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.
In some parts of the country, the pigs are a real problem. 6 million of the pesky porkers scattered across at least 35 states. Urban and Rural America ‘Divided’ over Gun Control.
Luckily for McNabb, researchers say wild pig attacks are rare. But there are more than 6 million of the pesky porkers scattered across at least 35 states, and they’re a legitimate nuisance in the southeastern United States, the US Department of Agriculture says.
The hogs tend to raid crops, drive out native species and transmit infectious diseases to humans, according to the Berryman Institute, an organization based in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University.
And pig hunting is the most popular method of pest control — but not necessarily the most effective, researchers with the institute said. Hunters are usually able to kill only adult pigs, and because pigs can reproduce as early as 6 months old and have litters of six piglets or more several times a year, they’re typically able to withstand heavy spates of recreational hunting.
Pigs are smarter than they seem, too. Persistent hunting can teach pigs to avoid an area and move to where they’re harder to catch, according to researchers from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
“Shooting one to two feral hogs does little to control their numbers and typically educates others in the group to avoid humans,” researchers said.
Trapping and euthanizing are the most effective method of wild pig removal, the Berryman Institute found, but even that is more of an art than science. Plus: “Trapping alone is unlikely to be successful in entirely eradicating populations.”
There’s a big divide when it comes to guns
The hubbub over hogs helped illustrate the divide between voters in rural and urban areas at the center of the gun debate.
Wild hogs obviously tend to stay in places that are wild; urban New Yorkers haven’t reported many sightings over the years.
And despite evidence that gun ownership is less prolific in rural states than it once was, the areas remain a stronghold.
A survey from the Pew Research Center found that 46% of Americans in rural areas said they own a gun, compared with 19% in urban areas. Among rural Americans who’ve owned or currently own a gun, nearly half got their first firearm before they turned 18.
According to a CNN exit poll conducted in 2018, voters in rural areas are far more likely to oppose strict gun control measures than their suburban and urban counterparts.
And when CNN’s Harry Enten interviewed voters on what issue they deemed more important, protecting the Second Amendment or controlling gun ownership, 65% of rural respondents prioritized gun rights over limiting access.
Hunting is more common in rural areas too, and rural gun owners are significantly more likely to name hunting as the primary reason they own a gun: nearly 50%, according to Pew, versus 27% of urban gun owners.
The feral pig memes might be good for some dark humor. But when it comes to reaching a solution to end gun violence, they’re a reminder of a big divide.