Prophetic News Recap for April 14-20

All evidence seems to indicate that the prophesied end-time signs – from natural disasters to geopolitical turmoil and spiritual apostasy – continue to converge in our days. As Jesus urged, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). Keep watch, and let these headlines drive us not to fear, but to a deeper faith in the unshakeable Word of God. Following is a roundup up of last week's most prophetic stories.

Earthquakes in Diverse Places

Multiple significant quakes rattled different parts of the world this week, echoing Jesus’ warning of “earthquakes in diverse places” (Matthew 24:7). On April 14, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Southern California, jolting San Diego County and surrounding areas ​latimes.com. Later in the week, a magnitude 5.8 quake hit the Afghanistan–Tajikistan border region on April 19 ​reuters.com, and a magnitude 5.5 tremor shook Indonesia’s Seram Island on April 20​ reuters.com.

Though moderate, these quakes were widely felt and serve as reminders of the prophesied seismic activity to come​icr.org. No major damage was reported, but Christians note the global span of these tremors – from Asia to the Americas – fits the biblical pattern of end-times signs​icr.org.

Volcanic Eruptions (“Pillars of Smoke”)

Volcanoes also showed activity, bringing to mind the “pillars of smoke” foretold in Scripture (Joel 2:30). In Hawaii, the Kīlauea volcano began a new eruptive episode on April 16, with lava overflowing from a summit vent in a fiery display​mauinow.com. Across the globe in Italy, Mount Etna – Europe’s most active volcano – erupted again on April 19, spewing ash and lava. The eruption prompted an aviation alert, though flights continued, and marked Etna’s fourth eruption this month ​aa.com.tr​aa.com.tr.

These volcanic outbursts created vivid images of fire and smoke columns, reinforcing prophetic imagery. While such eruptions are natural events, many believers see them as foretastes of the “wonders” in the earth prophesied for the last days.

Wars, Rumors of Wars (Geopolitical Alignments)

Geopolitical tensions remained high, aligning with Jesus’ prophecy of “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). In the Middle East, the United States deployed a second aircraft carrier (USS Carl Vinson) to the region on April 15 ahead of new nuclear talks with Iran ​endtimeheadlines.org. This show of force underscored escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program ​endtimeheadlines.org and fueled speculation of a possible conflict if diplomacy fails.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sharpened his rhetoric against Israel, even reportedly calling for the “destruction of Zionist Israel” during an April Eid al-Fitr event ​endtimeheadlines.org. Prophecy observers found this noteworthy in light of Ezekiel 38 – many interpret Turkey as part of the Gog-Magog alliance against Israel ​endtimeheadlines.org.

The alignment of nations is being watched closely: Turkey cozying up to Russia and Iran, China warning countries against siding with the U.S. ​endtimeheadlines.org, and other strategic posturing all suggest that the stage is being set for the prophesied end-time conflicts.

Signs in the Heavens

This week saw intriguing celestial news, which some tie to “signs in the heavens” (Luke 21:25). Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope announced potential evidence of life on a distant exoplanet ~124 light-years away ​endtimeheadlines.org. They detected atmospheric indicators that could hint at biological processes – a discovery hailed as a milestone in the quest for extraterrestrial life.

At the same time, skywatchers noted we are in a period between major eclipses; no eclipse fell during this week, but many recall last year’s solar eclipse and look ahead to future “blood moon” events. While scientists celebrate exoplanet findings, some Christians caution that discoveries of “alien” life could play into end-time deception. Indeed, Jesus said there would be “fearful sights and great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11), and any news hinting at life beyond Earth raises spiritual questions.

Economic Instability and Global Financial Shaking

Global markets and economies showed more tremors, fitting the biblical pattern of end-times financial turmoil (Revelation 6:5-6). In Washington, President Trump’s ongoing tariff battles intensified: broad new tariffs – reportedly up to 145% on imports from China – are squeezing supply chains and raising consumer prices​reuters.com.

On April 21, the White House convened major retailers (Walmart, Target, etc.) to discuss the impact of these tariffs, as stock markets reacted with significant volatility​ reuters.com. The S&P 500 fell over 3% in a day amid fears that rising costs and “erratic” trade moves could stall the economy ​reuters.com.

Inflationary pressures persist in food and energy prices worldwide, and debt levels are soaring – the CEO of BlackRock warned that the U.S. may already be on the brink of recession, underscoring how precarious the situation is.

