February 9 - 22, 2014

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s February 9 - 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 February 9 - 22, 2014 • War of words between Obama and Putin over Ukraine • Ukraine financial crisis threatens Russia • Putin backs Egypt Sisi's 'run' for Egyptian presidency • Iran boosts support to Syria • Report: Vatican pushing for control of Mount Zion • ‘Epochal' drought hits California's Central Valley To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. “Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! Putin says Ukraine is a “krai”—purposely avoiding the Russian word for country, strana. The Russian word “krai” means “land”. This is how the Bible describes Magog in Ezekiel 38. War of words between Obama and Putin over Ukraine ABC News, February 20, 2014 A war of words between President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin over the violence exploding on the streets of Kiev, Ukraine, this week shows the global tug-of-war between East and West erupting in the former member of the old Soviet Union. The tensions between protesters and government security forces became deadly overnight in Independence Square, where Ukrainians have gathered for months to protest President Viktor Yanukovich's decision to back out of a deal with the European Union and instead join an economic group led by Russia. Protesters felt the EU deal would have been a significant step forward in building relationships with Western nations, but that Yanukovich was pressured by Putin to spurn the West and continue its close relationship with Russia. Statements by Obama and Putin this week show how each country is trying to blame the other for meddling in Ukraine. EVENT The Ukraine has the world’s 3rd largest stockpile of nuclear weapons. The reason this country (the largest in Europe) has so many of these weapons is that it was once part of the USSR. It also has a huge army of 780,000 men. But the Ukraine that sits between Russia and Europe has in recent years looked increasingly towards the West. There is an on-going political battle within Ukraine as to who runs the country – pro Russia or Pro Europe presidents. Currently it is a pro Russian president. The last pro Western president was poisoned with a potent dioxin – almost certainly Russia was behind this. It shows the lengths Russia will go to to keep Ukraine under its control. The Ukraine is part of the ancient land of Magog. Putin (latter day Gog) is of the land of Magog. He will keep control of Ukraine. The tug of war will lead to Russia getting angry. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:2-3 NLT)

6. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am your enemy, O Gog, ruler of the nations of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around and drive you toward the mountains of Israel, bringing you from the distant north. …And I will rain down fire on Magog and on all your allies who live safely on the coasts. Magog will be destroyed Financial crisis threatens Russia as Ukraine spins out of control Daily Telegraph, February 20, 2014 The dramatic escalation of Ukraine’s civil conflict and fears of Russian military intervention have sent financial tremors across Eastern Europe, turning the region into the new fulcrum of the emerging market crisis. “This has suddenly gone from a domestic Ukrainian story into a geopolitical clash,” said Lars Christensen, from Danske Bank. The Russian ruble has fallen to a record low against the euro, with contagion reaching Poland, Hungary and Romania in recent days. “The moves in Russia are very like the events during the war in Georgia in 2008. Markets are pricing in the risk of Russian intervention,” he said. Any deployment of Russian troops to stiffen the Ukrainian government could spiral out of control, leading to an East-West stand-off not seen since the Cold War. It might even been seen as replay of Russian intervention in Hungary in 1956 to prevent the country slipping out of the Soviet Union. EVENT We may actually see Russian intervention in Ukraine if push comes to shove. Russia has too much to lose if the Ukraine turns to the West. On Wednesday Obama said that the Ukraine is not part of “some Cold War chessboard”. However Putin does see it that way. To Putin the Ukraine is a very valuable piece on his board. The port city of Sevastopol in the Ukraine continues to be the home of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Many of Russia's gas pipelines run through Ukraine to Europe. Kiev the capital of the Ukraine is the centre of Orthodox Christianity, Russia’s national religion. Also Putin’s pet project is to create a Eurasian Union. The idea is based on the European Union. An economic union of ex Soviet states (including the Ukraine) to be a power bloc to compete with the EU. So for Putin there is a lot at stake with the Ukraine. The Bible is clear…. Magog (which Ukraine forms part) will be controlled by Gog when he invades. COMMENT he BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 39: 1,2,6 NLT)

7. He [the king of the north / Russia] will conquer many countries, and even Egypt will not escape. He will gain control over the gold, silver, and treasures of Egypt, and the Libyans and Ethiopians will be his servants. Putin backs Egypt Sisi's 'run' for Egyptian presidency Daily Telegraph, February 13, 2014 EVENT Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has made a startling intervention in Egypt’s political turmoil by backing its defence minister for the presidency, before an election has even been declared. Whether the minister, the newly promoted Field Marshal Abdulfattah el-Sisi, will stand for president in elections scheduled for later this year is the biggest talking point in Egyptian politics, with elements of a personality cult already forming around him. His aides have consistently denied reports that he has already made a decision, but Mr Putin chose to ignore that while welcoming him on a visit to Moscow. “I know that you have made a decision to run for president,” Mr Putin said. “That’s a very responsible decision: to undertake such a mission for the fate of the Egyptian people. On my own part, and on behalf of the Russian people, I wish you success.” COMMENT The political turmoil in Egypt continues and now Putin has got involved. It is very unusual for a candidate to be so publicly backed by a foreign country, particularly when he has not even announced his candidature! 40 years ago the Egyptian president Anwar Sadat ended military cooperation with Russia and lined up with America. Egypt’s close ties to America have lasted ever since. That is until recently. Egypt is looking to Russia as Egypt has lost trust in America. Russia is keen to take advantage of America’s unpopularity. Russia and Egypt are about to do a $2bn arms deal it is reported. The Bible tells us that Russia is interested in Egypt. In Daniel 11 we read that the king of the north (Russia) comes down through Israel into Egypt. In fact we read that when he gets into Egypt he completely takes over and controls the whole wealth of the country. But it is an invasion. Russia conquers Egypt. So although Russia appears friendly to Egypt, Putin’s true future intentions are to rule over it and subdue it… BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:42 – 43 NLT)

