Weekly World Watch - November 11-24, 2018

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s November 11 - 24, 2018 “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 November 11 - 24, 2018 • Iran: US bases & aircraft carriers within missile range • Syria: US strike force and Russian naval buildup • Netanyahu: Golan will stay forever part of Israel • Macron: Europe must unite to prevent 'global chaos' • Merkel: EU states must prepare to give up sovereignty • Paradise lost: California's deadliest wildfire To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. Behold, I will stir up the Medes 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.  Iran: US bases & aircraft carriers within missile range Reuters, November 21, 2018 An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said on Wednesday that U.S. bases in Afghanistan, the UAE and Qatar, and U.S. aircraft carriers in the Gulf were within range of Iranian missiles, as tensions rise between Tehran and Washington. "They are within our reach and we can hit them if they (Americans) make a move,” Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Revolutionary Guards’ airspace division, was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. Hajizadeh said the Guards had improved the precision of their missiles, and specifically said they could hit the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Dhafra base in the United Arab Emirates and Kandahar base in Afghanistan that host U.S. forces. U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of an international agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme in May and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. He said the deal was flawed because it did not include curbs on Iran’s development of ballistic missiles or its support for proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. EVENT COMMENT There are increasing threats coming from Iran since new sanctions have come into place by America in recent days. As tensions rise as Iran is squeezed financially the rhetoric gets ever stronger. Today, Iran's President Hassan Rohani called Israel a "cancerous tumour" established by Western countries to advance their interests in the Middle East. Iran's leaders frequently condemn Israel and predict its demise, but Rohani, a relative moderate, rarely employs such rhetoric. The Bible speaks of Iran being ”stirred up” at the time of the end. Isaiah 13 speaks of the demise of Babylon (modern Iraq) and after this comes the stirring up of the Medes (Iran). This happened in ancient history – it is happening again now. Iran will invade Israel with Russia. BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 13:17-18)

6. Then at the time of the end, the king of the south [US/UK/Saudi] will attack the king of the north[ Russia]. The king of the north [Russia] will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. Syria: US strike force and Russian naval buildup Debkafile, November 18, 2018 The USS Harry Truman with a strike force of 5 guided missile warships were on their way on Sunday, Nov. 18 to waters off the Syrian coast. They entered the Mediterranean on Friday, Nov. 16, just as the Russian Middle East fleet wound up a series of search and destroy exercises against enemy submarines and warships. By week’s end, there were 8 Russian warships in the eastern Mediterranean. This US-Russian buildup of sea and air forces opposite Syria has accelerated in preparation for two events: The approaching meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the 26-30 Nov. G20 summit. Since it is assumed in both Washington and Moscow that the Syria issue will be high on the agenda together with the expanding Iranian presence there, both powers are gearing up for a military event that will tilt the standoff one way or the other. A possible Israeli air strike against Iranian targets in Syria after a long pause. The Russians may well decide to use their newly-installed S-300 air defense missiles to shoot down an Israel warplane to get even for the downing of their Il-20 on Sept. 17. For Moscow this is still an open book. EVENT The news has gone quiet on Syria over the last few weeks – but it could well be the calm before the storm. The two super powers are still facing off over Syria and neither has yet backed down. On the contrary – Russia and the US have been sending more and more ships into the region. As Debkafile says – “both powers are gearing up for a military event that will tilt the balance one way or the other.” It will happen. The Bible says that the king of the south WILL push (militarily provoke) the king of the north. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40 NLT)

7. Netanyahu: Golan will stay forever part of Israel Jerusalem Post, November 18, 2018 The Golan Heights is part of Israel and will remain under its sovereignty forever, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday. Netanyahu’s comments came at the weekly cabinet meeting, where he thanked the US for voting for the first time against an annual UN resolution calling for Israel to return the Golan Heights to Syria. In the past, the US abstained. “We have for some time been speaking with our friends the Americans on the present administration’s policies at the UN,” he said. On Thursday, US Ambassador David Friedman updated me that the US decided to vote against the traditional resolution that condemns us for our presence on the Golan Heights, and that is what happened. Netanyahu thanked Trump and outgoing US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley for this “important and just” vote which is “completely in line with our policies -- Israel will remain forever on the Golan Heights, and the Golan Heights will forever remain in our hands.” EVENT The Golan Heights were captured by Israel during the 6 Day War in 1967. Israel has controlled this area ever since. Syria wants the area back but only because it is strategically important from a military point of view. The Golan Heights look down on Israel and from there Syria could launch attacks with far more ease. Back in February Netanyahu asked Trump to recognise that the Golan Heights were Israel’s land. Trump hasn’t done this yet but the US did vote against a resolution at the UN that tells Israel to give the area back to Syria. The Golan Heights are mentioned in the Bible. It is described as “Golan in Bashan” four times. It was designated land for Israel and in fact Golan was a city of refuge. Bashan is mentioned in relation to the “day of the LORD.” COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE 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 cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, (Isaiah 2:12)