Christians note that the Bible foresees a time of hyperinflation and economic collapse (e.g. a day’s wages for a loaf of bread in Revelation), and these trendlines hint at such a scenario. Globally, “economic distress of nations” is evident: China is leveraging its $760 billion in U.S. debt as a potential economic weapon​prophecynewswatch.com, and Europe is grappling with energy shortages and recession fears.

Last week’s news highlights how quickly the global economic order could unravel, aligning with end-time prophecies of a coming financial crisis that paves the way for a new economic system.

Extreme Weather and Natural Disasters (Roaring of the Seas & Waves)

Severe weather struck the United States over the Easter weekend, bringing to mind Jesus’ words about the “sea and the waves roaring” (Luke 21:25). In Oklahoma, torrential rains led to historic flash flooding – police in Moore, OK described it as a “historic weather event” after dozens of high-water rescues ​reuters.com. Tragically, at least two people (including a child) died when their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters​reuters.com. The same storm system spawned thunderstorms and several tornadoes across the South and Midwest, with a tornado watch spanning Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma​ reuters.com.

On April 19, a powerful twister tore through Ada, Oklahoma, destroying buildings and injuring several, and another struck central Missouri – vivid reminders of nature’s fury ​endtimeheadlines.org.

Elsewhere, parts of Europe saw unseasonable storms and flooding as well. Many see these chaotic weather patterns as “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8), noting the increasing intensity of storms, floods, and other disasters. The roaring seas, howling winds, and shaking earth all seem to testify that creation is groaning – and pointing to the soon return of the Lord.

Lawlessness, Violence, and Moral Decay

“Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). Sadly, this week’s news gave several examples of abounding lawlessness and chilling cruelty. On April 17, a mass shooting at Florida State University left two people dead and six injured ​endtimeheadlines.org. The 20-year-old suspect (the son of a sheriff’s deputy) opened fire on campus, prompting an hours-long lockdown and terror among students. Such acts of violence – in schools, malls, and city streets – have become distressingly frequent, reflecting a society where human life is devalued. In another incident, a 17-year-old in Illinois was charged with murdering a peer at a high school track meet, a crime that shocked the community and exemplified the “cold-heartedness” of this age ​endtimeheadlines.org.

Beyond physical violence, moral and spiritual lawlessness was on display. In San Francisco, an LGBTQ drag troupe called the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence hosted an Easter weekend event openly mocking Jesus and Christianity. Their “Hunky Jesus & Foxy Mary” costume contest and blasphemous performances (even targeting children with a drag Easter egg hunt) sparked outrage ​endtimeheadlines.org​endtimeheadlines.org. Catholic leaders condemned the show as “absolutely sickening” and blatantly blasphemous​endtimeheadlines.org​endtimeheadlines.org.

Such public mockery of faith, once unthinkable, is increasingly common – just as 2 Timothy 3:2–5 describes people in the last days as lovers of self and pleasure rather than lovers of God. Many Christians see these incidents as evidence that society is rapidly rejecting biblical values, fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy that end-time society would resemble “the days of Noah” and “the days of Lot” – times marked by violence, perversion, and widespread unbelief (Luke 17:26–29).

Apostasy and Falling Away in the Church

Within the Church itself, there are signs of a great falling away from the faith (2 Thessalonians 2:3). A sobering example came out of Pennsylvania, where a local pastor was arrested in a child sex abuse sting this week​ endtimeheadlines.org. He was one of six men caught in an undercover operation targeting predators. This scandal – a pastor implicated in grotesque sin – has shaken his community and is seen as part of the broader pattern of apostasy and moral failure among some church leaders.

Meanwhile, new survey data and reports point to an accelerating exodus from organized religion in Western nations. An opinion piece at Prophecy News Watch noted that a growing number of Americans are “swapping organized religion for personal truth”​endtimeheadlines.org. Instead of adhering to Biblical doctrine, many people (especially younger generations) are crafting individualized spiritualities that mix New Age ideas, self-help, and moral relativism. This trend fulfills 1 Timothy 4:1, which says that “in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” Even within established denominations, there is doctrinal drift – for example, debates on sexuality, the authority of Scripture, and even the divinity of Christ are causing splits and confusion.

