Transcript Weekly World Watch

Andy Walton’s
Weekly World Watch
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)
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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.
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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
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
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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
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].
(Isaiah 13:14+17 NLT)
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
BIBLE
QUOTE
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…
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?
(Ezekiel 38:13)
Islamic State seizes key Syrian oil fields
Daily Telegraph, July 26, 2014
EVENT
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.
COMMENT 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…
BIBLE
QUOTE
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
(Isaiah 14:24-25)
their shoulders.
Sadness, anger and violence explode in
Jerusalem
Israel National News, July 4, 2014
EVENT
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.
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
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.
(Isaiah 17:12-13)
Ukraine launches new offensive to rid east of
rebels
Daily Telegraph, July 1, 2014
EVENT
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”.
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
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:
(Ezekiel 38:2-3)
Queen names new Royal Navy aircraft carrier
BBConline, July 4, 2014
EVENT
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.
COMMENT 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.
BIBLE
QUOTE
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”
(Isaiah 2:12+16)
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