Weekly World Watch: Russia's Reaction to US Missile Defense System

1. Weekly World Watch Andy Walton’s May 8 - 14, 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 May 8 - 14, 2016 • Russia: U.S. missile defence system a “direct threat" • Putin: We will act to neutralize U.S. missile shield • Georgia / U.S.-led military exercise, angering Russia • Russia displays military might with Victory Day parade • We are coming for you, ISIS warns Israel • Israel celebrates 68th b’day after solemn memorial day To print any of the event slides that follow, click the picture on the upper right PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE

5. 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, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, ! • Russia Calls New U.S. Missile Defence System a ‘Direct Threat New York Times, May 12, 2016 As American and allied officials celebrated the opening of a long-awaited missile defence system in Europe with a ribbon cutting and a band, the reaction in Russia on Thursday suggested the system had raised the risks of a nuclear war. Russian officials reiterated their position that the American-built system imperiled Russia’s security. But the public discussion in Russia was darker, including online commentary of how a nuclear confrontation might play out in Europe, and the prospect that Romania, the system’s host, might be reduced to “smoking ruins.”“We have been saying right from when this story started that our experts are convinced that the deployment of the ABM system poses a certain threat to the Russian Federation,” the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, told reporters in a conference call. “Measures are being taken to ensure the necessary level of security for Russia,” he said. EVENT This week America has activated a land-based missile defence station in Romania, which will form part of a larger and controversial European shield. The US says the shield is to protect Nato countries from short and medium-range missiles, particularly from the Middle East. Russia sees it differently! The missiles are so close to Russia there would only be a time frame of minutes for Russia to respond before a strike. Russia’s response to this shield though is alarming…speaking of Romania being reduced to “smoking ruins”. On the day the system went live a British warplane had to intercept 3 Russian transport planes heading to the Baltic States. We know that at the time of the end the king of the south pushes (militarily provokes) the king of the north. We could be seeing part of that push here. America is certainly provoking Russia… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40)

6. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. • Russia will act to neutralize U.S. missile shield threat: Putin Reuters, May 13, 2016 The United States switched on the $800 million missile shield at a Soviet-era base in Romania on Thursday saying it was a defence against missiles from Iran and so-called rogue states. But, speaking to top defence and military industry officials, Putin said the system was aimed at blunting Russia's nuclear arsenal. "This is not a defence system. This is part of U.S. nuclear strategic potential brought onto a periphery. In this case, Eastern Europe is such periphery," Putin said. "Until now, those taking such decisions have lived in calm, fairly well-off and in safety. Now, as these elements of ballistic missile defence are deployed, we are forced to think how to neutralize emerging threats to the Russian Federation," he said. Coupled with deployment in the Mediterranean of U.S. ships carrying Aegis missiles and other missile shield elements in Poland, the site in Romania was "yet another step to rock international security and start a new arms race", he said. EVENT The other major issue Russia has with this missile shield is where it is based. It has been built by the American’s in Russia’s prior sphere of influence. After World War II Romania was under communist rule, although the leadership pursued a foreign policy independent of that of the Soviet Union. In fact the USSR had a base in Romania exactly where the new US missiles are positioned. For Putin who thinks that the break-up of the USSR was the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century this doesn’t go down well. Interesting then he says (in the past tense) that those who made this decision have lived in calm, well off and in safety. As if those days are coming to an end. Those days are about to come to an end. The time of trouble is at hand… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Luke 17:28-30)

7. 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, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, We quote this verse often. We are watching for the PUSH that will come against “the king” of verse 36-39. That king could be PUTIN. Click here to watch a video on this. Georgia begins U.S.-led military exercise, angering Russia Reuters, May 11, 2016 The Georgian army began two weeks of military exercises with the United States and Britain on Wednesday, drawing an angry response from former Soviet master Russia which called the war games "a provocative step”. About 650 soldiers from the United States, 150 from Britain and 500 from Georgia were taking part in the manoeuvres, with Washington dispatching an entire mechanized company including eight Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and, for the first time, eight M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks. Georgia's Defence Minister Tina Khidasheli said the drills were an important event for the South Caucasus republic. "This is one of the biggest exercises that our country has ever hosted, this is the biggest number of troops on the ground, and the largest concentration of military equipment," Khidasheli told Reuters. But the exercises went down badly in Moscow where the Russian Foreign Ministry last week warned they could destabilize the region, a charge denied by Georgian officials. EVENT COMMENT Amazingly this week there was a provocation by America not only in Romania and the missile shield but also in Georgia. This two week military exercise (again right at Russia’s doorstep) is causing tensions to worsen. You may recall that Russia fought a war with Georgia in 2008 and defeated them. That war was over a break away republic in Georgia called South Ossetia. Moscow continues to garrison troops there and to support another breakaway region, Abkhazia. The American director overseeing these exercises said “The importance of these exercises is to improve interoperability between Georgia, the United States and the United Kingdom.” Interoperability means the ability to work together. Another military provocation by the US and UK! BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:40)

