June 28 – July 4, 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

• Islamic State claims it fired rockets at Israel

• ISIS extends reach to Russia

• Britain could launch Isil air strikes in Syria

• ISIS threat 'nothing' compared to nuclear Iran

• Europe’s future in Greece’s hands

June 28 – July 4, 2015

• World Jewish population nears pre-Holocaust level

Two rockets fired from Egypt's violence-plagued Sinai Peninsula exploded inside Israeli territory on Friday without causing casualties."Two rockets fired from Sinai struck southern Israel, but without causing casualties or material damage," the spokesman said, without elaborating. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant jihadist group's affiliate in Egypt, "Sinai Province", said it had fired three Grad rockets at Israel. It said this was in retaliation for alleged Israeli support for Egypt's armed forces on Wednesday when the jihadists attacked army checkpoints in northern Sinai. Egypt is reeling from a string of deadly attacks by Isil on its security forces in the Sinai. Jihadists led by Isil have killed scores of troops, challenging President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's efforts to restore security and economic stability.

Daily Telegraph, July 3, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: …; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot

BIBLEQUOTE

This week ISIS launched a full-scale military offensive, starting with mortar fire and suicide bombings against five Egyptian military checkpoints in the Sinai Peninsula.In a fierce 10-hour battle for the town of Ramadi, at least 200 Egyptian soldiers, terrorists and civilians were killed. Egypt responded by deploying F-16 warplanes to bombard ISIS fighters. And so ISIS has moved ominously close to Israel’s borders.Then two days later rockets were fired at Israel by ISIS. Though no one was hurt and there was no material damage how long will it be before Israel is itself at war with this group? ISIS is unmerciful to fellow Muslims – what would they be like to Jews…ISIS was spawned out of the ruins of Iraq. Their main territory covers the same territory as the ancient Assyrians. And they behave in the same way as well. In Psalm 83 we read of Assur helping Israel’s surrounding neighbours who want to destroy Israel. Assur is actually Assyria. ISIS may be the fulfilment of Assur in this context.

Islamic State claims it fired rockets at Israel

(Psalm 83:4-8)

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ISIS extends reach to Russia

The Islamic State has expanded its reach to Russia after it declared a governorate in the country's North Caucasus region last week, opening a new front in the competition between ISIS and al-Qaeda for the top post in the world's jihadist movement. According to the Institute for the Study of War, ISIS has declared a governorate called Wilayat Qawqaz (Caucasus) on June 23 following a pledge of allegiance to ISIS by some senior militants in the Muslim-dominated area. "ISIS has been setting conditions to establish this governorate in support of its regional expansion campaign since at least January 2015. ISIS's statements and actions over the next few weeks will indicate whether the organisation intends to launch operations through its new Caucasus affiliate, or whether it simply intends to use the pledge as an opportunity to assert its global vitality and reach," said the Institute.

Institute for the study of war, July 1, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey,

BIBLEQUOTE

(Isaiah 10:5-6)

Not only is ISIS pushing south into Northern Africa and Egypt but it is also pushing north. The Islamic State group announced the creation of its northernmost province this week, after accepting a formal pledge of allegiance from former al Qaeda militants in the North Caucasus region of Russia. ISIS has now declared it has provinces in nine countries outside Iraq and Syria.

The Caucasus region is interesting because it is a land bridge from southern Russia through to Israel. Russia does not like having threats on its southern border. It has launched wars with Chechnya and Georgia in recent years. Last year ISIS threatened that it would come to Russia to free Chechnya. If ISIS do stir up trouble in this area Putin will not stand by. We see therefore ISIS pushing towards Russia and Israel.

These latter day Assyrians have surely been raised up to bring about Armageddon …

Britain could launch Isil air strikes in Syria

Britain could launch air strikes against Isil in Syria within months after Labour signalled that it is prepared to back the Conservatives in the wake of the Tunisia terrorist attack.The Conservatives are preparing to put the issue to a vote despite a backlash from some Tory back-benchers, who have warned that military action could bolster the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Syria dictator. David Cameron has said that Isil must be "crushed" in its Syrian heartland, adding that a "full spectrum" response is needed.Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, said that the government will only put air strikes in Syria to to a vote in Parliament if it can secure "sufficient consensus".Vernon Coaker, the shadow defence secretary, said that Labour "stands ready to work with the government" to defeat Isil and will carefully assess any proposals.Mr Cameron is likely to wait until after Labour appoints a new leader in September, however, to ensure he can rely on the support of its MPs.

Daily Telegraph, July 2, 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.

