May 27 – June 2, 2012

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s May 27 – June 2, 2012 “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). 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 May 27 – June 2, 2012 • Western countries expel Syria envoys over massacre • US raises prospect of intervention in Syria • Israeli concern mounts over Syrian arms • Britain marks Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee • Spain faces 'total emergency' as fear grips markets • Vatican in chaos after Pope’s butler arrested To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts. Western countries expel Syria envoys over massacre Reuters, May 29, 2012 The United States and seven other Western governments expelled Syrian diplomats from their capitals on Tuesday in a coordinated action against President Bashar al-Assad's government spurred by revulsion over the killing of more than 100 civilians in a Syrian town. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius called Assad a murderer and Australia's Bob Carr said those responsible for the massacre at Houla would be held to account. "Bashar al-Assad is the murderer of his people. He must relinquish power. The sooner the better," Fabius said in an interview with French daily Le Monde. Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United States announced the expulsions after consultations with each other on what they called unacceptable levels of violence. The action marked a new phase in the international effort to halt the repression of a 14-month-old uprising against Assad and to force him to relinquish power. EVENT The events in Syria are truly horrifying. Over 100 people, (half of which were children), were executed by the Syrian regime this week. The massacre sent shock waves around the world’s leaders. Many nations acted in unison as they expelled Syria’s ambassadors from their respective nations. This act is about as strong as it gets diplomatically and can often precede war. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait had already expelled Syrian envoys in February then the following month closed their embassies in Damascus. And so the day gets ever closer when Syria ceases to be a kingdom. Isaiah 17 specifically says that the kingdom will cease from Damascus. One modern version says “not a trace of government will be left in Damascus.” We await this to happen… he COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 17:3)

6. And at the time of the end shall the king of the south [USA] push at him [Russia]: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. Daniel 11 is all about SYRIA. It is interesting that America / UK are pushing Russia over Syria… US raises prospect of intervention in Syria Daily Telegraph, May 31, 2012 Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, bluntly criticised Russia's continued backing for President Bashar al-Assad's regime yesterday. This support was illustrated last night by the disclosure that a Russian cargo ship carrying weapons had docked in Syria last Saturday, one day after the massacre in Houla which claimed at least 108 civilian lives. Addressing students in Denmark, Mrs Clinton urged Russia to use its influence on Mr Assad to curb the fighting. "The Syrians are not going to listen to us. They will listen - maybe - to the Russians, so we have to keep pushing them," she said. Russian officials, added Mrs Clinton, "are telling me they don't want to see a civil war. I have been telling them their policy is going help to contribute to a civil war." Western governments believe that diplomatic cover afforded by the Kremlin has emboldened Mr Assad and encouraged him to resist pressure to negotiate a settlement of the conflict. EVENT America is stepping up its denunciation of Russia. Russia continues not only to back the Syrian regime but reports say that it is even continuing to send weapons to them as well. In an emergency session on Friday, the Security council condemned Syria over the Houla massacre and called for an investigation. But Russia voted against the US-backed resolution, arguing that it was "unbalanced“! The UK foreign minister flew to Moscow this week to try to change Russia's mind but flew back the same day empty handed. Putin said this week "Why are we thinking that if we push the current leadership from power, then tomorrow general wellbeing will begin there.” Notice the word “PUSH”. Note that Hilary Clinton says “we have to keep PUSHING them [Russia]”. The king of the south is beginning to PUSH at the king of the north. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40)

7. The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts. And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean. Notice how Jacob [Israel] is made thin and waxes lean and Ephraim’s [Israel’s] fortress ceases. Israeli concern mounts over Syrian arms Globe & Mail, June 1, 2012 Israeli officials say they are increasingly concerned that advanced missiles and even chemical weapons are being transferred from Syria to forces of the Lebanese Shia militia movement, Hezbollah. Israeli and U.S. officials have long warned about such a transfer should Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s grip on power falter. And, with the fallout from last weekend’s massacre of civilians in the Syrian area of Houla, that grip may well have weakened. This, officials said, is all the more reason to take seriously the warning issued Wednesday by Ali Larijani, Speaker of Iran’s parliament. Should the United States or any other country intervene militarily in Syria, Mr. Larijani said, “ash rising from the flames would definitely envelop the Zionist regime [Israel].” Syrians already have transferred Scud D surface-to-surface missiles to Hezbollah in the last few months. The missiles, which can carry a chemical warhead and have a range of 700 kilometres, are capable of hitting any target in Israel. EVENT As Assad’s grip on power weakens he may try to involve Israel in a final showdown. As the report above says he has recently transferred Scud missiles to Hezbollah. The Syrian regime has the largest stockpile of chemical weapons in the Middle East. It says it needs them to counteract Israel’s nuclear weapons. Syria has not signed the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1997, nor is it a member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Syria has converted its 700 Scud missiles to carry chemical weapons. The Bible says very clearly that when the Syrian kingdom ceases Israel is left greatly weakened. It is highly possible we shall see these missiles used against Israel which in turn brings the total destruction of Damascus…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 17:3-4)

