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.
Pestilence of earth’s biodiversity: Conservatives break pledge to ban lion hunt trophies from being imported into UK
Exclusive: ‘Numbers in the wild are falling and numbers of captive lions are going up, yet it’s never on anyone’s agenda’
Jane Dalton 10 February 2019 Independent.co.uk
The government has broken a pledge to ban imports of lion hunting trophies, The Independent has discovered.
In 2015, then environment minister Rory Stewart said the UK would halt imports of parts of the big cats by 2017 unless the hunting industry cleaned up its act.
The following year, his successor Liz Truss repeated the promise in a letter, saying: “Unless we see improvements in the way hunting takes place, judged against strict criteria, we will ban lion trophy imports within the next two years.”
Experts say there have been no improvements to African lion hunting, and wild populations have tumbled from about 20,000 then to about 15,000.
More than 150 MPs have signed a parliamentary motion by Zac Goldsmith calling for a ban on hunting trophy imports
The government says it keeps the rules under review.
Chris Macsween of the charity LionAid said she was appalled by the broken promise.
“It’s awful. The number of wild lions is falling and numbers of canned [bred in captivity] lions in the cruel shooting industry is going up, yet it’s never on anyone’s agenda. It’s heartbreaking,” she said.
An average of six lion bodies are imported each year but LionAid says a ban would send a message worldwide.
A spokeswoman for Humane Society International said: “The situation in South Africa, which exports more lion trophies than any other country, is exactly the same as in 2016.”
The US lists lions as an endangered species, which means imports of body parts from captive lions are effectively banned.
In 2015 LionAid twice met Mr Stewart, and Ms Macsween said: “During the second meeting, Mr Stewart told us ‘we had won’.”
Mr Stewart promised in November 2015: “Unless there is a significant improvement in the performance of the hunting industry and of those countries, this government will move to ban lion trophies.”
Experts say hunting male lions devastates entire prides.
Teresa Telecky, HSI’s wildlife vice president, said: “Last September, the magnificent Greater Kruger lion, Skye, who was head of his pride and in his prime, was lured out of the national park into a private reserve, where he was shot by an American hunter.
“As a result, several of his cubs were killed and some of his pride’s lionesses were badly beaten up as new males sought to take over. The lion dynamics in this region were severely compromised.”
At a rally on 13 April this year, thousands of wildlife supporters will march to Downing Street to call for tougher protections, and for all endangered animals to be exempted from trophy-hunting.
Mr Goldsmith said he was awaiting an update from environment officials.
Asked about the criticisms, the Department for Environment referred to a statement by minister Thérèse Coffey, who said imports were already strictly controlled.
“A permit will only be issued if no detrimental impact on the survival of endangered species is demonstrated and the item has been obtained from a legal and sustainable hunting operation.
“We are looking carefully at this issue and … plan to hold a roundtable discussion with organisations from all sides of the debate to gain a better understanding of the issues as well as consider any further scientific advice.”
Environment secretary Michael Gove has said the rules are constantly under review but stopped short of saying whether a ban would be considered.