About this time of year, we remember what happened in the previous year and look forward to the new year. A part of remembering the past year is to learn from our successes and failures. Then we change priorities, make improvements and plan for success in the coming year.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).

The year 2014 has been a year of prophecy. China strives to be the world's largest economy and acted like a superpower as it aggressively manipulated markets and claimed disputed islands in the South China Sea. See Malaysia. Russia returned to its old Soviet ways, annexed Crimea from Ukraine  and antagonized the rest of Europe. Hamas fired over 3500 missiles and Israel responded by invading Gaza to remove missiles and underground passages. Syria's civil war allows the Islamic State to capture large territories in Iraq and Syria. The US fight with "no boots on the ground" increased troop levels into the thousands. The Euphrates River is the site for the future Iraq War III.

The sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, to slay the third part of men (Revelation 9:13-15).

Time played a role during the year. On 3/11/2014 (Purim), Crimea voted to join Russia. September 1 was the one hundredth anniversary of World War I and the twenty-fourth anniversary of Iraq War I. Both wars started on the 9th of Av, the day the children of Israel refused to go into the Promised Land. Iraq War I ended and Iraq War II started on Purim. The first case of Ebola in the United States was misdiagnosed on 9/25/2014 (Trumpets). Thomas Duncan was later admitted on 9/28/2014 (Days of Awe, 4th of Tishri). Allen Gross was released from Cuba on 12/17/2014 (Hanukkah). The three year cluster of Blood Moons began. The first four of twelve eclipses occur on Jewish holy days. Key events occur on God's time.

In those days  will I pour out my spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness [solar eclipse], and the moon into blood [lunar eclipse], before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come (Joel 2:29-31).

In 2015, there are more signs in the sky and events on earth that full prophecy and prepare for Tribulation. Watch China, Russia, Europe and Islam as they challenge America and strive to be a superpower. Communism, capitalism and Islam fight to lead the world. But in the middle of world events, see God at work to redeem the lost before judgment comes. Soon, all nations fall so Jesus Christ reigns on earth.

References: 21st Century Revelation: World Wars, Iraq Wars & End Wars Chapter 11: The Feast of Trumpets, Chapter 13 - Minor Feasts, Major Events, Chapter 20 - Players in the Game, Chapter 25 - World War III, Eclipse, Malaysia Flight 370, Ukraine, Islamic State, Revelation Outline, Covenant, Tribulation, Revelation, 21st Century View, Daniel, America, Timeline of the Tribulation