On April 16, the Church of England again made headlines as more clergy pushed to bless same-sex marriages, deepening the rift between traditionalists and progressives in the Anglican Communion. All these developments contribute to what many believe is a major apostasy unfolding: the stage being set for a pseudo-spiritual, one-world religion that will accompany the Antichrist. Yet amid the falling away, a faithful remnant is holding fast to truth and contending earnestly for the faith (Jude 1:3).

Famines and Food Insecurity

“There will be famines…” (Matthew 24:7) – Food insecurity remains a critical global issue, with new warnings of famine conditions. The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) sounded an alarm that millions are at risk of hunger in 2025 due to conflict, drought, and aid shortfalls. In fact, WFP announced it must suspend food assistance for 2 million people in Africa this month (April) because funding has run dry ​wfp.org​wfp.org. This cut will hit areas of the Central Sahel and Nigeria, including refugee camps in Chad and Mali and vulnerable communities in Burkina Faso, Niger, and northern Nigeria. Aid officials warn that without urgent help, those populations could plunge into “emergency” (IPC Phase 4) hunger levels, just one step shy of full-blown famine​wfp.org​wfp.org.

New data from Somalia likewise indicate that 4.4 million Somalis may face acute food insecurity by mid-2025 due to a forecasted drought ​reuters.com​reuters.com. Somalia and the Horn of Africa endured the driest conditions in four decades last year, and another failed rainy season could be catastrophic. Sadly, famine is not just an African problem: in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Haiti, and other crisis zones, millions teeter on the brink of starvation.

Even in affluent countries, food banks are reporting unprecedented demand as economic hardship grows. Prophetic scripture associates famine with the unfolding judgments of the end times – the “black horse” of Revelation 6 brings scarcity and rationing.

Last week’s developments – from UN famine warnings to images of people queueing for food aid – underline how fragile the global food situation truly is​reuters.com. They also remind the Church to respond with compassion (Matthew 25:35) and to recognize these trends as signs of the times.

Plagues, Pestilences, and Disease Outbreaks

In the realm of public health, pestilences continue to threaten. The specter of avian flu resurfaced with a chilling case in Mexico: a child in Durango state became the country’s first-ever human infection of H5N1 bird flu, and tragically the child died on April 8 from the virus ​who.int. WHO confirmed the case on April 17 and noted poultry outbreaks in that area ​who.int​who.int. While officials say the overall risk to the public remains low, any human case of H5N1 is alarming due to its ~50% mortality rate in past outbreaks. Governments are racing to respond – the U.S. fast-tracked development of an H5N1 vaccine and antivirals​ endtimeheadlines.org. This comes amid a wider uptick in bird flu globally and fears that the virus could mutate to spread more easily among humans (a scenario that some prophecy teachers equate with the “pestilences” Jesus foretold in Luke 21:11).

Meanwhile in the U.K., doctors issued an unusual warning about a “flesh-eating” sexually transmitted disease that is on the rise. Cases of necrotizing fasciitis of the genitals (known as Fournier’s gangrene, a rare but deadly infection) have increased, prompting alarmist headlines ​endtimeheadlines.org. This infection, though still uncommon, can kill within hours if untreated, exemplifying the kind of terrifying diseases that can appear in the last days.

Additionally, health authorities in Texas reported a measles outbreak in multiple counties as of April 18, with over 70 cases and some patients hospitalized. After years of decline, measles and other “old” diseases are making comebacks due to falling vaccination rates – another aspect of pestilence.

The convergence of these reports – new deadly diseases, old diseases rebounding, and persistent COVID-19 fallout (long-hauler cases, etc.) – has believers mindful of Revelation 6:8, where plague rides alongside war and famine. It’s a sober reminder of how vulnerable our world remains to microscopic threats and how quickly fear can spread in their wake.

Christian Persecution Intensifies

Around the world, persecution of Christians showed no signs of abating; in fact, it seems to be intensifying, just as Jesus warned: “You will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9).

In Nigeria, a horrific massacre of Christians underscored the extreme dangers believers face. Over the first weekend of April (April 2–3), Islamist Fulani militants raided villages in Plateau State, slaughtering more than 60 Christians and burning down 383 homes ​foxnews.com. Families were burned alive and whole communities destroyed. “Nigeria’s Christians are being wiped out – it’s genocide,” said the president of International Christian Concern​ foxnews.com​foxnews.com. Fox News and persecution watchdogs highlighted that this kind of attack is shockingly routine: up to 100,000 Nigerian Christians have been killed by extremist violence since 2001, and an estimated 3.5 million driven off their lands ​foxnews.com.

