Transcript Weekly World Watch

Andy Walton’s
Weekly World Watch
April 6 - 19, 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.
Move your mouse to place the cursor on the blue link and click.
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
April 6 - 19, 2014
• Putin hovering on the brink of a massive invasion
• Putin threatens to cut gas to Ukraine, EU countries
• Donetsk leaflet: Jews must register or face deportation
• Israel police disperse riot at Jerusalem Holy Site
• Israel to miss out on Blood Moon phenomenon
• Israeli families gather for ritual Passover meal
To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right
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Putin hovering on the brink of a massive invasion
Eurasia Daily Monitor, April 17, 2014
EVENT
Putin and other Russian officials have been blaming the West for instigating the
Ukrainian crisis and, as Putin put it, “Pushing us too far, so we were forced to push
back.” In his televised phone-in, Putin insisted the threat of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization’s (NATO) expansion engulfing Ukraine, the possibility of Western
(NATO) military bases and offensive armaments “appearing in Crimea,” as well as
“NATO ships in Sevastopol” forced Moscow’s hand in deciding to take over Crimea.
According to Putin, not only Crimea, but the entirety of eastern and southern Ukraine,
from Kharkiv in the northeast to Odessa on the border with Romania and Moldova,
comprise “Novorossia” or “New Russia”. Putin implied Novorossia does not belong to
Ukraine and must return to the Russian homeland. Putin once again repeated that
Ukrainians and Russians “are one nation temporarily divided into two states.
COMMENT Shortly after the deal to try to end the crisis was agreed in Geneva on Thursday, Putin
went live on his annual televised phone-in. Far from sounding like things were being
resolved he spoke of territories outside Russia as being part of something called
Novorossia (New Russia). He also explained what he sees as Russia’s in terms of
Ukraine – the eastern and southern part of Ukraine. He also explained exactly why
Russia was doing this – ie invading another country. It is because we were PUSHED
too far by NATO he said. And so far from being close to a deal to calm things down we
will surely see further escalation. It is remarkable Putin says he wants eastern and
southern Ukraine as this is the very area that formed part of ancient Magog. It is also
remarkable that he says the reason for the invasion is because Russia was PUSHED.
This is the exact Bible language of Daniel 11:40 where the king of the north is PUSHED
BIBLE
QUOTE
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall
come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he
shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
(Daniel 11:40)
Putin threatens to cut gas to Ukraine, EU countries
Daily Telegraph, April 11, 2014
EVENT
Mr Putin threatened the "extreme measure" last week of cutting off Russian gas for
Ukraine unless the country pays in advance for all of its supplies. In a stark letter to 18
world leaders, Mr Putin acknowledged that, in such a "critical situation", gas deliveries
to the European Union would also be jeopardised. The EU buys a third of its gas from
Russia, about half of which arrives through pipelines running across Ukraine. But Mr
Putin accused the EU of causing the current crisis, leaving Russia with "no
alternative" but to toughen its approach. As Ukraine's economy foundered under a
new government and threats from Russia last month, the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) announced a rescue program of £8-10bn to stabilise the country's crumpled
finances and help restore growth. The IMF board will review the Ukraine financing
plan, which requires tough reforms and austerity measures on the part of the
government, at the end of April or beginning of March.
COMMENT Would Putin shut off the gas to get his own way? Answer YES. He has done it before
and this time the stakes are so much higher. On Thursday European Commission
President Jose Manuel Barroso wrote to Putin urging Russia to provide an early
warning of any possible delivery disruptions. Russia’s biggest gas client in Europe is
Germany. As one mainstream UK newspaper said this week “Vladimir Putin is striking
at the heart of the West. If we choose to resist Putin, we will risk a terrifying military
escalation. It may be no exaggeration to say this could bring us to the brink of nuclear
war. Historians may look back and say this was the start of World War III.”
