Transcript Weekly World Watch

Andy Walton’s
Weekly World Watch
June 8 - 14, 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 8 - 14, 2014
• Iraq at risk of civil war as al-Qaeda leads uprising
• Iraq’s civil war threatens global energy supply for years
• Russia sent tanks to separatists in Ukraine, U.S. says
• Russians launch surprise war games next to NATO
• Vatican hosts historic prayer summit for peace
• Recession 'led to 10,000 suicides'
To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right
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Iraq at risk of civil war as al-Qaeda leads uprising
Daily Telegraph, June 11, 2014
EVENT
Iraq is facing a return to its darkest days of civil war after al-Qaeda-linked militants
seized a vast swathe of the country’s northern region in a lightning advance which
took them to within striking distance of Baghdad. A day after snatching control of the
northern city of Mosul, fighters were on Wednesday night within 60 miles of the Iraqi
capital, encountering little resistance from government troops. En route they seized
major towns, oil refineries and military bases and embarked on an orgy of kidnappings
and executions, forcing an exodus of more than half a million people across the north.
The extraordinary developments reignited the political debate about the decision to
invade Iraq in 2003 alongside America, a conflict which cost the lives of 179 British
Service personnel and cost at least £9 billion. There are unconfirmed reports of Shia
militias beginning to mobilise in the capital, a sign that the conflict could soon spread.
COMMENT In a ten chapter section in Isaiah we are told of 10 national nightmares that the world is
unable to resolve. They all have ancient historical fulfilments BUT they all have a final
latter day fulfilment. In fact these 10 tribulations bring about Armageddon. The section
begins in Isaiah 13 and climaxes in chapter 24. Each nation detailed is called a burden
– or a tribulation. The first nation dealt with is Babylon. In modern terms this is Iraq.
This is not spiritual / religious Babylon dealt with in Revelation. All the nations in this
section are actual physical nations. The national nightmare of Iraq became a worldwide
issue in 2003 when the allies invaded. Since then 140,000 civilians have been killed.
Although Iraq has been officially at peace the reality has been far different. And now
exploding onto our screens is the potential breakup of Iraq. Iraq has not been resolved.
Isaiah 13 says Iraq will become like when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah…
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….. Their little children will be dashed to death before their eyes. Their homes will be sacked,
(Isaiah 13:14-16 NLT)
and their wives will be raped. We see this happening….
Iraq’s civil war threatens global energy supply for
years
Daily Telegraph, June 12, 2014
EVENT
Spectacular advances by Jihadi forces across northern Iraq have raised
the spectre of a Sunni-Shia conflagration in the heart of the Middle East, triggering a
surge in oil prices and throwing into doubt the structure of global energy supply for the
next decade. Brent crude jumped above $113 a barrel as the self-described Islamic
State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) raced down the Tigris Valley towards Baghdad with
sophisticated weaponry, seizing on its momentum after the historic capture of Mosul.
Oil prices are approaching levels last seen during the Arab Spring.
“Iraq is turning into a nightmare. There are real risks that this movement will spread to
other countries. Our economies are too weak to pay for oil at $120, and they can’t
stand $140 if it spikes that high,” said Chris Skrebowski, a veteran oil analyst.
Arab Muslim world is divided into Shia and Sunni. The division came about in the
COMMENT The
th
7 century and it revolved around an argument about Mohammed. Iran is ruled by
Shia’s. Syria is ruled by Shia’s. Saudi Arabia and Jordan are ruled by Sunnis. The issue
is that each nation is made up of both Sunni and Shia. In Syria forinstance the majority
are Sunni but they are ruled by Shias. The Jihadi forces that are taking over towns and
cities in Iraq are Sunni. The government in Iraq is Shia. So all this has the potential to
escalate into a Sunni / Shia conflict. This would bring Iran and Saudi Arabia against
each other. Iran is ready to assist the Iraqi government in its battle against extremist
Sunni Islamists, President Rouhani has said this week. We actually read of conflict
between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Isaiah 21. It says that Elam and Media (South West
and central Iran) attack and lay a siege. But against who? The Bible says against the
“desert of the sea” The sea = Persian Gulf. The desert opposite Elam is Saudi Arabia!
BIBLE
QUOTE
The burden of the desert of the sea . As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from
the desert, from a terrible land. A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer
dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam [South West Iran] : besiege, O
(Isaiah 21:1-2)
Media [Central Iran] ; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease
Russia sent tanks to separatists in Ukraine, U.S.
says
New York Times, June 13, 2014
EVENT
The State Department said Friday that Russia had sent tanks and other heavy
weapons to separatists in Ukraine, supporting accusations Thursday by the Ukrainian
government. A convoy of three T-64 tanks, several BM-21 multiple rocket launchers
and other military vehicles crossed the border near the Ukrainian town of Snizhne,
State Department officials said. The Ukrainian Army reported Friday that it had
destroyed two of the tanks and several other vehicles in the convoy. “This is
unacceptable,” said Marie Harf, the deputy State Department spokeswoman. “A
failure by Russia to de-escalate this situation will lead to additional costs.” Overnight
Friday, separatists using antiaircraft and heavy machine guns fired on a military
transport plane as it was landing in Luhansk, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said. It
did not give details of casualties, but offered condolences to family members of the
victims. News reports said the plane was carrying as many as 49 military personnel.
COMMENT The situation between Russia and Ukraine gets worse each week. America and
BIBLE
QUOTE
Ukraine have accused Russia of sending tanks (for the first time) into Ukraine.
