There were many stories that made Christian headlines in 2018, but these particular stories stood out as noteworthy. Some of these stories challenged us, opened our eyes to new biblical discoveries and encouraged our faith in a major way. What could be more incredible than that? Here are some of the most noteworthy Christian events of 2018:

Researchers Created a Life-Sized Replica of Jesus

In 2018, a 3-D carbon copy statue was created of what Jesus likely looked like, based on the measurements of the shroud. Based on this replica, Jesus is thought to have been taller than the average man from the first century.

“According to our studies, Jesus was a man of extraordinary beauty. Long-limbed, but very robust, he was nearly 5 ft. 11 in. tall, whereas the average height at the time was around 5 ft. 5 in. And he had a regal and majestic expression,” said Fanti.

Both the University of Padua and Padua Hospital collaborated to create the life-sized replica of Jesus.

Trump Makes Historical Decision to Move U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem

President Donald Trump publically recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. On the 70^th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel, he made the historical decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

“By recognizing Jerusalem as the capital on the [election] campaign and making it happen in the first part of his presidency signals to everyone, including the North Koreans, that there’s a new sheriff in town,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (South Carolina), who is leading a delegation of four Republican senators attending Monday’s celebration.

The ceremony solidified Trump’s pledge to offer diplomatic recognition to Israel’s claim of Jerusalem as its capital.

New Genetic Study Revealed 90 Percent of Animals Formed Alongside Humans

A genetic study released in 2018 debunked much of what we know today about the evolution of species.

In this study, senior research associate at the Program for the Human Environment at Rockefeller University Mark Stoeckle and University of Basel geneticist David Thaler discovered that 90 percent of all animals on Earth appeared at right around the same time as humans. This affirms the biblical account of creation, says Ken Ham, founder and president of Answers in Genesis.

The DNA barcodes of 100,000 animal species were examined in a study published in the journal Human Evolution. They found, more specifically that 9 out of 10 animal species on our planet came into being at the same time as humans 100,000 to 200,000 years ago.The conclusion of this study goes against evolutionary theory.

Jim Bakker Says That God Chose Trump So Christians Could Prepare for the End Times

On one of Jim Bakker’s television broadcasts, he said that God told him that President Trump was elected in order to give Christians enough time to prepare for the return of Jesus Christ.

“Have you ever seen a time when we hate our president like the people do now?” Bakker stated. “Literally half the nation hates the president and would probably kill him if they got a chance.”

While the “Antichrist spirit” has been let loose on America, “God has given us a man who is not afraid to fight. We have a president people think is crazy. They call him crazy, but he’s making peace treaties, he’s doing all the things to try to solve the world’s problems and God has put him on earth—God spoke to me the other night, He said, ‘I put Donald Trump on earth to give you time, the church, to get ready.’”

This is what He told me,” Bakker claimed. “He said, ‘Donald Trump is a respite in this troubled times and I sent him in grace to give you time to prepare for what’s coming on earth.’”

Archaeologists Uncover Site of Jesus’ First Miracle

Many of us are familiar with the biblical story of the wedding at Cana where Jesus turned six stone jars of water into wine. While the exact location of this city had been lost over the past 2,000 years, archaeologists made a huge discovery in 2018 claiming to have uncovered the famous city. The site in lower Galilee contains a Roman-era synagogue, several Jewish ritual baths or miqva’ot, an ostracon incised with Hebrew letters and six Maccabean coins. All of this makes it clear that Khirbet Cana was a Jewish village from 323 B.C. to at least A.D. 324.

End Times Theorists Claim to Have Proof of End Times

While we are told that we are not to try and figure out a date or time that the Rapture will occur, there are still Christians who try to predict the End Times. Steve Fletcher, an End Times theorist thought he had the date figured out. He claimed that a number of factors pointed to June 21, coinciding with the Summer Solstice. He also said that the date had important significance saying it was related to the number 33. Jesus was 33 at His resurrection, and there have been 33 days from the Royal Wedding, and Prince Harry is also 33 years old. While his predictions were wrong, we’re sure this won’t be the last time he makes a prediction.
Later in 2018,  during a sermon at Azusa Pacific University, Evangelist Francis Chan called out the American Church and encouraged believers to read through the Book of Revelation. He then addresses Revelation 2-3. Here Jesus tells John to deliver harsh words to seven different churches. Chan believes the American church is no different than the churches in Revelation and need needs to repent.

A University Study Suggested They May Have Had the Answer to What God May Have Looked Like

What does God look like? In 2018, a group of psychologists suggested they might have the answer, based on research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and it’s not what you’re thinking.

