March 21 - 27, 2010

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s March 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 March 21 - 27, 2010 • Mossad expulsion marks new low in UK relations • Israel 'to defy Barack Obama' over Jerusalem • Israeli troops killed in Gaza border clashes • US, Russia sign pact to cut nuclear arms • South Korean navy ship with 104 onboard sunk • Pope faces claims he covered up abuse case To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right

5. And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life. . Mossad expulsion marks new low in UK relations Daily Telegraph, March 23, 2010 The decision to expel Israel's Mossad station chief from London marks a new low in Britain's problematic relationship with one of the world's most ruthless intelligence services. Until the diplomatic row erupted over Israel's use of forged British passports in the assassination of Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai last month, Mossad had been enjoying a close and productive intelligence-sharing relationship with Britain's Secret Intelligence Service. Senior Israeli intelligence officials were particularly proud of the "strategic partnership" that had been established with their British counterparts to co-operate closely on the global security challenge posed by Iran's illicit nuclear programme. The regular exchange of sensitive intelligence material, particularly on Iran's undeclared nuclear facilities, was hailed as a new era in Anglo-Israeli intelligence sharing. But this crucial relationship is now in tatters following the investigation by British officials which confirmed that the 15 British passports used during the al-Mabhouh assassination operation had been forged in Israel. EVENT It really is incredible how fast events are moving at the moment. Over the last few weeks Israel’s relationship with its two closest allies has deteriorated dramatically. Already facing the wrath of the United States over its building plans in East Jerusalem, Israel has embarked on a campaign to placate Britain in order to avoid what one official described as "a war on two fronts". With God’s word in our hand we can clearly see how at the time of the end Israel will be isolated and friendless. When Christ returns they will have been brought to their knees. We may see conflict soon as surely the isolation of Israel is a prelude to war. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Jeremiah 4:30)

6. Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. Israel 'to defy Barack Obama' over Jerusalem Daily Telegraph, March 25, 2010 Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, will convene an emergency session of his cabinet on Friday amid signs that the Jewish state was strengthening its defiance of the United States. Mr Netanyahu and his ministers will discuss a series of demands made by President Barack Obama to end a damaging row over Jewish building in east Jerusalem. There was no word on what response the inner cabinet would formulate but there seemed to be little prospect of a resolution to the stand-off -- indeed, there were signs that relations between the United States and Israel, already at their most strained in many years, were deteriorating ever more rapidly. Far from signalling their willingness to accommodate Mr Obama's chief concerns, senior members of Mr Netanyahu's Right-wing coalition indicated their determination to press ahead with settlement construction in parts of Jerusalem that Israel annexed after the 1967 Six-Day war. "I thank God that I have been given the opportunity to be the minister who approves the construction of thousands of housing units in Jerusalem," Eli Yishai, Israel's hawkish interior minister said. EVENT Netanyahu went to Washington this week to meet Obama to discuss…..JERUSALEM! He was left to stew in a White House meeting room for over an hour after President Barack Obama abruptly walked out of tense talks to have supper with his family, it emerged on Thursday. Obama made 13 demands of the Israeli leader. Key among those demands was a previously-made call to halt all new settlement construction in east Jerusalem. But the two men failed to break the impasse. There were no photo’s, no joint statements. It has come down to Jerusalem - as God said it would…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Micah 4:11,12)

7. The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts. Israeli troops killed in Gaza border clashes Daily Telegraph, March 26, 2010 Two Israeli soldiers have been killed during clashes with Hamas fighters on the Gaza Strip's southern border, the Israeli army has said. Tensions have escalated following the most violent week since Israel's invasion of the coast enclave 14 months ago. The clashes came as Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, signalled for the first time since receiving a dressing down from US President Barack Obama on Tuesday that he would reject American demands to halt Jewish construction in East Jerusalem. The Israeli army said two soldiers were killed and two were wounded in an exchange of fire near the Palestinian town of Khan Younis, in the south of the Gaza Strip. There were unconfirmed reports that two Hamas fighters were also killed. After months of relative tranquillity following the end of Israel's military offensive in January last year, there has been an upsurge in rocket attacks from Gaza over recent days, one of which killed a Thai immigrant working in a greenhouse north of the enclave last week. EVENT The diplomatic situation is getting substantially worse and at the same time so is the situation on the ground. Violence is increasing. A Hamas cross-border attack on Israeli forces on Friday killed an officer, Major. Eliraz Peretz, and 1st Sergeant Ilan Seviatsovsky, 21.Two Israeli soldiers were also injured in the heavy fighting which followed when an Israeli tank and artillery force which crossed in to shell the attackers was ambushed by a second Hamas unit firing anti-tank weapons and bombs. Israel says Hamas is accountable for the attack. Israel is certain to retaliate for the deaths of senior soldiers. Modern Palestinians equate in prophecy to the ancient Philistines. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 9:12,13)