8. he shall magnify himself above all. [exact phrase from Daniel 8:25 – latter day Antiochus Epiphanes the ancient king of the north] But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. • Russia displays military might with Victory Day parade on Red Square Daily Telegraph, May 9, 2016 EVENT Russia showcased its modernised military war machine in a grand parade on Moscow's Red Square on Monday, displaying the advanced air defence missile system used to protect its base in Syria and some of the jets that have flown missions there. The event, an annual fixture designed to commemorate the Soviet Union's victory over the Nazis in the Second World War, took place in bright sunshine as President Vladimir Putin looked on from a tribune filled with Soviet war veterans. The strong man Russian leader, whose forces annexed Ukraine's Crimea in 2014 and are now helping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's army, watched as thousands of Russian troops marched across the famous square to the strains of marshal music. Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday and a key element of the national identity, reflecting the nation's enormous suffering and honouring (m) millions of victims of World War II. Russian state media, use this annual event to build patriotic sentiment and to underscore the importance of having a strong military to protect the country's borders. It is also a chance to show how a multi-billion dollar modernisation programme is changing the face of the Russian military by supplying it with new weapons and hardware. Advanced missiles, even their latest intercontinental nuclear missile launcher, were on show. Scores of military aircraft then flew over Red Square. And who is the “strong man” (as the article above says) watching over this immense show of power. Who is the man that has developed the Russian forces more than any other? Putin. The king in Daniel 11:38 “honours the god of forces”. Or put another way “the ruler worships and idolises the strength of his army” That is precisely what Putin is doing here. No other man fits the bill on planet earth right now… than Putin…. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Daniel 11:38)

9. And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD. • ISIS to Israel: “We’re coming very soon” Debka, May 8, 2016 EVENT The last 48 hours (May 7-8) have seen a major escalation of the ISIS threats against Israel, DEBKAfile’s intelligence and counterterrorism sources report. In a coordinated manoeuvre by all of the ISIS commands in the Middle East, the terrorist organization simultaneously released at least 10 videos that it said showed ISIS forces on their way to attack targets in Israel. All of the videos refer to the Palestinian issue, Jerusalem and the timing of the attacks. In each one, the narrator claims the terror organization did not forget the Palestinians, and will not neglect them any more; describes Jerusalem as “a bridge to Islam”; and threatens an impending attack, saying “We’re coming, and coming very soon” accompanied by images of fighters from the ISIS affiliate in the Sinai are shown. It was not the first time for the ISIS propaganda machine to threaten hostilities against Israel, but it was the first time for the threat to be issued simultaneously from every province or city where ISIS is located in the Middle East. COMMENT ISIS has killed untold numbers of Muslims as it has rampaged through the Middle East. ISIS has attacked Europe three times causing death, mayhem and panic. But while the terrorist group has repeatedly threatened Israel, it has yet to attack Israelis on Israeli soil. Could this be about to change? About 5 months ago, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi threatened that "we have not forgotten Palestine," flapped his hands in front of the camera, and warned Israelis that "Palestine will be your graveyard.” Another one of his spokespeople also said, in Hebrew, that not even a single Israeli will remain alive in Jerusalem. So will ISIS attack Israel? Possibly. We know that Israel will get drawn into the conflict in Syria and become weakened at that point. We know that Israel will remove the inner circle of “pricking briers” at some point before Russia invades… BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 28:24)

10. Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! Egypt is symbolic of the world. Israel is trusting in the protection of worldly nations (the USA) and also in her own strength – her own weapons. They are not looking to God and trusting in him. • Israel celebrates 68th birthday after solemn Memorial Day Associated Press, May 11, 2016 EVENT In a jarring contrast, Israel transitioned Wednesday night from melancholic reflection to remember its fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism to joyous Independence Day festivities in celebration of 68 years since the modern Jewish state was formed. The grouping of mournful Memorial Day with Independence Day celebrations is intentional, to show the link between the costly wars Israel has fought and the establishment and survival of the Jewish state. At a ceremony marking the end of collective mourning and the start of the celebrations, 12 Israelis were given the honour of lighting 12 huge torches at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, Israel's national cemetery. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a short speech broadcast at the ceremony. "One of the fundamental requisites for independence is the willingness to fight for it, but that exacts a painful price — our fallen sons and daughters, brothers and sisters," Netanyahu said. "We owe them everything. We know that we cannot exist without a defence force, we cannot maintain our independence if we do not build up our strength." Israel has existed as a nation 68 years. Of course we should remember just how amazing it is to see Israel as a nation in the world again. For nearly 2 millennia there was NO ISRAEL! In AD70 Israel came to an end. And now (as God promised) they have been re-established in their land. We should not forget that Israel lived in the land as a nation for about 1000 years until AD70. King David ruled in Jerusalem in 1000BC.But modern Israel does not put her faith in God and His ability to save them. They put their faith in their own strength. This is the reason for their temporary downfall. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Revelation 17:12-13)

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