May 4 - 10, 2014

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s May 4 - 10, 2014 “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) PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE 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). Please note that these are personal thoughts and the aim is purely to stimulate Bible study. 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 4 - 10, 2014 • Russia shows off military might in parade in Moscow • Putin makes triumphant visit to Crimea • Putin urges separatists to postpone referendum • Russia conducts large-scale nuclear attack exercise • Putin Caesar and our great geo-political turning point • Israel celebrates 66 years of Independence To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them. A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war This is God talking to the Russian leader of the last days Russia shows off military might in parade in Moscow Daily Telegraph, May 9, 2014 EVENT Thousands of Russian troops marched on Red Square in the annual Victory Day parade in a proud display of the nation's military might amid escalating tensions over Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin made no reference to the situation in Ukraine when he opened Friday's parade in Moscow, focusing on the historic importance of the victory over Nazi Germany. Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday and a key element of the national identity, reflecting the nation's enormous suffering and honoring millions of victims of World War II. The holiday also offers a chance to display the nation's massive military arsenal. About 11,000 troops proudly marched across Red Square to the tunes of marches and patriotic songs. Some 150 military vehicles and about 70 combat aircraft took part in the show. COMMENT This was the largest and longest Victory Day parade that Russia has ever held as it remembered its victory over Nazi Germany. It comes at a time of massive tension between Russia and the West. Russia’s military was in serious decline during the 1990’s after the collapse of the USSR. Under Putin however it has been restored. Russian military spending has rocketed to $76bn. They are without doubt the second most powerful nation on earth. With over 750,000 active frontline personnel, 2.5m active reservists, 15,500 tanks, 3000 aircraft, 350 ships and 8500 nuclear warheads! And one man who controls them all. Putin has this vast arsenal at his disposal. The displays this week are not only to celebrate Russia’s past victories they are a warning to the world that Russia is back. God said through Ezekiel about 2500 years ago that in the latter days Russia would get its army mobilised, arm them and then be called into action by invading Israel… BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:7-8 NLT)

6. 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. This is latter day descendant of the original king of the north – Antiochus Ephanese. Putin makes triumphant visit to Crimea Daily Telegraph, May 9 , 2014 EVENT Vladimir Putin made a triumphant visit to Crimea on Friday, as one of the bloodiest days of conflict in eastern Ukraine to date pushed the country further toward civil war. Mr Putin was met by jubilant crowds when he flew into Sevastopol after reviewing the annual victory parade on Red Square in Moscow on Friday. In a display of Russian military might, he sailed on a cutter to review flag-bedecked Russian warships anchored in the bay, greeting the sailors of Russia’s Black Sea fleet with a “hello comrades.” After the review, thousands thronged the shore to watch a fly-past of 70 military aircraft, including helicopters, MiG fighters, and Bear nuclear bombers, to mark 70 years since the city was liberated from German forces in May 1944.Crowds shouted “Russia!” and “Thank you!” as Mr Putin took to a stage to make a speech in which he praised Crimeans for “fidelity to historic justice.” COMMENT Putin arrived in military style. 10 grey Russian warships lined up behind him. As he drew along aside each warship, he yelled into a microphone, “Hello, comrades!” and the naval personnel, arrayed at least two deep on deck in their blue dress uniforms, shouted back a ritual greeting to their commander in chief, followed by a rousing “Hurrah!” This was Gog – the Russian leader – acting as the Bible said he would. Gog actually means “mountain” in Hebrew. When applied to a person it would indicate someone who thinks highly of himself – a proud, lofty and strong person. This is precisely what Putin is. Vladimir is two Russian words. Vlad = master. Mir = world / universe . Putin possibly means “people”. So we have “Master of the universe and people.” Interestingly when Gog is described in Daniel 8 it speaks of him being “master of deception” and becoming “arrogant”. We see this happening in front of our eyes… BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8:24-25 NLT)

7. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. Putin urges separatists to postpone referendum Daily Telegraph, May 7, 2014 President Vladimir Putin has made a calculated retreat over Ukraine's crisis, urging the pro-Russian insurgents who control large areas of Donetsk to postpone a referendum on the status of the region. The Russian president also promised to "seek ways out of the crisis" and claimed that some of his country's troops had been withdrawn from Ukraine's eastern border. Mr Putin's newly conciliatory tone - the first time he has specifically called on the pro-Russians to take a step back from confrontation - came amid mounting evidence that the leaders of the "Donetsk People's Republic" would have been incapable of holding a plausible referendum by the original deadline of Sunday. Nato, the Pentagon and the White House cast doubt on Putin's statement about the troop withdrawal. "We haven't seen any evidence of any Russian forces being withdrawn from the areas where they have been stationed in recent weeks. They remain large, near the eastern borders of Ukraine,” they said. EVENT Putin is a master of deception as the Bible says he would be. He plays a very clever game and often outwits his opponents. Even though he is the aggressor he has the ability of sounding statesmanlike and compromising. This week he urged the pro Russian insurgents not to hold a referendum tomorrow (Sunday). He also said his troops were being withdrawn. But it is all deception. The troops have not moved - they are all still in position. And far from condemning the insurgents in East Ukraine, Putin makes a victory speech in Crimea which would only embolden them. Daniel 8 v 25 in the Authorised Version says “by peace [he] shall destroy many”. Other versions say “when they feel secure he will destroy many”. This is ultimately reference to his invasion of Israel but the same principles apply here – catching them off guard. he COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8:24-25 NIV)

