Weekly World Watch: Trump's Military Strike in Syria

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s April 2 - 8, 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 April 2 - 8, 2017 • Trump launches military strike against Syria • US and Russia spiral into confrontation • Trump's bromance with Putin is history • World response to US strike reflects divide over Syria • Britain looks to Saudi Arabia for post-Brexit deals • Russian volcano erupts for first time in 250 years To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. “Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will militarily provoke [push] 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 • Trump launches military strike against Syria CNN, April 7, 2017 The United States launched a military strike Thursday on a Syrian government airbase in response to a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of civilians earlier in the week. On President Donald Trump's orders, US warships launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the airbase that was home to the warplanes that carried out the chemical attacks, US officials said. The strike is the first direct military action taken by the US against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country's six-year civil war. It represents a substantial escalation of the US military campaign in the region, and could be interpreted by the Syrian government as an act of war. Russia condemned the strike as an "act of aggression," and Assad's office Friday called it "a disgraceful act" that "can only be described as short-sighted." EVENT Back in 2013 following a chemical attack by the Syrian government, Britain and America came incredibly close to launching strikes against the Assad regime but at the last moment they backed down. In the WWW back then we said.. “America was on the brink of attacking (pushing) Syria over its use of chemical weapons. So what happens next? It is absolutely certain from a scriptural view point that the Russian / US agreement will fail. We don’t know when but it will.”4 years later and with a new US president the strike has happened and the agreement has failed. For many years we have said that Syria is highly likely to be the place where the king of the south (US/UK) will PUSH at Gog (Putin). It is military provocation of Russia. Putin’s reaction shows this is a provocation. We wait to see what comes next – but clearly we are now entering a highly significant time. Could this event be the spark the starts a chain reaction? COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40 NLT)

6. This message came to me concerning Damascus: “Look, the city of Damascus will disappear! It will become a heap of ruins. The towns of Aroer will be deserted. Flocks will graze in the streets and lie down undisturbed, with no one to chase them away. • US and Russia spiral into confrontation Associated Press, April 7, 2017 After President Donald Trump’s election victory, the United States and Russia appeared headed toward their smoothest ties in decades. Not anymore. The former Cold War adversaries are once again spiralling into confrontation, punctuated by a U.S. attack on a military base controlled by Syrian President Bashar Assad, Russia’s client. No longer optimistic about a “reset” in relations, the U.S. and Russia openly bashed each other Friday, trading caustic accusations about who violated international law. “That’s it. The last remaining election fog has lifted,” Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Facebook on Friday, declaring U.S.-Russian relations “completely ruined.” He said Washington came dangerously close to “a military clash” with nuclear-armed Moscow by firing 59 cruise missiles on the Shayrat air base. Trump said Assad’s forces launched a gruesome chemical weapons attack from the site earlier in the week. EVENT COMMENT Russia is beside itself with fury over Donald Trump’s intervention in Syria. Even though it is a limited strike it changes everything. Until this week Russia was the controlling power over Syria. Putin was calling the shots. Now at a stroke Putin has to deal with Trump who is willing to strike Assad directly and therefore weaken Russia’ position in Syria. The significance of this strike should not be underestimated. Daniel 11 is about the ancient king of the north v ancient king of the south. The ancient king of the north was based in Syria. Therefore the modern king of the south (US/UK) is striking (pushing) at the ancient king of the north. Ultimately the total demise of Syria is coming – Damascus will cease to be a city. Russia then becomes the new king of the north. BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 17:1-2 NLT)

7. 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. • Trump's bromance with Putin is history USA Today, April 7, 2017 The bromance between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may be over before it could really blossom. Blame Syrian President Bashar Assad for coming between them. The Kremlin, a close ally of the Syrian strongman, condemned the U.S. cruise missile attack on a Syrian airfield early Friday morning as an “act of aggression in violation of international law.” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it suspended an agreement with the Pentagon to share communication about U.S. and Russian aircraft conducting separate missions over Syria to avoid mishaps. Russian aircraft support Assad in his fight against rebels, which include the Islamic State, while a U.S.-led coalition is focused exclusively on defeating Islamic State militants. Russia announced it will reinforce Syrian air defences and is sending a missile carrying warship to the eastern Mediterranean in response to the US cruise missile strikes. EVENT COMMENT When Trump came to power he promised to reset relations with Russia. He said he would work with Putin and mend previous differences. In November 2016 we released a YouTube video on Trump’s election and explained that despite Trump’s overtures to Putin it would fail – we knew this would happen because of Bible prophecy. CLICK HERE to watch the presentation – the key part explaining this is about 27 mins into the video. It was interesting how Trump invoked God in his televised address telling the nation he had launched strikes on Syria. “We ask for God’s wisdom as we face the challenge of our very troubled world.”“Good night and God bless America and the entire world.” And so Trump called for God’s blessing as he fired missiles into Syria. Trump’s actions will not bring peace – but hasten the time of trouble such as never was. BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 12:1)

