Transcript Weekly World Watch

Andy Walton’s
Weekly World Watch
May 25 - 31, 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)
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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.
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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.
HEADLINE
This is straight from a news report that caught my
eye because it looked significant from a Biblical
perspective, usually that of prophecy.
The source of the headline and the date are included.
EVENT
News
Photo
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.
This is my comment on why the event is interesting to a Bible student.
COMMENT The intention of the WWW is to offer brief Biblical perspectives without
going into detail. If more detail is desired, please e-mail me:
([email protected]). Please note that these are personal
thoughts and the aim is purely to stimulate Bible study.
This is normally one verse which backs up why the event that has occurred
BIBLE
is interesting from a Biblical perspective. Please read in its context.
QUOTE
Unless stated otherwise, all quotes are from the King James Version.
(Book, chapter, and verse)
This Week’s Developments
May 25 - 31, 2014
• Pope Francis makes his first official visit to Israel
• New Ukrainian president wants prompt EU trade deal
• Eurosceptic 'earthquake' rocks EU elections
• Obama to let American troops train Syrian rebels
• After Crimea: The future of the Black Sea fleet
• Israel solves water woes with desalination
To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right
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Pope Francis makes his first official visit to Israel
Daily Telegraph, May 25, 2014
EVENT
Pope Francis made an unscheduled stop at the Israeli-built barrier that separates the
town of Bethlehem from Jerusalem on Sunday, praying against the wall that has come
to symbolise Arab-Israeli division. The unexpected gesture in the cradle of Christianity
came as the Pope was en route to Manger Square. Ordering his white Pope-mobile to
stop, he clambered out and pressed his forehead head against the wall, which Israel
began building a decade ago in order to keep suicide bombers from launching attacks
on Jerusalem. Palestinians have long regarded it as a symbol of their oppression, and
the section that the Pope chose to stop at bore spray-painted graffiti saying “Free
Palestine” In another surprise initiative, the Pontiff, who is on a three-day tour of the
Middle East, announced efforts to try to revive the Arab-Israeli peace process, which
broke down last month.
COMMENT Back in the year 2000 Pope Paul II became the first Pope in history to make an official
visit to Israel. He placed a prayer on the Western Wall. Then in 2009 Pope Benedict
became the first Pope in history to enter the Dome of the Rock. And now in 2014
another Pope visits Israel and once more places a prayer on the Western Wall and
enters Dome of the Rock. These sites are extremely significant. The Western Wall is
the last remaining structure of the retaining wall of Temple in Jerusalem. The Dome of
the Rock is the actual site not only of the Tabernacle but also where the Most Holy
Place was situated. While there Pope Francis called for the 'State of Palestine’ to be
created. The Pope invited the president of Israel and president of the Palestinians for a
prayer meeting at the Vatican on June 8. He seems determined to intervene in the
“peace process”. We know that the “man of sin” will only bring destruction on Israel…
BIBLE
QUOTE
Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and
the man of sin is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself
over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple,
proclaiming himself to be God. Pope = man of sin. He visited the temple site(2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
New Ukrainian president wants prompt EU trade
deal
Moscow Times, May 29, 2014
EVENT
Ukraine's newly elected president, Petro Poroshenko, wants to sign a landmark trade
deal with the European Union soon after his inauguration as head of state, his office
said, after EU officials suggested there might be some delay. The proposed trade
agreement with the EU has been at the heart of Ukraine's political crisis over the past
six months since former Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovych turned his back
on the accord at the last minute. His decision to jilt the EU and seek a $15 billion
bailout from Russia triggered protests that led to him being ousted.
Poroshenko, a billionaire chocolate factory owner who won an unprecedented first
round victory in Ukraine's presidential election on Sunday, has pledged to align his
former Soviet republic of 45 million people with the EU. Since the election, Ukrainian
government forces have mounted a major military offensive against pro-Russian
separatists in Donetsk. The inauguration, but it is expected to take place by mid-June.