We know that ultimately the final conflict will be centred on Jerusalem. But all these
events in Ukraine are destabilising the world order to enable Armageddon to happen…
BIBLE
QUOTE
For they.. go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of
that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and
keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together
(Revelation 16:14-16)
into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Donetsk leaflet: Jews must register or face
deportation
Daily Telegraph, April 18, 2014
EVENT
COMMENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
The Chief Rabbi of Donetsk spoke with controlled outrage, holding up a piece of
paper bearing an elaborate stamp with two crossed hammers. ”The last time in history
that someone wrote a text like that was in 1939 in the Nazi time,” said Pinchas
Vishedski.
On the second night of Passover, three masked men arrived outside Beyt Menahem
Mendal Synagogue, carrying bundles of these notices. The leaflet ordered all “citizens
of Jewish nationality” to “register” with the Donetsk regional administration, now
controlled by pro-Russian revolutionaries. They were told to bring a $50 fee to a
“room 514” in the main government building, which was seized by separatists a
fortnight ago.
The Jews were also instructed to take a “passport for us to make a note about your
religion” and “documents about your family composition”. The leaflet said they should
furnish proof of ownership of all “property and vehicles". Any Jews who failed to
comply
would
be deprived
ofUkraine
their citizenship
and expelled
from
the “borders
Donetsk
is a city
in eastern
being claimed
by ethnic
Russians.
Putinof
allthe
along
Republic”,
said
the
flyer.
All
their
property
would
also
be
confiscated.
has said the Ukrainian nationalist movement is riddled with neo-Nazi anti-Semites. But
the truth is that it is the pro Russians who are anti-Semites. We know that Putin is chief
anti-Semite. We know this because Gog (Russia ruler) makes a plan (an evil thought)
to invade Israel and take a spoil from the Jews. Is this not the act of an anti-Semite?
If the ruler of the Russians is anti-Semite is it any wonder his loyal henchmen are too?
This conflict is rapidly evolving.. From Crimea’s self determination. Then bringing ethnic
Russians back into the Russian fold. It is now possibly moving towards “racial purity”.
All this is alarming but we know what must come to pass – we are at the time of the
end
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you
will devise a wicked scheme. You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled
villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence!
(Ezekiel 38:10-11 NLT)
These are the thoughts of Gog (Putin) the anti-Semite
Israel police disperse riot at Jerusalem Holy Site
USA Today, April 16, 2014
EVENT
Israeli police stormed a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem on Wednesday, firing tear gas
to disperse a protest by Palestinian Muslim worshippers, officials said. Police
spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the crowd hurled stones and firecrackers from atop
the compound known to Jews as the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism.
Rosenfeld said police then entered the site and dispersed the group with tear gas and
other non-lethal means. The site is ground zero in the territorial and religious conflict
between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Its gold-topped Dome of the Rock enshrines
the rock where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. The
status of the site remains perhaps the most sensitive and explosive issue in U.S.brokered peace talks. Tensions have already been rising due to a breakdown in peace
talks and the deadly shooting this week of an Israeli policeman in the West Bank.
COMMENT Tension is building in Israel. The peace talks are due to end on the 29th April. The
Palestinians claim east Jerusalem, including the Old City, as the capital of their future
state. The status of the site remains perhaps the most sensitive and explosive issue in
U.S.-brokered peace talks. After nearly nine months of fruitless negotiations, U.S.
mediators have been trying to win an agreement to extend the talks beyond the current
deadline. We know that all nations will be gathered together to Jerusalem to battle. So
how do current events in Ukraine and the “peace talks” link together to bring about
Armageddon centred on Jerusalem. The Ukraine situation could well lead to financial
sanctions against Russia that really do hurt its economy. Europe is saying they are
looking for more stable energy suppliers. Russia under financial pressure is forced to
look elsewhere. Russia’s eyes turn to Israel – a spoil. Peace talks lead to destruction…
BIBLE
QUOTE
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very
well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and
safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will
(1 Thess 5:1-3)
not escape. People saying = people talking about peace. NOT actual peace.