8. 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. World response to US strike reflects divide over Syria Reuters, March 27, 2017 SAUDI ARABIA - A foreign ministry official praised “the courageous decision by U.S. President Donald Trump OTHER GULF COUNTRIES - The United Arab Emirates, which hosts some 4,000 American troops, said the U.S. had its “full support” and praised Trump’s “courageous and wise decision.” IRAN - Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the U.S. strike was “dangerous, destructive and violates the principles of international law. HEZBOLLAH - The “foolish” strike would lead to a “dangerous escalation in the region.” BRITAIN - The British government said it was informed in advance about the U.S. missile strikes, and firmly supports the American action. NATO - Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says “the Syrian regime bears the full responsibility” for the U.S. missile strike. EVENT COMMENT There have been a number of newspaper comments asking the question are we on the brink of World War III. It is interesting how nations have been quick to take sides on the US attack on Syria. The nations are dividing up exactly along the lines as prophesied in the Bible. Russia, Syria, Iran, Hezbollah all condemning the attack. On the other side we have Britain, Saudi Arabia, the Arab Gulf States all supporting the attack. Israel has also supported Trump’s intervention. So what comes next? A world war? Well the push might develop further. Further US attacks. Syrian retaliation. Hezbollah attacks Israel. Israel drawn into the conflict. Damascus destroyed. Syria fails totally as a nation. Israel survives. Russia / Iran descend into Syrian void…. BIBLE QUOTE (Isaiah 17:3-4 NLT)

9. Britain looks to Saudi Arabia for post-Brexit deals Reuters, April 5, 2017 EVENT British Prime Minister Theresa May held talks with Saudi officials on Tuesday, hoping to tap the oil-rich kingdom's "immense potential" as she looks to secure post-Brexit investment and trade. May has come under criticism over her Saudi visit, facing calls at home to raise rights issues with local leaders. The visit also comes less than a week after Britain officially started a two-year countdown for quitting the European Union. May has said that economic issues were a priority on her trip, but maintains she will not shy away from addressing "hard issues" on foreign visits. May has said she would be looking to use the "immense potential for Saudi investment to provide a boost to the British economy" during her trip to the region. Britain is looking to strike new trade deals as it prepares to leave the EU, with a major focus on longtime partners such as the energy-rich Gulf states. COMMENT Brexit has caused yet another piece of the prophetical jigsaw puzzle to fall into place. Britain is now free to do her own trade deals with other nations. So which nations are top on the UK agenda? Well within just 2 weeks after officially announcing the intention to leave the EU, Theresa May has flown out to the Middle East to do trade deals with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States. Britain’s links with Saudi Arabia are strong. The origins of these relations date back to the time of the First World War. A treaty was signed between Saudi and the British government which accepted the status of a British protectorate. The Bible however knew about this relationship long before WW1. Ezekiel wrote 2500 years ago about how Saudi Arabia and gulf states (Sheba & Dedan) would be allied to Tarshish (Britain) and the young lions (US / Canada etc) BIBLE QUOTE 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? (Ezekiel 38:13)

10. ‘Pure surprise’: Scientists marvel as Kamchatka volcano erupts for first time in 250 years RT, March 27, 2017 EVENT Researchers are genuinely amazed at the Kambalny volcano in Russia erupting for the first time in 250 years. But while this could be described as a scientific marvel, the volcano could also be hiding a threat. Footage of the volcano spewing ash up to a height of 7,000 meters is indeed impressive... and yes, a little bit scary. “It is a pure surprise for us. We continue the monitoring and will analyze possible threats as data come in,” Olga Girina, the head of the special Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), told TASS news agency. The volcano started spewing ash on Friday evening, and the ash could potentially cover the city of Severo-Kurilsk, located on the island of Paramushir. The Kambalny volcano is 2,156 meter high and is located in southern Kamchatka. The last time it erupted was during the reign of the Russian empress Catherine the Great, in 1769. COMMENT Coincidence or God’s hand? Surely earthquake, volcano, tsunami etc are signs on earth which are directed by God. So what can we learn from this? The last time this volcano erupted was during the reign of Catherine the Great. Russia was revitalised under her reign, growing larger and stronger than ever and becoming recognised as one of the great powers of Europe. But Putin looks more to her father – Peter the Great. He is best known for the aggressive style of foreign policy that established the expansionist mind-set now resurgent in Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Much like Putin, Peter the the Great tightened state control, invaded the Caucuses, secured Russian naval access to the Black Sea, and fought an unconventional war in the Ukraine. This erupting volcano takes us back to those days. Putin looks back to those days as well. BIBLE QUOTE At the Lord’s command, the Assyrians will be shattered. He will strike them down with his royal scepter…. Lifting his mighty arm, he will fight the Assyrians. Topheth—the place of burning— has long been ready for the Assyrian king; the pyre is piled high with wood. The breath of the Lord, like fire from a volcano, will set it ablaze. Assyrians are a type of the Russians (Isaiah 30:31-33 NLT)

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