new partners. Turkey's relations with Russia have greatly improved since Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Party of Justice and Development came to power in 2002. The draft strategy highlights close bilateral economic cooperation with Russia, good potential in trade and energy, and "a shared vision of stability in the Caucasus." EVENT Turkey has changed much since Israel attacked Gaza in 2006 and even more since the flotilla raid by Israel which killed a number of Turkish men. Turkey has changed in its relationship with Israel and also with surrounding nations. Whereas Turkey was once Israel’s closest ally in the Muslim world it is now one of the worst. Whereas Turkey was once frightened of Russia and saw them as an enemy they now have officially removed Russia from being an external security threat. The Bible speaks of Turkey working with Russia so all this comes as no surprise. In Ezekiel 38 we read of Togarmah (Turkey) invading Israel WITH Russia (Gog). COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:3,6,7)

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; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. Russian subs stalk Trident in echo of Cold War Daily Telegraph, August 27, 2010 Russian submarines are hunting down British Vanguard boats in a return to Cold War tactics not seen for 25 years, Navy chiefs have warned. A specially upgraded Russian Akula class submarine has been caught trying to record the acoustic signature made by the Vanguard submarines that carry Trident nuclear missiles, according to senior Navy officers. British submariners have also reported that they are experiencing the highest number of "contacts" with Russian submarines since 1987. If the Russians are able to obtain a recording of the unique noise of the boat's propellers it would have serious implications for Britain's nuclear deterrent. Using its sophisticated sonar, the Akula would be able to track Vanguards and potentially sink them before they could launch their Trident D4 missiles. The Daily Telegraph has learnt that, within the past six months, a Russian Akula entered the North Atlantic and attempted to track a Vanguard. The incident has remained secret until now. EVENT You may have been receiving the Weekly World Watch for some time so have not read the opening slides for a while as you can skip them. Back in 2003 when the WWW began, 6 key themes were identified as being signs to look for in relation to us watching for the nearness of Christ’s return. Third on the list is this statement (unchanged since then) 3. Russia: Its return to anti-Western ways as Bible prophecy’s “king of the north.” Anti west ways is another way of saying “return to Cold War ways”. Once again here is a headline that confirms Russia have been “turned back” to these ways. The “king of the north” comes with many ships. Submarines must be included in that! COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40)

9. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. “Pleasant pictures” should be translated “desirable ships or crafts” Royal Navy underfunding has left it 'inadequate' Daily Telegraph, August 23, 2010 Britain must to invest in large numbers of cheaper warships if the “dangerously weak” Royal Navy is to guarantee the country's maritime security, an academic paper has said. The report comes at a time when the Ministry of Defence is facing up to 20 per cent cuts with the Navy losing ships under the Strategic Defence and Security Review. Under-funding has left it ageing, fewer in number and “inadequate for the most fundamental, enduring and vital tasks”, the said. Without enough warships the Navy will not be able to provide its traditional deterrence to safeguard trade routes from pirates, terrorists or unfriendly governments, they said in a paper titled ‘Why Things Don’t Happen: Silent Principles of National Security’. No one associates the full supermarket shelves … with the free flow of sea trade”. Britain’s wealth depended on the Navy’s presence at sea that was “silent and therefore easily forgotten”. EVENT For the many WWW readers living around the world an article on Britain’s navy may at first sight seem irrelevant and a bit UK focussed. However the reason this is included is because of the interesting occasions in relation to Bible prophecy that the British navy is mentioned. Tarshish was, is and always will Britain in Bible prophecy. Therefore when we read of the “ships of Tarshish” we read of the “British navy”. Isaiah 23:1 speaks of the British ships “wailing” when ancient Tyre was destroyed. They “howled” because their trade with Tyre (that made them rich) came to an end. We read of the British navy “howling” in verse 14 because they lost their strength. This occurred in the first world war and beyond. We read below of judgement coming on Britain’s ships when the day of the Lord comes. The current weakness is a prelude to this coming. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 2:12,16)

10. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; 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: We need to “look up” for our “redemption draweth nigh.” Sun storm to hit with 'force of 100m bombs' News.com.au, August 25, 2010 AFTER 10 years of comparative slumber, the sun is waking up - and it's got astronomers on full alert. This week several US media outlets reported that NASA was warning the massive flare that caused spectacular light shows on Earth earlier this month was just a precursor to a massive solar storm building that had the potential to wipe out the entire planet's power grid. NASA has since rebutted those reports, saying it could come "100 years away or just 100 days", but an Australian astronomer says the space community is betting on the sooner scenario rather than the latter. Similar storms back in 1859 and 1921 caused worldwide chaos, wiping out telegraph wires on a massive scale. "The general consensus among general astronomers (and certainly solar astronomers) is that this coming Solar maximum (2012 but possibly later into 2013) will be the most violent in 100 years," astronomy lecturer and columnist Dave Reneke said. EVENT We don’t know the date but we can be certain that the sun’s activity is planned by God. The previous solar storms were back in 1859 and 1921 when there was not the technology we have now. No one really knows the impact a massive solar storm will have on the world but it is likely to disrupt society’s high tech infrastructure. Airlines, communications, GPS systems, military weapons, orbiting satellites could all be affected. NASA said that a recent report by the National Academy of Sciences found that if a similar storm to 1859 occurred today, it could cause “$1 to 2 trillion in damages to society's high-tech infrastructure and require four to 10 years for complete recovery”. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Luke 21:25,26)

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.