New Year expectations for 2025

The end of 2024 is approaching fast, and as usual I look back to see how good God has been to me, and look ahead to see what we can expect to see in 2025.

RAPTURE SOON AHEAD?

Christians expect the imminent rapture of believers. God, on purpose, I believe, did not want to give us an exact date, so to keep us on our toes- to be ready at all times.


In Matt 24:8 Jesus said signs of the times are the “beginning of sorrows.” The phrase “the beginning of sorrows” refers to the early stages of the birth pains, suggesting that the signs of the end times will be like the pains of labour, which start slowly but increase in intensity. This concept is also mentioned in Mark 13:8 and Luke 21:11, emphasizing the idea of escalating difficulties leading up to Christ’s return. Some of these difficulties are wars, rumours of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, false teachers, persecution of believers, the love of many waxing cold etc.


We certainly see an exponential increase of difficulties happening in the world today. In particular it struck me that when we read about the end-time church of Laodicea in Rev 3, we see that Jesus is standing outside its doors knocking. In many churches Jesus has been shunned!

We also read in 2 Pet 3:3-4 “that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming… all things continue as they were from the beginning…” These we also find today; however, the signs of the time do not lie:

Wars and Conflicts: Throughout history, especially in the 20th century, the world has witnessed two World Wars, ongoing regional conflicts, and increasing geopolitical tensions. The Russian- Ukraine conflict and the Israeli-Hamas/Hezbollah conflict continues.


Famines: Famines have occurred in various parts of the world, including significant ones in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.


Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters seem to have increased in frequency and intensity.


False prophets: Over the centuries, many false prophets, cults, and religious movements have emerged, claiming to have special revelations or teachings, misleading many people. The spread of prosperity gospel teachings and other non-biblical doctrines such as golden teeth, gold-dust etc. in the church is seen as part of this phenomenon. I always say, if you don’t see it in the New Testament, don’t expect it today.


The gospel preached to all nations: The gospel has reached many parts of the world, with missionary activity significantly expanding from the 19th century onward. Today, it is estimated that the Bible is available in over 700 languages, and Christian missionaries are present in nearly every country. Global communication via the internet and satellite TV has allowed the message of Christianity to reach isolated regions such as the Amazon River tribes.


Re-establishment of Israel as a nation: Luke 21:24– The establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948 is seen as a major prophetic fulfillment. The Jewish people returned to their homeland after nearly 2,000 years of exile, which many Christians see as a key sign of the end times. The regathering of Jews to Israel continues, and significant events, such as the Six-Day War in 1967, saw Jerusalem come under Israeli control. Also, during pres. Donald Trump’s first presidency the US acknowledged Jerusalem as the true capital of Israel.


Christian persecution is widespread in many parts of the world, particularly in regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia (e.g. in China, Russia and North Korea). Christians are facing increasing opposition, imprisonment, and even martyrdom for their faith. Statistics tell us that it is worse today than ever before. In many western countries it is increasingly seen as “hate speech”, for example, to preach about sin, or even the Bible itself.


Apostasy—the abandonment or corruption of true Christian teaching—is evident in many denominations, churches and bibles. Some churches have moved away from biblical doctrine, embracing secular ideologies, liberal theology, or moral compromise. Sin and repentance are not preached anymore, and some churches now have gay preachers, or allow Buddhists to lead meetings etc. The influence of secularism, relativism, and humanism in the West, along with the decline of traditional Christian values, is often interpreted as part of this “falling away.”


An increase in technology: Dan 12:24- The last century has seen an unprecedented increase in knowledge and technology. The rapid development of computers, the internet, space exploration, and biotechnology has transformed human society in ways unimaginable just a few decades ago. The ability for people to “run to and fro” (travel quickly) and access vast amounts of information almost instantly through the internet is a clear sign of increased knowledge. Quantum computers are on the horizon, and so is the Internet of Things etc.


