While digital currency may be seen as the inevitable way forward, this latest push by China could spell an end to privacy and be used as a control mechanism over its citizens by means of surveillance. What I've also noticed is that what starts in China doesn't necessarily stay in China.

Throughout the year health passports have been an ongoing point of discussion around the world as a means to safely ease people back into society or facilitate safe interactions within society during the coronavirus pandemic. "CommonPass" by the The Commons Project is another example of this. Interestingly, the World Economic Forum (WEF) is included in this initiative. Earlier in the year they also called for a "Great Reset". The Rockefeller Foundation which is also a "Founding Partner" of the ID2020 alliance supports them. It seems to me that the goals of ID2020, WEF's "Great Reset", and the Rockefeller Foundation may be coming together as we speak, with CommonPass as one of the tangible results of this union.

Thus far this year we've seen discussions surrounding quantum-dot tattoos that can be used in tandem with vaccines, the growing use of contact tracing efforts and even a contact tracing app that borrows from China's social credit system, as well as the growing popularity and implementation of health passports like Covi-Pass. Health Passport Ireland is another such system that sets itself up as a safe and effective way to re-introduce people back into society. They hope to eventually go global as well. Currently, many of us are experiencing a "new normal" that requires us to have a mask to enter many public establishments. As health passport systems become more widely used, could we see a similar reaction involving one's COVID-19 test records or vaccination status? "No test (or vaccine), no service"? If so, where could such a system lead to as the majority of society becomes conditioned to this "new normal"?

After John encounters the mighty angel and is given a little book and told to eat it, we move to Revelation 11 as we learn about the 2 witnesses and their ministry as well as the 7th trumpet judgment later in the chapter. In Revelation 11:1-2, John is given a measuring rod and told to measure the temple, altar, worshipers and leave out the outside. We also see mention of Jerusalem being trodden by gentiles for 42 months. What does all of this mean?

This latest news concerning the Amazon One palm reader is nothing new in terms of their efforts in utilizing our hands as a payment option. Around this time in 2019, I wrote an article about tests Amazon was undergoing at various Whole Foods stores with their hand scanning technology they were developing at the time. I later posted another article in January of this year that further expounded on their efforts to go beyond just the Whole Foods stores by integrating themselves into various areas of their consumer's lives. Already this year we've seen the quantum-dot tattoos as well as Google's "SkinMarks" that's caused some to raise an eyebrow. In my opinion, these various technologies and the growing move towards this type of system serves to show how close the tribulation period is.

With the recent news of the UAE normalizing ties with Israel and the signing of the Abraham Accord between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain, one thing we continue to hear a lot about is the two-state solution. On the day of the signing itself Bahrain's foreign minister marked the occasion as a "first step" towards peace but touted the two-state solution as the "bedrock" or foundation for any chances of lasting peace. Although many Christians believe that mention of a two-state solution is merely lip service to the Palestinians in an effort to "appease them", on closer inspection, this does not seem to be the case.

On September 15th, 2020, Israel signed peace agreements with the UAE and Bahrain. These agreements have now finalized the relationship between the three countries as the world at large applauds the new developments in a bid for peace in the Middle East. For the believer, for one, we can see this is stage setting for the Daniel 9:27 covenant. Also, as more Arab nations jump aboard we're coming to the realization that it'll create a more prosperous and safe Middle East, which is the state Israel will be in when several nations come against it in Ezekiel 38. Ultimately, as we see the set up for the future fulfillment of bible prophecy being set up right before our eyes concerning events that occur in close proximity to the tribulation, it should tell us that our redemption draws ever so near.

2020 has been an intense year. From the coronavirus pandemic, to the raging start to the fire season we're seeing in places like California and Oregon, as well as the very busy hurricane season. However, things seem to continue to escalate in intensity and frequency. As believers who are familiar with bible prophecy, we understand that as we progress in these last days, world events such as natural disasters will continue to increase in intensity and frequency. Interestingly, even the secular world as been raising the alarm on this fact.

As we're witnessing Arab nations normalize relations with Israel, the temple mount is also coming into the picture. Some are of the belief that it may now be time to normalize the temple mount as well. In my opinion, if the temple mount was "normalized" in some way, allowing for the Jews to pray on it, it would further add to the steps being taken to the building of the third temple! This is being brought into discussion right as when other preparations for the third temple are being made, and expectation for the Jewish messiah is at an all time high. Things are getting interesting to say the least.

Every year, new records are broken and set for the deadliest wildfire season. For the past few years, we've been seeing ravaging fires across the US, in states like California especially. And each year that follows is worse than the previous one. 2020 is no stranger to this pattern. Why the strange weather? The world blames it on climate change, but as believers in Christ none of this catches us by surprise. We know that we're in the last days and the bible clearly lays out what to expect in this time - things escalating in intensity and frequency until the 2nd Coming of Christ.