July 5 - 11, 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)

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: (andy@weeklyworldwatch.co.uk). 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

• Greece faces eurozone decision day

• Is the European dream over?

• Putin biding his time? Build-up of tanks in Ukraine

• Russia is top U.S. national security threat

• Pope Francis to be tried by Sanhedrin

July 5 - 11, 2015

• Iran's nuclear deal: The toughest of all challenges

Eurozone finance chiefs are gathering in Brussels for a meeting that could decide whether new Greek proposals are sufficient to secure a third bailout and prevent a possible eurozone exit. Greece's parliament overnight backed PM Alexis Tsipras's new package. But he faced anger from some in his own party for proposing measures that were rejected in a referendum last Sunday. Some creditors gave an initially positive reaction to the plans but a bailout agreement is far from certain.

Daily Telegraph, July 11, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

The beast [Holy Roman Empire] that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

BIBLEQUOTE

The whole world is transfixed by the drama being played out in Greece and Europe. Everyone realises so much is at stake. The European project itself has never been under such pressure. If one country were to leave the Euro the fear is that others may follow suit. Last Sunday the Greeks voted NO to more austerity. However this week the Greek prime minister has capitulated on all the demands being made of Greece to desperately try to stave off a Greek exit from the Euro. The heads of the Eurozone are meeting now but its still not certain what will happen. Germany who holds the purse strings is still very unhappy about the debt restructure. In fact even if the heads of Europe agree this weekend it still has to be voted on by the German parliament who are generally very anti this deal. If they vote against it they can veto the whole deal.With Bible in hand we can see clearly there is another final stage coming to Europe. It is a stage where 10 nations say let’s make a proper union – a federal state – a single union. No more selfish national interests but one government. Whatever the outcome of Greece there is no doubt we are heading towards this outcome. God tells us all about this in Revelation 17. The reason we are told is because this coming superpower, this revival of the Holy Roman Empire actually has the audacity to make war against Jesus.

Greece faces eurozone decision day

(Revelation 17:8)

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Is the European dream over?

Only a few days ago the Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras won an overwhelming mandate from the Greek people, in a referendum, to reject more-or-less these bailout terms. And today, on the back of that popular vote, he is signing up to the supposedly hated bailout. Does that mean the eurozone can go back to life as normal, of inadequate economic performance but Greek Armageddon deferred (again)? Is a rescue done and dusted? Not yet. The Greeks owe the Germans approximately 86.7 billion euros. The German people are overwhelmingly against pouring more money down a financial black hole, and German leaders have taken a very hard line with Greece in recent days. If Germany does not like this new Greek proposal, it will almost certainly fail. And if there is no deal, Greek government finances will totally freeze up, the Greek banking system will collapse, and the Greeks will be forced out of the euro.

BBC, July 7, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. TO LISTEN TO A TALK ON THS CLICK HERE

BIBLEQUOTE

(Daniel 2:42-43)

There was an interesting radio broadcast on Thursday on the BBC. It was called “Is the European Dream Over?” A leading panel of European brains discussed the future of Europe. What would Europe look like in 10 years time? They all said regardless of whether Greece comes out of the Euro, Europe has reached a turning point. They all said more integration from stronger nations is inevitable. There will be a 2 speed Europe. To listen to the first 5 mins click here. In Daniel 2 we are told something interesting. The image that Nebuchadnezzar saw is in fact a timeline. Gold = Babylon, Silver= Medes and Persian, Bronze= Greeks, Iron = Rome, Iron and clay feet = Europe. The stone hits the feet. So Jesus comes during the time of Europe. But the final stage are the toes. A whole verse is dedicated to the 10 toes. Toes come out of the feet. The 10 toes = the 10 kings in Revelation 17. It’s the final and last stage!

Putin biding his time? Evidence shows build-up of Russian tanks, generals in Ukraine

New evidence is exposing Russia's deepening role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, suggesting Vladimir Putin may be preparing to gobble up more territory undeterred by NATO -- as a new U.S. military document highlights the extent of Moscow's aggression. Bloomberg View reported that Ukraine security officials have found five Russian generals are playing a lead role commanding separatist units inside the country, despite Kremlin denials. This comes as aerial video shot by a drone -- and provided by pro-Ukraine fighting units -- depicts the build-up of a Russian military base with tanks and other gear in eastern Ukraine. "We see a more assertive Russia trying to intimidate neighbours and change borders," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently said. The NATO secretary general spoke after inspecting one of six new forward bases the alliance is building in Romania and the neighbouring Baltics.

Fox News,, July 3, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel,

Putin is very shrewd and incredibly patient. He has long term plans. The Bible says that while Israel is living confidently Putin makes a plan to invade. This is very long term. This is a man who looks many moves ahead – like a chess player who is not rushed into action. Retired Major General Bob Scales, a military analyst said this week "Putin's got lots of time to do this, he's in no hurry. He's waiting for the opportunity to be about right and then the Russians are going to continue their advance." While the world is focussed on Greece and the turmoil in Europe, Putin is building up his forces next to Ukraine. Five Russian generals are playing a leading role commanding rebel units inside Ukraine. The bear has woken up and is pushing at her borders. This is part of the preparation for war that Ezekiel 38 talks about.

