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.

Locust plague to intensify famine in Yemen without government intervention. Increasing insect pestilence. Intensifying like the pains of a woman in labor. ‘A measure of wheat for a penny.’

July 31, 2019. Middle East Monitor.

Yemen has once again been overtaken by a massive locust plague due to the lack of government oversight and the civil war raging inside of the country, reports Reuters.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) warned the local government that the locusts are expected to pose the greatest threat to agricultural production in Yemen and nearby countries over the next three months.

“Now that the locusts are in the last phase of their growing season. They will complete ecdysis and become adult locusts in two days. These adult locusts will massively gather together and migrate when they can fly,” said Amin Zarqa, deputy director of the desert locust monitoring center in Yemen.

The Indian Ocean cyclone last year provided favorable meteorological conditions for the locusts to breed in western Oman, eastern Yemen and southern Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the rainy season and high temperatures have also further boosted the hatching of the locusts.

The locust plague typically breaks out about every six years. Yemen suffered its last massive locust plagues in 2007 and 2013, but at that time, the local government took early and effective measures, under the help of the international community, in order to reduce the harm that they would cause. However, due to the lack of war and reduced governmental authority, the locust plague this year will undoubtedly become particularly severe.

“Now the damage is severe. We want to get out of here and make a living somewhere else, but what can we do? Even the forage grass for the sheep has been eaten up and they have nothing to eat. This is the first time I’ve seen such a severe locust plague in my whole life,” said a farmer.

According to the director of the desert locust monitoring center, Adel Ibrahim, without immediate action, the locust plague could affect major farming areas in western Yemen within a month and a half, reducing or even eliminating harvests and also impact the agricultural production in of next year, further exacerbating a nationwide famine.

“The locusts caused damage to almost all the crops, especially the grains, citrus and grape crops. We have found that 80 percent of grains, citrus and grape crops were all damaged in accordance to the field sampling survey,” said Ibrahim.

Local experts have called on the local government to put aside political issues and join forces to solve the problem of the locust plague.