8. Macron: Europe must unite to prevent 'global chaos' BBC, November 18, 2018 EVENT France's President Emmanuel Macron has called for closer ties between his country and Germany, saying Europe "has the obligation not to let the world slip into chaos". Mr Macron is in Berlin for the country's annual day of mourning for victims of war. In a speech to Germany's parliament, he said Europe must not "become a plaything of great powers". Mr Macron wants a more integrated EU, with a joint Eurozone budget. He also wants Germany's backing for a European Army, which he has said would reduce the bloc's dependence on the US, and a new tax on internet tech giants. The French president acknowledged that unity could be "scary," and would mean nations pooling their funds and decision-making - but then asked: "Is it better to remain locked at a standstill?” The French leader spoke of nationalist forces "with no memory", and urged progressive forces to unite in an uncertain world. COMMENT Trump is destabilising an already fairly difficult US relationship with the EU. Trump met the French president on Armistice Day last week. But it was a very awkward encounter. Upon his return Trump took to Twitter to mock Macron and attacked him over his views on nationalism, tariffs and even his popularity rating. The response of France to this is to talk about “uniting” ever further the nations of the EU. Last week, Macron again mooted the idea of a "European army". He said Europeans cannot be protected without a "true, European army” The Bible speaks of an EU army that fights against Christ when he returns. The beast of Revelation 17 is in fact symbolic of the resurrected Holy Roman Empire – guided by the false religion of Rome – the woman who steers the beast. BIBLE QUOTE So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.  (Revelation 17:3)

9. Merkel: EU states must prepare to give up sovereignty Briebart, November 23, 2018 EVENT German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that European Union (EU) member states must be prepared to transfer powers over to Brussels at a debate on the ‘tensions’ between globalisation and national sovereignty. "Nation states must today be prepared to give up their sovereignty,” Merkel said, speaking at an event organised by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Berlin on Wednesday. "In an orderly fashion of course,” Merkel said, explaining that — while Germany had given up some of its sovereignty in order to join the EU, national parliaments were in charge of deciding whether to sign up to international treaties. Trust and the willingness to compromise are vital in addressing tensions between sovereignty and globalisation, asserted the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader, highlighting the controversial UN migration pact, debate over which has continued to split her own party. To create a superpower – nation states must give up their sovereignty. The French president echoed Merkel’s words this week when he said “Europe must be stronger… and win more sovereignty over foreign affairs, migration, and development”. The EU project was always about doing away with nations states and having one bloc with one government. This is why it is a Babel project. A godless project. It was God who created nations by dividing the languages. It was done to restrain evil thinking. The Bible says that 10 nations (in the Europe area) will come together and give up their sovereignty to a superpower! These 10 nations fight against Christ and the saints. We are reading about this coming about in our daily news reports… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings [nations], which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast new Holy Roman Empire].  These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength [sovereignty] unto the beast.  (Revelation 17:12-13)

10. Paradise lost: California's deadliest wildfire CNN, October 17, 2018 EVENT What started as the wind-driven wildfires common in California escalated into fast-moving infernos, roaring through homes and sending thousands fleeing in the middle of the night. Northern California's Camp Fire and the Woolsey Fire in the south have collectively burned more than 240,000 acres, reduced thousands of homes to ashes and killed 74 people. California has never seen a blaze like the Camp Fire in Butte County. It's the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history, with a death toll -- now at 71 -- still growing. Thousands of survivors are sleeping in overcrowded shelters, cars and makeshift tent cities not knowing what their future holds. Rescue personnel are sifting through the wreckage in search of human remains. The list of missing has grown to more than 1,000 names as officials struggle to provide answers to loved ones. What was once Paradise is no more. "A whole town was wiped off the face of the Earth in a matter of eight hours," resident Cole Wyatt said. COMMENT The town called Paradise in California has been destroyed by fire. Unprecedented destruction levelled some 14,000 homes (almost all of them), incinerated 500 businesses and killed at least 84 people with hundreds still missing. Paradise was indeed a beautiful place. But within hours it was gone. Paradise is mentioned 3 times in the Bible. Every time in connection with the future kingdom. Jesus said to the thief on the cross “To day thou shalt be with me in paradise”. The Greek should read “I say unto thee THAT DAY thou shalt be with me in paradise.” THAT DAY is of course the future day when Paradise (Eden) is restored on earth. Before then great destruction by fire is coming on earth - the current “Paradise” is coming to an end….. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That day shalt thou be with me in paradise. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  BIBLE QUOTE (Luke 23:43) (2 Peter 3:7)

11. Weekly World Watch YouTube Videos

12. 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. To watch again please click the green arrow To watch again, click here.