Israel to miss out on Blood Moon
phenomenon
Israel Today, April 13, 2014
EVENT
The scheduled appearance of four total lunar eclipses on major Jewish holidays
between this Monday night (the start of Passover 2014) and September 27, 2015 (the
start of Sukkot) has the attention of much of the Christian world. But the eclipses are
going to go almost totally unseen in Israel. Total lunar eclipses - what are often referred
to as “blood moons” - are not uncommon, 13 of them having occurred since 2000.
Somewhat less common are tetrads - four consecutive total lunar eclipses with no
intervening partial eclipses - which has occurred 62 times since the year 0 AD. Seven
times in the past 2000 years, a tetrad has coincided perfectly with Passover and
Sukkot. One of those tetrads began just prior to the outbreak of the Six Day War in
1967. Two others (in 1493 and 1949) began more than a year after the expulsion of the
Jews from Spain and the State of Israel’s declaration of independence, respectively.
COMMENT On Monday night there was the first of 4 blood moons. A sequence of 4 lunar eclipses.
Lunar eclipses are fairly common. A series of 4 total lunar eclipses is not common. A
series of 4 consecutive lunar eclipses is called a Tetrad. What is even less common is
when the 4 consecutive lunar eclipses fall on Jewish feast days. Eg Passover or Sukkot
(Feast of Tabernacles). This set of 4 is only the 8th set since the time of Christ. The last
time a Tetrad occurred was in 1967. The first blood moon occurred just months before
the outbreak of the 6 Day War. The time before was in 1949 – again during the war that
broke out after Israel was declared a nation in 1948. The time before that was in 1493.
In 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain. We know God uses the sun and moon for
signs. We also know that blood moons are a sign at the time of the end….
BIBLE
QUOTE
And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and
vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that
great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on
the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Acts 2:19-21)
Israeli families gather for ritual Passover meal
ABC News, April 14, 2014
EVENT
Families across Israel gathered after sundown Monday for ritual meals signalling the
start of Passover, with holiday observances overshadowed by a fatal shooting in the
West Bank. The weeklong holiday commemorates the liberation of the ancient Israelites
from centuries of slavery in Egypt, as described in the Old Testament. In Judaism, it is
dubbed the festival of freedom. This year, Passover comes amid uncertainty over the
future of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, with the sides facing an end-of-April
deadline to reach a preliminary deal or agree to an extension of negotiations. Ahead of
the holiday, Israel sealed off the West Bank, barring Palestinians from entering Israel,
an annual Passover precaution against possible attacks.
COMMENT It is amazing that 3500 years after the original Passover (the time the Israelites left
Egypt) the Jews still remember the event every year. The Passover was when all
Egypt’s firstborn were killed (by God) and the Hebrews who put blood around their
doors were saved. The destroying angel “passed over”. The blood around the door
came from the sacrificed lamb – it became known as the Passover lamb. Through the
blood of the lamb they were saved. We read in the New Testament that Jesus became
our Passover lamb.(1 Cor 5:7). We may think (as Christians) that we are not involved in
the Passover feast any longer. We couldn’t be more wrong. Every Sunday when we
meet we are still in the Passover meal that Jesus took part in with his disciples. The
bread and wine of the last supper was the Passover meal. Every Sunday we take the
bread and wine. The wine we take is in fact the 3rd cup of the Seder (Passover order of
service) instituted by the Jews. Jesus was following the Seder at the last supper. The
final 4th cup will not be taken until Christ returns. To listen to a talk on this CLICK HERE
BIBLE
QUOTE
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. And he sent Peter
and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat…. and they made ready the
passover….And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before
I suffer: NB there are TWO cups mentioned at this supper. Cups 2 and 3. We are told to remember
(Luke 22:11-15)
Christ by taking the THIRD cup. Why? Listen to the talk to find out…
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