COMMENT Putin promised to work with the new president of Ukraine. But as we have said before –
Putin’s promises are not to be trusted. In fact this new Ukrainian president is polar
opposite to Putin in terms of the direction he wants to take Ukraine. Within hours of
being elected he promised to sign up to the EU deal that sparked the crisis in the first
place! He also launched a major offensive against pro Russian separatists. So far Putin
has not even acknowledged the new Ukrainian president and today Ukraine accused
Russia of unleashing a mass propaganda campaign to persuade global powers not to
recognise an election that gave the presidency to a “pro-Western tycoon”. Russia on
Friday accused Ukraine of breaching the 1949 Geneva Conventions protecting civilians
in wartime by killing peaceful citizens. Far from being over the crisis continues….
BIBLE
QUOTE
He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy
powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become
arrogant; he will destroy many without warning.
(Daniel 8:24-25 NLT)
Putin is the master of deception and will cause sudden shocking destruction….
Eurosceptic 'earthquake' rocks EU elections
BBC News, May 26, 2014
EVENT
Eurosceptic and far-right parties have seized ground in elections to the European
parliament, in what France's PM called a "political earthquake”. UK Independence
Party and French National Front both performed strongly. The three big centrist blocs
all lost seats, though still hold the majority. The outcome means a greater say for
those who want to cut back the EU's powers, or abolish it completely. UK PM David
Cameron said the public was "disillusioned" with the EU. Mr Cameron said their
message was "received and understood". French President Francois Hollande has
called an urgent meeting of his cabinet, as Prime Minister Manuel Valls promised tax
cuts a day after the results which he described as "a shock, an earthquake".
Chancellor Angela Merkel - whose party topped the poll in Germany - described the
far right victories as "remarkable and regrettable" and said the best response was to
boost economic growth and jobs.
COMMENT Not only do we have a crisis on border of Europe we also have an internal crisis. The
elections last week were called a “political earthquake”. The anti Europe parties all over
Europe did extremely well in the voting that took place. However these anti Europe
parties are generally right wing anti Semitic parties. In France the National Front party
was the outright winner. They promote anti-immigrant and often anti-Semitic policies.
In the UK local elections, UKIP (UK Independence Party) came first with 27.5% of the
vote. This will certainly force the UK prime minister to become even more Euro-sceptic
and will probably lead to Britain leaving Europe at some point if a vote on membership
is ever taken. But is this the end of the European dream? NO! The rulers don’t listen to
the people. The vision to create a European superstate will continue unabated…
BIBLE
QUOTE
The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed
to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast. They will all agree to give him their
power and authority. Together they will go to war against the Lamb,
(Revelation 17:12-13)
These verses tell us that 10 nations will form a European superstate in the future…
Obama to let American troops train Syrian rebels
Washington Times, May 27, 2014
EVENT
President Barak Obama is ready to sign a bill that approves training of Syrian armed
oppositionists by American forces, US newspaper The Wall Street Journal says. The
statement was made during Obama's speech at the United States Military Academy at
West Point (USMA) on Wednesday. However, he didn't give precise information about
the training program. "The president intends to extend the support of Syrian
opposition and its neighboring countries that face the terrorist threats," The Wall
Street Journal said, citing a representative of the White House. However, the plan is
still being discussed by the government, which should also settle a wide range of
issues in order to implement it. In particular, the government doesn't know what
countries of the region will station American troops on their territories and how it will
be able to distinguish the Syrian conservative opposition from the radical Islamists.
