I have to think God knew of the things to come because when He created it all He knew what would transpire in each day,life and thought of all He made. The signs we ARE to watch are well stated so I feel it's not just that we're having a bad year it's just that it's come time in the changes of our planet for these things to take place.
Rev.3:5 says though that 'He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment: and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels.....souls we must reach and tell them of the truth could be lost and the blood of them will be on our hands...we must reach out to all and let them know of the love that is there for them and that this is not all there is but there is much to come.