Weekly World Watch: NATO War Game, Israel-Russia Talks, Brexit and More

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s June 5 - 11, 2016 “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 June 5 - 11, 2016 • Nato launches biggest war game in eastern Europe • Putin hosts Israel's Netanyahu for Syria talks • Netanyahu invites Russia to develop Israel's gas fields • Israel sets 3-day West Bank closure after attack • George Soros: Brexit would spell end of EU • Is Russia readying for the kill in Syria? To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. The iron legs represent the divided Roman empire. The West was ruled by Rome. The East was ruled by Constantinople but the power moved to Moscow. They remain divided. • Nato launches biggest war game in eastern Europe since cold war amid Russia tensions Daily Telegraph, June 7, 2016 Poland and its NATO partners on Monday kicked off their largest-ever joint military exercises aimed at shoring up security on the alliance's eastern flank amid the West's worst standoff with Russia since the end of the Cold War. The two-week long Anaconda manoeuvres are aimed at "checking the alliance's ability to defend its eastern flank," Polish Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz said at formal opening ceremonies in Warsaw before troops hit the ground on Tuesday. More than 31,000 soldiers from 24 NATO and former-Soviet "Partnership for Peace" states including Ukraine are taking part in the manoeuvres, held biannually across Poland since 2006. Some 14,000 US troops will join 12,000 Polish soldiers and around 1,000 from Britain for the exercises involving some 3,000 vehicles, 105 planes and 12 naval vessels. EVENT COMMENT Tensions have rocketed between Russia and NATO ever since Russia’s “invasion” of Ukraine and the annexing of Crimea. America has upped the anti by deploying a new missile shield in Romania. Moscow and Washington accused each other of mounting an aggressive military presence in northern Europe when the US activated the first part of the shield a few weeks ago. Another part is to be activated in Poland. Russia has vowed to "end threats" posed by the system. Putin said last week that Romania and Poland are in Russia’s crosshairs. He is referring of course to them being a military target. The Bible says that at the time of the end the gentile nations would prepare for conflict. We are seeing this happen. We also see the clear division between east and west. This division is the same division of the legs of Nebuchadnezzar’s vision… BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:33-34)

6. After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, • Russia's Putin Hosts Israel's Netanyahu for Syria Talks New York Times, June 7, 2016 Russia and Israel will expand their cooperation in the fight against terrorism, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday. Putin spoke after hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Moscow for talks that focused on boosting bilateral ties and trying to resolve the situation in Syria. "We talked about the need to take joint efforts to confront international terrorism," Putin said at a news conference. "We undoubtedly are allies in that area, and our countries have accumulated a significant experience in fighting extremism. We will strengthen contacts with Israeli colleagues in that sphere.” Putin said they discussed the situation in the Middle East and particularly in Syria, where Russia has conducted an air campaign against those opposing the government. Moscow has coordinated its action with Israel to prevent any possible incidents between Russian and Israeli militaries. EVENT It may seem strange that Israel is talking about cooperation with Russia. Surely we expect the opposite with Bible in hand. But of course it is in Israel’s interests to befriend Russia if they can. It is Russia that has armed Israel’s enemies – Syria and Iran. It is Russia that is now flying bombing missions next door to Israel in Syria. No wonder Netanyahu flies to Moscow to talk about cooperation! But we know where this “cooperation” will lead – it leads to Russia coming down and actually invading Israel. In fact there is an interesting verse in Ezekiel 38 v 8. It says “after many days you [Gog] shall be visited”. The word visit in the Hebrew means “sought after”. Israel is seeking Russia’s assistance but they will be betrayed. For the same verse says that Russia will descend “against the mountains of Israel”. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:8)

7. and thou [Gog – Russian leader] shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, 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, Notice these verse come just after the verse about the “visit” Netanyahu invites Russia to develop Israel's gas fields RT, June 8, 2016 On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Moscow. They discussed economic cooperation including energy ties. Our doors are open for every company from any country that has vast experience in the development of gas fields, including Russia, of course," said Netanyahu at a joint news conference, adding that there are no legislative barriers stopping Russian companies working in Israel. Putin was also asked about the gas contract with Poland which expires in 2022. The Russian President said Gazprom is looking for another partner in Europe who will buy the volume taken by Poland, including Israel. “Our partners in Poland haven’t refused anything yet. However, the statement we are talking about, was made by a high-ranking official and the company purchasing our gas is state-owned, that’s why we don’t rule out such a possibility,” Putin said, adding that the gas may go to Israel to be then resold to Poland. EVENT COMMENT At the same “visit” Netanyahu and Putin talked about Israel’s gas fields. Now this is a subject that Putin is very interested in. Russia produces very little. Russia makes its money in selling energy. Israel in the last few years has discovered some enormous gas fields just off its shore line. Back in October 2015 Putin expressed his desire to do a deal with Israel over Leviathan – the name of Israel’s largest gas field. Putin said to Netanyahu back then… if you do a deal with us… ““We will make sure there will be no provocation against the gas fields by Hezbollah or Hamas. Nobody messes with us.” The Bible says that Gog (Russian leader) will come down into Israel to take a spoil. It is pretty clear now what that spoil is. The wealth of the gas fields that Israel controls. BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:10-12)