As Easter approached, church leaders in Nigeria held services under armed guard, mourning their martyrs and pleading for international help. The blood of the saints is crying out from the ground in Nigeria, yet the world’s response has been muted. Nonetheless, prophetic voices point to this as a fulfillment of the scenario in Revelation 6: “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God…” – believing that Nigerian believers are among those very souls.

In Communist China, persecution is taking a more systemic form. The Chinese government announced new draconian religious regulations to take effect May 1, aiming to stamp out underground Christianity once and for all ​prophecynewswatch.com. For years, China has bulldozed churches, jailed pastors, and demanded absolute loyalty to the Communist Party over Christ. Now, according to a Prophecy News Watch report on April 15, worship will be further criminalized – unregistered house churches face harsher penalties, online evangelism is banned, and surveillance of official (state-controlled) churches is increasing​ prophecynewswatch.com. Over a billion Chinese live where true religious freedom does not exist. These developments have caused some to liken President Xi’s regime to “Babylon” persecuting God’s people. Indeed, Chinese Christians are modern heroes of faith, persevering under constant oppression. Their trials call to mind the Church of Smyrna in Revelation 2:10 (“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”).

Great Deception and Delusion (UFOs & Aliens)

Finally, in a realm that many prophecy teachers watch warily, there were hints of the coming “great deception” (2 Thessalonians 2:11) involving UFOs and aliens.

A bizarre discovery on Google Maps reignited UFO fever: eagle-eyed users spotted a mysterious black triangular structure at the famed Area 51 base in Nevada, leading to a flurry of wild theories​hindustantimes.com​hindustantimes.com. The image, which went viral online, shows what appears to be a shadowed triangular tower on the secretive Air Force property. Alien enthusiasts immediately speculated it could be a hidden extraterrestrial craft or some advanced tech, while others joked it might just be a new stealth aircraft or even a “UFO charging dock”​hindustantimes.com​hindustantimes.com. The fact that such a structure is visible at America’s most notorious “alien” site and hasn’t been blurred out fueled conspiracies. This comes on the heels of increased government transparency about UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena) – even the Pentagon has admitted to dozens of unexplained aerial encounters. Some Christian analysts suggest that a future “alien” narrative could be used to explain away the Rapture or unite the world under a false premise, and they are watching these developments closely.

Meanwhile, the scientific community delivered its own dose of potential deception: as noted above, astronomers announced what they called the strongest evidence yet of life beyond Earth on a distant planet​ endtimeheadlines.org.

While not talking about little green men, the mere suggestion of alien microbes was enough to set imaginations ablaze. Secular media framed it as humanity being “on the verge of discovering we’re not alone.” From a prophetic perspective, some worry that any discovery of alien life (or even a grand UFO disclosure event) could be leveraged by spiritual forces to shake people’s faith in the Bible. They point to how New Age beliefs are priming many to welcome aliens as saviors or creators.

Notably, in recent years figures like Dr. Steven Greer have claimed that extraterrestrials will bring enlightenment, and even former government officials hint at paradigm-shifting revelations ahead. All this dovetails with the Bible’s warning that the Antichrist’s rise will be accompanied by “all power, signs, and lying wonders” to deceive the unbelieving world (2 Thess. 2:9-11). The groundwork for such deception is being laid now.

Last week's UFO/alien buzz – from the Area 51 mystery tower to the exoplanet life indicators – may be innocuous on the surface, but believers keeping watch see it as part of a conditioning. They urge discernment, noting that our era’s fascination with “signs from the skies” could open the door for “doctrines of demons” masquerading as advanced aliens.

In short, the strong delusion foretold in Scripture may well involve an extraterrestrial explanation that ensnares those who “did not receive the love of the truth.” The wise will therefore view these alien narratives through a biblical lens even as they stay informed about the latest news.

Sources: The above report compiles news from mainstream media and Christian prophecy outlets between April 14 and April 20, 2025. Key sources include Reuters, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, Fox News Digital, as well as End Time Headlines, Prophecy News Watch, and Harbingers Daily, which provided a faith-based perspective on these events​latimes.com​reuters.com​aa.com.tr​endtimeheadlines.org​endtimeheadlines.org​reuters.com​reuters.com​endtimeheadlines.org​endtimeheadlines.org​wfp.org​who.int​foxnews.com​hindustantimes.com.