1. January 18 - 24, 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 To skip the introductory slides and go straight to this weeks developments click here. PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

2. 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.clicking here 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:

3. 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? BIBLE QUOTE 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.andy@weeklyworldwatch.co.uk

4. This Week’s Developments To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE Iran promises to collapse Israel following airstrike Israel on high alert for possible Hezbollah retaliation Russia and Iran sign military cooperation deal Russia orders snap test of nuclear missiles Ukraine conflict enters 'most deadly period', UN warns January 18 - 24, 2015 King Abdullah dies: What next in Saudi Arabia?

5. The Iranian military continued to threaten Israel on Thursday, following the assassination of at least one of its senior commanders in Syria during an airstrike over the weekend, in multiple statements issued by leaders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Top Iranian military leaders promised to hit Israel with devastating thunderbolts and vowed to effect the collapse of the Zionist regime after Israeli military forces launched a surprise strike on Sunday that killed six Iranian agents, including the top-level commander, and five members of Hezbollah who are believed to have been planning an incursion into the Jewish state. Iran also vowed to increase military support for Palestinian and Lebanese militants in order to enable more attacks on Israel, according to statements published in the Iranian state-controlled media. Free Beacon, January 23, 2015 EVENT COMMENT The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; Elam and Media = South Eastern and Central Iran. Iran is dealing treacherously BIBLE QUOTE Last Sunday Israeli helicopters attacked the Golan area in Syria and caused the deaths of five Hezbollah and six Iranian army officers. Israel has been back peddling following this attack. Under pressure from America, Israel has said it did not realise that an Iranian general was there. The Obama administration fears this could be come a full scale military conflict. This would then scupper their nuclear talks with Iran. But despite Israel’s climbdown Iran has come out with increasing bellicose statements about how it will retaliate. Israel has moved one of its Iron Dome rocket interceptors to the northern border. One Israeli military source said that a response from Iran / Hezbollah is almost certain. So we watch to see how events develop here. With Bible in hand we know for certain that Iran’s ambition is to try to bring Israel to an end. We read in Isaiah 13 how Iran is stirred up and fires its missiles. In Isaiah 21 we read of Iran as the treacherous dealer who rises up. It is possible this event sparks a retaliation that gets out of control. Iran Promises to Collapse the Zionist Regime Following Airstrike (Isaiah 21:1-2)

6. he Israel on high alert for possible Hezbollah retaliation Israel has gone on high alert for possible attacks by Hezbollah, Israeli defense officials said Wednesday, beefing up its air defenses and increasing surveillance along its northern frontier following an airstrike in Syria that killed six members of the Lebanese militant group and an Iranian general. Hezbollah has accused Israel of carrying out Sunday's airstrike, which occurred on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. Israel, which is believed to be behind a number of airstrikes in Syria in recent years, has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. The Israeli officials said that the "Iron Dome" anti-rocket defense system has been deployed near the Syrian and Lebanese borders as a precautionary measure. Israel's Security Cabinet is scheduled to meet to discuss a potential escalation in violence, they said. Associated Press, January 20, 2015 EVENT COMMENT The fortified towns of Israel will also be destroyed, and the royal power of Damascus will end. All that remains of Syria will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,” declares the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “In that day Israel’s glory will grow dim; its robust body will waste away. The whole land will look like a grainfield after the harvesters have gathered the grain. BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 17:3-5 NLT) Northern Israel was on high alert on Wednesday for possible Hezbollah retaliation following Sunday's attack on a Hezbollah convoy. Military convoys leading tanks and armoured personnel carriers were seen Tuesday in the Golan Heights and the upper Galilee. Farmers from nearby towns were told to stay away from their fields near the border. Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, Israeli's Chief of Staff said Monday that the army is prepared and is monitoring security developments in the north. So could these events lead to Stage 1 of God’s judgement of the world? Stage 1 is the inner ring war against Israel involving surrounding peoples – including Palestinians, Hezbollah and Syria backed by Iran. It might well be. When it comes it will be a war that sees Israel completely remove its immediate neighbours who are its enemies. It will be ferocious. Although Israel survives it will be greatly weakened. A vacuum will be left in the region. Into that will pour Russia, Turkey, Iran, Ethiopia, Sudan….Stage 2…

7. Russia and Iran sign military cooperation deal Iran and Russia signed an agreement Tuesday to expand military ties in a visit to Tehran by the Russian defence minister. Sergei Shoigu, in remarks carried by Russian news agencies, said Moscow wants to develop a "long-term and multifaceted" military relationship with Iran. He said that the new agreement includes expanded counter- terrorism cooperation, exchanges of military personnel for training purposes and an understanding for each country's navy to more frequently use the other's ports. Iran's Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan urged greater cooperation as a means of opposing American ambitions in the region. Moscow and Tehran have staunchly supported Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout Syria's civil war, while Washington advocates regime change and supports rebel groups. "Iran and Russia are able to confront the expansionist intervention and greed of the United States through cooperation, synergy and activating strategic potential capacities," Dehghan said. "As two neighbours, Iran and Russia have common viewpoints toward political, regional and global issues." Associated Press, January 20, 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. Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day. We see here a guard as a protector. Russia as we know has been seriously hit by the economic sanctions following its annexation of Crimea and the on-going conflict in Ukraine. But now, partly in retaliation to America and partly because it needs the cash, it has stepped up its economic and military ties with Iran. And so on Tuesday, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu signed a military cooperation deal with Iran. His Iranian counterpart touted the agreement as a joint response to US "interference.” The Bible says that Russia will act as a guard to Iran. The word guard is normally translated “ward”’. In this sense it means to protect, to be a guardian. We see Russia acting exactly like this with Iran… BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 28:22-24) (Nehemiah 4:22)