Last week saw a terrible attack on a beach in Tunisia. 30 British tourists were massacred by a gunman inspired by ISIS. Isis claimed responsibility for the attack aimed at Western tourists and claimed it was only the “first drop of the rain”.This has in turn spurred the UK government to reconsider launching airstrikes on Syria to attack ISIS bases there. The UK came very close before to attacking the Assad regime but the government lost a vote to do so. However it looks like the UK’s involvement in attacking parts of Syria is back on the agenda. This will be highly sensitive for Russia who previously blocked any attack on Syria. What is certain is that events are moving quickly now with ISIS pushing in so many directions…

BIBLEQUOTE

(Daniel 11:40)

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ISIS threat 'nothing' compared to nuclear Iran

As the Iranian nuclear negotiations teeter on the brink, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is saying the world has more to fear from a nuclear-capable Iran than ISIS terrorists. The statement comes after the jihadists threatened to “uproot” the Jewish state. Netanyahu’s statement was made on Thursday, as the talks over Iran’s nuclear program held in Vienna showed no clear sign of progressing to a solution acceptable to all sides. The Israeli PM, famous for showing a cartoon with a bomb at the UN to illustrate his fears, made the warning during a visit to Israel’s cyber park in Beersheba.He sent his condolences to Egypt for the recent terrorist attacks in Sinai that killed dozens of troops, along with nearly 100 attackers, and that the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) claimed responsibility for. Having declared that the two countries are partners in the fight against the terrorist group, Netanyahu went on to claim that its actions are “nothing” compared to the prospect of a nuclear Iran.

RT, July 3, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth:

BIBLEQUOTE

July 7th is now the new deadline to reach agreement with Iran. It’s not just Israel that is deeply concerned about a possible deal. Many in America are also alarmed at Obama’s appeasement of this state that backs terrorism and seeks Israel’s destruction.As one writer put it – this deal would be the worst agreement in US diplomatic history. If the deal proceeds Iran would get an upfront signing bonus of $150bn! That’s 25 times the annual budget of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The Bible says that there will be a treacherous dealer in Iran at the time of the end. It also says Iran will create great destruction and destroy many. Obama does not realise the role Iran will play in the future – but God does. God foretold in his Word that Iran would be stirred up and come against Israel with Russia at the time of the end.

(Isaiah 21:2-3)

Europe’s future in Greece’s hands

THE European Union has never seen the like of the past eight days in Greece: barred banks, capital controls, the first IMF default by a developed country, the collapse of a multi-billion-euro bail-out, plans for a referendum that may hasten Greece’s ejection from the single currency, and the beggary of the people. Were the stakes not so high, all those emergency summits and last-minute demands would count as farce.Instead it is a tragedy, where an outcome that all sides say they do not want—Greece’s exit from the euro—seems increasingly likely. The chaos is evidence that leaving the euro would be disastrous for Greece, not least because modest gains from default and devaluation would be overwhelmed by political and economic instability. For the rest of Europe, too, “Grexit” has well-rehearsed risks, notably that of a failing state on the continent’s south-eastern flank.

The Economist, July 4, 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

(Revelation 17:8)

Tomorrow (Sunday) Greece has a referendum. Vote yes to accept the creditors terms or vote no to not accept them. If the people vote no then Greece will almost certainly be forced out of the Euro because they will have to start printing their own currency. If they vote yes the trouble is not over. The negotiations will just rumble on. The bottom line is that Greece is bankrupt many times over. It is a failed state economically. It is interesting that Greece is the home of democracy. It is where it began. But it is where it might end. The vote tomorrow could well bring about a new Europe. One where the stronger nations forge ahead in a united political union. The weaker ones are left behind. It would be a resurrected Holy Roman Empire. The 4 th Reich. The beast out of the bottomless pit has not emerged yet but these events could lead to it…

World Jewish population nears pre-Holocaust level

The world's Jewish population has grown to be nearly as large as it was before the Holocaust, according to an Israeli think tank.The Jewish People Policy Institute said there were currently 14.2 million Jews in the world. When factoring in individuals with one Jewish parent and others who identify as part Jewish, the figure approaches 16.5 million - the Jewish population on the eve of the Second World War. The Nazis and their collaborators killed about 6 million Jews in the Holocaust. The report said the rise has been due in part to natural growth, mainly in Israel, which has about 6.1 million Jews and one of the Western world's highest fertility rates. The United States has the world's second largest Jewish population, at 5.7 million. France is a distant third with about 475,000 Jews, followed by Canada.

Daily Telegraph, July 2, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.BIBLE

QUOTE

(Psalm 122:6-7)

It amazing to think that it has taken 70 years for the population of the Jews in the world to get back to where they were before the Second World War. Over 6 million were killed. It is difficult to comprehend the number and the atrocity. But here we are with numbers almost the same again but we stand again with a new holocaust on the horizon. We know with Bible in hand that there is another great time of trouble coming on Israel. Initially with the neighbours of Israel who attack to destroy them. Israel wins but is left weakened. Russia and Iran then sweep into the void and this time Israel is overpowered and Jerusalem is lost. Two thirds living in Israel are killed. It’s another holocaust. But when all seems lost Christ returns with the saints who have been judged by this point to save the remnant and establish the kingdom centred in Israel with its capital as Jerusalem. Let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

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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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