October 9 - 15, 2011

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s October 9 - 15, 2011 “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) 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). 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 October 9 - 15, 2011 • US: Iran to be held accountable for alleged terror plot • Saudis warn Iran of strong response • UN calls for international action against Syria • Israeli anger mounts over Gilad Shalit swap • UN chief: New J'lem neighbourhood 'unacceptable' • 'Occupy' protests at financial crisis go worldwide To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. 3 Ribs = 3 nations that Persia controlled Iran controls 3 nations, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza Obama: Iran to be held accountable for alleged terror plot Daily Telegraph, October 13, 2011 Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei would have known about any operation, experts believe President Barack Obama on Thursday night called for Tehran to be held accountable for an alleged plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington as he said "individuals in the Iranian government" were aware of the conspiracy. America took the unusual step of directly contacting Iranian officials after unearthing an alleged plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington, it was revealed on Thursday night. State Department officials made the announcement as Washington embarked on a diplomatic offensive to convince allies that the plot was genuine, given its bizarre and amateurish nature. "We have had direct contact with Iran on this issue," Victoria Nuland, the State Department spokeswoman said. "We are not prepared at the moment to go any further on the question of who spoke to whom, and where, but just to confirm that we have had direct contact with Iran." EVENT he President Obama said this week that "individuals in the Iranian government" were aware of the conspiracy and Tehran should be held accountable..” He continued: "What we are going to continue to do is to apply the toughest sanctions and continue to mobilize the international community to make sure that Iran is further isolated.” Why would Iran try to kill a Saudi ambassador in America? Reports say that Iran is looking for a limited clash with America to divert military attention away from Syria and also head off the spread of any unrest in Syria into Iran itself. In other words things might be coming to a head in the region. Conflict is coming. It is interesting to note the characteristics of the bear in Daniel 7 which is symbolic of the ancient empire of Persia. This empire would “devour much flesh”. Modern Persia (Iran) will do the same.. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 7:5)

6. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: 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? Saudis warn Iran of strong response Financial Times, October 14, 2011 The alleged Iranian plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to Washington has seemed far-fetched even to the many Saudis willing to believe the worst about their main regional rival. For the government in Riyadh, however, the US-led investigations implicating Tehran in a terror plot represent a significant breakthrough in its long-standing efforts to deepen Iran’s isolation. Prince Saud al-Faisal, Saudi foreign minister, on Thursday added to the chorus of condemnation of Iran over allegations that two men linked to an elite Iranian military unit had sought to hire a Mexican drug cartel to kill Adel al-Jubeir by bombing his favourite restaurant. Saudi Arabia, he said, would ”strongly respond” to an act that “reflects the policies of Iran”, adding on Friday that Riyadh’s response would be within ”the framework on the international law which Iran has violated”. Saudi Arabia, the Sunni powerhouse in the Middle East, has often accused Shia Iran of stirring trouble across the region with its support for Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group and the Palestinian Hamas and its alliance with Syria. EVENT Notice in this report how Iran is “stirring trouble across the region.” This is precisely the language used in Isaiah 13 when God says in verse 17 that he will “stir up the Medes”. The Medes is another ancient name for modern Iranians. The other significant aspect to this Iranian plot is how it is lining up the nations as prophesied in Ezekiel 38. On the one side you have Russia, Libya, Turkey and Iran. On the other you have America, Britain and Saudi Arabia. In Ezekiel 38 it uses the ancient names for these areas. Saudi Arabia is Sheba and Dedan. Iran is Persia. The Russian alliance is anti Israel and invades it. The American / Saudi alliance is pro Israel but is unable (or unwilling) to defend it. All the pieces are coming together… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:5+13)

7. I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD; I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof: Syria and Gaza both destroyed at the same time UN calls for international action against Syria Daily Telegraph, October 14, 2011 A senior United Nations official called for "protective" international action against Syria yesterday as she warned the country was heading towards civil war. Navi Pillay, the UN Human Rights Commissioner, seemed to mirror language used over Libya seven months ago as she accused the Syrian government of failing to protect its own population. She said the number of dead since the uprising against the rule of President Bashir al-Assad began in March had now passed 3,000, including 187 children. "The onus is on all members of the international community to take protective action in a collective manner, before the continual ruthless repression and killings drive the country into a full-blown civil war," she said. She said there was growing evidence of members of the military defecting after refusing to fire on civilians. "The crisis is already showing worrying signs of descending into an armed struggle," she added. EVENT Here is the reason that tensions will spill over into conflict at some point. The Syrian uprising shows no signs of abating but continues to claim many lives. However unlike Egypt and Tunisia the rulers of Syria will not step down for any reason. They are happy to kill their own people to stay in power. But this cannot go on forever and both Iran and Syria know this. Which is why they are both looking for a distraction. Regional conflict. Dr Azzawi from a human rights organisation said there was now growing support on the ground for western intervention, going as far as bombing military bases to catalyse a final breakdown in the Syrian security forces. "If planes started bombing the bases of the army, there would be chaos and everybody would be ready to defect.“ Arab League foreign ministers will meet in Cairo on Sunday to discuss the crisis. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Amos 1:5+7)

8. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, The world “satisfaction” is the Hebrew word “Kopher”. It means a “Ransom” or a “bribe". In other words you cannot take something in exchange for the life of a murderer. The murderer is guilty of death and therefore how can you bargain with his life and gain something from it? See also Amos 5:12 Israel’s leaders take a “bribe” (same word). God’s judgement comes verse 16. Israeli anger mounts over Gilad Shalit swap Daily Telegraph, October 14, 2011 69% of Israelis support Schalit deal Israel survey reveals The price Israel is paying to secure the release of the captured soldier Gilad Shalit emerged yesterday as the planned release of Palestinian militants involved in some of Israel's deadliest suicide bombings prompted outrage among the victim's families. A monument to Yitzhak Rabin, the assassinated Israeli prime minister, was defaced by a man whose parents were murdered in a terrorist attack. For many Israelis, the most one-sided prisoner exchange in their history will bring relief that the ordeal of 26-year-old Mr Shalit, the Jewish conscript held captive in Gaza for five years, is finally drawing to a close. But a sense of betrayal is emerging among those who lost family and friends during the sustained terrorist bombing campaign of the second Palestinian intifada. EVENT One Israeli solider is being exchanged for 1,027 Palestinians! Many of whom are in jail because of murder. Nearly 300 are serving life sentences for killing more than 500 Israelis during a terror campaign mounted by Palestinian militants during the Intifada. Two questions arise from this. Why now? And should Israel release these people? The question as to “why now” is interesting. Why would Hamas release this man now? Surely they must believe that time is up to “cash in” their chips as it were. Supposing conflict was close they would want to maximise now what they could get for their captive. When conflict begins again all negotiations would stop. So in other words this exchange could be a prelude to conflict. The other question is - should Israel release these terrorists and murderers for one person? The answer is NO. Surely it will only embolden and encourage Hamas to capture more soldiers. Also see verse the below. COMMENT (Numbers 35:31) BIBLE QUOTE

9. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. UN chief: New J'lem neighbourhood 'unacceptable' Jerusalem Post, October 15, 2011 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday condemned Israeli plans to build more than 2,500 apartments in the new Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat Hamatos, over the 1967 Green Line as "unacceptable." "The Secretary-General is deeply concerned at continued efforts to advance planning for new Israeli settlements in occupied East Jerusalem," Ban's press office said in a statement. "Recent developments in this regard have been unacceptable, particularly as efforts are ongoing to resume (Israeli-Palestinian) negotiations, and run contrary to the Quartet's call on the parties to refrain from provocations," it said. "The Secretary-General reiterates that settlement activity in East Jerusalem and the remainder of the West Bank is contrary to international law," the UN statement said, adding such activity "must cease.“ Earlier on Friday, the Palestinian Authority also slammed the decision. EVENT At the same time we see Iran being stirred up, Syria fighting for its political life, Hamas cashing in and getting hundreds of murderers returned we also see Jerusalem making headline news again. Once more the head of the United Nations condemns Israel. Why? Because Israel wants to build houses in Jerusalem! It is interesting that Jerusalem is a Hebrew word NOT a Palestinian word. Jerusalem is mentioned 767 in the Bible. It is not named once in the Koran. For over 3,300 years, Jerusalem has been the Jewish capital. Jerusalem has never been the capital of any Arab or Muslim entity. Jerusalem will become a stumbling block for ALL nations. The UN represents ALL nations… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Zechariah 14:2)

10. 'Occupy' protests at financial crisis go worldwide BBCnews, October 15, 2011 Protests against alleged corporate greed and government cutbacks have been rippling around the world's cities. A large crowd gathered near the Colosseum in central Rome, where there were reports of a bank being attacked, and cars were set alight. Inspired by the Occupy Wall St movement and Spain's "Indignants", demonstrators turned out from Asia to Europe. Organisers expect rallies in 82 countries, with the action due to come full circle in New York. In London, protesters plan to converge on the City for an "Occupy the London Stock Exchange" action. Organisers of the 15 October worldwide protests said on their website that the aim was to "initiate the global change we want". "United in one voice, we will let politicians, and the financial elites they serve, know it is up to us, the people, to decide our future," it said. Organisers in Rome expect 100,000 people and television pictures showed streets packed with protesters. EVENTS This has been the year of people power, revolution and uprisings. We have seen the people on the streets overturning governments in the Middle East. Interestingly the governments of the world generally encouraged these protests. “People should have a voice”, “people should be allowed to protest”, they said. In some ways it is like a genie has been released from a bottle. People now believe they can change things by mass protest. With technology and the internet etc people can easily create a movement. Suddenly thousands can be involved and what starts in one city (New York in this case) can spread quickly around the world. We are witnessing the beginning of the collapse of society when the rule of law is broken and everyone does that which is right in his own eyes. We see the symbolic sea and waves roaring. Christ’s return is at hand. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE And there shall be signs in the sun, … moon, and .. stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming with power and great glory. (Luke 21:25-27 )

11. Weekly World Watch The end of this week’s 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. E-MAIL ANDY Click here (Move the mouse until the cursor appears.) To watch again, click here.