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Weekly World Watch. Andy Walton ’ s. June 29 – July 5, 2014.
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Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s June 29 – July 5, 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.
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.
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)
This Week’s Developments June 29 – July 5, 2014 • Islamic State: ‘Rome will be conquered next’ • Saudi Arabia sends 30,000 troops to Iraq border • Islamic State seizes key Syrian oil fields • Sadness, anger and violence explode in Jerusalem • Ukraine launches new offensive to rid east of rebels • Queen names new Royal Navy aircraft carrier To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE
Everyone in Babylon [Iraq] will run about like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd. They will try to find their own people and flee to their own land. Anyone who is captured will be cut down run through with a sword. ….Look, I will stir up the Medes [Iranians] against Babylon [Iraq]. Rome will be conquered next, says leader of 'Islamic State' Daily Telegraph, July 1, 2014 EVENT Muslims have been called to flock to the 'Islamic State' to gather for a battle against non-believers throughout the world. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed leader of the 'Islamic State' stretching across Iraq and Syria, has vowed to lead the conquest of Rome as he called on Muslims to immigrate to his new land to fight under its banner around the globe. Baghdadi, who holds a PhD in Islamic studies, said Muslims were being targeted and killed from China to Indonesia. Speaking as the first Caliph, or commander of the Islamic faithful since the dissolution of the Ottoman empire, he called on Muslims to rally to his pan-Islamic state. "Rush O Muslims to your state. It is your state. Syria is not for Syrians and Iraq is not for Iraqis. The land is for the Muslims, all Muslims. If you hold to it you will conquer Rome and own the world.” COMMENT The situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate - fast. It seems incredible that in just a few weeks an “organisation” hardly anyone had heard of has now declared an Islamic State stretching across Iraq and into Syria. America is struggling to respond to this situation. So far the US has only sent military advisers. Russia however is reacting quickly. It has sent 12 warplanes to Iraq to help the Iraqi government defeat ISIS. So where does the Bible talk about these events - if at all? Well the Bible does talk about these events. In Isaiah 13. A prophecy that many might have considered to be purely an ancient prophecy fulfilled long ago. But in fact careful reading will prove that this chapter has a time of the end fulfilment. There are no less than 8 “time of the end” phrases in this one chapter. It is speaking about the national nightmare of Iraq. In verse 14 we read about everyone in Iraq running about like a hunted animal and trying to find their own people. It’s amazingly accurate picture – what follows is the end of Iraq…. BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 13:14+17 NLT)
Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? Saudi Arabia sends 30,000 troops to Iraq border Daily Telegraph, July 3, 2014 EVENT Saudi Arabia has sent 30,000 troops to reinforce its long northern desert border after Iraqi troops withdrew from the other side, according to reports Fighters from Islamic State, the jihadist group, and its allies have already seized frontier posts on Iraq's western borders with Syria and Jordan. The southern border with Saudi Arabia, which regards itself as vulnerable to the threat of jihadism, is more than 500 miles long. Large parts of it are with Anbar province, the centre of Islamic State power in Iraq and now almost entirely under the control either of the group itself or of Sunni Arab tribes that have allied with it. The last serious incursion into Saudi Arabia also came from Iraq, after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990. Iraqi forces were eventually repelled from the Saudi town of Khafji, the following January, but only after they were attacked from the air by American jets. COMMENT Saudi Arabia is getting very nervous about events in Iraq. They have a huge border with Iraq and the Iraqi troops protecting the border have recently been removed – probably to help in the fighting across the country. This leaves Saudi Arabia in a vulnerable position. Saudi Arabia is an ally of America and is Sunni. On the other hand Iran is anti America and Shia. Saudi Arabia and Iran and sworn enemies. Iraq lies between them both and is a country divided and broken. Both Saudi and Iran want to have control over oil rich Iraq. The Bible in fact puts Saudi and Iran on different sides. In Ezekiel 38 we read of Persia (Iran) being part of the invading army that attacks Israel. However we read of Sheba and Dedan (Saudi Arabia) being part of the opposing nations that are not involved in attacking Israel. We are seeing now a great melting pot in the Middle East – almost every nation is being affected – the storm is coming… BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:13)
The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, "Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, And as I have purposed, so it shall stand: That I will break the Assyrian in My land, And on My mountains tread him underfoot. Then his yoke shall be removed from them, And his burden removed from their shoulders. • Islamic State seizes key Syrian oil fields Daily Telegraph, July 26, 2014 The extremist Sunni jihadist group that declared a caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq has seized control of one of Syria’s most important oil fields after rebel fighters from other factions switched their allegiance to support it. In a crucial strategic advance for Islamic State, the organisation that is tearing Iraq apart, anti-government rebels in Syria who had been loyal to the rival Jabhat al-Nusra switched sides - handing over the Al-Omar oilfield, which has the potential to produce up to 75,000 barrels of oil per day. The development represents a huge step up for the Islamic State in its struggle against al-Nusra, which is backed by al-Qaeda but regards the new grouping as dangerously extremist. It means that the caliphate proclaimed by the Islamic State now controls a stretch of Syria from the town of Deir al-Zour in the middle of the country to Abukamel on the Iraqi border. Within neighbouring Iraq, to the east, it holds the cities of Mosul and Tikrit and is threatening to attack Baghdad. EVENT This extremist Sunni group called ISIS are ultra violent. They behead people, they crucify people, they kill children. It is this group that have declared a new Islamic State stretching from Syria right across Iraq. The interesting thing about this group and its territory is that it corresponds to that of the ancient Assyrians. The Assyrians were based in Nineveh. ISIS is based in the province of Nineveh. The ancient Assyrians were noted for their brutality, and their kings were often depicted as gloating over the gruesome punishments inflicted on conquered peoples. They conducted their wars with shocking ferocity, uprooting whole populations. Northern Israel was brought to an end by the Assyrians. ISIS also hate Israel. There is a possibility they get involved in “inner ring” war against Israel – the war involving Syria, Palestinians, Hezbollah etc… he COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 14:24-25)
Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. Sadness, anger and violence explode in Jerusalem Israel National News, July 4, 2014 Anger. This is the feeling pervading Jerusalem at the moment, both East and West. The bodies of Gilad Shaer (16), Naftali Frankel (16), and Eyal Yifrah (19), were found partially buried just outside Hebron last Monday, having been abducted and murdered. The Israeli government are holding Hamas responsible though thus far they have not claimed responsibility. East Jerusalem has exploded in riots and violence following the murder of a 17 year old Arab boy from Beit Hanina in East Jerusalem. It is widely believed that this killing was in retribution for the killing of the three Israeli teenagers, although the possibility of it being a domestic issue or “honour killing” have not been ruled out by police. Meanwhile, southern Israel has been hit by a barrage of rockets in the past week, the majority being intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome system, but others making direct hits, such as one yesterday which hit a factory, and two hit homes today. EVENT COMMENT Not only have events exploded across the Arab nations in the last few weeks but now we have Israel itself in serious difficulties. Violence has erupted in Jerusalem following the murders of 3 Israeli boys and now the murder of a Palestinian boy. Jerusalem is seething with anger on both sides – Arab and Jew. Last night cars were being stopped and if they were Jewish passengers they were being dragged out and beaten – this is in Jerusalem! The violent attacks also spread Saturday night to Jerusalem’s northern, eastern and southern suburbs. Meanwhile Hamas is busy firing rockets at Israel. Surely with so much out of control in the Middle East we must be nearing some major event. The angels who direct the affairs of men have created a perfect storm - sucking in all nations in the Middle East – Syria, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt …and Israel… BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 17:12-13)
Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: Ukraine launches new offensive to rid east of rebels Daily Telegraph, July 1, 2014 Russia’s President Vladimir Putin promises to protect ethnic Russians with 'the entire arsenal of available means' amid clashes in key towns in Ukraine's east. Ukrainian forces launched a new offensive against pro-Russian rebels in the east of the country on Tuesday after President Petro Poroshenko ended a ceasefire and promised to purge the region of “dirt and parasites”. Both sides in the conflict reported clashes in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions bordering Russia. “After the President's speech, the ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operation) went into action,” said Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksiy Dmytrashkovsky. “We opened artillery fire, carried out air strikes at the strategic points of the terrorists and places where they are concentrated.” In a televised announcement early this morning, Mr Poroshenko said he had given orders “to attack and liberate our land” from “terrorists, insurgents and marauders”. EVENT he COMMENT And its not just the Middle East! Eastern Europe is also in trouble. The conflict in Ukraine continues with no one able to stop the killing. This week the Ukrainian president called an end to the ceasefire and has pushed back hard at the rebels in the eastern part of the country. President Petro Poroshenko said the recapture of the rebels' stronghold of Sloviansk on Saturday was of "huge symbolic importance”. But he warned it was too early for celebrations. He is right to be cautious. Putin said on Friday that he would protect ethnic Russians with the entire arsenal at his disposal! In other words he will stop at nothing and do whatever it takes to keep hold of eastern Ukraine. Eastern Ukraine is part of ancient Magog. Gog (Putin) is taking control of the EXACT area of ancient Magog. God said that Gog (of the land of Magog) would invade Israel. With Putin taking control of Magog the next step will be invasion of Israel. BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:2-3)
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 every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. Pleasant pictures should be translated “desirable ships” • Queen names new Royal Navy aircraft carrier BBConline, July 4, 2014 The UK's largest warship marks "a new phase in our naval history", the Queen has said, as the vessel was officially named in her honour at a ceremony at Fife's Rosyth Dockyard. A bottle of whisky was smashed on the hull of the 65,000-tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth - the first of two new Royal Navy aircraft carriers being built. The Red Arrows flew over the dockyard before the ship was officially named. First Sea Lord Admiral George Zambellas said the ship was "fit for a Queen”. "HMS Queen Elizabeth will be a national instrument of power and a national symbol of authority," he said in a speech. "That means she will be a national icon too, all the while keeping the great in Great Britain and the royal in Royal Navy.” Addressing the audience, the Queen said the "innovative and first class" warship, the largest ever to be built in the UK, ushered in an "exciting new era”. “I believe the Queen Elizabeth will be a source of inspiration and pride for us all," she said. EVENT Pride and strength. Those were the two words repeated over and again during the ceremony of the launch of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH. It is Britain’s largest and most powerful warship ever built. God hates pride. Interestingly the Bible has a lot to say about British ships! In the Bible Britain is known as Tarshish. The phrase “ships of Tarshish” occurs 6 times. Almost all of them are connected to them being broken because of PRIDE! Britain has become rich and proud. And yet has become godless and rejected God’s laws and his ways. Britain will be judged for this. HMS Queen Elizabeth is not going to succeed. Her pride will be based. Judgement is coming on the ships of Tarshish. Let us remain humble before God. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 2:12+16)
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.