1. December 7 - 20, 2008 “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.

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).

4. This Week’s Developments To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right Russia considers oil cuts and joining OPEC Brown: Israel must tackle settlers UK navy to rule the waves Hamas declares Israel truce over Olmert: Peace with Syria is feasible December 7 – 20, 2008 Russian anti-air weapon already delivered to Iran

5. Russia considers oil cuts and joining OPEC The price of oil continues to fall as the world moves into a global recession. For countries that depend on oil as a major source of revenue this of course is unwanted. The answer is to cut back on the supply of oil which should then increase prices. Opec is a cartel of 12 countries (mainly Arab) that decide together whether to increase or decrease supply. Russia is by far the largest producer of oil outside the cartel. Russia (not part of OPEC) is coming under heavy pressure to follow the cartel in reducing supplies. Russia has always resisted joint action with OPEC in the past as it would risk international anger. Medvedev’s speech saying Russia might well join OPEC will infuriate America. Analysts gave warning following these comments that the US could lead a campaign to have Russia thrown out of the G8. One former Bush administration official said: “Russia is increasingly making it clear that it views itself as a strategic competitor to the US rather than a strategic partner.” In other words they have become enemies again. The king of the north (Russia) and the king of the south (US), continue to line up against each other. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia would consider cutting oil production and was "ready" to join the world's largest oil cartel. "I would like to say that we are ready for that," Medvedev said about the possibility of joining the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries, RIA Novosti reported Thursday. Medvedev, speaking at a conference on socio-economic development in the Urals, said Russia would also "protect ourselves... and such protective measures could also be connected with cutting oil production volumes." UPI, December 11, 2008 EVENT COMMENT And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40)

6. Brown: Israel must tackle settlers Ancient Tyre was the capital of Phoenicia. It was a trading city that setup colonies around the Mediterranean about 600BC. Tyre to begin with was very pro Israel. Hiram king of Tyre “loved” David and Solomon. However as the years went by Tyre became very rich and proud and eventually looked on Israel as a way of making money and gloated when Assyria attacked. They saw Israel’s demise as a way of making more money as they could sell Jews as slaves. Ancient Tyre we are told passed over to Britain. The UK has followed a very similar pattern to ancient Tyre. Very pro Jewish to start with – even helping to establish the state of Israel. But now having grown rich and proud they turn against Israel encouraging Israel to give up land given to them by God. Israel must tackle illegal settlements in the West Bank in order to achieve a durable Middle East peace settlement, Gordon Brown has said. During talks at Downing Street with Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, Mr Brown also urged his counterpart to lift constraints on the Palestinian economy. Israel is restricting cash shipments to Gaza banks in a bid to weaken the hard-line ruling Hamas party. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have both called for the blockade to end. During their talks, the prime minister stressed his view that Palestine could not become a viable state without a strong economy, which would involve the ability to attract private investment. After their discussion, his official spokesman said: "The meeting was an opportunity to discuss prospects for peace in the Middle East. Both men are strongly committed to making progress. Daily Telegraph, December 16, 2008 EVENT COMMENT Son of man, because that Tyre hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned unto me: I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyre. London = latter day Tyre BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 26:2-3)

7. UK navy to rule the waves with most advanced destroyer This ship can track all take offs and landings from all major airports with 200 miles. It can track 1000 targets at any one time. So why are we interested? Well Britain in the Bible is known as Tarshish. Tarshish is often mentioned at the same time as ships. In fact out of the 20 times Tarshish is mentioned 9 of them have reference to ships. Eg “the ships of Tarshish”. See Isaiah 23:14 Britain being a maritime nation HAS always been associated with ships. In fact the UK has the record for having the world’s largest fleet of warships during the British Empire. Despite this new advanced destroyer, Britain’s navy is in massive decline. The Telegraph reported on December 7 th that for the first time since the Argentinean conflict the Falkland Islands are to be left without the protection of a British warship because the UK no longer has enough ships! Britain has declined in every way over the last 50 years. A once God fearing nation has become as a harlot. A nation that supported the nation of Israel now encourages her to leave the land. The decline in the UK’s status, empire and ships is part of this. God will judge this proud nation as he did Tyre. The world's most advanced destroyer with the capability to defend the entire city of London from missile attack has been handed over to the Royal Navy. The Type 45 warship will be a significant boost to the Navy that has suffered severe cuts in recent years bringing the latest in anti-missile technology, radar detection and propulsion. But HMS Daring will have to wait several years to be able to defend the major aircraft carriers that it was built to support as a major delay for the ships is expected to be announced by the Defence Secretary as part of a cost-cutting package. Daily Telegraph, December 11, 2008 EVENT COMMENT For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty. And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low Strongs “pleasant pictures = desirable ships”! BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 2:12,16)

