September 2 - 8, 2018

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s September 2 - 8, 2018 “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) PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE To skip the introductory slides and go straight to this weeks developments click here.

2. 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.

3. BIBLE QUOTE 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. News Photo This is straight from a news report that caught my eye because it looked significant from a Biblical perspective, usually that of prophecy. HEADLINE The source of the headline and the date are included. 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. EVENT 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. COMMENT 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)

4. This Week’s Developments September 2 - 8, 2018 • Putin bombs Syria rebels to set up final assault on Idlib • Turkey’s call for Syria ceasefire rebuffed by Putin • Israel boasts of pounding Iran in Syria • Israeli wall near border with Lebanon stokes tensions • UK vows revenge on Russia over Salisbury poisonings • Egypt, US forces hold drills on combating terrorism To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. And in the latter time of their kingdom [the kingdom of the Selucids based in Syria!), When the transgressors [rebels] have reached their fullness [completely consumed], A king [new king of the north – Putin] shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. …He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; Putin arises when rebels come to an end! Putin bombs Syria rebels to set up final assault on Idlib The Times, September 5, 2018 Russia bombed a town in Syria’s last rebel stronghold yesterday after angrily rejecting a demand by President Trump that it hold off on any offensive, justifying the attack on an area it described as “a hornets’ nest of terrorists”. Mr Trump tweeted on Monday that an attack on Idlib, in northwest Syria, would be reckless and added: “Hundreds of thousands of people could be killed. Don’t let that happen! "The UN estimates that three million civilians are living under the control of various moderate, hardline and jihadist rebel groups in the area. The Assad regime, backed by Russia and Iran, has delayed a full-scale attack, at least until after a meeting on Friday between President Putin, President Rouhani of Iran and President Erdogan of Turkey, who has supported the rebels. However, both President Assad and the Kremlin have made clear that an attack is inevitable unless the rebels surrender. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said that “a fairly large group of terrorists” had settled in Idlib. He dismissed Mr Trump’s remarks as “not a full, comprehensive approach”. EVENT Idlib is the last major rebel stronghold in Syria. We have heard a lot about “rebels” in the last few years. Rebels in Ukraine, rebels in Syria. We are now on the threshold of the last enclave of rebels being destroyed. This might be a poignant moment because the Bible talks about “rebels”! Daniel 8:23 speaks of a ”latter time” i.e. the “last days” when “transgressors have reached their fullness”. The word transgressor is often translated as rebel or revolt. The word “fullness” is almost always translated “consumed”. So we read “in the last days when rebels are totally consumed” THEN a king of fierce countenance stands up. That king is none other than PUTIN!! COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 8:23-24 NKJV)

6. At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. The NIV says “engage in battle” the AV says “push”. It is a military provocation and it is fast approaching. Turkey’s call for Syria ceasefire rebuffed by Putin Financial TImes, September 7, 2018 Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan was publicly rebuffed by Russia on Friday in his efforts to avert a Syrian offensive against the rebel-controlled city and province of Idlib as Vladimir Putin rejected his call for a ceasefire. In dramatic exchanges broadcast live from a summit in Tehran, Mr Erdogan pressed the presidents of Iran and Russia to agree to a ceasefire, but Mr Putin demurred, saying hardline militants in the city were a threat that could not be ignored. Syria and its allies are already striking targets and amassing weaponry near Idlib, the rebels’ final stronghold, in what is set to become the last major battle in Syria’s seven-year war. Mr Putin branded rebels in Idlib as “terrorists” who could not be left untamed. “We proceed from the premise that our call for reconciliation in Idlib will be heard,” he said. “Let us hope that the representatives of terrorist organisations have the sense to stop their resistance and lay down their arms.” EVENT COMMENT The leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran met in Tehran on Friday. These were high-stakes talks over Syria and the looming last major battle of that war in Idlib. Turkey tried to persuade Russia and Iran to reach a ceasefire agreement. Putin though rejected this. Iran’s view was the power the 3 nations have is enough to counteract that of the US. So now Russia, Iran and the Syrian regime are on the verge of launching a last major assault which could see many deaths and hundreds of thousands of people displaced. However Trump has threatened to intervene if any chemical weapons are used. It is highly likely they will be used. This battle could lead to the military push that Daniel 11:40 talks about – which in turn sees Russia descend… BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40 NIV)

7. Israel boasts of pounding Iran in Syria The Times, September 5, 2018 Israeli airstrikes have hit more than 200 Iranian targets in Syria in the past 18 months and may have deterred Iran from some of its plans there, according to a senior officer. The unnamed officer issued a rare and full briefing to Israeli media on actions in Syria, giving an unusually upbeat account of its results. Tehran had spent more than $17 billion on its goals in Syria, including setting up bases for Hezbollah and other militias to target Israel but had not achieved “commensurate” results, the officer said. Since May the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had noticed a change in Iran’s level of activity — while it had not given up, it had left some positions and “slowed the process”. They also believed Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia militia backed by Iran and Israel’s most implacable foe, was in “bad shape” having lost 2,000 men, with 10,000 more injured fighting for the Assad regime. May was also when President Trump announced that he was withdrawing the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposing sanctions on Iran. EVENT The military briefing said that Israel had fired 800 missiles and mortar shells during the last 18 months, including at arms convoys. It said that the military knew Iran was transferring missiles along its new “land route to the sea” — from Iran across Iraq into Syria. The briefing also touched on other matters, such as the conflict with the Palestinians. The officer downplayed reports of an imminent ceasefire agreement with Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group which runs Gaza, saying an upsurge in fighting was more likely. We know that there is an initial inner ring war coming between Israel and Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria. Israel feels confident at the moment – but their victory over these peoples (which they will achieve) won’t be easy. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place. (Zechariah 12:6 NIV)

