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.
Brazil suspends beef exports to China over ‘atypical’ mad cow case
AFP•June 3, 2019
Brazil’s government said Monday it had suspended beef exports to China after an “atypical” case of mad cow disease was identified in the state of Mato Grosso, an agricultural hub.
Exports will remain at a halt while Chinese authorities evaluate details of the incident, the agriculture ministry said in a notice.
Brazil is the world’s biggest exporter of beef and poultry.
The ministry said the “atypical” case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, had cropped up in a “spontaneous and sporadic manner, and not linked to the intake of contaminated food.”
The animal was 17 years old. It was killed and incinerated, the ministry said, adding that no further risk was posed.
The country’s beef exports to China totalled $442.3 million in the first four months of this year — 26 percent of the overall total, and up more than 16 percent from the same period a year ago, according to government data.
The suspension of exports stems from a bilateral protocol, but the World Organization for Animal Health has not changed Brazil’s status, as it considers the overall risk of the disease in Brazil’s livestock to be minor, the ministry said.
The appearance of the first cases of mad cow disease in 1986 in Britain caused a public health scare that lasted several years.
In 1996, it became clear the disease can be transmitted to humans in the form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
The European Union ordered a worldwide embargo on British beef and its derivatives that was lifted in Europe in 1999.