The Western world in particular has largely adopted a godless, secular approach to life, and we should all be aware of where this dangerous path will eventually take us.

The World in 2014, the current edition of the annual publication on the state of the world from the British magazine The Economist, states: "At the turn of the 21st century The Economist had sage words that deserve to be read again. 'In every way that people, firms, or governments act and plan,' it wrote, 'they are making implicit forecasts about the future.' That is a fundamental fact. Our decisions rest on expectations of what the future will look like and how those decisions will play out in it" ("Who's Good at Forecasts?" Nov. 18, 2013, p. 89, emphasis added throughout).

From a biblical standpoint, where are present trends taking the world as we begin another new year? What does the future hold for all of mankind? Jesus Christ plainly instructed us, "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).

Clearly the Bible reveals the future and plainly tells us the ultimate outcome of present world trends, along with highlighting major occurrences along the way (see Isaiah 46:9-11). In this particular edition of "Current Events and Trends," we will take a figurative walk around specific regions of the world, flagging various areas experiencing serious to severe troubles. (Source: The World in 2014.)