Ukraine's new President Petro Poroshenko has vowed to retaliate after pro-Russia
separatists shot down a military plane in the east, killing 49 people. It is thought to be
the biggest loss of life suffered by government forces in a single incident since the
Ukrainian government in Kiev began an operation to try to defeat the insurgency in the
east. The new president will be under enormous pressure to retaliate against such a
large loss of life. Putin will never concede eastern Ukraine to Europe. Eastern Ukraine
is part of ancient Magog – we are told that Gog (of the land of Magog) will invade
Israel. Putin is securing the final part of the land of Magog before the invasion takes
place….
Son
of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of
Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord:
Gog, I am your enemy! I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws to lead you out with your
(Ezekiel 38:2-4 NLT)
whole army
Russians launch surprise war games next to
NATO
Washington Times, June 11, 2014
EVENT
NATO military officials were caught off guard by surprise guests as military exercises
began in the Baltics last week — Russians. As U.S.-led exercises with Lithuania, Latvia
and Estonia were under way, the Russian military began conducting its own training
manoeuvres. The Russian exercises included marines, paratroopers, and long-range
bombers. Russia Today posted a video of the exercises on YouTube Wednesday. The
NATO exercises, which included B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, were then operating in a
crowded region rife with Russian Su-34 Fullback attack planes, A-50 AWACS aircraft,
the short-range surface-to-air missile system SA-9-N Tor, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
(UAVs) and other military hardware, the defence website The Aviationist reported
Wednesday.
COMMENT America has sent three B52 bombers to the UK this week. It is the first time the B-52s
BIBLE
QUOTE
have returned to their European "home" for more than a decade. The last time they
were in Europe was in 2003 - the year America launched "shock and awe" on Iraq.
The B52 is seen as an offensive weapon of last resort. It is capable of firing nuclear
missiles and cruise missiles. This is all about America flexing its military muscle in the
light of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Russia is responding, as we read in the article
above, by literally lining up against Nato in their war game exercises!
And so we see the continuing build-up of tension between the king of the north
(Russia) and the king of the south (America and Britain). How long before all these
powder kegs explode into full blown conflict? It may not be too long in coming… The
whole world is like a woman in labour – the painful contractions are coming thick and
fast…
The kings of the earth joined forces and advanced against Jerusalem. But when they saw it, they
were stunned; they were terrified and ran away. They were gripped with terror and writhed in
pain like a woman in labour. You destroyed them like the mighty ships of Tarshish shattered by a
powerful east wind.
(Psalm 48:4-7)
Vatican hosts historic prayer summit for peace
CBN, June 10, 2014
EVENT
Pope Francis welcomed Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican on Sunday in an attempt to broker peace
between Israel and the Palestinians.
Hosting an evening of prayers for peace in Israel, Peres and Abbas joined the pope
over a sunset invocation of Jewish, Christian and Muslim prayers. Francis told both
leaders that he hoped the prayer summit would mark “a new journey” toward peace.
The Vatican also invited the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian church to
present a united Christian front in supporting peace in Israel.
The pope urged Israel and the Palestinians to open up dialogue and usher in a new
era of coexistence. He invoked the memory of children killed by war and conflict
between the two sides to instill patience and strength to bring about peace.
COMMENT There were three men here praying for peace. None of them have the peace in mind
that God has for His land and His city Jerusalem. Each of them (for their own personal
agenda’s) want Israel and Jerusalem to be divided. That is the peace they are praying
for. The Palestinian leader wants Israel divided because he wants his own state. He
does not recognise Israel as a Jewish state. The Israeli leader believes that peace with
the Palestinians can only be achieved by giving them what they want. Eg half of the
land of Israel and half of Jerusalem. The Pope has a slightly different agenda. He too
wants Israel and Jerusalem divided but not because he likes the Palestinians. It is
because the Vatican has a doctrine that God has cast off Israel. Rome is the new
Jerusalem. And for nearly 2000 years it looked to the world as if this were true. The reestablishment of Israel and the uniting of Jerusalem ruined their theory….
BIBLE
QUOTE
So I will pour out my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will
say to you, “The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it, those prophets of Israel who
prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the
(Ezekiel 13:15-16 NIV)
Sovereign Lord.”’
Recession 'led to 10,000 suicides'
BBC News, June 12, 2014
EVENT
The economic crisis in Europe and North America led to more than 10,000 extra
suicides, according to figures from UK researchers. A study, published in the British
Journal of Psychiatry, showed "suicides have risen markedly”. The research group said
some deaths may have been avoidable as some countries showed no increase in
suicide rate. Campaign groups said the findings showed how important good mental
health services were. The study by the University of Oxford and the London School of
Hygiene & Tropical Medicine analysed data from 24 EU countries, the US and Canada.
It said suicides had been declining in Europe until 2007. By 2009 there was a 6.5%
increase, a level that was sustained until 2011. It was the equivalent of 7,950 more
suicides than would have been expected if previous trends continued, the research
group said. There were 4750 additional people taking their life in America.
COMMENT To end your life because your money has failed must mean one thing… you had put
your trust, your hope and your faith in your money. Why else would someone end their
life if they lost their wealth? Surely life is more than what we own, what we have, what
we eat or what we wear? Jesus had nothing – not even one coin to show his disciples.
We can imagine the weeping and wailing when the financial systems of the world finally
do collapse forever. We are told in Isaiah 24 (the culmination of the ten tribulations) that
both the borrower, the lender, the buyer and the seller will all be affected when God
devastates the earth. The earth will be completely emptied. Only a few men will be left
following this worldwide judgement. Even the most wealthy and powerful people on the
earth will waste away. But we who have not put our trust in mammon (wealth) will shout
and sing for joy - for Jesus will have returned and will restore the broken world….
BIBLE
QUOTE
No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one
and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. “That is why I tell you not to worry
about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.
(Matthew 6:24-25 NLT)
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