8. For when they shall say, Peace and safety{original word means security}; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. US, Russia sign pact to cut nuclear arms Jerusalem Post, March 26, 2010 President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed on Friday to sharp cuts in the nuclear arsenals of both nations in the most comprehensive arms control treaty in two decades. "We have turned words into action," Obama declared. Obama said the pact, to be signed April 8 in Prague, was part of his effort to "reset" relations with Russia and a step on a path toward "the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons." The agreement would require both sides to reduce their arsenals of long-range nuclear weapons by about a third, from 2,200 now to 1,550 each. The pact, replacing and expanding a 1991 treaty that expired in December, was a gesture toward improved US-Russian relations that have been badly frayed. The reductions would still leave both sides with immense arsenals — and the ability to easily annihilate each other. EVENT President Obama at the White House went on to say, "In many ways, nuclear weapons represent both the darkest days of the Cold War, and the most troubling threats of our time. Today, we have taken another step forward in leaving behind the legacy of the 20th century while building a more secure future for our children." The fact is though that God has decreed another Cold War. He has decreed a king of the north versus king of the south situation. The northern king = Russia. The southern king (based in Saudi Arabia) is America. So whatever they may announce God’s will shall prevail. The other point of note in the speech is once more the phrase “peace and security” being used. Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians tells us the great sign that the time of trouble is about to begin is when people SAY “peace and security”. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (1 Thessalonians 5:3,4)

9. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: North Korea is a weak nation saying “I am strong”. South Korean navy ship with 104 onboard sunk Daily Telegraph, March 26, 2010 A South Korean navy ship with 104 people onboard was sunk near the North Korea border on Friday. South Korea's military said a ship from its navy was sinking in the Yellow Sea but could not immediately confirm if it had fired at an unidentified vessel. The Seoul government convened an emergency security meeting after the sinking of its ship off the Seoul-controlled island of Baengnyeong. The 1,500-ton vessel sank between 9:00 p.m. (1200 GMT) and 10:00 p.m. near the island but the cause of the incident was unknown, the Navy said. A rescue operation was underway. MBC television said about half the crew had so far been saved. Yonhap news agency quoted officials as saying there was an explosion in the rear of the ship but the cause was unknown. The disputed border in the Yellow Sea was the scene of deadly naval clashes in 1999 and 2002. Earlier on Friday, North Korea's military accused the United States and South Korea of trying to topple the Pyongyang regime and said it was ready to launch nuclear attacks to frustrate any provocations. EVENT America and Russia announce the reduction of nuclear weapons and promise that the world will now be safer. On the very same day North Korea's military accused the United States and South Korea Friday of trying to topple the Pyongyang regime and said it was ready to launch nuclear attacks to frustrate any provocations! Then just hours later a South Korean ship is sunk after an explosion at the rear of the ship. It is possible (but not yet confirmed) that this could be an attack by North Korea. Either way we see just how hollow the words of the President of America are. The world is not safer. In fact it is rushing headlong to war and the final judgements of God. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Joel 3:10,11)

10. in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry Pope faces claims he covered up abuse case Daily Telegraph, March 26, 2010 The Pope faced fresh accusations of covering up child abuse yesterday as it emerged he was present at a meeting where Church officials decided to allow a paedophile priest to continue working. The allegations dating to his time as Archbishop of Munich came a day after he was accused of covering up attacks on up to 200 boys at a deaf school in the American state of Wisconsin. The latest claims centred on how much he knew about a decision to allow a priest to resume pastoral duties in Germany in the 1980s. As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he led a meeting that approved the transfer of Father Peter Hullermann to a new diocese, despite him being known to be a paedophile. His office also received a copy of a memo explaining that Hullermann would return to pastoral work days after starting therapy. Hullermann went on to attack more children and was convicted of sexual abuse in 1986. The revelations about the level of the Pope's involvement in the case appeared to cast doubt on the Catholic Church's previous account of the matter. EVENT In June 2002, as a result of the Catholic sexual abuse scandal in the United States, a report was commissioned to see how widespread Catholic priest sexual abuse was. It is known as the John Jay report. The report tabulated a total of 4392 priests and deacons in the U.S. against whom allegations of sexual abuse were considered by their diocese to have been "substantiated". The report determined that, between 1950 and 2002, 10,667 people had made allegations of child sexual abuse. So how can this possibly be? That so many priests abused so many children? Well God tells us. It is the terrible outcome of Catholic false teaching that forbids their priests to marry. We are warned of this false religion in Paul’s letter to Timothy quoted below. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (1 Timothy 4:2,3)

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.