In 2018, after an appeal by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko a growing rift between the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople (Bartholomew) and the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church (Kirill) became a schism. When Constantinople declared that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was 'granted to be ''autocephaly'' (independence), the Russian Orthodox declared this was a schism and broke off Eucharistic communion with Constantinople.

Albert Edwards of the French multinational banking and financial services firm Societe Generale stated "Equity investors are facing the four horsemen of the apocalypse thundering towards them." He pointed to four reasons. He also pointed to the destruction to Pompeii when Mt. Vesuvius exploded. Another financial writer warned of the "Four Horses Of The U.S. Debt Apocalypse." Is there anything related to debt the Bible warns end time people should run from?

Does the Bible teach predestination? John Calvin was a 16th century Protestant Reformer who had his views on it. What is five point TULIP Calvinism? Does the Bible teach this or is TULIP Calvinism in conflict with scripture? Is it something that a God of love would come up with? What about the 'age to come'?

In April and September 2018, there were meetings involving top leaders of Russia, Iran, Syria, and Turkey. Some Protestant prophecy watchers have suggested that the meeting of these leaders could be a prelude to the what is known the Gog and Magog war as discussed in Ezekiel 38. Some have claimed that this battle must take place before 'Armageddon' and before Jesus returns. Some have wondered if the Gog/Magog war is Armageddon.

According to the Jewish 'Seder Olam Rabbah' the period from sunset 9 September 2018 to 29 September 2019 is the year 5779 Anno Mundi (age of the world). However, the Jewish Encyclopedia, secular scholars, and modern Jewish experts have all claimed that the count it off between 164 to 200 plus years. Are we closer to the year 5990 than 5779 since Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden? Why would the Seder Olam be off by so much? Does any of this have anything to do with deceit and pointing to the false 'messiah' Simon Bar Kochba?

A recent headline was "Is Trump Pushing Germany to Russia?" There have been comments by German and Russian leaders that they have aligned interests that Donald Trump opposes and need to take financial, military, and other steps to assist Europe. Russia and the EU (European Union) still support the Iran nuclear deal, Paris Climate accords, and the World Trade Organization, despite Donald Trump's actions against them. Have there been comments to replace the USA's SWIFT system by the Russians and Germans?

Did mega-Protestant Pastor Andy Stanley really say you should not use Old Testament prophecies to support Jesus' Messiahship? Did he also claim that there was no Bible until the fourth century? Did he also teach against the Ten Commandments? Did Jesus, Peter, Paul, Apollos, and Philip use Old Testament prophecies to prove that Jesus was the Messiah?

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said new US sanctions would be a declaration of economic war. Iran, North Korea, China, Europe, and Turkey are also upset about USA sanctions and tariffs. A Turk asserted "Somebody must find a solution and stop the USA." The BRICS nations see US sanctions and tariffs as helpful to their objectives to trade without the USA. Are "unintended consequences" of USA policies threatening the current Anglo-American world order and leading to a New World Order?

Heat records were set in over 118 locations during the Summer of 2018. Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America all had major heat waves. The hottest recorded rain also occurred in the Summer of 2018. Beyond heat related deaths and discomfort, were there other impacts on flora, fauna, and the environment. Does God control the weather? Does God promise good weather for obedience and warn of fire and other weather problems for disobedience? Is what has been happening consistent with the beginning of sorrows and troubles Jesus spoke about?

Lawyer, media consultant, and lawyer Jim Rickards wrote an article titled "Get Ready for the '100 year flood.' He mentioned the four horsemen of the apocalypse and suggested that the one related to famine may have to do with food inflation. After going through natural, political, and modern threats to humanity, he essentially calculated that the probability of one or more massive negative events hitting within the next 10 -30 years at 100%.

Was there any connection between prophesies of the Messiah and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D? On the 9th day of the fifth month on the Hebrew calendar, Jews fast because of the destruction of that Temple and other events that have befell the Jews. Did you know that the Jews tie the birth of the Messiah in with the month of Av? They also tie positive events from then to 'Rosh Hoshana' in the month of Tishri. Is there any relationship to Jesus and the first feast in Tishri? Did Jesus' prophesies related to the Temple come to pass?

Should infant boys be circumcised? Should this practice be prohibited as some advocate? Do major health organizations support or oppose male circumcision? Should parents make this decision? Is it better to be performed on infants or is it best to wait? Are there health and other benefits to circumcision? What does the science show? Could it be over 100 times better to be circumcised than uncircumcised? Where did male circumcision come from?

Do you realize that when Jesus returns, He will take up the throne of David? Could there be a throne, or part of that throne, on the earth today? What about the 'Stone of Scone,' also called the 'Stone of Destiny'? What does the Bible teach about the throne of David? Where was it after 586 A.D.? Scripture cannot be broken.Does the Bible tell us anything about Jeremiah and the 'kings daughters'? Are there ancient writings that give us clues?

Trade tensions and talks of trade wars have escalated. US President Donald Trump has put Europe, China, Mexico, and other lands on notice that he wants to change how international trade with the USA has been going. Tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, and even more tariffs are being implemented. Is this all just happenstance? Are we yet in a trade war?

While there have been a variety of false gospels since at least the time of Simon Magus and the Gnostics, there is a relatively new one being pushed by major leaders of the world's churches. Essentially, leaders are teaching that 'climate change' is related to salvation, the unpardonable sin, and something called the 'social gospel.'

On June 8, 2018, Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced the closing of seven Islamic mosques in an effort to reduce "political Islam." In the past several years, at least 6 European nations have banned the wearing of a commonly used garment by Islamic females. Heinz-Christian Strache (later Vice Chancellor of Austria) has declared that Islam has no place in Europe. Did Germany's Angela Merkel call multiculturalism a failure? Will there be deals between the Muslims and the Europeans?

Forbes posted an article by John Mauldin titled "2020s Might Be The Worst Decade In U.S. History." The article claimed that US debt is destined to rise dramatically as well as cause financial problems with Europe. He claimed that unemployment would greatly increase as well. He claimed a reset, like a biblical jubilee debt release, would be the logical solution. He claimed that the 2030s were then likely to be good. Could the 2020s be the worst decade in USA history?

Because of issues in Spain, Italy, Greece, and certain other nations that use the Euro for their currency, some are predicting the end of the Euro and the Eurozone (those nations that use the Euro). Is Europe so disunited that it will come apart? Is Europe taking steps, like repatriating gold (like Germany and Hungary have done and Belgium the Netherlands, and Austria are considering), to prepare for financial instability or to even attempt to dethrone the US dollar as the world's reserve currency?

The reaction of many leaders in Europe to US President Donald Trump's trade statements and his withdraw from the Iranian nuclear arms deal has led some to state this is a "revolt" from Europe. Some say 'America First.' should lead to 'Europe First.' It has been reported that Europe needs to be "clever" as it develops its military and economy to be less dependent upon the USA. EU Council President Donald Tusk tweeted that with friends like the USA, who needs enemies

Kabbalist Rabbi Dov Kook claims that the torrential rains in Israel during the Spring of 2018 is a sign that the coming of the Messiah is imminent. In addition to claiming to receive a supernatural message from Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, he pointed to other Jewish accepted writings as proof that this is so. In 1217, another Kabbalist, Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel, made predictions that came to pass centuries later. Are these to be relied on?