8. On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a flame that sets a woodpile ablaze or like a burning torch among sheaves of grain. They will burn up all the neighbouring nations right and left, while the people living in Jerusalem remain secure.This is victory for Jerusalem in this initial war. Zechariah 14 speaks of the fall of Jerusalem. Zechariah 14 is about the Russian invasion. To watch a video that explains this CLICK HERE • Israel Sets 3-Day West Bank Closure After Palestinian Attack New York Times, June 10, 2016 EVENT The Israeli military said on Friday the West Bank will be closed off until the end of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot on Sunday, due to security concerns following a Palestinian shooting attack this week in Tel Aviv that killed four Israeli civilians. The army said that crossings will be open for "humanitarian and medical" cases only and for Palestinians to worship at al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Tens of thousands of Palestinians attended prayers at the mosque on Friday, the first of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Police were on high alert in Jerusalem and prayers passed peacefully. Much of the past months of violence stems from tensions at the hilltop compound. Muslims refer to it as the Noble Sanctuary, and it is their third holiest site, after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. It is the holiest site for Jews, who call it the Temple Mount because of the revered Jewish temples that stood there in biblical times. Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire in a popular food and retail centre in central Tel Aviv Wednesday night, killing four people and seriously wounding many others. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went directly to an emergency Defence Ministry meeting Wednesday upon his return from a trip to Russia, the Jerusalem Post reported. Since last October, 29 Israelis and four others have been killed and hundreds more injured in terror attacks in Israel, although the violence had diminished in ­recent months. About 200 Palestinians have also been killed, some two-thirds of them while carrying out ­attacks and the rest in clashes with troops. There is fast approaching an initial war between Israel and it’s nearby neighbours – i.e. Palestinians, Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria. This war will see Israel victorious but weakened. As Israel is recovering from that war – Russia and Iran will attack. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Zechariah 12:6)

9. But she {latter day Tyre / London} will be no different than she was before. She will again be a prostitute to all kingdoms around the world. But in the end her profits will be given to the Lord. Her wealth will not be hoarded ….Look! The Lord is about to destroy the earth and make it a vast wasteland…..buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, bankers and debtors—none will be spared. The earth will be completely emptied and looted. • George Soros, 'who broke the Bank of England' opts for gold haven saying Brexit would spell end of EU Daily Telegraph, June 9, 2016 EVENT Billionaire investor George Soros has piled more of his $30bn fund into gold as UK government borrowing costs fell to a record low amid concerns about global growth. Mr Soros also warned that if Britain voted to leave the EU on June 23 it would mark the end of the European project. "If Britain leaves, it could unleash a general exodus, and the disintegration of the European Union will become practically unavoidable," he said. UK benchmark gilt yields fell to 1.218pc, the lowest on record, while German 10-year bund yields also dropped to a fresh low of 0.0234pc as growth jitters pushed investors towards low-risk sovereign debt. The flight to safety ended a week-long rally for global stocks and commodities as investors reassessed the global outlook. Gold prices climbed while oil fell more than 1pc. We said in last week’s WWW that a Brexit could lead to a financial meltdown for the world. This isn’t far fetched. We quoted from the OECD that said it could happen. This week George Soros has said that Brexit could cause Europe to break apart. He has decided to invest heavily into gold – a safe haven investment in times of uncertainty. We showed last week how a prophecy about London in Isaiah 23 is followed straight on in the final prophecy of the sequence in Isaiah which concerns the financial meltdown of the world. In other words events in Britain are spoken about in chapter 23 and worldwide financial collapse is spoken about in the next chapter. We cannot say for certain if Britain will leave the EU. But they might. We cannot say for certain a Brexit would cause financial meltdown. But it might. Either way we may be on the brink of some very interesting days and we should be alert and watching…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 23:17-18 Isaiah 24:1-3 NLT)

10. Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad [Aleppo]: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail. • Is Russia readying for the kill in Syria? U.S News, June 6, 2016 EVENT Russia soon could return some 3,000 troops to Syria, Middle East experts tell Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin, suggesting the compromise cease-fire between Moscow and Washington has failed along with the Geneva talks. The negotiations in Geneva currently are suspended as a result of renewed fighting by jihadi groups outside Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. Moscow had intervened militarily in the civil war in September 2015 following a request from the Syrian government. But on March 14, 2016, Russia ordered the withdrawal of most of its forces there. Russia may be preparing to back a renewed assault by Syrian government forces to retake Aleppo, and perhaps even Raqqa, from Jabhat al-Nusra and allied groups in the coming weeks. COMMENT There are a number of reports suggesting that Russia may be about to re-enter the Syrian war in a big way following the breakdown of talks. Russia has tried to do a deal with America so they fight together in Syria. America has refused to do this as it sees Russia on the wrong side. Russia supports Assad and is against the rebels fighting him. America is against Assad and supports the rebels. The talks in Geneva to bring the two super powers together has failed. Russia is therefore mulling what to do next. This week Russian and Syrian aircraft have once more begun to pummel Aleppo. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, recorded almost 50 attacks on Aleppo's sprawling eastern suburbs this week. We know Aleppo is significant as God mentioned the city in connection with the fall of Damascus in Jeremiah 49… BIBLE QUOTE (Jeremiah 49:23-24)

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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. Please take a look at this excellent Christadelphian Prophecy website Just click the image To watch again, click here.