8. And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot. Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered. CLICK HERE to watch the video and find out how these words could apply to the Queen. Britain marks Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee Associated Press, June 1, 2012 Britain on Saturday kicks off four days of celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee, including a 1,000-boat river pageant and a star-studded concert. The queen starts the festivities by indulging in her love of horse racing at the Epsom Derby on Saturday before riding in a ceremonial barge on the Thames at the centre of the giant flotilla on Sunday. One million people are expected to line the river to see the extravaganza of steam boats and tugs, speed boats and historic vessels. Aside from the setpiece events in London, millions of people up and down the country are commemorating the jubilee by throwing a party at home. "It looks like the entirety of Britain is going to turn out," said historian Kate Williams, the author of "Young Elizabeth: The Making of our Queen". EVENT Jubilee fever is infecting Britain. Many houses in our street have union jacks flying. There are street parties planned and four days of celebrations are going to take place over this weekend. The country is marking 60 years since Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne. But how many know her scriptural significance? How many understand how the Bible speaks of this particular ruler and the role she will play when Christ returns? Her full title taken from the scriptures would read as follows…. Queen Elizabeth II – Latter day Queen of Sheba, The Royal Ruler of Tarshish, The Daughter of Tyre, EliySHEBA. The last title is the Hebrew form of Elizabeth. The Bible speaks of a latter day Queen of Sheba laying precious gifts at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ when he returns. To watch a talk that explains all of this, the significance of this lady and the proof we are so near to Christ’s return – CLICK HERE. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 23:15-16)

9. And there shall be signs … and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Spain faces 'total emergency' as fear grips markets Daily Telegraph, May 30, 2012 Spain is facing the gravest danger since the end of the Franco dictatorship as the country is frozen out of global capital markets and slides towards an epic showdown with Europe. “We’re in a situation of total emergency, the worst crisis we have ever lived through” said ex-premier Felipe Gonzalez, the country’s elder statesman. The warning came as the yields on Spanish 10-year bonds spiked to 6.7pc, pushing the “risk premium” over German Bunds to a post-euro high of 540 basis points. The IBEX index of stocks in Madrid fell 2.6pc, the lowest since the dotcom bust in 2003. Chaos over the €23.5bn rescue of crippled lender Bankia has led to the abrupt resignation of central bank governor Miguel Ángel Fernández Ordóñez, who testified to the senate that he had been muzzled to avoid enflaming events as confidence in the country drains away. EVENT Chaos, emergency, crisis. These are the words that are being written about Europe and its worsening financial crisis. It is contagion. There is no way the governments of the world can solve this problem. No one wants to admit it but many countries in Europe are plain broke. They have no money left. Those countries which do have money like Germany have no where near enough cash to bail them out. There could well come a point when countries like Spain, Portugal and Greece will be forced out. Leaving a core of nations in Europe to forge forward in political union. Jesus spoke of a time of great perplexity and fear in the world before he returned. The word “perplexity” according to Vine’s Bible Dictionary means “being at one's wit's end”, “at a loss how to proceed”, “WITHOUT RESOURCES”. This is what is happening… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Luke 21:25-27)

10. I saw a woman [false religion of Rome] sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: “her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities”. Rev 18:5 Vatican in chaos after Pope’s butler arrested USA Today, May 23, 2012 Cardinals – in purple and scarlet An already sordid scandal over leaked Vatican documents took a Hollywood-like turn Saturday with confirmation that the pope's own butler had been arrested after documents he had no business having were found in his Vatican City apartment. The detention of butler Paolo Gabriele, one of the few members of the papal household, capped one of the most convulsive weeks in recent Vatican history and threw the Holy See into chaos as it enters a critical phase in its efforts to show the world it's serious about complying with international norms on financial transparency. The tumult began with the publication last weekend of a book of leaked Vatican documents detailing power struggles, political intrigue and corruption in the highest levels of Catholic Church governance. It peaked with the inglorious ouster on Thursday of the president of the Vatican bank. And it concluded with confirmation Saturday that Pope Benedict XVI's own butler was the alleged mole feeding documents to Italian journalists in an apparent bid to discredit the pontiff's No. 2. EVENT Italy was shaken again this week by another earthquake. 17 people were killed and 350 injured. This comes hot on the heals of last weeks earthquake. It’s not just the ground that’s being shaken. The Vatican is being shaken as well. Following the ousting of the Vatican’s banker last week due to corruption this week has seen the Pope’s own butler arrested. As the article says, it is corruption and political intrigue at the highest levels of the Vatican. As one reporter said “"If you wrote this in fiction you wouldn't believe it. No editor would let you put it in a novel.” God put it in his book though. He describes Rome as being full of abominations and filthiness. She is… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Revelation 17:3-4)

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.