World Changes in 2017

In the coming year, Britain will continue work on its exit from the EU, and America will inaugurate a president with no political experience. France will hold elections and could select a social conservative who may move closer to Russia (Rasmussen Reports, November 29, 2016). Italy’s political future is uncertain, and anti-immigration sentiments are growing in Holland and Germany. “In welcoming Muslim immigrants, Germany’s Angela Merkel no longer speaks for Europe, even as she is about to lose her greatest ally, Barack Obama” (ibid.). “Geert Wilders, the Party for Freedom frontrunner for prime minister of Holland, echoed Le Pen: ‘They [illegal immigrants] hate and kill us. And nobody protects us. Our leaders betray us. We need a political revolution. Islamic immigration/Is an invasion,’ he went on, ‘An existential problem/That will replace our people/Erase our culture’” (The American Conservative, December 23, 2016). Other reports suggest, “2017 will be the most important year yet for the continuity of the eurozone as political and economic risk reaches the bloc’s very core in Germany, France and Italy” (Stratfor, December 13, 2016). Around the world, governments are unraveling and drifting toward chaos (ibid.).

Long ago, Jesus warned that as we approach the end of the age, the news would be filled with accounts of “wars and rumors of wars,” as well as ethnic and international strife, violence and natural disasters—droughts, famines, and disease epidemics (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21), which He said are only “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:6-8). Christians must watch world events so that we are not caught unaware (vv. 42-44). For more details on future world events, read or listen to Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return.