8. Hamas declares Israel truce over The Islamist militant group Hamas says it has ended its six-month ceasefire with Israel in the Gaza Strip. As the ceasefire expired at 0400 GMT, Hamas issued a statement blaming Israel which had not "respected" the truce. Israel's foreign ministry spokesman said the militants, who control Gaza, "had chosen violence over truth". The Egyptian-brokered deal began on 19 June but has been tested regularly by Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel and Israeli operations in Gaza. Hours after the announcement, Palestinian television carried pictures of militants conducting exercises. BBConline, December 19, 2008 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… and Amalek; the Philistines BIBLE QUOTE (Psalm 83:4,5,7) We have reported before that both Israel and America have “lame duck” leaders at the moment. Ehud Olmert has resigned due to corruption scandals but remains in office until new elections are held in February next year. Meanwhile President Bush is weakened due to the fact only a month remains of his presidency and the world now looks to Barack Obama. It comes therefore as little surprise that Hamas announces now that the ceasefire with Israel is over. Announcing the end of the truce on its website, Hamas said: "The ceasefire is over and there won't be a renewal because the Zionist enemy has not respected its conditions.“ Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported that the Israeli military had cancelled weekend leave for all troops stationed near the Gaza Strip and instructed units to prepare for mobilisation. The verse below speaks of the Philistines (modern day Palestinians) wanting to destroy Israel. These words are being fulfilled in front of our eyes.

9. Olmert: Peace with Syria is feasible Since resigning in September, Olmert has been busy! He has travelled to Russia, the US and Britain. He now announces he is going to Turkey to for peace talks with Syria. They may be talking about peace but destruction is more likely. Damascus let it be known Friday. Dec. 19, that acceptance in advance of its "borders document" was the pre-condition for direct peace talks. This six-point document covers Israel's withdrawal - not only from the Golan but also from another slice of territory, the northeastern bank of the Sea of Galilee and Hamat Gader region, which is part of pre-1967 Israel. When they SAY (speak about, advise, mention) peace we know destruction is near. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who announced suddenly that he will go to Turkey for talks on Monday, said Thursday evening that "a peace treaty between Israel and Syria is feasible" and would result in "significant advantages" for Israel. "A peace treaty would lower the possibility of war, break the strategic ties between Damascus and Teheran, lead to the expulsion of the Islamic Jihad and Hamas headquarters from Syria, and would stop the cash flow to Hezbollah," Olmert told a conference of the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University. "Syria does not necessarily want to be part of the axis of evil," he said. "Syria wants to reconnect with the West and the United States. "Removing Syria from the axis of evil is an Israeli interest." The prime minister said that although he could not guarantee the success of a peace process with Damascus, it was important to try. "How will we know if we don't try? How can we try if we are not prepared to take any risks?" he said. Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2008 EVENT COMMENT For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. BIBLE QUOTE (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

10. Russian anti-air weapon already delivered to Iran Russia is busy protecting, arming and helping Israel’s greatest enemies. No one can doubt that Iran would try to destroy Israel if it could. They say so! Russia however does not want Iran attacked by Israel or America so it has decided to send air defence missiles to Iran to protect its nuclear sites. Next to the photo (above) in the Debkafile report is said “Russian S-300s on way to guarding Iran's nuclear sites”. This is amazing because the Bible says, in Ezekiel 38, that Russia will act as a “guard” to the nations that invade Israel with it. One of those nations we are told is Persia – modern day Iran! The only nation to have fought against Israel in recent years is Lebanon. Russia has announced today that it is supplying 10 fighter jets to Lebanon at “a large discount”! Despite the efforts of US and Israeli leaders, Moscow has begun delivering the highly sophisticated medium-range air defence S-300 system to Iran for securing its nuclear and strategic sites against potential attack. The RIA news agency reported Wednesday night, Dec. 18: "Moscow has earlier met its obligations to supply Tor-M1 (short-range) systems to Iran and is currently implementing its contract to deliver S-300 systems." DEBKAfile's military sources disclose the S-300 deliveries began two weeks ago. Their installation, coinciding with the return home of members of Iranian air defence officers from training in Russia, means that air or missile attacks on Iranian sites will henceforth be extremely difficult and carry a high price. On 9th October, DEBKAfile's Moscow sources reported that Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert failed in the key mission of his trip to persuade Russian leaders to refrain from selling this advanced weapon to Iran and Syria. Debkafile, December 18, 2008 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. BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:7) Russian S-300s on way to guarding Iran's nuclear sites

11. E-MAIL ANDY Click here (Move the mouse until the cursor appears.) To watch again, click here. WWW will be e-mailed to you each week. Please forward the e-mail addresses of others who may be interested. I will include them in the list of recipients. Comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome. Weekly World Watch The end of this week’s