Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a woman experiences in labor the farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period

… And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11).

… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)

… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken; (Luke 21:26)

… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)

Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several of many such prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This list can go on. Most studied Eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like a woman having labor pains that occur in greater severity, frequency, size and duration prior to giving birth. End of note.

China moves to halt swine fever with hog industry overhaul

By Dominique Patton and Hallie Gu. Reuters•February 27, 2019

BEIJING (Reuters) – China plans to divide its hog industry into five zones in an attempt to halt the spread of African swine fever across the world’s top pork producer and guarantee supplies.

Beijing has reported more than 100 outbreaks of the disease, which is fatal to pigs but not harmful to people, in 28 provinces and regions since last August, causing turmoil in the $1 trillion industry and related sectors.

China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs drew up the plan to ease the trade of pigs and pork within the regions, after earlier measures distorted prices and the market.

The plan, which was outlined in a document reviewed by Reuters, was sent to provincial governments and municipalities for their feedback last week. It is not clear if it has already been approved.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs did not respond to a fax with questions on the document, which was issued on Feb. 18 and requested feedback by Feb. 22.

In a separate document, Beijing said it is targeting fewer outbreaks of the disease in the first half of 2019 than in the second half of last year.

Despite banning the movement of pigs out of infected provinces, the disease, for which there is no cure or vaccine, has spread rapidly and been reported in three new provinces over the last week, including on large farms that are expected to have higher disease prevention standards.

“Although the country has introduced several prevention and control policies and measures, it has had little effect,” said Huatai Futures in a note on Wednesday.

China’s vice premier Hu Chunhua said on Tuesday that the situation remained “very serious” and called for intensifying controls, Xinhua reported.

BOOSTING SUPPLIES

The draft plan aims to “further strengthen African swine fever prevention and control measures, establish a long-term effective animal disease prevention system, protect the healthy development of the hog sector and stabilize market supplies”, it said.

Under the proposal, disease prevention measures and the enforcement of laws regulating transport will be unified across the region, allowing for smoother trade.

Each region contains one of China’s top pig-producing provinces, which will ensure it is basically self-sufficient in pork, said the document, which also included a map and data on the self-sufficiency rate.

However, it said that in some places where production has been restricted, efficient and environmentally friendly farming should be resumed to some extent, with southern areas promoting high-quality farming companies.

It also calls for supporting large-scale livestock producers to develop integrated production from breeding through to processing across a whole zone.