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, growing in intensity, frequency, size and duration.
Philippines bans pig imports from Laos due to swine fever
Reuters•July 2, 2019
GENEVA, July 2 (Reuters) – The Philippines has banned imports of pigs and pig products from Laos due to an African swine fever outbreak, it said in filings published by the World Trade Organization on Tuesday.
The Philippines’ move follows similar steps by China and Thailand, following an outbreak in Laos’ southern province of Saravane.
The Philippines also said it was introducing new “biosecurity measures”, such as a quarantine period, for imports of plant-based feed products from countries with the disease, citing scientific evidence that African swine fever can spread via feed products.
The extra controls on feed imports apply to Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Hungary, Laos, Latvia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and Vietnam.
The disease, which is incurable in pigs but harmless to humans, has spread rapidly across China since last August and also spread this year in Vietnam. China has reported 137 outbreaks so far, but more are going unreported.
As many as half of China’s breeding pigs have either died from African swine fever or been slaughtered because of it, twice as many as officially acknowledged, according to the estimates of four people who supply large farms.