Transcript Weekly World Watch

Andy Walton’s
Weekly World Watch
May 4 - 10, 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
May 4 - 10, 2014
• Russia shows off military might in parade in Moscow
• Putin makes triumphant visit to Crimea
• Putin urges separatists to postpone referendum
• Russia conducts large-scale nuclear attack exercise
• Putin Caesar and our great geo-political turning point
• Israel celebrates 66 years of Independence
To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right
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Russia shows off military might in parade in
Moscow
Daily Telegraph, May 9, 2014
EVENT
Thousands of Russian troops marched on Red Square in the annual Victory Day
parade in a proud display of the nation's military might amid escalating tensions over
Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin made no reference to the situation in Ukraine when
he opened Friday's parade in Moscow, focusing on the historic importance of the
victory over Nazi Germany. Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday
and a key element of the national identity, reflecting the nation's enormous suffering
and honoring millions of victims of World War II. The holiday also offers a chance to
display the nation's massive military arsenal. About 11,000 troops proudly marched
across Red Square to the tunes of marches and patriotic songs. Some 150 military
vehicles and about 70 combat aircraft took part in the show.
COMMENT This was the largest and longest Victory Day parade that Russia has ever held as it
remembered its victory over Nazi Germany. It comes at a time of massive tension
between Russia and the West.
Russia’s military was in serious decline during the 1990’s after the collapse of the
USSR. Under Putin however it has been restored. Russian military spending has
rocketed to $76bn. They are without doubt the second most powerful nation on earth.
With over 750,000 active frontline personnel, 2.5m active reservists, 15,500 tanks,
3000 aircraft, 350 ships and 8500 nuclear warheads! And one man who controls them
all. Putin has this vast arsenal at his disposal. The displays this week are not only to
celebrate Russia’s past victories they are a warning to the world that Russia is back.
God said through Ezekiel about 2500 years ago that in the latter days Russia would get
its army mobilised, arm them and then be called into action by invading Israel…
BIBLE
QUOTE
Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them.
A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the
land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war
(Ezekiel 38:7-8 NLT)
This is God talking to the Russian leader of the last days
Putin makes triumphant visit to Crimea
Daily Telegraph, May 9 , 2014
EVENT
Vladimir Putin made a triumphant visit to Crimea on Friday, as one of the bloodiest
days of conflict in eastern Ukraine to date pushed the country further toward civil war.
Mr Putin was met by jubilant crowds when he flew into Sevastopol after reviewing the
annual victory parade on Red Square in Moscow on Friday. In a display of Russian
military might, he sailed on a cutter to review flag-bedecked Russian warships
anchored in the bay, greeting the sailors of Russia’s Black Sea fleet with a “hello
comrades.” After the review, thousands thronged the shore to watch a fly-past of 70
military aircraft, including helicopters, MiG fighters, and Bear nuclear bombers, to
mark 70 years since the city was liberated from German forces in May 1944.Crowds
shouted “Russia!” and “Thank you!” as Mr Putin took to a stage to make a speech in
which he praised Crimeans for “fidelity to historic justice.”
COMMENT Putin arrived in military style. 10 grey Russian warships lined up behind him. As he
drew along aside each warship, he yelled into a microphone, “Hello, comrades!” and
the naval personnel, arrayed at least two deep on deck in their blue dress uniforms,
shouted back a ritual greeting to their commander in chief, followed by a rousing
“Hurrah!” This was Gog – the Russian leader – acting as the Bible said he would. Gog
actually means “mountain” in Hebrew. When applied to a person it would indicate
someone who thinks highly of himself – a proud, lofty and strong person. This is
precisely what Putin is. Vladimir is two Russian words. Vlad = master. Mir = world /
universe . Putin possibly means “people”. So we have “Master of the universe and
people.” Interestingly when Gog is described in Daniel 8 it speaks of him being “master
of deception” and becoming “arrogant”. We see this happening in front of our eyes…
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)
This is latter day descendant of the original king of the north – Antiochus Ephanese.
Putin urges separatists to postpone referendum
Daily Telegraph, May 7, 2014
EVENT
President Vladimir Putin has made a calculated retreat over Ukraine's crisis, urging
the pro-Russian insurgents who control large areas of Donetsk to postpone a
referendum on the status of the region. The Russian president also promised to "seek
ways out of the crisis" and claimed that some of his country's troops had been
withdrawn from Ukraine's eastern border. Mr Putin's newly conciliatory tone - the first
time he has specifically called on the pro-Russians to take a step back from
confrontation - came amid mounting evidence that the leaders of the "Donetsk
People's Republic" would have been incapable of holding a plausible referendum by
the original deadline of Sunday. Nato, the Pentagon and the White House cast doubt
on Putin's statement about the troop withdrawal. "We haven't seen any evidence of
any Russian forces being withdrawn from the areas where they have been stationed
in recent weeks. They remain large, near the eastern borders of Ukraine,” they said.
COMMENT Putin is a master of deception as the Bible says he would be. He plays a very clever
game and often outwits his opponents. Even though he is the aggressor he has the
ability of sounding statesmanlike and compromising. This week he urged the pro
Russian insurgents not to hold a referendum tomorrow (Sunday). He also said his
troops were being withdrawn. But it is all deception. The troops have not moved - they
are all still in position. And far from condemning the insurgents in East Ukraine, Putin
makes a victory speech in Crimea which would only embolden them.
Daniel 8 v 25 in the Authorised Version says “by peace [he] shall destroy many”. Other
versions say “when they feel secure he will destroy many”. This is ultimately reference
to his invasion of Israel but the same principles apply here – catching them off guard.
BIBLE
QUOTE
He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he
will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not
by human power.
