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.

In 2018, Israel celebrated the 70th anniversary as a nation and seventy years of prophesy fulfilled. Despite the wars with their Arab cousins and internal political struggles, the nation has thrived to become a powerful economy and military. In May, the United States officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved the embassy. In less than two decades, Washington, Beijing, Moscow and Berlin fall as Jerusalem rises to become the capital of the world.

It shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem [Armageddon] shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16).

The year 2018 was a time of political conflict and resistance. President Trump told Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanagh, "Your hired!" and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, "Your fired!" Washington investigated Russian collusion but the swamp is alive and well. The Democrats took forty+ seats and control of the US House and Republican gained two seats in the US Senate which guarantees gridlock and confrontation. Interest rates and trade wars create uncertainty in the financial markets. As the 2020 presidential campaign begins, there will be more politics and less governing.

He [God] has made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times appointed, and the bounds of their habitation (Acts 17:26).

Outside of Washington, there were hurricanes in Florida and the Carolinas, fires in California and earthquakes in Alaska, Indonesia, Japan and Mexico. Shooting occurred in California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas. After the fall of Raqqa, Syria in 2017, Islamic State terrorism declined.

You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you are not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:6-8).

Many fulfilled prophecies tell us we are at the end of the Church Age and End Times. British Prime Minister Theresa May failed to negotiate a Brexit from the EU. After the European immigration crisis, German Chancellor Angela Meckel chose not to seek reelection in 2021. China and Russia continue to grow in power. North Korea stopped testing missiles after meeting President Trump but is far from a detailed nuclear weapons agreement. The US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and restarted sanctions. America switched from supporting Iran to Saudi Arabia but the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi complicated peace talks. America and Daniel's Middle East Quartet is still working on the covenant to divide Israel. Four horses and five trumpets precede God's timeline for the Tribulation.

He [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [of years]: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the [Jewish] sacrifice and the offerings to cease (Daniel 9:27).

All of this leads to seven years of Tribulation and three major wars. World War III is the 6th Trumpet between China, the United States and India (Revelation 9:13-21). World War IV is Gog and Magog when Russia and radical Islam (Iran, Turkey, Libya) attack Israel (Ezekiel 38-39). World War V is Armageddon (Revelation 14-19). During the last 3½ years, Satan rules through the Antichrist and False Prophet who controls the economy (Revelation 13). During that time, war moves to Israel and Jerusalem. The Tribulation ends with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:21).

If Jesus Christ was born 7-1 BC and died 27-33 AD, Trumpets in September 2019 begins a possible seven year window before the final seven years of Tribulation. God prepares the world for judgment. Christians must be ready, reap the harvest and watch for the Lord's return. See Rapture.

When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh (Luke 21:28).

References: 21st Century Revelation: World Wars, Iraq Wars & End Wars - Chapter 14: Israel's Time Out, Chapter 18: Spring Forward or Fall Back?, Chapter 20: Players in the Game, Chapter 25: Iraq War III, Brexit, Covenant Articles, Tribulation Timeline, Tribulation Articles