8. Therefore, be patient,” says the Lord. “Soon I will stand and accuse these evil nations. For I have decided to gather the kingdoms of the earth and pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them. All the earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy. Russia conducts large-scale nuclear attack exercise Free Beacon, May 8, 2014 Russia’s armed forces conducted a “massive” nuclear forces exercise on Thursday simulating NATO and U.S. nuclear attacks and involving several long-range ballistic and cruise missile firings. The large-scale nuclear war drills come amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West over Moscow’s military annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea and Russian-instigated unrest in eastern Ukraine. The exercises were monitored by Russian President Vladimir Putin and coincided with May 9 anniversary celebrations marking the victory in World War II. “We are checking the preparedness of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, we are holding an exercise,” Putin was quoted as saying, noting that the exercises were planned in November and involved all branches and services throughout the country, including nuclear forces. Pentagon official Mark Schneider said the exercises are unusual. EVENT he COMMENT Again here is more evidence of the truth. Not a de-escalation of the crisis but continued escalation. In rhetoric reminiscent of the Cold War, RIA Novosti news agency reported that aerospace defence forces “led by Russian President Vladimir Putin” successfully countered a massive nuclear missile strike. On Tuesday Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was quoted as saying that Russia will beef up its Black Sea fleet this year with new submarines and warships following the annexation of the Crimean peninsula. The fleet compromises 40 frontline warships and is a platform for projecting power into the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Britain said on Thursday it had deployed a destroyer to track a Russian aircraft carrier sailing close to its coastal waters, the latest in a series of such incidents and a reminder of underlying tensions between London and Moscow. Preparations war continue apace…We need to be ready BIBLE QUOTE (Zephaniah 3:8 NLT)

9. And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay. “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. Clay = humanist thinking Iron = military strength – they don’t mix! Putin Caesar and our great geo-political turning point American Thinker, April 29, 2014 We are witnessing a turning point in geopolitical history, future historians may analyse as we have seen the Roman Empire’s fall. Vladimir Putin is making a move -- and it’s not just against Ukraine. It may not be merely a move against Eastern Europe. It’s not even, perhaps, just a move against US world dominance. There was a time when the USSR was the “evil empire,” a godless Golgotha. But that was then. Now, in 2013-14, Putin has seen fit to say, in his December State of the Nation speech, “Many Euro-Atlantic countries have moved away from their roots, including Christian values. …Policies are being pursued that place on the same level a multi-child family and a same-sex partnership, a faith in God and a belief in Satan. This is the path to degradation.”“Today, many nations are revising their moral values and ethical norms, eroding ethnic traditions and differences between peoples and cultures.” EVENT Putin is seeing himself as some sort of saviour of world morals. He looks on at Western Europe and sees the promotion of same sex marriage and “alternative lifestyles” as a breakdown of Christian values. He is right of course on this point. But Putin’s answer is war, conflict and increasing power. Both sides are completely wrong in their approach. What is remarkable is this division of humanistic ways v militaristic ways is exactly detailed out in Nebuchadnezzar’s image. He saw a vision of a man made of metals. The legs were made of iron. The iron represented the Roman Empire which divided into east and west. The final part of the image was of feet made part of clay and part of iron.The clay represents man. Human thinking. The iron represents the military strength of Rome. The two don’t mix. Russia is the iron. Europe is the clay. They don’t mix! COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:43-44 NIV)

10. I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, to take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods Israel no longer live in “walled villages” but live in a false sense of safety – it will come to an end Israel celebrates 66 years of Independence Jerusalem Post, May 7, 2014 The scent of barbecues pervaded the country on Tuesday as Israelis celebrated its 66th Independence Day. In balmy spring weather – it even drizzled intermittently – many of the almost 8.2 million citizens and thousands of visitors filled national parks and beaches to enjoy the national holiday. The central ceremony on Tuesday was held at the President’s Residence in the capital, where President Shimon Peres, who at 90 is the oldest world leader in office, sang a duet with the Iranian-born Israeli singer Rita. In his remarks to the soldiers, Peres praised the IDF as “an army that built a wall of security to deter our enemies, to grant security to its people.”“The bravery of the soldiers of the IDF is worth more than any other resource. Israel is not a passing shadow but a reality as strong as stone,” Peres said. Netanyahu also congratulated the soldiers, saying: “I am always proud to be the prime minister of Israel but especially so today. I know that we have who to rely upon when we send you on operations.” EVENT Israel remembered the day 66 years ago when for the first time in 1878 years their nation was created again. In the same land, using the same language and even the same currency. During the last 66 years the barren land of Palestine (as it was called then) has been transformed. Israel is now a thriving and booming modern economy. It has survived 3 massive wars against it. It has survived numerous terror attacks. Ariel Sharon built a wall though the country which has all but stopped these attacks. A recent survey measuring Israelis’ feelings about security found that the majority of Israelis feel “very secure” in their own towns and cities. 58% said they feel a high sense of personal security in their hometown. This is the exact situation prophesied by Ezekiel. But it is a false sense of security – Russia will invade – the wall will fall. See Isaiah 13:10-11. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:11-12)

11. Weekly World Watch The end of this week’s 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 site PLEASE 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. Please take a look at this excellent Christadelphian Prophecy website Just click the image To watch again, click here.