June 26 – July 2, 2016

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s June 26 – July 2, 2016 “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 June 26 – July 2, 2016 • Britain dodges European Union ‘superstate’ bullet • European SUPERSTATE to be unveiled • Pope: Brexit leaves Europe with a ‘great responsibility’ • Russia brings Turkey in from the cold • 41 dead in 'hideous' suicide bombings in Turkey • Pope Francis says Church should apologise to gays To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. “These” refers to the woman and the beast. The beast is symbolic of the revived Holy Roman Empire. We are moving ever closer to this with recent events… • Britain dodges European Union ‘superstate’ bullet Newscom, June 30, 2016 THE EU has unveiled plans to morph the continent’s countries into one giant superstate just days after Britain voted to leave the EU, it is claimed. Foreign ministers from France and Germany presented the radical proposals to do away with individual member states’ armies, criminal law systems and central banks. The blueprint suggests the 27 states in the bloc would also lose what is left of their powers to control their own borders, including the procedure for admitting and relocating refugees, according to reports by Polish media. Instead all powers would be transferred to Brussels under the controversial plans. In a foreword to the nine-page report, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault said: “Our countries share a common destiny and a common set of values … that give rise to an even closer union between our citizens. “We will therefore strive for a political union in Europe and invite the next Europeans to participate in this venture.” EVENT Britain always held Europe back. Britain was the brakes on Europe’s dream to fully integrate into one superstate. Now Britain has left (or is leaving) Europe can press ahead. The story of Europe is detailed in the book of Revelation. In fact the whole book of Revelation is actually about how the pagan Roman Empire morphed into a Christian Roman Empire. It then explains how that empire came to an end but a Holy Roman Empire emerged. That empire also came to an end with the French Revolution. All fully detailed in Revelation. Finally there is a last empire that emerges. It is this final empire that we are waiting to appear. So why is Christ’s final message all about Europe?? It is because this final empire of man makes war against Christ and the judged saints…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:17)

6. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. • European SUPERSTATE to be unveiled: EU nations 'to be morphed into one' post-Brexit Express, June 28, 2016 The foreign ministers of France and Germany are due to reveal a blueprint to effectively do away with individual member states in what is being described as an “ultimatum”. Under the radical proposals EU countries will lose the right to have their own army, criminal law, taxation system or central bank, with all those powers being transferred to Brussels. Controversially member states would also lose what few controls they have left over their own borders, including the procedure for admitting and relocating refugees. The plot has sparked fury and panic in Poland - a traditional ally of Britain in the fight against federalism - after being leaked to Polish news channel TVP Info. The revelations come just days after Britain shook the Brussels establishment by voting to leave the European Union in a move some have predicted could leave to the break-up of the EU. EVENT Revelation 17 speaks of the final empire that emerges. It says that TEN kings give their power and strength (sovereignty) to Europe (the beast). Europe is currently 27 nations. It is highly likely therefore that Europe as we know will break apart. Out of the break up will come forth 10 nations that become one empire. Brexit appears to be a trigger for these events to happen. All this explains why in Daniel 2 we read of an empire divided and that does not mix but then in Revelation 17 we read of 10 nations coming together as one. Europe’s project is godless. It is the same project started in Babel. Genesis 11. The kingdom of Babel was godless. Babel put mankind before God and His ways. Europe in fact even has Babel pictures on its posters! Their Parliament building is based on the famous Babel picture. As Babel came to an end so will this project… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Revelation 19:20)

7. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builder. Notice the Babel was a city AND a tower. Political AND religious. Pope: Brexit leaves Europe with a ‘great responsibility’ Catholic Herald, June 27, 2016 Pope Francis is calling for the European Union to come up with new creative ways to stay together following Britain’s planned exit, saying it’s clear “something isn’t working in this unwieldy union.” Speaking to reporters as he flew home from Armenia on Sunday, Francis said Europe must reflect on the “air of division” being sowed in Europe and beyond. “I have not studied the reasons why the United Kingdom wanted to make this decision, but there are divisions,” he said. “The European Union must rediscover the strength at its roots, a creativity and a healthy disunity, of giving more independence and more freedom to the countries of the union.” Speaking of high unemployment and economic stagnation, Francis added: “Something isn’t working in this unwieldy union. But let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater. We look to redeem the things and recreate, because recreation of human things, also our personality, is a journey, which one must always take.” EVENT There is one other element to Europe – and that is religion. It is perhaps hard to see this element at the moment. But it is there and it will become a major story when the new Holy Roman Empire emerges. The religion is that of Rome – headed up by the Pope. In Revelation 17 we read that the beast (Europe) is ridden by a harlot. This is a false religion. And we are told this false religion based on 7 hills. Rome is situated on 7 hills. Following Brexit the Pope is calling the current European bloc “unwieldy”. In other words too big. He is calling on Europe to “recreate” itself. The woman is directing the beast! Ancient Babel was two things. A city AND a tower. The city represents the political side. The tower (reaching to heaven) was false religion. It is still here… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Genesis 11:4-5)

8. Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Gomer is western Turkey and Togarmah is eastern Turkey. See ancient map above. • After Erdogan apology, Russia brings Turkey in from the cold BBC, July 1, 2016 EVENT The breakdown in relations came after Turkish fighter jets shot down a Russian military plane on the border with Syria. The pilot was killed as he attempted to parachute to safety. Vladimir Putin lashed out, calling it a stab in the back and state media here echoed his furious tone. The airwaves filled with talk of treachery. Then came the sanctions: a ban on charter flights to hugely popular Turkish resorts, restrictions on Turkish imports and for firms operating here and the introduction of visas. In a matter of months, one opinion poll showed Turkey leaping from nowhere to third place among the countries Russians view as their enemy, behind the US and Ukraine. But that anger is now dissipating as suddenly as it was whipped-up. This week, Erdogan formally apologised for downing the plane - or that is how Russia is reading his carefully chosen words. President Putin, who had insisted on that apology, immediately ordered talks on restoring ties. The political about-turn that followed has been dizzyingly swift. Turkey has a significant role to play in the future conflict with Israel. Turkey will invade Israel with Russia. We say this because when Ezekiel wrote his book about 2600 years ago, Gomer and Togarmah were both areas of Turkey. It is clear in Ezekiel that the nations mentioned are where they were situated when Ezekiel wrote. Not where the people migrated to over time. So we read that Gomer and Togarmah join forces with Gog of the land of Magog chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Which is Russia. Therefore Turkey and Russia will be aligned and allies at the time of the end. So despite Turkey shooting down a Russian plane and some saying this would lead to a Turkey / Russia war- we stood firm and said Turkey would return to the Russian fold. And this week that journey began in earnest. We can trust in God’s Word. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:6)

9. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. • 41 dead in 'hideous' suicide bombings in Turkey Daily Telegraph, June 29, 2016 EVENT The death toll from a triple suicide bombing at Istanbul's Ataturk airport rose to 41 dead and 230 injured on Wednesday, as Turkish investigators pored through video footage to identify the killers. Five Saudis, two Iraqis and citizens from China, Jordan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Iran and Ukraine were among 13 foreigners dead. The attack on Europe's third-busiest airport was the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings this year in Turkey, part of the US-led coalition against Islamic State and struggling to contain spillover from neighbouring Syria's war. On Wednesday, Turkish media released pictures of what they said were two of the three men behind they attack as they walked into the airport earlier on Tuesday night. President Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against terrorism, which he said had "no regard for faith or values". Another week and another terrible terrorist attack. Brussel’s airport was attacked a few months ago and now Istanbul is attacked. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but Turkish officials were quick to lay blame at Islamic State's door. Turkey has suffered a spate of bombings this year, including two suicide attacks in tourist areas of Istanbul blamed on Isil. How will Turkey react to this ongoing mayhem in its capital? Well the President of Turkey said this week that this attack marked a turning point in the fight against global terrorism. We may well see Turkey react and become more involved in the war against ISIS. The earth was filled with violence before the flood came. The flood of course was God’s first worldwide judgement of mankind. There is a second judgement coming. Jesus said the world would also be as it was in the days of Noah when it comes. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Luke 17:26-27)

10. God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. ….He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. • Pope Francis says Church should apologise to gays BBC, June 27, 2016 EVENT Pope Francis has said that the Roman Catholic Church should apologise to gay people for the way it has treated them. He told reporters that the Church had no right to judge the gay community, and should show them respect. The Pope has been hailed by many in the gay community for his positive attitude towards homosexuals. But some conservative Catholics have criticised him for making comments they say are ambiguous about sexual morality. Speaking to reporters on his plane returning from Armenia, the Pope said: "I will repeat what the catechism of the Church says, that they [homosexuals] should not be discriminated against, that they should be respected, accompanied pastorally.” Pope Francis said the Church should seek forgiveness from those whom it had marginalised. COMMENT The Pope is subtly shifting its stance in relation to homosexuality. On the 30th Sept 2013 Pope Francis said that God doesn’t condemn homosexual individuals. He said “when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?”. On 5th March 2014 Pope Francis suggested the church could be open to civil unions. A few weeks later, Brazilian Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, said he “didn’t know” whether Jesus would oppose gay marriage. In October 2014 Pope Francis’s Synod on the Family in October 2014 issued a report suggesting that the church should create a more inclusive space for LGBT Catholics. And now the Pope says the Church should apologise for how it has treated them. The Pope is wrong. God does condemn homosexuality. See verse below… BIBLE QUOTE (2 Peter 2:6-7+10 NLT)

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. Please take a look at this excellent Christadelphian Prophecy website Just click the image To watch again, click here.