Transcript Weekly World Watch

Andy Walton’s
Weekly World Watch
March 1 - 7, 2015
“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
March 1 - 7, 2015
• Netanyahu rejects Obama criticism of Iran speech
• Russia starts large-scale military exercises
• Hezbollah and Iranian officers approach Israeli border
• Saudi king aims for new Sunni bloc vs Iran and ISIS
• Islamic State militants bulldoze ancient Nimrud city
• West condemns assassination of Nemtsov
To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right
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Netanyahu rejects Obama criticism of Iran
speech
Daily Mail, March 4, 2015
EVENT
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday brushed aside criticism from
US President Barack Obama of his speech to Congress, in which he warned
Washington was paving the way to a nuclear-armed Iran. The White House was
infuriated by Netanyahu's address Tuesday to a joint session of the US Congress,
where he laid out Israeli concerns at an emerging world deal with Iran on its nuclear
programme. Obama, who refused to meet Netanyahu during his 48-hour visit to
Washington, dismissed the speech as containing "nothing new," saying the Israeli
leader "did not offer any viable alternatives". Israel believes Iran and world powers are
likely to reach a deal that eases international sanctions on Tehran without applying
sufficiently stringent safeguards to stop it developing nuclear weapons.
COMMENT Israel is extremely concerned about a possible future deal over Iran’s nuclear program
that America is pushing for. The Netanyahu government believes that it will create a
nuclear arms race in the Middle East because Iran will be allowed to continue certain
parts of its nuclear program. The Obama administration believes that ultimately they
cannot stop Iran entirely so a deal that allows Iran to continue in a limited capacity is
better than nothing. The two different visions have created a massive gap between
America and Israel. In fact America has scaled back some military cooperation with
Israel in the last week. With Bible in hand we can say a number of things about these
events. Firstly that Iran is pushing towards developing missiles that will destroy large
numbers of people. Israel is right to be very concerned about Iran. One day Iran will
invade Israel with Russia. Secondly Israel’s greatest ally America is distancing itself Israel is isolated in the world. We expect this at the time of the end….
BIBLE
QUOTE
And when thou are spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though
thou deckest thyself with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with panting, in vain thou
make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life. This verse is speaking of
(Jeremiah 4:30)
Israel rejecting God and then being rejected by the nations
Russia starts large-scale military exercises
Reuters, March 5, 2015
EVENT
Russia's Defence Ministry said on Thursday that large-scale military exercises had
started in southern Russia and in disputed territories on Russia's borders. The
exercises involve over 2,000 anti-aircraft troops and 500 items of weaponry and will
last until April 10, Interfax news agency reported.
The Defence Ministry said the exercises were taking place in Russia's Southern and
North Caucasus Federal Districts, as well as on Russian military bases in Armenia,
the Georgian separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and Ukraine's Crimea
region, which Moscow annexed last year. They are likely to be viewed in the West as
a show of force as relations between Russia and the West are at their most strained
since the Cold War because of the Ukraine crisis.
COMMENT With so much happening on Russia's western border we might have expected Russia
to scale back from it’s other southern borders. The opposite is true though. Russia is
acting aggressively on all it’s borders –especially the south. The report above shows
Russia now conducting large scale military exercises in the region of Georgia and
South Ossetia. Russia annexed areas in this area – a bit like it did with Crimea.
The message to the West is that Russia is seeking to control all areas that are what it
deems to be in its influence of control. We know that Russia will descend south and
come through Georgia and then through Turkey. As Russia builds up forces in the
south we can see them preparing for this event. There is increasing concern there
could be fighting soon in the ex USSR Baltic states. Lithuania one of these countries
announced it is reintroducing conscription over concerns with aggressive Russian
behaviour. The president of Lithuania said they are already under attack by Russia…
BIBLE
QUOTE
But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and
desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stick
shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
(Joel 2:20)
Hezbollah and Iranian officers approach Israeli
border
Jerusalem Post, March 5, 2015
Iranian officers who lead Shiite volunteers from Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan have taken
over the battle against rebels in southern Syria, within six miles of the Golan border,
according to a reserve Israeli army general. General Israel Ziv, who led counterterrorism efforts for the Israeli General Staff, wrote in Yediot Achronot Thursday that ten
thousand volunteers have been flown in by Tehran to bolster the flagging efforts of the
regular Syrian army and their Hezbollah allies from Lebanon in meeting an offensive by
Sunni rebels pushing towards Damascus from near the Jordanian border.
Iran is taking over the reins in Syria, said Ziv. Members of the Iranian Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC) stay close to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the grounds
that he needs protection, he said. In fact, no military decision [in Syria] is made without
[the IRGC]. He described Assad as a puppet looking out at his lost land.
.
