Transcript Weekly World Watch

Andy Walton’s
Weekly World Watch
February 8 - 14, 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
February 8 - 14, 2015
• Ukraine peace deal ‘in great danger’
• Britain not ruling out providing 'lethal force' in Ukraine
• U.S. sending 'tankbuster' jets to Russia's doorstep
• Greece: Greenspan predicts exit from euro inevitable
• Vladimir Putin's Egypt visit sends message to U.S.
• Severe sandstorm hits Israel
To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right
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Ukraine peace deal ‘in great danger’
BBC, February 14, 2015
EVENT
Ukraine's president has warned that a deal to end the war in the east is in "great
danger" after heavy fighting ahead of Saturday night's ceasefire. Petro Poroshenko
also accused Russia of "significantly increasing" its offensive despite the peace
agreement reached in Minsk on Thursday. The US ambassador to Ukraine that he said
showed Russian artillery near Debaltseve. Shelling was heard in the rebel-held city of
Donetsk early on Saturday. Fierce battles are said to be continuing around Debaltseve,
a strategic government-held town almost encircled by rebel forces. The BBC's David
Stern in Kiev says that as the clock ticks down to the ceasefire, fears are rising that it
won't be observed. More than a dozen civilians are said to have died in shelling in
eastern Ukraine on Friday.
COMMENT The fighting is showing no signs of stopping. There are reports of heavy weapons
coming across the border from Russia. The US ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt,
said that Russian units along the border were preparing a large shipment of supplies to
separatist fighters. So what of the “peace agreement” reached only a few days ago?
The agreement said that there is to be a general ceasefire from midnight on the 14th to
15th of February (Sunday). Two days later, heavy artillery and rocket systems are to be
withdrawn from the front line. But will Putin do this? The trouble is he still denies any
involvement in Ukraine by Russian forces. The Russian tanks and armoured vehicles
are not Russian! So what is going on? Well the Bible tells us about Putin’s character!
God says that the latter day king of the north is deceitful. In fact he causes deceit to
prosper. He is a very proud man. “And by peace shall destroy many.” In other words he
will pretend to be peaceful but in fact destruction is his aim. This sounds like Putin….
BIBLE
QUOTE
And through his policy also he shall cause deceit to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify
himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of
princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
(Daniel 8:23-24)
Britain not ruling out providing 'lethal force' in
Ukraine
Daily Telegraph, February 10, 2015
EVENT
Britain could provide “lethal” force to assist the Ukrainian government in its fight
against pro-Russian forces, Philip Hammond has suggested. The Foreign Secretary
said that although the UK currently has no plans for any direct involvement in the
conflict, the Government "reserved the right" to provide arms to stop the Ukrainian
forces collapsing. Barack Obama, the American President, has ordered his officials to
“look at all options” open to the United States, including providing weapons to halt the
recent rebel advance in the east. The White House has said it will made a decision
pending the success of a new peace initiative pushed last weekend by the German
Chancellor, Angela Merkel. While Britain is not yet actively considering a move to
send arms, Mr Hammond's comments put him odds with Ms Merkel, who explicitly
stated last week that despatching weapons would merely worsen the conflict.
COMMENT Britain and America are watching closely developments in Ukraine. They appear far
more willing to act against Russia than other European nations. The UK Foreign
Secretary said this week that “we could not allow the Ukrainian armed forces to
collapse.” He went on to say, “In recent weeks, Russia has aggravated the effects of its
initial incursion by stepping up the military support it provides to its proxies. It has
transferred hundreds of heavy weapons, including rocket launchers, heavy artillery,
tanks and armoured vehicles and it maintains hundreds of regular soldiers, including
special forces, in Ukraine as well as command and control elements, air defence
systems, UAVs and electronic warfare systems.” Britain we know in the Bible is
Tarshish, the old lion, the king of the south. The Bible is clear. Before Russia invades it
is militarily provoked by the king of the south. That provocation could come in Ukraine.
BIBLE
QUOTE
Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the
north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and
sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall
(Daniel 11:40-41 NLT)
U.S. sending 'tankbuster' jets to Russia's
doorstep
Daily Mail, February 13, 2015
The U.S. Air Force is sending 12 of its 'tankbuster' jets back Europe as part of the
response to Russia's intervention in Ukraine. The European command revealed the
group of A-10s will be deployed as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve which was set up
last year after Putin's troops annexed Crimea. They will be stationed at Spangdahlem
air base in Germany along with 300 airman so they can be called to action by Eastern
European allies at short notice. Senior officials said the unit were being sent to reassure
allies their commitment to European security is still a 'priority' following months of
tension in the region. Designed in the 1970s, the aircraft also known as a Warthog
was developed to support ground troops against the armoured tanks of the Soviet
Union.
Tom Jones, vice commander, United States Air Forces in Europe, said in a statement:
'The Air Force is increasing rotational presence in Europe to reassure our allies.’
COMMENT As Britain ups the rhetoric against Russia, America has begun to respond to the
Russian aggression by sending a deployment of fearsome “tank busting” A-10 (known
as the Warthog) aircraft to deter Russia from further aggression. The A-10 was used in
combat for the first time during the Gulf War in 1991, destroying more than 900 Iraqi
tanks, 2,000 other military vehicles and 1,200 artillery pieces. As the article says it was
originally designed to combat Russian tanks. America is sending a clear message to
Russia by sending these aircraft to Europe.
And so Europe stands on the brink. The next 24 hours will show if Putin will abide by
the ceasefire or not. If he doesn’t we may see the US and UK authorise military support
of Ukraine. We may be on the brink of conflict. The new Cold War may soon be Hot….
EVENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh
shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit. The word “gore” used here is the same
word for “push” in Daniel 11:40 where the king of the south pushes at the king of the north. The
Hebrew word means to strike with a horn of wild animal (like a warthog!)
(Daniel 8:23-25 NLT)
Greece: Greenspan predicts exit from euro
inevitable
BBC, February 8, 2015
EVENT
The former head of the US central bank, Alan Greenspan, has predicted that Greece
will have to leave the eurozone. He told the BBC he could not see who would be
willing to put up more loans to bolster Greece's struggling economy. Greece wants to
re-negotiate its bailout, but Mr Greenspan said "I don't think it will be resolved without
Greece leaving the eurozone”. Earlier, UK Chancellor George Osborne said a Greek
exit would cause "deep ructions" for Britain. Mr Greenspan, chairman of the Federal
Reserve from 1987 to 2006, said: "I believe Greece will eventually leave. I don't think
it helps them or the rest of the eurozone - it is just a matter of time before everyone
recognises that parting is the best strategy. "The problem is that there there is no way
that I can conceive of the euro of continuing, unless and until all of the members of
eurozone become politically integrated - even just fiscally integrated won't do it."
COMMENT Alan Greenspan is an American economist who served as Chairman of the Federal
Reserve of the United States from 1987 to 2006. He is someone people listen to when
he speaks about financial matters. And so this week when he said that the current crisis
would not be resolved without Greece leaving the Euro – people take notice.
What is even more interesting is that he went on to say that the Euro could only
continue if “ALL MEMBERS OF THE EUROZONE BECOME POITICALLY
INTEGRATED”. This is so true. You cannot run a currency forever with different nations
having different political systems. Eventually you must have one political body that
governs it all. The Bible says exactly this. 10 kings (or rulers) will one day give their
power and strength (political power) to the beast (Europe) for a short period of time.
This has not happened yet. It will happen. A superpower in Europe will emerge…
BIBLE
QUOTE
And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but
receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power
and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome
(Revelation 17:12-14)
them:
Vladimir Putin's Egypt visit sends message to U.S.
Guardian, February 9, 2015
EVENT
COMMENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
Russian president Vladimir Putin has flown to Cairo for a two-day visit, in a move
nominally aimed at bolstering bilateral ties with Egypt that also allows both countries to
send pointed messages to the US. As Russian and western diplomats struggle to reach
a peace deal over the conflict in Ukraine, Putin will spend Monday evening at Cairo’s
opera house. In meetings on Tuesday, the day before the resumption of Ukraine peace
talks, Putin is expected to hold discussions about ending the use of the US dollar in
bilateral trade between Egypt and Russia. Collaboration between a Russian and
Egyptian newspaper is also reported to be scheduled for discussion. Egypt’s flagship
state newspaper printed a long feature about Putin that called him “a hero of our era”.
But the fact that the posters were mostly written in English, rather than Russian or
Arabic, suggested their target audience lies overseas.
Russian president Vladimir Putin arrived in Egypt to a hero’s welcome. The Financial
Times reported the following in relation to this visit…”The visit is the latest sign of
Russia attempting to reassert its commercial and strategic interests in the Middle East,
an agenda that has included bolstering support for Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.”
This is indeed a sign of Russia asserting itself in the Middle East. Putin is very
interested in this area. Egypt over the last 40 years has been an ally of America but
Putin wants to weaken US influence in the world and therefore wants to strengthen ties
with countries like Egypt. Daniel 11 it says that Russia will sweep down through Israel
into Egypt. But we also read of this in Isaiah 19. We are told a fierce king will one day
rule over Egypt. The word fierce is used another time- in Daniel 8 the fierce king…
And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over
them, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts.
(Isaiah 19:4)
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce
countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
(Daniel 8:23)
Severe sandstorm hits Israel
Associated Press, February 11, 2015
EVENT
COMMENT
BIBLE
QUOTE
A Mideast sandstorm roared into Israel and Lebanon on Wednesday, causing the worst
Israeli air pollution in years and sending powerful waves tearing into Beirut's famed
corniche along the Mediterranean Sea. The sandstorm, made up of accumulated dust
carried from the far reaches of the Sahara Desert in North Africa, also engulfed Cairo
for a second day. High winds lashed those on the streets, causing some to walk
backward to avoid getting the grit in their faces. Israel's Environmental Protection
Ministry said air pollution levels were the country's worst in five years and the storm
would last into Wednesday night. Israeli airports spokeswoman Liza Dvir said flights to
and from the Red Sea resort city of Eilat temporarily were grounded due to the weather,
though planes still flew through the country's main international hub, Ben Gurion Airport
On Tuesday, the strong sandstorm first reached Egypt, temporarily closing Cairo
International Airport to incoming flights. The weather front also caused strong waves to
crash into the coast and saw Egypt close two of its seaports. This was of course
exactly when Putin arrived.
There is a storm coming. And Putin will head it up. We are told in Daniel 11 that the
king of the north will come down like a whirlwind. In Ezekiel 38 are told that Gog
(Russian leader) will ascend and come like a storm. He will be like a cloud to cover the
land. This sandstorm as Putin arrived is a sign to show us what is really coming.
A terrible storm – an army so large they will be like locusts covering the ground. When
Putin finally invades it truly will be the greatest storm the world has ever seen…
Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all
thy bands, and many people with thee.
(Ezekiel 38:9)
and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen,
(Daniel 11:40)
and with many ships
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