8. he Russia orders snap test of nuclear missiles Russia has ordered a snap drill of its Strategic Missile Troops (RVSN), which control the country's 305 land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads, according to a statement issued by the units high command today. More than 1,200 servicemen have been drafted to take part in the test exercises, Colonel Igor Yegorov from the RVSN said. Throughout 2015, we have planned at least four similar such drills, he added. Last October, Yegorov said that by the start of 2015, up to 1,000 troops from the RVSN would be charged with what he called particularly dangerous work with nuclear arms. The drills, which Yegorov says aim to educate Russia's missile unit in anti- terrorist combat, are due to take place in the Uzhurskoe rocket facilities, in Siberia, between the central Russian cities of Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk. NewsWeek, January 20, 2015 EVENT COMMENT and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, BIBLE QUOTE The announcement of this drill follows a report in the Boston Globe on Thursday which said that Russia had explicitly and abruptly ended its nuclear partnership with the US. This partnership and agreement has allowed Washington to monitor and help secure Russia’s military stockpile since 1992. The declaration has effectively ended one of the most successful areas of cooperation between the former Cold War adversaries. This week the Doomsday Clock was moved forward two minutes and now stands at three minutes to midnight. Basically a team of scientists try to predict how close the world is to “doomsday” – or the end of the world. One of the key reasons for moving the clock closer to midnight is because of the new Cold War and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. With Bible in hand we don’t need a doomsday clock. We know that worldwide judgement is at hand. The world is about to go through a terrible time of trouble… (Daniel 12:1-2)

9. Ukraine conflict enters 'most deadly period', UN warns The Ukraine conflict has entered its "most deadly period", the United Nations warned on Friday, as Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine rejected further peace talks and announced an offensive on all fronts. Alexander Zakharchenko, the head of the self- proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, said he saw "no point" in further talks with Kiev. "There will be no more ceasefires and rotation," he said. "There will be no attempts to talk about ceasefire from our side," he said. "Kiev does not understand that we are now able to attack on three fronts at once.” Mr Zakharchenko said the goal of the new offensive was to seize control of the entire territory of Donetsk region, which the rebels claim is their legitimate territory. They currently control about one third of it. Earlier this week rebel forces inflicted a decisive defeat on Ukrainian troops at Donetsk airport, bringing to an end an eight month siege. Daily Telegraph, January 23, 2015 EVENT COMMENT Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Iron legs = Roman Empire divided into East and West BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:31-33) Russian military forces are crossing into eastern Ukraine in large numbers. Things are really heating up. Five Russian armoured task forces crossed the border in last few days. This is a force of about 75 main battle tanks, 100 infantry fighting vehicles, 100 other armoured vehicles and fifty artillery systems. The top U.S. Army commander in Europe said that Russia has substantially increased its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine since a ceasefire agreement was reached last September. The White House and Pentagon have said they are reviewing Ukraine's requests for weapons. All this looks like full blown war in Europe is at hand. The crisis far from dying down is building up. This is East v West. This is Russia v America. This is King of North v king of South. This is Nebuchadnezzar's image – left leg and right leg. This is division & war.

10. King Abdullah dies: What next in Saudi Arabia? Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Adbul Aziz died early Friday, setting the stage for a transition of power at a critical moment as the key U.S. ally in the Middle East struggles with falling oil prices and rising Islamist violence. The monarch, believed to be 90, was succeeded by his brother, Crown Prince Salman, according to state television. That put the region’s most important Sunni power and America’s closest Arab ally in the hands of a 79-year-old who is reportedly in poor health and suffering from dementia. While observers in Riyadh widely predicted a smooth transition to Salman, his poor health means his rule could be relatively short. Should there be a power struggle to succeed him, it could leave a vacuum in the Middle East at a critical time. Saudi Arabia is a key member of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State and a major ally of the government that just fell in neighbouring Yemen. Washington Post, January 22, 2015 EVENT COMMENT Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 2:20-21) Saudi Arabia is a key nation. When you read of Sheba and Dedan in the Bible you are reading about modern day Saudi Arabia in terms of geography. We read about Sheba and Dedan being allied to Tarshish and the young lions in Ezekiel 38. Tarshish is Britain. The young lions are America, Canada, Australia etc. We have seen Saudi Arabia allied to the US and UK. With the death of this Saudi king we know that this situation will continue. However as the report says the death of the king comes at a critical time. Iran is Saudi Arabia’s arch enemy. Iran is being stirred up and may well try to take advantage of this situation. Oil prices have collapsed and there is violence on its borders. Certainly this death can only weaken Saudi Arabia. The new king has dementia and many don’t see him as lasting in power too long. God is in control…

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12. Please take a look at this excellent Christadelphian Prophecy website Just click the image To watch again, click here. 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. Weekly World Watch The end of this week’s