November 30 – December 6, 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.

November 30 – December 6, 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)

Weekly World Watch

Andy Walton’s

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What is a Weekly World Watch?

• 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.

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.

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.

• Increasing natural disasters: including earthquake, famine etc

The following six themes will appear repeatedly in WWW:

HEADLINE

EVENT

COMMENT

News Photo

The source of the headline and the date are included.

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.

What is in a Weekly World Watch?

BIBLEQUOTE

This is normally one verse which backs up why the event that has occurred is interesting from a Biblical perspective. Please read in its context. Unless stated otherwise, all quotes are from the King James Version. (Book, chapter, and verse)

This is straight from a news report that caught my eye because it looked significant from a Biblical perspective, usually that of prophecy.

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.

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. 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 Week’s Developments

To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper rightPRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

• Putin’s annual speech marks a dramatic shift

• Saudis risk playing with fire as crude crashes

• Russia launches ‘wartime government’ HQ

• Britain to open new military base in Bahrain

• Putin Diverts Pipeline from Europe to Turkey

November 30 – December 6, 2014

• French assembly votes to recognise Palestine

The Russian leader spoke of war and struggle, showing he sees the world as a hostile place. President Vladimir Putin on Thursday gave his annual address to Russia’s Federal Assembly. This year, however, Putin’s speech was markedly different from past addresses in ways that reflect both a shift in Russia’s view of the world and the massive challenges that Russia now faces. In Putin’s two previous addresses since returning to the presidency in 2012 for his third term, the Russian leader opened with optimistic remarks about progress and the advance of reforms inside the country. This time, however, Putin began in a markedly different tone, focusing instead on battle. According to the president: “This year Russia faced trials that only a mature and united nation and a truly sovereign and strong state can withstand.”

Stratfor, December 5, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.

BIBLEQUOTE

Putin’s annual speech given on Thursday this week showed the extent to which things have changed. Since his last speech the pro Russian government in Ukraine has been removed. This led to Russia annexing Crimea. Which has led to sanctions on Russia. Which has led to sharp economic decline and the onset of recession. In his speech Putin blamed these hardships entirely on the West, primarily the United States.Putin’s speech came shortly after a major gun battle between security forces and militants in the Russian region of Chechnya — the first in years. Putin mentioned the attack in his speech and said in the past these separatists had received support from “across the pond” – referring to America. The speaker in Chechnya’s parliament said that the attack on Grozny could be fulfilling orders from the US and NATO. The analysis by Stratfor (quoted above) concludes by asking this question. Will Russia push back with what power it has left? The answer is with Bible in hand – Russia will PUSH back...

Putin’s annual speech marks a dramatic shift

(Ezekiel 39:2-3)

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Saudis risk playing with fire as crude crashes

A deep slump in prices might heighten geostrategic turmoil across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and the core Opec states are taking an immense political gamble by letting crude oil prices crash to $66 a barrel. A deep slump in prices might equally heighten geostrategic turmoil across the broader Middle East and boomerang against the Gulf’s petro-sheikhdoms before it inflicts a knock-out blow on US rivals.Caliphate leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has already opened a “second front” in North Africa, targeting Algeria and Libya – two states that live off energy exports – as well as Egypt and the Sahel as far as northern Nigeria. “The resilience of US shale may prove greater than the resilience of Opec,” said Alistair Newton, head of political risk at Nomura.

Daily Telegraph, November 30, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

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. Saudi Arabia is part of the king of the south. Part of the push could be this situation with oil. Hurting Russia.

BIBLEQUOTE

(Daniel 11:40)

Oil prices have slumped and so too has the Russia rouble. The two things are connected. Russia’s economy depends on oil prices being over $100 a barrel. Now it is below £70 a barrel – and falling. The rouble suffered its biggest one-day decline since 1998 on Monday. Russia’s spy chief said this week “The U.S. and its allies are seeking to change the regime in Moscow through sanctions and attacks on the rouble and the oil price.” He clearly believes that the U.S. and its allies want to oust Putin from power and achieve regime change. Saudi Arabia (one of America’s allies) are also playing a role in keeping oil prices low. As the article above says this his a very

high risk strategy as it could lead to “geostrategic turmoil across the Middle East ”.The pressure is building fast. Putin has spent 20% of his currency reserves (trying to prop up the rouble) in just months. The bear backed into the corner will not admit defeat and change tack. It will come forth with like a whirlwind / like a storm to cover

the land...

Russia launches ‘wartime government’ HQ

Russia is launching a new national defence facility, which is meant to monitor threats to national security in peacetime, but would take control of the entire country in case of war. The new top-security, fortified facility in Moscow includes several large war rooms, a brand new supercomputer in the heart of a state-of-the-art data processing centre, underground facilities, secret transport routes for emergency evacuation and a helicopter pad, which was deployed for the first time on Nov. 24 on the Moscow River. The Defence Ministry won’t disclose the price tag for the site, but it is estimated at the equivalent of several billion dollars. The new National Defence Control Centre (NDCC) is a major upgrade on what was previously called the Central Command of the General Staff, a unit tasked with round-the-clock monitoring of military threats against Russia, particularly ballistic missile launches, and deployment of strategic nuclear weapons.

RT, December 1, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.

