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.

Why Is Everyone Talking About 30-50 Feral Hogs?

That run into your yard within 3-5 minutes while your small kids play.

GABRIELLA PAIELLA August 5, 2019

If you’ve logged in to Twitter today, you may have noticed that your feed is overrun with talk of hogs—30-50 feral hogs, to be specific, that run into your yard within 3-5 minutes while your small kids play.

For those confused about the abundance of hog talk, it all started when musician and friend of GQJason Isbell reacted to this past weekend’s tragic mass shootings with a tweet that read: “If you’re on here arguing the definition of ‘assault weapon’ today you are part of the problem. You know what an assault weapon is, and you know you don’t need one.” While the responses ranged from those supporting his stance to those arguing against stricter gun laws, one in particular stood out above all others. “Legit question for rural Americans,” it began. “How do I kill the 30-50 feral hogs that run into my yard within 3-5 mins while my small kids play?”

Every additional word added to this sentence takes the reader on a journey that gets exponentially more bizarre. (GQ reached out to McNabb for comment and will update this post when we hear back.) The prospect of 30-50 feral pigs is enough to stop someone in their tracks. But 30-50 feral pigs congregating in somebody’s backyard? What exactly are they doing there? Also, that’s kind of an inconvenient numerical range—planning a party for 30 is way different from trying to entertain 50. Could more of the pigs RSVP? Wait, okay, and they’re going to be there in a matter of just three to five minutes? And are you really suggesting you shoot your assault rifles at the pigs while your small kids, but not your large adult children, are running amongst them?

After laughing like an idiot at all of these for three to five hours, I could not shake the idea that swarms of feral hogs were invading yards throughout America. So I reached out to the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission to learn more about the hogs themselves. Keith Stephens, a spokesperson for the commission, kindly answered my questions via email. For starters, groups of feral hogs are known as sounders, though it’s unlikely that sounders are comprised of 30-50 hogs. “I guess it’s possible, but that’s very large,” Stephens said. “The typical size we see is usually less than 20.”

They do carry a risk, to be sure. “Mostly they destroy residential yards, agricultural crops, native habitat and ecosystems,” he explained. “They’ve also been known to destroy cultural and historical sites such as cemeteries. They can carry diseases such as swine brucellosis and pseudorabies.”

And as for what to do if you’re set upon by 30-50 feral hogs? “If you’re in Arkansas, the best way to handle this is to contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services or the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.”