COMMENT As the war in Afghanistan winds down it appears that Obama is getting ready to
increase America’s involvement in Syria. According to reports the Arab world sees
Obama as moving to counteract Russian, Iranian and Hezbollah intervention in the
Syrian conflict. It is also seen in some quarters as payback for Russia’s annexation of
Crimea. Obama has not made totally clear in his announcement this week exactly what
he is planning in Syria. But will be a program to expand US involvement in the war
against the Assad regime and al Qaeda elements by providing moderate rebels with
military training and a regular supply of sophisticated weapons, instead of the dribs and
drabs they have supplied so far. It may even include anti-air systems which Washington
has withheld so far. We may still see the king of the south enter the fray in Syria (the
ancient territory of the king of the north). A military provocation of Russia is coming…
BIBLE
QUOTE
Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the
north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and
sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall
(Daniel 11:40-41)
After Crimea: The future of the Black Sea fleet
The Jamestown Foundation, May 22, 2014
EVENT
Russia’s March 17 annexation of Crimea capped nearly two decades of increasingly
fractious Russian-Ukrainian relations, punctuated by rising tensions over Russia’s lease
of Sevastopol. Russia’s annexation of Crimea has altered the Black Sea Fleet’s future.
On May 13, Russian Navy commander-in-chief Admiral Viktor Chirkov stated that the
Black Sea Fleet will receive 30 new warships over the next six years, following an
earlier statement by Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu that the BSF will receive
more than $2.3 billion in developmental funding by 2020 (ITAR-TASS, May 13). Their
final deployment is uncertain, as some support vessels are slated for stationing in the
Sea of Azov and may be more of a statement of posturing rather than a new naval
reality. In addition to Sevastopol, the finest natural harbor in the Black Sea, Russia also
acquired the former Crimean Ukrainian naval bases of Novoozerne on Donuzlav Bay.
COMMENT It is now clear that Russia’s annexation of Crimea is part of a larger plan to revitalize
the Russian Navy and the Black Sea Fleet in particular. The expansion of the Black
Sea Fleet will also bolster Russia’s ability to project power in the region. Beyond the
Black Sea, Sevastopol will allow Moscow to exert influence over the eastern
Mediterranean, Balkans and Middle East. The importance of the Mediterranean to
Russia was highlighted in 2013, when, amid the civil war in Syria, Russia created a
“permanent task force”. Russian Deputy Prime Minister said that all 23 Crimean
defence industry plants and shipyards would be involved in the modernization of the
Russian Black Sea Fleet, saying, “When it comes to shipbuilding and ship repair, let me
remind you that in 2015 we will undertake a massive upgrading of the Black Sea fleet.
BIBLE
QUOTE
The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade
various lands and sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and
many nations will fall, but Moab, Edom, and the best part of Ammon will escape. He will conquer
many countries, and even Egypt will not escape.
(Daniel 11:40-42)
Israel solves water woes with desalination
Associated Press, May 30, 2014
EVENT
After experiencing its driest winter on record, Israel is responding as never before — by
doing nothing. While previous droughts have been accompanied by impassioned public
service advertisements to conserve, this time around it has been greeted with a shrug
— thanks in large part to an aggressive desalination program that has transformed this
perennially parched land into perhaps the most well-hydrated country in the region.
"We have all the water we need, even in the year which was the worst year ever
regarding precipitation," said Avraham Tenne, head of the desalination division of
Israel's Water Authority. "This is a huge revolution.” By solving its water woes, Israel has
created the possibility of transforming the region in ways that were unthinkable just a
few years ago. But reliance on this technology also carries some risks, including the
danger of leaving a key element of the country's infrastructure vulnerable to attack.
COMMENT In Deuteronomy 11 we read these words…v 13-17 “If you carefully obey all the
commands I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with
all your heart and soul, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons—the early
and late rains—so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil. He
will give you lush pastureland for your livestock, and you yourselves will have all you
want to eat. “But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away
from the Lord and serve and worship other gods. If you do, the Lord’s anger will burn
against you. He will shut up the sky and hold back the rain, and the ground will fail to
produce its harvests. Then you will quickly die in that good land the Lord is giving you.”
So it is God that withholds the rain because of disobedience. Israel has found a way
round this but we know that judgement is coming on Israel in the form of an invasion…
BIBLE
QUOTE
If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send
pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:12-13)
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