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.

Millions of small pig farmers in Asia threatened by swine fever outbreak

By Thin Lei Win, Thomson Reuters Foundation

,Reuters•July 2, 2019 By Thin Lei Win

ROME, July 2 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Millions of small-scale pig farmers across Asia risk falling into poverty due to the rapid spread of African swine fever, the United Nations warned on Tuesday.

The incurable disease, which is deadly to pigs but harmless to humans, was first detected last August in China, the world’s largest pork producer.

It has since spread thousands of kilometres and “vulnerable” subsistence farmers in countries including Vietnam, Cambodia and Mongolia are particularly at risk, said the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

Measures to halt swine flu’s spread, such as limiting the transportation of pork, risks destroying the livelihoods of families who lack the expertise and funds to protect their herds, said the FAO’s report.

The decline in production of pig meat, which is largely consumed by poor households, and the depletion of frozen stocks could drive up prices and further strain people’s finances, it said.

“It’s important that these farmers get help as soon as possible, especially as it appears the virus is not contained,” said Cristina Coslet, an FAO economist.

“We’ve contacted our offices in affected countries and while it will take some time to get the exact numbers, we have reports that the small farmers’ incomes are already affected,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation from Rome by phone.

African swine fever is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with an infected animal or through contaminated food and objects such as farming equipment.

Currently there is no effective form of prevention but Vietnam said on Tuesday it has had initial success in creating a vaccine to fight the disease.

Small farmers producing fewer than 500 pigs for slaughter each year account for about 40 percent of China’s output, according to 2016 figures from Rabobank, the Dutch financial services company.

In Vietnam, almost 10 million people depend on pig farming, said Hung Nguyen, East and Southeast Asia representative for the International Livestock Research Institute.

Of these, 60% to 70% are small or medium farms, with between one and 200 pigs, said Nguyen in a phone interview from Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital.

“Some of the farmers have lost up to 200 pigs, at a cost of around $50,000, which is a lot of money for them,” he said.