8. Israeli wall near border with Lebanon stokes tensions ABC, September 6, 2018 EVENT Israel is building a massive wall along its northern border, saying the barrier is needed to protect civilians from Hezbollah attacks, but the project has raised tensions with Lebanon, which fears the fence will encroach on its territory. The Israeli military insists the entire barrier is being constructed in Israeli territory, and the U.N. peacekeeping force in the area agrees. But Hezbollah has never fully accepted the border, and a senior Israeli military official stressed the need for the wall, saying that while Israeli intelligence closely monitors the militant group, "we are prepared for the possibility that they will surprise us. "The official spoke on condition of anonymity under military guidelines during a military-led tour of the border region provided for reporters. Israel's military conducted a large-scale combined arms drill in northern Israel this week simulating a future conflict with Hezbollah, with which it fought a month-long war in 2006. Israelis fear there could be a renewal of hostilities as the civil war winds down in neighboring Syria, where the Iran-backed militant group has been fighting alongside President Bashar Assad's forces for the last seven years. Brig. Gen. Eran Ofir, the commander in charge of Israel's border wall projects, said around seven miles of the 80-mile (130-kilometer) barrier has been built. The $450 million project is slated for completion in two years. Most of the barrier is a concrete wall topped by steel mesh, sensors and surveillance cameras. Steel fencing replaces the concrete wall in especially rugged areas. In Ezekiel 13 we read of Israel’s leaders promising peace by building up a wall. However God says it will not bring peace and great hailstones will destroy it. Hailstones are mentioned in Ezekiel 38:22! COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:  Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones [only other time this word is used is Eze 38:22] , shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. (Ezekiel 13:10-11)

9. UK vows revenge on Russia over Salisbury poisonings The Times, September 6, 2018 EVENT Theresa May is preparing a cyberwar against Russia’s spy network after accusing two of its agents of carrying out the Salisbury nerve agent attack. Serving notice of new covert operations against the Russian military intelligence service, the prime minister said that it was a threat to “all our allies and to all our citizens” and she promised to do “whatever is necessary to keep our people safe". In a Commons statement yesterday Mrs May named two members of Kremlin military intelligence as key suspects in the poisoning of the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, 67, and his daughter, Yulia, 34, with a nerve agent on March 4. The prime minister drew gasps from MPs when she revealed that Britain’s security and intelligence services had established. COMMENT The head of the UK’s intelligence agency has warned that Britain and its allies will take revenge on Vladimir Putin’s regime for the Novichok attack in Salisbury in May, after Theresa May announced on Wednesday that Russian spies were believed to be behind the attack. Mrs May received the backing of US president Donald Trump, German chancellor Angela Merkel, French president Emmanuel Macron and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. And so Britain wants revenge and will target Putin personally and the Russian spy network. Britain is part of the king of the south alliance i.e Tarshish. Russia is head of the king of the north alliance. We have long looked for extreme antagonism between these two parties at the time of the end. The second slide on the WWW (written in 2003) says we should be looking for Russia to return to anti-Western ways. It has. BIBLE QUOTE Through his [latter day Antiochus Epiphanes – king of the north – Gog – Putin] cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means. (Psalm 83:3-6 NIV)

10. Egypt, US forces hold drills on combating terrorism ABC, September 6, 2018 EVENT The Pentagon kicks off war games in Egypt on Saturday for the second year in a row, an unusual step signaling the Donald Trump administration’s support for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi despite lingering human rights concerns. US-led Operation Bright Star, meant to hone Cairo’s ability to fend off militant groups such as the Islamic State in the Sinai Desert, had been held on a year-on, year-off basis for more than 30 years, from 1980 until the 2011 Arab Spring. Holding the exercises with 200 American troops for a second straight year — just weeks after the State Department released $195 million in military aid frozen under former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson — is widely seen as a strong signal that the US administration will continue the $1.3 billion military relationship. The Egyptians, a former US official told Al-Monitor, “are now free to act as they wanted to all along. "Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has been leading the push for normalization, the former official said, in spite of the State Department’s concerns over the detention of two Americans, Egypt's close ties with North Korea, and the Sisi government’s crackdown on nongovernmental organizations. COMMENT Egypt is interesting. Egypt was once home of the ancient king of the south (the Ptolomies). But Egypt is no longer a power as it once was. Syria was once home of the king of the north (Seleucids). But Syria is about to lose its power as well. The new king of the south is US/UK/Saudi Arabia. Interesting then that the new king of the south (US/UK) is supporting the ancient king of the south (Egypt). Interesting that new king of the north (Russia) is supporting the ancient king of the north (Syria). Daniel 11 also tells us that Russia will swoop down into Egypt and take over the country! He [king of the north] shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.  BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:42-43)

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12. Weekly World Watch The end of this week’s WWW will be e-mailed to you each week. If you think others may find the WWW helpful please direct them to the website www.weeklyworldwatch.co.uk They can register on the site PLEASE NOTE: The Weekly World Watch is written and sent by myself – it is my take on events and I accept that on occasions I will miss significant events 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. To watch again please click the green arrow To watch again, click here.