ISRAEL


On American campuses and European city streets alike there has been an increase of Anti- Semitism last seen similarly just before the rise of Nazism and World War II. The Bible predicted this is in Psalm 83:3-4 -the nations conspiring against Israel: “They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee”


This psalm speaks of a conspiracy by various nations against Israel, seeking to destroy the Jewish nation and erase its identity. Some call the current nations and Iranian proxies fighting Israel on multi-fronts as the Ps 83 War: Hamas (Gaza strip), Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)(Gaza Strip), Hezbollah (Lebanon), Houthis (Yemen), Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) (Iraq).


Iran’s strategy of using proxies to challenge Israel allows Tehran to exert influence and pressure without directly engaging in full-scale conflict. These groups act as a “force multiplier” for Iran, and their activities are part of a broader geopolitical struggle involving not just Israel, but also the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern powers. At the same time, Iran is fast racing towards its goal of producing nuclear bombs which it wants to use against its enemy, Israel.


The world awaits to see if Iran will indeed use nuclear weapons, or if Israel will perhaps launch pre-emptive nuclear strikes. This will certainly escalate the conflict in the Middle-East that eventually will lead to Russia, Turkey and others attacking Israel. This will be the Gog- Magog War of Ez 38,39.


All major wars end with a peace treaty, so it is very likely that this war will end with the Antichrist appearing on the scene as peacemaker and signing a peace agreement between these nations and Israel for seven years. This, of course will start the Great Tribulation, and sometime between now and the Antichrist appearing, Jesus will meet his followers in the clouds (The Rapture 1 Cor 15:52)


DRONES IN WARFARE


Drones are increasingly used in modern warfare for surveillance, targeted strikes, and logistical support – enabling precision attacks, reducing casualties, and enhancing battlefield intelligence without putting soldiers at direct risk. They often attack in swarms like a pack of bees. It has the added advantage to be anonymous, so the attacker can often deny liability. Imagine, for example, a soccer or rugby match with tens of thousands of fans gathered together, when the enemy sends such swarm of drones to the stadium!


ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE


More and more people and companies are using chatgpt and other AI in their daily lives and businesses. As with all technology this has its pros and cons, and can be used for good or bad. What we do know is that AI is part of the transhumanist idea of linking man and machine, in an attempt to give man “god-like” powers, even striving for eternal life on this earth where 3D machines can print a new heart, liver or other human organs. These plans will of course only be for the “elect”- which no doubt will be the globalists themselves.


They are usually atheists, and do not consider that even if a 3D brain is printed and connected, if the person died the soul will be gone, and the “person” that continues living on earth will be a fake version of the original, with the actual person in all probabilities crying out in hell. Heb 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”


BITCOIN


Last year this time I warned that Bitcoin was going to skyrocket. It was standing at about $43,000. A year later and it is touching $100,000. That’s a massive profit of 132%. I predict it will skyrocket even more, as there is a limited supply that can be mined. I have been promoting Bitcoin for years now, since it is in essence a decentralized digital currency and asset (defined differently by different groups). Some call it digital gold, and I wholeheartedly agree! Even if you disagree with my end-time views, do yourself a favour and buy some bitcoin before the price is out of reach!


Since Bitcoin operates independently of any centralized power, it could represent an obstacle to the Antichrist’s desire to implement a global, centrally controlled financial system—a system in which the Mark of the Beast could be enforced.


However, the rise of Bitcoin also introduces the possibility of a digital cashless society, which is a precursor to the Mark of the Beast system. The Bible’s prophecy of a world where no one can buy or sell without the mark –Rev 13:17 – aligns with the potential for Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies to disrupt traditional payment systems. Bitcoin’s ability to transcend borders and be traded globally without the need for a middleman makes it an ideal vehicle for transactions in the end times. More and more nations and big corporations like MicroStrategy, and now perhaps even Microsoft, are showing interest in turning their bonds and cash into Bitcoin.


But as Bitcoin gains popularity, its use could eventually be replaced or subsumed by a more centralized digital currency system controlled by governments and institutions, paving the way for a fully controlled digital economy. My guess is that perhaps Quantum computing will eventually unlock all e-wallets, handing all control to those controlling Quantum computing. Or, what is also notable, most people/businesses/governments buy into ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds – similar to Unit Trusts- a type of investment fund that is traded on stock exchanges, much like individual stocks) that have bitcoin, instead of directly into bitcoin itself.


