January 22 - 28, 2017

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s January 22 - 28, 2017 “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 January 22 - 28, 2017 • Syria conflict: Iran, Russia and Turkey to enforce truce • Kremlin rebukes US plan for Syrian safe zones • Theresa May: Britain and US can lead the world again • Russia's 'ship of shame' passes white cliffs of Dover • Israel announces hundreds of new settlement homes • Doomsday Clock: Apocalypse is 30 seconds closer To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army,… Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, • Syria conflict: Iran, Russia and Turkey to enforce truce BBC, January 24, 2017 Iran, Russia and Turkey say they will jointly enforce a fragile three-week cessation of hostilities in Syria. The announcement came after two days of peace talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana. In a joint statement, the three countries said there was no military solution to the Syrian conflict. It was not clear whether the Syrian government or the opposition backed the communique. Earlier, a rebel spokesman said "no agreements" would be signed. More than 300,000 people have been killed and 11 million others displaced since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011. The "trilateral mechanism" was agreed between Russia and Iran, which back Mr Assad's government, and Turkey, which supports the opposition. It would "observe and ensure full compliance with the ceasefire, prevent any provocation and determine all modalities", the statement said. EVENT Russia invited America to these Syria peace talks – the US declined to go. This left Russia, Iran and Turkey as the main block of nations that agreed to enforce the truce in Syria. Some rebels groups did not attend though and of course ISIS (who controls large swathe of Syria) was not invited. There remains therefore a divided and war torn country still looking desperately for a solution. With Bible in hand we can see how significant it is for Russia, Iran and Turkey to be allied together over Syria. This is part of the coalition of nations that will one day enter the vacuum created when Syria finally collapses entirely and invade Israel. Ezekiel 38 speaks of Russia (Magog, Meshech, Tubal) and Iran (Persia) and Turkey (Gomer and Togarmah) joining together and preparing for war. This is part of that preparation. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:3-6)

6. Damascus has become feeble, and all her people turn to flee. Fear, anguish, and pain have gripped her as they grip a woman in labour. That famous city, a city of joy, will be forsaken! Her young men will fall in the streets and die. Her soldiers will all be killed,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. • Kremlin rebukes US plan for Syrian safe zones The Times, January 27, 2017 Russia rebuked President Trump yesterday over his plans for safe zones for refugees in Syria, in the first sign that the new “special relationship” over Middle East policy might be breaking down already. President Putin’s spokesman said that Moscow had not been consulted on the proposal, which would mark a dramatic re-entry into the conflict by the US. He also implied that the proposal had not been properly thought through. “Perhaps all possible consequences should have been calculated,” Dmitry Peskov said. The Russians appeared annoyed that the plan for a safe zone, outlined in a draft executive order leaked to the press in Washington, overshadowed their own attempts to capitalise on the Syrian peace talks in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. They ended on Tuesday with what Moscow said was an enhanced ceasefire agreement. EVENT US President Trump said during his campaign that he would establish ‘safe zones’ in Syria for people fleeing terrorism. He repeated this on Wednesday, “I’ll absolutely do safe zones in Syria for the people,” he said in a lengthy interview with ABC news. According to a document reportedly seen by Reuters, Trump is expected to instruct the Pentagon and State Department to compile a plan for setting up the ‘safe zones’ within 90 days of the presidential order being signed. But safe zones require no fly zones. They require troops. This is why Russia has rebuked President Trump over this idea. Russia will not tolerate areas that it does not control and influence in Syria. We can see here the potential for the king of the north (Russia) and the king of the south (US/UK) to come into conflict. Syria is still the fault line between these two superpowers. There is more to come in Syria… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Jeremiah 49:24 – 26 NLT)

7. 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? Instead of intervening it appears all the UK / US can do is ask questions! • Theresa May: Britain and US can lead the world again Financial Times, January 25, 2017 Britain and the United States have rediscovered their confidence and now have the opportunity to lead the world again, Theresa May told Republican congressmen in Philadelphia on Thursday in the most important international intervention of her premiership to date. The U.K. prime minister became the first serving leader to address the Republican party’s annual congressional retreat when she spoke to representatives and senators ahead of her first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday. “We — our two countries together — have a joint responsibility to lead,” she said. “Because when others step up as we step back, it is bad for America, for Britain and the world.” May is expected to use the two-day trip to the United States — the first from a world leader since President Trump took office — to begin work on a U.K.-U.S. trade deal ready to be signed as soon as Britain leaves the EU in 2019. EVENT COMMENT Britain’s prime minister became the first leader to meet Donald Trump following his inauguration. Trump sees a direct link between the unexpected Brexit win in Britain and his own unexpected win in America. He sees people voting against the establishment giving an opportunity for the two nations to forge a new path together. Theresa May gives him the credibility he so desires and Donald Trump can give Britain trade deals it so badly needs when it leaves the EU. However Theresa May was clear – this wont be like the old days when Britain and America intervened in other countries to “make the world in our image”. Those days are gone. The Bible says this as well. Tarshish (Britain) and the young lions (US / Canada etc) will be working together but scared to militarily intervene. Ezekiel 38 makes that very clear. And Theresa May has said so this week. BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:13)