BIBLEQUOTE

(Ezekiel 38:7-8)

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Russia is top U.S. national security threat

Russia presents the greatest threat to U.S. national security and its behaviour is "nothing short of alarming," Marine General Joseph Dunford told lawmakers on Thursday as they weighed his nomination to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Dunford also added his voice to those Pentagon officials who have supported providing lethal arms to Ukraine to help it defend itself from Russia-backed separatists, a step that President Barack Obama has so far resisted. "My assessment today, Senator, is that Russia presents the greatest threat to our national security," said Dunford, the Marine Corps commandant, who is expected to swiftly win Senate confirmation to become the top U.S. military officer. Relations between Moscow and the West have plunged to a post-Cold War low since Russia's intervention in Ukraine upended assumptions about the security of NATO's eastern flank.

Reuters, July 9, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will push 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 The king of the south = US/UK . The king of the north = Russia. There is push from the king of the south against the king of the north.

BIBLEQUOTE

Marine General Joseph Dunford is a key figure in US military circles. He has been nominated to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has stated publicly that America should provide lethal weapons to Ukraine soldiers to help the fight off Russian backed (and armed) rebels. "From a military perspective it's reasonable that we provide that support to the Ukrainians," Dunford said. Obama has stopped short so far of doing this. But there are increasingly powerful voices in the military who are saying he should.The Bible says we should be looking for a military provocation against Russia by America. Daniel 11:40 says the king of the south (US/UK) “push” against the king of the north (Russia). We haven't seen this yet. We know it happens at the time of the end. This cannot refer to any other time other than now. We await the push and watch for Russia to descend into the Middle East – into Israel and on into Egypt.

(Daniel 11:40)

Pope Francis to be tried by Sanhedrin

A re-established and self declared Israeli Sanhedrin, the religious High Court composed of 71 sages, has declared that it is putting Pope Francis on trial unless he retracts his statement that the Jews have no right to the land of Israel or to Jerusalem. In February 2013, the Vatican officially recognized the “State of Palestine” but more significantly, the Vatican signed a treaty in June with “Palestine” in which the Holy See switched its diplomatic relations from the Palestinian Liberation Organization to the “State of Palestine”. This treaty is the first legal document negotiated between the Holy See and the Palestinian state and as such, constitutes an official recognition. The trial and judgment will be on September 20th, 2015. If Pope Francis chooses to ignore the summons, he will be judged in absentia. The Sanhedrin sent a letter to Pope Francis in reaction to the Vatican’s recent support of the Palestinian Authority’s unilateral moves to declare themselves a nation,

Breaking Israel News, July 7, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.BIBLE

QUOTE(Deuteronomy 26:15)

The word Sanhedrin is not found it the Authorised version of the Bible – but it is there. It is translated as “council”. Modern version use the word Sanhedrin. It was an assembly of twenty-three to seventy-one men appointed in every city in the Land of Israel and they acted as the Supreme Court. This new Sanhedrin has decided to put Pope Francis on trial for his recent signing of a covenant with the Palestinians which recognises their right to half the land of Israel. In their letter to the Pope they say “We require from you an apology for your recognizing as a nation those who stole the land, those who are known as the Palestinian Authority, and we are informing the Vatican that the God given right to the land of Israel is to the nation of Israel.” They are right.

Iran's nuclear deal: The toughest of all challenges

We're fast approaching the 70th anniversary next month of the dropping of the first nuclear bomb, on Hiroshima. The world changed on 6 August 1945. Arguably, the appalling effects of that first atomic strike - and the subsequent attack on Nagasaki - have played a large part in the determination to prevent the use of far more devastating weapons developed since. Back then, the US was the only nation with "the bomb".The story since has been of the steady spread, the proliferation, of nuclear weapons: first to Russia, Britain, France and China - then to Israel (although never officially acknowledged), India, Pakistan, North Korea. The big powers seemed either unable or unwilling to prevent that spread except perhaps now - in the case of Iran.All sorts of conflicting signals are coming out of the international talks in Vienna. There's talk of both breakdown and possible breakthrough.

BBC, July 4, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

BIBLEQUOTE

(Jeremiah 51:11)

World powers struggled Saturday to break a deadlock in marathon negotiations with Iran. They are seeking a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions in return for sanctions relief. For 15 consecutive days these tortuous talks have dragged on. A new deadline for a deal is looming on Monday, and all are asking how much longer busy ministers can clear their schedules to hunker down in Vienna amid a myriad of pressing global issues. As one commentator said – there could be serious repercussions if negotiators fail to get a deal. The Bible says that Iran is stirred up and actually ends up firing missiles in anger. It also says that Iran joins Russia in attacking Israel. Which means that even if agreement is reached it will mean nothing – Iran will not have changed and remains a fearsome foe.

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and also misinterpret them as well. However I will endeavour to be faithful to the scriptures and hope that it will be of benefit to both of us.

Weekly World Watch

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