(Daniel 8:24-25 NIV)
Russia conducts large-scale nuclear attack
exercise
Free Beacon, May 8, 2014
EVENT
Russia’s armed forces conducted a “massive” nuclear forces exercise on Thursday
simulating NATO and U.S. nuclear attacks and involving several long-range ballistic
and cruise missile firings. The large-scale nuclear war drills come amid heightened
tensions between Russia and the West over Moscow’s military annexation of
Ukraine’s Crimea and Russian-instigated unrest in eastern Ukraine. The exercises
were monitored by Russian President Vladimir Putin and coincided with May 9
anniversary celebrations marking the victory in World War II. “We are checking the
preparedness of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, we are holding an
exercise,” Putin was quoted as saying, noting that the exercises were planned in
November and involved all branches and services throughout the country, including
nuclear forces. Pentagon official Mark Schneider said the exercises are unusual.
COMMENT Again here is more evidence of the truth. Not a de-escalation of the crisis but continued
BIBLE
QUOTE
escalation. In rhetoric reminiscent of the Cold War, RIA Novosti news agency reported
that aerospace defence forces “led by Russian President Vladimir Putin” successfully
countered a massive nuclear missile strike. On Tuesday Russian Defence Minister
Sergei Shoigu was quoted as saying that Russia will beef up its Black Sea fleet this
year with new submarines and warships following the annexation of the Crimean
peninsula. The fleet compromises 40 frontline warships and is a platform for projecting
power into the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Britain said on Thursday it had
deployed a destroyer to track a Russian aircraft carrier sailing close to its coastal
waters, the latest in a series of such incidents and a reminder of underlying tensions
between London and Moscow. Preparations war continue apace…We need to be
ready be patient,” says the Lord. “Soon I will stand and accuse these evil nations. For I have
Therefore,
decided to gather the kingdoms of the earth and pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them. All
the earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy.
(Zephaniah 3:8 NLT)
Putin Caesar and our great geo-political turning point
American Thinker, April 29, 2014
EVENT
We are witnessing a turning point in geopolitical history, future historians may analyse
as we have seen the Roman Empire’s fall. Vladimir Putin is making a move -- and it’s
not just against Ukraine. It may not be merely a move against Eastern Europe. It’s not
even, perhaps, just a move against US world dominance. There was a time when the
USSR was the “evil empire,” a godless Golgotha. But that was then. Now, in 2013-14,
Putin has seen fit to say, in his December State of the Nation speech, “Many EuroAtlantic countries have moved away from their roots, including Christian values.
…Policies are being pursued that place on the same level a multi-child family and a
same-sex partnership, a faith in God and a belief in Satan. This is the path to
degradation.” “Today, many nations are revising their moral values and ethical norms,
eroding ethnic traditions and differences between peoples and cultures.”
COMMENT Putin is seeing himself as some sort of saviour of world morals. He looks on at Western
Europe and sees the promotion of same sex marriage and “alternative lifestyles” as a
breakdown of Christian values. He is right of course on this point. But Putin’s answer is
war, conflict and increasing power. Both sides are completely wrong in their approach.
What is remarkable is this division of humanistic ways v militaristic ways is exactly
detailed out in Nebuchadnezzar’s image. He saw a vision of a man made of metals.
The legs were made of iron. The iron represented the Roman Empire which divided
into east and west. The final part of the image was of feet made part of clay and part of
iron.The clay represents man. Human thinking. The iron represents the military strength
of Rome. The two don’t mix. Russia is the iron. Europe is the clay. They don’t mix!
BIBLE
QUOTE
And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not
remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay. “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven
will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush
all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
(Daniel 2:43-44 NIV)
Clay = humanist thinking Iron = military strength – they don’t mix!
Israel celebrates 66 years of Independence
Jerusalem Post, May 7, 2014
EVENT
The scent of barbecues pervaded the country on Tuesday as Israelis celebrated its 66th
Independence Day. In balmy spring weather – it even drizzled intermittently – many of
the almost 8.2 million citizens and thousands of visitors filled national parks and
beaches to enjoy the national holiday. The central ceremony on Tuesday was held at
the President’s Residence in the capital, where President Shimon Peres, who at 90 is
the oldest world leader in office, sang a duet with the Iranian-born Israeli singer Rita.
In his remarks to the soldiers, Peres praised the IDF as “an army that built a wall of
security to deter our enemies, to grant security to its people.” “The bravery of the
soldiers of the IDF is worth more than any other resource. Israel is not a passing
shadow but a reality as strong as stone,” Peres said. Netanyahu also congratulated the
soldiers, saying: “I am always proud to be the prime minister of Israel but especially so
today. I know that we have who to rely upon when we send you on operations.”
COMMENT Israel remembered the day 66 years ago when for the first time in 1878 years their
nation was created again. In the same land, using the same language and even the
same currency. During the last 66 years the barren land of Palestine (as it was called
then) has been transformed. Israel is now a thriving and booming modern economy. It
has survived 3 massive wars against it. It has survived numerous terror attacks. Ariel
Sharon built a wall though the country which has all but stopped these attacks. A recent
survey measuring Israelis’ feelings about security found that the majority of Israelis feel
“very secure” in their own towns and cities. 58% said they feel a high sense of personal
security in their hometown. This is the exact situation prophesied by Ezekiel. But it is a
false sense of security – Russia will invade – the wall will fall. See Isaiah 13:10-11.
BIBLE
QUOTE
I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of
them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, to take a spoil, and to take a prey;
to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are
gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods
(Ezekiel 38:11-12)
Israel no longer live in “walled villages” but live in a false sense of safety – it will come to an end
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