8. 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. Russia's 'ship of shame' passes white cliffs of Dover Daily Telegraph, January 25, 2017 Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and a fleet of ships is being escorted past the white cliffs of Dover as they sail home after a bombing campaign in Syria. A squadron of Royal Navy and RAF Typhoon warplanes were deployed to monitor the ageing Soviet-era vessel accompanied by the nuclear-powered cruiser Pyotr Veliky and support ships from the air. The flagship – branded the "ship of shame" - entered the UK area of interest last night and is due to pass the white cliffs of Dover at around lunchtime today. Equipped with missiles, anti-aircraft guns and torpedoes, the 55,000-ton carrier will be continuously escorted as it skirts around the UK and into the North Sea before heading back to Russia. The vast warship last came close to Britain in October on its way to its deadly mission. It crew was accused of an 'indiscriminate' bombing campaign in support of Syrian Bashar Assad. EVENT Russia’s ships passed by the UK once again – this time on their way back from Syria. Britain’s Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said it was a 'ship of shame' whose mission had been to 'extend the suffering of the Syrian people’. He said: 'We will keep a close eye on the Admiral Kuznetsov as it skulks back to Russia; a ship of shame whose mission has only extended the suffering of the Syrian people. 'We are man-marking these vessels every step of the way around the UK as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe.’ But Russia’s ships will be back one day. Daniel 11 tells us the king of the north will come with “many ships”. Britain will not be able to stop it happening. In fact a report this week said that due to huge defence cuts, Russia could now completely destroy the British Army’s only fighting unit in one afternoon! COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40 NLT)

9. Israel announces hundreds of new settlement homes Daily Telegraph, January 23, 2017 EVENT Israeli authorities have approved permits for 566 new settler homes in East Jerusalem that had been postponed until the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. The announcement came as the White House said it was "in the beginning stages" of discussions to fulfill Mr Trump's pledge to relocate the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a move that Palestinian leaders have said will mean the end of the two-state solution. Mr Trump invited Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, to visit Washington in early February during a phone call in which they discussed the importance of strengthening the US-Israeli relationship, the White House said last night. In his first call with Mr Netanyahu since taking office on Friday, Mr Trump stressed his "unprecedented commitment to Israel's security." Since Donald Trump has become president Israel has announced major building projects in east Jerusalem and the West Bank. The announcement of 2,500 new housing units in the West Bank is one of the largest in years. This is Israel’s way of totally rejecting December’s UN security council resolution, which described settlement building as a “flagrant violation” of international law and an obstacle to peace. This new confidence comes from President Trump’s public backing of Israel. Trump is also talking about moving the US embassy to Jerusalem. These events could well lead to Zechariah 12 being fulfilled. A time when there is conflict over Jerusalem. This is the first initial war. A war between Israel and her surrounding neighbours. A war Israel wins. HOWEVER Israel is left weakened. Syria comes to a total end. Israel’s pricking briers are removed. Possibly a peace agreement is made. But into this vacuum comes Russia COMMENT 1. And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD 2. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. Round about = close by BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 28:24 + Zechariah 12:2)

10. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. This is the point Jesus returns. The world will NOT end. He will intervene to save those who have oil [faith] in their lamps and restore the world. • Apocalypse is 30 seconds closer, say Doomsday Clock scientists BBC, January 26, 2017 EVENT Scientists say the world has edged closer to apocalypse in the past year amid a darkening security landscape and comments by Donald Trump. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BPA) moved the minute hand of the symbolic Doomsday Clock from three minutes to two-and-a-half minutes to midnight. It is the second closest it has been. BPA chief Rachel Bronson urged world leaders to "calm rather than stoke tensions that could lead to war”. In a report, the BPA said President Trump's statements on climate change, expanding the US nuclear arsenal and the questioning of intelligence agencies had contributed to the heightened global risk. It is the closest the clock has come to midnight since 1953, when the minute hand was moved to two minutes away following hydrogen bomb tests by the US and Russia. The election to Donald Trump as president of America has in itself moved the world closer to “apocalypse” according to a group of scientists. The doomsday clock began in 1947. It was created to convey the dangers nuclear war to the public. Midnight symbolises (on this clock) the moment that mankind annihilates himself. It is interesting to see how the hand of the clock has moved over the last 70 years. 1991 was the furthest away from midnight. It stood at 17 minutes to midnight. This was when Russia and America signed nuclear arms reductions. But ever since then it has moved ever closer to midnight. “Never before has the Bulletin decided to advance the clock largely because of the statements of a single person,” the scientists wrote. “But Mr. Trump’s statements and actions have been unsettling.” The Bible says judgement is coming. It also talks of midnight as being the symbolic moment when Jesus physically returns. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Matthew 25:5-7)

11. Weekly World Watch YouTube Videos

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.