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?

Could Iran and Syria combine to attack the state of Israel? The media has placed hopes on Russia to prevent such conflict. Some Protestant and Jewish sources point to Russia as an ally to Iran to invade Israel to fulfill Ezekiel 38. Are explanations based on Ezekiel 38 possibly come to pass before Jesus returns? How does it involve silver and gold? What does Ezekiel 38 really teach about its time period?

Could we see a ban of the Holy Bible in North America? Have there been partial bans proposed and enforced by government officials in Canada? Do any USA politicians consider any biblical teachings as fraudulent and hence NOT a violation of the 1st amendment to the Constitution of the USA? Are there risks associated with AB 2943? Have politicians like Hillary Clinton and California Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi called for long-held religious beliefs to change and "evolve with the times"?

Billionaire Elon Musk declared he was worried that artificial intelligence (AI) may lead to the rise of an "immortal dictator," a "godlike" entity that could take over the world. Is this accurate, or at least, close in some ways? Does Bible prophecy foretell of the rise of an immoral leader who considers himself above all gods? Will this result in great destruction? What is AI? How might it fit in with various prophecies? Was the increase of technological knowledge we now prophesied over 2000 years ago?

On April 14, 2018, Syrians were awoken by the sounds of about 120 missiles/bombs sent against areas of their country. The United States of America, United Kingdom, and France launched this attack related to claims of chemical weapons use earlier that week. Will Syria's capital one day be destroyed as prophesied in Isaiah chapter 17? If so, could this be before the start of the Great Tribulation? Are there prophecies about Syrians and the UK and USA? Is this attack against Syria leading to WWIII between the USA/UK/France and Russia/Syria/Iran?

The Shroud of Turin has been a mystery to many for a long time. In April of 2018, a possibly full-sized 3-dimension replica of the 5' 11" man in that Shroud was shown to the public. Could the Shroud of Turin have been the actual burial cloth of Jesus? In this video, Dr. Thiel goes over 12 reasons to consider about the possibility authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. These include the belief that tortured blood residue is on it, its age, claimed blood type, presence of pollens

Are concerns about internet censorship limited to nations such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. But what about the USA, Canada, and Germany? What about the European Union? What about internet media companies such as Facebook, Google, YouTube, or email services like MailChimp? Has the attempt to control information been made by various ones over the centuries? Was the New Testament affected by it? What about the church throughout the centuries? Is the Bible already been partially censored?

On March 17, 2018, all 2970 members of the National Peoples Congress voted to allow Chinese President Xi Jingping to have no term limits. Is it possible that he will be a 'king of the east,' a 'king of the sunrise' prophesied in Revelation 16:12? Is China one of the great nations prophesied in Jeremiah 50:9? Would be expect it to be part of the 200,000,000 man army of Revelation 9? Could China's Silk Road project have any bearing on Armageddon?

The Temple Institute has claimed that the fate of the world depends on something called a red heifer. What is a red heifer? Is it mentioned in the Bible? Could one be tied in with end of the world prophecies? Will animal sacrifices resume in Israel? Is a red heifer or a 'third temple' needed for this? What does the Bible teach about such things? What have representatives of the Temple Institute and Sanhedrin told Dr. Thiel? How many red heifers have there been claimed to be?

The 70th anniversary of the founding of the World Council of Churches (WCC) is being observed in Geneva, Switzerland in June 2018. Pope Francis plans to attend. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member--officially--of the WCC, but 348 other churches are. Yet, both the WCC and Vatican, as well as the United Nations, have the same basic ecumenical and interfaith agenda. Will we see signs and lying wonders?

There have been many school shootings. The shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkfield, Florida, resulted in 17 deaths. But also has brought out various calls for change. In this video, Dr. Thiel explains why seven 'solutions' have not worked.

There are more and more calls for a European Army. At the Munich Security Conference in February 2018, US Senator Lindsey Graham declared that he . European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that he did not want a European superstate. But are both of those views naive? Will Europe get a "great army"? Will Europe always remain a faithful part of NATO? Might Europe use US military technology against the USA? I

Mel Gibson's 'Passion of the Christ' movie grossed over $600 million. He is working on a sequel tentatively titled 'Resurrection.' The actor who plays Jesus (Jim Caviezel) said this movie will have "shocking" parts. One part, that has been reported, is the idea that Jesus went to Hades after the crucifixion and prior to the resurrection to preach to souls in "hell."' Is that what the New Testament teaches? Is this something original to the Apostles and what is called the "Apostles" Creed'? Did Jesus really die?

'The Catholic Encyclopedia' reported that in the first millennium of the Christian era, there were those who consider that the 'cross' would be the 'mark of the beast.' Is this too far-fetched to be possible now? As it turns out, in the 21st century, the World Council of Churches, the Vatican, and the Lutheran have embraced the 'Lund Cross,' also known as the Salvadoran cross for purposes of ecumenical unity.