COMMENT While the trouble grows between Russia and Europe we also see turmoil in the Middle
East. Iran is being stirred up. Iraq is a quagmire of violence. ISIS has sprung onto the
scene causing terrible death and destruction. Syria is still aflame with over 200,000
killed in the internal war there. Overall it is a terrifying picture in the nations that
surround Israel. Iran is using this turmoil to expand its influence right up to Israel’s
borders. The Jerusalem Post reported that Iran has flown in 10,000 fighters into Syria
to help Assad. These Iranian soldiers and officers are creeping ever closer to Israel’s
Golan border. Only a few weeks ago we saw Israel attack a group of Iranian officers in
the Golan area. We know a stage 1 war will come before Russia invades. Stage 1 will
involve Hezbollah, Syria and the Palestine – helped by Iran – all against Israel…
EVENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
They have said, Come , and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may
be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent. They are
confederate against thee….. The philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur is joined with
them…
(Psalm 83:4-7)
Saudi king aims for new Sunni bloc vs Iran and ISIS
Associated Press, March 4, 2015
EVENT
Saudi Arabia is pushing for Sunni Muslim Middle East countries to set aside
differences over political Islam and focus on what it sees as more urgent threats from
Iran and Islamic State. Its new monarch, King Salman, has used summits with leaders
of all five Gulf Arab states, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey over the past 10 days to
reinforce the need for unity and find a way to work around disagreements over the
Muslim Brotherhood. Saudi Arabia's deep-seated mistrust of the Islamist group is
unchanged, diplomats say. But King Salman's approach to it is more nuanced than
that of his predecessor King Abdullah, who died in January, and may include being
more indulgent of allies who allow its members space to operate.
Last year Riyadh, along with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, withdrew its
ambassador from Qatar over its links to the Brotherhood.
COMMENT As Iran edges towards a nuclear deal with America, Saudi Arabia is trying to shore up
its position. Saudi Arabia and Iran are arch enemies. Saudi Arabia is Sunni Muslim.
Iran is Shia Muslim. Saudi therefore is looking to find other nations that are willing to
join together to stand up against Iran. They believe Iran will get more confident and
more likely to create a nuclear weapon if a deal is done with America.
It is interesting to note the countries it is trying to work with. All the gulf Arab states ,
Egypt and Jordan. These are nations forming part of Bible prophecies king of the south.
The original king of the south in Daniel 11 were the Ptolemy's based in Egypt. The latter
day king of the south is Saudi Arabia and gulf states – Sheba and Dedan – mentioned
in Ezekiel 38. We see the southern block of nations coming together to take on the
Iranian aggressor as foretold in the scriptures…
BIBLE
QUOTE
Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her young lions will say to you, “Have you
come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away
livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?”’.
(Ezekiel 38:13)
Islamic State militants bulldoze ancient Nimrud city
Daily Telegraph, March 6, 2015
EVENT
COMMENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
Archaeologists round the world have warned that Islamic State jihadists are attempting
to destroy all traces of ancient civilisations across territory they control after they took
bulldozers to the capital of the biblical kingdom of Assyria, Nimrud. The Iraqi
government said the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant fighters arrived on Thursday
night at Nimrud, and began looting and levelling the site. "Daesh terrorist gangs
continue to defy the will of the world and the feelings of humanity," its antiquities
ministry said, referring to Isil by its Arabic acronym. "In a new crime in their series of
reckless offences they assaulted the ancient city of Nimrud and bulldozed it with heavy
machinery, appropriating the archaeological attractions dating back 13 centuries BC."
ISIS cause death and destruction wherever they go. Merciless killings, beheadings and
crucifixions. They slaughter man, woman and child. They also try to erase anything that
they say are idols. This often involves destroying ancient sites and buildings.
This week ISIS bulldozed the ancient city of Nimrud. Nimrud is a city in Iraq.
Archaeologists believe that the city was given the name Nimrud in modern times after
Nimrod who is mentioned in the Bible. Nimrod established the first kingdom on earth –
the kingdom of Babel based in the plain of Shinar (modern day Iraq). It was the first
kingdom of men. It was where the famous tower of Babel was built which God
destroyed. Babel was home of false worship and godless human pride. God’s antidote
to Babel was Israel. God called out Abraham from that very godless kingdom. God led
him to Canaan (Israel) and a new kingdom was eventually established through him.
Israel will one day overcome all the kingdoms of men. God will prevail….
Nimrod began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before (against) the
LORD.: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the might hunter before (against) the LORD. And the
beginning of his kingdom with Babel…
(Genesis 10:8-10)
West condemns assassination of Nemtsov
Reuters, March 2, 2015
EVENT
COMMENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
President Vladimir Putin vowed to punish the killers of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov as
Russian opposition figures denounced what they called a ‘political murder’ and Western
leaders called for a full probe. The 55-year-old former deputy premier, a vocal Putin
critic prominent at opposition rallies, was shot in the back several times just before
midnight Friday as he walked across a bridge a stone’s throw from the Kremlin walls.
The brazen assassination is the latest in a string of murders of opposition figures in
Putin’s 15 years in power and recalls the shooting of anti-Kremlin reporter Anna
Politkovskaya, gunned down on Putin’s birthday in October 2006.
Allies of Nemtsov, a longtime anti-corruption crusader who served as deputy premier
under Boris Yeltsin, linked his death to his opposition to the Kremlin’s policies.
Yet another critic of Putin is killed by assassins. The list of all Putin’s opponents who
have been murdered is astounding. Everytime Putin blames with West on killing them
because he says they want to make it look like he (Putin) had done it!! There are some
truly chilling books written about Putin that make your blood run cold. Putin is utterly
ruthless and nothing and no one stands in his way. He operates completely above and
outside the law. Boris Nemtsov (who was Jewish) was about to publish a report on
Putin’s involvement in Ukraine. He was an open opponent of Putin who was gunned
down right outside the Kremlin. Tens of thousands took to the streets in support of
Nemtsov but we know it will come to nothing. Putin is the latter day Gog, king of the
north and has a role to play in the future – the invasion of the Middle East and Israel…
And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain;
yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
(Daniel 11:45)
This is speaking of the king of the north- latter day Antiochus who invades Israel and Egypt. He
finally comes to his end. See also Ezekiel 38:22 (same event)
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