When Russia does get into the war prophesied in the Bible in Ezekiel 38, the new command and control centre would act as a major communication hub and a form of wartime government. Putin launched the project in May 2013. It was officially opened on Monday. It delivers reports to the country’s military command and gives orders to all ministries, state-owned companies and other organizations, according to the needs of the armed forces. “The creation of NDCC was one of the biggest military projects of the past few years.” Lt. General Mikhail Mizintsev, the NDCC chief, said. According to the general it analyses and forecasts any threats to Russia or its allies. The preparation for war is coming together. How much longer before Putin decides to try out this new HQ – not for practice – but for war…?

BIBLEQUOTE

(Joel 3:9-11)

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Britain to open new military base in Bahrain

Britain will open a new military base in Bahrain in a deal to increase cooperation in tackling security threats in the region. Gulf states including Bahrain have found common ground with the United States and European powers in opposing Islamic State militants, and its crown prince on Friday urged war on "evil theocracy".The country is part of a US-led coalition carrying out airstrikes on the extremist group, which has carved out vast areas of control in Syria and Iraq. Bahrain's foreign minister Sheikh Khalid said the deal "reaffirms our joint determination to maintain regional security and stability in the face of challenging circumstances”. "Bahrain looks forward to the early implementation of today's arrangement, and to continuing to work with the UK and other partners to address threats to regional security," Khalid said.

Daily Telegraph, December 6, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

BIBLEQUOTE

(Ezekiel 38:13)

More preparation here but this time it is not the king of the north getting ready but the king of the south. Britain pulled out of this area at the end of British Empire. But this week it announced a major strategic reversal of that decision. Britain’s Foreign Secretary said that Britain was intending to take up a greater security role in the Middle East as the United States pivoted towards Asia. The base will host the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers as well as the two new aircraft carriers it is building. David Cameron's new government four years ago made reviving Britain's old alliance with the Gulf states the key priority of its foreign policy. This is exactly what the Bible says would happen. Britain (Tarshish) would be working with Saudi Arabia and the gulf states (Sheba and Dedan). Bahrain is one of the states on the Arabian peninsula that is covered by ancient Sheba and Dedan. We know the day is coming when the king of the north will come against the king of the south…

Putin Diverts Pipeline from Europe to Turkey

President Vladimir V. Putin said Monday that he would scrap Russia’s South Stream gas pipeline, a grandiose project that was once intended to establish the country’s dominance in south-eastern Europe but instead fell victim to Russia’s increasingly toxic relationship with the West. It was a rare diplomatic defeat for Mr. Putin, who said Russia would redirect the pipeline to Turkey. He painted the failure to build the pipeline as a loss for Europe and blamed Brussels for its intransigence. The decision also seemed to be a rare victory for the European Union and the Obama administration, which have appeared largely impotent this year as Mr. Putin annexed Crimea and stirred rebellion in eastern Ukraine. Russia had long presented the $22 billion South Stream project as a sound business move. But Washington and Brussels had dismissed it as a thinly veiled attempt by the Kremlin to cement its position as the dominant supplier in Europe.

New York Times, December 1, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

BIBLEQUOTE

(Ezekiel 38:6-7)

The fall out from the war within Ukraine is increasing. The €40 billion ($50 billion) pipeline was to have transported Russian gas from the Black Sea coast through Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary to Austria, bypassing Ukraine en route. Another pipeline would have supplied Italy via Greece. The European Commission has been working to torpedo the construction of South Stream for some time. They viewed what Putin was doing as seeking to control eastern Europe. So Putin has now turned away from Europe and is now looking at Turkey. Some of the gas will still end up in Europe but Turkey is now the gateway to doing this. Turkish newspapers celebrated this as a Turkish-Russian energy alliance. Turkey is Togarmah in Ezekiel 38 and is on side with Russia when it invades Israel. Therefore this alliance must be part of that build-up.

French assembly votes to recognise Palestine

The lower house of the French parliament has voted overwhelmingly to “invite” Paris to recognise Palestine as an independent state. Like a similar resolution by the House of Commons in October, the vote is advisory rather than binding. It is, however, part of a pattern of growing European support for recognition of a Palestinian state in the face of public opposition to Israel’s policies in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank.The national assembly voted by 339 to 151 to ask the French government to recognise Palestine. Most Socialists, greens and other left-wing supporters of the French government voted in favour. The right and centre-right divided between voting against and boycotting the resolution as an intrusion into presidential powers over foreign policy.The Spanish parliament has also voted to recognise Palestine. Sweden has gone even further, announcing that the government planned to move towards official recognition.

Independent, December 2, 2014

EVENT

COMMENT

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink. Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine?

BIBLEQUOTE

(Joel 3:2-4)

Another week has gone by and another week where we report on nations (especially in Europe) wanting to divide God’s land by granting the Palestinians their own state.Even though these are non binding resolutions we can see the direction of travel.The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, has hinted that France might take a unilateral decision if peace talks fail or are indefinitely postponed. “From the moment that negotiation become impossible or reaches no conclusion France will obviously have to face up to its responsibilities,” he said earlier this year.The Bible does indicate Israel will be divided. It also indicates that the division is with the Palestinians. God denounces the division and says “what have the Palestinians to do with me?” Obviously all people can be saved but not all can claim the land of Israel.

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Weekly World Watch

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