CBDCs: A Centralized Digital Currency and the Path to the Mark


Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are digital versions of a nation’s currency that are issued and regulated by central banks. Unlike Bitcoin, which is decentralized, CBDCs are completely controlled by governments. They allow for the same digital benefits as cryptocurrencies—speed, low transaction fees, and global transferability—but with the crucial distinction that they are centralized. Governments can control the issuance, circulation, and monitoring of these digital currencies.


The development of CBDCs is already underway in many countries. For instance, China has launched its Digital Yuan, and the U.S. Federal Reserve is exploring a digital dollar. In a world where most transactions are digital, CBDCs would provide governments with unprecedented control over individuals’ economic activities. These digital currencies could easily be integrated with systems that track citizens’ spending habits, reward or punish certain behaviours, and enforce loyalty to the government or a future one-world leader—the Antichrist.


From a biblical standpoint, CBDCs have the potential to fulfill several prophecies about the Mark of the Beast. A centralized digital currency system could and probably will easily be linked to a global ID system, allowing for the enforcement of the Mark of the Beast as a means of economic control. The government or the Antichrist’s regime could freeze, limit, or revoke access to an individual’s funds, based on whether they take the mark or pledge allegiance to the system.


The Transition to the Mark of the Beast System


As the world increasingly moves toward cashless and digital transactions, the stage is set for the establishment of a global, centralized digital economy. This transition could happen gradually, but with an exponential acceleration, with governments introducing CBDCs as a way to modernize payment systems, reduce financial crime, and improve efficiency. Over time, these digital currencies could replace traditional fiat currencies and become the primary means of exchange.


The Mark of the Beast will be implemented as the final step in this transition. The Antichrist, in his quest for global dominance, will require everyone to have the mark to participate in the economy. It is conceivable that the mark could be a digital chip, biometric identification, or other form of technology integrated into the CBDC system, making it necessary for every individual to accept it in order to buy or sell. The digital nature of the Mark, like Bitcoin and CBDCs, will make it easier to track and control every aspect of an individual’s financial life. Imagine how easy it would be to swipe your hand instead of your card when you buy something. People like Noah Harari actively mock God and promote under-the-skin technology.


As the world transitions to a cashless society, the government could enforce social credit scores, as China for example has already done, to dictate where people can spend their money, and even dictate how they use their resources. Those who refuse the mark would be unable to participate in the global economy, face persecution, and risk martyrdom.


PRES. DONALD TRUMP 2025-2029


Newly elected pres. Trump, evading an assassination attempt, is likely to present a significant hurdle to the globalist agenda for a one-world government. Trump’s “America First” policies and his nationalist, populist rhetoric emphasize sovereignty, national self-interest, and a resistance to multilateral global organizations, which have been key drivers of global governance initiatives. His administration in 2017-2021 consistently undermined international agreements like the Paris Climate Accords, the Iran Nuclear Deal, and the World Health Organization (WHO), asserting that such pacts undermined American autonomy. This stance, coupled with his focus on strengthening U.S. borders, trade protectionism, and reducing reliance on international institutions, would likely frustrate the ambitions of those pushing for a more integrated and cooperative world government.


However, while a Trump presidency might slow down or complicate the plans of globalists, it would not necessarily negate them altogether. The drive for a one-world government is driven by forces that extend beyond any single national leader, and globalism has long been embedded within the structures of major international organizations such as the World Economic Forum, the United Nations, and the International Criminal Court, transnational corporations, and influential elite networks. Even if Trump were to pursue policies that prioritize national sovereignty, these globalist initiatives would likely continue to advance through other means, such as technological globalization, corporate influence, and international lobbying, often circumventing national governments. For example, key multinational corporations, especially in technology and finance, continue to push for open borders, unrestricted global trade, and digital integration, areas where Trump’s policies may not have as direct an effect.