Researchers asked 551 American Christians what they think God looks like. They were able to create a composite mugshot from the many responses.

The final image shows a white male, young and clean cut. When it comes to God’s expression, Mona Lisa’s smile comes to mind. This is significantly different than how Michelangelo portrayed God. Instead of a large, old man with a flowing white beard, the averaging image showed a beardless, younger face.

Federal Court Denies Atheist’s Suit to Remove “In God We Trust” From Money

Atheist Michael Newdow attempted to remove “In God We Trust” from American currency but it was struck down by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. He said to have coins and paper money carrying the motto was “compelled speech” that violated his religious beliefs, but the Court disagreed. The court said Newdow’s complaint “does not allege that anyone has ever attributed the motto to them. And the Supreme Court has strongly suggested that the motto’s inscription on currency does not compel speech.”

Ancient Coins Dating to Time of Ezra Discovered in Jerusalem

There was another rare archaeological find made in 2018. Five coins dating to the time of Ezra have been discovered in Jerusalem. According to the Israeli news website YNETNEWs, the coins measure about seven millimeters across. This discovery dates all the way back to the 4th Century, B.C. What else is incredible about this find is the fact that three of the five coins were intact and legible.

Rare Evidence of 2000-Year-Old Crucifixion Found

Jesus Christ died on a Roman cross as recorded in the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. A recent archaeological discovery is providing more evidence that Jesus indeed died more than 2,000 years ago.

A 2018 study of the skeletal remains of a man buried in northern Italy 2,000 years ago reveals a lesion and unhealed fracture on one of the heel bones which suggests that his feet had been nailed to a wooden cross. This same method was used for the execution of Jesus described in the Bible.

Iranian Government Sentenced Four Christians to 45 Years in Prison For Their Faith in Jesus Christ

The persecution of Christians continues to increase around the world. Claiming Christ in parts of the world can lead to violence, imprisonment and death. One of these places is Iran, where Islam is the official religion. In 2018, Iran’s government gave four Christians a very harsh prison sentence – 45 years – for their faith in Jesus Christ.

“These Christians were solely arrested for practicing their Christian faith, including attending Christmas gatherings and organizing house churches,” Mike Ansari of Heart4Iran told CBN News.

Bible Experts Say Jesus Had Female Disciples That Were Wiped From History

Helen Bond and Joan Taylor, both Bible experts have used forensic examination of the New Testament to understand how women were really viewed 2,000 years ago.

The two say they may have unearthed secrets which could change how millions of Christians across the world observe their faith. While the Bible is male-dominated, there were women during Jesus’ time that used their influence to spread the Gospel, something the Bible doesn’t heavily illustrate.

Bond and Taylor believe there was a female counterpart for every male member of the traditional 12 disciples and their influence was just as pivotal. One such example is Mary Magdalene, who is often wrongly dismissed as a prostitute.

China Cracks Down on Christianity in a Big Way

The ruling party in China attempted to increase their control over religious freedom in the country. In 2018, they made a big crackdown on Christianity.

In the country’s province of Henan, which has one of the largest Christian populations in China, churches were raided and demolished, Bibles and holy books were confiscated and new laws were established to monitor religious activities.

Scientists Find Evidence of Meteroite Responsible for Destroying Sodom and Gomorrah

In 2018, scientists found evidence that Sodom and Gomorrah may have been destroyed similarly to how the Bible describes the event. According to Scripture, “the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah–from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities–and also the vegetation in the land…Abraham looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace.” According to science, this catastrophic destruction may have been the result of a low-altitude meteor that passed over the area.

Over 90 Million Christians Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem was celebrated by over 90 million Christians across 170 countries, and more than 1,000 Christians traveled from across the world to join Christian and Jewish leaders at the Haas Promenade for an interfaith prayer.

Cows Form Signs of the Cross Sending Powerful Christian Message

North Dakota Farmer Gene Hanson is known for plowing creative messages. This particular message was different than anyone he had done before.

Instead of using his plow, he used his neighbor’s cows, approximately 150 young black Angus cattle. He wanted to send an important message, a powerful message.

“It’s the Christmas season,” Hanson told Fox News, “and I thought that would be really nice if he put the feed down in a sign of the cross and he did.”

He wanted to share a reminder to people of “the birth of Jesus” as the true reason for the season.

This is not the first time this farmer has sent a Christian message. Hanson also has a large cross erected in his own cow pasture, 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide, along U.S. Highway 281. He put solar lights on the cross so people can see it at night.