Starting at the in the middle of 2010, and continuing into the first half of January, the news of crop failure due to floods, cold weather, disease, currency collapse and government regulation has been burning the news and blogs with dire reports of critical food shortages and escalating prices. While America may not experience food shortages in the short term, a good deal of the rest of the world is already feeling the pain.
Here are two scriptures that directly relate to this phenomena: Mat 24:6-8 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Also: Rev 6:5-6 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
Whether we are seeing the beginnings of sorrows, or we are witnessing the early stages of the opening of the third seal, or both, this is a matter for serious contemplation. Could it be that we really are in the time that the Bible specifically prophesied about, the end of days? It is fantastic to consider!
A couple more things to think about and consider:
- As Americans, we are a very small part (300M) of the global population (6.8B). We sometimes think that prophecy should have a direct impact on us, when in fact, it may impact others in the world to a devastating degree, but only a minor impact on the US. Of course, this does not mean that American wealth is going to save us from other disasters, such as financial collapse, it is just that not all prophetic events are going to effect all of the world in the same way.
- Jesus told us that we are to "keep watch", so that we know the times. Mat 24:38-39 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Mat 24:42-44 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. It is entirely possible that the currently developing famine threat could recede, and, the prophesied famine written about could come at another time, however, it is also a strong possibility that we could in fact be in the prophesied time of sorrows and/or the third seal. We have to watch to know.
Link - Investigators baffled as wheat fields wither
Link - 29% of Americans say it's difficult to afford food
Link - Food Emergency: Millions of Americans are heading to food banks
Link - Census: Number of poor may be millions higher
Link - Behold a Black Horse - World moves closer to food price shock
Link - FOX Reports - "Massive food shortages. THIS YEAR 2011!! (Video)
Link - All evidence points to a dramatic increase in food prices worldwide, possible shortages
Link - 7 Reasons food shortages will become a global crisis
Link - Food prices spike worldwide: And the are going higher
Link - G20 to tackle food prices as countries reassure
Link - US Corn stocks seen at 15 year low
Link - One poor harvest away from chaos
Link - Freeze hits grocery shelves: Fresh fruit, veggie shortages, high prices face shoppers
Link - USDA begins surveying damages to citrus crops
Link - The great food crisis of 2011
Link - Rain puts Aussie wheat crops at risk
Link - Australia floods: Food prices to rise 30%
Link - World food price shock feared
Link - Rice shortage likely in the wake of Sri Lankan rains
Link - Flood situation worsens, impending food shortage
Link - Over 9200 cattle die from northern cold spell
Link - South Korea struggles to contain foot and mouth epidemic
Link - Food Riots 2011
Link - Germany closes 4700 farms in dioxin scare Link -3000 German farms reopen after scare
Link - US Wheat Review: Soars on firm global demand, poor weather
Link - Food price jumps protested in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco
Link - Wheat nearing record price amid supply, production fears
Link - Victoria floods to hurt Australia wheat quality
Link - Doom and Gloom
Link - Record food prices causing Africa riots stoking U.S.
Link - Obama orders military to prepare for food riots
The Outlook
Clearly, even just scanning through the headlines makes it obvious that something out of the ordinary is up. Food supplies and prices are being affected by a convergence of multiple causes: "biblical" floods, diseases affecting cattle, droughts, searing heat, and toxic chemicals. The cost of production is being affected by the economic crisis, and currency devaluations. Food riots are already breaking out. Prices are already at levels seen in 2008, at which time production costs were through the roof, as oil was at $147 a barrel.
This round of famine is in the early stages, the severity appears to be increasing rapidly. The outlook is for expanding prices, and reduction in supplies as food riots continue to erupt.
What Does It Mean?
- The most important "meaning" that we can derive from all this is a spiritual one. Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
If you believe that we are seeing the beginnings of sorrows, then it is time. We should be busy strengthening and comforting each other, meeting together holding each other up, for the purpose of holding fast to our Lord, that we will become increasingly ready for His coming for His bride. This is not a time for business as usual. Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. There is a very good chance that the day understood in the phrase "the day is approaching", is upon us.
- The second thing this means is that we should listen for the Lord's guidance to prepare for the times to come. Pro 6:6-11 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. We don't know how difficult our time on earth will become before the rapture occurs, so it is prudent to prepare as our Lord leads you.This is a great topic for a care group or home church meeting.
As we lean in close to Jesus during any time, we allow his grace and covering to protect us, spiritually and physically. He cares about us, and if we are obedient to follow his lead, which is different for different people, then we will all be just fine, no matter what happens. Small groups will be key, as our Lord leads different members to prepare in different ways, for the benefit of the whole group, and the lost. Luk 12:37-38 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
If you are reading this, and have not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord, and Savior, this would be a great time to do so. The way to salvation has been made plain to us: John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. It is through Jesus's work on the cross that we are saved.
This salvation is the free gift of God, and it is yours if you ask. Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Turn to God and pray: "Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
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