8. “Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.” Yes, this was their unanimous decision. They signed a treaty as allies against you - these Edomites and Ishmaelites; Moabites and Hagrites, Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites; and people from Philistia and Tyre. Assyria has joined them, too, This describes the inner ring conflict – also detailed in Isaiah 17 Iran boosts support to Syria Daily Telegraph, February 21, 2014 Iran is boosting its support for President Bashar al-Assad, sending top military advisers to Damascus to gather intelligence and train Syrian troops, sources with knowledge of the movements have said. The increase in assistance from Syria's long standing ally reportedly coincided with the peace talks at Geneva II, allowing the government to attend the negotiations with sufficient confidence in its military capability that it did not feel the need to make concessions. Several "hundred" military specialists, including senior commanders from the Quds Force, the elite foreign-operations wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been to deployed to Syria in recent months, Iranian sources and security experts have said. A recently retired senior IRGC commander told Reuters there are now at least 60 to 70 Quds force commanders on the ground in Syria at any given time. EVENT COMMENT Iran sees the survival of the Syrian government as being crucial to it longevity of its own regime. Iranian leaders have said that Syria is Iran's "35th province", with President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite minority led regime being a crucial buffer against the influence of Saudi Arabia and the United States. Iran is part of the outer ring of nations that invade Israel in Ezekiel 38. Syria is part of an inner ring of nations that fight Israel mentioned in Psalm 83. The outer ring war comes after an initial inner ring war. In fact the two wars will probably just continue after each other. Syria is destroyed in the first inner ring war. Iran survives and joins in the second wave of the outer ring of nations. Iran’s support of Syria will lead to the initial war and Syria’s demise. Then Russian (and Iran) will invade Israel – Armageddon… BIBLE QUOTE (Psalm 83:4-8 NLT)

9. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. (Psalm 48:2) Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mountMoriah(2 Chronicles 3:1) his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst Report: Vatican pushing for control of Mount Zion Israel National News, February 19, 2014 Christian leaders reportedly pressured Israel to turn over control of Mount Zion in Jerusalem during a clandestine meeting of senior city officials. The meeting took place Tuesday in the office of Attorney Amnon Merhav, the director-general of the Jerusalem municipality. It was attended by officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, President’s Office, Tourism Ministry, Police, Kotel Rabbi’s Office, and more. During the meeting, representatives of Christian groups in the capital pushed Jerusalem leaders to give the Catholic Church control over the Mount Zion area that includes the “Hall of the Last Supper.” There have been reports that Israel’s government is planning to turn the building in question over to the Vatican prior to the Pope’s expected visit in May. Pope Francis is expected to visit Israel and to lead a service in the Hall of the Last Supper. EVENT Zion is mention over 150 times in the Bible. Mount Zion is mentioned 21 times. So what is Mount Zion? In ancient times Jerusalem was divided by a valley and there were two key mounts. This valley is pretty much filled in with rubble from Jerusalem’s many destructions. But the two key mounts were Mount Moriah and Mount Zion. Both part of Jerusalem. Mount Moriah was where the temple was built. Mount Zion was where David’s palace was built. One mount is for the priest – one mount is for the king. The other significant mount in Jerusalem is the Mount of Olives. Jesus ascended from here and will return to the same spot. This mount represents the work of the mediator. The mount of Olives will be divided in two when Christ returns symbolising that his work of a mediator is finished. The saints will be united with him being made immortal. It is interesting though that the Pope craves the mount of the king…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Zechariah 14:4)

10. “Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals. Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord. ‘Epochal' drought hits California's Central Valley Daily Telegraph, February 14, 2014 EVENT On the road into the small California farming community of Mendota the signs read “Stop – dust bowl!” and “Save Water” as farmers in orchards are busy bulldozing withered almond trees. It didn’t used to be like this here. Until recently this town of 11,000 people was proudly known as the “Cantaloupe Capital of the World”. Of all the many local crops its melons were most prized. Mendota’s farmers have been growing them since the 1920s, when Greek immigrants arrived and found the soil was perfect. The lush fields used to provide 70 per cent of America’s cantaloupes. But today Mendota is becoming known for another reason. It sits at ground zero in an unfolding, slow motion billion dollar disaster, what climatologists are calling an “epochal” drought. The region is experiencing a lack of rain not seen since 1580. The scale of the drought is staggering. The Central Valley is known as the “breadbasket of America” and covers a vast area half the size of England. It produces 50 per cent of the fruit and vegetables in the United Sates. Unlike recent hurricanes and floods in the US there have been few startling images of this disaster. It is taking place over such a huge area that it is impossible to capture in the frame of a television screen. Records have been kept since the 1840s and last year was the driest yet. Some farm areas received less rain than Death Valley in 2013. The lesson of drought is made clear in the book of Job. “Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned.” If we sin we are consumed by the grave as drought and heat consume water. As America pushes Israel to give up their land so we see America’s own land being devastated by drought. God - we read in the verse below uses drought to judge a country. It’s global warning not global warming. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 14:13 NLT)

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.