March 16 - 22, 2014

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s March 16 - 22, 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 March 16 - 22, 2014 • Russia risks new Cold War, West warns • Crimea Goes East, Ukraine Goes West • Nato chief:Crimea invasion could be just the beginning • Russian troop build-up covers entire Ukrainian border • Senior minister says Israel can’t rely on US • Russia hints at using Iran talks as leverage To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen “I will turn thee back” literally means “I will return you” or “I will restore you”. Russia risks new Cold War, West warns Daily Telegraph, March 17, 2014 EVENT Vladimir Putin has delivered a swift and uncompromising blow to the imposition of US and EU sanctions by signing a decree recognising Crimea as an independent state, paving the way for him to acknowledge a request from the breakaway region to join the Russian Federation. Ignoring Western threats of a new Cold War and a “far-reaching” economic blockade, the Russian president will on Tuesday address both houses of the Russian parliament on the crisis, and is expected to welcome Crimea into the fold. The formal process of absorbing the peninsula could be completed within weeks. The Kremlin announced that Mr Putin had signed a decree recognising Crimea as an independent state, after it voted overwhelmingly on Sunday to leave Ukraine and join Russia. The US and the European Union responded by issuing targeted sanctions against several key players in the escalating crisis. Events have moved amazingly quickly. Just a few weeks ago Crimea was part of Ukraine. In less than two weeks Russia has moved in and annexed the region and brought it under the Russian Federation. Mr Putin has seen his personal approval ratings soar to a three-year high after his decision to send troops to Crimea. Crimea was invaded by Russia in the 1870s and then handed to Ukraine in 1954. It remained with Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. But Putin has said that the greatest geopolitical catastrophe was the collapse of the USSR. He has now begun the process of rebuilding that empire. The Russian juggernaut is on the move. Almost all commentators say that we are returning to a new Cold War. In Ezekiel 38 we read of Gog being “turned back”. This literally means “to be returned”. Putin himself (Gog) was returned to power and is now turning the whole of Russia back to Cold War days…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:3-4)

6. the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold— The stone = Christ returning. The metals of the image = different world empires. The fact the stone grinds all worldly kingdoms to powder does NOT mean all the metals are united as one at the end. They remain divided. Crimea Goes East, Ukraine Goes West Associated Press, March 21, 2014 Two almost simultaneous signatures Friday on opposite sides of Europe deepened the divide between East and West, as Russia formally annexed Crimea and the European Union pulled Ukraine closer into its orbit. In this "new post-Cold War order," as the Ukrainian prime minister called it, besieged Ukrainian troops on the Crimean Peninsula faced a critical choice: leave, join the Russian military or demobilize. Ukraine was working on evacuating its outnumbered troops in Crimea, but some said they were still awaiting orders. With fears running high of clashes between the two sides or a grab by Moscow for more of Ukraine, the chief of the U.N. came to the capital city Kiev and urged calm all around. All eyes were on President Vladimir Putin, as they have been ever since pro-Western protests drove out Ukraine's president a month ago, angering Russia and plunging Europe into its worst crisis in a generation. EVENT he On Friday Ukraine signed a treaty with Europe while at the same time Putin signed to bring Crimea into Russia. Both sides are antagonising the other with no solution to this crisis even on the distant horizon. Europe said this week that they will bring forward a target date to finalise political talks with Moldova and Georgia. This will anger Russia. The division of Russia and Europe is made clear in the Bible. It begins with the 2 legs of Daniel’s image representing East and West. It is further detailed in Daniel 7 and 8. Daniel 7 tracks the West and the power of Rome. Daniel 8 tracks the East and the latter day power of Russia. Daniel 11 from verse 40 shows the conflict between East and West through the latter day powers of king of the north and king of the south. There are two distinct wars at the end. Ezekiel 38 is a war led by Russia (East). This war is about power and spoil. Then there is a religious war (Revelation 17) led by Europe / Rome. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:45)

7. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: Nato chief: Crimea invasion could be just the beginning EUObserver, March 20, 2014 Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has warned Crimea could be the beginning of a wider military campaign, amid Russia's veiled threats against EU and Nato member Estonia. He told the Brookings Institution, a think tank in Washington, on Wednesday (19 March): “I see Crimea as an element in a greater pattern, in a more long-term Russian, or at least [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin, strategy. So of course our major concern now is whether he will go beyond Crimea.". He added: “This crisis is not just about Ukraine. We see what could be called ‘21st century revisionism’: Attempts to turn back the clock; to draw new dividing lines on the map; to monopolise markets; shuffle populations.” He urged Nato members to increase defence spending. He pledged “further steps to reassure [Nato] allies” and to “step up assistance to Ukraine.” EVENT This was a very interesting speech this week from the NATO chief. He warns explicitly that Crimea may well be part of a longer term Russian strategy. In fact he clearly says it is Putin’s own strategy. This is one man’s ambition. This is one man’s desire and longing. Putin wants to redraw maps, turn the clock back (“I will return thee”) and challenge the “uni polar world” (one world superpower) and create a “multi polar world”. This is Putin language meaning two superpowers. The NATO chief says this is Putin’s STRATEGY. It is Putin’s PLAN. Amazingly this is exactly what the Bible says Putin will do. He will create a PLAN. In Ezekiel 38 v 10 we read that Gog (Russian leader) thinks an evil thought. This can be translated as “thou shalt devise an evil plan.” The word “thought” in the AV means “a plan” or “strategy”. Putin’s evil strategy and plan was thought of in advance. It has only just begun…. he COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:9-10)

8. Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: These people from the north in ancient time were the Medes and Persians. In a latter day context – the Russians. Russian troop buildup now covers essentially the entire Ukrainian border CBS News, March 21, 2014 The build-up of Russian troops now covers essentially the entire Ukrainian border - with some soldiers as close as 50 kilometres away, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports. The build-up is raising serious concerns that Russia could invade Ukraine proper. The beefing up of Russian forces includes tanks and tactical aircraft but is also a very heavy logistical build-up which would allow for a sustained operation, Martin reports. The build-up is at least twice the size of what the Russians advertised when they announced the exercise. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel called the Ukraine defence minister but there were no immediate details reported from that conversation. On Thursday, Hagel called Moscow to ask Russia's defence minister directly about the troop movements. Pentagon spokesman Adm. John Kirby said the Russian promised there would be no invasion. EVENT COMMENT The huge build-up of troops proves that all is not over with Ukraine / Crimea. Right now, there are as many as 20,000 Russian troops, complete with tanks and artillery, positioned just to the east of Ukraine. But other units deeper inside Russia appear to be on the move and could soon double the number of troops at the border. Russia has said they will not invade. But as we have said before the opposite is normally true. If Russia says their troops are not in Crimea it means they are. If Russia says its intentions are peaceful then they are not. When Russia was asked when these troops would return to their bases no timetable was given. We don’t know exactly what will happen next but conflict is highly probable. With each side increasing sanctions (and with no way to back down) war in this area might come very soon. BIBLE QUOTE (Jeremiah 50:41-42)

9. 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? Senior minister says Israel can’t rely on US Jerusalem Post, March 20, 2014 Another senior minister in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s cabinet sharply criticized American foreign policy Tuesday, anonymously joining the open attack by Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon. Speaking to journalists in the Knesset, the minister said the Americans’ handling of the crisis in Ukraine proved that Israel could no longer rely on the United States. He said it was clear to everyone that the US had never intended to take military action against the Russians. “The lesson of this crisis screams to the sky,” the minister said. “US foreign policy is collapsing all over the world. America showing weakness in Russia has implications on the Palestinian front. Israel cannot be Ukraine. It is ridiculous to hear about American guarantees for Israeli security, which would at best last a few weeks. When we’re in danger, they won’t be there to defend us. We must be the sole guarantors of Israeli security.” EVENT There are those in Israel that are seriously concerned about what is happening in Ukraine. Exactly 20 years ago in 1994 America (and Britain) signed an agreement with Russia to protect Ukraine’s borders. This was to persuade Ukraine to give up inuclear weapons. Now think of Israel. Israel is being persuaded to give up land and under a new agreement America would agree to help keep Israel’s new borders secure. But if America cannot keep Ukraine’s border secure and is not willing to defend them why should Israel accept America’s guarantee? So the situation in Ukraine greatly weakens America’s position in the world. It is one reason why America might “push” Russia further in relation to Ukraine. It is already taking a stronger line than Europe. When Russia finally does descend on Israel we will see a very similar situation to the one we see today. America doing nothing militarily and being forced to only question Russia… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:13)

10. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a king shall arise, Having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; Russia hints at using Iran talks as leverage New York Times, March 20, 2014 EVENT Despite public assurances by Western officials, concern is growing that the escalating animosity between the United States and Russia over the Ukraine crisis could have a corrosive effect on the nuclear talks with Iran. Even before the Obama administration expanded the scope of sanctions on Thursday over Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, the Russians had sent signals that their retaliatory tools might include an altered position regarding the Iran talks, in which Russia and the United States are colleagues in the six-nation group negotiating with the Iranians. But Russia’s delegate to the Iran talks, Sergei A. Ryabkov, the deputy foreign minister, hinted in comments reported by the Interfax news agency Wednesday night that Russia might link the Ukraine and Iran issues as part of its own diplomatic leverage with the United States and European Union. The fallout and repercussions of events in Ukraine are massive and could be seismic in terms of how it impacts on other sensitive situations around the world. One highlighted in the New York Times article above shows how it might impact on negotiations with Iran. Russia who is key to making Iran tow the line has hinted on potentially changing its stance and in effect might work against America’s push to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons. This would have enormous consequences for Israel who again is relying on America to deliver a nuclear free Iran. Almost overnight the whole geopolitical world has changed and potentially we stand on the brink of war. Much of what we have long looked for with regards to Russia is happening. We have seen through the words of God in the scriptures that a Russian leader would come to power who would be arrogant, deceptive, corrupt and strong… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8:23-24 NKJV)

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.